From the Editorial Board: Going Back to School

H&A A SKS O u R EDITORIAL BOARD

What Do You Think & How Do You Do It? What Do You Think & How Do You Do It?

Horse & Academy has an incredible Editorial Board: we asked them for their answers to questions about how they feel to be heading back to school, and how they balance homework and horses. Take a look at what they had to say…

How Do You Feel About Going Back to School

I am excited about going back to school because I get to see my friends and talk to them about the fun stuff that we did over summer break. I am also excited because I am starting middle school, which means that I am in a new building. I will not have to walk up four flights of stairs with a heavy backpack to get to class anymore. I will get to meet new people to talk to and have fun with. I am also happy because we are getting our own lockers instead of sharing, that we can talk at lunch the whole time, and that lunch time is longer than 30 minutes. I am happy we can have snacks every day and not just on Friday. These are the reasons I am excited to go back to school. Faith

My fave part of going back to school is seeing all of my friends that I didn’t get to see over summer. One of the weird things I like about going back to school is that I love shopping for school supplies and other things that you need for school. But I don’t like getting up early for school and I don’t like doing homework. I will be going into seventh grade this year. I found out when getting ready for my sixth grade year that decorating the inside of my locker is really fun! It was really sad to take all of it down at the end of the year, though. Hallie

My favorite part about going back to school is seeing my friends and meeting new teachers. The teachers are a big part of how much I like or dislike a class. If I have a teacher that appeals to me, I’ll be excited to go to class, and in turn, learn more. If there’s a teacher I dislike, I won’t be as happy to go to class, and I’ll probably not pay as much attention as I should! This year I’m finally going to high school. I am excited to explore my new school, but I might have a more difficult time than usual trying to find my classes and get familiar with the surroundings. All I can say is, challenge accepted. Lauren

Going back to school can be hard after a long summer and can be a nerve-racking experience for some, but it can also be a lot of fun. You get many new opportunities, whether it’s sports, helping the community, or showing off your inner talent! My favorite parts about going back to school are that I get to meet my new teachers and see my friends again. Sure, school has its down sides, but after a long day of working hard I like to know that I will get to go to the barn and ride. Madison The beginning of the school year is always the busiest time for me. I have to be at school at 7am for marching band then after school I stay till 6:30 and help out at football practice. When I get home I change and go to the barn to practice for Morgan Nationals in October. When I get home, all my time is spent on homework and studying. It is a busy time of year but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have learned that the small time I get to spend with friends and family is greatly cherished and I try to never waste it. When football season and show season stresses finally vanish, it is nice to relax for a while but I am always so excited for what next year will bring. This year is my senior year and I am going to hold on to every moment and stay as busy as possible with fun and friends – and of course, horses! Ryenn

There are so many exciting things about going back to school after a great summer! I personally love seeing all my friends that I have not seen since the end of the last year. The start of school is the perfect time to talk to your friends about all the things you did over the summer. Also, you get to see how much they have changed! I have had friends that have grown their hair out, gotten a tan and/or gotten braces over the summer, and they look so different I barely recognize them. Another favorite of going back to school is that my schedule changes. This means I will be going to sports practices on different days and seeing different people. Getting to have a different teacher is also a great part of going back to school. I love getting to know all the teachers in school. Even though school means homework, there are many exciting parts of going back! Ezri

My favorite part of going back to school is seeing all of my friends in the same place and at the same time. This year is different; it is the beginning of the end. I am so excited to be a senior, the leader of the school, with senior privileges. I also actually get really excited about wearing the tartan plaid uniform because I don’t have to choose what to wear. I am never too eager to start the actual work, but it is nice to reestablish a routine. The start of school also means dances and parties. WOOOO class of 2013!!!!!! Emma

First, I am excited about seeing my friends and old teachers. Second, I want to get to know the new kids and teachers. Third, I want to see my classroom. Finally, I like moving up to a new grade, and this year I’m one year closer to 6th grade, when we get new uniform shirt colors and classrooms. These are the reasons I am excited about going back to school this year. Oh, and I don’t want to forget about homework! Macie

Tips for Balancing Horseback Riding and School

One tip is that you do homework first if you have a lot because homework is more important than riding (yes, it really is) and if there is time, ride after your homework. My mom sometimes has the horses up and ready for me when I get home from school so I can get a short ride in while the sun is still up, as long as I don’t have too much homework. Sometimes I save time by just riding bareback so I don’t have to drag out all my tack. My next tip is to ride on the weekends or days off school so you don’t have any homework to deal with. Faith

I usually don’t go out to the barn during the school week, but when I do occasionally, I take my homework in the car and do it on the way there! By the time we do get home, I would be too tired to do homework anyway, so doing homework in the car works out great! Then, on the way home we stop at a fast food place and eat when we get home. The only homework I can’t do in the car involves reading a chapter out of a book. So then, I read the chapter during free time I have in classes during the day. Hallie As a horse rider, or any other athlete, it is critical to balance school, sports, family, sleep, and a social life. It is often extremely difficult and discouraging trying to fit everything in. Here are some tips to a balanced life: 1) Get in a habit at the beginning of the year. On the days I don’t ride I go home and have a thirty-minute break to unwind from the day. Then I work on homework. I eat dinner, and try to go to bed as early as possible. 2) Prioritize. Sometimes you’ll have to miss a party or lesson to spend time with family, catch up on sleep or schoolwork. 3) Eat healthy. Food is brain and body power. 4) Don’t let yourself get too run down, you’re only human.

Emma

Managing horseback riding AND school can be difficult, but there are many ways to fit them both in. Some tips and tricks that I have learned (and do myself) are to carry around the assignments from your classes and do them whenever you have extra time. Sometimes if I have a lot to do, I eat lunch quickly and go to the library to finish up my homework/assignments. Or I complete my work while eating in the cafeteria. Hope this helped! Madison

Balancing horseback riding and school is pretty easy for me because I like to keep busy and do many other extra-curricular activities out of school, too. I think staying busy with hobbies makes for a better student, keeping me out of trouble. I have a better sense of focus due to multi-tasking and know how to manage my time. Keeping busy doing activities I love is the relaxing part that balances everything for me, because it’s just what I like to do! Lauren Try to get as much homework done at school as you can. If you don’t have time at school, try to get it done before you head out to the barn. You really don’t want to come home from the barn and still have a lot of homework. Trust me, I’ve been there! If you are at the barn with a break between lessons, take your schoolwork along and do it then. Also, get plenty of sleep. You don’t want to wake up feeling exhausted with a long day of school and horseback riding afterwards ahead of you. Again, I’ve been there! Ezri

I do my homework right after school and then I go horseback riding. Also, I take the clothes I wear riding with me to school, so I don’t have to stop at home and get them. And that is how I balance school and horseback riding! Macie

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