Category: Teen Life

Trying to Lose Some Weight? Be Careful

In the last few years, social media has intensified the pressure to look perfect. Teens are especially susceptible to this pressure that makes them want to change themselves to fit a new picture-perfect mold. Over the years, there has seemingly been an influx of healthy teens trying to lose some weight unnecessarily.

To be clear, when there is a true need, there is nothing wrong with trying to lose some weight. This is especially true for teenagers as building intentional healthy habits early can help them to be healthy and mindful adults. Dieting due to a concern of your health is much different than dieting due to a fear of gaining weight when you are relatively healthy, though. Dieting when healthy can lead to disorders in teens, a potentially life-threatening problem.

Know the Difference Between Diets and Disorders

Before jumping into information about eating disorders, it is important to establish what is and is not healthy dieting. This is especially important for teens to understand as they are becoming more and more autonomous from their parents. You’re in a time where you’re gaining independence and responsibilities. There is nothing wrong with anyone trying to lose some weight and become healthier, particularly if they are overweight. These steps are usually mindful, enjoyable, and preferably given under the direction of a doctor or nutritionist.

If you are open and honest about your desire to lose weight and your dieting intent, research and compile a balanced diet full of varying healthy foods to lose weight at a moderate pace. A diet designed with the intent to lose weight will typically consist of a 250 to 500-calorie deficit per day, allowing the person dieting to lose a healthy 1-2 pounds a week.

On the flip side of the coin, do not allow fear of a disorder developing make you discouraged from switching to a healthier diet. Eating balanced meals, exercising, and reducing or outright rejecting junk foods is not necessarily an indication of a disorder, even if it seems to be a deviation from the norm. You should tell your family and friends your goals and to let them support you, because sometimes if there isn’t communication people can get overly worried and start to think things that aren’t true.

How it Starts

Many people fail to realize that eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are mental disorders. Individuals that suffer with these disorders have developed anxiety about food and their looks which causes them to believe they must lose weight and rid themselves of food at all costs. Eating, exercising, and weighing themselves becomes a system of torture and reward.

This mental shift of trying to lose some weight can come on subtly, or there can be a defining moment that causes it. All of a sudden, certain foods are not foods that should be avoided but are BAD and CANNOT be eaten. Exercise MUST be done to counteract the calories eaten. Weight checks become habitual and can make or break their entire mood depending on what the scale says. Some even begin eating and exercising alone because of perceived shame. Many teens say this happens “before they know it,” so it is imperative for teens to pay attention for telltale signs that something is wrong. This is another good reason to tell those around you, so if they begin to notice you doing things that are unhealthy they can step in and help.

Signs to Watch Out For

There are a few common symptoms of eating disorders that people can usually pick up on, such as:

Eating alone
Eating abnormally small portions
Being or becoming very thin
Wearing baggy clothes to hide the body
Exercising excessively, especially after meals
Using laxatives regularly

Some of these symptoms are more specific to one disorder like anorexia, but making a diagnosis is not your main concern as they can all point to danger. If you notice any of these signs, you must take action quickly.

How to Stop Disorders Before They Begin

If someone is engaging in eating behaviors that seem extreme to you, speak to them openly and honestly about what they are doing. Are they simply taking a firm stand for their positive change, or is something more serious happening? There are subtle differences in language that can help you get a feel for what they are thinking. As previously mentioned, keeping a doctor or nutritionist involved from the very beginning of anyone’s weight loss journey can help prevent unhealthy ideas about food from developing when trying to lose some weight. It is important for you and the doctor to frequently check in on your progress. These mental shifts to disordered eating can come subtly and seemingly without warning if not checked. A simple conversation with a professional is usually enough to notice a change.

If you know someone who has unfortunately shifted from developing healthy habits to disordered eating, you must be bold and take action. Here are a few tips on how to approach your friend once you notice. If you see these behaviors in yourself, seek help from a trusted adult or an eating disorder helpline. There are healthy ways to lose weight and people who can help.

Why You Should Be Thinking About Your Financial Future Now

It’s never too early to start thinking about your financial future. Even if you are a teen who is still in the process of figuring out what you want to do with your life, there are reasons why you need to start planning now. By beginning to think about your financial future, it’s possible to ensure the money is there when you need it. Investopedia provides some basics that you can start to employ right this minute and be secure all of your life.

