Setting up for High School Success

First of all, I wanted to say that we are so sorry for the break between posts. BUT! We are back, as the focus for the month says, so I wanted to write about something that’s kind of stressful, and how I’m trying to work through it.

I’m in eighth grade, and when I think of eighth grade, I think about the end of middle school, and when I think about the end of middle school I think about…

*cues dramatic music*

HIGH SCHOOL. ick.

Oh, no!

When you think of high school, you might feel excited or apprehensive about the new place, new schedules, huge campuses, and choices. Questions like, what am I going to do (for classes)?, and how am I going to get around in the small passing period time?

Well that’s why we need to talk through this, and learn together to set up for our high school success, to turn the nervousness into fuel to kill high school next year! You’ve got to eventually go to high school, so we might as well do well for setting up our year.

Resources:

One of the best resources that we can get help from is your middle school counselor, or your (next year) high school counselor. They are there to help, and the benefits of asking questions or setting up a meeting with the high school counselor are endless (okay maybe not, but ya’know). Showing that you have the proactive qualities to put yourself out there with your counselor already gives you a good word to your new school.

If you don’t want to take that step, then send a quick email to them, since usually their email addresses are on the high school’s website, or ask your middle school counselor (or one of your teachers) for the email address.

Also, friends or siblings who are already in high school can help a lot. (If you ask some questions, hopefully your siblings will answer nicely, but if not, get your parents on board. You might be able to grow in that relationship as well as get ready for high school!)

Reminders:

As much as you might disagree, your parents are there to help you in your transition to high school. They may not know everything that is different nowadays, but if you can stick with them and answer their relentless questions, chances are they will help you to make good choices.

If you disagree on what you want to do in high school, though, it might be a hard fought battle (not really, I’m exaggerating). Sometimes, like most coming of age books and movies, you might feel like your idea is the right choice, and that’s okay if you’ve truly thought it through. We suggest sitting down with your parents to talk your ideas through, but make sure it doesn’t turn into a fight! You’re putting your ideas out there, they can put their ideas out there, and go through the pros and cons.

Good Luck!

I know that all the questions you might have seem overwhelming, but I’m sure that after talking (or writing) some stuff through, high school will seem a lot easier. The more you learn about the jumps from class to class, schedules, etc. the better it will be when you get there for real.

In the meantime, share your knowledge with your friends who might have questions too!

Remember, Every Drop Counts!

~Jo