1. Find a Good Group of Friends!
It is extremely important to have a good, strong group of Christian believers. If you don't have a group of friends yet, that's okay! A lot of times, it's hard to know who is a true friend. However, I have found that a true friend is pretty easy to identify. A true, Godly friend loves you and will have your back. They are trustworthy and try to help when you are hurting. Having good friends, especially since I struggle with anxiety, has helped me a lot throughout High School.
2. Don't be Afraid of the Teachers!
I used to judge teachers before I knew them. I would hear that one teacher is strict and start having anxiety about how they might not like me. However, they say not to judge a book by its cover. Having good relationships with your teachers are important because you want to feel comfortable enough to ask them for help. Your teachers want you to succeed and will be more than happy to help you.
3. Ask Questions!
In Middle School, it is important to ask lots of questions, and it is even more important in High School. I used to be afraid of asking questions I thought were dumb. However, asking questions only makes you smarter. High School moves a bit faster than Middle School, and you want to make sure you really understand the material.
4. Study!
You will want to study to get a good grade, even if it is only for a short amount of time! Often times, you will have a big test, and the information is difficult to cram last minute. Make sure you have time to prepare! You will especially need time to study for your finals.
5. Be a Trustworthy Example!
Now that you are in High School, you will have younger kids looking up to you. You want to be an example that exudes Christ. Being trustworthy also helps your relationships with friends and teachers. In all honesty, being a trustworthy, God-following example makes High School easier and more fun.
HCA Freshman,
Maddie
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6. Be Organized!
It's so stressful to not know where homework is or where you put the study guide for your test. Having a central location for all your work is super important! Even better, if you are like me and lose EVERYTHING, take a picture of important papers and homework. Even if you lose a paper copy of an assignment or document, you always have a digital copy.
7. Study ahead of time!
It might not be easy or fun, but studying material ahead of time helps you recall things on tests. Personally, I take sloppy notes... I get in a hurry and my handwriting becomes chicken scratch! Rewriting notes is a great way to retain information given during class.
8. Prioritize!
Some weeks are jammed with tests and quizzes, and I feel overwhelmed when it gets to that point. Prioritizing helps this problem so much! The system I use to prioritize is pretty simple. My homework routines go in this order: written work, study for tests, and study for quizzes. If you have a test on Tuesday and a test on Thursday, it's in your best interest to study for the first test before you begin looking over the Thursday material. If you study ahead of time, the length at which you have to study lessens and, ultimately, gives you more free time!
9. Use your resources!
There are so many study apps out there to help you learn and memorize material. Some of my personal favorites are Quizlet, Kahoot, Flashcards, Khan Academy, and Study Stack.
10. Have Fun!
High School has more social events than Middle School. Go to as many of them as you can and have fun! Some of my favorite Freshman memories were made at games and dances.
HCA Freshman,
Bekah