Osu Help - The Best Way to Learn?

Osu Help - The Best Way to Learn?It is very common for people to ask Osu help which is what we are going to discuss in this article. Osu has a huge variety of options that people can use so they should be aware of the different features available in their game. Understanding and taking advantage of the features available in the game is crucial so that you can keep your skill and learn new things with the help of Osu.Learning is always easy if you have tools to help you. In this case the best tool you can use is a website that offers assistance in learning how to play Osu. If you are not sure about the online website you can request them to send you an email to get a personalized tutorial on Osu. Online tutorial on Osu is one of the most effective ways to improve your skills. You can also download an online flash game called Red Impact which will show you the different aspects of Osu that will help you improve.Even if you are already playing the game of Osu, you will still want to use the help of an online tutor in order to take advantage of the game itself. Osu is a real time game, which makes it possible for players to learn faster. If you are someone who likes to study but does not have the time, then this is the way to go. Getting an online tutor will allow you to fully enjoy the game and at the same time learn new things.If you are already familiar with the basics of Osu, then you can try to get a tutorial on the basics of Osu. One thing you should be careful about is the levels in which you try to learn. The online tutorials that are offered will provide you with a test first in order to ensure that you are clear in the basics. Be very careful when doing the tutorials because some websites offer free tutorials and then charge you for you to learn the game.The best type of tutorials you can get is those that offer high level tutorials. The games you find online are usually limited to the basic level and the tutorials only cover the intermediate level. Many websites offer a tutorial that covers high level in a step by step format. With the help of these tutorials you will be able to learn how to master every single part of the game.Online tutorials are very useful and can be helpful for those who want to take the game more seriously. Osu tutorials will teach you everything you need to know in order to become a great player. You can also help others to take up the game by offering a tutorial yourself.With the help of an online tutorial you will be able to improve your skills and understand the mechanics of the game. This will make you a better player in the long run. Learning how to play Osu is not a complicated task and is very easy with the help of a tutorial.

The Best Places for Landscape Photography in South America.

The Best Places for Landscape Photography in South America. Find Latin America’s Greatest Spots for Landscape Photographers. ChaptersWhat is Landscape Photography?What Makes a Landscape Photograph Good?Some Great Spots for Landscape Photos across Latin America.Apart from with gap-yearing teenagers, Latin America doesn’t get much attention from our part of the world. The usual connotations are of drug gangs and dictators, massive wealth inequality, more drug gangs and dictators, football, and they all speak Spanish. Except, of course, they don’t.Stupid stereotypes are far too easily fallen into. And with stupid stereotypes come massive generalisations, a reluctance to correct oneself, and, usually, fear.But, again, it’s all stupid. Because the countries of Latin America are as different as England to Italy, France to Finland, and Poland to Portugal. This is, after all, a whole continent we’re discussing â€" a continent nearly twice the size of Europe. It shouldn’t be so surprising that there is a lot of stuff going on there.Behind the reductive stereotypes, we find a place so beautiful, so disarmi ngly wonderful, that it’s just baffling that the stereotypes have stuck. Here, you have sky-scraping mountain peaks and tropical beaches. You have the largest rainforest in the world and driest desert. You have immeasurable plains and endless coastlines.And that’s to say nothing of the people, the food, the culture, the music.But here we’re talking about spots for landscape photography. And rest assured, if you are heading to South America, you’ll find plenty all by yourself.Check out our piece on landscape photography in Europe. The landscapes of MexicoAnd this complicates our sense of what a landscape photograph can be. It isn’t just about lonely mountains or wild plains. It’s about everything around us. A cityscape or seascape is a landscape; street photography, engaging with an urban landscape, is a landscape photography. Types of photography like wildlife photography and nature photography overlap with our style â€" but so can portrait photography, night photography, aerial photography and even food photography.A landscape photo can really be anything you want it to be.Take a look at our article on landscape photography in the USA.What Makes a Landscape Photograph Good?However, a good landscape picture is not something so straightforward. You’ll have seen the sumptuous landscapes of Sebastião Salgado or Fay Godwin, say, and really these are not things that are easily reproduced.Anyone can put on the panorama setting on their iPhone and get a decent enough shot, and most people love taking photos o f every hill or cliff top they see.Yet, to be a professional photographer â€" and to make great photos â€" you need something else. You need a real knowledge of the range of photography skills, photography equipment, and photography techniques.You need to understand the difference between wide angle lenses and fisheye camera lenses. You need to understand long exposure, shutter speed, and depth of field do to your landscape pictures. You need to think about foreground and background, white balance, and natural light.And on top of this, you need to practise your compositional skills. Also, you need to be prepared to commit the time to get exactly the shot you are after â€" whether at sunset, sunrise, or at night.A lot of work goes into making great pictures â€" so don’t take this for granted.Check out the best spots for landscape photography in Africa.Some Great Spots for Landscape Photos across Latin America.It’s worth saying, at the beginning of this list, that part of the task of the landscape photographer is to scout locations, explore your own areas, and find, yourself, the composition and forms that you want to create.Given this, all of South America â€" in the same way as all of the rest of the world â€" is a potentially glorious landscape photograph. Bear this in mind when you start on your photography journey: it’s not so much the location that makes a great photograph so much as the way that you represent and capture it.However, having said this, a great location â€" an inspiring landscape â€" can be the perfect motivator for you to learn and develop your passion in photography. Because there is nothing like a beautiful place to keep you going.So, here are some top spots across the whole of Latin America (not just the south!). It’s a beautiful continent â€" so there are many many more we have left out.Read about the best places for landscape photography in Asia.The Atacama Desert: Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.Let’s start with the Atacama De sert, the driest place on Earth. Spreading across Chile, parts of Argentina, and into the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, it has some of the most striking landscapes of on the planet.There is a reason why one of the most famous places in the area is known as Valle de la Luna (or, ‘Valley of the Moon’). And that’s because it is a completely otherworldly place. Head up to the northern parts of the south of Bolivia, and you’ll see the likes of Laguna Verde and Laguna Colorado.The colours are just breath-taking. The Andes are full of stupendous views.Mexico’s Sierra Mixteca.We have an image of Mexico that usually involves plenty of cacti. The place to go to see such a landscape would the Sierra Mixteca, which crosses the states of Puebla and Oaxaca.The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve is a highlight, where the collection of plants makes for a really startling experience, but the Sierra is a wonderful place to take your camera.The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.Everyone’s favourite wildlife haven, the Galapagos are largely off-limits without a permit. If you do manage to get there, then good for you.Alongside the turtles for which it is famous, the landscape itself is gorgeous â€" a volcanic archipelago of nineteen islands surrounded by the bluest of blue seas.Their reputation speaks for itself.The Amazon, Brazil.And to the Amazon, the lungs of the world. Not much really needs to be said about its beauty, its vastness, its global significance.It’s telling that there are still areas un explored â€" and let’s keep it that way. But there’s plenty of it for you to explore. And its mists, its lush vegetation, its fierce and varied wildlife are all reasons to go.Words really are not enough. Take photos instead.Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia.Immortalised by countless works of travel literature, the mythic Tierra del Fuego (the Land of the Fire) sits at the southern tip of South America, in Patagonia.It’s a mix of waters â€" rivers, lakes, glaciers â€" and the most dramatic mountain peaks outside of the Dolomites. It’s an incredibly special place, with some of the most recognisable colours and landforms in the world.The Pampas, Argentina.The Great Plains of Latin America, the Pampas are the never-ending grasslands of the south. Once inhabited by the gauchos, the iconic Argentinian cowboys, and travelled by the legendary Butch Cassidy, the Pampas remain a sort of Wild West.Flat but atmospheric, with mountains imposing in the distance, they are a majestic place. The Galapagos Islands' most famous resident.The Andes.The Andes are the longest continuous mountain range in the world, passing from the top to the southern tip of South America. Considering that it is just so damn long, the possibilities for exploring are endless.Some of the most beautiful places along the mountain belt â€" although this is all totally disputable â€" are in Peru. Try the Cordillera Blanca, with the Huascarán National Park, which has some of the higher peaks in the Andes. Expect snow and cracking views.Guajira Peninsula, Colombia and Venezuela.For something a little different, try the Guajira Peninsula, which is shared between Colombia and Venezuela. It’s known as the home of the ethnic group, the Wayuu, an indigenous community.On this peninsula, which sticks out into the Caribbean Sea, you’ll find the Parque Nacional Natural Macuira. It’s dominated by a desert which fades into the beaches, with dry vegetation around. Parts of it have a sort of desolate, end-o f-the-world feeling to them.Read about photogenic landscapes across the world.

