How to Not Fail Your Classes
By: Shruthi Krishnamurthy
School is hard. Everyone knows that. And all students need a little bit of help to not fail their classes. So here are some tips to not fail your classes:
All-Nighters
They’re useful tools to undo the mistakes of last night’s procrastination. All-nighters can help you cram for a test, write a paper, or create a project. When on an all-nighter, remember: coffee is your friend. Energy drinks can only offer you future health problems. If you can listen to music while you work, it can help you stay awake. Leave on as many lights as you need to keep you awake and productive. Eat some snacks and take breaks if you have the time.
Study Groups
This is a great way to work on homework and other assignments. Two or more heads are better than one. The way another person perceives the assignment and/or the content of the study material can be helpful. Talking about things other than your studies is perfectly okay to make studying easier and not as boring. Try not to get too off topic though. The best setting for a study group is somewhere quiet, but not completely silent. Instead of going to a library, which is a great place for individual studying, try a coffee shop or someone’s house.
Notes
Notes are important because it’s not always best to look at your textbook to study for a test. Notes should be detailed, but not too descriptive. Notes are for you, so just make sure it’s enough for you to understand; you won’t need everything. Try to make your notes interesting to keep your attention when studying. Use colored pens and highlighters to make your notes easy to look at. Making your notes neat also makes studying a lot easier and faster, because you won’t have to waste your time trying to decipher your notes. It’s also important to reference your textbook when taking notes. You textbook is your guide in class, so it can help you fill in the gaps of your notes.
These tips are helpful and apply to all classes. But if you’re already following this advice and/or are struggling in a certain subject, here are some subject specific tips:
History
This class is centered around your textbook and your teacher’s lectures, so it’s important to take notes on both. When you’re taking textbook notes, remember to write down the main topics of each section. When you’re taking notes on your teacher’s lectures, only write down the major concepts. Trying to write down every word your teacher says won’t help you, but if you write down some of it, your textbook can help you fill in those gaps. It’s also important to read summaries of texts or to ask classmates how they would summarize the texts. This can help you to understand the reading from another perspective.
English
English is very similar to history in some respects. For example, when reading short stories, novels, poems, and other texts, taking notes is very important. Take notes of plots, twists, irony, or any fundamental literary devices. For vocabulary, Quizlets can help you learn your words. Also, many languages derive from Latin or contain Latin influences, so your language class could help you understand your vocabulary words.
Math
Many people feel that there is no real way to study for math. Which really isn’t true. Reviewing overall concepts can be helpful. Read through your notes and identify the new math skills you’ve learned in the chapter. If there are any you don’t quite understand, try some of the practice problems from your textbook that reflect those skills. If you think you’re ready for your test, try the chapter test at the end of your chapter in your textbook. If there are any problems you get wrong, try some more like them from the corresponding chapter. If you get the chapter right, then you’re on your way to not failing!
Science
Chemistry
Previous chemistry student, Jillian Cetrulo, recommends using quizlet to learn chemical compounds, polyatomics, and other chemistry terms. She also recommends using YouTube to find helpful videos about topics you don’t understand. The textbook can help, but if you’re having a hard time understanding the textbook, a video can help.
Biology
AP Biology student, Kathryn De Stefano, recommends using floral scents and candles when studying, as it helps you to remember material. She also recommends finding examples of the material you’re learning and how it works in nature because it will help you remember the terms on a test.
Physics
Physics is very similar to a math class. In fact, physics is kind of like an applied math class. Make sure to do chapter test questions and to do problems like the ones you don’t do well on. Understanding the chapter’s concepts is important because you need to be able to figure out how to use the equations you’re given to solve problems. It’s also good to know the concepts from multiple standpoints and how each one relates to the world around you. This can also help you understand how to solve problems in relation to your chapter. If you’re having trouble finding real-life situations that relate to your chapter, YouTube can help.
These tips can help you, but it’s important to remember that you can always ask your teacher for help.
School is hard. Everyone knows that. And all students need a little bit of help to not fail their classes. So here are some tips to not fail your classes:
All-Nighters
They’re useful tools to undo the mistakes of last night’s procrastination. All-nighters can help you cram for a test, write a paper, or create a project. When on an all-nighter, remember: coffee is your friend. Energy drinks can only offer you future health problems. If you can listen to music while you work, it can help you stay awake. Leave on as many lights as you need to keep you awake and productive. Eat some snacks and take breaks if you have the time.
Study Groups
This is a great way to work on homework and other assignments. Two or more heads are better than one. The way another person perceives the assignment and/or the content of the study material can be helpful. Talking about things other than your studies is perfectly okay to make studying easier and not as boring. Try not to get too off topic though. The best setting for a study group is somewhere quiet, but not completely silent. Instead of going to a library, which is a great place for individual studying, try a coffee shop or someone’s house.
Notes
Notes are important because it’s not always best to look at your textbook to study for a test. Notes should be detailed, but not too descriptive. Notes are for you, so just make sure it’s enough for you to understand; you won’t need everything. Try to make your notes interesting to keep your attention when studying. Use colored pens and highlighters to make your notes easy to look at. Making your notes neat also makes studying a lot easier and faster, because you won’t have to waste your time trying to decipher your notes. It’s also important to reference your textbook when taking notes. You textbook is your guide in class, so it can help you fill in the gaps of your notes.
These tips are helpful and apply to all classes. But if you’re already following this advice and/or are struggling in a certain subject, here are some subject specific tips:
History
This class is centered around your textbook and your teacher’s lectures, so it’s important to take notes on both. When you’re taking textbook notes, remember to write down the main topics of each section. When you’re taking notes on your teacher’s lectures, only write down the major concepts. Trying to write down every word your teacher says won’t help you, but if you write down some of it, your textbook can help you fill in those gaps. It’s also important to read summaries of texts or to ask classmates how they would summarize the texts. This can help you to understand the reading from another perspective.
English
English is very similar to history in some respects. For example, when reading short stories, novels, poems, and other texts, taking notes is very important. Take notes of plots, twists, irony, or any fundamental literary devices. For vocabulary, Quizlets can help you learn your words. Also, many languages derive from Latin or contain Latin influences, so your language class could help you understand your vocabulary words.
Math
Many people feel that there is no real way to study for math. Which really isn’t true. Reviewing overall concepts can be helpful. Read through your notes and identify the new math skills you’ve learned in the chapter. If there are any you don’t quite understand, try some of the practice problems from your textbook that reflect those skills. If you think you’re ready for your test, try the chapter test at the end of your chapter in your textbook. If there are any problems you get wrong, try some more like them from the corresponding chapter. If you get the chapter right, then you’re on your way to not failing!
Science
Chemistry
Previous chemistry student, Jillian Cetrulo, recommends using quizlet to learn chemical compounds, polyatomics, and other chemistry terms. She also recommends using YouTube to find helpful videos about topics you don’t understand. The textbook can help, but if you’re having a hard time understanding the textbook, a video can help.
Biology
AP Biology student, Kathryn De Stefano, recommends using floral scents and candles when studying, as it helps you to remember material. She also recommends finding examples of the material you’re learning and how it works in nature because it will help you remember the terms on a test.
Physics
Physics is very similar to a math class. In fact, physics is kind of like an applied math class. Make sure to do chapter test questions and to do problems like the ones you don’t do well on. Understanding the chapter’s concepts is important because you need to be able to figure out how to use the equations you’re given to solve problems. It’s also good to know the concepts from multiple standpoints and how each one relates to the world around you. This can also help you understand how to solve problems in relation to your chapter. If you’re having trouble finding real-life situations that relate to your chapter, YouTube can help.
These tips can help you, but it’s important to remember that you can always ask your teacher for help.
How to throw a Gatsby PartyMrs. Nazarko’s students celebrated the end of The Great Gatsby. To gain participation credit, students had to research the 1920s. Then for the party, students could dress up as a party goer, bring in items from the book and time period or bring in food from the book, the NYC area, or from the 1920s. The students had so much fun researching the different elements of the 1920s and it was fun to show off what they learned! It was a roaring time!
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Girls Who CodeBy: Catriona Kendall
“The male to female ratio in the STEM fields is laughable,” proclaims Jessica Langrock, president and founder of Wayne Valley’s new club, Girls Who Code. These “STEM fields” are the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which have all experienced an increasing spotlight in recent years. “Girls Who Code,” explained Komal Nerurkar, vice president of this new club, “is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing female participation in the field of computer science.” Komal and Jessica both attended versions of this program this past summer, at Goldman Sachs and AOL respectively. The organization works with huge technology companies such as Google and Microsoft to close the gender gap in the field of technology by inspiring high school girls to pursue computer science and teaching them the skills to do so. “Currently, only 3 of every 25 programmers is female,” Komal lamented. “Our club is modeled after the Girls Who Code program to change that.” Jessica, the president, was motivated to start this club after attending a Summer-Immersion Girls Who Code program this past summer in New York City. “After you graduate from the program,” she told me, “you see so much progress that you feel like you can conquer anything life throws at you.” She added that the program taught her a great deal about herself, about the city, about “computer science and how awesome it is,” and about business skills. It was her goal, after being taught so much, to “bring the fun to Wayne Valley,” she says. “It also fills a gap in course study. Valley does not offer a web design class anymore and Girls Who Code teaches you web design.” Many girls are probably unaware of the use and importance of coding. Jessica herself was not always aware of this field. Freshman year, “on a whim,” she decided to “give a visual basic class a try.” Once she knew more about it, she found herself drawn to “the problem solving, the creativity, and the simplicity coding allows. It’s a way to get stuff done in a condensed manner,” she elaborated, going on to add, “and it makes my life easier.” When asked if other girls could try this club on a whim, Jessica’s reply was an emphatic “Yes!” She explained that this club is “really for people with no background in coding. Girls Who Code starts from basic concepts.” To people who aren’t sure if they’re interested, her advice was, “Give it a try. If you don’t like it, that’s okay; at least you had a few good laughs, ate some food, and learned how to put a link in a web-page.” Komal shared that the specific focus of the club this year will be “teaching coding in a variety of languages.” These “languages” will include several that aren’t taught in any Valley classes, such as Python, HTML, and CSS. The club’s leaders will also work to bring guest speakers in. “We want to show girls how they can pursue this field in the future, and give them a taste of what it’s like,” added Komal. By the end of the year, Jessica says she hopes to even have the club participate in a Hackathon. The club currently has a very diverse group of 20 girls. Some, like Jessica, have taken programming classes, and others simply joined with their friends. “It’s cool having people of different skill levels,” Jessica said enthusiastically, “because they can teach each other new things.” Jessica summed it all up by saying, “I hope the club stays after I graduate.” She and Komal both want to leave a lasting imprint on the girls who join their club, enough that, as Komal put it, they can “give them something to work towards and show them their potential.” WE ACT CLUB:
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“The Auto Program Still Strong”
By: Brendalys Medina
When we think of the automotive business, we think of cars and tools. But, who are the grease monkeys that do this type of work? Well, mechanics-the ones who contribute to hands-on work and put together cars like puzzles. Many might question who would want do this type of work in this field. The answer is those who have a passion for cars!
Fewer than two percent of auto-mechanics are women. We may have come a long way since August 26th, 1920 when we finally got the right to vote, but we still have far to go! From my experience as one of only a few girls in auto, I’d have to say I never thought I would be challenged in such a way. Who can say as a female that they can change their oil, replace brake pads in their cars or diagnose why a car is making a grinding noise? Not that many. It seemed intimidating at first with all of the boys. But, I love a challenge even if the odds are against me.
After two years in the automotive program, I learned more than if I read it in a text book. For this, you need hands-on and visuals to know what you’re doing. It’s not easy, yet not impossible. Plus, I’ve learned to have patience or try to! This time of work takes time. What you really need is skill, experience, passion, patience, and your most important tool – your hands. After years of learning the basics of cars, we know how to change tires, bleed brakes, and much more. How does repairing a transmission sound? That is not an easy job. Fortunately, thanks to Mr. Bergen and Mr. Hopper, this amazing pair taught us how to do what we need to achieve our goals. With constant support and motivation, we will soon have the skill and knowledge to succeed.
Like Mr. Bergen always says, “You’ve got to step it up!” The automotive students of Wayne Valley do exactly that. After all, we’re tough as nails!
When we think of the automotive business, we think of cars and tools. But, who are the grease monkeys that do this type of work? Well, mechanics-the ones who contribute to hands-on work and put together cars like puzzles. Many might question who would want do this type of work in this field. The answer is those who have a passion for cars!
Fewer than two percent of auto-mechanics are women. We may have come a long way since August 26th, 1920 when we finally got the right to vote, but we still have far to go! From my experience as one of only a few girls in auto, I’d have to say I never thought I would be challenged in such a way. Who can say as a female that they can change their oil, replace brake pads in their cars or diagnose why a car is making a grinding noise? Not that many. It seemed intimidating at first with all of the boys. But, I love a challenge even if the odds are against me.
After two years in the automotive program, I learned more than if I read it in a text book. For this, you need hands-on and visuals to know what you’re doing. It’s not easy, yet not impossible. Plus, I’ve learned to have patience or try to! This time of work takes time. What you really need is skill, experience, passion, patience, and your most important tool – your hands. After years of learning the basics of cars, we know how to change tires, bleed brakes, and much more. How does repairing a transmission sound? That is not an easy job. Fortunately, thanks to Mr. Bergen and Mr. Hopper, this amazing pair taught us how to do what we need to achieve our goals. With constant support and motivation, we will soon have the skill and knowledge to succeed.
Like Mr. Bergen always says, “You’ve got to step it up!” The automotive students of Wayne Valley do exactly that. After all, we’re tough as nails!