Packing and Preparing: College Dorm Room Essentials

The months leading up to the beginning of college are filled with many emotions. Excitement for the start of a new chapter in your life, anxious to get up to campus when you are waiting at home, and stressful when you are...packing! Yes, packing up everything you use on a regular basis into a boxes and transporting it to a new location in the country can be very stressful. I am in the middle of the college packing process right now, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times! I have been shopping around to find all the additional things I am going to need for living away from home! This includes bedding, storage, laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, lamps, etc! My dorm room is my home away from home so I need all the home essentials!

Hooks and electrical cords...oh my!

All the university dorm essentials!

Picking out storage for my dorm room

Going to need a lamp for my desk!

Thats one successful shopping trip--getting dorm ready!

Some of my dorm room essentials

I am super excited to live in a dorm room, but where I am going to put all my clothes and decor is another issue. If you think packing for a vacation is hard, imagine packing for college! But, to be a smart packer, you gotta bring the essentials. Sure, while you might want to bring your entire shoe collection, there will be no space for it in that tiny dorm wardrobe. Instead, look to other resources like under the bed storage to help store all your supplies, clothes, or anything else you need! Check out the video below to see the essential items I am bringing to my college dorm!

What would your dorm room essentials be? What can you not live without in your room? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Graduation and Grad Night Gratuity

Hey everyone! This week served as a great culmination of my high school years through many fun end-of-year events. The main event was senior graduation! However, leading up to graduation day we had a whole week of fun senior activities. We had a senior breakfast, picnic, and lots of pictures of the senior class together. Our graduation ceremony was held in our football stadium so all the family and friends of the 430 graduating seniors at Laguna Hills High School could come watch the graduation ceremony. This graduation ceremony included speeches from several students, teachers, and school board members. I wore a gold robe because I received an International Baccalaureate degree. I also had many chords to decorate my robe to show I had received many honors. The gold chord represented California Scholastic Federation, the blue represents National Honors Society, and the green represents Spanish Honors Society.

My graduation robe and chords

My friend and I graduating

The graduation ceremony with IB students (in gold) in front

Right after the ceremony we went straight into Grad Night which was an all night party held at the school. Grad night is put together so all students can spend one fun, safe, last night together before parting separate ways. The entire night is filled with great food, games, and prizes. Its like an amusement park at your own school! There was a photo booth to take fun pictures, a casino, and even a hypnotist to hypnotized our friends! The theme was Hollywood and Movies, so the entire school was decorated in this theme. It was great seeing blown up pictures of hunky Hollywood actors! It was such a fun night and a great way to wrap up my last year of high school.

Smile for the photo booth!

In front of the Hollywood sign at Grad Night

How did your school/work year end? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Midnight in Madrid: Senior Prom

Hey everyone! High school Prom is one of the biggest events of senior year and mine was held last weekend! Prom is an opportunity to get dressed up in long dresses and tuxedos and have a great time dancing and celebrating our last few weeks of high school.

My friends and I met first to take pictures close to the beach and then boarded a “Party Bus” to take us all together to the Prom. Prom was held in a venue right outside of Disneyland which made it even more special. During the night one Prince and Princess from the Prom Court were selected as the King and Queen of Prom. It was a really fun night and one of the highlights of senior year! 

What do you do at the end of your school year? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Working Warriors

Hey everyone! Although school is a very important part of any American teen's life, there are many other things that students are involved in outside of the classroom. Many teenagers spend their time working a part time job. In the United States, once you are 16 you can legally work a certain amount of hours a week outside of school. Having a job is a exciting way that many teenagers increase their independence and resonsiblity. If you make your own money you can spend it any way you want! But having a job isn't always as easy and fun as it sounds. Working teenagers must balance their schedules with sports and homework and they might even miss out on events with their friends. However, I think that the positives of having a job outweigh the negatives, but you must find a balance that works for you! Since students have a lot of free time during summer vacation, its the perfect time to get a job. I worked as a tennis instructor over the summer, teaching little kids tennis. It was a win win for me, since I got payed to teach others about the sport I love.

