Please Welcome Special Guest Jose Luis Landeros

The Importance of Time Management

By Jose Luis Landeros

There is nothing worse for a student in this world than to have a due date rapidly approaching and being nowhere close to actually finishing the assignment. I'm really sure this has happened to at least 100 percent of all students. As students, we have multiple responsibilities, which may range from homework, chores, sports, jobs, internships, or many other activities. Commitments such as these may ultimately reduce the time we give to what is, or what should be, our most important mission: doing well in school. Roberto Gomez Bolaños once said, "One can recover money, love, prestige, or any other lost thing ... except time." So is there a realistic solution to making the most out of our time? If there is, it has not reached my ears. Rather than a single solution though, there are strategies we can take.

Many times I have heard that our generation was served on a silver platter, referring to the technological advances that exist today. And this may be true. Nowadays, we have so many possibilities at the reach of our fingertips. We have reliable Google, effective YouTube, and an uncountable number of apps such as Khan Academy that can ameliorate our understanding of something and help us learn new things. At this point you may be asking yourself what this has to do with time management, right? Well, as you may already know, everything has its pros and cons. The Internet is not an exception. It all depends on how we decide to use this tool. For example, games and social media are entertaining; no one can doubt that, but everything has limits. Being addicted to these tools can obstruct us from being able to manage our time. Believe it or not, these things are deviating us from what is really important, our education. Let's try to minimize distractions. Make separate time for studying, and make that time a priority over gaming and social media.

We are referred to as students, and it is not a misnomer. Our main job is to study. That is why we should always prioritize our academic assignments over everything else. In order to do that, we must learn to better organize ourselves. For example, using to-do lists, agendas, etc. There are many apps for use on our tablets and smartphones that can help with this; and for those of us that prefer, there are agendas and calendars available in print as well. These kinds of organizational tools and strategies may not be easy to get used to; however, they have the potential to greatly increase our efficiency. After all, we all have the same amount of time: twenty-four hours a day (one thousand four hundred and forty minutes to be exact). Make the most out of your time. Managing our time efficiently can be vital in determining how well we do in school. Always be cognizant of due dates and plan ahead.

There are many other strategies, methods, or ways of making the most of our time, but all require personal discipline and none are easy. Perhaps, managing your time wisely may be one of the hardest tasks of being a student. Especially if you are a senior, with due dates approaching hazardously and inconspicuously. So make schoolwork a priority over entertainment and take advantage of technology without getting distracted by it.

Jose Luis Landeros is a senior at Coachella Valley High School. He currently serves as an intern for Congressman Raul Ruiz and plans to study engineering in college.

Please Welcome Hector Marin-Alcantar: UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering

ROCKET MAN

My name is Hector Marin-Alcantar. I am a 2015 Graduate of Coachella Valley High School and a first-year student at the University of California, San Diego: Jacobs School of Engineering. My major is Aerospace Engineering, which is essentially rocket science.       

In my first quarter at UC San Diego I enrolled in four courses: Anthropology 21: Race and Racism, Introduction to Aerospace, General Chemistry, and Orientation to Engineering. I didn’t take math my first quarter because I didn’t want to overload myself, and because of the AP Exams I passed in high school, I have fewer courses to take in my first year.

Because of the AP Exams I passed in high school, I have fewer courses to take in my first year.

           

My first day of class definitely felt new and exciting…except for waking up so early. My chemistry class was in a large lecture hall that easily seats about 400 students. I was impressed to discover that my chemistry professor is a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a prestigious research institution that is a world leader in biology, marine biology, and biochemistry. Knowing I had a professor with a research background was nerve racking. At times I felt bombarded with super-sophisticated language, not to mention the unspoken pressure to do well or else.

As the quarter progressed, I grew accustomed to the size of the lecture class and began to get a feel for the pace of the course—which was quite fast! A quarter is only ten weeks! By the end of the second week you are already talking about midterm exams! I would read on the weekends and attend discussions to go over topics that I didn't quite get in lecture. I found that it helps to engage in class discussions because it perpetuates thinking about the subject and allows you to see different points of view.

When the professor showed the Schrödinger Equation, all you heard was the noise of a hundred people going, “Ohhhh…”

Overall, chemistry was definitely much more demanding than in high school. For instance, in high school you learn that the Neil Bohr’s Model addresses the structure of the hydrogen atom. The model describes the nucleus in the center of the atom with an electron orbiting around it. That’s what you learn in high school…however, when you go to college…you learn in Quantum Chemistry that the Bohr Model is actually wrong as it violates the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. So then it becomes necessary to look at Schrödinger’s Equation (a crazy looking equation that you probably won’t go over in high school because it involves multivariable calculus) to explain the structure of an atom with multiple electrons. I recall in lecture when the professor showed the Schrödinger Equation, all you heard was the noise of a hundred people going, “Ohhhh…” I’m happy to say that I not only survived the class, I did remarkably well.

