Tips for Succeeding in High School

By Sonia G.

When many of us think about school, we think about stress. We stress over our grades, upcoming tests, and imminent deadlines. As I sit here two weeks in, still far from the apex of the school year, I think about the worry that you as a fellow student may endure this year. Especially for rising freshmen, navigating high school can be intimidating and confusing due to the unfamiliar environment, new faces, challenging classes, and greater independence; so, I have decided to provide you with a few tips that can help you succeed this year and maybe even make it out on top.

Tip #1: Start Off Strong

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Starting off strong is the key to keeping your grades up when material becomes more difficult. Everyone starts the year with a clean slate until the teachers enter your initial grades. During the first quarter of the school year, aim to establish an A-B average that will be your cushion later on as classes intensify. If school becomes bewildering further into the semester and you make a bad grade, you won’t need to fret because your overall average will still be fairly high. Remember: “It’s hard to bring low grades up, but it’s easy to let high grades drop.” 

Tip #2: Be Respectful to All of Your Teachers 

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Teachers are people too and first impressions can follow you. You don’t have to be a teacher’s pet but you do need to act respectful. Shake their hand, ask questions, do your work, and strive to demonstrate leadership skills in the classroom. These actions will create a positive perception of you and, in return, encourage your teacher to be patient, offer advice, explain topics, and even form a good reputation of you among other teachers. On the other hand, if you portray yourself as a troublemaker, your teacher may be less inclined to help you in class.

Tip #3: Read the Introductory Materials

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Every year, on the first day of school, teachers will pass out a class syllabus; some include the year’s calendar, due dates, rules, and other important pieces of information. Components of the syllabus may never be discussed in class because the teacher expects you to have read it. Also, ensure that you read through any document you are required to sign. This is a necessary habit to form, since many of the documents you sign as an adult are legally binding-- think leases, contracts and checks. So, read through the papers handed out on the first day carefully.

These tips are not going to make you the valedictorian or set you up to skip a grade, but they will provide a good foundation upon which you can apply the fourth and final tip: hard work.