| How to Get Into Graduate School Posted: 15 Oct 2016 05:00 PM PDT Applying to graduate school can seem like a daunting task. Unlike in high school when guidance counselors were available to help you through the process, it feels as though there are so many confusing details of the graduate school process! This guide will help walk you through how to apply to graduate school and get in. EditPreparing During Your Undergraduate Degree (Years 1-3) - Pick the right classes. This comes before getting good grades and may in fact be more important. You should pick classes that will impress graduate schools. This means choosing classes that are relevant to your field of interest and that are high level or challenging.
 - Complete required courses as early as possible. Undergraduate programs typically have "core" requirements within majors and some graduate programs (e.g. medical school) have strict undergraduate course requirements to get in. Getting the basic required courses done in the beginning will avoid schedule conflicts later and allow you to take more advanced classes.
- When choosing electives, try to create a theme. Even if you do not have an official minor or double major (either of which can be helpful!) it's good to have organization to your electives. You should be able to describe how the knowledge you gain in these classes will benefit you in graduate school. Some people advise choosing directly related subjects for electives (e.g. a computer science major might take courses in mathematics) while others advise taking something very different (e.g. a computer science major might take courses in English so that they stand out from the general applicant pool). The important thing is to have good reasoning for how these courses benefited you. Having a general theme will make it easier to do this.
- Get to know your professors. This is arguably the most important step. A good letter of recommendation can make all of the difference, and this is the step that people too often put off until it is too late. Cultivating a relationship with people in your field will help you immensely in the graduate school application process. Reaching out will likely also enrich your academic experience (and enhance your grade!). You don't have to be that kid who is always raising their hand in class (no shame in that though) to have a good relationship with a professor.
 - Go to each of your professor's office hours at least once. If your professor doesn't have open office hours set-up, introduce yourself at some point after class. Make sure you have something to talk about-asking questions about the course material, possible directions or careers in your field, or the professor's research works great. It does not have to be a long of formal meeting, this is just so that they know your name and face. It also gives you an opportunity to assess if this is someone you want to maintain a relationship with. If not, you don't ever have to meet with them again. However, people are often surprised to find that professors appear and act differently in a one-on-one meeting and are usually eager to interact with and help students.
- Get involved in the department. University departments often host events or get togethers with other students and professors. Try out at least one. It's an easy way to help people remember who you are and for you to make a good impression. Other ways to get involved could be as a tutor or a teaching assistant in the department.
- When you find a professor you like, continue to reach out to them. Ask them questions, discuss your intentions to pursue graduate school, ask them about research opportunities. And yes, a little sucking-up can be helpful. The more often you show up early, raise your hand, and go above and beyond on assignments, the more they will be able to write in your letters of reference later.
- Work on your grades. Getting excellent grades will obviously put you in a better position when applying to graduate school. However, it is listed third because doing the above two steps is arguably more important, and both will typically improve your grades.
- Try to obtain research positions or internships relevant to your field during your free time. Often graduate schools are looking specifically for research experience. This is where your relationships with professors will come in handy. However, if you are unable to secure a research position at some point, try to get jobs or internships in relevant positions. Don't despair if you do not get a competitive job in your field. At the end of the day it is all about how you spin your experience. Make a note of skills you gained at jobs or times you showed good qualities while working to use in your graduate school letter of intention. Take your work seriously-even if it is in the wrong field. You never know when you will need a good reference!
- Do at least one extracurricular activity. The graduate admission process places less emphasis on the "well-rounded" candidate than the undergraduate admission process, but it is still good proof that you weren't spending all your free time partying. You may also be able to use it to bolster your resume and letter of intention.
EditPlanning, Organizing and Taking Tests (Summer Before You Apply) - Consider where to apply. Deciding this early on will help you immensely in staying organized and not missing an opportunity just because of a missed deadline. A good rule of thumb for choosing schools is to have two back-up schools (schools you are almost certain you will get into), two "on target" school (schools where you think you are right at/in the middle of the admission criterion) and two "reach schools" (competitive schools where, realistically, you might not make the cut). If you'd rather take a year off to work or do research than go to a "lower-level" graduate school, you can save some money by not applying to back-up schools.
- Keep in mind that the applications and sending test scores are expensive! At this point, it would probably be a good idea to ask your professors about the schools your are considering. They usually have a good idea of the quality of programs at other schools and what type of experience you will get there. They may know things not advertised by the school, like that they are only interested in people looking to enter academia. They will also have a good sense of how students from your school do when applying to graduate school, and can help you make realistic choices.
