A couple weeks ago I was given the forms to select classes for 9th grade (next year).  The process isn’t hard but can be a little tricky and requires you to juggle classes and make decisions, so I thought I’d provide some guidance.

• First of all, course selection does not mean you get to pick fun classes only.  You have to balance classes, as you still have to take classes like English and art.  There is no option of skipping a class or two.  At the same time, you do get some fun classes to select, especially later on (junior and senior years).
• You should start taking care of classes as soon  as possible.  For example, I hate art and music, but I have to finish at least one credit to graduate, so I chose my classes so I will finish one half credit of it this year.  Getting it out of the way gives you more options for your later years.
• If they are at all available, and you are capable, take honors courses.  They may be a bit faster paced and trickier, but they put you on a better track.  One honors class tends to lead to another, provided you pass.  These classes look better to colleges and on resumes, too.
• Don’t pick your your classes too ambitiously, as they can overwhelm you.  For example, I could have chosen Algebra II instead of my study, but I chose to keep my study so I wouldn’t be flooded with homework.  This is very true for freshmen, as we are new to the whole high school thing and are less prepared.  Later on, if you want to, feel free, but at first, I would avoid it.  Also, don’t focus too much on stuff like being valedictorian, as that will overwhelm you also.  Classes shouldn’t be rushed or overdone.

Now that you have my tips, do what you think is best, but keep these in mind…

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So, this is part two of my discussion of whether school projects are good or bad for students.  For those of you who haven’t read the first part, here is a brief summary: projects are very good for students, although they do have some negative aspects.  If you want to read it, here is the link.

Now, this part focuses on a specific aspect of projects: large portions of parental help and whether it is right or wrong. Based on my past experiences, I feel it is far more wrong than right.  But, I shall try not to be biased and list the pros and cons. (more…)

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This year in physics class, I have had a plethora of projects to do.  I made an egg-safety chamber, a catapult, a propeller powered car, a mousetrap powered car, and a bottle rocket.  So, I figured, “Why not write an article on the pros and cons of school projects?”  And guess what?  I wrote one!

First of all, I am going to list the pros, just to build up your little spirits and then crush them with the cons. (more…)

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The first thing to know: Visiting every college will be unique. Some provide tours and information sessions on a weekly schedule for which you can just show up, while others require registration in advance. At many colleges you can even schedule an interview, but there are also those who only offer off-campus interviews. It’s all very fickle; becoming familiar with each college’s Website will be necessary.

When you actually do visit a college, you will want to make the most of this visit. If you only have a few hours, a tour and information session is probably your best option. You should come armed with questions, but not the ones that you could discover with two clicks on their Web page. Oddly enough, one question that I feel isn’t addressed enough is the actual classroom atmosphere and workload. Both are certainly subjective, but getting an idea of the general teaching method of the school seems critical. After all, it’s the education that’s being paid for. Are students encouraged to work alone or in groups? How often are the teachers available to help?

If you will have more time than a couple hours, other alternatives might require some extra preparation but they will be well worth your while. The majority of colleges today actually have programs that allow potential students to spend the night in the dorms and really experience the life at that college. (This, of course, needs to be done while school is in session.) If you’re uncomfortable letting your child spend the night, though it might be good practice for the next year, there are still many more options to experience the atmosphere. You could make arrangements for your child to visit a class or eat in the dining hall.

If your son or daughter is working with a list of colleges scattered across the country, and you simply won’t be able to get to them all, don’t sweat it. As a countermeasure, many colleges offer online tours and ways to get into contact with current students to get an inside perspective. If all else fails, transfers are still a completely viable option!

P.S. Don’t forget to take notes and pictures so when the letters roll in you still remember what made each college stand out among the rest.

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Recently, in my English class, we were discussing what the rules for cell phones in school should be.  I believe that cell phones should be banned in school for they cause a multitude of problems.

Now, many parents believe students should carry cell phones in school because students need them for emergencies and getting picked up, but there are more down-sides than up-sides.  For example, texting in an emergency could cause a fatal panic. Imagine if all the parents showed up at a school because of a fire.  There would be no room for emergency workers and teachers to evacuate the kids!  Also, texting of a false emergency could cause a similar panic and other problems.

Classes would be heavily distracted, too.  Have you ever sat next to a talkative toddler on a four-hour plane flight?  Having a kid texting in class would be like that.  All you would hear is his or her phone chime repeatedly in the middle of the lesson and them talking on calls!  Also, kids would learn much less because  of distractions from talking and texting.

Finally, students could spread rumors and gossip around schools as fast as light!  Having a rumor spread about you is bad, so imagine if everyone knew it at once.  It would be horrible!  Also, kids could cheat off of tests by texting others the answer. Sure, you can use it as a calculator, but what about tests with no calculator rules!  There would be no stopping the rule-breaking.

Many school have made anti-cell phone rules to prevent these problems, though.  At first, in the early nineties, most schools banned cell phones. After the incident at Columbine, debate over students and cell phones increased. With the events of 9-11, some states allowed student cell phones, which allowed school districts to decide whether or not to give this privilege to their students.  Most schools have made an anti-cell phone rule, with support from the teachers.

At my school, phones are banned, although in my grade the rule is loosely enforced.  Also, most kids rebel.   Over eighty percent of students in my grade carries cell phones (turned on)  in school.

So, the question is, how do you feel about the issue?

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