The Academic: Issue 5 by The Academic

To anyone who has ever had contact with this publication: new and returning readers, current and past staff members, teachers, friends, and family members alike. We could have never made it this far without each and every one of you. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Meadow and Sydney

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

‫םולש‬ Ciao

bonjour

Salve

你好 Hallå

Hello ‫ابحرم‬

こんにちは LLLLLL

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The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

EDITORS’ NOTE Written by Meadow Pendley | Medscottie and sydney Gerbel | boardinGschoolblr L ayout by allyson arroGante | allydsGn

Dear readers, We are proud to announce that The Academic has officially completed its first trip around the sun. 366 days ago, we published Issue 1 after a few short weeks of utter chaos. Today, we present to you Issue 5. The differences between our introductory issue and this anniversary issue are remarkable, and we are so glad you have made this journey with us. This year, we have received 25,000 reads — from more than 80 different countries — over the course of four issues. We are blown away by these numbers, and we are eternally grateful for every read, message, and positive thought sent our way. It has been a phenomenal year for our team, with tremendous growth as a publication, as people, and as members of an ever-growing family. We would like to send out a special thank you to every person who has ever worked on this project, as we appreciate your efforts regardless of how long you remained on staff. In total, we have had the pleasure of working with 60 staff members other than ourselves, and have had a great time getting to know such intelligent and inspiring individuals in the studyblr community. These staff members were — or may still be — writers, editors, designers, publicists, proofreaders, and photographers. Needless to say, their contributions are what enable us to continue making the zine, and we will be forever thankful for their work. Of our original staff, there are five remaining: the two of us, Cailee Dela Cruz, Joanna Tasmin, and Candyce Zotz. These incredible young women have become some of our best friends, and we want to acknowledge their successes with regards to both the zine and to their academia.

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The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

Cailee’s writing has improved immeasurably in just a short year, as you will be able to clearly see in her article. She was also accepted to her university program of choice, which was a well-deserved accomplishment. As the oldest member of our staff, we have both a friend and advisor in Cailee, whose advice we often seek. Candyce has been our knight in shining armor too many times to count, and her design skills have improved significantly. Whenever something needs to get done, it is likely that Candyce has finished it already. Her dedication is unmatched, and we could not be more appreciative of her contributions to this publication. Joanna’s graphics, especially, have improved tenfold, and her layouts have become more professional with each issue. As the youngest staff member, Jo is like a little sister to all of us, and we admire her dedication to both the magazine and to her meticulously crafted bullet journal. In addition to the original Issue 1 staff members, there are other noteworthy individuals on this issue’s team that have had significant importance to us. Allyson Arrogante, our Art Director, is the constant bundle of energy that keeps us going. Without her endless supply of contagious positivity, we may not have overcome the numerous obstacles of Issue 5. Samantha Mitchell, our Editing Director, has also had another successful issue on staff. After transferring to a new university, she still manages to help us keep out written content in top shape, which we cannot thank her enough for. We couldn’t be more proud to call these people – and our readers – our family. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for an amazing year, and look forward to the future of The Academic.

LOVE,

Meadow and Sydney

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

Meet the

Staff LLLLLL

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The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

EDITORS IN CHIEF 17 | Georgia | Joined Issue 1 Becoming friends with all of the staff, particularly Issue 1 alumni, and being accepted to Agnes Scott!

17 | Chicago, IL | Writing Director | Joined Issue 1 Working for the zine and building friendships with the staff!

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

WRITERS 22 | SK, Canada | Here since Issue 1 Being accepted into the program for my degree!

17 | Ohio | Here since Issue 3 Getting into university in three countries!

16 | Scottsdale, AZ | Here since Issue 5 Spending three weeks in England for an orchestral camp!

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WRITERS 20 | Dallas, TX | Joined Issue 5 Taking an astrophysics course in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan!

17 | New Jersey | Joined Issue 5 Taking new classes and discovering what I want to do in the future!

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EDITORS 20 | Illinois | Editing Director | Joined Issue 3 Transferring to a new university!

20 | Virginia | Joined Issue 3 Joining the zine staff and surviving my first year (and a half) of university!

