Cover Up!

Everyone has those day where you see someones crack that you really wished you didn't. In my case, today I saw someones crack that was really hairy and nasty. This post is a quick reminder to everyone to keep themselves covered because NO ONE wants to see ANYTHING!

1. In the winter, get a big enough sweatshirt, as the small ones don't even cover any part of your pants. So what is even the point of those?

2. PULL YOUR PANTS UP ALWAYS, even if you flood. For those of you who don't know flooding is when your pants dont reach the ground and everyone can see your socks. It is common for these kids to also wear some white high socks while flooding.

3. Even if you don't think people look. In high school, EVERYONE looks! So, please next time cover up.

This post was just a friendly reminder for those of you out there in high school who think people do not care or don't see...

How Do I Get Popular?

In high school, many people feel pressured to be popular, even if it means changing yourself from what you are.  The truth is that it really is NOT that important.  Sure there are many cliques and groups that seem cooler than others and you want to be seen as a part of them too.  It's tempting because you always think about how people will think of you, instead of thinking about yourself. However, it is much more important to become a person that YOU would be proud of, not the "coolest kids in school".  I guarantee that you will have a better time in high school if you choose to be with people you want and like to be around, instead of choosing to be with people who you want to be seen around.  You may be thinking "Well how will I get anywhere in school if I'm not popular?"  Well you should probably end your worries now.  High school is a short part of life, and you don't want to waste your 4 years trying to fit in with people you aren't compatible with.  When high school ends, it won't matter if you were at the "cool kids" table or the quiet one in the back, as long as you are with the people you love.  In your life, you are bound to meet many, many people who you would love to get along with, so no need to work hard trying to fit in with a group whom you don't even enjoy being with.

DON'T LET YOUR HATERS FAZE YOU.

How to Avoid Procrastination

During high school, procrastination is a HUGE problem for many people, including myself.  I always realize that I had left all my homework untouched late at night.  This is frustrating because for everyone, especially people who play sports, it is very tiring. Playing soccer after an all-nighter from a physics lab is never fun...

Here are a few tips for avoiding procrastination.

1.  Turn OFF your laptop unless you need to use it for research or reading.  Don't keep it up while you do math homework or anything, because even if you think it is just keeping you from being bored, it is a BIG distraction.  There are unlimited things you can do on there, so just keep it off until you finish.

2.  If it is time for a big project or finals week, you may want to think about deactivating your Facebook and other distracting sites temporarily, because just the thought of it being there will be very tempting.  Facebook has kept me up very late many times, even though it is one of the easiest distractions to avoid.  If you need to talk to people for help, calling them is a better option, because it is straight forward and you will not be distracted by all your notifications and messages.  

3.  Pick a time to start your homework.  Make it a reasonable time, because if it is too early, you will probably have a harder time following it.  Once you decide to start, focus!  It might even be better if you sit near your parents...maybe the living room table.  They will help keep you focused while you finish your homework.

4.  Don't nap! Naps are ones of my favorite things to do after school too, but it is one of the worst things you can do.  It will mess up your sleep schedule greatly, as you will need to stay up later to do homework, and you will have a hard time falling asleep at night when you really need the sleep.  If you absolutely need it, keep it under 30 minutes (power nap).

5.  Don't text while doing homework.  It's fine to make a quick call for help, but don't sit there texting between every problem.  You might say it's boring, well of course homework is boring, but the quicker you can finish, the more time you have to do what you want. Again, sitting where your parents are watching will be helpful, as you probably will not text as often right in front of them.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE FOCUS PILLS.  Unless you really have ADHD, it is not good for you take them.  I know pills like adderall are helpful, but it is not good for you in the long run, and you will have a hard time falling asleep.  Energy drinks are also not recommended.  Drink like Monster and Amp may not be bad for hanging out, but not for homework.  It will have the opposite effect and will make you too hyper to do homework.  If it is necessary, 5 hour energy is a better choice as it has a lot less sugar, it will not make you hyper, and it will not make you crash.  If you feel you are too hyper to do anything, just wait a bit...do NOT try things like Marley's Mellow Mood. (I know it tastes and feels good, but trust me...it will have you snoozing very quickly).  

Sleep as much as you can at night.  Just because you can get by with maybe 4-6 hours of sleep does not mean it is good for you.  That is usually the amount I end up getting, but I know it is taking a toll on my body.  Your high school years are when you need sleep most! Your body and your brain are still in the middle of growing, so don't let lack of sleep keep you from achieving your full potential.  Try to get maybe 8-10 hours of sleep a night.  

Good luck focusing! Sorry this was a long post, but there was a lot I wanted to say.

How to Handle "Sprayers" During Lunch

We've all had those times when we had to sit by someone in lunch who just didn't know how to "say it not spray it".  Many times it's not like you don't like them either, but you definitely don't want them spitting all over your food....
How do we handle this situation?
1.  Slowly scoot your food further from the person.  You don't want to make them feel bad, but you want to keep your food clean.  (It is also a good technique to keep your tray on your lap so it stays safe for sure.)
2.  If they are known for doing this, make your best effort (without looking mean) to NOT sit near them.
3.  Eat quick and leave! Don't stick around and wait for it to happen.
4.  If it's one of your very close friends and you KNOW they won't take it badly, then tell them to make sure they don't do it.  A better way to do it might be to talk to him about someone else doing it, because then he will think about whether he does it or not as well.

This should help you guys avoid getting other people's food chunks on your delicious lunch.
Good luck in school!

Chemistry Lab Glasses

Have you ever noticed the grease that's on those laboratory glasses that your teacher makes you wear? Other people have been wearing the same lab glasses for a LONG time. I don't even think they wash them. Just remember that in high school, there are many kinds of people. This includes the kind of people that are very unsanitary and don't clean themselves often. Imagine all the dirt and sweat that gets on those glasses. Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from getting acne, due to all the dirt...

1. First of all, keep some kind of cleaning wipes in your locker so you can wipe down nasty desks.  Use it for the glasses and the other things that may be unsanitary in school.
2. You can talk to your teacher and see if they could wash the glasses more often. (don't do it in a rude way)
3. Try your best and clean the brim of the glasses (the part that is greasy). Also try and wash your face every once in a while at school.

So, next time when you use your lab glasses, take look at them. You will definitely see this disgusting fact that we are trying to protect you from from. BE AWARE and don't forget these quick effortless fixes to this problem. Have fun in Chemistry class!!