Traffic impacts are anticipated on Jackrabbit Lane and Amsterdam Road in Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon as a trucker convoy is expected to make a stop. Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and avoid the area starting around 4 PM to decrease traffic impacts.

The U.S. Freedom Convoy, composed of semi-trucks, passenger cars and trucks, and motorcycles, will be making its way across the country this week on Interstate 90 on the way to Washington D.C. and is expected to stop in Belgrade on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 2.

Convoy vehicles driving eastbound on I-90 are expected to exit into Belgrade at exit 298 at Amsterdam Road and head to the Flying J at the intersection of Amsterdam Road and Jackrabbit Lane. Following their stop, they will be directed to return to I-90 eastbound at Jackrabbit Lane.

Jackrabbit Lane at the interchange will be closed to through traffic as convoy vehicles move through the area.

Drivers heading both north and south on Jackrabbit Lane near the I-90 interchange can expect significant delays. There may be times when traffic is also impassable on Amsterdam Road between the off ramp and Flying J.

While the exact timeframe of how long traffic will be impacted is unknown, we anticipate the heaviest delays will be between 4 and 6 PM.

Law enforcement will be in the area directing traffic to help alleviate impacts to drivers as best as possible. Signs will also be placed to help drivers find alternate routes.

We encourage drivers to utilize the following roads to avoid the interchange:
I-90 exit 299 at Airway Boulevard
Valley Center Road
Thorpe Road
Frontage Road

For people interested in watching the U.S. Freedom convoy in Belgrade this afternoon (March 2), we have a few requests:

• Arrive early as there could be significant traffic in the area starting well before 4 PM.
• We ask that supporters begin to arrive absolutely no later than 3:30 PM.
• Please park safely in legal parking areas.
• Please DO NOT park alongside Interstate 90 or on any on-ramps or off-ramps at the exits.
• Please be respectful of private property and DO NOT block driveways or business accesses.
• Please follow all traffic and pedestrian laws.
• Please be patient and respectful of others in the area!

Convoy vehicles driving eastbound on I-90 are expected to exit into Belgrade at exit 298 at Amsterdam Road and head to the Flying J at the intersection of Amsterdam Road and Jackrabbit Lane. Following their stop, they will be directed to return to I-90 eastbound at Jackrabbit Lane.

It is anticipated that only trucks seeking services will exit at Belgrade and trucks not needing services are encouraged to continue east on I-90. We ask citizens to take this into consideration if when selecting a place to view the convoy.

Jackrabbit Lane at the interchange could be closed to through traffic for a period of time as convoy vehicles move through the area. We will work to keep traffic flowing as normally as possible.

Drivers heading both north and south on Jackrabbit Lane near the I-90 interchange may experience significant delays. There may be times when traffic is also impassable on Amsterdam Road between the off-ramp and Flying J.

While the exact timeframe of how long traffic will be impacted is unknown, we anticipate the heaviest delays will be between 4 and 6 PM.

Law enforcement will be in the area and may be directing traffic to help alleviate impacts to drivers as best as possible. Signs will also be placed to help drivers find alternate routes.

We encourage drivers to plan ahead and utilize the following roads to avoid the interchange:

• I-90 exit 299 at Airway Boulevard
• Valley Center Road
• Thorpe Road
• Frontage Road

We appreciate the public’s help in ensuring this event is safe for all involved.

Livingston, Montana-based poet Marc Beaudin, a former Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation artist-in-residence, announces the release of an album of poetry and jazz titled, From Coltrane to Coal Train: An Eco-Jazz Suite. The recording, comprised of nine tracks, will be available on compact disc, as well as digital download and streaming on various platforms.

The album of interconnected poems exploring themes of environmental activism, climate change, and the music and message of jazz legend John Coltrane, features music by members of the band Morphine, and the related groups Orchestra Morphine, Vapors of Morphine, and Twinemen. Dana Colley plays saxophones, bass clarinet, upright arco, and flute. Billy Conway provides drums, percussion, bass, guitar, and vibraphone. Laurie Sargent performs vocals, bass, and keyboards.

