Dear Sally Spartan,
I’m a freshman who’s new to St. Stephen’s, and I don’t understand how long I should take to do my homework. I can get through math and science, but history is taking me nearly three hours a night, and I don’t think my notes are excessive. Am I doing something wrong, or do I just need to stick it out?
History Havoc
Dear History Havoc,
Many people have definitely been in your spot when it comes to freshman history, especially with the long lessons that are assigned every night. After you take your next test, look back at your notes from that unit and see which notes were actually helpful and necessary. Also, at the beginning of a unit, look at the unit main themes, and try to focus your note taking on the specific instructions your teacher gives, adding occasional notes that could potentially address the unit main themes. If you still feel like you are struggling with your history workload every night, it never hurts to email your history teacher and ask for a conference; they can give you advice on note taking and time management. It may just be that it takes you a while to comprehend the material, but I would bet that a fair percent of your notes aren’t necessary; try to use some of these methods, and see how it goes.
Best of luck!
Sally Spartan
Dear Sally Spartan,
I was in the bathroom during lunch today, and I told a friend at my assigned seating table to tell Mr. Doig when attendance came around. I came back before announcements, but I still got an email at the end of day saying I am absent. Now my friend is saying she ‘forgot’ to let anyone know, and I don’t know what to do.
Help,
Missing from Lunch
Dear Missing From Lunch,
The first thing you should do is take a breath! An absence from lunch only earns you two points, or about a fifth of a detention. However, if you were actually only gone from your table to use the restroom, then you don’t need to receive those points. Just email Mr. Malone and explain your situation, or stop by his office in the library. Don’t try and put too much blame on your friend; everyone forgets things. This situation might feel super stressful right now, but using the bathroom during lunch is almost as small a deal as forgetting to talk to Doig.
No worries,
Sally Spartan
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