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The Realities of the Regents Courses
The Realities of the Regents Courses
Interested in taking a Regents course in eighth grade? Here’s some firsthand accounts of what it’s truly like taking one of these advanced high school courses!
by Shuey Shiau & Jodie Huang
by Shuey Shiau & Jodie Huang
On behalf of class 806, Jodie and I know how grueling these courses can be. They train your ability to divide and manage different subjects with daily and weekly assignments for algebra, U.S. history, and biology; not to mention taking the Spanish Language Proficiency exam at the end of the year as well as the other regents examinations. We have been managing our grades according to our standards, with consistent averages over 90 and some higher than 95 in certain cases. But our experiences don’t represent the entire eighth grade, and they certainly don’t represent all of the classes taking the regents courses and how they may be excelling or struggling. We asked individuals in a variety of classes their take on the regents classes, and collected the responses located below.
We received responses from 7 people (we got replies and consent from everyone), including William Calica in 801, Queena Lin in 802, Vincent Zhang in 803, Dean Zubcic in 804, Leonardo Kuo in 805, Cecilia Zhao in 806, and Una Lin in 834. Some people didn’t answer all of the questions, so their initials aren’t included.
Interviews with various regents students
How many/what regents are you taking?
WILLIAM CALICA, 801 (W.C.): “I take Algebra, Biology, and U.S. History.”
QUEENA LIN, 802 (Q.L.): “I take [U.S.] history and algebra.”
VINCENT ZHANG, 803 (V.Z.): “I am currently taking three Regents courses: Biology, Spanish, and U.S. History.”
DEAN ZUBCIC, 804 (D.Z.): “I’m taking 3 regents classes.” (algebra, U.S. history, biology)
LEONARDO KUO, 805 (L.K.): “I take U.S. History, Algebra, and Biology regents.”
CECILIA ZHAO, 806 (C.Z.): “Algebra, biology, U.S. history, and Spanish if it counts.”
UNA LIN, 834 (U.L.): “I’m taking one regents class which is bio.” (biology)
Why did you choose to take the regents courses?
Q.L: “I decided to take regents because I want to be able to take harder classes in 9th grade.”
V.Z.: “I chose to enroll in these classes because I wanted to challenge myself academically and begin preparing early for the expectations of high school–level coursework.”
L.K.: “I take regents so I can take Advanced Placement classes once I'm in high school ahead of when I'm supposed to.”
C.Z.: “Because I was following what my friends chose and wanted to be in the same class as them.”
U.L.: “I chose to take regents classes for the high school credits.”
What do you feel is the hardest regents class you’re taking?
Q.L.: “The hardest regents class is history because it requires memory and a lot of work. No I’m not struggling, it's not easy but not hard.”
V.Z.: “Out of the three, I find Biology to be the most difficult, mainly because of the amount of information that needs to be memorized and applied.”
D.Z.: “I think the hardest regent I’m taking is algebra.”
Do you feel like regents are significantly harder than your seventh grade classes?
W.C.: “I don't. They're relatively easy and I can maintain a 75+ average for all of them.”
V.Z.: “Compared to my seventh grade classes, the Regents courses are definitely more rigorous. The workload, pacing, and depth of understanding required are all higher, but I feel that I have been adjusting well and managing the expectations.”
D.Z.: “No, I don't think it’s more difficult than my 7th grade classes.”
U.L.: “Indeed, this academic year has been noticeably more demanding, marked by a heavier workload and more complex expectations than the previous one.”
Do you think you’re doing well in all of your regents classes? Are you excelling in a specific course?
W.C.: “I'm currently excelling the most in Biology, with a 93 last MP.”
Q.L.: “I’m doing decently in Algebra, not good or bad.”
V.Z.: “In some classes I perform more confidently than others, but overall, I believe I am doing well and making steady progress.”
D.Z.: “Yeah, I think I’m doing well, I have 90s in everything except bio.”
L.K.: “I'm doing average in regents but bad in US history.”
C.Z.: “I’m doing really well in algebra right now, and for the others, I’m doing okay. Currently, I’m not really struggling with my classes.”
Do you feel that taking the regents courses now is better than taking them in high school? Are they beneficial to your learning?
W.C.: “I think they're beneficial especially in middle school because they can ease the transition from middle school to high school. Because the Regents classes are high school level, students who take the regents will have an easier time in high school due to their background knowledge and prior information gained from middle school.”
Q.L.: “[yes] Because you get to learn things earlier than most people and you’ll be able to take more advanced classes faster.”
V.Z.: “I also feel that taking Regents courses now is beneficial. Starting them earlier allows me to build strong study habits, get comfortable with the structure of Regents exams, and reduce the pressure I might face later in high school. Overall, taking these classes at this time has been helpful for my learning and growth.”
D.Z.: “I took them now in middle school so I can get high school credits and potentially graduate high school early, also it’ll better prepare me for high school. I'll know some of the information I’m learning already.” (similar to the second question)
L.K.: “I had an opportunity to do it earlier so I took it.” (as in he had an opportunity to take high school classes earlier)
C.Z.: “I decided to take regents in middle school as I don’t think I would want to go through more pressure later on in high school since I think there would be more work to do.”
U.L.: “Yes, I believe taking regents is better now than later. Due to the amount of information we’re able to use for future use, and extra credits.”
As an 8th grader taking multiple regents, I personally believe if you learn how to not procrastinate over doing your assignments, you should be able to excel in most of your classes and not stress over them. Shuey and I have learned how to productively use our time and not procrastinate, along with learning how to study both efficiently and effectively.
If you are willing to take on the challenge of multiple assignments a day and a multitude of tests, then take regents. However, if you know you are not able to commit to completing your tasks on time, or get overwhelmed with a lot of assignments, I suggest that you take regents in high school or only 1 or 2 regents. Taking regents in middle school is a privilege that you need to earn by doing well in your classes in 6th and 7th grade, so don’t take it for granted. Regents can teach you real world skills, such as completing assignments before the deadline, and how to balance your work/school life and social life. Don’t be afraid to take regents--it has been a wonderful experience so far for Shuey and I and multiple other individuals.
Highschool Applications and Results
Highschool Applications and Results
Shortened version of a past article.
On Thursday, March 5th, 2026, high school results will come out for eighth graders. This will be a nerve-wracking time for all, but for now, highschool applications are due on Wednesday, December 3rd. For more statistics and high school application results in the future, click the link below.
This page holds NYC high school results from the fall of 2025 to the fall of 2022. SHSAT and discovery program statistics are also available.
An example of the Christmas tree you can make on wishfultree.com with an ornament representing a wish.
Hangout during the Holidays
Hangout during the Holidays
Want to hang out with friends, but it just seems too cold and depressing to go anywhere? Here are some festive things to do during the winter season!
by Shuey Shiau
by Shuey Shiau
Every year, it always seems hard to find a place to hangout with your friends during the coldest months of the year. You’d usually go out shopping, walking around the city or neighborhood, or playing sports especially during the summer. But these are all outdoor activities, so what do you do during the winter?
One suggestion is ice skating. It’s meant for the colder times of the year, as it’s even in the name: ice skating. Doing this with your friends makes it an even more enjoyable experience as, if you’re doing it for the first time, you’ll learn together and laugh with each other rather than struggling by yourself. There are also many locations with Christmas lighting and other festive activities, where the holiday really becomes magical.
Another idea to consider is decorating a tree together. This might be limited as some peoples’ homes may be off-limits to friend hangouts, but if it’s possible, you can find an indoor location to meet up and bring supplies to make ornaments and other decorations for your Christmas tree.
If you’re not able to hangout anywhere with your friends due to other restrictions, it’s always an option to enjoy each others’ company digitally. There are many websites that offer virtual Christmas tree decorating and other holiday activities. One such website is wishfultree.com where you can create your own Christmas tree from the options and customize it, then have others add ornaments with their Christmas wishes.
You can also plan gift exchanges such as Secret Santa or White Elephant. In Secret Santa, names are distributed and you have to get a gift for a person without them knowing, and someone else gets you a gift but you don’t know who it is. Secret Santa is usually best with more than four people (4 is the minimum; if there’s 3 people then everyone knows who is getting who a gift). White Elephant is where everyone gets a gift and you meet with friends to pick a gift and see what you get. You can also customize board games to show the Christmas element. Overall, there are many options to celebrate Christmas with your friends and family even if there are restrictions and struggles. Happy early Christmas!
The Importance of Gratitude and Coping with Stress
The Importance of Gratitude and Coping with Stress
by Saara Hussainansari
by Saara Hussainansari
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; and readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. As simple as it seems, this quality is constantly dismissed and it has become normalized to do so. Gratitude is much more meaningful than you'd think, but understanding the importance of appreciation and validation for others is a quality many don't share. A simple compliment or taking notice of someone’s hard work can go a long way.
We are all humans and have good and bad times, understanding people and validating those emotions can help far more than you would think.
School work is without a doubt stressful and sometimes unbearable. When stress levels increase, productivity and enjoyable activities can drop tremendously. Hushing this stress is sometimes hard. Here are some ways to calm your mind and maintain a balance between school and your personal life.
Tips to Deal with Stress
Take time to take walks. Fresh air is similar to a refreshment and can help when feeling overwhelmed.
Expressing your emotions. Whether it's through the notes on your iPhone or to a person you're comfortable with, bundling up extreme emotions is severely unhealthy and can lead to a great number of problems.
Take time to enjoy your hobbies. Hobbies are much more complex stress relief than you think; having the time to do something you value can brighten your day immediately.
Listen to music. Sometimes appreciating the beats of songs can calm your nerves, and allow your mind to sink into the song lyrics.
Productivity Guide: Winter Break
Productivity Guide: Winter Break
Ever feel stuck during the holidays with break work to do but no productive nature in sight? Here are some tips to get you back in the groove!
by Shuey Shiau
by Shuey Shiau
Let’s be honest—homework over the break is the worst feeling ever. It should be a break for a reason, right? Nevertheless, we have to deal with a mound of homework from some teachers who want to make sure we retain our knowledge from the past year. So how to get over that unproductive slump? You could either a) force yourself to do the work with minimal effort and zero energy, or the better option, b) make it fun. Let’s expand on option B.
Somehow games keep us interested but homework doesn’t. So why not bring the game to the work?
Create a competition with friends
Working with friends can be both a distraction and a productivity boost as they can hold you accountable and also make it seem like you’re not in it alone.
Make it entertaining for yourself
Imagine that you’re a reactor who’s trying to make comments on a video to show that you’re “reacting to it”—this is honestly similar to annotating articles, but just a more vocal way of expressing it.
Challenge yourself
Test yourself to see how fast you can do it, and essentially “speedrun” it and always aim to improve even if it’s just homework.
Organize/Aesthetisize your notes
Make your notes pretty for future reference so that your brain is tricked into thinking “ooo colors” and isn’t bored from just words on a page. This also aids in memorization as you can associate concepts and words with colors and pictures, especially if you’re a visual learner.
Change Workspaces
Your work environment can affect how well you learn, work, and study. Switching up to a different desk or moving to in front of a window with natural sunlight can make all the difference when you’re doing boring, mind-numbing tasks daily over what should be a break. Or just in general depressing months.
Use what works best for you, and always look for improvements for productivity spikes and stay consistent in your efforts!
Artwork Provided By Joy Shin
Microplastics: More Harmful Than You Think
Microplastics: More Harmful Than You Think
by Amelie Hernandez
by Amelie Hernandez
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 is Earth Day! Earth Day is the day where people come together to protect and help the environment. As a part of Earth Day, people commit to recycling (paper, plastic, cardboard, aluminum, etc.). However, microplastics have become a huge problem, as well. Microplastics are fragments of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters large. So, how could something so small be so problematic?
Microplastics manage to find their way into everything: our food, bodies of water and our drinking water, the land, and even humans themselves! In fact, studies show that humans contain up to a spoon's worth of microplastics in their brains! How do the microplastics even end up in all of these places in the first place? Well, very little of the plastics we recycle actually end up being recycled. Most of the plastic ends up in a landfill and degrades (this takes about 1,000 years) which causes toxic substances to leak into the ground and soil. Many microplastics also end up in the bodies of water through polluted waterways.
As for our food, animals (especially sea life) are also significantly affected by microplastics. Plastics that end up in the sea or on the land are ingested by wildlife every day. For example: the humpback whale. It is estimated that humpback whales that typically eat fish ingest a total of 200,000 microplastics per day, and the ones that typically eat krill ingest about 3 million to 10 million microplastics per day. This is a lot of microplastics!
Recycling is a huge part of reducing microplastics. Putting recyclable items in the recycling instead of just throwing them out in the garbage can still make a huge difference. However, many people, including the students of our school, don’t throw things out in the proper bins. The blue bin is meant for recycling things. When you throw out your recycling in that bin, you’re contributing to the reduction of microplastics and helping our planet. A word of advice from one of our science teachers, Mrs. Heitner, is to use reusable items, recycle, and use/buy less plastic materials.
As the years go by, more and more microplastics pollute the Earth. There are ways that we can stop this, such as reducing the usage of single-use plastics like bottles of water, but more people need to help and be informed on what’s happening. Spread the word about microplastics. Let’s reduce the amount of microplastics polluting our planet. Happy Earth Day everyone!
What Does YOUR Name Mean?
What Does YOUR Name Mean?
By Emily Xiang
By Emily Xiang
Everyday, no matter where you are, your name is said. Whether you’re at school, or at home, it happens. But what does your name mean? Your name isn’t just a mere name tag or what you are called. Your name holds your identity, history and culture. Your name might mean “wisdom” or “bright and radiant” Or, your name may simply just mean “shine”. Either way, names represent who we are, our personalities, and our characteristics.
Why do names matter?
Your teacher starts the first day at school by making everyone introduce themselves, playing the game, “name game” with the class, or creating name tags. These introductions are for an important purpose. Our names tell our background, or story, and reveal your character. It could be connected to your family culture or your personal story.
Click on the link below to explore what your name means!
What Does My Name Mean? The Meaning Of Names
How to Respect Others’ Names
Whenever people introduce themselves, use that name
(Don’t shorten or change their name to something else.)
Pronounce their name correctly.
(Ask them to repeat it, if you’re not able to pronounce it correctly)
Don’t make fun of their name.
(Don’t tease or bully others just because what they are called)
Accept their name.
(Respect who they are)
Correct yourself whenever you make a mistake.
(Whenever you mispronounce someone’s name, put effort into saying it right.)
Hoodie Ban
Hoodie Ban
Many students think the dress code at JHS 194 is unfair and limiting, even though it was implemented for a reason.
by Kevin Li and Leonardo Kuo
by Kevin Li and Leonardo Kuo
Students are against the hoodie ban and don’t like having their hoodie confiscated. "We think it's limiting, and we want the freedom to wear what we want to stay warm," says Leo.
"Hoodies are more accessible and practical as well since stores sell a wider selection of hoodies than non-hooded sweatshirts," says Kevin.
Interestingly, JHS 194 “no hoodie” rule is not a citywide policy. Currently, there is no information about the number of schools with a hoodie policy like ours. We interviewed Mr. Dilallo to find out why JHS 194 prioritizes this dress code, and the main reason is to ensure students’ safety. “Dress code is important for students' safety.” Since students can put their cell phones in their hoodie pockets and hide them to use during class or in the school restroom, Mr. Dilallo and administrators believe it is a safety issue.
Mr. Dilallo tells us “The primary responsibility of the school is safety, without safety, learning cannot take place.” Hoodies can also be a safety hazard due to kids putting their hoods over their heads. If a student does something bad with their hoodie up, it will be difficult to find out their identity. We, as students, understand this, but it seems unfair for students that follow that aren’t doing something bad.
The school allows 194 hoodies, which essentially have the same problems as a regular hoodie, you can conceal your identity and conceal phones. This makes students wonder why 194 hoodies are allowed but regular hoodies are prohibited. To this, administrators say that they can identify our students as opposed to students from students outside the building.
Ultimately, Mr. Dilallo says “The hoodie policy can be re-addressed or refuted in one to two years time depending on the circumstances and if there will be any incidents in that time period.” This gives students that do not like the hoodie policy hope that in the future they can wear what they want.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Lunar New Year Celebration
By Atilla King
By Atilla King
You walk down the street and see red lanterns hanging in front of shops. The air is filled with the rich aroma of festive dishes, and everywhere, people are dressed in red—a symbol of luck. A mesmerizing red dragon weaves through the crowd, its movements controlled by trained dancers hidden beneath its frame. Glowing lanterns rise into the night sky, carrying wishes for the year ahead. These are just a few of the images you may see on this holiday.
