Sunday, March 22, 2020

The World of Work

The World of Work Are Schools Preparing Students for a Future that Doesn’t Exist? ChaptersThe future World of WorkThe Industrial Model of EducationWhat is Success?What are the material markers of a successful life?A steady job?A high salary?Owning a house?What do you need to do to achieve these?  Traditionally, the pathway to this golden future would be an academic success at school, leading to a place at a good university and then on to a high-flying job in a big company. But will that still be the case in the future? Is it even the case  now? CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 ( 3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe future World of WorkIn his new book, ‘Beyond Nine to Five‘, Ade McCormack writes that the old industrial models of work are dying o ut and being replaced by models that are more collaborative, flexible, highly creative and entrepreneurial.‘Over time, if your job can be done by a robot, it will be done by a robot‘-Ade McCormackWe now live in a digital economy, and McCormack believes  that this new economy only needs ‘leaders’ and ‘doers’. The hierarchical organisation of old, with the boss at the top, managers in the middle and lowly workers at the bottom has a soon-to-be-reached expiration date.In the digital economy, people do not have to have just one career. Now more than ever, there are a variety of different career frameworks to choose from (permanent employment, freelancing, hybrid, entrepreneurial), and a person can move between these different modes throughout their life, and even run some of them in parallel.The future world of work will be shaped by certain key drivers, writes McCormack: globalisation, an economic power shift to the East and South, technology advances, energy security and t alent shortage. The nature  of work is being reshaped and we must recognise that if we are to thrive.How well is school preparing our children for the world of work? Photo Source: UnsplashThe Industrial Model of EducationUnfortunately, McCormack goes on to say that schooling has not yet caught up with this brave new world of work. According to him, our schools are simply continuing in the grand industrial-age tradition of converting free-thinking pre-schoolers into compliant cogs ready to slot into a system that no longer has a place for them. He isn’t alone in this harsh assessment.The educationalist  John Taylor Gatto  said in his  acceptance speech  for the New York City Teacher of the Year Award back in 1990 that:‘The truth is that schools don’t really teach anything except how to obey orders.’He didn’t blame teachers or a lack of money â€" Taylor Gatto felt it was simply that the school model made true education impossible.McCormack believes  that in order to equip yo ung people with the skills to do well in the future world of work, our education system needs to encourage risk-taking, promote self-ownership of one’s life, develop artistry, provide students with the tools to help them find their true path and encourage students to defend their ideas whilst also being open to new information and experiences. There is no place for conformity and risk aversion in this new world.What is Success?But before we rush to tear down the old system and replace it with one we feel will help students achieve success in the future, we should ask ourselves some questions:Are the old measures of success  still valid? Are high salaries, steady jobs and home ownership achievable or even desirable?Or could there be other measures of  a successful life? If we replace the word ‘success’ with ‘wellbeing’, how might that change the discussion?In ‘Top Five Regrets of the Dying‘,  a news article that has received almost 180k shares on social media, it is tel ling that  every one of the regrets people have relates to failures in relationships with themselves and with their friends and family.Failure to make enough money, buy a house or climb to the top of the career ladder don’t get a look in.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Advantages of Online Tutoring

Advantages of Online Tutoring 0SHARESShare There are several advantages of  online tutoring. It is one of the most advanced forms of learning that allows a person to begin the process of learning from his home or office. This form of tutoring has been able to reach out to the masses at a large scale using the World Wide Web. Most  online tutoring  services hire some of the best  online tutors  who wish to offer online coaching to students on various subjects. There is no limitation of subject or learning technique. Students from their elementary school days through high school and colleges can easily find their individualized help through these online forums. There are several companies that have come up with these unique methods and ideas through instant messaging, emails, virtual classrooms and video cam too. There are innumerable such services that caters to the needs of students seeking help in varied subjects. Most importantly, you can get qualified mentors and coaching experts, with respect to your chosen subject. This has made  online tutoring  an invaluable part of the current learning process. [starbox id=admin]

