Due Wednesday, 15. May 2013
You have almost made it. Just two more weeks left in your high school careers. Take a moment to reflect over the last 4 years. What words of wisdom, advice or just cheers do you want to send to the class of 2014? or maybe it's advice for the class of 2017? Be specific on the who and elaborate on your what. What is it you have learned that you want those who follow you to know?
TASOK is composed of a very unique student body. Students of different cultures and backgrounds make up the warm, welcoming and diverse vibe to the school. I’ve acquired a great deal of knowledge, and learned to mature and develop in the most positive way throughout my time at TASOK. I’ve obviously encountered rigorous paths throughout my four years, but in the end it was all a learning experience.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I don’t have any words of wisdom to pass down to the younger classes. I know they are capable of staying out of trouble and doing the right thing. I don’t live life according to other people’s values and thoughts. I’m not living their life, they’ll just have see what the excitement and changes of the upcoming year(s) presents to them and create their own words of wisdom. I don’t want them to take my advice or mark my words; but the one thing I do want them to do is to graduate from TASOK with something great to offer to wherever they are in this world, I want them to excel in their next chapter in life.
A trend I’ve observed within all of us TASOKIANS is our natural ability to communicate with all sorts of people of different races, religions, places, nationalities, age… etc. We have a gifted talent in that sense. This one aspect we share in common is almost always to our advantage. I’ve been surrounded by a group of sagacious, positive, and enjoyable people here and formed a family, which I know I will never lose. So a quick message to all you freshmen, sophomore, and juniors, make the most out of TASOK, it’s truly a unique school, like no other. Enjoy each day of your high school career here because before you know it, you’ll be dressed up in your blue gowns, throwing your graduation cap in the air, and parting from your second family that you’ve formed at TASOK!
So, you actually do have advice for those you are leaving here: mix, get involved, and enjoy your ohana (2nd family). I like the way you create words (TASOKIAN) here. It's a good venue for this sort of voice.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is dedicated to the class of 2015. I specifically want this to be for them because it was at that point of my life (10th grade) that I definitely got a reality check.
ReplyDeleteHigh school. How many times have you been told that your high school years are the best years of your life? I know that this was a phrase I would hear every single day. However, for me, it was the best and the worst. High school is a portion of your life where you shift from adolescence to adult hood. You become exposed to situations in the real world and it’s not always pretty. The shift can be quite overwhelming. There’s no guidebook or manual to life which means that all the lessons you learn are thrown at you the hard way. Yes, my dear 10th graders, it is very important for you to stay focused on the next two years of your life, most importantly.
Now, here’s my advice to you all:
1.Academics. Academics. Academics. For those of you who are planning on going to college, your last two years of high school are the most important years. For the sake of going to college, please, may these next two years be the years in which you all prove your academic excellence. It is very easy to get side tracked and distracted, but again, that’s when life lessons come in. The consequences aren’t pretty.
2.Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. When it comes to having a social life, don’t go around trusting everyone who seems to smile at you down the hallway. Make sure you can differentiate between friends, best-friends, and acquaintances. Being popular is great, but you are never sure who is true, who will remain true to you when you need them, and who is just there for your popularity. Make wise choices my dear class of 2015.
(I can’t believe I’m already at 324 words). Well, class of 2015, best of luck for the next most important years of your lives. When you’re feeling down and struggling, don’t look at it as a punishment, but look at it as an opportunity to learn something new that you can avoid next time. Life lessons guys, it’s all about the life lessons. Overall however, high school is definitely exciting. They’re the years of my life that I will look back at and just smile. Make the most of it and definitely enjoy it to the max!
Intriguing post. You hint at something big that happened to you in 10th grade, but never explain it. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteNever let others discourage you. If you fail once, get up and try again. Try, try, and try, till you succeed. Okay, I know this sounds really cheesy, but there’s really more to it than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteThroughout high school, you’re going to meet all kinds of people. People who will play their tactics to simply use you, two-faced, back stabbing people, people who will envy you and always try to obtain what you have that they don’t, and people who will guide you, be honest with you, and remain by your side no matter what. My advice? Stick to those who will always remain by your side and be true to you.
I’m not saying I’ve experienced it all myself. I mean, I’m only 17. I still have a while to go before I can say, “been there, done that” to almost everything out there. I guess what I’m trying to say is that although I still have to experience the “real” world on my own, I’ve observed and seen peoples true colors. I’ve seen how “friends” treat each other. I’ve seen people laugh and smile at each other one minute, and the next they’re saying horrible things about each other to other people. I’ve seen how fake people can be just to achieve what they want.
Lets face it; students can sometimes get competitive when it comes to school. Who get’s the best grades? Who is MUN president? Who is captain of the swim team? That’s all some of us seem to think about lately, but for what? For who? Forget that; get that out of your head. Concentrate on yourself, not others. And even though you might come across people who will try to discourage you and lead you astray, stay focused on your goal, and what you want to achieve in life. Don’t let their decisions or actions influence yours, and mostly, don’t let ANYONE or ANYTHING stop you from crossing the finish line because truth is, you’re going to meet all these people no matter what, but only after this, will you finally be able to differentiate between your true friends and your fake friends.
Passionately written.
DeleteKids, (focus on the kids) so kids one thing that I have learnt in the 4 years that I have been in high school is never ever let your work pile up till the end. Unless you’re a professional procrastinator like me, never slack off. Having to do loads of work in one day is not the most delightful of the things you want to experience, trust me. One thing that I would urge the class of 2014 to do is not procrastinate through their senior year because what should be a memorable year will turn out to be the worst year. And I’m sure they wouldn’t want that. I’m also aware that senioritis is inevitable, it something that you just can’t eradicate. The most brilliant of the brilliant haven’t been able to escape its bound. This is me repeating one common message that everyone gives to seniors but I just really want to reiterate it. So the one golden rule seniors should remember is, DO NOT BE A SLACKER. I also know this sounds hypocritical coming from me but these are the words of a procrastinator herself so make sure you listen.
ReplyDeleteVery parental sounding: "don't do what i do, do what I say."
DeleteTo the class of 2017 here are my two advices:
ReplyDeleteMy 1st advice is to take your academics seriously from the very beginning do not start caring after your two first years because every year of high school will count when you apply to college. So do not neglect, thinking you will have time to catch up later, the earlier the better. Many people will tell you that your two last years are important (it is sort of true) but really all of them are important and following this advice just keeps you on the safe side.
My 2nd advice to you would be, as unnecessary as you may think having a social life out of school is, you MUST have one. High school is a rough roller coaster with many ups and downs. School will get harder or unbearable at some point, and having something outside of it you can look forward to, to get your mind off it, will benefit you. It will feel like a short break from all the pressure accumulated by your classes or just the stupid school dramas. It will also help you let go high school easily, because you won’t feel like your whole life was centered on it.
Here are a couple of bewares: 1) surrounding your self with the wrong people, always keep people that really care about you around you because you know they will be there at the end. 2) Do not let yourself get influenced into dumb things; you will often underestimate their consequences until they just hit you in the face when they are least unexpected. 3) Most important do NOT procrastinate, all your work will just pile up and you will have a hard time managing it all at the end.
Sage advice, indeed. Well expressed.
DeleteTo the Class of 2014 here are my advices:
ReplyDeleteFor the past two years that I have been at TASOK has become a home to me because it has really been a very interesting, fun, and great learning center for me and now has I'm about to graduate and leave, I just never thought that I will say this but I will MISS TASOK.
Although there has been some ups and downs but I still made it and now has I am about to leave my sage will be dedicated to the Class of 2013 and for them only have three words to tell them and which is fun, learn, and self-determination.
I think that even if you get to my friends about this they will tell you that I really had everyday but don't let your pleasure (fun) interrupt with learning time so stay focus. We all come to school to learn so hope that you will take advantage of it to the last. Self determination, you have got to set yourself some personal achievement and just dedicate yourself into anything that you will or may like.
