20 High School Tips. Erm. Let me think. The cliché ones are always good, but I employ a few of my own, with experience from freshman year, my need to be social, FBLA experience, and a few friends that are teachers:
Don’t try everything (all the clubs, etc.). Do only one or two, or however many you know you could so easily (low commitment ones). Get an idea of the workload, listen to your friends and what clubs they do, and then your sophomore year will be a lot easier to manage.
Let your friends make mistakes for you. I know it sounds awful, but hear me out. Hang back and watch what everyone else does, and learn from their mistakes.
Have a sense of humor. Let teachers know from day 1 you have a personality. On that note, while most teachers appreciate a hard worker, don’t be a stick-in-the-mud “I’ll do anything to please you” type. They get annoying quick.
Feel out your teachers (metaphorically) and know how much you could get away with. It sounds manipulative, but it really does help. Know who’ll let an assignment slide a day late and which ones will yell at you if you’re a minute late to class. Some teachers are chill, some strict. If you have a heavy homework night, use your teacher personalities to prioritize. Do first what you know must be on time.
Also on that note, ask teachers questions. They will be your best friend.  Ask about any questions, let them know if something may be late, etc. You’ll never know if you never ask.
ALSO on that note, form relationships. Don’t hesitate to stay a bit extra after class just to chat up the teachers. If you notice Phillies banners (or whatever it may be) around the room, and you love them too, mention it. I still keep in touch with my Creative Writing teacher. She even brought me coffee in the mornings near the end of the year, and we’d sit just to talk. Teachers are people too.
MY FAVORITE TIP - Staying after class for a few minutes is the best thing in the world. Honest. Not only do you get to bond with the teacher (always a plus), but you get to ask any questions you need to, and you always have an excuse to end the conversation. Don’t want to miss too much of your next class ;) Then just do the “oh my gosh, do you mind writing me a pass? My questions ran a bit over time.” They have no excuse not to write you a pass, and you get to be a bit late to your next class, excused of course. It’s a win-win-win.
Use connections that you have formed. Teachers ARE YOUR FRIENDS. They’ll write you recommendations, college letters, kick-ass yearbook signatures, and someone you can always remember. You can ask for help with things, and teachers also grade you better if they like you. True story.
Talk to everyone. Upperclassman especially. A lot of seniors are a lot more laid back since they’ve been there a while. They can help show you the ropes of the school. Most seniors (that I’ve known) aren’t thrilled with freshman, just because they tend to be underfoot and paranoid (direct quote), but once you show them you’re cool, you’re set for your first year (at least).
Avoid main staircases. Even if it means going a long way, use less-used halls and staircases. Trust me, you’ll go so much faster. Plus you can avoid large crowds of people if that gets to you.
Say hello to friends and teachers in the mornings. No one likes mornings, me included (I’m a bitch in the mornings, not gonna lie), and just waving to your teachers or friends with a friendly greeting cheers people up and they’ll remember your face. Always smile. It’s cliché, but you look so much more approachable with a smile.
Let people know your name. Let them stick a name to a face. “Oh yeah, that’s Grace! She’s in my lit class,” etc. It’ll get you places, trust me.
Don’t be afraid to try new things. Weird folk band playing downtown? Yes, please. Drag friends along and you’ll have the time of your life. High school is for trying weird things. Legal weird things, of course.
Do things others aren’t. Hang out outside of school, meet people from other towns. Chill at the playground, on the swings. Be that person that does what others wish they had the courage to do.
Stop worrying about being “cool.” The first three months of freshman year I was in “you’re in high school be cool” mode. Then I realized, fuck it, I’m cool no matter what. Not really, but you catch my drift. Honestly, you’ll have so much more fun if you just let go, laugh at stupid jokes, make weird faces, and volunteer to go up to the board. Do anything and everything (safely and logically) that sounds even remotely fun. If it isn’t, you’ll have awkward humor, which is the best. If it is, it is! You’ll look back on it fondly, believe me! FBLA states sounded boring to me, but it was the best 3 days I’ve had on a school-related activity.
Don’t expect to be out every Friday through Sunday. You will have more homework, and your social life will go away a bit. Friday nights are the best times to hang, leaving the whole weekend for working/homework.
You want to do something with friends? Schedule things ahead of time. It makes you feel like you have friends (teehee), plus you know when it is. It’ll make it easier on whoever’s parents have to drive, on you, and on your friend(s).
Keep checklists that have two sides. It sounds odd, but hear me out. I have a giant easel in my room. One side is chalk, the other whiteboard. On one side I have my school assignments (big ones: books, big projects, looming tests). On the other, things I’m saving for (Korra season 1 DVD, iPhone, SDCC 2013). When I get so sick of school that I want to punch a wall, I just flip it so I see a better side of things. When I’m frustrated I have no money, I just flip it so I see something I can control.
It sounds cliché, but study groups are your friend (no pun intended). Not only can you consult the expertise of your friends, but if you’re driven, you get shitloads of studying done, and a chill session, and usually some food out of it. I kick ass at essay writing, but I can’t do science equations to save my life, so I get with 2 or 3 other friends on a Friday night and we all help each other out, usually ending the night with a movie and popcorn. Parents love that you’re studying, you love that you’re getting help, plus you get to hang with friends. It’s a triple win again.
Most importantly, don’t expect everything in your freshman year. You’ll gaze at the varsity football team with yearning, maybe go on a few dates, but you won’t have a movie finish. The best advice I have is to go for it. If you want something, reach out and grab it. Work hard, but still have fun. Make things happen. You want that fun girl’s night out? Text up your friends and organize it. Things don’t just fall into your lap. You need to put in some elbow grease.
Hope a few of those help!
