How to Know When Your Depression Is Getting Better

How to Know When Your Depression Is Getting Better Depression Symptoms Print How to Know When Your Depression Is Getting Better By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on January 26, 2020 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on February 04, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Cultura RM / Elke Meitzel / Getty Images As you begin treatment for depression, it may take a bit of time for you to feel like youre back to your normal self. If your progress is slow, its natural to question whether youre really improving. To help you assess your progress, work with your doctor to set some goals to use as benchmarks. Questions to Assess Your Improvement Some measures that you can use to determine your treatment progress can be found in asking yourself the following questions. Are your symptoms improving? One way you can judge whether or not your symptoms are improving is to periodically take a test like the Wakefield Questionnaire, which asks a series of questions about your depression symptoms and then provides you with a numerical score.?? By comparing changes in your score over time, you can see objectively whether your symptoms are indeed improving. Are you better able to function in your daily activities? If youre having an easier time functioning in your daily activities, such as getting up to go to work or maintaining your personal hygiene, this is a good indicator that youre on your way to recovery. In order to assess your progress in these areas, you might want to set easily measurable goals for yourself, such as missing fewer days of work or taking a shower every day. Are you experiencing any unbearable side effects from your medication? Although relief from depression symptoms is the primary goal of treatment, medication can detract from your quality of life if you are experiencing unbearable medication side effects. An additional goal as your doctor fine-tunes your treatment plan is to come up with a medication regimen that minimizes these side effects while still providing you with adequate control of your depression symptoms. Are you experiencing any relapses? Another important goal of depression treatment is to make sure that you do not experience future episodes of depression.?? If your symptoms remain under control over time, this is an important indicator that youre getting better. Are you making needed changes in your lifestyle? Although depression is an illness with a biological basis, the way you live your life can increase your stress level and trigger a relapse in your condition.?? In order to prevent a recurrence of your illness, its important that you make necessary changes in your life, such as living a healthy lifestyle,  minimizing stress, and improving how you relate to others. Depression Symptoms to Look Out For If you think you are depressed or youre being treated for depression and dont feel any better, watch for these common symptoms of depression: Sleeping too much or too littleEating too much or too littleRestlessnessFeelings of hopelessnessLosing joy in your daily activities or passionsCrying for no apparent reasonOverwhelming feelings of anxietyFeeling sad, worthless, and/or guiltHaving difficulty doing normal daily activitiesIrritabilityWaking during the night or early in the morningDifficulty concentrating or staying focusedPhysical symptoms such as stomachaches or headachesThinking about or trying to commit suicide If you have these symptoms for two weeks or more or if you are being treated for depression and these symptoms are not getting any better, be sure to consult a mental health professional for help. Untreated and undiagnosed depression can get worse and stop you from living a fulfilling life. The Best Online Help Resources for Depression Depression Discussion Guide Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctors appointment. Download PDF How to Track Your Progress In addition to working closely with your doctor, its important to keep track of your depression symptoms. Journaling is an easy and effective way to track your progress, explore your emotions, and manage your feelings of depression.?? Try using a journal to record your experience with medication as well as self-help strategies. For example, you can use your journal to record what type of activity you tried (such as exercise, meditation, or listening to your favorite music), writing down how you felt before and after, and noting what you like or didn’t like. Reviewing past journal entries can also bring self-awareness to your depression triggers as well as any regressions in your progress. But do your best not to get discouraged or down on yourself if you are not getting any betterâ€"beating yourself up will only make you feel worse. Instead, consider sharing your journal entries with your mental health care professional, so you can work together to adjust medication or try different strategies to better manage any symptoms of depression. It may take time, but with the right combination of treatment, support, and lifestyle habits you can feel like your old self again.

