Struggling to navigate the new highschool life? Want to succeed? Teachers give their best advice on what to do.
Getting used to high school can be scary, especially after spending the past year in online school. When work starts piling up like it never has before, it’s easy to get stressed. Luckily, no one is alone in this, and a lot of people are here to offer extra help.
While success can look different for everyone, carrying certain qualities is good for success in anything. Being a self-advocate and working towards one’s highest potential are two great academic traits.
When asked about what qualities a successful student has, English teacher Joyanna Forsythe said, “Someone who is working at their top potential, and that could be earning straight Cs, or that could be passing a class for the first time, or it could be straight As.”
“I think the biggest one is that they’re good self-advocates. So they can say ‘Okay, I’m overwhelmed, I need help, and I need someone to help me with this. I feel confident in asking someone to help me with this,’” Science teacher Amorette Drexler said, “That makes a really good successful student. I think a lot of times we think that only ‘smart’ students are successful. But mostly it comes down to motivation and just perseverance, just sticking with something even when it’s hard.”
It’s also good to be organized. Keeping time and tasks organized is a great start for success. Whether it’s a physical planner, a digital notebook, or a checklist, it’s good to have a system. “The important thing is to have a system, and if it’s not working then try something else, ” Forsythe said.
Having a person you can count on is another good thing. Having a teacher, peer, friend, family member, or counselor to rely on when things get rough is good for reassurance.
“Find a good person that you can trust, and you can count on them, and that they will support you,” Drexler said, “that’s probably the thing that’s gonna help you be the most successful.”
Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help. “One of the most important qualities for students who are successful is that they have courage to ask for help,” Forsythe says, “We’re all here to help kids succeed and to do well, and so I think it’s taking the time and having the courage to sit down and email your teachers.”
It’s important to have a growth mindset because growing and changing bad habits will help you succeed in the end. Anyone can have growth and improvement. It’s also always okay to need help in the pursuit of success, no matter what goal or skill level.