Even thought I got to realize all these three words pretty late but it never too late to use it and just remember to be a long life learner.
Just want you to know most faculty recognize the turn about you made a couple of months ago. It's never oo late.
DeleteBecause many of my peers will give advice to the upcoming seniors on college applications and taking the last semester seriously, my advice will be directed towards the soon to be freshmen. I had a smooth 4 years of high school only because I was the laziest person. I only studied and did work the day prior to a test or due date. I played as much golf as I could and socialized a lot too. The key to my advice is, it all comes back to applications.
ReplyDeleteAs I was applying to college, I inserted a specific number on the front of every application. This so called number was 3.89. For you freshmen, you will learn what GPA stands for once you finish first semester of 9th grade.
During 12th grade I picked colleges that interested me, and most of them accepted students with my GPA score. So where is the problem? I had a high enough Grade Point Average, but my SAT scores were poor, which made me change my entire college list. My advice to the freshmen is, not to slack around in high school, and always strive to earn a 4.0 GPA. A higher GPA can cover for a lower SAT score. Secondly, I strongly advise that the freshmen actually get something out of school and put as much effort as they can into learning. Last, but not least, I suggest the freshmen to read loads of books to help tackle the SAT. The reason I give this advice is because I personally did not follow it, and I realize that if I did, I would have had more academic options available to me.
Well expressed, Salman.
DeleteDear class of 2017
ReplyDeleteYou must be very excited to be high schoolers. Yes, I understand your feelings – now you are mature ladies and gentlemen. As a student of class of 2013, I would like to give you two advices that can really help your both academic and social lives for your high school years.
First, I would like to encourage you to take as many APs you are allowed to take for your grade. You may react, “Urgh, but I don’t want to study” but be careful, slacking off now can cause a big trouble later. If you take many AP tests and score very well in your real exams – it will help you to get into colleges and allow you to have expert knowledge on some areas. I personally took 3 AP during my junior year and I thought it was very stressful for me to take these courses but now I am so glad that I took all the AP exams. Study now and enjoy the future!
Second, be always active in school events. TASOK is a very small school and because it is a small school socializing with other students is very important. The best way to get closer to your friends is to participate in school activities and event. For example, join MUN or sports team and build cooperation skills while learning how to debate or to kick a ball! Going home right after school will not help you to build a strong connection with your class mates.
There are more things I would like to give advice but it is also very important to find your ways by yourselves. I hope these advices help you!
From Yeun Ji
Your emphasis on well-roundedness is interesting considering your emphasis on scholastics.
DeleteMost of my friends are older than me, so I feel as though I am not leaving too many people behind. But for the people I am leaving I will say this: learning from experience is the best way to learn and will make you remember thinks better. I don’t just mean with school work either. High school is one of the most exciting parts of life because you are first starting to become mature enough to see who you are and what you want to become. You discover what you truly love and what you really hate, and you become the person you were meant to be. But as you (underclassmen) go through your high school years don’t underestimate the need to experience things for yourself. Teachers will try to tell you and teach you a lot of things, but so much of it will just stick around long enough to take the test and will then slip away into oblivion. There are so many things that you learn in high school that you will never need to know again, the knowledge is worthless. But with many things (a lot of which that is not actually related to school) if you experience it on a firsthand account you have a lot smaller chance of forgetting it. The majority of the lessons I’ve learned have been from my experiences as I’ve failed what I was supposed to do. Do not be afraid to fail, because failure is the best teacher, and you will become much wiser afterword.
ReplyDeleteThere's actually a university engineering class I read about a few years ago.The professor calls it "failure 101". The students are supposed to design things that are impossible or near impossible to design. the idea is to allow and encourage failure so people will take more risks.
DeleteI don’t give or take advices for free but since I love my Tasokians I’ll give you some advices which I wished someone gave me during my first 2 years of high school. DON’T SLACK OF THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL THINKING THEY ARE LESS IMPORTANT COMPARED TO THE LAST TWO. Every high school year is as important as any other. STUDY STUDY and STUDY as much as you can. I’m not staying don’t enjoy your high school years because those are the only years which you can actually look back and reflect. Have fun and do what makes you happy but DON’T BE LAZY or pile up all your work for some later day.
ReplyDeleteStudying is obviously on top of the list but also learn how to make priorities. Priorities will take you a long way because you’ll know what to put first and what not to. As a high schooler also learn how to manage your time. Time management is an important factor in those exciting, stressful, and fun years of high school. As any high school student you will be have distractions, peer pressure, and other issues that will keep you from giving your best but try not to let those be an obstacle on your bright future. Mistakes are always going to be a part of your life but try and learn from those mistakes because at the end experience is as valuable piece.
Any piece of advice at this point of life would be helpful and there are so many things to learn. High school years somehow decide your future for you and if you miss those opportunities it will be hard to get more of them later in your life. Be a bright, smiling, smart high school student that everyone will remember.
Did you not study enough in your first two years? You're so passionate about it.
DeleteDO WELL IN ACADEMICS
ReplyDeleteYou want to walk out of high school with a good GPA. Do not waste your time on things that do not matter or are not important. FOUCUS do not slack behind or wait for the last moment to complete your assignments, you will regret later. Learn how to manage your time, this is where I slacked but you guys should not make this mistake manage your time correctly. It well help you a lot.
SET GOALS
Plan and create a set of goals for yourself and you should be able to accomplish them. Make the right decisions and choices that best suit you. Make mistakes and learn from them. Concentrate on what you do and try to improve.
HIGH SCHOOL ISN’T THE REAL WORLD
You need to realize that high school isn’t the real world. Your real world is outside high school; your journey begins after you finish high school after you graduate. Prepare yourself for the real world.
Well organized.
ReplyDeleteWhere do I even start? TASOK has not only become a learning environment but also a very homey, diverse, and charismatic place. Students from TASOK can be identified even outside of school by the way we carry ourselves and the reputation set by the students before us. We are different from most and stand out most times. As I am leaving TASOK I would like it if the 2014 class changed a few things that have become a norm at school and come up with traditions that will change the future of the school as a whole. The school is now theirs, their last year. They should have loads of fun but also have time for the books.
DeleteEvery moment is meant to be enjoyed and cherished, whether good or bad, because one it’s gone, there is no way to get it back. They shouldn’t think that a school year is long because time flies and before they know it they will be going through the college application process, next thing its prom then graduation then it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter. Now I cannot tell them what is beyond TASOK because I am yet to find out myself, but what I can say is that the experiences that u will get here you will never find anywhere else.
Next year is a chance for them to start again and have an awesome year in TASOK; they should never forget me because I am sure I have affected each and every one of their lives. I will miss them very much, so they should keep in touch as frequently as they can, I don’t want to have to any one of them. They should keep up their awesomeness and always remember that they hold the future of TASOK and the world.
You mention changes that need to be made, but you don't discuss the kinds of things...Interesting that you chose not to write in 1st person?
DeleteWords of wisdom, advises, or cheers to give to next year’s high school students, they are many of them but I will keep it fairly short. These four years of high school were packed with lots of emotion I never had to deal with in middle school.
ReplyDeleteJust like your future college years your high school years are also important and will mark you in whatever way. So do not neglect or underestimate these upcoming years. First with academics, like Doris said, even if the two first years are the least important, they still remain important and you realize it when have to apply for college. Second is try everything, safe I must precise, high school helps in discovering who you are and what you are good at so do not limit yourself. Try everything, you can, you will be surprised at hidden abilities and skills you have, do not stop at people’s opinions because remember we all have different tastes and that goes with it. My third advice for you young ones, is the most important one, whatever you do have fun. You only go through highs school once, just like you only live once, so have fun. Do not do anything you will regret, make memories out of your high school years with your friends in or out of school. Do not stay stuck in your books, or spend your days grumpy because of high school dramas or family issues. Whenever you are down or sad put a smile on your face, and go on with your day, enjoying every moment of it.
sounds like you enjoyed your high school days.
Delete