Dear Michelle…

How can I get my community hours up to 50 hours? I only have 11 right now.

This is an awesome question! Brewster High School requires 20 hours but here are ways to increase your hours.

• Join clubs (they likely offer service hours)
• Reach out to your guidance counselor,   family, friends, or use Facebook for service/tutoring opportunities
• Get involved in outside activities or organizations (sports, church, etc.)
• Brewster Track and Field Youth Camp  (summer), Second Chance Foods
• Use VolunteerMatch and search “Brewster, NY’
• Ask teachers if they need help organizing materials in their classrooms (many appreciate this!)

I wish you the best in finding enriching opportunities!

Why don’t you make good chocolate chip cookies anymore?

A recurring theme I see. I thought I did, sorry.

How would you describe senior year?

Great! Senior year is all about preparing for life after high school and making the most of the time you have left. Mainly, I have much more time and freedom. Regarding workload, I’m taking less classes than junior year which leaves me with more study halls to do my homework and relax, which is helpful. Moreover, I can drive, go to more sports events, and hang out with friends. With respect to college applications, it can be stressful, but you’ll get through it. Once the process ends, you’ll feel more relieved. I appreciate high school more and more and look forward to what the rest of the year entails!

This year is quite transformative to say the least. It offers a unique chance to learn about yourself and who you want to become. While I can’t speak for every senior and their experience this year, it’s been fun and manageable so far. As I prepare to leave “The Den,” I suggest continuing to seek out opportunities to grow academically and personally in high school so you can look back and be happy. It’s never too late.

How do you talk to a guy you like that you’ve never talked to before?

After hanging out with friends, I’ve learned it’s all about confidence. Some advice: having friends with you can make it less awkward, and start by introducing yourself with something in common—like an interest, class, or activity you’re doing. Sometimes, a simple convo to get to know them better is the best place to start. If you already know each other somewhat, you won’t have to introduce yourself. At this point, make sure to trust yourself, interpret the situation, and flow with it. Don’t rush it either—treat it almost like a normal conversation. As you get to know them, you’ll see if you want to be friends or something more.

Other points to keep in mind: don’t force it. Be who you are, and the right person will come your way. Stay calm—in the end, it’s just another conversation. I wish you the best and remember, it’s good to put yourself out there. You’ve got this, yolo!

How do I make time for my hobbies and interests while also keeping up with school work (especially for AP classes)?

Balancing hobbies with school is tough, but it all comes down to time management. A big part is accepting that you won’t always have time to practice your hobbies. It’s about fitting them in between work and study. Use study halls and/or your lunch period to get work done: it’s not always easy but I’m confident you’ll manage!

After school, I dedicated an hour and a half to do what I enjoy: running. Then, I tackled homework, even if I was up late, because I knew I needed time to do what I loved. Having this break was helpful before I dove into school work. Perhaps try something similar—starting your hobbies first and then working, or working first, then relaxing with your interests.

The key is balance. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Set aside time for your hobbies, saying something like “2-3 days a week, I’m going to give myself (x amount of time) to do (my hobby).”

With the responsibility of AP classes, prioritize your work but also explore your interests. It’s hard, no doubt, but if you manage your time wisely, it’ll be worth it! I hope this helped!

Hey Michelle, I’ve been talking to this guy. I’ve known him for a while through a mutual friend, but we never really talked until now. I’ve never had issues before, but whenever I’m around him I literally get so nervous and can’t say anything. He’s not usually shy, and he’s quiet around me, but then when we’re texting we have so much chemistry. How can I come out of my shell and not seem like a quiet loser, while still staying cool and nonchalant?

Hi! It’s a great thing to put yourself out there—thank you for the question! First, it’s a good sign that you guys are texting and there’s chemistry. Your nerves are completely normal, especially early on. From what I can gather, it sounds like he’s also nervous, so you’re both likely in the same boat, which isn’t a bad thing! Since it seems this is the case, there’s not much to lose. He’s probably thinking the same thing and wants to talk but is too nervous.

Maybe try separating yourself from your friend groups to talk privately—he might feel more comfortable that way. Your friends are also there for you!! If you’re still feeling nervous, with your friends, approach his friend group and start talking in a group setting to ease the nerves/pressure you both may be feeling. It sounds like this is a moment of inaction, so think about where you want it to go and once you know, take this opportunity to act! I don’t want your nerves to cause you to dwell on “what could have been.” You’ve already started talking to him via text—keep it going!

You’ve got this! On a side note: there’s no need to stay “cool and nonchalant”—it’s admirable to put yourself out there, don’t worry about that!