Tips and Tricks for Sophomores

By Claire Bachand,
BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

A new class of sophomores flooded Davis High’s campus on Aug. 23, some more nervous than others. Meanwhile, seniors sauntered in for their last first day of high school– ready to give underclassmen advice.

“Get ahead early because it’s going to be a lot harder than 9th grade,” senior Owen Schwab said, recalling that during his first semester sophomore year he fell behind and had trouble catching back up.

He wishes that he had spent more time on homework, instead of rushing through it.

Senior Kersten Willgohs had a similar experience.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Willgohs said.

When Willgohs found herself falling behind in chemistry honors her sophomore year, she was hesitant to accept help from a tutor.

“I thought I was understanding everything,” Willgohs said. In retrospect, Willgohs recommends doing practice problems before tests as a way to check understanding.

She also suggests that when writing an essay, to begin with a rough draft. Put ideas on paper and then go back and edit later.

Both Willgohs and Schwab found that doing homework at lunch or during free class time significantly reduced their homework load.

“What would you rather have? A few minutes to glance at your phone during class or free time at home?” Willgohs said.

Additionally, Willgohs finds that she focuses better at school and therefore gets her homework done quicker.

At the end of the day, Willgohs says that doing well in school depends on the classes that you take.

“Take the classes that are right for you, that will get you into the colleges that are right for you,” Willgohs said.

Senior Sarah Postema agrees.

“Don’t take AP classes just for the GPA boost,” Postema said.

Postema also emphasizes that it is important to have fun in high school.

“Doing your homework is important but it’s also important to balance your homework with other things,” Postema said. Postema suggests the best way to do that is by getting involved in school activities.

“Please go to the games. Go to football games, soccer games, baseball games, volleyball games, golf games, go to all the games,” Postema said. “It’s way more fun when you participate.”

Postema loves dressing up for spirit days.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that school spirit is lame. If you want to dress up, dress up. Don’t let anyone stop you,” Postema said. “No one’s going to get mad at you for showing school spirit.”

Willgohs agrees.

“It’s fun to have an excuse to do something unusual. Paint your eyelashes pink or something.”

Schwab points out that dressing up for spirit days can also be a way to meet new people. You might end up talking to strangers because they are also dressed up.

Postema also encourages students to attend friendship day if they are invited and to get their driver’s license as soon as possible.

Going out to lunch with friends can brighten up your day, but Schwab encourages students to make smart decisions during lunch time. If you need to do homework, do homework; if you want to go out to lunch, go out to lunch–just be sure to make the right decision.