Creating and Reaching Financial Goals

One reason why you need to start planning now has to do with goal setting. It’s up to you to decide what those goals may be. Perhaps you would like to own a home by the time you’re 30. Maybe you want to pursue a higher degree, like a doctorate. Start by learning how to set goals, including how to go about securing the resources to reach them. You may have to adjust or refine those goals as you get older, but that’s much different from having none at all.

Reserving Funds for Major Expenses

Another good reason why you need to start planning now for your financial future has to do with making significant purchases when you grow up. A home, a car, college, and even retirement are major investments that require cash. According to Your Quest, money management is more important than ever for young teens to learn, as retirement keeps becomes more and more expensive. Report indicate that Americans are living longer than they used to, and thus are needing more money in retirement funds to sustain themselves (sometimes needing up to 38 years of funds or more). Even if those expenses feel years away, now is the time to learn how to create a budget and live within your means. Make sure the budget includes line items specifically for each major expense.

Set goals for how much to tuck away each paycheck and stick with it. Remember to include a line item for emergency funds, since you never know what could happen. Along with watching the funds grow, you’ll learn a lot about avoiding overspending and stop yourself from going into debt.

Setting Up Savings and Investment Accounts

When you have at least a few goals for the future, brainstorm how you can begin working toward them now. On the financial front, this means learning to save money now and possibly invest in some manner. Hands on Banking reinforces, “opening a savings account is easier than ever before. All you’ll really need are forms of identification and a little bit of money to start your account with. Once that’s done, you can start planning more effectively for your future.” Start with simple plans like opening a savings account, then move on to setting up a certificate of deposit. The goal is to put mechanisms in place that allow you to earn interest on the money that you save.

In time, you will be old enough to make investments. Start with safe ones that are highly likely to earn some sort of return. As you become more comfortable with the market, it’s okay to allocate some of your money to options with higher risk and a chance for a higher return. As long as you maintain a solid financial cushion and learn not to invest more than you can afford to lose, you’ll be okay.

Ultimately, the habits you develop now make it possible to maintain financial well being and make life a little easier. As you accumulate wealth and achieve your goals, there will always be one more to set and reach. With your sound skills, there will always be a way to get where you want to go. Think about your finanical future today!

5 Habits You Can Begin Now to Give You a Head Start in College

College is something that a lot of people do, but it isn’t for everyone. If you choose to take this path, it will be a time in your life between high school and your career. This can be a time of confusion, but it can also be a great time to learn and meet new people.

All in all, college is going to be a lot of work. It is much different than high school, and it is vital to prepare for it so that you do well. If you are nearing the final years of high school and planning to further your education, this is a good article for you to read. Here, we are going to discuss five habits you can use right now to give yourself a head start in college.

Develop Time Management Skills

Time management is something that a lot of college students struggle with. This is partly because students are on their own a lot, but it is also because classes are structured very differently. Unlike high school, your teacher won’t remind you every day about an assignment that is due. It is your job to figure out when things are due and when you are going to have time to work on them. StraighterLine explains, “You need to establish your priorities. School needs to be a primary concern, not a secondary one. You also need to sleep and be healthy in general.” Without time management skills, college can quickly become overwhelming and stressful.

Learn to Study Properly

Learning to study is another important skill that you need to learn before heading to college. Above-average students may not have had to study much in high school, but a lack thereof in college can be devastating to your grades. Studying will be necessary, so make sure that you learn how to have a productive study session with minimal distraction.

Stay on Top of your GPA

Unlike high school, your teachers won’t be as lenient with your grades. At the end of the semester, your grade is your grade, and your teacher won’t give your bonus points just to help you out. Start off the year right and keep your grades up because it will be hard to catch up if you let them drop early on. GPA Calculator explains, “staying on top of your GPA in college is also important for other reasons. If you land a scholarship or grant that depends on you to maintain a GPA above a certain threshold, then not meeting your GPA requirements could mean you lose your financial backing for college.”

Learn to be independent

College is going to be a time where you spend a lot more time alone than you did in high school. You will need to learn to take care of yourself in various ways. Stay on top of your mental and physical health, get sleep, eat healthily, learn to do laundry, etc. There might not be anyone there to help you, so you should learn to be independent so that college isn’t a total shock.

Beat procrastination

With so much free time in college, you might feel like you have a lot of time to lie back and relax. In reality, any event that you have downtime you should probably take a look at upcoming assignments. Use your time wisely and don’t put things off until the day they are due because it causes a lot of stress and even low grades.

Hopefully, reading this article has given you a better understanding of the ways that you can get a head start for college. Even if you were the smartest person in your high school, there will be a plethora of people just as smart as you in college. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feel as highly about yourself. You just need to prepare to work harder and continue to be the best student that you can.

Graduating from High School Early: Fact or Fiction?

As you head off to high school, you can’t believe you have four more years of school. It seems to stretch on for an eternity. You’re bright and have big ideas. You tend to think outside the box. The thought of being tied down to the same routine is frustrating. For someone who wants to spread their wings and move on more quickly in life, it can be tough to wait it out in senior high. However, you don’t have to follow the traditional path. Be a mover and a shaker. Some students have graduated high school before they’re 13 years old. By graduating from high school early, you can get a jump on college and even work.

How are Students Graduating Early from High School?

Students are earning their ticket out the door earlier by planning ahead. They’re organized. They talk to their academic advisers to find out how many credits they need to complete all of their course requirements earlier than the norm. To reach their goals, they have to be really motivated. Every period is filled, eliminating study halls. Independent studies, online courses, and summer school provide students with more opportunities to shorten the length of their stay in high school.

Many choose to graduate a semester early. Others manage to shave off a year. Jennifer Lawrence, the movie star, managed to graduate at the top of her class after only two years in high school. Actor Penn Badgley really broke the mold. At the age of 14, he completed his high school requirements by passing the California High School Proficiency exam. He was so fired up about pursuing an acting career that he enrolled right away in college.

Graduating early from high school can be even easier if you are homeschooled, because you can work ahead.

Why Do Students Choose to Graduate Early?

Students who choose to graduate early typically have big goals for the future. They know exactly what they want to get out of life and they are eager to move on. For some, they simply just don’t like school. They’ll do anything possible to finish their requirements early to get out in the real world. Others are bored by traditional schooling or are so advanced that they are ready for higher learning. Online schools allow students to proceed at their own pace, which means the truly motivated can easily get ahead in their studies.

What Options are Available to Advance for Students Who Don’t Graduate Early?

The fast track out of high school isn’t for everyone. However, students still have options that can help them to get a kick start to college while they are in high school. Taking online college courses, college courses that are offered through their high schools, and advanced placement classes can help them to earn college credits.

Earning credits in high school is also possible through dual-enrollment, where you are still in high school (public, private, or home school) and take community college classes — even for free in many cases! So you could do finish your AA while still in high school, thereby getting two years of college without paying for them–and then graduate with your Bachelor’s in only two more years because you finished all your prereqs while getting the AA. SWEET!

Graduating from high school early is not all roses. We know of a couple of extremely bright kids with good upbringings who graduated high school early, but were unfortunately introduced to drugs and other harmful things by their community college student peers. Being immature and freer from parental and teacher supervision (in college you are on your own), they fell prey to the peer pressure, and to this day are suffering from their bad choices–including substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, and even imprisonment. So make sure you are mature enough to handle life outside of high school because it can be a jungle out there.

Do You Know the 5 Most Common Crimes Committed by Teenagers?

Although most teens are decent people who try to help others, honor their parents’ wishes, and apply themselves intellectually, artistically, or athletically, some teenagers choose a bad path and commit crimes. The most common crimes committed by teenagers usually fall under the classification of juvenile misdemeanor crimes. Here are five of the top crimes that teens are most likely to commit:

Vandalism

Teenagers may think that vandalism is a minor offense and not a big deal, but the truth is that vandalism can come with a host of criminal charges. Defined as the deliberate destruction of private or public property, vandalism also includes graffiti and defacement of physical objects. In some places, even placing band stickers on telephone poles can land you in big trouble. Of the 5 most common crimes committed by teenagers, this one might not seem so important — but an area full of graffitti, broken windows, and scratched up utility boxes screams “get me out of here!” This means people who can, leave, and this often includes business owners who take jobs with them.

Alcohol Offenses

The legal drinking age in every state is 21. If a minor is found in possession of alcohol, stiff penalties can result regardless of whether or not the teenager was under the influence. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains that possible penalties may include suspension of one’s driver’s license, required community service hours, and monetary fines. Factors that may influence the level of punishment include prior convictions and the offender’s age. In addition to illegal drug use, this one of the most common crimes committed by teenagers tends to lead to other crimes due to mental deterioration and the lack of self-respect and care that comes with abusing substances.

Disorderly Conduct

According to this source, this type of criminal activity encompasses a wide variety of offenses including fighting, disturbing yelling and screaming, public intoxication, or anything that disrupts the peace. Because the crime is so general in scope, the punishment also varies depending on the severity of the crime. Most disorderly conduct crimes get prosecuted as misdemeanors. However, the more serious ones tend to be judged as a felony — think of rioting or interfering with police officers.

Larceny

Defined as theft of personal property, larceny is likely number one of most common crimes committed by teenagers everywhere. According to one lawyer, larceny is when there is “an unauthorized taking of property from another with the intent to permanently deprive that person of the property.” The image of the teen in the store shoplifting food or an electronic item is not just a stereotype–many fall into this temptation. Theft and burglary is a criminal offense in every state, meaning that teens need to treat this more seriously than just a rite of passage or something to make you look cool (it only makes you look cool to fellow deviants, and they never stay friends with you for long).

Assault and Battery

This crime can be defined as actual physical harm or merely the threat of the action. Even simply making another individual afraid can be just cause to press charges in some areas (yes, this means BULLYING). Assault can be classified as both nonverbal and verbal threats. For this reason, teenagers need to be especially careful about what they say to other people and take care that it not be construed as a form of assault, especially because teachers and parents are much more aware of bullying.

Although most teenagers are tried as juveniles, they could be tried as adults if they are over the age of 18 or if the crimes are more very serious in nature. Stop being brainwashed by thugs in music videos or TV shows who encourage you to commit crimes — they just want your money and your attention (clicks on their videos and social media posts), so don’t give them any.

Things a teen can do outside and not on the phone

Teens are kinda addicted to their phones. Teens spend more time streaming videos online, playing video games, and interacting on social media combined than any other activities. Unfortunately, this means that teens rarely spend time outside, but finding things a teen can do outside and not on the phone is going to improve your health.

When you stay inside all the time, you miss out on the physical and spiritual benefits that sunshine, fresh air, and exercise can give you. Getting too much sun can be bad for you, but not getting enough sun can be worse. The sun can help elevate your mood and regulate your circadian clock, which i turn helps you sleep better. To reap these benefits, try to do things a teen can do outside and not on the phone. Here are a few ways every teen can get outside more often:

Involve your friends

Get a group of friends together for stuff you can do outside. Teens are kind of in between still being a kid and being young adults, so you can get away with being goofy and running around. Examples of things you can do include:

Volleyball (could be informal, just hit the ball in the air if you don’t have a net)
Hiking
Walking around the city and talking
Manhunt (you need a larger group)
Bocce ball
Miniature golf
Frisbee
Kick a ball around, or a hacky-sack
Hunt geocaches
Urban exploration (don’t trespass, but you can find really cool locations)

Active Sports and Activities

Take the initiative to participate in sports such as swimming or tennis if you are an active person. See if you can get involved in a baseball or softball league. You can also take a weekend hiking, fishing, or camping trip.

If you aren’t interested in participating in sports, you can always spend time outside watching others play. Attend football, baseball or soccer games. Going to a beach or a lake to enjoy the beauty of the water is always a good alternative option.

People watch

Outside of playing games and sports to spend time outside, there are alternative options that you can choose. Walk around the park and just watch people. Don’t be creepy and stare, but just look them over and try to find something you like about them. This will help you come out of your shell a little bit, especially if you are mad at someone or very shy. Your mood will get better. And you never know where you might make a new friend!

Walk or bike everyhere

Making it a point to walk or bike everywhere is another way to get outdoors without having to play a sport or game. Get in the habit of walking or biking to school if you live in a safe enough area. If you are old enough to drive, don’t waste time hunting for a close parking spot at the mall, but park far and enjoy the extra exercise.

Safety comes first

No matter what outdoor activity you try, make sure you don’t take stupid risks or break the law. These are not worth it. Stay alert to your surroundings. Don’t walk or jog with earphones in your ears. This can drown out what’s going on around you.

Be sure to look out for cars that may back up out of driveways or that run red lights whenever you go outdoors. Be careful not to walk or bike after dark. Most pedestrian accidents that result in injury happen at night. It is also dangerous to cross the street anywhere other than the crosswalk of an intersection.

Once you enjoy things a teen can do outside and not on the phone more often, you may start to wonder whether you even need video games or spending so much time obsessing about your Snapchat streaks. Be cautious, be safe, and have fun.

Top 5 Study Tips for When Your Homework is Really Boring

We all love having fun after a full day of hitting the textbooks in school, but this is not always possible when we have assignments to complete and exams to pass that are just around the corner. Some tasks may be easy when you are discussing them at school, but they prove to be more difficult when you are tackling them on your own at home. Things just get very boring. Well, we are going to give you 5 study tips for when your homework is very boring.

Before we get into these 5 study tips, first a suggestion for Spanish-speaking students. You can avoid many of the frustrations of trying to figure out boring homework on your own by checking out https://www.rincondelvago.com/, where you can interact with other students from all the basic levels of study. You will find case studies, revision materials, and more stuff jst for students on this site, and thus make learning a but funner. Maybe one day they will develop an English site, but if you speak Spansih check it out.

Making your study environment at home a space conducive to concentrating can prevent that boring homework from becoming an uphill task that drains you all the time. Trying to motivate yourself by focusing on the big picture of what you will gain after studying well and completing your homework will help you keep focused, despite having the urge to do other things—like checking your Snaps for the 1000th time today. Here are some of things you can try to keep you interested and able to study for a long time even if your homework is boring.

1. Listen to some good music

Music has a way of relaxing your mind, and if you listen to some cool music that you like most, it can help keep your mind alert. Boring homework can make you lose interest in reading, but by listening to music, you are stimulated and this can help you pay more attention, which helps you to understand what you have just read. Keep the volume at a reasonable level so you can focus on what you are studying, but feel free to get up every while and dance around on a break!

2. Use the Pomodoro technique

This technique helps hold you accouontable and focused on what you are doing. The Pomodoro technique (pomodoro is “tomato” in Italian) involves setting a timer for 25 minutes, in which you study without stopping until the alarm goes off. After that, you can take a five-minute break to relax. After four of these 25/5 periods (which equal two hours of pretty steady work), you can then take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. You should utilize your break time by doing something that will help your get your mind off your studies. Stretch, eat a snack, check your phone, etc.

There are many free apps with Pomodoro timers, just search the App Store or Google Play.

3. Study with a friend over FaceTime or Skype

It can help to do homework with a friend. With FaceTime or Skype, which are easy and free to chat with, you can study with someone else at any time. Your friend may understand the parts that are hard for you, and you can also help them out with the parts that are challenging for them. You should, however, get someone who encourages and helps you to concentrate on your studies, and not someone who distracts you with a bunch of gossip or showing you the latest memes instead of getting to work.

4. Get a parent involved to help you

Getting help from a parent can sometimes help in keeping a positive attitude toward your studies. Not always (we get it), but give it a try. Do not feel shy to ask for their assistance when your homework gets hard or boring for you. You can discuss your problems, and chances are they can help you to reason out the concepts that you do not understand. The key here is to understnd they have not been in school a long time, so you have to show them patience because they might not understand modern schooling methods. They are, however, very experienced–which counts for a lot!

5. Sketch or use toys or other objects to help you understand concepts

The last of our study tips is to use toys and other objects to understand concepts. This works because it makes the words on the page more real by putting them into the real world as opposed to just in your head.

By taking some paper clips, a few coins, and whatever else you have lying around and using them to demonstrate the important points of what you are studying, it stimulates your mind, encourages creativity, imagination, and expression of feelings. Sketching can also be useful in simplifying complex ideas into something that your mind can easily remember. Your memory can remember a sketch or an image much easier than some random fact, and this is much more entertaining than reading endless paragraphs of text.

Do you have any more study tips for boring homework? Share below!

GLORIA BARRON PRIZE FOR YOUNG HEROES NAMES 2018 WINNERS

Boulder, CO, September 17, 2018 – The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, an award that celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from across the U.S. and Canada, announces its 2018 winners. Established in 2001 by author T. A. Barron, the Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. Fifteen top winners each receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education.

“Nothing is more uplifting than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world,” says T. A. Barron. “The goal of the Barron Prize is to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their example will encourage others to take action.”

This year’s winning achievements address a wide range of important issues, including water conservation, disease prevention, protecting national parks, saving endangered wildlife, providing food for those in need, helping people with disabilities, and more.

The 2018 Gloria Barron Prize winners are:

Alex Mancevski, age 17, of Texas, who founded Health Through Science, a non-profit working to eradicate preventable diseases — especially pediatric Type 2 Diabetes and obesity — by matching high school-age science coaches with underserved elementary students.

Armando Pizano, age 18, of Illinois, who created the Bridge Tutoring Program to pair young students in under-resourced urban communities with high-achieving high school-age mentors who offer free, weekly, after-school tutoring.

Bria Neff, age 11, of South Dakota, who founded Faces of the Endangered to protect endangered species through the sale of her artwork. She has sold more than 250 paintings of endangered animals and donated over $33,000 to animal conservation groups.

Claire Wayner and Mercedes Thompson, age 17, of Maryland, who co-founded Baltimore Beyond Plastic to reduce trash and plastic pollution in their city on the Chesapeake Bay. Their non-profit of more than 500 students has convinced the Baltimore City Council to pass a citywide ban on Styrofoam food containers.

Claire Vlases, age 15, of Montana, who created the Solar Makes Sense initiative and raised the $118,000 needed to install solar panels on her middle school. She has sparked a movement in her school district and community, inspiring a new commitment to green building.

Genevieve Leroux, age 12, of Quebec, who created Milkweed for Monarchs to help protect migratory monarch butterflies. She raises and plants native milkweed – monarchs’ sole food source during their caterpillar phase – and has logged more than 500 hours conducting research on the butterflies.

Harry and Heath Bennett, ages 13 and 9, of Massachusetts, who co-founded Bennett Brothers Balm after learning of their young friend’s cancer diagnosis. The brothers have raised more than $12,000 to support pediatric cancer research through sales of their hand-made line of lip and body balms.

Isaiah Granet , age 18, of California, who founded the San Diego Chill, a non-profit that pairs children with developmental disabilities with high school-age mentors who teach the younger kids how to skate and play ice hockey.

Kenzie Hinson, age 13, of North Carolina, who founded the non-profit Make a Difference Food Pantry to provide nutritious food in a compassionate setting for those in need. She has distributed more than 600,000 pounds of food to over 400,000 people.

Marcus Deans, age 16, of Ontario, who has invented the NOGOS water filter for use in developing countries. His filter costs just two dollars to manufacture and is made from three
readily-available materials: sugar, sand, and seashells.

Robbie Bond, age 10, of Hawaii, who created Kids Speak for Parks, a non-profit that is building an army of activists, including fourth-grade students (who can visit our national parks free of charge), who will speak up to protect our national parks and monuments.

Robby and Emma Eimers, ages 16, and 12, of Michigan, who founded the non-profit Eimers Foundation to help people in need. They have raised more than $80,000 to fund their weekly Sharings for the homeless, distributing food, blankets, and other necessities.

Shelby O’Neil, age 17, of California, who founded her non-profit Jr Ocean Guardians to educate young children about ways they can protect our oceans and planet. She also created the #NoStrawNovember movement and is working on legislation to eliminate plastic straws in California.

Shreya Ramachandran, age 14, of California, who founded the non-profit Grey Water Project to promote the safe reuse of grey water, along with water conservation, as a way to address drought. Her outreach includes curriculum for elementary students and a partnership with the United Nations’ Global Wastewater Initiative.

Tabitha Bell, age 18, of Utah, who founded Pawsitive Pawsibilities, a non-profit that has raised more than $130,000 to place nine service dogs free of charge with people challenged by physical disabilities.

Since its inception, the Gloria Barron Prize has honored nearly 450 young heroes and has won the support of Girl Scouts of the USA, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, and the National Youth Leadership Council, among other organizations. The Gloria Barron Prize welcomes applications from young people residing in the U.S. and Canada. The online application system for 2019 opens January 7th and the deadline for entries is April 15^th. For more information, please visit www.barronprize.org.

In addition, T. A. Barron is running a year-long #SparkGoodness social media campaign to recognize everyday acts of goodness. Through October, anyone sharing their good deeds and acts of positivity at www.sparkgoodness.com is eligible to win one of several monthly prizes. At the end of 2018, a Grand Prize winner will be selected from all the winning entries throughout the year.

Is CBD Oil Safe? Should Teens and Young Adults be Taking These Types of Substances?

CBD oil is the health craze of the moment, and interest in this product shows no signs of slowing down; but what exactly is it? Is CBD oil safe to consume? And is it something that teenagers and young people should be trying either with or without adult supervision?

is cbd oil safe for teens

What is CBD oil?

CBD stands for cannabidol, and it is one of the 100+ chemicals which are found in a cannabis plant. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid which makes you high, but CBD doesn’t have that effect; making it an attractive option for people who want the medical benefits of weed without the psychoactive side effects. CBD oil is produced by taking the CBD from the plant and mixing it with an oil like hemp seed or coconut.

How does CBD oil help people?

Although there is not much documented scientific research on the benefits of using CBD oil, many people claim it relieves pain, reduces anxiety, helps clear up acne, helps aid sleep, and can even help better manage epilepsy. CBD oil can be added to moisturiser and applied to the skin, inhaled using a vape device, or taken directly through drops or a mouth spray, making it simple and convenient to use. There are many brands that sell CBD Oil online such as sensei cbd oil.

Is CBD oil safe?

This is a strongly debated question. There haven’t been as many scientific research studies on CBD oil as on other medical products, and some scientists are worried that the long term effects are likely to be harmful. However, there are enough positive reports of smaller research products to suggest that, in general, CBD oil without too much THC is able to help people with a variety of health conditions.

The legality of CBD in the United States differs from state to state. In the UK, CBD oil is not illegal f used for medical purposes. Regardless of legalties, caustion should be used, because like any medicine CBD oil can have unpleasant side effects, including nausea, dizziness, raised anxiety, depression, dry mouth, vomiting, upset stomach, and appetite changes.

It can also have a bad reaction to certain medicines you may be already taking, so to be safe it is always best to talk to a medical professional before using CBD oil.

Another worry is that without strict regulations in place anyone is free to make and sell what they claim to be CBD oil, but could actually be anything at all.

Is CBD oil safe and something young people should be using?

Medically supervised CBD oil treatments have proven extremely effective in treating conditions such as autism and severe epilepsy amongst American young people, perhaps because the doctors involved are able to deliver the best CBD-THC ratio. Many believe CBD alone is not effective, but a ratio of 19:1 is generally fine, and produces the desired results without a child or young person getting high.

There is no evidence that CBD oil is an attractive recreational product.When used for medical reasons –while keeping an eye out for typical side effects — there’s no suggestion it is unsafe for users of any age as long as used under the advice and supervision of a licensed medical professional.

How to Write a Killer Essay

Do you find yourself dreading essays and putting them off until the last possible moment? While not everyone loves writing, you can certainly make things easier for yourself. An excellent essay won’t just impress your teacher and peers, and it will also help build your confidence. Here are some tips on how to write a killer essay.

1. How to write a killer essay rule#1: nail the thesis

The first step in how to write a killer essay is to come up with a compelling thesis. All essays need one. This is the statement at the end of your introduction that you seek to support by the end of your essay. It’s not like proving the existence of Bigfoot, but it does involve having supporting arguments through evidence — like verified research you can cite. If your essay is research-intensive, it helps to gather your evidence BEFORE doing your thesis. Should you find anything that strongly refutes your argument, you need to revise it.

2. Know how to structure it

An improper structure keeps many essays from being neat and organized. There are four major types of essays: descriptive (which uses expressive language), narrative (where the writer recounts an experience), persuasive (where you need to make an argument and back it up), and expository (which delves into a specific topic). When you’re assigned an essay, make sure you understand what kind it is. A narrative essay can be made engaging by starting in the middle of the action and going backward to establish how you reached that point. A persuasive essay should outline your points in the beginning and explain them one by one. Read examples of each type of essay to understand structure better.

3. Make it flow

Great writing is all about the flow. For how to write a killer essay, there should be a clear connection between each sentence and paragraph. Choppy writing makes essays challenging to read. You should consider each point you present and whether it appears naturally. If it feels out of sync in any way, consider revising it.

4. End it strong

A compelling essay keeps the reader’s attention from beginning to end. While it might be easy to rush through the conclusion, you need to nail the landing for a great essay. Go back to your thesis, discuss your supporting arguments in your thesis, and think of an excellent final statement which reiterates your thesis.

No one is born knowing how to write a killer essay. It’s a talent that is developed through practice and patience. When you understand the fundamentals of essay writing and know how to formulate your arguments, you’re already on your way to success. Take this advice to heart and go into your next essay with newfound motivation. Remember not to procrastinate and be consistent with your work on it.

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