Starting High School
You might be feeling a bit nervous -
That's okay and totally normal when you are starting something new
Take care of yourself
Be sure to get plenty of sleep, exercise and eat healthily. This will help you to stay focused, give you enough energy to tackle your school work and join in-class activities.
Taking care of yourself will help you to build self-confidence, mentally prepare you for the changes ahead and equip you with positive vibes that you can share at school.
Try new things at high school
Go into high school with an open mind. There will be many new people to meet and activities to try. You may want to get a kick start by trying some of the extra-curricular activities your school has to offer, like joining a sports team, playing in a band or taking part in photography or drama club.
Trying new experiences will help you get to know your new classmates and find peers who have similar interests to you.
Keep up a routine
A part of high school you may not have experienced before is doing homework. Take some time to set up a routine that includes time for study, and you’ll be better prepared to stay on top of your workload.
Talk to your family about setting up a quiet, distraction-free space at home where you’ll be able to do your homework tasks
More details about starting Year 7 at St Mary's.
Making Friends
If you are worried about making friends at High School. That is a good thing! Why? Because it is a totally normal way to feel. You are about to start at a totally new school, which is easily going to be so much bigger than your primary school. It makes sense to be worried, but you can do something about it.
The best thing you can do when you start at St Mary's is say hello to people, and ask questions to start a conversation. Also, get involved in activities you enjoy, that way you will meet like minded people. Let's face it, sitting by yourself is no fun at all, and limits your chance of meeting people. You have nothing to lose, so join a club or a team, this way you are sure to meet some great people!
Some Resources that might help
How to make friends at school (ReachOut.com) Things to avoid when meeting new people (ReachOut.com)
How to overcome your shyness (ReachOut.com) What makes a good friend (ReachOut.com)
Coping with changing friendships (ReachOut.com) Communicating clearly (Headspace.org.au)
The little black book of information that every teenage girl should read. Everybody knows high school can be tough. There are days when your favourite teacher tells you off. When the person you have a crush on fails to notice you even exist. When your best friend behaves more like your worst enemy. And when even the C-grade netball team thinks you’d be a dead weight and have the defending skills of a stapler. So how do you get through it? Glad you asked. From the author of The Girl Most Likely comes Find Your Tribe (and 9 other things I wish I’d known in high school), a practical, humorous, guide for girls to help them negotiate their teen years and beyond.
Laugh along with Rebecca as she reveals a few of her own less-than-shining-high-school-moments (like the time she accidentally set fire to her fake finger nails) but know that whether it’s finding your tribe, your classroom or your confidence, this little black book will be an invaluable guide.