Review: Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain

  Hello, friends! I just recently picked a new lip product at Target by the name of "Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain". I've been using it for a few days now, and I'm very excited to share my thoughts about it with you today.

**This product claims to be moisturizing without being sticky, delivering a clean wash of color. 

Price: $6-7

Shade: There is a wide selection of colors for this product, ranging from nude shades to darker shades. I picked up the color "New York Scene", which is a darker berry color.

Application: The applicator is a sponge-dough applicator. It's rather large and smooths over the lips easily. Upon application, it gives a wet,cooling effect. It doesn't seem sticky and all and blends easily. I found that I have to blend it with my finger so as not to get over-the-top pigmentation. 

Color: I really like the color and I can tell that it wasn't intended to be super opaque. It's pigmented enough, but it's natural looking. The color is just a mere wash over the lips.

Lasting Power: This product is supposed to be a stain, but doesn't have amazing lasting power. I found that I had to reapply it after two hours.

Overall Thoughts: Overall, I really like this product. While it doesn't have amazing lasting power, the color pigmentation is perfect for me and applies really easily. I think I'm definitely going to be going back to get more.

-Love Ling

Makeup Guide For Back to School: High School

  Hello, friends! For those of you going to high school or are already in high school , I have some beauty tips for you. I have already posted some tips about what to do in beauty for middle school. I will post the link here. This post is going to give you some advice on what to do beauty-wise for those four years in heaven/he**.

High School: If you're in high school, you probably have more skin issues than you did in middle school. You might have more acne, oil, or maybe dryer skin. It happens. It sucks, but it happens. You want to go for a natural look, but there are things you can do to amp it up a tad. In my middle school post, I talked about how concealer and BB creams were great, as well as mascara. They're still great for high school, but you can build on that a bit more. A solid look is foundation/concealer/BB cream, setting powder, brows, mascara, and whatever else you want to add. Don't be afraid to experiment, but try to keep it appropriate for school.

**You can add more or less.

Foundation: Foundation is a bit heavier than a BB cream. It's intended to even out the skin tone and cover up imperfections. I recommend the following:

For Dry Skin:

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation: This foundation is great for those who have dry skin. It feels light on the skin, yet it's very moisturizing and gives a nice, natural finish. There's also a large shade range and it's at a very reasonable price of $5-6.

For Combo Skin: Shiny T-Zone, dry cheeks

Loreal TruMatch: This foundation has pretty good coverage, I would say about medium coverage. It's very light on the skin, and doesn't cake up, so it has a very natural finish. Not only that, but it has a great shade range and is under $10.

For Oily Skin:

Covergirl 3 in 1 Foundation: This foundation is one of my favorites. It's about $10 at the drugstore and has a plethora of shades to choose from. It's intended to be a primer, foundation, and concealer, so you're getting great coverage that lasts all day. It has a beautiful finish and covers really well.

**Set your face makeup with a swipe of powder to set it and help keep it on longer.

Brows: It's very important to have groomed brows. Having nice and defined brows makes a world of a difference on your face. If you have blond hair, go for a light brown color and fill in your brows going with the natural shape. If your hair is darker, try a brow shade that's a bit lighter.

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit: This is my absolutely favorite brow product. It has a highlighter for under the brows, two brow shades, tweezers, a sponge applicator, and an angled brush. It's all you need for your brows and works amazingly.

I haven't tried to many brow products other than this, but there are a ton of different products to try. You can use gels, pencils, and other things of that nature, as well.

Eyes: If you want to amp up your eyes a bit, try a bit of liner and some eyeshadow. It will help make your eyes stand out and define them. 

Eyeshadow: Try to keep the colors natural, like browns and shimmery peaches. I like to use one color all over the lid or a matte shadow look.

Revealed Palette: You guys know how much I love this eyeshadow palette. It includes matte shades as well as shimmery shades. All you could possibly need is in this palette.

Maybelline Eyeshadows: I love Maybelline eyeshadows. They work amazingly and there's a ton of palettes to try. 

Eyeliner: A bit of black or brown liner along the rims of the eyes is fine. I love the Master Liners by Maybelline. They're really pigmented and last a long time. The Urban Decay liners are great, too. However, they're a bit more expensive. 

Again, you can add more makeup or wear less. Just wear whatever you're comfortable with. I do recommend taking a day of the week where you don't wear any makeup to let your skin breathe and show off your natural beauty.

