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1. Think of HS as a time to gain experience and develop yourself.

2. The challenges you face don't define your life but they'll prepare you for future challenges.

3. Think before you talk.

4. Think before you act and make sure your actions are true to you.

5. Spend your time on you. Do things that are fulfilling rather than what others are doing.

6. Be engaged in what you are doing and make sure what you're doing is to fulfill yourself and develop yourself rather than spending time giving in to peer pressure.

7. Stay on your path because everyone's path is different. Don't be distracted by instant gratification but instead spend your time on things that will be meaningful long term. Accept that you aren't always going to say or do the right things but be okay with that while still coming back to your path.

8. Through the journey, because you have a better sense of who you are and you've come to accept that you aren't always going to be proud of what you said or did, because you have a better sense of who you are and can come back to your path, when those distractions are there, you can be at peace with yourself and with your surroundings.

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1.) Set goals for yourself-
Setting goals for yourself is a good way of holding yourself accountable to your work. In the beginning of everyday and every week write a list of goals for yourself. At the end of the day/ week cross them off, this will motivate you to finish all of your work.
2.) Prioritize -
When you have a list of assignments to accomplish look at how much value is behind each. Write them down in a list and put their point value next to them. Start with the assignment worth the most points and work your way down the list.
3) Get a job-
Working while you are in High school help you practice for what life is like after high school. Practice your professionalism as early as possible.
4) Step out of your comfort zone-
When you step out of your comfort zone you learn so much about yourself and what you can do.
5) Do not compare yourself-
Everyone is has a different skill set so don't worry if someone is better than you at something. There is always going to be someone better than you in every aspect.
6) Put others first-
When you put others before yourself, you will become a happier person and build healthy long-lasting relationships.
7) Volunteer-
Volunteering is a great way to discover what your gifts are before starting life. You will never regret doing it.
8) Be kind to everyone
Being kind to everyone is a great way to make friends and have a good reputation. You do not want to look back on high school and regret how you treated people.

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Meghan Crothers: The Eight Fold Path to Enlightenment of The High School Experience

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Meghan Crothers: The Eight Fold Path to Enlightenment of The High School Experience

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1. Do not over think
There will be a lot to factor in freshman year. From those inaccurate movies showcasing "freshman hazing" to being told these will be the "best years of your life," there are certainly many things to gain and take away from the high school experience. Do not put pressure on yourself to make these the "best years you will have."
2. Be unapologetically you
Everyone is different. There is no such thing as truly being "normal," every person comes from a different background. Be yourself and the right people will gravitate toward you for who you really are.
3. Create strong relationships with your teachers
Your teachers are the ones with the power to help you succeed or watch you fail. Do not be the kid to try and earn laughs from your peers for being disrespectful to your teachers. They are your educators, and it is imperative that you are respectful to them. They may be some of the most life changing people in your life.
4. Do not procrastinate
Time management is a skill that takes a long time to build. Freshman year is going to be the start of learning to really prioritize your time. The longer you wait to complete your assignments, the more internal stress will build.
5. Make friends, but know they may not always last
From freshman year to senior year, you are going to experience so many different groups of people. Friends will phase in and out, but do not let it scare you. You will end your time in high school with your true life long friends.
6. Stay Organized
It is always embarrassing to do that folder shuffle for an assignment and then tell the teacher you "can picture it where you left it on the desk at home." Avoid this by staying as organized as you can.
7. Go to bed at a reasonable time
Leave the crazy 4am group chat conversations for the summer time. If you continue to go to bed super late, you will drag at school and it will be reflected in your grades.
8. Grades are not everything
Grades are important, don't get me wrong, but they are not everything. Society has a sad way of basing the value of peoples worth on the grade they receive on a paper. But people are all different with different strengths and achievements. Just because school may not be your strong suit, does not mean you are worth less.

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1. Immerse yourself

When you first enter high school one key is to be willing to try things, this will really help make different kinds of friends.
2. Focus

Focus is a very big component that can make a great impact on how your four years will go, always remember to focus on your school and other activities.
3. Stay Organized
When in high school there are always things going on and stuff you also have to get done, make sure to organize so that you will not lose that one homework paper in your binder or book bag.
4. Responsibility
In high school students will receive many new responsibilities. It is important to remember that when new things inevitably come your way to know consequences before acting.
5. Strive to be Great
This should not really be a shocker, but make sure to always push yourself and never give up.
6. Make and Achieve Goals
This is huge, you will always be setting new goals, and wanting to achieve them throughout each year.
7. Be Safe
Along with new responsibilities means that you should always make sure you know what you're doing.
8. Have Fun and make Memories
High school is a great time and opens up countless new experiences to have, so have fun and make sure to enjoy the ride before it is over.

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1. Positivity is key
Surrounding yourself with positive energy can help you further yourself onto the right path. You need to fill your life with what makes you happy, not what will make other people happy. Having a positive attitude towards life can make certain troubles easier.
2. Organization
I cannot STRESS how much organization in your life can drastically change how you will feel. Almost everyone can get stuff done faster in a cleaner more organized environment. Just doing it for yourself is a healthier lifestyle and trust me you will sleep better at night!
3. Patience
Having patience will not only help you through school, it's going to help you through college any future jobs you are going to have and just in life general. Being patient is almost always rewarded and even if it isn't there is no harm in being patient. It will take more time out of your day just to come off as if you are in a hurry.
4. Always have self love
This one can be more tricky for others but self love and self care are so important to being able to function correctly. If you are the type of person who puts other before themselves, while that is a great trait to have it can seriously take a toll on you. You must always find time to give yourself rest, eat properly and just relax. We all need our downtime.
5. Its okay to be picky with your friends!
choose wisely who you decided to hang around with, my father would always say show me your friends and i'll see you. Your friends reflect the type of person that you either are or will be. And that in itself can be a great or terrible thing. So it's alright to only have a few close friends that you know you can trust 100% and that you have their backs as well. Treat your friends the way you would want to be treated back as well.
6. Eye contact
This one might sound stupid but when you give people the attention they believe that they deserve they will most likely respect you more or take you more seriously. It also shows that you are listening to them and you aren't just waiting for them to be done so you can say your peace.
7. Do not procrastinate
Procrastinating is probably something that we all suffer from, and it's a hard thing to break. But procrastinating can become super stressful for someone and that is not healthy. When you are given a task to do, just do it so you can get it out of your way and have more downtime for yourself in the long run.
8. Balance
Don't work too much, study too hard or play too rough. Find your happy medium of the bunch so that your life can be organized but you still enjoy it and its not too stressful.

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1. start off strong
Freshman year is a very important year that starts off your high school career and is the start of where your gpa begins. If you start off weak then it will be difficult to bring back up in the upcoming years.
2. Have good time management skills
If you cannot manage your time well with school work, friends and job then you will struggle during your high school career.
3. Surround yourself with the right group
If you are constantly around people who distract you from doing the work that you need to do and keep you from succeeding, then you need to learn how to balance those people with school work or to even find new friends.
4. Don't be afraid to talk to people
Being able to talk to people is a skill needed in high school. This is how you meet new people and make new friends. With new  friends you can learn more about things you do not know and have people help you through work  to make high school a little easier.
5. Get involved with your school
Whether it be a club or sport or even participating in class, it is a very good thing to get involved in your school. You learn new skills from participating and can better yourself with new skills and meeting more people.
6. Do not procrastinate
Procrastination is something that many kids in high school do to themselves which is not a good habit to have. Waiting until the last minute to do work and cramming it all in at the last moment will just make all of the work a lot more stressful, harder to do and make it take longer to do with less quality work.
7. Get good note taking and studying skills
Note taking and studying is a skill needed by all high school students. Being able to simply subjects into simple notes to study later on to get good grades in your class are so important to your career. These are skills will help you get better grades in high school and have a better overall experience.
8. Have fun
Having fun in high school is very important. If you have fun in high school then working harder for those long assignments will be easier. You are in high school for only so long and it goes by faster than you would think and you are only this young for a certain amount of time so you better enjoy while you still have it and not regret it later on in life.

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1. Take classes that interest you- In high school you are ultimately trying to figure out what you would like to study in college, there for the classes you become involved in now will spark interests for what you would like to take part in in college.

2. Be there for everyone- Everyone is going through changes during these four years and it's good to know you have your friends by your side and that you are not alone.

3.  Always ask for help- There is always help provided and it is great to always be able to ask for it in these years of learning and growing.

4. Try new things- It is always good to get out of your comfort zone as you explore other avenues and see what is all to offer as you might take interest in something your never thought you would have before.

5. Do your best work- Not everyone is good in all the subjects which is all good as long as your are always putting forth your best effort and trying to do as best you can.

6. Do not procrastinate- When you do your work early you will be at ease to do it your best but if you wait too long you will be pressed for time and trying to do minimal in the little time you have.

7. Be yourself- As many may see this hard, it is helpful to just express yourself and not be afraid to be your own person through high school.

8. Pay Attention in class- We all dose off sometimes, but when information is being given out in class, paying attention to everything is key because as soon as you dose off you may miss something greatly important to the class which also applies in college.

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1. Attendance- The four years you spend at high school just seem to fly by. Your presence at school everyday can be important for various reasons the following being; school work, moving ahead or timely based in a class, and lastly enjoying every second you spend.

2. Classes you have a Passion For- choosing your classes is very important. If you have an idea of what you want to do in life or something your are passionate about make sure your classes line up towards achieving the goal. Make sure you have some background knowledge of a specific field before jumping into it at college.

3. Ask For Help- develop a healthy relationship with your teachers which make you comfortable to approach them with anything you might be struggling with or any questions you have.

4. Get Involved- The four years you spend at high school goes by fast so join clubs be involved in the community. Make sure you find clubs you have an interest in or something you would want to do later in life.

