On January 19th, 2025, TikTok was temporarily shut down and banned in the United States due to certain security concerns of the US government and their fear that China was collecting data. Although it was recovered later that day, the ban still serves as a very significant event that occurred this year. Leading up to the ban, my “For You Page”  was flooded with videos about the trial that would ultimately determine if the ban would be set forth. Everyone, including myself, was panic-stricken that their beloved social media platform would be ripped away from them permanently. Although it may have seemed inconvenient, this TikTok ban really showed me how obsessed all of us are with our phones, especially when it comes to social media.  

Every now and then, I take a look at my screen time and am absolutely mind-blown when I see that I have an average that varies from five to six hours of screen time per day. This is extremely concerning. None of us should be spending this much time on our phones on a daily basis. When I actually sit down and deconstruct each part of my day, I immediately can see where all of this screen time is coming from. I’ll start off my day by waking up and getting dressed and ready for school. Next, I’ll sit down and eat breakfast while watching a 20-minute YouTube video that strikes my interest and fascination. After that, I usually will be driven to school, while I scroll through TikTok or Instagram Reels. Once I arrive at school, I’ll finally stop using my phone. But when the school day ends and the time comes to leave the educational facility, I’ll pull my phone out and scroll through social media for hours. After that, I’ll go to some sort of after-school activity, such as tennis. But once I get home, I have to quickly eat dinner and then finish the large abundance of homework that I was assigned and decided to complete at the last minute, even though I had a bunch of time to finish it earlier that afternoon. After being overwhelmed by all of the homework, I do my evening routine and step into bed. But I don’t go to sleep. Instead, I pull out my phone and scroll through social media for another hour or two, completely ignoring my exhaustion.

Although this may seem absolutely insane, many teenagers spend a very similar amount of time on their phones every day as well. I honestly have no idea why we do this or where it even started. A few years ago, technology was a very insignificant part of my life, but today, it makes up the majority of my days. The only coherent or logical reason that I can think of that explains why I use my phone so much throughout the duration of most days is addiction. I can confidently say that I am addicted to my phone. As much as most of us want to deny this, it’s definitely an accurate statement for the majority of our generation. This obsession with our phones is proving to be very detrimental to our well-being. Just think of all of the things that we can do instead of scrolling through social media. I can think of many: exercising and working out, learning a new skill or hobby, going on a run or hike, experiencing nature and the outdoors, hanging out with friends and family, studying for tests and exams, starting or joining school clubs and extracurricular activities, or even watching new movies and television shows. These are just some of the many things that we can do instead of scrolling through our phones.

I also have come to realize that my constant scrolling on social media leads me to procrastinate when it comes to completing homework, studying for tests, and even finishing school assignments and projects. If I actually restricted my screen time and decided to commit myself to finishing my work as soon as I got home from school, I would have so much more time to do the activities that I enjoy. Because of this, we all should stop procrastinating and should limit our screen time. 

Did you know that our generation is the most sleep-deprived? This is partially due to school work and other activities and commitments, but a huge part of this problem is social media. I’ll step into bed most nights at 10:30 and will watch TikTok until 12:00. This only guarantees me seven hours of sleep, as I have to wake up at 7:00 for school every morning. It is scientifically proven that we should get anywhere from eight to ten hours of sleep every night. This means that I am sleeping less than most scientists recommend, which is not only bad for my energy the next morning, but is also terrible for my mental and physical health. If I placed my phone down at 10:30, as soon as I stepped into bed, I would sleep for a full eight and a half hours. This is a huge difference, as eight and a half hours is in the healthy range of sleep, which most scientists suggest. If we all do this, we will feel much more refreshed in the morning and will have the energy that we need to function throughout the day, instead of feeling exhausted and lacking the energy to accomplish anything. 

I want to end on one last note. The average teenager has an average of eight to nine hours of screen time per day. If they maintain this average for an entire year, that is anywhere from 122 to 137 days of screen time per year, which is well over one-third of an entire year. These statistics are quite eye-opening. Technology has interfered with our livelihoods immensely and has literally infested our lives. In order to limit the amount of time that we spend using our phones, I would suggest placing time limits and constraints on social media apps. I already have done this on the majority of the apps on my phone, and the effects have been quite substantial. I have gotten over eight hours of sleep every night and have finished my homework for every class on time. I have also had more time to study for tests, which has helped me perform at a higher standard in school and score better grades in my classes. Lastly, I have had the time to do more of the things that I enjoy, such as playing tennis, spending time with friends and family, and participating in school clubs. Limiting my screen time has helped me maintain a healthier lifestyle and feel much more energized throughout each day. Because of the prior factors, I not only recommend but urge my peers to follow in my footsteps and act immediately in order to institute a happier and healthier way of life.

I’ve always loved to listen to music. It has become a pastime of mine over the last few years. I’ve listened to all different types and genres of music. In this article, I want to recognize some of the best performers and artists of the three most popular music genres in our society, which are hip hop, rock, and pop. 

Starting off with hip hop, the genre that I listen to the most, I believe that Kendrick Lamar is the best hip hop artist of all time. He started his career with his debut album, Section.80, an album with many hit songs such as “ADHD,” “Rigamortis,” and even “HiiiPower.” His next album, Good Kid, MAAD city is a classic and is one of the most prominent and recognized hip hop albums of all time. The album speaks about the city in which Kendrick grew up in, Compton, California. It also digs deep into Kendrick’s adolescence and early life, along with his exposure and avoidance to some of the gangs, drugs, and hood life in the city. His next album, To Pimp a Butterfly, is one of the most culturally significant albums for the African American community, as it mostly speaks on the oppression and racial discrimination that black people face and how Kendrick found himself and was able to overcome it. Kendrick’s following album, Damn, is his most experimental and creative album as it deals with Kendrick’s struggle between good and evil. Kendrick won a Pulitzer Prize for this album because of his creativity, and the album was recognized by the whole music industry as a lyrical masterpiece with peak production, amazing sound, and meaningful story telling. He then released an album that was the soundtrack for the marvel movie, Black Panther, which was phenomenal, and in my opinion could compete for the best movie soundtrack of all time. His next album is my personal favorite, Mr Morale and the Big Steppers, which is a more personal album about Kendrick’s life experiences, struggles with addiction, and journey with therapy.  

Two years after the release of his last album, a feud began to emerge between Kendrick and another rapper, Drake. They both seemed to be having a dispute over who was the better artist. Drake first dissed Kendrick with the song, “First Person Shooter”, off of his album For all the Dogs, which featured rapper, Jcole. Kendrick quickly responded off of his verse on a song called “Like That,” on the album We Don’t Trust You, by Metro Boomin and Future. Drake responded to this insult with the song “Push Ups,” which immediately became a hit. He also released a song called “TaylorMade Freestyle,” which was less popular. Kendrick then responded with “Euphoria,” which was an intense diss track with plenty of beat switches and foul verses. Next, Drake responded with his song, “Family Matters,” which was a respectable comeback to Kendrick’s previous songs. Kendrick then hit Drake with two new diss tracks, “Meet the Grahams” and a song called “Not Like Us.” “Not Like Us” immediately became a hit song and went viral all over the internet. The song topped the Billboard 100 list very quickly and was the 2024 summer anthem, being played in every corner. It earned 5 Grammy nominations in different categories as well. Drake responded with the song “The Heart Part 6,” which was not very popular and seemed to be rejected by most music listeners, deeming Kendrick Lamar as the winner of the entire dispute. Later this year, Kendrick also released his 6th studio album, GNX, which is another amazing album with plenty of hit songs, great lyrics, top production, and amazing features. Although it isn’t my favorite of all his albums, GNX is definitely the most powerful, with hype songs like “Squabble Up,” “TV Off,” “Wacced Up Murals,” “Hey Now,” and “Peekaboo.” Kendrick seems to balance this with chiller songs such as “Luther,” “Gloria,” “The Heart Part 6,” “Reincarnated,” and “Dodger Blue.” Overall, Kendrick Lamar is the best hip hop artist of all time, as he is a musical genius with well-written, powerful lyrics. Along with that, Kendrick visits very significant issues in his songs, and uses his music as a forum to combat them. 

Next, let's move on to good old rock and roll. Before listening to hip hop, rock was definitely my favorite music genre. I gained my appreciation for rock music from my dad. On the way to school every morning, my dad would turn on the classic rewind radio channel, and we would listen the whole way there. I’ve listened to all of the greats, from ACDC to Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Guns N Roses, Metallica, and even Pink Floyd. But for me, the best rock and roll band of all time is easily Queen. I loved the band Queen while growing up and would listen to them all the time. My favorite songs were “Under Pressure,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Somebody to Love,” “Killer Queen,” “We Are the Champions,” and of course, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Their lead singer, Freddie Mercury, had one of the most majestic and powerful voices of his time. Queen is such an original band and their music always intrigued and fascinated me, with the combination of opera and heavy metal rock and roll. Queen was the first band to do what they did, experimenting with different forms and genres of music that didn’t even have anything to do with each other. They were one of the most creative bands of all time. Although it may feel unusual and out of place at first listen, we see it all the time now in the modern music industry. Rappers sample other songs in their music all the time. It is one of the most popular music trends of the 21st century. Some of my favorite songs today combine different sounds that shouldn’t even work but somehow sound phenomenal. Queen completely revolutionized the music industry, demonstrating that two completely different sounds can come together and converge to form a masterpiece.  

