about

My name is Laura and I'm 28 years old. I live in Illinois and work as a licensed veterinary technician. I am a runner, bookworm and obviously, an animal lover.


I've been on this site since '05. I take hiatuses, but I'm never gone for good. I enjoy giving advice and I've made such lovely friends on this site that I couldn't imagine giving it up!

chat it up yo.


ps. here's my bestestestest friend.
I love him. You will too :)

advice

(14/f) Well school is starting in like 3 days, and I just have this funny feeling in my stomach. I'm going to be a freshman, and actually, Friday is just orientation. I'm excited, but I'm also nervous/scared/dreading it. I'm just sad that I have to leave a bunch of friends behind. I have maybe one true friend that's going to the same school as me, but we only have one class together! She's the one I can talk to and go to anytime, for anything... It just sucks. I like making new friends, I'm pretty good at it but I feel nervous and self conscious. If I'm around a couple of my friends, I feel real comfortable talking to others because I'm not by myself. I keep thinking about things, and I don't want to be alone. I don't want to experience high school by myself, where no one understands how I feel. I also sometimes worry about what people will think about me. :\ I've heard that high school is better than middle school, and that it has less drama. I'm not sure if I can believe that quite yet. I'm worried it's going to be MUCH worse. Since there's more people, I'm concerned I'm going to have TWICE as much of problems than in middle school. I really hate drama... I can't stand people who act 'slutty' or want to show off their beauty and stuff. I don't want to be exposed to even more 'myspace whores' or something. i don't say this to be mean, I don't know how else to put it. It annoys me so much, and I'll admit that I get a little jealous of them sometimes. Like i said before, there's going to be more people... More people for me to just look over at and think they're really pretty. So will all the guys and stuff. -.- I don't think I'm THAT attractive. I think I have a big problem with my self esteem and confidence. :\ but you know how people show cleavage on purpose, or stick their booties out just to show off or something? Then they get a CRAPLOAD of comments like, "mmm sexy/this is cute!/you're sooo pretty and gorgeous/Hot body!" It annoys me, but I'm glad that I DON'T want comments like "ohhh niceee body ;)" I also can't stand 'teacher's pets' or 'suckups.' One of my teacher's has played 'favorites' all throughout middle school. I just felt annoyed and offended. Was it because she thought I wasn't a goody goody, or that I don't suck up to her like other have done? I just don't know how I'm going to deal with these nerves. I hate the thought of twice as much of copiers, fakes, sluts, teacher's pets... If anyone gets what I mean. Not only that, I can't stand people who think they're better than others either. D:< I don't like people who think their lives are better than mine, or others. More people can also mean more people that's better than me at something. I feel like I'm not good enough, and that I just suck. I don't want to be the BEST, but I hate feeling like I can't do anything right. As I keep wondering how high school is going to be like, I don't want people to judge me. I think about "what if I'm late to class because I get lost? I don't want to be the only one to walk in the classroom, I'll look like a fool." You know how you walk in the classroom and people just stare at you?! I don't want that to happen, cause I know people will judge me, especially by my looks. Sometimes I feel ugly, compared to many girls out there. I mean, I'm pretty flatchested. -__- I also think about when lunch time comes. How will I find my friends? Like what if I get there before them. I'll be looking for a spot to sit and eat, I'll look like a lonely fool. o.o That thought makes me feel awkward. D: Another thing I'm thinking about is that I have this Keyboard-Piano class during 2nd semester. I keep thinking, "how am I going to do in this class? I bet we'll have to make up our own songs and PRESENT them in front of the CLASS. And probably take tests too... in front of everyone." I'm worried I'm going to get judged by how I can play, or how i do. On the brighter side, this is in 2nd semester. I'm thinking I'll make some great new friends by then! I'm sad that I have to leave my old friends and school behind. I've grown attached. xD I KNOW I have to move on though. Friendships in highschool seem like chaos. I hope I can make some close friends, out of everyone in the WHOLE school. o__o I'm tired of being like the 3rd wheel. I may make friends, but maybe the kind where I'm just the 'backup friend.' :( I might be acting overdramatic though... Maybe I'm overanalyzing things? I can't get over the thought, I might be one of the suckiest violin players in orchestra compared to all these other skilled players. I won't be the prettiest girl around, so guys will always look me over for all the other cute attractive girls... I don't want to be judged. I don't want to be hated. and what about being in a relationship? I don't want to get hurt. There's just SO MANY people in high school to fall for. It can also be easy to cheat on someone. :| It's also hard for me to be myself when someone has the same clothes as me. I'm pretty sure everyone has had that feeling before. It's a small town, and where else are people going to shop? Most likely the mall. x.x I don't want to seem, act, or look stupid or like a fool either. I tried out for the IB program at my school, but I got 'rejected.' It was just a big slap in the face for me because i felt like I was stupid and wasn't good enough. I'm also kind of glad because I don't think I can handle all the work. :| Which reminds me, I'm ALSO concerned about the amount of work. I'm not very good at managing my time. I also haven't read any books in the LONGEST time so I bet my brain has rotted. Can anyone give me any advice on how I can cope with my nerves? I'm sure most people will understand how I feel. D: my friend has told me to think positive. I TRY, but it's not working very well! :\ I have a major problem of letting other people get to me. One little thing, or one person can just get to me and I get infuriated very easily... I need advice... Help! (Sorry if this is long...)

