90% of SHS1 Students Struggle in Their First Term Because of This Simple Mistake

Thousands of BECE graduates are preparing to begin SHS1 on September 18, 2026, but one simple mistake can make the transition harder than it needs to be.

For many new Senior High School students, the biggest challenge may not be the new subjects, unfamiliar teachers or living away from home. It may be failing to understand the rules, routines and expectations of their new school from the very beginning.

The figure 90% in the headline is being used as a warning-style hook, not as a verified national statistic. There is no published national study establishing that exactly 90% of SHS1 students struggle in their first term because of one particular mistake.

What is clear is that the transition from JHS to SHS introduces students to a more structured environment where they must take greater responsibility for their time, conduct, studies and personal belongings.

SHS1 Students Are Due to Report From September 18

The Ghana Education Service has scheduled September 18, 2026 as the start of the academic year for Form One students in Single Track Senior High and Senior High Technical Schools. Form One students in Transitional Schools are also scheduled to report on September 18.

However, parents should pay attention to the latest communication from their child’s school.

The Education Ministry is currently dealing with outstanding CSSPS placement issues and, as of September 17, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said the government was considering giving additional time for reporting if unresolved placement problems were not dealt with by the end of the week.

This means parents should follow official updates and, where necessary, confirm reporting arrangements directly with their child’s school.

The Simple Mistake That Can Make SHS Difficult

One of the biggest mistakes a fresher can make is assuming that SHS will operate exactly like JHS.

It will not.

A new SHS student enters an environment where the day is organised around established routines. Waking up, preparing for school activities, attending assembly, going to classes, reporting to the dining hall, participating in prep and returning to the dormitory are all part of a structured routine.

The student is expected to learn that routine and follow it.

A fresher who spends the first few weeks ignoring instructions, following friends blindly or waiting until they are punished before learning the rules can quickly find the new environment overwhelming.

The better approach is simple: listen, observe, ask questions and learn the system early.

Boarding Students Must Learn Their Dormitory Routine

For students entering boarding school, the dormitory will become a major part of daily life.

A fresher should learn where personal belongings are kept, how the dormitory is organised and when students are expected to wake up, clean up and prepare for the day’s activities.

Students should keep their beds and surrounding areas orderly and take dormitory cleaning responsibilities seriously.

They should also avoid touching another student’s property without permission.

A new student should never assume that something is acceptable simply because another student is doing it. If there is uncertainty about a dormitory rule, the safest option is to ask the appropriate housemaster, housemistress, teacher or prefect.

Assembly Is Not a Time to Be Careless

The morning transition from the dormitory to assembly is another routine that freshers need to understand quickly.

Students should know where they are expected to assemble and when they are expected to be there.

They should listen carefully to announcements and instructions rather than treating assembly as a routine that can be ignored.

For a new student, small acts of discipline can make a major difference. Being where you are expected to be, at the right time, is one of the simplest ways to avoid unnecessary problems.

The Dining Hall Comes With Its Own Rules

Meal times are also part of the discipline of boarding school.

Students should follow the school’s instructions when moving to and from the dining hall and behave respectfully during meals.

Freshers should avoid pushing, fighting, unnecessary arguments or behaviour that can create tension among students.

They should also understand that boarding school means sharing facilities and spaces with many other students.

Patience and consideration are therefore important.

Night Prep Is Where Habits Begin to Show

For many SHS students, night prep is one of the most important periods of the school day.

This is the time to revise lessons, complete assignments, read ahead and prepare for upcoming academic work.

A fresher who spends prep talking, sleeping or engaging in unnecessary distractions may gradually fall behind.

Students do not need to wait for examination week before taking their studies seriously.

The strongest habit to develop from the beginning is to review what was taught during the day while the lessons are still fresh.

Do Not Allow Friendship to Control Your Decisions

One of the realities of entering SHS is meeting many new people.

Some friendships will be positive and supportive. Others may expose students to behaviour that can create disciplinary or safety problems.

Freshers should therefore learn an important survival skill: the ability to say no.

