Ninth grade priorities

High schools in the Bozeman area began the fall semester this past week. If you are a ninth-grade student or parent of one, here are some thoughts about what you can do now to get yourself set up well for life during and after high school:

1. Prioritize healthy routines. Establish a consistent bedtime and stick to it. Aim for at least eight hours of sleep every night. Put your phone away an hour before bed. Eat nutrient-rich food, mostly vegetables. Start with a protein-packed breakfast. Get regular exercise: at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week.

2. Get involved. Pick two activities to participate in. They could be activities you’ve done for years, or you may choose to do something entirely new. Ninth grade is an ideal time to explore. If you feel like joining the wrestling team, do it. If you want to try out the forensics club because you’re a true crime aficionado, give it a whirl. You’ll create new friendships, and you’ll learn new things. Make your selections based on what sounds good to you. Don’t try to guess at what colleges want.

3. Focus on developing good study habits. Rather than setting goals centering on grades (“I will get an A in math”), set goals focusing instead on your own habits of mind (“I will study math 30 minutes every school night,” “I will meet with my math teacher after school one week before every exam”).

4. Plan intentional family time. Sit down for a home-cooked meal with your family at least once a week. Everyone should put their phones and digital devices away. If your parents are too busy to cook, consider volunteering. It might sound hokey, but consider planning an interesting conversation topic for your time together. Make your family memories something you’ll look back on fondly.

Consider signing up for my ninth-grade package to help with all this! And note that I've said basically nothing about college. That's intentional. We'll have plenty of time later to get you set up for success in college. Let's focus now on getting you situated in high school.

If you're ready to take a deeper dive into getting ready for college, use the contact form on my website to schedule a free one-hour consultation!