Many of these were written by students in the International Baccalaureate program, but there are also several grouped together at the end written by students in the traditional Bartow High School program. They are otherwise in no particular order.

 

 

My advice to an incoming IBer is simple. Chill! IB is tough; you will work, but you agreed to this when you came. The work is not impossible, only time consuming. Freshman year may seem daunting, but it’s not, so don’t freak out. Sophomore year is easy, so don’t make it hard by taking ridiculous electives. Your GPA will be fine; after taking two straight years of 5.0 classes your GPA will be high enough.

My advice for your first two years in IB is to do the work and realize what you are good at. Study only what you need to. If you are good at math and terrible at history, and by chance have a test in both the next day, don’t worry about math, save time and study for history and just roll with math. Realize early what science you are good at and like. Junior year is when you have to “major” in a science. Choose what you like and will enjoy, not what is easy. Science IB test will make or break you, so choose what you want to do. Math is the same. Take the harder of the two if you think you can handle it, don’t take the easy road.

IB will be totally worth it, so don’t quit. Please don’t quit. Senior year is terrible, but you will get through because you will do the work. It just takes time, so do it. I wrestle, swim and spend lots of time at church, and still find time — it just takes organization. The IB title and course is unparalleled and looks good so just do it.

(Cpt) Ian Parker

 

Dear IB freshmen,

Over the next four years you will endure one of the hardest programs in the state. This may be a frightening concept at first but it will all be worth it in the end. There have been many students before you and there will be many students after you in this program. Despite these numbers each and every one of us has the strength to survive and then pass our wisdom on to the next generation of IB students.

With this in mind I have a few pieces of advice that I believe will help you through your next four years. The first thing, which you will hear a thousand times before you graduate, is don’t procrastinate. I know you will on quite a few things because it seems that the nature of IB is that there is never enough time to get everything done. The key thing is that if you have the time try not to procrastinate because it will save you a lot of grief later if your work is out of the way. Another piece of advice that I would like to bestow upon you is the knowledge that all of the work that you are given can be done if you truly wish for it to be. The classes that you really need to study for are your sciences, your math and your foreign language. As a general consensus these classes require the most devotion of your time throughout. The next piece of advice that I would like to give you is to make sure that you read your novels for English because it will come back to haunt you if you do not read them. I’m sure that there will be more advice given to you as you progress through the program whether it is from your teachers, your friends, or the class that proceeds you.

Life for you over the next four years will be very difficult. I know from personal experience that you will have many sleepless nights with huge doses of caffeine to help you through the stacks of homework you have to get done. These things will get easier if you tough out the rough patches of your IB experience. All of these experiences will shape and mold you into a better person for the future. I hope that my advice will help you achieve your goals in the IB program. Four years from now when you look back over your entire experience you will come to realize that all of the time you invested in this program is well worth the effort. I wish you good luck in your future here at the IB program.

Sincerely,

Heather Johnson

 

Graduating Class of 2006

Dear Youngling,

What can I say about the majesty that is IB at Bartow High School? The last four years have been a rip-roaring rollercoaster of fun and frivolity but also hard work and sacrifice. Time and again I found myself on the brink, wondering if I might not be better served to fall over the edge, saving myself from this life of pain and suffering. But each time, I came back, and I know that I am better for the decisions that I made. Between school, clubs, and my ever-expanding social life, my teen years have been far from easy, but I have been blessed with help along the way and knowledge that I wish to impart before my time here is through.

Procrastination, much like death and taxes, is inevitable. The best of intentions more often than not end in frantic sprints to the finish line. Things come up. You get busy. And the next thing you know, it’s 10:40 at night and you’re typing an essay for Calculus due the next morning. The trick is to plan for the procrastination. Too many students are caught off guard by quickly approaching deadlines. They think about all the things they have to do, and they panic. I’ve learned to keep my cool. If I get tired or bored, I take a relaxing shower and then get right back to the grindstone. The sad truth of the matter is that projects must get done. As much as you may wish they would disappear like the other sock, they tend to be as stubborn as a pregnant mule, and not doing them has consequences. I know that I’m going to wait until the last minute, but I know I can handle the pressure, so there’s no need to lose my head.

Even with all the school work you have to do extracurriculars are a must. They are the crème filling in the high school Hostess snack. Without them, you are just some sad raccoon, crushed beneath a beige snowboard. I like to the think of the beige snowboard as the pressures of youth. Clubs and sports are the best way to make life‑long friends while fostering your quiet passions. Sometimes it gets rough. You have too much on your plate and you want nothing more than to quit. Then quit. There’s no reason to do it if it makes you want to rip your hair out in ever-loving frustration. Clubs are for “flex” time. They give you a chance to unwind and forget about aaaaallllll the other things you have to do. They shouldn’t be stressful, because who has ever been stressed while eating a Twinkle?

Well, Young Grasshopper, I hope my advice has served you well. Remember, study hard, play safe, and relent not lest ye be trampled and left for dead.

Yours in spirit,

Kimber Lauren Wiggs

 

Dear upcoming freshmen,

The first thing that you need to know is that this IB school is going to be harder and more work that whatever school you went to for middle school. You will not be able to get above 95% A’s in all of your classes, so don’t stress out when a 90% happens. Furthermore, don’t think it is important that you realize from the beginning that the semester grade is the only grade that matters, so an 89.5% is exactly the same as a 100%. Colleges only see “A” or “B” or whatever letter grade on your transcript. Now I am not saying try to keep your grade around a 90% because then when you screw up on that one essay, test, or homework assignment, you won’t be screwed over with a semester 89, like has unfortunately happened to me many times.

Now I will discuss the science and math classes of your junior and senior year for when you get there. Ok, first of all you have to pick your science. Pick the science that you are most interested in because that helps a lot, but keep in mind a few things. Biology is tons of work, but if you do it all on time and to the best of your ability always, you will end up with a good grade. Chemistry is extremely difficult, and probably harder to get a good grade, but there is less work than bio, it’s just more challenging work. Physics is the easiest to get a good grade in, but there still is a substantial workload. All the science teachers are very good, but at the same time very different. On to mathematics, but I can only discuss trigonometry/analytical geometry and calculus because I know nothing about the other math option. In this class, the most important thing is thoroughly complete the optional review sheets for tests and quizzes. If you do that all the time, it will be so much easier to maintain a good grade. Additionally, always attempt your homework for two reasons. The first reason is that you get points for just attempting it, and that builds up in the end. Second of all, it is essential that you recognize the problems when Ms. Frisbie discusses them at the beginning of class, if not, it is much more difficult to learn the math. Next, I would like to comment on the teacher, and I know this is being turned into this teacher, but the following is absolutely true. I can practically guarantee that Ms. Frisbie will be the best math teacher you will have. She is willing to help you whenever you have a problem, and does huge amounts of work to make sure we comprehend the subject at hand in the best way possible. Not to mention she is funny and seemingly filled with knowledge on almost every single subject that you can think of. She knows so much about music to politics to technology to every academic subject and more. You really will miss out on the true IB experience if you do not take her class, because I am personally not a math person, but I have gained more math knowledge than ever in her class, without unbearable boredom like some other classes.

English, history, Theory of Knowledge, and Spanish are the next subjects I will discuss. For your junior year, English will be comparatively easier than sophomore or senior year. Sometimes it will seem that nothing important is covered a certain day in her class, but nonetheless Ms. Smith is an extremely nice person, and nearly all of her students pass AP. Likewise, Ms. Delk is a super nice lady that is always willing to help you with your work. To be honest, she probably does more work than any of the other English teachers. Furthermore, she is debatably the best English teacher that you will have in IB, particularly on teaching actual writing. However, her class can become very boring and annoying at times. For history, I am probably not the best person for advice. History is my best subject and it comes very easily to me, but I will explain how I fell about Mr. Goss and Mr. Shuff’s classes. Mr. Goss is a great guy that knows a tremendous amount of history, but sometimes spends too much time on certain points or goes off on a tangent. Furthermore, Mr. Goss is famous for his corny jokes and puns, but they will grow on you and you will miss them when they are gone. Mr. Goss’s tests are easy, and paying attention in class is not always required. Just thoroughly read over the online notes before the test and the Amsco and you’ll generally be fine, since he does curve his tests. I will continue onto History of the Americas, Mr. Shuff’s class. This class will by far be your hardest history class. Make sure you take the notes, study them, and read all of the huge sections in the book. The good part in this class is that basically no work is required outside of class besides a few simple essays and studying the night before for the test. Just remember that an entire day needs to be dedicated to this class before each test, so make sure that your homework in your other classes is complete. For the most part I agree with Mr. Goss’s political views, but it is very good that one year of history is taught with a conservative perspective and the next with a liberal perspective, each from teachers that know their subject very well. Now we come the theory of knowledge class. This class is extremely boring and tons of busy work is required. Regardless, Mr. Keers does a very good job handling the extended essays and ToK essays, which is very helpful. If you don’t get an A in this class, you either never show up or just shouldn’t be in IB at all. Last of all, la clase de espanol. What a fun class. Ok, that was very sarcastic. Sra. Laurent is a great teacher and a nice lady, but the class could not be any harder or more boring. That’s pretty much all I will say about Spanish.

So in conclusion, be prepared for more work that you are used to, but it is very feasible with some effort. Try to have a life in IB, so that you do not die of stress. Try to relax as much as possible, but do what is necessary to achieve your personal set goals. Every part of this essay is what I sincerely believe, although a few others may disagree about a few things I said. This essay was not just random stuff for the heck of it or trying to suck up, it came straight out of what I think of my classes.

Bobby Rombola

 

To all incoming freshman,

Looking back over the last few years I have come to the conclusion that there is no general advice I can give except be nice to everyone because you never know when you need to work with them or use their knowledge. You will not know everything so a tutor will be absolutely necessary if you want to get good grades unless you really enjoy staring at textbooks. The being nice to everyone also applies to those who are older than you because they can give you inside advice about which teachers and electives to take. An important note though, neither seniors nor juniors care about your problems because you have NO problems, assignments, or projects that are difficult. When you are a senior you can complain and not sound whining but until then SHUT UP. Lastly, enjoy the lower grades because first semester senior year SUCKS. The difficulty of years is as follows in order of increasing difficulty (yeah I know that doesn’t make sense but you get it anyway) 10th 9th 11th 12th (1st semester at least). Make sure you decide to take advantage of the few electives we have here and ENJOY.

Sincerely,

Benjamin George (c/o 2006)

 

You, Freshman, listen.

It’s been tough for me to get through four of the most grueling years of my life without having someplace to vent my frustrations. I know as freshmen, the world is something quite scary and unfamiliar, but you will make friends and you, like those before you, will adapt, succeed, and leave. The best advice I can give each of you is to relax. Find your anchor, an organization of something you love. Stay with that anchor for these four years. Even with the stress of senior year, that one anchor will keep you sane.

Do everything humanly possible in four years. Not only will colleges like you, but you will enjoy every minute of high school. A day spent being lazy is a day wasted. I have wasted many days in a fog of procrastination, but everything will work out in the end, just with a dash of 3 am bedtimes. In your activities, you will find new friends and they will become like your family. Don’t make IB enemies because you will have nearly every class with these 60 or more people. Cherish each moment; it really is an exhilarating ride.

Remember to relax. I never did enough of relaxing. Being as wound as a coil is not always very fun. Work hard over the things you can control, but don’t stress the things you cannot avoid. Look at the big picture of your life. These four years will, in many ways, determine who you become. High school decides college, which decides life. Be serious enough to succeed, but not enough to have mental breakdowns. Some of your classmates will have mental breakdowns…. Everything in life is only for now, enjoy it.

Brandon Tan

 

Dear Up‑Coming and Prospective BHS/IB Freshman

As a senior going into his second semester of IB I feel it is my duty to help upcoming freshmen and give them some advice. My advice will cover both the academic and social aspects of BHS/IB. They are meant to help you avoid the possible pitfalls that have consumed so many. Yet my advice should be used only as a reference point, not a book to live by.

Academically BHS and IB can be as easy or as challenging as you want it, although IB seems to be much more challenging than BHS. If you are not highly motivated either internally or by your parents or you do not enjoy competition then BHS is a better school than IB. However if you have been accepted and have set high goals for yourself or if your parents have set high goals for you then IB will be a better school for you. Once you start school you must remember that the purpose of school is to learn and to do this most effectively you must choose classes that suit your ambitions and that interest you. From this point a student must remember to remain focused in class and not fall asleep. Homework is also essential in that it is a large part of your grade and will help you learn the material. If you do not have a passion for foreign language then try to avoid classes taught by Mrs. Dietert because they are very time consuming and tedious. If you are in IB then you must study hard for your science and math tests because I feel they are the most advanced of our studies. Always turn in labs on time and start portfolios and free responses early. You will thank yourself. Also the extended essay is not that bad, you just have to sit down for about 35 hours and do it. It is very helpful to keep an eye on your grade using the internet viewer it allows you to know when you need to work a little harder in an area. These small tips should help you a lot yet they are not the only procedures you must follow to achieve academic success.

Socially BHS is very diverse. We have at least one of every kind of group. Yes, we even have the crazy Indian kids who play cricket behind the pods during lunch. You are sure to find a group with which you relate and are accepted. I would stay away from the kids who do lots of drugs or who take pride in failing classes because these people will likely live a mediocre existence after high school. My advice would be to have a main group of friends who you will always be cool with yet visit other groups often so that you can get a taste of the culture in IB and so that you meet more people and have more friends. If you feel the need then you may want to play sports. Playing sports is a great way to meet people whom you would never normally come into contact with. However you should not let the sports make your grades plummet, make sure you have enough time and energy to get everything done for school because that is most important. Boyfriends and girls friends can be cool but do not let them get too serious.

I hope that you have read and understood what I was trying to say. These tips are meant to only give you a little direction before you fall into the sea known as high school. BHS/IB can be a very friendly place or it can be hell. It’s up to the person to decide how he or she views high school at BHS

Sincerely,

Will Reschly

 

Dear freshman friend,

You are about to embark on your first year of high school, and your first year of IB. You will encounter much in these next years, be really stressed, and sleep little. Your classes, extracurriculars and other choices you make will be important in getting you through this.

