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August 29, 2004
Get a teacher on your side
By Oscar Ramirez
How
important is it to have a good teacher-student relationship? Well, very.
I
find it amusing how some people, generally young and death-defying freshmen,
dare to challenge the power of a high school authority.
It
is not only naive but overall very stupid to rebel against the school system.
You are only jeopardizing your school credits, college recommendations, and
(rarely, but possible) a good life tutor. Besides that, there’s all the time
in your golden teen years that you will lose due to make-up tests, summer school
and after school detentions.
First
of all, as a freshman you need to understand that you are no longer in safe
territory. The minute you step into a high school building, you become an easy
target for derision.
You
should refrain from making compulsive decisions such as seeking the spotlight by
doing something dumb but accepted by teen society as cool – like acting
nonchalant at a teacher’s request or disrupting the class while something is
being said.
Even
though you might gain some sort of “recognition”
by your peers, that feeling will fade, but the impression left on a teacher
hardly does.
Having
that said, doesn’t it sound wise to ally with people that have been in high
school for a long time and that, if you’re lucky, are automatically on the
newbie’s side?
Because
the truth is, teachers are actually there for you.
Contrary
to common belief, they are not hired to make your life hell, but rather to help
you make your learning experience more bearable.
I
believe also that respect is the key to success, and you will find out that
nothing says “I respect you” to a teacher as much as paying attention during
their class.
It
is hard – I know. But believe me that as cliché as it may sound, chatting to
your friend can wait for lunch break. And anyway, 45 to 50 minutes of academic
concentration is not as tedious as having to live with a “disrupter” label
for the rest of the year.
I
say, choose wisely.
What
should worry people is that this trend of being a disruption probably starts
when you are a freshman and brand new to high school. And after getting used to
it, you carry it along until you graduate. Later, you’ll realize the damage
you’ve done to yourself when you need your teachers most.
It
will boil down to reluctance from teachers when you need a recommendation for
activities within the school or later in life, when you’re ready to enter
college.
I
am not telling you to become one of those “teacher’s pets” because that
would probably bring you more hassle from your peers.
But
a good relationship with a teacher can never hurt. In fact, it can do a world of
good for you and make your high school life easier. You soon will discover that
if you have teachers by your side you’ll step out of the “living hell”
triumphant.
To read all of The Tattoo's Insider's Guide to High School, click here
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