The High 66

THE HIGH E D I T I O N 6 6 | M AY 1 9 , 2 0 1 7

DECISION TIME Photograph by Giovanna Rojas

(found on page 3)

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Edward Fraser Amara Sarao

UNI, DOS, TRES

TESTING 1, 2, 3

THIRTEEN REASONS

The future is up for grabs

A survival guide to exams

Welcome to your paper

2

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

I

t’s High season in the newsroom. It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the entire team amidst the simultaneous production of both the Student Council Special Edition and The High’s Issue 66. In concurrence with the efflux of Year 13s, this has provided both of us with a welcomed challenge. We’re excited to see what this year will entail and will continue to find new and better ways to keep the mirror held up high to the ISL community.

There is lots in entertainment news this month: Amelia’s impassioned article explores the discordant stances taken by viewers of Netflix’s latest controversy, 13 Reasons Why. Giovanna investigates the alarming parallels between the dystopia of Black Mirror and our own society. For your perusal, Sophia and Hannah have put together some great suggestions for keen watchers, readers, and listeners alike.

Continuing with the themes of mental health, Anne-Marie can help you come to terms with rejection and Nikolay seeks to provide comfort for the off-days that we all have come to experience from time to time. Furthermore, this issue bears significant relevance to our own school lives as well. In order to make sure you’re fulfilling your democratic duty in the forthcoming Student Council Elections — which has become host to one of the greatest pool of candidates to date — make sure you give Fredrik’s feature a read. This issue’s cover story is ultimately paramount in understanding the recurring theme that our decisions exert great influence on our future lives at ISL.

EDWARD FRASER & AMARA SARAO Editors-in-Chief

EDITORS Nikolay Zhurov Sophia Scokalo Giovanna Rojas

Nick Jennings Amelia Lumme Ruby Griffiths

TABLE OF CONTENTS StuCo Presidents London trip Exam guide Universities Xenophobia Rejection

03 04 04 05 06 07

Bad movies Read, Watch, Listen Melancholy Black Mirror 13 Reasons Why Comic & Wordsearch

08 08 09 10 11 12

3

THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES

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s I’m sure you all know we, the student body, are picking a new leader today. Like any democratically elected leader, their goal is to be our voice and make important changes happen. Being a leader is not an easy task, and while the right person can have a huge positive impact, a bad leader has the power to do the exact opposite. In democratic societies the people have been given the responsibility of choosing who they want to lead and represent them. With this in mind it is a fitting time to look at what qualities make a good leader.

To start with let’s look at what attributes our presidential candidates believe that an effective leader should posses. A lot of the normal ones came up; be caring, honest, organised, etc., but one that stood out was the ability to communicate and collaborate, both with other parts of the student council and with the people they are leading. The reason for this standing out was because it is also the quality that they believed was currently lacking in leaders, both in our school and around the world. If you watched the question and answer session on Wednesday, every single candidate emphasised the need to increase the communication between the student council and the students. This is going to be easier said than done; our school is large enough to be an incredibly diverse environment, both in interests and age groups. The only realistic way that the president could get an accurate representation of the student voice would be to have an equally diverse network of class representatives and to be honest, this alone is an incredibly difficult task.

Certain types of people are drawn to be a part of the student council, just like in the world at large some people don’t care about politics. These types of people will have largely the same opinion on certain events or policies, and so will their friends. This means that the opinions they collect and report back will inevitably be skewed. The easiest way to fix this would be to have more

class representatives, but having too many ruins the whole point of having them in the first place. As you can see, whoever we elect will be hard pressed to live up to their promise of increased communications.

An informed voter is one who is realistic about the policies and changes that a candidate promises, and of the limitations of Stuco power. The student council forges change indirectly.

Their power is influence and a channel for student voice. It does not have the ability to make hard decisions in way of school infrastructure, staff hiring and firing, or large alterations to council finances, as they are very clearly limited. Promises made that suggest otherwise are hot air, empty. Yet, our student council does have power to consult over leadership positions, as this year the council was able to have a two-way discussion with candidates for the school director and high school principal. Our student council can provide input in favour of the school opinion on internal institutional matters, like whether or not interim reports are beneficial. Our student council has the ability to change its own structure and direct focus towards projects in council organisation. A future president should, first of all, have a basic understanding of their desired role —its potentials and limits— and secondly, should provide and promote new and creative ways of solving problems that

Fredrik Falk is one man with one vote

they actually have power over.

