Guitar for Beginners 5 New Years Resolutions for Learning Guitar

Guitar for Beginners 5 New Years Resolutions for Learning Guitar Megan L. Make this year your most musical year yet with these excellent new years resolutions for learning guitar for beginners  by guitar teacher  Kirk R. Pick Up Your Guitar Everyday To some this may seem daunting, and to others it might sound obvious. Regardless of which side of that you’re on, getting your hands on your guitar often is an important step in learning, especially when you’re just starting out. This is true in most other areas of study as well, but if you’re learning to walk or learning a language, you have to tools to practice it with you at all times. As a side note here, you can also make lots of progress doing what I call mental practice. The idea is just that you use your analytical and visualization skills to solve problems with your playing without ever picking up your instrument. There are many ways to go about that, but I’ll leave that for a future post! Picking up your guitar often allows your body and mind to create a sense of normalcy while youre playing. When you want to walk somewhere, you probably don’t think about which joints of your legs need to bend and at exactly what time, you just begin walking. Guitar can be much the same! You don’t have to plan long practice sessions everyday. Usually just picking it up and playing through something that you’re working on is enough. If it’s a busy day, it might be only a few minutes, and that’s ok. If you have more time, but not all at once, try a few minutes before school or work and then again between dinner and bed. Figure out what works in your schedule and make it a part of your day! Check out: 50 Little Things You Can Do To Get More From Your Guitar Practice Time Practice With a Metronome Aside from an instrument, the metronome is the most helpful item that a musician can have. If you don’t have one already, they can be found very cheaply. Though I have a few, I most commonly use a metronome app that I downloaded for free. Metronomes can be frustrating little devices, but they will make you a better player. It’s important to remember that they often work like a mirror. If you’re noticing mistakes when you play with a metronome that you didn’t notice before, chances are, you were already making it (or a similar mistake). When you see more mistakes than before, it may seem like you are suddenly less skilled than you thought yourself before, but remember, when you notice mistakes you’re making, you can immediately start working to correct them! Start slowly (slower than you think you need to) and work up to your desired speed a notch or two at a time. This might seem tedious, but it’s a great way to work up to fast speeds in no time. Rhythm is one of the most important aspects of your playing (even more than hitting the right notes!) so if you want to build your skills, a device that helps to keep your rhythm accurate is indispensable. Check out: 13 Guitar Apps We Cant Live Without Learn a Song in a New Style or Genre I’m not suggesting here that you become a jack of all trades sort of musician. I’ve seen many of them over the years, and it seems like very few of them have mastered all, or any, of the styles that they’re playing. What I am saying is learn something in a different style so that you can look at the music that you really want to play with a new and wider perspective. I once spent some time studying with a guy who was experienced in Brazilian choro guitar. He looked at the music that I was already playing at the time very differently than I did. His whole approach was totally different and it forced me to take note of things in the music that I had never payed any attention to before. It’s that sort of experience that will make you a better musician in the long run. If you play mostly rock now, try something classical; learning jazz? Try playing metal. Maybe something less contrasting. If you play folk from tab, try playing folk from sheet music. If you’re used to reading sheet music, try playing from a lead sheet/chord chart. Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone will not only make you a more versatile player, but it will help you improve the way that you play your usual music. Check out: The Big List of Easy Guitar Songs Set Goals Set one goal that seems impossible now and one that you know you can accomplish No matter what kind of successful person you talk to, they will all agree that setting goals is helpful. This is a simple suggestion, but it can take a variety of forms. The important part of this suggestion is to have something that you can keep you eye on for a long time; something that keeps driving you forward, as well as something that is totally achievable and reminds you that you’re making progress. The “reach goal” could be something like a difficult song that you want to learn, or to memorize a certain number of songs. For the easier goal, maybe it’s making a change between two specific chords, playing in front of someone once a month, or to get a song that you’re already learning up to a certain tempo. Whatever you choose for your goals, make sure that they are measureable. If you want to get a song up to a certain tempo, make sure that the tempo is specific: 136 bpm instead of ‘fast’. Check out: How to Learn Guitar: Setting Goals, Staying Motivated, and More! Add Guitar  Exercises to Your Practice Routine This may not seem as exciting as your usual guitar practice, but I would argue that given the right mindset and exercise, it can be as interesting and engaging as practicing music. It might come as a surprise to some (though perhaps I’m wrong) that I’m making a distinction between music and exercises. It’s important to play inherently non-musical exercises, though there is value in exercise-like pieces of music as well. The reason for this is that the goal of an exercise is one of physical movement on the instrument. In order to carefully work on this aspect of playing, we have to take the emotion and desire to make our playing sound a certain way out of the equation. Have you ever noticed that when you start to learn a song that you have often listened to, you usually start playing faster than your hands can really keep up? It’s because you’re used to hearing it a certain way, and your brain is telling your hands to play the way it thinks the song should sound. When you’re using a non-musical exercise to develop skills in your fingers, you don’t have the same sort of drive as learning a song, even one you haven’t heard before. There are probably millions of exercises that you can choose from, but don’t be overwhelmed. Find one that addresses an aspect of your playing that you want to improve. Treat this exercise like weight lifting. First, make sure it’s of reasonable difficulty. You don’t walk into a gym the first day and start lifting the heaviest weights available. Second, when you are comfortable playing through the exercise while focusing on the technical aspects and they all come out as you want them to, don’t abandon the exercise! It’s not meant to be a badge that you earn and display. It’s a regular tool that you use to keep your chops in shape. Once a weight lifter lifts the heaviest weight available, they don’t stop lifting it, but they keep coming back to it, perhaps adding more reps, or just using it to maintain their current abilities. Check out: 3 Simple Guitar Exercises Youll Never Outgrow Did you make any musical resolutions this year? Share them with us in the comments below! Post Author:  Kirk R. Kirk is a classical, bass, and acoustic guitar instructor in Denver, CO. He earned a  bachelors of music in Guitar performance at The College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and he is currently pursuing a masters degree in performance.   Learn more about Kirk  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How Can I learn to Sing

How Can I learn to Sing Different Methods for Learning to Sing ChaptersLearn to Sing with Private Singing LessonsLearn to Sing in Key Learn to Sing on Your Own Learn to Sing for Free Learn to Sing in a GroupEvery year, there are tonnes of people auditioning for The Voice and, as you know, very few make it to the finals.Would you like to compete in a singing competition but don’t know how to sing?Put the kettle on and listen to our advice on improving your singing voice with vocal training!Android. This is the most professional app on our list. You’ll almost feel like you have a real voice coach with you giving your personalised voice tutorials for your vocal range.Sing! Karaoke on iOS and Android. With over 800,000 songs available, once you’ve got your vocal techniques mastered, you can practise with your favourite songs.There are three main categories when referring to male voices: tenor, baritone, and bass (from the highest to the lowest ranges). Women’s voices are divided into soprano, mezzo-soprano, and alto.How can you learn to sing without music tutorials?You need to get the basics down first: relax your face, concentrate on your breathing, contract your abdominal muscles, relax your neck, and take care of yourself!  By being aware of all this, you’re giving yourself the best possible start. Don’t forget to rest your voice after singing, sleep well, and drink lots of water!Which tools should you use?The Songbird Tree: you can find out plenty of things about how to improve your singing. Her advice for singers includes things like: How to improve your self-confidence, how to sing with vibrato, how to warm up your voice.Of course, none of these resources will be of any use if you don’t put the work in!  Half an hour per day is good enough to improve your vocal techniques without overdoing. Learn to Sing in a GroupFar from clichés of being in a choir, being in a group is a great way to improve certain elements of your vocal technique.Singing as part of a group can help you as a musician. (Source: pixabay.c om)Where can you find a group?The advantage of groups is that you can find them all over the country from big cities to tiny villages. A quick online search will help to point you into the right direction.Why sing in a group?  What is singing in a group going to do for me?Plenty of things!Isn’t working in a group so much better than going it alone?Furthermore, you can join a lot of groups without every having sung before! You don’t need a degree in music to join!  What better way to gain some self-confidence than by being supported by a group of people rather than just one teacher?Choirs are a great way to practise singing regularly. (Source:  Blue Ox Studio)If you’re not convinced, read on!  They have to often include all types of voices and  harmonies are one of the most important aspect of a group. If you didn't know, harmonies are the simultaneous emission of several different sounds.One group of singers will sing one note while the others sing another. The soloist will th en sing something different, too.  When you’re in a group, you’ll learn to sing alongside different vocal ranges and listen to them in order to improve your own singing.You can therefore sing anything with any singer! Once you’ve mastered harmonies, you’ll have an incredible singing gift to show off.  