Author: Pete Koutoulas • First Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009

For freshmen, like this teen at Lafayette, navigating high school can be tricky at first. (Photo: File photo / Tammy L. Lane)

Teacher Wisdom: This week, we're sharing advice for students at milestone steps in their education: kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade and senior year.  

By Danielle Mink, Kentucky’s 2008 High School Science Teacher of the Year 

The high school years are supposed to be the time of your life, the years that will always bring a smile to your face as you sit and recollect – right?  In actuality, these years are what you make of them. So what advice would I offer students embarking on their high school careers? 

• Get involved. There are so many extracurricular activities – and not only does your involvement look good on a college resume, it gives you an opportunity to meet new people who have similar interests.
• Make an effort. Your teachers aren’t mind readers, so if you are struggling, you need to take it upon yourself to ask questions either during class or before or after school. Keep up with your school work. Come prepared for class. Come up with an organization system that works for you, and then maintain it! If you are absent, it is up to you to get caught up.
• Meet with your counselor to discuss your career plans. He or she can help you start planning for the classes you want (or need) to take in order for you to pursue your professional goals. Perhaps college isn’t your thing; your counselor can recommend a plethora of options, some of which you can begin working on while in high school. (Did you know you can earn college credits while in high school? Certifications? In some cases, an associate degree?)
• Be willing to try new things. You are getting older, and you may be getting taller, but personal growth can only be achieved when you are willing to go out on a limb and challenge yourself. Take the harder classes, try out for the school play or athletic team or play intramurals, sit with someone new during lunch. The options are limitless.
• Strive for balance. If you are challenging yourself, you are going to have to do some schoolwork outside of school. Studying is one of those crucial skills that you need to learn while you are in high school (and while it isn’t “costing” you to attend classes.) But it isn’t healthy to study all the time. You may be interested in picking up a job to earn a little spending money. The cash is nice, but if you don’t have time to enjoy it, why make it? Remember to leave some time for you – time to hang out with your friends, exercise, read, watch TV, whatever. Don’t underestimate the value of a little R & R.
• Finally, eat a balanced diet and get your sleep. Eat breakfast – something with protein and complex carbs to sustain you until lunchtime. Also, teenagers need between 8½ and 9 hours of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. 

Your freshman year provides you an opportunity to start fresh. Chances are, the teachers in the high school don’t know you, and only a fraction of the student population will. It is true, you can’t change your past – but if you weren’t particularly crazy about the way things were going before, now is the perfect time to make some changes.