It’s important to know what you want to do in the future and set your plans. As people say, planning a dream turns it into a to-do list, just waiting for you to cross it off. I realized that if I want to complete this to-do list, I have to go above and beyond. I can’t rely on opportunities that may come my way; I need to stand up and search for those opportunities myself. So I do. I make use of search engines, social media, and anything I can use to handpick my opportunities. 

I knew I wanted to help someone, but I couldn’t go there physically, so I got on the internet. When I found out remote volunteering exists, I decided to do just that. I used to envy people my age with high volunteer hours. But I realized, what’s the use of envying people, of whining that I can’t physically attend events? So I started applying through Google Forms, cold emailing people, anything I could possibly think of.

After landing some volunteer roles, I realized how this practice changed my whole lifestyle. In-person volunteering would have been ideal, but weirdly enough, I find it comforting to get to work with tons of people and build relationships without stepping outside of my bedroom. I get to yap to people about things I care about, and implement my interests and hobbies. At the same time, it’s also a learning experience. I’ve learned about the various cultures of different regions, and and I’ve taught myself techniques like emailing etiquette. I also learned how to easily fill the gap caused by digital constraints. Safe to say, remote volunteering gives the same experience and soft-skill training as on-site volunteering.

Time zones are your biggest ‘frenemies’ in remote volunteering. As I said before, if geographically, you’re living way across the globe, chances are high you’ll need to wake up when people near you are asleep. It can be hard to keep yourself sane on midnight meetings, and it’s not easy experiencing FOMO when the place you’re volunteering at has a physical event. Trying to keep up with other countries’ slang or cultures can be tricky, too. Some other struggles could be digital faculties like internet problems, regional-based apps, or miscommunications. 

During my time learning and remote volunteering, I have figured out some things I wish I knew before I started. 

• Your team won’t always understand you. 

Digital limitations are usually the number 1 reason this happens. Let alone texts, even calling can create miscommunications, too. Set daily reminders to be patient — it’s a powerful habit worth building. Good teamwork needs great communication and understanding among the members.

• Public Holidays sometimes don’t matter.

Whether your country is on a public holiday, like Independence Day or Eid Al-Fitr, if it’s not a globally recognized public holiday, you’ll still find yourself attending meetings and writing recaps. Yes, it might be tiring. This does not happen all the time, especially if you’re volunteering for a place that doesn’t need daily reports. You just need to learn how to manage your time, and finish all your tasks according to the deadline, without disturbing your schedule.

• Urgent help can’t be expected.

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a struggle? Whether it is accessing the organization chat applications, or help with finishing a task? The cons of working far away from your team are that when you need help, you can’t expect it to be answered quickly. Most of the time, I leave my help request and go to sleep. Even then, it does not guarantee it will be answered by the time I wake up.

Now, how do you start? Here are some tips I learned throughout my time remote volunteering.

1. Know your “Why”. Why do you want to volunteer? Is it to help people or to gain hours? Gaining hours is a reasonable answer, just make sure this reason, since it’s not in your interests, won’t make you burn out.
2. What’s your limit? Understand each position you will be applying for, or find positions that you know you can put time and effort into. Make sure you know every bit. If needed, use a SWOT analysis or weigh pros and cons. Make sure you know your limit, like how many hours per week you will devote. Would you be okay with unpaid gigs? Would it disrupt your grades or school?
3. Find the right opportunities for you. The internet is all you need. Seems easy enough, until you realize mid-process that you’re not applying to the right places, or that a place does not align with your passions. You can contact open volunteering sites through their website or email. Places like VolunteerMatch, idealist.org, Catchafire can help you find the right opportunities. Or you can contact places you want to volunteer at, like I did to become a springboarder for Girlspring.
4. Learn to LOVE it.
   Yes, you are unpaid when you volunteer. But that does not mean you get to be negligent. Turning on a time-recording app without doing anything can get you kicked out of the organization and keep you from getting a certification. Leaving meetings, never doing anything- this is not what volunteering is. Aside from hours and certifications, volunteering also helps sharpen your soft skills. So not making great use of it won’t benefit you at all.
5. Keep track of EVERYTHING. Even when you’re not applying to or taking part in lots of organizations, still keep track. It’s easy to get lost and to forget things when there’s so much to focus on with school and your social life, too. Keeping track of your organizations, tasks, volunteer hours, specific links, and meetings could benefit you a LOT!
6. Reflect on post-actions. When it is the end of your term, make sure you reflect on what you have been doing. Make sure you understand what you did, your impacts, and prepare your answers if people ask about your time at the organization.

These are all written based on my own personal experience as someone who has dived into the remote volunteering world. Feel free to drop a comment and share your own experience! When you feel like you’re restrained from reaching your finish line, it’s your responsibility to find a way to stop that restraint from getting to you. If you are thinking of doing remote internships too, don’t fuss a lot, it is fun, I promise! Volunteer your heart out and never let geography limit you.

The post Complete Guide to Remote Volunteering, Even When Geography Limits You. appeared first on GirlSpring.

Visit a hairstylist

Visiting a hairstylist is one of the easiest (and most fun!) ways to change your whole look in a single day. A new haircut can completely change your appearance and face shape, so a good hairstyle is a must. It’s important to visit a hairstylist so that you can ask a professionals opinion on what hair color and cut will look best with your look! Make sure if you set an appointment to bring photos of the hair you want, so your stylist will know exactly what you’re going for.

Experiment with make up

If you’re a girl and you’ve never experimented with make up before, it can really change your appearance! One of the best ways to get exposure to make up and how to learn some tips is by the magical and wonderful world of no other than Youtube. You can simply search “Make up tutorial” on Youtube, and millions of videos will pop up. The good news with the summer is that you have plenty of time to practice and perfect your look! That way, if a makeup tutorial goes wrong, you can just wash it right off and nobody even saw! And if you decide you don’t like wearing make up, then it makes your life even easier!

Get healthy

Something good for your body, skin, and mental health is deciding to get healthy! Getting healthy can be as easy as deciding to work out a few days a week, or limiting the amount of junk food you eat. The healthier you become, the better you will feel! Plus being healthy helps you live your best life, so this one should be near the top of your list.

Take care of your body

Whether it be through skin care, working out or taking time to yourself, taking care of your own body can make a huge difference. From treating yourself to a mani pedi, finding a toothpaste that whitens your teeth, or even finding the perfect shade of self-tanner, taking care of your body has a huge impact on the way you look. This means going to the doctor, dentist, dermatologist- you name it! Your body is all you’ve got- so treat it with some respect!

Become confident with who you are

If you have any sort of transformation this summer before coming back to school, let it be this- learn to be confident in your own skin! You don’t have to look any specific way to “glo up” because glowing up should be the way you feel about yourself. If you learn to love the reflection in the mirror, it will translate into the way other people see you!

The post How To GLOW UP This Summer appeared first on GirlSpring.

1. Babysitting

Babysitting can be very lucrative! It teaches a lot of responsibility that comes with childcare. If you love kids, this is a relatively easy way to make money while enjoying yourself! Reach out to neighbors with young kids, friends who have little siblings, or even family members to put your name out there if they ever need a sitter. Parents also often recommend their babysitters to other friends, so if you get a few clients, then it can be easy to expand. This is very flexible and you can work on your own time, so there is no need to worry about work if out of town this summer.

2. Pet sitting

If you are in town on Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day, pet sitting could be a great way to make easy money because a lot of people take vacations and boarding facilities are full. There is a pretty high demand for pet sitters in the summertime! At popular vacation times, you can take on multiple households and really make some cash. Reach out to anybody you know with pets who could be going out of town at all this summer! The job is often easy and typically only requires you to stop by a few times throughout the day to care for the pet.

3. Social Media Manager for a Business

Working for a business does offer a steady and predictable flow of income. With so much business advertising relying on social media campaigns, many businesses could need somebody young to help them out. I think this would be a really fun job to have, especially if you are active on social media already. You could search for job openings near you to see if any businesses need people to work on social media.

3. Lifeguard

With this job, you can also get the benefit of working with a team and having scheduled hours with a supervisor. It also teaches responsibility and helps you gain important skills that could help you save a life. In addition, this job is very enjoyable! Hours are flexible and most of your job is sitting by a pool in the sun. Who doesn’t love a nice tan? You do have to complete a lifeguard certification course before taking on the job, but this job can be very rewarding to teens and has a social aspect in that most people working are fellow teens!

4. Restaurants

Many restaurants and fast food places require workers! This job would entail more of a schedule and structure as opposed to freelance work. It is fairly easy to find a job opening in this field because so many places have needed more workers after COVID. This job also has the benefits of working in a team environment, and is an overall very rewarding experience! Whether it is a server, hostess, or working the cash register, the restaurant industry could use more workers! The pay can be very good, as well!

6. Camp Counselor

So many programs put on day camps for children over summer break and are always in need of counselors! Sleep-away camps can be a fun way to earn some cash as well. You could get all the benefits of going to summer camp with more responsibility and a salary! If you enjoy working with kids, this job would also really suit you! It teaches you to be a leader and problem-solver, as well as basic childcare skills! If you love camp, this is the job for you!

7. Driver

Similar to babysitting, if you have a car and can drive, many busy parents are willing to pay you to drive their kids places. This is an easy way to make some quick cash and can be done alongside other jobs easily since it is not very time-consuming. Just remember to stay safe on the roads!

Click here to sign up for jobs on websites to find what you’re looking for in your area!

Indeed.com, Linkedin.com, Hireteen.com

Even if you just want to take it slow this summer, click here to see some fun ways to kick back and relax!

The post Summer Job Ideas for Teens appeared first on GirlSpring.

Western Boho Chic: Embrace the Country Spirit

Western boho chic is all about combining earthy tones with playful touches. Think a flowy white or tan top paired with distressed shorts or a fringed skirt. Add statement accessories like a beaded necklace or feathered earrings for that effortless boho vibe. Cowboy boots complete the look and keep you comfy while dancing.

Denim on Denim: A Classic Look With a Modern Twist

Denim is forever connected to the country look, but you can modernize it to make it your own. Try pairing high-waisted jean shorts with a light denim jacket layered over a graphic tee or a cute crop top. The key is choosing pieces in slightly different shades of blue to give the outfit some depth. Finish the look with chunky sneakers for a casual vibe.

Pretty in Plaid: Elevate Your Style With Checks

Plaid shirts are a staple for a reason—they scream country concert chic. Go for a relaxed, oversized plaid shirt you can tie around your waist or wear over a crop top. Pair it with a frayed denim skirt or black jeans to complete the look. Lightweight flannels work especially well for summer nights when the temperature cools down. For a twist, try vibrant plaid colors like purple or teal instead of the traditional red and green.

Flowy Floral Dresses: Perfect for a Summer Concert

If you’re going for something cute and cheerful, a flowy floral dress is the way to go. Maxi or midi lengths work best, and light fabrics like chiffon or cotton keep you breezy while you sing your heart out. Pair your dress with ankle- or knee-high cowboy boots to bring that western flair. If the forecast calls for a cooler evening, throw on a cropped denim jacket.

Accessorize Right: Hats, Boots, and Belts

No country concert outfit is complete without some western-inspired accessories. After all, country music is one of the reasons why the western aesthetic is so popular.

A wide-brimmed hat instantly adds country vibes while protecting you from the sun at outdoor venues. Cowboy boots are a must; classic tan or daring metallics can both work, depending on your look. Jewelry such as bracelets, rings, and layered necklaces also add depth to your look while keeping it casual.

Country concerts are all about celebrating music, style, and fun, and your outfit should reflect that. With these cute outfit ideas to wear to a country concert, you’ll feel confident and stylish while singing along to your favorite songs.

The post 5 Cute Outfit Ideas To Wear to a Country Concert appeared first on GirlSpring.

A Thousand Miles Away…

A local fair, and Kendall Square
Swearing that I would meet you there
Will you find me, making my way
Through a crowd of thousands?

Through endless halls, I wanted all
The closed doors and hidden walls
Remember me, will you still?
After seeing thousands?

Time didn’t stall, two weeks of awe
I wish to see you in the fall
But I must return, while you meet
Everyone coming- the thousands

Everywhere, my mind is there
Reliving memories too good to bear
Very much again, wanting you
Wanted by the thousands
And me too

A Final Note

I hope you enjoyed the poem. Upon reflection, it sounds like a cute, wistful anime romcom theme song.
See if you can solve for what exactly it is about. It is hinted in the poem, and here are more hints:
1341 2141 3343
11 13 1 15 12 8 14 2
ChatGPT can’t solve it, so if you can, congrats! AI won’t steal your job.

For more original poems, check out our poems section.

The post A Thousand Miles Away… appeared first on GirlSpring.

Not only will this help make the transition back to school easier in the fall, but it can also help you avoid boredom and feelings of laziness. Here are a few free, easy ways that will help keep your mind moving this summer!

1. Duolingo

If you have ever taken a foreign language class in school, you have probably heard of Duolingo. But if you haven’t, let me fill you in on this amazing resource! Duolingo is a program that allows you to learn just about any language you can think of via a series of interactive speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities.

To make the learning process fun, the program allows you to compete with other users based on how often and how well you practice. You can also build a daily streak and get prizes as you reach certain milestones. The best part of it all is that the program is free!

It’s available as a website and as an app for download on your phone, making it easy to keep up your streak on the go. Use your free time this summer to practice a language you’re already familiar with or pick up a completely new one. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn just by spending fifteen minutes a day on Duolingo!

2. SAT Preparation on Khan Academy

Depending on your age, this mode of learning may or may not be relevant to you. However, if you’re a rising sophomore or junior in high school, I recommend that you take advantage of this resource! Khan Academy is a reliable website and app that offers a free SAT preparation course. The course features numerous practice tests and daily practice questions that will help you feel totally prepared for both the PSAT and the SAT!

If you took the PSAT 10, you can put your scores into Khan Academy and the program will tailor your practice questions based on what you missed on the test. Unfortunately, Khan Academy does not offer an ACT preparation course. There are several other great online programs that do, but keep in mind that they will typically charge a fee. Overall, summer is a great time to prepare for and take college admissions tests!

3. Read

Reading is an amazing and entertaining way to stimulate your brain over the summer. Plus, if you take advantage of your local library, it’s completely free! One way to make reading a bit more fun is to start a book club with your friends. Have everybody read the same book and get together to discuss it. You could even have a costume party where everyone dresses up as a character from the book!

Another way to make reading more exciting is to choose a book that has been made into a movie. After you read the book, watch the movie and compare the two. You could even incorporate this idea into your book club! Whether you’re reading solo or with a group of friends, books offer endless amounts of free, educational, and relaxing entertainment.

4. Write

This is a simple option, but a great one nonetheless! If you enjoy writing, then I encourage you to set aside some time each day to pen a piece. It can be a poem, a short story, a research project. Anything you can think of. You could even try to write your own book over the summer and have it printed when school starts back!

If you’re not into creative writing, then you could make some time to journal each day and create a memory book of everything you did over the summer. Whatever way you do it, just getting some words on the page can be extremely beneficial to your brain!

There are several cost-free ways to get your brain moving over the summer months. I hope you’ve been inspired to pick up at least one of these practical learning methods, if not all of them. Whatever you choose, I hope you have fun and feel productive while doing it. Happy learning!

The post How to Keep Your Mind Moving Over the Summer appeared first on GirlSpring.

While it’s great not having to sit in a classroom for eight hours a day, after a few never-ending days of summer solitude, we start seeking a remedy: a job. But with each new employment opportunity, we run through a subconscious checklist: Is this an easy job? Will I make a decent amount of money? Perhaps the most crucial of all – will I still have a social life after accepting this job? Will it still feel like summer?

Summer Break

Speaking from a college student’s perspective, I’ve had many summer jobs: the good, bad and ugly. From my experience, here are some of the most enjoyable summer jobs that will give you a purpose while leaving room for a social life. 

Take our Summer Job Quiz and see what job is best for you!

1 – Babysitting

While we might have a few months off of school, not everyone gets a break from their responsibilities. Do you know what that means? Frantic parents looking to hand their children off to someone else for a few hours each day. Better yet, since most parents work day jobs, you’ll have each night free to do whatever you want. 

Good babysitters are hard to come by, so if you enjoy being around and entertaining children, you’ll have a solid summer job for years to come. 

2 – Lifeguard

This is a time-consuming, physically, and mentally exhausting job, there’s no doubt about that. However, spending day in and day out around the pool, working on your tan doesn’t sound like an entirely bad gig. 

If you like authority and leadership, this summer job is right for you. In between keeping an eye on rowdy kids, you can chat with the other lifeguards and occasionally take a dip in the water. 

3 – Camp Counselor 

Being a camp counselor is like a combination of being a babysitter and a lifeguard, except on steroids. While you get a nightly break with the other two, camp counselors are on the job for days, even weeks, at a time. 

If you enjoy being active, this is the job for you; spending all day outdoors, playing sports and watching kids is like being a busy babysitter with a pre-planned schedule. Plus, spending a little time away from your parents is never a deal-breaker. 

4 – Dog Walker/Pet-Sitter

Summer is the season for vacations, but what do people do with their beloved pets? That’s where you come in! Animals are probably the least demanding job, only requiring a few meals and a walk, but will earn you the big bucks (people love their pets, meaning they’ll love the person caring for them while they’re gone).

In some cases, families will even want you to stay in their home to house sit at the same time, thus a mini vacation for you! 

