#grangergoals

Hey guys!! I am proud to present my first pack of studyblr icons!! These were all made with the app Canva. Please reblog/like/credit me if you use them! If anyone wants personalized icons message me and we can work something out!

[Note: This turned out way longer than I thought it would, so I am splitting it into two parts! This is Part One, Tips For Freshman Year! Part Two, on Sophomore Year, will be linked here when it is available!]

So it is that time again! School is just around the corner, and I will be an upperclassman this year! So I thought that I should impart my wisdom from the last two years to those who may be a little nervous about what is to come!(All advice is from me and my experiences, and it may not line up with everyone’s ideas of high school) Here we go!!!

Freshman Year: (Academics)

1. STUDY, and this might seem obvious for some; however, I never had to study before high school, and I still made great grades. When I got to high school though, I completely failed the first quarter of Chemistry. I had to learn how to study, how to take notes, things that many of my other classmates already knew how to do. After talking with my teachers, guidance counselors, and parents, I managed to bring my Chemistry grade up to an A. Please just study it makes everything so much easier!!  (If you need help look at some the masterposts here on Tumblr they really do help!!)

2. If you feel like you are falling behind, TALK TO YOUR TEACHERS, trust me they want to hear from you! If you have been a good student(or even if you have slacked off), coming to them to get help is the best thing you can do. My school has tutoring hours in the morning where kids can go and get questions answered, but if yours doesn’t I recommend making a list of concepts(or questions) of things you don’t understand and catching your teacher before or after class and talk to them about it. This not only answers your immediate questions but lets the teacher know that you(and others) may need extra help with those concepts in class!

3. If you feel like you can handle it, JOIN CLUBS/VOLUNTEER, this is not only a great way to make friends who have the same interests as you, but it looks great on College Applications(especially if you stick with it, and end up in a leadership position)! Some schools have requirements for community service to graduate, but no matter what volunteering is a great thing to do! You can volunteer at animal shelters, soup kitchens, Boy And Girls Club, and so many other places!(Note: Some Places may have age restrictions)

4. I know it is really scary, but START CONSIDERING COLLEGES, maybe not actual colleges yet, but deciding whether or not you even want to go to college, and if you want it to be a big or a small campus, private or public, 4-year or 2-year etc. This really helps later when it is crunch time, going into this year(Junior), I have my first and second choice schools picked along with the major I am planning on pursuing, but don’t get too serious yet!

5. If your school offers it, TAKE THE PSAT AND ACT, I cannot tell you how much this has prepared me for the upcoming tests I am taking this year. I know the formats, the time constraints, my weaknesses and my strengths, and so much more. I recommend taking this both Freshman and Sophomore year if possible, one without studying at all so you know what your baseline is, and one with studying so you know what to improve upon. 

6. Look at the classes your school has to offer. This is very important if you plan on taking AP or IB classes you need to look at the prerequisites for the classes and see if you have fulfilled them. If not, and you still would like to take the class I recommend talking to your guidance counselor, they can sometimes bypass them, or you could choose to take them side-by-side with the class the next year. If your school offers IB(International Baccalaureate) classes, you need to consider whether or not you want to do Diploma or Certificate(This is something that needs to be figured out now because next year you will be filling out your application), and what classes might you want to take. For AP or Honors classes look for things that you would enjoy learning in-depth about.

7. Have a little bit of Fun, once again, pretty intuitive, but Freshman year is all about changes, a little more freedom, but a lot more of responsibility. Don’t forget that one bad grade doesn’t define you, and it’s okay to slack off every once in awhile(just remember to catch up when you do). Make plans with your friends, stay up till 3 am on Skype with someone, play childish games, and most importantly BE YOURSELF, it’s cliche but it is one of the most important things I have learned in my two years here. People will like who you are, with all of your flaws

(Under the cut is tips for your social life freshman year)

Hi there! I am still working on setting up this blog but I thought I would go ahead and introduce myself!

Who am I?

 My name is Emily and next year I will be a junior and a first year IB student! I love learning new things, my cat, reading and writing, and lots of other things! I am a Ravenclaw/Slytherin, I am sixteen years old, and I live in the U.S.!!

What classes are you taking next year?

I will be taking:

Psychology SL, English HL, Theory of Knowledge, Math HL, Chemistry HL, Physics HL, German SL, and Musical Theatre! 

Why did you make a Studyblr?  

MOTIVATION!!! I need something to keep me accountable, and I want to make friends with people who are all motivated to study! Also I want to give tips to those who are in, or are soon to be in my place.

Studyblr’s that motivate me!