Tips for Navigating an Extroverted Workplace - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips for Navigating an Extroverted Workplace - Introvert Whisperer Tips for Navigating an Extroverted Workplace There are few things more daunting to an introvert than a crowded bullpen. The classic open workspace layout, with nary a cubicle wall in sight, is an unnerving scenario that can cripple one’s ability to communicate well, be creative, and be an effective employee in general. And yet, far too often, introverts are forced to function under these stifling conditions. Simply put, the corporate world is designed for extroverts, which also makes it a world in which introverts must learn how to function in a perpetually uphill battle. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. When an introvert can learn how to survive and even thrive in the workplace, they can often shine. In fact, studies have shown that when introverts participate in collaborative workplace opportunities, they often end up not just being effective but preferred over their extroverted coworkers, as they provide a level of focus and productivity that doesn’t flag over the duration of a project. However, just because they’re preferred doesn’t mean introverts have it easy. If you’re an introvert looking for ways to survive those exhausting, draining days in the bullpen, here are a few tips to keep you refreshed and on your A-game. Get Comfortable With Communication Styles First and foremost is communication. An introvert who knows how to properly communicate is set up for success. And we’re not just talking about how to write concise emails or how to churn out the best sales copy. When you also take the time to learn about how people interact within the workplace as well, it gives you a unique advantage. Understanding communication styles can help introverts grasp the deeper meaning behind a comment or conversation and allow them to better navigate workplace relationships. It enables them to more accurately understand others. They can diagnose, for example, when an extroverted coworker is using an aggressive form of communication and why. In addition, it can help them learn how to avoid passive or passive-aggressive behavior themselves and communicate in a healthy, assertive manner instead. As you learn about how to communicate better, also consider taking time to purposefully reach out to coworkers throughout the workday. Introverts don’t tend to be naturally inclined to interact with others and engage in small talk. Making a habit out of regularly talking to others (at least for a portion of each day) can establish relationships and make communication more natural. Remember Your Value You have skills. That’s likely why you were hired in the first place. With the cost of hiring an employee being as high as $7,645, you can bet that you were hired with careful consideration regarding your abilities. It’s easy for introverts to sit on the sidelines and let others jump into problem-solving, brainstorming, or any other collaborative efforts in the workplace. But that’s not the way it has to be. Remember your value and that, even if you don’t feel worthy to offer your two cents, you absolutely are qualified to do so. Create Creative Spaces Create is the key word here. If the default workspace you have available is an open-floor workspace filled with a bustle and distractions that make working difficult, you may want to consider proactively looking for alternatives. Consider talking to a boss about the need for a quieter space. Rather than being apologetic, be bold about the request. Communicate to them that a quieter work environment is part of the formula for you to get the best work done. Communicating like this can be particularly helpful if you have an extroverted boss who doesn’t understand the need for a quieter workspace with fewer distractions. See if there’s an empty office or meeting room that you can use for a portion of each day or explore the option for part of your work to be done remotely. Beware the Effects of Emotional Labor Emotional labor is, in essence, the idea of compartmentalizing one’s emotions in order to be productive and effective at work. An example of this is a healthcare professional like a nurse, who regularly has to process things like pain and death while still effectively working their job and living their life outside of the workplace. When the draining effects of emotional labor are left unattended to, it can lead to emotional labor burnout. While some people are more likely to suffer than others due to the nature of their occupation, all introverts â€" especially those working in busy, extrovert-oriented workspaces â€" are prone to suffer from emotional labor as they navigate the stresses and strains of each day. Being aware of the effects of emotional labor and keeping an eye out for the symptoms of burnout can help you effectively maintain your emotional health. These symptoms include many common things like: Anger Depression Detachment Chronic fatigue Anxiety If you notice these symptoms piling up, you may want to consider taking a break from work, spending some time focused on self-care, or sharing your feelings with a confidant, all of which lead to the final tip: recharging. Understand the Need to Recharge Whether you’re heading to a crowded office each day, interacting with extroverted coworkers, or coming off of an exhausting work trip, it’s important for an introvert to take the time to recharge. The emotional and physical strain of navigating an extroverted work scenario can exact a heavy toll, as things like proper communication and emotional labor can be draining on a regular basis. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re taking the time to withdraw and properly rest. The way you do this should be uniquely tailored to your own needs. Read a book, take a nap, go for a hike on your own, play video games, and so on. Take the time to find what works best for you. Whatever way you recharge best, make sure you take the time to do so as a regularly planned activity, as it can be critical to your long-term productivity and success. Stay Focused If, like so many others, you find yourself functioning as an introvert in an extroverted workplace, it’s crucial that you take the time to set yourself up to thrive. After all, muscling through each workday is not a recipe for success. However, if you take the time to explore options to better your situation, it can help empower you to turn a difficult situation into one that is tailored to your own strengths and tendencies. From advocating for quieter workspaces to learning about communication styles, emotional labor, and your own need to rest, taking the time to find better ways to navigate through an extroverted workspace is well worth the effort. Image Source: Pixabay   By: Frankie Wallace Frankie Wallace  is a blogger from Boise, Idaho and a recent graduate from the University of Montana. Wallace contributes to a variety of different blogs online and focuses on writing about career advice. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