Ahhh the joys of entering high school. I think I can help you, and I'll even share a few stories! ;]


I don't know why everybody is so scared, because it really isn't that scary!


Here are my tips;
1. Be yourself.
- Cheesy and cliche, I know, but it's true. You have to be yourself in order to make new friends. You want people to like you for YOU, and not a certain way you're acting or talking.


2. Wear what you want.
- This goes with the above. Don't dress a certain way to impress people, it isn't worth it. Just wear what you want, and you'll be fine. DON'T DRESS SLUTTY. It will only make people assume that you are, in fact, a slutty girl, and people usually don't like that. I'm also sure YOU wouldn't like having mean things said about you, right?


3. Talk to people, and let them talk to you.
- Making new friends is so not hard! Funny [and true!] story: I met my current best friend freshman year. We were put together as partners in our AP tech [just a fancy class with a lot of technology stations] class. The station we were assigned to had a wind tunnel, and of course being the klutz I am, I broke it. Well, I really didn't know my best friend too well yet, but he still stepped in to save me. The moral of the story: Don't be afraid to talk to new people, or let them help you when you need it. You might even end up being best friends with them like me and my friend!


4. Give people a chance, and don't judge them.
- Don't think that just because a guy is on the football team he is unapproachable and you have no shot at being friends. You never know until you try! This also goes the other way, too. Just because somebody is really smart and in band doesn't mean they aren't a totally awesome person. Also, just because you don't like somebody at first, does NOT mean you won't end up being friends later. Another true story: Sophomore year, I met another one of my good friends. We had health class together and always competed for the highest grade in the class. Well, long story short, it kind of made me mad and then one girl got a higher grade then both of us. But, the boy I competed with and I are now really good friends, and I laugh at the fact I didn't like him at first. We actually ended up dating the next school year!


5. Don't make friends with the wrong people.
- If you start talking to somebody, but they DO end up being a total loser [pothead, gossip, etc.] then don't be afraid to stop hanging out with them. Do what's right for you, not what's "cool" or anything else. You are your own person. Find people who accept you for who you are, who you trust, and who you know you can count on.


6. Go to school functions.
- Football games, dances, and pep rallies are not only a ton of fun, but a great place to hang out with friends or make some new ones. So get out your school colors and go have fun! ;]


7. Do your work, don't be a slacker.
- Look at it this way, if you do good in high school, you will get into a good college. If you get into a good college, you will get a good job. If you get a good job, you will have a better chance at being happy. Isn't it worth doing your work for 4 years to achieve a lifetime of success and happiness? I think so!


8. ENJOY your experience!
- This is probably most important. ENJOY YOUR TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL. People call the high school years the "best years of your life", why not make that saying true? Get good grades, make new friends, and enjoy the ride B]


Good Luck, and don't worry, you'll be fine!


-Laura (17-f-SENIOR)

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