Monday, March 23, 2020

SAT Exam Scores

SAT Exam Scores SAT Exam is a popular assessment test taken by high school students to showcase their academic knowledge to gain admissions in colleges and universities in the United States. SAT exam is a standardized exam and these scores are recognized by all colleges and universities throughout the United States. SAT exam is designed such that it examines the necessary skills required for college level courses. SAT is conducted many times a year and in order to take the test, students should register online on the website. SAT exam is owned by the College Board and students who want to take the test should register online on the official website of the College Board either by mail or by telephone and follow simple instructions to pay for the test. In SAT exam, there is negative penalty if the students give wrong answer to multiple choice questions. Therefore it is recommended for the students not to guess any answers for unknown questions as the students may lose points from the already existing score for a wrong answer. SAT exam scores are preferred along with the students admission application as they help in analyzing the students academic performance and their conceptual knowledge. The general SAT test contains 3 sections which examine students knowledge in Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. SAT exam scores are helpful in getting a student selected in a college and if the students focus on basic concepts and are able to manage the given time, then they can achieve good scores on the exam.

Friday, March 6, 2020

How Empaths and Highly Sensitive People Can Deal with High-Pressure Work Environments - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How Empaths and Highly Sensitive People Can Deal with High-Pressure Work Environments - Introvert Whisperer How Empaths and Highly Sensitive People Can Deal with High-Pressure Work Environments There are many careers and work environments that are ideal for empaths and highly sensitive people (HSPs). Jobs that entail a great deal of written communication, allow for the ability to work remotely, and provide flexible schedules can set up HSPs and empaths to excel. Sometimes, though, one’s work environment can be less than ideal. Unavoidable confrontations, high levels of stress, and high-pressure work environments, in general, can cripple one’s ability to function. If you find that you’re struggling with a less-than-ideal situation at work, here are a few tips and tricks to help you manage the pressure, reduce stress, and not only survive but thrive each and every day. Strategize Against the Stress One of the first steps to surviving consistently high-pressure situations is finding ways to identify and manage your stress. As you take stock of what’s stressing you out, don’t just blame all of your anxiety on outside forces; look for any ways that you may be contributing to your stress as well. Things like procrastinating or letting yourself be talked into taking on other’s responsibilities can lead to high levels of stress. As you recognize the aspects of your environment that are causing you anxiety, begin working to minimize the effect that they have on you. Remove responsibilities that you may have taken on unnecessarily, look for patterns of negative thinking, and take time to do things like exercise or practice meditation in order to give yourself a chance to destress on a regular basis. Learn to Recognize Toxic Coworkers Sometimes it’s the people around you who are creating a high-pressure environment. If you think you may be dealing with toxic coworkers (or even if you have no idea if that’s the case) it may be worth studying some of the signs of a toxic coworker in order to differentiate who is causing you more stress than others. Look for behaviors like: Aggression. Bullying. Gossipping. A lack of important communication. Glory hogging. Favoritism. If you find that you have coworkers who are demonstrating these behaviors towards you, you’ll be better prepared to interact with them. Brace yourself to resist any attempt by them to harness your empathy, suck away your optimism, or unnecessarily add more work onto your plate. Study Your Company’s Systems and Methods Sometimes an HSP can deal with an unpleasant or confrontational situation at work by simply taking advantage of existing systems that are in place. Companies often have specific policies and procedures set up to deal with things like conflict resolution or harassment. You may have already learned about many of your company’s systems and methods if you work at a company that has a thorough onboarding process. Even if you don’t currently possess this knowledge, though, you can always do a little homework now in order to make sure you’re fully aware of all of the corporate tools you have available. This can do wonders in helping you manage the pressure of your daily grind. Stay Organized One way to remain calm throughout a stressful situation is to stay organized. If you tend to have slightly messier habits than your average coworker, consider taking some time to organize your space. Knowing where all of your belongings are (both digitally and physically) can make it easier to function within your workspace. If you’re a manager, it’s even more important to emphasize that you are ready to work in the midst of the chaos. Communicating and leading in an organized and thoroughly thought out manner can help to reduce the stress and keep everything copacetic as you lead your team through the pressure. Don’t Compromise Who You Are If you’re in management at your company, remember that one of the key traits of a good leader is retaining the exceptional traits that qualified you for the position in the first place. Even if you’re not in leadership, this one’s still important. It’s essential to recognize who you are and strive to maintain that identity as you navigate the stresses and strains each day. The certainty of knowing your inner identity in spite of your circumstances can go a long way in bolstering your confidence and helping you keep your head on straight each and every day. Take Control of Your Situation It can sound intimidating for an HSP or an empath to “take control” of a high-pressure scenario. However, it’s important to remember that we’re not talking about engaging in an unpleasant confrontation or setting yourself up as an alpha dog in your office. There are plenty of ways to navigate through the challenges of a high-pressure work scenario without ever needing to resort to more aggressive measures. If you focus on things like identifying toxic coworkers, remaining organized, finding stress coping mechanisms, and staying true to yourself, you’ll be better equipped to thrive no matter what environment you find yourself working in. Image Source: Pexels Author Bio: Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Pacific Northwest who has a particular interest in social justice, politics, education, healthcare, technology, and more. You can follow her on twitter @hamiltonjori Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Bad Boss Survival Guide for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Bad Boss Survival Guide for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer Bad Boss Survival Guide for Introverts Robert Conrad May 19, 2015 Emotional Intelligence, Office Politics One response Go to top Being an introvert isn’t easy all the time, considering the fact that people who don’t know them personally may consider them aloof, cold and disconnected. So imagine placing them in a bustling work environment with a terrible and aggressive boss. If this sounds like a recipe for disaster for all parties involved, it doesn’t have to be. My Own Bad Boss Experience Unfortunately, I witnessed this exact scenario in my previous foodservice job. Granted, a noisy line cook job may not have been the best job choice for this specific introvert (named “Steve” here), but couple that mistake with our easily angered boss (named “Jon” here) and all of a sudden, our workplace became a veritable powder keg. If Steve felt that he had a firm grasp of the information being relayed by Jon, he would become eager to get to the task at hand and turn away. This would always result in Jon losing his temper and begin grilling my poor, introverted coworker, who would then uselessly try to adjust his behavior in an attempt to diffuse the situation. This continued until one day, Jon had enough and actually put his hands on Steve after he made a third mistake in his food production. With Jon still yelling at him, Steve took off his hat and apron, placed them on the shelf, walked off of the line, and out the front door without a word. But, did Jon learn his lesson? How It All Played Out Unfortunately, he didn’t. After 4 months on the job, I finally quit too, unable to handle the constant verbal and physical barrages we all endured. Through word of mouth, I heard that Jon was summarily let go from his position after the store owner caught wind of his behavior. I haven’t seen him since, and for that, I’m grateful, but I always think of this and how Steve could have potentially found a way to survive Jon’s focused rage, towards him especially, during his time with us. His reaction didn’t carry a final word, and there was no final straw followed by months of him and Jon “not talking to each other”, but it resonated with me how cruel Jon could be. Since both Steve and I were in subordinate positions (Jon liked to fire people), we couldn’t expect him to change his behavior, but Steve and I later found that we had the power to change ours, for sanity’s sake. Jon was simply an overall unhappy person ill-fitted for the position he held, and should have been let go long ago. Considering Steve’s introverted personality, we found that his emotional intelligence wasn’t sufficient enough to see when Jon’s temper was about to explode. Had he been able to pick up on Jon’s highly volatile emotional cues, he would have been able to adjust his behavior more easily. In fact, a boost in emotional intelligence can do wonders for introverts by allowing them to: Remain calm under pressure, Resolve conflict effectively, and Be empathetic to their colleagues. Even better, with a boost in emotional intelligence, Steve could adjust his nonverbal communication to appear (and perhaps feel) more open when others are speaking with him. His anxiousness to return to the task at hand may seem cold to some, and to volatile people like Jon, it was a blatant sign of “disrespect” that should be killed with fire. I lost touch with Steve over time, but I made it my personal goal to help him try to make sense of the incredibly ridiculous situation we all endured. And as for myself, I’ve grown wiser, too. I may have taught Steve how to boost his emotional intelligence (something I’ve always excelled at), but he taught me how to take a stand when the circumstances call for it. Go to top What’s the most uncomfortable work experience you’ve ever had? Share your experience in the comments! Image: Flickr Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today! Start watching now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Where to Find Singing Lessons in Belfast

Where to Find Singing Lessons in Belfast Where in Belfast Can You Find Singing Lessons? ChaptersThe Belfast Music AcademySinging Lessons BelfastLearn Singing with a ChoirFind Your Singing Voice with Private Singing LessonsBelfast is a city of contrasts.Also known as Linenopolis for its staggering linen production, it played a major role in the first Industrial Revolution... but it was not granted city status until about 50 years after the period that saw such great advances in manufacturing.At one time, Belfast was home to world’s biggest shipyard â€" the one that built the Titanic; its focus has since shifted from the sea and onto the skies; specifically on the aerospace industry.In spite of being known as one of the world’s most dangerous cities in the latter half of the 20th century, today, statistics show Belfast to be one of the safest cities in the whole of the United Kingdom.Yes, there were Troubles in Belfast... but through them and still today, two opposing facets of the human experience dominate the city’s culture: industry and the arts. Music, to be exa ct.Belfast’s music scene is well-established and growing, with facilities such as the Oh Yeah Music Centre providing up-and-coming musicians with a place to get started in the music business.What about you?Do you often amble through the Cathedral District and cast a longing eye towards Oh Yeah? Do you wish you had the confidence and the vocal power to kickstart your career as a singer?Or do you just want to sing for the fun of it and the health benefits you could derive?No matter what their reasons for learning how to sing, Belfasters are not lacking in doing so.Now we uncover the best places in Belfast and some of the best singing teachers giving vocal lessons to students of all ages.Singing lessons can help build your confidence overall, not just in front of the microphone! Source: Pixabay Credit: Pexels on the path to great singing.They don’t make you sing classical music unless that is the genre you are most interested in and they won’t leave you in the lurch should you be preparing for an audition or school entrance exam â€" all of their tutors are available 24/7 via text and email.Imagine for a second the average person looking for music lessons.For those wanting to play an instrument, there are guitar lessons, piano lessons and even drum lessons, and the prospective student has his preferred instrument to cling to (or hide behind, as the case may be).If the learning doesn’t progress satisfactorily, s/he can always blame the instrument or learn to play a different one.How might an aspiring musician feel if the instrument in question is his/her voice? They can’t simply switch out their vocal cords!The tutors at Belfast Music Academy know just how to quell those first-time nerves. They are masters at putting aspiring singers at their ease.During your intake interview with them, you will be asked why you want to learn how to sing. Do you have an ongoing friendly rivalry with your mates on karaoke night?Have you often been told you have tons of raw talent and aspire to take centre stage at BarBacca or the Stiff Kitten â€" two Belfast locales particularly hot on the indie music scene just now?Or have you just been promoted at work and, now that you’re in a management position, consider voice training a part of your career development plan? Yes, that is valid a reason to take singing lessons!During that initial meeting, you will also be prompted to talk about what type of music you would like to sing. Opera? Jazz? Standards or pop music?Whatever your preferred style of music, you will surely find a suitable teacher at Belfast Music Academy, located at 155 Northumberland Street, in the Spires complex.Even if you want to sing just for fun, you should learn to read music Source: Pixabay Credit: StevepbSinging Lessons BelfastIf you are serious about your future music career or that of your children, you would surely want a voice coach with an excellent education in music.Maybe somebody from the Royal Academy of Music; perhaps eve n someone who has studied acting at the Royal Conservatoire in Scotland... because, what is a show, even a musical one, if not a performance?Furthermore, you would want your teacher to have a bit of stage experience, either as a singer or a stage performer. And, s/he should have a bit of experience in teaching her craft, too.If such a pedigree is tops your list of requirements in a singing teacher, then surely Pauline Carville fits the bill.Working with individual students or in small groups, Pauline will teach you:Proper posture: a very important aspect of controlling your wind and projecting your voiceBreathing technique: ever wonder how some singers can hold a note for what seems like forever?She will also show you breathing exercises you can do at home.How to train your ear: an absolutely vital skill if you want to be able to determine a pitch.How to increase your vocal range â€" you will be surprised at the notes you’ll be able to hit!How to read music: many singers sing ‘b y ear’ by serious musicians like Pauline like to do things the right way!Not that there is anything wrong with learning how to sing without knowing how to read music, as we will soon find out.Even if you don’t plan to make a career out of singing, there is still a need to learn at least a little about music theory, and Pauline will be happy to share all you need to know and then some.Are you feeling an irresistible urge to sign up for singing lessons? Hurry to Pauline’s studio on Castlereagh Road, at the Appollo Art Theater, or call her at 0345 869 0679.Were you curious about how singers find lessons elsewhere in the UK?Learn Singing with a ChoirPerhaps one of the best ways â€" one of the most fun and engaging ways to train your voice is by joining a choir.If you are looking for an outlet for your stress as well as your effusive energy, meeting up regularly for vocal exercises and a few soaring melodies might just fit the bill!Choirs aren’t all made up of classically trained singers ready to sing Bach or Haendel; in fact, quite a few choirs around Belfast have a diverse repertoire of pop songs as well as a few more funky numbers.The Big Belfast Choir, directed by Aoife Cormacain, is a sterling example of how people from all walks of life can find common ground in music.Worried you can’t read sheet music? Nervous about auditioning in front of a room full of strangers?For one, the people of the BBC (that’s Big Belfast Choir, not the other one) won’t be strangers for long. Besides singing, they excel at handing out warm welcomes to anyone who wants to join them.And they won’t put you on the spot by making you sing in front of everyone, either.What they will do is take you through warmup exercises and introduce you to a few songs from their playbook, which you will learn to sing by ear. You may join in or not, as you wish.We’re guessing that you will eventually join in, seeing that you went there to sing!Eventually, as your confidence grows and y ou become more comfortable, you might join their pop up sessions: at various locations around the city, these choristers and fun lovers will congregate, belt out a tune and then disperse.Could singing get any more fun than that?The fun Belfast choirs do not require you to wear any formal robes! Source: Pixabay Credit: WikimediaimagesThe Alive Community ChoirNorthwest of the city centre, Edenbrooke Primary school is host to a curiously named singing group: they’re Alive!  By no means are they suggesting through their name that other choirs might not be...The Belfast city motto: what shall we give in return for so muchWhat’s so awesome about this group is that they take that question to heart. They use their group and vocal talent to give back to their community through various fundraising events.To date, they’re raised several thousand pounds for charity. Wouldn’t you like to help them continue?They too require no audition or previous singing experience â€" in fact, it is a p oint of pride with them that they don’t always sing in tune!Apparently determined to bust all of the stereotypes one might have about choirs, they aver their focus is less on singing ability than on fellowship and community, with a dab of self-development thrown in for good measure.Don’t they sound like a group you might drive out of your way to sing with?The Open Arts Community Choir, the Belfast Community Gospel Choir; youth choirs and boys’ choirs and girls’ choirs and... there is a choir for every taste in Belfast!Find out how choirs in Nottingham compare...Find Your Singing Voice with Private Singing LessonsOur pages, unfortunately, do not permit the wholesale listing of every voice teacher in Belfast because there are so many talented voice teachers available!Of the many opportunities for voice lessons, one musn’t leave off private lessons with a tutor.Independent tutors, such as you can find on the Superprof platform, are equally skilled at giving voice lessons.Even though some Superprof tutors may still be enroled in a school of music and learning to sing themselves, they would have plenty to teach you about vocal techniques, breath control and musicianship in general.There are 7 Superprof singing tutors in and around Belfast, most of whom would come to your home for private lessons.Besides them, you will find countless tutors on the Superprof platform who would be happy to provide you with online singing lessons.You might engage with a singing tutor in Edingburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester  or the capital  for example!

