Relax: You Got This! by Micheala

Relax: You Got This! by Micheala - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

School is something that has been giving students grey hairs too soon for many years now. Especially from what I have heard in recent years. But it really shouldn't be this way. In fact, it isn't; it's really just a big misunderstanding. Common misconceptions students have in high school, and in college as well, are that, "If I don't read the textbook, I will fail!", "I have no time to juggle all seven classes' homework!", "They throw so much stuff at me that I forget what I'm supposed to do!" All I have to say to that is: chill out. It's not as bad as you think.
Kids seem to forget that as you get older, more work is given to you. Your teachers aren't trying to trick you. In fact, in high school, their pay is dependent on your performance. They want you to succeed. The best way to get a handle on the new influx of work that comes from entering high school is to get a planner. Get organized. I'm telling you; it really works. Most schools I know offer them for free, so all you have to do is pick one up from the front office. Once you have that planner, write everything down. Assignments your teachers give, test dates, when projects are due, everything. I promise you will not forget that you had homework the night before if you check that planner of notes you just wrote. Cross items off when you've finished them. Relax. You now have everything you need.
You may not feel like you have any time to do homework, but organization is key. Try and get as much of the homework done at school as you can. You are already in a learning environment and have not settled into your own home where work is background and play is a frontrunner. Fit that math worksheet in if there is time at the end of class. If you're finished with work in one class, ask to go to the library to get some of that English essay typed up. The more you can get done before you get home, the better. If you don't get it all done, no sweat! Give yourself one hour (set a timer) to chill when you get home before you continue your work. Give your brain a break. At least you have to comforts of home to surround you when you work. And don't worry if you didn't finish in time for class the next day. Relax. One half-done worksheet and a good excuse will not fail you for the whole year.
Please do not worry about reading the textbook. In high school, you haven't bought that thing. You don't need to use it every chance you get. Only read the sections that give you trouble. "I can't get all of the cell organelles straight." Just read up on those. "I still don't understand what happened at the Battle of Bunker Hill." Review that part only. If you already know most of the content, don't busy yourself with reading the unnecessary parts unless you just want to. Relax. The teacher tells you what you need to know.
Respect your teachers. They were in the same stressful position as you one time and they got through it. They know what it's like. Let them be a friend if needed. You don't have to stress about everything in school. Yeah, you should do your best, but letting it become too much will cause memory loss later when trying to recall knowledge for a test. Don't let it overwhelm you. Don't stress out. And most of all, don't give up!