Dear Blue: Our Advice Column for Readers

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Dear readers,
DEAR BLUE (a pseudonym) is an advice column to advise people as to how to best deal with their concerns and issues. I try my best to ensure that you will make the best decisions to help you move forward in positive ways. I hope you will write to me, in confidence, seeking my guidance. Just a reminder: I will not disclose any information sent to me. What you write will always remain anonymous. I encourage you to be creative with your usernames and send feedback so that this column will be successful in helping those who seek advice. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks! I look forward to reading your letters.
Sincerely,
Blue

 

Dear Blue,
I’m only a junior and my parents keep bugging me about colleges. I didn’t think I needed to do anything yet. Am I wrong?
Signed,
Confused

Dear Confused,
No, you’re not wrong. Some guidance counselors will tell you that you need to start filling out forms on Naviance or RaiseMe or other sites, but that may be rushing things. I’m not suggesting that you ignore authority figures, I’m just saying you have some time.

In the beginning of senior year, you’ll get a time table and explanation of everything you need to do and the deadlines for each step. Most people I know, including myself, created their Naviance and Common App accounts in the beginning of senior year; some seniors are already finished with sending out their applications (most early action deadlines are early November), but many other seniors have application deadlines into January.

I do suggest that you start Googling colleges that either have the major/program you’re interested in (e.g. Mathematics, Psychology, Nursing) and keep a folder of those that spark your interest. If you find some schools you think you might like, arrange with your parents to visit them. Or arrange a visit with a friend and make it fun.
Maybe you can arrange to visit some of the colleges this summer.

I also suggest that you complete the Junior Autobiography that your guidance counselor distributes toward the end of junior year.

Keep an eye on the list of visiting colleges (posted outside of the Student Services office) and ask your academic teachers if you can attend some of them.

If you’re unsure of the area you’re interested in studying, you can start thinking about and researching colleges by location, size, and cost. For example, if you think you might want to go to a big school in Florida, start researching schools in that area. If you want a small school within two hours of home, start there.

The most important thing is, keep your grades up in junior year, but stay calm. Don’t stress yourself out…that’s what Senior Year is for. 🙂

Best of luck,
Blue

 

Dear Blue,
I struggle with horrible anxiety. How can I get help while in the middle of a class or during a free period?
Signed,
Anxious

Dear Anxious,
Have you been to the new Mindfulness Room, across from Room 113? You can sit on the comfortable furniture, color, read spiritual books, do puzzles, and/or talk to a Mindfulness Ambassador. The teachers stationed in the room are all very friendly and welcoming to any and all problems you may have. It is open every period of the day.

Or, you can go to Guidance and see if there’s a counselor or social worker who can talk to you and give you suggestions. They are there specifically for you.

If you’re like me and you’re just not close with your guidance counselor, find a teacher you trust, and confide in them. I’m just about positive they’ll be interested in helping you in any way you need. During this year’s Freshman Orientation, I told every new high schooler that they needed to find one teacher they really liked and could trust. That teacher, coach, club advisor, or hall monitor will care about you for all four years that you’re at BHS; they will do their best to help you with any anxiety you are experiencing.

Finally, take a second out of class and go to the bathroom and calm yourself down. Splash some cool water on your face and take some deep breaths. If you still feel anxious, get a pass to the nurse and discuss your concerns.

Yoga, meditation, and some breathing practices may help, also.

I wish you peace of mind and some solutions,
Blue

 

Dear Blue,
I want to get involved with clubs, but I feel kind of shy and I don’t know how to start. Help.
Signed,
-Bored

Dear Bored,
Here are a few ideas. Talk to your teachers. Maybe one of them is an advisor to a club, or they can tell you about the clubs their colleagues advise.

Read the daily announcements in your email. All of the days and times of the meetings are announced there.

Look for the Interest Meeting posters that most clubs hang around the halls. Attend interest meetings; you don’t have to commit, but those meetings will give you a sense of what the club is all about. And you’ll get a peek at who attends…

The most obvious advice is to ask your friends what clubs they’re in or what clubs they think you might like.

Try everything out, and then make your decisions based on how much free time you have, how much time you want to invest, and finally, what the club’s purpose is. Joining a club is a cool way to meet new friends and to make a difference in our community.

Good luck, I hope you find something you love,
Blue

 

Queridos leyentes,
ESTIMADO BLUE es una columna de consejos para asesorar a las personas sobre cómo tratar mejor sus preocupaciones y problemas.​ Yo hago mi mejor esfuerzo para asegurarme que tu tomes la decicion correcta, ayudarte a avanzar de manera positiva. Yo espero que tu me escribas con confidencia, pidiendo mi ayuda. Un recordatorio, yo no voy a revelar ninguna información que me envies. Lo que tu escribas siempre va a ser anónimo. Te animo a que seas creativo con tus nombres de usuario y envíes comentarios para que esta columna sea exitosa para ayudar a quienes buscan consejos. Gracias! Espero sus cartas.
Sinceramente,
Blue

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