As the summer is winding down to an end many of you may have already started or are getting ready to begin the upcoming school year.

Transitioning from the summer to an academic year can be scary. I am beginning my senior year of high school filled with stress and anxiety due to college applications! However, I see myself as a very qualified 12th grader (wow that's crazy to write) to give my sisters some advice!

1. Get involved. Join any club that interests you as well as community organizations. In my freshman year of high school, I joined around ten clubs granted I only stuck to about five. It was fun meeting new people and learning more.  If your school does not have a club, you are interested in create your own. I started a HOSA at my high school because we did not have a chapter. It took tons of effort to find a teacher and get the club certified through administration, but it was worth it. 

2. Always ask questions. I have never been afraid in class to admit I did not know something. It is essential to stay involved in classroom activities and lessons or else you will fall behind. It can be nerve-wracking or even embarrassing to admit you need help or ask questions, but tons of other students are probably lost just like you. And if you can't gather the courage to ask in front of the class, speak to your teacher when class ends. 

3. Sit at the front of the classroom. If your teacher doesn't assign seats, I highly recommend getting a seat in the front of the classroom as it helps you to focus and be more engaged in the lesson. Plus, you begin to build a relationship with the teacher as you are closer to them while teaching a lesson. This can help you in gaining recommendation letters for programs and college applications.

4. Do your homework during lunch. This rule has saved me countless amounts of time after school and helped to manage my time best. Honestly, if you ever have any free time during your class start doing homework for other classes it frees up time and always makes you feel less stressed when you get home. No one is saying you can't eat lunch. Sometimes I needed to take time away from school and just ate lunch while reading instead of working for a mental health break. You can also eat and work simultaneously. It is a wonderful habit to garner.

5. Stay organized. Have a folder and notebook for every class. When a teacher hands out a piece of paper, put it in that class folder immediately. Keep a planner or at least a book where you write down homework assignments and test dates. I had a notebook in my bag dedicated to homework and writing down test dates. I also have a planner which I fill at the end of every day for the following day.

You are all going to do wonderful this year. Wish me luck as I apply to colleges, and I wish you luck in this upcoming school year! It's all going to be okay (I need to hear this a lot)!