Charles Zavala Credits Communication Skills - 892 Words

As Founder and CEO of Cal-Spectrum Painting, Charles Zavala credits communication skills as a crucial key to gaining success as an entrepreneur. Founded in 2001, Cal-Spectrum has become one of the premier painting companies nationwide, with jobs ranging from Miami, Florida to Portland, Oregon. Fast-forward nearly 14 years and with half a million dollars in revenue, and LA Fitness as one of the company’s biggest clients, it is hard to dispute the success of Charles Zavala. When Charles first started the company he was the only full-time employee, doing all the painting himself. It was not until the company grew larger with more clients that he would eventually start hiring additional workers. At that moment he realized that in order to gain success communication was a skill he would have to master. He understood that, â€Å"Just because you’ve spoken words to a client doesn t mean you’ve communicated†(Van Theon, 2014, para.1). Communication to him, is finding a common ground between his clients and his workers, so the job can be completed to their specifications. Hiring workers comes with added responsibilities and Charles found this out rather quickly. As the owner he had very high expectations for his newly hired workers. With deadlines and a high demand for his work, Charles was starting to feel the pressure. He would yell at workers if they we not doing a job fast enough. Eventually he came to realize yelling was not the answer and that chemistry between workers had a

Child Neglect and Its Consequences Essay - 1773 Words

This paper explores the numerous effects neglect has on a childs development. If a child lacks the necessary attachment and stimulation during the critical first years, they will have profound developmental issues throughout life. Possibly the most important aspects that are affected by neglect are the brain and a childs social development. Looking into the case of the Romanian orphans, readers will be able to see the harsh consequences. Severe neglect is child abuse that often goes unnoticed and is hard to reverse. By understanding the implications of neglect, we can intervene earlier in order to prevent severe cases from becoming irrevocable. Keywords: neglect, attachment, development Introduction†¦show more content†¦Although severe neglect isnt highly prevalent in todays society, it is still an important issue to be discussed. Without knowledge of the outcomes, there will be no motivation to intervene on the childs behalf. Review of Literature Impact of Neglect on the Brain In many cases of neglect, there has been an association with the brain failing to form appropriately. This causes impaired physical, mental, and emotional development (DePanfilis, 2006). A childs brain learns to adapt to a less than positive environment and this stunts the process of normal development. The brains of neglected children are not integrated and this causes difficulties in emotional, social, and cognitive development. The sensitive period, during the first two years of life, is a critical time in which brain activity faces severe psychosocial deprivation if faced with neglect and is unlikely to be recovered (Vanderwert, Marshall, Nelson III, Zeanah Fox, 2010). Children who have experienced neglect in multiple areas, global neglect, may have significantly smaller brains than the norm. This indicates they have fewer neurological connections, leading to lifelong intellectual disadvantages (DePanfilis, 2006). Neglected children often ha ve lower IQs and extreme difficulties in learning new things. Lack of intellectual stimulation causes deficits in language development. Ultimately, neglect causes damages to the brainShow MoreRelatedThe Consequences And Risk Factors Of Child Abuse And Neglect930 Words   |  4 PagesThis paper will focus on the consequences and risk factors of child abuse and neglect in first world countries such as North America and New Zealand. About 40 million children experience some kind of maltreatment around the world each year (Odhayani, A. A, Watson, W.J, Waston, L, 2013). Although, any child is susceptible to child maltreatment children from low-income families and poor family structures such as living in a one-parent household are more prone to abuse. Abused children experienceRead More Causes and Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect2527 Words   |  11 Pages Child abuse is defined by the U.S. Department of Health Human Services as being, Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.(Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect 2015). Abuse can be divided into three different categories: physical, sexual, and mental. In our society, the act of abuse is a commonRead MoreChild Neglect Is A Type Of Child Maltreatment1076 Words   |  5 PagesChild neglect has been around for a long time. However, it was not until the late 1980s that public awareness began to enlarge to include recognition of the psychological consequences of neglect (Erickson and Egeland 4). Child neglect is a type of child maltreatment. It is a deficit in meeting a child’s basic needs, including lack of basic nutrition, health care, physical, emotional, education, and housing needs. There are many types of neglect in harsh areas and torn families that come for childrenRead MoreDomestic Violence Is A Risk Factor For Child Maltreatment984 Words   |  4 Pagesis a risk factor for child maltreatment. When discussing domestic violence, it is not strictly pertaining to physical violence, it can also be emotional abuse, psychological abuse, etc. It is not ideal for a child to be living in a house where there is violence because not only is there a chance of the child being physically harmed, there is also a chance of the child being harmed psychologically. Due to this, domestic violence can be a form of child endangerment because a child is placed in a dangerousRead MoreHistory of Child Abuse1113 Words   |  5 PagesHistory of child abuse BSHS/408 February 15 2016 Chiffone N Shelton Abstract In order to discuss child abuse and neglect it is important to have a clear understanding of what child abuse and neglect is and the different form of child abuse. How the various types of child abuse and neglect are different from one another, ill-treatment of children comes in many forms, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional ill-treatment, and child neglect. Child neglect comes in many forms and occurs whenRead MoreChild Abuse and Neglect1678 Words   |  7 PagesThe topic of child abuse is one of the hardest topics to write about. It is imperative to have a profound understanding of this topic and its consequences specially when working in the field of human services. Professionally and personally, I have encountered situations where child abuse is present. This reality