GU Back to School Presented by Disney Dreamers Academy

Name: GU Back to School Presented by Disney Dreamers Academy
Uploaded: 2026-02-06T10:33:17+00:00
Duration: 1 h 1 min 33 s
Channel: Essence Virtual Events

Essence Virtual Events

5 days ago

Forget 2020’s remote back-to-school situation. This year you’re roaming the halls to find your algebra class or pulling up on campus to meet your roomie.

But there’s no need to ride the struggle bus. GU got you!

GU Back to School Presented by Disney Dreamers Academy was designed to help you crush your back-to-school goals.

This must-see experience will show you how to:

Revamp your ’fits—without spending all of your coins
Work smarter, not harder
Prioritize your mental health
Set money goals
BUT WAIT. THERE’S MORE.

A few fabulous Disney Dreamers Academy alums check in to chat about finding the path to success and having life-changing experiences since discovering how to “Be 100”—the best version of themselves!

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🛠️

Lifestyle

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00:00:00Hello and welcome to GU Back to School presented by Disney Dreamers Academy.

00:00:13I'm Rochelle Dennis, co-founder of Girls United. Students and parents listen up.

00:00:19You are now watching the ultimate guide to crushing your school studies,

00:00:23revamping your school fits with expert fashion advice, getting ahead of the game,

00:00:27and setting early financial goals, and much more.

00:00:30We have a performance by one more, and so you don't want to miss out on that.

00:00:34But that's not all. We will also tell you how you can apply to be a part of the next class of Disney Dreamers Academy.

00:00:41Essence has collaborated over the years with this incredibly inspiring initiative,

00:00:45and we're here to tell you more.

00:00:47The Vice President of Disney Signature Experiences

00:00:50and the Executive Champion of the Disney Dreamers Academy, Tracy Powell.

00:00:54Welcome Essence Family and Girls United.

00:01:01I have the honor of leading off with the latest on the Disney Dreamers Academy.

00:01:07As the Executive Champion, I'm delighted to share that as in years past,

00:01:12100 Disney Dreamers will come together at Walt Disney World Resort,

00:01:17but there will be many new highlights.

00:01:20Foremost, the Class of 22 will arrive at an exciting time during Walt Disney World Resort's 50th anniversary celebration.

00:01:30Over the four days of content sessions and festivities of the Academy,

00:01:35the Disney Dreamers, as well as the parent or guardian who accompanies them,

00:01:39will enjoy the excitement of new attractions and experiences related to the 50th anniversary.

00:01:47Jump-starting career dreams has always been one of the tenets of the Disney Dreamers Academy.

00:01:53If you apply and are selected, you can look forward to four whirlwind days of hands-on career explorations

00:02:01and engagement with professionals and celebrities across a range of fields.

00:02:07The Academy has become a life-changing experience for well over a thousand young people.

00:02:13We have seen the program grow and change, never losing focus of our mission to empower Disney Dreamers

00:02:21with the practical tools, relationships, and career insights to dream big and to be 100,

00:02:31the authentic and best version of themselves.

00:02:34But with only a couple of months left in the application window for the Disney Dreamers Academy, Class of 2022,

00:02:41we are laser-focused on driving awareness and applications from our community.

00:02:48This is a call to action to help us get the word out to prospective Disney Dreamers, parents or guardians,

00:02:56and to schools, churches, or organizations in your community engaged with young people in high school between the ages of 13 to 19.

00:03:06Here's Dara Renee of the cast of the High School Musical, The Musical, The Series, on Disney Plus,

00:03:14with more information on the program and a call to action to apply.

00:03:19Since 2008, more than 1,000 Disney Dreamers have come to Walt Disney World to experience the power of a dream.

00:03:28Is it your time to dream bigger?

00:03:31Be the hero of your own story.

00:03:33To believe you are the dreamer that the world is waiting for.

00:03:36High school students or parents get information on the Academy Class of 2022 on DisneyDreamersAcademy.com.

00:03:44Disney Dreamers, apply now! It's your time.

00:03:52Wow, that all looks like an opportunity of a lifetime.

00:03:55In addition to the amazing advice we'll be giving you all show long,

00:03:59you'll hear from Disney Dreamers Academy alum who've pursued their dreams and found paths to success

00:04:05since discovering how to be 100, the best versions of themselves.

00:04:09Up first, we have Tabitha Willis, STEM Scholar and Class of 2018,

00:04:14whose Disney Dreamer Academy experience helped her discover that she could defy all limitations.

00:04:18Check it out.

00:04:29My name is Tabitha Willis. I'm 21 years old and I'm a Class of 2018 Disney Dreamer.

00:04:33I applied to Disney Dreamers Academy because I wanted to have an unrivaled experience.

00:04:38I wanted to be in a place where I could learn from students and from the amazing advisors and mentors that they provided us.

00:04:45My dream is to become a surgeon, but beyond that, it encompasses a lot of different factors.

00:04:51I want to be a Renaissance woman. I don't want to limit myself on what I can become.

00:04:57Some people have bookshelves, but I have a book pile.

00:05:01It's a collection of books that mean the most to me, that have gotten me through my ups

00:05:06and also when I just need a pick-me-up to dive into a story, to transport me into a whole new place of being

00:05:13and a whole new mindset.

00:05:14Disney Dreamers Academy was unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life.

00:05:19I had never been to Disney World before. I had never been to a leadership-type conference before.

00:05:24The best advice that I received at the Disney Dreamers Academy was to not let your fears scream while your dreams whisper.

00:05:32Right now, I am a senior at The Ohio State University studying medical anthropology and biology.

00:05:38I'm currently studying for the MCAT so I can apply to medical school in the spring.

00:05:42I'm also working on a joint book talking about my experiences in STEM, being a person of color,

00:05:48and being a woman in a predominantly male field.

00:05:52If you're interested in STEM, I would say to go for it because there's so many opportunities.

00:05:56There's so many places you can go. There's so many avenues that you maybe haven't even heard of.

00:06:01So just jumping in, exploring the waters to figure out what fits you, what areas that you can thrive in, is so important.

00:06:09And I'd say just jump in. Just go for it.

00:06:12My biggest cheerleader has always been my family. They have always been in my corner when I need them most, specifically my dad.

00:06:18He was always there to drive me to that workshop, that event, that interview.

00:06:22And having those people in my life has only helped me pursue my dreams with even more vigor.

00:06:28If I hadn't attended the Disney Dreamers Academy, I would 100% not be the person I am today.

00:06:34I think what sets a Disney Dreamer apart is this heart, it's this passion that we all have for our respective fields.

00:06:40Whether it's the arts, it's engineering, it's medicine, there is a type of grit that we all have to pursue what we want to become.

00:06:49So when I returned to the Academy as an alumni champion, I felt ready to take on any of the challenges I might find,

00:06:57but also to help the students take on challenges that they might encounter too.

00:07:01The Academy is going to provide you with the skills, the mindset, and the motivation that you need to reach the next level in whatever career you're trying to pursue.

00:07:11It taught me to not be limited by the idea of or, but to be inspired by the idea of and.

00:07:17I can be a surgeon and a writer, I can pursue whatever I want in life, and so can anyone else.

00:07:27All of life, destiny stands waiting, asking you this one simple question.

00:07:34Who will you be?

00:07:37At Disney Dreamers Academy, my life was changed because my mind was changed when I saw people who said that if we could do it, you can too.

00:07:46You can too.

00:07:47So I decided I will be great.

00:07:49I will be fearless.

00:07:50I will be a dreamer.

00:07:51I choose to be 100.

00:07:54How amazing is that?

00:07:59Stay tuned for more success stories from Disney Dreamers Academy alum and head over to DisneyDreamersAcademy.com to apply right now.

00:08:08Remember, applications are due October 31st and you do not want to miss out.

00:08:13Now, as promised, some expert fashion advice from Siobhan Charles on how to revitalize your school wardrobe without breaking the bank.

00:08:21Hey everybody, it's Siobhan here with Essence.

00:08:36I'm a Ford model, musician, and multi-hyphenate creator in tech here to give you some back to school fashion and style tips to get your school year started off the right way.

00:08:45Let's get it.

00:08:52Hey everybody.

00:08:53Alright, so for this first look, number one thing go-to must have is a gigantic bag.

00:09:00This is a Tel Far bag, support black designers, but also just any bag you can afford that is huge.

00:09:07In this bag, I'm able to put my laptop, you can put your iPad, literally whatever you have can fit into this giant bag.

00:09:16Just a go-to bag that I can literally pull anything out of and put anything into that I need.

00:09:22This is a great go-to bag to have.

00:09:24Next up is the jacket.

00:09:26I am a huge fan of statement jacket pieces.

00:09:30This jacket cost me no more than 50 bucks and I always throw it over whatever I'm wearing just to add a little bit of the extra flair to my outfit and stand out.

00:09:39So we covered the jacket.

00:09:41You can't forget about the kicks.

00:09:43Comfort is key.

00:09:44So these are three style tips to kick off your back to school look.

00:09:47You need the big bag for everything.

00:09:50You need the statement piece.

00:09:52The jacket to add some flair.

00:09:54And you need the kicks.

00:09:55Comfortable shoes.

00:09:57Alright, for all of my non-uniform wearing friends, let's start with the oversized blazer.

00:10:04I love a giant oversized blazer.

00:10:07You can get it from any local thrift store in your neighborhood.

00:10:11I always buy it two sizes too big just so it's comfortable.

00:10:15You can literally use this blazer to dress up any outfit you have on.

00:10:18Next up are the pants.

00:10:20I love a conversation starting piece of clothes, specifically with pants, using your style as a form of your voice and self-expression.

00:10:29And lastly, I love choosing accessories just to kind of top an outfit off as a cherry on top to whatever it is you're wearing.

00:10:37And to complete your look, who doesn't love a gold or silver chunky chain?

00:10:41Alright y'all, let's get into this core drip.

00:10:48I love a cool and easy two-piece suit.

00:10:51Something coordinated you don't have to think twice about.

00:10:54You can just grab and go.

00:10:55This particular suit I love.

00:10:56A good friend of mine I had bedazzle it out.

00:10:59All you have to do is go to your local arts and craft shop, pick up some rhinestones, some gems and jewels, and drip yourself down.

00:11:07Throw them on top, glue them on.

00:11:09It's a really dope way to spice up your look and add some unique aspects to your fit.

00:11:14I really hope you enjoy my back to school fashion and style tips.

00:11:18Always remember, when it comes to fashion and clothes, just do you.

00:11:22Be confident, wear what makes you comfortable, and always remember, you can look fly without having to break the bank.

00:11:28Now, for all of my friends who have to wear uniforms, I'll be right back to tell you how to take your uniform game to the next level.

00:11:35Stay tuned.

00:11:36Siobhan will be back to give advice to all those students who will be rocking uniforms this coming semester.

00:11:41Don't worry, because we've got you covered.

00:11:44Also, don't forget we have a performance by Juan Moore coming soon.

00:11:48Up next, we are hooking you up with advice on how to work smarter, not harder this semester from Dr. Salisha.

00:11:55Get out your pen and paper, because this advice can save you from a lot of stress this school year.

00:12:01Take a look.

00:12:11Hello, my name is Dr. Salisha, and I am a full-time professor at Berker College in New York City and a serial entrepreneur in entertainment, music, and media.

00:12:25So you know what that means.

00:12:26I am the queen of multitasking.

00:12:29And today, I am here to teach you how to work smarter and not harder.

00:12:36And guess what?

00:12:37It all starts with time.

00:12:39This time right now, this is your moment.

00:12:42The first thing you have to do is understand the value of time.

00:12:46Because when we utilize time correctly, oh my god, it can bring us joy.

00:12:51It can bring us happiness.

00:12:53It can bring us success.

00:12:55And in the future, down the line, it's going to bring you money.

00:12:58And I know you've heard that saying, time is money.

00:13:02So, you've got to learn to value it.

00:13:05When I was in college, that was a lesson that I had to learn.

00:13:08How to value time.

00:13:10So, let's get into it.

00:13:13Here are my five ways for working smarter and not harder.

00:13:18Number one.

00:13:20Determine your priorities.

00:13:23Whew!

00:13:24Okay.

00:13:25How do you do that when you have your after-school activities?

