Thursday, April 2, 2020

Where Do You Go For Tutoring?

Where Do You Go For Tutoring?If you are going to have a teacher at your campus, you should find out what options are available for tutoring on your campus. You might need a teacher for someone on your campus who is having some difficulty with their academic coursework. Perhaps you will need help from the office of an instructor in your department or from an outside tutor.If you are going to be a tutor, you should also find out about the options for people who are having difficulties. You might want to use this article to fill out the rest of the information that you need. If you do not, you will not know if there are options for finding a student to help you out.The first thing that you should do is to get a list of room numbers for different departments. You may be surprised to see all the names on that list. This is an excellent place to start when looking for students to tutor. You will find a lot of options to tutor in any given area.Each department has its own name. Often, it wi ll be represented by a number. Take note of the number on your list. You will need to call the office and find out what options they have for students to tutor.You should then make a list of all the students in the office. Make sure that they have a complete name and address for each student. You can find out if they need anything. Maybe they need extra textbooks. Whatever it is, find out and let them know that you have found a student for them. You may need to let the students know that you will be calling them. That way, they can decide whether they will contact you directly. Then, you will know what to say when you call.Once you have all the students that you need to tutor, you will probably have some choice. It can be easy to choose one person or many students. After all, you want to find someone who is qualified to give you advice and help.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Top Questions to Ask at a Campus Information Session

Top Questions to Ask at a Campus Information Session The following piece was written by Joie Jager-Hyman. Joie has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is a former Assistant Director of Admissions for Dartmouth College. She is the founder of her own admissions consulting service, College Prep 360. As spring break approaches, many families with 10thand 11thgraders are gearing up to hit the road for campus visits. Many students and parents are tempted to focus on certain data points like size, location, selectivity, cost, and choice of majors.All of these are important things to consider in your college searchbut not at the expense of overlooking how you feel when you are on campus.Researchers have discovered that we make good decisions using both reason and emotion.If you step onto a campus and dont feel like you belong there, dont ignore your gut!Emotions dont just go away if we ignore them.The right college for you will have all the rational things you need (location, size, cost, majors, etc.) and feel like a place where you can truly thrive. Many students will want to sign up for tours and information sessions given by admissions officers.These information sessions are good opportunities to ask questions aboutadmissions and financial aid.You wont always have access to the person who could potentially be reading your application next fall, so take advantage of your time with him or her by asking good questions (and dont forget to take notes)! Questions to Ask During the Information Session: Is there any advantage to applying Early Decision/Early Action? What are the acceptance rates for students who apply early decision vs. students who apply regular decision? Are there particular courses that you want to see on a high school transcript? How do you factor in the rigor of courses when you look at a high school transcript? What standardized tests are required for admissions?Does it help to take more tests than those that are required? How are standardized tests factored into admissions decisions? How important is GPA or class rank in admissions decisions? How important are extracurricular activities?Are there certain activities that you like to see more than others? How do you look at students who have part-time jobs? Do you consider whether a student is applying for financial aid when you make your admissions decisions? How many admissions officers read each application?How often do you make admissions decisions by committee? In your opinion, what makes a good college essay? How many letters of recommendation are required?Who should I ask to write on my behalf?Can I send additional letters of recommendation? Do you look at art or music supplements? What does your ideal applicant look like? What are some common mistakes that you see students make on their applications? Do you have any samples of applications or essays that you really liked? Check out CollegePrep360, or Joie'supcoming book,for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Friday, March 6, 2020

French on the Go More Study Tips for Busy Students

French on the Go More Study Tips for Busy Students Madalyn Danielson There are always more ways to practice French in your daily life. Tutor  Darcy C.  shares how to study French as you go about your usual activities Learning any language is just plain easier when you’re surrounded by native speakers, and learning French is no different. Yet for those of us who cannot move to France at the moment, there are  other ways to bring France to us by making French part of our daily lives. Even if you don’t have  much time to spare between lessons, check out these tips to incorporate the language into your  life more frequently and regularlyâ€"you might be surprised at how simple this task can be! For the Reader If you are working on vocabulary, grammar, and reading, see if you can find a French translation  of one of your favorite children’s books. You know you’ll enjoy the story, and you won’t need to  reach for your dictionary as often; since you know what happens, you can guess the meanings  of some words, and silly translations such as “Poudlard” for “Hogwarts” make this exercise even  more enjoyable! Listen Up Most people find the biggest language-learning challenge to be understanding fast French  speakers. To acclimate your ears, give a French podcast a shot. If youre a newer speaker and  balk at the quick pace, simply try counting how many words you can identify in a period of  timeâ€"if you can increase the number day by day, you’ll know you’re improving. Plus, exposure  to the language will help you become accustomed to the sounds and cadences, even if you  can’t understand the words perfectly yet. Movie Night An easy way to transform movie night into practice time is to watch French films with English  subtitles. You can also apply the “old favorite” method here, to focus on the language more than  finding out what happens. An English movie with French dubs can also work, though some find  it challenging to understand the French when the actors’ lip movements are not corresponding. Make your movie night more exciting with a foreign film, and you’ll probably find a great new French movie while your ears get some practice. Use Technology to Your Advantage The easiest tip of all is to change the language settings on your computer and phone to French.  Doing so adds no extra time to your busy day, but regularly reminds you of the language all day  long. There’s even a setting for Google Chrome that translates just some parts of websites, so  you can ease your way into reading French translations! If you would prefer to spend a minute or two reading a regular daily reminder, you can sign up  for email subscriptions to learn a new phrase each day. Even better, visit practice websites like Duolingo.com, where you can spend a few minutes or a few hours practicing new vocabulary. It’s Okay to Be Low Tech If you know anyone abroad, or someone who can put you in touch, see if you can arrange a  phone call trade with a French speaker learning English: during the phone call, you both will  speak French for ten or fifteen minutes, then switch to English. That way, you both get practice,  plus you can learn a lot about life in France (or another Francophone country). I use FaceTime  Audio to keep in touch with a French phone-pal, and we never run out of things to talk  aboutâ€"differences in culture, colloquial phrases and jokes, politics, food, you name it! Find What Works for YOU! What’s most important is to find what works for you. In order to make practice a regular part of  your life, it’s crucial that you choose an activity that you have time for and will realistically enjoy.  Whether it’s some light reading, listening to a podcast or movie, a weekly phone date, practicing  online, or even just that French calendrier on your computer, you’ll be keeping the language-learning part of your brain active. What better way to improve and get the most out of your  lessons? Work with a French tutor online via Skype for more personal attention and help studying French. Find your French tutor now! Darcy C. teaches in-person French, English, clarinet and dance lessons in Chicago, IL. She earned her B.A. in communication (theatre) from Northwestern University, and she has been teaching private lessons for 8 years. Learn more about Darcy 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  Jens Schott Knudsen

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Differences Between High School and College Grading

The Differences Between High School and College Grading The transition from high to college consists of many changes. College courses are often more rigorous, and students do not always know what to expect from their classes or their instructors. To help prepare you for your courses, here are several of the differences between high school and college grading. Not all assignments are marked In high school, you likely submitted at least one or two assignments per week for every course, each of which was reviewed by your instructor and applied to your overall grade in the class. Larger assignments may have been divided into smaller components. For example, submitting a rough draft or peer editing another students work may have garnered points if completed on time. These are some helpful tips on organizing your notes. In college, you will find that not all work counts toward your final grade. In fact, it is not uncommon for certain assignments to go without review. College students are responsible for their own learning and understanding of the course objectives. Therefore, assignments may be given to help you master the material outside of class, but your instructor will not always collect them. Frequently, your grades will be based upon exams and major papers only, and your homework is simply a guide to prepare you for these. Here are 3 study tips to help you with college exams. Results-oriented grading is common Your teachers in high school likely graded your homework based not only on your answers, but also on the process you utilized to reach them. Math teachers, for example, often ask you to show your work. If you calculated one number incorrectly, but you used the correct formula and process, you may have been awarded partial credit. Grading based on your process or steps is less common in certain college disciplines. Instead, grading is focused on the results you produce. For questions that involve a single correct answer, you will not receive credit for a wrong response. On writing assignments that require analysis or opinion, you will be graded on your ability to draw conclusions and support your assertions using appropriate evidence. Different standards of grades affect your progress toward graduation As a college student, you should most certainly strive for success in your classes. Most of your courses will require that you earn a grade of C or higher for them to apply toward your major. This may be different from your high school experience, where a grade of D is often considered passing. It is important to be aware of the specific grading policies for both your college and your major. Ultimately, if your grades are not meeting the required academic standards, your graduation plans will be negatively impacted. If you are struggling in a class, seek help from a tutor, faculty memberor academic adviser, and develop strategies to set you on the path to success. Extra-credit opportunities are less frequent Extra-credit opportunities in high school are abundant. In college, on the other hand, few extra-credit opportunities will be afforded, which ensures consistency and fairness in grading. If you have become accustomed to second chances while in high school, try your best to break this habit. The grades you receive in college are intended to directly reflect your success and mastery of a particular course or subject. Navigating the differences between high school and college grading policies and procedures can be challenging at first, but it is still possible to earn high marks in your college courses through hard work and careful time management. If you have questions about your grade in a class or on a particular assignment, you should speak with your instructor immediately for clarification. His or her guidance can help you make better sense of college grading now and in the future.

What Are The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

What Are The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners 12 Essential Yoga Positions for Beginners ChaptersMountain PoseDownward Facing DogPlankTree PoseWarrior 1Warrior 2CobraChild’s PoseBridge PoseTriangle PoseCrow PosePigeon PoseYoga is originally a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline. The focus of this ancient practice is meditation and breath control in particular bodily postures and positions. Nowadays, however, yoga is practised all over the world by all sorts of people, predominantly for health and relaxation.The yoga that is commonly practiced in the Western world is hatha yoga, which forms one aspect of the ancient practice, all about observance and meditation. The term yoga derives from the Sanskrit word for ‘union’, so it’s all about keeping the balance and engaging the mind and body.Yoga not only helps people to feel calm and focused, but it’s also a great way to stay in shape, and build up strength, flexibility and muscle tone. There are all sorts of yoga poses, or asanas, that will help strengthen the mind and body.But yoga moves can be tricky to get st uck into, with many people giving up pretty early on. The meditation aspects can be the most difficult sometimes, as it can be hard to stay focused when you’re also trying to hold a pose and use muscles that you don’t normally exercise.This is why it’s a great idea to start off with some yoga poses for beginners! Basic, simple poses which are designed to ease you in gently  are the perfect way to begin your journey. A great basic pose to learn is Tadasana, Warrior pose and of course downward dog.It’s best to start this way because it allows you to really focus on your breathing and observe how your body and mind are working in unison, without the stress of trying to do it on your head…Before you start, it’s a good idea to wear comfy clothes  that you can easily move and stretch in, and not too tight so that you can breathe and hold poses with ease. Most people find it easiest to practice on an exercise mat, as it keeps you grounded and you’re less likely to slip.But th e beauty of yoga is that you don’t really need anything apart from a bit of peace and quiet! Find a peaceful spot and give some easy poses a try such as warrior pose.So what are the best poses to get you started, then? Below is a list of 12 basic poses which will give you an insight into yoga  and gradually encourage you towards more advanced moves, if you wish to achieve them.Downward facing dog is an essential yoga pose (Source: Pixabay)Downward Facing DogThis is your base pose, and you’ll return to this between different yoga moves. It’s a good idea to practice your downward dog regularly â€" not just because it feels great, but because it’s an easy way to flow between poses.Start on all fours with your hands slightly forward from your shoulders and your knees directly below your hips. Spread your palms out with your fingers stretched comfortably and your toes curled under.With your feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent, slowly press your hips towards the ceil ing, and press your shoulders away from your ears, making your body into an inverted V shape.Hold this pose for 3 full breaths, or longer if it feels good! Hold for a few breaths between poses as a transition movement too.Plank builds strength and stamina, which is crucial for beginners. (Source: Google)PlankPlank is a really important yoga pose for beginners, which is easy to master. It’s all about learning how to balance on our hands whilst supporting ourselves with the body, and it’s great for strengthening up the abs.Start on all fours, and tuck your toes under so that you can lift your legs up off the mat. Form a straight line with your body, sliding your heels back and engaging your abs until you feel straight and strong from your head to your feet.Keep your abs engaged, and draw your shoulders back away from your ears. Hold for 8 to 10 breaths.Tree PoseStand with your legs shoulder-width apart, with your arms at your sides.Shift your weight so that you are balancing on yo ur left leg, and place the sole of your right foot inside your left thigh. Keep your hips facing forward and maintain that balance.  As you breathe in, bring your arms up above your head, with your palms facing each other shoulder-width apart. Hold this pose for 30 seconds, then slowly lower and repeat on the other side.Remember, if you can’t get your leg up high enough, or it feels painful on your knee joint, feel free to lower your sole so that it presses against your calf. Make sure you feel a stretch, but if a pose is hurting just loosen it until it’s more comfortable.Warrior 1Warrior poses are essential for yoga newbies as they build up strength, stamina and confidence when beginning and practicing yoga.Warrior 1 is an easy move which features a simple back bend, and gently opens and strengthens up the body through calm stretching.Start by taking a big step back with your left foot, then push your left heel down and angle your left toes outwards slightly, about 45 degrees.W hen you’re in a lunging position, lift your chest up and bring your arms up above your head. Press your palms together and pointed up to the sky.Hold for 5-10 breaths, then step forward and repeat on the opposite leg.Find yoga classes near you, search  yoga Manchester.

4 Introverts Who Created Successful Startups - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 4 Introverts Who Created Successful Startups - Introvert Whisperer 4 Introverts Who Created Successful Startups Gates. Shah. Zuckerberg. What do these names have in common? For starters, they’re all insanely successful. After all, who wouldn’t count running Facebook â€" which is used by well over a billion people on the planet â€" a success? Another common element between all of them is that they’re all introverts. Yes: it may be hard to believe, but Bill Gates â€" founder of one of the most influential technology companies in history and one of the most popular people on the planet â€" is an introvert. He’s someone who doesn’t readily and willingly like talking to people and, in general, would like to spend most of his time alone. You may be surprised to find there’s a handful of introverts out in the world who have managed successful startup companies in addition to Mr. Gates. 1.  Ben Silbermann, CEO of Pinterest Have you ever scrolled for hours upon hours on Pinterest, maybe looking at cool recipes, trendy fashions or even just cat pictures? If you have, then you’ve experienced the idea of Ben Silbermann. Silbermann had the idea for Pinterest after designing his own apps. When Tote, one of his early apps, failed, he turned to his childhood and thought of an app for collecting. The rest is history. Silbermann has learned that small victories are important to share with people. With an introverted personality, he has to remember to share his wins and not simply keep all his emotions to himself. A worthy lesson for anyone. 2.  Dharmesh Shah, Co-Founder of Hubspot Social media is a natural part of our lives now. That may seem scary, but it’s the truth. Keeping this in mind, Shah and his business partner saw an opportunity to provide tools for this platform way back in 2006. Shah’s ability to accurately predict how social media would blow up led to his company becoming one of the first to provide social media marketing and web analytics. Shah’s idea to treat customers like people really hit home with future buyers. Creating a company that has a personal touch is important when leading a company as an introvert. Recognizing that everyone has anxiety and doubts makes everyone human â€" and that makes everyone important. 3.  Mark Zuckerberg, Co-Founder of Facebook Facebook is everywhere. You can’t escape its grasp, no matter where you turn. As Facebook continues to grow, Mark Zuckerberg is a man who is wanted by the media more and more. The spotlight continues to grow on him. With this in mind, it’s difficult for Zuckerberg to be himself. Naturally an introvert, Zuckerberg works through it by genuinely caring about and talking to people. Just because you may not like to socialize doesn’t mean you don’t have great ideas. Mark gets out there and listens to people when they talk. Specifically, he has a special relationship with one of his executives. With a two-man team, getting messages across is much easier. This is a great tool to use if you’re looking to use your introversion as an advantage. 4.  Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft Yes, the brilliant mind behind Microsoft and one of the biggest figures of the 20th century is an introvert. Bill is famously known for his shyness and his quirky side. Even though Mr. Gates doesn’t necessarily like to attract attention to himself through the characteristics of an extrovert, Bill harnesses one of the most important tools a successful introvert has. You have to know what you’re talking about. Plain and simple. If you know what you’re talking about, no matter the subject matter, you’ll have a ton of confidence. If you have a ton of confidence, you don’t need to worry about people staring at you and secretly laughing at you. Rather, if you know your stuff, you’ll inspire and awe everyone you talk to. Inspired yet? These folks stand as proof that great ideas don’t need to fall by the wayside just because you like to keep to yourself. Kayla Matthews is a self-improvement writer contributing to publications like The Daily Muse, MakeUseOf, Lifehack and The Huffington Post. To read more professional development posts from Kayla, check out her blog, Productivity Theory. Go to top SELF-PROMOTION Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will?  If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What is it Like to Attend Dartmouth College

