Advice

Finishing A High School Yearbook – What You Should Know

Brooke6 Comments

Hello everyone!

I am happy to say that as of a couple weeks ago, I along with the rest of my school’s yearbook staff finished off the 2019-2020 yearbook! This was my first year on the yearbook staff- I applied at the end of freshman year because I wanted to try my hand at writing in a more journalistic manner, and the experience was everything I hoped for, plus a lot more. I had no previous yearbook or journalism experience. I applied to be a writer, but I ended up doing a lot of design and the slightest bit of photography as well, so I dabbled in all three of the main areas. If you’re interested in what you can expect in a year of being on staff from brainstorming until submitting the last deadline for print, keep on reading.

Just for easier organization, I’m going to break it down by month and the bulk of what was completed. Keep in mind that every school runs things slightly differently, and depending on what (if any) preparation you do in summer for the school year, your brainstorming and prep time in the beginning of the year may be longer or shorter.

May 2019

  • I found out that my application to be in yearbook for the 2019-2020 school year was approved (!!!)
  • All members received information on summer yearbook camp- we attended the Walsworth 4-day camp at Chapman University and attendance was highly suggested but not mandatory unless you were an editor, so not all new members ended up signing up (I did)

June 2019

  • Turned in money and forms to go to the summer yearbook camp at Chapman, set up carpools and our staff spirit outfits (they have a spirit competition there and there’s theme days)
  • Made sure yearbook was on my schedule for the next school year
  • Went over an agreement of dates/deadlines and understanding what was expected of me as a staff member, signed and turned it in

July 2019

  • Yearbook Camp!!! It was such a fun experience and I got to room with one of my best friends (the person who convinced me to join) and bond with the staff members that I didn’t know. I took the class “Yearbook 1: A Bit of Everything” with my fellow newbies and Walsworth staff taught us the basics of Adobe InDesign (our school’s design program of choice, if you use Walsworth as your publisher I’m pretty sure you have to use InDesign), the format of a copy and captions, and how to take good photos.
  • At camp, we brainstormed ideas for our theme/book title, cover, and main colors/design elements we would be using throughout the book. We ended up keeping the theme and title, but the cover and design elements were changed once the school year started.

August 2019

  • At school orientation, each member had to pick a shift to hand out flyers at our assigned table and remind people to buy their yearbooks. We also just promoted our staff in general, and the purchase of senior tributes.
  • School started, and we did some activities to get to know each other since there were about 8 people who didn’t attend camp. Each editor gave a presentation on something we would need to know (side coverage, captions, how to find an angle for a copy, photography, more InDesign tips, etc.)

September 2019

  • We got our assignments for the first deadline, which was pretty much only fall sports. I had one copy and one design. For reference, D1 was one of our smallest deadlines and our staff was about 25 people, and every non-editor staff member had 2 or 3 assignments. Our book is around 400 pages because my school is fairly big, but the editors handle a lot (the pages with school pictures, senior tributes)
  • We also got mod assignments, and each person had to do two to four mods with a partner on various topics/school activities. They were usually open-ended questions or school events, and one person would get photos while the other got interviews. My partner and I had one on our school’s food fair, one on asking people what their favorite school English book was, and so on
  • Photographers and writers had almost four weeks to get their content for D1 done, then designers had a week to design their spreads using that content. Our editor-in-chief made us design checklists with all the specifics (font size, how many photos to use on a page, how to space everything out) but a lot is up to us as far as layout as long as we follow the checklist guidelines.
  • Once you turn a copy or photos in, the editors and my yearbook advisor would give feedback. We’d make the edits and if the designer had already finished, they would have to adjust accordingly. If not, the edited version would be waiting for the designer to put in
  • Writers were allowed to do interviews during our yearbook class period by pulling people out for a few minutes (we have a system) or by text. Photographers can pull people out for photos for some stuff and getting quotes for captions, but for sports and most events they have to physically be present and taking photos there. Designers do everything on InDesign on a computer at school, or take the school laptops home if they need to.

