Should I Go To University of California, Los Angeles

Should I Go To University of California, Los Angeles The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Aki is a Los Angeles tutor specializing in several subjects including SAT prep tutoring, Japanese tutoring, Calculus tutoring, and more. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering. See what he had to say about his 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? Aki:My campus is in Westwood, so it is very urban and the campus is safe. There are buses that have routes all around UCLA, and a car/bike is not necessary to get around. Having a bike is actually a pain because UCLA is built on many hills and the walk between classes includes at least one hill, and those hills are harder on a bike. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Aki:Honestly, my professors were not very available as they were very busy with their own research, and most of my professors (in Electrical Engineering) were not very sociable. The teaching assistants were the same way, as almost all of my TAs were international students and they were also busy with their own studies and research. The academic advisors were available, having office hours at their given times, and I was welcome to walk in at any time during those hours. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Aki:The dorm life is on the top of my list as the source of opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. From making friends on your floor to meeting other people from other dorms through the people you meet, the opportunities are endless. The dorms in UCLA are all located on one ascending hill, so they are all built close to each other and the walk from dorm to dorm is very short. The dorm administration puts on social events such as ice cream socials and dances, and the dining halls at UCLA are very good. 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? Aki:UCLA attempts to represent most of the programs equally, but I think that the Engineering programs were better represented because of the number of buildings dedicated to just Engineering programs and the number of events and info sessions. I studied Electrical Engineering because I grew up dealing with and playing on electronics. The university did a good job supporting Electrical Engineering through the number of research opportunities and the company info sessions, but they could improve on the quality of 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? Aki:it was easy for me to meet people and make friends as a freshman because my dorm floor was very social and went to dining halls together for meals throughout the day. Greek life is a large influence at UCLA, but it is not for everyone, as it was not for me. It is a place where you can make more friends and form a brotherhood or a sisterhood, but some of the Greek programs are more known for parties, raids, and loose social conduct despite how hard some of the fraternities/sororities emphasize the importance of brotherhood/sisterhood and professionalism. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Aki:The Career Center hosts career fairs every quarter, and they are very helpful for networking and spreading your resume to obtain the internship or full-time offer you seek. I do not know about the career fairs in general, but the Technology and Engineering career fairs host many reputable companies such as Qualcomm, Microsoft, Apple, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and many more. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Aki:The study areas, in general, are very nice and clean, and are easily available most of the time. However, when midterm or finals season comes, the libraries are over-crowded and it is hard to find yourself a space to study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Aki:UCLA is in the heart of Westwood, with many different restaurants, movie theaters, and other shops that make life in Westwood fun and entertaining. Westwood Village is a five to ten minute walk away from campus, so it is very accessible and many students go there often. Downtown and Santa Monica are easily reachable through the public transportation system, so many students take trips there over the weekend. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Aki:The student body is large at UCLA. The typical class sizes were large at best, and usually over-crowded. This made it even harder to reach a professor or speak to a TA, and getting into a class during registration periods was sometimes difficult. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Aki: I took a Digital Signal Processing Design class that taught me how digital signal processing systems work in general and how to apply our previous knowledge to create a program that would do a specific digital signal processing application. This class, unlike my other classes where the classes consisted only of book-learning, was fun because I got to program an application where I applied my digital signal processing knowledge to create a guitar tuner. UCLAs EE signals and systems classes lack actual application, and this class was one of the only classes where I enjoyed applying my book knowledge to real-world problem solving. Check out Akis tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Play the Banjo.

