High School: A Beginner's Guide - Part 1

Your high school years will have ups and downs, but not one day goes by where you don't learn something about yourself or a lesson that will help you in the future. To help ease the nerves, I break down some cliches and give you a guide to high school.

By Ananya Pasunuri — August 31, 2022

Tags: freshman, guide, high school, sophomore, student

High School: A Beginner's Guide - Part 1

Watching movies that portray the cliche of high school feels like a standard memory for many people, especially those who watch the so-called "American Classics." These portrayals of the high school experience can feel overwhelming for a freshman. Finishing up my freshman and sophomore year and heading into junior year, it's safe to say the one part pop culture does get right surrounding these next four years is that they will be some of the most memorable. Yes, these years will have ups and downs, but not one day goes by where you don't learn something about yourself or a lesson that will help you in the future. To help ease the nerves, I break down some cliches and give you a guide to high school.

THE Social Ladder

We have all had our fair share of thoughts about what life would be like before we step foot onto the campus as a freshman. I'll happily tell you that the classic troupe of lunchroom trips or girls chewing bubble gum asking where the new girl got her skirt from will not come to fruition. From all the incoming freshmen I've talked to, they are always scared that some kid will end up taking their lunch money. I promise you that ninety-five percent of the time, this is not the case. The social ladder is not as important, but I will be frank with you — it exists. I firmly believe that keeping yourself open to the different personalities, perspectives, and social groups existing within high school will be incredibly beneficial. If you are introverted, don't worry—you will find a squad that understands you.

An analogy I like to use compares the middle school experience to a backyard pool, high school to a lake, and college to the ocean. Plenty of fish in the sea! Most importantly, learn this: the more "friends" and people you know, the more connections you create. Those connections become more helpful it is in the long run. You don't have to be best friends with the entire school, but do try to put yourself out there without thinking every cheerleader is a mean girl and every football player isn't intelligent. They just might surprise you.

Juggling Social Life vs. Academics

High school social life is complex. Not everyone will find a group in high school, and that is OK. It is not something to stress about, but that doesn't mean you should bury yourself and never go out to have a little fun. However, many people come in on the first day thinking that the next four years of their lives will consist of going to school for eight hours and sticking their nose in a book for the rest of the night. Even if you don't go to parties (do so responsibly), at least attend the school events. While it may seem childish to dress up for spirit weeks, it's a lot of fun, and more people enjoy it than you may realize.

As well as, doing those fun things and de-stressing by hanging around "your" people is much more beneficial than one would realize. Academics are important, do not take it as me advising you to ditch the studies and only have fun. But you will never learn the importance and value of time management if you never try to balance your schedule. If you decide in college to go out and be social, you may have a hard time adjusting to balancing your classes along with that. Starting to create a healthy academic and social life balance in high school means that by the time you go to college or start your job, you will know how to have the best of both worlds.

In a nutshell, high school is not too different from middle school. Be true to yourself no matter where you go and what you do in high school. To a certain extent, self-awareness about your actions and reputation is beneficial (teachers pay attention to these things). Changing yourself to fit in with the crowd is not the move. You will find your group— people that make it feel like home, given you will likely end up at the school more than home (I know I do). Have fun, and make a musical from your high school experience (can you tell I love high school movies?).