Monday, March 23, 2020

Should I Go To Dartmouth College

Should I Go To Dartmouth College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Rebecca is a Phoenix tutor specializing in several subjects such as SAT prep tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, Calculus tutoring, and History tutoring. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2012 with a Bachelors degree in English. See what she had to say about her alma mater: 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? Rebecca: Dartmouth is famously rural. As a college situated in the middle of a forest, you dont get a lot of crimeits definitely not a big deal to walk home by yourself at night. In fact, students often leave their laptops completely unattended in the library while they go and get food or go to the gym. Because its such a small school, everyone pretty much knows each other, so there isnt really an inclination to steal. Also, because Dartmouth is so small, you can easily walk from your dorm to your classes. You dont need a car or bike on campus, although it is nice to have one when you want to get off campus. There is also a bus system that connects the school to the surrounding towns. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Rebecca: The great thing about Dartmouth is that everyone, from professors, to advisors, to TAs, are very accessible. They are always willing to sit down with a student and discuss anything from a topic presented in class to their favorite place to eat in town. Its common for professors to take their students out to lunchIve even had dinners in my professors homes! If you want to reach out and talk to any of these people, they would be more than happy to talk. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Rebecca: Dartmouth, uniquely, has most of its students living on campus all four years. There is dorm housing for everyone, although there is the option to live off campus (a little farther away). It has newly renovated many of its dorms, but there are a couple where you still get the old-school Ivy-League feel with brick walls, fireplaces (unusable unfortunately), and dark wood panelling. Dining options are spread around campus, with 3 main cafeterias, and 2 cafes in the library. One of the cafeterias is an impressive all-you-can-eat buffet. Every week, there is a different type of food featured at one of the stations; Ive had Korean, Ethiopian, Chinese, and Japanese food there. Another cafeteria caters towards vegetarians, providing vegan and vegetarian food in addition to non-vegetarian options. 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? Rebecca: I think that every single program at Dartmouth is amazing. Every single one of the professors is not only dedicated to their work, but a giant in his or her field. I once took a Government class that had to have the final pushed up because my professor was needed in Libya since he was one of the leading experts in the international relations field. I was an English major and took many government and science courses. English was something that I always wanted to study and Dartmouth did an incredible job with supporting my interests. I was able to study abroad at the University of Glasgow for a term, participate in a number of small seminar classes of around 10 people where we critiqued each others work, and found that every single one of the professors I talked to was genuinely interested in what I had to say. 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? Rebecca: As a freshman, everyone is new and willing to meet people, so it is very easy to make friends. Clubs, associations, and sports teams pay special attention to freshmen so they feel welcomed and, often, freshmen take leadership roles. Greek life plays a very significant role in campus life. Because there is not a college town to socialize in, the main social space is in the Greek houses. However, Dartmouth does not have the stereotypical Greek life. Everyone is allowed into the parties and everyone is encouraged to rush. With around 65% of the campus being affiliated (that doesnt include freshmen, since they arent allowed to rush), the Greek houses are really more like social clubs than anything else. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Rebecca: I did not use the Career Center much until the very end of my time at Dartmouth when I started applying to law school. Many people started using it much earlier because so many big companies recruit on campus through the Career Center. However, since that was not my path, I found it quite late. I am so glad that I was able to utilize it as a resource, however, because the advisors helped me write my resume, looked over my personal statement, and held open houses for law schools so the students could learn more about each particular school. Even now, I contact the law advisor in the Career Center with questions, and she is more than willing to help connect me with an alumnus or other advisor who might be able to help me. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Rebecca: As in any institution, the library is crowded in waves. At the beginning of the term, it is nearly empty, and by the end, people are literally sleeping there. There were times when I couldnt find a spot to study in at the library, but that just meant that I would study somewhere else, such as in one of the classroom buildings or in the study rooms in the dorms. I never had a situation where everywhere was so crowded that I literally could not find a place to study. In the spring, many people like to study on the Green, which is the big grassy space in the middle of the campus. I dont think there was really anything better than that! 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? Rebecca: Most students stay very near campus because Hanover is a very small town. Apart from a couple of restaurants, clothing stores, and cafes, the college town is pretty limited. However, being situated in the middle of nature makes Dartmouth a beautiful place to get in touch with nature. Ive been camping at the log cabins that the school owns, Ive gone kayaking and swimming in the Connecticut River, Ive run in the woods, and hiked the famous mountains in Vermont. Even if youre not an outdoorsy type (I certainly wasnt before Dartmouth), there are plenty of clubs to join. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Rebecca: The student body consists of about 4,000 undergraduatesroughly 1,000 students per class. This meant that my classes were generally small and I was able to get a lot of individual attention. My largest class was a Chemistry lecture with 80 students in it. My smallest was a poetry seminar with 8 students. In general, the classes have an average of around 25 students. I loved the small classes because this meant I was able to get close with many of my professors, which was great when I needed letters of recommendation later on! VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Rebecca: My most memorable experience with a professor happened outside of class. In my senior year, I fell very ill so I had to withdraw from my classes one term and had to be hospitalized in the nearby Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. While I was in the hospital, I received an outpouring of support not only from my friends, but from my professors! They sent me personalized cards, spoke with me on the phone, and followed up long after I had been discharged. Even professors that I had a couple of years back checked up on me. I was incredibly moved by how much they cared, and it cemented in my mind that the professors at Dartmouth are not only the smartest people I would ever meet but also the kindest. Check out Rebeccas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Pottery Classes Manchester

