High School FAQ

Welcome back everyone!

Today I plan to answer a lot of common questions that I hear or get asked about starting high school. I’m currently a sophomore so I’m not exactly an expert in all things high school, but I think I actually have a good perspective since I’m not a freshman now, but I was only a short time ago. My answers are based off of my own personal experiences from last year so they may not be relatable to everyone, but I think for the most part they are fairly universal/general.

Are the upperclassmen mean? – I feel like a lot of people are scared about this one because of stereotypical bullies in teen movies, but you probably won’t even see the upperclassmen that much unless you’re ahead in your classes for some reason or are in activities with them. Some of them will be slightly rude/just indifferent, but some will actually be pretty nice! It helps if you have older siblings or older family friends.
Will I get lost? – It depends on how big your school is; either way, you won’t get lost beyond help. Make sure you have a map of the school and figure out a general idea of where your classes are beforehand, but even if you wander a little bit you will be fine. If you have a small school, I wouldn’t even worry about it. No matter what school you go to, teachers will be understanding if you’re a little late on the first day and people may even be out in the halls to help you find your way.
Are the teachers meaner/harder/etc. ? – This really depends on what types of classes you are taking and what teachers you actually get. There are some WONDERFUL teachers and some less than desirable teachers at almost every school; you just have to cross your fingers and hope you get the good ones. I found that high school teachers were actually a little bit more chill- even if they gave a lot of work, their personalities were a lot more laid-back in the classroom than middle school teachers.
Will I be able to handle AP/honors classes and should I take them? – It’s kind of a personal preference; if you want to be challenged and are okay with a heavier workload, I would TOTALLY recommend taking them. It’s great to boost your GPA and it will be helpful for college admission later, but I find that the classes are a lot more interesting and stimulating as well. If you have a lot of activities or school isn’t really your thing, that’s totally fine too- focus on what you like.
What if I have problems with my schedule or anything of that sort? – Go see your counselor! They are there to help you and make this transition easier whenever you need something. It’s easier than you think to get a schedule change or fix something like that, and your counselor will usually be able to accomodate most of your needs within just a few minutes of explaining your situation. It’s also nice just to get to know them and drop in so there’s another friendly face on campus- they can help you a lot later on with college.
How do I find out about school events? – I would suggest following your school’s social media accounts if they have any, or just keeping up with their website and activities/athletics calendars (whether those are online or posted at school) if they don’t. Flyers will often be posted around school for various events, and if your school does morning announcements they will be broadcasted there. I would definitely recommend attending rallies and sports games (especially football games!) plus any other interesting or traditional events/shows your school puts on.
How do I meet new people/make friends with them? – Just make the effort to get out of your comfort zone and talk to them! I would start with the people in your classes since you already have one thing in common- taking the same class. You’ll need a homework help/study buddy eventually, so strike up a conversation with the people who sit near you and exchange numbers. Eventually you’ll probably do some sort of group work/projects and some friendships will stem from there. Also, mutual friends are great to become close with- as your friends meet new people and introduce them to you, be friendly and make an effort to get to know them.
Do I need a lot of supplies? – You only need the basics, honestly. Teachers will tell you up-front the first week of school if you need anything extra/out-of-the-ordinary or they prefer you to use something specific for their class, so don’t buy a lot before the first day. Get pens, pencils, paper, folders/notebooks, highlighters, etc. I actually wrote a post about high school school supply essentials, so go check it out if you haven’t already!
How do I get involved? – Join whatever you’re interested in! There’s most likely tons of organizations/clubs/programs/electives on campus, so there will be something for everyone. If you don’t know where to start, ask your friends what they’re joining- don’t make your decisions based on this, but it definitely is comforting to have a friend there as well. Try things out and attend a couple events/practices/meetings before committing though; you never know what you will or won’t like.
What should I do if I start feeling super stressed and overwhelmed? – It depends what level your feelings are at. If it’s right at the beginning of the year, it might just be the general new school adjustment and it’s best to wait it out a bit. If you’re farther into the year and things are still too crazy, you might want to look at your commitments. Maybe drop a difficult class you don’t enjoy, or quit a club you’re not that dedicated to. If you’re struggling with time-management in general, start using a planner and cutting down on procrastination.

I hope this Q&A type thing answered a lot of your guys’ questions. I know it’s a scary transition from middle school to high school, but I promise it’s not that bad and you’ll be adjusted in no time. I’ve been pre-writing these posts and I actually am writing this one on my second-to-last day of summer, but by now I am in school and most of you guys probably are too! After the next couple posts go up I will probably start posting in-real-time again, and I will let you guys know what my new posting schedule is. I’m always here to answer more questions and take requests for new content- keep an eye out!

-Brooke