Judging others

Judge slowly.  Think before judging others put yourself in their shoes.

Susan B.

Eye Contact

My fifth grade teacher told me to always look a person in the eye when they speak to you.  I did not realize it then, but what she was teaching me was to take pride in myself and to have self-confidence in everything that I set out to accomplish.  

Dr. Shelia G.  advisor from her teacher  

 

Don't Be Grumpy

The best advice I ever received was from my best friend before he died.  Everything started when I was 10 years old.  It was a very bad morning and I was a grumpy person that day.  

I got into a fight, but then my friend just dragged me out and told me not to be mad at anybody -just because you are stressed doesn't mean that you have to take your anger out at everybody. 

He said, "life is a game, Carnal (Bro)."  ... that afternoon I was just thinking and realized what he told me.  Later that day I got the news that my friend died.  Since then I've used that advice. 

Help Others

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you sow. 

Robert Lewis Stevenson

Don't Hold Grudges

1.  Be true to yourself at all times-regardless 

2.  Set yourself some goals that are realistic and then go get them-don’t readily compromise but equally don’t be so rigid and inflexible so as to alienate all around you 

3.  Be who you want to be-not who others think you should be
4.  Don't hold grudges- just move on
5.  Life is too short- go and live today!!

James F.

Don't Let Others Squeeze You

Don't let others around you squeeze you into their mold.   

Judy T.

Listen to Your Child

LISTEN to what the child says, as well as what he/she doesn't say. 

Dr. Diane B. 

Find Your Niche

Having worked with a variety of teens in a variety of settings my most common advice is find a niche. Teens need an interest that will provide them with a niche to find colleagues, mentors and friends.  It is sad when a junior high student enters school and has no particular interest to help her join a club or group.   So,my advice is find something you enjoy, It is ok to be a jock, a band geek, a chess player, a singer, a techie, or whatever.  What is not ok is to feel alone and on the outside. That hurts. There are lots of groups to join whether they are in school or in church or the community. Find one and try it out.

Susan H.

Thoughts from an Husband and Wife

Based on our own life experiences, my husband and I came up with the following advice for our own teenagers:  

1.)  Be Nice

2.)  Do Your Best At Whatever You Do

3.)  Do What You Say You're Going To Do When You Say You're Going To Do It

4.) Do What You're Asked To Do When You're Asked To Do It

5.) Be Happy

Stacey F.

The Importance of a Person's Character

When you are about to enter a relationship with someone new--whether a friend, group of new friends or a romantic relationship--try looking at a person's character--their important qualities--such as honesty, generosity, dependability, willingness to help--instead of just their physical attributes or personality quirks.  

I never looked at people's character before--when someone was smart and funny I stopped at that and was often let down by smart, funny people who were also back-stabbers and liars!  It took years for me to make that advice an automatic habit, and I now have the most wonderful, loving friends in the world. 

Dakota L.

Your Best Legacy

....always be kind to others and to yourself.   When you look back at your life you want to be proud of the person you have become and the positive influence you have made on people and the environment.  It's the best legacy you can leave. 

Marissa A. from her father

Urgent Question

"Life's most persistent and urgent questions is "What are you doing for others."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our Founding Fathers

Read the biographies of our founding fathers, including especially Washington, Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin.   Note, however different they may have been, the common features of their teenage years: ambition, discipline, hard work toward goals, and attachment to friends and adults who could help advance them toward their goals. 

Sandy K.

Attitude

Do everything with an attitude of excellence.  

Audra F. from her minister

Your Place in the World

This life is NOT all about you.  Anything you do for someone else, is 100 times better that anything you do for yourself.  Your sense of purpose and your place in this world are developed by the way you treat others. 

Lynda D. from her father

Life's Burdens

“I know God won’t give me any more than I can handle, I just wish He wouldn’t trust me so much.”

Mother Theresa

Stepping into the Future

As time passes you will find yourself stepping into that future and one day amazingly wondering how you did it.

Ines A.

