A new year is here. Whether you are a freshman coming from middle school or a sophomore settling into high school, I want to stress the importance of building good habits now. As a senior, I have learned what has helped me over the last four years and what I believe will help you all. Here are 10 tips and tricks for succeeding this year in high school.
1. Be Punctual
While this may seem obvious, it is imperative that you attend class on time. Any time you miss can lead to missed instruction, which can lead to falling behind. Those minutes you are absent can also add up and prevent you from going to events like Homecoming and Winter Formal.
2. Stay Organized
Keep a folder or binder for each of your core classes or classes that have more material. (If you are taking Chemistry, make sure you put your binder in order as soon as possible!) Having a designated place for your assignments can make it easier to figure out what you have due and how much per course.
3. Get Involved with the Community
Join clubs and extracurriculars, talk to new people, and build connections with your teachers and coaches. One of the best decisions I have made at Central is to participate in all the school it has to offer. I joined student council my freshman year and have helped with events ever since. Powerlifting club and the team has also had a huge impact on me. Central is known for its diversity, and that means that there is a crowd for everyone—don’t be afraid to explore!
4. Utilize Class Time
When I was first starting out, I didn’t use class time to do my work. Instead, I would wait until I got home or until I got to my study hall to do my assignments. Use the time your teacher gives you wisely! It is way better than going home with heaps to do.
5. Find a Balance between work and school
While your part-time job may be important, school is too. Make sure you’re not getting scheduled too often to the point where you can’t get what you need to do done. Remember that as a student, what you do now in high school can be pivotal towards your future.
6. Find a Balance between School and Social Life
Although school is foremost, upholding personal relationships is also essential. Don’t put school first to the extent that you are skipping out on social events and football games for it. We all need a moment to relax.
7. Study
On top of doing your assignments, do a bit of studying on your own, especially when mid-terms and finals are approaching. In addition, get ready to take the ACT your junior year by reviewing content little by little. My personal favorite tool to use is the platform Quizlet, which is good for memorizing terms and a lot of the time what you need may have been submitted by another already!
8. Take Chances
Whether it be running for president of a club or trying out for a sport, you should have some faith in yourself and go for it. The more people you know and the more you build a (good) name for yourself, the higher your chances are of being elected. If it’s a sport or a talent show, just try your best and be passionate about it.
9. Do What You Like
Live your life for yourself. Instead of going with the herd, branch out and figure out what you enjoy. You’ll end up regretting not having done what you wanted while you could have.
10. Have Fun!
Lastly, have fun. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to leave high school feeling fulfilled. Are you happy? Did you do all you wanted to do? Are you satisfied with the outcome? Sometimes things may not go as planned, but make sure you make an effort to be able to answer yes to all of these questions when it’s in your power.
