Showing posts with label high school life. Show all posts
Things to Do During the Summer (If You Are a Student)
For some, summer is vacation time. You can finally sleepy really late and not worry about any deadline for tomorrow. However, for us students, it’s a bit different. We never really get a break with deadlines until we graduate high school. For that reason, I’m going to give you some advice on how to make the most out of your summer as a high school student.
1. Volunteer
If I have any regrets during my high school years, it’s the fact that I didn’t do my volunteer work during the summer. It was a bit too late when I found out that there AREN'T a lot of volunteer opportunities for students during the school year. Sure there are some, but imagine having a volunteer work that requires more time than school itself. I remember being frustrated about getting enough hours for volunteer requirement whilst finding extra time to study for my exams. Remember, we, as high school students, always have to prioritize what will help us towards our graduation. Think twice before you book that vacation. Think of the 30hrs required volunteer work for graduation.
2. Summer School
One advantage of going to summer school is you only have to do 2 months to complete a course. Think of the classes that you want to improve your grades on or credits that you need to fulfill in order to complete the graduation requirement. If you feel that you are tired from the last year and desperately need a break, just remember that you are only going to be doing it for 2 months! You might even have lots of free blocks when you return to school.
3. Work
Working is also a good option for your summer. You can start earning money for expenses you will have for the next year or you can save it for your tuition fee when you get out. You might even have to say no to student loan if you have enough savings or use it to pay for your textbooks.
4. Prepping for College
I know that most of the things I’ve already said is about preparing for graduation. Nevertheless, if you’re planning to go to college, it’s important that you take the time to research your prospective university or college. Don’t be one of those students who leave their planning at the very last minute and so unfortunately for them, it was too late when they found out they have to meet requirements, not just for graduation, but requirements the college itself has imposed (e.g. a certain grade in English 12 or Math 12 or extracurricular activities to buff your application ) There are lots of people you can get help from such as your high school counsellor, a counsellor from your prospective college or current students who are there.
5. Extra Curricular Activities
Of course, summer is still summer. Don’t stay too much inside your home and bury your face in your phones, TV, or books. During the school year, you probably spent your time doing repetitive actions (i.e. wake up, eat, school, eat, home, sleep). It is important for your body that it gets some actual exercise. Remember that you also need to unwind after that stressful school year. Get up and do something under the sun. It maybe sports, community work, or just walking your dog. Most importantly, ECE’s are also a requirement for graduation. Ask you counsellor how many hours a week you have to accomplish.
There’s a lot of pressure for us high school students. As immigrants, the pressure is even a tad bit more because there’s this feeling that we are just getting started on this new chapter of our lives and there are already tons of things we have to accomplish such as the things mention above, and what makes it hard is that we haven’t completely settled in yet – at least emotionally. So don’t feel too worried if you’re not meeting everything on time. You just have to pause, think, and plan wisely. Get some help from high school counsellors or you can maybe visit our website! We have tons of blogs that are full of tips on how to make the most out of your high school experience. All are written by immigrants! So yes, we know exactly how you feel. Go on and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Tips For High School New Immigrants
I’ve been writing advice articles for years, but every now and then new realizations hit me. Since I’m now older and wiser, I think and believe these new ideas of mine could help you guys and save you some time.
1. There is no shame in summer school
This shame in summer school belief may not be shared by everyone. From where I came from, summer school is somehow apprehended with a little bit of reluctance. Everybody knows that you’re there because you’re in remedial or repeating a class you failed. No one is there to do advance class. When I first got here, I almost cried when I found out I’m going to summer school. Then I realized, it was for the better. I was there to catch up with my credits so I could graduate in time. Moreover, no one should be ashamed in school during the summer. You’re doing it to better yourself, and, aside from that, you get to make new friends from different schools!
2. Eating alone in the hallway is not recommended
I know this may not sound true to introverts, but as a fellow introvert and an immigrant, it would only make you feel sad to eat alone during lunch break. When I was in high school, I never ate in the cafeteria. I never got the chance to meet someone new during lunch breaks. I remember once I was eating by myself in the stairwell. A sad background music is the only thing that’s missing to make a depressing emo music video. I thought to myself, "this has to stop". So I begged my high school counsellor to find me friends. Best decision I did in high school (and taking planning 10 online :P)
3. Decreasing your credit/term load is not always a good thing
When I got into grade 12, I finally got the chance to have free blocks. I thought I didn’t have to take classes that were not necessary. I thought all I needed really was English 12, the rest were electives. Boy, I was wrong. I wish I took an Accounting 12 or Pre-Calculus 12 then I would probably have something to write on my résumé as experience or have prerequisites for college courses. Although, spending all those hours reading in the library is a joy too. The caveat is know what credits or classes you need to take before embarking on a schedule with lots of free blocks.
4. Make friends outside your circle
For us immigrants, we tend to be friends with the same people like we are. How can that be wrong? We know that birds of the same feather flock together. I was content with the friends that I have in school that I never bothered making new ones in my classes. Now, I can literally say I only have six friends. I don’t have anyone to talk to when they’re busy. I didn’t have friends or even acquaintance in my classes that they weren’t in. Learn from my mistake and step out of your comfort zone and make new friends that are not immigrants like you. You’ll have more connections and more strings to pull when you need it in the future. I know that sounded like a crude business person advice, but we have to accept that connections are important in the adult world, especially when you’re an immigrant.
5. Your GPA does not define you
Like any other parents, mine want me to get good grades. B+ is not good enough. I get sad when I’m not in the honour roll even though I knew I worked hard. I got so obsessed with getting good grades that I was not learning anymore. Being in school should mean that we are learning life lessons that we can use when we’re done schooling. I got so fed up with only wanting high grades that I can’t even remember what I learned about last term. And when I finally got into the honour roll, it wasn’t much that gratifying. What’s a grade on a paper going to do when you’re finally out of school and have to do everything on your own? Besides, there are a lot of factors that determine your grades, and your intelligence is not the sole predictor of it.
I’m sure that sometime in the future, I will find some new realizations and I’ll be glad to share it with you again. For now, I encourage you guys to take these suggestions into consideration and keep your head high! High school is not a place to dread for! Good luck.
- Anonymeh
Does Culture Affect School Performance?
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| Photo Credits: Ryan Mcguire |
At school, when Asian kids get an “A” in a math test,
other classmates explain it as: “because they’re Asian.” I think it has nothing
to do with races. Just because they are Asian, it doesn’t mean that they don’t
work hard to get good grades. Getting good grades rely heavily on the hard
work. They work hard so they deserve higher grades.
But you don’t have to be a “stereotype” to do well in
school. Different people value education differently. They have
different studying philosophies, each with its own advantage and disadvantage. Most people
in Asia think that more homework means more practices, which leads to better
grades. But students will be stressed from heavy work load. They don’t get
any practical work. So it will be hard for them to get a job in the future. On
the other hand, people in Western Countries prefer more extracurricular
activities outside of school. So students can have time to explore their possible career options and just enjoy their free time. The disadvantage is that students in Western
Country grew up in a friendly environment, so they are not as disciplined as
the Asian Students. Some students don’t take studying seriously. In conclusion,
it’s important to learn from each other.
 |
| Photo Credits: Ryan Mcguire |
One disadvantage of being a stereotypical Asian kid is
that you are pressured from parents and relatives. It’s really common to see
parents comparing their children with the other parents. Even when you are
young, they will ask you to plan your future. Parents expect their kids to be a
doctor, an engineer, etc. I think it’s really unnecessary. Kids should have
their freedom of perusing what they love. So when talking about stereotypical youth immigrants, you have to think about their stereotypical parents as well.
People tend to think of
stereotypical youth immigrants as well-disciplined and hard working. And I think
that is a good thing. By having those good habits, we can succeed in school and
have a bright future.
Step Up Your Game (A Guide on Breaking the Ice)
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| Photo courtesy of: The Gouger |
First of all, the author wants to establish that this guide will not promise a hundred percent success result and that she will not be held responsible for the consequences of your action. Anonymeh also wants to acknowledge that this guideline might not work for everyone although it has been proven and tested to be effective... for her. So good luck and may the odds be always in your favour.
Hello
everyone! Lately, I’ve realised that one factor as to why us, teenage
immigrants, are rather desolated when we first get here is that, we don’t have
friends. (Nice one, Sherlock)
What I’m
trying to say is, when youth immigrants migrate to a new place, most of them do
not know anyone in that place besides their family. And that’s why I’m going to
give you tips on how to make friends or at least how to approach people! YAY! (Not
to be too self-serving, but these tips will be extra useful now that another
school year has just started!)
1. Bring 10 kilos of gum
- Effectivesness: 6/10
- Cons: You got to spend to buy gums
I know all of you have heard the gum technique, sometimes they work, and sometimes you’ll end up offending the other person “What you saying man? I have a bad breath?” (but hey, you
got to take risks!) On a serious note, I think this is a nice way to get to
know people especially during class. When the class is boring, a gum is like suddenly
the best thing you could have in your life. Alas, bring that gum and show how
generous you are with your classmates.
2. Wear a cool shirt
- Effectiveness: 7/10
- Cons: It’s hard to find a cool shirt
3. Say ‘bless you’ to someone who sneezed
- Effectiveness: 5/10
- Cons: It’s awkward
4. Borrow a pencil
- Effectiveness: 8/10
- Cons: You’re not really making a good name for yourself if you show up on the first day of class with no pencil or pen
I heard that
there’s a psychological trick that you can get someone to like you by borrowing
a pencil from them. Maybe this is because it induces a feeling that they (the
lenders) are doing something good for someone and now you (the borrower)
somehow owe something to them. Nevertheless, borrowing a pencil can be a great
friendship starter. You can give it back to them the next day and pretend you
forgot to bring one again then voila! Conversation! And they most likely will remember
you.