Another issue with change is that it is very seldom that all parties affected will want it to happen. In the end, the student council does not have any real power when it comes to large changes, the leadership team will always have the final say on any decision. You might not agree with this, which is completely fair, but there is nothing the student body can do to change this. This means that it is futile for the student council and its leader to struggle against the school leadership for too long. I am not saying that issues should not be discussed and argued for/against but after a while it just becomes a waste of time that ruins the critical relationship between the council and the leadership. The president has to mediate between the student body and the leadership team to reach agreements and make things happen and it is definitely in the council’s best interest to keep this relationship as healthy as possible.

Argue and debate with them sure, but know when to give up.

In the end, the student council president, and any leader for that sake, should represent us and make our voices heard. However, as voters it is important to remember the purpose of the student council and vote according to who we believe can achieve those goals as effectively and quickly as possible.

Photograph by Giovanna Rojas

4

SPIN AROUND LONDON

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wo weeks ago a group of Y10 students went on a trip to Shakespeare’s London. I was among them. This trip was fantastic: it allowed us to explore how Shakespeare was able to turn London into a city of theatre, how he was able to prepare his actors to go onstage without any rehearsal, how he didn’t need words to portray how a character was feeling and how he was able to direct every move without stage directions. However, for many, the trip rapidly turned into one about Nando’s and fidget spinners.

Everything was set up to be an amazing experience with the days planned to the T. We would have incredible facilities to go back to in the evening and some breathtaking sights to admire throughout the day. It would be unfair to say that people were not excited for the aspects of Shakespeare’s London.

However, it quickly became apparent where people’s priorities lay.

On the first day we watched a modern

adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. It was unique to say the least. As soon as we stepped outside of the theatre and began our walking tour a group of people went off and started talking to a street vendor. It took me a moment to notice it, but I realised that almost everyone in our group had bought a fidget spinner.

At first I thought that it was fine. But then I heard the noise the spinners made. It made it impossible to listen to what the guide was saying throughout the trip. The incessant spinning became such a problem that the supervising teachers had to ban them so that people didn`t get lost while they were distracted. Even during the masterpiece “Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Nighttime” (which was an incredible piece of theatre) I could hear the bloody things spinning away.

Now you’re probably thinking that I sound like a narcissist who believes that people need to learn manners and that the current generation is rude and

HARD PASS

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nce again, it’s exam time: the very last bothersome task to do before the long anticipated summer holidays. Some will be taking exams for the first time ever, while others are sprinting for the finish line that is IB. However, (unless you are one of those ISL superhumans) we will all struggle to study for those exams, whether we are new to them or not. If you cry, are in denial, or cannot manage to start studying, you have come to the right place. A survey was conducted to collect students’ tips and tricks on how to study for the exams with some students who have lost faith mentioned to “Let Jesus take the wheel” or “Just cry!”.

This article has assembled actual ways on how to study and survive the exams!

Some of the main problems with studying for anything are procrastination and time management. One tip is to start studying early as it will save you from stress, sleepless nights and make sure that you actually know what you study. Also, focusing when working

without any distraction will shorten your study time while being just as effective. Additionally, “... [it is] better to get a full night’s sleep than to cram study last minute” which will also help with focus and motivation.

Moreover, if your problem is having a lack of motivation and concentration, “Set small achievable goals and always remember to reward yourself, so that you can keep a productive attitude towards your work.” Also, if your pile of work seems intimidating, start from the easiest tasks and slowly work your way to the harder and longer tasks.

Also, “Get friends to study with you… [so that] at anytime, you can talk about content while walking together just to go over what you already know, and must review again.” Additionally another pupil wrote that “If you have trouble staying focused or motivated, put on one album and work whilst the album is playing. Once it finishes, you can take a break from studying.”

Lastly, if you are motivated and do

Lewis Martin

loud, but trust me, this loops around.

As some of you may know, there was much controversy over the teacher’s decision to get rid of smartphones on the Y10 ski trip this year. People were outspoken at the fact that the teachers believed that the phones were too much of a hindrance to the whole point of the trip. In my opinion, that was a good decision by the teachers and I believe it should now be expanded to these fidget spinners and anything that becomes a detraction from the experience of the trips.

I believe that this trip is a clear example of how these crazes are far too large distractions from the whole point of the trips and can also become a hazard, like people possibly getting lost on the London underground because they weren’t paying attention. However, I believe that without these fidget spinners, the trip this year could have become more about Shakespeare and less about these spinny plastic things.

Leonardo Morosini manage your time well, but want to know what the best ways to study are, why not “Take post-it notes and write down key information about the subject you are studying, stick them all around your house… Whenever you come across one, read it out…” Another student mentioned to do “Past papers [as] the best way to prepare for exams is by doing past exams.” Lastly, recopy your notes, make flashcards or do anything that involves you writing down information for sciences and humanities.

For mathematics and physics/chemistry do practice questions by finding the online or by using your textbooks. Finally, ask your friends or teacher about anything if you’re unsure about the exams or an assignment.