Thursday, March 5, 2020

How Do You Begin Learning to Play Guitar

How Do You Begin Learning to Play Guitar How Do You Start Learning to Play Guitar? ChaptersAsking Yourself the Right Questions Before You Start Playing GuitarDifferent right handed guitar techniques for playingPlaying Guitar With Your FingersThe great moment has arrived!You feel deep within you the need, the desire, the urge to devote yourself to the guitar.  Do you want  to know how to play guitar?You've spent forever staring at guitars in stores, flipping through magazines, and watching videos of your idols - Slash, Clapton, David Gilmour, Carlos Santana and Robert Johnson, to name a few. You tell yourself you will get there one day too.But the first question is: where do you start learning to play guitar?electric guitar.If you want to play Led Zeppelin, stay away from classical guitar, simple right?This will save you time, money and energy to focus on what you love.Where can you learn to play guitar?If you want to play guitar but have never touched one in your life, if you do not know the basics of music theory such as solfeggio, rhythm, scales, etc., we recomm end you to take guitar lessons.There are various ways to do this: at an academy (over several years building towards a professional or academic path), private or public music schools (teaching supervised by a certified teacher who follows a set methodology), cultural centers, workshops, associations, music clubs where you can meet other budding musicians as well as professionals (some offer courses, others one-off workshops). Choose the easiest solution for you.The final solution is to take private lessons at home with an independent teacher who usually travels to your home and teaches once a week (the advantage is that the teacher adapts to your needs and expectations).You may also ask where you can buy an inexpensive guitar to learn with...Different right handed guitar techniques for playingYou will have to learn several techniques to play guitar, especially to play with your right hand.PluckingAs its name indicates, this technique consists of plucking a string with your fingertip s or nails. You can use up to four fingers, the thumb, forefinger, middle finger and ring finger. You can pluck several strings at the same time. This is the basic guitar technique used to play arpeggiosArpeggiosYou pluck the strings regularly and simultaneously, as if you were playing a chord note by note.GolpeThis is a variation of plucking, wherein after plucking the string your finger rests on the next string, increasing the volume of the notes. This technique is widely used in the flamenco style.PickingPicking, or finger picking, fingering, means tweaking the string with one of the fingers of your right hand.It is a particular way of plucking strings with the finger, typical of North American music like country or blues. Using a plectrum can help bring out the rhythm and round out the sound.Strings feeling slack? Follow these tips for tuning your electric guitar...StrummingStrumming is stroking the strings quickly to give the illusion of a chord.  There are many kinds of strum ming patterns you can learn to easily form a melody.This is the simplest technique to play and the most used, especially in accompanying guitar because it is easy to play at volume.Back and forthThis technique is realized with the help of a plectrum which vibrates the strings simultaneously with an upwards or downwards stroke.This technique is widely used on the electric guitar to play melodies or solos quickly.Playing Guitar With Your FingersThere are three distinct ways to play the guitar: with your fingers, with your nails and with a plectrum.As mentioned above there are different ways to play with your fingers.How to play the guitar with your fingers?According to your style, ability and level, you will find a particular technique that suits you best. Each technique will produce a different sound, so it's a matter of taste which technique you use later on.Find online guitar lessons on here.Finger placement and movement for learning guitarYou can use your thumb and forefinger toge ther if you do not want to use a plectrum, without using your other fingers.Your index fingernail will pick the strings in a downwards motion and your thumbnail will strike them as you move your hand up.It is not an easy movement to master, but remember to keep your wrist flexible and in control of your movements. The movement should only come from your wrist and not your arm.  Eventually, you will develop calluses on your fingers after consistent guitar playing.Tips for playing guitar with your right handYou can play guitar if you have short or long nails as long as your nails are all the same length. When you move your wrist, rotate your hand so that your index finger is in contact with the strings rather than your thumb.Do not lift your wrist too much, keep the back of your hand in line with your forearm.Remember to use your wrist to move.Playing guitar with your nailsIf you are right handed it does not matter what length the nails on your left hand are as they will not be used on the strings to play notes or chords. Do not scrape the strings. Tune your electric guitar well. To hold down a string properly long nails can get in the way.The nails on your right hand are another story. You can have clipped nails, short nails or long nails. The right hand is the one you will use to play notes by making them vibrate, and so the length of your nails will have an impact on their sound.For manicured nailsThis has no influence on the sound of the guitar, and is therefore perfect for those who want to play with a plectrum or with your finger tips for a softer sound.For long nailsUse them to pluck the strings as well as your finger tips for a sharper sound, a practice particularly popular with classical and flamenco guitarists. The benefit lies in being able to pluck precisely for a brilliant, defined sound. The only drawback is their maintenance; they must be cut and filed regularly.Playing guitar with a plectrumA final guitar playing technique is with a plectrum.Gui tar picking is funYou should hold it in a way that feels natural: placed on the side of your index finger and steadied by the thumb. The right movement for a plectrum is not simple and you should work hard to perfect it.The real difficulty is to stay focused on the rhythms and precision while remaining flexible.Try striking the strings with some force to get a clear sound.Relaxing the wristThe wrist plays an important role in playing with a plectrum. Try moving up and down without moving your forearm, or your elbow, but just your wrist.Tips for playing guitar with a plectrumSome tips for playing with a plectrum:• Do not raise your hand too much.• Keep the wrist soft, this is essential for playing with a plectrum.• Pay attention to the symmetry of your movements.• Tilt your plectrum to avoid playing too hard.• Start playing slowly, and slowly increase your speed.• Use a mirror to avoid neck strain and get a good view of your movement, to help you iron out errors.If you're really enthusiastic, discover our tips for:• Playing guitar while singing.• Playing guitar faster.• Playing guitar with one hand.

How Life Coaching Can Help You

How Life Coaching Can Help You What Can Life Coaching Help You With? ChaptersHow Does Life Coaching Work?Do People Get Qualifications to Become Life Coaches?What Areas Can a Life Coach Help With? A life coach is someone who aims to help their clients make changes to reach specific, personal or professional goals. This can include achieving promotion in the workplace, becoming happy and fulfilled in your relationships, or exploring your potential and achieving other ambitions.A life coach does not spend much time examining the past, but rather looks at how making certain changes today can result in desired outcomes in the future.Life coaching is a client-driven process. Your life coach is there to help you realize the goals that you set for yourself, the whole process is tailored to you. There isn't much a coach can't help you with! (Source: jill111) AntonellaLife coaching Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamLife coaching Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyLife coaching Teacher £40/h1s t lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr. UzomaLife coaching Teacher 5.00 (4) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MicheleLife coaching Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PimmiLife coaching Teacher 5.00 (10) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverLife coaching Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JennaLife coaching Teacher 4.80 (5) £85/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Does Life Coaching Work?Life coaches typically charge by the session and sessions typically range from 45 minutes to an hour in duration. Clients will generally meet with their coach, or converse over the telephone, once a week, and may exchange additional emails on top of that once weekly phone call.The relationship with a life coach is fluid and will change depending on what stage of coaching you’re at. Coaches will adapt sessions to their client as they  make progress. It is 100% tailored to you.  Some of the stages of a t ypical life coaching relationship include:A life coach listens to their client’s current problems, ideas and hopes for the futureMaking goals - Many of us know that we’re unhappy or dissatisfied in some area of life, whether at work, in relationships or with our habits â€" what we don’t yet know is how to make the changes necessary to improve the situation, and often even what it is exactly what we seek as a solution or a goal to work towards! A life coach helps through focused listening and pointed questions - challenging the client to come to an understanding of the current situation and helps the client to make a clear and realistic goal for the future.Helping to identify roadblocks to success and helping to devise strategies to overcome these challenges â€" and then holding the client accountable for following through on planned actions. Do People Get Qualifications to Become Life Coaches?Life coaching is an unregulated profession. At the moment, any person, with any amoun t of training or none at all, can call themselves a life coach.Because there are very little standardization and no formal educational benchmark to rely on, finding an effective life coach may be challenging and you should carefully consider any prospective life coach’s background, education and relative experience before deciding to commit to a coach.It is essential you do your research. Search online directories to find coaches that have memberships with a professional body and have the appropriate insurance cover and qualifications.Although life coaching is not therapy, as a therapeutic relationship, it’s very important that you feel that you can trust and relate to your life coach. If you don’t feel comfortable with your coach, it is unlikely you’ll gain much from the session. It’s a good idea to get in touch with a coach before you book a session. This way you can get a feel for what the coach is like before you commit your time and money.Most life coaches will offer a trial session or two for no charge, and since coaching can be expensive, you should be sure to try out several coaches on a trial basis before selecting anyone for a continuing relationship.Coaching can help you become a better parent Source: Pixabay Credit: DagonWhat Areas Can a Life Coach Help With?Almost everyone can benefit from working with a life coach at some point in time. That’s because life coaching features several niches you might not have known about, which means you can get coaching with just about any problem that comes up in life. Having said that, life coaches are not medically qualified, so it isn’t advised that people with mental health issues seek out a life coach for help. Anyone with serious mental or emotional health challenges should contact a qualified and certified mental health professional for assistance.If you do think you could benefit from a life coach here are some of the areas that a coach can help you with:Health and FitnessMany people want he lp managing their health and fitness. If you have a health condition that requires you to make some life changes in order to treat it, a life coach focused on health can guide you. And of course, if you want to lose weight and need help sticking to a healthy diet and fitness plan, this type of life coach will there to help keep you on track to reach your goals.RelationshipsIf you’re in a relationship and feel that it could be improved, you can work with a life coach who specialises in  relationship guidance.  Maybe you find that you keep sabotaging relationships and need advice on how to stop, or perhaps you just need to learn some strategies for improving communication with your partner. A life coach can help in these cases. The same goes if you’re single and need both guidance and motivation when it comes to finding someone to date.  CareerIt’s not unusual to feel stuck in a dead-end job at some point in life. When this happens, don’t just assume that you’re supposed to feel unsatisfied at work or even dread going in every day. You don’t have to settle for this when you have access to a career coach. Whether you need the motivation to go for that big promotion or want to finally get up the courage to start your own business, a career coach can advise you along the way. FinancesAnother niche that life coaches may specialise in is the financial area of your life. If you’re always struggling with money and want to find a way to change this routine, a life coach who is great with finances can help guide you to financial success.  SpiritualIf you’re not where you’d like to be spiritually, a life coach is a good person to talk to. If you follow a particular religion, you probably know of a few people at church you can talk to about your spiritual journey, but not everyone has time to devote to helping you. A life coach focusing on spirituality can help you find where you want to be.  FamilyIf you have children at home, you probably struggle with whether you’re being the best parent you can be. Just about everyone does, but not everyone decides to get help for it. If you’re ready to address any parenting issues you’re experiencing, it’s time to talk to a family life coach. This type of coach can help you whether you are worried about how effective your discipline habits are or want to get on the same page as your spouse when it comes to parenting choices. Either way, if you’re not confident in your parenting skills for any reason, it’s important to get advice that will put your mind at ease.If you’re having trouble with any of these areas of life, look for a life coach with experience in the niche for which you need help. You’ll find that some life coaches specialise in one or two areas, while others have experience in several. You should choose the coach with whom you feel most comfortable handling your specific needs.Even if you’re not dealing with a crisis in your life right now, life coaching is someth ing we can all benefit from. It can help you find a different perspective on life and can help you improve many areas of your life.   Speaking to someone who is dedicated to listening to you and your goals or problems could be the support you need. A life coach will equip you with the tools you need to tackle problems head-on or to put you on the path to achieving a personal goal. We think everyone could benefit from a push in the right direction that a life coach can provide.

