How to Enjoy High School

Last Updated: May 27, 2021 References

The four years of high school can produce some of the most memorable moments of your life. To get the most out of your high school experience, it's important to focus on your academics while also spending time exploring your passions and friendships. Be yourself as you navigate high school, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Discovering and Being Yourself

1
Open yourself up to new experiences. High school is a great time to branch out and try new things. Try to get out of your comfort zone a little bit and try out for a sports team, join the choir, or even just sit with new people at lunch. This will help you discover new passions and maybe even make new friends.
- You could have a goal of trying one new thing a day, whether it's big or small.
- Small things might include attending a friend's play performance or checking out books from the library, while bigger things could be asking someone to a dance or running for student body president.
2
Take pride in your appearance. Try to let your personality shine through your clothing and general style. Pick out clothes you feel confident in, and spend a little time each morning for some personal grooming to make yourself look and feel your best.^{[1]
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- Choose a hairstyle that you really like, such as long layers, straightened locks, curls, or spikes.
- Take some time each morning to brush your hair and teeth, shower if necessary, and ensure your clothes are wrinkle-free.
- Whether you have a uniform or not, you can customize your outfit by adding jewelry, hair accessories, and shoes that you love.
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3
Be confident in your decisions and avoid peer pressure. Don’t let anyone pressure you into activities you are not comfortable with, including sex, drugs, or alcohol. Reflect on what you want and are comfortable with, and stand your ground—others will respect you for your confidence.^{[2]
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- Avoid peer pressuring others as well, making sure you respect other people's boundaries.
- If someone is pressuring you, say no firmly and repeatedly if necessary. Leave the situation if they do not respect your feelings.
- Talk to an adult who can provide support if you're struggling with peer pressure.
4
Ask for help if you’re struggling academically, socially, or emotionally. Your parents, teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors are all excellent resources for you and are there to help. If you're worried about a bad grade, are in a fight with a friend, or are feeling a bit down, reach out to an adult in your life that you trust.^{[3]
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- Your teachers always want to know when you're struggling in a subject, and they'll do their best to help you succeed.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Pritchard, MA
  School Counselor
  Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}
- If you have a problem, whether it's academic or personal, your guidance counselor will be able to point you in the direction of help.
5
Stay true to who you are. High school is a time of working to become the best possible person you can be while also exploring your interests. Instead of trying to be popular or joining a team or group just because others are, focus on what you enjoy doing and pursue these things instead.^{[5]
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- If you're not sure which things you're truly interested in yet, keep trying new things until you find something that you really love.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Getting Involved and Making Friends

1
Get to know the people in your classes. These are the people you'll see and interact with every day, so becoming friends with a few of them will give you a great support network throughout the school year. If you don't know them, introduce yourself and strike up a casual conversation, and if you do already know them, ask them a question about their hobbies or family so that you can get to know them a little better.
- For example, introduce yourself to a potential new friend by saying, "Hi, I'm Sam. I really like your shirt, where did you get it?"
- Ask someone in one of your classes if they'd like to get together to study, or if they can help you with a homework question.
- You can even ask to exchange contact information so that if either of you have questions about homework, tests, or projects in the class, you can reach out to one another.
- You could also share your pronouns when you introduce yourself.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Pritchard, MA
  School Counselor
  Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}
2
Become involved in extracurricular activities or clubs. High school is a great place to find people and clubs that share your interests. Sign up to be in the drama club, on the school newspaper, part of the art club—any club or activity that catches your attention and you think you'd enjoy.
- Other extracurricular activities might include yoga, coding, or chess club.
- If your high school does not have a club that caters to your interests or passions, start one of your own!
- If you apply to college, include your activities on your application. This helps give admissions committees a better idea about who you are as a person.
3
Try out a sport to be part of a team. Sports are a good way to get active while also being part of a close-knit team. Choose a sport you like, such as soccer, softball, basketball, or swimming, and work hard during practice and at games to make your team (and yourself!) proud.^{[7]
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- Track and field has many different types of events, each designed to showcase a different talent or skill set.
- Try out dance team, cheer leading, or volleyball.
4
Reach out to people and make new friends. Whether you're a freshman or a senior, you can always meet new people and form new relationships. Strike up a conversation with someone in the hall, sit with someone new at lunch, or offer to partner up with someone you're not friends with for a class project. You might leave with a new friend!^{[8]
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- If you don't feel comfortable talking to a complete stranger, say hello to the person whose locker is next to yours, or compliment someone's outfit in the lunch room.
5
Attend school events to broaden your experiences. Events such as school dances, sports games, and pep rallies are all an essential part of the high school experience. Even if you aren't full of school spirit, try to go to at least one school event each season—you'll likely end up making great memories.
- Invite a friend or two to come along with you.
- Ask your friend to introduce you to people you may not already know.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Succeeding in School

