Hm, I'm an incoming junior in high school, here's my 2 cents
`` If a club or sport seems interesting to you, even a little, join. In these you have lots of fun and meet people that end up being key in your life. If nothing else, you make friends. If not, just quit. You've got nothing to lose
`` Don't care about what others think. By this I mean, you can be whoever you want to be, don't give in to what's "cool" or anything like that. I talk about smash and pokemon out in the open and don't give a care. If someone disapproves, he/she is an *** hole. Who needs them?
`` Befriend your teachers. You don't have to kiss their butt, but try and befriend them, MOST high school teachers are actually pretty cool, and if you can carry on a conversation with one then your good. If the teacher seems like an intellectual, bring up a topic. I started a really awesome convo with my history teacher if the South Park episode 201 should have been censored, as the network was under fire by muslim extremists that would kill them if they depicted muhammad. Just an example.
This has it's obvious benefits
`` STUDY!!! Even if you've never studied before in your life. 10th grade was a huge shock for me as I never before needed to study to have good grades, like EVER. I didn't even know what studying really meant. My 10th grade GPA was crap because I didn't know how to study. Make sure you review your class material regularly, like several times a day. You learn by repetition, not all night cramming sessions. If you're an audio learner, record your notes on your PC, then save them as an MP3 and play it on your MP3 player all the time. This could also be used for cheating,
but most teachers ban headphones from tests.
`` Don't be shy. I know some people are biologically shy, I know a person like this. However, don't be afraid to speak up during class if you don't understand something, or to volunteer. You may not realize this, but teachers LOVE kids who regularly volunteer for answers. Some even give extra credit for it, EVEN at the AP level
`` Don't get worked up over girls. Sure girls at this level are cute and sexy, but they more or less the same as in middle school. If you get a girlfriend whoo-hoo for you, but if you don't, don't give it a second thought. Don't EVER get worked up over a certain girl or you'll spend your entire summer a depressed blob of emo ****. Love is an emotion that clouds your judgment, therefore, stay away from it as much as you can
`` Stay away from *** holes. These are the people that can ALWAYS be heard and are usually projecting their opinions as facts to try to seem cool. These people are scum. Avoid
`` BE ORGANIZED!! I've lost far too many school assignments that I had COMPLETED the night before and I didn't get points simply because I displaced it. Get a binder, get a whole punch, whole punch all your papers, categorize.
`` When you leave school, put your ID badge in the same backpack pocket everyday. This way, you'll never have to pay for a replacement while your classmate proclaims he owes over 50 dollars in ID replacements
``If you see an ID badge lying on the ground with lanyard intact, by God pick it up! If you know the person, return it. If not, take the lanyard. People are always missing their lanyards and it's nice to be the guy that helps out. At the end of freshman year I has a fistful of lanyards and people would always ask "where do you get so much lanyards?" and I simply replied "I picked them up"
`` Sign up for drivers ed as early as you can. It may be different age for your state, but find out when you can sign up and ask your parents about it.
`` When you pick up your schedule, get there EARLY. like, an hour. Then find out where your classes are, then pick your locker strategically.
`` Talk to people. You can really make a person's day just by coming up to them and greeting them in a friendly manner.
`` Hugs. Hug often. Preferably with cute girls that you've befriended. Never underestimate the power of hugs.
LIST BONUS: Essay writing
In your english class you're going to come across writing a persuasive thesis. This is the easiest thing in the world if approached properly. Trust me on this, we had a class vote to see who wrote the best thesis, and I won by a LANDSLIDE. Even the teacher commentated.
All you need to do is use a big, fancy world within the first 8 words of your opening. If you do this correctly, the reader/listener will be so WOWED by your vocabulary that they won't even really start paying attention to your essay again until the ending. Don't know big, fancy words? Read a magazine or the newspaper. These writers have a wide vocabulary, and they let people know. Or you can read Dr. Martin Luther King speeches. Point is, using big words doesn't make you any smarter than anyone else. But it sure SOUNDS like you are.
Ex: Topic: Shakespeare's mastery of the english language
BAD:
There are many ways Shakespeare was good at writing stories in english... he was the best
Awesome:
Although there is a *plethora* of great writers in history.... Shakespeare's mastery of the english language far surpassed all others.
I am not joking when I say people will be so wowed they won't pay attention until the end of the paragraph.
`` Meet people who play smash. Ask around. This way you make friends, get better at smash, start a local smash scene, and have FUN!
`` And finally, don't be nervous or afraid to try something new. I get afraid because I've never done something before, but if I never try it, I could have missed out on something great.
`` LIST BONUS. Don't drink soda, it's loaded with sugar, costs money over a long period, and is really bad for you.
`` LIST BONUS. If someone asks for a dollar, don't give them one. They are likely not to pay you back, even if they say they will. Unless it's someone you really trust.
"This way MY 2 cents, which when, compared to YOUR 2 cents is like, 50 bucks. Thank you."
