Dear Freshmen,: Issue 1, The Strategies for Balancing School, Navigating New Classes, and Nurturing Friendships
1. Online Editor-In-Chief Hannah Kim answers the question: “How do you make more friends as you get older? Is it harder to maintain friendships when you get older?”
I think as you get older, the pressure to make a lot of friends and have secure relationships dies down as things naturally settle. I think it actually gets easier to maintain friendships. At least in my life, I think most people my age have come to a mutual understanding that you’re not gonna be available 24/7 and everyone has a lot going on in their lives that relationships are not as time-consuming. This doesn’t mean that relationships become more shallow or that they’re compromised, but a lot of times people have different priorities and everyone is working hard for their own goals.
New friendships happen naturally, and although drifting apart from some friends is a part of growing up for most people, most friendships are maintained with compassion in a way that isn’t forced. If you find yourself forcing a relationship to happen or putting effort into a one-sided friendship, it might be best to let things run their course and let whatever happens.
2. Online Editor-In-Chief Hannah Kim answers the question: “How do I balance school, social life, sports and a job? How can I do everything when it’s so time-consuming?”
Although it can definitely get overwhelming, I recommend first and foremost taking things day by day. I’m an avid planner so when I get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to get done I make a list of goals for the school year. Then, I put long-term deadlines into my Google calendar (ex. if a test is weeks away). Then, I make plans for each week: if you have a job or play a sport, write down what evenings you have work or practice. Make a study and sleep schedule around those non-negotiable activities in the week. Then, focus on each day only. Don’t worry about the things you have to do tomorrow unless it is tomorrow.
Naturally, there will be some days open (even if it may be only 1 day a week), and this is where you can find time for yourself and your social life. Also, remind yourself not every test or assignment is the end of the world. You have the power to decide if you want to do an assignment or if keeping your job is worth it.
Personally, I know even my schedule isn’t perfect. I don’t sleep 8 hours every night and I sometimes find myself begrudgingly turning down invitations due to the schoolwork I have to complete that night. You have to decide for yourself what’s more important to you and what sacrifices to make. Although the schedule I have may not be the most fun every day, ultimately it is more fulfilling for me and that’s why I follow it. I understand it can get miserable some days so it is important to take a break and allow yourself days off to simply do nothing.
3. Online Editor-In-Chief Hannah Kim answers the question: “How do you handle new classes?”
When introduced to unfamiliar classes, start by discovering how to study for them and what works for you and what doesn’t. If you think it’s going to be a more challenging class, start out doing everything the teacher tells you to and use all the resources available. Then, as you get acclimated and learn more about your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to that class, you can stop doing certain things that might be unnecessary for you. Go into the class with expectations that it will be hard and really try to pay attention for the first few days or weeks.
