Bristol, Connecticut, UNITED STATES – For most upperclassmen, this school year is bound to be similar to the last. By now, you should have a handle on the whole high school thing.
You know how much homework to expect, and have gotten to know at least a handful of teachers. (Unfortunately that includes the scary gym teacher that you – in your infinite wisdom – tend to avoid.)
But for some of us, this year will be different in one major way – our little brother or sister will be joining us in that ocean of people that we all know as high school.
Now, on principle alone, our school lives should be kept completely separate from our home lives. Yes, it might be a little immoral of us high schoolers to live a double life, but that’s just the way things are. Generally, family and friends fall in two whole different spectrums in our minds.
But this is the year that, for some of us, the separation will end. Some of us will have to see a living, breathing, five-foot reminder of our home lives for (gasp!) even more time than usual.
Having dealt with this issue for a whopping two days of school – which might as well be a year or two – I feel entitled to give out a few pieces of advice, for the sake of the little sibling.
First of all, however tempting it may be, do not completely avoid your baby brother or sister if he or she approaches you.
I know, it may be tough to avoid temptation and not completely ignore them, but it won’t kill you to ask them how their day is going. Besides, if you try and ignore your brother while he’s calling your name during lunch, it might just encourage him to scream even louder across the cafeteria, possibly embarrassing you more than anything.
Also, do not tell your sibling that her English class is on the third floor near the pool.
First of all, no one is dense enough to believe that. Anyway, it’s an old prank. Why bother trying unless your trick truly shows off your creativity and innovativeness? And if you have something in mind that is that inspired, why not save it for senior prank day, when your cleverness is bound to be appreciated?
I don’t recommend that you tell your freshman family member that his teachers are difficult and horrible, however true it may be.
Not only will you freak him out, but you will also invoke the wrath of your concerned parent. Believe me, this will do the family no good, especially if such an incident were to occur in the car ride on the morning of the first day of school.
Above all, do not give your sis bad fashion advice. Advise her not to wear the black outfit, the short skirt, or anything too flashy or colorful, to avoid being judged or classified too early on in the year. However unfortunate it may be, first impressions are often lasting ones. Also encourage her not to do so before the year’s first report card is issued.
If you still find it hard to avoid being rude to your little sibling, just dredge up those lovely memories of your first day of high school. Imagine how much easier it would have been if you had someone to guide you and make the transition at least a little smoother.
If that fails, just wish them luck and point them in the right direction. You can’t be too concerned with their schedule when you have your own first day to worry about.
Besides, you have all the other freshmen to sell pool passes to.
Rachel Glogowski is a Reporter for Youth Journalism International.
