College students have to take on lots of reading and memorization, and sometimes, it’s just too much to handle. So how do you manage to read everything you need to AND remember it all? Just try out these 52 tips and you’ll be in much better shape when test time rolls around.

Read Faster

Put these tips to work to boost your reading speed.

1. Don’t read aloud: Stay away from vocalization or subvocalization, which will dramatically reduce your reading speed.
2. Skip around: Don’t be afraid to skip paragraphs and words that aren’t important.
3. Give yourself less time: Push yourself to reduce the time you take to read blocks of information, and you’ll get better at it.
4. Use your hands: Move your hand down the page as you read, keeping a constant motion.
5. Stop fidgeting: Nervous habits can reduce your concentration.
6. Don’t pause for periods and commas: Read all the way through periods and commas.
7. Use a pointer: Run a pointer along lines as you read to force your eyes to follow the tip of your pointer.
8. Pay attention: Read as if it really matters-don’t read in a passive, inattentive way.
9. Build your vocabulary: The more words you know, the faster you’ll be able to read.
10. Read in chunks of words: Do your best not to spend much time on each word, rather reading in phrases of multiple words.
11. Continually ask questions: Stay focused by asking yourself questions frequently.
12. Don’t reread: Rereading text you’ve already been over will disrupt your brain’s flow.
13. Change reading speeds: Depending on the difficulty and content, speed up or slow down your reading.
14. Practice reading: In practice reading, you’ll read much faster than you actually do, just to see the text faster and train your brain.
15. Avoid reading unnecessary items: If you really don’t need to read that joke email, avoid it and save your reading time for what matters.
16. Hop around the text: Bounce your hand across the page multiple times per line to skim text.
17. Use an index card: Cover the page with an index card under the line you’re reading to improve your focus.
18. Hang a do not disturb sign: Keep distractions away by making it clear you shouldn’t be bothered.
19. Cut out distractions: Don’t watch TV or sit in a noisy room when you’re trying to read.
20. Skim: Before and after reading, skim the text to get an introduction to the topic as well as find key points.
21. Keep a notepad: Write down distracting questions or thoughts to deal with later so that you can keep going on the text at hand.
22. Take a break: If you find yourself losing focus, take a few minutes to stop reading and get back to it with your full attention.
23. Sweep the page: Use the sweep method to sweep your hand across each line as you read it.
24. Be motivated: Think about why it’s important for you to be reading what you are, and you will be more focused and alert.
25. Read throughout the day: Fit reading into tiny chunks of your day.

Remember More

Follow these tips, and it will be easy for you to remember more.

26. Pay attention: Commit yourself to learning the material at hand-you’ll give yourself a much better chance of remembering it if you actually learn it in the first place.
27. Eat less: Reducing your calorie intake can help boost your cognitive ability and memory.
28. Break things into small chunks: Study small, related chunks to optimize learning for your working memory.
29. Know and use your learning style: Tailor information to fit your learning style, whether it’s visual or auditory.
30. Visualize it: By visualizing concepts, you’ll be able to memorize them fast and recall them better.
31. Spread things out: Break learning up into separate sessions rather than marathons.
32. Be creative: If you want to remember your dreams better, become a more creative person.
33. Involve your senses: Use as many senses as possible to imprint information into your brain.
34. Build upon what you know: Whenever possible, combine new information with things you’re already familiar with.
35. Draw it: Draw items in a chart, diagram, or picture to cement them in your mind.
36. Learn to play a new musical instrument: Challenge your brain with a new mental skill to improve your memory.
37. Let go of easy information: Don’t force yourself to remember small things like appointments and tasks-use calendars, notepads and other tools to take a load off and focus on remembering what really matters.
38. Stay socially engaged: Social engagement can go a long way to keeping your brain and memory sharp.
39. Relate to the real world: Think about what you’re studying in a real life situation to make it more attainable.
40. Study before bed: Sleeping after learning can help you solidify memory.
41. Challenge your brain: Use puzzles and games to keep your brain active and improve its function.
42. Use something catchy: You can memorize faster with catchy puns and phrases.
43. Say it out loud: If you repeat something out loud from memory, you’ll be able to memorize it faster.
44. Don’t overdo it: Learn a lot in one small session instead of focusing on one thing for an extended period of time.
45. Repeat things: Repetition is the key to memory, so repeat things more.
46. Convince yourself you have a good memory: Don’t give up-commit yourself to improve your memory.
47. Always keep learning: Flex your brain’s muscles on a regular basis to keep your memory sharp.
48. Write it down: Writing things down won’t just leave you with a reminder for later, it will help you to reproduce the memory in your mind.
49. Stay motivated: Be motivated to improve your memory, and you’ll have a better chance.
50. Don’t cram: Stay away from cramming at the last minute, which can overwhelm your memory.
51. Exercise: Regular exercise can help you keep your brain sharp even as you age.
52. Learn a new language: Develop new mental skills that can spur the development of new nerve connections.

Unschooling is an alternative education system that supports natural, interest-led learning at home. Whether you want to learn more about unschooling for your own research or child rearing projects, network with other parents who unschool their kids, or adopt some of the alternative learning philosophies to augment your own formal education, check out these 50 eye-opening blogs.

General

To find out more about what unschooling really means, visit these blogs.

1. Life Without School: This community blog takes a look at unschooling culture while explaining the unschooling philosophy.
2. Just Enough, and Nothing More: Tammy Takahashi’s blog teaches the principles and effectiveness of "deschooling" on this blog.
3. Eclectic Parent: If you want a good example of how an unschooling lifestyle operates, check out Eclectic Parent.
4. The Expanding Life: Read this blog — which also features an unschooling carnival — for insights into the state of public education and how unschooling is a reliable alternative.
5. Joyfully Rejoicing: Check out this blog for questions and answers relating to the unschooling philosophy.
6. Christian Unschooling: Find out what unschooling from a Christian perspective means and how it might work for your family.
7. Do Life Right: Each post on this blog answers 20 questions about unschooling in different parts of the country.
8. I’m Unschooled. Yes, I Can Write: This unschooler is also a vegetarian and anarchist hippie, but you’ll find that the blog is full of helpful resources for understanding unschooling.
9. Challenging Assumptions with Wendy Priesnitz: Learn all about radical unschooling, natural parenting and green living from this blog.
10. Unschooler Mom: This unschooling mom discusses the challenges and experiences she and her young children face as untraditional learners.

