questions and answers from students at L.F.H.S
I know I need to keep my grades up, but I'm having trouble overcoming senioritis. Any tips?
We feel ya! Unfortunately, no one has the cure to senioritis, but we have found that beating starts with your mindset. Of course colleges want to see that you're not completely blowing off senior year, but it IS second semester... They won't mind if your grades drop a bit. (Note: they will mind if you've always been an A student and are now suddenly getting straight Cs) Put sincere effort into your school work, but think of it more as an exercise for your brain rather than a life-defining assignment. At the very least, keep the senioritis at bay for your teachers. They are legally required to keep teaching us, even if we are not legally required to do homework. Your high school journey is almost over-- finish strong!
We feel ya! Unfortunately, no one has the cure to senioritis, but we have found that beating starts with your mindset. Of course colleges want to see that you're not completely blowing off senior year, but it IS second semester... They won't mind if your grades drop a bit. (Note: they will mind if you've always been an A student and are now suddenly getting straight Cs) Put sincere effort into your school work, but think of it more as an exercise for your brain rather than a life-defining assignment. At the very least, keep the senioritis at bay for your teachers. They are legally required to keep teaching us, even if we are not legally required to do homework. Your high school journey is almost over-- finish strong!
What's the real deal with National Honor Society? How much does it actually matter?
Juniors: We thought you should have another look at the benefits of NHS on a college application besides the ones your parents and the application packet give you. If you have not been invited to apply or are not accepted, this article might reassure you that you will still get into college. If you have decided to apply and are breaking your back collecting signatures for volunteer hours, read this to put acceptance into perspective!
"National Honor Society-- how important is it?"
Juniors: We thought you should have another look at the benefits of NHS on a college application besides the ones your parents and the application packet give you. If you have not been invited to apply or are not accepted, this article might reassure you that you will still get into college. If you have decided to apply and are breaking your back collecting signatures for volunteer hours, read this to put acceptance into perspective!
"National Honor Society-- how important is it?"
What should I expect with the junior year research paper?
The research paper can seem like an unconquerable beast at the start, but, as research paper veterans ourselves, we can assure you that it is completely doable! It can even be FUN! Here are some tips to help you through the process:
1) Choose a topic you're truly interested in. You'll be studying it for almost two months... Will learning about farming tactics in the dust bowl really hold your attention for that long?
2) TIME MANAGE. Stick by your due-dates and don't underestimate how long something will take.
3) Ask the librarians to edit your bibliographies-- they're incredible resources!
4) Check out a BOOK on your topic. The internet is a great source of info, but don't forget about those printed gems.
5) If your teacher has made multiple due-dates available, pick one that's sooner rather than later. Once the sun starts to shine and the birds are chirping, there's no way you'll want to be inside cranking out a paper.
Good luck!!
The research paper can seem like an unconquerable beast at the start, but, as research paper veterans ourselves, we can assure you that it is completely doable! It can even be FUN! Here are some tips to help you through the process:
1) Choose a topic you're truly interested in. You'll be studying it for almost two months... Will learning about farming tactics in the dust bowl really hold your attention for that long?
2) TIME MANAGE. Stick by your due-dates and don't underestimate how long something will take.
3) Ask the librarians to edit your bibliographies-- they're incredible resources!
4) Check out a BOOK on your topic. The internet is a great source of info, but don't forget about those printed gems.
5) If your teacher has made multiple due-dates available, pick one that's sooner rather than later. Once the sun starts to shine and the birds are chirping, there's no way you'll want to be inside cranking out a paper.
Good luck!!
What should I do if I can't afford my dream college?
First, make sure you scour the website for scholarship opportunities. Even if the university doesn't give out much merit scholarship money, it's possible that you can apply for a special scholarship through a program. Also, talk to Mrs. Gleason in the College Resource Center to see if she has any inside information about the scholarships offered at the college. Look into their work-study opportunities, as well.
If you're still coming to a dead end, it might be time to make some tough decisions. We are in no way telling you to give up on your dream school, but maybe #1 has to go on the back burner. Try to find schools that are similar to your dream school, but are more affordable (Naviance and College Board have great college searches that find schools based on what you're looking for). You always have the opportunity to transfer if your financial situation improves and your soul-mate school suddenly lands in your price range. Good luck!! Try to remember that if you're surrounded by wonderful people and doing something you love, anywhere can be the perfect place.
