A Student Perspective on Yale University

A Student Perspective on Yale University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. David earned his bachelors degree in molecular biophysics biochemistry from Yale University. He specializes in MCAT tutoring, science tutoring, SAT tutoring, and a number of other areas. Want to see what he had to say about his time as a student at Yale University? Read on: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. David: Like many other college towns across New England, New Haven is a small but vibrant city that has been shaped by Yale throughout its history. As such, you can access most stores, restaurants, bars, etc. quite easily from campus. The areas outside of Yales campus are not known for being particularly safe, but you will more than likely not run into any problems if you keep your head about you and avoid walking alone at odd hours. Yale also has a dedicated police force and plenty of safety measures on/near campus, so I personally never felt unsafe throughout my time there. As far as transportation goes, Yale has its own shuttle system that operates alongside New Havens many public transit options, though most students tend to walk or bike. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Yale University? David: Despite Yales reputation as an elite research university, nearly all of the professors and TAs I worked with gave me the impression that they genuinely wanted to work with and be readily available to undergraduates. In fact, some of Yales most prominent/prolific scholars also happen to be among its most passionate and involved educators. Yale tends to hire faculty members who are at least as committed to teaching as they are to their independent research. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? David: If youve ever read Harry Potter or watched the movies, you can get a pretty good idea of what residential life is like at Yale. You are sorted into one of 12 (soon to be 14) residential colleges prior to the start of your first year, with your college becoming your home base for navigating the rest of Yale. Because each residential college has its own facilities (dorm space, dining hall, fitness centers, libraries, etc.), students have ample freedom to either stick to their own college or explore what other colleges have to offer. For example, on any given day I might eat lunch with other members of Jonathan Edwards College, play pool in Pierson, then grab a quick bite at Morse before meeting my study group in Trumbull. With so many possible combinations of places to hang out, you could easily get through Yale without ever slipping into a boring routine. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? David: Yale is historically recognized for its strong social sciences departments (e.g., economics, political science, psychology, etc.), but the universitys emphasis on breadth and depth of education means that every department is relatively well supported and available to all students. I started Yale as a potential Biomedical Engineering major, considered Cognitive Science for a while, then finally settled on Molecular Biophysics Biochemistry. This flip-flopping between majors is actually pretty normal at Yale, because Yale students often have several academic interests that they can freely explore through the universitys shopping period and diverse distributional requirements. 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? David: Making friends at Yale is often as easy as leaving your room to get involved in any of the hundreds of activities and events available on campus. No matter your disposition or personal interests, you will probably find at least one other person or group with whom you can relate and get along. Greek life is definitely a presence on campus, but the extent to which it plays a role in your own social interactions is strictly up to you. I personally wasnt very involved, but I still interacted with plenty of people with varying degrees of involvement in Greek life through other activities and organizations. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services at Yale University? David: While I didnt utilize the Yale Office of Career Strategy (OCS) as much as I probably should have throughout my Yale career, I found the career fairs and recruiting events I did attend to be very helpful, yet somewhat biased toward high-powered jobs and big-name organizations (i.e., Bain, Bridgewater, Google, Teach For America, etc.). Many Yale students are interested in such careers so the bias makes sense, but you may have to explore other resources if you (like me) are looking for something a bit different. After I graduated, I found the Health Professions Advisory Program within the OCS to be immensely supportive of my medical school ambitions, so I would strongly urge anyone interested in higher education to utilize such resources way earlier than I did. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? David: Yale has literally hundreds of excellent places to study between its thirty or so libraries, academic building lounges, and residential college common areas. Some libraries are more popular/accessible than others and thus more crowded (i.e., Bass Library), but most Yalies find their own fairly unique spot to suit their needs. If youre lucky enough to be placed in JE College, Id strongly recommend checking out the Upper Taft Library beautiful natural lighting, rarely crowded, individual study carrels, and easy access to bathrooms and printers. Describe the surrounding town at Yale University. David: Since Yales main campus is basically a tall and skinny rectangle that encompasses nearly all of New Havens retail stores and most iconic establishments, students rarely have to walk more than a few minutes from their dorm to find some means of entertainment. If, like me, your idea of an awesome time revolves around good food and drink, you may be pleased to learn that New Haven is a mecca of excellent restaurants, cafs, and bars of all cuisines, ambiences, and perhaps most importantly price ranges. I cant really speak to the quality of non-food-related things to do in town (i.e., shopping, community events, etc.), but you could easily spend four years at Yale just exploring all of the incredible dining options practically at your doorstep. I certainly did. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? David: Yales undergraduate population hovers around 5500, with 1300-1400 students per class. I was very happy with the size of the student body, as I felt I could bump into friends and acquaintances on a regular basis but still go out and meet new people whenever I wanted to. In other words, it was the perfect balance of intimacy and anonymity for a sociable introvert like me. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. David: As trite as it might sound, its difficult for me to pinpoint just one memorable experience from my time at Yale so Ill instead list a series of serendipitous, life-changing events that you can expect as a Yale student: By October of my freshman year, I was working at a neurobiology lab because my classmate in general chemistry (a high school friend) had a personal connection with the lab director (her mother). By the end of junior year, I had taken two classes with Joan Steitz, whose excellent teaching and pioneering work in biochemistry inspired my own interest in the field. Then, in the final weeks of my senior year, I registered a certain Joseph G. Gall (BS 48, PhD 52) to his 65th Reunion while working as a student clerk with the Association of Yale Alumni. The name sounded familiar to me from my coursework in cellular biology and biochemistry, so I looked him up and realized that he had not only pioneered a technique that I had learned at the Vaccarino lab (in situ hybrid ization, a widely-used technique that helped establish the field of cellular biology), but had devoted his entire career to helping promising young women (including Joan Steitz) break into the male-dominated field of biology. In short, Yale is the kind of place where inspiration and personal enlightenment are only a matter of walking around campus or sitting in class to cross paths with generations of scholars and leaders who are eager to share their talents with the world. Check out Davids tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

