Surviving Freshman Year 101

Meet the Counseling Team Mrs. Wiseman (A-Ba) Mrs. Wells (Cos-Gom) Mrs. Cooper (Kas-Mill) Mr. Strowe (Rem-S) Mrs. Rowland (Be-Cor) Mrs. Roach (Gon-Kar) Mr. Storey (Min-Rel) Ms. Foster (T-Z, Foreign Exchange) Ms. Vinson, Testing Coordinator

How are you Feeling about the Transition so far?

What can my Counselor help me with?

How can we help you with school? Grades. Grades. Grades. Every POINT counts – GPA Study – this may be new??? Tutoring – teachers are here to help! Eagle Time Be an ACTIVE learner

Grades, Grades, Grades The GPA you will use for your college admissions application will be your cumulative GPA, from the fall of your freshman year through the spring of your junior year. Your grades are very important - make the most of this year!

Think positive and do your best!! Study Skills 101 Pay attention in class. Take good notes. Keep an organized notebook for each subject. Know the purpose of each assignment. Ask questions in class. Review, Review, REVIEW! It can help you retain 80% of the information. Plan a definite time and place for studying each day. Study for a while and take short breaks. Don’t cram for hours the night before a test, study a little bit each day. Think positive and do your best!!

Learn how to take good notes…

Three Key Steps to Good Time Management Create a Weekly Schedule Organize your regular activities Determine your free time Look at hours spent on extra-curricular activities See how much you study Know how and where you tend to waste time Make a Daily To-Do List Create a list to organize your time and then check them off as you complete them to give you a sense of accomplishment. Remember – Breaking down large projects into smaller tasks that you can accomplish in small chunks of time is one of the most effective time management strategies! Organize your Long-Term Plans Use a monthly/yearly calendar to write down due dates for assignments, tests and projects to help prevent last minute cramming for tests or rushing big projects.

More Time Management Advice Keep your work with you. Don’t be afraid to say no. Find your productive time. Create a dedicated study time. Budget your time. Don’t get sidetracked. Get a good night’s sleep. Make the tasks that are worth the most and due the soonest your #1 priority!

Graduation Requirements: 4 credits of English 4 credits of Math Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, 4th Math 4 credits of Science Biology, IPC or Chemistry, 3rd Science, 4th Science The STEM Endorsement requires Physics and some colleges require Physics 4 credits of Social Studies World Geography/AP Human Geography World History US History Government/Economics 2 credits of a Language other than English (LOTE) 1 credit of PE/Athletics/Band Waiver 1 credit of Fine Arts 6 credits of Electives =26 Total credits required for Graduation

Endorsements Listed on Transcript Listed on your transcript Endorsements Listed on Transcript Stem Business & Industry Public Service Arts & Humanities Multidisciplinary

STAAR EOC Passing Requirements English I English II Biology Algebra I US History

Career Planning College Planning Learning Styles

Tips & Tricks to Surviving Freshman Year! Freshman year counts. Not easy to catch up. Don’t sacrifice your grades for your social life. Don’t skip classes and miss homework/not making up missed work. Don’t assume that you are not doing well because the teacher “just doesn’t like you.” Not getting involved in extracurricular activities makes a difference. Not asking for help will hurt you. Learn to advocate for yourself. Don’t take classes just because your friends are/aren’t taking them. Surround yourself with people that have similar goals.

YOU WILL SURVIVE!

Is Stress Good or Bad? A normal response. “Good Stress” vs. “Bad Stress” Short term stress can motivate and give a person the extra energy to complete a task successfully However, prolonged and/or extreme stress can wear down the body and cause negative behaviors. Remember that EVERYONE has stress, so always be KIND!

Always stop and think about it… What is the problem? What are your options? What do you have control over? BREATHE

Social Media…are you letting it define you??

Social Media and College Admission/Job Search 40% of college admissions officers check social media to see if an applicant is a good fit for that college 70 % of U.S. business managers say they decided not to hire a job candidate based upon something found out about the candidate online. So… Remember…once you post something online, it’s there forever. Don’t upload something you don’t want EVERYONE to see.

How Do You Define Resilience??

Group Activity

How Would YOU Bounce Back? Scenario A. Your parents have just told you that you are moving to a new city. You have lots of friends here and are happy at your school. You plead with them to stay but they have made up their minds. You are dreading the move. What can you do to help yourself feel better?  Scenario B. You have had a falling out with your friend. They refuse to make up and have been talking about you to others. It is worrying you and you don’t want to tell anyone in case it angers them further. You are losing sleep and imagining the worst.   What can you do to help yourself feel better?   Scenario C. You find yourself worrying about everything: your homework, your friendships, your looks. You are beginning to feel you are hopeless and can’t do anything right. What can you do to help yourself feel better?