How to Choose Your Extracurricular Activities

How to Choose Your Extracurricular Activities The following piece was written by Eddie LaMeire. Eddie has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert seriesand has previously worked in admissions at Loyola University and University of California at San Diego. He is also the founder of LaMeire College Consulting. There are not many people who need to be told that the past 20 years have seen college admissions become alarmingly selective. Even as recently as the early 1990s, admissions were conducted largely on the basis of grades and test scores. Back then, to provide a reference point, Stanford University had a freshman acceptance rate of over 20 percent. Stanford now accepts seven percent of freshman applicants in an age when a flawless transcript and near perfect test scores are necessary (but not sufficient) conditions for consideration for selective colleges. But, again, the increasing selectivity of top-tier colleges is common knowledge. Whats not as clear is what to do about it! How do we handle a situation when perfect isnt good enough? What tips most students into the admit pile? Often, it is the students extracurricular activities, or EAs. EAs consist of more than the clichd captain of the basketball team and editor-in-chief of the school paper. Theyre volunteering, professional research, and everything in between. They help to show commitment to a particular field, demonstrate an ability to lead, and provide evidence to support what a candidate says (and doesnt say) about herself. Regardless of how a college uses a students EA profile, all schools want to see consistency and growth. In other words, scattered, random activities are unimpressive. Movement forward in terms of depth and responsibility is coveted. To make it easy, think of a students progression through their significant EAs as the climb up a ladder. Lets start the description of this EA Ladder with a few caveats and qualifiers: The students EA profile will be filled with activities, many of them that the student does just superficially. Thats fine. The ladder approach should be used for the significant EAs: the one or two for which the student has a real passion. For the ladder to truly work, the student should have a general idea of what he or she wants to pursue academically in college. The earlier in your high school career the student starts working his or her way up the ladder, the better the EA profile ultimately appears. To illustrate the process, take an (ambitious) 8th grader interested in the sciences. Hes not too sure of what he likes specifically, but he knows that he loves animals. We would start from here and build: volunteer activities at animal shelters, the local zoo and aquarium, or a veterinarians office. He could even participate in an academic summer program such as the Center for Talented Youth (managed by Johns Hopkins) or the Education Program for Gifted Youth (run by Stanford), both of which offer fantastic enrichment classes in the sciences. During his first year in high school, our student would take on a bit more responsibility. He would join in-school organizations in order to get more exposed to the life sciences; every high school will have a science/biology/pre-med club on campus. This way, he can stay apprised of science competitions, programs, and fairs. The summer after freshman year, our student could potentially earn acceptance to the California State Summer School for Math and Science, managed by the University of California; of course, there are a number of similar programs around the country. When he returned, he would apply for research assistantships at local universities. You would be amazed by how many science professors like to help out younger students if theyre bright and proactive. Our sample student could move forward by competing in science fairs, further assisting with research, or earning acceptance to uber-selective summer programs like the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program, and the Research Science Institute administered by MIT. Were obviously dealing with a sophisticated high schooler here, but the idea is similar for students of any level: get them started on a path that gets progressively more challenging from one year to the next. The concept behind this approach certainly isnt rocket science, but it is an approach that few students take. Many 8th and 9th graders can be pretty scattered in terms of their interests, and even committed students get frustrated with the progressively increasing intensity of the activities. However, for motivated students interested in elite colleges, this focused, dynamic approach to EAs works brilliantly. And, with summer steadily drawing closer, now is the time to begin planning how the student will spend those precious hours. Visit LaMeire College Consulting for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Distance Between 2 Points

Distance Between 2 Points Distance between 2 points can be found by using distance formula. The distance is the amount of space between points, lines etc. In mathematics the distance formula is an expression used to determine the distance between two points in a plane. The distance between two points with coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) can be represented by a formula Distance = ((x2- x1) ^2 + (y2 y1) ^2) The distance formula is obtained from Pythagorean Theorem. The below two examples illustrate how to find out distance between two points. Problem 1: Calculate the distance between the two points P (2, 1) and Q (3, 2). Solution: According to the question the coordinates of two points are P (2, 1) and Q (-3, 2). = To find out distance between P and Q use distance formula = Distance = ((x2- x1) ^2 + (y2 y1) ^2) = ((-3- 2) ^2 + (2 1) ^2) = ((-5) ^2 + (1) ^2) = Distance = 26 = The distance between PQ = Distance = 26 Problem 2: The distance between the points A (-2, -3) and B (-3, x) is equal to 5. Find value of x. Solution: Given the distance between two points is 5 = Since the distance is known we can use distance formula to set up an equation = Distance = ((x2- x1) ^2 + (y2 y1) ^2) = 5 = ((-3 (-2)) ^2 + (x (-3)) ^2) = 5 = ((-1) ^2 + (x + 3) ^2) = 5^2 = 1 + (x + 3) ^2 = (x + 3) ^2 = 24 = We get 2 solutions for x = -3 2 sqrt (6) and -3+ 2 sqrt (6).

Online Adjectives That Begin With J Tutors Tutorpace

Online Adjectives That Begin With J Tutors Tutorpace Adjectives are the words, phrases which are added to the noun in a sentence to enhance or modify the meaning of the used noun. The letter j is one of the common words in English. There are some useful adjectives which start with the letter j, these adjectives enhance the meaning of the sentences. Following are different adjectives starting with the letter j. Mentioned below is the meaning of the adjective and a suitable example using the adjective starting with the letter j in a sentence. Joyful means cheerful or happy. Sentence: Lydia is a joyful girl and can spread happiness wherever she goes. Here joyful is the adjective and girl is the noun. Jaded means lack of enthusiasm or felling bored Ben had a very jaded day as he was feeling sick. Here jaded is the adjective and day is the noun Judicious means possessing good judgment. Statement: The judge is judicious thats why he is said to be good at his job. Here judicious is the adjective and judge is the noun. Jocose means humor or funny. The birthday party was quite jocose. Everyone seemed to have a very good time. Here jocose is the adjective and birthday party is the noun. Jovial means lively or cheerful. Mr. Smith wants his children to be jovial all the time. Here jovial is the adjective and children is the noun.

How To Draw A Face

How To Draw A Face A Mini Guide to Portrait Drawing ChaptersHow Can I Draw a Realistic Face? What Tools Will I Need?What Proportions Do I Need to Understand in Order to Draw a Face?Tips for Drawing a Human FaceTrust Your EmotionsTips for Drawing a Realistic Portrait  How to Draw Faces: 7 Mistakes to Avoid! “This drawing took me five minutes, but it took me sixty years to get to this point.” â€" Pierre-August Renoir, French painter (1841-1919).Drawing is becoming less and less common as a hobby, with only a small percentage of people saying they draw in their spare time for pleasure these days.Amateur drawers generally think that drawing a face is one of the most difficult drawing exercises.You can take the reins with style and materials! Photo by giveawayboy on Visual HuntWhether you are an apprentice drawer, starting out with drawing classes or at home, a self-taught artist, a caricaturist, a painter, a specialist in drawing female characters, there are loads of techniques to learn.It’s important to learn how to respect proport ions, give your drawing volume with light and shadow, draw expressions and convey attitudes in order to produce a realistic and beautiful piece of art.Drawing a face from various angles, making some marks on the paper to map out the space between the eyes and knowing how to erase sufficiently to shade your drawing correctly are all skills which require a precise and confident control of the pencil.How can you draw the different shapes of a face without making mistakes? It’s a good idea to start with a guide on the basics of drawing.To get to grips with the basics, there are few other alternatives that are as worthwhile as taking an online drawing course and making sure you practise, practise, and practise some more!The fundamental lessons of learning to draw is the not be afraid of making mistakes, not getting frustrated if you’ve failed an attempt, and to always give it another go until it’s right.How can you learn to draw different angles in order to draw in perspective? (Wh ich ground are you drawing in, where is the vanishing point, where is the horizon line?)Let Superprof show you some simple techniques to help you find your feet in the art of portraiture. Whether you want to learn to draw the face of a manga character, design a tattoo or produce a realistic portrait, the basics are the same.It’s all just a question of practise, perseverance and observation.Superprof has put itself in the shoes of an art teacher to show you the drawing techniques you need to learn how to draw faces. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Ev elinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Can I Draw a Realistic Face? What Tools Will I Need?What kind of drawing equipment is needed to easily draw a portrait? What is needed to sketch a manga face and drawings for children?  There are lots of tools for the different elements of a figurative drawing.  Some people favour using charcoal, whilst others prefer working with ink or pencil. In all cases, the material used depends on the desired results, but also on the mastery of different drawing techniques.Try not to be too concerned with a budget for drawing equipment, because unfortunately, artistic activities are always quite costly.Here’s a list of drawing materials necessary for a beginner learning to draw faces:Soft type B pencils (2B, 4B, etc.): this model of graphite pencil is very useful for shading. By pressing with varying pressures, these pencils will give a uniform g radient throughout your workHard type H pencils (2H, 4H, etc. up to 10H)An eraser: a rubber is absolutely essential for correcting pencil mistakes and erasing initial pencil sketches.A putty eraser: this is