How to Make Your Year Awesome
Part 1:
You are already wondering, I'm certain, what makes me qualified to talk about this, seeing as how I am not a high schooler and I am a teacher. Here is a list of my qualifications:
1. I spent four years in high school. Hindsight is 20/20 and I can clearly see a lot of things I should have done differently. Heed my warnings, learn from my mistakes.
2. I'm 27 years old as of this posting. Some of you may have siblings the same age as me.
Hopefully you will find me more relatable than an older teacher.
I still clearly remember high school. I still know what it's like to be a student.
3. I teach high school, meaning I spend my days with young adults just like you. And I still like my students. That probably means that I like you and I have no intention of steering you in the wrong direction.
4. Last year I taught about 150 freshmen, and the occasional sophomore or junior who was taking civics. Overall, most all of my students will be freshmen. I see the mistakes that new high schoolers make.
Life Lesson #1: Learn from other people's mistakes.
5. Confession: I am one of those high school teachers who is, in many ways, still a teenager at heart.
I love the same sports you love, I enjoy the same movies, and I play the same video games.
This always amazes my students. I have yet to turn into an old fart. Just trust me on some things.
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Part II:
Tips for Heading to High School (in no particular order)
DISCLAIMER: Since I am a teacher, I will obviously emphasize the importance of academics. I'll talk about other advice too, but these are tips for the good student or the student who wants to get back on the right track.
(If you've come here looking for fashion tips or how to learn about the best high school parties...you're looking at the wrong blog.)
1. Please, for the love of everything good, bring your school supplies to school.
Classroom life will be so much happier when you have your supplies.
It really, truly is not hard to keep your supplies around.
2. Keep a jacket/sweatshirt with you or in your locker.
Classroom temperatures fluctuate and oftentimes the teacher has no control.
Whining is not allowed, so suck it up and put on a sweater!
3. If the teacher gives you a handout, you should probably keep it.
Unless they say, "Actually, this isn't important at all; I'm just a tree murderer" you should keep this kind of stuff.
4. Ask for directions.
If you are new to a building, ask for help and don't ask older kids!
They would love to send you in the wrong direction.
Stop in a classroom, identify the teacher (that's the person curled up under their desk with a mug of coffee), and ask for directions.
They won't bite.
5. Follow School Dress Code.
Choose clothing that is school-appropriate, says positive things about you and is comfortable for sitting.
6. Take care of your materials, your desk, and your area in a classroom.
Personally, I get really cranky with students who tear their textbooks, draw on their desks, and throw paper and gum on the floor around their desk. This is childish. Don't be childish.
7. Buses wait for no man.
(You probably already knew this)
8. Join something! Join anything!
Your school likely has a huge variety of extracurricular activities you can enjoy.
Some will require a lot of dedication, some require athletic ability, some require artistic ability, some involve the opportunity to help with school programs like dances, the talent show, or prom.
Find one that fits you and your personality. DO SOMETHING.
9. Get your potty breaks on a schedule.
Train yourself to go potty before school, during lunch, and after school.
Not during class.
10. Set some goals for yourself.
I don't mean huge goals. I mean little goals, like "I will always have my supplies in class" or "I want to learn about ________ this year."
Believe it or not, there are a lot of opportunities for personal growth in school. Make it a priority!
Speaking of priorities...
11. Keep your priorities straight.
Making friends should definitely be a priority, but where should it fall on that list?
-Should making friends matter more than the potty break schedule? Probably!
-Should making friends matter more than your grades? No.
Take time to make a list of priorities. Example:
1. Stay happy.
2. Get grades that my parents and I are satisfied with.
3. Do an activity and do it well.
4. Make new friends.
If you discover that an item on the list is hurting or endangering items above it on the list, you need to fix it.
If you discover your new friends make you unhappy, or partially cause your falling grades, or take you away from basketball practice, then you need to make some changes.
12. If you want to be treated like an adult, then act like an adult.
I will not treat you all the same in this classroom. You are all individuals and you all deserve to be treated as such. That being said, if you act like an adult, I will respect you as an adult.
If you act like a child, you will be treated like a child.
You don't have to bring peanut butter Rice Krispy treats (although that always helps), or volunteer to do stuff in the classroom (a nice gesture, but unnecessary), or just generally suck up.
Instead, act like you halfway want to be there. Be polite. Ask questions. Be responsible. Do your job.
That's what adults are supposed to do.
and...have a wonderful year!
Special thanks to Stephanie from Eat.Write.Teach