On the other hand, you’ll be expected to sing thing that aren’t always perfectly in your range. This means that you run the risk of losing your natural vocal range or avoid working on it.Working on your voice on your own alongside working in a group is therefore the best way to go about things.In short:Learning to sing is easier with the help of a private tutor! Don’t hesitate to check a few of them out on our platform. There are plenty of superprofs waiting for you.It’s not the end of the world if you can’t sing in key! You just have to train your ear. Everyone knows that you’ll hit the odd false note but you can learn to avoid it.If you’re self-taught, there are plenty of resources online that can help you improve your voice. There are YouTube channels, programmes, apps, websites. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to learning how to sing. Most of these resources are free! Make the most of them!Finally, joining a group is a great way to learn to sing with the help of other singers without having to take group online singing lessons!

6 Common Questions on the CARS section of the MCAT

6 Common Questions on the CARS section of the MCAT MCAT Medical School Admissions Daily, physicians face challenges to apply, analyze, and communicate scientific and medical information. The ability to communicate and analyze is a softer skill that is difficult to develop compared to the effort it takes to memorize something like the Krebs’s cycle. This vital skill set has become emphasized by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) through the production of the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Section (CARS) on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). CARS is the section that most premedical students struggle with and requires the most time to build skills. Identifying question types on your exam will allow you to establish patterns of performance and test trends. Below we will discuss the six most common types of questions you will encounter on the CARS section and how to best approach them. Given Information or Retrieval Questions Given information questions are questions that draw information directly from the passage. These questions are typically straightforward and are easy points to earn for the CARS section. Often these questions can be answered from memory. However, most students tend to reference the passage to ensure the information is correct. The key to these questions is to balance confidence in your reading comprehension against the need to double-check facts. Since CARS is a section that most students struggle to finish, it is important that you minimize the time it takes to find the correct answer to a question. Be sure to spend time practicing these question types and see how your passage retrieval skills compare when answering from memory or referencing the passage. Inference Questions Inference questions are by far the most common question on the CARS section, as well as the most commonly missed question type. Inference questions require the reader to take passage information and infer or interpret tone or underlying meanings. These questions tend to be difficult for students the answer is not explicitly stated and requires deductive skills. Correct answer choices for these question types will often be consistent with the main idea of the passage. The key to these questions is to avoid strong or extreme answer choices, as well as answer choices with information that was not present in the passage. New Information Questions New information questions are typically the lengthy questions that students hate to see. These questions present additional information outside of the passage and ask the test-taker to make inferences on how to apply that information. This variant of the inference question, while less difficult, can use similar strategies as discussed above. The key to these questions is to not get bogged down in reading the information presented since timing is key on CARS. Author’s Opinion or Main Idea Questions Questions about the author’s opinion tend to hint at the tone or main idea of the passage. The key to these questions is to establish who the author is and who their audience is. Is the author an unbiased writer or do they feel strongly on the topic they are writing about? What is the author’s purpose in writing this piece? Are they aiming to persuade readers or simply inform them of the facts? These are all questions that should aid you in establishing what the author’s opinion is and more importantly identifying the correct answer. Except, Least, or Not QuestionsExcept, least, or not are modifiers that have been used to trick test takers since the invention of standardized testing. The MCAT is no different in that it poses a lengthy question and answer set in hopes that the student will forget the modifier by the end of the question. The best way to combat this mistake is to write the modifier in large, bold letters on your scratch paper. This will serve as a reminder as you work through the question. Roman Numeral questionsThis question type is ubiquitous throughout the other sections of the MCAT. Roman Numeral questions are difficult because they increase the number of answer choices available. A common approach to this question type is to look for the roman numerals that are most and least common throughout the alphabetical answer choices (A-D). If either of these roman numerals can be eliminated, it should give you a better indication of what the correct answer is. The key to these questions is to focus on the grouped alphabetical answer choices rather than the validity of the individual roman numeral answers. Another strategy to these questions is to look for answers that directly contradict each other. If two roman numeral answers are in direct opposition, they cannot both be correct and should give you at least 1-2 answers to eliminate.