My friends are working in numerous different fields. My friend Emily works in a clothing boutique called Heavenly Couture. She loves it because she is interested in fashion. However, it is stressful when she has to close up the shop late at night all by herself. She has to put the alarm on and lock all the doors and get out all in 60 seconds! It definitely took some practice. My other friend Tyler works in the movie theatre. He has basic duties like collecting tickets and serving popcorn, but he also gets cool perks like counting the amount of people in a movie theater and then getting to watch the movie for free after! It is the perfect incentive for a movie-lover. One of my friends, Molly, is a barista at Starbucks. I always go to her to make my favorite drinks and they are delicious! Whatever your interests are, or if you just want to make money and build your resume, there is a job out there for every teenager who wants one. Just make sure you have time for it! My friends have to make sure they manage their time wisely and plan all other extracurricular actives around their jobs. With a great job comes great responsibility!

Would you want to work in high school? Where would you want to work for your first job? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Charismatic California Private Colleges

Stanford University

Hey everyone! California is such a great place to live that many students in high school really want to stay in California for college as well.  Luckily there are over 130 private universities and over 30 public ones in California to choose from, so there’s something for everyone.   Even if you know you want to be in California, its  important to research the schools to find out which have the size, campus culture, entrance requirements and course offerings that fit what is right for you. 

USC Tour

Stanford football game

This fall I visited two of the highly ranked private schools in California, Stanford University in Palo Alto and University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.  Both schools are highly regarded for their academics, research, and strong sports teams.   Stanford is ranked #5 in the US, and admits only 6% of applicants.  It is very popular with California students for its beautiful weather and location close to San Francisco, along with its outstanding academic programs.  Stanford is very close to what is called “Silicon Valley” , a hub for new technology development.  USC is also very popular and has a strong network of alumni in California.  Along with its traditional academic departments, USC is located in Los Angeles, and therefore has a great Film and Cinematic school with a lot of great opportunities for internships in Hollywood.   As you can guess, both of these schools require high grades and test scores, along with strong essays and teacher recommendations for admittance.  

USC football game

The most popular sport in college is American football, and both Stanford and USC have large football stadiums that fill up with many excited fans for each football game.  They have marching bands and cheer leaders that put on a show during halftime.  It was fun to wear the school “colors” and help cheer on the teams to victory!

Are you a fan of private universities? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Purposeful Public Schools

Hey everyone! In my blog I have been talking about some of the private schools around the US, but each state also has a system of public colleges and universities. The main difference between public and private schools is that the public ones are funded, in part, by tax dollars and subsidies from the state government.  This means that the tuition and fees charged to students that attend these schools is much less than the private schools. Most public universities also tend to be larger and have more students than the private ones.

In California we have two very good systems, known as the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) systems.  UC has 10 campuses in California and all are very popular and well respected.  Each school varies in size and location and “feel” of the campus.  UC Berkeley is ranked as the #1 public university in the United States and UC Los Angeles is ranked #2.  These universities require very good grades and test scores for admittance just like the best private schools, and normally accept the top 12% of students that apply.  They are well respected for academics and research as well as their strong sports teams. There are 23 universities in the CSU system, and these are also very good schools and admit the top 30-50% of students that apply.  Two of the most popular ones in my area are San Diego State and Cal Poly San Louis Obispo.  The CSU schools are known for their practical training and don’t do as much research as the UCs.

Applications for the UC and CSU schools are accepted from October 1-November 30^th, so many seniors at my school are busy completing these applications right now.   I have visited the UCLA and UC Berkeley campuses this year and liked both of them.

There are many great choices of colleges and universities in the US.  When selecting which ones to apply to its important to identify your goals and interests, and consider costs, class size, culture and environment of each school before choosing between a public university and private school.

What type of public school would you prefer to go to? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

5 Tips for the College Application Superstar

Hey everyone! Now that summer is over and the school year is upon us, I will be starting a new segment all about the college application process. I am starting my senior year of high school here in the United States, and my blog will keep you updated on everything you need to know about the college application process as I go through it! Here is an overview of some of the things I will be talking about that you can do in high school to get ready for the application process.

1. Enroll in challenging classes and take them seriously

We all know that hard classes can be, well, difficult. However, colleges also know this and will reward you for challenging yourself. The level of coursework and your GPA (Grade Point Average) is important. Honors and AP (advance placement) classes, generally, add extra points to your GPA, so you may get an extra boost. Beginning in freshman or sophomore year, take the most challenging classes you can and do your best. Seek outside tutoring (often available free from older students) on difficult subjects. 

