Ed’s Declassified Exam Survival

Guide By: Edda Wee

It’s 8:30 am. What a beautiful morning. The sun is up, the birds are singing, and YOU HAVE AN EXAM IN ONE HOUR. The panic, the worry, the horror. You can’t remember the last time you opened your textbook. You dread those more-than-one-correct-answer-but-one-is-more-correct multiple choice questions. You don’t even have any lead for your pencil. As painful as they are, exam struggles can and will be avoided with these simple steps:

BEFORE THE EXAM

• Eat well + sleep well = do well • Make the library your second home • Avoid social media sites at all costs. This includes Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and especially Tumblr • Get a friend to change your social media passwords so you can’t access them, because let’s face it; you can’t avoid them.

• Study well before the exam, NOT the morning of • Ask questions! Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots • As much as you would like to skip an exam for being “sick”, you’ll get a zero. So don’t even think about it • Make notes using coloured ink on yellow paper! Apparently that catches attention faster and makes remembering easier •Take mini-breaks between studying so your brain does not implode • Make a to-do list to keep yourself on track • Actually read the textbook • Study the hardest material first while you have more motivation and brain-power • Turn your cellphone OFF!!!!!!!! • Study buddies! Set up study groups with people from your classes. Or be miserable together • “Take a week to be a geek” • Develop ways of memorizing! Read out loud, make acronyms, use flash cards... • For math exams: math is everywhere, so suck it up and learn it • Don’t push yourself too hard. Just start studying early and take your time

• Make sure your supplies are prepared the night before, so you’re not scrambling to find a calculator or eraser the day of • DO NOT PROCRASTINATE DURING THE EXAM • You will be glued to that chair for awhile, so wear those comfortable sweat pants and hoodie. • Listen to your gut! Your first answer is probably the right answer • Ask questions! Some teachers end up giving you massive hints to those mind-boggling questions • Do NOT zone out, because before you know it, there’s 10 minutes left and you’re only halfway done • Chew gum to keep that brain of yours flowing • Avoid caffeine: it just makes you jittery and anxious. No one likes table shakers during an exam.

• Take a deep breath, spill the

semester’s worth of knowledge all

over those pieces of paper. You can

do it!

Nelson Mandela: a man of legacy, justice, fairness,

equality and kindness.

By: Abdur Rahman Ouzeri

On December 5th 2013,

Nelson Mandela, the former South African President and anti-apartheid leader, passed away at the age of 95 in his Johannesburg home with his family at his side. He was buried at his home village in Qunu on Sunday, December 15, 2013. Family members and dignitaries from around the world came to his funeral to pay their last respects.

Nelson Mandela was a man of integrity and justice for all people of South Africa and the world; he represented what people around the world are fighting for today: equality, fairness, justice, health and education. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for taking a stand against a system that separated and oppressed the people of South Africa based on the colour of their skin.

He was a man who inspired others around the world to take a stand against oppression in their own countries.

In Pakistan, a 16 year old school girl named Mala Yousafzai who was an activist for women’s rights was shot in the head for trying to gain the rights for girls to attend school. In Canada, Assembly of First Nations Shawn Atleo is advocating for the rights of aboriginal people because of the unjust treatment they are receiving by the Canadian government.

Nelson Mandela was a man who believed that all people from different cultures and ethnic groups should be treated as human beings. He believed that if there is injustice happening in one country it affects all of us. He said “no one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

As we say goodbye to Nelson Mandela, his legacy lives on, in South Africa and all over the world.

Me to We Day By: Anita Sepasi-Ahouei

On September 20th, fourteen hard working members of Langstaff's "Free the Children" attended the annual “We Day” concert at the Air Canada Centre. The ACC was packed with students from all over Ontario who fundraised and made a difference in the world by helping children live better, more sustainable lives. This year, the show was hosted by Darren Criss, a popular singer and actor from the television show Glee. Many inspirational speakers and influential celebrities

also made an appearance; such as Demi Lovato, Serena Ryder, and Austin Mahone. From agriculture, to education, to clean water, to medical care, and alternative income; We Day covers all the campaigns that “Free the Children” will run this year to help support developing countries. Although the Free the Children club will be running the events, they’re not the only ones who can help make a difference. Throughout the year, many of the events will require school-wide participation so that many of the issues faced in other parts of the world can be spoken about. In the words of Master Yoda, and as Spencer West (a keynote speaker at We Day) quoted, “Do, or do not… There is no try.”

Run For The Cure By: Jin Choi

On Sunday October 6th, 2013 The Langstaff Bear Breast Team went to represent our school to run for the charity, Run for the Cure. A group of around 30 Langstaff students and staff met up at Richmond Green Public School to participate. As a team we were able to raise a total of $7,046.10! The student who gained the most donations this year was Adam Retsinas with a total of $3,170. In every year that we have participated in this cause, we have been the top public school fundraiser team and were able to achieve it again this year. We were proud to accept an award for our accomplishment and wish to continue to help with this fundraiser in upcoming years. If there are any students who are willing to help organize this event in the future, please contact Ms. Shukster.

Let’s Face It By: Jenny Chu

Do you catch yourself staring blankly at your phone screen when nothing is on it? Do you find yourself relying on your cell phone to keep you company in awkward situations? Is it the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your phone may mean more to you than you think; you may even be addicted to it! Here are 3 signs that you are obsessed with your phone: 1. You become sad when you don’t receive notifications. Have you ever felt lonely or forgotten because you haven’t received any notifications for a few hours? Yes? You’re probably addicted. 2. You find yourself checking your social media accounts over and over again. Nothing interesting has been posted between now and two minutes ago, yet, you still feel the urge to check everything…just in case. 3. You feel incomplete without it. If you feel like a part of you is missing when you don’t have your cell phone close by, you’re most likely way too attached to it! If any of these signs describe you, put your phone down! Go for a walk, get some fresh air! It will be more interesting than your Twitter newsfeed, I promise.

Post-Secondary Applications:

TIPS By: Saba Sadegh-pour

It’s that time of year again. A

time of great worry and woe as our graduating students scuttle about, gathering their last bits of confidence to write their supplementary applications for university and/or college. We all know how stressful and important your application can be so here are a few tips to consider before pressing that intimidating submit button. Modesty is NOT the Best Policy

Brag a little! Instead of using phrases such as “I hope to apply my skills…” say “I will apply my skills…” Make guarantees not promises, while remaining honest about your achievements. Also, while remaining professional, make sure you sound enthusiastic! Whoever reads your application should understand how passionate you are about your goals and education. Edit, edit, and edit again!

Microsoft Word won’t always catch all your spelling and grammatical errors. It’s crucial that you have your parents, other students or even teachers to read over your essays or short answers. Or drop by Langstaff’s English Tutoring room, where you can get help from some of Langstaff’s top English students. Your editors may also be able to make suggestions on what to include or take out of answers and how to make it flow. Remember that proper spelling and grammar is key when showing that you care about the program.

Take a Long Term View When asked why you chose

[insert program name here] or what your educational goals are, it’s not enough to mention what you plan on doing in university/college (i.e. joining such and such clubs). Talk about what you’re planning on doing with your education and experience. Do you want to become a doctor to save lives or an architect to achieve your dream of designing a skyscraper? Aim high! However, avoid mentioning how your main goal for taking this program is to get rich and buy a Porsche. This maybe slightly frowned upon by those reviewing your application. Research!

We know that your application is about you, a topic you already have much knowledge on. However, it’s a good idea to do research on the university/college and program that you’re applying to and find out what they offer. When asked why you chose that post-secondary institution or program, it’ll help you to sound knowledgeable. Also, see what the university/college is known for. For instance, if a university emphasizes that it’s world renowned for its innovation, perhaps that’s what they look for in their students. Submit Early

Don’t wait until the last few days to submit your application. The applicant website will probably be swarmed with others trying to get in their applications in at the last minute and you may have some technical difficulties. For instance, the Waterloo Quest site is often VERY slow closer to the AIF deadlines. Completing your application early will also give you a chance to ask the universities/colleges any questions you may have about the application.

Featured Teacher: Ms. Samji

By: Saba Sadegh-pour and Patricia Park

Ms. Samji has been working at Langstaff for 17 years now, teaching Grade 9 Science, Grade 12 Biology and Grade 12 Chemistry. Her fan-made Facebook page (307 likes) describes her as “Master of Science and all things badassery.” According to this fan page, Ms. Samji’s personal interests include “Biology, Chemistry, chalk, shaping of the heavens and earth.” She is known for staying after school every day until at least 6:00p.m and sometimes 11:00 p.m, dedicating her time to her students and work. She often uses this time to help students who have missed a lesson or who need some help understanding the concepts taught in class. She will even look over assignments prior to the due date and give feedback and general guidance for improvement. Hence, there is no question as to why Dr. Samji deserves this small recognition for all her work and dedication over the past 17 years. Degrees: BSc in Chemistry from University of Toronto Masters in Biochemical Toxicology from York University PhD in Molecular Biology from York University Bachelor of Education at University of Toronto in Science and Math

“What is your most embarrassing moment?” “Oh god. Too many of them. I would say the day I showed up at the Opera. It was a spur of the moment to go, and we got tickets at the front. Everyone was dressed in long beautiful gowns, and here I was with jeans on. And then the governor general walked in, and we all had to stand up, and I looked really out of place.” “What is your favourite and least favourite grade to teach?” “I like all grades. Even grade nines; they’re fresh faces, and I like to see them grow. I have never had any classes that were that bad to say I didn’t like them. Sometimes the tens, because they are no longer nines, and they no longer care about the marks.” “Would you ever get whiteboards, and if so would you keep chalks around?” “I love chalk… I would always keep chalk around.” “How has Langstaff changed over the years?” “I would say the classes are the same. But I find the students are sometimes disrespectful. So I’ve seen more of that during the years.” “And are you aware of your Facebook fan page?” “Somebody has mentioned it to me, but I don’t want to go there.”