The Hardest Part of Tutoring

The Hardest Part of TutoringThe hardest part of tutoring is often the daily meetings, reviewing a course of study and answering questions. Overcoming student attitudes and expectations is very difficult and nearly impossible when there are so many students and the work load is so big. Many students even resent their school teacher because they feel that their course is going backwards.In order to help a student become more receptive to new information, new concepts, and new ways of thinking about things, it is necessary to challenge and evaluate the student's behavior. This means that at some point during the process, all of the student's behaviors must be examined for what is in place.Many times, a teacher will be called upon to be a mediator between the classroom and the outside world in the form of the university or the department of education. Many times this is helpful in both directions, but sometimes this can be very uncomfortable for a teacher who has to deal with an extremel y busy schedule, several different student groups, and too many classroom distractions. Not to mention that you have to be able to do the best job you can at tutoring in the way that you can maintain the proper decorum and maturity.Another difficult part of tutoring is the fact that the lesson plans are set so that students can learn at a pace that is going to be satisfactory for all. Sometimes the instruction requires the student to take longer than he or she is comfortable with. When this happens, the consequences of poor performance or no performance are extreme and usually short-lived.Sometimes students cannot handle the pressure of performing. Some are afraid of criticism, others are afraid of failure and are unprepared to accept criticism, while others are simply terrified of being judged and humiliated. No matter how the situation is resolved, it is likely that the lesson plans will still not be useful.Some students also try to pull back from the lesson, feeling that they hav e not learned as much as they would like. If you take a step back and really look at the situation, you may realize that the student is not trying to minimize or hide anything. The student simply wants to improve his or her performance or sometimes that learning style has become unacceptable.You may even discover that the student is so used to being uncomfortable and in constant anxiety that he or she simply is not prepared to meet the pressure of the class, whether it is in academics or sports or extracurricular activities. However, it is important to remember that you must listen to what the student is saying. It is also important to note that you must come to your decision based on all aspects of the student's situation.

How to Scream Sing Without Hurting Your Vocal Cords

How to Scream Sing  Without Hurting Your Vocal Cords Suzy S. Do you love metal, punk, or screamo music? As a vocalist, youll need to take extra precautions if youre singing in these styles. Read on for tips from Austin, TX teacher  Gfire M... I live in Austin, Texas, the “live music capital of the world,” so I have worked with loads of vocalists who sing in touring rock bands. Some of these students only have one section of a song in which they scream others scream for an entire set so I work with them to not hurt their vocal cords. Here are my vocal tips to keep in mind. 1. Breathing Exercises and Vocal Warm-ups No matter what type of singing you do, before you head out on stage, it is a good idea to do some breathing exercises to control your notes and some singing exercises to warm up your entire vocal range, even notes that you don’t use on stage. Do these warm-ups for 10-30 minutes and you will be more relaxed and confident for your set. 2. Plan Your Set If you know that one song is really going to be full-on screaming, perhaps plan the next song to be a relatively easy one for you vocally. Obviously, this will not work if your entire set is scream-o. 3. Do Your Cardio and Core Strengthening Training Any type of rock singing tests the physical limits of the vocalist, so it is a good idea to have a workout plan. Cardio exercises increase your lung capacity, and core strengthening gives you more support when you go for those yelled notes. 4. Drink Plenty of Water and Keep Some On Stage In rehearsals, in warm-ups, and on stage, it is essential to keep your vocal instrument hydrated. Either room temperature or warm liquids are ideal for singers and screamers, since cold drinks tend to constrict the throat. 5. Know Your Notes! Even if you are screaming a note in a song, you need to know what note it is so that you can scream in tune. Screaming in tune will help your band sound cohesive it is just as important as tuning the guitar and bass for keeping your sound musical. Plus the added confidence in knowing where to aim your voice is essential for keeping your voice in good shape. 6. Drink Alcohol After Your Set Alcohol is too drying for your voice and will exacerbate any ill effects screaming does to your throat. If you are a drinker, wait until after your set is over. Before and during the set you need to stay hydrated in order for you to scream successfully and consistently. 7. Stay Healthy! Do your best to eat a well-balanced diet and get plenty of sleep. Your body is your instrument, after all! If you need more tips and techniques, you may wish to work with a singing coach who specializes in teaching how to scream sing. He or she can help you develop your screaming technique and personal habits to ensure you a full lifetime of singing and screaming well. Rob Halford of the heavy metal band Judas Priest, for example, studied singing technique and he is able to successfully scream sing after decades of constant touring. Some singers are born to scream so if you are that type of singer, put your vocal care plan into place and plan to scream for a very long time! Gfire teaches music theory, opera voice, piano,  singing, and songwriting in Austin, TX. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from  University of Maryland, as well as her  Master of the Science of Singing from  Ernest George White Society.  Learn more about Gfire here! 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 Photo by  Nicole Rork