has touched my life in many ways and these experiences continue shaping me as a human being and as social service provider. I will try to cover in this paper the subject of child abuse, itsRead MoreThe Connecti on between Child Abuse and Crime Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesEvery year, child abuse and neglect affect more than one million children nation-wide (Currie and Tekin 1). Along with this, child abuse is the source of severe injury to more than 500,000 children and the death of over 1,500 children (Currie and Tekin 1). These outrageously large numbers reveal the extent to which child abuse and neglect impact society; however, they do not acknowledge the effect abuse can have on a child’s life and the repercussions that may occur in both the individual’s childhoodRead MoreIt Is General Knowledge That Being Abused As A Child Will1332 Words   |  6 PagesIt is general knowledge that being abused as a child will leave lasting impressions on them even into their adult life. The severity of the abuse does change how much of an impression was made, but, nonetheless, abuse leaves nothing but negative results. It will affect how children handle issues and communicate with ot hers. It will likely worsen their grades in school and, if the child’s relationship with their parents is still bad, they will continue into a downward spiral later on in life. PeopleRead MoreAbstract. A Strong Family Foundation Can Establish Positive1543 Words   |  7 Pagesestablish positive outcomes in children, this includes a parent and child having a good relationship. On the other side of the spectrum a family full of violence and child abuse can establish negative outcomes and consequences in a child’s well being and quality of life. The mental and psychological health of this child can be compromised due to not having a stable home. The objective is to research the relationship between child abuse and quality of life in abused children. Both male and female childrenRead MoreThe Long Term Ramifications Of Child Abuse And Neglect1478 Words   |  6 Pagesramifications of child abuse and neglect are profound and may endure long after the maltreatment has occur red. Individuals that undergo such abuse either physically or mentally may affect various aspects of their development. The outcome of abuse and neglect can range from minor effects to fatal situations. In the novel â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† Dill was emotionally damaged and neglected by his parents. In 2006, an estimated 905,000 children were victims of child abuse or neglect. Statistically, the

Organizational Change Considered Riskiest †Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Organizational Change Considered Riskiest? Answer: Introducation Organizational change is considered to be the riskiest and most shaking things on earth that is planned by any business enterprise. But a successful reorganization can set an organization on the path to success like nothing else actually can (Swanson, Territo Taylor, 2016). Change that threatens valued professional or any of the occupational identities is problematic. For me, change is not a variable. Rather, it is a set of deeply embedded habits and ways of looking at the world that desire to work for its cultural members. Therefore, there are limits to an extent up to which cane can be directed or hastened (whatever the case may be). I have seen people resist changes for illogical reasons. The main reason behind it is sense of fear or power loss. Organizational change- it is the secret to bring successful change in an organization. Three words are communicate, communicate and communicate. Nowadays, contemporary organization face rapid change like it was never before. With the emergence of globalization, Account has huge opportunities for attainment of growth and revenue. The diverse markets deal with wide variety of needs as well as expectations of the strong customers and collaborators at the same time. Now the question arises for the stakeholders, the answer is analysis of stakeholders has increased where some of the Executives have been convicted of illegitimate actions in their business enterprise. It is all about understanding the capability to handle change after continuing for meeting the needs of stakeholders as it is one of the essential skills that should be present in leaders and managers in competitive world environment (Sharif Scandura, 2014). Efforts are made constantly by the leaders and managers for accomplishing and engaging in significant change as it is inherent in their jobs. Probably that we realize that some are very good at this effort and othe r still struggle and fail Change programs in an organization fail because of lack of knowledge. There is a huge gap between what individual know and what they do. All the information in real terms are not applied and all the talent that are not being used actually cost business billions of dollars every year (Carter et al., 2013). The other reason for failure of change program is lack of skill and practice. Individuals do not have the required skills and expertise that is actually needed to plan a change for any business enterprise. For instance, Hewlett-Packard paid consideration to the transformation of leadership from stable, independent business environment to unbalanced surroundings as well as finally gained the positive result of change management. Later, HP had to face unexpected challenges where the company had to adjust to a major reorganization and had to merge with Compaq. The line managers did not support as needed and therefore decision-making activities were slow (Benn, Dunphy Griffiths, 2014). Change programs in an organization fail because of hidden conflicts working against change (Anderson, 2016). Some of the leaders have proper understanding on how to lead change but they do not put those facts into action. Other reason for failure is culture working against change. It is according to the research that leaders of victorious changes get people at all levels who get involved by keeping them in the loop and listening to their ideas and taking ownership for their part of change. For instance, the case study focus on culture clash between Schroders and Salomon Smith Barney who belong to Citigroup investment bank where they need to be integrated when two banks merged for solving the cultural issues and implemented successful change management. After that, it is noted that cultural issues was big pitfalls in the process of merging two banks and it is insane to lose sight of the pressure as well as role of society in the procedure of change management (Cameron Green, 2015). Identifying the concepts of corporate objectives and assess an organization with information accessible in the public domain The corporate objective of Wesfarmers Limited