Tips and Lessons

These blogs are great resources for finding practical information about unschooling, including lesson plans and guides.

11. An Unschooling Life: This blog is maintained by parents from New York who moved to Florida and adopted three children. Get unschooling videos and tips here.
12. Caffeinated Jive: Read this blog to follow one family’s transition to unschooling.
13. Sandra Dodd: Sandra Dodd posts lots of helpful resources and ideas while unschooling her kids in New Mexico.
14. Learning Life Through Unschooling: On this blog, you’ll discover ways to teach your kids about life by exploring the environment, going to museums, doing arts and crafts, and setting a good example.
15. Life Nurturing Education: Besides commenting on the unschooling philosophy, this Christian-centric blog also shares lesson ideas for math, civics, history and more.
16. Ramblings of an Unschooling Family: Find out what unschoolers really do at home all day.
17. Think!: Teach your kids to think outside of the box by incorporating these projects into their unschooling experience.
18. Memoirs of an Unschooling Teacher: This unschooling mom taught in a conventional school for just one year before making the switch.
19. Thinking Sticks: Playing With Ideas: Learn ways to teach religion, history, philosophy science, music, art and more from an unschooling perspective.
20. Plaza Creativa: This mom shares her experiences as a relatively new unschooler.
21. Mom is Teaching: Get practical, valuable tips for keeping your kids focused and entertained as they learn at home.

Homeschooling

There are many types of homeschooling environments, and these bloggers share their less structured homeschooling experiences.

22. Throwing Marshmallows: This liberal homeschooling mom writes about all the activities she and her two boys do for the sake of hands-on learning.
23. Grueling Homeschooling: By reading this blog, you’ll find that "sanity is overrated" as a mother homeschools all 12 of her children.
24. Yarns of the Heart: Learn about homeschooling and interest-led learning from a mom who has raised and educated three kids.
25. Atypical homeschool: Ron and Andrea Rennick aren’t your typical homeschoolers, and they’re on a mission to change the stereotype.
26. Mrs. Hannigan’s Home for Girls: This homeschooling mom teaches her girls at home and blogs about the joys and challenges of her unique education philosophy.
27. Tales of the Green-Eyed Girl: Twelve-year-old Olivia from Maine writes about her exciting life as an unschooler.
28. Why Homeschool: Here you’ll learn about the benefits and structure of homeschooling.
29. The Homeschooling Blog: The Homeschooling Blog includes lesson plans, homeschooling news and trends, tips for socializing your kids, and a lot more.
30. Time4Learning: On this blog, you’ll find homeschool lesson plans for Pre-K through 8th grade.
31. SHEAF’s Homeschool Blog: This Catholic family uses interest-led, experiential learning systems to teach their kids.

Collaborative and Natural Learning

These community-focused and learning-by-living blogs share great tips and stories.

32. Apple Star: This blog features lengthy, informative posts about collaborative learning, learning disorders, literacy, and more.
33. Radical Unschoolers Network: This community and blog features threads, posts and more resources about radical unschooling.
34. Organic Learning: This family of five shares their learning experiences with the world through the blog Organic Learning.
35. Once Upon a Photobooth: This blogger is a member of the Radical Unschoolers Network and writes about activist projects, teaching her two sons at home, and more.
36. Learning All the Time (Daily Experiences): Other unschooling parents will appreciate the posts on this blog, which comment on all the little ideas and activities that make the natural parenting and learning philosophy great.
37. Learning through Living: Stephanie and her husband are raising their four kids by adhering to a natural learning lifestyle.
38. Spiral Pathways: "earthmama" is a yogi who writes about homeschooling and living a green life.
39. Learning in Freedom: If you want to learn how kids learn naturally, check out Ren Allen’s blog.
40. Laura Nicole Garbers: Laura Nicole Garbers is a writer and career coach whose blog often focuses on unschooling practices and theory.

Untraditional Families

Some unschooling families take their choice not to conform to the next level by living on the road, in the mountains, and according to their own rules.

41. Snavley Freebirds: This family of five travels and learns together without conforming to society’s small "boxes."
42. An Untraditional Home: Dad is a web geek, mom is an artist, and with their kids, they play, learn and worship at home.
43. Loving, Living Learning: This unschooling family lives a life full of love, laughter and learning in an untraditional way.
44. Three Plus Two: This blogger has three kids whom she likes to feature in blog posts about creative learning and living.
45. Perpetual Joy: Discover ways to teach your young children by following this blog about young Kathrynn’s education.
46. The Sparkling Martins: The Martins are a large family who are passionate about radical unschooling.
47. Wistful Wanderlust: Read about unschooling in Cornfield Country from a young mom who also doubles as a guest speaker.
48. Moo said the mama: Moo said the mama is a blog about "an unschooling, urban homesteading, organic gardening, homebirthing, attachment parenting, eclectic, crafting & sewing, frugal living family."
49. Wendt Family Journey: This Christian family, including two boys, lives on the road and learns as they go.
50. On Bradstreet: This Pagan treehugger and mother of two teaches her kids according to a green, sustainable learning and living style.

College is full of invaluable opportunities for self exploration, professional development, networking, intellectual stimulation and social experimentation, but is it really necessary? These 10 CEOs found wealth, fame and success with very minimal college education, if any. Here you can read about CEOs and billionaires who have influenced media, the arts, education, the oil business, technology and more without a formal education.

