Opinion

Ask Agatha

Mysterious Agatha '99 ~ Mysterious Position

Q: Dear Agatha,

I have fallen really far behind on my homework because I spend all my time helping my friend with their work. How do I tell them that I need to start working on my own things?

Sincerely, Stressed Friend

A: Dear Stressed Friend,

While helping a friend is an amazing thing to do, it should not come at the cost of your other work. I would be super honest with your friend and tell them that you need to do your own work before you can help them. I would not cut off your help immediately, but I would let them know that you are going to start limiting the amount of stuff you can help them with. Remember, being a good friend also means knowing when to set boundaries.

Best,

Agatha

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Q: Dear Agatha,

My boyfriend always hangs out around other girls, but I have always had the feeling that he’s being flirty. I don’t want to be the person who doesn’t let their boyfriend hang out with other girls, but I also want to have a conversation about how I’m uncomfortable.

Sincerely, Uncomfortable Girlfriend

A: Dear Uncomfortable Girlfriend,

It’s completely reasonable to want your boyfriend to have friends who are girls while also feeling uncomfortable with potential flirty behavior. I would suggest talking to him about the things that have been bothering you, making sure to mention specifics that he said so he understands where you are coming from, rather than being benignly controlling. A healthy relationship should have room for these conversations without causing arguments, but also be open to the possibility that you are reading a little much into these interactions.

Always Yours, Aggy

Tips to the Class of 2030

Annesh Amaram '28 ~ Copying Editor

Bethel High School warmly welcomes the Class of 2030!

The beginning of freshman year may have felt nerve-wracking yet thrilling at the same time. Freshman Sai Dasari ‘30 mentions that even though freshman year requires “more expectations from the teachers,” he enjoys the “increased freedom that it offers.”

Balancing academics, clubs, and a social life is not an easy task, so I’m here to give you some advice on how to make the best of freshman year!

Tip #1: Join activities and clubs that you are interested in. Freshman year is the perfect opportunity to explore the many clubs and sports that Bethel High School offers. Whether it may be the debate club or student government, find something you enjoy and attend a couple of meetings to see how you like the club. For sports, explore the various spring and winter sports the school offers. I strongly recommend visiting the BHS Clubs & Activities website to find more information about the specific clubs and activities our school offers.

Tip #2: Stay organized! Throughout high school, it is essential to keep an organizer/planner to track assignments and important dates. Each day, you will be assigned homework, future test dates, project deadlines and more. Without an organizer, it will be hard to keep up with everything that is thrown at you. I recommend using Google Calendar or a physical agenda as an organizing tool.

Tip #3: Take breaks! Some days, you may feel extremely overwhelmed and tired with managing homework, sports, family responsibilities, etc. I just want you to know that it is totally okay to take breaks when you feel stressed. Take a walk, play with your dog, talk to your friends, or do whatever that makes you feel more relaxed. Additionally, most teachers understand just how busy high school students are, so don’t feel uncomfortable asking teachers for an extension on a project or homework assignment when life gets too hectic! Of course, there are exceptions to this and be sure to be reasonable with your requests. Following these pieces of advice will set you up for an excellent next four years.

It's Fall Y'all

Caleb Metcalf '29 ~ Webmaster and Outreach Coordinator

It’s official: fall has arrived. The leaves are starting to change, the days are getting crisp and it’s pumpkin latte season. There’s a lot to love about fall, but instead of hearing from us, we wanted to hear from you.

1. The Fall Foliage

It’s nothing new or surprising. Every fall, Americans travel across the country to look at and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage New England has to offer.

“I like how all of the trees have different colors. It looks really beautiful when they are together,” Mckeyla Mendieta ’29 explained.

Tiffany Silva ’29 loves how she’s “able to walk through the woods and feel a sense of calm as [she] looks up and sees all of the different colors.” Fall is no joke. According to Heather Kelly Photography, the fall season is the best season to get your family photos. For students looking to enjoy the fall weather closer to home, Bethel has plenty of options. Grab some friends and head to Blue Jay Orchards for apple picking, pumpkins and of course, apple cider donuts.

2. Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Once fall arrives, many eagerly await the return of Starbucks’ most iconic seasonal drink: the Pumpkin Spice Latte. For those who have never had the drink, Starbucks first released the seasonal drink in 2003, and since then, its popularity has grown all over the world. People just can’t seem to get enough of the creamy pumpkin taste. People either love pumpkin-flavored drinks and desserts, or they hate them.

Allan Viana ’29 and Ezzy Costa-Bernardo ’29 both agreed that the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger swirl combined with the creamy whipped cream, creates the quintessential fall flavor. You can even get Pumpkin Spice Cheerios, Pumpkin Pie M&Ms, and Pumpkin Spice Goldfish!

Halloween: A Classic that Tests your Patience

Madeline Balanda '30 ~ Staff Writer

With Halloween quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time to cozy up and watch horror movies. If you’re considering watching some of the classics this holiday, perhaps skip one: Halloween (1978). That is, unless you’re open to stewing in frustration over what you’re watching.

The movie is famous for its tension-building and ability to leave viewers on the edge of their seats. All of that is well and good, but beyond that, the movie quickly grows infuriating. The characters’ complete obliviousness to the killer slowly approaching them is somehow both incredibly engaging and endlessly frustrating.

The villain himself does a chilling job of intimidating viewers, with his blank-faced mask and the sense of inevitability he creates.

The movie as a whole brings to mind the sensation of being stuck in a nightmare, one where you are glued in place and have a vague hunch that you might be in danger.

Frankly, the movie was not my favorite, but there’s a reason it has a cult following. To each their own, but if you’re looking for something less bloody and tense, look elsewhere.