October 2019

  • We finished our D1 assignments, got them edited, etc.
  • At the end of the month, we submitted all the pages that were part of the first deadline and got our assignments for D2, which was mostly comprised of student life and academics pages

November 2019

  • We got our first official “grade” in the class from D1. Each deadline is 100 points, and that’s usually the only thing we get graded on. Points are taken off if your assignments were partially incomplete/unfinished or late
  • We worked on our D2 assignments, using the same checklists/guidelines as D1, but with higher expectations. I had a copy on our academic decathlon, a copy on our technology classes, and a spread on our special needs sports program for both the copy and design
  • We got our “proofs” back from Walsworth for D1 pages, so any issues with things not translating well on the page (off-color photos, etc.) or mistakes that weren’t caught previously had to be fixed, and sent for final submission/print

December 2019

  • We turned in our D2 assignments at the beginning of the month, got them edited, and they were submitted
  • We got our D3 assignments, which were mainly winter sports. I had two copies and a design.
  • Winter break ate up a good chunk of the month

January 2020

  • The same week as finals week (towards the beginning of the month), D3 assignments were due.
  • We got our D2 proofs back and edited them, then submitted for print
  • We got our D4 assignments (small deadline because it included a bunch of senior tributes stuff and other things the editors were responsible for) and I had two copies

February 2020

  • We submitted our D4 assignments
  • We got D3 proofs back and edited them, submitting for print
  • We got our D5 assignments assigned- everyone had one mod on a club at our school, plus I had two designs and two copies, which were all for spring sports

March 2020

  • We got our D4 proofs back and edited them, submitting them for print
  • We submitted our D5 assignments the last week before our school shut down for coronavirus/quarantine, luckily. That was our last deadline, so the book was completed! However, some sports hadn’t had games yet and we were planning on waiting to get photos for proofs, so those pages had to be reworked. Luckily, my pages weren’t missing any content and I got everything done early.
  • The few leftover pages that had to be scrapped because they were on spring events got fixed up by the editors- one was an emotional letter to seniors about the coronavirus situation, and the other was about what people were doing in quarantine

April 2020 (adjusted because of COVID-19)

  • D5 proofs came in, so the editors and my yearbook advisor had to figure that out
  • We’ve been in quarantine and doing online school, so since the yearbook is done, luckily we haven’t been assigned any work so it’s one less class to worry about

May 2020 (TBA and adjusted because of COVID-19)

  • I think my advisor is planning on giving us a portfolio assignment so we’ll have a portfolio of all the pages we worked on this year
  • Editors for next year will probably be chosen

June 2020 (TBA and adjusted because of COVID-19)

  • Brainstorming for next year’s book
  • Signing up for camp
  • Not much else since we’ll still be online and school ends the second week of June

I hope this gives you an idea of what a year working on the yearbook looks like! There’s definitely a lot more that goes on day-to-day between major deadlines and events, so I’ll post a more detailed guide in the future if you guys are interested. Let me know if any of you guys have questions about yearbook- even if they may not apply to my specific role or school’s yearbook setup, I’ll try my best to answer them.

Brooke

How to Find Inspiration While Quarantined

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

When COVID-19 heated up and quarantine first started, I was trying to think on the bright side: I could write a ton and work on so many other creative pursuits I wouldn’t otherwise have time for! What I didn’t realize, however, was how difficult it would be to find inspiration and stay motivated to be productive and do these things while trapped in my house with little variation or activity around me. If you’re in a similar spot right now, keep on reading to find out how to get your creative mojo back. These are tips I’ve been using to help me stay inspired while writing, but they’re definitely not writing specific.

  1. Find a slightly different environment to work in.

I understand that we’re all in different situations and might not have as much freedom or the space to have specific workspaces, but just do whatever you can to switch up your surroundings. If you normally work in your room, try working in the kitchen. If you normally work at a desk, try laying everything out on the floor and working there- I actually love working on the floor, believe it or not. Also, try not to work in your bed, as it’s harder to stay productive and maintain a separation between rest and activity in your brain if you’re working in bed.

2. Look at Pinterest.

No matter what you’re trying to get done or what you’re seeking inspiration for, there’s probably oodles of content related to it on Pinterest. Make an inspiration board or just find examples of whatever you hope to make/accomplish. You could even make a collage of pictures you like from Pinterest and set it to your phone or laptop background so you’ll be reminded of it.

3. Be gentle with yourself.

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to be creating content or being productive. This is a difficult and strange time for everyone, and it’s okay to take breaks or just not do anything on some days. Spend time with your family and do other fun things you usually don’t have time to do that don’t require much thought; it might be just the brain break you need to give you a new burst of inspiration.

4. Consider the time.

I couldn’t figure out how to word this better, but this is an event that will go down in history, so if you’re looking for inspiration, draw from what’s going on around you. Who knows? Your interpretation of these current events through art, writing, videography/photography, et cetera could be primary sources as to what was going on in history when people look back on this time. I’m sure we all have a lot of conflicting feelings surrounding how COVID-19 is affecting us and our world, so use that in whatever you’re working on. Embrace it!