Pottery Classes Manchester The Best Pottery Lessons in Manchester Chapters7Spot Pottery StudioSeven Limes PotteryPottery Lessons at the Clay StudioIt must be said that Mancunians lack for little when it comes to entertainment: music, film, outdoor activities...We in Manchester love our sports; Man UTD and Man City are constant sources of pride. Our record for champion boxers is sterling and our Old Trafford cricket ground is world-famous.Museums and art galleries, a vibrant nightlife and our unique Madchester vibe make our city one of the most attractive; to wit, ours is the third-most visited UK city after London and Edinburgh.With all of the noise and hustle, it might be nice to take things down a notch; that could be why there is a renewed interest in pottery in Manchester.There is something so soothing about working with clay, seeing your artistic vision take shape beneath your hands. Knowing you are working with the most elemental materials: water and earth, and forming it to become an expression of your inner landscape.Could you see yourself transforming raw clay into earthenware dishes or a clay sculpture for your garden? What about learning the different clays and what they are best suited for?Maybe you’re unsure of whether making pottery would even be your thing. Perhaps you would like to try it out first, before committing yourself completely to pottery-making.If that’s the case, you’ll appreciate all of the short pottery classes and taster sessions we found in and around Manchester. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60 /h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors7Spot Pottery Studio You can learn how to make such a cup and more in pottery classes Image by Somchai Chitprathak from PixabayPottery artists make working a pottery wheel look easy: they sit still, cupping clay in their hands until it miraculously takes shape.In spite of the seeming ease that ceramic artists demonstrate in plying their craft, there is a certain amount of skill and technique that goes into using a pottery wheel.That is why, if you have never worked clay on a wheel before, it would be a really good idea to take a wheel throwing course.Technically, that term encompasses everything from the initial centring of clay on the pottery wheel to the piece being ready for its first firing.That is the focus of 7Spot’s 6-week class, targeted to beginners. Their intent is not to produce pottery â€" although, of course, there will be production.They are more interested in making sure you master the fundamentals of throwing:Wedging: preparing the clay to be workedThrowing forms: unique pieces, as oppo sed to ‘throwing off the mound’ or creating a mass production of the same pieceTrimming: removing excess clay after your piece is formedHandle-making: incorporating a handle to your design â€" a skill in itself!Glazing: the final step, rendering your design waterproofGlazing can also serve to colour or decorate your workClasses are held either Mondays or Tuesdays, in the evening, from 6:30 to 9:00; the course costs £165, which covers the cost of materials and studio usage.They recommend that you bring an apron and towel for cleanup at the end of each class; working with clay can be quite messy!Pottery classes in London also recommend you bring your own clean-up towelette...If you’re uncertain about trying your hand at a pottery wheel or if you’re busy on Monday and Tuesday evenings, you might try their handbuilding classes, which is held on Wednesdays.Handbuilding gets closer to the origins of pottery, to the time before the invention of the wheel.In these courses, you woul d learn techniques such as coiling, pinch-forming and press-moulding.Working from a clay slab, you can learn to sculpt figurines or make cylinder forms, such as those used to make drinking mugs. Naturally, glazing is a part of the process.The cost for this course is £100 including tools and materials. If this six-week long a course still doesn’t feel quite right, you might try one of the many taster sessions and workshops they have on offer.Unfortunately, they only offer adult classes; this is a working studio with many artists renting space. If you were looking for kids’ classes or parent and child classes, we have to direct you elsewhere.Birmingham has some great pottery classes for children! In pottery and building arts, lime means something quite different than this Image by Robert-Owen-Wahl from PixabaySeven Limes PotteryWe’re not sure why the number seven is invoked in reference to pottery in Manchester; oddly, two of the most prominent course offerings are at pottery studios with that number in their name.While the first ‘seven’ studio runs a rather tight ship, this one adds a dash of fun into the mix â€" not the kind of fun that small children can partake of but fun nevertheless.First up on their list of courses are tasters. They generally take place on Saturdays, last around two hours (and 30 minutes for cleanup), and allow for hands-on experience with a pottery wheel.These taster classes cost £50 and you get to keep what you make... after the professional artists glaze it and fire it for you.If