00:13:29You have sports.

00:13:30You have mentors.

00:13:31You've got coaches.

00:13:32You've got mom.

00:13:33You've got dad.

00:13:34You know what?

00:13:35You have to determine your priorities.

00:13:37Because that is what's best for you.

00:13:40Number two.

00:13:41Establish deadlines.

00:13:44Everybody's got a smart phone.

00:13:47Okay?

00:13:48They don't call them smart for nothing.

00:13:51And when you have a smart phone, you can set alerts.

00:13:54You can schedule your activities.

00:13:56And that will keep you on track.

00:13:58Number three.

00:14:00It's really important.

00:14:01Create a to-do list.

00:14:03Right?

00:14:04And because you have that smart phone, you can create lists in your notes.

00:14:10And whatever you don't get done on Monday, don't worry.

00:14:13You can carry it over to Tuesday.

00:14:15And eventually, by Friday, you're gonna, you know, you'll get it all done.

00:14:19So, don't worry about that.

00:14:21Number four.

00:14:23Learn to say no.

00:14:26Now, I know that we have all of these tug of wars with mom and dad and friends and after-school activities.

00:14:35And some of you have part-time jobs.

00:14:38You can't go after every opportunity.

00:14:41You can't attend every event.

00:14:43You can't hang out with your friends sometimes.

00:14:45Sometimes, you have to learn to say no.

00:14:48Okay?

00:14:49Number five.

00:14:50This is my favorite one.

00:14:53Number five is, look for progress over perfection.

00:14:59I can't tell you, when I was in school, I used to be like, oh, I'm a perfectionist.

00:15:04And I learned later on down the line, it's just, that's just not true.

00:15:07It just does not work.

00:15:09Because nobody is perfect.

00:15:11So, what I did was, I tried to make progress over perfection.

00:15:16And you can get a lot more done.

00:15:18And I know I said I had five, but I got a bonus one for you.

00:15:22Okay.

00:15:23Drum roll, please.

00:15:24My bonus tip is to get sleep.

00:15:29Yes.

00:15:30Sleep.

00:15:31Sleep is going to keep you refreshed, recharged, and ready to win the day.

00:15:39And studies show that at least 45 minutes per day, taking a nap, is really guaranteed to get you the results that you need in life.

00:15:48And so, I know you guys are ready.

00:15:50I know you guys are going to kill it.

00:15:52And remember, there is no success without sacrifice.

00:15:56Thank you so much.

00:15:57If you want to keep in contact with me or reach out or find out more about me, go to DrSalisha.com.

00:16:05And on all social media platforms, I'm at Salisha.

00:16:09And make sure to keep it locked and stay locked in to Essence.com.

00:16:15Thank you so much, DrSalisha, for that great advice.

00:16:25The magic is calling you to the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration, beginning October 1st.

00:16:37Up next, another Disney Dreamers Academy alum, DeAndre George, Class of 2020, whose Disney Dreamers Academy experience left him with unshakable confidence to be 100.

00:16:51Check it out.

00:16:53My name is DeAndre George.

00:17:07I am 19 years old, and I attended the Disney Dreamers Academy in 2020.

00:17:11I've always been a huge Walt Disney fan.

00:17:14Ever since I was young, I was always watching Disney films.

00:17:17That's actually what got me into film.

00:17:19My overall dream really is to be a really big face in the entertainment industry.

00:17:23Ever since I was young, I was making short films with my toys.

00:17:27I wanted to be on Disney Channel for a long time.

00:17:30Just being around a camera and being around TV and film and media, that's where I was happy.

00:17:35I'm not just like interested in one specific genre of film or one specific genre of music.

00:17:41I'm interested in all of it.

00:17:43When I was accepted into the Disney Dreamers Academy, oh my gosh, I was ecstatic.

00:17:48It was like euphoria.

00:17:50I, oh my gosh.

00:17:51I just remember like, I feel like I was doing backflips even though I wasn't like inside my mind.

00:17:56I was just like doing backflips because it was just so incredible to be, you know, accepted into this program that I wanted to get into so bad.

00:18:03It's giving you the opportunity to be connected with people that are masters in the profession of your dreams.

00:18:09The first time I saw all the Dreamers together, all in our Disney Dreamers shirts and our gear, that's something I will never forget.

00:18:17Because that's a room of a hundred people, a hundred students just like you, who are just as goal driven, as inspiring, and as motivated as you are.

00:18:27Disney Dreamers are creative, determined, and supportive.

00:18:31Being 100 means being able to put your full effort into achieving your dream.

00:18:37Of course, it's easy to be pessimistic.

00:18:39And you know, when you think of the entertainment industry, you know, people are like, oh, that's really hard to get into.

00:18:43Oh, it's a one in a million chance.

00:18:45And you know, yeah, the odds may be sacked, but the best I can do is try my best because this is my dream and I want to be happy.

00:18:51And I want to be happy and I want to, you know, be able to influence so many other people and inspire so many other people.

00:18:56At school, I'm a video editor for The Daily, which is our newspaper on campus.

00:19:01So, you know, getting involved with the newspaper and editing videos for them, you know, learning more about my school as well through the newspaper.

00:19:08The whole year is just going to be very different from, you know, the virtual only year I just had for my freshman year.

00:19:14You know, just being in person, on my own at college, interacting with so many incredible people.

00:19:20I remember talking to one director and he started talking to me about music and how music is heavily involved in the film industry, which was something I never really thought about.

00:19:29I got to talk with someone from Pixar and it was it was a dream come true.

00:19:32Just seeing what a day at Disney really looks like for a producer and for also people that maybe are in animation.

00:19:38I also got to meet up with some animators and some, you know, environment workers and physics, people that work on the physics for the animation.

00:19:44You know, seeing what a day in the life of their work looks like.

00:19:48Having that insight is so, so important because it helps you kind of narrow what you really want to do, what's really going to make you happy.

00:19:55It was one of the greatest moments of my life by far.

00:19:58Applying to this program was one of the greatest decisions of my life by far.

00:20:02I think when it comes to opportunities like this, they don't come very often that we need people willing to dream big and to inspire others.

00:20:09So we're creating a chain of dreamers throughout generations to come.

00:20:13Everyone should be applying to this program.

00:20:15It changed my life forever.

00:20:16And I knew it from the moment I was accepted from the moment I saw it on the website.

00:20:20So the moment I was accepted, I knew my life was going to change.

00:20:23And that's exactly what happened.

00:20:24Such an inspiring story.

00:20:34This could be you.

00:20:35Head over to DisneyDreamersAcademy.com to apply now.

00:20:40Now GU editor DeShonda Brown sits down with Trinity Stokes and they get candid on how to ask for help.

00:20:49Yes.

00:20:50Don't worry.

00:20:51We've all been there before.

00:20:52So check it out.

00:20:53Thanks, Rochelle.

00:20:54Up next, we have an incredible conversation with the one and only Trinity Stokes.

00:21:06She's an entertainer.

00:21:08She's an international speaker.

00:21:10And quite frankly, I wish I was her when I was younger.

00:21:13So without further ado, please come join us Trinity.

00:21:17Hi.

00:21:18Hey, girl.

00:21:19Hey, how you doing?

00:21:20I am doing great.

00:21:21How are you?

00:21:22I'm good.

00:21:23I can't complain.

00:21:24I can't complain.

00:21:25You know, blessed.

00:21:26I'm breathing.

00:21:27I'm happy.

00:21:28I'm happy that you're here.

00:21:29So thank you so much for taking out the time.

00:21:31Yes.

00:21:32My pleasure.

00:21:33I'm so excited that I get to do this just in time for back to school.

00:21:36Absolutely.

00:21:37Speaking of back to school, like you're doing it.

00:21:40Like you're doing such incredible things.

00:21:43You're making history.

00:21:45You're literally putting my younger self to shame because I really wish that I was doing everything

00:21:50that you were doing when I was younger.

00:21:52I want to know first, how did it feel to make history as the youngest person to ever be accepted into Emerson?

00:21:58That's huge.

00:21:59Yes.

00:22:00It felt really amazing.

00:22:01Like the photos from when I opened my acceptance letter are pretty interesting.

00:22:05It's so amazing.

00:22:07And when I committed to Emerson, I didn't exactly know that I was going to be the youngest person to be accepted to Emerson.

00:22:13I kind of thought about it, but it took a minute for it to be confirmed.

00:22:17But I try not to think about it too much because I don't want to overwhelm myself or try to cloud my brain.

00:22:23But just stay focused on, you know, the things that got me accepted into Emerson and just maintaining that along my journey there.

00:22:30And also, it said that you'll be studying politics.

00:22:34So what influenced your decision to want to study politics?

00:22:37And what would you say is your dream career if you could pinpoint one?

00:22:40Yeah.

00:22:41So what inspires me to, you know, fall in love with politics and specifically political communication is really the quarantine.

00:22:50And, you know, about a year or two before quarantine, because I really got a chance to look around and notice how much politics really impacts our daily lives.

00:22:59And notice how the way that politics is communicated or miscommunicated can really change people's lives.

00:23:07And, you know, that's something that I'm really passionate about.

00:23:09And I love the way that politics works and being able to create laws and being able to change people's lives.

00:23:16But I also love communicating.

00:23:18And I always knew that that was going to be a part of my college degree because I just couldn't stand to not learn anything about communication.

00:23:25But political communication is something totally new for me.

00:23:29And I can't wait to continue learning about that.

00:23:32But my dream, you know, career with alongside my entertaining career would definitely be to work for the United Nations.

00:23:40So I want to be a UN ambassador or something of the sort.

00:23:45So I can't wait to see where my degree takes me.

00:23:49I'm excited to see where it takes you, too.

00:23:51And you also mentioned quarantine.

00:23:53You know, that really did shift the way that a lot of us approach to work, whether it's us working from home or going to school.

00:24:01So what was it like for you to readjust and really shift your working schedule in the midst of working from home?

00:24:08Well, it wasn't too difficult for me because I've always been homeschooled.

00:24:12So none of my school classes or anything like that changed.

00:24:16But it did definitely take a minute to adjust to not being able to go anywhere or not being able to just, oh, let's go out and do this.

00:24:25Let's go out and do this after I finish my my classes for the day.

00:24:28So it did definitely sort of put me in a hot box to be able to learn how to create my own fun in the house and be able to be able to learn how to do things virtually with my friends.

00:24:39So just kind of just burst my creativity in a different way.

00:24:43And overall, in your academic career, you know, you've definitely fast tracked like you are definitely one of the most intelligent, talented young women that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

00:24:57And I'm sure that a lot of people can say the same about you.

00:25:01So what would you say were some of the most difficult parts of pushing the fast forward button on your academic career?

00:25:09Well, I guess I didn't really know that I was going to push the fast forward button on my career until last August.

00:25:15But getting up into this point, I think the hardest part for me would definitely be like geometry and algebra, too.

00:25:22And so it was so, so tough for me at the beginning because it just it was not quite quite clicking.

00:25:29But it really took a minute for me to just humble myself and finally agree, like with my mom saying, OK, let's go.

00:25:36Let's get some help. Let's go find a private tutor so that way I can take the time to be able to learn what I need to learn and not kind of just, you know, just sweep past it so that way I can keep going.

00:25:46But I'm so grateful that I, you know, decided to take the time to work with someone to be able to expand the knowledge, you know, in the mathematics area because it definitely paid off.

00:25:57And you mentioned your mother and a lot of people usually go to their parents or their friends or any type of other trusted adult in their life for advice about how to stay on track and really manage.

00:26:08So what would you say was the best piece of advice that you've ever received about balancing your academic life, your personal life and really trying to make sure that your mental health was put first?

00:26:21I definitely think keeping a schedule. So my mom definitely drilled in me, put keep a schedule, write it all down, keep a schedule, write it all down, keep a schedule.

00:26:30So for me, I think at first I was like, I don't need to keep a schedule. I'll be able to keep it all in my head.

00:26:37But once I started working on my regular classes and college classes at the same time while filming, it definitely became a lot to juggle just simple things like due dates and just making sure that I was getting all my work done and turned in on time.

00:26:50So keeping a schedule for me and writing everything down is like so important because when I don't write things down or if I don't keep even like a loose schedule, even during like the summer, the day just melts away and falls apart.

