Eighth grade, tenth grade, eleventh grade. We want to remember them all, right? At this point, the years are probably a mush. You ask your friends, "What year was it that I dated John for three days?" "Who was my Science teacher in fifth grade?" Keeping the years straight is tough, and it's bound to get tougher. Then there's the hardest question: "What did I do last year?"
School years are like famous skinny girls, they all start to look the same after a while. This year, let's do something different. Let's not only remember what classes we took and what friends we took them with, but let's make this year the best ever!
School scrapbooking is a great way to remember the year. You should start it once the school year starts because you won't be able to make sense of everything after the fact. At a craft store, you can buy a photo album or a scrapbook; either will do. Make sure it has enough pages so you don't fill it up after the first week. You can usually buy extra pages. In your shopping cart, throw in fun stuff to decorate your scrapbook with. Glitter, scissors, stickers, beads—anything that defines your style.
So how do you start school scrapbooking? Make a copy of your class schedule. Take a picture of yourself on the first day. Write down your feelings the night before the first day of school. Are you nervous, scared, excited, or all three combined into a knot in your stomach?
I know I had to do this in third grade and you probably did, too. No matter how lame you think it is, just try it! Make a list for yourself before your school year starts. Jot down your fears and expectations. How do you want to succeed this year? Maybe you want to get on the varsity soccer team or become class president. Maybe you got a "C" in English class last year and this year you're aiming for an "A". Did you have a beef with Jen this past year, but want to make things between you two better this year? Write it down and put it in your scrapbook or seal it up and hide it under your mattress. At the end of the year, it'll be interesting to see what you've accomplished. Maybe you'll even surpass your own expectations!
Make a pact with your friends to make this year the best ever! This year, you should definitely plan more sleepovers and movie nights, throw a theme party or two, and make a point to have quality girl time. YOU can make a pact with yourself, too. You could try to be nicer to others, try out for the school play, try a sport you've never played before, or focus more on your schoolwork! Then take your camera (or buy a disposable one) along and document all of the fun for your school scrapbooking!
As the year goes by, add to your scrapbook. Before you can say 2 plus 2 equals 4, summer will be here! You'll definitely remember what was so funny that it caused soda to shoot out of Katie's nose, that Mrs. Jones taught English, not German, and that this was the best school year EVER!
