Crossword Puzzles

So, I have been doing crosswords for about a year and half now. I have only consistently done the UWM Post's crosswords, because they are convenient and also good for beginners. However, I made it a goal when I first started doing crossword puzzles, I would try to finish a crossword by MYSELF within the next year. That wasn't so successful. I'm still attempting that goal. I generally grab a UWM Post every week and attempt to complete the crossword, last week I felt the most accomplished in my goal yet. Myself and 2 other girls finished the crossword together in about an hour an a half. It didn't succeed my personal goal to finish one on my own, but with the help of the other two, it felt like I could have done it myself. Sometimes it just takes a second brain to trigger something that you just forgot about or were missing.

After doing crosswords for a while now, and yes I do attempt other kinds of crosswords (i just give up quicker, because they are harder), you find that clues and such are similar in different crosswords and also you begin to educate yourself as well on common knowledge or "stupid" knowledge. Even the way things are worded in the crossword as a clue makes you more an intellectual to understand what is trying to be said. I was talking to a good friend after my friends and I finished the crossword, and he does crosswords all the time. He actually usually finishes the Post's crossword (by himself) in 20-30 mins. He asked me if I used pen, and I said "Yes of course I did" and he told me that was a good thing, because it makes you think more and feel confident in your answers on the crossword. It is so true! You have to feel a sense of confidence when you decide to put the answer in the crossword with pen. It makes an official answer, and when you screw up and that doesnt end up being correct, you make a mess and you may not be so sure to put the answer in right away next time. Instead, perhaps you problem solve first. Figure out the other answers around that one answer to help fill in the empty blanks. Then once you see something familiar you may finally decide to put your guess in!

Also, crosswords are a good subject for a general conversation with friends or even people you do not know!
I still continue to do crosswords and will for a long time. It is also good to getting your mind activated and thinking about things. For me sometimes it is a good break from school work, yet it keeps my mind working at the same time!