As students here at Hastings High School start the year, many of them may be feeling the pressure of their classes a little too early. Honors classes in particular can be challenging at the beginning of the year.
Senior Jordan Ismaiel is feeling enormous amounts of pressure this year as he is taking all honors for his core classes. On top of taking these classes, he is trying to apply for colleges and scholarships. This amount of work at this time of year is really pushing his limits.
“I can keep up in some of my classes but others, such as World Literature and Calculus, are really challenging me. I’m finding it really difficult to keep up with all of the work in those classes,” Ismaiel said.
On top of taking these rigorous honors courses, Ismaiel is also trying to raise his ACT score to get more scholarships.
“I don’t really even know what or how I’m supposed to study for the ACT, much less I don’t have the time,” Ismaiel said
For another student at HHS, the beginning of the school year was especially difficult for them. This person started the year off in an honors sophomore class and then had to transfer to regular english four weeks into the school year.
“The honors class was really stressful and too fast paced for me,” this student said.
World Literature and sophomore honors teacher Carla Hedstrom sees that these honors classes can be stressful and difficult at times.
“Most of my students have been doing pretty well so far. The sophomores have needed a little bit more direction in terms of getting their homework done and knowing what they are supposed to be doing,” Hedstrom said.
Many students see themselves in this stressful position while others do not. Some students here at HHS are not taking any honors classes and may not have as much worry about keeping up in their classes.
Senior Kendra Rubek is one of these students. She is in all regular classes and is taking it easy her senior year.
“I’m not really all that stressed. it’s pretty easy considering it’s senior year and I don’t have many classes,” Rubek said.
However there is still one thing that Rubek is stressing out about: the ACT.
“I’m really freaking out about the ACT. I just really need a good score.” Rubek said.
Some students are in honors classes and stressing out, some are in regulars and not feeling the pressure quite as much. Either way, students need to make sure that they don’t get too overwhelmed or stress themselves out too much. Everyone is doing great!