4 Singing Exercises to Practice Dynamics

4 Singing Exercises to Practice Dynamics Suzy S. As a singer, understanding and utilizing dynamics can turn a mediocre performance into a great one. Read on to learn some singing exercises to practice, as shared by Augustine, FL voice teacher  Heather L... Dynamics is a word that comes from the Greek word dynamo, meaning power. In the context of general music, we use it as a term for how loud or soft sounds are. Dynamics can make or break a song. Frankly, in the world of singing, sometimes the lack of or presence of dynamics can make a difference in whether a singer is regarded as great or not. Think of the best singers in the world and Ill bet that many have a tremendous sense of dynamics. The improvement of the use of dynamics in our singing voices comes right down to a word that I dont typically like to use as a voice teacher: control. The simple passing use of this word can often, maybe subconsciously, cause a singer to tense and strain. Control, however, is truly the thing that enables us to do much with our voices. Just make sure to maintain a free and open sound as you incorporate the concept of control in the following singing exercises. Learn and Practice Messa di Voce Perhaps the best singing exercise to help improve your vocal dynamics is messa di voce, an Italian phrase meaning place the voice.  To sing a messa di voce, you sustain one single pitch, getting louder, then softer.  The proper musical terms for getting louder and softer are crescendo and diminuendo, respectively.  Decrescendo is a word created in modern times to mean become softer, but it is not an Italian word or a proper musical term.  When using this exercise, be sure, as always, to use a warm, resonant sound and to stay connected to your breath. Remember, your sound begins at the bottom of the pelvic floor. Keep your shoulders floating in place; do not allow them to rise. Lip Trill Like a Revving Engine Another singing exercise to practice dynamics is singing lip trills, or lip bubbles, using messa di voce.  This is a great one that I learned from Celine Dion. Begin with a low breath, filling up your torso all the way around. Start at a comfortable low/middle position in your voice, trill up to a comfortable high point, and begin to sail down to your lowest register. As you slowly sail down in pitch, make stops along the way. On those stops, crescendo and then diminuendo. Itll sound a lot like a old drag car revving its engine! Not only does this singing exercise improve your ability to sing dynamically, but it will also help to warm up and strengthen your singing muscles. Laugh Out Loud Speaking of strengthening exercises, its essential that the muscles of your torso are strong enough for the control thats needed for great dynamics. Sing short ha, ha, ha sequences on a descending scale, making each ha very short, but warm and round. Youll notice quite a jumpy motion from your tummy as you instinctively work to produce short bursts of air. Yow-wow-wow In this exercise, youll sing a single pitch on yow-wow-wow with a loose, open jaw, as if youve just touched a hot stove. This loosens the face, especially your joints, which is vitally important in preventing tension. Lastly, remember that singing dynamics comes not only from phonationthe pitched sounds that our vocal folds producebut also from articulation. Our articulators are our teeth, our tongue, and our lips. To be clear, crisp articulation should be an inherent part of your singing voice.  You can use it, though, to sound even louder or softer than your phonation is. And as always, be yourself and sing with your own voice. Heather L. teaches singing, piano, acting, and more in Saint Augustine, FL, as well as through online lessons. She is  a graduate of the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has performed with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey and Virginia Symphonies, the American Boy Choir, and the internationally renowned opera star Andrea Bocelli. Learn more about Heather 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  whartonds