Embryos Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis - 1121 Words

What PGD is: Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis is a procedure used before implantation to identify genetic defects within embryos. It is used to prevent certain genetic diseases or disorders from being passed on to the child by detecting irregularities in the number or structure of embryo chromosomes. The embryos used in the process are generally created through in vitro fertilisation and PGD is used with an IVF cycle to increase the potential for a successful pregnancy and delivery. PGD refers specifically to when one or both genetic parents have a known genetic abnormality. PGS refers to techniques where embryos from chromosomally normal genetic parents are screened for aneuploidy (Abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell.) PGD and PGS†¦show more content†¦These cell’s genetic material which consists of DNA or chromosomes within these cells are then tested for genetic or chromosomal abnormality, the unaffected embryos are then transferred to the woman’s uter us to implant. The techniques used to test for these abnormalities include fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), single- nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the newer approaches such as Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and next generation sequencing (NGS) and PCR. These techniques are constantly evolving to be more accurate and more informative. These techniques are used to test for genes that may produce specific diseases but can only check for diseases which have a genetic component. Why: The driving force behind the development of PGD was to determine the sex of the embryo, but the technology enabled doctors to determine possible genetic abnormalities, diseases and disorders. PGD is used mainly to treat parents that have genetic abnormalities, diseases and disorders or parents with higher risks of having these, but it is becoming commonly recommended for older women who due to their age are at a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with a genetic abnormality or disease. PGS sprung off the development of PGS and is now becoming commonly used by parents who would rather have their embryos tested for a genetic disease or disorder before implantation, as the other option ofShow MoreRelatedArgumentative +/- Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis1001 Words   |  5 Pagesthat you re having trouble conceiving because of a genetic abnormality you never even knew you had. Your mind races and your heart sinks. How is this possible? You never thought you would have to deal w ith not being able to have a baby one day. There are several options you have to try and conceive without passing on the genetic abnormalityÂ… the doctor continues to explain, but the one I would recommend first is Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis. You and your wife finally decide on PGD, a typeRead MoreThe Benefits of Human Genetic Engineering Essay1654 Words   |  7 PagesPre-implantation genetic diagnosis is a revolutionary procedure that utilizes in vitro fertilization to implant a healthy egg cell into the mother’s uterus after it is screened for mutations or other abnormalities. That way, only healthy eggs can develop to term and become beautiful, bouncing boys or girls. Designer babies have a bright future in the face of science because they are genetically engineered to be: disease free; viable donors for a sibling or parent; and with optional eliminationRead MoreVitro Fertilisation ( Ivf ) Essay1402 Words   |  6 Pagesfertilisation to take place outside the body. The resulting embryos are grown in the laboratory over 2 – 5 days before being transferred back into the woman’s uterus increasing the chance that a pregnancy will occur. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a screening test used to determine if genetic or chromosomal disorders are present in embryos produced through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Preimplantation genetic diagnosis screens embryos before they are transferred to the uterus so couples canRead MoreEssay On IVF Treatment1484 Words   |  6 Pagesoccur before PGD. Embryo development occurs on day 3 when a small hole is made in the soft shell of the embryo (Zona Pellucida) using a laser. On day 5, one or more cells are removed from each embryo (embryo biopsy). The embryos are then frozen and cells are sent to a PGD laboratory for analysis. The cells are tested from each embryo which informs them which embryos are normal. Normal embryos are thawed and transferred to the woman later. Demand Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is in high demandRead MoreGenetic Engineering The Perfect Child Essay example1024 Words   |  5 Pagesand technology, couples are now able to genetically modify embryos to create their ideal children. From gender, to eye color, hair color, height, body shape, and more, modern parents have the ability to leave little up to nature and take the designing of their child into their own hands. Whether it is ethical, or not, to engineer designer babies is a highly controversial topic with numerous pros and cons. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is the contentious technology fertility specialistsRead MoreUsing Ivf ( Vitro Fertilisation )1503 Words   |  7 Pagesx PDG stands for Pre Implementation Genetic diagnosis it is a technique used to help examine and recognise a specific genetic defect within embryos created using IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation). This technology is performed to prevent disorders or diseases being passed on to the child. The ultimate aim for couples attempting to use PGD is to produce an offspring free of chromosomal genetic defects. In New Zealand this technology is very limited and every application must be sought through and gain approvalRead MoreAn Immoral Injustice: Designer Babies702 Words   |  3 Pagesgene-enriched (Preface to Genetic Enhancement of Human Abilities n.p.). The gene-enriched refers to people with designer genes chosen by parents who have had the same done to them. This technology will first prevent birth defects and later diabetes and hea rt disease. As artificial genes develop to be common, the technology may be used to prevent drug and alcohol addictions, mental diseases, and eventually to create humans with synthetic characteristics (Preface to Genetic Enhancement of Human AbilitiesRead MoreResearch On Stem Cell Research1731 Words   |  7 Pagesstem cell research would cease to exist. Prior to what has become known as stem cell research, scientists began studying embryonic stem cells using mouse embryos in 1981, which makes stem cell research a fairly new topic of interest. It is through this research on mice that has given scientists the ability to collect stem cells in human embryos and further â€Å"grow the cells in [a] laboratory† (National Institutes of Health 2002). Although now possible, this research on human stem cells did not occurRead MorePGD Essay1127 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is PGD? The demand for Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) involves people that have genetic or chromosomal disorder, either personally or in their genetic makeup, who desire a healthy baby that doesn’t acquire the genetic or chromosomal disorder for example; Cystic Fibrosis and Huntington’s Disease. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis with assistants from IVF meets this demand. PGD is a reproductive option for those who do not want to pass on specific genetic disorders or chromosome imbalanceRead MorePlaying God in Medicine Continues to be Acceptable Essay1424 Words   |  6 Pagesdiagnose flawed DNA in pre-implantation embryos, empowering humans to create a stronger, healthier child. Scientists place a new/modified gene into a virus like organism that enters the cell and inserts the new gene. Genetic modification is utilized to correct defective genes that lead to disease or genetic disorders; in simple terms, manipulating human genes to provide a brighter genetic future for humanity. In the future we may also be able to cure genetic diseases in embryos by replacing faulty

Dc Ielts Essay Samples Explained

Dc Ielts Essay Samples Explained Folks often take the overall training module if they're meaning to work or live abroad. You should find out the procedure then utilize it during the test. Usually you must take the IELTS test if you're applying for employment or to study in a college or university in an English-speaking country or if you're migrating to such nation. There's, naturally, a limit on the variety of pages even our finest writers can produce with a pressing deadline, but usually, we figure out how to satisfy all the clients seeking urgent assistance. You need to make sure that your letter has a structure. PaperCoach can assist you with all your papers, so take a look at this time! Another massive negative is that students and kids that are learning about the world might not be in a position to go to. As soon as it is essential that children excel in their age to turn into successful as adults, they have to be shielded from the mounting pressure by keeping a balance between material and mental growth. Professionally, students receive a taste of diverse workplaces, which could inspire a potential career interest. Many students who deserve to get sent to the university belong to poor families who are fighting to support their everyday living. In summary, it's clear that computers are now part of our routine life. Talk about the benefits and disadvantages. Students lead busy lives and frequently forget about a coming deadline. My online IELTS Writing Practice Test will explain how to improve by a complete band score in only two days. Besides offering somewhere to conserve all of your valuable eBooks, the eBook reader software even supply you with a lot of features in order to improve your eBook reading experience in regard to the typical paper books. You shouldn't use the eBook continually for a number of hours without breaks. It'll be useful to have a superior eBook reader to be in a position to truly have a good reading experience and premium quality eBook display. An amazing eBook reader ought to be set up. Have a look at the questions and become acquainted with topics you would get on the true exam. Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a superb method that will help you to get ready for the test. The topic you're asked questions about will be about the topic in Phase Two. After the test you are going to be provided a score from 1-9. Secondly, naturally, you require good English! A good example of studying abroad is provided, but it isn't clear why this instance is provided, or what is shows in regard to the topic sentence. These IELTS sample essays are categorised in a manner that makes it simple for you to observe how certain essay question types ask you to present certain responses to be sure the question is totally answered. These high score model essays can help you know how to answer the essay questions and the way to structure your writing. In doing these activities we've added knowledge and techniques in SME-activities coupled to regional development and company sector development, that may be an asset for our clients within the global development projects. This amazing website, including experienced business for 9 decades, is one of the main pharmacies on the web. Around the world, children often utilize computers from an extremely young age. For instance, some children utilize the web to find in formation on various subjects. Dc Ielts Essay Samples Features From a personal perspective, computers can help young folks to learn more concerning the world. You should have your reasons, and our primary concern is that you find yourself getting an excellent grade. It is crucial to be aware that it doesn't matter what your opinion is! For instance, you could be requested to present your opinion on an issue, then go over the advantages or disadvantages of it. The Importance of Dc Ielts Essay Samples The sentence starters supply a simple method to introduce your points. An intriguing mixture of complex grammar structures will also need to be produced. You are being tested on the caliber of your English, not on the level of your ideas. The level of your ideas doesn't matter since there isn't any content score.

