Hey Harriet,
The winter has been cold and dark, and I’m feeling like the Upper School needs a morale boost! Is there anything I can do to boost the school spirit?
With love for my favorite school mascot,
From,
Student who misses the sun
Dear Student Who Misses the Sun,
Let’s jump to your concern, which, thanks to Punxsutawney Phil, will have two extra weeks to haunt us. Whatever grade you may be in at school, I encourage you to reach out to your grade representative; I would suggest you propose some sort of fun grade bonding activity. Why not open the door to help them plan pictionary, grade movie town hall, or even field trip suggestions?
If you’re not the creative type, why not find out what the student council has planned for the extra-long winter? Give yourself something to get excited over. Maybe even go to one of Hewitt’s sports games; it’s a great way to get the excitement flowing for what’s looking like a pretty promising spring.
But seriously, come into school with a smile. They are contagious, and treat yourself to a Friday morning hot chocolate with a friend! While you’re at it, put a fake name on your cup! My go-to is “Hairy Harriet.”
Talk Soon,
Harriet
Dear Harriet,
I am about to take my in-class writing assessment, and I am freaking the freakout. Will I fail? I’m not sure. Guess I will find out. If I fail, how do I get my grades back up?
Wish me luck,
Worried Writer
Dear Worried Writer,
By this time, you’ve already done your in-class writing and possibly even get your grade back…yikes. With assessments like these, especially this early in the semester, there is no reason to drive yourself crazy. There is a good portion left in the school year to make up for either how bad or rad your grade might be. And remember—first-semester and second-semester grades average to one final grade!
When you get your feedback returned, look it over. For your own benefit, I would urge you to actually make the revisions that your teacher wrote out for you. This will help you understand the points your teacher made about your writing and make it easier for you to apply them in future projects (and maybe get you a couple of brownie points). Only through trial and error can you ever get it right.
Don’t beat yourself up; you’ve got this in the bag!
Best of Luck,
Harriet
Dear Harriet,
Today.. I have to admit. I.. hate the school’s snacks. I hate chex mix, especially seeing it in the baskets everywhere. I get really hungry during classes and excuse myself to grab a savory snack.. and I end up seeing… those dang cheese chex mix… It boils my blood. I know every day, those Chex mixes will always haunt me. Everyone around me is brainwashed and enjoys them… I just stare blankly in pure shock and anger. Is there something wrong with me? Why don’t I like them? This is serious. I feel like an outcast.. and I’m always hungry.. and mad…
From,
Avid Hangry Chex Hater.
Dear Avid Hangry Chex Hater,
It sounds like you have a case of AHCH. Some people may be predisposed to this condition, but a lot of us are not brave enough to expose the truth. I commend you for your honesty and willingness to spread awareness and erase the stigma surrounding such a topic. There is nothing wrong with you; this is no disease.
Whether school got a stellar deal at costco or just has a strange affinity to cheese flavored mix, if you’re a freshman or maybe even a sophomore, by graduation they will have grown out of this phase. In the meantime, let’s get to fixing this hangry problem. I suggest that you scout the middle school building, sometimes you can find some pretzels in random caddies throughout their hallways. If pretzels are not to your sophisticated liking, try forging a bond with Chef Stephani, once you guys are inseparable, put in a recommendation for the snack of your choice. Or if socializing is just not your forte, run to the deli, local pizza shop, or supermarket during your free and grab a bite. Only downside is you’ll have to eat it outside.
Stay confident in you and your condition; it only goes up from here.
Keep me updated,
Harriet