Ikigai is a Japanese ideology of finding and maintaining purpose throughout your life I firmly believe, in the midst of first quarter burnout, purpose is something I’m lacking. As Singapore American School students, we set ourselves up ambitiously but sometimes not sustainably The concept of Ikigai appeals to the opposite, in finding fulfillment in longevity and driven living The pillars of Ikigai exist as such (featured in the graph below) and illustrate a harmonious intersection of our personal and professional life.
The definition of Ikigai is “to re-live” and is measured by one’s ability to repeat the healthy habits of one day, to the next, with purpose, as opposed to the robotic study, stress, and sleep cycle I’ve been rinse, wash, and repeating. Finding the intention for my existence in high school seems a bit premature; so I’ve attempted to modify these principals in an academic context, centered around finding true, healthy academic balance
1) What You Love: Yourself, Hopefully.
Love is love The crux of this faction is ensuring you do what you enjoy, this is non-negotiable Rather than applying this discipline to doing the classes, and AP exams I find interesting, or appealing to my academic passionsto be frank, I don’t have any Doing what I love entails finding time for hobbies and self-care. This means, finding time to read books, or bake muffins, or hang out with my friends. The argument here, is making time for things that bring you joy, rather than thugging it all out miserably You can’t always be locked in, but that’s okay. Self-care is underrated, it’s proven to make you more productive, less prone to illness, and more energetic!
2) What you’re Good at: Classes, Clubs, and Activities, Oh My!
We have control over what we do, but need to get real intentional with the “why”’s Optimization and interest are the key ideas in this passage. When selecting and experimenting with your classes during 9th grade, your selection path may look something like this:
1.
Choose what you like.
Get good at it 2
3.
Keep it up.
As you travel down the line, the stakes get higher, your palms are going to get sweatier, and your path won’t look quite as linear as the one listed above. Sometimes you can’t afford to take time getting good at something, so it’s essential to learn how to spread out a skill/interest. This is about leveraging what you know you’re good at, and trying to apply it to as many things as possible For example, being good at graphic design, could entail taking Mixed Media & Digital Processes as an elective, being a design/layout editor at Spectrum STEM Magazine, and also running the Instagram account for your service club You get to apply your strengths into different projects, tapping into different facets of said skill, and try out new things!
3) What the World Needs: What the School Needs
Time to get philosophical (and maybe a little socialist), but everyone has a role to play in school We have transcending, and permeable roles that are flexible, but boil down to the fact that we all can’t be Student Government reps Individualist doctrines display the value of subjectivity, and relies on the fact that not everyone has the same interests We need to make a distinction between being well-rounded and trying to do everything. “What We Owe To Each Other”, is a journal of philosophy which refers to morality and understanding we are obligated to hold for the people around us, we need to respect what our peers do, if we want them to respect what we do. There is no limit to opportunity, so long as -we coexist with our peers and are intune with the output of our collective action. We aren’t alone on campus and there is something for everyone to do; don’t try and do it all yourself
4) What You Can Be Paid For: What You Can Get Into College For
Alas, we’ve arrived at the most humbling part of the balance, with the measure of all academic endeavors: your ability to get into college Boring, but the underlying factor for why we are all doing too much. Being practical about your future, can be simplified to ensuring all your bases are covered, and embellishing them with what you’re interested in
The things we have to realize and act on in order to get academically self-actualized are extensive but generally defined by our expectations for ourselves In the balance, we have to be realistic about what we can do, why we’re doing it, how we’re influencing the community around us, and what limitations we need to consider. No matter what, we all need to find our Ikigai.
For more information about the Ikigai principle, check out this book by Francesc Miralles and Héctor Garcia
“Life is not a problem to be solved Just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you.”
“Our ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning ”
Azara Mathur (11)
Warning : Freshmen Coming In!
“Walking in on the first day of 9th grade, I had never felt more scared. If the welcome day was scary, the first real day was even more terrifying ” Sumedha Jain, an incoming freshman, wasn’t the only one trembling in the fear of swimming through the mob of upperclassmen On August 13, 2024, over 300 students ripped open their cocoons and finished the preparation to become high schoolers.
Worries, worries, & more worries
A new year equals a “fresh” set of “fresh” men It also equals chaos Panicked faces are all over the hallway, desperate to find the right classroom before the bell of
punishment strikes. Starving children have to watch giants cutting the line without being able to say a single word. Backpacks are laid all over the ground, stuffed with bewildering schedules and thousands of class materials Sweats cover the atmosphere, coming from the little ones eagerly reaching the single goal - the red varsity bag. Most importantly, the eyes of judgment and comparison - no one can go through a day without thinking, “Am I doing enough?”
