Past Blog Posts

How To Boost Your Performance Under Pressure

Studies indicate that more college students are struggling with stress, with one-third reporting symptoms of depression, according to the American Psychological Association. The prospect of student loan burdens in a sluggish recovery doesn't help. Increasing your ability to perform under pressure may improve your college experience and ease the challenges you face later in life.

There are two routes to pressure-induced failure. In one, the anxiety attached to an event becomes overwhelming. In the second scenario, one aspect of the task becomes the focus of all your attention to the detriment of the whole. Fortunately, successfully handling stressful situations can be learned.

A key part of dealing with pressure-related problems is realizing that it is a physiological response. In fact, some people may be genetically predisposed to worry. With prolonged exposure, the hormones released by stress may decrease performance. Therefore, it is particularly important to learn... Read More »

How Not to Answer These Common Admissions Interview Questions

Sitting down to an interview is one of the most nerve inducing activities you may experience. As most jobs require an interview before hiring a candidate, many universities are following suit. Some will not accept an applicant until meeting with him or her in person. Don't let these admissions interviews intimidate you: they are simply an opportunity to showcase your best side and share with your desired university the outstanding qualities you'll bring to their student body.

In addition to knowing how best to answer interview questions, it's often just as helpful to consider what not to do in interview situations. Here are some widespread traps to avoid when answering these common admissions interview questions.

1. Tell me about yourself

This is the classic interview go-to 'question.' It's sure to come up in some form early in your one-on-one chat. When it does, try not to launch into too much needless detail. The interviewer doesn't want to... Read More »

4 Ways to Use iPads for Learning

From propping up on a kitchen counter to follow a recipe to passing it around a family reunion to share holiday photos, the uses of an iPad are many. A multitude of teachers and students nationwide now use it for learning, especially at the college level. Here are some great ways to use iPads for learning:

1. Bring an iPad to class

One of the best things about the iPad is its portability. It's lightweight and slim, making it even easier to tote to class than a laptop. Because it can lay flat, it's also more discreet for in-classroom use. The iPad's multifunctional aspects allow you to easily look up a word in the dictionary, take class notes, and double check that online message board for class, all in the matter of a few seconds.

2. Read an e-book on an iPad

Although many people, millennial and twenty-something's included, still tend to prefer reading print books, it's often both more convenient and cheaper to locate... Read More »

4 Ways to Improve Parent-Teacher Communication

Parent-teacher conferences have a reputation for being lengthy and onerous yet it doesn't have to be this way. Parents and teachers have a special relationship built on a simple, often forgotten fact: they have the same goal. Parents and teachers both want to see a child excel in school. When differences in discipline and academic preparation arise, both parties would do well to remember this important fact. In addition, here are four ways to improve parent-teacher communication:

1. Respect the teacher's space

Parents, if a problem arises involving your child and his or her schoolwork, don't rush to call the teacher and complain or ask questions. Keep a cool head, and consider all sides of the issue, not just those your child presents. If possible, reach out to parents of children in your child's class regarding the problem. Chances are, they've dealt with a similar situation and will be more than willing to help you work through it. If you still nee... Read More »