THE REAL GIRL'S GUIDE THRIVING IN HIGH SCHOOL

School supplies? Purchased. First-day fit? Lined up. Now all that's left to do is hit the halls.

- BY LENA GENOVESE AND ELIZABETH HUANG

Full disclosure: High school is going to fly by in the blink of an eye.

And while we can't promise that every moment will be perfect (you're bound to forget your lunch on the bus at some point), we *can* help you make the next four years totally amazing. So get ready to seize each and every day—because “carpe diem” is your new mantra.

PREP AHEAD. Love that extra five (or 10) minutes of snoozing? Even if you never oversleep, having everything you need for the day prepped and waiting by the door ensures you're not starting off stressed. Instead of scrambling to find your soccer cleats as the bus pulls up, pack them the night before. And don't forget to toss a nourishing snack in your bag—no one makes great decisions when they're hangry.

MAKE YOUR BED (YUP, EVERY MORNING). Stay with us here... making your bed in the a.m. is a legit mood booster. Think of it this way: By checking off one small task first thing, you'll feel more motivated to tackle the rest of your day. Plus, nothing beats sinking into a freshly made bed after a long day of tests, swim team and trig homework. Trust us—you'll thank yourself later.

TURN THE HALLWAY INTO YOUR RUNWAY. You don't have to serve a statement look every Friday (though props if you do), but swapping sweats for a skirt now and then can be the underrated confidence boost you didn't know you needed. Scroll Pinterest for inspo—or check out our recs on p. 16—to show off your style, one adorbs fit at a time.