fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
The Homo Neanderthal- A Sad Highschool memory.
By: Wadah Hason
Tags: High School, College, Bullying, Mental Health, Psychology

— “you, the guy in the back with the black jacket… come here”

Said the new History teacher after examining his students’ faces for the first time.

— “Me?” I asked.

— “Aha” nodding his head yes. “Come stand next to me in front of your classmates, you’re very useful for this”.

It was our first class of the day on a cold foggy morning in January 2012. I would typically be really sleepy in such weather, at such early hour, but his surprising call up served as an Espresso shot that woke me up instantly.

— “New guy loves you, man” whispered my friend sitting next to me as he moved out of the desk, making me room to pass.

— “I knew I would come in handy one day” I told the teacher as I stood next him, in a humble attempt to break the ice. I could tell, from the frowning face I saw, that he did not appreciate my joke.

Ignoring my existence, he addressed the rest of the students there: “Have you ever heard of Anthropology?”

— “Of course”, “Not really”, “Darwin”, “Ross Geller” … my classmates replied with scattered voices.



— “Today, I’m going to introduce to you the 9 subspecies of our ancestors, the archaic humans.”

He then initiated explaining the importance of this science branch, as I stood there with absolutely no clue why. After about 5 minutes of that, he demanded the students to open their books on page 45:

“On this page, you can see an imaginary depiction of the Homo Neanderthal. This subspecies is, allegedly, our closest extinct human relative.”

Out of curiosity, I tried taking a glance at one of the books, but the teacher prevented me from doing so.

— “Give me your attention now” the instructor invited everyone as he approached me; and then started pointing at my face with great preoccupation:

“Can you see the amazing resemblance between the illustration and your classmate!”

the majority of the attendants burst out laughing, which put a proud smile on their host’s face, except for Jasmin, who stood up and angrily challenged him:

“you’re not allowed to do this, this is humiliating!”

— “Oh quite the contrary dear! The Ministry of Education encourages us to enhance our techniques of teaching, through the engagement of our dear students with this interactive fun method, in which we employ each and every element that could ameliorate the educational process.”

— “Can I go now?” calmly asked him, with a desperate fake smile on my face.

— “No, we’re not done yet.”

— “I don’t really feel comfortable, sir”

— “How come! We’re having a good time, right guys?” he addressed the rest.

My classmates were still hysterically laughing. After a couple of seconds, I decided to go back to my seat anyways.

— “It’s ok man, he’s a jerk” my deskmate told me in an attempt to cool me down.

— “With a pointy chin, a hairy body, and a triangular face shape, our friend there is a close living resemblance of the Homo Neanderthal.” the teacher added.
What is Happening With School Sports?
By: Fcss-Fesc Team
Tags: Ontario, Education, Sports, High School

By: Danté Fosterdelmundo

2020 March OFSAA Basketball Championship Tip-Off

As many major sports leagues prepare to play their next season such as the National Basketball Association, school boards have put out little information on any plans to resume the spring season of high school athletics.

Many students rely on sports for sport-related scholarships, and the teams are often integral for school spirit.

Unfortunately, with the fall season passing with no sports, the future looks bleak for the resume of team athletics in the upcoming winter and spring seasons.

“Right now, we don’t have any intention of starting any sports in the near future,” said James Clarke, a coordinator of the Lambton Kent Secondary Schools’ Athletic Association. The cohort system that many schools are using to reduce outbreaks is likely to be compromised if schools resume sports, thus the strong hesitation from school boards to resume athletic play. Although physical education classes are still happening, choosing a varsity team limited to each cohort is detrimental to the teams.

The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association’s Return to Sports Working Group has released a statement early in November announcing the cancellation of their winter championships due to the pandemic. Any tournament related to OFSAA is likely off the table due to the travel needed from schools.

Students are best to keep an open-ear in school just in case any plans to resume sports are being considered, however, the odds are that they are cancelled for the year. If schools manage to be cleared by public health officials, expect a return in an extremely limited and modified capacity.
Diabetic Cyborg Life 12/21: Karma’s a B***h!
By: Adam, Diabetic Cyborg
Tags: High School, Optimism, Health, Education, Karma

Flash forward to the 15-year “reunion” at a little park downtown, and most, if not all the transgressors of many taunts, were at least 50–150 lbs. heaver. Meanwhile, I was thinner than I am now, a good 100 lbs. less than I was at graduation. These facts alone made the trip worthwhile to see them at their worst, while I was much better.

No, I did not revel in their weight gains, but internally, you KNOW I was happy as the overweight kid I once was when I had a full-sheet chocolate cake. Before that brief moment of happiness, I went to a meeting the night before at the Friday night football game. NO one made an effort to go. They even didn’t have a tiny section of classmates from 2001 or anything.