is to provide satisfactory return that is in accordance to the needs of shareholders (Sheth Sisodia, 2015). In addition, the Australian company main objective s to meet the level of performance to attain future goals and objectives. The company focuses on capital efficiency techniques for retaining the topmost position. The company actually looks for ways for improving their working capital efficiency for all their business and ensures string regulation in relative to capital expenditure as well as other speculation decision that is required to be made. The company aims at optimizing shareholder returns by using dividend policy where the main approach is related to capital management as well as disciplined portfolio management at the same time ("Wesfarmers.com.au", 2017). While looking at the acquisition of business, it is noted that the Group had applied filters. The company actually applies a long-term horizon for undertaking investmen t decisions for creating value for the shareholders for given period of time. Discuss marketing orientation concepts Production concept- Production concept is one of the conceptions that is the oldest thought in trade. In addition, the concept holds the fact that customers will favor products that are widely obtainable as well as inexpensive. It is the managers who mainly focus on the concept as it deals with achieving high production efficiency, mass distribution and low costs. In this concept, it was assumed that consumers will show interest towards products that are available at lower prices (Hutchinson et al., 2015). Selling concept- Selling concept is one of the concepts in the marketing orientation concepts. Here, it is believed that consumers and business are left alone and will purchase enough for sale of products of the company. The business organization needs to undertake an aggressive selling as well as promotion effect (Hollensen, 2015). Marketing concept- Marketing concept is one of the business philosophies that actually challenge all the other marketing orientations. It explains the key to achieve its goal of the organization where company is more effective than its competitors (Goworek McGoldrick, 2015). Here, marketers believes in delivering as well as communicating values to the customers or selected target customers. The selected organization is Wesfarmers Limited and it uses the marketing concept as the prime concern of the business is to meet the needs and expectations of customers in the most desired way ("Wesfarmers.com.au", 2017). Core marketing strategy of an organization The core marketing strategy of Wesfarmers Limited is to create an comprehensive work surroundings by giving special concentration to gender diversity as well as enclosure of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ("Wesfarmers.com.au", 2017). The company aims at burdening the skills as well as experience of the pool where they can draw and attract top talent of the business. They believe in providing greater alignment to the needs of the customers. The company believes in bringing improvement to creativity as well as innovation and modeling responsible corporate citizenship (Armstrong et al., 2015). Strength and weakness of present marketing strategy and give details how this strategy help the association to reach its corporate objectives The strength of Wesfarmers Limited in applying current marketing strategy is they have access to different levels of generic brands that caters to specific types of buyer ("Wesfarmers.com.au", 2017). The company occupies the topmost position and applies marketing strategy that best suits for getting access to its targeted customers. Wesfarmers Limited involves in successful promotional campaigns and had attractive pricing strategies with frequent price-cuts as well as offers that best suit with the needs of the targeted customers. The weakness of the current marketing strategy faced by Wesfarmers Limited is negative publicity that surrounds hard-line negotiation with the Australian suppliers that hurt the public sentiment towards the company ("Wesfarmers.com.au", 2017). The company faced stiff competition from other rivalry firms such as Woolworths that operates on lower margins. Reference List Anderson, D. L. (2016).Organization development: The process of leading organizational change. Sage Publications. Armstrong, G., Kotler, P., Harker, M., Brennan, R. (2015).Marketing: an introduction. Pearson Education. Benn, S., Dunphy, D., Griffiths, A. (2014).Organizational change for corporate sustainability. Routledge. Cameron, E., Green, M. (2015).Making sense of change management: A complete guide to the models, tools and techniques of organizational change. Kogan Page Publishers. Carter, M. Z., Armenakis, A. A., Feild, H. S., Mossholder, K. W. (2013). Transformational leadership, relationship quality, and employee performance during continuous incremental organizational change.Journal of Organizational Behavior,34(7), 942-958. Goworek, H., McGoldrick, P. (2015).Retail marketing management: Principles and practice. Pearson Higher Ed. Hollensen, S. (2015).Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. Hutchinson, K., Donnell, L. V., Gilmore, A., Reid, A. (2015). Loyalty card adoption in SME retailers: the impact upon marketing management.European Journal of Marketing,49(3/4), 467-490. Sharif, M. M., Scandura, T. A. (2014). Do perceptions of ethical conduct matter during organizational change? Ethical leadership and employee involvement.Journal of Business Ethics,124(2), 185-196. Sheth, J. N., Sisodia, R. S. (2015).Does marketing need reform?: Fresh perspectives on the future. Routledge. Swanson, C. R., Territo, L., Taylor, R. W. (2016).Police administration: Structures, processes, and behavior. Prentice Hall. Wesfarmers.com.au. (2017).Wesfarmers.com.au. Retrieved 4 August 2017, from https://www.wesfarmers.com.au

Quran Essay free essay sample

