| How to Make Friends on the First Day of School Posted: 18 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT One of the hardest things to do on the first day of school is making new friends. It's completely normal to feel scared and anxious. If you feel nervous, there are few simple things you can do to make friends more easily. You can give someone a compliment or use a conversation starter to start chatting. Joining a club or sports team will give you a chance to get to know other people. With a little effort, you'll make new friends in no time! [Edit]Finding Someone to Talk to - Look for someone who's on their own. Don't worry about it if you're nervous on the first day. You're not the only one! Look around for someone else who's on their own. They might be in need of a friend, too.[1]
- Try going up and sitting next to someone who's eating on their own during lunch. This will be easier than going up to a large group of people.
- Find someone with common interests. Keep your eyes open for someone who is reading a book you like or wearing a t-shirt with a character from your favorite movie or TV show. If someone is interested in the same things you like, you'll probably have a lot to talk about right away.[2]
- If you see someone who seems to share interests with you, go up and start talking to them. Start by complimenting their shirt, backpack, or whatever else caught your eye.
- Then, ask them questions about their favorite character, episode, or movie.
- If you see someone with a Harry Potter T-shirt, for example, you could say: "I like your shirt! Are you a Harry Potter fan, too? Which is your favorite book?"
- Spend time with people you already know. If you're already friends with someone at your school, hang out with them and their friends. It's easier to meet new friends if there's someone to introduce you.[3]
- Ask your friend to introduce you to at least 1 other person on your first day.[4]
- Don't be upset if others don't start conversations with you. They're probably just as nervous as you, and maybe even more so.[5]
- Join a club or sports team. Clubs and sports teams are great places to meet people who have the same interests as you. If you like soccer, sign up with a soccer team. If you like anime, look for an anime club.[6]
- Ask your teachers and other students about any clubs or teams at your school.[7]
- Look for bulletin boards at your school for information about clubs.
- If your school has a website, look at to see if it has any information about any clubs, sports, or other activities you could join.[8]
- Don't worry if you don't make a friend on your first day. Since clubs meet regularly, you'll have plenty of chances to meet people after your first day![9]
[Edit]Starting a Conversation - Make yourself look approachable. Keep a smile on your face so that your classmates feel comfortable talking to you. Make eye contact with others and wave. Assume a confident posture and bright attitude.[10]
- Try to avoid wearing earphones during your first day of school. While listening to music, an audiobook, or podcast may help you feel relaxed, people may be more hesitant to approach you because they won't want to disturb you.
- Keep your phone and other devices at home or in your bag. If you're looking down at a screen, you may miss a chance to make a new friend.
- Try using a set phrase to start talking to someone new. Starting a conversation with someone is the first step in making a new friend. To start chatting, ask a simple, basic question to break the ice. Then, follow up that question with other questions. You can even prepare and practice these questions before your first day of school.[11]
- After a science class, for example, you could ask the person sitting next to you: "How did you like the first lesson?"
- Or, if you see someone reading a book, you could ask them: "What book are you reading?"
- If you're not sure where to find a classroom or the cafeteria, ask someone for directions and then say "thanks" and introduce yourself.
- If you're nervous about speaking to other people, try practicing these conversation starters in front of a mirror.
- Ask other students open-ended questions. Once you've struck up a conversation with one of your classmates, ask questions that will allow the conversation to continue. Avoid asking simple questions that can be answered with a "yes" or a "no," or a single word or short phrase.[12]
- For example, ask: "How was your summer?" Instead of: "Did you have a good summer?"
- Listen closely to the other person's answers and ask questions based on what they tell you.
- Give someone a compliment. Complimenting someone's hairstyle or outfit is a great way to break the ice and strike up a conversation. It will also make your classmate feel less nervous on their first day of school and give them a positive first impression of you.[13]
- Try to follow up your compliment with a question that will keep the conversation going. After complimenting someone's bag, for example, you could ask: "Where did you get it?"
- Try to avoid giving someone a false compliment. If you don't like someone's shoes, try not to tell them that you do. It's probably not a good idea to start a friendship with a lie.