-Love Ling

"The More That You Give, The More That Comes Back Around"

  Hello, friends! One of my favorite songs is called "Overwhelmed" by Rachel Platten. Not only does the upbeat rhythm of this song make me feel happy, but the lyrics to the chorus are really inspiring to me, and inspired this post. The end of the chorus says "The more that you give, the more that comes back around". Let's ponder this for a moment.
  Now I'm not a huge believer in karma. I'm not full throttle on the idea that "what goes around comes around", but I do believe that in some cases, this can be true. I believe that if you put good into the world, you will receive good. This can be buying lemonade from a lemonade stand on the street, picking up change after someone drops it, or assisting someone who needs it. Try to incorporate acts of kindness into your daily life, and I know for sure, you will be repaid in one way or another. This being said, be kind, love others, and share your light with the world. 

-Love Ling

Back to School Outfits

     Hello, friends! Going back to school is a really interesting time for everyone. There's a lot of stress involved, yes, but it's also a great time to refresh yourself. If you're tired of wearing the same style all the time, here's a post that will give you some new ideas on ways to upgrade your outfits without being too too bold.

Outfit #1: This outfit is casual, yet slightly dressy. The boxy tee adds a hint of toughness, but the skirt makes it femme. The shirt is from Delia's and the skirt is from Papaya. I paired the outfit with black flats so as not to draw too much attention.

Outfit #2: I love this outfit. It's perfect for a day where you have to present in school, or you just want to dress up. The blouse is from Plato's Closet and my black jeans are from Forever21. The heeled booties are from Target.

Outfit #3: This is another comfy outfit. It's perfect for fall and is super cozy. The flannel is from Target, the black jeans are from Forever21, and my riding boots are from Off Broadway. 

Outfit #3: This outfit has a bit more of a bohemian vibe. Kimonos are still totally in and make any outfit more ethereal. I dressed it down a bit with jeans, a tank, and ball flats. The kimono is from Forever 21, the tank is from Old Navy, the jeans are from Target, and my flats are, as well.


I hope you enjoyed this post and it gave you inspiration for school!

-Love Ling

Things That Make Me Happy: Part 3

Hello, friends! Long time no talk! I was on vacation with my family last week, so that delayed my blogging a bit, but we should be back on track now. You guys know how important happiness is to me. Above anything else, the most important thing to me is to be happy. Here are some things that make me happy, and I will leave part 1 and 2 below.

Things That Make Me Happy Part 1
Things That Make Me Happy Part 2

1. New Girl: New Girl is my favorite show in the whole world. If you don't watch it, you seriously need to. It's so witty and absolutely hilarious. It definitely makes me happy.
2. Desserts: Desserts make me so happy. How can you pass up the opportunity to eat something sweet? Give me some cheesecake and I'll be a happy girl.
3. Random Acts of Kindness: I love helping people, especially if it's just random. I mean, helping my family do things is fine, but I love being in public and helping out a stranger. It makes me really happy.
4. People Who Let Me Merge Into Their Lane: Driving can be really stressful. I'll admit it. Whenever I have to merge into another lane, I get a bit nervous, especially when the roads are busy. What makes me happy is when some blessed person lets me in and  I don't have to sit in the car like an idiot waiting for someone to let me in. For those of you who have road courtesy, bless you.
5. Learning: I love learning new things. I know a good amount of stuff, but I want to know so much more. I want to know how things work, how people work, why something does something. Whenever I get a chance to learn something new and expand my knowledge, it makes me really happy.
6. Iced Coffee: There's nothing better than waking up in the morning and treating myself to a nice,refreshing cup of iced coffee. It's so much better to drink in the summer, because it really cools me down. Hot coffee is for every other season, iced coffee is for the summer.
7. Sunshine: I hate rain. I hate it so much. I know a lot of people like how cozy it is, but I much prefer the sun. I love the way that it lights up the world and makes everything seem much happier. 
8. Food: Food is literally one of my favorite things in the whole world. Not only do I love trying new flavors and just enjoying eating, I feel like food brings people together. It's something that everyone needs and it's a great social medium. People really bond over it. Food makes me so happy.
9. Driving: When I know where I'm going, I love driving. I like knowing that I am the source of my own transportation and it really relaxes me. Driving is fun (when people let me in their lane).
10. Singing: I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but I love singing. It's my all time favorite thing to do. I probably sing to much, but that's okay, because it makes me so gosh darn happy.

Alright, guys! I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Rather than thinking about what you don't like, focus on the things that make you happy. It's so much more fun.

