Curiosity is the engine of intellectual achievement — it’s what drives us to keep learning, keep trying, and keep pushing forward. But how does one generate curiosity, in oneself or others? George Loewenstein, a professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, proposed an answer in the classic 1994 paper, “The Psychology of Curiosity.”

Curiosity arises, Loewenstein wrote, “When attention becomes focused on a gap in one’s knowledge. Such information gaps produce the feeling of deprivation labeled curiosity. The curious individual is motivated to obtain the missing information to reduce or eliminate the feeling of deprivation.” Loewenstein’s theory helps explain why curiosity is such a potent motivator: it’s not only a mental state but also an emotion, a powerful feeling that impels us forward until we find the information that will fill in the gap in our knowledge.

Here, Three ways on How to Stimulate Curiosity:

1. Start with the question. Cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham notes that teachers — along with parents, managers, and leaders of all kinds — are often “so eager to get to the answer that we do not devote sufficient time to developing the question,” Willingham writes in his book, Why Don’t Students Like School? 

Yet it’s the question that stimulates curiosity; being told an answer quells curiosity before it can even get going. Instead of starting with the answer, begin by posing for yourself and others a genuinely interesting question — one that opens an information gap.

2. Prime the pump. In his 1994 paper, George Loewenstein noted that curiosity requires some initial knowledge. We’re not curious about something we know absolutely nothing about. But as soon as we know even a little bit, our curiosity is piqued and we want to learn more. In fact, research shows that curiosity increases with knowledge: the more we know, the more we want to know. To get this process started, Loewenstein suggests, “Prime the pump” with some intriguing but incomplete information.

3. Bring in communication. Language teachers have long put a similar idea to use in exercises that open an information gap and then require learners to communicate with each other in order to fill it. For example, one student might be given a series of pictures illustrating the beginning of the story, while the student’s partner is given a series of pictures showing how that same story ends. Only by speaking with each other (in the foreign language they are learning, of course) can the students fill in each others’ information gaps?

This technique can be adapted to all kinds of settings: for example, colleagues from different departments could be asked to complete a task together, one that requires the identification of information gaps that the coworkers, with their different areas of expertise, must fill in for each other. Communication solves the problem — and leaves the participants curious to know more.

Source: Time

Exercise for children may do far more than improve physical fitness. It may also stimulate brain growth and boost cognitive performance.

The definition of cognitive performance  - Refers to processes such as memory, attention, perception, action, problem solving and mental imagery capacity.

Let’s have a look at how - Exercise can boost cognitive performance of your children

Normally people consider bodybuilders or athletes to be less intelligent than average scholar type; if you are one of them, read this, studies show that exercising actually increases your cognitive performance. It should be noted of course, that the researchers are not speaking of overall intelligence, but of how well your brain is able to perform cognitive tasks. Research has shown that regular exercise actually does improve cognitive function in children and adults by up to 10 percent. However, the authors of the study make it clear that you don’t need to put yourself through an incredibly strenuous exercise regime: even a normal walk will be enough to reap positive effects.

Moderate exercise – 30 minutes for adults and 20 minutes for children – results in a 5 percent to 10 percent improvement in cognition.

Exercise Has Long-Term Brain Benefits

Exercise can help people feel better about themselves and their lives reduce anxiety and improve mood. The findings may have significant implications for everyday life. Just taking a brisk walk prior to, say, taking a big test or making an important speech may positively affect the outcome of the task.

As important as finding time to play, children need to have enough time to play. It takes time to set up the play scenario, take roles, prepare the props, decide with others how to proceed, and so forth. Through play, children develop who they are. Their cognitive, language and physical skills develop through their play experiences as well as their imagination, concentration, self-confidence and sociability skills.

Source:  http://listverse.com/2013/07/15/10-easy-ways-to-boost-your-cognitive-performance/ and http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/exercise-boost-brainpower/story?id=8840026 and http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/playtime/parenting/articlesandadvice/articledetail.html?article=tcm:169-17086

1. Emotional outbursts:
This is the biggest mistakes done by students during Group Discussion. Sometimes topic is close to their heart and hence they sway from the topic. They usually get emotional while discussing such topics and thus, tend to forget for a while that they are being evaluated. They aggravate other members on purpose, once they find out what a person is particularly touchy about. This is one of the common mistakes done in group discussion and personal interview.

