Schools should recommend a student guide, a teacher mentor and some after-school activities. The student guide will help the new student become familiar with the school buildings and facilities. The teacher mentor will introduce the curriculum and the school's system. Thirdly, the after-school activities will help new students make friends.
Firstly, a main problem a new student encounters is unfamiliarity. The student will easily get lost because s/he is unsure of where the facilities such as the gym are. A student guide who is used to the campus can help the new student go to the right classrooms according to the schedule. This can be very helpful because I remember, when I came to France to a new high school, I had difficulties finding the right class and moving at the right time, according to the timetable. Months had to pass until I finally became accustomed with everything, because the campus was of large scale. If another student had helped me out, it would have been more facile for me to overcome unfamiliarity.
Secondly, the new student does not know how the school is run. Let alone, curriculums and dress codes, the system varies depending on the schools. The new pupil needs to be aware of how the school operates in order to properly integrate.This is why a teacher mentor is necessary. An experienced professor can wisely lead the student and explain what is expected of the student. As a result, the new student will come to terms with how the school works.
Thirdly, another problem a "freshly-come" student faces, is lack of friends. All you see is new faces in a new school; you are likely to feel lonely. The school, therefore should recommend extra-curricular activities, which can bring students together. This will definitely help new students make friends because s/he will meet other students who have similar interests, whether it is sports, arts, music etc. Such similarities will make it easier to start new friendships.
Moving schools is intimidating and stressful. You are being placed in an unknown environment. The school should thus make integration easier for new students by designating a student guide, a teacher mentor and after-school activities. The guide and the mentor will make the new student become accustomed with the campus and the school system. In addition, the after school activities will encourage making friends. If all of these were achieved, then the new students will "fit in" successfully. |