The Oratorical Contest gives youngsters the chance to speak on their thoughts of the future.  This year the topic is…

“Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Realty?” 

Semester One’s Language Art 3 Final Exam is a district-created SAT style test which assesses students on the skills we have been developing throughout the course of the semester.  Students should link their 8/9 PSAT scores, through College Board, to Khan Academy, which will in turn provide them with a tailor-made SAT test prep program. In preparation for their final exams in Language Arts, students are encouraged to practice on Khan Academy.

• LA 3 Final Exam Study Guide
• Why Khan Academy?

As we went around the table on NYE and shared our resolutions, my mom proudly proclaimed, “I don’t believe in resolutions! I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.  Life is good.”

We all kind of looked around at each other and were like, “Okay Mom.”

Granted, my resolutions were to travel more, be more honest about things I want and don’t want to do, and, or course, to save money.

 and and 

But, on the eve of going back to school after the break, and knowing that the next seven days before final exams are going to be…. something else, I got to thinking, maybe my mom is right.

My mother’s philosophy is “Everything in moderation.”  While I tend to adopt a more hedonistic lifestyle, my mom is right, life SHOULD be about balance.

Recently a new IG account blasted the stress students experience in schools.  They are not wrong.  School CAN be stressful.  But it’s NOT enough to complain about it – what are you doing to make things more manageable for yourself?

• Are you staying organized about due dates and projects, or waiting until the last minute?
• Are you limiting your screen time, or are you glued to your phone and/or TV?
• Are you being active and going outside, or are you sedentary and bored?
• Are you hanging around people who build you up, or are you surrounding yourself with toxic people?

It always makes me sad when we wait until it’s too late to learn valuable, common-sense lessons.  I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting about honesty, vulnerability, and accountability.  At the end of the day, the reality is what it is.  At the end of the day you NEED to ask yourself, what CHOICES are YOU making to be HAPPY and/or SUCCESSFUL?

I’m not sitting here telling you it’s easy.  It’s not.  There are just only so many things YOU can control – and I hate to see you needlessly frustrated.

I follow a WA English teacher on Twitter @MonteSyrie who shared the following quote, “I won’t make you learn, but I will help you learn. That is my commitment. The rest is up to you.”

As your teacher, I have a job to do.  As my student, so do you.  So, let’s work together and achieve great things! Not because it is a New Year – but because it is the right thing to do, for YOU!