You will stand out from the crowd when you are noticed, particularly, by the adults who work in your high school! Why do you want them to notice you?? The answer is that when you apply to colleges, it is a very competitive process, so the more people who have seen you, who have taken note of you, and who like you during the course of your four high school years, the more sources you have to draw on as recommenders who will say positively that you are the best. That will impress the college admissions officers where you are applying!

Below are some suggestions for you to win notice and favor from the staff of your high school. You will be surprised how little things or things you have never thought about will capture interest and praise.

Teachers Notice You Because…

The OBVIOUS REASONS teacher will notice you are because you
--are a good student, which doesn’t always mean you get the best grades but that you make an effort, are on time, care about what you do in their class, and show an interest in the materials and class presentations
--sit up front so they can see you
--talk in their classes, answering questions, asking questions, and making
contributions to discussions
--stay after class to clear up any problems or questions you have, extend a class discussion because of interest, or want to know more information
--have a positive attitude and wear a smile
--help others students in your class; by doing so you also show you are capable of floating among a wide circle of friends
--offer assistance to the teacher, e.g., setting up science labs or shelving books in English

OTHER REASONS why teachers will notice you are
--because you take the time to thank them for their work, their class, or their help (This can be a verbal thank you or a note/card.)
--you offer to do something extra that will add to class, e.g., make a relevant presentation, create an easy recap, find more resources
--you show you are trying to be a better student, even if you are already a good student, e.g., you revise work, and not just for a better grade, or you check over wrong answers on quizzes or tests

AND DON’T: whine, ask for favors, be dishonest, and don’t grub for grades.

Your Principal(s) will Notice you because…

The OBVIOUS REASONS your principal and/or your assistant principal(s) will notice you are because you
--are a star, either in academics or in sports, maybe in both
--take part in a lot of activities
--attend many school functions so you are seen
--show leadership by not blindly following your peers, by taking an independent stand

OTHER REASONS why principal(s) will notice you are
--because you actually make an effort to talk with him/them by making an appointment to offer praise of something good in your school or to offer a plan for improving something in your school
--because you do a school-wide project, either with a small group or by yourself, e.g., plant a garden at the school’s entrance; work with other students as a tutor; or create a website for teachers, about the discipline code, for a “principal’s corner”
--willing to volunteer for student committees

AND, DON’T: get into disciplinary trouble, complain to the principal without a solution, or go to the principal about a problem without first going through the proper channels and trying to resolve the issue positively first.

Other High School Staff Members Will Notice You Because…

The OBVIOUS REASONS other staff (janitors, hall monitors, kitchen staff, security staff) in your high school will notice you are because you
--learn their names
--you speak to them: say good morning, ask how they are, tell them about your classes

OTHER REASONS why high school staff will notice you
--recycle (to impress the janitorial staff)
--pick up an empty food tray left on a table (to impress the kitchen staff)
--show your hall passes without being asked and don’t loiter (to impress the hall monitors)
--don’t wear your long coat indoors or carry knives or beepers for any reason, unless cleared by the front office (to impress the security staff)
--throw away your trash, and anyone else’s that’s lying around, inside and out of school
--compliment people on the job their doing or for being there for you

AND, DON’T: ignore them as people or treat them like your servants.

You may be thinking: “Duh!” but you would be surprised how nice little things you to in your interactions with all the people in your school reverberate. Before you know it the hall monitor mentions your name to a faculty member who mentions your name to a janitor who is talking to the principal and repeats your name, and before you know it , you have a great reputation that will only serve to promote you in your quest to be admitted to a great college.