Congratulations on beginning your first year of high school! This is an exciting new chapter filled with new opportunities, new experiences, and new possibilities. As a member of the Class of 2030, you are beginning a four-year journey that will help prepare you for graduation, college, a career, and whatever path you choose for your future.
Freshman year can bring a mix of emotions. You may feel excited, nervous, overwhelmed, or even unsure about what to expect, and that is completely normal. High school comes with new responsibilities, expectations, classes, friendships, and opportunities to get involved. The choices and habits you develop this year can help set the foundation for your success throughout high school.
Remember, you do not have to figure everything out on your own. Your professional school counselors are here to support you! Whether you have questions about your classes, grades, attendance, graduation requirements, friendships, future goals, or simply need someone to talk to, we are here to help you along the way. 💚🐾
🎓💚 CLASS OF 2030 FRESHMAN SCHOOL COUNSELING WEBSITE
Below is a breakdown of some of the important things you should be doing during your freshman year to help you start strong, stay on track, and make the most of your first year of high school
Attendance is crucial to high school success. You must be in school and in class every day to learn and try to pass your classes. If you choose not to attend school, then you choose to fail.
Complete and turn in your homework and classwork assignments. One missed assignment can be detrimental to your grade. If you're absent, make sure to ask the teacher for any missed work. Be sure to turn in your work on time.
Take challenging courses. Your academic record is the most important part of your college application. Colleges want to see more than good grades; they want to see that you have pushed yourself and taken the most challenging courses offered at school.
Focus on grades. Grades matter in high school. Your college transcript begins in 9th grade. No part of your college application carries more weight than the courses you take and the grades you earn. College may seem like a long way off, but bad freshman year grades can hurt your chances of getting in the college of your choice.
Get help if you need it! If you're struggling in a class, don't just sit there, fall asleep, act out, or ignore it; ask your teacher for assistance. Seek out extra assistance and tutoring to get your skills up.
Participate in extracurricular activities. Get involved. This is an opportunity to take advantage of everything that Parkdale has to offer inside and outside the classroom. YOU could be just what that sports team or organization needs to take it to the next level. Just remember to keep at least a 2.0 GPA.
Meet with your counselor. Get to know your counselor by meeting with her at least once a quarter. Use this opportunity to discuss life after high school. Each March your counselor will meet with you to discuss your course selections for the next school year. Remember your counselor is your advocate. They are here to support you and help you reach your fullest potential.
Start exploring colleges and career options. Go to SchoolLinks to complete a career interest inventory. You don't have to know what you want to do after high school, but it's important to begin to think about your interests.
Volunteer at a non-profit organization. Get started on your student service hours if you haven't already started. Colleges prefer to see more than the minimum amount that is required for graduation (24). The more hours you have, the more well-rounded you are and the more opportunities for possible scholarships exist.
Read more. Read more than what is expected in English class. The more you read, the stronger your verbal, writing, and critical thinking skills will be. Reading increases your vocabulary allowing you to do well in school, and on the SAT and ACT, and in college.