5. Try something new.

You have all this time to work on what you love doing, but that also means you have all this time to try other new things that you may fall in love with! If you’re struggling to find inspiration for one thing, get out of your comfort zone and do something completely different. When I had a little case of writer’s block, I tried sketching, something I would never usually gravitate towards since I’m not a good artist. It was actually really fun, and I returned to my writing afterwards. Find a different creative outlet, try it out, and when you’re done use that experience to get inspired in what you were doing previously.

I hope these tips helped you out and inspire you to seek out even more inspiration 🙂 Like I’ve mentioned a million times, these are unprecedented and strange times, but we might as well make the most out of them. Whatever that looks like for you, I hope you find the inspiration you’re looking for and use this time to your advantage. Stay healthy and safe.

Brooke

Why You Should Read and Write Often

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

While we’re in quarantine and have nothing to do, there’s no better time to pick up a good book or write the story you’ve always wanted to read. I know in this day and age with hustle culture and all the pressure to constantly be busy and productive, people often push pastimes like reading and writing to the side unless it’s their absolute passion. I happen to love reading and writing and always have, but I think it’s important for everyone to read and write, especially now while they have the extra time. Why exactly is this so important? Keep on reading to find out!

Reason #1: It expands your vocabulary.

I know, I know. You’ve probably heard this before from your teachers, parents, and other adults, but it’s true! You pick up new words and phrases from reading (which you can use in your writing) and you’ll tend to start using them in real life. If you’re in high school and starting to prepare for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, being well-read can cut down on the amount of vocabulary words you need to study or be familiar with. You’ll be able to interpret the passages on the tests better as well.

Reason #2: It’s an escape and a way to explore new worlds and ideas.

If you’ve always wanted to travel somewhere but can’t for whatever reason, read a book about that place! If you’re obsessed with the fantastical, read fantasy books filled with witches and goblins. If you can’t find a story that suits the world you want to explore, do some research and start writing it. I’m sure there’s a million-dollar book idea floating around in everyone’s heads somewhere- you just have to do some digging. On the more realistic side of the spectrum, writing is also just a way to get out your thoughts. Journaling or making a story out of your life can be therapeutic in so many ways.

Reason #3: You’ll learn random tidbits of information and be smarter because of it.

Sometimes the most random things will be slipped into books, and all of a sudden you’ll be invested in niche disciplines or topics you’d never given thought to before. After reading a couple kids’ books that mentioned synesthesia when I was younger (A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass and The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch in case you’re wondering), I became fascinated with it. That’s not exactly a common thing that people talk about a lot and I don’t personally know anyone with synesthesia, but I learned so many random facts throughout those few books I read. You never know what you’ll learn from a book, and often it’s not the most obvious things that will stick with you.

Reason #4: It helps you learn more about yourself.

I know this sounds cheesy, but it’s held true for me. When you write a lot, you’ll notice what sorts of subjects appear over and over again in your work. As you develop your voice in your work, that voice reflects who you are and what you want others to see you as. It’s kind of crazy what kind of magic can happen when you put pen to paper, and a lot of it happens subconsciously as you’re just thinking and going through the motions of making your ideas concrete.

Reason #5: It’s a good skill to have no matter what your future plans are or what you do for a living.

You can be a writer at any stage in your life, there are many different types of writing you can do, and it’s something you can take up as a side hustle. It’s a valuable skill to have, and good writing can even shine through in something as mundane as business emails. It’s definitely important in school no matter what class you’re in/your major in college and teachers will definitely be impressed by someone who has solid writing skills no matter what they’re writing about. In most industries/jobs, it’s important that you can communicate eloquently, and writing is a huge part of that; if you can write formally, you can definitely speak formally, as writing requires a lot more editing and thinking.

I hope this convinces any of you out there who need to force yourself to crack open a book. There are always going to be reasons not to, and it definitely can take a good amount of time to finish a book or write a story, but it’s so worth it and I guarantee you’ll learn something throughout the process. I continue to learn about both the world and myself every time I read or write something. Stay safe and healthy!

Brooke

How I Got Back Into Reading and Writing

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might’ve seen me mention a couple times that I used to be an avid writer and reader when I was younger, but went through a dry spell for quite a few years. I really only got back into it a little over a year ago, halfway through my freshman year of high school. If something similar has happened to you for whatever reason and you’re trying to get back to your old book-loving self, or you’re trying to get into these two amazing habits for the first time, keep on reading to hear about my journey.

I think the biggest thing is just to treat it like any hobby that you have to make time for; just because you used to be super into it doesn’t mean it will automatically fall into your life and become an automatic part of your schedule again. If it does, that’s great! But don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t. That’s the most important distinction to make, but other than that, let’s dive into my story and tips.

In the middle of freshman year after my cheer season was over, I found myself with a lot more free time than I’d had since starting high school. I was evaluating what I wanted to do and how I wanted to spend some of my free time, and there were a lot of activities I was interested in doing- I started volunteering more, and I joined some other groups outside of school. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much time I used to spend writing random stories, and reading books. I’d read a poetry book or two in freshman year, but other than that I was only reading and writing in my classes at school.

I was also going through kind of a hard time, so I decided I would start journaling and just write about all the thoughts I was having. My journal entries turned into pages and pages of writing, and eventually I realized how much it was helping me to just get everything out on paper. I started writing poems that reflected my current thoughts and feelings as well, and just writing as often as I could. I applied to be on my school’s yearbook staff for the next school year with a writing sample, and I got in! Writing was becoming a bigger and bigger part of my life. I think the catalyst for me to really get into writing was starting this blog in June 2019. I knew I wanted to do something different and write in a new way, and I figured I would have plenty to write about on my summer trip to France and Italy, so I started the blog under the guise of covering my trip.

I kept writing for this blog throughout the summer (and throughout this year, and I plan to keep writing), but my next writing endeavor was signing up to be on the editorial staff at Polyphony Lit, an international teen magazine. I’ve learned so much about writing and read so many amazing pieces during my time as an editor there, and I even got a promotion a few months ago from First Reader editor to Second Reader editor (the level above)! If you’re in high school, I highly recommend checking out Polyphony Lit and the opportunity to be an editor; if you’re not a teenager, I just recommend checking out the publication in general because the work is amazing!

After being inspired by starting to edit submissions for Polyphony, I started to write more poetry over the summer. I would sit in a lounge chair in my backyard and just write, drawing inspiration from anything and everything and trying to make it into something beautiful. As I wrote more and more, I started submitting some poems to contests, and I had my first poem chosen for publication in the fall.

As you can tell from my journey so far, for me it was easier to incorporate writing back into my life first, and reading came shortly after. I realized that in order to improve my writing and develop my own style, I should read more and get inspiration from other authors. At first, I just reread some of my old favorite books to get my feet wet in the book world. Next, I asked for poetry books for Christmas and read a bunch of poetry. I signed up for Poem-A-Day to get a poem in my email everyday and get exposed to different authors and writing styles. I got books from my parents’ bookshelves and just started reading them, and I asked my English teacher for a couple book recommendations.

Now that we’re in quarantine, there’s more time than ever to experiment with reading and writing. Hopefully my story gives you an idea of how an inkling of wanting to read or write can eventually lead to a complete rekindling of your love for them, but if you’re looking for more specific tips, here’s a little list!

  • Sign up for Poem-A-Day. I know I already mentioned this above, but it is a great way to make sure you’re reading a poem everyday and getting exposed to so many different poems and writing styles! It’s free, and it’ll only take you a few minutes each day to read the poem.
  • Look up writing prompts or exercises. If you’re in a writing mood but aren’t used to writing or you’re not sure where to start, look up some writing prompts! Your creative juices will start flowing and it’s always great to practice.
  • Keep a journal. As I mentioned, starting to journal and get out my thoughts that way was one of the things that really got my writing going. When you’re putting pen to paper all the time, eventually the magic will happen or you’ll be inspired to write something else.
  • Ask your friends what they’re reading and read it. This way, you’ll have people to talk about the book with, and you’ll be more likely to enjoy it if the recommendation’s coming from a friend! It can be a loose/informal book club.
  • Read the book version of your favorite movie/TV show. This is something that’s overlooked- you already know you like the story, so why not read it and compare the differences? It’s always interesting to see what scenes/details aren’t translated to the film/TV version.

Hopefully this helps you all out or inspires you in some way. I’d love to talk to some fellow readers or writers, so let me know what you’re reading/writing at the moment 🙂

Brooke

How To Beat Writer’s Block

Brooke2 Comments

Welcome back everyone!

Have you been sitting down to write with all your newfound free time at home, only to stare at your paper or laptop blankly? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Writer’s block is a threat to writers everywhere, but today I’ll share a few of my favorite ways to shake it.

Method One: Use writing prompts and/or exercises.

This is a pretty standard way to try and help, but I feel like this only works when you’re having mild/moderate writer’s block and are still able to write something. You can look some up on writing-related Instagram accounts, Pinterest, or even just Google images. If you’re trying to finish a specific story or piece but can’t get the words out, it helps get your creative juices flowing if you write about something completely different.

Method Two: Go do something completely unrelated to writing. When you’re done, try to write something about it.

