Advisory Board: A new year means a fresh start
by David Holmquist, criterion advisor
While choosing your learning path and creating meaning may be intimidating, you should take advantage of this opportunity.
Every year when the calendar turns is an opportunity to make fresh starts.
For some, that means making resolutions to be nicer, more organized, healthier.
Sometimes people make goals to lose 20 pounds or to join a health club or to read more books or to save more money.
It is good to make these resolutions, for they remind us of what is most important in life: to take care of ourselves and each other.
Despite the disappointments that often accompany our failures to live up to our lofty goals--studies show that nearly half of all people who set resolutions give up on them after only a few weeks--that does not change the fact that it is a human trait to always look for ways to be better.
It is a testament to our human spirit, and sticking to our goals and making a true fresh start can transform our lives.
That is what I want for all of you this new year. I want you to see 2018 as an opportunity to make a fresh start.
You can begin in school.
Many of you have a new schedule and some new teachers. Take this opportunity to build relationships with your classmates and teachers.
If you are continuing with year long courses, take this time to analyze your performance last semester and resolve to get more involved in class.
Did you have less success than you hoped to have? If so, then find out why.
Did you take advantage of retakes?
Did you complete all the formative activities, even if they weren’t worth points?
Did you seek help from your teachers or use the PAWS tutoring program?
Did you use I-Block periods to make up tests or get extra help or do your homework?
If, on the other hand, you had success, what were your keys?
How can you duplicate or even improve upon your academic achievement?
Not only is the new year a chance for individual improvement and new beginnings, it is also a time of change for Craig’s teachers.
We have been encouraged to empower students with more project-based learning.
Many of Craig’s teachers are helping students to discover talents and interests through projects that students design themselves.
Mrs. Hilbelink’s English 9-10 honors students, for example, created Romeo and Juliet projects, some of which were true works of art.
Of course, many classes are already project-based, like newspaper, technological and engineering courses, and art.
But students should prepare for more!
While choosing your learning path and creating meaning may be intimidating, you should take advantage of this opportunity.
Don’t worry about making mistakes or what your final grade will be.
As long as you give the best effort you know how to make and strive to explore your interests and answer your questions, you will succeed.
Plus, your teachers are there to guide and coach you. For many of them, this is new territory, too, and they will learn alongside you.
Maybe you will make something truly amazing and life changing!
At the start of this new year and new semester, I encourage all of our students and staff to push themselves to individual improvement and toward academic empowerment.
Make 2018 your best year yet!
For some, that means making resolutions to be nicer, more organized, healthier.
Sometimes people make goals to lose 20 pounds or to join a health club or to read more books or to save more money.
It is good to make these resolutions, for they remind us of what is most important in life: to take care of ourselves and each other.
Despite the disappointments that often accompany our failures to live up to our lofty goals--studies show that nearly half of all people who set resolutions give up on them after only a few weeks--that does not change the fact that it is a human trait to always look for ways to be better.
It is a testament to our human spirit, and sticking to our goals and making a true fresh start can transform our lives.
That is what I want for all of you this new year. I want you to see 2018 as an opportunity to make a fresh start.
You can begin in school.
Many of you have a new schedule and some new teachers. Take this opportunity to build relationships with your classmates and teachers.
If you are continuing with year long courses, take this time to analyze your performance last semester and resolve to get more involved in class.
Did you have less success than you hoped to have? If so, then find out why.
Did you take advantage of retakes?
Did you complete all the formative activities, even if they weren’t worth points?
Did you seek help from your teachers or use the PAWS tutoring program?
Did you use I-Block periods to make up tests or get extra help or do your homework?
If, on the other hand, you had success, what were your keys?
How can you duplicate or even improve upon your academic achievement?
Not only is the new year a chance for individual improvement and new beginnings, it is also a time of change for Craig’s teachers.
We have been encouraged to empower students with more project-based learning.
Many of Craig’s teachers are helping students to discover talents and interests through projects that students design themselves.
Mrs. Hilbelink’s English 9-10 honors students, for example, created Romeo and Juliet projects, some of which were true works of art.
Of course, many classes are already project-based, like newspaper, technological and engineering courses, and art.
But students should prepare for more!
While choosing your learning path and creating meaning may be intimidating, you should take advantage of this opportunity.
Don’t worry about making mistakes or what your final grade will be.
As long as you give the best effort you know how to make and strive to explore your interests and answer your questions, you will succeed.
Plus, your teachers are there to guide and coach you. For many of them, this is new territory, too, and they will learn alongside you.
Maybe you will make something truly amazing and life changing!
At the start of this new year and new semester, I encourage all of our students and staff to push themselves to individual improvement and toward academic empowerment.
Make 2018 your best year yet!