Deception Point Page 56 Free Essays

â€Å"He’s breaking the law,† Gabrielle said. Isn’t he? â€Å"Or so Marjorie Tench would have you believe. Candidates accept behind-the-scenes donations all the time from big corporations. We will write a custom essay sample on Deception Point Page 56 or any similar topic only for you Order Now It may not be pretty, but it’s not necessarily illegal. In fact, most legal issues deal not with where the money comes from but how the candidate chooses to spend it.† Gabrielle hesitated, feeling uncertain now. â€Å"Gabs, the White House played you this afternoon. They tried to turn you against your candidate, and so far you’ve called their bluff. If I were looking for someone to trust, I think I’d stick with Sexton before jumping ship to someone like Marjorie Tench.† Yolanda’s phone rang. She answered, nodding, uh-huh-ing, taking notes. â€Å"Interesting,† she finally said. â€Å"I’ll be right there. Thanks.† Yolanda hung up and turned with an arched brow. â€Å"Gabs, sounds like you’re off the hook. Just as I predicted.† â€Å"What’s going on?† â€Å"I don’t have a specific yet, but I can tell you this much-the president’s press conference has nothing to do with sex scandals or campaign finance.† Gabrielle felt a flash of hope and wanted badly to believe her. â€Å"How do you know that?† â€Å"Someone on the inside just leaked that the press conference is NASA-related.† Gabrielle sat up suddenly. â€Å"NASA?† Yolanda winked. â€Å"This could be your lucky night. My bet is President Herney is feeling so much pressure from Senator Sexton that he’s decided the White House has no choice but to pull the plug on the International Space Station. That explains all the global media coverage.† A press conference killing the space station? Gabrielle could not imagine. Yolanda stood up. â€Å"That Tench attack this afternoon? It was probably just a last-ditch effort to get a foothold over Sexton before the President had to go public with the bad news. Nothing like a sex scandal to take the attention away from another presidential flop. Anyhow, Gabs, I’ve got work to do. My advice to you-get yourself a cup of coffee, sit right here, turn on my television, and ride this out like the rest of us. We’ve got twenty minutes until show time, and I’m telling you, there is no way the President is going Dumpster-diving tonight. He’s got the whole world watching. Whatever he has to say carries some serious weight.† She gave a reassuring wink. â€Å"Now give me the envelope.† â€Å"What?† Yolanda held out a demanding hand. â€Å"These pictures are getting locked in my desk until this is over. I want to be sure you don’t do something idiotic.† Reluctantly, Gabrielle handed over the envelope. Yolanda locked the photos carefully in a desk drawer and pocketed the keys. â€Å"You’ll thank me, Gabs. I swear it.† She playfully ruffled Gabrielle’s hair on her way out. â€Å"Sit tight. I think good news is on the way.† Gabrielle sat alone in the glass cubicle and tried to let Yolanda’s upbeat attitude lift her mood. All Gabrielle could think of, though, was the self-satisfied smirk on the face of Marjorie Tench this afternoon. Gabrielle could not imagine what the President was about to tell the world, but it was definitely not going to be good news for Senator Sexton. 65 Rachel Sexton felt like she was being burned alive. It’s raining fire! She tried to open her eyes, but all she could make out were foggy shapes and blinding lights. It was raining all around her. Scalding hot rain. Pounding down on her bare skin. She was lying on her side and could feel hot tiles beneath her body. She curled more tightly into the fetal position, trying to protect herself from the scalding liquid falling from above. She smelled chemicals. Chlorine, maybe. She tried to crawl away, but she could not. Powerful hands pressed down on her shoulders, holding her down. Let me go! I’m burning! Instinctively, she again fought to escape, and again she was rebuffed, the strong hands clamping down. â€Å"Stay where you are,† a man’s voice said. The accent was American. Professional. â€Å"It will be over soon.† What will be over? Rachel wondered. The pain? My life? She tried to focus her vision. The lights in this place were harsh. She sensed the room was small. Cramped. Low ceilings. â€Å"I’m burning!† Rachel’s scream was a whisper. â€Å"You’re fine,† the voice said. â€Å"This water is lukewarm. Trust me.† Rachel realized she was mostly undressed, wearing only her soaked underwear. No embarrassment registered; her mind was filled with too many other questions. The memories were coming back now in a torrent. The ice shelf. The GPR. The attack. Who? Where am I? She tried to put the pieces together, but her mind felt torpid, like a set of clogged gears. From out of the muddled confusion came a single thought: Michael and Corky†¦ where are they? Rachel tried to focus her bleary vision but saw only the men standing over her. They were all dressed in the same blue jumpsuits. She wanted to speak, but her mouth refused to formulate a single word. The burning sensation in her skin was now giving way to sudden deep waves of aching that rolled through the muscles like seismic tremors. â€Å"Let it happen,† the man over her said. â€Å"The blood needs to flow back into your musculature.† He spoke like a doctor. â€Å"Try to move your limbs as much as you can.† The pain racking Rachel’s body felt as if every muscle was being beaten with a hammer. She lay there on the tile, her chest contracting, and she could barely breathe. â€Å"Move your legs and arms,† the man insisted. â€Å"No matter what it feels like.† Rachel tried. Each movement felt like a knife being thrust into her joints. The jets of water grew hotter again. The scalding was back. The crushing pain went on. At the precise instant she thought she could not withstand another moment, Rachel felt someone giving her an injection. The pain seemed to subside quickly, less and less violent, releasing. The tremors slowed. She felt herself breathing again. A new sensation was spreading through her body now, the eerie bite of pins and needles. Everywhere-stabbing-sharper and sharper. Millions of tiny needle-point jabs, intensifying whenever she moved. She tried to hold motionless, but the water jets continued to buffet her. The man above her was holding her arms, moving them. God that hurts! Rachel was too weak to fight. Tears of exhaustion and pain poured down her face. She shut her eyes hard, blocking out the world. Finally, the pins and needles began to dissipate. The rain from above stopped. When Rachel opened her eyes, her vision was clearer. It was then that she saw them. Corky and Tolland lay nearby, quivering, half-naked and soaked. From the looks of anguish on their faces, Rachel sensed that they had just endured similar experiences. Michael Tolland’s brown eyes were bloodshot and glassy. When he saw Rachel, he managed a weak smile, his blue lips trembling. Rachel tried to sit up, to take in their bizarre surroundings. The three of them were lying in a trembling twist of half-naked limbs on the floor of a tiny shower room. 66 Strong arms lifted her. Rachel felt the powerful strangers drying her body and wrapping her in blankets. She was being placed on a medical bed of some sort and vigorously massaged on her arms, legs, and feet. Another injection in her arm. â€Å"Adrenaline,† someone said. Rachel felt the drug coursing through her veins like a life force, invigorating her muscles. Although she still felt an icy hollowness tight like a drum in her gut, Rachel sensed the blood slowly returning to her limbs. Back from the dead. She tried to focus her vision. Tolland and Corky were lying nearby, shivering in blankets as the men massaged their bodies and gave them injections as well. Rachel had no doubt that this mysterious assemblage of men had just saved their lives. Many of them were soaking wet, apparently having jumped into the showers fully clothed to help. Who they were or how they had gotten to Rachel and the others in time was beyond her. It made no difference at the moment. We’re alive. How to cite Deception Point Page 56, Essay examples

Procedure for Import and Export free essay sample

Section 2(2) defines ‘assessment’ as follows – ‘Assessment’ includes provisional assessment, reassessment and any order of assessment in which the duty assessed is Nil. Thus, ‘assessment’ includes ‘Nil’ assessment. Noting of Bill of Entry Bill of Entry submitted by importer or Customs House Agent is cross-checked with ‘Import Manifest’ submitted by person in charge of vessel / carrier. It is noted if the description tallies. ‘Noting’ really means taking on record by customs officer. This date is relevant for determining rate of customs duty. Thoka number (serial number) is given in the import section. Otherwise, it is returned for clarifications. In case of EDI system, noting is done by the system itself which also generates bill of entry number. Date of presentation of bill of entry is highly relevant and the rate of duty as applicable on this date will be considered for calculating the duty payable. Bill of Entry is accepted only after proper scrutiny vis-a-vis import manifest and various declarations given in bill of entry and attached documents like invoice, bill of lading etc. We will write a custom essay sample on Procedure for Import and Export or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Value and classification of goods under drawback schedule in case of drawback shipping bills Export duty / cess if applicable Advance License shipping bills are checked to ensure that description in invoice and final product specified in Advance License matches. If necessary, samples may be drawn and assessment may be done after visual inspection or testing Exportability of goods under EXIM policy and other laws Some exports are totally prohibited under various Acts e. g. items restricted or prohibited under Foreign Trade (Regulation) Act; antiques; art treasures; Arms; narcotics etc. Some items like tea, coffee and coir products can be exported only against authorisation/licence under respective Acts. Examination of goods before export After shipping bill is passed by export department, the goods are presented to shed appraiser (exports) in dock for examination. Goods will be examined by examiner. This inspection is necessary (a) to ensure that prohibited goods are not exported (b) goods tally with description and invoice (c) duty drawback, where applicable, is correctly claimed.

The 8 ACT English Tips You Must Use in Your Prep

The 8 ACT English Tips You Must Use in Your Prep SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The ACT English section can feel a bit overwhelming. You have to answer 75 questions in 45 minutes. You have to know and understand grammar rules. You have to analyze phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and whole passages. It can be scary stuff. If you can focus on a few basic tips, you can simplify the ACT English section and feel more confident when attempting to slay the ACT English beast. Whether you spend ample time diligently studying for the ACT or start your ACT preparation the night before the test, remembering these tips for the ACT English section will be beneficial on test day. In this article, I'll give you the top 8 tips for ACT English success. Using these tips willraise your score and prevent you from making careless mistakes: Read the Whole Sentence Don't Be Afraid to Pick NO CHANGE Don't Rush Rely on Rules, Not Your Ear BeSure You Know the Easy, Common Rules Eliminate Identical Answers Pick the Clearest Answer Answer the Question that You're Asked General ACT English Tips Let's start with some strategies that apply to the ACT English section as a whole. #1: Read the Whole Sentence This tip is vital for the ACT English section. Most of the questions will ask you how to change the underlined portion of a sentence. Don't just read the underlined portion. Reading the whole sentence is imperative to correctly answering the questions. The phrases that are not underlined in the sentence often provide essential information to determine whether there is an error in the underlined portion. Here is an example question from a real ACT to illustrate this point: If you just look at the underlined portion, you probably won't think there is anything wrong with the word "consecutively." It's an adverb and it modifies the verb "speak." However, when you read the whole sentence, you should notice that "consecutively" is redundant due to the phrase "for twelve hours straight." In this context, consecutively means without stopping, and the phrase "for twelve hours straight" implies that she could speak that long without stopping. Therefore, the word "consecutively" is superfluous. If you don't read the whole sentence, you might not notice the error and most likely select A. However, because the word "consecutively" is unnecessary, the correct answer is D. Additionally, some questions require you to read multiple sentences to correctly answer the questions. For example, you need the context provided by multiple sentences to answer some verb tense and paragraph order questions. Remember to do enough reading. #2: Don't Assume That There Must Be an Error Do not fear the "NO CHANGE" option. If a sentence seems fine, look at the differences between the answer choices to understand what concept the question is testing and determine whether that error is present in the original sentence. The NO CHANGE answer tends to be more common than expected if all answer choices were distributed evenly. #3: Don't Rush This tip may seem obvious, but it's important to think about as you're taking the test. Make sure you read and understand the relevant sentences and questions before marking your answer. It's better to have to guess at the end or skip the more time consuming big picture questions than to rush through questions and make careless mistakes. Check out this question that you could easily miss if you were to rush: If you're going too quickly, you may miss this relatively easy question. Perhaps you won't notice that the apostrophe comes before the "s" in "girl's" and select NO CHANGE, or you may not recognize that we're dealing with a plural possessive noun. The plural noun "faces" suggests that we're talking about more than one girl, and if you read the passage carefully, you'll know that the sentence is referring to the faces of Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths. Therefore, the apostrophe should come after the "s" to indicate plural possession. The answer is G. This question is testing a somewhat basic rule, but if you're not paying close enough attention, you can miss a question like this that you should be getting right. Make sure you identify the type of question you're being asked, and go through all the necessary steps to find the correct answer. Refer to our ACT English articles in this blog for strategies for answering every type of question that appears on the ACT English section. Grammar Tips Here are some tips that focus exclusively on the grammar questions. #4: Rely on Grammar Rules to Answer Grammar Questions On the ACT English section, you should primarily use your knowledge of grammar rules to answer the grammar questions. Don't rely on your ear for what sounds right, except on idiom questions. Many correct sentences may sound wrong to you, and the ACT tests rules that are often broken in spoken and written English. Take a look at this official ACT example: If you attempt to answer this question by relying on what sounds right, you probably won't notice the error. The sentence sounds fine (at least it did to me when I first read it). However, if you rely on grammar rules to answer this question, you should first identify the underlined word as a pronoun. Whenever you see a pronoun underlined, you should check to see if there is an error in pronoun agreement. In the sentence, the pronoun "them" doesn't have a clear antecedent. The only answer choice that corrects the error is G. Here's an overview of all of the grammar rules that are tested on the ACT. #5: Some Common