Freshman year is not easy for everyone, and the key to getting through it is being unafraid to ask for help. If you or someone you know is having a hard time balancing everything, reach out to a Wingspan senior or any seniors that you trust for advice. We have been there too, and we are here to help you navigate your high school experience.
How do you juggle everything?
— Genna Campbell
Keeping up with the coursework that comes with freshman year is not easy, especially when you start stacking extracurriculars on top of that. I like to build schedules and routines for myself and it has helped me stay organized without getting overwhelmed the last four years. My favorite way to keep things in order is by carrying a personal planner to keep track of events, and creating lists of assignments and their due dates whenever things start to get stressful for me.
What can I do to make school easier?
—Cooper Levan
A lot of times, it helps to take a step back and remind yourself that you are more valuable as a person than as a grade. School can be important without ruling your life and free time. However, studying also helps take some of the stress off of your shoulders. The library offers extended learning opportunities after school where snacks are provided, and Julie Staats, the librarian, can answer any questions about ELO. Most teachers are also willing to help with assignments that you might be struggling with or stressing about, so remembering to reach out for help when you need it is important as well.
How should I go about controlling my anxiety?
Controlling anxiety can be very case dependent because the sources can be different. However, if you’re experiencing anxiety related to school, I would recommend taking a few deep breaths, working in some study breaks and making sure you’re getting enough rest. Remember that you’re human, and you’re allowed to do human things. If you ever need immediate help or help beyond advice, reach out to any trusted adults at home, work or school and let them know what’s going on. We are all here to help you.
Why [is there] so much homework?
Honestly, there aren’t a lot of great answers to this question. As I’ve experienced, the homework is fairly dependent on the course and what is required in each subject or class but generally homework helps the teachers gauge how effective their teaching is. Additionally, it serves as extra practice outside of class so that when tests roll around you know the material and are fully prepared. Remembering that grades aren’t everything helps relieve the stress of getting things wrong, but do also remember that getting things wrong is part of the process of learning. Staying on top of your homework by getting it done instead of pushing it off for the last second is a great way to stay organized and keep yourself from getting overwhelmed by deadlines; it also gives you time to ask questions and have your teachers give you clarification on specific assignments.
