often times, applicants overlook the importance of their work experience and think only extracurricular activities, awards, or outrageous inventions can be the real superstars on an application. the truth is, though, your work experience should also have a starring role since it tells the admissions department something about you that otherwise may not be revealed in your transcripts.

take every available opportunity on your application to fill in details about who you are and how you spend your time. no job is too small to be featured on your application. did you run your own etsy shop? mention it. did you start a lawn mowing service in neighborhood? that’s worth mentioning, too. did you have a tutoring gig helping elementary students with math? totally mention that. did you spend a summer blogging about your summer adventures?  that deserves mentioning. did you start a rock band? mention. it.

though you may not have immediately realized the impact these experiences could have on your application, they highlight your individuality, personality and passions in a way no grade truly can. this is your time to brag about yourself, so shine a spotlight on each and every one of your truly unique qualities.

here are some points to consider when describing your work experience on a college or grad school application:

1. you are committed

did you work in high school or college to support yourself or your family? that kind of work experience definitely catches the admissions counselor’s attention because it shows you have a lot of drive – no matter what job you had. it takes a lot of commitment, hard work and focus to juggle a job while being a full-time student. so be sure to state that proudly on your application.

2. you are a leader

have you started your own business, cause or group of like-minded hobbyists? admissions officers are impressed with students who have demonstrated entrepreneurship – a skill many colleges value. starting a band, food drive, or running your own car detailing business shows that you’re a leader who takes action. if you have work experience that demonstrates your knack for taking initiative, state that loud and proud on your application. those are the types of skills admissions officers like to see in students – and on campus.

3. you have a strong work ethic

a great recommendation letter doesn’t have to come only from a teacher or counselor. if you have spent a lot of time working, ask your supervisor or someone in authority who knows you and your ethic well to write a letter on your behalf. a recommendation letter from an employer or someone who has benefitted from your services can validate your influence and contributions. finding someone who will sing your praises as a hard-working employer or leader is an extremely valuable contribution that adds a lot of weight to your application. admissions counselors take notice when a third party takes the time to write about a student and what they’ve done.

4. you can benefit the program

do you have a unique leadership style or knowledge that can benefit your college or program of choice? your application is the perfect opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants who have similar test scores, grades, or profile. use this time to showcase how your unique characteristics will add to the classroom and enrich the school’s learning environment. consider sharing how you plan to use your work experiences to contribute to on-campus organizations or create new ones.

5. you can benefit from the program

as much as you want to point out your specific skills that make you unique from other applicants, it’s also a wise choice to highlight specific aspects of the program that can help you build upon and further your work experiences. in other words, make the connection between your past work experiences and your future career goals. talk about how the college or program you’re applying to can help you attain those goals.

keep in mind: your application should not just state your accomplishments. it should paint a comprehensive picture of what makes you uniquely you. yes, you should boast about your accomplishments, but also make sure to boldly state your dreams and your vision for your future.

 about the author:

jennifer is here to help you navigate college and grad school while still maintaining your sanity. she is a graduate of the university of florida (go gators!), with a major in journalism and communications and a minor in psychology. she’s also a certified montessori instructor and once witnessed a four-year-old correctly label all 54 countries on a map of africa. she prefers to sing when not in the shower, and she’s not afraid of heights as long as she’s standing on something that is less than 15-feet tall.

image sources:

cover photo: http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/boy-riding-his-bike-while-delivering-papers-with-his-dog-in-news-photo/73534161

1. http://www.thevideobeat.com/rock-roll-tv/1960s-garage-psych-pop.html

2. http://www.starbucks.com/

3. http://livingstingy.blogspot.com/2011/05/mowing-neighbors-lawn.html

the post how can work experience help your odds of being accepted? appeared first on magoosh 2022年足球世界杯举办地.

wait! that kind of doomsday thinking is not very helpful. you’ve got to keep your head in the game and maintain a positive, can-do attitude from your first study session until you answer your last question on exam day.

whether you’re in your first semester as a freshman or nearing the finish line in grad school, stress from exams can pile up quicker than packets of fast-food condiments in your kitchen drawer.

before you assume the lotus position and begin deep breathing exercises to stay calm, remember that it can be helpful to experience some stress. it prompts us to stay alert and motivates us to complete tasks on time. avoiding stress altogether makes life boring. the problem comes when you experience so much stress that it debilitates you.

here are some tips to help you prepare for exams without feeling overwhelmed.