Among the innumerable facts, this writing will contribute two facts only: First, the Quran contains many scientific facts that are only being found out recently. The Quran’s linguistic style is far superior then any other form of writing. Without a doubt men have negated and contested the truth and revelation from God including the Quran revealed to prophet Mohamed (sallahu alahi wa salaam). For that reason, men in their objection and adamant behavior suggested that the Quran is word of Mohamed or the Quran is created by Mohamed; such statement is away from the truth. Undoubtedly there are other verses in the Quran related to human development that will be understood in the future as our knowledge increases. † In the Quran, Allah (subhanahu wa tala) also speaks about the Cerebrum: ( ) ( ) (Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock (the front part of the brain also known as the prefrontal lobe) (15) A lying, sinful forelock! (96:15-16) Why does Allah describe the front part of the brain to be lying and sinful? In recent research scientists have found out that the prefrontal lobe actually controls a person’s decision making, cognitive behavior, personality expression, and moderating social behavior (Yang, Y Prefrontal structure†¦). We will write a custom essay sample on Quran Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This part of the brain also deals with the creation of thoughts and actions (Miller, Earl the prefrontal cortex†¦). This shows that the prefrontal lobe is the part of the brain that may engage in sinful behavior and entices someone to lie or not. This also shows that the Quran does confirm scientific facts and there is no way an unlettered nomadic Arab man[5] in the 7th century could have known these facts. The pagan Arabs of the 7th century were for the most part isolated from the two great empires[6] at that time. The two empires did not waste their time in conquering the vast Arabian deserts because of its plain and unattractive look. The Arabs had nothing, they didn’t have any monuments, and they didn’t have masterful pieces of art. Therefore the Arabs of Mecca[7] were not much of a concern to the two empires; as well the two empires were not willing to send their forces through the dangerous deserts. Thanks to this isolation, the Arabs were able to refine their language. After a few centuries, the Arabs had shaped their language into an eloquent language where everyman was known to be a poet. The Arabs prided themselves on their language. So much so, they would have tribal battles not with swords but rather their tongues and the losing tribe would be shamed. The pagan Arabs marveled at the amazing speech of the Quran. When a person speaks he is able to organize his thoughts, but a person is incapable of organizing their words based on what they are going to say later . For example, there are two ayahs that are very much the same one ayah states: â€Å"Say (O Muhammad): Allah is enough as a witness between me and you†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . The other ayah states: â€Å"Say (O Muhammad): Allah is enough between me and you as a witness † The difference is sequence, in the first ayah Allah says â€Å"witness† first, and â€Å"me and you’ later. The Quran is very sensitive to context, at the end of the first ayah Allah says â€Å"†¦he is the ever all knower, all seer of his slaves†. The ayah ends speaking about Allah, the word â€Å"witness† for Allah is used first so therefore the ayah begins with Allah and ends with Allah. While the second ayah ends with speaking about people it uses â€Å"between me and you† first then â€Å"witness† second. So the ayah begins with speaking about people and ends with speaking with people. So what is about to be said in the future has a direct influence on how words are organized before. Humans are unable to do that. Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alahi wa salaam) was never known to be a composer of any types of poetry or any other forms of literature. So when they heard this literature they were amazed. â€Å"Umar bin Al-Khattab was a great enemy of the prophet. He planned to kill the prophet, but on his way he was informed that his sister had joined the religion. He immediately changed course. Upon arrival he hit his sister. He regretted what he did so asked for the paper she was reading (containing ayahs of the Quran). Once he read it he immediately went to prophet (sallahu alahi wa salaam) and accepted Islam†. Umar bin Al-Khattab was a man that was amazed by the Quran’s linguistic style and its strong meaning. This is one of the many men who accepted Islam because of the Quran’s amazing speech. The famous Arab grammarian H. Gibb had this to say about the Quran: â€Å"As a literary monument the Koran (referring to the Quran) thus stands by itself, a production unique to the Arabic literature, having neither forerunners nor successors in its own idiom. Muslims of all ages are united in proclaiming the inimitability not only of its contents but also of its style†¦ and in forcing the High Arabic idiom into the expression of new ranges of thought the Koran develops a bold and strikingly effective rhetorical prose in which all the resources of syntactical modulation are exploited with great freedom and originality. John Penrice stated: â€Å"That a competent knowledge of the Koran is indispensable as an introduction to the study of Arabic literature will be admitted by all who have advanced beyond the rudiments of the language. From the purity of its style and elegance of its diction it has come to be considered as the standard of Arabic † These two men have an understanding of the linguistic exc ellence of the Quran. Allah says: Do they not then consider the Quran carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein many contradictions. (Quran 04:82). The Quran contains many palindromes; palindromes in many languages can only be done with one word. For example, in the English language the word Race Car can be written the same backward. In the Quran there are entire sentences that are palindromes. For example, in the Quran, Allah says: ( ) Magnify your Lord (Allah)! (Quran 74:3) In conclusion, the Quran has impacted the world in many ways. The Quran was not only sent to the desert Arabs but rather it was sent to all of mankind. Allah sends out a challenge, Allah (subhanahu wa tala) says: ( ) â€Å"And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i. e. the Quran) to Our slave (Muhammad Peace be upon him), then produce a Surah of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful. † (Quran 2:23) The Quran is a revelation from Allah and it was revealed upon the tongue of Muhammad (sallahu alahi wa salaam). The Quran contains many scientific facts ranging from embryology to the purpose of the frontal lobe. All of this presented in a beautiful linguistic form, so much so when the Quran is translated into English, the language’s primitive level is unable to display the Quran’s linguistic beauty. This renders the English native unable to appreciate the Quran in a way the pagan Arabs of the 7th century were able. The Quran reaches the top level of eloquence in the Arabic language as well as other languages. The idea of Muhammad (sallahu alahi wa salaam) being able to go from being a unlettered man to the top author in the Arabic language is impossible on all plains of reality. Therefore, the only logical reason to say is that Muhammad (sallahu alahi wa salaam) has received revelation from the Almighty. QURAN: A REVELATION? Name: Harun O. G Course: GLE20 Teacher: Ms. Vacar Date: April 09, 2011 1]sallahu alahi wasalm means peace be upon him [2] Allah is the Arabic word for God and is preferred(to Muslims) [3] subhanahu wa tala means glorified and exalted be he(Allah) [4] Ayat: this is the plural version of Ayah, this word does not have a direct translation in English but the closest one is verse. In other places in the Quran ayah means signs. [5] According to sources Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alahi wasalm) was a illiterate man [6] Persian and Roman empire [7] Is found in Saudi Arabia and is th e holiest city for Muslims