Find Yourself a Kickboxing Club in London

Find Yourself a Kickboxing Club in London Looking for a Kickboxing Coach in London? Here are Your Best Options ChaptersWhy Join a Kickboxing Club?The Best Kickboxing Clubs in London.London is a city in which you can learn pretty much any subject or discipline you want. And in which, for whatever discipline you choose, you’ll find heaps and heaps of choice.This applies to all subjects under the sun. However, it applies also to kickboxing, the style of martial art and self defense technique that is becoming ever more popular day by day.That little fact really shouldn’t be particularly surprising. With over eight million people spread out over six hundred square miles, of course there are going to be plenty of opportunities to study and train in the discipline that inspires you.Kickboxing, meanwhile, is a discipline that needs to have a whole load of different options available. Because kickboxing, in itself, is not a single, monolithic thing. Rather, it’s a catch-all term for lots of different martial arts and self-defense techniques â€" from Muay Thai kickboxing to Glory, from fitness ki ckboxing to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, even from karate and taekwondo to savate.And for each of these micro-disciplines â€" with their different rules regarding punching, grappling, and full contact â€" usually has their own gym, studio, and professional trainers.Hence the choice.And if you want to get into the world of these most elegant of martial arts styles, you’re going to need to find a kickboxing club that works for you.Here are some of the best clubs in London for kickboxing and for martial arts in general. We hope you find it helpful!If you want to read about kickboxing classes in Manchester or kickboxing training in Birmingham, follow the links. Workout like a champion of kickboxing! AndreyBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KostiaBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LeeBoxing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SajBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KaranBoxing Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThomasBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HaileyBoxing Teacher 4.50 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Join a Kickboxing Club?The mixed martial arts â€" including kickboxing â€" have a bit of a bad reputation among parts of ‘polite’ society. Obviously, they are associated with violence â€" which doesn’t sit well with particular sectors of the population.However, these people underestimate and ignore the simply wonderful benefits of kickboxing and martial arts training. It’s not all punches to the head, sparring, and bloody noses.Rather, these sports do absolute wonders for your physical fitness, your self-confidence and self-discipline, and your self-respect. Alongside the work this high-intensity, dynamic sport does for your fat-burning, your muscle-building, and your cardio, the fighting techniques and defense skills it offers help your mental health, self-esteem, and your general sense of well-being.However, the thing about kickboxing â€" and about any attempt to learn self-defense at all â€" is that you can’t really do it on your own. You can’t get to black belt by just punching a punchbag â€" and you probably won’t get in your best shape if you don’t find a martial arts instructor to train you in the science of fitness.In the meantime, by the way, you’ll find martial arts classes to be super social, supportive, and incredibly enjoyable â€" benefits that you might not get when just training by yourself.Read about kickboxing classes in Glasgow and kickboxing training in Belfast!The Best Kickboxing Clubs in London.But let’s cut to the chase. Where in London are the best places to find kickboxing training? Where is best to go for Muay Thai or for American kickboxing? And how on earth would you choose between one and another?Here, we’re showing you the best options in town. Among them, you’ll find a martial arts school near you and in the fighting styles that float your boat.Find a Kickboxing Instructor at Urban Kings Kickboxing, London.In central London, just near King’s Cross, you’ll find the Urban Kings Kickboxing gym. They are a professional and reliable outfit, offering a class schedule packed with different types of martial arts.Alongside kickboxing â€" in which they specialise in Glory rules â€" they offer training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), capoeira, mixed martial arts in general, and disciplines like yoga, pilates, and animal flow.Start at any level at all â€" and you’ll only begin sparring when you are ready. Different types of kickboxing have different rules - by the wayJoin KO Combat Academy for Kickboxing Classes.Just down the road from Stepney Green sits the KO Combat Academy, a martial arts gym focusing on MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai and kickboxing â€" alongside general fitness, personal training, yoga, and nutritional advice.With a range of beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, there are plenty of opportunities to find a level that suits you â€" as we know that starting out in the martial arts can be a little intimidating.You’re in safe hands here. They are accredited â€" and have produced a whole load of kickboxing champions.Take Kickboxing Lessons at Xen-Do Kickboxing.Xen-Do Martial Arts are really a big deal, with four gyms and training spaces across London â€" in Baker Street, Marylebone, Goodge Street, and Mayfair.This is not the sort of intimidating martial arts gym that you’ll have seen in Rambo or similar films. It is a really welcoming environment for people of all leve ls, ages, and genders.Xen-Do will help your martial arts skills whilst helping you to develop your self-control, to build confidence, and to get dead fit.Try Fitness and Martial Arts at KB Kickboxing.A specialist kickboxing gym in Euston â€" literally right next to the station â€" KB Kickboxing focuses on fitness and control, and on the spiritual or at least non-physical elements of kickboxing.This isn’t as strange as it sounds: the martial arts aren’t simply about how hard you can kick or punch. Rather, they are about how you can control your body and the attitude that you bring to your sport.Another gym that prides itself on its welcoming environment, it’s a great place to go if you don’t want to spar.Check Out Boxe-Française / Savate at Savate London.Savate London is based just a couple of minutes down the road from Bermondsey tube station.These guys, obviously, do something a little different to the run of the mill kickboxing classes; Savate, really, is a different spor t altogether.Based on the French tradition of street-fighting, Savate is quite distinct from Muay Thai and other forms of martial arts. Its emphasis is on elegance and movement â€" and here at Savate London you’ll be training with some of the best fighters in the world.Find a Private Kickboxing Instructor at Superprof.If you don’t want to attend a gym, however, there’s a different way to learn kickboxing. That’s with your own private boxing instructor.At Superprof, we connect students with enthusiastic, experienced, and friendly tutors of over a thousand different subjects. Kickboxing â€" including Savate, American kickboxing, and Muay Thai â€" is precisely one of those subjects.Across London, there are three kickboxing tutors available for hire. All you have to do is search your subject, pick your tutor, and get in touch. The first session is free!Check out the kickboxing classes available in Cardiff and the kickboxing opportunities across the UK! The things you'll need to make the most of your kickboxing lessons.Try Muay Thai at the London Fight Factory.If you are looking for Muay Thai specialist instructors, you could also check out the London Fight Factory just off Old Street.These guys offer classes in this dynamic, full-contact sport for beginners, intermediate fighters, and the more advanced. Go along and check out what this ‘art of eight limbs’ is all about before you get started.Learn Kickboxing at Paragon Gym, London.The Paragon Gym is just a couple of minutes’ walk from Shoreditch High Street tube and is home to kickboxing and boxing training â€" in group sessions, private lessons, or sparring workshops.You’ll find all the support here you’ll need to progress in your kickboxing style â€" and get really pretty ripped in the meantime.Like all martial arts locations these days, they provide yoga sessions too â€" to help you warm down.Start Beginner Kickboxing at Springhealth London.Up in Camden, Springhealth L ondon provides beginner kickboxing and fitness classes to anyone at all who is interested.With courses in beginner kickboxing running over six weeks â€" but with the opportunity to train up to three times a week on top â€" Springhealth provide a great grounding in all things martial arts.They are relaxed and welcoming bunch too â€" and they complement their kickboxing training with Tabata and other workout techniques.Get in Shape with Kickboxing Classes at London Kickboxing.London Kickboxing offer classes to kids and adults in Chiswick, Ealing, and Bedford Park â€" usually in schools and sports halls in the area.Besides the knowledge of the kickboxing discipline itself, you’ll be learning key aspects of self-defense and personal training in general.Get Fit with Kickboxing Exercise Classes at Flykick.‘Inspired by kickboxing’ is the important thing to note about Euston Road’s Flykick. Rather than the strict martial art itself, Flykick offer exercises classes that borrow elemen ts from the martial art.That’s not to say anything bad about them at all â€" as their exercise regime and philosophy seems to be incredibly effective.

