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By Arya The transition from middle school to high school is both a significant and nerve-racking change. Middle school is a laid-back environment where the work is not too serious, while high school becomes increasingly difficult, as the semesters go on and dictates your future career. Going into high school can be extremely intimidating and can feel very overwhelming due to the constant pressure of meeting goals and deadlines.
As an anticipated high school student, you are entering an unfamiliar atmosphere with a much denser school population, a building that can be difficult to navigate, and burdensome. On the plus side, there are diverse extracurriculars to take part in including clubs, electives, and sports. However, because of the many more opportunities you can take part in, there comes many more responsibilities. Graduating from middle school and moving onto high school can trigger a cluster of emotions, including stress and anxiety., but there are also many other aspects to high school than these feelings. Since the middle schools in the area tend to feed into the high schools, the people in your classes will range from those you have known prior, to complete strangers. Although this can be slightly spine-tingling, it is a great opportunity for you to make more friends. These friends can also become study or notetaking buddies, which can turn out to be of great benefit to the both of you. Being engaged with friends and the school apart from your classes is also crucial for the best high school experience. Friends may come and go, but overtime, you will determine who your true friends are and make great memories with them along the way. As for high school events, try to take part in as many of them as you can. If I have learned anything from COVID-19, it is to take advantage of what you have and what you can do because anything can happen. We can’t predict the future. Moreover, if you have the option, you could take much more rigorous classes, such as Honors, AP (Advanced Placement), and IB (International Baccalaureate). But this also means you would need to learn how to manage time more efficiently in order to avoid being bombarded with stress. A methodical way of managing time when it comes to school is writing down all the homework and/or tasks you have for that day or week, then creating a schedule of when you are going to do specific assignments and/or tasks. Personally, I use the Notes app on my phone to jot down all my assignments for school, as well as any extracurricular tasks I have to do. As I complete them, I remove them in order to keep track of what is outstanding. Alternatively, you could use a journal, calendar, or another app on your phone - Whatever you’re most comfortable with! When it comes to actually completing the school work, there are many efficient ways of doing so. Some examples include:
Having a good work ethic and proper time management will not only help you throughout high school, but also through your post-secondary career and the rest of your life. I know going into high school can be frightening, but some of the experiences and memories that are made throughout the four years you’re there are ones you will never forget. Like all things, high school has its ups and downs, but it will be some of the best four years of your life, so make sure to enjoy them to the best of your abilities!
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By NJ “You need to put in more hours if you want grades!”
“How dare you watch so much youtube?” “You are far too invested in other things.” “Your school is starting no more Disney plus.” “Your OCD will ruin your grades.” Grades, School, Grades, School, Grades, School, Grades and even more school. Honestly… I hate it. I really do. I would love to say my notes look like the ones from the studygram community, but mine don’t - mine usually look like I was writing notes and then fell asleep. The fact is- I am a ‘bad student’. But what is a bad student? Is it bad Grades? In my opinion- no. I think consistency is what defines a student. Do you study daily? Do you do your homework on time? Do you get grades consistently? These more often than not define how “good” of a student you are. Now, I will admit, personally I don’t think there is anything called a good student. Everyone is different and to say that you can assess someone’s intelligence by a bunch of numbers on a paper is idiotic. But unfortunately, we all have to navigate the traditional educational system. In less than ten months my 12 year long academic journey will come to a close, and while I may not have been the brightest, I have learned some things that I would like to share, because honestly, it hasn’t fully set in for me just how much I have changed in the last 12 years. I went from the girl who cried everyday morning and ran after her mom in first grade to who I am now. I won’t say I am better now, but the changes have been profound and it’s a bittersweet feeling knowing that it's all coming to a close. As each university application opens it's a reminder of just how much time has passed. So, on to my “advices” Be consistent - When it comes to homework and classes, the saying ‘better late than never’ just doesn’t apply. So staying on top of your work starts from being consistent. Have some homework? Do it today. Essay is due in 5 days? Split your work into 5 and finish them up. Something that I think people don’t admit enough is that school is all about getting things done. Studying is VERY important, don’t get me wrong, but in the end if you don’t have the work to prove it, it's all unfortunately pointless. Pay attention in class - This might seem obvious to some, but it's honestly surprising just how much information your brain is capable of storing when you just listen in class. Listen to lectures, record them if your teacher’s have no issues with it (this applies mostly to students in undergraduate degrees but if your high school teacher has no issues then why not?) and replay it. Now, with the pandemic, it's easier than ever for you to record your sessions (If your classes are on teams and your teacher is recording, then your should automatically have a copy of it available to you for