Congrats! You made it through the year and now you can enjoy the always anticipated summer vacation! I hope you did well with your grades and kept them up this semester. And I hope that you were smart and studied and prepared yourself for finals. End-of-year finals are an exceedingly stressful time for many students, but study hard and you will do great.

Even though it will be summer break, don’t stop preparing for college and senior year just yet. There are plenty of opportunities to help you get ahead of the game. Make sure to keep up the community service during summers; after all, you will have a lot more free time to do so! Community service counts a lot, not to mention there are several scholarships based on volunteer work. If you are going on summer vacation and happen to be in the state where you wish to attend college, go ahead and see if there are any college tours. If you’re not going out of town, look for internships or summer programs. There are places that offer summer internships for students that look impressive on college applications. Many state universities and colleges offer summer programs for high school students, as well. I know that Arizona State University offers a summer program where high school students stay in the dorms for a week and do workshops on various topics.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe summer. Take some time to relax and breathe a little now that school is over. The year went by so fast and now you are closer to graduating! Soon you and I will both be applying for scholarships and working on college applications. It is crazy, isn’t it? Oh my, this is starting to sound like a yearbook signing. Well, with that being said, I hope you all have a fantastic summer.

Stay awesome,

Isabella

Exams are finally over! With exams out of the way, it is time to relax—but only for a while. The hours spent studying and the restless nights have finally paid off. If you studied diligently, there’s no reason to worry, and the only thing left to do is wait for your tests to be graded. However, many of you may be lost and may not know what to do. As you transition into your end-of-the-year modes, make sure you do not lose focus.

It is quite tempting to simply relax and do nothing from here on out. However, school is still in session and you must begin to manage this free time wisely. If you have studied vigorously for your tests, you might need and deserve a little break. Take some time off and enjoy this limited freedom. Recuperate and recharge to avoid burnout. Afterwards you should be ready for some more work.

Many of you may be taking the ACT soon, and without having to worry for final exams, you can focus your energy on preparing for the ACT instead. If you are taking the ACT test on June 9, now is a great time to grab a review book or visit www.actstudent.org for some useful tips. Complete a few practice problems and even full practice tests. Try to acclimate yourself to the time constraints so that during the test you can work quickly and, more importantly, accurately. If you have already taken the ACT, you already have a taste of what the testing environment feels like.

As the school year comes close to an end, maintain your focus and drive for school. Around this time, excitement for summer begins. Try to end the school year right with success. You’ll feel better relaxing over the summer if you received high marks on your tests. Keep your goals in sight and good luck!

Hello readers! I hope all is well and you are preparing for the end of the school year. Around this time of the year, things begin to get hectic. This is a stressful time of year, but don’t become distraught in all the craziness.

Before you get lazy, don’t forget you still have to finish up your last couple weeks of school. I know many students struggle with test taking. Eventually you just get tired of taking tests and by the end of the year, you end up feeling a lot less motivated. Or in some cases, many students get anxious and stressed out before taking tests.

Never fear, there are a variety of ways to help you keep calm and do the best that you can on those tests. First, if you are one of those students that slowly but surely gets more lazy with test taking, you need to wake up. These tests most definitely count; after all they are a large part of your grade. If you are getting “End of the Year Laziness Syndrome,” then you need to quickly snap out of it. Make sure you study days in advance for any test you might have. I know a lot of us just love to procrastinate, but that will not impact your grades in a positive way.

For those of you nervous test-takers, take a deep breath. I know many students who get test anxiety. The best thing you can do is study so that on the day of the test you are prepared and you can let off some of that stress. Although you may not think it is important, getting a good night’s sleep and eating a good breakfast can actually help you on tests. You will stay more alert and focused. Just always remember to take a deep breath, because there is no need to freak out over a test; if you studied, then you should be fine. With that being said, hang in there because summer is fast approaching!

Senior year is almost here and after that we’re on our way to college life. Choosing the right college will probably be the most important decision we will make. Many students decide to go to a college because of its academic program, its standards, or its cost. Going to a college, unfortunately, can take a toll on our wallets. While colleges can be very expensive, there are ways to minimize the cost. One definite solution is scholarships.

Scholarships can reduce the tuition cost for a college by thousands of dollars, so it would be wise to start searching for them as soon as possible. Some scholarships even allow juniors to apply. Scholarships are very competitive—especially those that offer large rewards—but there are ways to improve your chances for receiving them. If you have a high GPA or high test scores, then target academic scholarships. While most scholarships are merit-based, there are also others for certain races, religion, or special circumstances. There are even scholarships for being left-handed! Try to compile a list of scholarships for which you plan to apply.