that’s not quite enough time at the potter’s wheel to suit you, you might select their intensive weekend workshop.During this time, you will learn many more skil ls such as decorating your vessel, throwing cylinders and bowls and turning the underside of your pieces.Have you ever wondered how your stoneware plates get that nifty ring on the underside and, more importantly, why there are notches in them?You can learn all about that and more during this focused clay pottery seminar; a lot of education for £160.Finally, if you are completely sold on the idea of being a ceramic artist, you may opt for the full six-week beginner’s course for £120.You will go more in-depth on basic pottery, both at the wheel and handbuilding techniques but the best part of these lessons is that they are a part of a broader curriculum that will get you completely ready to become a ceramic artist in your own right.Unlike other basic skills courses, Seven Lime charges a small fee for materials but, considering their relatively low class fees, the additional cost does not push them over the top of the price scale.Still, it’s best to enquire before you find yours elf owing more than you had budgeted for...Join the discussion: should pottery classes near me charge for materials? Now is the perfect time to consider a workshop to learn how to cast ornaments! Image by Free-Photos from PixabayPottery Lessons at the Clay StudioYou may well accuse us of saving the best for last â€" not quite true, seeing as all of the studios and classes featured so far are quite popular.Besides, this is not the end of the article; further down is a table listing all of the pottery classes we could find in and around Manchester.  That would be a case of saving the best for last!Still, for the sheer variety of classes on offer, the Clay Studio would be hard to beat!True, they promote the standard taster sessions and beginners’ classes, but then, they go even further with their generous menu of one-off courses and weekend workshops.For instance, you might enjoy coiling a jug: making a fully functional pitcher using the ancient technique of coiling clay.Using an extruder to dispense ropes of clay, you would carefully wind them. First making a base and then the walls, which will lat er be supported while the clay dries.If you’d rather work clay manually instead of pumping clay out of the extruder, you may choose to roll it into ropes, to a thickness determined by what you're making - your instructor's input would be helpful in deciding.Hand-rolling and extruding won’t be quite as messy as wheel-thrown pottery and your design will be sure to get raves!What about making Christmas ornaments?With the holiday season right around the corner, you might consider this Saturday course that will introduce you to the slip casting process.Slip casting calls for liquid clay, called ‘slip’, to be poured in a mould. The mould will seem to drink the slip but don’t worry: that’s supposed to happen. Around 20 minutes later, your ceramic ball will be ready for release from its mould.And then, you get to trim and decorate it...Or you could make porcelain decorations to gift to friends and family. Hearts, stars, snowflakes and trees... they come out pure white; you might contemplate drawing and painting on them.These courses both cost £35 and take place on Saturday morning. Be sure to book with them in advance because these fun sessions fill up rather quickly.We found similarly engaging pottery classes in Leeds; clearly, they are all the rage!By far their best Saturday (and Sunday) morning offerings are family classes. They are organised in terms, meaning three to four sessions - you don't sign up for a class but for a term. Each session costs £12 for the adult and £10 for the child â€" who should be five or older.This is a great opportunity for the whole family to get creative and learn new skills, and for the young ones to develop haptic skills and dexterity.Besides getting hands-on with clay, you will also learn glazing techniques and learn about the various clay tools that the artists use. And, yes: you get to take your ceramic art home.Ceramics can be beautiful, dramatic and funny. Ceramic arts are engaging, relaxing and... also fun.Whether you want to take these art classes on your own or with a friend, as a series of classes with your family or a single workshop just to see if clay work is for you, there are certainly plenty of opportunities to do so in Manchester.Are there as many great pottery classes in Glasgow?Contact information for the pottery studios we've reviewed (and some we didn't):Studio namePhysical addressPhone numberWeb address7Spot PotteryIslington Mill James Street, Salford M3 5HW0161 278 6404https://7spotpottery.co.ukSeven Limes Windrush Millennium Centre70 Alexandra Road, Manchester M16 7WD0752 707 8853https://7limes.co.ukClay Studio61 Old Birley St Hulme Manchester M15 5RF0161 505 0678http://claystudio.org.ukPottery Corner34 Beech Rd, Manchester M21 9EL0161 882 0010www.potsareforpainting.co.ukThe Potter's BarnRoughwood Lane, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 4XX,0127 088 4080www.thepottersbarn.co.uk

