So How Different Is High School REALLY?

[Alice Catherine]

As of 11:36 this morning, I am a high school freshman. While still in the junior high building, we have many of the same things high school does, such as the 9th grade dance.

But what I'm concerned about is the academia, since I have no social life to speak of. Oh, and working papers. How do you go about getting them thingers?

Oh...and I can get a permit exactly one year from August 22. Lucky for anyone who has to drive. But anyway.

But I'm all confuzzled about the credits and such. Can you just keep taking Computer Intergration through 10th grade and have enough Tech. Credits to graduate?

[Haro!]

High School is AWESOME!!!!!! That's all I remember.

[superplough]

Alice cherish the days, soon you'll be an adult and life goes downhill from there. Haro's right high school is awesome.

[Reidar]

Life doesn't go downhill after high school.

Elementary school to middle school was the only transition that felt different because the classes became broken up into subjects. High school felt no different to me, and neither does college right now.

[Alice Catherine]

Is it really? 'Cause something class president said today at the awards ceremony scared the **** out of me.

"You just got through all the loops and twists and turns and hills of the junior high roller coaster. Well, the high school one has BIGGER loops and BIGGER hills."

I DON'T LIKE ROLLER COASTERS! *sucks thumb*

[F Stop]

Alice cherish the days, soon you'll be an adult and life goes downhill from there. Haro's right high school is awesome.

Amen. God if I could go back and date high school chicks again...

[Bernard_Monsha]

High School sucks, you will spend mostof your adult life avoiding people you went to school with when they try to make a conversation with you.

This is the kind of uncomfortable situation you will find yourself in:
Me: is me
HSCM: High School Class Mate

Me: So you work at Burger King
HSCM: Yeah, I am going back to school again after I pay off my court fines.
Me: Oh did you get in trouble
HSCM: Yeah, I got in a couple of wrecks and I knocked a girl up
Me: Oh........Did you ever get together with her
HSCM: Well she goes to our alma mater high school and will gradute in 2009.
Me: .........I have to go it was really nice talking to
HSCM: Hey man give me your number or Email address so we can go out and party sometimes.
Me: I converted to Amishism and I don't beleive in electronics or machnery, in fact I walked here goodbye.


Lather, Rinse, Repeat at least 4-6 times a year, especially around Christmas,

[Tidusauron12]

For me, there was no difference between the transition from Middle to High. I say according to how you are taught in 8th grade, and how you will be taught in 9th grade (and the atmosphere for both) will be the factors in determining how 'different' high school is from middle school.

[XxKamishiroxX]

I was miserable in high school. <_<

[Sushikins]

Oh yes, High School may seem though, but I'd take going to class everyday and worrying about just homework than worrying about work and having a place to live.

I miss those days now that I think about, it's been almost a year two days ago when I had my graduation ceremony.

[Holy Knight]

It's nothing special. It's a little bit harder, but only for the lower half of the school population and for those who don't at least listen in class. More than half the classes will still be composed of idiots and slackers who can't afford to slack (of course, this varies from school to school), so use that to your advantage and pull ahead by actually studying. You'll notice you could finish most coursebooks in about a week and memorize them in 3, 4 weeks tops.

In short, high school can be either fun, Hell or a stepping stone depending on how you see it. University is where it gets tough. As long as you work, you're fine.

[Sora N]

It’s been 7 years since I’ve graduated…and all I can say is that I’m so happy to be out of high school…

[Hajime Saitou]

High School sucks, you will spend mostof your adult life avoiding people you went to school with when they try to make a conversation with you.

This is the kind of uncomfortable situation you will find yourself in:

That is unbelievably accurate. Seriously. I just broke off contact with most of the people I knew.

Anyway, High School is just like Middle School. Same routine, just with harder subjects. Incoming public service announcement: High School is what you make of it.

Don't read too much into that, it means exactly what it says. If you choose to get into the usual teenager melodrama crap, then expect that kind of experience. If you choose to just sit in the back and mind your own business, then expect that kind of experience. It's up to you.

The most important thing I can possibly say is that High School is High School. When you are done, the people you met and the things you did will most likely play no role in your life besides for what college you get into, if you even choose to do so.

So basically...just get through it and move on is what I'm trying to say.

[Jon]

The food, while still terrible, is a tad better.

[Hajime Saitou]

^You're getting sloppy with the blue :P.

[Jon]

^You're getting sloppy with the blue :P.
I wish there was an option in the control panel to make my posts automatically blue every time I post, rather than manually adding it every time. I get lazy sometimes....

[Hajime Saitou]

I wish there was an option in the control panel to make my posts automatically blue every time I post, rather than manually adding it every time. I get lazy sometimes....

I figure it must be a pain to do that for every post. I would just give up after about 5 posts :lol:. I got your back though, don't worry ;).

[Samurai Drifter]

Middle school was hell.

High school was fun.

There are jerks in high school, too, but they're easier to avoid.

[sasami-riyo]

I get the powerful title of HIGHSCHOOL SENIOR as of August 22.
And as for the advice, highschool is something like enjoyable melancholy. Just a fragment of reality, I guess. I love it and hate it at the same time, and when that happens, just pull out a manga.

[Caine]

Depends on the high school. And the Middle school, really. My experience is so abnormal that anything I say from it will most likely not apply to you. There are, however, some useful facts of life.
1) Dumb people. They exist, they are unavoidable, this will never change
2) dumb teachers: see above
3) no matter how stupid everybody else is, and how easy to get away with some things seem, consequences, or the lack thereof, are a combination of luck, probability, and for some things, experience.
4) buy low, sell high: applicable to a years worth of labs on disk, but be careful to remove names and change a few things, the other guy won't be smart enough to do so.
5) If you are smart, you don't need to take the course in order to help people with their homework, especially applicable to math and physics
6) for the purposes of grades, teachers are always right, even when they're not. This doesn't mean that you should give up, as occasionally one can get a particularly benign teacher, or one with the sufficient form of pride and amount of honor, to alter grades if you are undeniably correct. Not likely, but use your judgement about approaching the teacher
7) yes, the standardized tests are that simple, and yes, therea re people who struggle with them
8) there will always be hoops to jump through, smile for the cameras while jumping

[GreatNekoKoneko]

...i miss high school. though, i had to wear uniforms and such, i still loved the novelty of seeing your female classmates - in sailor suits.

too bad our colors were yellow and navy blue.

[Dr. Ezra]

I get the powerful title of HIGHSCHOOL SENIOR as of August 22.
And as for the advice, highschool is something like enjoyable melancholy. Just a fragment of reality, I guess. I love it and hate it at the same time, and when that happens, just pull out a manga.

You're gonna be a senior and can't spell high(SPACE)school?

Wow...

[Samurai Drifter]

I used to buy packs of Shock Tarts at the school store for 60 cents each and then sell them to people in my classes for a dollar a piece.

Perhaps that will be useful to you.

[Evil_Koala]

More delegating and less directing. :)

[Solid_Snake]

You're gonna be a senior and can't spell high(SPACE)school?

Wow...

Typos are as fun as trolls.

High School was fun.

[Onigiri]

High School sucked tits for me.
That's why I dropped out...twice.

But that's just me. It's a different experience for everyone, so make the best of it and most importantly, stay in school. :]

[Evil_Koala]

High School sucked tits for me.
That's why I dropped out...twice.

But that's just me. It's a different experience for everyone, so make the best of it and most importantly, stay in school. :]

Lol, I added you on myspace. :O

[Hara!]

High School sucks, you will spend mostof your adult life avoiding people you went to school with when they try to make a conversation with you.

This is the kind of uncomfortable situation you will find yourself in:
Me: is me
HSCM: High School Class Mate

Me: So you work at Burger King
HSCM: Yeah, I am going back to school again after I pay off my court fines.
Me: Oh did you get in trouble
HSCM: Yeah, I got in a couple of wrecks and I knocked a girl up
Me: Oh........Did you ever get together with her
HSCM: Well she goes to our alma mater high school and will gradute in 2009.
Me: .........I have to go it was really nice talking to
HSCM: Hey man give me your number or Email address so we can go out and party sometimes.
Me: I converted to Amishism and I don't beleive in electronics or machnery, in fact I walked here goodbye.


Lather, Rinse, Repeat at least 4-6 times a year, especially around Christmas,

I was miserable in high school. <_<

So far, I agree. But I must admit, Media Major and limited electives in the Junior year sound tight. It might get better halfway through.

[Haro!]

corncopp do architecture. Actually don't since none of the good teachers are still there (except maybe Anger, yes that's the guy's last name). Oh and you go to probably the best school ever corncopp how the hell aren't you having a good time?!

[master terrence]

LISTEN TO ME!!

1) get your parents used to the idea of you sleeping over other peoples houses on the whim of a moment. your goal is to have this conversation with them by junior year over a cell phone:

ME: Hey mom, I'm sleeping over here, I'll be back tomorrow morning.
MOM: ok,
ME: ***HANGS UP PHONE***

2) Introduce them to your friends, but just the really nice ones. Get your friends over alot, it helps you accomplish the above step.

3) Start figuring out how you are going to get a car and when you will test. Make sure you have a car before the test so your insurance payment doesn't go to waste.

4) Get your parents accustomed to you just going over someones house randomly, and then get them accustomed to hearing you say "I'm leaving, bye" *shuts door*

Regardless of who you want to be in the future, these above steps will aid you greatly. It doesn't matter if you are a party animal, or a geeky nerd.

[Hara!]

corncopp do architecture. Actually don't since none of the good teachers are still there (except maybe Anger, yes that's the guy's last name). Oh and you go to probably the best school ever corncopp how the hell aren't you having a good time?!

Problems in my life (not just school) are just too much for me right now. Jumior year seems like more fun though.

[Nigokio]

LISTEN TO ME!!

1) get your parents used to the idea of you sleeping over other peoples houses on the whim of a moment. your goal is to have this conversation with them by junior year over a cell phone:

ME: Hey mom, I'm sleeping over here, I'll be back tomorrow morning.
MOM: ok,
ME: ***HANGS UP PHONE***

2) Introduce them to your friends, but just the really nice ones. Get your friends over alot, it helps you accomplish the above step.

3) Start figuring out how you are going to get a car and when you will test. Make sure you have a car before the test so your insurance payment doesn't go to waste.

4) Get your parents accustomed to you just going over someones house randomly, and then get them accustomed to hearing you say "I'm leaving, bye" *shuts door*

Regardless of who you want to be in the future, these above steps will aid you greatly. It doesn't matter if you are a party animal, or a geeky nerd.

AMEN! My parents still to this day are afraid when I leave the house and don't come back until after dark and I'm in college. Moral the moral of the story. Do this now while you have a chance!

[KyouryokuSenshi]

Wait until you get to college. Totally different from grade school altogether. You get to choose when you want to take your classes, leave whenever you want, have classes only a few times a week unless you are going to a UC or something, but you still have a lot more freedom than high school.

[sasami-riyo]

You're gonna be a senior and can't spell high(SPACE)school?

Wow...

:P okay, you can point and laugh at the dumb senior.

[Sendo Takeshi]

You're gonna learn to hate a lot of people. That's all I can say. Also, these are usually the times when dudes start asking for 'teh sex'. Be ready, and above all things, be happy(i.e. miserable times are coming).

[ryushe]

Meh, thinking back on it, high school wasn't so bad. When I was there on the other hand...*Shutter* Try to have fun.....

You're gonna learn to hate a lot of people...
...That unfortunately you have to put up with in your four years attending.

[Chousho]

http://www.designnotes.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/VTK5.JPG

Just say no!


to emos!
This is basically the best advice I can give for any HS student.

[Gannon]

Since your a girl, all I can say is good luck.

...

You'll need it.

[DazzleKitty]

I hated high school. I like college much more. The people there aren't immature pricks anymore.

[Warabit]

I hated high school. I like college much more. The people there aren't immature pricks anymore.

I agree 100%, highschool is...retarded in every way. I dont miss it at all. It deffinetly wasnt awesome. I cant say much about public middle school though. I never went, I was homeschool. Thank God I was.

