Ask an Admissions Expert Tira Harpaz

Ask an Admissions Expert Tira Harpaz Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Tira Harpaz is the Founder of CollegeBound Advice, an admissions consulting firm that aids many students in the college admissions process. She is a graduate of Princeton Universitywhere she also served as an alumni interviewer. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Tira: Most students will not look at an actual college application until late August/early September of their senior year of high school.However, students can and should be thinking about parts of their application before that date. In terms of a main essay (which can be used for Common Application schools, as well as many other schools), it is generally a good idea to brainstorm and begin writing the essay in the late spring or summer before senior year.Developing a topic can be time-consumingit can take several drafts to craft an essay you are satisfied with, and the process should not be left until the last minute. In addition, as you go through high school, you should keep a list/develop a resume of your extracurricular activities. That way, you will be mindful if you are doing too many one-time activities rather than having meaningful and in-depth interests. While you should never engage in an activity for the purpose of building a resume, sometimes noticing that you lack leadership or that you have not sustained many of your interests will allow you to rectify those gaps. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Tira: I believe the most effective essays are ones in which the reader not only gets a sense of the student, but also feels that the student was emotionally involved with the subject. So, my advice is to brainstorm about what makes you happy and what makes you tick. Think about a time when you felt engagede.g., have you always loved inventing things? When did your fascination with music begin? What did it feel like when you threw your first pitch?In addition, sometimes it's helpful to think about the weaknesses in your application and see if there's a way to address them in an essay. For example, if your extracurricular activities are strong, but your academic performance has been spotty, try and think of times you went the extra mile in a class or got fascinated by a particular subject, and see if you can write about it. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Tira: Although I personally have topics I dislike, I think almost any topic can work depending on how well you write. That said, there are a few topics I would be careful about using, including a summer community service/travel program that you paid for, a sports story about winning the big game, and a personal narrative about a hardship or illness in the family, unless it is truly meaningful.In addition, anything that smacks of prejudice or entitlement should be avoided. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Tira: The biggest mistake is to send out a rushed application, which does not convey the student's personality or ideas or interest in the college in question. The second mistake (which I see frequently) is not proofreading the application. Typos and sloppiness leave a bad impression, and sometimes there are inconsistencies that should be avoided. For example, if in your activities list you mention that you've been involved with your school band all four years, but your essay says you've just started band, the inconsistency raises unnecessary questions.And finally, of course, lying about activities is just plain foolhardy. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Tira: The process for admissions offices is different depending on the school.Some very large state universities only consider standardized test results and GPAs while making a decision. For many other schools, at least one admissions officer will do an initial read of the application, looking at essays, recommendations, grades, test scores and activities. These reviews can be relatively short, sometimes only 15-30 minutes, and so your goal should be to make your application stand out in some way and make the admissions officer your advocate. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Tira: I always tell students they need to answer any underlying questions raised by the application.If a student has few extracurricular activities, the admissions committee might assume the student isn't active and won't participate in the life of the college.That student needs to show, if possible, how he or she engages in activities or pursuits that are purposeful and interesting.If a student has a serious academic weakness, the student must explain how they have worked to improve in that particular subject. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Tira: Students should make a checklist of factors that are important to them. Although some of these preferences may change, many will not, and such a checklist is helpful in deciding which schools will ultimately land on your college list. After that, visiting a school, if at all possible, is useful to determine whether it would be a good fit. Try and interact with students other than tour guides. Are students friendly, helpful, morose, inattentive? Sit in on a class, eat in the cafeteria and visit a dorm room if you can. If you can't visit (or even if you can), go online and access a virtual tour. Reach out to students who attend the school, through emails, texts etc. If you're interested in a particular subject, see if you can correspond with a professor in the department. Some schools offer online chats with the admissions office, and some admissions officers have great online blogs, which can be informative. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Tira: To a certain extent, the question of whether to apply early will depend on a student's profile. I generally recommend that a student apply to at least one early action or rolling admissions school that is likely to accept the student. The goal is to have an early acceptance in hand so that your stress level will be lower over the next few months.If, however, a student's grades have been problematic, I might recommend that the student wait until hopefully stronger first semester grades are available before submitting an application. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Tira: A student's four-year academic record is by far the most important factor in admissions. Generally, no extracurricular activities or exceptional essay will outweigh your coursework and GPA. In addition, schools will look at the rigor of courses the student has taken.If you're applying to a selective school, but have only taken the easiest courses available, it will be very difficult to gain acceptance. After that, for schools requiring standardized tests, test scores are looked at carefully. Finally, all the other components of an applicationessays, recommendations, and extracurricular activitiesare reviewed. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Tira: Near the end of junior year, students should pick two academic teachers as potential recommenders. You should then ask each teacher whether he or she can give you a positive recommendation. Once a teacher has agreed to give you a recommendation, ask whether there's any information they need.Even if they say no, I would suggest giving the teacher a brief description of why you enjoyed the class and any specific activities or projects you excelled in, as well as a list of your outside activities or your resume. Visit CollegeBound Advice for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech - Introvert Whisperer Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech? These days we all know we need an elevator speech, especially if you’re a job seeker or a business owner. An elevator speech can be a great and memorable way to introduce yourself, if done right. When elevator speeches go wrong, they’re memorable for the wrong reasons mostly they’re boring or cringe-worthy. Don’t let that be you. Here are 6 of the more common issues you want to avoid in your elevator speech: 1. Waaaay Too Long I’ve heard elevator speeches that were longer than commercials. These people are attempting to put a full-length resume in an oral review. Don’t do that. Make your elevator speech one or two sentences as a maximum length. In the case of elevator speeches, less is more. (Click here to tweet this thought.) 2. Filled With Overused Terms Just as you need to avoid certain overused, trite terms in your resume and interview, that also applies to your elevator speech. Terms like “customer service-oriented, “people person” and “results oriented” need to be kept out of your elevator speech. Use more powerful, specific terminology instead. 3. Wimpy Words Instead, use powerful verbs. You need to think about your results and if you can toss in numbers or comparisons. They all add to your credibility. 4. Starting With “I Am” The fastest way to the snooze button is to start an elevator speech with “I am…” The primitive brain of your listener will go into autopilot. “I am” allows their brain to instantly categorize you and go to sleep. You will lose them. Your elevator speech should be interesting and compelling enough to make the listener want to ask more about you. They can’t get too engaged with you when they’ve checked out. 5. You’re Cringing Yourself I’ve heard some elevator speeches that simply made you cringe with embarrassment. The person saying it made up something, but it wasn’t something they were comfortable with. You do have to practice your elevator speech so you’re comfortable, but if you’ve fully memorized it and you feel like you have fleas in your shorts you need to toss it out and start over again. Apparently, it’s just not who you are authentically. Your elevator speech needs to be something you can feel comfortable with and even proud to say. 6. Not Compelling It’s kind of tough to think about ourselves in glowing, interesting terms. But you only have one opportunity to make a first impression on someone, and you need to hold their attention. I have yet to meet a person who didn’t have at least one seriously interesting thing to say about them or their business. That should be the thing you have in your elevator speech. If you can’t think of it, you haven’t thought hard enough. If you still can’t think of something, ask people you know to tell you what sorts of things they tell people about you those are usually very memorable. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of an elevator speech you want to run away from. More importantly you don’t want that elevator speech coming out of you. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have an elevator speech that will make a great, lasting impression. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. What’s your current elevator speech? Share your example with us in the comments! Image: Flickr

What is an Average SAT Score

What is an Average SAT Score As a high school student, test prep is likely on the forefront of your mind. Regardless of if youre in the early stages of SAT prep or have just sat for an exam, its important to understand how the SAT is scored. A common question to ask when deciphering SAT scoring is, What is the average SAT score? Answering this question can help you to know how you fare against other students applying to your desired schools. According to The College Board, the average SAT score in 2017 was a 1060 (on a scale of 400-1600). Its one thing to know the average SAT score, and another to understand how it applies to you. To understand the average SAT score, its key to know how the SAT section scores are broken down, how your target schools use SAT scores, and how to establish a proper SAT study routine. Heres what youll find in this article: How the SAT is scored How SAT sections are scored What to know about the optional SAT essay What equating in SAT scoring means How schools use the SAT How to navigate an above or below average SAT score Where to focus your time on the SAT How to establish an SAT study routine What this SAT breakdown means for you SAT scoring can conjure up many questions for students. When understanding the average SAT score, its important to note section scores, how to navigate an above or below average score, and how to identify your goal score. Keep reading to learn the average SAT score and how it applies to you. How is the SAT scored? SAT scores are about more than national averages. Youll instead be looking at the average score of students attending the schools to which you will apply. First, however, it's important to understand how SAT scoring is broken down. Below, you will find a chart detailing the percentile that various SAT scores fall in. Noting that the average SAT score is 1060, receiving this score would put students in the 51st percentile. What this means is 51 percent of students taking the SAT scored at or below 1060. Additionally, if you receive a perfect score of 1600, you fall in the 99th percentilemeaning 99 percent of students scored at or below this score. Percentile Range Average SATScore (out of 1600) 99th percentile 1600 82nd percentile 1250 71st percentile 1170 51st percentile- average 1060 *The above data points come from The College Board. Unfortunately, an SAT score report is not as simple as reading your average report card. Youve got to know what youre looking for and what youre looking at. First, its important to recognize that SAT scores represent a range of scores you might receive if you were to take the test multiple times. Colleges recognize that most students (in certain sections) may score around 40 points above or below their true ability, though a range is typically an adequate predictor of college readiness. You will receive a raw scorewhich represents the number of questions answered correctlythat is converted into a score between 200 and 800 for each of two sections. This will be adjusted for differences in versions of the test. Your score report will show college readiness benchmarks and how you compare to other students. SAT test-takers also receive a percentile between one and 99, as discussed above, that reflects the percentage of students who are equal to or below the score you received. This percentage is divided into two categoriesthe first, which compares your performance to all U.S. students in a particular grade level (even those who dont typically take the test), and the second, which shows your score in comparison to only some U.S. students (only those who do typically take the test) in your grade. [RELATED: What Does SAT Stand For?] How are SAT sections scored? Now that you have learned the buzzwords involved in SAT scoring, its important to understand how your overall SAT score is broken down. Every section of the SAT has its own raw score, which indicates the number of questions you answered correctly. You will receive two main scores on your report: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, which combines the scores from the Reading and the Writing and Language sections, and Math, which includes both the calculator and no-calculator portions of the exam *The above data points come from The College Board. When finding your SAT Math score, youll want to begin by identifying your raw score. There are two types of points in the SAT Math sectioncalculator and no-calculator. There are 38 possible points in the calculator section and 20 in the no-calculator. You receive no penalty for blank or incorrect answers, and your top achievable score is 58. When calculating your raw score in the Reading section, youll need the total number of questions you correctly answered. The highest score possible is a 52. To do well on the Reading portion, youll need to demonstrate that you can read and comprehend the passage given to you. Your analysis points will come from analyzing the passage as it relates to the prompt and presenting a good argument. The SAT Writing and Language section will reward you with points for constructing a response that is grammatically correct and logical. To calculate your score for this section, use the same formula as above. The highest score possible is 44. Instead of adding your raw scores together, consult a conversion table to get the scaled scores for both the Reading and the Writing and Language sections. Add them together and multiply by 10, which will give you your final score. To get a composite score, add both Math, Reading, and Writing and Language scores. As part of the official SAT changes in the 2016 redesign, SAT sections are broken down even further into subscores that offer students insight into various skill sets. These subscores include: Expression of Ideas Standard English Conventions Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Data Analysis Passport to Advanced Math Words in Context Command of Evidence What should you know about the optional SAT Essay? The SAT does not include the essay score in the final composite score, so there is no need to calculate it to find out how you did on the other parts of the test. Instead, the SAT essay awards a total of three scores, each between two and eight. The three sections scored include reading, analysis, and writing. Two people will read your essay and each will provide scores ranging from one to four for each