Getting prepared for the extra free time and warm weather that comes with summer can be stressful. It can take a while to decide whether to fill your time with a summer job, or spend your days soaking up the sun by the pool. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you enjoy summer because once you become an adult, summer vacations may not be an option. This blog is to help you decide which plan of action is right for you.

If you are the type of person that needs something to keep busy, getting a summer job may be fore you. There are plenty of options that pay very well in the summer. One of the main summer jobs that many students choose is lifeguarding. This job allows you to spend your time outside and enjoy the wonderful summer weather. Another great summer job could be working at an ice cream shop. There is an ice cream shop in Victoria, Virginia that has a great environment for spending your summer days. However, these are just a few options. There are many more opportunities for student jobs in the summertime that are willing to pay for your time.

If you are the time to enjoy your free time while it lasts, spending your summer with friends may be the option for you. There are plenty of activities that can be done to fill your time. Going to the public pool can be one way to meet some of your friends for a fun and easy way to escape the heat. Another option could be visiting the lake or hiking on a local trail with friends in order to keep in touch with your peers. Whatever you decide, make sure that you enjoy your summer before returning for another year of school.

Shopping for clothes on a budget can be hard to do in today’s economy. A pair of jeans can cost up to $60 dollars. While name brand clothing comes with popularity points, clothes from the thrift store can be just as high quality and half the price. One of the best parts about shopping at the thrift store is that most of the time, there are really nice things for sale. More often than not people would not notice that the clothes are even from a second hand store or from the clearance section. Shopping on a budget does not have to be as stressful as you think.

When shopping on a budget, it is important to limit yourself. Setting certain amounts that you are willing to pay for each type of clothing is a good habit to pick up. For example, if you were willing to pay $50 on shirts, $50 on dresses, and $60 on jeans, this would be considered a budget. Following set guidelines when shopping could help you to save money when purchasing new clothes.

It is important to avoid name brand clothing stores when shopping on a budget. While it is tempting, their prices are almost always unreasonably high. It is very likely that you could find a similar item at a different shop for half of the price. Workers at name brand shops will also try to lure buyers in with deals that, while tempting, would still be above the prices at smaller chains or second hand stores. If you do happen to stumble into a name brand store looking for a good deal, the clearance section could have some really great clothes for a lower price.  It can be okay to splurge at name brand items from time to time, but going too often could put an unnecessary dent in your pocket.

Shopping on a budget does not have to be hard. The fact that the clothes are less expensive at second hand stores does not lessen the quality. Not only can you save money shopping for clothes at thrift stores; it can also be turned into a fun outing with friends.  Next time you are shopping for a new wardrobe or back to school clothes, consider setting a budget and shopping at cheaper stores.

Everyone struggles to maintain a positive attitude at some point in their life. Whether it be during a stressful situation, or a particular person that you cannot stand. Either way, it is always a good idea to remain calm in any and every situation. Having a positive attitude at all times not only benefits you, but also those around you.

One way to maintain a healthy level of positivity would be to avoid any and all toxic relationships. Letting people into your life that cause nothing but destruction ultimately leads to stress and an unhealthy lifestyle. Keeping toxic people out of your life will limit the amount of drama that you encounter and lead you to forming healthy friendships. Not only should you avoid toxic relationships, but also toxic situations. Toxic situations can cause a lot of stress and drama so it is always best to avoid them whenever possible.

Another way to remain positive, even in difficult times, would be to be confident. One of the main reasons that people tend to lose their cool is due to a lack of confidence. In order to have a continuous positive attitude, a person must not let what others say to them effect their own personal image. No matter what others think of you, it is important to continue to do what you feel is best. Having a confident self image can lead to having a more positive attitude at all times.

While both of these tips can exponentially improve your attitude, there are certain situations that are impossible to avoid. In these situations, it is best to either work out your problem internally, or talk to someone that you trust. It is okay to be disappointed at times and everyone has experienced moments of disappointment in their lives. It is best to move past these moments and to focus on the positive aspects that helped to make you into the person that you have become.

The spring semester of senior year is one of the most important times in a student’s life. Not only will they be making life altering decisions, but also spending valuable time with friends and family. For many, choosing the perfect college can be a stressful process. There are many factors that play into this decision like the location, costs, or even the campus. It is always important that students visit each college that is being considered because while they may think that you know where you want to go, they may change their mind when they visit.

The first step when choosing the perfect college for you is deciding how much you are willing to pay. There is no doubt that the cost of furthering your education has gone up very much through the years. It is important that students take advantage of resources available to them. Grants and scholarships provide students with varied amounts of free money to help with the hefty costs of college. While it may take you some time to fill out the applications or write the essays for one of these, it will work out in your favor in the long run.

The second step toward choosing the college that best fits you is to visit your top choices. Every college looks good on paper or in pictures, but you will not know if you like it unless you visit before making a decision. While you may believe a college is the college of your dreams, you may not like the size of the dorm rooms or the food they serve. Something else you may want to consider when choosing your college is location. Do you want to live far from home or closer? This is a question that many students struggle with. Some prefer to stay close to home where they are still able to spend time with family and friends. Others prefer to move farther away and find a completely different friend group. Whichever you choose, make sure that the decision in yours.

Choosing a college that fits your education and personal needs can be very strenuous. Not every college is perfect, the task is choosing one that you find the most compatible to you. It is important that you do not let others influence your choice, whether it be your boyfriend or your best friend, the decision has to be your own. Moving away from home can be an emotional time for both you, your friends, and your family. You are moving away from a life that you have always known into one of your own making.

While some people dread the snow that comes along with winter, I personally love a long snow day. A snow day is the perfect time to crawl under a warm blanket and binge watch a good tv show. For some, it could also mean throwing on a snow suit and building a snow man or going sleigh riding with friends. It does not matter whether you hate snow or love it, everyone can have fun on a snow day.

Those that do not particularly like the cold, wet weather that comes with winter may want to spend the day inside. They could put on a pair of fuzzy socks and spend the day catching up on homework and watching Netflix, or even drinking hot chocolate and taking the day to relax. The people that enjoy playing in the icy cold weather may prefer a more energetic day. One activity that I particularly enjoy is finding a large hill and going sleigh riding. However, there are many other things that a person can do in the snow. Snow ball fights are exciting to have when there is a larger group of people; while a snowman would be fun to build with a smaller group of two or three people.

One way to make a snow day complete is planning the perfect meals. Usually, during a snow day, I prefer something warm. Chicken and dumplings is one of my favorite meals to have during a cold day. However, there are so many different meal options that could make a snow day better. Tomato soup with grilled cheese is always a great option along with roast beef, mashed potatoes, and rolls. Having something warm and comforting during a cold winter night could make all the difference between a good snow day and a bad snow day.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton