Category: School Club Tips

Almost everyone might have had the chance to address a large group of people. For some, it must have been a great opportunity to express themselves, whereas for others it might have been a stressful experience. Nonetheless, it is of utmost importance to find and seek an anxiety attack help to lead a better, more confident life.

Reasons For Public Speaking Anxiety

Anxiety is usually triggered in situations where one finds himself or herself in a position of vulnerability. “Anxiety is the sense of discomfort, restlessness, or uncertainty that is internally generated,” says David Spiegel, MD, director of Stanford Medicine’s Center on Stress and Health. “It’s being a worrier without having the stressors outside.” Standing alone on the stage, with hundreds of people staring can definitely make a person feel vulnerable, and hence consequently anxious.

Tips To Cope With Public Speaking Anxiety

“I was terrified: as a student, my heart used to race at the mere thought of raising my hand in class. For weeks beforehand, I had nightmares about forgetting my lines, waking up in a cold sweat. No matter how much I practiced, for the three days leading up to the speech, I could hardly breathe.” – Adam Grant, Ph.D. 

“The good news is that schools are increasingly tuning in to mental health needs, and they’ve gotten better at diagnosing anxiety disorders,” says school counseling expert and researcher Mandy Savitz-Romer. There are several ways to cope with these feelings of anxiousness during public speaking; a few are mentioned below to help out.

1. Practice makes perfect

One of the biggest causes of public speaking anxiety stems from the fear of either forgetting what one has to say or saying the wrong thing. Hence, this is why practice is the key to perfection in this case. It is important to set aside time for practice. Try writing down your speech to remember it clearly, time yourself and also try speaking in front of a mirror. Persistent practice will definitely help you master the skill of public speaking.

1. Focus on rhythm 

It would be a great idea to structure your speech in such a manner that it allows you to create rhythm while you speak. Try keeping your sentence short, so that you not only forget them, but it also gets easier for your audience to understand them. Also, try taking small pauses in between key points; it will make your audience anticipate your next point.

1. Get a friend’s critique

It is always best to try your speech on a test audience. Find a friend who is free to listen to your speech and give you an honest opinion about it. This constructive criticism will help you fix any error before the big day, hence making you feel more confident about what you are going to say.

1. Warm water

You might feel your mouth getting dry and itchy after speaking for so long; it might make you feel self-conscious and nervous. A good tip for this would be to drink water that is either warm or at room temperature; perhaps squeeze in the lemon as well. It will prevent your throat from drying out as you speak.

1. Dress comfortably

Sometimes the fear resides in facing the crowd. You might feel your legs are jelly and you cannot stand confidently on the stage. Dressing to please your own self, perhaps in something that you are comfortable in, would be a great idea. This way you would not have to care much about how you look and would rather concentrate more on delivering your message to the audience. 

1. Pick something inspiring

Choosing the right topic to talk about is important. Try picking something that interests you or something that you are extremely passionate about. Furthermore, you must also be comfortable with speaking about the topic in public; prior research would really aid you when you are preparing your speech. 

1. Channel your energy in the right direction

Nervousness is in itself a form of adrenaline rush a person might feel while facing a huge crowd. The key is to learn ways to channel this excess of energy in a positive manner by giving a more impassionate speech. In addition to this, one must also try meditating every day for five minutes in order to feel in control of his or her emotions. 

Therefore, the best technique of dealing with the fear of public speaking is to understand what scares you the most. By understanding the source of your anxiety you can find the perfect way to cope with it. 

 

If you have been planning to join an art or hobby club so you can release your hidden talents, you can always choose from a variety of clubs in your school. Here are some of the most common art or hobby organizations that you can join in high school.

• Photography Club. If you love taking beautiful angles of trees when the sun’s rays would hit their branches, then you ought to join the high school photography club. Here, you might learn different techniques from fellow students who may have been learning photography longer than you. You can also help those who are new to the craft and share what you have learned so far out of your experiences. Together, you can all benefit from the club by organizing an exhibit of your pictures of your school, perhaps, or your community.

 

• History Club. This club will interest you if you are one who admires the past stories of local and international heroes and their stories. You have an opportunity to criticize some of the past artists’ work, as the club would typically talk about the contribution of some of the most famed artists and what you think of them. You’ll be amazed at how beautiful (and expensive) old paintings and artifacts are!

 

• Sports Live Broadcasting. If you’re more on the active side and would love to take videos of school sports and other activities, you are a good fit to be in sports broadcasting. You’ll learn more about your hobby if your leader coordinates with the school and invites a popular basketball or football player who can talk about the specific sport, and you create a video production of it. You can spread this quickly through YouTube and other active platforms.

• Chess Club. Chess is an intelligent way to keep yourself occupied and ‘polished.’ You can practice with your fellow members and eventually join chess tournaments and bring pride to your school club. It would also be nice if you could host a chess competition and invite other high schools as well. You can also invite chess gurus or past champions and let them talk about their greatest strategies.

 

• Cooking Club. This club is not only for students who do cook in their homes but also for those who would like to learn how to cook. It could be all about sharing recipes and learning from each other while in school and trying to cook it at home for your family. Also, if you have sufficient funds, you can plan a trip to the neighboring community and check out their restaurants together.

 

• Esports League Club. Only the gamers would know what this is. Yes, there is a legit High School Esports League that hosts matches, season playoffs, and tournaments. Its members even provide scholarship programs. You can check out Esports websites to know more about how to start the club.

• Film Club. As the name implies, members of this club usually watch classical, Tagalog, and other types of movies and discuss the movies that they watch. What’s more, you can also make your short film and decide to submit it to one of the many sites that are looking for original short films.

 

 

We have often heard the phrase ‘talk it out’; this urges people to share their feelings. Communication is very important for human beings, this is how we function. Dr. Bourg Carter is among many psychologists who assert the “importance of effective face-to-face communication for relationships and interpersonal fulfillment.” He wrote, “It’s long been suggested that communication depends on the on “skill sets” or “talk habits” in one’s conversational repertoire.”

Whenever we see someone who seems upset or stressed, this is the first thing we say to them. This phrase has a lot of weight to it and several kinds of research back it up as well. After extensive research psychologists established a therapy called talk therapy. It is said to be the most effective way of combatting depression and stress. Talking to another person about your feelings allows you to express yourself and give the other person insight into your mental state. According to Lori Hilt, Ph.D., “Depression is a change of normal functioning. It’s important that it’s a change in typical behavior.”

Most people, be it teenagers or adults are depressed because they aren’t satisfied with the quality of their life. They expect too much and when people or life doesn’t reach up to their expectations, they get depressed. Eventually, they develop anxiety. According to therapist Nancy B. Irwin, PsyD, “Depression and anxiety are like flip sides of the same coin. Being depressed often makes us anxious, and anxiety often makes us depressed.” It is a part of our lives; some people find happiness in the smallest things of life while others don’t. The good news is that it is completely normal and can be treated. Most people often confuse depression with sadness; however, the two are completely different. You constantly feel blue and empty when you are depressed and this hollow feeling is often paired with extreme feelings.

Usually people think it’s a phase and it passes sooner or later, however, it is a mental illness and needs to be treated accordingly. One of the most authentic and tested ways of overcoming stress and depression is through therapy. Depression is usually common among teenagers who are going through a lot, especially with the school and pressure to be good at everything. As part of school club members, you can organize regular talk sessions. This encourages students to be more open about their feelings. 

If you are a club member or a leader, you can arrange successful talk sessions as part of your club meetings:

• Introductory Meeting

Before you actually begin with your regular club meetings, arrange a small introductory meeting in which you explain the format of this group to all participants. Allow your members to participate in this discussion and give suggestions. Introduce them to the idea of having talk sessions and how it can help in overcoming depression. Select leads for different tasks and asks them to give you a monthly report on the status of your club as well as the members. 

• Anonymous Box

Set up a box that is open for suggestions, confessions, and topics that need to be addressed. Start your session with these tips and build the topic of your discussion accordingly. 

• Bring In Experts And Motivators

Every now and then, introduce guest speakers who are experts in their relevant fields along with those who overcame depression. This develops a connection between the participants and the speakers. The members can relate to the talks and realize they aren’t in this alone. Once the members start trusting each other, they open up and talk about their respective issues as well. 

• Pick A New Speaker From The Group

After your guest speakers have given their speeches, pick a member at random and ask them to share their stories. Talking is important to combat depression. The more you stay quit, the more dangerous it becomes. 

• Incorporate Fun Activities

Talking about the bad stuff in life can be a little depressing, so change the mood of the session every now and then. Ask your members to sing happy songs or talk about their most valuable things in life. It is important to lighten the mood of the sessions. 

• Have Backup Ideas

Never go into a meeting unprepared, always have two to three topics in mind. In case a topic gets a little out of hand or goes into the wrong direction bring it back on track. Another thing you need to be careful of is keeping violence out of these discussions. Because people with depression have different phases and you can never be certain of what they might end up doing. 

• Hand-outs

Distribute handouts to the members and ask them to summarise their progress. This will give everyone an idea of where they stand. 

As a group leader, you must be observant of what is going around you. Keep your eyes and ears open. If you think someone is in a bad place or needs medical help then contact their guardians and school administration immediately. 

 

If you’re planning to create a club of your own while you’re in high school, you’ll have to decide on something distinct and different from the other existing clubs. This will either be a chapter of a club or organization that originated from another school, or it can be something that entirely came from your idea, and that is unique from your high school and the rest of the other schools.

 

Whatever it is that you decide, keep in mind that the club you will create is something that you are truly passionate about, and of course, something that will evoke passion in others as well. Ideally, the club you start will be associated with the other activities on your portfolio so that it’ll look even more specific and original rather than just a quick stunt.

 

Starting A Club

 

To begin your journey of starting a club, you first will have to know your way into the process of registering a new club. This means formally introducing your club to the administration and accomplishing the school requirements. Learning the school’s rules and regulations early would be a wise move.

After you’ve completed the first step, you then try to invite people to be your members. An official club must consist of members that are outside of your circle. You can begin by bringing in ten every meeting. This will eventually grow to become 40 or 50. The sessions should be consistent, as that is what your gauge will be initially for those who are committed to the club. Once you’ve established friendship, trust, and camaraderie, you can plan on the activities you can do for the school and the community.

 

Finally, you must ensure that your club is official by choosing a teacher to become your adviser. He or she should be approachable, open-minded, and one who represents the goals and aspirations of the club. Ultimately, he or she should be someone who can make an impact on the club and yourself even after you’ve finished school.

 

Great Community Clubs You Can Try Creating

 

• Soup Kitchen Club. You can do volunteer work for your club and its members by trying the accessible soup kitchen. If you don’t have enough funds, you can ask for donations from the community and other organizations that are advocating for volunteerism as well. You can start small by doing the soup kitchens in shelters or orphanages first.

• Operation Smile. This is a well-known organization that helps underprivileged children get free surgeries of their cleft lips. You can create a subgroup of Operation Smile in your school and with the help of your members, organize fundraisers like mini-concerts or shows and donate the proceeds to Smile. Nowadays, people are so hooked into marathons and triathlons so that you can focus your fundraiser there too.

 

• Key Club Subgroup. Key Club International is the most significant and oldest service organization created for high school students. If there is no chapter for this in your school, this would be a great opportunity for you to be the chapter head of this prominent club. Its universal goal is to inspire the high school youth to lead by practicing different kinds of services for others.

 

Conclusion

These are only a few suggested clubs that you can create if you are set on leading a club that would encourage yourself and others to join the community in helping others while doing something that you love.

 

 

Being a school counselor isn’t easy. This job urges you to tackle students that are difficult and can cause trouble, although it is a common belief that the student counselors aren’t well educated and they are there for scheduling classes and resolving disciplinary issues. However, the fact is, they are certified therapeutics who are trained to tackle tricky situations and troubled individuals.

“The reality is, school counselors and psychologists are saving thousands of troubled kids every day,” said Shane Jimerson, a professor in the Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology Department at UC Santa Barbara who specializes in school crisis and trauma. “But the demand is increasing exponentially and it’s harder and harder to keep up.”

If I were having problems during my high school, I would have looked for a therapist near me instantly to resolved the issue like a grown-up. But that’s just me; kids find it difficult to admit that they need help. They are often scared of being labeled and judged by their peers or family in some cases. Students come from different backgrounds; some are homeless while others are battling depression and anxiety disorders. “I see two major issues,” says Rob Benner, a Bridgeport, Conn., school psychologist with nearly 30 years’ experience. “One is testing anxiety, and the other is anxiety over social media.” It is essential that you understand their situation by establishing a bond.

Being a student counselor it is crucial that you understand the sensitivity of this matter. Troubled students aren’t being difficult because they enjoy it; there are a number of factors adding to their behaviors. You need to be sympathetic towards them and listen to them keenly in order to understand their situation better. “If you’re trying to figure out if a teen is depressed, the thing to look for is a change of behavior or mood,” says Lori Hilt, Ph.D. Don’t speculate on the basis of you have heard or what’s obvious. A student might look fine but you can never be certain of their feelings unless they start talking.  

If you are a student counselor and you find it difficult to manage troubled students or you don’t know where to start then read the following list. The following are a few tips that can help you handle the most difficult students in the most subtle way.

• The Academic Support

Students often misbehave in class and do things that don’t really make sense to you. Their grades start falling immensely and their behavior changes. They are sometimes embarrassed to admit that they need help, especially with academics. They would rather act out and fail than ask someone for help. If you find a troubled case it is important that you check their academic records and find out their strengths and weaknesses. Place them in courses that you think will bring the best out of them. Sit with them to discuss future possibilities, hinting about Ivy League school placements can also motivate them.

• Parent Student Combined Counselling

To find out the root cause of the student’s behavior, it is suggested that you carry out a combined session for both the parents and children. This will give you an idea about the kind of relationship they have with their parents. A small meeting with the parents and students will help you identify if there is something wrong with the family structure.

• The Cause

Identifying the cause of their behavior is essential for counseling. You cannot counsel someone about opening up whereas they are depressed. Some students may seem shy but in reality, they might be depressed. If you feel that the student might hurt themself then you must immediately inform the guardians and school authorities.

• One on One Counselling

It is essential that you schedule individual sessions with the students to understand them better. Ask about their routines, their likes and dislikes to establish a common ground. Get them to register for programs that you think might be helpful. While it is impossible to make friends for your students, you can always suggest them to sit with specific students. Visit them during their classes and ask teachers about their progress. You should be able to understand if the student is going through something internally or is it just a phase. In either case, it is your duty to guide them and encourage them to be better. 

If you are doing your job with complete honesty and enthusiasm, you will see clear results. Your counseling will help improve the behavior of the student.  

It is a known fact that high school can be stressful. And if you’re getting ready for college, the demands are two times more than what you expect. For one, you’ll need to complete challenging courses and examinations. It will seem like you won’t have any time for outside activities, although it is important to commit to something healthy and fun aside from school. An easier way to achieve this is to join a sports club while you’re still in high school. This way, you can continue with it even though you’ve progressed to college.

High school clubs can prove very significant for your college life. If you accept responsibility and accomplish success, your extracurricular activities will help you get into college and even help you pay for it.

Here are some essential tips for choosing the right school clubs for you.

1. Always Choose Quality. Don’t join every sports club registered in school. Choose one or two that you find enjoyable and something that will improve your focus and commitment. If you join many clubs, you won’t get to enjoy what you love, and you will instead feel overwhelmed and eventually lose interest in continuing. Just commit to something that mostly heightens your interest and at the same time, gives you space to do other things as well.

2. Know Your Choices. There is a wide variety of extracurriculars and organizations available in high school. There’s the political organizations, math or science clubs, sports teams, or arts and theater clubs. You will typically be introduced to these organizations at the start of the school year. You can listen to the meetings to see which one you like. Then you can narrow down your list to your top choices.

3. Seek Professional Experience. Getting an internship or part-time job while you’re in high school can be hard sometimes, although there are easy alternatives. But if you plan to get into Medicine, for example, you can apply to be an assistant to a medical doctor during your free time. If you love experimenting, you can join the science club and hone your skills by being an intern in a Robotics course. If you love dancing, on the other hand, try the dance club and see the dance shows sponsored in your school or community. Spend time to cultivate your interests and learn to improve them for your future.

 

4. Learn To Give Back. Some clubs are known for allowing their members to give back or pay it forward. They would often provide options to do community service or perhaps offer to help you connect with families who are in need so you can provide them with whatever you can share. This way, you learn in high school what the realities are for some who are underprivileged, and you are encouraged to give your time, or you are some of your blessings to those who need them.

 

5. Establish Good Relationships With Teachers. Every club or organization has a corresponding adviser, who is usually one of the high school teachers. Having strong, healthy ties with teachers and other staff may also help you get a recommendation to a college that you always love to study in.

 

If for some reason, you aren’t able to find the niche that you want in the existing clubs in school, you might as well start one! Perhaps you have a unique hobby that you don’t see in the clubs registered in school – Crossfit training or cooking, for instance – then create a club of your own and register it in your school. It may take time, but after the registration and when you have found your members, things will go smoothly, and your leadership journey will soon prosper. Do what you love doing and develop awesome skills while you’re at it.

 

 

 

When you have had a leadership role in high school, it can make a whole lot of difference when you apply for college. Student leaders are described as promoters of school events, great problem solvers, and resourceful individuals who demonstrate positive attributes. They are, therefore, role models for their fellow and future generations.

Dr. Roxane Gervais, Chair of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology, says, “One of the key components of leadership is awareness of the self and others; one way to illustrate this awareness is in the way one holds meetings. Meetings should be productive and for a specific purpose. Be aware of which members wish to speak and allow them to do so.”

Hard work, achievements, and acknowledgment are important elements that make a confident and optimistic self-image. When students accept positions of great responsibility in the school and community, they will feel proud of themselves. This goes to show that doing good for others is an effective means of encouraging students to become leaders.

Leadership roles not only help students in high school and college but also in their professional lives. A study done at California University, Santa Barbara, revealed that those with leadership responsibilities in high school had a higher likelihood of holding managerial and executive positions when they become professionals and will be earning more than average incomes.

Some areas of leadership that students will benefit from include:

• Athletics
• Academics (debate club, etc.)
• Peer tutoring groups
• Theater and Arts
• Political student parties
• Literature and publications

 

Becoming A Leader

Below is a collection of the most common tips that have helped many students accomplish leadership roles in high school.

1. Gain Skills And Experience. You must already know that before you become head of the school paper, you have to be a reporter or a writer first. Maybe start in your sophomore year, so you’ll have a lot of space to grow and excel. Consistently doing great work in your position will get you to the leadership role in your senior or even your junior year.  

2. Learn To Work Harmoniously With Others. Executives have robust interpersonal skills, and listening to others and asking questions is among the attitudes that make exceptional interpersonal abilities. If you’re the type who does all the talking and does not know how to listen, you better get rid of that attitude. It doesn’t reflect compassion and teamwork, which are very important to work with fellow students, teachers, and others. “It’s kind of like an informal contract,” says Kimberley Duff, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California, who has won multiple awards for her mentoring. “Are you going to meet with them on a regular basis? Are you going to review papers for them? Are they going to invite you to presentations that they’re giving? This should all be discussed.” 

3. Be Aware Of Your Strengths. You must know what you’re good at so you can capitalize on that. Explore your passions and polish on your innate skills. If you think you want to write but haven’t tried it, then enroll in a writing class, see if you can excel there. If you have a gift of persuading people to do something good for the school, then you’re going to do great in the student government.

4. Act-On Your Plans. Do not write and set your goals without acting on them. Always follow through with action – it’s the only way to achieve those goals, and you know that. As they say, each one of us has an excellent idea, but not everyone can realize that idea and make it happen.

 

5. Be Positive. Focus on the goal and maintain a positive attitude, especially during challenging times. You should be your members’ strength, so you must show them that optimism. If you lost a game, for example, don’t cry it out or burst into anger. Tell your team that the next game is going to be yours, and you have to correct what needs to be corrected. Psychologist Martin Seligman wrote, “Our thoughts are not merely reactions to events; they change what ensues.”

 

Important Reminders

If, for instance, you are not the number one player of your team, you can be the top scorer. Or you may not be your school paper’s editor-in-chief, but your articles have won praises and awards nationwide. Remember that your passion and commitment are more significant than a title before or after your name. Do what you love doing and always keep these tips inside your pocket. You’ll be a great leader in no time!

 

 

 

 

As a child, we grew up with our parents always reminding us to be nice to other people and to always say “Thank You”. We have done this practice because we think that we need to grow up as well-mannered and kind individuals. That it is socially right and it is expected from us by the community we grew up to. Also, Sheela Raja, Ph.D. says, “Research suggests that individuals who are grateful in their daily lives actually report fewer stress-related health symptoms, including headaches, gastrointestinal (stomach) issues, chest pain, muscle aches, and appetite problems.”

