Category Archives: school life

The Benefits of Classroom Cameras

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According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2020, 91% of public schools reported using security cameras to protect their students. These devices are certainly a positive force on campuses. They can work to deter potential threats and catch bullying and theft in the act. Security cameras should be allowed in school classrooms.

Surveillance cameras in classrooms can catch theft, bullying, and other crimes. According to a survey conducted by Campus Safety Magazine, 78% of schools using cameras reported them to have helped prevent crime with nearly one in three describing them as having frequently helped. As seen above, schools themselves have announced the beneficial effects of cameras on campus; therefore, inside classrooms should be no exception. Surveillance indoors can make a huge impact on safety and security in schools. Some people have claimed that security cameras invade privacy, but classrooms are public spaces. They’re not private in the way a bedroom or a bathroom is. School and classroom cameras shouldn’t invade students’ privacy any more than regular cameras in grocery stores or libraries. Altogether, security cameras in classrooms work to dissuade students from misdemeanors.

Surveillance in classrooms is beneficial for keeping students and their possessions safe. There have been many instances where security cameras in schools have caught criminals or protected individuals. Campaigning against security cameras in classrooms is only making school a more dangerous place for students to be. Understanding the benefits of these devices will allow schools to ensure the safety of students.

Improve your Study Planning!

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With AP exams a little over two months away, it is never too early to start preparing. Rather than cramming the night before, having an efficient plan may be extremely helpful.

When memorizing vocabulary and key terms, flashcards are a great method. Even though many opt to use online resources such as Quizlet, making physical flashcards may be the better option. While making paper flashcards can be time-consuming, physically writing down the information could help the memorization process. Additionally, you can sort the flashcards into piles based on what you need to work on. 

In addition to the materials you are using to study, the environment in which you work is just as, if not more important. If you are having trouble focusing, consider working in a different place than normal. Also, focus on eliminating possible distractors by keeping your technological devices out of reach. Studying with peers is a personal choice. While some may find it distracting to work with friends, others find that it helps keep them accountable. 

Another important factor in your success is the method you are using to study. While there are many effective ways to work, two popular methods are Pomodoro and the Feynman Technique. 

The Pomodoro method involves creating intervals of focused time to study followed by rest. This method focuses on moderate amounts “deep work” rather than long hours of review. By having rest, students are able to better focus during their study time. However, the break time should be treated as a mental break rather than a moment to use your phone. Using technology during this time could potentially break your focus. 

The Feynman technique emphasizes teaching others to help themselves learn. In order to teach others, you are forced to break down concepts into simple ideas. This could help you better understand the core ideas of what you are studying. Condensing information can help you create your own study guides.

Overall, your materials, environment, and method, are the most important aspects in having a productive study session. Hours of cram sessions may sometimes be helpful, but studying a little each day with these plans can be a great start for anyone. 

Additional Sources:

The Feynman Technique: Master the Art of Learning

Todoist: Pomodoro Method

Book Review: The Glass Castle

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I recently was given the opportunity in my AP language and Composition class to choose my own independent reading book. Normally, our book is assigned to us and we have no choice in what we are consuming. However this time, we were allowed to select a nonfiction book from a list of options provided. I chose The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and I was not disappointed.

Jeannette Wall’s captivating memoir, The Glass Castle, is a narrative recounting the tumultuous childhood and adventures of the nomadic Walls family. When Rex Walls, Jeannette’s father, is sober he is a charismatic man who creates magical experiences for his children. However, when Rex is intoxicated, neglect is imminent and the Walls are poverty-stricken. This narrative dives deep into obstacles of alcoholism and poverty that plague the Walls children.

I was absolutely hooked throughout the entirety of Walls’ memoir. Every page brought about another crazy situation and adventure the Walls family was undertaking. I felt deeply connected to Jeannette and her siblings, and found myself rooting for their successes. There were many unimaginable scenarios throughout the story and when discussing with classmates, we all found ourselves jaw dropped. Seeing the Walls children be forced to parent themselves, yet still succeed, was a satisfying experience. Their journey shows that adversity can be overcome and one can rise up above the cards they are dealt, no matter the circumstances. This memoir was gripping and inspiring. It’s a great quick read and I would highly recommend it! It’s also great for my fellow AP Lang students to use as evidence for the free response question 3 argument essay!

