The Importance Of Tutoring In The First Place

The Importance Of Tutoring In The First PlaceYou may think that the services of a math tutor in Boise are a luxury. While it may seem to be, the costs are actually a lot cheaper than you may expect. There are several services, which are available for a small outlay that will pay off in the long run. The most important thing to remember is that you need to commit to a tutoring session if you are going to benefit from the services that are provided.The first step is to do some research and find out what services are available. You can take your time to visit the websites of many companies, but don't spend too much time online. It may take you several minutes searching for the services available. The internet is only one of the many options that you have, but this doesn't mean that it is the best. You still need to make sure that you find the right company for you.If you decide to take some time off work, it may be a good idea to visit the Boise City website as this will give you the ab ility to compare different agencies at one time. It will also give you the chance to view the fees as well as the tuition. You will be able to see the packages that are available to you as well as their rates. You may also be surprised at how little money is involved with all of the services that are offered by a local math tutor. You should consider this as part of your decision making process.It is important to remember that there are certain things that a math tutor will teach. Some of these things include; spelling, word processing, basic math, adding and subtracting, geometry, and more. Each of these areas can be taught effectively by the tutor that you choose. When you are looking for a tutor, make sure that you know exactly what they will be teaching so that you know what specific skills will be taught and how the sessions will go.You should also keep in mind that you have to make an appointment for your session and it will probably take you some time to get through the class . There are several things that you can do to help yourself during this process. If you plan on taking the online tutoring route, be sure that you set aside a few hours in your schedule to fit in your tutoring session.Make sure that you take some time to practice the different skills that you learned during the class so that you are ready for when the tutor is working with you. When you are looking for a math tutor, it is important to take a little bit of time to research the company so that you can choose the one that is right for you. This may take some time and you should also check their rates so that you are not overspending. Most of these tutors provide after school tutoring and some of them will also offer weekend sessions.Once you have found a math tutor in Boise, make sure that you ask the tutor questions to ensure that you are getting the level of education that you deserve. You will find that once you sign up for tutoring you will be so excited that you will want to sign up for sessions and make sure that you pay your fees as soon as possible. Your time will be so valuable that you want to make sure that you are getting what you need out of it.A math tutor in Boise will be able to make sure that you get the help that you need from a math tutor in the shortest amount of time. You will find that there are quite a few advantages that you will have by signing up for tutoring. It may be worth it to sign up for several sessions so that you can see just how much the tutor can do for you.

9 Reasons Why Tutoring is the Perfect Job for College Students

9 Reasons Why Tutoring is the Perfect Job for College Students photo via Pexels.com 1. Youll likely have your own office or at least a quiet place to work. Working in fast food or at any business, really, can mean that youre in a noisy environment during your entire shift. If youre a person who is easily overwhelmed, this can put stressful parameters on yourself while youre at work. If youre a student tutor on your college campus, youll be placed in an environment thats quiet and serene. Tutoring centers are often located in libraries or offices that have a minimal noise level. So if youre looking for a job in a place where busybodies are limited a tutoring center is for you! 2. There will be slower and busier times of the semester. When I was a student tutor on campus, the beginning of the semester (when I was always most overwhelmed with my classes) were the slowest times of the semester. College students dont seek out tutoring in the first few weeks of college (unless theyre in a subject like Organic Chemistry 5000 that requires multiple hours of studying every evening). So when youre feeling most overwhelmed, your tutoring shifts will likely be pretty slow, meaning you can get your own work done while getting paid. Sure, not  all  tutoring jobs work like this but most of them will. Take advantage of this time make your money and keep to yourself. Youll be thankful for these days during Finals Week. At the end of the semester, youll be cramming for your exams just like everyone else. But on top of cramming for your own exam, there will likely be extended tutoring hours for students who need help cramming for their exams. The good thing about this is that youll be required to be in a tutoring center where you can focus when you get a spare minute. The bad thing could be that youre slammed with walk-ins who need help with all their classes and youll have to dedicate time to your own studies in the middle of the night. Most of my tutoring friends (and myself included) started studying for final exams way before they got close. Knowing we had to work Finals Week meant we stayed on top of our studies throughout the semester. 3. If youre struggling in your own classes, youll know a lot of tutors. One of the greatest parts of being a tutor is the people youll meet. Theyre responsible, on top of their game, knowledgeable in a variety of subjects, and genuinely nice people. Rarely will you meet a bunch of goof-offs who dont value their education. And if you happen to start stressing about your own classes and even if you start struggling hardcore, youll know exactly which people to turn to for help. 4. Your resume will look  stellar. Graduate schools and employers love seeing student tutor on applications and resumes. Because being a student tutor means you have certain qualities that others may not: including organization, teaching skills, and dependability. When have you ever met a tutor who isnt flexible, has terrible customer service, and thinks of only themselves? Probably never. All the student tutors I know are truly great people, and they value education. When managers of companies or potential graduate school committees see an application with this kind of previous experience, they are likely to put you at the top of the pile. They know you have a drive for success and a selflessness when it comes to helping other people achieve what theyre capable of. 5. Tutoring on campus is one of the more flexible job opportunities during college. Your classes and extra-curricular schedule is nuts, Im sure. So how in the world are you supposed to work a job in 6 or 8-hour shifts during college? Its practically impossible. Which is why tutoring is such a perfect job. Youll mostly be able to work your own hours whichever hours you set for yourself. If youre just not feeling it one day, you can  probably  call in. No ones really going to notice. via Pexels.com 6. Youll learn how to work with all kinds of people/students. If one things for sure, tutoring on campus means you have to have awesome customer service skills and the flexibility to work with all kinds of different people. Some students will walk in and expect you to do their homework for them, while others will come in with a very specific list of things they want to go over with you. 7. You will easily gain another supervisor who can write you a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation can be stressful. You want to ask people who can speak positively on your behalf about your dependability, leadership, and responsibility. How you handle yourself around professionals will follow you throughout your collegiate career and sometimes, early on, you dont anticipate this. If you know youre going to need someone to write a letter of recommendation, becoming a student tutor and asking your supervisor is one of the best things you can do for yourself. 8. Professors will respect you For the subjects youre tutoring, professors will respect that you work as a tutor to help their students with content. Reaching out to these professors will feel more collaborative instead of coming to them for help. My advice? Reach out to the professors for the classes youre going to be tutoring. Not only can they send students your way when theyre needing help, but itll get your name out there as a professional. 9. You wont actually feel like you work while youre in school. Tutoring just doesnt seem like work for some reason. I never came home exhausted and worn out from a long hard day. I enjoyed it. I got to meet students who were struggling in classes I remembered struggling in. I enjoyed giving them advice, talking to their professors, and helping them accomplish the goals they set for themselves. There were only a few times when I really dreaded having to go into work, and those times were mostly during the peak of the semester midterms and finals. If youre decently organized, you enjoy teaching others, and you can be depended on tutoring on campus is the perfect job for you. Its flexible, easy, and can provide you with a lot of references later on in life. Part of my tutoring experiences brought me to the conclusion that I should become a teacher. It helped me discover part of who I am.

Maple Bear Pyeongchon

Maple Bear Pyeongchon Maple Bear Pyeongchon Maple Bear Pyeongchon Our Mission and Vision:At Maple Bear Global Schools we believe that nothing is more important than the education of our children. The Maple Bear mission is to deliver a student-focused learning system in a safe, secure and stimulating environment that prepares students for success at the post-secondary level and that instills a passion for life-long learning. The Maple Bear vision is to provide a high quality pre-school, elementary and high school education based on the Canadian philosophy and best practices that meet the expectations of global parents and is in conformity with local education regulations. Maple Bear schools offer full Canadian programs utilizing Canadian methodology and curriculum developed by our own expertsfrom the ground up for pre-school, elementary, and high school. Maple Bear Training and Curriculum Development: How does Maple Bear develop its curriculum? And how does it deliver its training? What does that mean for our teachers? These and other interesting aspects of our training and curriculum development is explained by Maple Bear Global Schools Ltd. Vice-President Gerald Macleod. About Anyang (??) Anyang is the 15th largest city in South Korea, located in Gyeonggi-do and is about 15km south of Seoul. It is home to about 630,000 people with a fairly large amount of westerners in the area. This is due to the wealthy districts being home to many hagwons (private language academies). Like most of South Korea, Anyang offers vast options for convenient travel. Transportation options include easy access to buses, subway, fast trains via KTX, and highways reaching to Seoul and other parts of the country. The Seoul Subway Line 1 and Line 4 connect Anyang to Seoul. Depending on where you want to go in Seoul, the travel time can be anywhere from 30-60 minutes of travel. Anyang provides easy access to Korean and foreign clothing brands and stores, banks, restaurants, markets, entertainment, English speaking hospitals, hostels, and Koreas well known themed motels to meet your living needs. The cost of living is lower compared to larger cities, so people can comfortably live on about 700,000-1,000,000 won a month. Anyang is an ideal city to work in if you want to save money without having to live on an overly tight budget. Anyang has a typical Korean climate of the four seasons. Ranging from a mild Spring and Fall to hot Summers and cold Winters.

Organic Chemistry Tutor: Learn With a Plan!

Organic Chemistry Tutor: Learn With a Plan!If you want to study chemistry at school, taking an organic chemistry tutor is the only way to go. What's more, you can even take a pre-professional course so that you can earn your bachelors' degree in organic chemistry. However, if you're taking college courses then this is just not enough. The reason being is that you need to learn the fundamentals of organic chemistry.So, you have taken the step of attending college but you are not really ready for the big league yet. As an example, in addition to the Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, you might be an Honors student or you might not even have a GPA high enough to get into one of the best graduate schools. Then you need to know how to advance your studies.There are three ways to advance your studies. The first and foremost is to find an accredited university or college that offers a science program. This means that you'll learn the fundamentals of chemistry by enrolling in a program that has been set up by a research institute or by a recognized university or college.Another option is to enroll in one of the college or university's chemistry classes that are available online. You'll learn the basics of organic chemistry by studying with your peers, or by applying what you've learned in class. A third option is to do a science writing project, which can allow you to apply what you learned from class. You can improve your studies while developing some independent work experience.In order to advance your studies, you need to take undergraduate level courses. These will help you learn the basics of organic chemistry. And once you have this knowledge, you need to apply it to your next class and your professors' class, because you want to do well in school. That's why an organic chemistry tutor is so important.Once you know you need an organic chemistry tutor, you have to find the right one. To do this, you should take note of the courses offered by the university or college you want to attend. As an example, if you are looking for a university offering undergraduate level chemistry courses, you should search for organic chemistry courses on the institution's website.Now, once you have found a chemistry tutor, you have to get him or her to write a specific assignment for you. This will serve as a practice test for your future classes. You will learn that your mistakes will not just be corrected; they will also be highlighted for you to study on. So, the last thing you need is to learn that you are already aware of.

Why Its So Important to Find a Computer Graphics Tutor

Why It's So Important to Find a Computer Graphics TutorA computer graphics tutor is an expert on all the aspects related to computer graphics and programming. Whether you're a designer or a programmer, an artist or a programmer, having this skill will allow you to excel in your chosen field. This will let you hone your skills and provide you with a higher income than ever before.The computer graphics tutor also works on Microsoft Visual C++ and Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop is a high quality editing application that helps programmers create graphics with image manipulation and design. You'll also be able to use it to cut out graphics into many different shapes. Being proficient in Photoshop is very important, especially if you want to turn your designs into a picture for a brochure, postcard, magazine ad, or a website. If you need a business card design, design a great logo, or need to doodle on paper, Photoshop is the best choice for your needs.Learning how to code and how to program g raphics will also help you understand how to create your own graphics programs. This means that when you first start your computer graphics career, you'll have to create your own graphic design programs from scratch. This can be quite a tedious task and is not something you can do without help. A computer graphics tutor will be able to teach you everything that you need to know about this field, including the basics of graphics programming and design.Another thing that you'll learn from a computer graphics tutor is the importance of sharing your work with others. Sharing your design with people in the industry will get you started on the road to success. Every designer should be able to see their work in other peoples' designs and even have their designs included in their works. Not only will this give them inspiration for the future, but it will also allow you to meet new people in the industry and exchange ideas with them. By sharing your designs with others, you will also receive more job offers as your skills improve.A good computer graphics tutor will be a mentor to you and your design. They will be able to guide you every step of the way and will help you grow as a designer. While you will gain experience and knowledge from your tutor, they will also teach you all the things that you need to know in order to make the right design decisions. If they know the ins and outs of your chosen field, they will always be there to guide you and help you succeed. With their guidance, you'll be able to excel in the field of computer graphics and you'll be able to find a job that will pay you well.One of the things that you must consider when choosing a tutor is where they live. You don't want to travel too far for help and you definitely don't want to hire someone who lives in another state. One of the biggest advantages of using a tutor is that you'll be able to go to their school or college and make your lessons online. This will allow you to save money and time wh ile also giving you the opportunity to interact with other students and professors. You'll be able to find the best online programs that are suitable for your needs.Computer graphics and graphic design are two of the most exciting fields to work in. If you want to continue your career, a computer graphics tutor is the way to go.

Will Cardio Physical Activity Help You Sing Better [Video]

Will Cardio Physical Activity Help You Sing Better [Video] Suzy S. Can doing physical exercise and cardio help you become a better singer? The answer is yes! Learn how to strengthen your singing voice and which activities are best in this article by voice teacher Rebecca R Imagine this scenario: youve signed up to run your  first marathon. Maybe you  ran cross-country back in high school and have kept up with running as a regular form of exercise. Because of this, you dont  use a training plan, and instead  continue your normal exercise routine. When the day of the marathon arrives, though, you struggle to complete the entire course and  end up  injured. Youd probably feel like your  body betrayed  you, right? While this scenario is a VERY exaggerated circumstance, it gets the point across: in order to accomplish a physical goal in the healthiest way possible, a certain amount of body awareness and training is required. And although it doesnt  demand nearly the same endurance training as running a marathon, singing is a very physical activity. While just two tiny muscles are responsible for forming the sound of your singing voice (your vocal cords), the act of singing is a whole-body experience. So, whats the proper way to train? Adding physical activity to your musical practice  to develop stamina and strengthen your singing voice is a great idea.  Heres how it can help you sing better: 1.  Your body is your instrument. In nearly every introductory voice lesson I teach, the student is always surprised by how physically demanding the lesson is. Often, he or she feels like they just went on a jog. That is exactly how any student should feel after a voice lesson! When you sing to the best of your ability, you are using your entire body. Your feet ground you, your legs support you, and your torso expands and works to provide the breath support needed to fuel your singing. Even if you’re sitting in a chair, leaning against a piano, or laying on the ground, you are using more than just your  throat and head to sing. If learning how to strengthen your singing voice is a goal for you, the first step is to map out body awareness. Ask yourself the following questions the next time you sing: Which muscles are engaging when I breathe? When I’m singing a phrase of music? What do my feet feel like under me? Can they feel the ground? Where do I feel my torso expand when I inhale? In the front? On the sides? In the back? Am I holding any unnecessary tension in the body? Maybe in the shoulders or the jaw? 2.  Breath, breath, and more breath! Lung expansion is a saving grace for any singer. For most circumstances in everyday life, we inhale and exhale subconsciously without needing to actively engage our lungs. When we sing, however, we use up to 90% of our lung capacity depending on the range, style, and length of the song. Unless you  also happen to be an athlete, chances are you dont  perform many activities throughout the day that require a lot of conscious breathing. Enter cardio exercises: jogging, running, swimming, circuit training, you name it! All of these forms of exercise, in addition to their overall health benefits, will improve lung expansion, which helps you  access more of your  lung capacity and fuel your  voice through any practice session, lesson, or performance. Good breath support gained through cardio exercise is what ultimately will provide the stamina to sing safely for hours, days, and years. Editors Note: For more breathing exercises, join our next live, online class! View the schedule and reserve your spot here. 3. The Importance of Posture While having good posture may seem obvious, I don’t think most singers realize that posture is something that needs to be worked on and strengthened regularly. Just like training the lungs with cardio, we need to strengthen our body to support good, natural posture while releasing tight muscles. Yoga or pilates will accomplish both of these goals, along  with added mental benefits! By strengthening your  instrument (your body) and loosening up tight muscles, you  will sing more freely and with more ease. As an added bonus,youll  be able to warm up your voice much more quickly if your body is already warmed up! Here’s a quick little trick for when you need help setting up your posture: Inhale fully and deeply without raising your  shoulders or tightening your  neck. Then, as you exhale, imagine your spine growing longer in both directions, up out of the top of your head and down toward the ground simultaneously. How Much Physical Activity Do I Need to Sing at My Best? While the minutes spent and intensity of all physical activity will vary from person to person, here’s a basic schedule you may want to follow: 3 times/week: Cardio should be  reserved for long vocal practice days. On cardio days, I’ve found that my lung capacity is at its best, and the energy I feel after cardio helps fuel long practice sessions. To get all the benefits of the cardio when you sing, try to fit it in before you practice. 2 times/week: Yoga or pilates is reserved for my non-practice/non-performance days. Yoga classes that are lengthy and provide a hearty workout (such as Vinyasa or power yoga), as well as pilates classes, build strength and flexibility, which can leave the body sore and in need of some recovery. It’s best to avoid activity that might add temporary tension or tightness on singing days or save the workout for after your singing. Every day: Gentle yoga and stretching can be done anytime  and is highly encouraged, particularly before you sing. I always reserve time for some gentle yoga on performance days, audition days, or long rehearsal days â€" the gentle stretch not only allows my mind and body to calm down and feel grounded but also makes warming up vocally easier and quicker. Give it a Try Follow along with the video below for a quick stretching sequence you can start using today. Singers, what kinds of physical activity do you engage in? Leave a comment below and let us know how its helped! Post Author: Rebecca R. Rebecca R. teaches singing, piano, and music theory in Ridgewood, NY, as well as online. She teaches students ages 6 and up, and a variety of experience levels. Learn more about Rebecca here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Learn English Through the News

