Tuesday, April 26, 2011

And what do you know...?

I'm back!

Alright- next tip. When you study, make a plan of what you're doing, when you do it, and how.

I myself have about 114 pages of study guide to go through for my AP Euro History test, and my plan is that I'm going to get through it in the next three days. My reasons for it being three days are irrelevant to the tip- whatever it may seem like, I'm not cramming or squishing it in. I have standardized, state-wide testing that NO ONE takes seriously (because it's ridiculously, insultingly easy), which means I have about three-four hours in school to work on it as well.

Anyway.
I'm doing about 35 pages a night.

The reason I want to do it that quickly is because this is only one run-through of it. You'll need to go through material at least twice, usually three times, before you remember it all pretty well (unless you have an eidetic memory. If you do, then I envy you greatly >:P).

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Well...

Meh.
School intervenes.
AP tests intervene.
Life is intervening.

I'll be back. Or not.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Of course...

We all slip up. If you do something terrible (like insult somebody unintentionally) or anything, it's a whole lot easier to apologize and fix the whole mess before it gets blown out of proportion. Try to avoid doing it in texts, emails (read: Facebook), or over the phone- you lose a large, large portion of the nonverbal communication you get when talking face to face. Honestly, if you mean it, just say you're sorry. It's definitely easier and nicer to ruffled feathers if you immediately say 'Man, sorry- I didn't mean that, really.' or 'Oh, I'm so sorry!' right after you blurt something mean. Even if you say something really bad by accident, just show that you're sincere about it. I myself have said really mean things, but in about one-point-three seconds I think to myself -damn, that sounded pretty bitchy- and I turn (and wince) and say sorry. Eye contact is again important. Ah- another important tip. DON'T BE LATE FOR SCHOOL!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Surprisingly not cliche- watch what you say.

^^^addressing that, I am aware- yes, I actually am- that what I've talked about so far is pretty basic advice that you get from anywhere and anyone about anything. I get points for that assonance, by the way :D

Watch what you say.
This is imperative not just to high school, but to all of life.
There's a proverb that I remember reading in a Little House on the Prairie book from years ago, but it imprinted itself onto my mind even then. I have it here, under this.

Five things observe with care: of whom you speak, to whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.

If you can keep that in mind, you will be much, much better off than a lot of others. Keep it mind that whatever you say, whether it's in person, texts, email, Facebook, or anywhere on the Internet especially, people can find it.
It will inevitably come back in some way- I personally have seen screenshots of conversations, copied/pasted chatboxes, forwarded text messages, and even a hacked Tumblr that was previously locked completely.
Yeah, I'm not even sure how that last one came about...nor how I stumbled upon it...but the advice here is 'Make sure that you will not regret what you say.'

I myself follow that as closely as possible- I actually looked back at myself and realized that while I always listen to others, I never offer my own opinion, complaint, or denunciation if it's something extreme or serious. Try to do the same so your reputation won't be ruined.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

DO something physical!

...no, not like that.

Really, though- physical activity takes your mind off of anything that's bugging you, and it really, really makes you feel better.

Homework

You remember back in middle school, when you'd go home, have a snack, maybe head to the park or for a bike ride before doing your homework? Remember being able to finish your homework in an hour or two- three at the very most?
That all changes in high school.
Procrastination does not pay off.
Honestly, don't find this out for yourself- although you probably will, inadvertently. When you have that first moment of -oh crap, I didn't finish- or something, learn from that.
I'm nearly finishing my sophomore year of high school- I still have friends that leave homework till the period before it's due, or chapter reading the night before the reading check.
Studying too- I recommend you find a good person to study with. I myself have one person that I'd trust to either split up a study guide with, or to sit and study with, because all the other people I know (and they are fairly decent people) are not good at managing time.
Ah, look at me, calling the kettle black...but I digress.
Studying helps a whole lot.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Introductions!

Alright...so, if you're reading this, it means that you have stumbled somehow onto my blog. Congratulations- you're either going to get a lot of unwanted advice or helpful tips on how to get through high school!
Firstly: choose your classes carefully. Heck, before we even get to that- choose your high school carefully.
Now I know that a lot of people are in districted cities, where every 'region' inside the city has a certain path of school to go through; don't worry- my city's like that now. The only option of changing your path is to either move (for whatever reason) or transferring- and now before you say that you'll never be a transfer student, hold on. Put down the phone, let go of your mouse, read me through.
I myself am a transfer student- I wanted to go through the International Baccalaureate program, but my school district only offered it at another high school. After long deliberation, I transferred: I am now set to get into the IB program (it's 11-12 grade only) next year, and I'm a sophomore.
The only downside (apart from the crushing workload, but more on that later...) is that I left most of my friends back on the usual path. Actually, to be honest, I have three close friends- one is doing IB with me, and the other two are doing AP. So yes, most of my friends ;]

That said: pick your classes carefully.
Do not overload yourself (like I think I might've done), because what with the stress of a new school, worrying about friends, and life in general, you will become very, very, very, very stressed out.

TBC!