Back to School Survival Guide from A to Z
The school year is fast approaching and with the past year having been virtual, many students might need a little extra guidance on getting back into the swing of things. It’s time to take back to school prep to the next level. Follow our A-Z back to school survival guide to ensure you’re ready for whatever this semester has in store. A - AgendaKeep track of daily and weekly assignment due dates in your agenda to avoid missing deadlines and having points taken off.B - Backpack EssentialsSome school days will feel very long, so you’ll want to come prepared. Make sure you have all necessary supplies for your classes - a snack, water bottle, headphones, mask, a jacket, possibly an umbrella depending on the weather, and your phone and phone charger in case you need them throughout the day.C - CalendarYour entire routine is about to change, so consider purchasing a dry erase calendar for your room! This will help you to prioritize and keep track of your school engagements, plus outside of school activities; like sports, events, etc.D - DeskReady your desk at home for homework hours! Gather all necessary supplies and set yourself up a neat and organized desk area. The more organized your homework/study space is, the more likely you will use it productively.E - ElectivesTake advantage of school electives and enroll in something you really enjoy! Most schools require 2-4 electives to graduate so why not take something fun, like yoga or home economics?F - FlashcardsUse index cards for exam prep! Flash card decks are great for helping you understand and memorize the course material. Once you’ve gotten the same card correct more than twice, take it out of the deck.G - Guidance CounselorSchool can be overwhelming in the beginning weeks, so it’s always a good idea to meet with your Guidance Counselor/Advisor. They can help you pick or switch classes based on your interests, help set your goals, help apply to colleges, and provide guidance if you are feeling stressed.H - HighlightingTextbooks contain a lot of information, sometimes more than you need to know for your class. Read over the pages, then go back and highlight the key points to help you better prepare for quizzes and tests.I - InternshipsConnections and experiences you make through internships will help you launch your career and build your resume.J - Job BoardsThe student center or office at your school probably has a bulletin board with local job postings if you’re looking to make some extra cash or build up your resume.K - KeyboardYou’re going to be doing a lot of typing pretty soon! Make sure your laptop/computer is up to date with the latest software and you have Microsoft Office or an alternative system installed and ready to go for all of your papers, powerpoints, and projects.L - LibraryGet familiar with your school or local library. Many classes require primary sources for essays and projects that you will need to cite from books in order to complete the assignment.M - MapTo avoid getting lost on your first day, map out your route to and from classes. It’s a good idea to actually walk them before your first day so you know exactly where you’re going and how much time it takes to get there.N - Note TakingTaking notes by hand helps you process and information and increases your ability to recall key discussion points. Find out which note-taking method works best for your understanding of the material here. O - OrientationWhether you have an official orientation (college freshmen) or just a “back to school” assembly- make sure you attend and listen intently. This year in particular, there will be new rules and protocols to keep all students healthy and safe.P - Pens/PencilsHave a pen and pencil ready. We know, this seems obvious- but there’s always someone asking to borrow something to write with on the first day. Don’t let it be you!Q - QuizQuizzes sometimes are a surprise, which means you don’t get any study time. To ensure you are ready for any pop quiz, study your work throughout the semester. Reference your flashcards and notes from class to ensure yourself high marks!R - RelaxThis is super important! School can be hectic, and while it’s very important to get good grades, your mental health is just as important. Schedule self care breaks often to treat yourself for working so hard. S - SyllabusKeep your class’ syllabi somewhere safe where you can easily reference later in the semester. They come in handy when you’re unsure of an assignment or class protocol.T - Theme PartySchool isn’t just about learning- it’s also a great place to make friends. Consider throwing a party to celebrate the end of summer with your classmates. Any reason to celebrate is good enough for us. U - UniversityStart thinking about what college you might want to attend and do your research. If you’re already in college, consider thinking about other schools if you’re interested in getting your Master’s, Bachelor’s, or Doctorate degree. It’s never too early to start looking.V - VaccinationsMany colleges require you to be fully vaccinated before living on campus, so make sure to look up your schools protocols before