Study Strategies for Reading

Study Strategies for Reading Are you struggling to keep up in your English classes? Do you find your reading habits negatively impacting other areas of study? Dont worry, youre not alone! Reading strategies throughout all types of text are fundamental to succeeding in school, but can often be tricky to master. Refining the skills below can not only help you excel in your English classes, but also assist in other subjects where reading is necessary. Lets take a look Preview the text If you are assigned a section to read in a textbook, its important to do a quick pre-scan to prepare yourself for the information you are going to learn. This doesnt mean read the entire text, just look for important text features. What are you looking for in this initial scan? Note the bolded words, as they are important and highlighted for a reason. It will be helpful to look them up and understand them before you begin to read more carefully. Look at the headings and subheadings to give yourself a preview of how the information will be structured. Textbooks are organized in a very purposeful way, to chunk similar and related information and to present the most significant concepts first. If you understand the format, the information will be easier to digest. Read through any review questions that may be provided at the end of the given section. If your teacher has provided unique questions on a separate worksheet or document, look through those to note what information you should be looking for. Such review questions, whether from the book itself or from your teacher, can help successfully guide your reading. [RELATED: How to Stay Focused on Long Reading Passages] Read and take notes with purpose As you read, you should be taking notes on key information that will help you retain the content. Although note-taking may seem easy, theres a fine line between taking too many notes and not taking enough. You dont want to rewrite the entire text, but you dont want to miss any important concepts. So, how do you know what to jot down? Ask yourself questions as you read. Whats the main idea of the passage? Your skim through in the previous step should have given you some hints as to what it could be. Elements that are related to that main idea are important to take down as notes, while elements that are unrelated arent typically the things you need to write down (unless your teacher mentioned them separately). Utilize your text features. If there is a numbered list in a textbook, its typically information that is important to learn (and, from a teachers perspective, is easily testable!). Timelines are also important. Although your teacher may not require you to memorize dates, knowing the progression of events is beneficial to your full understanding of them. Consider a note-taking format that works best for you personally. Think about what type of learner you are. If you learn better by drawing, for example, make diagrams and pictures to help you remember the content. Consider using different colored pens and highlighters to distinguish information. Note-taking doesnt have to be boring, and it should suit the person who is taking the notes. Relook and review Your work is not done when the last word of the text is read. To fully understand a text, you will need to go back through your notes (as well as the guided questions), and then do another quick scan of the text to ensure you understood all of the important concepts. If youre going to be tested on specific areas of the content, it may be necessary to recall certain details or facts, which will be difficult if you only give the text one read. What steps should you take after you finish your initial read? Is there a spot in the text you struggled with most? Be sure to go back and reread that section carefully. If some parts arent making sense, you may need to do some further research, whether its in the text or online, to be sure youre understanding the concepts correctly. Are you going to be tested on this information? If so, youll likely need to make flashcards or some other type of study device to help you retain the key ideas. These study resources you create should come from the notes you took as you were reading. Summarize the main point of the text, either in paper or even just in your head. In less than three sentences, you should be able to report what the text is about. If you can successfully do that, you likely have a solid understanding of what youve read. If not, you may need to repeat this last step. If you decide you need further help with reading strategies, consider reading tutoring with an expert who can assist you personally. 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.

