Ten Tips for Easing the Transition from Middle School to High School

Transitioning from middle school to high school can be difficult. New high school students have to learn the layout of a new school, have to select courses, and have to deal with a certain level of anxiety about making the transition to high school. In this article, I describe ten things parents can do to help make the transition to high school from middle school less difficult for new high school students.

Transitioning to High School Tip #1 - Learn the Layout of the School
A lot of the anxiety that new high school students feel comes from having to navigate a new environment. Most middle schools keep students in the same area for most of the day. High school may require students to walk back and forth between classes all day. If possible, try to get your new high school student's schedule and walk through his or her daily schedule with him or her a few days before classes begin. This will reduce anxiety about high school anxiety.

Transitioning to High School Tip #2 - Look at Available Courses
Your new high schooler may have already selected courses. If possible, look at the list of available courses at the high school with your student. Make a list of the courses that interest him or her and see what prerequisites there are. This will allow your new high schooler to make the most of his or her high school experience.

Transitioning to High School Tip #3 - Begin Considering Careers
Careers are often determined by college major, which is often determined by high school education and courses. A high school freshman does not need to know what he or she wants to do with his or her life, but having a list of several things that are of interest can help to make course selection easier. Aspiring physicians will want to take as many science courses as possible, whereas students that wish to be artists will want to take courses like drawing, graphic arts, and sculpture. Wise course selection now can ease further studies.

Transitioning to High School Tip #4 - Emphasize the Importance of High School
You should know that colleges may make decisions about admittance or scholarships based on high school grades. Your high school student should know this as well. Try not to pressure or frighten your new high school student, but make sure that he or she understands the importance of high school from the beginning, not when he or she is a junior.

Transitioning to High School Tip #5 - Go To Any New Student Nights
Many high schools have an evening or two wherein incoming freshmen are welcomed to the school and given the opportunity to tour the school. If you can, go to one of these and try to get a sense of the school and what is available.

Transitioning to High School Tip #6 - See What Activities Are Available at the School
Sports teams are not the only extracurricular activity available at most high schools. There are things like forensics teams, discussion clubs, and volunteer organizations available for high school students. Being involved in one or two extracurriculars will help your new high school student make friends, build a resume, and make the transition to high school.

Transitioning to High School Tip #7 - Go Shopping Early
If you have school shopping to do, do it sooner rather than later. It's better not to have to do shopping the night before school starts. This will reduce anxiety and allow your new high school student to ease into school more gradually.

Transitioning to High School Tip #8 - Get Appropriate Supplies
Make sure that you have what your high school student actually needs. For example, you might want to get your student a separate half-inch binder for each course, as opposed to a gigantic binder for everything. You may want to get him or her a new backpack or new clothing to ease the transition. You don't have to do this every year, but if one or two things help ease the transition to high school, it may be worth it.

Transitioning to High School Tip #9 - Talk to Your Student
If your new high school student seems anxious, nervous, or withdrawn, talk to him or her and see what's wrong. You may be able to quell his or her fears. Don't dismiss any concerns as ridiculous, but rather listen to your student and be honest with him or her about your own high school experience. Hearing that you have been through a similar life experience may be helpful or comforting.

Transitioning to High School Tip #10 - Have Your Student Talk to a Current High School Student
Sometimes it's easier for a teenager to take advice from or listen to a person other than his or her parent. If this is the case, or if your student has concerns that you can't address, have him or her talk to a student that currently attends the high school. This can do a lot to ease your student's anxiety.

While the transition from middle school to high school can be difficult initially, most students are fine within a few weeks. Hopefully this article will be of use to and your new high school student. Have any further tips for easing the transition to high school? Feel free to share your suggestions in the form of a comment. Thank you for reading!