A day at a public high school can get tiring, boring, and sometimes, even gross. Luckily, the girls at NVD have learned a few tricks to survive the chaos. 

Each girl at NVD has found her own unique set of essentials for getting through her day. Aviv Marco, a junior, can’t go without oil pads. 

“I keep oil pads in my bag because the school air doesn’t have too much circulation, so people tend to get very oily and those come in handy,” Marco said.

Carrying hygiene products is non-negotiable, and can end up being a life-saver. This can include deodorant, makeup, dry shampoo, and especially, feminine hygiene products. 

“Having your period at school sucks, obviously, but as long as you make sure you have a pad or tampon on you at all times you should be fine,” junior Ori Levi said. 

For students who might get caught off guard by their period, there are many places around school to get supplies. They can go to the nurse, ask a friend or teacher, and the bathrooms even have a dispenser. However, the latter may be a risky option as the dispensers are often left empty. 

“Do not count on the dispensers to be full. There are many times I go inside and they are empty,” junior Sophia Pavlov said. “If you can get a pad somewhere else before going into the bathroom, definitely do it.”

The girls also emphasize not to be ashamed of getting periods at school. Especially if the student needs help, they should not be afraid to ask. 

“All the girls will help each other out,” Pavlov said. “And don’t just try to tough out your cramps, you can always go to the nurse and lay there for a moment. It really helps.” 

There is one universal secret to surviving school: find a good community. Having a good set of friends who are there for each other will make any girl’s high school experience less troubling. 

“You are the people that you hang out with,” junior Sarah Andriescu said. “Make sure that you are with people that make you feel happy and don’t lower your mood.” 

Pavlov gives a similar warning, stressing the importance of staying away from drama. Particularly during freshman year, where everyone is just starting to get to know each other. 

“Focus on yourself and do not get caught up in drama, particularly in your freshman year. That’s when you establish your reputation and you don’t want people to think of you as problematic,” Pavlov said. 

High school can feel like juggling a million things all at once. From school work to testing to social drama, students need time for themselves. Marco found her own way to deal with stress. 

“The wellness center is a cheat code for life,” Marco said. “It’s the quietest place in the school. You can feel like you’re not in school for a few minutes.” 

While finding a calm place to de-stress can be very helpful, some may find it better to reach out and ask for help, especially if the stress is caused by school work. 

“Don’t be ashamed to go for extra help or talk to your guidance counselor. It will truly just help you feel better, you don’t need to carry around your stress,” Levi said. 

Making sure not to let procrastination get the best of you is an easy way to prevent stress. As fun as it is to scroll on TikTok and keep pushing work off, TikTok can wait while your grades can’t. 

“Do not leave everything for the last second,” Marco said. “I can procrastinate really easily, but it just ends up getting back at you.” 

Even though high school can seem scary, it really isn’t that intimidating once students find their rhythm. Between the long days, every student eventually figures out what works best for them. 

“Just have a positive mindset,” Andriescu said. “Everyone is trying to make their way around school, you have to realize you are not alone.”