Obviously you must take certain required classes, but you have three choices, your science, your math, and your electives. Your science is a vitally important choice, depending on your different skills and preferences you must choose one of physics, biology, or chemistry. Physics is for those among us who have an affinity for math and formulaic manipulation. Biology is based on tons of facts that you just have to know, and chemistry is somewhere in the middle. Choose wisely, because switching is not easy to do. Ok your math, you have a choice of Ms. Frisbie and Ms. Cobb/Mr. Nakamura, all three are excellent teachers. If you rock hardcore at math, go for trig/calc, but if you’re ok and know you’re going to need as little stress as possible go for Cobb/Nakamura’s class. Finally your electives, take something that you’re truly passionate about and that will help relieve your stress. Don’t overload yourself and be sure to stay committed to whatever clubs you join.

There are a million and one extracurriculars at this school. Choose one or two that you will love doing, and that will give you an outlet for the crazy amounts of stress. Sure, they take up loads of time, but that’s ok, trust me you’d rather not be home than sleep some days anyway, well, if you’re anything like me, which isn’t very likely. They will keep you sane, and give you an outlet, and make you look diversified to colleges. When you hit your senior year, which may seem far off, but will be there faster than you think, get your extended essay and TOK oral out of the way as soon as possible, and keep track of due dates. Procrastinate later.

Ok so then there are all those other choices you have to make. You’re going to be presented with a wide variety of situations and options on how to deal with them. All I can really say is to stay close to your morals and ethics. Stay close to your faith, if you have one, it can lead through some dark times.

Ok well that’s all of it, all my knowledge packed into 5 paragraphs. Oh wait, one last thing, this is of vital importance, seriously. Good Luck.

S. Rahul Banerjee

 

Dear new IB freshman,

First of all, congratulations on being chosen to enter these next four years of rigorous study. While I, myself, have graduated and gone, I can only leave some advice for you, as my four years here were not the most simple.

First, read the books in English. Yes, all of them. The novels are not bad literature, and you will appreciate it later when come senior year, you will write two fifteen-hundred word world lit papers on them. Trig and Calculus I would recommend for the bravest of you in math studies. I chose this most invigorating course, and have had my share of brick walls in the understanding of calculus. But Ms. Frisbie is the best teacher for this, and her understanding and yes, even compassion for your struggles will help you through. But calculus is not for the weak minded. The portfolios — do them; begin them before the day before they are due. I learned this the hard way… many times over. It helps to have time to ask Ms. Frisbie questions on them. Extended Essay: 4,000 words on topic of your choice. Do the rough draft over the summer. It will take so much pressure off of you the beginning of your senior year.

And freshman, please learn early how to manage your time. Do not fall into the deep inescapable hole of bad sleep patterns, as they will more or less screw you over eventually. Sleep in the nighttime; do your homework preferably when it is still daytime. It has helped for me to stay at school some days; working in a classroom can help you avoid the mistake of hour-long naps right after school.

Sleep on the bus in the morning. Sometimes it was the only sleep that I would get.

Essays for Shuff are not hard, but they become the most challenging when doing them the night before — even the period before they are due. But do not worry, as Mr. Goss will give you plenty of DBQ practice that will help you more or less with those Shuff essays.

And drama here at Bartow High School is the best. Join some extra‑curriculars like these that will inevitably add stress to you, but take away some stress of schoolwork at the same time.

Do not become enemies with your classmates. They are not your competition. Look around at the genius that sits right next to you. This is your future contact.

Do not stress too much about school. A 91 A is the same as a 100 A remember.

You can make it through.

Sincerely,

Rita Scott

 

Graduated IB student

As the first semester of my senior year ends and my classmates and I grow increasingly sentimental (especially due to the holiday season), I think now is a good time to sit back and reflect upon my experience at IB and Bartow High School. Yes, things have been very difficult at times, but overall I think everything has worked itself out well. Of course for freshmen, before them lies a long and torturous journey, throughout which few will be spared. That is the nature of the IB jungle — there is a type of academic Darwinism, if you will, where only the strongest and most competitive survive the IB program (unless you are one of those people who just doesn’t care, in which case you’ll make it through just fine).

Firstly, I would tell incoming freshmen to start trying to organize their time wisely, and make sure they save some time for themselves to be with their friends or family and relax. That is something I wish I had taken into more careful consideration as a freshman, because spending time on yourself is very important to your overall well‑being. IB sucks the life out of you if you’re not careful.

Also freshmen, avoid any attempt at perfection. You’re just not gonna get there. You can try and do well, get A’s and all that, but you’ll never be perfect, especially being at IB where everyone seems to be amazing at something. But take comfort in the fact that you (I’m sure) have something that makes you unique. In fact, utilizing some skill or talent as an extracurricular activity is a great way to relieve stress, which is another thing you should try to do while you’re in IB. Getting involved in an activity outside of school can help you get involved in your school or community and can be a way out for you to chill and get rid of some of that all‑too‑common IB tension.

As far as studying goes, I have always had a tendency to focus on those classes that bring me the most pain and suffering. If I don’t understand the material in a certain class, I have to get myself to understand it by studying it more at home. It can become quite difficult to spend the most time on the classes you least like, but it’ll pay off for you in the long run. Try to set aside a certain time in the afternoon to work on homework during the week, and the same goes for the weekends. And learn to love your calculator. And SparkNotes. And coffee.

All in all I’d say that IB actually does end up being worth it. You come out smarter and ready for college and the “real world out there.” Also you can end up with some really great friends. So stick with it and you’ll make it through the IB jungle ‑ just don’t get mauled by any tigers (or venus fly traps …or spider monkeys…) along the way.

Kelly Harbaugh

 

The IB program is definitely a taxing program on a student. However, pre‑IB is nothing to worry about. If you can handle a minimum amount of stress and a fairly easy course load for the first 2½  years of high school, then you will be able to finish the IB program. It may seem like it is not worth it once the second semester of junior year begins, but believe me, it does pay off — literally and figuratively. Colleges are very impressed but the fact that you are in the International Baccalaureate program and will pay large sums of money to get you on their roster, not to mention the money that you will receive from the automatic Florida Bright Futures scholarship guaranteed to you if you get the diploma.

However, in order to guarantee that you get that diploma, you should remember a few things as you progress through these 4 years. Firstly, do not get discouraged. It may seem like you cannot write essays or understand trigonometry in the beginning, but you will get it with practice (and I mean LOTS of practice). By junior year, the teachers will actually begin to help you improve the skills necessary for college such as essay writing, presentations, fluent speaking, etc. When the end of senior year rolls around, you will feel like college will be a breeze. Graduates have told me that this is exactly right.

Remember to have fun. Make sure to have a strong group of friends that you can hang out with whenever. You can gripe and complain with them, pretend to study with them, or just goof around the entire weekend. It is a great stress remover, and you are certain to do things that you will always remember.

Most importantly, do not be hard on yourself. Although sometimes it may not feel like it, IB is a world class college prep program and is going to be much harder than going to a regular high school, even if you take all AP classes. If your friends, who go to different schools, are getting straight A’s and you aren’t, remember that you are in IB and they aren’t. Besides, IB classes are weighted, anyway.

In summary, don’t worry about these 4 years. That is the worst thing that you could do and will increase stress tremendously. Take everything as it comes, get them done, move on, and look forward to those glorious week vacations, over which you can sleep in, goof off, and lay mindlessly on the couch forgetting everything that you have learned in the past month.

Matt Carlton

 

Dear Freshman,

The best advice I have for you is to learn how to study. Most people coasted through elementary and middle school, getting A’s without even trying. It might be possible to keep going like that through 9th grade, but grade will be a rude awakening if you haven’t found a study pattern or learned self-discipline.

Another thing, don’t worry about your grades. Be prepared to get B’s, even if you never have. Remember that an 89.5 will took exactly the same on your transcripts as a 100. Being the valedictorian will not get you into any college you want, it might actually hurt you if you don’t have any other goals. It is more important to join clubs (I recommend Habitat for Humanity — you can tell people you built a house) or play sports.

Don’t take French. Nobody likes that class. It doesn’t matter how much you like the language, you will hate it. Do not take Chemistry unless you are either in the top 10 of your class or unless you are a chemistry genius. If you are neither of those, you will fail miserably. If you take Biology, be prepared for drama — a lot of drama.

My last piece of advice is to not dwell upon your stress. Always took on the bright side — the level of stress you are currently at is the easiest time of your high school career — it will only continue to get worse as you go along. It will never get any better. Just suck it up and do the work. Complaining wastes time.

Cori Melton

 

The trip down IB Road is of hard work, sacrifice and commitment. To survive, one must be able to take on challenges and adversity head on. Now that is what the romanticists will tell you. The regular IB senior will be much more candid about the experiences you will have as you progress through the IB program. The first to remember when joining on is to be wary of the inflation of myths. Yes there are plenty of IB drop outs that will be happy to give you more than one horror story about the effect on their health and family life and friends and all other things. I’m not saying IB isn’t hard. It is and there is no denying it. It can also be downright stressful, but the stories told about the work load and classes are pretty much inflated myths, except for senior first semester and sophomore chemistry, they are evil on certain days. What I’m saying is don’t let yourself become scared. The assignments that you will do are nothing new and others before you have done them as well so they’re not impossible. Many people have dropped out of IB from nerves and unnecessary stress. Don’t let myths fool you.

In extracurricular activities that cause interaction with students from other schools, don’t get cocky. After a year or so of IB, IB students tend to get an ego. Try to avoid that because those Kathleen or Lakeland or Fort Meade kids just might sneak up and beat you in whatever competition you are in. Just because you’re IB you are not demigods. Be warned, the ego of IB is infamous around the Bartow kids as well. There are some Bartow older generation citizens who have felt a little threatened by the IB school, remember the first graduating class of IB was in 1999, that’s not a long time ago. People in the Bartow area might have a prejudice against you because they feel you’re in IB so you must be a jerk, or you’ve come to destroy the ol’ Southern homeliness of Bartow. Basically, don’t have an ego about yourself just because of IB. It’s not becoming of you; it will betray you and we need to break the scars left by past narcissists.

The most important part of IB is simple, know your literature. English is one of the most important classes you will take throughout your high school career. There are running ideas if you want to do well in this class and that is to know your symbolism. Symbolism can be tricky and can give people problems. For all four years, here are some notes you need to know about the characters you will be reading about and things significance you need to look at: Atticus kills the dog, mud in the streets of Paris mixes with wine, Simon talks to a pig head, Iago is gay, the outside and inside of the magistrate’s house, Blanche is an alcoholic and Grenouille is Hitler. I hope all these facts will help you learn and avoid the pitfalls others before you faced.

David Houston

 

Dear Freshman,

I would first like to welcome you to your first year of IB. I remember how nervous I was my first year here, but don’t worry, you will (hopefully) get used to it. After more than three years of IB torture, I can now personally attest to the rigor of this program. Over these past few years, I have had many sleepless nights, countless exams (sometimes four or five in one day), mountains of homework, internal assessments, and research papers to write. Yes, all of that may seem overwhelming, and it can be; sometimes I have not had time to complete all of my assignments. However, the key to success here at IB (and something I wish I had done) is proper time management. Procrastination will cause undue stress and poor quality of work. (Believe me, I know). If you wish to excel in IB, then the least you can do is make sure you balance your time wisely. If not, then there are not enough hours in a day to get everything completed and to your satisfaction.

I myself have called to the monster named procrastination. As I think back to all the times I have gotten less than four hours of sleep, most of the time they were due to procrastination. Starting your homework at nine o’clock at night when you have seven hours of homework to do is not the brightest idea, trust me.

Now, here is some advice for certain classes. Please at least consider what I have to say, for my advice can possibly save you from much undue stress in the future. For the Biology students, do your labs early!! Labs are much better when they are not written at two o’clock in the morning. Again, I am speaking from personal experience. For the history classes, it is a good idea to actually read the chapters if you wish to get A’s on the tests, and cramming down four chapters in one night is not the best way to study. For your English classes, it is crucial that you read the assigned novels your junior and senior years. You may not like them, but at least read them! If not, you will have a world of regrets when it comes time to write World Literature papers in your senior year. Finally, for the Theory of Knowledge course, please, please get started on your Extended Essay early! This essay is perhaps the number one stress causer your senior year. If you are smart and begin researching (and possibly writing) the paper during the summer before your senior year, you will not be forced to write your entire essay in one night (again, from personal experience).

Finally, I would like to address the issue of grades in IB. I am sure that, as middle school students, you received the highest grades without putting in much effort. That, however, is not the case here at IB. You will have to work for your A, and at times, even though you’ve tried your best, you probably will not get all A’s. Don’t despair, for very few manage to get straight A’s all through their four years. On the bright side, I will say that getting straight A’s is not an impossible feat. However, don’t let grades be your sole concern; your main goal here at IB is to learn (and to pass the IB tests May of your senior year). Getting one B will not kill you in the long run.

Now, I’ve said everything I can think of to say. I hope that my advice will help you in some way. Good luck navigating your way through IB, and remember — even though, at times, you may ask yourself “why” you are putting yourself through this torture, know that, in the end, your hard work will pay off.

Lisa Zhang

 

Dear Freshman,

To begin with, congratulations on deciding to attend IB. I hope that you will be happy here and will make the most of your four years. As an IB senior soon to graduate, I have some advice for you. First of all, make a group of close friends. Also, do not be mean to anyone in your IB class — you will be spending the next four years with this small group of people, and they will become your second family. Whether your friends or not, you are all “in the same boat” and can empathize with one another, something that no others can completely do. Additionally, take advantage of the opportunities given to you. As an IB student, doors are opened for you, which are not for the great majority of people. Do not waste this opportunity. I encourage you to get involved — although you will be very busy, it makes high school much more enjoyable.

The main pitfall that I advise you to avoid is procrastination. Trust me, the TV show or IM conversation will not be worth your time at 3 a.m. when you are frantically finishing an assignment. Do your work early, I promise that you will be glad later on. The other snare that I encourage you to avoid is living in the future. At times, I have found that I spend so much time planning for college (what grades I need to get in, what test scores, what extracurricular activities to participate in, etc.) that I forget to enjoy high school. While planning for the future is an essential part of success, you should also work to have fun now. Socialize, be involved in activities that you enjoy, and live. I promise that being balanced will make your schoolwork easier because you will not be so stressed.

