Lifestyle

Successful Morning Routine for High School Students

Nikki SmithLeave a comment

So you want to have a productive morning that sets you up for a great day at school. Though it may be challenging to get “excited” to go to school there are still ways to make the most out of your day. Being a successful high school student will help you tremendously when going into college or entering the workforce. We live in a world where you need to hustle and be the best at what you do in order to be successful. Knowing that you’re reading this means that you are ready to work hard and achieve great things. Being in high school you’re faced with many challenges juggling sports, clubs, maybe a job, on top of your schoolwork all while trying to maintain a social life. This on its own is a lot and can get stressful so here are some tips that will lead you to having a great start to the day and successful high school experience from a graduating senior.

Get up early

People who get an early start to their day are going to be more productive. Starting fresh and awake is a great way to get going and start working hard. Of course even if you wake up early you can’t be fully operational without a full night’s rest at least 7-8 hours worth. If you are a person that takes a bit to get moving in the morning like me. I suggest setting yourself up for success the night before. This means laying out the clothes you’re going to wear, packing your backpack, making your to-do list or checking your calendar to see what all is planned for the upcoming day. This is great because all you simply have to do when you wake up in the morning is get ready and go. 

In addition to waking up early it is also important to make your bed. We have all heard time and time again that making your bed sets you up for a productive day. You’ve already accomplished the first task of the day. So just take the two minutes in the morning to set up your bed. This will also help you not get back into bed once you’re up and moving in the morning.

Stay Hydrated

Water is essential to basically everything, let’s be honest. I’m not saying it’s a cure all but most people are dehydrated which leads to drowsiness, headaches, and irritability. It’s very hard to work past a headache and the fact that you’re tired when trying to go on with your day. So get yourself a cute water bottle and get to it. I personally carry my hydrojug with me wherever I go. I have been religiously drinking water for about a year now and I can’t tell you how much it has improved my mood, body and overall health. I know that for a lot of people drinking water can be hard so my suggestion is to get a flavoring of some sort that is low in sugar and dyes so that you can still be hydrated. I recommend the MiO drops because there are a lot of different flavors and many sugar free options. 

Check Schedule/To Do List 

In high school there is always a lot going on so you want to make sure you know what you need to be doing and when. People (meaning colleges) like people that are dependable, active and involved but you should be doing activities because you genuinely enjoy them not because it “looks good”. When you are involved in many organizations it can get busy so making sure that you know when meetings, activities, and other projects are due will help you in preparation as well as help not forget anything important.

It is equally important to stay on top of school work. Being a great high school student starts outside of the classroom. You could be the smartest person in a room but if you have no drive you’re not going to go very far. So in order to stay on top of assignments it’s best to create a calendar/planner with due dates as well as plan out when you are going to do certain tasks. For example, my hardest class requires me to write an essay every week that is due on Sundays. I know that my most productive day is Monday because it is the start of the week. I am refreshed and ready to work so I make sure to get 85% of the essay done on Mondays so that the rest of the week all I have to do is revise and add citations. However my easiest class only requires me to write a discussion post with 200 words and that assignment is usually due on Thursdays. Because I know that I can do the discussion post rather quickly and with less effort I would still work on the essay assignment on Monday even though the due date for the discussion post is earlier. You have to take into account your productivity levels and the amount of work you’re going to need to put into something rather than working by what’s due earlier. 

Eat Breakfast

I know I know. Everyone always says to eat breakfast but there is a reason for that. Eating breakfast is what gets you moving and grooving. Food is what gives your body energy so how do you expect to be productive when you’re running on a low battery? Have you ever noticed that when your phone is on 5% everything is loading a lot slower or maybe even glitching? It’s the same thing for you so make sure to get a healthy nutritious breakfast in so you can have a great day. Here are some ideas for quick breakfast meals for high school students. https://positivelynikki.com/2023/04/14/5-healthy-breakfast-ideas-for-high-school-students/

Keynote

Allow Time For Socializing

This is one of the hardest things to do for a high school student looking to do the best they possibly can. Getting overly caught up in school and related activities isolates you from your friends and enjoying your high school experiences. Balance is a hard thing to find as a student because you are often faced with making choices between hanging out with friends or getting school work done. Sometimes you’re going to be a great student and get everything done and some days you’re going to be a great friend. Some people say you can’t have both but I really disagree. Working hard will be so rewarding in the future but you’ll never get the chance to sit with your friends at your favorite hangout place again. Making memories is what future you will look back on so make time to have fun, let loose and have great experiences. Even though that balance is hard to find and most weeks you’ll be off in one way or the other as long as you finish your high school experience accomplishing the goals you set out for as well as taking amazing memories with you, what more can you really ask for? High school is only four years so enjoy it. 

