Advice
Greetings, readers. Step right into Briana’s Burrow. Make sure to take your shoes off before you enter my home. Let me help you get that weight off your shoulders by taking your coat off. Once you have taken a seat and gotten comfortable, I, Briana Stone, will reveal to you some of my supportive words and fresh perspectives. Please remember that I am a student, just as you are, simply trying to help those stuck in a sticky situation.
I’m going on a double date for prom, but it’s more like me and my friend go to dinner, while my best friends are on a date across from us. I used to have a crush on my “date” but that passed awhile ago. He wants it to be a date, but I don’t think I do. How can I make the most of the night without hurting his feelings?
Honesty is the best policy; if you do not want it to be a date, then state how you feel to him. You can deny someone while being polite at the same time. Using a “compliment sandwich” could be a good approach. Essentially, you “sandwich” your negative comment between two positive things. An example of a compliment sandwich is to say something such as, “You’re an amazing person. Unfortunately, I’m not interested in going on a date you. Someone else is going to be really lucky to go on a date with someone like you.” Be sincere, however. Do not offer up false compliments, because they will likely be able to notice, and then they will feel hurt.
How can you tell if someone is a true friend or not?
Firstly, examine the way they talk to you. True friends offer supportive comments, encouragement and make you feel good about yourself. Additionally, true friends will listen to you and your problems, and they care about your well-being. Likewise, true friends are honest and true to their word. If your companion never seems to do what they say they’ll do or forgets about plans you’ve made, then you have a flake on your hands, and you don’t have a true friend. Moreover, true friends don’t have ulterior motives for becoming your pal. If they are hanging out with you for some kind of personal benefit like popularity, convenience or boredom, they are not someone you should want to keep around. Also, look at the way this person treats their other friends. If they routinely trash talk people they claim to be their closest friends, then they could be doing the same to you when you aren’t around. Lastly, just follow your instincts. If some thing does not feel right, it probably isn’t.
Hey! I am a senior and am very concerned about one of the aspects of college. And that is the fact of: how am I supposed to poop at college? The bathrooms are communal! Only one or two bathrooms per floor of each residence hall! I can’t just hold it for four years. Do you have any ideas for how I might be able to prepare myself? Thank you.
There are many measures that you could take to make it easier for you to adjust. One thing that could help would be to pick a specific stall to use each time. This way, you can become so comfortable in it that it feels like home. Secondly, you can bring in something to distract you from the idea that it is a community bathroom, so you can think of it as less of a “public” restroom but more like “your” restroom. This could be anything from a magazine, homework or, of course, your phone. If you’re focused on reading about the latest celebrity gossip or taking a BuzzFeed quiz to determine which fruit you are, you’ll have less time to freak out about your human needs. Thirdly, bringing something with you to mask the scent could make the whole process much more effortless, and others will appreciate it too. Obviously, you might not want to bring a full can of Febreze, but some simple Poo-Pourri can do the trick. If nothing I have named sounds helpful, you could always make a sign that says “Out of order,” and put it on the door to do your thing. Or, just visit a camping store and get a portable toilet to put in your dorm room.
My mom constantly thinks I am lying to her because of the mistakes I have made in the past. How can I convince her that I actually am telling the truth? Thank you.
Earning back trust is a lengthy process, so you must have patience. You will have to consistently prove to your mom that you are being honest with her. If she accuses you of lying and you are being honest, remain calm. Your first reaction may be to get angry or defensive, but remember that this will only make things worse. The best way to prove to someone that you are not lying is to offer evidence that directly contradicts their claim. For example, if she doesn’t believe that you went to Sally’s house to work on a project, prove that you actually did. If you cannot convince her of your honesty, ask for more information about why she seems to distrust you and what you can do to regain her trust. In the end, you can’t force another person to believe something different than what they are already committed to believing, but you can acknowledge the situation from their perspective and try to meet them halfway.
April Horoscopes
Aries (March 21-April 19): You can charm your way out of any sticky situation if you set your mind to it. Problematic situations are ahead, so turn that charm on, and you are likely to get what you desire.
Taurus (April 20-May 20): You truly excel at communication, and that’s where you need to funnel your energies. So talk, talk, talk it over if you’re having an issue with someone. You could be shocked at how well it all turns out!
Gemini (May 21-June 20): Your brain is your secret weapon. Use it to approach an obstacle as a way of learning something new. After all, if everything was always smooth sailing, you would never learn anything.
Cancer (June 21-July 22): You’ve got a lot of good energy circulating around you in the beginning the month. Keep this energy going by pampering yourself. Go to a sauna, lie in the sunshine, get a massage… the possibilities are endless.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Remember the story about the tortoise and the hare? When it comes to a big project at work, take the tortoise as a model: instead of rushing through it, do your work slowly, and you’re in for a solid finish.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Your experimental side is really coming out later in the month, so let it show. After all, why do things the same old way you’ve always done them, just because you’ve always done them that way?
Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): Sometimes, we get so caught up in the ups and downs of our daily routines that we forget to stop and smell the roses. So whenever your routine is disrupted, be glad! It gives you a chance to slow down and see what really matters.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You and that special somebody are in for a month of depth and discovery, love and tenderness, growth and fun. Give this person your attention, and communicate to them how you feel.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Things may seem a bit topsy-turvy, but do your best to roll with it. A little improvisation could remind you that last minute solutions can be better than well-thought out ones.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You are the go-to person when it comes to creating out-of-the-box ideas. Don’t be surprised if everybody is coming to you for answers, because you’ve got ’em. Make sure that you’re getting the credit you deserve, though.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Do you really need those new things? Before you whip out the cash, ask yourself several times whether this is something you need or can afford. Cut back on spending this month and your future self will thank you.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Look good, feel even better. Get in touch with your fitness side this month, and get out of the sheer laziness you’ve been wallowing in for the past few weeks. Try a different approach to exercise opposed to your typical ones.
How these horoscopes were configured: I created an astrological chart on paper. Then, I used an astrological event calendar for the month of April to determine the movement of the stars and the planets. Lastly, I consulted a book on the interpretation of the planets in each sign and house and made observations.