This could be anything depending on how much time to spare and how desperate you are to cure your writer’s block. It could be going for a drive, baking a cake, watching a sad movie, or getting your household chores done. Sometimes, a break is all you need to get some inspiration again. However, if you’re still not ready to return to what you were writing before, try writing about whatever experience you just had. Again, it’s all about getting the creative juices flowing.

Method Three: Try implementing a plot twist.

Depending on what you’re trying to write, you may or may not be willing to do this. If you are, just try taking your piece in a completely different direction and taking it from there. This goes along with using different parts of your brain/getting your footing back, but it’s a more direct approach to your piece. Also, you may end up loving what you write! If not, you can always edit, rework, or completely rewrite.

Method Four: Read something new.

I get a lot of my inspiration for writing from reading different works anyway, so it always helps to take a reading break and observe ways different authors carry their storylines. It’s also just a nice brain break in general, because who doesn’t love to read? You could also read a different genre than you normally do- it might give you a new perspective.

I hope these tips help you beat any case of writer’s block you may encounter! I had a pretty bad period of not being able to write anything I was proud of a couple weeks ago, but these tips helped me a lot. I’m actually working on a bunch of writing right now, so keep an eye out for new content related to my writing if you’re interested 🙂

Brooke

Trying to Improve Your Life? Read This!

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

This is going to be a more random post, as it’s an idea I’ve had in my drafts since October. I figured now was a good time to finally write it, as I knew I (and you guys, too) could use some positivity during these disheartening and crazy times. I’m just going to be sharing with you a few places I’ve found inspiration and helpful words of encouragement, particularly about being successful in certain aspects of life/improving one’s life. If you’re interested, keep on reading!

For general tips:

  • Using the Law of Attraction – I’m not the best person to explain this, but the main principle is that your attitude manifests things into your life because the universe is giving you what aligns with your vibrations. In order to bring good things into your life, you should not only be positive, but think about them as if you already have what you want/being grateful for it. Good resources for learning about the Law of Attraction are thelawofattraction.com, The Secret documentary on Netflix, and YouTube videos if you just look it up (I found Luca Whitaker’s to be simple and helpful).
  • Looking at motivating websites – I’m a sucker for a motivational article. Recently I’ve liked looking at success.com because they have a ton of articles about how to be successful and productive in different areas of your life. Honestly, finding a specific website/publication/magazine that aligns with what you’re currently interested is a great way to improve your current mindset regarding that aspect of your life, whatever it is.
  • Pinterest – I know this seems like a weird thing to recommend, just a straight-out social media platform, but Pinterest is such a good platform when you need motivation or inspiration. I like to look up inspirational quotes and find some that I like, but a lot of people also use the Law of Attraction by making a Pinterest board of things they want to manifest/their dream life.

For improving blogging:

  • The Art of Blogging by Christian Mihai – I don’t have too much experience in seeking out resources for how to blog correctly because I made my blog for fun, but this blog by Christian Mihai here on WordPress taught me a lot about the basics. If you’re looking to turn your blog into a business or trying to get on the track to success, definitely read his posts.

For improving your grades/academic life:

  • ANY book by Cal Newport – I read one of Cal Newport’s books a year ago, and it was so eye opening. He has great, blunt advice about how to succeed in school (both high school and college/grad school) without going insane and burning yourself out, and I just find his advice reassuring in general. I can’t say I’ve put all his advice into practice, but I try to live by most of his advice and it truly is helpful, even if you can’t put it into practice completely either.
  • Studygrams – Looking at YouTubers or Studygram accounts on Instagram (Study for Success is one of my favorites, and she has Instagram and YouTube) motivates me because I see their studying routines and perfect notes, and I want that for myself. You might get some serious handwriting envy 😉 but it’s worth it if it motivates you.
  • Pomodoro method – Get an app that has a Pomodoro timer; it just times your studying/working for 25 minute sections with 5 minute breaks to maximize productivity. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it might work for you!

For improving writing:

  • Keep writing – Yeah, I’m not an expert writer. No one really is. But if you keep doing something, you’re bound to get better at it. Try writing a poem every day, or blocking out a certain amount of time (even if only 15 minutes) everyday to write something.
  • Read – I know, I know, everyone says this. But it’s true! By reading more, I’ve been so inspired to try different things in my writing, and you get to see what works for different genres and styles of writers.
  • Send your writing where it will get feedback – For teens, I recommend submitting your work to Polyphony Lit. You’ll have the chance at getting published, but even if your work is rejected, they have multiple editors (I’m one of them!) whose job is to write a complete set of commentary on each piece, so you’ll get tons of feedback in the end. Otherwise, find fellow writers who are willing to exchange work, or forums (Reddit, maybe?).

