The first day of high school is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences in an adolescent’s life. A new building, new people, new teachers… It can all be very overwhelming. An orientation is a fantastic way to ease teens into high school with less stress, but deciding what the orientation should include is difficult. Designing a series of sessions that help introduce students to the new rules, teachers, layout, and studying expectations and answer their questions about their high school would be an exceptional way to help upcoming freshmen know what to expect during their high school experience.
Moving from middle school to high school is like diving headfirst into an icy lake in the middle of December. In high school there is much more freedom to do as you please, pick the classes you want, and get from class to class without a teacher herding you around like sheep. But, in the words of Spiderman’s Uncle Ben, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Luckily there are rules that keep students on track with the responsibility part. Introducing those rules ahead of time lets the students know what is expected of them behaviorally and academically at their new school, and can make the transition into their new environment much smoother. In addition to helping the rising Freshies come to terms with the vibe of high school, this session can get them focused by laying a basic foundation for the rest of the orientation.
Teachers are the lighthouses of high school, leading wayward students to land. They are mines of information, they are mentors, and they are role models. In many ways they are the key to being successful in high school. Getting to know your teachers is important because not only will it allow you to learn in a more interesting and fun way, but it will also allow your teachers to assess your needs and cater to them accordingly. A session where students are introduced to their teachers will be a highly beneficial addition to the orientation. It will help the kids understand what to expect from their teachers and what their teachers will expect from them in high school. It will also make the first day a little less scary for those who are nervous, since they’ll have a familiar face to help them feel more comfortable.
You know that dream where you are in a strange building crawling with huge, unfamiliar big kids? The building is your new high school, and you are hopelessly lost. You are jostled to and fro among the sea of people, and no matter how hard you squint, the school map in your brand new agenda might as well be in Greek for all the sense it makes to you. You begin to panic as the bell rings, and you are already tardy on your first day! Now think of what would happen if you actually knew where to go. None of that crazy confusion, that’s for sure. So let’s prevent panic and confusion among freshmen by giving them a grand tour! This session would help ease the anxiety of any of those kids who have had that terrible dream themselves. It will help them adjust to the basic layout of the school and know how to find their classes without all the drama of getting lost.
Entering high school is often followed by an ice cold revelation that slaps many students in the face: “Wait a second, I have to study?!” And the answer is YES. Unfortunately, most kids do not learn to develop good study skills in middle school, and, let’s face it, even geniuses will have to study at some point in high school. So those freshmen who breezed through their middle school classes will be in for a rude awakening when they finally realize that study skills are very necessary for success in high school. It is for this reason that a session teaching kids about study skills is definitely a good idea, if not a necessity. Reviewing how to assemble study plans, take good notes in class, create flashcards, and have group study sessions will be a huge help to the upcoming freshmen and will make the slap of realizing you need to study in high school a little less painful.
Of course all rising ninth graders will have questions. Which electives should I take? Where should I sit at lunch? Who can I go to for help if I get lost or confused? Questions like these swarm the tentative minds of the new kids. And that’s okay! So what if they had a panel of guidance counselors and upperclassmen to answer all of their burning questions? A session in which freshmen could get advice and answers from more experienced students would help kids become less anxious about high school, and being able to consult counselors about their concerns will allow them to get a professional opinion.
The purpose of a high school orientation is to minimize the anxiety of new students by answering their questions and easing them into their new school. Sessions that introduce students to their new rules, teachers, layout, and study skills and answer their questions will help them be much more comfortable during their transition from middle school to high school. Adjusting to high school is very hard and stressful, but a good orientation will help students enter their new school with ease.
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