The Unfiltered - A Guide to Making Friends in School

THE UNFILTERED Articles ranging from getting good grades to reviews to games. Check it out!

WANT TO GET BETTER GRADES? PG

SUITS: IS IS

THE UNFILTERED

A Guide to Making Friends in School

Many of you reading this might be new to school or are shy and introverted and making new friends might seem like a big task. Personally speaking, a year ago I was also the same, hostile of the unknown territory and apprehensive of talking to people but now I have great friends whom I enjoy being with. And I realised that there are many people like me whom I can help because I’ve gone through it myself.

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WORLD SCHOLAR’S CUP ADVICE FROM RHEA GREWAL

TOO FAKE? PG 6

PG 7

1. Seek people you can relate with

First things first, look at people that you have things in common with. They could be hobbies, favourite subjects, sense of humour etc. This helps you have a common ground on which you can bond over.

TRENDING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

2. Strike up conversations with new people

This can include introductions, compliments etc. If you are a bit jittery about this even subtle eye contact with a ‘Hello, nice to meet you’ works or you can talk to a group of people. You can keep the conversation going by asking open-ended questions like ‘what’s your favourite subjects’ or ‘do you like studying’. This is also a good way to see if you guys have a connection or can have one in the future.

3. Appear nice and friendly yourself

Now this might seem like an obvious point but sometimes even though we feel like we’re welcoming but the other person might assume something else. Which is why it is better to smile rather than sit in a corner trying to be respectful but coming off as conceited or rude. Silent impressions matter!

4. Be yourself

I know this is very cliche and everyone probably asks you to do this but I can’t express how important this is. This is also hard because you may feel afraid of judgement or rejection but I need you to understand that true friends are those who accept you and cherish you for who you are. If someone doesn’t like you because of the person you are then they’re not the right fit for you (this stands true as long as you’re not a criminal)

I understand this doing all of this may be a step outside of your comfort zone but that is how you learn. You learn by testing your boundaries, by setting yourself up for a chance of failure because that’s how you succeed. Not everyone is meant for you and you are not meant for every single person. Remember, quality over quantity. You may only have few friends but you need to make sure those friends are honest, trustworthy, understanding, loyal and will stick by you no

This data has been analysed through a survey conducted amongst the students in MYP using Microsoft Forms to learn about what’s Trending in Middle School!

How to get better grades in school?

Face it or not, to get into a good college, you need to get good grades in school, especially high school. Good grades are a reflection of a person’s focus, handwork and understanding. It demonstrates to universities that you are a good student who can flourish in the kind of demanding academic environment they provide.It also teaches you valuable study, planning, discipline, and self-advocacy skills. These are lifelong abilities that will be useful to you even after school. But how can you reach where you want to be?

1. Do your homework!

This may seem slightly unrelated to getting good grades but completing your homework is a great start to getting better grades. Homework helps you identify what you already understand or what are the areas that you need to work upon. Additionally, in the IB curriculum, homework also places an important role in a student’s final professional judgement.

2. Take good notes

This is crucial in order to get better grades. It’s a widely known fact that almost every great student takes great notes. Despite that, many people don’t think it’s that essential. Everyone has different ways of taking notes because they interpret it differently. Moreover, remember it is not only taking notes, it is taking good notes. However, that is a skill that takes time to learn and their are many resources you can use for the same.

3. Participate in class

Being engaged and active helps you pay attention to things more easily. If a teacher is asking questions, if you know the answer, go for it even if others are doing so. Or if there is a group task, make sure you’re contributing and not just leaving all the work to someone else. Trust me, it really helps!

4. Ask for help if you need it

Any queries you may have can be answered by your teacher. It need not be a difficult question, your teacher is always willing to assist you. You can ask during class, after class or even email. All teachers love to help whenever you need it, you just need to ask!

5. Create a schedule

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Planning is integral to getting good grades. It isn’t always easy because you might have other extra-curricular activities, family responsibilities etc. but it can be one of the best tools to achieving your goals. It can assist you with time management and prevent cramming before tests which helps you become less overwhelmed. It doesn’t have to be a tight and packed schedule, you can make it as flexible as you want!

6. Remove Distractions

Keeping your attention and limiting distractions are key to getting the most out of your study time. It's difficult to avoid being sidetracked by notifications on your phone, computer, or other screen these days. But to maintain an effective study session, you must sift through all of this to concentrate on your academic task. Organisation can also help boost productivity. You can use other study techniques like Pomodoro, Blurting, etc.