Learn English Through the News Learn English Online with our Great Selection of Anglophile News Outlets ChaptersLearning English Through the MediaBBC NewsESPNCNNThe New York TimesThe Huffington PostThe RadioMedia in other Anglophone countriesAlternative MediaEnglish Media RecapIt’s never easy to become bilingual; you will always experience some bumps along the way.There is so much to cram into just one hour English lessons a week due to its strange pronunciation, irregular verbs, present perfects and idiomatic expressions.What can you do at the intermediate level to carry on improving outside of class?Every English teacher will tell you that the best way of learning English is to read and speak the language regularly. There is no better way!Throughout this article, we will go through the different websites that can be useful for learning English online and interactively. via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-SA)The American news channel, CNN has always been globally known for the way it covers media in all four corners of the world.Its excellent reputation started off in 1991, during the Gulf War, the first major conflagration between the United States and Iraq. CNN was the only American news channel that witnessed the conflict.Nearly 24 years later, CNN is the main international media that we all know. They publish news about the United States as well as each and every country.Anyway, “edition.cnn.com” is specifically designed for English-learners who want to deepen their knowledge of the language through reading the news. You will discover all the different Anglophone accents and many different opinions.On the CNN website, you can “filter” the news by continent: Asia, Europe, America, etc. So, you can directly click on what you are interested about. The language is a bit less formal than the BBC’s, but it is still proper.a lot of new vocabulary. The New York Times is perfect for this.Inevitably, the New York Times is a website that will make you the best of the best in English.Whatever your favourite topics are in current affairs, the New York Times offers su ch a wide range of subjects that you will definitely always find something to read. You can practice English by learning about politics, the economy, the world, health and many more topics!And even better yet, the New York Times online has been modernised and they now publish many more articles on “lifestyle” and fun topics, such as sports, arts, style, and food!  Discover the weird and wonderful world of British cuisine.Reading the New York Times, there is no doubt that you’ll be able to come bilingual and fluent in English.Additionally, but on the other side of the planet, you can read The Guardian, The Observer or The Times  â€" all great renown British newspapers.  Discover the most famous English quotes used throughout the world.The Huffington PostIf you’re like every typical Internet user today and spend several hours a day surfing the net, switching from article to article, from culture to politics, then you will definitely find a great compromise on www.huffingtonpos t.com.The Huffington Post, a US magazine is a little more accessible for English learners at a beginners level, the language is a lot easier to understand, and you can find articles on things like English gastronomy written in a clear and understandable way.The online newspaper is brave enough to deal with both serious subjects as well as laid back subjects, under the heading “Entertainment”.If you enjoy reading the Huffington Post, you should definitely visit the Daily Mail’s site, which is more or less the British version of the Huffington Post.The Huffington Post also offers translation exercises to better your knowledge of the English language whilst enhancing your reading comprehension.The RadioWe have mentioned all the main Anglophone newspapers; it is now only fair to discuss the radio!Most radio station offers musical breaks to give you a rest from the current affairs, for example, jazz, hip hop, disco funk and many more genres for the pleasure of your ears.Euronews ra dio, Voice of America, CBS Radio News, Radio Newark, America’s News Network are great radio stations, so listen to these stations to improve your English listening comprehension. The only downside is that sometimes you have to subscribe.Media in other Anglophone countriesUp until now, we have discussed the media in the United States and the United Kingdom.In other words, this list does appear quite small when you put it into perspective: English is the official language in 53 states, the UN, and the EU. It is spoken by 400 million natives and mastered as a foreign language by 1.4 billion people.Rugby enthusiasts could read the Herald, a magazine based in New Zealand.At the other end of the globe, in the northern hemisphere, there is the Canadian newspaper CBC News.There are many other news channels and newspapers in other ends of the world, in every continent, including Asia, India, and Africa.If you become familiar with all these different media from all the different parts of th e world, you will become an English expert! You’ll even get used to the different Anglophone accents.Alternative MediaFacebook, Twitter and Instagram are a few of many ways you can communicate with native English speakers  (Photo via Visual HuntWithout necessarily going as far as becoming a fervent blog reader, there are thousands of uncongenial ways of learning a language.Social networks are generally an excellent way of communicating with others in a foreign language.Free online video channels on YouTube are a gold mine to improve your English. At times, there are even subtitles which is great for beginners.As we have seen, there is a lot of online Anglophone media, for every taste covering many different topics: recessions, ISIS, terrorism, migrants, and Syria.English Media RecapIt’s now time to summarize the different possibilities you can take to reinforce your knowledge of English:TVOnline magazines/newspapersOnline radio stationsAlternative media, such as social networksY ou could also find an English pen pal and communicate through Skype!And yes, English is the most spoken language in the business world; so make sure you start reading Anglophone media to be the best of the best!Try learning English through the wonderful language of Shakespeare.

