Sylvie Winje

The second habit is exercise. Make a goal of going outside for a walk every day. Studies have shown that when you connect with nature, you are less depressed, especially during the winter months. I have made a habit of walking outside every day in sunshine, rain or snow, although my neighbors probably think I am crazy for venturing out on blustery winter days. If you need accountability, ask a family member or friend to meet you for a walk. If walks are not your thing, find something else that gets you moving on a regular basis and make it a part of your day.

The second habit is exercise. Make a goal of going outside for a walk every day. Studies have shown that when you connect with nature, you are less depressed, especially during the winter months. I have made a habit of walking outside every day in sunshine, rain or snow, although my neighbors probably think I am crazy for venturing out on blustery winter days. If you need accountability, ask a family member or friend to meet you for a walk. If walks are not your thing, find something else that gets you moving on a regular basis and make it a part of your day.

Secondly, take advantage of dual-credit, advanced placement and CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exams. Personally, I am following the CLEP option. While testing out of these college-level courses, I am gaining credits and learning important study and test-taking skills, which will aid me in my further education. Additionally, I am taking them for free, thanks to a charitable organization designed to help young people gain college credit. Make good use of your time in high school by participating in one or more of these options.

First, give thanks during difficult situations. The Bible encourages us to be thankful all the time, even when things don’t go our way. It’s easy to give thanks when we have good health, money and working cars. But when difficult circumstances enter our lives, thankfulness is usually last on our minds.

Billy Graham once said, “When life is hard, it’s easy to focus only on the bad things and forget all about the good things God has given us. But God has blessed every one of us in ways we often overlook.” During tough times, we need to focus on our blessings.

First, playing music will make you more intelligent. Often, studies prove that young people who play musical instruments score higher on tests and perform better in school than those who don’t. When playing and practicing a musical instrument, you must hear the music, see the music, and feel it kinesthetically, all at the same time. Your brain makes important connections during this process. Basically, the more you play, the more connections your brain makes.