How to Prepare For High School

You got this!

Congrats on finally making it to high school! Whether or not you know what you’re in for thanks to your siblings or you’re starting out from scratch, this is a huge change for any teen.

It’s normal to feel a bit uncertain about moving from primary school to high school, especially if you’re moving schools altogether.

You’re introduced to more homework, more classes, new teachers and extra responsibilities. 

If you’re a bit worried about what you’re getting yourself into, here are a few of our handy hints so that you can be confident going to your first class of the year.

Keep an open mind. 

While the idea of high school is daunting, it’s always good to take a step back and remember that you and all your classmates are all in the same boat.

Do your best to not stress about your first day; think about the positives and how exciting this time in your life is instead.

Unlike what you see in the movies, you won’t be picked on for being new. In fact, it's very likely that a lot of your other classmates aren’t familiar with this situation either.

Remember that it’s okay if you lose contact with some old friends from primary school. After all, high school is a great place to meet new people. Plus you can always catch up with your old mates on the weekends.

Get all your tools together.

Just like in primary school, you (or your parents) will be given a booklist of all the stationery, textbooks and technology you’re going to need for your classes.

Having everything you need on day dot will mean that you won’t have to stress about being prepared—you can just get started.

It’s always best to go through what you already have at home to save money and then to buy everything else that you need as early as you can. If you end up leaving your school supplies to the last minute, you might get caught in the back-to-school rush.

Don’t be afraid to personalise some of your tools if you want to. If your school allows it, you can add stickers, drawings or colourful elements to make your note-taking and schoolwork more enjoyable.

If you're having trouble affording some of those brand new textbooks, you can always look into second-hand options or get in contact with a trusted teacher at your high school to see what resources they have.

Be yourself.

While films like Mean Girls make high school out to be a big, scary and competitive environment, it’s actually not the case.

You will likely find that most students and teachers are welcoming, friendly and open-minded, so don’t be afraid to express yourself and meet like-minded people.

If you’re dealing with a bully or some unfriendly classmates, make sure you talk to a trusted adult or teacher to help you smooth over any tension between you and other students. Alternatively, most high schools have a designated school counsellor if you need some further support. 

Figure out your travel.

As a high school student, you may no longer have the luxury of getting dropped off to class by your parents, which means you’ll have to figure out another form of transport.

The most obvious and common option is public transport. Use Google to map out your route and stop times before school goes back.

If you haven’t already got an electronic ticket card (like an Opal card or SmartRider), now’s the best time to get one. These will go by different names depending on what state you live in but they’re a great option because they will save you money, allow you to pay for a ticket faster and they’re contactless.

You can also commute with friends or family members who are heading to your school. This is another great way to save some money and worry less about getting to class on time.

Always be sure to double-check with your parents and get permission before you get a lift from anyone, as your safety is super important!

Draw up a routine or plan. 

One of the hardest parts about high school is the actual work.

Because you’re stepping up a level, you’re going to get more work and it's going be a little harder (we know you'll rise to the challenge though). 

If you don’t want to fall behind in your schoolwork, be sure to draw up a study plan, class schedule or some kind of routine to make sure you don’t miss any classes or deadlines.

This is also the perfect way to keep on top of your studies and homework ‘cos no one wants to cram last minute.

You can download a free study planner template from Student Edge to get organised straight away. 

Well, there you have it. Now, go forth and crush your first day of high school!

Header Image: NBC