- Make a list of schools based on the variety of factors that are important to you. Things to consider when making your decision:
 - Your interests. This is especially important if you are looking to apply to a PhD or other research based program. Look into work that has been produced in recent years by the schools you are interested in, browse the professors' websites and their interests. If nothing the department is doing excites you, you should look elsewhere.
- Financials. Does the school provide funding or support for your program? What is the cost of living where the school is located? Will there be dorms?
- Size of the program.
- Length of the program.
- Program structure. Is it all courses? Mostly research? Thesis optional? Opportunities for work training?
- Geographic location. This is one of those things that people sometimes downplay too much but you should be honest with yourself about where you would and would not be willing to study. Maybe you need to stay on the West coast to be near a partner or maybe you are only willing to go to school in a city. If you program is only a year or so, it's more advisable to put less weight on this but for a longer program this could be a major factor in your happiness and therefore success. Besides your preferences, there may be reasons to go or avoid going abroad. For instance, in Canada and other countries it is common for masters students to receive funding-something unheard of in the US. On the other hand, completing a medical degree outside the country you intend to practice in can be extremely detrimental.
- Researchers or professors who you may want to work with. Applicants often plan too far ahead with who they will or will not work with in graduate studies. The truth is, students often find that personalities end up clashing unexpectedly or their own interests change. However, knowing that there are at least 2 people doing research in an area of your interest at any school you are applying to is important.
- Prestige or ranking of the school/department. Too much emphasis is often put on this as rankings are typically variant and unreliable. Still, nobody was ever hurt by graduating from an Ivy League school.
- Investigate grants or scholarships that require applications. Many looking to apply to graduate school skip this step. Some because it seems like too much extra work on top of all the other graduate school application mayhem, some because the rejection rates are high for incoming students, some because they do not have a research proposal ready. However, even if you do not win an award, applying can be beneficial. On graduate school applications they always ask if you have applied for any scholarships. Typically, the school actually makes acceptance decisions before you hear back from these scholarships/grants. That means that all they really want to know is, did you put in some effort to get funding.
- External funding can save the school or department money, making you more valuable. Many of the pieces of scholarship and grant applications are things that you need to prepare for graduate school applications (e.g. CV, personal statement, recommenders,transcript). Even if you do not have a stellar research proposal, you will at least gain some experience in writing a proposal.
- Get organized. Put all of the deadlines for the schools and scholarships you are applying to in your calendar. This includes when test scores and transcripts must be sent by, when recommendations must be received, and when all final application materials are due.
- Make a list, organized by school/scholarship or required materials. There are many variations in application requirements between school from length and content of personal statement to`required test scores.
- Take all required standardized tests. Make sure that you are done with the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, etc. For some tests, such as the MCAT, it is recommended to actually take the test earlier, before your third year of university. For other exams, taking them by the end of the summer before you apply to graduate school will give you a small buffer zone where you may be able to retake the exam in early fall to get a better score in time. Keep in mind that seats in these exams sometimes fill up quickly-book well in advanced!
- Decide who will be your recommenders. This is where those relationships you built with your professors will come in handy. For most masters and PhD programs, having professors as your recommenders is ideal. For some programs, such as business school, it may be more beneficial to have at least one work-related reference. The most important thing is that the recommenders bare people who actually know who you are. You might have got an A in Organic Chemistry, but if the professor doesn't even know your name, they can't write you a good recommendation.
- Remember that the school you are applying to will get hundreds of applications-they can tell the generic ones from the ones with personality. It helps if your recommender is someone well known in the field-but only if they know you and will put in the effort to help you! It is generally not advisable to ask a TA or other student for a recommendation (the graduate school will have no idea who they are!). If you know your TA well but not the professor, consider asking them to co-write a letter with the professor that is signed by both of them. The same thing applies for faculty members who do not hold professor positions-sadly the university you are applying to may not recognize them or give them credibility.
- Ask for your recommendations. Doing this in the summer or September ensures that your recommenders will have plenty of time to write your letter, and you won't be asking them in October-December when many other students will likely ask. They will appreciate your politeness and advanced warning-just make sure to keep reminding them as the deadlines get closer. Some professors strongly prefer students to ask them in person though many don't care if they are asked over email. You should know your relationship with your recommenders will enough to gauge which is more appropriate. An easy and natural way to ask them is to ask for a meeting to discuss graduate school. After seeking advice on where and how to apply, asking for a letter is very simple.
 - Never ask a someone for a recommendation in front of others, it can make them uncomfortable or put them on the spot. A polite way to ask for a recommendation is "Would you be willing to write me a strong recommendation?" Phrasing it this way will give the person an option to decline if they don't really feel like they can write you a strong recommendation. A graduate school receiving a weak or generic letter of recommendation will be able to see right through it. Don't worry though, most people are happy to help students as they have likely been helped themselves!
- Recommenders will appreciate you being able to give them a list of schools and scholarships you will need for them to write recommendations for (though it's fine if this changes a little with time). You should also ask if your referees would like anything from you. Sometimes they want a list of your accomplishments or interests to help make your letter more personal.
- Offer to give any additional information they require. Giving your recommenders your resume and a list of things you think they did well in their class, at your job, etc. can help them write a stronger, more personal recommendation
EditApplying (Fall Before Applying) - Start brainstorming for your personal statement or letter of intent. You may need more than one of these or different variants depending on the requirements for different schools (or grants/scholarships).
- Make some bullet points for why you want to go to graduate school and why you are passionate about the field you are in.
- Make a list of qualities that you think you have shown and that you believe graduate schools will be interested in. For instance, hard-working, goal-oriented, self-motivated, independent, passionate...
- Make a list of things that you have done related to the field you wish to go into. From courses, to jobs, this will also help when creating your resume/CV.
- Make a list of your accomplishments. Now is not the time to be modest, think of every award you have won, every competitive position you have been given.
- Make a list of any other activities or events that may interest an admissions committee.
- Write your statement. There are many possible ways to write a graduate school statement. Look online for some inspiration and to get a sense of the different styles. How you write your statement should depend on how you think you can write most strongly and portray yourself in the best light. You should emphasize the first two bullets above, while showcasing the other three. For instance, people often start with a "hook" or anecdote about why they are passionate about the field. Creating a "theme" to your statement by choosing one of the items from the list in the second bullet, will help make you memorable.
- Write a first draft.
- Edit it yourself. Printing out the statement and marking it up on paper is often more helpful than re-reading it on your computer.
- Have others read it. If your university has a writing center that you can seek help at, do! If not, consider switching statements with another friend who is applying to graduate school or asking someone else in the field to read your letter. Hearing someone's reaction to your statement can be invaluable.
- Re-read your statement at least once a week until the deadline.
- Reach out to professors at the universities you are applying to. This is more important for programs that require you to be admitted with an advisor or lab group. Some universities actually strongly discourage you from reaching out to individual professors. Look on the department's website for information for graduate school applicants to see if they have a policy on this. It is always a good idea to reach out to people you may want to work with in the future but if you aren't sure who to contact, the graduate chair is usually a safe bet. You should explain that you are applying to graduate school, that you are very excited about the opportunities available at their university, and think of a few questions to ask.
- In many universities the acceptances are put to a vote by faculty, so having someone already familiar with your name is beneficial. If you need to be accepted to a research group for admittance to the program, more consideration and discussion will be necessary at this stage.
- Organize your resume or CV. Make sure it is up to date and formatted correctly. Have at least one other person look over it for formatting and possible typos.
- Ensure that all materials and recommendations are submitted by the deadline. Typically an unofficial pdf version of your transcript can be used for the application, but ensure that this is true for all of your applications before submitting.
EditFollowing Through After Your Application - Visit schools that you are admitted to. This is very important to get a sense of the culture in the department and the structure.
- Reach out to students and professors at the schools that you are admitted to. Students are often given contacts in the universities that they are accepted to, but don't always take advantage of them. Getting perspectives from within the department is very important so don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions! Some good questions for current graduates students might be:
- What is the course load like?
- How important is the research component in your first year?
- Are you friends with others in the department or is it a competitive atmosphere?
- Do you need to come in with an advisor or research topic in mind?
- Does the department put a preference on whether students remain in academia after the program?
- Make a decision! This is one of the hardest steps, especially if you end up with many good options. The same considerations as in your decision to apply to graduate school should be made again. Often people feel after visiting schools that one is a better "fit" for them. Continue talking to the schools and people who have supported you in this process until you are ready to make a decision.
- Although it is kind to decline offers that you are not seriously considering early to allow people off of the wait list, don't feel bad about taking your time! No matter what decision you end up with, you should feel proud. You made it
- Submit all final transcripts and any other forms (e.g. medical documents) that the school requires. Congratulations-you have now gotten in to graduate school!
- Creating a theme to your personal statement can make you more memorable to the admissions committee, especially if it leaves one positive word in their mind associated with you. Choose one quality you would like to convey and structure your skills and experiences around this. The committee will read hundreds of statements listing various accomplishments and activities-you want something easy to be remembered by.
- Creating contacts in the field, whether professors or professionals, who you can turn to for advice and help is immeasurably helpful.
- Give a thank you card to anyone who wrote you a recommendation or gave you help in this process!
- Do your best to always be polite to your professors and colleagues. We've all had a boss or professor who we feel is a jerk. But they are jerks that may affect your references and grades if you aren't careful. You don't have to like someone to not be rude to them.
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| How to Make a Hanging Spider for Halloween Posted: 15 Oct 2016 09:00 AM PDT Spiders are a classic Halloween decoration. This simple and fun project can be done quickly and can't fail to attract attention as it hangs in a doorway or window. - Start the spider's body. Cut out a 4-5 inch square of cardboard from a discarded grocery box. It must be corrugated cardboard. Hold it so the small holes in the lining of the cardboard are going from side to side.
- Draw, on the cardboard, a circle for the body. Draw a smaller circle at the top for the spider's head. Go all the way to the edges of the cardboard to maximize the space and give you a large spider.
- Cut it out. Ordinary household scissors work fine.
- Create the hanger. Use a large paper clip that you have bent into a flat shape. Bend one end straight, form a hooked shape.
- Poke this clip through the center of the body. Tape it on the front and back using masking tape.
- Create a loop for hanging. Use a needle nose pliers to bend the wire at of the top.
- Double check to see that the holes inside the cardboard are going from side to side across the body. You will use these holes to secure the legs.
- Fatten the body and head on both sides. Wad up small pieces of newspaper and tape the pads to the top and bottom of the spider using long strips of masking tape.
- Cover the spider entirely in black crepe paper streamers. Criss-cross the crepe paper as you work. Stretch the streamers slightly as you wrap to make it conform to the rounded edges of the head and body. At the end, finish by gluing the strip with tacky glue.
- Locate the holes for the legs. Use a toothpick to find them.
- Insert the legs. Go in the holes you made with the toothpick, sticking half a black craft stem or fuzzy pipe cleaner into the hole. It will stay, but to be extra sure, you can dip the end of the pipe cleaner into tacky glue.
- Continue adding legs. Make as many as you wish. Bend them at the knee and out to create a foot.
- Make the spider's face. Use tacky glue to place googly eyes. If you want a mouth, cut a tiny sliver of white paper and glue it in place.
- Decorate the spider with colorful craft balls. Be creative and embellish this spider as much as you wish.
- Run a piece of twine through the hole in the paper clip hanger. Knot it securely.
- Hang your spider in a window or at the top of a doorway. This will be a chilling surprise for visitors.
- Supervise young children when using scissors.
EditThings You'll Need - Corrugated cardboard
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Large paper clip
- Masking tape
- Needle nose pliers
- Newspaper
- Black crepe paper streamers
- Tacky glue
- Toothpick
- Black craft stem or fuzzy pipe cleaner
- Googly eyes
- White paper
- Colorful craft balls
- Twine
EditRelated wikiHows |
| How to Love Reading Posted: 15 Oct 2016 01:00 AM PDT In this day and age, many people do not read for pleasure. There are many reasons for this. Some may believe that reading takes too much time or effort. Others may never have enjoyed reading at school and can't imagine doing it for fun. Some may simply never have encountered an environment that fostered a love of reading. However, reading can greatly enhance your life experience, and there are ways to make it even more enjoyable, whether you do it frequently or just for school or work assignments. As George R.R. Martin, author of the Game of Thrones books, once wrote, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies...The man who never reads lives only one." EditFinding the Right Reading Material - Consider why you want to read. People read for a wide variety of reasons. Before you pick up a book, consider what you want to get out of reading. Some people like reading books that teach them new skills, from computer programming languages to skills for hunting or camping. Other people enjoy narratives, whether fictional or biographical, to transport them to other times, worlds, or situations. Think first about what you ultimately want to get out of reading.[1]
- You are much more likely to learn to love reading if you connect with something that seems purposeful to you. If reading is just an exercise, or something you feel you "should" like, it's not likely to have a meaningful impact.
- Identify what you want to read. Once you know whether you want to learn, be entertained, or something else entirely, you can narrow down types of books based on your answer. For instance, knowing you want an entertaining story alone doesn't narrow between poetry, literature, popular fiction, memoir, and other types of writing, all of which could provide an entertaining narrative.
- Try doing an internet search for popular books in the area that you've chosen. This can give you a list of suggestions where you might start.
- Consult with your local librarian. Librarians are usually delighted to make reading recommendations. Once you know what you're "looking for" from your reading, ask your librarian if s/he knows of any books that might suit.
- Talk with the employees at your local bookstore. Most people who work at bookstores love reading and love books. They can be a great source of recommendations. Chatting with people who are passionate about reading might even spark a little fire of your own!
- Consider the genre you think you'll most enjoy. You can narrow down reading choices even more once you've picked a general type of writing by considering the genre you want. If you've decided on popular fiction, for instance, you can choose between horror, science fiction, historical, fantasy, romance, mystery, or more realist books that take a less whimsical approach to their characters and settings.
- As another example, if you decide to want to read nonfiction history books, then consider the time period and subjects that most interest you. A book about D-Day in Normandy during World War II will obviously be a very different reading experience than a book about the politics of the Roman senate around the time of Julius Caesar.
- Sample the genre to find writers who click with you. Even within a particular genre, a particular writer's style might not work for you due to his/her particular voice. This can be due to when the book was written, the tone, the point of view, or a number of other reasons. If you don't like a book in the genre you think you should most enjoy, try to narrow down the reason why.
- For instance, if you decide you want to read horror novels, older novels such as Frankenstein or Dracula are going to read very differently than Stephen King or Clive Barker novels.
- Make connections between reading and other interests. You may feel very passionately about social issues or something else. Seek out books that connect to the issues about which you are passionate or that frame the issue in a wider context.[2]
- Remember that you can read more than books, too. Look at print and online magazines, blogs, and other places to find other reading material.
- Put down books you don't like. People sometimes feel obligated to finish a book even when they don't like it. You'll develop an aversion to reading rather than a love of it if you try to slog through a 300-page novel that you don't like. Many books can start slow as they develop the setting and people/characters involved, but if a book hasn't hooked you within 50-75 pages, then there's nothing wrong with moving to another one.
- Remember that reading is deeply personal. Reading isn't a competition. It's a deeply personal, highly subjective activity. There's no reason why you should feel guilty for not loving that award-winning novel everyone's talking about. Nor should you feel embarrassed if you truly love something that others may consider "lowbrow," like comics or romance novels. Read what you love, and don't compare yourself to anyone else.
EditDeveloping a Reading Routine You Love - Create or find a good reading environment. Find a place that is quiet, well lit, and comfortable. You can even make a reading nook in your room. Constant distractions from the book in front of you can make it hard to concentrate, and no one likes reading the same passages over and over. Finding the proper environment in which to read can be just as important as finding the right book for many people.[3]
- Sometimes, people may suffer from light sensitivity, which can cause headaches when you read. Avoid high-contrast print, glossy paper, and fluorescent lighting.[4]
- You don't have to read only at home, either. Check out the coffee shops, cafes, or bars in your area.
- Set times to read. Try to set aside time to read every day. Even if it just starts as ten minutes on a lunch break, twenty minutes on the bus, and fifteen minutes before bed at night, that's suddenly forty-five minutes that day you've spent reading.[5]
- You can even turn this into a little game with yourself. Set a daily goal for reading time and give yourself a reward when you hit it. Eventually, you may come to find reading is its own reward.
- Always carry a book with you. You never know when you might find a few extra minutes to read. Sitting in waiting rooms, commuting on public transportation, waiting at a restaurant for a friend to arrive, etc. are all situations where we tend to pull out our phones and send text messages or check Facebook. By having a book in your bag, you can help develop your love of reading.[6]
- If you have an e-reader, you'll be able to carry an entire library around with you. The choices are endless.
- Keep a reading list. Whether it's in a pocket notebook, a memo on your phone, or someplace else, try to keep a reading list of books you hear about that you want to read.[7] Remembering titles and authors is difficult and drawing a blank once you're at the bookstore or the library is frustrating. By having a list handy, you'll always remember what books sounded interesting.
- If you're at the library or bookstore and see a book that intrigues you, snap a photo of the cover. That way, you'll remember it for later.
- Track authors or series you enjoy. When you find an author whose style you love, try tracking down his or her other books. Even if the plot or subject of the author's other books don't necessarily grab you, loving a particular writing style can lead to enjoyment of books you might not expect. Try looking into the other books of an author you find yourself really enjoying.
- Socialize around reading. Look into book clubs or reading groups that specialize in the books you enjoy. Reading can be more of a solo activity than watching movies or television shows, but it doesn't have to be. Books can be just as fun to talk about with others as other media.[8]
- Finding these groups locally isn't always easy, so remember to look online for reading communities as well.
- Try audiobooks. Sometimes school, work, or other obligations might not leave you as much time to read as you'd like. In these situations, try listening to audiobooks to still get your daily dose of books.[9] Even having books read aloud to you will still keep you involved and enthralled with reading during the period where you cannot pick up the actual book.
- Visit your local library. Your tax dollars pay for libraries, and you can try out as many books as you would like for free (as long as you remember to return or renew them on time).
- Many public libraries even loan out e-books so you can read them from home.
- Visit the bookstore. Bookstores, whether the big chains or intimate used book shops, are also great places to browse if you prefer to own your books. Sometimes being surrounding by cases and cases of books is all it takes to reignite your passion for picking up a few new ones.
EditHelping Children Learn to Love Reading - Offer a choice. One reason many students and young people don't enjoy reading is that they feel it is always "required," and never a choice. If you can offer them a choice of reading that takes their interests into account, they're more likely to learn to love reading.[10]
- A choice of how to read can also be helpful. For example, in-class reading periods can be very helpful for some students, while others need to be at home alone in their rooms to focus.
- A choice of what to read can help young people understand that reading doesn't always mean dry or boring. In addition to the classics, provide options such as magazines and comics.
- Provide an environment that fosters reading. If your home doesn't have many books or other reading materials, it will be more difficult for your child to see reading as something enjoyable that s/he could do even in leisure time. Keep interesting, fun books around your home.[11]
- Set a good example by reading yourself. If your children see you enjoying a good book, they may be more likely to pick one up themselves.
- Try reading together as a family. Creating a positive association between reading and family fun time can help take the pressure off of young people to "perform" in their reading.
- Create a "reading space," either in your classroom or your home. It should not have other distractions, and should be a pleasant little retreat where the child can enjoy reading.
- Use books as rewards. Offer to take your child on a trip to the bookstore to pick out a few new books as a reward for chores or good performance in school. Help your child see that reading can be something that's fun and rewarding.
- Encourage creativity. There's no reason that the story has to end when the back cover shuts. Encourage young people to engage with their reading creatively.[12]
- For example, you could encourage students or your own children to draw scenes from what they read.
- Performing reading in funny character voices can provide extra drama to reading.
- Ask questions about how children feel about the reading.
- Encourage them to think about what might happen next in the story, or write their own continuation.
- Ask them to create a movie poster highlighting what they think is the most important element from the book.
- Be supportive and encouraging. One reason children may feel uncomfortable reading is that they worry they don't understand what they read or will get the "wrong" answer. Be supportive and encouraging of young readers.[13]
- Never tell a young reader that his/her opinion or interpretation is "wrong." Instead, ask the child how s/he came to this opinion. This will help her/him articulate how she formed her ideas and will help teach him/her about how to hone reading skills.
- If a young reader tells you that s/he is having trouble understanding, be patient. Don't make the child feel stupid or ignorant for not "getting" the material. Instead, ask questions to find out where the confusion is, and guide the child into stronger skills.
- Accept every comment, no matter how "wrong" or inaccurate it may seem, as a valuable contribution. Remember that it can be terrifying for young or inexperienced readers to even offer their opinions. If the idea is inaccurate or needs correcting, ask further questions about it rather than rejecting it out of hand.
- Many people decide they don't like reading because they found the books they had to read in school to be boring. Keep in mind that schools often want to regulate what students read, and the books they require by no means represent every kind of reading material available.
- Read with a friend to talk about the book.
- Try reading plays. This brings Shakespeare to many people's minds, but really you can read any play. It is quite a different reading experience and is enjoyable to many people.
- For some people, reading a bit about the author's background helps. If you like books from a particular author, try to get some background information about the author. It will help you to make your reading more enjoyable and fun. It will also help you to have more information about the author, the way the books are brought into being and other different things.
- Once you find your favorite things to read, be sure to occasionally branch out. You never know when you might find a new favorite.
- Get suggestions from people you know who have similar tastes as you.
- Remember not to limit yourself to just books. Keep in mind that there are countless magazines, newspapers, websites, etc. that you may love to read.
- If you are reading for anything more than pleasure (such as researching or learning how to do something) keep in mind that many sources are not reliable. Many people regard school textbooks biased under certain circumstances as well.[14]
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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