The Ultimate Study Plan for AP Courses

The Ultimate Study Plan for AP Courses Even though the start of the school year is just around the corner or already here, depending on your districts schedule you can still set yourself up for success. The first week of school is often a bit slower than normal, which gives you a great opportunity to get ahead on your upcoming AP courses. Here are a few guidelines to create the ultimate study plan. 1. Know the course content Familiarize yourself with the course content, including important concepts and skills youll learn throughout the semester, and the order in which youll learn them. Doing so can help you get a sense of what youll be asked to do, and knowing the order may help you predict the connections between different concepts, such as how one builds upon the next. If classes havent already started, contact your teacher to request an advance copy of the course syllabus, if possible. 2. Preview the textbook or use a supplementary text An excellent way to familiarize yourself with course content is to preview the textbook youll use in class. If you can get your hands on it, read the first few chapters so youll be able to jump right in when the semester begins. Skim the other chapters read the titles and subheadings so youll know whats ahead of you and how concepts and ideas relate to each other. This kind of reading can provide you with a bigger picture of the course. Jotting down unfamiliar vocabulary can also put you a step ahead in terms of course prep. 3. Read and quiz ahead Many coursesassign readings and pre-quizzes over the summer as well. Skim the material you already worked on this summer to make sure it is fresh in your mind. You can take different approaches to your AP reading: skimming, then reading them more in-depth; annotating them; and taking notes. Pre-quizzes are great for letting you know how youre likely to be assessed on material throughout the course. 4. Make study materials During the remainder of summer and the first week of school, consider making study materials such as flashcards, outlines, or PowerPoint slideshows that you can use when the class picks up speed. Youll be busy during the semester, and this slow time may be great for completing tasks such as writing definitions on notecards, which can prove extremely useful when quizzes or tests come around. Alternatively, there are apps you can download designed specifically for AP courses. Once youve made a study plan for your AP course, reach out to classmates and friends. If theres interest in study groups or partners, you might be able to meet up and discuss readings or quizzes. In addition, consider seeking out friends whove already taken the course and who can share their experience.

