<p>well, if you are already posting in cc. . .</p>
<p>^^
No, America’s public education system just sucks.
Even if it didn’t though, educators try to preserve normal distribution of grades. Getting above a 3.75 isn’t <em>supposed</em> to be common.</p>
<p>use your freetime during freshman year to do two things, and two things only.</p>
<p>number 1: get bestfriends. highschool life can be hard. its a little easier when you have someone really close to you to do everything with. </p>
<p>number 2: with your freetime freshman and sophomore year, (and right now i suppose), comb through the CC website like you’re a doctor finding cancer. this website is your gateway to success, but be careful to not let other people’s stats get you down. get information you need, stalk silverturtle, ask questions, look through all the forums. planning ahead is key. when junior and senior year comes around, you’ll be at the top of your game, prepared while the rest of your class is freaking out. best of luck. </p>
<p>one more piece of advice. live your highschool experience to the FULLEST. try new things, live without regrets. get involved, and go big or go home!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I had to laugh at this.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1012523-tips-freshman.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1012523-tips-freshman.html</a></p>
<p>Read.</p>
<p>
Yeah that would be mine. 
So those of you saying:
are, like, wrong. Cuz middle school was WAY WAY WAY epically ridiculously easy for me, and hs is not. It all depends on the middle school and high school, I guess.</p>
<p>WHAT are you doing talking to strangers on teh internet??? CC will take your innocence. Sorry I’m just creeped out cuz my brother and sister are your age and they are in NO WAY interested in college or anything at all. My brother is concerned with CoD and my sister pretty much likes cooking and clothes…</p>
<p>Yeah but in all seriousness here’s some real advice lol:
- Work hard but try not to sacrifice your social life too much. Find a nice balance, and do what makes you happy.
- In terms of getting into a good college, if you know what you’re interested in/passionate about, seek out opportunities to further that skill/practice it more. That sort of thing. But don’t do ECs JUST to get into college.
- Become a careful student of the art of sucking up to crappy teachers, esp. if you’re going to a public hs that won’t fire any of the old teachers who’ve been there forever and hate kids cuz of seniority and the unions and stuff /end rant.
- GOOD LUCK and enjoy it. High school is supposed to be fun, yo! Meet new people, keep a open mind, etc. etc.
- The first week for me sucked b/c I was so scared and didn’t know that many people and my school is HUGE. The first month I was still meeting people and accordingly didn’t have much of a social life. But I’ve continued to meet new people even through this year (I’m a senior) in all my different classes. It’s awesome.</p>
<p>While you should remain conscientious of your grades and classes, do NOT let them dominate your life. College shouldn’t become a relevant factor in your life till around junior year, when you start taking standardized tests and getting college mail.
While high school is obviously a time for academic growth (Lord knows I’ve done enough of that…), it’s also a time for social growth. High school is when you gain experience in things like relationships, breaking up, losing friends, gaining new ones, fights between two friends, etc. So, like others have said, make friends, because they really are a solid foundation upon which you can rest if you’re brought down.</p>
<p>Now, some new advice, LEARN HOW TO WRITE! Writing well is one of the most important skills you could ever learn, and you can apply it literally everywhere things are written. Most high schoolers suck at writing, and it will be immensely useful to you if you can already write half-way decently (by college standards) by the time you graduate. So, work on your writing early. If you’re going to do honors/AP, do English ones at least. (Also, if you happen to stumble upon a passion for poetry, run with that too 
It adds flavor to your days).</p>
<p>PM me any questions you might have!</p>
<p>I’m a senior. Here’s some tips.</p>
<p>1)Don’t stand in the middle of the hallway. Most annoying this ever.
2)If you have an older sibling, being around them at school won’t make you cool, nor will dating a senior.
3) Get involved. It’s a great way to make new friends. And find your passion for your activity/sport early. Don’t join just because it’ll “look good to colleges.” Join if you’re interested.
4) Have fun! High school is supposed to be fun, but ou shouldn’t slack too hard either.
5) Don’t be rude to the upperclassmen because they’ll be rude right back.</p>
<p>Find where each of your classes are before school starts. I got lost my first day Freshman year and ended up late (very awkward since it was a math class with Sophomores and Juniors).</p>
<p>I was like you in middle school. I got my first b in 8th grade geometry and I never really grasped the concept of proofs, but I went on to make A’s in algebra 2, pre calculus, and calculus. I also made a 5 on the AP calculus exam, so don’t worry about geometry. As for high school overall, it’s as easy as you want it to be - just don’t forget to have fun!</p>
<p>Number one of naturaldisaster’s list is more important than you might think.</p>
<p>Oh god agreed, DO NOT STAND AROUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT HALL. THAT IS REALLY ****ING UNNECESSARY. YOU CAN STAND PRETTY MUCH WHERE EVER YOU PLEASE. JUST NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALL.</p>
<p>That is the most important thing. I don’t even care when the girls show up in tights as leggings as pants, just don’t make me have to go around you like a pinball…</p>
<p>Our geometry class is a complete joke. All our tests come from the book and you get 50/50 even if you don’t do the homework.</p>
<p>IMO high school is definitely harder than middle school based on reports.</p>
<p>I love leggings. All chicks should wear that unless you’re a whale thought then, you should wear a heat blanket and a bag over your head.</p>
<p>If you’re in 8th grade and already on here you probably won’t have to deal with all the drama that comes with getting laid in HS.</p>
<p>GL</p>
<p>high school sucks. just remember to have fun too</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice! Another quick question,can you become a valedictorian even with 1 B in 4years? Does marching band/concert band help with your college application? Again, just being curious XD</p>
<p>Marching band would… band probably. Don’t do them unless you enjoy them, and don’t make your decision based off whether it will help your app.</p>
<p>^Yes, although I recommend getting into an instrument. It looks like a lot of fun, and I really regret not starting one. That’s what college is for, though!
Don’t worry about being valedictorian…People get into amazing schools without being top in their class. Just have the most fun you can with high school.</p>
<p>high school and the rest of your life will suck hard if you are worried so much about every little detail and getting into college as an 8th grader. High School is a joke, I find it easier than middle school because teachers don’t hassle you like they do in middle school so you can slack off and have fun while still getting good grades. The best piece of advice i can give you right now is stop worrying if marching band will look good on a college app, but to ask yourself if its something that will be fun and you will enjoy. Colleges don’t want to see kids with strait A’s, on track, in the band, and in the debate team. They want to see someone who might not be top of their class, but they are passionate about what they do and they stand out in the crowed of hundreds of thousands of valedictorians and salutatorians across the nation. Also go to parties, they will help you make friends and trust me people who have friends in high school are a lot happier.</p>