Though many students may prefer a certain type of kindness or love language, we all deserve a healthy and safe mental environment. Most students appreciate random acts of kindness such as compliments or greetings in the halls. Others appreciate gifts or affection. Though it is important to work hard, being productive can also mean taking care of yourself and resting as this helps us to recharge for our next task. School environments can be socially, mentally, and physically draining with constant projects, assignments, and events popping up. Let’s see how some students and staff manage stress while maintaining their positivity with school, and ways they would improve campus morale.

School counselor, Ms. Sharma, suggests self-care such as meditation, music, or reading to improve positive mindsets. Freshman, Ashley Favela, feels that the campus is “pretty positive.” She has not heard any negative talk so far. Favela thinks that positivity is higher off campus because “no one is complaining about homework.” She thinks school impacts both negatively and positively because you have more opportunities to socialize and leave your house, but it can also be stressful because of classes and assignments. Favela appreciates “unnecessary favors” such as when teachers go out of their way to help. Favela says, “Music does affect my mood. I like anything that’s trending or rap and R&B.” She says that her music makes her excited and able to focus more. Favela usually thinks positive about herself, she says “If I feel bad about myself, then that’s all I think about for the rest of the day.”

Kaliyah Byrd, freshman, basketball player, and FFA member, also has a few ways she improves her mood. She likes to listen to rap music because it makes her happier. Byrd said, “I feel like the campus is a little more positive because some kids are really nice and once they say something to you your day goes great,” but she also feels that off campus is a lower chance of positivity being spread. She thinks that there are already many existing ways of positivity on campus because of the variety of opportunities, but things such as complimenting someone on our way to class or even a simple “hello” can make someone’s day. Byrd believes that being at school can have different outcomes on emotional effects. Students could be happy because they are able to see their friends but have a negative emotion because they don’t want to do homework. Being at school can remind you of the feeling of work because that is the focus when we attend. A few random acts of kindness that Byrd appreciates are a compliment or a greeting from a fellow student.

Liam Acelar, freshman, volleyball player, and member of AVID and AVID club, thinks that the campus could be better positivity wise, but occasionally hears compliments “here and there.” He thinks that there are few ways to improve the current positivity, but it is truly up to the students and how they treat others and themselves. Acelar feels that being on campus can already make him feel stressed because he would need to “have a filter”, but off campus he can truly relax and be himself. He feels that school can weigh on people who care about doing well but have no effect on students who “aren’t determined to further their academic abilities.” Acelar appreciates random compliments as he feels that you may not know how others’ days are going and a little kindness could go a long way. Acelar tends to match his music based on his emotions to “romanticize” his school day. He likes R&B and Jazz because it makes him feel content when surrounded with a crowded environment. Acelar says he tries to think positive about himself, but other times he feels that he is just “getting into his head”.

Positivity is an important quality to have, especially in high school. As students get older, the realities of the outside world and the struggles of providing can start to weigh heavily. Ever since the quarantine during the COVID19 pandemic, it has been hard to socialize. Even talking to a close friend can only be stripped from awkwardness over text. The basics of providing is a higher standard with everything changing within these few years. No one has experienced anyone else’s day, so why not help make it better whether it was the best day of their life or the worst. Remember to stay positive West High!