Why Should Little Kids Have Music Lessons?

What Does Mindfulness Mean?

What Should We Do When Misfortune Strikes?

How Can We Overcome Our Frustrations?

Holiday Gifts for the College Bound Student

Often when meeting parents at Back to School Night, they would ask me what they could give their children for Christmas or their birthday that would help them get ahead. I loved this question, and soon began writing a list of gift ideas on the board in the front of the room before any parent meeting. Here’s the list I would write on the board this year, (if I was still in the classroom) and the ages when I would give them:

1.   Seven Habits of Highly Effective Students by Sean Covey – Age 13

2.   Personality Plus by Florence Littauer – Age 14

3.   The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz – Age 15

4.   Free $ for College for Dummies by David Rosen and Caryn Mladen – Age 16

5.   The Blue Zones of Happiness by Dan Buettner – Age 17

6.   The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley – Age 18

Of course, it would be unethical to suggest families buy my own book, Free College Awareness, if I was still in the classroom, but I’m not. So, when it’s available, which should be soon from what my publisher has told me, you should get a copy. It’s for parents of all Pre-K through high school students (college bound or not), although like the strategy in this article, parents start the process, and students take over as they mature.  

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

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Does Your Reputation Really Matter?

What Makes Failure Final?

How Young Is Too Young to Prepare for College?

I recently had a conversation with the mother of a fourteen year old boy. She was freaked out, saying her son was feeling anxiety about preparing for college. She complained he was too young to start prepping. I couldn’t disagree more. Parents should start helping their children plan for their future (college or other post high school plans) much sooner. A great deal can be accomplished earlier, so there will be less pressure later.

I observed this during my 40+ year career teaching both college prep and non-college prep students. Students whose families started supporting their future plans when they were little suffered far less stress and anxiety. They seemed calm and almost serene. I also witnessed this while doing research for my book, Free College Awareness.  

All the steps families need to follow are in my upcoming book, but here’s one strategy parents can start right now. This one is appropriate for elementary aged and older students. The next time you’re out shopping, stop by an office supply store, paper boutique, or big box store. Find a wall mounted, age appropriate calendar for the upcoming year. Pick up some stickers and colored pens too.

Sit down with your child and your own personal planner. Start with the holidays already listed on the calendar. Guide your child in decorating those days, leaving space to write something later, if the need should arise. Second, note the birthdays of family members and close friends. Again, let your child dress up the date. Third, mark school events, such as the first and last day of school, back to school night, and the like.

If there’s anything in your planner for the upcoming year that impacts your child, show him/her how to write it on the correct date. Use different colored markers selected by your child. What you’re doing is demystifying the organizational process.  Hang the calendar on the wall or back of the door in your child’s bedroom. If two children share a room, it will cause less conflict if they each have their own calendar and space where it is hung.

As time goes on, and other events or appointments come up, inform your child and assist him/her in recording it on the correct date. The younger your child when you begin using this process, the more guidance will be needed. As time goes on, or if he/she is older, very little help will be necessary. Just encourage children to develop the habit of recording upcoming events, both the fun ones, and all the rest. When you do so, you’re teaching them one of the sixteen strategies used by all full ride scholarship winning students. They use wall calendars and are very organized.

In answer to the question posed in the title of this article, there’s no such thing as too young. Parents begin setting things up for the child when he/she is little, and the child takes over as he/she matures.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

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How Should You Deal with Your Weaknesses?

Why Should Students Eat a Nutritious Breakfast Daily?

The Best Kept Secret of Parents of Successful Pre-K – H.S. Students

While researching the strategies used by families of successful college scholarship winners, I noticed they dined together at least five days a week. It didn’t matter how busy they were at work, or if their children were involved in after school sports or other activities. They made sure to have dinner together. Many studies have shown this is a significant factor in the success of a child in school and later in life.

Think of any negative activity a teenager could get into, (alcohol, crime, drugs, dropping out of school, pregnancy, gangs, etc.). Research indicates such conduct is avoided by children who grow up dining with their families at least five nights each week. The families of every full ride scholarship winner I have met also followed this practice.

Here’s a painless way to make it happen, if you aren’t doing so already. Decide you’re going to do it. This is the most difficult step. Once you’ve decided, really decided, the rest is pretty easy. Determine which evening of the week is filled with the fewest activities. Circle it every time it appears on your calendar or planner. Pick a dinnertime and write it down. When a friend or work colleague wants you to go somewhere, or do something for them on a Sunday, tell them you need to check your calendar before agreeing. Then tell them you’re fully booked that evening. Done.

