By Piper Gallivan, Alivia Arredondo, and Alani Bayon

Summer is right around the corner, and if you want money to spend you’re going to need a job because you can’t rely on your parent’s money forever. A summer job is a great thing to have to teach responsibility, and to get money. Many people have the problem of finding where to work, or what to do, or finding a place that will hire them, so we hope to help you on your search for summer jobs with our ideas.

Lifeguard

Lifeguarding is a great summer job to have for many reasons. For example, your employers understand that you are (in most cases) also a student, so you are not required to work during the school year if you don’t want to, and you won’t be penalized for deciding not to work during the school year. Also, unlike some jobs, where you are required to be 16 or older, you can apply to be a lifeguard at only 15, however, you must be certified and have completed the lifeguard training class.

Lifeguarding is a serious job and you must be prepared to take on the responsibilities of being a lifeguard, but along with that comes the fun of being a lifeguard. Working for the city of St. Paul, lifeguards make between $11-$12 an hour, and depending on how many hours you work, you get a raise after a certain period of time.

Also, the lifeguard community is a good group because most everyone are friends, making it more likely you will enjoy the people you work with.

You are not only required to be a lifeguard, in fact you don’t even have to patrol the pool, being a lifeguard gives you other options for a job. For example, you can teach swim lessons, or a water aerobics class, and many more! Not only are these things fun, but they also pay better and require less hours. If you’re looking for an outside job where you can get a tan and go in the water lifeguarding is the way to go.

Nanny/Babysitter

Being a nanny (fancy way to say baby sitter) for the summer is a great and easy way to earn some money. During the summer, many parents don’t want to have to pay the fee to send their kids to daycare or summer camps while they are at work, so nannies are in high demand during the summer. Not only do you get paid well (especially if the family lives on Summit), but it can be a fun and easy job.

Often, you will make a connection with the kids, and get to do fun things with them as well. Although being a nanny is a big responsibility, it does have its perks. There is no age requirement and no taxes like with other jobs. Also, if you have access to a car, or a city bus, you can take the kids and yourself to do fun things like going to the mall, or zoo, or water park, etc. Becoming a nanny would be a great, easy, flexible job for any teen to have this summer.

Camp Counselor

Being a camp counselor is one of the many ways to earn money while having fun. Many kids go to camp every year and depending on the amount of kids they will need a counselor. There are many camps for many activities; for example, if you are into being out in the water Camp St. Croix is perfect, and if you enjoy farming and gardening Youth Farm is a perfect fit for you.

For this job, you must be very patient. Depending on your age group, little kids may take some time to do things, or understand things. You will also need to be responsible; you’re with a lot of kids and you must keep them safe. This is a great job for people who need money while having fun and improving their communication abilities.

Sports Coach

Being a coach over the summer is a great experience. If you are really involved in a sport this job is perfect for you. It’s even possible that you can get a workout at the same time. During the summer, a lot of people slack on their workout, or don’t even do one, but with this job it has you covered. You could teach any sport, it could be: baseball, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, or dance. Typically, if you’re a teen getting this job you will be working with little kids. Just like with the camp counseling job, you will need to be patient; not all people are born with a natural talent. A lot of people find this job very enjoyable because you get to do something you love.

Ice Cream Shop

There are many ice cream places around St. Paul that hire year round, and summer only, for teens. Many have the minimum age limit of 14, so they are one of the most accessible jobs for teens. Some of the most popular ones near the Highland area are Nelson’s, Grand Ole Creamery, Izzy’s, and Cold Front. They are all currently hiring St. Paul teens for May-September, and in some cases you can continue into the school year.

For these jobs, you will need to be available 7 days a week, morning through night, and not have any extended time periods off. They are looking for people with good customer service skills, the ability to work with all kinds of people, and the ability to handle money. Everyone loves ice cream, so why not work with it and get some for free? If you are interested, check their website or stop in and ask for an application.

State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is a great way to spend your summer at Minnesota’s greatest event of the year. The technical age for working is 16, but if you apply individually with a vendor, they may hire younger people too. To apply, you have to complete a cover letter and resume, and then have a meeting in the registration office where you will be interviewed and led in the direction of jobs suitable for you.

