By Bonnie Bonnie to Bonnie Advice Column: The column's topic of the month is none other than the term Gen Z uses to describe keeping their favorite underground artists and bands as their little secret. You guessed it, gatekeeping. While gatekeeping has been present for some time, a rise in streaming independent artists due to clout from social media platforms has led to a need for "protecting" these artists from super-stardom at all costs. So, why do people-teenagers making up a majority do this, and should you refrain?
Firstly, finding a hidden gem that has been dug up and locked away only for you and a minimal amount of other people to see may make you feel as though you have won a prize. A unique "superiority complex" comes with possessing something that no one else has gotten their hands on yet and wanting it to stay that way. We can proudly say that "I listened to them before they were cool" when and if the artist reaches the mainstream media. Gatekeeping is a method of prevention, and if your little secret gets out, others' opinions on the music will alter your perception of what you once thought to be a one-of-a-kind melody, which has turned into an overplayed pop song. However, possession is not the only reason gatekeeping is present. Music is ever-changing, and once a billion-dollar record label gets its hands on a growing independent artist, their music is sure to be altered, thus creating a new image for the artist that completely changes your perception of them. No longer are they the genuine, authentic, everyday people that you once idolized. You were once one of 2,000 followers, which has now skyrocketed to millions. They start to become a stranger, an old friend. Record labels water down independent artists, taking their originality and producing the generic music we hear on the radio today. Now, I'm not saying that every single song produced by mainstream record labels is overplayed and generic. What I mean is that your favorite mainstream artists more than likely sounded way different before a major record label signed them. So, is gatekeeping okay, and should you be doing it? Well, there's no direct answer. We shouldn't be barring others from listening to the music you love and preventing them from reaching the super-stardom that they deserve, but do we risk the chance of overexposure, which may lead to a change in the sound and presentation of the artist, thus taking away their originality that they initially exhibited? We must dive deeper into these questions because when stated casually, gatekeeping is seen as toxic, but people have their reasons. What do you think? We sent out a poll to the Fontbonne student body, and most students said that gate-keeping was okay, depending on the circumstance. This group made up 60% of the people who took the survey. While gatekeeping has its benefits, it also has its faults, but it depends on how you look at the situation and the artist's popularity. So, gate-keep, girl boss, if you believe that doing so would protect the artist's reputation, but allow some room to grow because you know they are talented and deserving enough.
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Hey everyone! Bonnie to Bonnie will be available for all students very soon. This will be a space for anyone to anonymously write about their experiences in Fontbonne and request advice or suggestions. A fellow Bonnie will respond to you promptly and will be there to guide you, and help you work through the problems you might be facing.
We understand that a new school year, extracurriculars, and social situations can become overwhelming. Our goal is to give you a little boost of inspiration with advice from a student just like you. Whether it be managing studying for multiple tests on one day, balancing school work with extracurriculars/sports after school, or working through a hurting friendship we’ve got your back! Best, Bonnie By Bonnie Hi Everyone,
This is the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Before every issue, The Folio will share a Google Form asking if any of the students need any advice on a situation they may be in. Here, I will be addressing the issues, situations, and rants, and respond to them. - Bonnie! This Bonnie to Bonnie issue is a bit different than the other ones. Rather than answering questions or providing advice on something someone specifically requested, I will be revealing who I am and giving some advice that I think is helpful to all FH Bonnies. Since my junior year of high school, I’ve been Bonnie in the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Bonnie to Bonnie has been a fun and interesting experience. I’ve been able to look at what the students have to say, and most importantly, I’ve been able to help them and give them advice. My name is Leslie Alhakim, and I am now a senior. For my final Bonnie to Bonnie advice column, I want to provide this advice to my fellow Bonnies. My advice for the Freshwomen is to go out and make the most out of your high school experience. Time really does fly by and before you know it, you’ll be a senior like me. My advice for the sophomores is to work hard and continue to grind. Your sophomore and junior year matter a lot to colleges, so keep working hard! Finally, my advice for the juniors is to be good seniors. College admission time is really stressful, but it is important that you all are leaders for the other students. People will look up to you and ask you for advice, so be there for them. And that’s a wrap. Thank you! Bonnie’s Fun Fact of the Issue: “A group of bunnies is called a ‘fluffle’” Hi Everyone,