1. get organized

use a calendar/planner to break up studying into manageable chunks each day, and commit to doing the work daily. students preparing for tests like the gre and gmat typically commit to studying at least 8-12 hours a week. break that up into smaller study sessions every day to help you avoid trying to cram too much in at the last minute during an all-nighter.    

2. plan your day ahead

take a few minutes at the end of each day to prioritize your goals and studying time for the following day. doing this exercise the night before will help you wake up feeling already accomplished and with clear intentions on how to studying.

3. get outside and move

commit to taking a walk or running outside 3-5 days a week. use that time to listen to music that makes you feel good and visualize yourself achieving your target score. the combination of fresh air and extra dopamine in your system will help you alleviate stress and clear your mind to stay focused on studying.

4. eat healthy

whenever you’re trying to accomplish a new set of goals, you need to be at your best. that means no more late night taco bell! you deserve to be healthy. plus, healthy foods are going to give you the energy you need to cross the finish line on exam day.

5. be consistent

by consistently studying, exercising, eating healthy, staying organized, and visualizing yourself achieving your target score, you will approach exam day feeling calm, confident and fully prepared. you may still experience some test day jitters, but your prepared self will be able to make like taylor swift and just shake them off.

 about the author:

jennifer is here to help you navigate college and grad school while still maintaining your sanity. she is a graduate of the university of florida (go gators!), with a major in journalism and communications and a minor in psychology. she’s also a certified montessori instructor and once witnessed a four-year-old correctly label all 54 countries on a map of africa. she prefers to sing when not in the shower, and she’s not afraid of heights as long as she’s standing on something that is less than 15-feet tall.

image sources:

1. http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4228

2. https://img0.etsystatic.com/044/0/6050112/il_570xn.643767198_5ijc.jpg

3. http://picsfab.com/image/walking-exercise-shoe-168858

4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hipmunk/miley-vs-taylor-in-who-tr_b_8093686.html

the post tips to overcome test anxiety appeared first on magoosh 2022年足球世界杯举办地.

so how can you distinguish yourself? the answer: a unique and thoughtfully crafted personal statement.

think about all the study sessions, missed parties and hard work you’ve put into maintaining good grades and achieving a score that made your mother cry tears of joy. don’t throw all that away by writing a weak personal statement. this is a valuable opportunity for you to show the admissions department why they would be remiss not to accept you.

on the other hand, it’s important to not get too creative. i’m sorry, but you should probably save your quentin tarantino-style statement for another time. trust me on that one.

instead, it’s time to channel your inner goldilocks and express who you are in a way that’s not too much and not too little, but is “just right” to catch the admission department’s attention.

to help you navigate through the writing process, we’ve compiled a list of 13 mistakes you should avoid when writing your personal statement.

1. cliches

cliches can be hard to avoid. they’ve been lodged in our memory since the dawn of time. (see what i did there?) but they’re uninspiring, tired, and show a lack of creativity. instead, come up with your own metaphors and similes to say in your unique way that you “have a thirst for knowledge,” and avoid clichés like they’re going out of style.

2. redundancy

don’t include your gpa in your personal statement. let me say that again. don’t include your gpa in your personal statement. in fact, avoid including any information – such as awards you’ve received, etc. – that can be found elsewhere in your application. it’s redundant. think of your personal statement as valuable real estate and there’s only enough space for the best, most unique information.

3. spelling or grammatical errors

this cannot be overstated. admissions directors won’t be able to fully appreciate your powerful personal statement if they have to keep stumbling over spelling and grammar errors. avoid errors by asking a friend or family member to help you proofread your statement. another pair of eyes is more likely to catch if you misspelled “conscientious,” for example.

4. profanity or slang

this should go without saying, but some students forget to leave out certain inappropriate four-letter words. just. don’t. do. it.

5. quotes

quotes can be very inspirational, especially when they come from great writers and charismatic people like martin luther king, jr. or e.e. cummings. but they’re not your words, and they don’t tell the admissions director who you are. leave them out of your personal statement and post them on your instagram instead.

6. hyperboles

you want to show enthusiasm in your statement, but it’s not necessary to say that if you don’t get into grad school your “mother will kill you.” the admissions director will also likely not be impressed if you tell them you have studied no less than a million hours to get into their school. in fact, avoid any and all exaggerations.

7. plagiarism

these days, it’s easy to find examples of great personal statements online. however, keep in mind that universities will be able to identify if you have copied any material from another source. it’s not worth the risk and, again, it doesn’t let the school see your uniqueness.

8. other people

remember, keep the focus of your statement on you and what makes you stand out. avoid too much mention of mentors, family members, or other people who may have inspired your academic goals. keep it all about you.

9. negativity

keep your personal statement upbeat and positive. avoid talking about any past educational experiences. you should also avoid mentioning any personal circumstances that have caused you difficulty – unless you are able to highlight how you overcame the circumstances and what you learned from them.

10. money

although you may be trying to secure a financial award from the school, you should leave out any mention of money in your essay. period.

11. arrogance

of course you want to highlight what differentiates you from other students, but be sure to do so in a humbling way. boasting about how awesome or great you are may be off-putting to those reviewing your application. also, you should show, rather than tell how wonderful you are by describing certain unique experiences rather than listing superficial adjectives to describe yourself.

12. humor

often times, we immediately try to use humor to showcase what makes us unique. being quirky, though, can be risky in an admissions essay. so proceed with caution. keep in mind that those in the admissions department may not share your sense of humor, so it’s best to keep your weird jokes between you and your friends.

13. confessions

this is an opportunity to describe your educational and professional goals in an intentional way. it is not an opportunity to reveal the deepest, darkest corners of your mind, so stay on point and avoid any irrelevant information.

 about the author:

jennifer is here to help you navigate college and grad school while still maintaining your sanity. she is a graduate of the university of florida (go gators!), with a major in journalism and communications and a minor in psychology. she’s also a certified montessori instructor and once witnessed a four-year-old correctly label all 54 countries on a map of africa. she prefers to sing when not in the shower, and she’s not afraid of heights as long as she’s standing on something that is less than 15-feet tall.

image sources:

1. https://tessatypt.wordpress.com/author/tessaotten/
2. http://thumbpress.com/10-funny-spelling-and-grammar-mistakes/
3. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533113674616215339/
4. http://tnova.fr/notes/refonder-l-aide-aux-eleves-en-grande-difficulte-scolaire

the post 13 mistakes to avoid in your personal statement appeared first on magoosh 2022年足球世界杯举办地.

you’ve got everything you need: study guide, check. highlighters, check. notebook, check. your favorite pen, check. sticky tabs, check. you are ready to rock this study session.

and, then, just as you enter concentration level one, your roommate comes barging in, as if on cue. “hey, let’s go shopping for this year’s ugly christmas sweater party!”

unfortunately, finding the motivation to study is only half the challenge. the other half is avoiding or managing the myriad of distractions that are hurled at you – especially during the holiday season – while you try to maintain clarity and focus on your studies.

ideally, you could enter a distraction-free bubble when it’s study time. or, you could slap a large “studying: do not disturb” sign on your door, and everyone around you would magically leave you alone and respect the quiet you need while studying.

in reality, though, our lives today are full of external distractions, and it takes great effort on our part to minimize the noise and constant barrage of interruptions. worse, when no one else you know is studying, it’s hard to find support when you designate time to prepare for your exams.

so, how do you stay motivated and focused without shunning your friends and family? here are a few tips to keep you on task without losing friends.

1. announce your goals

once the semester begins and you’ve established your weekly study schedule, tell your friends and family that you need their support. they’re more likely to offer their support if you ask for it. so, instead of saying, “i need to study, please leave alone,” phrase the command as a request for their help.

try saying, “my goal is to study 8 hours each week before my test so i can hit my target score. i really need help to stay on task. if you know i’m studying, can you help make sure no one distracts me?”

also, make declarations about your goals using “i am” sentences. for example, say, “i am studying regularly this semester so i can earn high scores and finish my degree.” saying “i am” instead of “i want to” gives your statements more conviction and authority. this will help you focus on what you’ve set your mind to, and your conviction will let your friends and family know you are serious about studying responsibly.

