Things to Do
TEENS
Tips to Make Going Back Easier A fter a summer of sleeping in or doing things on your time, the alarm bell announcing that first day of school can be a rude awakening. Whether you’re an anxious new freshman or a confident senior, heading back to school signals a time of transition: new classes, new teachers, new schedules, and a new social scene.
class — as long as you’re confident your friend really grasps the material. Learning good note-taking skills in high school also helps put you ahead of the curve in college.
Eat Breakfast. The old saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is never more true than when you’re going to school. Students are more alert and perform better in Dread it or love it, you gotta go to school. Here class if they eat a good breakfast. are some ways to make the transition from summer to school a little easier and help you Get enough sleep. Studies show that teens maintain control. need at least 8½ hours of sleep each night to feel rested. Sleep deprivation can lead Plan ahead. Get a wall calendar or personal students to fall asleep in class (embarrassing planner. Mark the dates of midterms, finals, if you’re caught!) and can also make it hard to and other tests. Note the due dates of term concentrate. It can be more productive to get papers, essays, and other projects as they are the sleep you need than it is to stay up late assigned. List any other time commitments cramming. A recent study found that students you have, like basketball practice or play who got adequate sleep before a math test rehearsals. When your calendar starts to fill, were nearly three times more likely to figure learn to say no to additional activities until out the problem. things calm down. Manage your time. Do more at school and Stay ahead. Try not to fall behind. If you feel you’ll have less to do at home. Take advanyourself falling behind and starting to feel tage of those times during the school day frustrated, let your teachers know. It’s better when you’re not in class – review notes, go to to get help early on than to wait and think you the library or computer lab, get a head-start can ace the final if you spend a few nights on your homework, or research that paper. cramming. Almost everyone struggles with a You’ll be thankful later while you’re at the mall particular subject or class. If you’re having or a concert and your classmates are stuck at trouble with a particular subject or homework home cramming. project, ask your teacher for extra help after class. If your teacher knows that you’re Join up. One of the best ways to make friends struggling with something, he or she is likely and learn your way around is by joining school to be more understanding of the situation. clubs, sports teams, and activities. Even if you can’t kick a 30-yard field goal or sing a solo, Listen up. Paying attention in class can getting involved in other ways — going to a actually pay off in the long run. Sure, it’s often school play, helping with a bake sale, or easier said than done, but actively listening cheering on friends at a swim meet — can and taking notes during lectures can make help you feel like a part of things. recalling information easier when it comes time to study and remember things. School is a time to make friends and try new things, but it’s also a place to learn skills like Take notes. If you take notes and review them organization and decision making that will before class begins (or while studying for an come in handy for the rest of your life. j exam), you can ask a teacher to go over anything you don’t understand. It can also be kidshealth.org helpful to go over notes with a friend after
“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” – Oscar Wilde AUG/SEPT 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 28
Teens Events
G.L.O.W. Open House August 10, 10am to 11:30am G.L.O.W is a teen leadership program created to empower Middle and High School Girls to lead, overcome, and win now and in their future. The goal is to partner with the local schools and parents to fight against teen pregnancies, social media comparisons, low self-esteem, and bullying, and to teach the girls to be fierce leaders. The program will kick-off September 14th, but this open house will provide an opportunity to get an overview of the program. Panera Bread / 904-7013393 / 1440 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.mweinc.org Science Saturday: Soda and Mentos August 17, 2pm to 3pm Teens 13 to 17 are invited to participate in an explosive experiment at the library. Meet in the Teen Room, before going outside, to test what happens when you put Mentos in different kinds of soda. Snacks will be provided. Free. Clay County Public Library, Fleming Island Branch / 904-278-3720 / 1895 Town Center Blvd, Fleming Island, FL 32003 / claycountygov.libcal.com
Theatre Jacksonville’s Theatre for Kids helps build important life skills, self esteem, and confidence.
FALL SESSION BEGINS
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
(904) 396-4425 www.theatrejax.com
Project Life 101 August 21, 4:30pm to 5:30pm There are 21 life skills every teen should know. Teens are invited to come and explore while turning these skills into fun activities with technology, art and craft projects and games. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, Pablo Creek Regional Branch / 904-992-7101 / 13295 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.jaxpubliclibrary.org Youth Quake Live September 6, 8pm to 10pm The doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8pm. Admission is free, but a donation is collected during the show to cover production fees. YouthQuake Live offers reserved seating for all events. For $3 per seat, youth groups & families have the opportunity to sit together & enjoy the event without worrying about the crowds. Reserved seating does not necessarily mean front row. Location of your seats is dependent on the event and the church layout. Hopewell Church / 1351 Roberts Road, St. Johns, FL 32259 / www.youthquakelive.com Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Teen events.