My Anthropology class was less stressful. I had to write an “Identity Reflection Assignment” from which I learned a lot about the discourse that the United States bestowed upon its residents, such as how the US transitioned form “Overt Racism” to “Covert Racism.” It was truly an eye opening experience to learn about “Colorblind Racism” (the pursuit of equal opportunity without taking into account systematic racism). The class required lots of reading; but luckily, the material in the book remained interesting as it pertained to my community. I thrived in the class discussions and even shared my own insights and answered questions from my professor (the lecture hall was much smaller than chemistry). Overall, the class was amazing and I really enjoyed discussing the topic of race and how it affects people of color. I have learned tools to combat racism that I will take with me through out life.

My Orientation to Engineering class was about applying mathematics to everyday engineering problems and it was accompanied with labs on a programing interface called Python. Python is a programing system that allows you to write code. We used Python to derive, integrate, and calculate the bending moment of a metal beam on a robot arm. After we compiled the data, we were able to determine the modulus of elasticity in order to figure out what kind of material the robot arm should be made out of. I also learned that you can math the hell out of everything using Linear Algebra. By having a system of equations, we can write the equations in vector notation and into a matrix. We can use Python to calculate and solve for each variable easily. I really loved how you can use math for literally everything! It was an epiphany, a revelation, a new view of the world! It was simply awesome!

I was seriously intimidated by the students in my Introduction to Aerospace class. The lecture hall seated about 115 mostly male students in a rather small space. I didn’t understand what some of the other students were talking about when they said that they took Physics B and C in high school, until I found out there are actually four different AP Physics courses. I was thinking, “Man, I’m so behind compared to all these other guys. I wasn’t even able to take regular physics in school!” I felt at such a disadvantage without any prior knowledge to fall back on. I was setting sail into uncharted waters!

I really loved how you can use math for literally everything! It was an epiphany, a revelation, a new view of the world!

For the first two weeks of the course, I was completely lost. I only had my math skills to save me…but then physics is mostly math after all. By the third week, I was beginning to understand what the professor was saying mathematically. I began to make sense of the material by using math. When the midterm came, I felt nervous, but ready. When I saw my score, I was shocked to see that I actually did better than many of those students that took Physics B and C in high school. Aside from the exams, I got to build a rocket and a glider! These were fun projects because they required us to understand the boost velocity and terminal velocity behind the rocket; and the flight path angle, predicted lift vs. actual lift, predicted airspeed vs. actually airspeed, lift, drag, and induced coefficients of the glider. I got flustered in that class a few times, but I had great time learning. I remember getting a rush every time I solved a difficult physics problem!

Sharing a room with someone can be pretty nerve racking, but my roommate is not so bad. His name is Carlos and he graduated with me from CVHS. We’ve been friends since freshman year. So far it’s been very laidback living in the dorms; you don’t have to worry about cooking since there’s a dining hall right next to the residence building. The food on campus is quite good. I’ve been to all six of the dining halls on campus and my favorite is Pines. It has the most variety and is well decorated and cozy.

Besides going to class, studying, and eating, there are hundreds of clubs on campus and plenty to do at UCSD! Everything from archery to anime…and if there isn’t a club you like, you can create one. Also, there are concerts that are exclusively for UCSD students and faculty. I hear they’ve had many famous celebrities perform; although, I personally have not attended any concerts because of all the work I have to do. And there are so many other things to explore in the luscious City of San Diego! There are beaches within walking distance, small shops, a mall, and buses to take you to the famous Balboa Park in San Diego or the Civic Center to catch a play! No, I haven’t had time yet to really explore San Diego, but eventually, with some friends and family, I will.

So there you are, a little about my first quarter experiences at UCSD. If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask!

            

The Choice Is Yours...

Making the Most of Your High School Experience: Which Path Will You Choose?

By Adrian Moreno

During my first year of high school, I had to make an important choice. There were two paths in front of me: the route where I would take the normally required courses that everyone has to complete…or the advanced route, which includes Honors and Advanced Placement courses. I decided to challenge myself with two honors courses my sophomore year, which kick-started my journey on the road of advanced education, a decision I am very glad to say that I made. 

What exactly are Honors and AP courses?

Honors and AP courses are more challenging courses that require students to give more time and effort in order to get more knowledge and experience. Because Honors courses and AP courses are more advanced classes, they look good on college applications and boost your G.P.A., which is a big bonus if you hope to be the top ten in your class. Honors courses are a nice lead-in to Advanced Placement courses. The Honors courses are more challenging compared to normal courses, but less difficult than AP courses. Whether it is Chemistry, U.S History, or whatever class you may choose, an Advanced Placement course is what the title implies, an advanced course. An AP course is a college level class so you delve more deeply into the subject area. Taking an AP class boosts your G.P.A., allowing you to earn higher than a 4.0. You can get a 4.2 or 4.6, even a 5.0. Since the class is a lot more difficult, getting a B in a AP class actually counts as an A, and an A in an AP class counts even higher than an A, a "super" A.

What about the test?

With every AP class there's the AP test that students take at the end of the year. The test is graded on a 1-5 scale. The minimum you have to get to pass a test and earn college credit is a 3, and some colleges may give even more credit for scores of 4 or 5. What does getting college credit mean? It means you are exempted from taking that particular course in college. Let's say that I pass AP Calculus AB this year—something I’ve been working very hard to do—then that means I won’t have to take that course in college, saving me time and money. 

Which classes are right for me?

If you want to major in science, there's AP Chemistry and AP Biology. Interested in history, there's an AP course that covers United States History and another that covers European History. Love math? Take AP Calculus and/or AP Statistics. There's a long list of AP classes that are offered here at CV, which include AP Spanish, AP English, and AP Art as well. Over time, CV has been adding more and more AP courses to their roster. Last year, we added AP English Language for juniors, when before there was only AP English Literature for seniors. This year we added AP Statistics and AP European History. Sadly, we still don't have some really cool AP classes that other schools have like Physics or French; but here’s the thing, if a large number of students really want to take one of these courses, they can be added in the future. Students need to organize and advocate their interest in a particular course. If we let our counselors and administrators know there are enough of us wanting a particular course, they will help us get it.

How do I sign up?

Talk to your counselor as soon possible. Usually, the application process for Honors and AP classes begins as soon as February. Most classes require a prerequisite assignment or project to see how serious you are about the commitment you are making, and to make sure you are aware of the extra time and effort an Honors or AP class will require.

Are Honors and AP classes all that colleges look at?

As much as your academics are important, which they are, that's not the only thing that colleges look at. Colleges want to see students make a productive use of their time after school, that you are pursuing your interests and showing dedication, something that shows them that you aren’t just staying at home all day playing your PlayStation. Volunteering, sports, and school clubs are all extracurricular activities that are favorable activities to put on a college application, but not only for college, but yourself, because these activities are ways to make school fun and rewarding.

There are many opportunities to volunteer and do community service, like volunteering at your community church, or local Boys and Girls Club. If you're interested in sports, join a sport here at CV. There are many sports to choose from such as football, swim, basketball, track, cheer, and many others. Let's say you're not interested in sports, then join a club at school.  Here at CV we have clubs like Girl Power, Environmental Club, National Honors Society, and the AP Club (which you should definitely check out) that cater to all sorts of interests. Are you interested in pursuing a medical career in the future? Join Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), a great student organization here at CV that competes in medical based competitions. There are more niche clubs that you may enjoy, there's a Martial Arts Club, Rubik's Cube Club, and an Anime Club too. If you don't have an interest in any of the clubs offered, you can make your own, which is something that two girls I know did last year. They wanted to make an Astronomy Club and so that's exactly what they did, and today the club is going strong.

AP courses, Honors courses, and extracurricular activities are an amalgam of experiences that will ensure college entry. AP courses and Honors courses show that you are serious and dedicated to your education and that you strive to be above the average. Sports show competitiveness, dedication, and teamwork. Volunteering shows a concern for your community and for other people. School Clubs show that you are well rounded and have interests that you care about and are putting time into. A student who participates in these activities and is taking higher-level courses is a student that colleges want.

What I'm trying to get at here is that there is so much out there that you can do and be involved in, not only to impress colleges, but also to have a lot of fun and to make your high school life more interesting, exciting, and enjoyable. It gives you a reason to come to school.

The greatest part of all about Honors and AP is being in a class that is full of other students who also care about their education. You can't imagine how much of a difference that it makes.

Senior Adrian Moreno is President of the AP Club at Coachella Valley High School.  He plans to pursue business, law, or politics as a profession…with professional gamer as a fallback career.

Empowered Language

To Change Your Thinking, Change Your Words

By Philip Hoy

A very large part of preparing for college and career is learning how to manage your time—and Advanced Placement classes definitely force you to do that. They should; after all, they are college level courses, which is why passing an AP test earns you college credit. You may have already discovered that if you fall behind in your studies—even a little—you can quickly fall behind in a class…and it’s not easy to catch up again because the homework just never seems to stop coming.

And you’re probably not only an AP student, are you? Maybe you are in a sport, or band, or drama, or dance, or a career academy, or ASB, or a club…or multiple clubs. You probably do some form of community service or volunteer work…maybe you even have a part-time job. And chances are you’re someone’s son or daughter, someone’s brother or sister; you have family responsibilities.  You might even have friends, possibly more than a few…you might even be someone’s best friend.

Sometimes it may seem that everyone and everything is demanding a piece of you. It’s a wonder you find time to sleep…or do you?

Well, I’m here to help you lighten that load a little; but to do so, I’m going to need you to get rid of just one thing—no, not your best friend—something small, something you’re better off without, just a word…procrastination.

Procrastination: to put off, postpone, stall, or defer, to delay doing something until a later time.

We often hear people complain that they suffer from procrastination, or guiltily admit they are members of the Procrastination Club, as if there was actually a support group for procrastinators. “Hi, my name is Philip, and I put things off.” But mostly, we treat procrastination as a kind of virus, a temporary illness, something going around (especially at school), or maybe it feels like a non life-threatening disease that flares up or goes into remission, but is never fully curable.

On our better days, when we feel the symptoms of procrastination coming on, we fight back. We attack our inertia with action, hoping that our bodies in motion will remain in motion. Maybe we reach out to other human beings, if not physically, or over the phone, then with Facebook, at least. Or we might grab the game remote for a quick adrenaline surge from that life and death struggle played out again and again on the screen. Perhaps we take our skateboard and step into the fray where only practice and skill will save our bruise-able, breakable bodies from the cold, hard justice of the mean cement streets. Or maybe we become completely desperate and begin to pick up all the clothes from the floor of our room, get the vacuum out and start spring-cleaning in November—anything, to avoid homework!

On our worst days, on those days when we might have five things to do (although it feels like five hundred), and we just don’t know where to begin—procrastination sets in, amplifying those symptoms of avoidance and hopelessness.  Instead of accomplishing at least three or four of those five things…we accomplish nothing.  Procrastination weighs on us like an invisible cloud, a soft white elephant sitting on our chest, slowly suffocating us with inaction, pinning us to the couch, or chair, or floor, or wherever we find ourselves with barely the strength to lift our smartphone, slide a finger over the face of our iPad, nudge a computer mouse, or thumb the channel on the TV remote. There we remain, paralyzed with self-disappointment. 

Sadly, there is no cure for procrastination…because procrastination is not a disease; it is a state of mind.

Earlier, I asked you to give up procrastination. But I didn’t say to give up procrastinating, as in stop doing it. It needs to be more than that. I want you to stop using it. Stop using the word: procrastination.  I’d like you to stop saying it, and writing it, and thinking it…and here is why:

Language, the use of words, our ability to communicate ideas and emotions—spoken or written—must be the greatest tool we have. As much as it empowers us though, language also has a way of limiting us, confining and controlling the way we think. We express our thoughts with words because we use words to think. But what if our words are limiting our thoughts? It makes sense then that if we change our words we can sometimes change the way we think.

Procrastination, as we define it, is choosing not to choose…which is still a choice, of course, only it’s a very passive, even cowardly one. Start taking responsibility for your choices. Stop being victimized by the word procrastination. Drop it from your vocabulary and replace it with a new word: prioritization.

When you prioritize you place an order of importance on your responsibilities. You choose which tasks need immediate attention and which tasks can be completed at a later time. When you prioritize you assess your obligations, evaluate the urgency of each, create a plan, and take action.

Procrastination says play now, do your homework later. Prioritization says I will do my homework now and reward myself with a game later. But even if you do choose to play video games instead of completing your reading assignment for English, you are still prioritizing. You are making a conscious decision to give gaming more importance than homework…it might not be a wise decision, but it’s your choice, and you can take responsibility for making it instead of blaming someone or something else.

When we prioritize, we never put things off; we arrange the order in which we can afford to get them done. We are not helpless, not victims of a sickness or a debilitating condition. We are always in control because we are always the ones making the choices.

Of course we are never in complete control of what happens in our lives, but we are in control of how we react to it.  Sometimes we have to make the tough decision of choosing homework over spending time with friends…but sometimes our friends, or our families, need us in unexpected ways. Sometimes we must make the just-as-difficult decision to place them at the top of our list of priorities and deal with our other obligations at a later time.

Yes, life happens. Sometimes there is never enough time…due dates arrive, tests are collected, and deadlines pass. When this happens, procrastinators blame anything and everyone for their failures, although rarely themselves. Prioritizors don’t blame anyone; they haven’t got time for guilt or regret because they are already picking themselves up, reassessing their priorities, and beginning a new plan of action. Procrastinators, by definition, are always one step behind. Prioritizors, are always one step ahead.  

Making your own choices and taking responsibility for them is part of growing up. This is something very necessary if you ever want to gain your adult independence and find happiness, success, and fulfillment in this world. 

Hope this helps.