I've been homescooled all my life - now I'm starting school. Help?

Question

I'm almost 15, and up untill now I've been homeschooled. But due to parents working and things l ike that, I'm going to start school in the fall.

The thing is, I don't even know simple things about school -
Do I bring my all books with me to every class?
Is taking notes allowed?
Who do I sit with at lunch if I don't know anyone?

Stuff like that, I have no idea.. if someone could help with all I should know about going to school.. I'd be so grateful!
Thanks so much in advance!

Answer 1

- you will probably get a locker - so you don't need to lug ALL your books - just the book(s) for that class and notebooks

- yes taking notes is allowed - last time I checked - its why you are there..

- try sitting by yourself at lunch, inevitably - some kind people will recognize you as being new and invite you to join them.

things to avoid :
- judging people
- 'ratting' or tattle tailing
- failing to have a sense of humour
- sucking up to teachers and authority figures
- dressing too conservative -or - too out there

don't worry about it - be yourself, but be somewhat reserved in so far as offering "too much information" until you've gotten a sense of your environment..

trust me you'll be fine - millions of kids transfer to new schools all the time..

good luck!

Answer 2

You will be fine! It's not that difficult and you'll fall right into it!!

You will get a locker - where you can store books and personal items. Kids do things different ways. Whatever suits them. Some will carry ALL of their books around with them all day - because it's not convenient to go to their locker in between classes. Some just go to their locker once a day - like at lunch - and switch their books around. And then most go by their lockers at the end of school and get what they will need for homework that night.

YES! Taking notes is allowed and a good thing. You will need to do it. I don't know if there was much lecturing or note taking when you were homeschooled - but you'll get the hang of it - if you havn't already done it.

Hopefully - your parents kept you socially involved in other ways (Girl Scouts, church groups, sports teams - whatever) Is there anyone from those social activities who will be at your school? If so - check in with them - and let them know that you'd really appreciate their support in the fall when you show up at school for the first time.

Who should you sit with at lunch? Well - that's a tough one. The way most schools work today - you can pretty much do whatever you want at lunch. It's not like everybody is in the cafeteria and sitting at tables. Some even allow you to leave campus. At first - it might be best to just bring your lunch (unless that's TOTALLY uncool - which stupidly - it is at some schools) and munch on it while your read a book - under a tree on the lawn or whatever.

I started a new school my Freshman year - and it was VERY hard. Everybody already knew each other - many of them since kindergarten - and they had their friends and their cliques. What helped me a lot was when I started doing theatre. I fit in - and was pretty skilled in the craft - and I made a lot of friends there - and we had a common interest. I also was in the band - and made friends there.

Sign up for some clubs or activities that sing to your heart. You'll meet people that way.

Also - have your parents take you to the school - so you can walk around - and get to know your way around and where all of your classes are. That will make it a little bit more familiar for you and you won't be so lost on the first day. Also- the school might set up a "shadowing" for you near the end of this school year. That would mean that you just go around the school - with an assigned student - and go through the school day - so you see what the school is like on an average day. Shadowing would allow you to meet some people before next year - and you'd have some familiar faces in the fall.

My heart goes out to you - but I know you'll be fine. Good luck!

Answer 3

Hmmm... I'm a year older than you, but have been at regular school all my life, and am starting homeschool in the fall.... how ironic!

First of all, make sure that you get into activities at school, that way, if you dont know anybody, it'll be a great way to make friends with people who are interested in the same stuff as you.

2nd- The textbook thing depends on your school. You can find out the answer to that question, when you go to register. Ask an administrator if they have the students carry their books around, or if they have lockers. If you have a locker, you can keep everything in there, except for the book and things you need for your next class. At my school, they have it really simple, where we have a class set of our textbooks in each classroom, and then everyone has a set that they've checked out, at their house, for homework and stuff like that, so we never have to carry any books around!

3rd- Yes! Taking notes is always allowed! In fact, most teachers encourage it greatly, so you can take them home and study for tests! Just stay orginized, and it will all work out.

4th- Chances are, unless you go to a really awful school where everybody hates eachother (VERY low chance!) By the time lunch time rolls around, you will have already met a few people, and if they have the same lunch hour as you, you can sit with them. Theres ALWAYS at least one outgoing person, that will come up and talk to the new girl. At my school, everybody gets all dorky and excited when someone new transfers in, and everybody wants to talk and meet them!

Just relax, and be yourself! Everything will turn out okay!

The best of luck!

email me at:
[e-mail]
if you have anymore questions, and I'll be happy to chat!

Answer 4

There's really not much you do need to know before going to a public schools, You don't have to bring ALL your books to every class... usually you get a break on luch, most kids put their first second third and fourth period books in their lockers and thenafter lucnh only bring the remaining period books to their classes. it's much easier this way. As for whot sit with at lucnh, just find a table and sit, you should meet people in your classes, maybe they'll invite you to sit with them, if not, sitting where ever you find a seat will be an opportunity to meet new people! Taking noties is ALWAYS alllowed, the teachers will also think you are a good student if you take notes which is also good, you need something to be able to study with later, those notes will be a big help and they agree with taking notes, some teachers ask you to take notes. I think you will be fine, just don't associate with people you think are bad news, you don't need the high school drama brung onto talking to bad influences. It's very nervous going to a new school, but you will be fine, just do what you need to do and ask a teacher or principle if you have questions. You'll get the hang of it.

