One Pimple is One Too Many - School Prep

Hey Everyone!

I know what you may be thinking... Are you serious Ariel? SCHOOL PREP? It's still summer!
Very true!
However, many of us (ahem, like me) are heading back to school in a month and sometimes need a reminder that summer doesn't last forever!

Even if school doesn't start for another few months in your case, it's never too early to be prepared!

Here are some fun ways to get prepped for school without making it seem like work!

Play a Game
- Whether it be a board game or a video game, there are plenty of games out there that promote education and learning without being stuffy or boring! BrainAge for the Nintendo DS is a good example as well as the game Cranium! Instead of breaking out the games only at parties, make playing "brain games" a daily part of your life. Your brain will thank you!

Read a Book
- I have always loved reading. My grandma taught me to read when I was three years old and instilled in me from a very young age to love books and reading. As I've grown up, that love has only grown. Although I have to read more for work than for pleasure, I still enjoy reading to this day. For some of you, that may not be the case. Maybe you've grown up HATING reading! Never fear my friends! I am of the firm belief that if someone doesn't like to read it's because they haven't found their book yet. By that, I mean the book that encourages a love for books and stories. For me, that book was Clotee: The Diary of a Slave Girl from the Dear America series. Although I have always loved reading, that book really made me appreciate stories, books and keeping a diary. (Which I started when I was eleven and still do to this day) Make it your mission this summer to find your book. Go to the library or to a local bookstore and browse! Look for things you're interested now and go from there... you never know what could be in store between the pages of a good book!

Research
- Before you stop reading, hear me out! Research is usually thought of as a form of torture brought on from teachers. Not true! Researching new and exciting things can be a lot of fun! Ever wondered how peanut butter was made? Or how the internet was invented? Look it up! Through the wonders of the internet and your local library, there's a whole world of information available to you! Find something you've always wondered about and see how it was made!


Previously, I posted this column weekly and then once I started college I posted whenever I had the time. After a lot of thinking, I've decided to post once every month. Not only will I have a chance to be consistent but it will still give me time to focus on my schoolwork and academics.

I hope you all are having a fun and restful summer!

Ariel <3