School’s back in session! You’ve probably got a new haircut, new clothes, and a bunch of new expectations for what your year is going to be like. You also might be a little stressed out, worried about stuff like schoolwork, making friends, and fitting in. This is totally normal, and there are ways to help relieve some of that anxiety. Here are some things to keep in mind to have a fun, successful school year!

From friend of GENaustin Rachel Simmons:

Don’t expect your friends to be perfect. Because, well, they won’t be.

If you hold your friends to impossible expectations, not only will they for sure disappoint you, but it will feel way harsher when they do. Batters get three strikes. Your friends need some, too. Be forgiving. That doesn’t mean being a doormat. Just give people a little room to screw up. It’s classy. Trust me.

Don’t make assumptions about how your friends feel.

If someone seems weird or cold or otherwise unusual, just ask what’s up. Don’t decide they hate you or are ignoring you unless you’re 100% for sure that’s what’s going on. You will spare yourself a whole bucket of drama by just asking, “Are you okay?” or “Are we cool? You seem a little distant.”

Take a risk.

Take a chance and put yourself out there. Raise your hand when you’re not sure of the answer. Make eye contact with that cutie you’ve had your eye on. Ask a person you think is cool to be a partner on a project. Sit – gasp – at a new lunch table (okay, okay, calm down. I won’t make you do that). But seriously, no guts, no glory, girlfriend. You do the same thing over and over again, you’ll get the same thing. When school starts, the window for change opens. Now’s the time to try something different before everyone gets all crusty and set in their ways.

Are you starting out at a new school where you don’t know anyone? Rachel’s also got tips to help you there!

Other suggestions from GENaustin:

Make sure your friendships are positive and make you feel good.

If your friends are making you feel drained or bad about yourself, think about whether it might be time to move away from that friend or friend group. It will be hard at first, but eventually it will open you up to making positive friendships. This article has a good list of ways to tell the difference between toxic friendships and positive ones.

Beat Stress.

If you’re feeling stressed and anxious about school work or friend drama, take time to relax and do things that’ll help you feel better. We’ve got suggestions! You can’t be the best student/daughter/friend possible if you don’t take the time to take care of yourself.

Get Enough Sleep.

Studies show teens especially need 8-9 hours of sleep per night to function properly and do well in school. If you’re tired when you wake up every morning, and nodding off in algebra, maybe it’s time to hit the hay a little earlier at night.

The first day of school always feels a little nerve wracking, but with these suggestions, you’ll get settled and comfortable in no time! Good luck!

During World War II, the government encouraged millions of women to begin working in factories and all sectors of the economy as men went to fight overseas. These women “assembled machine guns, built tanks, fabricated airplanes, and helped change the role of women in American society.” By 1945, 18 million women were in the workforce, doing jobs that had traditionally only been available to men, often working 50 hour weeks and making around 65% less than men doing the same jobs had made. The efforts of these women have been represented in popular imagination by the iconic “Rosie the Riveter,” first captured by a Norman Rockwell painting.

The Flickr page of the Library of Congress has an album of color photographs from the 1940s and 1950s containing some amazing photos of real-life Rosie the Riveters during WWII. These are some of our favorites:

Check out the whole album to see more great pictures!

Tatiana is a long-time GENaustin volunteer, as well being one of our youngest volunteers. As a GENaustin volunteer she’s helped raise funds for our scholarship campaigns, spoken at GENaustin’s 2011 We Are Girls Conference, and shared her thoughts & experiences through our blog.

1. How did you come to find out about GENaustin? How long have you been involved?

I first became involved with GENaustin by being in clubGEN in 7th grade and I’ve been involved with the organization for 3 years now.

As we say goodbye to Claudia and Celeste, GENaustin’s wonderful AmeriCorps VISTAs for the 2012-2013 year, we decided to ask about their term of service and what they learned.

You’ve served as AmeriCorps VISTAs with GENaustin for a year. How has the experience been what you expected, and how has it been different?

Celeste: I expected to love my experience and learned a lot because I cared so deeply for GENaustin’s mission, but I did not expect to come away with such close bonds with my co-workers, volunteers and the girls I served.

Claudia: When I applied, I knew that it would be a great experience, but I had no idea how big of an impact it would have on my life. I knew I would gain important skills, but never imagined the true scope of what they would look like. It has been a total privilege to work in an environment that is challenging in the most supportive way with a team atmosphere that also allows for room to grow and be creative.

