Organic Chemistry Tutor: Reducing Lecture Time

Organic Chemistry Tutor: Reducing Lecture TimeIn the previous article, we saw how you can use Organic Chemistry Tutor to help you in teaching students chemistry. The second part of this series looks at the 'reduction' part of the course. There are a number of ways you can use this 'reduction' to make learning organic chemistry more enjoyable for your students.One way you can use Organic Chemistry Tutor in reducing your time is to add groups to your lesson that require students to participate. For example, if you use a chapter on a particular class of element, make it a part of your class. During the rest of the lesson, you would then have each student working with one group of element as they go through the chapter. This way, there is one to hold their attention and another to provide them with important information. Of course, you can use 'group' work during the lecture as well.Another way to reduce your lecture time is to use the same material in class sections instead of all at on ce. There are a number of online tutorials that do this, and they do it very well. They provide step-by-step instructions with supporting diagrams. These are a fantastic resource to be used with organic chemistry tutors.It is possible to use the same chemical equations at the beginning of a lesson and the end of it. You can use these examples to help make some students more comfortable with the concepts and others less. The good thing about this approach is that you do not have to make this change over again throughout the entire lesson.You can also make students feel involved when it comes to your lessons. By using an interactive lesson plan that incorporates two or three methods in the same lesson, you can really motivate students to stick to what you are doing and do their best to get to the next step. This type of design has proven very effective with many different types of courses.You can also increase the intensity of your lesson by adding more preparation or review time. Thi s can be done by asking your students to make a list of the topics they want to learn about and by assigning them to study those topics.With Organic Chemistry Tutor, you can take full advantage of the resources available to you. By making your lessons more fun and engaging, you can also make the learning experience more interesting for your students.