After your family has made this a habit, (maybe after three or four weeks), not just writing it down or telling people you have a prior commitment, but actually doing it, then pick another night and repeat the process. It may take a little more effort arranging the second night, but it’s worth it. Children who dine with their families this often are happier, more successful in school and receive more scholarship money for college. Continue rearranging your schedule until you are enjoying dinner together at least five nights each week.

During your family dinnertime, chat with your children and your spouse. This is not the time to scold anyone for failing to do chores or to check up on grades or homework. This is a time to connect through sharing a meal and pleasant conversation. If you are ever stumped as to what to talk about, then check the Families Alive website, https://www.familiesalive.org/dinnertable/ for suggestions. When you first start this family tradition, it may seem awkward. After a few meals, everyone will relax, and you’ll notice your children will start to really talk to you. That is, if you listen to them, really listen, especially while looking them in the eye.

Make this your New Year’s Resolution. It'll pay off with happier kids, fewer problems, better grades in school, and could actually help earn more scholarships for college down the line.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

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When Should High School Students Start Looking for Scholarships?

What Is The True Value of Music?

Winter Break Scholarship Challenge for High School Students

Although many students want to go to college, few have the financial resources to do so without scholarships, grants or loans. I’m completely against loans, since they have a tendency to destroy a graduate’s future. That leaves grants and scholarships, but they don’t magically appear. Someone has to apply for them.

When writing my book, Free College Awareness, I realized I didn’t complete many chapters without having a specific goal, with a time limit. Once I set this up, the chapters almost seemed to write themselves. This could be true for scholarship and grant applications too. I suggest setting up a routine for finding, filling out, and submitting college scholarship and grant forms.

To this end, I propose a challenge over the upcoming Winter Break. For most students, this means two weeks. For others, it may be three. Whichever is the case for you, pick the number of applications you wish to submit during this time. They will all be completed online, of course, so you don’t have to worry about offices being closed. My suggestion is a minimum of one per day, better yet would be two or three.

You’ll still have time for visiting with family and friends, watching football or parades, opening presents, and eating lots of turkey or ham. Discuss your family’s travel plans with your parents in advance. Block out this time on a calendar (you can print templates online for free). Then block out your sleep schedule. You’ll do a terrible job if you’re sleep deprived.

You now know when you have free time for meeting this scholarship/grant application challenge. Use a red pen to outline the times you are allotting to find, complete and submit your applications. If you have already filed at least one, you know how much time you’ll need for each. The average student takes about an hour, after the first one.

Sure, vacations should be fun, but why not dedicate 20 hours of the 500 over the upcoming Winter Break to applying for scholarships? Doing so might result in you being awarded thousands of dollars for college. Go ahead and do it. I dare you.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images   

Gifts That Help Students Earn Scholarships

I’m sure parents would like their children to earn lots of scholarship money for college. Even people with good paychecks would rather save their money for retirement than put it towards college tuition. Yet, most parents are not aware they can help their children earn more scholarship money while giving them presents for Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthdays. This is, however, 100% the case.

Anything that improves the odds of earning scholarships and grants is a benefit to the family. Why not dedicate money that would be spent on gifts anyway to help reach this goal? For children 13 and over, buy, wrap up and give them a copy of Sean Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. If you can find it, also give them the workbook that accompanies the book. I kept 20 copies in my French classroom for students to read. Many borrowed the book. After doing so, 100% went out and bought a copy to keep at home and suggested their friends do the same. Pretty good results.

For students in the 11^th or 12^th grade, give them a copy of Free Cash for College for Dummies. You know the Dummies series. This one is well done like the others. It contains step by step instructions students need to follow to find, qualify, and apply for scholarships and grants. It’s a valuable resource.

For children in middle or high school, find a large, laminated wall calendar for their room. It will help them become and stay organized. This is a necessary tool for success in secondary school and will make it easier to fulfill requirements and meet deadlines. These calendars are everywhere this time of year. You can find them online, in malls, as well as in big box and office supply stores. Buy packages of multi-colored erasable markers and a couple of erasers at the same time.

The last resource you need isn’t available yet. It’s my upcoming book, Free College Awareness. The book contains 16 strategies used by families of successful Full Ride scholarship applicants. These students were awarded such large scholarships, that their college education was essentially free. These tips worked for them, and could work for your children too.  Check back on my blog and on my Twitter feed, @ElizaWallace27, where I’ll announce when it becomes available for purchase.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images 

What Can A Fashion Icon Teach Us about Success?