POV: freshmen
“Starting high school presented amazing new opportunities and freedoms for me to explore; however, that being said, I found my first day pretty intimidating because I had entered a completely different culture than middle school, and I struggled to find my classes and get used to the new schedule ” As a fellow 9th grader, Tanya Arora pointed out the pros and cons of high school Freshmen and high school can be described as having a love-hate relationship. Although freshmen have desired the privileges of being a high school student since elementary school, the responsibilities and pressure that come with it can be overwhelming Higher expectations, rapid deadlines, and increased workload are recognized as the 3 main problems of freshmen.
The transition was even more burdensome for the new students. “If you're a new student, I think a lot of the challenges are centering around their transition from a new country, maybe a new school, getting an understanding of the school's culture, recognizing how things are done at SAS That takes them a little bit longer to transition into high school because they have the added factor of being a new student.” Based on the experiences and conversations with freshmen for years, Ms Cecila Unite revealed her sympathy for the new students as a PAC counselor
Regardless of whether a student’s status is returning or new, all freshmen can agree upon the challenge of navigating their position within the community
Keep calm and carry on
It has already been a month since school started, and most freshmen believe it has been a decade. Within the title of “fresh”men, which can be perceived as a nickname or a mockery, 9th graders must remind themselves that their names also indicate their new status as high schoolers - the start of a new part of their lives Unifying the diverse viewpoints and advice on freshmen, here are 3 main hints of how to survive high school:
Increase skills regarding responsibility, especially on self-advocacy 1
Be able to manage extracurricular activities on top of schoolwork = good time management 2.
Maintain a positive outlook on high school life - be involved and open spaces for various passions 3.
Every individual would have a different opinion towards these 3 suggestions. However, regardless of which one fits oneself, it all comes down to how the freshmen community uses their 9th grade year to prepare themselves for a real soul-searching journey Grades matter, GPA matters, and Varsity teams matter But would all of these matter if oneself don’t know who one is? 9th grade is a year of exploration, a year to really find out the interest and dig deeper throughout the high school years Rather than staying under the blankets and checking powerschool every single second, how about stepping out of the comfort zone, the boundaries one set for oneself, and making the most out of every single day?
Alert! Seniors
Perspectives of upperclassmen on the incoming freshmen were also a worry that was never to be forgotten. It’s a known fact that many high schoolers are put together Specifically, over 1200 students interact with each other every day Freshmen have lunch, lessons, and the majority of their school life with the upperclassmen; therefore, struggle to plan out their learning route in an environment with different grade levels or even where to sit during break time Comparison between peers exponentially increased as soon as freshmen stepped on high school tiles While wanting to prevent themselves from burning out, freshmens often became distressed about maintaining the best performance possible Collaborating with upperclassmen and high school veterans became one of the joys for freshmen, but also, at the same time, it became a daily reminder to succeed. Christine Oh (9)
Is The SAT Really Standardized?
Shivani Nayyar (12)
As high school students, we can all relate to the mountain of tests and assignments–and college applications for seniors–looming over our heads. You know what it’s like to be so stressed about a test, you feel you can’t focus on anything else. Picture this: the day of the SAT, you’re anxious and fidgeting with anything you have in your hands, staring at a question for what feels like an eternity, not a clue of the answer. You check the clock every few minutes, chewing on the answer in your head. Is it A, or C ? If you get a bad score on the SAT, it’s easy to feel inadequate, like you’re not smart enough to achieve your goals
- Texas State Normal College's 1920 Locust yearbook)
Your thoughts start snowballing: you think you won’t get into a good college or get a good job, and you’re going to be broke and live in your parents’ basement until you’re thirty.
In the real world, however, your intelligence is defined by more than just test scores This is exactly why we need to stop overemphasizing the importance of the SAT when applying to college. Although many may argue it is a neutralizer for colleges to judge students fairly, data proves it’s not an accurate judgement of students’ intelligence; the test is not as “neutral” as people think, the less privileged get worse test scores than the wealthy, and College Board exacerbates social stratification by continuing the use of the SAT.
According to POLITICO, law professor Lani Guini conducted a study following three classes of Harvard graduates and measured their success in terms of financial stability and career satisfaction The study concluded that the most successful people were the ones with the lowest SAT scores with lower-income backgrounds Therefore, the SAT is neither an accurate measure of success or intelligence; instead, more emphasis should be placed on grades and college essays that show what sets the student apart from others This study further supports the fact that the SAT is an unfair judgement of a student’s intelligence, but because it discriminates against lower-income students and families
It is often argued the SAT is a neutraliser which colleges need to universally judge all students fairly Certainly, we shouldn’t base everything on GPAs because grade standards differ from school to school; but there are better ways to differentiate between students than their SAT score Lower income students are at a disadvantage because of the lack of resources they have to score well The majority of students attending international schools like ours have sufficient funds to support our education
So, we don’t realise that a large contributor to getting a good score is the resources your family has, such as the ability to pay for test prep, tutors, and prestigious educational environments According to The College Board, 55% of Asian Americans scored a 1200 or higher on the SAT in 2019, however, only 12% and 9% of Hispanic and Black students did the same, because those students came from lower class backgrounds (Hubler) Subsequently, average SAT scores increase with every $20,000 in additional family income (Raines). This indicates that less privileged students are more likely to only have access to old textbooks and technology, high poverty schools with less experienced teachers, and low standards. Various other factors such as hunger and neighbourhood violence can also get in the way of students’ learning. Thus, it isn’t fair to judge students on their SAT score, and the SAT is only becoming a tool for wealthy people and College Board to take advantage of resources of selective higher education, increasing social stratification rather than all students getting equal attention and opportunities, including scandals of cheating.
Aside from economic status serving as a reason why the SAT is not as standardised as College Board claims it to be, as of May 2024 they have re-designed the test to be digital and adaptive This not only defeats the point of the test being “standardised”, but undermines the fairness of the assessment by amplifying disparities in performance The adaptive design reinforces initial advantages or disadvantages: students who score relatively low on the first half are penalised with easier questions on the second half, limiting their opportunity to recover and lowering their overall score, while those who perform well early are rewarded with more challenging questions that can raise their scores further This approach calls into question the validity of the test as a true measure of college readiness, as it no longer treats all test-takers equally or gives them the same opportunity to demonstrate their skills (Meltzer)
The flaws in the SAT's design are not the only factors that compromise the test's integrity A nonprofit organisation called FairTest has also uncovered widespread issues of cheating on the SAT You may have heard of such scandals, like the Varsity Blues case that occurred in 2019 Several parents were arrested for paying thousands of dollars to William Singer, a private admissions counsellor, to get their kids into top universities even if they had poor SAT scores (Kasakove) Bob Schaeffer, public education director at FairTest, stated that several people involved in the scandal cheated by faking disabilities to earn extra time, hiring impersonators, paying to change wrong answers or unanswered questions, and bribing proctors to ignore these illegal acts. As a result, the International Association for College Admission Counseling, which represents around 3,000 school counsellors in 100 countries, issued a statement that said they’ve “lost faith in College Board and the SAT” (Strauss). This exhibits the College board’s unjust system, being yet another association seeking maximum profit rather than prioritising equitable treatment for all. Millions of students work extremely hard to acquire university scholarships and study to the best of their abilities for the SAT, but unfortunately, those who cheat their way are given more opportunities than those who actually deserve it (cont in page 5)
Man I’m Dead
Elliot Loh (11)
Success and intelligence is defined by your ambition, dedication, and hard work over the course of your life, not by a test you’ll finish in three hours Moreover, it isn’t fair for colleges to judge students on a test that depends on your economic status. For future generations of students, we must get rid of the SAT in order to make the world of education a more equal-opportunity place for everyone As Wake Forest University said, “It’s not that we think standardised tests are evil. We just think that the measure of your intelligence and potential requires a deeper dive. It’s about life experience, aspiration, work ethic, engagement and all of what makes you who you are Numbers rarely tell the whole story” (Strauss)
SAS: From Walkmans to Wifi
Gigantic hairdos, shiny hooped earrings, MTV enthusiasts, and colorful scrunchies: These vibrant features all defined high school life at SAS in a decade nobody forgot- the 1980s Situated at Singapore’s Ulu Pandan, SAS in that decade mirrored the country’s more relaxed state at the time. The lush, tree-filled campus, with its iconic “Home of the Eagles” sign, welcomed students to school each day As they arrived, some tucked their white dress shirts into black pants that reached their socks while others eagerly flung a volleyball over the net, ready to embrace another day of camaraderie and youthful exuberance.
