Hello Whyville! Summer is slowly ending for many of us school-goers. Schedules being mailed, school supplies being bought, and that much anticipated, but yet also dreaded first day of school. About 2 weeks ago, fairypup2 wrote an article entitled ?For the Freshman.? (ID#12267) It's a great article that gives a few tips on how to have a great first day of school from her perspective.
However, I thought it would be nice to get some tricks and tips from all of YOU and your peers. I find talking with friends a great way to find out how you all can beat peer pressure, learn to finish homework easier, and any other struggles you may find heading your way during the school year. It's a great way to unite and build a stronger friendship together.
This interview is a little different; it's put into categories so you can find the questions/answers about topics you want to know about easier. There are 4 categories, which 2 questions for each. Although there are 2 questions, there are several answers so you should get the gist. Without further ado, let me let your fellow Whyvillians take it away!
Tackling the First Day:
Cohenlm: Do you dread the first day of school? Why/why not?
CatgoRAWR: Not usually. I think the first day at a new school (first day of Jr. High, High School, College, etc) is always going to be nerve-racking, but if it's the first day at a school you've been going to for a few years, there's really nothing to worry about.
Doodle971: Yes and no. I dislike the fact that I have to get up early and I feel very disorganized. But on the other hand, I love it because I get to see my friends and meet my teachers.
Foolalada: No, I don't dread for the first day of school! I love it.
Xoxkitkat: Yes and no. It's not fun to end summer, but the first day of school usually isn't that bad.
Mottie124: YES! It is the end of summer aka my life.
AngieCow: I don't really like the first day. Everyone's confused and has no idea where they're going.
Cohenlm: How do you prepare for the first day of school?
CatgoRAWR: I always organize my backpack and purse the night I get all my school supplies, so I usually have everything ready weeks in advance, haha. I'll lay out my clothes the night before, and I usually straighten my hair and plan out what I'm going to do for my makeup.
Doodle971: Usually a few days to a week before school starts, I start going to bed early and waking up early so that I won't miss the bus. Then, the night before school starts I will pack my backpack and make sure I have everything I need for the next day.
Foolalada: Well because the school sends the stuff to me I don't really have to be prepared for that, but what I do have to be prepared for is (because my school does virtual classes) that I don't freeze up and stop talking, that would be bad!!
Xoxkitkat: Um, I basically just make sure I have all my supplies and pick out a nice hairstyle. I can't pick out an outfit because I go to private school and have to wear a uniform.
Mottie124: I make sure I have everything I need for that day, and cry on the way to school. (Kidding about that last part . . .)
AngieCow: I put my stuff in a bag the night before, and make sure I have my schedule.
Socializing:
Cohenlm: Do you find socializing and/or making friends difficult for you? Why/why not?
CatgoRAWR: I'm really shy in real life, so I don't have loads of friends. But once I'm close to someone, I'm just as obnoxious and outgoing as I am online.
Doodle971: Not at all! I like to see myself as a bubbly happy person. I usually am shy around others I don't know but when I get to talking to them, I start becoming my weird happy self. Most people think of me as outgoing but weird. I don't mind that at all!
Foolalada: Socializing isn't really that hard in a virtual class room because you can just talk random through a text box or through a mic. However, you rarely talk to people because it's mostly about work!
Xoxkitkat: Not really. If I see a friendly face, I'll go up and talk to them. Plus, once you've been at the same school for a while, you pretty much know everyone.
Mottie124: Nope. As you can probably guess, I talk with a lot of people in real life.
AngieCow: Yes, I do, I've never been very "cool" and everyone's already in a close-knit circle of friends. I don't like talking and I never watch the movies or do things that other people do.
Cohenlm: Any advice to those who have trouble?
CatgoRAWR: I've always found it's easier to make friends with people in the first few weeks of school, because that's when you expect to meet new people. So find a few people who are worth putting the extra effort in, and get to know them.
Doodle971: Well I'm sure you've heard the same things over and over again. Basically, you should follow what you have been told no matter how many times you've been told it. It's best to strike up a conversation with someone and getting to know them a bit better! Sometimes, it's good to get there phone number so that you can keep in contact with them. But you need to give it some time. I usually warm up to people the first day I meet them but if you constantly text me, I'm going to start to find it annoying.
Xoxkitkat: Find someone who looks pretty nice and start up a conversation about a pretty general subject that you're comfortable with.
Mottie124: Get involved in clubs, sports, or other activities.
AngieCow: Not really . . . I would need the advice myself, haha!
Organization:
Cohenlm: Do you think organization is important to be successful in school?
CatgoRAWR: It really depends on the person. I always start out really organized, but it never lasts. I'm really good at remembering what pocket I stuffed my homework into, so I don't tend to use my binders very often. But I know some people who would be a mess if their binders weren't color-coordinated.
Doodle971: Yes! Ask yourself this, What class in school doesn't ask for organization?
Foolalada: I would always say organization is very important to being in school because when you are in class you have to have the right papers and books and you can't just have them scattered everywhere because if you do, you'll have trouble finding them and if the teacher asks you to read something from the papers or the book you could get make the teacher mad that you didn't have yourself prepared for the class.
