10 Things I Wish I Was Told Before Grade Ten

Going back to a new year can be scary regardless what grade, and it’s important that us kids stick together and pass on knowledge than only experience (and a little luck) can give. Now heading into Grade 12 with a younger sister going into Grade 10, I can sympathize with her worries and concerns about facing a new peer group and environment as I did a couple years ago. So I have complied the Top 10 things I wish I had known walking into class September 3, 2013.

1. Look for the deals on school supplies

 

I had a Staples obsession for the past two years where I was convinced that only Staples had the kind of school supplies I needed (someone congratulate their marketing team). Every year (twice because of two semesters in high school) I would spend a literal fortune on high quality paper and binders and pick up pencils from Staples easily handing out around $80 a trip. Begrudgingly, I gave in this year to my dad’s pestering to just “visit Walmart and Superstore first.” I don’t like big stores; I get overwhelmed by the craziness, digging through giant boxes, and being unable to find prices. Sounds spend-thrifty, but saving up to $50 is well worth the 40 minutes of craziness. Don’t get trapped by the immediate sales bin chaos; go to the back of the store where you can find the same items in an organized fashion.

2. Join a club (or two or three or four)

Clubs are a great way to get involved and aren’t super time consuming, contrary to popular belief. There are so many ways you can get involved whether through Model UN, Youth in Action, Speech/Debate or Anime club. Sport teams are also a great way to get involved with like-minded people. Also, if there’s a club you want to start, that is always an option too. If you have an idea, there’s at least one other person in your school that would want that too.

3. Ask questions

Limit your pride and arrogance because that’s the only thing that holds you back in the long run. Learn people’s names (something I struggle with) and make sure to speak to the teachers. It’s tough for a teacher to hate a student that greets them, and I know that’s a big fear for many. Your teacher is not out to get you, and as awkward as it might seem to ask a question in front of your whole class, chances are in a class of 25+ there’s at least one other person in that class with the exact same question. Trust me on this one.

4. Say hi and introduce yourself

Sometimes that’s all you need to make a connection with someone. I remember my first day of school, I sat next to this girl and we both kept sending each other side glances (#superawks) until she finally introduced herself. Instantly, all the tension was gone and we chatted (like normal people!). A conversation doesn’t mean you have to be besties for life but just know that you are all in the same boat trying to figure things out together.

5. Take things as they come

Don’t stress about the big picture too much. Just keep your head up. You will face challenges (both academic and social) so know that and be empowered that you are in control (as much as is might not feel like that). If you feel stressed just take a breath. In for four, hold for five, and out for seven. Drink some water, take a 20 minute nap, and you can go right back at the task or situation. You can do it. You may not hear it often but you truly can. One step at a time.

6. Be patient with yourself and others

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to know everything. If you did, you would never have to go to school ever again, congrats. Challenge yourself but be forgiving and understanding that you are in a growth/transitional stage. You are growing and maturing to become the person you can be. Other people will let you down, that’s life. It might be a stranger who means nothing but it might also be someone who matters. Be patient with them and acknowledge that other people are dealing with stress to. You aren’t yourself when you’re hungry (or stressed).

7. Allow others to influence you within your moral boundaries

Now this one sounds sketchy and I thought about the wording twice before realizing it was exactly what I was trying to say. High school is a very fun and exciting part of your life where you get to leave your junior high of a couple of hundred kids to a larger, bigger and more vibrant group. It’s a good time to let your peers teach you a thing or two that you might not have known before. Let them introduce you to debate or chess or music in a way you have never seen before. Learning from your peers can be extremely rewarding, but don’t let them push your moral boundaries but rather affirm them.

8. Plan

Write stuff out, use sticky notes, giant calendars, the agenda they give public school kids…whatever you need to keep yourself in check. Have a schedule and/or a plan but don’t be married to it. Take some time each week to reanalyze what is working and what isn’t.

9. Don’t be scared to make a mistake

Now is the time when you have the energy and ability to fix mistakes made. One test score isn’t the death of you and neither is one friendship ending. Be in the moment and understand that you are exactly where you are supposed to be in this very moment. Things will work out but stressing it doesn’t help time go any faster, in fact the opposite is true. Plan the big things and take the smaller as they come. The rest will figure itself out. 🙂

10. Leave your mark

I know for me going into one of the largest high schools in Alberta it was scary to think that I’d have any impact at all. It was equally scary to have an impact as to not have an impact. I ran twice for Student Union, thinking that that would be the way I could contribute to my school. I never ended up making it but I made connections through elections and campaigns, forming bonds that I would not have otherwise. My school played announcements with a song every morning and one day I had a crazy idea to just ask if they would consider playing the Christmas song I had been a part of making. I had every expectation of hearing a no but I was told yes. Leave your mark in little ways, it’s not about the people that shout your name but those that will whisper it.

 

Be a part of whatever you do and give it your 100%, unless of course you’re donating blood. 🙂

Oh and don’t throw out your old notes. You never know when you might need them in the future.

Have an awesome year!

[Featured image is the main doors of Western Canada High School. Click here for image source]