Hey all this is my experience taking the ACT on Sept 10th, pretty much straight from my diary with a few names removed

I woke in the night a few times but didn’t want to get up in the morning. I got dressed (long sleeves) and forgot water. We went back home.

We got there at 7:45ish and it took a minute to find Chambersburg people. 

Testing was good. I finished the first section with tons of time (English) and just one I didn’t know (where to move the sentence, I don’t like those ones) and math I missed the whole last 2 pages.

Because there was one with Heron’s law and I couldn’t remember so I was like using law of sines and all this stuff. In the end it was 13*3 but that’s going to be gross, math I probably got 28-29 on?
English was okay. I panicked for a second but finished. George Washington. Chinese art. Asheville. Mining

Science I hadn’t touched the last passage when she said 5 minutes, there were three or four I didn’t get to.

We had a break and I ate nuts. I talked about how I had watched the matrice videos last night and they all were so confusing except mine which was great.

Oh and the essay: The prompt was large schools v small schools and I said neither. My points were 1) enthusiastic teachers who love the kids and love their subject and love their job 2) funding per student and buying books that are up to date 3) expectations. I talked about AP computer science not having any latino students or African American students or in some cases girls in whole states. And that’s not fair. Obviously there are large and small schools in those states, size doenst determine quality.  

I literally wrote a book though, like 4 body paragraphs (one was defining a “good education”) and the others were my points. I think I did alright on it but I was like on page 7 and my handwriting got really bad at the end.

There was a website crackact that I wished I had looked at. 

Title: 365 Pocket Morning Prayers: Strength and Joy to Begin Each Morning
Author: David R. Veerman
Publication Date: September 1, 2016
Publisher: Tyndale Momentum
Provided by: Tyndale
Rating: 3
Pages: 320
Cost: $10
Amazon Link

Synopsis: 

Each morning when you arise, take a moment to talk with God about the day ahead. Ask Him to prepare your heart so that you can be ready to face any challenge that comes your way. 365 Pocket Morning Prayers can guide this time of life-changing conversation and help you express your needs and concerns to God. Don't worry about what the day will bring. Instead, release your troubles and concerns into God's care by reading and meditating on the prayers featured in 365 Pocket Morning Prayers. Begin your day in joyful anticipation, trusting that God is in control of your life and wants only the best for you.

My opinions

This book contains a wide range of topics and provides encouragement for them. There are not dates given, but day numbers. 

Strong points:

The book is a small, cute book. It would be easy to keep in one's car, desk, or purse if they would like or set out on a coffee stand. The book has a small ribbon to mark one's place which is similar to many bibles on the market. 

The book uses the NLT translation which is my personal favorite and I appreciate its reader- friendly nature.

I think that the index in the book is useful for finding a specific passage and am very glad that the author/editors included it. 

Weak points:

To me, the book could me more focused. Some of the passages are about making important decisions, about marriage, and fear. Its unlikely that a person would be able to apply each of these to their lives everyday. 

Because of this, I dont think a person should expect to read the book through cover to cover. You might benefit from encouragement after a bad day, but while you will find it in the book, you probably wont need that page on the correlating day of the year. 

I could also say that prescripted prayers are not enough to keep one's spiritual life healthy and these prayers should be treated as a starting point, an appetizer if you will, and not the main dish. 

Final thoughts

To me, the target audience seems to be those who have grown up with prewritten prayers. I have never had a book of prayers before and it is not something that I see myself using on a regular basis. 

I personally wouldnt pay $10 for it but there are a few good pages I have found.

If you would like, you can order a copy from Amazon here. 

About the author

Veerman is the owner of The Livingstone Corp., a company devoted to helping Christians and Christian organizations improve ministry effectiveness. He currently presents Understanding Your Teenager seminars across the country.

He doesnt seem to have any sort of online presence. 

They are very comfortable and expand right away. They block most noise and I cant hear people talking at a normal level when I wear them. There is no itching or anything. 

See how they are not that awful cone shaped mess though? Yeah, whoever designed these ones knows what they are doing. I have tried the cone shaped ones and they hurt :(

So, these are definitely my favorite earplugs and a staple for standardized testing.  If you are highly sensitive to noise and find it distracting during exams, you might want to bring a pair to the SAT, ACT, or any AP tests. 

(PS. I took the ACT today and brought earplugs and I am so glad I did. The proctor opened a window and so like cars were going by and everything and I could see them but I couldnt hear a thing! Perfect!!)

I also use them for homework as little things like birds singing outside, the washer and dryer ratttling my window, and my family members getting overwhelmed trigger my anxiety and really limit my productivity. 

On the other hand, wearing these places me in my own bubble; I wish I would have realized earplugs work so well for me a few years ago. Its a bit awkward when you cant hear how loud you are walking or talking or going to the bathroom but honestly, I dont really care enough to constantly be messing with them. :)

(Another fun fact: When I was little I didnt really have a dream job. I just wanted my own bubble to live in. I also liked going outside in the rain to watch for lightning)

On the bus they reduce the chaos to a normal level so I can think, however I can still hear things if the radio is on because everyone wants to talk over it.  I'm sure that they would also help with construction, lawn mowing, snoring, etc. 

Still, I have two disclaimers about them that I must share:

• You will not be able to hear cars coming if you are wearing them. Be extra careful if you are walking on the road, say to get the mail. 
• You wont be able to hear people or alarms trying to wake you up. 

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They are available at Walmart however I found the cheapest price is to order from Amazon.