These were ISL students’ tips and tricks on how to study for exams, but as one student said “don’t overdose on studying (i.e. take breaks and don’t take up all day every day leading up to exams to study).” Study well, but also remember to have some fun.

5

A CHANCE TO BE UNI-QUE

T

he return from February break had instigated many epiphanies within the different high school groups.

Year 12s realized the impending responsibility of seriously looking at universities and starting to make their choices. Meanwhile, the Year 11s began to think about the IBDP and what subjects they might want to take for the next two years, whilst balancing pre-IB work. Similarly, Year 10s began choosing their classes for the next year, with options in the sciences, languages, and arts. And now, with Year 13 in the middle of their final DP exams, a new wave of panic has washed over the Year 12s.

Across all high school years, students have become painfully aware that they are one step closer to the scary, yet, exciting experience of university applications. The world of endless courses and destinations waiting on the other side of the petrifying Final May Examinations is enticing, and naturally, many are excited to continue on to it. However, the sheer number of options consequently makes our job of choosing a school a lot harder, as many different factors play into the final decisions we will eventually make before sending in our applications in the first months of our last year at school.

On top of making decisions, there also exists a pressure on us students to collect experience across different areas, whilst still performing well academically. This is a great amount of responsibility for anyone, which is why making sure you are spending your time effectively is very important. Of course free time to simply relax and hang out with friends is essential, but investing some time in extracurriculars is a good idea, especially in your last few years.

It’s a good idea to get in a mix of activities (which you can even continue into Year 12 and use as CAS!), as they will allow you to cover a broad base of skill sets and experiences.

With summer arriving soon, those of you in Years 10 and 11 will have a lot of time to experience and do things that excite and challenge you – not necessarily internships which you can hope to refer to in your personal statement one day, but things that are new, and things that you feel passionate about. Between the ages of 14 and 15, in the wise words of Dr. Kim, finding out what you enjoy is more important than looking at universities. Without knowing what you really enjoy, and would not mind spending three/four years of your life studying, looking at universities would become a greater challenge than what If you do already have a general idea of the course you want to pursue, finding an experience which can directly tie into your future studies is, of course, a good idea. However don’t worry too much about whether or not the activity you have chosen fits directly under the course you may end up choosing in the future. Often times, every single activity can be

Ipek Özkazanc is ready to apply herself applied to your chosen course in some way, and your counsellors will help you do so when the time for personal statements and essays comes.

Speaking of, your counsellors are probably the greatest resource you can use, but be sure not to depend on them to magically tell you all the answers – researching universities is your job, and guiding you along the application process is theirs. If you’re looking for resources or platforms on which you can look at different universities in a country or region, they have an entire section on their page on the ISL website (under Academics > Academic Guidance and Counsellors) dedicated to helping you find various resources for university exploring. They also have a calendar which shows the universities which will visit ISL in the upcoming weeks – it’s a good idea to look at schools from the general region you’re interested in, such as the US or the UK, just so you can learn a bit more about the general way in which schools in the area function and what they look for.

Additionally, visiting the campuses of the universities you’re interested in is possibly one of the most important things you can do when choosing between schools. Since universities want to attract as much interest as possible, they usually advertise their schools from only the best angles, and keep the unpleasant aspects to the side. Actually visiting the campus and seeing if you can visualise yourself living there for the next three or four years is key to ensuring that you end up going to a school you will enjoy.

And finally, to my fellow Year 12s – I know this information was nothing new to you, sorry. But, make sure you use this summer to its fullest: try to identify and finalize your desired schools, make sure you know all their deadlines, and find out about any entrance tests they may require. If you have no idea what you should be doing, just ask for advice from one of ISL’s super-helpful guidance counsellors, or have discussions with your parents – they could have good insight, and speaking to you about where you’re at with university applications could also put them at ease a bit!

To conclude, make sure you know yourself before you start choosing universities. Without knowing what you like and dislike, you may eventually find yourself at the end of your first year of university; unhappy, unmotivated, and unwilling to continue. So save your future self from such suffering by making sure you know yourself and you know where you’ll be happiest. Also keep in mind that there is not just one perfect school for you, so make sure to search far and wide in order to find the many schools that you could see yourself studying at in the future. Remember: your enjoyment is what matters most, and the university you graduate from does not set your future in stone.

6

LAND OF THE RACIST SUN

X

enophobia and racism, although different through the technicality of resenting either foreigners or races, is practically the same thing and is a major problem that people face daily. I can speak from first-hand experience living as an Indian-Japanese mix in Japan for 11 years. In my time in Japan, I experienced my share of xenophobic behavior directed towards me by the general public. For example, often when I spoke Japanese in public, I received bitter stares from people around me as they do not expect someone who looks foreign to speak or let alone understand Japanese. On the other hand, speaking English gave me similar bitter stares, as they do not expect to hear anything but Japanese.

That being said, one of the most visited places in the world is ironically one of the most xenophobic countries in the world.

Over the past decade, Japan has become a hotspot for tourism whether it be visiting the metropolitan area of Tokyo, the ancient monuments of Kansai, or even the ski resorts up in the north. However, despite being one of the most popular holiday destinations, people fail to realize that a lot of Japanese people resent the idea of interacting with tourists or foreigners that are based there. This is especially common amongst the elderly due to the fact that foreigners only started visiting at a large volume during their generation. Being a very patriotic nation, the idea of foreigners arriving in bulk is an image feared by many people in Japan. Moreover, with people 60 or over making up about a third of the overall population, their resentment of foreigners would have an impact on how later generations act towards foreigners. Despite this , later generations are slowly becoming more accepting of the international community like in many other places, and although extremists exist, all of the discrimination is drained by the societal expectations to be polite to others.

In addition these xenophobic manner-

isms are further amplified through cultural expectations to act polite and respectful to others. In Japanese culture, welcoming your guests and making sure that they are as content as possible is a large part of what we stand for, to the point where it is emphasized throughout the Japanese education system. However, this politeness to others might be perceived as fake or unnatural for the reason that the general public acts with a synchronized politeness. Coupled with the fact that they assume you’re an outsider, this almost automatic politeness often is over exaggerated as it is almost instinctive for them to act polite as an ensemble when welcoming a guest.

In Japanese, we have a phrase which goes “honn-ne to tatemae” which translates into “the unspoken true thoughts”. Other than unintended exaggeration, this is a phrase commonly used for the reason that society expects them to act polite no matter who you are interacting with and that ‘unspoken truth’ is sometimes seen through subtle actions. For example, you could be looking for a seat on a bus or at a restaurant. As soon as the person next to that seat sees you coming, they might occupy that seat one way or another and give an uninspired excuse as to why you can’t sit there.

Throughout all of this, they would act passively to come across as respectful which almost makes you believe their justification is valid when it is often not.

Genta Hemmi is no stranger to discrimination Scenarios like this are very common in Japan as respecting others is taught at a colossal standard from as early as pre-k. To go against what you’ve been taught your whole life would be considered almost sinful to some. As a result, we often see a fair share of disguised politeness to preserve the respectful image of society. As for victims, everyone is bound to experience this in Japan no matter who you are as this can almost be seen as a way people relieve stress from being expected to be someone who they are not. Although we can argue that upbringing shapes character, there is no way that a large volume of people could be respectful in sync without pulling off an act of some sort.

All in all, I am not saying that you shouldn’t visit Japan. In fact, it is an amazing place to visit or live, as there is a cultural emphasis on genuine kindness and charm that blankets over the xenophobia and the superficiality in the country. However, being exposed to the international community more than the general public, I’ve come to realize that there is a form of xenophobia that exists in Japan which almost feels as though it is instinctive. Not only me, but former expats and people who have visited have told me they’ve experienced these instances on rare occasions. Although it is a huge generalization to say that all Japanese people are xenophobic, there is a definite element of discrimination naturally integrated into the Japanese society.

Illustration by Nikolay Zhurov

7

IT’S A NO FROM ME

A

lot of people think of rejection as the ultimate failure – a catastrophe that demolishes any chance of success.

Some people even think it’s humiliating, or the worst hit to your self-esteem in the history of humanity. But what a lot of those people don’t realize, is that we get rejected every single day. And a lot of the time we don’t even know it.

Rejection doesn’t have to only consist of your crush not liking you back, although this is probably what it’s most commonly referred to. This word has become an umbrella term for an irreversible failure rather than for an opportunity to improve. Rejection can be when your mom won’t let you take another cookie because it’s for the guests, or when you ask your classmate for their calculator but they say they need it for the next class. No matter how small a ‘no’ might be, it is still rejection, even if you don’t see it in the same light. Now I’m not saying that every ‘no’ you get should be taken as the end of the world, quite the opposite actually. The mindset you’re taking on when dealing with the little rejections can make a huge difference when you’re faced with more important matters.

Imagine devoting almost a third of a year to trying to get rejected at least once a day. Sounds pretty insane right? Well this is exactly what Jia Jiang, an entrepreneur, speaker, and author, did for 100 days. When he first featured his story as part of a TEDTalk, he too was scared and embarrassed at even the thought of rejection, no matter how small the decision was. But by starting out with something small, such as asking a stranger for $100, he was able to cope with the pain of being declined, and was able to change his perception of rejection.

Anne-Marie Rusu knows no noes although that can be demoralizing, you can always try again, even Jia had to call the university three times before they let him teach a class.

Although Jia started small, he was quick to ramp up his game, challenging not only the capabilities of others, like asking to get his haircut at Petsmart or partnering up with a stranger to buy a lottery ticket, but also his own. He skydived off a building, fed a lion, and even attempted to interview Barack Obama.

If you’re able to ask for something, without the doubt of being declined, then you’re automatically more likely to obtain what you want, and this is even true for yourself.

Self-rejection is definitely one of the most hidden forms of rejection, yet the most morally damaging. This can be not letting yourself do something because you’re scared, or doubtful, or embarrassed of something going wrong. Well, anything can go wrong, at any moment. Trust this information from a perpetually clumsy person. Walking on flat ground could go wrong, so there is no reason why doing something you’re scared of could be that much more embarrassing.

So go out and get rejected. I’m serious, go out and do something you were always scared of doing because you didn’t want to get rejected. Start with something small, ask a stranger for directions or ask that seemingly ‘stupid question’ you had in class. On the website for the 100 days of rejection there’s even a checklist with 100 more ideas! Sure, maybe you might get rejected, but what’s the real harm? As Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

Of course there are some instances where a simple change in mindset won’t solve much, like getting rejected by someone you were really interested in, or not getting an offer from your top university. But learning to deal with small instances of disappointment can go a long way when it really matters.

In his 100 days of rejection, Jia Jiang went around his local community, asking strangers for favors, opinions, even to rate his attractiveness. You might think that this method of trying to deal with rejection is far too time consuming and embarrassing, but in the end, he was able to meet celebrities, teach at a local university, and appear on live TV, just because he was brave enough to ask.

But what does this mean for you? Sure, some of you aren’t already at the stage of looking for universities, or making any important life decisions right now, but being unafraid of getting rejected can be extremely useful in any aspect of your life. There is never any harm in asking for something; the worst thing that can happen is being given a ‘no’. And

Illustration by Joseph Nobs

8

FLOPBUSTERS

H

ollywood has a pretty bad reputation for not knowing what their audiences actually want in movies, or where to hire decent screenwriters and directors. Sure, there are always good movies that come out every year. Despite the mix-up at the Oscars, both Moonlight and La La Land could have won that Best Picture award, and Deadpool was a revolutionary superhero movie despite its low budget. But as quick as critics and audiences were to heap praise on these films, they were just as quick to forget Suicide Squad and Ice Age 5.

To say that movies are getting objectively worse as the years go by may earn you some sour looks from people who streamed the Oscars or stayed up all night watching Netflix, but statistically, you’re right. Let’s look at some facts: the number of original movies that Hollywood has greenlit has been

on the decline since 1984. On average, the films that were not remakes or sequels have been dropping by 10% every decade. That’s an alarming number, meaning that by 2030 the only things in theatres will be the inevitable reboots of all the movies you grew up loving as a kid.

Another problem is that Hollywood doesn’t seem to understand what makes their best movies so successful.

Look at the success of Deadpool, which was only released because some hero leaked the studio’s test footage in 2014 and the executives gave in to overwhelming nerd pressure and finished the movie. What 20th Century Fox got was the second-highest grossing R-rated movie of all time, which would be even more impressive if number one.

So obviously, the lesson that studios took away from it was that we want more R-rated superhero movies, even

Nick Jennings though we already got those in The Punisher and Watchmen, neither of which performed as well as studios had hoped.

Possibly the most embarassing for Hollywood, however, comes from looking at what spawned out of Johnny Depp’s career. Despite the fact that pirate movies had never done well in the box office, Disney poured money into their pirate movie like it was just growing on trees. Oh, and they also happened to cast some of the most charismatic and beautiful actors in the world. Even so, after the first Pirates movie’s success, the lesson that many people in Hollywood took away from that was: “Money = Success.” Since then, we’ve had no shortage of expensive movies based on everything from video games, like Prince of Persia to Grimm fairy tales like Maleficent and Snow White and the Huntsman.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN REASONS TO STAY ALIVE

BY MATT HAIG Have you ever felt pain? In Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig, he describes his struggles with mental illness. This book feels like a conversation, easy to read and is as deep as they get. The amazing thing about this book is that you don’t have to suffer immensely to relate to the story. Pain is a concept well known to humankind, and although unpleasant, it can allow for us to move forward and learn more about ourselves. By blending just the right amount of fact, storytelling and occasional humour, Matt Haig tells his story of love, pain, and overcoming the struggles that life throws your way.

COLLATERAL BEAUTY

There are certain things in life that we as humans have an innate inability to comprehend. This movie explores a number of important inquiries that frequent our minds in our lifetimes.

Advertising executive, Howard, hits a wall in his successful life, experiencing a tragedy that few are unlucky enough to face. In coping with his haunting thoughts, he writes to the abstract characters of love, death, and time.

With his condition worsening, his close friends decide to intervene. They hire actors to approach Howard disguised as love, death, and time. Their mission: to unravel the most tangled of Howard’s thoughts.

Through him, we come to know these elements on a first name basis. And ultimately see the value in appreciating the mystery of certain aspects of life.

As frustrating it is, some things are best left misunderstood.

Hannah Besson and Sophia Scokalo

DIVIDE

BY ED SHEERAN The much anticipated Divide album hit the bullseye for hardcore Sheerios and the ‘I just listen to whatever’s on the radio’ guy alike. The masterpiece album, much like most of Ed Sheeran’s music, gives insight into various aspects of his life. In Nancy Mulligan we meet Ed’s grandparents and hear their love story in the form of traditional folky tunes and an Irish flair; representing their heritage.

From the song Perfect, which will undoubtedly become a must at weddings due to its ode to the poetic sentiment of being in love, to the song Bibia Be Ye Ye with an African inspired instrumental as well as lyrics to promote hope for Ghana. There is something memorable in this album for everyone.

9

FIFTY SHADES OF BLUE

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veryone has their moments sometimes. Whether it be some news you received, not sleeping well, or just having a bad day. There are moments in life when you just feel like nothing is going to help. Points in time where you feel like you owe something to someone, but just have no energy to do something. You can have bad lessons, bad days, bad weeks, or even just bad months. And everyone has the people around them, who sometimes don’t notice when they’re having a bad moment. At that point, all they can do is ask “are you ok?”.

ask yourself ‘why me?’. At that point in time, the only thing you should really be doing is thinking of how you can do the things that your friend is asking of you; this is almost always just being a decent listener. You should also know that sometimes, people you thought had no difficulties or were looking absolutely fine have their days under the weather. Don’t point this out to them.

Some people don’t realise that they never show their worries on the surface, and it can make them worry even more if they start thinking about it in a troubled moment.

I thought that I needed to write this article to remind people that it’s all right to have your moments, and we all need to remember that from time to time.

I thought that people might need to know how to help someone they know if they notice that they’re acting unusually or if they are asked for help. When I was going through a troubled time, there were moments when I didn’t reach out to someone, and those when I did; talking to someone really goes a long way in helping you deal with something you’re not used to.

Remember to be patient. Taking initiative to actually talk to someone about your distress takes a lot of effort, which can sometimes fade quite quickly when the person is on the line, asking you what’s up. Wait for them to speak, and if they can’t, start out by asking them if they are all right. Take your time and slowly get them to formulate what is going on, what’s wrong, what they are worried about. Then, ask if there’s anything you can do to help. Most of the time, the best thing that you can do is just keep on listening, and respond when they need you to.

As teenagers, we have times when we need a break more than others. Part of our lives is getting used to all of the changes, and we’re always changing, for the best or for the worst. We are, after all, at the point where we are undergoing huge changes, both in mind and body. Because of this, there’s almost always a reason for which we wouldn’t be feeling up to something as we usually would be. It’s not particularly unusual that we have our ups and downs. But sometimes, things can really get to us.

It doesn’t really matter what it is.

Many people don’t know how to respond when someone reaches out to them, for simple advice or for a serious conversation that they just need a person to listen to. If someone you know reaches out to you for advice, the number one thing that you should not do is

So, if you’re ever feeling down, find someone to talk to. Maybe have them on a speed dial for calls, or just message them when you need it. Dr. Kim and Ms. Varga, as well as all of your teachers are willing to hear you out in your troubled times. Talk to someone who you don’t mind talking to. You can even come talk to a classmate that you haven’t talked to often, or haven’t chatted with in a while. If you don’t particularly want to talk, you should message them or just ask to hang out without talking, they’ll understand. Walk around, or sit down, watch a show, anything. First thing you need to do is externalise your worries; talk about it.

It may be difficult to do, but it’s one of the best things that you can do in order to relieve your anxieties or stress.

If you happen to become one of these

Nikolay Zhurov is here to listen people that is talked to or called on by someone in need, start out by simply listening to what they have to say.

Don’t forget, though, that we are all completely different. Some people are very good at dealing with their emotions, and can have something under control very easily. Others can’t do this as well, and overcoming a problem that could be significantly easier for other people can take a world of effort for oneself. While this does sound like a trivial and obvious point, it’s often forgotten, because it is incredibly difficult to understand how someone else does not have the same ease in confronting problems you have. Everything we do and the emotions we experience are all relative; a person who’s never been through a period of stress in their life would be under enormous pressure and suffer through it much worse than someone who has experienced similar stress their entire lives going through the same experience. Either way, you need to know that if someone is reaching out to you, they are facing something that they cannot deal with on their own, regardless of what it is and how bad it seems to those around them.

Everything we do and the emotions we experience are all relative A small act of caring, like asking someone whether they’re okay, reaching out to someone who seems to be going through a troubled time, or just listening to them when they need you to listen, means the world to them at the time.

10

TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

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ow many times have you received a snapchat or a text from a friend telling you to go ‘like’ their recent picture on Facebook? How many times has the Uber driver told you to give him a rating of 5 stars as you are awkwardly trying to leave? How many times have you waited to post the perfect Instagram-worthy picture that will match your current theme? I’m pretty sure all these scenarios sound perfectly normal to you and they also did to me. Until I watched Black Mirror’s ‘Nosedive.’

Black Mirror is a British show that was launched in 2011 by Charlie Brooker and its goal is to portray the relationship between humans and technology.

It ultimately wants to prove that, although technology has propelled progress, it can also be one of the darkest aspects of humanity if misused. Thus, the episodes are set in dystopian futures or in a rather distorted and scary version of the present.

In one of the episodes titled ‘Nosedive,’ Lacie, a woman in her late 20’s, lives in a version of America where social status is determined by the number of stars people rank you with through an app. People would rate each other on a daily basis as a form of interaction which would increase their total score. The higher the score the more privileges you are entitled to, such as being able to purchase an expensive house or being able to buy plane tickets. However, if the total score is less than a 2.0, the result is total exclusion from society and even losing some privileges already mentioned until the person is considered ‘dead.’ In a few words, to be part of this society, you have to be ‘liked’ or at least, be rated with 5 stars by everyone. Towards the conclusion, Lacie meets her tragic end, as she is not able to keep her almost perfect ranking, which makes her lose her ‘friend’, status, and everything she once had. This makes her lose her mind to the point where she is sent off to jail

where she finally realizes that she does not need the approval of anybody else and that she is more than just a ranking.

This may sound like an overly exaggerated version of our society but the truth is that we are already doing many of the things the society in the show does —for instance, our obsession with ‘likes’ either on Instagram or Facebook.

Essena O’Neill, an Australian teenager with a million followers on Instagram, explained that on her first post, “I remember I obsessively checked the like count for a full week since uploading it.

It got 5 likes. This was when I was so hungry for social media validation.”

Currently, O’Neill is no longer active on her social media platform as she felt it was, “contrived perfection made to get attention”. The truth is, the more ‘likes’ we get, the more we feel we get approval from others around us.

Furthermore, we can also see this when rating an Uber driver. After each ride, the passenger is able to rate the Uber driver from 1 to 5 stars. The minimum score is a 4.6 and if the Uber driver has a rating that is lower, it means that they will most likely get deactivated. Does it sound familiar? In order to improve ratings Uber suggests some the following things: “Only talk if the passenger wants to, and keep it light. Maintain your car. Use the newest, best phone that you can afford.” Some of this ‘advice’ encourages people to act a certain way in order to be ‘liked’ by their passengers and to keep their job. In one of the many Uber Forums, a driver expressed, “I have done just over 10 trips so far and I am still a 5 star, though I know one day I’ll get that dreaded 4 star. I am just seeing how far I can go without one. “ Similarly to ‘Nosedive,’ our society is now relying on different social media platforms in order to receive validation from others. Each day, the number of ‘likes’ comments and even screenshots

Giovanna Rojas dislikes the ‘like’ culture on Snapchat matter more because they are a clear indication from others and a way others let us know that we actually belong in the community around us.

According to the Huffpost, “Never before in history have we had the technology to segment human interaction into quantifiable boxes and categories like we do now.” We just simply love quantitative peer feedback and this is exactly where our society resembles the society in ‘Nosedive’. Perhaps, we are not so far off from living in the reality that Lacie lived in after all.

With these constant changes in our technology and our constant aim to seek validation, it is important to always remember one thing: numbers do not define you. Whether this means the number of ‘likes’ or getting any rating at all, it is always important to stick to your values and be yourself. It sounds very cliché and you have probably heard this a million times before, I know, but it is the truth. Who cares if your picture does not match your theme on Instagram?! Post it if you feel it’s pretty. Who cares if you get less ‘likes’ than before? I guarantee people (or at least those who truly appreciate you) will always stay by your side.

In this society where technology is the most powerful resource and also the most powerful weapon, it is important to remember who we truly are. If we all remember to do these things, then ‘Nosedive’ will become an acute satire rather than our potential reality.

11

13 REASONS WHY NOT

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ou may have heard people talking about it in the corridors, read articles about it, stumbled across a meme or two about it, or maybe you’ve even watched it yourself, but if there’s one TV show that has had people talking over the past month or so, it’s certainly 13 Reasons Why. Originally a book by Jay Asher published in 2007, the show, split into 13 nigh 1-hour episodes, tells the story of a 17-yearold called Hannah Baker who committed suicide. The show goes through the ‘reasons,’ a concatenation of people and events, for which she chose to end her life, which are revealed through tapes she recorded which were shared posthumously among 13 people who each have their own tape.

The creators of the show, among them Selena Gomez, insist that it was produced to raise suicide awareness and deter people from the idea that it should ever be an option (although apparently it should be an option for entertainment).

It also juggles a combination of serious yet sensitive topics such as sexual violence, slut shaming, and bullying. I suppose it sounds like an interesting concept for a Netflix original, however, after watching the show and keeping up with the internet’s ambivalent reactions, I can’t help but doubt that this show’s intentions have actually resulted in much of a positive change. Spoilers ahead.

Firstly, 13 Reasons Why is clearly dealing with a number of controversial subjects, suicide being at the top of the list. The final episode graphically depicts Hannah’s suicide, and when I say graphically, I really do mean it. The team behind the show say they purposely chose to include this scene (where she slits her wrists in a bathtub – very different to the book’s ending) because they believe it depicts suicide as so horrific that people would never consider it an option. Well, it actually turns out that this logic is completely wrong, and that seeing such an intense scene can be incredibly detrimental to those who are sensitive to such topics. As if this finale wasn’t enough, there are also two rape scenes in prior episodes.

The glamorization of suicide, which has even led to people lip syncing to Hannah Baker quotes on Musical.ly, isn’t the only problem. What’s even more concerning involves what leads up to it. The show is drawn out into almost 13 hours, and throughout the whole time, one of the driving storylines focuses on who ‘killed’ Hannah Baker. It’s conveyed as a blame game, and the tapes are like a perverse scavenger hunt she created as she fantasised about the attention she would receive once her life was over. The dangerous idea of revenge suicide is heavily implied throughout, and what’s more is it’s portrayed as a logical result of seemingly clear-headed thinking.

Despite the show’s didactic intentions, it doesn’t actually propose any solutions to suicidal ideation, apart from a reference to www.13reasonswhy.info, which features links to

Amelia Lumme say that Netflix isn’t chill suicide prevention resources, forced into the last few seconds of the final episode like a rushed bibliography on a middle schooler’s humanities presentation. On the contrary, an obscene amount of screen time is dedicated to the protagonist, Clay Jensen, a good friend of Hannah’s and fellow high schooler, wallowing dolefully and saying things such as “I cost a girl her life because I was afraid to love her.” I particularly despise this quote because it implies that a romantic relationship with Hannah would have solved all her problems, which goes along with the whole ‘whodunit’ storyline, and completely disregards causes of suicide, such as mental illness. It appears the only reason Clay cares is because of the whopping crush he had on her, which is a good thing too, because troubled love between two white heterosexuals isn’t present enough in modern entertainment at all.

If there’s one opportunity the creators truly blew, it was with the depiction of the school counselor. The one time Hannah actually reaches out for professional help, the counselor is absolutely futile at giving her advice, and fails to read warning signs of what drove her suicidal ideation. He literally suggests trying to ‘move on’ after Hannah hints at having been raped by a boy in their high school, earning him his very own tape. One might argue this is merely a fictional character, but the issue with this is that his failure to help Hannah was the final straw. This ultimately paints an awful image of professional help, which could potentially discourage people from getting help from those who are most likely to actually be prepared to help. It also sends the wrong message to survivors of sexual violence, implying that suicide is a justified option.

The global response to 13 Reasons Why has been astronomical, both on and offline. E-mails from schools, including ISL, have been sent to parents warning them about the content in the show and encouraging them to discuss the issues it brings up. This is mainly for younger viewers, as they may not understand the gravity or the underlying message of the show. There have inevitably been both positive and negative responses since the release of the show, with some saying it should be shown at secondary schools to teach a lesson, and others insisting it shouldn’t be watched at all. Some argue it’s just a TV show, and that despite the dark tone, it’s ultimately down to the viewer to watch it, and given the warnings at the beginning of some of the episodes and the talk online, they should be prepared. To this I say: do you truly believe that telling a young teen not to do something is going to work? At 12-13, perhaps even younger, all you want to do is rebel and act more mature than you are, and with an attractive cast and promotion from Selena Gomez, I doubt a warning will stop you from binging some Netflix.

With a second season confirmed for 2018, we can only hope the problematic nature of the show is left behind.

12

THE LAST LAUGH

WORDSEARCH: STUCO CANDIDATES

Jocelyn Kwan (yes, really!)