by Jasper Alday
Ah, the days of middle school are long gone. Welcome to the first year of a long, but rewarding period of your educational journey: high school. For some of you, entering high school feels quite intimidating. That is understandable. I think we can all agree that we have felt the same feeling. Anyhow, transitioning into high school should not be something to be frightened about; in fact; it should be embraced, ebulliently, because it is the beginning of exposure to a plethora of opportunities, immense personal growth, and wonderful memories. So, keep reading and let us go over some tips that will help you have a marvelous high school experience.
Take advantage of rigorous courses.
Though you are only a freshman, it would be highly advantageous to take challenging courses, as early as possible, because it would help you be accustomed to the rigor of advanced classes. Thus, as you advance in grade annually, you feel more comfortable with the classes you are taking. Ellison High School offers Advanced, Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Credit courses in the subjects of Math, Science, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Oh, might I also add, taking these rigorous courses give you an opportunity to earn college credits. Who says challenging courses are not fun?
Participate in the school community.
Ellison High School offers a multitude of clubs and organizations, ranging from sports clubs to community service organizations, that will enable you not only to pursue your passions, but also to explore your interests. Participating in clubs and organizations is also a great way to keep yourself occupied; not to mention, a wonderful opportunity to partake in the betterment of your community.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Whether it may be with homework or personal matters, do not be afraid to ask for help. People at Ellison are more than happy to help. All teachers have tutoring after school and it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to ask for help with their homework, or lessons in class. Counselors are available in their offices should you need any help with personal matters. Your friends are also a wonderful source of help. Take advantage of all these resources to enhance your high school experience.
Work hard, but also play hard.
To avoid burn out, do not forget to have fun. You do not have to be studying or engaging in extracurricular activities 24/7. Find time to do things that you love, whether it may be taking long walks, or attending a music festival. It is necessary to have a balance between school and life; thus, resulting to a happier you.
Grow from struggles in life.
High school may be a stressful time in your life—personal and academic problems will arise—and are inevitable. To go through them unscathed, perhaps a change in perspective helps. For instance, instead of viewing difficulties in life as burden, think of them as something that is mandatory for personal growth; embrace them, because the more struggles you conquer, the wiser and stronger you become.
Be nice to everyone.
This may be the very last on the list; however, this is the most important. There may be days when you are not having it, but it is not a justifiable reason for being unpleasant towards others. Simple acts of kindness, such as holding the door, helping strangers pick up their things, or something as simple as saying “thank you” and “please” can shift a person’s entire mood. So, be nice to your schoolmates because they may be going through overwhelming difficulties in life. Be nice to your teachers because they strive, every day, to impart knowledge on you. Be nice to the school administrators because they ensure that everything runs smoothly. Be nice to the custodians because they work very hard to keep our classroom and surroundings clean for us to have a healthy studying place. Be nice to everyone because it is the right thing to do.
Now that I have shared these tips on how to have a terrific high school experience with you, I hope you have a wonderful first year in high school. Always remember to never give up just because life is hard; instead, use it to motivate yourself to work harder. There may be times when you doubt whether the things you do would amount to something or not, but trust me, they will. Just keep moving forward until you see the light at the end of the tunnel (cliché, I know).
Do everything superbly. Make a difference.
Sincerely,
John Jasper Alday