High School, the best years of your life. . .? For some, this may be true. But for others, the high school years may be the most challenging years of one's life. Teens need to prepare for the many challenges they may encounter in high school. With the proper support, teens can turn negative high school experiences into positive learning experiences. By remaining true to themselves, they can avoid involvement in unhealthy relationships. And by gaining insight to their senior year, they can prepare academically for a successful future. Because teens generally think adults are clueless, this book is full of suggestions, advice, and survival tips from the experts - Graduating Seniors from the Northwest High School Class of 2008.

If You Can Survive High School, You Can Survive Anything!

By Trish Long

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Trish Long
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-6334-8

Contents

Welcome to High School!.........................................................................................1The Academic Curriculum.........................................................................................3It's More than Just Academics...................................................................................7Social Cliques..................................................................................................7Attention-Getting Behaviors.....................................................................................9Making the Most of High School..................................................................................13Advice from the Experts: The Class of 2008......................................................................16Survival Tips...................................................................................................17#1: If you could repeat high school, what would you do the same?................................................19#2: If you could repeat high school, what would you do differently?.............................................23#3: How did you turn a negative high school experience into a positive learning experience?.....................27#4: How did high school relationships prepare you for the adult world?..........................................31#5: What advice do you have for incoming high school freshmen?..................................................35#6: What do you wish you had known before starting high school?.................................................41#7: Encouraging Words of Advice from the Experts................................................................45Survey Summary..................................................................................................49A Counselor's Advice............................................................................................53Float Like a Duck...............................................................................................55Protect the Ones You Love.......................................................................................56Thank Your Mom..................................................................................................58Write Your Own Story............................................................................................59Senior Pics.....................................................................................................61Musical Tributes................................................................................................79Your Personal High School Journal...............................................................................85

Chapter One

Welcome to High School!

Throughout time, musicians have composed and performed tributes to their school experiences. With thanks to Wikipedia for compiling the list, below are numerous artists - some are familiar to you, others are well before your time: Adam Lambert, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Bobby Rydell, Bob Seger, Bo Diddley, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Cat Stevens, Chuck Berry, Doris Day, Elton John, Eminem, Good Charlotte, Gwen Stefani, Hall & Oates, Harry Chapin, James Brown, Jan & Dean, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jethro Tull, John Lennon, John Mayer, Lulu, Marilyn Manson, Motley Crue, Nat King Cole, Nirvana, Otis Redding, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Reliant K, Ricky Nelson, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Supertramp, Taylor Swift, The Beach Boys, The Beastie Boys, The Beatles, The Four Tops, The Hollies, The J. Geils Band, The Jonas Brothers, The Police, The Sex Pistols, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Supremes, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, and The Who. A corresponding list of their songs begins on page 81. As you review these musical tributes, it is apparent that high school has a significant impact on the lives of all who experience it. Welcome to four of the most influential years of your life!

The Academic Curriculum

During high school, major emphasis will be placed on your academic growth. Graduation requirements include courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, and Computer. You may select classes in Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Business, Life Skills, or a Vocational / Technical Program for additional elective credits.

Although the purpose of this book is not to bore you with a description of the high school curriculum, I have listed below some typical high school courses for those of you who may wonder what to expect academically. For those of you who are already familiar with required and elective core and non-core courses, you may choose to skip to It's More than Just Academics on page 7.

In English, you will write poetry, present speeches, and read short stories. You will explore literary works of English and American authors. You may study directing, choreography, theatre etiquette, make-up, and casting in a Drama class. Or maybe radio and television communications interest you, and you will select an Electronic Media class. If writing is your thing, Newspaper Writing teaches about the power of the press, journalism and the law, and copy editing.

Transitional Math, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Advanced Math, and Calculus are standard Math courses available to high school students. Skills taught within these courses include fundamental operations of integers, probability, data collection, logic, deductive reasoning, geometric design, and multi-dimensional figures. For the advanced Math student, there are sines and cosines, oblique triangles, inverse and circular functions, vectors, polynomial expressions, trigonometric concepts, and differential and integral calculus. Counselor's Note: Due to the sequential progression of Mathematics, it is strongly recommended that you completely master each course before advancing to the next. Having a strong Math foundation is better than struggling in classes that are too challenging. Do not allow yourself to get behind in your Math classes as essential Math skills build on one another. Ask for help as soon as necessary!

Studies in Science classes range from basic to detailed concepts of General Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Environmental Science. You may learn about the structure and composition of the earth, causes and effects of weather and climate, and the interaction of land, sea, and air. Or you may study the compositions, properties, interactions, and transformations of matter, including acids and bases, molecular shapes, and atomic structure. Within the Life Sciences, you can study genetics and reproduction of the cell, as well as classifications of plants and animals. Counselor's Note: in Biology and Anatomy classes, opt for virtual dissection, if available. The computer program smells better than formaldehyde, and it saves the lives of a lot of frogs, cats, pigs, and other innocent animals.

Typical Social Studies classes are History, Geography, Government, Economics, Sociology, and Psychology. Students learn about the structure and function of federal, state, and local governments, political and economic theories, and social practices and problems within the United States and the World. In World History, you will read about significant occurrences in the...