move-in day.W - WallDecorate a wall in your room with a school calendar, photos of friends, school mascot posters, etc. to get festive for the new school year.X - “Xtra”CreditTake advantage of extra credit opportunities whenever you get them. It just might be the difference between a B and an A!Y - YearbookTake time to take pictures and make lasting memories while you’re in school. Even if you don’t buy an official yearbook, you can use your social media accounts as your own personal yearbook- documenting all the exciting things that happen during the school year. For example, football games, homecoming, prom, spirit week, field trips, graduation etc.Z - Zzzz’sRemember to get those 8 hours every night! They are super important for productivity during the school day. If you’re having trouble falling asleep earlier, try to not use your phone before bed. Electronic light stimulates your brain and keeps you awake longer. Source
Meal Prep Like a Pro
With busy schedules and many employees back in offices after a year and a half of working from home, meal prepping is a great and cost effective solution for saving time and eating healthy throughout the week. Having a collection of well-balanced meals on hand will help you regulate what you eat and help you stay on track with your personal goals. However, meal prepping can get overwhelming for beginners, so here are some tips to help you meal prep like a pro: Invest in High Quality ContainersYou’ll be using them week after week so they need to be durable. We recommend glass to plastic- and in multiple sizes. Also, get in on the mason jar trend! Great for containing salads, soups, and oatmeal. Don’t Overdo itMeal prepping can take up an entire afternoon of cooking time- so stick to prepping just one meal for a certain amount of days. Just pick one- breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Learn to MultitaskTo better avoid using an entire weekend day for prepping- multitask. This means cooking more than one item at a time. It may seem overwhelming to have multiple burners on, the stove running, and the air fryer cooking all at once, but when all of your proteins and veggies are done at the same time, you’ll be glad that you did it. Check Expiration DatesYou will be making food at the beginning of the week that needs to last for an extended period of time. Typically, you’ll cook on Sunday for meals Mon-Fri. So, you need to make sure all of your food will still be safe to eat after being cooked and refrigerated for 6 days. Spice it UpAdd plenty of spices to your food to up the flavor level and keep you wanting more day after day. This ensures you are still only cooking once, without totally committing to the same meal every night of the week Source Recipes Air Fryer Chicken + Veggies A flavorful, healthy, keto, and low-carb fast meal Prep time: 20 minutes Ingredients: (portioned for 5 meals)-5 Chicken Breasts-1 cup chopped Bell Peppers-1 cup chopped Zucchini-1 cup chopped Broccoli-1 Garlic clove-1 tsp Olive Oil-1 tsp Garlic Powder-1 tsp Chili Powder-1 pinch of Salt-1 pinch of Pepper-1 tsp Italian Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning-*Optional: Squeeze of lemon juice Directions:1. Chop veggies and chicken breasts into bite sized pieces and combine into a large bowl2. Mix together oil and seasonings and coat the chicken and veggies3. Put chicken and veggies in air fryer for 5 minutes, then give them a shake4. Continue letting chicken and veggies cook until the chicken is done Mason Jar Chickpea Pasta Salad A healthier and trendier twist on classic pasta salad Prep time: 50 minutes Ingredients: (portioned for 4 meals)-1 tsp avocado oil-salt-pepper-1 8 oz box of chickpea pasta-1 large butternut squash-4 cups of baby spinach-⅓ cup grated parmesan-½ cup chopped red onion-½ cup olive oil-⅓ cup red wine vinegar Directions:1. Preheat the oven to 400° and grease the baking sheet with avocado oil. Add squash and season with salt and pepper. Toss until coated2. Roast in a single layer until squash is golden (25-30 minutes). Transfer to bowl3. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta following box instructions4. Add spinach, parmesan, salt, and pepper to bowl of squash5. Make a dressing- in a separate bowl, whisk together onion, vinegar, and olive oil and season with salt and pepper6. Divide dressing among mason jars and top with pasta salad. Flip upside down to let dressing coat salad Shrimp Tacos Insanely delicious spicy loaded taco shrimp bowls Prep time: 25 minutes Ingredients: (portioned for 4 meals)-20 medium shrimp-1 clove minced garlic-½ tsp ground cumin-½ tsp chili powder-¼ tsp salt-2 cups cooked brown rice-1 cup black beans-1 cup diced tomatoes-1 tbsps cilantro-½ cup cheddar cheese-1 lime Directions:1. Whisk together olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Add in shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 10 minutes2. Heat sauce pan or cast iron skillet for 2 minutes. Add olive oil and shrimp. Cook shrimp on medium high until cooked through, about 5 minutes3. Divide shrimp, rice, beans, corn, and tomatoes into containers and sprinkle on cheese, cilantro, and a slice of lime.
Your Dream Vacation Home According to Your Zodiac Sign
When you get lost in vacation real estate dreams, what exactly are you dreaming of? Your astrological sign knows exactly what kind of vacation home you should stay in, and why that home would perfectly suit your get-away needs. Read on to discover what your zodiac sign says about your dream vacation home. AQUARIUS- CAPE COD STYLEJanuary 20 - February 19Aquarians are dreamers, consistently advocating for change. They probably live in big cities, like D.C. or NYC working a political job. Which is exactly why you need a nearby escape. Try the suburbs of NYC, the Hamptons, or Cape Cod. Both of these locations have eclectic homes suited for a professional, but with a relaxing twist. Cape Cod styles are breezy and refreshing-exactly what an Aquarian needs on summer vacay. PISCES - COUNTRY TUDORFebruary 19 - March 20 Pisces are artsy dreamers. When they get away they won’t settle for something ordinary. A Country Tudor style home is just the thing to settle their creative appetite. With the comzy interior and exciting exterior, they are the perfect spot. Many of these homes exist in Europe’s countryside- try staying outside of London, England, or a small town in Norway. ARIES - METROPOLIS PENTHOUSEMarch 21 - April 19 Aries are way too career oriented to enjoy their time anywhere without opportunity, or most of all- WIFI. Staying in a metropolis penthouse will stimulate excitement in Aries. They don’t want to relax on vacation-they want to do it all. See the city, experience bars and restaurants, tourist attractions, shopping, see shows, meet new people etc. They crave the energy of a bustling city- and who wouldn’t want to stay in a penthouse with a panoramic view of it? TAURUS - FARMHOUSEApril 20 - May 20 Taurus are the most simple-minded of the zodiac signs. They would really be happy anywhere on vacation, even a farmhouse. Being an earth sign, they would enjoy getting out there in nature, waking up to the sound of a rooster, and driving past meadow after meadows of cows and corn fields. They’re also one of the most hardworking of the zodiac-so milking a cow and taking a chicken’s eggs from the coop to make their own breakfast would be no problem. They’d have fun with it! GEMINI - LOG CABINMay 21 - June 21Gemini are the most outgoing of the zodiacs- a vacation alone would never do. A perfect getaway for a gemini would be renting a huge log cabin with a ton of friends. Gemini would spend the day hanging out on the lake, tubing, going on hikes, relaxing by the firepit at night- and they’d do it all with their closest friends. This will make the gemini’s vacation one to remember. CANCER - LAKEFRONT COTTAGEJune 22 - July 22 Cancer’s are known as the sweetest and friendliest of the zodiac signs, so what’s better than a cute, little, cozy cottage beside a lake. These homes don’t boast too many rooms or fixtures, just the basics. As long as there is a porch overlooking the lake where a cancer can sit, relax, and enjoy their morning coffee-they will have all they need for a perfect getaway. LEO - HOLLYWOOD MANSIONJuly 23 - August 22 Leo’s, known as the king and queens of the zodiac, love to be noticed. Nothing short of a palace would suit them best. Leo’s would thoroughly enjoy vacationing mansion-style in the Hollywood Hills, in close proximity to celebrities. After all, Leo’s do want to live like royalty. VIRGO- MOUNTAIN HOMEAugust 23 - September 22 Virgo’s tend to be the deepest of the zodiac signs. They overthink way too often, so they need somewhere they can take a break on vacation. A house in the mountains far away from wifi and civilization will do just the trick. They can go hiking and forget all their troubles at home. The mountain view is exactly what the doctor ordered. LIBRA - BEACH HOUSESeptember 23 - October 23Libra’s are the social butterflies of the zodiac signs. They dream of throwing huge parties, drinking, eating, and entertaining on their vacations. A beach house is perfect for this! Libra’s will love to entertain in the outdoor/indoor setting of a beach home and show off their view. Plus, many of these homes have 6-8 rooms perfect for hosting friends and family. Try renting one in Outer Banks, North Carolina! SCORPIO - CAVE HOMEOctober 24 - November 11Scorpio’s are driven with passion but coated with mystery. They need a vacation home unlike anything they’ve already experienced, that matches their unique, sometimes dark personality. Caves are a new trend that Scorpio’s may find enjoyment from. They can hide somewhere you wouldn’t expect and still enjoy all that a vacation has to offer. It will be an experience they can use as a conversation piece for years to come. SAGITTARIUS - TREEHOUSENovember 22 - December 21Sagittarius’ are the most adventurous of the zodiac signs- so a tree house off the beaten path would suit them perfectly. Sagittarius’ would love to wander the trails of a jungle in Bali, and then retreat to a vacation home up in the branches, surrounded by nature, never once returning to the hustle and bustle of suburbia or rural towns. Sagittarius’ want to explore while on vacation, completely immersing themselves in their surroundings. CAPRICORN - TINY HOME ON WHEELSDecember 22 - January 19Capricorns like to travel, so vacationing is something they do often. To make it more financially possible, we suggest staying in a tiny home on wheels, or in an RV. For capricorns, it isn’t about where you stay, it’s about the destination. This way, Capricorns can just pick up and go- basically living on vacation 24/7 with ease.
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