Stickers

For many parents, that day when their child goes to school for the first time, whether it’s pre-school, kindergarten or first grade, is a mixture of emotions. You’re so proud and happy of your baby, but you realize your “baby” isn’t your baby anymore — she’s a child who’s about to take her first big step into a wider world. It’s a tradition to take a “first day of school” picture, especially when it’s his first day ever, but you should do more than the typical to celebrate the new student in your family. Decorate your vehicle during and after the big day to celebrate.

After all the stores clear their 4th of July decorations out of the way, they bring in the school supplies. Whether you’re a teen going to high school taking charge and buying her own school supplies for the first time or a young adult headed to college who’s been there, done that, you know the routine: backpack, pencils, notebooks, rulers. Probably even a tablet, too. But you can make the back-to-school experience a lot more fun by shopping a bit “off list.”

Sometimes it feels like you blink and summer’s over. Soon there will be no more sleeping in, no more goofing off and no more pleasantly warm weather. Make every day count. In the last few weeks or days of summer, make a few pleasant memories to make sure your summer goes out with a bang. Call or text your friends and get to work having fun before most of your energy goes toward school and homework again.

Between school work, part-time jobs and responsibilities at home, too many high schoolers let their passions and talents get pushed aside. But there’s a lot of merit to exploring your interests while in high school. Some interests might prepare you for a future career, and your time in a student club, team or organization might prove a resume-booster or a great addition to your college application. This year, as you head back to school, join a team, club or organization and decorate your car with stickers to celebrate your group spirit.