Algebra 2 - Solving Algebraic Equations With Imaginary Numbers

Algebra 2 - Solving Algebraic Equations With Imaginary NumbersThe algebraic method to solve equations for imaginary numbers helps you realize the same concepts and problems in real life. This is because, both algebra and geometry are applications of the same ideas that go back to arithmetic.One idea behind the mathematics is that everything is connected to everything else. In the same way, we know that a straight line is not straight and an equation cannot be solved unless you first solve it in terms of the unknown. The nature of these two related things are very different and can be easily applied to the real world.Geometry in its simplest form consists of measuring angles. To calculate a result you take measurements from some known points or you get them by looking at your own home. For an application of this idea one can use a ruler to measure an area from a given point to the left and right of it. This makes sense because if you know what the place is then you will know where the angles are that determine the area.The angles on the side of the ruler come from angles that the other ones. So, if the sides of the ruler are straight then the equation can be solved. And if the side is curved then the solution must be right handed. Any deviation from the right side of the ruler will mean that the angle of the side must be greater than a particular degree to create a straight line.With the algebraic method one can be able to follow the same idea but not use the ruler and instead of measuring by eye one can measure by imagining angles. This means that there is a one step process to solve equations. It starts with some real world information such as the length of a line. Once the length is known then it is possible to create an imaginary line that is the one of the equations.Once this line is created then the solution can be worked out. The same process is used when you solve mathematical problems. In algebra it is possible to have one number for each term in the eq uation.The algebraic method is a shortcut to solving real world problems. One can use this as an alternative to the real world measurement system. It is quick, it is easy to apply, and it will save you time in the future.

What is it Like to Attend Drexel University

What is it Like to Attend Drexel University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Ashley is a Washington D.C. tutor specializing in several subjects including AP Calculus tutoring, Algebra tutoring, Biology tutoring, and more. She attended Drexel University and holds a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Economics. Check out her review of her undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ashley: At Drexel, the campus setting is extremely urban. The dorms and classes are right in the heart of center city Philadelphia. There are buses all over, but most students walk or ride a bike. A car is definitely not a necessity. Despite the urban nature of the campus, Drexel is extremely safe with a large police force, and even walking assistants at night! VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ashley: By far, Drexel has one of the best outreach programs between students and professors. Many professors (especially in the Math department which I was a part of) were tutors on campus in addition to their office hours. Drexel purposely has very small upper-level classes without a TA so that the professor-student connection is really strong. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ashley: Dorm life is really nice. All honors students live together in one brand new skyscraper, which makes it easy to really get to know your classmates. Most of the dorms are suite style meaning four to six people living together with two showers and one bathroom instead of the typical single living area dorm style. I really liked the fact that I had my own bathroom, living room, and kitchen area! All the dorms are on the northern edge of campus, between one to five blocks from class. The honors dorm has food on the first floor, as well as a few other buildings, one which also has a small grocery store. There is one dining hall down by class, but there are also many places to eat in and around campus. As far as socialization goes, there is literally something for everyone. The CAB (Campus Activities Board) allows anyone to start an organization with at least five people. There are plenty of campus-sponsored and local festivals, concerts, and sporting events with lots to do! VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Ashley: Business and Physical Therapy, as well as the five-year B.S./M.S programs, are very popular. Drexel also has a very strong focus in Applied Engineering and Mathematics. I studied Mathematics and could not have asked for a better program. Even through the most difficult classes, the professors and academic advisors were always available for support and tutoring. One of the main reasons I attended Drexel was the 25-student limit math class, and the math teaching style. It was truly unlike any other. The co-op program was also an amazing experience, which allowed me to attend school for six months followed by six months of a paid, real world, entry-level position. If you attend college to prepare you for a career, you cannot find a better program. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Ashley: Making friends was not difficult, between the entry-level class that all freshmen have to take and the campus environment. The Freshman Initiation class really allows you to become familiar with your residence, your school, and the Philadelphia/Center City area very quickly. Greek life plays a minor role compared to many of the other programs, with about 25% of students participating in Greek life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Ashley: The Career Center at Drexel is unlike any other. The co-op program requires students to work for at least six months full-time with large national companies in their field prior to graduation. To prepare for this opportunity, all students have to take a course prior to working, and after they return, they evaluate the job(s), their personal career path, how to handle yourself in the workplace, resume writing, and much more. Drexel hosts the best co-op program in the country, and therefore hosts more reputable companies than almost any institution in the United States. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ashley: Most dorm lounges are very nice with flatscreens, quiet rooms, and study areas. The honors dorms even have special additional resources, like tutoring areas and libraries. Although the library can be crowded during midterms or finals, there are many other locations on campus to study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Ashley: Philadelphia is a vibrant and wonderful town with as much culture as anyone could ever need. It is very similar to the environment of New York City, except less busy and more fun! Campus is very close to center city, and most students travel there via the subway or by walking. Within a few miles, you can visit the famous Rocky Balboa stairs and the art museum, a world class performance hall, the Eagles Stadium, and some of the best ice cream I have ever had on South Street. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ashley: The student body is rather large, but only about one-half to three-fourths of the students are on campus at any given time due to the co-op program. I absolutely loved the class sizes, especially for my major. Math and Finance classes can be extremely difficult, and with a small class size, it really fuels a much better learning environment. I learned more educationally and intra personally in my first semester of college than I had through most of my high school career. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ashley:My most memorable experience would definitely be with my pre-career co-op class. Between daily resume and interview practice and pre-job training, I was more prepared than I would have ever imagined for my first round of interviews. I ended up being awarded the Best Interviewer for 2011, and had the opportunity to interview and earn positions with some of the best financial companies in the world. Along with interview skills, we utilized personality and career profiling to help find which career paths would work best. To further direct students, career panelists from all over the world were brought in so that you could gain worldly connections and hear from the real life perspective of someone in your field. From this class, I was able to find what career path truly fit best with my personality and my aspirations. This led to a wonderful co-op with one of the worlds largest financial management companies, and future career options well before graduation. I could never have bee n more prepared to enter the workforce, which is truly the reason you attend college to begin with. If you are serious about education and a career, Drexel is the university to attend. Check out Ashleys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Applying for University

