Silkscreens can only apply one color at a time, so create a simple shape or outline to begin learning. Whatever you draw will eventually be the inked part of the print. To make your own print, you need:  Poster board, thin cardboard, or other thick & sturdy paper. Pencil X-acto knife or another precision knife Screen printing isn't difficult, as what you draw is exactly what you get on the final print. However, there are certain principles and limitations to screen printing that you should know as you design your print:  You can only print 1 color at a time. High contrast images (like black on white) work the best, as you cannot use shading. For complex designs, you need to make multiple prints, one for each color, and layer them after the ink has dried. Sketch out the blocks of your design. You can upload photos or other images into photo editing software as well and use those. To do so, reduce the drawing to a basic two-tone outline then print it. To make a stencil on Photoshop, for example, you would take a black and white image and click Image → Adjustments → Threshold, then set it up near the highest it can be. Everything that you cut away will be un-inked on the final print, and everything covered by the stencil will be covered in ink. For example, imagine you are printing the red logo of a bulls-eye on a white t-shirt. When you cut out the stencil, all of the rings that you cut away will be white, and all of the rings that are covered by the stencil will be red. For complex prints, it can be very difficult to cut out the entire outline. In this case, use thick black ink on transparent paper to make your stencil. Your stencil or drawing needs to block light, as this is what etches the design into the screen and allows you to print. Everything covered by a stencil or black ink will not get exposed to light, leaving it "open" and allowing ink to pass onto the shirt or item.

Summary: Create a stencil of your design. Know the artistic limitations and challenges of screen-printed designs. Sketch your design onto the poster board. Cut the design out as a stencil. Alternatively, draw your design on transparent paper.


While some schools have their own application forms and online portals, many participate in common application programs. For each application, enter your name, contact and personal information, activities, and other required details into the appropriate fields.  In the U.S., over 800 schools participate in the Common App program. For schools that accept the Common App, you just need to fill out 1 application form, and you and your guidance can upload your essay, transcript, and letters of recommendation directly onto the website at https://www.commonapp.org.  Outside of the U.S., many nations have 1 universal application that covers all universities. For instance, in the United Kingdom, you’d submit a UCAS application at https://www.ucas.com. If you’re using the Common App, you can simply upload your required documents through the program’s website. For schools that don’t take the Common App, you’ll most likely need to create an account on their website and upload your documents through their application server. Recall that most schools now prefer online submissions. If you prefer to send hard copies and your potential schools accept paper applications, check their admissions websites for mailing addresses. If you’re using the Common App (or another universal application service), log into the website, head to the “Review and Submit” section, and search for a potential school. When you submit your application to that school, you’ll be prompted to pay an application fee, which is typically between $30 and $90 (U.S.).  The payment process is similar if you’re applying to schools that don’t take the Common App. The Common App only takes credit or bank cards. Schools that don’t accept the Common App may accept checks or bank transfers in addition to cards, so double check admissions websites for acceptable payment forms. If application fees are outside of your budget, you can apply for fee waivers through schools' financial aid departments. Ask a parent for help submitting financial information with the waiver applications. For both the Common App and schools with independent application portals, you should be able to log into the website and check your application’s status. Otherwise, stay on the safe side and call or email the admissions department to ensure they received all of your required documents. Waiting is tough, but try to be patient! It usually takes about 2 or 3 months for a college to notify applicants whether or not they were accepted. If you live in the U.S., file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 of your senior year. Your FAFSA determines how much federal financial aid you qualify for; schools that accept you will also let you know if they can offer scholarships, grants, or loans. Once you know how you’ll finance your education, you can send a letter of acceptance to your chosen school and take the first steps toward your degree!

Summary: Fill out application forms according to each college’s requirements. Include your required documents with your application. Pay each school’s application fee. Confirm that colleges have received your materials after a month. Start the financial aid application process after applying to schools.


The mood swings may be as harmless as a general annoyance or severe enough that they are keeping the friend up all night. Take notes in a journal to help you identify patterns. You may also be able to spot other factors that may contribute to the mood swings. Some mental illnesses have mood swings as a symptom. Your roommate may be experiencing an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder. Mood swings can be a symptom or even a result of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADHD or even anxiety. Look up the symptoms of each and compare your roommate’s behaviors to see if anything fits. Keep in mind, your goal is not to diagnose your roommate. You are simply trying to learn more about his or her behaviors so that you can have a better understanding. See if they have noticed the behavior. Do this discreetly. You might start by asking other friends if they see the moodiness when you aren’t around. Finding out can help you understand if it happens all the time or only at home. If it's strictly at home, you may want to consider whether the two of you are well-suited if he or she only acts like this in your presence.  If the mood swings are something you have seen occur with other people as well, ask them for suggestions as to how they handled it. "So, you say Terry is moody around you every now and then, too, huh? What do you do when this happens?" Explore how many people in your roommate’s family have similar issues and see if there is a pattern as far as mental health issues running in the family. If the mood swings have been interfering with his or her life, it may be a sign of a larger problem. It can be helpful to remind your roommate of the affect his or her mood swings actually has on life for both of you. Your roommate may not notice the issue on a daily basis, so be prepared.  You might show compassion by saying "I can see that your mood brings you down some days. It also causes tension between us. Have you thought about seeing a counselor or someone you can talk to professionally?" Volunteer to go to the doctor with your roommate for emotional support.
Summary: Identify patterns of moodiness. Conduct some research. Talk to your roommate’s friends and family. Suggest that your roommate see a doctor or counselor.