When you get ready to embark into freshman year of high school, there’s little question there are some anxieties. That’s alright! You might be pleasantly pleased to hear, though, that high school isn’t inherently harder, but it is certainly different.
High School vs. Middle School: Is It That Much Harder?
It’s natural for lessons to grow increasingly challenging as time goes on. After all, you’re confronting increasingly complicated topics year after year. That’s an aspect of schooling. Middle school was theoretically “harder” than elementary school.
There will be difficult classes, and you might need to put in extra work for some. As long as you have a decent foundation, though, you should be able to manage these courses. Hundreds of students have made it through – and so will you!
The “difficulty” of high school truly relies on the student, and, of course, the instructor and their approach to the content. Some professors may expect more out of you than other students, making the course more tough yet rewarding. Some instructors may not be the greatest at what they do and fail to relate to kids.
And a few will be superb at describing even the most complicated topics to their pupils. This is likely the same experience you had in middle school, and you will probably have a similar one in college.
You should know nevertheless that throughout your time in high school, you will have more individual responsibility and your homework may be harder. If you’re a good student, though, the move into your 9th year shouldn’t be hard at all.
So How is High School Different from Middle School?
There are a few distinctions you should remember before your first day of freshman year at your high school.
You Will Have More Control Over Your Courses
Many pupils entering high school will have more control over their courses. This may not be the case for 9th grade – it truly depends on the school – but it absolutely should happen in 10th, 11th, and 12th. You will be able to take electives that interest you ranging from everything from psychology to cookery.
In most situations, you will meet with your guidance counsellor before the new school year to review your necessary subjects, talk over your alternatives, and pick any electives. It’s also crucial to remember that they do tend to take your choices into consideration, so talk to them, even if the school year has already started.
For example, if you realise in the first few weeks you took on too many electives, they may be able to work with your schedule to make it more acceptable for you.
More Opportunities for Advanced Material
With additional optional options comes to the chance for more advanced (and merely different) content! The selections truly vary from school to school and year to grade, however you may occasionally find some extremely unusual subjects in your high school. Some provide ASL and Latin programmes while others may offer advanced math courses like calculus.
These are occasions, though, where high school is certainly more challenging than middle school.
In 11th and 12th grade, you may even be offered the option to take AP classes or college courses via your local community college to earn some college credit under your belt!
If you’re considering about picking an advanced class, make sure to chat to your guidance counsellor beforehand. Some have requirements and they will want to chat to you about the expected burden.
Heavier Workload
With high school classrooms, there does seem to be a larger burden. You can have more complicated tasks, greater homework, or take on more classes than you did in middle school. This isn’t inherently more tough, but it will take up more of your time.
Grades are More Important
Grades undoubtedly mattered in middle school, but they’ll become much more crucial in high school. These can effect your ability to get into advanced classes, but they can also impact your college prospects. If you want to get into one of the best schools or institutions in your state or in the country, you’re going to need excellent grades.
Your scores might also effect your ability to acquire financial help and scholarships.
Several merit scholarships require you to have over a specific GPA. The Florida Bright Futures programme, for example, also requires students to have a 3.0 GPA minimum in order to qualify.
And, of course, you’ll need to complete your classes in order to receive your high school certificate!
Sports Can Be More Demanding
If you’re considering about joining Varsity at your high school, it’s crucial to realise that sports at this level might be more rigorous and less relaxed. You might need to improve your game a little to earn and maintain your position on the squad. But, playing in sports throughout your high school experience may pay off big time – it looks great on college applications and, if you’re one of the best, you may even get a scholarship!
More Independence
One of the main differences new 9th graders will run into when it comes to high school is the greater independence you will have. While the school will undoubtedly contact your parents if you “misbehave,” they might not necessarily tell them when you’re doing poorly in a class — at least not straight away.
Progress reports and report cards will still be sent home, but the pressure of doing well in the class will be more laid on your shoulders and your parents might only be contacted in extreme circumstances.
You will be responsible for your studying, homework, and assignments. And it’s not only the high school that expects this from you – your parents do, too!
High school will be a different experience from middle school — there’s no doubt about it. And, for certain pupils, it may be more challenging. But, knowing what to anticipate, understanding what is required of you, and staying on top of your homework can help guarantee that it is a great experience!