Without a high school diploma, you can’t go to college and going to college is to your advantage. For the same time period, the unemployment rate for 25-34 year olds with some college was 8% and only 3. 6% for those who graduated from college. [1] X Research source
Without steady employment or a livable wage, there won’t be opportunities for vacations, let alone nice clothes or cars. In many cases, a car itself might be too expensive and owning a home may never be possible.
They have this knowledge and the very important ability to write letters of recommendation for you, which will be greatly beneficial in achieving your goals. You won’t get these things from your teachers, however, if you don’t put in the effort to show them you care about your education. If you’re in high school, set up a time to meet with your teachers to talk about your goals and things you’re struggling with. Ask them for help. [4] X Expert Source Desiree PanlilioTeen Life Coach Expert Interview. 12 October 2021. And help them when you can – stay after class to help pick up things, volunteer if your teacher asks the class for help with something, offer to help hand out assignments or equipment during class and so forth. If you’re in college, go to your professors’ office hours on a semi-regular basis. Talk with them and ask questions that show you care about school.
Be approachable. Many times we unknowingly wear our worries on our faces, and often that’s shown as a scowl. This can make others feel hesitant about talking to you. So make the extra effort to look up instead of at the floor and to smile at others. If you don’t know what to talk about with a potential new friend, ask them questions about themselves. People typically love to talk about themselves. Icebreaker questions can be as simple as, “I like your bracelet. Where did you get it?” Talk to the new kid at school and invite him or her to eat lunch with you. They’ll probably be very thankful. Consider joining an extracurricular activity. Research shows that simply exposing yourself to new people you’re more likely to connect with them. Joining a club or activity that you enjoy will also help you meet like-minded people! Being confident helps a lot in making new friends as well. One of the best ways to be more self-confident is to feel good about your appearance. So take a little extra time getting ready in the mornings. You’ll likely find it much easier to smile at others and ask those icebreaker questions when you know you’re looking your best. [9] X Research source
They also give you a chance to learn things you may not learn elsewhere – about up-and-coming bands, fun events outside of school, and the opposite sex. They can also really help when you’re feeling down. One quality conversation can change your outlook pretty fast and make you not feel so alone.
If you tend to feel hurt easily, totally ignore the teaser, simply shrug and walk away, avoid the teaser as much as possible, give yourself a mental pep talk (“This really bothers me, but I can deal with it. ”), visualize a bubble around you and how what’s being said can’t penetrate it or you, and remember you get to choose how you react. If you’re ready to confront the teaser, simply say “So?” as you shrug and smile to the teasing remark, leave assertively (“I have better things to do than listen to this!”) and walk away, or make one assertive statement (“Leave me alone. ”) and walk away. If you’re starting to feel more in control of the teasing, say something that distracts from the teasing (“I hear it’s gonna me a good game tonight. ”), make the teaser sound like a broken record and shrug or give a little smile with your statement (“Enough already. ”), or state what’s happening as you raise your eyebrows or purse your lips (“You’re kicking my desk. ”) If you’re pretty confident and quick on your feet, disarm the teaser with humor (a funny one-liner) as you laugh and turn the situation into a funny one and use “I feel” statements (“When you said X, I felt Y. Please stop. “)
You also make new friends, learn new things, master skills, get the chance to compete, discover new interests, relieve boredom, take trips, and have a lot of fun. [14] X Research source [15] X Research source
Guidance counselors will also be able to tell you which activities look best on resumes and applications for colleges and jobs. Explore several extracurriculars to see which is the best fit for you. And don’t avoid trying a new one if the first didn’t work out. Sometimes a club or activity might not be a good fit because you don’t have enough time. If so, look for something that will work and stick with it. [17] X Trustworthy Source TeensHealth Website run by Nemours, a nonprofit children’s healthcare system, for the purpose of providing teens and young adults with specific health resources Go to source The quality of the activity and your level and length of involvement in it matters more to colleges and employers than the quantity of activities you participated in. [18] X Research source
Also ask if there are opportunities to take on a leadership role in the group. If there are, think about your strengths and ultimate goals when picking one. [19] X Trustworthy Source TeensHealth Website run by Nemours, a nonprofit children’s healthcare system, for the purpose of providing teens and young adults with specific health resources Go to source
Also check out bulletin boards on campus because clubs and organizations post information there. Write down the website address or contact information if it’s included on the poster or flyer. Then investigate it. [20] X Research source Consider creating a club or activity that you’re interested in if your school doesn’t offer it. Talk with administrators about getting funding for it.
