What is it Like to Attend University of Pennsylvania

What is it Like to Attend University of Pennsylvania The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jennifer is a Boston tutor who specializes in SAT prep tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, Writing tutoring, and much more. She graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 2012 with a Bachelors degree in Biochemistry as well as a Masters in Chemistry. See what she had to say about her alma mater: 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? Jennifer: Penn is an urban campus to the west of center city Philadelphia, across the Schuykill River. It is moderately sized, spanning a six-by-four block area. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes to walk from one end to the other end of campus. Penn is one of the few colleges where all of the associated schools (law, dental, medical, etc) are all on the same campus--which is extremely advantageous when it comes to taking advanced courses or participating in research. Because there are so many schools located within a small urban space, the buildings tend to be close to each other which made getting from one class to the next on time pretty easy. Penn's campus borders West Philadelphia which might raise concerns about safety. However, Penn employs one of the largest private security forces in the world. Police officers can be found patrolling the campus by bike at any given time of night and are happy to escort you back to wherever you need to go. There are cameras mounted at the intersection of every street for a ten block radius past the western edge of campus. I had no qualms about walking across campus at four in the morning. Nevertheless, one should probably still practice the common sense required of living on an urban campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jennifer: In terms of professors, I think it depends on the subject being taught. I generally tended to email TAs in my lower level science classes where the class size was well into the hundreds and generally received prompt and helpful replies. For smaller classes of under 20 people (many of my English classes and my graduate science coursework), the professors were very approachable and happy to help. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jennifer: I lived in the Quad during my freshman year (I think it's the quintessential freshman experience) and became fairly close with my hall. The dorm rooms in the quad are very nice for how old the buildings are. Most students aim for one of the three high-rises once they become upperclassmen where each unit is shared between four roommates and it's easy to hang out with other people in the same building. I moved off campus with a friend after my sophomore year and since everything is so close, still found it fairly easy to hang out with other people. From what I hear, the dining halls have improved significantly since I stopped having a meal plan, and Penn has been pushing local food and sustainability. Even without a meal plan, there is plenty to eat in the area--between the various food trucks on Spruce or 38th and the many restaurants near campus, it's easy to find whatever you're in the mood for. The Chem Cafe in the Chemistry building makes a pretty good meatball sub and if you're ever up early and want a cheap breakfast, the cafeteria at CHOP gives you a lot of food for a very reasonable price. There's also a fruit salad food truck at upper Quad gates that I'm convinced gives out more fruit than all the other fruit trucks on campus. Outside of class, the best way to meet other people is to join organizations that you're interested in. There is a huge variety of groups on campus and it's not difficult at all to find a group of people with similar interests. 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? Jennifer: There's a good mix of majors at Penn but there's no denying that Wharton Business School is a major presence. One thing that I would have to mention about any field of study at Penn is that people tend to be very career-driven; there are a lot of pre-med, pre-law, pre-something students. On-campus recruiting is a huge deal not only for the Business students but for various other majors as well. I was in the Vagelos Program for Molecular Life Sciences which allowed me to graduate with both a BA in Biochemistry and MS in Chemistry in 4 years. I thought that my academic education was pretty comprehensive--but the most important aspect of studying science at Penn was the vast number of principal investigators on campus who are willing to take on undergraduates. I learned a lot through my coursework, but I learned so much more by working and tackling my own independent research project in lab. 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? Jennifer: It's easy to socialize and make connections with new people if you put in the effort. You will probably start out by hanging out with your hall before you find the people who will become lifelong friends. Greek life does play a role in campus social life, but it's not necessarily significant. I was part of Alpha Phi Omega and made close friends there, but my closest friends tended to come from the Vagelos program. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jennifer: The pre-med advisors and Career Services were both fairly helpful. One thing that's great about Career Services is that they have many Penn-specific contacts that might be able to help push students past the initial screening process--plus the alumni network across the globe is pretty extensive. Many reputable companies definitely do recruit on campus but I don't know much about the process firsthand since I didn't participate. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jennifer: Van Pelt is the biggest library on campus and has a good number of desks/study space areas. I used Van Pelt's study room reservation system through to the end of my senior year for group projects and study groups. For individual studying, I tended to hang out with a few close friends in a conference room in the research buildings where we could spread out and use the whiteboards. There were various other libraries on campus (Fischer Fine Arts, Biomedical, Law) or areas in each dorm building that were available for study as well. 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? Jennifer: Penn is a short subway ride away from center city Philadelphia. Between the historic sites, the various museums, and the restaurant scene, there's a lot to do. Art galleries in old city open their doors for free to the public on every first Friday of each month. Philadelphia is also home to various theatre companies (Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arden, etc.) who have done some really excellent productions. If you have access to a car, Valley Forge is a quick drive away. Take advantage of the urban location of Penn's campus and spend some time in Philadelphia! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jennifer: Penn is pretty big since all of the students are congregated on one campus. For lower level classes geared towards freshmen or sophomores, the class sizes are pretty large, especially for basic science courses. When I took it, Organic Chemistry was taught by two professors with maybe around two hundred students in each class. However, the more advanced the courses got, the smaller the class size became. I had a memorable graduate Cardiovascular Biology course with 11 other students, listening to professors at the top of their field give lectures about different aspects of vasculature and metabolism. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jennifer: The most important professor I had at Penn was a Creative Writing professor that I took classes with for three semesters. From the very first time I workshopped a piece in his class, I had my entire view of creative writing swept out from under my feet. I broke down my way of writing and rebuilt it into something much more compelling, much better. He was the sort of professor who spoke quietly, who could pinpoint exactly where I could improve, who observed everything and understood me better than I did at times. He changed not only the way I write but the way I approached life, all for the better. Check out Jennifers tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Accommodation in Marrakech

Accommodation in Marrakech Where Should You Stay in Marrakech? ChaptersStaying in a Riad in MarrakechAirbnbs in MarrakechBooking a Bed in a Youth HostelCan You Camp in Marrakech?The Best Places to Find Accommodation in MarrakechThe Best Neighbourhoods in Marrakech for AccommodationStaying in Marrakech for Free“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” â€" Samuel JohnsonMarjorelle Gardens, the Palmeraie, the souks, etc. there are plenty of things for tourists to do in Marrakech. Millions of tourists visit Morocco each year and there are plenty of opportunities for them to discover Moroccan cuisine, mint tea, and Moroccan hammams.So how can you find the perfect accommodation in Marrakech?A nice flat with a terrace, guest houses, luxury riads, charming villas, deluxe apartments, campsites, etc. there are plenty of options. The choice is yours! HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaAr abic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsStaying in a Riad in MarrakechOnce you’ve booked your flights, the next step is to find your accommodation. In Morocco, like in other touristy countries, there’s no lack of accommodation for tourists and the  first place you’ll probably think of is a hotel. If you want to get the most out of your time in Morocco, you should stay in a riad. (Source: olafpictures)While Airbnb and Couchsurfing have changed how we travel, hotels still are the most common type of accommodation for holiday-goers. In Marrakech, there are plenty of different establishments.There are also hotel chains like Ibis, for example. You can stay in these hotels in the city centre for a good price. There are two in Marrakech, one by the station and another by the Palmeraie. At a cost of between £35 and £40 a night, you can enjoy a good location during your time in Marrakech.However, it’d be a shame not to stay in a riad. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses with several floors built around a central patio. The patio is often filled with flowers and a small fountain.  Riads are not just traditional houses anymore, they’re often used as hotels. If you’re staying in Marrakech, you can’t miss this relaxing and picturesque type of accommodation.  