Get to Work

Get to work. Only Invest time, energy, and resources in activities that bring you closer to your goals. Everything else should be discarded.

Ines A.

Dream it

Dream it. Know exactly what you want in your future and the time frame you want to have that future by. Be specific and clear about it. See yourself there already. Be as vivid as you can possible be about your dream. Describe the goals associated with that future in detail, for when you dream it and believe it, you immediately subconciously as well as conciously start to create that future in your life.  

Ines A.

Reduce Partying

In an economy like the current one, my suggestion would be to seek as much education in as many relevant fields that interest you as possible. Especially for the technology focused individuals, it will become increasingly difficult to find jobs in your career path unless you're exceptionally gifted. The likelihood of companies snapping up experienced, out of work people before looking at the "average" graduate for the same job is higher now than ever. Put off that party, that dance, that "hangout" at the beach and learn something valuable instead.

Draw a Line

I suggest they (teens) draw a line down the middle of a blank sheet of paper. On one side list all the things they love to do. On the other side list the things they are really good at doing. Then, look for matches. 

Somewhat related to this is finding out what makes them "tick". In my experience, most people don’t know what makes them tick. They know what doesn’t, but can’t articulate what does. 

Don J.

Have Your Work Fit Your Life

As a recent college grad and recovering teenager...the best question is "how do you want work to fit into your life?" ..... Help teens focus on what they enjoy,  how they want their life to look, and that any dream is possible.  Reality doesn't until after college anyway....so encouraging them to follow their dreams is the best advice I've ever recieved.

Abra l.

Have a Plan for Improvement

Always take personality responsibility and have a plan for improvement when things go wrong, nothing is outside of your job description if it needs doing,  make your education the best experience possible even if it means putting it off for a while until you can appreicate it.

Tracy G.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Listen to your parents. They've already been there and done that. Nothing that teenagers go through is really new. They can help you avoid those common mistakes and to turn out better than they did.

Krystal S.

Follow Your Gut

As a mother of a 16 year old girl, I tell her again and again to be herself. Don't let others define you - define yourself and follow your gut. 

Krintine H.

Take the High Road

A bit of advice I give everybody, including my kids and young professionals that I've mentored and are just starting out - always take the high road, not the easy road.  In the long-run you will find that that will never let you down - personally or professionally.

Kristine H.

Help Another Person

Always do whatever you can to help another person - if for no other reason, than because he/she may be the one person who can help you some day!

Margie W.

Reward Behaviors

Reward behaviors and not accomplishments. If you reward for good grades and the teen has to make a choice of taking the low road to get a good grade what is more important to the parent?

Chris V.

Your Free Time

How do you like to spend your free time? What's a favorite class in school? These are the beginnings of what you could call planning a career. If you have an interest in something, say math or photography or fixing things even. Learn as much as you can about that and run with it! A career doesn't have to boring, in fact, it can be fun!

Pillar A-S.

Don't Be Afriad

Teenagers have a lot of pressure to make the right choices or else. Someone is probably always telling you what to do or not do.  Everyone makes mistakes but if you can learn something from a mistake or something that didn't go well then it's probably okay.  You should always ask yourself when evaluating the proper course of action: "Can I live with consequences or results of this action?" Whether yes or no, you'll have a better idea as to what to do. 

Pillar A-S.

Be Open to Ideas

In my own life I was always so focused on what I wanted to do that I ignored some great advice given to me by my parents, teachers and maybe even friends. The downside to having tunnel vision and being somewhat closed minded is that it has taken me a lot longer to figure out what I want to do with my life. The positive side to following my own path is that I have a lot of great work experiences from which to draw from and I can share my experiences with others. 

Pilar A-S.

Learn Your Business

Learn the business you work for. Whether McDonald's or delivering pizza's understand the business. This is free internship material.  ..how does the company order product.....what happens before holidays (sometimes 5 months before)... what if a customer complains how do I handle it or do I handle it 

.... many teens and adults go to work, do their job only, and learn nothing. 

Be Authentic

Be authentic....Forever explore and expand your world....your intuition....your capacity for compassion.... 
Breathe deeply and release your frustrations and anger....Direct your energy well and shine your light..... 
Be diligent--never allow for mistakes when it comes to pregnancy.... 

Lisa W.

Living Through a Difficult Situation

"If you can live through that (a difficult situation) you can live through anything.  You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You are able to say to yourself, "I'lived through this horrot.  I can take the next thing that comes along."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Time Management

I would like to add that children must be taught to value TIME - their own and of others....to make the most of every moment in the best possible way....

Indira C.

Your Friends

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Stephanie H.

Value Your Integrity

Embrace education - Make learning part of your lifestyle... not a goal.
Embrace other cultures - The world is getting smaller every day.
Serve in some way. - There's great gratification in helping others.
Value your integrety - It can't be taken away from you.

Elissa S.

Stash the Memories

Take the time to soak in the experience, be it a major event or even just hanging out with friends. Stash the memories away!

Heather P.

Footprints

Everything in life has repercussions; be proud of the footprints you leave behind.

Nicole S.

Love Who You Are

I have an 11 year old daughter, who is a Cadette in GS.  If I could only give one piece of advice, it is "love yourself...love who YOU are and be the best YOU".  

Teenagers struggle so much with finding themselves and being accepted by their peers. If we teach them self love...it'll all work itself out. If I could add a second piece of advice, it would be the Golden Rule...treat others as you want to be treated. That rule is priceless!

Sara E.

Calm Down

Don't jump to conclusions.  All it does is create unnecessary (and often imaginary!) problems.  Calm down, give the benefit of the doubt instead, and nine times out of ten you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Alexandra F.

Respect

Respect - for yourself, for others, for the world around you.  

Rabbi Hillel, a great Jewish teacher, once said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?” 

If you don't respect yourself, why should others respect you?  If you don't respect others, what kind of person are you?  Start loving yourself right now, in a non-selfish, perfectly appropriate way, acknowledging your own self-worth.  Do all the right things for yourself - graduate high school, go to college, get a job, stay healthy, stand up for yourself, say No, etc - because you deserve it.

Kids Need Reminding

It's very simple..... kids need reminding.  They know what the right thing is and what the wrong thing is.  I try to get them to make good, healthy, safe and positive decisions for themselves. 

Janice H.

Life is Not Fair

My teenage son will tell you the most important thing I taught him is LIFES NOT FAIR.

Michael L.

Parents

We try as parents.  But nobody has a degree in it.   Hope it all works out okay and know how important the messages are.

Fiona

Change Your World

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

I clipped this quote for them (teenagers) to hopefully share that there isn't always going to be someone to 'fix it.'  Sometimes, you have to fix it yourself.

Enjoy What You Can

Enjoy what you can and remember that every action can have an unequal and completely opposite reaction.

Eric M.

Trust and Truth

My advice is always this phrase: "Where there is truth, there is trust." Probably no more important whole life message a teenager can learn.

Tim B.

Be Confident

Be confident in the things you say and do because they are valuable. But don't forget to listen and learn with your eyes and ears. 

Teresa

No Limitations

Don’t ever let anyone tell you what your limitations are, you never know until you try.
Never stop dreaming.

Carole S.

Change

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,  and the wisdom to know the difference.

Amen

Serenity Prayer supplied by Chris P. 

"Don't sweat the small stuff" with the obvious meaning of letting go of what you can, while focusing on what you must.  Sometimes difficult to sort out, but good advice thru all stages of life.

Mike L. from a group leader

Part Time Job

Don't bother dating... get a part-time job....save your money....tithe....pray for your future mate...ask a lot of questions....spend time with those older/wiser than you.

Chuck M. 

Delay Gratification

Learn to delay gratification.  If you must have everything now, you'll end up with nothing at all.

Realize that failure is an opportunity for growth. It is not a definition of who you are. Every successful person has failed many, many times but they learned from it and continued to pursue their goal with a lesson learned. 