an indispensable accessory, especially useful for working with light and shadows. It allows for softening and lightening pencils and even charcoal. Putty erasers are malleable and can therefore be modelled for working with small or large surfaces and with small detailsA blending stump: this tool will help you shade your drawing and avoid blurring lines with a cloth or your finger â€" an absolute essential for drawing!Bristol paper: strong textured paper especially for artistic useYou could also use some modern tools and technology to create 3D portraits.Expert drawers use varied tools to draw a portrait. Generally, to create a portrait, you will need:Charcoal: thanks to the varying drawing techniques of charcoal drawing, it’s possible to make very precise sketches, but also to apply it in think lines for bolder sketching. This technique can add textured effects to the drawing, and can create shading for graduated or blurred effects.Sanguine: there are chalks and pencils available in sanguine, which is a range of orangey-red to beige colours. Sanguine is commonly used for portraits because it offers a great range of volume to the drawing.Sanguine is a great colour scale for showing depth and volume in your portrait. Photo by L'art au présent on VisualhuntWhat Proportions Do I Need to Understand in Order to Draw a Face?Above all other things, in order to learn to draw a face step by step, it’s crucial to have some reliable points of reference.What are the proportions of a face?How can you place the mouth, nose and eyes in the right spot?Here are some simple tips to help you draw a realistic portrait.Some general points for drawing faces:Every face has its own characteristics (thin, round, long, square, etc.). But in order to draw a portrait, you must be able to use your points of reference to trace an oval shape, then divide that into four parts.This is the preparatory step taught to young children when teaching them to draw men’s and women’s faces.To do this, trace what are commonly known as the division lines: one vertical line through the middle of the oval, then the horizontal lines.Drawing the nose:The first line drawn horizontally must correspond with where the eyes will go, but this is for later on. First of all, concentrate on the second horizontal line which splits the oval into two parts.It’s at this point of intersection with the vertical line that you must draw the base of the nose: place a nostril on either side of the vertical line.Drawing the mouth:The mouth will be located on a third axis drawn horizontally so that the lower part of the oval circle is divided into two.The bottom of the lower lip must meet this new line: draw the separation line of the two lips, then draw the upper lip and finally the lower lip .Drawing the eyes:  At the level of the first horizontal line - in the middle of the oval - draw two large circles on either side of the line: these are the eye sockets.Briefly mark out the eyebrows at the top of these two circles, then draw two small almonds inside each of them: the space between the eyes should be the width of a third eye.Draw each iris and then the pupil, each time in the centre of each circle and on the axis of the eyes. Colour each pupil in black in order to mark out the white of the eye.Then move on to the eyelids: try to make a second almond within the first, going around the iris.Drawing ears, hair, neck, and details:The bottom of each ear should be at the same level as the base of the nose. The upper point of the ears should be at the same level as the eyebrows.After this, you must draw the hair and neck, and add some small basic details: some shading, some definition on and around the nose, the chin, adding expression to the face.When sketching, the drier, stiffer and more pronounced the lines are, the older the face will look. To create a younger-looking character, you should try to make the lines more rounded and flexible.Once these marks are drawn, we will be able to refine the shape of the face, and especially of the chin. You could also go a bit further and even add the shoulders and clothes!Here are some good drawing classes for you. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover a ll our tutorsTips for Drawing a Human FaceGet a sketchbook and practise basic sketches to get a feel for proportion and perspective. Photo by stenz on Visual huntFor drawing an imaginary character for comic books, it’s the creativity of the drawer which comes into play and must be drawn upon.On the other hand, if the goal is to do a portrait of a live model or a photo, it becomes a question of very close observation to reproduce the elements and maintaining the right proportions of the original.Observe and draw grids to reproduce a faceIt’s the same process as drawing a hand: the illustrator who wants to draw a hand will very carefully observe the shape of the fingers and nails, the colour and pigments of the skin, etc., before drawing the lines and contours with confidence.  Another technique is to draw a grid on your drawing paper to realistically reproduce the face’s shape and proportions.Whichever technique you choose to draw your portrait, the important thing here is to find a way of faithfully respecting the proportions of the model and every individual part of the face.Some essential elements to observe:The width of the mouth in relation to the noseThe positioning of the eyes in relation to the mouthThe characteristics and the position of the eyebrows on the face.Amongst these useful tips, it’s important to make sure that:The spacing of the two eyes corresponds with the width of a third imaginary eye in between the twoThe base of the nose is aligned with the inner corner of the eyesThe corners of the mouth are aligned with the inner edge of the iris.The initial proportions are fairly general, but being attentive to the smaller details makes it possible to mark out the right reference points with the first pencil strokes. After that, all that remains is to refine the lines in order to reproduce all the details you’ve observed.Trust Your EmotionsWhen drawing, it’s important to disconnect the left half of the brain â€" that of reason â€" so th at you can give free rein to feeling and expression.To achieve this, you will be guided purely by your perceptions, which comes from the right side of the brain.The idea is not to seek meaning as such, but rather to reproduce exactly what one sees in a descriptive, sensory way. Remember that portraiture is not an exercise in symmetry. You will realise pretty quickly, by studying models in close detail, that no face is perfectly symmetrical.The most important thing to achieve when aiming for an accurate drawing is to bring the face to life with three-dimensional drawing. It is therefore important to make your markings accurately according to the model you are observing and stick to them closely.The nose may not be quite straight, the smile crooked, eyebrows misaligned, but that doesn’t mean the drawing is inaccurate - the hand must draw whatever the eye sees!Tips for Drawing a Realistic Portrait  So here it is, the first sketch has been made!From now on, you should work on the smal l details so that you can transform your drawing into a realistic portrait which resembles the model as closely as possible.To work on the resemblance, each element counts. There are many important points that shouldn’t be neglected in drawing, not least the facial features such as the mouth, nose, hair and especially the eyes.In each case, try to observe your model as closely as possible so that you can faithfully reproduce what you see, particularly the facial expression. After all, the facial expression is one of the most complex elements to draw. It’s not just necessary to respect the shapes of the eyes, but it’s also crucial that you pay attention to the eyelids, the iris and pupil, the eyelashes, and also the eyebrows.The main difficulty lies in having to focus on each eye individually, whilst ensuring that there is a consistency between the two eyes at the same time.These are the particular details that allow you to capture the facial expression. In order for a portrait to be a success, you must learn to draw a vivid and expressive look.To get started, you should observe all the details (not forgetting light reflections), but you should also learn how to use empty spaces. The empty spaces in drawing are very important, because they create a cohesive whole - so it’s crucial not to neglect them!Do you need to design a logo based on an eye or other facial feature? Having great observation skills and an eye for detail is the key to success.Those who have trouble drawing the outline of the eye can, for example, focus on the white of the eye and the iris. By drawing these elements one by one, the drawer’s hand will naturally reproduce the shape of the whole eye. The thickness of the eyelids is another important point to consider.For a portrait to be truly complete, you must also observe the shadows and reproduce them as accurately as possible.This will give volume to the parts of the face, and will make your drawing more realistic. This is why it’ s key to learn how to work with gradients and play with light and shadow, adding a new dimension to the portrait.Finally, the thickness of the features will influence the final result.When you start to draw, you usually tend to focus on the contours by making stronger lines. This can result in mistakes and inaccuracies, which should be avoided.For example, contrary to the common temptation to draw the contours of the lips, the most important line for drawing a mouth must be the one that separates the lower lip from the upper lip.The contours of the lips will form with lots of lighter lines rather than more pronounced, heavy lines. This is also an example of where shading will help to give the lips their definitive form and give the mouth its volume.It’s important to take into account the lighting of the face to produce an accurate portrait of your model.And why not attempt to design your future tattoo based on a face?How to Draw Faces: 7 Mistakes to Avoid!When getting started on t he first page of your sketchbook, a novice sketcher will usually seek to overdo the lines and details, when