4 Steps to Help Beginner Piano Students

4 Steps to Help Beginner Piano Students To learn the piano follow these 4 steps! ChaptersBegin with proper postureEase your way into playingGradually improve your techniqueHow to play the piano with small handsRegardless of your level and objectives, today we’re asking the question: how does one play the piano?Ok, it’s a bit vast we know. So we’ll break it down into four pieces of advice. In order to play the piano well, you’ll need to have the proper posture, and know how to play slowly, but at the right tempo. Lastly, how can you play like Mozart if you have small hands? Read on to discover the answers to these questions and more! LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/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 ValtiePiano Teach er £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBegin with proper postureWhen you play the piano you’ll need to use your entire body. So it’s important to adopt (and memorize) the correct positions and posture when you start to learn how to play piano, so that it becomes like second nature.First, position yourself in the middle of the piano, comfortably seated on your chair or stool. Use the key of G in the middle of the keyboard as a benchmark. Remember that will alter slightly depending on what piece you're playing. To play piano songs that call for high notes, you’ll position yourself slightly towards the left side of the keyboard, and in the opposite side for music with a lot of low notes. Where is that middle C again?Learning proper posture is key to becoming a true pianist.Next, you’ll position your lower arms by adjusting the height of your seat. To be well placed,  your elbows should be at th e same height of the keyboard. Or slightly under the keyboard if you have short arms. The lower arms should not be perfectly perpendicular to the keyboard.This arm position will allow you to move your fingers on the keyboard faster and easier, for a maximum of flexibility in fingering. Generally speaking, pianists aim to have good body position in order to make piano playing more supple and fluid. These are all things that your piano teacher will instruct you on. Check out an online piano video to see how the professionals look.What type of seat is best for playing piano? A stool, bench, or chair?This really comes down to your personal choice. The renowned pianist  Glenn Gould played on chairs, which obviously served him well! The downside is that you can’t adjust their height. If you choose to sit on a chair, select one that corresponds to your body and the height of your piano keyboard.The benefit of the piano bench, in addition to the possibility of modifying its height, is tha t its width facilitates side movements of the piano player. This is why the bench is generally the most popular type of seating used by pianists.Standing up while playing is just something for the great Elton John, not for beginners!After your arms, the next thing to check as you learn to play piano is your back! The back’s position must be perfect so that you don’t cause any lumbar pains from playing. Above all else, piano playing should be a pleasure! If the piano is causing back pains, you’ve overlooked this goal.When you play the piano, the back should be straight but not too rigid. And this rule is not only applicable to the piano. In a seated position, the back should always be straight, and never hunched over the keyboard: this is the worst position for playing the piano.After you’ve mastered the position of the lower arms and back, you’ll need to think about your hands! Even if the entire body is in use when you play the piano, the hand plays the most important rol e.To play the notes perfectly and reach the keys, your fingers must be curved and arched. Your palm should be slightly higher than the fingers, so that they “dive” into the notes (except the thumb which should be almost completely flat). This position will allow you to reduce tenseness and gain in speed while playing piano. The power you’ll need to touch the keys should be stemming from the fingers and not the wrist or arms â€" easier said than done!This is also what allows for the curved position of the hand. And remember to keep your feet flat on the floor, to increase your stability and confidence. Playing on the tip of your feet is not a good idea, even when you are beginning your instruction and don’t yet know how to play piano.While we wholeheartedly stand by all of this advice, it’s important to note that every person has a unique physical makeup. With time, your positions might differ slightly from the accepted rules, as outlined above, and more in keeping with you r individual playing style and physique.Discover the best ways of playing your piano scales too…Ease your way into playingWhen you start to learn piano, it’s important begin by playing slowly. This will allow you to warm up your fingers before playing (in the context of a piano course for example). It will also be very helpful when you learn to play a scale, chord progression, or piano song.Certain pianists want to play faster than the music, or play the piece at the speed required by the sheet music notations without being at the level to do so correctly. These are not the right approaches!Increase your execution speed gradually but begin by playing slowly. You must succeed at playing the piece perfectly before being able to play fast. You can’t jump from Mary had a Little Lamb to the most complex arpeggio. Get a metronome to pace your playing!Begin by playing slowly!In general, playing the piano slowly will allow you to:Memorize what you're playing easier. Your brain must co ncentrate on every detail in the sheet music, to absorb and remember them all. Soon you’ll be able to identify and pass quickly from minor scales to major scales.To make technical progress quicker, because playing slowly allows you not only to memorize music easier but also to memorize finger movements that you’ll find in other songs.Be attentive to what you’re playing, to piano chords, tempo, rhythm, etc. As such  you’ll be assured that what you are playing is correct, and that you’re not making mistakes in rhythm or in reading music.Better understand the nuances of the piece and “feel” what you are playing.To anticipate the upcoming measures instead of running after the music that you’re playing. By playing slowly, your brain will work faster than your fingers.If you're looking for a piano tutor, you can stop searching the Internet for piano lessons London and head directly to Superprof!Gradually improve your techniqueIf you are playing the piano, chances are you w ant to get better. That’s the goal of most pianists, whether they are absolute beginners or more experienced musicians. But making progress in piano playing could mean different things.First, it’s the ability to read sheet music easily. By decoding the notes, you’ll acquire a knowledge of solfege and music theory. You’ll see, soon you’ll be reading more complex music and sight reading faster.Making piano playing progress also means becoming more flexible and faster.Your hand movements and fingering will become more and more supple. You’ll play chord progressions (with the left hand) and note progressions (right hand) faster, without creating tenseness and clenched fingers. And your playing will become better articulated and more expressive.In order to use your fullest artistic potential, you must reach a good technical level. Technique serves the artistic, creative and performance sides.Getting a piano instructor and taking piano lessons will help you advance must quicke r than if you are self-taught. Piano classes are especially useful if you are stumbling over a piece of music or blocked from learning in any way. There are so many benefits to a piano lesson! Studying piano tutorials and videos on the Internet will also be fun and helpful, but beware of free piano classes and certain online lessons advertised online.You’ll make great progress if you are disciplined and practice the piano regularly. Don’t force progress, because you risk skipping steps and making mistakes. There are phases in piano instruction that just can’t be rushed through.How to play the piano with small handsEven small fingers can reach the black keysSome people believe that the piano isn’t for them because of their small hands. Is it possible to play the piano with short fingers? Our answer is yes.In truth, there are many pianists who don’t have particularly big hands â€" “piano hands” as we say â€" who play those sharps and quarter notes with a lot of fluidity and ease.Sure, certain music composers are known for their large hands. But the hand length has no bearing on quality of playing and piano technique.This is notably the case with Liszt, who, according to legend, could play the eleventh interval with just one hand! Some small-handed people might have difficulty playing some music by Liszt, as it was conceived for those with Liszt-sized hands!Generally speaking, classical music from the Romantic Period (nineteenth century) used a lot of intervals and chords with sevenths and ninths. Therefore, much of the “Romantic” repertoire requires large hands. We can’t deny it, but perhaps with a bit of creative improvisation on your piano notes you can overcome it!But remember that 95% of piano music can be played with modestly sized and even small hands. What’s more, it’s even preferable to have small hands when playing songs that use chromatic movements. Just ask your music teacher!Each hand configuration has its benefits and disadva ntages, and hand size has a limited effect on piano instruction. If you have small hands and you want to learn to play the piano, go for it!Whether you play classical piano or jazz piano (or anything!), you now have everything you need to attack those black keys and play those tunes. Your beginner piano skills will fade away, and you’ll learn to play by ear and read music like Mozart!Are you the next Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