downloading) Keep your own detailed personal notes - Is this extra work? Yeah, it is. But I swear to god it took twelve me years to finally find out just how useful writing your material is. Trust me, it will help you. I usually read through the notes my teacher uploads for us and our textbook and combine it to form my own notes, and oh my god it's so useful. For twelve years I have resisted doing this and I feel so dumb. Make use of google tasks - Honestly fairly self explanatory. It's a great tool that is both free and available to anyone with a google account. It's also connected to your google calendar so it will even remind you of it in case you forget. Another great tool is an app called minimalist. It's simple and has a clean interface that comes with timers and a pomodoro timer incase you enjoy that method (with customizable time limits) I found this app through a youtuber and I’ll link a few of my favorite study/notetaking based youtubers at the end of the article. (none of the links given or apps mentioned are sponsored. I just really enjoy using them!) Don’t do what people say works. Do what works for you. - This is maybe counterproductive to the whole point of this article, but it's so important. Just because pomodoro works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for you, and it's not your or their fault. The fact is all our brains work in different ways and that is perfectly fine. Personally, pomodoro doesn’t work for me because I am easily distracted and would simply end up studying for 25 minutes and then goofing off for 5 hours. Here is a video that I think is really important - my least favorite study methods + why. Don’t focus on the aesthetic. Focus on the content you are actually learning - I think that over the years, having aesthetic notes and these very specific and pretty expensive art supplies have been given far too much importance. But nothing is further from the truth. I was inspired by a youtuber studyquill to include this point because it's honestly so true. Focus on what you are actually learning versus what it looks like. Here is the video that inspired me - are these studytube trends overhyped? 🍵 my hot takes on ipad pros, kankens, mildliners + more While she mentions some things she does like, you absolutely do not need any of these things to be productive. So that's it to be honest. Just remember to work hard but also take care of yourself. In case you are interested, here are a few studytubers to check out when you are on a break. Studyquill - studyquill - YouTube Studytee - studytee - YouTube Another quick reminder that while yes, these studytubers are really aesthetic, it doesn’t mean you absolutely have to be as well. You don’t need these supplies or a stunning handwriting (I don’t have one) to be productive but they are fun to watch though ! At the end of the day, be sincere, honest and a good person and focus on your studies but don’t sell your mental or physical well being for it. (but don’t hide behind those excuses though, you still gotta work hard.) By Finlay During the Summer, after finishing school for good, many people express their concerns and anxieties when it comes to receiving results which will allow you to leap to the next step of your life. Am I going to get into the college I want to go to? Is my future going to be impacted if I mess up an exam? Are people going to ask me the grades I got? These are all questions I worked myself up about after leaving school. Even now, August 12th, the date of my results, is continuously in the back of my mind as something to feel uneasy and nervous about.
For me, if I ever tried to speak to anybody about my worries for oncoming Results Day I would get told things like “Exams aren’t the be-all and end-all, Fin” or “You have nothing to worry about Fin, you’re a smart lad”. This really annoyed me, especially considering my education was severely influenced by Covid and we had missed out on weeks at a time of learning due to having to self-isolate. My school barely supported me and constantly left our year in the dark when it came to mock exams, waiting for weeks at a time to notify us about upcoming exams and almost purposely making us even more stressed and concerned about the grades we would receive in the Summer. Recently, doing things I enjoy have slightly relieved my worries and concerns despite them still faintly being there in the back of my head; personally, these are things like:
Even talking to family has helped, because realistically, as my family have explained, you can’t change the past; as long as you’ve done your best then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Another problem which people usually have is when it comes to people asking questions about your grades. This is because it can be seen as invasive, rude and intimidating. Not only that, but a usual problem of mine when I was at school was the issue of having to hear other people’s grades and see them plastered all over social media. This was because I would constantly compare myself to others after receiving individual exam results back when I was still at school and making myself feel bad and almost as if I have to do as well as other people around me. This was particularly the case in my science class as everyone in there with the exception of me were fairly good at maths and could handle the big equations whereas I couldn’t. However, the biggest thing I look back on now is that science just isn’t for me and I don’t need it to get to the next step in my school life. If you are as concerned about your results as me two months ago and are attending college next year, you can always visit the college website or email them to ask about the support available to people who don’t get the grades they want or need. More often than not, colleges have plans in place for students to resit exams and achieve better results than the ones they receive in August. Thank you so much for reading this article and I hope your results are what you want them to be. Always remember that there are alternative options available too like the ones I have mentioned. Good luck! By Sophie Are you changing schools this year and do you feel like you’re leaving your old comfortable school life behind? Then this article is for you!
