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It’s important to feel heard and understood. It makes you feel validated. When you don’t get the full attention you are seeking, it can cause you to feel insignificant. This is common especially with a younger generation. Often times, young people are overlooked because it is assumed they have nothing valuable to say, which is indeed not true. There are ways to command a room and make your voice heard.

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Communication Style| Think about how you communicate with people. If your demeanor is more laid back and quiet, then it might be time to push the envelope and be a bit more aggressive. This is important especially when speaking to teachers and counselors because they are most likely discussing your future and you definitely want a say in that.

Answer With Intelligence| When you finally get a chance to voice your opinion, don’t take it for granted. Give a well thought out opinion. It will show a level of maturity and open the door for more opportunities to speak your mind.

Send an Email| Sometimes it’s hard to command attention in person without coming across a certain way. Sending an email is a lot less aggressive and can be worded in a way that sounds mature, but still gets your point across. It’s also a lot less intimidating.

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~Tia Banks, Content Creator

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Valentine’s day is that one day a year that people either seriously dread or are the definition of the word ‘extra’. BUT  there’s nothing extra about spoiling yourself or atleast treating yourself for the small or big accomplishments you’ve started to knock out at the beginning of 2020, right? Well, no matter if you have a secret admirer or not, your love is all ya need to celebrate. Remember, loving yourself is a must + any others adjust a plus!

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Doll up|– Okay, yes so if you’re in college you can sneak in between classes to get a mani or pedi. And even if you’re barely able to focus after 8 hours of walking the halls of your high school, make it a point to unwind after studying. That’s what study breaks are meant for! So pull out your go-to nail polish colors and knock out your home spa!

A Token of Appreciation | If you decide to cancel on Gal-entine’s Day this year, giving your friends a small gift might not be a bad idea. They’ll definitely appreciate the thought behind it. A great + chic gift to round up for your crew are beauty sheet-masks from Leaders Cosmetics. Meshing much-needed relaxation + hydrating skin rejuvenation, your girl gang will barely notice that you’re gone! Who doesn’t love to Detox and Chill, right?

Trade off| Okay, I know that we just ended holiday season but this one isn’t going to cost any coins. Okay, so hearing sweet things about yourself never gets old but we oftentimes take it for granted when we’re always with the people we love. So, trade off compliments! Whether it’s you + bff or you and your bf, each of you should say atleast 2 traits you appreciaite about the other. You would be amazed how people will never forget sweet truths about themselves!

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A new semester is upon us! Our schedules just got busier and our workload is a little heavier. Just the thought of this would make any normal person a bit uneasy. However, there are ways to get ahead of the game so that you’re fully prepared for the semester and anxiety won’t creep up on you like those forgotten assignments!

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Pull up with a planner| Planners are extremely helpful especially when you have a schedule full of club meetings, due dates, and get-togethers. It will allow you to write things down and have a visual representation of what your schedule looks like so you’ll know when you can squeeze in a nap!

Get a head start| I know this is easier said than done, but anything you do to get a head start on an assignment will help you tremendously. You’ll have more time to plan and ask questions if needed. You’ll even have room for those days when you’re procrastinating.

Sleep, sleep + sleep| This is a fan favorite. Sleeping is not only a hobby for those who stay busy; it is also an essential part of your health. Getting a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep a night will improve your mood and give you the energy you need to kill it!

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~Tia Banks

OH! The school year is almost over but you have to make it through finals week first! The pressure of studying everything you’ve learned this year is on. But don’t stress too much because we’ve put together Final Exams Survival Kit that will get you through

Your favorite snacks – Use your favorite snacks as a reward for getting through that first chapter or memorizing formulas.

Noise Cancelling Headphones – Headphones that cancel out all outside noises allow you to focus on the task at hand.

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Caffeine – Caffeine can give you that energy boost you’ll need when it starts to get late and you still have a sufficient amount of work to get done. Whether in the form of coffee or energy drink, make sure you consume in moderation. OR

Emergen-C : During finals week we dedicate long nights to studying and therefore result in less sleep, which weakens our immune system. Keep a packet of Emergen-C nearby just in case you start to feel a little under the weather.

You’re almost at the finish line! So don’t blow it, love. We’re ready to see your victory dance after you crush this semester!

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What gets you through an all-nighter study session? Ummm, a dope playlist! Having a playlist –a good one– is a big deal. Now, some of us are visual people so we’ve put together a visual playlist of some songs you’ll have on repeat through the end of the season!

Lizzo ~ Truth Hurts

Chance The Rapper ~ Ballin’ Flossin’

Kygo~ Higher Love

Ari Lennox ~ Whipped Cream

Jidenna -Tribe

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Everyone wants to look and feel their best. We spend money on treatments and special serums to make us look refreshed and get rid of insecurities like stretch marks, acne, wrinkles, etc. when all we need to do is look for organic alternatives that get the job done. Here are ways to increase your natural beauty!

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1. Shea butter 

Shea butter, a fat removed from the nuts of West African Shea trees is high in vitamins and fatty acids which create many benefits for skin. Shea butter is very common and has a lot of uses like moisturizing dry skin, reducing stretch marks, treating acne, etc. 