The idea for the suite grew out of “Jazz/Poetry Thing,” a 2017 performance at The Attic in Livingston by Beaudin and Colley, along with Billings poet Dave Caserio, harmonica player Buff Brown and bassist Parker Brown. Plans for another live show featuring the poems of From Coltrane to Coal Train were put on hold, first due to Conway’s cancer diagnosis, and then by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Eventually, the musicians were able to create and record the music playing along to scratch tracks of Beaudin’s poetry, who then performed the final vocals to match the music—a collaboration that spanned months of back-and-forth between the East Coast and the Rocky Mountain West.


“The spark for this project comes from the idea that John Coltrane, with groundbreaking recordings such as A Love Supreme and Expression, represents the highest level of beauty and goodness that humans can reach,” says Beaudin. “And the coal train that cuts our town in half several times a day, represents the lowest.”

The poems explore various aspects of our current environmental and climate trauma, as well as looking to the power of art to show us a path beyond the degradation.

Beaudin is the author of Life List: Poems, a Montana Book Award honor book winner, and the hitchhiking memoir Vagabond Song: Neo-Haibun from the Peregrine Journals. His work has been widely anthologized in publications dedicated to environmental and social justice. He also is a theatre director and designer, as well as co-owner of Livingston’s Elk River Books.

Colley and Conway, along with Mark Sandman, were members of the “low rock” band Morphine that took the alternative/indie scene of the 1990s by storm, releasing five studio albums of moody, jazz and blues-based songs like “Cure for Pain” and “Honey White,” before Sandman’s tragic death while headlining an Italian music festival. Since then, they have worked, along with Sargent, on various projects that grew out of Morphine, including Orchestra Morphine and Twinemen.

Sadly, Conway’s illness led to his death in December of 2021. The recording session for From Coltrane to Coal Train would prove to be the last time he and Colley ever played music together. The album serves as a tribute to Conway’s unquenchable spirit, talent and generosity as a musician and as a friend.

The CD, which includes a booklet of the poems and photography by Beaudin, as well as digital downloads and a limited edition, facsimile manuscript documenting the evolution of the poems, are available through a Kickstarter campaign being launched to raise the necessary funds. More information can be found at Beaudin’s website, CrowVoice.com.

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It promotes the idea that each individual is unique and has individual differences. Diversity meaning can differ in different areas, but the main idea is always to show respect and acceptance to people.

The concept of diversity goes along with questions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age. And also physical abilities, religious and political beliefs, etc. Each topic of this list has been more and more researched for the last couple of years. Essay examples can be found in many languages. There are diversity essays, scientific works, and research papers on the topic. Students learn these concepts at university and college. Advanced schools have interpreted these concepts to make even small children understand.

In the modern world, every individual seeks acceptance and respect at every place. Whether it's their own home with family and relatives or office with foreign people. In most cases, our close circle of family, relatives, and friends is a place where all people have similar visions, respect similar ideas, and believe in similar things. But what to do if your office environment seems to be unhealthy in questions of diversity? Is this an individual problem or a big issue to discuss?

Why Is This A Common Problem?
Discrimination at work is an infringement of the rights of an employee. The actions of the employer are not related to the business qualities of the employee. This issue can affect whole groups of people and prevent them from making what they love because some stereotypes appeared.

Why Is This A Global Issue?
There are many types of discrimination, forms of discrimination, and expressions of it. To create a genuinely diverse team and build mechanisms to prevent discrimination, people need to have the right education on the topic.

Discrimination At Work
Discrimination is the treatment or prejudice of a person based on any characteristics. One can be discriminated by age, gender, ethnicity, skin color, any preferences that differ from the office atmosphere. Discrimination in the workplace is not always a straight action. Discrimination is also the lack of action or reaction to harassment or any other unsuitable behavior.

The work environment must be safe and friendly. No discrimination should be allowed because it can affect people's health, their professional and personal life, and impact organizational culture and productivity.

Sexism
Gender-based discrimination can affect everyone, both men and women. In modern patriarchal society, a woman is much more likely to encounter various manifestations of sexism. There are many faces of sexism. The most common one is related to mother status. Employers and recruiters often ask about future pregnancies or children before accepting a woman for a position. Another example is called the glass ceiling, and it refers to the career of a woman. This term means an unacknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession.

Fighting sexism at work is challenging, primarily because it is hidden. An employer will never admit to denying a woman a promotion just because of gender. Or will not voice the actual reason why she did not get the vacancy.

Stereotyping: how it differs from discrimination?
Stereotyping is quite a common issue, and it manifests itself in a variety of forms. It affects various aspects of work, from hiring and dismissal to wages. What is stereotyping, and how does it differ from discrimination?

Discrimination is based on a stereotypical attitude towards a particular person. For instance, many employers believe that men are better managers and women are more suitable for creative work. Another example is related to ethnicity or skin color: there is a stereotype that Japanese are workaholics and African Americans are likely to join organized crime. There are many more, and they affect all people worldwide, creating unequal conditions.

Conclusion
The best practice to avoid discrimination is to take action in any possibly discriminated area. Make the work processes transparent and accessible. Make announcements about the opportunity to move up the career ladder public to all. Create clear criteria for applicants. Interview the employees on the topic or create an anonymous survey. Take care of verbal communication in the office - make sure no one is offended even by the slightest joke.

Remember - the prohibition of discrimination in the workplace is designed to provide everyone with equal opportunities and a comforting atmosphere.

WHITEHALL – As part of a multi-year Targeted Elk Brucellosis Surveillance Project, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) staff recently captured elk in the Tobacco Root Mountains south of Whitehall. All captured elk tested negative for brucellosis.

Capture operations took place in northern and southern areas of the Tobacco Roots. In the northern portion, which is south of Interstate 90 from Whitehall to Three Forks, 100 cow elk were captured with the aid of a helicopter. Forty of those elk were outfitted with radio collars, which will be active for one year and help wildlife managers better understand their seasonal ranges, migration routes and potential mixing with other elk herds.

FWP staff helped capture 63 elk in the southern portion, which is north of Montana Highway 287 from Twin Bridges to the Virginia City hill. FWP staff did not deploy radio collars in the southern portion because elk were captured here in 2014, and movement data was collected from 26 animals at that time. While 49 elk tested negative for brucellosis in 2014, this herd was sampled for brucellosis testing again because two cow elk in the Ruby Mountains nearby to the south tested positive for brucellosis in 2020. Collar movement data in this area showed potential for herd mixing.

The goal of these operations is to evaluate the presence and understand the movement of brucellosis in Montana’s elk populations. The research will also help wildlife managers understand the overlap between elk and livestock on the landscape.

The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) administers a brucellosis surveillance program for livestock in an area of southwest Montana called the Designated Surveillance Area (DSA). Requirements within the DSA are intended to protect the state and national livestock industry from the spread of the disease.

Livestock within the DSA run the risk of exposure to brucellosis from infected wildlife and therefore are subject to additional brucellosis testing requirements for movement and change of ownership, as well as traceability requirements. Live elk captures there are intended to determine if the DSA boundary should be adjusted to include livestock in the area. The Tobacco Root Mountains are outside of the DSA.

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that can infect humans, cattle, bison and elk and can result in abortion or the birth of weak calves. The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with infected birth tissues and fluids.

Animals that test positive for brucellosis exposure do not necessarily carry or spread the disease but were previously exposed to the bacteria and have developed antibodies that can be measured with blood tests.

This project is a joint effort between the DOL and FWP, with support from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In addition, this project and capture operation would not be possible without the generous support and permission from landowners to capture elk on their property.

“Important on-the-ground work of this nature couldn’t happen without these partnerships,” said Dr. Kelly Proffitt, FWP’s research wildlife biologist.

“The Department of Livestock appreciates the partnership with FWP and the information and knowledge gained through this collaboration,” said Dr. Eric Liska, the DOL’s brucellosis program veterinarian.

More information about brucellosis and the Targeted Elk Brucellosis Surveillance project can be found online at fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/elk.

Time management is the epitome of productivity. If one can learn this essential skill, they can balance their life to the best of their capabilities. Nothing is impossible for them. The most successful individuals possess impeccable time management skills. However, it is not a single virtue but a collection of multiple qualities and abilities.

Whether you're a student pursuing top-notch education in a college or a high-achieving person, these skills will help you amplify the results. Many essay examples won't clarify various skills that go into time management. Thus, we have curated this essay about time management to help you cover every aspect.

Organization
There are many-branched skills related to the organization. You might think it is discipline, but it is actually about forming habits. If you can be organized, you will learn to be calm even in the most unpredictable situations. As a result, nothing will startle you, and you could go by your day as you planned.

The organization comes in various forms. It starts with organizing your table, where you keep your belongings. If you have everything organized for the next day, you will save a lot of time.

Communication
How can communication be a part of time management tips? It's simple. You're not alone in this world. There are people with you and to operate in an organized manner, you need to communicate with them.

For example, you have parents and siblings. You might want to communicate with them to let them know about your plans. Alternatively, practicing a clear speech that conveys your ideas and expressions would play a vital role in your time management skills. Whether you seek to set a meeting, or take time to relax, communication matters. Hence, developing impeccable communication skills is paramount to time management.

Planning
Planning doesn't mean setting a specific routine and following it rigidly. Nothing in life goes according to plan all the time. Thus, you need to be well-versed in making flexible plans. For instance, you might plan on working for three hours and then taking a one-hour break to do something else. Unfortunately, you run into a technical issue which makes you work for 5 hours, and suddenly a friend calls you to have a conversation.

These unpredictable circumstances would lead you into the havoc of mistakes. However, you will bear positive results if you can learn to plan despite all these problems. A good planning skill is to be fluid with time as you move ahead.

Stress Management
When things don't go according to your set schedule or routine, you will find yourself in a high-stress situation. Either that or spending hours working, you want the proper stress relief. Dedicating time to relax and recharge is an integral part of time management.

A lot of high-productive people follow various practices for stress management. These range from mediation to 90 minutes of work and 20 minutes of rest technique.

Some high-value personalities take power naps to regain their productivity. You will have to experiment with these various practices to find what suits you best. Then, apply it. That's how you will have better time management skills.

Goal-Setting
Procrastination is the bane of time management. Many people find themselves paralyzed or depressed due to procrastination. That's because people often mistake setting a goal for completing something, but that's not how you should perceive it.

Imagine that your objective is to walk 1,000 steps. Setting a goal to do it at once might make you procrastinate, or it might even seem impossible. However, if you divide it into four parts throughout the day, you will have an easier time achieving it.

A goal doesn't have to be completing a specific task. It could begin by starting small. If you can achieve smaller milestones, you will eventually reach the goal. Once you create and achieve the first goal, you will feel better and motivated to do more.

Conclusion
These are some of the best time management tips to help you become a better person. If you seek to qualify for a specific university or grow your business, bring these things into practice. You will realize the massive difference these practices will make in your daily routine.

Montana State University today announced a $50 million gift from the Gianforte Family Foundation, continuing more than 20 years of philanthropy to the university. The Gianforte Family Foundation's gift is dedicated to constructing a new building to house the Gianforte School of Computing and computing-related fields such as cybersecurity, optics and photonics, electrical and computer engineering, and creative industries. The gift ties for the second largest in the university’s history and is one of the largest philanthropic gifts in the history of Montana. 

Over the years, the Gianforte Family Foundation has provided significant support to Montana State University that enabled its computer science program to boost enrollments, award scholarships and provide competitive startup packages to six new faculty members. In 2016, the foundation donated $8 million to Montana State University, which established the Gianforte School of Computing.

The new building will significantly benefit students in the high-demand field of computing and its technologically related creative industries, said John Paxton, director of the Gianforte School of Computing at Montana State University. 

“A new building will bring our students state-of-the-art classrooms, computer labs, research facilities and innovative collaborative spaces,” Paxton said. “Not only will a new building help our students be more successful, it will also attract more students to study a variety of areas that involve computing technologies, which provide boundless opportunities for graduates, especially those wishing to live and work in Montana.”

Having a single building will help foster interdisciplinary opportunities for students and faculty alike, Paxton continued, as the Gianforte School of Computing’s personnel are currently dispersed across five buildings. It will also continue to strengthen opportunities for dual enrollment computer science courses for high school students in Montana.

“This building will be a tremendous benefit to our students as well as to the state’s rapidly growing high-tech industry, which needs more graduates with technology and digital skills,” Paxton said. 

In addition to computer science, the building will also house classrooms for high school students to take dual enrollment courses and get a hands-on taste of the many complementary fields that rely on computer science, such as electrical and computer engineering, cybersecurity, optics and photonics. This facility will also help tomorrow’s students engage with technology-driven creative industries supporting interdisciplinary teaching and research in animation, film production, digital photography and music technology. 

Computer science graduates are in high demand both in Montana and nationally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. A 2021 report by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana found that members of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance expected to add 1,500 jobs in 2021 and that “growth projected in member and nonmember high tech businesses significantly exceeds average statewide economic growth.” 

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, average national salaries of computer science graduates jumped 7.1% last year to $72,000.

“The Gianforte Family Foundation has demonstrated tangible commitment to furthering the interests of students and education at Montana State University in a consistent manner,” said Montana State University President Waded Cruzado. “This gift will continue that commitment in an unprecedented way, allowing us to dramatically expand our computer science and complementary interdisciplinary offerings, putting Montana State on the map as one of the premier computer science universities in the nation. We are deeply grateful for the Gianforte Family Foundation’s generosity.”

“We have been very pleased to support Montana State University's computer science program for over two decades,” said Susan Gianforte, trustee of the Gianforte Family Foundation. “The school’s staff and leadership have grown it to the point where a building is the logical next step, and we couldn’t be happier to help make that happen. This will provide so many opportunities for students to learn, thrive and be prepared to enter the workforce of today and tomorrow.”

“The Gianforte Family Foundation’s mission is to support organizations that equip people to improve their lives in a sustainable way,” said Chris Murray, president and CEO of the Montana State University Alumni Foundation. “The Gianforte Family Foundation’s desire to construct a new building to house the School of Computing is a natural extension of their support of students in this area, helping them get a superb education and strengthen our local, state and national economy.”

Montana State University's Gianforte School of Computing offers many computing related credentials to students. A student can earn a computer science Bachelor of Science degree, Bachelor of Arts degree, master’s degree, doctorate or minor. In partnership with other MSU academic units, a student can earn a data science minor, a computer science teaching minor or a data science master’s degree. The school has also established dual enrollment courses for Montana high school students through a prior collaboration with Bozeman High School. More information is available online at cs.montana.edu. 

“The Gianforte Family Foundation deeply believes in the power of education to transform students’ lives,” said Brett Gunnink, dean of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering in which the Gianforte School of Computing is administratively housed. “They have been stalwart supporters of our program and our students. We are so grateful for this tremendous gift to help take the program to a new level.”

In recognition of the significance of the gift, Montana State University will begin the process for the new building to be named Gianforte Hall after notifying the Montana Board of Regents at its March 10-11 meeting. The university will initiate a process of seeking public feedback, as described in Board of Regents policy 1004.1, on the naming proposal. After providing opportunity for public input, a proposal to name the new building will be brought before the Board of Regents for consideration and final action at a future meeting.

On Friday February 25, 2022 at 4:30 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the South Fork Trail, 7 miles southwest of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, suffering head and facial injuries.

SAR Volunteers, Custer Gallatin National Forest Law Enforcement and an EMT from the Hebgen Basin Fire Department responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail and to a nearby ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and was then transported to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the trails and backcountry that trail conditions can change rapidly and accidents happen quickly. Wearing proper riding gear, including a helmet, can save your life.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff's Office.

HRDC’s Fork & Spoon restaurant will celebrate its 10th anniversary next month on March 20th, and thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor who pledged to match up to $10,000 to honor this special occasion, a fundraising campaign has been launched to raise an additional $10,000 in 10 weeks. The Power of 10 campaign launched on Valentine’s Day and will continue through the end of April with a goal of raising a $1,000 each week.

To encourage donor participation during the 10-week fundraising window, for those who donate $25 or more, a random drawing will be held to award 10 take and bake meals to a single donor.