You can be either in a new school because your parent(s) moved to another city or you changed schools in the same city just for it to better fit your needs and ambitions. In both cases, it can be stressful to enter a new environment. There are two scenarios that usually happen to students who change schools. #1: Remember Bella Swan when she arrived in Forks and got all the unnecessary attention from people? You’re already new, you barely know the school grounds and now all of a sudden, people start asking you all sorts of questions. This isn’t necessarily from a bad intention, people might just be curious and it’s natural; but for shy and introverted people, this can feel overwhelming. #2: People barely notice you, don’t know your name and you just sit in the back row just to be sure people won’t see you. Neither of these scenarios will last forever though as more and more people will start noticing you - or on the contrary, some people might just lose interest in you. During my childhood, I travelled a lot and was a new student more than a handful of times. I never really got used to it, especially as a shy person, and had mixed feelings for the first day of school: I was excited because I loved to learn but at the same time, I dreaded having to make new friends. When I arrived at school, I always felt like people were already friends for ages (which was the case) and they wouldn’t want to let a newbie in their group. I hated recess as this was the time where I was alone and people saw that I would just stand or sit on a bench by myself. However, one day, I took a sketch book to school and during recess, I started drawing. Several other kids were interested and came to look at what I was doing. They stayed for a couple of minutes and then went off to continue playing. I felt kind of sad but I didn’t feel lonely because I had something to do and recess time passed a lot faster. Some other times, I would bring a book and teachers would ask me what I’m reading. When I was in 8th grade, I decided to take some theater lessons and this helped me a lot with my shyness. I wasn’t afraid to go up to people and just ask how they were and what they were doing. Whether you’re an extravert or an introvert, here are some tips on being new at school:
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” – Oscar Wilde As much as it is stressful to be new at school, remember that the students around you were at least in the same boat once. You should never feel obligated to change yourself to feel accepted because you’re an amazing person and you’ll find people out there who appreciate you, your style and your sense of humour just the way it is. And if you’re reading this and you’re not new at school, please go to the new students and ask how they are and what their hobbies are whilst still giving them space; I’m sure they’ll appreciate someone coming up to them. Good luck with this new year and if you need someone to talk to, feel free to send me a message! By Andreaa There are those times that you wonder about the world that exists behind the mirror. Like "Oh no! What is just behind that mirror that seems so alike to the world out here? And, how is it that the only difference is just lateral inversion which gives the opposite of everything?" Wooohooo! Now, that's the point… Lateral inversion! The other side of the mirror gives us hope that we can do the same things differently and still do them well. It gives us the courage to believe that a lot of things can be changed and still satisfy the needed necessities. But wait! What do we need to do differently? That's the most important question, to be honest. But, sit down, relax and let me take you to the most important thing that needs just an opposite change to do the same thing. At times, I get this thought and wonder about who taught the world to always start with cups when washing dishes. Can't we just start with pans before the cups? The same applies when we refer to how the education systems have been treating us. We are conditioned to believe that we should begin with learning alphabets before logarithm. But, how about teaching both logarithm and alphabets at the same time? I know this sounds weird but it's not actually in such a way that we can bring change. What I am trying to say is that the existing theories don't really have to be the same theories that can be existing for the next millions of years.