Answer 5

I was homeschooled too and I know how you feel! No you do not bring all of your books to your classes, you will probably be provided with a locker, especially in highschool. Taking notes is absolutely allowed! A teacher wouldn't stop from doing that. If you are the only one taking notes in the class, big whooped, you are going to be the one who will ace all the tests! When I first went to a public school I always had a hard time finding and making friends and I always sat at lunch alone all by myself but if you go down into the cafeteria regularly, people will begin to notice you and will get to know you more as they talk to you. On my first day of highschool, I felt left out because I didn't know anyone at the school, but when I sat in the cafeteria all alone, people began to notice me, and the person who invited me to her table, is now my best friend. That could honestly happen to you! I believe it can but you have to accept that it takes time to make new friends. Going from homeschooled to a public school is very different, but different in a good way. I hope I helped and have fun in highschool,...if you are in highschool. GOOD Luck!!

Answer 6

Ok about the books it depends usually the first week you probably dont... it also depends on the teacher and they'll tell you if you should or not. But bring a note book and some pens/pencils.

Note taking is allowed.

Try to make friends talk to the people in class but dont get upset if you dont have any friends the first few days...

Read the rules.. or not but know some of them. Cuz most/some schools dont allow cellphones, make up, etc....

It'll take a little time getting used to but as long as you be yourself and have fun.. everything will be fine :)

Good luck and HAVE FUN :D

Answer 7

Things to know about high school:

1) It will be tough. Not just academically, but socially. I moved around a lot during high school, and had to start all over again. It's hard to come into a place where you are new, and others have already learned the basics. It'll be tough, but you'll make it.

2) If you don't know anyone to sit with, don't be afraid to sit by yourself for a while. Bring a book. Then, as you get to know your classmates, you'll eventually find a friend or a group that you have things in common with. If they don't ask you to sit with them right away, don't be afraid to ask. Chances are it never occurred to them that you were sitting alone.

3) Most schools have lockers in which you can store the textbooks that you're not using. But you have to be careful to consider how far the locker is from your classes to know which books you should have and how long it would take to switch them with ones you will need later. Trying to carry them all at once might seem practical, but your back will NOT be thanking you later.

4) Taking notes was not only allowed but encouraged in almost every class I took. ...Unless it was some kind of participatory discussion kind of thing.

5) Get a map of the school before you start, so you can figure out where your classes are. People are forgiving of freshman, because they assume they don't know where anything is. But it sounds like you're going to be a junior or something--so even after you start, don't be afraid to remind people that you're new and don't know where everything is. Oh, and pay special attention to where the bathrooms are.

6) Join a club, if you can. It's an easy way to meet people with your interests.

7) Let people ask you about your homeschooling experience. Some kids will think it's weird, and may sound rude when they ask questions, but just remember that they probably don't know anything about it. Don't let it bother you.

8) Gym class is generally awful. Just be prepared for changing into gym clothes in the locker room (with all of your classmates). If you're athletic, it probably won't be too bad. If you're not, don't worry. It'll all be over in a couple of years.

9) Listen and look. If you want to know how things work, pay attention to those around you. Again, don't be afraid to ask questions; but just by observation, you should be able to identify cliques (the self-contained groups of people who consider you an outsider).

10) Pep rallies are boring, but it gets you out of class.

Above all: you only have to endure it for a couple of years. Most people I know don't look back to fondly on their high school years, but it is a time when they were challenged and began to see who they were.
Be yourself--I know it's a cliche, but trust me, you don't want to be who everyone else says you ought to be. Think about the kind of person you want to be seen as. A partier? A jock? A brainiac? --and then think about the kinds of decisions you will have to make to be that person. What's important to you? Grades? Fun? Friends?
Take this summer to think about that kind of stuff.
And again, remember: whether you have a good or bad experience (and it'll most likely be mixed), it's only a couple of years, and then you move on. Give it your best while you're there, and then let it go without looking back when you leave.

Best of luck!!

Answer 8

congrats on going into school! At most schools, you will be given a locker for you to keep your books in, and during breaks you can switch out the books in your backpack for the next classes you have. Teachers would love you to take notes in class. It's a good idea to take notes because teachers are most likely to test you on the things they focus on in class. Talk to people in your first few classes and tell them that you are new, most likely people will understand that you know nobody and invite you to eat with them at lunch. If not, find someone you recognize from one of your classes and ask to sit with them at lunch. It's not the crazy world you see in movies like Mean Girls, people are much nicer than that in reality. Be confident, and you'll be fine!

Answer 9

you normally don't bring all your books to class. since you'll have probably around 6-7 classes that would be a lot to lug around. you'll have a locker you can keep them in and take out what you need, when you need it. taking notes is definitely allowed, follow the lead of the other students though. remember you have to ask if you wanna go to the bathroom during class and your teacher probably won't let you anyway...so use your breaks for that. as far as who to sit with during lunch, try to make friends in your classes and if someone seems nice enough ask them if you can sit with them. try to be really friendly and confident and i'm sure you'll make friends. watch the movie mean girls, it'll give you a little insight. good luck!

Answer 10

Every school is different. Don't be so eager to "fit in". If you haven't grown up in that prison system you will find you are far more civilized than the others. Do what works for YOU! Use whatever comes in to win. Give yourself 30 days to find out what the real picture is, 30 days. It takes 30 days to acclaimate to any new environment, even a new job.