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Whether you are a senior and getting ready to leave for college or a freshman and have not even given college a thought, it is never too early to start preparing. Keep reading to see my list of the most important things to know before college.

First off, it is important to remember that everyone around you is going through the same thing as you. It’s normal to be lost, confused, and even to be a little scared. You’re suddenly struck with a whole new list of responsibilities. A whole new list of things that your parents won’t do for you anymore. Even in my first year here at Myers Park, I was so overwhelmed with what these next four years would bring. It was crazy to think that I was just one small person in a pool of almost 4,000 students. However, coming into my freshman year on such a large campus, it made me feel better that I wasn’t the only one that had nerves.

Next, when it comes to packing for college, less is more. There is nowhere near the same amount of closet space as your bedroom at home. You are going to be living in a tiny dorm room with at least one other person. I remember before one of my best friends headed to college, we designated a day just to purge her closet. She got rid of a ton of clothes, but of course, it was a plus for me…I got a whole new wardrobe! 

In my opinion, studying abroad is an absolute must. Depending on the school you choose to go to, the amount of time away can vary. You can spend anywhere from one month to a whole semester in another country of your choice. Some of the most popular destinations are places such as Spain, Paris, or Italy. I know this is definitely something I want to participate in. In fact, if you attend a school out-of-state and you choose to study abroad, you can qualify for in-state tuition. After my parents heard about this option, they said they would gladly send me away for a few months.

Finally, it is crucial to open up your circle of friends. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this advice. My parents always tell me that the people they went to college with are still the people they are best friends with today. It’s good to meet new people because it’s guaranteed to help you in the long run.

With just a few months left in high school, I’m going to do my best to follow this list. In the next few years, I want to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and try new things, and I’ll challenge others to do the same.

Spring has sprung and so have seasonal allergies! 

    The sprouting greenery contains organisms that love to irritate those with sensitive allergies. Pollen seems to show up everywhere; you may see it on your freshly washed car or patio furniture. Pollen is produced by nearly every plant during reproduction; as the sun’s out and the weather’s warm, they can photosynthesize thus increasing pollen. No wonder your eyes feel so itchy! Another often overlooked, allergy-triggering organism is mold. Mold can be found on rotting logs, fallen leaves, compost piles, and other damp places. According to the allergy company Zyrtec,“during the spring months, decomposing plants that have not survived the cold of winter can turn into vehicles for mold growth.” The best thing to do when dealing with pollen, grass, or mold allergies is to keep all areas as clean as possible and utilize allergy medication. Keep hand sanitizer and over-the-counter meds such as Zyrtec or Claritin on you at all times, invest in a HEPA filter or dehumidifier, wear sunglasses and hats, wash your hands and wipe down surfaces. Inform your friends and family of your allergies so you can avoid them during activities in allergy-hub spaces.

Besides plant allergens, bugs like bees, stink bugs, ladybugs, ants, flies and more fill the cracks and crevices indoors and outdoors. Bees are the most brutal of the bunch because they carry two allergens: pollen and venom from bee stings. If you see a bee flying around, do not swat at it. Simply ignore it, walk the other way, or keep the doors and windows open for it to fly out. For any bugs or insect bites, keep allergy cream or EpiPens, if necessary, on you at all times. 

In contrast to bees, stink bugs are harmless but they definitely live up to their title as a bug that stinks! At the first sign of a threat, they secrete a foul-smelling liquid that lingers on anything it touches. They like to hang from light fixtures, and drop when threatened, which is why you may see them flying around in your house. Ladybugs fall and drop in the same way. These insects contribute to the cycle of life so they will continue to appear, but there are ways to mitigate their presence. Make sure you’re not leaving any food out especially near windows, and seal any cracks or holes in your foundation including screens. According to ruralsprout.com, you can spray strong-smelling substances on your windows and door frames such as citronella and neem oil, or even rub dryer sheets around those surfaces. 

When you find the right balance of managing your allergies and domestic space, you can enjoy spring to its full extent.

Online games are an MP favorite when students are bored in class. Snake, Jump, you name it! However, recently, when I look at the computer screens around me, these playful games are being replaced with more intellectual games. Crosswords, Sudokus, Chess, Wordle, and 2048 are all popular games MP students have turned to to keep themselves entertained during especially draining classes. 

When newspapers and magazines served as the primary source of news, the daily crosswords were a particularly popular form of entertainment. However, as online news sources replaced newspapers, crosswords and other puzzles meant to be played on paper were replaced with more high-tech games. Over the past few years, however, these mind games have been switching to online forums. To achieve this, they have had to adapt their classic games to not only appeal to the new generation but also to fit the new medium. 