1. David Oreck: Oreck Corporation CEO David Oreck founded his vacuum cleaner and air purifier company in 1963. Today, products like the Oreck XL Upright Vacuums, Canister Vacuum Cleaners and Cordless Zip Vac are top sellers, and David Oreck is in a position to donate money to museums and schools in Colorado and Louisiana. But despite his modern day success, Oreck never went to college and built up his company by working his way up the old-fashioned way. Born near Duluth, MN, in 1923, Oreck was fascinated with engines, electronics and engineering. He joined the Air Force during WWII, and when he returned, he worked for RCA as a wholesale distributor. Oreck stayed with the company for 17 years before coming up with the idea to start his own company.
2. Richard Branson: English businessman Richard Branson was estimated to have a net worth of $4.4 billion in 2008 by Forbes.com, and he is best known for his Virgin business empire. Virgin Records was started in 1970, but since then, Branson has expanded to include airlines, global warming projects, media, comics, and more. Branson grew up in South London and struggled with dyslexia in school until he was 17. He never attended college, but he does have an honorary Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University.
3. Andrew Carnegie: Andrew Carnegie is still known as one of the most famously successful benefactors, businessmen, and industrialists in American history. Carnegie, who was born in 1835, founded the Carnegie Steel Company and ultimately dominated the U.S. steel market with Federal Steel and U.S. Steel. Carnegie accumulated a massive fortune, most of which he donated or used to form endowments, museums and universities like Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Despite his immortalized fame and success, Carnegie started from humble beginnings in Dunfermline, Scotland. The family moved to Pennsylvania in 1848, where Carnegie immediately had to begin working to help his family survive and pay off debts. A local colonel helped educate young working boys in the area by allowing them to visit his huge library, which Carnegie valued.
4. John D. Rockefeller: Another American icon and business legend was John D. Rockefeller, who was born in 1839 and who is credited with implementing the modern standards for corporate business strategy, philanthropy and the oil industry. Rockefeller was born in Richford, NY, but moved with his family to Cleveland as a teenager. Rockefeller began working at 16 as an assistant bookkeeper, during which time he supposedly pledged to donate 10% of his money to charity when he retired. During the mid to late 1800s, Rockefeller entered into and then began to dominate the oil business through his company Standard Oil. Though his success was controversial, Rockefeller became one of the richest men in the country and was also known for donating money to his church and to other projects, including the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
5. Henry Ford: Henry Ford isn’t just known as the founder of the Ford Motor Co.; he’s also credited with establishing modern day assembly line operations and mass production systems. Born in 1863 near Detroit, MI, the innovative Ford grew up on a farm but ultimately left the country after his mother died. At just 16, Ford moved to Detroit and began working as an apprentice machinist. After returning to his home and gaining experience working with steam engines, Ford ran his own farm and sawmill. Nearly 10 years later, Ford turned to engineering and began experimenting with his own vehicles and gas engines. He founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903.
6. Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, Inc. and former CEO of Pixar Animation Studios is worshipped by techies and everyday computer users alike. Even though he is regarded as one of the most innovative minds in the country, Jobs barely attended college. He dropped out of Reed College after just one semester, though he continued to audit calligraphy classes.
7. Walt Disney: Walt Disney founder Walter Elias Disney created one of the most beloved, iconic and successful entertainment enterprises in the world and donated a significant percentage of his fortune to charities. Disney, who personally created Mickey Mouse, attended McKinley High School and the Chicago Art Institute as a teenager in Chicago. He dropped out of school, however, to join the Red Cross for which he drove an ambulance in France during WWI. After the war, Disney designed ads for movie houses, newspapers and magazines, and in 1920, he formed his first company, the Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists company.
8. John Paul DeJoria: John Paul DeJoria has an incredibly inspiring story that has led him to become a billionaire entrepreneur and the co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems hair care products. DeJoria was born in 1944 in Los Angeles and was raised in a foster home. He was in a gang in high school but joined the Navy for two years after graduating. After the Navy, DeJoria worked at odd jobs, including at Redken Laboratories, until founding the John Paul Mitchell Systems with Paul Mitchell in 1980. In 2008, Forbes.com estimated DeJoria’s net worth at $3.5 billion.
9. Barry Diller: Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of IAC/InterActivCorp and co-founder of Fox Broadcasting Company and USA Broadcasting is one of the most influential figures in media and business and is married to fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, an extremely powerful figure in the fashion industry. Diller was born in San Francisco in 1942, and though he technically started UCLA, he dropped out after only one semester. He began his career in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency, and a few years later began working for ABC. In the 1970s and 1980s, Diller served as CEO of Paramount Pictures, and in 1984 became the CEO of Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox.
10. Bill Gates: Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, is one of the richest men in the entire world and a powerfully innovative entrepreneur. Gates founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975, though the company didn’t reach its full potential until years later. Gates was born in Seattle in 1955, and although he was a gifted student and scored a 1590 out of 1600 on his SATs, he dropped out of Harvard soon after enrolling.

Choosing a college, completing the application process, writing essays and waiting around to hear if you’re accepted or not can be a truly stressful and time consuming process that usually requires a plan of action years in advance. Many students have numerous questions, things they’re unsure about and limited guidance to get them through the process successfully. Fortunately, the internet can be a great resource for prospective college students looking for help. Here are 100 cheat sheets and informational guides to make finding and getting into the college of your dreams a little less complicated.

General

These sites will take you through multiple aspects of college applications, often step-by-step.

1. The Daily Beast: College Admissions Cheat Sheet: Check out this site for articles on everything from getting into Ivy League schools to doing well on your SAT.
2. About.com College Admissions: Allan Grove, a college admissions officer, offers some great advice on the admissions process on this About.com site.
3. College Board: Apply to College: College Board provides expert advice on applying to college in sections about planning, finding, applying, and paying for college.
4. College Confidential: College Admissions: Find out the things you need to know most about applying for college on this site.
5. Accepted: College Admissions: This site provides expert information on writing applications, essays and more for undergraduate and graduate school.
6. College View: Application Process: Here you’ll find a 9-step list to guide you through the application process.
7. Go College: Submitting Your Application: From advice on test taking to finding the best school, this site takes an all around approach to advice on college admissions.

Choosing a College

Picking what colleges to apply to can be an important first step in the process. Here you’ll find a little help on everything from how to choose to how to gather information.

