【Miranda Cosgrove】Miranda: Neutrogena Beach Beauty!

Miranda Cosgrove walks the beachy shoreline for Neutrogena’s 2012 Wave For Change Event in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old actress and brand ambassador came out to raise awareness and lend her support to the 2012 Neutrogena Wave for Change campaign which encourages teens everywhere to make a difference by donating to educational charities to improve school programs and amenities for children of underserved communities.

Miranda stopped to chat with JJJ about her own education and future plans with college (she’s headed to USC!). Check out what she told us: On first-day jitters: It’s funny because I have been doing home schooling for such a long time, so I am kind of getting that feeling back that I used to get like when I was in elementary school when it came to the first day of school. I’m getting nervous again and I’m going out getting all of my school supplies and trying to pick the right back pack and all that stuff. It’s been really fun though and I want to stay in the dorms eventually. I think that would be really fun to decorate a dorm room.
It definitely gets nerve wracking going back to school for anyone, but especially when I was younger I used to always get really nervous for the first day. I think you just have to try not to be too stressed out and just have a good time. I think less is more. You don’t have to wear a ton of make-up or wear an outfit you are uncomfortable in. I think I always feel my best when I’m in something really comfortable like even just jeans and converse. Whatever you feel good in.

On her back-to-school advice: Just have a good time. I think it helps if you have a friend with you on the first day. With me starting school I don’t know anybody. I’m going to be going in alone. That can be good too because you can end up meeting a bunch of people and getting out there more and introducing yourself to people. Either way, just go in and have a good time and don’t be too stressed out.
On the importance of an education: Education is really important to me and my family. When I started acting I remember it was a big deal for my parents because I used to go to school and act at the same time. Then once I started iCarly, I had to start homeschooling. I remember my parents being like are you sure you want to do it because it’s a pretty big deal and it’s a big difference doing homeschooling from going to regular school. Now I’m going to college! Getting an education is definitely really important to me and it’s changed my life a lot for sure. You really figure out what you want to do in life. I feel like I’ve learned a lot.

Learn more about the 2012 Neutrogena Wave for Change Campaign inside… The 2012 Neutrogena Wave for Change Campaign continues to empower teens with its annual program geared towards education in the U.S. This year’s philanthropic campaign encourages teens everywhere to make a difference by donating to educational charities to improve school programs and amenities for children of underserved communities.
From July 1st to August 31st, Neutrogena and GlobalGiving, a fundraising charity that benefits education, have teamed up to reach a goal of $250,000 via simple online initiatives that prove a little teen spirit goes a long way.
Drawing on the campaign’s motto, “make change a reality,” brand ambassadors Hayden Panettiere, Emma Roberts, Sandra Echeverría and Miranda have come together to inspire others to get involved and spread the word.