This week, I am going to be talking to the teens of parents that visit my blog. It is a little shift in my focus on helping teenagers directly since they need to be more independent as they embark on their new high school experience. So, parents, hand over the laptop and allow your students to read these posts about the critical tasks to do before starting high school. And then come back and discuss it with them to show them that you support them.
Now, students, high school can be an overwhelming and scary place for incoming students. You can easily be distracted by tasks to do and keeping up with the various responsibilities. But, know that you are ready for it because you made it this far. Below are some tasks to do before starting high school to stay well organized and focused on this new adventure.
Tasks To Do Three Weeks Before High School Starts
Have an area in your home to do homework. It should be quiet and set apart from the main shared spaces, if possible.
Plan on what you want to get involved in, whether it is playing a sport, performing in the theater, drawing, or volunteering. Find out what the high school’s process is, what season it takes place, and when they do tryouts and practices.
Tasks To Do Two Weeks Before High School Starts
Get the right academic planner. I particularly like Order Out of Chaos planners (affiliate). Click through on the image below and read more about it. Note: if you click through and purchase anything on this website, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Happy shopping!
Take a tour of the school and make it a point to do the orientation. If you can not make the orientation, call the school and ask for a school tour as close as possible to the start of school to help you get familiar with the layout.
Tasks To Do One Week Before High School Starts
Remember keeping your grades up from the start is important. Even if you don’t want to go to college right now, if you decide later in your high school career and your grades are not that good, you will not have as many options.
Keep your backpack well organized. Visit our post about high school backpack organization for more tips. Our kids had to carry all their stuff with them throughout their high school day so their backpacks needed to be well organized.
Get a map of the school, and mark your classes on it. Plan out the best way to get to the different classrooms. Mark them in the exact order of your schedule.
Tasks To Do Two Days Before High School Starts
Accept that it will be stressful and that everyone is going through it as well. Stay present and ask for help before it is too late.
Set up the academic planner by writing the courses and other information in it.
Remember that high school is essential and that it will be the start of your future. So, take it seriously. Have experiences that will enrich your life. Make new friends and be active. Above all else, use common sense and be aware that there are drugs and other things that you may not be aware of out there, so trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right for you, leave the situation or stop doing it.
I hope this helps you make your high school career enjoyable. Please share this post with your friends if you want.
Now it’s your turn, do you have any specific questions about organizing your day or anything else involving high school paperwork organization? Feel free to leave a question in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you or your parents.
I found some more tips online that may also help you get organized for high school. Feel free to click the links below.
10 Tips for Starting High School
Top Tips to Make the Most of High School
Sheri Steed
This is an excellent and important topic. I don't think most adults fully appreciate how challenging high school is these days, and I don't mean academically. I think it's critical for parents to talk to their kids about all aspects of their high school experience - social, emotional, academic, etc. and to help them work through the decision making process. Thinking through a new experience in advance and creating a plan of action is an important life skill.
Melanie
Thank you for sharing all your insight! So many people need solid guidance right now. I appreciate that you address the mental preparation as well. Sometimes just facing the anxiety gives you enough power over it to be ready to take on the challenge! Great post!
Ronni
Transitions can be scary for anyone. Especially for teens who don’t have the experience to fall back on; positive things often come with change.
Having a time sensitive step-by-step list and guide is definitely helpful. I like to think of it as a personal step-by-step navigation system.
Linda Samuels
This is such a trick and uncertain time for all students. Normally, they would be returning to school with "business as usual," but with the pandemic, so many things will be different. Socializing and after extracurricular activities will surely be changed, and in some cases not viable. And some students won't be returning to a physical school to learn, but will be working remotely.
I'm guessing that whatever normal anxiety students might have about starting a new school year, the uncertainty they are experiencing is only increasing that.
However, being as best prepared as possible, even with a changing landscape, will help. And the tips you've suggested go a long way in helping the high schoolers get ready.
Seana Turner
Having a good system for planning your work & schedule, and also having a solid place to work from home, are more important than ever right now. Rising high school students are facing a tricky situation, and I feel for them. Some of their sports and activities won't be taking place or will be going virtual, the in-class schedule is subject to change, and even their older peers can't necessarily help them navigate the shifting terrain. Any tools and structure you can add now will help make the year easier for sure!