Your grades are in a good spot, you finally made friends with that one person in the corner of the room, and you’re comfortable around your teachers and fellow students. . . BANG you have to switch to all new classes. All new subjects to learn, and all new people to meet. This can be stressful, depending on your classes. It’s kind of like the first day of school. Except this time we’re more settled in than back in September. It almost disrupts normalcy. Or is the perspective positive and exciting . . . Finally, a chance at a new beginning.
Why is changing semesters so stressful? For me, the worst parts are the final exams and tests. My grade can be sitting in a nice spot, but it drops when I have to take a test on things I don’t remember learning. All my stress comes from studying and relearning everything from every class, so I can end with an A. Furthermore, additional stressors can be the classes you have in semester 2. You could have all APs, or hard classes you’re not ready for. Entering new classes, with new teachers, new people, and lunches can break established comfortable routines – never mind, the possibility of having no friends in that class. The first week of the new semester is a mad rush: students trying to rearrange schedules to have classes and lunch with friends.
My best advice is to do a refresh. Clear out all of your folders, clean your bag, and get some new school essentials for your bag. With a nice organized bag, you will feel better prepared to tackle your classes. Here are some more things that could help you: Sit towards the front shows that you’ve taken an interest in the class, and it gives the teacher a good first impression. Get involved/ Don’t be shy- Being in a new class can be hard, but some classes use participation as grades, so why not be an active participant? Being outgoing can also help you make new friends in a class if you don’t have any there already, even if you do though it’s always great to broaden your social circle. Just remember to stay on top of your work in the first few weeks so that when the classes pick up you’ll be ready.
There might also be a subject you don’t like. The teacher could be fine and you could have friends there, but you just don’t understand the subject. There’s honestly not much you could do about it if it’s a required credit, but don’t take electives you don’t like so you can enjoy the class more. Sometimes earning a great grade in a tough course can be very gratifying.
What do you do when you have a teacher you don’t seem to click with?
As a last resort, you can switch out of your class, but you have to do it before the window closes. But before that, you should try talking to your teachers and ask what not working and find a compromise. You could participate more in class to get on the teacher’s good side. Once we get a few weeks in you’ll get to a stable place again and you’ll be “sad” when you have to switch classes again at the end of the year.
