How to Start a High School Freshman Year the Right Way

You’ve just finished middle school and are at the top of the student ladder, but you’ve realized that come the end of summer, you have to go back to the bottom rung. For a number of reasons ranging from academic to social, high school is intimidating. Now is a good time to think about putting some strategies in place for starting your freshman year the right way.

Instructions:

1. Plan to attend freshman orientation.   Manchester High School’s  Freshman SMART Day is  September 3, 2015 (8:30-2:00).  There is a $15 cost to cover your T-shirt, lunch, and refreshments.  If you have not already registered, please contact the front office at 739-6275.

2. Talk with upperclassmen. If you know any upperclassmen or meet some at orientation, get them talking about their experiences in the high school. They can fill you in on extracurricular activities, the fastest routes to your classes and study tips that work for them, and you’ll get to know someone you can rely on for information.

3. Prepare yourself for more work. It’s time to accept that starting high school means a larger workload. Don’t panic: you’re building on skills you already have, but you’ll be expected to work more independently and you’ll have more assignments to tackle.

4. Reassess your study habits. Once you’ve gotten your class requirements, you can take some time at home to figure out when and how much you’ll need to study. You may already have great study habits and won’t have to adjust all that much or you may have to cut out some down time to make room for your increased workload.

5. Spread your wings. Starting high school marks a new time in your life and there will be many more extracurricular opportunities and sports to choose from. Round out your freshman education by joining a new sport or club to nurture your interests and to make new friends.

6. Seek help when necessary. If you’ve done everything you can to start your freshman year the right way and still find that you’re having trouble with your grades or adjusting socially, see your School Counselors. They are trained as experts in all things high school and should be able to get you on track or get you additional help for a great freshman year and beyond.

Chesterfield County Tutor List (see attachment below)

It’s never too early to start looking ahead…here are a few resources for you!

Big Future presented by the College Board

The College Board (SAT, AP, PSAT) has produced an interactive website to assist students in their college search process. Check it out.

• Big Future

Sophomores are no longer the newbies!  Get ready for a great year!  What you can do to better prepare for your future…

1. Take an AP Course(s)
This not only helps you to prepare for the heavy workloads you will get in college, but it also shows college admissions boards that you are a diligent student. If you are not up to the challenge or your school does not offer AP courses appropriate for you, then take as many high level/honors courses as you can, without jeopardizing your GPA.

2. Take the PSAT
Your SAT scores are going to make or break your college application, so it’s important to start preparing for this test the right way. Taking the PSAT is a great way to understand your test taking skills. If you do well, you could be eligible for a scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you don’t do well then it means that you have more time to prepare for the real SATs.  

3. Dedicate Time Outside Of Class
College admissions boards care about what you do with your time outside of class just as much as your course loads. Try out for sports teams if you are athletic, sign up the Art Club if you are interested in the creative fields, or do something out of your comfort zone like trying out for the lead of a school musical! If you have already found what extracurricular activities you enjoy being part of, that’s great! As your next challenge, try taking on some leadership roles.

4. Meet With Your School Counselor
They are there for a reason—use their resources! They can help you research colleges of interest and schedule your classes accordingly. School counselors are also the ones who have direct contact with college admissions officers, so build strong relationships with them if you want to get an extra nudge when applying.

5. Use Your Summer Wisely
Whether you are volunteering at a local animal shelter or taking on your first internship or job position, don’t waste your summer bumming around. This is the time for you to set your path straight to get into the college of your dreams. Use this time to craft your art skills if you want to go to art school or practice taking the SATs if you didn’t do so well on your PSATs. Whatever it is, don’t waste it!

The College Board (SAT, AP, PSAT) has produced an interactive website to assist students in their college search process. Check it out.

• Big Future 
• Parent Action Plan:  10th Grade

Now is the time to take the SAT or ACT

Camp Comfort Zone: Groups are available for children, teens, and young adults ages 5-25 who are grieving the death of a parent, sibling or guardian. Adult groups are available to those who have lost a child or spouse. All groups are provided free of charge  Groups are facilitated by trained grief counselors that will help participants share their personal stories, identify feelings and emotions, discover coping strategies and move forward by honoring loved ones and keeping memories present in our lives. (see flyer below)