Leaving primary school behind and stepping into high school is one of the biggest changes in a student’s early academic life. It’s not just about going from Year 6 to Year 7 — it’s about entering a whole new world of independence, structure, social dynamics and opportunity.
If you (or your child) are gearing up for this next chapter, we’ve put together a friendly, no-stress guide to help you know what’s coming — and how to thrive in high school from Day 1.
In primary school, most students have one main teacher who guides them through almost every subject. But in high school? You’ll usually have a different teacher for every subject — and that means:
Moving between classrooms multiple times a day
Getting used to new teaching styles and expectations
Staying organised with different books, folders, and homework for each class
Most schools will have 5 to 6 periods a day, and a timetable that rotates throughout the week. It’s a big shift from the more flexible primary classroom, but most students adjust quickly — especially with some help getting organised early on.
High school campuses are usually much larger than primary schools. That means more:
Classrooms and blocks to navigate
Facilities like libraries, labs, music rooms, and sports courts
Responsibility for time management (no one is walking you from one class to another!)
Learning to read a timetable, pack the right books, and move between periods on time is a skill — but it gets easier with practice. Most schools run Year 7 orientation programs to help students ease into the new routine.
In primary school, subjects are general (like “Science” or “English”) and often blend into one another. But in high school, students usually start studying more specialised subjects like:
Mathematics
English
Science
Geography or History
PDHPE (Personal Development, Health & PE)
Technology and Applied Studies
Languages
Visual Arts or Music
This lets students explore different types of learning and discover what they enjoy (or what they might want to study later in senior school). It’s more structured — but also more exciting!
One of the best parts of high school is the extracurriculars. You’ll usually have access to more clubs, competitions, and activities, like:
Sports teams that train or compete after school
Clubs for debating, drama, robotics, environment, writing, music, and more
Leadership roles like SRC, house captains, and student leaders
School carnivals — swimming, athletics, cross country
Excursions and camps — sometimes overnight or interstate!
High school is full of opportunities to explore interests and make new friends, especially for students who get involved early.
For many students, high school is further away than their local primary school — which means it’s time to start thinking about travel. This might include:
Public transport — learning to use the train or bus system
Bike riding or walking longer distances
Leaving earlier in the morning to make it on time
Students also might travel during the school day for sport, excursions, or special events — sometimes even outside the local area. That level of independence is a big step, and it helps build confidence fast.
The homework load in high school is usually higher — and it varies depending on the subject and teacher. Students need to:
Use a diary or app to keep track of deadlines
Organise folders and notes by subject
Develop good habits early — like setting aside time after school to study or revise
While it can be a lot at first, there are plenty of tools and strategies to make it manageable — and that’s exactly where Notes2u can help.
High school means meeting students from other primary schools, forming new friendships, and navigating changing social dynamics. That might feel daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to:
Make new friends who share your interests
Get a fresh start socially
Learn how to manage friendships, boundaries, and communication in a more mature way
Most schools take social wellbeing seriously, with Year 7 programs, peer support groups, and wellbeing staff who help with the adjustment.
✅ Learn how to read your timetable early — and stick it on your wall or in your locker
📚 Label your books and folders clearly by subject
🚌 Practice your travel route before school starts — especially if using public transport
🧠 Build healthy routines around homework, sleep, and device use
🎒 Pack your bag the night before — it saves heaps of stress in the morning!
👋 Ask for help — teachers, year advisors, and older students are all there to support you, especially if you get lost between classrooms on the first day!
At Notes2u, we’re not just about senior subjects. We support students from all stages — and we’re especially passionate about building good study skills from the start.
Whether you’re transitioning into Year 7 or thinking ahead to high school success, we’ve got:
📝 Study skills blogs (like this one!)
📘 Ready-to-go revision resources
🧠 Note-taking strategies that work for all ages
💡 Expert advice to help build confidence and routine
Check out the Notes2u Blog for tools, tips, and resources to help your high school journey start strong.