Now, let me narrow it down to the old memories of experience in the education systems that I have been in. Let’s begin with the homeworks, are they really vital enough to be given out every single day to the extent students don't get enough time to actually follow their passion? Does homework help out students pass their examination or just another method to keep students busy for nothing they are passionate about? I remember having 20 questions from three compulsory subjects plus 30 more questions from "each" seven supplementary subjects per day. Just to be precise, they were all compulsory subjects according to teachers and all had to be submitted on the same day. Is this the "exam-helping" technique we use or just a new "stress-addition" tool? How about the old days when our grandparents only gave us a proverb after a story? This was much more of a relief and actually better homework for kids. It was actually a proverb that could perhaps be practical for a whole lifetime and not theory-based or some highly packed pamphlet of non-practical toxic substances. The other side of the mirror right? Mmmh not yet! But also, we call this the technological era right? Yes! It's the application of robots, AI systems, automation and simplification of things just through STEM. But wait! What are books still doing in libraries? Wasn't I expecting something like a library full of tablets and smartphones as eBooks? Sounds ridiculous eeh? Then why do teachers still use chalks in classes? It's just non-relevant to use chalks in the technological era and far beyond insane to use papers when smartphones are occupying the planet. Securing the data might be an awesome problem but still it's an interesting fact which demands more thinking. But wait! How about interfacing AI systems to be used to secure data and test the accuracy of any information posted on the cloud? This would allow information to be accurate, true and relevant to the audience. See! This is the other side of the mirror… Moreover, I remember getting into a Mathematics class and to my amazement, the first thing I got was a 30 questions-long Mathematics test on topics I have less knowledge about. Wasn't I expecting something like a Rubik's cube on the first entry? Or maybe, why not something like Chess to boost my mind before the session starts? It's sometimes unfair to teach a bored mind mathematics even when the topic is interesting. It's just fairly similar to the principle of influencing a vampire to drink blood when you have not given out blood to attract it. Cut your blood vessel, attract it and let it drink blood if that's your goal! Case closed! It's just the same way that students have to be prepared before a lesson through mind games, stories or any other relevant method depending on the subject. We should not just make lessons stress-increasing through early morning tests but rather mind games would do! All of my life, I mean all my 15 years of life, I have always been passionate about becoming a doctor. Here comes the question, is history necessary for my higher studies when I know its basics already? And how relevant is chemistry to a student passionate about being a soldier? It's sometimes irrelevant to be teaching irrelevant subjects to irrelevant students in irrelevant circumstances. And yes! With irrelevant methods! I remember one of my friends asking a very common question that most students have always asked "Sir, how will I apply logarithm in my life?" And all he got was a solid straight answer "Pass your examinations and you will thank me!" Ha ha is this a proverb or something? Or is it just a better way to rephrase the statement "You study for examinations only"? Or probably, it's a new way to keep students focused for something irrelevant for their dreams. Wait wait wait! Have you ever met a musician who studied law? Or a teacher who pursued awesome clinical courses? How about an entrepreneur who shifted from tourism to engineering courses without realizing what happened next? This is creatively funny for real… It's now evident that probably the education systems sometimes lead us into a drastic confusion while patronizing itself as the key to success. But, how about letting students choose what they are passionate about? Like giving students unlimited alternatives of what they want to study due to their passions from early childhood. At least this would do and would make them at least be happy with what they learn. It will allow them to follow their passion and interests rather than locking them in a cage of theories. See! This is the other side of the mirror… I remember when I was young, I used to look at the mirror and speak to it like " Hey… I am raising my left hand not my right!" But, I was surprised when the image on the mirror was also telling me the same. I was stupid enough not to realize that some things in the mirror were still the same but in a different direction. And hopefully, who knows, maybe there are things that will always be the same unless we break the mirror. Or perhaps teleport to get inside the mirror and change it. If all that is impossible, then Doctor Strange, the man who controls the mirror dimension, might be the right person for the job. To be precise, we can not change the system if we do not change the fixed mindset that exists among many people. The world needs to have a growth mindset that will apply any single method just to make sure that positive changes will be made in the education system. And if destroying the existing system is the only option then the world has to employ all the necessary steps to destroy it. Ooops! Where was the last conversation at? Yes! "Where was the last conversation at?" Isn't this the common statement that most students think of at the end of every class session? It sounds insane but the reality lies in the fact that every 6 out of 10 students really don't understand everything they learnt in class. These students only recall a few things and end up asking themselves "Where was the last conversation at?" It's fairly just true that probably the session was not in their interests, they were not attentive or they are just locked up in a cage full of dilemmas and confusions. Case closed! But, how about giving regular breaks in the curriculum and letting students have more time to rest? Finland has the best education system where students even outsmart other students from other systems but what's the magic method? Students start lessons at 9 a.m. and the system emphasizes collaboration rather than competition. Then why not give more time for students to follow their passion and remove exams which tend to create competition among students? See! This is the other side of the mirror… So, this is what I have learnt over the past few years. It begins early in the morning where I wake up at school, take a bath, go for a prep, take breakfast, go for my classes, then lunch, then dinner, then the day ends with a click on the switch by our boarding patron. Oops! Probably the first thought you had is that I was doing all this on my own but the reality still remains in the fact that a lot of students are just fully coordinated to go through that cycle everyday with supervision from a custodian. Are we dumb enough to be told and reminded everything we have to do? Something more funny is that, to make the routine interesting a couple of changes are done rarely in the cycle. Ooh no! Why not be like Japan where students have no custodians and are taught to live in a world where they do every task on their own? Why not reinforcing ethics over knowledge and letting students live a life that they will be proud of to lead themselves? This is perhaps the magic trick behind the hardworking spirit that most Japanese have. Sounds ridiculous right? But, it's just a fair truth to be tolerated that we want freedom. Can't we just have it? It will allow us to learn life skills and apply them in our real life. See! This is the other side of the mirror… We do spend more time on the mirror when we want to look more attractive to the community. The same applies when we want to make changes. It might demand us time if we want to make a stronger education system that will exist for the future generation. But, using less time might just make us have a weak system with more challenges than the ones we face now. Students, let's be patient! Teachers, let's be optimistic! The world, what shall I say? Let's just see the other side of the mirror! I rest my case! By Madeline With covid shutting the world down for months, and school and work rapidly moving to online platform, coming out of lockdown and beginning to experience “normal” things again can be exciting. But at the same time, coming back to school and work full time in person after a global pandemic that affected all of us in different ways can stick you in a rut of little motivation and difficulty focusing. Especially since things are starting to open back up and go slightly back to normal at the end of the school year, the motivation to do well in school may not be there like it used to be.
