Problem: Article: Shift the throttle so you reduce your speed gradually as you spot the dock and move the boat towards it. Make sure you follow the harbor rules and slow down to the set speed limit around the dock or harbor. Do not approach the slip at a fast speed, as you risk hitting the boat on the dock. Maintain a slow, even speed so you have just enough power to maneuver the boat into the spot. Draw an imaginary line in an arc from the center of the bow to the middle of the slip. Try to keep your boat on this imaginary line as you turn the wheel. If the boat drifts to the left or right of the line, lightly move the wheel so it stays on the line. As you turn the wheel, gently shift the throttle forward so you can ease into the slip. Let momentum do most of the work so the boat can glide into the spot. If you end up slightly crooked or to one side in the slip, shift into "reverse" and turn the wheel slightly to make adjustments. Try to get the center of the bow lined up with the middle of the slip as much as you can. Be aware of the wind and the current as you make adjustments, as they can affect the movement of the boat. Try move with the wind or current so you can straighten out the boat properly. If you are struggling to park the pontoon, ask a crew member to hop out and grab ahold of the ropes on the boat. Then, have them help you by dragging the boat into place using the ropes. Direct the crew member as needed so you can get the pontoon straight in the slip. Once the pontoon is properly docked in the slip, use the ropes to secure the pontoon to the dock. Use a cleat hitch or a bowline knot to tie the boat to the dock so it stays in place.
Summary: Slow down when you see the dock. Accelerate downward and shift into neutral as you approach the slip. Turn the wheel so the center of the bow is pointing at the middle of the slip. Shift to "forward" as you turn. Shift into "reverse" to make small adjustments. Have a crew member jump on the dock and use the ropes to adjust the boat. Tie the pontoon up on the dock.

Problem: Article: Professors are much more likely to grant an extension if you ask before the paper is due. Ask as soon as you think you might need one, rather than the night before the deadline, or afterwards. The exception to this, of course, is an unexpected emergency, such as a family death or being rushed to the hospital. Talking one-on-one with your professor will help show them you are being honest in saying you need an extension. When you think you need an extension, visit the professor during office hours or at least ask to talk to them for a minute after class. If you're sick, away, or it's the weekend you might not be able to approach your professor in person. In that case, plan to write a polite email to ask for more time to write the paper. Your professor likely teaches multiple classes. Write your class and time in the subject. An extension should give you a reasonable amount of time to complete the paper, based on how long you've already had to work on it, and on how much you've finished. Think about your professor's personality when deciding how long of an extension to ask for. If your professor seems strict, leave it entirely up to them to decide how long of an extension to grant. You may just have to take what you can get. If your professor is more lenient, and you think you can get the paper done within a certain time (such as two more days), ask for a specific extension. If your professor seems like the type to negotiate, aim high. If you think you can get the paper done in two days, ask for a four-day extension at first, and expect your professor to negotiate down.
Summary: Ask as soon as possible. Approach your professor in-person. Email to ask your professor about an extension. Decide how long the extension will be.

Problem: Article: When you're nervous, your muscles lock up and your breathing gets irregular, which can negatively impact your performance. To counteract this, close your eyes and take big, deep breaths to relax. Hold the breath for 3-5 seconds, then slowly let it out. Stage fright is natural, and something that many performers struggle with. One thing not to do when you're nervous is to run away from the feelingthat makes it seem even scarier. Instead, take a step back and look at your anxiety objectively. Tell yourself your nerves are normal and OK to have, and that they can even make you a better performer! Being nervous isn't something to be afraid of. It might not feel comfortable, but you know you're strong enough to handle the discomfort and perform your best anyway. For example, you could tell yourself, "This is a big recital, so of course I'm nervous. That's OK. I'm going to perform the best I can anyway." with focused, positive thoughts about the performance. Being nervous means that you have adrenaline coursing through your body, and that can be a good thing before a big performance. Instead of allowing that adrenaline to run wild and make you nervous and worried, focus it into positive thoughts and actions to boost your confidence. For example, you could channel your adrenaline into physical movement, such as drumming your fingers or nodding your head. You could also walk or even dance around to get out your jitters. Mentally, use your energy to acknowledge your worried thoughts, then turn towards excited, upbeat ones. Think about how hard you've worked for this, how excited you are, and how ready you feel. Many performers find that some healthy pre-show jitters give them the burst of adrenaline they need to give an amazing show. Embrace your nerves as a way to help you perform your best. Bad nerves can sometimes send you into a worry spiral that's hard to break out of. Stop the cycle before it starts by first noticing when you begin to worry. Stop yourself and accept that you feel nervous, but that that feeling doesn't have to control you. For example, you might find yourself thinking something like, "I'm not prepared for this. I'm going to mess everything up." Instead of continuing in this vein, say, "This just means I have some nerves. I practiced hard for this. It's natural to be nervous, but it doesn't mean I'm going to mess up." If you're worrying about past mistakes or failures, try saying to yourself, "I've worked hard since then and learned from mistakes. I've improved a lot, and now I get the chance to show it." Sit or stand in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Picture yourself giving a great performance, and let yourself feel those emotionsconfidence, strength, elation, and more. Letting that image fill you up will give you the boost of confidence you need to make it a reality. Positive visualization has been proven to improve performance in many different arenas, so give it a shot! You still might feel a rush of nerves when you step onstage. Instead of freezing up, channel that nervous energy into a big smile or an enthusiastic wave or gesture. This is a great way to cover up your anxiety while connecting with the audience. If you're a musician, you could smile, nod to the crowd, and walk briskly to your spot. In less formal settings, you could even jump around or run onstage. If you're acting or giving a speech, walk on confidently and in character. If you're dancing, walk onstage as you've rehearsed, smiling or looking confidently at the crowd if it matches the mood of your performance.
Summary:
Breathe deeply to calm your body. Allow yourself to acknowledge and accept the nerves. Control your adrenaline Cut off repetitive worrying when you notice it. Try positive visualization and meditation to relax. Turn your nerves into enthusiasm once you're onstage.