Editorials/Opinion Pieces in this Publication: The Heroes Behind College Applications by Ava Grant Increased Productivity in the Morning by Nitya Cherukumalli Emotional Evaluation Mary Ellen Morrison Famous Fall Trends by Saina Srivastava
The Heroes Behind College Applications by Ava Grant
College applications are one of the most stressful times for high school seniors. It’s the time where they have to sell themselves to colleges so that they can be granted admissions. When students are granted admission into a school, everyone congratulates the students on their hard work, yet people forget to acknowledge the individuals who are a main part of that process- high school: guidance counselors. In a society that fails to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of these individuals, even the guidance counselors themselves at Spring Hill High School: Robin Lowman, Allison Johnson, Brandi Canfield, and Karen Fallaw, find it difficult to realize their own impact. With “five meetings a day” that can last anywhere from “twenty minutes to an hour,” these four individuals have a schedule packed with IGPs (individual graduation plan meetings) for their class of 2024 students, having to get through 65 to 75 students each in roughly a month. Yet, this is not all they do. Guidance counselors also have students in three other grade levels who wish to be seen and other seniors coming in for questions about their college applications and essays. While students continually ask to “come in,” it is difficult to find the time when they are preoccupied with senior meetings, college representatives visiting, and reviewing student’s applications. Additionally, for most students who plan to continue on to higher education, they have to write recommendations as well as review applications and academic statements. With everything going on during this busy time of year, students never hear these individuals complain. Even as parents continually email and call, and students ask questions, believing that these counselors have the answer to every question regarding every college and every major,they still find a way to try their best to answer questions and be there for every student. Attending college admissions panels with admissions counselors from specific schools, they do not have the answers to a lot of questions about the university including specific majors. Yet, parents and students alike have unrealistic expectations of our guidance counselors, believing that they should know everything about any question that they have. Even as it is obvious that school counselors cannot answer every question people have, they still spend their time, which they do not have with their tight schedules, to try to find the answers to each individual question. At Spring Hill High School these guidance counselors take their jobs very seriously. Putting everything into each application, these counselors will read over their letters of recommendation “five times over” in every attempt to make sure it is perfect. The work each student puts into an application is impressive, but the work guidance counselors put into all of these applications is even more so. “It’s exhausting but worth it” the guidance counselors at Spring Hill High School say to describe the process. But one of the most exhausting times is when decisions come out. “I do not know if stressed is the right word,” they say when describing decisions. More commonly they face “genuine concern” for students, especially those who might not get in. The disappointment students face when getting deferred or rejected “is hard and we feel it.” Guidance counselors are with students throughout the entire process of college admissions and the most difficult part of it is by far “deferrals and waitlist.” However, doing this for so many years with so many students these individuals know “it all works out” and that is one of the most difficult parts of the process for students to realize. These individuals do everything they can to not only support students when they apply, but to face the outcome of the decision as well. People always recognize the students for all their hard work and accomplishments when they get into their dream school. Although students' hard work is a major component of the process, people do not always see or notice the untold heroes behind college applications. It is important to recognize and appreciate the individuals who help students have a plan for post graduate studies and opportunities- high school guidance counselors.
Increased Productivity in the Morning by Nitya Cherukumalli
As a high school student, I mastered the art of procrastination. It all started in seventh grade when I would procrastinate the smallest amount of homework that my teachers would assign me. Back then, procrastination was something that did not reflect on my grades and learning capabilities, but now time management is needed as a sophomore in high school. For the past three years, I have been playing tennis for my high school team. This year, I realized that I truly have been struggling to pace myself through my homework. After coming home from tennis, I often was too exhausted to complete any of my work. I decided that I needed to somehow adjust my schedule to effectively use my time wisely. A new schedule that I have recently adopted during tennis season is sleeping and waking up earlier to efficiently complete any schoolwork. I slept around 9 p.m. and started waking up at 5 a.m. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), "... teenagers aged 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours per 24 hours” (Sleep in Middle and High School Students, 2020). With this new sleep schedule, I was able to adequately gain around 7 hours of sleep without losing any of my study time. The first time I woke up at 5 a.m., I could barely open my eyes and it was a struggle to climb out of bed. Although I made it a habit of waking up early, I slowly was able to complete my schoolwork with ease. Previously, when I would study after tennis I developed the urge to play on my phone or watch TV, but this differs from the morning when I am more productive and less prone to distractions. I realized that I was able to complete my schoolwork in half the time with my new schedule because I felt more fresh and focused in the mornings. According to a successful entrepreneur, John Rampton, “...Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson starts every day at 3:30 a.m., Apple, Tim Cook, rises at 3:45 a.m., Ellevest CEO and co-founder Sallie Krawcheck gets up at 4 a.m... (Rampton, 2023). These successful figures have been able to curate a routine where they could be more healthy, proactive, and energetic. Starting the day with a productive and energetic morning will allow for a rewarding rest of the day. Procrastination is also heightened in the evenings, “Based on six days of daily task records, it was found that evening people tend to be worse procrastinators”(Rampton 2023). This emphasizes that in the evenings there is more time that is available to complete work, which allows the body to slow in pace. This differs in the mornings when the mind and body are fresh which allows for increased productivity. Although waking up early is not for everyone, it has made my days much more productive and filled with energy. The next time you are feeling too sleepy in the night to complete your school work, try sleeping and waking up earlier and discover the various benefits. CDC. “Sleep in Middle and High School Students.” Www.cdc.gov, 10 Sept. 2020, www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/features/students-sleep.htm#:~:text=How%20much%20sleep%20someone%20needs. Rampton, John. “Yes, You Are More Productive in the Morning. Here’s Why.” Entrepreneur, 27 Feb. 2023, www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/yes-you-are-more-productive-in-the-morning-heres-why/444737#:~:text=The%20reason%20this%20makes%20sense.