Applying for University Clarifying the University Application Process ChaptersHow to Apply for UniversityHow to Beat Application DeadlinesChoosing Your Course of StudyWriting an Effective Personal StatementFor the Chinese, it’s called the Gao Kao and in the US, they’re called SATs. The International Baccalaureate final exam process is called the DP Assessment; DP representing Diploma Programme.Here, in the UK, we sit A-Levels, rigorous exams in subjects of our choosing for the same reason that students in other countries do: to mark our readiness (and eligibility) for higher education.For some, a good A-Levels result means three to four more years of study (more, if you plan on graduate and postgraduate studies); for others, it signifies that they are well and truly done with academia.Whichever side of that fence you stand on and especially if you’re currently straddling that fence, you might want to hedge your bets by registering with UCAS to see what’s available to you.Doing so doesn’t necessarily signal an intent to enrol at university; it merely shows that you are clever in examining every option open to you before discarding anything that might benefit you, now or down the road.That’s true even if you have no intention of pursuing higher education.In that spirit â€" the idea that, for perhaps the only time in your life, all choices are laid out before you, your Superprof talks about going to university.If only to be well-informed, we invite you to join this discussion.Through UCAS, we can see what schools are open for enrolment and what courses they have to offer. We can see enrolment requirements and draft the dreaded personal statement.We can even find out our A-Level results! It wasn't so long ago that students had to write each university's office of admissions to request a place in their degree programs Image by stempow from PixabayIt wasn’t so long ago that prospective university students had to apply to each institute they hoped to attend, endure the agonising wait for an acceptance (or rejection) letter and, upon accepting one university’s offer, having to write letters declining all other offers.Or not. That’s what made university enrolment such a mess: nobody knew, until courses started, who was actually going to be there. What a nightmare!UCAS has made life so much simpler: you register for your UCAS account, fill in your personal details on the UCAS application (mindful of following application instructions), draft your UCAS personal statement, and pay your application fee of £20 ( £25 if you are applying for more than one course of study).And then, you get to sit back while UCAS does all of the work. You only have to log in occasionally t o check your application status.If you are an international student hoping to attend university in the UK, you would apply for admission in much the same way. However, you will have to provide an acceptable IELTS score when you register.You will also have to provide proof that you have money to cover your living expenses.Naturally, there is plenty of other things you should know about applying for university…How to Beat Application DeadlinesOur online application system is generous in its information sharing; among other pertinent facts about university applications, UCAS maintains a calendar of dates and deadlines that you should keep an eye on if you want your admissions application to be seen in the best light.On the whole, that means registering and applying as soon as you meet the admission requirements; you shouldn't wait until you receive your A-Level test scores.Filling out the common application in UCAS is generally not a problem; most students apply online fairly quickly and easily. If you are an international student, you may have a bit more to information to furnish but you too can make quick work of it.The extra admissions requirements are what slow most people down: getting letters of recommendation from someone who knows you academically, choosing courses of study and writing a personal statement.Of all the application requirements, those two seem to stymie applicants the most. We’ll go over them briefly later in this article.If you are undecided about applying for admission to university, you may choose to wait past the mid-January application deadline; in fact, many students wait to choose any areas of study until early July, when Clearing opens, to see which courses are leftover.That’s when they make their selection.There are other tactics you can use to maximise your undergraduate admissions advantages; we’ve listed them all in our companion article. Many new students want to know what life will be like at university before accepting an offer Image by StockSnap from PixabayChoosing Your Course of StudyDegree-seeking students sometimes know exactly what field they’d like to study; others are all over the board.Biology might appeal, but then Drama and Literature are so stimulating! And then, there are those fields of study that virtually guarantee financial success later in life...Out of the wealth of degree programs on offer, how is anybody supposed to choose?You may opt to:go with your passion â€" which topic is closest to your heartgo with your interests: if you are full of curiosity, you might broaden your horizons while slaking your thirst for knowledgebet on your skills: whether your talent lies in drawing or maths, you can find courses to further develop your talentgo with what might be most rewarding: aim for the career field that will bring you the most satisfaction in the long runfind flexibility: consider degree plans that offer the broadest employment potential rather than narrow degrees that don’t translate well into other fields.don’t forget the financial returns: always consider your future earning potential when selecting your course of study.These are all individual points to consider in the wide spectrum of concerns that every university applicant thinks of â€" or has pointed out to them by friends, relatives and other concerned parties.Believe it or not, some undergraduate students actually select their course of study by the reported quality of student life at any university.The wise undergraduate student considers all of those points and more when selecting university courses; they also talk with people outside of their immediate circle to get a bigger picture of what each course has to offer.You may talk with your school counselor and maybe even an admissions counselor to get an idea of the potential of interesting courses â€" employability, financial reward and your chances of bei ng given a place in that study programme.You may also talk with people who work in those fields to find out if their experiences are what you’re looking for before you begin the admissions process.And, before you submit your application, you should get more advice on how to select your courses.Writing an Effective Personal StatementHow is it that universities can boldly make unconditional offers to students they know practically nothing about?Think about it: when UCAS forwards your application package to every university you’ve selected, A-Level results aren’t yet published.Those schools know next to nothing about you. They’re not looking at your academic transcript or attendance record to see if you’re a good student. They don’t know about your financial aid requests (if any) or if you are SEN when they offer you an unconditional place in their school. The admissions office makes their application decisions largely based on students' personal statements Image by free stock photos from www.picjumbo.com from PixabaySure, it could be that some recruitment restrictions have been lifted and now it’s an all-out race for universities to attract students; some schools even offer enticements for accepting unconditional offers, such as a new laptop or a possible scholarship.Still, that would account for only a portion of the unconditional offers made by universities to prospective students.If you receive an unconditional offer of enrolment, it’s far more likely that your personal statement has struck a chord with the admissions committee and they really want someone like you to attend their school.How do you write a statement that convinces total strangers, people whose careers centre on reading such expressions by the thousands… how do you write a statement that impresses a body who has likely ‘read it all’?First, by being sincere .Many students believe that coming on ‘wow’ - with hyperbolic statements or humour as an attention-getter will put them atop the heap but soon find themselves at the bottom of the selection pile.What really grabs the attention of the selection committee is a well-phrased statement with a ring of truth pervading it.Authenticity is the second criterion to weave your personal narrative out of.It goes without saying that plagiarising is out of the question but the quality of being original goes beyond merely copying another’s words.Incorporating well-known quotes into your statement would seem like a no-brainer â€" wouldn’t it show how well-read you are? On the contrary; you may well be erudite but you’re still spouting someone else’s words; the admissions body wants to hear your words, not others'!Likewise with trite phrases and tired words: you may well be passionate about your academic pursuits but, for a refreshing change, why not describe why you’re passionate rather than simply saying ‘… and it awoke in me a passion...’ or some variation thereof.For a university to make an admission decision based purely on an admission application and a roughly 700-word narrative, that narrative has to be really good.It would behove you to pick up more tips on how to write your personal statement…

