Upperclassmen Uncensored: Date Destinations Revealed

How can someone come out to their family?

Alayna: Idk lol, let me know when you figure it out tho!

Sofia: ^ Yah this one is beyond me LOL.

Grey: I’d known I wasn’t straight since 7th grade, but it took me until junior year to tell my mom. I just waited until there was a moment I felt safe. I sat my mom down, told her I’m bisexual, what that meant, and…she lectured me for an hour about how women are terrible and how great it is that I don’t have to date them and can choose to be with a man instead, as long as she still gets grandkids! She then completely forgot I came out. Twice. Storytime aside, the best thing I can say is that you should only tell them if you feel safe doing so, and to be patient. Wait until a moment presents itself in which you feel safe and confident enough to tell them. You’ll probably know if your family will be accepting or not, but if you don’t know it could be helpful to ask them how they feel about the LGBT+ community or queer figures they might know. Even if they are accepting, they might have questions or still be insensitive. It may take time for them to make adjustments, even if it’s only in small ways. Remember that not everyone will know what is and isn’t acceptable for queer identities, and they might make mistakes. It might fall on you to educate them, but if they are truly accepting, they’ll try to listen. 

Mandy: I made a slideshow impulsively HAHAHHSJKDA. Erm, it wasn’t serious at all and I figured my family would be accepting. I didn’t want it to be a big thing but because I was coming out as trans I knew my family would have questions so I wanted to get that all out of the way first. To be honest, I think if you’re gay you could just come home with your partner and call it a day if you don’t want it to be big.

Advice on how to respectfully cut someone off that your friends are friends with?

Alayna: I’d recommend doing it gradually to not cause drama… you don’t have to be rude to them but definitely just distancing yourself from them slowly would help. Hang with other people when you’re in a group together, maybe ghost their texts a bit, avoid deep conversations with them, etc. Keep it light, I feel like you really only have to explain it to them if they confront you.

Alexa: Like Alayna said, start distancing yourself from them. Start denying hangouts, continuously say you’re busy, blah blah blah, until they start distancing themself from you too. You might feel like a prick at first but if it’s beneficial for your mental health then it will be worth it in the end.

Mandy: You can always ignore them and “keep the peace” when they’re around your friends. I’d say that works pretty well.

What’s a good first date?

Alayna: It sounds basic but I think going to the movies is a solid first date because you don’t have to make awkward small talk the whole time. The movie gives you something to talk about and it’s not a lot of pressure to impress them. 

Sofia: I agree with Alayna solely because I’ve only been to movie dates LOL. Me, personally, I love the idea of art museums or any kind of art-related date, e.g. concerts, book stores, any of that. But, tbh, I feel like any date is a good date as long as you’re with someone you like.

Mandy: I’ll get back to you on that. All I do is go over to my boyfriend’s house and he comes to mine. I hate going out (but if you’re like me and your partner is too, that’s fine! Just find out what you both are comfortable with :3)

Alexa: It’s been four months and my boyfriend and I still haven’t gone on a “real date,” but I wouldn’t trade any of those laid back hangouts for anything. It’s nice to just be in the presence of the person you like in a comforting setting like your room. But like everyone else said, it all depends on what would mutually be the most fun for both you and your partner!

Grey: That comes down to you and your partner. You want it to be something both of you can enjoy, whether that’s a movie, a picnic, a coffee shop, a bookstore, whatever. I’m a sucker for museums and stuff, but I also love sitting in on a rainy day and watching a movie together, just holding each other. Truthfully, I don’t really care as long as I get to spend quality time with someone I care for. Just give me your hand to hold and I’ll be happy. 

Why is there no salt on the fries at blake?

Alayna: I know, right 🙁 Good thing we have those delectable buckets of hot sauce!!!!!!!!!! Cafeteria food has given me a hot sauce addiction. It is pretty much just salt to me at this point.

Sofia: They are good nonetheless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Tokyo: THAT’S A GREAT QUESTION!! I SAY WE START A REVOLUTION AND RIOT!!! 

Grey: If you’re so desperate for mineral content then go crunch up a boulder or lick at a salt deposit, you damn animal.

Mandy: I mean, idk why you’re asking us this, but I think it’s despicable and they need to add salt.

How do I accept not doing well on some of my AP exams?

Sofia: Just remember you did your best and try not to blame yourself!!!!!! Your hardwork and intelligence isn’t reflected in just your AP scores, you’re more than a couple of numbers.

Mandy: It’s not the end of the world. I got a 2 on my AP Gov exam LOL it’s whatever and one test score doesn’t determine how smart you are or how you’ve grasped a topic. If you tried your best, that’s all that matters.

Grey: I’ve never had good AP test scores, so trust me when I say that it really does not matter. Like Mandy said, all that matters is that you tried your best. It doesn’t mean you’re stupid if your score wasn’t great. AP tests and standardized testing as a whole aren’t a good way to judge someone’s academic abilities, and getting hung up about it or working yourself too much will do more harm than good. You tried and that’s enough to be proud of.  

How can I approach my crush?

Tokyo: I’m gonna keep it a buck, just talk to them dawg.

Alexa: Try to find things that you have in common with them so you have something to talk about. You like whatever band or show is on their shirt? Complement them. Ask them for music or show recommendations so you can talk about it with them later! I watched a show Mandy recommended to me just to have an excuse to talk to him and it worked LOL.

Mandy: Start talking to them as friends. Get to know them more, and see if they’d be interested in a relationship. You can feel it out from there 😀 (or in Lexa’s case, be absolutely not discreet in saying “I’m at target? Oh and unrelated, what’s your favorite candy?” and then buy me kitkats)

Grey: Absolutely concur with what Alexa and Mandy said, but also try not to overthink so much. If it were that easy, then I wouldn’t have to say it, but it’s true. Just be yourself and don’t try to force things. If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work. Even if things don’t fall into place, you might still have a friend, which is just as nice. 

Sofia: Totally agree with Grey, Lexa, and Mandy! But, if you’re on the shier side, DM-ing them or sliding up on their story totally works, too!!! But, it’s really important to remember that even if it doesn’t work, it’s not the end of the world!!!

Does school get harder from junior to senior?

Lauren: Sadly, it does. Though if you take the classes you know that you can handle and also 

Mandy: I dunno, I skipped junior year.

Grey: Yes.

Alayna: Yes. Take it from me, someone who signed up for FIVE AP CLASSES SENIOR YEAR, you do not want a hard schedule senior year. Everyone says junior year is the hardest, but they lied. It’s senior year. Applying to college is so hard. SO HARD AND SO STRESSFUL OMG I beg all of you to give yourself an easy schedule filled with yoga and art classes please do not be like me I regret everything. 

Sofia: Think it totally depends on the schedule you have and what you signed up for and what you have left to do. That being said; Get your requirements like your credits and SSL hours done ASAP so you’re not stressing during your senior year. Applying to college and the idea of graduating and becoming an adult is stressful enough as it is, so do what you can to make it easier on yourself.