That’s all I have for you guys. I hope this helped you in some shape or form as you tackle the obstacle that is highschool. The hustle is real but once you start to enjoy the journey there is no better feeling. Thank you for reading.

-Nikki Smith

The Importance of Mindset

Nikki SmithLeave a comment

Getting into a good mindset can be difficult so I wanted to share tips to improve how you view situations. Having a good mindset is wildly important to your growth and development as a person. Improving your mindset starts with a few simple tasks. I recently found that your perspective has everything to do with how you react to situations which is why I wanted to share some helpful tips and a few things to remember as you prepare for this crazy thing called life. Starting with… 

Declutter your mind

Yes as silly as this may sound it is really easy to become overwhelmed with everything you have going on even though it is nothing you can’t handle. When we keep everything bottled up inside we are more irritable and unable to fully enjoy things. A great way to relieve all those emotions and thoughts you’ve been keeping inside is writing it all down. Take a piece of paper, it can be anything; a sticky note, notebook paper or the back of an envelope and write down every little thing that you have been thinking about recently. These could be simple tasks you need to do like laundry, dishes, etc., bills you have to pay, an assignment you have to write, or even emotional events (funerals, weddings, baby on the way) truly anything. Once you get all of that down on paper I want you to take a good look at all the things you wrote. This allows you to not only visualize but allows your mind to focus on your top priorities. Writing all your thoughts down can help you organize the importance and significance of each item to the point where you can really focus on your top priorities. Centering your focus on the top items in your list is so beneficial because if you’re like me, it’s easy to become overloaded and feel like your mind is going a million miles a minute. This process lets you take a step back to really see what all you have going on.  Prioritizing the top of your list will allow you to feel more at ease as you tackle each obstacle.

Growth mindset

A growth mindset allows you to learn from mistakes instead of dwelling on them. Often we tend to only see what we are doing wrong. We really are our own worst critics. We are naturally always trying to better ourselves so if something doesn’t work out that’s okay don’t let that stop you from trying. Just because you didn’t succeed in the past doesn’t mean you won’t succeed now. As we grow and change we are better equipped to adapt to new and familiar situations so give it another shot. I find it hard to accept failure which is what led me to this point of view. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAILURE, there is only success and growth. Now this doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to be disappointed or angry when something doesn’t go how you wanted. But it’s an opportunity to accept and reflect on what you did so that you can either change your actions/decisions in the future or come to terms with your faults so that you don’t dwell on them. This may sound cheesy but it really is true. I find that in everything I do I continue to learn and grow from that experience. When confronted with challenges and new opportunities we falter or rise and within that understanding the Why? or How? Is essential in continuing to gain success. I challenge you to accept faults that may occur not as excuses for being upset but as opportunities to learn and grow. 

Set intentions

Goals are a big part of our lives. We all have many goals that we are striving to achieve. Everyone wants to feel accomplished which is great but we also want to set intentions for the year. How do you want the year to feel? What are you going to focus on the most this year? What sources of happiness are you planning to take with you? These are all questions you should ask yourself all the time. I know we all want to feel accomplished which includes completing those new year resolutions, life goals, bucket list items, and aspirations but we need to keep in mind our happiness. We often set materialistic goals or goals measured through productivity. For example a popular materialistic goal would be traveling and a popular productivity goal would be weight loss or saving up money. However I don’t see very many people say I want to bring more happiness to others, or I want to do more things that push me outside my comfort zone. So take a look at the goals you’ve created and maybe add a couple new ones. Becoming the best people we can be is so fulfilling but just like anything it takes work. 

Calming the chaos

The number one priority should always be to take care of yourself because if you can’t do that you’re not going to be happy with 1. Yourself and 2. Anybody else. Life is filled with stressful situations that are going to test your limits and be so mentally draining, however it is up to you to push through the hard times so you can enjoy the good times. I hate to be obvious but the number one thing you can do to calm the chaos is allow yourself to do something you enjoy. Yes it really is that simple. This could be reading a book, watching a movie, sleeping in, having a spa day, putting in a hair mask, unplugging from social media. Anything you enjoy that will make you happy and allow you to destress. That’s the number one priority: your happiness and being content with yourself. Mentally preparing yourself for high stress situations is also important. Plan time to relax, watch your comfort show, read a book, something that allows you to slow down and be calm. I want you to remember though that if you decide to destress with a movie you can’t be constantly thinking about the huge presentation you have coming up and all the tasks you need to do to prepare for it. The only time you are going to feel at ease is if you focus on one thing and enjoy that feeling. We live in a world that is always hustling so many of us don’t understand what it’s truly like to fully relax; to set aside all that worry, anxiety and stress. You can’t live up to who you truly can be if you don’t take care of yourself and this is different for everyone. Being happy starts from within. 


