Ask Penny: Edition #3
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 love the setup of the center, and I love how easy it used to be to walk up to teachers if I had a question or concern. But, being completely remote, I find it more difficult to meet with teachers when I have a question. Do you have any advice?
A: I completely understand this! I think one of the hardest transitions into online school was leaving the convenience of the center behind. My best advice to you is if you have a super quick question for your teacher, stay back after the scheduled class for a little bit to ask away! I promise your teachers will not mind. If you have a bigger question that requires more time, email your teachers some of your frees to see if any that match up with their schedule. Lastly, simply email your question to your teacher! You don’t always need to talk face to face to get an answer. Also, always remember that the Writing Center Online is a great place to go to if you need any help throughout the writing process.
Here is the link to sign up for a meeting with a writing advisor: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jTrIx19UaGKUsyp9SXuDxiPHV2PZ-1OIqgsiDTnqCrU/edit
Q: How do I navigate making plans with friends during a pandemic? How do I make sure I am staying safe while also maintaining a social life?
A: First and foremost, always prioritize safety! Make sure that when you hang out with friends, you are all on the same page. The best thing to do is to hang out with friends outside and, of course, to wear a mask at all times and social distance. You can take nice long walks with friends or have a socially-distanced picnic in the park! If you aren’t comfortable doing something, advocate for yourself and your needs. You got this!!! Stay safe!
Q: It has been a while since New Years’, and I am still finding it hard to stick to my resolution of getting into a good routine with online school. Do you have any advice?
A: Ugh, the challenge of getting out of bed to go to school just a few feet away. This is definitely the hardest part but also the most important habit to get into to instill a good routine. Every morning push yourself to get up from bed, brush your teeth, and brush your hair. Maybe, take it even a step further, and get dressed for the day! I always feel better when I put on a nice outfit that is not my pajamas! Oh, and always make sure to eat a good breakfast before your first class! This gets you ready to go and fueled for the day. Another tip is to prioritize self-care after a full day of zoom! Before starting your homework, maybe consider doing some yoga, going outside for a walk, meditating, face-timing some friends, watching tv, or putting your phone away for a mini screen cleanse. This can take up to 10 minutes to an hour, or even longer. But, either way, give yourself the time to relax, and stick to it. You deserve it! Personally, I am most productive when I make sure to take care of myself! Hopefully, these tips will help you get into better habits this semester of online school!