School takes a lot of effort outside and inside of the campus. Students are held accountable for learning and paying attention to everything they are taught and then applying it to their assigned homework to make sure they have retained what they learned. Students formulate study schedules and plans that fit with their outside lives to make sure that they not only pass, but ace their classes and secure a spot at the top of their class.

“I keep track of everything I have to do- I plan out well,” senior valedictorian Ryan Roberts said. “Plan studying in advance and spread it out over time, but don’t do it too early.”

Being organized is a key factor in success. Planners allow students to take note of everything that is due and when it’s due, so students are never caught off guard.

“I write down everything I need to get done and then I just get it done, because all I do is rise and grind,” sophomore Spencer Bindel-who is ranked third in his class-said.

Studying after school is the most distracting task that students have to do. They are not in a limited atmosphere, such as school grounds where electronic distractions are minimal; however, at home everything is within reach, leaving many vulnerable to getting off track and off topic. The positive side of studying is that it can practically be done anywhere as long as the right tools are present.

“There is no place where you cannot study, you can recite vocabulary words or regurgitate formulas anywhere,” senior Charles Wang-ranked third- said. “From the shower to the Kendrick Lamar concert, there is no geographical barrier that inhibits your educational growth.”

Setting goals makes sure that students have a place to be and something to achieve. It gives them the opportunity to be proud of their achievements and acknowledge the boundaries of accomplishments that have been crossed.

“Last year I set really high goals for myself and I just try to keep my grades as high as they were last year,” sophomore Mark Sterling-currently ranked forth-said.”I set that as my standard for myself because it’s a good way to judge whether or not I’m working as hard as I can.”

Different tasks require a different approach. Students might adapt different tactics when attacking different things if some of them might need more attention, or more time to plan out.

“A few days before a test or a quiz, I start looking over my notes each day for a little bit,” sophomore Glory Dan-Dukor- currently ranked tenth, said. “If I need to know names of important people or the definition of words I make flashcards to study with.”

It pays to plan ahead and set good goals throughout life, regardless of whether students has planned what they want to do in life. They may not know what the future lies, but planning lays out a good foundation for their lives.

“I don’t have a long term life goal, so I just try to make sure that when I do make one, I’ll be able to reach it easily,” sophomore class valedictorian Carrigan Hudgins said. “I just try working hard now so that my life might be easier in the future.”