How to Play the Banjo. Here’s Literally Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Playing the Banjo. ChaptersWhat is the Banjo?Famous Banjo Performances.How to Play the Banjo: Some Different Banjo Techniques.Where to Get Banjo Lessons.The banjo, with its unmistakeable percussive twang, is a beautiful and distinctive string instrument. Across the musical worlds of folk, blues, bluegrass, and traditional music, its presence is widely felt â€" and never to be missed.However, unlike its more famous six-string sibling, the guitar, it is not so easy to find resources and guidance on how to learn to play the banjo. In fact, most music stores in the UK â€" apart from the most specialist ones â€" hardly even stock them. And then there is the challenge of finding yourself a banjo lesson after that.Yet, it is not impossible. So, if your dream is to become a virtuosic banjoist, don’t give up just yet. This musical instrument deserves to have so many more players than it does â€" and, here, we’re going to show you how you can join the ranks of the banjo players yourself.We’re going to run through some of the key aspects of the banjo that you need to know â€" from its history to its physiognomy to its most famous and respected players and performances. And then we’ll show you how you can actually expect to find a banjo teacher where you are.As we said, it is far from impossible. With some basic knowledge and heap of commitment, you’ll be a proper banjo player in no time. So, let’s take a look.And, by the way, you can learn about playing the lute! PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Ry anGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is the Banjo?Even if you’re a total beginner, you’ve certainly heard a banjo â€" and probably seen one too. It’s perhaps one of the most characteristic instruments of American traditional music â€" developed by the African-American slave community before being appropriated by the white population â€" and, these days, it characterises the world of folk music.It’s easily recognised: four, five, or six strings that are stretched over the instrument’s ‘head’, a circular frame over which a plastic â€" or, more traditionally, animal skin â€" membrane is stretched. The result is a string instrument that produces a percussive, plucked sound, often with an underlying drone. Learn the banjo - like this bloke!How Many Strings Does a Banjo Have?As we said, the banjo’s number of strings can vary â€" and they are usually found with four, five, or six different strings.Despite these variations, the ‘normal’ or standard banjo has five strings. Usually, on the five-string banjo, whilst the rest of the strings stretch from the tuning nuts at the top to the bridge at the bottom, the fifth string starts from the fifth fret. This means that you have a string ready there to play whichever higher notes you might want to play.The four-string banjo might immediately be seen as something played like a bass guitar, but it is actually much more like a ukulele. You will play it like a uke â€" but, predictably enough, it will sound like a banjo.Something similar applies to the six-string banjo. However, it plays less like a uke and more like a normal six-string guitar. It retains its banjo sound, of course.Ever thought about learning the ukulele?Are there Different Ty pes of Banjo?The main distinction to be found in banjos is that in the number of strings. However, there are a number of niche instruments that suit particular styles of playing, which we will outline below.Something perhaps more important that you should be aware of first, though, is the resonator. On the head of a banjo â€" the instrument’s round body â€" is the plastic membrane through which the sound is produced.However, picture the other side of that body. Sometimes, this is left open. If so, this is called, quite predictably, an ‘open-backed’ banjo.The alternative is that the back is covered with a plate, which is called a resonator. These produce a much louder sound and the tone is heavier and punchier. If you are playing bluegrass â€" one of the most famous genres for the banjo â€" you’ll be wanting a resonator banjo.Meanwhile, here are some of the other major types of banjo:Plectrum banjo. We know that the five-string banjo usually has one string shorter. Take this away and you have what is called a plectrum banjo â€" which is usually played with a plectrum.Tenor banjo. Popularised by the banjoist from the Dubliners, the tenor banjo is an