Updated: Friday, May 30, 2025
IvyWise counselors Victoria and Nat discuss what college prep tasks to tackle in ninth grade.
Making the transition from middle to high school can be an exciting, albeit intimidating process. Often the student body is larger, and you’re a new fish in a much larger pond. For others, the surroundings might be the same, but the academics are challenging, and the expectations are much higher. Additionally, you’ll be gaining more autonomy during high school as you develop the important skills that prepare you for college life and beyond.
Most high schools have four grades: ninth (freshmen), 10th (sophomores), 11th (juniors), and 12th (seniors). Your freshman year of high school marks the beginning of an important high school journey — one that will, hopefully, lead you to a great college education. Here’s what to expect in high school as an incoming freshman.
Your first year of high school is an important time to consider what classes to choose and extracurriculars you like, what passions you want to pursue, and what might be possible for your future career. It’s also important to learn how to set college prep goals, if college is the path you choose to take. This is the time when you truly start building your profile for college admissions, so think about what you want that to look like in terms of both academics and the interests you want to develop further.
If you plan to go to college, it’s important to keep in mind that admissions committees look at all four years of high school. Getting a strong start is crucial — not only will you set the tone for the rest of your high school years, but you will also position yourself to build a strong profile for college.
As Dr. Kat likes to say, “Don’t let high school happen to you.” Be proactive and embrace new experiences and opportunities. Here are our tips for making the most of your freshman year.
The start of high school may be exciting, but it will be a big adjustment. There will be new classes, new teachers, new students, and often an entirely new campus to navigate. Additionally, you can expect more course rigor, more homework, a faster pace, and increased expectations from your teachers. Your first day may leave you feeling lost and uncomfortable but give it some time — every big change requires an adjustment period.
Rely on friends, teachers, or even older siblings to help you find your classrooms, learn the lunchroom dynamics, find new clubs to explore, and get used to the new rigors and expectations. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating the new high school scene like a pro.
High school holds a wealth of opportunities for first year students. From new clubs and organizations, to sports teams and other activities, there’s no shortage of extracurriculars for you to explore. Now is the time to get involved, and there will be plenty of opportunities to do so.
If your school offers a club fair, make a point of attending to learn about the organizations that pique your interest. A bigger student body often means more diverse extracurriculars, so explore what interests you. You never know what you might learn about yourself and your high school.
The dynamics of high school are much different than in primary and middle school. While it’s common to stay friends with those you have grown up with, new classes and involvement in new activities can lead you to new friendships you may not have considered before. If you’re attending a new school where you know few people, don’t worry. You will get to know your new classmates faster than you think.
As we said before, your first year of high school is the beginning of a four-year journey to college, and it’s something that needs to be taken seriously. Classes in high school rely heavily on every minute of classroom instruction, so there will be a lot of homework. Add extracurricular activities and new friendships to the mix and suddenly you have an overwhelmingly busy schedule.
You’ll need to quickly learn time management skills. Balancing schoolwork with extracurriculars and a social life can be difficult at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. Create a homework schedule or keep a detailed calendar to help you keep track of all commitments. Staying organized is key to successfully managing your time.
Start off high school on the right foot by performing well in your courses. If you’re having difficulty understanding some of the material, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your teachers. Learning how to advocate for yourself is an important life skill that will serve you well in college and beyond.
Not only will asking for help improve your grade, it will also help you cultivate strong relationships with your teachers. This relationship building will become important later on when it comes time to ask for letters of recommendation during the college application process.
The start of the high school experience is an exciting time. There’s no doubt that some challenges will lie ahead as you adjust to new academic and social dynamics, but it will be a fun journey. Remember that high school is meant to be educational, enlightening, and the stepping-stone to a college education. While it’s fine to think about your future, remember to enjoy where you are now.
You’ll learn a lot about yourself during this first year — which subjects you like, which subjects you don’t, which interests you wish to pursue, and how you want to contribute to your high school community. This is a time of great change, so embrace it!
The first year of high school can take some students by surprise in both positive and negative ways. By knowing what to expect when you arrive for your first day, you can mentally prepare for the experience and ease into the transition. If you are just beginning the journey to a successful college admissions process, contact us today to learn what you need to do this year in order to stay on track for senior year!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Do you already know what career you want, or are you still exploring your options? A summer internship is a great opportunity to gain work experience and leadership skills, network with professionals, and learn more about a career field you’re interested in — even if you’re still in high school.
As students prepare to head back to school, many are examining their class schedule, gauging how difficult the next academic year will be and how they will achieve their grade goals. But it’s not just grades that colleges consider when evaluating applicants for admission. Colleges are also looking at the classes applicants are taking, how challenging they are, and how those courses align with students’ interests and academic goals.
If you’re planning to go to college, it’s essential to make all four years of high school count. Colleges look at your entire high school record — courses, grades, activities, and more — when evaluating college applications. They want to see how you have progressed over your time in high school and if you’re truly ready for the rigors of a college education. So, whether it’s your first year in high school, your senior year, or somewhere in between, these resources can help you on your path to higher education.
Whether you’re in ninth, 10th, or 11th grade, it’s important to find any opportunity you can to build a strong profile for college applications. One of the best ways to build a strong profile is by participating in summer programs — though it’s important to get an early start to avoid missing application deadlines.
