Gaining entrance to college is a very complicated undertaking. Too often, though, applicants do not appreciate the intricacies of the task, leaving many things until the last minute. The admissions essay is one of those things.
Finally, you can use your journals as a sort of treasure trove from which you can pick out ideas for research papers and term papers, even essays. You'll be amazed what you've written down over the course of the semester when you flip back through the pages in search of topics for papers. So, you can choose one (or four) and write as many papers as you need, and this way, you know your topics are ones you like.
One assignment type I find particularly useful is the journal entry (sometimes called a reflection). These are just what it seems, almost diary entries, based upon a particular class reading, class discussion, or other issue which the professor has deemed important enough to think about. Usually not graded as to grammar, punctuation, or other similar parameters, the journal entry is the ideal place for a student to reflect upon concepts, ideas, thoughts, without worrying about the writing itself.
Tutoring means different things to different people. Some students just need a few examples thrown their way, with or without the presence of an actual person, so they know how to do their own work. The model paper is for these people in this last group. They don't need or want someone there, holding their hand, helping them through the process. They just need a template, something they can use to inform their own work.
Once a student breaks the ice, so to speak, and purchases his or her first model term paper or other project, s/he understands just what an amazing help they can be. A time saver, a money saver, a sanity saver -- I've heard all of these kinds of comments and more in my many years in this business.
Jon and I took a couple of days off to enjoy the last few days of quiet in this mid-August calm spell. Yet even from our blankets on the beach, we still couldn't keep away from the topic of academic writing and research.
If you can afford it, take a few electives in college, even if you don't have to. Why? I'll tell you why. It's mostly what Kate was talking about yesterday, about how you never know when something in college will inspire you to think in an entirely new direction
Now, it's true for sure that many folks go into college from the beginning knowing exactly what they want and how to get there. But for many other students, college opens unanticipated doors and opportunities.
Be prepared! Even when you're young, time goes faster than you think it will. Always. Don't assume that you'll just hop into college life without some preparation first.
If you are a business major, an economics major, a finance major, or a major in any related field, you will need to learn what a case study is (if you don't already). Case studies are, quite literally, the study of a particular case.