10 things To Do for Self-improvement - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 10 things To Do for Self-improvement - Introvert Whisperer 10 things To Do for Self-improvement Self-improvement is never an accident and never occurs that way but it is the consequence of a deliberate action plan undertaken. It is imperative to understand from the onset that the reason most people stop growing is because they make the choice not to grow and thereby putting their quest for personal growth and self-improvement on the back burner so to speak. Self-development is a higher calling; it is the development of your potential so that you can attain the purpose for which you were created. Self-improvement, therefore, begins with your spirit, your mind, as you consistently acquire new information and discard the ones that are obsolete that no longer serve your purpose. Self-improvement tips are necessary for each person in order for them to recognize the areas in which they need to improve, especially with somebody who likes to do things properly who does not see himself or herself as having any faults or deficiencies. These self-improvement tips will become more significant if you take massive action in applying them. Here are 10 ways for Self-improvement that you can start implementing today. With that, read on and learn more about how to improve your life. 1.  Identify Areas you intend to improve The self-improvement program you develop for yourself should contain all of the areas you have identified as your weakness to be improved on. This is one of the most important self-improvement tips that you must learn is to identify that you are not infallible and that there is always room for improvement. The detailing of this information and the implementation of a program of improvement should allow for a better understanding of these areas in need of improvement. 2. Identify Limiting beliefs Identifying and getting rid of limiting beliefs is critical to your self-improvement and to your overall self-development. Most people have sabotaged their progress by their negative belief systems. It is also known to have literally affected their self-esteem and confidence. Consequently, your self-improvement plan must include dismantling these limiting beliefs to improve one’s life. These teachings and self-improvement tips enable you to make rapid changes in your life, simply by changing your negative beliefs system and transforming it into creative opportunities. 3. Associate with positive people This is of utmost importance if you will achieve your goals and objectives. There will always be a temporary detour in your life and things will not move in the direction you anticipated. It will be very helpful to have positive people around you that will encourage and motivate you to do what you need to do to change your life and move you in the direction of your anticipated goals. These individuals have a way of robbing off on you. 4. Evaluate your life This self-improvement tip is important so that you can ascertain what is working and what is not. There are times when you tend to focus on the things that you have done wrong. But contrary to doing that, you should instead focus on the things you did right so as to enable you to focus on doing those things again and that are congruent with your core values and this enhances your self-improvement. 5. Develop the right way of thinking The right way of thinking is of immense importance in your self-improvement plan because a positive mindset will make all the difference in the end. We are the sum total of our thoughts, that is you are a product of your thoughts. To change your world, you have to develop the right way of thinking. Self-improvement is gaining to a greater extent importance because it enables people to create a good notion about themselves and redesign the life they were born to live. 6. Keep a Daily Journal If you were to ask the average person what they did last week, unless it was a major event, they would probably have no idea. Keeping a daily journal does a few things for you; it lets you know what you have done and, most of all, it lets you know where you are now. 7. Write down what you did throughout the day                 Who you met, where you went, how you felt. Add things like any ideas you had, things that you would like to do, places you would like to go. Include in your daily journal entry your list of the five things you are grateful for that day. 8. Be Grateful Be grateful for what you have and what you do. You may only be earning the minimum wage but be grateful that you are as this money helps you to buy your food and pay your bills and there are people less fortunate than you who can’t earn an income. If you have a car, be grateful that you have one as this saves you walking. Look for things to be grateful for every day, at least five, and write them down. The more you are grateful for, the more that will come to you. 9. Great Exercises Exercises designed to boost self-improvement are examples of positive processes. They make the concepts and directions of the whole process clear which, in effect, encourages a person to further move towards his goals. They give more truth to the fact that self-improvement is not just a concept but a reality that everyone has the capacity to achieve. 10. Have a fun break time Take a break if you feel like you are already burned out from too much work. This, however, does not mean that you are taking the time off. This just means you should do something worthwhile with your break time. Taking a quality break gives you a chance to meet friends and have new interests. And it will give you the chance to feel fresh once you get back to what you normally do. One of the most important tips for self-improvement is facing your fears. Overcoming fear gives you the self-confidence you need in order to improve yourself. Author-Bio

How to Choose the Right Match Schools

How to Choose the Right Match Schools This post is the second part of our three-part series on how to choose the right reach, match, and safety schools. Over the course of the next few weeks, visit the Varsity Admissions Blog for advice on how to tackle this part of the admissions process. Match schools are perhaps the most important colleges to apply to, because you have a reasonable chance of gaining acceptance and would fit in with the average students there. However, it can be difficult to determine which colleges your budget and academic and extracurricular interests appropriately match. When searching for match schools, its important to note how your grades compare and if the schools will support your academic goals, among other items. Here is how to choose the right match schools for you: Choose the right match schools by seeing how your grades compare You can determine which colleges and universities provide you with the best chance of acceptance by comparing your GPA and standardized test scores to those of a schools average admitted student. Most colleges and universities list their acceptance statistics on their websites. You may also be able to find this information by asking your high school guidance counselor. He or she can guide you to schools that are an appropriate academic match. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Your Guidance Counselor About College] Choose the right match schools by identifying your academic interests Besides finding match schools based on your grades and test scores, you should also try to find matches based on your academic interests. What kinds of school subjects are you interested in studying? What type of career do you want to pursue? For example: If youre good at English and want to pursue a career as a writer, you might look at colleges with well-established writing programs. If youre interested in biology and want to pursue a career in medicine, you might look at universities with pre-medical training programs. [RELATED: How to Choose the Right Reach Schools] Choose the right match schools by examining your extracurricular interests Academics are only one part of college. Its also important to pursue your outside interests, like sports, school government, or clubs. Once youve used your grades and academic interests to narrow down your search for match schools, check college and university websites to research their extracurricular offerings. Often, schools have pages listing clubs and other extracurricular programs. Your match college should offer at least one extracurricular activity that youre interested in continuing in college. Choose the right match schools by considering your budget Academic and extracurricular interests are important, but its also essential to consider the cost of college when determining your match schools. Talk to your parent or guardian about your budget to help pinpoint a comfortable price range. Remember not to automatically shy away from schools that might be too expensive, because scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities may be available. Investigate these opportunities when looking for match schools. [RELATED: What Every Student Should Know About Applying for College Scholarships] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How Will the PSAT Change in 2015

How Will the PSAT Change in 2015 Current high school freshmen and sophomores will face a revised version of the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) beginning in the fall of 2015. The PSAT is an important step in preparing for the SAT (after all, it is very much like a dress rehearsal!), and its modifications reflect the significant changes that will occur on the SAT beginning in the spring of 2016. Now more than ever, it is critical that students study for and complete the PSAT. Review the below information to ensure you do so as accurately and efficiently as possible. Here are some great things to know about the PSAT. How will the content of the PSAT change? The 2014 version of the PSAT includes three sections: Critical Reading, Writing, and Math. Just like the new SAT, the 2015 PSAT will feature two primary portionsEvidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. Though sample materials are not yet available, students should expect to employ their reasoning skills quite a bit. The College Board intends to closely relate PSAT questions to the skills that students utilize in high school and will require for college success, such as analyzing history, science, and social studies passages. The new PSAT will also highlight the importance of context when identifying vocabulary, and it will incorporate the same math fields as the 2016 SAT does (e.g. advanced math, algebra, data analysis, geometry, problem-solving, and some trigonometry). How will the timing of the PSAT change? The 2015 PSAT will be 35 minutes longer than the 2014 PSAT, for a total of two hours and 45 minutes. It is important to note that the testing time is not yet final, and that The College Board may adjust it in the months to come. How will the scoring of the PSAT change? Test-takers will no longer be penalized for incorrect answers. The new PSAT will award students one point for a correct answer, while omitted questions will have no effect on test-takers final scores. As is the case with timing, the PSAT scoring scale may undergo further revision as well. The current PSAT reflects an overall scale from 60 to 240, with individual section marks between 20 and 80. The 2015 PSAT will more closely mirror the SAT. The composite result will range from 400 to 1600. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math will both be marked from 200 to 800. The revised PSAT will also include the addition of seven subscores. These subscores will allow students and their parents, teachers, and PSAT tutors to hone in on the test-takers specific strengths and weaknesses in a way that the current PSAT simply cannot. In order to truly maximize the benefits of the PSATwhich include increased preparedness for the SAT and entry into the National Merit Scholarship competition, among othersbegin your prep early. Draw upon the full spectrum of resources available to you, and monitor The College Boards PSAT webpage for review materials. Here are some great PSAT practice teststhat can help you in your studies. The College Board is expected to release practice questions in December 2014 or January 2015, while a sample exam will be available beginning in March 2015. Best of luck with the redesigned PSAT!

Morning Mayhem Try These 7 Steps

Morning Mayhem Try These 7 Steps Mornings can be hard for kids with ADHD and their parents. Having ADHD can make it hard to wake up in the morning, keep track of time, and get things done independently. So, its very common for families of kids with ADHD to feel rushed, stressed, and disorganized before the school and workdays even begin. Starting your day off this way is hard on you and your child. A few simple changes can make mornings better. Good mornings start with a good nights sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, children between the ages of 6-13 require 9 to 11 hours of sleep, and teens between the ages of 14-17 need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Wake your child up at the same time every day. This routine will help regulate their circadian rhythm and make it easier for them to get out of bed in the morning. Create a checklist. Together with your child, make a list of the things they need to do each morning. Try to keep the list limited to no more than 7 items. For example: Wake up with only 1 reminder from mom by 7:20 Brush my teeth Wash my face Brush my hair Get dressed Eat breakfast and finish my 7:50 Post the checklist in a spot where your child can see it every morning. Make it look fun and let your child decorate it -- it helps your child feel like they own the routine too. When your child finishes all the steps, provide a lot of praise. Make sure your praise is truthful, specific and positive. Great job brushing your teeth without needing a reminder. or 7:45am and done? High five! Way to go! Consider providing your child with a reward as an extra incentive to finish their morning routine independently and on time. Rewards can be simple, but they should be immediate. Things like picking a special snack for lunch, choosing the radio station in the car on the way to school, getting a special hair style, or getting 10 minutes of screen time. When your child is first learning their new routine, you may need to provide supervision and an occasional reminder. So, try to get yourself up and ready a bit early on the first few days of the new routine. This way youll be able to give your child your full attention when they need it. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

