Did I Choose the Wrong College

Did I Choose the Wrong College Beginning the college journey is often difficult, and your first semester may be marked by uncertainty and homesickness, as well as a tendency to second-guess yourself. How do you know if your emotions are a sign to transfer schools, or if what you are feeling is completely normal? As you try to answer the question of Did I choose the wrong college? keep the following items in mind. 1. Recognize that everyone has bad days Take a deep breath. There is a strong possibility that how you feel is normal and will diminish with time. Redirect your attention and participate in an activity you enjoy. Read a book in your favorite place on campus, call your best friend or your parents, or go for a run. The first semester of college can be overwhelming. It is important to set aside time for yourself. If you are experiencing more profound or lasting feelings, contact your health services office today. Participating in extracurricular activities can boost your college success, so why not give it a try! 2.Acknowledge that roommates are not a reason to transfer anything but your room Many students transfer because of a horrendous roommate. If you are struggling with your living situation, speak with your resident assistant (RA) or another staff member who can help you come to a better compromise. This may be the first time that you and your roommate are living independently, let alone in a small room with another person. Establish ground rules if you can, or determine whether you can transfer rooms. Horrible freshman roommate stories are plentifuldo not allow that to ruin your college experience or to convince you that you selected the wrong college! Here are some great tips to help you adjust to dorm life. 3. Try new activities Freshmen, and people in general, tend toward those pastimes that are familiar to them. Perhaps you tried out for the lacrosse team because you participated in high school, but you feel uncomfortable on the college squad. Perhaps your entire hall registered for laser tag, but the game does not engage you. No one in college knows what you enjoyed doing in high school take advantage of this fact! Learn a new skill, or find a social niche with friendly students. If you cannot locate an activity you enjoy or a group of people you like, it may be time to consider transferring. Here are some great tips on how to choose your extracurricular activies. 4. Speak with a professional If you are serious about transferring, or you are experiencing more than one major issue with your school, jot down the positives and negatives of remaining at the college, and then meet with a professional who can advise you. If you cannot think of a professor, mentor, adviser, or tutor who you believe you could talk to about this, a counselor is an excellent option. You might also call a teacher or coach from home. Making such life-changing decisions without any guidance is strongly discouraged. Transferring is neither the end of the world nor a solution to all your problems. Whatever you ultimately choose, ensure you make your decision rationally and with the appropriate support. If you find that you did, in fact, choose the wrong college, understand that transferring seamlessly involves forethought and time but given the correct circumstances, it may be a wise decision that leads to your increased happiness.

ACT and STAAR Test Prep

The Research Program and Strategy For SAT/ACT and STAAR Test Prep 0SHARESShare First, several words concerning the study strategy. THE RESEARCH PROGRAM (1) Know as well as understand the reason and format from the SAT through researching the school Board web site and reading through the Barrons guide. (2) Establish the structured plan of research, devoting a collection period of time each 7 days. (3) Do numerous full-length exercise tests disseminate over a long period, preferably one or two months, to be able to continually evaluate your talents and weak points. These assessments also will help you develop the actual stamina required for this instead lengthy check, as nicely as help to make the check itself go a lot more smoothly about the big day time. (4) Keep the cumulative listing of notes, for example common mistakes you help to make or specific mathematical formulations that journey you upward, so you are able to review them before the test. There are lots of general as well as specific techniques for improving check scores. During my next post, I will concentrate on the few which i consider most significant. These recommendations either originate from my encounter with tutoring or happen to be extracted as well as summarized in the aforementioned Barrons guide. Preston Areas, PhD, is definitely an experienced personal tutor having a doctorate within Education. Hes the dad of 2 sons, one within elementary school and also the other in senior high school. Preston offers helped numerous students significantly enhance their SITTING scores via his personalized test planning programs. Additionally, he teachers students within middle college through college in a number of other educational subjects, focusing on those along with learning afflictions. He also focuses on helping students to handle test anxiety and also to develop much better study as well as time administration skills. [starbox id=admin]