That’s all I have for you guys today. I hope this helped you in some shape or form when it comes to your outlook on life. Take these tips and try to find all those positive things in your life. Hope you enjoyed!

-Nikki Smith

5 Healthy Breakfast Ideas For High School Students

Nikki Smith1 Comment

Getting in a healthy breakfast before school is difficult. Being a senior in high school I’ve gone through all stages of healthy breakfast options. I once went 3 weeks with two over-easy eggs on toast every morning for breakfast. I mean EVERY MORNING. But that got old real quick so I wanted to share some quick easy meals that high school kids can easily make in the morning that aren’t ham and cheddar hot pockets.

We all know the morning rush before going to school. You’re trying to sleep in, get ready, pack up your bag, and eat breakfast all in approximately 30 minutes. Is this the most doable thing? Absolutely not but for high school student its usually the breakfast part of the list that gets skipped simply because there is no time. This is why I wanted to share fast healthy breakfast ideas. Grabbing a granola bar on you way out the door simply isn’t cutting it anymore. We need something filling, that isn’t overly processed to start off the day. First we have…

1. Oatmeal

I know what you’re thinking. Oatmeal? Who eats that? I’m not going to sit here and tell you to eat plain oats. Oatmeal without all the added sugar is actually really high in fiber and it’s a whole grain which is a plus. Here is the thing though plain oatmeal is not that tasty so we need to doctor it up a bit. You can add so many different things to your oatmeal and customize it to your liking. You can go the more basic route and add some fruit, maybe some honey or Greek yogurt. You can also add nuts or dried fruit to spice it up a bit. My favorite thing to do is use cinnamon, walnuts and cut up a fresh apple stir that all together and it’s so tasty. Pretty classic but I love it. Take your favorite toppings and throw them into some oats. Oatmeal is a great base to add to in order to have a healthy fulfilling meal. Not to mention it takes less than 5 minutes to make oatmeal. This is perfect for people who like a bit of a sweeter meal in the mornings.

2. Peanut butter Banana Toast

One of my favorite fast easy breakfasts is peanut butter and banana toast. Its 3 simple ingredients which I hope you gathered are toast, peanut butter, and slices of banana. Pretty straight forward all you need to do is toast some bread, slather it in some peanut butter and then put some slices of banana on top. This meal has fruit, carbs, healthy fats and protein which is a great way to start your day on a high note. Again this is a meal for those who prefer a sweeter meal in the morning and you’ll be out the door in no time with a full stomach.

3. Eggs 3 ways

I know I started this post with the story of me eating eggs every morning but there was a reason I did this. Eggs are high in protein and healthy fats. It may seem weird but you can actually make eggs in the microwave. Personally I couldn’t tell the difference between scrambled eggs made in a pan vs a mug in the microwave. I have made three different types of cooked eggs in the microwave. Scrambled is simple: You crack the amount of eggs you want into a mug or bowl (I usually do two) and use a fork to stir/scramble it together. If you want you can add salt and pepper as well as some milk, this will fluff up the eggs a bit more. Then you want to microwave the mixture for about 1 minute 30 seconds stirring about every 20 seconds. Depending on your microwave it may take longer or shorter. You could add this to some toast and have a great protein based breakfast. The next kind of egg is Poached: For a poached egg all you need to do is put some water in a mug/bowl and heat it up for about 30 seconds in the microwave. Next stir the water, I know this may seem silly but the egg will cook better when doing so. While you water is still swirling drop one egg in. It should immediately starts turning white. I usually have to put the egg back in the microwave for another 15 seconds after cracking it into the water but it is all about judgment calls. Next we have an Omelette: similarly to scrambled eggs you’re going to want to get a bowl preferably one that is more flat and simply stir your eggs with milk, salt, and pepper. Then you want to sprinkle toppings on your eggs. This could be bacon bits, cheese, ham, onion, whatever you want. Next all you have to do is microwave for about 30-45 seconds, flip and then cook for an additional 30-45 seconds. All three ways are quick, easy and delicious. This is also a meal that you can add to. You could have any of these eggs with toast or in addition to other breakfasts like: french toast sticks, pancakes, and hash browns.