Thursday, March 5, 2020

10 Things Only Guitar Players Understand

10 Things Only Guitar Players Understand Megan L. Do you know the secrets of  being a guitar player? Check out this list by guitar teacher Jessica D. and let us know if you can relate Psst. Hey youâ€"guitar playerâ€"you may not know it, but you’re actually an elite member in a group of very special peopleâ€"people who play the guitar. Sure, there are a lot of us out there, but there are still many others of all ages who are mystified by our moves, flummuxed by our finger work and down right impressed with our axes. They look from the outside in, thinking, “Maybe, one day…” but then somehow life, work, and other interests kept  their guitar dreams from coming true. Thus, they think that a fret is to worry about an accidentally unpaid bill, their favorite jam is blueberry, and the fact that you can actually play “Freebird” makes you a rock genius. Here are some other things that only guitar players understand 1. The Value of a Guitar At a flea market or a yard sale, a non-guitar player might see a sweet acoustic dreadnought priced at $200 and think, “Wow, what a steal!” But the truth is, you can get a used or even a brand new guitar online for somewhere in the $50 range. Meanwhile, the same non-guitar player might wonder why that 1960’s Martin Guitar is hanging up at Guitar Center for $10,000. The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter if you’re playing a used classical guitar or a new Taylor. If you love playing guitar, you are happy to have one in your hands, no matter what the value is. 2. How To Pronounce Yngwie Malmsteen (Skip to 8:28 in video) This cat is incredible in his way, and most people who are serious about playing guitar have at least heard of him, and can usually, mostly correctly pronounce his name (depending on who you ask, it’s “Ing-vay” or “Ying-vie” Maahlm-steen). Seeing him live in concert is similar to a religious experience to some guitarists. But if you’re really a pro, you know the truth: he’s a dude who spent a lot of time practicing his scales, and with time and practice, anyone can do what he does, even a 15 year old girl. which leads us to… 3. There Are a  Lot of Dope Female Guitar Players Out There Some people think that guitar is a fella’s game, but there are many straight up incredibly talented female shredders out there. Professional guitarists know their names: Carrie Brownstein, Joni Mitchell, Jennifer Batten, Nancy Wilson, Joan Jett, Orianthi, Lita Ford, PJ Harvey, Bonnie Raitt, Marnie Stern, St. Vincent, Kaki King, more recently Taylor Swift and Tina S, the list literally goes on and on. Anyone who thinks that “guitar isn’t for girls” is just living in the dark ages. 4. Fingernails Grow Like, REALLY Fast Guitarists notice this even more, because fretting with fingernails totally sucks. Serious guitarists are known to carry finger nail clippers in their guitar cases or pockets, or heck, just bite their nails off before a gig in a pinch. And the hard core ones just get manicuresâ€"all the time. Hold the fancy decals or rhinestones in the nail polish though; the steel strings of the guitar will  pull them right off. 5. Picks (for Strumming) Are for Suckers When most people pick up the guitar for the first time, they assume that a pick is a necessary accessory for rocking purposes. But the truth is, a pick distances you, literally, from your guitar. It takes you millimeters away from your strings, making things like finger picking and even just familiarizing yourself with the strings much more difficult. The pick, should you decide to include it in your regular rotation of guitar-tillery, should come later, young grasshopper. 7. Guitar players should really be called guitars players Because NO guitarist in the world has only one guitar. Sure, you start out with one, but one becomes two, becomes 10. Cat ladies don’t got nothin’ on us. At this writing, I believe I am the proud owner of 8 guitars and counting. If you live with a guitarist, be prepared to sacrifice space for that sweet guitar collection. In a pinch, you can always use a hardcase as a coffee table. Rock n’ roll! 8. Not all guitars are gigantic Just like shirts, shoes and hats, there are different sizes of guitars for different sized people. There are 7/8 and ¾ size guitars for those of us with more delicate frames, smaller hands or guitarists who just like to travel light. Fun fact: The ¾ and 7/8 size guitar, such as a baby Martin, fit overhead on a plane and work as a personal item. Checking guitars is for people with too much free time! Speaking of which… 9. Not all Martins cost a fortune The aforementioned baby Martins sell for less than $200 new, and did I mention, they fit overhead on a plane…? 10. People who make and fix guitars are called luthiers And they are pretty much across the board awesome. My local luthier is a Spanish hippy who grows herbs in his windowsill and fixes my guitars for tips. Not to mention, he builds about a guitar a week using reclaimed wood, found garbage instruments and old parts out of various handtools. Can anyone say life skill? Luthier classes are very rare and quite expensive, so if you get a chance to learn from a luthier or take a class at a lesser rate, DO IT! And there you have it, 10 things that only guitarists understand. What did I miss? Post Author: Jessica D. Jessica D. is a guitar, ukulele, singing, and songwriting instructor in New York, New York. Learn more about Jessica 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

Ten Best Dutch Podcasts Targeted To Dutch Learners

Ten Best Dutch Podcasts Targeted To Dutch Learners Want To Learn Dutch With The Help Of Podcasts? ChaptersLearn Dutch Online With These PodcastsFind The Best Way To Learn Dutch For YouThere are lots of different reasons why you might already be learning Dutch, or why you’re thinking about taking up the language.Whether you’re new to learning a foreign language or have near fluency in Dutch, one of the most reassuring things to know is that learning Dutch will allow you to communicate with a community of around 20 million native speakers worldwide. That's a huge pool of potential people to speak with!In addition, you'll also find Dutch helpful to learn as a language if you're planning on heading over to the Netherlands, whether that's for study, business, or leisure purposes.Happily, if you know that Dutch is a language you'd like to learn, there are a lot of different learning resources available to people looking to learn Dutch. For instance:There are a wide variety of websites that offer lessons to help people improve their Dutch;Lots of language learning apps now have Dutc h courses as part of their offering; andThere are also ways to learn Dutch offline, whether that’s through a personal tutor or through a group workshop.Another way that some people find useful to learn Dutch is to regularly listen to podcasts either related to learning Dutch or life in the Netherlands. Podcasts are a great learning tool, not least because they don't take much time to listen to, and you can listen to podcasts on the go. So whether you want to listen to a podcast at home, or fancy passing the time while you're on public transport, you can easily tune in and listen to a podcast or two.Find Dutch language courses you can take online.If you learn Dutch online you might learn more about life in the Netherlands. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay)Learning how to introduce yourself and count from one to ten.Although this podcast is not likely to be of much help to anyone who has any prior experience learning Dutch, if you are completely new to the langu age this could be a good way to ease yourself into learning some common words and phrases, and hopefully will encourage you to learn more about the language once you’ve finished the last podcast.Laura speaks DutchThe last Laura Speaks Dutch podcast was released over nine years ago, but that doesn’t mean that the lessons within the podcasts aren’t still helpful to those learning the Dutch language.There are over 50 podcasts in total, which all cover a range of different topics. What’s more, the podcasts generally seem to sit between the 10 to 20-minute mark, meaning that it’s not a huge time commitment to listen to a podcast or two daily.Zeg Het In Het Nederlands (Say It In Dutch)This podcast relatively new compared to some of the others on this list, as it only launched back in March 2018. However, Zeg het in het Nederlands is a podcast aimed at Dutch learners, where Dutch is spoken a bit slower than you’d ordinarily hear to help Dutch learners understand the podcast mor e fully.The podcasts aren’t too long, usually under 20 minutes, which makes it a great resource to practice your Dutch listening skills either:While you’re on the go; orIf you’re short on time.You can also learn Dutch and have fun with these Dutch learning online games.SBS DutchSBS has a wonderful range of radio programmes in different languages, and as part of that offering is the SBS Radio Dutch programme. It offers a variety of different short stories that are spoken in Dutch, with most episodes coming in at 5 to 15 minutes long â€" perfect for a quick catch up on the latest Dutch news, and a good way to practice your listening skills.Dutch podcasts can be a time-efficient way to improve your level of Dutch. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, maurosegura, Pixabay)To Speak DutchThis podcast series by Frank van Rooijen ended back in 2012, but the lessons within each podcast can still be of help to anyone learning Dutch. While the podcasts cover topics such as learning useful phrases tha t you might use during your travels to the Netherlands or when speaking to a Dutch native speaker, other topics are covered as well, such as:Counting;Verb conjugation; andAsking for and giving directions, among other things.The podcasts can be found on iTunes.Echt GebeurdPerhaps a podcast for the more advanced Dutch learner, Echt Gebeurd has a series of podcasts in which people tell particularly funny or unique stories that actually happened. While a lot of the podcasts are short and sweet, coming in around ten minutes in length, others are slightly longer, coming closer to 20 minutes.If you’re looking for a way to practice your Dutch listening skills, then this podcast can be a great help, particularly if you’re time constrained.Dutch NewsThis is an English-speaking podcast that provides a round-up of the latest news in the Netherlands. The podcasts are a little longer than others in this list, with many coming in at over thirty minutes, but if you’re looking for a resource t o keep up to date with Dutch news then you could give this podcast a go.Here In HollandHere in Holland is a podcast by Andy Clark about life in the Netherlands. It’s an English-speaking podcast, so while it may not be a great podcast to use when it comes to learning the Dutch language, it is a useful resource for anyone wanting to know about what life in the Netherlands is like, particularly if you’re not from the Netherlands yourself.Actual FluencyThe final podcast on this list is a bit different, as it isn’t specifically designed for Dutch speakers or Dutch learners.Instead, this podcast is aimed at anyone learning a language, who wants to keep abreast of topics within the wider world of learning languages, and who may also be looking for some inspiration when it comes to learning a language of their choice.There are over 100 podcasts on offer, which can be accessed through iTunes, Sticher, or Actual Fluency’s website. So if you’re finding it difficult to stay motivated when learning Dutch, it might be worth tuning into a podcast or two to see whether you’re inspired to continue your learning journey.Check out some Dutch lessons London that you can take online.You can learn Dutch online, for example through Dutch podcasts or perhaps with the help of a tutor. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, qimono, Pixabay)Find The Best Way To Learn Dutch For YouPodcasts can be a great way to learn Dutch. For example, if you’re a beginner, then regularly listening to a Dutch podcast aimed at beginners can help teach you basic words and phrases, as well as how to count in Dutch and how to conjugate basic verbs.Even if you’re an intermediate or advanced Dutch speaker, there is still a lot that Dutch podcasts can offer. Namely, listening to the news in Dutch, or listening to a podcast in Dutch, can be a great way to practise your listening skills, and may even teach you a new noun or verb along the way.Of course, if you do ever find yourself getting stuck when learning D utch, or would like some extra help when it comes to a particular Dutch grammatical topic or how to pronounce certain words, you could also look at getting your own Dutch tutor, through a site such as Superprof.A Dutch tutor can give you the motivation you need to continue to improve your proficiency in Dutch, and can also be a great way to practise your Dutch speaking skills, especially if your tutor is a native Dutch speaker. So whether you're concerned about how best to learn Dutch grammar, or want some additional suggestions as to how to improve your range of Dutch vocabulary, a tutor could help you improve your understanding of Dutch.By entering your postcode, you’ll be able to see which Dutch tutors are available for either in-person or remote tuition near to you.

