INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Another method to measure the acidity of a solution is to use a pH meter. This is a specialized piece of laboratory equipment that is expensive and you may not have access to one. If you do have one available, you can use it to determine the exact pH of a solution. For this experiment, you will need: Rainwater A pH meter Calibration buffers (one with pH 7.0 and one with pH 2.0) During a rainstorm, place a clean container outside at a height of at least two meters (six-and-a-half feet). Placing the bucket up high prevents dust and dirt from getting into the rainwater. These contaminants can affect the pH of the water. Collect at least one cup (250 mL) of rainwater for measurement. Before using a pH meter, it must be calibrated so that it gives you the correct reading of your sample. Each meter is different but the general calibration process is the same. First, rinse the electrode of the meter with water and then place it into a buffer with a known pH of 7.0. Set the readout display to 7.0 so the meter knows that this is what a neutral pH is. Repeat this process with another buffer that is acidic (around pH 2.0). Some meters may also require that you calibrate with a buffer that is also basic (around pH 10.0). Always rinse the electrode between solutions. Rinse the electrode with distilled water before use. After calibration, you can place the electrode in the rainwater. Once the reading has stabilized on the meter, the display is the pH of the rain. Remember, normal rain has a pH between 5.0 and 5.5. Acid rain is usually in the range of 4.0-4.4.

SUMMARY: Gather the necessary materials. Collect some rainwater. Calibrate the pH meter. Measure the acidity of rainwater.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Don't be afraid to involve the people you care about in your goals and plans. Be open and honest about the proposed path forward, or simply let those around you know what factors in your life have diverted you from your studies. Keeping these emotional and mental problems bottled up makes them feel unmanageable, and talking to others about some of your issues will show you that you're not the only one struggling. If you don't feel as if you can discuss your issues with loved ones, set up an appointment with a counselor. Almost all universities offer free mental health services to their students. Making a connection with a mentor that you respect can help you feel less isolated, and also hold you accountable for your studies. Don't worry about being a nuisance it's part of your advisor's job to guide you through the process of picking a suitable program and navigating through to success. Ask their advice on your plan and have them look over your calendar. The more you procrastinate, the more daunting your workload will seem. Stick to your study plan and be sure to complete tasks on time so that you can move on to the next one worry free. Seek help from your college writing center or go your professor's office hours if you're worried about completing a specific assignment. Getting help from experts will make the work seem less frightening and more doable. Keeping fit and eating healthy foods promotes good brain activity. The Freshman-15lbs is typically caused by a high calorie diet and lack of exercise, making you sluggish and tired. Join a club sport, take a fitness class, get plenty of sleep and fresh foods. Make plans with a friend to go to a fitness class followed by a healthy meal. A workout buddy will help hold you accountable and make healthy choices more fun. Though it's healthy and normal to explore different social opportunities in college, becoming involved in campus-drinking culture or drug use can lead to negative personal and professional impacts. Do not participate in binge drinking. When you're of age, having a few casual drinks with friends or going to a party is a great way to socialize and release stress. Binge drinking, on the other hand, is an unhealthy practice that can lead to depression and lack of motivation. Choose your friends carefully. Surround yourself with people who share your lifestyle choices. Don't let yourself be peer pressured into illicit activities that hinder your academic and emotional potential. College is a time for self-exploration and preparing to create a meaningful life for yourself. In addition to your academics, take some time to reflect on who you are, your guiding principles, and what you hope to achieve in the world. Be yourself, and don't let anybody else dictate who you are or who you think you should become. You are enough just as you are.

SUMMARY: Share your plans for academic success. Schedule follow-up sessions with your academic advisor throughout the semester. Don't let yourself get behind. Stay active and eat healthy. Stay away from excessive drinking and illicit substances. Be confident in who you are and your choices.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Certain varieties of strawberries are better adapted to certain types of regions and their climates. Visit a local fruit stand or greenhouse to talk to an expert on the strawberries best suited to your region. Growing the best variety for your region will help eliminate diseases caused by environmental stressors. The best way to prevent strawberry diseases is to plant disease-resistant strains. Conduct an online search for the most prevalent strawberry diseases in your region and then pick a strawberry variety that is resistant to all or most of those diseases. Strawberry plants require 6-10 hours of direct sunlight per day. Not only will sunlight help them grow, but it also helps fight disease by allowing strawberries to dry quickly after heavy rains or thick dew. Mulching around your strawberries will fight disease by providing protection from frost, dehydration, and soil temperature fluctuations. Strawberry plants are most likely to acquire disease when they are stressed. Stress can be caused by planting strawberries in clay or soil with high salt content, too much or too little water, incorrect planting depth, and too much shade. Follow your strawberry variety's specific planting instructions as closely as possible.

SUMMARY: Plant strawberry varieties that are adapted to your area. Select strawberry varieties that are disease-resistant. Avoid shade. Use mulch. Avoid stressing your strawberries.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The last thing you want to do is to tear a hole into your wall only to find that it's not feasible to put a door there. Before you go about drilling and tearing down, check for the following things: Check if there's enough room in the wall. You need just over twice the width of the door (so it can hide). Check if the wall is load-bearing or just a partition. If it is load bearing, you'll need a new header and a means of temporary support while the door is being worked on. Check for wiring or plumbing. A wall with pipes in it is not a good place to put a door. Wiring can be easily detected with a cheap voltage sensor. If you're replacing a door with a pocket door, you'll need to get rid of the existing door. Start with removing the molding and, with a reciprocating saw blade, cut the shims. When the nails are cut, you can remove the door frame. Door jambs aren't nailed against the studs in the wall they're just spaced with wooden shims.

SUMMARY:
Check the wall. Remove the existing door, if applicable.