Students of SCA, 
 
I know exactly what you’re feeling. High school definitely isn’t easy. Whether it’s homework, a project, or exams, there always seems to be something to do. Days always seem like a constant process of going from one class to another. Weeks begin to fly by, but before you know it, your high school years are done and dusted. As a freshman, four years probably seems like a painfully long time. As a 7th Grade student, six years undoubtedly seems like an eternity.
 
As someone who has spent six years at Summit, trust me: it isn’t.
 
Before you can even say “Discern, Articulate, Serve” three times, what once seemed like a never-ending onslaught of homework in 8th Grade will turn into the question of “What happens now?” as you stand on the gym stage at graduation as a junior classman. During your junior year, while holding a hot melting candle that’s burning your hand, you will be pronounced as the next senior class of Summit Christian Academy at the graduation ceremony. While this thought may be more exciting for some than others, at the end of the day, the majority of juniors can all agree that the moment came quicker than they expected (or wanted.)
 
Even if it’s true, why is that important?
 
Here’s some senior advice: “Enjoy your high school years!” They will be long gone before you know it, and you’ll wish you had listened to my advice.
 
Go sit with the student section at homecoming. Dance the night away at Soirée. Crush another class during Battle Cry Week. Chow down on pizza with friends during your class party. Enjoy high school. Whenever an adult asks you the same recycled question, “What grade are you in?” you will typically get the same reply when you answer. “You’re a junior? Oh, I remember those good ol’ days back in my time! I wish I could relive them all over again…”
 
If you haven’t caught the reoccurring theme, most adults wish they could travel back in time and relive their high school/college years. Why? In high school, you will make memories and bonds that will last you a lifetime. Almost every adult remembers enjoyable or life-changing moments during high school. If you don’t slow down and enjoy the time you have now, you’ll never make these memories. If you don’t take the time to interact with your classmates, you’ll never make the friends which you will keep with you for a lifetime.
 
That all sounds great, but can I even do that at Summit?
 
At Summit, you have the opportunity to do this more than at most schools. With classmates more inseparable than white on rice, you are bound to meet people who you will keep in contact with long into your life. As a 7th Grade student, there were two seniors who mentored and supported me during my first year of Summit. I still keep in contact with both of them, even though I am the senior now. I haven’t even mentioned my class yet.
 
While you should focus on your academics, always remember that high school is a time in your life where you are growing and changing like never before. High school is a time where you are with your friends daily, and a time when you are able to do things you may miss doing as an adult.  No matter what it seems like, school won’t last for an entire lifetime. What will last for a lifetime are the memories that you make here with your friends, as long as you slow down and enjoy the moment.
 
Like Winnie the Pooh once said:
 
“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It's today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

​Written by Matt Nalls, Senior, Summit Christian Academy

EVERYTHING STARTS TO COUNT...when you begin your freshman year of high school.  And what could be more frightening?  Tardies, test scores, studying, and exams… They all start to add up!  Every grade point average that you will receive throughout the next four years of your life will help determine your future, and any colleges will be able to see them!  These facts, and many other worries of the unpredictable future, are just a starter to get a lowly freshman stressed out in just a few moments.  In fact, according to theatlantic.com, a July 2015 study provided by journal.frontiersin.org, half of the population of high school students are continually stressed over their academic future.  Many students begin stressing over their classes also- hard or easy. 

Stressed out?  Here’s five ways to calm down, proven to work:

• Breathe.  Literally.  Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, assure yourself that you can do it.  Deep breathing is proven to lower stress.
• Turn it up.  Play music that will energize you, if only for a few moments, take your mind off of the situation, or maybe something that helps you to focus more, like classical music.
• Laugh.  Laughter helps you to mentally be more positive and upbeat, as well as relieve stress.
• Try tea.  A few studies have shown that drinking tea has dropped cortisol levels and increased relaxation feelings in the body.
• Exercise.  No.  Not the strenuous weight-lifting or 5K.  A quick stretch or minute-long walk will do, just to get yourself moving for a minute or take a small break and quickly cut down the stress factor level.

 
What’s wrong and how to fix it:
Academically, as high schoolers, assignments will naturally be tougher for students to do well and in a timely manner.  If you are having a hard time completing an assignment, feel overwhelmed, or if you are not understanding a lesson, it is important that you let your teacher know this.  If you are having constant trouble with a particular teacher’s method of teaching or a class that confuses you, your teacher may want to instill another method of tutoring or extra practice for you.  At Summit Christian Academy, teachers care about the well-being of their students and support them as best as they can, in and out of class. 

And everything else?
Well, besides academics, family, and sleeping, high schoolers tend to be engaged in extracurricular activities and jobs.  Extracurriculars take time- sports, clubs, community service, and college applications- they’re all important, but what’s best?  Well, obviously, academics should be the main priority, but what comes next?  How do you know what colleges are looking for and what to invest your time into?  First, try looking at the website campusexplorer.com.  This is a free site that provides you with information to help fulfill higher education needs of students and making you aware of any and all types of colleges fit for you.  But the question remains.  What’s next?  Are sports more important that being in student council, or should I drop music to fit in more community service hours? One is not more important than the other because there are universities that are specific and support all types of interests of students.  What’s next is up to you, but you don’t have to sign up and be a part of everything; it is likely to create stress.  Remember:  Colleges may look at your extracurriculars and community service hours, but they are not likely the final determining factor.  Grades should not suffer because you were too busy trying to do everything! Take it easy, take a break once in a while! 

High school is important.  The things you choose to spend your time on will affect your entire life, good or bad, and shape the way you view different aspects of your life.  The way you interact with your teachers, friends, and family, all will have a lasting impact.  The things that are or become important to you will become obvious, and people are watching, not just when you do something well.  That’s why academics, sports, family, and other extracurriculars all start to count… Ninth grade year.

Written by Sydney Cartwright, Freshman, Summit Christian Academy