But why should we really be grateful? What are the good reasons to make gratitude a daily practice and part of our routine? 

 

It Makes You Happy 

Yes, it simply makes you happier. A good reason to start your day is to feel grateful and happy. Being grateful for all the blessings you have can make wonders for your day. When we feel grateful for someone who showed us an act of kindness, as humans, we are compelled to give back. In reciprocating this feeling, it becomes a cycle that is not only good for you but to society as well.  According to Robert Emmons, UC Davis psychologist and author of Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, “Science shows practicing gratitude can considerably increase your ability to be happy.”

There are actually psychological researches done about being grateful. A group of people was asked to spare 20 minutes of their daily morning routine to write anything that they are grateful for. It can be anything for as long as they are thankful for it. Small or big, it does not matter. The result was, that a group of people who continued that routine for a month were, in fact, happier with their lives. 

Try it! Do make it a “first thing in the morning” practice to meditate and just simply write or say to yourself at least five blessings you have in your life. It could just be a simple “thank you for the good weather, for the hearty breakfast, for my cat, etc.”. It could be things you were happy about yesterday. You can even do this on your way to work while driving. Whichever works for you, as long you can practice being grateful! 

It Makes You Healthy 

Being grateful in fact has a positive effect on your wellbeing. It gives you that instant boost in your feelings just by remembering the things you were happy and grateful for. It makes you feel blessed even in a small way. It has the positive vibes that surround you. Positive feeling means a more positive outlook in your life. 

Thanking those blessings attracts more of those blessings to come into your life. Being grateful also means being more resilient to life. Drama and trauma in your life normally happen once in a while right? It is a fundamental part of living, yet if you know very well that you have been blessed, you are grateful, then, these negative things will be easier for you to overcome. That’s because you try to see the light in every situation. That is how you cope up with life.   

Appreciation, feeling of gratitude, and positive emotions were linked to optimism which in turn has a good impact on the well-being and the health of any person. “Gratitude is a quality of thankfulness,” says Joree Rose, LMFT. “It’s something you intentionally choose to focus on and practice, which means you don’t just feel it; you do something about it.” Studies show that it has a beneficial effect on better sleep, a good heart condition, immune system, and mental health as well. People also have a better coping mechanism with loss and trauma because they are mentally strong. 

Positive Outlook in Your Life 

It has been proven that being grateful is linked to being happy and being happy in turn makes you more positive and content in your life.  It gives you confidence because you know that whatever adversity life throws at you, you know that you’ll survive it. It may sound like cliché, but it is true, you always see the bright side of life. 

Move Forward 

Gratitude helps heal the past, it lets you move forward and focus more on the blessings that you have in the present. You do not dwell in the past because you know that what you have right now is better than before in one way or another. It makes you move on with your mistakes. Gratitude makes you realize the lessons you need to learn and be thankful for them. You do not waste time feeling sorry for yourself because you know that every situation has a hidden gift of blessing in them.  

Be  More Patient 

It also makes you more patient, while waiting for the things you are praying for, gratitude makes you appreciate the things that you go through or have while waiting for that answered prayer. It makes you develop that feeling of kindness and compassion to other people because you know that you are far too blessed which also strengthens your spirituality and belief.  

Let Go 

Gratitude helps you let go of the things you do not have control of. You accept the fact that change is imminent in this world. You let the world take its turn and welcome all the changes it has to offer. You embrace all these things because you always feel positive about any circumstance or change it will have on your life. You go on with your life knowing that whatever happens, you know that you can and will cope up. Gratitude makes you a much stronger individual than before both mentally and physically.  

Better Relationship 

Showing appreciation and value to one’s partner has a beneficial effect on any relationship. It makes your partner feel good of themselves and in return makes you also feel good of yourself. Appreciation of one another significantly improves the relationship. A simple thank you for the small things your partner does for you can come a long way. It both makes you feel better about having one another. 

Gratitude is not just beneficial for a relationship that involves couples. It can also make a difference in your relationship with your friends, family, colleagues and the community. People love to be with people who exude positive energy than be with people who always complain about their life. The positive energy that these people have radiates back to the people around them. This is the reason why grateful people are very likable. They are happy and light to be with.  Source: redfairyproject.com 

When you enter college, the deans and administrators will not only look for high grades and attendances. They also delve into your extracurricular activities. Committees who ‘filter’ students coming into their department scan the students’ experience and dedication in the organizations that they have been members of in their high school years. “It’s a great way to build your professional skills including leadership, teamwork, communication, and prioritization,” says career coach Alina Tubman. “All these skills are necessary for students applying to jobs and internships.” 

Of course, they’re also interested in your mental and physical health or whether you went into detention or therapy, but a huge part of what they’re looking for are the competitions, recognition, and leadership positions you had in the past. 

If you happen to ask your old classmates who are applying to different colleges, they would also realize the same thing: extracurricular activities play a vital role in college admissions. And according to Judy Willis, MD, “Extracurricular activity participation in school and community clubs, teams, and organizations helps increase children’s confidence in pursuing higher goals by first building their confidence areas of strength and interest within their comfort zones.” So if you were president of one of your favorite high school clubs, then you probably have one leg inside that department already. Being the club president will serve as your ticket to the admissions people that you have the capacity to take on responsibility, with which you will face plenty in college life. 

But, really, how does one go from being a usual club member to being the president of the club? Here are some tips on how to be chosen as president of your favorite high school club. 

• Get To Know Your Fellow Members. If you’ve been in an organization for about a year, chances are, you already know most of your fellow club members. Slowly reach out to your closest ones and inform them of your intention of becoming president. Listen to them and ask them to honestly tell you about the issues that they want to be addressed. Make a mental list of these issues and think about how you can eliminate them if you were given the opportunity. Also, establish a friendship with the club advisor, as he or she will have other insights that you, as students don’t often see. 

Build Trust And Leadership. This is another crucial step in becoming club president. You must show the other members that you are respectable and well-mannered. Practice the art of listening because it is a valuable trait that every leader must possess. These qualities you must show even before you do not have plans of becoming club president, as every member must learn to respect and treat another without judgment. Be a good role model in terms of completing tasks and following guidelines. Take the club seriously so that everyone will rely on you and trust you. 

“Good leadership is knowing where to lead people,” wrote Dr. Stephen McKenzie, psychologist and author of Mindfulness at Work. “The essence of knowing where to lead other people is knowing where to lead ourselves. We have to discover our full working potential before we can lead others to discover their full working potential.”

Learn The Club Rules And Election Process. This is a rather technical matter that you can discuss with your faculty adviser since she is expected to have more knowledge on this than anyone in the club. For instance, some organizations require someone else to nominate you formally for you to be eligible to run for club president. In others, there is no need. You can just express your intention of running or simply nominate yourself. Additionally, some clubs don’t have a formal election procedure. Instead, the club president is appointed by the current club leadership or the faculty adviser herself. 

Compose An Eloquent Speech. There’s usually a formal campaign period where the candidates are asked to deliver a speech to summarize their intent, their goals, and their plans for the club. Write a powerful speech and take it seriously. Be genuine with your words and don’t fill it with flowery phrases that would only tarnish the trust that you’ve started to build among the members. This is probably the only time that you can voice out how you feel about the club and what you want for the club to succeed. Finally, end your speech by telling them of a quote that represents your vision for the club – one that is in line with the organization’s recent mission and goals. And then do not forget to thank everyone. 

In Case You Don’t Become The Club President… 

It may sound cliché, but yes, losing is part of the game. Make a graceful exit. Do not become a sore loser – everybody hates a sore loser. Be someone who remains confident that there is something that the club can offer. You might not be president this year, but because you have shown utter dignity, you will be chosen to be vice president, or the PR guy, which means that you will emerge stronger next year. 

Being a club president does look striking on your college applications, but it is not the end of you and where you hope to be. There are other equally important leadership roles that you can create where none existed in the past. 

Growing up as a child in New York may be a dream for some, but others who experience it tend to frequent a psychotherapist’s office more often than someone who was born and bred in the country. Despite the excessive number of opportunities that can open up for you in the Big Apple, after all, you have to deal with many problems as well. E.g., hours of traffic, water and air pollution, high housing costs, et cetera. 

Apart from that, being a city sleeker entails that these kids may not be able to adapt quickly to a new environment. That is especially true if they get displaced in the wild, yet the most outdoorsy thing that they have ever done is sleep in a tent in the backyard. 

Considering you want to teach survival tips to your children, you may allow them to watch the following shows. 

1. Combat Zone 

Combat Zone is a documentary TV series shown on the Military Channel in 2007 to show us what the lives of military men and women are like when they are on the battlefield. 

It makes viewers realize that to come out alive from a place where a lot of adversaries can target you at any angle, you need to be determined and focused on what’s happening around you. 

2. Falling Skies 

A series produced for TV by Steven Spielberg, Falling Skies is about the new state that world has been in six months after the alien invasion, and how a band of survivors in Massachusetts has joined forces to reclaim the planet Earth. 

The show explains to us using more than words the only way you can continue to live after an apocalypse, which is an event that elicits fear from most humans. 

 

3. Doomsday Preppers 

The concept of Doomsday Preppers centers on some people in the United States who are already preparing for the day that the planet will not be able to stand still. 

How to be always prepared for the worst to happen is what we can learn from this reality show. No one can predict when Doomsday will come, but having the essentials packed – food, clothes, floating devices, et cetera – for you and your family beforehand is not a bad idea. 

4. Life After People 

Life After People was a two-season television show that, as the title implies, discusses what disastrous incidences will take place in various critical locations in the globe in case the humans vanish all of a sudden. 

It will be unfortunate if the predictions made in the series will come to reality. Nonetheless, it still is a must to know all these probable aftermaths so that we can ensure that humans will not perish entirely from the face of the Earth. 

5. Man, Woman, Wild 

Man, Woman, Wild is a reality TV series in which a real-life husband and wife stay in the most remote places across the globe without complete rations. 

This show helps us appreciate the importance of learning some survival techniques even if you are with someone who is an expert at it. Hopefully, it does not happen in reality. In case that person disappears, though, at least you are equipped to rely on your skills. 

6. Top Sniper 

Another survival show on the Military Channel, Top Sniper, archives a competition held at Fort Benning, Georgia to decide which among their sniper teams is the best. 

The sniper’s sharp eyes and precision at handling their gun can save lives – theirs and their comrades’ – during an encounter. For the civilians, these traits remind us that we have to stay alert and grounded at all times if we want to survive an attack – physically, emotionally or mentally. 

 

7. The Walking Dead 

The Walking Dead provides the audience with a glimpse of a world that is swamped by zombies that can spread a mysterious type virus on the living and turn them into zombies as well. 

We have seen from the TV series how surviving in that kind of circumstance as a breathing human is close to impossible. Despite that, the characters have also exhibited that if you can’t win against them, leave the town and avoid them for as long as you can. 

8. Top Shot 

Top Shot is a show for sharpshooters that features two opposing teams consisting of eight members each who battle it out to see who is most skilled in using diverse kinds of weapons. The winner brings home the prize money amounting to $100,000 and becomes the “Top Shot.” 

This reality show encourages people to be expert in not just one thing. Even if what you know is not related to artillery, if it’s fire-making, for instance, your knowledge has to extend beyond rubbing two stones together. 

9. The Colony 

The Colony revolves around the story of a family that is fighting to survive in a dystopian Los Angeles, which has been conquered by a new military organization which acts upon the orders of extraterrestrial beings. 

Spectators are presented with two ways to survive in such a situation – you can either display your allegiance to the people who hold power or resist them with all your might. However, no matter what you choose, you need to stand by it. 

10. Survivors 

A European flu has eradicated almost all of mankind in the Survivors series. The ones who are not infected by the contagion have had to endure on their own. 

Survivors aim to widen our perception about a world that is not governed by any law or society and offers demonstrations on how one can get out of difficult settings without much outside help. 

 

11. Man Vs. Wild 

Man vs. Wild is a show hosted by Bear Grylls who journeys to various parts of the world to test his strengths and limitations when it comes to survival. 

Whether you get abandoned in a seemingly barren desert or a wild forest, you can learn from Man vs. Wild the effective way to stay hydrated, warm and well-fed in these places on your own. 

Final Thoughts 

Even if many of the shows mentioned above may not be in mainstream media anymore, you can still find episodes or clips of them on the internet. Find the ones that are suitable for your kids’ age and enlighten them about the importance of learning how to survive in any circumstance. 

Good luck!