From Chalkboards to Promethean boards
While SAS in the 1980s offered a time of relaxation, the school’s technology was a far cry from what students experience today In fact, in the 1980s, many SAS educators opted to use a chalkboard for teaching, contrasting the Promethean board that most use in modern days. “Student life here is so fast-paced now,” SAS teacher of 51 years Katherine Tan commented; “technology,” she added, “is one thing that makes a big difference ” From textbooks to students getting a laptop in the sixth grade, mobile devices have gradually enveloped the high school environment. Today, while the device in everyone's pocket connects students to the online world in a second the 1980s promised a time
That decade, the technology offered, especially MTV, built students’ friend groups instead of helping them swipe socialization away like TikTok and other apps do now.
From American Roots to Global Perspectives
Nonetheless, while the 1980s provided a time of greater peer connection at SAS, it didn’t offer the diversity of cultures the school has currently Rather, as Ms Tan put it, in the 1980s “We had a lot of Americans in the school but very few Asians ” While SAS now celebrates its diversity with U.N. days and a Humanities curriculum that covers a broad range of cultures, the school previously centered itself around mostly American practices
For instance, the 1980s school Islander included student superlatives such as the best looking, most likely to succeed, class athletes, and class flirts The role of this quintessential tradition of American schools being at SAS gives expression to the school’s difference in student bodies over the years Likewise, SAS alumnus Jim Baker also pointed out that while “football is no doubt popular in the United States it quickly became a passion in the (1980s) Singapore American School community.” His words emphasize the critical role that American activities played in the 1980s SAS, with football, especially, becoming a way to remind the majority of student population of their home
From Sleeping in Class to Racing for A’s
Yet, while students primarily joined sports, like football, for bonding experiences in the 1980s, many students now see them as a race for the red varsity bag, just like classes have become an intense game for straight As The student population, Ms. Tan reflects, “was not as academically intense at that time as it is now.” Since SAS has risen in its ranking over the years, becoming the 12th best school in Singapore in a 2024 WhichSchoolAdvisor parent survey, it's no surprise that more students are starting to carry academic burdens alongside their backpacks. In contrast to nowadays, several students in a 1986-87 yearbook described themselves as “sleeping in class” or “partying” during the school year, illustrating the more casual outlook students had to school in those days
Ultimately, as SAS Reimagined and the revised uniforms bring changes to the high school, it becomes increasingly important for students to reflect on the stark differences from SAS in the 1980s and the school now. Looking at just how much SAS transformed in those years, students can be proud to attend a school with such a rich history and get excited for all that’s yet to come.
Tanya Arora (9)
Tuition Culture: Inevitable, or a Hoax?
Jenna Lee (10)
It’s Sunday afternoon, a day before finals week You stand before the grand gates, the walls plastered with a sleek orange coloring and a too-familiar logo: Math Vision Inside, countless plastic tables hold multiple students each, teachers racing to correct a myriad of errors and high-schoolers desperately trying to memorize the last formulas for probability and limits and continuity It’s every tuition center’s most hectic and strenuous time; it’s your busiest era, too. And of course, learning is important! We’ve all seen teachers, in school or outside, stressing such – but is such cramming culture inevitable? Or are we despairing students a mere product of our school culture?
Now, of course, with a school with such intense competition and the skyrocketing expectations of our parents, it’s hard to stay away from such “100% proven – join now!” tuitions The logos aren’t wrong; the teachers will teach you, and more often than not, you’ll learn. But it’s not the teachers or the curriculum that allows you to reach an epiphany – “I finally know how to solve limits!” (an epiphany I have not yet reached) – but the mindset of anxiety
Coming from someone who has attended a surplus of tuition herself, these centers often capitalize on anxiety namely, your anxiety Students have become so adapted to these high-stakes, 4 am studying sessions, urgently scouring online for course materials or practice worksheets to make up for slacking off during class (trust me, I’m a victim of this too). We compare ourselves to others’ achievements, racing to cross the finish line first, an intense competition that never pauses to wait Sometimes, some people despair at other people’s success. Because of this, it seems like tutoring centers are less for learning to learn and learning to learn more than someone else.
In fact, when we speed-learn differentiation or integration in Calc BC, the knowledge often gets absorbed short-term and discarded once again once the A in class has been achieved. By and large, The students who achieve A's or A+’s in class are the ones who have become best accustomed to this culture
This is a fundamental flaw within our school’s education system: while we do learn, the motivations behind why we choose to are skewed Should we constantly reinforce the cycle of pressure and academic burnout? Is cramming tuition even healthy? What happened to the critical thinking skills that we have been taught to cultivate?