4. Breakfast Quesadilla

This is definitely one of my favorite things to eat in the mornings. It’s super customizable so you can use whatever you have in the house. All you need is a tortilla and some toppings. My personal favorite is chocolate spread, peanut butter, and banana. I’m pretty sure this was a tik tok trend not too long ago but if you missed that it is simply a tortilla that you slice down about a quarter of the way and then separate your toppings into quadrants on top of it. For example you would spread peanut butter on a quarter and then layer a banana on a different quarter followed by chocolate spread on the remaining quarter. It’s important to leave at least one quarter plain because it makes it a lot easier to flip up together. Once you have all your toppings in place simply flip the quadrants on top of each other. I like this because this breakfast idea because it is very mobile. You can grab it and go pretty quickly.

5. Hash brown scramble

This is a meal that takes a little bit longer than the previous options but is still relatively quick. Hash brown patties can be found at your local grocery store and usually come with a decent amount of them. Now depending on how you like your hash browns cooked you can either use the microwave, toaster or even your air fryer (this option takes a bit longer). Once you cook your hash browns to your liking this is the fun part. You can make a sandwich with ham and cheese, add a style of egg from #3, or add some avocado on top for an avocado toast style meal. This meal is quick and filling especially if you’re not a sweets person in the morning and would rather have a savory meal. This breakfast meal can be customized to your taste and what you have in your fridge. This is more filling and will definitely hold you over till lunch. This is a great base and a delicious way to get going in the morning.

All of these options are incredibly tasty and filling which is perfect for a students in high school trying to make it till lunch. There are options for sweet and savory breakfast ideas depending on what you are feeling. All of these meals can be made the morning of especially if you are running late. Lets be honest what high school student isn’t running late to school. Getting a good healthy breakfast will only set you up for success when taking the challenge that is high school. I hope this helped in some shape or form with getting a good meal in at the beginning of your day. 

-Nikki Smith

How To Start A Productive Day

Nikki SmithLeave a comment

It’s hard to get productive and stay in that mindset but here are some tips that have helped me get a good start to the day and left me feeling so much better. A productive day is just the start to accomplishing goals and feeling like a BADDIE. In order to have a productive day we need to…

1. Get Up Early

Rise and shine. You can’t have a productive day until you actually start your day. You need to have time in the day to get tasks done. For me personally, I try to get up at around 7-7:30 but I know this is not doable for everyone so find the time that works best for you. When you do get up however simply waking up is not the key. Waking up and watching tik tok for 2-3 hours will not lead to the outcome you’re looking for so… get that body moving. For people that just can’t seem to leave their bed, set your phone across the room at night so that when your alarm goes off you have no choice but to GET UP and turn it off. Another great thing to do right when you wake up is chug a glass of water. I always keep my water bottle next to my bed so that I can immediately drink it when I wake up. This keeps you hydrated as well as helps wake you up. My favorite ways to start a productive morning includes stretching, a quick workout, journaling, and/or reading all of these allow you to focus on one thing which will set you up for success later on. Being productive starts with how you approach the day.

2. Make a To Do List

Next we have to make a To Do List. This is a pretty straight forward concept but if you don’t know what you need to get done and how to organize it in the most optimal way you’re going to end up either frantically trying to do everything or losing motivation very quickly. You can make your to do list on your phone or a piece of paper. I prefer paper because the satisfaction of crossing something off my list just does something for me. I understand that having your list on your phone allows you to take it on the go and edit it more freely than paper does. Start your list by, in your head, figuring our the tasks that are most important to get done. For example if you have and essay due at 11:59 that day, it should probably out rank vacuuming the carpet. Once you have done this order your list by what you want to get done first. Using the same example I would put the essay assignment at the top of my list and then vacuuming the carpet/cleaning, then follow it with maybe running errands; going to the bank, getting groceries, etc. This allows you to simply follow the list top to bottom. Of course there is nothing saying you can’t go out of order, I just find it easier to focus when my day is already planned out for me and all I need to do is look at the next task on my list.

