#highschooladvice

Okay, this is a memo from a couple months after I finished my freshman year and of course, I added some extra tips that I have learned over the years. 

1.) I wouldn't use a locker, just because I carry only my essentials and I don't really have a use for a locker, but if your school doesn't have team locker rooms for your sports equipment, then I would recommend using your locker. Nor is there really time for students usually to get their belongings out of the locker and out to class in time.

2.) The upperclassmen don't really care about you since they have college and stuff, but this is also an example of what you should do in the future. So do pay attention to how they are and what they’re doing because if you learn how to study from an upperclassman, you’ll probably be able to get through freshman year without much hassle!

3.) If you're worried about classes, you'll most likely be separated from your friends. Harsh, I know but take this as an opportunity to make friends and get involved. This was especially easy for me, but I have made a lot of new friends that are always there if I missed a class or couldn’t understand an important assignment!

4.) Take chances to make friends and get involved not only because colleges and university will appreciate them on your application, but also because you will make some hilarious and embarrassing memories. I joined a sport at my high school (crew), and I made so many memories with my friends there, and I am proud to say that I did enjoy doing a sport in high school even if maybe the water was my biggest fan. 

5.) Care about classes because when you mess up with perhaps a C or lower, it is tough to bring your grades back up. Also, try and keep a healthy and friendly relationship with your teachers because that is so beneficial when you need them to write you college letters of recommendation. I let loose a little bit at the end of my junior year, and so because of that, I spent the summer trying to pick it back up. 

6.) Go to pep rallies, dances, games, or go out for a sport or a club. In my second year of high school, I went out for our rowing team, and I had such a great time, I put in the work and honestly, some people weren't the most welcoming, but I had friends, and I made friends that made my season so worth it!

7.) Don't be mean or rude or annoying, although you are a freshman. Remember that you are not God, nor do you really have a standing in the school, so stay in your lane but don't be afraid to spread your interests out!

8.) Take classes online: I took Personal Finance and Physics online, so if you live in my county, these are not a good idea if you expect to learn from them alone. I had to put in a lot of work for Physics because my teacher wasn’t a good source and the powerpoints had wrong information in them. So do beware these are basically self-study courses!

9.) This is to any freshman, senior (men/women) really don’t like you for your personality, so do beware. Not every senior is like that, but I have warned you.

I got lots of feedback on my junior advice post, so I thought people would like this as well! If you’re new here, welcome! I am a rising/current senior in the US, so I am 17 about to be going to university/college next year. Here is some advice for rising sophomore year students or if you’re 14/15 going into your 2nd year of high school or secondary education. I had successfully compiled tips and tricks that I wish I knew before I went in/ completed my sophomore year, and I’d like to share them with you!  Disclaimer: These will not apply to everybody because we all work in weird ways, so if these don’t apply/work for you. Do not fret, trust your gut instincts and your mother.

1.) Plan Ahead: As with really any year in school, you should be planning ahead, so when you first get your schedule or your syllabus. However, if you are going to procrastinate, which I don’t encourage but I do know it’s inevitable, procrastinate on something that you care about so you’ll have motivation later on to finish. Although in general, try not to procrastinate at all or minimize it!

2. Space: Not everything that you are going to learn is going to click as soon as you learn it, so take some time to really understand the nitty-gritty and then give yourself some time and space away from the subject. If you still do not understand it, go seek outside help from teachers, other faculty members or a student in your class. 

3. Insecurities: Remember that everyone is in the same boat as you, so just because you’re taking hard classes and not having the time of your life means that others are also probably going through that as well. People are just people, everyone has their own fears, insecurities, worries, and faults. It’s good to be mindful of how others see you but keep in mind that their opinion is just information, not the definition.

4. Grudges: Don’t hold long term anger or resentment over people because we are all just trying our best and that looks different for everyone, so do be mindful of how you treat everyone and just be a nice person! There’s no need to be rude to anyone and especially teachers be nice because they are the ones that solidify your entry to college or university!

5. Classes are Harder: Now that you’re not as naive and gullible as freshman, your teachers and classes do get harder and especially if you’re in the US, you have the opportunity to start AP/IB courses, so please know what it’s going to be more challenging compared to freshman year. So challenge yourself, but if you’re struggling GET HELP! I, personally, am the type of person to be struggling but play it off as if I am 100% fine, however, I am learning to ask for help and how to know when there’s something I need more or that I need to do more. 

6. Be Safe: I know that vaping, drinking and partying is a “cool” right now, but I AM NOT ENCOURAGING NOR AM I SUPPORTING THIS! But if you will participate in any type of these activities please know that your health is at risk and so please be responsible! And do not drive if you’re under the influence ever, for others safety and yours!

7. Grind: Make your goals, try your hardest to meet them. As much as you might get tempted by sophomore kickbacks and parties, focus on what is important to you. Study for that test. Volunteer. Get a job. Whatever you’re passionate about. Bring coffee/ chai/ matcha/water/ boba with you. Get your work done so that you’re off to a good start when junior year starts to kick in!

8. SAT/ACT: Just saying these words in a class full of seniors can make all of us groan, but if you’re planning on taking additional subject tests or if you want to gage where you are when taking these tests, I would recommend taking one of these the end of your sophomore year. There’s no harm because it’s your first and you can get a feel of your strengths and weaknesses. 

People act like it’s such a big deal to move up to high school, but I don’t get it. The main difference for me was 600 students (in middle school) to over 3000 (in high school). And a 106 acre campus. The workload was a little bit worse, especially when I took Biology Honors, I worked till 8 at night and I didn’t understand what was going on. But luckily I dropped out of it. One thing that I think parents don’t understand is how hard the education system is for children today. They expect so much more out of us. In order to get a decent job, you almost always need a college degree and that means you want scholarships. And in order to qualify for most scholarships you need a good ACT/SAT score, GPA, and maybe even a few AP courses. And your school might offer Dual Enrollment and encourage you to get you Associates Degree, before you graduate high school. Now, this is great for a lot of students, but I find it like they want you to rush your life. And that’s scary. I don’t know what I want to do for the rest of my life, I have an idea, but it’s crazy the pressure they put on you. One of my favorite things about High School is there is even more freedom than middle school. I get to eat lunch in or outside and I get an hour for lunch. So, if I wanted to leave campus (I don’t drive yet, but I could) go out for lunch. I also love the possibilities my school offers. I take two CTE (Career Technical Education Courses). I’m currently enrolled in Personal Finance and Digital Multi Media 2. And I love these classes. And I can get certified in one of the them. My county also offers academies, which basically is a group of classes to help you get ready to work in that field. I’m part of the finance academy, which includes Finance and Business Tech, Accounting Applications, Personal Finance, and Business Operations. And I love it. I didn’t want to be in an academy, but my parents forced me, and it’s seriously the best decision. Because I learned I want to do something Finance. Another great thing about High School, is online courses! I took advantage of two online courses, this year. If you tell your guidance counselor you want to take an online course, you have the option to go a class earlier or later. And it’s the best thing ever! My school ends at 3:30, so I get out at 1:46 (due to online classes). And I start school at 8:30! which was too early It’s such a wonderful opportunity, and if your state/county has it, USE IT! I live in Florida, and I did FLVS, but your country might have one, like mine has VVS. Overall, High School is what you make out it. You have to make a choice on what kind of student you want to be. I love High School, mostly because I don’t let others opinions bug me. People can say my county is bad, but my school is literally the best, to me.

I would like to start by pointing out to you how utterly pointless it is to be shy. I get it, it's a great big world, and you're one little tiny person, but seriously, you shouldn't fear what might happen if you stand out. You don't need to stand out to be somebody, but focusing on fitting in isn't an effective way of maintaining your happiness, human nature dictates that you will quickly get bored of that. Put yourself out there, join that club that intrigued you are the extra-curricular's fair, and for heaven's sake you have GREAT THINGS in your brain, so speak up!

If you thought the first part of this was a reality check, then you're in for a real shocker here- HIGHSCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS ARE OVERRATED. A wise woman once told me "remember that everyone you date, you are either going to break up with or marry." You are 15. If you wait for 3 years to date, it your chance to find love is nowhere near being over. Spending time getting your heart broken and doing things you regret with someone who will later either break your heart or have their heart broken by you is one of the biggest myths of happiness for teenagers these days. Yes, sometimes dating is fun and emotionally satisfying, but spending more time crying over a boyfriend than making memories with your true friends is a huge waste of time. High school isn't about finding your groom, it's about finding your bridesmaids. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Even though you haven't really felt it yet, you will in the very near future feel pressured to party. I am going to tell you something here that I want you to remember whenever you allow yourself to indulge in this meaningless right of passage- memories are more fun when you can remember them and aren't traumatized by them. I know you've head this part before but please please watch your drinks, this means don't turn your eyes away from it for even a second, and if you must then at least cover it with your hand. You don't realize it, but the reality of the date rape drug is only becoming more and more common.

The last thing I must take the time to tell you is that worrying will not change your tomorrow, it will only harm your rest tonight. "Fix your eyes upon what is unseen rather than what is seen, for what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal."

Signed,