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Through our own personal experiences, the new school year can be tough! Although there are many stressful elements of going back to school, there are always people to assist us during these challenging times. For this article, we wanted to show our fellow Blackstone students that they are not alone in this feeling, and so we brought in a few people to help out. During this piece you will hear from students who have been in your shoes (figuratively, not literally, that would be strange) and how they got through these trying times. So, if you need an extra boost of motivation or just some advice on the new grade you are entering into, look no further than this article!
Tips for Freshmen:
1: Communicate with your teachers if you ever need extra help. I promise it’s okay to ask for help and your teachers are happy to be there for you.
2: Be nice to your teachers so you can get by with some things ;)
3: Make time for yourself!
4: Make memories with your friends!!!
5: Don’t procrastinate, do your work as soon as you get it!! It helps with not being stressed <3
6: Don’t slack off this year!! Your grades WILL matter for you in the future and also it’ll be easier for you during the upcoming school years.
7: Don’t pressure yourself with too much work, join clubs and find what you’re interested in! This is great year to start building bonds with your teachers and classmates.
-From Rising Sophomores
Tips for Sophomores:
1: Take advantage of the opportunities around you! (Like extracurricular programs, courses, volunteering opportunities, etc) This becomes really important as you progress through the years, especially for things like portfolios and resumes, and now that you've probably gotten more used the school and the people around you, it's a good thing to discover and indulge yourself in as many things as what seems right for you!
2: Pleeeeease, keep your portfolio updated! I decided to slack off on my portfolio for a while during my sophomore year and that ended up in me having to pull an all-nighter right before the day of my presentation just to make sure everything was done. :( (It was not the best experience, make sure to get rest y'all!) When you've finished a project, or your career exploration assignments, keep them up to date and post them on your portfolio asap! Trust me, it'll save you so much time and stress in the long run.
3: Take time to study the things you need! At this point, you should already be taking PSATs, and it's good to begin preparing for them now! Many teachers and your advisors would be glad to help you in preparing for these tests and there are many resources available online and in books!
4: Take care of yourself! High school can be pretty stressful at times, and you may end up worrying over responsibilities and work in and outside of school. But always remember that your health and happiness comes first! Get enough rest, food, and time to do hobbies. If you're struggling, please don't be afraid to talk to your advisors, teachers, and classmates, we're all here to support each other :)
5: Lastly, make the most of the year! While you do have responsibilities as a student, remember that you should totally be enjoying your time at BACS. Whether that be with getting involved in cool events or clubs, or just generally putting yourself out there to make lasting friendships! School should be a place to both learn and have fun, and there are many opportunities to do so!
-From a Rising Junior
Tips for Juniors:
1: Create great relationships with your teachers, this helps a lot for letters of recommendation.
2: Make sure you have something to do over the summer!! Volunteering, internships, programs, anything, but do something because it's your last summer before you leave for college!!
3: If you need help, look for it!! Junior year means bigger and more assignments, starting to look into colleges, and bigger responsibilities! So, if you need help, don’t feel embarrassed to reach out!! Asking for help is a demonstration of strength and that you care about it.
4: Start preparing for SATs!! I know it’s scary and overwhelming, but it’s important !! Take practice tests and see what areas you need to grow in.
5: Start thinking about what you want to do with your life! Have a plan! Whether that’s college or not going to college! But make sure you have a plan and know what you want to do!
-From a Rising Senior
Tips for Seniors:
1: Do not put too much on your plate. It might seem easy to take that extra class, but it can really take a toll on your health. Be mindful of your time.
2. Take burnout very seriously, and when possible don't let it get extreme. Burnout can cause you to be irritable, stop enjoying things that you love, isolation, and even depression. Treat burnout!!
3: Try new things! Learn as many new things as you can, and find new passions.
4: Record yourself every once in a while, just talking about your current life. Your future self will be happy to see these videos and your growth!
5: Make new friends! As we get older we might lose a couple of friends, and some we might keep but it's important to continue building relationships.
6: Do that thing you were always afraid of doing!! Didn't high school pass by so quickly? Life truly goes by fast. Tell that person you love them. Wear that piece of clothing. Watch that movie. Leave that toxic person. Publish that song. Go to that place.
7: Ask for help when you need it. Seriously. Do it. You are NOT a burden, you are NOT bothering anyone. Ask for help!
8: Take your time and don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the little accomplishments and use the mistakes as growing opportunities.
9: Practice self love as much as you can.
10: Do not be afraid to change your major, to change your path, or to change your life. Do what truly makes you happy, and don't care about what others say.
-From a College Student
A big thank you to those who helped us with this article! And to our readers, we hope you take these tips along with you during the school year!
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