Starting high school is a milestone that many teens look forward to. It means you are growing up and surrounded by the older kids that you have often looked up to. It means new experiences, new opportunities for friendships, new freedom and often most importantly, a fresh start. You are no longer defined by your elementary interests, peer group you have often been associated with since kindergarten or your past embarrassing moments or mistakes. It means not everyone in your classes or in the halls will know you.
Although the lack of familiarity can bring natural anxiety, it can also be reframed as an opportunity to find comfort and a new zest in the adventure of self-discovery and re-invention that is high school. Take the time to reflect on your hopes, successes, failures and most importantly, your goals. Yes, your goals.
It may seem like graduation four years from now is far away, but trust me, the days are long yet the years are short. Now is the time to simply explore yourself and who you want to be. Nothing has to be figured out by any means, but be brave, be bold and discover your likes and dislikes through elective courses, extracurriculars and new experiences. Break down your goals into short-term and long-term categories. Make sure those goals are S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). It can be as simple as I want to meet 4 new people in the first month by simply saying hello and introducing myself. Or I want to try out a Business class in the second semester. OR it can be a little more habit focused like I am going to carve out 1 hour right after school each day to complete homework and study in my room.
Being a school-based clinician for 18+ years has shown me that when I talk to my seniors towards the end of their high school career, they often all have similar feelings about their freshman year. Year after year they tend to voice the same “would of, should of and could of”s associated with their entry into high school. This got me thinking about how helpful it could be for new freshmen to have a guide of sort from former freshmen. My hope is that you will read some of this advice, take it to heart, and have it lead you to a high school experience that is everything you hoped it could be and more.
The following is a compiled list of wisdom that my former seniors often voice wishing they would have soaked in at the start of their freshmen year to change the course of their high school experience. If you just entered high school, take a moment to take in advice from those who have lived it and who hope to have their mistakes serve a purpose to help others.
You got this!
At Cutting Edge Counseling of the North Shore, we’re proud to offer our services to clients in Northbrook and the surrounding communities, including Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wheeling, Northfield, Glencoe, Winnetka, Buffalo Grove, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, Prospect Heights, Vernon Hills, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, and Des Plaines. Our commitment is to provide personalized and effective therapy to help you achieve your goals.
Written By,
Janet Radziszewski, LCSW
www.cuttingedge-therapy.com