High School Tips, Tricks, and General Advice

[topcliff 1]

In late August, I'm making the transition from middle school to high school. I'm at a private school, and the lower, middle, and high schools are one campus. I'll be taking Geometry for math and stuff. I need advice on everything to how to deal with essays to how to get girls and whatnot. What's some general advice I could get from those of you in/beyond high school? It's all appreciated. Thanks again. TopCliff

[hamsterTK 93]

I dunno, I never liked high school.

just go with the flow, and think far ahead on what electives your going to take. What I mean is see if you can possibly learn some cool useful things on the side, like PC repair, welding/metal work, etc...I mean its high school so its free(at least for you).

[Something_started 5]

do what hamstertk said, think about what electives your going to do. dont be afraid to hang out with freinds, but know your limits on stuff. and dont fall into peer pressure. big deal, i kinda disagree with going with the flow, because almost all of the time people will respect you more if you do your own stuff and dont care what people think about you. oh yeah, get good grades! dont repeate anything if you can help it. (repeating meaning retaking the course from failing)

[Fred_Ginger 1]

Topcliff, if you're will to take advise from someone who graduated from high school so long ago that the high school doesn't even exist anymore then:

High school is a tough time, there are 'forces' pulling you in lots of different directions but 2 important things to remember.  1)  High school is a foundation for the rest of your life & 2)  be very careful that you don't do something that you will regret for the rest of your life.  

By that I mean most people have to work for a living and getting the best job you can get usually means going to college.  So, there you are, all those parties and goofing off that you can do with all that goes with them (like drinking and drugs and sex) or studying and working hard and being shunned by the "cool" kids.  Short term most people go for the parties, think long term please!  If you work hard and get into a good college and get a good job that you like you'll be happier than the party kids who waste their lives.  

Please think about this long and hard. 

[Meg 368]

FredGinger has excellent points.  I second what she says.  In addition, I would like to add that you may find it useful to take as many different kinds of courses as you can and still meet the graduation requirements.

The local school system where I live is amazing in terms of the variety of classes it offers.  My nephew has found that he enjoys, and has a real aptitude for, drafting and will be taking their advanced drafting course next year with his eye on a work/study program his senior year.  

We didn't have such options when we were in school.  Everyone was expected to like writing about Romeo & Juliet and I was considered a bit weird that I wanted to take "Computer Math", as they called it back then.

If you take a variety of classes, you may find the subject area that you are interested in and have an aptitude for.  Don't limit yourself scholastically.

As to the social parts of high school:  after you are out of it for several years, you will probably look back and realize how bizarre it all was.  Enjoy it or not, but know that real life isn't like that.  This too shall pass, rather quickly.

[DanWalker8 3]

Get friendly with your teachers. Most importantly GET SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[topcliff 1]

I will use all of your points. There's no need to worry about college because my high school has a 100% graduation rate. The teachers are friendly (five to ten kids a class), and the workload constantly on edge. I know all this because this school is the same one as my middle school, so only the difficulty level changes. And the "cool kids" thing: the coolest people at my school were the ones taking advanced classes and getting straight A's. The people who didn't take it seriously and got so-so and below grades were the ones partying, pranking, and stealing (don't ask). Wait . . . if that's the case, then I'm the exception to that rule. Ideeply appreciate all the advice you've given me, and you don't need to worry about sleep: I have a fridge full of DoubleShots. TopCliff

[Easy Bakes 253]

Too much caffine is no substitute for sleeping well.

Keep a schedual that includes enough sleep.

Dont ever give in the the urge to "Cram" for tests,

study well though out the semester and you will do well on the tests after a good nights sleep

while those who slack off all year and study all night will be tired and do poorlyer then if the would have

goten enough sleep.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Good advice, across the board.

Be sure to enjoy the social aspects of high-school.  They prepare you for the more sophisticated world of university social life. 

Don't be a greasy grind, but do get your work done.  If you are heading for a professional career, a 4.0 average in high-school along with social things like honor society events will help that. 

