Top 10 Things Students Grades 9-12 Should Stop Doing

List Editor: Edita Becirovic '26

High school is a time for growth and preparing for the future, but often students fall into habits that hold them back instead of helping them succeed. It’s easy to develop behaviors that seem harmless but actually hurt grades and the way teachers and administrators might look at them in the long run. This is why I am looking forward to giving an honest look at the top 10 things students in grades nine through 12 should stop doing in order to stay focused in school.

1. Stop walking around the hallways with phones
The number one rule in every school around the United States is that no phones are to be used during school hours. Use of a phone can take away from learning and cause students to not pay attention to what is being taught. At WHS, there is a silver box where each student is assigned a number to put their phone in so they cannot get distracted during that hour of class. There are cameras all over the school, so if you start walking around with your phone while in a class that is not a study hall, you can be reported by security and get in trouble with the admin. — Edita Becirovic ’26 


2. Not making a SmartPass
You are required to create a SmartPass so teachers know where you are in case of an emergency. If they have no idea where you are because you left without asking and did not make a pass—which only takes a couple of clicks—the entire school would start looking for you, and you could get in deep trouble. — Edita Becirovic ’26 


3. Making risky decisions
Listen, I get it; high school and your teenage years are the time to make mistakes. There is no greater teacher than a hard truth, than messing up and learning how to make things right. Experience can teach you things even the best teachers could never muster, but you do not want to mess up your future with decisions made in your high school years. Have fun, but think before speaking, posting, or acting. — Mr. Martin 


4. Being afraid to ask teachers for help
It’s important to always ask for help on anything you might need; your peers and teachers are here to help you pass the class. If you don’t ask, you will never know what to do. Your teachers aren’t evil; at the end of the day, they are just like you. It’s okay to feel shy, but it isn’t okay to ignore your needs! — Elijona Avdimetaj ’26 


5. Avoiding your schoolwork
Doing your schoolwork keeps you ahead of the game! Your teachers always pour lots of effort into making these lessons, and it's important to respect how much they’re willing to do for you. Do your work on time and be engaged. The more active you are, the more free time you’ll have. — Elijona Avdimetaj ’26 


6. Skipping class
Stop skipping class! The WHS admin has become stricter with attendance. This isn't because they hate you, but so you can get the knowledge you need. They have a new strategy for students with unexcused absences: a red paper for teachers to sign if it was a mistake. If it’s not excused within the next day, students get detention. Once again, they didn’t do this for fun; they did it because students were taking advantage of leaving whenever they felt like it instead of learning. — Edita Becirovic ’26 

7. Talking over the teacher
Talking over teachers is disrespectful, disruptive, and annoying. It is disrespectful because they took time to make a lesson for you. It’s also disruptive to the kids who are actually trying to listen. Half of the disruptions that occur are off-topic comments that a normal person does not find funny. There is no need to talk over teachers; the only exception is if it’s a 20-minute boring rant and not a lesson plan. — Ava Ramsey ’26 

8. Smoking in the school bathrooms
Smoking in the bathrooms is a recurring issue that is not appropriate for school grounds. There is plenty of time after school to smoke if need be. Smoking is bad for you in general, but the least you could do is keep the secondhand smoke away from nonsmokers; it can seriously damage people who don’t consent to inhaling it. — Olivia ’26 

9. Cussing
Cussing isn’t nice; it can be hurtful. While an extra word or two can be helpful for expressing how you feel, be mindful of who is around you. Use these words privately instead of out loud in a public area. Some people find it disrespectful, especially older generations. Keep the mean words to yourself and find new ones to use instead. — Elijona Avdimetaj ’26 


10. Being late to class
Nothing makes teachers more frustrated than when students are late for no reason. You’re telling me I have to reopen PowerSchool, change your attendance, and catch you up on what you missed just because you took forever to get to class? No, your bag at your desk doesn’t mean you are here, and no, you can’t go to the bathroom. — Bogdan DiCicco '26