As the summer season begins and school starts to creep in, it’s a smart idea to plan ahead. Luckily Ned Bigby (Devon Workheiser) From neds declassified school survival guide There are perfect tips for navigating school related dilemmas. Not only do their suggestions include academic help, but they also help guide their peers through difficult situations between friends and emerging relationships.
Whether school hours are running out, work or other social situations affect everyone. Applying some of Ned’s general tips can prove beneficial for everyone in overcoming awkward and difficult situations.
Just relax, be yourself, and don’t panic!
Starting a new school year or even a job can be intimidating because the pressure to be perfect can be overwhelming. But, remembering to relax and stay true to yourself can help reduce stress. Ned reminds us that being relaxed and meeting expectations can make meeting new friends easier.
Plus, when people are honest about who they’re looking for, it’s easier because people who like the same things will be attracted to other people who like those things. That’s why people will admit to each other that they’re not really just for the mask they’re putting on.
focus on the teaching, not the teacher
It can be an easy habit to fall into an over-focused presentation when at school or even on the teacher. Particularly if the person is distracting like a mixed-match outfit or a funny voice. But, Ned’s advice is to focus on delivering the intent and knowledge of the presentation.
Also, by practicing this tip, negative thoughts about someone can start disappearing. Instead of someone spending their significant time criticizing or mocking the presenter in their head. They can instead learn and become a positive person overall.
Have fun, don’t set too high expectations, and go with the flow
When a high-profile event or even a party has been planned, tension can easily start to build up. But, it’s important to remember to let go of the high expectations and have fun. High expectations only lead to disappointment, because real life is never quite like the show. Which can spoil someone’s mood or even the tone of the party.
Parties are often balanced on top of the tone of the people who attend. Remember to have fun, as Ned says, and practicing it at the party will help others get along. A chain effect like this can keep the party going all night.
it’s okay to practice your smile
This nostalgic Nickelodeon show probably wasn’t accounting for the future when it wrote this tip. But, now that Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook dominate our social lives, it is almost expected that everyone will have their own model face. Ned reminds everyone that it’s okay to practice smiling before picture day.
Practicing a pose, smile, or dance helps ensure the photo ends well. Especially for those who are having trouble feeling satisfied with their photos. Although arrogance can make people feel stupid or embarrassed to practice, it’s a good idea, and professionals do it all the time.
It doesn’t matter if you’re not popular, you can still hang out with friends.
Although middle school culture assures its students that popularity is a life-or-death situation, it is not really the case. Ned reminds the students that being friends is all that really matters. Once a good group of friends is formed, the attention of the outside world is a bit off because the people who are really important are at the forefront.
Additionally, creating “family” through friends helps people feel less lonely and popular in their network of friends. Finding friends who align with similar values and traits is more satisfying than forcing a relationship because one person is popular.
get to know them first, then ask them
Navigating the dating world can be difficult because of the small nuances and social cues involved. Many times in the early stages of having a crush on someone, people start imagining who their crush really is. It can often be frustrating once dating begins as the person begins to reveal who they really are.
People can almost even make their crush into a celebrity if they don’t take the chance to get to know them first. Either way, Ned’s advice about getting to know someone before committing is always the best option.
Don’t let stress get the best of you because things might not be that bad.
Stressful situations, such as tests or presentations, can drive people into a state of panic as their brain begins to destroy the problem. Instead of letting panic-mode control his behavior, Ned tells people to zoom out on their stressful situations.
By zooming out, the situation can become more objective and manageable. This is mostly because people realize that the problem is not really life or death, despite what the panicked brain says. People can act more clearly and function more efficiently by channeling their energy toward the problem rather than the stress.
If someone laughs at you just laugh and say oops.
Embarrassing things happen to everyone, especially during middle school. Ned reminds us to only act casual if someone laughs at us. In situations that are unavoidable, a true action plan is based on how people choose to react.
If the person being mocked reacts strangely or in a strange way, the perpetrator may continue to embarrass them. Instead, laughing together gives the person the response they wanted by making people laugh. This also makes the moment pass smoothly as everyone laughs instead of a moment of isolation or tension.
Never second guess. Your first answer is probably correct.
However, the tests can be intimidating if the material was studied so trusting yourself after the test has started is the best option. Ned says to avoid letting the bad habit of psychology come to mind. For example, thoughts like “maybe the choice is just a trick answer” when testing only distract from the true intention of the test.
Grades can appear poor when games and tricks affect test-taking performance. Rather, relying on what has been studied and learned from it, the fact that the exam will end well will be great.
Admit that you have a bad habit and be mentally prepared to beat it
Everyone has character flaws or bad habits, it just takes a while for them to realize it. It can be difficult to have a critic about yourself, but the real focus is how one handles the critic. Ned tells people to get excited about doing away with an old habit or flaw.
Learning from a mistake can make it easier to keep friends or fix problems that directly affect the person. Either way, it’s always a good idea to have a positive approach to the problem and help build motivation around it. Instead of a negative attitude that can lead to perpetuating the habit.