But what exactly is the Lunar New Year? While we see these beautiful traditions each year, I wanted to know more about the the holiday that many of my friends celebrate.
Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It begins with the new moon and lasts 15 days, ending with the first full moon. The celebrations include lively parties, firecrackers, and the famous Lion Dance, performed to bring good luck and drive away bad spirits.
A key tradition during the first days of the new year is the giving of red envelopes, known as hóngbāo, which contain money and symbolize good fortune. Farrah Zhou shared, “I wear red on Chinese New Year for good luck, and my family members give me red envelopes with money.”
Food also plays a central role in the celebrations. Families come together to share special meals. Roy LIn shared his own traditions, saying, “On Lunar New Year, we eat hotpot and invite friends and family.”
However, not every day of the holiday is centered around joyous gatherings. On the third day of Lunar New Year It is considered bad luck to visit or invite relatives, as it is reserved for honoring ancestors. Families pay their respects by visiting gravesites, lighting incense, and making paper offerings.
Another significant moment comes on the ninth day of the celebration, which is recognized as the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of Heaven in Taoist beliefs.
Lunar New Year is more than just a holiday and holds a deep meaning for those who celebrate—it is a time of joy and cultural pride.
Black History Month
Black History Month
Celebrating African-American history in the month of February.
by Ranim Nasrallah
by Ranim Nasrallah
What is Black History Month?
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people such as enslaved people brought over from Africa in the early 17th century and African-Americans living in the US today.
How did Black History Month start?
Carter G. Woodson, known as the “father of black history” set out in 1926 to designate a time to educate people about Black history and culture. Woodson envisioned a weeklong celebration to encourage the teaching of Black history and culture in public schools. "Woodson's goal from the very beginning was to make the celebration of Black history in the field of history a 'serious area of study,' " said Albert Broussard, a professor of Afro-American history at Texas A&M University.
Why is Black History Month in February?
February was chosen because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were both born on the second week of the month. It was traditionally a time when African-Americans held celebrations in honor of emancipation. (Douglass' exact date of birth wasn't recorded, but he came to celebrate it on Feb. 14.)
Celebrate Contributions of
Black Americans
African Amereican Literature & History
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
by Aziza Hussain
by Aziza Hussain
Beginning each year, we dedicate a portion of our time to honor the achievements, history, and contributions of African-American history. Starting February 1st and ending March 1st, Black History Month is not only a celebration but an opportunity to reflect on the bravery of civil rights activists and figures.
It compels us to highlight the critical and fundamental roles African-Americans played in guaranteeing the rights we have today and shaping the history of our nation and world alike.
Black History Month motivates us to stand up to racial injustice and ultimately bring the world a step closer to equality by underscoring the stories of historical figures like Rosa Parks- a fearless, black woman who refused to give up her seat to a white man and lead great protests- and Martin Luther King Jr- who piloted historical marches, voiced the need of equality through speeches, and continuously showed tenacity in the face of adversity.
This month gives you the chance to explore the monumental impact African-Americans had on our society and individuals today. To participate, you can do various activities, like reading books depicting the Black experience, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, attending lectures, going to art exhibitions that display the Black culture, supporting local Black-owned businesses, spreading information about Black History Month to friends and family, volunteering in programs or places that help contribute to racial equality.
How Can We Learn More?
Some powerful books to explore that dive into the Black-experience and the ongoing struggles for equality are: “The Souls Of Black Folk” by W.E.B Du Bois, “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, “Incidents of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Ann Jacobs, “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isibel Wilkerson, and “Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson.
Some heart-felt movies you can watch are: “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Hidden Figures,” and “The Hate You Give.” Finally, check out some incredible artists: Misty Copeland, Janet Collins, Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold, and Kehinde Wiley.
Needless to say, we should all utilize this month to expand our knowledge and appreciation towards our African American peers as well as engaging our family and friends in the importance of African Americans in our world today.
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