There are websites that can aid you in your search. There are millions of scholarships to choose from and many offer free money to help pay for college. These websites can help narrow down the scholarships according to your characteristics and achievements and provide a list of scholarships for which you are eligible. After you have taken the initial step of searching for college, begin prioritizing your list based on importance and deadlines.

Be sure to start applying for scholarships early. You might need recommendation letters or you may need to write an essay; it’s always a good idea to be ahead of the game. Organize your scholarships and make sure to meet your deadlines. Try to increase your chances of winning scholarships by applying to ones that complement your characteristics. Now, you should be on your way.

It’s now spring break and we can relax! Spring break is what many students look forward to during the second semester. It gives us a week to unwind and to sleep for as long as they want. It could not have come at a better time for me. With all the school days I’ve missed due to club conventions and competitions in the past month, I have a chance to catch up and have time to enjoy.

Our school has given the students ten days for spring break. While you can use the whole time to relax, it would also be a good idea to use this time wisely and catch up if you’re falling a bit behind like me. You can use this time to review past materials that you did not understand fully or use it to get ahead, if you are really determined. Some teachers also give projects and homework during spring break—which I know is a bummer—but if you finish those early you will not have a lingering feeling that you should be doing something more productive while you are having fun.

If you are taking any AP classes, spring break is a great time to start studying. It is conveniently placed only a couple of weeks before AP exams start. Since I have six AP exams to take, I will have to study these subjects thoroughly during my break. I plan to make high scores on these exams, so I do not have to take them in college and will save money in the process. I have bought several AP exam review books for this purpose. Throughout the week I will be reading through these books to review topics we’ve covered in class as well as to learn new things.

I plan to be productive during the break, which might be difficult, but if I succeed I will not have to worry much about the AP exams and project due dates. Having fun and doing work during the break will be a balancing act. Hopefully, you will also spend your time wisely, but don’t forget to have fun and have a wonderful spring break.

Universities and colleges search for students who excel among their peers and who are active in their school and community. Being an outstanding individual is what sets you apart from the other students. You need to demonstrate that you went the extra mile to get involved in your school.

There are plenty of ways to get involved. All high schools offer a variety of clubs for students to join. Some of these clubs are open to all students, while others are more competitive and selective. The selective clubs are often honor society clubs, which look exceptional on college applications. But don’t stress about absolutely having to get into an honor society; all school clubs look fantastic on college applications.

If you want to be part of more than just school clubs, there are plenty of other ways to get involved. Join a sports team at school or be in another extracurricular school activity. For example, get involved in dance, theatre, or debate. In addition to being fun, all these activities can offer scholarships!

How am I involved in my school? I am, and have been, a member of the International Club, Thespian Honor Society, Drama Club, Dance Department, and Key Club. Being a part of these activities and clubs not only looks snazzy on a college app, but they are loads of fun and allow me to meet a lot of great people who I may not get to meet in my regular classes.

Making the right relationships with your friends and teachers can be very beneficial. Friends and teachers can help steer you on the right path. If you’ve built strong relationships with your teachers, it would be a good idea to ask them for recommendation letters. If teachers know you well, they can write more heartfelt letters. Building strong relationships with your peers and teachers is an important part of high school. When you are struggling or in need of help, they are always there for you.

Of course the idea here is to not simply build relationships for recommendation letters. Teachers can also give you wonderful tips about applying to colleges and staying on track. They have gone through the same ordeal and work every day with students who have experienced the same challenges you might be encountering. Many of my teachers have given me advice on choosing and applying for colleges. In addition, counselors are also helpful friends who can assist you in making the right decisions. At my school, many of our students come to the counselors to ask for help in choosing the right classes. Before a new semester starts, I always try to set up an appointment with my counselor in order to make sure that I can handle the course load and that I am making logical choices.

Your friends are also people you can trust to help you through trying times. Being with a group of friends who act as a positive influence can help you improve. Friends represent your values. If you wish to succeed in school and have high standards for yourself, choose friends that embody similar goals. I can always count on my friends inside and outside of school. Sometimes I ask my friends to peer-edit essays or help me on homework; I do the same for them. They help keep me on my toes during the school year, and many of them belong to the same clubs and sports that I do. This not only makes those activities more interesting, but I can usually rely on them for new ideas on how to improve the clubs and even myself.

Your friends, teachers, and counselors all make the experience of high school special. Try to make new friends or strengthen old relationships. You may need help one day, and if you already have these relationships, you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Hello readers! I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. This article’s topic is of great importance. It’s all about scholarships! In high school, it is never too early to start your research on scholarships.