5. Spread Kindness- Be kind and smile when seeing people in the hallways.

6. Homework- do your hw because they really help with understanding the content and they are easy points for the class.

7. Have a timed schedule for school days-  A planned out schedule for school days help you achieve everything you need to for that week or night and helps set you up for success.

8. Challenge yourself- Take challenging classes because you want to push yourself past your limits don't do it because your friends are.

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Calla Dickey
1. Stay Organized:
Be sure to stay on top of your work and ahead of what needs to get done. By doing this you will reduce stress and get better grades.
2. Focus on your mental health: If you notice yourself starting to slip with assignments or having a harder time going to school take a day off. Be sure to make sure you are in the right mental state before pushing yourself to get school work done.
3. Get help: If you are confused in a class or starting to fall behind meet with the teacher. If there is a class you really struggle in look for a tutor or go in for help after school.
4. Find your friends: Find the people you get along most with. Don't be afraid to talk to people in other grades or to make new friends. High School is much better to go through with a few people with you.
5. Get involved: Join clubs that interest you the most. Go to school events and participate in new things. Volunteer in your community for things that you enjoy.
6. College/Graduation: Make sure to be prepared for the SAT, ACT, and any other standardized test. These tests can help you to get scholarships and to get you into college. Start your graduation project early and make sure to have it done in time.
7. Make a schedule: Having a job, volunteering, and going to school can all be stressful, but by having a set schedule for this can help to stay on top of it. By being able to see what you have for the day it sets good structure.
8. Study and do work:  By studying for tests, doing homework, and taking notes you have much of a better chance of getting better grades. This will help your GPA and your chance of getting into college.

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1. Manage Time Wisely  Avoid procrastinating and be sure to have your priorities straight. Budget your time wisely by completing the most important and time-sensitive tasks first.
2. Stay Organized Organization is incredibly important in order to be successful. Use a planner to visualize your goals and keep track of what you need to do. Avoid a cluttered backpack so you can find everything easily.
3. Make Goals Creating goals is important in being successful. They can be simple and attainable as well. Completing the goals and rewarding yourself will inspire and motivate you.
4. Get Involved Finding a passion such as a sport or club will better your high school experience. Getting involved helps you make friends and memories. They are also important for your college resume.
5. Stay Positive and Take Care of Mental Health Maintaining a positive attitude and good mental health will help you succeed and improve your performance in school. A healthy mental state is more important than anything else.
6. Be Outgoing Avoid staying in a bubble and talk to people you never thought to talk to before. Through this you can form amazing friendships that will shape your high school experience.
7. Sleep Going to bed at a decent hour can go a long way. Get your homework done early and put down the phone in order to get a healthy amount of sleep. This will greatly improve your performance in school.
8. Make the Most Of It These four years will fly by faster than you think they will. Make sure to take advantage of every opportunity and enjoy it while it lasts.

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1.
Surround yourself with people who make you a better version of yourself. So many teenagers are concerned with getting the approval of others, which usually results in friends who are not loyal, honest, and will not have your back. It's better to have a small group of genuine and positive friends VS a large group of fake friends.
2. Ask Questions. It has been proven that students learn better when asking questions. Most of the time somebody else has the same question too. No question is a stupid question, and having the teacher better explain a lesson and break it down will do nothing but help you to better understand.
3. Take chances.  In high school, it is very hard to find time to do other activities outside of school, but ultimately this is how you will best figure out who you are and what you are meant to do in the future. The best way to figure out your purpose is to put yourself in situations you would not usually get involved in. This is how you grow, and mature, and learn about who you are and what you are meant to do (which will make college decisions 100x easier)
4. Freshman year matters! Nobody really tells you this, but your freshman year is the foundation to the next three years of high school. Even though freshman year is very easy, that does not mean slack off. Freshman year is the easiest year to do well, and it is extremely hard to bring up ta GPA in later years when there is much more difficult work.
5. Always go above and beyond in class. When you complete optional work, always do your homework, and treat your teacher with kindness, teachers will have your back in times of trouble. For example, when you make a great impression on a teacher they are much more likely to boost your grade, give you extra credit work, and possibly write you recommendation letters when you need them for college and jobs!
6. Be Kind. This seems so simple, yet most students forget to treat others with kindness. No matter who hurts you, kill them with kindness. You never know when a person is going to reenter your life. For example, that person could be your boss one day and remember how kind you were to them when they were not kind to you. Kindness is a domino effect.
7. Get organized and plan your life. Practicing how to stay organized and making schedules right now will put you way ahead of the game when you enter the real world. Many students have no idea how to do this, and will struggle in college and real life. This skill is essential in becoming successful.
8. Make Goals
One of the best ways you can get ahead of the game and achieve success is to make goals.  Everyone has dreams, but it is proven that those who make goals and constantly write them down are much more likely to achieve them.

