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Stressed for Success

By Simon Johnson (Staff writer)

Recently 50% of students reported feeling stressed on a poll. Students said that school and homework make them stressed. Three-quarters (75%) of American high schoolers and half of the middle schoolers described themselves as "often or always feeling stressed" by schoolwork.

According to relevant studies, as many as 53% neglect their friends because of stress. Also, 45% feel they face "more than average" pressure. Thus, we could say that around 50% of college students are stressed. Additionally, College student statistics show that students have to deal with a lot of stress. According to relevant studies, as many as 53% neglect their friends because of the pressure of tests and homework. Also, 45% feel they face "more than average" stress. Thus, we could say that around 50% of college students are stressed.

Overall, homework, tests, and schoolwork stress students out. Teachers need to do something like lowering the amount of homework or diminishing the test stress so that kids can get through school as easily as possible.

How to Follow School Rules

By Mia Sagie (Staff writer)

What do you think of school rules, in classes, outside, dress code, or in general? The school dress code is a tough situation since some think they are useful rules, others not so much. I personally think the dress code is a really useful rule. Kids/teens should be able to wear whatever they would like to, as long as they know how to wear it. For example, crop tops can be worn at school yet the teachers and principals disagree. I understand that because sometimes people can wear really- cropped tank tops or shirts that can be really unneeded but it is not harming anyone and it is not doing anything to anyone. If someone does not want someone to wear something cropped then they shouldn’t look like that's it. In addition, Phone situation.

Another issue is cell phones. Phones get taken away every minute in every school. Yes, it is really easy to follow the rule of not using the phone during school hours but are the staff taking it too seriously? I think that students should be able to keep their cell phones out during school hours as long as it is not distracting anyone and if a certain teacher does not want your phone out during class that’s fine but just in general having your phone out and it getting it taken away that easily is unfair especially because it is not your property. During lunch, students should have the opportunity to use their phones if they are doing something inappropriate which I highly doubt would happen. They should be out whenever we have our free time. Classroom rules are not usually a problem. Yet, students should be able to follow them and they don’t. I find it pretty funny that some students mess around but sometimes it gets really annoying. Students should be able to have some fun in class but I think they should do it with limits.

Lastly, no tolerance for sexual harassment is another important rule. This is one of the worst things that happen at school. A school rule in the student handbook states that “Beverly Hills Schools prohibit sexual harassment of any student or staff member by any district employee, student or other people. Any person who is found guilty of sexual harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action.” Anyways no one should be harassed and the fact that people even get harassed is just really sad.

Music Is Everything

By Eliana Shirazi (Staff writer)

“Music triggers powerful positive emotions via autobiographical memories. A new neuroscience-based study has identified that if specific music evokes personal memories, these songs have the power to elicit stronger positive emotions than other stimuli, such as looking at a nostalgic picture”(Psychology Today) Music is also scientifically proven to help all ages focus on what there doing making their work.

Beyond providing background noise, music has been shown to improve both productivity and cognitive performance, especially in children. Listening to music can help people manage anxiety, become motivated, and stay productive.

Music is all around us intersecting our lives, regulating our moods, and bringing good vibes to those who are listening. It raises your mood, brings excitement, or calms you down. It allows us to feel all the emotions that we experience in our lives. I personally listen to music every single day and I am doing amazing. I have never felt better about how I do my work and I have all A’s.

I have a friend with extreme anxiety and she can rarely calm down. I introduced her to my music and I have never seen her happier with her lower levels of anxiety. It's the same for anger issues. I have anger issues and something that helps me calm down is my music. If you ever see me I will most likely have my headphones on.

Not only that but there are so many genres of music so you can find the ones that fit your personality. Like I like rap, sad, dark, and creepy music.

Now, most people disagree and say music is distracting and stops their kids from focusing and makes them work less because of the words in the background Now, this is very true but there is music that is upbeat and wordless that helps you focus. Another good type is classic music. Overall music is a good way to drown out your background noises and anything else. Or an alternative way to help you focus.

Social Media is Maturing Us?

by Ella Ettlinger (Staff writer)

Covid has been around for a while now, and we adapt to it. At the beginning of COVID, I was an innocent 9-year-old playing Roblox and when we returned to school, I was an 11-year-old expected to behave in a mature way. How did I mature so quickly in only two years?

One of the reasons why I have grown up so much during Covid is my use of social media. Now that I have access to social media, I am being influenced by people who are older than me. This has caused me to mature because I feel I need to act like 17-year-olds that I see on Tik Tok.

What are ways we can fix this? Well, first of all, I think that social media should be able to access our camera when we sign up to see if the person signing up is an adult or an immature 8-year-old.

In conclusion, I think we should pay more attention to how social media and cell phones are affecting the way we grow up. We should keep an eye out when we are doing something that we know is not for our age.