When laziness becomes detrimental to life

Since second semester began, I have become the laziest person ever. Every day after school I used to go to the gym, do all my homework and then maybe watch some TV. But this has all changed, especially since I just had my last February break in my life. This past week I have done perhaps a total of two hours of homework without having a TV show playing on my computer. I have not gone to the gym since last Saturday because I’m too lazy to drive to BSC.

Although I enjoy being able to watch TV for the first time in my high school career, I do feel a sense of guilt when my teachers ask questions about the past night’s homework, because it is clear I’m not the only one in my classes who have adopted this life of indifference to academics. It must be hard to be a senior year teacher during the second semester, they see us slacking off. They know we do. But the way I see it is, I’ve worked my life away at this school, and the next four years of college will be filled with all-nighters at the library, I need these last months of school to enjoy being a teenager!

So I suppose what I’m trying to say is, work hard now as underclassmen because second semester of your senior year can be used as a time to enjoy high school like they do on television and in the movies.

February 29, 2008. Caroline E, High School. No Comments.

I don’t want it back

I have not had a social life for the past three months. As I am a junior in high school, the following information might shock you: I liked it.

You see, for the last three months me and 19 other girls’ Fridays have consisted of team dinners, 9-10 practices at Cleveland Circle, and 8 o’clock games all over the state. For a lot of high school students this schedule would be a nightmare, and there are complainants about the parties and events we miss, everyone secretly enjoys escaping the drama and spending time together. 
As a team this year, we became so close. Girls hockey is not a sport that is as popular as say, soccer or lacrosse, and as a result, the Varsity team is made up of girls from all four grades. Having people of different ages and playing experience may seem difficult, but all the laughs and tears shared only made us better friends and teammates.
We spent countless hours eating a ton and joking about Tila Tequilla, the Coaches’ ridiculous jokes, and our ‘animal look-a-likes’. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, our season came to an end in a game against Newton North which we clearly controlled. 20 seconds out of the numerous hours encompassing our season was all it took to give me my weekend nights back. 
And guess what? I don’t really want them. So tonight, instead of Papa Ginos and freezing rinks, I’ll be in bed…getting myself ready for the SATs. Guess where they are..
Newton North. 

February 29, 2008. High School, Lauren D, Sports. No Comments.

My junior thesis struggle and what came out of it

After just finishing my junior thesis around 11 pm last night, it came time to put my paper, drafts, notecards, sources, and other items in an 8.5 x 11 manilla folder. I realized that this was simply impossible. The first idea that came to mind (note: I was extremely tired and my thinking was impaired) was going out to purchase a Macbook Air, placing all of my work on the computer, and placing it inside of the folder, just like in the commercial. Since I refused to drop $3000 on it, I chose the more reasonable solution of using two 8.5 x 11 manilla folders.

Luckily for me, my struggle was limited to packing issues, rather than the paper itself. Even though the forty-plus hours were grueling, I think I learned a lot about myself. Through the process, it was reinforced in my mind that hard work can lead to success (well, atleast in my opinion!). Additionally, I realized the importance of organization. Overall, the Junior Thesis was definetly a learning experience, and is a fundamental part of the curriculum.

That is not true for the IRP however. Not only is it exponentially terrifying in its difficulty, it is the pinnacle of the English department’s monopoly on the school. In case you were wondering, I am a fan of concpiracy theories.

February 15, 2008. High School, Junior Thesis, Stephen K. 2 Comments.

Stress Is Overrated

If you get C’s and D’s, that’s fine. If you don’t try in school, it doesn’t matter. After a recent panel, this is what some of my fellow classmates had to say. And I am appalled.

Why even go to high school? If you are just going to slack off, drop out. Really. In my view, without a good high school education, you will not get into college, and even if you do, it will be a college you do not want to attend. Without a college education, you will then become a bum who works at a fast food restaurant.

This, I think, puts a lot of pressure on high school students. What we are doing now will pretty much affect the rest of our lives.

So, is high school just about getting good grades? Well, it feels like it. And honestly, that’s the one thing I hate about high school. Sometimes I wish teachers did not assign grades. No grades would eliminate stress and competition between students.

Unfortunately, this will never happen. Teachers need a way to evaluate students. But I think there are other ways to get rid of the stress factor.

In middle school, many students probably remember the class, “Study for Success.” Students were taught efficient study methods, the basics of keeping up with your work, and how to eliminate stress. I think a class synonymous to this should be brought to the high school as an elective. I know I would benefit from it.

To continue with the stress factor at this high school, supposedly it’s pretty high. There is one simple solution to this problem: Don’t let yourself get stressed out. Students DO have a lot of work, but teachers don’t assign stress! They bring it about on themselves.

Again, high school can be competitive with its grading system, but don’t let yourself become a nutcase! Stay relaxed. Alert, but relaxed.

February 8, 2008. High School, Katie N, School issues, Stress. 3 Comments.