00:27:04I'm definitely the same way I can say for myself as a writer. I've always been somebody that needs to write stuff down.

00:27:10Like a lot of people I know are very into their phones. They can take notes on their iNotes or their calendar, but that doesn't work for me, especially as somebody who tries to be as unplugged when I'm not working.

00:27:22I try to make sure that everything is written down on all my planners. Like I have a book. I have a regular notepad. I have a planner on my fridge. So I totally feel you.

00:27:31Do you feel like writing stuff down and kind of like helps it to be etched in your memory a bit more?

00:27:36Yes, writing things down. It definitely helps me like remember because when I type things down or like write notes on my laptop, it doesn't necessarily sink in as much.

00:27:45So I'm deaf. I definitely overuse my printer. So I'm always printing things out, highlighting things and taping them places or I'll even do like sticky notes on my phone or like sticky notes on my mirror.

00:27:57I'm always having things written down and also helps my like pens and pencils. So it kind of makes it a bit more fun for me.

00:28:05And we're also here to have a conversation about how to ask for help. Oftentimes, at least I can say for myself when I was younger, I felt like I couldn't ask for help because I felt like asking for help would make me look weak or look.

00:28:18It looked like I couldn't do something. So when was the moment when you realized that it's OK to ask other people for help?

00:28:25The moment I realized that it was OK to ask other people for help was when I asked for help with tutoring.

00:28:32I asked for help and it just opened up my mind. I asked for help. I received it and it just made me so much better at the skill that I need help with.

00:28:40So I think the thing that is really important to keep in mind when it comes to asking for help is that you actually look so much stronger when you're able to ask for help.

00:28:48When you're able to identify a weakness or pinpoint something that you're not as strong in and take the time to work harder at it and be able to strengthen it.

00:28:57So I think that's something just sort of reconstructing the idea of asking for help instead of making it look like something that's demeaning.

00:29:05You know, just seeing it as what it truly is, which is sort of a strengthening mechanism.

00:29:10And we know that asking for help obviously goes beyond academia. It goes with friend advice. It goes with family advice.

00:29:19Asking for help can be so multifaceted and so multidimensional. You can ask for help in so many different ways.

00:29:25So what advice would you give to our young GU audience about asking for help?

00:29:31I would say when it comes to asking for help, no matter what your topic is, ask someone that you trust and ask someone who is excelling in that area or ask someone who has already gone through something similar.

00:29:44So that way they can give you firsthand advice and, you know, especially make sure that it's coming from someone that you trust because you don't ever want to feel uncomfortable sharing your personal information.

00:29:54And also, before we go, it's important to be retrospective and really look inside yourself as well.

00:30:00So when somebody comes to ask you for help, what would you say are some of the key things that you need to do to be a good listener and a good friend to the person who's asking you?

00:30:08I personally, when it comes to me, because I definitely had to work on being a good listener because I love to talk.

00:30:14So the thing that I really had to grasp is if you aren't sure, just ask questions.

00:30:21And especially if someone is telling you a lot of information that you really need help with to be able to guide them properly is don't be afraid to ask questions.

00:30:29And don't be afraid to let them know that I'm not sure if this is going to work for you, but this is what works for me.

00:30:35Because I think that's the important part is even though you're going to ask advice from other people, you also have to know that that's them in their situation.

00:30:43So take what worked for them, adjust it to your personality, your lifestyle and your situation, and then just put it all together.

00:30:51And, you know, you'll have some information that you'll be able to use.

00:30:55Incredible. Trinity, thank you so much. It's been such a pleasure talking to you. It was an absolute honor.

00:31:00I wish you all the best in your academia career. I'm pretty sure you're going to be our next president one day.

00:31:06I'm just waiting on it so I can so I can elect you in and I can vote for you, sis.

00:31:10I'm so excited to see everything that you do next.

00:31:13Thank you so much. This was a blast.

00:31:15Thanks to Shonda for all of you having to wear a uniform next semester, but want to find ways to maintain your individuality.

00:31:28Siobhan Charles is back to help you out with some more back to school fashion tips.

00:31:34Check this out and get right for the fall time.

00:31:45Hey everybody, it's your girl Siobhan. I'm back to get fashion and style tips for my friends who wear uniforms.

00:31:52Alright, now let's start with tops and dress shirts.

00:31:55When you get a dress shirt, you don't always have to opt for that traditional, more plain style dress shirt.

00:32:00You can actually look into getting a shirt that's a bit more elevated, a bit more structured and accented, like the top I'm wearing now.

00:32:07Now for the dress shirt. You can complement and accessorize your dress shirt with a signature necklace.

00:32:15And when it comes to your uniform, you can't forget your blazer. Loosen it up, wear it open, add some flavor to it.

00:32:23And to complete your back to school look, you can't forget your accessories.

00:32:27Glasses.

00:32:30Purse.

00:32:32And now you've completed your look.

00:32:38I'm sending you positive vibes and good energy this school year.

00:32:41To keep up with me on all things fashion and style, follow me on Instagram at Siobhan C.

00:32:46Catch you on the ground.

00:32:48So great. Remember you want to make sure that these tips are all in line with your school's dress code policy.

00:33:03Up next, a masterclass with licensed therapist Spirit for parents on how to look out for signs that their children are having a hard time and much more about mental wellness and students.

00:33:15Spirit, take it away.

00:33:17Hello. I am Dr. Spirit.

00:33:31Here to talk to you about something that is absolutely important and close to my heart as I'm sure that it is to yours.

00:33:38And that is how our children are doing as they're headed back to school this fall.

00:33:45Now, some of our kids are already back.

00:33:47I mean, if you're like me, my kids have been back now for a couple of weeks.

00:33:51Some are doing virtual learning.

00:33:53And I know that around the country, so many of us don't have that option or really think that it's important for our kids to be back in the classroom even still.

00:34:02And so I want to take a second to talk to you about the mental health and wellness of our children as they return back in order to ensure that they have a successful school year.

00:34:13Oftentimes in the midst of everything that's happening, we sometimes forget that children have mental health and wellness, too.

00:34:20We don't even understand the importance of mental health and wellness.

00:34:23And so the idea that children actually have problems or things that could cause them to worry or become concerned, it sometimes gets lost in the mix.

