But before you can overcome it, you’ll have to learn more about the more common causes and types of writer’s block and some possible solutions.

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What is Writer’s Block?

Writer’s block is a writer’s inability to produce new material. The condition may be temporary, or in rare cases, permanent (some writers have been known to abandon their careers)!

Here are some major causes:

• Ran out of inspiration
• Greatly distracted
• Project exceeds writer’s abilities
• Afraid of the reader’s judgment
• Physical illness
• Ended relationship
• Unsuited for a specific style/genre
• Previous success intimidation

Now that we know more about some of the more common causes, let’s see if we can learn more about the types.

• Completely blank – no ideas are coming
• Too many ideas, not enough focus
• Great outline but no body points
• Stuck in the middle, not sure how to finish
• There is no good ending to the piece
• Boredom from working on the same thing
• Diction – unsure of the right words to use

The Cure to Writer’s Block

Fortunately for most students and writers, there are cures that can help alleviate any lack of creativity.

1. Take a walk

• People that walk at least 1.5 hours a week show better cognitive development
• Talking to people on your walk might spark ideas for your next writing project
• Walking 18 or more miles per week helps to reduce memory loss
• Exercise positively affects the levels of certain mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain

2. Be productive

• Tackle that huge pile of bills, receipts, magazines and papers. It might help you get into the mood of accomplishing things.
• Share your previous work using social media or other outlets to get feedback and ideas for inspiration
• Organize a room in your house, a process which may mentally help you organize your thoughts and inspire you to write

3. Do a Writing Exercise

• Try to recall a milestone you accomplished, and imagine if it ended differently
• Write down some ideas, sentences, or thoughts that work
• Write about something you are passionate about, or know very well
• Use music as your muse
• Do some people watching and see if it triggers creativity

4. Step out of your comfort zone

• Pick a topic that intimidates you or that you know little about, and write about it
• Research, interview, and learn more about the topic
• Relate to a subject by understanding it more

5. Tips that can help

• Use Google tools like “Google Analytics” or “Google Trends” to search for topics that are popular
• Write How-to’s, lists, and so on, which are very popular formats for almost any type of writing
• Start by writing about yourself or a biography to get warmed up
• Use a computer without internet access to minimize distractions

Famous Quotes about Writer’s Block

And finally, just so you know you’re not alone, here are some famous quotes about writer’s block.

• “Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.” -Charles Bukowski, Last Night of the Earth Poems
• “Very often we write down a sentence too early, then another too late; what we have to do is write it down at the proper time, otherwise it’s lost.” -Thomas Bernhard, Concrete
• “Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite: “Fool!” said my muse to me, “look in thy heart, and write.” -Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella
• “I haven’t written in a week. It’s like holding your breath under water. You feel an awful constriction and then the instinct to propel yourself.” -D.A. Botta
• “Over analysis leads to paralysis.” -Rebecca Jane, The Real Lady Detective Agency

Sometimes, the key to overcoming writer’s block is just to keep writing without looking back until you’ve spent some considerable time at it. No one writes a perfect paper the first time, the magic is in the editorial process. And remember to have fun while you’re doing it, which can only help your progress.

Engineering

Students pursuing engineering degrees are in high demand, and are being recruited for green jobs. Engineering jobs usually pay extremely well and are for people interested in topics like determining how to make wind energy more efficient and designing solar panels. Engineering isn’t for everyone, however, because you will be loaded down with math and science classes.

Renewable Energy

Not all universities offer a Renewable Energy degree yet, so make sure to check if your school is among the few. Because the Renewable Energy degree is so new, the hire rate after graduation is extremely high because students are in great demand. It’s likely that you’ll take a wide variety of courses ranging from engineering to resource management.

Environmental Studies

This is a very popular degree when considering how to break into the green sector after graduation. Environmental Studies is a combination of the study of the environment with other physical sciences. Typically you will take courses to learn about working towards a more sustainable future globally and here in the United States. Courses might include waste management, environmental law, and many more.

Hydrology

As the global population continues to increase, water resources will become increasingly important. Getting a degree in Geology or Hydrology puts you in a good position to get a job monitoring and protecting current water resources. While Hydrology requires some math courses, you’ll be involved with many physical science courses as well.

What do you think- would you want a green sector job? What other majors might fall into the green sector category? Share your thoughts below!

1. This is no time for horseplay.
Although summer is typically a time for lying by the pool and goofing off with friends, you have work to do. Make sure you find a good balance between doing the summer activities you enjoy and putting your nose to the summer school grindstone.

2. Focus on succeeding.
If you’re retaking a class from the year, don’t get down on yourself. Put the past behind you and focus on doing the best you can this summer. Consider it a fresh start and be driven to succeed. Make lists, do the required reading, and study hard for exams.

3. Prepare for the heat.
Depending on where you are geographically, there’s a great chance that your classrooms are going to be uncomfortable in the summertime. Bring lots of water and wear loose fitting clothing to class. You don’t want to be sitting at your desk sweating and worrying about how hot it is the whole lecture every day, so be prepared ahead of time.

4. Open yourself up to meeting new people.
The crowd of students that takes summer classes will likely be different than people you’ve already met at classes during the year. Take the time to branch out and meet a new group of people on campus. Maybe you’ll meet students with different skillsets that you could form study groups with.

5. Build momentum for the fall.
You’ll probably be taking a lighter course load during the summer than you will during the rest of the year. Capitalize on this time by setting up good study habits and studying routines. By getting yourself into routines, you’ll be much more likely to succeed during the rest of the year as well. Set up a study schedule, get organized, and stay positive!

Do you have any additional summer school tips? Why are you taking summer school classes? Do you prefer summer school or your typical course load the rest of the year? Share your opinions below!

Look for a resume booster first.

Although there is nothing wrong with mowing lawns, babysitting, washing cars, or countless other summer employment opportunities, it’s always best to search for something to put on your resume first. If you’re a business major, check out businesses downtown that interest you and see if they are hiring summer interns. You’re not searching for a huge paycheck with this gig (although it’s great if you get one), you’re simply looking to boost your resume for a bigger paycheck later on.

Get out and look.

Cruise around your hometown and look for “Hiring” signs. Although the job market is tough right now, there are still plenty of businesses that need seasonal help. While there are usually listings online it’s always good to show your face at a business and request an application. You can even search businesses online to see if they’re hiring and then make an in-person appearance to request the application. Make sure you dress appropriately and are cordial with anyone who helps you- they might end up being your co-worker or boss!

Try your hand in the service industry.

It’s not always glamorous work, but being a server teaches great communication skills and it’s a job that can be done in any city. You’ll get paid in cash every night and if you work at a more upscale location you can rake in some great money. The only downside is that you’ll most likely be working nights and weekends, which means you might not get as much time with your friends. Finding a work-life balance though will ensure you have time to see your friends and make money too!

Network with friends and family.

Sometimes the saying is true that “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Ask around to friends and family to see if anyone has heard of any job openings. Someone might have heard something and be able to pass along the contact information for a summer job. You’ll never know unless you ask around!

It’s usually a good idea to start your summer job hunt early, but even if you’re just getting started now there’s a great chance you’ll find something. Be flexible, open to new challenges, and think positive. You’ll have yourself a new job in no time!

Already have a summer job? When did you start applying? How long did it take you to find summer employment? Share your experiences below!

Stay alert and listen to your intuition.

College is a very exciting time in your life and odds are in your favor that you won’t experience the types of senseless horrors pictured in the recent news. Even so, you should make sure to stay sharp and alert when it comes to your surroundings. No need to go overboard with detective work- just be cognizant of people you come into contact with and if something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to speak up to someone you trust.

Keep your valuables locked up.

This tip seems like a no-brainer, but every year there are thousands of items stolen from dorm rooms, off library tables, and out of back-packs. For example, even if you’re running to the bathroom in the library quick, make sure you leave your stuff with someone you trust, or just bring it with you. It’s great to think that people won’t touch stuff that’s not theirs, but some people can’t contain the urge when there’s a $1,500 laptop left unattended.

Make a plan.

When you were little, your parents might have taught you a plan for what to do if the house was on fire; the same concept applies for an emergency at school. It might feel silly to talk to your roommate or friends about this type of thing, but being prepared might save your life! If your residence hall doesn’t have one already, make a designated exit strategy and rendezvous location so that you know people are safe. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate plan, just talk openly about certain situations that might happen and what you and your friends would do about it.

Use the buddy system.

Robberies typically happen to single individuals as opposed to big groups. When you’re walking on campus at night make sure to walk in a group of people to decrease your risk of being targeted at all. Whether you’re a guy or girl, have strong or weak muscles, in a safe neighborhood or not, it’s always a good idea to have safety in numbers. If it’s not possible to walk in a group, feel free to take advantage of the campus escort service. Don’t be embarrassed- it’s a vital service that campuses offer and who wouldn’t want a free ride??

