Top 5 Tips for Starting Secondary School

Getting lost

When I started secondary school, getting lost was something I was really worried about but, it’s a normal part of starting at a new school. Some schools will give you a map but mostly you will learn by exploring. I suggest looking for the toilets and places to eat first and then learn where everything else is in relation to these reference points.

If you do find yourself lost and late to a class hopefully your teachers won’t tell you off as you’re new. But, if you’re really worried, find people who are in the same class as you and walk with them. You are more likely to find your way with more people. Remember, you will find your way around eventually, probably quicker than you would think!

Making friends

Even if you do start secondary school with a big group of friends from primary school, you may still want to make new friends. At the start of the year, everyone will be up for making friends and remember everyone is probably feeling just as nervous as you are! Try starting up a conversation with whoever you are sitting next to in a lesson. If you don’t know anyone and find it hard to go up to big groups of people, look out for other people who also don’t know anyone, they will probably be grateful for some company! Also, places like the library can be a haven for students who may feel overwhelmed by the size and noise of a larger school, so it could be a great place to start, when making friends, be yourself. Good friends respect that.

Clubs

Lunchtime and afterschool clubs are a great way to meet new people and make friends as you have shared interests. Clubs can also help you to get to know teachers better too, which is good because if you ever have a problem, it can be easier to talk to them if you already know them. Clubs are also a great chance to try something new and learn new skills. I never thought I would love rugby as much as I do now!

Being Organised

Being organised is really important, but this can also be hard if it is not something that comes naturally! Try getting everything that you need ready the night before (lunch made, bag packed). This will also mean you feel less stressed in the morning as well as making it easier to get out of the house on time. A word about homework: Yes it is the dumbest invention ever but it can also feel weirdly satisfying to do and it is a lot better to just get it over with than risk the humiliating, ‘Why did you not do your homework?’ Trust me, ‘I didn’t want to’ or ‘I forgot’ does not make the teachers more inclined to let you off!

Different Teachers

Having different teachers for different lessons is really good. Some teachers you might really like and some you might not. However, it does mean that you aren’t stuck with the same person, so if you don’t like them, you only have to put up with them for a bit! Usually, the teachers you have change every year so there’s plenty of variety. And sometimes if you’re getting a bit bored in one classroom, a change of scene is just what you need.