Top 5 Books College Students Should Read this Summer

Top 5 Books College Students Should Read this Summer Ah, summerone of the most beloved times of the year for students. Unless youre taking a full load of summer classes, you can say goodbye to textbooks, quizzes, and essays for awhile. You may have a part-time job or an internship, but with summer always comes a lot more freedom, and with that comes a lot more free time. While there are tons of great ways to fill this time, reading a good book is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills while also simply enjoying yourself. Before you argue that you arent going to crack a book open again until the first day of the new semester, consider the benefits that reading gives you, regardless of the book youve chosen. Reading expands your vocabulary (without flashcards!), gives you a new perspective of the world around you, and entertains you. Whether youre in the car on a road trip, laying out on the beach, or spending a quiet day inside, a good book is a great option. The following books are not textbooks, but can definitely teach you a thing or two. 1. For an old classic: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Many students read great books in middle school or high school, but some of the greatness can be lost in a book when it becomes required reading. Revisiting a classic book from your early schooling is a great way to take a trip down memory lane, and since it isnt for class, you wont have to worry about the tests or essays. Theres a reason these books, like The Great Gatsby, are often required reading for students. This book, set in the 1920s, follows the wealthy Jay Gatsby while detailing the parties he throws in his mansion. The plot focuses on his love for Daisy Buchanan and the conflicts it creates. While reading The Great Gatsby, youll not only be transported back to the Jazz Age, but also to your high school English class when you first learned about character foils and rising action. The reminder of these possibly forgotten literary elements can help you refine your reading comprehension skills. Other classics to take you back in time: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 2. For a memoir that teaches a great lesson: Yes Please by Amy Poehler Light-hearted memoirs are not only enjoyable to read, they also can teach you valuable lessons. Memoirs can give you a different perspective on the world as you learn about other peoples experiences, which may be completely different from your own. Memoirs are also a great way to start the process of self-reflection, while reading the lessons that successful people learned can put you ahead of the game. Yes Please by Amy Poehler is an inspirational read that details her life as a woman in comedy, and you better believe Amy brings her comedic A-game with this bookbut it will have you thinking as much as it has you laughing, as you learn some of the most interesting life lessons she has to offer. Other memoirs for a lesson on life: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling, My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor (for a more serious read). 3. For a book that really makes you think: The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore The best part about a great piece of literature is the way it challenges you to think hard about the world around you. The Other Wes Moore is a true story of two children with the same name who grew up in poverty in Baltimore. As you follow both of them throughout their lives, one becomes a Rhodes Scholar, while the other serves a life sentence in prison. This book challenges you to think about how your choices can impact your entire life and how ones upbringing can play a major role in their future. Other books to challenge your perspective: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Giver by Lois Lowry 4. For a little self-help: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell Reading a book meant to influence your lifestyle is always an intriguing learning experience. Think of these books as enjoyable and entertaining self-help books that leave you with actionable steps to improve some aspect of your life. Blink is about the choices we make on instinct without thinking, and how some people are strong at making the correct choices while others choices can lead to unintended consequences. Blink reveals how to be a great decision-maker while profiling some experts and some failed situations. This is a great book for any college student to read, as decision-making is one of the biggest skills you will need in the real world. Another book to help you get a fresh start: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg 5. For a hidden history lesson: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak When you pick up a great book that is set in a historical time period, you learn about history without even trying. The Book Thief follows a young girl who lives in Germany during World War II with her foster parents. The book describes her experiences with the Nazi regime and the political situation in Germany at the time, particularly the destroying of books by the Nazi party. Not only is this a beautifully written book, narrated by death, it also gives detailed insight into the past. Other hidden history lessons can be found in: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 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.