This book contains imagery and discussion of topics such as alcohol addiction and SA, so please be cautious before reading!

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

SMART Goals!

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The first month of the new year, 2024, comes to an end but it is still not too late to make 2024 resolutions! Goals are hard to set and achieve especially if it’s hard for you to commit to long-term stuff, but using SMART can help you achieve the goals for 2024 whether it be to lose weight, get better grades, or even start meditating. So what does SMART stand for?

S – Specific

The S in SMART means “specific.” This means that your goal has to be specific and it can not be broad. You can be more specific with your goal by using the 5 W’s: who, where, what, and why. You can also use how in this when making your goal. An example of being specific is instead of saying,“My goal is to get better grades,” you can say “My goal is to turn my grades from C’s to A’s for the second semester of high school.”

M – Measurable

The M in SMART means “measurable.” This means that your goal has to be measurable. By being measurable, it means that you can track your progress. If your goal was to lose weight, you could track your weight on a scale at the end of each week. 

A –  Attainable

The A in SMART means “attainable.” This means that your goal should be attainable and not impossible. You can state how this goal is attainable. For example, if your goal is to start getting a better sleeping schedule, you can eliminate some distractions, such as going on your device before you sleep, so the goal is attainable. 

R – Realistic

The R in SMART means “realistic.”This means that you should be realistic in making your goal and that it can be achieved within the amount of time. Ask yourself questions such as “How will I complete this goal by the end of the year?” so that you can be realistic with making your goals. 

T – Timely

The T in SMART means “timely.” This means how you will time your progress. You can time your progress in various ways such as writing down in your planner every week or daily to achieve your goal. For timely, you have to write down how you’re going to time your progress. An example of this could be that you will read 2 books to 5 more books than last year by December 31st, 2024. 

This is really helpful and I apologize if my explanation was not clear enough but this has helped me a lot. I had to make a goal for my English class and although I was obligated to do the assignment, it actually is really helpful for I have stayed consistent with my goals for the new year. So if you really want to be productive and achieve goals for 2024, I recommend using the SMART method.

AP Classes Review: World Literature

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AP Literature is a crucial course most need to take for High school if you’re planning for early college credits. AP classes are rigorous classes, and the workload is heavy. In addition to classes, to get credit for college, students must take an AP exam at the end of the course. 

My experience so far isn’t bad, and I’m learning more while doing it. One of the standout aspects of AP World Literature in 10th grade was the diverse selection of literary works we encountered. Our reading list spanned centuries and genres, and this variety allowed us to explore different writing styles, themes, and cultural contexts, providing a well-rounded literary education. Each work presented its unique challenges, but they all contributed to expanding our academic horizons.

The discussions in this class were vital to getting good grades. Our teacher encouraged us to analyze texts from multiple perspectives and encouraged our critical thinking. These discussions helped us grasp the intricacies of the literature and improved our communication skills. The ability to articulate and defend our interpretations was a valuable skill we will need throughout the year. 

The workload is challenging, but it was worth the effort. Writing essays on complex literary topics is essential. Our teacher provided constructive feedback that will continue to help us grow as writers, and the assignments were created to delve deep into the texts.

One of the most valuable aspects of AP Literature was its ability to teach us to appreciate the subtleties of literature. We learned to uncover symbolism, dissect themes, and recognize the artistry in the writing. AP Literature is a fun but overwhelming course, so prepare for a lot of work if you decide to take it. The benefits here are that these classes prepare you for the workload and develop college-level academic skills. AP classes also look good on your transcript since they boost your GPA and save time and money from taking general college requirements. If you decide to take AP classes and love reading and writing, I highly recommend taking AP World Literature. 

Before deciding, you can also check these sites for the benefits and disadvantages of AP classes. 

examstudyexpert.com/easiest-ap-classes

princetonreview.com/college-advice/ap-classes

https://blog.collegeboard.org/3-reasons-take-ap-exams

Bella H.

AP Human Geography Tips

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I know the first semester just finished for high schoolers and college students so I guess I wanted to give some more AP advice, at least for classes I took last year as a freshman.