-Love Ling

Makeup Guide For Back to School: Middle School

  Hello, friends! Now that summer is coming to an end and fall is approaching, it's time to talk about back to school. I have already posted a guide on tips for high school, but now I want to talk to you about what to do as far as beauty goes. Let's start with this: Beauty comes from the mind and soul first, appearance later. You can wear as much foundation as you want or have the most luscious lashes in the world, but it's really what's on the inside that counts. Remember that. Inner beauty is waaay more important than what you look like, and know that all of you reading this are beautiful. You are so beautiful, you have no idea. Makeup is just an enhancer to the beauty that you already have inside and outside of you. If you're wondering what to do as far as makeup goes in school, here's a guide for you:

Middle School: For those of you going into middle school or already in middle school, you don't really need much makeup. Believe me: less is more. I know that at this age, you're probably experiencing a lot of skin problems (ex. acne, dry skin). To combat that, I recommend using a concealer or BB cream and a touch of mascara. You can wear or less based on preference.

Concealer: Concealer is great for covering up blemishes or discoloration in the face. Use a small dab of concealer to apply onto blemishes, under eye circles, or any other imperfections. It's really light and gives a natural appearance.

I suggest:

Maybelline FitMe: This is a really easy concealer to use. It can be used all over the face and comes with an applicator, so all you have to do is swipe and blend. This is great for oily or dry skin.

Loreal Crayon Concealer: This concealer is also really easy to use, because it's in the shape of a crayon. You just twist the product up, apply it, and blend. This one's a bit thicker and is great for covering up acne. 

Em The Great Cover Up Concealer: I love this concealer for its coverage and blend ability. It's a bit thick and a little bit goes a long way, but it can cover anything. However, it's a bit pricey, so if you don't mind splurging $17 on a concealer, I recommend this one.


BB Cream: BB Cream stands for "Beauty Balm". It started in Asia and was brought over to the US a couple years ago. It serves many purposes including moisterization, adding coverage, brightening the skin, and priming it. It's great for evening out the skin, so you can just blend this all over your face.

I suggest:

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream: This BB cream is great, because it contains SPF and blends very easily. I recommend the original BB cream for people with dry skin, because it is very moisturizing. If you have oily skin, try the Maybelline Pure Dream Fresh BB Cream.

L'oreal BB Cream: This is very easy to use, because it's fool proof. When you first pour it out, it has a grayish color. After you blend it in, it will adjust to your skin tone, which is great. This product has a great finish and covers really well.

**If your skin is particularly oily or you tend to get shiny throughout the day, set your makeup with a powder to help it last longer. Sweep a bit of powder on your forehead and down you nose.

Mascara: Mascara is a product that you apply to your lashes to open them up and compliment your eyes. Some mascaras make your lashes thicker, some lengthen them, some do both. You can purchase mascara based on your preference. Before applying it, curl your lashes with a lash curler. Then apply the mascara by wiggling the mascara at the base of your lashes and grooming them through.

I suggest:

Covergirl Clump Crusher: This mascara is extremely affordable and lengthens the lashes without clumping. It's a really nice, every day mascara.

Maybelline Falsies: This mascara lengthens and thickens your lashes. It gives a more dramatic look to the eyes, while also elongating your outer lashes for a flirty look.

L'oreal Butterfly: This mascara lengthens and thickens your lashes, as well. It also flares out the outer lashes, while giving a ton of volume.



Alright guys! I hope you enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in my questions box located to the left. You don't have to be a blogger member to ask questions, so ask away! I'll see you guys later!

-Love Ling

School Supplies Essentials

  

Hello, friends! Since I'm rolling out these "Back To School" posts, I figured that I could include one that didn't involve beauty or survival. I don't know about you guys, but I love shopping for back to school clothing, supplies, etc. I love it. I actually love school, which I know isn't the case for everyone. I love to learn, I love seeing my friends, and I just enjoy school. I'm a bit of a nerd, but hey! There's a bit of nerd in all of us ;) Anyways! Today's post is going to be about the school supplies that I must have every single year to survive. These are tried and true, and items that I know I will use. Now, I'm a very organized person, but I'm not extremely show-y about it. I don't have color-coded highlighters to go with my color-coded sticky notes to go with my color-coded binders. That's not my style. I don't even have a planner! Crazy, right? Let me just show you my school essentials, and I'll explain the rest on the way.

