Grades are not everything.
Although this statement seems cliche and over exhausted, it has a fair amount of truth in it, especially at OSSM. One of my biggest worries as an incoming junior was whether or not I could still make “good” grades. Of course, all OSSM students are told as they are transitioning to the school that they should not expect to get straight A’s. However, I happened to be one of those ignorant people who brushed off that very wise warning, thinking to myself, “Yeah, sure straight As are hard to get… but really. I’m still going to make straight A’s.”
Granted, earning all A’s is not an impossible goal, but expect to work very hard for them. When it comes to grades, it is important to maintain a balance between challenging yourself and knowing your limits.
Ultimately, remember that the reason you came to OSSM is to learn. While having ambition is wonderful, my suggestion would be to prioritize learning the material over getting the grade.
Do not assume that OSSM is the fast track to an Ivy League.
A question I often get from people who are interested in the school is whether or not it improves their chances of getting into *insert Ivy/top 20 college here*. To paraphrase what Dr. Rahman tells his students, the student makes the school, not the other way around (at least, that’s what I gathered from his philosophical anecdotes). Granted, OSSM is a great environment to be in, academics or otherwise, but simply attending the school will not guarantee you anything. You must make the most of your experience here. Yes, OSSM is a treasure trove for new opportunities, but you must seek them for yourself. Opportunities will not fall into your lap.
Get your standardized testing done ASAP.
You do not want to be one of those people who spend all of their precious breaks studying for the ACT/SAT. I happened to be one of those people.
Your breaks would be much better spent resting, getting a head start on coursework, and/or spending time with your friends and family. The best case scenario would be to get all of your testing done before senior year so that you can focus on your coursework and college applications.
Another thing to consider is taking SAT Subject tests. The lesser known evil of standardized testing, SAT subject tests are known to appear on the occasional college website, usually requested in addition to the SAT. Often, colleges will ask for either the ACT with writing or the SAT and anywhere between 1-3 SAT Subject tests. With that in mind, start thinking of which SAT Subject tests you would like take. My suggestion would be to take it soon after your completion of the corresponding course. Many juniors take the tests after school ends, once they’ve completed their chemistry/physics/math/etc. courses.
Form good relationships with your professors.
Not only do they have a wealth of knowledge in their subject area, but they are also people that you will probably have to ask for recommendations later on down the road.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to ask questions. I know that I was definitely reluctant to ask professors for help because I was afraid that I would seem, for the lack of a better word, dumb. From what I’ve gathered from my experience here, professors would much rather see you reaching out to them when you are struggling rather than just keep silent. They like to see that you are making an effort.