Public Highschool

[Horatio Nelson]

Well, this fall I'll be starting 10th grade at a public highschool. I've been homeschooled my whole life. I'm also going to join the football team. I'm super excited, but a bit nervous and intimidated. But I do have two cousins that go to the school, so hopefully they can help me out with making friends and such. Any tips? Words of wisdom?

[MechaSniper]

Never start fights. don't try anything you see in movies. have fun but work hard.

[Melodic]

I was in the same boat in 8th grade.. I went through all of Middle School homeschooled..

Advice from past experience: Don't tell on a person for bringing tootsie rolls in the classroom..

In normal reality, just be yourself, don't go wild and crazy and do things you don't want to because of peer pressure, join activities you find interesting, and find a group with common interest.

[Gamma Male]

Based on what the posts I've seen of yours around the forums, you seem to have had a pretty religious education up until now. Just keep in mind that American public schools are secular. Science classes teach science.

Aside from that, there's not really much I can say. Don't be nervous about showering with other boys.

[Tendencies]

Okay. Since obviously I don't know how it goes down where you live and where you're going to be going to school, I'll just tell you how it works where I go to school.
1. Don't Snitch (Don't be a tattle-tail)
2. Keep up on your work cause it will go at a fast pace (depending on class)
3. When it comes to "cliques", be careful. You can end up in deep sh*t when it comes to affiliating with them.
4. As always, never be pulled into any types of drugs or anything.
5. When it comes to finding friends, look at what people wear. What they wear can really represent what they are like and their interests. If you see someone wearing a Dr. Who shirt and you love Dr Who, you will probably be good friends if you go up and introduce yourself.
6. Don't be that one kid who reminds the teacher of the homework or any work that most kids won't want to do, the kids will yell at you and make you feel like sh*t.
7. Have a good status with your teachers. My teachers love me so they let me get away with things such as chewing gum and listening to music during class. Don't get to the point where you are a "teacher's pet" though.
~This may seem a little harsh bu,t just a little fact: Kids can be terrible to one-another, and if anyone gives you a hard time for being home schooled or anything, just brush it off and ignore them, and soon enough they'll leave you alone.
~~Good Luck (:

[mrpieface2]

Just be yourself! You'll meet new people and have fun! Just keep your grades up, and you'll be fine

[Lost in the Echo]

Just be yourself! You'll meet new people and have fun! Just keep your grades up, and you'll be fine

Pretty much this.

And just ignore low-life pricks who try to start shit with you. When I was in public school, there were times I lost my cool when I was fucked with. So just remember, punks who try to agitate you aren't worth getting worked up over. In the end, if you retaliate, you're the one who gets in trouble. At least in the fucked up school I went to...

[Miserabilia]

I have no idea about american high schools, they're very strange places as far as I know, very different from here.

[bob97]

I have no idea about american high schools, they're very strange places as far as I know, very different from here.

How are the high schools where you are from?

[Miserabilia]

How are the high schools where you are from?

Not as social as what I've seen from american.
In american high schools I've gotten the impression that everyone prety much knows "the popular kids" and that there is a lot of bullying etc.
Here it's more that you only really know good friends and people in your classes, and that there is not really a popular or bullied group.

[bob97]

Yeah true. Lots of assholes here. And I could name 95% of my grade and can talk to 75%. At my high school the popular thing isn't as big of a deal but bullying is a problem. What country do you live in?

[bob97]

Not as social as what I've seen from american.
In american high schools I've gotten the impression that everyone prety much knows "the popular kids" and that there is a lot of bullying etc.
Here it's more that you only really know good friends and people in your classes, and that there is not really a popular or bullied group.

Above^^^

[Cognizant]

I have a few guidelines I'd like to share with you. *NOTE* My school is a lot, lot different than the "stereotypical" American public high school. We only have ~2k students, but a very large campus that doesn't have a whole lot of bulling or "bad stuff." seriously - the only bad thing I've witnessed this year is when a senior tagged one of the buildings. Your school might be different, either in a negative or positive way. These guidelines are only based off my personal experience, but may generally apply to any public high school:

1) Don't fall behind on schoolwork. Many teachers are lenient about it (at least at my school anyways), but you're digging yourself a hole. The larger the hole, the more difficult it is to be on top of the work. Also worth noting: The friendlier you are with your teacher, the more likely they're going to help you out extra.

2) Get to be friends with your Guidance Councilor. I can't tell you how important this is - they can add you to a class you want to be in, drop you from a class you can't stand, and help you decide on what level you should be in. If you're more friendly to them, they're more likely to do what you want. I mean don't be BFFLs with them, but pop in and say hi every once and a while.

3) Don't be afraid to try something new. I don't know about your school, but my school has well over 125 clubs, sports, and electives. I'm not much of a runner, but I plan on doing track next school year. This year I was part of the Photo program and get this... the Black Student Union :P It's a great way to meet some new people and perhaps make friends.

4) Get involved. Go to that welcome back dance. Go to the homecoming game. Purchase a school branded hoodie or water bottle. High School is some of the most fun years of your young life, so I say make it count. It'll get you some more recognition around campus, in the sense that people perceive you as liking your school and peers.

5) "Smile and wave, boys." I might not be the most social person or come up with the most liveliest subjects, but in all honesty, it's so easy to befriend people in High School when you put a little effort into it. I've found that just being friendly and letting the other person handle the humor to be an easy way into making new friends. You can't befriend everyone, but you can make some really amazing friends by just a little small talk and building from there.

6) The cliques exist, but be yourself. My school has the jocks, the "bros", the gamer kids, the starving artists, the moderate artsy kids, stoners, loners, and then your average "well balanced" students. While one might think that to be "cool" to be in a bromance with another guy and partying every other night, you shouldn't force yourself into doing stuff or acting a certain way just because you think it's cool. Your true friends will think you're cool for who you are.

Those are my tips. Hope they help, and be sure to have fun. I'm going to be a senior next school year and I can honestly say that these past 3 years of high school have been some of the most fun in my life. I'm going to miss it when I graduate in 2015, but I'm going to try to make it count for what it's worth.