I Survived: A School Guide for Freshmen

Since everyone is going back to school or have already started recently, I've decided to make a post dedicated to locking in and feeling your best, even in the worst place to exist. Here are some tips I try stand by for the  school year to keep my GPA and motivation up; And I hope these will encourage you to try them out as well! 

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1. ROMANTICIZE EVERYTHING;

Yes, it might feel like everyone says that every school year, but it works. 

When you wake up in the morning, give yourself an extra ten minutes to wake up, stretch, meditate/pray, and get yourself excited. Find an academic weapon to inspire you. Some people commonly use Rory Gilmore or Elle Woods. I use Twilight Sparkles because I most relate to her personality!

Create a rivalry in each class and overall. Choose one outstanding person in class and in school and make it your mission to death them. Or make a mutual rivalry with one of you academic friends. This makes school seem like a competition, a game. It makes it fun. Currently I'm competing with 2 of my friends and a guy on the football team who's really smart. But also make sure to remember that even if you get a lower or higher score, it doesn't make you lesser or greater than that person. Always make sure to be kind!  

Always be stacked up in supplies. Come prepared and ready to learn always. You won't have much excuse to not do anything when you have al the resources right there! However, I'm not asking you to but matching pencil cases and book bags with Japanese stationary, you do not need them. If it makes you feel productive then sure, but please don't let anyone influence you into consuming things that wont get more than one uses. You do not need a new bag every year if you have a perfectly working bag 

2. LOOK YOUR BEST, FEEL YOUR BEST;

Firstly, find a style. If you're scene, curate school appropriate staples that you can wear that is comfortable but still stylish! For me, my closet is filled with flared tights, flared jeans, long tank tops, cropped shirts(to go on top of the tanks), and belts and accessories. It's simple but when put together it's comfortable yet very chic! Every night, at least get an idea of what you're going to wear so you won't be scrambling in the morning! Even if you just got out of bed, you wont look it!

If you wear makeup, find a simple and easy makeup routine you can follow every day. If you know you won't be able to wear foundation, concealer, blush, and contour every day, limit it to just concealer, mascara, and lipgloss.It's simple and easy, and definitely won't take more than a couple of minutes each morning. 

Have a scent. Mines is coconut and shea butter! Use scented soaps, lotions, and deodorants(if you can) so people have a smell to remember you by. KEEP IT SIMPLE. having different scented products clash together and you just smell like product, on the other hand when everything smells the same, you embody the smell and people associate you with it! Find a cheap perfume/cologne that smells good and lasts a long time that you are willing to use every day. A couple sprits on your pulse points will keep it fresh, and have you smelling nice!

Hygiene is important guys! You don't understand how BAD people at my school smell. The halls stink and when someone walks past the wind is like green. Please shower. And if you don't have the supplies, dm me I'll send you some resources! Keep a vanity/emergency bag with you at all times. Stacked with perfume, lipstick, pads/tampons, pain relievers, hand sanitizer, wipes, mints, hair ties, emergency makeup, ect. Whatever you may need. Have it in your bag at all times!

Prioritize self care as well. High school is incredibly taxing, you can make it better by getting your 7-8 hours of sleep, staying hydrated, TAKING BREAKS, and remembering that grades do not define you. Find a comfort through all the mess. Pick up a hobby to unwind, or designate days for 'you time.' Always find balance! If you need, have a journal to write in and express your feelings if you feel overwhelmed. If it gets really bad, talk to a counselor and come up with ways to reduce the stress load. 

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3. ACADEMIC WEAPON;

Before you even get to school, familiarize yourself with the syllabus for each class so you understand what's expected of you. Once you get to school Lock. In. And don't procrastinate. Listen to the teacher every class and if you can't seem to focus, record the lesson or ask the teacher for the presentation of the day for extra study material at home. Keep everything organized and in one place, do not get rid of worksheets! You can use them for revision. 

Find a study method that works for you. there are plenty on Pinterest and just Google. I'm currently going to try out the blurting method where I read over my notes for a couple minutes then try to copy down all of the notes I remember. Rinse and repeat until I can memorize everything. I also have a lot of practice test and study materials for the SAT so I'm prepped for that in the Spring.

Use your time wisely. When your procrastinating you 're wasting opportunity. Spend more time improving so you ultimately get to your goals faster and have more time to enjoy them. When you have a break during school, use it to finish homework or projects. When you get home spend an hour and a half doing homework/projects, and when you're finished, use the rest of the time to study. It's better to work immediately when you get home because once you shower and eat, you'll want to nap, play games, and do other things. Once you're finished, you have time to do all of that.

NEVER WORK IN YOUR BED. Your body associates your bed with sleep, don't make it harder for yourself. Work on the floor if you don't have a desk, get one of those breakfast in bed tables if it get uncomfortable, but do not work on your bed.

Ask questions during or after class if you don't understand. You won't be able to figure it out yourself as efficiently as getting clarification and extra help from the teacher. Go to tutoring if need be. Don't be afraid to get that extra help of you need it, you won't be your best if you don't understand! 

If you need motivation, I have a couple of vlogs that I watch constantly to make me feel motivated and excited to go to school and learn.

-Alex Bondoc -saranghoe -planetxpeace -mai -lin

4. Social Status?;

Stay off of modern social media. That's my first piece of advice. Start giving people your number instead of your instagram or snap. Social media will make you feel like absolute garbage, and overall it lowers productivity and rots your mind. If you need it for school projects or it's your main communications, set up time limit. social media will not benefit you. You will be influenced to do things you shouldn't and buy things you don't need. Nobody needs to constantly be in your business, and you don't need to know the latest info about someone you don't even know. 

Walk away. Fighting is stupid af, especially when that costs your future. Stay out of petty drama, we aren't in kindergarten anymore. Act mature, separate yourself from bad influences and toxic people. Don't let anyone pressure you into doing things you know you shouldn't, or don't want to do. 

Keep a close friend circle. it's okay to know a lot of people, but everyone isn't your friend. Friends don't make you feel bad about yourself, friends motivate you and push you up, friends take care of you, friends support you. Remember that. Always and do not be afraid to leave someone when you don't feel that they're a good influence on your life. 

Don't focus on popularity. Honestly, it doesn't really exist? I focus on my little group, my classes, and the programs I'm in. People know other people based off of social media and SGA but other than that, 'popular people' are just the most extroverted. If you don't pay attention, they don't matter and will not matter once you've graduated.

Join clubs that will look good on your school resume, but ALSO things that interests you! keep track of school events and make time to participate if you can. It's a great way to make friends and make connections. Make friends with your teacher. You don't have to be a teacher's pet but you NEED them for recommendation letters and they will definitely be lenient with grading if they like you and know you try your best at school. that method CARRIED me so far and it's probably the only reason I have a 4.0 right now. Be kind to your teachers and they will be kind to you.

GET YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS EARLY!!! I cannot stress this enough. By sophomore year I already had 50 hours under my belt. Do not procrastinate on that, you need your hours for scholarships and other programs that look good on your resume. It's also a way to build connections and use them for reference for jobs and other school related things!

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I hope this helps someone, freshman, sophomore, even a junior! If you have access to education, take advantage. You are especially privileged to have the opportunity to learn. Don't throw it away for anything, no matter how bad it might seem.