2. Talking endlessly:
In some cases students enter the room determined to talk non-stop without considering what they are saying. Other candidates do not get a chance. But they end up forming a negative impression upon the panelists and sometimes the rest of the group. Moreover, unless you make a meaningful contribution to the Group Discussion, the panelists know that you are speaking just for the sake of it. You cannot prioritize quantity over quality.

3. Insecurities:
Sometimes student show that they have a good knowledge about topic and they underestimate other students. Hence ensure that you are not among those students who get plagued with their own insecurities and consequently do not give themselves a fair shot. Students usually complain that the other participants were too good and they could not even think of competing with them. Have some faith in your capabilities and do not let such thoughts keep you down.

4. Language:
Many students participate in GD and PI without working on their language, accent, grammar and communication skills. Sometimes even if students study hard, they are not able to talk properly which makes it impossible for them to communicate the knowledge they have. Students lacking communication skills are nervous in their GD and PI rounds. To make a valuable and meaningful contribution you need to work on your communication skills.

5. Quantity vs Quantity:
Assessment is not only on your communication skills but also on your ability to be a team player. Evaluation is based on quality, and not on quantity. Your contribution must be relevant.

Avoid all these common mistakes in group discussion and personal interview.

If you thought that the brain doesn’t need a work out to improve its performance than you are mistaken because just like the body needs exercise to function efficiently so also your brain requires a workout to function at an optimum level. If one wishes to enhance their creatively and problem solving skills than exercising the brain is a must.

Scientists have found that the human brain has an astonishing ability to adapt and change well into old age as well. This ability is known as “neuroplasticity”. With the right stimulation, your brain can form new neural pathways, alter existing connections, adapt and react in ever-changing ways (helpguide). No wonder, they say that humans use only a couple of thousands of neurons within their brain in their entire lifetime. Therefore, exercising the brain helps people to make use of up to billions or even trillions of such neurons. And this is exactly why exercising the brain is so important.

Depending upon the type of activities that you engage in, your creativity and problem solving skills improve. New neural pathways need to develop especially when one needs to enhance their creativity and problem solving skills. Creativity is something that one possess and can be improved given the right stimulus. Similarly, problem solving skills require creativity to come up with newer alternatives to resolve a problem that arises. Therefore creativity and problem solving skills can be termed as two sides of the same coin. When you do a routine task in a different manner, you will find it difficult to adjust to it simply because the brain is creating new neural pathways as it is attempting to adapt to the new way of doing a task. You will be able to understand this better if you try a few games that are mentioned below. Here are some brain exercising games:

• If you write with your right hand then you should try writing with your left hand
• If you have a watch on your left hand shift it to the right hand
• Try brushing your mouth using your other hand
• If you usually stay at home, try camping out for the weekend and enjoy the different stimuli that surrounds you
• Next time you’re sitting on a train or in a cafe try to listen and follow 2 different conversations at the same time
• If you are travelling a long distance try to count the number of signals you pass right from the time you leave up to the time you reach
• Similarly you can try remembering the number of turns you take on your way to college for instance. For some challenge try to remember the exact amount of right and left turns you take.

Well give these a try, you will be surprised as to how much time your brain takes to perform these tasks at first and how fast it adapts. Go on and give it a try. I assure you that you will love it.

You’ve probably heard people say that students who are athletic or hobby oriented usually do well in academics. Ever wondered why that’s the case? Based on all the information gathered I think it has something to do with a refreshed mind, a positive attitude, exercise and most importantly concentration. So one is bound to ask can hobbies improve concentration? Considering the points discussed so far, you are probably wondering, how these aspects are related to hobbies? Here’s how?

Refreshes the mind It is a perfect activity to engage in, if one takes a break form the tasks that need to be completed or studies during examinations. Taking time off from whatever it is you are doing and spending it in a hobby refreshes the mind at is provides an outlet for releasing pent up emotions.

