Five Keys to Navigate High School Successfully

Mr. Turnbull

Summit High School Physical Education/Health

Summit Track & Field

1.      Get Involved in a club, sport or activity.

a.     There are more than 80 clubs/sports/activities that you can choose at Summit High School.  One of the keys for success is staying involved and engaging your body and brain through interaction and engagement with other people striving to attain the same objective. 

2.     Choose your friends wisely.

a.     The single most important factor for your success is who you surround yourself with.  Your friends dictate your personal decisions more than anything else.  In my own personal journey through life, I’ve found this to be true.  Healthy relationships build the foundation for your own growth.   Build a strong foundation! 

3.     Challenge yourself academically.  Grow your brain!

a.     Summit offers many AP classes and courses that will challenge you.   Don’t stay in your comfort zone.   The more brain stimulation you can get in high school, the stronger your brain becomes for life!  Engage in music or arts classes.  Did you know that the networks you build now will last a lifetime?  Why not take advantage of the award winning teachers and coaches we have at Summit? 

4.     Develop and “Organization Plan”.

a.     In my experience, organization is the key to success in high school.  Most people would claim that the intelligent or “smart” kids are the ones that climb the ladder most quickly.   What I’ve found is that the kids that appear “smart” are the ones that have good organization.

                                               i.     Do you have a calendar on your iPad of phone?   Use it!  “Calendarize” all of your homework assignments!

                                             ii.     Set alarms to remind yourself!

                                            iii.     Get an organizer that you take to each class and use it religiously. 

5.     Manage your “Social Network” appropriately.

a.     The world has changes since I was in high school.  Phones have created a new frontier that we never had to deal with.   Here are a few tips!

                                               i.     SHUT YOUR PHONE OFF AT NIGHT!   Yes, I said shut if off.   You may think that this will cause you stress.  Actually, you’ll sleep better.  Uninterrupted sleep is VITAL for success.   As a side benefit, your phone is a computer and ach night when you turn it off, your system re-sets and runs better.  Your battery will work much better (as will your own personal battery)!

                                             ii.     During class, turn your phone off or to silent so it doesn’t distract you.  Studies have shown that interruptions from your phone damage concentration.  https://www.informationweek.com/mobile/mobile-devices/smartphone-notifications-kill-your-concentration/d/d-id/1321253

                                            iii.     Shut your phone off while studying for an exam or doing an important assignment. 

                                            iv.     Cell phone usage during class can actually damage your relationship with your teacher.   Think about it.  What would you think of a friend who ignored you to grab their phone and check messages while you were talking to them.  Pretty rude huh?  Teachers are human.  They will see you in a different light if you attend to your phone in class. 

**Now that you’ve read my tips to help you navigate through high school, please write up a short summary and your own personal thoughts about these suggestions.