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Shanghai

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Shanghai The Best Time to Visit Shanghai ChaptersTravelling to China When There Are Important EventsVisiting Shanghai in Spring and SummerVisiting Shanghai During the Cold Periods: Autumn and WinterHow Much Time Should You Spend Visiting Shanghai?Of all the cities in China, Beijing tops most lists but Shanghai, with its 24 million inhabitants, is also massively popular.It goes without saying that if you visit China, you should probably spend time in Shanghai, where Buddhist temples are just a metro ride away from massive skyscrapers. None of the large cities in the People's Republic of China can compare to Shanghai, not even Beijing.Shanghai as a city, with its religious buildings, business districts, and the international airport, is representative of modern China. There are plenty of great reasons to visit Shanghai when you go to China.In this article, we’ve some advice about the best time to visit China and Shanghai. Shopping, Buddhist temples, art galleries, the old town, and Chinese food are all on the itinerary.Find Different Mandarin lessons London on Superprof. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTravelling to China When There Are Important EventsA trip to Shanghai is an opportunity to enjoy some of the many events going on throughout the year. Heading when there’s something special going on is a great way to make the most of your time there.The Chinese New Year is a great time to learn about Chinese culture in Shanghai! (Source: kikky)The first of January is the New Year, even in China! You can hear the bells ringing from the Longhua Temple, a great sight in the middle of a beautiful Chinese garden. The fireworks launched over the Huangpu River light up the entire city including the Shanghai Tower and the Jade Buddha Temple.The Chinese also celebrate the Lunar New Year, which coincides with the Spring Festival in China. This is the most important festival on the Chinese calendar. This is when there are dancing dragons and friends and family exchange money to wish each other good fortune. There’s no better place to enjoy this than in Shanghai or Beijing.The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year with Chinese lanterns being launched into the sky to commemorate the legend of a God that wanted to burn the city but the lanterns made him think it was already on fire. This is a great time to enjoy Chinese cuisine too!The last festival at the start of the year is when the peach trees bloom and the legendary dragon grants wishes. This festival ta kes place at the Longhua Temple in Shanghai.From September to December, there are plenty of events organised such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the National Day of the People's Republic of China, the Shanghai China International Arts Festival, and the Shanghai Marathon. There’s no lack of things to do in Shanghai!Visiting Shanghai in Spring and SummerVisiting a foreign city is a great idea, but you need to make sure you do it at the right time. Spring in Shanghai sits between the rainy season and soaring temperatures. This means it can be nice but once it gets hot, it’s very humid and can quickly become unbearable.There are plenty of wonderful religious sites in Shanghai you can visit in spring. (Source: marcelabr)Here are the averages between March and August:In March, temperatures range from 10 ° to 15 °CIn April, temperatures range from 15 ° to 19 °CIn May, temperatures range from 20 ° to 24 °CIn June, temperatures range from 24 ° to 27 °CIn July, temperatures range from 24 ° t o 32 °CIn August, temperatures range from 23 ° to 32 °CIf you’re not sold on the heat, you probably want to visit during March, April, or May. It can be difficult to enjoy your stay if it’s too hot.  If you’re planning a trip to China, we recommend heading in spring as the summer fluctuates between unbearable heat and heavy rains, just like in Chengdu.The cost of flights will vary across the seasons. Return flights to Shanghai in March start at £350. Of course, flights can reach nearer £1,000 in July and August.  It’s always nice to walk along the banks of the Huangpu River with the sun shining on you. Spring is also home to a lot of local and national festivals.Visiting Shanghai During the Cold Periods: Autumn and WinterWesterners wanting to visit Shanghai during autumn may have understood that it’s probably the best time to visit in terms of the weather. We recommend visiting in September, October, or the start of November.When it gets cold in Shanghai, some warm noodl es or dumplings should sort you out. (Source: shanghaibowen)Winters in Shanghai can be mild but January should be avoided as temperatures plummet and rain is common. The more the temperatures drop, the worse the pollution in Shanghai gets. Avoid December, January, and February if you can.Here are the highs and lows between September and February:In September, temperatures range from 20 ° to 27 °CIn October, temperatures range from 14 ° to 22 °CIn November, temperatures range from 9 ° to 17 °CIn December, temperatures range from 3 ° to 11 °CIn January, temperatures range from 0 ° to 8 °CIn February, temperatures range from 1 ° to 9 °CBeware of the winter months and in because there are plenty of busy events like the Chinese New Year which can make finding cheap accommodation almost impossible.  The cost of flights from the UK to Shanghai in September average around £400. In December, they’ll increase slightly.In short, autumn is the time to go.Find out more about budgeting for a t rip to Shanghai.How Much Time Should You Spend Visiting Shanghai?Just like any trip to Asia, you’ll probably want to spend longer than you would travelling to somewhere in Europe. This is even more so the case when travelling to China and Shanghai. You need to spend at least a week in order to get the most out of your time and your money.There's even a Disneyland in Shanghai! (Source: Gintonic)Everything you want to visit in Shanghai will take some time. Split your activities into half days in order to give yourself more time. You’ll need even more time if you’re big kids or have kids with you wanting to visit Disneyland!Shanghai is home to plenty of permanent attractions including the Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, Yangtze River cruises, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the Jin Mao Tower, the view of the downtown Shanghai skyline or the financial district, and the maglev train and you see where everything you want to see bef ore choosing where you stay.There are many districts to visit during your stay including:Huangpu DistrictPudong DistrictXuhui DistrictJing'an DistrictChangning DistrictYangpu DistrictHongkou DistrictMinhang DistrictIt's worth mentioning that the Huangpu District and Xuhui District are home to the Former French Concession, an interesting example of the west in the east!If you want to visit other cities like Suzhou, Hangzhou, or Nanjing, you’ll need even more time. If you want to see most of what Shanghai has to offer, take at least two weeks!There are many sites to discover in modern China outside of Shanghai including the Sichuan and Guangzhou provinces, Beijing, the Temple of Heaven, and many a traditional city.Now you should know a bit more about when to head to China and Shanghai. If you’d like to find out more, check out our other articles on the matter. You could also learn some Chinese with private tutorials from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof.If you'd like t o learn some Chinese before you go to Shanghai, you could consider enlisting the help of one of the many talented tutors on Superprof! The tutors on the site offer three types of private tutorials to help you learn the lingo: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are taught with one student and one tutor and tend to be the most costly per hour. However, they're usually the most cost-effective type of tutorial since every minute in the lesson is spent focusing on you as the student. Additionally, the tutor will also be spending time outside of the lessons finding resources and planning the time they'll spend with you.Online tutorials are similar to the face-to-face tutorials but take place either on a call or over webcam. Thanks to the internet, you can now video conference tutors from all over the world and be taught for less per hour. Of course, online tutorials can lack intimacy and while not ideal for hands-on subjects, they're great for language lessons. Your tutor might even be from China!Finally, with group tutorials, you and some friends (perhaps the people you'll be travelling with) can get in touch with a private tutor to plan lessons that you'll all attend together. While these tend to be the cheapest per student per hour since the cost of the tutor's time is shared, you'll also get far less one-on-one time with your tutor.Each different type of tutorial has its pros and cons and it's really up to you, how much you'll need to learn, how you want to learn, and what your budget is going to be for Chinese language lessons before you go.

5 Tips to Develop a Childs Leadership Skills

5 Tips to Develop a Child’s Leadership Skills No matter what children plan to do in their lives, learning to communicate, make decisions, and work with teams will benefit them tremendously. Huntington Learning Center says such leadership competencies help children build confidence and learn to advocate for themselves in all areas of their lives. Leadership skills are important at every age, but especially become valuable when children enter high school and college, where teachers expect that students are able to motivate themselves and others and work well with a wide range of people. Huntington offers these five tips to parents to help develop valuable leadership aptitudes: Embrace goal setting from a young age. All leaders will agree that success doesnt come easy and generally requires advanced planning and a lot of hard work. Children who learn to set goals and work toward them will be better equipped later on to prioritize numerous tasks and more motivated overall. Teach your child to dream big but also lay out how he or she plans to achieve those dreams. Encourage your child to go for the things he or she wants. Life sometimes requires taking risks, which can be scary. Talk to your child about the benefits of putting himself or herself out there and trying things, even when afraid or nervous. Although nobody wants to fail, teach your child that failure is an opportunity to grow and learn. Talk about the importance of respect. Great leaders are respectful toward others and believe that they will be more successful if they build up those around them. Establish the expectation that your child will always be respectful of family members, teachers, friends, teammates and others. Talk with your child about valuing others ideas and strengths and why it is essential to listen well. Suggest activities that involve working in groups. Extracurricular activities have many benefits, including the lessons they teach about teamwork and collaboration. Get your child involved in activities that offer opportunities to build those skills. Talk about how to be a role model for younger members of any club or team. Demand perseverance. By the time you send your child off to college, hopefully he or she will be equipped with solid problem-solving skills and an optimistic outlook. You can help by emphasizing the importance of perseverance. Teach your child that effort equals improvement, that progress is always the goal. Remind your child often that the best things in life require persistence and patience. Remember that their goal shouldnt just be to raise leaders, but to help strengthen their children as students and people. Every child can benefit from a little leadership development. Great leaders are tough-minded, self-assured, hard-working and confident. Whether your child grows up to become a CEO or a teacher, nurturing those skills will benefit your child for life.

FAQs as a New College Student - Answered

FAQs as a New College Student - Answered ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog What’s the best way to meet people? Some might suggest that the most daunting aspect of college is making friends. Out of thousands of young adults, somehow you have to find a group of like-minded people to spend your time with. I mean, who wants to be alone throughout all four years of college? Chances are, you’ll be happier the more connections you make. It’s like high school all over again, except with a larger pool to weed through. The first week of school, everyone will scramble to befriend the first few people they come in contact with. Time and again, dorm hall members and roommates, the first people you’ll see when you move in, will become the people you automatically cling to. My advice - Sure, latch on to a few people from your floor, make quick friends. But don’t get locked into that group of individuals. Most likely, as the year goes on, you will slowly find more students who share your interests and background. Be open to change in your relationships the first year of school. Later on, you’ll be happy you were. Once you make those preliminary necessary friends the first few days, check out the activities offered at your school. There are hundreds of clubs for every interest. Most universities hold “Activities Fairs” to showcase all of the opportunities available. Go. It may be overwhelming, but make sure you sign up for every club that catches your eye. Usually you’ll receive follow-up emails from each one, and later on you can sort through the clubs and decide which one(s) are best for you. Joining these groups is probably the easiest way to make friends easily and quickly, right off the bat. They’re welcoming and are usually excited about new members, and since you’re already interested in the subject matter, you’ll feel more comfortable opening up to people. Being friendly and open to others in every aspect of college life is the key to gathering acquaintances that, hopefully, grow into more. The more instances you have to meet a new person are opportunities to make a connection, possibly for life. Nowhere else will you be in the same environment as so many likeminded and like-aged people. Take advantage of it. When should I study? Hopefully you’ve taken the time in high school to determine what times you are most productive. It varies for everyone. Some do well waking up early before school, others only late at night. Whenever you seem to absorb material and focus most intensely, study then. It’s also beneficial to go over pertinent information right before going to sleep. Especially lists, facts, and dates; the data will be retained and more easily remembered in the morning. Having been the last thing to go through your brain, while you sleep your memory can process the information effectively. How do I make the most of my college experience? Make yourself busy. If you find yourself with any more than 10 hours of free time a week, get out there! There is such an array of activities, sports, and clubs to partake in; take advantage of it. Make sure you explore the community that is college. Those four years will fly by, so take the time to peruse everything you think you might be interested in. After school, there will be fewer opportunities to discover all the different sides to who you are. What courses should I take/what professors? The university you go to will determine the particular paths you’ll take to discover this information. Some colleges have underground student-run websites that honestly evaluate professors and courses, straight from students’ mouths. Although a good source of information, watch out for the subjective nature of this method. Most colleges have “Peer Advisors” in each department and will often hold office hours before the designated time for the student body to choose courses. These students are usually approved by the professors and have a great wealth of knowledge in the best course load/professors to take depending on your interests. Definitely take the time to talk to these individuals. Otherwise, don’t be afraid to speak to your advisors. No, they will not trash talk their colleagues but they will know about all of the various courses open to you and the necessary classes you have to fulfill before graduation. Sometimes semester scheduling and meeting graduation requirements can be overwhelming and your advisor can really help you manage it all. As you choose a major, you will notice that the same people are showing up in your classes. Ask them about the professors and courses they have already taken to give you first hand insight into what might be the best choice for you. How do I manage my time? (See other Studentsba.com article on Time Management here) How do I decide what my major should be? Here is my three-question theory: Figure out what you love doing, what you feel drawn towards. Ask yourself, what motivates me to wake up in the morning? Then ask, am I good at “it”? Does the world need “it” enough to be willing to pay me to do what I love? Once you get positive answers to all three questions, you’ve found what you should major in! Talk to your advisor as well. They are there to help you discover the answer to this particular question. Talk to family members, parents, employers, anyone that has made a career for themselves, and figure out if you would be interested in what they do. It is better to hear a job description from a person who does it 40 hours a week instead of through the Internet or on TV. There are hundreds of occupations out there that are so obscure, you would never know of them unless you talked to someone with that profession. Look out for people who are similar to you and then seek out what they do for a living. Getting involved in those college clubs mentioned earlier will help you determine your dream or not-so-dream job as well. How do I get firsthand experience in the field I believe I’m interested in? Internships are the way to go if you’re looking for real experience. Employers looking to hire recent graduates are interested in students who have taken the initiative to partake in relevant internships. This way, they know that you already have an idea of what the job entails and that you are a hard enough worker to not be fired from your previous internships. It is important to know if you’re actually going to enjoy your work and the only way to do that is intern or volunteer in your field of study. Take advantage of your career office and internship database at the university. They’re good places to start your search. When do I start applying for internships/jobs? There is no time too early to start looking for internships. Go for it! How do I explore career options available to my major? Talk to seniors that have been through the internship process and are applying, looking for, or already committed to jobs/starting professions. Speak to your advisor or career center. One thing most colleges are good at is knowing what comes after. Usually, the possibilities are endless. If you haven’t caught on yet, most of these common questions are answered with some sort of variation of “talk to somebody”. Don’t be afraid to seek out help, advice, and guidance. College, by definition, is a learning experience. About the Author Morgan is a graduate of Boston College and has worked with MyGuru for the past three years. Check out our home page for more information on standardized exam tutoring and helpful study materials!