Kino character analysis in The Pearl essays

Kino character analysis in The Pearl essays The perception of a persons character and credibility is based on ones actions and reactions, while facing various situations. The impressions that are developed by people based on the interpretations that are given reveals the characteristics that one holds and portrays throughout ones life. These ideas and standpoints are heavy perceived in the actions of Kino in John Steinbecks The Pearl. The novel is a portrayal of Kinos self- centered acts, and his unwillingness to succumb to the reality of his poverty stricken society. Kino feels that if he fights for what he believes, he will be brought to the status of respect and peaceful living, but instead the evil that is brought out of him leads to the demise of his family. In The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Kino is on a journey to find wealth and success, while taking this journey he proves himself to be a loving protector, very determined; however, naive to realities of his life. In the first chapters of the novel Kino is presented as a loving protector of his family. He seems to a good husband who wants nothing more than to support his family. The love that is reflected shows him to be the man that will do what is necessary to take care of what is important to him. As he supports his family, he protects them on many occasions, Kinos hands leap to catch it... Kino had it, had it in his fingers, rubbing it to paste in his hands. He threw it down and beat it into the earth floor with his fist... but Kino beat and stamped the enemy until it was only a fragment and a moist place in the dirt(5-6). This is an example of his selfless love that he presents himself to have for his son. The ability to risk ones life in order to save someone else is the characteristic that makes him the protector and loving person to his family.. The fight and determination that Kino reflects throughout the novel was that of a warrior. When he sees the demise and ...

What Should You Do If You Go to a Bad High School

What Should You Do If You Go to a Bad High School SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The quality of education at different high schools can vary widely, sometimesto the detriment of students. If you go to a school that doesn’t offer the programs and level of instruction that you would like, you might feel frustrated and worried about getting into college. In this article, I’ll give you some of the characteristics of a â€Å"bad† high school and tell you what steps you can take to improve your educational experience and college applications despite these disadvantages. What Defines a â€Å"Bad† High School? There are a few traits that are common amonghigh schools that don't prepare students adequately for college.Your school might not necessarily be â€Å"bad† just because it has one of these characteristics, but if it has all of them, the advice in this article is for you. Low-Quality Teaching The quality of teaching at a high school can make a big difference in how much students learn in their classes and how interested they are in the subjects.If the teachers aren’t engaged, the students definitely won’t be.A hallmark of low-quality teaching is when the teacher structures everything so that he or she has to do as little work as possible.For example, instead of more challenging short answer tests, the teacher might give you all multiple-choice tests because they’re faster to grade.Students know low-quality teaching when they see it - it usually means easier, duller classes that lack substance. Very Few Advanced Classes Low-quality high schools often don't offer many advanced classes to students.This ties into issues with teaching as well; advanced classes are more difficult to teach and require expertise that the teachers at the school might not have.A â€Å"bad† high school may not offer any AP or IB classes, or it may offer only one or two.A lack of high-level classes can prevent advanced students from challenging themselves in high school and reaching their full potential.It can also be a setback when it comes to applying for college. Limited Choices for Classes Overall In general, â€Å"bad† high schools don’t give students many choices for classes.These schools may offer fewer classes because they’re underfunded and don’t have the resources for additional teachers and course materials.A lack of choice can mean that students are unable to explore their areas of interest in a way that would be possible at another high school.They might be forced onto a certain course track that doesn’t fit their needs or miss out on a subject that they would love. In extreme cases, students could even end up unprepared for college because their high school didn't offer the prerequisites they needed to succeed in introductory college classes. It would be cool to take the AP Environmental Science class in high school if you're passionate about nature conservation, but your school might not give you that option or offer other classes you're interested in. What Are Your Options If Your School Is Bad? If your high school offers poor quality instruction, you may have to go above and beyond to get the kind of education you need to be prepared for college. But don't despair: you do have options. Option 1: Talk to a Teacher or Academic Advisor If you go to a bad high school, you will probably benefit from extra help beyond the instruction you’re getting in your classes.You can discuss your options with a teacher or guidance counselor to see what you can do to improve your chances of being accepted to a good college.They might have advice based on what other high-achieving students have done in the past to make up for the lack of opportunities. Solutions might include devising your own independent study class or doing extra projects in your existing classes to demonstrate your academic abilities.This is the least disruptive option you have, and it should be the first step you take before you decide to pursue more drastic measures like taking classes elsewhere or transferring schools. Option 2: Take Classes at a Nearby Community College Many high schools will allow you to do â€Å"dual enrollment.