(Giphy.com)

Twenty four hours. That’s how much time we have in one day to do everything that needs to get done. And sure, that seems like a lot at first, but once you’ve realized how many things you actually need to do, twenty four hours a day just seems insufficient. That being said, a lot of people, myself,  included, focus on knocking tasks off their list and begin to discard items deemed “unimportant” like sleep.

(Giphy.com)

Multiple scientists have stated many times that the minimum amount of sleep needed in order to function correctly is somewhere between seven to nine hours. Now, you may be saying, “Well, I have other things to do! Homework to catch up on, and people to talk to; I don’t have seven hours to spare!” But you see, that’s the issue right there. The moment you tell yourself you don’t have the time for it, you start thinking you don’t need it, and that is not true… at all. Sleep is basically what your body uses to recharge, kind of like how you plug in your phone so that it doesn’t die. Much like a phone–or any other piece of technology really–the body begins to shut down or become sluggish when it’s battery starts to shut down. There’s many things that can happen if you don’t get the right amount of sleep. 

(Giphy.com)

It’s very important to sleep, not just because of the effects that it has on your body and mental health now, but because of what it can do to you in the long term. For example, sleep deprivation has been linked to hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as obesity, diabetes, melancholy, and anxiety. It has also been linked to diminished brain function, memory loss, a weakened immune system, lower fertility rates, and psychiatric illnesses, it can even cause skin problems! On top of this, the risk of being involved in a car accident also increases. You see, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving causes almost 100,000 traffic collisions each year, resulting in more than 1,500 deaths and 70,000 injuries. Sleep is something that, simply put, you absolutely need. Which is why keeping a sleep schedule is so important!

(Giphy.com)

One of the best ways for this to happen is to go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every day. This might sound hard to do, especially if you’re the kind of person that usually has a very hectic and uneven schedule with classes. But, the easiest solution to this problem is simply to allow yourself to shorten the list of things you have to do in one day. It’s okay to feel stressed or anxious with the amount of things you need to get done, but what isn’t okay is to give up your health because it seems “unimportant”. 

Your health, and sleep, are two things that aren’t worth the bargain.

~ Teen blogger, Claudia Lopez

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!

(Giphy.com)

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!

(Giphy.com)

–Content Editor, Tia Banks

(Giphy.com)

You and your bestie would never be caught without the other. You’ve spent a large portion of your friendship getting into wild shenanigans while making lasting memories. All of a sudden the good times start to slow down significantly. Why? Your bestie is boo’d up! And although you’re happy for her, you cannot stand her new man! What’s a supportive best friend supposed to do?

(Giphy.com)

Keep your FEELINGS out of it| Even though you tell your bestie everything, you don’t have to constantly remind her that you dislike her new bae. The only thing that should matter to you is her happiness.

Check yourself | Ask yourself why you hate your bestie’s BF. Do you not like his character, the way he treats her, or the way her relationship has affected your friendship? Take some time to do some serious reflecting.

Take advice from Frozen and “Let It Go”| Just because your bestie is in a relationship with someone you don’t like, doesn’t mean you have to let that affect your friendship. Yes, you may hang out a little less, but the time you do spend together can still be epic! Just make sure that you continue to be present in your best friend’s life (especially if she needs a shoulder to cry on when they break up).

(Giphy.com)

-Tia Banks, Content Editor

(Giphy.com)

The end of the semester is near and even though everything seems like it’s happening at once, just take a chill pill. You’ll be okay! Papers, projects, and finals are right around the corner and it’s nothing you can’t handle. We are here to help you manage these next few weeks so you can walk away from this semester with a peace of mind.

(Giphy.com)

Sashay Your Way To Class. This rule may seem so simple but is very important especially during the last few weeks of the semester. Professors will be teaching last minute PowerPoint’s and going over info from earlier in the semester. This is your last chance to ask questions so make sure you’re present.

Break Don’t Quit. In between studying, classes, and trying to stay focused, make sure you take a break. Go hangout with friends, grab a quick bite to eat off campus, or have a short workout session in the gym. Anything is a break as long as you’re focused on something else.

Prioritize your priorities. You have a million and one things to do but some things are more important than others. There are assignments that you may have procrastinated on for a while that you need to start before you begin that take home test. Just make sure you put everything in order of importance so that you’ll have a grasp on all of your assignments.