Finding our way back to the ways things used to be may take awhile and we may never get back to fully being “normal” again, however, there are ways that you can help yourself get through the end of the school year and get some of that motivation back. As I am able to be in person at school more and more, I’ve found it harder and harder to focus on my classes and upcoming exams. After being online for so long, in-person classes feel like something out of a distant memory. I feel my focus slip much faster, it’s harder to get myself motivated to do work, and when I do work it takes longer. It doesn’t help that I’ll be graduating soon so it doesn’t feel like I need to work anymore. I’ve really had to work on different ways to keep myself studying throughout the end of the year to overcome that lack of motivation. I’ve by no means perfected how to regain motivation, but I have discovered certain things that have helped me keep working.
The pandemic and outside factors can drive you into a rut suddenly, leaving you unprepared. By taking each day as it comes and focusing on what you accomplish, some of your motivation may return bit by bit. Setting daily goals and a schedule for yourself will help push you to work as well, as the structure will set a time for everything. However, it is important to make sure you're taking the time for yourself that you need! If you need a break, take one to avoid overworking yourself. At the end of the day, you are more important than whatever work you may have. By Erica Dear Diary,
Today is day 404 of online learning. Once again, I woke up, brushed my teeth, ate breakfast, sat down at my desk for school, and that was basically what my whole day consisted of. Hanging out with friends, going to volleyball practices after school and making conversation with classmates in the hallways were all things that were gone as soon as online school started. All that was left was endless zoom meetings and breakout rooms. When I first started online school, I was excited to be able to do school from the comfort of my own room. However, the daily repetition of zoom classes caused me to lose my motivation for school very soon. I had stopped paying attention in class and even stopped going to classes at one point. Muting my microphone and turning off my camera were two things that soon became my go-to’s whenever I didn’t feel like doing school (which was almost every day). When the first tests of the quarter rolled around, I realized just how much I had been slacking off and how I knew almost nothing that was in my tests. Therefore, I decided that I needed to turn things around and start getting motivated and productive for online school. Now the school year is almost over and I have learned quite a lot about how to stay motivated even when I feel like I don’t want to do anything. One of the most helpful things I did was have a separate part of my house, my dad’s office, that I would use only for school. Since I would have to walk out of my room to do school this made me feel like I was physically going to school. Even though this is such a simple thing, it helped much more than I expected. I was also getting out of the room that I use for sleeping and watching Netflix, so I felt much more productive when I was doing school. Something else I did, even though it took many tries for me to do successfully, was leave my phone in another room. Usually, I would always be watching Netflix or scrolling on Instagram while I was in class and wouldn’t even notice that I was no longer paying attention. It was very hard for me to leave my phone and to be honest, I did give up and started using my phone during class many times. However, I got better and staying away from my phone, and with no Instagram or Netflix to pay attention to, I started paying attention in class instead. Another thing I did was set goals for myself that I wanted to work towards. For example, I would set the goal that I wanted to get an A for this test or assignment and I knew that paying attention in class was the only way I would be able to accomplish my goal. Personally, I am someone that is more motivated when I have a tangible goal to work towards, so this helped me a lot in getting myself to work harder even during online school. I would also set more simple goals like how I would like to be able to understand the topics of genetics by the next class. Having something that I have to work towards and especially when I have a time limit like “by next class”, really helped to increase my motivation. I have stuck to these three tips throughout my entire year and now that I have my finals coming up this week, I don’t feel as if I am unprepared. I did not magically start to become motivated overnight and this was something that I had to work hard towards every day. However, looking back on this academic year, I feel very proud of myself. Although I have spent the entire school year learning online, I was able to learn so many new things and grow both academically and as a person. By Arya Learning to prepare for exams is one of the most difficult tasks for students. Students have to dedicate themselves to understanding the topics of the exam, which if not done well results in bad scores. Personally, it has taken me years to figure out how to properly and efficiently study for exams to see the results I want to see.