[Midoriko87]

:lol: Man, I was so scared going into Middle School and High School. My big sisters, big cousins, and older friends would tell these outrageous horror stories. Going into Sixth Grade it was, "Everything has to be written in cursive," and I was all, "NOOOOOOO!!! IS THERE NO GOD?!!" :lol: Nothing was written in cursive. *Relieved* Um, our high school had a nickname, which I won't repeat, but there was the whole, "Don't go into the girls' bathroom alone, 'cause there are girls that'll try to rape you." I was so F'ing scared. And, the school was much bigger, and you'd get classes on completely opposite ends. So, I was told it was damn near impossible to get to your class on time without getting lost. Got there, Nothing. Glad to say I got through HS unraped/unlost/on time. ;)

But you're only concerned with Academics, and you won't be attending a new school, so... Well, I don't know anything about the difficulty of the courses at your school, but I know how it was for me. The work wasn't hard. I've taken Honors (French/English/Calculus) and Advanced Placement (Calculus, U.S. History, English Literature), and I've never felt overwhelmed by any of the material. I've had bad grades, but that's due to my own laziness... I just didn't care enough to put any real effort into much of anything. 'Course, I still graduated with Distinction/more credits than necessary. *Pops Collar* But, I wouldn't expect such feats from every Ol' Joe or Jane. ::smokin: Jokin', of course. :shifty: Still, people seem to not realize that their knowledge will grow as they do. I dunno, people seem to act like they're moving from Pre-Algebra straight to Trigonometry/Precalculus or somethin'.

Oh, the little work permits things were available in the Counselor's Office at my school.

[Mooserocka]

alot easier then college or the mairnes was :P

[Vaikyuko]

High school was ridiculously easy, so I just sort of sat around for three years, took some extra classes, did whatever the hell I wanted, and still graduated a year early. I highly recommend you figure out a way to get cash from your peers for cheap (hell, I lent pencils at a dollar a pop and some idiot was stupid enough to give me a total of twenty bucks, by the end of the year). It beats getting a job, and will keep you with plenty of free time.

Granted, you might want to get a job anyway, just so you're somewhat prepared for what you're going to encounter later in life anyway.

[MonkeyBoy0314]

I graduate from high school on Wednesday, and even though I'm happy to finally be finished, I know there will always be things that I will miss about these years.

Things I will miss:
-Friends
-Teachers
-Being able to live at home (going off to college in August)
-Not having to write as many essays as I know I will be writing next year

Just keep in mind that even through the bad times, you should still cherish them. There are obviously going to be people and moments you are going to hate for the rest of your life, but try not to let that get you down. Remember, things are only as you perceive them to be.

[Jabberwock]

High School sucks, you will spend mostof your adult life avoiding people you went to school with when they try to make a conversation with you.
Hm. Y'know, when I first became an alum, there was nothing I wanted more than to just get away from my ex-classmates.

Today is our fifth year reunion and I feel kinda bad that I can't make it (due to prior engagements and a bout of forgetfulness). Does that make me the person everyone wants to avoid? :(

As for what to expect in high school, much of it depends on your location and the kind of demographic the school entertains. It'll be very cliquish, so be sure to keep an eye out for people whose company you can enjoy for at least four years.

I spent a lot of my senior year doing volunteer work and garnering other important life skills, so I pretty much left on a good note. The previous three were spent being a pain for the faculty and running a few clubs. Your experience will differ, of course, so just keep an open mind--just not too open. That gets you into trouble a lot.

[Alice Catherine]

I used to buy packs of Shock Tarts at the school store for 60 cents each and then sell them to people in my classes for a dollar a piece.

Perhaps that will be useful to you.

I do that already. I buy bulk gum at Sams Club for about...erm...0.65 a pack?

I sell it for 0.90 a pack. It adds up.

[Dr. Ezra]

Prepare yourself for clogged toilets. Lot's of 'em.

Also, don't start off school acting like the new shiz on the block. Don't be a skank, either. People will either love you or hate you for that. All the normal people will hate you.

[Alice Catherine]

My one friend who's actually going to the building is dressing up as Malachi from Children of the Corn on the first day. :lol:

If he makes it through, I will.

[KyouryokuSenshi]

Yeah, I personally didn't think there was much of a difference between high school and middle school except for maybe the dress code isn't as severe in high school and you're planning for college, but I thought there was pretty minimal difference. You rotated classes, crammed for tests (the school district I was in was pretty high on education because the population there is like 80% Asian.) and etc. College is the big leap.

[goddessofanime]

High school is crappy your first year but once that first year goes, it goes by quickly. Enjoy it while you can.

