Q: Hey advice person, I think I like my best friend, but I’m scared of ruining our friendship. What should I do? Should I confess?

Dear xxxx, 

That must be a tough situation to deal with, and it’s understandable to feel conflicted.

Before deciding what to do, try to reflect on your feelings and whether they are genuine and steady or would fade quickly. Also try to observe your friend and gauge how they feel about you, and whether they would also have feelings. 

If your feelings remain strong, being honest would probably be the best course of action. Sharing how you feel can be scary and vulnerable, but it also prevents spiraling, and eventually, regret. It is still important to approach the conversation with maturity and without expectations. Your friend may not feel the same way, and you should be in the right mindset to accept rejection as a possibility as well. 

Regardless of whether or not they feel the same way, be prepared for your relationship to change. It doesn’t mean you can’t remain friends, but it will take time and effort from both sides to find a new balance. 

Sincerely, 

Xxxx

Q: How to enjoy the remainder of the school year as a senior, live without regrets, stay positive

Dear xxxx, 

Make a bucket list with your friends and try a variety of activities together. Senior year is definitely the time to say yes to new opportunities and fun. Appreciate the small moments, because the everyday moments at home are some of the memories you will value the most. 

In regards to staying positive, try to take people and situations at their best. Optimism isn’t just a change in mindset, rather it’s a practice of changing how you talk to yourself and respond to the world around you.  

Pertaining to regrets, one of the most freeing mindsets you can carry is that every decision you’ve made and every situation you’ve faced, either good or bad, has led you to where you are right now. Every embarrassing, sad, or difficult situation has taught you a lesson, and helped you grow. 

Q: I’ve it ALL, studying until the ice melts, cursing my entire bloodline if I don’t submit by 11:59, and I’m still drowning in lab reports, practice tests, and required readings. Do you have any diabolical ways to get me to lock in (as evil as possible)?

Dear xxx,

I get it, staying locked in for hours at a time is hard. As someone who’s tried the majority of study tips out there, here are the ones that actually work. A relatively tame one is to just time yourself while studying. This is kind of like the Pomodoro, except it actually works. I find that whenever I time block, I’ll tell myself, “Oh, I’m going to study for math for 5 hours today.” But I inevitably get distracted, going on my phone or doing other tasks. Timing myself on my phone as I study kills 2 birds with one stone: it stops me from using my phone, and it helps me visualize the amount of time I’m actually studying to measure my productivity. 

During times when I’m really distracted, I’ll take a break and stare at a wall or out a window for ten minutes. This helps me reset my mind and take a break without distracting myself. 

Alternatively, you could send your friend an embarrassing photo of yourself and tell them they are allowed to send it to your crush if you don’t finish a task by a certain deadline. Make sure to send them photographic evidence and pick a friend who will actually follow through on it, so you are sufficiently scared. 

Best of luck studying 🙂 

Q: My friends in a group project keep trying to use AI and I dont want my teacher to be mad at us 🙁 help

Dear XXX,

Using AI in a group project, unless there were specific instructions from the teacher, is always wrong, but it can be very difficult to bring this up to others, especially when it’s your friends or in a group setting. It’s understandable to feel uncomfortable and not want to say anything. I think you have to approach the situation carefully; gently remind your friends that using AI comes with big consequences. Getting caught can seem unlikely, but teachers are smarter than you think. Nine times out of ten, they know who is using AI, especially if it’s being used for writing, and even if they never bring it up to you, it only takes one time to ruin your life. Without shaming them, have your friends consider if they are ready to face those consequences.