Learning How to Speed Read to Enhance Your Skills

Learning How to Speed Read to Enhance Your SkillsIf you want to learn how to speed read, it can be a challenge, but with a little effort you can learn the skill and use it to your advantage. The ability to read quickly is very useful in a variety of situations. Although you may not need to read at this level of speed for reading small print or articles for a newspaper, it will come in handy for more complicated tasks.Speed reading skills are helpful in many different ways. Even if you are able to read faster, you can still be instructed on when to speed up, as this will make a huge difference in your comprehension. You can also use it to remember vocabulary and create flash cards to help your children learn new words.Speed reading techniques can be used to increase the speed of your speech. Many people find they can talk much faster if they know how to read quickly. Because the words you are reading are smaller and easier to process, you can make the most of your time by having a rou gh idea of the words before you say them. This will also make the pronunciation of the words easier.It is also helpful to remember words that are much larger than normal because of the large amounts of text that you will be reading. For example, the word 'orange' is much larger than the word 'orange'. Being able to concentrate on this fact and be able to process the information you are reading will make your speed reading abilities much better.One of the benefits of using speed reading techniques is being able to make rapid connections between what you are reading and what you already know. It is this kind of rapid transition from one thing to another that makes our knowledge so powerful. The more accurate and quick you are at this type of reading, the more effectively you will be able to use it in almost any situation.One reason why speed reading skills are so important is because we all have to read all the time, and we all have to do it in different ways. If you are a newspaper r eader, you might have to speed read not only for its importance but also because the words are all different sizes and the words are very large. Knowing how to read quickly will help you get through the paper quickly and confidently.You can benefit greatly from speed reading. It is definitely not something that you can learn by accident, but it does not take long to learn and with the right tutor you can begin to see some good results. If you have trouble taking notes or failing a test because you do not know the answers, you can get help from a tutor who can teach you how to speed read and how to use the technique.There are many benefits to speed reading. If you are a newspaper reader, an article reader, or an online reader, you will benefit greatly from this learning technique.

The Definition of Homogeneous in Chemistry

The Definition of Homogeneous in ChemistryMany readers might be wondering what exactly does it mean to define homogeneous in chemistry. While it is certainly important to understand the definition of this word, it is also important to understand why it is so important.The chemistry community has a specific definition of homogeneity, and it's easy to see why. Homogeneous means that there are no large differences between a sample and another sample. It is difficult to improve the characteristics of a sample if there are too many differences within it.Canard is another word that is used when it comes to defining homogeneity. The canard meaning is generally reserved for things that are not truly homogeneous. Canard is not a strong enough word to describe a sample that has two or more distinct characteristics. For example, a baseball pitcher who throws a baseball from his upper chest can throw a ball that he is actually standing on is not considered to be canard.The samples in which canar d can be found samples in which there are strong differences in the characteristics of the sample. In the case of the canard, the characteristics of the sample can be good, but there are too many differences for it to be considered homogeneous. The term canard is often applied to terms like gummy bears or gumballs, because each has too many unique characteristics.Canard is not the only term used in chemistry to define the properties of samples. Dissolvable particles are commonly called salts, and it is easier to talk about these types of samples than it is to talk about the homogeneity property of a sample.However, it doesn't explain why so many different samples are required in laboratories around the world. Different types of samples are required for different types of experiments. This necessitates the need for different types of laboratory samples. Understanding the difference between heterogeneous and canard will help us understand why it is important to have different types of laboratory samples.A common lab sample is known as a buffer solution. This is a solution that contains small amounts of the compounds that are to be studied in a chemical experiment. Different buffer solutions have different effects on certain kinds of samples. This is a good way to learn the difference between a compound that is soluble and a compound that is insoluble.

What is Chemistry? Concept Review Section Or the Book?

