SIS HS: A New Beginning
Story by JoonYoung Lee & Katie Lee
Edited by Yejune Park
Design by Helaine Lee
Edited by Yejune Park
Design by Helaine Lee
“It’s harsh.” This is the phrase that the majority of SIS high schoolers use to describe high school. High school life is indeed tough, and middle schoolers in 8th grade have already begun to worry about the challenges they will face: the endless mix of irritating teachers, the never ending homework, and of course, the wrath of their mothers. However, with all this being said, middle schoolers can always prepare themselves for the large transition and adjustments they will face in high school.
More often than not, SIS students have heard their mothers comment about procrastination, time management, and organization. “I struggled a lot at first, as I was disorganized and my schedule was packed,” Evelyn Baek (9) said. Organization and time management are both useful tools in attacking the large amounts of work that will await 8th graders in high school. In middle school, the assignments can be easily finished. But, in high school, students must organize themselves and decide which subjects would be vital to tackle first in their studies, a key transition students must learn to make. Parents pay large sums of money to send their children to “Hagwons” in order to receive outside education from school. However, the answer for preparing for high school may be surprising, and unexpected. According to Mr. Schneider, Dean of Students, “Parents believe the best resource for preparing their children is to send them to these hagwons. While the best resource should really be the school they send their children to.” He continues, “The parents expect unrealistic standards from their children. Such as taking five AP courses in one year.” Although many students may not realize it, parents often place unrealistic expectations upon the shoulders of their children, causing more stress, and doubt. This results in hindering their studies. An open mind cannot be achieved with students basing their own lives on the expectations of our parents. In preparing for the transition into 9th grade, middle school students must realize that their lives are not solely based on their parents’ beliefs. They must come to realize that 9th grade is a foundation for the rest of their high school years. Of course, all students have a burning ambition to gain lots of success, but the key advice in performing that task is to, “Stay calm and do the best you can.” |
Amy Cho (12) during free period, is occupied with work in the IT Office, in order to lessen her work load. Photograph by Joonyoung Lee (8).
During the work period, Alice Lee (9) is busy with her work on World History, in order to effectively organize her own time. Photograph by Katie Lee (8).
Mr. Schneider, the respected Dean of Students, explains how middle schoolers should prepare for the upcoming transition into high school, and what to expect. Photograph by Joonyoung Lee (8).
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