A: Advice

Advice I would give a younger student would be to study, do your homework, ask questions, and figure out a way to organize your work. Studying and homework go hand in hand. When you do homework, you're pretty much studying. Asking question allows you to get verbal answers, which some people tend to learn better with or remember better. Organization is difficult for some, but once you get a way to do it, where you remember tests, homework, and important dates, you're better off. 

A: Advice

A few pieces of advice I wish I was given when entering 8th grade was the amount of work and the word of the day words. The amount of classwork and homework increased exponentially from the other two grades. Our seventh-grade teachers said 8th would be easier, but I would disagree. Things got a lot harder and quicker paced. Going along with that, I had no idea about word of the day, so when it started and I found out that there will be quizzes and a massive test at the end, it freaked me out. 

:)

B: Books

Books are a great part of my life. I love reading, I always have. My favorite book I read this year would be The Third Twin. It is a horror mystery type book. The book was well written with an unguessable ending. Like most mystery books I read, when people are murdered, I immediately try to guess who committed the homicides. I kind you not, I could not guess it. The plot was fluent with plenty of twists, turns, and death. I loved it. 

C: Changes

Cayla. A small, energetic, nerd. 

This year, I feel like I became more me. That I was making my way out of the shell I had always hidden in. Though I still hide there, I feel more me. It makes me feel proud, and a better human being. I don't know what caused it, but I'm glad whatever did happen happened. 

My mom is the top right, my sister is the bottom right, my late grandma is in the center, I'm on the left.

D: Difficult Decision

Decisions happen every day. One of the biggest decisions I made this year was giving up control in a group project. The entire group just depended on me leading them, making me tell them word for word what their task was for that day. I am a control freak, so, me giving up control was difficult. I didn't want the group getting credit for something I did, so I stepped back. 

E: Exciting or Embarrising Moment

 Excitement is like a mini adrenaline rush. One of the greatest moments this year was when I got into Science Olympiad, again. I'd had a feeling that I would have gotten in again, but that doesn't mean I still wasn't excited. Then until I finished the work was the regret of taking on something so difficult. Once the work was done, and it came time to compete I was so dang excited. It was so much fun having two donuts, then having to construct a video game in under 50 minutes. 

F: Friendship

Friends are amazing. A few of my favorite friends to hang out with this year were Lilly, Erin, and Reese. 

Erin has almost identical interests as me. She loves video games as much as I do, and we play together pretty often. She's fun and goofy, and we can tease each other. Another thing I like about her is our matching tastes in music, like how we are both metal-heads. 

Lilly listens to me and jokes easily. She is easy-going and easy to make laugh, which makes me smile. I like that she's empathetic with a lot of things, which is awesome.

Reese is a massive weeb, much like me. She is goofy and immature, which is fun to go to when I'm in the dark. I'm going with her and Erin to Anime Midwest.

F: Friendship

For friends and the traits they have, I wouldn't change a thing. Each person should be their own, and I gladly accept people for whom they are. I don't think it's right to try to control people, to be just like you. Society isn't a utopia, and it shouldn't ever be. I like all my friends for who they are. 

G: Growth

Growing is a natural thing. Everyone does it, science says so. I feel, growth wise, I'm better at multi-tasking and being a better student. As you get more homework you need to get better at stacking when everything is due. For me, I got better at doing several tasks at once or doing homework during a class. The method worked for me, I rarely struggled. 

H: Hardest Subject

Hardest subject? Probably math. Math has never been my strong suit, but I still try. Even though it is more difficult for me, I end up finishing the homework before everyone else. That I don't really mean to do, I just kind of do it. How I did get better grades though, was doing every homework assignment, jot down all the notes, and ask questions. 

I: Identitiy

I think the person who influenced me the most this year would have to be Erin. She embraced me for I was. It made me feel good, that the person I was, was liked. It was fun to have someone to send things related to fandoms we are both a part of. She is easy to joke, and a great help. 

J: Junk

Junk food is amazing. May not be healthy, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't taste great. My favorite junk food this year would have to be Mike and Ikes, Pocky's, or Hi-Chews. Mike and Ikes are good, they're like an off-brand Jelly Belly. Japanese candy has always been delicious though. I bought all three at Five-Below or Wal-Mart. 

K: Key

Key to 8th grade? Pay attention in class, learn to balance, and STUDY. Nobody likes a lecture but if you don't pay attention, you'll be missing out on a lot of important information to hints to a project or test. Learning balance is difficult. How much of one thing at a time? Each person is different, but it is key to find your balance. Studying is boring, but just doing your homework is studying. You'll be better off if you study.

L: Lasting

Lots of memories this year. But one of my favorites was Gordan Korman. I had lunch with him. The table I sat at was Shane, Chloe, and I. After lunch, Chloe and I also got to introduce him in front of the entire 8th grade. That was pretty nerve-wracking, but we did it! Once all was said and done, he signed my book and took a picture with me, too. It was amazing getting to meet a famous author. 

M: Music Favorites

Music is awesome. Some of my favorite artists this year was Alec Benjamin, Set it Off, Skillet, and Imagine Dragons. Alec Benjamin has a great vocal range with relatable lyrics. Set it Off ranges in the genre punk-pop with awesome music. Skillet is a metal artist and great vocals. Imagine Dragons has always been one of my favorites. They have great vocals, lyrics, choruses, bridges, and rifts.

N: Nervous Moment

Nervousness is a feeling I get right before I "perform". The moment I was most nervous was meeting, having lunch with, and introducing Gordan Korman. I tend to fangirl, and my face reddens easy. So, I was worried I was going to make a fool of myself.  Thankfully, I didn't, and it went spectacular.

O: Opinon

Opinions are everywhere. Everyone has one for just about everything. One problem that teens face is depression. Depression is not a joke, and should not be joked with. People with depression need to see someone, and not dump on just one person who isn't a professional. Because dumping your problems on someone who isn't professional sucks. Seek professional help.   

P: Pet Peeve

People being stupid or interrupting class by talking is my biggest pet peeve. I can not stand people being stupid. If you are told something to do, then immediately ask "What are we doing?" it bothers me. Try listening or not talking to people. You can wait awhile without talking. I know it's hard, but you can do it.