This preservation dries leaves, but does not preserve their color. Sandwich your fall leaves in between two clean sheets of heavy white typing paper.  Use paper that is at least as heavy as typing paper, rather than something thin like tracing paper. Otherwise, the leaves may bleed through and create stains. Lay the leaves out in a single layer. Do not stack or overlap the leaves since doing so will cause them to stick together. Choose leaves that are in good shape. They should be recently fallen and moist. The tips should not be dried or turned up. A large, heavy book should work. To reduce the risk of staining the book or other pressing object, as well as the work surface, place sheets of blotting paper or paper towels in between the typing paper and the book. This will help to absorb the moisture from the leaves. Press the leaves directly inside the book. Use an old book that you do not mind staining just in case the leaves damage the pages. Simply tuck the leaves away into the pages of the book. Allow at least 20 pages in between leaves for best results.  Telephone directories work very well, if you have one available. Put weight on top of the book. The pressing helps press out moisture as well as keep the leaf flat. This can be other books, bricks, or any object with some heft. They should be dried; if they are still pliable, press them for another few days.

Summary: Place the leaves between two sheets of paper. Lay a heavy book over the paper. Alternative pressing with a book: Check your progress after one week.


Using emotion-regulation skills can reduce mood swings. Regulating your emotions is about learning to change the situation you are in or the emotion you are having.  One way to regulate your emotions is to use positive self-talk. For example, if you are feeling very sad you can tell yourself, "It's going to be okay. I'm sad right now but I can get through this." You may find that using positive self-talk can help to reduce whatever negative emotion you are experiencing. Sometimes you can’t stop your emotions even if you want to. If you feel emotional, but are in a bad environment to express yourself – change your environment if you can. Perhaps go to your car, the bathroom, or somewhere else that you can be alone. If you give yourself a few minutes to let some emotions out (i.e through being tearful), you may feel better and be able to go back to your day. This is one helpful way you can regulate your emotions, by letting a little bit out at at time. One way to cope with negative emotions is to postpone dealing with your feelings in order to continue being productive or until you can get to a safe place to express them. This is a helpful technique because not all places are appropriate to express certain emotions. For example, you wouldn’t necessarily want to let out your anger or tears in a crowded office building with your coworkers present. This could lead to negative occupational consequences.   Distracting yourself is a great way to postpone dealing with a particular emotion. A good distraction technique is to focus on your responsibilities or work projects. You can also tell yourself, "I know I have some emotions to deal with, but I need to focus right now." Set a time to stress out or deal with the negative emotion. For example, literally write into your schedule "emotional time" from 6 - 6:30 pm. This way you are planning to healthfully express your emotions at a later moment. Avoid completely detaching from your emotions because this can be dangerous and can lead to lack of empathy and crimes or violence against others.  If you feel numb or emotionless, contact a mental health professional for assistance. Anger management is about dealing with your anger before it blows up and becomes a rage. The anger escalation model is a helpful idea that shows how your anger can slowly increase throughout the day. If you don’t notice it and cope with it appropriately, it can end up building until it finally blows up and you end up yelling or doing another aggressive action.  Accept that anger is a normal emotion and it is okay to feel sometimes. Many things can make us angry. It’s what we do with our anger that makes the difference. Good ways to cope with and release anger are: talking to a friend, hitting a pillow (or another soft object that won’t cause harm), screaming into a pillow, exercising, and boxing (safely). The personal meaning you give your emotions can either increase or decrease your mood swings. This is because your thoughts directly influence your feelings and behaviors. Thus, your beliefs about emotions can directly influence your mood swings.   Look at your feelings as information instead of thinking of them as terrible things that you need to avoid. Think, "I am feeling a strong emotion. I can try to understand what it means and how I can cope with it." Use your wise mind by analyzing and questioning your thoughts and emotions logically. Ask yourself questions such as:  What am I thinking and feeling? What are the words that my mind is saying? Are the thoughts descriptions or evaluations? Accurate or inaccurate? Helpful or unhelpful? Is this thought fact or opinion? Where is my focus of attention? What can I do to cope? Ironically, the more you try to control or fix your emotions, the more mood swings you might have.  Sometimes you may want to control your emotions because they are painful and difficult to deal with.  Counterproductive attempts at control are classified as either ascent behaviors (increasing activation), or descent behaviors (decreasing activation).

Summary: Regulate your emotions. Postpone the emotion. Manage your anger. Change the way you interpret your emotions. Give up control and accept your emotions.


Always stand straight for better clothing posture. Iron your clothes This will keep your skin looking its best and your spirits high. You're not there to be a fashion statement, remember to study hard.

Summary: Rock that uniform with a great attitude! Have great posture. Keep your clothes in good condition. Get enough sleep. Stay in school.


Before getting started, you’ll want to make sure your patio is completely clear. Find a place away from your work area to stash patio furniture, dining sets, planters, grills, toys and anything else that may be damaged by free-flowing water or cleaning solutions. Your work area should ideally be as empty as you can get it.  Bring lightweight furniture inside, and move heavier pieces to the yard, sidewalk or a covered porch. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause metal furniture and appliances to rust. Use a broom to dislodge as much loose debris from the patio as you can. This will make it easier to reach the more stubborn stains underneath, as well as give you an idea how extensive the cleaning methods you employ will need to be. Substances like compact dirt, dried mulch or sidewalk chalk may need to be scrubbed by hand using an abrasive sponge. Once you’ve swept the concrete, hose it down with a heavy stream of water. Push the dirt off to an adjoining section of the yard to drain. The concrete will then need time to dry before you can move on to other, more involved methods.  If it’s been awhile since you last cleaned your patio, add some mild liquid dish detergent to a bucket of warm water to make a soapy rinse. The surfactants in the soap will help break up dirt and oil more effectively.  In some cases, a good hosing may be all you need to remove a thin layer of dirt and sediment.
Summary: Remove all furniture and other objects. Sweep away excess dirt. Spray the patio with a garden hose.