As for the price, you can get a double room from between €40 and €200 a night.Here is where you can take good Arabic courses.Airbnbs in MarrakechCreated in 2007, Airbnb allows private owners to rent a room or an entire property to travellers. The sometimes-controversial Airbnbs are now found all over the world, including in Morocco. Would you prefer the services in a hotel or the freedom of an Airbnb? (Source: HappyPlanete)In Marrakech, there are hundreds of them. Of course, there are also businesses operating on the platform as well as private owners. In the city, you can find accommodation for between £30 and £80 a night.  Airbnb is a huge advantage if you’re travelling to Marrakech as a group. The cost of accommodation doesn’t increase as the size of your group does and if a few of you are going, you can get some great accommodation for very little.Airbnb is a great way to learn more about Moroccan culture and local life, too. You can get advice from the locals about the best places to visit in Marrakech. In some instances, you’ll even also have your kitchen, something you can’t get in a hotel.  It’s a good option for larger groups.Booking a Bed in a Youth HostelYouth hostels are the go-to accommodation for travellers on a budget. These establishments offer simple accommodation and beds in dormito ries where up to 20 people stay in the same room. Of course, hostels aren’t for everyone but you can enjoy a good atmosphere, make meals for yourself, and save a lot of money.  That said, some youth hostels in Morocco are nearly as expensive as hotels or Airbnbs.In Marrakech, it’s very difficult to find accommodation cheaper than youth hostels. It’s quite easy to find youth hostels for as little as between £5 and £10 a night. Some hostels are as charming as Morocco’s typical hotels. Travellers on a budget can enjoy themselves.  Similarly, eating in Marrakech is cheap so you won’t save that much money cooking for yourself in a youth hostel. Generally, the atmosphere is the main reason to stay in a youth hostel and you can meet other travellers.Find out more about transport in Marrakech. HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free !Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCan You Camp in Marrakech?There are plenty of places to camp in the UK.But can you camp in Morocco?Of course! However, campsites aren’t in the heart of the city but there are campsites around Marrakech.Here are some campsites:Manzil La TortueThe SourceCamping FerdaousLe Relais De MarrakechCamping OurikaLes Jardins d'IssilGenerally, you’ll pay around 100Dh (around £10) for a campervan and campsites are generally out of the way outside of the city in big open spaces. There are often facilities like a pool, for example.  To get to Marrakech, many campsites offer a shuttle bus service into the city.While most campsi tes are designed with campervans in mind, some even have bungalows and other permanent structures for you to stay in.The Best Places to Find Accommodation in MarrakechHow can you book accommodation in Marrakech before you get there?Nowadays you can get a villa with a pool, a holiday flat, hotels, or a bed in a youth hostel via the internet. There are several sites where you can find accommodation without too many problems. Thanks to the internet, you can find accommodation almost anywhere in the world. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)Booking.com, for example. While mainly used for holiday-goers, the hotel comparison site allows you to sort results by price, distance from the centre, etc. travellers can get a better idea of the accommodation through reviews on the site. The advantage is that you can book accommodation but pay for it on arrival. This should give you some peace of mind on holiday. Make sure you look around for discounts. If you find the right deals, you can save a lot of money on Booking.com.Similarly, Trivago can be used for booking accommodation. Just like Booking.com, Trivago is used to compare a good number of different types of accommodation.  You can also search for accommodation in Morocco and Marrakech on Google.Finally, a little look around Airbnb is a great way to find accommodation. It’s worth it. Furthermore, you can look directly at a map to see where the accommodation is and w hen it’s available.You can also find a hotel or youth hostel once you’re there if you prefer being able to change accommodation whilst you’re there. However, be careful during the high season. You run the risk of not being able to find anywhere.The Best Neighbourhoods in Marrakech for AccommodationThe big issue when looking for accommodation is working out where to stay in a city as big as Marrakech.The Medina NeighbourhoodThe historic heart of Marrakech, Medina is built around the famous Jemaa el-Fna square. It’s one of the best neighbourhoods for discovering Marrakech. You’ll find souks, museums, and the most popular tourist attractions in the city. There are also riads where you can enjoy Moroccan culture.HivernageMarrakech’s trendy neighbourhood is great if you are already familiar with Marrakech and want to see another side of the city. However, this neighbourhood is famous for luxury hotels and isn’t accessible on every budget. On the other hand, you can enjoy so me lively nights!The Palmeraie