Cooking With Culture 11 Wonderful Italian Food Blogs

Cooking With Culture 11 Wonderful Italian Food Blogs Mac Italians and cooking go together like well, who needs a comparison? In this article, Italian teacher  Liz T.  will show you  11 food blogs with  delicious  Italian recipes, each providing a  plentiful helping of Italian culture Culture in the Kitchen If youre learning Italian, of course it helps to know the basics; vocabulary, grammar rules, and all of the technicalities involved with the language. But did you know that learning about the Italian culture will help you better understand the language? Many students learning Italian  go beyond their tutoring sessions and dig into the rich and beautiful culture that Italy has to offer. And whats one of the best ways they  indulge in this practice? Cooking!  Food and gastronomy  are two very important components of Italian culture. Italian Cooking To really gain a sense for Italian culture, we encourage you to try your hand at Italian cooking. Apart from this article, we recommend you do a  little outside research on  the customs of cooking and the typical dishes of each  region in Italy. This will help you prepare  for traveling abroad, as well as learning the language. Or, if youre not looking to travel, learning recipes is a simple way to bring a  little bit of Italy into your home! Wed like to show you our  list of wonderful  Italian food blogs to help you learn and cook your favorite Italian meals. Lets take a look! 1)  Italian Food Forever   This is a great website for recipes, tips in the kitchen, and info about Italian cooking schools. It even has a section on Italian tourism, including links for travel guides and tourism sites. Heres an excerpt from the About section,  written by  the blogs author, Deborah Mele: The essence of Italian cooking today is simplicity. One uses the freshest seasonal ingredients possible, and then uses basic cooking techniques to simply enhance the natural flavor of the food. While living in Italy, I spent many hours each week browsing through the market stands overflowing with the vibrant colors of each season’s bounty. I learned to keep “an Italian kitchen” during this period, and to plan my daily menu only after visiting the local market or grocery to see what was fresh that day. Check out this recipe on homemade Gnocchi! 2)  Silvia’s Cucina This is a great online (and physical) Italian cookbook. Once you see the pictures, you’ll want to start cooking these mouthwatering dishes pronto! The blogs author, Silvia Colloca, writes this on her About Silvia page: In  Silvia’s Cucina, you are invited into my kitchen to share the unfussy, delicious recipes that have been passed down through my family for generations. My food is traditional, authentic, mostly simple, and embedded in it is the legacy of the hands of my mother and grandmother (those hands, always at work on some sauce or buried in dough!). Since leaving Italy eight years ago, I’ve seen, of course, how much Italian food is loved around the world. But I’ve also come to understand that it is a cuisine that is perceived as rich and fatty, to be approached occasionally, and then with some caution. In Silvia’s Cucina, I am striving to change this misapprehension by showing how to cook everyday authentic, healthy Italian food. Look at this recipe for linguine with clams and zucchini cooked risotto  style! 3)  Emiko Davies International traveler and writer Emiko Davies shares firsthand about her experiences with food and wine in the region of Firenze. Heres what Emiko says about herself in the About section: I’m half Japanese, half Australian, but have spent two-thirds of my life living in other countries. After growing up in Beijing, China, and doing a Fine Art degree in Providence, Rhode Island, I ended up in Florence, Italy. There, I fell in love with a handsome local â€" now my husband, a sommelier and my ideal gastronomic partner in crime.  In a battle over who gets to cook dinner he usually wins. And especially now that we have a little  girl, I let him.  We live in Tuscany. Take a look at  this juicy recipe of Emiko’s on Bruscetta! 4)  Divina Cucina   This blog is a wonderful mix of recipes and personal experiences from the author, Judy. Her experiences are as heartfelt as they are joyous. She also gives private cooking tours around Italy! Heres an excerpt from her About Judy section: I had worked as a pastry chef in a 5 star hotel in San Francisco, but wanted to get out of the kitchen and start to teach.  In 1984, I turned 30 and bought a one-way ticket to Europe, planning on spending one month in France and one month in Italy taking Italian lessons. In France, I reconnected with old friends and possible places I could work, but when I arrived in Florence, I fell in love first with the city, and then a year later with a Florentine.  My first years here were spent learning the language and the cuisine. My first job cooking was as a pastry chef in a private restaurant in town. After 4 years, I finally felt ready to teach. Check out this post  she wrote about a new way to make pizza! 5)  Mario Batali Renowned chef Mario Batali shares his secret recipes with the exact ingredients and steps you need to emulate his food.  His blog features great videos that walk you through the steps for cooking  his delectable dishes. Heres a little bit about Mario from his websites About section: Raised in Seattle, Mario attended high school in Madrid and studied the golden age of Spanish theater at Rutgers University. Soon after graduating, Mario enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu in London, his first formal culinary training. But after a few short months, he withdrew to apprentice with London’s legendary chef Marco Pierre White. During three years of intense culinary training in the Northern Italian village of Borgo Capanne (population 200), Mario learned the essential skills to return to his native US eager to plant his orange-clad foot firmly on the checkered-tablecloth Italian restaurant establishment. Look  here for the first Italian dish you must master. 6)  Learn Italian Wines In this blog, author Tom Hyland talks about current trends in the Italian wine industry. It’s nice to  read about Italian wines from the perspective of someone who has mastered the acquired taste of fine wines. Read a little more about Toms background from this excerpt on his blog: I am a freelance wine writer and photographer specializing in the wines of Italy. I live in Chicago and recently completed my 64th trip to Italy. I have visited virutally every region in the country and am constantly amazed at the wonderful variety of wines produced from indigenous grapes (I am never amazed at the quality of the wines!). I have been in the wine business for 34 years, have been writing for 17 years and have been a professional photographer for the past eight years. Check out this  article on the 50 best white wines in Italy. 7)  Eating Italy Food Tour   Traveling to Italy soon? Book a tour with this company to experience Italian food in a group setting in major Italian cities. Theyll make sure that your taste buds experience  only the finest of Italian cuisines. Heres a little more about Eating Italy from their About section: We are giving people a taste of Rome they won’t soon forget by exposing them to real food, people and neighborhoods. Our mission is to leave travelers with an unparalleled, non-touristy, food-related experience in undiscovered neighborhoods of the most fascinating cities in the world. Look at these essential foods to try on your next trip to Venice! 8)  Eataly Food Blog   This outstanding restaurant and market, with franchises in New York and Chicago, shares some very interesting “How To Italian Guides on their online magazine. They feature authentic and delicious ready-to-make Italian dishes. Youll enjoy this excerpt from the How To Truffle guide: Ancient Romans believed that the  truffle  was created when lightning struck damp earth. Today, we know that the small tuber grows underground in the  wild forests of northern and central Italy. Even so, modern Italians â€" and  Eatalians  â€" maintain the magic of the truffle, referring to the earthy and aromatic ingredient  as “a fairy apple,” “a diamond of the kitchen,” and “the gem of poor lands.” Have a look at this guide on how to bake bread! 9)  Lidia Famous Italian Chef Lidia Bastianich shares so graciously in her online journal some of her delicious Italian meals. She features everything from appetizers to desserts. Its almost impossible to go wrong with Lidia’s meals! Learn a little more about Lidia from her websites About section: She is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants â€" Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia’s Pittsburgh and Lidia’s Kansas City â€" along with her daughter Tanya. She is also founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high quality broadcast productions. Lidia also has a line of pastas and all natural sauces called LIDIA’S. Along with her son, Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali and Oscar Farinetti, the team opened Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in New York City, Chicago and Sao Paolo, Brazil. This recipe for chicken parmigiana looks delicious! 10)  Cooking With Nonna Everyone loves cooking with their nonna (grandmother)!  Learn how to make your own Italian desserts, soups, and sides in this blog, Cooking with Nonna. They even have recipes for certain holidays, such as New Years, Valentines Day, and Easter. Heres more about the blog from its About Us section: With Cooking with Nonna, we would like to bring to the public yet another facet of the cooking experience. We believe that many of the most original recipes around the world are not necessarily held by the professional chefs that we find in the many restaurants around the world or in the now very popular celebrity cooking shows. After all, they learned their trade either from a culinary school or by working side by side with an established chef. In reality however, the ones that indeed hold the secrets to the most original recipes are our Nonne, our grandmothers. See which Italian cookies and desserts here look good to you! 11)  Bobby Flay   This prestigious gourmet chef makes some hot and spicy Mediterranean dishes! Bobbys recipes are easy to follow and mouthwatering to boot. In case you havent heard of the world-famous Bobby Flay, heres more about him on his websites About Bobby section: Food is the epicenter of my life â€" what inspires me every day. It’s the way I make my living, the way I relax, the way I express myself, and how I keep healthy. I communicate with the world, and experience the world, through food.  As such, this site is about more than just recipes: Its a place to come for fitness tips, travel ideas, cooking techniques and behind-the-scenes videos â€" anything and everything about life in the kitchen, and beyond. Check out Bobby’s  special Red Wine Sangria concoction! Conclusion I hope this list of Italian food blogs  will give you an idea of how you can explore Italian food and culture yourself! As always, if you’re looking to enhance your Italian language skills, schedule a lesson today  with an instructor who matches your style and learning goals. Remember to always ask questions and research anything youre confused about.  Happy cooking and happy learning! Did any of these food blogs wet your appetite? If so, leave a comment below with a recipe you think looks delicious! Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches Italian, singing, acting, and music lessons in Brooklyn, NY, as well as online.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country. Learn more about Liz here! Photo by theintlkitchen Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

A Piano May Not Cost as Much as You Thought.