What is it Like to Attend Chatham University

What is it Like to Attend Chatham University Alexandra earned her bachelors degree in English and cultural studies from Chatham University. She specializes in writing tutoring, study skills tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Chatham University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Alexandra: Chatham University is an arboretum located in the city of Pittsburgh. As a student, you enjoy a lush, beautiful campus full of history and old mansions established as the Chatham College for Women in 1869. Now a co-educational institution, its nestled between the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods, two very popular and trendy places to live for students who attend the surrounding schools. Chatham is one of many schools in Pittsburgh that provides free public transit to their students by using their ID cards. Chatham also has shuttles available to take students grocery shopping and into town. The campus feels rural, but is located in an urban setting popularly and endearingly referred to as the Chatham bubble. I have never felt unsafe on campus, as Chatham is very much a community, and security is taken very seriously. Transportation options include free bus and shuttle access, ample space for parking bikes, as well as Zipcars on campus for student use. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alexandra: Chatham doesnt have separate academic advisers from faculty; instead, the faculty who you work with in classes on a daily basis serve as your academic advisers and mentors. Professors are readily available during their posted office hours and are incredibly open to finding time to meet with you to talk about school and life. They also help you choose and schedule your classes each semester. You get, if you choose, to have a lot of personal interactions with professors at Chatham, and each and every one of them is invested in helping you succeed and reach your goals. Teaching assistants are graduate students in the MFA and science programs and are also readily available to help. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alexandra: The dorm life at Chatham is as social as you want it to be. Woodland Hall is the biggest dorm on campus and most central to the other facilities on campus with about four floors, housing 20-30 people on each floor. Fickes Hall is just down the hill from Woodland Hall and is the second biggest with three floors, housing about 20-40 people on each floor. The rooms and bathrooms in these two buildings have a lot of character. Rea House and Laughlin House are two smaller, but beautiful old mansions. Rea House includes residents who are involved with environmental issues, while Laughlin House includes international students and residents that are involved with cultural immersion and international issues. There are also apartments available on Fifth Avenue for undergraduate and graduate students. I was the Resident Assistant for Rea House and Apartments on Fifth Avenue, and I can honestly say that you can be as involved or not involved in the community as you wish to be. The fur thest housing, Apartments on Fifth Avenue, has a private walkway that leads up to campus. To get to classes and other facilities on campus is less than a 15 minute walk. The main campus is small and self-sustaining. Dining options are greatthere is a coffee shop on the main campus and a huge dining hall with amazing, mostly locally-sourced food. You are also a short walk away from the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods, home to amazing coffee shops, restaurants, and diners. Student Affairs at Chatham is a strong force and there are always programs happening. Again, you can choose to be as involved or not involved in the thriving academic and extracurricular Chatham community as you like. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Alexandra: Chatham has some really unique and amazing programs, including the newest food studies program for undergraduate and graduate students. Professors at Chatham have strong ties to the Pittsburgh community and around the world, so no matter what your professional goal is, they are able to provide strong insights and mentorship. The strongest programs at Chatham are their science programs, psychology, English, and marketing. I studied English and Cultural Studies at Chatham because I had an amazing high school English teacher that studied at Chatham and inspired me to attend. There are many intersections between the English and Cultural Studies programs, so adding the Cultural Studies major was a natural extension of the English major. Professors definitely push students to do graduate-level work and have an incredibly high acceptance rate for getting students into prominent graduate programs. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Alexandra: It was incredibly easy to meet people and make friends as a freshman at Chatham. As a student in the Chatham Scholars program, I took the same classes with the same group of people, so we were able to foster strong relationships that have endured long after graduating. There are many events and organizations on campus that allow you to meet people as well as get involved off campus. Student Affairs, particularly working in resident life, actually led me to meet some of my best friends. Chatham does not have Greek life; however, Student Affairs invites Greek life from the surrounding universities to attend events. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Alexandra: The PACE Center on campus is in one central location inthe Jennie King Mellon Library. It houses many services, including the Writing Center, Tutoring Services, and Career Center. The Writing Center is where graduate students work with undergraduates of all levels to complete writing assignments. Tutoring Services allows students to set up tutoring appointments and request note takers for classes. At Career Services, students can set up internships and attend career workshops. Chatham is really good at bringing in alumni that have achieved significant career goals and who love to work with current students to help them achieve their professional goals. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Alexandra: At Chatham, any type of study area that you could imagine is available, and all are in beautiful facilities. You can work individually in study cubbies in the library or in spacious conference rooms with a group. You can also work individually or with friends at the coffee shop. The dorm lounges are all spacious and comfortable, and never over-crowded. You can go off campus to one of many coffee shops and diners in Shadyside, Oakland, or Squirrel Hill. All of these spaces are never too crowded, are easily available, and spacious. Describe the surrounding town. Alexandra: Chatham is nestled between the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Many of the universities in Pittsburgh are all located along Fifth Avenue, including Chatham. Directly outside of the Chatham campus are small, residential streets with beautiful mansions that lead to the popular Ellsworth Avenue and Walnut Street in Shadyside and to Murray Avenue and Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill. Both of these places include stores and restaurants. Downtown, you can watch a Pittsburgh Penguins game across the street from Duquesne University at the PPG Paints Arena. You can also attend a play, symphony performance, or musical in the Cultural District where all of the theaters are located. If youre feeling adventurous, you can cross one of the many bridges to the North Shore and attend a Pirates game, Steelers game, or even visit the Andy Warhol Museum. Whether youre into the arts, sports, food, hiking, or biking, Pittsburgh has something for you. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alexandra: Chatham is a small liberal arts school where faculty members are incredibly invested in your success. My common core classes had 20-25 students, which was incredibly effective and comfortable since the professor easily learned our names and mediated fascinating and enlightening conversations among the group. Some of my English classes had 10 people, while some had up to 25. Regardless of the size, professors were always incredibly attentive to students' needs. I was really pleased with the typical class sizes, and these sizes are pretty much the same across majors. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Alexandra: Every class that I had at Chatham was incredibly enlightening and helped me to become the professional I am today. One of the many memorable moments during my time as an undergraduate student at Chatham has to be my Tutorial defense. I had three amazing professors who were on my committee and encouraged me throughout the process. The head chair of my committee was a professor I knew even before I started at Chatham, the chair of the English department, who had taught and inspired my high school English teacher. The second chair of my committee, the Director of the Food Studies program, had directed my study abroad trip to Italy. The third chair of my Committee, the Director of Cultural Studies, was and remains a dear friend and mentor who I had worked as a research assistant to. The moment when they told me I had passed and that they couldnt wait to see what the future had in store really exemplified the entirety of my educational experience at Chatham. Check out Alexandras tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Essential Study Skills That Every Middle School Student Should Master

