Your four-year high school experience won’t be what you expect. It’s not what you see in movies or TV shows. The reality is that you will need to take initiative for your own experiences, time management, social opportunities and relationships.

As a freshman, I was motivated to be the best student, have outstanding grades and make many friends. My first semester couldn’t have gone better. I made time for homework, was able to attend social events and still had time for myself. I allowed myself this leisure through having a consistent routine.

My second semester was similar, except there was a class that challenged me like no other; the work, the teacher and the class itself were like an impending doom on everything else. So instead of facing the problem, I avoided the class like the plague. I didn’t make time to study or talk to the teacher, which led my anxiety to rise and my grade percentage to decrease, with many unpleasant consequences in the end.

I had to figure out how to solve those problems while navigating friendships and social situations. My advice: do not go through high school only comfortable with your friend group you made in middle school. It’s very likely that everyone’s schedule will be different and personalities will change as people get older and experience a different environment.

There are so many social opportunities during high school: clubs in school and outside-of-school activities, and there are even activities hosted by the school that give you more time to interact with other people. What I have learned is that you have to have conversations, no matter how you feel when you do it. There was a time when I had intense social anxiety,
and because of that, doing something as simple as ordering food was challenging for me. It wasn’t until I began exposing myself to communicating with strangers and ordering food that I got more comfortable with it.

Relationships in high school can be tricky. There can be so much drama, pressure about how to act and interactions you don’t want to have but might need to. The most important relationship to have is with your counselor, social worker and teachers. Trust me.

Anything that relates to your classes, your counselor is the person to go to. Keep them updated about your experience in your classes and relationship with your teachers because they can become a resource for you during more challenging times in the school year.

Your social worker is someone who can listen to you when you don’t feel your best, when you feel overwhelmed or have challenges with your mental health. They will support you and help you find ways to overcome your mental struggles.

Teachers can assist you the most if you ask for help and express your needs in their class. If there is an explanation for your attendance, give them one. If there is a reason you haven’t submitted an assignment, let them know. If you are stressed with another class, and it’s interfering with their class, communicate that. Teachers, counselors and social workers can only help if you let them help.

Finally, don’t take yourself so seriously. It’ll be OK. Your high school years will be nothing like the rest of your life. There’s so much freedom and leisure in high school, so don’t be in a rush to grow up so fast.