Entering A New Life Phase: Mastering The Basics Of Moving Out For Teens

streetsmartmasterclass

4 Oct, 2021

At one point, you will grow old and become a young adult. And with this, comes one of the biggest changes you’ll ever have to make in life — moving out of home. While this is one of the most anticipated moments of many teenagers, you’ll find that it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.

Entering this new life phase introduces a lot of factors to consider. You have to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. After all, this is a period of independent living. With that, in this article, you will learn how to prepare yourself for your big move once the time comes.

1. Do Your Research

Are you moving to a nearby neighborhood? A college dorm or apartment? Or are you moving out of state or moving to another state? There are a lot of things to research in preparing for your move.

First and foremost, you have to be familiar with the neighborhood you’ll be moving into. You have to be aware of the surrounding areas and nearby amenities before you move. As much as possible, it’s advisable to choose a location in proximity to your school or university and work.

2. Know Your Budget and Identify Expenses

Expenses, expenses, expenses. As a teen, you’ve relied on your parents all your life for providing you with your needs. When you move out, you will have to handle expenses you’ve never had to deal with before. You’ll be surprised by how much money you need to survive your day-to-day life on your own.

To give you an idea, here are some expenses you need to consider:

Rent
Utilities
Transportation
Insurance
Grocery
Food
School expenses
Other expenses

Apart from these, you’d also have to pay for things such as security deposits, utility connection fees, and other hidden expenses.

That said, sit down and plan your budget. Make sure you have enough savings and a source of income to cover all your necessities moving forward. Involving your parents in this part would be of great help. Since they’re more knowledgeable about finances, they can help you create a realistic budget game plan.

3. Create a Moving Out Checklist

Of course, you have to prepare for the actual moving out. Packing can be overwhelming for everyone. To get this out of the way, it would help to create a checklist of things you need to pack. Note the possible restrictions your apartment complex would have.

Below are some things to include in your checklist:

Clothes
Household items
Toiletry
Furniture
Appliances
Important documents (IDs, birth certificate, passport, diploma, financial documents, medical records and prescriptions, insurance documents, etc.)

Remember, you can’t bring everything from home. Not only will it cause a hefty packing but remember that you will also come home from time to time. And so, decide on what personal items to bring with you and what to leave. Also, make sure to keep all your IDs and documents organized neatly into binders.

For furniture and appliances, you can save money by opting for good-quality second-hand items. You can check out online buy-and-sell pages, garage sales, or ask for old items from family and friends. You can build out your household with these initial purchases and replace them when you have extra funds.

4. Organize Your Moving in To-Do List

Once you’ve had a successful move-out, it’s time for the next step — moving in. You have to anticipate the amount of work needed for your moving in cleaning and organization. It would help to write down a to-do list and set a clear timetable of when to accomplish them. Set a schedule on when you should finish unpacking things upon moving in.

It would be a heavy task, so make sure to ask for help from your parents during this process.

5. Make Sure You Can Handle Basic Household Chores

You’re only ready to move out once you can already handle basic household chores yourself. Can you do your own laundry? Cook your meals? Unclog a drain? You have to have these skills to keep your home functioning.

Part of being a young adult is knowing how to take care of yourself. As early as now, you have to develop these abilities for yourself. That way, you won’t be inconveniencing your parents or roommate by not knowing how to do something.

6. Practice Making Your Own Appointments

It may sound basic, but not every teen can make appointments on their own, even with a simple doctor appointment. Often, it is your parents who schedule these things for you. It’s easy because the only thing you need to do is show up. But this is not the case when you live alone.

Hence, practice picking up the phone and booking appointments yourself. You’ll find that this is a crucial skill in being fully independent and self-sufficient.

The Takeaway

Being independent and living on your own is an exciting experience. However, it’s critical to keep in mind all the factors you need to consider before moving out. Make sure to prepare smartly. This way, you work towards becoming a reliable and capable young adult.

How To Write A Winning College Essay For Teens

streetsmartmasterclass

4 Oct, 2021

You spend most of the first two decades of your life preparing for one thing — college. All the exams you’ve taken all these years will finally be put to test in that one defining test. But along with acing your tests and passing college application forms, you still have to tackle one more thing.

Inevitably, you’ll have to impress your chosen university’s admission officers with a winning college essay. What you write in this portion of your college application can be a determining factor between acceptance and rejection. You have to ensure that your piece will stand out and set you apart from other student hopefuls.

With that, in this article, you will learn how to write a college essay with confidence.

1. Start Early

As the phrase goes, the early bird indeed catches the worm. Don’t wait until the last minute before you begin crafting your college essay. Starting early will give you plenty of time to develop multiple drafts and experiment with different writing styles.

The best time to begin working on your essay is the summer before senior year. During this period, you won’t have academics and extracurricular activities taking up your time. Thus, you will have enough mental energy to brainstorm ideas and write.

2. Read Instructions Carefully

The stress and excitement that come from college applications can cause mental disorientation. It may seem like it goes without saying, but overlooking instructions can be your greatest downfall. As a result, the admissions officer may assume you don’t know how to follow directions.

So, before writing, make sure to read through the college essay guidelines carefully. What is the word and page limit? Is there a given format to follow? Once you understand these things like the back of your hand, you can start organizing your notes and create an outline.

3. Write a Compelling Introduction

If you look through college essay examples online, you’ll find that a compelling introduction is a staple in the formula. Remember that the admission officers will only review your piece briefly. If you can’t catch their attention within the first paragraph, your essay can end up being forgettable.

There are many ways to write an engaging introduction. You can start with a question, an anecdote, or an interesting story. Make sure it will highlight the best qualities of your character and personality.

4. Let Your Voice Shine

As much as possible, avoid clichés. Remember that universities are looking to admit the brightest cream of the crop. In line with this, there are thousands of other students applying to your dream university. Thus, you have to show the qualities that make you stand out from other applicants.

In your essay, try not to use expressions and ideas that have already been used over and over before. Write something important to you from an original angle. It will help to describe events and your reflections vividly. The key is to base each idea on your unique values, beliefs, knowledge, skills, ambition, and future goals.

5. Don’t Repeat and Contradict

Remember that your essay is one part of your college application. Thus, you don’t have to repeat what you’ve written down on the application form. Along with this, don’t contradict any other part you’ve included in these documents.

Your essay is not the right place to list down your awards, accomplishments, and grades. Focus either on the question being asked or the specific topic you’ve chosen.

6. Let Examples Be Your Best Friend

An essay for college is a glimpse into your thought process and worldviews. To write a credible, winning essay, you need to back up your main ideas with supporting statements. Don’t just narrate an event or state a fact; incorporate specific details to develop your ideas. It’s where befriending examples come in.

Write examples from real-life situations or personal experiences. Paying attention to this aspect can help you write even the simplest topic from a unique angle.

7. Ask Help for Proofreading and Editing

While writing your essay, you will probably review and read it multiple times to spot mistakes and errors. After all, who wants to submit a piece with obvious typos or other oversights.

But the thing is, as you’re the one writing the work, it will be harder for you to spot these things. Reviewing your work yourself can introduce bias and skewed evaluation. Of course, we’re not discounting the fact that you’re most knowledgeable about the topic you’re writing about. However, spending a long period writing can distort how you view your output.

Thus, it’s not enough to know how to write an essay to produce a winning one. Having a fresh perspective to evaluate your drafts can be of great help. Don’t be afraid to seek assistance. You can ask a teacher or a professional to proofread your essay. Not only they’re likely to catch mistakes, but they can also evaluate the style and sound of writing.

Smart Preparation is the Key!

Yes, the entire process of writing your college essay will be scary and overwhelming. But with proper preparation, you can overcome it with grace. Write from your heart, apply the tips above, and you will come out with a smile on your face. Good luck!

The Basic Car Maintenance Checklist

streetsmartmasterclass

4 Oct, 2021

Having a car is a lot of responsibility. You should do regular car check-ups and maintenance to ensure that it is always in top condition. Doing so will lessen the probability of unexpected mishaps along the road and, most importantly, accidents that may harm you and other people surrounding you.

If you are still yet to learn the basics of car maintenance, this article will give you a checklist that can help you out. It includes everything from changing tires, headlights, car tune-up, change oil light, and synthetic oil change.

Why is car maintenance essential?

Your vehicle’s worth is not a joke. You invested thousands of dollars on it, so it is just appropriate that you maintain it. Moreover, there are also other factors why car maintenance is essential.

Prolongs the Life of Your Vehicle

Doing regular car maintenance will help you see the issues early and prevent them from becoming worse. Moreover, you can also keep those several issues at bay. Preventative car care will help with the wear and tear of your car and prolong its life.

Improved Safety

Imagine driving at night on a quiet road, and suddenly your car breaks down. Wouldn’t that be a dangerous and frightening situation to be in? You cannot predict what will happen to you every time, so it is best to come prepared. Regular maintenance lessens the possibility of your car breaking down.

Reduces Repair Costs

Car maintenance can prevent issues from becoming worse. We all know that the bigger the problem is, the more expensive the repair cost will be. Thus, if you can address it while it’s still tiny or prevent it from happening, then that would mean more savings for you.

What should you check?

As a beginner who is still learning about car maintenance, there are basic things that you must know. Here are some things in your car that would require regular check-ups:

Short-Term Check-Ups

Oil and Coolant Levels: It is best that you look under the hood every few months to inspect your oil and coolant levels. Low levels of these things can cause engine problems if unnoticed.
Air Filter: The air filter regulates the air that flows into your engine. It has an important role to play, keeping out particulates and debris that may clog your engine. It helps if you check it more often and clean it to decrease your emissions, improve your fuel efficiency, and prolong the life of your engine.
Tire Pressure and Tread Depth: Your tires are what take you to places. It is also crucial for your safety. You must check your tires every month, especially before you go on a long trip or when you will carry heavier loads than usual.
Headlights, Turn Signals, Parking Lights, and Breaks: The lights on your vehicles are also crucial to your safety. Lights help you see at night, and it also signals other vehicles about your movements. Check them before you ride your car to make sure that they are always properly functioning.
Oil and Filter: Oil is indeed very essential to keep your car running smoothly. It has a myriad of functions. First, it lubricates the moving parts of the car. It also acts as a sealant to prevent the debris from penetrating the insides of your car parts. Moreover, it also helps cool the engine and avoid corrosion, reducing its wear and tear. With this, it is essential that you change your oil and filter at least every three months or after every 3,000 miles.
Rotate Tires: Your tires may become uneven depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and other factors. When they become uneven, you will notice some noise and vibrations while you’re driving. To prevent this from happening, it would be helpful if you could rotate your tires to balance the tread’s wear and tear. Doing so may even extend the life of your tires.
Wax: After washing your car, it is important to apply wax. Doing this will not only keep it shiny but will also keep its paint in good shape and prevent rust. Aside from that, waxing is also helpful in minimizing other irritants like sand, dust, and salt. It can also prevent environmental factors such as too much sun and rain from damaging your car by forming a protective seal.

Something to Ponder On

Doing regular car maintenance may sound tedious, but in reality, it can actually save you from more work. This is because it allows you to spot issues while it’s still small and prevent them from becoming worse. Also, doing car maintenance is integral to prolong the life of your car.

Your car is your investment, so you must protect it. To do that, you must conduct regular car maintenance.

Effective Ways to Improve Your Public Speaking

streetsmartmasterclass

4 Oct, 2021

Speaking in front of many people that you don’t know is a frightening experience. However, public speaking is a great skill to acquire. It is more than speaking: it is actually about informing, influencing, and motivating your listeners. Once you conquer your fear and master the art of public speaking, you can finally become an informer, influencer, and motivator. In this article, you will find some practical ways to do that!

Why is public speaking an important skill?

To fully understand why you need the tips to improve your public speaking, you must first learn its importance. There are three reasons why this skill is essential: to win over the crowd, inform, and motivate.

To win over the crowd

Professional speaking is one of the most sought-after skills in the business world. The power of persuasion can bring success. Being able to master the art of public speaking that can win over the crowd can be used inside and outside the workplace.

To inform

The ability to creatively embed information on people is also one of the beautiful aspects of public speaking. From presenting research papers and other informative materials, one can make a fundamental change in the world. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. Thus, by imparting knowledge, you are also empowering the people listening to you.

To motivate

A great public speaker can move their listeners. Through words, a speaker can ignite something in the hearts of people. This can motivate something to stop doing bad things, change for the better, try a different path, and many more.

Tips to Improve Public Speaking

If you want to become an influencer, informer, and motivator through public speaking, here are some tips to help you improve!

Breathe

If you have public speaking anxiety, then the best thing to do would be to breathe. Don’t start the moment you enter the platform or podium. Take your time and breathe first to prepare yourself. When you start when you are still nervous, your sweat can break out, and you might stutter.

Acknowledge Your Anxiety

The “conceal, don’t feel” principle of Elsa in Frozen didn’t end up good, right? This is why the best thing to do when you’re feeling nervous in front of many people is to admit to them that you are. Concealing it would make you seem tenser.

Practice is still the best teacher

Practicing before you proceed to the real action is very helpful. You can ask people you are comfortable with, such as friends or family, to listen to you. Ask for their comments as well, so you’ll know where to improve. You can also surround yourself with stuffed toys or your pet while practicing, to mimic your would-be audience. Just note not to push yourself too much and overthink, as it can do more bad than good.

Know your audience

Your speech shouldn’t be about you. The focal should be your audience since you will be speaking to convince, inform, or motivate them. When you consider them and make them feel engaged, then they will understand your message more.

Organize the content of your speech

Professional public speakers say that if you can’t capture the attention of your speakers within the first 30 seconds of your speech, you have already failed. This is why you must organize the content of your speech in the most effective manner. It would even be helpful to create a framework just like in the book Talk Like TED. Start with the topic, then define your general purpose, specific purpose, focal idea, and key points. .

Let your personality shine through

The audience hates it when speakers are trying to be someone they aren’t. To establish better credibility, just be who you really are and let that shine through your speech. If they see you as someone real, then they will trust you more.

Beware of your hand gestures

Public speaking is giving out a speech- it isn’t declamation where you need a hand gesture for every word you speak. The gestures can help you not look too stiff, but they also might distract your audience, so keep it to a minimum.

Move around but not too much

Similar to hand gestures, you can also move around, especially if you have a big stage and audience. It helps you feel more comfortable, and at the same time, your audience will also perceive that as trying to feel closer to them. However, you should also limit it as your audience may get dizzy.

Something to Ponder On

John Ford said that you could speak well if you deliver the message from your heart. Remember the tips written here, and you will surely be able to do that- to talk about a message from your heart that has the power to influence, inform, and motivate.