Let’s begin by clarifying one thing. Yes, I am a senior, but no I do not know absolutely everything. This is an open letter for those of you who may be struggling with your transition into high school or for those of you who need some tips on how to have a great high school career here at Bethany.
Your relationships with teachers can make or break you
I’m not talking about being a teacher’s pet, but don’t purposefully defy your teachers during class time. It is important to know the difference between play and work time. There are those unfortunate situations where you students don’t get along with teachers. Even then, you should be respectful. When you are having trouble with something class related, teachers are your best resource.
Say “Hi!” to everyone
We have a small enough school so that we know everyone by name. You don’t need to be best friends with everyone, that’s just not realistic, but be friendly; a smile goes a long way. Also, be sure to make friends with people in different classes. Just because you’re an upperclassman doesn’t mean you’re too cool for the younger students, after all, you were once a freshman. And underclassmen, the juniors, and seniors won’t bite (too hard) so don’t be afraid to ask them questions if you’re ever confused about a class they’ve already taken.
DON’T PROCRASTINATE…too much.
It is always a temptation to do some assignment the study hall before a class they’re due. However, this doesn’t always yield the best results. I realize there are those quick assignments that can be done in the study hall before, but just try to keep that to a minimum. Always check haiku for new assignments. Teachers are usually pretty good about updating grades and putting announcements up. I would even suggest keeping a planner if you prefer to have a physical to-do list. KEEP YOUR GRADES UP YOUR FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR. This will set you up for your future GPA. You may not think it’s important now, but trust me it is.
Get involved in extracurriculars!
It is easy to be a part of many different groups here a Bethany. Take full advantage of the opportunities that we have. If you enjoy writing, join Sightline or Wit. Do you enjoy sports? Be a manager or join the team. There are also musical groups like concert choir or Emmaus. If you can’t join any of these groups, for whatever reason, attend, attend, attend. It not only gets you bruin points, but it also lets your peers know that you are there to encourage and support them. It is also a great time to make friends, try to sit beside people you don’t usually converse with.
Know your personal limits.
Along with having many activities to keep the students of BCHS busy there can be times when it is too much to handle. It is okay to say no sometimes. This is not an invitation to be lazy. Sometimes it can be easy to think you can manage things well, but sometimes plans don’t go the way we want them to. You also need to keep in mind that you don’t want to have so much going on that you don’t invest your full effort into them. This is why you must be aware of how much you can personally handle. People won’t be upset if you have too much going on to say yes. They will more than likely help you out.
Although high school is only a small portion of our lives, it is often some of people’s most memorable times. Be serious about academics, but not too serious with your relationships with others. From a graduating senior, the time goes by quicker than you expect it to. Best of luck to all of you.
~Gi Salas