Here you can find various student written articles on life at Gonzaga, tips for incoming students, and ways to be an active member of your school community!
Getting Involved in the Community By: Emily Pike September 2021
There's one piece of advice that seems to get drilled into every student's head throughout high school - get involved. I'm sure even reading those words you can hear the voices of your parents and teachers. It truly is a great piece of advice, but like many things that get repeated over and over again, it begins to lose meaning. So here is an easy to read list on why getting involved in the community is one of the best ways to get through high school.
But first; what does it mean to "get involved"? Simple, trying out for a sports team, joining an extracurricular are examples of it. Putting something on your schedule outside of the academic day is getting involved.
You learn a new skill, hobby, and interpersonal skills. By joining a club, trying out for a sports team, or even volunteering, you are actively pushing yourself out of your comfort to try new things. Every club at Gonzaga has something valuable to offer. Environmental Club fosters a love for our planet and teaches you ways to be greener in your daily life. Yearbook Committee teaches you all about graphic design, Debate Team teaches you how to articulate your thoughts, and the list goes on and on! If you aren't sure of what GHS offers, look under the Get Involved tab for an extensive list.
You make new friends and connections. By joining an e.c. (extra curricular) you meet like minded people, and students with similar interests as yourself. This is a great way to make friends within the school community.
It makes you stand out in university/ scholarship applications. Although you shouldn't participate in things just as a resume-builder, it is a great side effect of being involved. If you know you will be applying to big scholarships and universities (especially those out of province and abroad), being involved and building your repertoire makes you stand out in the application process. Keep in mind some major applications start as early as late grade eleven/beginning of grade twelve. So don't wait until your grade twelve year to cram it all in!
Builds time management skills. As Benjamin Franklin once said "If you want something done, ask a busy person." This statement holds true, because the more you practice time management the better you get at it. This isn't saying you should pack so much into your weekly schedule that it's overwhelming. Rather you should learn what schedule looks right for you (what study method works best, how many hours of leisure time makes you the most productive etc. ). The more times you get work done, submit assignments on time, and handle extracurriculars on top of it all, the better the payoff will be in the end. Remember that it's also important to have free time to relax as well!
Hopefully you found some of these tips helpful and remember, get involved! :)
Study Tips - How to make the most of your time By: Emily Pike October 2021
If you find yourself struggling to commit to studying, then you aren't alone. Many students struggle with finding appropriate methods and how to schedule study times. Here is a list of some simple yet effective tips that can help improve your study and skills and stamina.
Make a study space - and dedicate it to studying. Creating a space in your room specifically dedicated to studying can help with concentration. You will then associate sitting in that spot with studying and doing work. Some people may have desks in their room that they designate to be their study space. Others may have a corner in their house, a certain table in the library, or a favorite chair that works for them. Whatever it may be, finding a comfortable space to study in (that you regularly have access to) is a great first step in a studying routine. If possible make the space as clean and clutter free as possible, in an effort to minimize distractions.
Find time in your schedule. One of the key components to a good study routine is timing. Write out your weekly schedule and find when is best for you. Try to set a side an hour - or more - per night. Even if you don't end up using all that time each day (or maybe you devote more time on one specific evening) that way you have a set scheduled time for it. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with studying, but when you know you have a set study time it becomes easier to motivate yourself to do it.
Try different study methods. Studying is not one size fits all! There will be more articles on this to come, but methods such as active recall, Pomodoro method, Leitner system, are all examples of study techniques. Everyone's brain responds to different methods of studying, so shop around for what works best for you! *Remember that reading through your notes passively isn't studying and won't help you learn the content well.**
Space out study sessions. Although it might be tempting to just cram for your Chem quiz the night before - it's best to refrain. Studying for a large assessment in tiny increments will yield the best results. Break down what you need to learn (either using a given study guide or by yourself) and write it out. It'll be much less overwhelming to reach the night before the test and find you already know the content! Then you can use more time for a general review.
Progress is not linear - so be nice! Be kind to yourself, and learn to give yourself breaks when you need them. Mistakes are normal and it's how we learn. Don't expect to get perfect marks, but understand that you can put in an honest effort to get good results. Finding what method of studying works best for you and using these tips is a great place to start!
Tryout Troubles - The Do's and Don'ts By: Emma Douglas October 2021
Whether you’re going out for school basketball, or auditioning for your local theatre troupe, tryouts can get even the most experienced actor or athlete nervous. You want to make the team, that much is obvious, but when you think about all the different outcomes your head might start to spin. If that sounds anything like you, don’t worry, it's totally normal, and if you’re looking for a little help, don’t worry about that either. We’ve got you covered.
Arrive on Time. I’m sure this one probably seems like a no-brainer, but I can assure you that it’s a pretty huge deal to coaches and directors. There’s no better way to show your interest and commitment than simply showing up on time !
Arrive prepared. There's no sense in arriving on time if you aren't ready to go! Make sure to have all your gear on (or you sheet music prepped) before you get started, so that you aren't the one holding things up! Coaches love a prepared player !
Be confident. I’m sure that you’re thinking “easy for you to say”, but I'm totally serious! Go into your tryout ready to show them what you’ve got, and don’t be afraid to take opportunities to volunteer if you know what you are doing.
Have a good attitude. Ugh, we’ve all been there. We all know someone who hogs the ball, or sings over everyone else, or is convinced they are right and everyone else must be wrong. DON’T BE THAT PERSON! You want to show potential coaches and teammates that you are more than just a good player, you can be a good teammate too! It’s not your job to correct other players without being asked, and it’s the coach's job to coach, so maybe don’t roll your eyes if you get some pointers ;)
HAVE FUN. Even if you don’t make the team, you want to have a good experience trying right? So always make sure to put your best foot forward and enjoy yourself. Let the mistakes roll off your back and keep trying, all you can do is your best!