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By Lena Pearson

For the Clemmons Courier

With August and the first three weeks of school coming to a close, the Titans are becoming used to the new school year. However, for many underclassmen or those new to West, it may take longer to get adjusted. From difficult classes to making new friends, there is a lot to manage as both a student and a teenager with a life outside of school. As a senior, I’ve had my fair share of the high school experience, and I’d like to pay forward the tips that have made my time as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Tip No. 1: Use your time wisely

Due to there only being four class periods a day, classes are 90 minutes each, often leaving extra time at the end of the period. While this may seem like the perfect opportunity to sit back and relax until the bell rings, the most beneficial thing I’ve learned is to use every last second of that free time to your advantage. Whether you have a busy night ahead or need a last-minute study session, the remaining few minutes of class are best spent knocking out assignments and reducing your after-school homework load. Regardless of whether you would rather complete it at home, I promise that your future self will thank you for getting ahead on your to-do list.

Tip No. 2: Join extracurricular activities

As the year progresses, so does the monotony of many school days. It often becomes tiring to follow the same routine every day, and extracurricular activities are the perfect break in that cycle. To revive the excitement of going to school, I’ve found that joining extracurricular clubs is key to making the best of your high school experience. From the wide range of clubs that West offers, there is sure to be a great match for each student, as they all pertain to different interests and initiatives. Extracurriculars provide students with a community of peers with shared interests, as well as a way to connect with their school by doing what they enjoy.

Tip No. 3: Find passion in your academics

Not everyone loves to spend their time in a classroom setting, solving equations and presenting group projects, but the best way to enjoy your time in high school is to find passion in a certain subject. Whether it’s an elective or a core academic class, it is important to take pleasure in the work you do. I like to think of my daily classes as an opportunity to learn rather than just a credit to complete. Take the classes that best fit your interests and make the most of every class period. Looking forward to a class or two a day is guaranteed to improve your general outlook on school and motivate you throughout the year.

Tip No. 4: Take advantage of available resources

Many students are unaware of the resources available to them for academic help, and it’s something that I wish I had utilized in earlier years. Most teachers offer tutoring sessions before and after school, and in my experience, they have been more than willing to catch students up and help them better understand class material. Guidance counselors are also an excellent resource for assistance with school-related issues and inquiries, and a quick meeting can be made through West’s homepage. There are plenty of resources around school for those who need additional help, and it never hurts to take advantage of them.

High school is all about exploring what activities you enjoy, subjects you excel at, and which methods of learning work best for you, but there are a number of ways to make the year sail by as stress-free and rewarding as possible.