How Students Should Start Their Day

Thanksgiving Scholarship Challenge

Although many students want to go to college, few have the financial resources to do so without scholarships, grants or loans. I’m completely against loans, since they have a tendency to destroy a graduate’s future. That leaves grants and scholarships, but they don’t magically appear. Someone has to apply for them.

When writing my book, Free College Awareness, I realized I didn’t complete many chapters without having a specific goal, with a time limit. Once I set this up, the chapters almost seemed to write themselves. This could be true for scholarship and grant applications too. I suggest setting up a routine for finding, filling out, and submitting college scholarship and grant forms.

To this end, I propose a challenge over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. For most students, this means four days. For others, it may be five days. Whichever is the case for you, pick the number of applications you wish to submit during this time. They will all be completed online, of course, so you don’t have to worry about offices being closed. My suggestion is a minimum of one per day, better yet would be two or three.

You’ll still have time for visiting with family and friends, watching football or the Twilight Zone Marathon, and eating lots of turkey or ham. Discuss your family’s travel plans with your parents in advance. Block this time out on a calendar (you can print templates online for free). Then block out your sleep schedule. You’ll do a terrible job if you’re sleep deprived.

You now know when you have free time for meeting this scholarship/grant application challenge. Use a red pen to outline the times you are allotting to find, complete and submit your applications. If you have already filed at least one, you know how much time you’ll need for each. The average student takes about an hour, after the first one.

Sure, vacations should be fun, but wouldn’t you dedicate ten hours of the 120 over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday if doing so might result in being awarded thousands of dollars for college? Go ahead and do it. I dare you. 

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images

How Parents Can Show Their Love

Thanksgiving Scholarship Challenge for High School Students

Although many students want to go to college, few have the financial resources to do so without scholarships, grants or loans. I’m completely against loans, since they have a tendency to destroy a graduate’s future. That leaves grants and scholarships, but they don’t magically appear. Someone has to apply for them.

When writing my book, Free College Awareness, I realized I didn’t complete many chapters without having a specific goal, with a time limit. Once I set this up, the chapters almost seemed to write themselves. This could be true for scholarship and grant applications too. I suggest setting up a routine for finding, filling out, and submitting college scholarship and grant forms.

To this end, I propose a challenge over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. For most students, this means four days. For others, it may be five days. Whichever is the case for you, pick the number of applications you wish to submit during this time. They will all be completed online, of course, so you don’t have to worry about offices being closed. My suggestion is a minimum of one per day, better yet, set your goal at two or three.

You’ll still have time for visiting with family and friends, watching football or the Twilight Zone Marathon, and eating lots of turkey or ham. Discuss your family’s travel plans with your parents in advance. Block this time out on a calendar (you can print templates online for free). Then block out your sleep schedule. You’ll do a terrible job if you’re sleep deprived.

You now know when you have free time for meeting this scholarship/grant application challenge. Use a red pen to outline the times you are allotting to find, complete and submit your applications. If you have already filed at least one, you know how much time you’ll need for each. The average student takes about an hour, after the first one.

Sure, vacations should be fun, but wouldn’t you dedicate ten hours of the 120 over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday if doing so might result in being awarded thousands of dollars for college? Go ahead and do it. I dare you.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images  

Why Should Students Work in Groups?

Why Are Organizational Skills Important?

If You Want to Be Happy for the Rest of Your Life, Do This

Parents and school counselors often encourage students to take advanced classes in every subject. This might look like good on a transcript, but how does it make students feel? Are they overwhelmed, or inspired? Be careful to avoid the first emotion while boosting the second.

I’m a perfect example. In my case, I have loved words and grammar since I was little. Numbers, however, seem to slip through the cracks in my mind, especially zeroes. I don’t know why, perhaps it's cultural. When I grew up, girls were told they were bad in math and good in storytelling. I guess I fulfilled this prophesy.

In the ninth grade we were told to pick a foreign language class. I chose French and continued studying it through college. In the tenth grade I was instructed to select an advanced math class, since I had completed the required courses already. My reply was, “Can I take another language instead?” Lucky for me, the answer was yes. I added German to my schedule and continued studying it happily through college.

I kept adding languages and avoiding courses I did not enjoy. The result was happiness. I liked my classes, even when they became complex, and competition from foreign students grew intense. I graduated college with a degree in German, French and English, and taught them for over 40 years. If I had been forced to take advanced math instead of the extra languages, what would have been the result? I’m sure it wouldn’t have been a successful career teaching languages. There were times where my abilities in multiple languages granted me the job over someone with fewer language skills.