A student should not break a school rule simply because friends are doing so.

A student should also not participate in a fight, leave school without permission, hide prohibited items or engage in dangerous behaviour because of pressure from classmates.

The decision made in one moment can sometimes have consequences that last much longer.

Safety Should Come Before Trying to Impress Anyone

New students should be particularly careful during their first weeks.

They should avoid unnecessary fights and dangerous activities. Serious threats, bullying, harassment, theft or other safety concerns should be reported to an appropriate school authority.

Students should also take reasonable care of their personal belongings.

Parents can help by teaching their wards to distinguish between being friendly and being careless.

A student does not have to disclose every personal detail to everyone they meet, lend out everything they own or follow every instruction given by an older student.

When something appears unsafe or contrary to school rules, the student should seek help from an authorised adult.

READ: 64.7% Say Double-Track Has Reduced SHS Education Quality, IEA Poll Finds

Do Not Be Afraid to Ask Questions

A fresher may not know where a classroom is.

They may not understand the dining routine.

They may forget where to report for assembly or be confused about prep arrangements.

That does not make the student weak or incapable.

The mistake is remaining silent and pretending to understand everything.

New students should ask teachers, house staff and responsible prefects for clarification when they are unsure.

Learning how the school operates during the first few days can prevent many avoidable problems later.

Parents Must Also Prepare Their Wards Mentally

Parents have an important role in helping BECE graduates make the transition.

Buying the required items is only one part of preparation.

Parents should also speak to their children about discipline, personal safety, time management, friendships and respect for school authorities.

The National Harmonised Prospectus released by GES is intended to guide parents and students on items required for SHS and SHTS admission. GES has urged parents and students to study the requirements and prepare ahead of enrolment.

Parents should also ensure they have the correct contact information for the school.

If there is a problem after reporting, the child should know who to contact and the parent should know how to reach the appropriate school authority.

Do Not Panic If the First Week Feels Strange

For some BECE graduates, the first few days may be exciting.

For others, the experience may feel uncomfortable.

A student who has always lived at home may suddenly have to share a dormitory, follow a timetable, eat according to school arrangements and study alongside many other students.

That adjustment can take time.

Students should therefore avoid concluding too quickly that they cannot cope simply because the first few days are difficult.

The objective should be to understand the environment, establish a routine and gradually become comfortable with the responsibilities that come with SHS life.

Academic Success Starts Before the First Test

One of the biggest differences between JHS and SHS is the amount of responsibility students must take for their own learning.

A student should not wait for a teacher to remind them about every assignment.

They should write down important tasks, revise regularly and seek help when a topic is difficult.

Students should also avoid comparing themselves with classmates.

Some students will understand certain subjects faster than others. The important thing is to identify areas of difficulty early and work on them.

The First Term Can Set the Tone

The first term gives SHS1 students an opportunity to establish habits that can remain with them throughout their secondary education.

A student who learns to manage time, respect rules, study consistently, protect personal belongings and choose friends carefully is already building important skills for the years ahead.

The reverse is also true.

Repeated lateness, unnecessary conflicts, poor study habits and disregard for school rules can make the transition unnecessarily difficult.

That is why the first few weeks matter.

READ: SHS1 Boarding Students Report From Friday, September 18: What Freshers and Parents Must Know

Parents Should Confirm Reporting Details Before Sending Wards

With the national Form One reporting date set for Friday, September 18, 2026, parents should follow the latest official information on their child’s placement and confirm any school-specific reporting instructions.

The current placement situation also means families with unresolved CSSPS issues should continue using the appropriate resolution channels rather than assuming that their cases will resolve automatically. The Ministry has said outstanding placement concerns are being addressed ahead of reopening.

For students whose placements and reporting arrangements are settled, the next important step is the transition itself.

The first lesson of SHS may not come from a textbook. It may simply be learning how the school works, respecting the rules, choosing friends wisely and taking responsibility for one’s own education.

For every BECE graduate becoming an SHS1 student this September, starting well can make the journey ahead much easier