To The Most Awesome Class Of 2018,
I believe that we put a great deal of time and energy into the Seniors graduating each year, but we miss the opportunity to celebrate the Freshmen who are just beginning the journey. If you are part of the class of 2018, I am so happy for you because the world is waiting for you to do something amazing with the knowledge you acquire in high school and college! As a high school teacher myself, I definitely understand some of the feelings that you may have.
There are plenty of unknowns about high school….until you get there. Fortunately for you, many high schools today conduct what is generally known as Freshmen Orientation. This takes place usually takes place shortly before school begins. It gives entering Freshmen the opportunity to learn the building and how things operate so you won’t be totally confused on that first day of school among hundreds of faces you don’t know. If your school is holding an orientation, I suggest you attend and pay close attention to what is said. Usually, there are current students who volunteer their time for this event. You should definitely talk to them about what to expect because as we all know, it just sounds different when it comes from a peer instead of an adult.
Here are some other tips for you:
- Check out the videos on Youtube posted by other students. They are filled with helpful tips.
- If you want to do well, you have to study. Because you are at another level of education, you will be expected to do more in return for good grades. Develop a habit of studying.
- Use the resources that are available to you. Your counselors office is an excellent place to find information. My blog as well as visionchasers.com are only 2 of many resources designed to assist you.
- Get involved. Many students who say they don’t like their school fail to understand that they are the school. A school without students isn’t a school. Your 4 years in high school will be what you make them. Participation in clubs and sports will increase your familiarity with more of the student body. So have fun and get involved.
- Create your vision and write it down. I believe that students don’t reach their full potential simply because they don’t have an understanding of why they get out of bed and go to school 5 days a week. For example, if you want to be a doctor, write that vision down. Also, include what colleges you may be interested in attending and what field of medicine interests you. You may think it’s way too early to be thinking about those things. However, I guarantee you that if you write down your detailed vision and share it with your parents or guardians, it will be very difficult for you to get off that track.
Thanks for reading.
MB