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Amani C. Snellings

10 Tips for High School at Hall

I admit, the title is a bit over the top, but it’s the kind of thing I would have gravitated towards last year. Unfortunately, most of the articles I found bearing that type of title were repetitive, boring, and just flat out unhelpful. 

With the start of another school year, I wanted to take the time and reflect on what was actually valuable for me. Without further ado, here’s a quick list of tips to keep in mind this year. 

1. Figure out your learning style ASAP. If you don’t know whether you are a visual or auditory, kinesthetic or verbal learner, you can find and take an online quiz in less than 10 minutes. Your results could save you a lot of time in the future.
2. Try to take care of your back. Contrary to popular belief, your locker can actually be helpful. It might not make sense to use it the way you did in middle school, but it can be helpful for longer term storage. Personally, I keep extra school supplies, a jacket, library books, and other things like that in mine. That way, my backpack is lighter to start with. I also use multiple bags, because it helps me stay organized and distribute the weight better, so it isn’t all on my back.
3. It’s okay to join a club, decide it’s not for you, and move on. On a similar note, don’t do a club just because you think it’ll seem impressive or just for college applications. It’s a lot easier to do something that you love, and consistency looks great on apps too.
4. The Math and Writing Centers can be really helpful. It’s easier to spend 15-30 minutes getting one on one help during lunch or study hall than to struggle with something for hours alone at home. 
5. You might not make friends with people in your classes, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have friends. A lot of my friends are in different grades or are from extracurriculars. It might take time, but you’ll find your people 
6. Know when to stop. While studying/preparing for exams is good, you have to know how to prioritize. Focus on what you struggle with first, then move on to the review. If you run out of time, chances are the subject(s) you felt more secure in will turn out just fine. 
7. Take care of yourself. Drink water, sleep, rest, etc. I know sometimes it’s easier said than done, but please practice self care. Your body will thank you for it.
8. Focus on your future but stay in the present. By this I mean try not to compare yourself to your friends, classmates, or anyone else. Everyone’s on their own path, which means a one size fits all approach to high school doesn’t set you up to succeed. Do what you need to do to meet your goals and ignore the rest. 
9. Take risks. Of course, you should be responsible and do what you feel is right, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t utilize your opportunities. I took so many chances last year, and while they didn’t all work out, the vast majority of them did. Go with your gut and try something new!
10. No matter how much you prepare, it’s unlikely that things will go how you expect them to. Life happens. I’m a planner to my core, but I’m so glad I strayed from the path I originally envisioned. 

There’s always so much happening at the start of the school year, so I tried to keep this short and sweet. I know there’s a lot to take in right now, but just do what you can and hope for the best. Good luck! 🙂