It’s no secret that Jackie Howard has had her fair share of chaotic romantic moments. 

Almost as wild as its rodeo rides, the third season of My Life With The Walter Boys takes us through all the deets on Jackie’s latest love life drama. And for the overachieving girls, we’re taking crush tips straight from Silver Falls (so–like Jackie–you can balance your swoon-worthy dates *and* stay on top of your college apps). 

Do: Add Study Rewards To Your Date Schedule With Bae 

Sometimes, time away from romance is exactly what you need to lock in. Even Jackie and Cole had to take some space before Jackie could nail her relay handoff! But DW: Study dates are *still* dates! And adding romantic rewards into your study sched is a great way to stay motivated. One idea? Combine the Pomodoro method with a couple’s challenge. Set a timer for 25-minute study sessions, five-minute breaks (or should we say “date” breaks?) and repeat the cycle. 

During your break time, snuggle up on the couch and catch a few minutes of your fave show. If heart-to-heart convos are more your style, pull a “we’re not really strangers” card for some deep debriefs. Just remember: When the five minutes are up, studies resume. Once you and your S.O. start looking forward to your break dates, you’ll be studying like Jackie in no time!

Don’t: Turn Every Little Thing Into A Love-Life Crisis

With her missed makeup quiz and Grace’s b-day party gone wrong, it makes sense why Jackie’s family thought Cole was a bad influence. But IRL, it’s important to recognize when your relationship is a symptom of a problem vs. the problem itself. Bc let’s be real: Jackie’s mistakes had a lot more to do with her personal struggles than her BF. Next time you’re decoding bae’s response time or freaking out over an awkward hallway exchange, take a step back and ask what’s *actually* bothering you. 

Often these mini-spirals are more representative of our own insecurities than our actual status with our S.O. And the sooner you recognize these moments, the sooner bae can reassure you how amazing you are! 

Do: Keep Your Friends Close

It’s easy to want to hang with bae 24/7. But if you catch yourself repeatedly canceling plans, ghosting the GC or forgetting your BFF’s b-day (c’mon, Jackie!), it’s time for a friendship check-in. We’re not saying that you have to trade in all the dates on your social calendar. But it’s just as important to remind the friends that were there *before* the butterflies that you’re thinking of them. 

This might mean swapping one of your nightly FT’s with your S.O. for a weekly debrief with your bestie. You could even treat your BFF to flowers or a personalized playlist. After all, these adorbs move aren’t reserved for romance (bc your friends deserve princess treatment, too). 

Don’t: Forget Your Own Goals

Between running track, joining student council and developing her town’s teen annex, we see Jackie divide her hobbies into three categories: one to benefit her health, one for her academic goals and one to help her community. To take a page out of her book, you might consider 20 minutes of yoga in the morning, one day a week dedicated to the library or volunteering at your local animal shelter. 

Don’t be afraid to start small! If you’re like Jackie, Ivy League dreams can be intimidating. But luckily, intentional alone time is one of the best ways to keep your passions (and love life) thriving. 

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