You need to be available to work all 12 days of the fair, and during consistent times available. The specific skills required depend on the job, and there are many options. There are hundreds of food vendors, some in full restaurants, and some in just stands on the street. Some of the most recognizable vendors that hire teens are Sweet Martha’s and the Pronto Pup stand. The fair will start taking applications on June 16th, so get your resumes ready!!

Summer is a great time to get money before the stress of school comes back. The Twin Cities’ have a lot of great opportunities for jobs that are designated for teenagers, and many of them are really fun! Most places are hiring right now, so go get to applying!!

It is finally May and the school year is almost over. Prom has come and past, and for IB students, tests are underway. The weather is getting warmer, the Earth is becoming less of a tundra and more of an inhabitable area, and you can actually sit outside when you are eating Nelson’s Ice Cream. The end of a school year also means a new beginning for many of us students. Whether you are moving into a dorm 2 states away, attending a college here in St. Paul, or getting a new job this summer, big changes are headed this way. As you move to this new frontier of your life, reminding yourself of certain things could make or break you.

1. 1. Even new roads have bumps. As St. Paulites coming out of a harsh winter, I think we can appreciate this saying. Regardless of what new path you choose, there will most likely be hardships along the way. They could be miniscule or incredibly large, but preparing yourself for scary, stressful situations will always be vital.
   2. Ask for help when you need it. Although “adulting” can feel really good, it can also be really hard. And asking for help from people who have been doing it longer is totally acceptable and okay. You can learn something from  everyone.
   3. Evaluate your needs, wants, and morals. As you move forward in your life, it is important to focus on who you are currently and who you want to be. By asking yourself what you want and what you value, you can not only better understand yourself right now, but also what you want your future self to look like. The period of time leading up to a big change in your life can be nerve wracking, but if you handle yourself correctly, it can also be extremely enlightening.
   4. Make a plan. Whether you are schedule oriented, or like to go with the flow, setting realistic deadlines for yourself can boost your drive to achieve goals. Without setting goals (and deadlines), it is hard to reach said goals.
   5. Have fun and stay motivated. No one said a new frontier couldn’t be fun. You can only have these new experiences once in your life, and life will move on before you know it. Grasp this life firmly by the horns and take control of your future. There are many things on this Earth that you cannot change. Your future is not one of them. Keep chugging along, and know that everything will all be worth it in the end.

The passage of life won’t slow down for anyone. Yesterday’s future is here, and tomorrow is less than a day away. There is a huge world out there for you to explore and appreciate. Go out and do it.

Have you ever had someone ask you “what’s your zodiac sign?” or ever wondered what a zodiac sign even is?

If we look into Western and Indian astrology, the emphasis is on space, and on the movement of the sun, moon, and planets in the sky through each of the zodiac signs (which is just a certain area in which the sun, moon, and planets are located during a certain month).

Each zodiac sign is related to a person’s birthday and “personality.” Each zodiac personality is different, and they also have different compatibilities with each other

Many people around the world love zodiac signs; seeing different compatibilities and using them to see how their week, month, or even year are going to be! But many people don’t know the history behind the signs. The word zodiac translates into “Circle of Animals,” and many believe that this word was created in ancient Egypt.

The signs are divided up into for different groups:

Fire signs, Water signs, Air Signs, and last but not least, Earth Signs. There are 12 signs in total, each one based off of the earth’s daily rotation, which is why some believe that different signs thrive more during different seasons. Astrology wasn’t only used for predicting your love life or your friendships, the Ancient Greeks used these signs to predict the weather patterns or even wars that might happen. These techniques were mainly used by people with higher power such as kings and emperors.

Many people may know that the zodiac table has also been taken and changed by China, using different animals to symbolize the years. These animals consist of: rat, dragon, snake, rabbit, tiger, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, pig, dog, and ox.