There are many ways to learn to prepare for an exam effectively, such as:
Personally, I never had to study before high school. During both elementary school and middle school, I was able to get away without studying for any exams — school came easy to me. However, that all changed when I began high school. The workload, the content and the exams were a whole other level than what I was used to. This was a bit of a slap in the face to me, as school was never something I worried about too much. I was taking AP (Advanced Placement) Biology, in my first year of high school. This was the first college-level class I had ever taken, and I didn’t realize how much work and effort I needed to put into the class. I very quickly realized that I needed to learn how to study, which is kind of ironic — the fact that I needed to learn how to study. Learning to study was a long journey. At first, I would just read over my notes, which was completely useless and did not help me learn at all. I realized that I needed to practice more and that I needed to take notes on the topics I was learning about. When I began to do this, I realized my exam scores began to rise. From there, I began to learn how to study — by watching videos, making a plan to start studying days before the exam, taking notes, and doing a lot of practice problems. Over my two and a half years of high school, I have finally learned how to study correctly! Over the years, I have researched many ways to study more effectively, but not all of them will work for everyone — find what works for you. For me, only certain things work like:
I would encourage everyone to try out different methods of studying to figure out what works best for you! Preparing for exams requires the skill of time management. You can fit in everything if you space out your time and get things done on schedule. Depending on the last day before the exam to prepare is not going to work, due to the practice, repetition, and time our brain needs to learn. The last day is solely meant for revision and going through the major topics once again. And the most important thing before an exam is to have a good night of sleep so that your mind is fresh and energetic on the day of the exam. Any teen movie involving ‘prom night’ portrays it as a magical moment in one’s life, but is that really the case? I don’t know about you, but I simply cannot believe that just because you are wearing a pretty dress and a face full of makeup, your life suddenly becomes perfect.
Due to the coronavirus, I didn’t get a prom. Although this devastated some people in my year (probably those who’d already spent way too much on a dress for just one night), I wasn’t bothered. Did I like the idea of hanging out with my friends, making memories, and having a good time? Yes. But, did I want to do this surrounded by my teachers? Absolutely not. Here’s a few possible reasons why some teens love the idea of prom:
However, none of these reasons really appeal to me and this is probably why I have never liked the idea of prom. Of course, I don’t speak for everyone and if I’m going to be perfectly honest, had it been on, I was intending to go to my prom. I’d even bought a dress! Sure, I think it’s forced, but so is everything if you think too much about it. So, even if you are pessimistic like me, I’d suggest giving it a shot. Who knows, you might even end up enjoying it! Have a brilliant day :) - Chloë x Are you unsure what you want to do in the future?? It is okay, we’ve all been there. Maybe you’re really indecisive like me, maybe you have a vague idea or maybe you are just completely lost. No matter which one you relate to I’m here to help, by telling you about my experience.
So, I was certain after binge watching all of 'Gilmore Girls' plus the revival that I wanted to be a journalist, just like Rory (one of the main characters). Which is why I started my blog as a way to build up a portfolio of my writing. I even started up a school newspaper in my highschool and then later joined my college’s student magazine. I showed that much enthusiasm towards it that I am now in line to be the chief editor next year. But speaking of college, I even suited my chosen courses around this idea of being a journalist, I mean I chose English and media (two obvious ones but my favourites) and sociology which is what I wanted to be my niche. However, I recently had a review day where me and my teachers sat down to talk about how I’m getting on in their courses and how I can improve in advance of our summer progression tests. The grades we get in these tests decide if we continue our courses into the second year. In my meetings there was a unanimous trend that my writing wasn’t enough and that I wasn’t fully answering the exam questions. So, as a way to improve I was set the tasks of doing practice essays at home and attending an “Academic Writing Course” during my free periods in college. Then when I got back home from college I told my Dad, and that's when we came to the realisation that maybe journalism isn’t right for me. I mean there is one journalist apprenticeship in my local area.On top of that it is a highly competitive field and I am having to take an extra course to work on improving the main skill required for this job. Which is how I came to the conclusion that maybe college isn’t right for me. That’s okay, there is a lot of speculation around being a college drop out and it is certainly seen as inferior. But I realised that an apprenticeship could be a better option for me. My advice is to weigh up your options. Originally I thought that college was the only way and it is not. If you have any further questions I would love to help out, and if you have some advice why not help out?? Josh High school is a time in which nearly every person experiences anxiety, whether it’s caused by the overwhelming amount of homework, or the ever-changing circle of friends. When a teenager is under stress whilst facing the typical anxieties surrounding fitting in, it is easy to fall victim to peer pressure, and ultimately develop an emotional dependency on drugs and alcohol.
Not only do these actions result in significant damage to the health of teenagers with developing bodies, but the psychological harm that teens undergo proves to be major in the effects of substance abuse. Having witnessed this behaviour in my own home and at school, drug and alcohol abuse appears to be prevalent in teenagers who lack the proper support system at home or within their social circles to confront and work through their emotions. In addition, those struggling with self-image, bullying, family problems, and even the pressure of succeeding in school are more prone to escape these anxious feelings with what seems to be the easiest solution. Although typically teen addicts may feel that drugs provide relief from stress, relying on a substance for any form of satisfaction only drives a person down a dark path. I have seen first-hand the effects that drugs and alcohol have on teens, such as strained relationships with family and friends, and losing touch of themselves and what truly brings them joy outside of their addiction. The topic of drug abuse in adolescence is often wrongfully stigmatized. I find that those who refrain from smoking or drinking, or adults and family will judge others who use without empathizing with them and realizing that they are going through something. Those who simply want help for teen addicts overlook why one might be seeking to escape their reality in the first place. Within my school environment, it is difficult for adults and for some students to understand a teen who is reliant on drugs, and the aggressive and judgmental approach taken by parents and schools only widens the void between teen users and non-users. With the difficulty to understand each other, a teen addict is pushed further into self-isolation, ultimately worsening their addictive behaviour. What must be brought to light is how school staff, parents, and peers confront teen addiction, and ways in which both sides can be made to feel understood. Although every situation may be different, teen substance abuse stems from the inability of a teen to have the resources to properly digest and control their anxiety, making it a priority that parents and schools offer psychological help rather than judgment and punishment when confronting a potential addict. Anna  Life as a teenager and young adult can be extremely busy and overwhelming. Especially because we have to balance school along with our personal life and other commitments that we have. This can be a lot and for many it is extremely tough to obtain a good schedule or routine.
One of the most important things to learn as a teenager is time management. Time management allows one to not waste time and spend one’s time in both useful and/or beneficial ways. Some efficient ways to manage your time are:
Another key to balancing school with your personal life is finishing schoolwork and studying in a timely and efficient manner. Easy ways to do this include:
Adding on to that, using your phone is one of the biggest ways of becoming distracted and wasting time. Limiting your screen time and putting your phone somewhere not easily accessible when doing any assignments will significantly improve your work ethic. Moreover, managing your time, planning, and making schedules will help you be more efficient and will then allow you to have more time to spend with your family and friends. Additionally, you will have much more time to relax and spend time doing the things that you want to do. Another tip about spending time with friends is planning to hang out with friends only on the weekends or on days you have finished all of your work so that you are not interfering with your schedule or schoolwork. Balancing school and your personal life can be stressful, but there are many ways to make every day a little bit easier and a little less taxing. Although some days can be really extremely hard and stressful, that’s okay because there will always be good days with your friends, and even at school! Good luck, Arya My first day of 11th grade was my first day back at school in over a year. It was one of the weirdest days of my life. Being on campus with over 3,000 students again after being in only zoom classes for over a year was a dramatic change. Going back to sitting with groups of people and having normal social interactions, rather than breakout rooms with minimal interaction, while being in the comfort of your own home, in whatever clothes you want, eating whenever you want, and pretty much doing anything whenever you want, is a big change compared to in-person school. Seeing people and being surrounded with numerous others was a big change, not only literally but also emotionally. I was used to waking up for school just minutes before my first class and being half asleep throughout most of it, but being back in-person completely changed my mood in school and towards school. Overall, I felt much better and much happier, however, it was quite overwhelming going back with so many people and so many expectations. Although I am happy to be back and get back into the normal groove of things, it will take sometime. Recently, due COVID, I haven’t had to or haven’t been able to make new friends and really try to make connections, but now I do because it is important to do so. Even though being super social is not everyone’s strong suit, as it definitely isn’t mine, I found it quite easy and natural to make new friends in my classes, and just in general. One thing I thought that was interesting about COIVID and my experience throughout COVID is that I have actually become more social. I used to be extremely shy and although I still can be, I find it much easier to talk to others, although presentations and public speaking are still extremely difficult for me. But now that we are back in-person, presentations are a part of many classes and even though they can be scary, practicing and being prepared will make it easier. Another thing about being back at in-person school is getting involved in school and school activities. Dances are finally back, football games and other sports events, clubs, and even just being involved in classes. I know I am going to take full advantage of these things and be as involved as possible because I have missed so much this past year. I highly recommend getting as involved as you can with school and school activities because they are so much fun and only last a few years. Although going back to school can be crazy overwhelming, I’m so glad I am able to go back because I feel that I’ve missed crucial parts of my high school years. I’m ready to fully enjoy these next couple of years and I hope you are too!
