Books to read While In College

10 Books That You Must Read Before Graduating College

The holidays are here and you are definitely ready for a break. You’ve worked so hard this semester and deserve a treat. What better way to celebrate the upcoming semester’s end than with a reading list that makes you a more intellectual being? These are ten books that you may want to consider and absolutely must read before finishing college.

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1. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Just read one book by Stephen King, and you’ll understand why you must read his take on the craft of writing if you, too, are an aspiring writer. King gives some of his greatest tips, which include replacing TV time with reading sessions as well as remaining true to yourself during the creative process. You should do yourself a favor and buy this book. Don’t check it out of the library where you’ll have to return it in three weeks.

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2. On The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

Regardless of how you feel about Darwin and his belief about the formation of the world, you should pick up this book and read through it for knowledge’s sake. This book was published on November 24, 1859, and continues to influence science and other facets of academia. Can you say, “important”?

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3. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond

Leave it to a Princeton sociologist to shed light on capitalism and all of its ugliness. Matthew Desmond follows eight families from Milwaukee who struggle to obtain and maintain basic necessities such as food and shelter. It’s hard to believe that, in a nation such as the United States, mass poverty is still a thing. Matthew Desmond’s book is a call to action. word image 3

4. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

How can you call yourself a full-fledged young scholar if you have never tapped into the world presented by Joseph Heller? All is definitely not fair in love and war, and Heller wants you to know it. This book is a great quick read.

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5. First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung

Loung Ung gives rawness in this memoir that discusses how genocide destroyed her family in Cambodia. Ung’s story moved Angelina Jolie so much that the actress decided to make the book into a film. The written word, of course, always carries a richness that the movies lack.

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6. Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

First, she was raped. Then, Tess lost her baby. Now, the poor and naive girl lives in shame. If you ever thought that there was a hint of bias regarding sexual misconduct in the Victorian Age, here is proof of such speculation. Hardy presents a world in which men nearly get away with murder while women are condemned for simply being themselves. Tess is every outsider coming of age in a world that just doesn’t understand.

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7. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

It’s a feminist’s nightmare. Women who are so subject to men that they forget that they, not the men who believe they own them, are in control of their bodies. The handmaids remain covered and seen but never heard in Margaret Atwood’s alternative world. There’s a reason why this book has been on the popularity list for the past few months. Could Atwood have been giving us a sort of prophetic warning? We aren’t sure, but you should definitely read the book. word image 7

8. 1984 by George Orwell

Another sort of alternative reality is George Orwell’s classic book. No one is allowed to read books so don’t even think about going to the library to gain a bit of knowledge. Orwell’s story shows us the power that is in education and the problem with remaining ignorant.

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9. The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez

This is not your ordinary coming to America story. These immigrants are looking for everything from financial stability to love. The American Dream is all about having the audacity of hope in Cristina Henriquez’s narrative. word image 9

10. Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

There is nothing like reading a different perspective on issues like race and immigration. Allow Imbolo Mbue to take us inside of the world of migrants so that we can better appreciate the aspirations of all people.

What books are you planning to read on your own time this holiday season?

Types of Essays

Throughout our school and professional careers, we will have to write different kinds of papers including essays. We may be given assignments that will require us to research and put together projects, but how do you know what type of essay will work for your project?

Certain types of essays will work on different projects. There are four major types of compositions that can be written. These are narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive essays. Each has a purpose, and it’s necessary to know which one is which.

Narrative essays tell personal stories. They are designed to draw the reader in and take them along. A well-written narrative takes you into account and shares the experience of the writer.

A descriptive essay is very similar to a narrative but relies on the description to evoke a response. A great descriptive writer can paint an incredible picture and create a deep emotional connection with their words. This type of writing can be very beneficial in businesses like advertising.

An expository essay is based on facts and figures. It’s designed to explain a topic with evidence. Facts, data, and statistics are used along with well-written narratives to help educate. You would most likely see this type of essay used in business or in education.

