Many times, simply reading your own words aloud helps you correct mistakes you might have overlooked. You'll be able to notice where you've used words that are grammatically incorrect or overly formal language.  Reading out loud will also help you hear sentences that are unclear, confusing or awkward. If you're using this statement for multiple programs, reread to make sure that your statement is effective for each program. You will probably need to tweak the statement somewhat for each program. " The best personal statements have emotional power, as well as practical life application. Read your statement to yourself, and imagine asking the question, "So what?" at the conclusion. If you don't feel you have a clear answer to this question, keep working until you do.  The question may lead you into a deeper understanding of the reason you chose the way of writing your personal statement as you did. Most schools want to know not only about your personal experiences, but how those experiences have changed you as a person. This information won't be found in the beginning of your personal statement. Once you've completed your personal statement, reread the start. Make sure that start of your statement has a kernel of the way your statement will end. The best reader will be someone who knows you well, but who is also able to consider what the school might want to hear. Allow the reader to offer their honest feedback. Her criticism will help you learn, even if you disagree with it.  Be specific when asking for feedback. If all you want is someone to check your spelling and grammar, let your reader know this. Ask your reader to tell you what your central message was in your personal statement. If your reader isn't sure, your statement isn't clear enough.

Summary: Read your statement aloud. Ask yourself, "So what? Ask someone else to read your statement.


Fill a large stockpot with 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, then sit the steamer basket inside.  The steamer basket should not touch the boiling water directly. After reducing the heat, the water should remain at a simmer. Cover the pot with its lid to prevent the water from evaporating as you prepare the cake batter. Coat an 8-inch (20-cm) round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or shortening. Lightly flour the bottom and sides of the pan, as well. Alternatively, you can coat the sides of the pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium to high speed for several minutes, or until the mixture is light and creamy. Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, beating after each addition.  Make sure that each egg is thoroughly beaten into the mixture after each addition. If you're using small eggs instead of large eggs, you'll need to use three instead of two. Add one-third of the flour to the batter and beat until combined. Add half of the milk afterward, beating again until evenly combined. Repeat this procedure with the remaining flour and milk. Add one-third of the flour and mix it in, followed by the remaining milk. Finish by mixing in the last third of the flour. Drizzle the vanilla extract over the batter. Beat on medium to high speed until incorporated. Pour one-fourth of the batter into a separate small bowl. Set aside the remaining three-fourths for now. The smaller portion of batter will be flavored with cocoa powder and the larger portion will remain vanilla flavored. Sprinkle the cocoa powder into the smaller batch of batter. Mix well by hand or with an electric mixer set to low speed. Pour the vanilla batter into the greased pan, then drizzle the chocolate batter on top. Use a knife to carefully swirl the two batters together without mixing them. This act will create the marbled effect. Tightly cover the top of the cake pan with aluminum foil. Fold the foil under the bottom of the pan to hold it down. The top of the pan must be covered tightly. Otherwise, excess moisture from inside the steamer can get into the batter and ruin the results. Place the cake pan in the center of the preheated steam rack. Cover the steamer and cook the cake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Keep the steamer over medium heat and avoid lifting the lid as the cake cooks. Each time you lift the lid, some of the heat escapes, which may cause an increase in the overall cooking time. Remove the finished cake from the steamer and let it cool in its pan before turning it out onto a serving platter. Decorate as desired and enjoy.

Summary: Set up the steamer. Grease the baking pan. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs. Rotate the flour and milk. Mix in the vanilla. Separate the batter. Add the cocoa powder to the small batch. Combine the batters in the prepared pan. Cover the pan. Steam for 30 to 45 minutes. Cool before serving.


If you assemble the pieces at random, the puzzle will usually be unsolvable. Reassemble it in a solved position instead, starting with four edge pieces of the same color. This first part is the most difficult:  Slide each edge piece into position around the matching central place. Hold them in place so they don't fall. If a piece won't go in, slide it on in a "wrong" position and twist it into place. Once the cross is made, carefully put the cube down, with the cross on the table surface. The four corner pieces on the bottom should snap on easily. They will help hold the other pieces in place, so it will be easier from here on out. Make sure all pieces are in the correct position. Push them firmly into place. You should now have one gap in the middle layer. Begin with a corner, which should attach easily, then build from it until you have two rows done. The edge pieces are easier to attach if you rotate the top layer so you can slot the edge piece in directly over the gap you left in the middle layer. Finish up with the final four pieces:  Attach the last piece in the middle layer. Attach the two remaining corner pieces in the top layer. Rotate the top layer at a 45º angle to the others. Attach the final piece. The cube can feel stiff at first after adding lubricant, but after a few minutes of working it in, you should notice faster, smoother turns. If you adjusted the screws, it can take a couple hours of use to break in the cube and check whether the tension is where you want it. If lubricating made your cube stiffer and the problem doesn't go away within a couple days, you probably used too much lubricant. Disassemble the cube and wipe off the excess.
Summary: Make a cross of a single color. Complete the bottom layer. Attach three pieces in the middle layer. Build two rows of the top layer. Complete the cube. Scramble the cube for a while.