[Dr. Ezra]

My one friend who's actually going to the building is dressing up as Malachi from Children of the Corn on the first day. :lol:

If he makes it through, I will.

That sounds like a dumb idea.

[sasami-riyo]

I plan on wearing my cosplay outfit next year, my senior year, as Cloud Strife. My friend is going to be Ise Nanao, and we hope to make a point of scaring the teachers. Well, actually just making them wonder how much longer it is until we graduate...)

[Alice Catherine]

That sounds like a dumb idea.

Well, everyone in our town is:

A) Ultra religious

and they believe in:

B) Any demon they see in movies

It seems like the perfect plan...TO GET PERMABANNED FROM BOYERTOWN! I'LL SAVE YA, BILLY!

[Amuro]

Well, in high school, people are generally focused on keeping their on-paper statistics (grades, SAT scores, official extracurriculars, work) up and therefore have less time for their personal pursuits. Specific example: An extremely intelligent and self-motivated friend of mine, who spent all his free time learning new programming languages and self-studying ahead of the high school math curriculum, went to a far worse college than students who simply devoted the main bulk of their resources to school work and then also did every sport and club they could fit in.

As for the social aspect, high school is when a lot of people start indulging in more drinks, drugs, etc. I "lost" several close friends to drugs, who transferred from our school to technical schools when their parents decided "This child has no collegiate future." Also, a far smaller percentage of people had girl-friends/boy-friends in high school than they did in middle-school, because a. they had become less superficial and didn't want a partner just for the heck of it, as the novelty of dating was long-gone and b. there was simply no time for it because of the reasons described in my first paragraph.

[Caster13]

as of June 15 it will be one year since i graduated from High School. one thing that sucks: you cant date High School girls unless theyre a senior. anything else is just, well, wrong. and seeing as a lot of the girls you know are now away at college your options are limited when you only go for one subject at the community college (automotive) and its all guys and they all have records and do drugs. Bernard you hit it right on the head. a lot of the people i see from high school are like the person in your scenario. im gonna take more classes in the fall, but it still sucks.

now i just got a new job, and the thing is that a bunch of the girls that work their as waitresses and such are really cute. for those of you that like maids, you would LOVE this job.:lol: one problem: company policy is that there is to be no relationships between member of the opposite sex for employees and bosses. for that i am really, REALLY pissed off. and i love this job, so i have to put up with it.

working at a country club is a hell of a lot better than fast food. plus the people there are awesome.

oh, and high school f***ing sucks.

[goddessofanime]

Well, everyone in our town is:

A) Ultra religious

and they believe in:

B) Any demon they see in movies

It seems like the perfect plan...TO GET PERMABANNED FROM BOYERTOWN! I'LL SAVE YA, BILLY!

Are you from Boyertown?

You're not that far from me...

[Alice Catherine]

Boyertown, PA?

Yeah, that's where I live. I live in the middle of nowhere. WITH BILLY! *huggles the pseudo-Malachi*

[Sendo Takeshi]

That sounds like a dumb idea.

Co-sign on this. If I were to see something like that, I'd beat you up and take your lunch money.

[Illusions-chan]

Frankly, I'm also going to be a senior come fall and I can say truthfully, high school isn't that bad.

It depends on how you approach. If you come in afraid, you will realize at the end of the day how silly you were in the morning. Nothing is too bad. In actuality, you won't get ragged on or anything because all of the upperclassmen will also be in the same position of finding their own way through, especially since most of them will spend most of their time talking and gossiping in the halls. Once you make into your classes, you'll actually have a high chance of making friends with upperclassmen. I know that most of my closet friends were upperclassmen to me. Don't worry about bullying or ragging. By now, people have grown out of that. And if they are jerky, give them the one finger wave. Don't be shy or timid. Let people know that you're not going to let anyone walk over you.

As for your classes and teachers; Yes, they will be harder. Fact of life. You just have to get into the rhythm and then you'll be fine. Stay on your teachers' good side, but again, always make sure that you are respected as a person. If some teacher's giving you hell, sic your parents on them. It's funny as hell.

Most of all, the thing is to come with no fear. In less than a week, it'll feel like you've been going there forever and you'll wonder why you were even afraid. High school is not as horrible as people say it is. If you try and make the most of it, it can be quite a memorable experience.