00:34:32But I want you to understand that children's mental health and wellness is a vital part of who they are and who they are becoming.

00:34:40And when we talk about mental illness, I also want you to know that 50% of all mental illness develops before an individual is 14 years of age.

00:34:5014 years of age.

00:34:52And 75% of all mental illness develops before an individual is 23.

00:34:57So that means that most of the illnesses that we will experience in our lifetime have begun to develop and show symptoms even in our childhood.

00:35:10And so as your children are headed back to the classrooms, especially now in the midst of this pandemic, I want you to be aware of how they're doing.

00:35:20But I also want to arm you with some tips in case you see something that causes concern.

00:35:27It's stressful.

00:35:28And many of our children may, well, be excited.

00:35:32They also may be very nervous and anxious about returning to the classroom.

00:35:37There's a lot to have to remember about safety.

00:35:40For many of them, they are transitioning and they didn't get to see their old friends.

00:35:45And they may be required to make new friends and trying to just find their footing in the midst of it all.

00:35:51It can cause them to get slightly off balance.

00:35:54And they may not necessarily have the language or the understanding to be able to talk to you about those things.

00:36:01And so I want you as the parent to be paying attention to what's happening with your child.

00:36:08Now, Spirit, what am I supposed to be looking for?

00:36:11I can hear you asking that.

00:36:13And so the main thing that I want you to pay attention to is how your children are showing up.

00:36:20A big sign of distress, especially in children, are changes in behavior.

00:36:26And it can look a little different.

00:36:28So sometimes it's hard to recognize because it can look like sometimes our once shy kid who was very introverted

00:36:36and who did not really want to be around a lot of people or deal with a lot of stimuli is all of a sudden now the life of the party.

00:36:43They have new friends.

00:36:45They have new ways of being.

00:36:46And it just seems kind of like, oh, okay, you've come out of your shell.

00:36:51But it may not necessarily seem quite like the child that you used to know.

00:36:56Or sometimes it's the opposite.

00:36:58The child who used to love to be very engaged and was very sociable with you, with their friends, and had lots of goals and lots of activities.

00:37:07All of a sudden they become withdrawn and they don't necessarily find pleasure in the places and the spaces and the things that they used to do.

00:37:14Sometimes it's the changes in the grades and all of a sudden your child who used to do well and made the honor roll or brought those A's and B's home that you all would celebrate.

00:37:25Sometimes now those grades are falling and they're barely getting by or perhaps they're even failing.

00:37:31Sometimes it's the self-medicating behaviors that we are so angry with or so disappointed with that we don't recognize are really warning signs for a real problem.

00:37:43And so rather than punishing some of those behaviors, I want you to stop and consider that they may actually be a cry for help.

00:37:52Because sometimes when children don't have access to professional help, they, like many adults, look for ways to medicate their pain away just so that they can get through each day.

00:38:04Okay?

00:38:05And so if you recognize that there are changes in how your child is showing up, if you recognize that there are things that are going on that you don't understand, I want you to trust your intuition.

00:38:17It's not your job to know whether something is wrong, but it's your job as a parent to get your children in front of someone who may know.

00:38:27I also want you to recognize that there is a difference between your child seeming a little off or being a little sad or being a little withdrawn for a few days or even for a week or two.

00:38:42They're finding their footing. Life is hard. Things are changing. It can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable.

00:38:49But if you recognize that a week has gone by, that two weeks have gone by, and your child is still not who they once were.

00:38:59I want you to take that as a warning sign that it may be time to just have a professional just take a look.

00:39:07And if you're watching this and you recognize, it's not my mom. It's not my dad. Spirit, it's me that you're talking to.

00:39:14I want you to know that you can reach out for help as well.

00:39:19If you know that something is not quite right, if you know that you're just not feeling as good as you used to, or if you recognize that you are going through some things and you could really use somebody to talk to, but you're not really sure who, well, we're all here to support you.

00:39:44You can reach out to your parents and let them know that you'd like to speak with a professional.

00:39:51And if you worry that you won't get their support or you don't have their attention, then you can talk to your school guidance counselor or social worker.

00:40:01And if you don't feel comfortable telling them what the issue is, then you can tell them that you'd like to speak with someone who might be able to help.

00:40:10And if you're a parent, you can talk to your kid's social worker or school counselor and let them know that you'd either like for them to talk to your child or that you'd like them to help you find some resources in order to help your child reach out to someone and connect with them.

00:40:25In addition to those school counselors and school social workers, there are mental health professionals, therapists like myself.

00:40:32We're always standing by, and there are therapists among us that specialize in working with children of every age.

00:40:41And if therapy feels like a step too much or a little uncomfortable or you just can't figure it out or you feel like you have a better relationship with your child's pediatrician or primary care provider, you can talk to them as well about what your concerns are.

00:41:00You can ask them to do a mental health screener because sometimes when we go to those annual visits, that is the thing that gets overlooked or forgotten.

00:41:10So the next time you take your child in for a checkup, perhaps be proactive and say, hey, while you were doing all those screeners, did you actually, did you get a chance to screen their mental health and wellness too?

00:41:21Did we take a look at that? But more than anything, what I want you to remember is that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

00:41:31And because you are all one body, mom, dad, it's important that we focus on the entire child that you love and that you are working so hard to raise and making sure that they have the best year that they possibly can.

00:41:47And if you need anything this school year, please know whether it's today or at any point, I am here.

00:41:54You can find me on all of my social media at Talk Two Spirit. It's talk the number two spirit.

00:42:00And I am always happy to assist in order to make sure that our children have the very best when it comes to their mental health and wellness.

00:42:09I wish you love. I wish you joy and I wish you all a fantastic school year.

00:42:16Really great advice. Thank you so much, Spirit.

00:42:23We have our final Disney Dreamers Academy alum, Jacqueline Means, Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2019.

00:42:32She's a future pediatric surgeon who was inspired by her mom and the Disney Dreamers Academy to give back. Take a look.

00:42:39Hi, my name is Jacqueline Means. I am 18 years old and I am a 2019 Disney Dreamers Academy alum.

00:42:50My dream is to become a pediatric neurosurgeon and I know it's such a specific career for an 18 year old, but that's my dream because it combines three of my passions.