Creates a positive mindset Since engaging in a hobby lets you clear your mind and emotions; it for the time being releaves you of any negative emotion or negativity you may feel or encounter. Thus, you come out feeling positive and so a positive person with a positive attitude.

Exercises the body and mind If your hobby is the right one, then it is the kind that gives you some physical exercise. For instance if you are a foot-baller than you are exercising both your mind and your body. Similarly, someone playing a musical instrument like the violin or a guitar exercises the creative part or musical part of the brain while exercising the body as well which is dependent upon the choice of instrument.

Builds Concentration Irrespective of your hobby preferences, there is always room for building your concentration. Whether it is a sport that you enjoy or like playing a musical instrument, or simply knitting you are building your concentration. Take for example; basket-ball you are expected to shoot hoops whenever an opportunity presents itself. Similarly, if you play a guitar then you have to be attentive to minute changes in notes to identify the chord. If you are passionate about crochet than you need to give focused attention to the type of stitch you are creating while a minor change in the way the stitch is done can increase your work twice fold. If you are a painter this too requires a lot of concentration as a simple stroke mistake can ruin what you are attempting to create with the colours and the strokes.

So can hobbies improve concentration? In my opinion yes, for reasons I have elaborated within this article. If you are looking for more information about hobbies or extracurricular activities or tips to balance the two or are faced with time management problems or if you have developed a procrastinating habit and are looking of ways to stop procrastination then you can visit our website for tips and even check out articles covering a wide range of topics which you might find very useful on www.careerfutura.com.

Visiting or participating in science fairs or preparing a science project are fun ways to learn science. Apart from making the subject interesting it also provides a platform for students to explore and develop their creativity. Engaging in activities like these ensures that the creative side of the student is developed. All of these activities ensure that the matter studied is applied, that to with understanding, resulting in a thorough understanding of various scientific concepts.

When it comes to creating your very own science projects, although it is a fun activity you need to ensure that the project follows a process called the Scientific Method. The Scientific Method helps scientists to create credible investigations that feature well supported evidence. Therefore, there are 6 simple steps to keep in mind when preparing a Science Project.

Step 1: Form a question

your science project begins with forming a question that you may have derived from your observation, an interest in a particular topic. You can think about what you would like to discover in your investigations?  what question would you like answered? Remember that the question should be about something you can measure and typically start with words such as What, When, Where, How and Why?

Step 2: Do a thorough background research

Take the advice of your professor and seniors if possible. Use resources like books and the Internet to gather as much information about the question you would like an answer too.  And for the next step.

Step 3: Frame a hypothesis

Based on the information you have gathered on your question and your current knowledge you need to frame a hypothesis. Once you have framed a hypothesis you also need to find researches for the framed hypothesis. The hypothesis is a simple statement that expresses what you think might happen.

Step 4: Materials required

Make a list of all the materials you will require for the experiment and create a check list of all the items. Then ensure that you have easy access to the material or look for alternative solutions to gather the materials. Make sure it is feasible and is easy on the pocket.

Step 5: Conduct the Experiment

Create a step by step procedure that can be replicated by others wishing to conduct the same experiment. Then conduct the study to test the hypothesis. Repeat the experiment a number of times to make sure your results weren’t an accident.

Step 6: Data Collection

Collect data and record the progress of your experiment. You need to document your results with detailed measurements, descriptions and observations in the form of notes, journal entries, photos, charts and graphs. Organise the data so that whatever information you’re looking for is easily available at any point of time.

Step 7: Observations

Describe the observations you made during your experiment. Include information that could have affected your results such as errors, environmental factors and unexpected surprises if any.

Step 8: Conclusions

Analyze the data that you collected and summarize the findings or  results in written form. Use your analysis to answer your original question, do the results of your experiment support or oppose your hypothesis?

Step 9: Communication

Present your findings in an appropriate form, whether it’s a final report for a scientific journal, a poster for school or a display board for a science fair competition. For the purpose of presenting your findings    make sure to go through science journals, periodicals at the library or on-line to get an idea as to how it is supposed to be done, even better would be to enquire about the same with your professor.

By following these 6 simple steps to keep in mind when preparing  a Science Project your project is sure to be, one of a kind and will help you to create a great science fair project of your own.