8. 8 Tips for Making the Most of a Campus Visit: Figure out what you should be looking for when you visit a college to ensure that you’ll feel at home if you get accepted.
9. When to Visit New: How to Schedule Your Campus Visits: Learn the best times to schedule campus visits to make sure you’ll get the most out of your trip.
10. College Decision-Making Guide: If you have gotten accepted, this guide can help you decide which school will be the best fit.
11. Top Ten Rules for Selecting a College or University: These tips will make it easier for you to decide what schools to apply to.
12. 10 Things You Should Consider When Choosing a College: Unsure of what factors might be essential when choosing a school? This list can help narrow it down.
13. Choosing a College That’s Right for You: Some colleges may look greaton paper but not be such a good match for you in reality. Check out this guide to find out how to choose a match that will make you happy.
14. Top Ten Reasons Not to Choose a College: Learn some reasons that aren’t good reasons to attend one school over another.
15. How to Decide Which College Is Right for You: Get some additional guidance in choosing a college from this how-to guide from eHow.
16. What to Look for in a College Visit: If you take the time to visit a college, make sure you’re getting all the info you need while you’re there by checking out these tips beforehand.
17. College: Deciding Where to Apply: Making the decision of where to apply can get a little easier with guidance from this site.
18. Meeting With College Admissions Staff: The admissions staff at the colleges you’re applying to can answer a lot of your questions. Here you’ll find out what you should be asking.
19. Questions for Your Visit: Don’t just wander aimlessly on your campus visit. This guide will give you some ideas of the questions you should be asking.
20. Selecting a College: A Checklist Approach: Go through this checklist to get assistance in choosing the perfect college.

Application Process

Check out these tips to help you find out what you should be doing to get those applications in on time and with all the important parts included.

21. To How Many Colleges Should I Apply?: Keep yourself from applying to too many or too few colleges by reading this article first.
22. Month-by-Month Senior Year College Application Timeline: This timeline can ensure that you stay on track throughout your entire application process.
23. Admissions Checklist: Make sure you’ve completed everything that you need to for your applications with this helpful checklist.
24. How to Apply to College Cheat Sheet: This cheat sheet is designed to make the whole application process a little easier for you or your parents.
25. The College Application Process: Learn about all the things that go into the application process here.
26. Working With Your Counselor During the Application Process: High school students can find helpful advice and guidance from school counselors and this guide offers some tips from getting the most out of this relationship.
27. Acing the College Application Process: Ensure you come out a winner in the application process by giving this article a read.
28. How to Apply to College: Get basic tips on the application process from this article at Suite101.
29. How to Get into College: About.com offers some great tips that can help increase your chances of getting into college here.
30. The Application: Simply titled, this article tells you what you need to know about the college application.

Essays

A great college essay can make or break your application. Get some tips on creating killer essays from these sites.

31. Choosing an Admissions Essay Topic: The first step to writing an essay is choosing a topic and this article can make that a little easier.
32. Dos and Don’ts of College Admissions Essays: Learn what you should and shouldn’t do when writing an essay with these helpful lists.
33. Selling Yourself to Colleges: Tips for Writing Winning Essays: Find out the best ways to market your skills and abilities to colleges with advice rom this site.
34. How to NOT Write a College Essay: There are some big mistakes in essay writing that may cost you your admission. Learn what to avoid in this article.
35. Writing the Successful College Application Essay: Make sure your essay makes you look great with a little help from Quint Careers.
36. College Application Essay Topics: Need a little help coming up with a good topic? This site gives some great suggestions.
37. College Essay Writing Tips: Follow these tips to construct a solid admissions essay.
38. How To Write A Personal Statement For College: If a personal statement is what is required for admittance, learn what you need to do to ensure it reflects your best abilities.
39. College Essay Skills: Beef up your essay writing skills with a little help from this informative article.
40. Your College Admissions Essay: Get Noticed!: Anyone can write a standard, boring admissions essay, but it takes a special essay to stand out. Learn how you can get a leg up with yours here.

Recommendations

Many colleges will require a few letters of recommendation for acceptance, and you can find advice on how to get them from these cheat sheets.

41. Recommendation Cheat Sheet: Follow this helpful cheat sheet to make getting letters of recommendation easier.
42. How to Approach Recommenders: Have someone in mind for a recommendation? Learn how to ask them for assistance in this guide.
43. Letters of Recommendation: The Basics: If you’ve never gotten a letter of recommendation before you can find out what it entails and how to handle it here.
44. Getting Letters of Recommendation: From finding the right person to ask, to asking in the right manner, this site can help you loads.
45. Letter of Recommendation Guide: Check out this guide to get a step-by-step method of getting the letters you need to apply.
46. How to Get Great Letters of Recommendation: You don’t want to just get bland letters but really great ones. This article is designed to help you make the most of your recommendations.
47. How to Ask Your Professor for a Letter of Recommendation via Email: If your teacher or professor is accessible by email, it might be an easy way to ask for help. This article will help ensure you do it the right way.
48. Letters of Recommendation: Whom to Ask and How: Take the mystery out of getting letters of recommendation with this guide from Cornell.
49. How to Choose References for a College Application: If you not only need letters of recommendation but also references you’ll find some great advice here on choosing the best ones.
50. How to Write a College Application Letter of Recommendation: Some recommenders might not have time to write you a letter and will allow you to write your own letter that they’ll approve. Learn what to include and how to write it from this guide.
51. Pre-College 101: Getting Your Reference Letter: This guide for college application newbies offers some great advice on getting letters of recommendation in a timely manner.

Testing

Ensure you ace your ACT or SAT by preparing ahead of time through these resources.

52. 20 Great Colleges for Students with Low SAT Scores: If you’ve already taken your test and you didn’t exactly ace it, learn what your options may be for colleges.
53. Put to the Test: Preparing for the SATs / ACTs: Get some valuable information on how to prepare for the ACT and SAT here.
54. What You Need to Know About Entrance Exams: This article will help you to learn what to expect when you show up for exams and how much they really matter.
55. The Facts on Taking the SATs & ACTs: This article promises to give you a rundown on the basics of taking these college exams.
56. Test Prep Review: This site is dedicated to helping students prepare to take these kinds of exams, so look over it while you’re studying.
57. Your Guide to the ACT: Check out this great guide to the ACT to learn what to expect and how to prepare.
58. Official SAT Guide: If the SAT is what your college requires, learn what you need to do to get ready from this site.
59. College Placement Sample Tests: Most colleges require students to take placement exams to see what general courses they’ll need to take. This site can provide some exams for practice.
60. College Entrance Exams: Preparing for the ACT & SAT: Here you’ll find some additional support and practical tips for getting ready to take your ACTs or SATs.

Interviews

Not all colleges require interviews, but if yours does you can find a little help here.

61. Interview Checklist: Before you head off to a college interview, go through this cheat sheet checklist.
62. College Interview Questions: Prep for your interview ahead of time by reviewing these common questions.
63. Acing Your College Interview: Learn what qualities will help you give a winning interview.
64. Preparing for a College Interview: Read this article to learn what you’ll need to do to be well-prepared for a college interview.
65. 10 College Interview Mistakes: Sometimes it’s more helpful to learn what not to do, so read up on common blunders here.
66. Should I Do an Optional College Interview?: If your college of choice gives you the option of interviewing and you’re not sure if you should, read this article to help weigh the pros and cons.
67. The College Interview: Learn the basics of what to expect at a college interview from this college-focused site.
68. College Interview FAQs: Here are some commonly asked questions that can help you know what a college interview will be like.
69. How To Prepare for a College Interview: Ensure you arrive at your interview prepped and ready-to-go by reading this article ahead of time.
70. The Personal Interview: Whether you’re applying for a job or for college, this article will give you some tips on giving a wonderful personal interview.

Finances

Even if you don’t know if you’re accepted to college you’ll need to start applying for funding like scholarships and grants. Learn how the process works and how you can make the most of the resources out there to reduce college costs.

71. Scholarship Tips: Check out these helpful tips to learn some better ways to go about looking for scholarships.
72. Paying for College in a Tough Economy: Times are tough now for almost everyone and many people don’t have the cash to pay for college outright. Learn what your other options are here.
73. Getting Ready to Pay for College: Prepare yourself to take on the financial burden of a college education with this informative article.
74. How to Dress for a College Scholarship Interview: Some scholarships may require that you interview in order to get the award. Make you you look your sharpest by following this guide.
75. College Financial Aid Planning Tips: Find out your financial aid options and what you need to do to pursue them from this site.
76. Eight Steps To Winning A Scholarship: This step-by-step guide can be a big help in getting you scholarship funds.
77. An Insider’s Guide to Student Loans: If scholarships don’t cover all your costs, you may need a loan. Check out this guide to learn more.
78. 35 Scholarships Anyone Can Get: Think there are no scholarships that cater to your abilities? Think again, as this list proves there’s a scholarship for everyone.
79. How to Pay for College: Those who are unsure how they are going to fund a college education can get some advice on this site.
80. 8 Offbeat Ways to Pay for College: This guide will give you a few more creative ideas on how to foot those college tuition bills rather than just loans and scholarships.

Getting Accepted

Whether you’re waiting to find out or trying to decide where to go, these cheat sheets are designed to help you keep your sanity intact.

81. How to Get Off a Wait List: If you’ve been wait listed for a place at a college there may be something you can do as this article discusses.
82. The Six Most Common Blunders of College Applicants: Learn what not to do when you’re trying to get into school.
83. Can I Appeal a College Admissions Rejection?: Is no really no? Learn what you can do if you’ve been rejected from a school.
84. How College Admission Works: If you’re unsure how the whole admissions process functions, this guide can break it down for you.
85. In or Out: Inside College Admissions: This article from Time magazine details the waiting game and what you can expect for admissions.
86. My College Admissions Checklist: Have you done everything necessary for the admissions process? This checklist can help you find out if you’re missing any big things that can hurt your chances.
87. Waiting for College Acceptance Letters: Learn how to deal with the waiting game with a little help from this article.
88. How to get Accepted to College: Here you’ll find some great tips that can improve your chances of getting accepted.
89. Dealing with Acceptance or Rejection: Whether you’re in or out, this article can help you deal with the results of the application process.
90. You’ve Been Accepted: How to Choose?: With multiple acceptances, how do you decide where to go? This guide is designed to help you narrow down what really matters to you.

College Preparation

Before or after acceptance, these tips can help ease you into the college lifestyle.

91. Preparing for College: An Online Tutorial: Learn how you can prepare for attending college from what to bring to what to expect from courses on this site.
92. Pack It Up: What to Bring to College: Start packing your bags for college as soon as you get your acceptance letters. This guide will tell you what to bring.
93. A College Guide to Overcoming Homesickness: If you’re close to your family or have never been away from home for an extended period of time,you may be nervous about being homesick. Read this guide beforehand to give you some tips to make the transition easier.
94. Are You Ready for College? Alternatives for the Unsure: Are you sure college is right for you? It’s a big commitment in time and money, so if you have your doubts read this article first.
95. Online Accredited Degrees: Those who are hoping to work while attending school and are considering an online education can find some helpful advice here.
96. Getting Ready for College Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to get ready to head off to school. These tips will give you a head start on college prep.
97. What to Do Before Leaving for College: Many students are the first in their family to attend college and have no idea what to do to prepare. This guide can help make the process a little easier.
98. 8 Things to Do the Summer Before College: Prepare yourself the summer before you begin school by checking out this list.
99. Simple Tips to Surviving Senioritis and Getting Your Diploma: Getting through that final year of high school can be rough after you’ve already gotten accepted to college. This site can help you fight that senioritis and finish your education.
100. College Dorm Room Checklist: What to Bring to College: If you don’t know what you’ll need when you go to college this list can break it down to the essentials.

By Alisa Johnson

With all the glitz and glamour, it’s hard to remember that celebrities are just regular people, too. Before they were famous, they went to school, had part-time jobs, and possibly even had dreams besides stardom. And while certain celebrities decided to give up on those dreams once they made it big, others have continued to pursue worthwhile causes, educating themselves and proving their worth beyond their high profile images. These ten celebrities aren’t just good looking and talented, they’re also incredibly smart and driven.

1. Jenny McCarthy: Former Playboy model–she was Playmate of the Year in 1993–Jenny McCarthy dominated the B-list entertainment industry as the big-chested blonde with an irreverent sense of humor. Over the next ten years, McCarthy hosted Playboy TV’s Hot Rocks, MTV’s Singled Out, E! TV’s Party at the Palms and The Jenny McCarthy Show on MTV. She continued to pose for and work for Playboy, but in 2007, McCarthy became known more for her autism activism than her crude movie roles and modeling gigs. After her son Evan was diagnosed with autism in 2005, McCarthy became a highly visible advocate for autism awareness and often criticized childhood vaccinations for their alleged role in causing autism. McCarthy served as spokeswoman for Talk About Curing Autism in 2007 and 2008, has written a book on autism advocacy, Louder than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism, and contributes to FHM magazine.
2. George Clooney: George Clooney has been a celebrity since he started acting as Dr. Doug Ross on ER, but he belongs to a family of Hollywood royalty. His aunt was the legendary singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, who was married to Academy-Award winning actor Jose Ferrer. Over the years, however, Clooney developed from a TV star to a blockbuster movie star and sex symbol into a serious actor and director who has worked on award-winning projects like Good Night and Good Luck and Michael Clayton. Besides nurturing his career in the entertainment business, Clooney is well-known for his activism in bringing awareness to Darfur and other disadvantaged, war-torn regions in Africa. In January 2008, he was named by the United Nations as a Messenger of Peace and by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for his involvement in bringing awareness to Darfur. He has collaborated with writer and Nobel Prize-winner Elie Wiesel, his father Nick Clooney, fellow actor Don Cheadle, and others in various film and activism projects on behalf of the people in Darfur.
3. Ben Affleck: Another movie star-turned activist, Ben Affleck first became a real celebrity when he won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting. Though he took smaller roles in films before Good Will Hunting, after he shared the Oscar with Damon, Affleck was able to find work in more high-profile projects, like Armageddon and Pearl Harbor. In 2007, Affleck won praise for directing and co-writing the screenplay for Gone Baby Gone, which starred his younger brother Casey Affleck. In addition to his film career, Ben Affleck is a political and social activist who has campaigned for Al Gore, John Kerry and Barack Obama. He has even hinted that he may one day consider running for government office, and in 2008, Affleck began backing advocacy projects that seek to bring awareness to the humanitarian crisis in the Congo.
4. Brooke Shields: Brook Shields has been in the spotlight since she began modeling at 11 months old. As a young teenager, she appeared on the cover of French, Italian and American Vogue magazines, and in Calvin Klein ads. Shields’ most famous child role was as Emmeline Lestrange in The Blue Lagoon, and she was a People’s Choice Award winner four years in a row in the early 1980s. In 1983, Shields enrolled in Princeton University and graduated in 1987 with a degree in French Literature. Shields is still considered an in-demand actress and maintains a high profile presence in the entertainment industry.
5. Ashley Judd: Actress Ashley Judd suffered a dysfunctional childhood as she traveled around the country with her mother Naomi Judd and half-sister Wynona Judd, as they pursued their musical careers. Judd, however, eventually attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a degree in French and minors in Anthropology, Art History, Theater and Women’s Studies. Ashley Judd has appeared in movies like Ruby in Paradise, Natural Born Killers, and De-Lovely, for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. Today, Judd continues to act and is a strong supporter of women’s rights and animal rights.
6. Adam Sandler: Most Americans know Adam Sandler as the goofy SNL graduate who stars in comedies like Click, Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, and The Wedding Singer. His rambunctious style combines toilet humor and physical comedy, but Sandler has also demonstrated serious acting skills in films like Punch-Drunk Love and Reign Over Me. Sandler is also head of his own production company called Happy Madison Productions, which produced Joe Dirt, Little Nicky, The Master of Disguise, and more. In addition to enjoying huge commercial successes, Sandler also spent time as a serious performing student at New York University, graduating with a BFA in 1991.
7. Reese Witherspoon: Reese Witherspoon is one of the highest paid actresses in the entertainment industry, and is known as a do-it-all force who produces, acts and serves as a spokesperson for companies like Avon. She has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as June Carter Cash in Walk the Line. Before becoming a movie star, however, Witherspoon acted in films as a child, including The Man in the Moon, her first big role. After acting in other films and TV movies, Witherspoon attended Stanford University and majored in English literature before dropping out to pursue her movie career.
8. Angelina Jolie: When Angelina Jolie first became famous, she was known for her publicly sexual relationship with Billy Bob Thornton, penchant for knives and blood, and gothic appeal. When she won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted, her award was nearly overshadowed after she kissed her brother during the ceremony. Over the years, however, Jolie continued to receive critical praise and box office success for her movies, including the Lara Croft movies, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and A Mighty Heart. She has evolved to become a high profile advocate of various humanitarian causes and has been named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and received the first ever Citizen of the World Award from the United Nations Correspondents Association. As a Goodwill Ambassador, Jolie has traveled to Pakistan, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Sri Lanka, and has given speeches at the World Economic Forum, a National Press Club luncheon, and other events.
9. Claire Danes: As a teenage actress, Claire Danes was the poster child for 90s angst and one of the most influential and successful young actresses of the time. She attended the elite Dalton School in New York and later won a Golden Globe for her role in the TV series My So-Called Life, starred in Little Women, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and others. Danes is the granddaughter of the dean of the art and architecture school at Yale University, and for two years, Danes enrolled at Yale as a psychology student before dropping out to pursue her film career. She is still considered a thoughtful, intelligent actress who stars in successful films like Shopgirl and The Hours.
10. 
    Lily Cole: British model Lily Cole doesn’t fit the models-are-stupid stereotype. Cole graduated from the selective Latymer Upper School in London. As a teenager, she signed with the modeling agency Storm Models and has worked with top fashion professionals like photographer Steven Meisel and designers like Alexander McQueen. She has been the face for Rimmel, Tiffany & Co., and other brands, and has even appeared in a Marilyn Manson film called Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll, in which she plays Alice. She was also accepted into King’s College at Cambridge in 2007 and began studying art history there in 2008.

Breaking into the business and getting published is a completely different story than it was in the pre-Internet age. Now, writers have more opportunities but also face higher competition as websites pop up to let them promote work and make contacts. These 50 social sites, however, are some of the best for serious or aspiring writers who want to make their online presence count.

Professional Development

Develop your career by making professional contacts on these sites.

1. WriteWords: Here, writers can find jobs, join groups, learn about special events and more.
2. Media Bistro: Members of Media Bistro receive all kinds of helpful professional advice and connections, and the bulletin board community has tips and information about going back to school, pitching, legal advice, and more.
3. Tip’d: Learn how to manage your money and your writing career or business by logging on to this social media site.
4. MySpace: On MySpace, you can create a customized website for your services and brand for free.
5. LinkedIn: LinkedIn has a strong base of users intent on networking and building up their professional contacts.
6. Ryze: Ryze is a business networking site that may help you find a job, especially with technical writing.
7. Meetup: Use Meetup to find like-minded individuals, groups and professionals in your area who want to meet up in person.
8. Tribe: Tribe is another group-focused social media site that lets you find individuals with your interests and your goals.
9. Virb: Set up your own page to promote your work, unleash your creativity and meet other writers and artists.

Collaboration and Feedback

Here you’ll find writing partners for serious projects and for getting feedback from your drafts.

11. StoryMash: This "collaborative creative writing community" lets you earn money for chapters written on the advertisement-driven site.
12. Xomba: Network with other writers looking for online side projects and collaborative writing here.
13. Booksie: Poets and short story writers share their pieces on this site for networking, promotion and feedback.
14. AllPoetry: Post your poems on this site to start networking via groups, chats, forums and contests.
15. Storywrite: Enter contests, post your stories, keep your copyright, and join groups to meet other writers.
16. Critique Circle: Submit stories to have other members critique your work.
17. Writeboard: Writeboard is a shareable, web-based writing tool for collaborating, saving your drafts, and organizing pieces.
18. StartupNation: If you’re looking to build a business out of your writing, meet other entrepreneurs and search for a business partner here.
19. Xing: This professional networking site can be helpful when trying to find a partner.
20. Ning: Start your own social network for your group projects with Ning.

Marketing

Market your work and your brand on these sites.

21. 1000 Keyboards: This site allows writers to submit their work, collaborate, meet readers, and more.
22. Book Marketing Network: Here authors and publishers connect.
23. LibraryThing: LibraryThing lets writers and bookworms talk about their favorite books, join groups, and meet up locally.
24. The Web-Savvy Writer: Promote your book online with this community-driven site.

Forums and Message Boards

These forums and message boards provide inspiration, give tips for getting published, and introduce you to others in the industry.

25. Writing.com: Here you can find jobs and contests, and other announcements for writers.
26. PoetrySoup: Enter contests, meet other poets, and publish your work online.
27. Editred: On this site, writers can review each other’s work, jump on the forum, and promote their work and experience.
28. English Forums: Meet friends, share pictures and videos, and get grammar tips on this site.
29. FreelanceSwitch: Freelancers share job news, writing tips, business advice and more.
30. Writers Net: This community of writers, editors, agents and publishers actively posts about getting published and more.
31. Writer’s Beat: Get advice about finding inspiration, chat with other writers, learn new writing skills, and more.
32. Every Author: This literary community features blogs, a writers’ forum, books section, and plenty more inspiration.
33. The Artful Writer: Professional TV and film writers connect on this site to catch up on industry news and theory.

Promotion

Promote your work by bookmarking articles and more on these sites.

34. Twitter: Network, share your pieces, and promote your website or blog all day long on Twitter.
35. Digg: Make friends on Digg to vote for their articles and submit your own pages.
36. Facebook: Share your website, links to favorite articles, and services your Facebook profile or page.
37. delicious: Bookmark your web content, reviews and other material on delicious.
38. AuthorsDen.com: Readers and writers cross paths on this site designed to highlight new content.
39. Flickr: Show clients and friends that you’re not just about words: gain a following on Flickr by uploading inspiring pictures, albums from special events and networking parties, and more.
40. Coffeehouse for Writers: Join this online community to learn about job opportunities, practice your craft, and meet others.
41. Absolute Write: Gain access to writing tips, classes and other writing resources. This site also nurtures an online community of professionals and writers.
42. Google Groups: Organized your professional contacts by inviting them to your own Google Group.
43. Technorati: Register your blog on Technorati and then meet other bloggers and readers who can relate to your topic. It’s great for networking, marketing your writing services, and more.
44. hi5: hi5 is a social network for friends and colleagues. Send messages, play games, join groups and upload photos.
45. Jaiku: Jaiku is a microblogging site like Twitter that lets you build up a niche network.

Inspiration and Practice

These community sites provide a space for being creative and honing your craft.

47. Today’s Woman: Browse famous quotes, submit poems and stories, and more on this site for women writers.
48. Writer’s Digest: The community section on this site features a forum, Writer’s Block Party for networking and ranting, a critique station, and more.
49. Gather: Get ideas for stories and articles on this site, where individuals connect to talk about the real issues that matter to them.
50. Shared Reviews: Here you can practice writing reviews and commentary on virtually any subject. The site also lets you set up your profile and build your own community.

Even if you think you’re a pretty good student or have a good memory, your brain is begging you to work it to its full potential. Getting stuck in the same routine, never exercising and eating junk food are all brain killers that decrease good cognitive function and increase your chances of memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s. But with these 50 tips and ideas for flexing your brain power, you’ll be able to boost performance right now and in the future.

Daily Habits

Make a point to exercise, sleep on a regular schedule and socialize with friends and family each day for the sake of your brain.

1. Sleep right: Healthy sleeping habits, like getting enough sleep and sticking to a regular sleeping schedule, can promote brain health by improving your ability to focus and remember things. Get at least eight hours of sleep to ensure that you reach your REM cycle.
2. Exercise: Exercise boosts your mood by releasing endorphins, but it also stimulates oxygen intake and "increases levels of brain chemicals that encourage the growth of nerve cells" that help memory, according to the AARP.
3. Socialize with friends and family: Studies have shown that remaining socially active is very important in reducing your chances of dementia.
4. Do the daily crossword puzzle: Exercise your brain and maintain cognitive function by doing puzzles and brain teasers everyday.
5. Read: Read the newspaper, a magazine, books, and online material to keep your brain sharp and to challenge yourself to learn new words and information.
6. Keep stress in check: Stress affects memory and can also cause tension headaches, so remember to relax and unwind.
7. Do something new everyday: Whether it’s learning a phrase a day in a foreign language or reading a different kind of article in the newspaper, challenge your brain to explore a new topic.
8. Subscribe to online puzzles: Make it easy to do a puzzle or brain teaser a day by subscribing to an RSS feed.
9. Switch up your routine: Even small changes in your daily routine will help you stay sharp and introduce you to new elements and variables while you shop, garden, take a walk, or call a friend.
10. Eat right: A brain-healthy diet includes low-cholesterol and low-fat foods.

Brain Food

A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and even a little caffeine are what your brain needs for optimum performance.

11. Salmon: Cold-water, deep-water fish like salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and "which are essential for brain function," according to Dr. Ann Kulze and WebMD.
12. Baked and grilled items: The Alzheimer’s Association suggests baking and grilling food instead of frying it to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol intake, which can contribute to Alzheimer’s.
13. Kale and spinach: Darker skinned vegetables like kale and spinach have the highest levels of natural antioxidants.
14. Flax seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds: These seeds have high levels of Vitamin E, which reduces risk of cognitive decline as you age.
15. Nuts: Walnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds are excellent brain food because of their high concentration of vitamin E.
16. Canola oil and walnut oil: Cooking with canola oil and walnut oil is an easy way to balance your omega-3s and omega-6s, according to Psychology Today.
17. Beans: Eat beans to stabilize your blood sugar.
18. Coffee: According to a study reported by the BBC, "coffee may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body," due to its caffeine content.
19. Blueberries: Blueberries are a popular brain food because they reduce inflammation in the central nervous system and are an excellent source of antioxidants.
20. Whole grains: Whole grain bread, rice and oatmeal lower your risk of heart disease, which maintains healthy blood flow to the brain. WebMD reports that whole grains also contain vitamin E, fiber and omega-3s.
21. Avocado: Avocados are rich in monosaturated fat, which promote blood flow. They’re also an incredible source of dietary fiber, vitamins B6, C and E, potassium, magnesium and folate.
22. Green tea: Green tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols, which help prevent cancer and "may help maintain positive mood states and protect against Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders," reports Psychology Today.
23. Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and caffeine, which protect the brain and improve your mood.
24. Eggs: Eggs in moderation can increase your intake of omega-3s and choline, which improves memory.
25. Strawberries: Add strawberries to ice cream, yogurt or fiber-rich cereal for a bigger brain boost. They are rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C and potassium.
26. A moderate amount of carbs: Whole foods with carbohydrates give us needed energy, but overdoing carb-laden foods can make you sleepy and sluggish.

Activities and Games

Keep your brain guessing by taking classes, switching up your activities, and trying new games that will form new connectors.

27. Change the way you tie your shoelaces: Try reversing the hands you use to tie your shoelaces to challenge your brain.
28. Change up your regular route: Switch up the drive to work or your regular evening walk to test your brain.
29. Travel: Traveling is supposed to keep your brain in top shape. Neanderthals are believed to have sharp brains because of their nomadic lifestyle, according to The Franklin Institute.
30. Take a dance class: Challenge your brain to learn new steps and follow along with the music while getting needed exercise.
31. Yoga: Yoga may help prevent or ease depression and anxiety.
32. Games for the Brain: Play Sudoku and brain puzzles, trivia games and strategy games to flex your brain muscles.
33. Concentration and memory games: This group of brain games tests your concentration, memory and matching skills.
34. Read a mystery novel: Pick up a challenging mystery novel that encourages you to solve the puzzle as you read along.
35. Babysit: Babysit your grandkids or your neighbors. You’ll be challenged to keep up with their fast pace and games that are probably new to you.
36. Concentration practice: Did you know that you can practice your concentration skills to improve brain function? Brain exercise through crossword puzzles and Sudoku can help.
37. Opencourseware: Take a free not-for-credit class online to learn something new, test out your technology skills and challenge your brain.

Things to Avoid

Smoking, junk food, and too much TV are all harmful to brain performance.

38. Smoking: The Alzheimer’s Association maintains that "smoking interferes with blood flow and oxygen to the brain and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke."
39. Getting overweight: Being overweight increases your chances of having a stroke, so exercise and eat a low-cholesterol, heart-healthy diet.
40. Junk food: Junk food is bad for your heart, your weight and your cholesterol, and it’s also bad for your brain. Foods that are high in trans fats "adversely affect cognition," according to LiveScience.com.
41. Too much TV: Too much TV doesn’t challenge your brain enough, keeps you from moving around and exercising, and can cause headaches.
42. Routine: Your brain can get in a rut just like your mood can, so play around with your routine to keep your brain guessing.
43. Too much alcohol: Besides impairing judgment and brain performance during drinking, consistently drinking too much alcohol may speed up the shrinkage of brain volume, leading to dementia and other disorders.
44. Starving yourself: Maintain your focus and avoid headaches, stress and irritation by refueling every few hours on healthy snacks, like nuts and fruit.

Miscellaneous

From managing your anger and stress levels to meditating, these simple tips will improve focus and keep your brain sharp for years to come.

45. Getting to the country: Moving to the country, or at least vacationing there once in a while, gives your brain a break from the chaos of urban life, which according to a study reported by Boston.com, "impairs our basic mental processes" and "dull[s] our thinking, sometimes dramatically so."
46. Anger management: By learning how to deal with problems, the AARP reports, your brain "forms new neural connections" and avoids stress.
47. Stimulate your senses: Try focusing on only one or two senses, like touch or sound to challenge your brain to make sense of what you feel or hear without help from your other senses.
48. Get a check up: Make sure your brain is in good shape and not at risk for any tumors or other conditions by scheduling regular doctor’s visits.
49. Notice more: Instead of focusing on what you’re doing only, open your eyes and notice your surroundings. The more you take in, the more your brain has to process.
50. Meditate: Clear your mind with meditation, which also reduces stress and helps you refocus on what’s important.