Here's back-to-school advice from elementary to older students

August 18, 202

By Brittney Melton

NPR

The article "Here's back-to-school advice from elementary to high school students" by Brittney Melton provides valuable insights directly from students across the United States, ranging from second graders to high school juniors. These students share their personal tips on how to navigate the new school year, offering advice that is practical, relatable, and applicable to various grade levels.

Elementary School Advice

Lucy González Brix, Second Grade: Lucy, from Charles City, Virginia, emphasizes the importance of learning practical skills, such as counting and using money, to avoid being scammed. She also stresses the significance of kindness, noting that it helps in making friends, which is supported by her winning a kindness award the previous school year.

Ziva Grossman, Third Grade: Ziva, a third grader, advises enjoying lunch and recess to break up the long school day. She also recommends using Khan Academy to get a refresher on subjects like math before returning to school.

Middle School Advice

Levi Chowske and Gemma Stahl, Sixth Grade: Levi from Queensbury, New York, suggests always keeping a sharp pencil and writing neatly to avoid redoing work. Gemma, from Chicago, advises against procrastination and emphasizes the importance of a strong backpack to carry schoolbooks, reflecting her preparation for the increased workload in middle school.

Sophia Robinson, Seventh Grade: Sophia, from Wilmington, North Carolina, values the importance of friendships and study groups to tackle big assignments. She also recommends organizing school supplies by class, maintaining a clean study space, and approaching school with a positive attitude and an open mind.

Abram Baker, Eighth Grade: Abram, also from Wilmington, underscores the importance of preparation. He starts the school year by reading all emails from the school and ensures he has the necessary supplies, such as a binder, notebook, and calculator.

High School Advice

Klara Lind and Arrow Wedel, Ninth Grade: Klara, an incoming freshman from Eugene, Oregon, advises paying more attention in classes as high school is more challenging than middle school. She also highlights the importance of making friends in middle school to ease the transition to high school. Arrow, from Lawrence, Kansas, suggests carrying a water bottle to stay hydrated and using it as an excuse to take breaks when needed.

Selvam Antony, Eleventh Grade: Selvam, from Murray, Kentucky, offers advice that applies broadly across school experiences. He emphasizes the importance of getting a good night’s sleep, being prepared with school supplies, and maintaining an eagerness to learn. He shares how keeping an open mind helped him develop a love for chemistry, a subject he was initially unsure about. Selvam also encourages making the most of the high school experience, despite its challenges, and cherishing every moment.

Conclusion

This collection of advice from students provides educators with a unique perspective on what their students value and prioritize as they return to school. From practical tips on staying organized and prepared to the importance of friendships and maintaining a positive mindset, these insights can help educators create a supportive and effective learning environment. By listening to their students’ voices, teachers can better understand their needs and concerns, ensuring a more successful and fulfilling school year for all.

Source: Melton, B. (2024, August 18). Here's back-to-school advice from elementary to high school students. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2024/08/18/heres-back-to-school-advice-from-ele...

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com