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Study Smarts: 10 Tips and Tools for Getting Back Into School Mode. “Back to school” may be one of the most dreaded phrases for students of any age – and with good reason. The end of summer means trading in magazines for textbooks, and typing out lecture notes instead of texting friends about beach plans. As college students, we're in our last few years of hearing this phrase, so why not make the most of this time of year and get a head start on making the grade? Whether you're an incoming freshman or going into your senior year, read on for advice and tools that'll make that first month of classes a bit easier. 1. Plan ahead: Make recording assignments that much nicer by jotting them down in a stylish planner, like this one from Vera Bradley. 2. 5. 6. 9. How to Talk Your Way to a Higher Grade (When You Think You Deserve One)

When we know the quality of our work on an assignment was not our best, we usually expect the grade to be lower than normal. But what if our grade doesn’t accurately reflect what we think we deserve? Maybe we thought our essay was right on point, but we got a D. Or maybe we thought we explained our answers clearly on the midterm exam, but the professor had other thoughts. There are ways to deal with these situations other than venting on the phone to our parents or marching straight to your advisor’s office to report the teacher for unfair grading practices.

No matter which class is frustrating you, HC has some advice from experts on how to handle some common “bad grade” situations. Situation #1: “I think I should have gotten more points on this test than my final score indicates.” Situation #2: “I bombed the midterm. 15 Ways to Productively Procrastinate. 15 Ways to Productively Procrastinate.

The BEST Cover Letter Ever: How To Write It and Write It RIGHT. Now that you know how to write that ever-so-perfect resume, it’s time to WOW potential employers with a cover letter that leaves them in awe of your skills, and gives you what you’re looking for — an interview, and hopefully a job! Step 1: FIGURE OUT THE EMPLOYEE’S NAME and contact information. When composing a cover letter, knowing the name of the employee to send your letter to, her position in the company, and the address of the company is crucial. An easy reason for someone to toss your application in the trash is spelling his or her name wrong. Put all this information on your cover letter — it may seem tedious but it’s professional and it gives an immediate indication that this isn’t a mass produced cover letter.

“If you can get someone’s title that’s very important,” explains Beth Conyngham, President of Conyngham Partners, an executive search firm. To find someone’s title (if it is not on the job listing) try searching the company’s website, the person’s name (try LinkedIn!) Ms. How to Send the Perfect Thank You Note. You’ve heard business professionals and your parents tell you, “Don’t forget to write a thank you note,” time and time again.

If you’re anything like us though, you’re sick of hearing these instructions - we’re all old enough to understand the importance of a thank-you note (and obviously know to write one when it is deserved). Sending a thank you note, whether it be after receiving a gift, a job interview, or visiting a friend, should be second nature to you by now (and if it isn’t, it definitely will be after you read this article). So we’re not going to go on and on about the power of a thank you note (it’s polite, thoughtful, professional, and makes a good impression), but rather show you the proper presentation and content for the oh-so-important after-job-interview thank you note. The Right Stationery Instead, use simple stationery printed with a sophisticated, yet simple font, like this one from Crane & Co .

Sources:Manners by Kate Spade. What To Wear And What To Bring To An Interview. You’re sitting on your couch drinking instant coffee and hopelessly scrolling down the list of jobs on Monster.com, when you receive an unexpected call. It’s the Human Resources department of your dream job calling you in for an interview that starts in an hour. Adrenaline pumping, you jump up from the couch and realize you’re still in your bunny slippers and sushi pajamas. What’s next? How can you impress your future employer with just one glance? To help, HC’s dug up some tips on what to wear and bring to a job interview so this won’t be the last you hear from them. What to wear: Dress the way you want to be perceived. For hopefuls in the arts or a more creative field such as fashion, publishing or photography, wear something that’s traditional, but still shows off your personality, such as an unusual pattern or a “notice me” accessory.

Don’t dare to go bare. Always wear hosiery to an interview no matter how tan you may be. What’s that on your face? Shouldn’t you be on a street corner? Grad School 101: Your Guide to Graduate School Entrance Exams: MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, GRE. The Final Countdown: Six Ways to Eliminate Stress During Finals Week. Finals week is possibly one of the most stressful weeks in college. Everyone is on edge, the library is packed, no one is sleeping and there doesn’t seem to be enough caffeine on campus to keep everyone going.

HC is here to give you a few tips on how to not only stay sane during finals week, but how to come out on top! Check it off and make a schedule! The week prior to finals, create a checklist. Make a list of the tests you need to study for and divide your study time up evenly on your weekly schedule, dividing your studying into different chunks. Schedule a block of time for going over class notes, and another block of time for rereading important chapters in the textbook, for example. If you know that one exam will be harder or will require more study time than another one will, then allot more time for the harder exams.

Organize! Gather up all of the notes and books you need for each class or exam, and keep them together in their respective piles. Remember to sleep. Eat right. The Smarter Way to Study: Creative Study Techniques that Actually Work. S-T-U-D-Y. This time of year, those five letters are looming over every college student's head. With so much emphasis placed on final exams and projects, it's easy to let that daunting task make you totally crazy. But there is a way to fight back. Whether you've got senioritis or just can't stop daydreaming about summer plans, we've got some equally crazy and innovative tips to help you make the grade. Savvy Study Tip #1: Reward yourself. While good grades are a great reward, sometimes you need something more immediate to keep you going. Why it works: Colleen Roberts, a tutor at Kumon Learning Center, says that rewards are a great way to keep you going.

Savvy Study Tip #2: Get hypnotized. Most people think of hypnosis as a form of entertainment — most hypnosis performances involve making people moo like a cow or act out a scenario for an audience. Why it works: Eileen Strong, a teacher and public speaker trained in clinical-therapeutic hypnosis, explains the science behind it all.

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