So we are going to start off with reading your school diary, if you do not have this already, you will probably get it in the first few days of school. The first 10 or so pages should be filled up with rules, read them, and try to follow them as best as you can, you do not have to go overboard with this, and start quoting them.
Next, if you have a mobile phone, either keep it in your locker (If there are lots of thefts in your school, put it on silent). Or in your pocket, if in your pocket, try and remember to turn it on silent, or turn it off, in the worst case scenario it goes off during a test with a loud rock song… (Yes this has happened to me, not a very happy teacher).
Thirdly, bullying, most of the time this will only be name calling, if you become a victim of mental bullying, for the love of god do not say “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” not a very pleasant sight afterwards. If physical bullying, you can do a number of things, you can just ignore them (Not sure how long this takes to work however), stand up to them (If you don't mind getting a black eye, but this usually works), or just act really homosexual near them and pretend you are sexually attracted to them (This should freak them out enough to leave you alone). If you are a victim of cyber bullying, just ignore it, seriously, if you don't read it or visit their Myspace (Or whatever) talking bout about you, then you have nothing to complain about.
On to making friends, the tip is, sit with some people during your orientation, get to know them and expand your friendship to others, because once people settle into "groups" of friends, it's hard to join them and be their friend. If you want to join one of these "groups" then find one of them alone and talk to them, the best way to do this is if they are in some of your classes. Start getting to know them, and before you know it, you're in!
Because this is in no apparent order, I am going to start on laptops. For the schools who use laptops in class time, firstly, make sure you do not have any games or movies on your laptop, without them, the temptation to play them is drastically reduced (You think?). Anything said in class is most likely going to be in or related to a test, so pay attention, and you're on your way to move up a class.
Finally, get on with your teachers, this does NOT mean kiss up to them, as this will make you much more open to metal bullying. The best way to do this is just to answer questions in class without shouting out, if she starts asking you lots of questions when going through something, and you answer them correctly it can mean two things, firstly, they favor you, and this is good, OR, they thought you weren't listening, and wanted to see if you were, this is bad.
There are lots of other things to cover, but the best way to find out about this is to ask someone older who goes to your school. A sibling would be the best option.