One news source that has jumped on this popular trend is the New York Times. From buying Wordle to creating the New York Times Mini back in 2014, they know how to keep their new audience engaged. Keeping the daily aspect of the puzzle by introducing a new one every day helps to keep people interested, since there is only one puzzle and players can “compete” with their friends. Competition, in fact, could be a large reason these games are re-emerging. Online chess games, which, similar to crosswords, are suddenly popular once again, allow students to compete with their friends. Plus, these puzzles are incredibly addicting. We get a huge dopamine boost when we complete a puzzle, and several small ones as we work towards its completion. It’s this aspect of competition and dopamine rush that keeps so many people returning to their daily puzzles. Personally, I love this new trend because I love competing with my friends to complete puzzles first, and I’m a huge fan of crossword puzzles!

Logic games are more than just a fun pastime, however, whether users know this or not. Psychology reveals that our brains actually benefit from this hobby. According to Progress Lifeline, “working on a puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed and is an effective way to improve short-term memory”. Additional potential benefits include increased IQ, prevention of cognitive diseases such as Alzhiemer’s and Dementia, lower stress levels, and improved visio-spatial reasoning. 

So, this trend is both fun and beneficial.

According to henryford.com, the average child smiles 400 times daily and the average happy adult smiles 40-50 times a day ,and the standard adult smiles 20 times daily. Smiling is very important because of the benefits it provides you with, like reduced blood pressure, increased endurance, reduced pain, and reduced stress. Studies show that a person who smiles appears more approachable and they tend to be more successful in their work career. 

You might wonder if smiling is contagious. Yes, smiling is contagious. When you smile, you activate neurons in your brain. One smile causes multiple a day which then passes on to others and causes them to smile. According to yourthoughtpartner.com, some suggestions to help you smile more are to start your day with a smile, think about smiling once you greet someone, and it will make them smile, and smile in the mirror so you can get more comfortable doing it. 

According to calmsage.com, even one smile can positively affect your mood, health, and others around you. Smiling has many connections to a person’s mental health, physical health, and well-being. Smiling and its links to mental health- having a smile on your face causes you to fight off the negative energy surrounding you and allows you to get through whatever you’re going through more efficiently. Smiling and its connections to physical health- research shows that people who are sick and in the hospital and keep a smile on their face recover much faster rather than a person with a negative mindset. Smiling and its connections to personal well-being- smiling can make more positive interactions with others and make you a welcoming person to others. People who understand the importance of a smile have excellent relationships, so it is better to keep a smile on your face rather than be negative.  

I asked two people who came to mind when I thought of whose smile lights up the room and automatically gets you in a better mood. Miriam Middlesworth is a student here at Myers Park. During an interview about the importance of smiling, I asked Miriam, “What does a smile mean to you?” She answered, “A smile is a way to express a genuine hello without having to verbally communicate while also making someone’s day. I feel like it can mean a lot more to some people than you think.” Tamra McNeil is also a student here at Myers Park. During an interview with her, I asked Tamra, “How does a smile make you feel?” She answered, “ A smile makes me feel like I’m worth a smile and makes me realize that the little things matter in life.”

North West, daughter of rapper Kanye West now known as “Ye” and Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Kim Kardashian, is taking the internet by storm with her highly active Tik Tok account. Her platform, @kimandnorth, showcases a wide variety of videos, with most featuring Kim Kardashian and 9-year-old North participating in weekly Tik Tok trends. North’s highly active account has Tik Tok users all over the world in a frenzy, especially after a recent video where she has a made up face that strongly resembles her father, Ye. The rapper is currently “missing,” unseen by the media after a recent Twitter scandal and harsh anti-semitic comments. Ye has openly expressed his anger with North posting on Tik Tok, however, this has not kept her from uploading multiple videos a day. 

In the upload where North is made up to resemble her father, her mother, Kim Kardashian, is lip-syncing to her ex-husband’s 2013 hit song “Bound 2,” which infamously featured Kardashian naked in the video. North’s videos have not shied away from using her father’s songs as sounds, with another viral example that took the internet by storm being when she made a makeup tutorial to Ye’s song “Violent Crimes.” This song is an open letter to North, with her father expressing his concerns about his oldest daughter growing up too fast. 

Other people commonly featured on North’s account are many of her cousins, specifically Penelope Disick. Penelope has her own account, @pandkourt, which features routine makeup tutorials and dances, while North’s account is more unpredictable. This “next generation of Kardashians,” have made their digital footprint known, displaying their personalities consistently on their platforms. 

North is also reliving her parents’ drama, most recently uploading a video of her and her mom, Kim Kardashian, singing to Taylor Swift’s hit song “Shake it Off.” Swift has had a tribulating relationship with North’s parents, following Ye infamously interrupting her at the 2009 VMA Awards and claiming he made her famous. North also featured lots of holiday content this past December, including a video of herself singing hit holiday song “Snowman” with artist Sia. 