I heard a brief announcement of us being there that night, yet that was all that happened that night. So, I shrugged, waved to the dozen or so of them I spotted randomly in the stands and left. No big loss as I was okay with all that happened at the meet the day afterward.

Karma and time showed that continuous efforts and better eating habits I made out of need are better than the good fortune and luck of good genes. I was not healthy back then, and now I am out of need for health issues, but dang if I was not better off in many ways than my former classmates.
No such thing as love
By: Teresa B
Tags: Hate, Love, High School, Boyfriend

No, not the TikTok sound but this…this is the life motto that I had lived my life believing. In high school, I began dating this guy who let me feel as if I deserved the world. Turns out, there’s no such thing as love. At least in his case. And don’t get me wrong, it started out beautiful but like all good things, it had to come to an end. This isn’t meant to be a bashing post against him, or all men in general, it could be, but it’s quite close.

We started dating in high school, which we all know that high school sweethearts don’t last. It was amazing and I loved him, loved spending time with him, and loved his family. I had finally found someone who went above and beyond what I wanted and what I needed. We were so cute and went to dances together, kissed in the hallways, the whole deal. Then one day I felt clarity and realized that we weren’t meant to be together.

I didn’t believe it at first. I pushed those thoughts away and kept letting him do what he wanted and I didn’t know how to make it stop. He just kept pushing and pushing and whenever I would ask about it and the wrongs he was doing, he would turn it back on me and make me question why I wasn’t okay with what we were doing. The worst part is that it worked…I began to feel bad for not giving him what he wanted and feeling even worse about myself for not wanting to give away what I have.

I’ve never hated myself more than when I was with him and doing what shouldn’t have been done. I recovered from it since then, which is a different story for another time, and then I would catch up with other friends and I would get that pit in my stomach once again. What I once thought I wanted and cherished, I learned, had been shared with the whole rest of the world. Not to be crude, but what a d*ck move to do that. So, now here I am, recovering once again.
5 Things I wish I could tell my High School self
Tags: High School, Past, Letter To My Younger Self, Looking Back, Advice

They say “middle school’s a jungle” (quoted from one of my favourite films — Bride Wars) but I grew up in the UK, we have no ‘middle school’. High school, however, was indeed a jungle; a place of societal hierarchy and full of snakes. Perhaps that’s an exaggeration but if I could give my high school self some advice, here’s what it would be:

1. Stop following the crowd.

Being a follower is boring, lead the crowd. Don’t be afraid to have the attention on you. If you don’t have all eyes on you, you’re not doing it right.

2. Don’t be sucked into the ‘cliquiness’.

Even as a young adult, you see cliquey behaviour follow some but if you manage to stay above it from a young age you will surely save yourself the hassle when you’re older. Cliquey behaviour is peoples’ compensation for being insecure!

3. Grades aren’t everything.

Oh my god, I really thought grades were the be-all and end-all. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in working your butt off to get the best possible grades you can achieve but don’t stop living over your exams!

4. What do you REALLY want to achieve from school?

I know it seems overly deep but what is it that I really wanted to get out of high school? For a long time, I told myself I went to school to have friends but when I finished High School, I had very few real friends to show for it... I just wish I hadn’t let myself get lost in the politics of “friendships” and had focused my energy on what I wanted to achieve instead.

5. Things get better with time.

It’s safe to say I did not have an enjoyable time at school for a host of reasons. My mental health for one definitely took a toll and looking back, I really wish I could’ve given myself a hug because I sure needed one! But note to all, in all situations — things really do get better with time.

Here’s to healing with time and thank God high school is over!
An empty slate of 400 days — what do you do? Here’s the top 5 reasons for my gap year before MIT
By: Kanokwan Tungkitkancharoen
Tags: Gap Year, College, High School, Covid-19, MIT

3. The conformist, career-hyperfocused mold is much easier to fall into otherwise

“Not wanting to break stride is the American way.” — Lee Stetson, UPenn Dean of Admissions “I don’t think there’s any rational explanation to just run to college. There’s no reason. It’s just what everyone does.” — Gerrit Lansing, Sewanee Gap Student

12 years of grade school. 4ish more years of college. Then the rest.

It’s easier to follow what one’s always known for 16 years — tradition, assessments, and measures — than to break some rules and avoid repeating lives already lived.

I play with Rubik’s cubes, so this next story only feels fitting.

While we’re at it, here’s my collection

Contrary to popular belief, cubers who constantly learn new methods, practice daily, and check all of the other boxes aren’t always the fastest ones. Instead, the best cubers I know started off with no manual. Yup, they figured out the cube all on their own. The process looks like flinging yourself into trying, failing, failing again, and continuing to attempt until success. People who’ve learned with a manual, like me, struggle to understand the cube as deeply as those who began with no rulebook to play by. I wish I had begun with only a cube, nothing more.