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1. Go in with an open mind
Don't enter high school with ideas that it's going to be a stressful time. Of course there will be times when you wish you weren't in high school, but it's more important to focus on the positive times of school and make them outweigh the negatives.
2. Get organized
The easiest way to start off the school year right is to be able to stay on track with your work. Get a planner or make notes on your phone that help you organize your schedule.
3. Make the right friends
Be careful who you sit with at lunch. You don't want people who will hold you back. Make sure you make friends that are going to be positive influences in your life and won't strain your school work.
4. No Drama
It's really hard to stay out of drams completely, but try your best to keep the negative people away from your life. Also, be careful of what you tell people. You never know who will misinterpret what you said and start rumors that will then result in fights.
5. Connect with your teachers
Teachers are people too. Give them a compliment once in a while. If you're struggling with your work they will help you.
6. Be honest with your parents
If you're behind in work or forgot to make up a test, tell your parents. They will appreciate your honesty and would rather find out from you than from an email from a teacher.
7. Balance your school and social life
If you are making good friends, sometimes it is hard to focus 100% on school work. If you can, try to keep friends for the weekend and see them at school or at after school activities instead of interrupting school.
8. Don't let school consume you
Take a break if you need it. If you're studying for a test and start to get bored, go for a run or do laundry. It's not the worst thing in the world if you don't study every minute you're home from school.

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1. Sign Up for classes at your pace
Don't take honors or AP classes if you cannot keep up with extra work and more studying
2. Take encore classes you enjoy
If you think you are interested in any encore classes take them or if you like cooking maybe takes some Home Economics classes. If you good at it and enjoy it you are more likely to do better in those classes and maybe you'll enjoy the class more.
3. Write down your assignments in a place you will see them
Sometimes you won't be able to remember all the assignments that are due so keep track to make sure you stay ahead of assignments or can keep up with them to be more successful.
4. Stay ahead on assignments
If you procrastinate assignments you'll end up worrying yourself and become really stressed and end up doing poorly on the assignment or just not turning it in.
5. Try extracurricular activities
They can be a great source for taking your mind off school meeting new people and maybe you'll end up enjoying them.
6. Don't let your social life interfere with school
If you spend more time with friends and end up not focusing on school your grades will quickly drop and can easily ruin your GPA
7. Relax
Find different ways to take your mind of school its good to keep up but don't over work yourself or over stress yourself about school.
8. Be yourself
Don't be afraid to be yourself don't change because everyone wants you to you should never feel pressured to change or be someone else

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1. Time management is crucial

Set your after school priorities, make a lot of time for homework and independent studying. Set a time limit to how much time you put in for every class. Don't overkill yourself for one subject & push others aside! Use a calendar to remember important dates. Think about how other non-educational activities will affect your schedule. Find your own personal time to take breathers between studying, so you won't be stressed.

2. Procrastination is a problem

Study in a place far away from distractions. When working, only bring supplies that you absolutely need to finish your work. To complete 40 hours of service learning, DON'T waits until senior year. Use the free time you have at the beginning of school. It is better to be prepared a day before than cramming.

3. Communicate with Your Teachers

You don't have to be best friends with your teacher, but you should ask questions accept feedback, and give feedback when your teacher asks for it.

4. Don't Let Friends Bring You Down

You don't have to change your friends because of your ambitions, but you should be aware of the influences that might affect you. Be sure to make choices based on your own ambitions and goals. Don't make choices just to make your friends happy.

5. Set up a study routine
As you prepare to head to college, creating a study routine becomes increasingly important to your college preparations. Try to set aside a certain amount of time each evening focused your classes.

6. Manage Your Tasks with a Daily Planner

Along with writing homework assignments down, it’s important to make sure that they’re consistently checking a personal planner to see what else is on their to-do list. Being able to complete a task and checking it off of a list can help you feel accomplished and provide more motivation to continue completing the items in their agenda.t’s also important to keep all homework assignments organized so that they can be easily found on a day-to-day basis.

7. Don't compare yourself to others.

You could be putting yourself down for no reason. Don't compare your score to others' just because you want to measure yourself against them. That doesn't say anything about how you
can improve yourself.

8. When teachers give you advice for an assignment, take it.

They are the ones who made the assignment, and they've been high schoolers before. They know exactly what is best for you when it comes to finishing an assignment they created.

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1. Work hard
This is the most important  thing to do in order to have a successful high school career. If you work hard, the rest just falls right into place.
2.  Take classes you are interested in
This is important because if you like what you do, it makes it easier to do it. It is always easier to do math if you have an interest in working with numbers.
3. Ask questions
If you don't understand something you were taught in class, ask questions because it is a lot easier than scrambling to learn it the day before the test.
4. Get involved
Worked towards doing extracurricular activities as much as possible. This will help you out for getting into colleges, because admissions programs really look for that stuff.
5. Challenge yourself
Although taking classes you enjoy is important, make sure they are challenging. Taking rigorous classes will help you on your college resume and it will help you grow a work ethic.
6.  Create a plan
Have a plan for what you want to do after college and beyond.
7. Create daily schedules
Creating a schedule everyday can help you manage your time well so that you don't miss assignments are that you are caught up on your studies.
8. Believe in yourself
As long as you have self-confidence, you should have a smooth high school career.