Using Maths to Help You Manage Your Money

Using Maths to Help You Manage Your Money Why Learning Maths is an Essential Part of Organising Your Finances ChaptersThe Link Between Maths and MoneyLearn Maths to Boost Your UnderstandingHow Maths Can Help Gambling AddictsMaths vs State of MindUnsolved Maths ProblemsDid you ever wonder why maths was so important in school?Mathematics and other scientific disciplines seem to be national curriculum royalty, with a good grade in GCSE maths being championed by many universities and workplaces. Make sure to study hard for maths revision GCSE.But what are the uses of math in real life?Are mathematically-minded people necessarily more intelligent?Are they more successful?You could be incredibly talented in subjects such as music and literature but be stumped when it comes to maths.However, learning maths will give you an advantage in managing your finances.So, let’s find out how good knowledge of maths can help you understand money and improve your budgeting skills!Whatever your age, you’ll have noticed that when it comes to maths, there are two types of people: those who love it, and those w ho hate it.If you still hate maths long after graduating and have nightmares about never-ending polynomial long division or all the theorems you have to memorise, we assure you that it doesn’t have to be like this.French screenwriter Olivier Peyon made a documentary named ‘How I Hated Maths’, which explored our perception of maths and the common distaste for the subject.However, in the report he worked to simplify certain problems, using his creativity rather than, as he called it, rigidity, to find an answer.Mathematicians are always the first to say “don’t believe in any authority, just check your answer for yourself”. Maths exercises at school and in everyday life we use numbers for proof.Maths as we know it and the idea of freedom shared among mathematicians is a bridge to starting the discussion of budgeting.Financial freedom begins when you escape the grasp of your money, and this can only happen by controlling your budget.So how should you look after your money an d budget using maths? Can supplemental maths lessons help? MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Link Between Maths and MoneyIn the film Moneyball featuring Brad Pitt, director Bennett Miller tells the true story which is captivating, to say the least. At the centre of the film is a software with precise data and statistics which causes chaos in the market for baseball players.Billy Beane, the general manager of Oakland Athletics, hires a young graduate to help him in his search for an IT programme containing the details of each and every performance of every US baseball player.This was big news when it happened. At the time, Oakland was the equivalent of a champion’s league team in football. The software allowed them to hire under-valued athletes for a cheaper price.You find it in sport, IT, and technology. Maths really is everywhere! ¦ source: Pixabay - Photo-MixSometime later, Oakland beat the historic record of matches won in a row by a club.Whether it’s at school, in sport or in your day-to-day life, maths really is everywhere!Managing your budget, saving money, and requesting a loan are all to do with maths. With each aspect, there are estimations and allowances to make, tax to calculate, interest to add, the list goes on! This is exactly why a good command of maths is useful for finance.School teachers and maths tutors  teach you maths as a child, and you carry those skills with you for the rest of your life.Learn Maths to Boost Your UnderstandingMaths doesn’t only help you make sense of how numbers relate to each other, but it also can help you make sense of and manage your financial situation.We start to develop our maths skills from an incredibly young age, and the basic knowledge of numbers and values gives children the tools to go further, discover calculation and geometry.Maths plays an enormous role in day-to-day life. Each and every business needs maths to avoid a state of chaos. With maths, you can construct buildings and build roads as well as efficiently manage your personal budget.This starts from infancy, where babies are able to recognise differences in value. This gives us the tools to tell the difference between a £1 coin and a £20 note as well as eventually manage the money in our bank accounts.And what about arithmetic?Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. These are the basic skills which come under the title of ‘arithmetic’ , and the ones you will use most once you leave the education system.To know where you are with your money each month, you should set a budget. To do this, you should work out how much money you need for your accommodation, the weekly food shop, summer holiday spending money, and how much you need for clothing, amongst other things.Maths is more than essential when it comes to your money, as it helps you avoid overspending and having to ask to borrow money. Without mathematics, you risk not being able to put enough money away for the future or agreeing to a shoddy interest rate at the bank, for example. MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Gowsi kaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Maths Can Help Gambling AddictsTwo researchers from a polytechnic school in Milan have been giving maths lessons to gambling addicts to help them understand the risks they are taking.In 2012, the annual Health Survey for England concluded that over 60% of adults had gambled in the past 12 months.But there is more to this.Researchers explain that the understanding of probability is an effective way of avoiding addiction. Learning about logical thinking and risk is a recommended escape route for gamblers.Understanding risk can minimise the trouble caused by gambling ¦ source: Pixabay - fielpersonBy taking maths lessons, you learn to make sense of the chance you have of winning a game.For example, you have as much chance of winning the lottery as you have of choos ing a red football blindfolded from a pitch of 600 million white ones.Knowing that around 3 in 5 people have risked their own money in the past year by gambling, you should be able to appreciate how maths is useful in assessing risk.And, as we keep mentioning, maths is everywhere!Maths vs State of MindIf you find maths useful in managing your money, having a negative state of mind can destroy this in just a few days.You may be brilliant in your maths lessons, however, if you act impulsively, you risk harming the health of your finances.If you spend all of your money on anything, you are living above your meanImpulsivity is a psychological issue.A negative mindset can harm progress when it comes to study skills and maths revision.If you don’t know why you are buying something, then there is a problem.If you regret a purchase the following day, there is a long-term danger of needless spending becoming a habit.If  at the end of the month, you are struggling financially even when you are able to use maths to understand your spending habits, then there is a problem.Even maths teachers can have money problems. Why? Because when you neglect the psychology of spending money, you ignore the need to control your spending.Let’s take advertising as an example. Are you under the impression that adverts and campaigns don’t affect your spending habits? Do your friends and colleagues also insist that they are unaffected by advertising?In reality, advertising continues to develop and play a part in our lives, even if it is unwanted, and this is for one simple reason.Adverts play to our egos and flatter us in order to influence our behaviour.focus on facts and be realistic about your spending ¦ source: Pixabay - stevepbSo how should you avoid giving in to temptation and better manage your finances? The best method is to approach your learning of maths with a positive and open state of mind.The part of your mind that manages your money grows with small gestures. This star ts by taking ownership of your actions and establishing self-control when it comes to your spending.By maintaining a good frame of mind, you will be able to help yourself better manage your finances with maths. However, even if you have a good command of maths but a negative mindset, inevitably you will be at risk of falling into difficulty.Unsolved Maths ProblemsMathematics is an infinite discipline, are there remain many unsolved math problems.The Clay Mathematics Institute of Cambridge, Massachusetts have 7 ‘Millennium prize problems’ with a reward of $1 Million for whoever produces an answer to any of them.That’s $1 million for each unresolved mathematical problem! There are 7 prizes for 7 problems on important issues that have never been solved.How about that for good management of your finances?Of course, we are only jokingly suggesting that this is a way to avoid financial trouble.But what if learning maths could help you get out of debt?Understanding mathematics and ha ving a positive mindset helps you intelligently manage your money.There are two very simple ways to ensure healthy finances in the long term:Don’t spend money you don’t have and live within your meansInvest early enough to ensure a good pension when the time comes for you to retireIt’s true that freedom begins when you are no longer a slave to the money, however, don’t forget that freedom comes with education and applying the skills you learn.So, get out your textbooks and get to work! If you need additional help, search for 'maths tutors near me' with Superprof.

