Category: Teen Life

The Externship Advantage for Teens

Unlike a formal internship, an externship allows a teenage student to gain valuable work experience over a shorter, fixed period of time. Because externships are generally shorter in length, you’ll have more flexibility in fitting these valuable experiences into your busy schedule. Here are three benefits of making an externship part of your overall educational experience.

Explore Your Interests

As a teenager, you should not be expected to know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life. An externship will give you the opportunity to explore your interests without committing to a full-time job. Some externships are designed to deliver a multitude of opportunities to interact with a myriad of people in different departments. Others allow you to closely follow the daily work of one professional in a specific field. This will help you to discern if that field of endeavor is compatible with your interests, your studies and your skills. Because externships are short in length, you get a taste of a discipline or occupation without having to commit to it on a long-term basis.

Shadowing Experts

Externships allow participants to meet professionals and begin to network with people who can help them get a job later. Shadowing experts gives you a good glimpse of the day-to-day work life of the professionals in your desired field. A good externship will also provide multiple learning opportunities, helping you to hone your skills and talents in a low-pressure situation. This type of hands-on learning cannot be replicated in a classroom, making an externship an advantageous part of any education.

Form a Strong Work Ethic

An externship gives a young person a glimpse into what life in the adult working world is like. This experience can help teens to form a strong work ethic as they learn ways to be more productive and efficient with their time. Externships instill responsibility, personal integrity and commitment to colleagues. This type of work experience teaches students how to be dependable and reliable while working as part of a team to achieve goals. The soft skills gained in an externship will translate to any further field of study, making it a good use of your time and effort as you strive to reach your career goals.

The right externship can help you to develop new skills, make important networking connections and cultivate the soft skills needed to be successful in any endeavor. The experience will put you ahead of the competition and pay off big dividends down the road.

4 Hormone Headaches That All Teen Boys Can Relate To

For most guys, puberty is tough. You begin to change physically and, unfortunately, it’s not all in one go either. During this time, the hormone levels in your body are continuously changing and you may feel like a complete buffoon at times. It is good to remember, however, that all of the changes you are experiencing are completely normal and have real biological explanations.

Getting Tongue-Tied When Talking to Your Crush

Have you ever wondered why you just can’t seem to say the right thing to your beautiful crush? Scientists say that during puberty there is actual change in the neurotransmission of the brain, aka how your brain communicates within itself. Most areas that change are linked to learning and attention span, explaining why it is difficult to concentrate and find the right words to say to a beautiful girl!

Uneven Beard Growth

One of the most noticeable traits of puberty is beard growth. During this time, your hair follicles are stimulated to begin growing at a faster rate but uneven rate. This is due to the fact that beard follicles are responsive to testosterone levels, which are all over the map during your adolescent years. It often takes years for your beard to start growing evenly, so you might want to hang on to your razor for now.

Pit Checks

Sweat is connected to odor so when you sweat more, you start to stink more. During puberty, you might realize that you stink way more than before and that is due to an increase in sweat. The hormones that are changing and increasing cause you to sweat more and therefore stink more. No matter how much body spray claims to help with this, most people do not like the smell—so steer away! Using deodorant and taking frequent showers is your best shot at smelling better and making you feel more confident as a result!

Taking a “Crack” at It!

Sometimes, voice changes might happen as your voice gets deeper. As you age, your larynx, the part of your throat holding the vocal cords, gets bigger and your vocal cords may thicken causing your voice to get deeper. Again, this does not happen all at once and sometimes these changes can cause your voice to crack. It can be embarrassing when it occurs, especially depending on who’s around to hear it. To help, when speaking try to relax, speak slowly and drink plenty of water to help!

All of these changes can be scary and frustrating to handle. Do your best to educate yourself on what might change and remember that it just takes time to take it all in and be confident!

3 Things to Do the Week Before a Sports Tournament

All of your training and hard work has been for this one big athletic competition. In the week before the event, you want to be sure that your body and your mind are sufficiently prepared for the challenge ahead. Here are three things to do the week before a sports tournament in order to deliver the most success.

Don’t Wear Yourself Out

Although it may be tempting to keep pushing your body, it is important to be mindful that you do not over train. The week before the tournament should be devoted to rest. While it is a good idea to do light exercise to keep your muscles fresh, you also do not want to wear yourself out. Fatigue Science suggests that knowing that you might be too nervous or excited to sleep soundly the night before the tournament, it is a good idea to bank some sleep leading up to the event. Be sure to turn off the television, smartphone, and all electronic devices so that your rest is not interrupted.

Make a Plan

Competitive Edge recommends to put your mind at ease before the tournament by making a plan and learning how to keep focus. If you are traveling for your tournament, be sure to make a packing list and doublecheck it so that you do not inadvertently leave something important behind. It is also a good idea to plan your meals in the days leading up to the event so that you are sure that your body has what it needs to perform. Take care to ensure that you also have adequate hydration levels by nourishing your body with water.

Take Your Vitamins

In addition to getting the recommended amount of protein and carbohydrates, it is also vital to nourish your body with vitamins. ASEA explains that cellular health is at the foundation of overall health and wellness, so targeting cellular health with your dietary supplements should be a priority. Months of hard training can deplete the body and put it at risk of contracting illnesses. Supplements such as zinc and vitamin C can help to boost the body’s immune system and keep it functioning at optimal performance levels.

You will head into your tournament with high confidence if you have taken the time to adequately prepare your body for the rigors ahead. Be kind to yourself in the week prior by taking in the nutrients, hydration, and rest that you need to be the best.

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3 Fields of Study for Science- and Solution-Oriented Students

Are you just about to graduate high school and panicking about what you’re going to study? Are you a person who loves science and solving problems? There are so many career paths to pursue—it’s no wonder you’re still undecided. But luckily for you, there are quite a few career fields that use science and problem solving all the time. Here are just three of these career fields you should consider:

Public Health

Public health is an excellent field to be in if you like to study science and solve problems. Jobs like occupational therapy, nursing, working for the health department, and working for water treatment facilities all fall under the public health category. If you choose this career path, you will need to study sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and even human anatomy. These are all important areas of study because careers in public health all deal with the safety of people, animals, and the earth.

To get an entry-level job in public health, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree in an area such as public health, environmental science, biology, or engineering. You will find that each of these degrees requires a lot of science and some math in order for you to graduate. However, if you really want to move up in this field, you should consider going to graduate school to get a master’s degree in public health (MPH) or, if you really want to move up, your DPH (Doctor of Public Health) or PhD degree.

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is a job that is easily forgotten in a world with so many cars and roads. Oftentimes, we forget why a road curves the way it does or why a stoplight is placed where it is. Civil engineers are responsible for designing roads, bridges, railways, parking lots and more so that transportation can run smoothly every day. According to NJIT, some civil engineers apply their knowledge of science and technology to fix and improve many facets of transportation, such as dangerous intersections or unsafe bridges. Knowledge of various sciences (such as physics and physical science) and types of math (such as geometry and calculus) are all useful in these situations.

There are lots of specialty areas you can focus on in civil engineering, such as environmental engineering, architectural engineering, and engineering project management. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering can get you general civil engineer training and some education in these specialty areas, but getting a master’s degree in civil engineering (MSCE) will help you to focus more directly on them and allow you to move up into more management positions (such as being an engineering manager).

Marine Biology

Marine Biology is a very fascinating field to study. According to EnvironmentalScience.org, the job of a marine biologist is to study the ocean and its inhabitants to make sure that everything is working together. They are responsible for researching and discovering new species of plants and animals as well as coming up with solutions to problems like species extinction. Making new discoveries is just one of the experiences you will have working in this field. If you love the ocean, animals, and science, then becoming a marine biologist may be what you are looking for.

To become a marine biologist, you don’t necessarily need to get a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. Some examples of good degrees that can help you get into marine biology are biology, zoology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can usually get you a decent job doing marine biology research, but if you want to pursue your own independent research, you should get a doctorate degree.

Science keeps the earth working and its inhabitants safe from potential harm. Whether you are figuring out a career path or simply love science, use this list as your guide. Find a specific area of study, then decide the career of your choice.

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Teens — Learn These 3 Financial Skills and You’ll Be Set for Life

If you haven’t figured this out already, school doesn’t teach you all the things you need to know for life on your own. Sure, you’ll learn algebra and why mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, but what about real life skills like managing money, how to cook, and finding a job? Fortunately, you’ve got the internet at your fingertips, so use the time you have left living at home to start learning and experimenting with these three handy financial life skills.

Investing

Knowing general tips for investing is good, but there are also a few major strategies to know. Many teens don’t learn about investing until much later in life. That’s when they’ll often make several high-risk moves that may or may not pay off for them. Learning to save money and invest it wisely can make it easier to have a nest egg for later on as well as to be able to retire early. Mutual funds, 401(k) accounts, IRAs, and other investment tools can be advantageous. Teens should know what each one is, the pros and cons behind them, and how investing can help you in the future.

Global Economics

The world economy is just as important, if not more important, than the local national economy. It has an impact on trade, finance, and much more. Knowing how global economics plays a role in the U.S. financial markets, insurance, stocks, and more will make it easier when investments are being made. This knowledge is so valuable it’s one of the main reasons that people take internships abroad. Additionally, anyone who’s going to work in business will be affected by the global economy in one way or another. Teens need to know which countries have economic stability and what it can mean when they don’t, especially if you dream of moving out of the country one day.

Budgeting

Every teen should know how to create a solid home budget. This includes balancing expenses against the income that they bring in. Plus, budgeting makes it easier to avoid the temptation of credit cards. There are plenty of other tips for avoiding credit card debt, too. If you nail down how to deal with your money responsibly now, you’re less likely to make poor decisions that can haunt you well into your adult years.

If investing, global economics, and budgeting are so important, why aren’t they taught in schools? That’s anyone’s guess, but you can take control of your own life and set yourself on the path to a more successful adult life by learning these things now. With even a basic grasp of these simple but essential concepts, you become more likely to experience success in both your bank account and future career.

Time-Tested Tactics for Tackling Tough Tests

Preparing for exams can be stressful. After all, there is a lot of material to learn and remember for the test. Doing your best is important, especially for finals or AP exams that carry a heavier weight on your academic record. Here are three time-tested tactics to help you master exam season.

Make a Study Schedule

When it comes to studying, scheduling your time is a must. Otherwise, it is too easy to put off studying until the last minute. The flip side of that issue is that you might worry that you have to spend every waking moment studying. There is a balance to be had, and building a study schedule will help ensure that you have enough time to review everything while still having time for guilt-free fun.

To make a study schedule, start from your test date and count back to today to determine how many days are left. On a calendar, block out any events or commitments that you already have, like classes, work or extracurricular activities. Then, break the subject down into individual topics and schedule specific topics into each study day. Alternatively, you can use an online tool or mobile app to create a study schedule.

Study Smarter

There are two main types of studying: passive and active. Passive studying involves activities like reading, highlighting or copying notes–essentially any activity where you are taking in the information that you are trying to learn. Active studying requires you to recall information without it being in front of you. This is the more effective method of studying as it reinforces neuron connections in your brain.

There are a lot of active studying techniques. Some common ones are drawing mind maps from memory on a piece of blank paper or using flashcards and practice tests. A practice test will help you identify any major weaknesses that you might have so you can study smarter. Instead of continuing to review everything, you can spend the rest of your study time focusing on any material that you are weak on.

Beat Test Anxiety

A major obstacle preventing a lot of students from doing their best on exams is test anxiety. One of the most common tips for reducing anxiety is to start studying early, which a study schedule will help with. It is also important to remember that a test does not define you nor dictate your entire academic future. Applying positive thoughts to the exam scenario can help alleviate some exam anxiety.

There are many resources available to help with reducing anxiety, including guided meditation. You can find resources online or through your school’s counseling office.

Applying these tips to your next exam preparation routine can help you excel and achieve your academic goals. Make sure to devote enough time to studying for the best results.

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3 Awesome Senior Trip Ideas

Senior year is full of excitement as you move toward the culmination of your high school career. What better way to celebrate your achievement than to go on an epic senior trip with your friends? Senior trips are a great way to hang out with old friends and make some lasting memories. With so many destinations to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go, especially if you’re trip planning on a budget. So, here are three awesome senior trip ideas to consider.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park that offers something for everyone. They even have yearly graduation celebrations you can join in on. There are plenty of movie-themed rides, such as Jurassic Park and Revenge of the Mummy, to get your adrenaline pumping. Make sure to try the studio tour, which takes visitors through scenes of iconic movies, including “Jaws” and “King Kong,” while the tour guide gives insider knowledge about the movies and filming. Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood is currently listed at $133 per person for a one-day pass. The theme park offers some great deals on admission and other options, so make sure to check the website before purchasing tickets.

Disneyland

Disneyland is considered the ‘”happiest place on earth” for good reason. Comprised of two parks, there’s something to do for everyone. The original Disneyland park is geared more toward families, and many of the rides aren’t as adrenaline-inducing as other theme parks. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a fun place to visit. In addition to the rides, there are plenty of Disney characters to meet as well as shops and exhibits to visit. If you have time, head over to Disneyland California Adventure, which has rides to please any thrill seeker and great restaurants to eat at. When planning your Disneyland trip, be mindful of the timing when you buy tickets. With careful planning, you can get Disneyland tickets at a discount, so you don’t have to break the bank.

Cancun, Mexico

For a more chill experience, Cancun is the place to be. This beautiful Mexican city features great beaches with white sand and blue water, making this the perfect place for awesome Instagram photos and lasting memories with special friends. If you decide to go to Cancun, make sure to start planning early. It’s a popular graduation celebration destination, so you’ll want to book early to get prime accommodations. Also, since Cancun is located outside of the U.S., you’ll need to make sure you have a valid passport and travel documentation before venturing out.

An awesome trip is a perfect way to cap your senior year. With a little bit of planning, you can make sure to book a trip with memories to last a lifetime. Start planning early and make sure to have lots of fun!

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How to Find People with Shared Interests to You

If you look at the friends you have today, how many of them have the same interests or hobbies as you? It’s likely that there are more than a few. That’s because making friends is generally the result of participation in a social activity where there’s a mutual interest.

Depending on where you live and what you’re interested in, it may be difficult to connect with like-minded people. We know that having a social circle is important. It gives you people to trust and rely on during times of need and someone to share your successes with, especially if your interests revolve around things like exercise, sports, and eating well.

Fortunately, modern technology has made it easier than ever for us to find and connect with people that have the same interests. Let’s take a look at the best tools to use for this purpose.

Meetup

As the name would suggest, Meetup is an app that allows you to connect with others who share similar interests through groups in your area. You can search for your own hobbies or browse through the wide variety of categories available depending on where you live.

There are groups for just about everything. From outdoor activities such as hiking to computer programming and gaming. There are also educational groups that focus on topics such as public speaking, entrepreneurship, and reading. There are often groups available simply for those who want to socialize, where you can head out for coffee or a movie.

Emenator

Emenator is a unique kind of social platform that allows you to connect with people that have similar interests. Whether it’s art, sports, music, gaming or anything else you can imagine, Emenator has a diverse and inclusive community for you to connect with. The Groups & Gatherings feature is perfect for finding like-minded people in your area.

Even if you don’t want to head out and meet anyone yet, the community offers chats, groups, messaging and video options that allow you to socialize online. If you’re into art or design, Emenator’s approach to content ensures that the images you share preserve their original quality, further adding to the authentic experience.

GroupSpaces

Just like Meetup, GroupSpaces allows you to find communities in your area based on a category or search term of your choice. However, it also allows you to find groups within communities that you’re already a part of such as churches and colleges. This might just help you find familiar faces who you never knew shared the same interests.

WeGoDo

This iOS app features groups that are focused on a certain hobby or activity such as hiking, running and exploration. There’s also a news feed with local offers, recommendations, and curated content based on your interests.

Conclusion

Aside from social meetup apps, you could join local groups in your school and find people through them that share your interests. It’s more than likely that there’s at least one group of people nearby who love the same things you do. You just have to head out and find them — just make sure your parents know what you are doing and approve!

3 Important Facts About Drug Rehab

If you are a teenager and you have been struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you need to understand that your brain is still developing. The more damage you do to your brain while it’s still developing, the more permanent the damage will be. Not only must you do everything in your power to quit, but you must have the support from friends and family members to get you through this challenging time of your life.

“Just Stop” isn’t Enough

The longer a drug is used, the harder it will be to come off of it. With adults, it has a lot to do with the many years of drug abuse and the toll it takes on the mind and body. With teenagers, it has a lot to do with the still-developing brain being trained at such an early age to tolerate this abuse and adapt to it. Your brain needs to be re-trained to accept a different reality from now on. Addiction doesn’t just happen; it’s based on emotional and psychological problems and you will need to deal with these. Your friends can help if they are not using themselves. However, remember that your peers are in the same age group as you and they need direction too. You will have to learn to accept responsibility for your actions and strive to make positive changes in your daily habits.

Cold Turkey isn’t Always Best

Some addictions, including cigarette smoking, can safely be stopped abruptly without any risks to your health. Other addictions, like alcoholism and prescription drug addiction, take more careful effort to manage during the quitting stages. Withdrawal symptoms from drugs like alcohol, opiates and benzodiazepines can cause panic attacks, seizures, rapid heartbeats and even cardiac arrest. The mental confusion associated with quitting these kinds of drugs can also be very dangerous. Deep breathing exercises, meditation and going on long walks can help with withdrawal symptoms that aren’t too severe. Medically managed detoxification makes treatment safer for those experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.

Avoiding Relapses

Experiencing a relapse can definitely be part of the healing process for many, but it doesn’t have to happen to you. Once you have found a daily routine that works for you, stick to it and improve upon it. If you still have friends that use after you have decided to quit, avoid them like the plague. They will have to understand that you no longer fit into their dynamic. Spend time exercising, eating healthy foods and getting to know yourself better.

Loving yourself will give you the power to continue on the road to recovery. You should want the best for yourself, and that should never involve drug use. Making new friends that share your new beliefs can make a world of difference and keep you focused on making positive changes in your life. From there, make sure you choose the right treatment program that gives you the best chance of long-term success.

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3 Career Paths for People Who Care About the Environment

For teens who are considering a future career that concerns caring for the environment, we’ve covered three career paths that are very relevant to this subject.

Conservation Scientist

A career path like a conservation scientist will include the monitoring of forestry and conservation activities. By complying with government regulations as a conservation scientist, it helps your organization establish plans for the management of the lands and forest resources. Supervising activities of other forestry and conservation workers is part of the role.

Civil Engineer

While civil engineers are part of the hard sciences, they can also provide significant contributions to their environment. Civil engineers can build as well as reinforce dams and levees to protect many large and small towns and cities from catastrophes involving water. Moreover, civil engineers who focus on transportation can make an impact in many ways. Civil engineers work with others to ensure that their designs are environmentally safe and efficient. While many of these positions require bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering or general engineering, there is a lot of demand for these positions. Civil engineers can also work in areas that are rebuilding from natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters.

Park Ranger

A park ranger looks after many elements of the park or land. Indeed, the role is very diverse, but park rangers are generally responsible for protecting America’s state and national parks. Those who are considering this job in the future should be aware that a park ranger helps to protect the ecosystems, the natural resources, and the wildlife that dwell within these national parks. And since many people can visit the 418-plus national park sites located in the US, park rangers may serve as environmental experts, park historians, law enforcement officers, or as a combination of those three roles. The good news is that the national park sites extend to US territories like the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa.

National Seashores, which make up 10 of these national park sites, National Preserves, which make up 19 of these national park sites, and National Rivers are just some of the places that teens can research further. There is plenty of information available online about each of these special categories that are classified under the umbrella of the US National Park system.

In conclusion, these three potential career paths are ones for young people to keep in mind who want to help preserve and protect the earth’s natural resources.

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