A Piano May Not Cost as Much as You Thought. Buying a Piano is a Financial and Personal Investment. Chapters Electric Pianos: How Much Should I Expect to Pay?Acoustic Pianos: How Much Will it Cost Me?Some Piano Brands to Consider.Should I Buy a Used Piano?  The Cost of a Piano: What Else Should You Consider? So is a Piano Really that Costly?Just as you can’t take playing the piano lightly, you have to take buying a new piano or used pianos seriously. Whether it’s before, during, or even after learning to play it.There are lots of piano brands. Do you know the difference between Kawai piano and a Steinway Sons piano? Could you even tell me where your nearest piano dealer is? If not, don't worry. Superprof is here to help!What you should know is that buying this kind of musical instrument is an investment. A long-term investment.While you can always consider how much money and how much time you’ll need to invest, the decision isn’t always that simple.Let’s reconsider the main question. “How much does a piano cost?”In this case we don't just mean money: we're going to c onsider every expenditure. Sure, considering all the elements as “costs” may seem a bit negative, but you’ll soon see that this isn’t really the case.Find out how the piano is a complete instrument in itself.Amazon. Whilst these aren't going to be the best keyboard you are ever going to play, but those who are not yet fully committed to piano playing might find them great options to start off with. They often come in starter packs that include headphones, a keyboard stand, a music stand, and a stool - so that you don't have to mess about getting all the other things you need to get going.If you want something a little more robust, you can go for a more credible beginner option - from a recognisable brand (you can see more on this below). These will set you back by between one hundred and four hundred quid.  But the benefits of these are substantial: they will be set up to mimic the effect of acoustic pianos - in the weight of their keys and in their sound - and they will not be at such a risk of technical faults. But you'll also have the added benefit of not having to pay for piano moving or for a piano technician.At the high end, you will find models designed to replicate the acoustic piano sound almost identically. They will have properly weighted keys so it feels like you are playing an acoustic piano too.  This combination of sound and feel is what primarily determines the price of an electric piano.  But  they will also come with different features, including USB ports, portability, and recording features. For these, you are looking at between a thousand pounds and five thousand.  Honestly, not recommended for the beginner.Let's Have a Look at Some Models.Here are three models, from each price range, to give you a sense of what's involved.Budget: RockJam RJ661 - £99The RockJam RJ661 has sixty-one keys (a full-size piano has eighty-eight), which is designed to make it compact and manageable for the beginner. This model comes with a stool, a stand, and headphones - and there are over a hundred different sounds, backing tracks, and demo songs to play with. At £99 it is a popular beginner option.Mid-Range: Yamaha P-45 Stage Piano Bundle - £375At the higher end of the mid-range is the Yamaha P-45, which has the full eighty-eight keys and a much more sophisticated sound engine - designed to really sound like you are playing the real thing. On an acoustic piano, the bass keys are heavier (as the strings that the hammers strike are thicker), and this model replicates that effect. Why does that matter? Because your technique will improve by playing on an authentic-feeling instrument. This is £375 - perfect for the committed amateur.High End: Casio GP300 - £1859This electric piano is from a really reliable piano brand, in association with C. Bechstein - one of the most famous manufacturers of acoustic pianos. It comes with six speakers - designed to replicate the full sound of a grand - and the three foot pedals that are usually lacking from electric keyboards. At £1859, this one's more for professionals or serious students of music.It would be a good idea to know how big a piano is before buying one...Acoustic Pianos: How Much Will it Cost Me?It's not worth beating about the bush - buying an upright piano or a grand piano when you’re just starting out seems highly ambitious. So, if you're thinking about buying your very first piano, buying an upright or a grand probably isn't an option even to consider.Nonetheless, let's have a look at what they are all about.The Benefits of the AcousticIf they are so expensive, why would anyone bother buying an acoustic piano? Here are some of the benefits.They look absolutely gorgeous. Honestly, many people (who have too much money to spare) buy acoustic pianos just because they are a great piece of furniture. They look beautiful and give your home a real 'wow' effect.For actual pianists, an acoustic sounds great. No electric piano can fully replicate the depth of sou nd, the natural volume, or the tone of an acoustic. If you are committed to making beautiful music on your piano keyboard, there isn't really any competition.If you are a serious musician, with ambitions to play in concert halls, you don't really have a choice. Most theatres are equipped with a grand piano, so you will need to practice with an instrument that feels like your performance instrument.  Some Different Types of Acoustic PianoIf you are after an acoustic piano, you are going to have to decide which type of acoustic you are going to get.Upright PianosUpright pianos come in different sizes, and each different dimension has a different name. So, if you are after a particular small one, get a spinet piano (although these are often not the best quality instruments on the market).Consoles are the next biggest, and they come with a massive boost in quality from the spinet - and they are not too much more expensive.Studios and full size uprights are at the top of the scale. Full- size ones have pretty much the range of a baby grand piano - but without taking up all that extra room.Grand PianosIf a baby grand is about five foot, a concert grand can reach over ten feet. This makes the latter a little tricky to have in your home - let alone pricey as hell.So, How Much Will it Cost?Starting prices for upright pianos start in the thousands - and a baby grand will start at about three times the average upright. As you can see, acoustic pianos are not the sort of things that you should be buying as your first instrument.  For a grand piano, you are looking at probably eight thousand at a minimum. If you are really committed and have the cash to splash, you can pay over one thousand pounds. Maybe this ain't the best idea for your eight-year-old kid to make their first music on. You may as well buy them a small house instead.It sort of goes without saying that, to get the most out of your piano, you need to make sure it isn’t a financial strain. You need to choose a piano you can afford. The objective is to find the best piano for you, not the piano made by the best piano manufacturers using the richest mahogany.Let's Have a Look at Some ModelsEntry Level: Yamaha B1 Upright Acoustic - £2699Yamaha are a very reliable brand for pianos - and their pianos are used by amateurs in the home, professionals in the studio, and concert pianists on stage. Knowing this, the Yamaha piano is a great entry level acoustic instrument - with quality craftsmanship, a high gloss finish, and a great sound. It's the only size of piano that will reasonably fit in a home - and is £2699.Mid-Range: Yamaha GB1K Grand Piano - £8262.96Yamaha also do a great little grand piano that comes at in at just over eight thousand pounds.  The smallest variety of grand available - the baby grand - this Yamaha grand will do everything you need it to do in your home (if you can fit it) whilst sounding excellent too.Top End: Steinway D-274 - $160,000Yes, it seems a little ridiculous , but this is the most famous piano in the world, used by most concert pianists and synonymous generally with exquisite craftsmanship. Unless you are an owner of a concert hall - or you are devoting your life to playing Beethoven at the Albert Hall - there is no need to buy one of these. Regardless, Steinway pianos are the best in the world - and the most expensive Steinway piano sold for $1.2 million.Additional CostsOnce you’ve found the right piano, you need to consider the additional costs and work out a budget for:If you do buy an acoustic piano, you'll probably need to hire piano movers to get it from the piano store.A piano teacher for piano lessons.A piano tuner. You'll probably need a visit from one of these twice a year - and piano tuning by professional tuners isn't exactly cheap.Books and sheet music to study.Downloading piano music for a particular piece.If you're going for an acoustic, get it a cover - as you'll need to keep the dust away, as that can affect the sound .Learn all about essential piano accessories every pianist must have... LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSome Piano Brands to Consider.We've covered some above, but it is worth knowing some of the best brands around in the piano world. They differ depending on whether it is an electric piano you want or an acoustic.Electric Piano BrandsYamaha PianosThese guys make all sorts of different instruments - and their electric pianos are world-renowned for being reliably high qua lity.CasioYou know the people that make calculators? They are also one of the biggest names in electric pianos.RolandFrom the most budget of Roland models, these are built for professionals.KorgThese guys excel in lightweight, portable instruments.KawaiThey used to just make acoustic pianos, but now they are acing the electric scene too.Acoustic Piano BrandsSteinwayThe classy kings of acoustic pianos - with some of the most expensive models on the market (Google Steinway grand piano to get a sense of this).YamahaThem again - you can't beat them on price, reliability, and sheer quality. They make a great home piano.BechsteinA German company that started in the nineteenth century. Beautiful and gorgeous-sounding instruments.Shigeru KawaiYou know these from the electric pianos, but they make limited runs of acoustics too.Should I Buy a Used Piano?If you're set on buying an acoustic piano, you might want to check out second-hand pianos. You'll find some pretty good deals.Make sure that you are careful when you are buying second hand instruments. Ensure you closely exam every inch of the piano. If you're short on space, you should probably be looking at vertical pianos rather than grands.Check second-hand websites (like craigslist) and the classifieds for “Piano for Sale” ads. Just make sure you see the piano you're buying first, the pianos on these websites could be in any condition. Pay particular attention to the soundboard, the keys, and the pedals.Many piano merchants will sell second-hand instruments too. This might be your best place to look, as they well be quality assured and inspected already for damage. Buying a piano used from a bloke off the internet might not be a great idea if you don't really know much about the instruments.  The Cost of a Piano: What Else Should You Consider?Spending Time on the PianoDon’t forget that learning how to play the piano can take a significant amount of time.Of course, saying that it “costs” time might give you a negative idea of the whole learning experience (which in itself is usually very rewarding).Let me explain... When I say that learning the piano “costs” time, I mean that you need to spend time in order to practice.You can’t just practice whenever you want. If you’re learning to play, you won’t always be sitting down, relaxing, and playing your favourite songs.While there’s no set amount of time you have to sit down at the piano, you should spend at least 15 minutes playing whenever you do.This is enough time to play a piece three or four times from start to finish. Or enough time to play four different pieces.The time it takes to practice playing the piano can also be costly. (Source: How Kids Can Earn Money)If you only play during your piano lessons, then you know exactly how long you’ll be playing for. Whether it’s 45 minutes or an hour, you can decide this before you have the class. There isn’t really a maximum limit when it comes to classes.Playing the piano can also be used to unwind. If you’ve had a hard day, sitting down at your piano and forgetting about everything else is a great idea. In this case, it doesn't matter whether it’s for 15 minutes or 45. Your goal here is to leave the piano feeling calm and relaxed. You'll soon see that playing the piano can be really therapeutic.Follow our advice for buying your first piano...  Personal InvestmentIn addition to the time you invest, there’s also a personal investment involved. In fact, this cost is very similar to the time you’ll invest. When you think about investing in learning to play the piano, you have to push yourself.This personal investment is how much you want to practice doing something like learning to play the piano.You may reduce your time learning how to play by taking piano lessons online...So how can we measure this personal investment?Others might notice it even before you do! A pianist who continues to play regularly will progress much more than someone who infrequently plays for long periods of time.In the same way, a musician who regularly listens to pieces they want to play or often plays in front of their friends and family is personally invested in their new pursuit and will give their all to get better.The joy of playing is an obvious sign of their investment.  It's an investment of energy and passion.Long-Term AmbitionWe never know where learning to play the piano will take us. We don’t ever ask ourselves “Where am I going with this?” until the day comes when we have to answer this question. This choice can be very costly in terms of your short-term and long-term plans for the future. Sometimes the line between an amateur and a professional is very fine.You’re left with this choice: Am I going to continue practicing this instrument for my own personal pleasure or am I going to risk going professional with it? This choice can be costly.It’s not the sort of cost you can work out in terms of dollars. Though it is a choice that will greatly impact your life. You have to be aware of the possible outcomes of your decision before you make it. If I can give you one piece of advice, always have a plan B. Keep something up your sleeve in the event it all goes south.Discover how to select your ideal piano... So is a Piano Really that Costly?In short, yes. Economically, mentally, and in terms of time.But don’t forget that playing the piano can be a leisure activity. That means that despite all these “costs”, by weighing up the pros and cons, there’s still many good reasons to start practicing.You shouldn’t make your decision until you’ve considered everything and even maybe spoken to the people you know.Once you’ve taken the plunge, you'll probably forget all about these costs because you’re enjoying playing your piano too much.You have to love playing the piano, first and foremost! (Source: Wikitesti)That’s what’s important: the joy of learning and playing the piano.Find piano lessons th roughout the UK on Superprof.Piano lessons LondonPiano lessons EdinburghPiano lessons GlasgowPiano lessons LeedsAlso discover all you need to know about buying a piano...