Supporters of HRDC and the Fork & Spoon realize the positive impact their giving has for others in our community. Last year alone, donations funded approximately 23% of the restaurant’s operations. Leah Smutko, Head Chef and Front of House Manager, knows first-hand just how far donations go in helping keep the restaurant open for everyone. “We are incredibly lucky so many members of our community agree with our social enterprise approach to running a restaurant.Without it, we would not have been able to serve over 25,000 meals last year, many of which were to those experiencing food insecurity.”

Fork & Spoon operates as a social enterprise in several ways. The pay-what-you-can model generates a nightly income from patrons who are able to pay, which in turn offsets the cost todiners who are only able to make a partial contribution, or in some cases, no contribution toward their meal. Proven to be very popular, the restaurant’s take and bake program offers a wide variety of scratch-made brunch and dinner options for those seeking convenient meal options. Outside of Fork & Spoon’s business hours, the dining room space is rented for meetings and events and the kitchen space is rented to small entrepreneurial food-related businesses. All generated income is directly reinvested back into Fork & Spoon operations.

Jill Holder, HRDC’s Food and Nutrition Director, proudly speaks to the restaurant’s staying power, “We are ten years into serving nutritious, chef-prepared meals to our community at prices that work for everyone and in some ways, it feels like we are just getting started. There are so many opportunities for us to continue to grow our service offerings, expand our relationships with local growers and producers, and innovate new ways to address the growing food insecurity many of our neighbors are experiencing.”

Recently voted one of Bozeman’s best kept secret by locals, Fork & Spoon is a bit of an undiscovered treasure deserving of the community’s patronage and support. Whether through adding the restaurant to a short go-to list of options for dining out, volunteering to help serve meals a few times a year, or making a donation to the Power of 10 campaign, each effort makes a tangible difference for others.

Fork & Spoon is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Nightly dinners can be prepared for pick up, and fresh-frozen meals are also available for pick-up during these times as well. On Fridays, walk-in service is available from noon to 6:00 pm to pick up to-go meals or something from the take and bake freezer to warm up later.

More information about HRDC’s Fork & Spoon restaurant, can be found at https://www.forkandspoonbozeman.org/.

For all other HRDC programs or services, visit thehrdc.org.

BOZEMAN – Montana State University reported its second highest spring headcount ever, as well as strong graduate student enrollment and retention, according to numbers announced today. 

The official headcount, which is published after the 15th day of classes each semester, showed MSU has 15,608 total students. That's a 4% increase over spring 2021 and is second only to spring 2019, when the university enrolled 15,694.  

"Students continue to see Montana State as the place where their hard work will forge their futures," said university President Waded Cruzado. "We're grateful to them for choosing MSU and to our dedicated faculty and staff for continuing to provide our students the opportunity to find success."   

Graduate student enrollment is the highest ever seen in a spring term at MSU at 2,024, an increase of 3% over last spring. Enrolling and graduating more degree-seeking graduate students is one of the goals of MSU's strategic plan, Choosing Promise.   

"It is exciting to see our graduate program enrollment reaching new heights," said Craig Ogilvie, dean of the Graduate School at MSU. "These students, when they graduate from MSU with their master's and doctoral degrees, will become Montana's next generation of professionals, leaders and innovators."   

Gallatin College MSU also had the second highest spring enrollment ever at 993 students. Gallatin College has grown its spring enrollment 44% over the past five years and has been MSU's fastest growing college over the past decade, graduating more than 1,000 students from its career and technical workforce training programs.    

MSU also saw increased retention of first-time students, with 88.5% continuing from the fall to attend spring classes — a 4% increase over spring 2021. In addition to the graduate students numbered above, the enrollment includes 13,584 undergraduates. Montana residents made up 54% of the student body, or 8,387 students.    

MSU's fall headcount was 16,841, the second highest on record. Spring counts are traditionally lower than the fall figure. 

Are you a visual learner? Then you need to learn how to make creative notes! One of the best strategies to organize information and learn it with greater ease and agility is the elaboration of summaries. How about transforming your conventional outlines into creative and attractive summaries?

In a creative summary, you add artistic and eye-catching touches that encourage reading - it's the perfect opportunity to put your creative skills to work!

In addition, you will learn the best websites and templates to make creative summaries. It will help you have creative and organized notes, stop studying from being a chore, and turn it into a fun, dynamic, and agile activity.


1. Underline or highlight the most relevant information.
To make a creative summary, it is necessary to identify the essential information beforehand. There are a series of beneficial strategies that you can apply to select ideas to make a creative summary.
 
2. Come up with a good title.
It is a crucial part of how to make creative notes. The ideal is to place a title with large font and with a font style that you like so that, when you read it, you find a feeling of satisfaction.
 
3. Place graphic and visual elements.
In addition to highlighting the keywords in each bullet point, it is helpful to place various symbols, images, pictures, drawings, icons, etc., to make beautiful and didactic summaries.

For example, if some part is not entirely clear or you have doubts, it would be ideal to place a question mark on the side and then ask a classmate or teacher about it. Don't forget to use colors!

If you are one of those people who prefer digital and want to learn how to make a nice creative resume from your laptop, tablet, or cell phone, keep reading.
Read also: Most Notable Free Essay Example Directories
 
Some apps to make great creative notes:
 
1. GoodNotes
It is probably the best app for studying if you have an Apple device. Most of the beautiful notes you find on Instagram or the Internet are made from this app to make creative summaries.

According to its website, you can create online notebooks or notepads similar to if you had them on paper, customizing its cover or even the type of paper you will use with grid, lines, and white. Perfect for making creative summaries!

It also allows you to search for words with your handwriting, annotate PDFs and PPTs, organize your notes in folders, open documents simultaneously and edit your creative summaries as you like.
 
2. MetaMoji Note Lite
MetaMoji is a kind of GoodNotes for Windows, free and similar functions. This application for creative summarizing is cross-platform. You can take notes, add text digitally and edit imported PDFs.

You could say that MetaMoji Note Lite is a virtual whiteboard that allows all kinds of content, colors, and tools. You can draw on it, review documents, write notes and tasks and notes, etc. Great for creative online summaries! Plus, it supports PDF and Office documents. It is a multifunctional tool, especially for those whose work is related to writing - for writers, for those who work at the paper writing service, copywriters, etc.
 
3. Nebo
It is another excellent specialized site for taking notes, organizing them, and artistic design. The application is paid and costs almost 10 dollars, but it is not available for Mac. However, it offers multiple tools that are very useful for organizing information and knowing how to make a creative summary easily.

In Nebo, you can write with a pencil or keyboard as you need at any time. In addition, you can edit, underline or draw, and it also allows you to add diagrams, images, or doodles.

For science students, it has recognition for mathematics and can calculate equations or help with the result. Another advantage of Nebo is that it supports more than 60 handwriting recognition languages. Also, you can convert the final file of your creative abstract to PDF or Word format so that you can share it with your friends or contacts.

 
5. NoteShelf
The application allows you to edit your notes, but on one screen, thanks to the fact that it has all kinds of highlighters or writing tools that you can use on imported documents. Also, it reads handwriting and is compatible with virtually all cloud storage services. It's perfect if you like to do creative summaries in a group.

 
Although NoteShelf is not available for Windows, you can download it from a tablet with Android and iOS operating system, as well as on your Mac computer. Depending on your device, you can purchase this app for creative summarizing for $5 to $6.
 
6. LucidChart
This creative summarizing site offers a wide range of tools to organize your ideas, add Google images, and add visual elements. There is even a chat feature to collaborate with others in real-time.

While this is a popular service, there are fees involved. This online platform has a free version for basic users. The Pro version for advanced users costs $8.33 per month and $21 per month for team accounts.
 
7. SpiderScribe
With this online tool, you can connect files and notes in a free-form creative summary chart to organize your thoughts, either publicly or privately. Moreover, you can collaborate with other people in real-time.

It is a cloud-based tool, so you can create templates for creative summaries, customize them and save them in a secure space. Note that personal accounts are free.

Definitely, in whatever context, knowing how to make a practical, creative summary is not an easy task; however, it is necessary to organize all kinds of information and serve as a tool to convey your ideas in a more graphic and fun way.