LISTS, THOUGHTS & TIPS

Here you will find a bit of everything.

Top ten lists on how to style your hair or what songs to listen to when you want a good cry; tips on how to find yourself or what types of clothes best fit your personal aesthetic…

Any thought an UDEM student might have, big or small, this is the place to find it!

In a world full of so many different kinds of entertaining media, podcasts tend to be the most overlooked. With how easy they are to access, how easily they grab your attention, and how much valuable information you can gain from them, whoever doesn’t listen to at least one podcast constantly is missing out big time. But there’s no need to worry, because we’ve compiled 5 podcasts for any teen that’s on the lookout for what to listen to.

Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain

“Emma talks at length about whatever is on her mind every week. Anything really does go on this podcast. Sometimes philosophy, sometimes a random story from 10 years ago, sometimes advice, sometimes fun interviews, and sometimes nothing at all”. (Anything Goes on Spotify)

Anything Goes is the perfect experience for the multitasking teen, it's an entertaining podcast that works perfectly as background noise or as the sole focus of your attention. Youtuber Emma Chamberlain delivers knowledge she's acquired through her teens and young adulthood through sharing funny anecdotes. In addition to being hilarious thanks to her unique humor, Emma shows a genuine interest in sharing life lessons with her listeners. And with a section dedicated to advice for listeners, it can be an interactive experience for the audience too.

Now exclusively on Spotify, Anything Goes is free and available to anyone.

Emergency Intercom

“Emergency Intercom is a comedy podcast by Enya Umanzor and Drew Phillips. There is no emergency, but there is an intense need for attention, so maybe listen up…” (Emergency Intercom on Spotify)

Youtube comedy duo Enya Umanzor and Drew Phillips take on a podcast format to share more content similar to their Youtube videos. With comedy which appeals to any teenager, Umanzor and Phillips are sure to bring a little joy to everyone’s life with just a single listen. Most teens would be lying if they said they’ve never heard a snippet of this podcast on TikTok, as their podcast is a huge source of viral TikTok sounds.

Emergency Intercom is free to watch on their youtube Channel by the same name or on Spotify.

Se Regalan Dudas

“We created this podcast so you could find a space where you can connect with all the topics that you're interested in and clear your doubts with us… Every episode we invite experts, friends who share stories that everyone can relate to. We cover taboo topics without judging and with an open mind”. (Se Regalan Dudas on their official website)

Se Regalan Dudas is a podcast in spanish led by two mexican women, Ashley Frangie and Lety Sahagún. As mentioned in their description, Frangie and Sahagún cover a wide range of topics, with the goal of education and causing a change in their listeners. For teens, a podcast filled with insightful lessons is something of great value. Adolescence can be a rough and confusing time, and hearing that someone else is just figuring life out can be a great comfort.

Se Regalan Dudas is available for free on Spotify.

Song Exploder

“In the world of beautifully produced podcasts, Song Exploder is the beacon. Short version: It’s a show that dissects a song. Long version: It’s a show filled with serious lines of honesty, cinematic production and peeks inside the creative process.” (New York Times, 2017)

To switch it up a little, Song Exploder is for music enthusiasts. For all those curious to figure out the deeper meaning of their favorite songs, this is the podcast for you. Who knows the story behind a song better than the artist themself? Song Exploder gives artists a space to share the thought process behind songwriting, meaning behind their songs, and also anecdotes about the creation of their composition.

In addition to being available for free on Spotify, Song Exploder has a series available on Netflix.

For You From Eve

“When clicking onto this podcast, you are entering a safe space where topics such as health, fitness, self love, relationships, motivation, and more is discussed… tough love advice, and someone to listen and respond to anything you are struggling with. Between entertainment, hard truths, and life advice; this podcast will help you to become a better version of your yesterday self without unrealistic expectations”.

With a focus on mental health and wellness, For You From Eve is an impactful podcast narrated by Eve Shabo. Through life advice, Shabo offers you a new perspective on your own life, and serves as a support to take steps to take control of your life. Navigating life is hard for everyone, teens will want to tune in as a way to get a sort of grasp of their life and how to improve it.

For You From Eve is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

5 PODCASTS FOR TEENS

Ana Priego Guarneros

Sure, there's been some controversy stirred up by those keyboard warriors on the internet (aren't there always?). This relationship is like an unexpected fusion of peanut butter and pickles: undeniably unusual yet strangely wonderful. We're all eagerly waiting to see what's next for this power couple. Can you smell the popcorn? We can't wait for the next round of news - romcom or touchdown celebration—we're here for it all!