This is the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Before every issue, The Folio will share a Google Form asking if any of the students need any advice on a situation they may be in. Here, I will be addressing the issues, situations, and rants and responding to them. - Bonnie! How are we able to bring our grades up higher? Hi! Thanks for reaching out! Grades can definitely be a significant stress factor in school. If you do want to bring up your grades, you can always reach out to a teacher. Try to explain to them a few reasons why your grades are low and ask for extra credit. Teachers in the school want you to succeed and have good grades, so they wouldn’t mind assigning you extra credit. If you do want the extra credit assignment to count for a certain quarter, make sure you ask the teacher ahead of time. The end of the quarter can be chaotic, and many teachers don’t have time to assign something to help boost your average. You can also ask for extra help. Although extra credit is great, the only way to consistently keep your grades up is to know the material. You can email a teacher asking them for their resource schedule and when they would be available to tutor you. Many teachers would be open to helping you understand the material better. All you have to do is ask! Finally, let’s say tests are extremely hard for you. You can always get your grade up through homework and participation. They are a big part of your overall grade and can definitely help! Try participating more in class and completing assignments on time. That should help you out :) I would like to know how to get back up in such a low situation. Hey! Thank you for reaching out. I’m sorry you’re not doing well at the moment, but I’m glad you’re reaching out. Noticing that you’re in a low situation and reaching out for help is the first step! The only advice I can really give you is directing you where to find help. Only you know what situation you’re in and how severe it is. You should definitely consider reaching out to an adult you trust. It doesn’t have to be your parents because I know that isn’t always the best option for people, but maybe try reaching out to the guidance counselors at our school, maybe a teacher you’re close with, the parent of a friend, an older sibling, an older friend, or just someone in general who may be able to help you and offer more professional advice. Second, I think it’s always good to look for professional help. Try looking into therapy. Talking to a therapist doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, it just means that you want to talk to someone who may be able to help you even further. There are a lot of helpful websites online to help you find an affordable therapist. Even if you think therapy isn’t for you, it doesn't hurt to try! Just go in with an open mind, and I’m sure you’ll find it helpful. Finally, some personal advice I can give you is to practice self-care and self love. I know being in a low situation is difficult, but it’s a lot easier when you are helping yourself. Try doing more things that you love that make you happy. This could be listening to music, watching your favorite show, or even cooking. Try practicing some self-care: try your best to get decent sleep, try working out or just moving around more, practice meditation, and take care of yourself. I know this all sounds random, but it is really helpful because sometimes we can’t fix the problem around us, but we can make sure everything is good on the inside. And really try to love yourself. Try to appreciate yourself, everything you do, and how unique you are. This is definitely a difficult journey and you’ll constantly have to work on it, but I believe in you! You should be proud of yourself for reaching out to us, keep on working! I hope this helped :) Hello! I’m a freshwoman this year and I’m kind of struggling to make friends. I’ve talked to some people and everyone seems really nice. But, they all already know each other and hang out a lot. My parents are much stricter and I’m never allowed to go out so it’s tough to make friends. I also tend to be a people pleaser so it’s hard. What should I do? Hi! Thank you for reaching out! I think many people can relate to this, so don’t think you’re alone. I know school can be difficult when everyone already knows each other, but there are a few things you can do. Try joining several clubs that you find interesting and talk with the girls in the club. Don’t be shy, everyone is really friendly! This is how to start, now time to actually form deeper connections. Try getting people’s contact numbers or social media. Reach out to them and try having a conversation. Maybe even plan a day to hang out (or a virtual hang out). I know it’s hard to get to know someone when everyone already knows them, but just try to integrate into conversations. When you don’t know something, then ask! I remember when I first started at FH I struggled because girls would talk about people I don’t know, so I would ask them for more background info. There’s nothing wrong with this! It’s how you become informed. Remember, just reaching out to one person will help you form so many other relationships. Another great time to socialize is during group projects. Ask girls you would like to get closer with to be in their group. This is a great way to socialize! And I’m sorry your parents are on the more strict end. I completely understand this. Maybe try talking with them about this, and if they aren’t open to conversation, then just work around their restrictions. Can’t go out? Have friends come over your place! Can’t have that? Have a virtual movie night or FaceTime calls! I know there’s plenty of ways to work around this. I really hope this helped a bit. I don’t know who this is and I can’t reveal who I am, but if you email Mr. Somma asking him that you would like to know who I am, he can tell you and I can be your friend! You can also join the Folio because everyone’s really friendly. If you’re already in the Folio, just try reaching out to us. I’m sure you got this :) Bonnie’s Fun Fact of the Issue: “Sea otters hold hands while sleeping so that they won’t drift away!” Hi Everyone,
