Problem: Article: Select additional history or English courses as your electives. Take as many advanced placement (AP) courses as you can. These will help to prepare you for college-level essay writing. Join clubs that emphasize critical thinking and the use of evidence, such as Mock Trial. It's best if you major in history at the undergraduate level, but a degree in English, Legal Studies, or another humanities or social sciences field can be useful as well. You'll need a B.A., at minimum, to go after a career as a professional historian. Getting into a great university and achieving high grades will make transitioning to graduate school or real-world employment easier, too. Seize any opportunities to distinguish yourself as a history scholar, such as writing an honor's thesis. If you choose a major outside of history, make sure to fit a number of history classes into your schedule regardless. It's especially important to enroll in classes where you'll be given the opportunity to conduct research with materials from other time periods. Plan your classes in a way that ensures that you'll work with the same professors multiple times prior to your senior year. This makes it easier for them to write you convincing letters of reference. At the undergraduate level, start to pay attention to the time periods, places, or themes of history that excite you. It might help to ask yourself which historical questions peak your curiosity. Don't worry about narrowing everything down too much in college, you'll have plenty of time to do this if you pursue a graduate degree. For example, you may want to focus on the tiny details of people's lives. Or, perhaps you'll want to study life in a certain decade, like the 1950s. Decide if you want to attend a master's only or doctoral (PhD granting) program. Research possible schools by talking with your undergraduate professors and reaching out to active historians and potential mentors via email. Prepare and send off your application package with all of the required materials, including your GRE scores, the application fee, a letter of introduction, a writing sample, and any letters of reference. You can also narrow down your school choices by looking into the educational backgrounds of your favorite historians. It's possible that one of your undergraduate professors might offer to contact another professor for you to inquire about a graduate program. If they offer to do this, be appreciative and accept their help. You'll receive acceptance and financial offer letters from graduate schools in the mid-spring. Make sure to carefully read over any fine print involving fellowships or assistantships.
Summary: Develop your reading and writing skills in high school. Get your college degree in history or a related subject. Focus on an area of historical interest. Apply to graduate school.

Problem: Article: Add some white noise or your favorite music to keep you motivated. When the house physically looks cleaner, you feel more accomplished and motivated. Start with the rooms that are seen most by the public, such as the living room.
Summary: Start by doing the simple cleaning first.

Problem: Article: Do not take speaking less to mean not asserting and expressing yourself. If you have a serious concern, or an opinion you feel is important, do not hesitate to speak up. Part of speaking less is knowing when it is valuable to share. For example, if you're going through a serious problem in your personal life, it's okay to share with others if you need support. It's also important to share if your opinion could be valuable. If you, say, have a strong opinion about something at work, it can be beneficial to share with your boss and co-workers. Eye contact is important. However, constant eye contact can come off as too intense. People do tend to associate eye contact with confidence and attentiveness, but overdoing it may make you appear distrustful. It's appropriate to hold someone's eye contact for about 7 to 10 seconds and then look away for a moment. Eye contact may also be less appropriate in certain cultures. Asian cultures may find eye contact disrespectful. If you're meeting someone from a different culture, make sure to read up on social etiquette surrounding eye contact. Everyone has opinions and their own sense of what's right and normal. When you're listening very attentively to another person, they may sometimes say things you take issue with. However, while you're listening, it's important to keep judgment behind. If you find yourself making judgments about someone, pause and remind yourself to focus on the words. You can analyze information later. When listening, just focus on the speaker and leave judgment behind.
Summary: Express yourself when necessary. Do not overdo eye contact. Keep an open mind when listening.

Problem: Article: If you cannot physically control the dog or if the dog weighs more than 50 pounds (23kg), consult a board-certified animal behaviorist. Additionally, if the dog shows aggression toward children, shows food aggression (such as guarding its food bowl), or has ever snapped at you, seek help from a board-certified animal behaviorist instead of attempting to handle the animal yourself. Both dogs and people can be sensitive to the others moods. If you sense a potential outburst, or if your dog is already displaying aggressive behavior, stay calm and respond quickly. Restrain your dog on their leash or grab their collar and redirect them if they start displaying aggressive behavior. Ask the individual to slowly back away and re-approach once your dog has calmed down. Standing in front of your dog and blocking them from approaching others will keep their aggression at bay. Your dog's line of vision will also be blocked, which may relieve them of their trigger entirely. Remember, you know your dog better than anyone else so it is your responsibility to mediate for them. If you have enrolled in behavioral classes use some commands or directives to relive your dog of tension. Many dogs are aggressive toward new people. Introducing them slowly will help your dog gradually become used to their presence and curb aggressive behavior. If you are trying to introduce your dog to someone specifically set up regular play dates where your dog can continually get used to the individual. Have the individual slowly extend the back of their hand and offer it to your dog to smell. This will help them become familiar with the individual and will allow for them to approach your dog.
Summary:
Get help from an animal behaviorist if you have safety concerns. Act calmly and quickly. Practicing blocking. Slowly introduce your dog to new people.