just gently scribbling would be enough.Or instead, we tend to start by drawing the eyes before marking out the rest of the head â€" but think about the human skull, the eyes are important, but they are not the first thing you should draw, far from it in fact!We’re exaggerating a bit â€" but to sketch out a beautiful portrait, you should start by getting rid of bad habits and avoiding common mistakes. And even if you are not planning to draw realistically -for example, when designing logos - it's important to understand the basics!Draw parallel linesIt’s crucial to always ensure that the dividing lines of the face are parallel to each other. Good distances will result in a good symmetry of the face.Making uneven lines runs the risk of the distances between the elements of the face being completely inaccurate, and you’d have to start all over again.Don’t neglect the cont ours of the human skullDon't forget the structure of the skull when drawing you face and head. Photo on Visual huntknowing how to draw a face also means taking into account the outline of the skull: a face too fine will give the impression of lacking structure, or being too flat.If the top of the head is too low it will be hard to add hair accurately later on: a flattened skill truncates the shape of the hair, preventing your ability to achieve a realistic portrait.Adding the right amount of detail to the sketchOur brain can play tricks on us, and sometimes we lose sight of the bigger picture when we focus too early on the fine details. This is a common mistake among beginner: adding too much detail from the beginning.This is a mistake, and actually creating outlines and building shapes saves time in the long run. So give priority to light sketch and to outlines of shapes without too much precision, and once you’ve got all the structure in place, you can start detailing.We start o ut by sketching out the three major parts of the face: the eyes, the nose and the mouth.Don’t rush it!  Make sure you don’t make rash moves with your drawing: taking your time and not taking shortcuts is the best strategy to bypass the temptations you might feel to hurry your portrait along, but you must learn to control erratic pencil strokes.If you feel blocked by a particular obstacle, continuing regardless would be a mistake because the consequences of doing so will affect the overall results of your work. Aim to tackle every obstacle head on until you’re happy with the result.Taking your time also helps you to properly observe your model, their expression and the structure of their face. And then keep at it until it looks perfect!Don’t neglect perspectiveUnderstanding the concept of perspective is a fundamental part of drawing. The most common mistakes when it comes to drawing faces are:An inaccurate depth to the noseAn inaccurate distance between the eyesFlat eyes and eye socketsIgnoring the thickness of the eyelidsThe eyes are incredibly important in a portrait â€" in the same way that the mouth is â€" because they are the features which give the most expression on the face. But amateur drawers easily fall into the trap of drawing what they see as flat.It’s equally important to draw with a three-quarter view (between profile and face-on): the nose should hide the space of the eye in the background to create the illusion of perspective that the eye in the foreground is further from the base of the nose.The left side of the face must therefore be smaller than the right side, seen in the foreground.Suggest depth with your drawing The neck is in the background on a three-quarter facial view. To create this depth, a small trick is to use the shadows and the outline of the neck. The most common mistake is to connect the jawline with the neck line, but these two lines should normally be on different planes.To avoid falling into this trap, the drawer must make a small shift in the contour of the neck to stop it joining directly into the jawline.Correctly position the earsThe last mistake that is very commonly made is where to put the ears.When drawing a face in profile, an ear can be difficult to place â€" is it nearer the eyes, or the mouth? How far between the two?Drawing an ear too close to the face will make it look too long, but if it is too far away it will make the skull look misshapen.Placing the ear on the head requires measuring the distance between the eye and the chin, and then the measurement of the eye to the ear: we get an isosceles triangle, with the optimal location of the upper ear in line with the eye. Finally, even if it varies widely from person to person, the ear will generally be in line with the eyebrows and the base of the nose.In conclusion:To learn how to draw a woman's or man's face, it’s best is to take up drawing lessons with a real tutor in portrait drawing.To learn to draw and to acquire good dr awing techniques, don’t hesitate to consult drawing blogs and draw inspiration from online drawing tutorials.In any case, it’s crucial to practise and persevere! Once you feel more at ease, you can easily draw beautiful portraits, manga characters or master the art of caricature!

