The Best Advice for High School Students: 11+ Tips for Success

Feeling the pressure of “the future” already? Take a breath. High school is one of the best experiences you will have in your life. You’ll face challenges, but you’ll overcome them, learn valuable lessons that will stick with you for years to come, and grow into the person you want to be.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by friend drama, popularity “contests,” and the demands of being a good student and a good kid to your parents or caretakers. However, these are some of the best pieces of advice for high school students who want to thrive academically, socially, and personally in order to prepare for the adult and professional life that awaits them.

If that’s you, check out these school tips for being a successful high school freshman.

11 Tips for High School Students

1. Take time to think about your dreams and what you enjoy doing.

The most important advice for incoming freshmen in high school and current high school students is to take the time to check in with yourself regularly to think about what you enjoy and what you dislike.

High school life is so fast-paced and regimented for kids today. You’ve got to balance daily classes, homework, school clubs, sports, spending time with family and friends, and preparing for college. Time will fly by and you can get so caught up in following through with your commitments that you never stop to think if you are actually having a good time. 

PRO TIP

Journal weekly or monthly—it doesn't need to be lengthy. A simple checklist of highlights, challenges, and areas for improvement in your notes app is enough. This practice will boost your self-awareness and clarify your interests and values.

2. Challenge yourself in high school, but don’t overwhelm yourself.

Do get the most out of high school as possible. When you can, take the tough and challenging schedule of classes; you’ll learn more—and it will look good to the college admissions staff.

Obviously, you need to stay focused on getting good grades, but don’t overload your schedule—or yourself—so much that it makes you sick or burnt out.

PRO TIP

Enroll in one fun course that’s out of your comfort zone. If you’re a math wiz, you might discover a knack for music. If you’re an artist, challenge yourself with digital design tools. Expand your abilities and develop skills that can carry you through college and your professional life.

3. Gain real-world experience.

Seek work and volunteer experiences in and out of school. You’ll get comfortable interacting with adults in a professional manner, learn discipline, and get a sense of how it feels to be an adult. Work experience also looks good on college applications—and on future job applications and resumes.

Another benefit of working in a paid position: money! Whether you decide to spend it, save it, or both (this is ideal!), you’ll get a sense of the value of money and how hard it is to earn it. Developing good financial habits early on will set you up for success. Just remember that school and grades have to come first, so only work if you can balance your schedule and manage your time.

If you’re looking for a part-time job, check out our high school student resume guide or jump ahead and get a personalized resume in minutes with our Resume Builder.

4. Don’t neglect your mental health.

On a more serious note, being a high school student is rarely a walk in the park, and leaving your emotions unchecked can be detrimental to your mental health. Our advice for students is to create habits that nurture your mental health, such as:

• Have a consistent sleep schedule. Teens need around nine hours of sleep every day, according to Johns Hopkins doctors. Achieving this can be impossible at times, but try your best to get as much sleep as many days a week as possible.
• Reduce screen time. Although social media is highly entertaining and a great way to connect with friends, it can get out of hand fast. If you struggle to disconnect, try to set daily time limits for the apps you use the most and stick to them.
• Move your body. Your body and mind are connected. Studies show that exercising regularly can drastically improve your mental health. Whether you decide to go on a mental health walk solo or hit the gym with your buddies, setting time for physical activity will help.
• Develop healthy coping skills. When faced with stress or overwhelming emotions, the human brain will look for anything to self-regulate or “calm down.” However, you might not always be practicing the best emotional habits. Instead of shutting down when facing an uncomfortable situation or lashing out whenever you’re frustrated, find better ways to manage your emotions like a creative outlet, journaling, mindfulness tactics, or being in nature.

5. Set goals for yourself.

Setting goals for yourself and achieving them is one of the best pieces of advice for high school students going to college. Having clear goals allows you to be intentional about your choices each day. Whenever you face a decision, you can think what choice aligns more closely with your goals.

Although your responsibility as a high school student to graduate is a given, maybe you want to graduate with honors, land a sports scholarship for college, or build a personal project. These goals are achievable, but they take hard work, maturity, and determination. In the end, the feeling of accomplishment makes the struggle worthwhile and is a huge boost of self-confidence.

PRO TIP

If you’re unsure of what goals you want to achieve, start by drafting a personal mission statement to better understand your strengths, values and motivations in order to establish the right goals for you.

6. Develop time management and organization skills.

Whether you feel like academics aren’t your strong suit or you’re a straight-A student, high school will demand a new level of discipline. Core skills that will always benefit you in all areas of your life, particularly as a busy high school student, are time management and basic organization.

Some key advice for incoming freshmen in high school is:

• Develop a study schedule that you can stick to and avoid distractions.
• Don’t wait until the day before a test to start studying. Even if you do pass, you’ll develop a pattern of procrastination that can be really hard to break.
• Use time-blocking methods for different tasks (chores, homework, extracurriculars). The Pomodoro technique is a great method to make studying for longer hours more sustainable.
• Keep a to-do list, a calendar, or an agenda to keep track of important dates and deadlines so you feel more in control.

7. Get an early start on college prep.

Thinking about college might seem premature, especially as a freshman, but trust the process. Even small steps early on can make a huge difference later.

The best advice for freshman in high school is to start researching colleges that pique your interest—no pressure to decide, just explore! Pay attention to the courses you genuinely enjoy, as these might hint at potential majors. If college visits are an option, even virtual ones, take advantage.

Understanding the application timelines and requirements early will alleviate stress down the road. Every little bit of research and planning now sets you up for a smoother senior year.

PRO TIP

Want to gauge if you’re a strong admissions candidate? Build your first college resume to impress recruiters and prove you’ll be a great addition to any university.

8. Utilize the school resources at your disposal.

High schools offer a wealth of resources that many students overlook. Your guidance counselor isn't just for scheduling classes; they can be invaluable for college advice, mental health support, and even career exploration.

The school library isn't just about books anymore—many offer online databases, research tools, and quiet study spaces. Tutoring programs, whether peer-led or teacher-run, can provide academic support in challenging subjects.

Don't hesitate to seek out these resources. Your tuition and tax dollars fund them, and they're there to help you succeed. Take advantage of the support system your school provides.

9. Learn in-demand professional skills.

The best career advice for high school students is to focus on developing a skill set that can set them up for success.

While excelling in your core subjects is crucial, consider developing skills that are highly valued in the professional world, regardless of your chosen career path.

• Public speaking: Join the debate club or volunteer for presentations to prepare for work presentations, sales, and marketing pitches.
• Coding: Learn basic coding skills through online courses or school clubs; technology permeates almost every industry.
• Language skills: Practice your writing and communication skills in English class and through extracurriculars.
• Interpersonal skills: Even customer service experience from a part-time job teaches valuable people skills.

These in-demand skills will not only make you a more competitive college applicant but also give you a significant edge when you enter the workforce.

10. Be yourself, and the friends will come.

High school can feel like a popularity contest, but trying to be someone you're not to fit in will ultimately leave you feeling drained and unfulfilled.

The most genuine and lasting friendships are built on authenticity. Embrace your quirks, your interests, and your unique personality. When you are truly yourself, you'll attract people who appreciate you for who you are, not who you're pretending to be.

These are the friendships that will provide real support and make your high school experience truly enjoyable. Don't chase fleeting popularity; cultivate genuine connections.

11. Embrace change.

When it comes to big life advice for high school students, remember that the only constant in life is change. High school is a time of big changes—interests shift, friendships evolve, and you discover new sides of yourself.

Embrace this growth and be open to new experiences. Adaptability is a key life skill. While high school is important, it's just one part of your journey. Don't stress about having everything figured out now. It's okay to explore, learn, and even make mistakes.

Be kind to yourself, celebrate small wins, and seek help when needed. Focus on building strong values and resilience because these will serve you long after graduation. Enjoy the ride, and trust your path.

Advice for High School Students Going to College

We already covered the most relevant high school tips for current students who want to have the most productive high school experience.

However, high school is also the transition into college. To help you tackle that new stage of life, follow these key tips and to-do’s to prepare for college.

1. Start exploring potential interests early. The subjects you gravitate toward in high school can give you an idea of what major is right for you. Are you naturally gifted at mathematics? You might want to consider accounting or finance, for example. Are languages and writing your strong suit? Maybe explore communications or marketing.

2. Lock in your academics. If you’re a sophomore or junior in high school, maintaining a strong GPA is crucial if you want to get into a good college. However, grades aren’t everything. Colleges expect to see enriching extracurricular activities and volunteer work in your applications.

3. Research colleges thoroughly. Think about what’s important to you in a college: size, location (urban, rural), public vs. private, campus culture, specific programs, and the like. Don’t just try to follow your friends or family tradition just because; choose the university that will best meet your needs.

4. Understand the college application process. Know each college's specific requirements, including essays, standardized tests (SAT/ACT—check if required), transcripts, and recommendations. Start your essays early, revise them carefully, and request recommendations with ample notice. Enlist your school counselor’s help to keep track of deadlines and understand how to request and send your transcription.

5. Explore financial aid and scholarships. College is a significant investment and most people in the U.S. will depend on financial aid, scholarships, loans, or a combination of all. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to access federal grants, loans, and work-study. If your parents are willing to help you out financially, sit down with them early to build a financial plan together.

6. Develop essential life skills. College life will be drastically different from what you’ve experienced so far. You’ll gain a lot of newfound independence, and with that will come many responsibilities. Get accustomed to doing your own laundry, cooking your meals, and cleaning your room and bathroom. Set up a bank account with your parents’ help to familiarize yourself with being responsible for your own finances.

7. Be open to new experiences and growth. When you go to college, it’ll feel like you’re stepping out of a bubble, and you’ll meet new people from all walks of life. Be open-minded, embrace people’s differences, and develop strong interpersonal skills.

How We Reviewed This Article

Over the past 15 years, we’ve helped more than 10 million job seekers build stronger resumes, discover their career paths, interview confidently, and boost their chances of finding the right job faster. Review our Editorial Policy to learn more about our process.