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1. Ask Questions
Do not be afraid to ask questions. No question is too small. Ask whenever you are unsure of something. Teachers and Counselors are there to help.
2. Try Something New
Whether it be trying a different class or joining a club, try something new!
3. Make New Friends
Find those people you have a good time with. These friends will make your high school journey more memorable!
4. Do Not Procrastinate
Try to keep up with your school work! Plan ahead so that you do not fall behind!
5. Work Hard
Do all your homework, study hard and overall do your best so that you can earn the grades you want.
6. Be Involved
Be involved in your school community. Join school clubs, show school spirit and overall support your friends and classmates.
7. Challenge Yourself
Whether it be taking a hard class or trying out for a school team, make sure you are challenging yourself. Challenges are what make life interesting!
8. Enjoy Every Moment
Do not forget to have fun!
Make sure you are making memories that you can look back on!

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1.) Go to sleep on time.
Big part of the reason many kids can preform well inside the classroom is because their body is recharged. The essential thing to do is to go to bed on time so that you can pay attention in class.

2.) Pay attention in class.
Many kids don't seem to do anything in class besides just stare a t a wall. Without learning and understanding what your teacher is telling you, it is impossible to ever preform well on the tests, quizzes, and homework.

3.) Make a schedule/to-do list.
It is important to list your priorities and goals. Without doing this, one won't have any guidance  and idea of what to do. A list of things to do is what separates A+ students from B students.

4.) Get involved
Besides preforming well in the classroom, students who reach intellectual enlightenment do more than just receiving good grades. Do whatever you can, weather it may be helping out around the community or even joining the soccer team. It is important to show others you are a well-rounded individual.

5.) Have a friend group.
One of the best things to have in high school is a friend group. But not just anyone. Make sure to surround yourself with others who encourage you and want to see you do the best in life. This is key.

6.) Work hard
DO NOT give mediocre work. Always give your full effort and try your best on every assignment regardless of how tired you are.

7.) Meditate
It is always a good idea to take 15 mins out of your day to take a couple deep breathes and clear your mind. A clear mind always distresses someone.

8.) Have Fun
I believe the  number one thing for someone to be successful and reach enlightenment is to have a healthy heart and mind. To achieve this one should always make sure to enjoy themselves and have fun. Make sure to arrange time with friends and family and keep a smile on your face.

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Teenager's 8-Fold Path to Enlightenment in High School

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Teenager's 8-Fold Path to Enlightenment in High School

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Victoria R.

1.     Right View – Have kindness and integrity be your guiding principles. And surround yourself with decent and honest people. Do not bully others. Have integrity, if you make a promise, keep it!

2.     Right Intention-Try to help others and work as part of a group to help improve the school environment for all. Join clubs and teams and then contribute to them. Have persistence and passion for what you do. If it is photography or cheerleading, no matter what it is, give 100% of yourself.

3.     Right Speech- Use kind words, resist criticizing others, and avoid gossiping and lying.

4.     Right Action – Strive for goodness. Take opportunities to be kind to others. Do not take things that do not belong to you. Avoid drugs and alcohol.

5.     Right livelihood-Engage in community service, not to put it on your college application but because it is important for the community and important for your own enlightenment.

6.     Right effort -Self-improvement should always be a mission. Continually learning and improving as a student and as a person. Stay determined to finish your homework, your sports obligations, and your community activities and job. Stay focused and keep a positive attitude. Avoid feelings such as jealousy and anger.

7.     Right mindfulness- Be present in the moment. Have a clear sense of yourself in terms of your feelings, your health and your mental state. And keep smiling!

8.     Right concentration- Stay focused on the task at hand, give your full attention. Pay attention in class. Don’t let your mind travel to elsewhere while engaged in activities or schoolwork. But, do take time to stop and think in quiet, attuned to yourself and your space. Allow for down time.

By being honest, kind, focused, goal oriented, dedicated, avoiding trouble, and caring about your school and community you will gain respect of your peers and teachers and achieve whatever goals you have set for yourself.

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1. Pay Attention in Class

This may sound very simple, but it is difficult to stay focused during class. Take handwritten notes when your teacher lectures, and ask any question you have.

2. Write Down Your Assignments

You can only remember so much at once. If you don’t write down your homework you are going to forget about it.

3. Don’t Copy Homework

Not only is copying homework plagiarism,  it also doesn’t help you learn the material. If you take your time to do the homework you will do better on the test.

4. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE

When you wait to do all your homework till the day before it is do, you will not do quality work, not spend enough time on it, or end up not doing it at all. Plan ahead and do your work when you have enough time.

5. Manage Your Time

Most high school students go to school, are part of clubs, play a sport, and have jobs. You need to plan around all of your activities to get your work done, and still be able to sleep. It may be difficult to find time for all of that, so use any free time you have to your advantage.

6. Don’t Fixate Over One Bad Grade

Your life is not going to end because you didn’t do as well as you hoped on a test. One bad grade will not destroy your life. You just need to move on and try your best on the next one.

7. Find Your Friends

High School can be stressful. Find people you enjoy being around. Friends can help you study, pick you up when you are down, and they can help you relax when your not at school.

