By Josh Galvin ’13
THE ROUNDUP
It is that time of the year again: Classes are starting to wind down, finals draw closer and pre-summer excitement surmounts the student body.
Seniors anticipate graduation and the prospect of college in the coming months, while other students prepare to rise in the ranks.
With another year behind the community, current students offer up their wisdom for incoming sophomores, juniors and seniors.
For Keaton Leander ’13, freshmen year is a time to absorb surroundings and figure out how the Brophy community operates.
“During freshmen year, the teachers are a lot more understanding, but as a sophomore you are expected to know what’s going on,” Leander said. “The workload bumps up, and you’ll get less sleep, which comes with growing up and gaining more responsibility.”
However, there exist strategies for combatting the gloom of homework blues and maintaining a “balance of free time, family time and school,” according to Leander.
“Close Facebook, turn off Skype … distractions only keep you up later each night. Time management is a great way to stay ahead,” Leander said. “Make a daily schedule to strictly follow every day and hold your focus; distractions only keep you up later each night. It can be a little tedious at times, but if you keep track of school it makes everything so much easier.”
Professing a deep involvement in every aspect of Brophy life, Jobert Adan ’12 has participated in clubs, sports and community service for Brophy. He, along with fellow Student Council members Andrew Lombard ’11 and John Medici ’12, organized the Donate Life campaign and helped to plan various student events such as the Frosh Mixer and Casino Night.
“I found the correct balance between (my activities) by writing all of them down in a planner or somewhere on my Tablet,” Adan said. “Planning ahead and having a constant eye on Blackboard made sure that I got all of my work done.”
He advised “throwing oneself” at the coursework to prevent homework and college preparations from accumulating.
“Junior year is the hardest year, but I found it had some of the greatest lessons and classes I’ve had to date in my three years at Brophy,” Adan said.
Known by many as the voice on the daily announcements, Keith Bender ’11 also contributes behind-the-scenes as a member of Student Council and active member of the community in general. He encouraged incoming seniors to participate as much as possible.
“Senior year isn’t a time to begin working hard; it is a time to reap the rewards of three years of hard work in high school,” Bender said. “I say this with caution, however, because it is also not a time to stop working hard. There is no rest for the weary during your senior year, but if done right, it will prove to be the best year of your life so far.”
There are many opportunities to get more involved on campus. Although directed towards future seniors, Bender’s advice remains applicable for all Brophy students.
“Submit work to BLAM or audition for a musical. Play a sport you’ve never tried before. Surround yourself with people you love while reaching out and building friendships with people you haven’t previously known well,” Bender said.
While every student’s time in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade is unique, each student had the same important message to impart: savor every experience at Brophy while they last.
“Make sure you make time for family, friends and free time,” Leander said.
Likewise, Adan remained optimistic and advised future juniors to embrace the changes that lie ahead next year.
“My final advice is to be good to yourself … you are only a junior once and soon you’ll realize that your time at Brophy is coming to an end,” Adan said.
Even as the seniors’ high school careers near the end, Bender underscored the importance of staying immersed in campus activities.
“My biggest advice is to savor every precious moment you have with your Brophy brothers, your teachers and family members while you are here,” Bender said.
“You can’t stop time from flying, so fly with it,” Bender added. “Refuse the temptation to idly sit by once the college applications are in and the Synthesis paper is complete. Don’t succumb to mindless passivity: constantly set goals for yourself and embrace the view that every day is a chance to fulfill them.”
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