❤TheeSparkleCorner❤ xoxo, C

Since Back to School season is right around the corner, I thought some Freshman Advice would be the most appropriate to kick off my #BTSSeason series! Here's my advice to all you freshies out there!

1. Don't be skeptical or stereotypical! Be openminded! Not every school is the same, and you never know what type of people you'll end up being friends with!

2. Get on the right foot! CARE about freshman year! Although many people say freshman year doesn't count, IT DOES! Not only academically, but also your attitude. The good part? It's a fresh start. You can begin high school with a new personality, a new reputation, a new YOU. Cherish this opportunity because this is the year you're leaving the 1st impression of you as you (for the 1st time) actually mature. By the way, one of the worst impressions you can make is constantly being late to class (Or even worse, skipping class)... Don't fall into that category :)

3. DO NOT procrastinate. Or... at least try not to. Habits start somewhere, best to start early!

4. No need to be scared! Everyone once was a freshman, we relate to this transition and your struggles! It's not like you're walking into a cage full of lions haha. Also, don't be scared of teachers! Help? Lost? Ask them! Knock on their doors and be like: "Hi, sorry to disturb the class, but I can't find room __, can you please point me to the right direction?" It's totally understandable. (I was that kid who would always ask teachers for help if I didn't know where/when. It was either I don't know where a room was, or I didn't know how to read my schedule, or was clueless about my lunch schedule lol... It's ok!)

5. Lunch time: It's not as scary as Mean Girls depicts it. Just find an open spot or tag along with a group! (Hey, is anyone sitting here? Can I sit here) Speak up! Bathrooms are not an option. After all, it's not like lunchtime is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You're having it EVERY DAY.

6. Join clubs, extracurricular activities or sports! Try EVERYTHING out! Then stick to the ones you love! They're a great way to meet friends and interact with people from other grade levels! You'll never know who you meet might end up being your lifetime BFF.

7. Always bring cash and toiletries. You never know when you'll forget lunch or a mishap will happen. We're just trying to prevent these sticky situations from happening.

8. There's nothing more disrespectful than using your phone in class. Although some teachers don't say it out loud, they complain about it in their minds. It shows that you have no interest in the class and don't care about school. Plus, it's very distracting to the class as well. So silence or turn it off.

9. If your school does have "haters," don't let them get to you. Haters be hating ;)

10. FASHION TIP: 1st day: ALWAYS stick to flats/sneakers/flat sandals. NEVER wear heels your first day. No matter how much a pro you are at wearing heels, you never know how much walking your schedule needs, or how much stairs you'll be climbing, or what crazy activities your teachers have planned.

11. Lockers: Keep it organized! It'll make life SO much easier to have everything easily accessible and neat. (Separate blog post on this in detailed)

12. HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE TIP: Always bring your student ID EVERYWHERE you go! Some places offer student discounts! Don't be afraid to ask! Some stores would give 10% off your purchase if you present them your student ID!

13. Know if your school has a library and what amenities it offers! Most libraries have computers hooked to printers. On those days when your home printer runs out of ink, or you forget to bring homework, you can have the project/homework on your email/flash drive and print it in the library!

14. Have a back-up copy of schedule, ID, and cash.

15. Don't think you're already Queen B the 1st day. Also, don't be cocky.

16. Stay balanced with a PLANNER! (Separate blog post on choosing planners) Everyone needs a planner, however systems may range from tech to notebook. THIS IS THE ONE OUTLET THAT'LL KEEP YOU SANE as high school gets crazier.

17. FINALLY, HAVE FUN! BE YOU! Nothing's better than starting this new journey with being YOU. Everyone's different in their own way! Wake up every morning saying "TODAY WILL BE A FAB DAY" and BELIEVE that you'll be fine.

Although I said freshman year should be taken seriously, stay chill and stay relaxed. STAY SANE because this is only the beginning. ENJOY high school while you're young!

STAY SAFE AND LOVE YOU!

♡♡♡♡♡,

Cathy

PS. Upcoming posts: Backpack essentials, planners, lockers, outfits!

To me, what makes a day relaxing (no matter how stressful it can be) is the self-therapy that I give myself at the end of the day. We may have an entire schedule filled, but to have a reward at the end of the day for consuming yourself in so much work is something that brings an element of sparkle into my day.

Self-therapy is anything that can bring happiness to your day and not just make you feel productive, maybe stressed, but also happy. Some days, we have a day that goes wrong, which is important to have self-therapy. No matter what goes wrong, you'll know that you had your dash of self-therapy, alone time, a time where you just relaxed and ignored the world while staying in tune with yourself.

I usually squeeze a span of self therapy at the end of the day. Mine lasts 30 minutes. I'm always the most awake at night, so feeling relaxed at the end of the day offers a giant element of happiness to my life and gives me better sleep. My dose of alone time and peace consists of either doodling, painting, or reading a book/magazine. In a world filled with technology and on-going notifications and texts, we tend to lose ourselves in the social media world. So I dedicate my alone time with no disturbances by leaving my phone, laptop, tablet, etc. in the living room and going somewhere else to 'treat myself.' I feel like this is a reward for me and keeps me relaxed. No matter how busy I am throughout the day, this calms me down and keeps me at a peaceful state of mind.

Self-therapy doesn't need to be reading, drawing, or staying away from technology. It can be eating a macaroon, exercising, taking a bath, or wrapping the day up with 1 episode of your favorite tv show (just 1 though! we don't all have the time in the world).

This sprinkle of self-fulfillment and happiness is a part of this month's theme: #FLYFebruary (First Love Yourself). It adds to the element of mental, social and physical relaxation. Although your day might've been the "worst day of your life," it's still worth living.

You should try adding this self-therapy to your day's schedule! It could range from a few minute of meditation to a 45 minutes episode! It can be the 1st thing to start your day or the last thing to wrap up your day!

Enjoy the day and relax :)

Live, enjoy & love life

xoxo,

PS. An upcoming post is going to deal with morning sleepiness ;)

Stay tuned!

Got questions? Need advice? Ask anonymously? Email me at theesparklecorner@gmail.com with #AskCat for your question to be the next post on my blog! (All questions will be named anonymous unless stated otherwise)