Common Sense
Special Advisement Issue
AGENDA - AP classes - Electives - Journalism Courses - Common Sense advice - Guide to graduating early
photo by Hailey Bos
- and more!
AP for (not so) dummies by Kristin Kaipust AP Human Geography is the only AP class offered to freshman. According to AP College Board, the course introduces students to the “systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface.” “For a student deciding whether to take AP Human Geography, I would suggest finding your reading/lexile level,” AP Human Geography teacher Lula McCaskill said. “If you are above your grade level, intellectually, you are prepared.” Freshman Joey Kaipust was recommended to take AP Human Geography by his eighth grade social studies teacher. “I feel like I really didn’t hear a lot about what the class was like until I actually took it,” Kaipust said, “I just had to wait until the first day to find out what I was getting into.” Kaipust recalled his middle school classes being light in homework and not hard to pass. “AP Human Geography is hard and it does have a lot of homework, but it’s not impossible,” Kaipust said. An average night of homework entails around an hour of work. The class requires students to take notes over assigned book readings and define lists of vocabulary. School work includes note taking and test prep. “AP Human Geography is not about filling out a worksheet or getting homework done in class, it’s about contributing time to get to know the information and actually learning it,” McCaskill said. “No matter how intelligent, a student needs to do the work. Work ethic is important for any AP class.” AP Human Geography, like any AP class, gives a GPA boost. Receiving a 2 in the class affects GPA like a 1 in a non-AP class. It’s also considered to be an easier AP history class. “The class really helped me form note taking and study skills,” junior Paige Fleming said. “It also prepared me for AP classes down the road.” Fleming took AP Human Geography as a freshman and has continued to take AP history courses.
Graphic by Kristin Kaipust
Study Hall: A guide to (unguided) study by Carson O’Connor Study hall in high school is a whole lot different than it might have been in middle school. In middle school, students spent the 45 minute study period working on homework while guided by teachers. In high school, students are granted an hour and a half block of independent studying. Many students at Millard South consider study hall a blessing, especially early on. “I think freshmen should take a study hall,” sophomore Marielena Roman said. “Freshman year is the hardest year because you are adjusting to high school life and everything is new. They can use that extra time to work on the subjects they struggle on,” she said. When asked about whether or not she would recommend a study hall to incoming freshmen, junior Jordyn Oban echoed the same sentiment. “Freshmen should consider taking a study hall because high school is hard to get into the rhythm of at first, but having a study hall lightens the workload,” she said. Having that much work time for homework during the school day can open the door for students who might be balancing after school activities and work. It also provides an opportunity for students to get face to face help with a teacher on their assignments. This is vital because students can correct and learn from their mistakes in real time so they know how to do it when they head home. “I think it’s very valuable to be able to go and talk to teachers during study hall period,” junior Ryan Carey said. “I can
Art by Tori Barkus
get things sorted out so I don’t have to come in before or after school.” Even with these benefits, there are some reasons to consider opting out of a study hall. For a person with a lack of self discipline, study hall time can often be wasted away on a phone or computer. A survey of any active study hall class will doubtlessly reveal a couple of students snoring at their desks, plenty of students down at the library lounging on couches, and most of the rest engrossed in Snapchat or a phone game.
Whether students are using their study hall block to recharge or to actually get work done, it’s easy to see why it appeals to so many students. But is it more important to have a study hall or to advance closer to graduation and have open blocks senior year? Registrar and assistant principal Michelle Klug knows a lot about study hall and its value for students. She estimates that around 60% of students (approximately 1,100) at our school are taking a study hall, and she believes that number
AFJROTC program only at SHS The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps is a 4-year program offered at Millard South. There is no application for the program, simply register for the following three classes next year as a freshman. • AS100 A Journey into Aviation History
• LE100 Citizenship, Character and Air Force Tradition • AS220 Cultural Studies: An Intro to Global Awareness. Through enrollment in the program, the following graduation requirments can be met.
• earn your required world geography credits (5) • earn 5 p.e. credits (15 are required to graduate) • earn 5 of your required science credits (30 are required to graduate) • earn up to 40 elective credits (65 are required to graduate) AFJROTC Cadets march in the Millard Days Parade. Photo by Alex Engleman
is climbing because course enrollment no longer affects class rank. Her study hall advice depends on who she is talking to. “I think it depends on their course load and time management,” Klug said. “Are they involved in a lot of activities at school or athletics? Do they have the time in the evening for the caseload of classes they are taking or not? I think you have to look at a lot of factors, so it’s not just a simple yes or no.”