This is the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Before every issue, The Folio will share a Google Form asking if any of the students need any advice on a situation they may be in. Here, I will be addressing the issues, situations, and rants and responding to them. - Bonnie! Hi, I'm a new student this year at Fontbonne. Most of my lunch periods I don’t have with friends. I'm really scared to sit with anyone else or the older girls because they all already have friends to sit with or are doing work. What should I do? Hi! Thanks for reaching out to our advice column. Regardless of what year you’re in, everyone here at Fontbonne is super nice! Trust me, no one is going to get mad if you ask to sit with them. I think you should definitely be brave and reach out to a table. Walk up to the girls and say hey! I’m POSITIVE you’ll make new friends :) I’m sorry you don’t have lunch with any of your current friends, but just see this as a possibility to meet new friends! Many girls have to go through this throughout their four years in FH. You’re not the only one, so really just ask to sit with someone. You got this! What are some helpful tips to deal with the block periods on fully remote days? Hi! Thanks for reaching out. That’s such a great question that I feel many of us have. It’s so difficult to just sit behind a screen for so long. It’s easy to get tired, lose focus, and even zone out! Here are a few suggestions I have. Definitely get a few snacks! I find it so hard to stay focused when all I’m thinking about is food. Grab a few of your favorite snacks, maybe a few healthy ones as well, and you’re good to go! I would also recommend having a large cup of water with you. Maybe a hydroflask or something similar. It’s important to stay hydrated. I constantly find myself leaving class to get water, so having water handy is a great way to stay in place! Another helpful tip would be to have a “school space”. Try to claim a spot in your house (if you’re lucky enough to have your own room, you won’t have to worry about this). In this spot you should have a desk/ table, a chair, good lighting, an outlet, and a few school supplies. I have a desk in my room with all of my highlighters, pens, loose leaf sheets, notebooks, water bottle, snacks, and even a diffuser! I think it really does make a difference when you’re working in your bed verus on a nice, well-organized surface. Something I would definitely recommend is sitting outside or walking around your house/ apartment during breaks, resources, and lunch. Sitting down all day and then staring all day the computer screen is exhausting! Maybe even watch a few tiktoks to bring you into a great mood. I know these block periods can be exhausting, but you got this! If anything, you can always reach out to your teachers and tell them their structure isn’t working for you. Does your teacher lecture for the entire block period? Well then maybe suggest them to lecture half the period and work on practice questions during the other half. Trust me, teachers are super open to suggestions! I hope this helps :) What happens if someone needs extra help in a subject? Hey there! Thanks for reaching out. My suggestion would be to email the teacher and ask them when they have a resource. Teachers are always down to help their students! You can also ask for extra resources or practice questions. If you feel like you don’t understand because of the way the teacher explains it, then google it! There are so many internet resources to help you learn. You can check out Crash Course on YouTube (John Greene is a lifesaver) or Khan Academy. If it’s an AP class then just go to the College Board website. There are so many resources out there. Let’s say you still don’t get it. No worries! You can always reach out to another teacher from that same department. Most teachers are good in other subjects as well! So if you need help in Chemistry, you can ask the regular chemistry teacher, the honors chemistry teacher, the AP chemistry teacher, and even the biology teacher, the GATES teacher, the physics teacher. There are so many resources available here at FH and on the internet. I hope this helps :) Bonnie’s Fun Fact of the Issue: “Baby sloths are addicted to cuddling!” Hi Everyone,
This is the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Before every issue, The Folio will share a Google Form asking if any of the students need any advice on a situation they may be in. Here, I will be addressing the issues, situations, and rants and responding to them. - Bonnie Any ideas of what I should be doing my free time? That’s really up to you. You can catch up on assignments, watch Netflix, watch Hulu, watch Disney +, cook, facetime friends, nap, listen to music, play with your pet, and much more. Take advantage of your free time and maybe even learn something new you’ve always wanted to but never had time for. Don’t let boredom be the end of you! What should I do if I miss my friends? Give them a call! We all miss our friends since we can’t really see them because of COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean that your friendships are over - facetime and text them. You can even look at your old photos with them to remember the memories! Don’t let this virus put any limits on you. I miss that we are not physically at school. I miss being inside Fontbonne and I miss everyone. I like Google Meet because it is really helpful but sometimes it glitches. I think that as a student I can say that everyone misses Fontbonne. But don’t worry, we’re going to be back in school soon! For now, just use Google Meet the best you can and let’s just count down the quarantine days! Bonnie’s Fun Fact of the Issue: “Cows have best friends just like people!” Hi Everyone,
This is the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Before every issue, The Folio will share a Google Form asking if any of the students need any advice on a situation they may be in. Here, I will be addressing the issues, situations, and rants and responding to them. - Bonnie Why is this school so stressful? Sometimes school can be stressful, but hey take it easy! We just got back from a vacation and now have Sports Night season. After that it’s Easter Break and then we come back to school in May and exams in June. The school year is almost over so stay strong! How many APs is too many? What APs do you recommend a Junior and Senior to take? One AP class is already enough as it is. It’s very difficult to take several AP courses and expect to do extremely well in all of them. Personally, I suggest 2 AP courses max each school year but it depends on you. Think about how much free time you have and how much of it you’re willing to give up for school work. Also, don’t just take AP courses so that they look good for college, take them because you naturally enjoy the subject. In my opinion, I would recommend AP United States History because Ms. Connolly does a great job teaching the topic. AP Psychology is also a very fun and interesting class, but it all depends on what topics interest you the most. Just a suggestion: Can the cafeteria sell cookies without chocolate :) Bring it up to Paolo! He’s always open to suggestions and new ideas, and he would for sure consider and even attempt it. I think selling sugar cookies in the cafeteria or other options besides chocolate chip would be great and exciting. You should definitely have a talk with him during your lunch period :) Bonnie’s Fun Fact of the Issue: “There have been many studies that confirm that goats have accents just like us!” Hi Everyone,
This is the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Before every issue, The Folio will share a Google Form asking if any of the students need any advice on a situation they may be in. Here, I will be addressing the issues, situations, and rants and responding to them. - Bonnie Who is going to take over for Spanish? As mentioned before, “Bonnie” is an FHA student so in all honesty, I’m not sure. I know Ms. Brussi and Ms. S. are working their absolute hardest on finding applicants and a good teacher. So hold tight until we get any news! If we have a first free we should be able to come in by FA. Many girls have mentioned this issue where if we have a first period resource, we should be allowed to arrive at the beginning of FA. Many other high schools have this in their schedules. Honestly, if you feel strongly about it and know that other girls do too, I think you should definitely talk to Ms. S. and Ms. W.. They’re always opened to have conversations and maybe would consider it. Send an email and take one for the team sis :) Why did Ms. Jackson quit!!? She was the best teacher ever!!! Personally, I had very little interaction with her but I’ve heard that many of the freshwomen enjoyed her class. Maybe personal reasons? It was a very shocking and last-minute piece of news. #KeepingUpWithFHA I am a sophomore and I wanted to know if it was better to take AP Psych or Anatomy for my Junior Year. Hmm… Consider what other classes you are taking. Both of them are great classes that challenge you but AP psychology is an AP class that will require extra work and the AP test in May. If you’re taking a lot of APs already, I would recommend Anatomy so that you won’t be overwhelmed, but if next year is looking light for you then definitely go for it! My personal advice would be to go through the Course Selection pdf that Ms. W. shared via email and think about what classes you’re looking at for Junior and Senior year. Consider this; would AP psych fit my schedule best for next year or senior year? Also take into account which subject you enjoy more. I really need some boy advice. how do you know when a guy likes you and also what do you do to get him to like you? Also, how do you deal with feeling left out? Also how do you get over an ex boyfriend and start loving yourself more. and one more thing HOW DO YOU GET A PROM DATE!? Okay okay slow down. Let’s go one question at a time. First, if you’re questioning whether a guy is interested in you or not, then he probably isn’t (sorry). When someone likes you they’re going to show it to you. Sometimes you like a guy and start making scenarios super flexible where everything seems possible. Honestly, just look at things the way they are and period. Next, if you want a guy to like you there’s one secret I need to tell you and it’s this: do nothing. A guy is going to love and appreciate you for who YOU are. You shouldn’t have to go the extra mile for anyone honey and if you are, he isn’t worth it. Just be yourself because who wouldn’t want that :) Feeling left out? Well think of a few things first. First, why are you feeling left out and by who? If your “friends” are making you feel this way then are they really your friends? “If your absence doesn’t bother them, your presence never bothered them.” Always, ALWAYS know your worth and when you aren’t being appreciated. Try talking to them with how you feel, but if they don’t understand it then girl, you need to love yourself and realize you deserve better than that. Next, getting over an ex is really hard and I’m sorry you’re going through that right now. My suggestion would be to once again, REALIZE YOUR WORTH!! He’s your ex for a reason and don’t forget that. Remember, you don’t miss him, just the emotions so move on sis. Next, in order to love yourself more you need to make yourself into the person you want to be. You want to be more stylish? Do it! You want better grades? Do it! You want to be a more social person? DO IT! Only one person can change your outlook on yourself and that’s you! Finally, how to find a prom date. Listen, prom isn’t about having a date and dancing with a guy during a slow dance like those cliche movies make them. It’s a night about you and your friends and your memories. Take a guy you’re close with, or a guy who you can have a fun time at prom with even if he’s just your friend. Not everyone has a “date date” to prom so don’t stress about it! If anything take a close friends and laugh about it 20 years later when you’re looking back :) I am a sophomore going into junior year. I am trying to decide on what I want to do in the future. I either want to be a doctor or a criminal psychologist. I know two completely different things. I would like to know if AP Psychology and Anatomy are good courses to take for my interests. I have never taken an AP class and I am worried that the workload will be a lot since I am already drowning in regular classes. Also I would also like you girls to address the new schedule because many students do not agree and are very bothered by it. Personally I think it will be a great idea and we will have less work since the classes are longer. Thank you!! Hey there! I think you should read the advice I gave earlier in this issue about these same classes. Look at how your junior and senior are looking (busy or pretty light) and make a decision from there. Now about AP classes, they aren’t awful. A lot of girls are terrified of failing and here’s my advice on them (and trust me because I take them too); just do it. It’s a challenging class and it’ll require more work but a lot of the AP teachers at our school are really good and will help you thrive. Okay so maybe your grade in that class won’t be a high 90 the first or second quarter (maybe even the whole year for some girls), but it looks really good on a college transcript that you tried! AP Psych is also a great class and I think a great place to start your AP career. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself because trust me, you’re more capable than you could ever imagine :) I find it hard to deal with stress when I have a lot of tests in one week. This week especially, I have had 6 tests and was stressed out everyday, so much so that I felt sick. On Sunday I planned out my week and when I was studying for what. Then, I got all messed up with tests one days notice. This was extremely stressful because I had no time to study. I’m sorry to hear that. I know the end of the quarter is always a rough time filled with testing and quizzes and well stress. It’s a difficult time but at least you’re trying your best by planning. If you believe that teachers are being unreasonable with too much chaos going on at once, I think you should see guidance or Ms. S. Talking to an adult about it really helps, especially when they can make the change many of the girls at this school need. Take it easy! Bonnie’s Fun Fact of the Issue: “The voices of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are married in real life.” Hi Everyone,
This is the Bonnie to Bonnie advice column. Before every issue, The Folio will share a Google Form asking if any of the students need any advice on a situation they may be in. Here, I will be addressing the issues, situations, and rants and responding to them. - Bonnie Why aren’t we allowed to use our phones during lunch? This has been an issue brought up by many students. FHA believes that students need to interact throughout the day, however, many students believe that allowing students to go on their cellphones for part of the day will make them less likely to use them during class. It’s an issue that’s been talked about but I don’t think will change. How to balance a social life and school life. Balancing good academics and a social life may be difficult between many people, but it’s just a matter of time management! Although school life is important, tests, quizzes, and homework aren’t everything. It’s OK to have some “you time” and to go out and have fun! Many girls worry about going out with their friends because they won’t get their work done. You need to balance and work out a schedule. When will you be doing homework? When will you be going out? And you can’t do too much of either because it’ll ruin the balance. For example, if all you do is focus on school, you’ll get stressed and feel alone. On the other hand, if all you do is go out, then your grades won’t look so great. It’s all just a matter of organization and learning how to take a break. How to maintain high grades while being able to have fun. Don’t worry, you're definitely not alone on this one! First, you’re given a planner for a reason. USE IT! Write everything you need to get done and organize your ideas. Next, don’t look at everything all at once because that will stress you out. Try separating things and working on them little by little. It’s way easier to work on smaller tasks than to be complaining about all the bigger ones. Start projects ahead of time, take great notes so that you won’t always need to create a study guide for a test the night before, use resources for work, and balance out everything. It’s OK to go out after school and to have fun, but make sure to look at your classes. Personally, what I do is this: I do the homework from important and harder classes such as APs and assignments due at 12am on classroom when I get home from school. Smaller assignments that take less time for me I do during lunch or a resource. This gives me time to get my work done AND go out with friends. Also, don’t be afraid to split up assignments with a friend! I hope this helped a bit. Bonnie’s Fun Fact of the Issue: “Even if they've never been able to witness it themselves, blind people smile when they are happy. Smiling is a basic human instinct.” By Stephanie Patella '20 Bonnie to Bonnie is an advice column designed to discuss issues that students would like to open up about. Students have the opportunity to submit suggestions for articles in which one of our Folio writers will publish helpful tips and advice to help with any problem that is presented. Students may choose to remain anonymous when submitting their question. We, as students, all share common ground in that we are all part of the Fontbonne community. As a sisterhood, we are all here to assist each other in finding a solution or offering coping suggestions. If you would like to pose a question or submit a topic, please feel free to email us anytime at: [email protected]
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