Blue Devil Bulletin: Advice for All

Hello readers! This monthly edition of the advice column is all about academics. 

We received some questions from students at Kenmore West 

that we will be answering for you all today.

Q: What are some good academic tips regarding college/career planning & what classes I could take to help me reach my goal?

A: If you know what you want to do in college or as a career, taking classes and electives that would help you prepare early is a good idea. Our school has a variety of electives that can be applied to many different college and career paths. If you’re in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade, looking into doing BOCES in 11th and 12th grade for the field you plan on working in is a great option. There are tons of programs that can help prepare you and provide a head start on the skills you might need in the future. If you aren't sure what you want to do with your future, my advice is again to check out different electives. Finding what you like and are good at can give you an idea of what you might want to do in the future. Academically, I recommend keeping the best grades that you can. If you plan on going to college, having a good GPA at the end of your school career is important; don’t disregard any classes. Also, if you’re looking to go to college, especially one with a low acceptance rate, being part of a club or sport could help. Having a well-rounded high school experience not only looks good, but it also gives something to look forward to regarding school. As always, I advise you to talk to your counselor if you have any qualms or queries about your future. And please remember, you’re only in high school; it's fine to not have your whole life figured out.

• Aislyn シ

Q: How can I prevent/limit my social battery from running out?

A: Keeping your social battery high is important to avoid burnout and exhaustion. My number one tip for keeping it up is to surround yourself with things and people that you are familiar with and feel comfortable around, as well as finding things that help you relax and recharge. You can equate your social battery to your phone battery. Relaxing would be charging; things like meeting and interacting with new people use up battery; and surrounding yourself with people and things that you know help you feel comfortable is like using low power mode. So, to prevent your battery from dropping too low, try doing something relaxing before doing something draining. If your battery is already low and you’re out and unable to access relaxation, there’s nothing wrong with taking a step back from whatever you’re doing. Going to the bathroom or somewhere quiet and welcoming to relax for a minute can be a good recharge. If this doesn't work and you’re willing and able to, leaving somewhere early because you’re exhausted isn't the end of the world. How you feel, especially socially, should be a top priority, and finding things to calm yourself can help to preserve your social battery.

• Aislyn シ

Q: How can I take good notes and study successfully?

A: Studying in a successful way often involves formulating your own strategy that works best for you. A good way to start is by determining what type of learner you are (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, etc.), and using tips from your learning style to understand information. For example, I am very much a visual learner, so I use techniques such as flashcards, mindmaps, and charts to make sense of the information I am trying to learn and memorize because I am able to physically see it and create an image of it in my head. This is a very important element of studying that needs to be recognized, and without it could lead you to use methods that do not work well for you. There are many resources available online, such as websites and videos, that can further explain these methods and break them down for you. A lot of studying as a whole has to do with repetition. Regardless of your learning style, you need to spend time reviewing the material often to get it ingrained into your mind. I like to use a method called active recall, which means that I test myself on the information I'm trying to memorize by having to talk about the information I have learned. I usually do this by using flashcards and reading a definition to myself and having to say the answer, or the other way around. You can also do this method by teaching someone else about the topic, so that you are actively processing the information. Active recall is an effective method of learning that can be beneficial for all learning styles.

• Leocadia ☆

Q: How do I choose the right type of job during high school?

A: Choosing the right job in high school is important because it can help you to work towards a positive career in the future. A part-time job can be working for a company, such as a restaurant, a convenience store, a cafe, and many others. These types of jobs can allow you to work on a consistent basis and learn important skills that will help you in life, such as customer service, cooperation, problem-solving, etc. There are also ways to earn money that do not involve working for a company, and allow you to plan your own schedule, including babysitting, yard work, a small business, or other tasks that you can choose to select on your own. Having a job during high school can be very beneficial and will allow you to save up money for the future. The Counseling Center at our school is a great place to find job opportunities, and there is usually a bulletin listing current job openings and advertisements. If you are someone who is looking at this question in a long-term way, meaning how you can figure out your career for the future, high school is a good time to learn about different jobs. When you graduate high school, you do not need to have your entire life figured out, and it’s ok to explore your interests. Many people switch their majors at least once during college, and your pathway may significantly change. No matter what your plans for the future are, having the foundational work experience during high school will build social skills that will aid you in life.

• Leocadia ☆