Are MCAT Prep Courses Worth It

Are MCAT Prep Courses Worth It Amy W Dec 14, 2018 Find a Top Rated MCAT Tutor Near You! It's Simple and Secure - Get Real Results Fast. Find Expert Private Tutors at Reasonable Rates Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson Are MCAT prep courses worth it? Well, like so many things in life, that depends.   It depends on you and your motivation as well as the type and quality of the course that you choose to take. The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is one of the most grueling standardized tests a student will come across. The Best MCAT Prep Course Review What is the MCAT? The exam is required to gain access into virtually every medical school in the United States and most medical schools in Canada, therefore it may come as no surprise that prepping for the MCAT should be your top priority. Enrolling in an MCAT course is one way to ensure you adequately prepared and ready for whatever may be on the exam this year. The problem is, there are many types of courses available, how do you know which one is the best. And at quite a price, are MCAT prep courses worth it? This article will help you understand the MCAT and why enrolling in a prep course may be a good idea for you. While most standardized tests are know for their uniqueness and difficulty, the MCAT is on anther level above the rest! The test itself is administered over 7.5 hours, making it physically exhausting and extremely mentally draining. It is a multiple choice test (this doesn’t make it any easier) that tests applicants on the skills and knowledge required in medical school and when practicing medicine. The content of the tests covers four sections; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills A score is given for each section, and the scores are added together to provide a total score that is reported around six or seven weeks after completion of the test. Test Preparation Resources There are many test preparation tools available to students to help get ready for the MCAT, some are free and some come at a cost. Naturally, you want to prepare the best way possible, so how do you know if the free resources are reliable or if the paid MCAT prep courses are worth it? Some high quality, legitimate resources include; Official MCAT practice exams, section bank, flashcards, and sample tests. These are available from the AAMC website, produced by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The Khan Academy MCAT Collection is free and easily accessible to use. Speaking with students who have sat the MCAT is also worthwhile. It will give you an indication of how much time you need to prepare and you can learn from other people’s mistakes!   In addition, some of those that have taken it already might be willing to spend a little time with you preparing for your exam. It certainly doesnt hurt to ask! Using a qualified MCAT tutor. Private Tutoring at Home is an easy way to find a certified tutor in your area, one that can tailor-make study sessions to suit your needs and help you achieve your goals. While a tutor isn’t free, they usually cost a lot less than courses and can offer personalized sessions geared towards what and where you need the help and to spend the time. MCAT prep courses are often detailed and high quality. Some of the popular ones are Kaplan MCAT course and the Princeton Review MCAT prep course. They vary in delivery and cost, but there are plenty of options out there. Keep reading to find out more about these courses. MCAT Prep Courses: The Details There are many, many, many MCAT Prep courses available to prospective test takers. Naturally, the people that create these courses would like students to participate and will happily give a ton of reasons and reviews as to why theirs is the best. This guide takes an objective view on the types of courses available, allowing you to make an informed decision and get the best results possible. Let’s look at the type and style of MCAT Prep courses that are available; Self-Paced Prep Courses â€" these are ideal if you need flexibility! Students are given an array of materials and a rough agenda to follow. The course is completed at a pace that suits the individual. The down side to self-paced prep courses is that they require a high level of independent motivation and the ability to manage time effectively. While the structure and content of the course is provided, each student will have to identify their own weaknesses â€" something that can be difficult to do for even the most dedicated students. Some self-paced courses offer customized content to help cater for individual needs, so if you choose this kind of course, look out for adaptable ones. Live Online Prep Courses â€" if you like the idea of guided classes, but are unable to attend a physical class, then live online courses are a great option. You still have to commit to the set study schedule, but can do so from the comfort of your own home. This saves time traveling to and from class, as well as needing to carry books and resources with you. The key to a good live online MCAT prep course lies with the quality of teaching. They must be engaging and offer help and guidance both in and out of set class times, as well as providing resources and extra materials to help you make the most of your ‘out-of-class’ study time. In-Person Prep Courses â€" for a more traditional approach to MCAT prep, opt for in-person courses. These allow for plenty of interaction and discussion with not only instructors, but with fellow test-takers as well. The teacher should offer direct guidance and provide assistance when and where it is needed. The fact that you have allocated and structured study time is a bonus, especially if you lack the internal motivation to get studying, but you also need to spend time outside of class studying too. Make sure your course instructor is able to provide extra study materials as well as being on hand to answer questions and queries in between classes. Intensive Prep Courses â€" intensive courses are great for those with limited study time and the ability to work well under pressure and time constraints. These courses are also great for those who want a strong boost of knowledge and skills. They are often of incredibly high quality, but are so time consuming that you won’t be able to fit much more into your schedule. Intensive prep courses can also be expensive, but if you have the time and the money, they may just be worth it. The best MCAT prep course for you will depend on several factors: Your individual learning style Available time Budget And strengths and weaknesses all play a part in deciding what approach will suit you best. So… Are MCAT Prep Courses Worth It? MCAT prep courses are costly, there’s no way around that fact. For some, the cost may be just too much to bear, with time and money better spent using free tools (there are plenty of them), spending a small sum on prep books and official practice tests, or enlisting the help of a tutor at a fraction of the cost. If you are basically motivated and organized, you may not need to invest your cash in these courses. However, if you need structure in your study schedule and allocated class time to ensure you prepare, then MCAT prep courses will be incredibly useful. Equally, if you can spare the funds, you have nothing to lose. The large sum is a small drop in the ocean in order to give yourself the best preparation possible, ensuring academic success and the results on the test that you need this year. The best MCAT prep course is only going to make sense if youre willing to put the time and energy into it.   Nothing beats good ole fashioned effort and thats what getting good scores on tests like this require.   If you are willing to put the time in, then its likely that youll get a score that makes you happy and be one step closer to getting into medical school. Good luck!We can help you find the best private tutor near you! It’s simple and secure â€" Get real results fast. Your first hour with any tutor is protected by our Good Fit Guarantee: You don't pay for tutoring unless you find a good fit. Choose Your Subject â€" Add Your Zip Code â€" Find Top Rated Tutors Starting Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson

How Can AJ Help Me After College

How Can AJ Help Me After College AJ Tutoring may be best known for its work with high school students, but that’s certainly not the extent of our competency! We work with students of all ages, and some of our most exciting work is done with clients looking to further their education beyond the undergraduate level.We work with many students who are looking to obtain degrees in law, business, medicine, or an academic subject. Admission to these programs is driven by some of the most challenging (yet coachable!) exams out there, and AJ Tutoring is unique in its level of experience and expertise in these tests.Please find a link to our graduate school entrance exam tutoring page here, or read on to find a breakdown of our approach to the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT.If you’d like to discuss your specific needs and how AJ Tutoring can help, please contact us!GRE/GMATThe most common kind of work AJ Tutoring does beyond the undergraduate level is preparation for the GRE, the most common entrance exam for MA and PhD progra ms. There are three major portions of the test Math, Verbal, and Essays.  The math often causes students particular stress because of it’s infamous ‘quantitative comparisons’ section, which many students have no experience with; fortunately, that’s also the section we’ve found most dramatically impacted by having a solid strategy and a little practice! We have taken the strongest parts of our SAT program: breaking the test into question types, working on specific strategies for each question type, reviewing the most common content, and combining tutoring time with homework and practice tests?and applied them to the GRE. Our GRE program is fully customizable; we generally meet students for 10 sessions, but can do more or fewer and still get great results! Most students come to use needing to review a few math concepts, especially the quantitative comparisons, as well as to get some guidance on a good approach to the verbal sections. We also have found great success with t he essays, helping students work on brainstorming strong ideas quickly, organizing them in a logical fashion, and turning them into powerful thesis statements, all in limited time! The GMAT is a similar test specifically designed for entering MBA programs. However, more and more business schools are accepting the GRE as well as the GMAT, and our experience has been that the GRE is generally more coachable and easier to achieve score improvements on, so we generally suggest that students who are ready to do tutoring focus on the GRE unless their schools require the GMAT. LSAT The LSAT is the test taken by prospective law school candidates to gain admission to law school. Although it is considered by many to be a very challenging exam, it is highly coachable. Preparation typically consists of 10 tutoring sessions, with the first 6 sessions consisting of learning and honing strategies for attacking all sections of the test (logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehe nsion). The remaining 4 sessions are spent reviewing practice tests taken as homework. All practice tests and other materials are included in the cost of tutoring. As with all test preparation at AJ, our LSAT curriculum is customized for each students needs, and those who have already completed some preparation can choose how many sessions they would like to have and what sections to focus on in those sessions.MCATThe MCAT is taken by applicants to MD and DO programs, and a students score on the MCAT represents an important portion of their application.  The MCAT is an often-feared assessment due to its depth and breadth: it covers several years of college-level science curricula, and reading comprehension and analytical skills.  Since students start their MCAT preparation from a wide variety of backgrounds, we first help students create a customized approach for independent content review. Throughout the preparation, we hold students accountable for their content review and an swer necessary questions about key concepts.  The focus of most tutoring sessions, however, is on the best practice materials available?those from AAMC, the writers of the MCAT. By diving into detailed analyses of these question packs and full-length practice tests, our students make good strides in understanding difficult material and using solid test-taking techniques.  Unlike most MCAT tutoring services, AJ Tutoring supports each student with a single MCAT expert. This allows the tutor to gain a thorough understanding of a students thought processes, and help them efficiently and effectively on all portions of the exam. We recommend 12-16 tutoring sessions spread over 3-5 months to complete a full prep for the MCAT.  However, we understand that not all students schedules or needs fit a single package, and were happy to make adjustments to the number and focus of sessions on an individual basis.Career AdvancementAJ Tutoring also has experience in helping our clients prepare for difficult interviews, especially interviews that involve quantitative calculations or estimation, working through case studies, or other performance based interviews. We are also always adding to the list of professional exams we can assist with! If we have the qualified staff, we will work with clients to create prep plans that help them maximize their chances of getting the job or promotion they are looking for!