Can you tell me about some of your most memorable experiences working with girls?

Celeste: I had the honor of co-facilitating a clubGEN at Fulmore Middle school this year with Claudia, and I truly cannot explain how profoundly that experience has changed my life. I learned so much about what it’s like to be a girl today, enjoyed some intense dance parties and laughed until I cried on multiple occasions. Being able to give girls a safe space to really think and discuss everything from talking to your crush, getting your period, standing up for yourself, and breaking down stereotypes was an amazing experience.

Claudia: There are so many! From 4^th graders being able to come to the conclusion that photoediting is a way to sell more products to small dance parties… I got to work with all of the programs and in every single one, there was something that inspired me deeply. Many of my favorite memories are from the club I was able to run all year- the girls started out as scared 6^th graders and I was able to watch them grow and be a part of their journey. This summer, three of them came back to be a part of a panel for girls transitioning into middle school and I realized I had watched them grow into these amazing and bright young ladies with great hearts. One of the girls told me that I was like an older sister to her and, of course, I cried. Every time one of these girls thanked me, I felt recharged because I felt like thanking all of them for allowing me into their world.

What are you going to take away with you from this year?

Celeste: I am going to take away a tremendous amount of new knowledge and skills, a new found passion for girls issues, and some pretty amazing friendships.

Claudia: So much. I’m taking away a sense of clarity and fulfillment in knowing that I’m in the exact field I want to be in. I take away a sense of family that I gained from working with such an amazing team of women. I’m taking away new best friends and mentors. I’m taking away so much inspiration from all of the girls I was lucky enough to work with. I’m taking away a sense of personal empowerment, confidence and self-love that I haven’t been able to get anywhere else. For the first time in my life, I get to take a step forward in my life with the true belief that I can achieve anything I want and be successful, happy and make a difference in the world. That’s the power of GENaustin.

What would you say to someone else who is considering serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with GENaustin?

Celeste: Without a doubt, GENaustin is the best placement someone doing a Americorps term of service can have.

Claudia: I would more than recommend it. It’s a privilege to get to work with these women and get to be a part of girls’ lives in this capacity. You will empower and feel so empowered!

VISTA gathering! GENaustin’s 2011 Americorps VISTAs with our 2012 Summer VISTAs and 2012-2013 VISTAs! Thanks to Americorps for our wonderful VISTAs and for helping GENaustin serve so many girls in our community!

Thank you to Claudia and Celeste for their dedication, enthusiasm, and devotion to improving the lives of girls in Austin. We are so happy that you are staying on at GENaustin as Campus Coordinators, and know you have big things ahead of you!

NPR just complied a list of the 100 must-read books for ages 9-14. Some of our favorites (all featuring strong female characters, of course) made the list:

House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros

The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank

Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbit

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech

Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan

Anne of Green Gables Series, L.M. Montgomery

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Judy Blume

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsburg

Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine

A Wrinkle in Time, Madeline E’lengle

Julie of the Wolves, Jean Craighead George

Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O’Dell

What do you think? Did NPR (or GENaustin) miss any really amazing books for girls 9-14?

Also check out our list of Seven Heroines Who Inspired Us for more recommendations!

Conflict and disagreements are a natural part of growing up, and can happen between you and your friends, your parents, your teachers- really, anyone. The important thing is to communicate in a way that is respectful and positive. Here are some suggestions for how to do that:

1. If you’re feeling really sad or angry, take time to cool off before trying to talk through the problem.

2. Don’t listen to argue. Instead, try to really understand what the other person is saying (even rephrase it back to them) before responding.

3. If you find yourself in a disagreement with someone, never belittle them or name-call. You will never figure stuff out if the other person feels hurt or attacked.

4. Make eye contact, and don’t roll your eyes or sigh. Make sure your body language is respectful. If you’re having a disagreement with a parent or teacher, they’re going to take it as a sign that you’re not looking for a real solution, and it will keep you guys from understanding each other.

5. Use “I” statements. If your friend did something that hurt your feelings, instead of saying, “You did this”, say, “I felt really badly when x.” This keeps your friend from feeling blamed and allows them to open up and feel more empathetic about the pain they may have caused.

Remember, no one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes sometimes. The important thing is to keep the normal problems that come up between you and the people you care about from becoming much bigger deals. These tips should help!