Organization is Key

At the beginning of high school, I found myself juggling honors classes and basketball in addition to making new friends. Looking back, I realize that the most important choice I made in order to stay focused on my goals was my decision to stay organized. While not everyone is blessed with inherent organizational skills, keeping track of your schedule is a vital part of succeeding in high school. Making lists, writing all of your homework in your planner and keeping a calendar of important events at home help you stay on track. Though almost everyone is prone to procrastination, do not let laziness stand in the way of earning high grades and excelling in your daily activities. While sophomore and junior year statistics are generally seen as the most rigorous years in terms of getting into college, always keep in mind that learning how to manage your time during your freshman year is essential in preparing for the future. Remember, organization is about effort, not skill, so there is never an excuse for being a stuffer!

Written by Pegah Natanzi – Sports Editor

Five Steps To Succeed

Transitioning from middle school to high school is an unavoidable change that everyone has to make. Even though I did not attend A.C. Stelle or A.E. Wright, the CHS student community immediately make. Even though I did not attend A.C. Stelle or A.E. Wright, the CHS student community immediately made me feel at home. Here are some guidelines to make this transition as smooth as possible.

1. Eat a balanced breakfast each morning in order to keep up with your newly intensified classes.

2. Socializing with anyone and everyone is also a great way to adapt to your new environment. My study buddies have helped me tremendously throughout my entire high school career- find them early!

3. Whether you are studying for a test or working on a project, communicating with your teachers and constantly asking questions is yet another helpful way to excel in this new chapter of your life.

4. Heading to bed at a reasonable hour will get your gears turning in the right direction for the following school day.

5. Experimenting with new interests is the best way to discover what you love. Get out of your comfort zone to find your passion inside and outside of the classroom.

Written by Rachel Stewart – Editor-in-Chief

Myth buster

For all you freshmen who have seen the movie Mean Girls, I am here to differentiate reality from rumors:

1. The lockers at our school could never fit a person our age, so for everyone who is plagued with claustrophobia, you can remove that fear from your “list of things to worry about in high school.”

2. If you do not own any pink clothing, do not freak out because 99 percent of the time, your friends will not kick you out of your friend group if you do not where pink every Wednesday. Then again, your best friends may be Regina, Gretchen and Karen.

3. Remember when all of your eighth grade teachers told you that in ninth grade you would start to have monstrous amounts of homework? Fortunately, this does not happen until tenth grade. If you are reading this as an incoming sophomore, good luck.

4. For better or for worse, there are never school-wide food fights. This piece of advice is not meant to encourage.

5. CHS’ population is generally accepting. Take advantage of this opportunity to be who you are because no one will write your name in a “burn book,” even if you “made out with a hotdog, like, one time.”

Written by Ellie Berke – Sports Editor

More Friends More Fun

As high school begins, the most absorbing thought on every freshman’s mind is making new friends. Having a group to eat lunch with or hang out with after school is imperative to all incoming students. Some freshmen only take a few days to find their perfect match of friends while others might spend weeks trying to find a group. However, the one mistake that many freshmen make is that once they find their close-knit group of friends they do not take the opportunity to continue to branch out and interact with other students. The importance of continuing to introduce yourself to new people cannot be stressed enough. Freshmen, you will be spending the next four years with the students in your class. Instead of keeping to a group of 10 to 20 students, try to meet as many other students as possible. For example, if you are in the theater program, do not limit yourself to friends solely in the theater program. Meet some new students who participate in a different activity than you, such as play basketball or are a member of Yearbook. The more friends, the merrier.

Written by Evan Krask – News Editor

Finding Your Niche

When I meet someone knew I am usually asked which school I attend. That question is almost always accompanied by the follow-up question “so how is Calabasas High?” If someone asked me that question the first two weeks of freshman year, I probably would have answered with a very negative response. If that same person asked me how I liked my school after three weeks of freshman year, I would have said CHS is the perfect place for me. My sudden change of heart was a direct result of me joining the soccer team. Once I was a part of the program, I bonded with other freshman and met a lot of upperclassmen. The key to being happy at CHS is finding an enjoyable activity that you can participate in. Activities on campus range from sports to improvisation comedy and everything in between. You will get as much out of your high school experience as you put in to it. Try new things and get involved in as much as possible as soon as possible. CHS creates an amazing atmosphere, and as long as you put in the effort, you will have four great years here.

Written by Jessica Smith – Editor-in-Chief

Choose Wisely

With the pressures of college already beginning to take over, you will begin high school determined to receive perfect grades. Earning your desired grades can be easily accomplished by making the right decisions concerning classes and extracurriculars. You may at first believe that your GPA will only rise by obtaining a schedule full of Advanced Placement and honors courses. However, this idea can be very stressful and overwhelming. Taking only a few AP and honors courses each year will allow you to maintain a balanced schedule to achieve good grades in all of your classes. In addition, freshmen year may overwhelm you with the amount of new people and difficulty of classes, to the point where you forget to involve yourself in extracurricular activities. Many colleges strongly focus on a student’s extracurricular involvement in addition to academics. Be sure to leave time to find a few extracurricular activities you can participate in and learn from for the next four years. Overall, following these important tips, maintaining a positive attitude and asking for help when needed will be sure to steer you clear from the hidden trap doors that high school possesses.

Written by Gabi Wiess – Entertainment Editor

Save Your Stress

The most tedious registration for school is over and now you are left with a mountain of huge textbooks and a schedule of teachers who you only know by name. Your high school career has begun, and with all these books and honors classes comes something that seems unavoidable: stress. Throughout my years at CHS, I have discovered ways to endure the stress of school. Primarily, you should always remember that procrastination is your worst enemy. Organization is crucial, and the best way to organize your thoughts and obligations is with a planner. Though writing down all of your homework may seem inconvenient, this chore alleviates a large percentage of your worries. Stress will of course also be rooted in the amount of work that you will find yourself doing. You will needa break every so often. Enjoy a 15 to 30 minute break by having a snack or refreshment that will replenish your energy. Some days, you can even treat yourself to a few minutes of television or music. Above all, when I find myself overloaded with stress, I always try to take into account that I am still a kid and I should try to keep my worries minimal. Although stress is an inevitable element of our high school careers, you can still have a great four years if you know how to manage your time wisely.

Written by Sophia Rome – Opinion Editor

An Apple a Day

Throughout my four years at CHS, I have constantly been labeled as a “teacher’s pet.” Whether I am buying Mrs. Ortiz coffee, writing a song about Mr. Rice or simply making an effort to talk to teachers on a more personal level, I always try to leave an impression on my teachers. Being a teacher’s pet is not so bad; after all, teachers could possibly write your letters of recommendation for college. Here are some tips for winning a teacher’s heart! On the first day of school, introduce yourself. Teachers have to memorize a lot of names, so make sure yours is the first they remember. While everyone else is embarrassed to answer a question, especially within the first few days of school, show off your confidence through participation. Make sure that you raise your hand, ask questions and give answers. Showing an interest in learning will impress your teachers and your peers. Be yourself! After years of experience, the teachers at CHS are trained to read students. Teachers love genuine people who instantly light up a classroom. Most importantly, show an effort in maintaining good grades in the class and establishing a relationship with your teacher aside from schoolwork. Be on your best behavior, and remember to have fun! After all, this is just high school.

Written by Peyton Herzog – Features Editor