NeighbourhoodAway from the centre, this neighbourhood is home to large villas and is great for spending a relaxing time in the city. Gardens, large private pools, etc. there’s plenty of traditional Moroccan architecture.So where will you stay when you go to Marrakech?Find out more about the cost of visiting Marrakech.Staying in Marrakech for FreeYou can also stay in Marrakech for free. Your first choice is to use “Couchsurfing”, a way to stay with locals who want to open their home to travellers in exchange for some friendly company and the occasional chat. This is a great way to discover Moroccan life. The locals know best! (Source: paulbr75)You can also go to sites like HelpX or WorkingAway and volunteer to work in youth hotels in exchange for free accommodation. Of course, you won’t get as much free time to visit the city as you’ll have to work for a few hours each day.  Finally, if you have a campervan or van, you can use the Park4Night app to find places where you can park up overnight.Now you’ve got no reason to not visit Marrakech!  With so many accommodation options such as guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, motels, you can find budget accommodation, self-catering accommodation, and all manner of holiday accommodation in Marrakech.If you're thinking about learning some Arabic, you should consider getting private Arabic tutorials from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof. Many of them offer free tutoring for the first hour so you can try a few of them and see who's best for you and who you get along with.

How To Find an Acting Coach

How To Find an Acting Coach How To Find An Acting Coach? ChaptersWhat Is An Acting Coach?How Can An Acting Coach Increase My Chances Of Success?How To Go About Finding An Acting Coach?retired, not taking on new clients or there may be new coaches on the scene that didn't get a look in when the list was published.Some lists include the price of acting lessons with that coach while others merely have some means of contacting him or her.If you do your homework, at least you know that you couldn't have done more to find your perfect acting coach.Use Every Resource PossibleIf you have friends in the industry or family members who have experience in acting roles, then you might be lucky enough to already know some coaches, or at least have some recommendations to pursue.Feedback from clients is a very good first-hand representation of what it is like to be on the receiving end of that teacher’s style of tuition. While you can’t ascertain if you will get on well just by reading others’ comments, you can get the inside scoop on what it’s l ike to be their pupil.Similarly, don't be afraid to get in touch with drama teachers past and present to ask if they know of any good coaches or agencies. All it takes is for a friend to talk to a friend and there you have it - a word of mouth recommendation!Or Let Fate Take Its CourseSome call it brave, some call it being lazy, but it is possible to find a coach without actually doing all that much... just as long as you aren't in a rush.In a complete U-turn to what has been discussed so far, there are some aspiring actors out there who let the coaches come to them. This may seem a little arrogant, but in fact, if you have time to spare then taking more time to look or wait for a coach (whether casually or more seriously) could help you to cover a much wider and therefore comprehensive search.In taking this approach, you need to have  confidence in your abilities and be  more flexible on time, but it doesn't mean that you don't have to do anything at all. Any trainee actor will nee d to be working on their career on an ongoing basis: getting annual or bi-annual headshots done, keeping their website, blog or social media accounts up to date, posting adverts for acting coaches or auditions, participating in an acting course etc... without keeping on top of these things, your career is more than likely going to come to a standstill.If you are in no rush, you might be at liberty to sit back and wait for the right coach to come to you. Photo on Visualhunt.comAnother bonus to taking your time and encouraging coaches to approach you is that you can view meetings and auditions as a way for you to scrutinise them just as much as they will be watching you. It is always worth remembering though, that you are the beginner and  they are the qualified ones and they deserve every respect for their achievements.   They certainly won’t be impressed by a trainee actor pushing boundaries or taking silly risks from the start  as it doesn’t bode well for a good team and workin g atmosphere!An older student who wants to launch their career now might not have the time to sit around and wait for opportunities. Likewise, if you are impatient by nature  (like many energetic performers!) and have no intention of missing an opportunity, then you may not be able to sit still long enough to wait for your career to get moving. Try pouring this energy into finding a great acting class or coach and you could be on your way to a successful acting career in little to no time!Find drama classes LondonFind drama classes Glasgow

Where Will You Go Next Study Abroad with Semester at Sea

