Walking through the doors on your first day at a new school can be intimidating, especially when there are double the amount of students you’re used to (most of whom you don’t even know), teachers you’ve heard horror stories about, and completely different hallways you don’t know your way around. The stress lingers in the pit of your stomach, impacting every move you make, every word you say. What if I embarrass myself? you keep thinking. And in front of all these people I don’t even know! My entire high school experience will be ruined!
If you’ve ever felt this way or thought these things, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The same thing happened to me on my first day, and I can confidently promise that it won’t last forever. By the end of your first week, you’ll get used to all the long hallways and menacing teachers. However, if you still have some concerns, here are some of the top ways to survive, and thrive, during your first year at high school.
Don’t Worry
As mentioned, many people feel emotions of stress or anxiety before they start classes, but these feelings will subside after just your first day, if not your first class. Once your teacher introduces themselves and you realize they aren’t as scary as you thought they’d be, you’ll already feel better.
If you’re still worried about embarrassing yourself in front of your new classmates, keep in mind that everyone is nervous for the same reasons as you. It’s their first day too! Even if you trip while walking through the door or your voice cracks during attendance, by the end of the day, no one except yourself will remember. Do you remember when these things happened to other people? I didn’t think so.
Talk to People
Talking to new people can be nerve-wracking, but don’t miss the opportunity to make a possible new best friend. There are so many other students that could have the same favorite TV show as you or enjoy reading the same genre of books, but you’ll never know if you don’t say anything. High school will be a lot easier to survive if you have someone by your side.
Create a Study Plan
Make sure you don’t focus solely on having a successful social life. Remember your school work; it’s the main reason you go to school after all!
Creating a study plan at the start of each week will help reduce stress and make organizing your schedule more manageable. Block off time for homework, studying, and hanging out with those new friends you made, because you also don’t want to spend your entire time as a teenager doing school work.
Join Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars are the easiest way to get involved with activities you love and find people who enjoy it too. There are a variety of clubs you can join that revolve around your interests, whether it be STEM, music, writing, or something else. Visit your school website for a list of extracurriculars or contact a teacher about joining their club. It’s never too late to sign up!
Build Relationships with Your Teachers
Building relationships with your teachers is a great way to find a mentor who can guide you during your time in school. Even if they don’t teach your favorite class, keep in mind that these teachers are the same ones that determine your grade and write college recommendation letters, so it might not be a bad idea to get to know them.