Over the years in IB, I have discovered that the most important thing, academically, is to truly try to learn. Not everything is about the grade, the actual learning is also important. Take electives that you enjoy. Do not waste your time perfecting busy work… your time is better spent studying something worthwhile. Overall, I encourage you to enjoy high school, learn a lot, and try your hardest. Even when you are stressed out, take things one assignment at a time, and you will get through it. I wish you the best of luck!!

Sincerely,

Rachel Helm

 

Welcome to IB. The next four years of your life are going to be great. Late night parties (study parties), midnight paper runs, exams that the teacher couldn’t even pass, and being forcibly surrounded by know-it-all nerds will become the norm for you over these next four years. By the end of your IB career, you will be ready to kill about 70% of your class, not care about 28% of them, and you MAY be friends with 2% of them. Sounds like fun right? Honestly though, IB is a great experience. It will prepare you for college, you will make lifelong friends (although you are forced to work with some people you will hate), and you will be successful.

I have just a few words of advice for you. I’m not going to tell you not to procrastinate because that’s just stupid and you wouldn’t listen anyway. Instead, you should make sure you watch a lot of TV, play video games, and get a lot of sleep the day before the day you have to start and finish the project you procrastinated on. Secondly, get involved. Colleges love well-rounded students, not brainiacs, so start joining clubs freshman year, and run for office by your senior year.

Make sure you spend extra time studying for the sciences, unless you’re in physics, in which case just make sure you do the crossword puzzles. Good luck next year!

Sincerely,

Brad Sipe

Co-President of the School

 

Dear Incoming IB Freshmen,

Please know that what you are getting yourself into isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile. Be prepared for long nights working on Shuff essays, stressing out over Chemistry exams, and enough foreign language to make you want to give up speaking altogether. It’s demanding, but it’s not all bad. It was hard for me to come to IB because it was far away from all of my friends and I had to give up a lot to be here, but I’ve found that in the IB community you find even more friends than you left. The teachers are really supportive, especially when you get into your junior and senior year. Basically everyone is family at this point. (Of course like all families there are… er… disagreements.) You will gripe about your teachers I’m sure, and at least once a semester you will swear that you will quit IB and go to a school where you don’t have to work and you can make straight As; trust me, you will have those days. But overall the experience in IB is really rewarding; you get a good education and through all that stress you eventually learn to manage your time and write good papers the first time around (or you learn to not sleep… either way you are prepared for college.)

My biggest advice to you is to a) get your CAS hours done in your junior year. I know you think that junior year is hard and you have no time, but senior year first semester is so much worse, so just get them done! b) Do your extended essay over the summer. I know the due date seems so far away and you hate working over the summer but just doing it a little at a time will make a world of difference for you in your senior year. c) Start looking for colleges and scholarships early on, early in your junior year if possible. This is when you have time to go visit campuses and really make your decisions and then send your applications out early senior year! Overall, don’t assume things are terribly far off, just do them a bit at a time and you will thank yourself later, especially when you see everyone else scrambling.

Also, I advise really getting involved in something you love. Not only do colleges love this, but it really serves as a stress reliever when you just go out and do something besides school. Yes, it sometimes makes your schedule hectic, but at least you have a life. I would suggest sports, drama, or band. I think those are pretty much the big ones people in my class are involved in. Also, I found it helped me to stay involved in my church and with my family because it really gave me a support group and kept my priorities straight. So make sure you get your work done, but go out and relax once in a while, too. Even just scheduling a movie night with a bunch of friends can be awesome for your nerves.

Well, good luck, enjoy yourself, don’t give up, hold close to your friends and family, get your work done and embark on the great journey entitled International Baccalaureate.

Sincerely,

Evie Smith

 

Dear prestigious IB student,

The International Baccalaureate program is all about choices. It involves choosing what you have to do over what you want to do. It is about getting what is due on Tuesday done on Saturday. The most important advice I can give an incoming freshmen is come to school regularly, establish good study habits, and experience as much as you can while you are in high school.

Coming to school on a regular basis is the most important part of school. If you are not in class then you cannot learn. While you may be sure that the class is not doing anything that day, there are little things in every class that make it important. You might miss a due date or an important lecture. Going to class every day gives a student security and comes off well to teachers.

The second piece of advice I can give to incoming freshmen is, establish good study habits at the beginning of your journey in the IB program. While the first two years may not seem challenging they are extremely important because the habits you form during this time carry you through the last two fierce years. Try to make at least thirty minutes every night for studying and homework. The work given with a few exceptions can be knocked if you spend thirty minutes every single night on homework.

My final piece of advice I can offer is to enjoy high school. The four years you spend in high school will be over in a flash. Many IB kids will complain that we have too much homework to participate in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities. This is just not true — I have played basketball and baseball all four years, and although it is tough, the long nights are worth the fun I have. Stay ahead of your work, devote a small amount of time every night, and ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL.

Jack Murphy

 

Dear freshmen,         

IB is not really that hard. If you are stressing my personal opinion is that you are trying way too hard. Yep, I have three and half years of IB under my belt and I just finished the supposedly “hardest” semester of my life. Well, about that. This semester really has not even been that hard for me, and I am one of the worst procrastinators ever. Yes, your teachers are right when they tell you procrastination is bad, but over planning everything and being all super‑duper proactive is taking it too far and then cool people will think that you are a loser. Make friends and make good ones, because by the end of your Sr. year you will hate lots of people and they will hate you (Denny Kilgore’s advice). Let me give you a class by class summary of my advice.

Chemistry – yeah well for a lot of people chemistry is really hard, not so much for me. If you are decent at it take the class because Mrs. Bond will teach you and you will pass your IB exam and not fail like the physics kids. Plus it is way cooler than any of the other sciences. We have like one lab a week and a test every 2‑3 weeks. So, there is not really much work.

History – I am pretty good at history too so Shuff did not really scare me that much. The class is definitely harder than most histories but it is not impossible to make an A, I did it and I slept through 90% of the notes. Read the book and you will do great, and the extra credit ones help a lot, and they almost always come from the book.

Spanish – yeah I hate Spanish.

Calculus – Ms. Frisbie rocks hard. She is like a freakin’ genius and knows almost everything. My advice for her class is to pay attention in class, you don’t really have to take notes, it helps if you are not a math person though. Without notes you might fail the notebook test but that doesn’t matter if you get A’s on all the tests. Learn the math and it will help in college.

Engineering – yes we were the first IB design tech class. It rocks pretty hard. If you take this class that means you probably already took a couple of engineering classes so that means this class is pretty much common sense. Take it and you will make an A, I don’t know how the IB test will turn out yet.

ToK – I am one of the kids that sat around and did absolutely nothing in ToK. So, yeah you don’t have to pay attention and you will get smarter just absorbing some of Mr. Keers’ ToK stuff. It sort of makes sense, but I haven’t paid enough attention to piece it all together. For the journals and worksheets, write random stuff because it doesn’t matter. If it doesn’t say for you to explain, then don’t because that’s being an overachiever.

English – it is not that bad of a class. At first I thought I was going to hate it but then it turns out that we read these books (that aren’t that bad) and do some activities with them. Read them so you can have good topics for your world lit papers. When you are a Jr. and don’t want to read House of the Spirits, then don’t, because I sure didn’t and it’s not gonna hurt me.

David Loaring

 

Dear Freshmen,

Possibly the biggest task in IB is actually doing all of the work. Although it isn’t that much, you get lazy. Well, I did anyway. Nothing in IB will be that hard if you just sit down and do it. One way to think about it is how many kids have done it before you, and they’re still alive. Procrastination is fine, but in moderation, as is everything. Just don’t get a job. It’ll take up all of your day and you won’t feel like doing homework/Extended Essay/TOK paper.

And to all of you overachievers, stop working so hard. All of the other kids won’t like you if you study ALL THE TIME. Besides, the point of IB isn’t to get into a great college or anything, but to prepare you for college, so don’t think that just because you are a great IB kid you get into Harvard or Duke or Princeton (you have to have parents who went there/donated a lot of money).

Make sure you hang out with your friends because when senior year rolls around, you probably will hate most of your classmates.

So here’s pretty much what all of your classes will be like. Freshman year: you think you’re learning, but at the end you realize you didn’t really do anything. Sophomore year: you might as well sleep most of the day because your only semi important classes are World History and Chemistry. Junior year: wow! You actually learn stuff! The Frizzle is the cooliest teacher ever and teaches you all of Algebra and Geometry in a week, so that makes up for it. The Goss is cool because he just is. Don’t take physics as a science. If you’re lazy, you’ll probably fail the AP/IB tests because most of the kids don’t pass anyway. Ms. Smith is like crazy whoa and you’ll have a lot of fun. ToK, yeah you pretty much don’t do anything. It’s cool though because it blows your mind. Spanish… Ha.

Senior year is pretty much the same. Just chill out and don’t get stressed. Be cool, stay in school, don’t do drugs and all of that, and you’ll be fine.

THE DENNY‑MAN

(Denny Kilgore)

 

Dear Upcoming IB Student,

As a junior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Bartow High School, I think they I have finally figured out what is necessary to be successful in high school — an ability to do hard work. All students at IB are very intelligent and fast learners, but there is a reason why some end their four years here near the top and others near the bottom. The most powerful combination one can have is intelligence with a strong work ethic. Intelligence is something that cannot be taught but is simply an innate ability which all IB students have. A hard work ethic on the other hand is something that one can teach oneself. To be successful in the IB Program, one simply has to learn how to work hard and to study effectively. However, learning to be a hard worker is no simple task.

The two greatest pitfalls for any IB student are laziness and procrastination, two evils that usually accompany each other. Both these pitfalls can be overcome much more easily in the beginning than later on. One of the most effective means of battling these imposters is organization. One who is organized and efficient with his time (like studying history 30 minutes every night for a week instead of 4 hours the night before) will be a successful student. It is important to “stay on top of things” and not let things pile up. Of course, it is always easier to leave work for tomorrow, but this will only become a burden in the long run. Teachers never assign huge amounts of homework that are due the next day. The reasoning behind assigning things due in a week for example is so that students can work a little bit on the assignment each day for a week, not so they can dread the assignment for 6 days and finish it in one night. But though studying is important, sometimes students have to unwind.

My next piece of advice is do not get caught up in only school work. Stay active — go out with friends, play team sports, and join clubs. If one were to simply study during one’s free time, IB would be more of a nightmare than a blessing. Friends and leisure time are important, especially for kids between the ages of 15 and 18. Clubs and sports also serve as great outlets and look excellent on college applications. It is more important to be well-rounded than focused on just academics. Sometimes, there are important things that lie outside of the world of academia.

The International Baccalaureate Program can either be an enjoyable or unpleasant experience; it is all about how much each individual student exploits what it has to offer. So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed the program. I will admit that I have not been the perfect student the two and a half years I have been at IB. but I feel that I have balanced my studies, extracurricular activities, and leisure time well. I have even developed a relatively good work ethic along the way.

Sincerely,

Michael Smith

 

A Treatise on Surviving the IB Diploma Programme

Dear Young IB Students,

Although some of you have probably heard this same old tune, time and time again from teachers and other students or even older siblings and have committed it to memory like the annoying clicking of a broken clock, I have some wisdom to share with you; yes you, and all the other children lucky enough to have avoided this speech up until now about life in the IB programme. Wisdom gained by slugging through the various encumberments and pitfalls presented therein, making friends and enemies and unlocking the mysteries of the inner workings of IB; wisdom, in short, which you shall probably cast by the wayside as I so foolishly did as a freshman only to later learn the magnitude of that error. If you should judge yourself worthy of a 4‑year stay here, then read on intrepid pupil, and hopefully, perhaps maybe, I can save you just a bit of the grief that I, myself, have been witness too during my years here.

A necessary first in a proper lecture of IB, one of the more important, but sadly, one of the first to be disregarded, is the subject of procrastination. There is a simple policy that one should follow in this area: don’t do it, plain and simple. However, it must also be noted that no IB experience is totally complete without at least one sleepless night consumed with cramming for those 7 tests and/or quizzes you have tomorrow along with that major project that’s due and you haven’t even started yet. Although these are to be avoided, no student is perfect, and most lazy by nature, so that, despite countless warnings and chidings on the evils of procrastinating, most students would rather put off that portfolio for another day. Therefore, occasional time cramps should be of little concern (if they bother you, you can always stop procrastinating); although, if they become too frequent should be remedied. My personal suggestion from experience is to create a time frame for certain assignments, and, as always, prioritize; any prospective IB student should come to realize that juggling grades is an essential part of the programme and that those classes flaunting the lowest grades should always be attended to first.

With that little chat out of the way, the subject of classes should now be broached. Upon arriving at IB, the student is immediately assaulted by a barrage of class choices, some required, and others chosen. Confusion will likely follow. Electives are your own, my advice to all would be to choose something interesting to you, and, do not fret, for even if you have erred in your selection, courses may be changed, schedules altered. If science is a topic of interest to you, my suggestion would be to try and take chemistry in the freshman year, the workload then is far less daunting, and this will allow you time to later expand your scientific horizons and take 2 or more of the higher level selections offered to you sophomore year. English and social studies courses are, of course, locked in from the start, but math will present you with and interesting dilemma sophomore year as well. The IB diploma programme at Bartow High School offers 2 course pathways for math at the end of sophomore year, at the dawn of your inception into the true IB programme. The pupil will be presented with either math studies or trigonometry (later leading into calculus). Advice here is hard to give, as the student must invariably play to his or her strengths. Those with even the slightest interest in math, I strongly encourage to enter the latter however. Science, also presented to you in sophomore year, is a simple choice, physics is the easiest course to take, although having one of the hardest AP examinations; chemistry, in which you shall be well prepared for the AP exam but requires a supple, analytical mind; or biology, with a large workload for those with a prowess of memorization.

Through IB, I have grown as a student in my experiences here. Through many long nights of grueling study, the programme inevitably shapes a student, molding him/her into a better, more effective tool. If you have the will power and determination, or an apathetic attitude, which will see the programme through to its end, then you too will find the truth in what I have said here.

