high school

Advice To Upcoming Juniors And Seniors In High School

Nikki SmithLeave a comment

As we all know graduation is right around the corner! I am going to be graduating in about a month so I wanted to share some advice I have for next year’s upperclassmen. I go to a really small school in Colorado so my experience may be different from yours but I feel like the advice will reach a multitude of audiences. I feel like all the advice out there for high school students is always from people that go to these huge schools with a bunch of different classes, clubs and sports. I will be graduating with 21 other students this year. When I say small I mean it! However I have created many amazing memories throughout high school in addition to being successful academically. I am both Class President and Valedictorian of the 2023 graduating class and will be going to college with only 2 and a half years left. Though I have a small town background I feel like this advice his helpful to any/ everyone.

Tip #1

Start doing college classes! My school allowed us to be enrolled in a nearby community college (concurrent enrollment) that they paid for! I was able to enroll in 2-3 college classes per semester. All you have to do is pass a small test in order to take these higher level courses. This gave me a great head start towards my college degree. If you don’t plan to go to college it can still be beneficial to take a college course especially if it’s free. Now I wouldn’t say take Calculus 2 if you don’t plan to go to college after high school because I would never want you to do that but it may be helpful to take something like personal finance. However if your school offers college classes definitely take them up on it. Taking your base level classes is the safest bet. Throughout just two years of high school you can go from wanting to be a nurse to wanting to be an accountant and these two careers do not have a lot of overlapping classes. It’s smart to start small with classes that everyone needs like biology and college algebra.

Tip #2

Party it up! I’m just kidding. Just because you are an upperclassman doesn’t mean you can start acting like a crazy party animal. Yes you are both older and more mature than the underclassmen with much more freedom but you are also faced with so much responsibility. I can’t tell you how many people thought that just because they could drive and go where they wanted that they were “living it up”. Hate to remind you but junior year is probably the hardest year of high school; at least it was for me. You are faced with all these new challenges: figuring out what you want to do with your life, college classes, SATs, looking at colleges you might want to go to and so much more. It’s important to set expectations for yourself as well as goals for the upcoming year(s).

Tip #3

Be a leader! You’re an upperclassman now which means you know the works on how to do everything. Don’t be the rude senior all the freshman/sophomores despise. Encourage the people around you, especially the younger ones. I had seniors who “took me in” when I was a freshman and they made me feel included as well as gave me helpful tips. Sharing your know how of the school as well as the people in it can save your favorite freshies a lot of trouble.

Tip #4

START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! A lot of scholarships are only for seniors but so many open up junior year as well. It’s a great way to get ahead and potentially save you a lot of money. Even if you don’t get any of the scholarships you applied for junior year you will still have all of those personal essays and crafted answers that you’ve already worked on so that all you have to do is maybe revise a little and turn them in senior year. When applying for scholarships senior year it’s so hard to stay on top of classwork as well as scholarship deadlines especially when you’re asking for recommendation letters left and right. All in all it can be a lot, so having prewritten essays will save you a lot of time and hassle.

Tip #5

Create a Resume! I can not tell you enough to simply make a resume. There are so many easy fill out templates out there that you can use. Start writing about all the clubs you’re involved in, your community service, leadership positions, everything. I used to think that you need to be looking for a higher up job in order to need a resume but that’s not true! A lot of scholarships ask for resumes and even if they don’t ask for a resume specifically most of their questions can be found on your resume. It’s a document that states all your accomplishments and skills so get on that asap!

Tip #6

Don’t get involved in drama! No one likes being in drama. Not only is drama distracting but it’s also an energy sucker. Note that drama is “She said this about” “I heard he did this with her ” all of that is just high schoolers talking but as soon as words get thrown around and people get angry with one another this is when drama really starts. The best advice I can give to anyone is to mind your own business. If it has absolutely nothing to do with you, do not get involved. This may be really straight forward advice but so many people waste time and energy over drama in high school. There comes a point where you just need to grow up.

Tip #7

Come to terms that growing up means that you are changing not only physically but mentally. You may outgrow old friendships and that’s okay. Do not hold on to the past. Doing what’s best for you will allow you to meet your people and really enjoy high school. Finding a good solid friend group is so beneficial in high school.

Tip #8

Make Memories! Don’t get overly involved in school and other activities that you forget to enjoy the little things. It’s okay to take time and hangout with your friends. If anything it’s crucial that you make time to hangout with your friends. The last two years of high school get really busy so make it a priority to be with the people you care about.

Tip #9

Be Yourself! It’s really easy to lose your personality in high school because you’re being pulled in all these different directions. Don’t ever change who you are to fit someone else’s standards or to make other people happy. Always do what’s going to make you happy! Make sure you are taking care of yourself both mentally and physically as well so you don’t become super drained.

Tip #10

Put yourself out there! This is your time to take new exciting opportunities, if you can. As you grow up you are going to be presented with different adventures so it is always good to keep an open mind. If you’ve always wanted to join a new club, do it! If you take new opportunities you are giving yourself a chance to learn and grow as a person!

I personally went on a trip with my schools travel club to Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington where I got to explore so many different places and famous land marks. I personally grew so much from this trip and was so thankful I was able to go especially with the people that also went. I created even stronger bonds with the people I knew and have memories that will last a life time.

Tip #11

Think Smarter not Harder! I know it’s easier said than done but it’s true. If you are getting too busy and need to choose what assignments you just can’t do make sure it’s the ones worth less points. Most classes have a scale/ grading system so you can see what your assignments are worth. Make sure you are providing quality work on those bigger assignments so that the smaller ones don’t matter as much. In addition, use your resources! No I’m not telling you to cheat but there are so many resources at your fingertips that can help you so much with classwork. My favorite tools are Quizlet, Chegg, and Citation Machine. I can find answers, study and cite all my resources with these three tools.

Tip #12

Be Respectful to Your Teachers! I don’t care if you get called a teacher’s pet because building a relationship with your teacher will make it so much easier for you when you start asking for recommendation letters. Not only will being respectful make you look like a good student but it will also make them WANT to write you a good recommendation letter. Building a relationship allows your teacher to have a good base to write about which is so much better than the generic recommendation letter most people get.

Tip #13

Don’t Stress Yourself Out! It is so easy to get overwhelmed when there is so much going on. Make sure to take time for yourself and maybe even take a step back to see if you need to change anything in your life. The hustle can cripple you so be careful in what all you’re taking on. Be sure that all the things in your life either make you happy or get you a step closer to accomplishing your goals!

Tip #14

Get Over Senioritis! I am graduating this year so I know how hard the senioritis hits but it is essential to keep pushing. Just because you’re about to graduate doesn’t mean it’s time to stop showing up. Push through, keep working hard and you will accomplish great things. It’s okay to let the senioritis get to you every once in a while as long as it doesn’t become a habit.

Tip #15

Be the Best YOU You Can Be! Just like tip #9 being yourself is the best reward. It’s high school, figure out all the things you like and don’t like. Take risks! Grow! Learn! This is the time to find who you are and who you want to be. Wisdom doesn’t come all at once. It is not till you’re getting ready to walk across that stage at the end of the year that you realize all the people and experiences in your life made you who you are. Be grateful for everything, good or bad.

That’s all I have for you guys today! Hopefully you will take my advice and absolutely thrive in high school. I wouldn’t change a thing about my high school experience and I hope someday you can say the same. Wish you the best of luck in each and every one of your endeavors. So much love,

-Nikki Smith

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

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