What to Expect in Ninth Grade: Tips and Advice
Written by Evelyn Crowley, Naomi Gee-Burko, and Zihan Zhou
Class of 2030 – it’s almost your time for high school! It might seem scary to be in ninth grade, from the additional responsibilities, harder classes, and more people. However, we have some helpful tips for this adventure given by the current ninth grade (class of 2029), and from two of Newman’s deans, Ms. Schafer and Mr. Chambers.
According to many ninth graders, important pieces of advice include trying different things, managing time efficiently, and meeting new people. Exploring opportunities, such as clubs, classes, or extracurriculars are a big part of high school. Especially at Newman, where the class size more than doubles in ninth grade, it is important to be open-minded to new opportunities. A wide door to a variety of activities is open to students, with the added option of becoming a leader in extracurriculars and clubs. Having a leadership role helps develop practical skills, like decision making, strategic planning, managing obligations, and much more. When applying to colleges, jobs, or internships, it can also be valuable to have your leadership roles listed, as they show responsibility and commitment.
Time management is an invaluable skill, necessary all throughout your life, and high school is the perfect time to refine this ability. To manage a busy schedule effectively, one current ninth grader recommends completing assignments right when you get home from school, rather than procrastinating. Finishing homework late at night results in insufficient sleep, which is crucial resting time for high schoolers. Furthermore, long term tasks should be completed as soon as they are assigned. The weekend is a good time to complete coursework if you participate in extracurriculars on weekdays. In addition to out of school work time, free periods, WYN, and even lunch are great opportunities to study during the school day. While hanging out with friends may seem fun during the moment, using these blocks for work will pay off.
The ninth graders’ last suggestion is to meet new people. Whether you are going to a new school or continuing at Newman, both new peers and teachers will come into your life. A majority of the time, these are the same people that you will spend the rest of your high school career with. It is important to establish strong bonds and be kind to the people around you, as the favor will be returned when you need it. Try to talk with classmates that you would not ordinarily socialize with. Furthermore, it is crucial to cultivate meaningful connections with teachers and staff. These are the individuals that you will need to communicate with both inside and outside of class. They will become people you can rely on for the next four years and it is crucial to form bonds soon, so they can help if you feel lost or unprepared, especially in the first few weeks of school.
Ms. Hannah Schafer, a Language & Literature teacher for two years, the Middle School Dean for two years, and the new Head of Middle School, recently shared her main pieces of advice for 8th graders in an interview. First, much like the ninth graders suggested, “connect with people that might surprise you,” and “connect with your teachers.” Fostering these relationships are vital to having fun while still learning and focusing on academics. Schafer mentioned that she made some of her best friends in high school and would not be where she is today without the relationships made during her teenage years.
On the other hand, she wished that she had paid more attention in class, especially when they had discussed testing strategies and time management. Taking notes is extremely effective and useful, not just for academics, but also when perfecting executive functioning skills. Schafer also wished that she had tried more activities instead of sticking with the same ones she did in middle school, as she had way more fun trying new things in her junior year.
From a high school perspective, Mr. William Chambers, the Dean of Ninth and Tenth grade, explained that the most crucial points to remember are “being open minded and connecting,” “being appreciative of new people coming in,” and, again, time management. Because Newman is an international school, a plethora of students enter in ninth grade, and it is vital to form strong bonds throughout the four years of high school. Like Schafer suggested, it is important to create connections with different people, even ones that are not in your direct circles. Both Chambers and Schafer said that because class sizes increase in high school, it is a perfect time to expand your social group and meet new people – many of whom become lifelong friends.
As mentioned previously, time management is a large part of having a good high school experience. “Newman has more freedom than other schools and the workload does go up in ninth grade,” as Chambers says. It is crucial to utilize the executive functioning labs and Student Success Center (SSC) when work gets overwhelming. At Newman, we have the English Support Lab, Executive Functioning Lab, Writing Lab, Math Lab, Language (Spanish and French) Lab, which meet on various days of the week. There are teachers, often department heads, and other resources so you can get the help you need. They are open to anyone so it’s also a good time to meet new people! Try to complete assignments well before their due date by using the time right after you get home from school or extracurriculars effectively to do so.
Another good piece of advice is to focus on organization. Whether through a physical planner, digital calendar, or even sticky notes in your notebooks, having strong organizational skills will help you complete assignments efficiently. Jot down not only assignments, but events, meetings, and other reminders. They don’t have to be school related; just make sure they help you become your best self and remember all responsibilities. Remember that Ninth grade can be complicated and it is easy to forget things!
However, above academics and relationships, prioritize yourself. Take breaks when needed and remember: Ninth grade is only the first year of high school. There will be other chances to join new clubs, make friends, and study hard for a test. If an assignment or task feels unbearable, check in with teachers, friends, and family. They are there to support you and know that high school can be very busy and hard. Focus on a fun and strong positive mindset; it will get you far!
We wish the Class of 2030 the best of luck on this roller coaster of experiences and opportunities that high school will provide. Whether you're leaving or staying at Newman, we hope you have an amazing time over the next four years and that you will continue to thrive.