Below is a list of the standard zodiac signs:

Aries:

(Mar 20 – Apr 20)

Gemini:

(May 21 – Jun 21)

Leo:

(Jul 23 – Aug 23)

Libra:

(Sep 23 – Oct 23)

Sagittarius:

(Nov 22 – Dec 22)

Aquarius:

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Taurus:

(Apr 20 – May 21)

Cancer:

(June 21 – Jul 23)

Virgo:

(Aug 23 – Sep 23)

Scorpio:

(Oct 23 – Nov 22)

Capricorn:

(Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Pisces:

(Feb 18 – Mar 20)

(zodiac sign images taken from: http://seizepositivity.com/brutally-honest-description-zodiac/)

Here is a list of each zodiac sign’s love matches:

• Aries: Pisces, Taurus
• Taurus: Aries, Gemini
• Gemini: Taurus, cancer
• Cancer: Gemini, Leo
• Leo: Cancer, Virgo
• Virgo: Leo, Libra
• Libra: Virgo, Scorpio
• Scorpio: Libra, Sagittarius
• Sagittarius: Scorpio, Capricorn
• Aquarius: Capricorn, Pisces
• Capricorn: Sagittarius, Aquarius
• Pisces: Aquarius, Aries

Zodiac birthstones (does not correspond with your monthly birthstone):

• Aquarius: Garnet
• Pisces: Amethyst
• Aries: Bloodstone
• Taurus: Sapphire
• Gemini: Agate
• Cancer: Emerald
• Leo: Onyx
• Virgo: carnelian
• Libra: Chyrsolite
• Scorpio: Beryl
• Sagittarius: Citrine
• Capricorn: Ruby

Zodiac sign’s flowers:

• Aries: Tulips
• Taurus: Lilies
• Gemini: Roses
• Cancer: Delphiniums
• Leo: Sunflowers
• Virgo: Daisies
• Libra: Hydrangeas
• Scorpio: Peonies
• Sagittarius: Carnations
• Capricorn: African Violets
• Aquarius: Orchids
• Pisces: Alstroemerias

Here are some tips to help you study and turn in work on time!

Do your work when you get it.

I get it. It’s not always easy to do your work in a timely manner especially if you’re prone to procrastinating. But if you do it when you get it, you can relax and do whatever you want without the looming feeling of that homework you’re supposed to be doing hanging over you!

Flash Cards or a Quizlet!

Flash cards are a great way to help memorize vocabulary words and you can bring them anywhere! But if you’re not a fan of flash cards the app Quizlet provides many great ways to memorize the information you need to. They provide a flash card function, a matching function, and even a way to learn your vocab words!

DON’T cram for a test.

Cramming may help in the short term but it won’t help you retain the information for a later time and test. Studying for your test in small increments leading up to the test day is much more beneficial for your grades.

Get a planner.

If writing down what you need to do will help you then get a planner! However, even though some people don’t necessarily need a planner to remember to do their work, it’s still a good idea to plan out your work and studying on a calendar to keep you on track.

Start small.

If you have a large project coming up, do small parts of it spaced out so you stay motivated and it doesn’t feel so looming and overwhelming.

Take notes in class.

This may seem obvious but taking notes can help you retain the information and you can also look back at them when you’re working on your homework.

Pay attention in class.

Chances are if you’re taking to your friend during lecture then you’re not paying any attention to what the teacher is saying which is detrimental to your learning and your grades.

Study groups!

If you have a friend in your classes, ask them to study with you! Often studying with others can be beneficial to retaining and learning information. Also, if there’s something you don’t understand they might understand it and vice versa. If not, you guys can figure it out together using your individual knowledge.

Write in blue pen.

A study has been done that not only writing notes down helps you retain the knowledge but also writing in blue helps more!

Are you considering to become a lawyer?
According to The Balance, law school is a three-year program if your planning on being a lawyer full-time, and you can only qualify as a law student if you received your bachelor’s degree. A lawyer’s job is to represent their client and advise them on their legal situations. Lawyers could also work on a criminal or civil lawsuit.

According to totaljobs.com, lawyers usually do the following:

• -Attending court hearings (and doing the preparation beforehand)
• -Drawing up contracts and other legal documents
• -Negotiating (not all cases will end up in court)
• -Explaining the law and giving general legal advice
• -Settling disputes and supervising any agreements
• -Researching and gathering evidence
• -Analysing legal documents
• -Supervising legal assistants

Some steps on how to become a lawyer

1. It is important to know information about law and how to conduct research.
2. Attend continuing legal education (CLE) seminars because they’ll help you gain more understanding.
3. Practice “Critical Thinking” by being able to look at a legal issue from both sides.
4. Developing your writing skills will help you become a successful lawyer and you are most likely to advance your client’s position.
5. Work on your oral skills since lawyers are required to speak to the the court, other lawyers, a jury, or the clients. They should be able to argue their client’s position without disrespecting the opposing counsel or to the court.
6. Familiarize yourself with the courts in which you regularly practice. Each court has different practices.
7. Complete a trial practice seminar. Some organizations has training trials for people interested in learning different departments of the justice system.
8. Join a local, state, or national bar association. You’ll be able to learn and meet experienced attorneys and exchange ideas.
9. Find a mentor. This is important to new lawyers because this will help them become a better lawyer.

