Recently, Grade Six children across the island got back their performance results for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams. Along with their assessment grades and scores, they were told which school they each will be attending come September. It was reported that 93 per cent of the children got the opportunity to attend a school they had listed as a preference, awarded based on a ranking system of their individual performance— this also meant that a 7% did not get their wish as a result of under-performance, or the dreaded home-to-school distance placement we call ‘zoning’. But… that’s just life ¯_(ツ)_/¯ 

But no matter which school’s uniform you’ll be wearing in the new school year, there are some rules of socialization and academic performance that hold true for near every school. I’ve tried my best to be inclusive and considerate to the different personality types, behaviours and school cultures I have observed during my time in high school. 

Here are Fifteen Rules to help you navigate through High School (“PRO tips” included):

1.  

The school days are long

You will be getting up earlier. You will be going home later. If you decide to do extra-curricular activities (which you should), that adds to the amount of time out of your day that will be dedicated to school activities. Also, one has to consider the daily TASK of getting to and from school, especially when you take public transportation. 

2.   Canteen lines are long.

You’ll be going to an institution with roughly 2000 other students, getting food will be a task, especially from common sources. Also, some of your seniors will cut the line to get what they want and you’re just going to have to take it. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be doing the same, yourselves, to some freshers.

PRO tip: Carry food, water, and beverages from home.

3.     Know your Class schedule.

It is wise to memorize your timetable so you can always be present, on-time and ready for the particular class or event.

PRO tip: Make a personalised version of your schedule on an application like Microsoft Excel or Word. Print it. Carry it around. Never forget!

4.     Know your Teachers

Try to know your teacher’s (last) names, subject departments, staff room desk location and their supervisors (and even their supervisor’s supervisor). This information will come in handy to you ESPECIALLY when it comes to assignments and dispute resolutions between you and a classmate (or you and the teacher). Study the chain of command!    

5.     Protect your Spine

Do not carry excess weight in your backpack. Stick to the note books for that day and the prescribed text books for that day— ask a classmate or the teacher if you’re not sure.

PRO tip: If your school avails lockers to the students, try to get one.    

6.     GPA lives matter!

Know that every piece of graded homework and project that you do (or don’t do), every test and exam that you pass and fail, every oral and Power Point presentation will be boiled down to a delicate 3 spaced decimal figure that will greatly influence where you go and what you do when High School is over called your ‘Grade Point Average’ or GPA. Nourish your GPA! GPAs Matter!    

 PRO tip: Find out and keep track of grades you receive to contest errors on your report card and GPA.

7.  Practise proper conflict resolution.

No fighting, no scratching, no biting, no pushing, no shoving, no grabbing and no screaming matches! If you have a problem with a peer, take it to a teacher, a prefect, the Dean… SOMEBODY. Resorting to barbaric methods of conflict resolution will lead to demerits, detentions and suspensions, which reflect very badly on your PERMANENT record and will bar you from achieving things you’re going to want in your latter years of high school. Take heed!

8.  Teachers are People Too.

Don’t forget that teachers are people too. They get frustrated, disappointed and annoyed as you do. Be mindful of how they’re feeling and forgive them their sins just have they have forgiven you. Don’t take it personal if a teacher is mean, they could just be having a bad day. ¯_(ツ)_/¯    

9.     Being ‘Cool’ is overrated.

Expurgation of the truth is a lie. I have to admit that being popular, the right kind of popular, can access for you a mountain of social capital to open certain doors around you, however, don’t try too hard to be cool. Don’t be a clown, don’t try to fit in with the wrong crowd, and don’t overcompensate for what you lack… sometimes being a regular kid is the best thing for YOU.

PRO tip: Be yourself and know that whoever you attract to your life is  genuinely meant to be in it.    

 10.     Join a Club!

Extra-curriculars are a great way to hone skills and talents, meet new friends, network, and learn valuable life lessons. Get involved in something you are GENUINELY interested in and try to make your mark! 

 11.     Hygiene is Key

Make your parents proud and diligently do what they’ve been teaching you for years:

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[naviga:li]Take regular showers (before, after, and sometimes during school);[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Use deodorant;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Brush your teeth;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Wash your hair;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Clean your nails and ears;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Wear clean clothes and shoes;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Carry extra clothes for physical activity, and;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Don’t get too sweaty and stinky when you don’t have to.[/naviga:li]

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Doing everything on this list is non-negotiable! Plus, it will save you LOADS of embarrassment.

PRO tip: Carry hand sanitizers, mouth wash, wet wipes, and shoe brushes in your back pack. 

12.  Invest in stationery

Stock and have a good supply of all the equipment you’ll need for classes: pens, pencils, calculators, geometry sets, markers, highlighters, folder paper, etc. Try your best not to borrow simple items from your classmates. This is a good practice for the rest of your life. “A builder can’t work without his tools!”

PRO tip: Mark your name and a secret personal symbol on everything you own to protect against theft.

13.     Have a ‘To-do’ book

Have pocket book dedicated to writing down all your assignments and errands so you don’t forget to do them. Have that book with you at all times. Mark check-boxes for things you’ve completed. 

14.     Have Good Penmanship.

 If you have beautiful handwriting like myself, good for you! But if your penmanship is awful and barely legible like mine was at a point in my school life (shudders), start practising how to write better. Bad penmanship makes a teacher’s work more difficult and ACTUALLY has consequential effects on you grades. Good penmanship makes your work clearer and teachers more enthused to fairly grade your paper. Don’t lose marks for ugly penmanship.

15.     Take a Breath.

Remember you are human and you too can fail, so cut yourself some slack. If you fall down, get right back up. Remember to acknowledge that you are NOT perfect. Remember to embrace your insecurities and wear them on your chest: Claim the confidence and drive that owning up to who you are has, and be a star!

–Kiseon Thompson