“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” — Tom Bodett, American Author

That’s how I see a gap year in reference to life. It allows you to throw yourself into the water and see how far you can swim. Without a doubt, this experience incites people to really do something different and make something of their living. Some of my friends, including myself, are pursuing passion projects that’ll hopefully make a positive, tangible impact on our respective communities. No non-profits for the sake of non-profits, rather, trying at something more. Gap years help find that genuine drive and conveniently gives you time to pursue.

Also, cost-benefit analysis-wise, starting college at 19 vs 18 is a marginal “setback,” if you even want to call it that, in exchange for an irreplaceable, formative experience. It is better to get a grip of yourself now before entering college or whatever you decide is next. This is a time for crucial introspection while in the transition into adulthood. In fact, it’ll make the post-college transition a breeze compared to the typical existentialist, hectic time one would have (well, you’d probably still experience this, but to a much lesser extent).
Timeout: How COVID-19 Is Impacting High School Sports
By: Jala Mason
Tags: Covid 19, Sports, High School

“We played in three high school fall events, two in San Antonio, and one in Round Rock,” Whybrew said. “We got a lot of extra work in as a team.”

But after the trip to San Antonio the team had to go into a two-week quarantine after someone on one of the opposing teams tested positive for COVID-19.

Their school isn’t the only one that has been heavily impacted. Pflugerville ISD has been hit hard by the virus, with dozens of games and quarantine orders across all sports.

Before the fall season kicked off, the district had already begun taking a “when, not if” mindset about the virus showing up on the campuses; from waivers that parents sign before their children participate in practices and games, to protocols about athletes returning to play after an athlete recovers from COVID-19.

As for preventative measures, the district requires athletes to be screened through a series of questions about COVID-19 symptoms, on top of a temperature check. On game days, both the coaches and players are required to wear a mask on the bench, but athletes are not required to wear the masks while competing.

Pediatrician Dr. Anna E. Holliman feels that these guidelines can be counterproductive.

“When they’re coming into closer contact, they’re not wearing a mask. But when they’re on the sidelines and separated from their teammates the most, they are wearing a mask,” said Holliman.

While she acknowledges that sports are important, she feels that individuals cannot ignore the risks of playing right now.

“We know that the virus is spread through respiratory droplets and close contact,” Holliman said. “Unfortunately in sports, athletes are in close contact, and if they’re not masking, they’re probably spreading respiratory droplets.”

Even if players and coaches take the precautions set by the state and district during the games, there is still a lot of uncertainty about whether or not the virus is spreading on the court or field.

Holliman feels that pausing high school sports was necessary, and may need to happen again in the future, as Travis county is recording around 300 cases each day, and has reached stage four of five for risk-based guidelines.

“The bigger picture is that [high school athletes] may do OK, but when they give [COVID-19] to their mom, or their grandma, or someone with an underlying illness, those people may suffer from it,” Holliman said.

Junior basketball player Jarmaine Mason has already missed out on his AAU season due to the pandemic, the spring/summer league outside of school, and was hungry to get back to school sports.

“I felt like missing AAU was a lost opportunity to get noticed by college coaches,” Mason said. “It’s important to keep going because this is going to be my year, and we’re going to go far.”

Still, many continue to play knowing the risks. Some say that it is more about what athletes gain from playing a sport than actually playing the sport itself.

“For some, especially seniors, it’s their last chance to get seen by college coaches, a last chance to get that offer,” Whybrew said.
Well, my Thoughts Journal™️ is going to begin with complaining.
By: Arabella Jackson
Tags: Students, Anxiety, High School, College, Write

Well, my Thoughts Journal™️ is going to begin with complaining. I can’t finish my college application essay because my creative drive has dried up faster than Johnny Depp’s job prospects, so here’s my shot in the dark for some relaxing journal-type situation. I already hate this because I hate talking about myself, but since nobody ever needs to see, I’ll just string letters together and try for motivation. The puppy is barking downstairs, which means that whatever wandered past the front door made so much noise he could hear them from the crate — why am I explaining if this is just for me? Maybe I just like the font this types in better than normal. At least I don’t need to narrate, because I abhor the sound of my voice more than Bulgarian split squats, and that is a raw, passionate hatred. This special brand of stress, at least to me, began with a meeting on Tuesday for the Junior class at my high school (social distanced so far apart in the massive auditorium only twenty of us could sit at once, but at least they try) to inform us about college applications and senior year classes. Applications make me sweat and pace and ramble and procrastinate (it’s really all about the self sabotage). My mom thinks I need stronger anxiety meds. I tell her you can’t just take Valium every day and she gives me that special kind of glare that cuts straight to my bones. I’ll end this with a wish of good luck and encouragement for anyone unlucky enough to stumble here, because even if I don’t have it for me I can always have it for you.

Love others, but love yourself too. Happy Holidays.
12 14–18 2020 “Why me?”
By: Elizabeth Childers
Tags: Finals Week, High School, Self Doubt

I resonate with this.

I saw a cat roaming outside of McDonald’s today. I wonder if it used to have a family? Things like lonely cats make me really sad. They want to be loved just as much as the next cat. I threw a fry at it to see if it was hungry; it ran away. I hope this doesn’t reflect how my week will go.

I stayed up until 3:30 trying to cram as much statistics into my brain as I could. I don’t think it paid off. Why do the expectations I set for myself increase as the year goes on? I want to be a normal teenager. No more of this “you have to be the best” bs.

I missed my zoom class this morning, I hope she doesn’t write me up. What else does anyone expect from me when I’m up until the butt crack of dawn studying for a test that seven different teachers are cramming down my throat. I skipped breakfast and lunch today. I simply couldn’t drag myself out of bed. I procrastinate too much.

I do not have the will power to take yet another test. I am loosing brain cells simply thinking of having to log into my school email one more time before December is over. I just want to watch Pride and Prejudice and drink tea until my little heart gives out. Can’t do that. Have to study. Just one more hour. Just one more day.

Today marked the last day of finals week. I miss the joy of the holiday season that used to come in elementary school. No stress over GPA or college acceptance, just pure bliss while finger painting and watching cliche Christmas movies. I wonder if my parents see how hard it’s become for me to paste a smile on my face. There are certain moments when I find myself truly letting go and enjoying life, but as soon as I realize what has happened, I go back to worrying. Why do I keep such high expectations for myself? I may never know. Next week is Christmas, hopefully it will be better.
Metropolitan: A Nontraditional Christmas Film
Tags: High School, Metropolitan, Film, Review, Holidays

The 1990s’s film ‘Metropolitan’ written and directed by Whit Stillman is not the film that comes to mind when I think ‘holidays’. However, when I think about a fun and classy winter in the city, ‘Metropolitan’ is the first film I think of. The film is set in 1990’s New York City. It explores the upper-class culture of Manhattan through a group of pretentious teenagers attending debutante balls and playing bridge in their little bubble of the upper east side. Like almost every movie about friend groups, there’s a twist. Tom Townsend makes an entrance at one of their many parties, he’s different, he’s from downtown Manhattan, he rents his tuxedo and he has never been to a debutante ball…the group is intrigued by him. Townsend becomes a catalyst for the group’s discussions. They discuss more meaningful issues when he is sitting in the room. Throughout the film a range of issues are discussed at their cordial dinner dates, from socialism to the works of Matisse and even upper-east side drama.

You might be wondering: how does this have anything to do with the holidays? And, to be completely honest, the film in and of itself has nothing to do with the holidays at all. And this is why ‘Metropolitan’ is such a refreshing take on the traditional blueprint of a holiday movie. The tone of ‘Metropolitan’ reminds me of the holidays. Walking downtown and seeing the lights, the music on street corners and the Kriskrindle mart. The connotation that ‘Metropolitan’ has in my mind’s holidays and spending valuable time with my friends. I’ve definitely had my fair share of Hallmark movies so far this holiday season, so if you find yourself in a similar position, check out Metropolitan to revamp your idea of what a holiday movie should be.
The Truth Behind Snapchat Flirting
Tags: Highschoolsweethearts, High School, Dating Advice For Guys, Flirting, Snapchat

At the moment, snapchat may seem to be the only way to communicate. Trust me, I’ve been there. In reality, Snapchat is a way for guys and girls to get their self-confidence majorly put down. Flirting on snapchat through snaps encourages non face-to-face conversations, which leads to fake relationships that are usually through a “filter”(literally or not).

For girls, or for me and the friends I surveyed, we can get attached pretty easily. One full face pic or a sweet “goodnight” can have us falling in love. The only problem with this is that a lot of times these quick romances are one sided, and we as girls can fall pretty hard.

Boys. If you do want to get to know a girl better on snap honestly the best thing to do is ask her to facetime. Having face to face conversations, even if it is over the internet, is the best way to get to know someone because you can see how they act on the spot. With Snapchat, people have time to think about their responses and can act more on how they think you will want them to act.