17 | California | Joined Issue 3 Being involved in the zine and taking action to enjoy myself more!

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EDITORS 16 | New Jersey | Joined Issue 4 Taking vocal lessons and visiting colleges!

17 | Virginia | Joined Issue 5 Spending more time doing the things I enjoy!

16 | Washington, D.C. | Joined Issue 5 Taking great classes and competing on my schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech team!

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DESIGNERS 20 | San Antonio, TX | Art Director | Joined Issue 2 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve really gained confidence and a higher level of self-esteem as a person and a designer with this magazine and my school work!

16 | Frisco, TX | Assistant Art Director | Joined Issue 1 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy to say that I was able to thoroughly recover from my mental illnesses!

15 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Joined Issue 1 Getting through the first year of high school!

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DESIGNERS 17 | California | Joined Issue 3 I was able to attend two of my favorite artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concerts!

18 | MNL, Philippines | Joined Issue 3 I got into college in the States!

16 | Indonesia | Joined Issue 4 Joining The Academic staff and experiencing senior year!

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DESIGNERS 17 | Taiwan | Joined Issue 4 Happy about being accepted into The Academic and hitting 10k+ followers on my blog!

Jennifer Liu

15 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Joined Issue 5 Very delighted about being accepted into the zine!

17 | Boston, MA | Joined Issue 5 Happy about getting accepted into the zine and becoming an ambassador for The Travel Women!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS i

Dedication

iii - iv

Editors’ Note

v - xiii

Meet the Staff

2-4

About Your Major: A Discussion on Passion

5 - 11

Get a Job, Step Zero: Internships

12 - 13

Pro Tips for Presentations

14 - 16

SAT or ACT: Which Test is Right for You? Part Two: The SAT

18 - 23

A Student’s Guide to Understanding American Politics

24 - 28

What’s Next? Moving on from College Rejection

29 - 32

Is a Gap Year Right For You?

33 - 36

Simple Steps for Reducing Insecurity

38 - 39

A Letter to Anxiety

40 - 44

Performing Under Pressure: Tips for Time Management

4 5 - 46

New Year, New You: Making 2017 the Year of Achievement

47 - 52

Grades Do Not Equal Effort

54 - 57

Creative Writing: Mirror Girl

58 - 62

Study-Related Youtube Channels

64 - 73

Issue 1 Staff Reﬂections

LAYOUT BY JENNIFER LIU

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

Get A Job, Step Zero: Internships WRITTEN BY BARRETT YUEH | IBERTSTUDIES EDITED BY ISABEL HO | STUDYSCRIBBLES L AYOUT BY CLAIRE WANG | CELER-ITER

As the responsibility of considering your future approaches, searching for an internship should feature some-where on your list of things to investigate. While you may or may not get paid, internships are important opportunities that will not only allow you to gauge how committed and in interested you are to a specific field, but will also help you network.

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From the perspective of any student, performing a low-ranking employee’s job and not getting paid is hardly enough to merit the work involved, especially when you have other responsibilities. But, if you discover during your internship that you’re pursuing a field of study or job so miserable that you would only do it for the salary, it might be wise to reconsider. While internships may differ, they all involve the same basic stages: applying, interning, and following up. It can feel like a staggering pile of where do I start, but here are some pointers for applying for and securing an internship.

FINDING AN INTERNSHIP As is the case with applying to university, one of the best ways to find internships is through general research. This doesn’t need to be a highly organized research process just yet, either – five minutes of Googling “internship opportunities in [your field of interest]” can yield at least one or two promising opportunities. The research can also include asking family, peers, and mentors. Your teachers and guidance counselors are usually a helpful resource. Many schools even have College and Career Centers, or something similar, which are designed to help students look for work opportunities. It’s de definitely worth your time to ask mentors and friends for advice. Once you have a list of potential internships, look further. Pull up a chair, open a spreadsheet, and begin filling in information about each internship. While applications may vary, a few general things to note are: the application deadline, including the time and timezone it closes application requirements, such as fees, essays, and letters of recommendation how many rounds there are, since there’s usually a screening round before any interviews stipend or salary, if applicable

dates, including when interviews or orientations are held and when the internship runs what the internship experience actually consists of location, if the internship isn’t local, and if room and board will be provided

