Easing jitters: Culture of high school differs greatly from middle school

By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer | Tuesday, September 06, 2005

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RAPID CITY -- Last spring, they ruled Rapid City middle schools, but life will change for the Class of 2009 as they take their seats at high school on Thursday.

For some, it will be an easy transition, but for others, the transition will be laced with anxiety and worry.

Pat Jones, Rapid City Central High School principal, said this year's freshmen, ages 13 to 14, come in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities with hormones and emotions on high.

"It's a challenging time of their life," he said.

Burke Eilers, coordinator for Male Health Program/Prevention Resource Center, Youth and Family Services, said in the past week or so, the panic has set in for the teenagers about to walk through the doors to high school.

"It's a big change from middle school," Eilers said.

John Gordon, Male Health Program educator at Youth and Family Services, calls it the make-and-break year.

"It's a big transition, but they have to keep an open mind," he said.

To ease the apprehension, Jones said his school has organized an orientation for its 600 incoming freshmen on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

"When school opens, the halls are pretty crowded, and we want them to know some faces and the student council members so they can go to them with questions and concerns," Jones said.

Incoming freshmen with last names beginning with letters A to L will meet at 8 a.m., and those with last names in the M to Z category arrive at 10:30 a.m. at both Central and Stevens high schools.

They will receive their schedules, photo ID, set up lunch accounts, meet a variety of teachers and student council members and participate in some fun activities to familiarize the students with the layout of the building.

"It takes some of the anxiety out of that first day," Jones said.

With 2,300 students flowing through its hallways, Central is the largest high school in South Dakota, and anyone would be daunted by the crush of humanity, he said.

"It can be overwhelming, but we encourage students not to be," Jones said.

To level out the stress, the school has located all of its freshman lockers in one area so the Class of 2009 will recognize each other and start developing friendships. They will also share the same language arts, social studies and English classes, too.

Gordon said parents should know that their children's education won't stop at the classroom.

"There's going to be tremendous peer pressure to experiment with sex, drugs and alcohol," he said.

He said parents looking for more information about such issues as drugs, alcohol, sexuality or teen pregnancy, may contact the Youth and Family Services Prevention Resource Center.

"We're a resource to help parents confront their children about these concerns," Gordon said.

Though each situation is unique, some of the signs of drug and alcohol use include significant personality swings, extreme defiance, grades dropping off or running with a different crowd, he said.

Single-parent families with a son who has problems adjusting to school or more serious issues can arrange for counseling, Gordon said.

"They may fit with the Male Advocacy Network," he said.

Eilers said student apprehension will be somewhat eased if students are open to changes.

A mixed group of maturity and age levels, they will share longer class periods twice or three times a week rather than on a daily basis.

"It can be pretty intimidating," he said of the new experience.

To contact the Western Prevention Resource Center, call 342-1593; or for John Gordon at the Counseling Center, call 342-4789.

Be prepared

Ten tips to help relieve anxiety on the first day of high school:

-- Go with the flow. Experts say students should try to be open minded. The rivalries among middle schools are history. New teachers, new faces and new friends will meet to become a part of a new system.

-- If there is an orientation, be there. Learn the names and faces of the teachers and student representatives introduced. They will be contacts for questions and concerns. Familiarize yourself with the school's set up. Take extra time to find your classrooms.

-- Punctuality counts. Leave early from home because of traffic congestion in the parking lots and in the hallways. Being on time curbs stress.

-- Have study tools locked and ready. That means working pens, sharpened pencils and paper for the classroom.

-- Pack a lunch or set up a lunch account. Freshmen do not have open campus and may not leave campus at lunchtime.

-- Dress for success. Keep undergarments neatly tucked from view; no one needs to see those boxers, thongs or bra straps, experts say. Schools don't allow hats, bandanas, baseball caps or spiked wristbands. T-shirts with alcohol or drug logos or foul language should remain in the closet.

-- Blaze a trail. Take an interest inventory to get involved with school programs, clubs and sports. It's a major ice breaker, and it looks great on the resume.

-- Teacher talk. Asking for help doesn't peg you as dumb; in fact, it may mean the opposite. Asking a teacher to repeat what they said or explain an assignment won't make them angry; it may even lead to interesting conversation.

-- Bedtime, interrupted. Keep regular bedtime hours to be aware, alert and refreshed. Teens need nine hours of sleep or more, so an early bedtime is a good idea. Limit caffeine and soft drinks for a more restful sleep.

-- Parental homework. Listening to your child is crucial. Parents sometimes forget to listen, but be especially sensitive to your child during the first few weeks at the new school.

Source: John Gordon, Male Health Program educator, Youth and Family Services, and Burke Eilers, coordinator for Male Health Program/Prevention Resource Center, Youth and Family Services.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com