What is the definition of a great student?  According to the website My University Money, motivation, focus, and communication are three of the many key ingredients to educational success.  Whether it is asking questions during class discussions, or talking one-on-one to a teacher or guidance counselor, getting involved is also crucial. 

Ryan Tuozzolo ‘17, Katrina Leung ‘17 and Jaisey Joseph ‘18, all students at Sacred Heart Cathedral, voiced their perspectives on what makes a great student in the following interviews.  

The interview consists of these two juniors and a sophomore because their point of view will be the most “regular” out of the four grade levels.  Freshmen, are our newest editions to the school so they are adjusting to the schedule and the workload.  Seniors, on the other hand, struggle with balancing the college application process and what most call “senioritis.” 

What is your definition of a good student? 

Jaisey Joseph ‘18 states that, for students, knowing, “what they want to achieve,” is a big factor in performance at school.  She added, “good students are able to balance their social life and academic life so that they don’t overlap and contradict each other.”  Balance is the key for any student because as the saying goes, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”  However, too much socialization/ phone usage will continue to serve as a hindrance.  

Ryan Tuozzolo ‘17 defined a good student as, “somebody who pushes themselves and does their best without overextending themselves.”  She also added that good students, “are curious people who are focused more on gaining knowledge than good grades.”  This is very important because nowadays, students are so focused on doing whatever it takes to get an ‘A’ that they don’t care about what they are learning.  In other words, the value of education has been

forgotten as the focus on grades has taken precedence.  For example, all across America students take standardized tests from companies such as Pearson, Seton, and McGraw-Hill.  However, the emphasis on these tests is not to learn the material and have the students try their hardest, but to memorize the information and pass the tests.  Things like this cause students to lose interest in school, take easier classes, and ask for easier teachers.  If the message of,  “not doing well is not an option,”  is replaced with, “learn hard, study hard,” students will excel more, be curious, want to work hard and do their best.

How do you think students can conquer stress/ pressure in a positive way?

Katrina Leung ‘17 remarked that when she feels stressed she enjoys working out at the SHC Fitness Center and talking with her teachers to ask for help.  She expressed that, “getting to know teachers makes

a huge difference because they will help you and this can decrease stress levels.”  

Fellow junior Ryan Tuozzolo said, “to get through high-school, it’s essential to live as balanced a life as possible. Furthermore, learning time-management skills can be a fantastic way to manage stress and pressure, as can consulting teachers about confusing information from class.”  

These two quotes from SHC students reflect stress in terms of academic stress.  However, it can extend to friends, extracurriculars, and home life.  A “Stress in America” survey from the American Psychological Association stated that 46% managed stress by playing video games while 43% went online.  

In reality, does sleep make a big or little impact on your academic life?

Katrina Leung ‘17  and Jaisey Joseph ‘18 almost on the same page with their sleep schedules.  Katrina said, “When I don’t get at least five hours of sleep, I’m not able to comprehend the material in class, which leads to stress and frustration.” However, Jaisey remarked, “Sleep makes a big impact on my academic life, I know that personally if I go to bed after eleven I won’t function correctly the next day.”  

The American Academy of Pediatrics declared that depression, obesity, and lower test scores are only three of the many contributing factors of sleep loss.  They also stated that teenagers need at least nine and a half hours of sleep each night, but only 58% of teens aged 15-17 get less than seven hours per night. It further expressed that setting an earlier bedtime would not change the sleeping problem many teenagers face. All in all, the study believed that having a later start time for school would leave students feeling more refreshed and help diminish poor academic performance at school.
Overall, with the three key ideas of motivation, focus, and communication, students are more likely to have any overall improved academic experience.  Students should keep in mind that stress and sleep go hand in hand so getting more sleep can help take away stress!