What is Chemistry? Concept Review Section Or the Book?We are all familiar with the concept review section of the textbook. This section is where the professor or author reviews his/her own work and explains its relevance to the course being taken. However, what you are probably not aware of is that this section is also an important component of an effective chemistry textbook. Although this is often covered in the chapter that discusses the subject, students rarely pay much attention to it during the course.However, what is Chemistry? Is it the same as chemistry? In other words, is the concept review section a review of the concept or is it a review of the content of the textbook? In other words, is the concept review section used to review concepts or is it used to review the book? Are you using the concepts or the book in the way that you should?If you study chemistry on your own, you may find that the concept review section is not quite enough. It can actually be a hindrance to yo ur learning because you find it hard to remember the name of a compound or the meaning of a chemical symbol. Even worse, you will find yourself dropping some of the content, especially if you found the subject boring.For this reason, it is advisable to use the textbooks to reference the chemical formula of the chemical compound or the historical relationship between the compound and its parent compound. In some cases, it may be better to use the research paper and reference it as well. This will ensure that you understand everything and retain the information.But should you use a textbook as a study guide? It is important to look at it in the same way that you look at your textbook when you are in school. When you are studying at school, you are expected to study on your own and, if you fail to do so, you will be penalized. So, should you apply the same rules to a book?A good question to ask yourself is why should you take this approach? Is the book only for self-study or is it also for taking the class seriously? Do you really want to build up a good habit of reading and rereading the material rather than skipping the concept review section and reading the textbook only once?If you know the answer to this question, then you should read the concept review section and review the book. It is also a good idea to make sure that the texts are similar in content so that you will not get confused about the information that you have learned. The idea of reviewing your book after each reading session is one of the best ones, because it forces you to review the material every time you want to read the book.

What is it Like to Attend Missouri State University

What is it Like to Attend Missouri State University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. David is a Kansas City tutor who graduated from Missouri State University in 2011. He holds a Bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. David specializes inmany subjects including Algebra tutoring, Organic Chemistry tutoring, and Biology tutoring. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. David: The campus is very easy tomaneuver. They have clearly designated bike trails through out the major high traffic areas with plenty of bike racks. There is also a free bus system for students and faculty, making for convenient andexpedient travel between classes. VT: How helpful are the academic advisors? David: The academic advisors are as helpful as you want them to be. A majority of them are also professors with a lot on their plate, but if you take the time to set appointments and ask questions, they are happy to help you out. VT: How would you describe the dorm life? David: I took a year off between high school and college so I never had the dorm experience. As I understand it, dorm life can make or break a college career.It's all about using the resources available to get involved rather than getting off track and caught up in all of the typical college temptations. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? David: MSU prides itself on being primarily a Public Affairs Institution. This means they focus on ethical leadership, culturalcompetenceand community engagement. I was a Biology major and feel that they did a great job supplying us with an up to date education in a quickly evolving field. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? David: Making friends was difficult for me.I did not take part in very many collegiate activities, though they were readily accessible.I made most of my friends by participating in the community that the wonderful city of Springfield has to offer. Having said this, the friendships I made during my time at MSU are worthwhile and long lasting, one of them is soon to be my wife :) VT: How helpful is the Career Center? David: Much to my parents dismay, I never used the career center at MSU. VT: How are the various study areas? Libraries? The Student Union? Dorm lounges? David: The study areas that I utilized the most at MSU were the libraries and the Student Union. Both of these areas were extremely comfortable and well thought out. They had quiet areas for individual studying, and designated areas for group sessions and projects. I spent several hours in these areas and I am thankful to their designers. VT: What is the surrounding town like? What are the best local attractions that make it unique? David: Springfield is an amazing city. Besides the obvious Bass Pro and near-by Branson, MO, its location in the heart of the Ozark's lends itself to limitless day tripsandadventures. Its size offers theamenitiesof a large city without feeling too over whelming, yet it is small enough to feel like a college town. For me, the city of Springfield is what made my college experience so memorable. VT: How big or small is the student body and how does that affect your experience? David: MSU is a fairly large college. It has about 23,000 enrolled students. Like any large college, theintroductory classes have high enrollment. But as you move farther into your major, the class sizes decrease dramatically. Most of my upper level classes had less than 25 students in them. For the most part the professors knew my name, and no matter what class it was, they were always willing to see me during their office hours. For me, MSU's size was not a hindrance to my overall education. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you dreaded the most. David: I had a Microbiology lab class that I dreaded going to, but it was because of my own mistake. On the second day of class I was over 20 minutes late. My teacher, Dr. Plank, pulled me a side explained the importance of punctuality,especially in regards to this particular lab and she kindly asked me not to let it happened again. Of course, the next class meeting I again was over 20 minutes late. This time my professor was not so kind.Needless to say I did not make a good first impression on her. But as the semester progressed I made sure to never be late. I turned in my assignments on time and I earned a good grade in the class. On the last day of class my professor, who had learned of my interest inbecominga teacher, pulled me aside once more and told me that if there was anyway she could help me to just ask, she also gave me several books and materials on biology education. Dr. Plank wasn't the easiest or the kindest Professor but she taught me how to be a good student, and she showed me how to be a good teacher. Check out Davids tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Online Solve Algebra Equations Tutors

Online Solve Algebra Equations Tutors Algebra is one of the branches of math. Algebraic expression are the expressions which can consist of different constant term (also called the numerical value), a variable term (usually denoted by alphabets like a, b, x, etc.) which are raised to an exponent or degree of various integers. There are various algebraic properties which help to simplify or evaluate given algebraic expressions. Example 1: Simplify the algebraic expression, 2(x - 1) + 3(x 4) + 3x2 and evaluate its value when x = 1. Solution: In order to simplify the above expression, we first use the Distributive Property and multiply the number to the braces. (2 x - 2) + (3 x 12) + 3x2 Now combine the like terms 2x - 2 + 3 x 12 + 3x2 = 5 x -14 + 3x2 To evaluate the simplified above expression, we plug in the place of x as 1. 5 (1) -14 + 3(1)2; 5 - 14 + 3 = -6 Hence the solution is -6 Example 2: Simplify the algebraic expression, 6(x - 1) + 3 (x 2) + x2 and evaluate its value when x = -1. Solution: In order to simplify the above expression, we first use the Distributive Property and multiply the number to the braces. (6x - 6) + (3x 6) + x2 Now combine the like terms 2x - 10 + 3x 6 + x2 = 5x - 16 + x2 To evaluate the simplified above expression, we plug in the place of x as -1. 5 (-1) - 16 + (-1)2; -5 - 16 + 1 = =20 Hence the solution is -20.

What is it Like to Attend DePaul University

What is it Like to Attend DePaul University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Devin is a Seattle tutor who specializes in all courses related to the social sciences and humanities, particularly Reading tutoring, Writing tutoring, and History tutoring. He graduated from DePaul University in 2012 where he studied History and African Black Diaspora Studies. See what he had to say about his undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Devin: All transportation options are possible in the heart of Chicago. The elevated rail, more commonly known as the el, is both a national symbol and a piece of living history in the field of public transportation. Its color-coded system of tracks and platforms combine with the CTA bus system to get commuters within several blocks of any city destination. Free transfer options also allow commuters to move seamlessly along the easy-to-understand Chicago grid system, where there are endless opportunities to extend travel time with a leisurely walk; nonetheless, biking is a very popular and affordable travel alternative during the warmer months (and even the colder ones for true Chicagoans), especially now, since the current Mayor is engaged in a project to drastically increase the number of protected bike lanes in the city. DePaul University is the definition of an urban campus. As a result, it benefits from all Chicago transit authority infrastructures. Most students ride a CTA bus or an el train to work and some even commute from the suburbs via the larger, more-luxury Metra trains. On campus, designated transport vehicles known as Public Safety will escort students to local destinations upon request. All options considered, some students still prefer to have their own vehicle in the city. This is possible, but one should expect to pay for parking, if and when they can find it. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Devin: Adepartmental advisor is usually assigned to each student, and meeting with them is only a matter of scheduling an appointment via email. Undergraduate advisors are not assigned, and one has to be slightly more proactive about finding their contact information and scheduling a visit; however, upon entry, each student is given an undergraduate form that lists the requirements necessary for graduation in both their school and department. Additional copies of this form are also available on each students Campus Connect portal, a website designated for student services. If a student takes the initial time to interpret this form, and then uses it to track their own progress, then they will never have to meet with an advisor, and they can take control of their own education. This is highly advisable. Most other professors have weekly, designated office hours where you can drop-in unannounced. In the History department, finding a good conversation was only a matter of roaming the hal ls. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Devin: I did not stay in the dorms because I had already been living on my own for several years when I enrolled as a freshman. But the dining options are eclectic. There are counters on the dining floor for Asian and Latin cuisine. There are pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, pizza, fried and grilled chicken, rice, pasta, burgers, wraps, fries, potato wedges, soups of the day, and almost every salad fixing imaginable. Brownstones caf downstairs has some great breakfast options, like cheap and delicious bagel sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, fruit, granola bars, baked goods, juices, and everything coffee related. Making friends in these open environments is easier the more outgoing you are, and for everyone else, have no fear; there is an endless number of clubs to help you integrate. 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? Devin: For my undergraduate career, I obtained a double major in History and African and Black Diaspora Studies. These are both in the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences, so that is the only branch of the university that I can talk about with experience. I choose these particular disciplines because I enjoy storytelling, and I wanted to spend my academic career studying not just the stories of our collective human experience, but how the creation and recreation of those stories have been so dependent on different, often unpredictable contexts. I chose to focus on African History because there was so much mystery associated with the field, and the position of the African continent in traditional American histories has often been overlooked, and is still being determined. The most popular major in the school for Liberal Arts is Psychology. Education, Sociology, Political Science, and English are also fairly popular majors, partly due to the perception that more explicit job opportunities stem from these disciplines (viz. teacher, case worker, lawyer, editor). Also, Philosophy is a popular major because it attracts students who falsely believe it is the only department where critical thinking is encouraged for its own sake. Lastly, some students believe that majoring in a more-general field is advantageous at the undergraduate level; however, DePaul is host to an array of emerging, social departments that are often unrepresented in other schools. Some of these include Gender Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, LGBTQ Studies, Religious Studies, Asian-American studies, and Latino Studies. I encourage all students to explore some of these courses with their general-education opportunities. 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? Devin: Greek organizations do not play a significant role in campus social life. Of course, there are opportunities to join all sorts of fraternities and sororities, but these groups function as service-learning organizations rather than campus party throwers. Greek life is not intended to offer the kind of social atmosphere that it probably would at a bigger state school. It was not difficult to meet friends as a freshman, partly because your first course is a freshman orientation course, and several people you meet there will be your friends for the next four years. It is also a good idea to obtain employment with the university. Making friends with similar schedules is one of the many advantages to an on-campus job. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Devin: The Career Center was not very helpful for me, partly because there were no History majors working there. Career Center employees are trained to look over your resume, so they are very excited to do this right away. They will also recommend a variety of job posting and social media sites (e.g. Monster and LinkedIn), and they will suggest that you attend the quarterly job fairs, but that seems to be about all they can do. Many of them have only had one job before, and this is it. If you are looking to use your degree after graduation, make the rounds in your department, talking to each professor that you can; they will have the more specific advice. Also, decide early if you want to attend graduate school right away, because the application process usually ends in the middle of your senior year, and you may end up waiting a while otherwise. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Devin: The library is wonderful. You can obtain many of your required text materials here if you check early. Also, the Chicago Public Library has tons of branches located only a train or bus ride away; so, if you enjoy the occasional scavenger hunt, you can make it through undergraduate school without ever paying for a textbook. I do not know much about the student union, except that they frequently install eco-friendly inventions on campus, such as toilettes that minimize water consumption, water-bottle fountains to reduce plastic waste, and tire-repair stations for your bike. 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? Devin: Chicago is the third largest city in America. As such, it has everything a major, first-world metropolis should have: cultural museums, natural history museums, fine-art museums, science museums, a Broadway theatre scene, a black-box theatre scene, a guerrilla theatre scenes, world-renown ballet and modern-dance companies, a thriving jazz scene (the largest jazz club in Chicago is right around the corner from DePaul), free music festivals (e.g. Blues Fest and the Free Concert Series in Millennium Park), High-profile music festivals (Lollapalooza, Pitchfork), roof-top gardening, city-wide sports teams with an intense fan base (you have the Cubs, Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Fire (kind of)), thrift shopping, improv, a history of social justice, arcades, a vibrant film scene, public parks, skate parks, bowling, laser tag, an indoor, trampoline dodge-ball stadium (this is technically in the suburbs, but whatever), sports fields, basketball courts (this is the home town of Mic hael Jordan and Derek Rose, after all), night clubs, bars: Irish bars, Greek bars, Italian bars, and any other kind of bar (literally, too many in a single neighborhood to count), innumerable street fests (most notably, our version of October Fest and the St. Pattys Day Parade), and food. I cannot stress this enough: there is any kind of food you could want in Chicago, and it is all amazing. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Devin: The DePaul student body is large. Including graduate students, adult students, international students, and students that commute from the suburbs, there are 25,000 attendees; but, rest assured, it will not feel this way. There is a downtown campus (in the Loop), a north side campus in Lincoln Park, and several suburban campuses. These locations greatly reduce the volume of students that you will see at any given time. Also, DePaul has very few lecture-style classrooms. Most of the courses in the Liberal Arts school are capped around thirty students, and many of them are even smaller. I took several courses that had only ten people in them, although, this greatly depends on the popularity of both the class and the department. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Devin: In the first quarter of my freshman year, I took a course on Medieval History in Europe. I was stressing about the mid-term exam because it required me to write my first college essay. I remember sitting at a local coffee shop on the weekend, the course materials spread before me, and outlining my argument on scratch paper. Every paragraph needed to be designed for a distinct purpose, and every sentence needed to be meticulously planned. I had drawn connections between the course documents, and I wanted to put them forth bluntly, without wasting any time, but I also wanted an engaging introduction, so my teacher could not turn away. In the end, the paper was about the evolution of the papacy in Europe during and after an historical period commonly known as the Dark Ages. I decided to open with the brief but detailed story of a pope who was murdered by Vikings when the period began, and I decided to close by talking about the most powerful pope the institution had ever seen, hundreds of years later. When the essays were graded, the professor read mine aloud in class as a sample of outstanding work. It was anonymous of courseonly he and I knew who had written it, but nonetheless, the recognition was enough to instill a passion for writing in me that has burned ever since. Check out Devins tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Should I Go To Auburn University

Should I Go To Auburn University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Katie received her Bachelors degree in Zoology and her Master of Education from Auburn University. She is currently a tutor in Austin specializing in Biology tutoring, English tutoring, Life Sciences tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at Auburn University: 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? Katie: Auburn Universitys campus is pedestrian and bike friendly. There are beautiful green spaces. It is not what I would call an urban campus. Tiger Transit is the bus system that transports students all around campus. Students have unlimited access to Tiger Transit because it is included in their tuition fees. Transit stops are located at major areas on campus, as well as at some off-campus locations like various apartment complexes. Parking can be an issue. When I began my time at Auburn University, I lived on campus and was able to park my vehicle pretty easily in the designated areas near the dorms. However, I later moved off-campus, and I found that at certain times of the day, it could be difficult to find a parking spot in certain areas. Depending on how close to campus you live, I would encourage you to ride a bike or walk instead of trying to drive a car every day. I always felt safe on campus. During my time at Auburn University, I attended classes during the day and at night, and I never had any safety concerns. There are emergency call boxes located in various places on campus in case you feel you need help. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Katie: My professors, advisers, and teaching assistants were usually very helpful whenever I needed assistance or information. Office hours and email addresses would be made available to students. Email is highly used for communication between students and faculty. I usually sent emails if I had any questions. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Katie: During my first year at Auburn University, I lived in a dorm in an area on campus called The Hill. I enjoyed being on campus because there are places to eat close by, as well as places to meet friends. The Hill includes Terrell Dining Hall. There is also a relatively new student center (completed in 2008) built toward the middle of campus with places to eat located on different floors of the building. There are other choices at various places on campus, such as the coffee shop in the library, or you can travel to downtown Auburn (along College Street or Magnolia Avenue) to have your choice of local restaurants and fast food. 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? Katie: For my undergraduate degree, I was in the College of Sciences Mathematics, where I majored in Zoology/Conservation Biology. I loved my science classes because many of the labs were hands-on. Many of my biology science labs took us out into the field (local streams, state parks, etc.) to make observations and gather data based on what we were learning in class. I felt supported by several of my professorsDr. Folkerts, Dr. Lishak, Dr. Boyd, Dr. Guyer, and others. Other majors that were popular were Engineering, Education and Business. I know that Engineering has lots of options like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering. Many of my friends spoke well about the Engineering programs, but I know they can be difficult. 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? Katie: I found it easy to meet people and make friends as a freshman. I was not involved at all in Greek life. There are people who are involved in sororities and fraternities at Auburn University, but most people that I knew were not involved. I joined and participated in different clubs on campus like the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association and the Society for Conservation Biology. There are also other events that are held on campus that students can attend that would be good for making friends. My friends and I liked going to Tiger Nights, which are free events for students with activities like caricature artists, laser tag, music, comedy acts, and food. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Katie: I found the Career Center and other services helpful. They would hold job fairs and mock interviews for students. I know they had specific job fairs for Education majors, with various schools from around the state, as well as job fairs for other majors. Students can get help with developing their resumes and cover letters, as well. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Katie: The library, student union, and dorm lounges were easily available in my experience. The library could get a little crowded at peak times, like close to finals, but I could always find a nook to sit in and study. The student union is designed with lots of sitting areas in open spaces, as well as down various hallways. 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? Katie: The downtown Auburn area is basically on two sides of campusMagnolia Avenue and College Street. It is very close, just across the street! These streets have restaurants, bookstores, bars, and boutiques. There are other shopping areas a little farther away from campus. The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is also nearby. I only went a few timesonce for a film festival event they were hosting and another time when they held a yoga event. If you want to shop at a mall, you would probably want to drive to Auburn Mall or Tiger Town. These have department stores and other mainstream shops. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Katie: I believe the undergraduate student body is usually around 20,000 students. I was generally pleased with my class sizes. The core classes that most students have to take can be pretty large, and they are usually held in auditorium-size rooms. Your major-specific classes tend to be more manageable sizes. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Katie: One of my favorite classes was Conservation Biology with Dr. Boyd. Dr. Boyd would discuss interesting topics, and he would usually try to have at least one funny slide to slip into his presentations. He also had guest lecturers based on different topics we might be learning about. I remember when he had a former student of his, who now works at an animal sanctuary, bring in live animals. It was fun to handle the animals and learn about conservation efforts to help them in their environments. Check out Katies tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What to Know About AP Exams in 2019

