Welcome to high school! This year I’m sure some things are quite different from what you expected when you imagined your freshman year. My top priority for 9th graders is to have a smooth transition to high school and lay the foundation for a successful...
Congratulations on making it through your first year of high school! The upside of this disrupted year is that the rest of your high school experience should go more smoothly by comparison. You've certainly been well-prepared to deal with any curve balls that come your...
If you're enjoying nice spring weather you may also be dreaming about summer. I'm finding that my students have gotten a later start this year than usual on their summer plans since the choices have been a moving target. Fortunately, many camps and programs have...
I hope your freshman year is going well academically and that you’re able to find some non-academic activities to enjoy. The limits on our options are discouraging but still life somehow goes on. If you haven’t explored any extracurricular opportunities this year such as clubs,...
For the past few months I've shared my thoughts on making the most of your 9th grade year: settling into high school, setting goals, assessing your progress and exploring new opportunities. However, there's not really that much to actually do in 9th grade with respect...
Whether you make formal New Year’s resolutions or not, the end of the year is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the last one and set some intentions for the next one. What goals might you want to pursue in 2021? Or if that's too...
Report cards are starting to arrive and I hope you're pleased with your first high school grades. Any time you receive an evaluation is a good opportunity to do a self-assessment as well. What went well this term and what didn’t? What might you want...
Despite the fact that it's surely not what you pictured for your start to high school, I hope you've had a good beginning to your year. And despite all the changes we're dealing with, my goal for 9th graders is the same as it always...
Welcome to high school! Your top priority for 9th grade is to lay the foundation for a successful high school experience. While remote or hybrid learning is a strange way to begin your high school career and presents unique challenges, you can position yourself for...
As this strange and difficult school year wraps up, I hope you are able to take a meaningful break. Once you’ve had some time to relax and refresh, I recommend you spend some time reflecting on your first year of high school and what you...