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By Aislyn O'Malley and Leocadia Rothschild
New school year, new rules, new regulations, new people, so many new things can bring so many new questions. Earlier this month, a Google form was sent out to survey you on some back-to-school topics, and there was a chance to leave questions. We've compiled a list of some of the most versatile and most commonly asked questions. We’re here to answer some of them to the best of our abilities.
If I miss a day, when I come back, what's the most efficient way to get caught up?
Missing a day of school gets harder as you grow older. The best way to not fall too far behind is to email your teachers ahead of time if you know you’ll be out a day. If you’re able to do any work at home, try to do it there. It might seem annoying and a bit boring, but doing your work at home can help keep you on track. If you're sick and have to miss a day, and you're not able to let teachers know ahead of time, email them as soon as you can. If you're super-sick, prioritize rest over schoolwork. Most teachers won't expect you to do a ton of work if you're really sick, but every teacher is different, so make sure you know what teachers allow what. When you get back to school, see if you can catch up in the Academic Achievement Center on the third floor. Communicating with your teachers is the best way to stay on track if you miss school, but if you have any other concerns or feel that you’re falling too far behind, email your counselor; they're there to help you.
Aislyn シ
How do I keep my grades up this year? What is making my grades bad?
Unfortunately, the specific answers to these questions vary from teacher to teacher, but in general, you can keep your grades up year-round by turning in your work on time and doing all of it to the best of your ability. Besides that, actually doing your own work will benefit you. It can be easy to ask a friend or an AI for answers on an assignment, but actually learning the material will make doing work so much easier. If you’re struggling with a topic, let your teacher know, and see if they have any after-school hours or a free period to go over whatever is confusing you. If you're worried about being a bother, remember that it is their job to help you learn. Understanding why your grades are bad can be a bit trickier than just understanding how to keep them up. If you consistently turn in half-finished work, and are struggling with classwork, it could reflect on your grades. If you think you’re doing well in your classes but still have bad grades, there might be some weighting involved. On Infinite Campus, you can check, class by class, how your grade is weighted or what parts of the class count the most towards your grade. For example, if a teacher has tests weighted at 70 and homework weighted at 30, doing poorly on a test will impact your grade more than doing poorly on a homework assignment.
Aislyn シ
How do you keep mental health and your social battery up and avoid burnout?
Making the transition from summer into the new school year with coursework, sports, clubs, etc., can be challenging for many, and it's important to find ways to keep a positive and motivated mindset. Giving yourself time to decompress and do activities that you enjoy is critical, even during times when you have a lot going on. Something that has helped me personally is working on my time-management skills. When I have a lot that I need to get done, I will make a bulleted list of all of the tasks, and it feels rewarding when you can later check these things off. That way, you can stay on track and have time to do something that makes you happy, even if that means 30 minutes to watch your favorite show. Even though this might not be the most fun piece of advice, getting work done early on if you know that you have something going on later in the week is very helpful, and you will be thankful that you did so. Over time, if you try these techniques, you will start to develop beneficial habits.
Leocadia ☆
How do you find out about clubs and sports?
I know for me, I found out about a lot of clubs and sports through social media, especially the Ken-Ton athletics page. But there are many other ways to do so. Flyers are put up around the school often regarding open gym practices, information nights, meeting times, etc. If you have an interest in joining a specific sport and have not seen any information around about it, feel free to ask your gym teachers or any other staff member involved in athletic teams and events. Sports are also a way to build genuine connections with people who share similar interests as you. If you are unsure whether or not you would enjoy being on a sports team or in a sports-related club, give it a try anyway because you might end up really enjoying it. Never be afraid to try something new because you will learn something either way.
Leocadia ☆
How can I make real friends?
Making real friends can be hard; the best way to make genuine friendships is to be your authentic self. You’ve probably heard it a billion times, but truly, the best way to make real connections with people is to show them your true self. Good friendships can’t be built on an idealized and fake version of yourself that you created to appease a lot of people, but instead, on shared interests, good communication, and trust. Where do you even find friends, though? Try joining a club that you find compelling; you’re very likely to find people with shared interests, and you'll have a set time and place to meet with them. Maybe, hopefully, you’ll eventually work up to hanging out with your new buds outside of school. Bam! Friendship. Can’t find a club you like? Talk to someone you think would be cool, give them a compliment. People often express their interests, the ones that you might have in common, through clothes and accessories. You like a sport and you see someone wearing a jersey from said sport, try and spark up a conversation. If you’re in an elective, try talking to someone in that class; everyone in there chose to be in there for a reason, that’s a built-in shared interest. Unfortunately, it's hard to connect with people if you don't talk to them. I know talking to new people can seem scary, but it's crucial for making new friends. The only way to put yourself out there is to put yourself out there.
Aislyn シ
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