I need help for my High School Freshman?

Question

My 14 year old daughter is entering high school tomorrow and she is a freshman. She is soo incredibly nervous and I really want to help her. It dosen't help that I was recently diagnosed with heart failure and her grandfather is dying of cancer, so she really has aLOT of stress on her. Any ideas how I can help? I'm really interested to hear from anyone, but especially kids her age, or someone that just came out of the 9th grade. Thanks.

Answer 1

Make her her favourite breakfast and pack a really nice lunch. Include a note of love and encouragment in her lunch.
If she wants to be picked up after school, do so, but have something special for her when she gets home... a small gift or decorate and have a nice cake or her favourite desert.
This advice was relayed to me by my own 14 year old (word for word) who just finished grade 9.
hope you have a great day!!
Blessings

Answer 2

Nearly every child in America is frightened by the prospect of entering high school. This is one of the most traumatic experiences in your daughter's life so far (assuming that she's had a relatively "normal" childhood).

Telling her that this will be a great opportunity to make new friends is not going to help. In fact, it may make her more anxious. She does not need anything else NEW at this point.

If she will be going to school with other kids who she knew in elementary or middle school, have her sit down with a pencil and paper (the ACT is important) and make a list of students who are her friends or acquaintances.

Being able to look at something tangible will help to alleviate the stress. Just verbally listing names does not have the same effect.

If she doesn't know anybody at all at her new school, just tell her about your experience when you started high school. Don't give her advice. Typically, that's the last thing that a fourteen-year-old wants from a parent. However, she will listen to stories about your background.

If possible, use both of the above suggestions. If you can think of something that you experienced which turns out to have been "funny" in retrospect, be sure to include this. (She'll figure out that it was not the end of your life. But don't tell her that.)

Above all else, she needs to know that she has your unconditional love. Again, it's best to show this in some way, rather than just telling her so.

Keep one thing in mind: If you hadn't done a good job of raising her so far, she wouldn't really care what others would think about her tomorrow. The fact that she is so nervous indicates that she has a positive self-image that she wants desperately to protect. Letting her stay up a bit late to telephone her friends and discuss what they are going to wear tomorrow is also reassuring. And, staying up late this one time is not going to damage her health or set a precedent. After all, this is a special time.

I wish you and her the best of luck.


________________________

By the way, I believe in the adage that you get what you pay for. Rest assured that if you had made an appointment to see me, you or your insurance would have paid $120.

Answer 3

I'll be a freshman on Wednesday and I'm quite nervous also. What helps me is knowing that no matter what happens my parents are there for me. I'm really nervous because I'm starting a completely new school system, since I was 4 years old I have been at one school and now I have to go to another school system (from private Christian sheltered school to social status is everything private school). It is going to be different than my old ways, but I know a lot of (most of) the kids in my class so I hope to do ok. My main concern is my grades, I am very adamant about getting all A's and I don't want going into a new school to mess up what I've worked for since before 1st grade. My conflict I will confront probably for the next 4 years is being socially accepted. My old school had all kids who listened to Christian music only, except a few and I was one of those few. (I've always been "different", never wore the right clothes, only blues jeans and t-shirts and I listen to older music) I don't dress like the other girls because that just isn't me. I like the same kind of music that was "cool" when my parents were my age (late 60's rock when they were kids, some 70's, a lot of 80's and 90's, and old rock like The Who and such), I don't care for the new wave of musicians so those are the things that will stress me out. I've never really been a popular striving girl, I've always been somewhat popular just because I was active in SGA and I was the school newspaper editor. I know, not much of the clothes and such will matter 10 years from now, but kids can be cruel and I know I'll be hurt along the way.

I don't know what to tell you so you can help your daughter because everyone is different. Maybe, just help her with her anxiety area (clothes, music, grades, socially acceptable, being behind). I'm sure all freshmen will get the hang of it by year's end, many have before us and many will after. Then we'll just have to start over with being sophomores. :)

Answer 4

I just got out of 9th grade and you get call a freshman ALOT. As well as getting pick on a little bit but its really fun other wise going to the football games and what not. I was nervous too, but after the first month she will meet new friends and that will take her mine off things. You should also ask her how her day was every day, it a nice way to talk to her. Also make sure to ask her if she has done ALL of her homework and offer to help her.

Our school doesn't start till September 5th

Answer 5

Hello, I will be a Junior this year. My first day of High School I was incredibly nervous. Just remind her that it is everyone's first day and everyone else is nervous too. But the school understands this and will make the incoming freshmen as comfortable as possible. The horror stories involving the first day of school are absolutely untrue, there is no more hazing and if a Senior or other older student is rude, she can report them to the Principle. Tell her I said good luck! And good luck with you and your Father or Father-In-Law. :)

Answer 6

I remember about 5 years ago when this happened to me. i could not sleep the whole night! Just like everything give it time. Her heart will begin to race when you pull up to the school but it will soon go away when she sees a few familiar faces from jr. high! trust me she will have no problem. Also let her know if she has questions to ask faculty because the upper classmen will throw her around to try and be funny. Hope this somewhat helps!

Answer 7

Hi. I'm 15, 16 in Sept. High school is going to be tough, she needs to know that. It's especially bad for girls, some guys are pervs, and alot of girls are mean cats. She needs to prepare for that.

As far as family problems and sick family....My mom is dead and I don't know where my dad is, and I almost never sleep in the same place twice just so I don't gotta deal with the state. So she should realize life could be worse. Some people have told me to trust God's plan even if it seems messed up. It's hard, but if you believe, it can get you through.

Most of all, tell her to keep her head up, learn to stay strong in her beliefs, but also learn to bend with what comes at you, and always always greet life with open arms and a smile.

Trust me, evenif she seems to ignore you, she's listening.

Answer 8

Do you have any friends with daughters or sons who are going to the high school? Maybe if you let her know about them, she can have someone to run to if she's stressed out on the first day. Either that, or tell her you'll treat her to something extra special after the first day is done and over with. Take it from a high school Senior--the first day of high school is a breeze, and LOADS of fun!

Answer 9

I am a ninth grade teacher. I hope that she had a chance to walk around the school and find her classes before school starts tomorrow. Most schools have a day just for the freshmen to start and find their classes. It would help if she has a place pre-arranged to meet her friends for lunch. She should try to understand what all of her teachers expect of her. It also really helps to join activities. SHe will have her mind occupied with fun things and she will meet new friends. Good luck to her and you!

Answer 10

being a female even though i was in high school a few years ago but i would just say make sure she has a way to get to school and a way to get home nothing sucks more then being late on your first day of high school and waiting for a ride and make sure she feels comfortable in her clothes when your uncomfy then you will show it and thwe whole day your worried about your clothes and after school make sure you sit with her and let her tell you what she thought don't interupt her unless she asks your opinion and do this everyday she'll be happier she has an ear at home waiting for her and get to know her friends let them come over just let her have a happy place to be when she's not at school but make sure she knows your limits but dont yell at her infront of her friends she'll resent you for along time for that