Laurie H. 

Core Values

Know your core values.

Kana G.

Two Life Principles

Two important life principles:
1- Tenacity - believe that what I believe is right and act on that
2- Fallibility - admit I'm human and could be wrong

Dan G. from one of his college professors

Open Mind, Open Heart

Keep an open mind, and an open heart.  Put yourself in somebody else's shoes.  Ask more questions and ponder the answers.  Respect authority but learn to think for yourself.  Take responsibility for your own actions.

Linda Collison, author of Star-Crossed 

Job Skills

In your current job build skills you will use in your next job.

Tim G.

Staying Positive

It's not the events in your life that define you, it's the way you deal with them.  We're on this planet for a minute.  Enjoy it.

Scott Armstrong, Olympic Gold Medal Ice Skater

Learning

Learning has nothing to do with being smart, just diciplined.

Sheila R. from her brother 

Making Friends

Never make friends with a coward.

Sheila R. advice from her father

Today and Tomorrow

"Today may seem overwhelming, but TODAY is the beginning of your tomorrows." Raen Tate 

Helped me through a world of hurt as a teen.

Jeannette T. shared this quote

Each Morning

When Ben Franklin woke each morning he asked one question of himself.

"What Good I'm I going to do today?"

It served him well, and I expect it would others also.

John B.

Goal Setting for Students Book

Goal setting is fundamental character development tool students need to succeed at school and in life.

The award winning book Goal Setting for Students shows students how to use the goal setting principles in school to become more engaged in their education.

“… I learned to never give up.
It is important to have pride in yourself
and to try your hardest to achieve all your goals.”
Ryan Chase, student

The book has received three national parenting book awards.

For more info: www.GoalSettingForStudents.com

Time with the Family

Spend time with family....listen for advice given by parents and grandparents  Pay attention when they start conversation....Believe me that time will never come again.

Yasmeen J.

Ethics

Enjoy life with in the boundry of ethics .

Yasmeen J.

Simple Rules

Clean your room, don't fight with your sister, feed your pets, do your homework, respect you elders 

Neil M.

Do It Right

If you don't have time to do it right the first time -  Do you have time to do it the second time?

John B.

Pushed Into Doing Things

It is important to remind boys and especially girls that they have value so they shouldn't feel like getting pushed into doing things they don't wish to.

MP

Compassion

Compassion is the cornerstone to success. If you can understand - not necessarily agree with - another's point of view you - you will look at the world from a new perspective. Also, find a mentor and be a mentor.

Tami B.

Willingness to Laugh

Willingness to learn from own mistakes - not get distracted by a failure....Sometimes the willingness to laugh at/ignore those who disagree or say it can't be done.

Joan T.

Network Effectively

Build positive rapport with everyone, your classmates, teachers and administrators.  It is a very small world and you never know when you might need the help of others.  Demonstrate your very best self everyday.  Keep your eye on the goal.  Be actively involved in clubs, sports, and volunteer activities.  It's your character that counts most!  Not the number of A's you earn. 

K. Jackson, high school teacher

Respect Yourself

1. Respect your self....Be stable no matter what happens....Make decisions in a calm or neutral frame of mind.

Kana G.

3 Careers vs. 1 Career

Plan 3 careers, not just one.

The world is evolving at an amazing speed and it will only get faster. (Read "Future Shock" by Alvin Toffler)   

The experience you gain in one career will be out of date in the next five years. So instead of being just a pharmacist or a marketing specialist or a webmaster, plan on being all the three things you like. And take up the opportunities in any of those three, as they come.  But choose the three things that you like doing. Even if you believe "there's no career in it" now.

Sumit R.

Four Words

Do the right thing!

Henderson H.

Influence Each Other

They must hold their heads high and be proud of who they are.  They must also be open minded and be an influence to each other. 

Dave N.

Ask for Help

They must not be afraid to ask for help, they must not be afraid to say when things are wrong and they must not give in to peer pressure - they are not sheep.