In conclusion, try to refrain from having a whole relationship through quick little snippets of your life. Talk to one another in the moment, I promise this is the best way to be yourself around that person and know if you are actually interested in being “more than friends”.
The Counseling Manifesto
By: Andy Le
Tags: Counseling, Manifesto, High School

The Counseling Manifesto

Image Credit: NYU / Steinhardt

Watching my fellow classmates tackle online schooling during the pandemic has become a recent fascination of mine.

As part of the first generation of students to convert to online schooling during the pandemic, I (and likely many others) had no idea where to start with online schooling.

In the past, there was always some form of guidance from past generations: whether that be through my sister’s condescending high school advice or my teachers’ knowledge of the schooling process.

Normally these would be reassuring to me… but well — this year is everyone’s first time experiencing online schooling.

And I hate that.

I hate the vulnerable spot this ‘first time’ experience has put us in as students trying to figure out how to navigate this labyrinth. As seniors, we’re desperately trying to figure out how to run our clubs during the pandemic, applying to colleges without any direct guidance, getting our standardized tests cancelled, missing out on the traditional high school experiences, and going into online schooling more-or-less blind.

It’s lonely too. Whereas in a normal year where we could burden the difficulties of a class together, the classroom environment isn’t as much of a thing anymore. I miss being able to turn around to the person behind me in math class and ask some silly question about how to solve a homework problem: we can’t do that anymore.

Blubbering aside, as someone who’s obviously going through the motions, I’ve begun to interview other students at my grade level for their experiences as well. In these interviews, I’ve asked students of their thoughts about/during the pandemic and of the state of their mental health.

The responses are mixed, but let’s explore some of the responses and see what we can do about them.
College Admissions Early Decision ALERT!!
By: Gay Snow
Tags: High School, Testing, College, Admissions, Education

INCREASE in Early Decision (“ED”) Applications for the Class of 2025

An unprecedented uptick in ED Applications were submitted for the Class of 2025. Despite the lack of predictability in every-day life due to COVID-19, high school seniors apparently yearned for stability and eagerly applied ED to their top choice college.

Admissions offices throughout the country did not know the extent to which COVID would impact applications for the class of 2025. Admissions welcomed this unexpected surge in ED applications.

The students who knew how to play the Admissions Game maximized their odds for acceptance by applying ED.

ED Game Changer: Standardized Test Optional Requirement

Fair to say that for this application cycle 2020–2021, the savvy student seized the opportunity not to submit test scores and apply ED.

And why would you submit a less than perfect test score if you were not required to do so? #DUH #NOBRAINER!

At all test optional colleges for this current application cycle, the Deans have stated there will be no negative inference by virtue of not submitting test scores.

PAY ATTENTION ALL APPLICANTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2025!

There is a moral to this article. Beware all students who did not apply ED this application cycle, or alternatively, applied ED and did not get accepted.

All students in this proverbial boat must finalize their Early Action (EA) and Regular Decision colleges they will apply to.

The uptick in ED applications this year evidence that high school seniors want to attend college in the fall 2021. At the time of this writing, the distribution of COVID vaccines has commenced throughout this country, and the hope is to vaccinate more than half of the U.S. population by the end of the summer. The end of this pandemic is now insight, which will further drive more students to apply to colleges this application cycle.

To ensure a more normalized fall 2021 on campus experience, I am confident that colleges will require all students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, applicants should note that top colleges will not be increasing the freshman class size for this application cycle 2020–2021. Yes, there will be more gap year freshman students from last year’s cycle 2019–2020 in the fall 2021 class. However, most colleges do not want to dilute the overall freshman experience, and therefore total invitations for admittance will remain same.

#WISEWORDS: Finalize all EA and Regular Decision Applications before their respective deadlines!

For additional insight on the college admissions process, please check out my book on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08J1V4QLF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As we continue to power through, How does this affect the way we learn?
By: Amanda Swanson
Tags: High School, College, Secondary Education, Covid 19, Education

As this semester or quarter comes to an end for us, we must reflect how this has affected our learning and how our minds process new information. For most, reading from a computer screen is something they’ll never want to do again. And for others, its a blessing in diguise. Being able to continue their work while in the comfort of their own home is something that makes them feel safe.

Some kids have trouble concentrating in classrooms with the noises, movements and other distracting things from classmates and faculty. The only thing keeping them sane this year could’ve quite possibly being able to sit at their kitchen table and finally learn in an environment that is meant to fit their needs. This would ultimately give them the headspace to absorb information and be able to retain and recall it when asked.

For others, as previously mentioned, this is quite possibly the most annoying thing to happen this year. Well maybe one of the most annoying. Myself and others alike flourish while being in a classroom and getting the chance to discuss and really understand a topic. Getting to read pages in class and the freedom to simply have an open minded talk with students and faculty is something I won’t take for granted at any point when schools re open.

