SECONDARY SCHOOL SURVIVAL

alright, i know most of yall on this platform are middle schoolers (or possibly younger) trying to look for advice or a guide, so i made this lil blog post on the essentials of surviving the prison full of hormonal teenagers known as secondary school... or high school for you americans. btw, this was originally a youtube video essay-ish..? script i made a while back so... here we are.

1. Grades

let's start with the most obvious, academic scores.

they, of course, are important and are a requirement to pass, but this time is special because these grades (say sec 4-5 / junior-senior year) are the ones that colleges and universities actually see and judge if you are fit to get into their schools. most secondary schools use a credits system, where if you pass a class, you get a certain amount of credits (usually found in the last 2 digits each classes' codes) that depends on which subject.

but ryuken, how do you actually get good and stable grades?

it's simple, 

study daily. not joking. 1h, 30mins or even 20mins could actually do you wonders: notably walking in class less confused and more motivated because the topic is still fresh in your mind, than if you just don't do jackshit. i recommend this for theory-heavy subjects like science.

review notes taken in class, practice exercises, DO YOUR HOMEWORK - that is the actual easiest 100% you can get on your mark, just do your damn assignment, doesn't matter if your answer is wrong, the best thing you could do is learning from your mistakes.

pay attention to when the teacher is correcting the question you got wrong, as cheesy as that sounds, it's true - like you may not understand the subject currently at hand but effort counts and WILL eventually pay off + homework is good practice within itself. don't let your vegeta in your ego to get the head of ya.

print online exercises if you don't have textbook assignments. if you don't have a printer, use the school library or your local library to print stuff. (both great places to sit and study since they're quiet and meant to be)

here's something many fail at:

CONSISTENCY.

tell yourself constantly (mentally) that you have to study/practice or write it down on a piece of paper. if you have a memory of a goldfish, make it a habit that you work after school. 

stop neglecting your work - not only you're killing that 10% off your grade but you're missing practice. good luck on your final when you have to resort to using the exam to answer the exam.

the biggest dopamine hit you'll ever get is getting on the game knowing that you finished all of your tasks.

2. Workflow

the workflow in secondary school is different than in primary school or junior high, you'll notice that you're given more work with short deadlines... and it increases the more you advance, unfortunately. junior year has it the WORST with all the SATs and ACTs that determine if you graduate and acquire your diploma or not. so brace yourselves.

(it's recommended to take it for college credit but then again, it's a recommendation and not an obligation. it's up to you if you want to take it.)

it's best to use free online resources to study for those exams or asking teachers/upperclassmen for guidance. that's all i have to say for college tests.

now, keeping up is a different story. we all can't help but face unmotivation and procrastination at one point or another, but it's also up to you to change that fact and work through it. try to make it fun in some way, like summarizing whatever chapter you're on using humor, or pretending you're the teacher.

if you're stuck or forgot a thing, just look through your notes again and move on, no need to stay blocked for one bit. it's quite easier to remember stuff you wrote or said because it's you. use this when studying history.

i also suggest removing distractions within sight and avoid hiding them in easy-to-get places.

PLEASE STUDY WITHOUT HEADPHONES, listen, i'm guilty of this too, i love deafening myself by blasting Linkin Park, but i genuinely concentrate better without noise and it's scientifically proven that studying with silence is key cause' lyrics can make you want to perform a karaoke solo though YOU wanted to lock in asap. 

or if you really can't live without headphones, play some white noise. better than music for focusing anyway.

3. Relationships

may be biased but..

PRO TIP: AVOID DATING

being a teenager with constant moodswings + who's in a school where they already kill you with work and now you want a mans or chick?? recipe for disaster. (having to plan and make time for your partner ON TOP of your schoolwork and pastimes)

i've personally never been in a relationship (virgin for life yo) but from what i heard, it's best to not get into a relationship if you want to dedicate yourself into your studies and hobbies. i mean, you could do it for the experience, no one's stopping you, but don't expect it to last. (do it if you're really sure of yourself)

the only real advice i could give you is asking your older cousins or parents (only if they chill) for dating advice could benefit you: learning from their past mistakes/doings and applying them.

create a decent relationship with your teachers, i swear to god, if they like you bro they'll do whatever to help you and see you succeed. (lick for da extra credit)

notice how this part is really short compared to the first two? shows the clear experience i have with relationships hehe

3.5. Mental Health

i'll be serious for once, mental health is something you SHOULD take care of as a PRIORITY. once it's shattered, it's one hell of a ride of a healing process. 

reach out when stress got you strapped with a ticking time-bomb on your chest, never bottle it up, it's gonna end up exploding and it's not gonna be pleasant for you and others.

yes, you're allowed to mess up. nobody's getting S-rank first try.

learn to take breaks without feeling like you killed somebody. you actually learn better when your brain rests for a moment. just don't forget to tackle it after breaktime.

guys... sleep is actually important??? you know, the thing that our parents taught us to do at a young age? when you rest for 8-10 hours you actually wake up less like a fossile every morning and have a good brain function and a better emotional well-being?? rest before i make you, damn.

4. The Future

uh-huh, ya heard it right, you gonna have to think about your future. secondary school is going to be the fastest 5 years (4 years for you americans, again) of your life, so try to enjoy the most of it. do stupid shit, break dumb rules, surround yourself with people that match your energy and don't internally pray for your downfall, participate in extracurriculars. who knows? you might find a new hobby you like. clubs look mad good in resumes for employers when they're looking to hire people.

visit colleges/universities, leave your comfort-zone and actually ask programs they offer, check their website, participate in a college class to see how it feels like, it's all free.

take time to reflect on what you truly want and major in later, make sure it stabilizes your life in health and wealth.

here's the thing you kids have the tendency to do: avoid doing irreversible mistakes- I KNOW SOME OF YOU DON'T THINK TWICE if you're thinking about having sex (which uh.. ain't you like 13? hello), use protection for the love of god.

don't let others pressure you into doing stuff that could do some serious damage to you or someone else. learn how to say no.

in conclusion, work well, study well, choose people well and most importantly, HAVE FUN.

expect adulthood to be a rollercoaster of emotions and stress. be patient with yourself, have a realistic approach of life.

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finally done, what a weight off my chest

do you have any advice or comment to add? im willing to hear you guys.

thank you for reading!

Ryuken