Persuasive essays are a fantastic blend of expository and narrative papers. They use the descriptive power of language alongside supporting facts and figures to persuade the reader to the writer’s point of view. This type of writing is used in many ways including journalists, politicians and other leaders to bring their followers around to their opinion.

Each type of essay can be highly effective in conjunction with speeches, powerpoints, and other presentations. Knowing what you want your essay to do and the results you are expecting will help you pick the right format and provide the best writing for your project.

Movie Review for “Nappily Ever After”

Nappily Ever After Movie Review

A journey about self-love

*Spoiler Alert*

Nappily Ever After (2018) is a Netflix movie that is more than about hair. Sanaa Lathan dives deep into a journey of finding herself by playing the role of Violet Jones. This movie holds to cliché rom-com themes such as, “by any means get the guy,” and “finding yourself.” On the other hand, it brings a stunning inside perspective on beauty.

Since her younger years, Violet Jones has had a high standard when it comes to self-maintenance. This was no doubt due to her mother’s strict rules on how a lady’s hair should be kept. Pauletta Jones, played by Lynn Whitfield, raised her daughter to believe that presentation was necessary for maintaining the ideal appearance when amongst family, friends, and even when trying to reel in a man. Nevertheless, it all went south when Violet’s longtime boyfriend told her she was “too perfect” to marry right now.

Violet took her range and turned it to an experiment. She died and cut her hair, and even tried the “bad girl” persona to show that she could let loose and not be uptight. None of these attempts made her feel like she knew herself, so one drunken night, Violet, fed up with her perfect hair, shaved it all of, kick-starting her journey to self-discovery and loving herself.

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This plot alone gives this movie a 7/10, because what rom-com lover doesn’t love a story about a woman doing something bold and taking the chance to find herself. This movie also shows her taking control of not only her self-love but of her career. By befriending a love interest’s daughter, Zoe, she finds that she has a more significant role in being a role model and encouraging Zoe to love herself and her God-given beauty.

The ending shows Violet working for a new company and pitching products that she actually cares about. In an unsurprising turn of events, this movie bumps up to a 9/10 because it is not a happily ever after ending. Violet turns down an “almost kiss” from her former love interest in the ending scene, showing that she is invested in building her self up as a person. This movie doesn’t get a 10/10 because it won’t appeal to people who believe hair doesn’t have anything to do with a person’s perception of beauty. Still, this movie gets added to the list of Sanna Lathan’s best rom-com movies.

Understanding Biotechnology

Introduction

Biotechnology is a unification of biology and technology. It may be defined as the regulated use of biology for the development of new products that are of great use to people. In simple words, it is the use of any biological process or organism to develop a new method or product.

The earliest forms of biotechnology were seen in agriculture thousands of years before when farmers unwittingly grew stronger and better crops in their lands by experimenting with the plants and soil. The fermentation of beer, wine, yogurt, cheese et cetera, are also processes known to humans for thousands of years, way before the term biotechnology was coined.

In recent centuries the inventions of vaccination, antibiotics such as penicillins, recombinant DNA, genetically engineered plants such as Bt corn, Human insulin, et cetera have paved the way for the official field of biotechnology. The supreme court ruling that genetically engineered microorganisms can be patented in the Diamond v. Chakrabarty case on June 16, 1980, made the field of biotechnology a suitable investment for many research companies. This went on to make biotechnology a popular research field and many microbes have been patented since. To more about the history of biotechnology click Here

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Various Branches of Biotechnology

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Biotechnology is a very vast field with numerous fields. Below are the few prominent branches of Biotechnology:

