[This post is originally from www.helium.com]
Being a senior in high school, the memories of my first day are still fresh. There's so much excitement, yet so many butterflies floating around in your stomach. You feel like you're finally an adult - although you end up realizing you're still an immature tween by the second week. Are you questioning yourself, "Will people be mean to me?" or "Will I get thrown into a trash can?". Don't worry about it. Still worried? Then check out these tips and you might just make it out of your first day of high school alive.
• Be prepared. This isn't middle school; you'll have to walk yourself to lunch and to classes. You'll probably get lost in the hallways for the first few days, so make sure you have a map of the school (if there is one) and attend Open House so you won't come late to a class or have to look like an idiot when asking a senior for directions...or be walked to class by a teacher. Also be ready to get homework and quizzes on the first day - these teachers don't waste any time!
• Study. Hard. Your high school years are important! In four years, you'll be off to college...well, hopefully. Colleges look at what you've done in high school, so make sure you participate in clubs, volunteer, take challenging courses, and basically work your butt off. Junior year is very important, because college applications are submitted in the beginning of senior year, so they will be looking at what you've recently accomplished. Don't slack! Make an early habit of working hard!
• Make friends. It's important to have friends throughout high school, that way you're not completely on your own. The first few days are the best to make friends because, well, it's the first day and you're not the only nervous one. Friends can also come in handy for things such as giving you the answers to last night's homework that you didn't do, telling you that there's a quiz in fourth period that you completely forgot about, riding that yellow tube of torture know as the bus with you, or even saving you from slipping on Chester's vomit in the hallway.
• Lunch. This is where the grouping usually starts - emo's over there, jocks over here. Find a table o fpeople you won't mind spending the semester or year eating with. Otherwise, you'll be ready to gouge your eyes out as you find yourself surrounded by freaks who eat with false vampire teeth or snobby girls who only talk about make-up. Try to bring your own lunch if you can, because cafeteria food is usually not much better than diarrhea.
• Teachers. The first day is very important because that's when you can make a good impression with your teacher. Don't be a teacher's pet, but a little sucking-up doesn't hurt. Get those papers signed and ready to turn-in the next day to show Mrs. Grumpypants that you're a dedicated student - even if you aren't.
• "Paying attention." If you have an ancient teacher who enjoys droning on about the Civil War or herbicides, make sure you can learn how to fake paying attention. Stare at the teacher's face and feel free to daydream. Get comfortable by slouching in you chair and crossing your arms. You can also get a notepad out and keep a pen in your hand so it looks like you might jot something down.
• Don't believe rumors. Usually seniors like to spread rumors about the pool on the roof of the school or how they stuff gingers in the trash cans. They're not true and never happen.
• Keep a planner/agenda. It comes in handy, especially if you're a forgetful person.
• Don't try to be cool. It's your first day and you're a freshman. You're automatically not cool, so don't bother trying. Being loud and obnoxious is annoying and doesn't make you seem awesome and lively. Being smiley and giggling every five minutes makes you look fake. Acting like a moron skater boy does not make you look chill and laid-back. Be yourself, for God's sake. People will like you a lot more if you act like yourself and you'll make a better impression.
High school really isn't as big of a deal as TV shows make it out to be. Don't get uptight or nervous about it because you'll soon learn that it's just another phase in life. Work hard, but don't forget to chill and have fun. After all, you're a teenager! You'll be learning so many exciting things like driving, where babies come from, and what it's like to work at McDonald's. Good luck!