English vocabulary for renting an apartment - English Lesson via Skype

English vocabulary for renting an apartment - English Lesson via Skype Those of you who are renting or have rented property in the past will be only too aware of the  problems and pitfalls   that await you. The rental market  varies from country to country but the issues and problems are very similar. Hopefully, this short English vocabulary for renting accommodation will help you if you need to rent a property in an English speaking country.Read the text to practise your English reading comprehension.You will find the meaning of the bolded words below. Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: English Vocabulary for Renting an Apartment The person wishing to rent a property is known as the tenant. The person who owns the property  you eventually rent is known as the landlord.There is a lot of work to be done in advance. Where do you wish to live (area or location), what size  apartment do you require (number of rooms), which floor do you wish to be on (level), which  direction do you wish to face (North, South, East or West), and of course what is  your expected budget   is it in your price range?Armed with this information you then set about  to search on the very many websites that  are available and advertise the properties that are in the market. Some people prefer to use the  services of a property agent as this can save time and avoid the need to look at properties that do  not meet your criteria. Alternatively you can look at the individual  properties listed and contact the landlord directly to arrange a viewing. Some landlords operate through management companies so  you will often view the property in the company of his agent and other potential tenants.Where you discover that the properties are all a little too expensive for you on your own you may  prefer to share with someone and therefore look for a roommate or a flatmate. English Vocabulary related to Renting You have to be quick as the market is generally busy with lots of potential tenants and not enough  properties.The early bird catches the worm  so you  have to be up and about early to get the property you want.Once you have chosen  the  property you want you make an offer  and hope the landlord is happy with you.They often need a bank reference, an employer reference,  proof of income  and other details.You sign a lease agreement  which sets out the terms the monthly  rent, the heating, water and electricity costs and the do’s and don’ts.Normally you pay a deposit  in advance which the  landlord will hold in case of any missed rents (you do not pay) or damage that might be caused (broken furniture, glass etc).The property can be furnished or unfurnished. After all of this you are ready to move in  and you have a roof over  your head. New Vocabulary for Renting an Apartment pitfall difficultyrental market  properties available to renttenant the person wishing to rent a propertylandlord the person who owns the property  you eventually rentexpected budget  how much are you willing to payprice range  the amount you can afford to payto set about to begincriteria minimum requirementto arrange a viewing  to visit the property to see  if it really is as described in the advertother potential tenants others who wish to rent the property alsoroommate/flatmate  a person/friend   to share  the costs of renting with youthe early bird catches the worm   first to see the property will have an advantagechosen selectedto make an offer to indicate to the landlord that you wish to take the propertybank reference proof that you operate  your account properlyemployer reference   proof that you have employment and are reliableproof of income salary statement to show you can pay the rentlease agreement contract between you and the landlorddo’s and don’ts   what you can and cannot do  in the apartmentdeposit usually 1 or 2 months rentfurnished or unfurnished  with or without  furnitureroof over  your head   a place to call your ownto move in   to start living there

Overcoming Test Anxiety with Mindful Relaxation Techniques

Overcoming Test Anxiety with Mindful Relaxation Techniques Improving Academic Performance At MyGuru, we understand full well the importance of confidence and anxiety management in helping students achieve their full potential on standardized tests (and all tests, for that matter). We often talk about testing performance being driven by three factors: How well do you know the content (i.e., the facts, formulas, and concepts to apply to the questions you’ll be asked How strong are your test taking skills (i.e., quick calculations, time management, intelligent guessing, deep understanding of question types and typical traps, etc.) How confident and focused are you on test day (i.e., not stressed, not anxious, fully engaged, calm, etc.) We typically address point 3 above through practice and repetition. Practice creates automaticity, so students are comfortable recalling facts or concepts and working through calculations without second guessing themselves, which reduces the chances that doubt or anxiety will start to appear in any significant way during the exam. The more times you’ve practiced under timed testing environments, the more comfortable you’ll be in the actual environment on test day. This alone can go a very long way in reducing stress and anxiety and buoying confidence for most test takes. However, there have been practitioners of breathing techniques to relax the body and improve focus for thousands of years (i.e., meditation, yoga, mindfulness…even hypnosis), and in our view, these techniques are incredible underutilized by students. This guest post discusses how one practitioner uses these techniques and what the process is all about. The author, John Hankey, is a certified hypnotherapist, Master Practitioner of NLP and registered 200-hour yoga instructor. He graduated with a B.S in applied mathematics from Stanford, an M.S. in Financial Economics from Oxford and spent three years on Wall Street before switching careers to become a coach. He has studied and incorporates Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Reiki and Conscious Language into his methodology. I specialize in helping students overcome issue-specific stress, usually in 3-5 sessions or less. Sessions begin with 10 minutes of deep relaxation. Entering this state of presence enables the participant to change at deeper levels with greater ease. Relaxation improves the student’s body awareness and gives them a stronger understanding for how they will feel when their situation has been resolved (much more relaxed). From here, I have students imagine that they are actually taking the test. As soon as they do so, their body begins to tense up. Their subconscious mind does not know the difference between fantasy and reality and therefore thinks the test is happening right now. Our work focuses on the body. Where specifically does the student feel tense? Part by part, we use techniques to enable the student to progressively relax while maintaining the visualization. Eventually, students are able to see and feel and experience themselves taking the test feeling totally and completely relaxed. This shift in internal response corresponds to a transformation in how they experience themselves during the actual examination. Once we establish their desired state, they are off and running. Physical relaxation addresses the mental realm as well! Negative thought patterns result from interior tension. Positive thought patterns and mental clarity result from interior relaxation, a concept that yogis, meditators and martial artists have known for millennia. Furthermore, unwinding test anxiety transfers out into all examination scenarios. Once their test-taking state is exactly how they wish it to be, we can focus on another area of their lives: doing homework, relating to friends at school, nutrition…anything. I have had many clients stay with me for a number of sessions as we systematically upgrade and transform their performance in many, many areas of life. This revolutionary approach represents a new paradigm, a shift in focus for our society. The degree to which we can relax in any given moment is the barometer for our overall health, well-being and vitality. Improving this skill, strengthening our capacity for relaxation like a muscle is the foundation for our personal growth for people of all ages. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

8 Things to Do Before Bed to Make Your Mornings More Organzied!

8 Things to Do Before Bed to Make Your Mornings More Organzied! Avoid running out of the house to catch the bus with your shoes half tied and your homework falling out of your bag! What a nightmare! With these 10 easy habits, your mornings will be filled with Eggos and morning cartoons and you'll never be late to school again!1. Make sure your homework for the next day is on top and easy to find! You don't want to get a bad grade just because you forgot to put your assignment in your notebook!2. Take your old, graded assignments out of your binders. But don't throw them away! Keep them somewhere safe so you can find them when it's time for your year end tests!3. Pack your backpack, zip it up, and put it by the front door!4. Review your schedule for the next day. Do you have any important tests or quizzes? Soccer practice after school? Make sure you pack that calculator for your math test and your cleats for your game.5. Lay our your clothes before your go to bed. Find that stylish outfit and have it ready to go the next morning.6. Make your lunch ahead of time! Don't worry about the hassle of figuring it out the morning of. Pack it up the night before.7.Set your alarm! Don't forget the most important tool in getting to school on time. Give yourself a buffer in the morning so you don't always feel rushed.8. Last but certainly not least, get to bed at a reasonable hour! Set yourself a bedtime of 8 - 8:30 and have some time without iPads, Fortnite, and tweets to decompress and set yourself up for success.

