How to Avoid Slacking Off Before and After Spring Break

Every teenager knows that a break from school is a mercy call from the heavens, giving us a chance to slow down and enjoy some much deserved rest and relaxation.

Spring Break is one of these very few pleasant intermissions from regular life, but causes the same problem all of us face during the preview and the aftermath of this short-lived vacation: the slacking-off slump.

It may seem impossible to avoid being thwarted by the ceaseless fatigue that plagues us the week before and the week after spring break, but never fear, here are a few helpful tips that may help you out!

BEFORE:
Don't Think About It
It may seem blasphemous to force yourself to believe that spring break isn’t going to happen, but pretending like next week is just another week of school, may cause you to continue as you always do with steady schoolwork. Thus creating a pleasant sense of surprise when you wake up the first Monday morning at ten and aren’t late for anything.

Keep Yourself Busy
This is an age-old trick that may be as simple as actually doing your homework the night before the class, or as extreme as taking up kickboxing for a week. Both ways your mind is distracted and the week will fly by quickly, making it impossible for the slacking-off slump to infect your work habits.

Go to Bed Early
As crazy as it may sound, when your parents used to say, “The faster you go to sleep, the faster it will be morning!” they were right. Going to bed at nine or 10 will not only give you more energy to keep busy during the day, but it also kills time and makes the days go by faster. Before you have time to realize it, it will be Friday afternoon.

Treat the Week Like the Tour De France
Use the week before spring break as your sprinting week. This is your chance to catch up on homework you haven’t done, and give your 100 per cent until the very last minute on Friday. After all, you won’t even have to think about homework for a whole week afterward.

AFTER:
Count Down the Days to Summer
Alas, once the restful week is over, you have to snap back to reality and accept that school will continue even if the fond memories of spring break are still alive in your heart. The best way to avoid the depression that is sure to follow is looking forward to the next (longer) break coming up: summer!

Relate Everything to Spring Break
So we all know that the major conversation topic for the week after spring break is of course, spring break. So why not let that flow into your schoolwork? Need to write an essay? Write about spring break! Need to do math? Calculate the trigonometric angles of a slice of pizza you ate on spring break! The possibilities are endless!

Schedule in Time for Nostalgia
Thinking about and missing spring break isn’t going to do you any good, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget it never happened! Shift your focus onto school during the day, and set aside an hour at night to look at photos and share some laughs with friends about the good old days.

When faced with the deadly slacking-off slump, we must rise to the occasion with fierce battle techniques or succumb and suffer. Even when the promises of spring break are inviting, and the hilarious (and sometimes heartfelt) souvenirs are distracting, school will always remain a high priority. Just remember, don’t give in, and have the best spring break imaginable.

Career Profile: T-Shirt Designer

When you see come across a quote and you want it put somewhere so you can remember it, what better place than to print it on a T-shirt? You can bring it with you wherever you go, make a fashion statement and share a few laughs or insightful moments with friends.

Getting into the business of T-shirt designing takes a lot of work, but one that is filled with fun, creativity and some out-of-the-box thinking. Just like writing and publishing a book, you tell a whole story in a few words (with or without an image to go with it) that leaves people standing in awe of the designer’s wit.

And so Youthink contacted ninja T-shirt designer Kym Banguis, who runs her own T-shirt designing business, to take a look into her wacky days and creative process.

YT: Can you give me a brief description of your job?
KB: I think up designs and create it on the computer. Once the design is finished, I put it on t-shirts and other things and sell them online. I get to network and meet new people every day, get to know them, and share ideas.

YT: What are the perks of your job?
KB: Since it’s my own business, I call the shots. I can wake up whatever time I desire, work for as little or as much as I want, take breaks anytime, work in my pajamas, go on vacation whenever I want, etc.

YT: How competitive is this career?
KB: Handmade is becoming very popular nowadays and I am seeing more and more people get into silk-screening or screen-printing. It is definitely competitive in places like L.A. but Vancouver is quickly catching up.

YT: What sort of training did you need before making your own shirts?
KB: Everything was self-taught with the Internet being my best resource. I watched a lot of videos online, read a lot of forums, talked to a lot of people and asked a lot of questions.

YT: What advice would you give to future t-shirt designers out there?
KB: A lot of people have dreams, but very few actually take the first step towards achieving their dreams. You’ll only go as far as you let yourself. Don’t let negative thoughts slow you down or keep you from getting started. It’s tough running your own business but at the same time it is very rewarding – make sure you’re ready physically, financially and emotionally. Dream BIG!

Are you craving for a shirt now? Visit www.beecreative.ca or www.herrohachi.etsy.com to quench your shirt thirst!

How to Survive Going On Exchange

Photo: Arielle wearing a yukata (traditional dress, far left in the upper row) and her exchange partner Mioka (centre of the upper row).

Many of us dream of travelling the world, learning new languages and experiencing different cultures. Last August, I had the chance to do just that on a short cross-cultural exchange to Japan with eight other Albertan students.

For two and a half months, I attended Tsukisamu High School in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. My exchange partner from Japan, Mioka, was a high-school student who showed me around and helped me live out the daily life of a Japanese student. Mioka and her family were exceptional, making sure I was comfortable in my new settings.

Photo: Arielle at a tea ceremony (bottom row in the very centre) with her exchange partner Mioka (far right in the bottom).

If are interested on going on going on exchange, here are the top five things to expect as an exchange student:

Becoming Tired
After the enthusiasm wears off, a bit of anxiety kicks in. Between the general culture shock, lack of knowledge of the language and activities planned for you by your host family and teachers, a pronounced tiredness is to be expected on cultural exchanges.

Getting to Know Yourself
Think of an exchange trip like moving to college and living with a roommate. You’re going to find yourself both loving and hating your partner at the same time. She may be a fun positive person, but living with her can really enlighten you to some of your pet peeves, as well as the qualities you tend to look for in a friend. You’ll also learn a lot of patience towards others while on your exchange.

Being an Anomaly
While I was in Japan, I was the only Caucasian in the school I attended. I stood out from the crowd a lot, and most of the students knew who I was. It’s like moving into a small, rural town where everyone knows everyone and, all of a sudden, you’re the one sticking out.

Experiencing Different World Perspectives
During an exchange, you’ll meet new people and experience different ways of living. While you’re staying with your host family, it is generally recommended that you adapt to their specific way of living in order to fully experience the culture.

You will also encounter people who have stereotypes of the country you came from, or your ethnic background. These aren’t meant to be insults, and most people are just curious to see if these stereotypes are true, so you’ll only have to say a few words to set any wrongs right.

Meeting New People and Making New Friends
Obviously, you must be ready to meet others and make new friends, or you’ll have a very lonely trip ahead. Be polite, ask questions and say “thank you”!

Exchanges can be the experience of a lifetime. As with every other experience, there are positives and negatives, but an exchange student must make the best of both. If you want to experience something new and learn about our world, than an exchange trip is a choice you won’t regret.

Buckling Down in Grade 9

You're in grade 9 now so we need to start buckling down to prepare for high school. You keep telling yourself this, but when it comes time to actually carry out this task, you're not doing very well.

First of all, you do pay attention in class – or at least you try to. No matter what though, you keep zoning out. And then there's homework. Whether you're busy with sports, music, other extracurricular activities or you just plain don't like homework, it's something that you have to do. So maybe you start it, thinking that if you can just finish this, then you can have fun, but soon you get distracted. Or maybe it's your TV, computer, pet, friend or annoying sibling. Either way, that homework goes unfinished and the next day: welcome to detention.

School is sometimes a long and painful process, but it is necessary. And even though you might not want to admit it, it can be pretty fun. Not necessarily the homework, but the friends you make, the laughs you have and the silly things you do, all make the school experience worthwhile. So although it may seem hard to buckle down right now in grade 9, if you want to make it to grade 10 where the fun really starts, you have to do the work. So try to listen in class and do your homework on time and you won’t regret it next year when you’re in high school.

Get Involved! (It’s Worth It)

Every school out there has a variety of clubs, sports, and activities that are worth getting involved in. The hardest part is finding the right one for you. With so many choices, which activity will give you the most opportunities and let you have fun? Find out who you truly are and what interests you, and then go from there.

If you’re the athletic type, try out for a sport. Most schools offer each sport for both boys and girls, and new sports are being introduced like golf and dance. There is everything from basketball and football, to soccer and badminton. Talk to a coach and find out when tryouts are, then get the equipment and start practicing!

Sports not your thing? Schools have a variety of clubs that you can join, some academic and others just for fun. If you like taking pictures and writing, try the school newspaper or join the yearbook club and help put it together. If you’re in grade 12, some schools have a grad committee. Join the club and you can help make decisions and fundraise money for your graduation. If there isn’t a club out there for you, start your own! Get a teacher to sponsor the club, and then spread the word. You could make a difference with something you truly enjoy.

Getting involved in your school can also mean volunteering for events like organizing a dance or designing the backdrops for the school play. There are many opportunities to volunteer or get in some work experience. Ask your career counsellor what is available at the moment in your school.

Getting involved in your school has its rewards. Some scholarship committees look for students who take part in their school. Involving yourself in the school demonstrates school spirit and allows you to explore different activities. So get moving and sign up for something in your school!

8 Things To Know About University

Sarah-Beth is currently in her first year studying kinesiology at the University of Calgary

University is a big step after leaving high school. Choosing a faculty and major, the chance to finally study what you find most interesting, getting to meet lots of new people... the list goes on. There is so much to discuss that often a few things go unmentioned in the tours around campus. There are many things I know about university now that I wish I’d known in high school, and not just the basic facts like 8 am classes are tough to get up for and playing on a university team means you lose most of your weekends.

To help you get prepared, here are my top eight things to know about university:

Like Dad Said: It’s Hard, Really Hard
There is always studying to be done, since a test that is worth 20 to 50 per cent of your final grade is common and will cover loads of material.

Get Familiar With Your Surroundings
Just because you walked around campus a few times doesn’t mean your classrooms are easy to find. Find all of your classrooms before the first day to avoid wandering around aimlessly and being late to your first lectures.

Be Textbook Savvy
Textbooks can cost a small fortune. So before you buy, go to the first couple of lectures and find out if the textbook is really required. Then visit the used bookstore to save yourself a few dollars. Or buy your textbooks from another student who was enrolled in the course previously, and help them fend off student debt.

Get Tech Ready
Learn where there are outlets on campus to recharge your laptop/phone. Especially if you have classes in buildings that pre-date the age of cellphones.

Keep in Touch
University is a huge place! Just because you go to the same school as your friends, it doesn’t mean you’ll see them. Organize study sessions, coffee dates or movie nights to catch up.

Success is in Your Hands
You have total responsibility for your education. It’s up to you to pay tuition on time, register for your classes, actually attend lectures and labs and hand in assignments by their due date. No one is going to be running after you to hand in that paper that was due last week.

Be Prepared to be Surprised
University can be a culture shock. Diversity is a major part of campus life, with people coming from all backgrounds, religions, ideologies and ages. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn about yourself and others. You will meet some of the most interesting people in the world right in your classroom!

Make an Effort
Be outgoing and try to make friends. If you don’t make an effort, you may be the annoying person sending out mass e-mails to your classmates asking for notes for missed lectures. And who wants to be that person?

Volunteer Opportunities Over the Winter Break

Winter break is a time to relax and enjoy yourself, but let’s face it – it can get a little boring if you don’t have a lot to do. So to spice up your holiday break, you should consider volunteering in your community. It’s also a great way to meet new people, add some valuable volunteer hours to your resumé and remember what the holidays are really about. If volunteering is on your to-do list this holiday break, here are some opportunities to consider!

Mount Seymour
This is a completely different kind of volunteering but can be a blast for people who are really into skiing or snowboarding. As a volunteer, you would be working with Mt. Seymour’s Bear Cubs program or as a mountain host. There are some requirements though as you must be over 15 years of age, have a first aid certificate and commit to a minimum of 72 hours snow work plus six hours training. For more information visit www.mountseymour.com.

Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse)
Samaritan’s Purse is an international relief organization that provides aid across the world. Operation Christmas Child has been a hands-on project of Samaritan’s Purse since 1993. Shoeboxes are filled with school supplies and gifts for children overseas. Volunteers are needed at the processing centre to sort and process gift-filled shoe boxes, or send a shoebox of your own. Visit www.samaritanspurse.ca for more info.

Union Gospel Mission
The Union Gospel Mission is another great option since they are always looking for volunteers. The jobs at Union Gospel Mission usually entail working at soup kitchens or helping out with collecting warm clothing for people in need. If you’re looking for something to do over winter break and at the same time really help out people who are in need, this can be a really life-changing experience. Check out www.umg.ca and click “Take Action” to find out more.

Food Banks
The food bank is always looking for people during the holidays. At this time of year, when people are celebrating and feasting it is particularly difficult for those who cannot afford to feed themselves or treat themselves to a holiday meal. Everyone needs help sometimes, and it’s a great feeling to be able to help someone out with their basic needs. Check out Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society at www.foodbank.bc.ca

Salvation Army Kettle Drive
The Salvation Army is always looking for new volunteers. The Kettle Drive is a great way to help in the community and get some volunteer hours. This year, the organization has introduced iKettle 2009 for online bell-ringers! You can customize your own iKettle web page and then invite others via email to donate and fill your
iKettle. For more info on how you can help, visit www.salvationarmy.ca

Words of Wisdom: The Tempted or the Lure?

Finding a healthy balance between school and a social life may not be an easy task for many people at the best of times. Even Isabella Swan, from the Twilight saga, who transfers to a new school as a very private person, becomes both popular and enmeshed in a relationship with a dreamy vampire named Edward Cullen – she went from one extreme to the next. Which character best describes you, the tempted or the lure?

If the lure of friends, or a love interest/socializing weighs too heavily into your school equation, it might be wise to ask yourself: “How can I have a social life and still do well in school?”

Your pre-teen and teen years are some of the most exciting, especially if you were introduced to a new coven of people at your new junior high or high school. One could hardly blame you if you wanted to spend more time with your new friends than with your new assignments. However, having said that, resist that powerful urge and find a balance. Try to stay organized, if you are not already.

Organizing your life may contribute to keeping a healthy balance. Start by assigning certain times of the day for homework and studying, and other slots of time for family and friends. Be realistic and honest with yourself; create a schedule that you will actually follow. By keeping to the schedule, you will form healthy work habits. As an extra-added bonus, if you and your friends create similar schedules, you can co-ordinate your free time to mesh with theirs.

If you find that you are heading too far to either extreme, create a schedule that may help you easily manage your homework and social life. This schedule may evolve; fine tune and tweak your schedule until it works for you. Getting into a routine should keep life flowing smoothly.

Over the past decade or so, I have known students who have been at various locations of the school-social life continuum – some students chose to completely immerse themselves in academics, while others chose to all but abandon school for a wild social life. Being at either extreme is not healthy, so a balance must be struck.

In addition to organizing your life, stay away from vampires since their homework habits bite.

Words of Wisdom: Be a Part of Something Bigger

If you’re like most students, you’re probably hesitant to join school clubs. Maybe you think they’re too big of a time commitment and you’re bogged down enough already with homework, studying and possibly even a part-time job. Or none of your friends are joining. Or you’re afraid of meeting new people.

When I was in high school, I had all these reasons and more for not joining school clubs. Then, in grade 11, I took a drama class and realized how much fun it was to perform in front of people. In grade 12, I got a part in the school play, and finally discovered how much more there was to school than sitting in desks, doing assignments and leaving. There were whole other worlds going on, fun worlds that you could join for the pure enjoyment of it, that didn’t involve marks, report cards or taking notes. I was amazed! And these opportunities had been there all along, even in junior high.

Now, as a teacher, I see how much students benefit from becoming a part of school clubs. You get to belong to something that’s bigger than yourself, use your creativity and meet people that you might not have met otherwise. Here are some clubs that your school might have: drama, art, sports, yearbook, debate, speech, games, creative writing, poetry slam, school newspaper, literary magazine, social justice and student council. And if your school doesn’t have a club you’re interested in, then why not start your own?

How to Be the Perfect Employee

Every day teens get hired or turned down for jobs – and many students wonder what they can do to make themselves the ideal candidate for these jobs. Here are six qualities that will help transform you into the perfect employee!

Be Flexible
Employers like when employees are not constantly asking to switch or drop shifts because they have another commitment. This means that if you are involved in many extracurricular activities, you may have to choose between those and having a job. Some employers are more flexible about this, but do not always count on this because eventually your schedules will conflict.

Be Friendly
Everyone likes someone who is friendly, especially employers. Employers like to have an employee who can go up and talk to anyone about just about anything. This quality is especially helpful if you want to be an employee at a job where you are interacting with people. Also, getting along with your co-workers as well as customers will only make your day that much more enjoyable, so why wouldn’t you take the time to be friendly?

Multi-Task
Employers like when employees can do more than one thing at a time or help more than one customer at a time. This will make you a more efficient employee because you can get more done in a shorter span of time. And you will feel more accomplished with each task you finish.

Be Punctual
Employers do not like when employees are late. If you are going to be late, you better have a very legitimate reason and call to let your employer know. Do not leave a message with a fellow co-worker; make sure you tell a manager or supervisor.

Be Eager To Learn
Most companies like when their employees are eager to learn. So how can you show off this quality? Know your stuff while on the job. Why not try some of the company products so that you can really promote them while you’re on the job? Or take a course on customer service, persuasive speaking or whatever else is related to your responsibilities at work. Not only will these additional courses help you succeed at your current job, it just might help you get future jobs as it looks great on a resumé!

Be Honest
Every employer wants an employee they can trust. Employers face the constant battle of employees stealing and ones who do not follow the rules of the company. Honesty is a necessity and is one of the most important qualities of a good employee.