What is it Like to Attend Belhaven University

What is it Like to Attend Belhaven University Daisha is a current senior at Belhaven University. She is majoring in psychology, and specializes in study skills tutoring, public speaking tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Belhaven University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Daisha: I enjoyed the campus setting. It has a very calm and inviting atmosphere that makes you feel welcome. I was a transfer student, so I didnt take advantage of the campus transportation options. How available are the professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants? Daisha:Every instructor is different, but for the most part, everyone makes themselves available and responds quickly when needed. If one person doesnt know the answer, theyre happy to refer you to someone that can help. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students, etc.? Daisha:I didnt take advantage of many of the dining options on campus. It was, however, fairly easy to meet others. I felt there were many opportunities to interact with other students while on campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? What did you study and why? Daisha:All majors and programs are well represented and supported. My area of study is psychology. I found an interest in this field in middle school, and always knew that this was a field I would enjoy pursuing. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Daisha:It really wasnt difficult to meet others. Most of my classes early on required group assignments, so most of the friendships I have now came from there. Greek life doesnt play a significant role in the campus social life. How helpful are the Career Center and other student support services? Daisha:During my time at the university, I found the Career Center very helpful. How are the various study areas, such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Daisha:The library isnt a walk through libraryyou just pick up your books and go to class. From the study spaces I have seen, though, I have enjoyed them. Describe the surrounding town. Daisha:The surrounding town offers restaurants and stores for students to explore. All of this is in close proximity to campus, so students can take advantage of these between classes or on weekends. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Daisha:The student body is a fair size, and I often see the same people when walking around campus. I was pleased with the class sizes I experienced. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Daisha:One memorable experience that I had was in sociology class. In this specific class, we were required to do an assignment that really delved into your personal life, and share what we wrote in class. We had an assignment due every week, so each week it was the most therapeutic experience. We were able to build a family throughout that class. Everyone was so supportive and nice. Check out Daishas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Private Tutoring What is the Right Price

Private Tutoring What is the Right Price How Much Should You Pay an In-home Private Tutor? ChaptersPay your Private Tutor in Accordance with the Average Rates!Ask for Details before Accepting your Future In-home Tutor’s RatesFind Out as Much as You Can about the TutorPrivate Tuition: Prices by SubjectGetting one on one private tutoring has plenty of benefits.You can get help with your homework or an assignment, get online tutoring in algebra, geometry, or calculus, or do some test prep for an important exam from personal tutors. In short, academic tutoring can bring you success!However, the issue of cost often comes up: how much does a lesson cost?A lot of things need to be taken into consideration when it comes to one on one tutoring:the subject,the tutor’s experience,their qualifications,and even where they teach...Here’s our advice for paying your tutor a fair price!If your tutor has qualifications in their given subject, their rates will be higher than their less-qualified counterparts.Whether you want to improve your level or consolidate what you’ve learnt in a given subject, it’s better to do so with someone who’s qualified. Private tutorials are an investment for the future.Private Tuition: Prices by SubjectAcademic SupportAcademic support tutorials from primary school through to university are the most popular type of tutorials on Superprof.By offering regular academic tutorials, our tutors help students get through the national education system.What type of private tutorials do they offer?Whatever your level of education, an in-home private tutor can boost your studies.Academic support at home is effective when it comes to failing students. (Source: Digital Photography School)Here are some average rates on Superprof for different academic support tutorials in London:Maths: £21Physics: £22French: £20Biology: £18Philosophy: £30History: £23Art: £24Design: £38Whether you’re a student at primary school, secondary school, or university, let a private tutor motivate you with in-home academic support tutorials!Language Tutorial sLanguage tutorials differ from other subjects since they are popular with students in and out of school!Whether you’re getting ready to go to university, abroad, or just want to boost your CV, languages are useful for everyone!Unfortunately, learning a language at school isn’t always easy.The number of students studying languages in the UK is in decline.A private tutor can help!A tutor’s private approach can help you fall in love with language learning.Here are some of the average rates for language tuition in London:English as a Foreign Language: £22Spanish: £21French: £20German: £24Italian: £19Russian: £28Chinese: £22TOEIC (English tutoring): £30Arabic: £20What are you waiting for? Start learning a language now!Sports CoachingIn-home private sports tutorials are becoming more and more popular!Why?Because demand keeps going up!In 2015 gym membership spending jumped up by 44%.If you want to be the next Ronaldo, you best get practising! (Source: Wikimedia Commons)If y ou want to get back in shape or practice a certain sport, Superprof can help you get there with a private coach.Here are some example rates for sports tutoring programs in London with Superprof:Sports Coaching: £27Fitness: £23Karate: £35Judo: £20Martial Arts: £36Your tutor, as an educator, can provide you with personalised training to help you on your way to sporting greatness!Leisure SubjectsSuperprof offers plenty of private tutorials for free-time activities. Here are how much they cost on average in London:Knitting: £48Fashion Design: £40Sewing: £41Embroidery: £45Crafts: £20Make-up: £66Whether weekly or monthly, you can learn new skills with one to one in home tutoring or online tutoring from the best tutors around!Music TutorialsWho doesn’t love music?According to the ONS, 90% of 16-24 year olds listen to music. This percentage decreases with age but two thirds of over 65s listen to music in their free time.With so many people loving music in the UK, there are plen ty of tutors available to teach music theory and instruments.Piano lessons have never been more popular! (Source: Daan Bartels)Learn more about music with private tutorials.Here are some average prices for music tutorials in London:Piano: £30Guitar: £27Clarinet: £35Singing: £29Cello: £28Violin: £29Drums: £22Bass Guitar: £33Electric Guitar: £27With Superprof, you can find your new passion. What are you waiting for?