Life Is All About Change - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Life Is All About Change - Introvert Whisperer Life Is All About Change I’m a bit sentimental today. Some of you may know or realize that when I started out as a coach, my website and business name was Next Chapter New Life. When I launched Introvert Whisperer over a year ago, I was unclear what to do with that website. Because I wasn’t clear, I kept it going and continued to post content to it. I decided to “end-of-life” the website, thus closing that chapter in my life. That’s why I’m waxing nostalgic. It won’t impact anything you typically see from me. Because my roots are in change, I have to use this as an illustration for you on how we work in making change and the emotional reaction to change called transition. The first phase of transition is an ending. Something has to come to an end and for me, the end started last year as I ramped up Introvert Whisperer. During the end phase, you begin to disengage and begin to lose identification with what you are ending. I was identifying less with Next Chapter and more with Introvert Whisperer. The next phase is what I called confusion; Because it is largely a period where you feel unshaped by purpose. With my Next Chapter website/persona, that period of confusion has lasted a year.     I wasn’t clear what to do with it so rather than pulling the plug or redefining it, I decided my clarity would eventually come as I spent more time defining myself with Introvert Whisperer. I’ll note that we all move through our transition phases at different rates. For me, I felt that there would come a day where the answer of what to do would eventually arrive. It also let me come to grips with ending something I was very emotionally invested in. The last phase is beginnings. Introvert Whisperer to a large degree was the beginning and with this phase you have a new identity or direction. It’s an energetic phase as you are further touching into new territory. I’ll note for you that while these three parts of transition are called phases, they occur at the same time. They occur in different proportions throughout the change but we shift through them daily. Because of the overlapping nature of the phases, we also experience mixed emotions and can often confuse these mixed emotions for making a wrong decision. You can feel happy and sad at the same time. It’s a huge reason so many people avoid change because its not that comfortable. Transition = Endings-Confusion-Beginnings. You will always go through them with any change. Just know that when you’re at a low point or anxiety-ridden â€" you’re normal! You will get through it. So, bye-bye Next Chapter New Life. Think about changes in your life and how these three phases occurred. It will help you the next time you have a change. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

9 Must-Read Career Books for Professionals - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 9 Must-Read Career Books for Professionals - Introvert Whisperer 9 Must-Read Career Books for Professionals Who does not want to be successful in life? But success does not come easy. It comes only to the most dedicated and the perseverant of professionals. No, you do not have to be a workaholic to taste success in your career. A professional has to be sincere and hardworking enough and most importantly, he or she should be alert and dynamic. Many of the young professionals these days fret about the wrong things in life. As a result, their work suffers, and they end up being depressed. What I have noticed is that this young generation is very impatient. Professional life is not a click away, and success never has a shortcut. In school, you could turn to someone and ask them, “Could you do my assignment for me?” But in your work life, there is no such shortcut available. There are several other aspects of life that make us better professionals and help us have a successful career. Although you can resort to a life coach or a career counselor, books can be your best friend too. There are several books that can guide and inspire you to become a great professional. These books will help you tap your potential and will help you make it big in your career. If you are dreaming of making it big in your professional life, then here are nine career books that are sure to give your professional life a boost.   1. So Good They Cant Ignore You by Cal Newport This book is a gem of a book that tells you more than the flowery aspects of professional life. Quite often, you will find books that will just give you a heads up and motivate you to take the plunge but will refrain from telling you about the dark secret of the world that awaits you out there. Being an author and a professor, Cal Newport reveals and talks about the many hurdles that you will have to pass before you taste success in your field. While inspiring you to follow your dream, he warns you about the reality of the world too. So that once you find your passion, you do not have to look behind again. It teaches you how to survive in the rat race and be brilliant in what you do, so that your efforts do not go unnoticed. 2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel Peter Thiel, a legendary entrepreneur and an investor in startups is the best person to tell you how to make it big as a young entrepreneur. The world is advancing towards better dawn where young entrepreneurs are achieving beyond the conventions and replacing some of the Wall Street gurus. The book serves as a concise guide and will tell you the formulas to establish a game-changing business. 3. How to Win Friends Influence People by Dale Carnegie A favorite among professionals for a long time, several career coaches recommend this book for its treasure box of wisdom. Written by Carnegie, the book gives us an insight into the more subtle working that goes in inside an office. The book talks about the human interactions and the meaning behind it. In the end, Carnegie tells you how to understand human behavior and use it to your benefit to emerge as the leader. The language used in the book is personal, and you can connect to it despite the fact that the book dates back to the time of the Great Depression. 4. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg We already know how difficult it for a woman to survive in a workplace. With all the sexism and the patriarchy around, women can barely breathe in their professional life, let alone climb up the ladder of success. But most often, what we forget is that a woman herself can be her enemy and can, therefore, hamper her work. Lean In tells all the young women professionals out there that despite the bias and favoritism, women can be great leaders and influencers too. Through brilliant storytelling, Sandberg picks out instances from her own life and sites them as examples to tell you how to achieve professional progress. 5. Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath Most of us suffer from an inferiority complex which makes us magnify our flaws. Tom Rath’s Strengths Finder 2.0 reminds us of the potential each one of us has that can help us to soar higher to gain career success. The book motivates you and tells you to focus on your qualities and what you are good at, instead of spending time assessing your weaknesses. The book gives you a much-needed morale boost, and the book helps young professionals in determining their strengths and teaches them to convert their strengths into action. If you are feeling lost about selecting a job that you think is the right one for you, then this book is a must-read for you. 6. Getting Things Done by David Allen This book is an absolute personal favorite, and Ill tell you why! If you are just a college graduate and have started working very recently, then this book is ideal for you. Allen who has been working for Essayassignmenthelp.com.au tells you about the basics of the professional life that however trifling it might seem to be; it can help you have a satisfying life. From how to be better at time management, to maintaining work-home harmony, the book has it all. The author tells you what to do and what not to do, so that you can achieve your goals on time. 7. Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra When you start your career, it is crucial that you start with the right mindset. It is in your early stages, that you develop your take on leadership and success. The book Act like a Leader is just the right kind of a career book that gives you advice on all the things that may help you in having a better work life. The book will inspire you to achieve success and satisfaction in a rapidly evolving workplace. As the name suggests, the book by Ibarra will train your mind to think like a leader so that you realize the potential that you have within you. 8. Unfinished Business by Anne-Marie Slaughter Former director of policy planning for the US State Department under Hillary Clinton, Anne-Marie Slaughter talks about how difficult it is to achieve a balanced life in between work and home. She cites examples from her own life too. She has been a constant supporter of the protection of rights of women workers, and her book is just about that â€" the struggle of a woman at her workplace. The book talks about how to establish gender equality and how a woman can make work-life harmony a possible thing. 9. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson Steve Jobs is a name that is an epitome of success. Now which person does not want to become like him? In the biography, Isaacson talks about what made Jobs tick. When you read about Jobs, you will find how important it is to change in order to keep up with the fast-paced world. This book is sure to inspire you and make you dream big. After a read, you will want to give it your all to achieve what Jobs had. The fact that Jobs was turned down by several investors before he went on to become the magnate that he is will give you a much-needed morale boost.   Professional life is hard. But the above career books act as mans best friends and save you from the stress and give you some valuable insight into the mechanics of a workplace. These books will train you in a way that nothing can stop you from attaining success in life. So what are you waiting for? Get hold of these books and set yourself to conquer the world! Good luck, you young gun! Author Bio: Nathan William is a writer and an editor who also provides assignment help and all other kinds of homework help to students through MyAssignmentHelp.com. Besides being a voracious reader, he loves to backpack around the world. Bonus suggestion:   Accelerate Your Career (Even with a Bad Boss) by Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How To Improve Your MCAT Score

How To Improve Your MCAT Score The MCAT is the cornerstone of your entire med school application process. Its where your acceptance conversation begins. And it may be the most important factor in your application. You can actually improve your MCAT score. Its not easy, but it can be done. The following tips can help: Practice tests: Youve probably heard it before, but this is THE BEST WAY to improve your MCAT score. Practicing helps your brain organize and structure its thinking around the format and rigor of the MCAT. Practice tests can also rapidly improve your speed, allowing you to answer more questions. Click here for free practice tests from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Pace your practice tests: The way you practice can make a huge difference. Try to take one practice test a week, every week preferably every Saturday morning because thats when youre going to take your real test. Its the same idea as cramming for a test versus studying in smaller increments. Pacing yourself gives your brain a chance to learn and process the information presented on the MCAT, rather than memorizing concepts and patterns. Maintain consistency: Your brain likes sameness; so try to emulate the real test as much as possible. Take full-length practice tests when you can. Also do not take breaks longer than youre given on the test and take the test at the same time in the morning. Do this for 12 weeks, and you will boost your mental endurance. Then you will begin to see rapid improvements. Answer every question: There is no penalty for an incorrect answer; so make sure you have an answer to every multiple choice question before time runs out. If youre going to flat-out guess, select B or C because there are more correct answers for those options. Learn howMCAT tutorscan help you improve your chances of acceptance into a top med school. Do not dwell on questions: Youre not going to get every question right. So, dont spend lots of time on challenging questions. If its a tough, time-consuming question you may not even get it right in the first place. Answer the easier, less time-intensive questions first; then move on to the more difficult ones. Use a MCAT study book: They are not difficult to find, and nearly any book can help improve your score. The books will show you patterns, common pitfalls and skills you need to perform better on the MCAT. Also, buy the most recent edition of the book because test makers are constantly updating the MCAT, and a new edition can reflect those updates. Work with a one-on-one tutor: Its really easy to figure out where you struggle. Anyone can do that by taking a practice test. But, then how do you improve in those areas? Thats the real challenge to raising your MCAT score. Working with a tutorcan help you rapidly improve in your most problematic areas; so you can fine tune your skills on other sections. Taking classes on the MCAT could also be a good idea, but a tutor can tailor each session to your specific needs. Balanced diet: Everybody says you should eat a big breakfast the day of the test. Well, everybody is wrong. Eating a gigantic breakfast is only going to make you tired during the test. Your body will be using energy to break down your food, energy that should be spent focusing on the MCAT. Eating a smaller, high-protein meal of eggs, nuts, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc and lots of fruit can help give you energy for the big test. Set a routine: How early will you need to wake up on test day to eat a well-balanced meal, get your mindset right and be ready for the test? Say, its 7 am. Then, you should wake up every day at 7 am 7-10 days before the test. Eventually, your body will be used to getting up that early, and you wont feel as tired. Also, dont pound Red Bulls in the morningunless thats what you do every morning. Try to mimic the exact same morning for 7-10 days, and you will feel great on test day. Flash cards: Make these your best friend while you are preparing for your MCAT. Write down any concepts, equations and other information you are struggling with and carry your flash cards anywhere. Constantly review these before class or work or while youre working out/walking around. This will give your brain a chance to spread out its learning. Do not try to cram your studying for the MCAT please this isnt your freshman biology class. Keep confidence: Not everyone takes the exact same test, and by nature some tests are more difficult. There can be up to 10 variations of the MCAT on test day, and each is graded on its own curve and scored differently. So, dont get discouraged if your questions seem incredibly difficult. For example, eight correct answers on a difficult test may yield a higher score than 11 correct answers on an easier test. About the test: The MCAT is a 5.5 hour, computer-based test. You can only take it three times in one year. The test is scheduled to undergo minor changes in 2015, as the questions will be updated to reflect advancements in the medical field. It is designed to measure your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The test is comprised of four sections: Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, Biological Sciences and WritingSample. Each section (except writing) has 40-52 questions and is 60-70 minutes long. Sections are scored 1-15, and the writing section is scored alphabetically from J (lowest possible score) to T (highest possible score). The writing section is not as important as the other sections, but you can draw attention (positive or negative) if you have a really high or low score.