[akutenshi00]

So over random MMO games and such, I rarely see people from PA... I think I've already seen more people from PA on this forum than I have on any MMO game I've played.

School was easy... boring too. I don't think that ever changed no matter what grade I was in. I never over-analyzed it.

[Alice Catherine]

Co-sign on this. If I were to see something like that, I'd beat you up and take your lunch money.

I told him that but he says that He Who Walks Among The Rows would save him or something like that.

They seriously should not have watched that movie. I think Billy may have been high at the time and now he thinks he's Malachi's reincarnation. He's gonna get his *** kicked.

[Caster13]

one thing: DONT BE OBNOXIOUS AND COCKY!:mad: one of the most hated things in highschool is an obnoxious freshman. hell sometimes an entire year's worth of freshman are intensely hated. know your place. you are at the bottom of the ladder. you have to earn a reputation. and as you go through highschool, you will know more and more why this is true. high school is a caste system.

[Evil_Koala]

Do you really need advice on doing something you've been doing for 8 years? >_> And don't listen to Kenpachi...Freshmen aren't hated...I wasn't even hazed personally...nor were any of my Freshmen peers. The worst that happens is you could get called "Dumb Fish" or "Stupid Freshman"

If High School was a caste system everybody would be a Freshman since that's what you start out as...And in a caste system you can't advance in society...>_>

[The Million Dollar Prons]

I told him that but he says that He Who Walks Among The Rows would save him or something like that.

They seriously should not have watched that movie. I think Billy may have been high at the time and now he thinks he's Malachi's reincarnation. He's gonna get his *** kicked.

Props for mentioning stephen king on my internet

[Midoriko87]

Do you really need advice on doing something you've been doing for 8 years? >_> And don't listen to Kenpachi...Freshmen aren't hated...I wasn't even hazed personally...nor were any of my Freshmen peers. The worst that happens is you could get called "Dumb Fish" or "Stupid Freshman"

I think it varies from school to school. If I'm remembering correctly, nothing was done to the boys, but the 9th Grade girls were called "Fresh Meat" for the first couple of days, and a few got placed on top of trashcans by 11th/12th Grade dudes (most of them were on the football team). Still, they were just playing around. I mean, ON TOP of trashcans.

To my knowledge, problems only arose when a Freshman (Sophomore) girl started going out with a popular 12th Grade boy. Or, when Freshman (and Sophomore) girls attended the Senior prom.

[Caster13]

thanks Midoriko. yea, a senior or junior going out with a freshman isnt right. a freshman guy dating an older girl in high school does give him popularity points. and the whole jock bullying thing that everyone thinks of doesnt even happen that often.

however, be prepared to see some young girls getting pregnant. you might even know them. and a lot of times the guy will ditch. also, the bathrooms will reek of cigarretes and probably weed, which smells kind of like burning leaves. there will also be a lot of rich kids you know driving around in a brand new BMW or something. oh, and unless you live in a rare world the cheerleaders will usually be all ****s except for one or two. and you will meet quite a lot of anime fans too. there may even be an anime club.

and trust me, the person who came up with the saying that your high school years are the best ones of your life was a demented principal trying to make a good graduation speech.

[Alice Catherine]

Props for mentioning stephen king on my internet

Stephen King is WINNAR MAN on your internets, no?

[RPGQueen]

High school is way better than JH. The work load is not that bad, it's easer than collage. I had no friends in JH but in HS I was actually popular, not A-crowd clique popular, but I had lots of friends. Fear not HS rocks.

[Evil_Koala]

I think it varies from school to school. If I'm remembering correctly, nothing was done to the boys, but the 9th Grade girls were called "Fresh Meat" for the first couple of days, and a few got placed on top of trashcans by 11th/12th Grade dudes (most of them were on the football team). Still, they were just playing around. I mean, ON TOP of trashcans.

To my knowledge, problems only arose when a Freshman (Sophomore) girl started going out with a popular 12th Grade boy. Or, when Freshman (and Sophomore) girls attended the Senior prom.

You might be right...Or I may just be too big a nerd to notice those sorts of things...I just stick to my work and don't **** with Varsity players.