Cody Narciso

 

Dear little inexperienced freshmen,

As you begin the next four years of sadistic teachers, pointless classes, and nights of endless piles of homework here at IB, there are a few concepts that you should be familiar with and remember throughout your high school career.

First off an A is an A whether it is a 89.5 or a 100. It doesn’t matter if you work your butt off every nine weeks and get a perfect grade or if you coast comfortably and land up with a 90 because all anyone is ever going to see, especially colleges, is the A. So, anytime you’re up late and thinking about all the homework you still have to do, just ask yourself ‘will I still have an A if I don’t to this assignment?’. If the answer’s yes, then don’t bother to do the assignment, go get some sleep instead. If not… then I suggest you get going.

Secondly, as you begin your life as a high schooler at IB, start out by not trying to befriend the little devil that we like to call ‘procrastination,’ even though you will inevitably fall victim to it and may even befriend it. Resist temptations to leave English projects until the night before so that the day it’s due you’re rummaging through your book bag to see what you can throw on a poster… it never ends well. But eventually, you will find that no matter how hard you resist the thought of putting an assignment off, you will find yourself doing it a countless number of times before you walk down the long football field as a senior, at which point you will proudly say that procrastination has become your best friend.

I hope you enjoy the wonderful 4 years you will have here at IB, with the late nights, piles of homework, and plots to kill your teachers. It will be rough some times, and you’ll hate most of your friends come senior year, but as long as you remember the above advice, it will definitely make everything go smoother over the next few years. Have fun and good luck!

Monica Bhutiani 

 

Dear IB freshman:

Welcome to late nights full of homework, stress inflicted nightmares and a constant supply of television shows you are too busy to watch. But wait, there’s more. Over the next four years, the group of students around and you will become your family, not only because you’ll have every class together, but because you will spend more time in your room on the phone doing biology labs and English projects than in the kitchen talking to your parents. You and your classmates will bond over mutual need, as well as common interests. You need to keep a close circle of people, or resources as you’ll commonly refer to your friends, around you at all times. This group will be the essence of your survival, the reason your homework is complete, and the keepers of extra credit answers. Although malpractice, plagiarism, and collusion are strictly forbidden, helpful hands “study sessions” are widely accepted as reliable means for assignment completion. As a retiring senior, I must warn you of your current and future classes.

Freshman biology is intimidating, and the workload is killer, but nevertheless, junior and senior years biology is definitely worth the work load, because you don’t have to suffer through endless formulas. Pay attention in geometry: proofs are not the end of the world. Every English teacher expects something different, so keep in mind your audience and purpose for every paper. Your point of view doesn’t mean as much as satisfactory marks on an essay. Electives are the jamming of schedule, so choose classes that you will enjoy, because you can boost your GPA with PCC classes.

As before, I want to congratulate your previous achievements and welcome you to an academic cross-country ski trip: there are moments when you will think you cannot struggle up one more hill, but you look back at all you’ve accomplished and you realize the constant workout through high school is worth it when you ski downhill all the way through college. Not to your next up will be easier, but you’ll have prepared yourself for the future workload, using the IB program.

Sincerely,

Audrey Hurst

 

So you are just starting the IB program as a ninth grader. Be forewarned that continuing is like agreeing to a bull riding competition. The longer you hold on, and all the extra style you bring to the ride will make your future broader, and potentially much more successful. Cherish the time that you spend studying, the times that you are so stressed you don’t even know where to turn, for these are the challenges that in their conquering have strengthened your character. Spend some energy building friendships, as this group of kids will become a sort of family; some lifelong friends, some whose names you will forget, but all a big part of your high school years. Get involved in sports, clubs, and the many volunteer opportunities on campus. Do these activities for no one but yourself, because no matter how great a massive list of clubs will look on your college application, what (you will come to realize) matters most is whether you are satisfied with your high school career. My daddy always told me to “do what you love and be dedicated to it – the rest will take care of itself.” This concept is quite applicable to your years in IB, for it appears that those who have some passion – be it the arts, a sport, or coin collecting – are much more driven in every aspect of life. Most importantly, you should work hard, play hard, study hard, and make memories that will last as reminders of the end of your childhood forever.

Ansley Wales

 

Dear freshman,

When I first started IB, I really didn’t know what I was getting into. Of course I heard that it was hard, but I didn’t really understand what that meant. Now I know, and before I graduate I would like to leave you with some advice.

Most importantly, don’t get behind. Come to school when you’re feeling a little sick, and don’t take IB days unless you can’t possibly finish the work. And here comes the big one – don’t procrastinate. Yes, I know you’ll do it anyway, but I have to say it. Work on your extended essay over the summer and take an early date for your TOK presentation. I know you want to take the last date available, but it’s a bad idea. If it’s out of the way, you’ll have more time for the millions of other papers when they come due. Don’t forget to invest in a MagLite for the times you do procrastinate and have to try to finish a 1000-word essay on the bus. And yes, I am doing this essay at the last possible moment. Ignore me, I’m stupid like that.

The second most important thing to remember is don’t stress yourself out. Don’t spend an hour panicking about how much work you have, because that’s an hour you could’ve spent getting done. Try to accept the fact that a B (and dare I say it, a C) is not the end of the world. Your head will not explode, and unless you live at the Manson family, your parents will not literally kill you. Don’t take your stress out on your classmates either. They are the only ones who will be awake at three in the morning to give you the lab data and listen to how much you hate your life. Try not to feel guilty about sleeping either (I know, you laugh now, but it will happen). In general, learn to laugh at how utterly hopeless it seems to finish the extended essay in a night and remember in four years it will be over and all the colleges will want you. Good luck.

Elizabeth Pachal

 

Dear sister,

You know, now that you’ve decided to take IB, you have a great many sleepless nights ahead of you. Fortunately, I have some advice so be sure to help you out. First of all, do not be fooled by the ease of the classes in freshman year. They will get harder. Keep up with the work, and do not get behind. Essentially, you simply need to perfect your time management skills.

But onto the sophomore year – world history tests are best studied for by taking your own notes. You read right: take your own notes. Directly out of the book. Chemistry will likely be your hardest class – but don’t despair, just study for the tests. Junior year is the hardest year you will have. The most important advice I can give you is to take biology. Chemistry is super hard, and physics is so easy that you probably will not absorb much knowledge. The second most important advice that I can give you is this: do not fall behind on the English journals! That is a death wish! Lastly, don’t take French unless you are prepared for two years of boredom. C’est fini. On to senior year!

As I have not completed this year myself, I cannot be the best judge of all classes. Being the creative person you are, I have no doubt that you will take art. As such, I advise that you not fall behind on research workbooks or actual pieces. Choose a concentration that you like. I truly think you will do fine. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Chelsea Benoit

 

To the upcoming freshman:

Get out while you still can and run! No, not seriously. But be forewarned that your middle school life was a piece of cake in comparison to IB. Not that IB isn’t fun or the teachers good; it’s just HARD fun and the teachers are good ‘n’ HARD. And even though you scoff now, think of this letter later wistfully. And while you will most likely not pay the least bit of attention to this advice, at least try not to fully ignore it or worse, snore.

“Do unto others as you will have them do unto you.” Basically, if they need help on a paper, give it to them. Assistance creates harmony, a sense of purpose, and better yet… they now owe you a favor. (So use it on the next assignment!) Besides, it’s not cheating, it’s using the full potential of your resources. And writing bull is not merely bull anymore; it’s the usage of rhetoric to obscure a lack of context. Don’t you just love IB?

“Insanity: a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.” R. D. Laing

Perhaps you already identify with this quote. Don’t worry, things will only get worse! So, to cut down on all that stress, attempt not to procrastinate too badly. Or at least hone your fine skills of BS, writing a paper during Jacket News or making an entire science fair project the night before. We’ve all done it before, just some better than others. But try not to own the title of BS king or queen. Despite your nicely enlarged ego and pride, the title is not all that great when it comes down to it. So don’t do all your English journals the night before. It’s fun to boast, but hell to live. You’ll know what I mean later.

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Joe E. Lewis

So, skip class at least once before graduation, participate in a food fight, get in a fight and whup the other kid’s *censor*, watch a sunrise and sunset, etc. IB is also one of those things you only get one chance at. Those IB and AP tests seem far off, don’t they? Yep. And that level of thinking is what screws us all over. You’ll learn. Oh, you will learn.

I wish I could give more advice for you, but I’m tired of writing, and I’ve got my 3+ paragraphs. Note: it’s okay to be an overachiever, but know when the effort is not necessary. I’m wishing you each the best of luck. Either these mere words on paper find a profound effect or else they were simply amusing of mind. Whatever floats your boat.

Maelynn Alley

 

Advice from Chance:

You know, in my (decades it seems) time in IB, I’ve come to realize that IB is a whole lot like a pine cone. See, with a pine cone, you have all kinds of opportunities. You could stick it in a microwave and watch it project its outer pieces everywhere, or admire its natural even spaces determined by phi, or accidentally step on it barefoot and curse the whole damn forest. But all in all a pine cone is just a pine cone and just chillaxes (chills + relaxes) on the ground somewhere. This is kind of like IB, they are both hard and anything but pointless (prickly even) but basically useless. Useless, until… the fire. See, the pinecone germinates only when there is a forest fire. The fire is semester numero uno of senior year. And it always comes.

Senior year is when everything finally happens. You have tons of papers, projects, portfolios, etc., on top of your normal amount of work. This is the fire. However, senior year is also when you choose and apply for your college and future. This is the germination that blossoms and grows and makes you a beautiful tall pine tree. So my advice is don’t complain, everyone gets absolutely scorched by the fire, but makes it through. Do you think that the pinecone is afraid to be burned?

But now for a little bit of advice that is more relevant to you young bloods. Freshman year is when you, the fat little pinecone, fall from the tree. When freshman year begins you are still (don’t deny it) mama’s little b*tch boy. Hopefully when you hit the ground, you have a soft spot and not a rock. So as a frosh, all you need to do is aim for a soft spot and try not to roll into the river (which is your typical high school stuff – drugs, partying, underage sex, AIDS) because the fire will be able to get you, which is actually bad. So remember, stay cool and chillax, but not with water because you have to burn to be a pine tree, which is everyone’s goal in life and is very important. And you stay classy, San Diego.

P. S.: There’s more to life than being really, really ridiculously good-looking.

Chance Coulter

 

IB Survival Guide

Okay recruits, from this point forward, you may doubt me as much as you care to; certainly my class has received a fair amount of advice, and yet I’m not sure how much we listen. Even so, here I am to bestow what I have learned thus far.

First of all, stop trying to cram 10 pages of notes two minutes before a test. Let me say, it’s like scooping sand and water at the beach and having it sift through your fingers. If anything, you may remember a handful of tidbits at the price of added stress. Many will tell you not to procrastinate so. Most of you will neglect these words of wisdom for one reason or another. In the end, JUST DO IT!

No matter what anyone says, be well rounded and pick up a few extracurriculars. It’s not impossible to have a life in IB but you might have to plan ahead a bit. The outside world is your friend and one day you will live in it, so don’t shun it. Colleges like it when you have some sort of life outside school, as does CAS, too.

You may not know it yet, but eventually you will be bombarded by internal and external assessments, not just the extended essay. Don’t freak out until you get there and please listen to your teachers. Even though you will do it the night before, try to at least think about your big projects beforehand.

Let me leave you with some important words. Turning your IAs and EAs is on time. If not, you could feasibly incur the wrath of Dr. Vetter and your teachers. While I’ve never experienced this, I know this is not fun. Don’t do it!

Dr. Vetter and your teachers work very hard for you, so work for them. In short, think smart, take some time for yourself, and use common sense.

Your upperclassman,

Katherine Pazda

 

Dear freshman,

As the wise and generous senior that I happen to be, I have decided to let you in on a few secrets to “surviving your high school career.”  Hopefully you will be able to avoid some of the pitfalls that I unexpectedly found myself in and know what to do in order to make your four years of high school go smoothly. 

Tip number one: high school is full of drama.  Do everything possible to avoid it.  However, it will still find you.  So basically, just avoid the girls that say “Oh my God” after every sentence and the boys that walk like they have a broken ankle.  Rumors spread quickly and if one is ignited about you, well, I’m sorry but there is no help for you — everyone will know by next period.

Tip number two: when your guidance counselor says you need to take a certain class to pass, take it!  Don’t say you forgot just so you can have another period to sleep through.  Maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t exactly like the idea of repeating freshman year, which leads me to another very important tip — pass the FCAT!  Just do it, trust me.  You don’t want to be a senior stuck in a reading class with freshman because you can’t pass the FCAT (which means you won’t graduate).

Tip number three: play sports!  Playing an aggressive sport, such as soccer or football, is an excellent way to release the built up anger you have acquired throughout the day.  If someone you don’t like is on your sports team — even better.  Target them and hit them as hard as you can (while playing — not with your fists of course).  You will feel so much better after doing this and the person you hate will never know that you just did it to get back at them.  I do not suggest, however, taking a non-contact sport such as cheerleading for they will simply add to the built up anger and frustration.

So, I hope you will take what I have had to say to heart so as not to repeat some of the mistakes made by others.  Just to review: avoid drama, pass your classes, and play sports.  If you do all of this, you are almost guaranteed a decent four years of high school.

Sincerely,

The older and wiser senior

Elise Greer

 

Dear dumb freshman,

If you are really dumb, drop out now or the next 4 years of your life will suck terribly. High school is supposed to be fun. Get drunk and mess around with other people. Don’t do your homework. It is hardly important to your success in IB and it is a big waste of time. TV and computer games are way more important anyway. Find fun stuff to do or you will be bored. Learn how to do back flips and break your shoulder. That was a great experience for me. I hope my advice helped you. If not you were screwed from the beginning.

The rest of the letter is only here because I have to write these things to get a good grade. Studying is bad. If you are smart you don’t need to study at home. Cramming before tests is easy enough and it takes a lot less time. Smart people know B’s are good enough and A’s are just a bonus. Get some friends. It makes life easier for you. Trust me. This is the end of paragraph 2.

If you want to be happy it’s important to avoid stuff. Stuff could be homework, studying, and Mr. Shuff’s class. If not you will die.  Writhing three paragraphs is tough for me. I needed another sentence to make this paragraph longer and writing is not my forte. This sentence is here for the same reason stated previously. This concludes paragraph 3. Twenty points please.

