8 tips for a successful transition to high school

During your tour, you’ll get to know the layout of your new school. Knowing where things like the lockers, the cafeteria, and most of your classrooms are ahead of time will make you less afraid of getting lost and being late to class. You can visit the school by attending an open house or by contacting the secretary’s office. Some schools also schedule tours at the beginning of the year as part of their orientation activities.

If you help pick out your school supplies, you can make sure you have everything you need to succeed. Remember to bring your school supply list with you when you go shopping so you don’t forget anything. Supply lists are usually mailed or emailed out in early August. Helping pick out your supplies means you’ll have more control over what you get and be able to choose products that reflect your personality (like coloured folders).

Once you have everything in hand, you can start putting together your binders. Look back at your supply list for reference. Supply lists usually tell you what you need for each subject. If there’s little or no information for a subject, the teacher will tell you what you need on the first day of class. Just make sure to bring loose leaf paper and a notebook.
 
Here are a few tips on how to prepare your binders:

1. Write your name on each binder.
2. Label each binder with a subject name.
3. Put loose leaf paper and at least one notebook in each binder (depending on your supply list).
4. Label each notebook with what it will be used for (dictations, word problems, formulas, etc.).
5. Add dividers to your binders to keep your notes and materials organized by topic. With everything in its place, studying will be quicker and easier.

Orientation day is when you’ll get all your textbooks, your locker number, your agenda, your schedule (and room numbers), etc. You’ll also have a chance to walk around your school and find all your classrooms.
 
If you know where all the important areas are ahead of time, your new school will seem a lot less big and scary!

At the beginning of the year, you should think about how you’ll be using your locker. Locker areas get busy, especially during lunch and between classes. It’s no fun digging around for your books and binders when you’re in a rush to get to your next class. If everything is organized, you can save yourself a lot of hassle.
 
Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Arrange everything by subject (put your French binder with your French textbooks and so on).
2. Practise opening your lock and keep the combination in a safe place (like your wallet).
3. Don’t store anything at the bottom of your locker, because that’s where your wet shoes and boots will go during the winter.

All settings have their dos and don’ts (especially public settings), and schools are no exception.
 
One of the things you’ll receive on orientation day is your agenda. Keep it with you—it’ll be your best friend all year! If you turn to the first few pages of your agenda (or the last few pages, as the case may be), you’ll find your school’s code of conduct. Read it carefully, since you’ll need to obey it. If you already know the rules, you’ll avoid getting disciplined on your first day.

Without a doubt, your agenda will be your most valuable tool throughout your high school career. Use your class schedule to plan out your assignments, exams, activities, etc. in your agenda.
 
Here’s how to fill out your agenda efficiently:

1. Mark all your classes down in your agenda at least a month in advance. Make sure you write down the correct days and times.
2. Once you know important dates (assessments, project due dates, etc.), add them to your agenda too.
3. Feel free to make your own colour code. For example, you could use a red pencil for due dates or highlight all your exams in yellow. It will help you see important dates at a glance

Knowing the specialists at your new school is very important. There are many people at your school who can help you with personal, social, and academic issues.
 
Here’s an introduction to the school personnel who can give you the help you need. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them—that’s what they’re there for.​
 
SETs   ​
Special education technicians (SETs) are there to make sure you get a good education; they often follow up on disciplinary action (for leaving class, being late, not doing homework, etc.) and check on students who have specific difficulties. But most importantly, they’re there to look out for you, even if you don’t have a learning or behavioural problem. Their speciality is helping students. Find out where the SET office is in your school. If you are going through personal problems, it can be a good resource.
 
Psychologists           ​
Are you experiencing major emotional distress due to a difficult family situation, a recent tragic event in your life, etc.? Are you having trouble focusing in class as a result? Your school psychologist can help. Just remember that you have to make an appointment first (usually at the secretary’s office).
 
Tutors
Most schools assign a tutor for each group of students. Usually, it’s one of your teachers. They’ll introduce themself in the first few days of school. If you feel like you need help solving a personal problem or supporting a friend, or if you want information about resources that will help you succeed, make an appointment with your tutor.
 
However, if you feel more comfortable with another teacher, don’t hesitate to go to them and talk about what’s bothering you. The important thing is that you talk to an adult as soon as possible if you’re having issues that affect your learning. The longer you wait to talk about what’s going on, the more you’ll feel the negative effects of keeping things bottled up (lower grades, loss of motivation, depression, etc.).
 
Guidance counsellors
The further along you get in your education, the more decisions you’ll have to make about your future career path. Your guidance counsellor’s job is to answer the many questions you’ll have once it’s time to choose your elective courses or, once you’re in Secondary V, the program you’ll enrol in the following year, whether that’s CEGEP or vocational training.
 
 
Have a great year!