Spotlight
March 2023
Page 4
Spring brings transitions everywhere Juniors and seniors are looking ahead, while middle schoolers are anticipating freshman year KYA MERRIMAN Staff Reporter Now that second semester is almost halfway done, eighth graders are starting to think about life at the high school. The following is a list of advice about transitioning to the high school.
Do not take yourself so seriously Try to have some fun, it is important to make memories in high school. These four years give endless opportunities to make memories to last a lifetime. It may be cheesy to think about now, but looking back in the future, people will be thankful they had fun. People who take life too seriously will miss out on life-changing memories and lessons. Get outside every once in a while. Going to athletics and school events can be great catalysts for making friends and new connections. Make the time spent at school a little more enjoyable.
Don't overwork yourself When something is assigned, do everything possible to finish it in class. The less school work that has to be done outside of school, the more free time will be available. Try not to procrastinate. Procrastination is usually not going to be beneficial in the grand scheme of things. Leaving loads of work until the last minute will only cause problems in the future! Protect future well-being by doing school work when it’s assigned or as soon as possible. People who pace themselves are less likely to feel overworked and overwhelmed.
Don’t overthink this entire process Things will get in the way; it’s inevitable. This might be anything from challenging assignments to toxic relationships. Life happens, but in order to persevere and do what is best, it is important
• • • • • • • • • •
• "Being responsible” • “Waking up a bit later and seeing familiar faces from Ritenour Middle” “I am looking forward to the experience but also getting it over with.” “Fun activities” “Prom, homecoming, and graduation.” “Being more independent.” “The support they have there.” “Orchestra.” “The soccer team.” “To get taller.” “Freedom.” “The entire experience. Bigger school, more people, new learning, opportunities, sports games, etc.”
to push through and not get caught in a mental funk. Everyone is going through similar situations. Overthinking struggles and issues that may occur can hold people back. Trust the process.
healthy and relaxed mind, it may struggle to make these decisions.
Ask for help when you need it
Work hard for what you want Nothing is going to come easy. To be successful, whatever that looks like individually, it will require hard work. Putting in the effort is tough sometimes, but it will pay off. There are things that can be done to help create success. Taking schooling seriously now may be the connection to making future paychecks and a dream career. Seize the day now, because it may be harder in the future. It’s never too late to make steps in the right direction.
Stick with the right crowd Don’t get involved with people who are not going to push you to be the best version of yourself. The people that students get involved with should not jeopardize their future. Those people should not be forcing impressionable young minds into making questionable life decisions. Instead, choose people who are optimistic and positive, people who will are uplifting, and people who celebrate successes. High school is a time when personalities are shaped and friend groups have a large influence on that.
Prioritize your mental health There won’t always be someone to help in times of need, so high school students have to watch out for themselves. Students who are always going and going without a break might find that their body and mind will begin to wear. In cases like that, try taking an hour or two during the week to do something that brings individual joy, like gaming or hanging out or being creative. High school can be extremely overwhelming and stressful, so ensuring that mental health is taken care of will help to prevent unnecessary stress and keep the mind healthy. The human brain makes very important decisions and actions on a daily basis and without a
No one is going to judge people for needing help. It is better to speak up and self-advocate than to suffer alone. The point of school is to challenge students so they can learn new skills and information. Sometimes these challenges may seem daunting and scary to face alone, so it would be beneficial to ask for help from a peer or adult. There is no shame in this. That is what teachers are there for, to help students learn and face challenges headon. Suffering in silence never helps the situation. The problem doesn’t get solved and it can become more stressful or frustrating. These problems can be school related and even socio-emotional based. Either way there are resources within the school and community that can help. Try seeing a teacher or guidance counselor when in the face of a challenge. Don’t be scared to ask for help.
Be involved but not too involved Being involved in sports and extracurriculars can enrich the mind and provide a unique experience for high school. It can also beef up college applications and even supply leeway for scholarships. However, if too many extracurriculars and activities take away any free time, they can lead to stress. Ensure that there is enough time to focus on school work and mental and physical health. Time for personal care and relaxation is very important in these detrimental years and development. Without this relaxation time, it could lead to a loss of motivation. Mental health and physical health is ultimately more important than that extracurricular activity, no matter how good it looks on a college application.
Excited FERNANDA ITURRIETA Anxious KATRINA KESSELRING
Anxious
Nervous
NATALI LOZANO REYES
EMILY GARCIA Apathetic ARYANA WILSON Worried
ALEXIS KIMANI
Happy SENSERIA NEAL Proud JEREMIAH HILL Nervous HAYDEN MINTON
Excited ARIAH LINDSEY
Confused ALVIN NGUYEN