People going into high professions like medicine and law are expected to be academically flawless, socially acceptable, and publicly sprited.  This is hard, but doable. 

Most important of all, have fun doing it.  This is only 4 years of your life, but very important as it usually sets your pattern for life.

Good luck, and remember, every minute of angst you waste on trivialities is 60 seconds of joy you are missing.

[topcliff 1]

Thank you guys. What I want to be, though, when I grow up is a writer. I've been published a few times, and English has always been my best subject. Also, if every minute of trivialities is joy missed, does that mean I've wasted three and a half years on this site, cutting off friends and family in the process? I think I haven't, but I'm not sure. TopCliff

[Voar Tok 4]

Since you want to go into writing, a good thing for you to focus on would probably be communication skills, assuming that your high school offers a nice variety in that discipline. I don't know what your school offers in the way of written communication training, but speech is usually a good one to take.

As for the sleep thing, the insomniac in me urges you to think twice about using caffeine to overcome a need for sleep. Since you wanted advice, I'll be straight-forward here and just say that without adequate sleep, the caffeine is going to eventually become worthless. Your body will build up a tolerance to it, and then you'll be screwed. What's more, excessive sleep deprivation will cause you to crash, and when it does, unless you crash on a weekend, you're likely to start the process of getting locked into a horrible sleep pattern. I've spent six years trying to manage insomnia, and having tried most everything out there, I can tell you that caffeine isn't where the sleep is at. It's a fool's game to take a test on a caffeine buzz unless you either can't wake up, or you're like me and caffeine really doesn't affect you. Granted, I took the SAT on two hours of sleep and a Rockstar, but unless your body is already well-trained and getting by on a sub-standard amount of sleep each night, the caffeine ultimately won't be of much good.

Since I don't think anyone addressed the question directly, I believe what I've been told is the best advice for how to "get girls" is to be yourself. Correct me if I'm wrong ladies, but being honest and somewhat open is probably the best thing you could do if you're intent on having a girlfriend when you're in high school. Personally, the odds of finding your mate in high school is pretty slim, so if it were me, I probably wouldn't worry about trying to take something beyond the "just friends" level.

[LivingInThePast 364]

The high school that I go to...I'm pretty sure it's the same as HamsterTK's.

In general...

Avoid emo kids

Stay organized!

You CAN get hurt (in aforementioned metal-working class, somebody managed to lop their own finger off)

Food is better than ever

Restrooms are worse than ever (save the poop for after school, no matter how bad the urge)

Grab a map on the first day. My high school vaguely hints of a mall...sunken eating pits, skylights, etc. Plus it was extensively remodeled in the late 90s, leaving it a confusing mess

Teachers are kidding sometimes.

Avoid any Walking Classes.

Vending machines are often high-priced. (if they even have it)

Principals are your friends.

You WILL read Shakespeare and you WILL memorize periodic tables.

The Junior year is the hardest.

Umm...that's all I can think of.

[topcliff 1]

@ LivinginthePast:

-There are none. About 40-60 Freshmen

-My true weakness

-No working classes, but I'm going for the baseball team next year

-Not here it ain't

-Unfortunately true

-No need. It's all outdoors: no hallways, stairs, etc

-Definitely true at my school

-Not sure what you mean there

-No they're not. .75$ for a Sierra Mist

-You mean headmasters, and yes, they are

-My school doesn't do Shakespeare. It's Steinbeck, Dickens, and sometimes Poe. Plus, the science class is Zoology

-Right. Got it memorized

Thank you for all that. TopCliff

[LivingInThePast 364]

Walking Classes are at my school, it's where you just walk laps at PE.

[topcliff 1]

Oh, at my school, as long as you take an extracurricular sport (baseball and tennis for me), there's no PE. Kinda cool, though. Oh, something I didn't mention though: my elective will most likely be Newspaper (writer, remember) or Art. Plus, there's free period, where one whole period of the day you just hang out in the quad and do whatever. If you're lucky enough to have it in the morning, then you're allowed to come to class by second period. Plus, I know about the sleep thing. The DoubleShots are for in the morning when I'm really drowsy. I always go to bed somewhere between 9:30 and 11:00, depending on the workload for the night. Thanks again for your advice. TopCliff

[confused04 14]

My advice...

Relax... Things are rarely ever as bad as they appear and worrying about something or taking the wrong actions in response only worsen most situations. Just relax, as long as you are motivated to do well, then the only thing you need to work on is relaxing. Go have fun, just make sure you get everything done. Don't be afraid to ask for help either, too many proud students can fall at the wayside cause they were afraid of asking for help and looking bad. Live a little, you're gonna make mistakes, learn from them and move on.

[DanWalker8 3]

TopCliff, high school sports are a lot of fun and something you can take pride in and earn respect with. you will make great friends along the way too. I am 21 and i still play baseball with a lot of the guys on my high school team over the summer. Take care man, i wish you all the best.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: topcliff Thank you guys. What I want to be, though, when I grow up is a writer. I've been published a few times, and English has always been my best subject. Also, if every minute of trivialities is joy missed, does that mean I've wasted three and a half years on this site, cutting off friends and family in the process? I think I haven't, but I'm not sure. TopCliffquote>

Neat.  Take a least one foreign language from each group:  Romance, Teutonic, Scandinavian (Norse), any others that attract you like Indian subcontinent.  You will get a good outlook on other peoples and this will help you write better.  If it is offered, take Latin as your Romance language, and Attic Greek for classical reference if you can get it.

[topcliff 1]

I already know Latin from Middle School, so now I'm taking a few languages (after school): Spanish, French, Italian (after all, I am Italian), and I'm also thinking of Japanese. All I know is that hi means yes (I think). Again, this is all appreciated. TopCliff

[The Terminator 0]

WOAH!!! 1993 models are posting here! I remember being the only 91 Birth active on this site back in '03/4. They Times, They a-Changed.

My Advice, Don't be a proud Californian, Move to CANADA, Thats What I plan to do in 2009, When I graduate, and don't be a proud Democrat, Become an ANARCHIST.

Some other advice is Befriend older people, It helps you mature, but choose the right people, ones who will be true friends, not ones who will use you and make you their joke. I am 16, and I have really good friends who are anywhere from a year to Six Years older than I am.

Also, Don't Smoke, And If you start, roll you're own, shag has less chemical additives than packaged cigarettes, wich will prolong you're inevitable cancer.

Stay away from jocks, that is very important.

DONT DRINK, It is just a dumb idea if your under 21.

Dont Smoke Marijuana, and if you do, limit its consumption.

Try Out for AP Classes, its worth it

Listen to music, it helps when you get depressed, and if your is high school, believe me, you will.

[Easy Bakes 253]

And remeber those who dont learn in history are doomed to repeat it.

Anyway.....

Always keep a sence of humor.

If you cant laugh  at anything you might as well be dead.

[smx 0]

why would you choose long term lifestyle and short term when you can just combine them.

you have to study but do not forget about living ur life go to few partyes and also hang out with EVERYONE!--thats very important if you are good with entire school and you have no enemies you wont have nothing to worry about there will be no pressure and it will be easyer for you to sit down and study. it will bring you nice memories when your old and you have kids and all that stuff.

so go there, study hard, get known with lots of people(starting from day ONE) and graduate!

[octaves 4]

I'm TERRFIED of what's to come this September...I'm scared the stress will get to me.  I worry wayyyyyy too much and the stress...oh the stress...!  Ahh!!  There are going to be SO many comments.  As you probably don't know, people stereotype.  I wear black, anyone who knows what the "emo" stereotype knows what I mean.  Ahh...

Are kids any more EVIL than they are in other schools?  I hope to god no....

I had opposite thoughts about middle school...but WHAM, did it ever slap me in the face.  Kids are cruel, they don't care, as long as they're cool.  Mostly around the starting points of new schools.  So...I know my friends wouldn't do that now, I have amazing friends that listen and care...but I don't know about those other friends that don't care at all.  Will they turn on me?!

I'm being paranoid, sorry.  A different kid, in a different school (which juuuuuust happens to be one of the biggest high schools in Canada *rolls eyes*) will not match.

God help us 93'ers

[joeynymets 19]

GET TO CLASS ON TIME, in my school in 9th grade they let u slide but in 10th 11th nd 12th they slam you,

trust me im a '91'er and i got slammed last year since i was used to getting to class late in 9th grade, hope they go easy this year

[autoVino 26]

Advanced classes are good, avoid general classes because they are boring, and be careful with taking too many ap classes, some of them seem near impossible (cough *ap us history* cough) but they're usually the most fun out of all classes!  Take architecture class, it's usually fun.  Get envolved in some sort of sport.  It makes you more "cool" and helps kill off stress.  Oh yeah, this is also when you start worrying about your future...scary.

@Brad-MacD:  ouch... that must be scary!  The school I goto isn't bad though, with 2.5 thousand kids it's the largest in the city (state?) and most of the 10, 11, 12 graders are pretty nice to each other, but freshmen year was a bit like hell, though.

[topcliff 1]

About AP classes: my school moves very fast in terms of classes. So fast, my science class this year is Conceptual Physics. Anyway, I'll be on baseball and tennis (no-cut policy) for sports. Lastly, good luck to the rest of you 93er's! May we live long and prosper (in High School). Leonardo

EDIT: With all this stress among us 93er's, anyone up for a 93er convention to discuss things relevant to us? Things like high school, classes, friends, Rush Hour III, etc. Any takers?

[octaves 4]

@topcliff: Sure, but when and where...? 

@autoVino: Well, I'm going to Fredericton High which has about 3.5 thousand (not kidding, I think its overcrowded and no one wants to go to Leo Hayes High because theres so much crime) and coolness isn't something I even WANT to be part of, I don't want to be cool.  I don't want to be anything more than what they call "That kid".  Ugh I hate attention, so yeah.  And I haaaaaate sports.  Loser, I know. 

[2nerdy4u 1]

topcliff, im a 93er too. Ur school sounds sooo much like mine. im not really worried about high school at all. the only mistake i made this summer would be starting the summer reading 2 days ago. today im leaving for a 10 day trip to the Pecos in New Mexico (im so scared of this trip. they have a thing called a solo where they pick a random day where they put u in the woods, alone, and with no food. worst part is, we have to write about it!) so I need to finish 1 book by tonight and 2 when i get back.

having lots of friends always helps ( i only have about 3-4 good friends so im lacking there). stay away from jerks, too. Dont worry about high school. Be relaxed and do wat u can to be ready.

And Id love to start a 93er thing. when and where is all i ask.

[topcliff 1]

Yeah, I just started summer reading too. I have to read (in the next two weeks): Stormbreaker (easily readable: 127 pages), Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (ouch, that's tough), and the Minority Report. The cool thing is that the other half of it is watching the movies and looking for differences between the two. Awesome! Anyways, I don't know if we could do this ourselves because I mean, we still need parents and stuff for supervision and for the money and junk. I mean, we're not old enough to fly across the country (and for people in Canada, into another country) by ourselves quite yet. I got an idea: we could either vote on which 93er's hometown we want to go to, or just hang out in San Diego. We all have pretty much two weeks before school starts, so I don't think that we have enough time for the summer. But, maybe on the first three-day weekend we could pull this off. I guess we just need parental approval, a place to do this thing (a hall, hotel, amusement park, one of our houses or something), and a true set date. Again, the parents control this, so I don't expect every 93er to be there (if it happens). Anyone want to help set up? Leonardo

[kawan 6]

I have no experience of schools in America (although they seem to be better than some English schools) but relax. I was worried when I was going to start, but now that I have finished, it seemed a very long way. This is probably a big part of your life, but there is nothing to worry about.

I'm a bit confused about "Middle school". What the heck is that? Is it some american thing? We english just have primary to secondary.

I still have quite a bit of holiday left - lasting 3 months - but i'm starting A-Levels on September 4th.