Year: 2019

Golden Key Spotlight: Wahéhshon Shiann Whitebean, Scott Mattlock, and Jordan Yeo

Golden Key Spotlight: Wahéhshon Shiann Whitebean, Scott Mattlock, and Jordan Yeo

Being a member of Golden Key is about so much more than just getting something nice to put on your resume. There are so many opportunities at your fingertips and experiences to explore, and it’s all there for the taking. But don’t take our word […]

Get the internship you want through smart networking

Get the internship you want through smart networking

Internships can be an incredible stepping stone on the path towards your dream career. They are a chance for you to try your chosen job and industry on for size and make sure it’s the right direction for you. It’s also a valuable chance for […]

12 great study tips for the new school year

12 great study tips for the new school year

Now is the time to break out of your same-old homework habits. Try these study tips and get the brain boost you need for back to school.

1. You don’t need ONE study space.

A well-stocked desk in a quiet place at home is key, but sometimes you need variety. Coffee shops, libraries, parks, or even just moving to the kitchen table will give you a change of scenery which can prompt your brain to retain information better.

2. Track more than HW in your school planner.

Keeping a calendar helps you plan ahead—but you’ve got more going on than just homework assignments! Make sure you’re marking your extracurricular, work, and social commitments, too. (Tests, band practice, away games, SAT dates, half-days and holidays are just a few examples of reminders for your planner.)

3. Start small.

If you’ve got a big assignment looming, like a research paper, stay motivated by completing a piece of the project every few days. Write one paragraph each night. Or, do 5 algebra problems from your problem set at a time, and then take a break.

4. School supplies (alone) don’t make you organized.

Come up with a system and keep to it. Do you keep one big binder for all your classes with color-coded tabs? Or do you prefer to keep separate notebooks and a folder for handouts? Keep the system simple—if it’s too fancy or complicated, you are less likely to keep it up everyday.

6. Get into a routine.

When will you make the time to do your homework every day? Find the time of day that works best for you (this can change day-to-day, depending on your schedule!), and make a plan to hit the books.

Get create tips on resume writing, interviewing and networking in our free Career Series e-book!

6. Learn how to create a distraction-free zone.

A study on workplace distractions found that it takes workers an average of 25 minutes to return to what they were working on pre-interruption. Try turning off your phone notifications or blocking Twitter (temporarily) on your computer so you can concentrate on the homework tasks at hand.

7. Get real.

When you’re looking at the homework you have to get done tonight, be realistic about how long things actually take. Gauging that reading a history chapter will take an hour and writing a response will take another 30 minutes will help you plan how you spend your time.

8. Use class time wisely.

Is your teacher finished lecturing, but you still have 10 minutes of class left? Get a jump on your chemistry homework while it’s still fresh in your mind. Or use the time to ask your teacher about concepts that were fuzzy the first time.

9. Look over your notes each night to make sure you’ve got it.

Fill in details, edit the parts that don’t make sense, and star or highlight the bits of information that you know are most important. Interacting with your notes will help you remember them. You can also use Homework Help to get your questions answered 24/7.

10. Study a little every day.

Cramming Spanish vocabulary for a quiz might work in the short-term, but when comes time to study for midterms, you’ll be back at square 1. You might remember the vocab list long enough to ace the quiz, but reviewing the terms later will help you store them for the long haul.

11. Don’t let a bad grade keep you down.

A rough start to the semester doesn’t have to sink your GPA. Take proactive steps by checking your grades regularly online and getting a tutor if you need one.

12. Make a friend in every class.

Find a few people you can contact from each of your classes if you have a homework question or had to miss class (and do the same for them!).  Then when it comes time to study for exams, you’ll already have a study group.

This article first appeared on the blog for proud Golden Key partner The Princeton Review.

If you’re thinking about graduate school, you’re probably also thinking about admissions tests. The Princeton Review has been helping students get into their top choice schools since 1981 through classroom courses, online courses and private tutoring. They offer guaranteed results with proven methodology and score-raising strategies plus passionate, expert instructors who motivate you to achieve your highest test score and reach your educational dreams.

The Princeton Review offers Golden Key members $200 off classroom and online courses for the LSAT, MCAT, GRE and GMAT.

Golden Key Spotlight: Our members explain why you should join

Golden Key Spotlight: Our members explain why you should join

Have you been thinking about joining Golden Key but not sure whether it’s right for you? If you’re high achieving, passionate, hard-working–and want to connect with people like you, then Golden Key is definitely the honor society for you. We have more than two million […]

Golden Key Spotlights: Aniquah Zowmi, Carly Baxter and Yaeesh Sardiwella

Golden Key Spotlights: Aniquah Zowmi, Carly Baxter and Yaeesh Sardiwella

Golden Key means something a little different to each of our two million (and counting!) members. For some, it’s about much deserved and hard-earned recognition. For others, it’s about meeting new people, attending events, seeing the world, and being part of something bigger. We love […]

Golden Key Alumni: Share your story

Golden Key Alumni: Share your story

With more than two million members around the world, Golden Key is proud to be associated with and supporting people at all different stages of their educational and professional journeys. Membership with Golden Key is for life, and we’re passionate about continuing to grow with you, whichever path you follow. We love hearing your stories and having the chance to share them with our younger members–and we want to give you the opportunity to have your moment in the spotlight!

