10. Take matters into your own hands. Have you noticed that the cafeteria food is not up to par? Do you find yourself wishing for bigger lockers and more time between classes? Be a problem solver. Commit to improving the world around you. By writing letters, scheduling meetings with school officials, or rallying a group of concerned friends, you can make a difference.
11. Stay current and connected. One of the easiest ways to stand out is by knowing what’s going on. Read the paper online (it’s free!), check out new blogs or listen to public radio to stay up on current events. Being in-the-know shows that you’re in tune with the world and makes you a more interesting person.
12. “Apply” yourself. Of course you should give your best effort in everything you do. But, we don’t mean it the way your mom says it. We’re talking about applications: for awards, scholarships and internships that are just waiting for the girl with the right stuff to come along. How are they going to know about you unless you tell them? You have nothing to lose!
13. Take notes. Keep a journal of all of your school-related experiences and extra-curricular accomplishments. Jot down a quick description (where? when?) of your activity or award along with a few sentences about what it means to you, your community, or your future. Think of it as Cliff Notes to your life. This way, you will have a record of your activities and achievements for future reference, and when the time comes, it will be easy for you to pull together a resume.
14. Kudos to you! Whenever a teacher, a friend, or family member compliments you in writing or over email, print it out or make a copy and save it in a bright folder. If you ever doubt yourself—hey, we all have down days—sneak a peek in the folder. Reading the great things your peers and mentors have noticed about you will make you feel better instantly, and remind you that you really do shine!
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