It’s also wise to prioritize which internships are most important to you so that you can determine which ones to devote your resources to.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Most internships will ask for at least one or two letters of recommendation – typically at least one from a mentor familiar with the specific field that you plan to intern in. The other is often from someone of your choosing. Some may ask for an optional third. With regards to the recommendation from the required field, it’s important to stay current. Do not ask your science teacher from four years ago if they would write a recommendation for you unless you have remained in close contact with them because they probably aren’t familiar with your current work ethic and academics. Be sure that the person you ask for a reference from is familiar with you; avoid asking a new teacher who has only taught you for a few months to write a recommendation as they may not know you well enough to write a compelling recommendation. Reliable letters of re recommendation usually come from your previous teachers or your current teacher if you’ve had them for at least a semester.

“

be sure that the person you ask for a reference from is familiar with you

”

If the application specifically asks for another teacher in the second recommendation, the same ideas apply. However, the list of potential recommenders is expanded if the letter may come from any mentor. The extent to which you know your recommender is your greatest asset, as this recommendation should also be used to highlight your dedication and commitment. Ask mentors you’ve had for an extended period of time. The internship reviewing committee will get a sense of your devotion to your interests while assessing your work ethic. Some applications may ask for a third recommendation, which puts you at liberty to focus the first two on an academic scope and have a letter that discusses your extracurriculars. If there is the option to submit an additional recommendation, take advantage of it. While a third letter should still support the other two, it is a great tool to highlight your connections and show the employer what activities you’re involved in. It shouldn’t just reaffirm everything from your first two letters – the third recommendation should be from someone who will be able to speak to different qualities than the first two. Not only wo would a reference from this person enhance your application, it tells your employer that you’re interested in exploring your interests further.

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As you choose people to ask for recommendations, keep in mind that they should be able to write eloquently – a glowing recommendation will likely lose some credibility if the quality of the writing is sub-par. Most coaches, teachers, and professors will be used to writing recommendations, especially if they have held that position for longer than five years or a large portion of their students are high school-aged or older. How you request a letter of recommendation may vary based on your relationship with your recommender, but make sure you either approach the recommender in person or send a formal request via email or letter a month before the due date. If the recommender is from a summer program, the request should casually remind the recipient of who you are and what you did together. All requests should include details on what the letter’s purpose, due date, and recipient. If necessary, send a follow-up with more information if your recommender agrees to your request.

INTERVIEWING Most internships have an interview stage, either via a telephone call, video call, or in person. While telephone and video calls allow you to take the interview in a familiar and comfortable environment, uncontrollable factors, such as interruptions in the room you’ve chosen and unreliable signal or internet may affect your interview. Be sure to read through any information the application committee or interviewer sends you so that you’re prepared for the interview format.If the interview is over telephone, make sure you have your original application information, something to write with, and a notebook or laptop nearby so that you can take notes and find additional information if needed. Place your phone on speaker so you don’t need to worry about holding it during the interview. When you speak, make sure your voice is clear and avoid using speech fillers such as like, um, or anything that may obscure your meaning, so that yo your interviewer can understand you. If you have younger siblings, pets, or other individuals who might disturb you, stay in a private room with the doors closed or make sure you’re alone to avoid disruption.

when you speak, make sure your voice is clear and avoid using speech fillers

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If the interview is over a video call, do the same as you would with a telephone call. Find a place to sit during the interview that has a clean background – your interviewer has no desire to see a pile of clothes on your chair or your bed. Some people may opt to sit in a public space, such as a coffee shop. If you choose this option, make sure you have headphones to hear your interviewer clearly, and don’t sit in a crowded area where the interviewer might have difficulty hearing what you’re saying. Another concern with video calls is making eye contact with the interviewer through the camera. When you watch the interviewer on your computer screen, your eyes fix on a point lower than the camera and appears to the interviewer that you do not make eye contact. Draw an arrow at the webcam or stick googly eyes by the camera to remind yourself to maintain eye contact. If the interview is in person, bring your original application information with you. Dress business-casual, rather than risk underdressing and appearing unprofessional. Buttondowns or blouses paired with slacks or a modest skirt are reliable outfits for an inperson interview. (Check out the Issue Four article “College Tours & Interviews” for more tips on dressing for interviews!) Give a firm handshake, speak clearly, make eye contact with your interviewer, and be honest. Your interviewer will find out sooner or later that you lied about your skills.

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While advice for the actual experience itself may differ based on your responsibilities, there are general rules, pointers, and basic etiquette that apply regardless of the experience. Keep your expectations low: This may sound terrible, but it’s true since a lot of interns are not experienced enough for the company. Many internships are about making higher-ranking employees’ lives easier, so don’t be offended that you may be assigned menial tasks like filing papers, photocopying, or running errands. Standards: Just because you may not be performing particularly riveting tasks does not mean you should lower your standards. If you build trust with other employees and establish yourself as someone who is reliable and works efficiently, you stand a much better chance at being assigned more interesting tasks at some point. Punctuality: Keep in mind that punctuality is not just about arriving on-time, but being ready to go at said time. If you need to be in the workspace at eight, aim to get there ten minutes earlier so that you can do whatever needs to be done before beginning work. It’s okay to be late now and then, especially if you apologize with a valid reason, but don’t be the person who holds up others because they can’t pay attention to their alarm clock. Asserting yourself appropriately: In the case of internships where you’re not just filing or scheduling meetings, there will times where standing up for your ideas and work are important, but keep in mind that you are an intern. You don’t have to censor yourself constantly, but exercise some self-control when it comes to sharing thoughts or complaints to avoid potential humiliation or forming unpleasant relationships with coworkers. Additionally, avoid discussing politics, religion, or other contentious topics in the workplace. Dr Dress-code: It may be difficult to gauge appropriate attire on the first day, so air on the safe side of more business-casual. Learn from others and make adjustments so that you are not making an exception in the organization’s rule book – doing so will only serve to make you appear incompetent. Business-casual is always a safe bet for most internships. Look to your co-workers for an idea of the expected dress code, so if they dress more casually, you can do so as well. Learn: This doesn’t only apply to learning more about the field you’re working in. Don’t just observe office culture passively; talk to some permanent employees and ask them about how they got their positions. Ask your supervisor how you’re doing and if there’s anything you can improve on. Not only will this benefit you, but it will tell others that you genuinely care and help build your network.

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FOLLOWING-UP One of the greatest assets you gain over the course of an internship, besides work experience, is connections in the field. Keep track of contact information and business cards, and consider sending your boss a meaningful card or gift thanking them for their guidance during your internship. They will undoubtedly be a useful contact later on when applying to college, grad school, and future jobs. If you were on good terms with your coworkers during your internship, don’t eliminate the possibility of a return offer later. While it’s easy to ignore this step, move on, and repeat, it’s also worth realizing that some internships may have return offers for the next year. Companies may even offer you a paid internship position or permanent employment. Internships provide valuable introductory experience in your field of interest, making them ideal for students and young adults alike. Although they’re rarely glamorous, they can expose you the working environment, connect you with people that could end up employing you later on in life, and add a noteworthy section to your resume. Always be sure to treasure these experiences, as you just might miss your fellow interns someday. Who knows: you could end up working for them –or employing them– when you get older!

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

LAYOUT BY JENNIFER LIU

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

Simple Steps for

Reducing Insecurity WWWWWWW SSSSSSSS MMMMMMMM | EEEEEE KKK PPPPPPPP | LLLLLL CCCCCCC ZZZZ |

Insecurity is something that many people struggle with, particularly during the formative years of high school and college. It can manifest in many aspects of our lives, be it academic insecurity, body insecurity, or social insecurity. While insecurity is often something that you can permanently rid yourself of, it can be managed. Doing so is a daily battle, but there are simple steps you can take that will make it possible.

