Blog Archives

Ready, Set, Thrive – Essential Life Skills for Teens

Ready, Set, Thrive is a guidebook aimed at helping adolescents develop the practical and emotional skills needed to navigate the complexities of teenage life and beyond. It covers topics like communication, decision-making, financial management, and self-care. The book’s goal is to arm teens with the necessary tools to manage their academic, personal, and social lives while fostering a sense of independence and confidence. Each chapter dives into specific life skills, offering actionable advice and relatable examples to equip young readers with the means to thrive during their formative years.

The writing style is engaging and conversational, making it an easy and enjoyable read. What stood out to me was the relatable language the author uses. The author often compares life to a video game, which likely resonates with a younger audience. The section on “The Value of Life Skills” introduces this concept brilliantly, using analogies like “your weapons are life skills” in place of traditional tools. This kind of relatable and friendly tone makes challenging concepts like financial literacy and decision-making seem more accessible.

I also appreciated how the book covers more than just the typical academic and career success topics. For instance, Chapter 9 on “Mastering Personal Hygiene and Self-Care Habits” dives into the importance of self-care during the teenage years, which I found refreshing. It emphasizes how crucial self-care is for mental health, saying, “None of your achievements will matter if you are unhealthy enough to enjoy them.” That struck a chord, especially considering how many teens are bombarded with external pressures to succeed without being reminded to care for their well-being.

While the book is full of actionable advice, I think some of the strategies might feel overwhelming to a teen just starting out. For example, the chapter on time management introduces techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix and the Pomodoro Method, both great tools, but it might be more effective to offer a simpler, more digestible approach before diving into more complex frameworks.

Ready, Set, Thrive is a solid pick for teens who want practical advice presented in an approachable and relatable manner. I think the book would be perfect for high schoolers preparing for the next phase of life or even younger teens looking for ways to handle everyday challenges with more confidence.

Pages: 248 | ASIN : B0DGY1CJ3L

Buy Now From Amazon

Stand Strong In Who You Are

Derek T Freeman Author Interview

88 Life-Changing High School Hacks is not your typical how-to get through high school and into a college self-help book; rather, you teach teens the skills they will need to be successful as adults. What inspired you to write this book for young adults?

My interest in writing for young adults began with my book “Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens,” inspired by my (then) pre-teen children entering their teen years. I’d always recalled my own challenging experiences in middle and high school and wanted to create an easily digestible resource to empower others through those times. Ironically, none of my children have read either of my books yet (although they promise to), but I know they’ve been helping many other families!

One feature in your book that stands out is the tone and writing style that you use. Finding a way to reach modern teenagers in a world where the TikTok format is how they communicate is a challenge. How did you approach writing and formatting this book so that young adults would want to read it and retain the information you are giving them?

I knew going into it that it would be a challenge to get adolescents to read this type of book and that their parents or guardians would be a major part of that. That being said, I still write directly to the young person as if writing to my teenage self. Using that as a method of operation keeps my writing short, sweet, and to the point – even humorous and entertaining.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks?

I encourage young people to think for themselves. To stand strong in who they are while also maintaining respect and humility for adults and the world around them.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be published?

The third book will be a 2-in-1 of the first two, so a bundle that will ultimately reduce the cost of buying them individually. I’m thinking in 2024, I might start a new series for pre-teens, but we’ll see. As a side note, I’m currently narrating the audiobook for 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks, so that should be interesting!

Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website

The perfect back-to-school read (if you like books by humans. Sorry, no AI here)!
You can master adulthood before you get there or wait for it to master you. Which will you choose?
We all love a good hack. That one piece of advice that cuts straight to the heart of a problem and shows you how to handle it with ease. But don’t let the title fool you – reducing this wisdom to mere “hacks” would be a massive disservice.
You’re about to uncover a treasure trove of insight: 88 of the best tips, tricks, and techniques to launch you from teendom to adulthood with resounding success. And don’t worry – you won’t lose yourself along the way. You won’t have to trade your joy, curiosity, or spark. You won’t have to become “boring” – or bored. You’ll simply be one step ahead of the game.
There are no worn-out clichés here – no recycled information you’ve read in a thousand blog posts that don’t tell you anything you didn’t already know. Here you’ll find an inspired and well-researched collection of advice you can turn to repeatedly as you pave your distinct path into the future.
Inside this unique resource, you’ll discover:
88 game-changing life hacks, numbered and arranged by category so you can come back to them time and time again
How to save time and energy at school while taking control of your environment and gaining all the benefits of your education (without ending the week exhausted)
Why you should ‘eat the frog’ (and how you don’t have to chow down on a single amphibian to do this)
The secret to building and maintaining good relationships – and why this will be important throughout your whole life
Fresh and unique kitchen tips, regardless of experience level
Multiple ways to improve your memory (even while you sleep)
How money is energy (and how to use that to your advantage) – complete with essential financial literacy skills you’ll never learn in school
Why you should ‘be more buffalo’ – what this means, and how to come out the other side of any challenge quicker than most people
The mind hacks that will set the stage for a lifetime of growth and self-realization
Everything you didn’t know you needed to know about cars and driving
Timeless principles to take forward into the working world (no matter how much it changes before you get there)
And much more.
One day you’re in high school, and the next, you’re navigating the adult world without a map. The good news is, with these hacks in your toolbox, you won’t need one.
This isn’t the advice you’re used to from parents and teachers. This is the stuff you need to ace the game of life. And you’re just one click away from unlocking it…
Hack your way to success one nugget of wisdom at a time: Scroll up, and click ‘Add to Cart’ right now!
Read less

88 Life-Changing High School Hacks (A Sur-Thrival Guide)

Navigating the turbulent waters of high school life is a challenge faced by many, with the journey from childhood to adulthood fraught with difficulties such as bullying, burnout, and anxiety over the future. 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks, authored by Derek Freeman, seeks to provide a guiding hand through this particularly demanding phase of life.

The book presents a comprehensive collection of 88 carefully curated tips, offering guidance on diverse subjects such as study techniques, time management, social interaction, and extracurricular activities. Drawing upon a Miagi-type mentorship approach, Freeman’s work serves as a preparation course designed to conserve time and energy, enhance memory, cultivate strong relationships, and lay the foundation for financial mastery.

Despite its considerable volume, each of the hacks in the book is deemed essential. Freeman has invested considerable effort into investigating the realities of adolescence, even incorporating insights from his personal experiences. Portrayed as a passion project in the foreword, this dedication is palpable throughout the book, with the extensive research contributing to its resonant and informative nature.

The text exudes the comforting wisdom of an older sibling with a playful and engaging first-person narrative. Each tip is meticulously numbered, not only to validate the promised quantity but also to facilitate easy referencing. This thoughtful design allows the reader to utilize the book as a go-to manual for navigating both high school and the transitional years that follow.

Though principally aimed at teens and pre-teens, the wisdom encapsulated in 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks transcends age. Freeman’s insights into internal distractions and procrastination, along with practical solutions like the Pomodoro technique, can be applied universally by anyone eager to enhance their focus. Additionally, personal anecdotes, such as Hack #28: The Codeword, offer valuable insights that parents may find helpful.

In an era when technological distractions often supplant family interactions, Freeman’s book promotes essential conversations between parents and children. Whether discussing life’s practicalities while assisting in the kitchen or leisurely conversing in the backyard, this book fosters connections and understanding.

88 Life-Changing High School Hacks emerges as a timely and vital resource, penned by an observant author keen to impart the wisdom garnered over years of reflection and learning. Its relevance to today’s society, where digital gadgets often overshadow face-to-face family communication, further underscores its significance. Engaging, insightful, and empathetic, this book is not just a guide but a compassionate companion for those journeying through the multifaceted landscape of high school life.

Pages: 220 | ASIN : B0CCK26JTL

Buy Now From Amazon