A High School Principal’s Guide to Student Survival
Over the course of 21 years in education, in 5 different schools, and on both coasts of the United States — I have developed a pretty solid understanding of what high school is and how to make the best out of it. I have seen students come and go annually, in all shapes and sizes, and here’s a collection of advice that I think will help any student make those 4 years some of the best they will remember from growing up.
First and foremost — be real.
Be yourself. You’d be surprised how many people are out there that are similar to you even though you think you’re the only one in the room wearing a blue shirt on “red shirt day”. I have seen kids try to be something they are not, and it’s only a matter of time until something happens to them that they realize that was ridiculous and they grow from it. Skip the wasted time, and just be you.
The friendships you will then make will be so much more real and therefore meaningful to you because everything that defines the relationship will be sincere.
Second, get involved and explore.
I went to and worked for giant comprehensive high schools. I played sports, but waited until my junior year before I realized that a team of students created the yearbook. I then learned another team wrote for the school paper back when school’s had papers. Once I stepped foot into the publication wing of our school — I never wanted to leave.
Find out what your school has to offer regarding clubs and events, and if anything is interesting to you — join! Don’t not join for any other reason than you literally can’t because you’re involved in something else.
Remember, the point behind school is to find yourself, and then best prepare for how you want to define life in the world post graduation. That is worth a 4.0 in my book.
Next, watch your mouth.
At my school, we say, “Dude, Be Nice.” No one wants to hear gossip, because it never ever ever leads to anything positive. Mind your manners and be sure that you know this fact about high school students:
Anything you say will be held against you, and will be shared with everyone else, regardless to who thinks they can keep a secret.
Therefore, if you rarely open your mouth and say negative things or spread information whether true or false about anyone in your school — be prepared to deal with the impact of what that will look like when it gets back to you. I hate cleaning up those messes.
Something I’ve learned in the last 5 years which is flat out bizarre to say but true nonetheless — when kids put themselves on the internet for all to see, all will be able to see it.
High School social media is the devil — just like Bobby Bushay’s mother would say in the movie “Waterboy” with Adam Sandler.
The advice our health/sex ed staff give to students is no longer don’t put a picture of yourself on the internet — because they’re going to no matter what; rather it’s don’t put your face on the internet, this way no one knows it’s really you.
What in the heck! But when I spoke out against it, I was reminded of my age and how it’s different now.
Remember that putting yourself out there online means the world can see it and therefore react to it and share it. We put ourselves out there ultimately for the attention — so ensure that when you do, the attention you get is the attention you seek, because it will be.
Get into a habit of organizing yourself.
The students that I know that are successful, spend time on themselves. They know how much they need to study, because they have that time slot factored in to do so. They know that they have chill time that is built in to the week and affords balance. And they can adjust it on the fly, but rarely flat out ignore it.
A lack of organization is a main reason that students are not successful in high school. They don’t know how to study, because they aren’t actually studying. They don’t take the time to focus on what they were exposed to that day, they don’t have any sort of habit of taking notes, recognizing what’s important, reflecting daily on what they learned, therefore do not develop any of the foundational skills that a successful student needs to develop.
If you need help with this, I’ve found Organized Binder to be the best way to start. This program will foster the foundation that any and every student, no matter the age or ability — will benefit from.
Know your counselor.
When I was in school, I didn’t. I got to become familiar with a different guidance counselor who didn’t have my last name in his case load — but I knew was awesome and helpful and incredible. I watched my friends benefit from the situation, and when I had to think about life post high school my counselor said my career assessment results showed that I should be a farmer. Luckily, I chose otherwise.
Be polite and respectful.
This goes a super long way, and is just being human. Be a human, and think of others, and treat others with the respect you’d like to receive. I can’t harp on that enough. Staff at all schools that I’ve worked at have all spoke consistently with praise for those that are “really good kids”. What they mean is, the kid is not disrespectful.
What I mean is: hold doors, clean up after yourself, help if you think it’s needed, extend your hand first, and do what you can to consider all that it took for your teacher to deliver what they are to you that day — as it’s one of the hardest tasks any professional does.
And last, talk to your teachers and staff.
Do what you can to communicate with staff at your school. Dive into content, and think to yourself a very rare thought in the equation that is high school education: your teacher is a professional educator with proven mastery of your content — so if you take advantage of their lessons, you will benefit and progress in your life.
Why would you not want to talk to these kinds of people — like all the time? They are the source of knowledge. They are speaking from experience. They want to help you succeed in every way possible, as their job depends on it. Let them help you, by taking advantage of what they offer.
High School is what you will make of it.
You could slack and chill and learn to speak a bit about stuff you always knew. You could play every sport and go for pro levels. Or you could learn with an open mind, all that you can — and while on that path find what you like and don’t like. This will be how you define happiness in your life. This will be how you can learn what you want to study, what you love to do, and what your life could be like after you graduate.