Focus The New Key to Academic and Professional Success

Focus The New Key to Academic and Professional Success Improving Academic Performance I just finished listening to a great podcast episode from Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman’s Psychology Podcast (one of my favorite podcasts because it’s generally, entertaining, informative and practical as it relates to helping you better understand the world around you) about the concept of Deep Work. In this blog article, I’ll offer a very brief summary of the podcast episode (very brief, because I want you to listen to the podcast) and two key takeaways: 1) that focus is one underappreciated key to success in today's world and 2) that skill and mastery are derived from sustained, deliberate practice, not inborn talent. Quick Summary The podcast was a discussion between Dr. Kaufman, who is a professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and Cal Newport, a professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University, about Newport’s new book, Deep Work. The theme of the book is that in the new “knowledge” economy, the most successful students and professionals will be those who cultivate the ability to be highly focused so that they can think about issues on a deep level to be able to solve complex problems. Newport and Kaufman hit on many topics, including some that we talk about regularly on this blog and some that we do not. Here are a few examples: The importance of deliberate practice in building skill, and the differences between deliberate practice and deep work (though they are related) The relative importance of IQ in determining success (it’s perhaps much less important than is commonly assumed) The downside of trying to “find your passion” (few people have pre-existing passions; people end up loving what they do as a result of a complex mix of factors, and instead young people should focus on studying hard, acquiring knowledge, being curious, and building skills) First key takeaway: focus is the key to making yourself indispensable Newport argues that focus is the key to creating value in today’s economy. He points out that any task which is easily automated is ultimately going to be outsourced or performed by a computer or a machine. So, students should get comfortable with the notion of building a career in which you are solving complex problems that require you to engage with your work in a deep focused way to design unique, valuable solutions. Kaufman notes that, in his research, designing something unique and different is the definition of creativity. So, in that sense, creativity is the key to being valuable in an increasingly globalized and technology-driven world. Critically, Newport points out that you don’t have to have a very high IQ to do this, and that focus is a skill that can be cultivated. I would argue that it’s a skill you should begin to cultivate in high school and college, not only because you’ll need it in the workforce in the medium to long term but because it will lead to better grades in the near term. You can probably imagine the types of behaviors that don’t lead to deep and sustained focus: checking your email constantly, multitasking, social media usage, etc. Newport recommends some simple strategies for building your ability to focus, including trying to schedule time FOR social media, and avoiding it for the rest of the day (for example). Second key takeaway: skill and mastery come from sustained, deliberate practice (even in the hard sciences like mathematics and physics) not talent Because I’m familiar with Newport’s Study Hacks blog, I know that although he has a PhD in Computer Science from MIT and is now a professor at Georgetown University, in high school he wasn’t in the most advanced calculus class available at his school (he took AP Calculus AB, not BC. If I remember the story correctly, he didn’t even get a score of 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam). So, he didn’t really consider himself a math person. But, something clicked in college, and he realized that with practice and focus, he could become increasingly good at math. Newport himself is a good example of the importance of sustained, deliberate practice. The average person would probably agree (though note, I think they would be wrong) that by senior year of high school, the math class you’re in tells a lot about whether you’re on a path to a PhD in Computer Science. But at that point, a lot of schooling remains. That perspective assumes that talent and natural ability plays a much more important role in the process of learning math than it actually does. Sure, some minimum amount of ability/talent/IQ is necessary to get a PhD in Computer Science. But more people probably have that minimum amount than is commonly assumed. Why? Because deliberate, focused practice is more important to building math skills than most people realize. In the podcast episode, he notes that mathematics undergraduates are always somewhat amazed by how “smart” the graduate students are who teach them. Those same graduate students are always amazed at how “smart” the junior professors are with whom they interact. And, the junior professors are amazed at how “smart” the senior tenured professors are. But Newport’s point is this. Any given person at each point in the chain I just described used to be at a different point in the chain. The graduate student was at one point an undergraduate. They didn’t “get smarter.” They just kept building their skills, and were thus better equipped to solve increasingly complex problems, which made them seem more naturally gifted to those who hadn’t put in that hard work. Summary Whether you’re a high school or college student, young professional, anyone else really, it’s important to realize that focus is what leads to the ability to solve complex problems. So, instead of worrying about how “smart” you are in a given area at school or at work, worry about how focused you are on the required work in that area.

How to land a job teaching English abroad without experience [With job postings]

How to land a job teaching English abroad without experience [With job postings] There’s that old catch-22 that gets trotted out time and time again. “You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job.” If you’re wondering whether it’s really possible to get hired to teach abroad without any experience, you’re not alone! In fact, that’s one of the most commonly asked questions we get at Teach Away. You’re in the right place, though, as we’re about to answer it for you. So let’s get started with the quick answer: The good news is that, even without any teaching experience, there are literally thousands upon thousands of opportunities available for fluent English speakers looking to travel and teach abroad. All you need to do is figure out where you’d most like to teach, what kind of overseas English teaching job you’re looking for and what qualifications you need to get there. Do you actually need experience to teach English abroad? Take it from me - your lack of teaching experience doesn’t make snagging a great-paying job teaching abroad an impossible feat. By any stretch of the imagination. However, there are two basic requirements to teach English abroad that you can expect most overseas employers to impose on any aspiring ESL teachers. Those are: English fluency Bachelor’s degree (any major) While it could certainly help you get a job, you don’t need to be a certified teacher or have a degree in education (or English, or linguistics for that matter) to teach English abroad. Of course, having a teaching license from your home country and/or teaching experience is always a plus when looking for jobs teaching abroad. Especially if you’re interested in teaching in the Middle East, where requirements tend to be a little more strict. Essentially, the more you have on your resume that relates to the opportunities you’re applying for, the more desirable you are to employers. But for anyone who has their sights set on teaching in Asia, Europe or South America, professional teaching experience is not the be all and end all. How about teaching abroad without certification? This really varies, but TEFL certification is becoming more and more of a basic requirement. We do advise you to do your research into the typical qualifications to teach in different countries, though. Each of these will vary from job to job and country to country, so make sure you do your research! But all in all, if you’re looking to make yourself as hireable as possible, it’s worth bearing in mind that preference tends to be given to job candidates who have some sort of ESL certification. And the most commonly recognized qualification for anyone interested in teaching English abroad in a 120-hour TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. Remember, because the application process for teaching abroad is done online, your employers won’t necessarily get to meet you in person before handing a whole classroom full of English language learners over to you. They’ll want to feel confident that they’re hiring someone they can trust to do the job and do it well. You can build this trust and show them that you’re both prepared and eager to do the job by getting TEFL certified. You’ve likely come across a variety of different TEFL certification courses, online, in person, or in the destination country of your choice. Choosing the right TEFL course can definitely be overwhelming. Been there, done that! The main takeaway is to find a TEFL course that is: Recognized by hiring schools abroad Equips you with knowledge and skills you need for the foreign classroom Of course, the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures is a fantastic one, but let’s face it, ultimately you need to be able to do what you’re being paid to do. And that’s teach! So you’ll want to find a TEFL course that is the best bang for your buck, while also preparing you for the job. Recommended reading: Why you can't teach English abroad without certification Tips for tailoring your resume when you don’t have teaching experience. Okay, so now you know that the experience needed to teach abroad varies. Can you still use the experience you do have to help you find a job overseas? The answer’s yes! What many employers are really looking for are transferable skills that will come in handy when in the classroom. Maybe you don’t have real-world classroom experience just yet, but having any kind of experience like those listed below is hugely advantageous. Stuff like: Experience working with children Experience traveling or living abroad Industry-specific experience (like IT or business English) Volunteer experience Experience in a classroom setting For example, if you’ve worked as a camp counselor or a tutor, that will give you an edge because you’ve already gained skills on how to work with children. Or if you have experience traveling or volunteering abroad, employers will feel confident that you won’t get homesick or quit halfway through your contract. And don’t forget, you’ve been a student yourself! You already have experience in the classroom and know the drill! Plus, if you have specialized knowledge that focuses on a specific industry or learning environment, like teaching business English or adult learners, be sure to emphasize that on your application. Employers are looking to see that you have skills related to the students you will be teaching and showcasing those abilities will go a long way to helping you find a great job teaching abroad. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. International teaching jobs that don’t require experience. There are some countries or jobs that will require you to have some teaching experience or a teaching license. For example, many English teaching positions in Abu Dhabi or Dubai require both. However, there are lots of places, like Japan, Thailand, Costa Rica, Spain or France, that will happily hire someone without any prior experience. As long as they’re TEFL certified and from an English-speaking country, that is. If you’ve got your TEFL and degree in tow, it’s also easy to teach English somewhere like China without any previous teaching experience. Watch this video: Requirements for teaching English in China Again, while you might not have any professional teaching experience, one crucial way you to ensure you find a great opportunity is by taking a reputable TEFL certification course. Next steps for finding a teaching job overseas without experience. You can absolutely find an opportunity to teach abroad without any teaching experience, travel the world, and get paid well while doing it! Countries and schools that are hiring English teachers are hiring you because you already speak English, not because you have decades of teaching experience. Of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t want to be prepared to actually teach the language you know so well. That said, if you’re looking to gain some teaching experience before committing to a teaching contract abroad, then there are definitely great opportunities to teach English online. Teaching English online is a great way to earn some extra cash in your spare time, all while gaining some relevant experience teaching English in other countries without actually having to fly there! Recommended reading: Want to teach abroad? Try teaching English online first. Or, you could always check out local postings where you live now. There are a lot of opportunities available to someone who speaks English and has a TEFL certification right near their home. Just check out local tutoring centers or services offered to those learning English as a second language. This is a great way to build your experience and find out if you’re ready for the classroom abroad! So, long story short, you don’t need teaching experience to get a job teaching abroad. But the more training and experience you have, the better your teaching contract will be. As a next step, try asking yourself these questions: What experiences do I have that would be relevant to teaching abroad? Have I traveled before? Where do I want to teach abroad? Am I ready to teach English abroad? Do I want to teach adults or children? Asking yourself questions like these will help you determine what opportunity you’re looking for and what you have to offer as a potential candidate in the TEFL industry without prior teaching experience. If you’re passionate about traveling and experiencing different cultures, then teaching English abroad is a great way to do just that, while funding your living expenses. And it’s really not as much work as you might think, we promise. It’s time to stop making excuses and take the first step. To help get started, check out some of Teach Away’s current ESL job postings - no experience necessary. Good luck!

Financial Aid Options for Study Abroad Programs

Financial Aid Options for Study Abroad Programs Study Abroad: Financial Aid Options Many United States based students would relish the opportunity to study abroad; however, studying abroad can be very expensive. In addition to paying regular US tuition, students and their parents are now faced with attempting to pay for international fees. In the past, the option to study abroad was solely for families who could afford to pay every penny. Now, there are some financial options for students studying overseas. One â€" Apply using existing financial aid Students who are already on financial aid can apply to have their funds put towards a semester abroad or summer abroad if they are doing this program directly through their college or university (READ: Why You Should Study Abroad). If financial aid is given directly through the school, students should visit their financial aid office on campus and get direct answers in person. Two â€" The Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship Program This program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; it is administered through the Institute of International Education. For a student to receive money through this scholarship program, they must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Students who are eligible can put this money towards a semester, summer, or even a year-long study abroad program. Three â€" The National Security Education Program The National Security Education Program and the Fulbright Program are funded through the US federal government and offer grants as well as fellowships that both undergraduate and graduate students can use to either study or research overseas. These programs are especially popular amongst graduate students. Four â€" Foreign Language and Area Studies This is a fellowship program which is funded by the US Department of Education. This particular fellowship is offered to students who are earning a foreign language degree abroad. For example, a student who wishes to learn Swedish will often find that living in Sweden for a period of time will enable them to become fluent in speaking, writing, reading, and listening (this holds true for any given language). Five â€" The Critical Language Scholarship Program This fellowship program is funded by the US Department of State as well as the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Students who wish to learn one of 13 languages that are considered to be critical to international relations may be able to attend an intensive summer language program at recognized overseas institutions. There are also funding options available to study abroad through private institutions. A list of these institutions include: The Chrysler Corporation, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and Amoco (READ: 7 Reasons to Study Abroad in the UK). Other options Other options come from institutions such as the Foundation for Global Scholars, the Rotary Foundation, and the Fund for Education Abroad. These institutions offer funding for both undergraduate and graduate students and are sometimes restricted by field of study (READ: Study Abroad: 6 Tips for Studying in Paris). Students who are studying abroad are faced with a great deal of research due to the fact that each country has its own set of laws and regulations regarding disabled students. However, students from the United States who happen to have a disability are entitled to receive the same amount of financial aid as any non-disabled student as long as they a meet all of the academic and financial need requirements. Students who are planning to use financial aid in order to fund their study abroad programs should do their own research and fact checking ahead of time. Some helpful sources include: Studyabroad.com, the College Board Scholarship Search, CareerOneStop, and the Student Guide, which is maintained by the US Department of Education. source: http://www.nafsa.org/Find_Resources/Supporting_Study_Abroad/Network_Resources/Education_Abroad/Financial_Aid___Study_Abroad__Basic_Facts_for_Students/#1 All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by TutorNerds. 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 post about.

Los Angeles Tutoring 5 Ways to End the Eighth Grade Strong

Los Angeles Tutoring 5 Ways to End the Eighth Grade Strong Tips From a Los Angeles Private Tutor: 5 Ways to End the Eighth Grade Strong Eighth-graders are about to make a big jump from middle to high school over the summer. This is one of the biggest transitions kids have, and it requires a lot of maturity and help from family and teachers. Some kids adjust well, but others may need a little bit of time to tackle the challenging high school level learning material. Its really important for kids to be able to finish the eighth grade on top of things and be ready for a fresh start in the fall end the eight grade strong with the help of our private Los Angeles tutoring. 1.   Evaluate core subjects Math and English will become a lot tougher in the ninth grade, and there will be a substantial amount of homework as compared to what students received in middle school. Its important to evaluate the core subjects and determine whether or not a student needs some extra help over the summer to be prepared for high school. Parents can look at their childs tests and quizzes throughout the year, but they can also benefit greatly from talking to their childs teacher. Tests and quizzes alone are not the only indicators of success, so its important to find out how well a student has been applying themselves to homework assignments and in-class activities. 2.   Refine study skills Its also essential for students to refine their study skills before starting the ninth grade. Students need to be able to study efficiently, so they dont waste time and possess the self-motivation required to be successful at the high school level. Parents should talk with their childs classroom teacher and, if their child works for the supplemental educator, ask about any study skills that need to be improved. Its worth it for an eighth-grader to take the time to refine their study skills because it will save them hours upon hours once they start school in the fall. 3.   Develop an interest in an extracurricular activity Another great way for eighth-graders to end the year strong is to be allowed to develop an interest in an extracurricular activity. During the school year, many students only have time to work on academics and begin to feel frustrated about the amount of time they spend at school. Once summer is here, they have the opportunity to explore subjects theyve been interested in but havent had the time to pursue. Maybe they want to take an art class, join a sports team, or go to an engineering camp. Its important for kids at this transitional age to enjoy learning in general so they can apply a good work ethic to all of their subjects in the classroom. 4.   Work on a work-life balance Its very difficult for kids to start high school and maintain a good work-life balance. It seems as though academics are thrown at them left, and right and they dont have any time to themselves. On the other hand, some young students prefer to spend all of their time relaxing with friends. Its important to find a good balance between academics and social activities to keep stress levels low and be successful when it comes to grades and test scores. 5.   Seek out good role models Perhaps an essential thing at this age is for kids to have great role models. Are their friends focused on doing well in school? Do they admire their teachers? Are there people in the public eye who encourage kids to be successful? Role models are important at this age because kids have to make a choice as to what will be important to them as they get closer to adulthood. Eighth-graders are about to make a big jump from middle to high school over the summer. This is one of the biggest transitions kids have, and it requires a lot of maturity and help from family and teachers. Some kids adjust well, but others may need a little bit of time to tackle the challenging high school level learning material. Its really important for kids to be able to finish the eighth grade on top of things and be ready for a fresh start in the fall. 1.   Evaluate core subjects Math and English will become a lot tougher in the ninth grade, and there will be a substantial amount of homework as compared to what students received in middle school. Its important to evaluate the core subjects and determine whether or not a student needs some extra help over the summer to be prepared for high school. Parents can look at their childs tests and quizzes throughout the year, but they can also benefit greatly from talking to their childs teacher. Tests and quizzes alone are not the only indicators of success, so its important to find out how well a student has been applying themselves to homework assignments and in-class activities. 2.   Refine study skills Its also essential for students to refine their study skills before starting the ninth grade. Students need to be able to study efficiently, so they dont waste time and possess the self-motivation required to be successful at the high school level. Parents should talk with their childs classroom teacher and, if their child works for the supplemental educator, ask about any study skills that need to be improved. Its worth it for an eighth-grader to take the time to refine their study skills because it will save them hours upon hours once they start school in the fall (READ: Test taking strategies for students at every level). 3.   Develop an interest in an extracurricular activity Another great way for eighth-graders to end the year strong is to be allowed to develop an interest in an extracurricular activity. During the school year, many students only have time to work on academics and begin to feel frustrated about the amount of time they spend at school. Once summer is here, they have the opportunity to explore subjects theyve been interested in but havent had the time to pursue. Maybe they want to take an art class, join a sports team, or go to an engineering camp. Its important for kids at this transitional age to enjoy learning in general so they can apply a good work ethic to all of their subjects in the classroom. 4.     Work on a work-life balance Its very difficult for kids to start high school and maintain a good work-life balance. It seems as though academics are thrown at them left, and right and they dont have any time to themselves. On the other hand, some young students prefer to spend all of their time relaxing with friends. Its important to find a good balance between academics and social activities to keep stress levels low and be successful when it comes to grades and test scores. 5.   Seek out good role models Perhaps an essential thing at this age is for kids to have great role models. Are their friends focused on doing well in school? Do they admire their teachers? Are there people in the public eye who encourage kids to be successful? Role models are important at this age because kids have to make a choice as to what will be important to them as they get closer to adulthood. All blog entries, with the exception of 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.