Where Will You Go Next Study Abroad with Semester at Sea In this new series, the Varsity Tutors Blog will showcase unique study abroad programs that offer college students a world of educational possibilities. Have you participated in an unusual study abroad program? Let us know at blog@varsitytutors.com. If youre seeking a study abroad opportunity that will allow you to explore many different countries and cultures during one semester, Semester at Sea might be the right fit. Over the course of a semester, you will travel thousands of nautical miles, visiting 10-12 destinations spanning four continents. Originally known as the University of the Seven Seas, the first voyage was held in 1963. Since then, the program has evolved to offer classes in about 20 focus areas and has over 40 majors represented each semester. The ship offers students nine classrooms, a library, a union, indoor and outdoor dining halls, a pool, and a fitness center. Looking for a unique study abroad experience that will introduce you to a variety of cultures and hands-on learning opportunities? Keep reading to see if Semester at Seas study abroad program is right for you. How do students learn during Semester at Seas study abroad program? With Semester at Sea, you are eligible to earn college credit through Colorado State University that can then be transferred elsewhere. (As always, inquire with your particular college for details.) Frequently offered classes include anthropology, business, ecology, literature, and political science. Your classes will involve both classroom study and field study. Field classes are a required portion of each course, and they consist of eight hours spent in a country on the first, second, or last day at port. You can also participate in optional in-country programs. These programs, however, are not included in the course tuition and must be scheduled around field classes. In total, around 40% of your voyage will be spent on the ground in countries. The ship offers a multitude of extracurricular opportunities as well, including intramural sports, sea council, and theater, music, and dance groups. [RELATED: 5 Myths (and Realities) About Study Abroad] Why is Semester at Seas study abroad program unique? Through Semester at Sea, you are able to deepen your cultural awareness, thanks to the ability to experience other cultures customs and traditions. You will be on a ship with other eager students, as well as experienced faculty and staff, and will have the opportunity to learn from guest lecturers. Past guest lecturers have included Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. Unlike some study abroad programs where students will travel with other students from their school, this program allows you to connect with individuals from around the globe. Another unique benefit of this program is the opportunity to disconnect. Internet is available on the ship, but it is expensive. You are given a Gmail account and a list of free resources to reference when doing homework. You will not have cell phone service while on board. Each cabin room has a phone, but it costs money to make and receive calls, and service is unavailable at certain times. At first, this might be startling to some students. But you can still communicate with family and friends through email, and you are given the unique opportunity to disconnect from technology and truly experience the world around you. [RELATED: How to Choose a Foreign Language to Study] Is Semester at Seas study abroad program right for you? This study abroad program may sound enticing, but is it right for you? Typically, the ship welcomes traditional undergraduate students, in America and abroad. Requirements for traditional students include: Full-time enrollment at an accredited institution One full term at a post-secondary education level A 2.75 cumulative GPA and good academic standing. Gap year and post-graduate students may be eligible for the voyage as well, but must meet different admissions requirements. Before beginning the application process, make sure to check any requirements that may apply to you. In addition to academic requirements, its important to examine if this study abroad experience will fit your interests and needs. For instance, if you tend to get sea sick easily or have had poor experience on ships in the past, you may want to rethink your application to this program. Also, if you have other commitments that will make disconnecting and having limited technology access for a semester difficult, this might not be the right fit for you. Examine the countries listed for your intended trip to make sure these are locations you will feel comfortable visiting and are excited to learn more about. The locations dont vary too much between voyages, but you may find a future voyage is better suited to your interests. Make sure, too, to conduct your own research in regard to safety, both in this program and in the visited countries. [RELATED: Should I Take a Gap Year?] Semester at Sea provides students with the opportunity to gain global literacy, meet a multitude of different people, and experience hands-on learning in a variety of countries. Students can use this study abroad experience as a gap year, a way to explore new languages, or simply as a way to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures. 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.