• Backpack: I'm not really a super cool, denim backpack sort of person. I like the classic, two strap backpack that can carry all my books and notebooks. I prefer the backpacks with extra padding on the shoulder straps to absorb the weight inside it. 
• Tip: Pack the heavier things (textbooks, notebooks, binders) towards the back of the backpack. Put it as close to the back of the backpack as you can. This will make it so you don't feel the weight as much.
• Makeup Bag: I prefer use a makeup bag as a pencil pouch rather than an actual pencil pouch. They're so much more room and they're a lot cuter.
• Mechanical Pencils: I feel like they write better and are so much more fun to use than regular pencils.
• Erasers: I always use up the eraser on my pencil, so I have to carry around extra with me.
• Pencil Lead: God forbid that you use a regular pencil. Keep lead on you for back up when your pencil runs out.
• Colored Pens: My teachers must hate me, because I prefer to do my assignments in pen rather than in pencil. I do that partly because I think it's funny and I like the way it looks. I love having lots of colorful pens to write notes in and to doodle with.
• Highlighters: I like to keep 1-2 highlighters in my pencil pouch to use for highlighting things when I'm studying or doing reading assignments. They make it so much easier to find what I need.
• Chapstick: I always keep a chapstick with me so that my lips don't dry out and fall off. 
• Sticky Notes: I don't use these that much, but they're great for studying or if you want to write a note to someone.
• Binders: I like to have a binder for each class. This makes it easier to put my work and assignments with a certain class. I usually coordinate colors with my binders. I associate different colors with different subjects, so I use these to decide which binder will be for which class. 
• Science: Green
• English: Red
• Math: Blue
• Social Studies: Black
• Tip: I organize my binders in hand made dividers. They're organized by "Warm-ups", "Notes", "HW", "Graded Assignments", "Class Work/Handouts".
• Notebooks: I like to keep 1-2 notebooks in my bag. I use these to write down my assignments (SO MUCH MORE ROOM) and to write random thoughts in. They're also a life saver if you run out of paper.
• Notebook Paper: Believe me, you'll need a lot of this. 
• Notecards: They're great for studying with and sometimes teachers need you to have them. I don't carry them around school, but I always have a stack on hand.
• Headphones: You can use these to listen to music on the ride over to school or sometimes, your teacher lets you take them out to listen to music. You don't want to be the person that didn't bring headphones on the day that happens.
• Lady Product Pouch: I know this is TMI, but it's important for you girls out there to have one. Just keep it in the deep dark caves of your backpack and pull it out as needed. Believe me, it's a life saver.

Alright guys! I hope you enjoyed this post about the school supplies that I always have with me. I know that not everyone organizes their school bags this way, but this is just the way I like to do it. I wish you luck at school and a great year!

-Love Ling

Love Ling Has a New Look!

  Hello, friends! As you may have noticed, the blog that you're so accustomed to has changed a bit visually. I altered the background a bit, as well as tweaked a couple things to make things easier for you guys. I hope you guys like the new format, and I'm thinking about changing it up every now and then. I sometimes get bored with the same old same old, and I like switching things up. We don't want to be boring here! Anywyas! I hope you like how the blog looks now. 
-Love Ling

Summer Books to Read!

  Hello, friends! I've done a ton of reading this summer. Sometimes I get so busy that I don't have to read, but I realize now what I've been missing! Not only is reading great for your mind, but it's really fun to get lost in the world of your book. I've read some really great books this summer, and I'd like to share them with you today to give you some inspiration on reading material. I'll let you know that I'm into girly-beachy books in the summer and during the rest of the year, I'll read something a bit heavier. It's just how I am. Let's get started!

• If I Stay: This book is about a teenage musician who finds her life transformed by an accident that occurs one snowy day. It leaves her wondering about life and if she should fight for it or not. Throughout the book, the main character has flashbacks to her past and uses those to determine her fate. I really enjoyed this book. It's very well told and keeps you interested.

• Eat Pray Love: This is one of my favorite books. It's basically about a woman's journey to find everything she wants in life by traveling to Italy, India, and Indonesia. I've read this twice, and have not only found it enlightening, but really entertaining as well. It's really funny and will leave you wondering about how you live your life.

• Looking For Alaska: I love John Green! This is a great story about a kid who goes to boarding school and meets some weird, yet extraordinary people that change his life (for better or worse). This book is real and the characters are so relatable. It's a great book by my standards.

• What Happened to Goodbye: This book is by Sarah Dessen, and it's another hit by her! It's about a girl named McClean who moves around a lot and changes her persona for every place that she moves. When she arrives in the new time by the name of something I forgot, she learns to be herself through the help of her friends and family. This book is a perfect summer read that's very relatable for teenagers. I really connected with the main character and got immersed in what she was going through. This is a really good book, you guys!

• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: I read this book for the second time this summer and liked it even more than when I first read it! It follows the story of four best friends who are spending their summer apart for the first time. Throughout the story, the point of view changes for each character, which I really enjoy. It's the perfect summer book, full of heart, comedy, and romance. 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Let me know if you end up reading any of these books! 

-Love Ling

Wander-ling: Venice Day 1-3

Hello, friends! We're winding down to our final days in Italy. The story begins in Castiglion Fiorentino and ends at the airport in Venice. Thank you so much for being a part of this European journey with me. I have so enjoyed sharing my travels with you. Now I am back home in my own bed with air conditioning, no longer traveling. I have had a blast on this trip. I've made so many new friends, shared amazing experiences with my family, and gotten to travel the world. Thanks again for joining my Wander-ling adventure. 

Venice Day 1: July 31
The Land on the Water

  This morning, we woke up super duper early. It was our last and final day in the center. It was very sad leaving the place that we love so much, but we had a new destination ahead of us: Venice. We got all the luggage of ours and the students, loaded them on a truck, and went down to the train station. The train ride with 27 students and a million suitcases was not easy. It was very stressful, but we managed. Once we arrived in Venice, we took a water taxi to the hotel on the Lido (island by Venice). We got settled in the hotel, then went on a tour of Venice led by my dad. He showed all the students around Venice, just to give them some exposure, then let them run free. They were on their own. 
  By that time, we were starving, so my dad, Don, my sister, and I got dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. I forgot the name of it, but I got spaghetti amatriciana, and loved every bit. It was basically spaghetti with red sauce, peppers, bacon, and onions. In the evening, we took the Vaporetto (water bus) back to the hotel. Yes, in Venice there are no cars. One must travel by public boats, which are kind of awesome.


Venice Day 2: August 1
Gugenheim

  This morning, we went to the Gugenheim modern art museum. We do this every year, and I enjoy it to a certain extent. Don't get me wrong, I love art. I just don't love modern art that much, so I didn't have much interest in the museum. I had a good time, though. After we got lunch at "The Working Man Restaurant". We love it for its delicious food and local atmosphere. However! We found out that it totally sold out to tourism! It's hardly local at all! How disappointing! 
  Afterwards, we walked around Venice a bit. We did some shopping and looked among the markets along the Rialto bridge. Venice is known for its glass work, and we got a few things to get as gifts. It was a good time, but we were so tired afterwards!
  Once back at the hotel, my sister and I hung out in some of the students' room. We did hair, makeup, and nails. It was a blast! At dinner time, we walked over to another one of our favorite restaurants in Venice. It's called "Beer Bante", and we love it for its steaks and the fact that the waiter tells you what the menu is. This time, there was a menu and it lost its locality! What happened to our favorite restaurants?! The dinner was delicious, but we totally got eaten up by mosquitos. It was terrible! This basically concluded our night!

Venice Day 3: August 2
Last Day in Italy

  This morning, we went into the main part of Venice and walked around. We shopped, went into glass shops, and got even more souvenirs. Don is obsessed with fish and penguins, so he got some glass little trinkets for himself and his wife. For lunch, we went to "Ai Cugnai", which we've gone to before. They have amazing lasagna, so me and Don each got our own lasagna. It was so good! Afterwards, we went back to the hotel. I slept a bit, then my dad decided we should go swimming. There's a beach on the Lido, so it was perfect! The beach was packed, but we had a lot of fun swimming in the Adriatic Sea and getting our beach on! I love swimming so much.
  In the evening, we went to a new restaurant for our last meal. I forget what it was called, but it was located in the local region of "Rialto". It was really nice and quite, just overlooking the canal. I shared the seafood risotto with my dad. It was ridiculously delicious and fresh. I was satisfied with my last meal in Italy. After dinner, we got gelato and packed for our departure from Europe.

I just got back yesterday from Italy, and I'm so happy to be back! We boarded a plane for a nine hour flight to Phillidelphia, where I watched a ton of movies and made a friend on the plane. Then, we took a short flight back home. I had such a great time in Europe! With all the people I met and the places I went, it will be an experience that I will remember forever!

-Love Ling

Wander-ling: Castiglion Fiorentino Day 16-17

Hello, friends! If you're ever wondering about what went on in my last days at Castiglion Fiorentino, then I'm going to tell you! Here we go!