The internet has officially short-circuited after it was revealed that the superstar extraordinaire Taylor Swift, with 12 Grammy wins and 46 nominations under her belt, and Travis Kelce, the tight end titan from the Kansas Chiefs and a two time Super Bowl winner, are rumored to be an item. With their vastly different and massive fan bases, it's safe to say they've brought more people to the table than a Thanksgiving feast. Everyone's got their eyes on them; it's like their love is in the spotlight, but can Taylor and Travis outshine it?

This unexpected union has put them on a whole new map. Taylor stepped into the world of NFL wives and girlfriends, and her fans suddenly developed a taste for football. Her appearance at the recent Chiefs-Jets game pulled in an audience of around 27 million viewers, making it the second most-watched game of the regular season. The viewership of her fans shot up by a whopping 53%, and Kelce's jersey sales skyrocketed by 400%. A representative shared this juicy scoop with The Associated Press via email; they probably hit "send" with more excitement than an emoji-loving teenager.

Some might say Kelce is cashing in on this newfound fame, but hey, who's complaining? Taylor's always been in the spotlight, and now it seems like she's finally found someone who's not fazed by it. Remember that 6-year relationship with Joe Alwyn? We all thought they'd tie the knot, but when the news broke that they'd uncoupled, rumors started flying that he couldn't handle Taylor's megawatt stardom and was dimming her "light," just like the lyrics in her song "Bejeweled." But now, seeing her with Travis, it's clear she's ready to shine like a disco ball or, should I say "Mirrorball"

A GREAT RECEPTION BY TAYLOR SWIFT

Ana Isabel Garza

Here are my favorite Christmas movies to watch this season with your family, friends, partner, or yourself, along with a short synopsis to hook you in.

5. Home Alone. This movie is such a classic, that many people think of this movie first when they’re asked about Christmas movies. This movie’s about Kevin, an 8-year-old who is left home alone while the rest of his family goes to Paris for the holidays. He faces a big problem, there are two men trying to rob the house, so he now has to save the house all by himself while making his own food and chores.

4. Gremlins. This movie is not often seen as a Christmas movie, but it is! It has the vibes and the setting enough to give you that feeling. This movie is about a kid who just received a “mogwai” for Christmas, a small weird creature pet, with a set of 3 rules, all of them are broken and then they have to figure out how to undo what’s done.

3. Polar Express. This movie is about a boy who stopped believing in Santa, then one day a train that’s going to the North Pole stops by his house and he gets on it, an amazing adventure begins and he starts to learn again everything he had forgotten about Christmas and its true meaning, also making some friends along the way.

2. A Christmas Carol. In this movie, we follow Ebenezer Scrooge, an old grumpy man who hates Christmas and finds no meaning in it. On the night Of Christmas Eve, three spirits start to haunt him, the past, the present, and the future, all of them with the intention of showing him the importance of Christmas and the importance of being kind to other people.

1. The Holdovers. This is one of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. It’s about a young man whose parents left him at school for the Christmas holidays and he has to stay with the teacher everyone hates, and the woman that helps with the kitchen. He’s all furious at the beginning but little by little they all start growing fond of each other, creating a small little family between them.

BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES

A. G. M.

Being a student is not usually easy. It involves a lot of stress that can mess up your self-trust and your results sometimes. Trust me, as it comes from an IB student who also experiences this amount of pressure and stress regularly. Such stress is the hardest to deal with when a particularly hard exam approaches, exams like the partials that are coming during this period. So, to help those people who are audible and fond of sounds and music to relax a bit of this stress burden and study with ease, today The POV Magazine presents to you the 8 best relaxing tunes to listen to during partials:

1. "Weightless" by Marconi Union:
This ambient piece was specifically designed, in collaboration with sound therapists, to induce a sense of calm. It carefully arranges harmonies, rhythms, and frequencies to reduce stress levels, so it is quite the ideal choice for relaxation during intense study sessions.

2. "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy:
The famous piano piece that means "moonlight" in French, this tune is part of Debussy's Suite Bergamasque and has a dreamy, reflective melody that captures the essence of a moonlit night. Great evoking feelings of peace and introspection!

3. "Gymnopédie No. 1" by Erik Satie:
Erik Satie composed the many Gymnopédies to depart from tradition in harmony and structures of his time. This first Gymnopédie, with its simple, yet moving melody and gentle rhythm, creates an atmosphere of serenity and stillness. Want to be focused on studying? The first Gymnopédie is a nice choice.

4. "Spiegel im Spiegel" by Arvo Pärt:
Those who know German will know this title means "mirror in the mirror”. This minimalist composition by Pärt is characterized by its repetitive, meditative motifs. The gradual unfolding of notes makes it sound out of time and provokes an inner reflection, so it can enter you in a state of deep relaxation.

5. "Comptine d'un autre été: L'après-midi" by Yann Tiersen:
If you remember the film "Amélie", you will surely remember this delicate piano piece by Tiersen. It captures the charm of childhood memories, a melancholic yet enchanting melody invites you to journey into a world of nostalgia and imagination, making you escape from the exam thoughts.

6. "Morning Mood" from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 by Edvard Grieg:
"Morning Mood" is perhaps one of the most recognizable classical pieces, and it can be thought of as the tranquility of dawn breaking over a peaceful landscape. Its uplifting melody and gentle orchestration evoke a sense of renewal and optimism, really recommended as a day-starter during these days.

7. "Reverie" by Claude Debussy:
Another masterpiece by Debussy, "Reverie" transports listeners into the wonderful land of dreams with its ethereal harmonies and subtle shifts in dynamics creating an atmosphere of unchecked beauty, where you can wander to forget about stress for a while.

8. "Moonlight Sonata" by Ludwig van Beethoven:
Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," is well-known for its romantic melody and expressive depth. Another piece inspired by moonlit nights, conveys a sense of introspection and emotional resonance, offering inspiration during moments of introspection or intense concentration.

BEST TUNES TO RELAX DURING PARTIALS

Alejandro González

Challenge-based learning is a dynamic and engaging approach to education that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. It empowers students by presenting them with real-world problems or challenges and encouraging them to find innovative solutions. Rather than simply memorizing facts, challenge-based learning encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. This model was implemented since Spring 2023 at Prepa UDEM for the second year students.

This unique educational model helped students become active participants in the different academies. Being a human-centered approach, CBL involves identifying a problem or need, brainstorming ideas, prototyping solutions, testing them out in the real world, and refining them until an effective solution is found. To follow this process, students worked on several activities in different classes to create a final product.

An exposition took place at the end of the semester. The projects created were shown in each of the high schools so that students and community members could appreciate and enjoy the projects.

The following article was written by Yessica Regina Garza, a student who attended the exhibition.

The Design Thinking Exposition, organized by Ms. Andrea, Ms. Carolina Sáenz, and Ms. Amanda Tamez, was a remarkable event held at Prepa Udem Valle Alto. This exposition represented the culmination of months of hard work by the 4th-semester students who enthusiastically embraced the design thinking method—a proven approach used by innovators to create groundbreaking products. Following the design thinking steps of empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test, the students embarked on a journey of understanding the challenges faced by their target consumers. Diligent research enabled them to reimagine existing products, infusing them with ingenious improvements. The participants' innovations were assessed by experienced judges, who evaluated the projects based on their merits. The team that secures the first-place position will be rewarded with a perfect score of 100 on the subject, providing an extra incentive for the students to pour their hearts and minds into this creative endeavor.

I attended the exposition with great curiosity to explore the showcased products, and one particularly intriguing item caught my attention. Named "Insualarms," it was a creation by the talented team known as Sticky Buzz, comprising Karla Garcia, Ana Karen Molina, Maria Fernanda Garza, and Martha Cavazos. Their innovation targeted individuals dealing with insulin-related issues, especially those with diabetes. The "Insualarms" is ingeniously designed as an alarm system that adheres to the user's body using medical tape. It prompts the user to administer their insulin at the appropriate times, ensuring timely medication. Notably, the alarm deactivates when it comes into contact with human skin, a smart and user-friendly feature. Remarkably, the students shared that they were inspired by the functionality of Apple watches, incorporating a similar concept into their creation.
Witnessing the passion and creativity of these young minds, I was deeply impressed by the potential impact "Insualarms" could have on improving the lives of people managing insulin-related challenges. Their dedication to applying innovative solutions was truly commendable.

