Fresh Ideas for Freshmen

by: Alex Levine

As I walk the Signature School halls, I don't like what I see: girls crying about bad grades in the bathrooms, groups of friends coming out of classrooms after a quiz with distressed looks on their faces, and students in the halls with piles of disheveled papers in their hands. I talked to Signature students, new and old, to find the best advice for students in need.

Be proactive. Bad things are bound to happen eventually. If your pen runs out of ink before you're done with a test or you have to make a quick note about something but you don't have your notebook for that class, you have to be ready. Sig. seniors agree they wouldn't live without the following list of items: extra pens and pencils, a watch, note cards, a planner, sticky notes, and separators for binders. Avoid falling asleep in class by eating breakfast before coming to school. Even late arrivers can run over to Sixth Street Deli and grab a muffin for little more than a dollar to eat during first period class. "I like to start every day with an extra-large Vault," says senior Becky Fortner. "The extra-large is $1.75, without tax, and it's pretty much amazing. It wakes me up with a boost of refreshing energy." "Eating in the morning helps people pay attention more, and it also help to cut the hour-before-lunch-hunger-crazies," says Brittani Springmeyer. "When I was a freshman, I never ate in the morning. I was always tired and cranky. This year, as a sophomore, I eat breakfast every day, and I perform better in my first-period classes."

Stay organized. Buy a planner and write everything down, including work hours, social activities, college visits, and quizzes and tests. Lisa DeVillez, senior of Signature School, says, "Everyone should have a planner with enough space to write down all assignments. When I write in my planner, I not only write down the assignment on the day it's assigned, but I write down the day it's due. Every night I look ahead to the next day in my planner to see what's due in case I forget to do something." Always remember to keep notes together by topic, and when you test over them, keep the test with the notes. You will be glad you did when you're studying for finals. Colored binder dividers and clear sleeves are also very popular and can be found in any office supple store. Planners are available at Target, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Staples, and CVS for between five and ten dollars.

Ask Questions. Senior Valerie Meeks stated, "If I'm confused in class, I ask my friends first, then my teachers, then my mommy. In my two years at Sig., I have learned that I cannot be afraid to ask a question. Asking questions is a very important practice and is encouraged here." Students and teachers at Signature School are more than happy to help one another out, so don't be afraid to stop someone in the hallway, look someone up in the school directory, or go to the Signature web page to the SigFaculty section. All the teachers' emails are listed there.



Make easy reference material. Dictionaries and other quick-answer books are bulky and expensive. The easier alternative is to copy the inside covers of math books for frequently-used tools such as the unit circle. For science, copy diagrams and sketch pictures from the book and keep it with your notes for quick reference when studying for tests. Copies can be made for ten cents per sheet in the school lobby. Also, laminated inserts are available for Chemistry, English, and Math for less than five dollars each. Freshmen Kirsten Bell and Hui Phan agree that "U.S. History is [their] hardest subject, and the toughest class to stay organized for. [They] have to pick out what's important in the chapters read in class, and that's hard now that [they're] in high school." In my experience, making a timeline was the easiest way for me to study dates of events and wars because I could see it laid out in order, instead of bits and pieces scrambled in my notes from the different chapters.

Manage stress. The best way to help feeling overwhelmed is to stop it from happening in the first place. Although it's very important, it's only school. Balance work with play and realize that although you have a lot to do, it's all manageable if you don't procrastinate, stay organized, and relax. Taking breaks between studying different subjects helps keep information from different topics scrambling in your brain, and avoid all-night study sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions from Signature students:

1. Will sucking on mints help me remember what I study?

While sucking mints and chewing gum, the blood flushes to your jaws and more oxygen gets to your brain, making it seem to function more efficiently. Some studies have concluded that it does in fact help people remember things. Try it out and see if you notice a difference.

2. Will watching T.V. or listening to music help me concentrate harder?

At Signature School, IPOD's are allowed in some classes. Some people claim that having background music, something to tune out, helps them concentrate harder on the homework. In my experience, it's just downright distracting, but some people really enjoy it. I have a friend who listens to her IPOD while studying. Then she listens to the song again while taking the test and the information just comes right back to her. Everyone's brain is different.

3. Will drawing pictures of what I'm studying help me remember?

Everyone's brain works differently. Some learn by seeing things drawn and diagramed, some by saying facts over and over, and some by listening to lectures. Discover how you learn at www.Vark-Learn.com and try out different styles of studying to see what works best for you.

4. How can I be expected to study when it's so nice outside?

It's one of the bitter-sweet gifts of Signature School. We're in a beautiful downtown environment. We can see the trees, the grassy knoll, the breeze, and yet we're stuck inside. Don't worry. You can spend time outside before and after school as well as at lunch. If it's a great day, sign up for the Grassy Knoll and socialize outside. Some teachers will take their students outside for a class, but don't expect it from them and don't let going outside distract you from your work.

5. How can I catch-up with the rest of my class?

Many transferred students find the high-speed learning we have at Signature School is a bit beyond their reach and need a little extra help catching up with the rest of the students. Ask for help from students who are doing well in class, stay after school and talk to the teachers, and do extra research on your own.

If throughout the year, anyone needs any kind of help or advice, please do not hesitate to ask anyone at Signature School, including the faculty members and students.