With both of these student types and those who are in between, How does this affect how all of us learn together? We know this — to push through this difficult time while trying to still enrich our minds with information is something to be proud of all by itself. As we transition back to in person learning, teachers, professors and students all must reflect on their time spent at home and intergrade those learning techniques that worked for them into face to face learning. By adapting once more, it will create a more rich and special education system.
Troubleshooting Remote Learning
By: Chad Dorman
Tags: High School, Learning, Remote Learning, Learning Pod, Education

While the hybrid model of learning in these days of the pandemic is intended to maximize safety and educational effectiveness, we’ve had a number of parents speak with us about technology challenges — while nothing is ever without wrinkles, even with robust planning schools are having significant tech troubles. Everything from systems shutting down, to audio/video issues, to user error (either teacher-side or student-side) — at no fault of anyone’s and we are all in this same new boat together — is causing increasing levels of stress and anxiety from parents. Is my student progressing properly? Is my student engaged? Is this to be a pandemic-slide (much like a ‘summer slide’)?

The domino effect that then occurs is two-fold:

(1) teachers have an increased workload in troubleshooting technical difficulties, planning for both in-person and online lessons, as well as communicating more often with families.

(2) parents — whether working remotely at home, or now once again commuting — have that cloud of confusion and frustration hang over them in their working hours: Is my child on the correct pace for this academic year?

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to the LAC team! Experts in the remote learning world, we are readily available to provide guidance, troubleshooting, and academic support!
Success for the Fresh
By: Riley Lopez
Tags: Writing, Satire, High School

Dear Freshmen,

Welcome to high school. A place of learning and socializing. Here you will learn various subjects which have the ability to expand your intelligence, all of which you will forget immediately after the final. Beginning a new school at the top of the totem pole can be quite a frightening endeavor. As a wise and seasoned junior, I’ve seen my fair share of fresh meat freshmen. Heck, I was even a freshman myself once! (I know, shocking.) So, out of the goodness of my heart, I have made a guide for you “freshies” for the first month of high school, to get you off on the right foot.

Rule 1: Do not Procrastinate. You’ll be facing four years of the most work you’ve ever had to do in your entire life. BUT, don’t even think/stress about that. No, what you need to do is put off today what you can do (maybe) tomorrow. In fact, act like there is no tomorrow, because literally, if there is no tomorrow, and you don’t complete the work today, you won’t be doing it at all! (Sadly, the global calendar continues to shows a tomorrow, however, teens everywhere are working a solution for this. Or at least, it’s at the top of their to-do list, that they’ll get right on after they stop procrastinating.)

Rule 2: Do not cheat. Even though your workload will increase over the next four years, if you plan on going to college, you’ll need to get good grades, no matter the circumstance. Surely, such a goal has traveled through the minds of several students. Some people say, and to a measurable degree to I agree, that a students’ success (in this case, getting A’s) is derived directly from their work-ethic. I, however, offer an alternate perspective. Try payoffs, bribes, paid test takers, and/or teacher corruption. These are just a few of the most cutting edge strategies to achieving good grades. Start now, so that by the time you’re applying to college, you’ve become a professional at this “competitive sport”.

I hope my tips bring you success in your next four years. Maybe I’ll see you around, maybe our paths will cross while I’m bribing a teacher or two — you never know. Stay classy and remember everyone is watching and judging you.
15 Things I’ve Seen As A High School Football Coach That I Wish Parents Understood
By: Nathan White
Tags: Football, High School, Coaching, Parenting, High School Football

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Accounting mysteries — Introduction
Tags: High School, Accounting Majors, Business Major, College Students, Accounting

Accounting is a mystery to be solved!

Mystery and accounting generally don’t go together. I have been involved with accounting for more years than I care to remember and mystery is not a word I associated with accounting when I began studying it in college. However, over the years, as I started working with accounting statements and transactions, I began to realize that every accounting transaction or a statement is waiting to tell a story. I began to focus more on these stories than the numbers themselves and realized that my audience was beginning to listen to me. One of my first bosses told me that the one thing that intimidated him was accounting. He said it was not because he did not understand it (he did not) but because he felt most of his accountants did not either! In one of my first meetings with him to go over the financial performancce as I started to get into the numbers, he rudely cut me short with the expression “I don’t care about the numbers. Tell me the stories behind them”. That is what set me thinking and since then, I have always taken the story approach.

So far so good. Where does the mystery bit come? The problem is that though the stories behind the accounting numbers are important (if they are important, they are interesting, believe me), they are stubborn and tend to hide. It is not easy to decipher them. This is because drawing up an accounting statement is both an art and a science. By the time, the financial statements are drawn up, too much water has flown under the bridge to bring out the leading story or stories. Hence the mystery part. A good accountant will always price open the statements and get to the story. Explaining the numbers by unraveling these hidden facts will elevate an accountant to a coleague or a partner. Thus a good accountant will always be like a detective on the prowl — looking for the answers even when the questions are mostly hidden.