More Fun Than Quidditch Harry Potter Language Learning

More Fun Than Quidditch Harry Potter Language Learning More Fun Than Quidditch: Harry Potter Language Learning Expecto Learnonum!Okay, maybe thats not a real spell, but it should be.After all, Harry Potter can help you learn languages, and were not just talking about Parseltongue.Of all the language learning books  on the market, its possible that none will charm you quite like the boy wizard can.You dont even have to settle for just reading the books. With audiobooks and movies out there, too, your learning options are nearly as limitless as your powers should you possess the legendary Elder Wand.So its time to cast a spell on your language learning! Heres all you need to know to improve your language skills with Harry Potter. Why Use Harry Potter for Language Learning?First of all, Harry Potter is available in a wide variety of languages. In fact, Harry Potter books are available in a total of 80 languages, ranging from widely spoken languages like French and Spanish to less common languages like Hawaiian. Youre unlikely to find many novels published in more languages than Harry Potter.Pl us, the plot will be familiar to Potter fans, so you dont need to rely as heavily on your language skills. Because you already know the story, Harry Potter can read more like an  easy language book  than other novels at its approximate difficulty level. And if youre not needing to focus as heavily on following the plot, you can dedicate your focus more to understanding the language.Not only that, the Harry Potter series will familiarize you with some less common terms that youre unlikely to encounter in your normal study routine. Wizard, werewolf, unicorn and more. While those words are fairly recognizable in English, theres a strong chance that even advanced language students dont know them in their target languages because they simply havent had a need for them yet.However, Harry Potter makes extensive use of some terms that you may be familiar with in English but not your target language, making it an excellent way to expand your vocabulary (and infuse it with a little magical fu n).Reading Harry Potter in another language also gives you fun bragging rights. Reading books in your native language is cool, but reading books in your target language  is much cooler. And with so many Potterheads out there, chances are that someone you know will be super impressed by your accomplishment. But be warned: They may ask you to share their favorite spells in your target language.As an added bonus, the books get more difficult as you go. If you arent terribly familiar with reading in a foreign language, it can be challenging at first. Luckily, since the Harry Potter books start out relatively easy before getting increasingly challenging, your skills will improve as the reading level of the books increases. You can think of it as the earlier books giving you the reading practice you need to prepare you for the later books.How to Get the Most out of Your Harry Potter Language Learning ExperienceUse multiple versions of Harry PotterThere are plenty of versions of Harry Pott er available. You might read the books, listen to the audiobooks or watch the movies. And dont worry: You wont need to use a sorting hat to choose just one to which youll be permanently bound. Instead, use as many versions of Harry Potter as you can. Reading Harry Potter can give you valuable reading practice. The audiobooks give you excellent listening practice that you can enjoy anywhere. The movies also give you listening practice with the added benefit of giving you a visual context to help understand any words or phrases you dont immediately recognize.When it comes to learning a language with Harry Potter, you cant go wrong with any of the available options, even if the movies do omit some valuable plots and scenes that definitely, definitely should have made the cut. (Not that were bitter!)Go through each book/movie in orderReading, listening or watching out of order can obviously be confusing. But beyond that, reading, listening or watching in order is a valuable way for lang uage learners to prepare themselves for whats next in the series. The books become increasingly advanced. The movies get increasingly dark. All in all, starting at the very beginning is an important way to ease yourself into the Wizarding World in your target language.Plus, starting at the beginning can familiarize you with magical vocabulary before the plots get more complex. You dont want to be trying to learn tricky vocabulary when you have to give your full focus to the Battle of Hogwarts!Have an English copy of the work handy for referenceHaving an English version of Harry Potter handy can make reading, listening or watching infinitely less intimidating. The two works can act sort of like  dual-language childrens booksâ€"you can do as much as possible in your target language, but if things get a little overwhelming, you have your trusted English version at the your fingertips to clarify things.Plus, lets be real: The goddess J.K. Rowling made up an awful lot of words and phrase s. In your native language, you can adjust to these. However, in your target language, you might not be sure when a word or phrase is invented versus when you just dont have it in your foreign vocabulary yet. Having an English copy handy can help you read through any tricky scenes in English to deduce which words and phrases are made up.Maintain a special vocabulary list to keep track of unfamiliar wordsDont let a rogue bludger throw your reading off track! Maintain a list of unfamiliar words. Better yet, consider two separate lists.One list should focus on Potter-specific words, like Quidditch vocabulary, spells, potions and charms. These words wont necessarily benefit your vocabulary in your target language. However, maintaining your own reference list can save you time when you encounter this vocabulary again.The second list should focus on vocabulary in your target language that does exist outside of the Wizarding World, like mythical creatures, magical terms and any other unfam iliar vocabulary you encounter. Then, you can look up these words in a dictionary for a more precise definition and study the terms so that you never forget them.After youve finished one book or movie, create a flashcard deck for it so you can review all the new vocabulary youve learned.Looking for a unique flashcard resource? Check out FluentU.  For the most part, FluentU is known for its authentic language videos, which  make it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news, inspiring talks and more.With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contextsâ€"the way that native speakers actually use them.Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word youre studying.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes store  or  Google Play store.Read/write reviews and summaries in your target languageYour language learning doesnt need to stop when the books, audiobooks and/or movies end! Since Harry Potter is so popular, you can keep your language learning on a roll by reading and writing reviews in your target language.Harry Potter has fans all over the world, so by searching the title in your target language, you can generally find a website where users can post reviews. Read what others have to say about your favorite work, or better yet, write your own review or summary to get valuable writing practice that employs some of the awesome vocabulary you just learned.More Fun Than Quidditch: Harry Potter Language LearningThe Harry Potter BooksThe benefits of learning with the Harry Potter booksThe books of Harry Potter are available in a massive variety of languages and are one of the best Harry Potter learning tools out there.Theyre particularly ideal for language learners who have already read the novels in English. This way, youll already know what happens and when.One major benefit of learning a language with the Harry Potter novels is that theyre readily available. You dont have to shop internationally to purchase them, and