How Does a Soft Tutor Help You Learn How to Read and Write?

How Does a Soft Tutor Help You Learn How to Read and Write?If you are a person that has trouble with learning how to read and write, you may want to consider a soft tutor. A tutor is a person who offers tutoring for kids with the help of soft toys. A lot of people would agree that learning how to read and write can be very difficult. While it is important to use your brain in reading and writing, it is also necessary to develop other skills.To get these skills, you may want to get tutoring from a tutor, whether it is in the form of book reading, watching TV or even playing video games. In fact, you may want to consider getting your tutor to help you get good grades in school. There are several benefits of getting a tutor such as; they will help you in your studies, they will help you learn at your own pace, they will make your classes easier, they will give you time to learn on your own, and they will help you to develop other skills that you may need in life.If you have a hard time learning, there are several reasons why you may want to consider getting tutoring from a tutor. Some of the reasons include; the way the teacher is teaching you, the way the classroom is set up, or the way the teacher keeps things interesting.If you have a hard time figuring out what is going on, you may want to consider a tutor. Teachers usually have a difficult time keeping their students interested in the material. It can be frustrating to sit in class and not understand what is going on. If you are having trouble understanding the material, then you will want to get a tutor to help you learn how to read and write.Learning how to read and write is a skill that is used by all professions. Not only will you need to learn this skill, but you will need to learn how to use it so that you can succeed in the future.Getting a tutor can help you learn faster. Since they have more experience with teaching, they will be able to teach you new techniques and methods that will help you improve your grades and also to make your learning fun.You can get a tutor in your local area and get tutoring at no cost. A lot of times you can find them on the internet, which is a great place to start your search for a tutor.

The Origins Of Latin

The Origins Of Latin What is The History Of The Latin Language ChaptersAt The Beginning Was Archaic LatinThe Periods of  Classical LatinFrom Medieval Latin to the Renaissance LatinFrom Neo-Latin to Contemporary LatinThe old city of Rome, the former capital of the Roman Empire and birthplace of the Latin language is covered with inscriptions written in Latin and dating from 2000 years ago (by jillmackie)The Latin language was the first language to be born in Europe and to have been used commonly throughout the continent.Despite Latin being a dead language today, it makes no doubts for historians than the Latin language, during the hegemony of the Roman Empire, was comparable to English today, as an international language.The Roman Empire that extended from the Portuguese  shores of the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the banks of the Euphrates in what is today Iran, had made Latin the official language of any newly conquered land, or province.Most people know that Latin was the idioms spoken by the Roman and it is common knowledge that France, Spai n, Portugal and Italy have all inherited from the Latin culture.But what are the true story of Latin and its origins?Officially, a language is declared extinct  when the last native speakers of the said language die. For Latin, it was many centuries ago.But even though Latin is a dead language, what is essentially the same alphabet as the one the Romans used, is the same one we write in English today.Some people consider that, because of the Latin alphabet and languages directly descendant of Latin like Spanish, French, Portuguese  and Italian, are so widely used across the world, Latin is alive and well.Even Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia or Malaysia, use the Latin alphabet to write their  language even though this one has no Latin roots whatsoever.What is the history of Latin?It is what Superprof is going to answer in this article.After Dante popularised the Italian language over Latin in Latin, Chaucer did the same with Middle English in England. Until then only Lati n was used to write books. But Chaucer was instrumental in popularising English as a medium of the literary composition.As Latin is replaced by Middle English, it is still the scientific idiom used by scholars and academics all across Europe.From then Latin started to gradually decline in literature but it remained the language of scientists.Many of the philosophers and scientists of the time kept using Latin to write their books. Francis Bacon (1596-1650) and Isaac Newton (1643-1727) are probably the most famous English examples.Latin remains the common language to transmit scientific, philosophic or religious knowledge and it was understood by all the lettered people of Europe.Isaac Newton, the famous English scientist of the 18th century, wrote most of his work in Latin.From Neo-Latin to Contemporary LatinStill today, Latin remains as one of the official languages of the Vatican city and The Catholic Church.Linguists use the term of neo-Latin to refer to the Latin idiom in use si nce the Italian Renaissance.Around the times when the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) fell, Gutenberg was inventing its printing press in Germany and helped to spread Latin texts more easily thanks to the mass printing of those.However, from the 18th century, Latin was only used for scientific texts and some Latin poetry.This explains why at least 90% of scientific words in English come from Latin.Nowadays, debate still happens on whether Latin should keep being taught in schools or not. But if you are interested why not teach yourself?Find out all of the benefits you could derive from learning Latin!

