Wednesday, August 29, 2018

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. 

7 comments:

  1. An excellent article written by an excellent young scholar.

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  2. Sonia, thanks for these timely tips to help students get off to a good start for a successful year. Great job! Ms. Loudermilk :)

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  3. I really like your tip #2 about being respectful to teachers. Like you said small gestures such as shaking hands can have a big positive impression.

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  4. What great tips for new high school students! I especially like the inclusion of the important adult skill of reading everything one is going to sign thoroughly. These steps will help new students start their high school career off right!

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  5. How amazing, if in search of the perfect advice to give a student, this would be ideal. As a teacher these are important tips because they will make a world of a difference if followed; makes life that much easier. I always stress the idea of agendas and staying on track and ahead of the course. Allowing students the opportunity to receive this information from a peer may just be the small push they needed. believe agendas can aide in assisting with starting the year off on a good note. Lastly, the acknowledgement of teachers being people too is a very important element that is sometimes forgotten; being respectful and building relationships is key in regards to any level of success.

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  6. I love seeing advice that is written from a student perspective! Too often we as adults think we know best, but in reality we haven't been a high school student in quite a while. It is much more relevant for a student to hear what they should and should not expect from a peer who has recently been through it all!

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  7. Excellent article. and it comes from a student's point of view. Great work PTC kids are doing to help students to succeed not only in school but in their lives. They acquired experience that is transmitted to other students which helps them in their day-to-day work.

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