Every relationship is different. Even though all relationships are unique and function on their own terms, like sharing your own super cool secret language with a sibling or friend, there are certain guidelines that can either strengthen or damage your relationship. Here are some pointers that should help you keep your relationships healthy and happy.

1.) Communicate: Often times we are hearing what our loved ones are telling us, but it goes in through one ear and out the other. We end up picking the things we want to hear. How convenient, right? Being a good listener is the first thing one should work on when wanting a healthier and happier relationship. Laura Werthmann, who is a Club Leader and Editorial Intern for Latinitas says, “I feel that communication is probably the number one most important thing to have in a relationship. When others know what is going on in your world, or visa versa they are able to uphold a sense of empathy or have a better understanding of your actions or who you are as a person. I feel that maintaining positive forms of communication builds trust in a relationship, forming a stronger bond that can potentially last forever.” Avoid the awkward small talk with your BFF or loved one, communication is key in maintaining a healthy relationship.

2.) Trust : Trust is extremely important when maintaining healthy relationships. Trusting someone means not questioning their actions and knowing that they have your best interest at heart. Whether it’s trusting your friends or your parents, know that trust is the foundation of someone always being there for you. ”To get along better with your parents, show them you trust them. Show them you appreciate them and try to see things from their perspective. It is not out of this world to fight with your parents now and then; sometimes it’s part of being a family,” states Janette Mendoza, Senior at Harmony Science Academy.

3.) Empathy/ Consideration :  Being empathetic towards the ones you love is a much appreciated quality.  When the ones you love are going through a hard time you should be considerate and supportive, because having empathy is a form of expressing that you care. According to Education.com, Dr. Robert Brooks claims empathy is  ”a common characteristic of individuals who are successful as business leaders, teachers, parents, spouses, or healthcare professionals.” Aside from these positive traits, “empathic people are skilled in placing themselves inside the shoes of another person and seeing the world through that person’s eyes,” adds Dr. Brooks. Being able to put yourself in their shoes has the potential of not only increasing communication between your loved ones, but also in strengthening a relationship.

4.) Showing you care :  Showing that you care for someone can be shown in different ways.  ”I’m always concerned with the health of my mom,” shares Heather Marronne, Senior at Mission Early College High School. “Everyday, without fail, whether I have a few seconds to talk, I always ask her if she’s eaten, if she slept okay, or how her day went or if she needed anything. She does the same for me. We stay caught up like that.” Consistently telling people that you care and love them can have a positive impact in your relationships. Being an affectionate person does not come easy to most people, but the fact that you are making an effort is what truly counts. Always remember that going overboard with affection, like telling someone you love them every 5 minutes, may smother them and can potentially be counterproductive. If you’re on the shy side, tyou can always write your loved ones letters or surprise them with their favorite chocolate or candy bar. Be creative!

5.)Loyalty: There is a reason why there is a saying that a man’s best friend is his dog. The reason this saying exists is because dogs are loyal to their owners. Loyalty, whether it’s from a furry friend or a loved one, is important in a healthy relationship. A loyal friend, family member or significant other is a very valuable person, because it is someone who will be there to pick you up when you’re down and will always have your best interests at heart. There is no better feeling than knowing the people you love and care about will be by your side no matter what may happen in your life.

To some degree everyone has felt shy. For many it is “natural shyness” and for others it’s something they acquired as they got older or only in certain situations. Being shy is not a bad quality, but it can sometimes be an obstacle in school, since you are sometimes required to participate in discussions or do presentations. For those who don’t participate, it can truly hinder your performance. You don’t have to change your personality, but if you feel like your shyness is hurting you or you dread the moments when teachers begin to randomly call names, then you know you must do something about it. Here are some tips to help you overcome shyness.

1. Sit in Front:

Shy people are often known for sitting in the back of the classroom. Sitting in front of the classroom can actually push you into taking an initiative to overcome shyness. It can help you begin feeling comfortable being in the class. If you feel uncomfortable when people turn to look at you when you speak, being in front can actually help you not notice those glances, and slowly you’ll gain the confidence to voice your opinions. By sitting in front you can confront your fears and maybe realize that your fears weren’t so scary after all. Maria Galvan, 21 college student, states: “It always helps to sit in the front; you’ll hear everything clearly. For me, I would sit in second or third row because it makes me comfortable. You’ll still be in front, but not the very front. You’ll feel like you’re a part of the classroom. If you sit in the back it gives the message,’ I’m not going to be engaging, I don’t want to be interacting.’ But if you sit closer to the front, it gives the message that you’ll be part of the class and that you are ready to share with others.”

2. Speak up! People are not going to judge you:

Do you sometimes feel as if a fellow classmate can tell if you are nervous? Well, the truth is that most of the time they are unable to tell that you are nervous.  There are many times where we feel that they are because we tend to be a little too self-conscious, but after taking the initiative of overcoming your shyness, like not letting the fear of being judged paralyze you with fear, you start to realize that others think do not matter — only YOUR opinion matters. Most of the time, the person who you think is “judging” you is more than likely not. Remember to keep your mind off of what others think and if you decide to raise your hand to answer a question, keep your mind on that. If you have to make a presentation to the whole class focus on the materials that you are presenting and not on how they may be judging. There are also times when you think you made a mistake, but they won’t be able to tell either, so if you do make a mistake: keep moving forward.

3. Keep trying and push forward:

Think sitting in the front or making bold moves like speaking more in class is too risky or difficult?  Set a goal for yourself and start small by speaking once per week. Over the course of the semester, slowly build up how many times you talk in class, but don’t give up. It might feel awkward at first, you might feel self-conscious or maybe even embarrassed, but this will go away the more you keep at it. There will be instances where speaking up may not turn out as glamour as you have imagined, but everyone makes mistakes. Try not be too critical on yourself, but instead feel proud that you did speak up and expressed your opinion. Keep moving forward! The more you get out of your comfort zone the easier it will get. Keep in mind that by moving forward gives you that confidence booster that you can do it and it is not as scary as you originally thought it was. If you stumble or stutter in your journey, always remember to be kind to yourself, don’t beat yourself over your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes and being kind to yourself should be a priority.

4. Talking, the right or wrong answer:

Sometimes we might be afraid to speak up for fear that others might criticize our thoughts/opinions. Criticism, especially when we feel attacked, can really hurt a shy or introverted person. Another fear can be having an opinion that is very different from your peers. Don’t let fear dictate your life, because all opinions are equally valuable and it is through the diversity of opinions that you are able to experience vibrant interactions. Don’t be afraid to participate for fear of having the wrong answer, chances are that almost everyone has had a wrong answer at some point. Know that what you have to contribute is important and must and deserves to be heard. To overcome this fear, try being more open with your family or friends by talking about topics you normally don’t discuss with them but are of interest to you. Build up your confidence and transfer that to the classroom.

5. Engaging in social interaction:

“There was one point in my life where I thought I was painfully awkward. Going to my first high school party was excruciating because I was terrified of the people there. Social engagements in the company of a boy you have a crush on at 16 can feel like the end of the world. The sheer fear of being awkward or embarrassed made me force my sister to drop me off a block away from the house so I could breathe and clam down. [At the party] I mostly did not speak all night and came home feeling utterly ashamed at my introversion! I think the only thing that helped me was to keep going to social experiences. Shyness (or social terror) definitely can flare up, though. 

Looking back, I see now that it was part of the whole growing process. What I do when this happens is a technique a speech professor gave me: take a deep breath *exhale* and think to yourself, ‘ah, I’m so grateful to be here.’ Every experience with another human being is a divine one, I believe. For whatever reason this person has crossed my path, now what are we to learn? This has worked numerous times when I felt I would be out of place.

But feeling shy, awkward, and out-of-place is all a part of finding and growing into a new place. Usually shyness can come from feeling out of one’s element. It’s uncomfortable, but it signifies that a person is growing, and the fast-beating heart and sweaty palms means they are truly alive!” “ shares Michelle Knight, 22 year old college student.

Having an unemployed parent may be something that many kids never worry about. It was something that had definitely never even crossed my mind until it happened to my family. Having an unemployed parent can mean dealing with tough times and added pressure on families. Most of my life, it was the norm for my dad to go to work as my mom stayed home to drive me to and from school and run errands. Suddenly one day, I heard my mom and dad talking about him not working anymore. That moment changed everything. My dad lost his job and became a stay-at-home dad as he searched for a job. My mom was forced to get a job after she had not worked since I was a toddler. She began working at a daycare and now spends most of her day with other kids. Even though it may sound silly now as a teenager, it was a huge change for me to have her being busy and away from me most of the time. It was weird to see my dad at my school meetings and swim meets when my mom was away at work. I missed her and wished things could be normal again. This new situation was really uncomfortable for me at first.

Although they did not show it, I know it was difficult for my parents too. At times they were frustrated, angry, impatient, sad and nervous about their finances. I can only imagine how being unemployed and worrying about being able to take care of your family’s needs is probably one of the most terrifying things for a parent. Through the ups and downs my family remained strong and tried to make the best of it. We have all stayed strong, together, hopeful and faithful that these tough times are just temporary. In life there are many twists and turns and it is important to keep fighting and keep on going. I know I am not alone and that many kids have probably experienced something similar. If you are looking to help out with your family finances, here are a few thing you can do:

• Cut Back – It may seem that you really need new clothes for the next month or that you need the latest version of the iPhone or iPad, but cutting back on these things will truly save a lot of money. You will have to give up some of the things you want. Remember the difference between needing something and wanting something. Ask yourself – “Do I really need this?”

• Host a Garage Sale – There is always stuff around the house that we do not want or need, so why not put a good use to it? There could be many people willing to buy things that may be useful for them.

• Eat At Home – Besides the fact that it is way healthier and will help you feel good, making your own meals will definitely save huge amounts of money. If you save your lunch money- about five dollars a day- every day for a whole school year, that’s already $900 per year! Imagine what you can do with that.

• Carpool – Riding together benefits everyone and helps the environment. It is way more fun than riding solo, and it’s just more time to hang out with your girls!

• Get a Part-time Job – You could work at the mall, movie theater, restaurant or somewhere new. You could also try sharing your talents by tutoring, babysitting or dog grooming. You’ll get work experience, meet new people, make new friends and earn cash!

Nobody in the world has a perfect life. It may not seem like it because of we see the media with beautiful, talented celebrities who seem to have everything. In reality, every person has their own kind of problems and there are many things that we cannot control. Having a parent lose a job means having to cut back and give up things like cars, electronics, clothes, food, and everything in between. Situations like these make a person grow, appreciate things and not take them for granted. Instead of getting sad or frustrated, it is important to be able to learn from these experiences. Your energy should be used productively by focusing on figuring out ways to help. Even doing the smallest thing can mean a lot to a parent. By pitching in to help your family, you can make an impact.

My friend Meagan Blanco was a dancer and a band member. She was a really kind and funny girl. She was beautiful, smart, and very strong in her faith. Her life was so blessed and full of joy, but her health took a tragic turn in her senior year of high school. After performing in the first pep rally of the year, Meagan’s ankle began hurting very badly. She went to the doctor and after running various tests and getting second opinions, the doctors determined that she had cancer. Megan went from being a normal high school senior to fighting against leukemia.

Leukemia happens when the body produces many abnormal blood cells, which are usually white blood cells, and then go into the bone marrow and spread into the bloodstream. It is often referred to as the cancer of the blood. It was in the beginning of the year when this terrible disease hit Meagan, and she was forced to leave school to stay in a hospital day and night. I was in shock. She had such a normal life. Her parents were some of the kindest people you could meet. She had a twin sister Reeda who she shared so many similarities with. She had a lot of friends and an awesome boyfriend. The whole school was in shock. We all wished and hoped for Meagan to get better. A few days after she had been diagnosed, the school dedicated a day for Meagan’s well-being; everyone came together and wore orange, the color for leukemia. Many of Meagan’s friends made shirts with her name on it and came up with the phrase that would eventually turn into the motto of the school: “Knights don’t fight alone.” As soon as they allowed her to have visitors, the hospital remained full of people.

When I went to visit her, I remember being nervous, as I had never thought about Meagan getting sick. My friend Lynette and I went one Friday afternoon with a card and balloons. We gave her a few different nail polishes so she could do her nails while she was there. It made such a big impact on me when I saw Meagan. She had decided to shave her hair, but that was not what I was shocked about. I was surprised to see her so calm, in control and happy. We talked with her only for a while, and she was so accepting and strong. She had an attitude of being ready to fight the cancer which had altered her life so greatly.

Meagan’s unforgettable personality and her tough situation touched so many people’s hearts. From her family and close friends, to acquaintances and people who knew people who knew her, she made a huge impact. Her unbelievably strong and positive attitude left many people in awe. Meagan’s determination and faith were extremely admirable as she fought to get better. In fact, she was such a strong fighter that she was fortunate enough to attend very special events such as her senior band night, prom, and her high school graduation on June 8, 2012.

On June 22, 2012, a week before getting her bone marrow transplant, Meagan finished her battle with cancer and passed away. It has a huge loss for the many people who she touched. It was unbelievable and very heart-breaking for me and everyone around her to think that this wonderful person would no longer be among us. The news was devastating and made hundreds of people shed so many tears.

When I was going into the funeral Meagan’s dad came over to hug me and he told me, “My God how you girls have all grown up.” That moment was when I knew that I would not to be able to hold in my tears like I had been determined to.

Reeda, Meagan’s sister, played the guitar and sung “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry, dedicating it to Meagan. When she talked about her sister, she made it very funny and entertaining as she recalled silly memories of them together. Their mom shed no tears as everyone went to hug her and give their condolences, and their dad went around asking people, “Why are you crying?” Although they had hoped for the best, her family was accepting and at peace with what God had determined for Meagan. I could not believe it. Their strength was unbelievable and out of this world. While Meagan was alive, she moved so many people. And with this story, and their amazing attitude, I know that Meagan and her family taught all of us at the funeral to look at the glass half full, and appreciate all the good things in our life. I know the Blanco family will keep on touching the hearts of people, as Meagan still lives on in the hearts of everyone that was fortunate enough to know her.