Secondary school or high school can be a fun and unforgettable experience for many of us.
You get more freedom, you study new subjects and you get to make new friends. There's also more sports and opportunities to exercise, plus the canteen has a greater variety of food to fuel you!
You get to experience something that other people might not be able to.
We spoke to students across the UK and asked them to share some of their favourite things, thoughts and memories about secondary school so far.
Student 1:
It's a little bit nerve wracking at first, I will admit. But if you listen to what everyone tells you, like all the tips, the help from the teachers - it gets so much easier.
Student 2:
The best thing about secondary school is that I got to discover new subjects.
Student 3:
There's loads of variety of sports you do.
Student 4:
Football, rugby, netball …
Student 5:
… and science. I didn't do science in primary school.
Student 6:
Bunsen burners, slime.
Student 7:
It's like an actual laboratory.
Student 8:
Basically all the experiments that we get to do.
Student 9:
Best thing about starting secondary school was probably making new friends and meeting new people.
Student 10:
Then, like all the new teachers.
Student 3:
Lots of variety of different foods.
Student 11:
You have a lot more responsibility.
Student 3:
Pizza, chips …
Student 11:
And there are a lot higher expectations
Student 3:
Like chicken …
Student 11:
But you get a lot more freedom as well, which is quite fun.
Student 12:
Better to have more independence.
Student 13:
It feels kind of nice because you're like, the teachers aren't helping you with every single thing. Like you have to do it yourself.
Student 5:
In secondary school, I was excited to try the clubs and different activities you could do.
Student 14:
When I got into high school, I started like playing guitar and now I'm like very good at it. In fact, I'm in a band.
Student 15:
You get to hold a lot of new memories in secondary school, and you get to probably come out of secondary school with those memories as well, knowing that you got to experience something that other people might not be able to.
Student 16:
I'm a big kid now. I'm joining secondary school now.
Student 17:
I like all the new subjects. So home ec - you get to cook in a double lesson, it's so good. I loved a double lesson of PE, music, your languages - I love all that.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.
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