Spanish for Beginners Where and How to Start

Spanish for Beginners Where and How to Start How to Go about Learning Spanish for Beginners ChaptersAttitude is Essential for Beginners SpanishLearn Spanish for Beginners: Set Realistic TargetsFrom Spanish Books for Beginners to Learning Online: Find a Method that Works for youStart with the Spanish BasicsFrom Spanish Vocabulary to Grammar: Practice Makes PerfectImmersion is the KeyLearning Spanish is a skill that will open up a variety of doors for you in life. Spanish is the second most spoken  language in the world by number of people who use it as their mother tongue, with only Mandarin Chinese boasting a higher number of native speakers.In occupying second place, the Spanish language is spoken by a staggering 440 million native speakers, with 20 different countries having Spanish as an official language. Outside of Spain, these countries are primarily in Latin America.They include countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica in Central America; Argentina, Colombia, and Peru in South America; and Cuba and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean.Latin American Spa nish and European Spanish do differ slightly, but this is more in terms of the accent and a few different grammar points, so having communicative issues between the two should be kept to a minimum.Language learning has long been seen as an important skill to have, and the widespread nature of Spanish means that it is often at the forefront of choices for a beginner looking for a new language.You might be thinking that this is all well and good, but how can you start to learn Spanish?You can learn Spanish in a number of ways, but not all of them are suitable for beginners. Having a step-by-step plan for learning Spanish  is a good idea in the long run, but you will need to get started in order to start following such a route of progression.So here at Superprof, we have decided to put together some ideas and tips to get you started as a new learner of the language of Miguel de Cervantes, Pablo Picasso, Penelope Cruz, and many others. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson fre e!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAttitude is Essential for Beginners SpanishWhen it comes to learning a second language such as Spanish, having a positive attitude is absolutely non-negotiable.You can sign up for a Spanish course, take as many Spanish classes as you like, or even by as many Spanish grammar books as your heart desires, but if you are not committed and motivated, you won't make the most of them. Any guide to learning Spanish for beginners  should start by mak ing this clear.If you want to study Spanish, you should start by having an end goal. This could be something such as having a conversational level in order to go on holiday to a Spanish speaking country. Or aiming to reach fluency in order to move abroad and live somewhere where your Spanish skills will be important in your day-to-day life.Why do you want to learn Spanish?Defining your goals in Spanish will give you a constant aim to strive towards. It will also help to keep you motivated when the going gets tough. And it will get tough.You might struggle with a specific part of the grammar, or you might just have a bad class where it doesn't seem to be clicking. This is all completely normal, and it actually happens to everyone multiple times during their language learning process.The key here is to not get to despondent. If you want to learn to speak Spanish, you will have to learn to manage the difficult moments in order to overcome them. If you take Spanish lessons with a Spanis h teacher, then they will help to motivate you, but you will still need to motivate yourself too. After all, some people actually consider motivation as the key to language learning.Learn Spanish for Beginners: Set Realistic TargetsFurther to keeping yourself motivated, don't expect everything to fall into place overnight. This is applicable to both students and teachers, and it therefore doesn't matter if you are learning Spanish on your own, or if you are teaching Spanish to kids.The targets set should reflect the student and their level, and their overall aim for the Spanish language.Examples might include committing to learning the conjugation of a certain number of verbs each week, or focusing on learning so many words from the Spanish vocabulary. Whatever the targets are, they should be achievable and not far too difficult to reach.Setting such targets will help to keep the student on track, and help them to feel like they are making real tangible progress. The sense of making progress is invaluable when it comes to being motivated to keep learning Spanish. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFrom Spanish Books for Beginners to Learning Online: Find a Method that Works for youThere are a whole host of different ways to study Spanish. You could opt for the traditional Spanish courses option whereby you go to a local language school and have a classroom styled education with a Spanish teacher.Or a sl ight twist on this is to have a tutor come to your home, say in London, to give you personalised Spanish courses London, tailored specifically to you. Websites, such as Superprof, offer platforms for you to find a tutor in your local area who can teach you Spanish at an often very reasonable price.If neither of these options appeal to you, then you could use a wide range of different technological advances to learn Spanish online, through websites, apps, and even podcasts. The internet is a great source of information, and you can even find free Spanish lessons online.Whether you want to learn Spanish online, or with a book, find the method that works best for youFinding a way of starting with beginner Spanish won't be the problem, the problem will be finding a way that perfectly suits you, your learning style, your goals, and your budget.These are all different criteria to think about because you will need something affordable, that suits how you learn at the same time. At the end of the day, we don't all learn in the same way or at the same level. Therefore you should be aware that just because one method worked for your friend, it might not necessarily work for you as you set out to learn Spanish.Having you end goals in mind is also important. This is because if you just want to learn conversational Spanish in order to have some basic Spanish to help you communicate with Spanish speakers during a two week holiday to Spain, then an expensive language course probably isn't for you. Likewise, if you want to become fluent in Spanish, online Spanish probably isn't going to give you enough depth and support to achieve this.Whatever method you choose, buying a Spanish book to accompany you, and using other resources available to you (such as YouTube videos) will help you advance at a quicker pace. Who knows, before you know it you might find yourself having dreams in Spanish.Start with the Spanish BasicsWhatever you do, don't jump in at the deep end when learning Spanish. Things like the subjunctive, the conditional tense and indirect object pronouns will all come later, but to start try focusing on:the alphabetintroducing yourselfcountingshort vocabulary lists (such as colours, rooms of the house, adjectives to describe people etc)Once you have these basics, you can move on to using these foundations in more complicated scenarios.It doesn't matter if it's Spanish for kids, or Spanish for adults, both groups will start by introducing themselves and saying their name and age. So you will learn some grammatical structures without even knowing it. That's the basis of starting to learn any language. Knowing the verbs that you are using, and the tense that they are being used in will follow soon after so don't get carried away too soon.What's more, this is the same way that native speakers learn as children. So if it's good enough for them, then why not for you?Do you think Penelope Cruz started speaking Spanish with complex grammatical structure s or Spanish basic vocab?From Spanish Vocabulary to Grammar: Practice Makes PerfectThe key to improving at anything you do in life is to practise. By practising, you can develop any given skill, and reinforce your knowledge of it. It doesn't matter if it is a musical instrument, playing a sport, or learning a language. If you don't practise, you won't improve. It is as simple as that.When it comes to learning Spanish, practising acts as a way of keeping the language fresh in your mind. If you don't practise, you risk losing whatever progress you have made. This would be the same as playing the piano, for example. You could reach a high level, but if you don't play for a period of time, you'll be rusty at best when you come back to play again.In terms of how to practise, this will depend a lot on the level that you are at. To start with, you will need to work on your vocabulary. This can be done through repetition, or even by using a number of different websites which offer different ways to practise the Spanish words that you have learnt.As your language level develops, you should try to practise is as many practical ways as possible. This could be something as simple as explaining to yourself about an activity that you are doing, or by having a conversation with a native speaker. Any practise you do will benefit you, but try to develop you four main components (speaking, listening, reading and writing) equally).Speaking can be practised through speaking to a native speaker, listening by listening to Spanish music and radio, reading by reading short stories in Spanish, and writing by trying to write down your thoughts or opinions about a specific topic, or even your day.Language is a creative endeavour in the sense that it is one primary way of communicating how we feel and think. Learning Spanish should reflect this, and in doing so your skills will improve in a way that makes them much more useful to you personally.Where could learning Spanish take you?Immer sion is the KeyA lot of people immediately want to know how long it takes to learn Spanish, as soon as they begin studying. After all, we want to know roughly where the end is going to be! However, this is a difficult question to answer because it depends on an incredibly diverse range of factors, including your own motivation, how long you spend studying each week, and your natural ability to pick up words and phrases, as well as how good you are at conjugating verbs.One thing is for certain, the quickest and most efficient way to learn Spanish is through immersion. The best version of this is moving to a Spanish speaking country for a period of time.Whilst you are there, you will be constantly picking things up, even when you are not conscious of the fact. What's more, what better place to improve your Spanish pronunciation than being surrounded by native speakers.Your trip to the supermarket could turn into a Spanish lesson, and coffee with friends could teach you about Spanish v erbs.However, we understand that this is not a feasible option for many people who want to know how to speak Spanish. The good news is that immersion isn't limited to moving abroad. You can immerse yourself in Spanish in a number of other ways too, such as by listening to Spanish radio, watching Spanish movies, and even by changing the language on your smartphone to Spanish.So know you have all of the information you'll need to get started, what are you waiting for? Remember, there is no age limit for learning Spanish, so why not start your Spanish adventure today. You never know where it will take you...

5 Hard Songs to Sing - and the Exercises to Master Them

5 Hard Songs to Sing - and the Exercises to Master Them Megan L. Ask any experienced vocalist for a list of what they consider to be hard songs to sing, and they can probably provide you with five or six examples without much thought.  However, there are as many examples as there are different voices, and every individual singer will have individual vocal hurdles to overcome with their repertoire. On the other hand, it is possible to identify a few examples across a few genres where a majority will agree that, yes, those are hard songs to sing. Here are five of them, along with a few suggestions for exercises that will help you master them for yourself. Opera â€" Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro â€" Porgi amor (Countess Almaviva) This beautiful aria is the soprano’s first appearance at the beginning of Act II. It looks incredibly simple on the page; a clear melody in 2/4 time, with no difficult passages. However, that very simplicity is what places it high on any operatic soprano’s hard songs to sing list â€" with no ensemble or recitative to warm up with, and no colleagues with you on stage, it’s a nerve-wracking experience even for a seasoned professional. How to improve: An adequate physical and vocal warm up will help you.  Make sure that you open your ribcage by stretching gently from side to side, and touching your toes a few times.  A gentle walk will also set you up well, as you’ll clear your head and warm up your muscles. Vocally, gentle humming through intervals up to the fifth and back to the tonic each time will warm your voice up. Easy Listening â€" Brodsky: Be My Love Made popular by Mario Lanza, this is a song requiring an open sound and intelligent negotiation of register breaks. What really adds this to the list of hard songs to sing, however, is the necessity of being absolutely certain of where to place the notes. How to improve: Learn the pitches first without the words; use a good open vowel sound, and check the pitches against a keyboard. Next, practice on the vowels of the words only, and make sure you’re singing a smooth line. When you add the words as a third step, imagine that each phrase is one long word, and think of joining your final consonants to the beginning of the next word. Popular/Film â€" Harold Arlen: Somewhere Over The Rainbow Everyone knows this classic from The Wizard of Oz, made famous by a young Judy Garland! So what is it that makes what appears to be such a simple song on a list of hard songs to sing? Think again about where youve heard it â€" not only does it appear at a particularly poignant point in the film, it’s common fare at weddings, parties, and other events. The emotional control required is considerable. How to improve: Learning how to show passion and emotions, while at the same time not letting it distract you, is an important skill. To help with this, make sure youre practiced any emotionally-charged songs a ton before performing in front of others. With enough practice, youll get to a comfortable level with the song, so that you feel more in control. Musical Theater â€" Schonberg: I Dreamed a Dream (Les Miserables) Five years ago, an unlikely looking Scottish woman stepped on stage in a national talent show and silenced the audience’s laughter with vocal power that astonished the judges as well as the viewers at home. Following that, this wistful anthem to missed chances immediately became a popular choice with singers everywhere. However, it too requires the same level of emotional control as the Somewhere Over the Rainbow, as well as considerable vocal power. How to improve: You cannot “make” a big voice; all you can do is hone the one you have until you’re using it properly. Although opening your mouth unnaturally wide can encourage your voice to spread, make sure you are actually giving it space to escape! Stand up straight, and make sure that your weight is distributed evening on both feet. Imagine that your audience is at the other end of a playing field, and that your voice has to carry there â€" don’t be tempted to shout or oversing, as a good, projected power will be enough. Singing long phrases to open vowels will encourage you to make economic use of your breath and also help your voice open up. Classical song â€" Frank Bridge:  Een as a lovely flower This beautiful example of an early twentieth-century English song is full of the post-Victorian harmonies and pastoral key changes that color not only the likes of Vaughan Williams and Walton, but are also apparent in the work of Bridge’s famous student, Benjamin Britten. This one joins the list of hard songs to sing because of its gently shifting tonality and therefore tricky pitching issues but once you learn how to fix that, it is absolutely rewarding for its simple beauty. How to improve: Take each page as a single unit, and work out which notes you need. Fix them in your head, and learn the “map” between them. Finding security over the intervals will help you. When tackling any difficult piece of music, there will likely be some technical demand that you can’t cope with on your own, or that your stage of vocal development can’t tackle even with relevant exercises. Keep in mind that finding a good teacher is always the best way to help you tackle hard songs to sing and become a better singer!  Good luck, and keep on singing! Need help with your technique? Check out other ideas for songs to sing  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 U.S. Army

Why Thought Leadership Is A Buzzword These Days - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Why Thought Leadership Is A Buzzword These Days - Introvert Whisperer Why Thought Leadership Is A Buzzword These Days   A thought leader is someone who creates something before people realise that they need it. Best example, of course, is Steve Jobs. Richard Branson too.” Guy Kawasaki, Marketer and Venture Capitalist Thought leadership is a phenomenon in which leaders use their experience and passion for addressing the issues faced by the target audience. In recent times, this term has earned the ire of many new-age marketers. When done right, it can inspire widespread transformation. It can open up an abundance of opportunities and help in establishing long-term relationships. A thought leader has to put in efforts to prove his/her worth. It isn’t an overnight phenomenon, and there is no instant gratification involved. Thought leaders must be able to offer newer insights into the different aspects of their expertise. Let us read this post to understand why thought leadership is important and how to become a great thought leader.

Improving Technique on Guitar Exercises to Try

Improving Technique on Guitar Exercises to Try Suzy S. In a previous post,  Guitar Basics: Why is Technique Important?, guitar teacher Blake C. discussed  the importance of utilizing proper technique, along with examples and ways to check your guitar playing technique. Here in Part Two, he continues with a helpful guitar exercise to try   If you want to improve your technique, there are a few guitar exercises you can try. I call the first exercise “1-2-4 Exercise” merely because of the fingers used. This exercise is designed to improve multiple aspects of guitar playing technique for beginners or even more advanced guitar players. The first improvement aspect is fret-board balance, which is practiced as you focus your attention on utilizing proper finger position â€" pressing each note with the fingertips of the left hand (for right-handed guitarists or pressing with the right hand for left-handed guitarists) while not collapsing the joints of the fingers. Refer back to the pictures in this post to see the difference. It is critical for guitarists to develop dexterity and nimbleness in order to attain a higher level of mastery of guitar playing. The “1-2-4 Exercise” addresses these skills as you increase the rate that the exercise is performed, while maintaining proper technique. That in mind, begin this guitar exercise at a relatively slow tempo â€" for example, the 50 bpm setting on your metronome â€" allowing you to center your attention on proper technique. Keep in mind, if you simply play this exercise without concentrating on proper guitar technique, your efforts will not accomplish nearly as much in the long run. Below are the notes and tab for the exercise. Although I began on the “A” note located at the 5th fret on the 6th string, the 1-2-4 pattern is obviously a moveable pattern. Beginning the exercise at the 5th fret is a better starting point than the first few frets because of the additional space your fingers must reach, as well as the additional distance your arm must reach. Conversely, beginning beyond the 12th fret creates a different dilemma as you begin the exercise â€" your fingers are crammed together! So let’s begin the exercise at the 5th fret as shown here: Music and Tab written using Guitar Pro 6 Remember, pick each note at a relatively slow rate when you first begin practicing. Focus your attention on pressing with your fingertips and not collapsing any joints of your fingers. As you practice this exercise, play one note for every metronome click. After you are confident in your ability to play the notes fluidly without a pause when you change from one string to the next, increase the tempo in increments of 10 bpm on your metronome. With time and diligent practice, you will be able to play the exercise at a tempo exceeding 320 bpm. After you successfully accomplish the exercise at the 5th fret, practice at other locations on the fretboard. In addition to improving your fretboard balance, dexterity, and overall nimbleness, this is one of the guitar exercises that is an excellent lead into soloing. Blake C.  teaches songwriting, singing, and  guitar lessons  in Lowell, IN. He specializes in classical guitar technique as well as modern rock and blues styles. Blake has been teaching for 20 years and he joined the TakeLessons team in July 2013. Learn  more about Blake  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 Juan Barahona