† This means that you’re simultaneously enrolled in classes at your high school and a nearby college.If the advanced classes you’re looking for are not offered at your high school, this can be a great way to gain access to the learning experiences you want. Keep in mind; however, that there are some drawbacks to taking community college classes in high school. You may have to pay for them on your own if your high school doesn't offer financial assistance, and you'll need to find reliable transportation to and from campus. Balancing classes at two different schools can be tough, especially if you're heavily involved in extracurricular activities. Speak to a guidance counselor to find out more about how your high school handles dual enrollment and what your options are. Option 3: Transfer to a Different High School in the Area The final option you have is transferring high schools. This is a more realistic option if you're a freshman or sophomore, although technically you can transfer in any year of high school. It's best to transfer as an underclassman because you'll have more time to take advantage of better resources at the new school and adjust to a different environment. It can be tough socially and academically to transfer, so this should be a last resort if you feel like your school isn’t cutting it.Transferring high schools will require some planning on your part, but it’s usually not too difficult to apply for a transfer.You can apply at the beginning of each school year (in September or October) for a transfer that will take place the following year.Again, check with your guidance counselor to see what your school’s policies are for transferring. The new high school will have to download all data from your brain before you can begin attending classes. This procedure is relatively painless. Will Your School’s Quality Impact Your Chances of Getting Into College? If you go to a high school that could be considered â€Å"bad,† you might be worried about the effect this will have on the college application process.Admissions offices collect a lot of data about high schools around the country that they use to inform their decisions.If your high school only offered two AP classes and you took both of them, you wouldn’t be compared directly to a student at another high school who took five AP classes out of the 15 that were offered. Colleges understand that every high school is different and that some provide better opportunities than others.They do their best not to fault students for attending high schools with fewer opportunities by considering whether a student made the most of the situation at hand.Colleges will be mainly concerned with two things if you go to a bad high school: Did you challenge yourself as much as possible within the constraints of the curriculum at the school while earning high grades? Did you seek out additional opportunities outside of your high school to enrich your learning experience? If you do both of those things, you will still stand a strong chance against high-achieving students who were fortunate enough to attend better high schools. What Are Some Other Ways to Strengthen Your Application If You Go to a Bad High School? If you’re still worried about how you’ll fare in the application process, there are a couple of measures you can take to make sure you’re presenting yourself to colleges in the best way possible: Build Up Strong Extracurricular and Leadership Credentials Even if your school doesn’t have the best academics, you still might be able to participate in extracurricular activities that will bolster your application.If you have an interest that you feel isn’t represented bythe current extracurricular offerings at your school, you can even create a new club.This signals to colleges that you’re willing to take initiative and are passionate about something. You can also get involved in extracurricular activities that are not connected to your school, whether that includes a church group, volunteer organization, community theater company, or a different organization. If you’re into sports, you can try to become a team captain so that you’re in a leadership role.Leadership is important to colleges because it shows that you are capable of being in a position of authority with extra responsibilities. This indicates independence, maturity, and the potential to make big changes in the world. The point of extracurricular activities is to show that you have interests outside of academics and will bring something unique to a college campus.You should use your extracurricularsto showcase who you are and demonstrate your potential. Get Great Letters of Recommendation Another way to build up your application is to stay on top of your letters of recommendation. Make sure you ask your teachers with plenty of time to spare (ideally let them know during the spring of yourjunior yearand then confirm with them early in your senior year). Be strategic about which teachers you ask for letters. It's best to ask teachers who can testify to your strengths as a student and your ability to go above and beyond in your coursework. If you consulted a teacher on how to improve your academic record for college applications, you might ask that teacher for a recommendation so that he or she can provide anecdotes that point to your determination. Write an Awesome Personal Statement The personal statement is an opportunity for you to tell colleges something about yourself that they might not learn from the rest of your application.It’s another place where you can show what makes you special as an applicant apart from your academic credentials.A great personal statement can make you stand out in the application process as someone who has a strong voice and will contribute something valuable to the college community.See our guide for how to write a great college essay. Seek Out Academic Awards Outside of the academic boundaries of your high school, there are other awards that you can win to bolster your application.If you take the PSAT and manage to get a very high score, you may qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.You can also check out this list of the best scholarships for high school seniors (many of them are available to lower high school grades as well).A scholarship can be an impressive addition to your credentials. Do some exploring and see if there are any particular scholarships or awards that appeal strongly to you and your interests.For example, if you’re a particularly strong math student, you might consider trying to qualify for the International Math Olympiad.If you take some of these steps to improve your application, colleges will be impressed with your drive and will be more likely to accept you. I won first place in a golden cup forging contest! Conclusion â€Å"Bad† high schools are typically characterized by poor teaching, a lack of advanced classes, and fewer class options overall.If you go to a â€Å"bad† high school, you should discuss your concerns with your guidance counselor or an academic advisor.You might decide to take classes