The transition from middle school to high school can be very daunting for middle school students and typically they have many questions that they cannot find the answers to. This article will explore some of these questions that our middle school students have submitted themselves and answer them with advice from upperclassmen.
“How do free periods work?”
In 9th grade, students are not given regular free periods. Instead, they are given a health class as part of their courses. The health class only runs for a semester, and the other semester is for electives that students choose. Health class does not meet every day and instead meets every other day. During the days that students do not have health, they are given a free block.
“When do you start preparing for college and how?”
When you enter high school, you will be assigned a college counselor. This counselor will help you with any questions you may have and is available to support you throughout high school. They will help you with your homework, standardized tests, extracurriculars and the college application process. For now, the most important thing is to concentrate on your academics and aim for high grades in your classes.
“What is a ‘delve’? Is it like EWC?”
Delve is similar to EWC, but the key difference is that Delve programs are designed as service-based trips, and you actually get to choose the trip you want to take. Every trip is unique and different to fit everyone’s interests. You can choose to go on an overnight trip as far as Japan, exploring new cultures and having new experiences, or a day trip near Nichada, choosing a service that you can relate to. There are many more possibilities and services, special for each person.
“What are apps or tricks to studying since I heard there’s a lot of homework in high school?”
There are a lot of tricks to studying but you don’t need to worry as much as there isn’t too much homework in 9th grade. It’s not much more than middle school and most classes will give you a lot of time to finish your homework. A method that a lot of upperclassmen use to study is the Pomodoro method, where you study for a set amount of time, typically around 25 minutes, and then take a break, away from screens for about 5 minutes. Typically, students repeat this cycle 3-4 times. One app that you can use to organize your time and your workload is Notion. Notion is a calendar type app that allows you to put in your schedule and customize it to yourself.
“What if my friends end up in different classes?”
Even if your friends end up in different classes, you will undoubtedly have at least one person you are familiar with in each of your classes. Classes are a great way to get to know new people and make new friends and you will always have time to go see your friends, whether it be lunch, extracurricular activities, before and after school or in sports. Most students feel that their friendships remain strong and many students even find that their friend group ends up bigger than it already was. High school also has a lot of choice and you can communicate with your friends and try to end up in the same electives, activities or clubs.
In conclusion, while the transition from middle school to high school may feel very daunting and overwhelming, there are always people ready to help you. People you can always turn to when you have questions, concerns, or need support are your counselors; they are here for you! Whether you have questions about what classes to take or how to get organized, teachers, upperclassmen and counselors will always be there to guide you. With their support, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of high school and discover opportunities to grow as a student.