What is it Like to Attend University of California, Santa Barbara

What is it Like to Attend University of California, Santa Barbara The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Mary is a 2011 graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara. She holds a degree in Zoology and currently tutors many subjects in Los Angeles including Essay Editing tutoring, SSAT prep tutoring, and Elementary Math tutoring. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Mary: My campus was situated near a small community where most of the students lived, so most people walked, biked, or skated to all of their classes. Pedestrians definitely outnumbered cars. There was a security service available that provided complimentary escort services if you ever felt you needed it, but generally the campus was very safe and there were very few reported incidents of violence. There was also an amazing bus service we could use for free to get all around the city, so there really was no need for a car. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Mary: Any time I had questions or needed extra help, I could find it. Theyre there to help you succeed, and generally they love what theyre doing. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Mary: There were several dorms, and all had delicious dining commons. I lived in the only dorm situated off-campus, but we were only a mile away and it was easy to socialize within our dorm and with friends living in other dorms or in the community. We had social events frequently, and living in the dorm was definitely a wonderful experience I would recommend to everyone! VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Mary: I studied Marine Biology. Growing up in the mountains far from the ocean made the seas and the life contained within them a mystery to me, and I enjoyed learning everything I could about them. Because I attended a research university, the Sciences were definitely best represented, but there were a lot of Social Sciences as well. My school did a lot of outreach to help us stay informed and make good decisions about our majors, but more often than not you have to get out there and ask questionsthere are always answers, but you have to be proactive. VT: 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? Mary: Greek life was certainly a large part of my university, but I never became involved with the system. I did join several clubs, though, and I met a lot of people my freshmen year, many of whom I am still in contact with. You just have to get out there and find people you can connect with! VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Mary: I really wish Id spent more time at the Career Center: They had a lot of information available, quizzes, and surveys to help you determine which areas you would be suitable for, as well as Career Counselling. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Mary: There was always somewhere with tons of space when you needed it! My school had a 24-hour room in the library that was usually crowded, but there was always room for you to squeeze in next to someone. There were also 24-hour rooms in all of the dorms that you could reserve for yourself or a study group, but there was generally always an open room if you decided to just drop in. The University Center was also a great place to study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Mary: My college was situated next to a small community within the larger city that housed the university. This community was 90% students and had a vibrant culture; there were restaurants, theatres, etc., and always fun things to do, including programs, lectures, concerts, etc. put on by the university. The larger city was accessible by car/bus and also featured many things to do, such as eating out, shopping, watching plays, concerts, movies, lectures, and hitting the beach. Most students split their time between our small community and the larger city, and both had tons of things to do and were very easily accessible. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Mary: The undergraduate student body at my school was roughly 18,000, with approximately 5,000 more graduate students. Because I was studying in the Science department, most of my lower-level classes were quite large (ranging from 150-600 students), which was disconcerting for me since I had attended a very small high school. However, the teachers and TAs were always readily accessible, and my university also offered free study groups that were capped at 15-20 students. Each lecture also had a discussion group of no more than 25 students. Most lower-level classes in other departments were roughly capped at about 300 students. However, when I moved into my upper-division classes, most of my lectures were no more than 150 students, and also had the smaller 15-20 student discussion sections. Overall, I felt a bit overwhelmed at first, but the resources I needed to succeed were readily available. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Mary: I had never received a grade lower than an A, so I had high expectations for myself when I entered college. I struggled a lot because I was not mentally or academically prepared for the rigor of my classes, and at one point I was taking 18 units of math, chemistry, and physics and had to decide which of my classes to slack off in. As a result, I failed Organic Chemistry in order to succeed in the other classes I was better prepared for. It was a humbling and embarrassing experience, but one I learned from: Do not take on too much, and remember that this is your first try at collegeno one expects you to get it all right on the first try. Above all, find something you love to do, and remember that this is supposed to be fun! Check out Marys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Few Exercise to Develop the Body Language of a Leader - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Few Exercise to Develop the Body Language of a Leader - Introvert Whisperer Few Exercise to Develop the Body Language of a Leader It is important for every leader to maintain a body language that is going to leave a positive impact on others. Every leader has the quality to attract people with their words and gestures. It is not only about hard work or experience which makes a person a leader. Be it any leader in this world, they have an extraordinary personality which makes people listen to them and believe in their words. There are a lot of people, especially the youths who want to obtain leadership skills so that they can stand apart in the crowd. Leadership qualities are not very difficult but you need to follow them and make them your habit so that you don’t need to pretend in front of anyone that your personality is amazing. There are a lot of people who follow a lot of leaders and watch their videos and listen to their speeches and try to copy them. Remember, that copying someone is not going to help you become unique. You need to understand yourself and make yourself different from others. But what can be the most important body language that can help a person become a leader? Well, to understand this in more detail here we have a few exercises to develop the body language of a leader. These tips are surely going to help you become a good leader: The first impression is the last impression: When you meet someone for the first time in your life( i.e attending a meeting or giving a presentation to clients etc.) the people around you are going to start noticing you and observing your gestures in the first 10 seconds only. They will make their mind that you are confident, rude, full of negative attitude or energetic. You just cannot get into their minds and change their thoughts for you. This is the reason you need to follow some essential rule while you are meeting new people. Smiling is the key as it leaves a long-lasting impact on everyone. The time you have entered the room just keep a smiling face and greet everyone. Don’t just try to ignore people thinking that you are superior to others. You need to prove how down to earth you are and ready to communicate with everyone. This gesture is surely going to help people think about you positively. Make eye contact and prove your confidence: There can be many situations when a person can know a lot about you just looking in your eyes. You just need to be positive and confident from inside, your eyes can help you by telling people that you believe in what you are saying and even shows how attentive you are while listening to others. Shake hands with confidence: Handshakes are known to be one of the best ways to establish a connection. According to a report, “A handshake is equalled to 3 hours of conversation one needs to develop a connection”. This proves how essential a handshake is. But what can be the best way of handshake? Well, According to best personality development institutions, “Just make sure you have palm-to-palm contact and that your grip is firm but not bone-crushing”. This way of a handshake can prove that you are a goal-oriented person and full of confidence.