at a nearby community college or even transfer to a different high school in the area that has better academics. Colleges will know the limitations of your high school when reviewing your application, so you shouldn’t worry too much about being penalized as long as you’ve challenged yourself as much as possible within the constraints of your environment. To improve your application further, you can focus onextracurricular and leadership activities, a great personal statement, and outside scholarships and awards.The quality of your high school shouldn’t dictate where you go to college as long as you continue to pursue your interests and be proactive about challenging yourself academically. What's Next? Are you planning on applying to competitive colleges? Find out what a rigorous high school course load looks like so you can impress them with your application! You should also read this article to get more information on honors societies and classes and how they can affect your potential in the college application process. For a quick overview of the steps you'll need to take in high school to apply to college, take a look at this infographic. Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

What Should You Do If You Go to a Bad High School

What Should You Do If You Go to a Bad High School SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The quality of education at different high schools can vary widely, sometimesto the detriment of students. If you go to a school that doesn’t offer the programs and level of instruction that you would like, you might feel frustrated and worried about getting into college. In this article, I’ll give you some of the characteristics of a â€Å"bad† high school and tell you what steps you can take to improve your educational experience and college applications despite these disadvantages. What Defines a â€Å"Bad† High School? There are a few traits that are common amonghigh schools that don't prepare students adequately for college.Your school might not necessarily be â€Å"bad† just because it has one of these characteristics, but if it has all of them, the advice in this article is for you. Low-Quality Teaching The quality of teaching at a high school can make a big difference in how much students learn in their classes and how interested they are in the subjects.If the teachers aren’t engaged, the students definitely won’t be.A hallmark of low-quality teaching is when the teacher structures everything so that he or she has to do as little work as possible.For example, instead of more challenging short answer tests, the teacher might give you all multiple-choice tests because they’re faster to grade.Students know low-quality teaching when they see it - it usually means easier, duller classes that lack substance. Very Few Advanced Classes Low-quality high schools often don't offer many advanced classes to students.This ties into issues with teaching as well; advanced classes are more difficult to teach and require expertise that the teachers at the school might not have.A â€Å"bad† high school may not offer any AP or IB classes, or it may offer only one or two.A lack of high-level classes can prevent advanced students from challenging themselves in high school and reaching their full potential.It can also be a setback when it comes to applying for college. Limited Choices for Classes Overall In general, â€Å"bad† high schools don’t give students many choices for classes.These schools may offer fewer classes because they’re underfunded and don’t have the resources for additional teachers and course materials.A lack of choice can mean that students are unable to explore their areas of interest in a way that would be possible at another high school.They might be forced onto a certain course track that doesn’t fit their needs or miss out on a subject that they would love. In extreme cases, students could even end up unprepared for college because their high school didn't offer the prerequisites they needed to succeed in introductory college classes. It would be cool to take the AP Environmental Science class in high school if you're passionate about nature conservation, but your school might not give you that option or offer other classes you're interested in. What Are Your Options If Your School Is Bad? If your high school offers poor quality instruction, you may have to go above and beyond to get the kind of education you need to be prepared for college. But don't despair: you do have options. Option 1: Talk to a Teacher or Academic Advisor If you go to a bad high school, you will probably benefit from extra help beyond the instruction you’re getting in your classes.You can discuss your options with a teacher or guidance counselor to see what you can do to improve your chances of being accepted to a good college.They might have advice based on what other high-achieving students have done in the past to make up for the lack of opportunities. Solutions might include devising your own independent study class or doing extra projects in your existing classes to demonstrate your academic abilities.This is the least disruptive option you have, and it should be the first step you take before you decide to pursue more drastic measures like taking classes elsewhere or transferring schools. Option 2: Take Classes at a Nearby Community College Many high schools will allow you to do â€Å"dual enrollment.† This means that you’re simultaneously enrolled in classes at your high school and a nearby college.If the advanced classes you’re looking for are not offered at your high school, this can be a great way to gain access to the learning experiences you want. Keep in mind; however, that there are some drawbacks to taking community college classes in high school. You may have to pay for them on your own if your high school doesn't offer financial assistance, and you'll need to find reliable transportation to and from campus. Balancing classes at two different schools can be tough, especially if you're heavily involved in extracurricular activities. Speak to a guidance counselor to find out more about how your high school handles dual enrollment and what your options are. Option 3: Transfer to a Different High School in the Area The final option you have is transferring high schools. This is a more realistic option if you're a freshman or sophomore, although technically you can transfer in any year of high school. It's best to transfer as an underclassman because you'll have more time to take advantage of better resources at the new school and adjust to a different environment. It can be tough socially and academically to transfer, so this should be a last resort if you feel like your school isn’t cutting it.Transferring high schools will require some planning on your part, but it’s usually not too difficult to apply for a