Advice of the Week

A Quote to Ponder: "Who are you to change the world? I'm here to tell you, who are you not to?" -Jason Russell

3.07.2012

Will Power

What is "Will Power"?
I would define will power as the ability to overcome what is holding you back.  It is determination.  It is rising above laziness and procrastination and going for your goals.  Will power is difficult to find when things are fighting you back.  Stress from daily life can cause you to simply want to crawl up into a ball on the floor and cry!  

So how do you find "Will Power"?
You must have confidence in yourself and see that everyone struggles.  As a teen growing up in a world that is consistently changing while your still adapting to your body is super difficult.  You have all these new responsibilities and no one is really helping you figure out how to get everything done.  Then your parents and teachers have high expectations for you....talk about wanting to give up!  But if you take a second to analyze who you are and what you are good at, you will see that you have something special inside of you.  If you have a hard time seeing what that is, ask someone that knows you well and sees your potential.  You need to find a strategy in how to accomplish the goals you have and a team to cheerlead you on.  If you know what you want and have passion inside of you, you will find a way to make it happen.  That is your "Will Power".  It is what drives you to get things done.

What can "Will Power" accomplish?
Will power will help you decide between what is right and what is wrong which will keep you on the right side of the tracks.  Having a strong will power will help you accomplish your goals, give you better confidence, and therefore open more doors for your future.  You will see that more people will want to be around you, teachers will want to help you succeed, and parents will give you more freedom.  Before you know it, colleges will offer you money to go to their school if you have a strong "Will Power".  


Do you have "Will Power"?  Comment below!

1.21.2012

Social Networking

Dictionary.com defines networking as a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.  So social networking sites give people the forum to communicate.  Most social networking sites aim to offer a positive service, but if you aren't careful you could see how the Fishbowl Effect comes into play.
What's the Fishbowl Effect, you ask.  Well, if you remember looking at a goldfish in a round fishbowl, you can remember that from different angels, the fish looks different.  Same thing happens with what you put online.  Whether it is a written post or a picture that you've put online, whoever is observing can only interpret what they see.  If the story isn't completely told or the details of what was occurring when the picture was taken, people are left to assume.
Let's look at Facebook as an example.  More than 800 million people use Facebook.  Because it is a popular place for people to display themselves, employers and colleges often use it to screen people before an interview.  Often times when people are careless about what they post on Facebook so they are not given a chance to discuss with a university or potential employer who they really are.  Once something is on the internet, it stays in cyberspace forever.  That is why it is SO important to think before you post.  
Important things to remember:
  • Make your password strong.  Example: SnowedN47.  Do not share with anyone (but your parents if they ask for it).
  • Keep personal information like your birthday, phone number, email, home address, etc. private.  If your friends really need that information, you can give it to them personally.  You don't want to make yourself vulnerable to weirdos.
  • Careful with the photos you AND your friends post!  Do not upload pictures or videos  that you wouldn’t want to share with  your grandparents, teachers, or future bosses. Once you post something online it’s there forever. A picture can be sent to thousands of people in minutes.  Think about college acceptance and job opportunities.  Would someone hire you based on the pictures you post?
  • Think before you write.  If you wouldn’t say it to them in person then you shouldn’t say it online.  Whatever you write can come back to you (in seconds or in years).  This is how cyber-bullying usually starts.
Frequently asked questions:
A guy that rides my bus asked me to be friends with him on Facebook.  I know his name, but I've never hung out with him before.  Should I accept?
     I would so no.  If you don't KNOW him, why does he need to see so much information about you?
This girl on Facebook has the same name as me!  She asked be to be her friend.  Should I accept?
     NO.  You have NO idea who this person is.  They could easily be a weirdo.
Someone I'm friends with on Facebook has posted a picture of me that I don't like.  What do I do?
     First, you can untag yourself.  Problem won't be resolved though.  So you'll want to kindly ask your friend to remove it.  If they refuse, you can ask Facebook to remove it stating it is a harassing photo of you.  Remember, you can do this whenever you see something obscene (sex, drugs, violence...).
One of my friends is being bullied on Facebook.  What can I do?
     Tell a one of your administrators.  They can help keep you anonymous while addressing the issue.  You can try to nicely explain to the person that what they have posted is hurtful if you are good friends with them.  Remember, if you don't do anything when you see someone being bullied, you are just as guilty.
That looks cool!  Should I click on it?
     Probably not!  Often scams are sent out through social networking sites.  These scams can collect your information and hack your account.  This is unneeded stress so just avoid trying to figure out who is looking at your wall.
This is making me feel really bad.  Should I delete my Facebook account?
    Up to you.  If you're addicted or see added drama, stress, and anxiety to your life, I'll say yes.  If you know how to use social networking properly, you should be fine.
Why does Mrs. Triplett have a teacher friendly account?
     I want to continue to support my students even after they leave middle school.  I want them to know that I am here for them in whatever way they need me.  Since most everyone has Facebook and checks it more regularly than their email, I figure that it is a good way to stay in touch.

Last piece of advice: check your privacy on Facebook.  Only friends should be able to see your wall, info, and pictures.  This will avoid drama.  Let's leave the drama for the TV!


1.03.2012

New Year Resolutions


“I'm gonna make a change for once in my life.  It's going to feel real good. I’m going to make a difference.  I’m going to make it right…I'm starting with the Man in the Mirror.  I'm asking him to change his ways.  No message could have been any clearer. If you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself, and then make a change.”  -adapted from Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson.

As AVID students, we know that we should always improve ourselves.  Now is the time!  Why?  A new year symbolizes a new beginning.  It gives us a chance to start fresh and wash away our bad habits.  In AVID, we not only have New Year Resolutions, but we also create a plan on how to accomplish them.  We do this because we know that many people create New Year Resolutions, but they only last a few weeks.  Our plans state the steps we need to take to be successful in completing our New Year Resolutions.  We even hold each other accountable.  We are a family, aren't we? 

Some of the top New Year Resolutions are to get healthy (be able to run a half marathon), be happier (focus on the positives), travel more (visit a cousin in Norway!), spend more time with family (spending more money on gas might help the economy!), do more community service, (Project Linus!),  be a better friend (communication!), learn something new (like how to put the binding on a quilt properly), and save money (for college!).  As a teacher, I'd recommend any of those!  What ever your resolutions are, make sure to create a plan and write it down.  Think long term and not just January!  Stay flexible; if something doesn't quite work, you can adjust your plan.  Make sure to share your plan with friends and family that will support you.  Reward yourself when you accomplish small goals that go with your New Year Resolutions so you will keep your momentum.  

We said that the new year symbolizes a time for change.  But why can't you change yourself whenever you want to?  You can!  Just remember that if we don't create goals for ourselves, we will stay stagnate in life.  And we all know a little something about stagnate water, right?  It smells!  So unless you want to smell your whole life, create some New Year Resolutions!

"This is the day your life will surely change.  This is the day when things fall into place."  -This is the Day by The The

Comment below and share your New Year Resolution!