Orbitals, A Popular Choice for Lab Chemistry

Orbitals, A Popular Choice for Lab ChemistryOrbital shapes are a popular part of chemistry lessons. A number of students prefer them for studying the basic concepts in the areas of atomic, crystal structures, etc. However, there are a number of types of shapes that can be used for research purposes. These shapes, however, are not recommended to use in general practice chemistry labs, as it is better for each chemical to be evaluated individually.One type of shape, which has been used for a long time, is the square and circular shapes. Square and circular shapes are commonly used in chemistry due to their simplicity and most of the materials that are found in daily life come in squares and circles. An oval shape, on the other hand, is a highly irregular shape, which can only be considered as a geometry tool and not a good shape for chemistry.When a student chooses an oval shape for his or her lab, it will always have a special meaning to him or her. It is important to note that an ova l shape can be used only for laboratory work, and not in the home. It is considered a geometry tool, which is used for use in calculations and in teaching science. There are some other types of shapes used in experiments, which are used for specific purposes and cannot be used in everyday living.The other types of shapes are the round shapes, which are also used for the problems of computer science and human anatomy. Some of the shapes like those in the plane, equilateral, octagon, pentagon, trapezium, heptagon, isosceles, right triangle, and triangular are also used in the lab, but they are not popularly used as they do not have any suitable meaning. They are usually used as special features of designs, logos, etc.Students in school science lab can learn a lot by using the different shapes. When the shapes are not related to anything, it will be difficult for the students to understand the concepts of the material. However, these shapes can be used to better understand the concepts , and this way, they will be able to apply them better in their studies.In addition, the orbitals shapes can be used for laboratory work, even if they do not have any specific meaning. Because of their simplicity, the shapes can be used for various studies, such as geometry, physics, chemistry, etc.As we all know, a shape can never have an important meaning if it does not have any particular use. So, before selecting an orbitals shape for your laboratory, you must first decide whether it is going to be used for chemistry or another purpose. If you are planning to use it in your laboratory, then you must check whether it can be used for the purpose, and if so, you should choose the best shape for your work.

How To Improve Your GMAT Score

How To Improve Your GMAT Score The GMAT is for admissions into business schools, and the GRE is for grad schools thats a major distinction. The GMAT is designed to determine if you can take the next academic step toward business school, and ultimately if you can handle it. If youre looking for GRE help, see more from Varsity Tutors onhow to improve your GRE score. Learning the ins and outs of the GMAT is a monster task. That is why we recommend working with a private tutor to have him/her guide you through the strategies of acing it. GMAT background:The GMAT is a computer-adaptive exam, scored between 200-800 with the average score around 400-600. Overall, it has four sections. The Quantitative/Verbal sections range between 0-60 and determine your 200-800 score. The Analytical Writing has one essay scored 0-6, and most students score around a 4.4. The Integrated Reasoning section is scored 1-8. The writing/reasoning sections do not impact your 200-800 score. Understanding the computer-adaptive test:Youre not scored on the number of questions you answer correctly, but rather the scoring bracket youre placed in. If you keep answering questions correctly, you will be placed in a higher scoring bracket with more difficult questions and vice versa. For example, you will start with an average difficulty question (around 550). If you answer it correctly, youll bounce up to a higher scoring bracket (maybe 600-650). Now, if you get that right, youll bounce even higher, but not quite as much (maybe 650-670). Then, with another correct answer, youll move up to 680-720. Now, if you get your 720 question wrong, youll drop your level a bit (maybe to a 700). Then, if you get that right, back up. This pattern will continue throughout the section. Typically, most students plateau out and get one question right, one wrong. The test can then pinpoint your exact score. This is generally how the test works, but no one knows the exact GMAT algorithm. The swings in difficulty level and scoring brackets are much more drastic during the first 10 questions. But, doing well on the first 10 questions will not necessarily lock you into a high scoring bracket, and you can still earn a high score if you do poorly. GMAT prep book:Welcome to your new best friend. This should be your first step in preparing to take on the GMAT, as a good book will introduce you to test strategies, test questions and provide full-length practice tests. Its best to read through or skim through the book before jumping into practice tests. Read the background and general tips sections; then once you feel comfortable with those, move on to practice tests. Practice tests:Taking practice tests can be the most effective way to raise your GMAT score, if you take them right. With your first few practice tests, try not to worry about your scores they will improve eventually. Its important to identify your pace and weaknesses, and then the next step is to improve in your weak areas. One-on-one GMAT tutor:Improving in your problematic areas is the most difficult step in the GMAT process, and it is key to improving your score. A private GMAT tutor can go beyond the explanation in any class or book you use to give you the in-depth learning and explanation you need to master your weaker areas. Then, you can fine tune your other skills and improve your pace. Once you complete this area, the rest of your GMAT prep is so much easier. Mimic test settings:Your brain works best with consistency. So study for the test in the exact same scenario you will take it in. Study in 4-hour increments in a public place on a computer, like a library or coffee shop because your brain needs to get used to thinking with other people around. Take only two, 8-minute breaks exactly as the test offers. The administrators used to let students prepare in the actual test center; however, they no longer do that. Pay attention to time:As you take your practice tests. Highlight or star any question that take a bit longer than the others. Add these types of questions to your problematic areas to review with your tutor. The best way to improve your time is taking practice tests over and over and over again. You dont always need to time yourself. Sometimes its best to just work through problems. This will help pound answers and strategies into your brain, allowing you improve your time, which can be the difference between a 600 and a 650. Always finish the section:Its much better to finish the test than it is to make sure you correctly answer every question. There is even a penalty for not finishing a section, which some estimate to be as high as 30-50 points, and you can be penalized for rapidly answering the last few questions. You have about 2 minutes for each Quantitative question and under 2 minutes for each Verbal question. So, if you find yourself spending more than 3 minutes on a question (and you have not been getting through others under 2 minutes), guess and move on. Show your work:Not to be your 4thgrade math teacher, but you will be amazed at how many fewer careless mistakes you make when you show your work. It may be tedious, but it can improve your score. Break down the GMAT:Dont try to tackle the whole test at once. Instead, work on each section one-by-one; then do an entire review.

Ask an Admissions Expert Shelley Krause

Ask an Admissions Expert Shelley Krause Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Shelley Krause works as a college counselor at Rutgers Preparatory School, New Jerseys first independent school. Shelley, a graduate of Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, came to Rutgers after serving in the undergraduate admissions office at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also the lead curator of the College Lists Wiki. How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Shelley: Once a student has made the decision to apply to a particular school, it makes sense to start at least becoming familiar with what that college asks of its applicants. But even before a students college list is finalized, students can be engaging in self-reflection, which will in turn inevitably support the college application process. Students who know themselves well and have an understanding of how they learn best have a huge advantage heading into this process. So do students who leave themselves enough time to actually revise their essays. What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Shelley:Almost any essay topic can be a terrific topic if it is infused with the genuine and unique perspective of that particular applicant. A successful essay helps the admissions officers reviewing it answer three essential questions: 1) can this student write? 2) can this student think? and 3) if we welcome this student into our community next fall, who do we get? Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Shelley:If you write about a topic that lots of other folks are likely to have written about (e.g. a grandparent or a winning moment in sports), youre setting a higher bar for yourself; its going to be harder for your work to stand out. That being said, the biggest pitfalls I see looming for students are not so much topic-related as approach-related. For example: 1) Writing in a style that is unnatural, stilted, and packed with words that are not a part of the students working vocabulary. 2) Focusing the essay on someone other than the student (If youre writing about how someone has inspired you, make sure the essay is less about him or her, and more about the impact he or she had on you!) 3) Dwelling too much in the past when what colleges are mostly trying to figure out is who the student might be in the future. What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Shelley:The biggest mistake is to write what you think someone else wants to hear. What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Shelley:Ask five admissions officers, get six different answers! I used to look at transcripts first, just to get a feel for how much of an uphill climb I might be facing when preparing to make my case in the admissions committee room, but I had colleagues who started with the essay, colleagues who liked to start with the counselors letter of recommendation, etc. The goalfiguring out how to help this student put his or her best foot forwardis often similar, but the routes taken in pursuit of that goal can vary widely. What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure to present in the best possible way on his or her application? Shelley:The transcript continues to be the single most important element of most applications. If there is anything about a students transcript that he or she is concerned might raise questions, the student should work to make sure that this is addressed somewhere in the application. (Often a counselor can provide clarifying context, but in some cases the student may feel that the information is best coming from himself or herself). How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Shelley:Visit, read, connect with current students and recent graduates, and use social media to extend your attention. (As a Twitter fan, I always tell my students they should be following the schools theyre considering on whatever social media platform theyre most comfortable with; learning as much as you can about the schools youre interested in makes writing those why do I want to go to this school supplemental essays a LOT easier later!) Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Shelley:Look for at least one school that 1) makes decisions on a rolling basis or offers an early-action decision program, and 2) that you can be excited about attending. Theres nothing quite as calming as having an offer of admission in your pocket early! Then, if you have questions about the finer points of a schools policies, pick up the phone and ask; admissions offices staff entire rooms full of work-study students who are waiting for your call! One of the defining tensions of this process is the tension between getting your application in early, which often confers an advantage on your application, and making sure the application represents your very best work. Your goal is not to have any regrets... in either direction. How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Shelley:Most colleges consider high school grades to be the single best predictor of how a student will fare in college. Standardized test scores are used differently by different kinds of schools, and are in some cases no longer required at all. (See fairtest.org for the most up-to-date information on test-optional schools.) What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Shelley:Rather than asking teachers outright if they will write a letter of support, students should consider saying something like, Im starting to plan for my college application process, and because I enjoyed your class so much last year (or whatever the reason for selecting this teacher is), Im wondering how you would feel about writing a letter of support on my behalf? This subtle difference offers the teacher a more graceful exit if in fact they do NOT feel they would be the best person to write a letter of support, and students definitely want to find that out BEFORE making a final decision about who to ask. Finding teachers who are excited to support your candidacy is just the beginning. From that point on, your mission is to keep the lines of communication open. Students need to be respectful and grateful; the best teachers pour hours of time (usually their own time) and effort into their letters. Ask if theres anything you can provide that will make their job easier; some teachers like to look at a copy of students rsum, while others might want to have a conversation with the student about his or her impressions of the course that teacher taught. Whatever they ask, do it. Continue to bring your best self to your conversations with your teachers, so that they can continue to feel great about writing in support of you. And make sure your teachers know what college application deadlines youre aiming for! Visit Rutgers Preparatory for more information. Shelley also Tweets admissions advice and answers questions at @butwait. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Choose the Perfect ESOL Teacher for You

How to Choose the Perfect ESOL Teacher for You All You Need to Know Before Choosing an ESOL Courses ChaptersThe Benefits of Private English LessonsCertified English Teacher or Undergraduate?Essential Qualities of Your Ideal ESOL TutorWhere to Look for the Best ESOL Tutors to Teach You How to Speak EnglishLearning how to speak English fluently as a non-native speaker is a great opportunity, but nothing can help you improve your English and boost your motivation more than taking your lessons with a private tutor.However, when it comes to finding the ideal tutor, many learners are left in the dark.So here is our advice for learners of English for Speakers of Other Languages who are looking for a one to one tutor. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Benefits of Private English LessonsOne to One Sessions vs Group StudyUnlike group lessons, private tuition means that students benefit from the full, undivided attention of their tutor and have the opportunity to ask as many questions as they please.Private tutoring means that lessons can be adapted to the learning pace of the individual student rather than that of a class.Depending on the level at which you study English, your tutor will be able to teach you according to your needs as well as your learning objectives.Tutors can build on your current knowledge as well as support you alongside your learning in school or university, keeping track of your progress with regular spell ing and English grammar quizzes.These small tests and quizzes will help your tutor identify your strengths as well as your weaknesses, and use them as a basis for future lessons.By doing this, tutors are able to create a tailored learning plan just for you.As you will be alone with your tutor, there will be no pressure to perform well in front of other students and there are no silly questions! This calm atmosphere will help you feel more relaxed towards learning.Being Tutored vs Teaching YourselfThe first positive aspect of private tuition is that, unlike teaching yourself a language, you have someone at your side to help you improve your pronunciation and spot any mistakes.English is flourishing as a language, and practicing regularly will help you get used to how it works so that you can use it confidently in day-to-day life.When it comes to learning a language, the number 1 rule is simple: Use it or Lose it.Taking lessons with a private English tutor can help close the gap betwe en your level of written English and your oral language skills.When you start to learn common phrases or idiomatic expressions from the English language, you can practice using them in context with your tutor. Using new words is the best way to memorise them for the future.Your tutor will be in a good position to suggest useful learning resources for your level which could help you immensely.Don't go it alone: Superprof has over 1 million tutors ready to support you ¦ source: Pixabay - Concord90This is just one of the advantages to learning English with a private tutor. You benefit from their know-how as well as their teaching experience in their discipline so that by the end of your course, you will be able to communicate, discuss and debate fluently in English.Certified English Teacher or Undergraduate?There are no real rules for those wishing to become a tutor, which is why it’s so attractive for many university students.But how do you know what to look for in your search for the ideal tutor? Tutors, especially tutors who teach English, come from all backgrounds. Some are trained school teachers, while others study their subject at university.In the case of English tutors, there are also many native English speakers who are willing to help others learn to speak English as a second language.University StudentsStudents are often good at teaching younger pupils as they can identify with their learning journey and tend to be closer in age to their learners than many other tutors.For this reason, their approach is often closer to the school syllabus, and they will easily be able to help their pupil familiarise themselves with what examiners are looking for.Undergrads are also in the perfect position to help learners with revision tactics to learn to conjugate tricky verbs, for example.Qualified TeachersOf course, teachers have a wealth of experience and an expertise that students do not yet have.Teachers know what their pupils are looking for and hoping to ac hieve even before the first session, and they also know what topics are coming up that their student may struggle with.Armed with this useful knowledge, teachers can prepare their lessons and their pupils for any tough points that may come up and put measures in place to support their student should they be faced with any obstacles.As professionals, qualified teachers know where to find the best grammar exercises and worksheets to support you throughout your learning.The Decision is Up to the StudentUltimately, it is the student who chooses their tutor.Aside from choosing within their price range, the student will prefer someone who can easily adapt to their needs and removes the pressure from learning.While some feel more reassured by the experienced of certified teachers, but others prefer being able to identify with younger tutors who are still in education themselves.Essential Qualities of Your Ideal ESOL TutorIn order to get the most out of your English courses in London or els ewhere around the UK, you need to optimise your lessons.There are a few ways to achieve this, including:Take stock of your needsIt may seem obvious, but from the very first English lesson with your tutor it is important that both you and your tutor are aware of where you currently stand.Do your tutor's qualities match your needs? ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnapThis will help the tutor plan future lessons and provide appropriate learning material.Decide which topics you would like to cover in your lessonsWould you like to improve your vocabulary? Or what about revising conjugation, literacy and listening comprehension or use of tenses? Whether you would like to work on the technical side of English, or you’d prefer to practice your British accent and learn about slang, your tutor will be able to help you with this.Remember to use your English outside of your lessonsThe more you speak in English and practice your writing skills, the more natural it will feel for you.So why not watch films and TV shows in English or get stuck into some good English literature?So What Makes a Good Tutor?Good ESOL teachers are professional and have native or nearly native abilities in speaking English, which they share with their students using an effective methodology.When it comes to grammar, high-quality tutors will teach each topic when it becomes relevant to the learner, rather than handing out grammar rules to learn by heart.Teachers should also make sure that their lessons cover all aspects of English equally. This means not focussing on vocabulary too much, but also concentrating on written expression, oral skills and listening skills.No aspect of language learning should be neglected.The best tutors speak as much English as possible during their sessions to encourage their students to interact in the language so that using English feels more natural.However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the tutee is having trouble with a particular point and the y cannot understand the English explanation, it is appropriate for the tutor to briefly switch to the native language of their student.While you practice your spoken English, your tutor should let you explain yourself without interrupting with corrections. Good tutors will prefer to take notes while their student is speaking, do discuss corrections afterwards.The most important points for developing good English speaking proficiency is that the student feels motivated to practice their spoken English and feels free to express themselves in their foreign language.Encouraging learners to want to learn English will boost their confidence, which leads to improved English fluency.Your tutor will give you homework to complete after your lessons. This could be a text to read, or a vocabulary list.The very best of tutors will have brilliant English pronunciation which the learner can mimic to improve their own. This is an essential part of developing a good English accent.You can learn Engl ish online with a Superprof tutor.Where to Look for the Best ESOL Tutors to Teach You How to Speak EnglishIt is important to be thorough in your search for your ideal ESOL tutor.Local AdvertsKeep an eye on advertising in newspapers and on notice boards in your local area.Home tutors often advertise where their hometowns where they know they can travel to students’ houses to deliver their lessons.Consult local press to see what's available ¦ source: Pixabay - stevepbHowever, the downside of local adverts for teaching English is that you cannot always be sure that you are getting the best deal.Available tutors may not have the necessary level of qualification to suit your needs, or their hourly rate may be too high for your budget.Whatever happens, you should take care when registering an interest in these tutors. If their telephone number or email address is on their advert, don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more about their offer.Or better still, you could arrange to m eet them in person. This gives you the opportunity to see how you get along before committing to tuition.Tutoring AgenciesThe advantage of using tutoring companies to find an English tutor is that the employees look after your specific case, including your needs and goals.The hourly charge is set by the agency, who checks the details of each family as well as the qualifications of their tutors. The match tutors with tutees based on availability, level of study and goals.Tutors are often monitored by their agencies and have to report on the progress of their students.Although this procedure can reassure parents and students, it can be tedious for the tutors, who may not feel free to apply their own methodology in their teaching.  Learn about taking ESOL courses as an adult  as well here.Social Media and Word of MouthWhy not ask your friends, teachers and colleagues for advice on finding the best English tutor for you?The advantage to looking within your own social circles is that you know and trust those who advise you.Websites and PlatformsThere are many tutoring websites on the World Wide Web which all offer a different perspective on the market for private tutoring.Some websites focus on the teaching of foreign languages, while others are more generalist.Most of the time, the teams working behind each of these websites filter through tutors by asking them to complete a profile displaying their specialities, availability, and the rates they charge.This enables platforms to only advertise tutors who are serious about sharing their knowledge.Just as you should with local tutors, we recommend that prospective students get in contact and schedule a meeting with tutors before choosing a tutor for the long term.  Learn how long it will take to learn English here.

What is it Like to Attend University of Rochester

What is it Like to Attend University of Rochester The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Taylor is a 2014 graduate of the University of Rochester with a Bachelors degree in English Literature and French. She is a New York City tutor specializing in French tutoring, Writing tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, and more. Check out her review of her school: 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? Taylor: Campus is very safe, but the areas surrounding campus require you to be aware at nightbut it is safe if you are smart! Luckily, buses run regularly (some as often as every fifteen minutes, some about half an hour apart) to take you to places you need to go, both near campus and in the city of Rochester. Campus itself is small and easy to walk (it takes about fifteen minutes to get from end to end), and there are tunnels connecting the main academic buildings to help you stay warm during harsh winters. A bike might be useful for upperclassmen, who often live on the outer edges of campus or off-campus to save money, but freshman life is very centralized, so you likely would not need a bike your first year. Cars are useful for upperclassmen, but freshmen are not allowed to have them, and they certainly are not necessary, since university buses go everywhere you need to go. Rochester also has an affordable public bus system, but students rarely use it, since university buses are free. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Taylor: I always found professors, advisers, and teaching assistants to be very available. In departments that have a graduate program, most teaching assistants are graduate students who have offices and office hours. Professors and advisers have weekly office hours, too. These times are usually available for drop-ins, though some professors will request that you email in advance just to let them know you are comingalthough this is usually more convenient for you, too, since then you know you will not be waiting around while the professor talks to another student. Professors are almost always flexible, too, so if you cannot make their scheduled office hours for some reason, they are usually more than willing to make another appointment with you, as long as you contact them in advance. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Taylor: Dorm life, particularly for underclassmen, is really fun! Orientation at the University of Rochester is really great, and it is designed to bond you with your hall-mates right away. By the end of your first week, you will feel like your hall is a home full of close friends. I graduated recently, and I am still close with many of my hall-mates from freshman year. Freshmen have an unlimited dining plan at several all-you-can-eat dining halls, as well as additional dining dollars for other a la carte dining facilities. These are all located pretty centrally on campus, and the biggest (which was recently renovated and has a whole bunch of different stations) is on the first floor of the biggest freshman dorm. It is not uncommon to see students show up for weekend brunch in their pajamas and slippers. Socialization opportunities abound on campusthere are over one hundred clubs available, and it is pretty easy to start your own. There are tons of athletic groups, ranging from varsi ty sports to club, intramural, or the odd group of friends who gather for pick-up games. 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? Taylor: Since the University of Rochester has a major medical school, a lot of students plan on being doctors. Though this percentage drops as students discover other interests, throughout all four years, the biggest programs of study are in the sciences: biology, cognitive sciences, engineering, etc. There are tons of resources available for these majors, but I was in two smaller programs, and I found many advantages to this, too. In English and Modern Languages, I found that professors had more time for individual students, especially for things like internships or independent studies, as well as preparation for graduate school if you decide to go. Though bigger majors may have more university-wide resources, as a student in a smaller major, I was able to create personal relationships with professors. 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? Taylor: It is very easy to make friends as a freshman, since orientation is designed to get hall-mates to know one another. When classes start, it is also pretty easy to meet other underclassmen in your academic program, especially if you are in entry-level courses with lots of other freshmen. Clubs and groups, which start the week after orientation, are also a great way to meet new people. Greek life comprises about 20-25% of students, which is the perfect ratio, because it means that fraternities and sororities are available for students who want to join them, but they are definitely not necessary to make friends on campus for students who are not interested. Freshmen are not allowed to pledge until their first spring semester, however, so almost everyone has become involved in some kind of group by that point. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Taylor: The Career Center has a number of counselors, all of whom specialize in different subjects to help students with job and internship searches in their specific majors. They also hold a series of helpful seminars throughout the year, some directed at different class years, and companies recruit on campus regularly. Again, because the science majors are bigger, they will have more recruiters and programs, but these opportunities are not absent for smaller majorsthey just require a little more drive from students, who must be more proactive in seeking out help. That said, many students of every major graduate with prestigious jobs lined up, and many more find great jobs in the first few months after graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Taylor: As with any college, libraries are super crowded during finals, but during the rest of the year, there is plenty of space in a variety of libraries. These spaces all have a slightly different atmosphere, from very serious and very quiet to more relaxed and designed for group work. One library is open 24 hours during the school year, and other libraries are open until 3:00 a.m. on weeknights, with shorter hours on the weekends. The student union is also open late most nights, and it is host to a number of events and food options. The main library and student union are both located centrally on campus, and they are convenient for students at any time of day. Dorm lounges host some studiers, but they are mostly areas for socializationespecially for freshmen as they get to know one another. 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? Taylor: The school tries to get students involved in Rochester as a community, since students often tend to stick to campus for the majority of their social and academic lives. That said, Rochester is a great city, and a recent college town projectslated to open this fallright next to the university is going to give students even more reason to venture off campus. The college town is going to host a number of restaurants, bars, and stores, including a huge grocery store and a Barnes and Noble. Buses do run downtown, and they loop through an area that contains many museums, as well as more restaurants and shops. These ventures for students tend to be more occasional than regular, but they provide something new and exciting for those rare times that campus life does not offer something fun to do. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Taylor: The undergraduate student body has about 5,000 students, with some graduate and medical students who are largely separate from the undergraduates. My class sizes rangedsince I was in a small major, my typical class had about 30 students, but they got as large as 150 and, in one notable instance, as small as just me! Larger majors may have bigger classes for introductory courses, but since the student body is not huge, even popular majors see class sizes decrease in upper-level courses. And, even for large classes, professors and teaching assistants are available for help when you need it. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Taylor: One memorable class was one that I took optionally during the winter intersession, called Theatre in England. This class runs annually, and it provides students of all majors with the chance to travel to London and see a series of plays over two weeks. Seeing two plays a day was exhausting, but it was unbelievably exiting and fun, and it made me close friends that I had not had before the trip, not to mention a bundle of amazing memories. I had not had such an intensive bonding experience like that since freshman orientation, and I learned more in two weeks than I would have ever thought imaginable. Check out Taylors tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learn Geometry Interactively To Understand It Better

Learn Geometry Interactively To Understand It Better I did it much better in calculus and algebra, but failed to learn Geometry. My grade averaged out to a B. I barely managed to avoid geometry after that. So I went on to get a computer science degree. At one point of time I was mixing things like partial differential equations. Here are some tips that you can try to follow: Have confidence. You will just be fine. Practice Practice Practice: Geometry can be mastered with combination of talent and practice. Keep doing a practice and eventually you will be an expert after practicing multiple times. Visualize: The best way to study geometry is to visualize it. Once you have visualized it, try and think about what you can use it for. Once you have done it, you will be able to understand the importance of the topic you are studying. Certain subjects are better learnt by doing and interactive learning is the best available option. This is the option to learn subjects like geometry. There are a variety of computer based apps that can help students learn geometry interactively. Our online math tutors recommend that you try them out if you are finding learning geometry problematic. In fact, learning via route is quite important for kids as they begin understanding better. They understand what is learnt with understanding is indelible in memory. This will help them fare better in the future. We’ve listed some of the popular apps that help kids with learning geometry; read on. Shape Arts: Geometry Creations  This app has a lot of puzzles and problems that require solving and they are especially attractive as they come in vibrant colours and curious shapes. For instance, kids are given a puzzle that needs filling with the scrambled parts and they have to drop various shapes into the right place to complete the puzzle and so on. Not only is it entertaining for kids, it teaches them about various shapes and sizes and how they can be put together to form different objects. Jungle Geometry This app is quite entertaining and can be used to teach students about measurement, line pairs, names of shapes, angles and has illustrations that help students understand scaling and concepts such as ratios and how to calculate the area of a complex figure by splitting it into smaller easier figures and so on. Geometry in our opinion should be learnt kinaesthetically and this app is extremely helpful for that. The next time you are looking up math homework help online to teach your child geometry, opt for this app instead and make learning fun for your little one. Geo Gebra There are many math apps in GeoGebra such as the graphing calculator, CAS, 3D Grapher, Spreadsheet, Probability, Geometry and so on that enable easy learning. The Geometry app is all about learning to draw various shapes and playing around with them and figuring out details pertaining to them. Geometry Pad Geometry Pad can be used as a form of small-group tentative activity followed by geometry lessons. After the students learn about unique triangles, the online calculus tutors can make them build particular triangles and further assess their angles and also sides for supporting different theorems. Students can also share their constructions along with their classmates and talk about their similarities and differences. The next time you wish to seek math assignment help or simply help for geometry for your child, have a look at one of these apps and try them out. You can make learning interesting and interactive and this is the best way to learn geometry! There are other apps too such Cabri, Cinderella, Geoboard, My Geometric Universe, Mathlingz Geometry Education and so on that you can try out. Good Luck!

Singing Lessons - Yoga for the Voice

Singing Lessons - Yoga for the Voice Suzy S. When I first began my professional singing career, still in my teens, I was extremely dissatisfied with the explanations I had been given for how and why the singing voice works. I just couldnt make my voice do the things I wanted it to. Admittedly, I had pretty high expectations. Fortunately, I went to my public library and happened on a copy of Science and Singing by the late, great Ernest George White of London, England. After decades of scientific research, White discovered how the voice and vocal tone actually originate in the four sets of sinus cavities in the head, not in the throat/vocal cords, as was previously believed. White taught people to speak who had had their vocal cords surgically removed just by training them in controlling the air in their sinus cavities. He explains in his book that the air vibrating in an enclosed space (the head) acts as a musical instrument, similar to a flute or a recorder or even air moving through a keyhole and producing sound. He felt that the vocal cords, or vocal folds as he preferred to call them, merely aided in regulating the flow of breath from the lungs up to the head, where the sound was actually produced. Unfortunately for me, White had already passed away in 1940, so I began my own attempts at playing with the air in my sinus cavities. After many months of study, pretty much by trial and error, I found that I was actually a first soprano, not a second soprano, as I had thought. I found that it took much less air and a lot of control to maintain my high notes, but that I now HAD control. And I really began to develop my own unique singing voice, after years of trying to sound like everyone else that I admired. Wow even my high expectations had been reached. When I moved to Austin a few years later, I began teaching singing lessons in Austin (and piano) as my day job. I taught all kinds of people how to sing and speak, from age 8 to age 72. Many of my students found great success with playing with the air in their sinuses remarking that, although they hadnt had success with traditional exercises, they could now make their voices sound clearer and they could control the voice. There is a lot of joy in learning that what was once a mystery can be placed under control in a fun and musical way. But what actually ended up putting the true icing on the cake for what I now call Yoga For the Voice technique was my study of kundalini yoga, and subsequent training as a kundalini yoga instructor. I found that by incorporating yogic breathing and exercises, and sometimes even chanting yoga mantras, my students and I were able to make even more progress in controlling our vocal instruments. Not to mention the improvements in health, speaking voice, keeping the sinuses free and clear, and gains in personal confidence. Some of the benefits we discovered: You learn exactly what your vocal range is and why your vocal range is determined by the shape, number and quality of the sinus cavities in your head. You discover how to create the very best tone your voice is capable of making when you can keep as many muscles as possible out of the way of creating a pure tone in the head, you have the basis of beautiful, unencumbered musical sound. You feel the difference in your own body singing feels healthy, beautiful and under your control. If it feels right, it actually is right. The reverse is true as well if it feels wrong, then there is some work to be done, usually in releasing some tension and muscular effort that is getting in the way of the tone. A side benefit includes keeping the sinuses free and clear it actually helps your overall health in addition to your vocal health. Ernest G. Whites sinus exercises have been used solely for the purpose of keeping the head cavities clear, and can be helpful for people with allergies and other problems which create mucus in the sinuses. Whites exercises can be used to improve your speaking voice and your vocal projection they are excellent for actors, teachers and public speakers as well as for singers. In general, if one is just using the exercises for speaking purposes, the vocal range is more limited and focused on the actual speaking voice than in singing training. For children, I tend to break it down to very basic, easy-to-understand exercises. I think the sinus concepts are too difficult for most children to grasp, so I try to give them exercises they can easily understand and have fun with. In the beginning stages of vocal training, a typical Yoga For the Voice lesson will consist of three parts. First I teach the student two different kundalini breathing techniques that have proven useful to the singing student. We next begin the sinus exercises from Ernest George Whites teachings, starting to find what I like to term the musical architecture inside the voice students head, i.e. her/his particular set of sinus cavities. The last part consists of integrating what we have learned into full body exercises, which enable the student to start to experience her/his full vocal instrument, from the solar plexus to the top of the head. I sometimes use traditional vocal exercises for this step or, depending on the student, chanting exercises. If you are interested in exploring Yoga For the Voice further, my voice lessons are available privately at my music studio in Austin, Texas. See voice lessons in Austin TX. ABOUT gfire gfire is a Kundalini yoga instructor, and a professional singer-songwriter, DJ, voice and piano teacher in Austin, Texas. She has taught literally hundreds of students how to use their voices more effectively.

5 Top Homework Tips for Parents

5 Top Homework Tips for Parents Homework should reinforce learning in the classroom, as well as giving students the opportunity to learn independently and develop research skills. How can you help your child when it comes to homework? Helping your child with their homework doesn’t mean doing it for them! Here are our 5 top homework tips for parents. 5 Top Homework Tips for Parents   The time and the place Establish a structured routine, and designated place for your child to do their homework. Free from distractions, such as the TV, their phone and their siblings! You’ll know which time would work best for your child. Most children are more productive earlier in the evening, and not too close to bedtime. Some children like to have a break and a snack before hitting the books after school, others prefer to get homework out of the way first and relax after. Either way, ensure you schedule a regular time. Even siblings who are the best of friends will distract each other. If you have more than one child, we suggest trying to find a homework space for each of your children. Also, try to ensure if one child were to finish their homework before the other, to encourage quiet time, reading/playing quietly - as to not distract their sibling who is still working away. Set an example Demonstrate to your child that homework is very much part of adult life too! When your child sits down to do their homework, you could also sit and read a book or work on your accounts. This will help to normalise the process of homework, your child will then see that everyone does it!, and that they aren’t being singled. Offer guidance, not the answers! Try to avoid giving your child the answer, as then they won’t fully understand the material, and this could set your child back in class. It could also prevent your child from developing independent, lifelong learning skills. However it is a great idea to speak to your child about their homework. Through explanation and teaching it to you, reinforces what they’ve learnt in class. Showing an active interest in your child’s work can also give them a boost and much needed motivation! Help your child with time management Encourage your child to plan homework time, all homework isn’t due the next day! Help your child manage their homework diary, and plan to make time for bigger projects. Help your child figure out what they feel is more difficult homework and which homework they find easy. Encourage your child to tackle the tougher homework first, ensuing they are fresh for the challenge!   Look out for signs of frustration Check in on your child every so often, and look out for signs of struggle or if they’ve been on the same question for a while. Encourage your child to take a break and come back with fresh eyes. Be available to offer guidance and help break down the problem into smaller sequential steps (if possible), otherwise be supportive! Share with your child’s class teacher any concerns you may have about the amount or type of homework assigned. Be sure to let the teacher know if your child is regularly having difficulties or unable to complete the work on their own. Arrange a small homework club with your child’s friends once a week. Peer to peer learning is incredibly effective, sometimes a classmate is better at explaining a tricky problem than you are. A study group with friends can also help make homework a more positive experience!