Month: March 2020

By: Matthew Chou

Oftentimes, individuals come up with a list of goals and aspirations, such as being more productive, gaining confidence, or simply getting enough sleep. This is a good first step, but when it comes to actually executing these plans, situations become more complicated. The reason why completing a goal can be so difficult is because it requires discipline, sacrifice, and being placed in uncomfortable circumstances. In order to determine how to achieve these goals, the elements of a goal must be outlined and defined. 

The dictionary definition of a goal is, “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” A key aspect of this definition is the “desired result”, because it underlines the main purpose of creating a goal. Ensuring that a clear desired result is formed is important because it provides a source of motivation and something to look forward to. The goal should be specific, rather than broad, to not only avoid getting overwhelmed with so many tasks, but also to have a distinct objective to focus on. Some examples of specific goals include finishing homework before 9:00 pm each day, participating in class discussions at least once a day, and getting at least eight hours of sleep each day. Consider which goals can realistically be accomplished in a timely manner and only focus on a few at a time to make it more manageable. After sketching out specific goals, it is time to develop a plan to carry out these goals. 

When forming a plan, it is wise to create a day to day routine that you can follow to help work towards your goal. Consider what is holding you back from reaching your goal and decide what steps can be taken to overcome those obstacles. Start small and work your way up, by adding a new component to your routine each week, or when your routine becomes a habit. A good rule of thumb when trying to be more confident in group discussions for example, is to count to three in your head and then raise your hand immediately after saying “three”, to force yourself into the fearful situation and create a chance to express your thoughts. If the goal was to be more productive, one option may be to put restrictions on your phone and give the password to a friend to prevent you from turning it off. Of course this requires vulnerability and discomfort, but will make a huge impact on reaching the final destination. By maintaining a consistent schedule, you can be one step closer to achieving your goals.

Reaching a goal is by no means an easy task, so it is beneficial to understand that the process of failing and getting back up again is important in getting to the finish line. It can be discouraging to not accomplish all that we want, but the biggest key is to never give up and to keep pushing forward, even when all seems lost. Having others to keep you accountable is another helpful factor in making sure you stay on track and continue to work towards your goal. Overall, staying persistent and understanding what you’re trying to accomplish can take you a long way in reaching your goals.

By: Ericson Zabat II

Schoolwork becomes rigorous especially with the extra load of a job and the duties that come with it.  Extra precautions and preparation must be taken in order to become successful in both work and school. However, with careful planning and dedication, this task can become an easier feat. 

Oftentimes, especially with jobs that occur later in the evening, hours of sleep are lost resulting in worse health which can also cause problems in school later on.  Some problems, such as having an exacerbated attention span, and lower grades are only a small part of the sequelae caused by loss of sleep and the overall time lost due to working hours added on top of school work. 

Scheduling then becomes a priority to the organization of day to day life.  People must decide their work hours with their boss, before fully committing to the schedule in order to make sure there is enough time for both sides of the agreement.  Both the school and work hours must be able to work together rather than combat one against another in order to achieve the best possible outcome for both aspects. Also, schoolwork should be done as early as possible and must be able to be done within a fitting time range so the student may be able to get as much sleep as possible. 

Most students take loans, which results in debt and financial problems that are caused at the near end of their time in education.  However, in order to reduce this cost, students often opt for an additional job that adds on to the trouble but helps ensure an easier future.  The cost of education during college usually ranges from three thousand to thirty thousand depending on whether it’s a two year or four-year college.  

Alternative options such as online school are also available which allows for more flexible hours and a schedule that’s easier to balance.  Since the student won’t have to physically attend school, they can do their school work at any time during the day which easily allows them to meet deadlines.  Another alternative for those prepared could be home school as this allows for the most flexible schedule but is difficult to maintain as a parent must be able to administer the education part.  However, homeschool enables the student to finish their work easily as there are no set due dates.

As it’s evident balancing school and work is a feat that is hard to accomplish and has its risks but with extra preparation through scheduling it can be broken down easily.  Also, alternatives are readily available at any time, as long as those involved are prepared and understand the pros and cons.

Valencia High School is held up by a lot of programs and activities offered throughout campus and these activities often cater to our very diverse student population. From after school clubs to sports, there is a lot for students to choose from and classes to fill up their schedule are no different. The list of elective classes is almost impossibly long. From psychology to yearbook, there is an elective for everybody and there’s no better time to find that perfect elective than at the Elective Fair. The Elective Fair was held in the quad and gives the students a chance to get some more information on electives they were thinking of taking from the teachers or currently enrolled students themselves.

Teachers can answer any question a student may have about the course and enrolled students can speak on what it’s actually like to be in the class along with a full schedule of other classes. Although not all electives are represented, many of the larger ones are such as Tiger Tube, theory of knowledge, ASB as well as cheer and comedy sports. Despite not having all electives present, the Elective Fair gives students a chance to learn how at least some of the electives work and lets teachers receive feedback on their classes. Done on a Monday during combined lunch ,the Elective Fair was a huge success and gave the students a little more context for certain electives as well as more concrete thinking going into registration card day and deciding what they want their class schedule to look like next year.