If you are a freshman taking AP Human Geography like I was last year, here is what you need to know: Be prepared to read more difficult and complex texts and answer college board questions that require much more thinking than middle school social science classes. Additionally, there are also 3 FRQs (Free Response Questions) that you have to answer in one hour and fifteen minutes, which leaves you around 25 minutes give or take per question. You can find samples on the AP college board by searching “AP human geography college board frqs”.

The practice questions on the college board (the ones the teachers assign you) are very helpful. They are AP-style questions with 5 answer choices (A-E) per question. These questions come with two basic styles. One is set-based, usually with a stimulus such as asking you to analyze a map of Africa or a table for developing vs developed countries. The other style is just individual concepts that they can ask you that you would have to pull from your own knowledge, with no additional information.

This class is an introductory class to college geography, so a lot of the units are on the analysis of maps and applying that knowledge to understand how the migration of humans affects our geography. Also something to note: You need to memorize a lot of the key terms! I recommend buying the AP Human Geography Flashcards from the Barron’s company (the one with 250 terms). I reviewed this the night before my AP exam, and it was really helpful with locking in on key concepts one last time.

Although many freshmen say that the class is difficult (this is true as it is indeed your first AP class), however this experience can also be really fun as well. It teaches something you don’t normally learn, and you get to learn about the different countries of the world. I don’t know about you, but I have always found the evolution and migration of humans a very interesting topic.

Don’t worry, you guys will do great! – Aleena

Study Tips for High Schoolers

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Finals season is almost here, and tests can be a lot to study for. However, with the right tools, you can make studying and taking tests a breeze. Here are a few helpful study tips and tricks that I learned.

The Pomodoro technique is a great tool to use when studying, and it’s a good way to get more done. First, you pick one task to complete. You next find a timer and set it for 25 minutes and work on the specific task until the timer rings. Next, take a short 5 minute break, and then repeat the process four times. After you have done this, you then take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This process greatly helped me with my studying and with my homework and made my schoolwork much easier in general, so be sure to try this the next time you study.

Another studying strategy that I found helpful was to make study guides. I write down the important ideas from a lesson or unit as well as terms and definitions, and then review it before a test so you are familiar with all of the important ideas. If you are given a synopsis for a unit, it will usually give many of the important ideas, so try to write these down on the study guide. Making these study guides made taking tests much easier, and they also make studying for finals easier, as they contain all the important information.

I also found it useful to spread out studying for the period of time before a test. Try to study every day or couple days. I also found it helpful to not cram the night before a test, as it is harder to learn the material and is not very helpful. Also, if you have vocabulary to learn, I would recommend reviewing it by making flash cards by hand or online on sites such as Quizlet.

Finally, I found using a planner or calendar extremely helpful. You can plan assignments and projects and break down your work and studying into manageable blocks, and I found this valuable, especially when working on large projects or assignments. Using a planner or calendar is also helpful for meeting deadlines with assignments, as well as keeping you organized. Overall, all of these study tips were very helpful for me and they’re sure to be useful for you as well, so be sure to use these the next time you’re studying for a test or project!

The Pomodoro Technique: A Time Management Method

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With lots of assignments and tests piling up, I as a student have been very stressed out recently. Stressing all the time hasn’t helped my productivity or time management; I think I’ve spent more time worrying about schoolwork than actually completing it. Thus, I’ve been trying new study methods, and one has really worked for me.

The Pomodoro Technique is a study method for time management that breaks long study hours into 25-minute periods of focused work followed by 5-minute breaks. Here are the steps in a more detailed form:

Step 1: Identify the assignments you need to work on.

Step 2: Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on an assignment without getting sidetracked.

Step 3: When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break.

Step 4: Work for 3 more work intervals, or pomodoros.

Step 5: Take a 30-minute break and begin the study sequence again.

This study technique worked really well for me! I was able to complete many assignments I had been procrastinating on and not get distracted by my phone or other distractions the entire time. Something that helped me was making a to-do list and highlighting the tasks of the highest priority. With my phone as the timer, I found that I was much less distracted by it, because each time I opened my phone, I saw the timer and was reminded to keep working. Using a timer works very well for me, as it motivates me to concentrate and get as much work done as possible before the timer sounds. Also, I think a 5-minute break is a great time frame to get up, stretch, and get a quick snack before getting back to work without getting distracted.

All in all, the Pomodoro Technique was a very helpful and successful study technique in my experience. It allowed me to stay motivated and productive while working for multiple hours and completing many assignments without getting sidetracked. Hopefully, it works for you too! If you’ve been feeling stressed or have trouble managing your time efficiently, give it a try!

Lam T.

Time Management

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As finals slowly approach, I have often found myself stressed with school and sports. Balancing school, sports, and extracurriculars has proven to be a struggle in my life and many others. Learning how to manage time has proven to be a beneficial skill in life, but it is challenging to learn. 

Here are two ways you can master time management:

  1. Creating a To-Do List
  • There’s a reason why creating a To-Do list is so popular: using a To-Do list can help you keep track of homework, upcoming projects/tests, and chores around the house. To-Do list lets you plan your study time and mark what you complete. Using a list helps you monitor your assignments. A bonus is that checking off a task is a motivator to finish homework.
  • If you prefer to keep track of your To-Do list online, there are many websites (and apps) to do so. I enjoy Pomofocus; this website has a To-Do list and a Pomodoro timer. This leads me to my second point–use a timing system!
  • Benefits: Checking off tasks creates a sense of accomplishment, limits stress, and lessens procrastination.
  1. Utilizing Timing Techniques
  • A timing system allows for the allotted time of working and breaks. The Pomodoro Strategy arranges 25 minutes of work time and 5-15 minutes of rest time. This enables users to have time for work and breaks. Studies have shown that people with gaps between study sessions are more productive than those without. 
  • The Pomodoro Technique has helped me set realistic goals when studying by creating small steps that gradually build up to my main objective.
  • Benefits: Increases accountability, reduces distractions, and improves productivity.
  • An extra note: Looking ahead in the next week or two is essential when planning your study time. This can help you stay on top of upcoming tests and projects.

Final Notes!

Since I have used these strategies in school, I have never missed an assignment and had time to study for exams. Though these two tips seem like small factors in the large scheme of things, setting a To-Do list and timing techniques significantly improve time management.

Organizing your time is essential to being a successful student, employee, and athlete. Using these methods will help you maximize your productivity in a small amount of time.

Thank you for reading!!

– Gwendy M.

Quick Tips for AP Bio

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I know many students nowadays are stacking up on AP courses, especially the AP sciences: AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Environmental Science, and even AP Physics.

There are other AP classes of course, but I guess I just wanted to give some advice if you are taking AP Bio this year as well as how to pass the exam and get good grades in the class. I took AP Bio last year (got an A in both semesters and a 4 on the AP test). Overall, I thought it was a really meaningful class and is something you can learn and use the rest of your life. So, here are some tips:

  1. The most important thing in AP Bio is not actually memorizing material! Yes, there are a lot of processes that you have to remember (Krebs Cycle, DNA replication…etc..), but it’s more important to understand the logical processes. How does this work? How does that work with this system? One process that worked for me was to read through the textbook and then brain dump everything I remembered. Then, for the things you forget, you can go back and fill your notes in! It’s a great way to practice your active memorization skills.
  2. I would say the other important thing is to use your AP Bio Princeton Review Books if you have them. I think there are some used ones in the library that are very cheap! They are great, especially for summarizing the most important materials. I would recommend using your school provided textbook and the AP Bio reviews at the same time, so that you can have 1. double the amount of information 2. It acts as a great review!
  3. The quizlets, Khan Academy videos, as well as some of the online free AP Bio tests are great to use to practice as well. Use the quizlets for the class tests! (p.s some of the questions actually popped up on the exam!) Also, the Khan Academy is great for when you don’t understand a topic since they honestly oversimplify everything. There are good online free AP Bio tests that you can use from Varsity Tutors. Nearing the day of the AP test, there is a public 2013 MCQ and FRQ exam posted from College Board (it was very helpful btw and also contained an answer key!)

To be honest, if you really love science, then you will really have a fun time with this class! The labs were really meticulous, but they are tested on the AP exam, so I would also just recommend looking over those before the exam as well. Good luck!

AP Biology books are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.