2. make it a habit

have you ever seen a friend start a new fitness routine? when they first start, you wonder if they’re really going to stick with it. once working out becomes part of their regular schedule, you realize they are committed to getting fit, so you stop inviting them to skip the gym and join you at cheeseburger palace.

you can do the same thing. make studying a regular part of your routine, and your friends and family will quickly become accustomed to your consistent studying sessions.

making study time a habit will also help you increase your concentration, which means you’ll be less likely to get distracted by every day interruptions like noisy roommates.

3. find a quiet place

the best way to minimize interruptions from well-meaning roommates or friends is to find a quiet place where you can’t be reached. though it may be inconvenient, it’s probably the most effective way of avoiding any pressure from grandma dot who keeps asking you when you’re going to show her how to use snapchat.

but, let’s be honest, there’s really no point in finding a quiet place to study if you’re going to keep checking your phone for texts, social media posts, or updates on the gwen stefani/blake shelton romance. turn off your phone – or, (gasp) leave it at home. let me say that again: turn off your phone – or leave it at home. before you accuse me of being cell phone-phobic, just remember, the goal is to help you stay focused on your … wait, i just got a fb notice. twenty-three people liked my cat video!

now, what was i saying?

4. reward yourself

it’s easy to get so caught up in studying that you forget you also need to have a life outside of the gre, gmat, or lsat. so, be sure to schedule social time with your friends and family as a reward to yourself for all of your hard work. obviously, make time for friends and family when it doesn’t interfere with a big exam. and, don’t forget to thank them for supporting and encouraging you along the way. you might need their help again in grad school.

 about the author:

jennifer is here to help you navigate college and grad school while still maintaining your sanity. she is a graduate of the university of florida (go gators!), with a major in journalism and communications and a minor in psychology. she’s also a certified montessori instructor and once witnessed a four-year-old correctly label all 54 countries on a map of africa. she prefers to sing when not in the shower, and she’s not afraid of heights as long as she’s standing on something that is less than 15-feet tall.

image sources:

1. theunofficialaddictionbookfanclub.blogspot.com

2. pictureithomeopathy.com

3. pinterest.com

the post staying motivated when no one else is studying appeared first on magoosh 2022年足球世界杯举办地.

hi there! i’m jennifer and am really excited to be writing for magoosh!

i am a professional writer with an entrepreneurial spirit and over 15 years of career experience. if you’re reading this blog right now, consider yourself super lucky that you have access to a company like magoosh that gives you advice on studying, test prep, applications, and managing coursework. i wish this site had been available when i was a student over a decade ago!

i worked really hard to get into college – i kept my grades up, got involved in various clubs and organizations, and studied like crazy for the sat. luckily, i also had a lot of support from my high school guidance counselor when it was time for me to choose schools and submit applications. having someone on hand to guide me through the process was a luxury i realize now that i took for granted. once i got to college, though, i quickly discovered it was all up to me to figure out how to stay afloat and not get overwhelmed.

as a result, i learned a lot about staying organized and balancing work and life the hard way. i’m here to tell you: pulling all-nighters and binging on coffee is not the best way to prepare for an exam. (though, it did prepare me for parenthood.)

i made it through college and earned my degree in journalism and communications. since then, i have worked as a newspaper reporter, started my own montessori school, and most recently served as communications director for a statewide advocacy organization in raleigh, nc.

through trial and error, i’ve acquired a lot of time management and organizational skills throughout my career, and i’m excited to share with you what i’ve learned. hopefully my tips will be useful to you whether you’re in college, grad school, or preparing for either!

in my free time, i enjoy island living in a small beach community in eastern north carolina with my husband, four kids, two indoor/outdoor cats, one blind dog, and a bearded dragon who sports a perma-grin. i never walk away from a double-dog dare, and i can still recite all 50 u.s. states in alphabetical order. i also love to read. most recently, i have been obsessing over non-fiction books about people who have had amazing ideas.

i am here to help so if there are any specific topics you are interested in, please add them in the comments section below and i’ll try to get those addressed!

 about the author:

jennifer is here to help you navigate college and grad school while still maintaining your sanity. she is a graduate of the university of florida (go gators!), with a major in journalism and communications and a minor in psychology. she’s also a certified montessori instructor and once witnessed a four-year-old correctly label all 54 countries on a map of africa. she prefers to sing when not in the shower, and she’s not afraid of heights as long as she’s standing on something that is less than 15-feet tall.

the post i’m jennifer friend, a new magoosh blogger! appeared first on magoosh 2022年足球世界杯举办地.