Month: August 2020

5 Useful tools for writing and proofing assignments

When we read our own work several times, it gets harder and harder to find spelling or grammar mistakes. We have selected 5 great online resources to help you make sure your assignments will look and read fabulous!

1-The Coaching Lab

The Coaching Lab

This is an Algonquin College resource and is our number one tip! The Coaching Lab provides support for writing, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Math! This resource is part of the Student Learning Centre and offers Algonquin students individual or small group coaching, and you can book your session online. The writing sessions cover grammar, brainstorming and outlines, formatting a paper, citation, self-editing techniques and much more. The ELS sessions cover oral presentation and communication, reading comprehension and basic writing skills. The service is free to all Algonquin students and you can book 2 sessions per week!

2-Grammarly

This is one of the most popular online resources for proofreading, and offers a free version, as well as a paid version. The free version will help you with spelling mistakes and poor use of vocabulary, while also suggesting words that will improve the readability of your document.

3-Hemingway Editor

Hemingway Editor

This tool will rate the readability of your document. It will identify, for example, sentences that are too long, as well as differentiating between passive and active voice. The final goal is to give a perfect flow to your writing making it more enjoyable and easier for the reader.

4- Ludwig

Ludwig

Ludwig is a sentence search engine that will help you correct your writing sentences based on examples from reliable sources. You can get definitions and synonyms, paraphrase your sentences, discover missing words and much more!

5- Spell Check Plus

Spell Check Plus

This simple tool will let you paste you’re your writing in a text box, which will then highlight spelling and grammar mistakes followed by a suggestion of correction. It is a great start in the proofreading task.

Learn from the best: Habits of highly successful people

Man looking at tall building
Success means different things to different people. To some, it’s about thriving on the world stage. To others, success lies in finding personal fulfillment.

Whatever your goal, however you envision yourself succeeding, there are a few common threads that will help get you there.

Top performers across all industries share several key traits and habits that empower them to succeed at work and in life. Have a look to see which ones you recognize in yourself and which you’d like to improve on.

Highly successful people:

Know what they want. They’ve made a point of identifying their goals and they understand their motivations. Having a strong internal compass helps them maintain commitment and prioritize objectives.

Think long-term. They’re determined to carry out their vision and they align their daily practices toward attaining the big-picture goal. High achievers realize that lasting success is more important than instant gratification.

Have confidence. Those who have success in life believe in themselves and take steps to pursue what they want. They don’t talk about getting things done; they just do them. And they aren’t afraid to aim high, whether it’s for a job, a specific project or a personal accomplishment.

Think positive. The most successful people are highly optimistic. They focus on the up side and never dwell on negativity or doubt.

Take risks. Successful people know that “failure” is a learning opportunity and that high risks can bring high rewards. They don’t let minor setbacks or frustrations sway them from their course, and they’ll keep trying until they achieve what they want.

Say “No.” They don’t get pressured into doing things they don’t want to do or that will steer them off course. That includes knowing when to say “No” to themselves; successful people understand the importance of prioritization and don’t take on more than they can handle.

Persist & persevere. Successful people know that persistence is the key to getting things done. They know that consistency and determination lead to success, so they don’t give up.

Communicate & listen well. Much of success is about building great relationships. Successful people know how to communicate their message clearly and effectively. They’re also open to hearing feedback and respect new ideas.

Give generously. They care about bringing value to other people. One of the secrets to long-term success is to find ways to give, not to get. Whether it’s their time, knowledge or resources, high achievers are happy to provide.

Prioritize sleep & exercise. Successful people think holistically. They understand that to reach peak performance, they must keep mind, body and spirit in top shape.

Unplug from technology. Successful people realize that taking time out from the digital world helps improve productivity and overall well-being. They make it a regular practice to meditate, daydream or enjoy unfocussed thinking — without their devices — so they can reflect on the day and plan for the next. Even just 10 minutes a day of “power-down” time can enhance creativity and boost resilience to life’s stressors.

Embracing these habits and characteristics will help position you to deliver your best work and live your best life. Find the ones that resonate most and see how you can incorporate them into your daily routine.

The main thing to remember is that success is a mindset. To succeed on your terms, you need to identify and create a life that matters to you.