A month into the school year, it feels like I just transferred schools.
It could be the new schedule that requires more focus and productivity. Maybe it could be the new teachers and students. Nevertheless, at least for my form, I feel like we were prepared for the change, to a certain degree.
I haven’t seen many people in my class forget homework assignments, come to class late, or do poorly on summer assessments. Honestly, it’s the exact opposite: in almost all of my classes, only a few students thought the summer assessments were difficult, and the challenging ones were diagnostic. Then again, compared to the homework load and difficulty of classes compared to Fourth and Fifth Form, it could be an entirely different story.
“Nonetheless, many of my friends have been doing well so far, and they’re doing well both on the field and in the classroom. “
STANLEY HU ’29
Since the activity-credit requirement for Third and Fourth Formers has jumped to three this year, choosing an extracurricular activity has grown more difficult, and balancing those commitments with academics will be even more demanding.
Nonetheless, many of my friends have been doing well so far, and they’re doing well both on the field and in the classroom.
But every day necessitates sacrifice. If you want to finish your homework but also talk to your friends, it’s sleep that you must sacrifice.
On the other hand, if you want to finish your homework and get a full eight hours of sleep, there’s less time to spend on social media.
Mostly, I find myself trying to do all my easier work in school and finishing bigger assignments at home. When I come back from squash at 9:30, the motivation to do anything is gone. Many of my peers can relate.
If I had one tip to advise the underclassmen or people struggling with the new workload and schedule, it would be to try to be more efficient.
Take advantage of those new ASBs at the end of the day and take a stab at a bit of your homework. Even if it’s 20%, 10%, or 5%, it’s worth it. Every percent finished accumulates before you know it.
During free blocks and in class time, try finishing easy assignments. And yes, you’re going to be tired (who isn’t?), but it’s still important to take that next step, no matter how small or insignificant, and inch forward. At the end of the day, doing something is better than doing nothing.
Eventually, by the weekend or sometimes at the end of the day, you will feel relaxed and energetic instead of tired because you won’t have fifteen lingering assignments waiting for you back at home.
So, it’s been one month into the school year. How are you doing?
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