The Connection Between Stress and Stroke Risk

The Connection Between Stress and Stroke Risk Stress Management Effects on Health Print The Connection Between Stress and Stroke Risk By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on June 24, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living Creative RF/ADAM GAULT/SPL/Getty Images What’s the connection between stress and stroke risk? According to the American Medical Association, roughly 80% or doctor visits are stress-related, but what about major, deadly conditions like stroke? Conventional wisdom has said that stress leads to stroke. Medical research has found some connections but has had a more difficult time proving that one clearly causes the other. However, a growing body of research seems to show a link. Here’s a sample of what researchers have found: A University of Michigan study found that men who were more physiologically reactive to stress (as measured by high blood pressure) were 72% more likely to suffer a stroke.A recent study of 6553 Japanese male and female workers examined job stress levels and found that men (though not women) in jobs that involved high demands and lower levels of personal control (in other words, more stressful jobs) were at greater stroke risk, even after controlling for variables like age, educational attainment, occupation, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and study area.One study measured levels of adaptation to stressâ€"how well participants managed stress, and the associated risk. They found that those who had difficulty managing stress appeared to be at an increased risk of stroke. “One interpretation,” they write of their results, “is that hypertensive men who chronically fail to find successful strategies in stressful situations are vulnerable to the damaging effe cts of stress and thereby at an increased risk of a future stroke.”What we know can be summed up with this, from researchers from The Copenhagen City Heart Study, who asked people about their stress levels and analyzed their health outcomes: “Self-reported high-stress intensity and weekly stress were associated with a higher risk of fatal stroke compared with no stress. However, there were no significant trends, and the present data do not provide strong evidence that self-reported stress is an independent risk factor for stroke.” However, while stress is linked, but not firmly established as an independent risk factor for stroke, it’s important to note that stress is linked with several firmly established risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity. (Read more about stress and weight gain  and blood pressure.) In addition to potentially raising stroke risk, stress is associated with poorer outcomes for those who have already had a stroke, as well as their families. While more research needs to be done, there is enough evidence of a stress-and-stroke-risk relationship that I feel very comfortable recommend stress management strategies as one means of lowering risk. Here are some stress management tips and resources for those concerned about lowering their stroke risk, as well as those who have already suffered a stroke, or care for stroke survivors. Quick Stress Relievers Reversing your stress response quickly is a simple and effective first line of defense against stress. It can help prevent the negative effects of chronic stress, especially if used as part of an overall stress management plan. 5 Minute Stress Relievers5 Minute MeditationBreathing Exercises Healthy Lifestyle Changes Adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce stress as well as risk for major diseases and conditions. Learn more about changes that make the biggest difference. Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Stress ReliefTop 5 Changes for a Less-Stressed LifeChoosing Healthy Habits Social Support Having a supportive social circle has been linked with better post-stroke outcomes for both stroke survivors and their caregivers. Learn more about social support and maintaining a strong supportive circle. Create Social Support In Your LifeCreate a Supportive Circle

