Moving to a new school can be a challenge, it can mean having to make new friends or having to join new clubs and organizations. It may be quite scary at first, and one may find themselves wondering if they are going to fit in at Jefferson- Morgan, or if they are going to be alone.

After speaking with a few new students I have found that a common fear among the students is rejection– being turned down– not making a team, or not being able to join a particular club or activity.

As a new student myself and a senior one of my biggest fears coming to JM was not being able to apply for scholarships, or just not being accepted to a school because of the transfer.

After two weeks at JM myself, and the students whom I have spoken with, have come to the conclusion that we were wrong, that we had nothing to worry about.

I thought I would offer some advice to those students who may be just switching or have already but are still trying to find their place.

1. Join Several Clubs / Activities
   It is a great way to meet friends, take up new interests, and augment your college application. 
2.  Learn To Take Responsibility
   Doing whatever you want regardless of the consequences because your parents or teachers are there to fix it. It’s an awful habit. Learn to be accountable for yourself and learn self-discipline. 
3. Plan For After High School
   You shouldn’t have a specific plan on what you want to do early in high school, but as the years pass by, make sure you have a plan. Whether it is college, a vocational school, or the military, just make sure you have a plan for something,
   and make sure you are working to acheive that goal. 
4. Realize High School Isn’t The Real World
   High school is not the real world. The real world isn’t a closed environment. It is a free society where people accept responsibility for their actions. What is rewarded in high school (popularity, athleticness, rote memorization, obedience) is different from what is rewarded in the real world. If high school isn’t working out for you, you may find yourself better in handling the real world. 

Friends may have been made, clubs may have been joined or at least spoken about, and others may feel that “JM is not so bad after all,” says Mikael Stacy, grade 8.