2. Get involved outside the classroom

Show that you have passions outside of school. Whether it's sports, music, drama, debate, community service, or other school clubs, select  2-3 extracurriculars that interest you. Don't join every club you come in contact with. Instead, focus on a few that demonstrate your interest and work towards leadership positions. Show the admissions team that you have leadership qualities.

3. Prepare for the SAT or the ACT early

Your score on these tests matter, so take the time to prepare early in your junior year. You can take these tests as many times as you want, so start early incase you may want to retake them. You can study review books or attend review sessions to help improve your score. Give yourself time to take the tests more than once to improve your score before senior year. 

4. Research colleges and universities

There are almost 3000 colleges and universities in the US, so you can find a school that is a perfect fit for you. Take time to research the details of different schools online. Schools vary by size, location, specialties, student body, and cost. Many offer generous financial aid and scholarships. If you are able, try to drive or fly to visit schools that interest you. Get a feel for the campus and meet current faculty and students.

5. Choose summer experiences that highlight your interest

Use your summer breaks during high school wisely. Look for summer jobs, programs, classes, or camps that demonstrate your interest and give you experience in your areas of interest. Internships are another fun and responsible way to show colleges your interests and responsibility

How are you getting ready to apply to college? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

School's Out Summer's In

Hey everyone! Now that Graduation is over and schools around the country are done, it is time for summer vacation! In the United States, summer break is a two to three month long break from school during, you guessed it, the summer time! Once all the hard AP tests are over (check out my AP test blog if you don't know what those are!) it is much needed to have a long break from school.
People use this time off to do different things. Some travel, near or far. Some go to fun locations around us like Disneyland or Palm Springs. Others spend the time to travel to further locations, like Las Vegas or even Europe. My friend and I spent the weekend in Las Vegas with her parents, seeing all the sights and shows. My other friend spent the week in Germany, taking tours and eating culinary masterpieces.
However, this vacation from school is not entirely a break. Almost everyone in high school has summer work to complete before the returning school year. This includes reading books, writing essays, and reviewing for new material. I have lots of summer work, especially with International Baccalaureate work as well. Wish me luck! Luckily the weather is great and I have all the time in the world. Summer will truly be a fun time! I cannot wait to share all my summer adventures with you!

What do you like do to when you are on a break from school? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Countdown to AP Tests

Hey everyone! May is an intense month for high school students. May is the month for all AP. AP, which stands for advance placement, are accelerated classes that students can take. In May, each AP class takes a nationwide AP test for college. If you score high enough, you can get college credit! It is a great way to get classes over with that you are taking already in high school so you can take classes more interesting to you while in college. There are over 34 AP courses to choose from, ranging from European History to Physics to Art. There are classes that fit everyone's strengths. Even if you do not receive a high enough score to get college credit, college still are very impressed to see you are taking these advanced classes while in high school.
The good part about these classes is you are not required to take these end of year college tests if you do not want to. If you choose not to, the class is just like a honors class. Either way, AP classes also help you prepare for college by offering more advanced curriculum that you may also see in college. Although the work load can be heavy, it prepares you for college and is well worth it. So my recommendation is if you are up for a constructive challenge that prepares you for your future then take AP classes! Start small, with only one or two, and work your way up to more. Who knows, maybe you'll find a hidden passion!

Find out more about AP classes by checking out this website:


College Board: Ap Classes

What classes are you interested in? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Admirable Administrators: Vice Principal Felix

Hey everyone! Today I will be sharing with you the second interview in my Admirable Administrators series here on Americanamanda. I sat down with the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Guidance at my school to discuss many different interesting topics. The questions I asked encompassed local and international concerns in the school system along with American high school teenage life as a whole. Check out the full interview with Mrs. Felix below!

Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions you would like me to ask in my future interviews!

xoxo

Advanced Placement - Success or Stress?

Hey everyone! Today I am going to talk to you guys about Advanced Placement Classes, or AP for short. AP classes are the most difficult classes you can take at school, and are designed to challenge you and hopefully introduce you to new interests. Colleges like when you take these classes because it shows that you are challenging yourself and are willing to work hard in difficult situations. Plus, if you take these classes and pass a rigorous test at the end of the year, you can opt to use this as credit in college, and not take that specific course when you get to the university.
Although these classes sound like a good idea, they cause some trouble as well. Since these are the most challenging classes on campus, the work load is tremendous and it takes a lot of dedication. Coming from a girl in practically all AP classes, I am constantly working on homework or studying for a test in one of these classes. The stress can get to some people, as much sleep is lost and weekends must be forfeited to work, and many end up dropping some of their AP classes throughout the year. However, I am sticking with mine because although it is a lot of work now, it is great for the long haul.