8. Have Fun!

Your time in high school is not just about grades. High school is about finding out who you are, and who you want to be. Try out new stuff whenever you can. New things can be scary at first, but you might find that you really enjoy it.

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1. Time Management
Learn to prioritize your assignments and plan ahead of time.
2. Get involved
Sign up for clubs or sports. It's a great way to make friends.
3. Make friends
In high school, you'll lose friends. Make sure you make new ones. The new ones you make are the ones that last forever.
3. Study habits
Learn whats best for you. Everybody studies differently.
4. Ask questions
Asking questions is never a bad thing. Don't be afraid. There is no such thing as a stupud question.
5. Ask for help
Teachers are there to help you, not hurt you. If you can, get a tutor. They would even be a peer.
6. Take a breath
High school is stressful. You will get very stressed. Stop and take a breath. It will get easier.
7. Take care of yourself
It's easy to get lost in the cycle and chaos of school. Make sure you are eating healthy and getting enough sleep.
8. Standardized Testing
Take as many practice tests as you can. Know you can always test again if you are not satisfied with your grade.

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1. Good Grades.
Always keep your grades up, especially early on so you can start off strong rather than fall behind.
2. Get Involved.
Be involved socially throughout high school, as it builds friendships and life skills.
3. Take Notes.
Always take notes in class, as it is the best way to study. Notes help you memorize things more than anything else.
4. Standardized Tests.
Make sure to be prepared for your SAT/ACT tests, as it can make or break your future application.
5. Be Responsible.
Come to class on-time, have your work done, and don't skip. All of those will hurt you academically.
6. Try Not To Procrastinate.
Get your work done ahead of time if you can, because it will eliminate stress.
7. Make Friends.
Be social and outgoing throughout high school, and make new friends.
8. Be Yourself.
Surround yourself with others like you, rather than changing for other people.

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1. Take Hard Classes
Make sure you push yourself by taking a challenging course-load. Remember that what may be hard for someone else could be easy for you. When you are applying to college, you will want your courses to show rigor.
2. Study Study Study
Good grades are important. Any college would like to see good grades. Work is required to earn your grades. Grades do not come easily, but they are worth the struggle.
3. Every Small Grade Counts
Throughout high school, you will hear other students talking about how they will not try on an assignment because it is "only a few points." Unfortunately for them, these few points can really mess up their overall grade. Taking a 0/5 on an assignment will statistically ruin an overall grade. Try hard on every assignment.
4. Competition
The competition in high school is fierce. At Downingtown East, nearly one-hundred students have a GPA of a 4.0 or greater. This does not mean you must have the highest GPA in the grade. It truly means that you should be competitive with those around you and always strive to be the best.
5. Standardized Tests
Standardized tests such as the SAT and the ACT are important to any high schooler. Do not take these tests until junior year. As a junior, take each test to decide which one you find favorable. Constantly study for the decided test to attempt to maximize your score. Even just a few points higher on the SAT and 1-2 points higher on the ACT can increase merit scholarships by thousands of dollars per year in college. These tests are equivalent to four years of work, so they are clearly very important.
6. Take Classes to Find Your Passions
One of my biggest mistakes in high school is not taking classes to find my passions because I was too focused on taking classes that colleges would want to see me take. For example, if someone is considering going into business, they should take some business classes. If someone in interested in going into medicine and doctoring, they should take a class such as Anatomy and Physiology. These classes will allow the student to realize if they are truly passionate about the subject they are considering majoring in. It is important to go into a career that you will love for the rest of your life.
7. Be Social
High school is important and is the beginning of the rest of your life, but do not forget to have a life. Hangout with friends on weekends. Go to football games. Always have fun when you can. Sitting on the couch and watching television or playing video games is a waste of time. Form strong bonds with the people around you. You will learn a lot from the people around you. Always be social or you will regret it in the future.
8. Get Involved
Colleges care a lot about extracurricular activities. Joining clubs and playing sports is a great way to do this. Not only does getting involved help your chances of getting into college, but it also is a great way to meet new people. Getting involved in high school can make a change in the world. If everybody were to come together to try to reach a common goal, it could potentially help everybody.

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Krista Devane
1. Pay attention in class. If the teacher is taking the time to write something on the board, take the time yourself to write down what they are.
2. Learn how to advocate for yourself.  One of the most useful skills you can learn immediately is how to advocate for yourself. Ask questions if you don't understand, and use your teacher as a resource.
3. Work Hard. Your teachers are there there to help you succeed, but you have to be willing to put in the work to become successful, they are not the ones that taking classes, you are. They can only do so much for you.
4. Be kind to EVERYONE.  The world is full of so many people that will tear you down, and tell you that you're not good enough. Even though we're not aware of it, every single person we meet is struggling with something internally. It could be something small, or something huge. So always choose to be kind, it'll take you far. People may forget your name, or what you looked like, but they'll never forget how you made them feel.
5. Get involved.  Whether it be sports, music or something else, find something through the school that makes you happy or lets you express your passions. Don't be afraid to try new things, it may be scary at first, but joining clubs is what makes high school so enjoyable. Going to classes all day and doing homework at night can be pretty monotonous, so try to join a few clubs if only to find people you relate to, or to break up the monotony.
6. Surround yourself with people you want to be like. Find a group of people that make you feel good about yourself and make you happy, and try to make other people feel that way when they're around you. If you want to succeed in school, try to surround yourself with people that get straight A's and learn from them. If you want to pursue music or athletics, surround yourself with talented musicians and athletes. Our friends should be a reflection of  what we are or want to be. On the flip side, if you find that your friends don't reflect what you want to be, find new friends.
7. Take deep breaths.  Whenever you want to get mad or upset, take a few deep breaths. It seems silly, but it helps to calm you, and slow your heart rate. Constantly ask yourself the question, "Is this going to matter five years from now?" If it isn't try to let it go, because nine times out of ten what happens in high school socially most likely won't matter in five years.
8. Enjoy your time in high school.  It goes by unbelievably fast. So put down the phone, and take it in. Soon we will all refer to high school as "the good old days." Don't let it slip away. Go to the homecoming dance, prom, football games, and clash of the classes. Build relationships with friends and teachers, and just soak the time and experience in.

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1.Get Invovled
School dances, football games, charity events, clubs, you name it! Get Invovled be involved. Start a new club. This is the best way to have fun in your 4 years at the school.

2. Ask for Help
Never be afraid to ask your teachers for help. They want to see you succeed and prosper while in high school.

3. Stay out of drama
Drama adds such uneccassary stress. Stay as far away from it as you can. Remember what happened between you and suzie is not going to matter five years from now.

4. Challenge your self
Do not take the easy way out and take all easy classes. Take harder classes this will show you are a hardworker but also bring you to the realization of your strengths and weaknesses. Stay on top of your work and finish it.

5. Find and Love your self
High school is the opportunity to find your self. Do not ever change for anyone else! Be the best you that there can be. Take time out of your day and remind your self of the postive things in your life!

6. Wellness day
Take a day off every once in a while. You need that breather. In that time focus on ways to relieve your self of stress whether it be excercising, reading a book, baking, just anything that gives your mind a break.

7. Be kind
You never know what somone is going through. Sit with that person thats sitting alone at lunch. compliment people. Smile. just any little act of kindess can brighten someones day.

8. Enjoy this time of your life.
These four years fly by. Make the most of them and enjoy it. Make memories and have lots of laughs. This is the last time of your life to truly be a kid so take advantage of it!

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1. Don't stress about going to college

You are only in your first year of high school, don’t stress over the little things thats you cant control. Think about the stuff you can do to get you to your goals!

2. Be yourself

Your real friends will like you for who you are, not something you are not. Don’t try so hard to fit in with a certain group, the right people will come to you!

3. Be productive

Get involved in clubs, sports, band, and any other school activity you enjoy. This will not only get you to meet new people, but it will set you up with something to put on your college applications.

4. Try new things

Try things you would not think of trying, like art, wood shop, cooking, and other things you would like. Not only will you get to try something new, but it might be something you turn in to a career one day or just a hobby.

5. Ask for help

In high school you need to advocate for yourself, meaning asking questions and asking for assistance. Your peers and teachers are there to help, don’t be afraid to ask!

6. Do your best

You wont always get a hundred on every assignment, as long as you put your all in to your assignments your teachers will know that you tried.

7. Don’t slack off

This is really important! Turn in all of your assignments on time and if the teacher is giving extra credit, do it! You might not need the points now, but they might come in handy latter!

8. Enjoy high school

Not saying that everyday will be the best, but try to think about what you can do to make it a better experience to you and your peers. Always be kind and think about others.

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1. Turn in all assignment on time
No matter the assignment always turn it in on time. Some teachers may still accept it late but will remove points for it being turned in after the due date. In order to not lose point over something that could be avoided always turn them in on time.
2. Do all Homework
Almost all teachers grade homework assignments and at the time, it does not seem like a 0/5 would be a bad thing if you have a high grade but in the end, if there are multiple missing homework then it can significantly lower your grade. Also, one missing homework could be the reason you end up with an 89% instead of a 90%.
3. Read all books that are assigned
In the end it will make life a whole lot easier. You do not want to be trying to write an essay on a book you should have read but thought you would not have to. Teachers are able to tell when you read the book or when you have just read a summary from the internet. Save the embarrassment of not knowing what is happening and just read the book.
4. Do your Graduation Project Early
Although graduation seems so far away, it will be a huge relief in the end if you complete you graduation project early on. By the end of your junior year or the beginning of your senior year you will not be rushing to get it done like others.
5. Join Clubs
A great way to make new friends is by joining a club you are interested in. Chances are that there will be others similar to you in that club and you will be able to become friends with them. Also, colleges are always looking to see that you are a well rounded student and not just ALL about straight A's and high GPA's.
6. Meet New People
In high school you are able to socialize with any grade from 9th to 12th do not limit yourself to just your grade. Step out of your shell a little and say "hello" to that person who looks kind or maybe the one who looks lonely. Chances are they will be kind in return.
7. Take Fun Classes
Although there are mandatory credits, make sure to take a class you want to take or are interested in. The school offers a lot of courses such as Art, Photography, Music, Sewing, and even cooking. Your class of choice will most likely be the one that gets you through a hard day.
8. In the end, Do Not be too hard on yourself
High school is not perfect, there are ups and downs, it can be stressful, people can be mean, you may not always do well on a test, but in the end, this is only a small time period in your life. You will get through it and there will be memories of things that may have seemed small when they happened but greatly impacted your life. Just do your best and you will be successful.

