As an upcoming senior who has grown a lot over the last few years, here are the essential tips for surviving and thriving in your first year of high school to help you have the best high school experience!

1. Don’t stress about the increase in workload

It sounds easier said than done, right? Having to do more work can be scary because it means more stress and less fun. You might be rethinking how ready you are. However, it is be doable!

Remember, the workload assigned in high school is designed for your age group, so everyone else will be having the same struggles (whether they admit it or not). Think back to when you were in elementary school when you were so worried about going to the next grade – well this is the same!

Well, good news, you made it! This year will be very similar to the past few years. You might be thinking it’s going to be impossible, but all of the sudden you’ll be heading to 10th grade and realizing you made it through!

      2. Be prepared for your friends to switch around – it’s natural!

One of the worst feelings can be losing a friend. Whether that be abruptly or slowly, it hurts all the same. But remember, you’re growing up and finding yourself, which sometimes means outgrowing certain friends. Your personalities might have matched in elementary or middle school, but people change over time, which is totally normal.

People never stay the same their whole lives, especially as they mature. Although this might be tough at first, you will meet other people later on who you might get along great with. With this in mind, be open to creating friendships with all different types of people! Just because you have different hobbies, doesn’t mean your personalities won’t go great together!

       3. Don’t be afraid to say no – or yes!

Given the increased workload in high school, you’re now at the age when, “my mom said I have to stay home and study,” is the best excuse for saying no to an invitation.

High school can be hard, especially when your friends start partaking in activities you may or may not want to join in on. If you don’t want to do those same things and don’t feel comfortable telling people that, there’s nothing wrong with slowly distancing yourself.

Moreover, growing up comes with freedom, and if you feel comfortable with something and you know you won’t be doing anything wrong, then don’t feel guilty about it.

      4. Learn to cope with jealousy

As you grow up, you might encounter more complex or difficult social situations than you did before. Maybe your two closest friends are having a sleepover without you, or the friend group you thought you were a part of is having a group function without you. Maybe you can’t afford the new store everyone is shopping at, or you’re the only one of your friends without a boyfriend or girlfriend, so you miss out on the double dates.

Dealing with jealousy in high school is inevitable. Some people you know may leave you feeling genuinely left out, but if you feel comfortable mentioning it to them, then go ahead. It’s important to remember that these things will happen now and then throughout your life, and you might even make someone feel like this without realizing it!

Try to keep in mind that if you’re comfortable with yourself, jealousy doesn’t sting as badly. Also, if someone is purposefully leaving you out, they are clearly dealing with their own insecurities, which has nothing to do with you.

What if people left you out but not purposefully? Feeling like no one even thought of you can sometimes hurt even worse. In cases like these, those people clearly aren’t your real friends, but that’s okay. Be happy with people you click with, and it’ll feel so much better than feeling left out by the “popular” crew.

        5. Join those clubs

During my freshman year of high school, I moved to a new city to attend a new school. Being in a new setting without knowing anyone on the first day of school was possibly one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life. I can still feel the crippling anxiety I felt as I got out of the car.

I sat by someone who looked nice and tried to start conversation by asking, “what homeroom do you have?” After the conversation picked up, I realized it wasn’t so bad. Over the next month, I joined every club my schedule would allow, and that’s how I met my people!

Clubs are the best way to find friends with similar interests as you. Plus, they look great to colleges – a win-win! I cannot recommend anything as much as getting involved. As long as you don’t overwhelm yourself, you won’t regret it!

Here’s a cute book about transitioning into freshman year! And don’t forget to check out Girl Spring’s advice on freshman year tips!

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Title: Beauty is in the Garden

Medium: Colored pencil

Artist: Serenity Johnson

If you liked this piece, browse our artwork section here!

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Learning how to encourage charitable donations from your friends can amplify your impact on your community and foster a culture of kindness and empathy within your friend group. Here are some strategies for encouraging charitable donations from your friends.

Show Them How Easy It Is To Give

Many people hesitate to donate because they believe it’s complicated. Demystify this idea by showing your friends how straightforward and rewarding it is to give.

Whether it’s through a simple online donation or dropping off donation items for children in need at a local charity, the donation process is easy! Once your friends see how effortless it is to contribute, they’ll be more inclined to join you.

Explain the Many Forms of Charitable Giving

Charitable giving includes more than money donations. Educate your friends on the various ways they can contribute, such as volunteering their time and skills to non-profits and donating gently used items. Showing your friends alternative ways to support good causes can make the idea of giving more appealing and accessible.