Working during the summer is rarely anyone’s first choice, but in some cases, it’s necessary  to make money and to cure boredom. By pursuing any of the summer jobs above, you’ll be sure to keep busy and make money, all while maintaining a social life. 

Click here to see some summer jobs for high school seniors going to college!

And if you’re not going to college and just want a fun summer job, click here to see what you can do this summer.

The post Summer Jobs That Still Give You Your Summer Vacation appeared first on GirlSpring.

Time to Recharge

First of all, it’s a chance to chill and recharge our batteries. During the school year, we work hard, attend classes, do assignments, and have extracurricular activities. It can be exhausting! Summer break gives us the time to relax and rejuvenate. It’s like pressing the reset button on our brains, so we come back to school feeling all refreshed and ready to rock!

And hey, summer break is all about exploring and learning new stuff too. We get to do things we love that might not be part of the regular school curriculum. Whether it’s playing sports, painting, volunteering, or exploring cool subjects on our own, summer break lets us follow our passions and discover what makes us tick!

Building Connections

It’s not just about us – summer break brings families closer together too! In our busy lives, it’s tough to spend quality time with our families. But during summer break, we can plan fun vacations, have picnics, or just hang out at home together. These moments create awesome memories and make our family bonds even stronger.

And wait, there’s more! Summer break is a chance to see the world beyond the classroom. Traveling to new places, experiencing different cultures, and meeting people from all walks of life broaden our horizons. We become more open-minded, understanding, and aware of the world’s diverse beauty.

Don’t forget that summer break is also the time to level up our skills and knowledge. Many of us go to summer camps, workshops, or take up interesting classes. Whether it’s improving our grades or exploring new talents, it’s a chance to grow as individuals and become better versions of ourselves.

But, hey, it’s not all about routines and schedules during summer break. It’s essential to have a good balance – enjoy some relaxation and also take on exciting adventures! After all, it’s our time to shine, have fun, and make the most of every moment!

So, let’s embrace summer break with open arms and dive into all the incredible experiences it offers. When it’s time to go back to school, we’ll return with a backpack full of awesome memories, skills, and a bright smile on our faces. Summer break is truly, a time of enjoyment.

Click here for more fun things you can do for yourself this summer!

The post What’s so Great About Summer? appeared first on GirlSpring.

1. Mr Blue Sky – Light Electric Orchestra 
2. Everybody Talks – Neon Trees 
3. Hooked On a Feeling – Blue Swede
4. Cherry Bomb – The Runaways 
5. Rich Girl – Gwen Stefani
6. I’m a Believer – Smash Mouth
7. Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles 
8. Wham Bam Shang a Lang – Silver
9. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!
10. Rocket Man – Elton John 
11. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
12. ABC – The Jackson 5
13. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
14. Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
15. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
16. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! – ABBA
17. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
18.  Love Shack – The B-52’s
19. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
20. Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
21. Good 4 You – Olivia Rodrigo
22. Material Girl – Madonna
23. She’s so Gone – Naomi Scott
24. Just a Girl – No Doubt
25. Supermodel – Jill Sobule
26. Late Night Talking – Harry Styles
27. Are You Bored Yet – Wallows
28. Electric Love – BORNS
29. Cloud 9 – Beach Bunny
30. As It Was – Harry Styles

The post Bored? Here’s Your Summer Playlist as the Main Character appeared first on GirlSpring.

Light blue, soft cotton, on sale,

the top left corner read

“It comes in waves.”

A beachy line,

thought up by a designer

to make another summertime cent.

But it struck a chord with me.

So much of my life came in waves.

People.

Hobbies.

Memories.

Emotions.

Happiness.

Sadness.

Grief.

Anxiety.

Depression.

What starts as a fleeting feeling,

a fickle thought,

grows, grows, grows

way out in the depths of my ocean,

travels slowly across the glimmering surface

until it laps softly against my sandy shore,

submerging me under its sea-green weight.

Sometimes those waves become rip currents,

quickly dragging me under its forceful grandeur,

washing me in past longing and regret,

holding me captive under a curse of my own creation,

letting me go just before I let go.

Eventually the wave pulls back,

taking with it grains of myself to the deepest depths of my ocean,

gone and almost forgotten

until another salty wave returns to my shore,

carrying those feelings, those memories, those fears,

and I become submerged again,

beautifully, horribly, briefly drowning.

It comes in waves.

Click here to read more poems about the beach and its symbolism to mental health.

Here’s some additional links for different mental health resources!

The post Poem: “It Comes in Waves” appeared first on GirlSpring.