As the new school year begins, students are confronted with a plethora of daunting workloads and intimidating teachers. The experience is undeniably stressful, but being equipped with the right strategies and correct mindsets will have you walking with confidence into your third AP class of the day.
1. Stay true to your values
With over 2,000 students on campus, disputes and arguments will inevitably happen. Senior Elizabeth Choi gives her advice on how to effectively redirect any negativity you might face.
“Take other people’s opinions with a grain of salt,” Choi said. “It’s important to recognize what stands true to your own values while considering other viewpoints.”
2. Stay on top of your work
A heavy workload is the number one contributing factor to student burnout. It is even more difficult if students do not actively seek to stay organized. One helpful technique is to use a to-do list, according to junior Sarea Leung.
“Keep track of your homework and responsibilities with a to-do list and prioritize your tasks from high to low (i.e. finishing the harder tasks first earlier in the day, etc.),” Leung said. “Also, have a calendar to mark the dates for important tasks and exams so you can visually see how much time you can dedicate to studying.
3. Utilize all the resources on campus
UHS is extremely fortunate to be equipped with extensive resources and support, including counselors, teachers and other specialists. Office Hours are a wonderful opportunity to get questions answered on academic work.
“Utilizing Office Hours to have conversations with teachers about things you need help or clarification on is very important,” counselor Mrs. Adams said.
4. Effective time management
Though it may sound cliche, productive time management is arguably the most crucial skill a student can have. Having a time management plan that fits your studying habits is imperative and there is no better time to establish one for this new school year than right now.
“I think managing time well is very crucial for all UHS students,” junior Stella Lee said. “Students should try building their time management skills from the beginning of the year so that they can have a balanced life between academics and life. By doing so, they will be able to achieve their personal goals as well as enjoy activities at UHS.”
5. Don’t leave with regrets
You will never experience these four years again. Enjoy the little moments to their fullest and explore all that UHS has to offer; get involved and find a healthy balance between school and your life beyond it.
“It’s easy to get distracted and overwhelmed by schoolwork and to focus on the negatives of school, but high school is really about the friendships and immeasurable experiences you gain along the way,” senior Cherry Xue said. “ Even something as small as laughing with friends during lunch may just one day become something you look back upon with fondness.”
High school will flash by faster than it seems. Students will confront challenges, but surmounting them is not impossible if they have the right strategies. These four years should be looked back upon with joy and nostalgia rather than dread and regret. Keeping these tips in mind, let’s make our mark together this year and treasure the time we have with each other!