How to Stay Organized During Midterms

How to Stay Organized During Midterms Staying organized during midterms can mean the difference between getting the best grade you can and missing your goal entirely. Its not only important to think about what you need to study, but how and when you need to fit studying in among other activities like sports, clubs, or a job. Keep your academic (and personal) life sane and structured as you move into midterm season to help maximize your scores on these important tests. Here are somepointers for how to stay organized during midterms: 1. Start studying for midterms early Its not in your best interest to crack open your textbook the week of the test. Your midterm exam likely encompasses half of your courses material, and you didnt you learn that material over a few days time it took weeks. Instead, review your notes as you go along in the course, making sure that you understand each concept before moving on to new material. Beginning two or more weeks before midterms, review the material that will appear on the exam. Since youll have already learned the material during your first pass through, this review will reinforce the material and help you to master it as you move toward the midterm. 2. Make a midterm study schedule Mastering half a semesters worth of material can seem daunting, especially if you have multiple midterms. A month before your midterms, sit down and plot out how the next four weeks will go. Cycle through your subjects as you study, making sure that you balance studying for midterms with the coursework expected of you leading up to the exams. For example, you could plan to review chapters one and two of biology and practice simplifying polynomials for your Algebra class on Monday night, review two novels for your English exam and study for your biology quiz on Tuesday, and catch up on math assignments and write an English essay on Wednesday. Balance is key, and plotting out a schedule can help you achieve that balance. 3. Make lists of questions, problems, and topics Keeping lists of questions you have, problems you cant solve, and even topics you already know and dont need to revisit can prevent you from wasting time and allow you to budget more time for difficult topics. Keeping a list of questions and problems you still have can make meeting with a tutor for help before the exam more productive, as youll be able to exclusively focus on problem areas without having to waste time. Keep your lists somewhere close to your study space, and make two lists for each subject: things you know and things you need to study. 4. Get into a study routine Designating time each day for midterm studying can help prevent cramming later on. As you make your study schedule, make sure to incorporate specific time (separate from other homework and academic obligations) in which you will hold yourself accountable for preparing for your midterm. Start with as little as an hour each day a month before the exams, and progressively increase your time spent preparing for midterms as they approach. Making time to study can help keep you focused on midterms without being weighed down by the other responsibilities in your life.

The Real Secret to Effective Practicing

The Real Secret to Effective Practicing Suzy S. Bored with your practice routine? Remember when it comes to practicing, there are no hard and fast rules. So mix it up, keep if fresh and have some fun! With these great tips from Burbank, CA teacher Victoria G., youll be looking forward to practicing instead of dreading it To be encouraged to practice, every musician has heard countless catchy phrases, like “Practice makes Perfect.” Often this involves hours of repetition, drills, discipline and sometimes complaining. But practicing doesn’t have to be a chore and, in fact, it should be the highlight of making music! Perhaps the hardest part of practicing is that many musicians, including myself, become so wrapped up in technical matters or how we sound, that we forget why we are even making music. Without emotion or joy, music becomes just black and white dots on paper, and then no wonder practicing seems dull. So to help this, I’ve learned a few tips along the way that I try to pass on to my students. First thing to remember is to relax! Sometimes in lessons I will switch vocal “do re mi” warm-ups for tongue twisters or other silly phrases. Or if I notice students are concentrating too hard on their posture, I will have them walk or skip around the room while singing. You’d be so surprised how much easier technique becomes when you relax your body and mind, and just let the voice take over. Another way to help your practicing is to just have fun! You can start by simply mixing up your practice routine. For example, if you are working on a slow, dramatic piece, practice it at a faster tempo and switch up the mood. This contrast will help your learn different things about the song while also helping you to stay engaged! Of course, you would want to perform it as written, but practicing it differently always helps keep the piece fresher in your mind, and again, allows your voice to be free and create better music. Also, make sure to reward yourself! Not every practice session is going to have a life changing breakthrough moment. But keep in mind that for every day you work hard, you are one day closer to your goals! Sometimes the reward can be as simple as taking an extra five minute break, going on a walk, or trying a different genre of music you always wanted to try. Whatever it is, always take the time to stop and praise your own work, because out of all opinions, your opinion matters most in regard to your music. So, sometimes practicing means relaxing, allowing yourself to have fun, and rewarding your progress! Now, don’t get me wrong I am a strong believer of “Practice makes Perfect,” and I know that sometimes it does take countless hours of hard work to be successful. But every minute of practice should be spent loving the art, and the reward of practicing should strengthen the desire to learn more! Victoria teaches singing lessons to students of all ages in Burbank, CA. Her specialties include opera, classical, musical theater and pop. She joined the TakeLessons team in August 2012. Learn more about Victoria, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! Photo by racingthesun.

Different Shapes

Different Shapes Different shapes involve various kinds of shapes based on the sides. Shape is an appearance of something. There are various kinds of shapes. A shape with 3 sides is called triangles. The shape with 4 sides can be rectangle or square. Sometimes the sides are equal and sometimes they are not equal. Their names are different depending on the length of the sides. For example, in triangle when all 3 sides are equal then it is a equilateral triangle. When all three sides are of different length they are called as scalene triangle. Common shapes are Two Dimensional shapes (example circle, square, triangle etc) Three Dimensional shapes (example Sphere, cube, pyramid etc.) = Here triangle, parallelogram and trapezoid are different shapes use to fill the triangle. Problem 2: Which shape has exactly 7 vertices and which shape has exactly 12 sides? Solution: The shape heptagon has exactly 7 vertices and dodecagon or 12-gon has 12 sides. Problem 3: What is the main difference between squares and rectangles? Solution: Both squares and rectangles have 4 right angles inside. The main difference between them is that squares have 4 equal sides, whereas rectangles have 2 sets of equal sides. Not all 4 sides of a rectangle are the same length, like they are in a square.

2 Important TOEFL Preparation Tips

2 Important TOEFL Preparation Tips So, you have chosen the Anglophone country where you want to study, you have decided the university you want to attend and even the course you wish to complete. You know you need a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) certificate to make your application, as this is accepted in 7,500 colleges in 130 countries worldwide. You have started revising your grammar, increasing your vocabulary and speaking regularly with native English-speaking friends, but what else do you know about TOEFL?The first thing to remember is that the TOEFL exam isn’t just a test of your knowledge of the English language, it’s also about strategy.Click here to take a free TOEFL Prep class with a native speaker via SkypeSo, what is your strategy? You might be pretty happy with your English but do you know what’s in store for you on the day of your exam?Tip One: Know The Format Ok, so you are taking the TOEFL exam, but will you be sitting the TOEFL iBt or TOEFL PBT format?The TOEFL iBT (See all TOEFL TOEIC Books) is the internet-based version while TOEFL PBT is paper-based.It is very important that you check with the institution where you will be sitting the exam regarding the format they will be giving you.There are some important differences between the two formats that could affect your performance on the day should you not be aware of them beforehand.The internet-based test is 4 hours 30 minutes long while the paper-based test is 3 hours 30 minutes long.The paper-based test does not include a speaking test while the internet-based test does.The internet-based test is offered 30 to 40 times a year but you will only be able to take the paper-based test on six days in the year.Tip Two: Know The Structure of The TestOnce you know whether you will be taking the internet-based or paper-based test it is important to know the structure of the test. TOEFL is called a ‘standardized’ test which means it follows a set pattern in all exams. As a result, the format of the exam shoul d not be a surprise to you when you sit down to take the test!TOEFL iBT Test StructureSectionTime LimitQuestionsTasksListening60 â€" 90 minutes34 â€" 51 questionsListen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions.Reading60 â€" 100 minutes36 â€" 70 questionsRead passages from academic texts and answer questions.Break10 minutesâ€"â€"Speaking20 minutes6 tasksExpress an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks.Writing50 minutes2 tasksWrite essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing.TOEFL PBT Test StructureTestSectionDescriptionTime LimitNo. of QuestionsTOEFL PBTListening ComprehensionMeasures the ability to understand spoken English30-40 minutes50TOEFL PBTStructure and Written ExpressionMeasures the ability to recognize language appropriate for standard written English25 minutes40TOEFL PBTReading ComprehensionMeasures the ability to understand non-technical reading material55 minutes5 0TWETest of Written EnglishMeasures the ability to write in English30 minutes1 topicIt is important to pay attention to the amount of time that is suggested on the paper you spend on each section and not go beyond this. If you do, you might not finish the test and this will be detrimental to your overall score.Remember that you might have wonderful listening and reading skills but if you do not get to the written section you will not successfully complete the test.Good luck. If you found this class helpful please share it in Facebook and Twitter.

Get down to Glasgow Science Centre

Get down to Glasgow Science Centre Are you north of the border with a bored brood on your hand? Well, we have a super science idea that's sure to entertain your troops. This week we focus on one of Scotland's most vibrant educational places - the impressive Glasgow Science Museum located, unsurprisingly, in Glasgow. A good mix of learning, fun and interactivity makes this a must-visit for Scottish families. Most of the activities in the museum are linked to the Curriculum for Excellence, which means that what your kids enjoy during their trip will reinforce what they've learned at school this year - or, better still, it will prepare them for what they're going to learn next year. There's a full programme of activities throughout the year including live science shows - which are guaranteed to go with a bang! There are also interactive workshops on hand so that the kids can do their own experiments and experience science first-hand. Very little ones are catered for as well with early years activities. Do check ahead of your visit to see what's on when you're planning to go. There is even an IMAX on site with a screen bigger than a five a side football pitch! A range of Hollywood blockbusters, including animated favourites like Under the Sea, are brought to you in amazing and massive 3D. You can even book your child's party at the museum, which is a great idea for a any summer birthdays. Find out more at www.glasgowsciencecentre.org

Winter Solstice 2019

Winter Solstice 2019 Today, December 22nd is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in 2019.   Winter solstice takes place on December 20th, 21st or as this year on December 22nd. Why? Ask one of our astronomy tutors.   To my Germanic ancestors winter solstice was reason to celebrate, because the darkest time of the year will soon be over as sun rays bring more warmth to our Earth. This festival was called Yule. Fathers walked into the woods with their sons to bring back the largest log they could find. For as long as the log would burn the Yule festival was on. This meant eating plenty of meat, drinking  copious  amounts of beer and telling ghost stories about Odin,  Frea  and Thor. Now these  customs  and stories are a part of European History.