2020 vision for the Class of 2023

With the 2019-2020 school year well underway, freshmen have adjusted to the entirely new lifestyle that is being a high school student. Now that there’s been adequate time to become familiarized with the building and get into the rhythm of high school life, the senior class of 2020 has some advice for freshmen going forward. Here are their takes on what to do (and not do) throughout years spent at Blair.

senior advice

Photo: The 2019-2020 school year is in full force (courtesy of Isabelle Megosh).

The 2019-2020 school year is in full force (courtesy of Isabelle Megosh). Photo courtesy of Isabelle Megosh.

Build good relationships with teachers and ask for help

One of the most important things one can do to improve their school experience and academic life is to build good relationships with teachers. “When I'm working with a teacher I find the subject matter more interesting and myself more attentive if I have a good relationship with them,” senior Daniel Levy explains. It is essential that teachers are able to understand their students to better serve their needs.

Helping teachers figure out how students work can be as simple as asking them questions rather than shying away in times of need. If students need assistance with classwork or homework, they should always take the initiative to request help from teachers. The administration designed one lunch to allow teachers to communicate more with their pupils who might need help, so make the most out of the extended lunch period.

Don't procrastinate

With the step-up in school workload from middle school to high school, procrastination is one of the worst habits to develop. Holding off on completing one assignment begins a downward spiral of procrastination. At first, it may seem like delaying work has no effect on how effectively it is completed, but as time passes, that one assignment multiplies until students can no longer keep up.

To combat this, it’s good to have a method for organizing work in relation to due dates and deadlines. “Have a calendar or a to-do list, they will help so much,” senior Peter Zhang advises. It’s crucial that high schoolers are able to manage their workloads such that their schoolwork is of better quality and on-time so they are less stressed overall.

Steer clear of trouble

Any trouble stirred up during the first years of high school will most definitely come back to bite in later years when it comes to college and job references. For that reason, it is important to surround oneself with people who won’t interfere with performances in and out of school. Senior Laviru Adikari recommends that freshmen should “make good friends who will help and not distract from you your goals.”

Balance work and fun with the future in mind

High school is meant to be an enjoyable time of life where students start to find and cultivate their interests in various fields of work. High schoolers should be challenging themselves with engaging activities that align with their curiosities, but should also be mindful of their limits and take some time to enjoy themselves.

Graduation may seem far away, but every year leading up to it is equally important. “If I could go back, I would tell myself that being a freshman is no less important than being a sophomore, junior or senior,” comments senior Jonathan Jeffrey. After all, high school is a gateway to the real world. As the year progresses, high schoolers in general should be sure to have a balance between how they spend their time for work and leisure to ensure that they make the most out of these four major years in social and educational development.