Hey everybody! One week until Metro goes back to school. You know what that means? For high schoolers, it means starting your summer reading. For others though, it means starting at a new school with new people and a new building. Some of you may be moving from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, or from one district or school zone to another. Regardless of your situation, you're probably scared and you may not be looking forward to all of the newness that's about to come into your life. Luckily, I'm here with 5 tips on how to feel comfortable in your new school. Let's get started shall we?
1. Go to your school's orientation. Most schools have an orientation for new students to get their schedules, become acquainted with the building, and meet their teachers. Some schools even have multi-day programs where students, most likely freshmen, can learn all of the ins and outs of the school. These tours may include commentary from current students so that the new students can debunk myths they may have been told before arriving at the school. If your school doesn't offer this, you can also do a walkthrough of the school during the week, which is good because classes will be going on and you can really see how your days will be like at the school. Regardless of what program your school has, you should take advantage of it so that you don't look like a freshman or a new student on the first day of school.
2. Be prepared when school starts. You've never been to this school before, so you shouldn't expect any more or less than what you've been told by the school's administration. While it's a good idea to get to know some current students to find out things about the school, they're not always the most reliable sources. If your supply list tells you to get something, even if a current student insists you won't need it, get it anyway just to be safe. Save the receipt in the event that you don't use the item and return the item later. See? No one loses. Also, make sure you do all of your summer reading assignments and have a good idea of what the text(s) are about. You don't want to be that kid on the first day who thought they would just slide on by(AP World students?) on the first day just because you're new. You're more likely to be called on BECAUSE you're new, so you want to make sure that you have all of your material covered so that you can blend in as easily as possible.
3. Use social media to meet current students at your new school or other new students. We live in the age of technology and now is a better time than ever to use social media to aid you in your transition from one school to another. Hop on Facebook and make a post about being a new student. List the school name and invite current students or new students to give you any tips on the new school, such as where to eat lunch, which clubs to join, and other things you might want to know. More than likely, many students will be very nice and willing to give you some pointers on how to survive you first day. You may even find some lunch buddies or your year long chemistry partner through this technique. Don't be afraid of rejection and be open to meeting new people to see who you may want to hang out with during the school year. If you move far away from your old school and friends, this will be especially helpful for those weekends where you're lucky enough to not have homework and you want to get out of the house. Technology is here to help us, not hurt us, so take advantage of it.
4. Be open. As I stated before, you're going to want to make as many friends as possible before school starts to help you get through your first day. Don't shun the weird kid who wears all black, because it might just be their favorite color. Don't assume anything about anyone because you don't know their story. This tip can be applied to life in general, but it's especially helpful at a new school. Don't be afraid to talk to teachers just because of what other students say. Chances are the teacher may become your favorite teacher regardless of how other students feel about them. Don't depend on rumors to get you through the year and talk to everyone. It's good to be able to hang out with everybody.
5. Enjoy yourself. I know you're scared. I know you'd rather stay with your friends. I know you don't want to leave your band director. But trust me when I say that it will most likely be worth it. Especially if your parents moved you to a better school intentionally. You may cry, you may be angry with your parents for moving you, and you may have to sit by yourself at lunch for the first couple of weeks of school. I did all of this and two years later I can honestly say that I love the school that I'm currently at. The people are amazing, the atmosphere is inviting, and I wouldn't have known some of my best friends if I hadn't left my old school. I had to be open and attend school events and talk to random people. It took me out of my comfort zone, but it also helped me make friends. You have to be open. If not, you'll be #foreveralone. Ok maybe not, but it's a better experience with friends. Trust me.
I hope you all enjoyed this list of tips and I encourage you to check out my previous list of tips regarding school supplies. I also encourage you to be on the lookout for a post earlier in the day tomorrow, especially if you like nail polish. I have a way to get your $40 worth of nail polish and beauty products for only $2.99 in shipping. Stay tuned ;-) I hope to see you all tomorrow for that special post, AND for DIY Thursday. Get that summer reading done, meet some new people, and enjoy the rest of your summer. Until next time :-)
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