5 Essential Study Skills That Every Middle School Student Should Master Improving Back to School Study Skills for Middle School Students Middle school is a vital time in a student's educational career and middle school study skills are essential to success in high school and beyond. Think of middle school much like the practices leading up to a big game. An athlete's practice performance is important because that time spent mastering the fundamentals pays off when the stakes are high during a game. Middle school is the same way. There are many different study skills that students should master in middle school that will play a valuable role when the stakes are much higher. As a parent it is vital for you to play an active role in your middle schooler student's education. Working with your child now to master essential middle school study skills will help lay a strong foundation for future grades. Parents and students should work together to: Find the best time to study Every student is different. It is important to remember what works for others, or what worked for you, may not be best for your child. Spend time experimenting with study times to see when your child is most effective. For several days have your child complete homework and other school tasks immediately upon arriving home. Then try switching the study time to later in the evening, perhaps immediately after dinner. If neither of these times work for your child, evaluate your family's daily schedule for other available study blocks that may be more beneficial. Keep materials organized Many middle school students don't naturally possess essential organizational skills. The ability to organize materials, schedules, and assignments can be difficult. Work with your child to establish and maintain an organizational system that is efficient and tailored to this year's coursework. Provide the materials necessary for your child to stay organized such as binders, folders, and an assignment planner. Take the time to help your child keep the materials organized and intervene if your child is experiencing difficulty. Learn to take notes Taking notes is a critically important study skill in high school and college. Middle school is an ideal time to learn note taking skills because it provides plenty of opportunity to practice and refine this skill. Huntington Learning Centers offers students the opportunity to learn study skills, including note taking, from highly trained professionals. Your child's tutor will teach specific note taking skills to help with this year's courses. There will also be an emphasis on general note taking skills that can be applied to a variety of subject areas. This helps your child view note taking as a universal study skill that can be used in any course. Develop a study schedule Your child has a schedule full of challenging academic work and may be overwhelmed by the prospect of managing all of the assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests. Ask your child for course schedules and syllabi and work to create a master schedule. Help your child see the big picture and understand that planning ahead is essential for success. Work together to devise weekly and monthly study schedules that provide plenty of time for all coursework. Build foundational research skills Think about all the research papers and projects in your child's future. High school and college courses require students to research topics to write papers, complete laboratory work, prepare persuasive arguments, and present material. This research based coursework will be much easier if your child has the research skills necessary for success. As part of the study skills tutoring sessions at Huntington Learning Centers students learn how to conduct effective research and how to use valuable reference skills to determine important information. Students learn how to find the information they're looking for and ways to compile it for use in papers, projects, and presentations.

