High school is widely known to be a memorable part of your life, whether that be on a more positive or negative note. It is a rollercoaster full of ups and downs. This is the place where you want to have fun, but also use your time productively.

Even though graduation seems miles away, it is actually a lot closer than you think. Before you know it, you will be walking across the stage in your cap and gown, saying goodbye to the best 4 years of your life. This is why it is important to know how to spend your time during high school.

As my freshman year is approaching a close, these thoughts have become more apparent to me as I take a step back to reflect on all my experiences. I've realized that I've grown a lot, from that very first day of school to now, with the help of my family, friends, teachers, and most importantly, by motivating myself. Here are 9 important things I've learned as a freshman in high school that will hopefully serve as a guide to help navigate your journey through high school and how to make the best of it!

1. Pursue Every Opportunity You Can

Pursue your passion, not your friends’ or parents’ passions. High school is where you should start your own journey and where you start to explore potential career pathways. Don’t be afraid to stick to only one path. Try out everything and anything that interests you, including joining new clubs or extracurriculars.

Freshman year is a good time to explore your different options and try both new and old things out. Do what makes you happy, not what makes other people happy!

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2. Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

At first, I was tentative about asking for help. Why? I didn't want to inconvenience others, and I was afraid of sounding "stupid." However, most people are generally understanding and supportive of your questions, especially as you're asking as an underclassman!

I highly recommend talking to upperclassmen about their high school experiences. You can learn so much from them! For example, I was unsure of what AP classes to take, so I asked around and got a good understanding of the classes that ultimately helped me decide which classes to take.

Additionally, the counselors are amazing, and they will probably be more than happy to answer your questions. I have gone to my counselor multiple times to ask for her thoughts on my course load. Your counselor's thoughts and advice are often crucial during high school, especially because they are experienced and will know how to help you get started on the right path.

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3. Adopt a Positive Mindset

The transition between middle school and high school can be tough. Depending on the person, it might take less or more time to get adjusted. This is perfectly normal, and you shouldn't feel worried if that's how you're feeling!

However, it is crucial to have the right mindset. High school is hard at times, which is why it is all the more important to approach hardships/obstacles in a positive way of thinking.

I have learned that there is a difference between people who look at things more negatively and those who look at them more positively. For example, two people might be assigned the same ten-page homework. One might complain and procrastinate until the end, resulting in an average/not-so-great grade, while the other will be determined to finish the task and do it well, resulting in a high/good grade. Even though the assignment was the same, the way each person approached it was different and was a huge factor in the ending result and the varying degrees of success.

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4. Hard Work Always Pays Off

Maybe you have heard the expression "never cut corners." This means not to do things "the easy way," or the lazy way. This could be using AI on your assignments to do them for you instead of doing them yourself. Using AI or copying off a friend's homework might seem like a shortcut then, but I promise you that you're only hurting yourself.

Why? Because you're not learning anything by having someone else do the work for you. It will always come back to you (like karma), because firstly, teachers do check your work with AI detectors, and secondly, your grades will most likely reflect your lack of work.

By doing the work yourself, you not only learn but also grow. This also applies to things other than schoolwork. For example, being a hard worker in school (ex: participating in class, tutoring a friend, striving to go beyond the average) will always be noted.

Sometimes, it may seem like the work you do behind the scenes goes unnoticed. I promise you, it does not! Not only is it rewarding for you, but you are also uplifting others with you, which is phenomenal.

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5. Take Initiative

Taking initiative is so, so important. Initiative means having drive, but it also means being responsible and resourceful. You're doing things not because someone's telling you to, but because you want to. Having to do something versus wanting to do something is very different since one has self-motivation while the other does not.

In my opinion, taking initiative is often a difficult thing to do. This is because it requires going that extra mile, which ultimately translates to putting in more effort and work that isn't expected of you. Yet, this helps strengthen your independence as well as your sense of responsibility, which are both crucial life skills.

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6. Stay Organized

There is a significant increase in your workload in high school, without even counting any extracurriculars. This is why it is important to have a method that helps you keep track of everything. I like to use a planner, especially daily ones with to-do lists in them.

This helps me get an idea of what I want to accomplish for the day and plan ahead for later events. Digital calendars also work well! Websites like Notion help keep things organized while being customizable for those who love aesthetics.

I think a key component of staying organized is to prioritize some tasks over others. If you had two tasks due tomorrow that both involved studying for exams, the subject that you have more difficulty with should be prioritized so you get a better understanding of the subject. Being organized overall helps you feel more in control of your tasks and, ultimately, school!

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7. Try Out Different Extracurriculars

You don't need to know what you want to be in high school, and that's okay! High school is always trial and error, and as a freshman, you have the freedom to pursue whatever you are interested in. Some good ways of trying out different careers can be through volunteer work or internships.

For example, if you are interested in science and think you will be a good fit as a doctor, you can try volunteering at a hospital. This way, you can see if working at a hospital is a good fit for you, which will help you hone in on specific classes that are beneficial for your future degree and help narrow your career path.

It is always recommended to have a few extracurriculars outside of school, but be careful not to bite off more than you can chew or overburden yourself with too many activities. This might make you feel overwhelmed and stressed. My advice is to choose 2-3 things you are good at and hone them rather than have 6-7 things that you are average at.

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8. Find Good Study Methods

Find the study methods that work for you, not for the YouTubers you find online. Studying in middle school is not the same as studying in high school. One good study method could be reviewing each subject (or the classes you had that day) for around 20-30 minutes each day.

This way, your brain can turn your “short-term memories” (the tidbits and information you learned in class that are easily forgettable) into “long-term memories” that help during tests and final exams.

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9. Get Enough Sleep

It's a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason! Having a healthy sleep schedule is crucial. It may be chaotic at first to get all your work done, leading to late nights with just you, your laptop, and your notes.

However, it is equally, if not more, important to prioritize your sleep. Around eight to ten hours of sleep a day is important so you can be ready to learn the next day! Otherwise, a lack of sleep may lead to the inability to concentrate in class, leading you to miss even more work.

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Conclusion

Everyone's high school experience is and will be different. It will take some trial and error, but it is always important to remember that it is all a normal process. Without mistakes, one cannot learn!

In all, I wish you the best of luck on your high school journey, and hopefully, these tips helped!