Organization Tips!

The act of actually getting organized is not a difficult process at all. The trick part is STAYING organized.

I don't think that you should get one huge binder, Instead get several small binders or several notebooks instead. Personally I recommend getting mead flex note-binders, only thing is they're kind of costly. ( 10-12$ for 1) However they are worth it, they have rings like binders but are small like notebooks. The reason that I think you shouldn't get one huge binder is because its very easy for all of that to get very messy and it makes it easier to lose your papers because there will be so many of them. With subjects like math and english you get a lot of paper work and write a lot. Also it would become very heavy to lug around a huge binder.

COLOR CODE!

Buy different colored notebooks or binders for each class, along with folders to match. Designate each color to a subject, put a label on the binding with the subject. After a few weeks you'll be able to match the color to the subject and won't even need the labels. Keep your notebooks clean and you'll be good to go! Make sure that you clean out your notebooks after each unit, but DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY until the end of the year or class.

Lockers

As some of you may know from my other posts, I spend a lot of time on yahoo! answers and something that I've been noticing is how many freshmen think that not using a locker (where they're available) and honestly it aggravates the hell out of me. Therefore here are some reasons why you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD get a locker if it is available to you

1. In high school you do not always need to bring your textbook to class. Instead some teachers tell you to either bring it home or to keep it in your locker for when you do need it in class. Putting your textbook in your locker is the best way to keep it because if you don't keep it in your locker you will either be lugging it around or you will have it at home and forget to bring it in when the book is needed.

2. High schoolers are part of the group whom reports the most back problems including scoliosis- the misalignment of your spinal cord- because of what they lug around on their back which is usually somewhere between 7 and 10 pounds for at least 8 hours a day.

3. Lockers are a good place to store projects because if you don't have anywhere to put them (Some teachers don't accept projects before you have their class) you will be forced to walk around all day with a project.

If anyone has other ideas as to why lockers should be used feel free to comment!

Freshman Orientation

Take time to go to the freshman orientation. This is important because it gives you the opportunity to see the school before everyone else is there. When you go make sure that you take a little notepad or a piece of paper where you write down things you want to remember and any questions you want to ask and the answers to those questions you'd be surprised what little things they say that will be beneficial and important to you. For example, you want to remember to take your ID into the lunchroom if you need it, or where you go to buy a lock, if it's open campus, when club week is. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Make sure you ask for a map, ask If you can walk around and maybe you'll come across some of your teachers. During my schools orientation the upperclassmen hand out maps and stuff in the hallway and answer questions. If you don't have your schedule yet jAlso this is a good time to meet with any teachers that are there as well as map out the most important locations;  BATHROOMS, LUNCHROOM, MAIN OFFICE, NURSE'S OFFICE, YOUR LOCKER AND THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR'S OFFICE.

Freshmen MYTH

Ok everyone, I'm here to put an end to A common freshmen myth! I survived freshmen year, so will all of you.


MYTH : FRESHMAN FRIDAY
THE TRUTH:
Juniors and seniors (AKA upperclassmen) do not shove you into locker, trashcans, shove you, or make your day a living hell. Upperclassmen do not like you usually, this is because freshmen tend to be loud and immature they will leave you alone as long as you do the same. Upperclassmen have more important things to do than pick on 14 and 15 year olds such as PSAT, SAT prep, filling out college applications, jobs, graduation requirements and trying to keep out of trouble so they are not barred from any upperclassmen activities.

Classes

Picking classes is the first part of many. Once you pick your classes you need make sure that you stay on top of everything and DO NOT SLACK OFF! Here are some tips to help you get through your classes.

~ Take notes! I can say review that home, blah, blah, blah; but honestly no one does it so just make sure you take good notes once and when you're sitting down twiddling your thumbs during a study hall, at the end of the class when you finish your work or right before the bell rings, pull out your math or science binder (usually the 2 most important and difficult classes) and review what you wrote that day.

~ If you need help on a topic make sure that you ask a teacher or a friend who KNOWS what they're talking about to help you because if you don't you will fall so far behind it will become impossible for you to get back on track.

~ Realize that if you do need help that the teacher is not always going to pull you during lunch or call you up to their desk so that they can explain a concept to you. Sometimes they will ask if you can stay after, and although you may not want to I highly recommend staying after because this could be the opprotunity where you get the one on one help you need.

