Dear IML,
I've got a problem. Last year I got a really expensive snowboard. Well, I'm just a learner. Every time I get off the chair lift I fall and humiliate myself! I love snowboarding. All my friends keep telling me to just keep practicing but the more I go, the more I fall and the more I fall, the more embarrassed I am. And the more embarrassed I am, the less I will want to go. If I never go, I will never learn so I don't know what to do!! Help me, I hate this situation!
--From Hannah, 12

Hi Hannah,
I can see why you're getting frustrated! BUT, the first thing you have to do is get confident. If you don't think you can do it, you won't be motivated enough to try! Confidence is key! Second of all, practice makes perfect! Maybe start on smaller hills, and once you get used to going down a smaller hill, move up to a slightly larger one. Now, if you find a hill that's a little too small for you, just find a bigger one. Don't do anything you can't do, that'll just embarrass you more. Also, don't care about what other people think. Think about it this way: all of the people on that hill started where you are now! If you have a passion for snowboarding, follow through with it! If you like it so much, it shouldn't matter how good or bad you are, as long as you're having fun! So, start practicing now, and before you know it, you'll be hitting the big slopes!
--Emily, IML Mentor

Dear Hannah,
Have you considered going snowboarding with a friend who's still a learner too? Surely you have at least one that's not practiced. If you can find one, then not only will becoming experienced snowboarders be a great bonding experience for the two of you, having someone around who's inexperienced will make you feel less self-conscious. No matter what, don't give up! Your friends are right: you just have to practice. We all had to learn our skills sometime. When I first started swimming, I could barely keep myself afloat, and now I swim in competitions. Don't feel embarrassed when you fall. What's more important than the falling is picking yourself up. Good luck, I hope I helped!
--Sarah, IML Mentor

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Dear IML,
I'm addicted to the computer. I have a habit of always going on. How do I stop?
--Amanda, 12

Dear Amanda,
You shouldn't have to stop using the computer completely; it's a fun thing and very good for research. Perhaps you could just limit your time to an hour a day. On the weekdays, I only use the computer for a 1/2 hour a day, and it gives me enough time to play some games and do the things I want to do without going overboard. Consider trying to fill up your free time with friends, the outdoors, books, and (though I wouldn't recommend too much of it) television. Once you get used to not being on the computer as much, you don't even notice that you're not on! Good luck!
--Sarah, IML Mentor

Hey Amanda!
If you want to stop going on the computer, a good alternative is to find a new hobby. It may be a sport, drawing, painting, or something else! Join a school club (I'm in Key Club, a community service based club.) or volunteer doing a variety of things. You can also tell your mom or dad you don't want to use the computer as much, and have them set certain times when you can or can't use it. Best of luck!
--Alison, IML Mentor

Hi there Amanda! What I do is allo
w myself to go on the computer for an hour every day. That way, I can spread out my computer time evenly. I usually go on half an hour in the morning, and half an hour in the afternoon. Now don't worry, you don't have to count school work with this, but if you REALLY want to cut down, you might try these limits and see how much better you feel about your computer use.
--Emily, IML Mentor

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Dear IML,
I would like to know how to overcome my fear of heights because I have got this event coming up and you have to abseil (climb down a rope) off the top of a climbing wall. I know it isn't much but it scares me to think about it. If you can help, please do!
--Jenna, 11

Dear Jenna,
I used to have a fear of heights and still sometimes do. To get over my fear, I just faced my fear head-on. I went to the top of a very high building and looked out over the balcony. When I realized that I conquered my fear and could survive big heights, heights were no longer a big deal. Maybe you can do the same. I know that it might be hard and seem impossible, but climbing that wall will be rewarding in the sense that you would have conquered your fear and are no longer bound to what you are scared of. I hope it all works out and good luck!
--Joy, IML Mentor

Dear Jenna,
WOW! You're for sure braver than I am, because that sounds pretty scary to me! When I was in the sixth grade, my class went on a field trip to this ropes course in Malibu. I looked up and saw a 50 foot pole towering over me, and when the instructor told me I was supposed to climb up the pole and jump off, I was TERRIFIED! After passing on all the activities, I finally got the guts to try one. My heart was pounding, there was sweat all over my forehead, but I knew I would regret it if I didn't do this ONE thing. So really the only thing left to do was close my eyes and jump. I admit, it was sort of a blur...but I learned something important from it: you can't always make fear go away, but you can take that chance, that breath, and it might be worth it. I can't tell you how to avoid being afraid of taking a risk, but I can tell you that sometimes, when you know it's safe, taking a risk is definitely worth it!
--Stormie, IML Mentor

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