Welcome to the new Talon Advice Column! We collect anonymous student questions and answer them from our *unique perspective.*

By Abigail Lonergan

Student Question: “How do I avoid going to bed crazy late doing homework?”

Abby’s Answer: 11:30 at night with three assignments due? Here’s the solution. First, open your Clock app. On the far left, you’ll see a small globe icon. Click on it. Press the button in the corner to add a clock, and select “Anchorage, Alaska, USA.” It’s now 7:30 PM, and you have four additional hours to get all of your work done. If you wish to avoid your AP Chem homework entirely, you might also consider moving there.

Alternatively, you could click the icon on the far right of the Clock app and set a 25-minute timer. The Pomodoro Technique, a well-known study method, recommends that you focus only on your work for 25 minutes at a time and then take a five-minute break. The hardest part is getting started, so do it right when you get home!

Q: “What do you do when you bomb a test?”

A: Okay, are we talking about an 86 on a test, or a 54? Because if you really bombed your test—by which I mean a D or an F—you should definitely spend some time reflecting on why that happened. Talk to your classmates about how and what they studied. Talk to your teacher about getting extra help for the next test. Make sure your teachers know that you’re trying your best to succeed, and they’ll do their best to help you.

If your idea of a “failing grade” is a B, however, you should probably reconsider your expectations for yourself. Over the next few years, you’ll experience plenty of Bs and maybe even—gasp!—a C+. Don’t be fooled by the high-pressure Sharon bubble. It happens to everyone. Chill out and see the above study tips. <3

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Students and teachers! If you’d like to submit a question of your own, please fill out this anonymous Google form.