The ACT is a standardized test used for college and university admissions. The ACT is out of 36 points in total, with the average score being 21. Students usually take the ACT test, for the first time, in their junior year of high school. There are many ways to prepare and study for the test. Some of those ways listed below.

1. Buy an ACT prep book.

ACT prep books are one of the best forms of studying. They can be found at Walmart ($47.94), Target ($27.96), and Barnes & Noble ($13.29). The prep books usually have practice tests and strategies that can help you when the real test comes up.

2. Get a tutor. 

ACT tutors can help with each section of the test, which includes: math, English, reading, and science. They will help by going over the content of the exam and will try and pin-point your weaknesses to try and help you improve on them. Tutors cost around $80-$200 per hour. Although they may be costly, they are always worth it, and you’ll see that your ACT score will be higher than you think.

3. Take practice tests that are offered near you (or online).

There are many schools and colleges that offer free ACT practice tests. All you have to do is register for them and show up in time. If you can’t make it to schools near you, there are also preps offered online that will be able to help. For prep test at schools, it would be best if you brought your own materials which include: a number 2 pencil, and a calculator. The calculator they allow you to bring is a T1-84 Plus made by Texas Instruments.

4. Ways to de-stress before the test.

There are many ways to de-stress before the test. Some ways to de-stress are: eating breakfast, drinking a lot of water, trying not to be on your phone so much, and sleeping early the day before. Don’t try to think about the test so much, it can lead you to over worry about the test.

There are also many other ways to prepare for the ACT, but the ones I’ve talked about are the most common ways I’ve seen people use to prepare.

The end of our last year of high school is slowly coming to an end. It’s no surprise that the majority of the seniors have been hit with a mild case of “senioritis.” After four long years, it’s definitely time to say goodbye to high school. Here are some simple steps you can follow to help you feel motivated to finish the year strong.

Step #1: Keep your eye on the prize

Picture yourself walking across the stage and receiving your diploma for your four years of hard work. Graduation is not far away, and for those excited for college, the gap is quickly shortening, but there is no need to panic. Whether your goal is graduation, college, or just summer, you need to keep your eye on the prize. The biggest challenge during senior year is finding motivation. By remembering what your goal is, and how soon you’ll be there, you’ll find the excitement and energy needed to complete the year strongly.

Step #2: Failure to plan, is planning to fail

Senior year is by far the most important year of high school; falling behind is not an option. Although, all four years are crucial toward your academic future, you want to make sure that you’re completing your senior year with strong grades rather than barely getting by. Also, make sure that you do not overcompensate, balancing out school with extracurriculars, and/or a job is extremely difficult, don’t bite off more than you can chew folks! The goal here is to be able to complete all your activities and school work, while still having enough time to yourself.

Step #3: Have fun

Reward yourself for working hard, attend events e.g. Prom, senior field trip, senior lock-in. Having events, or activities to look forward to, can help you pass the time between now and graduation. It can also motivate you to get through the days. It’s highly recommended that you not only attend these events, but also to make as many memories as you possibly can before we close this chapter in your life.

Step #4: Use your resources

Highland is filled with resources, and it’s your job to make sure that you are exploring all these opportunities while you still have time. Make sure to stay connected to your counselor, and stay informed on what you need in order to graduate. Also, while you’re busy staying connected to your advisors and teacher, make sure to stay connected to your peers as well, because they’re also living through this experience. You can use your peers as resources to help you with your school work; study dates are such an easy and fun way to spend time while learning.

Ultimately, it’s your senior year and you want to make sure you make the most of it. You’ve worked so hard for this, and you deserve it; continue to give yourself small rewards for overcoming the challenges throughout this year. For those seniors continuing to higher education, use this time to practice locking in those good habits and self-motivation. Get a jump start on better study habits or organization, because you’ll definitely need it for college.