Hopefully these tips give you some ideas of things to keep in mind with all the tragedies occurring across the country. The biggest thing is to stay mindful and use common sense. If something feels wrong, it probably is.

Have you ever been in a bad situation? What did you do to get out of it? Have any additional safety tips to share? Leave your comments below!

You have survived the last minute cram sessions, the late night food runs, the roommate drama and everything in between. The end of the semester is nearly here and with it comes a monumental event in your lifetime. Sure, you’ve already had one graduation- but that was from high school. Graduating from college is a huge deal, especially in a world where tuition costs are rising at an alarming rate and not everyone has the chance to get a higher degree. Pat yourself on the back- you’ve almost made it to the finish line. People love a good opportunity to gather together, and a graduation party is a great chance to celebrate all of your accomplishments. Studymode.com has the tips you need to get your party planning off to a great start!

Pick a venue.

Much like weddings and family reunions, the saying “location, location, location” definitely applies. The venue for your party has a trickle down effect that can help you determine other factors like attire, food, number of guests, etc. Some great venue options could be a backyard, public park, college grounds, or even a rented space like a restaurant.

Decide on the menu.

Once you’ve picked a great space for your graduation party, decide what type of food you’re going to have. This is typically the most expensive portion of your party, so keep your budget in mind. Are you going to cater the food so that you don’t have to worry about the preparation? Having the party at a restaurant could be a happy medium, or you could make the food yourself and have a backyard barbeque!

Make a video montage.

Having a tribute video obviously isn’t necessary at your party and depending on the venue it might not even be feasible. You don’t have to have sappy background music and make it 20 minutes long, but you could totally include some highlights of your life so far. Maybe some baby pictures to get the group to “Awww” and then some additional photos to showcase your achievements. You might even find yourself getting nostalgic.

Invite your guests.

Depending on how formal your graduation party is you should sent e-vites or hand written invitations. If you’re having a casual backyard barbeque, you might get away with setting up an invitation on a social media site and inviting anyone who wants to stop by. More formal graduation parties require handwritten invitations sent out only to those invited so that people know what to expect. Have dinner reservations for 15 people? Probably best not to post an open invite on Facebook hoping that only 15 people show up.

Split the party with friends.

Because parties can quickly get pricey, it might be a good idea to have a combined party with several of your friends. Maybe you and your roommate want to split some of the party costs or you and several people could go in and rent a bigger venue to celebrate with all of your family members.

Whatever you end up doing, remember to soak in all the moments these next couple of months. Planning an event can be hectic, but keeping to a budget and spending some time thinking ahead will help everything go more smoothly. Until graduation, make sure to check back to Studymode.com for all your end-of-the-year assignments!

Have suggestions for party ideas? Share your thoughts and comments below!

Get reorganized.

Taking a vacation to a Caribbean destination has undoubtedly shifted your focus away from schoolwork and your remaining assignments. Now that Spring Break is over, however, you need to get yourself reorganized and ready to tackle the rest of the semester. Go over the syllabus for each of your courses and make sure you have all of your remaining tests and big assignments put in on a calendar. This will force you to remember all the work coming up and hopefully avoid any missed assignments.

Stay positive.

Breaks are always great for recharging and getting your brain back closer to equilibrium when it comes to stress. You’ve already made it through most of the year so don’t get down on yourself now. Keep a positive attitude even if you feel overwhelmed about all the studying you have left to do. Take the challenge head on and congratulate yourself when it’s all over in only a few short months.

Reevaluate your study schedule.

Coming back after Spring Break means that you’ll have a fresh start to get yourself on track for the rest of the semester. Reflect on how effective your study techniques have been for the earlier part of the year and determine what areas need improvement. Maybe you should try a quieter location? Maybe you need to explore study groups? Think about it some new options or keep up the good work if you already have a successful plan in place.

Take breaks to recharge.

You’ll be extremely busy for the rest of the year trying to finish all of your assignments. Make sure you schedule in some fun time too! The weather will be getting nice, so take advantage of it and head outdoors. Plan a hiking trip with friends or maybe just a break to grab ice cream in-between study sessions.
Whatever you do, make the rest of this semester a success and keep hitting up Studymode.com for additional resources and tips.

Do you have any other suggestions for your fellow students on how to come back from Spring Break and be successful the rest of the semester? Share your thoughts or comments below!

Like any other student who has gotten one of these painfully blunt letters in the mail, you spend the next several hours and days trying to figure out what the heck you did wrong. Was it your grades? Did you forget to spell check the application? No matter how many times your parents tell you that “it’s probably for the best,” your dreams were just crushed and you’re not hearing it. Here are some tips to help you deal with your college rejection letter.

Scream, stomp your feet, and go wild.

The truth is, you’ve been rejected and rejection hurts. Pretending that it’s fine won’t dull the pain and it certainly won’t change the outcome. Take a deep breath, smash your head in your pillow and scream it out. Pound your fists, stomp your feet and do any other wild body movement that helps let out the aggression. Taking a long run or doing a hard workout will help release some of the tension as well. If you are a crier then you can certainly feel free to let it out that way too. Have your pity party for a while and allow yourself to process what just happened.

You aren’t alone.

Even though you’re feeling terrible, you should know that you definitely aren’t alone. It may feel like you’re the only one in the world to have your dreams crushed but there are tons of other students who have been rejected as well. There has to be comfort in knowing that there are plenty of other students going through what you are going through. Think about sharing the rejection letter with a few of your close friends and talk about their rejection letters. Misery loves company!

Pick up the pieces and focus on a new goal.
You probably have cycled through several aspirations in your life. Many kids say they want to be astronauts or maybe a circus clown. As a teen you might want to be an actor or maybe a doctor. The point is that dreams can change and they do change. Just because you didn’t get into your dream school doesn’t mean that it was the only place for you. Once you find a place that fits you will make it your own and come to love it even more. Get out there and dream even bigger.

Have confidence in yourself.

Although getting a rejection letter might seem like a glaring statement that “you’re not good enough,” you must realize that it isn’t the case. A college only has so many spots to offer- which means that if 100 students have the perfect grades and qualifications to get in, but there are only 75 spots, then 25 perfect candidates will be denied. There are an infinite number of great universities that would be thrilled to have your skills and talent. You want to go somewhere that appreciates what you have to offer! Keep your chin up and keep up the search. You’ll find where you were meant to go all along!

Have you received a rejection letter? How did you cope with it? Do you have any suggestions for students who have received rejection letters? Share your experiences below!

In his article for Huffington Post, Wyner agrees with President Obama and Senator Marco Rubio that economic recovery is a huge part of the solution to reversing a sagging American middle class.  It is a delicate balancing act between providing the opportunity for all citizens to have access to affordable training and higher education and cranking out graduates to fill gaps in the job market. Wyner cites research that indicates there are approximately two million jobs available in the United States that are currently vacant because Americans don’t have the required skills necessary to fill the positions.

In order to fill these positions, colleges are going to have to shift existing funds from slouching programs and put it towards expanding programs which have proved to turn out critical thinking and technologically minded students prepared for the job market. Higher education reform might include taking a deeper look into the actual impact of having a college degree as opposed to simply how many students have enrolled. Below are some things to think about as you choose your own path in college and beyond.

What are your strengths?

Playing to your strengths is always a good bet. If you’re terrible at math and don’t enjoy it then there isn’t much point to making yourself miserable simply so that you can graduate from a program that produces award winning mathematicians.

Think about future destinations.

If you’re not sure what you want to major in but know for absolutely sure that you are dying to live in Denver, you should probably scope out the market and see what jobs are in demand. Taking a look at the job market in a city you want to live in will help your chances down the road.

When in doubt, think technology.

Although some people are still kicking and screaming their way into the technological age we live in, there’s little argument as to where the hot job market is. Having technology skills is a must for this day and age and there are plenty of jobs available to those who excel at it. Web design, code writing, SEO and social media analytics, mobile applications and more are good paying technology jobs currently in demand.

No matter what degree you decide to major in, make sure you’re doing something you love. The whole point of this article is to tell you that it doesn’t hurt to spend extra time making sure you’re able to find a job doing what you love!

When did you decide what degree to major in? Was it a difficult decision? What can colleges do to help students fill gaps in the job market? Share your thoughts below!

“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

“Whatever you are, be a good one.”

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”

“Every man’s happiness is his own responsibility.”

In many of Abraham Lincoln’s quotes, he speaks of believing in your own capabilities, being true to your word and living up to expectations. As you continue through your journey as a student, keep in mind some of Abraham Lincoln’s principles that speak to you and try to apply them in our own life!

What are your thoughts? Which of the quotes is your favorite or do you have one that isn’t listed? Share your comments in the box below!!