2. Coconut oil

Coconut oil just like Shea butter is high in fatty acids making handfuls of benefits for people. Some of the benefits of coconut oil are reducing symptoms of eczema, good for preventing hair damage, acts as a weak sunscreen, can kill harmful bacteria in the mouth, etc. 

3. Sleep 

This might be super obvious, but you’d be surprised at how little people actually sleep for. It’s important to get a maximum of 8 hours of sleep to wake up feeling refreshed and energized for the next day. Without the proper amount of sleep you will wake up feeling grumpy and lazy. 

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4.Go makeup free

This might sound like something that can’t be done, but it’s important that you take a break sometimes from wearing makeup so that your pores can breathe. Also make sure that you take off your makeup before you go to sleep because it can cause your pores to become clogged and make you break out. 

5. Drink water 

Another obvious one, but it’s really important that you drink enough water so that you feel hydrated throughout the day. This is especially important when the days get really hot and humid, you should always be hydrated. Lastly try to avoid drinking coffee or anything like that because they make you dehydrated, but if you must have your coffee fix drink water before and after to balance out. 

6. Exercise 

It’s very crucial that you take the time to work out and sweat. Sweat is very important because it lets you get rid of all the bad stuff in your body. Before you work out, make sure to wash your face because when you work out your pores open up which can let dirt in and also take a shower after you work out so that you keep yourself clean after all the sweat you released .

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7. Eat good food

You are what you eat. Yes, that burger and fries looks delicious, but in order for you to look and feel your best self you must refrain from eating greasy and ultimately bad foods. Try to eat more vegetables and fruits and get plenty of protein and vitamins. Maintaining a good diet will help you be your best self.  

8. Self care

Life is very stressful with all of the things you have to take care of. You have work, school, finals, applications, etc. that keep you on your feet, but it’s important that you take some time out for yourself to relax and unwind. Read a book, take a calming bath, watch a movie, go to a spa, whatever makes you feel relaxed and not stressed. When you’re stressed you can break out and find yourself unhappy and upset so put down your laptop or phone, ignore your responsibilities for a moment and just do what makes you happy. 

9. Olive oil 

When you see olive oil, what do you think of? If you said cooking or food I would tell you that I thought of the same thing, but it turns out that olive oil has other uses. Olive oil fights dandruff, removes makeup, softens cuticles, helps nails grow, good for moisturizing, etc. 

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10. Wash your face 

We touch so many things throughout the day and sometimes we end up touching our face making it dirty and causing us to break out. So remember to wash your face when you wake up and before you go to sleep and exfoliate 2-3 times a week to get rid of dead and dry skin.

~Melanie Santiago, teen intern

The singing duo Chole and Halle have taken the entertainment industry by storm. The two sisters (ages 18 and 20) have a total of four albums together so far featuring songs that are acknowledged by many people, such as Filmmaker Ava Duvernay in her hit adaptation of “A Wrinkle In Time”. It is unquestionable that they have accomplished so much during the past few years. Here are a few reasons why they are both of our Music Goals!

1. Their music is written and produced for them, by them. The duo was nominated for two Grammy’s this year for their debut album “the kids are alright”. An album that the two wrote together in their living room and self produced. Talk about independence!

2. They’ve gained fans such as Beyoncé, the woman who is to thank for signing them to her label, and Michelle Obama! Having support from former first lady Michelle Obama is anyone’s goal.

3. The two started off uploading themselves singing covers of songs on YouTube. Their talent and perseverance hustled a path for them to become adored and respected musicians and performers in front of crowds by the millions. Exhibiting leadership and empowering many young women of color to chase their dreams.

~ Jada Jackson, Teen Blogger

We bet you can’t find interns doper than ours? From bomb interviews to fresh write-ups, our squad is covering a variety of topics for C.O.R.E mag this summer so stay tuned! Meet our amazing crew from Bela High School in Brooklyn!

CORE Crew: Naomi Aubin, Sanaya Brister, Melanie Santiago, Mariam Sikiru, Jada Jackson , Taffia Evelyn

Melanie: What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become a writer because it is a very vulnerable form of art which allows people to express their deepest feelings.

Sanaya: If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

The random hate people have for each other.

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Naomi: What does empowerment mean to you? 

To help everyone, starting with yourself, to be the best versions of themselves they were created to be.

Miriam: How have you helped someone lately? 

I have volunteered my time into welcoming new students into BELA high school & making them feel comfortable. 

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The thing that rounds out a perfect summer is a dope playlist. Good music is always a vibe for summer night drives with the crew, windows down and the warm air blowing on you or poolside kickbacks. Having a playlist –a good one– is a big deal. Now, some of us are visual people so we’ve put together a visual playlist of some songs you’ll have on repeat through the end of the season.

DJ Khaled ~ Higher

Beyonce ~ Before I Let Go

Khalid~Talk

Lil Nas X ~ Old Town Road

J.Cole ~ Middle Child