Peer Pressure Advice for Teens

Peer pressure 

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Peer pressure seems to go with the territory of being a teen. The solution is to figure out whether you’re under negative or positive peer pressure and respond in a way that is best for your health, happiness and well-being. Here are a few tips for dealing with peer pressure.

1. Think before acting. Your group of friends may be pressuring you to join them in an activity that you’ve never done before. Step back before committing and ask yourself if the activity will be good for you.

2. Distinguish between negative and positive pressure. Negative pressures push you to do things that may cause harm. Drinking alcohol, taking drugs, engaging in unprotected sex and participating in activities that harm others fall into the negative peer pressure category. Positive peer pressure is any activity that helps you to achieve your life goals and promotes well-being for yourself and others.

3. Say no when necessary. Turning down opportunities to hang out with friends can be a tough thing to do. You may be afraid of being alone or gossiped about by your friends. However, your real friends will understand your choices and appreciate you for who you are. It takes courage to say no, but always think about how your actions will affect your life down the line.

4. Consult with a trusted adult. Your parents, relatives, teachers, school counselors or athletic coaches may be people you can turn to if pressure from your peers starts to get to you. Adults who know you will be able to support you with situation-specific advice.

 

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Filed Under: Personal Development, Teen Lifestyle Tagged With: , ,

Money Management Advice for Teens

Whether you receive a weekly allowance or have a part-time job, you’ll want to manage your money carefully so that you can enjoy life while saving at the same time. Your savings can lead to great things down the line like buying a car, paying for a fun trip with friends or even funding your college education down the line. Here are some tips for managing your money.

1.  Calculate your monthly income. If you have a set allowance each week or work a specific number of hours at a part-time job, you can figure out your monthly income by taking your weekly pay and multiplying it by 52 weeks. That gives you an annual amount that you can then divide by 12 to arrive at a monthly figure.

2.  Make a list of your expenses. Buying lunch at school, filling up your gas tank, purchasing snacks from a convenience store and paying for CDs and books may be some of your expenses. Add up your expenses to determine how much you need each month.

3. Cut back on costs. Lower your expenses by packing lunches at home instead of buying them at school. Buy snacks in bulk at the grocery store to avoid visiting the convenience store daily. Visit the library to borrow books and CDs or buy them used to avoid paying a high price for these items.

4. Consider saving a portion of your income. You might decide to save 10 percent of your income each month. If you make $150 per month, you would place $15 each month into your savings account. At the end of the year, you’d have $180 in savings.

 

 

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Filed Under: Financial Means, Teenage Consumers Tagged With: , ,

University: Just a Click Away

It’s an expectation of distance: your child is meant to seek the world, to travel to a faraway campus. A high school diploma has been earned. College should be the logical step in a logical sequence, with a teen meant to explore academia.

But your teen is apprehensive about this next step in his education. Moving on to college sparks concern, with him hesitating to fill out applications, unwilling to complete forms. He doesn’t want to go and you are baffled.

You needn’t be.

Teenagers aren’t defined by certainties. Assuming that your child will bound happily off to college is a mistake. The distance may seem too great; the cost may seem too high; and surrendering himself to books may seem like a waste of the summer. Alternatives must be considered – and online courses can provide them.

Teens who are not yet ready to face traditional campuses can still gain an education. Online learning is available with classes conveniently scheduled and information earned from a computer. Most universities (a national estimate of almost 60 percent) provide virtual programs. This ensures that students can access the courses they need while still remaining with their families, which may offer some relief.

Fleeing home for a college campus is considered a milestone. Some teens may not wish to experience it, at least not immediately. Choosing online classes can provide a bridge to a delayed entry into college. Or, your teen may choose to rely on the comforts of the bedroom and knowledge gained with ease to earn a degree.

Filed Under: Milestones, Personal Development Tagged With: , ,

Job Interview Tips for Teenagers

women's business attire - from eHow.com 

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If you’re a teen who has never experienced a job interview, your very first one may leave you nervous about what to expect. Adequate preparation is the best strategy for performing well on a job interview. Here are some tips for a successful first job interview.

1. Gather information about the job. You may be applying to a clothing store in the mall, the corner donut store or an office job. In all cases, find out as much as possible about the company. For example, if it’s an office job, research the company to determine what products or services they provide.

2. Consider the interview questions you may be asked. Anticipating the interview questions will allow you to think about the answers in advance. Employers who are open to hiring teenagers are generally willing to train you. Interview questions may address your strengths and weaknesses and what tasks you do and do not like to do. Reflect on these questions ahead of time so that you can answer them thoughtfully.

3. Dress appropriately. The dress code will vary depending on the work environment. An office environment may require that you wear a suit. Working in a retail clothing store may require that you dress in a similar style as the clothing sold by the store. If in doubt, ask the interviewer about the dress code ahead of time.

4. Arrive on time and be prepared. Make a good impression by being punctual. Also, bring along anything you may need. For example, you may need a pen to fill out the application. The employer may ask for names and phone numbers of personal references. Have this information ready.

 

 

 

 

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