10 THE PINION EDITORIAL/GAMES
THE PINION 11 FEATURE
Cell phone manners matter
It is time to make a choice
by Yunmi Kim , reporter
by Lin Song, co-editor
mhspinion.com
cartoon by My Lu
Many people don’t know cell phone manners and it has led to decreased communication, broken friendships and annoyances among people at home, in public and school. At school both students and teachers have faced problems in terms of cell phone use. One of the common problems is when a cell phone is used during a one-
to-one conversation. “I would like it if the person would put away their phones at least when I am talking to them face-to-face,” freshman Le Xinh (Gina) Li said. “Or at least give a proper response, not a one-word response like ‘Uh-huh,’ ‘Okay,’ etc., when using a phone.” Chorus teacher Natasha Taketa has rules at home about the use of cellphones. “We have a rule at the dinner table of no phones or electronics because that is the only family time you have to spend,” Taketa said. “The phone comes second.” She had a situation where she met with her friend, whom she hadn’t met for a long time. The friend used her phone during a conversation. Taketa told her friend to put away her phone only for the time they are together because Taketa felt that this was the time they could spend with each other. Afterwards, her friend did not use her phone during conversations anymore. Here are some rules to keep when using a cell phone according to the New York Daily News: When talking to a person face-to-face,
give them your full attention. Don’t take calls or texts. Only answer your phone if it is an emergency. When eating dinner with somebody, put your phone somewhere else. Never put a phone on the table because the other person dining with you should not have to be sitting in silence and listening to your phone conversation. Respect places that are quiet environments such as libraries, theaters, churches, dance recitals, concerts, etc.. Don’t drive and use your phone at the same time. This is so that you can protect yourself and pedestrians. Be careful of the language you use on the phone. If a phone needs to be answered at places like church, restaurants, theaters, put the phone on vibrate so that you do not disturb other people. If others need a cellphone in times of emergency, help them out. Wear earphones or turn down the volume when listening to music or watching a video to give respect to those around you.
Good luck. Have fun.
mhspinion.com
College applications were submitted. volunteer work, internships, career talks, mately 70 percent of students change their Graduation is approaching. Parties begin. guest speakers and school classes, which course of study during their time at the But seniors, have you already decided “give students first-hand experience of University.” what you want to learn in college? what their future careers will be like,” A study from the Federal Reserve Bank Senior Yuzhu Zhang is taking AP CalYoshioka said. of New York in 2013 also showed that culus and accounting at school now. Her Senior Kathy Yeung is doing an internonly 27 percent of college graduates were deep interest in business and math makes ship at a child center. She wants to major working in a job directly related to their her want to be an college major. actuary. Zhang plans “There are both to major in mathgood and bad things ematics to practice about changing maher computational jors,” Yoshioka said. and analytical skills. “If students do deShe is also studying cide to change majors, AP Physics, AP Stado it early because the tistics and AP Psylater a student makes chology herself. a change, the more “I want to chalcostly it may get with lenge myself and tuition and time.” strengthen my EngFor those who lish and math skills,” change their majors Zhang said. or career choices, Zhang is firm and Furukawa said, “Do passionate about her not feel bad like you major choice. So is failed something. You senior Si Hou Lon. just gained more exStatistics from a 2013 New York Federal Reserve Bank study. Infographic by Lin Song. Lon is already perience so that you enrolled in Williams can use that experiCollege and plans ence to better yourself to major in chemistry. His reason for in early child education and the last sein some other career field.” this major choice is that he wants to be a mester of high school provides her opporFurukawa majored in accounting in the doctor to help people. To better prepare tunities to try out what she likes. Interact- past. After working in the area, he found himself, Lon is taking AP Biology now. ing with children can sometimes be really it did not fit himself and chose to be a He got a full score on the AP Chemistry tiring but she still enjoys it. math teacher. He enjoys his work now and test in May. He also began to volunteer at applies his accounting skills to his daily a hospital at the beginning of his senior work such as organizing records using “You will never know whether year to gain more learning experience. spreadsheets. you like it or not only after you “Do not let other people sway your de“Regardless of which career field stucision on what major you want to pursue,” have tried.” dents choose, not everything they learn in -- Kathy Yeung (12) the classroom is going to be directly relatLon said. With many others still undecided about ed to the job,” Furukawa said. The main their majors, teacher Cami Yoshioka gave Some students may ask “What if I find thing about college study is that “it proher advice. that the major does not fit me and I want vides students with background knowl“For students who have no idea where to change it?” edge and teaches them how to think.” to even begin, it is good to start with disAs math teacher Jon Furukawa said, It is not only about a major or a degree. covering themselves or their interests.” changing majors in college actually “hapIt is about the passion to do what you She suggested students take self-assess- pens more often than you think.” want. It is about the motivation to learn ments and career assessments to discover A September 2014 article in The Daily what you like. It is also about an oppormore about who they are. Students can Princetonian (the student newspaper of tunity and a new beginning of your life. also find their career interests through Princeton University) said, “ApproxiNow, it is time for you to make a choice.