How Parents Can Help with Middle School Homework Challenges

How Parents Can Help with Middle School Homework Challenges At some point, all middle school parents experience the Sunday night homework announcement: suddenly, your student has a shoebox diorama due in third period history class tomorrowand he or she hasnt started it yet. With the move to middle school comes major change: shifting to bell schedules, an intense focus on social dynamics, and an increase in responsibilitiesincluding homework responsibilities. Even though the start of the middle school year brings more homework and higher expectations for time management, that first bell doesnt automatically imbue your middle schooler with all the skills to handle the change. For parents, its important to strike a balance between giving middle school students the autonomy they crave and the support they need when it comes to homework and time management. Ways you can help your middle school student with homework challenges include developing a homework tracking system, practicing task assessment, and encouraging the implementation of study breaks. Read on to learn how parents can help with middle school homework challenges: [RELATED: 4 Ways Parents Can Help Middle School Students Succeed] Middle school homework solution #1: Develop a tracking system Speak with your student about how homework changes in middle school, such as more frequent long-term projects and a heavier homework load overall. Together, brainstorm ways to keep track of homework assignments. Keep in mind that the school may have its own system, such as an online calendar or a mandatory student planner. If not, some ideas might include: Writing homework out on a calendar, in a planner, or on an app Reviewing new assignments as the first homework task each day Creating a checklist or chart for the kitchen (or another common area). Then, give your student regular reminders to stick to the plan youve created togetherthat way, he or she stays accountable. Middle school homework solution #2: Let your student struggle occasionally If the dreaded Sunday night homework crisis does occur, and your student has a book report due tomorrow for a book he or she hasnt read, consider simply letting your student endure the consequences of procrastination. Ask your student what his or her plan is to handle the short timeline. If he or she needs to go to the store for supplies, make yourself available to drive there, but dont do the project for your student. Having to turn in a late or sub-par assignment will help your student learn to avoid the same situation in the futureand you can help drive the lesson home by talking with him or her about a plan for approaching the work differently next time. [RELATED: Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences: What to Ask] Middle school homework solution #3: Practice task assessment Another skill you can help your student develop is to help him or her look at assignments ahead of time and analyze how much work they will take. If your student is sticking to a tracking system, you can help read over the assignment or look through the problems before they are due and estimate how much time, materials, reading, or other preparation will be required. Add those things to the planner or calendar as needed, and work with your child to spread out any heavy workloads in a realistic way. Middle school homework solution #4: Implement breaks and other study skills Middle school is going to require longer homework sessions and different types of studying. Help your student create good study habits by encouraging him or her to take regular, short breaks and to study using different methods like flashcards, rewriting notes, analyzing math problems that were missed, participating in group study sessions, and other techniques beyond simply reviewing notes. As your child gets into the pre-teen and teen years, your role as a parent will need to shift from helping directly with homework assignments to helping your student manage time and tasks effectively. Taking an active role in teaching him or her organization, time management, analysis, and planning skills while allowing more control over the details will build lifelong capability and confidence. [RELATED: 3 Ways to Effectively Communicate With Your Childs Teacher] 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.

Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Derek Meeker

Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Derek Meeker Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Derek Meeker is the Founder and President of Dean Meeker Consulting, a law school admissions consulting company. Derek previously held the role ofDean of Admissions and Financial Aid for the University of PennsylvaniaLaw School. He has also served as theRecruiting Manager for the global law firm, Paul Hastings, and as an admissions reader for The University of ChicagoLaw School. VT: How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete a Law School application? Derek: The amount of time it takes to adequately prepare for and complete a law school application is anywhere from six to ten months. Applicants must give themselves several months to study for the LSAT, and preparing for and taking the exam should (ideally) be done before the application season opens (i.e. prior to the fall). That way, applicants can focus solely on the other components of the application during the late summer and fall months, as they likely will also be juggling school and/or work obligations. Applicants also need to arrange for letters of recommendation, and they should give their references at least two to three months advance notice. Professors will be much busier in the fall and may be difficult to reach during the summer, so, again, planning several months in advance and well before the admissions season opens is ideal. Finally, the personal statement is a crucial component of the admissions process, and most applicants find writing a personal statement to b e extremely challenging; thus, allowing a couple of months to brainstorm topics, write several drafts, get feedback, and tailor the essay for various schools is essential. There are several other administrative steps (e.g., requesting and submitting transcripts) and written components (application forms, resume, and possibly supplemental essays or addenda) that will also add to the timeline. VT: What is the single most important thing applicants should focus on with this application? Derek: Aside from LSAT preparation, the single most important thing applicants should focus on is superior writing in all components of the application (i.e. the application form, personal statement, supplemental essays, resume, and any addenda). Writing is the single most important skill for success in law school and for success as a lawyer; everything you submit as part of your application will be a measure of your ability to write effectivelyi.e. in a way that is descriptive, informative, and compelling, yet also cohesive, concise, and genuine (and, of course, grammatically impeccable!). VT: What are the biggest mistakes one can make on a Law School application? Derek: Aside from the obvious mistakesgrammatical errors, typos, failing to follow instructions, or failing to respond to required questionsone of the biggest mistakes one can make is writing the personal statement as a mini biography, or taking the admissions committee on a resume tour, as I like to call it. I always advise applicants to complete the resume before writing their essays. (And note, a two-page resume for the application is perfectly acceptable, unless the instructions specifically state otherwise.) Writing a detailed resume will paint a broad picture of your academic, work, community, and extra-curricular experiences; use the personal statement and supplemental essays to delve more deeply into specific experiences or to present valuable information that may not be apparent from other parts of the application. Another big mistake that applicants make is submitting the same exact personal statem ent to every school to which he or she is applying. Simply changing the name of the school in every essay (or worse, forgetting to change the name of the school!) is not advisable, particularly for highly selective or reach schools. What often separates similarly competitive applicants from one another is the extra effort or personal touch that one puts into his or her application. Show through your essays the unique perspective you would bring and contribution you would make to that particular law school. Show that you have done your research on the school by discussing why it is a good fit for you personally, academically, and professionally given your values, interests, and career goals. (Note, some schools provide this opportunity through optional supplemental essays; do the supplemental essays.) Putting in that additional effort will make your application stand out because it will convey that you are genuinely interested in the school, focused and goal-oriented, and, thus, more prepared for law school and legal practice. VT: What do Law School admissions officers look for most in an applicants essays/personal statements? Derek: My advice for the personal statement is: be who you are and share who you are. As the Dean of Admissions for Penn Law School, I always asked when reading applications, What voice will this person bring to the classroom? How will he or she contribute to the law school community and to the legal profession? Two of the most common questions I hear from applicants are: But theres nothing unique about me; I grew up in a middle-class suburb, went to fine schools, didnt have to overcome significant challenges, etc. What could I write about that would be interesting? Or, at the other end of the spectrum, But dont a lot of people write about their challenges as a first-generation American (or being raised by a single-parent, or spending time abroad to study or work)? The personal statement is about youyour