To conclude…

Grades are very meaningful for your future careers and they help you build and improve a lot of skills that can help further in time. But you should always remember, even though they are important, they don’t mean everything. It is crucial that you don’t let it burden you or burn you down. You need to always have fun in whatever you are doing. All you need is hard work, motivation and focus.

How to deal with peer pressure

This data has been analysed through a survey conducted amongst the students in MYP using Microsoft Forms to learn about what’s Trending in Middle School!

Peer pressure is a feeling that a person must to the same things as other people of their age or social group in order to be liked or respected. It can lead to engaging in risk taking behaviours like smoking, drugs, underage drinking etc. It can also lead to decrease in self-confidence, distancing from loved ones and more depression and anxiety which can lead to self-harming thoughts. There are many ways to deal with this in case you ever encounter it yourself

1. Saying NO

We all know it’s easier said that done. This is an example of when emotions cloud common sense. If you know something is wrong and not for you, a simple ‘no thanks’ or a ‘not for me’ suffices. If they persist make sure you let them know you don’t appreciate being pressured. Remember, you are in control of your choices.

2. Using humour

If you’re apprehensive of going straight to the point and saying a clear no, you can use humour to deflect the pressure and attention on the topic. It also gives a signal to the other person that you do not take whatever they are saying seriously and hence, an indirect no.

3. Ignore the situation

Not talking or mentioning anything in reference to what they said is also a good way to show your disapproval of the situation, but if they don’t stop pressuring move way and establish distance.

4. Tell someone you trust

Sometimes things get a little too big to keep in our brains and we need to let it out. Always remember to only do this with someone you know will not take advantage of any sort and remain trustworthy. If things are getting a bit too serious, it’s always best to go to an adult.

Peer pressure is an unfortunate thing that is extremely common in society. It is important to never give in to something you thing is wrong or may harm or jeopardise you in any sort. Don’t let any one else other than you dictate your choices because in the end it’s always you who is responsible for any decisions that have been made. Remember when someone points a gun to your head, there are a hundred and forty six things you can do (quote by Harvey Spector, Suits).

Ginny and Georgia: Is it too much?

The Netflix original series "Ginny and Georgia" centres on a single mother named Georgia (played by Brianne Howey) and her teenage daughter Ginny (played by Antonia Gentry) as they relocate to a new community in quest of a new beginning. The programme has been promoted as a family drama, dark humour, and coming-of-age tale combined.

Despite a solid beginning and an intriguing premise, the series ultimately fails to live up to its potential. Although the cast gives outstanding performances, the show's writing is shallow and frequently falls back on worn-out clichés.

The show's reluctance to completely embrace its genre is one of its major flaws. The humorous elements seem unnecessary. The dramatic moments lack the appropriate emotional impact because they are ill-timed and out of place. Furthermore, the show's attempts to address important problems like racism and mental health frequently come out as naive and wrong.

Nevertheless, "Ginny and Georgia" does contain some commendable aspects. Georgia and Ginny's mother-daughter connection is complex and fascinating, and each of their distinct tales is interesting enough to hold viewers' attention. The cast of t he programme is diverse, which is appealing and provides the industry with a muchneeded level of representation.

If you're looking for something to pass the time, "Ginny and Georgia" is a passable choice, but it's not a particularly compelling series. Although it has potential, it ultimately falls short of its promise.

Suits: Too much drama?

‘Suits’ is a legal drama television show that ran from 2011 to 2019 for nine seasons. The programme centres on Mike Ross, a college dropout with a photographic memory who, in spite of lacking a law degree, lands a position at a famous New York City legal firm. Harvey Spectre, a clever and cunning lawyer who takes him under his wing, serves as his mentor.

Suits' powerful and well-developed characters are among its main advantages. Because each character has a distinct history and personality, the show is intriguing to watch. The show's centrepiece is the interplay between the lead characters, Mike and Harvey, and their clever banter and odd camaraderie.

The court battles in the shows are also interesting and well-written. The show is understandable to viewers who may not have a background in law thanks to the writers' skillful

The production quality of Suits is another noteworthy aspect. The show is set in the opulent and glamorous world of high-end corporate law, and this is reflected in the scenery, costumes, and cinematography. The show's music, which combines classic and modern songs, is another gem. It enhances the show's style and excitement.