Heres the Secret to Finding Hidden Time for Your Hobbies

Here’s the Secret to Finding “Hidden” Time for Your Hobbies Suzy S. If you had an extra hour in your day, how  would you spend your time? Your answer to that question can tell you a lot about yourself, and its fun to think about. But the reality is: 24 hours is all you get. (Sorry!) You cant quit your job. You cant ignore family commitments and responsibilities. If you want to learn a new skill, improve your current talents, or work toward a big learning goal, its up to you to make that happen.  So how do you  balance that with a busy schedule? Its simple: learn to budget your time the same way you budget your money. Here are the steps you can take if you feel like youre too busy to learn or take up a new hobby, proven to work by some of our top students. 1. Decide you WANT  to learn. The first step to financial success is deciding to have a budget. And that budget is often dictated by  your short- and long-term goals. Maybe you want to pay off your student loans or  mortgage  within five years. Or maybe you just want that new jacket you saw at Nordstrom. Now lets translate that into learning: what are your goals there?  Do you want to be able to sing confidently in front of a group? Play guitar at a friends wedding? Speak Spanish fluently on an upcoming vacation? Write these down, and put them somewhere  you can see them every day. Excuses will always come up. And heck, life will sometimes get in the way. But if youre excited about improving your skills, thats the first step. 2. Be realistic. You wouldnt set a $300 budget for going out to eat  if you only had $50 discretionary cash per week. Similarly, be realistic  about the time you can commit to practicing and taking lessons. If youre juggling a busy schedule, a 30-minute lesson once per week may be all you can find time for. Or maybe you cant even commit to that fortunately, you can find teachers who are  more flexible week-to-week, and rescheduling is always an option if  something comes up. Once you have your lesson time penciled in, then its time to schedule your  practice time. But be realistic about that, too! You may not be able to practice for hours every day, and thats OK.  Even a short practice session will help you stay on track, if you make it efficient. 3. Find the right hacks. If youre a super-budgeter, you probably know all the tricks. You hold out for great deals, look for coupons and discount codes, and so on. Same goes for budgeting your time. If you break down your schedule, you may find you have extra time in your day for your hobbies. And yes, that may mean skipping  the Netflix marathons, or cutting back on the time you spend browsing social media. You were probably expecting that advice, right? But look: there are even more hacks you can try. Here are some ways TakeLessons students have  made time for their hobbies: Take online lessons. Ordering takeout for dinner is a great time saver. What if you could get music or language lessons delivered to the comfort of your home, too? Turn on your computer, pull up the TakeLessons Classroom, and you can meet with your teacher instantly   no travel time  required. Take advantage of  your workspace. If your company  allows it, consider taking your online lessons during  your lunch break. If you prefer in-person lessons, find a teacher close by your work, so its not a hassle to get to.  You can also use your time going to and from work. As a language learner, for example, you can practice listening to your  target language during your commute! Find  a flexible teacher. If you need to reschedule a lesson every now and then, dont stress. While  a designated  lesson time each week will help you stay accountable, we understand that things come up! If you have unique scheduling needs, feel free to use our  Ask a Question feature before booking your lessons, to find a teacher who can accommodate. Use your guilty pleasures to your advantage. Learning a new skill doesnt have to be all work, no play! Musicians: jamming with community groups or going to karaoke is a fun way to add music to your day. Language students, consider changing the language settings when youre watching TV, or pick a foreign movie with subtitles. 4. Adjust as needed. Budgets ebb and flow unplanned bills show up, salaries go up and down, and  cant-miss opportunities arise. The best financial advice is to stay flexible and adjust your budget often. Similarly, sometimes the time youve budgeted doesnt go as planned. We get it: life gets busy. So dont beat yourself up if you need  to reschedule a lesson or if you miss a practice session. Stay positive, and fit in what you can! Planning ahead can help, as well. Work with your teacher to create a 15-minute practice routine, if youre short on time one week. Or, make a list of ways to fit practice into your everyday life. Even the most successful people have off days. Get back on track when you can, review your  goals again, and envision where youd like your skills to be in one year. 5. Pay yourself first. One of the best money tips out there is to pay yourself first. What does that mean, exactly? In terms of finances, it means setting aside funds for your future self before  anything else. (Think: emergency funds, retirement accounts, and so on.) So, apply the same  strategy to how youre spending your free time. Want to stay sharp? Learning a musical instrument is linked to improved memory, concentration, and IQ. Want to get ahead in your career? In todays job market, learning a second language will make you a more valuable employee, and may even lead to a higher salary. Or maybe its a more personal goal. Many of the adult students we talk to mention they took music lessons as a kid, and wanted to bring that joy back into their lives. So the question is do  you want to invest in yourself? When you think of it that way, making time for your hobbies seems like a no-brainer. Readers, how do you make time for yourself? Have you ever felt like you were too busy to learn something new? Leave a comment below and share your experience!   Photo  by  Will Foster 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

The Perfect Apps for Introverts Everywhere - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Perfect Apps for Introverts Everywhere - Introvert Whisperer The Perfect Apps for Introverts Everywhere Have you ever wanted to spend time with people physically, but do not know where to begin. Do you feel overwhelmed in crowds or front of a large audience? Would you rather spend time alone than go out with your friends during the weekends? If the answer is yes, then perhaps you have an introverted personality. Living as an Introvert As an introvert, it can be quite difficult for you to interact with someone in a normal setting. Most introverted individuals resort to using various apps to compensate for the lack of social skills and interaction that they deal with daily. Whether it be for dating or shopping, online applications can serve as a way for introverts to connect to the outside world without going through the hassle of meeting people face-to-face. Here are some examples of applications that introverts can use to simulate social interaction online. Dating Apps Dating applications such as Ok Cupid or Grinder can help you find someone to connect with without having to go through the awkward stage of physically traveling out and going to a restaurant for a date. You can easily swipe right or left if you like or dislike someone’s profile. These apps also will allow you to send instant messages that could help you start a conversation; something that you might not be able to do in the flesh. Social Media Platforms and Applications Social Media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can afford introverts like you the opportunity to create a community online that allows you to share your thoughts and feelings without the added pressure and awkwardness of meeting in person. These applications will be able to connect to 24 hours a day without having to deal with the limitations of real life. Just send a message, and you will be able to start a conversation easily much like you would in a dating site. However, social media platforms are used primarily to connect with people that you already know personally. It would be best to keep this in mind when trying to get in touch with others on social media. VoIP Applications VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. If you are fond of using programs like Skype or Viber and Facebook Messenger, then you are using Voice Over Internet Protocol technology. This particular type of application allows a person to communicate with another despite large distances. For introverts, this would be a great way to communicate because you will not have to be there to talk to another person. You can use it as a phone, or you could turn on the camera and see the person you’re talking to through the screen. Either way, it’s a great way to communicate for those people who want interaction in a much more limited and controlled environment. Through these applications, you will be able to send files and documents which can help facilitate conversation even further. You will not have to think about what you want to say, which can create a gap between you and your chat partner. Online Shopping Sites and Applications This portal is another way for you to communicate with other people who tend to have similar tastes in a musical instrument as well as other related products. My shopping online regularly, you will be able to connect with like-minded individuals who may have the same interests as you do. These sites will also remove the awkwardness of having to pay for exorbitant amounts of merchandise in person. If you love to shop and have no limits when it comes to spending, online shopping applications would be the best alternative for you. Why Use Online Applications? The main reasons why we recommended these particular applications for introverts is because it will help minimize the awkwardness that introverts might feel when meeting people. The main issue with introverts is that most of them are not equipped to handle large crowds. These specific personalities also tend to be socially inept. This ineptitude is why they resort to using online applications to make up for the lack of social interaction in their lives. Applications above will help them trained their mind into communicating much more eloquently through written words. We hope that they can further develop communication skills and use them in live interaction sooner rather than later. These online applications will expose them to humans in small doses at first, and then once they feel comfortable interacting with the person online, chances are they would be more open to meeting them in person eventually. It also helps introverts deal with rejection and a much more controlled environment. As we all know, online applications are open to everyone. Because of this, criticisms from other users, whether it be positive or negative, can reach the user quite freely without filter. The open communication line then allows the introverts to be exposed to both positive and negative criticism, which can train them to become more accepting of society as a whole. It can help the people around them teach the introverts that not everyone would be open to their way of seeing things. In turn, this will help them accept other people as they are and allow them to hopefully not judge others too harshly down the line. The Pitfalls of Using Online Applications Much like any other product out there, there also some disadvantages to using online applications too much. Because of the limited and controlled environment that an online application of Ford’s user, chances are he will not learn to develop social skills in a much more normal way. They ensure word might learn to rely on social media as a form of curing a quiche and wait for too much and forgets how it is to live with others as a normal human being. They should be a balance between online interactions through applications and real-life connections. Conclusion If you feel that your relationships with your family and friends are already suffering because of social media connections, then it would be best for you to take a break. Try to interact with one person at a time, and you will eventually be able to handle yourself in a much larger sighting for sure. Author Bio: Lydia Lee  is a fashion blogger. She works at a Tech company and writes as a freelancer for several fashion magazines both local and international. She has a pet terrier named Fugui.