If you’re a Golden Key alumni, we would love you to take five minutes to complete this short survey about your experiences as a member and your advice for younger members:

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Golden Key Spotlights: Edward Donato, Jessica Cathcart and Kiran Dhillon

Golden Key Spotlights: Edward Donato, Jessica Cathcart and Kiran Dhillon

We’re proud to have more than two million amazing members of Golden Key around the world, and we love hearing and sharing the stories of why each person joined and what they’ve gained from their time with us. Here we share the stories of three […]

Why being yourself is best in a job interview

Why being yourself is best in a job interview

You’re amazing–and you need to make sure the interviewer knows it. Standing apart from the hoards of other job candidates means showing your interviewers how you’re different. This is where it pays to express your own personality, rather than exhibiting a rigid, polished, robotic side. […]

Find out how to be prepared – and ace your interview!

Find out how to be prepared – and ace your interview!

The art of practicing for an interview is different to anything else entirely. Many college students have little to no experience on handling interview questions, especially big ones that have the potential to earn you a spot at your dream internship. There’s no way of knowing what they might ask, but being prepared and practising as much as possible is the best thing you can possibly do.

Ask a family member or friend to help you by asking you test questions, or it can even be a good idea to try it out in front of the mirror. The more you rehearse out loud the more comfortable you’ll be. And feeling (even a little bit) comfortable in a job interview is a great way to be! Here are some common questions and suggestions on how to answer them:

Tell me about yourself?

This is going to be your most commonly asked question during your interview process. While you may be interested in telling the hiring manager whether you’re more of a cat or a dog person, this is not what they are looking to hear from you. The employer is asking for your elevator pitch. If you’re unsure of what an elevator pitch is, it is a succinct (usually 60 seconds or less) description of who you are professional. It should include where you’re from, stating what you’re currently doing either as a student or professional and include past work experiences and future interests.

Forbes contributor Nancy Collamer has broken down what makes the perfect elevator pitch and the tips you should follow to achieve employment. In the article, Nancy states, “You should be able to reel off your elevator pitch at any time, from a job interview to a cocktail party conversation with someone who might be able to help you land a position.” Practice your pitch so that it feels natural and intriguing to others, you never know when an opportunity may arise.

Get tips and advice on resumes, interviews, and networking. Get your copy of the FREE Golden Key Career Series e-book now!

How would you react in this [Example] situation?

Depending on the company or industry you’re interviewing for, these questions may vary, but they all exist in some form during the interview process. My answer to all of these questions is to be prepared.

Roman Philosopher Seneca is quoted as saying, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” This is a mantra to live by while trying to land your internship. Preparation will get you farther than anything else in life, and it’s when you’re given the opportunity to sit across the table and interview with a dream company that you prepare like there is no other job in sight. Prepare and form at least three real-life or hypothetical stories and how you would handle them in any alarming situation.

Remember to keep your answers short and sweet during your interview, it’s important to know how you’re going to respond to every question before you even step into the office. With the right amount of practice and preparation, you’ll be walking into your interview with the confidence and ability to land that dream internship.

What do you consider to be your biggest strengths and weaknesses?

We all know how to discuss our strengths, you should hopefully know what you’re best at in any setting. What is usually a little more challenging to a student preparing for interviews is understanding what their weaknesses are, and not turning those into weaknesses that can secretly be strengths.

Stray away from the typical use of the word “perfectionist”, most likely the employer has heard this one in the past. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not an interview mistake to mention where your weaknesses lie. For example, let’s say that you’re bad at public speaking and a little shy; focus on how you’re going to improve that lack in your skill set. Focus on what your strengths and weaknesses are, you may even learn a little more about yourself during the process.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

If you’re interviewing for a company that you hope to turn into a future career, be honest with the employer. It will never hurt to let them know you’re looking for full-time employment, just be sure that you’re able to back up that statement by letting the employer understand how you plan to make that happen.

If you don’t have the skillset yet to become a full-time employee, show them that you’re passionate and willing to learn about the business while you’re an intern. The conversation of full-time employment may be a possibility in your near future

By following this template of questions and being well prepared, you should be ready to tackle any of the challenging internship issues that come your way. Remember: practice with a friend or peer and do a mock interview to relax your jitters, write down notes and key points of information that you’d like to memorize. Be honest, work hard and you will be rewarded.

This article was first published by Golden Key partner, Dream Careers: https://www.summerinternships.com/interns/how-handle-tough-interview-questions-land-your-dream-internship

Dream Careers is a tuition based, an all-inclusive internship program, providing motivated college students an easy way to spend a summer in exciting cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, London, Washington DC, Barcelona and more, while also providing custom internship placement at your choice of nearly 5,000 companies. The program tuition ranges from $8,499 – $9,499 and covers your summer housing with hundreds of other college students, a meal plan, academic credit, exciting weekend trips, resume and interview preparation, and career development seminars.

Get the internship you want through smart networking

Get the internship you want through smart networking

Internships can be an incredible stepping stone on the path towards your dream career. They are a chance for you to try your chosen job and industry on for size and make sure it’s the right direction for you. It’s also a valuable chance for […]