Count Down To Class

Girls' Life, August, 2001 by Jodi Lynn Bryson

Wanna have the best week ever and be primed to head back to school feeling cute, fashionable, rested, tanned, smart and (gasp!) excited to step foot on campus? We show you how.

It's the end of summer, and you want to milk what's left of your freedom? We're on your side. If you don't take advantage of the time you have now, you'll kick yourself by the third day of chem. Follow this seven-days-to-class schedule, and we promise an awesome last week of freedom that will leave you seriously ready to face the big day.

Day One Meg a Movie Monday

WHAT YOU'LL NEED $15 (for tickets, snacks) * your favorite outfit * your BFFs * courage to call some boys * a ride to the multiplex

WHAT YOU'LL DO You're going to the movies, but this Mega Movie Monday is one for the record books. Once school starts, there will be no catching a flick at noon because, duh, you'll have class. That's why hitting the theaters mid-day on a Monday is so utterly satisfying.

The second reason this entertainment excursion will righteously rule is because you'll get dolled up with your girls and then--here's the really adventurous part--call your summer crush. Guys don't always dig chitchat so cut straight to the chase and let him know you're catching a movie with a bunch of friends. Ask him to see what his buddies are up to. Play it like you really don't care if he and his crew show. This is not a group date or anything nerve-wracking, but why not add a bit of boy to the mix? Set up a time and meeting place then ask (say "please") a parent for a ride.

Finally, wash and condition that hair and blow it out straight. Throw on a cute shorts and tank outfit, and apply some lip gloss. You are superfine and ready to roll. And so what if the boys don't make it? It's the excitement of inviting those dawgs that makes it fun. If they flake, so what? You've got your buds!

Day Two Totally Tushie Tuesday

WHAT YOU'LL NEED comfortable pajamas * yummy snacks * a working TV remote control * a notepad and pencil

WHAT YOU'LL DO There are a zillion-kabillion reasons why summer is so excellent, but the most genius part of the warm-weather break is sleeping in. Next week, the alarm clock buzzer is gonna hurt. NOW is the time to enjoy those precious morning snooze hours. Enter Totally Tushie Tuesday.

First, grab the notebook and pen. Write a nice note saying that you mustn't be disturbed before noon. Let the fam know that your Countdown Schedule requires a do-nothing day. Tape a reminder note to your door Monday night before hitting the sack.

Wake up whenever you darn well feel like it! Note: You are not allowed to brush your hair or adjust your bed-head ponytail! This is your day to be worry-free, sloth about the house, be a lazy girl-slug. In fact, DO NOT look in a mirror, make your bed or open the curtains. Roll out of bed, grab your pillow. Make a bowl of cereal, turn on the TV and set yourself up on the couch. Watch as much tube as you want. When that gets boring, grab some nutritionally worthless munchies (soda, chips, frozen pizza rolls, name your poison) and pop in a DVD. Remember, you're about to be crazed with a school schedule, so stock up on doing nothin' but sitting on your tushie on a Tuesday!

Day Three What to Wear Wednesday

WHAT YOU'LL NEED cute baskets or shopping bags

* your stereo and CDs * hammer and tiny nails

* little white tree lights

WHAT YOU'LL DO Creating a closet that looks like a window display is super easy and can even make it look like you have more clothes than you do. If you organize your closet, your wardrobe is truly a "wardrobe" and not a clumpy closet stuffed with shirts, pants and furniture from your old Barbie Dream House.

To get started, flip on the radio, open your closet and remove everything. Sort through the wreckage and remove everything you never wear, can't stand, itches, is just too darned tight, looks dorky or is out of date.

If you have little sibs or cousins who might want any of it, now is the time to put the hand in "hand-me-downs." Give those dud duds away. Otherwise, put all the stuff nicely in a bag and have someone donate it to a cool charity.

Now it's time to "categorize." First, store any winter stuff you won't need for a while in the attic with moth balls to keep the moths away. Then put all the tops you like in one place, long sleeves with long sleeves, short with short, etc. Buy some fresh new hangers, and hang all your skirts and pants. Put the skirts together in one part of your closet and all the pants together next to them. Within each section, put colors together for a quick color-code. For example, put all the white tees together in the short-sleeve section, all the jeans together in the pants section--you get the idea.

For shoes, any ol' shoe rack works. If you don't have one, pair your shoes and line them on the floor of your closet, putting your frequent-flyer kicks in the front row.

The top shelf is perfect for miscellaneous stuff. Take all your tights (check 'em first for runs and holes) and put them in a lined basket. Baskets also work great for socks, purses, hats, winter gear like scarves and gloves, whatever.