00:42:59The first one being helping people. I just love helping people. I always have.

00:43:03The second passion being helping specifically children. The way they view the world and the things they say, they're always so cute and crazy. I just adore kids.

00:43:09And then my third passion is the brain. I find it really fascinating. I think it's incredible that we've known about it for years and years and years and yet we know so very, very little about it.

00:43:19I chose to apply for the Disney Dreamers Academy because when I heard the whole be 100 slogan and like be uniquely you, be yourself, bring what you have to the table specifically, I just thought that was amazing.

00:43:30I was like, wow, these people are really encouraging us young people to just be comfortable with ourselves and use our unique and special talents that we as individuals have to make the world a better place.

00:43:40Disney Dreamers Academy was probably one of the most transformative, just informational, amazing things I've ever done.

00:43:47The speakers they brought in, the deep dive that I got to do, just all of it and not to mention the food was incredible. Oh my gosh.

00:43:53Disney Dreamers Academy helped me get closer to my dreams of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon and my other life dream of just advocating for young girls everywhere to embrace STEM, science, tech, engineering and math.

00:44:04That led to me being featured on The Steve Harvey Show. I did some amazing science experiments with Steve himself and from there I was able to get featured on even more national shows from Dr. Oz to Access Hollywood, The Today Show, The View and so many others that have been just a real stepping stone and major platform really for me to spread my message of how important it is for girls to believe in themselves and know that STEM is something they can do as long as they persevere and don't give up.

00:44:31We got to do so many cool things. The food was incredible. The other 99 Dreamers were incredible. One of my favorite things that we did was actually the deep dive.

00:44:40My specific deep dive was involved with medicine because I want to go into the field of medicine.

00:44:44And I remember there was this really cool and really smart and just really nice orthopedic surgeon who came into the room and talked to the other group of Dreamers I was with about, you know, how medicine is a demanding field.

00:44:55But as long as you persevere and never give up, you'll be fine and you can make it and make a difference in the field, which I thought was awesome.

00:45:01That was just kind of a reminder to me that this is exactly what I want to be doing when I go older. It was amazing.

00:45:07I still think about, you know, lifting yourself up rather than putting yourself down. I mean, that's a mindset change that can take a lot of time to implement in your everyday life.

00:45:15But it's something I try to work on daily about making sure I'm not putting myself down when I, you know, have a failure or a misstep, but instead seeing it as a moment to, you know, take a step back and look at what happened, how it went wrong, how it could have gone better and improve from that and grow from that.

00:45:30We've given the title Dreamers for a reason. We have a dream to change the world.

00:45:35I just completed my neuroscience internship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

00:45:40And I, of course, would love to continue my education at Johns Hopkins after I graduate from the University of Delaware.

00:45:46From there, go on to do a surgical internship and residency program with Johns Hopkins Hospital and go from there.

00:45:53My mom was the one who said to me, it's okay to be a nerd. It's okay to love science. It's okay to be geeky to others because that doesn't matter.

00:46:01What matters is that science and being a nerd and being geeky is what makes me happy.

00:46:06But my mom was definitely my main supporter. You can't do it if you can't dream it or see it.

00:46:11Look inside yourself and go into your mind and say, you know what? I can do this. If you can dream it, you can do it.

00:46:16All of life, destiny stands waiting, asking you this one simple question. Who will you be?

00:46:31At Disney Dreamers Academy, my life was changed because my mind was changed when I saw people who said that if we could do it, you can too.

00:46:40So I decided I will be great. I will be fearless. I will be a dreamer. I choose to be 100.

00:46:51If you want to be a part of the amazing group of young people and be connected with mentors and like-minded dreamers,

00:46:58head over to DisneyDreamersAcademy.com to apply now.

00:47:03Don't walk, run. Because applications are due October 31st.

00:47:08Coming up soon, a performance by Wanmore. The moment we've all been waiting for.

00:47:14But first, many of you are going off to college and will be responsible for your finances for the very first time.

00:47:21We are giving you the tools to set you on the right path with your finances early.

00:47:26Here is expert advice by GU contributor, Ashley Williams. She's going to teach you how to get to that bag.

00:47:33Hey guys, this is Ashley here, financial guru. And I'm here to give you four finance tips that will help you be more responsible this school year. Let's get to it.

00:47:58Financial tip number one. Set financial goals. You might say, Ashley, what the heck are financial goals? I don't have any money.

00:48:08Well, guess what? You don't have to associate a financial goal with a dollar amount. Financial goals are literally any goals that get you started on your financial journey.

00:48:20So for my high school lady, that could be setting up a savings account. That could be getting that first job. For my college lady, that could be opening your credit card or even saving up for a car.

00:48:33You decide because this is your financial journey. But what I do want you to do is think about your financial goals over the next one, five and ten years.

00:48:44Yes, I said ten years. Write them down. Put them in a journal. Put them in the notes section of your phone. Figure out what works for you.

00:48:52But most importantly, I want you to get an accountability partner. That could be your friend, your sister, or anyone in your family, but someone that will make sure you're reaching those goals.

00:49:05Financial goal number two. Budgeting. So for me, I really like to think of budgeting as what's coming in and what's going out.

00:49:14So let's think about four ways you can get started on your budgeting journey. First, let's figure out what's coming in. In finance, we like to call that your income.

00:49:25So as I spoke about earlier, that's money that you might receive from a job, from babysitting, whatever that might be.

00:49:32Any money that's coming in your pocket. Figure that out and write it down.

00:49:37Next, step two, we figure out what money's going out the door. So for you, it might be that Netflix subscription. It might be that Amazon subscription. It might even be getting your hair done every two weeks.

00:49:51I know, it's expensive to be a girl. But write it all down and figure out how much you're spending on a monthly basis.

00:49:59You can never start to save money if you don't know what's going out the door.

00:50:03Step three is to do a gut check of all those expenses we just talked about. And really ask yourself, hmm, do I need to constantly pay that much money for makeup?

00:50:15Do I need to eat out that much? Figure out what you can cut back. But I want you to remember that this is very personal. There's no one answer for each person.

00:50:26So once you realize what's coming in and what is going out and you've done that gut check on what you can start saving on, you then start to see your bottom line and start to see how much money you can actually start saving and eventually investing.