What Does It Mean - 1587 Words

â€Å"Thinking† has become so casual in our everyday lives that we sometimes take it for granted and never really think about the process of â€Å"thinking†. What does it mean to â€Å"think†? What qualities do one need to meet to be considered â€Å"capable of thinking†? Being a human involves thinking and thinking involves experiences and emotions. In his paper, Turing questions these traits and brings in new theories to support his statement that machines are capable of thinking, using his imitation game as an example. I would have to disagree with these views and further disagree with the idea that the imitation game can be used to prove a machine’s intelligence. Human beings are Homo sapiens that have all the available and necessary traits one should have, such as the ability to â€Å"feel† emotions, the ability to â€Å"execute† those emotions, and the ability to â€Å"sin†. To be a human means one lives with thoughts based on their previous experiences and emotions. Turing’s definition of a â€Å"human being† differs in that if something can be pre-programmed to â€Å"think† then generally speaking, they’re â€Å"thinking†. Turing tries to avoid defining thinking directly by arguing that if something appears to be intelligent, then how can we say it is not intelligent? I’d have to refute this argument because I feel like Turing’s contradicting himself for the Lady Lovelace’s Objection. However, we’ll get back to this point later. â€Å"Thinking† has a direct connection with emotions. Though not always, â€Å"thinking† isShow MoreRelatedWhat Does It Mean?1389 Words   |  6 PagesMaintenance items: 31 Pre-Contemplation- What does that mean? I would explain to Justin that individuals in the pre-contemplation stage of change are not even thinking about changing their drinking or drug behavior. They may not see it as a problem, or they think that others who point out the problem are exaggerating (Grohol, J. M., 2006, February 13). Contemplation – What does that mean? I would also give him the knowledge of each of the four and what the meaning is. Individuals in this stageRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?855 Words   |  4 PagesPrior to arriving to Ursinus College in the Fall of 2015 I had not reflected on what being human truly meant. I was first posed the question, â€Å"What does it mean to be human?† in my very first Common Intellectual Experience class. At this time my first impression of what it meant to be human was to be someone who contributes to society, throughout this year my speculation has changed into the theory that there is no legitimate higher purpose to being human, you yourself give your existence meaningRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?929 Words   |  4 PagesWhat does it mean to be truly alone? Most people believe being alone holds a negative connotation. However, I have found that being isolated can truly make one stop and breathe and have time to really think about their life and what their purpose is. Above all, to be tr uly alone one must be physically and virtually disconnected from others for a time. For example, to me being alone is often something I get excited for in advance. I relish my free time to laze around and just be able to do anythingRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?1300 Words   |  6 PagesStuff. Such a broad word that can describe so many different things. It is a simple five letter word that can engulf entire populations. Everyone on this planet has â€Å"stuff† and some people have too much of that â€Å"stuff.† What exactly does it mean to have too much stuff? What does it entail? Is it bad? I have attempted to answer those questions and ones similar. â€Å"Attempt† is the key.There are over seven billion people in the world and it is impossible for me to hear everyone’s voice. I had to be satisfiedRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?954 Words   |  4 Pageswarm up run with my teammates. After the run, the coach normally announces that days lineups. Today we were in eights. â€Å"Awmiller, Greer, Johnson, Smith, Harrison, Shuford, Patrick, and Dickerson,† the coach announced. I didn’t hear my name. What does that mean? â€Å"Velanovich, Farris, Lewis, Arth, Howell, Clements, Charles, and Rose,† yelled the coach. I didn’t hear my name called once so, I went to the coach and asked why. â€Å"Excuse me coach, but why wasn’t I called today?† â€Å"Lucas, we didn’t have enoughRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?1561 Words   |  7 Pagesan important thing to note that the clear understanding of the topic makes the topic more and more easier to understand it. So, I am also going to start the topic from the basics. Who are Nagros? The writer is always using the word â€Å"Nagro†, what does it mean by this word â€Å"Nagro†?. According to the basic definitions, the Nagros are the people with black skins. It may also be said that those people who have their ancestry or the black appearance are called the Nagros. Summary The writer wants toRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?901 Words   |  4 Pageslast courses one met my historical studies factor which is framework. Framework allowed me to explore historical studies in that dealt with American history and global history. the courses associate with both histories are U.S. History to 1865: What Does It Mean to Be a Free Nation, Global History to the 15th Century, U.S. History from 1865 to the Present and Introduction to Women s and Gender Studies. Problem-oriented is framework that focus on consideration of possible resolution or continuing significanceRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?1022 Words   |  5 PagesWhat does it mean to be religious? According to John Bowker (2006), it can mean so many things to different people (p.6). Therefore, John Bowker argues that being religious does not have a perfect explanation and it does not mean one simple thing. I totally agree with John. I agree because â€Å"as a religion develops, disagreements can arise† (Coogan, p 10). Everyone had his or her own true meaning of being religious. In addition, religion is a key element in most human cultures. John and I believe thatRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?1580 Words   |  7 Pageshowever on personal climate occasions. Yet this probability raises numerous troublesome philosophical and political questions. What does it mean for something to be created by something else – particularly in complex frameworks? Is the looked for after reason for amazing climate deterministic ( this brought about that ) or stochastic ( this made that more likely )? In what ways are answers to the inquiry of causation molded by political or morals instead of by logical analysis. Rising levels ofRead MoreWhat Does It Mean?1244 Words   |  5 Pages What does it mean to immigrate? What is an immigrant? These are terms that need to be understood before deciding where immigration reform is needed. An immigrant, is a person who comes to a country to live there according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. To immigrate, is to, enter and usually become established; especially: to come into a country of which one is not native for permanent residence. Immigrants become involved economically, politically, and socially which cause problems for our

Social Effects of Technology Essay - 6374 Words

Introduction The interaction of technology and society may be the one thing more than any other that gives society a meaning and defines us a human beings. In recent years it has become popular to point fingers of accusation at technology as if it were autonomous and driving us all to perdition. I take other view. No doubt the uses of technology and society interact strongly. I think it wrongheaded and very naive to think of aggressive technology affecting a passive society eroding away the things that give society value and leaving behind a rusted hulk. Admittedly there always the potential for abuse or misuse of a technology, but technology is not inherently destructive, I argue. In the following we will consider ten effects†¦show more content†¦An entirely new industry had been born in the form of the microprocessor, a stepchild of the larger computer industry available only to big businesses with big dollars to buy big computing power. New skills and new opportunities for employment have come about as a result. The expansion of the computer market and proliferation of microcomputers into the mainstream of American life have increased the ability of the homemaker to run a household effectively; to shop and cook more efficiently; to learn about the true nature of family finances; and to create part-time productive jobs, and for a host of other things. The nation has, in effect, stepped out of the industrial arena into the information arena. Here is a single technology that has so changed our ability to gather, store, manipulate, and disseminate information that the entire economic structure has been transformed, And all from a single technological change, albeit with a highly sophisticated and extensively proliferated collection of applications. The computer and its impact on the economic structure is no less startling and dramatic than that of the steam engine; electric power; or for that matter, fire and the wheel. Through the computer, the efficiency and expansion of the economy have been so greatly accelerated that we are hard pressed to keep up with the changes. It is indeed revolutionary in nature and explosive in the speed at whichShow MoreRelated Social Effects of Technology Essays6300 Words   |  26 Pages Introduction The interaction of technology and society may be the one thing more than any other that gives society a meaning and defines us a human beings. In recent years it has become popular to point fingers of accusation at technology as if it were quot;autonomousquot; and driving us all to perdition. I take other view. No doubt the uses of technology and society interact strongly. I think it wrongheaded and very naive to think of aggressive technology affecting a passive society erodingRead MoreSocial Institutions and the Effects on Technology Essay862 Words   |  4 PagesSocial Institutions Effect of Technology Effects of Technology on the Education System CS300 Technology in Global Society Park University October 28, 2010 Outline 1. Introduction 2. History 3. Applications a. Distance learning b. Tutorials c. Books and other Materials 4. Benefits a. Affordability b. Accessibility c. New skills learned 5. Setbacks a. Privacy Issues bRead MoreThe Effects Of Technology On Our Social Lives1166 Words   |  5 PagesOur generation is one defined by technology. Every day advances in cellphones, computers, cameras, medical technology, and much more are being made. Because of technology, the way we live our lives, and the way the world functions is vastly different than it used to be. One might argue that all of this technology is making our lives easier, and therefore, better. However, people do not realize all that we are losing, as we gain technological knowledge. In the eighties having a cellphone was a luxuryRead MoreEffects of Technology on Social Relationships Essay1778 Words   |  8 Pageswill only increase. With the creation of new technology portions of life have become easier. Technology has changed the way we go