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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Every year, after Christmas, families rush to the mall to return unwanted, unloved, or duplicate gifts.  Now, this seems normal, but many kids don’t tell you what they really dislike, and others are just rude when they tell you this.

Many kids don’t tell anyone if they received an item they did not like, had another of, or find goofy.  Now, kids do this for a variety of reasons.  Some kids are afraid they’ll hurt the gift giver’s feelings for telling anyone this, and they don’t want to do that to anyone, especially family.  My younger brother, for example, didn’t tell my parents he didn’t want Tony Hawk Ride because he thought he would hurt their feelings. (more…)

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It’s Christmastime again!  But, unfortunately, along with Christmas come the bad and corny gifts given to teens worldwide!  Behold, the article that shall stop that.

So, first I shall list my top five worst gifts.

1. Socks: Most teens do not want socks.  We would rather buy them than receive them as a present. (Yes, even if they have cute puppies or menacing skulls.) Don’t believe me? Consumer Reports discovered that socks were the most offensive and disappointing gifts that people received in 2005! (more…)

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