Be Relevant, Be Memorable and Be Noticed with a Marketing Message - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Be Relevant, Be Memorable and Be Noticed with a Marketing Message - Introvert Whisperer Be Relevant, Be Memorable and Be Noticed with a Marketing Message Career Attraction August 18, 2014 Career Development, Personal Branding, Self-Promotion No responses Go to top There are many times where you have the chance to share information about yourself and your job search, and you don’t want to miss an opportunity because you’re not prepared. Whether it’s at networking events, on social media, when you interact with your family and friends or any chance encounters you may have, a powerful marketing message can distinguish you from other job seekers and create a memorable impression with those you meet. You’re contending with everyone else for attention, and you want anyone you meet, either in person or online, to remember who you are, what you do, what kinds of companies you can help and how you solve problems. You are the product. You help companies solve a problem; now you have to deliver a message that describes your strengths in a memorable way. You want to motivate others to learn more about you and to know when to refer you or identify potential job openings that would be relevant for you. So, what do you say when someone asks, “What do you do?” It sounds like a simple question, but how you handle the next 15-60 seconds could be the difference between a casual encounter and a potential job opportunity. This is why you need to create your personal marketing message, one that differentiates you from everyone else. The average person only has an attention span of about 25 seconds, so if you aren’t prepared with a well-crafted, easy-to-understand, intriguing yet personal message, you could lose out. What exactly is a “marketing message” for a job seeker? Simply, put it is: A confidently delivered, concise a 30- to 60-second statement that is easy to understand. A portrayal of you, the type of job you’re seeking and the type of company or companies you want to work for. A description of a challenge or problem you solve that adds value to the company you work for. Attention-grabbing. A powerful first impression. A conversation starter. A narrowly focused mini sales pitch. A memorable way for people to share what you do with others. Crafted with the person you are talking to in mind. Personal and not pushy. How to create your unique marketing message: The following is a step-by-step guide for developing your exclusive marketing message. Be specific to increase your chances of leaving a memorable and lasting first impressionâ€"an important step in cultivating business relationships. 1. Know who you want to talk to. First, you need to know who you want to talk to. This will help you you share what you do in a way that is relevant to their needs. Who is your target audience? Be specific. You can’t be everything to all companies, so you need to be clear about who your ideal “customer” is. Use the following questions to accurately define your “customer”: What type of company do you want to work for? A large corporation? A small startup? What type of corporate culture are you seeking? What type of work do you want to do? What industry do you want to work in? What specific companies are you interested in working for? This doesn’t mean you’re locked into one target market or company, but in order to gain attention and give people the information they need to most effectively help you, you need to accurately and specifically describe what you’re looking for. The more specific you are, the better your chances of creating a marketing message that will be compelling and enable your “customer” to think about who they know and can refer you to. 2. What are your networking goals for your job search? Know what you’re trying to accomplish when networking. Are you trying to: Meet people from a particular target company? Talk to someone about a specific type of job and better understand the responsibilities? “Sell” yourself to someone who works for a company you’re targeting? Earn a referral? Get an interview? Set up a future meeting to explore employment options? Ask for help on how to position your skill set within a particular company or industry? Simply inform people of your situation? This information is important as it will guide you in how to position your marketing message. 3. Now, write some action statements about what you do and what makes you different. Demonstrate what you do and why people should want to hire you. Clarify and emphasize your competitive advantages and what makes you different. Play around with words and phrases until it sounds just right. Use the phrases that best highlight what you do and what you have done. Share examples of ways you have helped to drive change, implemented a solution or solved a problem. Some ideas include: Describe your attributes: I am reliable, detail-oriented, creative, a problem-solver. Describe your experience: I have experience in developing social media strategies in Facebook, reconciling financial statements, etc. Use examples from relevant work you’ve done in the past: I worked at a local pizza shop, where I handled scheduling and managed other employees or I helped implement X strategy at my internship. Mention classes you have taken and how you can apply what you learned to future work. 4. Next, it’s time to use these action statements to create your marketing message. This should be a declaration or question designed to prompt some action linked with your goal (getting a meeting, getting a referral, etc.). Rather than saying “I’m looking for a job in ____,” demonstrate your skills and experience with a message like: I help companies increase lead generation by developing creative marketing strategies using social media. I’m looking for a small company in the financial services industry that needs more visibility in their market. I’m a master at managing projects and can help companies manage the public relations process, from writing press releases to contacting the media to getting articles published. I’m especially interested in working for an advertising agency. Metrics are my passion, and I help companies drive results by analyzing marketing trends to provide information for more effective marketing decisions. The companies I’m pursuing include __________, __________ and __________. I understand the restaurant industry and have experience in food service, scheduling and bartending. I’m interested in applying my hands-on experience with the valuable restaurant management courses I took at XYZ University to increase profitability in the restaurant business. My passion and attention to detail are what will set me apart from others. I’m looking for a restaurant that needs help managing their business. I am passionate about helping people stay productive on the job by keeping computers online and in use. My IT experience includes programming and systems administration, and I’m specifically looking to join a large corporation in the Jacksonville area. The idea is to create a power statement that will paint a picture of what you do and how you help. This makes it so much easier for people to know how to help you and to put you in touch with the right people. 5. Practice your message and get feedback. Rehearse many timesâ€"in front of the mirror, to your family and your friends, to your dog. The contents and essence of your message should be memorized; however, the delivery should be more natural and flow with the conversation. You don’t want to sound like a telemarketer reading from a script. With that said, until you get really comfortable, start with memorizing your message and, as you get in the groove, you can continue to practice and work on your delivery. Be genuineâ€"you are marketing yourself, and people like to know who you are and if you would be a cultural fit with the companies or people they may refer you to. Don’t stress about getting it perfect. The perfect message may not sound as genuine. 6. Be prepared for the next time you meet someone. Be confident and passionate in delivering your marketing message, and people will be more likely to remember you. Be flexible depending on your circumstances. If you’re at a job fair and will be talking to people at specific companies, you’ll want to position yourself differently than if you were meeting someone at an alumni networking event. Don’t be afraid to ask for somethingâ€"a business card, a referral or to schedule time for a follow-up discussion. Don’t be pushy. Read the other person’s signals to see if they’re even interested in learning more or having additional conversations. Are they engaged in your conversation, or are they looking around? Are they asking you questions? Are they actively listening? Be ready when someone asks you to “tell me more.” Be ready to tell a story that further clarifies what you do and demonstrates your abilities and how they helped solve a problem. I can’t reinforce this enough, but make sure it’s a story that will resonate with the person you’re talking to. (You have been asking some questions and actively listening, right?) Now what? How and when do you use your marketing message? The short answer: anytime. Anytime someone asks you, “What do you do?” you should be prepared to share your message. If you were successful in coming up with something thats interesting, compelling and intriguing, you will “hook” the person into asking you to tell them moreâ€"and now you can share your story. This will open the door to further conversation and networking opportunities. How can you tell if have a goodâ€"no, GREATâ€"marketing message? Let’s see. If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, then you are good to go! Does your marketing message briefly describe what you do? Is it clear who your target market is? Is your message personal and relevant to the person you are talking to? Does your message describe how you are different/better than other candidates? (What makes your capabilities unique? What is your competitive advantage?) Is your message memorable? Are YOU memorable? (Energetic, enthusiastic and passionate without being over the top?) Is it clear that you’re enthusiastic and passionate about what you do? Is your message clear about what problems you can solve? (What exactly do you do?) Is it attention-grabbing? Compelling? Maybe a little humorous? Intriguing? Is your message short and to the point? What will your marketing message be? This post originally appeared on Career Attraction. Image: Cindy Schultz Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Tips for Teaching Yourself the Drums

Tips for Teaching Yourself the Drums 12 Tips for Learning to Play the Drums ChaptersAdopt the Right PostureHolding the DrumsticksRecording and Filming YourselfPlay with a MetronomeBe PatientPractise RegularlyRelaxLearn the RudimentsLearn Rhythm TheoryPlay Anywhere and EverywhereJoin a BandDrumming Definitions“To be a drummer you also have to be a musician.” - Ian PaiceAccording to American neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, music uses all parts of the brain and the Triune brain, in particular, which is responsible for our fundamental and difficult-to-control emotions.Learning to play the drums is a great way to improve your memory and coordination. Check out the best books to learn the drums.So how can you learn to play the drums on your own?Can you learn to play drums without taking drum lessons?While the drums are thought of as being easier and different from other musical instruments, is this really the case? SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAdopt the Right PostureYou have to sit properly if you’re playing the drums. If you teach yourself to play the drums, you mightn’t pay attention to your posture.Are you sitting comfortably? (Source: krlosrocha)However, a bad posture can result in back problems and tendonitis.  Furthermore, a good posture will help you improve your speed and dexterity on the snare drum, toms, and cymbals.Playing in front of a mirror can help you adopt the right posture, effectively making you both the student and the teacher.Your Position on the Drum ThroneY ou need to be sitting towards the edge of the stool so that you can free up your thighs. The angle between your thighs and calves will be greater than 90 °.The snare drum should be between your knees and slightly higher than your thighs.Hi-hat and Snare PositionYour arms should be crossed.Your right hand will be over your left hand so that you can hit the edge of the hi-hat.The left hand is positioned to hit the snare drum directly in the centre. The angle between your two drumsticks should be just under 90 °.You’ll adopt the same positions for the toms as you would the snare drum.Bass drum PositionThere are several possible positions. I’m going to start with the most logical and the quickest.Place your foot as far up the pedal as possible and lift your heel.You’ll move your entire leg when you hit the bass drum as well as feeling it in your thigh.Cymbal positionWith the ride, your right hand will be perpendicular to the floor. You’ll hit it with the tip of the stick.If you play the bell, you’ll hit is with the thicker part of the stick to the left of the screw.It’s the same for the crash cymbal except that you’ll only play using the thicker part of the stick.Holding the DrumsticksUnfortunately, it’s not as easy as you might think!Just like religion and politics, everyone has an opinion on the matter.There are two main ways to hold the drumsticks.However, in reality, you can hold the drumsticks in four different ways.Traditional Grip: This is the oldest way to hold the drumsticks and is commonly used in jazz drumming. You don’t hold each stick in exactly the same way. Your non-dominant hand holds the stick under the palm whereas your dominant hand will hold the stick similarly to how you’d hold a pen. Have a look at how Buddy Rich does it.Matched Grips:French grip: you hold the sticks towards one another. You use your fingers to create the movement in the sticks.German grip: the sticks are moved by the wrists and your palms are parallel to the ground. This method is used to generate power.American grip: This is a mix of the two previous grips and is difficult to get right. You use both your fingers and your wrists in order to give you more versatility.The toms that you see on drum kits nowadays were once war drums. (Source: skeeze)No grip is better or worse than another. Each one has its pros and cons depending on the style of music you’re playing.Recording and Filming YourselfIf you’re not getting music or drum tutorials, it can be difficult to correct errors. It’s a good idea to record or film yourself with a camera.Sit in front of your computer and film yourself.Not only will you be able to see yourself getting better, but  you’ll also be able to check your posture and any techniques you’re wanting to get better at.Play with a MetronomeWhether you’re teaching yourself to drum or learning with a teacher, the metronome will quickly become your best friend.A drummer’s job is to keep time. To make sure yo u’re perfect at it, there’s nothing better than a metronome.A drumbeat helps the electric guitar, bass, saxophone, etc., to stay in time.It may seem dull, but you have to keep time correctly. It’s also a good idea to start slowly at around 60 beats per minute before moving up to 90 and then 120.Be PatientWhether you’re learning a binary or ternary rhythm, it can take some time, especially if you’re teaching yourself.Be patient!You’re not going to learn any quicker by skipping important steps. Playing drums is a mentally demanding activity as you need to have coordination and be able to operate your limbs independently of one another.  You also need to give your brain time to remember things.Playing slowly at first will allow your brain to understand and remember each technique. You can’t play quickly if you can’t play slowly. SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPractise RegularlyLearning how to play drums requires regular practice and training.If you want to get better at the drums, you'll have to practise. (Source: StockSnap)It’s better to practise for 15 minutes every day than to practice for 2 hours once a week.It’s a good idea to work around your schedule and fill the smaller gaps with a bit of drumming practice.Make sure that drumming becomes a habit, something that you do without even thinking about it. Above all, make sure that you concentrate when you practise. Turn off the TV, set yo ur phone to silent, and disconnect from the internet so that nothing stands in the way of your progress.RelaxTo get better at playing the drums, regardless of the genre, you need to relax.Playing while tense will make your playing less fluid. Furthermore, if you’re tense, you also run the risk of doing yourself an injury.Think about doing some breathing exercises and stretching before you start practising: especially your neck, back, wrists, and heels.You should breathe naturally as you practise. If you notice that you’re holding your breath, stop the exercise and bring your breathing back to normal.Learn the RudimentsThe three main rudiments are:Single stroke roll: RLRL RLRLDouble stroke roll: RRLL RRLLParadiddle: RLRR LRLLThese three rudiments are essential for drummers and are great for getting you started. They’re also really useful for drum breaks.Of course, there are plenty of others. The Percussive Arts Society has 40 of them for you to check out.Learn Rhythm TheoryWhil e music theory can be complicated, rhythm theory is a little easier to learn. It would be a shame to not make use of it.This will open a lot of doors for you, especially when it comes to understanding sheet music for drums.  You’ll also be able to communicate with different musicians more easily as well as read sheet music.Play Anywhere and EverywherePlaying the drums as often as possible is a great idea but you won’t always have a drum kit with you. It doesn’t matter!Buying a drum kit isn’t necessarily the first thing you need to do. You can practise with the drumsticks before you get your first kit.Cushions, your thighs, electronic pads, and even a chair can become a musical instrument!  Even air drums can help you practise before you buy an electronic or acoustic drum kit.That said, even if you have a drum kit, there’s nothing stopping you from practising a few rudiments on your lunch break.Enjoy Yourself!  Don’t forget that playing a musical instrument is fun.Of cour se, you’ll need to practise in order to acquire new techniques or become a professional drummer.However, playing for fun is a great way to improve your creativity and that’s why we often want to learn to play a musical instrument!Make the most of it by playing a song you like or just improvising.Join a BandWhether with friends or by placing an ad for other musicians, playing in a band is a great way to get better quickly.Joining a band is a great way to practise playing the drums with other musicians. (Source: Pexels)You’ll learn how to work with others and lead a group of musicians.You’ll also develop your ear for both drums and other instruments.So why not start composing your own pieces?Drumming DefinitionsSingle-stroke rollOne of the essential drumming rudiments.ParadiddleAnother of the essential drumming rudiments.

October 2012 PSAT scores have been released!

October 2012 PSAT scores have been released! By now, most juniors should have received PSAT results from their schools.   If you’re not sure how to read your score report, here’s how it works: you have three scores, one for critical reading, one for math, and one for writing.   Those scores are added together to give you a composite score.     To get your approximate SAT score, just add a zero onto the end of each score.   Now, compare that approximate SAT score to average scores at your colleges of choice.    If you want to improve your PSAT score and get a better result on the SAT, you’re in the right place!AJ Tutoring has a fantastic individualized SAT preparation program.   We pair you one-on-one with a tutor at our Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Saratoga, or San Jose offices.   Over the course of 9 sessions, you’ll learn everything there is to know about test-taking strategies, what’s actually on the test, and how to best prepare for the big day.If you’re planning to take the March 9, 2013 SAT, there’s no time to wa ste!   With only 10 weeks left before the test, there’s still time to prepare, but the AJ Tutoring team is starting to fill up.   If you’d like to start tutoring for the March 2013 SAT, give Aaron or Joe a call at (650) 331-3251, or email  info@ajtutoring.com.If, on the other hand, you haven’t thought about the SAT since you got those PSAT results back, now’s the time to start planning.  You should have a full round of tests (SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests) done by the end of junior year, so you can retake the tests senior year if necessary.    We would be happy to help you develop a testing plan that makes the most sense with your schedule â€" give us a call at (650) 331-3251.