Why You Should Opt to Take SAT Subject Tests

Why You Should Opt to Take SAT Subject Tests Stand out from the College Admission Crowd by taking the SAT Subject Tests If you're preparing for college admission you may be wondering if you should take any of the available SAT Subject Tests. These tests are designed for you to showcase your achievement and ability in specific subject areas while enhancing your college application portfolio. When you are applying to colleges you want your portfolio to speak for itself and paint a picture of your strengths, assets, and abilities. These tests help you do just that. Basics of the SAT Subject Tests: Each Subject Testis anhour in length and is based on contentpreviously covered in high school courses. There are 20 different Subject Tests representing fiveacademic areas: history, English, foreign languages, science, andmathematics. The Subject Tests are administered six times per yearin October, November, December, January, May, and June. Not all exams areoffered on all testing dates. It's best to plan ahead to ensure that youare able to take the exams of your choosing. You can sit for three Subject Tests on a single day.You are not allowed to take a Subject Test the same day you take the SATexam. The Language with Listening exams are onlygivenin the first testing hour of each testing day. You can only complete onelistening test per exam date. The professional tutors at Huntington Learning Centerare available to help you prepare for the Subject Tests. We will determineyour initial level of mastery and then work to ensure you are progressingthrough all of the content necessary for success on the exam. It is vital to understand how sitting for the Subject Testscan impact your college applications. Taking these exams allows you to: Stand out from the crowdThe Subject Tests provide youthe opportunity to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Evencolleges and universities that don't require the Subject Tests will likely use the results to make admission decisions. Set yourself apart from thecompetition by showcasing your knowledge and ability. For example, if youare applying to Northwestern University and want to major in Chemical Engineering demonstrating mastery on the Math Level 2 exam and theChemistry exam will provide evidence of your achievement and potential. Showcase your unique abilitiesIf you are an ESL or international student the Subject Tests allow you toshine on exams that don't heavily rely on English language mastery such as science, math, and foreign languages. You can also utilize the SubjectTests to demonstrate your multilingual skills or complete foreign languagecompetency requirements. Huntington Learning Centers offers personalizedtutoring programs for a wide range of Subject Tests. We will create acustomized tutoring plan that uniquely matches your strengths and areas ofneed. Since no two students are alike no two tutoring programs are alikeeither. Provide evidence for your homeschool educationBecause homeschool curriculaare incredibly varied and often designed to meet individual needs, theSubject Tests are an excellent opportunity to add insight to youreducation. Colleges will get a better picture of your education,achievement, and ability while you discover your mastery levels comparedto standardized expectations. Get a jump start on college coursesThe Subject Tests are oftenused to place students in college courses. By taking these tests you may have the opportunity to test out of introductory courses, earn collegecredit, and satisfy basic program requirements. The University of Texas isone college that uses the Subject Tests to determine college credit. Once a student is accepted at the University of Texas the Subject Test scoresare evaluated based on program requirements to help determine placementand possible credit. Paint a complete picture of yourselfYour high school transcriptonly tells the story of courses completed in school. But what abouteverything you learned in other settings? Enrichment programs, distancelearning courses, and self-study will likely not appear on your transcriptbut have an amazing impact on your knowledge and ability. Use the SubjectTests to display additional competency not attained in school. Meet program requirementsSome university programs require applicants complete one or more Subject Tests as part of theirportfolios. As you are compiling your list of possible colleges payattention to the requirements. Plan ahead to take these exams so they canbe included in your application.