Bioinformatics: Bioinformatics is the use of computational techniques for biological purposes such as for drug development or to study genomics. It helps to understand complex structures of proteins and DNA better.
Marine Biotechnology: Marine Biotechnology, also known as blue biotechnology is related to the study of aquatic aminal and their habitat. It mostly involves the development of innovative techniques to protect the marine environment.
Plant Biotechnology: Plant biotechnology, also known as green biotechnology is possibly the oldest form of biotechnology.In which innovative techniques such as plant tissue culture or recombinant DNA technology are used to produce a better yield of crops. Genetically engineered crops such as Bt Corn and Bt cotton are the best examples of plant biotechnology.
Animal Biotechnology: Aminal biotechnology has been around for thousands of years for example when horses were crossbred with donkeys to get stronger mules. Today modern animal biotechnology is based on genetic engineering and relies on methods such as transgenics and gene splicing. Animal cloning (e.g., the ewe dolly) is also a successful endeavor of animal biotechnology.
Medical Biotechnology: Medical biotechnology also called red biotechnology mainly concerns with the study on developing new medicines and antibiotics. It involves much research on genetics and how to manipulate them to treat a genetic illness.
Food Biotechnology: This is another branch of biotechnology which has been around for thousands of years. People have known to make cheese and alcohols for millenniums now. Food biotechnology mainly involves study on food processes such as fermentation, alcohol production, quality control, food safety, and packaging et cetera.
Industrial Biotechnology: The primary goal of Industrial biotechnology is to develop efficient industrial techniques and methods that would reduce resource consumption and provide a better alternative. Bioleaching used to extract metals that are not suitable for smelting from ores is an example of it.
Environmental Biotechnology: This branch of biotechnology involves the study and innovation of methods to protect the environment. Bioremediation is a method in which the toxic waste is converted back to its non-toxic form and is an example of environmental biotechnology.

Conclusion:

Biotechnology is a field with a lot of future potentials. All the research involved in this field continues to help develop new and useful processes for healthcare, food industry, agriculture industry, and also the environment. It is a field that pushes the threshold of nature for the betterment of humanity.

5 Ways You Can Add & Maintain Balance In Your Busy College Life

Balance in your college life can seem near impossible, but experimenting with one, or all, of these strategies, can help you to establish and maintain work, school, and social life.

1. Use An Agenda.

Breaking It Down~ Though it may seem obvious, using a planner or agenda is one of the most natural things you can do to help yourself establish and keep a balanced college lifestyle. Every morning when you wake up, write out a checklist of your goals for the day. What must get done, and at what time are you going to do it? You can go all in and include day-to-day tasks such as eating, or you can focus on more significant responsibilities, such as places you need to be, or work you need to get done. It goes without saying that the more detailed your plan, the less room you allow yourself for slacking. As you go through your day, check off the tasks and responsibilities you have finished; this will help you to feel accomplished. What college student doesn’t want that feeling?!

2. Prioritize.

Breaking It Down~ As an extension to planning, you will want to prioritize what is important to you. If you know, you have an assignment due at the end of the week, and another assignment due at the end of the month, you should make it your priority to first do the assignment due at the end of the week. This works the same for your everyday tasks and responsibilities. Similarly to planning, you can prioritize by writing a list of what is important to you. Is it important that you carve out time to work out? Spend time with your family? Allocate time to your hobby? Write it down in your agenda, and prioritize it in your daily life. Tasks that require deep focus should be done in the morning, when you have peak energy, while tasks that need less attention and more creativity should be prioritized for later in the day. If you want to learn even more about optimal times to do certain types of tasks, check out this article from the Wall Street Journal, The Peak Time for Everything.

3. Work Ahead.

Breaking It Down~ Maybe this seems obvious, but even so, working ahead is not often something college students do. If you are looking to add balance and subtract stress, this is a great strategy to put into place. You can work ahead, first, by studying the course calendar given to you by your professor or posted on your class site. Highlight when assignments, presentations, or readings are due, and write these dates in your planner or agenda. Assignments that carry more weight, such as large projects, essays, or presentations are especially important to work ahead on, as these are what takes more time and energy. Give yourself at least a few weeks in advance to begin, so that you can feel confident about your work when it comes time to turn it in. Keep in mind though, that working ahead on everything might sound like a good idea, but when it comes to smaller class readings that require a discussion or written response, it is best to do these things closer to the due date (at least within the same week) because you will want the assignment to be fresh in your mind.

