Congratulations!

Congrats to Sarah and Cherie for graduating from Junior High School!

I have yet to see either of them and officially offer my heaps of praise...so this will have to do for the time being.

Officially, you are entering the domain of high school-dom. If one is inclined to seek advice on such entry and wanting in reading such advice, please continue reading. If not, no worries - just another mark of a fledgling high schooler! :)

Tips and things to ponder over the summer for succeeding in High School

1. Remember, this is ONLY 4 years of your life. It is NOT the rest of your life.
2. Grades are important if you plan to go on to college (which I suspect both of you do).
3. High School guys have no clue how to behave, much less how to participate in a meaningful dating relationship (okay, there might be 1 or 2 exceptions...but I think they already graduated). Consider them generally brain dead.
4. Don't sweat how you look, you'll change drastically by the time you're 18...then 21...then 25...then 30...(do people really live past 30??)...then 41 (I can go no further as I can only testify up to 41 years of age...but I suspect you continue to change beyond that).
5. Your mother is not the enemy. And, your parents DO know best.
6. Pay attention to who the geeky, brainy, computer nerds are - they tend to be successful and better looking after college graduation!
7. Popularity is over-rated and riddled with compromises, heartache and some very lonely moments. Really.
8. Sit as close to the front of the room in every class. You'll be less distracted by the goofballs behind you and be able to hear all the little comments your teacher makes under his/her breath (but, must develop the skill of smiling knowingly and not laughing out loud).
9. Figure out if you are a morning person or an afternoon person. Morning people need to schedule all their harder subjects before lunch and vice versa for the afternoon people. NEVER schedule Geometry, Calculus or Trigonometry right after lunch. Trust me.
10. Dances, while highly entertaining for the anthropologists, are more pomp than circumstance. Try to go with your best friend and forgive her when she abandons you to go with that acne-faced humanoid. Don't limit yourself to the guys in your school. Consider buddying up with a guy from your Youth Group. Always wear comfortable shoes.
11. Practice your locker combination until you have it down. Remember, your locker is supposed to be a place for your books. Therefore, make sure you have enough room to store them there.
12. Purpose now NOT to care about the P.E. uniforms. Consider them an exercise in humility.
13. Developing excellent typing, grammar and composition skills pays off in college and beyond. Literally PAYS off. I used to net $3-5 a page in typing or proofreading reports and term papers. NEVER write a paper for anyone.
14. Never agree to be in a study group with students who do not carry the same GPA as you. That sports jock or popular-cute guy is asking you to use your brain...no other reason!
15. Develop good time management skills. Learn to prioritize your time...getting the hardest and unlikeable tasks out of the way first.
16. Set your standards now for who you will chose for friends, who you'll date and what kind of activities you will attend. Base your standards on Biblical principles. Submit to your parents' direction and wisdom.
17. Stay involved in an active Youth Group which challenges you to grow in your relationship with Christ.
18. Attend as many football games as you can (even if you don't like football). If your parents enjoy football, invite them along. Some of my best memories involved a Friday-night game with my dad.
19. If you can, plan to take one class a semester/quarter outside of your core courses that will stretch you and provide a bit of mental vacation.
20. Find out how to get on the yearbook committee, school newspaper or student government. Then go for it!
21. Don't be a slave to fashion. Dress sensibly, comfortably and modestly.
22. Begin now to pray for opportunities to share Christ with other students.
23. Don't take yourself too seriously. Learn to laugh more and criticize less.
24. Learn to smile.
25. Care more about what God thinks and reflect that in everything you do and say.

More than anything, fall in love with God. And remember, this is only High School. It is a small window of time in the over-all future God has planned for you!

Congratulations ladies!

dogledanji!!