In this series, I will walk through the different types of mysteries. This series is aimed at high school and college stundents studying accounting either as a major or as a minor subject. This is not intended to be a substitute for studying accounting as a subject — rather as a supplement to make the study more interesting and fun.

Stay tuned.
When We were 17
By: Tony Yen
Tags: High School, Memories, Life, Youth, Earth Science

When We were 17

Looking back at 2012, the days in the earth science training group and the prelude to the rising tempest of 2013–14 Tony Yen Follow Dec 7, 2020 · 2 min read

It was the last train leaving childhood, the hand gesture of the conductor before departure. It was the time shown on the clock at the exit of the MRT station, before and after the night journey.

It was the mist in the mountains, the visitor center at the entrance of a hiking trail. It was the chilling wind with heavy moisture, the miscanthus bowing down to the gale. It was the peak hidden in the fog, the omen of the tempest to come.

It was when we still not yet saw the end of each trail, but had to choose between two at every crossroad. We chose one nevertheless; because how easy it was to tell left from right, and right from wrong! After all, every rock we came across in life, we would be able to measure; every constellation in the heavens, we would be able to identify. We lived in the clouds, gazing upwards to see the galaxies, overlooking our feet to study earthly matters.

It was the march of our senpais on the streets, the angst in the atmosphere for an unsecured future. It was the economic system we all despised, the price tag on the scenery of a national park and a media outlet on sale. It was the call for a greener future, the solar panels and offshore wind farms in our dreams.

It was 2012, when we were 17. The mist has never faded, and the mountain peak has never been reached; nevertheless, we must still carry on with the compass in our hearts. Because in this ever confusing world, we must still know how to tell left from right, and right from wrong.
Alfipoetry: 2. Linc Lic Memories
Tags: Quarantine, High School, Poetry, Personality, Sad

Gave you all my love and you threw it up, away

I’m not expendable, so fuck what you say

Burberry label, was all just a waste

Gave you my heart and you made heartbreak

ODing like juice Wrld, lucid dream all day

Cry myself to sleep, feelings stored away

Can’t get out of bed, not even today

Everything‘s gone, much to my dismay

—

Of course I am sad girl what do you expect?

Haven’t gotten out of bed, memories still too fresh.

You say it’s in my head but you never understand

I really tried my best yet it’s always on my end

You said I am important just not enough to keep

Haunts me every night even when I am asleep.

Swallow up my emotions just to keep things in motion

Take in all the commotion cry myself an ocean.

— — — — — — — —

16 bars written in the spur of the moment. Emo Alfie lmao. Actually not bad at all. I should do this more.
Hate poetry? Here’s why some folks don’t.
Tags: High School, Poetry, English Class, Poems4, Poetry Writing

Every semester, I must convince two thirds of my high school students that poetry is worth reading. First, we cover the most common mistake with poetry: Do not read it like you would prose. A newspaper article that doesn’t

yield its meaning on the first read means the journalist hasn’t done her job; a poem that yields all its meaning on the first read means the poet hasn’t done her job.

Step 2: We examine two very different notes about my failure to cut the grass as a teen. First, my mother, then my father’s:

Dear Jim: Yesterday, you didn’t mow the lawn as you’d promised…so please try to get to it today. (Note: thundershowers expected late afternoon so get to it soon!) Love, Mom x x x x

JIM. LAWN. DAD

My mother’s note is clear on the first read, while my father’s, though terse, requires deliberation. What meaning lies within the three-word note? Student responses include “annoyance,” “exasperation,” “all business,” and “threat.” I say, “Congratulations: You now understand poetry.”

Step 3: We read William Carlos Williams’ much-anthologized poem “This Is Just To Say:”

This Is Just to Say

I have eaten

the plums

that were in

the icebox

and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold.

I ask students to re-write Williams’s poem in a prosy style. They come up with something like this:

I wanted to let you know I ate the peaches in the icebox, even though you were probably saving them for your breakfast. Forgive me, but they were so cold and delicious.

Step 4: Now, a hypothetical: Imagine, I tell them, that you’ve come into the kitchen, and it’s 9 am and 89 degrees and humid. You find a note left by an older sibling — with the exact line breaks found in Williams’ poem. There’s a reason for these line breaks. Hidden in the pause one makes between. lines, poetry shouts out its meaning.

We again read William’s poem, this time pausing to look for meaning (in italics) between the lines:

This is just to say

What are you “just” going to tell me?