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

Be your own competition The root of insecurity is comparison. In order to reduce it, you must strive to stop comparing yourself to others. This doesn’t just apply to academic comparison, which can be common among highly motivated students — you must stop comparing yourself to others in all aspects of life. For anyone who has ever felt the burden of insecurity, this is much easier said than done. With practice, however, it can be accomplished. In order to end unhealthy habits of comparison, you must view yourself as your own competition. It isn’t healthy to constantly compare yourself to others; there will always be someone who is a better writer than you, someone who has better grades than you, and so on. But remember: someone else’s success does not diminish your own. Everyone moves at a different pace, and when you compare yourself to others, you simply aren’t being fair to yourself. Your journey is different from theirs, and where they are now doesn’t invalidate your own progress and success. Instead of obsessively comparing your accomplishments to th those of others, use your past self as a point of comparison to see how far you’ve come.

Strive for improvement, not perfection One of the easiest ways to fall into insecurity’s trap is to set unrealistically high expectations for yourself. If you expect perfection from yourself on the first try, you’re setting yourself up to be disappointed. Humans are imperfect creatures; we aren’t designed to master a skill on the first try. Goals take time and effort to achieve. When setting goals, consider where you’re at now and base your goals off of that – not off of where you would ideally like to be. Someone who wants to lose weight isn’t going to lose twenty pounds overnight, and you will not be able to earn a 4.0 GPA overnight. If you aim fo realistic improvement rather than instant perfection, many of your anxieties and for insecurities surrounding your goals will disappear.

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

Practice positive self-talk In order to deal with insecurity, you must change your attitude toward yourself. You cannot be your own worst critic – you have to live with yourself for the rest of your life, so practice being kind to yourself. Learn to forgive your failures and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Stop stacking yourself up against others and begin to speak to yourself as if you were talking to your best friend. You wouldn’t tell your best friend that they weren’t talented enough, sociable enough, or pretty enough, so why is it acceptable to tell yourself these things? Instead of treating yourself as someone who nee to be fixed, work on seeing yourself as someone who has already accomplished a needs great deal and will accomplish much more.

Have reasonable role models One of the most alarming things that people do when setting goals and judging themselves is idolizing unrealistic role models. Whether it’s comparing your body to a celebrity on the cover of magazines, or expecting to be as academically successful as fictional students like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, these kinds of role models can be incredibly unhealthy and detrimental to your well-being. Celebrities have the appearance they do because it’s their job to look a certain way – they have personal trainers and a team of stylists. Fictional characters are successful for one important reason: their successes are fictional. Having rol role models to serve as inspiration for your goals isn’t inherently bad, but stacking yourself up against these kinds of figures can quickly lead to irrational insecurities. Instead of choosing idols who cause you to feel insecure about your accomplishments, consider a more realistic role model such as a parent, teacher, or friend whom you look up to.

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Know that you aren’t alone in your insecurity If you think that you’re the only one who feels inadequate in some aspect of your life, you’re wrong. Everyone experiences insecurity to some degree, and even some of the most successful and talented historical figures were afflicted by crippling insecurity. Leonardo da Vinci’s dying words were “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” Despite his status as one of the most prolific and renowned artists of all time, even da Vinci was susceptible to insecurity. The next time you find yourself comparing your successes to someone else’s, consider that they, too, may be fe feeling equally insecure about themselves.

While insecurity can be anxiety-inducing and difﬁcult to live with, these simple strategies can help you manage the behaviors and thoughts that allow insecurity to manifest. Feeling insecure on occasion is perfectly normal, but if you begin to feel an overwhelming state of insecurity, it may be time to take a step back and examine what behaviors are leading to it.

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Letter to

Anxiety WWWWWWW EEEE BBBBBBBB | MMMMMM PPPPPPP | EEEEEE IIIIII HH | LLLLLL CCCCCCC ZZZZ |

Dear Anxiety, I’m smiling as I write this. I don’t know why, but I feel like you and I are old friends. Strangely enough, I want to thank you. You made me a stronger person. You, more than depression or OCD or any other diagnoses I’ve had tossed at me, shaped who I am today. I would not be here, brave and confident, if it were not for you. You were my greatest adversary. You were tough, but I was tougher.

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

I never fight fire with fire. All those times that I was anxious, because you were beating me up, I tried not to get upset. I cried and pleaded with you and sometimes you got the better of me, but not once did I turn my back, throw in the towel, or give into anger and hopelessness.

Letter to

We have had a long lasting relationship, you and I, almost since the day I was born. As I laid in a rice field, abandoned at only three days old, you were my only friend. You followed me to the police station and to the orphanage. You clawed at me when I was put in my parents’ arms. You hung around in the background for awhile as I grew up, keeping enough distance between us for me to have a relatively happy childhood. But in 7th grade, you pounced.

Anxiety I wasn’t expecting you to be completely dormant, you know. I didn’t think you were going to be gone forever. You disguised yourself as a lot of other voices in my head, but you were there even if I didn’t notice it was you. It was you who told me I was worthless, not depression. It was you who gave me attachment and abandonment issues.

We’ve journeyed many places together. You shadowed my footsteps wherever I went. You whispered poison into my ear and sidled into classrooms to spit in my face as I stared at a test. You encouraged negative behaviors and more often than not, I gave in.

But then we started arguing. I started pulling away, slowly but surely. You’d start to open your mouth and I’d get there first, prepared to tamp you down. You looked at me in bewilderment and shock as I grinned back.WWWWWWW What you EEEE and IBBBBBBBB had was| a toxic relationship, but with the help of friends, family, and professionals, I started the longest breakup process of my life. MMMMMM PPPPPPP | EEEEEE IIIIII HH | And here we are today. We’re still civil. Sometimes you LLLLLL CCCCCCC ZZZZ | leap out at me when I don’t expect it,

and I have to spend a day or even a week to talk you back down, shoving you back into near-oblivion while rolling my eyes every time you open your mouth. Dear Anxiety, You’ll never leave me, and in a way I’m almost glad. You’re an essential part of who I I’m smiling as an I write this. person. I don’t know why,okay but Iwith feel like and Iknow are old friends. am: I am anxious And I’m that.you I don’t who I’d be if I didn’t have you, Anxiety. We just need to remain on good terms, where you agree to Strangely enough, I want you.but Youyou made stronger person. You, more stay out of my life mosttoofthank the time, can me visitaoccasionally. No matter wherethan depression any had tossed at me, shaped who I am today. I you areor orOCD what or you do,other knowdiagnoses that in theI’ve end, I will always win. would not be here, brave and confident, if it were not for you. You were my greatest adversary. You were tough, but I was tougher. All my best, Edye

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

PERFORMING UNDER PRESSURE: TIPS FOR TIME MANAGEMENT WWWWWWW

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EEEEEE

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DDDDD IIII |

Few people understand stress and pressure the way students do. The deadlines, social obligations, and responsibilities that accompany being a teenager or young adult can make oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school years more intimidating than any other time of their life. In order to keep up with academics, many students feel forced to limit their free time, or eliminate it altogether. But, this is not the only way to deal with pressures! Learning to balance school, outside activities, and a personal life is an important skill which better pr prepares one for life and can be achieved by any student.

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

ACADEMIC

It is helpful to many students to create a schedule. For example, you could plan to spend three hours on history every other night, two hours on chemistry, and one on english. The amount of time necessary for each subject is a matter of personal preference or need, and it can change over time. However, a schedule does not nee need to be so stringent that it creates more stress. The last thing most students need is another time constraint. Your agenda should be flexible, depending on upcoming tests, projects, or the recommendations of a teacher or advisor.

Conquering academics is probably the most daunting challenge for any student seeking to create balance in their life. Not only are exams and assignments seemingly always around the corner, but the workload of a single night can be overwhelming in itself. Most students immediately put academics before other activities, finding it mo more important to cram for a test than to set foot outside once a day. Although maintaining your desired level of academic success is important, it is counter-productive to forfeit participation in all other aspects of life in favor of a few more hours of studying. Constant studying is ultimately ineffective, and it makes continued motivation nearly impossible. The importance of creating ti time away from the desk shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be ignored, even if the challenge of knowing how much academic work is too much can be difficult.