7 Note-Taking Strategies for High School Students

7 Note-Taking Strategies for High School Students A lot changes when students transition into high school and one skill that becomes more important than ever is that of note-taking. In high school, students are expected to become proficient note-takers, and those notes will become essential study tools that they use to review material for quizzes and tests, says Co-Founder Eileen Huntington ofHuntington Learning Center. Note-taking should augment student learning and help students recall difficult concepts more easily and remember what teachers teach. Our goal when working with students is to share some of the basics that will help them retain what they learn and study smarter. Huntingtonshares these seven strategies for effective note-taking with parents and their teens: Record meaningful facts. The goal of note-taking should be to summarize the most important parts of what a teacher shares during a lecture: dates, names, places, formulas or anything else that is emphasized. Its good to write lots of notes, but teens should focus on recording points that seem important, recurring themes or other details that are critical to their overall understanding. Group ideas. Lots of raw notes may not make studying any easier for a student. Its a good idea to leave space on the left- or right-hand side of the notebook for condensing and recapping concepts. During class or afterward, teens can write down any main ideas on the side of their notes, or at a minimum, subtitles of what was discussed. Think quality over quantity. New high school students tend to think good note-taking means recording everything the teacher says. Its a common challenge for students: focusing so intently on taking notes that they forget to listen and process information enough to be thoughtful about what they record in their notebooks. Big picture: notes should concentrate on what the teacher wants the class to know. That may very well mean teens pencils arent moving the entire class period, and thats perfectly fine. Follow along in the book if appropriate. When the teacher focuses on a particular chapter or topic, it can be helpful later on to have page numbers to refer to for clarification or more information. Teens should ask at the beginning of the period if the teacher is referencing textbook material. Date and title notes. Its a minor thing that can make a huge difference: labeling notes will prove helpful when it comes time to study for a test. Teens should always put the date, class name and topic(s) discussed at the top of their notes. Highlight the clues. Teachers usually point out information that students need to know and it is a smart idea to call out these cues in notes. Teens should listen for phrases like the most important part, for example, in summary, as a review and the only exception to this is. These should trigger careful note-taking and teens should notate these important points with an asterisk or other symbol. Say it another way. One of the most important parts of note-taking is not the note-taking itselfits the reflection process. Teens should write down complex points in their own words so they are easier to understand later. This helps information click and reinforces long-term retention. Huntingtonreminds parents that taking notes is not a natural skillit must be taught and practiced. Organized students tend to take cleaner notes, of course, but note-taking is meant to solidify knowledge and make studying easier and more effective, and that doesnt come easily to many students, she says. Huntington helps students develop their study skills, including their note-taking abilities. For more information, contact Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

4 Superfoods You Should Eat Daily

4 Superfoods You Should Eat Daily Image via theawesomegreen.com According to Health.com, though there is no medical definition, superfoods are nutrient powerhouses that pack large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. Eating them may reduce the risk of chronic disease, and prolong life, and people who eat more of them are proven to be healthier and thinner than those who dont. Incorporating superfoods into your daily diet is a lot simpler than you think and is actually a tasty way to get some of the most vital vitamins and minerals that your body requires to function at its optimal potential. Most of these items can be found at your local grocer, farmer’s market, or you can even order them online. You don’t have to pick up all of them, but grab one or two the next time you’re shopping for food, as they are a small investment with a big impact. Everyone’s superfood preferences may vary, and there are plenty that I did not include in this list, but adding any of these to your routine will only do your body good! 1. Cacao An often overlooked superfood, raw cacao is essentially chocolate in its purest form and is rich in antioxidants, magnesium, and lipids. It is also known for battling free radicals and aiding in depression and cardiovascular health. Image via Onegreenplanet.org Cacao can easily be incorporated into breakfast meals or healthy desserts. I like to blend cacao powder, almond butter, and coconut milk to my after workout smoothies or sprinkle cacao nibs on top of my oatmeal or yogurt. Cacao pairs deliciously with apples or bananas. Try your hand at cooking with cacao with this recipe for decadent vegan raw cacao truffles. 2. Chia Seeds Originally grown in Mexico, chia seeds are valued for their medicinal properties and nutritional value. Aztec warriors ate chia seeds to give them high energy and endurance. They said just one spoonful of chia could sustain them for 24 hours. Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and they were known as “runners food” because runners and warriors would use them as fuel while running long distances or during battle. Today, chia seeds have become one of the most popular superfoods due to the same reasons. The chia seed is  nutrient dense and packs a punch of energy boosting power. They aid in burning fat, increasing energy, and even to reduce signs of aging. Chia seeds pack a ton of antioxidants that help in replacing the nutrients lost when exercising. They’re high in essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and copper. A unique property of the chia seed is that it can absorb up to 10 times its own weight in water. As a result, the seeds increase hydration and improve nutrient absorption of electrolytes, which helps to slow digestion, thus keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Chia seeds can be consumed raw and sprinkled on just about anything from salads to yogurts. For a sweet breakfast or snack full of vitamins and minerals try making this overnight chocolate chia seed pudding, which you can whip up before bed and take on the go the next day! 3. Maca Root Maca, grown in the mountains of Peru, is a root that belongs to the radish family and is most commonly available in powder form. Maca is rich in vitamin B, C, and E as well as calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, and amino acids. Maca root has been prized for generations as an energy enhancer and mood stabilizer. It’s nutritionally and powerfully complex with a plethora of health (and beauty) enhancing ingredients. Image via blissfulbasil.com When you first start using maca powder, it’s best to begin by taking smaller amounts and building up, starting with 1/2 teaspoon and eventually increasing to 1 tablespoon as an average daily dose, rotating a few days on and off. I rotate between coffee and maca smoothies when in need of a morning workout energy boost but you can utilize maca powder in many different foods. Be sure not to add maca to hot foods or beverages, as that will cause it to lose many of its nutritional benefits. Check out this link for five easy ways to utilize maca powder in food, such as in shakes or raw treats. 4. Goji Berries You might have heard of goji berries and not have given them much consideration, but their health benefits may cause you to give this tart berry a second thought. Also known as wolfberries, goji berries are sweet in taste and bright in color. Their history as a medicinal plant has roots in ancient China, where goji berries are still used to treat eye, liver, and kidney ailments. The fruit’s many nutritional claims have now made it popular in the United States. Though most often sold dried, goji berries also can be found and grown fresh. For a breakfast treat, try them in cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt. Try mixing goji berries with raw nuts and dark chocolate chips for homemade trail mix. You can also drink your goji in the the form of goji juice or tea. Goji berries also taste great cooked with lean pork or turkey, adding a savory sweetness to hearty dishes.