Good luck,

Viet Nguyen

 

Dear freshmen,

Life as you know it will change. You are entering high school now, emerging from the minor leagues as a seasoned academic player seemingly ready to challenge for a starting spot among the erudite elite. A few words of warning; before entering and during the high school arena, important choices are to be made: What classes are you to take? Who are your friends going to be? How much sleep will you get? (How much homework will you do?) By simply taking a couple moments to read this letter, I can assure you a quick and smooth transition from the dredges of minor league gloom to the euphoria of major league glory.

Upon entering high school, one should be primarily concerned with academics. As am I a real boy in a real world, I understand that almost none of you reading this will take this seriously. Well, that is your diploma not mine. Once you enter high school just sitting by, playing video games, and watching your grade plummet is not recommended. For those of you who think this sounds appealing, I have an idea: give a crap. When you are sitting over a college application with a 3.0 weighted G.P.A., you’ll have appreciated what I’ve said. Until then you won’t. Therefore, take my word for it; work now, then once you have a sweet pad due to that great job which you got coming out of that sweet college, you can thank me… by loaning me some dinero.

Apart from taking an active interest in your academic life, it is just as important to maintain an enjoyable, not exhausting, social life. I am not an expert on the matter, nor do I pretend to be, however, I have some things to say. Initially, girlfriends are great, don’t get me wrong, nevertheless they come with disclaimers. Know whom it is you are about to become involved with. Reference past lovers, friends, family, whoever, just make sure this girl is sane. Wanton women will destroy your life. Alright, maybe that diction was incredibly too strong, but, an exhausting love life will complicate everything else. Apart from that, you need to get to know everyone you can. Go to movies, parties, play sports, take regular Bartow High classes, whatever it takes. The more people you know, the more fun you will have. Finally, playing sports or participating in any sort of extra-curricular activity is essential. Extra-curricular activities provide crucial separation from the taxing academic demands of I.B. life. Too much homework time can lead to complications later in life (reference John Kerry, alright well maybe he got C’s in college but he is still pretty geeky).

Well freshmen, you know what I know. Utilize this information wisely, and do not let it fall in the wrong hands. Destiny has chosen you to read this, and you cannot deny destiny. Consequently destiny has destined you to read this and then look at life in a whole new light, a Brendan Light. Yes my friends, life as you know it will never be the same. 

Brendan Mattina

 

Dear anonymous freshmen, if you are reading this, it means you have selected what is possibly the most grueling high school path available.  Welcome to IB. You are about to embark on a journey with many pitfalls and few rewards.  If there is only one thing you take out of this letter, let it be this: long-term rewards outweigh immediate gratification.  Your freshman year will be your hardest, do not be fooled by arrogant seniors who claim junior year is hell. Yes, it gets harder, but you get better and faster than it gets harder. 

When you select the science you will be studying for the latter two years of your high school experience don’t be drawn immediately to physics just because you hear that it is easy.  Select the one you like the most.  Physics is only easy if you like it.  And when it comes time to select your math, do yourself a favor and take trigonometry.  While it may seem easier to take “simple math” it is a mistake.  Yes, it’s probably easier, but it’s tedious and is taught by a teacher who, in my opinion, is less involved than the teacher of trig and calc.

Here’s a tip: study Spanish.  Odds are if you’re in French you enjoy the language, as I can think of no reason anyone would want to associate with the “French” for any other reason.  Study Spanish, and when you’re in a class for Mr. Shuff, study for at least two days before the test.  Those are the only two classes you will probably ever have to worry about the entire four years.  And you may want to write about women’s rights when you’re taught by Mrs. Hardee; just think of this as a heads up.

Whenever something comes up, take the opportunity, I guarantee you’ll regret it if don’t.  If you want to enter the calendar contest, enter it.  If you have even the slightest desire to be Mr. or Ms. BHS, give it a shot.  If you’re mildly interested in a sport, play it, and if you want to act, act.  If you want to make a presentation or a project funny, just do it.  You will regret it if you don’t.  And if you know you want to ask a girl out, don’t wait for the perfect moment, just ask, or someone else will.  Bottom line is, never pass up an opportunity out of hesitation. Remember these paragraphs word for word and you will succeed.  Remember this last line and you will go far in English junior year: It’s a romance novel, now sit down, shut up and pay attention.  Never forget your name or lose who you are.  And one last thing, apply to college early.  Also, never use the soap in the boys bathroom.  And as a general rule for the cafeteria, and well, any part of life, if it smells like rubber, don’t eat it.

David Flax

 

Don’t sweat, Glisten.

So. You kids are the best right? You rock all subjects of academia; you can pass a test without studying; you can wear that cocky trademark IB smirk when BHS kids (or BHS administration for that matter) try to tell you… well really if they open their mouths at all right?

Can you handle the little odds and ends that will meet you in the future though? Well, I’m telling you that it isn’t impossible, and that yes, you can do that too (Jack of all Trades!!).

Many of you are still, as far the upperclassmen are concerned, young’ins. Don’t get defensive. Just learn to understand that this is the case and you will be in their shoes *that fast*. In the blink of an eye, you will sit at your computer just as I am right now, writing these essays for Ms. Frisbie. You will do labs and portfolios, write essays longer than you are tall, and read novels from other worlds. You will, unless you are a new breed of SUPERSTUDENTBOTS, procrastinate like pros, and somehow get it all done — thanks to that little gnome that lives under your pillow and makes work magically appear. You will apply to colleges and get acceptance letters — I PROMISE.

You will watch your friends break down.

Weren’t expecting that one in the bunch were you?

There will be screaming and bitching (don’t gasp). People will bite insults, change appearances, lose the forms of sanity they claimed even to have to begin with, and some will even spin out of control — just because of stress. I can pin that almost entirely on junior year.

For those of you who are not yet juniors, don’t worry, it’s a lot like income taxes — which you live in fear of and then forget, only it doesn’t come every year.

To our precious juniors, yes precious, you are our IB younger siblings: This year will define your character as a student, as a person, and as a functioning member of society. If, when you turn to your “best friend since preschool” and they are not there, you must understand. Look around; there will be people that didn’t hold much import in your life that suddenly become vital support. Don’t get stuck in a rut, breathe, and think “Make it to Friday, and then I can sleep!!! Just make it to Friday!” It works. I do it daily. Except on Fridays, then I’m a jumpy kitty cat on crack.

But here’s the good news. Junior year takes a berzillion years to rip you up, chew on you, and get gross metaphorical dog slobber all over you. But it gets you all in shape for senior year, which is like spin cycle on the washing machine. When you start the washer, you think it’s going to go on and on and on… but while you were thinking about how long it will be, it’s already gone and finished on your butt.

Your last year of IB will be harder. No one argues that. There is more work, there is less extra credit, and everything is more complicated. Plus your teachers will tell you time and time again that you should be able to work like college kids. And you will. Don’t sweat it. Get there and realize that you are a conditioned working machine: you are efficient, you are persistent, and you will get it done. Just trust me.

My advice therefore is this: take all of the things you are crying about, scared about, pissed about, stressed about or dramatic about (that one’s for the girls, maybe some guys) and sit it down in your head. Put it in perspective. It will end. But for the time being, make it work for you, it’s nervous energy, a wealth of inspiration. Take and deep breath and just make it happen.

Cece O’Leary

 

Dear Freshman,

You’ve got four years ahead of you, and as you look ahead they probably seem endless. As I look back, though, with 5/8 of those once-endless years behind me, I can tell you they’re anything but endless. Yes, the minutes will sometimes be endless, and certain class periods will likewise and invariably seem interminable. Your homework, too, will often seem to be without end. But with the end of each class period, each school day, and each week, you’ll make it through a semester, then a year, and ultimately through high school.

So, what do I advise? Don’t dwell too much on the four great-big years that remain before you. Don’t look always to the day when you’ll get to drive to school, or be a club president, or run for Homecoming king or queen, or abuse your senior privileges. In turn those days will all come, but don’t rush them. For today you are a freshman, and you will be for some 179 days more. Enjoy that; it won’t happen again.

You’ll soon learn that time, endless though it may seem now, is all too fleeting. It is one of the most precious (and most scarce) of your belongings. So don’t dread it and don’t waste it.

I’m not getting at anything carpe diem here; my advice is not really that profound or that abstract. What I advise you to do is realize that you’ve got four entire years before you, and then get over that fact and live them as they come. You should plan ahead, yes, and you shouldn’t procrastinate too much, but you should also acknowledge the fact that you will procrastinate sometimes, even often, and you should accept that fact. It’s bound to happen.

Sometimes, you should pause and think about how you’re passing your time. Ask yourself what, in the grand scheme of things, do your daily actions amount to? Then, after pausing long enough, you should forget the grand scheme of things and live for the tiny moments and laughs that make life bearable and even beautiful.

As you bear in mind the constraints of time, you should consider what time directly means for you as an individual. The four years before you are a time to recognize your potential and your limits. To make the most of these years, you should push yourself too those limits, but not beyond them. There’s only so much you can do; accept that now.

Applying this practically, be realistic as you choose your courses; know what you can handle and what will make you miserable. Know when it’s time to give up homework and go to sleep. These are lessons of incredible importance.

And then, looking beyond just yourself, get involved with extra-curricular activities that interest you and make a difference for others. When not working on school work or taking time for yourself, fill your week with meaningful activities that you enjoy. Don’t worry about padding your résumé too much. Just find something you love, and follow that. That will make the four years all the more worthwhile.

In all, enjoy these four years because they will go quickly. Don’t try to grow up too fast or look too far ahead into the future. As you realize your abilities and your limits and as you find something you love, you will be growing up. Worry about the little things first, and enjoy the moments. For now, be a freshman and enjoy it, and, in time, pass this advice along to those yet to come.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Mammel

 

Dearest Freshmen,

As you enter your first year here at BHS/IB, I have a few words of advice to leave with you. This will touch on your science, study habits, and the friends I know you will make.

First, pick your science carefully. If you’re a worker, and like a challenge, by all means take Judy Bond’s Chemistry. If you love random work, including numerous word finds and a semester final that centered on Santa, physics is for you. Lastly, for all of you people who have no place, are overly emotional, and enjoy reproduction processes, biology is the place to be. Each science has its own perks for those who choose it. Chemistry kids always pass their IB exam, Physics students never lack for a chocolate fix, and the Biology freaks find a place for themselves among other weirdoes and art fans. No matter what science you choose, always remember the wise words of Judy Bond, IB Chemistry teacher, “ Biology is for the plant lovers, Physics is the easy way out, and Chemistry will make you cry, but in the end remember that all the IB tests are just as equally mind boggling.”

Next, STUDY! This is a foreign concept to many bright young students, the need to study. You are now placed with the top students from each school in the county. No longer are you the smartest kid on the block and the teacher’s favorite. All sixty of your comrades are their teacher’s favorites and the smartest kids at their school. So in light of this revelation, study. I know it can be hard to fathom, but just wait until you get your first Spanish test back or your first test in American History, you will see. Find your own way to study, and do it every day. It just takes a couple of tests to find the way that works for you. So just take the time and do it.

Lastly, the people in your class are the best friends you can ever make. Do not wait until senior year, as I have, to get involved in your class and make some friends. They are the best resources you have. No matter how close you and your non-IB friends may be, they will never understand what you are doing or why you stay here. IB amigos are the greatest gift you can give yourself. Without friends in IB, you will constantly find yourself apologizing to your once best friend from middle school. Just bite the bullet, and say hey to one of your classmates. You never know the impact an IB friend can have on your life. Just trust me, I waited until my senior year to make friends, and once you do, it is amazing.

Have a great time in IB; this is truly the best education you can get in the state. On last bit of advice, take advantage of your teachers, they have crazy amounts of knowledge on their subjects, randomness, and life in general. 

Erika Nicsinger — Class of 2006

 

Welcome to IB. I would like to start off by making two points:

1.      The program is definitely worth it. Yes, there is a lot of homework but it is doable if you practice time management.

2.      If you are highly talented in the arts, consider Harrison. I am not trying to deter you from going to IB but I know quite a few students that wished they had honed and developed their artistic ability.

To be frank, I was not particularly happy when I first got here. All of my middle school friends had gone to a different high school and I felt uneasy about not knowing anybody. I’ll also admit that I did not like a lot of my classmates until this year. In fact, I haven’t truly appreciated the benefits of the IB program until my senior year. But I am truly grateful that I ended up coming to IB. The program has forced me to push myself — I constantly challenge myself mentally, spiritually, and even physically. I also feel blessed to have been surrounded by some of the brightest minds in Polk County. Don’t feel dejected when you suddenly realize you’re not the smartest kid in your school: your peers will constantly challenge you to think differently and appreciate different viewpoints. One thing I’ve noticed is that everybody around here appears to lack a lot of sleep. Don’t do that. It shouldn’t be too hard either: get off the phone, turn on the invisible mode on your AIM menu, and get started early.

If you are unsure as to whether or not you should attend IB or Harrison, try out IB. With our program, you can only enter in the 9^th grade. With Harrison, you can audition every year. Quite a few of our current students auditioned and were offered admission to Harrison. Some don’t regret declining the offer while others do. The decision is really up to you: if you want a academically challenging environment, AP classes should do the trick; however they won’t offer the same all-encompassing quality of IB. Furthermore, at Harrison, the art program in which you attend will take up much of your time. Essentially, you are choosing between a highly academic program and a highly artistic one.

If you don’t procrastinate — if you use proper time management, IB will be a breeze. But let’s be realistic; you will probably scramble to do your homework from time to time. Here are a few tips about the classes you will be taking at IB

1.      Read all the books that are assigned to you. This may seem obvious but every year we get kids that don’t do that and every year they get screwed over.

2.      Work with your teachers. They try to work around each other’s schedules as to lighten the workload for you.

3.      Listen closely in foreign language class. Build up that foundation now because you will really be at a disadvantage if you don’t. Really. Do a good job in your foreign language class.

I won’t meet any of you but I know you’ll be going through the same things we’ve just gone through. Keep in open mind and have fun. I wish you the best of luck.