Suits is an accomplished legal drama with strong writing, interesting storylines, and high production quality. The show's nine-season run is evidence of its popularity and the program's capacity to sustain its calibre over time. Suits is a programme that viewers who enjoy legal dramas or programmes with sharp conversation and compelling characters should watch.

WSC helped me improve so many things: An interview with Rhea Grewal

understand her experience in the very same.

Q. First tell us something about yourself.

A. Heyy, I’m Rhea Grewal I’m in MYP 3 and most of you probably know me as someone annoying or someone smart because those are basically my only two personality traits.

Q. You had gone to the Global Bangkok round last year. How would you describe your experience?

A. When I went to Bangkok, I can say I was expecting a lot of working and tough competition but despite the tedious amounts of work the experience was a fun one and something I’ll never forget. We had so many amazing events like a ball where we got to dress up and then danced together. We also had a cultural fair in which we represented the Indian culture through food and artefacts while also experiencing other’s cultures. My favorite was the Singapore culture because they gave me 5 bags of ramen. However, my favorite part of it would definitely have to be when we went to an amusement park in Bangkok, we had the whole day free and went on tons of thrilling roller coasters and ate heaps of delicious food. And doing and learning so many things in such a different environment was also really cool. WSC helped me improve so many things.

Q. What were your major learnings in the same?

A. Before this I would say I was pretty bad at debating and writing but through this I learnt how to improve my skills through interesting motions and tough competition. I also think in terms of the scholars challenge I learnt how to research well because of the amount of specific questions asked but overall, my greatest learning was teamwork. Through world scholars cup we were with our teams throughout and everything was about having fun with them and working well with them, two things that I did.

Q. How are you preparing for world scholars cup this time while having experienced the global round last year?

A. I think having the knowledge and experience from last year’s competition I know how to prepare for the competitions. I am specifically spending a lot of time on the syllabus because I know from last time how specific and intense the questions can be. I am also making sure my team and I are collaborating and practicing all 4 events because we want to be ready and prepared for the competition this year.

Q. Do think World Scholars Cup is important for students to participate in?

A. I do think it is important to participate in the World Scholars Cup especially if one is interested in debating and new experiences. It really enhances a lot of your skills like critical thinking, collaboration, cooperation etc.

Online Brain Games Everyone Should Do

Brain training is important for us to turn inactive brain cells into healthy, active ones. The more you use your brains, the better your mental health. This helped improve many skills from memory to math to cognitive abilities. There are many brain training games that can be found online to help you do the same.

1. TextTwist 2

https://zone.msn.com/en/texttwist2/default.htm

If you enjoy playing Boggle on a board, you'll enjoy TextTwist 2. You have two minutes to make as many three-, four-, five-, and six-letter words as you can out of seven arbitrary letters. (The clock is optional; you can still play.) Gain extra points by creating a term that incorporates every letter. Check out these more healthy behaviours that have been shown to improve brain health to keep your mind in shape.

2. Tri-Peaks Solitaire

https://games.usatoday.com/games/tri-peaks-solitaire

Your mouse will move as quickly as your mind in this quick-moving game. The target: As rapidly as you can, move the cards from the three pyramids into your stack in numerical sequence; you score points for both speed and the amount of consecutive plays you make. There is a pile to restart the game if you get stuck.

3. Treasure Hunt

http://www.zigiz.com/en-EN/puzzle+games/27/treasurehunt.html

This straightforward memory game with a nautical theme will challenge your memory. Examine the items in a virtual chamber on a sunken pirate ship, then try to spot the differences in the area's most recent iteration. Stay sharp: You’ll get extra points for spotting gemstones hidden in the room. several kinds of games, along with several other brilliant practises that your 80-year-old brain will appreciate, can keep your mind youthful.

4. Entangled

https://www.kongregate.com/games/ahnt/entangled

This visual brain game, as its name suggests, tests your ability to "see" the correct repeated pattern among a variety of randomly arranged individual tiles. Rotate the tiles until there are no open ends and all loops are joined. After deciding on the degree of difficulty, start working on improving your visual-spatial and attentional abilities.

5. Anagram Crossword

https://games.aarp.org/games/anagram-crossword

You must create the word from the anagrams in each clue of this crossword puzzle. Your attention to detail and mental flexibility will be tested by this novel take on a traditional crossword problem, which will keep your executive functioning at its best.

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