WE BRING THE BUZZ.
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Dear Iris is a Middle School advice column. If you have something you need advice on, email Mrs. Litchfield. Your question will always remain anonymous and may be chosen to be highlighted in The Sting!
Dear Iris,
What time should I go to bed at night so I'm not tired at school? Normally, I go to bed anywhere between 10:00 pm and midnight.
Dear Hornet,
Talk about a common struggle! I think this is a question most students at AMS could've asked.
Depending on what time you are waking up, 10:00 pm could seem like a pretty reasonable time, however, if you're going to bed anywhere in between 10:00 PM and 12:00 AM, you're not being consistent with your sleep schedule. Due to you not having a stable nightly routine, your brain isn't able to develop an internal clock. So, before you start trying to go to sleep drastically earlier, maybe try going to bed around the same time every night. and waking up around the same time (as long as you're aiming for 8+ hours of sleep a night).
Also, try not looking at electronics for the last 30 minutes of being awake. Personally, I like to read before I go to bed! It calms me down and clears my mind for a good night sleep. It might sound silly since we read so much throughout the day, but when you get your hands on a good book, you'll really enjoy this routine!
Just Keep Buzzin'
Iris
Dear Iris,
I need to know if I should tell an adult at AMS a secret that I know about one of my friends. Since we are friends, I am not totally sure if I should tell someone.
Dear Hornet,
Before I begin, I am going to give a *trigger warning. Below I mention things that people may be sensitive to regarding mental and physical health.
First things first, Hornet- I'm so glad you asked this question, and what a tough question it is. Unfortunately a lot of us are faced with this problem; feeling as if we are betraying our friend's trust when we seek help regarding a secret, their behavior, or their decisions. However, that is rarely the case.
If the secret you have knowledge of is harmful in anyway (to themselves or others), then you absolutely should tell a trusted AMS staff member. Whenever there is a situation where you feel someone is in danger, you should seek help immediately. If your friend is struggling with something like an eating disorder, mental/physical health, or home/family problems, be there for them as much as you can. However, it's important to remember that you can only do and handle so much. Communicating your worries with an adult, like Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Verran, Mr. Hibbs, Mrs. Oetting, or any other trusted AMS staff member will help you and them.
Just Keep Buzzin'
Iris