Day 16: July 29
Civita and Orvietto

  Day 16 was our last trip day. The students, Don, my dad, my sister, and I all boarded a bus to go first to Orvietto. In Orvietto, we didn't do much. We only had a few hours. We basically walked around town and explored. Orvietto sits above an extensive array of caves, and we actually got to explore one. However, it was terrifying, because the lights went off in the cave, leaving us in a pit of darkness. Luckily, we had a flashlight, but it was still really scary! Yikes!
  After leaving Orvietto, we took a bus up to Civita da Bagnoreggio (I think that's how you spell it). This is a town located on a secluded mountain, essentially. One must hike up the hill to get to the town, which is pretty cool. The view is gorgeous, as well. Once in Civita, we gathered the students together for a scheduled lunch at our favorite restaurant, "Osteria Antico". We're friends with the people there and they always dish out amazing food. We got bruschetta, thick spaghetti noodles (pici) with truffle sauce, penne pasta in red sauce, a platter of meat, potatoes, grilled veggies, and tiramisu. It was amazing!
  After lunch, we walked back to the bus. On the way, I made friends with a donkey. There was a donkey chilling out on the way back.
  Once back at the center, I read and went on YouTube. I also got to FaceTime my best friend and packed a bit!





Day 17: July 30 
Last Day in Castiglion Fiorentino

  I got breakfast this morning with my dad. I got a donut and a coffee. It's really just the simple things like getting breakfast with my dad that make me so happy. While sitting in the cafe, this Nigerian guy selling stuff came up and talked to us. We talked a bit, and he asked my dad if he would buy something from him. My dad said no, but he'd give him money to buy a donut. The Nigerian guy said he was really happy, because we were nice to him and greeted him when most people are rude or ignore him. I was really proud of my dad. Afterwards, we walked into town and my dad got a haircut.
  Once back at the center, I read my book and continued to pack. Towards the middle of the day, I got gelato with one of the students. Speed forward to the end of the day when some kids visited the center at dinner time. My sister and I played with them, then we all went out for gelato. It was a good day!


Hope you enjoyed!

-Love Ling

Tips For High Schoolers: Life

  Hello, friends! Now that school is coming around the corner, it's time to get back into the swing of academia. For those of you coming into high school for the first time or those of you who feel like they are struggling in school, I have comprised a collection of blog posts that will hopefully get you through the year. Now, I'm no expert on high school, but I do feel as if I learned quite a few things throughout my experiences.

1. First day: The first day of school is nerve-wracking for everyone. The best advice I can give you is just to go with the flow. Relax. I will warn you that the first day back to school is going to be hectic. People are not only going to be sleep deprived, but also anxious and struggling to get to their new classes. Don't be overwhelmed by all of this. In a couple days, you will know the flow of this school like the back of your hand.
2. Remember to always be nice. Always. When someone drops something, pick it up for them. 
3. Go to football games! They're so fun and part of the high school experience!
4. Join clubs! I met so many amazing people by joining clubs. Don't worry about what other people will think of you if you join a certain club. Just try it out, see what it's like. I'm sure there will be at least one person you will connect with and BOOM! new friend.
5. If you are an incoming freshman, I suggest packing a lunch the first day. Lunch time is one of the scariest moments of coming back to school, as there's this anxiety about who you're going to sit with. Having to worry about buying lunch and sitting somewhere is too much to handle in one day. Pack it, young grasshopper.
6. Turn in all of your assignments and do all of your work. If you don't, it will get counted as a zero. Don't delay the homework your teacher gives you the night before. Do it. Teachers can be unpredictable and you never know when they will decide to take something for a grade.
7. Don't be afraid to speak up, especially in class. It's easy to be a recluse who just wants to make it through the day, but you'll find your experience so much more enjoyable if you participate. Don't be afraid to ask/answer questions in class. Not only will you grow in a relationship with your teacher, but you will also become noticed in a positive way in the class.
8. Be yourself. I can't say this enough. High schoolers are so insecure about what they look like, what people think of them, etc. Don't worry about what other people think of you and just do what you want. Truth be told, they're probably more concerned about themselves than they are about what you do. 
9. Challenge yourself. Don't be afraid to try new things.
10. Always have a book on handy. If you're caught in that awkward moment when you find yourself alone, mask your insecurity with a book.
11. Always do the extra credit! Always! 

I hope these tips helped! Now go to school and rock it! If you have any questions that you want answered, don't be afraid to leave them in the comments section below or by emailing me.

-Love Ling