Let’s be real here: We’re going to miss Summer…a lot! Many of us will be in denial for a while and in this denial we often start school the wrong way. We forget to complete assignments, the test that’s coming up even though school started two days ago or it seems like we already got on our teacher’s bad side through some badly timed comments. So is there a way to fight the post-summer depression? It’ll be hard, but we can certainly try! Here are some ways to do that:

Acknowledge that it’s a new school year! Remember that test from last year or that test that you didn’t do so great on? Or the teacher that scared you? That’s last year’s problem! This year you can start fresh and do whatever you want to do.

Make sure to set some goals for yourself. In fact, some teachers will make writing a goal sheet your first assignment. Goals can help you stay organized and stay focused on what you want to achieve instead of getting stuck on the small details along the way.

This next tip has been said millions of times but it cannot be stressed enough: Get involved! There are myriad of activities to get involved in at Prairie Ridge (click here for the list!). Joining clubs or sports not only looks good on college applications but also raises self-esteem, teaches time management, builds strong relationship skills, and makes a contribution to the school.

In class it’s always a good idea to take notes and try your best to understand. Writing the same things the teacher writes is not a good strategy. You have to be able to absorb and apply the material. And if you do not understand something, just ask the teacher to help.

The teachers at PR are an incredible resource for your success. There also plenty of online resources! Don’t rely on them too much, just know that they are always available when you don’t have time to ask your teacher.

In addition, NEVER be afraid to ask your teacher for help. It is just a waste of time to worry about looking stupid, embarrassed or scared when it comes to asking for help. It is important to know that asking for help is its own kind of strength.

High school is a challenge. Seniors know this, Juniors know this, Sophomores know this and Freshmen are about to figure this out. But a large part of life is learning to overcome these obstacles. Starting out strong can help you adapt and be more successful.