I have eaten

What have you eaten?

the plums

Those plums? My plums?!

that were in

the icebox

I know. I put them there.

and which

Uh-oh.

you were probably

Not ‘probably.’ I was.

Saving

for breakfast

Yes, for MY breakfast!

Forgive me

Are you kidding me? You’re not sorry.

they were delicious

I know! That’s why I was saving them!

so sweet

Now you’re rubbing it in.

and so cold

You’re not even remotely sorry.

Most students now see that Williams’ poem is dripping with insincerity. Class is over. Most students exit furious at their elder sibling, even though the latter has done nothing wrong.
PitchTeen: A Tech Startup Competition
By: Anjali Chaturvedi
Tags: High School, Opportunity, Business, Makeathon, Events

“When you hand good people possibility, they do great things.” ― Biz Stone, Co-founder of Twitter, angel investor, startup advisor

We are high school students who are driven by STEM and entrepreneurship, we’ve created a safe space for meaningful collaboration to help anyone realize their technological potential. We envision high schoolers bringing the entrepreneur out of them because, at the end of the day, young minds really are great.

To bring this idea to life and to give actual meaning to it — I, along with a team of 5 high school students from India and the USA are organizing a tech startup competition where other students can showcase their entrepreneurial skills and nurture them at the same time.

How does this event work?

Since COVID 19 has taken over the world, we plan to keep everything virtual. While this might come off as a hackathon, it’s not. No coding is required for this, just an amazing idea for your startup. The participants are required to submit a business plan with an optional video submission with must include:

Names of participants, school, and project

Problem Statement + Mission Statement

Intended Audience

Marketability and Market Analysis

Originality: How unique is your idea?

Will there be prizes?

Yes, we’ll have prizes, not just for the winners but for each participant too. (thanks to our amazing sponsors)

We hope you see every high schooler who would like to create a change in the world and who is willing enough to be that change too.
Cell theory: the theory of our existence
By: High School Science
Tags: Science, High School, Cell Theory, Biology, Cells

Cell theory is a historic scientific theory which tells us about that inanimate thing does not have but living things do — THE CELL! (Yay)

All living organisms are composed of cells. Anything less than a complete cell is not capable of independent existence.

In this article, we are going to see the developments that led to the making of the cell theory.

Schleiden and Schwann

Matthias Schleiden was a German botanist. He examined a large number of plant and observed that all plants are composed of different kinds of cells which form tissues of the plant (in 1838).

Theodore Schwann was a British zoologist. He studied different types of animal cells and reported that cells have an outer covering (now known as the plasma membrane). He also concluded that the cell wall was an exclusive feature of a plant cell.

Together, Schleiden and Schwann formulated cell thoery:

Drawback: The hypothesis proposed by Schleiden and Schwann could not explain how new cells were formed.

Rudolf Virchow

In 1855, Rudolf Virchow foist explained how the new cells were formed. He said, “ Omnis cellula-e cellula” or new cells were formed from pre-existing cells.

He modified the hypothesis and gave the final shape to the cell theory.

The cell theory that is universally accepted is:
Simon Hates the Bus
By: Devon Kane
Tags: High School, Short Story, Very Short Fiction, Short Fiction, School Bus

A short tale from an old journal.

Simon hated the bus when it rained. It only intensified the odor of everyone’s room temperature deli meat sandwiches and made Cole more likely to sit closer to him. Cole never stopped shivering because he was 5'8" and had a BMI of negative two, if Simon had to guess. Cole had those braces where the color bands changed with the seasons.

“Brown and orange?”

“Thanksgiving.”

And thus concluded the entirety of their exchange on the 45-minute ride to the dairy farm. Simon had no interest in agriculture or the local economy and found it hard to draw the connection between this field trip and the current curriculum on rainforest biology. Well, this is what Weaver has and this is what the kids of the Weaver Unified School District are going to get.

Gina was in the seat in front, next to Kimmy B. They were drawing dicks in the fog on the windows. Gina always smelled like cigarette smoke and string cheese. This was the official pheromone of choice for the average Weaver sophomore female. Unfortunately, for Simon, it worked.

“Add some veins.”

Gina turned around, mouth slightly agape as to let the dank scent of over-chewed Juicy Fruit waft gently into Simon’s pores.

“You’re a perv.”

Kimmy B. and Gina laughed in that way that 15-year-olds laugh that totally and completely crushes you.

The rain keeps barrelling down and much to Simon’s chagrin, Cole decided it was time to eat his yogurt.

Simon studied Cole through his peripheral view as he attempted to lift the foil lid with his chrome-plated chompers. He was not unlike a garbage truck crushing its innards to a more palatable pile of trash, thought Simon.

It was only 9:32. They had only been on the road for 17 minutes.