What is it Like to Attend Dartmouth College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Dennis is a 2012 graduate of Dartmouth College who currently tutors in Houston. He holds a degree in Government and Cognitive Science and specializes inseveral subjects including Chemistry tutoring, World History tutoring, and Phonics tutoring. See what he had to say about Dartmouth: 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? Dennis: Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire, which is right on the Connecticut River and Vermont border. Its a rural town on the Appalachian Trail with about 11,000 people. The campus itself is very walkable. If you live in the dorms, the farthest academic buildings are no more than 15 minutes away. Many students also bike. Additionally, the town is very safe. In addition to the Hanover Police, Dartmouth has a blue-light system and Safety and Security force. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Dennis: Dartmouth is known for its focus on undergraduate education and the quality of its teaching. Less than one percent of classes are taught by teaching assistants, and professors are available during their weekly office hours or over email. If I emailed any professor with a question about class material or future course offerings, I knew that I would have a response the next day. Professors also made sure to involve students in their research, which led to a lot of fantastic job opportunities. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Dennis: Dartmouths dorms were all built at different times, so there is a wide range of housing. First-year students live together in freshmen clusters, and each hallway has a UGA, or Undergraduate Advisor. Housing is spread out across campus. There is one main dining hall, which recently underwent a major renovation, and a few smaller ones that are part of the student meal plan. Theres also an excellent library caf run by King Arthur Flour. The dorms do have common areas, which generally have study spaces/TVs/laundry machines, but theyre not too commonly used. 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? Dennis: The top five majors are Economics, Psychology, Government, Biology, and English. Economics, Government, and the Life Sciences are especially strong, but one could have an excellent education in any major and work with some fantastic professors. I double majored in Government and Cognitive Science. I had always been interested in government and was excited to take classes about public policy and international relations. I really enjoyed the education and psychology classes I took early on, and I was able to combine those with Philosophy and Linguistics courses for the Cognitive Science major. Finally, Dartmouth has a fantastic study-abroad program. Due to the trimester system, students are able to study abroad multiple times during their college career, and the college runs most of its international programs. 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? Dennis: There is always some adjustment to college life and new people. One unique piece of Dartmouth culture is the First-Year Trips programs, where 96% of new students go out into the woods with upperclassmen trip leaders and their fellow freshman trippees. Students meet each other during Orientation week, and then bond as classes and clubs start. The biggest student groups include The Dartmouth (the school paper), The Outing Club, the political clubs at the Rockefeller Center, and the community service organizations at the Tucker Center. Greek life certainly exists at Dartmouth. There are 16 fraternities, 9 sororities, and four co-ed houses. Freshmen are not allowed to join houses, and students typically pledge their sophomore fall. The Greek scene isnt for everyone, but I enjoyed my time in a fraternity. It was a good way to meet a lot of people at once. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Dennis: Career Services is helpful. Their office is a block from campus, and it is easy to set up appointments for graduate school advising and cover letter writing sessions. Students have access to the Dartmouth alumni network, whose members are generally happy to give advice or move a students resume up the pile. Many reputable companies recruit on campusDartmouth sends many students to the top investment banks, consulting firms, hedge funds, non-profit teaching organizations, and graduate schools. That said, Im not sure if any college student has the job of their dreams right after graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Dennis: Students study anywhere, but one of the most popular spots is the four-floor Baker-Berry Library. Its generally easy to find space there, except during finals week. 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? Dennis: Hanover is absolutely a small town. Part of the schools appeal is its relationship to the outdoors. Students can easily go hiking, rock climbing, canoeingthe school has its own mountain, and I loved the skiing lessons I took freshman winter. Students are rarely bored. They are deeply involved with their classes, research, and extracurriculars. There are a few places in the one-block downtown that students go to, but a lot of the social scene exists in off-campus houses or fraternities, which are open to anyone with a Dartmouth ID. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Dennis: There are roughly 4,400 undergraduate students. Although some of the introductory lecture classes have over 100 students, most of the mid-level classes are capped at 35, and many of the seminars have less than 15. In almost all of my classes, I felt that it was very easy to connect to the professor. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Dennis: Senior year, I wrote a thesis with the government department. It was a year-long project, and in May the students went out with their advisors to the Norwich Inn for dinner. Professor Valentino and Professor Clarke, the program heads, gave us all clocks (as they said, to represent the time spent on our papers). Professor Valentino also noted that we had moved from being consumers of knowledge to producers of knowledge. That comment has stuck with me since graduating, and I feel that the transition from consumer to producer is a worthy goal for all college students. Check out Dennis tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.