Ask Penny: Edition #2
Junior Penny Shapiro has been at Trevor for three years. She has experienced the ups and downs of coming into high school as a new student, learned how to adapt to a fresh set of teachers, make brand new friends, and keep up with the old. She has experienced a lot and carries a lot of Trevor knowledge. In her advice column, she will not only answer students’ burning questions relating to any day-to-day struggles, but she will bestow some great advice in hopes of making life a little less daunting.
Q: I am attending school at Trevor remotely, and I am finding it hard to stay motivated. What should I do?
A: I completely understand this feeling, and I know how pointless mundane schoolwork can feel. As the teen pop sensation/philosopher Maude Latour once said on an Instagram story: “Realize that you do everything either 1) because you love it or 2) because doing it will allow you to do more of what you love. You’re taking math because you HAVE to do that so you can GRADUATE and focus on another thing. All the steps are interconnected.” This is SO true! Try to focus on this concept, and see that everything you are doing in school is a step in the right direction. In addition, find what you are super passionate about outside of school and give that your ALL! It will make everything in school seem worth it. YOU GOT THIS!
Q: I am a freshman new to Trevor and I need help making new friends. How did you do this when you were new to Trevor?
A: When I was new to Trevor the world was in a very different place, and I can imagine that this year’s pandemic has made this process particularly difficult. My advice to you is to just put yourself out there! If you are going to school in person, make sure to introduce yourself to your new classmates. Ask them for their social media accounts or phone numbers. That way you can keep in touch. And if you are remote this year, you can do the same! Reach out to someone over your school email! Ask someone to hang out, but make sure to social distance. I know this is all so much easier said than done, but think about the fact that you have nothing to lose, and ALL to gain!! :)
A: The holidays are coming up, and I am unable to see my extended family for the first time ever. I feel super sad about it. Do you have any advice?
2020 sure is a crazy year! I personally always looked forward to the holiday season as well, and it is really sad to think about how different it will be this time around. My advice to you is to try to keep everything as normal as possible. Still eat your favorite holiday foods, spend time with your immediate family, and carry on any major traditions (this time just through a computer screen)! You and your extended family can eat dinner together while on a Zoom! You can also do a fun family gift exchange! Assign everyone in your family a different person to gift, and on the day of celebration have everyone go around (on Zoom) to open their presents. That way you start a new fun tradition as well as feel connected to your extended relatives!