while th eyre pricier than the English-language editions, they arent prohibitively expensive.Foreign language Harry Potter books are often available in print editions, which provide some additional opportunities for language learning. For instance, whenever you dont know a word and need to look it up, write its meaning in the margins of the page. That way, the next time you read through the book, if youve forgotten a word, youll already have its meaning handy.You might also want to dogear pages with your favorite quotations and underline them. Then, you can go back through and memorize your favorite lines. Not only will this be a cool party trick, it can also give you valuable models for grammar rules. Plus, you can never know Dumbledores quotable wisdom in too many languages.E-books are also widely available,  meaning you can start reading immediately and have the convenience of reading on your favorite device (which may or may not also have a handy translator on it). Plus, these e-books ar e usually more affordable than print copies.For the sake of this list, weve linked to the Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone/Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone for each language. From there, you can generally find the subsequent novels in the Customers who bought this item also bought section. You can also find additional novels by searching Harry Potter and the name of your target language.When available, weve also included the complete set.Where to find the Harry Potter books in foreign languagesPottermorePottermore, J.K. Rowlings digital company, is an unbeatable source for Harry Potter e-books in a huge array of languages.The Pottermore website also makes browsing by language easy. Simply select your language from the book language drop down menu to see books in your target language. Not all the books are available in all of the languages. However, you might also hit the jackpot and find that your target language also has the complete set of books available.Barnes NobleB arnes Noble may not be the most popular online bookseller, but if youre unsure of what language or languages you want to buy the Harry Potter books in, Barnes Noble is much easier to browse than other vendors (were giving you the side-eye, Amazon).In fact, all the foreign language Harry Potter editions are grouped together on one page. Barnes Noble offers a mixture of hard copy and downloadable NOOK books, and most of the prices are quite affordable.AmazonYouve got to love shopping on Amazon, particularly for the great prices! Here are links to editions in multiple languages:Arabic  ???? ???? ???? ????????Chinese  ????-??????French  Harry Potter à lécole des sorciersThe complete set can be purchased in French if you already know youre going to love it.German  Harry Potter und der Stein der WeisenDont worry! The complete set can be bought in German.Italian  Harry Potter e la pietra filosofaleYou can also purchase the complete set of books in Italian.Japanese  ????????????T he complete set  of Harry Potter books is available in Japanese.Korean  ????? ???? ?Portuguese  Harry Potter e a Pedra FilosofalYou can also enjoy the complete set  in Portuguese.Russian  ????? ?????? ? ??????????? ??????The complete set  of books can also be purchased in Russian. But can we just take a moment to observe the fact that Harrys name is Gary in Russian? Okay, sure, thats just how the name is translated, but it does change the feel a little.Spanish  Harry Potter y la piedra filosofalIf you cant get enough of Harry Potter in Spanish, consider buying the complete set.The Harry Potter AudiobooksThe benefits of learning with the Harry Potter audiobooksHarry Potter audiobooks are another terrific learning option.Because theyre oral readings of the books, theyre longer and feature more vocabulary than the movies. Plus, you can enjoy them hands free, making them a great companion for your next road trip or flight.To get the most out of listening to a Harry Potter audiobook, consider giving each chapter your full attention the first time you listen. Replay passages you dont understand until you can make out each word. Then, jot down any words you dont know and look them up in a dictionary. You might even keep a copy of the printed book handy and read along as you listen so that you have an easier time understanding exactly whats being said.Once youve dissected the chapter fully, listen to it again whenever you like. Since youve already familiarized yourself with the material, youll have an easier time understanding the spoken language.The main downside of Harry Potter audiobooks is that they arent as readily available as the novels themselves, so you wont have quite as many language options to choose from. Again, for each language available, weve linked to the first work in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone/Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. However, other works in the series are also available.Where to find the Harry Potter audiob ooks in foreign languagesPottermoreJ.K. Rowling is back at it again with her awesome website. Pottermore makes it easy to acquire audiobooks of Harry Potter in 10 different languages, including French, German, Italian and Japanese. You can browse the entire collection of foreign language audiobooks or filter by your language of choice.Once you purchase an audiobook, you can download it to your favorite device for easy listening. But be warned: the audiobooks are much pricier than the e-books.Other ResourcesFrench  Harry Potter à lécole des sorciersGerman  Harry Potter und der Stein der WeisenItalian  Harry Potter e la pietra filosofaleJapanese  ????????????This audiobook is found on the Japanese Audible page, so youll need some Japanese skills to navigate.Portuguese  Harry Potter e a Pedra FilosofalRussian  ????? ?????? ? ??????????? ??????This Russian audiobook is available through a Russian language website, so youll need to use your Russian skills to get to the goods. But your hard work will pay off: You can listen to audio of the entire book (and subsequent novels) for free!Spanish  Harry Potter y la piedra filosofalThe Harry Potter MoviesThe benefits of learning with the Harry Potter moviesHarry Potter movies can bring you hours of enjoyment and valuable language learning material.But while the Harry Potter movies are available dubbed into a wide array of languages, youll need to work a little harder to get your hands on them. Most of these options are only available abroad, which means youll have to either pick up DVDs on your travels or order them online and have them shipped internationally. Sometimes, you might need to use your language skills just to purchase the DVD.However, once youve used the accio charm to make the DVDs yours, there are plenty of great ways to use them for language learning.One fun way is to have a viewing party with your language learning friends. First, watch a movie in English, then watch it in your target language. T his way, it will still be fresh in your mind, making it easier to understand. And with eight Harry Potter movies, youll have plenty of material to keep your weekends full of learning fun.Where to find the Harry Potter movies in foreign languagesChinese  ????-??????French  Harry Potter à lécole des sorciersWant a fun learning resource you can use right away? This YouTube playlist  is designed to help French students learn from Harry Potter clips.German  Harry Potter und der Stein der WeisenItalian  Harry Potter e la pietra filosofaleJapanese  ????????????Korean  ????? ???? ?Portuguese  Harry Potter e a Pedra FilosofalRussian  ????? ?????? ? ??????????? ??????You can also buy the complete set of movies for DVD or Blu-RaySpanish  Harry Potter y la piedra filosofalGuess what? You might already have the Spanish dubbed DVD in your collection! Thats because this widescreen edition comes with Spanish dubbing and subtitles. Just adjust your settings and enjoy!Whether youre a full- blood, half-blood or muggle, Harry Potter might be just the magic you need to make your language skills soar like you just got a new Nimbus 2000.