Spring 2013 ACT tutoring at AJ Tutoring

Spring 2013 ACT tutoring at AJ Tutoring As the March 2013 SAT approaches, its time to start thinking about your next steps with standardized testing.  Like the SAT, the ACT is accepted by all colleges and may be a good option for you.  If youre interested in learning more about the ACT, read on!Differences between the SAT and ACT include:ACT questions are generally more straightforward, while SAT questions involve deeper critical thinkingThe ACT has a science section, unlike the SATThe SAT tests more vocabularyThe SAT is split up into more sectionsThe ACT is a faster-paced testMath on the SAT only includes algebra and geometry, while math on the ACT includes more advanced trigonometryWhile its often true that students who enjoy puzzles and logic games prefer the SAT and literal thinkers prefer the ACT, it can be hard to predict which test will be a better fit for you.AJ Tutoring recommends that students take both the SAT and ACT, since both tests are accepted equally by colleges.  Students are always welcome to take a d iagnostic ACT at AJ Tutorings offices on Saturdays.  Well then score the test and compare it to your SAT scores to determine which test might be a better fit.  If the scores are similar, you should plan on sitting for both tests in the spring of junior year.We know that preparing for standardized tests can involve a significant investment of time and money.  With that in mind, we created our shorter ACT hybrid program.Primarily intended for students who have already completed AJ Tutorings full SAT program, the ACT hybrid program is shorter (3-4 sessions) and focuses on the differences between the two tests.  Our ACT hybrid program emphasizes the faster pace of the ACT, as well as the ACT science section and the different format of the English section.  Each student who completes the ACT hybrid program will take at least two full-length ACT exams, either at home or proctored at our office.AJ Tutoring also offers a comprehensive 8-9 session ACT program for those students who woul d prefer more comprehensive instruction and a greater number of practice tests.The ACT is offered on two Saturdays in spring 2013: April 13, 2013 and June 8, 2013.  To register for the ACT, please consult the ACTs website.  Many students who take the January or March SAT go on to take the ACT in April, and students who take the May SAT often take the June ACT.  With 5 or more weeks between the two tests, there is plenty of time for students to prepare for the ACT and maximize their chances of success on both tests.If youd like to sign up for ACT tutoring or speak with a director to develop a testing plan for 2013, please give us a call at (650) 331-3251, or email info@ajtutoring.com.  Were looking forward to talking with you!

ADHD Video Games An Update

ADHD Video Games An Update Earlier this year, a team of researchers published findings from a study examining the connection between problematic video game use and ADHD in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. The results add to a small but growing body of evidence suggesting that kids and adults with ADHD are at increased risk for problematic video game use. This particular study found that among adults who play video games, higher levels of ADHD symptoms are associated with more severe symptoms of video game addiction (the average age of the adults in the study was 22, and over 90% of the participants were men). The study also explored whether specific characteristics of the games being played had an impact on video game addiction symptoms. Surprisingly, factors like how much someone feels the video game encourages them to continue playing, or how reinforcing they find a video game to be, did not have any impact on the connection between video game addiction and ADHD symptoms. While more research i s needed in this area, the study authors suggest that individuals with ADHD who play video games should be informed about the signs of video game addiction and the elevated risk that may be associated ADHD. So, what are the signs of video game addiction? There are currently no formal diagnostic criteria available for video game addiction; however, the most recent edition of the DSM (the diagnostic tool used the US for categorizing mental health disorders and addictions) does include Internet Gaming Disorder in the appendix as a tentative diagnostic category. The DSM-51 suggests that Internet Gaming Disorder (which can include playing video games off-line as well as on-line), may be identified when an individual has displayed at least 5 of the following 9 symptoms in the past 12 months: Preoccupation with games: The individual thinks about previous gaming activity or anticipates playing the next game; gaming becomes the dominant activity in daily life Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away: These symptoms are typically described as irritability, anxiety, or sadness Tolerance: The need to spend increasing amounts of time engaged in games Unsuccessful attempts to control or reduce participation in games Loss of interest in real-life relationships, previous hobbies, and other entertainment as a result of, and with the exception of, games Continued excessive use of games despite knowledge of psychosocial problems; Has deceived family members, therapists, or others regarding the amount of gaming; Use of games to escape or relieve a negative mood (like feelings of helplessness, guilt, or anxiety); and Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of participation in games. Why might kids and adults with ADHD be at higher risk? Researchers are not entirely sure why individuals with ADHD are at higher risk for video game addiction, but they have some theories that are being studied. Some factors being considered include: Impulsivity and difficulty stopping an activity that is highly reinforcing or engaging Difficulty with time management and other executive functions Avoiding stressful social interactions or academic/work-related activities Self-medicating untreated symptoms of anxiety or depression (which occur at higher rates in individuals with ADHD) A biological predisposition to addiction: Many activities (including video gaming), foods, and drugs can become addictive because they trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. Kids and adults with ADHD naturally have lower levels of dopamine in the brain, and as a result they are more likely to have an additive response to anything that triggers a dopamine rush. Knowing that kids and teens with ADHD may be at higher risk for problematic video game use is important, but when it comes to helping a child change his or her behavior it can be hard for parents to know where to start. In my next post Ill talk about 5 steps parents can take to help their kids and teens develop healthy video game habits. 1Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Year-Round School How To Enjoy Summer Break - TutorNerds

Year-Round School How To Enjoy Summer Break - TutorNerds Year-Round School: How To Enjoy Summer Break For the most part, elementary aged children attend a traditional 10-month school program and have about two months off in the summer to rest, relax, and spend time with family. However, year-round schools are becoming more popular, and many students attend such programs. Year-round schools have their benefits because students wont have enough time to forget valuable things they have learned but they also wont have as much time to enjoy the summer months simply and socialize with neighborhood children or experience education outside of the four walls of the classroom. So how can children attending a year-round school still gain a summer experience? 1. A Family Vacation Most year-round schools take a break for two or three weeks in between terms. If a kid is getting a great education at such a school but its feeling left out from certain traditional summer activities, such as a family vacation, parents can consider scheduling their trip during this period. A family trip can be a great way to see something educational or just do something different and get out of town for a little while. Whether students visit the nations capital, go camping, or visit a theme park, quality time with family away from the daily routine can be beneficial (READ: 5 Educational Activities to do on a Family Road Trip). 2. Unstructured Socialization and Play Students who attend year-round schools will probably have ample opportunity to be in a structured environment. It might be a very good idea for them to have a little bit of unstructured play during their term break so that they can have a chance just to relax and be a kid. This might mean riding bikes with kids in the neighborhood or meeting a friend or classmate on the playground. Unstructured play can help children learn how to socialize appropriately without being prompted by a teacher or parent and is a valuable part of growing up. Also, it allows kids a chance just to let go and have fun during the few weeks that they get to have off in the year-round school environment. 3. Time Outside Students in year-round schools will send plenty of time indoors in the classroom. As a result, its a good idea for them to spend part of their term break, even if its only two or three weeks, outside. Time in nature can be soothing and relaxing and helps students calm down from the previous school semester. Time outside also allows children to get out some of their energy so that they have a chance to focus more easily on academics when school is in session. If year-round students have a chance to play outside with other children who have the entire summer off, theyre more likely to feel like they had a little bit of a summer break themselves (READ: 5 Ways to Keep Self-Esteem High During Summer School). 4. Field Trips Family organized field trips offer another great opportunity for year-round students to get a taste of summer. Whether a family is going to an observatory, a nature preserve, or a giant park, family field trips are an essential part of education and exploration. Family field trips also provide year-round students with an opportunity to spend some quality time with their family while learning about things in their environment that are outside of the four walls of the classroom. To give a child a little more independence during their term break, parents can consider offering a few appropriate choices for field trips and letting their kids choose the one that they think is the most interesting. Part of summer break is becoming more responsible and independent. Make sure you dont get academically rusty over the summer with the help of Orange County summer tutoring from TutorNerds. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Last Minute AP Study Guide

Last Minute AP Study Guide Only One Thing Stands Between You and Summer: Finals Like a cold, concrete wall, finals stand between you and the bliss of summer. We understand the struggle; weve been there before. But what if we told you finals dont have to be that way. With a productive study schedule, and resources such as a private Orange County tutor from TutorNerds, any student can do well. Did we mention resources? What about a FREE resource? Youre already on it. Thats right, our education blog is a free resource for students, parents, and teachers. Further, we wish to bring you the most relevant and helpful content, so let us know what you would like to see on here in the future. Until then, lets discuss finals; particularly AP finals. One of the most popular AP course series include: World History, European History, and US History. Many of you are taking the final exams for these courses in the next couple of weeks. Below are eight tips to the perfect, last-minute study guide. Good luck, Orange County! Make a Timeline Stop by your local office supply store and get yourself a couple pieces of poster paper. Write down the various different cultures or events (depending on your subject) at the top and draw arrows to the other events that affected each other through time.   For Example, World War 1- 1914 (Franz Ferdinand) Germany/terrible economyRise of Nazi Party- World War 11 (1939 Europe/1941 USA-1945). Keep your notes basic and use key words to help trigger your memory of each important event on the timeline. Using too much detail can be overwhelming if you are studying last minute, so keep it simple at this point. Use color coding If youre doing World History, choose a different color for each culture and mix together if necessary to show a blending or separation of cultures. For example, Russia could be green, and then the various new countries formed when they became separate from Russia could be blue and yellow (blue + yellow = green). Color coding can be a really useful visual tool to help understand how different cultures or events related to each other. Order a study prep book and have it shipped overnight A test prep book can be enormously helpful because it breaks down the information into simple parts and highlights what you really need to know, as well as suggesting which topics will be heavily emphasized on the exam. Get a study group together ASAP Call up your friends and arrange a few group study sessions at your local coffee shop or library. I bet that most of your classmates have the same questions that you do, and answering them together can help make the concepts clearer. Arrange for a private tutor to come to your home a couple of times before the exam Because there won’t be much time, be sure to have your questions prepared in advance so that you can make the most out of those few hours. Many of our Irvine in-home tutors have taken AP courses in the past, so theyll empathize with your situation. Go through the chapters of your text book and make a list of all of the major events that were discussed  Write one paragraph about each chapter that sums up the key events. Making a list ahead of time will ensure that you don’t miss anything. This will also help you not lose time on irrelevant material. Also, sites such as Quizlet.com offer great AP flashcards. Look in the glossary in the back of your book and write down any words, phrases or terms that you are unfamiliar with   Find the definition or relevance of each and write them down on flash cards. Carry them with you to school and study for 10 minutes each morning and each night. Try to memorize as many as you can before your exam. Its tempting to add words you already know to the stack, but youre only wasting time if you do. Write a practice essay Even if you have done this in class many times before, it will be really helpful to be 100% comfortable with the essay portions. Who knows, maybe the essay on the actual final will be similar to yours. The AP exams are just around the corner, so make sure that you spend these last few days wisely and give yourself the best chance at a 3, 4 or even a 5 score. You got this. All blog entries are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at info@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal. One last thing, summer doesnt mean an end to learning. In todays competitive world of college admissions, its crucial students spend the next few months improving and catching up. What better way to do that than with a private summer tutor? We work with students schedules so they can still have fun. Notable Article College is worth it! Or at least we think so. Thats why its important to have a college educated Orange County tutor in your arsenal when applying to your dreams schools. We know the benefits of higher education transcend just an elevated income, yet it doesnt hurt to take that into consideration. Heres an interesting read from the New York Times: Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Says

7 Strategies for Handling Depression

7 Strategies for Handling Depression Sourced from Flickr Even though I’ve been dealing with depression since my teen years, I’m still uncomfortable talking about my mental health and seeking out professional help. Our society treats open dialogue around depression as a taboo of sorts, leaving far too many people under the impression that seeking help from a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist, is a sign of weakness. Treatment for depression has shown to be highly effective, but according to  Emory University, less than 25 percent of people with depression receive adequate care. Emory University also notes that there are over 1,000 suicides a year on college campuses alone and that roughly 1 in 10 students have made a plan for suicide. It seems to me that a lack of awareness and a willingness to talk openly about these issues is at the heart of the problem. I lost my brother to suicide 12 years ago. Divulging that information is typically a highly uncomfortable experience, for both me and whomever I’m talking to. The listener usually displays visible awkwardness and pity. Typically, this makes me feel alien, as though something must be wrong with me. The uneasiness usually lingers as we try and change the subject, or worse, they begin grilling me with far too many questions about it. It’s not that I feel like I need to constantly bring up the traumas of my past, but when asked questions like, “how many siblings do you have?” I must decide whether to be real about my answer. Do I tell them that I had six but now only five, or just pick one of the two numbers? When I’m frank with my answer, the best responses are always the ones that don’t miss a beat, that simply acknowledge my truth and move the conversation on. If I want to discuss the matter further, I think its best to let me be in control of that. When we talk about depression and suicide with someone who is suffering, allow them to go at their own pace. Make sure they know that you are there to be supportive, and offer a nonjudgmental ear if needed. We need to have these conversations, but Ive found pushing on someone elses problems before theyre ready can do more harm than good. Losing a sibling to suicide is the biggest deterrent for me to not follow in brother’s footsteps. I know firsthand the overwhelming pain that comes with losing someone to suicide, and I could never inflict that pain on another person. Depression makes it hard to care about yourself, and when I’ve found myself in such a state, I’ve remembered the people who care about me, who would be traumatized if I gave into my mental illness. image from media.defense.gov It is also true that depression can convince you that nobody will care if you were gone tomorrow. In my experience, this is never true. Someone always cares, whether we choose to believe that truth or not. When my brother died I was stunned to find out just how many people cared about his life, who were suffering from his decision to die. Truly, people care about you more than you can ever know. Choosing to continue living for the sake of other people is not enough, but I implore those who may be considering suicide to consider the lasting damage their death would have on those who love them. Its important to realize that people care, but its still more important to learn how to love yourself. Seek Professional Help Of course, seeking professional help is by far the most effective way to treat depression. Theres an unfortunate stigma around receiving psychological help, and I think its important we break the narrative that there is a weakness to seeking help. Seeing a mental health professional is no more a weakness than seeing a medical professional for physical health. Taking care of yourself often means seeking help. We are no more equipped to treat our own minds than we are a broken limb. Oftentimes, it may seem that such help is unavailable or too expensive, but I’ve found that all too often people are not aware of the resources available in their communities. If you’re a student, there’s most likely a psychiatric facility on your campus, and the services tend to be free. The services Ive received at  Montana State University  have been highly useful in helping me get a manageable handle on my depression. Most communities also have social programs to ensure that you can receive counseling services when you need it. Before concluding that professional help is unavailable, do some research to find what services and programs are available in your area. Whether you have depression or not, its important to be aware of these services as well. Being able to point them out to someone else whos suffering, and encouraging them to seek help can make all the difference.  My 7 Strategies for Handling Depression Im not going to pretend that Ive been perfect in managing my depression, but over the years Ive found methods that work to fight unhealthy states of mind. These strategies may not be for everyone. Professional help is almost always the best option for treating mental health issues. Still, we cannot be equipped with our own personal psychologist at all times. Below are my top seven strategies and reminders for staying in control of my depression. 1. Build a ladder: Perhaps my favorite advice for battling depression is the build a ladder concept. By seeking out experiences youve always wanted to have, essentially working on your own bucket list, you develop experiences that make your own life worth living. These experiences are like steps on a ladder that lead to a more fulfilled life. This concept comes from a woman named Martina, and you can learn more about building a ladder from her  video. 2. Failure is not the end: This is something I continue to struggle with as I finish my bachelors degree. Im terrified of failure, and I often assume I will fail before I even try. This inhibits my ability to succeed because I expect the work Im doing isnt good enough before Ive even finished it. All of that second-guessing only feeds my depression. Remember that its okay to fail, that failure is not the enemy. When I tackle assignments without worrying that I’m doing everything wrong, it makes it so much easier to move forward. We can strive to learn from our failures rather than being afraid of making mistakes. 3. Meditation: I used to think meditation was kind of dumb. Then I had a writing professor who required her students to meditate for five minutes before every class. It took me about a month of practice, likely due to my own attitude, to recognize the benefits of meditation. Taking that little bit of time to breathe and check in with myself helps keep me calm and focused. 4. Self-love:  This is probably going to sound corny to most readers, but Ive found that taking the time to tell myself positive things throughout the day, and especially when Im feeling down, really helps me build a better self-image. Sometimes, Im so off that it takes me a while to find things that I like about myself, but I can always find something, no matter how small. 5. Learn to take a compliment:  I dont take compliments well in general, but its especially when depression strikes. My typical assumption is that Im only being complimented out of pity, rather than out of genuine acknowledgment. When Im given a compliment and I notice Ive brushed it off as pity, I try to reevaluate and let the compliment sink in. Assuming negativity in an otherwise positive exchange is the depression talking. Taking the time to reevaluate helps tell depression to shut up. 6. Stop living by other peoples expectations:  Your life is your own, and nobody else gets to live it for you. When you allow the expectations of other people to dictate your life, you stop living for yourself. Think about who you want to be in life, and what kind of behavior you expect from yourself.  Its okay to screw up, but too often our shame in our failures comes from fear of what other people think, rather than from what we think and expect from ourselves. 7. Accepting and asking for help:  This goes hand in hand with seeking professional help, but it applies to daily life as well. Ive realized that Ive neglected to ask for help too many times, typically for fear of being a burden on someone else. When help has been offered to me, there are times Ive rejected it, out of my own sense of pride. Ive learned to acknowledge that fear and pride are feelings I project onto the person or situation before Ive even let them in. When Ive resisted this urge, I tend to find that people are happy to help and that accepting that help is not a weakness. We are stronger together. When the opportunity comes to return the favor, do it. You will strengthen bonds that will help you move forward. As the Beatles said, I get by with a little help from my friends.