The first day I went to school I awoke early and dressed in my carefully selected new school clothes. I practiced my smile in front of the mirror and rearranged my hair. I packed my backpack meticulously: Are 10 pencils enough to get me through the day? I can’t recall what my mom made for breakfast that morning—my nervousness about my first day at school was all-consuming. Would I make friends? Would I get good grades? Would I fit in? All of these questions followed me out the door as my mom waved goodbye. I was 14 years old.
My parents decided to home school me from first to third grade so I would have a solid educational foundation. Somehow those plans turned into eight years, and I didn’t attend “regular” school until high school.
Lots of girls make the shift from home school to public or private school at some point, and it can be a challenge. However, with some prayer and preparation, the ABCs of transition can be a snap.
Adjusting
Going from a classroom of one or two people to a high school filled with hundreds of teens can be overwhelming. Adjusting can take time, but the experience doesn’t have to be too painful.
Remember, you’re not the only new student at school. Every year tons of freshmen are adjusting to new schedules, teachers and classes. Stick with a group of students who are also new, and you can figure things out together!
Be Yourself
When I started public school, I worried about fitting in with my peers who had been attending “normal” school their whole lives. I didn’t know if my clothes would be fashionable enough or if I knew the current slang. High school is a time where fitting in can feel like a crucial part of life. But remember that you can be part of the group without compromising your personality or beliefs.
Your classmates may find it interesting that you were home-schooled. They might think home schooling is weird, but they also might want to hear about your experiences. Questions I got as a newbie to public school were, “Did you sleep in as late as you wanted?” “How long did you spend doing schoolwork each day?” and “Could you really stand to be around your parents that much?” Instead of downplaying your different experience, turn it into a way to make conversation and get to know people.
Don’t pick your friends by noticing who’s popular and then copy their every move. Instead, be yourself—laugh at things you think are funny, stay away from immoral things. Hearing profanity in the halls or stories of last weekend’s drinking binge may be a culture shock. However, the realities of the way your peers live may be a great opportunity to share the way you’ve decided to live. God often uses challenging situations to provide a way for us to share His truth with others.
On my first day of public school, I told one of my classmates that I liked her nail polish. We started talking and remained friends through graduation. I had lots of opportunities to love her and share my beliefs with her. Making an effort to talk with people will pay off. Eventually you’ll gravitate toward a group of friends with whom you’ll get along.
Change Can Be Good
When I stopped home school, I missed short school days and spending time with my mom. But there were lots of advantages to being at public school, too. I spent the day with lots of friends my age; I joined sports teams; and I earned grades that helped me get college scholarships.
Proverbs 20:24 says the Lord directs our steps. Ask for His help in adjusting to this change. Soon your new schooling situation will be a positive learning experience filled with adventure.
Packing Your Backpack
• Notebooks
• Pens & pencils
• Folder for each subject
• Class schedule
• Calculator
• Bag lunch or money to buy one
• Lip gloss/ Chap Stick
• Class schedule
• Calculator
• Tissues
Vice Versa
Switching from “regular” to home school
If you’re making the transition from public or private school to home schooling, talk with your parents to learn what they’re expecting from this new academic setting. As you adjust to this situation, keep asking questions such as, “How much time should I spend on a subject each day?” and “How late can I sleep in?” Communicating expectations will help you and your parents avoid arguments.
You and your parents can make the student/teacher role fun as you work and learn together in your home. Ask your parents if you can wear your favorite pair of pajamas as a special treat for doing well on a test. Geometry can be a lot more fun when you’re wearing slippers!
You and your family can make your schooling fit in with your personality. For example, if you enjoy English and writing, spend lots of school time writing stories or poetry. Unfortunately, this doesn’t give you license to completely ignore your history lesson. Take your science textbook outside to study nature. Spend time baking in your kitchen as part of your home economics class. Be creative and take advantage of the flexibility that home schooling allows.
While staying home, appreciate the flexibility you never had before. If you want to pack up your schoolbooks and head to the park for a day of learning, you’re free to do so! If you and your family want to go on vacation, you aren’t limited by missing school days—you can work ahead or bring your assignments with you. Also, take advantage of the time you get to spend at home with your family—later in life you’ll cherish the memories.
