Tag Archive for: transitioning to high school

Avoiding Freshman Year Follies

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By Katie Martin, MSW, LCSW – August 20, 2025 –

Freshman year is the most crucial year of high school, as it sets the tone for academic achievement and social standards. It can be a fresh start, or for some students, the beginning of ongoing struggles and painful lessons. When students start high school, their understanding of expectations is often far from accurate.

Freshman year can be intimidating, confusing, scary, overwhelming, stressful and exhausting; mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. High school becomes a rude awakening when failed classes must be repeated and discipline hinders progress toward graduation. Students may struggle with making healthy decisions that aren’t socially attractive.

It is important that students identify trusted adults, develop boundaries with peers, prioritize academics and attendance, strive for high grades, join extracurriculars, and incorporate healthy habits. Students who surround themselves with people who promote good habits and motivate them to take ownership of their high school career will experience more success and less stress. 

The goal of high school is to prepare students for graduation and life. Freshmen can take ownership of their success by taking control of the things they have control over, letting go of the things they cannot control, and distancing themselves from unhealthy relationships. Setting goals as a freshman and speaking up about concerns and feelings can greatly improve a student’s chance of success. 

Social adjustments are expected; students may have to redefine what is cool. Freshmen are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. Having the courage to set boundaries with peers doesn’t come easily to most students. Students should build relationships with those who promote healthy habits that propel them toward graduation, such as trusted adults and positive peers. 

Understanding the connection between academic success and maximizing opportunities for the future is imperative. Typically, a GPA (Grade Point Average) is generated by averaging the points earned from each letter grade at the end of a grading period and/or semester; an F can result in a course being repeated if it is part of the graduation plan established with the student’s academic counselor. On average, most colleges require a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0, but this can vary. Freshmen should know their high school academic counselor, establish solid communication, and work closely with them to stay alert to academic opportunities and progress toward a successful post-graduation plan.

Parents play a major role in student success by modeling helpful qualities such as organization, problem-solving, assertiveness and navigating opportunities that promote growth. Parents should connect with school personnel to establish communication and create a network of trusted adults to collaborate with during the student’s high school years. Parents also need access to grades and attendance. They should check in with their student daily about successes and struggles.

Parents should also connect with school staff as needed but also direct their student to reach out to teachers to encourage independence, build appropriate and effective problem-solving and communication skills, and encourage positive relationships. Parents should attend all available parent nights, orientations, and any other opportunities to be present with their child in the school building. 

Freshman year can make or break a high school career. According to the US Department of Education, students fail ninth grade more than any other grade in high school. This can lead to feelings of frustration and discouragement that can result in less effort, lower motivation and the possibility of dropping out. Freshman year is hard; it requires more attention, organization, maturity and independence. Freshman year also requires students to make more thoughtful decisions rather than decisions based upon impulse or popularity. 

In conclusion, students are capable of graduating and can learn all the necessary tools to get there. However, work begins on the first day of high school, when every student will decide what they are going to do with their opportunity to learn. Supportive adults and a growth mindset will carry a student far. However, high school should also be fun, exciting and full of new experiences that can be enjoyed more fully when academics are well-managed.     

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Helping Your Child Transition to High School

By Valorie Dassel, LCSW, LCAC, Courier & Press, August 8, 2017 –

The transition from elementary or middle school to high school can come with a wave of emotions for both students and parents.

Often times, there is excitement surrounding the new environment, both socially and academically.  Anxiety is commonly experienced among incoming freshmen.  These anxieties often stem from social and academic changes.

The opportunities for change can increase a  sense of self and positively affect academics.  As parents, it is important to nurture our teenager’s development during this transition.

In a retrospective research study conducted by Akos and Galassi (2004), adolescents identify homework and grades as the most difficult aspect of transitioning to high school.  Often times, high school courses demand more studying and homework outside of the classroom.

Parents should talk with their teen about academic expectations.  Discussions should include preparing them to increase organizational strategies, time management and good study habits.

If elementary or middle school has been easy for a teen, they may begin high school with a relaxed attitude toward grades.  If high school proves to be more academically challenging for them, the teen may have a difficult transition.

Priorities for a teenager can often be difficult to navigate. Students may want to do well academically, but new social opportunities may interfere with academic success.  During this developmental stage, friends become just as important to the teen as their family, and they also want instant gratification.

When they are faced with the choice of doing their homework or hanging out with friends, they may opt for the more immediate and “fun” reward of socializing.  Parents can lend support by encouraging set study times and monitoring assignments being turned in on time through the school’s website.

High school includes social adjustments as well.  Typically, the high school student is coming from a social network where they knew exactly where they fit in to an unknown social environment in a new and larger student body.  This change offers exciting opportunities for most.  For the student who has desired different or more friendships in elementary or middle school, it offers the opportunity to reinvent and develop many more relationships.

Throughout freshman year, social groups tend to go through many transitions.  Often times, new friends are added to established groups of friends.  Sports and extra-curricular interests involve an increased amount of time spent together and new friendships are formed.

With a larger student body, there is greater opportunity to find friends who share similar interests and values.  Parents should encourage involvement in activities to promote social connectedness and the protective factors provided.  Spending time constructively makes it less likely the teen will be involved in negative social behaviors.

If the social adjustment is not what your teen expected, they could be struggling with feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression.  Open communication at this time is crucial.

Communicate understanding and brainstorm peers they have something in common with.  They often lack the social awareness to build friendships.  Work with them on how to initiate conversations and suggest non-intimidating ways to “hang out” outside of school to nurture friendships.  This will give them the skills necessary to work through their social difficulties.

The transition to high school offers many exciting opportunities.  There are also going to be difficulties on this journey.  Maintaining an open and positive relationship and communication between parent and teen will make it easier on the entire family.

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