10 things I wish I knew before high school

1        People aren’t always who they say they are

· Entering high school, we believe that everyone we associate with are friends and that friends can do no wrong. I learned over the years that trust is not something that should be so easily given, and when someone shows you who they are, you should believe them. High school really is as scandalous as they say it is, and it’s important to keep your eyes open and not be so quick to put something past someone.

2        Take the ACT seriously!

· Depending on what you want to do after high school, it can determine a lot. Of course, it isn’t everything, but if college is the next step, it’s very important. It makes a difference when it comes to academic scholarships and even college acceptances.

3        Be friends with your teachers

·  Get on their good side and stay there! These are the people who give you the grades that make or break your GPA, and being in good with a teacher can be a saving grace when you’re borderline and need them to help you over the finish line. Some teachers even play favoritism, and even though it’s not exactly fair…hey, it’s life. Get in tune.

4        Popularity isn’t everything

· When I first started high school, I wanted to know everyone and I wanted everyone to somehow know me. I soon realized that that was the least of my worries, and there were much more important things that I could focus my time on. Some people make it a priority to social climb for all the wrong reasons and thirst for attention, but when you come to the end of the road, you realize that soon, none of these high school trivialities will even matter anymore.

5        Your grades matter every single year

· This may be a given, but some believe that it really starts to matter junior year. And it does, but it also matters before then too. You carry your GPA with you throughout all four years, and you don’t want your transcripts tarnished because you thought you could jerk around for your first couple years, then get serious when it “mattered.” It always matters.

6        Don’t stress the little things

· They matter a lot less than you think they do. When you’re upset because you can’t go out one weekend or something doesn’t go your way, think, will it matter five years from now? If the answer is no, let it go and save yourself the stress and anger.

7        Your parents really do know what they’re talking about

·         As teenagers, we think that we know everything better than everyone around us. When our parents try to guide us in a direction we’re not trying to explore or tell us something we don’t want to hear, we tend to blow them off because “they don’t understand us” or “they don’t know what they’re talking about.” Well…they do. Most of the time, at least.

8        Be curious. Use your resources.

· Don’t be afraid to explore and use the resources around you —that’s what they’re there for! Learn how to make things work for you and don’t be afraid to speak up, because that’s how you get ahead.

9        Don’t rush it.

·High school really does fly by, sometimes even before we have the chance to appreciate it. Enjoy the time while you have it, because when you look back on them you’ll realize that you really did have some of the times of your life in those precious years. You have the rest of your life to grow older and be an adult—this time in our life is valuable; don’t waste it wishing it was over!

10    C’est la vie, life goes on.

· This is probably the most important and valuable lesson I’ve learned in high school, and I can’t be more thankful for the experiences that brought me to it. There were times when I thought my world was ending, when I cried myself to sleep, when I didn’t know how I was gonna make it through a situation. Everything I’ve experienced has shaped me into the woman I am today, and if I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been through a lot in my four years of high school, and…I’m still here. I made it.

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” –Robert Frost

5 Final Exam Questions

22) What was the name of Tita’s love interest in Like Water For Chocolate? a) Juan b) Pedro c) Jose d)Phillipe (Rielle Walker)

23) What does penultimate mean? a) last b) second c) third d) second to last (Rielle Walker)

24) What must a good essay always contain? a)Five paragraphs b) a thesis c)a counterargument d) a conclusion (Rielle Walker)

25) What is a quidnunc? a) a gossip or busybody b) a species of jellyfish c) someone who is quirky and odd d) a type of bacteria (Rielle Walker)

26) In Fences, Troy told Cory that instead of buying a new TV he’d rather save his money for a new _____ a) car b) roof c) radio d) pair of pants (Rielle Walker)

The power of introverts ted review

This ted talk wasn't as interesting to me as others I've seen have been, but I liked Susan Cain's presence and passion, which showed even through her introversion. Sometimes I wonder if I'm an introvert, but after hearing her speak I don't quite think that I am. I may be a bit of both an introvert and extrovert actually, I can't figure out how I fit in just one category. She was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed her anecdotes.

If I should have a daughter...review

I love poetry even though I'm not good at it, so I enjoyed this talk. I loved her "If I should have a daughter" poem, and her positivity is very inspiring.

Ten things I know to be true:
1. The sky is blue.
2. I go to Whitney Young High School
3. In the fall, I'm going to college
4. I'm super excited for college
5. I love to read
6. I'm a senior
7. I have a little brother
8. Grass is green
9. Everyone perceives their own reality
10. I can count to ten

Education Ted Review

I absolutely loved this ted talk for many reasons. First, it was excellently made and very creative. I was captivated by the artwork, which was only half of my interest. I completely agree with the narrators view on schooling, and think that everyone should watch this video. He made excellent points. This was a great video.

Steve Jobs Ted Review

Jobs' speech was inspirational and motivating. I wasn't aware that he didn't finish college, was adopted, and was fired from his own company. It's interesting how he never gave up on what he loved to do, and ended up building empires. I think he's a great example of starting from the bottom and ending up at the top. I also like the quote he ended his speech with: "stay hungry, stay foolish." Overall, it was a pretty good speech.

Tony Robbins & David Blaine Ted Reviews

Tony Robbins:
When I first started watching this, I was a bit bored because I couldn't figure out what he was talking about or what point he was trying to make. As the video progressed, though, it started to become clear and I ended up really enjoying what he had to say. First of all, he had a great, fun personality during his talk. He seemed very knowledgeable about what he was discussing and very eager to share it. I like how he laid out the 6 human needs--it reminded me of the What I Believe In essay we wrote earlier this year because it was like his philosophy. Overall, I enjoyed this ted talk.

David Blaine:
This ted talk was fun to watch! It's hard to believe that he has been able to successfully perform all his feats--he's pretty bold. He does things that people wouldn't possibly imagine or consider doing. His journey to trying to hold his breath for 17 minutes was interesting, and it's cool how he was so determined to make it happen. His other stunts were awesome too. I enjoyed this video.

David Pogue: 10 top time-saving tech tips Review

Pogue's tips are very useful, but the only issue is that I knew most of them already. I'd assume that his talk was geared towards older generations who aren't as tech savvy as us teens. I did learn a few tips though, so thumbs up for that. It was an interesting video, but personally not completely worth the watch because I knew most of it already.

Fences Quiz

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1V1dgPdmqhPQlUsI3Kmnk8-_QtRdFSvHZcS9dAScoUco/viewform

Ted Talk visuals

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwkasELRHMPvMlJOTWtyNWtzN2c/edit?usp=sharing

Raghava Ted Talk Reviews

Shake Up Your Story

I really enjoyed this talk because being able to view things from different perspectives is something that I think is important. Raghava's children books and ideas are fantastic--I love how shaking the iPad switches things up to a different perspective, and I agree with his statement that "teaching perspectives is the best way to teach creativity." I think that the worst thing one can do is teach a child to be close-minded and one sided and to only be able to see things from a particular, or "correct" view. I was able to relate my views to this talk, and that's why I enjoyed it so much.

My 5 Lives as an Artist

I loved this talk! I like how Raghava explained the man he met who "died at night, and was born again in the morning," then went on to discuss how he was constantly being born again as he explored himself as an artist. His story was beyond inspiring, sometimes touching, and very much hilarious. His voice really shines through when he presents his ted talks, and that's one thing I liked about watching his two talks.

Joy Luck Club Chapters 1-4 Quiz

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10b_k4rHJwVOIBHz8wYM1z-RCtyj2oqIyOmUR2nC-8P4/viewform

This week's Ted talk reviews

Romo the Robot and the motorized skateboard
To me, both of these inventions were cute but kind of unnecessary. There really wasn't any groundbreaking technology or any reason why these inventions stood out. The robot was adorable-it could make facial expressions and interact with you, but it is essentially nothing more than a toy; it doesn't do anything special or useful. The motorized skateboard isn't impressive because there are motorized bikes and scooters already, and plus, not everyone knows how to ride or is comfortable riding a skateboard.

20 ted talk ideas

1. zen and the art of staying positive
2. how to stay organized
3. what t do when you don't know what to do
4. hinduism
5. buddhism
6. getting through tough situations
7. how to start a business
8. how to write a book
9. how to play sports
10. working out
11. getting through high school
12. being creative
13. how to find your style
14. eating healthy
15. finding yourself
16. finding your niche
17. ways to make money as a teen
18. babysitting
19. fun ways to stay motivated
20. finishing what you start

TeenxTED Review

I think that the girl who spoke in the teen Ted talk we watched was very well-spoken and knowledgeable for her age. She made very good points and that's what made it interesting to watch. I definitely agreed with most of what she said, and I admire the things that she's doing, such as the website. Overall, it was a good video.

Ted Talk Outline

What to do when you don’t know what to do

I’m sure that everyone has experienced it—not knowing what to do. This may sound like a strange topic, but think about it; how many times have you been assigned a project at school and not known which direction to take with it? Better yet, how often are you faced with tough decisions that yield indecisiveness, whether it be what to do with your Friday night, what to eat for lunch, or even where to go for college? Knowing what to do and making proper decisions can impact us in ways we don’t really think about, and these ways can make a difference. I’m probably one of the most indecisive people I know, and over the years I’ve developed strategies for getting to the solution I need—the right solution.

·         Brainstorm

o   Make lists

o   Think outside the box

o   Research

§  Explore your options. Make sure you know all you need to know before making a decision

·         Ask for help

o   It’s okay to ask for help. My mom always tells me that people are resources—don’t be afraid to use them!

o   Other minds can give you fresh or different perspectives

o   No one is all-knowing. Use other people’s knowledge to add to your own.

·         Take a break

o   Think about it, but don’t overthink. Giving your brain a rest may result in a better flow of new ideas and even new perspectives

·         Remember your timeline

o   Deadlines are real and very important

o   Turning in homework late may be acceptable in high school, but in the real world, you probably won’t be so lucky

o   Don’t wait until the last minute

o   Be organized

§  Planners, to-do lists, the calendar in your phone—resources!

Ted Talk Review

1. The sixth sense
The technology described in this ted talk was absolutely amazing. Watching the video made me feel as though I was watching a demonstration of technology from far in the future, but the truth of the matter is that this type of technology is being developed right now, and it is very real, as proved in the video. Widespread and public use of that kind of technology would be groundbreaking--changing many of our basic electronic habits, essentially. It would be amazing to dial a phone number using the palm of your hand or snap a picture with your fingertips. Hopefully this technology makes it's public debut soon.

2. The Math Magician
When we first started watching this video, I thought that it would be uninteresting because I'm not the biggest fan of math. But when the math magician began well, working his magic, I was quickly drawn in by his amazing skill. It's mind-boggling how anyone could make calculations as quickly and accurately as he did--all in his head. It was a great and entertaining video.

Race issues in America: African American oppression?

Many regard America as a "post-racial society" and claim that blacks, and minorities in general, have equal opportunities as whites. For the most part, in comparison to the pre-Civil War America that valued racism and slavery, this is true--but race is still an ubiquitous issue in the United States, and this country has a long way to go before race issues are completely eliminated. Now, not only are there still lingering signs of prejudice from outside the black race, but there is oppression from within it too.

If some argue that racism is dead, situations like the Trayvon Martin tragedy offer excellent dispute. In February 2012, the 17-year-old Florida teen was walking home from the convenience store when the gated neighborhood's self-appointed watchman, George Zimmerman, fatally shot him in the chest. Zimmerman claimed that he acted out of self-defense, but witnesses argued that Zimmerman had seen Martin in a black hoodie, pursued him, and shot him. The racism even extends into the legal scope of the case. "[Zimmerman's] father calls up, the ex-magistrate? He calls up. Then the state prosecutor comes to the police station to talk and the lead detective wants to arrest the guy and he says no. And now we're getting the demonisation of the kid. He was this, he was that, he wore his pants down," said novelist and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison. After killing an innocent and defenseless boy, Zimmerman should have immediately been arrested, but he wasn't. If the roles were changed and a black man killed a white boy, sadly, he probably would not have received mercy from the legal system.

This plays into the fact in general that the US criminal justice system is pitted against black men. According to Fifth International, "blacks who are arrested are seven times more likely to be imprisoned than whites; they are sentenced to death four times more often than whites, and the average prison sentence is 10 months longer for black men than for white men." These are statistics that aren't easily noticeable, but are very real nonetheless, and they provide evidence that through not-so-obvious ways, racism is being kept alive in America.

On the other hand, blacks are also being oppressed by a group that is surprising to say the least--themselves. According to Capitalism Magazine, "Too many blacks do remain oppressed, but not by white Americans. Rather, it is by blacks who relish a perverse sub-culture of low standards and perpetual victimization. No longer do white racists tell black children books are for white people. Today, black people do this. Every day, black children suffer ridicule and disgrace for doing their homework, behaving in class, striving for excellence — in short, “acting white.”" Blacks have learned through the lessons in their history books and the teachings of their elders that the white man is the enemy, and it in turn distorts blacks' attitude towards the white man. Educated behavior and proper language has come to be widely identified with being "white" in the black community, pitting the blacks that act "black" against blacks that act "white." Even more disturbing is the "dark-skinned versus light-skinned" debate that has been prevalent among black youth--the notion that "light-skinned" blacks tend to be prettier and think that they are better than "dark-skinned" blacks. At this point, it is no longer white America that is drilling these ideas into black children's heads; it is the black children themselves, and through this, blacks are showing to the rest of the world that even after they have gained their freedom and equal rights, they are still incapable of wholly positive growth and unification as a people.

It is probably unfair to completely fault blacks for their present circumstances--after all, they are scarred as a race from their brutal and unforgiving past, and some may say that they have a right to feel the way they feel and their behavior should be excused. But it shouldn't--blacks have the potential to do better, and shouldn't subject themselves to victimization and self-pity. The slavery and black history of America shouldn't be put out of the minds of current day African Americans, but neither should it be an excuse for self-degradation. Blacks need to be more unified than ever to overcome the racial prejudice that undoubtedly still exists today, and progress positively as one.

Works Cited

Brockes, Emma. "Trayvon Martin Death Raises Issue of Racism in America, Says Toni Morrison." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.

White, Dana. "Blacks Remain Oppressed, But Not By White Americans." Capitalism Magazine. Capitalism Magazine, 07 July 2003. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.

"The Oppression of Black People in the USA Today | League for the Fifth International."League for the Fifth International. League for the Fifth International, 10 Feb. 2008. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.

Best and Worst New Innovations

Best:

1. Solar powered cell phone charging

People gripe and complain about their dying phones and lost chargers all the time. From long road trips with no car chargers to forgetting to charge up overnight, it can be a nuisance trying to keep your phone charged. The fact that smartphones, with their limitless and often battery-draining capabilities, are replacing the old-fashioned "brick phones" doesn't help. Solar powered charging would be a huge leap forward in the world of technology, and people with phones everywhere would surely appreciate it.

 2. Waterproof smartphones

Dropping a $300 dollar smartphone in water is probably everyone's worst nightmare--many warranties don't cover water damage. So to have that fear eliminated may turn a lot of people on to the idea of buying a waterproof smartphone. A waterproof phone probably also means more durability, and given the fragility of most smartphones, that would probably also give this phone some points.

3. GPS-enabled walking stick

In a time where the baby boomers are growing older, this innovation is a smart one. It may seem far-fetched, but I think that a walking stick with GPS capabilities as well as the ability to summon emergency services and allow medics to track the walker's movements would be a good invention for the elderly. It would let relatives worry less about the well-being of the senior citizen, or whoever it is with the walking problem.

Worst:

1. Robotic Balls

The robotic balls don't seem to have much of a point, so they're number 1 on the list of innovations that I think will be least successful. All that was explained about them is that they are bluetooth-enabled and that they will have something to do with augmented reality games, but it doesn't seem like they will generate much of a buzz or be a hit in the technology world or the real world.

2. Paddle

Paddle seems a lot like Paypal, where your information is stored in your account and purchases made through it. Both systems have a good idea behind them, but Paddle is just a repeat of something that we already have. It may attract a few users, but I don't think that it will make and large strides since we do already have something similar.

3. YotaPhone

There doesn't seem to be anything groundbreaking about a phone with two screens except the fact that now there is double the possibility of cracking them. With mobile phone screen sizes expanding and retina displays improving, there's no need for two screens--I mean, it's a cool idea, but kind of pointless. It just doesn't really stand out.

The best parts of being a teenager

Being a teenager is an exciting, confusing and sometimes frustrating thing. During this time, we become trapped in that awkward stage between childhood and adulthood, sometimes being pulled in both directions, unsure of where to go. For every up, there is a down, but for the most part, being a teenager is pretty sweet.

Sometimes, being half-kid and half-adult isn't such a bad thing. It's ironic how we rush growing up when we're young, but long for the playful innocence of childhood when we're older. Everett Oliver, high school senior, says, "The best part about being a teenager is being able to be a kid and adult at the same time." Oliver couldn't have put it better; even though we know that we'll have to face the responsibilities of ultimate adulthood eventually, we still cherish the advantage of being old enough to have certain freedoms and make certain decisions, but young enough to still have the ability to be carefree every once in a while.

Our teen years are also when we begin to wonder and figure out who we are and what we believe in. According to Sydney Burdin, high school socialite, "Being a teenager allows you to meet a lot of different people and discover who you are." We make connections with people who share our interests and really start to learn about ourselves. We take the time to dig deeper, and as a teenager, that can be very exciting.

Even though we sometimes look back, looking forward is something that all teenagers spend a good portion of their time doing. We realize our potential and understand that we have the rest of our lives to do something worth living for. This is definitely one of the best parts of being a teenager.

The independence of teenager-hood is something that all kids look forward to. The leash we were held on as kids may not be gone, but it is loosened. Faith Rucker, 17 year old teenager, says "the best part of being a teenager is having more freedom than you were allowed when you were younger." Although we may not be completely independent, it feels good knowing that we can do things that we once weren't allowed to do.

Certainly one of the best aspects of being a teenager is, simply, the experience of being a teenager. The new hurdles we face and the adventures we get to embark on make the entire ride worth it.

It's not always a sunny day in the land of teenagers, though. Where there is good, there is bad, and vice versa. Although being half kid, half grown-up has its perks, it can sometimes be frustrating and confusing. Jordan Davis, high school senior, says, "We are treated like kids but expected to act like adults." Being pulled in these two completely different directions is what makes teens want to set childhood behind them forever. But, it's just a part of growing up.

Being a teenager is something that we all go through differently, but surely learn a lot from. For some it's a dark time; for others, it's the time of their lives. Either way, there is both good and bad in teenager-hood, and it's surely something to remember.