~ Make sure you have the school's number as well as your teacher's email address' so that you can submit paper's or ask a teacher to proof read something etc.

~ Make sure if you know that you're going to be absent you bring in something in WRITING a few days before so you don't fall behind in school work. Think about it ( 4-9 classes a day with classwork in each, that's A LOT to make up.)

The first day.

The first day is really simple and easy going. Typically teachers talk and answer the questions the whole class period. They go over the syllabus, expectations, what you need to pass the class, supplies etc. As much as you want to completely ignore them it's important to listen, especially to elective teachers. If you listen to them and realize this really isn't something you want to do you may still have time to drop the class from your schedule. The first day teachers are very lenient about tardiness. They will accept you coming into class 1-3 minutes late during the few days because you're still new to the building and getting into the swing of things, but after that be sure to get your butt to class ON TIME because many school give a " 3 strikes you're out" policy so after 3 lates you can get a write up or a day of suspension

Drama, Gossip, Bullying and Cyberbullies

One thing that YOU can do to make your school year a good one is to not part take in DRAMA, GOSSIP OR BULLYING.  People seem to think that doing these things will make you a better person, a more popular person, when the reality of the matter is that doing this stuff makes you childish and more likely to get involved in probes that no one wants to be a part of. Do you realize what gossip and bullying can do to a person? You could ruin someone's life. You spread a rumor about someone doing ANYTHING to get their way and you could make that person lose all their friends, lose people's trust, lose self confidence and esteem, which could make high school the worst 4 years of their life because your reputation is something you can never get rid of. If it becomes known that YOU spread that rumor you could ruin YOUR life to.

You’re fat, you’re ugly I don’t know why anyone would ever want to be with you. YOU are WORTHLESS, I hope you go kill yourself.

No one even likes you I don’t understand why you don’t get it, just go away so we can all move on with our lives.

I HATE YOU

Don't ever come back to school, just stay there locked up in your room where you belong.

Over the past few years a new craze of bullying has come to light. This form of bullying is known as CYBERBULLYING. What you do online will haunt you forever, because the internet is forever. If you think you're brave enough to post something on someone FORMSPRING, FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, AIM, EMAIL OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ONLINE CONNECTION be BRAVE enough to take the consequences, be BRAVE enough to say it to their face. If you can't be BRAVE enough to confront someone then you have no business sitting behind your computer being a "facebook thug". If you know this is happening to someone you know, or people you know are doing this you need to stand up and say something. You can be the lifeline for someone. The most important thing you can do is talk and spread the word. BE A FRIEND not an ENEMY, we all have enough problems without having to be tormented at home. 




If you avoid doing these things and take a STAND you will feel good about what you're doing and you'll never have worry about the consequences. 


Here are some websites that support campaigns against bullying, and cyberbullying.


http://abcfamily.go.com/movies/cyberbully/delete-digital-drama
http://www.seventeen.com/search/?q=delete

School Resources, and Free period

School is there for more then just a way to get out of the house for 8 hours a day. While you're there be sure to take advantage of all the things your school does have. For example if you need to do research stop by the library during free period or after school. If you have nothing better to do during your free period start typing up a paper you have due or pick up a book, when you find the right book its worth it, reading also helps build up vocabulary for the SAT.
There are many websites that you could use to help you study, to look up college information, etc. Here are a few.

BRAINPOP: This website has quizzes and videos that make any concept easy to understand in every subject.
http://www.brainpop.com/

QUIZ HUB: This website gives you quizzes which help you study for that chem, or physics test! (any test really)
http://quizhub.com/quiz/quizhub.cfm

And here is a list with 100 of the best study websites out there
http://www.homeschool.com/articles/top100-2008/default.asp


Other websites you want to be mindful of are:

COLLEGE BOARD: I highly recommend creating a profile for this page because it has all the information you could possibly want and need about colleges (try the college match tool), SAT tests and registration, ACT test, AP classes, CLEP exam etc.
http://www.collegeboard.org/

COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL: As well as being a forum site there is also a lot of information on colleges that would be right for you. Check out the college match tool.
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/

ZINCH: This website is specifically dedicated to helping you find colleges that suit your needs, wants, etc. as well as scholarships
http://www.zinch.com/

CAPPEX: Another website that helps you find colleges and scholarships
http://www.cappex.com/