Describe the Impact of Donating

People are more likely to donate when they can see the tangible impact of their contributions. Share stories and examples of how donations have directly benefited individuals or communities. You can do this by providing before-and-after photos, testimonials from beneficiaries, or reports from a charity detailing how it uses donations. Witnessing the positive effects of giving can inspire your friends to take part!

Tailor Your Pitch to Each Friend

Each friend has unique interests and reasons for giving. Some may enjoy supporting environmental causes, while others may feel a strong connection to helping animals or supporting education.

Take the time to understand what matters most to your friends, and tailor your approach accordingly. Making a personalized pitch will help you convince them to donate.

Make Donating as Easy as Possible

Remove any barriers to donation by providing your friends with all the information they need. This could include details about a charity, how to donate, and the different forms of acceptable donations.

Offer to accompany them if they’re interested in visiting the charity or organizing a group donation drive. The easier it is for your friends to donate, the more likely they will follow through with their pledge.

Create a Fundraiser for Your Birthday

Instead of receiving gifts for your birthday, consider creating a fundraiser and asking your friends to contribute to one of your passions. This idea will raise funds for a good cause and set a powerful example of selflessness and community support.

Employing these strategies can help you encourage charitable donations from your friends. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to a larger wave of positive change. Let’s work together to make charitable donations a common practice among your friend group at school.

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Jokes Gone Too Far

When making a joke that talks about body weight or looks, it can be dangerous. You never know when your joke can take a toll on someone’s life. Say that you make a joke that’s calling your best friend fat, how can you really tell if she’s faking a laugh, signaling the topic to move on. No matter if your joke is an inside joke or not, it can go too far and can cause major damage on the person that’s the center of the joke.

A common effect of jokes targeting body image is an eating disorder. Eating disorders are very serious and can be fatal. I’m not saying that you should not tell jokes, I’m just stating that you should think twice before commenting about people’s bodies because you never know how someone is really feeling. Try to tell jokes that aren’t about beauty standards and more about chickens crossing roads or what you call 3-legged cows (ground beef ?).

Click here to see how Girl Spring contributor Suhani Tiwari’s article explains the seriousness of eating disorders and the consequences of negativity on the body.

On a lighter note, check out some funny jokes you can’t help but laugh at here!

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Solar Eclipses

The biggest event that you have probably heard of is the solar eclipse on April 8th. This eclipse is called the Great North American Eclipse, because it will be visible over most of North America. The last North American eclipse was in 2017, and if you googled it you can see how big of a deal it was. The next North American eclipse after this one is in 2041, and there is no way I’ll be waiting that long! If you plan on watching the eclipse, make sure that you buy proper ISO-certified glasses so as not to damage your eyes. You can see if the eclipse will be in your area here: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2024-april-8.

Meteor Showers

The Quadrantids meteor shower has already passed; it took place on the night between January 3rd and January 4th. However, the next meteor shower, the Lyrids, will peak on the night between April 21st and April 22nd. The naming conventions of these meteor showers are based on the constellation the shower appears around: the Quadrantids are located near now-defunct constellation Quadrans Muralis, and the Lyrids lie around Lyra (lyre). When watching meteor showers, be prepared to wait for a while. The meteors may come either very fast or very slow. It is also helpful to make sure it is a clear night and there are no lights nearby. Other meteor showers this year are the Eta Aquarids, the Perseids, the Draconids, the Orionids, the Leonids, the Geminids, and the Ursids.

Jupiter’s Visibility

A final notable occurrence is the visibility of Jupiter. On February 14, March 13, and April 10, Jupiter will be very close to the moon. The moon’s light will reflect onto Jupiter and make it more visible. When you’re looking at the moon, you can also pull out some binoculars and observe the craters and valleys on the moon’s surface. I’ve done this myself, and it’s truly amazing. Although photographs online provide more detailed images, there’s something about seeing it myself, through my own eyes, that I can never seem to get over.

The post The Night Sky in 2024 appeared first on GirlSpring.

Ins:

• Oral Hygiene: I really want to start taking better care of my teeth! I brush them at least three times a day but never floss, use mouthwash, and have only whitened them a couple times. Hopefully soon I’ll try the oil pulling technique for teeth care; where you swish coconut oil for about 20 seconds in your mouth and brush after!
• Mixing metals: I have kind of always been into this because I have a silver bracelet that I wear everyday no matter if the outfit is “gold,” but I want others to be in on it too! Recently, I told my sister that her mixed metals weren’t hurting her outfit. Good jewelry is good jewelry, don’t be afraid to mix it up sometimes!
• Going to bed earlier: This is so important to me in order to have the healthiest final semester of high school. I’ve had really bad sleeping schedules, and I surely hope it helps the dark circles under my eyes. Also, just being tired all the time is the worst feeling in my opinion!
• Shoe game: I’ve recently discovered the power of a good shoe! When I was younger, I never understood the fact of a cute sneaker, but now I do! This can really amplify an outfit – it’s hard to train my minimalist-wired brain, but colors can mix and match! You can also treat solid colors you usually wouldn’t see (like red or green) as a neutral.Outfit is already more fun! 
• “Oldies” music: I know it’s really not that old, but I love music from around the time my parents were growing up. The vibe is just completely different and just makes me feel calm and good! The 70s have been my favorite decade to listen to so far.
• Glossy/Glowy makeup: If  matte is your thing, go for it! Personally, I’ve been really into that dewy look, but it’s been hard because I don’t have the clearest skin that I think is so closely associated with glowy makeup looks. Instead, I’m learning that doesn’t matter! I love lip gloss and the “clean girl” look and thus want to try and up my makeup game to reflect what I like on myself!

Outs:

• Screen time: I have really had to self-check myself on how much time I spend on my phone. I’m holding myself accountable and setting screen time limits on my most used apps!
• Listening to non-Taylor’s Version albums: Some people are really attached to her old music, but it just shows better support for her as an artist and her growth in so many different aspects! To me it’s kind of a why not listen to her new, matured voice?
• Staying out of touch: I’ve come to appreciate my relationships with people a lot more over the past year, and I want to show them that! It’s so important to just show you care and be a part of the the lives of the people you love.
• Avocado: This might be too niche, but avocados just aren’t for me. Something about their texture just really irks me – they became super trendy in the last year, especially with avocado toast. 
• Indecisiveness: This is such a huge one! As one who really struggles with being indecisive at the end of the day, everything will work out no matter what you choose. It’s also annoying on the receiving end. For example, when you try to make plans, but no one can make a decision, so nothing ends up happening. 
• Shows’ seasons: Maybe I just watch too much TV, but I hate having to wait so long to see a second season of a show! After a while, I tend to forget major plot details and characters, but I still wish there was a way for them to come out faster. The actors I yearn for deserve the break, yet sometimes I just want to binge watch!

I have so many more but these are my 2024 ins and outs! This is a new, fun way to look at some resolutions and things you want for yourself this upcoming year. Let’s start off on the best note possible, and remember to never beat yourself up if you can’t stick to resolutions every single day!! Happy New Year, and let me know if you have any similar goals!

And don’t forget to check out Girl Spring contributor Wardah Naim’s article on how to keep and maintain all those resolutions!

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Giving Resolutions

It’s giving, resolutions? Not this year. New Year’s resolutions have been a thing since I was a kid, but what are they really? Empty promises on things we’ll do the upcoming year and the changes we’ll make to help ourselves. Yet, the most important part of this is remaining true to your word and staying committed to what you said you’d do.

You ever notice the hoards of people in the gym during the first week of January? Slowly, it dies down and the crowd fades, but the question is, what about you? You’ve gone every day and stayed consistent while these people haven’t. And that’s what we’re going to talk about.

It’s Giving, Commitment

Part of building yourself as you mature is staying true to yourself and never giving up, no matter what anyone else is doing. Pushing yourself to try new things and stick with them is a wonderful thing and definitely changes it up.

It’s Giving, Dedication

YOU are the most important part of your life, so take care of yourself! I used to tell myself I had zero time to stretch, go to the gym, meal prep, have hobbies, etc… but the truth is, when I managed my time and took the time to make changes in my day, I realized just how much time I really had. Wanting to do the things you said you’d do last year is so this year.

You’re Worth It

Mental health is important as well, especially going into the new year. As someone who takes mental health very seriously, I know it may be hard to get out of bed sometimes, or even take a shower. I don’t care if you’re not going anywhere, put on that makeup you’ve been thinking about and wear that cute outfit – even if it’s only for yourself, do it. Trust me, a little bit goes a long way for your self-worth and self-esteem.

Here’s some things I started doing that could give you ideas as well:

– Nighttime Journaling

– Listening to music before bed to unwind

– Making a to-do list or schedule of plans (This helps keep you on track)

– Stretching in your free time as an excuse to wear that cute gym outfit

– Start volunteering/helping out in your community

– Do something new you haven’t done in a while (challenge yourself, you’d be proud you did)

Reward Yourself

Shoutout to Girl Spring contributor Corra Maddox with her poem Grown up, because damn girl, that hit me deeply. Don’t grow up too fast, so make sure to reward yourself for the things you’ve done different! I don’t care how small it is, a win is a win and you’re a winner.

So go to Dunkin’ and get that drink, make yourself a super cute yummy snack, or buy yourself that cute thing you’ve been eyeballing for a while.

In the End, it Really Does Matter

All in all, resolutions mean nothing if you don’t act on them. Don’t bring empty promises into the new year, make that change and do it for yourself. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many things at once, so make sure you still enjoy being young.

I may not be much older than you girlies, but trust me, it’s fun being a kid – heck, I still am. Have fun with your goals and make them positive, don’t rush into being an adult, but most of all, do it for you.

You’re the most important person in your life, don’t forget that.

It’s giving, Girl Power.

Being mindful of yourself and your mental health is important starting the new year, so check out Girl Spring’s article on the importance of mindfulness this year.

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Here are some things you can do to find your unique style:

Look for Inspiration

Sometimes it can be tricky for knowing where to start. That’s where it is a good idea to look for some inspiration. This can be by looking at influencer’s outfits, pinterest, magazines, etc. There are endless places you can look to for inspiration.

And if you know you’ll want a more high-end style, maybe check what the newest celebrities are wearing. If you are going for more street wear, maybe check out some teenage or young adult influencers across social media. Having a bit of an idea of what you are looking for is going to help of knowing who to look at.

Gather the Basics

Starting out with basics will provide you a base for any outfit you would be wanting to create. You can get some really affordable basics at places like Target or Walmart. However, if you are hoping to invest into some longer lasting pieces, there are other options.

Some places could be Urban Outfitters, Aritzia, Brandy Melville, etc. But just getting some easy basics such as plain tank tops, a couple of jeans, maybe some zip up hoodies, will help you to layer for outfits.

Look at What you Already Have

Using pieces that are already in your closet will help you to save some money. Such as if you already have some basics or pieces you can use for laying with newer pieces. Or if you have accessories you can use to elevate your outfits like jewelry, bags, belts, hats.

Create Unique Pieces

If you just can’t find what you are looking for, maybe you can create it. You can make this as complex or simple as you’d like. Such as you could follow sewing patterns and create whole new items. Or you can just upcycle some other pieces by cropping them, adding patches, etc. Pinterest has great ideas of some cute things you can do to transform some dull and simple items.

Experiment with New Looks

Creating new outfits or combining different things together can make for some fun looks. For example, if you typically dress girly and wear dresses, maybe add a leather jacket on top and go from there. Another easy way to incorporate this idea is by using different makeup and hair looks.

You could try out colored eyeliner, eyeshadow, etc. And for hair you can use accessories such as claw clips, bows which are trending, or just do different styles. Don’t forget that a big part of fashion is having fun with it. You should leave the house liking your outfit and feeling comfortable in it always.

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Check out this article on some funky ways to spice up your fashion and make it your own!

For more mature fashion styles, click the link here!

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Are you truly resting it?

Is your mind in sync with the state of your body,

or do you hope that lying down will lull your head to sleep?

The creeping thoughts that twist their way through every crevice in your mind

Do they allow you to rest?

And the rare time that no noises or thoughts consume your mind

A strange emptiness seems to echo within you

The chaos, stress, and overthinking have been a way of operating for too long

It makes the “normal” sleep no longer feel normal

The peaceful sleep you once enjoyed as a child has disappeared

Only a shadow, a slight semblance of that carefree and innocent ignorance remains now

When you rest, no thoughts should bother you, but that’s quite hard to do

A constant struggle with revenge procrastination, aided by our phones

and the dopamine spurts from entertainment platforms, easily accessible

I want to rest

but no matter how hard I try, I can’t until my worries are dealt with

which are endless and when I do overcome them I’m racked with guilt

The guilt of toxic productivity easily poisons my perception of myself

When can we truly rest?

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