North West’s unpredictable content keeps Tik Tok viewers on their toes, as they have little idea of what to expect when @kimandnorth appears on the For You Page. However, the most aggravating part for viewers watching North’s videos is that the comments on her videos are turned off. The buzz of gossip and internet frenzy is strictly taking place away from North’s platform. As North continues to feed the For You Page with chaotic content, her likes and views per video continue to skyrocket.

As December concludes and the winter holidays pass, stores waste no time filling the shelves with pink and red carnations, chocolates, teddy bears, or anything heart-shaped. Valentine’s Day, which began as an ancient Roman celebration involving violence and lottery-determined matchmaking, has evolved over the years into a celebration of love and romance enjoyed by all. While it might be customary in America to go on a romantic date or exchange gifts with your loved ones, different Valentine’s celebrations are seen worldwide.

In Japan, there are two different holidays to celebrate love. February 14th is traditionally reserved for the girls to pamper their partners and loved ones. A month later, on March 14th, “White Day” offers an opportunity for the favor to be returned by those pampered. Typically the women will give chocolate to whomever they deem appropriate and, in return, will receive candy or white accessories like bags, jewelry, and clothing.

The “Day of Love” in the Czech Republic is celebrated on May 1st. On this day, hopeful couples are tasked with finding a blossoming cherry tree to share a kiss under to ensure health and prosperity in their relationship. Another spot for this superstition is the Karel Hynek Mácha Statue erected in honor of the “poet of love”; many young couples lay flowers at his feet to pay tribute to his work.

If you’re a hopeless romantic, you might want to consider a move to Finland or Estonia where February 14th is “Friends Day.” This day revolves around sharing your love with friends and family by spending time together, whether sitting down for a meal or ice skating. Traditional material gift-giving is replaced by the gift of each other’s presence.

The most valuable gift to give in England on Valentine’s Day is handmade and typically baked. Pastries and sweets homemade with love and a traditional heart-shaped cake given to loved ones show that you genuinely care. Flowers are also a must-have, along with inexpensive little gifts like chocolates or a teddy bear.

Slovenia celebrates “Saint Gregory’s Day” on March 12th. This day supposedly marks when the birds get married after they met a month before on Valentine’s Day. Leftover baked goods from the birds’ weddings are hung in bushes and trees for kids to find. It is also said that the first bird a woman sees in the sky that day indicates the type of husband she will have.

Whether through words, gifts, or actions, no matter where you are Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express your love to whomever you hold close to your heart. 

Charlotte has some great coffee shops, both locally owned and big companies. Most people know of places like Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, or Panera, but Charlotte has so much more to offer.

A popular coffee spot is Amelies. It’s locally owned and has a variety of food, coffees, other drinks, and French pastries. It’s a great place to go after school to catch up on work because there’s a location in Park Road Shopping Center, and it is really easy to get to from school. Additionally, the other shops in Park Road create a unique atmosphere because you can shop, get a wide variety of food, or see a movie, all in the same place before you enjoy a great cup of coffee and a pastry. 

Waterbean Coffee is another great option. They have 14 locations around North Carolina, including 4 in Charlotte. Waterbean sells a variety of coffee as well as some attractive food options. They offer some breakfast and lunch foods as well as smoothies and teas. Waterbean is an excellent place for students to get some homework done or catch up with friends. They have an amazing mango smoothie as well. 

Not Just Coffee is an exciting option as well. There are six locations in Charlotte, and they are fairly centrally located. There is a location at the 7th Street Market with different local businesses ranging from food to jewelry. This is a great way to support local businesses and get great coffee. They provide a range of foods, including many great breakfast options and sandwiches. They also offer a variety of coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and even kombucha. 

Crema Espresso Bar and Cafe is another great local coffee shop. They are located on East Boulevard and are pretty easy to get to. Crema offers a unique food menu, including a wide variety of breakfast foods, lunch sandwiches, crepes, and, last but not least, charcuterie options. They also have lots of unique herbal teas and locally sourced coffee options. Students may like Cream Espresso because their products are less expensive than other options. They have notable whipped coffee, and the s’more crepe is delicious!

Bitty and Beau is another fantastic coffee spot. It was first opened in Wilmington, NC, and they now have 23 locations in the eastern United States. Bitty and Beau supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was started to inspire children and others living with disabilities. They are located in South End and offer a wide range of coffees, teas, smoothies, as well as a few baked goods. 

Honorable Mentions: Burr and Berry, Queen City Grounds, Mayobird, Coco and the Director, Pepperbox, Cypress, Vibes, The Hobbyist.

In 2021, the skincare market began to grow rapidly in popularity. Nowadays, there are so many skincare products it can be hard to know which products are good. There are also various skin types, so it can be hard to tell which products will improve your skin. If you want to know your skincare type, there are many online quizzes you can take to discover it. Some websites that offer the skin type quiz are y-ourskin.com and skintypesolutions.com. In this column, I’ll highlight the best affordable products for dry, oily, and combination skin. The basic steps for any skincare routine include a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen, according to geeky.posh.com. 

Here are a few of the best and most affordable cleaners you can purchase for dry skin: the Cerave hydrating facial cleanser, and the Inkey list Hyaluronic acid cleanser. Now it’s time to talk about serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens for dry skin types. Serums under $20 include the Inkey list 15% vitamin C+ EGF serum, and the Ordinary granactive retinoid 2% emulsion. Moisturizers under $15 include Nivea creme, and La Roche-posay cicaplast balm B5. Sunscreens under $10 include Scinic enjoy super mild sun essence, and Verdio UV moisture essence.

  Now let’s discuss the best cleanser, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen for combination skin, which is skin that is oily and dry. Great cleansers under $20 are the Cerave foaming facial cleanser, and the Byoma creamy jelly cleanser. For serums, all of the following are effective and under $20: The Ordinary marine hyaluronics, Geek & gorgeous 101 C-Glow, and Naturium retinol complex serum. Moisturizers under $15 include the Inkey list Omega water cream, The good molecules silicone-free priming moisturizer, and the E.L.F. holy hydration face cream. Sunscreens under $25 include Innisfree daily mild sunscreen, and Bliss block star daily mineral sunscreen.

Lastly, we will address the best and most affordable skincare for oily, acne-prone skin. According to mixedmakup.com, some of the best cleansers for this skin type are Cerave renewing S.A. face cleanser, and Neutrogena hydro boost hydrating cleansing gel. Effective serums for oily skin include InstaNatural vitamin C serum, Philosophy help me retinol night treatment, and InstaNatural niacinamide face serum. Moisturizers include Cetaphil pro Dermacontrol oil absorbing face moisturizer SPF 30, Aveeno positively mineral sensitive skin face sunscreen, and Olay total effects anti-aging face moisturizer. People with this skin type  might want to cover up a pimple but don’t want to use makeup because it can agitate acne. The Mighty Patch is a great product for this issue— just put it on a pimple and by the end of the day, the patch will work its magic, and the spot will be gone and no longer irritated.

Books! Age-old treasures of entertainment passed from generation to generation. Today, we’re seeing a surge. Thanks to social media platforms such as Instagram and Tik Tok, certain novels and authors have become quite popular. 

For the past year or so, content-creating bookworms have been sharing their recommendations, wiping book retailers clean in a week or less. This book-sharing resource has become known as “Book-Tok” on the Tik Tok app. If you’re looking for something new, type in “Book-Tok” in the search bar and I guarantee that you’ll find various, enticing reads. Author Colleen Hoover’s famous novels It Ends With Us, November 9, and Verity have dominated the romance drama section. Taylor Jenkins Reid has stolen the hearts of fiction readers through her best-sellers Malibu Rising and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Swedish male author Fredrick Backman has also turned heads with Anxious People, and A Man Called Ove. This form of book promotion is certainly a great way to increase sales and reader retention. 

In this day and age, large companies such as Barnes and Noble and Amazon have been the go-tos for book shopping. However, these places take significant business away from small book retailers. One familiar to Myers Park and Charlotte is Park Road Books. 

Park Road Books is an independent bookstore nestled away in Park Road Shopping Center. It has been operating since 1977; a true establishment. Many Charlotteans have childhood memories of visiting for storytime specials or getting lost in a book in one of the comfy chairs. Book signings are held here, along with book clubs and author Q&As. You can also meet and hang out with the store’s sweet trademark dog, Yola. They are a literature-loving staff who, with a smile on their face, will always aid you in your reading questions and desires. They’re trendy too, carrying many “Book-Tok” novels in stock. They’ve got you with Frankenstein, Kindred, Persepolis, or any other books you may need for a course at school. Park Road Books oftentimes has a running list of Myers Park and CMS required books for English classes. No need to fret if you haven’t gotten your copy of Frankenstein yet, or are dying to read the It Ends With Us sequel, It Starts With Us. Park Road Books will help you out! Its location is close and convenient. 

So before you purchase that book in your Amazon cart, make a quick run to Park Road Books. It’s very important to support small, local businesses, especially one that’s been so loyal to the community since the 70s! Park Road Books is a cozy, friendly, and quiet space with interpersonal customer service, an experience unlike any other.