Off lately, there has been a steady rise in the number of students opting for a study break before enrolling into a college program. Today however taking a break has no stigma attached to it. Gone are the days when taking breaks was considered a “slacker’s thing to do!” or was “looked down upon!” It has now become an emerging trend with more and more students opting to take time off from the usual college lifestyle.

After spending a considerable amount of time en route to the “highway of intellectual growth”, a monotony sets into your life. This combined with entrance exams, recommendation letters, college projects, late nights before exams and months of sleep deprivation in college students are enough reasons to contemplate taking a break from college. After spending four consecutive years in college for graduating, the mental load can be quite taxing. Nevertheless, there are other reasons why taking a break from college is a good idea? If you are wondering whether taking a break is a good idea then here are some popular reasons that students opt for and ones that will help you to arrive at a decision.

1. Recharge Yourself

After spending 16 years as a student and there after in conducting an exhaustive college search, completing your college applications and going through a rigorous admission process can be mind boggling. Sometimes taking a break can relax your mind and relieve stress.

2. Boost your Performance

For some students a break from the college grind gives them enough time to refresh instead of continuing with further studies because their performance may drop. Hence a break to some is necessary to improve their performance. Taking time off will enable you to approach the next phase of your education with a fresh start and renewed vigor while staving off academic burnout.

3. Continue your College Search

Many students find the college selection process to be an arduous experience. Maybe you weren’t accepted into the college of your choice. In such a case you can use your gap year to continue your college search for the right school, while taking classes or engaging in other activities to strengthen your college application. You can reapply to colleges and universities the following year or when the new academic year begins.

4. Decide on a Major

If you have no idea about which major to pursue, then opting for a break is just what you need to clear your mind and think clearly. By engaging into activities that are of interest to you, en route you just might stumble up on a career choice of your interest. And make that a career path to follow thus achieve satisfaction in the work your do.

5. Desire to See the World

Well travelling could be for you. If you think a history major is for you travel to different historical places, visit a museum or even assist at one. If you harbor an interest in foreign languages, visit places and learn about different cultures and traditions. And what better way to learn the language then learning about cultures, traditions and conversing in the native language with the locals. Nonetheless, it will broaden your perspective on life and teach you life’s lessons. The experiences you have can give you insights into yourself and discover things you didn’t know about yourself either, for instance your hidden potentials.

6. Build your Confidence

Sometimes the best way to build your confidence is by being by yourself. Treat the gap year as a transition from childhood to adulthood. When you are on your own you learn and discover things about yourself that you didn’t know. With experience your maturity increases and you learn to look at things in a different way and with a newly formed perspective. These are lessons worth learning, if I might say so.

7. Add to your Resume

A gap year can be the start to your career. Perhaps there are internships available in one or more of the careers you are considering. Or you could earn extra money to help pay for your upcoming college costs. Any which way, you’ll be adding valuable skills and experiences to your résumé, which will give you an upper hand over your competitors when you enter the work force after earning your college degree.

8. An Easier Transition to a Career

To most students entering a work force comes to a shock, when they’ve spent years in an educational background. Learning about what’s out there, paying bills and forging your way outside of school will give you an advantage over other college graduates.

9. Give Back

Spending a gap year as a volunteer at an N.G.O., Orphanage or at a Community Center can give you a sense of satisfaction filled with accomplishment and fulfillment. You come out more confident, stronger and learn about life as we know it!

10. Take a Risk

Always playing it safe doesn’t teach you much nor does it increase your maturity. You learn to go with the flow as against learning how to live. Taking a risk teaches you about life and helps you realise your potentials that were hidden for so long.

11. Get an Internship

Obtaining an internship in the area you’re interested in studying or in the career field you’d like to pursue, is an effective way of learning more about that industry. This will help you bring practical, real-world experience into your college education and you can get some career contacts to contact after you graduate.

So are you convinced about whether taking a break from college is a good idea for you? If so then you can visit www.careerfutura.com for some inspiring gap year ideas and lots more.

Graduation from high school is one of the most important moments in a student’s life. It is a moment to shine, to rejoice with friends and to look not only backwards at ones accomplishments but forward as well to that which is yet to come. It is a moment of change, to say goodbye to youth and a hello to the beginning of adulthood.

