We live in a culture that values busyness.

During college, I worked a job a that consumed 30 hours every week (at minimum). The volunteer work, internships, and study groups I liked to add on the side made sure my schedule was always overflowing. And since I have a tendency to overcommit, I pushed myself to maintain full-time student status on top of everything else.

Why not add one more thing to my never ending to-do list?

Busyness itself isn't inherently bad. When accompanied by productivity, a busy schedule can result in huge successes! However, we must be careful to avoid filling our schedules without purpose.

Take it from me, it is not easy to stay on top of your studies as a working student. With so many varied projects on your plate, it’s often difficult to focus on what actually matters right now.

Don't get discouraged, though! Difficult does not mean impossible.

With some intentionality and creativity, you can stay productive amidst the busyness. Here are 6 tips for students who want to adopt a lifestyle of productivity.

1. Write it Down

Take time to write down what you need to accomplish. This brings tasks from the ambiguity of your brain to the reality of ink and paper (or text on a device, if you prefer).

Need to stop by the bank on your way home from work, email that report to your boss, or call your mom? Write it down. This may take the form of a color-coded calendar, a list of bullet point points, or even weekly/monthly/yearly goals written in your favorite journal. Find what works for you!

Having everything written down in front of you will keep important tasks from falling through the cracks.

2. Prioritize Rest

When you have what feels like a million things to do, rest probably isn't your first priority. However, getting enough physical, mental, and spiritual rest is much more important than you may think!

If you want to have the ability to focus on the tasks at hand, produce quality work, and avoid running out of steam, rest must be a priority. During an especially busy season of my life, I found that the only way I would rest is if I scheduled it in. I physically wrote “read a book,” or “take a nap” in my pocket-sized planner.

Crazy? Maybe. But it was effective. Do what it takes to ensure you are well-rested and thus prepared to tackle those challenging assignments.

3. Set a Timer

People are more productive when working in focused intervals. Rather than attempting to multitask, you can accomplish more by attending to one subject matter at a given time. Timers can help to separate your studying into manageable chunks while giving you a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

Try setting a timer for 30 minutes and dedicate that time to studying for your dreaded calculus test. Because you have a set end for your study time, you will be more likely to focus and actually learn the information you need to instead of quitting after 5 minutes. Not quitting is the goal, right?

4. Turn Off Notifications

As a working student, your time is valuable. And social media, email, and texting all have a nasty habit of stealing it. You will never get back those hours spent scrolling, clicking, and typing!

If you want to be productive (instead of “busy” on Facebook), you have to set boundaries. A simple way to do this is by turning off those pesky notifications that scream “Stop what you’re doing! I’m important! You must look at this NOW!”

I often keep my phone on silent to avoid distraction. Yes, I will reply to that text, like the photo of my friend’s adorable puppy, and delete dozens of emails. But I’ll do it later, when I have a free moment.

5. Eat Healthy

There is a stereotype that college students survive off of Top Ramen and caffeine. While I love a good cup of coffee (or even a bad cup of coffee if I’m desperate), I have quickly learned that quality food matters.

Who wants to take the time to make a healthy meal after a long day of work when there are 3 hours of studying still to be done? I understand. I’ve been there. For some people, eating healthy may mean buying prepackaged salads from the grocery store. For others, it may entail meal prepping at the beginning of the every week. Find the system that works best for you.

It does take effort to keep your body healthy, but I promise your overloaded brain will thank you.

6. Get Accountable

What is more difficult than embracing a productive lifestyle? Maintaining it. This is where accountability comes in.

You were not meant to go through life alone. Balancing various responsibilities can be challenging, but becoming productive doesn’t need to be a solo journey. Getting support from someone close to you—someone who can keep you focused on your goals—will make you much more successful in your pursuit of productivity.

I learned to value consistent accountability when I was an Accelerated Pathways student. One of the many services provided by Accelerated Pathways is regular phone calls with an academic coach, providing this much-needed accountability.

As I was earning my degree, my coach supported me and kept me on track with my academic goals as well as my personal ones. She was a lifesaver throughout my hectic college experience!

Busyness is often unavoidable. But it doesn't have to consume your schedule.

With these simple tips, you can take charge and turn your busyness into productivity.

Imagine a spectrum of college students: on one end, you have the student who has known since they were two days old that they wanted to be a doctor (specifically a surgeon, specializing in oncology—in case you were wondering). On the other end of the spectrum is the student who basically just knows college is a good thing and plans to get a degree in… something. Ideally something they like, if they can figure out what that is. Then of course, there are quite a few students who fall somewhere in the middle.

As an academic advisor, I’ve encountered students at every point of the spectrum. And while many pieces of the college and career puzzle are highly specific to each one, there is one concept in particular that comes up frequently across the board. I’ll call it, The Great Degree Type Dilemma: What is the difference between a BA and a BS, and which one should I choose?

Understanding this concept could save you some blood, sweat, and tears, whether you know what you want and just need to know the best way to get there, or are just focusing on figuring out the first right step toward… something.

So let’s talk about that.

What Is a Degree Type?

First off, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about what I’m even talking about when I refer to a “degree type.” When you ask a college student what they’re studying, they’ll usually say something like, “I’m majoring in Business,” or, “I’m studying Psychology.”

What they don’t talk about, and may not even fully understand, is what type of bachelor’s degree their major is tied to. These degree types are typically indicated by two or three little letters at the front of a specific major. Some of the most common ones include BA (Bachelor of Arts), BS (Bachelor of Science), and BM (Bachelor of Music), to name a few. Of all of the degree types, BA and BS are the most common—and also the most unclear. These are the culprits I’ll be focusing on the most in this post.

To understand the difference between the BA and the BS, first know that any given college will break their degree down into three main categories: General Education, Major, and Electives.

The General Education section is designed to provide a solid foundation in all basic subjects (composition, math, science, literature, etc.). The Major is where you complete in-depth study in one particular area (Business, Psychology, Criminal Justice, etc.). This is the part that you quote to people when they ask what you’re studying. If you still have some credit space leftover after meeting General Ed and Major requirements, then you can fill that up by adding in some Electives—basically, any subject of your choice.

What’s the Difference Between a BS and a BA?

The degree type typically affects the General Education requirements first. At many schools, the difference between a BA and a BS is that the BA will require more classes in humanities and the arts, specifically including foreign language, while the BS will require more classes in math and science. This can be easy to remember since foreign language falls more under the Arts (BA), and math and science fall under… well, the Sciences (BS).

These adjustments to the General Education can also bleed over into the Major and Electives. A BA is usually designed to be a little broader in scope, giving students the opportunity to sample a variety of liberal arts subjects outside their Major. In addition to focusing more on humanities in the General Ed, a BA can mean a larger General Education section as a whole, more Electives, and fewer requirements in the Major as compared to a BS. This is why highly technical subjects such as Engineering and Biological Sciences tend to only be available as BS degrees instead of BAs.

Which One Is Best?

A school may offer both a BA and a BS in Criminal Justice, and at some point you have to decide between the two. Does it really make a difference? If a school only offers a BA in your area of interest, should you consider switching schools to one that offers the BS—or vice versa?

Most of the time, the choice between a BS and a BA really just comes down to preference. Do you like writing, literature, and foreign language, or have an interest in building interpersonal or intercultural skills? Choose a BA. Do you prefer math and science and see yourself in more of a technical or analytical niche? Choose a BS.

There are only a few situations when your degree type makes a significant difference. The most common example is probably graduate school. If graduate school is a requirement or a goal for you, it is important to look at typical standards for your area of interest. Some programs may specifically state a degree type they require; this happens most frequently with music performance and composition graduate programs, which frequently require a Bachelor of Music (BM) as opposed to a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

For other programs, the benefit of one degree type over another is more subtle. In Psychology, for example, a graduate program will usually just require students to complete a certain number of psychology, math, and science credits in order to be considered for admission. In cases like this, you may find that it’s easier to meet those requirements by pursuing a BS rather than a BA. Can you still complete those specific requirements within a BA? Yes, you usually can; it just takes more intentionality and careful planning than it would with a BS. This concept applies to a lot of technical and science-based graduate programs.

So in the end, how much do those little letters matter? Let me be clear: you do not have to be afraid of picking “the wrong one” and barring yourself from entering your dream field. There are times when choosing either a BS or a BA can make the process easier for you, but those two little letters don’t have the power to ruin your career.

But if we can make things easier, by all means, let’s do that. College is complicated enough.

So, you’ve enrolled in college and you’re super pumped about your degree in Marine Biology.

Then, you find out that you have to take a bunch of random subjects before you even start studying coral reefs and the migrating habits of narwhals! What’s that about?

Welcome to the world of General Education.

What are General Education Credits?

General Education is the first part of a degree, before you get into the Area of Study courses (the main classes that define your degree) or top off the degree with Free Electives.

Basically, General Education (or Gen Ed for short) is required curriculum that makes up the foundation of an undergraduate degree. This set of standard classes goes by many other names, including Core Curriculum and Shared Experience.

How much of my degree will be General Education?

Colleges (and even individual campuses of the same university) have a lot of leeway in determining how many General Education credits go into their offered degrees. However, most general education requirements cover ⅓ to ½ of a degree, between 42-60 semester-based college credits. Highly-focused or technical degrees may have fewer Gen Ed requirements to allow for more time on core subjects.

By offering accredited online courses that are 36% less expensive than the average price of college courses, we allow students to meet Gen Ed requirements and save money on their degree. Want to learn more? Reach out to Accelerated Pathways and see if we can help you meet your degree requirements for less.

What courses are considered “Gen Ed” classes?

While university standards vary dramatically, here are several categories of classes you will likely find on your Gen Ed requirements. (All credit estimates assume a semester-hour system. Required credits would be different for universities operating under a quarter-hour system.) Note: The degree you choose can affect your General Education requirements. For example, although General Education requires math credits across the board, an engineering major would need Calculus 1 and 2, while a music major could take any math available.

English: The skill of composing coherent sentences is sometimes overlooked, but it is one of the most foundational aspects of cultural communication. Nearly every school requires 6 credits of English such as:

• English Composition

• College Composition

Math: Whether running an organization, working in a business, or managing a home, adult life goes much more smoothly with at least basic number skills. Most degrees require 3-6 math credits, although math-intensive degrees will require more. Courses that fit into this category include:

• Algebra - (Other titles could include College Algebra, Intro to Algebra, or Foundations of Algebra)

• Geometry

• Calculus

• Trigonometry

• Statistics

• Quantitative analysis

Natural Science: Science is much more than rock collecting or the domain of geeks. As the study of the natural world, it gives us a framework for safely and creatively interacting with the matter that surrounds us. Colleges typically require 3 to 8 credits of natural science, including subjects like:

• Chemistry

• Biology

• Anatomy and physiology

• Ecology

• Geology

• Environmental science

• Astronomy

• Physics

• Oceanography

Social Sciences: Social sciences give us insight into who humans are and how we interact with one another. As the study of human groups, social sciences encompass:

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Anthropology

• History

• Economics

• Political science

• Government

• Geography

Humanities: Culture is a huge part of civilization, so every well-educated person needs a little insight into how people express themselves in a culture. With such a broad range of subjects, colleges vary widely on what constitutes “humanities,” but often include courses on:

• Art

• Music

• Communication

• Speech

• Philosophy

• Religion

• Literature

• Ethics

• Languages

• History (rarely)

Diversity: A newcomer to Gen Ed requirements, diversity courses teach students to value other cultures and beliefs. Depending on the school, diversity courses may include:

• Religion

• Cultural diversity

• Social responsibility

• World religions (also a humanities subject)

General Education Electives: This Gen Ed category can include your choice of subjects from the English, Math, Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Science categories. Often, your college will give you a list of options and tell you how many courses to choose. For example, “choose any 3 courses from Social Sciences, Humanities, and/or Natural Sciences.”

Special thanks to Jared Brandau and the Accelerated Pathways Academic Advising Department for lending their expertise to this post. Every year, this team builds hundreds of customized degree plans to help students with transfer credit or specific goals find the best route to a degree.

If you’ve just gotten a low score on a standardized test, you might feel like a real loser. But before you give up on your academic career or contemplate a minimum wage future gluing glitter to greeting cards, take heart.

There’s more you should know.

Playing The Numbers Game

Our society prides itself in being scientific, and science loves things it can measure. From the SAT and ACT to GRE, GED, GMAT, LSAT, CBSE, and ASVAB, we have a slight obsession with measurement.

We began our love story with standardized tests about a hundred years ago, when the US Army was recruiting soldiers to fight in World War I. Needing to quickly place recruits into the roles best suited for them, the Army turned to the brand new IQ test as the scientific solution for measuring individual potential.

Over 1.7 million recruits took the test, which included questions like this one:

The most prominent industry of Minneapolis is:

A. flour

B. packing

C. automobiles

D. brewing

If you were a recruit who chose flour, that meant you were smart and might become a pilot and go fight the Red Baron. If you weren’t very smart (or just didn’t know much about Minneapolis) you might be relegated to a remote outpost as junior associate potato peeler.

This rigid system of standardized testing attempted to boil down your interests, giftings, and talents--indeed your whole personhood--to a numeric score. While that might have worked in 1915 to keep the potato peelers away from dirigibles, it doesn’t work so well today in our post-industrial age.

Today our national education system still tries to reduce human competency to numbers.

Public school funding? It’s linked to standardized test scores.

College scholarship money? Standardized tests.

Top college rankings? Acceptance rates, again based on standardized tests.

Tests can measure a few things well, like your quantitative ability, test-taking, and reading comprehension. But those skills aren’t the only ones you need in life! You'll also need skills like empathy, collaboration, communication, and a host of 21st century skills that can’t easily be measured.

More Than A Number

In our rush to quantify everything scientifically, it’s easy to equate personhood with a number. In countries like China or India, where a teen’s performance on the national standardized tests are considered the key to the future.

Each year, hundreds of teen suicides in India are attributed to students who failed to get the grade they needed to pursue their life dream. Without a clear sense of life purpose and without the grade they need, their lives seem hopeless.

Not So Good At Predicting

We often equate good grades or a good score on a standardized test with long-term life success. Historically though, these things haven’t predicted genius in some of our biggest geniuses.

For example:

• Albert Einstein couldn’t even read until he was seven.

• Winston Churchill failed 6th grade but became a skilled orator, won a Nobel Prize in literature, and led his country in their darkest hour.

• Isaac Newton was never very good in school, yet he discovered gravity and described laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Not everyone who struggles to keep up with the system is a failure, yet the standardized test is revered as an accurate measurement of smart kids.

New Perspectives

Fortunately, a growing body of research is beginning to confirm what we know to be true: that human beings have a value that can’t be measured by test scores.

In one interesting study, a student’s level of hope was found to be a better predictor of success. In another, choosing a career that matches your personality hinted more accurately at success than your score on the ACT or SAT.

Respected researchers like Howard Gardner have begun to advocate for more useful ways of looking at human potential. Rather than ask, How smart are you? on an IQ test, Gardner believes we should be asking, How are you smart? Gardner calls this multiple intelligences and believes it to be a more nuanced and useful measurement of human ability. You can take a free version of his test here.

If you need financial aid, it may be hard to get around a school’s expectation for a high score on the SAT or ACT. Happily, you can do that. While you’re studying and waiting for the next test to come around, you might even find you don’t need it.

Why?

Many colleges are beginning to acknowledge the shortcomings of standardized tests and offer alternatives. ACT and SAT scores have become optional at over 800 colleges, including most recently, George Washington University.

That’s actually what I did. Using some of these 11 alternatives to college debt, I graduated from a fully accredited college that didn’t require an ACT or SAT score. Instead, I transferred in credits that showed them my ability to do college-level work.

Failed Your ACT or SAT Test? There's Hope

So if you’re not doing well on filling in the right bubbles on an examination, take heart.

This system of measurement our society loves and tries to impose on you is old and flawed. You might need to jump through the hoops, but never, ever tie your personal worth to your score on a test. You have traits and gifts and skills that other people need you to use.

It’s been well said, “A man’s talent can take him where his character cannot sustain him.”

A standardized test measures a few things that you can change and improve. But ultimately, it’s the determination, creativity, and persistence you show that’s the true measurement of your ability. That’s what makes the Einsteins, Churchills, and Newtons to shine.

That’s called character, and no standardized test can measure that.

“Am I a terrible mom?” Carson’s mother wondered, watching her son struggle through another chapter of his tenth grade literature book. None of the half-dozen homeschool curriculums she’d tried through the years seemed to work. Getting Carson to study was still like pulling teeth.

His intelligence definitely wasn’t the problem: Carson’s IQ was 110, on the higher side of normal. “Maybe his dad can talk to him about work ethic,” she mused. “Then again, Carson studies for hours, and it doesn’t seem to help.” She sighed, sinking into a chair. “I’m just trying to give my son a good education. What am I missing?”

Is your teen getting more and more lost in high school? Have you wondered if there’s more behind their frustration than difficult coursework and too many late nights?

Believe it or not, a learning disorder could be the culprit.

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability occurs when a person’s brain manages information in a different way than other people do, complicating and slowing down their learning. About 4 million American school children have diagnosed learning disabilities, varying from mild to severe.

The most common kinds of learning disorders are:

• Dyslexia, trouble with reading and comprehension. (Dyslexia encompasses 80% of diagnosed learning disabilities.)

• Dysgraphia, difficulty with forming and recording written thoughts.

• Dyscalculia, a challenge with numbers and math skills.

• Auditory Processing Disorder, a condition that makes it hard for children to translate sounds into coherent thoughts.

• Visual Processing Disorder, difficulty translating images into meaningful information.

How could I miss my teen’s learning disability for so long?

If they have an undiagnosed learning disorder, your student has probably been using their scholastic strengths to compensate. Students often compensate by:

• writing sloppily to cover up spelling problems

• adopting a lazy demeanor to cover up lack of skill

• making you believe he can do a task when he really can’t

• memorizing information to make up for not being able to calculate or read it

• recognizing context and patterns to get right answers

• picking up knowledge from TV, social interaction, or other sources outside school

What are signs of a learning disability in my high school student?

Some symptoms of learning disabilities are:

• Exaggerated difficulty, dislike, or delay in writing, reading or computing (think back to early education as well)

• Withdrawal or “acting out"

• Inconsistent learning

• Disconnect between reading and comprehension OR comprehension and expression

• Difficulty with mental fact organization (i.e., can’t remember facts or connections between facts)

• Frustration or apathy toward school

• Extreme disorganization or sloppy work

Of course, just because a student may be frustrated with a class or have poor handwriting, doesn’t mean they have a learning disability. But, especially if several signs are present at once, this list can help you uncover the truth.

Do I need to get my student tested and into a therapy program?

Ultimately, the only way to know for sure that your teen has a learning disorder is to get them tested. Specialists use an array of tests to pinpoint the kind of learning disorder that your student has, enabling you to focus on the best education and therapy options for their unique needs.

Many parents are reluctant to have their student “labeled” or prefer not to involve doctors, but that is not always the best thing for either you or your teen. Especially if your student has severe learning problems, it may be wise to seek outside help.

One significant reason to seek help sooner rather than later is that in K-12, the educational system generally takes more responsibility to diagnose and help a student with a learning disability. In college however, the burden increasingly falls on the student to document their learning disability and request an "accommodation."

An accommodation is a term used to describe the exceptions a school may make on behalf of a student with a documented learning disability. These accommodations can include things like more time to take an exam, an alternate assignment, or someone to read questions to them. Getting tested and helped early not only maximizes the help available, but it also means your child enjoys more years of success in their learning.

You have two testing options, public testing or private testing.

Public Testing:

Public testing is free to public school students. If your teen is in a public school, you can simply contact the school and request testing under the IDEA legislation.

Note: While free public testing is legally available to all qualifying taxpayers (including those who choose homeschool or private school), disputes and attendance requirements can make it a big hassle for homeschool families. Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) recommends that homeschoolers should not seek public testing for their students.

Private Testing:

Private testing is available through specialists such as clinical psychologists or psychiatrists. (Medical insurance does usually not cover testing for learning disabilities, so this option can be quite expensive.)

To find a private specialist, ask for a recommendation from your family doctor, call a medical clinic, or search online for a local specialist to set up an initial visit.

If my child does have a learning challenge, what’s next?

If you chose public testing, you can also get free therapy through the public school system. If you went the private route, private therapists are also available to work with your teen. Usually, they will help with what they call "interventions" as part of an Individualized Education Program, or IEP.

If, after weighing all your options, you don’t want or can’t afford professional testing, you still have diagnosis and treatment options:

• Books and websites offer a world of diagnosis and educational resources, including quizzes to pinpoint a learning disability. The Complete Learning Disabilities Handbook is another helpful tool.

• Experiment with different teaching methods to find what works well for your student. For example, some families have found great success with reading, writing, and grammar struggles using the Stevenson Program. The program uses mnemonics, rhymes, and other techniques to help students get around a "mental roadblock."

• If finances allow, private academic therapists provide intensive, informed learning therapy.

• If you don’t feel able to teach your student yourself, but can’t afford a therapist, you may be able to hire a tutor familiar with learning disabilities. Teachers willing to put in after-school hours, local reading classes, or homeschool co-ops may be good places to start.

Experts acknowledge that even very involved parents can miss a student’s learning problems. Don’t feel bad if you are only beginning to suspect a learning disability in your teen.

As you and your student discover the best way to face their challenges, be encouraged! Scholars believe many famous people, including General George Patton, inventor Thomas Edison, and renowned writer Agatha Christie, struggled with learning disorders. Through their brilliance and hard work, they overcame their difficulties and each made an unforgettable impression on the world.

With determination, your student can do the same.

Special thanks to private academic therapist Marlee Joynes, whose gracious answers helped me fill this post with practical guidance and so many invaluable details.

“I’m the quarterback on the varsity team. I’m the co-founder of a startup. I run a non-profit. And I’m double majoring in international business and interpretive dance!”

For a long time, choosing a double major has been a good way for overachievers to beef up their resume and impress their friends at the same time. Can't decide on a single major? Choose them all!

Should I double major in college?

Double majors used to be a way to pursue a primary interest that might not work out and still have a solid backup plan with better job prospects.

But dramatic changes to what a degree represents in society and the skills employers expect are causing many to question the value of that second degree. Employers today are usually more impressed by your experience and what you can do than by showing them you've earned multiple bachelor's degrees.

Most colleges today are still fine if you choose to double major. After all, you'll stay enrolled in their school longer and pay more money. But what if "one degree in hand" is worth "two in the bush"?

Seven alternatives to double majors

College should be flexible, affordable, and purposeful. Often, that can be achieved without a double major.

Here are seven practical alternatives to double majoring that are more likely to pay off down the road:

1. Figure out your life purpose so you know what you really want to do when you finish.

2. Get practical work experience that helps you narrow down your choice.

3. Go faster through courses you don’t like and use the extra time to dive deep into a topic you love.

4. Pack your degree with affordable courses from an online program like Accelerated Pathways

5. Do a second internship (we’re taking it for granted you’ll do at least one)

6. Travel to a foreign country while you have flexibility and still qualify for student discounts.

7. Finish earlier and on a master's degree or work experience.

Double majoring might work really well for a few people in a few situations. But at the end of the day, a double major college grad is still only a college grad. (And don’t get us wrong: being a college grad is a good thing!)

Double major with caution. Think carefully about whether a single degree could put you farther ahead, with more work experience, a higher level of education, and less debt.

Amidst a pile of mail, your dream employer slices open an envelope with a sharp wrist flick. It’s your reference letters. Moments later your phone rings. Next week, in the interview you’ve always hoped for, you’re sitting in that employer’s office speaking face-to-face.

This is everyone’s fantasy, right?

But is this even close to reality? How does a reference letter set you above the crowd? In the last post, we learned who qualifies as an ideal reference. Now, let’s explore why references are important and the best ways to request them, so you have a leg up on the competition.

Why Reference Letters are Important

Anyone can boast about their own abilities. But self-proclamations are rarely compelling.

Reference letters—also known as letters of recommendation—let someone else speak for you. They vouch for you in the form of first-hand experience from an unbiased, third-party source. By lending a relational and personal dimension, reference letters transform your resume into more than just a sheet of paper, while at the same time confirming its claims.

Imagine how you would receive someone praising another person’s abilities (especially a former employer praising their employee’s work). I’d put a lot more weight onto an outsider’s opinion of a potential candidate.

Prospective employers would, too.

A reference letter acts is a way for a knowledgeable and trustworthy person to praise your qualities and skills, without them having to make an appointment to meet with your prospective employer.

When to Get a Reference Letter

The ideal time to request reference letters is before you need them. Even if you don’t know exactly how you’ll use them, make a habit of collecting reference letters at the time you move on from a life experience (i.e. when you leave a school, town, job, organization, etc.)

There are two perks to requesting reference letters at this time:

1. By requesting your letter before you actually leave a town, school, or position, the writers have the clearest, freshest memory of their experience with you.

2. By gathering letters as you move from experience to experience, you will accumulate a well-stocked resource of references ready to supply at a moment’s notice.

However, if you’re already knee deep in the job-search jungle and need your reference-letter-resource stocked yesterday, don’t worry. There’s no time like the present. If you’ve already left a position or place and forgot to grab a reference on your way out, there’s nothing wrong with calling up that old boss, teacher, or friend and requesting a letter after the fact.

Whether you’re looking down the road towards your future professional goals or scrambling to provide letters for a current opening, just be sure you request your reference as professionally and effectively as possible.

How to Request a Reference Letter

To professionally request a reference, make thoughtfulness your rule of thumb. Remember, the writer is doing you a huge favor, so make the process as easy and enjoyable for them as possible.

1. Avoid a harsh yes or no question.

When asking for a reference letter, don’t simply put forth the question. Instead, use your request to open a topic of conversation. For example, you might say, “Do you feel you know me well enough to write a reference letter?” or “I’m in need of a reference letter. Is this something you would be available to assist me with?”

This not only opens a door to further discuss the specifics of your request with your potential writer, it places them in a position to comfortably accept or decline your request. The last thing you need is an overworked, underpaid teacher feeling guilty about saying no because she has 13 papers which need to be graded by next Friday.

Even if your potential writer responds in the negative, be considerate and express your gratitude considering the idea. Remember thoughtfulness is your guide!

2. Once you receive a favorable response, provide any information that would be helpful to the writer.

Helpful information would include a current copy of your resume, any applicable position- or profession-specific details regarding where the letter will be sent, as well as a reference letter template.

Also, feel free to express any particular qualities or skills you feel are important for the writer to emphasize. This will help the writer understand your expected content, purpose, and format of the letter.

3. Follow through by attending to the little, but important details.

Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the writer so they can mail the completed letter back to you. Once you receive the completed letter, write a concise but sincere thank-you note. These gestures show your respect and appreciation of the writer’s time and effort and confirm you’re the kind of quality person whom an employer would want on their team.

Now it’s time to go put what you’ve learned to use! With a little head knowledge and a lot of heart, you’ll be through the application phase, past the phone call, and into that dream employer’s office in no time.

Want to know more about how to land a job? Read about How You Can Increase Your Odds of Landing a Job by 400%.

“Someday, someday, but certainly not now, I’d like to learn how to have a conversation.” - a 16-year-old boy to Sherry Turkle, psychologist and sociologist studying technology and its effects.

Scary, right?

With texting and social media allowing communication to happen without even opening our mouths, it’s no small surprise that “verbal communication skills” is one of the top things employers look for in a new hire.

In fact, verbal communication is number four of the top ten skills employers most want.

According to Turkle, “Face-to-face conversation unfolds slowly. It teaches patience. When we communicate on our digital devices, we learn different habits. As we ramp up the volume and velocity of online connections, we start to expect faster answers. To get these, we ask one another simpler questions; we dumb down our communications, even on the most important matters.”

There’s no doubt verbal communication is important. But in an age when it’s much easier to pick up your phone and send a faceless text than to drive to a coffee shop for a face-to-face conversation, we don’t get much practice.

How can you sharpen those much-desired verbal communication skills in the 21st century?

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Students:

1. Turn off your phone and computer for 30 minutes a day.

Go on a walk, take a nap, cook a meal, meditate, or simply do nothing.

2. Strike up conversations.

Next time you stand in line at the grocery store, talk with the person in front or behind you instead of hopping on your phone.

3. Read good books.

Simply reading will boost your vocabulary, build your attention span, and, through example, help you articulate your thoughts more clearly.

4. Focus on listening to others.

When you have a conversation with someone, intentionally listen to what they’re saying instead of thinking about what you’re going to say next.

5. Meet one new person at work, school, or social groups each week.

Learn their name, where they’re from, and what they like to do in their free time. Be sure to greet them by name the next time you see them. This might prove to be extremely difficult, especially for those on the shyer side, but it’s a great way to expand your comfort zone in a “safe” environment.

6. Create your own boundaries and stick to them.

Decide which (if not all) face-to-face conversations you won’t allow to be interrupted by digital voices. Work on being fully present. As you start weaning yourself off your phone dependence, your friends will learn they may not get an immediate response from you by text. And that’s okay. Seriously.

7. Know the limits of communication methods.

Text messages can be great for short messages like where to meet, yes or no questions, a quick check-in, or a simple note of encouragement. But the higher the stakes the message, the more important it is to use more nuanced methods of communication.

Parents:

8. Model a healthy relationship with technology.

Set boundaries for yourself—when you will or won’t use your phone. By modeling these skills and disciplines, you are not only setting a good example, but also helping your children develop healthy communication skills that will last for a lifetime.

9. Give your undivided attention.

When people (especially your children) are speaking to you, put down your phone. Even if you’re an awesome multitasker, listen fully to what they’re saying and carry on a distraction-free conversation.

10. Declare certain rooms or times of day to be “technology-free.”

Turkle suggests three “sacred spaces:” the dining room, kitchen, and the car. Find out what works best for your family.

11. Create face-to-face opportunities.

Help set up study groups, offer to chauffeur a group of teens to Dairy Queen, or host a volleyball tournament at your house. Not only will this help your student grow their communication skills, you’ll be helping other teenagers get more face-to-face time.

Growing your communication skills isn’t an overnight process. Nor is there a perfect, one-size-fits-all solution for doing so. But there’s a lot of truth in the old adage, “practice makes perfect,” and that certainly applies to honing your verbal communication skills.

We can all use a little help in using technology as a tool, instead of something to hide behind. There’s nothing scarier than saying, “Someday, someday, but certainly not now, I’d like to learn how to have a conversation.”

Let’s work to make that “someday” today, for ourselves and for others.

If you enjoyed this post, you also might like 9 Best Books to Boost Your Communication Skills.

The day had begun so nicely. As you rolled out of bed and donned your favorite hoodie, you held high hopes for the day. “Today will be the day I finally have the breakthrough I need to finish calculus,” you proclaim. You smile to yourself as you pour coffee into your oversized mug.

Three hours later, you’re staring out the window and realize you haven’t accomplished anything.

Well, that’s not entirely true. You’ve refilled your coffee twice, answered the phone, checked Facebook three times, and finally replaced that light bulb in your closet. Sighing, you flip open your textbook for the millionth time. As you find the correct chapter, you hear your Labrador barking frantically at the back door.

While it may sound nice to stay in your pajamas all day, studying at home is not without its pitfalls. But it doesn’t have to make you crazy. Here are 13 ways to avoid just that.

1. Establish a routine

Set a time you wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, and begin studying. If you don’t set a routine for yourself, you may find your breakfast break stretch into... lunch. A routine provides a structure to get things done, keep the little things (like showering) from falling through the cracks, and frees you to plan for times to not study as well.

2. Get dressed

I know it’s tempting to wear pajamas all day or neglect brushing your hair for 15 days in a row. After all, you’re not planning to leave the house except for picking up emergency Doritos. However, you’ll feel much better about life and your studies when you take care of yourself. Make it a point to get dressed, brush your hair, and look presentable every day. (You might end up feeling a bit more motivated, too.)

3. Change your location

Discover a good coffee shop (and learn to like the house brew), grab a blanket and take your books outdoors, or scope out your local library to provide a change of scenery when hitting the books. Even moving to a new location in your home can work wonders.

4. Switch your schedule

If you have a set routine, but find yourself in a rut, switch your schedule around a bit. Often, a bit of variety is all it takes to restore enthusiasm. If you generally stay up later and get up a bit later, try an early to bed/early to rise routine for a bit. Perhaps slipping in a few hours of study before anyone else in your house is up will transform your study process.

Or, if you’re a night owl, try taking a longer break in the morning or mid afternoon and getting a few hours of work accomplished at night when the rest of your family is asleep. If you’re trying to get 4 hours of studying in each day, try working in a 4-hour block with only short breaks, or four 1-hour sprints at various points during the day. There are no hard and fast study rules—mix it up and see what works best for you.

5. Shut down your computer every night

Shutting down your computer will give you a sense of closure. Set a “quitting time” for your day, and get away from the screen. Take some time to play a board game with family or friends, read a good book, or take a walk. By shutting down your computer, you’ll ensure your work is saved and you won’t feel like you are in eternal study mode (plus, regularly shutting down will help your computer will run faster!) Since you may not be able to change locations when your study day ends, it’s important to use other means to create a sense of closure to your studies each day.

6. Keep your study space clean

This one is more important than you’d think. First, a clean space helps you think clearly and focus, but that’s not all. When your study space is clean, you can find the supplies you need, when you need them. Nothing derails a study session like spending 15 minutes looking for that pencil you know you saw somewhere yesterday….

7. Get a Beta fish

Random, I know, but having a low-maintenance “study buddy” can be a fun way to perk up your study space. If fish aren’t your thing, find some way to make your study area fun and interesting. Try a lava lamp, silly putty, a Rubik’s Cube, a coloring book and crayons, or a stress ball to help you stay focused or challenge your brain while at your desk.

8. Invest in a good headset

No matter how excellent your focus, if you study at home it can be virtually impossible to tune out the noise around you. Dogs, younger siblings, and ringing phones are all very distracting and difficult to avoid. A good noise-canceling headset will be a huge help in this regard! You’ll be able to preserve both your sanity and your love of those around you.

9. Have a good chair

It’s tough to stay focused on the Battle of Waterloo or that tough statistics problem if you’re distracted by your aching back. Invest in a chair that is comfortable and promotes good posture. You’ll be able to focus more and be healthier along the way!

10. Don’t work from your bed

Your bed is comfy. The pillow WILL beckon to you. And if you’re sleep deprived, the temptation just may be too much to bear. But that’s just one of your concerns. Sitting on your bed when studying also promotes poor posture—which will decrease your focus and cause long-term health problems. Not to mention, crawling into bed at night won’t provide the same sense of restful relief if you’ve been using your it as a study station all day.

11. Resist the snack attack

The beauty of studying at home: you have a kitchen and fridge at your disposal. The downside of studying at home: you have a kitchen and fridge at your disposal. Even if food is plenteous (and your mom’s peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are legendary), resist the urge to constantly snack. You’ll feel healthier and avoid the dreaded “freshman 15.” Stock some healthy snacks—carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, nuts, and hummus—for those times you simply must munch... and the Oreos are calling.

12. Have friends

Maintain your relationships while working on your degree. If you don’t have regularly-scheduled social events (like volunteering or study groups), this will require creativity and effort. But good friendships are worth the investment. Allot time for 15-minute calls just to catch up, and schedule the occasional coffee date. By carving out time from your schedule now, you are solidifying lifelong friendships.

13. Be considerate

Of course, you’ll have to block out time to study, and you won’t be able to participate in every activity you’re invited to. And you’ll probably need to kick a sibling out of your room from time to time for some peace and quiet. Your family is making sacrifices to allow you to be successful—so show them the same consideration you would to receive.

If you have been studying for a few hours, and your sister needs the room to make a personal phone call, take a study break to let her use the room for a bit. Help with household chores, and do little things to make each family member feel special.

Studying at home doesn’t have to equal hours of mind-numbing solitude! Give a few of these solutions a try and watch how your study time (and life in general) benefits.

Want to do college online? Accelerated Pathways helps students take affordable online courses that transfer to almost any college across the U.S. You can save money while studying from home and still graduate from the college of your choice! Click here to find out if Accelerated Pathways can help you.