Elevator to Success Internal Drive a Key Ingredient - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Elevator to Success Internal Drive a Key Ingredient - Introvert Whisperer Elevator to Success: Internal Drive a Key Ingredient Elevator to Success: Internal Drive a Key Ingredient Recently I had an epiphany -drum roll, please. An internal drive to succeed is the secret sauce of a fruitful career. Personality type or education levelâ€"both factors can determine the difficulty that individuals will face when finding success, but education level or emotional make-up will not doom an individual to a fiery pit of failure. The importance of internal drive gets sidelined a tad. Children get taught the value of hard work, but parents, teachers, and dramas tend to drive home the importance of a formal college education far more frequently. The college will teach equip with the knowledge, the skills, and the credentials to succeed. Not used to or too shy to talk in front of crowds? College can help with that. In fact, college and success are so firmly linked together that when you type college quotes in Google Image Search, most of the quotes shown have nothing to do with college. Here are a few examples: “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.” “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” “Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” The quotes present college as the only path to success, a risky venture that will pay off, and an ambitious act. And college can be all of those things, but we do ourselves and our families a disservice if we don’t realize college is not the only path. Need evidence? Washington State University’s infographic Surprising Starts to Successful Startup lists 13 different entrepreneurs who founded ten amazingly successful companies. 5 of the 13 entrepreneurs never finished college. Kevin Rose (Digg), Mark Zuckerberg (FaceBook), Janus Friis (Skype), Michael Dell (Dell), and Steve Jobs (Apple) all found success without a college degree. The fact that college isn’t the key to success is the secret I wish someone had shared with me before I spent 40K on a technical writing degree that taught me how to write and how to occasionally communicate with other human beings in a professional manner. Three years post-college, I have a pretty good wage at an internet marketing company. An internet marketing company who is more than willing to employ individuals without a college degree. It kills me a little. Do you know how amazing my wage would be if I wasn’t drowning in student loans? I’d be well on my way to swimming in piles of cash like Scrooge McDuck. And with 7 out of 10 college grads in the same student loan trap, individuals consider if they can obtain success without a formal college education. Let’s go through the evaluation process now. Do you want to pursue a career in engineering, law, or medicine? College is the only option. Formal education will prevent you from operating with faulty knowledge, potentially botching very serious life-changing trials, or constructing an unsafe bridge. Do you have the money to attend college? College can be a time of exploration. You have the money, why not take classes. Some of them might reveal a new passion. Historically, you’ve thrived when expected to utilize textbooks or other resources to teach yourself. When attending college, you have professors and your fellow students to teach you complicated concepts. Without college, there is a higher chance you will not have peers or mentors to help you grasp the concepts you might need to succeed. Do you have the internal drive and dedication to pursue your dream? Will you continually pinpoint new skills to learn and new opportunities to pursue while holding down a full-time job? Do you have the willpower to dedicate three, four or five hours to improving yourself? Or will you put off learning about CSS or proper writing technique to watch the latest episode of Arrow? The ability to learn and the willpower to persevere are hard to cultivate and hold on to. And that is partially why our society believes that college is often the best option. College is like a booster pack. Professors, faculty, and students offer support to individuals who might struggle with learning the skills necessary to succeed. They will pound the information into your head over and over and over again if necessary. They will give you oral assignments to help you shake your discomfort of public speaking. And they will offer tests, disappointed looks, and failing grades in angry red ink to motivate you to succeed. In a society filled with distractions and fun activities, college is the safe path. Without that booster pack, many might not have the motivation to do what’s necessary to succeed. I’m not sure if I would have had the confidence in myself, the communication skills, or the self-restraint to continually improve myself without college, but I do know that it can be done. How well do you think you’d fare without a formal college education? Guest Author Bio: Samantha Stauf is an introvert who spends her time reading, working to develop a freelance career, and wondering why she sunk herself into student loan debt when she’s surrounded by successful people who never attended college. You can find her on Twitter with the handle @Samstauf. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Simple but Powerful Test Taking Strategies Part 2

Simple but Powerful Test Taking Strategies Part 2 GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog In part one of our “Common Test Taking Strategies” series, we noted that strategy is an intrinsic part of preparing for standardized tests, and that without the proper strategies even the most advanced students find themselves performing below their full potential. We discussed several proven test taking strategies, including using official test prep materials produced by the same company administering the exam (i.e., the Real ACT Prep Guide if you’re taking the ACT), focusing on what the question is actually asking, scanning all potential answers before choosing one, assuming nothing when deciding which answer is best, and making abstractions concrete. In part two, we’ll cover five additional test taking strategies: Reading and retention “pauses” for long reading comprehension passages Answering easy questions first Time management Providing overly structured responses Test “mentality” Reading Retention During reading comprehension sections, when you encounter a particularly long passage, pause after each section to quickly summarize the preceding paragraph in a single sentence. This will help you to internalize the main ideas as your progress through the reading, rather than reaching the end only to realize you retained very little of what you’ve just read Answer the Easy Questions First As tests are timed, rather than spending a lot of time struggling with a hard question, skip it and use this time to answer many easier questions, coming back to it if you have time. This simply allows you to answer more questions correctly, which will boost your score. Note, however, that not all tests allow you to use this strategy. For example, the GMAT is “computer adaptive” and only lets you move on once you answer a given question. To help you visualize this scenario; if you were picking apples and you only had 5 minutes to pick as many apples of possible, would you waste time climbing a ladder in an attempt to reach fruit on the tallest branches or would you remain firmly on the ground where apples are in plain sight and reach? Managing Your Time Standardized tests produce time pressure, and the need to answer questions both quickly and correctly can be quite anxiety inducing. Utilizing a time tool to pace yourself on these exams has been shown to improve time management while simultaneously lowering anxiety. Time management used in tandem with previous tips on answering easy questions first or reading the questions first in reading comprehension can prove beneficial. However, a relentless need to check your watch should not create another layer of anxiety. Don’t get bogged down in keeping a specific pace-per-question and looking to the clock incessantly, time management is most beneficial once you learn the art of balance. Don’t consult your time tool too often or infrequently. It is most constructive to recognize if you are ahead, on time, or behind schedule and to modify your pace accordingly. If you get accustomed to working at an almost uncomfortably swift pace, once you encounter tougher questions you have padded your time a bit by working quickly and can spend a little more time on the most challenging questions. Give a Structured Response The Writing section can trip-up even the best, most well equipped writers. Contrary to what you may believe, this not the time for complex writing. It is more beneficial for you to write succinctly and in a highly structured fashion. This accomplishes a couple of things; structure helps you organize your thoughts, ensuring you write clearly and concisely. Giving a structured response also helps your grader follow your train of thought/argumentation, ultimately leading to a higher score. If you attempt to write a complex essay under the time constraints of the test, you may simply not have enough time to flesh-out your point and provide adequate examples. Similarly, graders only spend a few minutes on each test, without structure, an essay is hard to follow and this lack of clarity will assuredly kill your score. Keep it simple; be sure to provide a clear thesis (this is the most important - what are you arguing?), introduce your idea/stance, explain why, provide examples and conclude. Mentality It’s pretty simple: the better you feel, the better you perform. Be sure that you are your best-self on test day. You should be: well rested and nourished and both physically and mentally,present and poised. Pay attention to your posture and breathing, don’t let nerves get the best of you. Confidence is key, this does not begin on test day, but in the days, weeks and even months leading up to it. In order to get your mind right, you must feel confident in your prep. Give yourself adequate time to prepare; don’t cram, as this only increases anxiety. Your preparation will bolster your confidence come test day. Recognize as you prepare, that there will be times where you feel stressed and possibly overwhelmed. You have to learn to accept these feelings and work to move beyond them, learn from your mistakes and adjust your methods accordingly, putting your full energy into prep. Visualize yourself performing well on the test and the future opportunities that it will bring you. Lisa Alvarado is a Managing Tutor with MyGuru. She is a graduate of the University of Texas (B.A.) Purdue University (M.A.) and is currently obtaining her Ph.D in History from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked professionally with university athletics departments tutoring college athletes. Her particular strengths are History, English, Government, Essay Writing, and Public Speaking.