Every day when I wake up, whether I go to the elementary school I work at as a Special Education Instructional Assistant for LAUSD, or stay home dealing with the constant pain and fatigue from lupus I hear the same mantra about how today students are doing poorly academically and are overwhelmed by psychological distress. The shooting in Texas didn’t help matters, as a matter fact, it probably made things worse.

I wish I could tell you your lives are going to get easier but they’re not. What has to change, regardless of how you’re feeling, is you. You have to become strong and resilient enough to overcome the challenges and obstacles you will face in life. Sometimes you’ll be lucky enough to face a problem in a group, but often you might be alone. It’s those times when you have to “suck it up buttercup” and keep on strutting.

Since you’re students, and will hopefully become lifelong learners and will continually educate yourself through reading and academic classes, daily scholastic routines can help you now. Here’s a list of routines I use and that will help you grow, get your mind off of your troubles and give you something positive to focus on.

• Read at least 20 minutes, one chapter or 10 pages every day from your homework, a library book magazine or newspaper.
• zero for five minutes a day in a in a journal daily from a prompt (i.e., What’s your favorite thing to drink?)
• Draw every day in a sketchpad to Express yourself visually.
• Learn how to use the computer by using it to do simple projects.

Ultimately, the way you handle your life it’s up to you, but while you’re handling it remember how important education is and it’s a privilege and honor to get one.