I am sure many teens, myself included, have a lot of pent up emotions that are not always easily understood or easy to express to others. In addition, many teens have so many everchanging personal goals and thoughts that are worth keeping and never forgetting. As an adolescent, so many emotions and thoughts run through our minds that are worth looking back on for self-reflection. The way one can relieve themselves of their emotional troubles, without the pressure that comes with speaking to another person, is through journaling. As someone who finds it quite difficult to trust others with personal information, due to the fear of being judged, journaling has proven to be a very therapeutic way for me to relieve myself of stress. Each day, I like to keep a routine of journaling throughout the day, whether it be about random thoughts or ideas, or a dream I’d had the previous night. I like to also incorporate memories in any way I can, by writing with intent so that when I look back on my entries, I will have a clear view into my past. I have been doing this on and off since I was a little girl, and have just started back again as quarantine began. The feeling of looking back on your memories and your troubles back when you were in middle school or high school is especially heartwarming, as you get to see how much you’ve grown and overcome throughout your life. Bullet-journaling, or just writing your thoughts out, can be an incredible outlet for teenagers, as there are endless ideas and goals that we are bound to lose track of. In addition, recording your own ideas and goals can make them more likely to actually be put into action, and be given clarity as to how it will be accomplished. This process can be made even more fun by personalizing your notebook, or giving it theme and structure. I recommend dedicating sections and pages to different aspects of your mind like a daily mood tracker, a bucket-list, or a collection of favorite songs from a given point in your life. Personally, I believe that journaling is a key way to organize your thoughts and emotions, especially if sometimes you feel that your emotions are constantly fluctuating. Ultimately, everything is worth it once you are able to look back on all the progress you’ve made as a person in terms of your emotional state and life accomplishments. Overall, there are infinite sources that can give someone the emotional relief they need, like drawing, singing, or watching sad movies, all of which are extremely helpful to different people. I encourage you all to explore that for yourself and prioritize it, because especially in these times of uncertainty, your mental health must come first.
Amidst the stressful situations that may occur throughout teen years, especially at home, school has always managed to be an escape in many ways for most. However, with the new remote-learning system in place, most of the benefits to school have been limited. Not only does this have an impact on students’ motivation to learn and put effort into their schoolwork, but also on teens’ overall mental health, as remote-learning deprives us of school’s social benefits. For me personally, the switch into a remote-learning environment has hit especially hard, as prior to isolation, school had motivated me to succeed in school because of the social aspect that it provided. Spending meals with my friends, conversing with teachers, or just getting to leave the house each day was something I am sure many people looked forward to. However, it gets frustrating to be so isolated from the people you once saw everyday, and that is why many of us have lacked the motivation to stay attentive in our classes, among various other reasons. All that seems to remain of school is its endless stress from daily exams and assignments. I have noticed that many of my friends, as well as myself, fall victim to procrastination, as without the physical aspect, online school can lack the sense of realness, and therefore motivation to complete work has slowly perished. However, there are many strategies that make it possible to overcome these hardships:
Overall, I am sure that every teen worldwide understands the struggles of keeping motivated during the introduction to this brand new school environment. Regardless of your potential skepticism, I encourage you all to push yourselves out of your comfort zones, and reflect on the bad or good habits that you may have developed over this unusual and crazy period of time. Eating disorder recovery: Text 741741 (International) National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255 (International)
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Teenagers With Experience is an online organisation created to provide teenagers worldwide with an online platform to share their own experiences to be able to help, inform and educate others on a variety of different topics. We aim to provide a safe space to all young people.
Please note that the content on this website is created by teenagers. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, it is important to remember that we are not professional experts. If you are experiencing a crisis or need professional advice, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a helpline. |