How to NOT Die (Part 1)

Hey y'all!
I've been putting together a list of helpful stuff (both for school, family life, and self-care) that y'all should probably know if you want to survive and thrive through your teenage years.  I'm going to split it up, so that you don't get overwelmed by 101 Tips or something, so know that this is part one of a series that I'll hopefully remember to continue!  Okay, let's go ahead and get into it :)

101 Ways to NOT Die (before age 18) #1-20:

• Take notes.  In every class.  Do so by hand, if at all possible (and have seperate notebooks for each class so it's easy to reference those notes!)  You'll pay attention more, have something to study from easily, and remember the lecture itself much better
• Drink water (not soda!) every day!
• Listen to your body.  Don't stay up late writing silly blog posts.  Yes, I'm being passive agressive to myself
• Save 50% of all your income (even if it is just an allowance or baby-sitting money)
• Donate 10% of your income to charity.  You won't regret it in the long run, I promise (though you may regret it in a few days when you can't buy Starbucks :| )
• Even if you can't get the entire assingment done, get part of it finished and explain to the teacher what happened.  They're more likely to give you partial credit if you don't try to b.s. and lie your way through your schoolwork
• Find a reason to smile, everyday, even if it is just a dumb tumblr post
• Don't whine, especially to teachers.  You want to stand out from the crowd?  Then be polite.  If you have an assignment that you clearly cannot finish, talk to the teacher before it's due, explain the problem clearly, and promise it won't happen.  Make sure to keep that promise (this only works once or twice each school year, mind you)
• Don't compare grades with your classmates.  We all learn at our own pace
• Learn basic logic (I'd juggest The Falacy Detective by Nathaneil & Hans Bluedorn, picture down at the bottom of this post)
• Learn personal finance (Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace is a very good option if you can get ahold of those DVDs or attend a class on it)
• Know how to operate a dishwasher, a washer/dryer, a vacuum, and a push mower before a car
• Live in a clean space (doesn't have to be sparkling, but it should be liveable and comfortable)
• Do your own laundry, if possible
• Be familiar with the feeling of sleeping on clean sheets
• Keep a diary, or write letters to your future self.  Seriously, you won't regret having insights on your own past that you would have otherwise long forgotten
• Draw, even if you don't know how
• Hug somebody everyday (it's actually proven to help keep you healthier and prevent cancer!)
• Walk.  Everyday, if possible, during the day being the best time.  You see the strange things, the interesting things that nobody else gets to see because they're all at school or work, when you walk during the day (same goes for early early morning and after dark, for you night owls and morning people)
• Read a lot.  More than just school books, if you have the time.

And that's part one!  I'll probably post more of these soon.  What are your tips for a healthy, happy life?  Tell me them in the comments and have a wonderful week :)



Update: sorry for all the typos!  I wrote this in a half-asleep ramble and forgot to spell check.  Let me know if you seen any others, okay?