Ready to make this year totally amazing? We have 19 ways to do just that: Cut ’em out, paste ’em to your locker, tape ’em to your mirror, shellac ’em to your desk. We tapped teachers, experts, celebs and even your fellow GL readers for secrets *every* girl should know. Brush up and head back to school with confidence. Yep, you’re welcome.
1 FIND YOUR PASSION—AND FOCUS
“You don’t have to play every single sport and join every single club. Find a niche you really like and dive in. That’s how you’re going to succeed. If you try to be everything, you’ll just get burned out.” —Heather Tasker, high school English and cinema teacher in Sussex County, N.J.
2 REMEMBER, GROWTH IS A GOOD THING
“Don’t be scared of it. Swallow your fears and go for that class election or debate team spot, and don’t worry about what people will think. If someone doesn’t want you to grow, she’s not your real friend.” —Haley Kilpatrick, founder of the Girl Talk mentoring program
3 BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND
“You need to have your own back. That’s true self-acceptance. Think of what your best friend would say to you, and say that to yourself. She would tell you, ‘Your hair looks great today!’ or ‘Don’t worry about that test. You tried your best.’” —Leslie Grubb, happiness coach who runs self-esteem workshops for teens
4 MAP OUT HOMEWORK
“Make a schedule of everything you need to do, and order it by how hard it is and how long each thing will take. Do the hard stuff in the beginning, and work your way down to the easiest assignment. That’s how I got through sophomore year!” —Maria G., 17, a high school senior in Denver
5 BUILD SOLID SOCIAL KARMA
This story is from the August/September 2019 edition of Girls' Life magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August/September 2019 edition of Girls' Life magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why aren't you and your crush together already
Six reasons you aren't dating for real... yet.
A love letter to myself (and all the single girls out there)
This year, I’m my own Valentine. And not only is that OK—it’s kind of amazing, tbh.
WELCOME TO YOUR winter workout WONDERLAND
DON'T LET THE COLD TEMPS FOOL YOU-WE'RE OFFICIALLY ENTERING PEAK FITNESS SZN.
Low-key missing lockdown
Yeah, staying home was weird, but it also was kind of...nice?
Dear Carol
I don’t know if my crush likes me back
THE PRETTIEST PARTS
Changing the way you wear your hair is quick, easy and doesn't even require a major makeover (or a single scissor snip!).
Lucky Girl Syndrome
just became your thing
WHAT'S YOUR GALENTINE'S SUPERPOWER?
We’re 1,000% sure your besties would agree: You’re caring, supportive and pretty much all-around amazing to have as a friend.
Meet You at The Ballet Barre
Pull on your tights and channel your inner prima ballerina.
KyliE Cantrall is just trusting the universe
...and it's giving some serious heart eyes (and star power) right back.