Q. How should I go about choosing my classes for next year?

A. Dear Reader,

Everyone (sans seniors) must deal with this puzzle at this time, so thank you so much for asking this question! Now, the first factor to consider, and most important if you would like to leave this place on time, is what credits are required for graduation. Your school counselor should be very clear about what classes you must take, so make sure those credits are in order, regardless if you are taking AP, honors, or dual enrollment at VCU. Once you have a better idea of what classes you are required to take, you can begin to fill in the gaps; depending on your interests or your academic prowess (or how much you hate having free time), you may choose to take more rigorous courses or preserve your sanity and take a study hall. I would personally consider the material, rigor, and possible teachers when choosing a course. For teachers, unless there is only one teacher for a course, it’s all up to chance for whom you’ll have, so if there’s a teacher whom you know does not work well with you, consider that before taking a course. Course selection is a complex balancing act, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your counselor, teachers, and friends for further advice.

Sincerely,

Anna

Q. This is a more personal question, but how should I cut a toxic person out of my life, especially in such a small school like MLWGS?

A. Dear Reader,

I appreciate your willingness to ask a question that lots of people probably need the answer to. Although I do not have an exact science or a fool-proof strategy for you, I can offer this advice: whatever reasons you may have for cutting this person off, it will likely be best for everyone involved to have a conversation about what happened and where everyone stands. This will hopefully curb any awkwardness when you are trying to distance yourself and they are still in the “friends” mindset. Unfortunately, there is a slim to none chance that you will be lucky enough to avoid them entirely. You might have classes with them, or be in the same social circles and extracurriculars. In these cases, there’s not much you can do. I think the most important thing to keep in mind is to spare the bystanders and keep your drama to yourself. Hopefully, both you and the other person can be mature and save everyone else’s sanity.

Sincerely,

Anna