1
Focus on your work to get good grades. Your school work should be your first priority all throughout high school, as this is the real reason you're there. Study hard for tests and quizzes, focus during class, and do your homework so that you can get grades that you're proud of.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}
- If you need help in a class, reach out to the teacher so that they can offer you assistance.
- Ask a friend to help you study if you need a little extra practice in a subject.
- Complete your homework each night so that you're ready for class the next day.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Pritchard, MA
  School Counselor
  Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}
2
Take good notes during class. Your notes will help you with your homework and studying for quizzes, and taking notes will also help the information absorb into your brain. You can create an outline of the main points of the lecture, print out the slides and take notes directly on them, or any other method of note taking that works for you.^{[11]
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- If laptops are allowed in class, you can also take notes quickly and efficiently by typing.
3
Build a support network of teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors. There's no reason to be ashamed of asking for help at times, and the adults in your life are always willing to assist you. Get to know your teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors so that you feel comfortable coming to them when you need them.
- For example, drop in once a week to chat with your guidance counselor about what's going on in your life, or stay after class for a minute or two to talk to your teacher about the class they just taught.
4
Maintain a healthy balance between your academics and social life. While it's important to get good grades, don't stress yourself out by aiming for constant perfection. Give yourself some down time in between working hard in school by hanging out with friends or doing extracurricular activities.^{[12]
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- Remember that getting a bad grade once in a while is normal, and try not to be too hard on yourself.
- Your social life shouldn't outweigh your academic life in order to keep your grades up.
5
Stay organized to use your time productively. It's helpful to keep a calendar or planner with you so that you can easily write down due dates, test dates, and when sports games or extracurriculars are. By always knowing what you have coming up in the future, you'll be able to plan ahead and prioritize the most important tasks.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}
- Get a study group together a few days before a test so that you all have plenty of time to review the material.
- You can also set up reminders in your phone calendar.^{[14]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Pritchard, MA
  School Counselor
  Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Prioritizing Your Mental and Physical Health

1
Eliminate distractions to help you focus. Whether you're trying to do homework, study, or just have some down time, distractions such as your phone or social media aren't helpful. Try to keep your phone turned off or in a separate area when you're focusing on school.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}
- Constantly checking social media tends to increase your anxiety, so try to only set aside a small amount of time for it each day.
- Try to finish your homework and studying before responding to texts, phone calls, or emails.
2
Exercise to help you de-stress and relax. Not only is exercising great for you physically, it also helps your mind decompress. Play a sport after school, visit the gym, or just go on walks for some fresh air each day.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- Exercising outdoors is even better—the fresh air and sunlight will make you feel invigorated and healthier.
- Go for a run after school or ask a friend to play soccer or basketball with you.
3
Sleep for at least 8 hours each night. If you're going to bed super late and have to wake up early to go to school, you're not going to do well in class because of how tired you are. Plan ahead so that you get 8-10 hours of sleep each night and are energized for the next day.^{[18]
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- For example, if you have to wake up at 7am to go to school, aim to go to bed at 11pm at the latest.
4
Eat breakfast before heading to school. Even if you don't have a lot of time in the mornings, try to grab some food to go before leaving. Eating breakfast will give your body and mind needed energy to focus throughout the day.^{[19]
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Expert Source

Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.}
- Grab a granola bar and piece of fruit if you're in a hurry.
- Eat scrambled eggs with spinach in them if you have time to sit down and eat.
5
Take a step back if you're feeling overwhelmed. With all of the schoolwork, extracurricular activities, social expectations, and family commitments, high school can be a bit overwhelming sometimes. If you find yourself feeling stressed or unsure how to handle everything, stop pushing yourself so hard and talk to an adult who can help.^{[21]
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- You may need to cut back on some of your commitments if you're feeling overwhelmed; for example, if you're on the swim team, write for the school newspaper, and babysit every day after school, consider babysitting only 1 or 2 days after school instead.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best way to survive high school as a new student?

Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.

Ashley Pritchard, MA

School Counselor

Expert Answer

Ask your school counselor about different clubs or sports that you can join. You can get in touch with a coach yourself, or have your counselor get you in touch with a coach or student involved in a certain activity. That's a good way to meet somebody who has similar likes and interests.