What Are Some of the Best Career Choices for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / What Are Some of the Best Career Choices for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer What Are Some of the Best Career Choices for Introverts? It’s human nature to want to divide up the people of the world into categories or types, and one of the most common ways to do so is by grouping people according to their comfort level in social situations. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? What Does It Mean to Be Extroverted? Extroverts, or anyone who considers him- or herself a “people person,” tend to succeed in public-facing jobs that let them meet lots of different people during the workday. Extroverts often become successful salespeople, restaurant servers or bartenders, event planners, life coaches or motivational speakers, cosmetologists, or tour guides. Are Introverts Just Antisocial? If the very idea of encountering new faces each day or having to speak in front of a large group of people sends you scurrying to your couch and your Netflix queue, then you probably are an introvert. Introverts aren’t necessarily shy, antisocial, or scared of socializing. In fact, it might surprise you to learn how many of the so-called “social butterflies” of your acquaintance consider themselves introverted. What does define an introvert? It has more to do with their psychic energy level. These people might require more time and space to decompress or regain their emotional equilibrium after being in the company of other people. Interactions with others often drain them. In some cases, an introvert has no problem going out in the world â€" again, it’s not synonymous with shyness â€" but afterwards seek out solitude in order to regroup. Others do steer clear of crowded places or group interactions in the first place. Introverts Make Great Attorneys Would it surprise you to learn that the majority of attorneys are introverts? According to the American Bar Association, it’s true! Remember that the pop-cultural stereotype of a lawyer â€" a poised, articulate orator who delivers passionate arguments in front of a crowded courtroom â€" isn’t the day-to-day reality of most attorneys. A lawyer is much more apt to be found researching, writing, and preparing for a case. Some areas of practice don’t involve trials at all. And since most people fall somewhere near the middle of the introvert vs. extrovert spectrum and exhibit characteristics of both, it’s quite possible for an introverted attorney to “turn on” when needed to argue a case in court, meet with clients, or hold a press conference. Become a Business (To Business) Professional The business world is another realm in which you might not expect introverts to succeed. After all, being in business requires glad-handing, charming potential customers, and smoothing the ruffled feathers of disgruntled team members, right? Well, yes and no. As in the lawyer example, plenty of introverts can rely on their social skills when necessary. But that’s less necessary than you may think, especially in the business-to-business realm. Here, introverts put to good use their skills of written communication, relationship building, and listening to what the client needs and wants. And while plenty of people develop their business acumen through working their way up the corporate ladder, there are also options to obtain an MBA online and hit the ground running after graduation. Information Technology Is for Introverts The stereotype of IT specialists is that they’re more than introverted; they are downright asocial or lacking in social skills altogether. They spend their days under fluorescent lights, subsisting on a diet of junk food and energy drinks, rarely speaking to anyone and more comfortable with HTML code than with actual conversation. Of course, not all IT professionals are secluded loners, but as with any stereotype, there’s a kernel of truth hiding somewhere in the heart of that cliché. Working with computers requires focus and independence, and doesn’t offer the same opportunities to collaborate as some other careers. Introverts who are tech-savvy or interested in the systems that power our day-to-day life would do well to look into occupations such as systems administrator, software engineer, data analyst, or web developer. Work for Your Ideal Boss: Yourself As introverts tend to be independent, a lot of them enjoy freelance jobs or working for themselves. Creative types, of which there are many in the introvert community, may choose to work as a professional blogger or copywriter, graphic designer, artist, video editor, architect, photographer, or animator. Love to be outdoors, as long as there are more trees than people? Consider becoming a forester, park ranger, landscaper, botanist, or even a small-scale farmer. Final Thoughts About Careers for Introverts If you shy away from the spotlight or just get burned out when you spend time in places that are “too peopley,” or even if you’re somewhat extroverted but find that you do your best work independently, there are still plenty of careers where you can excel. We hope this post has given you some inspiration! We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject â€" so tell us below in the comment section if you consider yourself an introvert, if that factored into your career choice, and whether or not you’d recommend your professional field to other introverts! Author Bio - Robin is a Senior VP of Business Intelligence Development and has assisted the Fortune 1000 company with expertise in the web as a whole, including ground-zero marketing efforts that benefit both consumer and vendor. He is also contributor on  Esprittoday. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

