CollegeTalk Scholarship (16yrs and older)

CollegeTalk Scholarship

Provided By: The College Inquirer

Deadline: August 14, 2011

Type of Award: Scholarship

Amount: $750

Awards Available: Unspecified

Website: http://collegeinquirer.com/scholarship/

Description: The CollegeTalk Scholarship is available to students ages 16 and older. To be considered, you must, in 600 words or less, tell who you want as your president from 2012 to 2016.

Applicable Majors: All Fields of Study

Additional Information: Please visit the sponsor's Web site for additional information.

Preppin' for Tests

Hey, it's Monday!

We have reached mid-May. Wow, where did all the time go? Anyway, Monday is a great day to get reenergized and get back on your grind. I'm sure you have so much on your plate right now with school events, projects and of course, final exams. Don't worry, our girl, Ariam, is here to give you tips on how to prepare for finals without getting stressed. Yes, it is actually possible to get ready for finals and have fun in the process!

Have a great week,

Jen

Finals Week: Don't Stress it!

You can't imagine the stresses one endures during "Finals Week." For some classes, grades rely on finals week. Yesterday a friend of mine told me she hasn't taken one exam for her Women Studies class. I was shocked! "So you mean to tell me, this final exam counts for more than half of your final grade?"

Already I knew the answer.

Some teachers drown in grading papers and preparing lectures all semester that they don't have much to grade students. And this final exam counts for your grade in the class.

Luckily, my professors were smart enough to assign quizzes and tests throughout the semester so the final exam doesn't weigh as heavily.

But it doesn't matter! Please prepare yourself for finals week.

Here's some tips:

1. Get adequate rest.

This is why your exams are spaced out. An average person needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep in order to function. Don't kill yourself memorizing concepts, dates, and chapter notes until 4 a.m. The only thing you're guaranteed to get is a cranky attitude when you wake up.

2. Make a study schedule.

Better yet, make a study bag. Fill it with pens, #2 pencils, highlighters, post-its (anything you think will come in handy while studying).

Make a schedule where you devote a number of hours per day to each subject. Spend 2 hours reviewing science; 2 hours on math and so forth. Master your schedule, so you've covered all topics that might show up on the final.

3. Pack early (College students)

Unless you go to a boarding school, this may not apply. But, take notes because you will have this dilemma in college. Pack as early as you can, so once you've completed your exams you're ready to go!

Don't wait till the 11th hour to start packing. Start early! Begin with simple packing like selling back your textbooks, so you can get rid of your bookshelf. And for the books you think will come in handy next semester-- throw it in a bin!

Now start gathering your clothes (esp, summer dresses/skirts) and put them in the bin. Don't forget to wash them too! There's nothing more annoying than coming home with dirty clothes.

Make sure you take all necessary items: photo ids, keys, wallet, money! You don't want to leave anything that may be get stolen.

4. Have fun!

This may sound cliche, but don't spend the entire week stressing over a 2 hour test. Go out for a walk, hit the gym, call some buddies, catch up on your favorite tv shows, etc. Have some "me" time and do things that relieve stress.

5. Eat breakfast on the day of your exams.

Have some cereal and orange juice (if you're not a breakfast person). I use to hate eating in the mornings because I did it so my mom could get off my back before I leave for school!

Breakfast is an essential meal of the day, so take your exam on a full stomach.

Last but not least, good luck!!

Street Meat!

It's getting warmer, so we are getting into street fair season, where you will find different types of street meat (and some veggies, too). The street fairs take place throughout the five boroughs from spring until fall. The fairs are great ways to see different 'hoods in New York City and is a great lunch option if you're on the move and hangin' out with your girls.

Check out one this weekend and click the link below for more info:

9th Ave. International Food Festival
Manhattan, from 42nd to 57th Streets
Saturday, May 14th & Sunday, May 15th
12-5 PM (rain or shine)

You are Beautiful, No Botox Necessary!

Today there was a segment on the morning TV show, Good Morning America, discussing a San Francisco mother giving her 8-year-old daughter the cosmetic procedure, Botox. Yes, Botox! The little girl competes in beauty pageants and her mother, who does the procedure herself, justifies giving her daughter Botox because "other moms are doing it." In the GMA interview, the mom does not reveal her source for Botox, since it only available to doctors. See the interview for yourself here: Link to Botox Mom

I knew I had to blog about this today, in order to emphasize to girls, "You are beautiful." If your nose is a little bigger than you'd like or you wish you weren't so skinny; it's okay, you were meant to look exactly as you do. Loving you gives you the confidence to know that you are smart and beautiful, despite any "perceived flaws." There is not any reason you should request a cosmetic procedure as a girl or a teen, if it is NOT medically necessary (accident, illness). By changing who you are, you erase all the features which make you unique and the features you have inherited from your parents and other relatives. Embrace who you are, there's only one you in the world.

Have a great day,

Jen

Girl Up is Looking for Teen Advisors

Put your stamp on the world and become a Girl Up teen advisor. Girl Up is a campaign of the United Nations (UN) Foundation. The mission of this organization is to empower American girls to help other girls in developing countries. These girls often do not have the same educational, independence or basic necessities to live (food, water, shelter), as we do. As a teen advisor, you would give your opinion on programs and serve as spokespersons for your community.

If you are interested in becoming a teen advisor, here's what you'll need to do:

• Get nominated by someone you know (not a family member).
• Have the nomination completed by May 27th.

You will receive an application by June 1st if you have been chosen as a candidate.
Note: This program is open to girls in grades 7-12.

Visit the Girl Up website for more information. You can see profiles of last year's teen advisors and see a video of a teen advisor discussing her experiences.

Depression is Real

There has been a lot of discussion about depression recently.  Disney TV star, Demi Lovato and Broadway and film actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones have shared their struggles with mental health. Unfortunately, many choose to keep their depression or other forms of mental illness hidden for fear of being stigmatized, especially in communities of color. Like cancer, depression is an illness. People, who may not have much awareness about mental illness, may label those with illnesses are "crazy" or "nuts." These words minimize mental illnesses, which are brain disorders, as something people have created themselves and should be able to control. Depression is real; it's not a fake illness that people use to get sympathy or draw attention to themselves.

Teens should be aware of depression, so they can recognize the signs in friends or themselves and get the help they need.

According to helpguide.org, some signs of depression may include:

• Sadness or hopelessness
• Tearfulness or frequent crying 
• Withdrawal from friends or family
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Fatigue or lack of energy

It was important for me to discuss this topic, too, because I have close family members and friends, who have had challenges with depression. If you need help or recognize the signs above in friend, please share with your parent, teacher or school counselor, so he/she can get help in discussing thoughts or issues. In fact, receiving counseling means you have the courage to admit you need family support and guidance from a mental health professional. Depression is real, but with proper treatment, it can be managed and people can lead productive lives.

-Jen Threat