How To Make the Most out of Your School Year

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Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, making the most out of your school year is important to everyone. Don’t let the next several months pass you by, here are 5 tips to ensure a fulfilling year ahead!

1. Join a club: Becoming a member of a group or organization that you have a strong interest in is a great stepping stone for the future. Being part of something where each student shares a common interest, goal or purpose promotes teamwork and can prepare you for the workforce; most specifically a career. 

2. Participate in Athletics: According to Sue Castle, Executive Producer of PBS Sports: Get in the Game, "The evidence supporting sports participation for young people is overwhelming...It has the power to combat everything from racism to low self-image, to the high-school drop-out rate." Athletic programs in schools are such a positive outlet because they have the ability to promote teamwork, camaraderie and respect. 

3. Run for student body council: What better way to make the most out of your school year than to become the voice of your peers? Maybe you've had ideas for years about improving school lunch options or themes for school dances- by becoming a leader you'll have the platform to potentially see those changes. 

4. Explore the arts: Connect with your creative side by participating in activities such as drama, band or even dance. Performing arts programs not only serve as  great confidence boosters, but they also allow the growth of social skills by involvement within the group as well as with audiences. 

5. Become a member of the yearbook staff: This one's a no brainer. Having the privilege to work on your school's yearbook, is great way to document the school year. Examples could include covering events that you've always wanted to attend, or meeting/interviewing students that you haven't had the chance to meet before. 

And my last tip for all you students: Go out of your comfort zone, say hi to everyone, be friendly amongst your peers, talk to groups of students you don't normally talk to, meet potential new friends. But most of all, have fun!

7 Tips To Get Back into School Mode

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Attention Students: It’s almost time to immerse yourselves in the new school year. The familiar sounds of warning bells, lockers shutting, and students chattering in the halls will become your routine within the next couple of weeks. While I’m sure there are plenty of students dreading the return of homework, your return to campus doesn’t have to be as miserable. Just follow these 7 tips for getting back into school mode.

1. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night the week leading up to the first day of school.

2. Start your days with a routine that you would normally have if it were a school day.

3. If you don’t usually eat breakfast, try eating something small in the mornings. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day after all! It makes for good brain food and also energizes you for the day ahead.

4. Attempt to wind down from your summer. Maybe you have a friend you’ve been hanging out with every day or a group of friends has been going to the beach every week. By slowly cutting back on the daily and/or weekly socializing, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to ease back into the school year, without feeling like your whole summer ended abruptly.

5. If you’ve already registered for school- get a group of your friends together to discuss each other’s class schedules, goals for the year, etc. Talking about school is a good way to prepare you for the actual thing.

6. Go school supply shopping. Nothing says preparation like stocking up on notebook paper and pencils.

7. And one of the most fun ways to prepare yourself is to plan a final trip/event of the summer with your family or friends. Whatever you plan can be the big send off for the coming school year.

Hopefully by now your summer has been awesome, and with enough planning and preparation, your school year will be even better. Good luck!

Back-To-School Shopping Essentials

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As July comes to a close, summer’s end is drawing near. Which can only mean one thing…. school is almost here. Next month, August, is probably the best time to start your back-to-school shopping. Growing up, I always had mixed feelings about this time of year. I loved the fact that I was getting new things, but I also dreaded the fact that it meant I’d be going back to school. Which I can safely assume is still the mentality of most kids.

Whether back-to-school shopping is painful for you, or you have brothers and sisters that also need mom and dad’s help, I’ve compiled a list of back-to-school shopping essentials. All the items you’ll most likely need to get you through at least half the year, if not the entire year (I’m sure your parents are hoping for the latter), and the best places to shop for these essentials.

I must mention however, that there are students who attend schools that require uniforms. For these students school uniform shops might be their best bet. All of their shopping could virtually be done in one stop! I personally think that uniforms are a great idea. They not only save time getting ready in the morning; you don’t even have to think about what you’re going to wear, but they also aid in reducing harassment at school- since every student is required to wear the same thing.

For all other students here’s what a typical shopping list might look like:

Essentials

Jeans

Shirts

Shoes

Jacket

Gym Clothes (if a uniform is not required)

Formal Clothes (skirt, dress, slacks, tie, collared shirt)

Backpack

*I could also suggest khakis, because they’re always nice to have on hand. As for the formal clothes- at least one outfit should be considered. Depending on your school, these particular clothing items could be used for such things like an assembly or awards ceremony. 

Places To Shop

Department Stores (Clothing items)

Bargain/Discount Stores (T.J. Maxx, Ross, etc. Lots of good deals can be found here)

Sporting Good Stores (gym apparel, shoes)

School Uniform Stores (if uniforms are required)

Your favorite store (this one’s a no brainer)

Easy enough, right? What are some of your back-to-school essentials and favorite places to shop?