Exam Week 101

Exams. Blah. The APs are mostly over, but soon it will be time for you to start studying for typical school exams. We've both been through many semesters of exams, and have found a few helpful tricks along the way.

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we all feel this way sometimes, don't we?

• Start early. Yes, we know this is hard. Studying early doesn't always work out because you're working on other things. But it's so important to not procrastinate, trust us, we've learned that the hard way.
• Sleep. Yes, we know that pulling all nighters is super common before exams. We also know that we won't really remember cellular respiration we studied at 4AM for an exam at 10AM. There have been many studies shown that prove you need at least some sleep.
• Plan out a schedule. This doesn't have to be down to the minute, but it should be planned out so that you know you have enough time to get it all together.
• Do you get study guides? If so, lucky lucky you. Do them. All by yourself. Yes, collaborating with your bestie might save time, but you're not going to retain things that Janie Smith emailed you the day before the exam. 
• Dress for success. (see post soon!) No, you don't need to wear a suit, but being put together is crucial, you'll feel better about yourself.
• Take time to relax in between subjects. Just 10 minutes. Mediate. Shower. Play with your pet. something to clear your head.
• Morning of, do something that makes you feel good. Does getting a skinny vanilla iced latte make your mornings better? Anything like that or even as simple as using a different soap in the shower. Something to start your day off positively.
• Eat breakfast. No one wants a growling stomach in exams.
• Lastly, and most importantly, let go post exam. It's over. You can't change it. Whatever happens, happens. You just need to know you tried your best.

Keep watching for more tips! Study hard.

Love,

A+C

"I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps..."

"Being in New York is like falling in love, over and over again, every minute." -Rachel Berry


New York is perfect. There is seriously no other place like it. I (A) have been lucky enough to live just about 45 minutes or so outside of the city, so I spend as much time there as possible. 

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Here is our daytime guide to New York City:

• The High Line- The relatively short buildings of the Meatpacking District provide for a beautiful view of the Hudson. 

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• I love museums and New York just happens to have some of the best museums in the world. Whether its The Frick, The Met, MOMA, The Museum of Natural History, The Guggenheim...the list could go on and on. Madame Tussauds isn't exactly a museum, but it more like a gallery of wax figures. Who doesn't love posing next to a wax figure of Jackie O? 

The Met!

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• 'Tis the season...to go ice skating (for free) in Bryant Park! Although it is lovely to visit Rockefeller Center during the winter, the rink is just way too crowded. If you to Bryant Park earlier enough, you can avoid the crowds and skate for as long as you wish!

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• Enjoy afternoon tea at The Plaza. A truly unforgettable experience. Enough said. 

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• The Central Park Boathouse is an incredibly serene area of the park in the middle of a crazy, bustling city that really doesn't ever sleep. I recommend taking a break from the hustle and bustle to sit by the water. 

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• You should feel obligated to see a Broadway Show in New York! You will not regret it. 

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• Shopping. You can find anything from cute little boutiques to the typical chain stores. And you can find them pretty much anywhere. Department stores like Barney's, Bergdorf's, Bloomingdales, Bendel's, Saks, ect. are full of so much selection. Go downtown and you can find some major treasures. I also suggest going to sample sales (quite an experience to say the least), which is something you can't do in many other places. 

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• I probably shouldn't be suggesting to ride bikes in the city, considering the fact that the cabbies are crazy and no one stops for anyone else, but I seriously love riding my bike in the city. Also, you can ride your bike along the West Side Highway and get an incredible view of the Hudson. 

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Places to Eat: 

Ruby Foo's 

Serafina

Rosa Mexicana 

Shake Shack

JG Melon

Eataly

Uva

Spice Market 

MXCO

Heads up for our nighttime guide sometime next week!

xoxo, 

A+C

How to: Survive A Group Project

You know what's worse than regular individual projects? GROUP PROJECTS. They are dreadful. The work load never seems to be split up evenly between each member of the group. There's almost always that one person who somehow manages to evade completing their part of the work load.  Finding a time for the entire group to come together to work on the project is awfully difficult. There are often disagreements over the content of the project. 
Ok, enough ranting. Here are some tips on how to survive these painful group projects while avoiding the aforementioned situations ultimately coming out of the experience with an "A" next to your name in the grade book! 

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• Planning ahead is so key for group projects. Don't ever leave a group project for the last minute. Although you may be able to pull off a last minute project on your own, you can't be sure that the others in the group are able to do the same. When you first get the assignment, make sure to look over it as a group and begin to brainstorming. Figure out the direction in which you all want to take your project from the get go. 
• Assign each member a specific job for the assignment. All of the work that needs to be done should be divided evenly. Don't be the one to do the entire project for the group (guilty) and definitely don't be the one who leaves slack for the others to pick up. It's all about everyone carrying their own weight. 

Don't be that person.

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• Set deadlines and check in points for the group. It often helps to have a deadline in mind to keep you continuing with the work you're doing, as opposed to procrastinating. Make strides on the project little by little and the task will seem less daunting. Depending on the amount of time between the day the project was assigned and the day it is due, establish one or two dates to meet with the group as a whole to check in. 
• If your schedules are all crazy and you truly cannot find a time to congregate, Google Docs is a great option. As long as all the members have Gmail accounts, each person can create a document with all of their work in it to share with the other members. This way, you can keep updated (literally to the second!) on the work that the others are doing. If you have any suggestions or comments, they can easily be shared through Google Docs. 

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• Regardless of whether you opt to use Google Docs to communicate or whether you can pull off a meeting or two before the due date of the project, I highly suggest a meeting to make final changes and review the finished project before it is handed in. Being physically together makes the process much easier. 
• If the project is to be presented to a class, teacher, or other group of people, its important to rehearse the presentation! Make sure that each member of your group has a specific part of your work to discuss and elaborate on. This too should be divided as evenly as possible between members. Public speaking is a hard task, so make the process easier by all being on the same page.
• Present and/or hand in the project and get that "A", ladies! 

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Good luck, ladies! 


xoxo, 
A+C

How to: Survive A College Interview

Imagine this- Fidgeting in your seat, you fix your hair for the 10th time this minute, look around the room to scope out the competition, question your outfit one more time, and give yourself a last minute reminder not to forget to talk all about your latest charity project. A serious looking woman walks into the room and calls your name. You reach your hand out, look her in the eye, smile, and give her a firm handshake. Where do you think you are?

Throughout these past few months, my (A) life has literally been consumed by the college application process. Countless applications completed (I know my SS number by heart at this point...), countless supplemental essays written, and a large number of college interviews survived. The thought of a college interview can definitely be intimidating to many, but it was actually one of my favorite parts. All you really have to do is talk about yourself. And who doesn't love that? 

• By the time you form a list of schools that you will be applying to (around the end of junior year), I suggest immediately checking their admissions page(s) online to see which of the schools require or suggest interviews. Write this information down in a place where you will remember it! Remember: Optional usually means that you should do it. There's nothing to lose and everything to gain, anyways. Some schools require appointments to be made very far in advance and others designate a certain time for interviewing the applicants, so be on top of the ball and know the dates. Always be ahead of the game!

Don't forget your deadlines!

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• Talk to your parents to pick (a) date(s) to schedule your interviews. Some schools offer alumni interviews, where you will be paired up with an alum from your area to interview you; this allows for the interview to take place closer to home if you are unable to travel to the school. Some schools even offer Skype interviews, where you can Skype chat an admissions interviewer in the comfort of your home. Side note: I have a friend who chose this option for almost all of his interviews and wore an oxford and a blazer on the top, while wearing his pajama pants on the bottom for every single interview (Obviously the interviewer could only see him from the waist up. Haha!) If the only option is an on-campus interview, discuss a time to visit the school. Figure out which option is for you.
• Once you have a date picked, call the admissions offices and make your appointments! Some schools have a first come first serve list for interviews, so make sure to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.
• Start preparing! Part of your preparation is to research everything about the school with which you are interviewing. Your knowledge of the school's history, current events, majors, and other availabilities will show your interest in the school. The interviewer may throw you a curve ball by asking who your favorite famous alum is or who the school's mascot is. Always be prepared! At the end of the interview, the interviewer usually asks if you have any questions for them. Be prepared with a series of questions to ask him or her. Consider questions like- "Why did you chose ____?" or "What was your favorite class at _______?" (If they are an alum). If you are interested in going to business school, medical school, or law school following graduation, ask the interviewer about the school's acceptance rates to each of those respective types of schools. 

Bonus points if you can guess which school belongs with this mascot.

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• As your interview date gets closer and closer, start preparing what you are going to tell the interviewer about yourself. Compose a list of "talking points" or notes of preparation comprised of what you are about and what you have done during your high school career (i.e. extracurriculars, clubs, sports, academics, service work). Don't feel embarrassed to rehearse these talking points in front of your mirror. Ask someone you feel comfortable with to ask you random questions to practice staying on your toes. You never know what those interviewers may ask you. My favorite question during an interview was- "If you were a breakfast food, what would you be and why?" I definitely had to think on my toes to answer that one. 

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• So its the night before your interview and you obviously have to look way better than the rest of your competition. Appropriate interview attire can vary from school to school. My philosophy is that it's always better to look overdressed than underdressed. You don't want to be that girl wearing jeans to an interview...(Yes, I've seen it done). Western business attire is usually suggested. I also suggest putting your hair up if you have a tendency to play with it out of nervousness. Nothing too loud or flamboyant- you don't want to distract from your responses, which are ultimately the most important part of what you bring to the interview. Here are the two outfits that I usually stick with:

• First impressions are everything. As soon as you meet your interviewer, look them in the eye, smile, and give them a firm handshake. A friend recently told me the story of how she got her most recent job. She explained that after she was hired, the interviewer admitted to her that after her strong first impression and confident handshake, he knew he wanted to hire her. True story. Confidence is everything. 

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• Answer the questions you are asked honestly and sincerely. Be yourself. Talk about all that you've done thus far in your high school career. If you are genuine, your passion will be undeniable to the interviewer. 
• Eye contact. You need to find the perfect balance of it. You want to appear attentive while avoiding shooting a creepy stare into the eyes of the interviewer. Don't think about it too much and it should flow. 
• Obviously you are the one being interviewed, but after a while, the conversation should flow so that it seems more like a conversation. Try to talk about your hobbies, involvements, and accomplishments so that each leads to another. If you can do that successfully, you will secretly be the one controlling the interview.
• "That's it?!" you think to yourself as the interview comes to an end. That was easy, huh? Before leaving, make sure to thank your interviewer for spending time with you and (whether it was or not) tell them that it was a pleasure to meet them. 
• Follow up emails are great. Although most interviewers will send you an email themselves, I always try to beat them to the punch and send them an email a few hours following the interview. Again, you should thank them for spending time with you and express your interest in the school. If you have any additional questions for them, now is a great time to ask. 

Good luck to all who are in the process of interviewing! Remember- it is incredibly rare for an applicant to be rejected based solely on their interview performance. You have nothing to lose. Make them love you! 

Love, 

A+C