Do you know who runs the school? Have you ever spoken to them? As a senior who is about to graduate, I wanted to do a piece on some important staff members in our school: our head principal, Mrs. Crockett, and our assistant principal, Mr. Roberson. It is important to know the people around us. It’s how we make connections, it’s how we trust, and most importantly, it’s how we grow. I wanted to leave a few last words for the seniors from Mrs. Crockett and Mr. Roberson. Not only is this for seniors, but it’s also for our juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, so they can use this piece to connect with the staff and build connections.
Mrs. Crockett,
If you do not know Mrs. Crockett, she is the head principal here at Belleville High School. As a graduating senior, I wanted to get a few last words of advice and tips from the staff. As for underclassmen, maybe these spotlights of the BHS staff can help you connect with them better.
Mrs. Crockett attended Eastern Michigan University, where she studied Computer Science and Mathematics. She was involved in computer programming before becoming the principal at BHS. I wanted to ask our staff important questions that we seniors could be wondering, but are too scared to ask. My first question was asking if she had any advice for dorm living or dealing with roommates. Her response was quite insightful, and I find it very important. She explained how important it is to have conversations with that person. Communication is so important in such a small space. Mrs. Crockett even gave a few examples that you could ask your future roommates, like figuring how what your guys dislikes and likes are, what are some pet peeves, things you have in common, and even what you expect your life to look like while sharing a room with someone else. Another important detail she added was asking what their room was like at home. Did they share a room with someone else, or did they have their own room? All of these are extremely important questions to ask your future roommates. Mrs. Crockett also explained how important it is to be considerate of your roommates, too. It is just as important to listen to other people’s needs as it is for you to express your own.
College is a higher level of education after high school. I thought it would be important to ask Mrs. Crockett if she has any good study tips. She said, “STUDY.” You have to commit and do it. She explained that you have to know yourself. If you study in bed, are you going to fall asleep? Know how your body reacts to things. She recommended the library, common area, dining hall, etc. Mrs. Crockett’s biggest recommendation when it comes to studying was to go to your professor’s office hours. When you make a connection and relationship with your professors, they are more likely to understand you and your work. If you don’t need to go to office hours, at least check in with your professors and have a conversation with them. This goes along with another question I asked Mrs. Crockett. I asked her if she recommends students to join clubs and groups in their freshman year of college. She said absolutely. Join clubs that align with your purpose. Mrs. Crockett explained that it can never hurt to join social groups. It builds connections and relationships. By joining clubs that fit your interests and your purpose, you can find like-minded people with similar goals and interests to you.
My last question to Mrs. Crockett was if she had any more advice for the class of 2025 and if she had any last words. Her answer is something I love. Be comfortable with being alone was some advice that Mrs. Crockett left for us seniors. That will never be more true than during your freshman year of college, especially if you are moving away and haven’t made friends yet. Don’t be afraid to reflect on yourself and your actions. If you are migrating away from your purpose and goals, take a step back and put yourself back on the right path. Mrs. Crockett even recommends journaling to reflect on yourself. Be intentional with the things you do in college, she said. Her last words were, “I will always believe in you all.” She will have your back. Mrs. Crockett’s door is open if you ever need to talk.
I wanted to know a few of the staff’s favorite dorm/living alone meal, and Mrs. Crockett loved the corn at her college. She would take seasoned salt and snack on that with corn. She said Ramen is also a classic.
Thank you, Mrs. Crockett, for your advice to the class of ‘25.
Mr. Roberson,
Mr. Roberson is an assistant principal here at Belleville High School. I have worked with him as a part of the Leadership Team here at Belleville for the last few years, so I thought he would be perfect to ask about advice for graduating seniors, as he works with a lot of students here at BHS. Mr. Roberson attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is where he majored in education. I asked Mr. Roberson very similar questions to get a better understanding and different opinions on how we, as seniors, can be the best prepared we can.
Mr. Roberson lived in a dorm while he attended Southern University. I asked if he had any advice for living in a dorm. His advice was to be considerate of your space. Realize you are not living alone and recognize there are others around you. He also explained that you should reach out to your roommates, talk to them about your interests, and things you enjoy. Another key detail Mr. Roberson added was that you will depend on your roommate at some point during the year. Therefore, be considerate of each other and their requests.
An important question I asked Mr. Roberson was if there was anything he could have changed about his transition from high school to college. He said, freshman year is extremely important to care about grades. For his personal experience, he said that even though he wishes he had taken his freshman year more seriously, when it came to grades. While we are talking about grades, I asked Mr. Roberson if he had any good study tips that graduating seniors could use in college or even for underclassmen. Mr. Roberson had some great insight when it comes to studying. He recommends studying in chunks. Don’t push yourself to do it all at once. You need to set a schedule for yourself and do portions of it at a time. This makes studying less overwhelming, and it’s not as much work to do.
Mr. Roberson is head of the Leadership team here at Belleville High School. Please reach and email him if you are interested or have any questions about joining! As the head of this club, I thought it would be perfect to ask his opinion on whether seniors should join clubs in college. He said absolutely, whether it’s an extracurricular, sport, music, art, etc. Join all the clubs that interest you. It can make connections, friends, and you will be with like-minded peers.
To finish off this advice from our BHS staff, I asked Mr. Roberson if he had any last words of advice or last words for the class of 2025. He said to enjoy college. Take advantage of all the opportunities in front of you. Go to your school events, go watch a play, go watch a sports game, or even walk around campus. In college, you meet other students from all over the world. Kids from the East, West, Midwest, South, etc. He explained how time flies by so fast that you do not realize it until it’s over.
I asked Mr. Roberson what his favorite snack or dorm meal was. He said that during his college experience, he and his buddies would go to Taco Bell. He said it was super cheap and a good experience with friends.
Thank you for your advice, Mr. Roberson.