ACT Test Prep

The Importance of Personalized SAT/ACT Test Prep When it comes to teens preparing for success on the SAT or ACT, heres something parents need to know: not all test prep programs are created equal. And one of the most important things parents should look for when evaluating companies that deliver test prep courses, says Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center, is whether the program meets students distinct needs. Because no two students are exactly the same, the SAT/ACT prep course each student takes shouldnt be the same either, says Huntington. Huntington test prep programs are successful because they are customized to each student. Taking a one-size-fits-all approach to test prep results in some students getting left behind. Huntington shares several reasons that parents should seek out personalized SAT/ACT test prep for their college-bound teens: Every student has different strengths and weaknesses. An area of strength for one teen might be an area of weakness for another. Thus, a broad brush approach to preparing a group of students for the math test of the SAT is unlikely to work well for everyone. The content of what is taught and the methodology must be tailored to each students abilities. Every student learns at a different pace. Just as classroom teachers differentiate their instruction in the classroom, test prep teachers need to take into account that every student has unique challenges. A great SAT/ACT test prep curriculum will be efficient, focusing on areas where teens need the most help and delivering the content at a pace that works for them. Not all SAT/ACT tutors have the same qualifications. Too often, parents assume that hiring any experienced tutor of high school students will work when it comes to helping their teens prepare for the SAT or ACT. Not true. Its essential that teens work with qualified teachers who are experienced teaching to the SAT and ACT. These teachers know the tests inside and out and understand that to achieve the best results, they must adapt their tactics and study plan, depending on the student(s). A personalized SAT/ACT test prep program begins with a practice test. Its difficult for an a test prep teacher to be as effective with students when they dont first administer a diagnostic evaluation in the form of a practice exam. A full-length, timed practice test not only gives students a true feel for what the SAT or ACT is like, it gives their test prep teacher a baseline for instruction. With detailed results, a teacher can develop an SAT/ACT prep program that addresses all weaker subject areas thoroughly. Huntington says that Huntingtons excellent track record with college entrance test prep is due to the learning centers individualized approach, but parents should rest assured that Huntington SAT/ACT test prep is both specific and thorough. When we work with a student, we cover all the bases, she says. Making sure students are ready for each section and subsection of the exam is a big part of that, but we also cover essentials like improving their speed under pressure and stress management. The point is simple: the best test prep program is detailed and addresses students individual needs and goals. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

Getting Your Child Ready for Middle School

Getting Your Child Ready for Middle School The start of a brand new school year is always a little exciting, yet anxious, for most students, but if your child is about to begin middle schoolor already has it may be even more so. The move from elementary to middle school can feel like an enormous leap to a child and includes a variety of academic, social and other changes. Here are six tips to prepare your child for a smooth transition to middle school and set the stage for a great yearand overall middle school experience: Promote organizational skills. Work with your child to establish and maintain a solid organizational system. If your child has historically kept a messy desk, room or backpack (or all of the above), its important to correct those bad habits by creating some ground rules on keeping the desk tidy, where schoolwork goes when it comes home and where to keep important school paperwork. Remember: your child may take up to eight different classes with eight different teachers. That means significantly more homework and paperwork to keep track of. Good organization is critical in middle school. Work on time management. In middle school, your child will be expected to manage his or her own schedule, which means keeping track of assignments, handing in homework on time and more. Teach your child to use a planner or notebook to write down each days to-dos and responsibilities and keep track of longer assignments. At home, keep a family calendar in an accessible place and encourage your child to write important due dates, activities and other obligations on it. Teach your child to prioritize. Along with time management is the essential ability to prioritize. In addition to requiring much more from your child academically, middle school offers many new social and extracurricular opportunities. It may be difficult for your student to decide what to get involved with, so help him or her learn to set goals and rank priorities from the very first day of school. During homework time, your student should make a list of the most important tasks in order to keep him or her focused and on task. When it comes to choosing outside activities, have him or her create a schedule that allows sufficient time for homework and sleep and teach him or her now that it is important not to overcommit oneself to too many things. Hand over the reins. Like many well-meaning parents, up to this point in your childs school career, you may have helped him or her stay organized on all fronts by giving frequent reminders and other help. Now is the time to communicate to your child that just like you have a job, his or her job is school. Your child must take ownership of his or her school work and grades, and he or she must understand that the choices he or she makes will have consequencesgood or bad. Help your child discover how he or she learns best. Middle school is a time for your child to more closely examine how he or she learns. Perhaps your child has already begun to think about this in elementary school, but if not, help him or her recognize what subjects and lessons are easier and harder and why. Talk about the various learning styles and help your child begin to appreciate his or her own preferences. Knowing this information will help him or her greatly as he or she begins to take a more active role in his or her education and learning. Encourage your child to speak up. Middle school teachers are charged with helping students become more independent, critical thinkers and inspiring them to be engaged learners. Your child will gain the most from his or her middle school experience if he or she puts effort toward getting to know his or her teachers and showing initiative in the classroom. He or she can do this by asking questions, seeking help after school and being an active participant in the classroom.