experiences, your achievements, your challenges, your goals. It matters less what the topic is (e.g., whether it is common) and more how you write about it. What did a particular exp erience or challenge mean to you? How did it affect, influence, inspire, or teach you? What decisions have you made or what actions have you taken as a result? How will you affect, influence, inspire, or teach others as a result? It is a personal statement, so make it personaltake the reader into your experiences through clear, vivid, and descriptive prose. As long as you write about something that is meaningful to you, about which you genuinely feel passionate, and that has somehow shaped you or defined your goals, it will be compelling. VT: Is there anything on a students application that would automatically disqualify them from being considered for the program? Derek: Providing information that is dishonest or failing to write an addendum that adequately explains a criminal record or academic misconduct could lead to automatic disqualification. VT: What about the Law School admissions process differs the most from undergraduate admissions? Derek: Because you will be applying for a professional degree, it is important for the law school admissions committee to understand why you are interested in attending law school and what your career goals are (at least, generally). In this regard, the information you submit needs to be more specific. Law schools expect their applicants to be more mature and focused, to have a deeper awareness of themselves, and a broader awareness of the world in which they live. Also, very few law schools offer the opportunity to interview, something that is much more common in the college admissions process. VT: What kinds of things (experience, grades, etc.) might a student lack that would lead you to advise them not to apply? Derek: Maturity, focus, and a keen understanding of what law school entails and what it will cost them, as well as an understanding of what lawyers do and earn. Law school is expensive and the current legal market is extremely competitive. It is absolutely imperative that students understand what career opportunities are likely to be available to them from the schools at which they will be competitive (i.e. what the return on investment will be). Also, having spent the last four years as the Recruiting Manager for a large law firm, I highly encourage students to get some full-time work experience before enrolling in law school. While it is not required, substantive work experience will make them more compelling as candidates for attorney positions and more prepared for the rigorous work ahead of them. VT: Is there anything you might see on a students application that would quickly put them ahead in the running? Derek: The admissions committees goal is to put together a class of students that will engage, challenge, and teach one another through their diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Thus, anything that is distinct or unusual relative to the overall applicant pool (e.g. a particular course of study, job, or accomplishment, geographic background, cultural upbringing, a personal hardship or significant challenge, etc.) will immediately stand out. One of my favorite stories from my time at Penn is when I called an applicant to tell him that he had been admitted. Apparently in shock, he replied, Why did you admit me? And I said, Because you grew up working on a ranch in Montana. Now, I distinctly remember that that applicant did not have as high a numeric profile as the majority of applicants admitted to Penn. But what put him ahead of the running is that he brought a perspectiveone that he effectively articulated in his applicationthat was not represented in the student body. VT: What advice do you have regarding LSAT test prep? Derek: How much time it takes to sufficiently prepare for the LSAT varies greatly from applicant to applicant. What is important to note is that you will not know how much time you need to adequately prepare until you start taking practice exams. You also may not know what the most effective method of preparation will be for you until you are in it. Some applicants will find that studying on their own by using resources that are available through LSAC is sufficient; others may feel a classroom environment would be more effective and will want to take a prep course. Still others may learn best by working one-on-one with an LSAT tutor. The cost of each of these methods also varies greatly. Thus, my advice is to begin preparing and taking practice exams many months before you plan to take the LSAT so that you have adequate time to determine the method of preparation that works best for you, and to save additional money or make scheduling adjustments, if necessary. VT: What do law school admissions officers look for in recommendation letters? Derek: Admissions officers expect the letter writers to know the applicant extremely well from an academic setting, employment setting, or, perhaps, through substantive community service or extra-curricular activities. The letters should include specific and detailed examples that illustrate the applicant has the skills or characteristics that are necessary for success in law school (and as a lawyer), such as outstanding writing, oral communication, advocacy, analytical, and critical reading and reasoning skills, discipline, perseverance, confidence, maturity, focus, adaptability, judgment, and attention to detail. A diverse portfolio of letters (i.e. letters that provide unique perspectives on the applicant) is ideal. Visit Dean Meeker Consulting for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.