Dear Oracle,
How does one deal with a difficult teacher or authority figure?
—Fed Up Freshman
Dear Fed Up,
I understand your frustration; dealing with a tough teacher or authority figure can be especially challenging, as expressing your feelings or concerns to those in higher positions could lead to serious consequences.
I still suggest speaking with them first, since they may be going through a personal issue that has impacted their actions, or they may not have noticed their behavior and need you to bring it to their attention.
If speaking with them neither works nor is an option, you should definitely reach out to your counselor, who should be able to help resolve the issue.
Dear Oracle,
How do I stay on top of my classes? I feel like I’m drowning in homework.
— Drowning in Work
Dear Drowning,
I understand the challenges of juggling multiple classes at once. They demand constant attention, diverting time from hobbies and enjoyable activities, creating a cycle of school, homework, and repeat.
I recommend creating a schedule or routine that works for you. I like to create a short homework list on my phone, prioritizing homework assignments from most urgent to least, and I check them off after completing each one to ensure I don’t forget any assignments.
I also advise giving yourself a grace period of at least an hour to allow for mental recuperation before diving into your workload. This time can be used to relax, take a break, watch a video, or even eat something,
because giving yourself this time will allow you to approach your work with a clear mind, which is an essential tool for success. The advice provided by The Oracle was also reviewed and approved by Skyline counselor Nanci Roman Gonzalez.
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