Transitions of any kind are difficult, and the switch from middle school to high school can be an especially painful process. There are new halls to navigate, new teachers to understand, new classmates to meet, and a plethora of questions that need to be answered. Generally, everyone fends for themselves; sink or swim. However, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you survive the school year.
First off, buy a planner. There are no buts or quibbling. Even if you think you have an eidetic memory, or if you did fine without a planner in middle school, you need one now. It can be any kind of planner—digital, pre-made, or a DIY-type situation—but you have to write your assignments down. You will forget your assignments unless you write them down in a place where you can look at them at a moment’s glance. Trust me, it’ll be the day before a paper is due and you’ll only hear about it the period before when someone’s complaining in the halls. Some apps I would suggest are MyHomework, The Homework App, or even the iPhone’s Reminders app. You can also get cheap physical planners at Staples or TJ Maxx. If you prefer a more creative and adaptable approach, you can create your own using a blank journal. Whatever the method, writing down assignments and due dates is critical.
Secondly, have some system of organization. One of the worst things in life is the sinking feeling in your gut as you rifle through your backpack, pulling out sheets of crumpled papers, searching in vain for the homework assignment you know you did last night. Having a folder for each subject is a tried and true method. Binders are a bit too bulky to ferry back and forth to school every day, so unless a teacher specifically requests one, don’t carry around extra weight for no reason. Keep the assignments you need to do and have finished separate from each other. Many English classes in particular require that you keep all your assignments for an end-of-year reflection.
Finally, utilize the resources you have. IHS provides support labs and a library. The library has textbooks for practically every class, and there are printers, which you only need your student ID to access. It also provides an environment conducive to doing homework and studying. And don’t forget your fellow students. They are resources who can text you missed homework and classwork. This means that you should be friendly with at least one person in each class, so that you can help each other out if one of you missed that class the previous day. Teachers can also be incredibly helpful. If you’re struggling in a class, reach out to them instead of trying to push through it by yourself. The school guidance counselors are also there to guide you through your high school years. If you need them, take advantage of them.
Of course, individuals should use these methods at their own discretion, but these are some guidelines that hold constant across almost everybody who adapts quickly to the high school environment. Planners, organization, and IHS’s resources will all be highly beneficial to your experience at IHS. Good luck freshmen! Remember: there is no upstairs K.