Words Paucity to Prodigious - Private Tutoring

Words Paucity to Prodigious BobbiM May 6, 2014 Use some of the words below to describe amounts: There are SO MANY ants in our yard!  Sounds much smarter when you say, Theres a plethora of ants in our yard!  Say that and youll get all the ladies, boys. Paucity; n. Smallness of number. Those in charge of the election were disappointed when they saw the paucity of voters that came. Scarcity of amount. There was a paucity of clean water which caused some panic. Petty; adj. Trivial; of little importance. I am in charge of many things an I must leave the petty details to be taken care of by others. Narrow-minded; shortsighted. Dont be petty and miss the big picture while being trivial over small details. Mean and grudging. Shes so petty that shes still mad at me for the wrong I did to her ten years ago. Pittance; n. A very small amount, often referring to an unusually meager amount of money. I only earn a pittance at my current job and that is why Im looking for new employment. Scant; adj., v. Adjective: Barely sufficient; falling short of a necessary amount; inadequately supplied. Because of the weather, only a scant amount of fans came to the baseball game. Verb: To shortchange or deal with something inadequately or neglectfully. Because of my demanding job, I scant on time with family. Mammoth; n, adj. noun: a great, hairy, prehistoric, elephant-like creature. I have seen a replica of the remains of a prehistoric mammoth. Anything if unusual size. Did you see the mammoth mosquito? Adjective: enormous; of great or unusual size or proportions. Driving the enormous truck was a fun experience for me. Monumental; adj. Resembling a monument. The monumental gathering for the opening or the store was really fun. Exceptionally large, sturdy, or enduring. It may seem like a monumental undertaking but I know it will be worth it to write a book. Plethora; n. An excessive amount; a surplus. We had a plethora of jelly beans left over from Easter. Prodigious; adj. Excessively great in size, force, or content. The tornado caused such prodigious wind that many trees snapped in half. Exceptionally talented. She is a prodigious student in her school. She especially excels in theater.

Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes

Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes May 6, 2015 From left: Emily Elliott, Heart Math Tutoring Executive Director; Shaina Ormsby, a teacher at Highland Renaissance Academy; Michelle G. Johnson, principal at Billingsville Leadership Academy, and Anne Leggett, Hearts Board of Directors Chair and host. Photos by Caitlin Fischer Supporters of Heart Math Tutoring gathered recently at a “Perfect Pairings” event to mark Heart’s growing successes and branding changes. Michelle G. Johnson, principal at Billingsville Leadership Academy, praised Hearts success in helping teachers fill the gaps in math education and lauded the impact of relationships with tutors has had on Billingsvilles young leaders. It is a legacy that is ongoing. Our students now know what it means to have someone come in just for them and serves as their personal cheerleader, Johnson said. Shaina Ormsby, a K-Grade 3 teacher at Highland Renaissance Academy, echoed Johnson’s remarks about the impact on learning and the power of the connections that get made. She shared the stories of three students who have benefited from the one-on-one relationships with tutors. The celebration, held at the home of Anne Leggett, Hearts Board of Directors Chair, featured Tuscan wines paired with antipasti. Thank you to our supporters for helping Heart Math Tutoring connect with students to create results that count. A very special thank you to the hosts of Perfect Pairing: Joanne and Steve Beam, Barbara and Roy Bissell, Laura and Sam Bowles, Carla and Matthew Clements, Ashton Colaianni, Lee and Andy Cooney, Patricia and Peter Daniel, Minna and Mike Elliott, Martha and Eric Eubank, Catherine and Mike Fischer, Anne and Reid Leggett, and Daniel Tanaka.

9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Refinancing Your Student Loans