[Edit]Boosting Your Confidence - Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. When you feel comfortable, you'll feel more like yourself. This will make you more confident, which will help give you the courage to start talking to others.[14]
- Don't try to wear trendy clothes or stylish shoes if they don't make you feel comfortable. Wearing clothes that you're not comfortable in will just make you even more nervous on your first day.
- Wearing clothes you like will also draw the attention of people who like the same style of clothes.
- Act confident even if you don't feel so. Acting like you're comfortable in your own skin can actually make you feel and appear more at ease. To act confident, stand up straight, smile, and try to make eye contact with other people. Or, try acting like someone who seems self-assured.[15]
- Try to focus on things that are happening around you instead of yourself. This will also help you feel less self-conscious and more confident.
- Do small things to help others. Showing someone else kindness or helping them can make you feel better about yourself. Doing a bunch of small acts of kindness will help build your self-confidence.[16]
- For example, try to give a compliment to at least 1 person on your first day of school.
- Helping someone pick up something they've dropped can also give you an opening to make friends. Smile and introduce yourself as you hand the item back to them.
- Making eye contact and smiling at someone is another great way to spread positivity.
- Try not to stress if you don't meet anyone on your first day. The first day is nerve-racking for everyone. Everyone will be anxious and busy learning their new schedules. Many people will be too nervous to start talking to others. Stay patient and try to make friends on the second or third day of school.[17]
- If you do something embarrassing on the first day of school, try not to worry about it. Laugh at yourself and try to move on.[18]
[Edit]References |
| How to Freeze Bread Posted: 18 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT Does your bread go stale or moldy before you can eat it all? Freezing your bread will keep it fresh for 3-6 months. Whenever you want to eat it, you can thaw it in the refrigerator, or pop a slice directly in the toaster. Whether you are a home baker, or have just purchased too many rolls from the supermarket, freezing your bread will make sure your bread loaves stay fresh and ready to eat. [Edit]Freezing Your Bread - Let your bread cool on the counter if you have just baked it. 3 to 4 hours is generally enough time for a fresh-baked loaf to cool. Make sure your loaf is completely cool before you freeze it. Freezing a hot loaf damages the consistency of the crumb.[1]
- Slice your loaf if desired. If you are freezing sandwich bread, and anticipate wanting to thaw out a slice at a time, then it is easiest to slice your bread before you freeze it. This way, you can defrost one slice at a time instead of having to thaw the whole loaf.[2]
- Seal your bread in a Ziploc bag. If your loaf is whole, place into a large Ziploc bag and press the air out of the bag before you close it. If your loaf is sliced, place a piece of parchment paper between each slice so that the slices will be easier to separate once frozen.[3] Then place the sliced loaf into a large Ziploc bag, press out the air, and seal.
- Place your bread in the freezer. Now that your bread is packaged properly, it is ready to go in the freezer. If you are freezing sliced sandwich bread that you will need to access often, keep it in a handy-to-reach part of the freezer. If you are freezing a whole loaf, and will only need to access it once, you can put it farther back in the freezer.[4]
- Bread can last between 3 to 6 months in the freezer, but flavors may start to dull after a month.[5]
[Edit]Thawing and Refreshing Your Bread - Toast a single slice directly from the freezer. If you want to immediately eat a single slice of bread, you can toast it straight out of the freezer. You do not need to thaw your slice before you toast it.[6]
- This method works well if you know the entire loaf will not get eaten in one seating. Then you do not have to thaw and refreeze a whole bread loaf each time.
- If you want your bread slice to be thawed, but not toasted, let it thaw on the countertop for a few hours.
- Thaw a loaf on the countertop for several hours or overnight. If you want to thaw an entire loaf, take it out of the freezer and place it in on the countertop for 3 or more hours.[7] It will gradually thaw until it is no longer frozen. You can eat it now, or you can heat the bread in the oven to fully restore its fresh-baked state.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F° (177 C°) to refresh the loaf. You will use the oven to restore your to its just-baked state, so that it tastes as good as new. Make sure the rack is in the center position.[8]
- Run the loaf under a light stream of cold water. Do not soak the bread. Only coat it finely in water. This thin coating of water will steam in the oven and create a crisp crust.[9]
- Place the loaf directly on the oven rack and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, check to see if the crust is crispy enough for your satisfaction.[10] A crisp crust should crackle to the touch.
