Author: McCord, Karen

6 Tips To Make the MOST of Freshman Year
High School probably feels very different from middle school. Following these six tips will help you have a better freshman year!

1. GO TO SCHOOL News flash—Attendance in high school counts. And for three very good reasons:
• You’ll get better grades. You can’t learn if you’re not there.
• Missing classes in high school may cause you to lose credits, which you need to graduate
on time.
• A good attendance record shows future employers that you are dependable.
2. GET ORGANIZED The first step toward organization is having the right equipment. It doesn’t
have to be fancy or high tech. A different color folder (neatly labeled) for each class and a calendar or planner should do it. Keep your notes, tests, quizzes and homework in the folder for
each class so you can refer back to them as needed.
3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK Some students blow off homework by either not doing it at all or not putting enough effort into it. Blow if off and your grades will suffer. High school teachers expect
you to spend more time on homework.
4. DON’T WAIT TO GET HELP If you’re worried about your grades or test scores, ask for help right
away. Whether you are struggling with homework or aren’t doing well on quizzes, ask your
teacher or school counselor for specific ways to improve. Speak up if you think you’re falling
behind, and be sure to take advantage of extra help sessions, resource time, or tutoring.
5. WORK HARD Make it a personal goal to do more than just get by. Colleges advise students to
take the most challenging classes they can which means it’s more important to stretch yourself
than to take easier classes. Make a commitment to complete the Core 40 with Academic Honors
or Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma. Students who go the extra mile have more job opportunities and more college choices.
6. KNOW HOW TO GO TO COLLEGE It’s time to focus even more on planning for college and careers. Remember, graduation will be here before you know it. Take these 4 steps to make sure
you have the opportunity to go to college and get the future you want:
• Push Yourself
• Find the Right Fit
• Put Your Hands on Some Cash
• Ask for Help
SOURCE: ONTRACK-Your Guide to High School Success, 9th Grade, Indiana Dept of Education and Indiana Commission for Higher Education
For more information, please call 1-800-992-2076 or go to www.learnmoreindiana.org
(FreshmenTips)

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