00:50:42And both of those are really key so that you can start your financial journey and start seeing your money grow for you.

00:50:49Financial tip number three, paying for college. So for those that are starting to think about college, it's really important to also think about the associated price tag.

00:51:01For my high school ladies, don't just pick a school because your best friend is going there or because it's in a nice location.

00:51:08Also think about the associated price tag. So what I really want you to do, even as early as ninth grade, is to start to think about the different types of scholarships that you can get when it's your time to go to college.

00:51:23You can start by going on scholarships.com and start seeing a long list of scholarships that could be used in the next couple of years for you to start your college journey.

00:51:35And guess what? For my ladies in college, it's not too late for you either.

00:51:39You can always still visit that website and also download the Schali app, which gives you access to thousands of more scholarships.

00:51:48It's really possible, guys. So ladies, you now have what you need to start thinking about the scholarships that are available for you to make sure you're keeping your expenses low for college.

00:52:00But also, as I think about my ladies who also are in their senior year or recently graduated college, I want you to really think about how you're going to tackle these loans.

00:52:11Private loans and even public loans have different ways you have to pay them back.

00:52:16But the most important thing for you is to make sure you have a plan.

00:52:20So start writing down your loans and the associated due dates and also download the app called Coins.

00:52:28This app allows you to round up your purchases as you go to your favorite retail and then you can start paying towards your college loans.

00:52:37So for example, if you go to the store and buy a shirt for $19.60, maybe you can round that purchase up to $20.

00:52:46That additional 40 cents will go towards your student loans. How easy is that?

00:52:51So guess what? Download that app today and you can start paying on your loans just as soon as today.

00:52:57Now, for our last financial tip, building credit.

00:53:02Growing up, I'll be honest with you, credit sounded very scary.

00:53:06I had no idea what it was and I just thought it was borrowing money from other people.

00:53:11But guess what? As I've gotten older, I've now realized that credit is very important for my adult financial journey.

00:53:20One day I'll buy a house, a car, and you will too.

00:53:24And all of those things require a credit score.

00:53:27And so as you think about building a credit score, first I want you to understand what a credit score represents.

00:53:34It really represents your ability to pay back any money that you borrowed.

00:53:40And so with this being the case, you want to show that you're good for it.

00:53:44So you might say, Ashley, how in the world am I going to start building credit?

00:53:49I'm in high school. I'm in college. I don't know where to start. And I was you.

00:53:54But what you can do is get a secured credit card.

00:53:59A secured credit card is a credit card that has a limit that is backed by money that you have in the bank.

00:54:06So for me, my very first secured credit card had a $500 limit and I had to put $500 in the bank to show that I was good for the money in case I missed a payment.

00:54:19Which I didn't and I recommend you don't either.

00:54:21But my point is that I want you to start looking up what secured credit card options there are for you.

00:54:28There are tons, trust me. So go out, figure out what works for you.

00:54:32And don't forget, you can still use the Mint app to also check your credit score as well.

00:54:37Lastly, I want to leave you with a challenge.

00:54:40And that challenge is to generate one additional stream of income.

00:54:45As you think about what that stream of income is, all I need you to do is think about different ways you can monetize the things around you.

00:54:53You can Uber, you can do hair, you can do nails, whatever it is, figure out a way to make money.

00:55:00And guess what? Check in with me. Check in with me on Instagram at Ashley Brianna.

00:55:06And don't forget to go to Essence.com, check in with the team and let them know how you're doing.

00:55:12You got this. You're not alone.

00:55:14And I can't wait to see you win with these four financial tips this school year.

00:55:23I hope you are all paying attention. You can never start too early on your path to financial success.

00:55:31Now that the wait is over, here to close out the show, the moment you've all been waiting for, a special performance by Juanmore.

00:55:39I'm Big Boy. Chew up. I'm Tyvus. And I'm Rocco. And together we are...

00:55:45One More!

00:55:47The way we balance our school work and our music is every single time we have a break from our music, we focus on our school work.

00:55:57That's what we do. Every single time we have a break or a day off, we focus on our school work.

00:56:01My tip is keep education in your mind. Make sure it's an important...

00:56:07Like, make sure you acknowledge that it's an important factor of your life.

00:56:11Once you acknowledge that, then it will become a priority to you.

00:56:16And the second tip is get a lot of sleep because then you'll be focused on...

00:56:21You'll, you know, stay focused on balancing the two.

00:56:23And, um, last one, I think is focus, you know? Make sure you have no distractions, you know? Make sure you have a clear mind, probably in a clear room, and make sure you focus.

00:56:35Like, even if you're working, like, doing what we're doing, sometimes we gotta go to a different room, like, in a room by ourselves and focus, you know? Getting our own zone.

00:56:44You know, we just be harmonizing, like, it could be, like, the littlest stuff, like...

00:56:48It's also great practice, too. Yeah.

00:56:51Yeah. All the people watching this, all the people watching this, just know this is gonna be cringy, but it's okay.

00:56:56Alright, three, two, one. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

00:57:00Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

00:57:02Alright, three, three, two, one, go.

00:57:05Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

00:57:09Oh, wow.

00:57:11Ew. Oh, my gosh.

00:57:13Basically, if we were gonna put out our own album, you know, the vibe of our music would be, like, a funky...

00:57:20...groove upbeat vibe, hype, children. Everybody's gonna love it. Like, children, adults, so where, like, their families could bring their families out to our concerts and stuff.

00:57:34We want a very fun vibe.

00:57:36We want to entertain, you know?

00:57:38We want to make the music that people can, you know, have for, you know, generations and generations, you know, that are coming.

00:57:46And, you know, we just want to inspire everyone and just let everyone know that, you know, it's possible we can give you guys that music.

00:57:54Yeah, that's the vibe we want to give. Like, basically, you know, very fun vibe. That's what we want.

00:58:01How do I say goodbye to what we had? The good times that made us laugh outweigh the bad.

00:58:29I thought we gave to see forever.

00:58:31I thought we gave to see forever.

00:58:39But for Rampers gone away, hey, hey, hey, hey.

00:58:48It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

00:59:02I don't know where this road is going to lead.

00:59:18All I know is where we've been and what we've been through.