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1. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
Going into high school is scary for a lot of people, which is normal. The first week of school is always the hardest, and it's important that you feel comfortable enough to ask questions. Whether you're asking a teacher where your class is, or if you can sit with someone at lunch; its important to feel comfortable.

2. Find your people
Everyone always remembers their friends from high school. Its important to have a good support system with friends who you can really trust.

3. Don't slack Freshman year
A lot of people tend to not take freshman year as seriously as the other 3 years. Freshman year creates the base for your GPA, so try to keep your grades up (especially since it's the easiest year)!

4. Find ways to cope with stress
Stress is impossible to avoid during high school, but it is important to find a healthy outlet to cope with it. Exercise is always a great way to get your mind off of the stresses of school, but everyone has to find their own thing!

5. Don't change yourself for someone else
Change is inevitable during these 4 years, but never change to make someone else happy. Grow and mature on your own time, and never let someone tell you that you should change who you are.

6. Do all of your homework
If you struggle on tests or quizzes than homework points will become your best friend! The easiest points to get are usually homework, and it helps you learn the material anyways so you might as well complete it!

7. Avoid drama as much as possible
Drama is everywhere in high school, and it gets old very quickly! It's important to focus on the things that will matter in the future, such as your grades, instead of silly friendship/boyfriend drama.

8. Be present
People will always tell you that high school is the quickest 4 years of your life, and they're right! Be present during your time there, because it will be over before you know it!

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1. Believe in yourself
High school can be tough and will work you hard, but it is not impossible. While you may become dispirited, high school is what you make of it, and you can achieve all that you set your mind to. Keep telling yourself that you can do it and don't give up!

2. Ask for help
There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it and going to a teacher for clarification on something. Chances are that by seeking help, you will excel in your academics and become more successful.

3. Take personal breaks
It is easy to lose sight of yourself sometimes when you are bombarded with school work. Everybody becomes overwhelmed  and has those days that are just off, and it's ok to take a break and focus on yourself. It will help you in the long run.

4. Get involved
There is a good change you will be spending your next 4 years at this school, so you might as well make the best of it and show some school spirit. Becoming involved in different clubs and activities will not only make you feel like you belong in your school, but also aid you in making friends and finding new hobbies.

5. Push yourself
By no means is high school easy, but it lays the foundation for your future in college and in the real world. Push yourself to your limits and explore your intellectual possibilities. This will help you discover your strengths, weaknesses, and interests and prepare you for the upcoming work you will face in college.

6. Don't wait until the last minute
Procrastinating is not your friend in high school. Especially with the constant assignments and due dates flying at you. Waiting until the last minute to complete assignments and essays will not only leave you with little to no sleep, but make it harder for you to focus and stay on track. Make sure you write all assignments down and manage your time well so that your workload is decent.

7. Appreciate the little things
While high school is mainly about academics, it is important to appreciate the things that cheer you up when you are down and give you the energy to make it through the school day. Be thankful for the people who help you, encourage you, and make you laugh.

8. Try your best
Nobody is perfect, and you aren't always going to get the grade you want to, but try your best in everything you do. Really strive to give it your all so that by the time you graduate, you feel like you have earned it.

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Molly O'Toole

1. Find your real friends
High school can be filled with drama and lies, it's important to find at least one person that can be your rock through these difficult times.

2.  Stay out of drama
I cannot stress this one enough. High school doesn't last forever and what happened last Friday night won't matter in 5 years. Stay focused on your friends and your academics. Focus on those goals!

3. Become close with at least one teacher
This will be helpful when you got to ask for a letter of recommendation! The better a teacher knows you personally, the better of a letter they can write! Establishing a close relationship with some of my teachers has definitely gotten me through high school. They've helped me with so much!

4. Don't stress about your future too much
This one is difficult come junior and senior year, but I can promise you life takes unexpected turns and you're not exactly sure where you'll end up.

5. You don't have to know exactly what you want to do when you're older
You grow so much as a person and your interests change! Take time to explore your interests.

6. Do NOT Procrastinate
Time management is key! Procrastination will only cause you more work and lots of stress.

7. Be kind
Don't be rude to everyone. Being kind will help you make new friends and cause people to want to help you when you need it. You get nowhere in life being rude!

8. Challenge yourself
This doesn't mean to take every AP course the school offers. Take classes that you're interested in, but that will also challenge you. This will help you grow as a person