Grace Campbell and Omar Siddiqui, both ’25 are dedicated to helping the student body succeed both in and out of the classroom. As seniors, they are looking forward to giving you advice about problems you have in school, with your friends, or in relationships.
Q1
Lately, I’ve realized that I have gotten really addicted to my phone. I find myself coming home from school and doom-scrolling on TikTok or Instagram reels. I think I’m only on my phone for like 10 minutes but when I finally turn it off, it’s been an hour. What can I do to stop myself from doom-scrolling because it’s starting to affect my schoolwork and my sleep? Also, I think it’s ruined my attention span.
G&O
The best strategy we’ve found to break our phone addiction is to put space between yourself and your device. Put your phone far away from you or in a different room while you are doing your homework so you can’t hear the notifications. According to the National Institute of Health, your brain works on a reward system, so when you hear a notification, your brain thinks you’re getting a reward and you won’t be able to focus until you figure out what this “reward” is. If you feel that separating yourself from your phone for long periods of time isn’t sustainable for you, like we often do, try putting yourself on a timer. Work for 45 minutes and take a break for 15. This way, you still have time to rest, but you are still held accountable for your work.
Q2
I am being peer pressured to indulge in non academic activities such as driving over the speed limit and other unsavory activities. I’m feeling very uncomfortable as I do not wish to partake in such vile and sometimes illegal activities. Please help me learn how to say no.
G&O
In situations like these, it is best to keep the larger picture in mind. We know it’s easy to get caught up in the moment of something and convince yourself it is okay to do things you know are against your morals. A good rule of thumb when you feel peer pressured to partake in something is to think to yourself, “Would I regret this in ten years?” or “Will this negatively affect my future?” If you get caught doing something illegal, it can negatively affect your digital footprint for the rest of your life, and could even prevent you from getting jobs in the future.
Q3
I am a senior and I have been working on getting my college applications in. I am really stressed out, not because they are a lot of work, but because I feel like I am not going to get anywhere. It’s especially stressful because my parents expect me to go to a really good college. What can I do to limit my anxiety about the whole situation?
G&O
College application season is stressful, and there isn’t really a way around that. However, you should keep in mind that everything will work itself out and that come graduation, you will be exactly where you need to be. We don’t know your exact situation, but you will likely get into at least one of your colleges, and we encourage you not to stress about that. Make sure you are applying to a handful of safety schools, that you know you have a strong chance of getting into given your stats. Worst case scenario, working or going to a community college for a semester or two and then transferring to a University, is always an option. We understand that there is immense pressure in our community to get into the best possible college right after high school, but we encourage you to recognize there are other options as well.
