American High School Life: School Spirit, Sports, and Slang

So, you're about to begin your high school exchange year in the United States. If you've watched American teen movies, you're probably imagining yellow school buses, football games, and prom. But what is American high school really like? 

High school culture in the United States is probably unlike anything you've experienced back home. It can feel overwhelming at first, so let's break it down so you know what to expect. 

School Spirit

One of the first things you'll notice is how much American high schools love their school spirit. They take a lot of pride in their school community, represented by their school colors and mascot (an animal or symbol). For "Spirit Weeks," students wear school colors, cheer at sports games, and participate in themed dress-up days, such as "Pajama Day" or "Twin Day." 

Get ready to attend pep rallies, events where students come together to support their sports teams, hear the marching band, and show their school spirit. Participating in spirit activities is a great way to make friends and feel a sense of belonging. Even if you're not a huge sports fan, wear your school's colors and cheer for your school's team! You'll feel like part of the community in no time. 

Sports Culture

Sports are a big deal for American high schools. Participating in school sports, such as soccer, volleyball, baseball, football, basketball, or track and field, is a great way to make friends and get involved in your school community. Even if you've never played the sport before, many American high schools have intramural or JV teams that welcome beginners.

Even if you don't like playing sports, you can still participate in the fun by going to games with your classmates and cheering on your school's team. 

Clubs and Extracurriculars

American high schools offer a vast variety of extracurricular activities, such as debate team, drama club, student government, and robotics. Regardless of your interests, you'll likely find a group for you. Joining a club is also a fantastic way to meet other students with similar interests. 

What if your school doesn't have a club that matches your interests?  This is your opportunity to learn and experience new things--so jump into whatever clubs are available!

American Slang

Learning slang will make you feel like an English language expert. It can be confusing at first, but soon you'll recognize certain phrases and expressions and even start to use them yourself. Here are a few common phrases you'll hear:

• "What's up?" - A casual way to say "Hello" or "How are you?"
• "Hang Out" - Means spending time together casually. For example, your friends might ask, "Do you want to hang out after school?"
• "Chill" means relaxed or easy-going; for example, someone might say, "I'm chill." It also means to hang out, as in "Let's chill at my house?"
• "Hit me up" - Asking someone to contact you.
• "I'm down." - You agree or want to join in.
• "Cool" - You agree. It also means that something is great, as in "That game is cool."
• "No worries" means don't worry about it; it's okay.

By embracing these aspects of high school life, such as dressing up for school spirit and cheering on your school's sports teams, you'll quickly feel connected to your new classmates. Don't be afraid to try new things. Feeling confused or out of place at the beginning is completely normal. But if you stay open-minded and get involved in your school's activities, you'll start to feel right at home.