Introducing Yourself Online and in Person

Introducing Yourself Online and in Person First impressions have a lasting impact. It is critical therefore to be equipped with the know-how to create the right impression on people you meet online or in person for the first time. This article focuses on how to achieve this when introducing yourself to a room full of people or to a pen pal online. Step 1: Plan The first step of introducing yourself is to come up with a plan. List the main information you wish to share, such as your name, where you live, your school, your program, your goals, your job, and other interests. To create an informal tone, mention your hobbies and pastimes. You may want to emphasize what makes you different from your peers. Plan to end with a question. Questions help to continue the conversation and make you seem less self-centered. An example of an appropriate question after introducing yourself to a small group could be something like this: Now that I have told you a little about myself, could you tell me a little about yourself, too? Step 2: Understand your audience While planning your message, be aware of your audience’s interests. If they are students like you at a different college, they will be particularly interested in your school and program. Some will be interested in your career goals while others will want to delve into the details of your social life. Older readers might be interested in your family life. Readers in another country will want to know about your city and neighbourhood. If your audience is pressed for time, they won’t want to read or listen to a long treatise about your lifeso it is best to keep it short. Once you have understood your audience, you will get a sense of what to emphasize. Keep your tone friendly and informal to make you seem approachable. Avoid slang and aggressive language. You want to put your audience at ease. Step 2: Revise written introductions Write a draft, and then check it for embarrassing errorsespecially if you intend to post it online or send it in an email. Make sure to capitalize the first word of each sentence, your name and the pronoun “I.” NEVER USE ALL-CAPS. It makes you look like you are shouting. Remember to put a period (.) at the end of your sentences and a question mark (?) at the end of questions. Important! Use exclamation points (!) sparinglyyou don’t want to seem crazy. Finally, check your spelling and grammar with the VirtualWritingTutor.com grammar checker, and eliminate your errors before sending your message. Step 3: Practice oral introductions Practice your pronunciation for those occasions when you have to introduce record yourself or speak to a live audience. To make sure that you pronounce words correctly, enter your text into the VirtualWritingTutor.com and click on the speaker icon or download the MP3. Once you are sure of your pronunciation, practice reading your speech aloud to a classmate to determine the reaction of the audience in advance. Encourage him or her to ask questions and be honest about the weak parts of your introduction. Memorize your introduction. It will help you to create an impression of self-confidence. If you have to refer to your notes, read a sentence, look up, and say it. Step 5: Reduce your anxiety While delivering the speech to a room full of people, try to relax. Find a quiet place to breathe slowly and deeply. Instead of telling yourself that you are nervous, tell yourself that you are excited. Stand up straight to portray a sense of confidence and strength. Make eye contact with the people in different parts of the room. Use humor instead of apologizing for mistakes. It will indicate that you are comfortable and likable. Undoubtedly, you can introduce yourself in a speech or in a written message to create the right impression with just a little forethought and effort. The elements of proper planning,  simplicity, feedback from classmates, confidence, and humour will guide you through the process to a result you will be proud of. By Ekta Parishad (Ekta Parishad) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Please follow and like us: