School is back in session next Monday. I thought I would write a column about advice I could share with you students — particularly you students in Grade 10-12 — to encourage academic and personal success. I was fortunate to have had a great high school experience, which culminated in me being chosen to represent my Grade 12 class as valedictorian. I am going to share some tips that helped me make the most of these last years of school.
The first piece of advice is to get involved with school activities. When I was attending high school I was a member of my school’s concert and jazz bands, student council, the drama club and I participated in two different missionary trips with my classmates in different countries. Getting involved in these extra-curricular groups is important, as it looks tremendous on college applications. College and university admission committees are much more interested in allowing multi-dimensional students attend school rather than just kids that are academic bookworms. In addition to looking good on resumes, clubs or groups can also help build friendships as a result of you working so closely with one another on particular projects. It also feels good to be a member of a group that makes a contribution to your school. It was nice to be a member of a school band that brought joy to community members, it was nice to be a member of a mission trip that improved the lives of the less fortunate by building a playground for the children in a Belize community and it was nice to help introduce new initiatives that helped improve school spirit.
The second piece of advice I am offering you is to take advantage of the resources that you have at your disposal as a student. One of your greatest resources is your teachers. Do not be afraid to go to them for support. They are supremely interested in helping every student fulfill their potential. If you don’t understand a particular concept when the teacher reviews it with the whole class, perhaps explaining your problems with computing a particular lesson to he/she in a one-on-one meeting, you and your teacher can then effectively strategize a way to help you learn the content. It is tempting to just sit on what you don’t understand and hope that eventually you just come to ‘get’ what the teacher was saying, but that is the wrong approach. It is better to seek knowledge. In addition to your teachers, I recommend you take full advantage of the other material that your school offers you. Go to after-school help sessions, utilize the library, attend afterschool help sessions, etc.
The third piece of advice is use good time management skills. Structuring your day can help allow you to find a balance between work and home life. Set a to do list of specific things you want to accomplish that day. That can help set you on a clear path on how to let your day unfold. It is also wise to set aside a particular time of day to do homework. Do you find you do your best work immediately after school, after supper or just before you go to bed? When you discover the answer, dedicate that time to completing your assignments. A major factor in making that designated homework time effective is to not get distracted. Turn off your phone and avoid Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.
I hope all students, teachers and school supporting staff enjoy the 2015-2016 school year.