4. Get Enough Sleep.

Breaking It Down~ Prioritize your sleep! This again may seem obvious, but rest is one of the single most important things we do each night to ensure that we have better, and more productive days. The easiest way to make sure you are getting quality sleep is to set a time that you can really go to bed and wake up so that you get the recommended 7-9 hours every night. When you fail to allow yourself this crucial time to reboot, you also fail to operate at your full human potential. To supplement good sleep, try to put your phone down at least 30 minutes before, as the blue light hinders your ability to sleep. You can read more about phone light and sleep here.

5. Self-Care.

Breaking It Down~ Last, but definitely not least is self-care. Many of us have preconceived judgments about what self-care is, thanks to magazines and online articles, but self-care doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the bathroom pampering yourself. Frankly, very few of us have time for that. Self-care can merely mean allotting time to shower every day, or even just allowing yourself to say no to things that will leave you overwhelmed. Your self-care routine can be simple, or it can be more intricate, it’s all up to you!

The suggestions above are none other than pieces to a balanced college life that you can experiment with. The most important thing is that you find what works for you. No one can give you a guidebook to your life because no one knows it as you do. Happy balancing!

You have a bad case of Writer’s Block

You Have A Bad Case Of Writer’s Block: Here’s How To Face It And Erase It

Your paper is due in the next 10 hours, and you haven’t even finished the outline. You know what you need to convey, but the words just won’t come together so that you can craft something that is both cohesive and witty. You keep telling yourself that there is no such thing as writer’s block. “It’s all just a myth,” you say. Now, you know that’s not true!

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Writer’s Block Defined and Placed in History

Your inability to get beyond the outline of your essay is proof of the condition that prevents you from being productive. Writer’s block, or the progressive reduction or complete loss of creativity, has affected many famous authors of past times.

Many believe that Herman Melville, who wrote the classic story of Moby Dick, quit the craft of writing altogether because he suffered from a severe case of writer’s block that kept him from coming up with something new. Unfortunately for Melville, writer’s block was not recognized as an actual thing until 1947 when psychoanalyst Edmund Bergler described it. People probably thought that Melville had merely lost his “juice.”

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Reasons for the Condition

It is evident, through your present struggles, that the issue of losing “juice,” or falling into the snare of writer’s block, is still a possibility. Why are you experiencing such troubles, though?

The number one reason why students encounter the dreaded writer’s block syndrome is due to pressure. Your brain works better when it is not under high stress, according to science. Passion, one of the central ingredients needed to create an excellent short story or highly engaging term paper, slowly disintegrates when you zero-in on due dates and strive for perfection at all cost.

The aim of your outline or first draft should be to get everything on paper. You, however, may be one of those students who believe that every sentence must be appropriately structured and, of course, punctuation perfect. That need for perfection is killing your creativity and leading to your stalled productivity.

Your high expectations are ruining your chances of finishing before the deadline since pressure tells your limbic system that it is time to either fight (i.e., stick it out and churn out new ideas) or take flight (i.e., shut down). With your brain already working overtime on other tasks at school, is there any doubt that it will take flight?

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Another reason for writer’s block is simple burnout. Perhaps you are just tired of addressing the same subject and need a break. It is during these times that seeking the services of a professional may be helpful. A pair of fresh eyes can not only give you the rest that you need, but a new person in the equation can also offer a different perspective that can rare up those thinking juices to get you back on the path of productivity and good grades.

Other Ways to Fight Writer’s Block

Perhaps you are feeling like Herman Melville and are ready to give up on the craft of writing altogether. Try these alternatives before you raise your white flag to the dreaded writer’s block condition:

Go for a walk: Did you know that the sedentary life is not the best thing for your brain? Taking a step outside could be the very thing to replenish the juices that have been lost in the process of you trying to create the perfect paper.
Rid yourself of distractions: This advice may seem impossible if you are a single parent. How are you supposed to focus on your writing when the kids are screaming for their bath, food, and everything else they can ponder? Sometimes you have to go the extra mile and create a schedule that keeps the little ones occupied while you are working at home.
Read a book: Seriously, the power of reading goes far! You can change your environment without getting off the couch by merely cracking open your favorite novel and getting into a bit of reading. Newspaper articles are also great for those who need a quick break from writing.
Listen to music: Music is another alternative to writing that gets the juices flowing. Do not get lost in the tunes, though. You still need to finish that outline and paper.
Create a routine, write it on your board, and stick with it: Discipline takes the guesswork out of your day, which can reduce your chances of encountering writer’s block. Create a plan that does not force you to multi-task, post it in your study area, and do not alter it even if your friends offer you free ice scream to hang out with them when you should be writing.

Writing is a craft that does not come naturally to everyone. Sure, you can create a grocery list or write notes now and again. There is a big difference, though, between creating reminders and crafting something that is both cohesive and interesting. Writing takes a lot of thought and analysis, which are not favorite attributes in the digital age. It is not abnormal for you to experience writer’s block, but you certainly do not need to live in the neighborhood of reduced productivity. Use these tips to fight the condition. Happy writing!

Mental Health and College

You’ve done it! The caps have fallen to the ground, and you’re ready to embark on the new journey in your life and education. Your parents tell you that you are stepping into adulthood and the importance of making wise decisions, but all you hear is “wha, wha, wha-wha,” as the adults from the Peanuts cartoons. Insert an eye roll and a heavy sigh, and you’re ready for college.

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You go shopping, get to your dorm, and unpack all the fresh new dopeness that’s going to have you ready for anything that comes your way and then…

You wish that you’d listened. You don’t like your roommate because they take your clothes without your permission and eat all the food out of your mini-fridge when you’re in class. They come in all hours of the night talking loudly on their cell phone. Their friends or significant other is always around. You get no peace, and you can’t say anything, because it’s their room, too.

The only thing that you have to hold onto is the fact that soon, you’ll be able to get away with the money that’s about to hit your student account. That motivation helps you make it through the late nights and early mornings. You count down, have an app on your phone, set reminders, and finally… the day has arrived…

You got your refund check, and are ready to ball out of control and party like, well, like your parents aren’t watching. Until…

Registration – $An Arm

Misc Fees – $A Leg (what are these even for real?)

Books – $Enough For The Words To Be Written In Gold

Room and board – $Your First-Born Child (Yeah, missing mooching off your parents now, free of charge, ain’t ya? Lol)

Food card – $Your Soul (And the food ain’t even that good)

Ok… ok… you still gotta lil bit to work with, but then you realize you have to make it stretch the entire semester. If you’re anything like me, you didn’t make it and had to live off ramen noodles when you used to eat Burger King during your cram sessions. You were buying meals for all your new friends, who mysteriously vanished into thin air when your funds dried up.

You finally muster up the nerve to call your parents and ask for help and then…

You look at your grades and realize that all that going out, all the games and frat parties, and time in the game room has your career on life support before it’s even begun. Now, you have to think twice about calling your parents. What are you gonna tell them? That you’re succeeding socially, and your academics are in the tank? Yeah, that’ll go over well.

Then, there’s the social aspect. How well is that really going? You find out that friends here are flakier than they were in high school. And did I mention you hate your roommate?

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It’s easy to get overwhelmed. I mean, why are there so many decisions? Why are there so many assignments? Why are the classes so early? Why are the girls/guys so beautiful? Why is the food so nasty? Why doesn’t your professor understand that you had to be at that party last night, because pledging that fraternity/sorority is just as crucial to your future as your grades? Why didn’t your parents warn you about any of this? Oh wait, they did. Now, you’re in limbo. You’re not up for the “I told you so” speech that would accompany assistance from the parental units. You get the side eye and pushback from the professors that you ask for extra credit assignments to help boost your grades. You have to take up a work-study job, and catch-up on work, possibly entertain the new love of your life, deal with your roommate, and your professors suggested that you get tutors. Tests, classes, peopling, repeat. And sleep may or may not find its way in there somewhere. You and the sun become best friends you see it peek over the horizon so often. Your life has gone from carefree to full-on responsibility in a matter of weeks, maybe months, and you have to get things back on track.

