WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL!
GETTING STARTED IN HIGH SCHOOL
Many things may be going through your mind as you prepare to enter high school. You may be overwhelmed by the size and diversity of your campus, the desire to make new friends, the worry of academic success or failure and graduation requirements, creating positive relationships and a winning self-esteem, and just trying to find out what you need to do to survive your first year in high school. We want to help you be successful in your classes and in transitioning from middle school to high school.
In high school, you will be involved in various academic, community, and social activities. Each of these activities will provide you with a wealth of experiences and help you clarify your interests, goals, and plans for the future. Active involvement in high school is one key to a successful and rewarding high school experience. Get involved, take charge, and become the best student you can be. As you and your parents plan your program, your professional school counselor is available to help you every step of the way.
Many things may be going through your mind as you prepare to enter high school. You may be overwhelmed by the size and diversity of your campus, the desire to make new friends, the worry of academic success or failure and graduation requirements, creating positive relationships and a winning self-esteem, and just trying to find out what you need to do to survive your first year in high school. We want to help you be successful in your classes and in transitioning from middle school to high school.
In high school, you will be involved in various academic, community, and social activities. Each of these activities will provide you with a wealth of experiences and help you clarify your interests, goals, and plans for the future. Active involvement in high school is one key to a successful and rewarding high school experience. Get involved, take charge, and become the best student you can be. As you and your parents plan your program, your professional school counselor is available to help you every step of the way.
GETTING HELP
The adjustment from Middle School to High School is a major step toward independence. Along with this freedom will come problems to be solved. You need to know where to go and with whom to talk to when you have problems. Below, you will find the most frequent questions that freshmen ask.
"I'm Having a Conflict With Another Student. Who Can Help Me?"
Who is my counselor?
How do I set up an appointment to see my counselor?
Be sure to find out who the counselor is. Your counselor is here to help guide you through your high school journey. Go to the counseling office to see your counselor or to set up an appointment.
"I'm Having a Conflict With Another Student. Who Can Help Me?"
- The principal and counselor are available for students who need help with this.
- You need to have the secretary fill out a report and take it to the Office.
- The Office will give you a new locker or lock.
- Go to the Office.
- Have your parent call the Office the day of the absence, or bring a NOTE to the Office the day you return.
- 4-year plan
- Crisis Intervention Financial Aid
- Personal Concerns
- Scholarship Information Summer School
- Military Recruiters College Information
- SAT, ACT, ASVAB
- Tutoring
- NCAA Information Career Fairs
- Registration Information Foreign Exchange Program
Who is my counselor?
How do I set up an appointment to see my counselor?
Be sure to find out who the counselor is. Your counselor is here to help guide you through your high school journey. Go to the counseling office to see your counselor or to set up an appointment.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
- Attend class every day— Be in all your classes every day! Studies show us that those who do well in classes most often miss very few classes each semester. (A semester is half of the school year –July/ August to December and January to May).
- Bring materials to class— Always take proper materials to class with you. Your teacher will tell you what you need for that class. A builder does not go to his job without a hammer, nails, lumber, a tape measure, and numerous other tools. You are building your educational background; so you need to take your tools to the job!
- Complete all make-up work on time. There is NO second chance— Keep up with homework assignments and turn in projects and assignments on time. Being prompt will really impress your peers and allow you to stay on task. Semester grades are based on tests, homework, and special projects accomplished during a semester.
- Demonstrate personal organizational skills, such as record keeping, time-management, homework habits/responsibilities, note-taking skills, and basic listening skills. You should have a notebook/school planner to write down your assignments and to take notes from what the teacher says. If you have a notebook, the notebook should be divided into sections for each class. This could be a 3-ring binder, or a spiral notebook for each class. With either method you can keep all assignments and notes for a class together. Staying organized will help you complete all your assignments on time.
- Use the English language in both oral and written communication.
- Read additional books and/or magazines outside of school to supplement vocabulary.
- Apply knowledge to new situations.
- Use concentration powers.
- Increase library skills.
- Increase basic keyboarding skills.
- Strengthen math skills- such as the ability to work with fractions, percentage, decimals, algebra and geometry, and averaging.
- Review all materials to prepare for special projects or tests.
- If you feel any of these may be problems for you, contact your school counselor so we can work on any areas where you need help. You may also need to go see teachers before or after school for some extra help. They will see that you are serious about learning when you come in on your own time!
Freshman Timeline
First Semester
SECOND SEMESTER
- Check your high school courses to ensure that you are taking the necessary courses to meet graduation requirements, post-secondary options and the Alaska Performance Scholarship.
- Develop a serious attitude toward your studies. Grade point average and class rank are important considerations for your acceptance into most colleges. Your GPA counts!
- Develop good study habits. If you find yourself struggling with your studies at any point during your freshman year, first consult with your teacher, and then check with the Counseling Office for study skills assistance and for peer tutorial help.
- Set personal goals for academic achievement. Evaluate and re-assess your goals frequently. Ensure that you are actively working toward your goals.
- Plan ahead for major project deadlines and your semester exams.
- Read the daily announcements and watch for special programs available for freshmen.
- Select extra-curricular activities, clubs, and organizations that interest you and GET INVOLVED!
- Plan your involvement in extra-curricular, class, and community activities purposefully. Your resume (which includes academic achievements, awards, honors, GPA, leadership positions and school/community activities) becomes very important as you apply for jobs, special programs, post-secondary schools and scholarships.
- Encourage your parents to attend Parent-Teacher Conferences so that they will become familiar with your class schedule, teachers and the school.
- Remember— the Counseling Office is here to help you in any way they can. Contact your counselor if you have any concerns— personal, educational or career.
SECOND SEMESTER
- Visit the Counseling Office and become familiar with the reference materials available for career and post-secondary exploration.
- Visit with people employed in your occupational interest area. Ask questions about actual job tasks, training required, helpful skills, advantages and disadvantages, employment opportunities, advancement, etc.
- Make a list of post-secondary schools to which you may want to apply. Check the entrance requirements of the schools and make sure you select appropriate course work for next year.
- Begin your course selection process for next year. Review the planner and your four-year educational plan. Select courses for next year that are compatible with your college and career goals.
- Review your academic skills with your counselor and teachers to identify any weak areas that need improvement. Consideration should be given to any deficiencies as you register for the next school year.
- Discuss your educational goals and 4-year plan with your parents.
- You will be taking standardized tests along with all other 9th through 11th graders. Do your best! The results will provide additional information regarding your academic strengths, as well as identify areas that you may want to improve upon.
- Plan ahead for major project deadlines and your semester exams.
- Read as much and as widely as you can during the summer ahead. Set aside time for reading every day.
bigfuture-college-planning-9th-10th-graders.pdf |