You know you’re prepared. You’ve been studying for days on end, but you finally get to that exam and you think to yourself, “I’m probably going to fail.” Why is that? Our brains are so hardwired to think negative that we don’t even realize the magnitude of the effects on us. Most of us would say…
Last month, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Kaiz Alarakyia for Youth Central’s 25th anniversary celebration. Every two weeks this year, Youth Central will spotlight 25 alumni to reflect on their time spent with the organization, as well as to see what they have been up to since! I’m sure after you read about Kaiz…
Middle school is a… well, interesting experience, but nonetheless integral to one’s life. It’s something everyone goes through, at one point. I’m about to be thrown into high school in less than six months. It really made me think, because here I am, in the 8th grade, 13 years old, and not prepared for it at…
Have you ever had an amazing idea that could benefit Calgary and the world around you but, the project seems out of reach because of those expenses that come with it? Calgary Youth Foundation (CYF) can solve those problems for you. What is the Calgary Youth Foundation? CYF is a youth-driven committee that offers grants…
I sometimes call my Grade 12 year the year of applications, and I’m only half joking. From September to now, this year has been a whirlwind of essays and deadlines looming ahead, many of them for scholarships. With all these applications, it seemed certain that I would get a scholarship, right? Wrong. From polite rejection letters…
17th birthdays aren’t that exciting, which I now know. At 16 you can finally drive, 18 you’re legal but 17 is this awkward year where you’re not quite an adult but also don’t qualify as a kid anymore. There are expectations set out as you prepare for adulthood and for some who are graduating like…
You read that correctly… I want to explain my tips and tricks for being a good night owl and how I optimize the later hours of the evening. For many years I have felt pressured to be an early riser and I can definitely see the validity in waking up early and going to…
Dear Younger Me, It’s almost 2017, can you believe it? We’ve made it through a whopping 15 years; and in those 15 years, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned things I wish I knew when I was younger. Things that would’ve made everything so much more different, but I suppose you’ve got to make the…
It is no question that getting an education after high school is expensive, but has it become so expensive that students are unable to afford the luxury of a degree. As the job market becomes more competitive going to university or college is a no brainer. How has the expense of university risen over the…
The “I’ll do it tomorrow” mentality is something that all of us are familiar with, but why? We’ve all heard it multiple times that we should always always always focus on the now. Yet we all know, it’s not that easy. The thing about tomorrow is that it makes the perfect excuse for everything and,…
With the ability to write about a wide range of topics, Dhriti is certainly a refreshing and bright personality to have on YAA. I had the utmost pleasure of meeting with her at Vendome Cafe and chatting over our salads, meat pie, and sandwich. Very eloquent and thoughtful when she speaks, it felt easy taking…
From the transition from Junior High to High School, I’ve changed so much and in so many aspects of my life. My attitudes and beliefs changed most of all, and that has in turn influenced the way I live my life, including my choices about fashion. Fashion has become so much more to me than just…
ear Senior Me, If there was one person who fell into the “grade-11-is-the-hardest-year” trap, it was undoubtedly you. Though procrastination, taking on too many things at once, and not using time wisely are seemingly the qualities of any high school student, as the year dragged on, you became the poster child for it. It didn’t…
I’ve had several moments this summer where I came to the sudden realization that in three months, I will begin the life-changing and convoluted procedure of applying for post-secondaries and scholarships. While that is an exciting step of everyone’s life; the freedom of university, the new people you’ll meet, it is also a daunting one. This is…
Happy exam season everybody! If you are a youth anywhere in North America who is currently attending school, chances are you are in the midst of final exams. There are highs and lows to this season of the school year- the exhausting workload and stress of school is coming to an end once again, but before we are…