Home > Essay Lab Group > Discussion Board

I have to write an essay about this for summer project for AP english it is 1 of 5 and has to be between 500-1000 words, I can't think of anything because most thing I would change are inappropriate for an essay.

The biggest problem in the middle/high school years is the student's overall tolerance with inappropriate behavior. In an average class there may be one to three students that are behavior problems and are not interested in learning or doing the work. They talk out in class, they make fun of other students, they distract other students and the teacher while learning should be going on. Teachers are equipped to deal with these distractions. The larger problem is the reaction of the class to these students. Often the other students will laugh, begin talking, lose focus or encourage more inappropriate behavior. This adds to the time away from covering the material the teacher needs to go over. Instead, if students realized that these peers were detracting from their education and chose to ignore them or gave them some form of negative reaction, perhaps the distractions would happen less. It is up to each, individual student what they take from their high school experience. Yes, teachers make a difference to an extent, but in the end it will be 'your' time and 'your' effort that will bring about the result you want. So, the biggest thing you can do to make your high school a better place would be to take charge of your education and see it as your job, for the time being, getting out of it what you put into it.

I think that seeking to minimize the destructive effect is of cliques is a way to make high school better.  Over the last decade, I have seen more social fragmentation amongst cliques in and around high school life.  There have always been groupings and sects, and while they existed, groups had a relative code of conduct where there as a sense of live and let live.  There was bullying and intimidation and exclusivity, but it seems like such elements' presence now in the high school setting is much more destructive and focuses more on targeting others, as opposed to enhancing one's own sense of self.  It would seem to me that any attempts to minimizing the destructive nature of modern cliques would be a good attempt to make a difficult setting of high school a better one.

Think of what you expect in a teacher that you could say makes the school a "better place."  Are there not some commonalities between the ideal teacher and the ideal student?  Most students expect a teacher to practice the work habits that she/he demands of students. for one thing.

So, why not consider the point that a student who wishes to improve his/her school should start by setting an example in his/her social and intellectual behavior.  A competitive student can often inspire others to become competitive; they, in turn, inspire others, and so on until the atmosphere in the school becomes competitive.  Sadly, students often expect atmospheres to develop on their own without realizing that it is always people who generate atmosphere.  

Consider the classrooms that you enjoy entering and ask yourself what causes this atmosphere.  Then, you will find your answers in the pleasant, unbiased, competent, caring, energetic, challenging teacher who runs this classroom. 

A change for the better in any community - a school is an ideal place - is to use the simple philosophy of 'treat others as you wish to be treated'. If this premise was utilised by staff, students and caregivers then the school environment would be a much happier place to be. Everyone would think about the feelings of others before they spoke, would consider setting goals that they see value in attaining and would give praise and positive feedback when asked to contribute. Certainly an ideal - but a worthwhile change.

For this paper, you may want to hone in on one specific area such as bullying.  You can prevent bullying on an individual level by not laughing and going along with the bully when they are picking at someone.  You can be a friend to a person who is being bullied.

On a broader scope, you could develop an "anti-bullying"  club at your school whose job is to cause awareness about bullying.

You have to write an essay about your high school that is well known to you as well as to your teacher, who will check and evaluate your essay. This means that should not write about an imaginary high school. Unfortunately, myself or other respondents on this discussion board, I believe, do not have any idea about specifics of your high school. Therefore you have to rely on your own observations and ideas.

It appears you do have some ideas on this subject, but are afraid that your views will not go well with your teachers. In this situation you need to practice the art of "disagreeing without being disagreeable". This is a very important and useful skill in life, and you can start learning this now.

There are many ways of presenting your idea in a way. It will not be possible for me to cover these all here, and if I do, it may confuse you. So I am giving below just one technique.

Examine whatever you dislike about your school and would like to change from the viewpoint of the school authorities or whoever is responsible for it.  Then present your point in a way that takes into consideration the limitation and problem of other party. It is better if you start by showing appreciation for something that is good and then present your suggestion as just an additional improvement, rather than setting right that is wrong. For example, you may feel that selection of books in your school library is no good, but saying so bluntly is no good. You must think and find out how the present selection of books can be useful, and mention that in your essay. Then you can go on to give your suggestion in form of how the utility of library can be improved further.