Staff Spotlight Cydney Kramer, Program Manager - Heart Math Tutoring

Staff Spotlight Cydney Kramer, Program Manager - Heart Math Tutoring Staff Spotlight: Cydney Kramer, Program Manager Staff Spotlight: Cydney Kramer, Program Manager January 19, 2017 Cydney joined Heart in 2016 as a Program Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of six of Hearts school sites through managing Program Coordinators and analyzing program quality and efficacy. Cydney grew up in Buffalo, New York, and graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a B.A. in International Studies and minors in Law Society, Spanish, and International Marketing. She was a member of the Teach For America Charlotte Corps, taught 7th grade for three years, and led the Social Studies department at her placement school in Charlotte Mecklenburg. She then became an Instructional Facilitator where she coached math and social studies teachers and operated the Data Driven Instruction process. Cydney also worked as a Site and Regional Coordinator at Freedom School Partners for four summers. Cydney is strongly committed to ensuring that all children are given an equal opportunity to have an excellent education. She believes students succeed when their instructional and emotional needs are supported at an individual level. Cydney lives in Plaza Midwood andjust ran her first marathon inCharleston this weekend! Here are Cydneysanswers to our Spotlight questions: Who was your best teacher and why?I was lucky to have so many amazing teachers, but one of the most memorable was my AP American History class with Mr. Ulrich. He held us to incredibly high expectations and the class challenged me in a way that I had not been challenged before. Whatis yourfavoritebook? My favorite book is The Great Gatsby and one of my most recent favorites is All the Light We Cannot See! What is yourfavorite education quote? “Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” Lao Tzu

Learning without Limits This 6th Grader is Taking College Courses

Learning without Limits This 6th Grader is Taking College Courses Learning without Limits: This 6th Grader is Taking College Courses Luca, 12-years-old, Level J One of the founding principles of the Kumon Method is to instill a love of learning in youth. Kumon did just that for Luca. At 12-years-old, he’s enrolled in college courses at his local community college. That’s on top of his regular schoolwork, coding courses and his Kumon assignments. “Each class, I walk out with new excitement and joy,” says Luca. Luca’s love for learning matches his zest for life. Between reading a book a day, to United States Tennis Association matches, to boy scouts, Luca leads a very exciting and busy childhood. He gives us a little insight into his Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you beyond academics? Kumon has taught me to see repetition as an academic achievement rather than a barrier. I know that each individual worksheet is helping me master my skills. This not only helps me in math, but in many other ways, like in tennis and boy scouts, where I repeat many skills at a high level each time. I can definitely see how repetition helps me master everything I do. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? I have always liked math, but what is great in Kumon is that I’m always able to motivate myself at the thought of knowing there is another level with even harder math. Every day, I think about how there is a Level X [elective Kumon Math level] and after that, I will go wherever I want. I could be a scientist, physicist, engineer, etc. Kumon can get you anywhere and that is what I have always wanted. “What I like most about Kumon is being challenged every day.”-Luca You might also be interested in: THIS KUMON STUDENT HAS A BLACK BELT IN TAEKWONDO AND APPLIES SELF-LEARNING IN HER EVERY DAY ROUTINE Defying Age Limits: How One Student Conquered the Stage and Academics Balance and Drive Have This 5th-Grader Aiming for CEO Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader Learning without Limits This 6th Grader is Taking College Courses Learning without Limits: This 6th Grader is Taking College Courses Luca, 12-years-old, Level J One of the founding principles of the Kumon Method is to instill a love of learning in youth. Kumon did just that for Luca. At 12-years-old, he’s enrolled in college courses at his local community college. That’s on top of his regular schoolwork, coding courses and his Kumon assignments. “Each class, I walk out with new excitement and joy,” says Luca. Luca’s love for learning matches his zest for life. Between reading a book a day, to United States Tennis Association matches, to boy scouts, Luca leads a very exciting and busy childhood. He gives us a little insight into his Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you beyond academics? Kumon has taught me to see repetition as an academic achievement rather than a barrier. I know that each individual worksheet is helping me master my skills. This not only helps me in math, but in many other ways, like in tennis and boy scouts, where I repeat many skills at a high level each time. I can definitely see how repetition helps me master everything I do. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? I have always liked math, but what is great in Kumon is that I’m always able to motivate myself at the thought of knowing there is another level with even harder math. Every day, I think about how there is a Level X [elective Kumon Math level] and after that, I will go wherever I want. I could be a scientist, physicist, engineer, etc. Kumon can get you anywhere and that is what I have always wanted. “What I like most about Kumon is being challenged every day.”-Luca You might also be interested in: THIS KUMON STUDENT HAS A BLACK BELT IN TAEKWONDO AND APPLIES SELF-LEARNING IN HER EVERY DAY ROUTINE Defying Age Limits: How One Student Conquered the Stage and Academics Balance and Drive Have This 5th-Grader Aiming for CEO Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader

5 Steps To Becoming One Of The Healthiest Colleges In The U.S.

5 Steps To Becoming One Of The Healthiest Colleges In The U.S. image via fluxbuzz.com Using those healthy colleges as our examples, let’s compile a list of how to get your college to be healthy, so you’ll definitely make the charts next year! Here we go. 1) Dining halls What is cooking in your dining hall? Considering that most students eat there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it is very important that what is being served is health conscious. Some schools, like UC Santa Cruz, offer one day a week where the dining hall doesn’t serve any meat. This saves a lot of water and shows students how to make other healthy choices. Clemson University, the first college in the article on the healthy list, “is also committed to providing meals that feature fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, making it that much easier to maintain a healthy diet.” If college dining halls offer nutritional information, it will make students more aware of what they are eating, and help them come to an understanding of what portions they should be having of which foods. Locally sourced produce is another way that your university can get healthy. Fresh fruits and veggies from your school’s garden or from local venders will keep things nice and fresh, and you’ll know exactly where they are coming from. These local foods tend to be organic as well, so you don’t have to worry about pesticides. If your school is not providing you with these food options, make it happen! All students want to be healthy, they just need a little help. http://www.zencollegelife.com 2) Get active Another thing that is offered by those healthy colleges on that handy dandy list are ways to get active. Healthy schools offer a wellness center, that is a given, but they also provide students with fun ways to get active and make it feel less like a chore and more like fun. Things like fitness classes, personal trainers, intramural sports, and outdoor excursions are all steps in the healthy direction. This offers a multitude of ways for students to stay fit that will reach out to a bigger audience than just a gym will. Giving students challenges to always walk to class or to work out a certain amount of hours to get a prize are both great motivators as well for those students who just need an extra push to get started. 3) Overall health Healthy schools need to provide information on all aspects of health. For example, Penn State “provides resources and education on sexual health, smoking cessation, drugs and alcohol, fitness and nutrition, and eating disorders.” It is important for students to know how things are affecting their bodies, and to have a place where they feel safe asking questions and getting answers. Some of the schools even provide help with sleeping problems, since this is a common thing that students have trouble with and not getting enough sleep can really tear down your health. Having counselors and safe environments to take care of your metal health is extremely important, because you should never feel alone. Healthy schools also tend to provide free health screenings for some STD’s, and provide condoms and information on safe sex to help promote healthy relationships. http://www.tintup.com 4) Dealing with stress All college students feel stressed, and that’s where healthy schools can come into play. Like at the University of Iowa, it is important for students to have access to different “learning styles, motivation and goal setting, tips for managing ADHD, test anxiety management, and time management.” Especially for new students or students who are switching majors and have added stress, having these resources available would allow them to find an outlet for the stress and a solution for their worries, so they can stay on track without having to stay awake all night worrying about everything they have to do. Some schools even bring animals in around midterms and finals, so students can go pet some fluffy dogs and rabbits (or whatever animals are available) to de-stress before the test. It’s crazy how much that actually helps! 5) A good community A school community that strives together thrives together. Having a school that is invested in helping students meet new people will see better results in the healthy department. Having good influences around you who are eating well and getting active will give you the mindset of doing the same. Schools that host events where many students will attend and mingle will be able to build a community and therefore be able to promote healthy living to all the students and their friends. It’s awesome what a little teamwork can do. Now you know what you have to do, so make it count. Ban together with your fellow classmates and help show your school why getting healthy is the way to go. Who knows, maybe your school will be on the healthy list next year.