Thursday, August 6, 2026

I love being an aunt! I’m so lucky! Lena is my youngest niece and it’s hard to believe she is now a junior!

I recently asked Lena for her schedule, and we texted about her classes. I was happy to see that she has Spanish 3 which was one of the classes I taught and loved to teach. Muy bien, Lena!

This is Lena:

We want Lena to be like this:

Not like this:

I did get Lena’s approval for those photos and this post, by the way!

Lena is quick witted and very smart! She is also social! I think she wants to be a teacher, but I am sure she could change her mind. She reminds me of someone who shares the same middle name with her, you know? She is Lena Elizabeth and I am Amy Elizabeth.

Here are some things I was going to write up just for her, and I decided just to turn it into a blog post!

• Always greet your teacher. Say hello, good morning, or compliment something. It’s not fake. It’s common courtesy and helps you build rapport with your teacher. Do not walk into a classroom with headphones on. It shouldn’t be allowed and it probably isn’t anymore. I would often say “good morning” and a kid would say, “what?” because they were allowed pods and earphones. I would reply that they only get one “good morning” from me. I wasn’t going to repeat it. Lol.

• If you have the choice in seating, always pick near the front. It helps. If you have assigned seats, sit there and don’t complain. If there is ever a time you can’t see something, the teacher will let you move.

• Your junior year teachers are the ones who will be writing your recommendations most likely. You will need them too quickly into senior year for those teachers to get to know you. I always say that you should start thinking who you will ask and make sure it is a teacher who can speak about you as a student for at least a semester.

• Offer to help your teacher if you can see they need help. Pick up papers, pass out papers, do whatever you can offer. It gets you out of your seat which is helpful and it feels nice to help, too.

• Always help your classmates if they drop something, too.

• If someone wants to talk to you while the teacher is talking, smile and give the universal “hold on just a minute signal”.

• To avoid peer pressure, blame your parents. Example: “I have to go to this study session because my parents are making me.” Other kids understand this and I was always ok with being the “bad guy” as a parent. I do think peer pressure might not be as big of a deal now because this generation seems better than mine at letting people be who they are – perhaps?

• Junior year really is what your college acceptance and scholarships will be based upon.

• Join a few clubs, go to the meetings, look to hold a leadership role if you can. It looks good and helps you to feel part of something bigger than yourself.

• Part-time jobs are great, but your main job is student. Treat it like a job because it will pay off more than your part-time rate will if you are going to college.

• Make sure your counselor knows you. They have so many students so it’s on you to make appointments or use the appropriate channels to get face time.

• Write down important dates or have a good system in place. When is the school wide ACT?

• Do not make a habit of going out on school nights. It’s just not good for you. Attend some games and support your classmates, but weeknights are for homework, studying, and getting to bed at a decent time.

• Eat well. Drink lots of water. Do not do the crazy caffeine energy drinks. You will crash. Do not start your day with sugar. Try to buy healthy things you can eat for breakfast and keep an emergency snack in your backpack. Breakfast sandwiches with protein or breakfast burritos are great and are fun to make on Sunday afternoon.

• Keep gum, mints, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, extra pens and pencils, etc. Offer them to classmates if appropriate. This is a nice way to start up a conversation if you feel socially awkward, too.

• Be early. Do not wait until the last minute to come to class.

• Raise your hand and ask questions. Chances are that someone else has the same question and will appreciate you asking.

• Try not to live in the negative. It’s easy to complain about a class or a teacher but it keeps you in that negative mindset, too. Try not to join in the bashing with classmates.

• You don’t have to like your teachers. It’s nice if you do, but it’s just like your boss at work. You won’t always like them. You just have to find out what they want from you and do it. Do you want an A in the class? Rise up to the standard that teacher asks for.

• Try not to confront a teacher with a personal issue while they are teaching or while they are preparing for class. If you have a personal concern, it’s best to email the teacher and let them respond at a time that is good for them. I had some students blindside me with things that would have been better in an email. I would often say, “can you email me that request?” I sometimes had them write it down on a post it, blaming myself for only remembering things if I had a list.

• Your teachers are humans. They have bad days, they are tired, they are making a million decisions a day, they are teaching a lot of students. Just remember that.

• Lay out everything you can the night before. Make your mornings as easy as possible.

• Figure out just how long you need to get ready. Time yourself. It’s really eye-opening and helpful!

• Don’t wear pajamas to school! Spirit days are one thing, but pajamas at school bring pajama energy.

• Get enough sleep! I just heard this and it makes so much sense. If you want 8 hours of sleep, you need your body in the bed for 9 hours.

• Do not let your phone distract you. Consider getting an alarm to use that isn’t your phone. Keep your phone charging overnight and don’t get distracted by it while you are trying to get ready or study.

What have I forgotten?

I hope Lena has such a great year! If you have a junior in your life, I hope they also have a great year!

Amy