Xoxkitkat: Um, I'd say it's definitely important. I, myself, am not very organized, but I still do generally well, but I could definitely do better with more organization.
Mottie124: Nope! I am the king of organized disorganization. Almost all of my binders and my locker are always a mess, and I'm successful in school.
AngieCow: Yes. Every year I am the most disorganized person, my locker looks like a dive bomb exploded, my folders are packed with garbage. I can never find my homework or important papers, and I usually lose points based on that.
Cohenlm: Any tips for the disorganized? (Hey, that's me!)
CatgoRAWR: Just make it a habit to stay organized. If you don't have enough time at the end of one class to put something where it belongs, put it away at the beginning of your next class, or at lunch. Every night at home make sure everything's where it belongs for the next day at school.
Doodle971: Find someone who is organized. They can help you to start being more organized. You also should find the proper materials at your local store such as folders, binders, etc.
Foolalada: With online school being disorganized isn't that much of a problem because I'm sure the teacher may let you slide but still you should always have what you need for anything.
Xoxkitkat: I feel like the blind leading the blind here, but once you get organized KEEP IT THAT WAY. As soon as you lose your organization you fall into a rut of disheveled messy papers cluttering your locker and writing notes for every subject into a single notebook. It happens to me every year. Lol
Mottie124: STAY THAT WAY!
AngieCow: Make a plan on how to keep organized, and STICK TO IT! When I make these plans I usually am organized for about three days because I never stay with it. I always tell myself "I'll sort this later."
Studying:
Cohenlm: When it comes to studying, how do you pick out the essential points of a lesson?
CatgoRAWR: I don't usually study much, haha. But it'd be whatever I know I'm having the most trouble with, and what grade is more important. Like if I have tests in both Math and History, I'd study for the History test more because I'm really good at Math and terrible at History, so my History grade tends to be lower and needs more attention.
Doodle971: Key facts and phrases are always important to study. If you pay attention in class, teachers might repeat things more than once if they want you to notice it. Also, a good tip is to study for 20 minutes at a time. Your brain will hold information the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes of studying. Allow yourself a break in between that.
Foolalada: I don't really know to be honest because when I just study I just study.
Xoxkitkat: In studying I like to pick out the hardest subjects first. Then I'll pick out key topics or main ideas that were emphasized in class and review them.
Mottie124: Usually it is what test do I have next hour?
AngieCow: Usually, I look through my textbooks and past homework pages and look for key words and whatnot. I make sure I know all these things. They're usually on the test or quiz.
Cohenlm: What methods do you use to study most?
CatgoRAWR: Like I said, I really don't study that much at all usually (but I'm going to change that this year!) But usually just reading over my notes works for me for things like Science and History, which are fact-based. Things like Math and English (grammar rules/identifying literary terms/things like that) that are more theoretical, I'd just make up a bunch of practice problems, or take problems from past homework and re-do them.
Doodle971: I review my notes. I'm very attentive in class and I pay attention. My brain soaks up all that information leaving me to go home and review my notes for the next day.
Xoxkitkat: What helps me in studying a LOT is mnemonic devices (such as Roy G. Biv for the colors of the rainbow). I'll use them for absolutely everything. They stick in your head and are a great way to memorize a heavy load of information.
Mottie124: Cramming. AKA studying right before the class hour you have the test.
AngieCow: Honestly, I'm not a person who likes to study. I'll look through my books or study guide once or twice. The homework usually covers what's on the test or quiz, so I do my homework and I'm usually good to go.
Misc:
Cohenlm: Any other tips about peers, studying, organization, or plain school in general?
CatgoRAWR: Don't get behind in homework! I don't care how old you are, if you develop good studying habits in the beginning of the year, things will be so much easier. Plus, if you do your homework, it makes studying for tests way easier. Homework is designed to teach you the material and help you practice, so sometimes you won't even have to study.
Mottie124: Don't get too far behind though. . . it is REALLY hard to get caught back up.
Cohenlm: What is ONE must-have on your back to school list?
CatgoRAWR: PENS. I don't know about anyone else, but people always steal my pens and pencils. So I always buy at least five packs of different colored pens and keep them at home, with one pack in my purse. So when I lose a pen I can replace it at home!
Doodle971: White Out. I just can't stand my handwriting in pencil so I use pen (usually in my notes) unless asked to use a pencil. I need lots of white out for all my mistakes.
Foolalada: Well, since I do online school I don't really have a back to school item but if you want to consider my pajamas one okay!! LoL.
Xoxkitkat: Sharpies are always on my school supply list. You never know when you'll need a sharpie!
Mottie124: Pencils.
AngieCow: The first item that is on my back to school list is my brain!
So, as you can see, you're not the only one nervous or excited for school this year! I hope you've been enlightened as to how to succeed and if not, well, I blame mottie124 . . . his answers were monstrous! Nevertheless, make sure you stay organized, use your brain, and make lots of friends this year! Happy school year 2011!
-Cohenlm
Author's Note: You may have noticed Foolalada's answers were a bit different from the rest and skipped around. She was my only interviewee who attends online school. Thank you Foolalada and everyone else!
