Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Have a conversation with your parents at least once a week. Keep them up-to-date when you are out of the house. Stick to the subject. Be honest.

Answer: Parents like to know what is going on in their kid’s life. They like to hear about school, friends, weekend plans, and other topics. Once or twice a week, sit down with your mom or dad after dinner or breakfast to catch up. Talking to your parents will help them feel more connected to you. This will help build a trusting relationship between you and your parents. While you are out and about with your friends, call or text your parents periodically. Let them know where you are and what you are doing, especially if your plans change. Additionally, make sure to let them know if you won’t be able to make it home at the time you said you would be. For example, if you are at the mall with your friends and they want to go see a movie instead, text your mom or dad to see if that is ok before you head to the movies with your friends. If you find yourself having a conversation you do not want to have with your parents, avoid bringing up irrelevant issues to change the subject. Changing the subject seems like you are trying to hide something. If you don’t want to talk about something at the moment, ask if you can talk about it at a later time. Say, for example, “I know you guys want to talk about this right now, but I don’t feel like it. Can we talk about it later?” At times being honest can be hard, especially if it means you will not get your way. By being honest from the start, however, you can build a trusting relationship with your parents. Your parents will be less likely to question your motives in the future.  For example, if your parents ask you who you are meeting at the mall, tell them the names of all the people to your knowledge. If your parents want to know if the opposite sex will be at a party, let them know they will be, but that a parent will be chaperoning the event.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Engage a person or group of people in a conversation. Make it clear that you and your friend are not dating, if applicable. Steer the conversation towards something that your friend likes. Bring your friend away from the person, if necessary. Introduce your friend to the person you found for them.

Answer: Go up to a group of people and start a conversation. Try not to be self-conscious; stand up straight, speak clearly, and introduce yourself. Let your friend introduce himself or herself, too.  You could try saying something like, “What did you guys order? We’re still deciding!” Or, “How do you guys know the host? We were in her sorority in college!” Misunderstandings are common, especially with people you’ve just met, so make it clear that you are your friend aren’t together. If it’s easier, you can even mention that you’re taken by someone else.  For example, if someone asks if you’re dating, you could say, “Well, I’m taken by someone else, but my friend here is still single!” Or, you could slyly slip your significant other into the conversation: “My boyfriend doesn’t like this bar, but Joe here knows that they have the best craft beer!” When you’re talking to the person you want your friend to meet, steer the conversation in a direction where you know your friend can contribute. Talk to the person for a few minutes to get a sense of what they’re like. Do you think your friend would like them? Do they have a lot to talk about?  For example, if the person you're talking to loves water sports, you could say something like, "Oh, no way! My friend Mary loves to water ski." You could also say something like, "Oh, you're a Red Sox fan? So is Sue! We just went to a game the other weekend." If they don’t have a lot to talk about, or if you get a weird vibe from the person, take your friend to use the restroom or to get another drink. There’s no point in introducing them if you don’t think they would get along. Draw your friend and the person closer together in conversation. If you’ve steered the conversation towards travel, ask the person about where he’s travelled and then mention your friend’s recent travels.  Make the conversation about your friend, not you. You should be able to fade into the background of the conversation and let them keep talking.  You should think of a couple really funny stories beforehand that paint your friend in a good light. If the conversation becomes relevant, bring these stories up to talk up your friend.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Expand your statement if it's too short. Trim down your statement if it's too long. Read your personal statement aloud. Ask for constructive criticism. Proofread at least twice prior to submission.

Answer: Your first draft can be as long or short as you need it to be, but many institutions and organizations have a word count or page count limits on personal statements.  If your statement is not long enough, you have space to add more supporting information.  When expanding your personal statement, look for ways to elaborate on the information you already have. Include more specific detail to create a fuller picture. Alternatively, you could introduce another point that contributes to your overall statement purpose. While it's not advisable to submit a statement that's too short, you also shouldn't add information just for the sake of having it. If your statement is a paragraph short of a full page but covers all your relevant information, you don't need to expand it. Avoid telling the reader why something is important to you. Instead, explain what you've done to show and develop the skill. When trimming your personal statement down, scan the essay for any parts that do not directly address your point. You should also cut points that only serve to provide background information.  You may also consider reducing your number of main points if one point does not seem especially significant. Unlike a short statement, a long statement can't be left long. Many application programs won't allow you to press the submit button until your statement is the correct length. That means that if your statement is too long, it needs to be cut down. Reading the piece out loud will give you a more accurate idea of how it sounds. As you read, listen for errors or clunky wording. You should also note any sentences that seem out of place or awkward. While listening to your statement, ask yourself if it sounds like your natural voice. If you were describing these things in person, would the way you speak sound like what you wrote? Ask at least 3 people you trust, such as a professor, your business partner, or someone successful in your field, to read over your statement and make suggestions for improvements. Different sets of eyes may offer a more objective analysis regarding your statement's strengths and weaknesses.  Accept constructive criticism graciously and try not to take anything personally. When asking for constructive criticism, first go to professional sources like a high school teacher, a university professor, an internship supervisor, an academic adviser, or a trustworthy colleague. After your professional sources have been exhausted, ask friends and family for their thoughts. They may offer great insight regarding the “every-man” opinion, since not all your readers may be familiar with your program or industry. It's common to receive conflicting feedback. Think about each of their perspectives to see what may have influenced what they told you. If their experiences don't match your goals, consider if their advice is worth taking. Once you feel satisfied with the content of your personal statement, proofread it once for basic spelling and grammar errors. Then, set your statement aside for 3-4 days, and take a look at it again with fresh eyes. You may catch some errors you didn't find during your first read. Once you fix these problems, your personal statement is ready to submit.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Aim to do what you love. Be specific about what you want to change or improve. Make a list of the steps you need to take to make your goals a reality. Never stop learning. Work above your pay grade. Be patient and appreciate the journey, not the destination.

Answer:
Work should be an extension of who you are, not a chore you slog through every day. Finding your passion is not always easy, but that doesn't make it any less worth doing. This needs to be one of the guiding principles of your life if you want to make it better-- you only have one life to live, so spend it doing things you love.  Make a list of your favorite activities. What is most important to you in life, friends, family, fulfillment, a good job? Plan around these important causes. While everyone has to do things "just to survive," these jobs will be easier to get through if you are also working towards a long-term dream. Make a list of tangible, real goals and commit to achieving them. This gives you milestones to reach for and makes bettering your life an attainable adventure, not a series of confused stabs in the dark. Goals can be big, like running your own company, or small, like exercising every day. Just make sure you know what you want to change before you start changing. Once you have goals it's time to make them a reality, one small step at a time. Draft a list of the things you need to do to make your dreams come true. For example, if you want to be a TV show writer, you might:  Learn how to write scripts. Write and edit your first TV pilot. Submit your pilot to contests and fellowships. Move to LA to learn the industry. Keep writing new pilots until one gets picked up. The only way to improve is to learn, so find time to teach yourself something new every day. Be humble enough to ask for advice or guidance from friends and experts as you grow as a person and a professional.  Read/watch the news daily. Read a book. Learn a new word. Anything that makes you smarter than the day before is something to be proud of.  Even people happy with their jobs can benefit from continued education, as it makes you a better person with more insight and wisdom. Consider night school or online classes if you want to change careers but can't afford to quit work just yet. Listen more, talk less. You'll be surprised what people have to offer you. Work for the job you want, not the one you have. When your Manager/Boss realizes that you are eager to learn, you will move up the ladder in no time. Do the best you can on any project or assignment you are given and be willing to help your coworkers when they need a hand. If you exude positive, hardworking vibes, someone will eventually notice. Crafting a happy, fulfilling future does not take place overnight. Some experts have estimated that it takes 10,000 hours to reach true mastery in any subject, which means you have to work hard to reach the future you want. But if you are truly happy doing something, the work required to get there should not feel like a chore.  Focus on your goals and the steps needed to reach them. Celebrate little milestones on your way to your better future life. Know that setbacks happen, but handling them positively will bring your closer to your goals.