<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I was recently accepted at a school with a great academic reputation and I plan on attending the revisit day to see what goes on in the classroom. But I'm a little worried that I won't be ready for the course load. I'm guessing that I would need to take the more basic/requirement classes my first year since I'll be new, but I'm worried that I won't assimilate easily into the academic culture, as it is so different from that of the public school I attend now. I consider myself a diligent student but I'm afraid I won't meet the expectations of the school. I definitely have my academic strengths and weaknesses, and I don't know how to prepare myself for the inevitable struggle of settling into a completely new system... I just don't want to fall behind, given the assumption that most of the 9th graders are more used to the school after a year..</p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience as a new tenth grader? How did you cope, settle in and find balance (if you did) in your new life?</p>
<p>Which school are you talking about? After all, each school has a different curriculum/academic environment…:)</p>
<p>Hi GoldenRatio 
I’m talking about Phillips Academy Andover</p>
<p>They believe you can do it or they wouldn’t have accepted you.</p>
<p>Teachers are generally much more accessible at BS than at public school. Take advantage of conference blocks or whatever they call them at Andover. And don’t wait till you do fall behind, go talk to your teachers anytime you’re unsure.</p>
<p>Also you will have an advisor who won’t be trying to counsel a whole school like at public school. Go to your counselor for any issues, academic or otherwise. If they can’t fix something they will put you on the right track, make a referral, etc.</p>
<p>There will be quite a few new tenth graders. I don’t know how it shakes down at Andover but at my D’s school the class size almost doubles from 9th grade to 10th.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply!!! :)</p>
<p>I think Andover gets almost a third of my class in the tenth grade (~90?), so I’m glad to know that I won’t be alone at all. I’ve been pretty independent at my current school and it’s really great to know that I’m going to be closer to my teachers and more aware of the student community in general. Hopefully I can work more closely with my advisor to do what is best for my academic/personal needs.</p>