Apply my example to any student. Take the required classes in every subject, but push harder in courses you enjoy. Go to summer school or the local community college to eliminate required subjects of lower interest. Then, there will be room for more classes in your strength. Not everyone is into words. Some students love music, math or science. Whatever the strength, talent or interest, feed it, and watch it grow. Imagine having a career in something you love. As they say, it won’t feel like work.

Picking the right courses will help students be happier and more successful in secondary school and earn far more scholarship money for college. For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images 

Why Should We Declutter Our Lives?

How to Be Happy

Why You Should Know Your Child’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Everyone is good at something, and not so good at something else. It’s part of being human. I know in which areas I excel and in which I still need work. This has helped me get ahead, and find help when I’m stuck. It’s important for parents to know the strengths and weaknesses of their children. This knowledge will allow parents to direct each child down the right path, and provide support where it is needed.

Students who take Honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes earn more scholarship money for college. When parents become aware of the talents and abilities of one of their children, they can help select harder classes in the areas in which they will likely become successful. Likewise, when a required course is too difficult, they can find a tutor or outside expert to provide support.

To make space in the high school schedule for more advanced courses, students might consider taking a required class during the summer. I took health, biology and driver’s education during the summer to make room for a second foreign language during high school. I knew none of these courses would become my major in college, so by taking them in the summer, there was no negative consequence for me. Deciding which courses to use to accomplish this goal will depend upon a student’s interests and the school’s summer offerings. Sometimes community colleges offer courses that can be used to fulfill high school requirements. Be sure to check with the college counselor and one at the high school to be sure this is allowed.

When students and parents are aware of a child’s strengths, talents and interests, they can work as a team to take advantage of them. This is also valuable knowledge in the case of weaknesses. By knowing where a particular subject falls, disastrous choices can be avoided. It’s a waste of time and effort to require a child to take advanced courses in an area of weakness. It is also disheartening for the child, and looks terrible on a transcript. I always think of a strength or talent like the accelerator on a car, it creates forward motion. Weaknesses are like the brakes. They make the car or student stop.

Picking the right courses will help students be more successful in secondary school and earn far more scholarship money for college. For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images 

How Do You Earn Big Paychecks?

How to Earn Higher Grades

Is Hard Work Really Rewarded?

The Secret to Success in College

You Should Know This-

The Secret of Getting Along with Others

How to Destress School Day Mornings

You don’t have to start every school day with chaos. There are a few simple tips that can help you create a calm morning, even if you aren’t a morning person. These four factors need to be controlled so they don’t cause problems. Once they are tamed, both children and parents will actually enjoy school day mornings, instead of dreading them.

The first solution is simple and takes only a few minutes. Designate a time one hour before bedtime to organize clothing and backpacks. Every child and adult, (it’s always smart to set a good example) should pick out the clothing they intend to wear the next day. If possible, lay it out on a chair or dresser. If it’s too bulky, like a business suit, hang it from a hook in the closet or on the back of the bedroom door. This habit speeds up mornings because there are no decisions to be made. They were made the night before. An extra benefit from doing this is in case of a late night emergency. One night a few years ago, my neighbor’s condo was on fire, and the building was evacuated. I was the only one wearing shoes, socks, and a coat when we gathered downstairs. I had the only cell phone too. It was quick and easy for me to grab what I needed on my way out. Be sure backpacks and briefcases are fully loaded with the next day’s important papers and placed near the door usually used when leaving in the morning.

A second morning task can also be completed the evening before. When preparing dinner, put school lunches together. You’re in the kitchen anyway. Buy a set of plastic containers with dividers to hold school lunches (they’re fine for taking to work too). When you chop vegetables for dinner, place some of them in one section of each container.  Do the same for other foods being handled. If you have chicken for dinner, chicken sandwiches can be prepped for lunch. If you top baked potatoes with cheese, cut up some cubes for lunch. The berries you add to dessert can go into another spot in the containers. By the time dinner is served, lunch containers will be full and stacked in the fridge.