Several Tips for the Positive Start of the New Study Year

Several Tips for the Positive Start of the New Study Year The beginning of the school year is always rather stressful for students after having good time and relaxation during summer time. At the same time, the new study year provides good chance to review the attitude to the study process and the relations with classmates; and to take some actions to win recognition of your virtues both by peers and by school teachers. The status you manage to obtain during school and college years creates the basis for the further success in university and career, so do not waste this favorable time. Be active and show your worth. Do not allow others to manipulate yourself. Teach yourself to reject attempts to make you do somebody elses work. Be confident reciting the lessons and persist in your opinion. Value the results of your work. Dismiss with a joke or say strong “No!” to the annoying idlers who are asking to crib your assignment or test. Your diligence should work for your own benefit. Be brave and self-confident. Get rid of old inferiority complex. Stop hiding your right and interesting thoughts from others. Do not be afraid to hold up your hand and to give a certain answer to a tutor’s question. Take over the control of your life and your decisions. Make a list of goals for the next academic year and develop a strategy on attaining them. Select the most interesting subjects and the major subjects needed for your future speciality. Whatever it be math, chemistry, physics or computer turn particular attention to that subjects. Find a private tutor to help you to become an expert in that most important disciplines. Aim at all-round development of yourself. Experiment with hobbies and learn something new. Take music, dancing, vocal or art classes at some art school or with an individual tutor. New skills not only develop your natural abilities, they also attract the interest of other people and make them respect your advanced personality. Be independent of other peoples opinion. The sudden changes in your way of life may draw attention of some envious mates and may give food for gossip. If you notice this this is a sign of your success, you have attracted the interest. Those, who gossip of you, are dreaming to become like you but they can’t. No matter what they say, you can just smile! And, last but not least  remember that going back to school does not only mean return to hard study. It also means meeting with old friends. Each new school year promises not only new study tasks and challenges but also new amazing acquaintances and who knows, maybe even love! If you need a tutoring assistance for you of your child visit TutorZ.com. Our tutoring service is designed to  help students to find best personal tutors in any subject: math,  algebra, calculus, science,  physics, chemistry, biology,  English, Spanish, French, computer, music, dance, voice, arts  and many others.

Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court

Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Elise, 12-years-old,MathLevel K ReadingProgram Completer 12-year-old Elisehasdeveloped a passion for the game of volleyball that stretches beyond the court.Whenshe joined her volleyball team over six yearsago,Eliselearned the importance ofbeing a team player.Volleyball is all about strategy,and each player on the teamplays a specificrole.Elise has found thattheproblem-solving skills shedeveloped inKumonhelp her serve as an asset on the court. “Kumon has helped me discover that there are multiple approachesto solve a problem,” said Elise. “Kumon hasalsotaught me that hard work always pays off. There will always be problems,butit’s overcomingthese obstacles and learningfrom our mistakesthatis the reward. With school and volleyball, Kumon has taught me to remain disciplinedand has improved my time management.” Elise’s competitive edge and embracement of teamworkshine through during each practice and match.Amongtheachievementsshe’s most proud of, arebeing the team captain and her position as a libero, which is the team leader in defense. Elise’s accomplishments go beyond the volleyball court. Shewas one of 56 students selected for Kumon’s 3rdAnnual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. “Iwas ecstatic, happy, and very excitedwhen I found out I was selected,” said Elise. “I was so honored and thankful to have the opportunity to attend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Elise and the rest of the attendees were celebrated for their accomplishments and encouraged to aspire to become individuals who tackle some of the world’s challenges. “Ihad an amazing experience at the Student Conference,” saidElise. “It was such a special opportunity to be with other Kumon Students across NorthAmerica andlearn from them and their amazing accomplishments.My favorite part was the escape room as I was able to work with others in a team setting to solve a fun and complex puzzle.” Eliseshares with ushighlights from her Kumon journeyand adviceforotherKumon Students. Whatdo you enjoy most about Kumon? Kumon has provided me the opportunity to learn at my own pace, which makes learning new concepts in math and reading a lot easier. Howhas Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has allowed me to advance well beyond my academic level. Mastering concepts has given me such great confidence in school. My discipline and approach to solving problems has helped me in all of my classes. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer. I become passionate and excited when I have a good point to stand for. I enjoy speaking and debating different viewpoints. What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. “Wonder” is my favorite book because enjoy reading stories of courage. This book is full of courage because it’s about a boy who suffers from a condition which leaves his face disfigured. Despite his adversity, he found the courage to go to school and make friends. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? Hellen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” She’s an inspiration to me because she never gave up despite her disabilities. I admire her for overcoming obstacles, because they were not obstacles for Hellen â€" she accomplished so much in her lifetime. Whatadvice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? As in anything in life, what your get out of Kumon is what you put in it. There will be times when your work will be challenging and difficult to understand, but don’t give up. Overcoming your obstacles is satisfying, rewarding, and will boost your confidence. This will help you overcome any challenge in life. If you could sum up your Kumon experience inone word, what would it be? Special. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Reading Program Completer finds Connection to Music Through Kumon This Young Kumon Reading Program Completer is an Aspiring Computer Engineer This Reading Program Completer is Shooting for the Moon This Reading Program Completer Gained Confidence from Kumon Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Elise, 12-years-old,MathLevel K ReadingProgram Completer 12-year-old Elisehasdeveloped a passion for the game of volleyball that stretches beyond the court.Whenshe joined her volleyball team over six yearsago,Eliselearned the importance ofbeing a team player.Volleyball is all about strategy,and each player on the teamplays a specificrole.Elise has found thattheproblem-solving skills shedeveloped inKumonhelp her serve as an asset on the court. “Kumon has helped me discover that there are multiple approachesto solve a problem,” said Elise. “Kumon hasalsotaught me that hard work always pays off. There will always be problems,butit’s overcomingthese obstacles and learningfrom our mistakesthatis the reward. With school and volleyball, Kumon has taught me to remain disciplinedand has improved my time management.” Elise’s competitive edge and embracement of teamworkshine through during each practice and match.Amongtheachievementsshe’s most proud of, arebeing the team captain and her position as a libero, which is the team leader in defense. Elise’s accomplishments go beyond the volleyball court. Shewas one of 56 students selected for Kumon’s 3rdAnnual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. “Iwas ecstatic, happy, and very excitedwhen I found out I was selected,” said Elise. “I was so honored and thankful to have the opportunity to attend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Elise and the rest of the attendees were celebrated for their accomplishments and encouraged to aspire to become individuals who tackle some of the world’s challenges. “Ihad an amazing experience at the Student Conference,” saidElise. “It was such a special opportunity to be with other Kumon Students across NorthAmerica andlearn from them and their amazing accomplishments.My favorite part was the escape room as I was able to work with others in a team setting to solve a fun and complex puzzle.” Eliseshares with ushighlights from her Kumon journeyand adviceforotherKumon Students. Whatdo you enjoy most about Kumon? Kumon has provided me the opportunity to learn at my own pace, which makes learning new concepts in math and reading a lot easier. Howhas Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has allowed me to advance well beyond my academic level. Mastering concepts has given me such great confidence in school. My discipline and approach to solving problems has helped me in all of my classes. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer. I become passionate and excited when I have a good point to stand for. I enjoy speaking and debating different viewpoints. What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. “Wonder” is my favorite book because enjoy reading stories of courage. This book is full of courage because it’s about a boy who suffers from a condition which leaves his face disfigured. Despite his adversity, he found the courage to go to school and make friends. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? Hellen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” She’s an inspiration to me because she never gave up despite her disabilities. I admire her for overcoming obstacles, because they were not obstacles for Hellen â€" she accomplished so much in her lifetime. Whatadvice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? As in anything in life, what your get out of Kumon is what you put in it. There will be times when your work will be challenging and difficult to understand, but don’t give up. Overcoming your obstacles is satisfying, rewarding, and will boost your confidence. This will help you overcome any challenge in life. If you could sum up your Kumon experience inone word, what would it be? Special. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Reading Program Completer finds Connection to Music Through Kumon This Young Kumon Reading Program Completer is an Aspiring Computer Engineer This Reading Program Completer is Shooting for the Moon This Reading Program Completer Gained Confidence from Kumon