We, as students of this school, have the opportunity to define success Instead of perpetuating a culture that equates success with academic fulfillment, we need to review our definition of prosperity and champion an education system prioritizing critical thinking, developing long-term skills, and full comprehension Students should be encouraged to explore far and wide into topics they’re genuinely interested in and not be stressed about the looming threat of an F on their final exam. Only then will we discover truly learning, not through a last-minute study session, but through passionate engagement with the information
September in SG
Living in a hustling and bustling city like Singapore it feels like there is always something to see or do. September 2024 was no exception from the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first Papal visit in 38 years These two events gave the city a buzzing energy no matter where you were on the island.
Pope Francis stepped down on Singapore on Sep 11, 2024 as the last stop of his Asia-Pacific tour, with a warm welcome from many Roman Catholics at Changi Airport Jurassic Mile (StraitsTimes) His visit was full of special moments for Catholics as they could set eyes on him without traveling to Vatican City. Pope Francis held a Papal Mass in the National Stadium with around 50000 people in attendance dressed in symbolic yellow and white for the Vatican However, it was competitive to get tickets which were allotted by a lottery system. Many members of the SAS Catholic community who were lucky to get a ticket were in attendance at the Papal Mass An 11th-grade student who attended the Papal mass expressed that it was a beautifully spiritual environment and she had never seen so many Catholics in one place. After his visit, Pope Francis stated that Singapore was a mosaic of ethnicities, cultures, and religions living together in harmony”
Overall his visit was a momentous occasion for the Catholic community within Singapore and SAS
Additionally, Singapore hosted its 16th Formula One Grand Prix. Besides the race, F1 has live music with the 2024 lineup including One Republic, Disclosure, and Tones and I The race brings in people from all over the world making the island feel alive with tourists Some SAS students who are F1 fans go to watch the race while others go for the music. No matter what you're going for or the type of ticket you have, the race is bound to be fun. Another 11th-grade student shared that she went to One Republic on Friday night and even though it downpoured it made the concert feel more special Lando Norris took home first place for Mclaren with Max Verstappen coming in second place for Red Bull. Whether it's the race, music, or overall vibes the Grand Prix weekend is a special experience in Singapore
In conclusion, September was a remarkable month for Singapore. From the spiritually uplifting visit from Pope Francis or the excitement of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Singapore continues to be a vibrant hub where diverse cultures and interests meet For residents and visitors alike September captured the distinctive energy of the little red dot many of us call home. Mary Villaruz (11)
Spotlight: She’s The First Education to
empower a global crisis
School is a privilege and an absolute necessity. Sometimes, it’s easy to get secluded in our beautiful bubble in SAS without fully understanding how much education means, and how far away it seems to some people Girls’ education goes beyond getting girls into school but also starts from getting girls into school, which for a lot of girls, is simply struggling to happen
It is estimated that more than 122 million girls cannot go to school globally In countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence, girls are 2 5 times more likely to not attend school compared to boys Those girls are also 90% more likely to be out of secondary school than kids in non-FCV countries.
To advocate for girls’ education and raise awareness, an SAS High School club called ‘She Is The First’ was created to take action to cultivate a world where every girl chooses her future despite opportunity gaps. Through an inquiry with the STF officer team, the current STF President Mary Villaruz (yr 11,no 7 to top right) believes they can work towards their mission by “Doing discussions, fundraisers, and direct service projects starting with a focus on women empowerment and belonging here at SAS, then expanding on a Singapore scale.”
Spotlight: She’s The First
“Some of the things we worked on include Women's Wednesdays, which happened last year with the opening of the apex where every Wednesday from 03:15 to 04:15 the apex was just for female members, whether it was students or teachers to use”, the officers explained. The team said they said the reason they initiated Women’s Wednesday was because “…Before the apex didn't feel like a very welcoming place towards girls for a lot of people, so that was the purpose behind working with the apex board for making that happen ”
What else to do?
They also expanded on some challenges the female community in SAS currently faces, and how they plan to address these challenges “We're your advocates; we're here for the little inconveniences, and we're here to help you For example, there are little things like the materials of the tampons in the bathrooms or like the length and the variety of period products ” Members come together every Thursday afternoon to discuss how to overcome the challenges the SAS female communities face They work to make a more welcoming place for all girls in addition to working on a Singapore scale.