Stop putting it off and start looking for scholarships. I know how teenagers get lazy when it comes to tasks such as this, but this is something you do not want to get lazy about. Scholarships are open to all students; there are tons of scholarships out there.

What can a scholarship do for you? Well, it can definitely help you out. Many students think that they can’t get a scholarship or that it won’t matter if it isn’t a full-ride scholarship. But that is not the way to approach this. Because no matter how big or small a scholarship is, it will help you; not to mention that a handful of small scholarships can add up big time!

Get started on your quest for scholarships by just going on Google and searching online for scholarships. It is simple and fast. There are also several websites that can notify you which scholarships might apply to you. One of the websites I use for scholarship and college information is Zinch.com. This website has been a great help for me. Your school can also be a great help. Most high schools have college information centers that have plenty of information on scholarship opportunities.

Now there are no excuses for not finding scholarships. I have equipped you with quite a few ideas and resources to help you find scholarships. You can get started right now; just find a comfortable spot with a computer and begin your search!

As many people know, high school is a time when our stress levels are at a peak. Whether because of too much homework/projects to do, too many due dates to remember, or simply too much “stuff” going on, stress is often the result. Interestingly, stress is meant to keep us on our feet and ready at all times in fight or flight situations. However, during this modern age, stress seems to only make us feel worse. Luckily, there are ways that can help us fight off that horrible feeling of being stressed out.

I usually experience stress whenever I have too much homework or when I have to study for a difficult test. In certain cases, I’ve had to spend entire nights in order to properly prepare for a test or to finish a lengthy project. Trying to balance academics and sports also causes me a great deal of stress. During swim season, for example, I have to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to get to a college pool since we don’t have one nearby. Worrying about being tired and not having enough sleep causes stress for me. However, as I have become accustomed to these routines, I have found several measures that help me reduce stress.

Controlling your environment should be first on your list to eliminate stress. Sometimes stress is more strongly related to what is around you rather than what you are doing. Try to create a soothing environment or find a comfortable study space where you cannot be distracted and can work efficiently. Such an environment will not only lessen stress, but will also help you work efficiently.

Music can also be a great way to control your environment. Some people focus better with music. Studies have shown that classical music can promote clear thinking; but if you are able to think with another genre, then go ahead. Music can also make assignments seem less boring, but be sure you stay focused.

One fun way to lessen stress is to reward yourself. After completing a tedious project or paper, reward yourself with a break or an activity you love to do. This will usually provide you with an incentive to finish a task for that prize at the end. The prize I usually want is a nice long nap. If you feel that you are too overwhelmed with stress while you are still hard at work, then simply relax. Take a few minutes away from whatever is causing you too much stress and breathe; do not think about the stressors and just clear your head.

Taking breaks is important because our attention spans can be short. After a quick break, we can dive straight into our tasks and are usually able to focus; however, the important part is that the break not distract you so much that you procrastinate.

A very effective way to reduce stress—which may be difficult for some—is to develop optimism. It has been shown that optimists easily shrug off stress and their outlook provides them with a defense against the effects of stress. They are generally healthier and more successful. So next time you begin your homework or a project, try to find something fascinating or enjoyable within that subject, and what you have been dreading may not seem so terrible or tedious.

Whenever you feel stressed, try a few of these tips. Sadly, stress is an everyday part of high school life and managing it is a key to success. Managing stress, academics, and enjoyment is similar to a balancing act. You may not be able to eliminate all your stressors, but reducing them can be very rewarding.

Hello all my lovely readers! This article’s topic is staying focused and dealing with distractions. As a high school student, I know I can get distracted easily. When it comes to getting work done and focusing, some of us teenagers have the attention span of a squirrel. But with college coming up around the corner, distractions are the last thing we need.

When you start to get distracted, you need to give yourself a wake-up call. School always comes first. Make it a priority to get your schoolwork done early so that you have one thing less to worry about. Work and a social life come after schoolwork. After all, “there is a time for work, and a time for play.” This quote proves true, especially in high school. If you are striving to excel in your classes and impress those colleges, then you need to make sure you set aside plenty of time for schoolwork.

Staying on task is crucial. If you have extra time—instead of watching TV or lying around the house—get ahead on your homework! Trust me, you will be thankful for it later. You will have a sense of relief knowing that you have completed your homework and don’t have to worry about it. As teenagers, we all love to procrastinate, but getting your work done early saves a lot of stress and late nights.

I am challenging you to get your schoolwork done and make sure it is your first priority. The last thing you need to worry about is falling behind in class or staring at a growing pile of homework. If you get your assignments done on time, it will save you loads of stress. And once you are all up to date with your school assignments then you can work on outside school things, such as community service or spending time with friends. Just be careful to not get distracted and to focus on what comes first.