Hello DV students – thank you for submitting to the Wildcat Tribune’s advice column! We’ve tried our best to answer your questions for this week.

Disclaimer: The advice of the Wildcat Tribune Advice Column is provided by students, for students. While we have your best interests in mind, and we will try our best to help you, we are not expert sources for more serious topics. Our advice is intended to support you and help guide your decisions, but you are in no ways obligated to take it. Please email the Tribune if you feel the need to reach out for any kind of help or follow up for any inquiries.

Want to ask some anonymous questions and get advice? Our form opens every Monday and closes on Friday at 11:59 pm. Responses are always posted on Sundays on this website. Week 16’s responses will be available on Sunday, February 24.

Week 16 form: https://goo.gl/forms/rxr8bcSU2TKFZ5En1

Q: Is it worth taking summer advancement classes?

– DV student

A: Hi DV student!

I can tell you that this is a good question, as I have asked this question myself. First, you want to consider factors such as your grade. A freshman might not need to skip classes over summer as much as a sophomore, but this leads into my next point. What subject do you want to advance in and why? If you want to advance in math so you can get ahead or spend time on other classes, go for it. Don’t advance just because your friends are doing it and you want to do it with them, it is your name going on your transcript with whatever grade you get in the summer class, not your friend’s. Next, consider your family’s financial situation. Are you willing to splurge $1000 on a class at Quarry Lane, or spend a smaller amount to take it on BYU (my favorite). Or what about DVC? Think about these factors and communicate with your counselor to find what is right for you. 🙂

You should also keep in mind the amount of work you want to do over the summer. Are you willing to put in the time and effort during your summer break? Do you think you can complete your course before the deadline? Remember that you have to retake the course if you don’t. Another thing to keep in mind is how much you’d take away from the course. Are you actually learning anything from the course? If not, this can have repercussions when you go on and take harder classes that build off the concepts that you’re advancing in. If you think you can complete the course and learn from it, then it’s definitely worth it to spend a few extra bucks and your summer to advance.

Good Luck!

– Daniela & Caroline

Q: How well should you know someone before asking them to Prom or a school dance? 

– yuh

A: You’d have to know them really well to ask them the traditional way (posters, flowers, etc). I mean it’d be really awkward if you didn’t know them well but asked them anyway. I’d suggest urging them to go to prom and then hang out with them there instead of just asking them. If you are hellbent on asking them to prom, I’d recommend getting really close to them ASAP and then ask them to prom.

– Harshita!

Q: If I go to Decker’s classroom, will I find Mint m&ms? 

– Sweet Sister

A:

Maybe. But if you don’t, just lather some Colgate on your regular M&Ms. And voila! You won’t be able to tell the difference.

– Sarah Kim

Q: I have been trying to tell my friends that I am actually not a male and biologically female, but they just won’t listen and keep taking it as a joke. How do I get them to take me seriously? 

– Monsieur Lune

A: Hey Monsieur Lune,

You should consider why they keep taking it as a joke. If they’re doing it just to annoy you, then you should start looking for friends who will respect you. However, if they’re doing it because they think you’re joking too, then you need to tell them how it makes you feel. I know it’s cheesy to turn to the “I”-messages they made us do back in elementary school, but it works. Tell your friends that it’s starting to bother you and that you want them to stop. It’s not cool and they shouldn’t treat you that way. People tend to back off if they sense hurt in your voice/attitude.

Hope this helps,

Caroline