Read This…

It’s crazy to think that my high school career is quickly coming to an end, it still feels like I have months and months of time at BSM. I’m trying to grasp the concept, but it still hasn’t registered to me, and I don’t think it will until I am shaking Dr. Gyolai’s hand and receiving my diploma. Hopefully by reflecting on these past three years, I will finally realize that in just a few days I will never again be walking the halls of BSM as a student.

First a bit of background: I came to BSM the beginning of sophomore year, coming from the Edina Public School system. In Edina, freshmen year is still a part of middle school, so BSM was my first high school experience. Let me tell you, coming to BSM from a grade of 600 kids, was a huge change. Not only was I getting more attention from teachers, but I actually know every kid in my grade. What I have really taken away from my experience at BSM is the overwhelming (in a good way) sense of community. It is something to cherish and never take for granted.

Now for the moment you have all been waiting for: advice. First things first, remember that freshman year matters! It’s hard to grasp the concept of college when you are a short, young fifteen-year-old, but I am here to tell you that the grades you earn freshmen year are important for college decisions; so at least have some focus. With that said, getting involved in school activities are great ways to meet friends and experience new things, involvement is a huge deal, and colleges look for that in students. So stick with the activities you love, and also be open to trying new things.

The next piece of advice has been a huge problem for me, and I wish I would have been reminded of this: Taher is closed the beginning of 5th. I don’t know about others, but I am always hungry right when I finish 4th hour, it is definitely snack time, and yet I have been disappointed too many times while walking into the lunch room only to realize I can’t buy any food! So with that, bring snacks from home, or remember to work in your snack buying around the dreaded 5th hour.

Finally, I encourage you to talk to your teachers and form bonds with them. If you aren’t understanding the latest lesson, they are more than available to answer any questions you have; in fact they encourage it! They also want to get to know you; they want to be there for you and want to see you succeed. So, talk to teachers outside of class with them, and you won’t regret it.