Preparation And The Right Mindset Can Help Create A Positive Experience For Online High School And Career Prep
By Angel Canete, Stride Student Advisor
There are many things you should be aware of before going into your high school years, especially if your high school experience is going to be online. The goal of this blog is to give you some tip and insights, from a student’s perspective, as brand new online high school students. I hope you find the information helpful, both about high school, and about career prep during those years.
1. Have clear priorities for your high school and career prep experiences
Before you start planning out which career you want to pursue, or which classes you want to take this semester, you should first figure how you are going to manage to actually prioritize your studies. It's very easy to tell yourself that you're going to do something, but actually going through with it, is incredibly difficult… if you don’t plan ahead and think positively. Which is why it's important to know what you want to prioritize in the school year, and how to make sure it happens. You should always have something in mind that you want to actively pursue. So, with that being said, think about what do you want to move forward with in high school, and during career prep. Your focus may be internships, jobs, volunteering, clubs, competitions, sports, or just focusing on maintaining good grades in your daily classes.
2. Pay attention to your high school GPA, as it counts for a lot
In elementary and middle school, you were probably told multiple times that if you failed an assignment or a test, that it was going to be okay, since it didn't count towards your GPA. Well, in high school and with career prep, that isn't the case. Your GPA can set you up for the next steps in your academic and professional future, which is why it's important to pay attention and focus on your studies. It may seem boring, or too difficult, but like every parent knows, it will be worth it in the end. Make sure in your online high school classes that you are taking notes, keeping distractions to a minimum, and have any organizational materials ready to go, to keep you moving forward.
3. Mental health awareness is important for positive online high school and career prep experiences
Many times, during the school year, you will feel drained or tired. That’s okay. Everyone feels that way sometimes. One thing you need to remember, as an online high school student focusing on career prep, during these tougher spots is that you’ve made it that far in the first place. A few things you should do when you’re feeling down are to drink lots of water (never forget to hydrate, as it’s very important), take a walk, listen to music you like, and even take a break to engage in a short and fun activity. If you find yourself continuing to struggle, however, it will be important to talk to somebody. Communicating is very important to every human on this planet, because it fulfills social, emotional, and mental health aspects that everyone needs. Talking things out with a parent or success coach, or just having a fun conversation with friends, fulfills those desires and creates life satisfaction.
4. Being mindful of your schedules will help you be successful, as an online high school student
One thing that’s very important to know and understand when moving into high school and career prep, especially online, is how to manage a schedule and plan things out accordingly. In high school, you will have more homework, and more things are expected of you… which is why it’s important to understand how to manage your schedule. Here are a few tips:
· Have a calendar set up on your phone, computer, or on a paper wall calendar, so that you can always see and write things down.
· Set alarms for everything on your digital calendar. It’s always important to submit assignments before the due date, or to arrive early/on-time to meetings/events, etc.
· Know your limits. Make sure that you don’t over-plan. I know that it’s sometimes difficult to decide whether hanging out with your friends or attending a school club meeting is more important. But, you should always understand that if you already have a busy schedule, that over-extending yourself will do nothing but burn you out. Understanding how much you can handle and balance out in one week is key.
5. A positive attitude counts for a lot, too
Don’t get overly anxious about your online high school experience and career prep goals. You’re going to do great! The school year ahead is going to be amazing, if you take into consideration all of these tips and tricks, and if you just be yourself! Also, don’t forget to say something nice in the mirror to yourself every day and to eat nutritious meals. You’d be surprised how much it can improve your overall outlook.
I hope all of these tips and tricks have helped you to feel ready for the high school experience online. And, I hope you enjoy exploring all that the Stride Career Prep Program can do for you!
To read more about how online schooling helps students grow, be sure to check out Virtual School Motivates Teen To Become More Responsible.
And, you can read another terrific blog post by this Stride Student Advisor about discovering the right internship for you, here!
To learn more about Stride Career Prep's Student Advisory Council, make sure to visit https://www.k12.com/stride-career-prep/about/student-advisory-council.html
