Making the Most of Your High School Years

Entering high school can be overwhelming; you’ll have far more options and opportunities as well as greater expectations. The choices you make through high school will have an impact on your future education. It is important to choose your classes and extracurricular activities wisely so that you can enjoy your high school years.

Academics

Each year, try to increase your level of academic challenge in your coursework. While AP, IB, and honors level classes are impressive to universities, so are good grades. If taking every subject at the highest level will start to drop grades below a B, students should prioritize taking difficult classes in subjects they are either best at or most interested in. It may be better to have all As and a mix of AP and CP classes than Cs and Bs in all APs.  When choosing classes, try not to be influenced by your friends; choose courses that are best suited to you.

Watch this great video from Khan Academy featuring admissions officials from top colleges and universities about how to make the most of your high school classes.

High school classes are challenging, and you should seek support before your grades tumble. Emailing teachers to set up a time outside of class, looking into a school’s offerings such as lunchtime writing programs or TAs, using free online study materials, or forming study groups with peers are all good ideas. Students can also hire tutors or take advantage of free local or virtual tutoring programs.

Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars allow students to find and pursue activities that interest them. Try out any extracurriculars that appeal to you, but keep in mind that depth of involvement is more important than quantity.

Classes and extracurriculars can help you discover where your passions and strengths lie.  College admission officers look for depth of community involvement, and holding leadership roles is particularly appealing.

Have fun and take time for yourself

High school is not just about getting good grades and building an impressive resume. It is also a great time to make friends and explore engaging activities. Check out any school-run events that interest you, such as school dances, sports games, or rallies. There is no right way to enjoy high school, but with the sheer number of opportunities and requirements, doing too much can be overwhelming. Build in time to take care of yourself. Self-care looks different for everyone, but ideas include getting adequate sleep, setting a weekly TV night, reading before bedtime, hanging out with friends, cooking or baking, finding time to exercise, and making time to be with those you love.

Scheduling

Balancing classes, friends, extracurriculars, and self-care time may seem daunting. For this reason, high school is a great time to learn how to create a schedule that works for you. Experimentation is key. While some students do homework best at night, others benefit from starting right after school. People need different amounts of time to complete assignments, so it is up to each student to discover when to start each project and how much time to devote to them. Finally, individuals crave different amounts of downtime and socialization. This delicate balance will change over time, but tuning into what is a good balance for you will have lifelong benefits.

The high school years provide the opportunity to develop many important life skills as well as academic education. Make the most of these years by embracing the experience!

Sarah DohlComment