Emotional Evaluation Mary Ellen Morrison
Emotions. Such a subjective yet subconscious human experience. Just a few years ago I would have told you expressing emotions marks a state of weakness. I found being too angry made me dangerous, being overy happy made me a looser, and even crying out of grief to make me fragile. However, after extensive research and getting the opportunity to speak to different doctors about their view points on emotions I have come to the conclusion that the expression of emotions is one of the most powerful things a person can do. Being able to not only express emotions but also be able to control how they are expressed shows an abundance of strengh, rather than just holding in emotions and having no control over when they present themselves. This ability to respond to adversities and triumphs and having the will power to express those emotions not only alone and with others shows true mental strength. So why is there this societal construct of emotion signifying weakness? One of the simplest answers is generational trauma. Looking back all the way into the early 1900s, when the United States quite literally entered a state of shell shock, parents weren’t always the most receptive of any form of emotion simply because of the state of the world. In turn, leading to their kids not being able to fully express their feelings. This generational lack of emotion has been passed down consistently for generations, but is finally reaching a stalling point as a more progressive generation is taking over. Not expressing the true versions of ourselves is an embodiment of the generations before us and their restriction of feelings. Hence why, the only true way to permit the acceptance of personal reactions to the events of today is to break the cycle that has built this global tendency of fearing to be judged based on a normal human reaction. I think my generation going out of their way to train our sons and daughters to use their strength to control their emotional expressions is the only way this cycle is going to end.
Famous Fall Trends by Saina Srivastava
It’s time for one of the best times of the year: fall. The leaves are turning beautiful orange, red, and yellow hues, the days are a little cooler, and the bugs are slowly going away. This means, that as summer fun fades away, fall trends emerge. But just how worth it are some of these? So I compiled a list of fall trends that I’ve seen on social media over the years, and determined for myself. Now, I do want to mention that these are my personal opinions and that they can vary from person to person.
Famous fall trends:
Pumpkin spiced lattes: as soon as the promise of the fall equinox arises, coffee shops everywhere release their version of the drink. So to check up the hype, I got myself some, and I will say, it is a drink for pumpkin lovers (which I am not). However, the blend of spices, and the flavor of the cinnamon, does elevate this drink. It’s worth the attention it gets. 7/10
Pumpkin Carving: this one is a fan favorite. I don’t think I’ve come across a person who’s against pumpkin carving. Personally, it’s worth the hype; however, as someone whose art skills are sub-par at best, the experience is fun, not the end result. The end result can be a horror franchise of its own.
Painting pumpkins: okay this one is the BEST. Alongside going to a pumpkin patch with family/friends, this has to be one of the best things to do in the fall. I love it. It’s always so nice, and a great binding experience with whomever you’re with. Or even just alone. It’s so fun, so it’s definitely worth the hype.
Haunted Houses: I can’t give a glowing review on this one. I know a lot of lovers of haunted houses, and they’re a fun fall activity for those who can stomach it. Personally, I think they’re a little overrated. That being said, as a concept, they’re great.
These were some of the most famous fall trends that I’ve seen, and once again, they’re my personal opinions. However, this is the best season to try them all and formulate your own opinions. After all, fall is the season of exploration!