A Beautiful State of Harmony Orchestrate Your Perfect Symphony

A Beautiful State of Harmony Orchestrate Your Perfect Symphony Supporting our students in all their endeavors is what we do best at AJ Tutoring. That means providing the best academic tutoring to help students achieve a strong understanding of the topics they’re learning in school, as well as preparing them for the rigors of standardized exams like the AP and SAT Subject tests that go hand in hand with their classes.My name is Robert Jonas, and I serve as the Academic Dean at AJ Tutoring. My role is to train and support our tutors so they may best guide our students through the various academic and test preparation challenges that come up in high school. I also provide leadership through our monthly themes rallying and focusing our team on many of the critical functions they perform throughout the school year.In February, our theme is “A Beautiful State of Harmony,” which is a reminder how intertwined all of our efforts are here at AJ to provide the best care for our students. Many clients come to us seeking help preparing for exams, whil e others were referred our way for academic support. Most are pleasantly surprised that our amazing team of tutors provides both! A long term commitment to our students’ success is our primary goal.What does that mean at this time of year? For many high school students, the current focus is the upcoming AP Exams and SAT Subject Tests. AJ has developed a robust test preparation program around these standardized exams, and nearly all of our students have benefitted from the test taking expertise we have developed with them in these offerings. With these programs, it is our goal to help students take another important step forward in the college application process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help your student navigate the test taking process!Personally, I have been amazed by the work ethic, progress, and achievements that I have witnessed through the years in working with Bay Area students. I take great pride in helping students a chieve the grades they want in their chemistry classes, especially when it can boost their GPAs, but I’ve been so pleased to see how many of them have parlayed that knowledge to earn top scores on the AP and SAT Subject Chemistry exams. AJ Tutoring was built on the care and expertise of our educators. Emphasizing a 1-on-1 format and customized support, we help each of our students maximize his or her potential in class and on test day. Starting early with the end in mind and utilizing AJ’s knowledge of the process are vital to planning for a successful spring. You can “orchestrate your perfect symphony” today, and enjoy the beautiful music for the rest of the school year.

Why You Should Listen to Your Child Read Aloud

Why You Should Listen to Your Child Read Aloud Why You Should Listen to Your Child Read Aloud It happens in every classroom. A student raises their hand, asking for help answering a question about the passage they just read. “Read it out loud to me,” the teacher responds. The student reads a couple sentences and suddenly pauses. “I got it!” they exclaim. Oral reading has many benefits. When reading aloud, students can’t breeze through a sentence, skimming words. They must pay close attention to every word on the page. This leads to a better understanding of what they are reading. Studies have also shown that reading aloud makes it easier to remember words than if you read them silently. This is key for young readers who are building their vocabulary. Oral reading also helps students build their reading speed, allowing them to read larger texts with ease. Reading aloud has another big advantageâ€"it’s a great tool for evaluating a child’s reading ability. Listening to your child read aloud can help you determine how well they are reading and where they may need to improve. Here are three key areas to help you measure your child’s reading ability through oral reading. Accuracy When testing accuracy, check that your child doesn’t miss any words or pronounce them incorrectly. Encourage them to point to each word as they read, so they don’t skip any. Multiple missed or mispronounced words could indicate that the book or passage is too advanced for your child. Phrasing Is your child emphasizing the right words? What about pausing in the right spots? Proper phrasing can show whether a child actually understands what they are reading. For example, students should pause at periods andraise their voice at the end of a question. If they don’t use proper phrasing, it could mean they don’t understand the meaning of the words they are speaking. New readers may not be able to read with much expression, but they should still know to pause between words and sentences. Speed Students should read at a pace that is easily understandable. Reading veryslowly or stumbling over words can indicate that the passage is too advanced for the child. At the same time, reading too quickly can impact both phrasing and accuracy, and might show that the child doesn’t really understand what they’re reading. It All Adds up to Fluency When students read aloud with strong accuracy, phrasing, and speed, they are considered to be reading fluently. All three are strong indicators that they are comfortable with the content they’re reading. When we don’t realize that a story is too difficult, children can get frustrated. Reading at the right level, when students are comfortable orslightly challenged, is the key to avoiding that frustration while encouraging a love of reading. For these reasons, students are expected to read aloud throughout the entireKumon Reading Program. In fact, oral reading isrequired in the first nine levels of the program. In higher levels,students areencouraged to read aloud as a technique for solving problems. Oral reading ability is a key component in a Kumon Instructor’s evaluation of a student’s readiness to move on to the next concept or level in the program. It can also help you, as a parent, decide what books your child should read at home. Why not ask your child to read you a few pages of their favorite book tonight? You might be surprised by what you learn! Discover more reading tips from Kumon. You might also be interested in: Spark a Love for Literature with These  Read-Aloud  Tips 6 Oral Reading Tips for Parents Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List Why You Should Listen to Your Child Read Aloud Why You Should Listen to Your Child Read Aloud It happens in every classroom. A student raises their hand, asking for help answering a question about the passage they just read. “Read it out loud to me,” the teacher responds. The student reads a couple sentences and suddenly pauses. “I got it!” they exclaim. Oral reading has many benefits. When reading aloud, students can’t breeze through a sentence, skimming words. They must pay close attention to every word on the page. This leads to a better understanding of what they are reading. Studies have also shown that reading aloud makes it easier to remember words than if you read them silently. This is key for young readers who are building their vocabulary. Oral reading also helps students build their reading speed, allowing them to read larger texts with ease. Reading aloud has another big advantageâ€"it’s a great tool for evaluating a child’s reading ability. Listening to your child read aloud can help you determine how well they are reading and where they may need to improve. Here are three key areas to help you measure your child’s reading ability through oral reading. Accuracy When testing accuracy, check that your child doesn’t miss any words or pronounce them incorrectly. Encourage them to point to each word as they read, so they don’t skip any. Multiple missed or mispronounced words could indicate that the book or passage is too advanced for your child. Phrasing Is your child emphasizing the right words? What about pausing in the right spots? Proper phrasing can show whether a child actually understands what they are reading. For example, students should pause at periods andraise their voice at the end of a question. If they don’t use proper phrasing, it could mean they don’t understand the meaning of the words they are speaking. New readers may not be able to read with much expression, but they should still know to pause between words and sentences. Speed Students should read at a pace that is easily understandable. Reading veryslowly or stumbling over words can indicate that the passage is too advanced for the child. At the same time, reading too quickly can impact both phrasing and accuracy, and might show that the child doesn’t really understand what they’re reading. It All Adds up to Fluency When students read aloud with strong accuracy, phrasing, and speed, they are considered to be reading fluently. All three are strong indicators that they are comfortable with the content they’re reading. When we don’t realize that a story is too difficult, children can get frustrated. Reading at the right level, when students are comfortable orslightly challenged, is the key to avoiding that frustration while encouraging a love of reading. For these reasons, students are expected to read aloud throughout the entireKumon Reading Program. In fact, oral reading isrequired in the first nine levels of the program. In higher levels,students areencouraged to read aloud as a technique for solving problems. Oral reading ability is a key component in a Kumon Instructor’s evaluation of a student’s readiness to move on to the next concept or level in the program. It can also help you, as a parent, decide what books your child should read at home. Why not ask your child to read you a few pages of their favorite book tonight? You might be surprised by what you learn! Discover more reading tips from Kumon. You might also be interested in: Spark a Love for Literature with These  Read-Aloud  Tips 6 Oral Reading Tips for Parents Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List