3. Keep Yourself in Check

If you’re reading this it’s probably because you want to be more productive with your time. Obviously right. You’ve already accomplished the first step. Motivation. You are motivated to do better and keeping hustling. However reading this post will only get you so far. I can give you some tips but it is ultimately up to you to implement them and get it done. Grab that To Do list, which is probably pretty lengthy and just start. You’ve already made it this far why not just keep going. Be aware that mindset is everything! Just because you woke up later than you wanted or realize that your To Do list is way longer then you initially realized, should not discourage you from still having a productive day. You are stronger than you think and if you want something it can happen. Set yourself up for success. Once you accomplish all your tasks you set out for, you’re going to feel so much better and hopefully proud because you just did that. Boom! This will allow you to keep going and continue to hustle. However take this with a grain of salt. Not everyday should be productive and intensely filled with things you need to get done. It is equally beneficial to take time off, to do absolutely nothing for the day. It is really easy to get stressed out and feel overwhelmed so make sure you’re taking time to relax and take care of yourself. In order to have productive days there has to be calm unproductive days.

Therein lies the 3 keys to having a successful day. I hope this helped you in some shape or form to get productive and keep hustling. I could spend all day writing about productive days but I think I’d rather let you get to it.

-Nikki Smith

Reset For The New Year

Nikki Smith1 Comment

5 ways to start the new year right!

As we venture into the New Year we are all inspired to better ourselves. Let us take all the valuable things with us into the upcoming year; all that we learned and grew from in 2022. But as I say this I want to leave all those negatives that we have also accumulated. This post is all about setting yourself up to have the best possible year and get you in the right mindset to accomplish your goals. Starting with …

1. Set up your Google Calendar or Planner

Use your calendar as a tracker. Write down all life events even if it’s just hanging out with friends this way you can track long term goals. For example if one of your 2023 goals was to spend more time outside you would log in your calendar if you spent significant time outside that day.

Tips I suggest when you set up your calendar or planner would be to color coordinate. You can do this anyway that works best for you but I suggest breaking each category down and giving it a color. You want your calendar to represent yourself and become a space you enjoy. Your planner should be something you want to look at each day so make sure to take the time to really customize it. (Don’t forget to update any events or appointments that you made previously).

2. Declutter!

The New Year is the perfect time to get rid of all the unnecessary items you no longer need and have been putting off getting rid of. Let’s be honest you’re never going to wear that one t-shirt you have “just in case” you need it one day. Donate or sell the clothes you don’t wear anymore. While you’re at it the junk drawer you’ve been hoarding can probably use a clean out. There may be other places in your home that you’ve been thinking needs to be cleared out for a while. Now is the time to do it! The motivation you feel right now with the new year reset will fade so use it while you can to do those extra things you’ve been putting off all of 2022.

3. Clean Your Space

Going hand in hand with number two. Now that you have decluttered it’s time to wipe down all the mirrors, vacuum, and dust. Cleaning your space after decluttering and getting rid of all the unnecessary items you’ve been hoarding feels so rewarding. If you want to reset yourself and your mindset it starts with your space. Having a clean and clear space will transfer over to you. So make sure to dust the corners in your house, clean out the shower, and wipe down all the mirrors. The feeling of being refreshed is such a productive way to start your year in the right mindset.

Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

4. Create Your Goals for 2023

Everyone is setting goals for themselves. Thinking of new ways to be better and feel accomplished. If you haven’t already, sit down and write at least 10 reasonable goals on a piece of paper. Yes a PIECE of PAPER. This could be a sticky note on your mirror or the front of your notebook anywhere that you will be able to see it every day. I recommend making a vision board to represent each of your goals. I personally use Canva and find that it’s very easy to create a collage of items that represent my goals. This is helpful just so you can have a visual representation of what you want to accomplish. Again set this as your phone or laptop backscreen so you can see it everyday. In addition to setting goals, make a plan on how to achieve each of those goals. For example if you want to save a specific amount of money this year set up a plan to set aside an amount each month. If you have health goals, make a plan to meal prep every Sunday so you will have readily available meals. Apply this method to each of your goals!

Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com

5. Treat Yourself to Help Accomplish Your Goals

Having a reward system in place will allow you to keep pursuing your goals. Getting excited to use new things that bring you joy will inspire you to keep working. Let’s say you wanted to drink more water in 2023, splurge on a water bottle that you’ll love. If you want to plan more, invest in a great planner that will work best for you. It’s all about personal preference and tailoring these items to yourself. Take the time to understand what you need in order to be successful and then purchase an item that fits those categories. It’s easier to accomplish goals when they don’t feel like a task but rather something you actually enjoy. 

I hope these points helped you in some shape or form to get ready for the upcoming year. Apply these points and I bet you will be increasingly more productive and able to start the year with a clear, concise mind. I wish you the best of luck in accomplishing your goals however big or small they may be. 

-Nikki Smith