Dave N.

Relationships

When talking about relationships, don't say they can't, but talk to them about appropriate boundaries and having respect for themselves.  The missing ingredient in these virgin pacts is that they are not even aware that other forms of sex are still sex.  The other thing is that sex programs should really be about talking to kids about self-respect and teaching them to be empowered by doing things in their community.  If we taught kids to have respect for their bodies and gave them things to do in the community, made them feel intelligent enough that they could go to college, sex would not be so strong for them. 

Jeannine V.

Stop Worrying

Best advice I ever got is not too much different from what Mike Lowry says, though mine is straight out of the Book: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Mt.7:34 I have practiced this advice and relieved myself of many burdens.

Chris P.

Failure is an Opportunity

Realize that failure is an opportunity for growth. It is not a definition of who you are. Every successful person has failed many, many times but they learned from it and continued to pursue their goal with a lesson learned. 

Laurie L.

Small Stuff

A Young Life leader of mine said, "Don't sweat the small stuff" with the obvious meaning of letting go of what you can, while focusing on what you must. Sometimes difficult to sort out, but good advice thru all stages of life.

Mike L.

Find Your Passion

Find a passion and learn what it will take to contribute to the improvement or development of your passion.  Find opportunities to explore your passions.  While your passion may change as you get older, every experience leading up to your adult life will help to make you the best you can be. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's really the only way you learn. Good Luck.

Evelyn C.

Credit and Your Money

Credit! Forget literally everything else...CREDIT! Nobody ever taught us a thing about credit, except the creditors calling us at 18 when we first got our cards. We all know it is a scam, but it rules our lives.  Teach them the rules of credit and how to manipulate it.  Additionally, learn some history...apparently, everything we have learned in the past was forgotten over the last 8 years. 

Eric W.

Become an Exchange Student

Be a foreign exchange student.  Nothing will open your mind so much as a long extended trip abroad where you have to interact with people in their culture rather than your own.  It makes everything you do back at home take on a new look and this unique perspective will be something that you would otherwise take years to achieve, if at all.

Mark M.

Respect Teachers

Learning to "play the game" in school is a vital lesson to learning to play the game at work.  Your teacher is not always right, they are not always fair but you will encounter many people like this along the way.  You need to figure out how to work with these people and postion yourself so you win (e.g. good grades for now - good reviews in the future).  You have to realize that sometimes you may have to do things for work that are not fun that no one else wants to do. But I typically find those tasks end up turning in to positive situations.

Laurie S.

Learn From Your Failures

I think the best advice I've gotten - and the best thing I've taught my children - is that "failure leads to success".

Dan Y.

Be Kind

Be kind.  It costs you nothing and comes back in amazing ways and in abundance.  In the end people matter and things don't.  As an adult I remember the hurtful things -- and the kindness -- that happened far more than I remember the really cool clothes.

Mary B.

Truth

Tell the truth!  Don't hide from your parents and be honest and open with your family about what you are doing in your life.  Your parents are there to support you!

Sherri H.

Flexibility

Be flexible.  Life will always give you turns and roadblocks that you can not expect.  Appropriately adapting to those obstacles will make you a stronger, wiser person.

Brett F.

www.GoalSettingforStudents.com

Find Your Passion

Find Your Passion.  Identify what motivates you, what gets you going, and seek out opportunities to do it.  Whether it's engineering, pharmacy, liberal arts, maybe even volunteering, don't ever lose sight of what, and who, you are.  As long as you do that, you will be happy.

Anne R.

Discipline

If you can discipline yourself sufficiently to learn from the mistakes that others have made while travelling their own path through life, then your path will be that much easier to travel and you will arrive at each of your desinations much faster and much more successfully.

Nicholas T.

Big Picture

My one piece of advice is to think about the "big picture" but make sure to understand the 'snippets'.  Whether it's your financial, personal, work or school related efforts, always be aware of who you are inside and know how you want to be portrayed and act in accordance.

Esther G.

Watch and Listen

Watch, follow and listen to others. Think about what they say, publish or do. Decide whether what you read or watch will help you to learn or develop. Give more value to the output of those that you decide might help you - consider the output of the others less frequently, they might become important to you later.

John P.

10 Rules

Let them understand: 

1.   Value for Money
2.   Value to Society
3.   Respect to their Elders
4.   Be a good Listners
5.   Be Courageous
6.   Self Dependent
7.   Self Motivation
8.   Self Confidence
9.   Be innovative
10. Self Decipline and Value for time.  

Abdullah D

Do Your Best

Do your best in all you do; expect to fail sometimes, but recognize and admit your errors and learn from them and don't stop trying; learn from other people's mistakes when you can, so as not to recreate them; help others, not because anyone will notice or care, but simply because you can; and take pride in your efforts.

Jeannie M.

Respect Your Elders

Be Cool ! But at the same time see that your elders don't get HOT to fume at you.....Also RESPECT your elders esp your parents/grandparents for they won't be with you forever.....Plus be knowledgeable and educate yourself to the best level.....

Indira C

Don't be Perfect

Don't try to be perfect - be Remarkable!

Sheila K.

Listen and Learn

Listen to a positive adult....What you do now may have consequences that span years. "T" stands for think, not thrill.

Sharon E.

Love

When you fall in love with someone, make sure it is for who that person is, and not who you want that person to be. 

Rushton H.

Your Actions

Be able to consider your own actions as if you were watching yourself from across a room.

Rushton H.

Career Advice

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need By Daniel Pink.

This manga style comic book is a quick and easy read with up-to-date and pertinent advice. The book's points are also summarised on slideshare by Garr Reynolds -

Susan G.

Taking Advice

Don't take my or anyone's advice without first researching it yourself and weighing the issues. Do not be a person that blindly follows, but rather one that makes reasoned decisions based on what you have reasoned is true.

That being said, also reexamine your beliefs throughout your life as you are exposed to more life experience. Often one finds that something they once believed is no longer consistent with what they know now. 

Dave A.

Stay in School

Stay in school, get as much education as you can. Not just high school and college, but throughout life. If one does not further their education, more and more opportunities close with time. Go to college if it is all possible. It is well past the point in today's world where a high school education is sufficient to thrive. There are of course exceptions, but don't count on being the exception. Some people do win the lottery, but it is not prudent to count on lottery winning for survival.

Dave A.

Faith

Accept Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior and live each moment to please Him and no one else. 

Andrea G.

Be a Servant

Be a servant in all areas of your life (student, daughter or son, future employee, future employer, citizen, future spouse) choose to Love and serve.

Paul V.

Learn Your Skills in High School

Be sure to get skills as you go through high school. Learn how to do something that would be of value to an employer.

Delaine Z.

Nuture Your Faith

Nurture your faith....Volunteer....Take good care of your body....Understand the true difference between "want" and "need"....Create the ability to meet your needs...More times than not, your parents are trying to show you the path of least resistance ... really!

Kirk V.

Find a Mentor

Books to read: "Think and Grow Rich", By Napoleon Hill.  And, "The Secret" 

Don't settle for less.  Don't take advice on something from someone who doesn't have what you want.  Find a mentor.  Learn; then be a mentor!

Brian S.

Stay In School

Stay in school - get a degree - stay off of drugs - now you are WAY cool.  By the way, your parents are smarter than they look!

Barry S.

Never Stop Dreaming

Don’t ever let anyone tell you what your limitations are,  you never know until you try. 
Never stop dreaming.

Carole S.

Be Happy

Don’t look for someone to make you happy. Happiness comes from within you. 
Respect yourself, if you don’t know one else will.

Carole S.

Be Yourself

Don’t try to be like everyone else.  You’ll only be happy being true to yourself. 

Think for yourself, don’t just regurgitate everyone else’s ideas and viewpoints.

Carole S.

Life Isn't Fair

I tell my children not to think life is fair because it isn't. 

But it is up to you to make the most of it. That you will make mistakes as you go through life. The important thing is to learn from the mistake and then move on. It does no good to dwell on the past you cannot change it but you can use the lesson to make a better future. 

Joseph M.

Your Future

Realize the importance of your current education to your future dreams. Your future begins now and the life you expect to live tommorrow is being built (or destroyed) today. 

Darrell A

Customer Service

Read the book The Customer Comes Second (Hal Rosenbluth).  Take care of your employees and they will take care of your customers.

Jim H

Getting A's

If you're not going to actually get "A's" at least know all of the kids who are getting "A's".  Study things you're interested in.

Troy P

Set Goals

My best advice to a teenager would be to set SMART goals, which means, specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goals.  

I also suggest reading a couple of books...The Power of Now and A New Earth, both written by Eckhart Tolle.  Live in the moment...nothing else matters but what you are doing right NOW.  If you made a mistake in the past, take responsiblity for it and ask for forgiveness then let it go.  There is no need to create a story in your head and relive that mistake over again.  

 

Becky R, got this advise from a coach

Greed

Pigs are Fed, Hogs are Slaughtered

Rusty K.

Trust Your Judgment

Trust your instincts and be a kid while you can be!

Ajay J.

Enjoy Life

Relax and enjoy life as much as you can. 

Angelica L.

Consequences

Always think about the consequences of the actions you take. Take responsibilities for the outcomes of your actions. 

Angelica L.

Learn from Problems and Conflicts

Never avoid or deny problems, conflicts or obstacles because they are a kind of learning besides textbooks and exams.  You gain another experience skill by learning how to solve life problems, people conflicts and unseen obstacles.  Even if you cannot solve them, you can learn how to find other resources to solve them. 

Angelia L.

Listen to Others

Spend at least 30 minutes to 1 hour just listening and talking with your parents, grandparents, siblings...etc. Your family is the foundation of your strength, confidence, conscience, morality and the root of your personality/emotions in most aspects of life. 

Angeline L

Being Pretty

What I tell my daughter: It's nice to be pretty, but better to be smart!

Treva L

Don't Give Up On Your Dreams

Don't give up your dreams. If you want to expand your knowledge on life and go to college, but your family doesn't have the money to afford it, there is still hope. There's still financial aid, grants and loans that can help you to your dream. 

No question is a stupid question. Don't be afraid to ask. If you're unsure about something, ask someone to explain it to you. It's better to know than keep wondering.

Thank you Sara F

Live Life Responsibly

Life is not a rehearsal. Make the most of every opportunity. Be responsible for your own actions. Learn from your mistakes. Tolerance and other people have opinions.

Thank you Fiona M, mother of two teens

Peer Pressure

Nikki Navta 

Pay attention to your instinct and ACT on it. When that little voice inside your head makes you wonder if you''re making the right choice, LISTEN.   Even (especially) if your friends are pointing you in the "danger direction", telling you "it's OK".   Don't be afraid to say "not this time", or "my parents would really kill me if I did that". 

Thank you Nikki

Advice from one of her teachers 

Show the World Who You Are

1. Be yourself! 

2. Live each day like no other... Make each of the 24 hours count. Learn a different language, learn a dance, make a new friend.

3. Speak positive, be positive

4. Impossible = I'm Possible

5. Smile - Give the world your best face and best comes right back at you

Thank you Sharayna D

Best Advice?

Best Advice? 

Listen to your parents. Trust their experience. Go to school for what you truly love, not for what you think others expect of you. Follow your passions. Don't always live in the moment - for this too will pass.

Thank you Dana K

Respect

Respect is the best way to show the world you are ready for said world. 

"Respect your elders" is not just an adage. 

Realize there is no shame in learning from parents etcetera because he/she probably just wants to stop you from making the same mistakes he/she made. ....If you respect yourself and others, your way in the world will be easier.

Thank you Molly D.