Did you read our previous article on tips for enhancing your background when applying to U.S. high schools? If not, go check it out now!
Once all the procedures are completed, do you think you can just sit back and wait to go abroad? NO! Of course, you should first make thorough preparations while still in China. Students studying at U.S. high schools are generally quite young. How can they quickly adapt to the foreign environment and put their parents at ease? Let CheersYou give you some advice!
Academic Preparation:
Many students drop out of their domestic schools as soon as they receive an offer from a U.S. school, spending their time leisurely waiting to depart. In fact, U.S. schools do not look favorably upon this situation. Furthermore, due to differences in learning methods and content between Chinese and American schools, students should prepare themselves in advance in China to adapt more quickly to academic life abroad.
- Shift Your Mindset
Students accustomed to Chinese education tend to have a fixed mindset focused on achieving high scores. However, American teachers believe that exam scores are not the most important factor. They prefer students who engage in deep thinking and demonstrate independent thought. Final grades are often determined comprehensively, based on class participation and the depth of critical thinking.
In the eyes of American teachers, Chinese students are good at summarizing, which implies acceptance, but they often lack their own ideas. It is rare to hear Chinese students analyze their own thoughts or explain their viewpoints with clear logic. This is an area where Chinese students need cultivation and training, and preparations should be made before departure.
- Class Participation
Class participation is very important in U.S. high schools and may account for 20% to 30% of your grade. Teachers evaluate participation not based on whether answers are right or wrong, but on whether you speak up in class and express your own viewpoints during discussions.
The main format of American classrooms is discussion, which can put shy or quiet Chinese students at a slight disadvantage. Of course, speaking up in class is not the only solution; shy students can also talk to teachers after class. This is another aspect Chinese students should prepare for before enrollment.
- Reading and Writing
In U.S. high schools, each course typically requires reading over one hundred pages of material. Therefore, students can prepare by engaging in extensive reading. While still in China, try reading original English books and articles to improve your reading ability and speed, and more importantly, broaden your perspective.
Writing skills are crucial in American education. However, teachers do not judge essays based on how fancy the vocabulary is, but rather on the depth of the content and the strength of the student's viewpoints.
Cultural Preparation
- Find Your "Circle"
After arriving in the U.S., you will likely go through three phases. First is the excitement phase, where students feel thrilled about the new environment. Next comes the culture shock phase, where friction inevitably arises due to cultural differences. Finally, you will enter the stability phase, having made some close friends and established your own social circle.
How do you find your friend group? A girl studying in the U.S. shared her story: "Actually, there's no special trick to making friends. Just find topics you can chat about with others. Be bold and don't hesitate to communicate because you're worried about your English. The fact that the school admitted you proves your English level is already decent. You can definitely handle basic communication."
- Adapt to Local Customs While Staying True to Yourself
After arriving in the U.S., you should respect local habits and traditions and try to integrate into the environment by finding common ground with others. Most importantly, don't isolate yourself in your own world all day.
However, don't lose yourself in the process of adapting. Being from China is inherently cool.
- Life Preparation
Health Check-ups and Insurance
Some schools uniformly purchase insurance for international students. If the school does not provide clear instructions, be sure to send an email to inquire, ensuring that you have valid international student insurance when you register upon arrival.
The next item is the health examination form. The school will provide documents requiring you to undergo an entry physical examination at a designated International Travel Health Care Center. Be sure to bring your previous vaccination records to avoid unnecessary duplicate vaccinations.
Want to know more practical tips on visa applications, luggage packing, and pre-departure shopping? See you in the next issue~