Volunteering Experience - Ritas Story

Volunteering Experience - Rita's Story Rita P  has had many years of experience as a private tutor, both in Italy and the UK. She's an enthusiastic investigator of the History of Ancient Languages, and studied Prehistory, Archaeology and Classics in Rome and Verona.   Rita has a huge heart, she gives her time to 3 different schools, helping underprivileged children with Spanish, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. She volunteers at Pimlico Academy, Highbury Fields, and Wilbury Primary School. She has kindly written about her volunteering experience so far in hopes that it will inspire others to follow suit! I started tutoring in Italy some years ago, and I still vividly picture a shy girl who happened to be my first student. I had just finished my Master's Degree in Archaeology and Classics. She was a 16 year old student who attended two different schools, a music conservatory and a grammar school. Studying on her own was a big effort which she found stressful and quite demanding. At first I thought she probably needed a little more structure as well as a bit of encouragement to keep her focused. I was only there to help her with Ancient Languages, but we soon made a habit of spending some time at the end of every lesson to talk about anything that was on her mind, including her other subjects. By the end of the year she surprised me. She confessed that our lessons and talks had helped her to become more organised, self-confident and open with people. She then went on to express to me how grateful she was for this. She soon finished her studies, and now she’s a musician who lives in Amsterdam. She taught me something too. I learned how important it is to establish a relationship with your student, aside from helping them with their studies. I learnt that lending an ear and taking the time to “know” my students is equally as valuable in helping them perform better in school and in their private studies. I have since moved to London, and brought my vast experience in education with me! I began tutoring in November, after a comprehensive training day, perfectly managed by Tutorfair. Currently I volunteer in two different high schools and a primary school â€" exposing myself to students of varying ages, ambitions and distinct backgrounds. Working with year 11 students everyday has been challenging. Initially I felt that they were doing a great job of living up to their teenage stereotype of being moody, demotivated, unfocused and tired. It took some time for them to accept me. They were shy and rather closed off as they were uncomfortable discussing any difficulties they were having. After a few lessons they began to open up and relax around me, and subsequently I did too! They understood that I was there to help them unconditionally, which turned out to be the single most important thing to them. Working with students at this age can be really extraordinary, and genuinely wonderful. I also help a group of Year 6 students who are part of an afterschool special learning program. These younger students were much more welcoming, and took to me straight away!   They were also more demanding of me and the teacher leading the class. No matter how old the student is, I believe that nothing can help a student more than applying the J Factor: If I can help make the learning experience Joyful, the results are always astounding. I try to hold the picture of my first student in my head and what that experience taught me.   It reminds me to remain patient and dedicated, the rest then comes naturally. Are you interested in becoming a volunteer tutor? If so click here  to get involved, or email Pete Kirby at pete@tutorfair.com we would love to hear from you!

Anaheim English Tutor Using an Em Dash - TutorNerds

Anaheim English Tutor Using an Em Dash - TutorNerds Anaheim English Tutor Tip: How to Use an Em Dash Anaheim English Tutor Tip: How to Use an Em Dash Tutorsâ€"especially English tutorsâ€"frequently see punctuation misunderstood and misused. There are a few pieces of punctuationâ€"semicolons, colons, and dashesâ€"that are common culprits of causing these student mistakes (our private Anaheim English tutors are here to help you succeed). We’ve previously discussed how to understand and use the semicolon and the colon, but we still have to discuss the dashâ€"another important piece of punctuation. Among students, the dash isn’t the most common in essaysâ€"in fact, it is seldom used at all. Here, we will discuss some simple pointers about how to use the dashâ€"specifically; we’ll talk about the em dash and its ability to make your sentences and paragraphs flow more naturally and convey information more effectively. Like the piece on the colon and semicolon, we’ve started this post with a paragraph that includes the dash in every sentence.   