Next, let's move on to the most popular genre of them all, which is of course pop music. I don’t listen to pop very often, but I used to when I was younger during summer camp and when I hung out with friends. Although it isn’t my favorite music genre, to me, the best pop star of all time is, without a doubt, Michael Jackson. He is one of the most influential musicians ever. I don't think that there is a single person that can’t name a Michael Jackson song. His music is ageless, as it is listened to by every generation. He started his career off in the Jackson 5, a band that was composed of members of his family. Viewers and listeners immediately saw Michael’s talent, as he was the lead singer of the Jackson 5 at a very young age and could hit vocal notes that were out of everyone's reach. In 1979, he released his album, Off the Wall, which immediately gained popularity with hit songs like “Don’t Stop Til You get Enough” and “Rock With You.” His 1982 album, Thriller, was another hit album with some of his best songs of all time, such as “Beat It,” “Thriller,” “Billy Jean,” and “P.Y.T.” After the release of Thriller, Michael released another album called Bad 5 years later. This album did not disappoint, with several amazing songs, including “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Smooth Criminal.” Not only was Michael Jackson a great singer, lyricist, and artist, but he was also one of the best performers of his time, giving unforgettable concerts and entertaining millions of members in his audiences. 

Overall, the best artists and performers of all time are each so popular due to their creativity. The artists that I discussed are each some of the most trailblazing creators of our century. They were not afraid to experiment and try things that seemed new, weird, and out of their comfort zone. Instead, they fearlessly unleashed all of their feelings, emotions, perspectives, and ideas into their art, completely transforming the music industry and influencing the music that we listen to today.

Your first year in high school is pretty much the definition of daunting, no matter who you are. It’s the first time you’re forced into realizing you’re not a kid anymore. As a freshman, you have much more freedom, but also much more responsibility for yourself, your actions, and your grades. It’s inevitable that you’re going to make mistakes in high school, but here are some solutions to some of the biggest issues people face. 

School-Life Balance

The biggest issue everyone encounters in high school is walking the line between too much work and too much relaxation. When I entered high school, the adults in my life were pretty much split 50/50. Some adults told me that they wished they'd had more fun in high school, but instead, they worked too much and let their youth slip away. These adults encouraged me to focus on relaxing and having fun while letting school take more of a backseat. Other adults told me that they wished they’d taken high school seriously and now regret not doing better. With this mindset, students should really work hard and focus on their grades. Now, I believe that both these things are true, but only to a certain extent, depending more or less on your personality. It’s the existential work-life balance problem.

That said, I think the most effective way to solve this problem is to go off your individual personality, and what the people close to you believe to be true. Naturally, everyone leans towards these two categories: 

1. The overachiever: one who cares too much and works too hard 

2. The underachiever: one who doesn't care enough and spends too much time at leisure. 

Both mindsets are necessary to be happy and productive, but either one in the extreme is bad. What I find has worked for most people is to identify which mindset they naturally favor and work to push against that, essentially trying to find the best of both worlds.  If you’re having trouble with your own soul searching, a good way to see what type of person you are is to just ask the people around you. Ask your family and friends if they genuinely think you spend too much time working or hanging out because these people care about you, and sometimes, they know you better than yourself.

It’s important to remember that while this is the best solution I and others have found throughout high school, it is not perfect by any means. There are a few things that are key to remember when employing this strategy:

1. This problem is different for everyone because everyone has different natural tendencies. It’s disappointing that there is not a perfect one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important to understand that the balance that works for me, isn't necessarily going to work for you. Similarly, what works for you might not work for your friends.

2. It’s hard to solve this problem for yourself. The proper balance for you may change from year to year, class to class, or even week to week. There may be some times when social life just needs to take a backseat because you’ve been slammed with tests and assignments. In this case, you just need to force yourself to sit down and plow through the work. However, the next week might be a lot lighter on assignments, so you can spend more time relaxing than you normally would.

Ask for Help

Our school provides an excellent framework if you're struggling, but I think so many people just accept the fact that they’re struggling and believe themselves to be stupid, without actually trying to get help. Office hours exist for you to use it. As a freshman, I was hesitant to go to office hours because I tricked myself into believing I didn't need it. I felt that I was admitting defeat by asking for help, but I would then get upset when I did badly on a test. This is a normal thought process and cycle of events, but it’s also completely avoidable.

No matter how many times you’ve heard it, I’m going to say it again, because it’s true: Asking for help is not weak. It's humble and smart to understand when you are struggling and realize that you can't fix a problem all on your own. This goes for academic issues, but also for emotional ones too. There are people in this world who care about you and are always willing to help you. Know who those people are, keep them close, and trust that they want the best for you.

Your Teachers are Not Your Enemies

I get it; it’s your first year in high school, and your middle school teachers have just spent the past three years explaining to you that your high school teachers are not going to stand for this mistake or that late assignment. Now, I’m not saying it’s ok to ignore rules and not do work because your teacher will let it fly - it's not ok and they won’t. What I am saying is that if you are a nice person and put in a genuine effort, teachers see and appreciate that. If you are struggling, missed an assignment, or have any questions about your class/grades, your teachers are there to help. You’ll find that most of your teachers are incredibly reasonable and willing to compromise if you are kind and genuine when approaching them.