High School Students answer some more tough questions about the transition to high school

How do you balance everything in high school?

Breath….. The main trick to balancing everything with life is to stay calm.   The same thing goes if you're in a crisis.   If you panic, your body goes into fight or flight mode sending extra adrenaline into your blood system.  This may send a rush of endorphins and adrenaline at first, but if you are under this constant stress it can cause many short term and long term effects to your body.  Similar to if you choose to do drugs or alcohol.   If you stay calm and tell yourself you can do it ... then you can and you will.   But you also have to remember it is okay to say “No”…  if someone asks you to do something and you are booked.

Homework and grades should always come first.  If you're struggling in school you should focus on that.  Exercise is a very important thing.  It’s a great stress reliever and sends good endorphins and adrenaline through your body to help pump fresh blood into your brain and to give you a new look on a sticky situation.  If you're stuck or struggling with homework, take a break and go on a little run or walk.  

As far as family is concerned, you may feel that your parents are "babying" you, but they do know what is best for you and want to keep you safe.  Same as any other animal in the animal kingdom J. Communication and honesty is the key to any relationship.   And trust me, parents will take better if you communicate with them maturely, as opposed to rebelling, yelling, and losing your control.

What really happens at summer parties?

You will probably hear a lot of people refer to going to summer parties, pool/beach parties, and graduation parties.  Many think that they all include drinking and hundreds of people, but that is not the case at all.   Most of these parties are only about 5-15 people sitting around hanging out as friends, enjoying the beautiful weather drinking lemonade.  No alcohol what-so-ever.  However, there are the select few who do decide to partake in the stereotypical “partying” activities…. and these are the people who are talked about the most because they are somehow exciting to the rest of the world.  All in all MOST do not drink, and if people are drinking, know that you DO NOT have to.  I would recommend leaving to avoid pressures, but if you feel that that may insult your friends then politely say no. If they are true friends, they will respect your decision to #livedrugfree. Ultimately, you are the makers of your choices and no one can tell you what to do or how to live.