- Some kinds of bread, like baguettes, only need 15 minutes, while others might require 20 minutes.[11]
- Cool your bread on the countertop for at least an hour before serving. Your bread will taste freshly baked.[12] If you want to freeze it and store it again, you can.
[Edit]References |
| How to Sew Wrap Pants Posted: 18 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT Wrap pants are comfortable, casual pants that you put on by wrapping them around your waist and securing them in the front and back. You can make wrap pants out of any type of fabric you choose, but a stretchy or lightweight fabric is a great option. Best of all, wrap pants are easy to make! Even if you are a sewing novice, you can whip up a pair of wrap pants in about 10 minutes. Try making yourself a pair of wrap pants or sew a pair for a friend. [Edit]Designing Your Wrap Pants - Purchase of stretchy or non-stretchy fabric. Stretchy fabric is ideal for making wrap pants because it will conform to your curves and have a nice flowing look. You can also eliminate the need to hem your pants if you use a stretchy fabric, such as jersey, modal, or rayon (also known as viscose).[1] However, you can also use a non-stretchy fabric if you prefer, such as a lightweight cotton or linen.
- Stretchy fabric wrap pants will cover your legs entirely because the fabric will stretch to wrap around your curves, but non-stretchy fabrics may result in an open area on the sides of your legs.[2]
- Get a pair of shoelaces or of ribbon. You will secure the wrap pants by tying them around your waist in the front and the back with shoelaces or ribbon pieces. You will need a pair of shoelaces or enough ribbon to create 4 pieces.[3]
- Choose a strong ribbon that matches the colors in your fabric, such as pink ribbon for a fabric that includes pink in the print.
- Find a pair of leggings or stretch pants that fit you well. You do not need a pattern to make wrap pants since they are so easy to create. Use a pair of leggings that fit you well. You can fold them in half and place them over your fabric to shape the crotch and waist. This is the easiest way to get a good fit.[4]
[Edit]Cutting the Fabric - Fold the fabric in half with the right (print) sides facing each other. Lay your fabric out on a large, clean, flat surface, such as a table or the floor. Then, fold the fabric so that the shortest edges match up. Line up all the edges and make sure the fabric is flat on the work surface.[5]
- If you are working with a silk or slippery fabric, place paper weights or other heavy objects on the corners of the folded fabric. This will help to keep the fabric in place while you work.
- Cut through the fold. There should only be 1 fold in the fabric at this point. Cut along the fold to divide the single piece of fabric into 2 equal-sized pieces.[6]
- Cut the edges cleanly, especially if you are not hemming them. Do not use dull scissors to cut along the fold.
- Fold the fabric in half again. Next, fold the 2 pieces of fabric in half. Match up the longest edges of the fabric. Hold the 2 pieces together as you do this.[7]
- Folding the fabric this way allows you to create the crotch area of the pants.
- Line up the crotch of the leggings with the top corner of the folded fabric. With the leggings unfolded, turn them so 1 side of the waistband is on the fabric and the crotch matches up with the top edge of the fabric. Line up the bottom of the crotch of the leggings with the top corner of the folded fabric.[8]
- Cut around the edges of the leggings. Check to make sure that only the waistband area of the leggings down to the crotch is on your fabric. Cut around the edges of the waistband leaving about of fabric around all of the edges.[9]
- Use a sharp pair of scissors and make clean cuts to avoid jagged edges.
[Edit]Sewing the Pants - Unfold the fabric. After you finish cutting along the outside of the leggings, unfold the fabric and open it up. There should be a U-shaped cut through the 2 layers of fabric. Align the edges of the fabric after you undo the fold in the fabric. Check the raw edges of both layers of fabric to ensure that they are flush with each other.[10]
- Insert pins through both layers of fabric along the edges of the U-shaped area. To hold the 2 pieces of fabric together while you sew, insert pins through the 2 layers of fabric along the U-shape.[11] Space out the pins by about . Insert the pins into the fabric going from the outer edges of the fabric to the inner edges. This will make it easier to remove them as you sew.[12]
- Make sure that the print sides of your fabric pieces are still facing each other. This will ensure that the raw edges of the seam will be hidden.