Last year , they raised money for a non-profit in Ghana, which provides women with sewing machines so they can start their own businesses and have their own income to choose what they want to do.
Now, they have a message for you, dear readers:“Join she's the first for sure If you sign up, come once, don't like it, then you've only lost an hour of one day Whereas if you end up loving it and becoming a member, you will find yourself involved in a welcoming and inspiring community.”
Flora Miao (9)
STF meets on thursdays from 3:10-4 in room H326
don’t miss the fun & sweets. !
Mental Health
“I became more tense as soon as I stepped into the new environment I had more worries and spent more time overthinking about things that won't even happen, especially regarding my GPA.” Stated by Christine Oh, a freshman in high school, shares her experience of her first day of school and how that negatively impacts her mental health The rapid work increase and higher expectations and responsibilities pinned on students doesn’t make it any easier on the mental health of students both when they are in school and outside as well. This stress increases exponentially as people move higher and higher until they are eventually Seniors As they continue to level up, being thrown more tasks and assignments than the previous year, it can be understood that the pressure builds up, making it difficult to unwind and focus on family and friendships.
Anxiety strikes when it's time to take a summative Christine stated, “The more you practice, the more you feel ready and the less you feel stressed about it. If I am really worried about a certain test, I work really hard for it, and I also over-prepare so that there won't be any surprises during the test,” providing quality advice that comes in handy when preparing for a test In the chance of a bad grade or a time of uncertainty and nervousness, it is important to be able to maintain that stress in school so that people can move past that. Support from family, friends, peers and teachers can have a huge impact on a students mental health and their ability to cope with surrounding events
Mental Health
“I believe I have great support from my family and friends, but the main person would be my mom, without a doubt My friends also provide me a lot of assistance and happiness I believe my friends are more like my energizer at school. They make me laugh and just forget about all of my problems,” Christine continues to add, proving how the support and encouragement from the people around can relieve stress
Anxiety strikes when it's time to take a summative. Christine stated, “The more you practice, the more you feel ready and the less you feel stressed about it If I am really worried about a certain test, I work really hard for it, and I also over-prepare so that there won't be any surprises during the test,” providing quality advice that comes in handy when preparing for a test. In the chance of a bad grade or a time of uncertainty and nervousness, it is important to be able to maintain that stress in school so that people can move past that Support from family, friends, peers and teachers can have a huge impact on a students mental health and their ability to cope with surrounding events. “I believe I have great support from my family and friends, but the main person would be my mom, without a doubt My friends also provide me a lot of assistance and happiness I believe my friends are more like my energizer at school. They make me laugh and just forget about all of my problems,” Christine continues to add, proving how the support and encouragement from the people around can relieve stress
Kareena Bakhshi, a current 10th grader, shares her experience of when she first came into high school and how her sophomore year is treating her so far “It wasn’t too bad, but it took a little getting used to ” She continues to share what she does when she is stressed and how support from people around her helps her to deal with that stress. “ I usually just study or do a relaxing activity (crochet),” and “my friends/family support me and talking to them before tests gives me encouragement,” she continues to share What helps her manage stress and allows her to study and get her work done is, “Having the freeblock itself.”
There can be numerous contributing factors to the amount of stress a person experiences These can not only include just tests, assignments, and a heavy workload, but people themselves as well “I believe teachers can be a big factor that impact our stress level,” says Christine, further proving how people can also have an influence on stress levels and the mental health of a person
However, there are definitely ways to overcome these challenges that make it easier for all students to feel less stressed through school “Communication is really important as the teachers should always be aware of how the students are feeling in order to make modifications to the schedule,” states Christine, bringing awareness on how little things can make significant impacts on the mental health of a student in school
Moving on, a benefit of being an older student in high school is the opportunity to be able to learn from past experiences and mistakes and even just make small improvements to get the most out of the current year Reflecting on her past mistakes, Kareena realizes that she can “manage my time better throughout the next 3 year(s).” Having that opportunity has positive benefits on the learning process and mental health of a student.
There are numerous contributing factors that influence someone's mental health at school, but there are ways that those can be overcome using simple strategies such as communication, relaxation, and encouragement from friends, family, teachers and peers
Sumedha Jain (9)
Chorale Treble
The Newest Choir Class
Chorale Treble is the newest choir class in high school. Many upperclassmen have expressed their curiosity about it, but still know very little about it According to Mrs Devens, there are a few reasons as to why Chorale Treble was established this year First, Chanterie, an all-girls choir, was growing very big. As Chanterie was traditionally a smaller group, Mrs. Devens hoped to create a separate treble class In that way, she could get to know everyone’s voices better Moreover, Chorale Treble provides the underclassmen with a good vocal foundation Hopefully, this choir will help Mrs. Devens work with some of the younger freshmen singers.
According to a current SAS 9th grade student, Chorale Treble is wonderful! “I love the small class it allows everyone to get through things faster and work on technique”. The student initially joined Chorale Treble because she loved singing and this is her first time being in a choir Although it’s difficult for some to choose music electives over academic classes, this student enjoys choir very much.
As Mrs Devens says, Chorale Treble is unique and spirited. Despite her concern that the class would hold back as a small group, everyone is willing to put in the work and try their best. “I was very nervous because I knew that it was a lot of young singers, and I didn’t know if they would sing out, but that hasn’t been the case at all Everyone seems willing to make music right away,” she says.
Another student, also a huge fan of Chorale Treble, says that she appreciates the freedom singers have in class For example, students get a say in what repertoire they learn and share their visions in Chorale Treble. “I love how Mrs. Devens always makes our voices heard. She asks us to do blind votes to choose the option we want, so we won’t be judged for having different opinions,” she says She really hopes Chorale Treble can help her improve her technique and boost her confidence
I’m also part of Chorale Treble. As a 9th grader who has been in Choir throughout her middle school years, I think there was a big change this year Mrs Devens has taught us a lot about music theory, music notation, and introduced us to new genres we’ve never learnt before. Of course, this is normal for High School choir, but it was a lot more learning for me However, I appreciate how much Mrs Devens is passionate about music; it’s almost infectious! I catch on to her joy, and it just makes me love to sing even more!
Although it’s a newly-fledged class, Chorale Treble has been thriving with distinguished singers Mrs Devens looks forward to more people joining in semester two
Sophia Feng (9)
A Day in the Life of That Kid You Want To Be™
President of StuGov of course Straight A+s in five APs and two ATs; a perfect SAT score; captain of three varsity sports; president of five clubs; a member of seven honor societies, officer for three of them. An oh-soperfect friend group that rivals the size of the grade level. You know, that kid the one your parents relentlessly compare you to The one that’s probably (definitely) going places
We’ll make her a girl for now, but I for one definitely know people of all genders who are just like this.
She wakes up at 5 AM because she has morning practice Yes, she hates it, like everyone else, but she still
washes the sleepiness and negativity off her dreary face because there really is no time to be unhappy; the routine has to proceed. She speedeats her breakfast, hops in a Grab, and dozes off for a while because contrary to popular belief, she’s not a machine Then comes morning practice! She really just wants to curl back up into bed, but she forces energy through her veins because the team needs her, right here, right now, not a tired captain.
She takes a quick shower, then the bell is ringing and she is running to her first class She doesn’t exactly understand the lesson material since her brain simply isn’t cooperating That wouldn’t do she has to get through. Focus, she wills her brain. And it works morning passes by fine. Somewhat
Lunch! But she doesn’t get to socialize, or rest, or eat as superhuman as she is, she’s still subject to the same lunch lines as everyone else. In line, she contemplates life and the physics test she has next block, but her thoughts are abruptly invaded by freshmen chattering behind her, in front of her, and all around her, and oh my god can these people shut up. But nobody will, and she has no right over anyone else's life they’re happy, and she’s not that’s okay, as long as she can sustain this for four more hours breathe Inhale Exhale Inhale Her consciousness vaguely slips for a bit no and she wills herself back to the present Maybe she should get some coffee along with the mediocre chicken rice that she already had three times- how is it still Wednesday?
And then comes the dreaded physics test that she spent fourteen hours cramming for over the past two days Breathe, she forces herself to think. You studied for this. You got this. It’ll be okay. You don’t need to worry.
All too soon, it’s over; two all-nighters, gone like that She’s pretty sure she did at least okay yes, she had to guess on one question, but it’s only a one point question, and if she gets everything else right she’ll still be able to land that A+ she really so desperately needs to pull her average back up Definitely
Alright, she might be doomed. But it’s okay. Breathe. There’s no time to sink into rabbit holes of despair right now. Breathe, she tells herself again. Breathe. Breathe.
There’s no time to sink into rabbit holes of despair right now.
She texts her mom “I don’t think I did well There’s a chance of getting an A+, but it’s not high ” She turns her phone onto Do Not Disturb and puts it away the disappointment would be too much to bear just right now.
Next class is free, thank god. But “free block” is a misnomer, since she really needs to spend that time studying if she wants any hope of maintaining her grades She walks to the lower library. With a thud, her bag drops onto the floor, and she sits down. She takes out her laptop, opens up an imminently due paper, and something that sounds suspiciously like a sob comes out of her throat Horrified, she slams the laptop shut and stuffs it back in her backpack Hold it down, she orders herself, at least until you ’ re out of that blasted library. Thirty seconds then you can cry all you want. Just hold it in; don’t let them see. Thirty seconds.
What will people think if they hear me of all people crying?
And all of a sudden she’s in a tiny bathroom stall letting it all out into her sleeve. She gulps for air and tries to regain enough mental clarity to at least cry quiety because what will people think if they hear me of all people crying? Inhale Exhale Inhale Exhale
When the tears have fallen for long enough for her to hold it together, she cautiously opens the bathroom door. Of course, her face is all red and puffy from crying Thank goodness there’s no one else in here right now Cautiously, she takes her glasses off and splashes ice cold water across her face until it looks halfway normal. She looks at her watch 2:30. Did she really spend that long contemplating life in the bathroom? Almost an hour, just gone like that No, this won’t do She braces herself, then picks her everheavier bag up, trying to find somewhere isolated enough to be safe.
She opens her phone “Oh no,” she imagines in her mother’s voice “How can we fix this?”
At least there’s no disappointment. But then again, her mom knows her well enough to realize that she’s already beating herself up over this grades, everything “Thanks, Mom,” she types out shakily Yeah, I’m not getting any work done at this rate Might as well rest She walks to her safe spot a hidden oasis of no people within this blasted school and basks in the unrelenting sun as the remainder of the block trickles away. She thankfully has no afterschool plans today, so she gets on the bus and stares glumly out of the window as Singapore’s greenery zooms by
Atlast,she’sbackhome.Utterexhaustionsettlesover her atthatprecisemoment,nothingwasmorealluring thanalongnaponthecouch,butshecan’taffordtolose anymoretimeShesighsandshowersagain,washingthe dayoffwithit
The inevitable “first day of school worries” is comparable to one’s average cold: it comes and goes, but leaves behind an uneasy feeling that doesn’t seem to go away
Freshman put on an emotionless face, trying to get it together Sophomores stumble off the buses, praying this year is easy as the last The morbid Juniors reluctantly shuffle up the stairs, refusing to accept that this is their “hardest year”. Most importantly, our “just trying to get into college” Seniors carry hope in their red hoodies, with words of wise advice for underclassmen
GraceZhang(10)
OPINION
Understandably, asking upperclassmen or anyone who “looks like they know what they’re doing” for class advice is reasonable and strongly recommended. Student A asks Student B their thoughts on [blank] class. Knowing the true meaning behind that question, Student B responds, “Well, it’s easy to get an A, depending on what teacher you have Who do you have?” Student A, oblivious to all high school language terms, optimistically names “that teacher.”
“Oh I heard [blank] is a bad teacher ” Consequently, Student A’s “trying to get it together-ness” simply collapses.
With the number of problems freshmen face, including first-day worries, the thought of genuinely crumbling to the floor on the first day hadn’t been on the checklist.
And, for those who can’t sympathize… You know that feeling when confidently answering a question in class to realize you got it completely wrong–the embarrassment, but more importantly, the frustration. You know that feeling you get when walking in front of a large group of people only to take a little stumble–the utter humiliation, the annoyance of not being able to rewind time Condense the complete resentment toward life–not being able to control the things we can’t–this is that feeling Basically, it sucks.
Of course, the intentions of wise upperclassmen aren’t to kill spirits, right?
In the times an underclassman’s optimism is diminished, more threats cumulate beyond the external noticings. The internal terrors of 24/7 anxiety and overly exerting one’s self to achieve success in these difficult classes simply aren’t worth it
Ultimately, if one goes through life without hitting a single roadblock, one is doing something wrong. Life is meant to be hard! Now, that doesn’t mean I’m simply suggesting to “suck it up,” but I’m now strongly suggesting to take it easy. One B+, B, C, or even a straight F won’t ruin a student’s life. Yes, their ego will most definitely ache, but simply giving up and spending more than a day dwelling on “the end of my life” is–in simple terms–pathetic and cowardly Instead, take this as an opportunity to prove yourself wrong and as a simple reminder to it all 140%.
Coming from a student who has already failed multiple exams this year, it’s all possible Sebin Kim (10)