What to Know About AP Exams in 2019 Attention high school AP students: beginning this August, you can expect changes to the AP exam process. Items on the agenda include enhanced free test prep materials for AP teachers, an earlier AP exam registration deadline in November, and a $40.00 late fee for late registration or exam cancellation. If youre planning on taking an AP course, read on to learn about the changes that could affect your AP exam experience in 2019. Change #1 for AP exams in 2019: new study and assessment materials The College Board has developed study tools and curriculum materials for teachers. This includes a library of unit-by-unit planning guides for AP classes, real exam questions, unit assessment tests, and a performance dashboard on which students and teachers can track performance on AP course materials. For teachers, study and assessment tools could make it easier than ever to help their students master an AP subject. For students, these resources could help keep their studying more focused during the yearincreasing their understanding of the AP subject and boosting their AP exam performance at the end of the year. [RELATED: The Ultimate Study Plan for AP Courses] Change #2 for AP exams in 2019: new exam registration deadline According to the College Board, high school students are more likely to take an AP examand to do wellif they commit to doing so at the start of the school year. For that reason, the College Board has moved its AP exam registration deadline to November. However, it suggests students decide whether or not they wish to take AP exams even earlier, by October. If you fail to register by November, or later change your exam selection or cancel your exam altogether, youll be charged a $40.00 late fee. [RELATED: The Top 4 Myths About AP Exams] Change #3 for AP exams in 2019: new curricula for certain AP courses For all AP classes, you can expect the curricula to be clearer and more streamlined due to the College Boards new AP course resources. Several popular courses, specifically AP World History and AP Biology, will also be updated. Some major changes for the AP World History curriculum include: Organization of the course into four historical periods from 1200 CE to the present Organization of the course into nine units covering those four historical periods Addition of a sixth theme, Technology and Innovation A new framework outlining specific skills necessary to ace the AP World History exam Some major changes for the AP Biology curriculum include: Organization of the course into eight commonly taught biology units, including the cell cycle and ecology Correspondence of the eight units with four Big Ideas in biologyevolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and systems interaction Better connection of learning objectives to what is taught A new framework outlining specific skills necessary to ace the AP Biology exam For a full list of AP courses, visit the College Board. [RELATED: What Are AP Through-Course Assessments?] Being aware of these changes and what they will mean for your AP studies can benefit your overall AP experience. If youre on the fence about taking an AP exam next year, sit down with your schools guidance counselor to learn about your options and to determine which academic plan is best for you. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Jumpstarting Your Music Career 5 Tips Nobody Talks About

Jumpstarting Your Music Career 5 Tips Nobody Talks About Suzy S. If youre one of the many with dreams of scoring a record deal, embarking on a world tour, or gracing the Broadway stage or maybe even the big screen, youve probably received a wealth of advice from teachers and mentors. You know the importance of working hard, practicing a ton, acing your auditions and networking. But theres actually much more to it. When it comes to making it in the entertainment field and getting the opportunity to do what you love, the path to success can be filled with frustration and unpredictable outcomes. So how do you survive the ups and downs? New York, NY teacher Natalie W. recently gave us her 5 tips for survival that arent always mentioned in the career guidebooks. Here are her words of wisdom, coming from years of experience as a professional opera singer: 1) Dont go to school for the performing arts.   No one truly cares where (or whether) you went to school; they just want to see what you can do.   You will get far better training studying privately with teachers and coaches and designing your own curriculum than you will get in pretty much any program.   With few exceptions, the best teachers dont teach in universities, because they can make far more money teaching privately in a city like New York. 2) Do go to school and study something that interests you.   Study philosophy, psychology, art history, political science, biology, whatever.   Broaden your world.   Make yourself a more complex, well-rounded person.   This will serve you as an artist, and help prepare you for my next piece of advice: 3) Prepare for a parallel career.   I was always told I would need a fall-back career, something to do if I didnt make it.   Well, of course, I was going to make it, so I didnt need one.   In fact, I didnt want a fall-back career, because then I knew I would end up falling back on it.   If I gave myself no option except to make it, then Id have to make it right?   (wrong)   Heres the reality: except for the most miniscule percentage of people, even highly successful performers those who have had national tours, performed on Broadway or at the Met, have made blockbuster movies or been on Law Order have times when they are not making money as performers.   Even if you make it, you will have to support yourself by other means at times.   If you dont want to spend the largest chunks of your life temping or waiting tables, figure out something you would like to do that allows you some flexibility for your artistic pursuits and train yourself for that.   I have found that for myself wit h my teaching the only reason Im glad I have a Masters degree in voice performance (even though nothing of what I learned in grad school gets passed on to my students). 4) Make time for friends and family.   It is so easy to say I cant, I have rehearsal (my mom actually bought me a t-shirt with this on it once, and I wore it with pride), and then wake up years later when your career is stalled to realize you have no friends and your marriage is on the rocks.   There is no one audition, no one show, no one opportunity that will be the deciding factor in your career.   You cant always sacrifice your career dreams for your friends and family, but you also cant always sacrifice your friends and family for your career dreams.   In the end, your relationships are what sustain you, what nourish you, what make you a whole person, and are what you can count on when the dream eludes you.   Besides, who are you going to thank when you win your Tony? 5) Lastly, if there is anything else in life that will make you happy, do that.   It is rare that the moments of joy outnumber the moments of pain and frustration in this business, so it is only worth doing if you are miserable not doing it. Natalie W. teaches piano, singing, Broadway singing, music performance, music theory, opera voice, and acting lessons to students of all ages in New York, NY. She joined the TakeLessons team in October 2012, with over 20   years of teaching experience. Find out more about Natalie, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! Photo by Emz.watson