- Sew a straight stitch from the raw edges. Start sewing at the corner of the U-shape and then move all the way around the curve. Place the 2 layers of fabric under the presser foot of your sewing machine and lower it. Then, press gently on the pedal to start the machine. Hold the fabric taut, but avoid stretching it too much. [13]
- Check your sewing machine's instruction manual if you are not sure how to set it to the straight stitch setting. This is the default setting or setting number 1 on most sewing machines.
- If desired, you can hand sew the straight stitch. However, keep in mind that this will extend the time it takes to make the wrap pants. Thread a needle with strand of thread, tug the end of the thread until it is even with the other end, and tie a knot in the end of the strands.
- To hand sew the stitches, insert the threaded needle in and out of the 2 layers of fabric along the edge of the U-shape. Make sure to keep the stitches about from the raw edges of the fabric. The stitches should be close together—about or less—for best results.
- Try using a running stitch to sew a straight line. Insert the needle into the fabric on 1 side and out about from this stitch on the opposite side. Then, repeat the stitch starting from the opposite side of the fabric.[14] Continue all the way across the U-shape.
- Hem the flat edges of the fabric if you are using a non-stretchy fabric. Open up the fabric so that the print side is facing down toward your work surface. Then, fold over the edges of the fabric on all sides by . Insert pins through the folded fabric to hold it in place. Then, sew a straight stitch about from the raw edges of the folded fabric to secure the hem.[15]
- Some types of non-stretchy fabric will fray if you do not hem them. If you are using a non-stretchy fabric and you want to create a hem around the edges, then make sure that you do it before you attach the ribbon or shoelaces.
- Cut the shoelaces or ribbon into 4 equal-sized pieces. These pieces will allow you to secure the wrap pants on your body. Line up the ends of your shoelaces or ribbon and then make a cut in the center to divide them in half. If you are using shoelaces, you can cut both pieces at once. If you are using ribbon, line up the ends of the 2 pieces and make another cut in the middle of these pieces to get 4 equal-sized pieces. Each piece should be about long.[16]
- Make sure to use a sharp pair of scissors to make these cuts. This will help to ensure that you don't end up with frayed ends.
- Pin the shoelaces or ribbon to the 4 outer corners of the fabric. Pin 1 end of each of the shoelaces or ribbon to 1 corner of the fabric outside of the U-shaped area. Place the end of the ribbon or shoelace so that it is about inside of the edges of the fabric on both sides. This will help to ensure that the end will be secured when you sew it.[17]
- Repeat this for the other 3 pieces of shoelace or ribbon.
- Sew the shoelaces or ribbon pieces to the fabric. Use a sewing machine or threaded needle to sew back and forth across the shoelace or ribbon end to secure it. You can sew in a diagonal line across the corner where the shoelace or ribbon end is overlapping your fabric, and then sew across the in the opposite direction to create an X stitch. This will hold the shoelace or ribbon securely in place.[18]
- Repeat this for the other 3 corners as well.
- Make sure that you do not sew across the pin or you may damage your machine.
- Sew a couple of stitches to tack down the ribbon or shoelace, and then pull out the pin before sewing the rest of the way.
- Try on the pants! To put the pants on, grasp 2 of the ribbons or shoelaces that are attached to the same piece of fabric. Then, tie the fabric around your waist like an apron.
- Make sure that the print side of the fabric is facing out.
- Then, bring the rest of the fabric between your legs and up over your backside and hips.
- Use the other 2 pieces of ribbon or shoelace to tie this piece around your waist going from back to front. This will secure the pants in place.[19]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - of a stretchy or non-stretchy fabric, such as jersey, modal, rayon (viscose), cotton, or linen
- 2 shoelaces or of ribbon
- Scissors
- A pair of leggings that fit you well
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Needle
[Edit]References |
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