ELE
Arts
ALL ELECTIVES PREREQUISITES AND
0705 Art Foundations** 0710 Pottery & Sculpture 0720 Drawing 0704 Color and Design 0701 Art History
Journalism 0064 Intro to Journalism, photojournalism and broadcasting** 0066 Advanced Journalism 0077 Broadcast Journalism 0013 Yearbook
Industrial Technology 0690 Introduction to Power, Energy and Mechanized Systems** 0691 Mechanical Systems Operations 0662 Introduction to Engineering Design I** 0663 Introduction to Engineering Design II 0654 Introduction to Carpentry** 0657 Carpentry 0681 Introduction to Metalworking** 0682 Machining processes 0685 Welding I 0613 Consumer Maintenance 0614 Computer Aided Drafting
Graphic by Nicki Kreutzian
that it is a ** Indicates prerequisite
** can take Intro first semester and Broadcast or Advanced Journalism second semester
Digital Education
0563 Computer Science Programming 0564 Computer Science Principles 0562 Digital Design 0570 Digital Media 0572 Visual Graphics
May have occasional homework, studying for tests, or may need to come in if projects are not finished in class.
Mu
ECTIVES 101
S LISTED ARE ONE SEMESTER LONG SUBSEQUENT CLASSES CAN BE TAKEN IN THE SAME YEAR
usic
0756 Voce 0798 Music Theory 0747 Music Connections 0746 Contemporary Ensemble
Buisness 0501 International Business 0505 Introduction to Business, Marketing and Management** 0510 Business Law 0502 Accounting I 0503 Accounting II
Science
0335 Astronomy
0550 Merchandise Marketing 0551 Sports and Entertainment Marketing 0560 Introduction to Technology 0561 Information Technology Applications 0504 Keyboarding & Input Technology
Communications 0022 Debate 0021 Forensics: Competitive Speech 0023 Competitive Debate
Drama 0024 Theater and Performance I** 0025 Theater and Performance: Advanced Studies 0039 Theater Appreciation** 0026 Theater Technology
More time consuming homework or projects, may have to dedicate time outside of school to finish projects and assignments.
Social Studies 0422 World Religions 0425 Human Diversity 0426 International Relations 0430 Introduction to Behavioral Science
0534 Intro Food & Nutrition** 0525 Culinary Skills 0520 Interior Design 0536 Textiles and Clothing Design
Family and Consumer Science
Expect regular homework, and may have commitments outside of school or regular hours.
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Journalism 0064 Intro to Journalism, photojournalism and broadcast
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Take this prerequisite next year as a freshman. It’s a one semester class.
0013 Yearbook
A year-long class you should register for as a sophomore after taking 0064 as a freshman
• • • • •
Take photos Design Write Publish Make history
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0066 Advanced Journalism class (Newspaper) Abutyear-long could register • Take photos • Draw art or cartoons • Write • Design
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0077 Broadcasting
for 0066B if taking 0064 next year as a freshman
A one semester class you could register for if also taking 0064 next year as a freshman
• Publish • Manage web site • Run social media
• • • •
Filming Video editing Podcasting Interviewing
Common Sense Advice
Classes
Homework
“Don’t take classes you don’t like unless you have to.” -Cassady Alberico, 12
“Do not procrastinate on homework until the day before it’s due.” -Isabel Robb, 11
“Take Personal Finance as a Junior or Senior. It will benefit you more when you are older.” -Allison Kirkebak, 12
“When they tell you that you can’t do it in one night, believe them.” -Dani Swanson, 12
“Start off with whatever prerequisites you need, so you can take what you want when you get older.” -Cameron Merritt, 11
“If you don’t know how to do it, ask a friend or a teacher because not doing it will get you no where.” -Deniece Radford, 12
Extracurriculars
Life
“I recommed getting involved in at least one activity during your freshman year and working your way up from there.” -Maddie Rynes, 12
“My freshman and sophomore year I cared a lot about what other people thought of me. Don’t change yourself.” -Alexis Gamble, 12
“Don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s a lot more fun when you put yourself out there and make new friends.” Carina Covington, 12
“Be open to new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to talk to new people.” -Lexie Pleiss, 11
“Don’t do activities that you don’t actually enjoy. If you’re doing a lot of them, make sure to manage your time wisely.”
“Focus on the things that make you happy. Never compromise your emotional state for the sake of school.” -Lindsey Assman, 12
How to get out of here faster How to graduate a year early and have the necessary requirements to be admitted to 2-year colleges and state colleges. Follow this plan.
*pass everything or you will have to take 40 credits both semesters instead of having a study hall.
Eng. 9 10 Bio 10 Algebra 10 World Geo 5 Speech 5 p.e. 5 Fine art 5 World lang or electives 10 3 Electives 15 75 credits
Eng. 10 10 Physical sci/chem 5 Physical sci/phys 5 World History 10 Geometry 10 P.e. 5 P.e. 5 Healthy living 5 Personal finance 5 World lang or electives 10 Elective 5 75 credits
Eng. 11 10 Eng. elective 5 Science 5 Science 5 Alg. II 10 American History 10 Am. Government 5 Human resource 5 World lang or electives 10 2 Electives 10 75 credits = 225 credits
*this includes a study hall for 1 semester of each year *each elective is counted as a semester long elective
you don’t have to be rich to get an enriching education. At Doane, we make a private education affordable. Every student in the Class of 2022 received financial aid. And our average financial aid award is $26,132, bringing the average direct cost of attending down to just over $17,000. That’s less than the cost of attending a public university. Learn how you can for an affordable price at doane.edu.