The Importance of Befriending Your Competition
Building relationships with competitors can provide significant benefits in any industry. Rather than viewing others as threats, collaborating and exchanging knowledge can lead to mutual growth. Competitors often offer valuable insights, opportunities for collaboration, and the potential for referrals when workloads overflow. Additionally, forming genuine connections fosters a supportive network where professionals can learn from one another’s successes and mistakes. This mindset encourages shared learning, resource exchange, and creative partnerships that benefit everyone involved.
Series Review: Wildefire Trilogy by Karsten Knight
It’s been on my to-be-read list for quite some time now, and I fear I might not have seriously picked it up if it weren’t for COVID-19. But I am SO glad that I did, because once I got into it, I couldn’t stop. I binged the series in less than a week and found myself highlighting passages because the writing was JUST.THAT.GOOD.
College Admissions Prep: Pave Your Way To Success In College By Making The Most Of Your High School Experience
High school students should develop a strategic plan for preparing for college admissions from 9th to 12th grade. It is integral that students start early, maintain strong grades, and get involved in extracurricular activities. Freshmen are encouraged to explore interests, while sophomores should focus on refining their commitments and improving GPA. Juniors face intense workloads and should prioritize academics, extracurriculars, and test preparation. Seniors must stay organized, meet deadlines, and finalize applications. This post highlights the importance of balancing academics and extracurriculars with students’ social lives and self care routines so that they can enter their college careers with energy, excellence, and confidence, while maintaining authenticity and making amazing memories along the way.
College Admissions Essay Basics
A college admissions essay is more than just a standard essay; it's an opportunity to showcase one's character and individuality beyond academic records. A strong admissions essay can be compared to a compelling memoir, combining self-pride, self-awareness, and an engaging narrative. Applicants should be aware of the distinction between open and closed prompts, tailoring their responses accordingly. Applicants should also strive to adhere to word count and formatting guidelines (typically a minimum of 650 words and formatted according to MLA style, unless specified otherwise by the institution). Ultimately, the essay should serve as a platform to present oneself as an ideal student, making a compelling case for admission.
Balancing Authenticity and Sensitivity: Self-Censorship in Modern Writing
Writers often grapple with the dilemma of self-censorship to avoid offending family members or even the broader public. Concerns about explicit content, offensive language, or themes deemed unsuitable for certain age groups frequently lead to challenges and bans, as noted by the American Library Association. This internal conflict raises critical questions about the importance of preserving artistic integrity versus mitigating potential backlash. Self-censorship can stifle creativity and result in an inaccurate portrayal of societal issues, politics, and cultural trends. Notable works like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening" have faced bans but serve as essential reflections of their times. Ultimately, writers must weigh the value of honest storytelling against the desire to avoid controversy, considering the long-term implications of their choices on literature and society.
Making Space With Oklahoma Contemporary: Interview With Pablo Barrera
A mural series in Oklahoma City, called Making Space provides opportunities for emerging artists to collaborate with mentors and contribute to the city’s visual landscape. The project was developed as a way to maintain public engagement with art while Oklahoma Contemporary’s new arts center was under construction. Artists were selected based on style, diversity, and mentorship potential, with an emphasis on community representation. By pairing newer artists with established mentors, it fostered professional growth and artistic collaboration. The murals, displayed on temporary walls, brought vibrancy to the community while reflecting local culture and diverse perspectives. The initiative also encouraged public engagement with art, increasing visibility for underrepresented artists.