4 Great Ways to Study for the SAT this Fall - TutorNerds

4 Great Ways to Study for the SAT this Fall - TutorNerds Orange County SAT Tutor Tips: 4 great ways to study for the SAT this fall Students know it’s coming; they all have to take the SAT at some point this fall or winter. This is a critical test, and many students will end up taking it several times to reach their particular desired score. Great SAT scores can sometimes lead to scholarships or other forms of financial aid based on merit and can certainly help students get closer to admittance to their dream school. However, there’s so much pressure put on doing well on this test that many students get overly stressed out. One of the best ways to combat this type of stress is to be well prepared and only have to take the SAT once or twice and then move on to more fun activities. These are a few great ways students can study for the SAT this fall (Our private Orange County SAT tutors are ready to help). 1. Read (a lot) Students who read â€" and this can mean novels, the newspaper, blogs, or journals â€" tend to have a much easier time on the reading comprehension and vocab sections of the SAT. Students who read a lot tend to expand their vocabulary naturally and have a better understanding of root words as well as the different emotional meanings of words. Additionally, students who are used to figuring out challenging elements found within the written language will find it relatively easy to comprehend the terms found within the 2016 SAT. Students who read naturally will already be developing these skills, but students who dont like to read for fun can start by reading a couple of novels or reading a shorter newspaper or journal articles that fit well within their schedule. 2. Knowledge of history Students who have a basic knowledge of historical figures as well as important events within history â€" both political and social â€" tend to do well on standardized tests such as the SAT. Whether or not students will directly demonstrate their knowledge of history on the exam is to be determined, however, students who are also history buffs tend to have excellent analytical skills and be able to understand cause and effect, both essential for an exam such as the SAT. Theres still time for students to brush up on their historical knowledge and understand how one thing leads to another or why certain consequences occurred due to an event or conflict found within history. 3. Great math memory Some students do well in their math classes and have no trouble remembering formulas or procedures. Students who have an excellent memory for calculations and who can understand the importance of step-by-step elements of advanced math are also more likely to do well on the SAT. To some degree, having an excellent math memory is a natural talent, but students who work hard to learn and memorize can develop these skills overtime. Math is a subject where practice makes perfect, so its a good idea for students to do a little bit of math a few days a week so they can learn these important skills without becoming overwhelmed while they prepare for the test (READ: 5 reasons to avoid cramming for a test). 4. Eliminating unimportant information The SAT will always provide test-takers with some information that is entirely irrelevant. However, its up to the student to determine which information is unimportant and which they need to focus on to get the right answer. Whether students are doing a mathematical word problem, reading through a passage, or just trying to pick between two good answers, being able to get rid of irrelevant information is the key to success. If all else fails, students who have this skill will be able to eliminate answer choices â€" something that has always been an essential skill for standardized test-takers â€" so they can choose between two decent answers and have at least a 50-50 chance of getting a question right. Its never too late to start prep for the SAT this fall. Call us today for more information on our experienced Orange County SAT tutoring. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.