transfer.You can apply at the beginning of each school year (in September or October) for a transfer that will take place the following year.Again, check with your guidance counselor to see what your school’s policies are for transferring. The new high school will have to download all data from your brain before you can begin attending classes. This procedure is relatively painless. Will Your School’s Quality Impact Your Chances of Getting Into College? If you go to a high school that could be considered â€Å"bad,† you might be worried about the effect this will have on the college application process.Admissions offices collect a lot of data about high schools around the country that they use to inform their decisions.If your high school only offered two AP classes and you took both of them, you wouldn’t be compared directly to a student at another high school who took five AP classes out of the 15 that were offered. Colleges understand that every high school is different and that some provide better opportunities than others.They do their best not to fault students for attending high schools with fewer opportunities by considering whether a student made the most of the situation at hand.Colleges will be mainly concerned with two things if you go to a bad high school: Did you challenge yourself as much as possible within the constraints of the curriculum at the school while earning high grades? Did you seek out additional opportunities outside of your high school to enrich your learning experience? If you do both of those things, you will still stand a strong chance against high-achieving students who were fortunate enough to attend better high schools. What Are Some Other Ways to Strengthen Your Application If You Go to a Bad High School? If you’re still worried about how you’ll fare in the application process, there are a couple of measures you can take to make sure you’re presenting yourself to colleges in the best way possible: Build Up Strong Extracurricular and Leadership Credentials Even if your school doesn’t have the best academics, you still might be able to participate in extracurricular activities that will bolster your application.If you have an interest that you feel isn’t represented bythe current extracurricular offerings at your school, you can even create a new club.This signals to colleges that you’re willing to take initiative and are passionate about something. You can also get involved in extracurricular activities that are not connected to your school, whether that includes a church group, volunteer organization, community theater company, or a different organization. If you’re into sports, you can try to become a team captain so that you’re in a leadership role.Leadership is important to colleges because it shows that you are capable of being in a position of authority with extra responsibilities. This indicates independence, maturity, and the potential to make big changes in the world. The point of extracurricular activities is to show that you have interests outside of academics and will bring something unique to a college campus.You should use your extracurricularsto showcase who you are and demonstrate your potential. Get Great Letters of Recommendation Another way to build up your application is to stay on top of your letters of recommendation. Make sure you ask your teachers with plenty of time to spare (ideally let them know during the spring of yourjunior yearand then confirm with them early in your senior year). Be strategic about which teachers you ask for letters. It's best to ask teachers who can testify to your strengths as a student and your ability to go above and beyond in your coursework. If you consulted a teacher on how to improve your academic record for college applications, you might ask that teacher for a recommendation so that he or she can provide anecdotes that point to your determination. Write an Awesome Personal Statement The personal statement is an opportunity for you to tell colleges something about yourself that they might not learn from the rest of your application.It’s another place where you can show what makes you special as an applicant apart from your academic credentials.A great personal statement can make you stand out in the application process as someone who has a strong voice and will contribute something valuable to the college community.See our guide for how to write a great college essay. Seek Out Academic Awards Outside of the academic boundaries of your high school, there are other awards that you can win to bolster your application.If you take the PSAT and manage to get a very high score, you may qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.You can also check out this list of the best scholarships for high school seniors (many of them are available to lower high school grades as well).A scholarship can be an impressive addition to your credentials. Do some exploring and see if there are any particular scholarships or awards that appeal strongly to you and your interests.For example, if you’re a particularly strong math student, you might consider trying to qualify for the International Math Olympiad.If you take some of these steps to improve your application, colleges will be impressed with your drive and will be more likely to accept you. I won first place in a golden cup forging contest! Conclusion â€Å"Bad† high schools are typically characterized by poor teaching, a lack of advanced classes, and fewer class options overall.If you go to a â€Å"bad† high school, you should discuss your concerns with your guidance counselor or an academic advisor.You might decide to take classes at a nearby community college or even transfer to a different high school in the area that has better academics. Colleges will know the limitations of your high school when reviewing your application, so you shouldn’t worry too much about being penalized as long as you’ve challenged yourself as much as possible within the constraints of your environment. To improve your application further, you can focus onextracurricular and leadership activities, a great personal statement, and outside scholarships and awards.The quality of your high school shouldn’t dictate where you go to college as long as you continue to pursue your interests and be proactive about challenging yourself academically. What's Next? Are you planning on applying to competitive colleges? Find out what a rigorous high school course load looks like so you can impress them with your application! You should also read this article to get more information on honors societies and classes and how they can affect your potential in the college application process. For a quick overview of the steps you'll need to take in high school to apply to college, take a look at this infographic. Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: