Ask Mogy Column (6.1)

Dear Mogy, I’m going to my first out-of-town Shabbaton this year. How do I write a meaningful Shabbatogram? 

Dear First-Time-Shabbatoner,

Congrats! You finally made it to one of the best parts of DJDS: the out-of-town Shabbaton! Your first Shabbaton is something you’ll remember for a lifetime. But you may be asking yourself: How do I make sure my friends remember me? How do I write a Shabbat-o-gram? Trust me, you’ve asked the right person! I’ve been writing Shabbat-o-grams since I was a cub! Here’s the rundown: there are basically three unofficial types of Shabbat-o-grams you can write: 

1. The short and sweet: “Hope to get to know you better in the future.” This one’s good when you want to become better friends with someone, but don’t have many experiences to write about. 

2. The normal-sized (1–2 quadrants): This is the sweet spot for most. Focus on genuine things you appreciate about the person, whether that’s a kind word, nice memories, or something they’ve taught you. 

3. The “pour your heart out”: This one can span the front two quadrants and the whole page on the inside once you unfold it. Save these for the people you really care about: a best friend, a graduating senior, or your favorite teacher. These aren’t easy to write, especially if you have a good amount, but they’re the most fulfilling. Don’t be afraid to get emotional, write your favorite memories, and express everything they’ve given to you. And most importantly, don’t feel pressured to write every Shabbat-o-gram this long. 

Everyone’s experience is different, so do what feels right. Just keep in mind: these are meant to be meaningful (or sometimes even silly) letters that matter to someone. We hope that helps! 

And, of course, the student council—for which Mogy is the real president—is always happy to help. 

XOXO,

Mogy

Dear Mogy, How do I get the upperclassmen to like me?? 

Dear Nervous Underclassman, 

First things first: take a deep breath. Upperclassmen are not as scary as they seem; promise. The secret is simple: be yourself and don’t try too hard. Ask them questions, show interest in what they care about, and, most importantly, be genuine. People can always tell when someone is forcing it. Confidence goes a long way, and so does kindness. And remember, every upperclassman was once in your shoes, wondering the exact same thing. Give it time, and it’ll happen naturally. And just remember, don’t ever change for someone other than yourself. 

XOXO,

Mogy

Dear Mogy, I always feel awkward at social events. How do I not freeze up? 

Dear Soon-To-Be Confident Friend, 

You’re not alone. Awkwardness is basically a universal experience. The trick is not trying to be “not awkward,” but instead focusing on small wins. Set one goal: talk to one new person, ask one question, or even just stay a little longer than usual. You don’t need to say anything groundbreaking; people appreciate being listened to far more than being impressed. And if you do have an awkward moment? Congratulations, you’re officially human. Most people won’t even remember it. 

XOXO,

Mogy

Dear Mogy, Should I take AP Physics? It seems too hard for me. 

Dear Hesitant AP Student, 

Ahh… this is a tale I hear far too often. But do not fear! Mogy, too, once wanted to take AP Physics. Challenge is good, but know your limits. Ask the teacher about the workload, talk to friends who’ve taken it, and be honest with yourself. Trust me, Ms. Knowles is more than happy to be honest with you. If it excites you more than it scares you, go for it, but have a plan to stay sane!

XOXO,

Mogy