#madstudiesstuff

here’s a short little guide to some fun, not too noisy snacks to pack for when you need a little energy boost while you study! this way you won't get those dirty glares when you open up the ever loud bag of chips in the library!

 (I added links incase maybe you don’t recognize a product/snack!) -enjoy!

granola bars- literally any granola bar, the mushier it is the quieter it is! nature valley tends to be on the crunchier/louder side, kind bars are expensive but quiet, quaker oat have always been my fav because their cheap, simple, and yummy! I do recommend possibly opening the wrapper outside of the library/quiet-area if you think it’ll be noisy and sticking the bar(s) in a plastic baggy :)

banana (or apple) + peanut butter (or nutella)- I’m not personally a huge fan of bananas but they aren’t super messy and you can peel them really anywhere or cut them up to put in a plastic bag! apples are loud when you bite into them so I recommend cutting them up and putting them in a bag! then just add peanut butter or nutella to the bag or in a separate container for some extra sweetness and extra protein!

yogurt or jello- yogurt is maybe on the healthier side (although jello might be less calories) but both are super easy to pack with an icepack and a plastic spoon! you can even chop up come fruit or bring a bag of nuts to add to your yogurt so it fills you up longer! I always eat yoplait!

protein balls- protein balls are super yummy and a good source of fiber (and protein obviously)! they’re mushy and not too loud! there are countless recipes on pinterest for them, click here to see, and you can rally put anything in them! a girl on my old volleyball team use to make chocolate chips ones that were to die for!!

cheese- whether it’s string cheese or cut up into cubes, it’s quiet and energy-restoring. 

jerky- the beef jerky sticks/strands are super portable, a good source of protein, and although they’re chewy they’re also pretty quiet! (if you caught that hidden hannah montana reference for the ordering of cheese and then jerky in this post leave a like/comment for a surprise haha)

fruit snacks/gummies- I know these may not be very filling or protein rich, but they’re a very easy, portable snack to bring in your bag and they’re super easy to eat while you’re studying/multitasking! mott’s seems to always be the fan fav, but I personally like the scooby doo gummies!

By no means am I an expert on high school. I struggled A LOT through it, and had my own personal battles even up through my senior year. But looking back on it, I feel good about high school and even genuinely miss it at times. 

Here are my tips for living out a balanced high school experience.

1. Put God 1st- School 2nd- & Everything Else 3rd) 

In that order, no questions asked. The second your priorities get mixed up, your whole life is out of balance and it can feel like you’ve hit rock bottom. God should be the center of it all, always, He’s your strength through life. Your education is why you go to school, keep a mindset that every time you enter a classroom, you’re determined to reap the most knowledge out of all your classmates. Even though “everything else” is 3rd, this is majorly important: you will fry your brain if all you think about is school, trust me I’ve been there! Join clubs and sports, go to football games and pep rallies, fundraise for things, be involved and make time for yourself because a brain break is always necessary. Experiencing fun & social events is how you come tot truly understand yourself, thus it’s critical to your mental health.

2. Don’t be afraid of what people think)

I know this sounds cliche but bear with me, this is important. My freshman year I was so critical of myself and constantly worried about how people pictured me in their heads. I get it, we all have a people-pleasing extent to our minds, but don’t go over the top worrying about what people think of you to the point where it makes you a lesser version of yourself. Be yourself confidently. My dad used to tell me to always walk like you have somewhere important to be, stick out your chest and be proud of who you are and the day you’re about to have. Even if not everybody likes you, they won’t matter in a few months anyway. People move on so quickly in high school, and opinions are constantly changing and being forgotten, so seriously don’t fret yourself about a girl who called you some name.

3. Do as much as you can, but not too much)

“High school goes by so quickly.” You’ll hear this many times from upperclassmen, teachers, parents, etc. and you may not believe it. I heard this phrase countless times my freshman year when I felt like my freshman year would never end. I just wanted that year to be over with and to move on to not being stuck at the bottom of the food chain, but it went by so slowly. Regardless, I found shortly after that year that high school really truly does go by quickly. Let that knowledge sink in. 4 years of life going by in the blink of an eye, truly. Make the most of it. Go to all the football games you can, participate in all spirit weeks, try new things you’ve never done, branch out and make as many friends as possible, because your time is so limited. Some of my closest friends tell me their biggest regrets in high school were not getting more involved, and that really breaks my heart because I know how much joy I received in my involvement with the school. BUT, don’t overdo it. Don’t sign up for more than you can handle, and keep school the priority, otherwise you’ll find yourself overwhelmed at rock bottom when you break tip #1.

4. Hold yourself accountable)

You’re accountable for everything: your health, grades, happiness, time-management, social life, everything. Own that responsibility. It’s not to say you can’t acknowledge your parents and friends for help in your life, we all need encouragement and help. But, you can’t blame your mistakes on others. Grow through the process, work on yourself constantly, and reward yourself for hard work and progress. 

5. Get to know faculty & the school community)

This might seem like a weird one, but trust me on this one. Whether it’s the security guard, your biology teacher, or the vice principal, be friendly and say hi. Have short conversations, ask people (including other students) how they’re doing. Being on good terms with people is just so helpful throughout high school. You never know when you’ll need a small favor, a ride in a golf cart somewhere or recommendation letter for a scholarship, and these people can be life savers. Plus you’ll find yourself meeting some genuinely awesome people. I’m still friends with some of my high school teachers on Facebook and getting to see what’s going on in their lives as well as them getting to watch me grow beyond high school is just really freakin cool.