Transitioning from one grade to another can be difficult for everyone, but with guidance, those struggles can be eased. Let’s hear what advice Bears have to share.
From Seniors
Senior Toma Tasovac emphasized the importance of creating bonds and friendships during junior year. “I’d make your core friends that you can rely on and have study groups [with]. Having people to talk to in your classes just keeps you sane,” Tasovac said.
Tasovac also wishes that someone had warned her about how fast college was approaching. “I understood that [college] was close, but if I was more prepared, I would have done more to prepare for it,” Tasovac said. “Start working on your internships and your service hours.”
Senior Mirak Blom Hansen spoke about the importance of carefully choosing classes. “For juniors, a lot of people will do AP U.S. History and AP Biology. But that’s a lot of notes to do at once—the workload is too much for a lot of people,” Blom Hansen said. He also advised that juniors get a head start on taking the SAT. “Take [the SAT] super early in the year, because second semester is rough for a lot of people,” Blom Hansen said.
Senior Noelia Meraz advised juniors to prioritize schoolwork. “Definitely focus on your classes, focus on your grades, just so you can have a chiller senior year,” Meraz said. She also touched on the importance of organization. “Be organized. For your homework, use a planner because it will really help you stay on task,” she said.
For senior Anja Motuliki, the key to a good high school experience is simple. “Live life to its fullest,” she said.
“Don’t slack, keep consistent, stay focused, stay motivated,” senior Jaqueline Barajas Lopez said. “You don’t want to fail your classes and then do those classes in your senior year. You want to have a chill senior year, so do your work.”
From Juniors
Junior Lila Weber shared the importance of not putting too much pressure on yourself. “It all is going to feel super stressful at the moment, but it’s all going to work out,” Weber said. She emphasized that you have room to make mistakes. “Things will happen where it feels like the end of the world, but there are more opportunities to fix your grade or to study a little harder than you think there are,” she added.
Junior Lawrence Latu recommended that football players take advantage of the academic resources available to the team. “If you’re on the football team, go to the seventh period study hall if you don’t already have a seventh period,” Latu said.
“The most important thing is to get sleep,” junior Willow Basta said. “If you don’t get your homework done, you can always turn in late work, and if you can’t, you can always get your grade up. But if you don’t get sleep, it’s gonna be a hard day and you’re not gonna have any fun.”
Junior Maro Eaton said an important aspect of sophomore year is venturing out of one’s comfort zone. “Tell them [sophomores] to challenge themselves and push themselves academically,” Eaton said.
From Sophomores
Sophomore Jayden Flores Arteaga had an abundance of advice for freshmen. “Pay attention in class—stop skipping,” Flores Arteaga said. “Do some physical sports like football, badminton, anything.” Flores Arteaga also emphasized the importance of being kind to others. “Don’t be disrespectful to your teachers and always be kind to everybody,” he said.
“Try out as many new things as you are interested in, and see what you like at M-A,” sophomore Taraneh Azadpour said. She also recommended that freshmen participate in a sport. “Definitely do a sport or multiple sports, because I think they’re really fun and they are a really good way to get to know new people and make friends,” she said.
Sophomore Miles Anderson emphasized the importance of completing schoolwork. “Keep doing your work and don’t let it build up, because if you let it build up, that’s gonna burn you out and your grades are going to drop,” he said.
“Be nice to your teachers,” sophomore Aidan Andara said. He also advised freshmen to join after-school activities. “Join sports and make new friends,” he said.
Sophomore Raya Sial advised freshmen to not take the year for granted. “Enjoy your time here at M-A, enjoy your free time,” Sial said. Sial believes that freshman year is a great opportunity to explore your interests. “Try new things, and don’t be scared because [high school’s] really fun,” she added.
