Congratulations to 9th grader Amalia Danai, winner of the SPICE Advice art contest. Amalia writes about her piece, above: “My mixed-media (acrylic paint and colored pencils) artwork shows two people sitting back-to-back. I tried to relate it to giving advice through the theme of support. The two subjects are connected and physically supporting each other just like SPICE Advice connects the upper school community and allows students to help one another.”

If you submitted a November or December question and don’t see it answered here, we answered it in the second episode of our new podcast! Have a question you’d like to see answered in next month’s column?  Please ask it here!

Question:  What were the economic policies within the United States in 1700-1900 and as a senior, how do those economic policies affect my relationship with a freshman?

Answer:  The economic policies within the United States in 1700-1900 have little to no affect on your relationship with a freshman, and we advise that you avoid a relationship with a freshman.

Q:  What’s the best way to get motivation to do homework?

A:  It depends on how you learn, so try a few methods to see what works best for you. You could set a timer for how long you want to work, like 30 minutes, and then take a quick break and repeat the timer until you finish your work. Also, getting rid of distractions can be really helpful. If, for example, you often are distracted by your phone, keeping it out of sight while you work might be beneficial. Sometimes the hardest part about homework is getting started, and if that’s the case, an easy first step is to write down everything you want to get done so that your tasks are more concrete and manageable. Finally, if you can stay focused, working with friends can be helpful because you can keep each other on task, although working with friends can also be very distracting so be mindful of that. Hopefully, these study methods will help you complete your homework. 

Q:  what do i do if theres someone in my friend group that i don’t like and i find annoying but everyone else likes?

A:  Reflect on why this person annoys you and why the rest of your friends feel differently. If there’s just something about this person that bugs you, there’s not much you can do. You’re always going to have to deal with people who frustrate you and sometimes you have to let it go. However, if your problem with this friend is more than a clash of personalities (for example, if they’re rude or self-centered) then it is worth having a conversation with them. 

Q:  I have done my college apps for early actions. Now, I just don’t have motivations to try and do good on my classes as a senior. What can I do to lock myself back in?

A:  Although they don’t matter as much, remind yourself that colleges will look at your grades even after you submit your applications. While you don’t need to overstress about grades, you don’t want to be unprepared when you go into college. This is also a great opportunity to get the most out of your classes and focus on learning more than the grades you get. It’s ok to relax a little bit after submitting college applications, you just don’t want your procrastination to get out of hand. 

Q:  What’s your favorite conspiracy theory?

Note: The SPICE Advice writers do not believe in or condone conspiracy theories. That said:

Natalie:  My favorite conspiracy theory is that Paul McCartney is actually dead.

Ella:  I haven’t researched any conspiracy theory enough to have a favorite.

Caroline:  It might be basic, but I love flat Earth.

Q:  how do you confront a friend nicely

A: The best way to go about confrontation is to approach it constructively. Talk to your friend in a solution-oriented way—make your confrontation more of a conversation, while making your feelings and needs clear.

Q:  I get so excited before break and I start to procrastinate a lot more even though I know midterms are coming and I should study

A:  It can be hard to have the motivation to study during this time of year. It may help to create an after-school study schedule. For example, you might have a few short study sessions one day focusing on one or two subjects, then rotate with your other subjects the next day. It also may be helpful to have built-in breaks so you don’t get off track. You could also ask a friend or family member to make sure you start your work earlier. Other tips are to study with a group of people you know will hold you accountable, and remove distractions, such as your phone, and create a dedicated space for studying. 

Q:  how do I tell my crush I like them if we have no classes together and I didn’t really know him?

A:  First, make sure that you understand the implications of revealing your crush. If this person doesn’t know you, they are not likely to reciprocate your feelings. If you are ok with rejection, the best way to tell them is to simply talk to them. You can approach them in the dining hall or when they are walking to a class. Another approach is to try to get to know them a little bit before asking them out. Even if you have no classes together,  participate in the same activities as them to get to know them better and establish familiarity.