How to Avoid Running Out of Time on the ACT

How to Avoid Running Out of Time on the ACT Preparing to take the ACT? Such an important testwhere your admission, scholarship eligibility, or class placement may hinge on the resultscan make you nervous, affecting your testing performance. While a majority of ACT test prep is focused on studying the content of the exam, the time constraints of each section are a major source of anxiety for many students. This concern may be compounded if youre a student who struggles with test anxiety. Here are a few strategies for testing your best and to avoid running out of time on the ACT: 1. Take timed ACT practice tests If youre nervous about pacing on the real test, one of the best ways to prepare is to take several timed, full-length ACT practice tests in the weeks and months leading up to test day. Practice tests do not just measure your understanding of the content; they are also useful for adapting to the exams structure and time constraints. You may not be able to score a 36 on the ACT Reading Section now, but after weeks of practice, you can adapt to working accurately at a faster pace. Each week leading up to the ACT, set aside time to take a full practice test. If you dont have time for the full test, select at least two sections to practice. It is important when taking these practice tests to set a timer, to mimic the pressure of test day. Each time you take a practice test, you should see your time, score, and confidence improve. (The free Varsity Tutors ACT Prep Book also has everything you need to learn about the testa full-length practice test, practice problems, explanations of ACT co ncepts, and more.) [RELATED: 7 Ways to Support Your Student's ACT/SAT Study] 2. Budget your time on ACT test day Knowing time is limited, budget your time in a way that works best for you. For example, the math section contains 60 questions and allots 60 minutes for completion. In this scenario, you can budget one minute per question (although youll likely spend less than a minute on many questions, and a few minutes on others). Dont constantly check the clock, but look up every five questions or so to see if your pacing is on track. If you are ahead, keep your comfortable pace, and if you finish early, youll have time to review your answers. If you are behind, try working a bit faster to catch up. 3. Save the hard ACT questions for last Students often take tests in a very linear fashion. They answer questions in order no matter the difficulty, and once they close their test booklet, they dont look back. Break this habit to help manage your time on the ACT. When you begin the test, answer the questions that come easily to you first. Skip the hard questions, and circle them in your test booklet so you know to come back to it later. Once you have quickly answered the easy questions, you can revisit the more difficult questions. Its a good idea to budget your time here as well. If you have 20 minutes left for 10 hard questions, you can give yourself about 2 minutes per question. If you are truly drawing a blank, make an educated guess. The ACT does not penalize for wrong answers, so once you have completed the test, check your answer sheet to verify that you have at least one answer for each question. [RELATED: How to Make Predictions on the ACT Science Section] Take regular practice tests and utilize test-day strategies to develop effective time management skills and avoid running out of time on the ACT. If you are stressed during the exam, try to unwind a bit. If you let your test anxiety take over, it will most certainly affect your ability to finish the test on time. The best antidote to test day anxiety is comprehensive preparation. Good luck!

How to Recognize When Your Student is Struggling with a School Subject

How to Recognize When Your Student is Struggling with a School Subject Its perfectly normal for a student to have difficulties from time to time with one or more subjects in school. And as Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center says, Many students who did fine with basic reading, writing and math may experience problems as subjects become more complex. How can you recognize the warning signs before your student brings home a poor report card or becomes totally discouraged? Huntington offers several red flags to watch for in subjects such as math or science: Your student typically receives good grades, and youre seeing a sudden dip in one subject in particularor more than one. Your student seems to struggle to gain traction on homework, or gets stuck easily. Your student has questions about areas covered in class that he or she did not understandbut he or she cant seem to help him or herself through notes or the textbook. Your student continues to miss the same problem types over and over in math and/or science. Your student continually gets stuck on one part of a problem and struggles to move past it to complete the problem. Word problems are difficult for your student because he or she cant separate the important and irrelevant information. Math is becoming increasingly difficult for your student to do independently because he or she struggles to understand the directions. Multi-step math problems are difficult for your student. Your students homework is sloppy or unreadable. Your student struggles to interpret data provided for problem solving. Despite genuine effort, your students grade in a certain difficult subject is suffering. Huntington Learning Center offers subject tutoring for students in middle school and high school. We offer one-to-one tutoring in all math and science classes and in other subjects, Huntington says. We work with students who want to improve a grade, those who are struggling to do homework and everyone in between, And though many students seek help once they begin falling behind, others may be less forthright with their struggles, Huntington reminds parents. The obvious red flags are poor grades and elevated frustration at homework time, but if you suspect that your student is lost in class and could use individualized help, its never too late to get started. Contact the Huntington Learning Center at 1 800 CAN LEARN to discuss your students needs.

Pros and Cons of Year Round School Is Year-Round Education The Way Forward - Private Tutoring

Pros and Cons of Year Round School Is Year-Round Education The Way Forward Anna L Feb 22, 2019 Find a Top Rated Private Tutor Near You! It's Simple and Secure - Get Real Results Fast. Find Expert Private Tutors at Reasonable Rates Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson Have you heard the talk of year round education? The long summer break may fill every child with excitement â€" days full of fun and no commitments, time to spend with friends without the stress of school. For most parents, the summer brings the challenge of finding ways to entertain their children. Sure, there is the allure of a family vacation, but for many parents, juggling work, children and finances is no easy task. Year-round schooling is becoming more popular in many areas and is something the rest of the world has been doing for years. It certainly addresses a lot of the issues that parents face, but does it really mean better education for our children? Read on to find out the pros and cons of year-round schooling. To understand the various benefits and drawbacks of a year-round schooling system, this article will delve into a number of factors favored by both advocates and critics to help create an objective view. Every child and family is unique, so a one-size-fits-all model shouldn’t apply. Having the option to send your child to a year-round school adds another opportunity to consider and provides parents with more chances to give their children the best education possible. Does a Year-Round School Mean More Days at School? First and foremost, the idea that year-round schooling means more days at school is simply not true. The model still operates on the basic system of 180 days classroom time, it is just allocated in a different way. So if children aren’t spending any more time in the classroom, how does year-round schooling have a positive impact on children’s learning? Let’s look at the system in greater detail. Most year-round schools operate on a 45-15 day plan. This means that students attend school for 45 days, or nine weeks, and then have a three week break at the end of that time period. Other common timelines include a 60-20 and a 90-30 plan. No matter which way you slice it, the holiday periods are more evenly spread throughout the year and the time spent at school remains the same, just in smaller chunks of time. The Effect of Summer Brain Drain While a lengthy summer vacation will certainly help to reinvigorate both students and teachers, it can be detrimental to a quality education. Children who don’t participate in activities that stimulate them over the summertime break will find that come the start of school in September, their brain function has depleted somewhat. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as children who speak English as a second language are the ones that would benefit most from more continuous learning. Those students that are able to take part in camps, activities, travel and all the other opportunities that are available for young people are going to remain stimulated, interested and learning.   Their minds will remain active and they will have less brain drain or learning loss over the summer. Participating in a year round school program that has shorter but more frequent breaks will lessen the impact of being out of school.   Theres simply less time to lose the gains that were made during the semester prior according to those in favor of this type of program. Overcrowding and Multi-functional Buildings Schools are not cheap to build, so it seems like a waste to have the buildings empty for almost a quarter of the year. Even in a year-round model, the amount of time the building is in use does remain the same. The argument here comes from some school districts who have implemented the year-round model on a rotational system to help alleviate the problem of overcrowding. This is called the multi-track system. A multi-track system effectively divides students into groups, each operating on their own calendar, meaning that the school buildings are in use all year round. Sure, there would be an increase in running costs of the school but it is certainly a cheaper way to cater for a growing number of students than it would be by building an entirely new school. A big problem here is for parents who may have children with different school calendars struggling to arrange childcare, not to mention the impossibility of a whole family vacation! Summer Opportunities For older children, a long summer break gives them the opportunity to take on a summer job and learn the value of hard work, commitment, and how to manage their personal finances. With shorter breaks, these opportunities may not present themselves as frequently or as easily.  In the year round model, students would likely have to take different jobs that would run year round or seasonally while still going to school. Working Out Family Logistics Many parents already have a tough time balancing work and their children’s education. Arrangements for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up need to be made, after school activities arranged and vacation programs booked. So, you can only imagine how much trickier this would be if different schools, even those within the same district, worked under different systems. Parents could potentially find themselves in a literal logistical nightmare! How Do Teachers Cope? We all know teaching is a stressful job. Teachers work far more hours than those of the school day, spending their evenings, weekends, and holidays planning and reviewing and grading. Teacher burnout is a real problem, with about 8% of the profession leaving each year. This is one are that may be reduced if schools offer more frequent breaks for not only their students but their faculty and staff as well. Sure, teachers will spend a lot of their vacation time doing work, but the time away from the classroom is often enough to sufficiently recharge the batteries and would enable more qualified, experienced staff to stay in the industry. What About the Rest of the World? Most other countries do not offer students such a lengthy summer break as we see here in the US and they seem to manage just fine. In fact, many of these countries are ranked higher than the US in their educational capabilities and ratings.  Students are still rewarded with breaks, and quite decent ones, and the number of days spent at school doesn’t differ greatly. An interesting point to note is that students in the US generally have longer school days than many other countries and also start formal schooling much younger, however, the results in how students are doing compared to other countries for all this extra education isnt showing. One example of this, Finland is well-renowned for its successful educational system. Children in Finland start school around age six or seven and attend classes for roughly four hours each day. Of course, Finland and the United States are two very different countries so comparing them is hard, but it certainly gives some food for thought as to how much schooling children need in order to be successful. Conclusion Despite all of this, shouldn’t the focus be on quality not quantity? Does year-round schooling make for a more productive and effective education? Perhaps it does. But a long summer break may also lead to further opportunities for many children. Bottom line â€" give your child the best education you possibly can, whatever this may be.  Let us know your thoughts and comments in the comment section below!   This is definitely a topic that most of us have an opinion on.We can help you find the best private tutor near you! It’s simple and secure â€" Get real results fast. Your first hour with any tutor is protected by our Good Fit Guarantee: You don't pay for tutoring unless you find a good fit. Choose Your Subject â€" Add Your Zip Code â€" Find Top Rated Tutors Starting Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson

Stay Healthy

Stay Healthy Its hard to stay healthy especially when its winter. You spend your time taking care of the kids, working, or doing something important. You just have no time for a sore throat or runny nose! So, what to do? Here are some  useful advices, which can help you to stay healthy if you follow them: The most effective way to stay healthy is to eat well,  remember that the rational nutrition plays here significant role. It is very important for health to give your body all natural vitamins through fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water helps you stay healthy and look younger. Go in for different kinds of sports and lead an active way of life. Smoking and drinking are things that you should better avoid. Do you want to know more about how to stay healthy and take care of yourself?   You can ask one of our Health Experts! If you have some medical questions, find  qualified USMLE Tutors on TutorZ.com. We are here to help you! Have a great week!