Here is an article from a neighboring high school's newspapaer. It talks all about AP classes, the stress and the triump. Check it out!

http://thediablodispatch.com/?p=1960


Are you taking AP style classes? Would you take a hard class if it could get you out of classes in college? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

In your "free" school time

Hey everyone! There is one thing I love the most about American high school. It makes all the other hard classes you are taking more bearable, and its called electives! Electives are classes within school that appeal to your interests. There is everything from drama to art to languages to photography! Every student is required to take electives, but they are fun and interesting so no one minds. Electives are a great way to explore different interests in different fields all within the comfort of your high school. Sound cool right? Some of the electives I am involved in are Model United Nations, Spanish, and Video Production.

They are all more artsy types of classes and are a good break from your core classes throughout the day. Other popular electives at my school are ceramics, graphic design, auto shop, and woodshop. There is truly an elective to fit every interest. I wish I had more room in my schedule to try different classes, but for now the few electives I am involved in are very exciting!


Here is a video my school's video production team made. It talks all about the cool electives offered at my school, and other American high schools alike. Check it out!

What electives would you be interested in taking? What are some of your interests? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Holiday Helpers

Hey everyone! Since the holidays are coming up, our school likes to help those less fortunate. Every year, our school has a canned food drive where students bring in cans and packaged foods to donate. We work with South County Outreach, a charity which collects and distributes these foods. We love getting in the holiday spirt and helping other feel the same way. We even have competitions between classes to see who can raise the most! We also host toy drives, through Toys For Tots, which collects and distributes toys for presents for all the less fortunate children. Its such a great feeling to help others and is one of the best part of the holidays. The holidays are just as much about giving as they are receiving.

Here is a video our school made to talk about the can food drive! Last year we collected 8,500 cans.

Do you do charity at your school around the holidays? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Lunchtime

Hey everyone! One thing that is very fun about American high schools is we can leave for lunch! Only upperclassman can leave, which are juniors (11th grade) and seniors (12th grade). Since they are older, must students can drive, or can walk, to a nearby restaurant or market to enjoy lunch. Its one of the special treats for being an upperclassman in high school! Its a great way to have a fun time with friends outside of school, but just remember to be back when lunch is over! The younger grades, freshman (9th grade) and sophomores (10th grade) have to stay on campus during lunch. This is for a number of reasons, but the main one is so they get acquainted with their classmates and make good friends they can hang out with for the lunches to come! Plus, it gives you something to look forward to coming to school year after year. Overall, its a great system that supports our stomachs and the neighboring businesses!

Would you go off to lunch if you could during lunch? What is your favorite place to get lunch? Let me know in the comments!



xoxo

Lights, Camera, Action

Hey everyone! Since I live in California right near Hollywood, video production is a big part of many of the high schools. I am involved with LHZ at my school, which is our school's news and comedy network, where we make movies and segments about the news, music, and some just for fun. Two recent clips we have made are very entertaining and I think you will enjoy them! The first is a remake of the music video to the song Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO. The second is our intro this year, based off the theme of super heros! Please enjoy and let me know what you think! I am in the background of each movie, so keep an eye out for me!

What do you think about the videos? Are you interested in movie making? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Driving Around

Hey everyone! This week was crazy, from having tests in almost every class to a tennis match every day of the week. Eleventh grade is one of the most stressful and busiest years of all high school! Along with all our classes, we have to study for the SAT and ACT, start applying to colleges, and get our licenses! When we turn sixteen in the US, right around the end of tenth grade or beginning or eleventh grade, we can take a driving test to earn our driving license! First you take classes to learn all about the road and driving rules. Then you take a written test and if you pass, you get your learning permit. Once you get your permit you should drive as much as possible to be ready for your actual driving test to get your license! Luckily, you get to have three lessons with a driving instructor to make sure you know everything for the test. You drive one of their special cars, so they can take control if necessary. I took my last driving lesson today, and I take my license test in a week. Wish me luck! We don't have trains and busses to take us to school and our activities, so it is very important to have a driver's license and a car.

What is your dream car? Let me know in the comments!




xoxo