What is
the most important thing for freshman to do, not do, to remember in high school?
Establish yourself and how you want to be seen by
others. The first impressions you leave
on others will follow you throughout high school. Also, this is the year to set a standard for
yourself in the coming years.
Focus on your classes and have fun. Join clubs and participate in any sports if
you can.
I think the most important thing is finding a good friend
group. It’s easy to get caught up with
the wrong people and have bad influences.
You need to surround yourself with people who will push you to be the
best version of yourself.
It is important that you start off your high school career
strong. Don’t slack off, work hard to do
well in your classes. Find some good
friends with the same values as you. And,
DON’T get into drugs.
What do
you wish you knew or were ready for as a freshman?
I wish I was ready for the change in course work and the
amount of studying outside of school.
You need to be ready to study and work hard outside of school, which is
an important skill for the rest of high school, for college and in life.
I wish I understood that once you get used to being in
class with people from different grades, high school really isn’t that scary. It really allows a lot more freedom to pursue
classes you’re interested in.
I wish I knew/understood that there would be many
different types of people and groups.
Not everyone is going to be like you.
Don’t make a hard push to “fit in” or be the most “popular” kid in
school – you will end up walking over people and it won’t be fulfilling.
What is
your best advice for Sophomores?
Explore your surroundings, join new clubs and
organizations, and test yourself academically.
This is the year to explore things and test your limits. Discover who
you are, who you want to be, and plot a course towards your destination,
whatever that might be.
Enjoy your Sophomore year.
Go join clubs and be involved with school activities. It’s pretty much the last year that you won’t
have to worry about standardized tests or the pressure of college.
Continue to work hard and keep up your grades up… don’t
slack off.
Junior
year – it’s a big year. What would you
tell Juniors to do? What would you want their Parents and School
Administration/Counselors to know and do?
I would tell Juniors to focus on their classes and course
work, but also begin actively studying and preparing for the ACT and SAT by
taking practice tests, studying English and math. This is the year to really focus on your academics.
Parents should continue to support their children, but
don’t make them more stressed than they already are – because then they can
make bad decisions in an attempt to deal with that stress.
My advice is to start making a list of colleges you’re
interested in and do some tours to see if you like them and can see yourself
there.
I wish counselors
would meet with their students more intentionally during junior year to help
keep them on track.
Take at least one ACT/SAT class or get a tutor to help you
study. Take a lot of ACT/SAT practice
tests. Start your college essay and
start looking at the colleges you’re interested in, take some tours. Take a look at the Common App too.
So, for
Seniors… another big year. What should
they remember? And then for their Parents, what would you ask them to remember
and do to support their Senior students?
The important thing for Seniors to remember is that they
will most likely be entering college next year and that this year can be great
preparation for college. Also, it is
important to maintain your work-ethic and focus until the end of the year. Don’t let “Senioritis” set in. J
Seniors should remember to really have fun and make the
most of their Senior year. Although
college apps are stressful, they don’t shape the rest of your life.
Remember not to give up at the end of the year. I would ask Parents to remember to help and
guide their Student to maintains a good record so colleges don’t revoke their
decisions.
Start your college applications and letters of
recommendations early. Keep working on
your college essay. Don’t get
“Senioritis” to early – finish your GPA and all your hard work strong!
Anything
else you think Students, Parents, Schools should think about for the school
year?
Each year the difficulty steps up. Be prepared for challenges that will come
up. Parents and Schools should help
students cope with those challenges.
Let students have a bit of freedom and responsibility.
Understand that ANYONE can get involved in drinking and
drug use – even if they don’t seem like they would – it can really be
ANYONE. And, a lot of kids are vaping –
it is out of control.
Teens are really struggling with all the pressure that is
put on them. We need Parents and our
Schools to be supportive and help us cope.
What’s
your influence to be substance free in the midst of so much self/parent/school
and peer pressure?
In this day and age, it’s no challenge to get your hands-on
substance. I am inspired by my future to keep me away from
those things. I have dreams and goals.
I strive to make my family, my friends and myself proud J
My influence is school and my future. I have seen too many of my peers give up good
grades, college and their intelligence for drugs and alcohol.
#teamyab #teambbcc
#what'syourinfluence
#livedrugfree
#teenssupportingteens
#teenshaveinsight