Allow me to introduce you to the fascinating creation known as the "Relaxing Experience," skillfully presented by Santiago Martinez, Julio Cavazos, and Valentina Ocampo. This innovative prototype garnered well-deserved attention at the exposition. The "Relaxing Experience" takes the form of a spacious box or room where users can immerse themselves in a world of relaxation and tranquility. Upon entering, a member of the team places an Oculus Quest on the user, providing a variety of options to choose from. Users can indulge in captivating landscapes, soothing music, interactive games, or simply unwind and find solace within. Remarkably, the "Relaxing Experience" secured an impressive 2nd place in their classroom, a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the team. However, it was not without its challenges. The team candidly shared that creating the box or room proved to be quite daunting, as they faced limitations with their budget. Resourceful and determined, they ultimately opted for cardboard as the primary material, skillfully fashioning their vision into reality. The dedication and resilience exhibited by the "Relaxing Experience" team in bringing their concept to life are truly inspiring. Their ability to overcome obstacles and provide a sense of calm and escape to others is a testament to their creative brilliance and problem-solving skills. The dedication and resilience exhibited by the "Relaxing Experience" team in bringing their concept to life are truly inspiring. Their ability to overcome obstacles and provide a sense of calm and escape to others is a testament to their creative brilliance and problem-solving skills.
Presenting the impressive "Happy Kalendir" project, brought to life by the talented team "Calendarios Maya," consisting of Roberto Benavides, Roberto Gonzales, Bruno Chavana, and Alec Farias. This interactive calendar boasted an array of features, including motivational phrases, a spinning wheel, a dart table, and inspiring messages. The target audience for this innovative creation was teenagers plagued by procrastination, aiming to instill motivation and boost productivity in their lives.
During my visit to the exposition, I had the pleasure of conversing with one of the judges, Ms. Sori. Besides her judging role, she actively engaged with students in the Maker Space, guiding them in crafting their prototypes. Proudly commending the participants, she acknowledged the challenges they faced due to limited materials. Despite this, she expressed delight in witnessing how the products exceeded her expectations, signifying the students' ingenuity and resourcefulness. Ms. Sori also joyfully emphasized the thrill she experienced while being a judge.
Another insightful interview was with Ms. Carolina Sáenz, one of the organizers. She enthused about the incredible experience, highlighting the extensive range of products, with approximately 8 to 9 teams per classroom participating. The project spanned an entire semester, making her immensely proud of her students' accomplishments and the outcomes of their hard work.
In conclusion, this exposition serves as an excellent platform for the newer generation to harness their creativity and technology prowess to tackle diverse challenges. It showcases the effectiveness of the Design Thinking method, demonstrating that anyone with the desire to innovate can bring forth remarkable solutions. Such events not only inspire but also foster a culture of ingenuity and problem-solving among young minds.

CHALLENGE BASED LEARNING PROJECTS

Yessica Regina Garza

There are places in this world so high that neither humanity nor life forms are able to survive
and prosper. These massive monuments, which pierce through the heavens, are called the
eight-thousanders and they're certainly not inviting nor easily accessible to humans.

The name eight-thousander refers to the altitude at the peak of these giants, which stand at
eight thousand feet tall, also known as the death zone; for any living being, remaining at
the altitude of eight thousand feet means death due to the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere.
However, with the assistance of oxygen tanks, humanity has eased its way into submitting
near impossible heights. These 14 mountains are located in the South Asian ridge of
mountains, traversing Pakistan and Nepal, are only able to be challenged by the most
experienced mountain climbers.

Countless have died and very few have claimed to have reached the summit of even just one of these giants; so why is it so alluring for mountain climbers? This question is a matter of personal perspective, although, if you clicked on this article, there is a high chance that you are curious about the nature of people seeking the summit of such deadly landscapes. If your curiosity has been peaked, then let us embark on the journey of Nims Dai, the person who holds the record for climbing each and every one of the eight-thousanders in record time.

Ever since mountain climbing became a renowned sport, Nepali people have earned their
keep through the harsh and arduous work of being a sherpa, this entails guiding mountain
climbers through the base camp of a mountain to the summit. Nims Dai was born in 1983 in
Nepal which, at the time, was receiving an influx of mountain climbers sought to claim
the first summit of the highest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest. Early on in his life, Nims
became a soldier of the Nepali army, constantly training in high altitudes while in service.
Nims himself became entranced with mountain climbing, and while being a Nepali, he always honored and respected sherpa's work. After all first summits were claimed by
European or American climbers, Nims sought to bring glory to sherpa culture, as he
always thought they were undervalued in the sport.

Through this conviction, Nims decided to claim the world record for the fastest summit of all
14 peaks which only 3 human beings have claimed to have stood on the 14 highest peaks of the world. All attempts at this incredible feat take decades of progress to complete, but Nims sought to stand at the top of the 14 peaks in under 7 months. Though his goal seemed impossible, Nims decided to take action and complete what is now known as one of the greatest mountain climbing feats of all time. Seeking glory and respect for his culture, in October of 2019, Nims Dai stood on the final peak of his journey on the savage mountain, Shishapangma. Through arduous work and harsh regulations, which almost prevented him from completing his goal, Nims Dai stood at the top of the world, with the Nepali flag on his back held high, he achieved the impossible. Through his journey, Nims Dai has inspired millions, having signed with Netflix for a documentary and a book deal, many more will become inspired by his story. It is of utmost importance to provide recognition to the pillars of our history, such as the Nepali sherpa that came before Nims and stood in the shadow of European climbers, who would not have been able to gain recognition without experienced sherpa on their team.

To conclude the aforementioned statement in regards to the true nature of mountain
climbing, it is necessary to reach natural personal goals. However, in my opinion,
mountain climbing is so beautiful and important due to it being the closest sport to intertwine
with natural human essence. No matter how high or low our goals may become, the only
way to reach them is to walk through them and endure the journey. So, in a sense, something as simple as climbing a mountain can become a meaningful means to conquer one’s self.

CONQUERING THE PEAK

Santiago López Cervantes

Most of the time when the term “fangirl” is thrown around it comes with certain connotations. These are associated with young women screaming and crying for an idol, being obsessive, crazy, annoying, hysteric, cringe; the list goes on. The truth is, fangirl culture has been around for a long time, this phenomenon started to ease its way into modern culture when singers like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra rose to fame. But it wasn't until The Beatles gained popularity that a mass wave of fangirls emerged and cemented their role in society as an official thing.

It’s important to note that Fangirls are not casual listeners, fangirls dedicate most of their day to day life to a band or singer, and they are the ones buying physical copies, streaming their music, tweeting in their fan account, calling radio stations, decorating their room with merch, etc.

As aforementioned , singers like Elvis and The Beatles are now considered part of pop culture and one of the biggest influences for today’s music industry. But who was there listening to them before they were considered cool? Young women were. They were the ones going to concerts, they were the ones buying records, they were the ones buying the merchandise. Elvis and The Beatles became the icons they are now because of this group of young women which were ridiculed for admiring them at the time. It wasn't until grown men decided The Beatles were good that they became cool to listen to, but they were not mocked when they said how much they liked them. It was the young fangirls that took the blow.

This mockery from society directed to fangirls comes from a place of sexism. In middle school it wasn’t considered cool to like One Direction, Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift. Society always portrayed the “cool girl” as the one who liked sports, disliked pink, and hated make up; it all follows the trope of “not being like other girls”. And now that we’ve grown up and realized how absurd that is that we are now openly talking about our interests. For the big group of people outside this culture it's almost impossible to wrap their heads around how devoted young girls can be. So now the excuse became that they're only fans because they must be attracted to the artist. Getting society to understand that being a fangirl gives young girls a sense of identity, of belonging, relatability that is almost impossible to find, but no matter what, fangirls will always be looked at as obsessive.

“Young girls like the Beatles. You gonna tell me they’re not serious? How can you say young girls don’t get it? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans – they don’t lie. If they like you, they’re there. They don’t act ‘too cool.’ They like you, and they tell you. Which is sick.” said Harry Styles in an interview for Rolling Stone magazine in 2017. This shows that no matter what teenage girls like, they will constantly struggle to be taken seriously. Young girls were the ones who saw the potential in singers like Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber, which both of those singers are currently considered the top musicians in the music industry. In Taylor Swift’s case, it took her until her fifth album “1989” to be taken seriously. It took another six years for her to release “Folklore” for people to finally acceptTaylor Swift as one of the greatest songwriters.

When put in perspective, even the greatest musicians reached success because of fangirls. Even in today's pop culture, artists like Conan Gray, Olivia Rodrigo and BTS, work hard toward building fanbases it's part of the reason why they are so popular, because they just get it. They know that at the end of the day the fans streaming music, selling out arenas, calling radio stations to play their music, making trends on tiktok and twitter, putting posters and QR codes around the city, the ones buying vinyls and cds, are the fangirls. Fangirls make or break an artist.

It's time society stops diminishing and treating fangirls as the punchline. Without them we wouldn't have musicians like Elvis, The Beatles, Taylor Swift, One direction, Justin bieber, and more. These girls are not crazy, they're just excited. If anything, it just teaches them life skills. Having an update account dedicated to an artist, teaches them communication, teamwork and much more. It pushes them to work to meet a goal, but they still don't get enough credit. Sometimes these fangirls do better jobs than a professional marketing team by making edits on tiktok and dances to songs, but if they openly admit to doing those things, it's still considered cringe.

The end goal for all young girls in the world is not being obliged to hide our enthusiasm for things. Its infuriating to be invalidated for liking things with a predominantly female audience. It's even more sickening when the media, even though being aware that fangirls carry pop culture, still try to profit off of them when dramatizing stories and acting like camping outside a venue or arena is the most crazy thing to ever do. Being a fangirl is feeling loved and understood by people you don't even know just because you like the same singer, it’s fun, it’s comforting, which is something society lacks when it comes to women.

FAN GIRLS AS THE BACKBONE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Emma Castillo

Part of your identity besides your likes and dislikes, are your friends. What are friends? Well, the dictionary definition says “one attached to another by affection or esteem, one that is not hostile and a favored companion”. I would like to call a friend someone that’s willing to share experiences with you, share secrets, and let you be yourself around them.

During teenage years, friendships are very important. With them you learn about acceptance, empathy and compassion. In this time in your life friends become a second family. Typically, teenagers rather spend more time with their friends than with their parents, and it’s not because they love them less, it’s because during these years, you start developing a sense of independence. Relating to people your age, that are going through the same physical and psychological changes, makes you feel accepted. In them you can find someone to share new experiences and to grow with.

High school friends are the ones who last the most, especially because they are the ones that you chose. Most of the time, you will choose someone that thinks similarly to you. Why? Because that is going to be who you feel more identified with. Of course during the friendship there might be misunderstandings and fights, because even if we think alike we are not the same person. And even in our differences, what will define a good friendship is compromise, if both of you know that you don’t want to loose a friend due to a disagreement and you may meet halfway, the friendship will last. At the very end, friendships are a reflection of who we are, and can teach us about ourselves.

FRIENDS AS A PART OF YOUR IDENTITY

Kyriat Martínez Valles

When someone chooses to dye their hair, they aim to express themselves and showcase elements of their personality through their appearance. But with time and experimentation, hair color can become a defining part of someone's identity. We often think of clothing as a symbol of our personality, but our hair is just as powerful. Throughout history, women have manipulated their hair to showcase their femininity, identity, liberation, and more. Even today, we associate a “bad hair day” with a day where nothing goes right; simply because of how our hair looks and how we feel about ourselves is closely linked.

TIPS:

1. Investigate which hair colors go better with your skin color.

2. If you have long hair and want to feel different, cut it short, but if you have it long, you can go to a salon and get hair stanchions.

3. Don't just stick to one color; try as many colors as possible when you find a tone that makes you feel confident, you will know that is the one.

4. Don't be scared to be different, there are many blondes, brunettes, and dark-haired people in this world, so if you like colors like pink, purple, blue or even neon yellow: DO IT!

5. There are also many hairstyles such as: waves, curls, braids, low/ high ponytails, buns, and many more. Find the one that highlights your favorite features.

How much we can depend on ouw hair as a part of our identity varies from person to person.

Regardless of its significance, your hair is a visible part of your appearance and often intersects with multiple facets of your identity.

HAIRCOLORS & IDENTITY

Arleth Villanueva

Getting towards the end of the semester may be scary for students. All the pressure from project deliveries and upcoming finals may be overwhelming for some of us, but don’t worry, you’re in good hands. In this guide you will find some essentials for better organization and avoiding procrastination, amongst other things.

The main struggle most teens have when studying or completing assignments is procrastination. It is very common for us to procrastinate or get distracted, which keeps us from getting things done. Phones or other electronic devices commonly take our attention, distracting us from what needs to be done. To avoid this, here’s what you can do. Write down the things you need to get done, set your priorities and goals straight. Avoid using your phone or having it around while revising to prevent any distractions. Lastly, create a proper schedule to follow, keep an order in your day. You may use an agenda or an app on your phone, whatever works best for you.

Now, to create a better organization plan for yourself, you need to identify what suits you best. Some people may feel comfortable using their phones to keep track of their assignments, but others may also prefer writing them down. Either way works just as well, as long as you keep track of the things that need to get done. Mark the things you have accomplished to motivate yourself to keep going.

My last recommendation is related to the study space you use. It’s important to avoid studying in places where you can get easily distracted. It really depends on what helps your focus. You may want to study in your room, in a quiet and safe space for you, but just make sure to keep it tidy. It may not seem relevant, but it truly affects your learning. Some people may prefer crowded, louds environments to concentrate, which is also perfect.

To finish off, just make sure you don’t allow finals to overwhelm you. It may be a struggle, but as long as you keep your goals straight, focus on yourself, and not let them get the best of you, I am sure you will do just fine.

HOW TO BEAT FINALS BEFORE THEY FINISH YOU

V. D. R. V.

Not doing well in a certain subject at school can be extremely discouraging for everyone, especially if you’re used to having good grades overall, or if you’re required to maintain a certain average to keep a scholarship. It is normal for students to wish to be better and exceed the expectations that people like our families could have about us. And it is also a normal occurrence to lose motivation and feel like giving up on a subject we just can't seem to do well on. However, not doing well should not be the reason to lose determination and drain your motivation. This is why I have here 5 tips for how to stay motivated when struggling with a school subject:

Change your perspective

First of all, you need to get rid of the “I’cant do it” mentality. You need to remind yourself that struggling is part of learning. It is not that you can’t do it because you're struggling, you’re struggling because you’re learning it. Struggling is part of learning and understanding something new, not a reflection of how smart, intelligent, or capable you are.

Don’t compare yourself

Comparing your progress or knowledge with someone else’s is one of the worst things you can do. You need to take into consideration that everybody has different abilities, different qualities, and different contexts. It is not a fair comparison neither for you nor for the person you’re comparing yourself with.

Ask for help

Sometimes for whatever reason, we’re not able to fully understand and pay attention to what the teachers are explaining to us, and this is why most schools offer tutoring after classes. These can be a very useful resource to utilize when in need. Or simply ask a classmate if they could help you understand better, as well as ask the teachers for doubts at the time of the class.

Focus on progress, not perfection

It is important for you to celebrate small wins like understanding a tough concept or improving your score even if it's so slight. Because learning and improvement are all about patience small steps, and even setbacks. You will not succeed in understanding everything on the first try, and that is okay.

Take care of yourself

Last and most important, whenever we are struggling with school, it is common to forget about our well-being or put it on pause or to the side. When you might be thinking this is saving you time because you will finish first and then take care of yourself, you're wrong. You're only making your overall health worsen and this makes you even more unable to pay attention and understand what you're trying to study. Things like eating, sleeping, drinking water, and stretching, are key elements of balanced study habits and important things that can improve your learning immensely.

HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED WHEN YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH A SCHOOL SUBJECT

Isaac S.

Clothes reflect who you are, how you feel at the moment, and sometimes even what you want to achieve in life. Your dressing sense reflects your personality, character, mood, style, and who you are as an individual. What you wear is a reflection of who you are, and might be the first impression you give of yourself.

Some tips to true show who you are:

1. Try to identify your likes and dislikes, what fits better with your personality, like tight or loose clothing, colorful outfits, with glasses or without them. In other words, whatever you feel comfortable with.

2. If you still don’t know how to match your outfit with your personality, look for inspiration. Think of a person who you admire or someone who you identify with, and then try to analyze their outfits and recreate them. You’ll look iconic.

3. Still don’t know what outfits to wear, well, create a Pinterest board, there you can save pins that you like, then analyze what they have in common and select the clothes that look similar-ish to what you save in the app.

4. Select a category of styles, there are many categories, classic, modern, sports, vintage, boho, rocker, emo, geek, creative, or whatever you like, and choose clothing with that theme.

5. Finally, choose a color palette, select colors that suit you well and buy clothes with those colors, and combine them as you wish.

HOW TO WEAR OUTFITS THAT HIGHLIGHT YOUR IDENTITY