First, make sure you scour the website for scholarship opportunities. Even if the university doesn't give out much merit scholarship money, it's possible that you can apply for a special scholarship through a program. Also, talk to Mrs. Gleason in the College Resource Center to see if she has any inside information about the scholarships offered at the college. Look into their work-study opportunities, as well.
If you're still coming to a dead end, it might be time to make some tough decisions. We are in no way telling you to give up on your dream school, but maybe #1 has to go on the back burner. Try to find schools that are similar to your dream school, but are more affordable (Naviance and College Board have great college searches that find schools based on what you're looking for). You always have the opportunity to transfer if your financial situation improves and your soul-mate school suddenly lands in your price range. Good luck!! Try to remember that if you're surrounded by wonderful people and doing something you love, anywhere can be the perfect place.
I am suffering from depression and finding it hard to be motivated to study. I also feel like I'm the only one trying to juggle emotional stress and academic stress at once. How can I keep up?
We're sure you're not the only one! If anyone reading this is suffering from, or has overcome, depression-- we would love your input:
Responses from peers:
-You're not the only one! I am also dealing with those things and I have a friend who knows about it. Whenever I'm having a really bad night I text her and she always helps me calm down and feel a little better. It's really helpful if someone knows and is there for you!
-Sometimes taking off the headphones, closing the books, and just taking a few deep breaths really helps to stay calm. Also fresh air is so important. When I haven't spent enough time outside in the sun I always feel so much worse, but after a walk around the neighborhood everything always seems a little better.
-You're not the only one! I am also dealing with those things and I have a friend who knows about it. Whenever I'm having a really bad night I text her and she always helps me calm down and feel a little better. It's really helpful if someone knows and is there for you!
-Sometimes taking off the headphones, closing the books, and just taking a few deep breaths really helps to stay calm. Also fresh air is so important. When I haven't spent enough time outside in the sun I always feel so much worse, but after a walk around the neighborhood everything always seems a little better.
I am always there for a friend to listen and to give advice, but when I need help they're too busy being [jerks] or [hooking up] to care about me. Why should I help them? Why should I be the good person? How do I stop this from happening?
You need to talk to your friends. If you've already tried, find a different way to talk to them. I have friends who act the exact same. Why should you be friends with people that don't give anything back? In my friend group, I tend to always be taking everyone's crap. It's important to find friends that will not only tell you their problems, but help and listen with yours! A relationship is a two-way street-- give and take. You need to find out how (and who with) to balance your friendships. Alleviating emotional stress is the first step to enjoying the journey!
I'm having trouble falling asleep, and it's really affecting my school day. Any tips?
They say we're supposed to get at least 9 hours of sleep per night, but it's easier said than done. Here are a few tricks to help you fall asleep once you finally climb into bed!
1) Try to go to sleep at roughly the same time each night without napping-- this way your body falls into a routine.
2) Avoid eating big meals too soon before bedtime.
3) Don't do homework in your bed-- mixing the place where you do stressful work with the place you're supposed to completely relax in is contradictory and unhelpful!
4) Drink a warm glass of milk before bed. The proteins in milk help prepare your body for sleep.
5) If generating a mental "to-do" list is keeping you up, succumb to it and try to complete something on your list. Relieving some stress will help put your mind to rest. It even helps me to just jot everything I have to do down so I don't forget it the next morning!
I'm scheduling my classes for next year soon... Do you think it's important for me to have a lunch?
Depends on what the rest of your day is packed with. If you are in Early Bird or know you will be busy after school most days, it may be nice to have a break in your day. You may not realize it now, but think about all the other ways you use your lunch period! I don't have a lunch this year, and I realized I'm losing a study hall and time for counselor meetings in addition to a time to eat. However, my teachers have been very accommodating in scheduling meetings with me before school and letting me eat in their class. Just ask! The worst they can do is say "no." There is a definite benefit to not having a lunch period, though, if you replace it with a class you're excited about.
What should I do if I tend to eat more when I'm stressed?
Here's a list of healthy foods that claim to reduce stress! I've also heard that dark chocolate can help, so don't be deterred by all the veggies.
http://www.essortment.com/10-foods-reduce-stress-16061.html
If academic stress is causing you to have suicidal thoughts, PLEASE call: 1-800-273-TALK