<p>^ doesn’t know</p>
<p>@DAIMYO That’s a lie. </p>
<p>Well, it’s true that high school is better at sucking. </p>
<p>Yay! I just graduated. To celebrate I decided to make an account lol. Has anyone gotten their high school schedule?</p>
<p>Hi guys, just made my account, so I thought I should post here first. I’m a homeschooler, anyone else?</p>
<p>@DAIMYO High school can suck just as bad, but it’s more of what you make of it. It’ll be fine in the long run as long as you keep your head on right.</p>
<p>@bigwho I’m not homeschooled but how’s that like? </p>
<p>Maybe I’m naive but I don’t think high school will suck. It’s just about who you’re friends are</p>
<p>@Cookiesandcreme (I just finished sophomore year, so take my advice as that of someone who has only been up to that point) High school may or may not suck for you, but you will be able to make it yours. You will be able to choose classes and pick a path like never before. In the first two years, you will experience freedoms that, while little, you didn’t have in Middle School. Just being able to walk around campus during lunch can be a big deal.</p>
<p>Your relationships will evolve. You will start thinking about others in new ways, you will likely experience a new form of attraction that you didn’t really experience before.</p>
<p>And you will be faced with new responsibilities. At some point, you will likely get a job or an internship. You will start planning for college. Take the PSAT freshman year if your school offers it. It’ll be crucial for you in a few years if you want to become a national merit scholar.</p>
<p>And you will have some sucky moments. You will be in a group where the other members won’t show up to class on the day when you are to work in class to combine what the group has been working on. You may be saddled with their load. You will ask someone out and they’ll decline. Old friends of yours may drift apart from you. It’s alright. It’s normal and natural to experience these events and feelings. And you will become stronger from it.</p>
<p>@observeraffect wow thank you! I’m going to a school where I will literally know no one. Which is good because middle school was not the best. If my school doesn’t offer the PSAT can I still take them? How much is it if there is a cost?</p>
<p>@Cookiesandcreme - If your school doesn’t offer the PSAT (or doesn’t offer them to freshmen), then talk to your guidance councilor to see if you can take it. Most people do not take it as freshmen (most take it as Sophomores), but it is probably best to take it in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. Only the 11th grade score will be used in qualifying for national merit money. </p>
<p>The cost is 14$, but some schools don’t charge students or charge an additional fee. If you have more questions, talk to your guidance councilor when school begins. They will hopefully be able to help you.</p>
<p>And another thought that I didn’t include in my post above: make certain to volunteer. Finding a regular opportunity to volunteer (such as at a museum, elementary school, or other community establishment) will give you hours that will add up. I volunteered three times a week in an elementary school class this year, and got over 90 hours from all of it. Every little bit adds up.</p>
<p>And one last thought - take time to learn how to type without looking at the keyboard. The most valuable skill that I’ve learned in any of my classes is how to type at 71 words per minute. Once you can type at a quick pace without error, see if you can type assignments in your classes. Any teachers that say yes will be allowing you to save time on your homework.</p>
<p>@observeraffect lol I’ll try. My interests are more stem related. What are thd possible volunteering things I could do</p>
<p>
My high school didn’t allow this. :(</p>
<p>I thought high school was vastly better than middle school, though. Most of the suckish things (other than the college admissions process) can also be found in middle school. </p>
<p>@halcyonheather I’ve been stalking CC for a while, are you still in high school?</p>
<p>I’m a rising college freshman. I graduated from high school last Sunday. </p>
<p>@CookiesandCreme - Are there any laboratories, hospitals or universities in your area? Those would all be great for matching your interests. And @TeamRocketGrunt has a great research guide on this forum that you may want to check out.</p>
<p>@halcyonheather - Sorry to hear that. I have no idea how many schools actually allow this, so I tried to make it sound like it wasn’t a guarantee.</p>
<p>And you can feel free to PM me any questions you may have about research. </p>
<p>Plz future freshman, talk to me too. </p>
<p> I actually have a decently helpful guide on understanding the value of various ECs, how to optimize ECs and another pretty popular one about awards/programs/acheivements and their prestige</p>
<p>Also, @TeamRocketGrunt and @halcyonheather are great resources, but also branch out in to the other forums, glean as much information as possible and begin to read a lot books from former admissions officers, i.e Michelle Hernandez</p>
<p>You get more freedom in high school. I’m looking forward to those late arrivals and early dismissals senior year. </p>
<p>Thanks guys so much. I feel a bit incompetent seeing others take Calc BC as a ninth grader though. Colleges won’t fault you for it right? </p>
<p>Yeah going to my brother’s graduation. Two graduates in one day</p>