(Giphy.com)

-Tia Banks, Content Editor

(Giphy.com)

Don’t you absolutely hate when your parents get on you about little things?! It’s like they’re trying to prevent you from living your best life! You feel like they are breathing down your neck and don’t give you any room to enjoy your youth. Well we’re here to give you some tips on how to deal with overly strict parents.

(Giphy.com)

Keep it 100| Show your parents that you are serious about having more freedom. Sit down with them and discuss the rules that are in place and why you feel like they are unrealistic. Along with that, give them suggestions for appropriate punishments and reward system.

Relax| When your parents come down hard on you, don’t use your energy to yell and argue back. It will make them see you as immature and further their decision to remain as strict as possible.

Help me, help me! | Sometimes you may need to lean on other family members for help. For example, your aunts and uncles are great people to talk to about your parents’ strict ways since they grew up with them.

(Giphy.com)

Tia Banks, Content Editor

It’s time to re-energize and start shifting your focus! Moving forward is an important part of growth. But sometimes we hinder our own growth and don’t realize how detrimental it can be. Here are three ways you’re sabotaging yourself from being the best you can be:

(Giphy.com)

Hit The Brakes On The Negative Thoughts- This is probably the most common issue people have. It’s so easy to think “It’s never going to happen” rather than “Just because it didn’t happen today, doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying”. Positivity is like karma. When you put it in the atmosphere, it will come back around to you.

Skip The Comfort Highway- It’s okay to be comfortable but don’t let comfort allow you to forget about your goals. The ease of being in a daily routine can make the thought of something new seem inconvenient.

Override Fear-If an opportunity presents itself and the fear of failing kept you from going for it, you’ve already lost. Despite how people seem to be living their best lives on social media, they’ve had failures too. Everyone does, however, often times you grow from them.

Yeah, you got it!

(Giphy.com)

Summer is in full swing + so are those part-time checks from your summer gig! Don’t fret; we’ll cover our eyes on how you’ve already spent your money on clothes, beauty goodies and concert tickets for the first half of the summer. Well, for the rest of the month we’re going to give you 3 reasons why saving your money is “not your enemy” in your life!

(Giphy.com)

Clouds Are Rolling In!– Have you heard the saying “save for a rainy day” in life? Well, with all this global warming happening you never know when a storm will pop up. Okay, so maybe not a real life tornado but a shift in your money flow. An extra book for your college course? Your basketball uniform? I mean it’s always good to have a little cushion.

Hands Out Syndrome– So your parents love you and your homegirls have your back but let’s be honest they are not your personal ATM. Always asking for someone to spot you or cover you can be a bit draining and can even break up friendships. Keep a stash and play it safe.

Shrug That Feeling– It’s as simple as that feeling. We all know that feeling. That feeling of finding a quarter is an upgrade to our empty accounts. It’s cool to look fly but when you have an empty account can take away from your fab life.

So get to stacking!

(Giphy.com)

From fresh kicks to the latest hair trends to your 50 bottles of nail polish scattered in your room, they all have one thing in common. Umm yeah, they cost money, right? Right! And another truth about these items is that just because you have them doesn’t mean you actually have  extra money or should I dare and say ‘savings’? So even though you may look like you have it together that may be far from the truth. Alright, so scroll through to see if you want to FAKE it or actually MAKE it.

(Giphy.com)

Stay In Your Lane- Just like they taught you in Driver’s ED to stay in your lane, the same rules apply when it comes to your coins.  Just because your friend blows money without working doesn’t mean you can do the same. Remember, you put in hard work on your part-time gig after classes to get the extra cash flow. Spend wisely. And plus, you’re getting a jumpstart on adulthood that your spoiled home girl will have to catch up to. Again, spend wisely.

(Giphy.com)

STRUGGLE mode now or BOSS mode later- Ooh we all love shiny, new things to add to our collection. But let me ask you this, would you rather be able to splurge just for the moment or actually have a lifestyle where you can flourish for years? Sacrifices today pave the growth of tomorrow. So don’t feel bad for packing lunch or not getting every refreshment at the movies. You’re just in prep mode for the rest of your life!

(Giphy.com)

Savings are GHOST!- Okay, so this is tricky. In a world where we can’t get through 12 hours without sharing a ‘fun’ update about life, we have an itch to tell the world how much we’re saving especially if you’ve been cutting back. Well, this is a personal win that at the right time as you’re getting older will naturally slip out. When you’re the only one in your crew not stressing about hitting the college bookstore or even when spring break comes around you’re not scraping for that senior trip! Just know savings will come in handy in numerous ways + that’s always better than an Instagram debut.

(Giphy.com)