Irish development. A shorter neck and a particular tuning, the Irish tenor banjo is usually used as a rhythm instrument.Bass and cello banjo. These are much lower in pitch and were developed for banjo orchestras, believe it or not.Check out the mandolin and the cittern whilst you are here! Why not take up the banjo?Famous Banjo Performances.The history of the banjo is long. However, given its popular roots, the early practitioners of the instrument are not well known. In fact, it is in the twentieth century that the banjo became the famous â€" although alternative â€" instrument it is now.Here are two of the most famous banjoists of the twentieth century â€" as well as another band that purists won’t like…Earl Scruggs.Referred to as the father of bluegrass and one of the most important banjo players ever to have graced the planet, Earl Scruggs changed the way that people played the banjo.With his famous ‘Scruggs style’ â€" a three-fingered style which came to define bluegrass music â€" he influenced generations of banjo players after him.Béla Fleck.Of all contemporary banjo players, the Grammy award-winning Béla Fleck has done most to take the instrument out of its particular niche and apply it to all manner of musical styles.With his virtuosic style, his pen chant for jazz licks, and his absurdly talented band, the Flecktones, Fleck has given new life to the instrument.Mumford Sons.We did tell you that the purists wouldn’t like this. Whilst Mumford Sons aren’t exactly the most inventive of musicians, they have done music a great favour by popularising the banjo sound â€" at least in the UK.These days, you can’t be a folk band without a banjo â€" and that’s thanks to this country-inspired pop band.Find out about different types of string instruments!How to Play the Banjo: Some Different Banjo Techniques.Many guitarists often assume, because they can play a plucked string instrument, that they can play all of them. This isn’t exactly true â€" as the banjo has a number of specific techniques that are really quite different from standard guitar playing.Clawhammer.One of the most distinctive of banjo techniques is the clawhammer technique. This is notable for the fact that, when playing, you don’t pick upwards with your fingers â€" but rather downwards. Obviously, you won’t recognise this from the guitar.Get your hand into a claw-like shape and move it from the wrist (you don’t want to flick your fingers independently).This technique produces one of the most characteristic sounds the banjo produces.Scruggs Style.The typical bluegrass sound, Scruggs style is played with fingerpicks on the thumb and the first two fingers. You’ll want to alternate each in a ‘rolling’ pattern of arpeggios.With the Scruggs style, a melody is interwoven in the arpeggios played, with the result being a fast, often swung or syncopated rhythm.Irish Folk.One of the easier techniques for a beginner to learn is the Irish style of banjo playing.This is done usually with a pick â€" like a guitarist’s â€" and is usually played on a four-string tenor banjo. The banjoist Earl Scruggs (image from NPR)Where to Get Banjo Lessons.Now, the most important part of your musical learning journey, let’s find you a banjo teacher.An instrument teacher is without doubt the most important person in your musical education â€" apart from you of course â€" so make sure you choose them wisely.Your banjo player should be able to show the basic techniques, musical theory, and songs, for sure. But they should also inspire you to take an interest in everything about the instrument â€" and get you discovering your own favourite elements.Find a Banjo Tutor on Superprof.One of the best places to find a banjo tutor is through Superprof, our platform that connects students with tutors from across the world.We have twelve tutors available for online lessons, who will sit with you and show you everything you need to know about excelling in the instrument.Head to Your Local Music Store.If you in a town with a music store, one of the best places to find instrument l essons is right there. Just pop your head in and ask.Be aware, however, that the banjo is not like the guitar. Not every man and his dog can play and teach the banjo.Check Out Banjo Resources Online.The internet is a great place to learn new skills â€" and that includes learning the banjo too.You’ll find tablature, video tutorials, and all manner of other things online. So, if you have a banjo ready to be played â€" go and get started.

