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How to Survive High School
Last Updated: October 3, 2024 Approved
This article was co-authored by Alicia Oglesby . Alicia Oglesby is an Academic Counseling Expert based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at the University of Pittsburgh and working as a Graduate Research Assistant. She was previously employed as the Associate Director of College Counseling at the Winchester Thurston School. Prior to that, she worked as a Director of School and College Counseling at 4 other secondary schools. With over twelve years of experience in academic counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 16 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,314,547 times.
The thought of being in high school for 4 years can be kind of intimidating, but don’t worry! We’ve put together a high-school survival guide that will help you have the best high school experience possible. Below you’ll find tips for getting good grades, making friends, and navigating the world of high school dating, all while staying healthy and keeping your sanity.
Staying Happy and Healthy
- Create a timeline that lists all the major things you want to accomplish during your life. When you’re being pressured to change, think about whether that change will help you meet your goals.
- If you’re dealing with a lot of pressure, find a quiet place where you can clear your mind and look at the situation with a critical eye.
- If you have to wear a school uniform, try to give it your own flair by adding small and subtle accessories. If you're able to, modify the uniform or find loopholes in the dress code.
- Don't wear revealing or inappropriate clothes that violate your school's dress code, this could get you into trouble, which isn't a good way to spend your high school years.
- Instead of doing traditional exercises like push-ups, try going on walks with friends or participating in physical games and sports, it keeps your mind clear and also gives you a break from the time spent at school doing work.
- To help yourself get enough sleep, go to bed and get up at about the same time each day.
- Try to get your homework done early so you have enough time to sleep. If you have too much work to complete before bed, ask your teachers if you can get an extension.
- Anxiety , which can make you feel constantly worried and stressed out.
- Depression , which can make you feel incredibly sad or disinterested in life.
- Low self esteem , which can make you feel like you’re worthless or not good enough.
- Eating disorders like Anorexia and Bulimia , which can make you physically weak and alter your body in extremely unhealthy ways.
- If you don’t have much free time during the week, try to schedule some during the weekend.
Developing Good Relationships
- If someone in your high school knows you as a friend from middle or even elementary school, you have a friend right there!
- Be nice to all the students you meet whether they are older or younger than you, that way you can slowly gain the respect of the entire school.
- If you have trouble making friends because you are shy, try to break out of your comfort zone by initiating conversations with people.
- People who are mean in high school often regret their behavior once they grow older.
- Homework extensions
- Extra credit opportunities
- Letters of recommendation
- In addition to the social aspects, club involvement will make you a stronger candidate when it comes time to apply to college.
- Clubs come in a variety of forms ranging from volunteering groups like Key Club to competition groups like the Business Professionals of America. Some schools even let students make independent clubs based around niche interests.
- If you’re not interested in joining an official sports team, see if you can join a recreational activities club instead.
Becoming a Stellar Student
- Carefully mark all of your exam dates in your planner and schedule specific times to study for them.
- Mark times when you will be busy with friends or social events so you can plan your study schedule around them.
- In case you forget your main binders at home, keep a spare binder in your locker that has paper, pencils, and other general supplies you can use to get through the day.
- If you don’t have a locker to keep your binders in, store them in a large backpack.
- If you have trouble focusing, try putting up small distractions like chewing gum and major distractions like your phone.
- If your friends want to talk to you in class, ask them to wait until later.
- Write down the topic of each class session as soon as your teacher reveals it. This will help center your mind on the subject at hand.
- If you have trouble understanding the material, don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask a question.
- Instead of writing down everything the teacher says, try to listen and then transcribe the most important information. This will make note taking easier, and can also help you learn the information as you write it down.
- Use dead time like bus rides to catch up on assigned reading.
- If you get sick, ask a friend to pick up your homework for you. This will keep you from falling behind.
- Don’t leave all your studying for the night before. Though a quick pre-test cram session will ensure all the material is fresh, it won’t give you enough time to really understand the subject.
- If you have trouble studying on your own, create a study group with friends from the same class. Just make sure you focus on the material!
Finding a Romantic Partner
- Touching them lightly on the shoulder or arm
- Making frequent eye contact
- Complimenting them
- Teasing them gently
- Try to be specific when you ask your crush out. Try something like "Do you want to go to the movies this Saturday?"
- Don’t worry if they say no! Rejection hurts, but remember that there are lots of other potential partners at your school.
- Remember: relationships are emotional roller coasters, so have a friend or family member you can talk to when dealing with break ups and other intense events.
- If you’re not ready to have sex, don’t worry about it! Though lots of high school students spend their time obsessing over sex, many people remain virgins until much later in life. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
- If pregnancy is possible, make sure to use contraceptives like condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Use dental dams and other types of barriers to prevent STDs.
- If possible, talk with your parents before making sexual decisions. It may be awkward, but open communication can help you stay safe and avoid life changing mistakes. If it is too awkward, talk with the counselor at your school.
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Tips from our Readers
- Do not involve yourself in drama! Drama can end poorly, affecting yourself and others impacted. Similarly, gossip can ruin someone's social life. Put yourself in their shows and think about how they may feel before participating in drama or gossip.
- If your school has a uniform, don't be afraid to add some jewelry or wear a little makeup to show off your personal style.
- Don't take on too many responsibilities where you become overwhelmed. Give yourself time to relax and enjoy being a teen!
- Do not vandalize or abuse school property, steal things from others, or bully fellow students. No school will tolerate this behavior and, depending on the severity of the situation, may take legal action against you. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
- Don't get into fights. They are no fun, can get you injured, and are a sure way to get you in trouble. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
- Avoid bullying any underclassmen. Remember, you were there once too, and you wouldn’t like someone doing mean things to you. Instead, offer them help if they’re trying to look for a classroom, if they’re trying to pick something up that they dropped, or anything of that nature. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
- Never bring over-the-counter or controlled drugs, weapons, pornographic materials, or other banned items to school. Students caught doing so may be suspended, expelled, or even arrested. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
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- ↑ https://www.theodysseyonline.com/survive-high-school
- ↑ https://www.girlslife.com/life/school/18761/survive-high-school-with-our-how-to-guide
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm
- ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
- ↑ https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1117&context=cps_diss
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/emotional-support.aspx
- ↑ Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
- ↑ https://pacerteensagainstbullying.org/you-are-not-alone/tell-an-adult/
- ↑ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-college-study-tips-that-high-school-students-can-master-now?slide=5
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/
- ↑ https://nypost.com/2013/09/15/how-to-survive-high-school/
- ↑ https://yourteenmag.com/social-life/tips-teen-dating/high-school-dating
- ↑ https://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/should_i_have_sex_to_fit_in_keep_him_from_leaving
About This Article
To survive high school, fight the urge to change who you are just to fit in. Instead, be who you are and stay committed to your goals. Staying true to yourself is easier if you find friends who make you feel supported. If meeting new people is challenging, try joining a school club or sports team. Just make sure you save time for your school work and personal activities, like watching movies, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. To learn how to become a stellar student, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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