U@USM: Your Insider's Perspective to Life at USM

Greetings prospective students and families!

The school year has started and that means that it is time for new blogs from our Upper School Student Ambassadors. Our ambassadors will provide their insights and perspectives on their various experiences at USM including the House System, school traditions, student retreats, extra-curricular activities and much more!

This year is especially significant because USM is celebrating its 50th anniversary so there will be plenty to share. Also, we will welcome several new bloggers from the Upper School so be on the look out for new faces in our introduction blogs. These students are eager to share their experiences with you, but consider what your experience may be as a student in the Upper School...

We look forward to providing you some good reads as you explore what makes the USM experience unique!

Sign Off

As we wrap up the 2014-2015 school year we are officially signing off for the summer. Don't worry, we plan to bring you new, exciting blogs next school and introduce our new bloggers!

Until then, have a great summer!

- Upper School Bloggers

Graduation@USM

On May 18, 2014 we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2014!

As we said goodbye to the class, we also said goodbye to three of our bloggers: Harriette, Jack, and Ben. We would like to thank them for their work this past school year bringing you an insider's perspective of life at USM.

They have some advice for all the new students coming to the Upper School in the Fall:

• Savor every moment you have at USM, it goes by quickly.
• Support your classmates. Attend a as many school events as you can.
• Do your best, be kind, and get involved. You will get out of it what you put into it. 

Best wishes and good luck!

 

Understanding your Schedule

Background:

The schedule at USM is drastically changing in the 2014-2015 school year. The reason the schedule is being changed is because the USM administration wanted to decrease the homework load for the students without decreasing how much we learn. After we completed a survey at the beginning of the year, the administration has been working hard to improve the academic and social lives of their students. 

How to Read Your Schedule:

1. Currently (2013-2014), we have a six day cycle with eight classes a day. Next year, we are going to have an eight day cycle with a maximum of five classes everyday.
2. Classes do not meet at the same time everyday. For example, your first period class on A-day (highlighted in yellow) will not meet at first period on B-day, but rather it meets after lunch.
3. We will have “Flex/conference” periods (first white box on schedule above). These periods are where all students and teachers are free. Therefore, you have the opportunity to go in and talk to a teacher, hang out with friends, or do your homework.
4. The schedule reads as A-H days or 1-8 days of the cycle.

- Lexie

Interacting with Teachers

Getting help from teachers is one of the best academic advantages USM has to offer. Teachers always arrive at school early in the day, which is a great time to seek help if you need it. Their offices are directly across from their classrooms, so they are never hard to find. Outside of their offices are teachers’ schedules throughout the cycle. Many students use this to their advantage. For example, if I need help during the school day and don’t have time before or after school, I can simply see when a teacher isn’t teaching and I can seek help whenever our schedules match up so that we are both free. 

Teachers at University School are always willing to help. I see kids going in and out of teachers’ offices before, during, and after school constantly. They typically have as much free time as a normal student does during the school day. Receiving academic advice throughout my years at USM have helped me improve my grades, understand lessons, and saved me on tests, quizzes, and big papers.

A few tips as to how to approach a teacher about something:

1. Email is always the most encouraged. Teachers always check their emails 24/7 and never miss any one of them. You can find their email on our school website.
2. After class - Students have five minutes in between each class, which is always a great time to ask a teacher a quick question.
3. Office Hours - Visiting teachers’ offices before or after school is usually less hectic. You can simply knock on their door and ask for help and if the teacher is not very busy, they are always willing to help for as long as needed.

Seeking help also develops a relationship between you and a teacher. You get to know each other better in the classroom and you grow to be comfortable with asking for their assistance again. Teachers want to help kids. They want you to come ask them for a helping hand because as I’ve heard teachers say many times “There are no stupid questions."

- Chris

Have a question?
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comment section below. Our ambassadors are more than happy to answer your specific questions!

Getting to Know the Upperclassmen

Becoming a high school student can be a daunting transition, but in reality, it really shouldn’t be. The halls are filled with familiar faces, and everyone is willing to help underclassmen navigate life in the Upper School. Nevertheless, upperclassmen may seem intimidating. Sure we’re older, but we’re not as scary as some people may think! When I was a freshman, I had to face my fear of upperclassmen, and I’m so glad I did.

My freshman year, I was lucky enough to be cast in the fall play. I was extremely excited to be a part of the production, and was honored to perform in a cast of only eight people(!) However, I was equally nervous, because I was the only freshman. Not only that, but out of the other seven cast members, three were juniors and four were seniors. It wouldn’t be honest of me to say that I instantly became friends with my seven cast mates. In fact, I spent the first half—if not more—of this several month endeavor buried behind my computer screen in the last row of the theater. It wasn’t because of a divide that anyone had created, but I was just so nervous to enter a group of older kids. One day, however, I decided to join my cast mates, and I found that they were not nearly as intimidating as I had thought; they were extremely welcoming and were eager to get to know me. For the rest of our time together, we really bonded – we even traveled to Whitewater as a group for a statewide one-act competition. Even though I am the lone remaining cast member of The Liar, I will never forget the time I went out of my comfort zone and befriended a couple of upperclassmen. 

As you find yourself moving through the busy halls of the Upper School during your freshman year, don’t be afraid of us upperclassmen! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by some of the friendships you make.

- Adam

The Upper School: Tips and Advice

If coming to the Upper School is making you nervous, then have no fear. Our Ambassadors have put together a series of blogs that will provide tips, advice, and information about navigating the Upper School. This series will include subjects such as understanding the uniform, interacting with teachers, reading your schedule, and much more!

This blog series will be for both students new to USM as well as students coming from our 8th grade.

Enjoy!