through life. It’s made talking to people easier, as well as keeping up with the lives of others. However, the effects have affected the aspects of our lives that don’t include technology. There are some people that feel technology use has helped to improve our society, and in many ways it has. The improvement of the technology over the last few years is astonishing. ThereRead MoreNegative Effects Of Social Media On Technology719 Words   |  3 PagesPer:2 Society has become too dependent with technology in their lives because theyre always on it, children are negatively affected, and it can become a hazardous obsession. First of all, everyone is always using social media and they’re on their device most of their device device most of the time. Grantend, it is known that they are laws in california that drivers in California and have to be hands free . However I know that people still post on social media and text when driving. For exampleRead MoreTechnology And Social Medias Effect On The Peoples Privacy1286 Words   |  6 Pagescommunicate with others† (Hachman). Each day people live with a false security that they are protected and maintain a sense of privacy. Citizens misplace their trust in social media and technology, and divulge their personal information in ignorance of the repercussions that may arise. Users say the advances in technology and social media won’t affect the people’s privacy; however, it is proven that these advances can be a harbinger of both danger and discontent. Our nation is built upon its foundationRead MoreTechnology And Its Effects On Health And Social Security System4104 Words   |  17 Pagespopulation ages, and as the digital health field expands, technologies addressing the unique challenges of aging in place will become more of a reality. Great strides already have been made to improve aging. Seniors who want to age in place need to be as independent as possible. Technical innovations for successful aging offer opportunities both for older people and for societies with growing numbers of old and very old people. Technology applied in a flexible and supportive manner can improve theRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On The Development Of Mobile Technology1385 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Media Media Broadcast Marketing The increase of social media and the development of mobile technology in the last decade has been significant, which has transformed the communication strategies and especially with sharing the experiences and how information should be marketed to the target audience. According to Hollensen (2014), the selection of newspapers, web sites, and TV to be used for advertising (series of actions to reach goals) needs to be done (at the same time) with the developmentRead MoreComputer Supported Communication Technologies : Adverse Social Effects933 Words   |  4 PagesComputer-supported communication technologies: Adverse social effects. Is communication the only good contribution to this new era of technology? Thanks to new technologies people can stay more connected than ever using the endless capabilities of their smartphones and also making use of the different social networks available. However, it seems that in this new era, the more connected we are, the more disconnected we become. Nowadays people seem to be more reluctant from interpersonal interactionRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On The World Of Technology, News And Material Travel At A Supersonic Speed909 Words   |  4 PagesNovember 2015 Desensitizing Society In today’s fast paced world of technology, news and material travel at a supersonic speed. Subjects are then conversed, deliberated as well as disputed feverishly on the virtual landscape: giving way to argument and counter argument, thus leaving no stone unturned. Social media has undeniably played an operative role in sanctioning the common age. Unfortunately though, there is also a flip side. Social media has become a part of our everyday lives, and is a viable

Photography and Pinhole Camera Free Essays

9/20/2011 11H | Rashad C. Collie| The Pinhole Camera| The Pinhole Camera| How to build a pinhole camera Materials needed:1. Ruler 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Photography and Pinhole Camera or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sturdy cardboard box 3. Black tape 4. Black paper 5. Black paint 6. No. 10 sewing needle 7. Craft knife 8. Aluminum foil 9. Film or photographic paper Instructions:1. Make sure your container is light-proof and allows no light leaks. Cover up any holes, cracks or crevices with black tape, but leave an opening such as a flap to insert and remove film. Boxes should be made of durable cardboard or stiff paper, and lids and flaps should close securely. . Black out your camera. Line the inside of the box with black paper to prevent reflections and to protect against unwanted light filtering through. Preventing light seepage is important, as the light you do allow in to the camera should be very controlled. 3. Cut a ? -inch hole opposite the box opening with a craft knife. Make the pinhole by puncturing a number 10 sewing needle through a small square of aluminum foil measuring about 3-by-2 inches, rotating the needle as you push it through. Stop pushing the needle through when it is half way in. Tape the foil over the ? -inch hole on the inside of the box. Kodak recommends positioning the pinhole 3 to 6 inches from where the film will be placed. 4. Make the shutter by taping a piece of opaque black paper over the pinhole. You can make a shutter from wood or plastic by screwing it onto the body so that it covers the pinhole completely when not in use. 5. Load the film into the box in a completely darkened room. Use a small square of photographic paper or sheet film like Kodak Tri-X Pan Professional Film. A typical box arger than 3-by-4 inches will need film or paper that measures about 2? -by-3? inches; simply cut to size. Load the film so that the shiny (emulsion) side faces the pinhole. Tape the film or paper down at the corners so that it does not come loose. 6. Exposure refers to the amount of time that film or paper is exposed to light when taking the picture. Keep your camera as steady as possible when taking the picture; you may need to set it down on a flat surface. T he exposure time varies from 2 to 8 minutes for photographic paper and from 1 to 8 seconds for film. Choose the lower end of the spectrum for bright light conditions and the higher end for a cloudy day or dim lighting. Develop as normal. How does a pinhole camera work? A pinhole camera is a simple camera without lens and has a small hole to let light in called an aperture. A pinhole camera is an effectively light-proof with a small hole in one side. Light passes through the aperture and projects an upside-down image on the opposite side of the box. The smaller the hole the smaller and sharper the image will be that is projected. How to cite Photography and Pinhole Camera, Papers

The Concept Of Discourse Community Essay Example For Students

The Concept Of Discourse Community Essay In his article The Concept of Discourse Community, John Swales reports that a certain group of people can be described as a discourse community if that group could share some characteristics. In order to figure out whether or not those characteristics apply to a certain group of people, a methodology, which is a closer study of the behaviors and activities of the group, must be conducted throughout observations and interviews with some of the members. This paper conveys a study of a group of workers in Dayton Towers Luxury Apartments, and then relates, if possible, the results to the standards of discourse community that Swales describes in his article, followed by some explanations of what was learned from this experience. When I first entered the front office in Dayton Towers, the staff were smiling and welcoming the idea of being observed for a while. The office in the reception area of the building consists of two people; the leasing manager, and the building issues manager. There is a maintenance team, whom their staffs dress up uniformly and do not stay in the office, but have another room to stay in. We will write a custom essay on The Concept Of Discourse Community specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now There are 3 people under the maintenance department. The staffs communicate with each other informally. I observed that each of them has a wireless communicating device. Amongst the responsibilities of the leasing office are to receive any complaints from the tenants, receive packages of mails on behalf of the tenants in case of their absence, and arrange monthly†¦

The Ancient History of Abortion and When it Began

The Ancient History of Abortion and When it Began Abortion is often presented as if it were new, cutting-edge, scientifica product of the modern erawhen it is, in fact, as old as recorded history. Earliest Known Description of Abortion The earliest known description of abortion comes from the Ebers Papyrus (ca. 1550 BCE), an ancient Egyptian medical text drawn, ostensibly, from records dating as far back as the third millennium BCE. The Ebers Papyrus suggests that an abortion can be induced with the use of a plant-fiber tampon coated with a compound that included honey and crushed dates. Later herbal abortifacients included the long-extinct silphium, the most prized medicinal plant of the ancient world, and pennyroyal, which is still sometimes used to induce abortions (but not safely, as it is highly toxic). In Aristophanes Lysistrata, Calonice refers to a young woman as well-cropped, and trimmed, and spruced with pennyroyal.Abortion is never explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but we know that the ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, among others, would have practiced it during their respective eras. The absence of any discussion of abortion in the Bible is conspicuous, and later authorities attempted to close the gap. The Babylonian Talmud (Niddah 23a) suggests a Jewish response, by a Rabbi Meir, that would have been consistent with contemporaneous secular sources permitting abortion during early pregnancy: [A woman] can only abort something in the shape of a stone, and that can only be described as a lump. Chapter two of an early Christian text prohibits all abortion  but does so only within the context of a longer passage that also condemns theft, covetousness, perjury, hypocrisy, and pride. Abortion is never mentioned in the Quran, and later Muslim scholars hold a range of views regarding the morality of the practicesome holding that it is always unacceptable, others holding that it is acceptable up to the 16th week of pregnancy. Earliest Legal Ban on Abortion The earliest legal ban on abortion dates from the 11th-century BCE Code of Assura  and imposes the death penalty on married women who procure abortions without the permission of their husbands. We know that some regions of ancient Greece also had some sort of ban on abortion, because there are fragments of speeches from the ancient Greek lawyer-orator Lysias (445-380 BCE) in which he defends a woman accused of having an abortion. But, much like the Code of Assura, it may have only applied in cases where the husband had not granted permission for the pregnancy to be terminated. The Hippocratic Oath forbade physicians from inducing elective abortions (requiring that physicians vow not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion), but Aristotle held that abortion was ethical if performed during the first trimester of pregnancy, writing in the Historia Animalium that there is a distinctive change that takes place early in the second trimester: About this period (the ninetieth day) the embryo begins to resolve into distinct parts, it having hitherto consisted of a fleshlike substance without distinction of parts. What is called effluxion is a destruction of the embryo within the first week, while abortion occurs up to the fortieth day; and the greater number of such embryos as perish do so within the space of these forty days. As far as we know, surgical abortion was not common until the end of the 19th century and would have been reckless prior to the invention of the Hegar dilator in 1879, which made dilation-and-curettage (DC) possible. But pharmaceutically-induced abortions, different in function and similar in effect, were extremely common in the ancient world.

Average ACT Score - which one matters to you

Average ACT Score - which one matters to you SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You're probably curious about how you stack up against average ACT scores. But how many types of averages are there, and which averages are important for you? How about the national average ACT score? Or ACT score averages by gender and by ethnicity? We'll discuss official results for all these questions and tell you which ACT average actually matters for your future. What is the ACT average score? That depends on which group of students you're looking at.We'll look at national averages, averages by gender, and averages by ethnicity. Then we'll discuss which average ACT scores actually matter to you. National Average ACT Score The national average for the ACT stays roughly the same from year to year. For the graduating class of 2014, the ACT reported 1,845,787 total test takers. These were the average scores by section, and as a composite score: Composite: 20 English: 19-20 Math: 19-20 Reading: 20-21 Science: 20-21 All scores reported are the 50th-percentile score, meaning half the students scored above this number, and half scored below. If you scored the national average of 20 composite, you have a decent selection of schools that you have a great chance of getting into. If you raise your score by just a few points, this can make a huge difference in the schools that you're likely to get into. Now a few more ACT average scores for curiosity: Average ACT Scores by Gender Students Percent English Mathematics Reading Science Composite Males 856,651 46 20.0 21.4 21.1 21.2 21.1 Females 977,127 53 20.7 20.5 21.5 20.5 20.9 Interestingly, just like the SAT, boys tend to score higher in mathematics and science, while girls score higher in English and reading. Of course, these are national averages - just because you're a particular gender has little influence on the score you'll receive. It's much more up to the individual - if you stay motivated and prep for the ACT, you can earn a high score. Average ACT Scores by Ethnicity When registering for the ACT, the College Board allows students the option to specify their ethnicity. Most students do share their ethnicity, and the ACT has reported average scores across ethnicity: Ethnicity Students Percent English Mathematics Reading Science Composite All Students 1,845,787 20.3 20.9 21.3 20.8 21.0 Black/African American 241,678 13% 15.8 17.2 17.3 17.0 17.0 American Indian/Alaska Native 14,263 0.8% 16.6 18.1 18.4 18.3 18.0 White 1,038,435 56% 22.0 22.0 22.8 22.1 22.3 Hispanic/Latino 281,216 15% 17.7 19.2 19.1 18.8 18.8 Asian 80,370 4% 22.8 24.9 22.8 23.2 23.5 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 5,676 0.3% 17.5 19.2 18.7 18.6 18.6 Two or more races 70,013 4% 20.6 20.9 21.7 21.0 21.2 No response 4,136 6% 20.0 20.7 21.1 20.5 20.7 Once again, take this information with a huge grain of salt. While there are score differences by ethnicity, these are very rough metrics that may not apply to you. Because these are national averages, it ignores the ability of you as an individual to exceeds the average. Just by searching for this information, you're already outperforming doing more than what most students do to learn about the ACT. Now we get to the real question - which average ACT scores actually matter for you? The answer is: Average ACT Scores for Your Target Colleges The average ACT score that you should care about is the average ACT score at the colleges you're planning to apply to. If you're applying to selective colleges like those in the Ivy League, you'll need to score much higher than the national ACT score average of 20. Likewise, if you're applying to local community colleges, you may not need to score as high as 20 on the ACT. Your score target is unique to you, based on the schools you're interested in. We're going to take you through an easy process to figure out what ACT score you need to aim for, based on just 10 minutes of work. Step 1: Download this Worksheet To work through the following steps, we'll be filling out a worksheet for all the schools you're planning to apply to. Click here to download it, or click the image below. I recommend you print it out so that you can write on paper and keep it next to your work space. Step 2: Fill in the schools you want to get into in the first column. Include your reach schools (or schools that you have a smaller chance of getting into). Don't include your "safety schools," or schools that you're 90% sure you'll get into (because you're likely already scoring well enough to get into those schools). If you don't know what schools you're aiming for yet, feel free to use ones that have been suggested to you, or schools that your friends are interested in. I recommend that you take the time to research schools first, though, so that we have a realistic target score. Step 3: For each school, Google for "[name of school] average ACT". For example, if I'm interested in U Alabama, I'll do the following search: Most schools will have an about.com link or the school website, as shown here. Either page will usually list the25th/75th percentile scoresfor current U Alabama students. As a reminder of what this means: 25th percentile means that 25% of the students attending have a score at or below that number (this is below average). 75th percentile means that 75% of students have a score at or below that number. In essence, this covers the middle 50% of all students admitted to U Alabama. If you score at the 75th percentile for any school,you have a great chance at getting in. If you're at the 25th percentile, you'll need to have a strong application to boost your odds of getting in. Fill out the worksheet this way for all the schools on your list. Step 4: Calculate your Final ACT Target Score Finally, take the average of both columns - 25th percentile, and 75th percentile. I recommend that youuse the 75th percentile average as your target score.If you achieve this score through hard work, you'll have a very strong shot at getting into many of the schools on your list. For you, this is what your "Average ACT score" should be. It's unique to you - not the nation at large, and not your state or gender average score. Finally, you should set a target for your score for each section. My suggestion would be to use the composite score for each section. If you're applying to engineering schools or as a science major, your math and science scores can be higher than your other sections. Similarly, if you're applying to liberal arts programs or as a humanities major, your English and Reading scores can be higher. Step 5: Share Your Target Score As a last step, I suggest that you do two things with your score target: Share it with your parents. This will be a helpful conversation around your personal goals and how you want to achieve your target ACT score. Tape it to your wall. This will keep your goal in mind so that you can guide your studying powerfully. What to Do Next: Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Read to learn the details. Get a free guide to improving 4+ ACT points. Find out the best ACT test dates and build your personal testing schedule. Check out our online ACT prep program.We have a 4 point improvement guarantee - if you don't improve your score by 4 points, you get every penny of your money back. Plus, you get a 5-day free trial, so if you don't feel that it's helping you, you can cancel at any time.