Guitar for Beginners 5 New Years Resolutions for Learning Guitar

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

How Can I learn to Sing

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

6 Common Questions on the CARS section of the MCAT

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

Focus The New Key to Academic and Professional Success

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

Preventing Pests From Plummeting Your Summer

Preventing Pests From Plummeting Your Summer pixabay.com Now, don’t just stop reading and run off and buy the first bug repellent you spot. Continue reading and follow my suggestions of the best bug repellents around (trust me, I have endured 20 years of summer and have this down to a science)! Off! Deep Woods VII If the CDC says that Off! Deep Woods VII is the best bug repellent, then you know it must be true. Off! Deep Woods contains the chemical DEET, which repels mosquitoes. DEET  does give off a strong scent; however, the smell is not what repels the mosquitoes: DEET  itself makes it much harder for mosquitoes to land on your skin and bite you! Also, don’t be afraid to use DEET  on your young children, even though many people say that the chemical is terrible for kids. Research shows that as long as you apply the repellent in a safe manner on children (directions on the bottle), then DEET  is perfectly safe when used by children! So, forget about all of the myths and purchase Off! Deep Woods VII for everyone in the family, no matter their ages. You can find this amazing product on  off.com. Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus is a DEET-free mosquito repellent that also protects the skin from the sun! Yes, Skin-So-Soft truly has made a product that prevents the two worst parts of summer: bug bites and sunburn. Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus provides detailed directions to show how to use the product depending on what you are protecting yourself against (mosquitoes, deer ticks, sunburn, etc.). If you are like me and suffer from terrible allergies, Skin-So-Soft is for you because it is hypoallergenic and has been dermatologist tested. Unlike DEET-containing bug repellents, Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus does not leave an unbearable smell, plus it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a dewy residue! You can find this amazing product on avon.com. Image via Andrew Magill on flickr.com Natrapel Picaridin Insect Repellent If you love to fish in the summer, Natrapel Picaridin Insect Repellent is for you! This picaridin-containing solution protects against deer ticks, black flies, and mosquitoes without damaging synthetic clothing or fishing lines. If you are a camper, this product is calling your name because it is REI-recommended! You can also use this product along with sunscreen as long as you apply the sunscreen first. Natrapel provides eight hours of nearly perfect protection that does not stain or damage clothing (for all of you fashionistas out there). You can find this amazing product on rei.com.   When the repellent doesnt work Benadryl Extra Strength Spray Even though the insect repellents that I talked about above are extremely effective, they aren’t quite 100 percent effective. Because of this “lack of perfection,” I wanted to give you all some ways to treat the mosquito bites that the repellent allowed to slip through. Since I am a person who has terrible allergies and for some reason gets attacked by mosquitoes every summer, I know what the best anti-inflammatory and allergy treatments are. Benadryl works every time, trust me. All you have to do is get this product at your local pharmacy and spray a little bit on the bite so that you don’t itch at it and make it worse. The worst thing you can do for a bug bite is touch it, so this anti-itch spray will make sure you keep your paws off! This product also comes in cream form that works just as well. You can find this amazing product on benadryl.com. After Bite Insect Bite Treatment If you don’t love Benadryl products and prefer to use a company product that focuses solely on mosquito bites, you should buy After Bite Insect Bite Treatment. After Bite is a stick that contains a dabber at the top that allows you to apply the liquid anti-itch solution directly to the bite. The solution in the tube provides immediate relief, as the cold liquid cools down the rough, hot, itchy bite on your body. You can find this product at your local pharmacy, but I have also provided the Amazon link if you prefer to order it online! The best part about After Bite is that you will notice a sizable difference in the severity of your bug bite after just one or two uses! You can find this amazing product on amazon.com. So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, there are fantastic ways to protect yourself from the itching and discomfort of bug bites that do not involve you sitting on a couch all day! Wherever your summer adventures may take you, just remember to protect yourself!

4 Simple Strategies to Read in a Foreign Language Like a Native

4 Simple Strategies to Read in a Foreign Language Like a Native Do you ever struggle to read in your target language and wish the words would just translate themselves?I know I do.But short of a magic wand (or a translation app), thats not going to happen, and magic is not always helpful for developing reading skills over the long term.The best way to improve your reading skills is by, well, readingâ€"which takes time and effort.Fortunately, techniques exist that make learning to read in a foreign language not only easier, but more fun too.Lets take a look at the best tips available to help you read like a pro. Why Learn a Foreign Language by Reading?If you want to become fluent in a language, youre going to have to be able to read it. Whether youre looking at a restaurant menu, perusing the newspaper, or following directions on a map, reading is fundamental to learning and living in your target tongue.Depending on the content, reading also provides a chance to get more attuned to the way native speakers talk and write. How often in traditional language learning settings do we recite sentences like, You and I eat hamburgers on the beach, and how often do native speakers say such a thing?Exactly.In other words, reading allows us to dig deeper and challenge ourselves. Much like impromptu conversation, we are often thrown into the deep end while reading, forced to learn complex words and phrases we might shy away from in a different context.Reading lets us get to the real meat and potatoes of a language. It allows us to ingest the grammar conventions naturally, without fear of a slap on the wrist from teacher.Whats more, the benefit of reading is that we control the pace of learning. If you prefer the faster route, you  can barrel through a text without looking up every word you dont know. Or you could also pick it apart piece by piece, taking careful notes. Both approaches have their benefits.Now lets take a look at some effective strategies for learning to read like a pro.4 Simple Strategies for Reading in a Foreign Langua ge1. Choose What to Read CarefullyToo many language learners skip over one of the most important parts of reading practice: choosing what to read in the first place. Many of us have experience in a classroom where a teacher barks out phrases and chooses reading texts for us, often with not-so-helpful results (see hamburgers on the beach, above).Its time to free yourself from the shackles of this approach and make your own destiny. First, we can divide books and other texts into two broad categories: academic and non-academic.Academic writingPros: typically follows all grammar rules, more likely to be focused on a particular subject area, useful for learning specialized vocabularyCons: specialized vocabulary can create a hurdle to learning, less likely to resemble everyday usage of the language, not always appropriate for beginning language learnersNon-academic writingPros: has more in common with everyday usage of the language, vocabulary more likely to include common words and phra ses, readers are more likely to be able to place the reading in contextCons: may contain colloquialisms and be less representative of the universal usage of the languageWe can see that both types of texts have their place, and deciding what you want to read is a matter of what you want to get out of the process.For example, if youre an engineer and your firm is opening a branch in a foreign country, read an engineering-oriented handbook in the target language.Of if youre just starting out and want to fully immerse yourself, read your favorite book translated into your target tongue. Books like Harry Potter and Alices Adventures in Wonderland have been translated to scores of languages. Dont forget the power of enjoying what you read.How do you find these materials? Here are a few resources to get you started:Newspapers    |  Books   |  MagazinesAlso, dont forget to  try your local library for all of the above. The content is free, and those with e-readers can often access extensiv e digital archives with just the click of a button!If you want book recommendations and language-specific reading tips, check these out:Chinese:  Chinese graded readers | magazines |  novels |  best textbooksFrench: easy-to-read books  | childrens books  | comic books |  great books  | advanced books  | reading tipsJapanese: childrens picture books |  best language learning books |  manga  | steps to readingGerman: childrens books for beginners  | popular classics  | best textbooks  | German reading strategiesSpanish: easy-to-read books  | e-books  | best textbooks | novels for intermediate learners2. Read Before You Read: The Importance of Pre-learning StrategiesOnce youve decided what to read, take the opportunity to brush up on background and mentally prepare for the material. The range of activities involved in this are called pre-reading or pre-learning strategies.These techniques help create context for what youre about to read, a scaffolding on which to hang the words, phrase s and sentences, and ultimately to understand them.Effective pre-learning techniques include:Read related articles in English first. Reading an academic article on nuclear proliferation? Find English-language materials about the key issues.Nail down the meaning of the materials beforehand. Tackling a classic novel written in a foreign language? Read a synopsis in English first.Brainstorm. Alone or in a group, think critically about the content youre about to read. What issues might come up? How do they affect you in your daily life?Skim. Take a dip into the material by skimming it first and taking note of any unfamiliar words or phrases. Then look them up before you start reading in earnest.Incorporate one or more of these strategies into your learning practice, and youll see the results for yourself!3. Vocabulary: How to Take on the Hardest Part of Reading in a Foreign LanguageAh, vocabulary. The language learners arch nemesis.How many times have you said, Im so close to being flue nt, if only I knew more words?For better or worse, vocabulary is a constant in the struggle to read proficiently. What you choose to read should dictate your strategy, which can often include variations of the pre-learning techniques above:Starting small with your target languages version of The Cat in the Hat? Read the English version first to refresh your memory of the words used.Remember that nuclear proliferation article? While youre pre-learning the main  issues, look up key words in your target language.But where can you  find a reliable dictionary?Remember the digital library archives I mentioned above? Many have expansive dictionaries you can use free of charge.Another free tool is  WordReference.com, which includes forums that come in handy for defining idioms or other colloquial usage.Searching for something even more language-specific? Check out Pleco for Mandarin Chinese, or these awesome dictionary apps for German,  Japanese  and Spanish.Okay, so youve found a dictionar y or dictionary app, but now what? How do you actually use it while reading?Look up key words beforehand. After you use the pre-learning strategy of skimming (see above), look up any words that stand out as unfamiliar and important. Focus on words that appear in headings or that show up repeatedly throughout the text.Dont look up other unfamiliar words as you read. Instead, underline them to look up later. This promotes a fluid reading style and pushes you to use context clues to understand the content.After reading through the first time, look up all underlined words. If possible, avoid using English when making note of the definitions. Instead, use related words in the target language or pictures/icons. Remember, your long-term goal is to read with understanding while thinking in the language rather than simply translating the words to English.And how about retaining all of this vocabulary?FlashcardsFlashcards remain one of the most tried-and-true methods. Spaced Repetition techno logy (SRS) used in flashcard apps  greatly increases learning efficiency.Contextualize new vocabularyPlace new words in their element using drawings (see above) and as many of your senses as possible. To memorize the Spanish word el bombero (firefighter), you might first draw a firefighter and fire station.But try to also visualize the firefighter sliding down a pole, think of the smell of smoke, hear the crackling of a fire and feel the spray of a fire hose. The more contextual elements you can draw in, the better youll be able to retain and recall the vocabulary.FluentUFor  the most memorable context, the most useful flashcards  and  a complete language learning platform, FluentU is  one of the best ways to learn a foreign language online today.FluentU is an online immersion platform that takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.  You can browse videos  by difficulty (beginner to native), topic (arts and entertainment, health and lifestyle, etc.) and  format (video blog, news,  shows, etc.).Every word comes with an in-context definition, image, audio and multiple example sentences. You can even click on a word to see how its used in other videos across the site. Add any word to your own vocab lists with a single  click.Get the most out of your listening by spending time in FluentUs unique learn mode  before or after  watching a video to learn all that the clip has to offer. Learn mode takes your learning history into account, asking questions based on what you already know, which  sets  you up for success.Mnemonic devicesUse mnemonic devices for difficult words. All of us who learn languages know the frustration of vocabulary that just wont stick. For these problem words, try breaking up the syllables into a story of pictures.For example, you can remember the German word wahrscheinlich (probably) by visualizing a war between pirates during which one crew member shines the captains shoes while battling a blood-sucking leech. Sound crazy? Maybe, but the crazier and more vivid the image you create, the easier it will be to recall the vocabulary.Finally, repetition is key. Come back to those words every once in a while to freshen up and give yourself an ego boost!4. Complement Your Reading with Other Learning TechniquesSure, reading is essential to learning any language, but its not the whole picture. You can capitalize on the exercises above by pairing them with other techniques.Think of these strategies as one-two punches of language learning.SpeakingWhen learning to read, many of us practice subvocalization, the internal speech of sorts where our mind pronounces the words as we go along. Subvocalization can improve our command of the way a language sounds, especially when accompanied by actual speaking.The next time you sit down to read in your target language, take subvocalization further and try reading aloud. This will help ingra in proper pronunciation, and build confidence in both reading and speaking.When you get the hang of this, try recording yourself as you read aloud. Then listen to the playback, and take notes on words and sounds that need work. Bonus points if you can find a recording of a native speaker reading the same text!ConversationA language is nothing without at least two people to speak it. You can talk to yourself all day long, but its even better to find a speaking partner to share in conversation.Find a reading partner and practice reading aloud together. Take notes while your partner is reading. What can you learn from the way they speak, and vice versa? Youll be surprised at how effective two heads can be instead of one.Join a book club to increase reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. The ultimate goal of reading, of course, is comprehension. You can find an existing group through Meetup.com or create your own.You might think this technique is best for advanced learners, but try to think critically about what youre reading from the very beginning. This will help you engage with the text, bring meaning to the act of reading, and make the whole process seem less like a chore.The next time you set out to read in a foreign language, remember these four simple strategies. Let them be your magic wand, and watch how fast your reading skills improve!Nathan Heggem is a language enthusiast, cheesemonger and cinephile. He spends his days singing the praises of Portuguese cheese, watching as many Brazilian movies as possible and practicing his vowel sounds. Nathan writes about food and film on his blog, CineMunch. And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web serie s, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.