How to Take an Active Role in Your Pre-Med School Experience

How to Take an Active Role in Your Pre-Med School Experience Image via Pexels Each year, thousands of students enter their first year of college determined to become successful doctors. They’re dubbed pre-med students (not as a major but as a direction for their studies). While many colleges don’t offer pre-med degrees, you could be deemed a pre-med student if your program is heavy with biology and chemistry courses. Many students declare for med school each year because they are passionate about medicine and making a difference in people’s health. And it’s a bit easier if you have the learning chops and stamina. A pre-med degree program is difficult enough just by having so much to study usually within short spaces of time. Knowing how to take an active role in your pre-med experience can help you to learn more and immensely prepare you for taking the MCAT and applying to medical school after you graduate. Here are some ways you can take an active role in your pre-med school experience. 1. Take inventory of your classes As a pre-med student, you will be expected to complete a certain number of courses in math, biology, chemistry, health sciences, and English, among others. The coursework can be tedious and time-consuming, but with good time management, you can do it. Don’t allow the coursework to go in one ear and out the other. In other words, don’t go through your classes passively. Think about the material even after class is over. Find something that interests you if you can and make sure you know what you’re getting into. It would be a waste of time to go through nearly 10 years of schooling only to find out you’re not that passionate or interested in medicine to begin with. Outline your classes and make sure you know what you’re getting into. 2. Get involved in pre-med or non-pre-med student organizations and extracurricular activities While it is true that pre-med school is very demanding, it does not have to take away from your social life or from being involved in useful out-of-the-classroom experiences. Such involvement will help to improve your communication and leadership skills. You will be able to learn from professionals in the field and seek support from students who are traveling the same path. In addition to that, there is the very high possibility of networking and developing lifelong friendships. Not to mention that you may also meet your future spouse at one of these organizations. Beyond that, medical schools do look at your extracurricular activities and use it as a factor in determining admittance. So these opportunities are not to be underestimated. 3. Volunteer at a hospital or medical facility at which you would one day like to work Medical schools want to see that you have the aptitude for the field through your GPA and courses. They also want to see that you’re an empathic person who is willing to listen to people’s needs and take care of them in the best possible way. One way to show this is to volunteer in the medical field before committing to medical school. Volunteering at a hospital or in a surgeon’s office is a  great experience, and at some schools, it is required. However, don’t pick a place just because you think it will look good on your resume. Pick a place where you will feel fulfilled and be able to make a difference. All experience is good but an experience just for the sake of an experience is less useful. You’ll get more out of it  if you enjoy it and are passionate about it. This will also shine through in your medical school applications and accompanying essays. 4. Shadow physicians in a variety of specialties Similar to doing volunteer work is an experience called shadowing. Some pre-med students will shadow physicians to get as close to a hands-on experience as they can in different medical careers. Shadowing is basically following and observing someone closely. Due to rules regarding privacy and confidentiality, some doctors will not allow shadowing. However, many will especially if you’re planning on going into the same field (e.g., a  student planning to be a neurologist shadowing a neurologist). A good place to begin is with your family or personal doctor. Some colleges  have matching programs in which the college has connections with local doctors and hospitals and will help match student to doctor. If nothing else, take it upon yourself to email, call, or visit hospitals and doctors whom you have researched and ask about shadowing policies. 5. Start working on MCAT prep now The MCAT is a cumulative test that covers much of the topics you studied in pre-med school including biology, chemistry, physics, and so forth. By the time most students begin even thinking about the MCAT in earnest, they’ve forgotten or vaguely remember introductory concepts from their freshman and sophomore classes. So, to steer clear of that, start as soon as you can to study the MCAT. Get a MCAT prep book, flashcards, or even a tutor that you meet with for an hour a week. This will keep you in the mindset of taking the MCAT even if it is two years away. College is an incredible time to learn and take advantage of so many opportunities. As you engage with other students and teachers, remember to prioritize your studies. Turn everything into a learning experience and grow, grow, grow. Learn more about Kaplan’s test prep options and start building the confidence you need for Test Day.