Don't be afraid to ask for help!: by Peer Mentor Samantha Wong

Although asking for help may seem intimidating or embarrassing, it's definitely worth it. I know a lot of teachers don't seem approachable, but they are ultimately there to help you; it's their job. A lot of teachers include their free mods/blocks in their syllabi for a reason: they want you to come to them if you need help! 

Personally, I've always been a little intimidated by my teachers, especially in the subjects that I don't feel very confident in. For example, I've never really been a history person, but I'm taking AP World this year. In the beginning, I had a lot of questions about particular assignments and formats that my teacher wanted, but I didn't want to go up and ask him. However, one day, I decided to visit him during a mutual free mod and just ask for help. It turned out that he was really friendly and helpful, and I got the answers I needed. By approaching my teacher, I didn't just get help for an assignment; I also developed a better relationship with him and have become more comfortable with asking questions. Since then, I have probably visited the Social Studies office 10+ times with questions about various assignments and projects. I ended up getting pretty good grades on these assignments, and I'm confident that I wouldn't have done as well if I hadn't clarified my questions with my teacher. 

Even if your teacher is intimidating, you shouldn't give up on trying to ask for help. At the end of the day, it's important to fully comprehend what you're learning in school. It's a lot worse to fall behind than ask for help. There are a lot of great resources and people at Lowell who really DO want to help. Don't be afraid to sign up for a CSF tutor or maybe talk to friends in your classes/upperclassmen for some help. If you don't feel comfortable using Lowell's resources, then look for outside sources! There are tons of tutors out there on the internet, and I doubt any parent would object to you wanting to learn more. 

At the end of the day, asking for help can never be a bad thing. You're at Lowell for a reason and obviously care about your education. Falling behind might be the worse thing that can happen because once you fall behind, it's EXTREMELY hard to catch up (trust me). Even if it means going a little outside of your comfort zone, asking for help benefits you in so many ways: you develop better relationships with your teachers/peers, you understand things better, and you ultimately get better grades! (:

Stepping into the Forest―My First Year at Lowell: by Peer Mentor Catherine Chang

The beginning of my first year at Lowell High School was the start of a new journey. I didn’t know it then, but walking into the school on my first day, feeling both excited and anxious and picturing in my head all I thought could happen, was like taking a step into some magical forest, the ones in fairytales, on a narrow path that would soon diverge into millions of other paths. Except, maybe the path wasn’t really going to be like those ones in fairytales, where the protagonist meets a handsome prince at the end; instead, it was more like stepping into a place that is mysterious, daunting, and enchanting all at the same time. Right now, I’m still on my journey through this forest, but reminiscing back on my journey so far, I’ve learned and experienced many, many aspects of this forest of Lowell.

On my journey so far, I have (1) met countless brilliant students and friends, or so-called supporting characters to help me through this forest in my personal Lowell story, (2) received at least one “F” on an essay or test (let’s just say I tripped on the root of a thorn bush), and (3) joined a fantastic club called buildOn, a violet-colored potion in an intricate glass case that has helped me through the daunting forest.

Joining buildOn (or discovering my potion, I like to say), a volunteer club that raises money to build schools in developing countries while educating Lowell students on global issues, is an extremely memorable experience and has made my time at Lowell so much more enjoyable. When the officers of the club first came to my modern world history class and invited my classmates and I to join the club, I never knew their words would have such a large impact on my high school experience. During the week they came, one Tuesday, afterschool, I decided to follow the officers’ encouragement and check the club out. At the first meeting, there were so many people, so many people I didn’t know (all in the same daunting yet enchanting forest). All of them were very friendly, and they were willing to talk to me and inform me on how I could be a part of the club and serve others through work and volunteering in the community. This friendliness made me want to continue as a part of the club, and soon, I was a member of buildOn, attending club meetings every week, learning about various global problems such as water sanitation and human trafficking, and getting to know the officers and leaders of the club and other club members. I participated in service events every weekend and served food to the homeless, worked at the food bank, and helped out at community events at museums; yet, more importantly, I felt awesome doing these events.

Soon, the club was a group of which I felt truly a part. Originally, I had joined without knowing what I was getting myself into, just thinking it would be great for me to help others and perhaps join a club that would look good on my resume, but at the end of the day, sitting in the forest and watching the fireflies, I have realized that joining buildOn and finding that violet potion is something that has shaped my Lowell experience. I am still a part of buildOn today, and I have grown a deeper wish to help others after first joining the club and learning about the problems of the world.

In the midst of receiving my first terrible grades and dealing with the reality that sometimes Lowell students do not get a free period during the “normal” lunch time in their schedule, I found a solace, that potion in the forest of Lowell. Ultimately, I have met so many great people and worked together with them to help those in need, and it’s all an experience for which I am so thankful, and I’m sure to hang onto the experience as I continue my journey through this forest.

So, just some advice as you enter your own forest: (1) Don’t be afraid to try new things and join different clubs! (You’ll find your own place on your journey through the forest, don’t worry too much!) and (2) Wherever you find your potion and whatever your potion is, enjoy it! (Meet new people, try to have fun, your experiences are all worth it!)

Thank you for listening to my own journey in this forest, and good luck on your own journey!

- Catherine (: