How To Midwood: Underclassmen Edition

In a school the size of a small town, there’s a lot to know. Art: Serena Huang

By NAFISA HAQUE

Are you a lost freshman or sophomore, already tired of school only a few weeks in? Then this is the guide for you!

How can I get involved in the Midwood community?

Clubs are a great way to get to know other students at Midwood with similar interests to you. Check for an email sent out November 15 with club names, meeting times, and rooms, or check the Coordinator of Student Affairs (COSA) Office: Room 417. You can also find a list of clubs with their Google Classroom codes under “Student Life” on Midwood’s website (www.midwoodhighschool.org).

Guidance Counselor Ms. Simon Sakina said, “Join clubs, join teams, become monitors in the guidance or dean's office. That is the most important part, just starting to interact with people.” 

It’s never too late to get involved in the Midwood community, but getting a head start during your early years at Midwood can make a world of a difference. Be sure to keep an eye out for the monthly student newsletter and COSA Larry Kolotkin’s emails for an updated list of clubs.

“Midwood has a lot of opportunities,” Mr. Kolotkin said, “so make sure you look at the newsletters and don’t be scared to try out new things. That is the best advice anyone can give you.”

As Senior President Owaish Khan puts it, “Have enough confidence to represent who you are.”

How do I join a school production?

Whether it’s SING!, Asian Fest, Hispanic Fest, or Kwanzaa Fest, school productions are a fun way to explore different cultures and get to know the Midwood community.

SING! is a two-day musical competition amongst different grades. Any grade can try out, and there are behind-the-scenes roles for students who don’t like singing or dancing.

“When I first joined SING! I never thought it would become such a large part of my life,” Overall Commissioner Brianna Tsakh ‘22 said. “I made lasting friendships, gained a large sense of leadership and responsibility, and was able to express my creative side.”

After joining the SING! Google Classroom for your grade — codes are on the same web page as the club list — be sure to fill out the corresponding form for the division you’d like to join: band, art, dance, acting, vocals, or stage crew. 

How do I join a team?

If you like sports, definitely look into joining one of Midwood’s 30 sports teams. Look out for emails year-round with information on how to try out for various teams, and consider introducing yourself to the coach. 

“The experiences you get from joining a team in high school will likely make some of your most memorable moments,” said Mr. Michael Giordano, the softball and girls bowling coach.

Anyone interested in joining a team should go to the athletic director, Ms. Beth Vershleiser, in room 247, or ask your phys ed teacher. You can also find a list of sports and coaches’ names on Midwood’s website under “PSAL Athletics.”

Where should I spend my lunch period? 

If you hate the solitary confinement that has become our lunchroom, get to the library quickly, but remember NO EATING there, for my sake! Plus, the best bathrooms are right by the library on the first-floor annex.

If you absolutely despise your lunch period, whether it is in the cafeteria or library, monitoring might be the way to go. It is a great way to get GO credits, get to know a teacher or guidance counselor, and socialize with others. 

“Socialization is what’s most important,” Ms. Simon explains. “You don’t have to become a monitor, you just have to start making friends.”  

What are GO credits and how do I get them?

GO credits are back this year. GO cards, which will be available for purchase soon, are given to students to keep track of their service hours through GO credits. For some programs, such as Arista/Archon, you need a certain amount of GO credits, which can be achieved through clubs, monitoring, involvement in student government, sports, and other activities. GO card availability is to be determined, so make sure to check your emails. 

What are AP classes? How do I sign up for them? 

There are lots of AP (Advanced Placement) classes at Midwood, but they are challenging and selective. Avoid skipping classes, especially if you want to take APs later on, as these first few weeks can make or break your average.

One nice thing about AP classes is that they are “weighted.” All honors classes are weighted as 1.05 and all AP classes are weighted as 1.1. What this means is that if you receive a 90 in AP Statistics, your grade will be averaged into your GPA as a 99! Certain classes have curves, where the grade shown on your transcript is higher than the grade you originally earned in the class. Curves and weighted averages are different but both help your GPA.

As a freshman, the most common AP classes you can take sophomore year are AP Capstone Seminar, AP World, and if you are lucky, an AP Science class like AP Psychology. Again, keep a lookout for an email with a form to fill out to sign up for AP classes for the following school year. Upperclassmen are generally given priority for scheduling, but it never hurts to ask your guidance counselor if you can take a certain class next semester.

If you take AP Seminar sophomore or junior year, you can take AP Research your senior year and receive a Capstone Certificate if you score a 3 or higher on both exams. If you take four additional AP classes, in addition to Capstone Seminar and Research, you can get a Capstone Diploma, assuming you score a 3 or higher on all exams.

But remember to judge your ambitions well. Senior Estrella Carbajal Leon, who has taken five AP courses over the span of one year, stressed the need to “manage your time and use your resources wisely.”

“You don’t have the same window of time you used to have before [during remote learning],” said Mr. Alan Stack, AP of Organization. “You need to prioritize. Read a book on a train or bus instead of standing there and wasting time.”

Overall, your years at Midwood can be busy, often stressful, but ultimately rewarding. Go out and try your best to get involved in the community. There’s almost always an activity for everyone, and if there isn’t one for you, don't be afraid to create one!