portion. Note that there is no composite score for the SAT essay, meaning the three scores are not added together. As of late, the SAT Essay is required by fewer and fewer schools. This prompts the question of whether you should take it. Generally, it is still recommended to sit for the SAT essay. The essay can showcase your readiness for college writing and allow schools to see your writing skills first-hand. Contact your schools of interest in order to see if they require the SAT essay, or visit the schools website for further details. The College Board also offers this tool to search for your schools requirements. As a note, the below schools no longer require the SAT essay in order to be considered for admission: Columbia University Harvard University Cornell University Stanford University Princeton University Boston University The SAT will require you to plan, write, and edit an essay in a short amount of time. Look at past essay prompts and suggested practice prompts to see where you can improve. Meet with a teacher or an SAT tutor and have him or her review your response with you to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps you are struggling with organization and need to pay closer attention to the way paragraphs fall. Or perhaps your spelling needs improvement or your sentences dont flowwhatever the problem, practice will ensure that your score doesnt suffer. What is equating in SAT scoring? Its also important to note that SAT scores go through an equating process. This ensures that scores from one test date are equal to another date and truly reflect all students abilities. In order words, this is in place to keep scoring fair for all students. The difficulty of exams can vary; therefore, one wrong answer on one exam could hold as much weight as two or three wrong answers on another exam. The June 2018 SAT saw this process put into play. This exam was easier than previous exams, resulting in a score drop for some test-takers. That is to say, on the June 2018 exam, students lost more points for wrong answers than on previous versions of the test. Its important to note this process if you plan to take the SAT on multiple dates. How do schools use the SAT? While it may seem unfair to use your SAT score as a significant indicator of college success, test results often correlate with the academic dedication of the student. Understanding how schools use your SAT score is vital when determining which schools may be the right fit for you. If youre early in the process of looking at schools and thinking about potential SAT scores, it may be useful to have a general idea of the average SAT scores in particular locations. The following chart provides a sample of average 2017 SAT scores at select schools. University Average SATScore 2017 Princeton University 1500-1600 Dartmouth College 1478 Columbia University 1490-1580 Cornell University 1480 All schools hold different average scores for both sections and overall, so be sure to investigate your schools thoroughly. Understanding how particular schools use test scores can help you to identify which colleges and universities fall into your reach, target, and safety school categories. How do you navigate an above or below average SAT score? Going into your SAT test day, youll likely have some idea of what your score will be. If you score lower than you expected, create a revamped prep plan and test again. There are a number of benefits to testing multiple times, one of which is a general increase in score. In this event, let the first test act as another practice. This way, youll feel more confident going into the second SATand your score will likely reflect it. If you find you have performed better than expected on the SAT, keep an open mind and explore new opportunities that may be available to you now. Reexamine your reach, target, and safety schools to note if your options have changed. For example, a school you had previously identified as a reach may be more realistic based on your recieved score. Keep in mind that your SAT score, while important, is not the only deciding factor for college admissions departments. Adequately prepare for the test, but dont allow yourself to get knocked down if you dont get the results you were hoping for. Either way, make yourself a competitive candidate by maintaining a high GPA, taking challenging classes, and involving yourself in relevant extracurricular activities. As a student, youre in a great position to be flexibleembrace your score, whether it is what you expected or not. Where should you focus your time on the SAT? It can be difficult to know where your time is best spent, so take some time to create a study plan that will work for you. Your first step will be to determine how much time you have available and what score you are aiming for. Are you working toward an average SAT score with a year of alloted prep time? Do you hope to score in the top 10 percent with three months of study time? Knowing the answers to these questions will give you a good place to begin your prep. As for time spent on the actual test, there are other things to consider. First, always make a guess if theres an answer you dont know on the exam. Youre not penalized for wrong answers, so dont leave anything blank. Dont spend a lot of time on these types of questions; make an educated guess and move on. Math may not come as naturally to some students, but this means it can be a significant distinguisher if you perform well on this section. If youre looking for more than an average SAT score, excelling in math could help you stand out. While a high composite score is more valuable, you should still aim to do very well on the essay. A lot of colleges look at your essay score to get a general feel for your ability to write, so brush up on your reading comprehension and grammar prior to test day. [RELATED: 3 Habits that are Hurting Your SAT Prep] How do you establish an SAT study routine? One of the most important parts of establishing a study routine is identifying a dedicated study space. Having a go-to location can help prepare your brain for study and testing by freeing it of other distractions. Ideally, your SAT study space will be for studying onlyno double duty. It should be well stocked with everything you need to study, including practice tests, writing utensils, calculators, paper, and a timer. It should also be comfortable and maintain the level of noise that is most conducive to your studying. Youll want to think carefully about how long you should study for the SAT. Think about when your test date is and how much time youll realistically be able to spend studying with all of your other obligations. Identify areas where you need the most practice and those in which you are most comfortable, in an effort to pinpoint the appropriate amount of study time. [RELATED: 5 Factors that Affect How Long You Should Study for the SAT] To avoid feeling bogged down by the enormity of the SAT, try dividing your prep into smaller, more manageable tasks. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the test so you know exactly what to expect. Work on comprehending math formulas that will undoubtedly be on the test by using flashcards. Begin reading material in areas where you may be weakerthis will strengthen your knowledge of a subject and increase your reading, grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Use a variety of SAT resources to study, including SAT flashcards, SAT videos, outlines, and podcasts. Cater to your specific learning style and dont be afraid to try some new tactics. An alternative strategy is to place a heavier focus on prep for the sections you are stronger at, in an effort to elevate your overall score. However, you cant let one score be dramatically lower than the other. For example, earning a 750 on Reading and Writing and a 450 on the Math section will raise questions from schools. Focusing on your strengths, as opposed to your weaknesses, only works if your performance level is relatively similar in both areas. Otherwise, it can pay off to place a larger focus on the areas where you could use improvement. Youll also want to familiarize yourself with your calculator, taking care not to switch calculators in close proximity to your test date. Since youll be timed, knowing how to use all of the features on your calculator efficiently might help you reach your desired score. Finally, the best tool you have at your disposal is the many SAT practice tests available to you. Aim for a practice test at least every two weeks, and take them as though youre taking the real exam. Use a timer, take the test uninterrupted, and figure out how youll pace yourself. This will help with test timing, but will also give you a better idea of where you could use additional study time. [RELATED: Benefits of Taking SAT Practice Tests] What does this SAT breakdown mean for me? Given that the average SAT score you need can vary depending upon your goals, it is important to be able to tell what score youre aiming for. To do this, try using a range of tools to match you with a school. Tools can allow you to enter a region, school size, average SAT score, selectivity, and public or private distinction, and will provide you with a list of schools that meet your criteria. This is a great option if youre still considering which schools to apply to, scored higher or lower than you anticipated, or are taking the SAT with enough time to retake as necessary. The most important part of aiming for a certain SAT score is to equate your overall raw score with the number of questions you need to get correct. This gives you a measurable goal to work toward and a way of thinking about your score as high, medium, or low. Noting that the average SAT score is 1060 can help you to pinpoint your target score and narrow down what schools to apply to. By arming yourself with test-taking knowledge, subject-specific information, and confidence, youll be well on your way to beating your target SAT score. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

Online Personal Letter Format Tutors Tutorpace

Online Personal Letter Format Tutors Tutorpace Personal letter are the letters which are sent to a person or an organization in order to acknowledge things in an informal way. Mentioned below is the format useful for writing a personal letter. Address: The senders address is to be written by the sender on the extreme top right side of the letter. This information helps the receiver to reply back using the mentioned address details. The receivers address is written on left side of the letter beneath the senders address. Its important to include the name of the receiver. Date: The date of the letter should be written below the senders address on the top right side of the letter. Example for the date format is: 1st March 2009. Greetings: Is important to start the letter by greeting the receiver by appropriate prefixes or words such as Mr. / Mrs. / Miss / Dear/ Dr. etc. according to the familiarity with the person. Content: Here the sender can write his/her message or information to the receiver. In a personal letter the sender usually can convey all his message in a less formal way according to his/her familiarity with the receiver. Conclusion: This is where the sender can conclude his letter. It is appropriate or preferred to use warm or considerate word while concluding a personal letter. Example: Yours, Best wishes, All the Best etc. Signature: At the very end of the letter the sender need to write his name or preferred signature beneath the concluding phrase.

English Fitness Vocabulary - Vocabulary Words Related to Fitness

English Fitness Vocabulary - Vocabulary Words Related to Fitness Nowadays the majority of people worry about their health and generally try to ensure their body is in good shape. People talk about fitness and work out routines on a day to day basis. Hopefully, our short English fitness vocabulary will be useful to you next time you talk about your level of fitness or your exercise routine in English. First of all, the word HEALTH  is sometime used incorrectly. Make sure you use it is a noun.ex. My health is my  wealth.   A very common English expression but it is very important.The word HEALTHY is an adjective  so again make sure you only use it in this way. Adjectives in English describe nouns and pronouns. We can place adjectives either before a noun or after a verb.    ex. I am healthy. He is very healthy.Porridge is a healthy breakfast choice.Also we can use it in  the comparative format healthier, healthiest. English Fitness Vocabulary Words To ensure you are in fact healthy you should visit the doctor frequently. I am terrible at this and  usually only go if I am ill and even then I have to be very ill before I make an appointment. However, I  still try to ensure I eat a healthy diet and take reasonable (some) amounts of exercise.Before taking up exercise (cycling, running or gym work) it is advisable to get a check up (let the  doctor check your heart, blood pressure etc). If there are any problems they can be picked up (identified) before it is too late.We have many ways of exercising and it usually depends on your time and preferences. I like cycling  but others prefer the gym or jogging.Whether it is a gentle workout (easy at the beginning until you  improve your condition) or a strenuous session (harder work out for more experienced and fitter  people) there is something to suit everyone. Lets learn some English words and phrases associated with  these English Vocabulary about Fitness Don’t keep this to yourself. Tell the world. English Fitness Vocabulary Expressions Going for a spin Take your bike out of the shed or basement and cycle for several kilometres.ex. I took  my bike for a quick spin before going to work.To work out Probably, the most popular phrasal verb in English fitness vocabulary. It means to do some exercise.  ex. I try to work out twice a week.Workout is a noun and it means some time spent in the gym (or in the park, for example) doing exercises.ex. I went to the gym for a workout.I usually have a workout three times a week.Stretch the legs to do some brief warm up exercises, to prepare for your full work outex. I usually like to go for a brisk (quick) walk to stretch my legs after sitting at the desk  all day.To shed pounds to lose some weightex. Eating fewer carbs and more protein will help you shed pounds.To shift some weight can also be used in the same meaningex. I really want to shift some weight before my holidays.Spare tyre excessive amount of weight around your waistTo get rid of ones spare tyre to lose weight  ex . Our effective seven-day diet plan will help you get rid of that spare tyre in no time.To slim down to become smaller in sizeex. Regualr workouts helped him to slim down considerably.Loosen up/Warm up Before doing anything in the gym or before you set out for your jog it is always  recommended to do some stretching exercises to “loosen up” or “warm up”. In that way you should  avoid any muscle injuries.Circuit training If you are working with a personal trainer or with a specific plan you usually do a few  circuits (specific exercises that you repeat several times)ex. I do 2 circuits and repeat every exercise 15  times.After the gym or your jog you will want to warm down  (similar to warm up but at the end of your  work out). Then you may jump into (quickly as not much time) the shower, grab (again to take  something quickly) a quick drink and get going (go where you have to go, work or school or home).In order to stay healthy,  we need  to have an active lifestyle. Plea se make sure that you not only learn English fitness vocabulary words, but also maintain a regular exercise routine.  

Q What Language Should I Take in College A One of These!

Q What Language Should I Take in College A One of These! What Language Should I Take in College? 5 Top Options College.Its a time for parties, required courses and decisions youll regret.But theres one thing you should never regret: learning a second language.A lot of colleges and universities require language education before you graduate.Even if your school doesnt require it, learning a second language in college is a popular (and smart) choice.The problem is that there are a lot of options. Big schools can offer everything from Albanian to Zulu. The selection is exciting, but at the same time, it makes  deciding what second language to learn  quite the challenge.Luckily, there are some languages that stand out as top options. These languages undoubtedly make the Deans List for usefulness.Ultimately, though, its all about finding the language thats right for you.So before we look at the best overall options for college language learning today, lets go over a few things you should consider. Why You Should Carefully Consider Your Options When Selecting What Language to Take in CollegeLearni ng a language means learning a skill that can last a lifetime. If you stay in practice, the language you learn in college can significantly affect your life, including where you travel, how you interact with people and even what Netflix shows you binge.Selecting the right language can increase your motivation and your capacity to learn the language. Choosing a language you like and actually want to learn will make it easier to keep pushing forward. Therefore, youre much more likely to reach full fluency at some point in your life.What language you choose can affect your career path. For instance, if you choose Latin, chances are international business positions wont be clamoring for your language skills. Choose Chinese, though, and youre likely to get a lot further in the business world!Before Selecting a Language, Think About Why Youre Studying a LanguageThinking about why youre studying a language is essential before you consider what language to take. This is because your motivat ion can directly affect what language is best for you. Here are a few key questions to consider.Are you taking a language because youre required to? If your sole reason for taking a language is because its required, youll probably want to select an easy language to learn. For instance, Spanish is a lot easier for native English speakers than Chinese. If you study an easier language, you can reach some level of proficiency without putting in as much time or effort.Are you taking a language for your career? If so, look into what languages are in demand in your field. For instance, if youre studying archaeology, classic languages like Latin, Greek and Biblical Hebrew may be useful. If youre studying business, though, Mandarin Chinese is in hot demand. Even within industries, theres some variation based on the nature of the business. For instance, if youre interested in working for a paper company, Scandinavian languages will likely come in handy.Are you taking a language for fun? If so , consider what cultures youre interested in. Whether youre passionate about the cuisine, the music, the art or even just have the travel bug, picking a culture youre interested in will make learning the language that much more fun.Additional Factors to Consider Before Selecting a LanguageHow much work are you prepared to put in?  More difficult languages usually require more work, so if you arent looking to put in much effort, you can rule more challenging languages out. That said, a lot of its also down to how you study and how enjoyable the learning experience is for you.You can rely on FluentU  to make your college language learning experience anything but dull. With fun, real-world videosâ€"like the same sort of stuff you binge on YouTube, but in the language youre learningâ€"its the perfect way to supplement your learning in a personalized, flexible and meaningful way.How is the course delivered?  At some universities, less common language options may be delivered online. Whil e this is valid, it might not be the best value since you can often find affordably priced online learning options like private tutoring.How do you plan to use the language in the future?  How often and in what contexts do you plan to use the language? This can shape both what language you select and how long you should study that language.Will you want to study additional languages in the future? If so, you might select a language with close relatives in order to make learning easier. For instance, Romance languages like French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish have enough in common that learning one will help you learn others.What message do you want your résumé to send? Since language skills are valuable on  résumés, you might consider how your language skills will look in this context. For instance, less common languages might stand out more, while more common languages are more widely applicable.What Language Should I Take in College? 5 Top OptionsArabicArabic is a n in-demand language that can open up many doors.  The American Councils for International Education lists seven top reasons to study Arabic.One obvious reason to study Arabic is the fact that Arabic is widely spoken. While dialects vary, Arabic is spoken across North Africa and the Middle East. World language resource Ethnologue estimates that Arabic is the fourth most common first language in the world, with an estimated 295 million speakers.Plus, Arabic is in hot demand with government jobs in security and defense. The National Security Education Program (NSEP) identifies it as a critical language, so you might even be able to snag a spot in the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program.