Errors Are Relatively Simple to Fix Some of the most common grammar errors on the ACT English section are fairly easy to fix. If you're able to identify these errors, often you can correct them with simple changes. Redundancy/Wordiness Redundancy and wordiness errors can be fixed by eliminating words or by making a sentence more concise. If a sentence makes sense without some of the underlined words, get rid of them. Here is an example: I think maybe I might possibly have met them all. F. NO CHANGE G. perhaps I've H. I've possibly J. I've By just looking at the underlined phrase, you should be able to determine that this is a redundancy question because "might" and "possibly" are synonyms, and therefore, both words aren't necessary. Additionally, the word "maybe" makes both "might" and "possibly" superfluous. All you have to do to eliminate the error is to get rid of "might" and "possibly." The correct answer is J. Unnecessary Commas Some of the comma questions on the ACT can be a little tricky and require you to know your comma rules well, but many comma questions simply require you to get rid of unnecessary commas. If you're unsure if a comma is needed, the general rule is to go with no comma. Take a look at this question: The sentence works just fine without the comma. On the ACT, if the sentence doesn't require a comma, there shouldn't be one. All you have to do to fix the error is get rid of the comma after "value." The correct answer is H. Dangling Modifiers If you start a sentence with a descriptive phrase, the word following the comma has to be the noun the phrase is describing. Any time you see an introductory phrase that describes a noun, the described noun should come right after the comma. This is an example of a dangling modifier: A writer for PrepScholar, Justin's goal is to help prepare students for ACT success. The introductory phrase is describing "Justin," not his goal. This sentence would fix the dangling modifier: A writer for PrepScholar, Justin hopes to prepare students for ACT success. #6: Eliminate Identical Errors If two answers are functionally identical, they must both be wrong. For example, if there is a question about transitions and two of the answer choices are "furthermore" and "moreover," you can determine that both are wrong because there is no way to differentiate between the two options. If you notice that more than two options are functionally identical, it will be a "Which of the following would not be acceptable?" question. Let's take a look at one of our previous examples: I think maybe I might possibly have met them all. F. NO CHANGE G. perhaps I've H. I've possibly J. I've If you didn't initially notice the redundancy error, you could have started going through the answer choices. Look at choices G and H. There is no real difference between the phrases "perhaps I've met them all" and "I've possibly met them all." Therefore, you would be able to determine that they must both be incorrect, and you can eliminate them. Then, you can compare the two remaining choices. Answer choice J is more concise, maintains the meaning of the original sentence, and it's grammatically correct, so it's the right answer. Rhetorical Skills Tips Now, here are some tips to use for the rhetorical skills questions. #7: All Prose Should Be as Clear as Possible Focus on picking the answer choice that provides all the necessary information and nothing more, in the most straightforward way possible. Here is an actual ACT example for you: While the phrase "being the place in which" doesn't contain a specific grammatical error, it's unnecessarily wordy. Every word or phrase in the passages on the ACT English should serve an essential purpose. This sentence can be more straightforward and concise. The correct answer is C. If we change "being the place in which" to "in which," none of the information in the sentence has changed, but the prose is more clear. #8: You Must Answer the Question You're Being Asked This tip may seem fairly obvious, but thinking about it is helpful when answering rhetorical skills questions. Each question asks you for specific things. Focus on selecting the answer choice that best answers the question instead of picking an answer choice that just seems plausible or sounds right. Here is an example for you: Many students will be stumped on questions like these. Since all the answer choices are true, they'll just randomly pick the choice that sounds formal and complex. Focus on the wording of the question. The correct answer should be the most specific and vivid. The answer choice that paints the clearest image of the underwater terrain will be the right answer. By focusing on what the question is specifically asking, you should be able to determine that the correct answer is A. None of the other answer choices vividly describes the underwater terrain. What's Next? Review the posts on the five critical concepts you must understand to ace ACT English and formality on ACT English. Both offer some helpful insight into the English section of the ACT. Also, read the article on how to approach ACT English passages. Make sure you have a systematic approach to these passages that works for you and will enable you to reach your target score. Aiming forthat elusive perfect 36? Tryour guide to getting a 36 on the ACT Englishfrom a perfect scorer. Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this English lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

How to Become a Technical Support Engineer

How to Become a Technical Support Engineer With almost every industry and company going as digital as possible these days, technical problem solvers are in high perpetual demand. This is where professionals like technical support engineers come in. What Does a Technical Support Engineer Do?Technical support engineers (sometimes also called information technology/IT technical support engineers) serve as tech gurus for a company. They might work with external users (like customers or clients) or internal users (like employees). IT technical support engineers use their expertise about various tech and computer systems to help troubleshoot issues, or maintain day-to-day operations. Their tasks may include:Designing computer systems to meet particular needs for a companyProviding support for customers or clients in person, via phone, or via computerProviding support for employees in person, via phone, or via computerMonitoring day-to-day performance of tech systemsTraining people how to use various systemsDiagnosing and troublesho oting tech problemsHelping companies implement new hardware or software systemsTechnical support engineers can be found virtually anywhere there is tech. These professionals can work in any industry, as there are jobs available in both the private and public sectors.What Skills Do Technical Support Engineers Have?Technical support engineers need to have strong tech backgrounds, of course, but they’ll also need a diverse skill set to find a job along that career path- a mix of hard and soft skills.Tech SkillsTechnical support engineers need a strong set of hard tech skills, and a strong basis in current technology. Depending on the job itself, they may need to have hands-on experience with specific kinds of hardware, software, applications, and systems.Customer ServiceThis role is a service job, no matter whether an engineer is working with colleagues at his or her company, or actual customers or clients. A strong sense of customer service is a major asset, as the engineer wil l be helping and coaching people of varying tech expertise, and helping make sure their technology is running as it should. Patience is a major asset here.CommunicationPart of the technical support engineer’s job is breaking down complex technological concepts so that they can be understood by a lay person who may be using the technology without understanding the sophisticated logic and engineering behind it. Being comfortable with translating concepts for different audiences, being able to present information clearly and articulately, and feeling comfortable with back-and-forth conversations are all essential to the role. Listening skills are also very important here, given that the technical support engineer often needs to diagnose what’s wrong, and how to fix it.Problem SolvingTechnical support engineers are, by nature, problem solvers. They help others use technology to do work more efficiently, and they ensure that the technology is working correctly. Companies de pend on their technical support team to come up with solutions to make sure that everything is running smoothly, tech-wise. That can mean coming up with creative solutions to tricky problems on the fly, as well as implementing best practices overall to ensure that problems won’t recur.FlexibilityTech problems don’t just happen from 9 to 5 on non-holiday weekdays. Technical support engineers may be on call at odd times, or be called in when there’s a crisis, regardless of time. If you’re not open to an â€Å"all hands on deck† situation when it comes to your hours, this might not be the best tech job for you.Tech-SavvinessThis may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s crucial to be up on the current technology and methods. The hot apps and systems a year ago might not be the best option now, and companies typically want their tech support team to be as current as possible on tech trends and processes. Being a quick, adaptable learner when it comes to new tech is key for a technical support engineer.Project ManagementThe technical support engineer may be called upon to manage larger projects, like making system changes or implementing new hardware/software. This means having the management and organizational skills to shepherd a project from start to finish, involving the necessary people, sticking to a schedule, and (if applicable) staying on budget. [via Pinterest/ProSyn]What Education Do Technical Support Engineers Need?While the basic education requirements can vary depending on the industry and the company, a technical support engineer typically needs a four-year degree in engineering, computer science, or a similar technical discipline. Experience may be able to trump a degree in some circumstances, but a two-year degree in information technology, computer science, or computer engineering is a bare minimum.How Much Do Technical Support Engineers Get Paid?This can be a pretty lucrative field, if you have the skills to go for it. According to PayScale, the median salary for a technical support engineer is $60,674 per year. This can vary according to experience and location, as well as areas of specialty and expertise.What’s the Outlook for Technical Support Engineers?This is a field that will continue to grow for the foreseeable future, as technology grows ever more sophisticated, and companies need qualified professionals to support it. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field will grow by at least 12% by 2024, faster than average for all jobs.If you have strong tech skills and a passion for helping people solve problems, this can be a great career path for you. As a technical support engineer, you’ll never run out of challenges, and it’s a path that will keep you right on the cutting edge.