<p>What would you need to know about High School? I’m putting together an orientation presentation and would like to know what should go in it. (I am helping with the coordination of a New Student orientation for our HS.)</p>
<p>Much appreciated!! Thanks!</p>
<p>Don’t trust anyone older than 15.</p>
<p>If someone offers you something that sounds to good to be true…
At least look at it.</p>
<p>Take the most rigorous courses you can take.
Develop study skills, learn to be organized.
It’s your job to know what the assignment is and when it’s due. If you have to miss a class, check with the teacher and/or classmates.
Homework, especially papers, always take longer than you think it should. Start early.
If you don’t understand something, have trouble keeping up, get help; that’s what tutoring is for.
Join clubs, get involved in ECs. They’re a great way to make friends.</p>
<p>Marite: THEY ARE, F O U R T E E N ! Their pants are just drying out.</p>
<p>The most important thing for a 9th grader:</p>
<p>Have a good reputation, the one you get within the first few months can stick with you for years</p>
<p>THis goes for dating, cheating, homework, behaviour in class, respect for teachers and staff…if you start off as a kid who is seen as disorganized, a trouble maker, not respectful, that will stick a long time, it can’t be helped. Yeah don’t be afraid to make mistakes and explore, but do it in a smart way. IE- tryout for the talent show, speak up in class, ask questions, talk to new people</p>
<p>As well, how you handle yourself with your peers, etc will stick even longer- ie a player, a loose person, a drinker, a druggie, or if you are seen as someone they can trust, can be counted on, that the teachers know is trying hard and is a good student </p>
<p>The first few months are a time to explore, figure things out, see whats what, but do it with some brains</p>
<p>And, give ONE friend your locker combination so they can help you!!!</p>
<p>Itstoomuch:</p>
<p>I have two boys. They HAVE been 14. Tlaktan was posing a serious question that merits a more serious answer than the ones you’ve posted.</p>
<p>Your teachers can become your best advocates, supporters, and mentors; get to know them as people. Also, introduce yourself to your guidance counselor so that (s)he will be able to write about you in four years with some familiarity.</p>
<p>Be open to new ideas but choose wisely.</p>
<p>Believe in yourself–participate in classroom discussions and make your opinions known (but research the materials enough so you can counter “arguments”).</p>
<p>Work hard but have fun–enjoy your new experience to the fullest (safely). Take advantage of all that your high school offers.</p>
<p>Develop good sleep habits.</p>
<p>Oh god. Sleeping is so important. I never really developed very good time management. Or maybe that’s just my lethargy speaking. But kids really should learn how to juggle everything and still get a good night’s sleep.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Realize that the better part of your education still happens outside the classroom and as often outside the textbooks themselves.</p></li>
<li><p>An open mind is not the same thing as an empty mind.</p></li>
<li><p>New ideas/theories are certainly sexy and bold, but at one time, so were those that preceded them, as will one day be the ones that replace them (likely sooner than later).</p></li>
<li><p>Truth exists; even if you havent as yet come across it, it is still out there and available to the person who seeks it with sincerity, skill and erudition.</p></li>
<li><p>All things are not relative.</p></li>
<li><p>Your good judgment is better and more accurate than you think it is (see Charles Pierce, the originator of American Pragmatism and his “Theory of Belief” and his Neglected Argument for the Existence of God: <a href=“http://www.angelfire.com/on2/ph103herm/history.html[/url]”>http://www.angelfire.com/on2/ph103herm/history.html</a> )</p></li>
</ol>
<p>DO NOT procrastinate!!! (or try not to)</p>
<p>All-nighters are NOT fun.</p>
<p>Spend 10 minutes every sunday and CLEAN YOUR BACKPACK!!! It is amazing how many important pieces of paper are in the black hole of teen backpacks.</p>
<p>Set up a system at home for paperwork, it doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it will help ALOT</p>
<p>Don’t do everything just for college applications, do things that you have a passion for, you enjoy, and you want to learn more about.</p>
<p>Do something for other people-service, volunteering etc</p>
<p>Eat well, drink water, and take care of your body. It is AMAZING how many teens are dehydrated.</p>
<p>Don’t fret over each and every grade. Its OKAY to not be perfect. </p>
<p>AND BE NICE TO MOM AND DAD!!! (okay I snuck that one in)</p>
<p>Although it’s a great idea to continue (always through life) to try new things, now is also the time to start to build on your strengths and interests – even if they are different from your friends.</p>
<p>Find a community service project that ties into these and try to stick with it for a few years. </p>
<p>Remember that sometimes the kids that look the dullest turn out to be the most interesting. </p>
<p>Find peers that share some similar interests, that you can count on, and that are pretty secure within themselves so that they don’t feel a need to diminish you in order to bolster themselves.</p>
<p>Take the hardest courses you can within reason. </p>
<p>Know that you will probably go through some lonely times and periods where others dismiss you or make you feel stupid or insignificant. (We all have.) Just remember that people who treat people poorly have the problem. Don’t mirror their behavior but don’t waste your time with them either.</p>
<p>Never give into pressure from others interested in getting you to do things you feel uncomfortable doing. Stay true to yourself.</p>
<p>Marite: copied your little list to give to my soon to be 9th grader. I agree that 9th grade is a good time to develop some good study habits that can last you a lifetime (if you haven’t developed them already).</p>
<p>A couple I’d add:</p>
<p>If you don’t know already, actions have consequences. If you can’t be bothered to do the work or study for a “boring” class, your grade will be affected. It may not matter much to you now, but when you are a senior and applying to colleges, it could have an impact. (Sorry to bring in a college app thing here, but I know so many senior boys who are sorry now that they didn’t put in as much effort in classes they took in the 9, 10 and 11 grades.)</p>
<p>And advice from Ms. Frizzle: Take chances. Make mistakes. Get messy.</p>
<p>start and try to complete hw the day it is assigned (obviously, not longer projects), particularly if on block schedule.</p>
<p>Don’t spend all your time studying. Meet engaged people in your community (adults), and find ways to spend time with them. Become the most interesting person you can be. Remember that there is life outside of school, and that the rest of your life won’t be organized like school. Don’t worry too much about your grades - 10 years from now, no one is going to care, and you’re going to forget 90% of what you “learned” anyway. Concentrate heavily on your speaking and writing skills (speaking skills being more important). Remember that it is likely you will never have time to intensively study a musical instrument or play a sport again, so if you have an interest, now is the time. </p>
<p>Become yourself before someone else does. EVERYTHING goes on your permanent record. ;)</p>
<p>Did someone already say “get to know your guidance counselor?” If not, do it. </p>
<p>Also, cultivate a friendship with any teacher whose class and teaching methods you really enjoy - </p>
<p>Both of these people may write you the recommendation you need to get into your school of choice later.</p>
<p>Sign up for <a href=“http://www.dictionary.com%5B/url%5D”>www.dictionary.com</a> and get their word of the day on your computer. Memorize how to spell it and it’s meaning.</p>
<p>I’m going to do that dictionary thing myself, crash!</p>
<p>TIP: Make good connections with teachers for college recs.</p>