The common assumption is that most high school graduate’s are ready for college for the next six years and possibly off to graduate school after that. But the recent trend has surfaced, one that allows a student to postpone this phase. It’s known as a gap year and is gaining popularity (Nick Plett).

Many graduating high school seniors presently; choose to take time off before enrolling in college and following the usual routine. There are several reasons as to why students today prefer to take time off from college some of these reasons are a desire to travel the world, students unsure of their academic or financial direction prefer to gain experience in the “real world” before making a big commitment. Whatever the reason, if you’re considering taking a break, understanding the pros and cons of gap years will help keep them from stretching on indefinitely (Hannah Purnell).

Pros of Gap Years

• A gap year lets students take a step back and “recharge” after years of the daily academic grind.

• Time off allows students time to think about their academic direction and professional goals before jumping in with both feet.

• Work experience (as well as volunteer and goodwill projects) look great on a résumé and can result in increased focus and maturity—qualities that all competitive colleges like to see in prospective students.

• Working full-time can help students save up for tuition and other college costs (Hannah Purnell).
• It will give you enough of time to think things through
• You will gain an insight into yourself
• You will realise your strengths and weaknesses
• You can then work on your weakness while developing your strengths
• You will be able to figure out what you want to do with your life
• It will help you realise who you want to be
• It will help you to follow your dreams and work up a plan on how to fulfill them.

Cons of Gap Years

• For students who fail to develop important habits, it’s easy to lose focus and fall out of the academic routine.

• Watching friends and classmates move on to college before you can be disheartening.

• Students who wait sometimes lose access to guidance counselors, peer support and even scholarship resources that were available fresh out of high school.

• Holding out for better colleges usually doesn’t pay off unless your gap year activities were particularly impressive or geared toward a specific major (Hannah Purnell).
• Students may not want to get back to the full – time academic lifestyle after enjoying the independence of life in the real – world.
• If the “gapper” does return to the “highway of intellectual growth” than the risk was in fact rewarded.
• On the other hand discontinuing ones undergraduate education at the very least can result in a sophomoric risk.
• A gap year post-college and pre -“real life,” one that is dedicated to exploring and giving back to the world before venturing off on a chosen career, would be far more beneficial to the student and community as a whole.

• A student who has completed college will be able to take what he has learned and apply it to a chosen area of interest and add to a year of dedicated community service.

• Colleges help students focus on their passions, pushing them to grow and think in ways not possible in high school. Without this growth, a gap year could be a waste of time and a serious diversion from the important task of becoming an educated and a complete person (Nick Plett).

Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning that there’s nothing wrong with taking a gap year; it just has to be done at the right time. The “right time is after college and before the rest of your life begins.” – Nick Plett. But if you do decide to take a year off from further studies, take is at the right time as mentioned earlier. If at all you absolutely need to; do so “wisely” because after all your choices are what determine the future course of your life.

Many graduating high school seniors are of the view that a break from the usual grind of schoolwork and assessments is the best thing to do as it will refresh them and clear their mind. A gap year or as it is popularly known as “time off”, can be defined as a considerable amount of time spent engaging in outside schoolwork activities. It can be either a short-term break ranging from 4 to 6 months or a long-term one ranging from 1 to 2 years at a stretch. Taking breaks after graduation is preferable and more so after post graduation as students are usually exhausted around this time.

Sometimes a break is required to refresh and energize you, to prepare you for another round of “highway of intellectual growth”. “A gap year post-college and pre -“real life,” one that is dedicated to exploring and giving back to the world before venturing off on a chosen career, would be far more beneficial to the student and community as a whole (Nick Plett).

Therefore if you wish to take a yearlong break then the “right time is after college and before the rest of your life begins.” – Nick Plett. Taking breaks has its advantages, it leaves you with ample amount of time to figure out your life, clear your mind, give you an insight into yourself, helps you realise your dreams and builds your confidence. It is the perfect time for anyone unsure of which career to pursue and to gather up funds to pursue a career once decided upon. Aside from this it is the perfect opportunity to do some soul-searching or engage in activities that you’ve always wanted to and develop it or pursue hobbies.

