The telltale ads, stores boasting the newest “in” styles and tailored sales can only point to one thing: school is approaching and it’s coming fast on Sept. 3.
It’s time to break out the packs of blank note cards, composition notebooks and AP textbooks, and reprogram your mind (and alarm clock) out of summer mode. Time to face the harsh reality, that is no more “for fun” all-nighters, but agonizing hours of last-minute highlighting, note-taking and cramming.
At least that’s what it seems to me.
As an incoming junior at the STEM School, it’s no secret that 11th grade is infamously known for its rigor, stress and days when you just might want to pull your hair out. College applications are seemingly around the corner, AP tests at a full load, and let’s not forget our dear SATs.
But wait! There’s no dropping the extracurriculars here. You’re going to want to be on that varsity sport this year again, remember? And what about being president of that club, and treasurer of that other club? You’re not going to want to stop band, either. You were first chair, after all.
Admittedly, school is what you want it to be. Think of its negatives and get bogged down by these details, and sure, you’ll find the experience to be just what you expected. Focus on working toward your best and staying on track while still being able to have a good time, and you’ll find it a lot more enjoyable.
A lot of my peers, especially those in accelerated and advanced programs in high school as I am, will maintain the idea that school is a time for strenuous work and 100 percent academic effort, with “fun” and “party time” for later. And sure, this is true. But it doesn’t mean that these years aren’t a time to grow as a person and find yourself.
Disregarding all clichés, you can definitely apply this personal growth to your academic success. Finding a personal, say, exercise regimen can teach you a lot about discipline and motivation that you can then apply to your study habits. Staying in touch with your hobbies and things you excel at can teach you a lot about refining your strengths and weaknesses and figuring how to address them.
Socializing, although in large doses seems to be waning due to growing pressure of academic performance, can help you learn about yourself and can actually be a healthy break. I can only speak from my meager years of experience and do acknowledge that I have a long road ahead of me.
However, whether you agree with me or not, the beginning of a new school year undoubtedly marks a fresh page and a new start for all of us, whether that means a change of lifestyle or a new studying habit you want to try out. Whatever it may be, I highly encourage you to reevaluate what works/has not worked for you in the past, take a deep breath and dive into the upcoming year with a strong and driven start. Most importantly, enjoy the last week of August and enjoy what the last stretch of summer gives!
Christina Dias is a 15-year-old writer and blogger at http://christina-merry-go-round.blogspot.com/