4 Ways to Become a Language Learning Genius by Taking Notes

4 Ways to Become a Language Learning Genius by Taking Notes 4 Ways to Become a Language Learning Genius by Taking Notes Think taking notes is boring?Well, if youre learning a language, taking notes not only can be interesting and exciting, but it may be essential!Believe it or not, taking handwritten notes on a subject youre learning isnt just for people from the horse-and-buggy age.If you feel like notes are boring, its probably because the way youre naturally inclined to take notes is different from the way youve been taught to take notes.Youve likely just never figured out what works for you.Once you learn why taking notes for language learning is helpful, youll wonder why you didnt start doing it sooner!In this post, were going to look at how you can create your own fun and useful language learning notes, notes that truly enhance your studies and help you learn. Why Take Language Learning Notes?A great reason to take physical language learning notes in a notebook or elsewhere by hand is that it’ll help with your long-term memory. Taking language notes that make sense to you will help you to re tain more of what youre learning. Some studies have suggested that handwritten notes can be more effective for learning than notes typed on a computer. For those of you who still prefer to use a computer to take language notes, like me, you can always buy a digital pen and take notes on a dedicated graphic drawing tablet for similar benefits.Another reason to take language notes is that youll have fewer distractions. Taking notes in an offline digital or paper notebook will not only help you to focus on what youre learning, but itll prevent distractions from things like text messages, emails, online advertisements, etc.Feeling a sense of accomplishment is another great reason to take language notes. As you can see that each page is being filled with your language notes, this will help to keep you motivated to continue taking more notes and keep learning.Now that you know why you want to keep a language learning notebook, lets look at how you can take great language notes.4 Ways to B ecome a Language Learning Genius by Taking Notes1. Learn Your Language Learning Style and Apply It to Your Note-takingLearning your language learning style is one of the best ways for you to become a language learning genius by taking notes. Do you remember those kids in high school who always got As on their tests in Spanish class, and told you they never took notes or studied?Well, first of all, they were lying, and secondly, the way they took and reviewed notes probably didnt feel like note-taking and studying to them because they did it in a way that felt natural. When you figure out your language learning style, youll also be able to excel at learning a new language the way they do.Play around with the different styles below and see what works for you!Auditory LearnersThe most effective way for auditory learners to take language notes and retain information is by listening.Text-to-speech is a great way for auditory learners to take notes aside from the methods mentioned above, because you can listen to the notes youre taking as youre taking them. Another great thing about text-to-speech is that it can be used on nearly all types of computers (desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphones, etc). Because of that, text-to-speech can be used almost anywhere to help you take great language notes.Another way auditory learners can take better notes is by recording lectures, teachings or conversations that have to do with the language theyre learning. Nowadays, youre able to record just about anything with your smartphone. You can then play these recordings back later, and theyll help you to take better notes in your notebook.To give yourself more audio material for your notes, you could also try having group discussions with fellow learners in and/or about the language youre learning. This is a great method of learning and note-taking for people who are sociable.Visual LearnersVisual learners take the best language notes while  watching movies, looking at photos, diagram s, etc. For example, watching a movie may not seem like a productive way to take language notes, but people who learn languages through visualization will be able to remember new foreign words easier by seeing them acted out visually.People with this type of language learning style may benefit from keeping a physical or a digital folder full of pictures, diagrams, graphs and movies to go along with their notes and make sense of them. You can also, of course, arrange your notes into your own diagrams, graphs and other visual aids.If youre a visual learner, you would also benefit from using visual aids to learning, not just note taking. For instance, youd probably learn well with FluentU, which  makes 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:Fluent U 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.Hands-on LearnersPeople who are hands-on learners, like me, like to get their hands dirty when learning a new language. The best way for hands-on learners to take notes when learning a new language is by actually doing something, often physical, that connects their memory to a new foreign word.Actually writing down your notes on paper (or, again, on an offline computer with a digital pen) is the best way for hands-on learners to take language notes.  Besides writing things down on paper, hands-on learners can also take language notes by using hand gestures. For example, if you want to learn to say good job in a foreign language, you could write that phrase down in a notebook with one hand and use your other hand to give yourself a thumbs-up.If youre a student in school taking a foreign language test, you can use your hands-on learning style to your advantage. If you discreetly use your hands to go over your hand-gesture not es while youre taking your test, people may think youre crazy, but youll prove them wrong when you ace your language test every time!2. Establish the Main Idea Every Time You Take NotesLearning your language learning style is only the first step when it comes to taking great language notes. Once you figure that out, the next thing you need to focus on is what the main idea of your notes is.Limit Yourself to One Main Idea at a TimeKnowing the main idea is important because you dont want just a bunch of random notes that dont make any sense. For example, if during one note-taking session, you want to learn a particular grammar point, then stay focused on only taking notes on that grammar point. Be careful to not get distracted with trying to learn too much all at once.Create a Structure in Your Notes to Accommodate Different TopicsAs you progress in your language note-taking skills, youll eventually want to organize your main thoughts into different sections of your language notebook. As an example, you could have different sections for taking notes on greeting words, the alphabet, basic vocabulary and grammar.Dont Always Go SoloLearning a new language doesnt always have to be a lone-ranger type of thing. Teaming up with a friend at a coffee shop to take notes together can be a great way to stay focused. It can also be really fun to bounce different notes off of each other to make sure the main idea stays the main idea.3. Take Language Notes on Themed Word ListsOne of the best ways to take notes on vocabulary is by organizing your notes around themed word lists. Here are a few different approaches you can take.Learn SynonymsOne great way to use themed word lists to your advantage is by using a dictionary and thesaurus to help you take language notes on synonyms. This option is great for more advanced learners, because learning synonyms with your themed word notes will help to broaden your vocabulary in the language you’re learning.Visual Thesaurus uses a mind- map format (see below) to introduce you to synonyms, related words and different shades of meaning. Currently, the Spanish, German, Italian, French and Dutch language versions of Visual Thesaurus are in beta. As well explore more in the next section, you can actually use thesaurus and dictionary resources in your native language to explore learning possibilities for your target language.When you learn synonyms by taking great language notes, you’ll no longer be stumbling over your words because you can’t think of anything else to say. Now there’s something to celebrate!Learn Uncommon WordsThe best way to learn uncommon words in a foreign language by using a dictionary is by first visiting a website that specializes in unusual words, like phrontistery.info,  to find an uncommon word and its definition. You can do this in English or your native language, but once you find that uncommon word, you can look up the foreign definition of it with an online multilingual dictionary, lik e hamariweb.com. Once you  learn the foreign definition of that word, which may include more than one related uncommon word and other related words you dont know yet, you can take notes about it in your notebook.This might sound overwhelming, but its a great way to expand your vocabulary beyond the simplest everyday usage. After all, you dont want to be talking to intellectuals in a foreign language and be stumped because you don’t understand many of the words theyre using.Even if you have no desire to talk to intellectuals in a foreign language, you can practice the uncommon foreign words youve learned with your native speaker friends and use  repetition  in your notes to reinforce what youve learned. Theres a reason teachers discipline children by having them write, I will not talk in class 100 times.By writing related words in your language notebook over and over again, even words that are uncommon for most foreigners will start to become common for you.Learn Word Pronunciation sBy using a themed word list with an audio dictionary app, youll not only learn the pronunciation of a foreign word, but youll also be able to take notes in your notebook about the pronunciation.In order for you to remember the pronunciation of a particular letter, you might write down notes like, sounds like a diesel truck, or reminds me of… Whatever the best way is for you to remember the pronunciation of the word is what you should focus on.4. Go Unconventional with Your Note-taking: Use Mind MapsUse Colors and Images in Your Mind Maps for Better RetentionFor those of you who dont know, mind maps are maps that organize lots of words around a central subject. Mind maps use colors and images that will help you to learn a new language quickly. These colors and images that mind maps use create a way for you to visualize your physical notes without needing to bring a notebook everywhere. When you can visualize the physical notes you took in your notebook at home, you can go over you r language notes from memory anywhere, anytime.Most notes are just words written down with more words to explain what the words mean, but not with mind maps. When you take notes using a mind map, you use your creativity with colors and images that will help you to learn the different types of words associated with each word branch.For example, one branch will have the word ball written in a foreign language. Then, each branch attached to the word ball will have words, pictures and colors associated with that word like basketball (orange), soccer (black and white), baseball (white), football (brown), tennis (green), etc.Make Easy Adjustments with a Digital Mind MapIf you like to make frequent changes or add things to your mind map on a regular basis, the best option is to use a digital mind map. A digital mind map will allow you to take digital language notes on a computer, and this will make it easy for you to add or change things as you progress in your language learning.There are many ways to take good language notes, but if you put these four methods into practice, your inner Einstein will come out for all your foreign friends to see.Whether youre an intellectual, a creative person or just a dedicated language learner, taking good notes will help you become the language learning genius youve always wanted to be.