Looking forward to a new year

As this year draws to a close, the students at River Valley High School are in the process of putting this part of their lives behind them. In fact, the holiday jitterbugs have gotten to the students, who are already welcoming the new year with open arms and are anxious for the last week of the semester to be done and over with, particularly since Christmas is just around the corner, but not just because jolly old Saint Nick is filling everyone's stockings with holiday cheer, I am sure.

Nonetheless, students should not get too excited just yet, as this last week also means final examinations. And just because it is the holiday season does not mean that teachers are going to cut their students any slack. Senioritis will certainly play its part, of which the graduating class of 2010 can attest.

Gage Phillips, a senior, said of the semester: "I did better than I thought I did. Oh, and in school, too, I guess."

Startlingly, some students in the top 10th percentile are taking it easy with their schoolwork by not taking on as heavy a course load, opting to take only a handful of difficult classes. (I, however, have done no such thing.) These "slackers" are just happy to be finished with their hard classes and to have the rest of the year "off," in a manner of speaking.

Over break, it is assumed that students will spend time with their relatives, consume copious amounts of sugared and syrupy goodies and play with their newly acquired gadgets. I mean, who can resist Granny Witherspoon's famous bun cake, warm eggnog or honey-roasted ham? I thought so.

But let's not forget that Advanced Placement students are still expected to complete their assignments during the break. This is especially important if they are to stay ahead of the game and not fall behind with their schoolwork.

For those who are applying to college, this will be the last chance they have to send in SAT and ACT scores, so be sure to get those in before it is too late.

Also try to enjoy the holiday and not to think too much about school, for it will be back in session soon enough. Take the time to relax and avoid any strife with cantankerous family members. Yes, we all have them.

With that, I say my final farewell to 2009 and an enthusiastic hello to 2010. I wonder what this year has in store for us, don't you?

Aizell Kittles is a senior at River Valley High School. His column appears about every sixth week in Education.