Yaou Dou

 

My dearest freshman,

I think about you often, and the love that is in my heart for you abounds beyond all measure.  I would do anything to help you because I care so deeply.  I wish you great success during your time in the IB program, and I know I can expect great things from you.  However, since you are coming through the program after me, you and I both know that my classmates and I have set a high standard.  It is my wish that this letter may guide you through your time in IB and that it may help you avoid the areas where many have fallen along the wayside, bloodied and tattered, bruised and battered, lying along the wayside with many left dead along the way, bruised and battered, bloody and torn.

First and foremost I must call your attention to a key area of high school.  Make some friends outside of IB.  Make some friends with Bartow kids.  Don’t be a loser and take weighted electives to boost your GPA; it’s not worth the work.  Don’t focus on school too much.  When you’re not in school try not to talk about it.  IB is just school, no more, no less.  Don’t be a nerd.  You might think being a nerd is not so bad or maybe even cool, but you couldn’t be more wrong.  Don’t have loud conversations at your lunch table about your new X-Box 360.  High school is about two things: getting into college and having fun.  If you do one and not the other, you FAIL at life.

So I just told you how to have fun and not be a loser.  Now you have to know how to succeed in school and getting into college. First, unless your parents are loaded you need scholarships.  To get scholarships you need service hours and decent grades.  A perfect SAT score won’t get you crap unless you have some impressive service project.  The easiest way to get that is to do Teen Court: ask Mrs. Patton about that.  Another easy way to get scholarships is to get National Merit; this is based almost solely on your PSAT score your junior year.  Get good grades; like half A’s in your academic classes and maybe 1 C a semester is good enough.  Remember, a 100 and a 90 are both A’s.  Do some kind of sport because being super lazy really sucks.

Alright, now you know how to have fun and how to get into college without paying tons of cash.  I’ll leave you with this: Don’t be afraid to break the rules sometimes because chances are you won’t get caught or punished, and if you do it won’t be that bad, and if you don’t do anything you’ll never have fun.

The self proclaimed Class of 2006 king,

Phillip Madrid

 

Dear Susie,

You are about to begin your high school career, a time in your life full of many memories and a large amount of hard work.  Your high school years are an unforgettable time in your life and you should definitely make the best out of every day.  However, there are also going to be many stressful points during these next four years, and I am here to give you some advice to hopefully aid you in your journey.

First of all, the most important piece of advice is to not procrastinate!  Do not wait until the last minute to work on a project, write an essay, fill out college applications, etc.  Believe me, procrastination is your enemy!  When you put things off until the last minute you will find yourself becoming very overwhelmed and stressed.  I have experienced this feeling way too much.  I wish I had not procrastinated on so many things.  In addition to feeling overwhelmed, the quality of work that you do is never as good as what you would have done if you had taken your time.  The bottom line is: do not procrastinate!  Stay on top of your grades and you will be a much happier person.

Secondly, I advise you to keep away from the high school drama.  Always try to be the bigger person in every situation.  If there is a problem try your best to solve it, but don’t stoop to the level of fighting or cursing.  Learn how to control situations and don’t let what others say affect you.  Be true to yourself, and in the end you will triumph.

Last but not least, have fun!  People always say that one of the best times in your life is during your four years of high school.  I believe this statement to be true.  Learn to balance yourself and to get involved with as many activities as possible without being overburdened.  Don’t worry about things you cannot control and just have fun!

Good luck and enjoy!

Sincerely,

Chelsea White

 

Dear Freshman,

There’ll be a time when you wish you weren’t in IB. Like if it’s midnight and you still have two history papers to write. Or when you have to do your extended essay in one day. But it really isn’t that bad. I would say don’t procrastinate, but that’s total crap because no one ever doesn’t procrastinate. So, just don’t stress out. The world isn’t going to end. In the end, all that counts is the semester average. If there is no way you can get that A for the semester (or that B), then just do enough work to maintain that B (or C). You shouldn’t have to worry more than you need to.

If you’re taking French, GET OUT NOW. Go to Mrs. Cavanaugh and get your schedule changed. Play catch up if you have to. Ask any French IV or V student, French class is like hell. (Can I say hell?) It’s like this, I’d rather have my finger pricked by a needle and have my blood drained than go to French class. Even though Spanish might be harder or you might have to do more work, you’ll learn more than we ever did. Or at the very least, you’ll have a way more interesting and less irritating teacher.

As far as the other classes go, chemistry is easy, so don’t believe what they say about it being the hardest science. But of course, if you want to take the easiest class or just really bad in science, take physics. If you suck at math, take math analysis. Otherwise, take calculus. Read the English books. Read the history chapters, or when you have History of the Americas, semi-skim them. Psychology is a really easy class, if you read the AP book before the test, you’ll get a really good score on both the AP and IB test. TOK is easy too; sit by people you like.

Remember, there’s more to life than school. Nothing is as bad as you think it is.

Sincerely,

Michelle Brumwell

 

All anyone ever seems to hear about the IB program is how hard it is, how much homework there is, how little social life students have. That’s complete and utter crap. Yes, what you hear or see or read from other students is their version, their interpretation, and usually a highly emotional account of their current stress. Yes, I have two world lit (lit meaning literature) essays to focus on, along with studying and other exams. But as a good friend once said (a good friend I met in IB, mind you) “life is what you make it,” and on the whole, IB has been what I have made it. I have cried, I have laughed and I have worked because I chose to do so.

There is some truth to the stories they tell you – pre-IB is far less taxing than the real thing, but it all boils down to time management. You are the one who takes an hour and a half to unwind, who insists on checking e-mail, LiveJournal, toothpastefordinner.com and your buddy list before considering your homework. Recently, Mr. Keers asked his 6th period of almost 30 seniors how he and Mrs. Delk could work together to reduce the stressful period from Extended Essay final due date to the end of term, and although many suggestions were made, the problem reduced to time management. Today, I didn’t start my homework until 5:30, but then I spent 15 minutes on the phone with my sister, and I have had a good number of interruptions since then. I will be up late, undoubtedly, but it was my decision to go hang out with my boyfriend (yes! Contrary to popular belief, dating is entirely possible as an IB student,) after participating in an NHS service activity. Never mind my daily distractions in all too many forms, my lack of sleep comes right back to me.

Another rumor you might have heard about IB is the difficulty of courses. To be fair, difficulty is directly correlated to the strengths and weaknesses of the individual: derivatives and I don’t get along, but limits are just dandy. However, as someone completely and utterly middle-brained (that is, neither left-brained nor right-brained) I have found that most IB work isn’t all that difficult, it’s a matter of doing it. I assure you, I’m not the incredibly brilliant valedictorian spouting off about how easy this is; IB is less challenging than it appears because of the teachers. I’m 100% convinced that we have the best teachers in the county. Without Mrs. Bond’s preparation, I would not have passed the AP Chemistry, and chemistry is my absolute worst subject. Miss Frisbie (and from what I’ve heard, Mr. Nakamura) could teach math to a tree if they wanted to, and even better they are both funny. I could go on and on about all the amazing and dedicated teachers I’ve had in my four years here (Delk, Goss, Patton, Kennon, Shuff) but it isn’t the praise they receive that makes them so great, it’s the fact that the teachers here prepare you effectively and you leave knowing you really did learn something. The trickiest part of homework is learning which teachers want what and how.

The most intimidating myth is about the social life of an IB student. This is the one most directly affected by my “life is exactly what you make of it” philosophy (also known as the “If you don’t like it, change it” idea). I know kids who go out with their “normal” high school friends and party every single weekend, and I know some kids who rarely go out – it has more to do with personality and you than it does with IB. I go out every single weekend, unless I’m grounded, which is rare (if you get grounded, you’re the idiot responsible for lack of a social life, not IB), with my aforementioned non-IB boyfriend, or with a group of crazy IB friends who, according to one BHS student [ML], are more fun to hang out with anyway. One acknowledgement about social life is the acceptance of the fact that life is more boring before you can drive, and you should make friends with the first person who turns 16 and is willing to drive you anywhere. Just kidding, but get your license ASAP and try not to get your car totaled twice – for such a small group we have a surprising number of car accidents. (For goodness’ sake, learn your way around Bartow, it’s embarrassing if you get lost in such an ordered place.) But while your parents are still schlepping you around, join a sports team, it’s the best way to make friends with people you wouldn’t normally, and some teams (cough swimming cough) have more fun than others doing the same work (swimming also has a nicer schedule than many other sports which employ 3-games-a-week schedules.)

The best advice I can give, from my strange ramblings, is that IB, just like life, is what you make it. You can’t worry about problems that haven’t come up yet, and you don’t have to be friends with the same people straight through – I practically hated [RLG] my freshman year, and now she’s one of my closest friends. (We hang out and do lots of fun non-IB things like going to Crispers for black bean soup after Teen Trendsetters.) IB isn’t that different from high school, it just involves more stress and less down time, but honestly, you’d probably be bored if you weren’t busy. Be careful not to overextend yourself with things like clubs, sports, a job or something that really isn’t necessary. IB can be fun – you build close relationships with people you never would have outside of IB and they can be a great security net when life happens. It all depends on your priorities, but you will make it out alive like a few hundred kids before you.

Maggie Tyson

 

What advice would I give to someone starting BHS/IB as a freshman? Well, I’d propose many things to help the new freshmen succeed. I’d suggest that they do their work as soon as they can. I’d also say that perseverance is most definitely a virtue. Finally, I’d advise them to stay humble and not get cocky. Doing these three things will help tremendously in the pursuit of success here at the “Home of Champions” (and yes, after four years of high school here at IB, that little catch phrase will still sound as lame as it did the first day of freshman year).

An important thing to remember about high school is to DO YOUR WORK. Even if you have a teacher with the most lenient late work policy in the world, do the work and turn it in as close to on time as you can. It may seem fun to goof off in Mrs. New’s psychology class junior year (if you’re not an art student), but when all of your work is due at the end of the nine-weeks, and you’ve only done five assignments, life gets stressful. The same applies to any class. If a teacher provides late passes, only use them as a last-ditch sort of thing. Granted, if you’re awake doing homework at 12 in the morning and still have three more assignments to do (been there, done that), use the late pass. If you’re just being lazy, though, do the work. It’s not as bad as you think it is.

In the same vein, remember to PERSEVERE. When it gets to crunch time and you’re so stressed that you just want to cry (been there, done that, bought an entire closetful of t-shirts), just keep going. Things will get better. Take a break, eat some Pop-Tarts, call a friend and vent, take a walk outside and get some air, do something, but keep pressing on. Take my advice very seriously – I am a seasoned veteran. Things will even out, and you’ll come out the better for having endured and persevered.

Third, and most important, DON’T GET COCKY. This even applies to IB students. I remember back on my days as an IB freshman, and I thought I was superior to all humankind, because I was in IB. Don’t get me wrong, getting into IB is a great accomplishment, but it does not make you a genius. Please remember that some of the smartest people you will ever meet are Bartow students. During my freshman year, I was friends with two guys named A.J. DeNeve and Michael Barnes. Both of them were Bartow students, and both of them were amazingly, astoundingly smart. The three of us would talk about math or science or what have you, and I would just be blown away by the depth of their knowledge. Those of you that go on to take Trigonometry and Calculus from Ms. Frisbie will be under the instruction of one of the smartest people you will ever meet, who is also a BHS alumnus. Remember that being in IB does not automatically make you smarter than everyone else in the world. Have a little humility, and you’ll go far.

Cory Taylor

 

Dear freshmen,

My advice to the freshmen is to decide early on, what it is you want out of IB.  To use somewhat mathematical terms what you get out of the function IB is directly proportional to the amount of work you put in.  Any dreams you have for the high school experience or later on, the college experience, are in fact possible in IB.  I would advise that freshman worry less about what is going on in other high schools, where they would be going, and concern themselves more with all the opportunities in IB and at Bartow High school.  As a senior, my classmates and I agree that the parties and sleep being had by other high schoolers are actually overrated.  REALLY.  As a freshman, most of my peers and I were desperate for real fun in a normal high school environment.  We wanted to get away from each other, but eventually found only why we were in IB in the first place.  We have much more fun having real conversation and are more comfortable doing loser-ish things around each other.  In all honesty, IB is responsible for giving me a few amazing friendships that I know will last a lifetime because they are not based on the superficiality of many high school relationships.  Your fellow IB kids are more valuable than they appear and after all of the hardships you endure you will undoubtedly be closer than you ever expected

As far as school goes, learning something in Math, Science, and English is the most important.  And respectively, it is not wise to put off portfolios, labs, and essays.  Pick the math you are most comfortable with and do not be pressured by what your friends are taking, you will soon drive and see each other often enough.  Same goes for Science, do what is most interesting to you.  Yes, Biology is work, but if you are not that great at math or find Physics incredibly boring do not pick it just to make a better grade.  In the end, you will kick yourself for being bored to death every day and wasting your own time.  In English read the books, they all show up again.  Everything really is cumulative so try your best.  If you get nervous during presentations just think of Dr. Vetter wearing a Boa, (see figure 1.a.).  Oh and most importantly before you have a break down or simply give up, take a deep breath and realize that no one paper or test is the end of the world, especially when you have a truly supportive family in the teachers and students at IB.

Love

Rachel Gates

figure 1.a.:

In the International Baccalaureate School, there are many ways to “screw up” your academic life. I’m here to tell you what to do and what not to do in your four-year career as a high school student in this rigorous program.

Firstly, NEVER PROCRASTINATE. Sure, you’ve heard this over a thousand times from all of your teachers, and certainly, you’re not going to even consider listening to this outstanding advice. But I just thought I’d stick it in here anyways, so maybe you’ll realize after hearing it over and over again that it is really an important practice to avoid. Procrastination is never going to help you. Sure, it will put off some pain for a few hours, or maybe days, but eventually, it’s all going to come back at you with a terrible vengeance. The more you procrastinate in your early years at IB, the worse the pain will get as the years progress. Do yourself a favor and get your work done, because if you don’t, only you will have to suffer in the long run.

Secondly, try not to give up rivaling with your peers when it comes to grades. Don’t be too obsessive-compulsive about it though, or else you’ll end up being dumped in an asylum, or even jail! By keeping up some healthy competition with your peers however, you will have more motivation to study for all those tests, finish all those labs, and read all those books. First-hand experience has proven to me that by working hard to beat my rivals ever since the ninth grade, I have been able to sustain good performance in school even when all other motivation fails me.

 Overall, International Baccalaureate will be an awesome experience for you. The program demonstrates superb excellence in preparing students for college and “the real world.” The rewards of all of the hard work you will put in these four years are most definitely the most deserving and important part of your study at IB, and surely you will find that coming here was an advantageous choice for your future, no matter how hellish it may seem at first.

Bhakti Kadiwar

Dear freshman,

High school is never what you expect it will be. You think you have your own plan worked out and then other circumstances arise. My first advice to you, especially when you enter Bartow high school, is to watch where you step. This piece of information may sound strange, but people here will throw anything and everything on the ground. The first day of my freshman year I stepped on a ketchup packet that exploded all over my brand-new white K-Swiss tennis shoes. Also, if you plan on walking home be careful of crosswalks and squirrels; cars do not always stop and squirrels do attack feet. The rumors about being thrown into trash cans are true, but the only people who’ve been thrown into them are those who deserved it. People can be cruel at the school, though, if you do not present a reason to find fault, you’ll have no problems.

When you choose your courses, choose them wisely. If you have the academic potential, take honors or advanced placement classes. They not only raise your weighted grade point average, but will also give you an insight about college courses. If you take advanced courses, I suggest that you do not get a job or join a massive number of clubs.  I do suggest, however, to join National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Future Educators of America, and other academic clubs; these do not require many hours, and the hours are easy to obtain. I advise that you take a foreign language class, because they offer a change from the monotonous schedule and help on SAT, ACT, English, and history. Business courses will help you in the real world and try to take life management and personal fitness your freshman and sophomore years.

The last piece of information I will give you is about teachers. If you happen to get difficult ones, do not let them know that you do not like them and find their weaknesses to receive good grades. The hardest teachers I’ve had were Mrs. Bonney, Mr. Richard, Mrs. Frost, Mrs. Andrews, and Ms. Frisbie. The good thing is that they will teach you what you will need to know for graduation and college. Avoid ceramics with Mr. Mann as he will never give anyone an A. Also, take good notes and study often, if you plan on getting into the top percentage of your graduating class. Bartow High does not have as much gravity is some other schools, but is challenging enough to give you some priority over peers.

I wish you all the best,

Meghan Forrister

 

High school is not a joke, so I advise any freshman to not take high school lightly. I believe the classes I’ve taken are advanced and I’ve made average grades. I can tell you now, I’m not too happy with these letters I’ve been getting from colleges. So take advanced classes and make A’s and B’s. So when you get ready to graduate, you’ll have no problem getting into college.

Waiting to the last minute to do anything in high school is a bad idea. I’ve gotten myself into a lot of trouble by waiting to the last minute to do my work. Most of the time you can tell yourself you are super busy, and you are not. Taking the work you could have done on Monday, and trying to do it an hour before it is due is not the best way to try and live your high school life. If you have the time to do it, don’t try and talk yourself out of it. Just do it!

When you register for freshman classes, make sure they are all honors, because your first year you can’t take AP classes. But as soon as they are available (AP classes) you need to take them. Don’t be afraid to go in for help or ask questions, because most likely if you’re taking these hard classes, you are going to have some problems along the way. I’m the queen of going in and getting help. Just ask Miss Frisbie, she would know. I lived in our class getting help. If you need help, get it, don’t be embarrassed or scared, because it might change your grade in unimaginable ways.

One thing that you will find is a big issue is missing school classes. Sometimes you will decide that you don’t want to go to class or you don’t feel good. Most of the time when you don’t feel good, you can still go to class. So just try and suck it up and go. When you do miss class, you are more likely to forget homework assignments or forget to get an excuse for your class. If you miss one day, then you have four unexcused absences, and sometimes you can forget to get your planner signed, so you don’t have those. I know I do sometimes, so just go to class in this kind of stuff won’t happen.

Last, advice I would have for any freshman is to study days or weeks in advance before a test. I know it’s easier said than done, but you will find that tests are much easier and you can make an A or a B on the test. This kind of stuff will lead you to success.

After high school, you have college, and unless you make the grades you won’t be going. So I advise you to do as I say. It will help you now, and in the long run. All I can say is do your best, and it will all work out for the best.

Lawana Thomas

 

Dear Newbie,

I know you may be overwhelmed just thinking about coming to high school. You don’t necessarily have to feel that way. High school isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to beat you either. There are some things you should keep in mind and some things you should watch out for.

First of all, 1) get involved. Extracurricular activities are a great way to relax and get your mind off of things. Not just that, but they’re fun and they look good on your college applications. 2) Be nice to teachers and school personnel. If you do that, they tend to be a lot nicer to you (and you can get away with stuff). 3) Go to dances and sports events. You’ll make a lot of friends and plenty of memories. 4) Stay in dress code and don’t be late all the time. You don’t want to spend all your time in the discipline office, do you?

Make sure you keep yourself together or you could find yourself in a world of trouble. 1) Don’t procrastinate. It makes life harder on you and could cost you your grade. 2) Try and plan effectively. Sometimes you get busy and the only way you can keep up is to plan. 3) Don’t underestimate or overestimate yourself. 4) Talk to people you know to get a feel for your teachers. 5) Always ask for help. Don’t sit back and hope the teacher knows; they have more people to teach than just you. 6) Don’t do more than you can handle. Know yourself and stay within your limits. Most importantly — DON’T let friends or relationships and are you. Make time for them, but get stuff done. DON’T let them think for you or anyone else for that matter. Avoid cliques and bad crowds. Stay out of trouble and stay healthy. Missing school is BAD — VERY BAD!

Choosing academics is important. Try to make your schedule manageable and fitting for you. I had to study most for English. Math and science came pretty easy, and social studies was a lot of reading. Keep up with if classes needed to graduate. Don’t get caught lacking credits!

High school is great and you’ll have a blast. It’ll be some of the greatest times of your life. Take a deep breath, follow my advice, and you’ll survive.

Good luck.

Love, Me

Carrissa Creider

 

The high school life, the time of your life in which you have the most fun. The days go by so fast and before you even know it you’ll be off to college. While you’re in school, live every day to the best of your ability, and don’t let the moment pass by.

First of all, do not be lazy. You choose your attitude every single day. Choose to live to the fullest and don’t ever give up. School is so simple, you just need to go. Laziness is a killer and it will attack you. It will be your biggest mistake to quit.

While you’re here, excel. Take the harder classes and work. Work to go to college and don’t be afraid of hard classes. The harder you work now the easier it will be later. The biggest thing I can tell you is to work, it will help. Also, try your best and excel at what you do.

David Johnson

 

Walking into high school as a freshman was easy for me since I had two older siblings to advise me with great advice. Socially, it was not hard on me, because I’m a very talkative person, which is not a plus to a successful high school experience. Just because you are entering high school, doesn’t mean you have to strive to be cool. There are many do’s and don’ts that should apply to all freshmen entering high school.

The one thing I do regret is not paying attention to my GPA in my early years. Many students think that they could bring their GPA up easily in their junior and senior year, but it’s not that easy. Keep an eye on that GPA the first day you walk into high school. Another good piece of advice that could be given is to choose your friends carefully. It doesn’t pay off to hang out with the cool group and go out every weekend to party. This distracts you from schoolwork, which is not easy to make up. Just remember that friends will come and go and will be forgotten by the time you go to college.

My high school years haven’t been bad. The thing I regret the most is my social life. If I weren’t so into friends and fitting in, I would be better off with my grades. Grades are the most important factor of high school. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would change the amount of time I spent on schoolwork, obviously more time.

Shivani Patel

 

Hello my dear Bartow High School freshman,

Welcome to Bartow High School! I am here to give you a few tips and advice so as to help you in the next four years of your life.

First of all, I would advise you to take all honors classes in the least. Honors classes count more when deciding a GPA, but really aren’t all that much harder than regular. You may not believe that you can handle the honors classes, but sometimes the honors teachers are easier than the regular. Just make sure you do all your work, homework, and extra credit assigned or offered. You won’t regret it. Keep up your grades so that when it’s time to apply for colleges, you don’t have to stress out, start where you don’t want to, or get denied. Grades really are important, and having good grades in “more difficult” classes stands out to colleges. I would recommend taking at least two to three years of a foreign language. I would also recommend taking a science and math every year, even if it is not required. Also, try to take classes that you feel you may want to have a career in or major in when in college. Now is the time to explore some of your options, without wasting time and money in college.

Try to join as many clubs and sports as you can starting your freshman year. I waited until my junior year to do any sport and I now regret it. I could’ve had more friends, letters, and fun if I had joined sooner; it also looks good on a college application. Try to get involved in the clubs you join, also. Pick at least one club to be really engaged in. Colleges like to see that you are able to not only take “difficult” classes and keep up your grades, but also stay involved in the school. Now is the time to start working on community service stuff, too. Make sure you write them all down; they could help you earn scholarships, money, honors, and other awards.

Although school is important, so is your social life. School would suck if you felt you didn’t fit in, have any friends, or nobody liked you. Make sure to be yourself and do what you want and feel you need to do, as long as it doesn’t hurt other people. It can be difficult trying to make new friends, but it is possible. You will probably lose friends, change groups of friends, or even have friends turn their backs on you, but that happens. Make sure not to ever exclude or be mean to somebody because you don’t think they are “cool” or because nobody else likes them. They may be the one you end up being best friends with or who helps you out when you need it. You can never know too many people. Being popular doesn’t necessarily mean hanging out with the popular crowd, it can also mean just being friendly and knowing a variety of people.

Be careful in high school, they are supposed to be the best years of your life, but they do affect the rest of your life. I know I talk a lot about college and high school preparation for college, but by your senior year, you’ll feel that is where high school was all about. Good luck, be yourself, have fun, keep up your grades, challenge yourself, get involved, and be nice!

Ashley Woods

 

In high school, you will learn to important lessons: first, always print out the essay to write and put them in your backpack as soon as you finish, or else you will infallibly forget about them when you go off to play the Sims, or the like. Second, if and when you do happen to forget to print out an essay, the concept of stream-of-consciousness comes in quite handy.

My name is Brenton. I was an IB for three years and transferred to Bartow for the last, and in that time, I have forgotten to do my share of essays, inevitably dooming me to write a bunch of BS (baked stories, thanks Ms. Frisbie) at the last minute. I wouldn’t recommend it, but I always seem to get by.

This essay is not about me, however. Or, it’s not supposed to be. The prompt tells me to address perspective freshman, so… yeah.

Dear prospective freshmen,

1) Always take the hardest classes you think you possibly can handle. You’ll thank yourself later, promise.

2) Girls are everything, but they are nothing, either. Keep yourself social, but don’t obsess over being everyone’s best friend. Most of the people you’re trying to impress are even going to know when your funeral is.

3) If you never collaborate on any homework assignment for the entire four years of high school, you need to lighten up. If you never do anything without asking for help, you’re not being serious enough. Strike a balance.

4) Take the PSAT junior year no matter what.

5) Start looking for scholarships are early. It’s free money. Come on.

6) Know your teachers. You don’t need to be a huge suck up, but, at least for the ones I know, they have a lot to offer you beyond the lessons they teach everyone. If you don’t understand something, go in after school or something.

7) Teachers are people, too. Don’t be a butt head to them, because they are doing what they do for you.

8) Join a sport. I never did, and I wish I had.

9) Play an instrument, and carry it with you, so that you always have something to do. I recommend guitar.

10) Know what you’re capable of.

11) Knowing the capital of Yugoslavia, the derivative of sin x², or how to spell benevolence, makes you no better or worse than anyone else.

12) Don’t hate. Ever.

13) If you put something off, you still have to do it. The only difference is, you can’t pick when to do it.

14) If you understand the concept of satire, read The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

15) Take lots of pictures.

16) Classes are free for you while you are still in high school, and nobody ever complains about having too much money.

17) Voltaire was awesome.

18) www.maddox.xmission.com

19) Never forget there’s a much bigger world outside of what you know. No one could know everything, and the ones who’ve gotten close realize they don’t even want to.

20) Sooner or later, you’ll miss your parents. You’d be wise to realize it now.

The end.

Brenton Wildes

 

Megan,

I can’t believe that you’re going to be a freshman next year. I remember babysitting you, and being held responsible for some of your actions. That’s why I’m writing you now. I want to give you a head’s up on how life is going to change.

High school is a whole new outlet of life. Just remember that you are in control of everything you do. Don’t let boys get you sidetracked; remember my junior year when my grades started dropping? That happened because I got involved with some people, mainly the boys, and I started to not care about school. That’s something I wish I had never done because now I’m not where I really want to be. Ignore what others say about you. You’re not there to please them but to be successful for your own benefit.

Extracurricular activities are great to be involved in, but don’t make them your life. You need to get an education, and that’s why you are going to school. Extracurricular activities are there to have fun and be involved with the community. Good ones to join are Band and the Dance Team. They’re not strictly extracurricular but co-curricular. That means that you can also get a grade for them during the school year. For instance, going to football games and performing becomes a grade. Same thing goes for performances with the Dance Team now that there’s a class for it. When you’re choosing classes, don’t forget to choose classes that you are actually interested in. Take honors classes and AP courses if you would like, but don’t take too many because you can stress out. Stressing out is not a good thing to do, especially when it’s the first year of high school.

Having a job while in school can be quite beneficial but it can also be quite detrimental. Make sure you have time to study and do homework after you get off work. No matter what goes on, stay on top of your studies and get enough sleep. Sleep is one of the most important essentials throughout high school!

Last but not least, just be yourself and I’m sure everyone will get along with you. You’re a great kid, and it’s awesome that you’re going to be in high school next year. Even though I’ll be college, call me anytime you freak out with something in high school because remember, I was there once too.

Much love,

Nadine Sturgill

 

Dear Incoming Student,

First of all, congratulations on having made it this far. I am sure you are aware that many students lack the drive and ambition to overcome tasks that you may find simple. It is important for you to realize that high school can be a difficult time, but it can also be one of the best experiences of your life. It is your choice as to what you do with your mind, body and life. It would be in your best interest to use them all wisely, and make your high school experience the absolute best it can be.

High school can be a great experience if you follow these simple words of advice: Don’t procrastinate, study, participate in many extracurricular activities, try not to make enemies, be competitive, do your homework, and have fun. You should avoid hanging out with people who will not motivate you or get you off track. People who claim to be your friends are not always you real friends. A friend would have your interests at heart and not encourage you to do things that you should not be doing. You have to learn self-control. In high school, there will be many more opportunities than in the past to participate in things that may not be the best thing for you to be doing. You control your life. Don’t do anything that you will regret later.

Another important thing to remember is that you should never doubt yourself. If you have the opportunity to take honors or AP classes, then you should. You may anticipate that it is very hard, or that you’re not smart enough to do it, but you never know until you try. It may be a great experience, and actually be not as hard as you thought, which is usually the case. Personally, I’ve never been able to take any “regular” classes because I know that it is important to challenge yourself. Also, when it is time to apply for college (which will be faster than you think), they will be looking for students who had that extra initiative to take the more difficult classes. Well, I believe this is about everything that I have to say. Have a great freshman year, a great sophomore year, a great junior year, and a great senior year. Good Luck!! : )

Sincerely,

Tiffany West

 

On an academic perspective I would advise future freshmen to take the most challenging courses they can handle because when it comes time for college applications they will be grateful. Also when you reach your eleventh and twelfth grade years you should try to take your electives in 1st/2nd or 6th/7th period. Then you can dual enroll at PCC at night. Since most PCC classes are easy you won’t be overloaded with work. Not only do you get college credit from your courses you also get to drop your electives, therefore you get to sleep longer or go home early every day. Believe me when you have to wake up at 5:30-6 o’clock every morning it catches up to you fast, so a few extra hours of sleep go along way.

I think the best thing to do in High School is to get involved in sports. They are the best way to meet new people and each sport houses a different type of group. So you get to know a wide variety of people and you become friends with someone who you may never think you would talk to before.

Although academics should come first it is extremely important, especially your senior year to have fun. Weekends are the best days of the week and I advise you to take advantage of them.

There are several precautions you should take in High School that convey to the real world also. First you should avoid partying every single weekend. It is a lot of fun but too much can get you and other people in serious trouble. Also you should be careful who you hang out with because there are some very crazy people that go to High School and they can do some extremely stupid stuff to get you hurt or in a lot of trouble.

Probably the most deserving and beneficial subject to study for me was English. Since the fourth grade, teachers have always stressed to me how important writing is because of Florida Writes. I never considered myself a good writer because it was always so hard to me and therefore ended up being my worst subject. But I’ve been lucky throughout these past four years that I’ve had an awesome English teacher each year. Especially this year I’ve really felt myself grow as a writer and it’s not so much of a struggle for me. Plus my mom always tells me that in the real world you may not need AP Calculus or Physics but you will always need to know how to write well.

Jessica Langsdon

 

Dearest freshman fish,

I sit here, writing this letter of advice the night before my calculus final when I really should be sleeping. (As you enter your junior year, you will come to realize what a valuable commodity sleep is.) Since I supposedly am some sort of authority on the topic of surviving high school at here at the Home of Champions, what follows are some helpful tidbits and “wise words” which I have compiled over the last two and a half years.

Thinking back to my freshman year, memories of the adjustment that was required of me surface. It is common amongst eighth graders to feel as if they are coolness incarnate, since they are the “big dogs” on campus. The first day of freshman year, those attitudes vaporize instantly, and surviving the next four years in this crowded microcosm called high school seems an overwhelming and utterly impossible task. Keep your head up and look straight ahead-it will keep you on track.

After surviving freshman year, these initiated beings commonly referred to as “sophomores” enter yet another phase of development, this time socially. Many tenth graders suffer an identity crisis, and as a result, cliques form from those suffering from the same species of identity crisis. This will tear a class apart instantly. Avoid this at all costs.

To avoid an even longer-winded response, here is the rest of advice in an easy-to-read bullet format:

• Surround yourself with people you like and who like you. They will come in handy, I promise.
• Be true to your morals, as corruption of freshies is a favorite pastime of upperclassmen. (I, of course, would not know this from experience…)
• DON’T PROCRASTINATE.
• Take courses that interest you.
• Hold yourself to a high standard, and hold yourself accountable.
• Do not make excuses—things are the way they are.
• Enjoy it while you can; high school will fly right by.
• Always tell the truth, it will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
• Respect your classmates, as you will have to live with them until graduation.
• 89.5% or 168.99%-An ‘A’ is an ‘A’ is an ‘A.’ (Though many over-achieving IB students will tell you differently.)
• Posses an open mind at all times.

And the final, most important piece of information: Always remember THERE IS A LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL Run track,play in the band, draw, swim, sing, skate, surf, shop, walk, play football, shoot pool, climb trees, pester your friend’s kid brother, drive, sneak out to the beach at 1 a.m. (don’t get caught, and don’t tell your momma I told you this was fun)… do something YOU ENJOY. Life is far too short to be concerned solely on that 89% you received on your Goss DBQ. Fare the well and the best of luck.

Sincerely yours,

Coral Owen

Honorary member of the IB class of double-O-seven

*Author’s note: Items appearing in bold text in the last paragraph are highly recommended, yet not necessarily endorsed, by the author.

 

Dear freshmen,

As you know, it may be a scary, but exciting time in your life, as you progress from being the top dog at middle school, to being the baby again at high school. My first piece of advice that I am going to give you is this: DO NOT BE IMMATURE. Yes, it is exciting to stare at the senior boys or girls, determine what clique you will be in, and figure out if you want to be in a sport, and what classes you should take. It is not the end of the world if you do not have a boyfriend/girlfriend by the end of the year. If you are a cheerleader or a football player, do not act as though you are better than everyone else is, because you are not. IN ADDITION, if you are friends with an upperclassman, you get rides to school in their car. J

Coming from the cafeteria from lunch, please follow these rules: watch where you are walking and ignore fights. You do not know what you may step on: mustard packets, chocolate pudding, gum, or anything else you can think of. It’s not fun to have these things on your pant legs. Yes, I know, fights are fun to watch, but that’s not a very good excuse why you were late to class, and you could be run over by other students.

You can avoid many problems from a teacher, if you do your work and homework. When deciding what classes you want to take, you are better off taking what is required, like life management, personal fitness, and your P.E. class in your first two years. If you decide to take the honors/AP path, you are better off taking AP classes than PCC/Dual Enrollment classes. AP classes may be harder, but in the end, it will pay off in college. However, if you are planning to go to PCC anyways after high school, by all means, take PCC classes, because it’s free. Advice for foreign languages: if you plan to take 4-5 years in a foreign language, make sure you study your butt off in the first 3 years, so you will remember everything you learned when you get to the 4th or 5th year.

Really, some of the most important things that you need to concentrate on in school, are math, English, and science. Not only are they on the FCAT, but they are also on your SAT and ACT. However, they also provide you with the fundamentals of what you need to know after high school. Try to take classes that are related to different career paths you may want to take. If you want to be in the business world, take computer classes; if you want to be in an artistic career, take drawing. If you want to be a teacher, be in the Future Teacher Academy because it provides you with a lot of great experience. If you want to be in the medical field, we have an awesome Health Academy, taught by two great teachers. Whatever you decide to do with your life, you need to start in your high school year. Academics are the most important thing that will lead you to a successful life after high school, unless you want to be an athlete.

Sincerely,

Melissa Bryan

 

Dear Incoming Freshman,

The rumor that being a freshman in high school is rough and tough being the “underdog” but I’m here to tell you that this is not true at all! Once you step on campus, you will find a group you click with or a life-long friend. Here at Bartow High, everyone just kind of fits in together and gets along for the most part… sounds cheesy but it’s true. In my four years, I have had a few pitfalls, victories, life changing experiences, and important decisions. Hopefully with my wise words, I can help you begin your four year adventure with a great beginning.

The worst thing you can do while in high school is not study! Not studying for a few of my tests was one of my major pitfalls. If you think you know and understand something, you should still go back and study because you don’t know it as well as you think. Also, do NOT procrastinate! It will only bring you stress and sleepless nights. To sidetrack for a moment while on the subject of sleep… always get plenty of sleep! There will be nights of cramming or even nights out with friends therefore you should be well rested so that you’re not sleeping during class. For one, teachers do not appreciate it and secondly, you miss out on important notes or lectures. Another pitfall would be hanging out with the wrong people. While this sounds like something your mother would say, it is true. Choosing the wrong friends can cause bad influences and laziness with grades. Choose friends that will help you and that make you smile when you’re around them… being happy in school is a key ingredient to a successful high school career. All in all, just stay on top of studies and choose good friends and you won’t have as many pitfalls.

The most important thing to remember while in high school is to have FUN! It’s the last four years of school until you’re off to college and on your own making “grown up” decisions. Enjoy being a teenager! Go to football games every Friday, go to Homecoming, go to the movies with friends, and just be happy! Without fun, school will seem like a drag and when you look back, you’ll regret not doing anything adventurous. My first year of school was miserable for me because I devoted ALL my time to studying and none to social time. However, in my sophomore year, I found a great group of friends with that I have been with ever since and I’ve had the time of my life! I don’t think I could have survived the past 4 years without my friends, having fun, and laughing.

I hope that these words of wisdom do you justice in your 4 years here. I haven’t had the perfect experience but I have had a great one and wouldn’t trade it for anything. If I went back, I’d do it all the same! Just remember that there will be ups and downs because hey, that’s life, but in the end it’s all good! Good luck on your freshman year and enjoy every minute of it!

Sincerely,

Outgoing Senior

Christa Abbott

 

Dear freshman,

I would like to congratulate you in your success in becoming a high school student. This might be a great victory for you, leaving those 6th and 7th graders behind and joining the 11th and 12th graders. However, there you were the rulers; here you will be ruled upon. You are carne de fresca i.e. fresh meat; everyone will look down on you. However, my dear friend, don’t lose courage. I will give you tips to not only survive high school, but excel in all endeavors.

Firstly, you are here to study. No matter what comes in your way, do not wander from this goal. Your friends from middle school will not always be with you. So the first step to success is to know what you want to do. Have a clear picture of your future and ask your guidance counselor about the classes you can take to help you in that field. During your freshman and sophomore year, concentrate on taking classes that help you to graduate like personal fitness, life management and P.E. Also take some extra-curricular classes like art, drawing, journalism to discover your hidden talents. If you are good at sports, by all means participate in athletics. During your junior and senior year, take as any honors and A.P. classes as possible as you can save money for college. Do not neglect FCAT classes like Math, English and Science. In classes always do your homework and do not hesitate to ask questions when ever do not understand anything.

Secondly, friends are very important throughout high school. Either try to maintain friendships with kids who stay out of trouble and have classes with you, or get lucky and have your friend who has 3 AP classes with you living right across the street from you. This way you can help each other with homework. The friends you choose determine your success in high school, so be very careful. Don’t go with the popular group and be overpowered by their demand. Be with someone like yourself.

Now time for some practical advice. If you are planning to eat in the cafeteria, get out from your 3rd or 4th period class as soon as the bell rings or suffer by standing in the lunch line for 20 minutes. Plan your schedule in such a way that you don’t have to run from one class in the 800 building to another in the pods especially on a C day with a very heavy backpack. Last of all, BE SMART. Enjoy high school but don’t let this enjoyment get in the way of your studies.

Good Luck,

Laura Johnson

P.S. If anyone calls you a jerk, tell them that you are not the derivative of acceleration which is the derivative of velocity which is the derivative of position.

 

I have spent four years at Bartow and have taken my fair share of difficult AP classes. I suppose by now I should have some advice for freshmen. Fortunately for the freshmen reading this essay and my AP Calculus grade, I do. First of all, if you have made it into the IB program, congratulations, I never tried out for it myself because I saw all the stuff my friend’s brother had to do, but you have managed to set yourself up very well for college. If you are at Bartow, congratulations, you have saved yourself roughly 3,050 hours of sleep throughout your high school career (though the IB folks will be finishing college about a year and a half before you). This leads up to my first and most important piece of advice to the IB freshmen, ration out your sleep. I have seen some of my friends in the program crash and burn, mostly from exhaustion. Those that made it to the end learned something: though they had about ten papers to write and at least two presentations due next week, they still found time to rest. Take Saturdays off for sanity’s sake; do work on Fridays and Sundays. Trust me, I’ve seen the worst.

To all the Bartow freshmen, if you’ve got what it takes to do AP classes, do ‘em; you will save yourself a lot of work in college. Besides, it’s about the only way to still be able to carry on an intelligent conversation with your IB friends. You likely will not be able to take as many as IB but you should still follow the advice above if you go all out with AP (like I did this year) to keep from suffering from a massive case of senioritis (it can get pretty ugly). AP can be fun if you let it, though as a freshman I don’t think you can take an AP course, and definitely will be worth the credits in college (much cheaper to take the test than pay for the class). In the mean time, take what honors classes you can, they are great for AP prep and the teachers seem to be cooler, too (I’ve had both kinds). Honors classes can be demanding but they’re really not that bad if you keep yourself focused.

Avoid becoming one of those helpless looking freshmen, get some upperclassmen friends. If you can help it, get involved in a club or sport (band, soccer, track, drama, art, etc.). You will make much better friends in a program, many of whom will be upperclassmen who will also be helpful, than just in class. If any IB freshmen are still bothering to read this far, I also recommend joining a few clubs or sports for the same reasons. Activities will also help keep you sane when things get hairy (you’ll see). No extracurricular too much will lead to mental burnout. Distractions are good but don’t overdo it, leave yourself so free time.

To all freshmen I say this, don’t fall behind. Many teachers, like Ms. Kennon or Ms. Frisbie, offer late passes. Use these only as a last resort; it is terribly hard to get caught up again. Avoid taking days off from school (skipping) it will only cause more work and lower grades later on. So called “sanity days” (skipping) only make more make-up work. Don’t Do Them! Tough out the school days, you’ll be glad you did. Avoid real deep personal relationships, you’re only in high school, you don’t need to act like you’re married. This behavior only adds more unneeded stress to your already overstressed life. If you spend more time on your girl or boy than your school work and yourself you’re over doing it. At this point I am going to shut up and follow my first and most important point; I have finals in the morning.

David Munroe