101 Rules for High School: Senior Approved, Freshman Tested

1. It’s “School-o-gy” not “School-awl-o-gy.” 
2. Lockers are not real.
3. Actually go and participate at school events; your couch will still be there when you get back. 
4. Spend time outside and take advantage of the campus. 
5. DO NOT RING THE VICTORY BELL.
6. Be respectful when downtown. 
7. Keep your friends close but your school ID closer. 
8. The vending machines will eat your coins. 
9. Have fun with spirit weeks and be creative.
10. Buy extra Apple Pencil tips now; you’re going to lose it. 
11. Stay hydrated so you do not pass out at the top of the stairs, especially if you’re climbing up the tower.
12. Don’t feed the Lake Ellyn geese!!! 

Be an Academic Weapon, not a Casualty.

Stay Delulu, but also study  

1. Go to sleep. No assignment is worth your health, mental or physical (yes, even physics and chem).
2. Grades are fake but turn it in anyway. 
3. Don’t suffer in silence. Ask for help with your schoolwork when you need it.
4. Retakes are only worth it if you have enough time to devote to relearning the material.
5. Take advantage of support hours. 
6. Take classes YOU like, not just your friends. 
7. Cheating is not worth it. (Academic or otherwise).
8. Build good relationships with at least a few of your teachers — it can do nothing but help. 
9. Don’t. Spoil. English. Book. Endings.
10. ASK your teachers questions! It’s literally their job to help you understand concepts.
11. Go to tutoring services like The Write Place, Strive, and AP Cafe. The rumors are true, they’re free.
12. In class, if you have answered three questions consecutively, settle down.
13. Leave room in your schedule to take fun classes.
14. Always give your classmate notes from when they were absent.
15. Learn what study methods work for you. 
16. Talk to people in your classes.
17. Don’t let others tell you what you can or can’t take; it’s good to challenge yourself. 
18. Turn off PowerSchool notifications. Don’t torture yourself.
19. Track your assignments (the MyHomework app is great).
20. Use Finish Strong resources; they’re a literal lifesaver.
21. You can always change your classes, except when you can’t. Know the difference and ask your counselor if you’re not sure. 
22. Don’t ignore your easier classes. They can sneak up on you.
23. Your teachers are people too; they deserve respect even on their off days.
24. Summer school exists and it’s not only for when you fail classes.
25. Plan to complete all your requirements in advance. Don’t leave it for senior year.
26. At least try and participate in class…sometimes?
27. Don’t be a dud, participate in group work.
28. Don’t be overly controlling, let others participate in group work.
29. Take an art class! They’re fun and a good brain break (art history doesn’t count).
30. When in doubt, pick C. 

Rules of the Road 

Who needs traffic laws when you have vibes; but seriously move 

1. This is America, WALK ON THE RIGHT SIDE of the hall.
2. Don’t stop suddenly in the hallway, unless your backpack is equipped with brake lights.
3. Say hi to people you know in the halls (at least smile, wave, or do the bro head nod).
4. Push doors open for people behind you. It’s common courtesy folks.
5. DO NOT STOP AND TALK IN THE STAIRWELL.
6. Stay alert in the hallways, or you will crash into someone (or worse, a door frame).
7. Apologize if you flat-tire people 🙂 
8. Look both ways before you cross the road. 
9. Beware of Jeeps. 
10. There is no need to scream anywhere outside a sporting event. 
11. You’re in a hallway. Let’s put a check on the PDA (holding each other in the corner is mad creepy and makes teachers uncomfortable).
12. Attention all Sophomores and Juniors! Stop driving like maniacs or senior citizens; there’s a healthy medium!

Public Decorum 

Very cutesy, very mindful, very demure 

1. You don’t need to give your boyfriend a kiss before class like he’s going off to war.
2. Wear what makes you happy*.
3. Make sure your phone volume is off because you don’t want to have the last TikTok you watched start blasting in class.
4. Don’t be afraid to talk to people of the opposite gender (they don’t have cooties anymore).
5. Don’t come to school sick. Wear a mask if you are coughing. Stop the spread!
6. RETURN anything you borrow from classmates.
7. Touch grass not each other, (looking at you any group of underclassmen boys left to their own devices). 
8. Don’t take pictures in the locker room. No need to be a felon. 
9. Uggs are not gym shoes.
10. Don’t spoil NYT games answers. 
11. Wear weather-appropriate clothes. Shorts in the middle of January have never made anyone look cool.
12. Don’t put on your face in the middle of class; keep it to touch-ups. 
13. Be nice to substitute teachers**.
14. Don’t throw things. 

At Least Pass the Smell Check

And Commit to the Aura of Organization 

1. Perfume/cologne should be applied minimally (leave the Axe body spray in middle school…where it belongs).
2. Use hand sanitizer after you blow your nose. It’s right there people.
3. Bring deodorant. Seriously. 
4. Have a folder for your papers; your backpack does not need to be a hot mess.
5. Wash your gym uniform. Everyone can see that ring of makeup on your collar. 
6. Don’t share eye makeup.
7. SHOWER REGULARLY.
8. Clean your water bottle — nobody wants mold.
9. Plan your own lunch, it’s a basic life skill.
10. Pick up your trash (we can’t believe this is on the list).
11. Keep your shoes on (same as above).

Sage Advice 

1. Clubs are a great place to find your people; try as many as you can.
2. There is no perfect school-life balance. You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. 
3. Try everything once, if legal. 
4. Don’t take criticism from people you wouldn’t take advice from.
5. If you wear a band t-shirt, know that it’s a band.
6. You don’t have to get along with everyone.
7. Midwest weather is bipolar; layers are your best friend.
8. Try a sport if you can. They are a great way to build community, push yourself, and feel accomplished. 
9. Don’t be a screenager. 
10. Nobody is paying attention to you as much as you pay attention to yourself. 
11. We’ve all had acne. It is normal and not something you have to feel self conscious about. The more you leave it alone, the faster it’ll go away. 
12. You’re allowed to screw up, because then you’ll have better stories. 
13. If it’s not going to matter in five years, don’t spend more than five minutes being upset about it.
14. Don’t worry about getting dates for dances.
15. Snapchat does not disappear unlike the ghost suggests. Be smart about what you share. 
16. Don’t make a nuisance of yourself. Being loud does not equal cool (looking at you freshmen).
17. Remember: people change and so will you.
18. Don’t choose between a sport or an after-school activity; you can do both.
19. Hating pop music doesn’t make you deep.
20. Find people you can be silly and excited for stuff with 😉 
21. Join the school newspaper. 
22. Enjoy every day. High school will go by faster than you think.