Tip #2: On nicknames...

High school life can be difficult. One minute, you're on top of the world; the next you're left licking the dirt of the soles of the senior's feet. Proper branding can make or break you in the long run, so its important to get it right the first time.

Nicknames are something that seem to fall into your lap, but we all know the opposite. A good nickname comes from careful propegation and a lot of work on your part!

Point one; sometimes, some people are fortunate enough to have an awesome last name. And that''s alright! if you're one of those lucky people, embrace your new handle. Being called Brooks from time to time in gym isn't exactly unpleasant. Though you might not mind your first name, already having a nickname cuts down the chances of you being called something like "Fartin' Frank".

Point two; most of you aren't that lucky; either your last name is too long or too weird or too weird to pronounce. If that is the case, then you're in the danger zone. Make sure you keep your head down low and try to avoid being stuck with something embarrassing. Some people are well known enough to start going, for example, by their internet handle. If by some bad stroke of luck you get stuck with something that isn't too bad, then use it as your own!

Point three; worst case scenario, you're unfortunate enough to have an easily rhymable name and you find yourself stuck in a bit of a pickle. Maybe it WASN'T your fault that the milk from the Caf was sour and you ended up... upchucking all over chuck, but you suddenly find yourself being called "puke", "puker" or worse, "puking pete". And that sucks. But there's a few things you can do to try to fix it;

1. If you have a viable last name, start using that. if it sticks, the other nickname will fade from memory.

2. Just tell them politely to stop. Realistically, this doesn't tend to help, but it doesn't hurt either.

3. Wait for it to die out. If you don't have a big ego and tend to fly under the radar, then incidents like this tend to pass over quickly if you don't pay it any mind. What the nicknamers are looking for is a reaction. Don't give it to them and they'll give up.

and/ or 4. Tell a teacher or a parent. Assuming the group isn't violent, they'll usually knock it off after a good talking to.

But remember, high school can be horrible or underwhelming, great or mind blowing, but in the grand scheme of things its four years of your life. You have a great big one ahead of you, and eventually, the idiots grow up. when you're at your job or at home, it doesn't matter that some dickface makes fun of you a bit.

Try to keep everything in perspective. "Fartin' Frank" made a joke out of ripping a good one in the middle of class. "Puking Pete" graduated with honours last year and was elected valedictorian. Doing something drastic to change your circumstances is never a good idea, alright?

And hey, if it's good enough? Maybe your nickname will stick by you for a long, long time, like an old friend.


Thanks for reading!


Terry Brooks, BAMF


(P.S. I'm leaving all commenting and stuff on anonymous so you guys and Mr. Reading can easily throw something up there if you want to talk. Just try not to flood the section ha ha ha)