Amid your soul-searching, if you stumble upon an activity that interest’s you then you should go with that. Should it be a hobby than pursue it. The best option that you can begin with on your break from further education is to pursue a hobby that you like. If you are one of these individuals, then here are some inspiring gap year ideas for you.

•  If you love writing, start writing a blog regularly or even for a local newspaper

• If you are into music, get in touch with some local musicians and hone your musical side
• Take up a job to make some money and to indulge in some sort of activity per say. Some benefits are listed out.

• You acquire skills that will add to your resume
• You gain work experience and exposure to interacting with clients or customers
• You earn a salary
• Your self-confidence improves

• If you are taking a yearlong break, find a job for 6 months that pays you adequately.
• Save a handsome amount, to make a trip to a place you haven’t discovered and stay there for a month like a local.
• Try your hand at some photography
• Be a traveler on foot with no reservations, further benefits of travelling are listed.

• You get to see amazing new places
• You can learn about new cultures
• You acquire skills in problem solving and budgeting
• You get a chance to learn a new language

• A month away from the everyday faces and places, is a brilliant way to break the monotony of your life.
• Do some volunteer work by working for a cause at a community center or in a NGO. Acquire people and communication skills. Some benefits are:

• You get to interact with people from different walks of life
• You improve on your communication skills
• You can learn a new language by volunteering overseas
• It makes you aware of the real world

• Acquire an internship in a field related to your interest area
• Teach English at Asian and African countries or teach under privileged students in your own locality
• If you are passionate about skiing, do some volunteer work at a ski resort
• Help students improve their mathematical abilities
• passionate about pets volunteer at a shelter in your locality
• Work as a volunteer at an orphanage and help improve their standard of living and learn from them along the way. You will be surprised at what you learn and it will give you a sense of satisfaction you wouldn’t have felt otherwise.
• If you are looking to do something in psychology volunteer at a school for special students or the differently abled. You will be amazed at what you learn. The satisfaction you feel will be worthed nonetheless.
• Step out of your comfort zone and do something that you’ve never done before. All the while improving yourself in areas listed.

• You get a chance to grow as an individual
• You can discover your true potential
• You get a chance to move out of your comfort zone and open your mind to new possibilities

• Learn a foreign language that you’ve always wanted to learn or develop your skill.
• Join workshops to acquire skills, such as painting, photography, origami, sculpting, etc.
• Learn a new sport that you’ve always loved
• Use this as an opportunity to overcome your fears and phobias
• If you’re an adventure freak than these ideas will be of particular interest to you:

• Go for whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Experience the thrill of snorkeling and kayaking in Hawaii
• Enjoy snorkeling and kayaking in Thailand
• Swim with killer whales in Norway
• Try bungee jumping at the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland, famous for the world’s tallest bungee jump at 220 m.
• Head to Florianópolis in Brazil or Encinitas in California to surf with the waves

Amidst your activities take out time to reflect back on all you’ve learnt and think about whether or not you wish to get back to the full-time college lifestyle and plan accordingly. If you do plan to get back in to the college routine groove you will also have gained some new contacts for a possible job opening; once you are done with your education. A well planned gap year filled with skills will open doors to opportunities you may not have thought of initially and lots more; that combined with your experiences all of it adds up to a good resume and a perfect candidate for the job! So if a break is what you need for whatever may be the reason take it or you may risk loosing such an opportunity. Needless to say ensure that the gap year is spent diligently. Make sure that the activities you engage in teaches you new skills and gives you exposure to new experiences. This amounts to life lessons being learnt well and en route learn about life itself, through overwhelming interactions with people. All the very best!

Entrance exams, recommendation letters, college projects, late nights before exams and months of sleep deprivation in college students, are enough reasons to contemplate taking a break from college. After spending four consecutive years in college for graduating, the mental load can be quite taxing. These are probably the primary reasons to go on a break. Although a break allows the mind to see different things, learn new lessons, relax, refresh and rejuvenate itself, if not made use of effectively can be disastrous. Today, there isn’t a stigma attached to taking time off from college as compared to a few years down the line, when it was considered a ‘slacker’s thing to do’.

Even though a break has its benefits it also has its drawbacks. So, if you feel the need to take a break from college; it is time to take in to consideration a few important aspects. Before you decide to take a break from college, wait a moment and take time to analyses your reasons to take a break and to identify the pros and cons of your decision. Because once you make a choice there is no turning back. Though deciding on whether or not to take a break right now seems to be of little importance, trust me when I say it isn’t. It is as important as deciding on which career path to take. Your decision to take a break will have an impact on your career choice in the future nonetheless. If you choose to do so, do so wisely. A little advice and research can prevent difficult circumstances from affecting your future.

Hence an article on the guidelines for taking a break from college seems to be the right way to go. Before you decide on taking a break from college there are a few things that you need to evaluate such as the reasons to take a break, analyze how you stand to benefit from them or rather get affected instead.

Identify the signs

Most students generally tend to overlook signs that can aid their decision to take a break. So here are some signs to tell you it is probably time to take a break.

• If your grades are in extreme state of misery
• If you are unhappy with a particular course
• If the faculty is not what you had expected
• If the stress is just beyond your control
• If you absolutely can’t manage things and everything is out of control

Take Advice

Discuss with parents, consult the college counsellor or a professor and find out about the aspects listed.

•  Find out the ways in which you can gain control over the tasks that need to be done

• Gather as much information as you can on taking a break
• Find out what are your options if you go on a break
• Find out their perspective on taking a break and its pro and cons
• Prepare for the worst-case scenario by having a back up plan in place
• Find out if it will affect your career in any way
• Find out what you can do while you are on your break. So that your chances of having a career is not restricted.

Evaluate and filter your reasons

Although giving entrance exams, preparing recommendation letters, college projects, late nights before exams and months of sleep deprivation are reason enough for this decision they aren’t appropriate ones. For instance if you decide to take time off to prepare for an entrance exam it is reason enough for a break.

Do you really need it?

Once you have gather enough information about taking breaks, its pros and cons, have evaluated and filtered your reasons for a break, you then need to evaluate whether you really need one. But if you have a semester pending, it is preferable if you complete it first and then take a break. Because a pending semester will affect your peace of mind as you will be constantly thinking about all the things that need to be done.

What Next?

You then need to decide on whether you want a sort term break or a long-term break. But before that you need to understand what is meant by these terms. A short-term break is one that lasts for 2 to 6 months while the latter lasts for a year. Nevertheless, in either case you have ample of time to do some soul-searching.

•  It will give you enough of time to think things through
• You will gain an insight into yourself
• You will realise your strengths and weaknesses
• You can then work on your weakness while developing you strengths
• You will be able to figure out what you want to do with your life
• It will help you realise who you want to be

How to take a break?

If you have identified with the signs listed earlier then here is what you can do.

•  Consult with the counsellor at your college

• Find out details about obtaining a leave of absence
• Follow the procedure to take a leave of absence

How to Break the News?

Even though taking a break from college is no more a big deal, sometimes overly competitive friends and the unending concerns of parents can affect your decision to take a break. Needless to say that their reactions should not alter your decision. You need to have valid reasons to support your decision and explain your views to the people concerned.

The next Best Thing

During you soul-searching, if you stumble upon an activity that interest’s you then you should go with that. Should it be a hobby than pursue it. The best option that you can begin with on your break from further education is to pursue a hobby that you like. Some ideas to get you started are listed.

•  If you love writing, start writing a blog regularly or even a local newspaper
• If you are into music, get in touch with some local musicians and hone your musical side
• Take up a job to make some money and to indulge in some sort of activity per say
• If you are taking a yearlong break, find a job for 6 months that pays you adequately.
• Save a handsome amount, to make a trip to a place you haven’t discovered and stay there for a month like a local.
• Try your hand at some photography, or just be a traveler on foot with no reservations.
• A month away from the everyday faces and places, is a brilliant way to break the monotony of your life.

By following these simple guidelines you can be assured that your decision was right. As it is said, “The biggest mistake that one can make, is not having enough information”. “So put in that extra effort, though it may take a while, be assured that the decision made is right.” For information about hobbies, extracurricular activities and more visit www.careerfutura.com.