Your First Year of High School: Advice
Specifically, advice from someone who's been through two years of this bullshit already.
P1: Social Business
Make friends. Make acquaintances. Yes, I know, talking to people is hard, especially if you're neurodivergent. But having at least one person who you can confide in who isn't already family will make high school feel so much easier.
Your teachers can also be great people to talk to. Think of them as your mentors, someone who's been through this system and is now there to help you through it too. Of course, don't try and act like they're on the same peer level on you.
If you're like me, and you can spot a fake from a mile away, wonderful. This is a useful skill for avoiding potentially rotten apples such as manipulators and abusers, especially if you're getting into the dating scene.
If not, take this as a small guide: Pay attention to how they talk to other people other than you. Notice how they speak of and treat teachers and classwork. Notice what they prioritize or who they prioritize. Just from analyzing small behaviours, you can weed out most of the bad and find true friendship.
P2: Extracurriculars
They look great on college applications if you're in a sport or club! Leadership looks good, academic/competitive clubs such as trivia teams look good, football or one of the "big" sports looks good...
But!
Only do it if you can handle it and if you really are willing to do this. Don't go into football and get knocked on your ass just because it looks good on paper. Don't go into trivia team if you hate trivia just because it looks good. Do things you enjoy now. These four years go fast.
And be aware, for those of us who are disabled/undiagnosed-but-something's-off, sports can have a big impact on executive functioning, either through physical strain or mental workload. For example, if you have hEDS and are trying out for the cheer squad, make yourself, your parents/guardians, and your coach(es) aware of your condition before you wreck yourself.
P3: Queerness, Dating, And Peer Pressure
Being queer in HS is hard. Dating in HS when you're queer is harder. And peer pressure can affect you in unforeseeable ways.
Know how to say the big word "NO!"
I know. Cheesy. But to get it through your thick heads, NO, don't pick up smoking or vaping or getting stoned just because your friends do it. NO, if you're not comfortable, you don't have to get laid/have sex because "everyone else is." You have your adult years to have all the sex or none of the sex you want. Don't do it. Please. I speak from experience.
Even in queer relationships, people can be abusive and manipulative. Know who you can talk to if you're in an abusive relationship
On another note, find queer community where you can. Your school may have a GSA, although they may end up getting nuked. Be a squeaky wheel, or be the backbone of other squeaky wheels. Speak up. Your voice matters, even if no one says so. If you need relationship help and don't have anyone to talk to, you can call, chat, or text here. They're there to help.
Bottom Line: Take no shit, do your best, and give 'em hell, kid.