Why Your Middle School Student Should Get Into Reading

Why Your Middle School Student Should Get Into Reading 5 Reasons Why Your Middle School Student Should Get Into Reading The middle school years can be a difficult time. Students are adjusting to a higher level of academic expectations while all the while going through a major life transition. Emotions run high, and the stress of school can become overwhelming. As a result, middle school students begin to view learning as something negative and can take this feeling with them into their high school years. One of the best ways to keep a student interested in learning as well as to help them be successful academically is to encourage them to read. They dont need to read anything in particular; they just need to be working on reading comprehension in some form or another our private Orange County reading tutoring will help your child learn to love to read. 1.   Keep confidence high Middle school can be especially difficult if a student lacks the confidence to do well in their core subjects, one of which is reading and writing. Students will often be asked to read in front of the class or will need to comprehend something their teachers read to them quickly. When students read for fun, they have a chance to sound out difficult words or learn how to determine a word’s meeting in context in a low-pressure environment. When students complete all of this practice at home, it makes classroom reading much easier and keeps self-esteem high during this important part of life (READ: 5 Tips to Encourage Your Child to Read). 2.   Maintain reading as a skill Elementary school kids learn a ton of different skills, one of the most important of which is reading. However, students often start to backtrack on these important skills once they reach the stresses of middle school. Students who read at home for fun are a lot more likely to maintain the skills theyve already learned and been able to build upon them when new and challenging assignments come along. 3.   Learn how to speed read and look for keywords Middle school is also a time when students will need to be able to read fast and still understand information in the text or be able to skim for information and keywords in textbooks that are upwards of 1,000 pages long. This can be overwhelming in conjunction with all the other assignments students get from their classroom teacher, so its something thats better supplemented in a low-pressure home environment. If students need specific help learning how to search for keywords or terms, they can ask their tutor or parents to help them figure out what theyre doing right and what they need to work on. 4.   Learn about an exciting new subject Kids at this age often feel stifled because they focus primarily on core subjects in the classroom. As important as core subjects may be, kids need more intellectual and creative stimulation to maintain interest in their education. When students read at home, they can explore any exciting new subject that peaks their interest. In this case, kids can enjoy reading about whatever theyre into at the moment so that their love of reading, and learning in general, stays intact. 5.   Use the imagination Perhaps the most important reason for middle school students to get into reading is to use their imagination. Younger kids have great imaginations, but they often lose this way of thinking once they get into high school. The longer a kid reads about fantasy and fiction the more likely they’ll be to keep their all-important ability to imagine new things. Having an imagination can help older students think outside the box, find solutions to difficult problems, and just enjoy all the creative aspects of art and literature as part of a well-balanced academic life. Is your child struggling with reading? Our Orange County reading tutors are here to help. Call TutorNerds today for more information. 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.

5 Reasons to Work at a Bank

5 Reasons to Work at a Bank Image via isorepublic.com 1. Learn about finances If you spend time around people who know a lot about money, chances are good that you will end up learning something from them. What better place to learn about how loans, interest, retirement accounts, credit reports, mortgages, and finances in general work than a bank? So if you are looking to learn about the business and finance world, you should definitely consider working at your local bank. 2. Enjoy decent working hours Banks are not open for very many hours each day. For that reason, if you work at a bank, you will not have a weird early morning or late night schedule. You will likely work sometime between 9 in the morning and 5 in the evening. You will not have to work 10 p.m. closing shifts or 6 a.m. opening shifts. (This means your nights will be free to hang out with your friends or to get a full eight hours of sleep!) Similarly, banks are closed on holidays  so you will not have to work on holidays, either! You can enjoy time with your loved ones rather than having to spend those special days working. 3. Experience a classy job A bank is a classy place to work. It’s clean, air-conditioned, and the people there are professionals. You will not find people wasting time or playing around here. Also, some banks offer useful benefits, such as insurance. Although you might have to be on your feet for most of the day, it’s generally a pretty comfortable job. 4. Gain solid, professional experience for your resume Especially if you plan to work in a finance field, working part-time at a bank is the perfect work experience for you. Bank work looks professional on a resume or a CV. Bank work will help enhance other skills that you will use even in non-bank jobs for example, organizational skills and math skills. As I said in the previous point, banks are classy. They are the perfect place to start learning how to be a young professional! 5. Learn to work quickly and carefully Working at a bank requires you to be very careful with everything you do. Every transaction has to be documented. You cannot lose even one deposit slip or a single cent. Also, making a mistake could cause someone a lot of money. These little things can become big issues, so if you want to learn to work quickly and carefully, you can work at a bank. If you are considering taking on a summer job, consider working part-time at your local bank. It’s classy and professional, and you will learn a lot, especially if you are planning to work in a finance related field. If you would like to read more about the pros and cons of working at a bank, check out this link from Tough Nickel.