SchoolFinder Blog

Been There, Done That - High School Advice

As the third child in line and younger sister to two brothers, you’d think that advice about what to do or what to avoid in high school would have been abundant. But it wasn’t. I think once the younger of my two brothers told me not to wear heals to a dance that would make me taller than my date – thanks?

If you’re in the same boat, or don’t have any older siblings, here is some advice from high school students that have been through it all, courtesy of the Kansas City Star.

Freshman Year

• Consider getting involved in student government. Most students don’t think about running for office during their freshman year and once you get in, it is easier to stay involved.
• Go to a homecoming game
• Get to know your teachers – believe me, this is not dorky. Getting to know your teachers can help with letters of recommendation and extra tutoring if you ever need it
(Advice from Katie Mussman, a graduate of Davis High School)

• Get all your required courses out of the way as fast as possible – then your senior year you won’t have to play catch-up
(Advice from Kevin Davidson, a sophomore at Beyer High School)

• Don’t be afraid to try out for a sport
• Get to know everyone in your classes – you can never have enough friends
(Advice from Dionne Evans, a senior at Johansen High School)

Sophomore Year

• Try out different electives – you never know where you’ll find your passion or a new hobby (Kevin Davidson)
• Help a freshman that looks completely lost – you were in their shoes last year
(Advice from Emily Shrader, a junior at Enochs High School)

• Go to a school dance – at least one, and don’t worry about looking cool
(Advice from Victoria Pardini, a junior at Modesto High School )

• If you took a language course freshman year, continue it. This is helpful for college admissions. (Dionne Evans)

Junior Year

• If your school has a powder-puff game, definitely participate  (Victoria Pardini)
• Stay focused on school work – this year really counts toward college admissions
(Dionne Evans)
• Do as much extra credit work as possible – this can really help boosts grades at the end of the term (Dionne Evans)
• Take a college course – you can get college credit and explore your interests before heading off to school
(Advice from Amelia Varni, a junior at Central Catholic High school)

Senior Year

• Attend one school event that you have not attended during the past three years
(Emily Shrader)
• Keep focused on school and college – avoid getting senioritis too early (Victoria Pardini)
• Bring a camera to school and take pictures of you and your friends in your favorite spots (Victoria Pardini)
• Organize a road trip with your friends before you all go off to college – maybe over winter or spring break
(Katie Mussman)
• Visit colleges – this will give you the best idea of where you want to go (Dionne Evans)
• Save money – next year you will be paying for more things, so save all that you can and get a good summer job (Dionne Evans)