How To Overcome Writer’s Block

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How To Overcome Writer’s Block

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

All students have problems with writer’s block at some point in their academic careers. There are innumerable causes, ranging from anxiety to lack of sleep to fear of not writing well. Fortunately there are strategies to help get back on track.

Get your pencil moving

The most difficult part of writing is the start. The worst thing to do is stare at the blank paper and do nothing. It is better to write a mediocre sentence than nothing at all, so turn your critical brain off when starting and get ideas down on the paper. There is always time to edit later.

Outline

Start by listing general ideas related to your topic. This short “brain purge” is meant to get all ideas on the page without being too critical or selective. Once you have a collection of content to work with, start marking up the page by circling, highlighting, and crossing out words. The goal of this is to draw draw parallels between ideas and brainstorm more specific examples. These details will be the essence of your writing.

Think out loud

For novice and expert writers alike, one of the most challenging aspects of writing is the process of transferring thoughts to page. Record yourself speaking your thoughts, then play back the recording to find key themes.

Write don’t type

A cold, ominous computer screen can hinder your creativity. Switch to pen and paper for a while and physically write out your ideas.

Get inspired

Take a break and read other material to get inspired. Read blogs, magazines, newspapers, or other enjoyable sources, and let your mind run free until you have gathered new ideas.

Sleep on it

Students often get stuck on an assignment because they are too tired to stay focused. If you find yourself in this situation, go to sleep and wake up early to write. Sleeping recharges the mind and elucidates previously confusing subject matter.

Mix it up

Prevent boredom by switching between multiple assignments. For example, if you are working on three assignments, devote one hour per day to each, rather than trying to complete them individually. This will prevent burnout and allow for your creative ideas to spill over to other projects.

Blake Hudelson is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

About Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep offers ACT and SAT test prep group courses, a hybrid course which includes test prep tutoring, SAT / ACT software, ACT / SAT test prep tutoring and academic tutoring for finals, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and more. Revolution was named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and was also recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles.

Tags: how to write an application essay, Tips for writing an ACT essay, tips for writing an SAT essay, writing an ACT essay
Posted in ACT prep, College admissions, College applications, Education news, Practice tools and materials, SAT and ACT Test Prep, Skill building, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Does Delaying Gratification Lead to Better Grades?

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Growing up in our culture today means having to deal with innumerable distractions. We live in a society where we want everything and we want it now. This attitude is learned from a young age and it is difficult to change as we grow older.

Delayed gratification, or the ability to pass up short-term gains for long-term rewards, has a direct impact on our success in school and work. The earlier you learn this skill the better off you will be. If you find it difficult to turn off your urge for immediate gratification, don’t fret, it is never too late to learn. Here are some tips that can help you.

Prioritize

Try to develop a set of clear priorities for yourself, such as school comes before entertainment, family before friends, etc. If you know your priorities, it is much easier to work hard and resist the easy route.

Know Your Values

In order to be able to delay immediate gratification you need to know what is important to you. What do you value most? Discipline? Hard work? Reliability?

Create a Plan

Having a plan of how to achieve your long-term goals makes it easier to resists the urge of immediate satisfaction. In your plan, be as detailed as possible about your expected outcomes and what you need to do to get there. Do not try to accomplish everything at once. Start by breaking up your long-term goals into bite-size pieces. What do you need to accomplish today, this week, this month? Consistent completion of short-term tasks is the key to long-term success.

Practice

Studies show that self-control skills in students are deeply rooted but are also malleable. Those who want to improve their ability to delay gratification do so by practice every day.

Write it Down

Say you find yourself working diligently on your homework and you remember that you need to send an email to a friend. Are you the type who would drop everything and write the email, or are you the type who would make a note to send the email later and continue finishing your homework? Wherever you fit in, try to strive for the habit of the latter. This habit of staying on task and writing to-do lists is important and will help you complete work faster, providing more time for fun later.

Have Fun

It is difficult to focus on long-term goals if you do not experience rewards. Make sure to reward yourself after an arduous week at school. The more often you practice delayed gratification, the sweeter the gratification becomes later and the more possibilities unfold in your life. Delayed gratification brings the realization of bigger dreams, but it requires discipline. If you were not born with these traits, work to develop them through practice and persistence.

Tags: educ, education, skill building, study skills
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May 7th SAT Exam Scores Are Released Tomorrow!

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Attention Revolutionaries: If you took the May 7th SAT test and/or SAT Subject Tests scores will be available online at College Board tomorrow, May 28th.

We’d love to hear how you scored on your SAT test

Tags: SAT exam, SAT prep, SAT scores, SAT Subject Tests, SAT test prep
Posted in Education news, SAT prep, SAT Subject Test prep, Test information, Test scores | No Comments »

Finding Your Learning Style

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Students often discover certain methods of learning that work best for them. These learning styles can include verbal, visual, tactile, logical, social, or solitary. It is also possible for students to respond well to a combination of styles or develop some of their own. As you read, think about where you fit in and why identifying these methods could be helpful to your overall learning style.

Verbal

Verbal learners think in words rather than pictures. They successfully retain information presented in lectures and audio recordings, and their skills include speaking, writing, and debating. Possible career interests include journalism, teaching, law, politics, and linguistics.

Visual

Visual learners tend to think in pictures and need to create vivid mental images to retain information. These learners frequently draw pictures and diagrams when trying to comprehend a subject. Their skills include sketching, painting, constructing, and interpreting visual images. Possible career interests include engineering, art, architecture, and mechanics.

Tactile

Tactile, or kinesthetic learners, retain information through hands-on participation. These learners express themselves through movement and their skills include dancing, sports, and building. Possible career paths include acting, teaching, and firefighting.

Logical/Mathematical

Those who excel at math and possess strong reasoning skills are usually logical learners. These learners are perpetually curious about the world, enjoy performing experiments, and ask a lot of questions. Scientists, engineers, computer programmers, and accountants often associate themselves with this learning style.

Social

Most social learners have superior written and verbal communication skills. They often have an uncanny ability to sense feelings, intentions, and motivations. Their skills include listening, counseling, facilitating teamwork, communicating both verbally and non-verbally, and peaceful conflict resolution. Possible career paths include sales, counseling, politics, and business.

Solitary

Solitary learners prefer to work alone and excel at pragmatic reasoning. However, since solitary learners prefer to work alone, it is possible for them to waste time on difficult problems before seeking assistance. Possible career paths include philosophy, theory, and writing.

To get the most out of your time studying, it is helpful to identify your personal learning style. Knowing this will help when signing up for classes and preparing for exams. Moreover, it is vital to be familiar with your learning style when making life decisions such as selecting a college major or future career.

Tags: education, learn methods, learning styles, skill building
Posted in ACT prep, Education news, Practice tools and materials, SAT and ACT Test Prep, SAT prep, Skill building, Test prep tutoring | No Comments »

Educating the Next Generation of Voters

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Results from a recent national exam show that roughly one-quarter of high school seniors are “proficient” in civics knowledge and skills. Exams were given to students completing 4^th, 8^th and 12^th grades. The national civics exam was first given in 1998 and was administered again in 2006. In 2010, the 4^th grade scores have gone up slightly (now at 27%), the 8^th grade scores have remained constant (at 22%), and the 12^th grade scores have dipped slightly (now at 24%) since the exam was last given in 2006. Scores for Hispanic students rose in the last four years. You can read about the details of this “civics report card” in this Education Week article.

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner has expressed concern over the lack of civics knowledge displayed by students in our country – blaming the narrowing of the curriculum that took place when No Child Left Behind (which emphasizes reading and math) was implemented. “Barely one-third of Americans can even name the three branches of government, much less say what they do,” the AP quotes O’Connor as saying at a recent conference. “Less than one-fifth of high school seniors can explain how civic participation benefits our government. Less than that can say what the Declaration of Independence is, and it’s right there in the title. I’m worried.”

In addition to making room for civics instruction in our schools’ curricula, O’Conner promotes the iCivics website designed to teach civics to middle school students through the use of games.

Tags: civic education, education, government education, no child left behind
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Service-Learning

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Benefits of Service-Learning

We are all familiar with the concept of volunteering. You have probably planted trees or picked up trash in your community as a volunteer for a day. But are you familiar with service-learning? In short, it is a “learn by doing” experience where students complete projects to help communities. Those receiving the service receive much needed help while those performing the service gain real-world experience and a deeper understanding of societal issues. If you are unfamiliar with service learning or are unsure if it is right for you, here are some reasons to give it a try.

There is a Chinese proverb that goes: “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand”. Service learning provides innumerable opportunities to explore your interests and help you grow as an individual, all by doing hands-on work. For example, students interested in bringing more trees into their community would not only organize the planting of trees, but also create a long-term plan to green the entire community. This is when volunteering becomes service-learning.

Service-learning forces you to work with new people, which can lead to new partnerships, job opportunities, etc. These experiences also look great on a resume, demonstrating initiative, leadership skills, and ability to work hard.

For those interested in traveling, international service-learning projects are a great option. Students learn about new cultures, languages, and traditions through collaboration, and get a more well-rounded education than those who stay in the classroom.

Reflection

A major component of service-learning is reflection. Reflection time, whether it is keeping a journal or discussing your experiences with fellow students, is what distinguishes service-learning from community service. Examples include:

Artistic Expression: Drawing, music, and theater are fun and useful outlets for reflection.

Reading and Writing: Reading a breadth of material with differing viewpoints on your area of focus will provide a solid foundation for journaling.

Journaling: Writing about your observations and how they relate to issues such as communication, privilege, and conflict is a helpful way to make conclusions and move forward in your studies.

Studies show that altruism is one of the largest contributors to overall happiness levels in people. If you have any interest in gaining life experience, helping others, and getting academic credit, get involved in a service-learning program soon!

Blake is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

Tags: college application, service, service learning, skill building, university application, volunteering
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Submit your College Essay as a YouTube Video?

Friday, February 11th, 2011

The new trend in college admissions is the submission of a YouTube video as a replacement to the standard written essay. As college admissions become increasingly more competitive at an exponential rate, students have turned to YouTube to create a more individual and unique college “essay.” Not only does a YouTube video allow a student to showcase his or her talents, it also allows a student to show his or her creativity and individuality (all great things for college admissions).

Before you get too excited and run out and make a video, very few schools are currently accepting this as an alternative to the written essay. At this time only four schools allow the submission of a YouTube video with your application: Tufts, George Mason, William and Mary, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. If any of those schools spark your interest for reasons other than the new YouTube video policy, then perhaps consider the video as an option.

This new policy definitely marks a change in the way colleges have viewed admissions and more schools may be popping up soon with new YouTube admissions policies. If you decide to take that route with the available schools, do your research and plan ahead. Make sure you make a video that truly showcases your talents, creativity, and individualism. While a YouTube video can be a great way to stand out from the rest of the applicants, it can also hurt your chances of acceptance if you submit a joke video that does not present you as a serious candidate.

According to an article in Newsweek, only 5-10% of applicants are using the YouTube video application at the schools that permit it. Although these numbers are low, and the acceptance rate of those that choose this option is even lower, this marks a great change in the college admissions process: no longer do you have to write an essay about your hero and somehow find a way to be unique in the process. The college admissions process is all about standing out from the rest of the applicants, and this just may be the new way to achieve that.

Breanna L. is an instructor, tutor, and curriculum developer with Revolution Prep in Los Angeles, CA. She received her bachelors in Biology with a minor in Biotechnology from the University of Southern California and is currently attending business school pursuing an MBA.

Tags: college application, College essay, submitting a YouTube video to colleges
Posted in College admissions, College applications, Education news, University application | No Comments »

The Gap Year – Pros and Cons

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

As universities are becoming more impacted by budget cuts and large increases in applications, many are trumpeting the option of taking a year off before college. High school grads burned out from intense study and not ready to commit to another four years are opting for the “gap year” where they can travel, explore, learn, and mature. Common in other countries such as England and Australia, the gap year is a useful way for students to explore a few interests before deciding what to study in college.

Although there are no formal studies about the effects of taking a year off before college in the United States, numerous admissions officers report that students are more focused than their peers who went straight from high school to college. Some of the top universities including Harvard and Princeton formally recommend that every student spend a year volunteering abroad before starting freshman year. These top institutions know that better-prepared students have higher academic success rates and lower drop out rates. Three in five students who enter a four-year public university do not graduate within five years, according to the College Board. Ill-prepared students, for social or academic reasons, waste both their school’s and family’s money. A year of teaching, traveling, or volunteering before college can make all the difference in finding success in the high-intensity academic atmosphere that college requires.

It is important to establish guidelines before taking a year off. The following are a brief set to follow:

Apply to colleges. Students should still take the SAT and ACT tests and apply to schools during senior year of high school. If accepted, students can request a one-year deferral.

Have a backup plan. For students that do not get into the college of their choice, a gap year can offer a second chance. If students perform well in an academic program abroad or through service work, their chances of getting into the college of their choice the second time can greatly improve.

Work out finances. For students with financial needs, a gap year can be used to work and save money. While some students dream of a year unrestrained travel adventures, it is not often financially feasible. Taking two smaller trips with work between trips, or working while traveling, can be a more realistic goal.

Experts are split on whether gappers should adhere to a strict set of structured activities or one that is less programmed. However, most agree that students should not just take time off for the sake of relaxing, but instead set goals and intend to grow as an individual. Traveling and living by ones wits can be an extraordinary way to grow and discover new interests. Very few seventeen and eighteen-year-olds know what they want to spend the next four years studying. The gap year is a great option for those wanting to gain life experience before surrendering to the rigors of academia again.

Blake is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly–SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

Tags: deferring college admissions, take a year off, waiting a year before starting college
Posted in Attention Revolutionaries, College admissions, College applications, Education news, Uncategorized, University application | 1 Comment »

Tuition hikes signal more competition for scholarships

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

California has the best public university system in the country, with outstanding colleges for students at all levels. For many years, the University of California and California State Universities charged “fees” for students to attend classes on their respective campuses. Between the effects of the recession and the resulting budget cuts, California colleges have been forced to raise these fees and change the language around the charges- now called “tuition.”

Students at all income levels surely feel the drain from the increase in tuition – college is expensive, but an undergraduate degree is an extremely important investment. Students already in college have some control over how these increases will affect them – taking on another job, working as teaching assistant, or seeking additional outside funding. Students still in high school, though, can make a huge impact on their funding before they even enter school.

Universities primarily look at three factors to determine how competitive a student is for their college: letter grades and classes, extracurricular activities and athletics, and standardized test scores. These factors are considered for general admission, acceptance into a particular program or major, and finally for funding, scholarships, and grants.

Given the competitive landscape of college admission and the difficulty obtaining those scholarships, students who have the best and most complete applications are the students most likely to secure more scholarship money for college. Students spend four years building their grades and after school activities, but can make a huge impact in a much shorter period of time by taking SAT and ACT Test Prep Courses or Private Tutoring for the SAT Test and ACT Test. Students with high scores can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, and some universities give scholarships if your student meets a certain score threshold. In any case, preparation for the SAT and ACT can allow students an avenue, among other things, to offset the increase in tuition in both California school and other universities across the country.

To view the full article please click here.

Tags: college tuition, how to pay for college, scholarships, University of california tuition
Posted in ACT prep, College admissions, College applications, Education news, SAT prep, SAT Subject Test prep, Test information, University application | No Comments »

U.S. High School Graduation Rate is Rising

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Despite the seemingly ubiquitous reports of economic hardship and increased joblessness, there is one statistic that sheds positive light on the future of our nation. A recent study conducted by Colin Powell’s nonprofit organization and published by America’s Promise Alliance, has shown an increase in the national high school graduation rate. Even school districts previously termed “drop out factories” have seen a marked increase in number of students making the journey across the platform on graduation day.

Yet high school graduation is not the end of many students’ educational endeavors. Not only is a high school diploma an accomplishment in its own right but it is also a valuable stepping stone. With more students earning high school diplomas, the pool of qualified college applicants from all socioeconomic backgrounds is growing as well. Because the greatest increases in high school graduation rates come from areas where college is not traditionally a financially viable option, steps need to be taken to even the playing field and allow all students the opportunity to attend college.

Revolution Prep has believed since its inception that a good education is a right and not a privilege. In order to reward the hard work put in by students from challenging backgrounds, Revolution Prep has given away 1.6 million dollars in need based scholarships last year alone. This money has enabled thousands of students to take critical SAT test and ACT test prep classes, and further improve their chances at college admittance. We believe this is not an exercise in charity however; but an investment in the renewal of our nation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/education/30graduation.html?_r=1&ref=education

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