(Mandarin) ChineseWondering why you should learn Chinese? Well, there are nearly 1.3 billion reasons. According to Ethnologue, thats how many people speak Chinese, making it the most widely spoken language on Earth.Granted, some of these dialects are not mutually intelligible, but Mandarin alone has an estimated 898 million native speakers, so if you dont count other dialects, Mandarin is still the most spoken first language in the world with more than double the number of native speakers of the next most spoken language, Spanish.And all of this means buying power. The Chinese economy is huge. In fact, its the worlds largest economy. What does this mean for college students? First and foremost, it means job opportunities. Chinese language skills can open doors in the business world since international trade with China is booming. Additionally, with a push to teach more US students Chinese, learning Chinese could open up opportunities for teaching Chinese in the US. If youre looking to work abroad, there are also plenty of jobs teaching English in China, and knowing Chinese could be just the edge you need to snatch a coveted position.FrenchThere are so many reasons why you should learn French  beyond the delicious baked goods.Ethnologue estimates that there are over 75 mill ion native French speakers in the world. However, French is also a widely spoken second language, so there are around an estimated 229 million total speakers. French is an official language in 29 countries, including Canada and countries in Europe and Africa.Whats more, even relatively small colleges and universities often offer French, making it an accessible option for students.Since French is still widely used in diplomacy, its useful for anyone looking to go into international relations or international development. Additionally, Frances strong reputation in arts and culture make it a good choice for anyone looking for a career with an artistic angle, such as aspiring clothing designers, classical musicians, chefs and filmmakers.GermanIt may not be as widely spoken as Chinese. It may not be as critical to national needs as Arabic. But there are still a lot of good reasons  why you should learn German.Ethnologue estimates there are nearly 77 million native speakers and over 129 m illion total speakers in the world. Thats nothing to sneeze at.Plus, Germanys economy is strong. The CIA World Factbook estimates that it does over one trillion dollars in exports annually, making it the fourth top exporter in the world. Since Germany is so strong in trade, learning German can be helpful for anyone looking for a career in international business.Germany is also a science and engineering powerhouse. If youre looking to dive into an innovative field, knowing German can help you connect to other thought leaders.Since a lot of famous philosophers were German, students interested in further study in that field may benefit from reading works in the original language.Plus, German is a good language for musicians. After all, many operas are written in German. Plus, you may have heard of a few composers from German-speaking countries: Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Handel are just a small sampling of the great German-speaking composers who have become household names.Spa nishChances are strong that we dont need to explain to you  why you should learn Spanish. After all, its so widely spoken in the US that if you live there, youve probably heard it in the last few weeks if not the last few hours.Ethnologue estimates that over 436 million people speak Spanish as a first language. Over 90 million more speak it as a second language. In the US alone, there are an estimated  41 million native Spanish speakers and another 11 million people who are bilingual.Because its so widely spoken in the US, Spanish is a great choice for any American student looking to work in any field who doesnt already speak the language. From medicine to law to business, all fields need Spanish speakers.Plus, Spanish is a convenient option for most students. Its widely offered in colleges and universities. Because its so popular, there are often multiple sessions, making it much easier to fit into a busy schedule.When selecting what language to take in college, always take the mos t important factors into account, but its hard to go wrong with these five top language options. And One More ThingWant to get a head start on your first college language course?With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, 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 over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz 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 learn ing. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

Tips for Single Parents - Aloha Mind Math - ALOHA Mind Math

Tips for Single Parents Raising a child as a single parent can be a huge challenge despite the abundant joys and pleasures of parenting. Juggling between work, home and other things, raising a child can be a daunting task and a rather tough act to manage. However, there are many single parents all over the world managing the tight rope walk and doing a wonderful job of it. Here are useful tips and strategies that single parents can benefit from. Find Reliable Child Care: Look for quality and reliable child care. There are options around this to suit your needs. (1) A qualified caregiver who can provide stimulation in a safe environment such as home (2) Reputed crèches and day care centers which are open on working days and provide good services to care for the child. (3) Part-time nannies also are another option if it suits your routine and lifestyle. (4) A trusted family member to look after your child. Define Rules: Define rules around the house and set expectations to your child. They should be aware of the rules and work by them. Train caregivers in your childs life to ensure youre providing consistent discipline even when you are at work. Avoid pampering your child with gifts and treats to make up for time spent away from them. Familiarize Your Routine: Create a basic routine that you and your child can get used to everyday. Define appropriate mealtimes, bedtimes, and play times. Wake up at the same time in the morning and stick to it. Keeping up a predictable routine will help structure your day and help your child to know what to expect. Chart Out Me-Time: Single parents often tend to ignore their own needs while juggling between various responsibilities. It is absolutely important that you are healthy, active and positive. Set aside some time for yourself, exercise, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest. Set aside time to do things you enjoy alone or with close friends and family. If you are healthy and happy, it will translate to your child too. Be Happy: Single parents often find themselves blaming the partner, situation or even themselves for the current state of affairs. Now that you are on your own, try to focus on the things that need attention and give your child the best you possibly can give. Don’t feel guilty and beat yourself up about the situation. Strive to create a positive environment for your child and yourself. Find a Support Groups: Create a strong network of people who understand you and be your support. It is not possible for a single parent to do everything without burning out. Work out a carpool schedule with other parents. Join a support group for single parents or call on trusted loved ones, friends and neighbors for help when you need it.