[Brandon]

1. Ideally, homework is supposed to help you figure out what you need help with...so that when you go over it in class, you can ask questions and figure out what you did wrong. It's supposed to guide you. Homework is graded because it's just an incentive for you to actually do it. Homework usually isn't graded strongly, so if you don't turn in your homework on time, it's usually not the end of the world. The important part is that you do it, however, so you can ask questions on what you don't understand. Most teachers are forgiving because they understand that homework isn't fun. They would be more inclined to take late homework when you show initiative and apologize for being late, than to grade a half-assed piece of homework.

2. You could be the most disorganized person and still make great grades. The important thing about studying habits, organization habits, etc is all about results. Do what works. You can spend your time changing pens, adding tabs, etc...at the end of the day, if it's not you, it's not you. Not everything works for everyone. As long as you make good grades and understand the material, that's all that matters.

3. Volunteering is good, and clubs. Anything to put on your resume, because it follows you into college if you want to pursue that path. Of course, it's not the end of the world if you don't. As long as you make good grades, and follow the right path of your life, you'll show enthusiasm for your future, and that's what businesses want to see. People who are motivated to pursue their passion and whatnot. Volunteering and clubs are just added bonuses, but it all comes down to your attitude, previous job history, and who you know.

4. If you don't have life figured out by the time you graduate high school, don't bother paying for college. Paying thousands of dollars for universities when you don't know what you want to do is accepted advice, but completely terrible advice. You're far more effective on taking a year off of school to figure out what you wanna do, than you would be to go into a university only to graduate a degree you never even wanted in the first place. With that being said...utilize your guidance counselors (if you have them), or any kind of counselor who can help you figure out what you wanna do. The sooner you find out what you want out of life, the better off you'll be academically in the long run. Worst case scenario, go to a community college, knock out your basics (math, science, etc) and go from there. You don't need to be paying thousands of dollars for a prestigious university under the assumption you'll know what you wanna do. It hardly ever works like that. Many people graduate with bachelor degrees in things they never cared for. On that note...if you know a general area you wanna go, like math, then you have an idea on what you wanna do. At that point, it'd be okay to pursue some kind of degree in mathematics, and you probably would be okay in the long run. Still, if you plan on spending a lot of money on schooling, make sure you have a game plan. Otherwise, you'll waste a LOT of time and money.

5. College isn't everything. There's plenty of careers out there that don't require a degree but can be rewarding. I make more money than my mom does; she's got a master's degree, and I have an associate's degree that I don't use. It's not all what's cracked up to be. When people say that you can't be successful without having a degree, they're full of shit don't have no fuckin' clue on what they're talking about. There's nothing wrong with an education, but there's more to life than College. Either you need it for your career, or you don't. Doesn't make you any less of a person, regardless.

6. College isn't harder than high school; it's actually easier. As long as you apply the things you did in high school, it's a breeze. You can set the times of your own classes and look up professors that are highly rated so you can enjoy the class rather than fall asleep. College is a much more pleasant experience than it is with high school. High school is a joke.

7. Overnighters get the job done, but realistically, you wanna get in the habit of doing things when you're supposed to do them. Break down your responsibilities when it comes to big projects and whatnot. Stay on schedule, so you won't overload yourself at the end having to study for a test AND do a big project. It's miserable.

8. Learn to drive as soon as you can. Build experience, so when you're actually on your own with your first car, you won't look like an idiot.

9. Take advantage of free tutoring if your school provides them. If you don't know something, figure it out. Otherwise, you'll fall behind; especially in math, since most things in math are connected in some way. There's a lot of Youtube videos out there that show you how to do certain problems. At the end of the day, there's plenty of forums that can answer specific questions, as well. TH being one of them (I've done it before many years ago).

10. Don't get pregnant. High school is filled with a bunch of horny dudes with testosterone and girls who wanna fight over who has the bigger tits. It doesn't matter. Avoid aggressive people, you see or experience something odd with someone, tell a teacher. In 4 years, no one is gonna give a shit that you told on Betsy who was giving little Jimmie a handy in the back of the bus. Stuff like that is not okay, harassment of any kind is not okay, and needs to be dealt with.


That's all I got for now.