Want some realistic advice on what to do on your first day of 9th grade? Here are 7 first day of high school tips for freshman!
Think of this as a small guide on some of the moves you should be making the moment you step foot on your new campus.
Hopefully after reading this, you will feel more prepared than ever to tackle freshman year and become the best student possible!
Let’s dive in…
Have a Plan
Having a plan for anything can help you achieve a goal in a more organized manner.
Of course, not every plan goes . . . according to plan. However, when it comes to high school, there definitely needs to be some sort of outline.
Here are a few things you can do on your first day of high school to be prepared:
- Understand where your classes are
- Make a general outline of how your days will go
- Figure out how to prioritize homework
- Map out extracurricular activities
All of these will reduce the overwhelming feeling of starting freshman year of high school. The more you can have written down on paper, the less you’ll have to store in your head.
Consider getting a planner to write down your homework when the teacher assigns it, track due dates, and set time to study before big tests.
The point is, the more parts of high school you have organized, the better.
Set Reminders
Setting reminders takes the guesswork out of all your daily tasks and stores it in one convenient place.
Utilize your phone to set reminders for the following things:
- Get papers signed
- Start studying
- Take breaks
- Start sports practice
- To remember to bring something to class
- Finish a late assignment
- Etc
Clearly, there are tons of things you can use reminders for on your phone.
It’s almost like having a personal manager tell you what you have scheduled and when you need to get things done.
Organize your life before, during, and after school to ensure no confusions. Especially on the first day.
Related Post: 14 Back to School Essentials for High School Students
Store All New Papers
You will get tons of papers on your first day of high school.
Save every single one and make sure to get the necessary ones signed by you or your parents. Have a folder in your backpack designated for these types of papers.
Some of these papers include syllabi, sports applications, permission slips, schedules, locker information, etc.
Be sure to utilize reminders (#2 above) to make sure you get those things signed on time and by the right people. Don’t be that student who hands everything in late.
For papers that don’t need any sort of signature, but you want to keep, take a picture of it with your phone and declutter those papers from your folder.
Wait on School Supplies
Put all of your back to school essentials on hold until your first or second day of classes are over.
Oftentimes, you’ll buy more school supplies than you actually need. Plus, some teachers have certain requirements for what supplies to use.
This only means that you’ll end up having to shop twice and spend more money than needed.
You can easily order (or shop in stores) all the equipment you need to start off freshman year and get it to your backpack before the first week of high school is over.
Don’t worry, your teachers usually give you some time to get everything you need anyways as most students are in the exact same position as you are.
You should at least be prepared with the bare minimum such as a backpack, small folder, notebook, and a few writing utensils. Chances are, you already have these things on hand.
Related Post: 12 Things You Should Know Before Starting High School
Make a Friend in Every Class
I know, I know. It’s not as easy as it seems. I was there too.
But, if you feel that way, think about how many other students feel the exact same. Get out of your comfort zone and meet the person sitting next to you.
If you already have friends coming with you from middle school, utilize that group to expand and make more friends.
Not only will this help you expand your social circle, but it will also help you with this:
- Share/Work on homework together
- Study and test each other
- Share useful info before and after tests
- Have comfort in knowing you’re not alone
You can literally find articles online that share hundreds of benefits to having just one friend with you in your school environment.
When it comes to excelling in class, the more friends the better. As long as they’re like-minded students who actually care about their grades.
Take a Picture of Your Schedule
You will get a class schedule on either your orientation day or your first day of freshman year.
Take a picture of it the moment you receive it so that you always have it in case the paper gets lost.
Pro tip: set the picture of your schedule as your lock screen
That way, all you have to do is peek at your phone to know exactly where you’re going. And don’t be afraid to ask others on campus for help to get somewhere.
Utilizing your camera can honestly help with so many things in high school. Some teachers will even allow you to take a picture of the homework on the board.
Related Post: 7 High School Life Hacks for Freshman Year
Don’t Forget to Find Balance
Just because school is back, doesn’t mean you have quit having fun, being with friends, and taking part in your hobbies.
Find a balance between school and life. Yes, they will feel like very different things in high school.
If you take on too many sports, clubs, extracurricular activities, and still want time for studying, friends, and alone time it simply won’t happen.
We only have so many hours in the day. Plus, the average student in high school has more stress than adults in the workforce!
Don’t let stress take over your life.
Why am I telling you this? Because it’s important to be aware of that reality from the moment you step foot on your high school campus until the end of senior year and beyond.
There you have it! 7 first day of high school tips for freshman to succeed all the way through senior year.
Have an amazing 4 years in high school, as it will teach you a lot about yourself, your friends, who you like and don’t like, and what your passions really are!
Good luck!
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions leave them down below. Thanks for reading!