5. Wear a smile
- Effectiveness: 10/10
- Cons: Your cheek bones might get tired
What does,
basically, anyone tell you when you go to an unknown place and are supposed to
make friends? SMILE! Yes, you have to smile. It’s the international sign for
“Hello, I am friendly”. Always wear a smile when you execute one of my advices
from above. Or just do it all the time! It’s scientifically proven to be good
for your health!
6. Just start the conversation
- Effectiveness: 10/10
- Cons: NO CONS!
Sometimes
you just don’t realise that the other party might be the one who is shy. I
myself am someone who doesn’t like to be the one to initiate a conversation. So
you just have to have the guts and say hello. Ask them their names or classes –
who knows, you might be in the same class!
So that’s it
mate! I wish the odds to be always in your favour and keep that cheeks smiling.
If everything else fails just contact me and I’ll be your dear friend.
- Anonymeh
- Patrick Star, Spongebob
New Beginnings, New Challenges, New Life
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| Tim Shields |
Another
year has gone by and each New Year means a new start, a new resolution and
maybe a change in our goals. We often make new resolutions and set new goals such as improving
our attitude to be more sociable, or focusing on and excelling in our studies, or
even just learning something new, something that we have never tried. Moreover, some of you who are reading this might be looking forward to start a new life in another country. And that is
what I am writing about, my new life in Canada.
I
moved to Canada during the summer in 2013. I’m from Sabah, Malaysia and yes,
there are not much people from Sabah in Canada. I’m half Chinese and half Sabah
native, which is quite unique. Anyways, when I moved here I didn’t want to go
outside because it was too cold and I was not used to the weather. I started
out quite rough because I knew no one here, and I couldn’t speak my own
language except for my own family. I had zero knowledge about Canada, all I
knew is they loved maple syrup.
Just kidding!
I spent two
months locked up in my room most of the time and admittedly, there times when I cried because I missed my friends back in Sabah. It was quite challenging to accept the
fact that I'm so far from home.
Despite
all those barriers, I managed to overcome them in no time. My dad and I went to
Vancouver School Board to arrange my school documents. At the Vancouver School
Board, we found out about this event called Newcomer Orientation Week which was
held in August. The event was for students and teens who were new to Canada. There were activities, workshops, and helpful guides for them to have an awesome kick start in
Canada.
To be honest, I
was reluctant at first and I didn’t want to go because I was so shy. But I
forced myself to go and guess what? It was the best decision I’ve made because
it opened my eyes to so many new things. I learned that the government trains students to do volunteer work and helps them grow in terms of socializing with
crowds and boosting their confidence. Even though these students come from
different backgrounds or even different schools, they were still able to
communicate and work together well. It was a huge turning point for me and my
way of thinking. They taught me that we all face difficult challenges but with
perseverance, we could get through it easily, and that there will always be someone
to help you, only if you ask for it.
When
I started school, I felt the same type of homesickness that I did during my
first week of stay here in Canada. I’m currently in grade 11, studying at a
secondary school in East Vancouver. I started in September of 2013 and was
absolutely dumbfounded by the size of the school when I first saw it. To me, it
was huge because my former school in my motherland was small. I looked like a
lost child when I was roaming around the halls, looking for my class. I even
went in the wrong class for 2 weeks! I was very quiet and shy in the beginning.
Thankfully, I managed to make a friend! It took quite a while for me to adjust
in a new environment. I started socializing with more students when I was in
P.E class actually. Students were very friendly to me; they just come up to you
and sparked up a conversation, which was a surprise. And I learned from them, I
started to talk more and more in class and gradually became confident bit by
bit. If you are new student and are struggling to make friends, you have to be
patient and not give up easily. It is hard, but with patience and kindness, you’ll
find the right friends at the right time.
I guess I wrote this because I would like to encourage you to be courageous. Don’t doubt
yourself. Just go for it. Keep yourself busy with volunteer
works, sports, and roaming around Vancouver to appreciate its beauty. Discover new things by joining clubs in school such as
tech club, choir, dance team or even a leadership club. It is all worth it and
plus, it’s free! And if possible, get a summer job because you will gain
experience and learn new things besides earning money. Try to socialize more
too! And you must, MUST, try ice-skating. Even though I fell so many times when I tried it, I still had real fun. You should visit the PNE too and try the ‘Hellavator’. That is all from me
and I hope to write for you again next time!
- Sharon
- Sharon