While this is not the preferred way to incorporate any punctuation into your writing, it is a helpful way of using numerous examples to showcase the versatility of the punctuation. In my experience, the dash is taught even less than the semicolon in Kâ€"12 English classes.   It is also likely the least used of the three punctuation marks discussed so far.   I personally find the em dash to be particularly effective in my writing, but I do recommend focusing on the colon and the semicolon first; they are more commonly seen in typical reading and also more easily incorporated into your writing. If you’ve done that, let’s now go into detail with these four points about the em dash: Don’t confuse with hyphens This is a hyphen: This is an en dash: â€" This is an em dash: â€" Notice the difference in lengths.   “En” dash is named because it is the length of the capital letter N.   “Em” dash is named because it is the length of the longer capital letter M.   Note that both are longer than a hyphen. Hyphens are used mainly for combining two words like “hard-working.”   En dashes are used for ranges, such as the Kâ€"12 in the paragraph above or like in April 2nd â€" March 3rd. The “em dash” is the more versatile punctuation that we are talking about.   This is the longest of the three.   Mixing up the en dash and em dash likely will go unnoticed, but you should be particularly careful to not use a dash interchangeably with a hyphen. Use it as more powerful parentheses Parentheses can be used in the middle of a sentence to add supplementary information to the content of the sentence.   However, parentheses tend to diminish the importance of the content inside the parentheses.   It is treated as secondary as well as supplementary, and often readers will even ignore reading parentheses altogether and simply continue with the sentence. The use of dashes can prevent this.   Using two dashes instead of parentheses is telling the reading that this supplement is important and should be emphasized.   You can see this usage in the first two sentences of the first paragraph of this article. Use it as an easier semicolon Using a semicolon is a way to connect two closely related sentences.   The caveat is that they both have to be complete sentencesâ€"not just an incomplete phrase like this.   With a dash, you are not constrained by this limitation.   You can connect two sentences that are both complete sentences, or you can connect a sentence with just a phrase or thought. It is important to note that there is still a difference tonally between the dash and the semicolon.   Semicolons tend to show that the two sentences are a pair of equally significant, similar content.   Dashes are more often used to show a contrast or to present an interjection to the content of the first sentence.   You will get used to these nuances the more you practice using them.   You can see this usage in the final sentences of the first paragraph above. Use it as the emphasis in a colon The last tip is to use it similarly to how we can use a colon: for emphasis.   This is a very similar usage to how the colon is used.  The subtle difference is that the colon usually precedes a list of objects or a simple object.   You describe a category, then use a colon, then provide the item or items in that category. With a dash you more often see this done in reverse.   For example, look at the third sentence in the first paragraph of this article.   Here, we wrote, “… but we still have to discuss the dashâ€"another important piece of punctuation.” If we were using a colon, we likely would have written “… but we still have to discuss another important piece of punctuation: the dash.”   Notice the difference? The dash has more subtle nuances to it than many other pieces of punctuation.   It also has a lot of versatility in how you use it.   Here, we’ve presented some of its uses in a simpler way for beginners.   Other rules for the dash, such as making sure to have the proper length em dash and to not use spacing before or after it, are technically grammatically true but practically they are not well followed.   In modern usage, we often see a space before and after the em dash.   We also often see the en dash length used instead. These are not aspects you should worry about as you try to incorporate it into your writing.   First, learn how to properly use punctuation like the semicolon, colon, and parentheses.   When you’ve mastered these three, you can begin to use the dash in similar ways to improve your writing even more. Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, except for guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

?? Top 10 Tips For Your First Tuition Lesson

?? Top 10 Tips For Your First Tuition Lesson Top 10 Tips For Your First Tuition Lesson So you’re beginning your tutoring journey, congratulations for getting the wheels in motion! We know this can be daunting, so we've got your back and compiled our top 10 tips on how to prepare for your first session 1. Get to know your tutorThe tutor-student relationship is so important, and the first session is key to get an understanding of how well you can work together in order to achieve your goals. A lot of tutoring relies on rapport, and a great first impression is the best way to kick start this!2. Let your tutor get to know youYour tutor will need to spend some time assessing your strengths and areas you need help with, don’t be nervous about this! Your tutor is asking questions in order to better understand how they can help you, the more they can understand your personality will help them create plans that are specific for you.3. Discuss your optimal learning styleWe all have different ways to get the most out of what we are learning. Do you prefer to see concepts laid out in a visual way, or are you an avid reader? Communicating this with your tutor will help them create tasks and tools that gel with you, so you can best understand what you are learning.4. Let your tutor know your expectationsTalk with your tutor about what you’re expecting to get out of your sessions. Communicating the reason you chose to get a tutor in the first place will help your tutor understand your overarching goals.5. Set targets and SMART goalsSetting goals and targets are so important in understanding where you want to go, what actions you need to take and then eventually how far you have come. Goals should always be SMART.Specific - General targets can be helpful however specific targets will help you really figure out what you wish to achieve and assist you in creating precise goalsMeasurable - Your targets should always be quantifiable in some way, in order to help you clearly identify when you have hit themAchievable - a goal should challenge and motivate you but not be impossible, if you set your target too high it can cause unnecessary stressRealistic - Aiming for the stars is worthy goal however in learning setting impossible targets is not helpful, discuss with our tutor what is realistic for youTime-bound - deadlines can be stressful but they give us the incentive to get our work done.6. Communicate any wider goals you haveIf you have any other wider personal goals, such as improving your confidence. Your tutor can be a great person to talk to about this.7. Collaborate with your tutor on an action planYou and your tutor are a team. You should both be involved in setting goals and making plans. In this way, you can make sure you’re moving forward at a pace that is comfortable, yet still challenging 8. Organise your study space and materialsBefore your session, ask your tutor if there are any necessary supplies you will need, pencils, a notebook, calculator etc. If you're meeting the tutor at your home, ensure you have a nice and quiet space for you both to work. If you have anything specific you need help with, bring in the work so your tutor can go straight into the trouble area.9. Eat before your lessonHunger can be a huge distraction! Always make sure you’ve eaten before a session or take a snack with you, when you’re well nourished you will be able to focus and concentrate much better. After all, food is brain fuel!10. Involve your teachers!Who knows better about what areas you need help with than your teachers? They can provide insights to give your tutor a better understanding of how you are doing at school.Tutoring is all about teamwork! If you follow all these steps you will ensure you get off to a great start with your tutor, foster the key early relationship, work together and smash those targets.We can't wait to hear how you get along in your first Tutorful tuition lesson! Good luck!