This may be a worst-case scenario, but some of this is your reality if you’re a college student. And that’s why so many students find themselves suffering from mental issues that can make the college experience even more unbearable. This new world is exciting and full of hope, but at the same time, the pressure can wreak havoc on your mental well-being. Issues like reckless behavior, which can be underaged drinking, promiscuity, or other immoral acts, depression, and severe anxiety are all genuine in college. Most times, with all of the talking that your parents have given you, they haven’t told you about self-care and maintaining mental health.

Sleep deprivation, fear of failure, the newness of your environment, bullying on levels that you couldn’t even imagine, all play a part in the decline of the mental health of college students. Gratefully, most colleges and universities offer therapists on campus for students. Professors also understand to Freshmen who are still learning to navigate their new lives and course loads. Pushing yourself to the limit can come back to bite you in the behind. Take this from someone who knows. So, I have a couple of self-care tools that may help you combat the causes of mental health while attending college.

Make a Plan

Write it out, make it understandable. Plan your time, and stick to it. You know what your schedule is, and this gives you control over your time management. Say no if someone asks you to do something outside of your personal plan. I know it’ll be tempting to walk away from the books to have a little fun, take a break, or let your hair down. But discipline is necessary to be successful in college and in life after college.

Only Do What You Can

You know your limits. Don’t push yourself anywhere near the edge of what you’re capable of. Don’t take on too many classes, join too many groups, commit yourself to too much. And what you can’t do today, you can do tomorrow. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting it all done. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were the pyramids. This is the time that you plan and schedule to let your hair down. Make and schedule breaks for yourself and take them. Don’t tell yourself that if you just get XYZ done, you’ll be okay, because before you know it, you’ll be exhausted. You deserve a break, so give yourself one.

Only Compare Yourself To Yourself

Oh, you thought you left the mean girls in high school? No sir, no ma’am, no ham, no spam, no turkey. The desire to fit into this new world can be overwhelming, but, and I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s true: There’s only ONE you. It’s their pleasure to know you, not the other way around. Eating disorders and depression can manifest by comparing yourself to others. If they don’t like you, put your best flight attendant voice on and advise them that the exits are “here and here” so that they can find their way out of your life. The ones who are for you are for you, and the ones who aren’t don’t deserve to make you feel anything other than amazing about yourself.

Communicate

With your parents, your professors, your advisors, yourself. Don’t worry about what anyone has to say about how you feel or what you need. Let people know what’s going on so that when something changes or something happens, no one is blindsided. If you’re failing a class, missing an assignment, feeling alone or afraid or overwhelmed, the people who are in your life are there for you. They may be disappointed in your choices, but if they care about you, they’ll help you sift through it all and help it make sense so that you can move forward. Communication is the key to success in life. Why not start with college?

Be Honest with Yourself

The first person you have to admit anything to is you. You know yourself better than anyone else. You can tell if there are changes in your mood, your body, your view of life and/or self. These are usually the warning signs that something is off. And, if you aren’t honest with yourself about your issues or your needs, how can anyone else be of assistance?

Seek Help

If you see that there are changes, that you need help, please get it. Nothing is embarrassing about mental health issues. And it’s better to catch them early so that they can be treated before they consume you or become worse. Managing your mental health is essential for your life, not just in college. Suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, weight gain or loss, and other issues that you may be facing can play a part in your success or failure as a college student.

We want you to succeed, want you to be a happy, functional member of society, but most importantly, we want you to be healthy.

Take care of yourselves!

Hugs from the SYA Crew!

Book Review of “What To Say When You Talk To Yourself”

Personal development books are a huge part of the literary world, with books on practically every subject. If you’re looking to learn new skills, you won’t struggle to find a book to help you. I have added daily personal development to my routine, and I have a few books that I would recommend. One of them is “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself” by Dr. Shad Helmstetter.

This book was written to help people get past the limiting, negative thoughts that seem to become a regular part of their thoughtful dialogue. The author of the book is a well-known and respected behavioral researcher and psychologist who helps people work to change their mindset to a more positive way of thinking

The book itself is well written and easy to follow due to its conversational tone that helps you take in the lessons of the book. The novel also very clearly points out some subconscious behavior patterns without making you feel guilty for them.

I got quite a bit of insight from this book. Such as, it helped me reevaluate how I speak to myself daily and how it affects the way I view and react to the world. With the simple lessons that the author presented and the explanations of how these exercises change your mindset.

Dr. Helmstetter has a very diverse and excellent background in the concept of self-talk and uses his skills to teach the everyday person the connection between self-talk and mindset. One thing that differentiates this book from other self-help books is the clear and concise instructions that go hand in hand with the descriptions. This book allows people to take the necessary steps to make these changes. It isn’t just another book telling people that they need to change their mindset. It isn’t a book of lecturing and flowery paragraphs with no practical application. The book is a great way to get started in the personal development part of their lives.

I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with the mindset or feels that they could improve their outlook.

How Classical Music Can help You Study

Classical Music, My Secret Weapon: Beethoven, Bach, and Brain Power

As the single mother of two beautiful, intelligent, extremely active daughters, ages 16 and 6, concentration isn’t something, I have the luxury of. Neither is brain power after getting them both to school, one to and from her part-time job, the other to and from cheerleading practice, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and school functions, and my speaking engagements. When you add that to my life as an entrepreneur, which means no days off, it’s a wonder my shoes are on the right foot from one day to the next.

I had to find some balance. And with that, a way to make sure that I kept my mind sharp, and I’m able to focus on the tasks at hand, as well as the ones to come. People always ask me what my secret weapon is, and how I manage to make it all happen. Well, I’m giving y’all the inside scoop. You ready? Read on…

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We’ve all heard about classical music and how it aids in concentration. I’ve seen women walking around with headphones on their bellies that when curiosity gets the best of me, and I ask, tell me that they’re playing classical music for their unborn to help with brain development. I think it’s cute and thoughtful, but I didn’t look any further into it until I settled into my career. I’ve been an author for 16 years and an editor for almost 4. Great right? Well, we all know that there are challenges with these careers, just as with any other career choices. As an author/writer, I needed something to get me going and keep me crunk, yes I said crunk, during the five, ten, and sometimes thirty-six to forty-eight-hour stints that I devote to writing my novels. For this, I use trap music and R&B. Hey, I write Urban Fiction and Lesfic, what did you expect?

But, as an editor, the jobs can become redundant. There’s a lot of repetition, in the corrections and even in the proofing, to make sure that the storyline is intact. For this, I have learned that classical music helps a great deal. I have the attention span of a toddler, in real life. And when I find myself distracted, I put on my Skull Candy headphones and turn on one of my Classical for Concentration playlists. With the help of the great classical composers and even the more recent ones, I’m able to bang that edit right on out.

Recently, I was contracted as a writer with Submit Your Assignments. This is a bit different from writing fiction because it requires meeting academic requirements. But, because we all know how tedious writing for academia can be, this was yet another task that I had to turn to music to get that extra push.

I tried to trap music. But imagine songs about guns and drugs when you’re trying to write about business structures, or psychological theories, or worse, biblical concepts with regards to a real-world experience. Right. Didn’t work.

Then I tried R&B, but love songs and academic writing just didn’t mesh. Listening to a song about a metaphorically broken heart doesn’t really work when writing a paper about anatomy and physiology. That was another no-go.

Finally, I gave classical music and shot and— BINGO! It worked. Classical music is the shiznit. And, I have to admit, when I’m listening to it, I feel smarter. The light, flowy feel of it, or the more aggressive tracks, dependent on what I’m writing, get those juices flowing and put me in a great headspace at the same time. (See what I did there? Lol.) I have even tried it when I’m writing my fiction, and it works.

So, the verdict is in. Whenever you find yourself burning the midnight oil, and you need a boost, be in writing or editing a paper or a novel, studying for that test that when you just can’t seem to get jiggy with the content, or even trying to focus when you meditate… Classical music is it! Give it a try and feel free to comment on whether it works for you. I’ve even included my favorite classical music playlists on YouTube and Spotify for you to give it a try.

You’re welcome.

Til next time,

Write On!

Joi Miner

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/R0kl9xFVSnI

How Reading Can Make You A Better Writer (And Person, In Actuality)

We all know, or should know, that reading is essential to life. Were you aware, though, that the act of sitting down and diving into a book or newspaper article does more than make you feel academically accomplished? You send your brain all kinds of positive signals when you feed it with a good story. Your writing abilities also stand to improve when you take the time to read.

Reading Changes You

Science confirms what your teachers have told you for many years. Reading increases blood flow to the brain, which causes its functioning to be much more efficient. Perhaps such is why the school “nerd” had all of the answers in class. He read during his free time and was, thus, better capable of dissecting what was being asked at the moment.

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You can read to increase the positive vibes in your brain so that you are better able to handle:

Stress
Old Age
Creative Processes

Reading on a regular basis also helps you develop empathy for others since a good story will have you reconsidering your perspectives on life and the way that things work.

Reading and Writing

Not only does the activity of reading influence you for the better as an individual but it also positively impacts your writing skills. If for nothing else, a good book improves your vocabulary. You will always remember that word that compelled you to reach for the dictionary in the middle of the story so that you could get a full understanding of what was taking place in the scene.

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Reading also impacts your writing skills from a creative stance. It is quite difficult to find inspiration or speak to an audience without first being a member of said group. How are you supposed to know what sells in Horror and Suspense if you have never picked up a Stephen King book? Reading teaches you what styles work and which methods are best left alone.

Literacy in the Real World

Sadly, despite the many benefits attached to reading a good book, the practice of consistent literacy enjoyment is on the decline. Much of the lost interest in books comes from a society that encourages fast-paced living. You cannot sift through a good, meaningful story. You must sometimes return to the beginning to understand what is taking place in the middle of the book.

The digital era does not generally allow for such attention to detail, which is why you do not often see much support for traditional print books in society. There is, however, growing support for audiobooks, which leads some to wonder: Is listening to a book the same as actually reading it?

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When you think about it, there are a few benefits that come with audiobooks. Perhaps the most obvious perk is the fact that you can enjoy a good book on-the-go. There is nothing better than occupying your road trip with a 10-hour long book that, when completed, makes you feel like a better person. Listening to someone else read a book and cracking open the art piece yourself, however, are not the same.

When you surrender to the voice giving you the story via audiobook, you are letting that person dictate how the story goes. Their imagination influences your thoughts so that your fantasies about the story are not entirely your own. When you sit down and read a book, however, you are working entirely from your mind’s creativity. You can make characters sound the way that you want them to sound, and you can stay on a page for however long you desire.

Time is another freedom that you surrender when you choose an audiobook over the real thing. You cannot speed up the time it takes the narrator to get through the story without skipping over certain parts of the narrative.

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Turn the Page and Read for Better Writing

Sure, you get the pleasure of marking a book off your list when you listen to it via audiobook. Your writing skills, however, can only be fully developed when you use the traditional means of reading, which includes holding a physical book and turning actual pages to complete the story. Not even digital texts give the same perks as print stories. If you want to be the ultimate wordsmith, then you must become the reading warrior. Barnes & Noble, anyone?

Sources:

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201401/reading-fiction-improves-brain-connectivity-and-function

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-hanski/read-more_b_5192754.html

https://www.paperbecause.com/PIOP/files/7d/7db7c4e0-0065-408d-82d4-a86c5f879bc3.pdf

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