9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Refinancing Your Student Loans blog.credit.com 5. Will they combine federal and private loans? The allure of refinancing student loans is being able to group all of your loans into one. Many students took out government financed loans as well as personal loans which can be tricky because of varying payments and amounts. Refinancing usually allows you to bundle all of your loans together into one payment which can be a huge plus. 6. Have I done my research? Similar to what I said about finding the best rates, do your research on the company in general. It’s likely you’ll be working with them for five to 10 years and if you’re constantly frustrated with them, it’s a recipe for disaster. Make sure the company you have is helpful and provides personal information for you. Don’t fall into the trap of finding good rates at a company you hate dealing with. 7. What are minimum rates? Even though it may seem counter intuitive, sometimes your debt may be too low. Most times, companies require a minimum of $7,500-10,000 of minimum student loan debt. If you’re under that, it may be easier to just pay off your student loans in the traditional fashion. Again, these rates will vary based on the company you’re looking at, so if your debt ranges around those numbers, be sure to check for minimum rates. 8. What’s my income and credit score? Like many loans, refinancing companies will often require either a steady (and relatively high) income or a really nice credit score to be approved. If you’re fresh out of college, it isn’t likely that either of those will be your first priority and might be lacking. However, some companies will accept you based on timely payments in general. Because of this, you’ll probably need a cosigner on your refinancing loan. If finding someone to cosign seems like a large issue, refinancing may become an issue for you. 9. Should I shorten my loan horizon? Ultimately, as it is with any loan, the shorter the horizon of your loan, the less interest you’ll be paying. This means you’ll be paying less money than you already owe. However, this doesn’t mean that the shortest loan is always the most feasible option. If you are seriously doubting your abilities to make the monthly payments on the shortest loan plan, don’t force yourself to. Make sure you’re settled into something reasonable and safe. Ask yourself if you can seriously take on the responsibilities of the loan. With all the grey areas of student loans and debt, finding out exactly how and what to do about them seems difficult at best. Because of the varying nature of student loans in amounts, grants, loan types, and other things, no one formula works. The best thing to do is to always do your research and really understand the benefits and repercussions of any loaning option. Talk to the staff of loaning companies to get a true feel to what you should be doing and how they’ll be able to help you. Once you do decide to refinance or not, you’ll be glad you know why.

5 Expectations College Students Should Have Of Their University President

5 Expectations College Students Should Have Of Their University President http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com 1. Easily accessible As a chancellor/president of a college or university, a lot of power and responsibility is held. This often gives off the impression to students, and even staff lower on the totem pole that the person holding this position is unattainable, unapproachable and generally hard to track down. This should not be the case with a university president. College students should feel like they can reach out to their president with any concern they have, whether its by email, contacting the presidents office or contacting the president directly by phone. Students should expect their president to be approachable. After all, without the students, the school would not exist. The students should be the presidents first priority. http://uhs.uniondaleschools.org 2. Highly qualified As with any major position, the person holding it should be expected to be more than qualified. The president of a college or university is the highest leadership position that can be held at a school, so the person holding the position should, before anything else, have past leadership experience. College students should expect their president to have shown leadership qualities before they even became president. They should expect that their president is highly educated, and has previous academic experience as well. Someone holding a position of this much power at a place like a university should know how to handle that power. http://crownheights.info 3. Responsible Going off of the last point, with great power comes great responsibility. The president should be responsible. They are in charge of and responsible for the entire universitys management, whether that be functions, managing staff, making major decisions, or being the voice of the university to the public. College students should expect their president to be highly responsible. They are making critical decisions each day on behalf of the university, and if they cant practice true responsibility, the integrity of the school could be lost. http://wellnessconsultinggroup.com 4. Politically savvy The president of a college or university holds the highest office of the university. That means that there is a hierarchy within the staff of the university, which means that its inevitable that politics will get dragged into certain situations. Money is also a major concern of colleges and universities, and the president, being the head, is the final say of that. Because of this, they should at least have some idea about how politics work, in the sense of the university itself. They should know how things work within the university, how things get done, who is in charge of what, and how to be the most effective at getting things done successfully. College students should expect their president to be politically savvy for the sake of being successful as a higher-up in a major academic institution. http://hamptonroads.com 5. Excellent communicator This one might seem pretty obvious. The president of a college or university is constantly communicating. They are the voice of the university to the public, meaning other universities, students and their parents, the press and any other source. They are constantly producing mass emails, giving speeches and are responsible for the schools reputation. Because of all of these everyday tasks, college students should expect their president to be in possession of some excellent communication skills. This might be the most important quality a president could have. Without being able to effectively communicate to mass audiences, a president loses all credibility.