Devoting time to maintaining grades is important, as long as time is made for other activities. This does not mean the occasional all-nighter will be eliminated; only that tackling academics may seem a little more manageable.

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

EXTRACURRICULAR

Once again, creating a schedule comes in handy – if you use it to your advantage, rather than letting it control you.. Since extracurricular activities usually involve a team or group of people, you probably won’t be able to confine them to your schedule. Planning ahead is important when taking on extracurriculars, but there will often be su surprises that you haven’t prepared for: a last minute volunteering outing, an emergency bake sale prep night, or an unexpected advance to a sports championship. So, when dealing with extracurriculars, plan to have your plan ruined. What you can do is make sure you are prepared to tweak your schedule in order to keep up with extracurriculars. They may not always be fun, but they’re an important part of learning to juggle many responsibilities.

Extracurriculars shouldn’t only be something you feel pressure to do to get accepted to college or university; they should be something you enjoy. Though extracurriculars can sometimes feel like more of an extra burden than a voluntary activity, it is important to make time for them, and not just for an application. Picking enjoyable ex extracurriculars is the first step towards fitting them into your schedule. You will be more likely to devote time to activities that you actually look forward to, or at least don’t dread. At most schools, there are a variety of extracurriculars available which cater to almost every interest. My school, for example, offers a diverse list ranging from Habitat for Humanity, to Science Olympiad, to the PB&J Club (yes, like the sandwich). Extracurriculars are an important part of student life which help you be more social, me meet new people with similar interests to your own, and can bolster your resume. They can, however, be very time intensive.

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

TAKING TIME FOR YOURSELF

Let’s discuss something that is fun: having free time. It may seem like a foreign concept, especially when you’re grappling with the pressures of school and non-academic activities. Taking time to relax doesn’t have to be a vague memory. Doing something for yourself amid the stress of student life can be as simple as sleeping in, going to a movie with friends, or watching a series on Netflix alone in your room. Even with a packed schedule, relaxation can be built into your routine.

squeezed in between study sessions, of course; every once and awhile, try to dedicate a day (yes, a whole day) to doing absolutely nothing (yes, nothing). Doing the dishes, cleaning your room, or helping a sibling with homework can be part of this down-time, as long as you try to put the pressures of school out of your mind, just for a little while. Knowing when to stop is incredibly difficult to determine. Taking too much time for social activities or personal relaxation can have a negative effect and contribute to even more stress. But living at your desk isn’t any better.

The key to achieving personal time is to take the moment as it comes. For example, a longer study break can be used to do something you enjoy like playing a level of a video game or cooking a meal. Not all of your breaks need to be

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

THE “WELL-ROUNDED” MYTH As important as it is to create a balanced schedule with time for academics, extracurriculars, and relaxation, it is equally important to remember that you don’t need to be perfect at it. It is not necessary to simultaneously maintain a perfect GPA, become the president of every club, and throw a party every weekend to be successful in in life. Everyone wants to be completely “well-rounded” but this does not mean being the best at everything you do. No matter how it may seem, no one has it all completely together. It’s true that you get out of an activity what you put into it, so allow your commitment to some things to be casual. If you don’t want to be a chemist, you don’t need to be at the top of your chemistry class. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t try, only that it is as important to be balanced in your expectations for yourself as it is in your schedule. Work hard, but be re realistic in your endeavours.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER So how do you combine studying, extracurriculars, and free time? It’s a process, and usually not an easy one. There are only so many hours in a day, which means you will not always be able to accomplish everything on your list. However, the earlier you begin a devotion to managing your time in the most effective way, the earlier it will pay off. Success may be in terms of reduced stress, or maybe in simply knowing that you are working as efficiently as you can. Life will never be completely conflict-free, but you can take steps to en ensure that you are as prepared as possible to handle setbacks and difficulties.

The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

vetskap

vědomost

‫ةفرعم‬

conocimiento

KNOWLEDGE cunoştinţă

知識

connaissance LLLLLL

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The Academic - Issue 5 - February 1st, 2017

‫םולש היֱה‬ Arrivederci

au revoir

再見 Adjö

‫اعادو‬

Goodbye Vale

さようなら LLLLLL

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