Just before bed, set the table for breakfast. This is a simple task which can be assigned to a school aged child. While this is happening, an older child or parent can prep any foods that can be made in advance, helping the morning run more smoothly. A simple, tasty and healthy breakfast is oatmeal, topped with nuts and berries. If a large batch of oatmeal is cooked on the weekend, it can be divided into portions after it has cooled, packed in waxed paper and frozen in plastic containers or bags. An even easier method is to buy individual servings of frozen oatmeal. This is much more expensive, but very convenient. Many other foods can be made well in advance which will also shorten cooking time in the morning. Once this becomes a habit, it’s almost mindless, but makes for a calm, pleasant morning for all.

The last routine is actually the most important, but unless started early in life, is a little difficult to turn into a habit. This is setting a reasonable bedtime for each family member based on age. This chart by Sleep Aid Resource is very handy. http://www.sleepaidresource.com/sleep-chart.html. Decide what time each family member needs to get up in the morning (leaving time for breakfast) and count backwards. This is the time that individual needs to go to sleep each night, even on weekends or holidays. The body performs best when this practice is established. It also makes people less grumpy in the morning.

When these four suggestions are followed, school/work day mornings are less rushed and more pleasant. Pick one at a time, establish the routine and then tackle another. Once all four are habits, you’ll see mornings are much easier on every family member.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images 

Why Do More in School or Business

How to Reach Scholarship Goals

How to Teach Time Management to High School Students

I learned time management by reading books by John Maxwell, Steven Covey and Benjamin Franklin. This skill has made a world of difference in my life. But I couldn’t expect my high school foreign language students to do what I did. So I simplified what I learned and created a short lesson.

I wanted my students to know how to manage their time, so they would be able to complete their homework assignments and projects. I ended my language lesson a little early one Friday and asked them to take out paper and pen.

I told students I wanted to help them have time for fun, while still finishing their school work. This got their attention. I explained during the two years I was in South Africa, I worked pretty much all the time. I knew I wanted to “get a life” when I came back to the US. To do so, I needed to identify my goals. I wrote my five goals on the board in front of my classroom.

1.   Spend more time with family and friends.

2.   Increase my level of fitness.

3.   Have fun.

4.   Buy a dog.

5.   Earn enough money to live comfortably.

I answered any questions they had and asked them to suggest something I might want or need to do during the coming weekend. As they shouted out suggestions, I wrote about fifteen of them on the board. They included chores like doing laundry, going shopping, cleaning the house, grading papers, and fun activities like going to the beach, going to the movies, etc.

I told students to put an “A” by the most important activity or chore, “B” by the next significant and “C” next to those not really important at all. They all said grading papers was most important. I asked them where that appeared on my list of goals. It may have been important to the school or to them, but work was low on my list, so it only received a “C”, the lowest of the three choices. They understood. It was a real eye opener for them. We went through all activities on the board until they all had letters next to them.

Then we ranked the items in each category by urgency, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. So all items on the list were identified according to the time management grid: Important-Urgent, Important-Not Urgent, Not Important-Urgent, Not Important-Not Urgent.

This lesson helped them schedule their time by their priorities, not those of someone else. It may have been most important for them to do school work, since it would help them reach their college goals. But my goals were not theirs. My goal was to get a life. After this little exercise, they understood the first step in time management is always to identify long term and short term goals. When they did so, they finished more school work while experiencing less stress and having more fun.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images

Why Pre-School and College are Equally Important

When Should High School Students Look for Scholarships?

Which Colleges and Universities Offer the Most Financial Aid?

USA Today recently published findings from the 2018 issue of the Princeton Review. They listed updated information on colleges and universities helping families in their search for the best choice for graduating seniors. Although all details contained in the article are beneficial, I find the list of the Best Financial Aid to be the most compelling. I don’t believe college graduates should have to spend decades trying to pay back college loans.

I’ve dedicated the rest of my life to helping families avoid taking out college loans. This is why I wrote Free College Awareness. Until the US joins the rest of the first world countries in making Pre-K through College tuition free, I believe families should pursue scholarships and grants, not loans. Therefore, this list of institutions of higher education offering the Best Financial Aid is of interest to me.

The top college in financial aid in 2018 is Bowdoin College, with grants averaging $42,200 per student. The second and third are Vanderbilt University and Colgate University. I believe students should select the lowest cost accredited university which will provide them an education in the field of their choice. These three institutions should be high on the list, considering how much financial aid they supply. But, families would be wise to read the offers their children receive to insure that they do not end up needing student loans to cover all costs.

It’s far better to go to a lower cost university for free than a higher cost university no matter the amount of grant or scholarship, if the financial aid package does not cover everything. Remember, college loans are forever.

For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com

Photo credit: Google Images