You will need a piece of paper, a writing utensil, and some colored pencils or markers. Pull out a few of the colored pencils or markers and assign meaning to a few of them. For instance, you may say that orange is for topics you need to research further, a green marker is for an essential point, purple is for counterarguments, and yellow is for supporting examples.  Lay out the colored markers or pencils to which you have assigned meaning. Orient your paper so that it is in landscape position. If you don't have colored pencils or markers, don't worry. You can still make a mind map with just a pen or pencil! This can be just a word or two, or it can be the thesis you have already decided on. If you are writing about disability advocacy, for example, you could either write "Disability" or you could write "Disability is a socially and environmentally imposed issue rather than an inherent physical reality." It just depends where you are in your thinking! Circle your topic. Start writing any words or ideas that relate to the topic at hand. Draw them each in their own bubble, then draw lines to connect them to the main idea and to each other using the colors that apply. You can draw your lines as arrows, branches, or whatever other shape seems relevant.  Each thing you write down may give you another association. Write that down as well. For instance, writing "Impairment vs. disability" might remind you of "wheelchair ramps." Try to cluster related thoughts together ("wheelchair ramps"—"access to public life"), but don't worry if it doesn't always happen—you can draw a line between things you wish to connect. Look for connections between your unrelated thoughts and jot them into the picture. If you would like to take a more organized approach, you can pre-map your ideas. You might draw several bubbles and label them "Who" "What" "Where" "When" "How" and "Why," for instance. Then fill them in. You might also label them "supporting argument," "evidence," "counterargument" etc. Work swiftly so that your associations keep flowing. Don't pause to illustrate or trace perfectly straight lines—instead, try to write and sketch quickly, at the speed of your associations.  Include doodles if they occur to you, but again, don't get caught up in making them perfect. Depending on your age and essay topic, you might want to focus more on drawing pictures than writing out words. Some people type faster than they draw, or think better if they can look at an already organized structure. If drawing by hand isn't doing it for you, you can try an online template instead. While there are plenty of programs available for purpose, you can also use free online mapping tools like Bubble.us, Mind42, or Coggle.

Summary: Set up your supplies. Write your topic in the center of the page. Write down your associations. Draw empty bubbles if you're stuck. Sketch, don't draw. Use an online template instead.


Mini orchids have fast-growing roots, and one of the main reasons you need to periodically repot your orchids is to provide the roots with plenty of room. The new pot only needs to be large enough to fit the roots; you do not need to choose a pot that is significantly larger to anticipate further root growth. Media with a base of moss and bark is superior to standard potting soil. For best results, let the drenched media sit for a full 24 hours so that it thoroughly absorbs the water. Snip off green spikes 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) above the top node. Trim yellow or brown spikes 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) above the bottom node. Gently grab the base of the orchid with one hand and the pot with your other. Tip the mini orchid to its side or upside-down, and slowly squeeze or rotate the sides of the pot until the clump of roots comes free. Media breaks down as time passes, and old, decomposed media is more likely to cause your orchid's roots to rot. As a result, you need to remove as much old media as possible. Dead roots with look brown and wilted. Healthy roots, on the other hand, are white or green and relatively firm. You only need a little, since the mini orchid's roots should fill the majority of the container. Hold the orchid up so that the base of the lowest leaf dips below the rim of the pot by 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters). Press down on the media gently to force it into the bottom and around the sides of the container. Periodically tap the side of the container to help settle it. Continue adding the media until the entire root system is covered, leaving the plant exposed from the bottom leaf up. Lift the plant up by the stem. If the pot starts to slip, you need to add more media to make the orchid more secure. Instead, sit it in a warm location and mist it with a little water each day. The leaves should stay dry at night.

Summary: Choose a slightly larger container than the one your orchid currently sits in. Look for a growing media that has large particles. Allow the growing media to soak in water. Trim the spikes. Carefully remove the mini orchid from its current container. Brush off any planting media stuck to the roots. Snip away dead roots. Scatter a little of the growing media into the bottom of your new container. Fit the mini orchid into its new container. Slowly pour the growing media around the mini orchid's roots. Check the sturdiness of your re-potted mini orchid. Refrain from watering your freshly potted orchid for the first 10 days.


on the day you have your appointment scheduled.  This works only on morning appointments. That way you might get snowed in and not be able to leave your house.

Summary: Pretend you are sick Go to a friend's house the night before your appointment or the day of, so you will not have to go to it. Drain the battery on your vehicle. Try to get your appointment scheduled during the winter if you frequently have snow in your area.


Grinding is a serious contributor to both clicking and pain in the jaw area. If you grind your teeth at night or while you work, consider getting a mouthguard. Your dentist can custom-fit one to your mouth, or you can get an inexpensive guard from many pharmacies and sporting goods stores. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, many pharmacies and drug stores sell mouthguards meant specifically for night time wear. Check these out, as they may be more comfortable for your sleeping hours. Habits like chewing pencils or biting your nails can irritate your jaw, contributing to TMJ clicking. Try finding new ways to occupy your hands or direct nervous energy, such as by using a stress ball. You could also consider getting metal mechanical pencils that are unpleasant to chew. Sometimes, you might not even notice that you’ve started to bite or chew. Ask a friend or coworker to let you know if they see you biting or chewing nervously. Crunchy foods including raw vegetables, chips, hard pretzels, and breakfast cereals can exacerbate jaw clicking. When possible, try to eat softer foods such as pastas, cooked vegetables, omelets, and soup. Excessively chewy foods like soft caramels can make jaw popping worse, too. Try to avoid overly chewy foods. Stress can lead to clenching or grinding your teeth, which can in turn cause or worsen jaw clicking. Try to adopt a personal stress relief program. Even small changes such as practicing deep breathing in a stressful situation can help reduce physical symptoms.  Try to take just 5 minutes a day to meditate. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and try to clear your mind. If you’re new to the practice, you may want to look up a guided meditation online to help take you through the process.  If you find a certain situation at school or work is particularly stressful, excuse yourself for a moment. Walk into a calm area, and take a few deep breaths before going back in. Taking a quick walk during your lunch break or once you get home for the day can be a great way to relieve daily stress.
Summary: Wear a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding. Try to stop nervous biting and chewing. Eat softer foods instead of crunchy ones. Work to reduce stress in your daily life.