9th Grade Strategies for Success

Jan 21

Get good grades:

Grades matter now! How you perform in 9th grade will set you up for success in high school and beyond. There have been many studies to support this fact.
You and only you are responsible for your grades. Therefore, complete classwork and homework to the best of your ability.
Remember that your grades count now towards your GPA and your final average in each class will appear on your transcript. If you don’t do well in 9th grade then it will be harder for you to raise your average and you will be working much harder later on in high school.

Select a balanced course load:

Each year, take competitive courses where you can challenge your intellect and excel.
The right placement in your classes is important as you want to do well academically. If you are in an AP class and earning a 70 average then you will be better served taking a Regents level course where you may earn a 90.
Illicit feedback from both your school counselor and current teachers as to what course recommendations they feel would be best for you.
World Languages – the majority of colleges like to see at least three years of language in high school to give you a competitive edge.

Get involved:

Extra-curricular activities allow you to develop social, leadership and time management skills which are equally important to academics. It also provides you with an opportunity to get more involved in areas of interest and to meet like minded peers.
Be consistent within your activities. You don’t need to participate in ten activities but become more heavily involved in areas that you feel passionate about and that hold significance to you. Show responsibility and work towards becoming a leader within these activities.
Community service involvement – donate your time to make your school, community, and world a better place. While community service should be done because you genuinely want to help others, it will also strengthen your character, enhance your resume and lead you to be viewed more favorably to college admissions officers and scholarship committees.

Develop relationships with your school counselor and teachers:

The relationships you establish while in school are very important. They provide you with a support system as well as help you with post-graduation planning.
Take initiative to get to know your school counselor as well as your teachers. This will enable them to get to know your strengths and weaknesses as a student and will provide you with insight and ways to reach your maximum potential.
These adults will also provide references for employment, letters of recommendation to college and valuable support in times of need.

Get organized (learn time management, organization and study skills):

Showing responsibility over your learning and an ability to organize and prioritize academic demands and extra-curricular activities are important indicators of success in high school and beyond.
Develop and enhance your study skills. Figure out your learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) what environment and what strategies will help you to remember and learn the material best.
Enhance your organizational skills and time management skills. Set goals for yourself and utilize a calendar or planner to break down assignments and prioritize tasks. Organize your materials, locker and work space.
There are several apps that can help with organization and programs available like Google Keep that will help you to become more organized and efficient.

OTHER:

If you need any help with planning or support through freshman year, then please reach out to me at lisa@guidance411.com. Happy to help!

Spring of Junior Year