How to Deal With Being Homesick at College

How to Deal With Being Homesick at College As exciting as it is to be living the highly anticipated college life, moving away from home certainly has its tough aspects. Although different students experience varying degrees of homesickness, it is only natural for that emotional feeling to come up at least every now and then. But for those who experience it more frequently, necessary forms of support and reassurance are extremely important to get through college in a healthy and happy way. If you do find yourself getting homesick more often than some of your peers, dont be concerned and dont worry that youre not enjoying the college experience as you should be. Youre allowed to miss your family and hometown friends and still be able to appreciate this new world youre in. However, if you dont know how to handle this homesickness just right, you do risk losing sight of the positive experiences of college. The key here is figuring out the best way for you personally to get through this emotional state in such a way that allows you to stay invested in your college career at the same time. Learning to acquire such a stable mindset isnt always easy, especially with so much pressure on you to do so. By identifying ways to feel comfortable with these emotions, consistently staying in touch with your distant loved ones, and recognizing all forms of support available to you, managing these unsettling sentiments can be much more feasible than youd think. Set up regular phone and Skype conversations: Its one thing to simply say youll catch up on the phone soon with an old friend, but incorporating weekly or monthly chats into your schedules can immensely help your ability to stay in close communication. There is something very comforting about the fact that you definitely have a time set up to talk, rather than just assuming and hoping it will happen. Moreover, making sure you are regularly conversing with those family members and friends that you miss so much is vital to staying secure with your relationships with them. If being apart from them is really hurting you, just talking on such a consistent basis will prove to be an effective way of maintaining that closeness. You may be apart physically, but your bonds can stay strong. Have your favorite photos nearby: This is a little thing that helps a ton. With all of our pictures so conveniently stored on Facebook and in our smart phones, we tend to get lazy when it comes to printing them out. Its certainly not unheard of to print out pictures and frankly is still pretty common but college students who have moved away are particularly encouraged to do it. Although you can scroll through your photos online at any time to re-live some old memories, having them posted on the wall right in front of you is a big comfort. When youre working on a killer assignment in your dorm and start randomly feeling lonesome and nostalgic, a nice photo of your family or prom pictures with your friends can really warm up your mood. Taping these pictures up at your desk or by your bed is a small gesture that can immediately make you feel at home in the midst of whatever events you are going through. Here is a great list of 8 things to bring to your dorm roomthat may help you feel more at home. Schedule the right amount of visits: Depending on how far away your school is from your home, this could be easy or it could very difficult. Either outcome, it is something that is worth looking into and executing rightfully. Similar to the routine phone/Skype conversations, scheduling visits ahead of time will make you feel relieved and reassured that you are seeing your family and friends. There is a thin line, though, between visiting too often and visiting just enough. While it is healthy and essential to make sure your visits are more than just rare occurrences, it is advisable to avoid making these visits too frequent. For instance, if you plan these trips both here and there every single weekend, youre ultimately going to have an even tougher time adjusting to living away from home since youll barely have the chance to actually be on your own. The more you see these people, the harder it will be to say goodbye each time. Certainly set aside a good amount of weekends to travel home and/or have your family and friends travel to you, but dont make the situation even harder on yourself than it needs to be by avoiding the reality you are trying to transition into. You may also want to check out this information on how to choose your first college roommateas they may have a large impact on how you adjust to your life away from home. Find things at school that remind you of home: Was there a really fun concert venue in your hometown? A coffee shop you loved going to? A school club you had a blast with? Odds are there are similar places and groups in your new college town. Take some of the things you miss most about home and try to find their equivalents on campus. If music or volunteering was an integral part of your high school career that brought you happiness, join a similar organization now. Specifically joining clubs in college is a terrific way to bond with a tight group of people very quickly, and the results are even better when the group is based on something you genuinely love doing. Find places as well that you just enjoy going to. Youre not going to find exact replicas of the hang-outs you enjoyed back home, but have an open mind and give these new places a chance. You may find something that complements you even better. Here are some great tips to help you choose extracurricular activitiesthat will b est suit you! If you establish such supportive tactics for yourself, youll be calling your campus your second home before you know it. The next time you go back home, you may ironically be feeling a little homesick for college. Always remember that its completely okay to feel this way about both places and that by staying strong with a mature attitude about it, the issue will minimize in no time.

Paraphrase Checker

Paraphrase Checker Students sometimes inadvertently plagiarize because they dont know how to paraphrase. To remedy this gap in their  learning, I created a paraphrase checker for the Virtual Writing Tutor. The concept is simple. The system shows you which words are the same and need to be paraphrased. This feature is very useful for students and for blog writers who want to avoid being sued or being penalized by Google for identical wording on their blogs. Try this experiment. How to Use the Paraphrase Checker on the Virtual Writing Tutor Experiment Try VirtualWritingTutor.com with the following texts. Notice the feedback. Original Text First Paraphrase Second Paraphrase Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the legal sector and threatening to replace paralegals with data-mining algorithms. Computers are revolutionizing the legal sector and beginning to replace paralegal technicians with data-mining algorithms. Robots are beginning to compete with paralegals for jobs at law firms. Use the Virtual Writing Tutor to ensure that your article summary is written in your own words. Looking for an article to summarize and paraphrase? Look no further. Click here for 200+ career-related articles. Please follow and like us:

The ACT, the SAT, or Both

The ACT, the SAT, or Both ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog If you just started your junior or senior year of high school, then you have a lot of big decisions coming up in your life! In addition to all your tough classes and rewarding extra curricular activities, you have to juggle the college admissions process. After your high school transcript and personal essays, test scores are the final big piece of the college admissions puzzle. So how can you get the score that will get you into your dream school?The big decision to make is whether you are going to submit ACT scores, SAT scores, or both. First, check out the requirements of the colleges you will be applying to. Many schools only require that you submit either an ACT or an SAT score, but some are still strict about which one they prefer.If the choice is yours, then you can consider which test is more suited to your style of thinking and test-taking. Putting some time into deciding which test to take will pay off when you get your highest possible score; there are some big differences between the tests. Subject Areas (not including writing): the SAT only has two key subject areas- quantitative and verbal- whereas the ACT is divided into four sections- reading, English, science and math. The ACT reading and English sections combined basically equal the SAT verbal section, but the SAT is more focused on vocabulary. There is nothing like the ACT science section on the SAT; ACT science doesn't demand any prior scientific knowledge, rather it tests students on their ability to read graphs, charts and tables. So, what that boils down to is that there are more math and vocabulary questions on the SAT, whereas the ACT is more about reading comprehension in a variety of contexts. If you are better at memorizing things likemathematical formulas and the definitions of words, take the SAT. If you are more analytic, take the ACT. Section Break-Down:since the ACT is divided among four subjects, it is broken down into four long sections, each of which is dedicated to one subject. Since the SAT only has two core subjects, it is broken up into many smaller sections. The sections tend to alternate between quantitative and verbal over the course of the test. So, maybe you want to choose your test based on your attention span. If you focus well for long periods of time, then the ACT will be better for you. But if you like to work on different things and switch around to keep your mind fresh, then the SAT is good for you.Those are the biggest differences, but if you're still not sure there's an easy solution. Take a practice test for each and see which feels more comfortable. You may choose the one that you initially score higher on, or you may feel that one is more suited to your style and will be better after your studying is done.And, if you are able to do equally well on both, demonstrating that to schools will definitely work in your favor!

Beer Review - Newcastle Brown Ale

Beer Review - Newcastle Brown Ale Screenshot I took of my latest UNTAPPD entry Newcastle at the Hard Rock So last week I went with my friend and her family to a comedy show at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Casinos Improv Club. The headliner was Ryan Stout (heres  Ryans Youtube page), a perpetually sarcastic comedian who repeatedly assured us that he was famous by blurting Im famous in between lines. Needless to say, I found him hilarious and smart, oftentimes pointing out the hypocrisy of the audience when we found one thing offensive but not another. It was great, and only made greater with Newcastles. When we sat down at the closest table to the stage, my friends mom let me know drinks were on her and that there was also a two drink minimum for the show. Well, damn. Im in. The waiter ran through the boring usuals Bud, Bud Light, Corona Light, Coors Light,  Heinekenand then he reached Newcastle and I was a happy camper. I said bring my two upfront so as not to have incessant reminders from him through the show and my decision was a good one. Newcastle is a brown ale and therefore it has a richer, heavier body than a lot of other brews. It is from Newcastle, England and probably one of my favorite go-to beers because it is relatively common in most bars and wont set you back too much. Im a brown and red ale kind of guy, the same kind of guy whod rather drink a glass of tap water than a Corona (Corona is terribleyes even with a lime and yes even in the summer). I rated Newcastle a 4/5 that night on UNTAPPED and I dont regret it. Although it is my favorite safe call, I know there are many fish in the sea (beers in the pub?) and I shouldnt set a ceiling just yet. Similar brews that I would recommend are ones that have brown ale and even amber or copper in their title because they lend themselves to similar taste profiles. That identification method hasnt steered me wrong yet. These types of beers are not restricted by seasons and taste just fine in most settings, but Id strongly recommend a Newcastle when out in a sit down e nvironment, perhaps enjoying a burger or steak. At 4.7% alcohol-by-volume, it wont floor you to have three or so in one sitting. Most liquor stores shelf Newcastle bottled in 6-packs, but my recommendation for a Newcastle first-timer (or any new beer for that matter) is to take a trip to your local bar with some buddies and get it from the tap.