I know there are so many aspects of life you might be looking to improve, so I’m sorry that I only specifically addressed a few; however, I thought it made the most sense to just address the 4 main topics I discuss on this blog. I hope this helps you out, and inspires you to try out some of the things I mentioned. Please let me know if any of them end up working out for you.

Brooke

How to Fit Reading and Writing Into Your Life

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

I used to think I simply “didn’t have time” to read or write often, even though it was what I enjoyed. Obviously I worked on my time management skills and tried to free up my schedule so I had more free time to do so, but I think it’s even more about your attitude and your love for reading/writing that will make it a bigger part of your life than your actual schedule. If you’ve been trying to get yourself motivated to read and/or write more often, keep on reading!

It sounds silly, but just like with anything you’re trying to make time for in your life, the first and most important step is to truly make it a priority in your head and tell yourself you need to read and write. Obviously not in a way where it puts pressure on yourself, but in a way where you’re making time for it just like any of your other “needs”, like eating and showering. When I first started this blog, I decided I would work on my posts every Saturday morning, and that would dribble into Sunday morning if I didn’t finish. That became a part of my schedule; it’s my sacred time for blogging.

I think reading also helps with motivating you to write, and vice versa; if you’re doing one, you’ll be more inclined and inspired to do the other. Once I started writing more often, I realized being more well-read would improve my writing, and then I dove into whatever books and reading material I could find in my spare time. If you already do one a lot, eventually I think you’ll find yourself doing the other. In this case, try to balance the two- if you’re trying to read a really long book, maybe don’t set a goal of writing a novel at the same time- that sort of thing.

Also, with the quarantine in many states/countries because of the coronavirus, a lot of you probably have a lot more free time on your hands. If reading and writing more has always been a goal of yours, now you can dive straight into it, without having to worry about as strict of time constraints. If you’re still busy working from home/doing online school, you can incorporate a reading hour/half-hour before bed. During my busiest times of the school year, I know I don’t usually end up reading or writing that much either beyond this blog, but it’s all about making the most of the time you do have.

Here’s a few little suggestions I have that are more specific:

  • Sign up for the Poem-A-Day email newsletter here! I did this when someone recommended it to me, and it cheers me up to see a new poem in my email inbox everyday. If you don’t get them right away- check your spam, as sometimes mine get directed to there.
  • Sneak in some reading time by reading on your phone. There’s always reading material online. Whether it’s checking the news and staying informed that way, or reading a blog (hint, hint), you can easily have a few minutes of reading here and there.
  • Read books you’ve already read before. This is nostalgic and usually makes you feel good (I read a bunch of my old childhood favorite books recently and made a post on it that you should go check it out!), and I find it’s also less time-consuming because you already understand everything and it’s more about remembering the story than actually diving into it.
  • Make an informal book club with your friends. It doesn’t have to be an actual book club, but just an agreement that you and some/one of your friends are going to read the same book and discuss it at some point. This holds you accountable in a low-pressure way, and gives you a book buddy so you can motivate each other to read!
  • Write in the notes section of your phone. When I don’t have time to sit down with pen and paper, sometimes I’ll jot the beginnings of poems in my notes, and finish them later. This can also be interesting because once you sit down and think about the idea with fresh eyes, you may take it in a completely different direction.
  • Write a poem every day. This is basically the same thing as reading the Poem-A-Day newsletter but in writing form. It helps you get a feel for your voice and what you like to write about.

I hope this inspires and motivates you to go read a book or write something. Also, remember that writing and reading are supposed to be fun, relaxing pastimes, and it should be something you can look forward to doing, not force yourself to do or dread. I truly believe there’s a type of book/writing for everyone, and I challenge you to find yours.

Brooke

How to Select Your Class Schedule for Next Year

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

It’s that time of year again- second semester is flying by, the longing for spring break and eventually summer intensifies, and registration for next year’s classes is upon us. For some of you, it may have even happened already, but for me it’s in the next couple weeks. If you’ve been conflicted and aren’t sure on how to choose your classes for next year, you’re in the right place! Keep on reading to hear my tips. A quick disclaimer beforehand- different things work for different people, so don’t be pressured into taking classes that might not be the best for you. Think of your mental health and don’t bite off more than you can chew, but also make sure that you will still be challenged.

  1. Make sure you have your core four/five subjects. This is English, history, foreign language, math, and science. If you were ahead in one or more of these subjects and have aged out of the sequence at your school, make sure you have other classes to take, whether electives or doubling up in another subject. You could also take dual enrollment classes at a local community college or through your school if that’s offered, or do a class online if necessary.
  2. Consider the level of classes. Whether it’s CP, Honors, AP, or IB, consider how much of a workload you’re willing to take on. This might depend on what activities you’re involved in, and how you did in this/last year’s classes. If you’re having trouble deciding what level of certain classes to take, ask your counselor and/or parents for advice. If you’re up to take 5+ APs and have your heart set on competitive colleges, go for it! Just keep in mind what that workload will look like.
  3. Make sure you like your electives. There are soooo many options at my school that it’s overwhelming to choose- if you’re in the same boat, make the most of this! If you need/want a GPA boost, choose an honors elective. If you’re into the arts, take an art class. Take advantage of the options available to you- it’ll be fun and feel less like another class full of work.
  4. Check that you’re fulfilling graduation requirements and A-G requirements if you plan to apply to UC schools. Since I live in California, my high school basically makes us fulfill the A-G requirements to graduate, but I know that out-of-staters might not be aware of this. You can easily look them up or ask your counselor, but they might be different than your normal graduation requirements. Either way, make sure your schedule is putting you on track to graduate on time.
  5. If you’re leaning towards a certain career path, check that your classes align with that as much as possible. For example, my school has a really cool cadaver-based advanced anatomy class that you have to apply to get into, so people who are interested in going into the medical field are encouraged to try and get into that class senior year. In general, my class has a lot more STEM/science class options whereas other subjects have a set class you take each year, so people interested in STEM often double up on science classes junior/senior year to take advantage of this. Since I’m not super interested in STEM, I have less options and am not interested in taking all the science classes available, so it all depends.
  6. Have an idea of what you’ll take the year after next, if possible. Is the class schedule you’re choosing for next year going to set you up to take classes you want the year after that? This is a huge thing to think about if you’re going into junior year like me, since not only are your junior year classes super important, but your senior year classes are as well. Therefore, you’re setting a trajectory for the rest of high school.
  7. Consider getting ahead in certain subjects/self-studying/taking online classes if you don’t have room in your schedule for everything you want. There are many different reasons you might consider doing each of these things. If you want to finish your foreign language credit faster, consider taking the last year online. If you want more college credits or your school doesn’t offer a lot of AP classes, consider self-studying for a subject you’re interested in, or taking an AP class online. If you’re looking for a GPA boost or to take an AP class that will be slightly easier, take one of the APs with a reputation of being “easier” online, such as AP Psych or AP Environmental Science.

I hope these tips help you create the perfect class schedule for the upcoming school year. I know it’s intimidating to think about the possible impact of your choices on college and the future in general, but you can always request a schedule change/change your mind. Trust me, I’m definitely freaking out too thinking about how I’m going to be a junior, but it’s also exciting! Also, as soon as you make your class choices, it’s actually a relief since the decision is behind you and you no longer have to worry, as it is what is and we’re moving closer to a new year.

Brooke

How to Succeed in an AP History Class

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

If you’ve been struggling in an AP history class this year or are currently deciding whether to take one in your class schedule next year, you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to be providing a few tips that have helped me get through AP European History this year and AP Human Geography (I know it’s not really a core AP history class, but it fits more into the history category than anything else) last year. Each AP class is a different level of difficulty at every school, but at may school the history APs are definitely some of the hardest/most complained about, so keep that in mind and keep on reading if you want to hear my tips!

  • Understanding the writing format is key. My AP Human Geography teacher was super clear with us on how to write an FRQ from the get-go, and we did two as a part of every unit test. In AP Euro, writing has been a lot less clear; we didn’t fully go over LEQs, DBQs, and SAQs until the start of second semester. Practice using old AP test questions found on the College Board website, and study the rubrics. It’s easier if you do this towards the beginning of the year, but it’s possible to cram and sort of fake your way through as long as you know the actual historical information.
  • Do the reading. Depending on the way your class is structured, this may be less useful, but for me it’s a great way to refresh on the information. You have a textbook for a reason, and it’s also helpful in cramming for the AP test if you want a slightly more in-depth review of everything.
  • Get a prep book at the beginning of the year. If you’re ever confused on a certain historical event or concept, or you’re just unsure how well-versed you need to be in it for the AP test, you can always refer to a prep book to explain it in simpler terms/a condensed format. I’m partial to The Princeton Review books because I love that they include practice tests, but I’ve heard the AMSCO prep books are really good for the history APs- my Euro teacher has a set and I’ve looked over them from time to time.
  • Take detailed notes, and revise them later. This is another thing that’s helped me a lot. My Euro teacher has structured the class so our main way of learning is his lectures where we take notes- I try to write down basically every fact or detail he says, but then I make my own typed notes for each unit as a study guide for the test, only including key events and people with a timeline. In the end, you have a neat version of your notes, and you’ve already reviewed the information.
  • Use your resources! This is key for any AP class, but I think there’s often a lot more resources and opportunities for the history classes. Watch Crash Course videos on YouTube/any review videos, find Quizlets that review key terms, and ask older friends how they succeeded in your particular class, since every teacher/class is slightly different. For example, my teacher offers 5 points of extra credit each unit if we make flashcards for around 50 key terms from the unit- it’s a ton of work, but I do it since the extra credit builds up and it’s another way to study.
  • Make the connections. As I’ve learned, pretty much every concept and event can be connected to others, especially because of the cause and effect relationships that occur in history. Remember that you can’t forget the earlier dates/events, but try to break things up into more general/larger categories and the major things to make it more manageable.
  • Practice, practice, practice! I mentioned this in my How To Get a 5 On AP Human Geography post (go check it out if you haven’t!), but it’s honestly the best way to do well. Even if you haven’t been doing well in the class at school, you can still turn things around and do well on the AP test if you put the work in. For me, practice tests were the most helpful.

I hope these tips help you finish the semester strong in whatever history class you’re in, and do well on the corresponding AP test! History is one of my favorite subjects, but I’ve definitely still had my struggles with keeping up with the workload of AP Euro this year. Let me know what history class you’re currently in, and what history you’ll be taking next year (APUSH for me :))!

Brooke

How to Get a 5 on AP Human Geography

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

I literally have had this post idea in my drafts since the beginning of August/the end of summer, and crazy enough, it’s finally about time to break it out! My AP Euro teacher has a countdown of days until our AP test, and when the countdown got to under 70 days last week, I figured it was a good time to get back to this post. Last year I took the AP Human Geography test and was lucky enough to get a 5 on it, so even though I’m not a total expert, I feel qualified enough to give you some tips.

  • Get a review book! I got The Princeton Review one because I liked that it had practice tests and I feel like that’s all you really need. If you don’t want to spend the money, ask your teacher if they have any you can borrow or ask people who have taken the test in the past if they have old ones they don’t want anymore. I also heard the Barrons review book is good for APHUG, but I didn’t personally use it.
  • Know the models. I feel like this is a crucial component of the class, and the models often come up on the FRQ questions. Funnily enough, the models didn’t come up too much on the version of the test I took last year, but any teacher will tell you it’s still essential to know them.
  • Don’t get intimidated by trick questions. At my school, APHUG was the only AP class freshmen could take so it’s most people’s first AP test, and everyone kind of freaks out. If it’s your first AP test too, don’t get thrown off by the trick questions that they try and give you. It might seem like something you don’t understand how to answer or something that’s impossible, but it’s all about applying the concepts you do know to these tricky questions.
  • Take practice tests! I feel like this helps for any AP class or standardized test. This is what I believe really prepared me for the test most, as practice tests help me a lot in general. If you get the Princeton Review book there should be two in there, and you can find more online from various sources as well as practice FRQs on the College Board website from all previous years of the test.
  • Watch YouTube videos for review. Not only can you find helpful videos of review concepts, you can also find other videos giving tips for the test. I remember Study for Success’s video on how to get a 5 on APHUG was really helpful and she had links to a website that had a lot of resources specifically for APHUG, so go check that out if you’re interested.
  • Don’t cram the night before. At that point, you’re not going to retain the information. If there’s a couple things you want to review or you just want to take one more practice test that’s fine, but don’t try to pull an all-nighter for the sake of cramming. I promise if you’ve already studied, you will be fine.
  • Work on your pacing. Again, this mainly applies if it’s your first standardized test/AP test, but it’s important to know your pacing! Be aware of how much time you have for the multiple choice section and the FRQs, and remember that guessing is better than leaving something blank- do not leave anything blank if possible!!
  • Use the identify, explain, example format for the FRQs. My teacher taught us this starting in the beginning of the year. Basically, when you’re answering each part of the question, identify your main answer/reason, then explain it, and give an example/connect it to something in real life or a specific country and situation that you know relates to the topic.

This was off the top of my head so I easily could’ve forgotten some things- I will definitely go back and do another tips post as the test inches closer. Definitely start studying in advance, but don’t worry too much. APHUG is famous for being one of the easier AP tests since it’s relatively common knowledge/understandable topics being tested and a lot of underclassmen take it. I definitely didn’t expect to get a 5 even though I was really hoping for one, and I believe that you can all get a 5 as well. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Brooke