Summer Planning for Rising High School Seniors

Summer Planning for Rising High School Seniors The following is a guest post written by Anna Carapellotti of Admissionado, a premier college admissions consulting company focused on helping students get into their dream schools. Its finally here. Your last summer as a high school student. Congratulations! As rising seniors, you will probably be pretty busy this summer with your jam-packed social to-do list. However, it will also be important to spend some time over the summer planning for college applications, as there are many things you will need to accomplish in the year ahead. So, what can you do to get started? Here are seven tips to help all of you rising seniors out there maximize your potential this summer: 1. Finalize your list of colleges While some of you have probably had a dream school in mind since freshman year, others may still be struggling to narrow down the list. With so many options and so many factors contributing to the admissions process, it is important to go into senior year with a solid game plan. So, take the opportunity to do some additional research over the summer. Which academic programs are best given your interests? Which schools offer the types of clubs and activities that you want to get involved in? Most counselors recommend that students apply to five to eight collegesone to two safeties, two to four good matches, and one to two reaches. 2. Visit a few schools A great way to narrow your list further is to visit some campuses. If you havent gotten a chance to already, take advantage of the time off during the summer to visit some of the schools you are applying to. Of course, academics are a huge factor when it comes to selecting a school, but things like size, location, distance from your hometown, and campus atmosphere can really affect your college experience. Though many colleges and universities are much quieter during the summer, students can still get a great sense of a schools general feel. If you cant visit some of your schools in person, many colleges and universities offer virtual tours on their websites. Another great website to check out is youvisit.com, a virtual reality platform with photos, videos, and virtual tour guides that will take you around the campuses of over 1,000 schools. Students can walk around campus, take a peek inside the freshman dorms, and even visit the library. Moreover, you can even search for schools based on institution type, campus setting, tuition price, and the size of the student body. 3. Look into the different application portals College-bound seniors applying in the 2016-2017 cycle will have more application portals than ever to choose from, with the major ones being the Common App, the Universal College Application, and the new Coalition Application. Students with exceptionally strong academic records from low-income backgrounds should also consider applying using QuestBridge, a nonprofit that connects high-achieving, low-income students with top-tier colleges and opportunities. While many colleges and universities will accept several, if not all, of the applications mentioned above, a few will only have one option, so be sure to confirm this info with your prospective schools. This year, it will be more important than ever for seniors to plan ahead. After you finalize your list of schools, check out which application portals each school will be using this year and create a checklist that details what each application requires. 4. Take some time for test prep While some of you may have already taken the SAT and/or ACT in your junior year, other students will take these standardized tests in the fall of senior year. If you have already taken the test and know you have a weakness to strengthen, or if you havent taken it yet and have no idea what to expect, take the opportunity to do some studying over the summer. Consider looking into ACT tutoring or SAT tutoring, and dont forget to check out the many free resources available online, such as these free prep books. It is also important to register for the test itself. Be sure to select a date in the fall that will allow you to send your scores to the colleges and universities that you are applying to on time. If you are applying early action or early decision, the absolute latest that you can take the test is in October of your senior year! 5. Explore your interests Summer is a great time to explore new interests and hone existing passions. Maybe youve always wanted to learn a new language or how to code. Or maybe youre an athlete or an artist, and you want to take this opportunity to sharpen your craft. Whether students choose to volunteer, intern, work, travel, or enroll in a summer course, they should aim to learn something new. Whatever it is that youre interested in, take your knowledge of it to the next level and carry it forward with the intention of doing something special with it. Coincidentally, exploring your interests over the summer will likely give you great material to write about in your college essays. Which bring us to our next piece of advice 6. Get started on some application essays While it may feel like application deadlines are light-years away, they will be here before you know itand it will be even more difficult to get started on your essays when you have other ones to write for school! At the very least, compile all of the different prompts that you will have to answer from the various schools you are applying to and start brainstorming potential topics. Regardless of how you decide to spend your summer, you should devote some amount of time to planning and writing. The college application process can be a long one, so its best to get started sooner rather than later. 7. Relax Learning how to manage stress as a teenager is critical. So while it is important to spend some time this summer being productive, it is also important to spend some time resting your mind and recharging for the upcoming school year. Find time to venture outdoors, read for pleasure, and spend time with your family and friends. Striking the perfect balance between being productive, having fun, and resting will not only make for an enjoyable summer, but will also reduce the amount of stress that you will face in the upcoming school year. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Advantages of Online Tutoring with Experts

Advantages of Online Tutoring with Experts 0SHARESShare Online tutoring with experts offers tremendous advantages. Access to Qualified and Experienced tutors: With online tutoring, students can access qualified and experienced tutors all across the world. They can seek tutoring from a reputed online tutor who are not only expert in their subject but also have very good tutoring skills. They get the flexibility to choose their own tutors. Access to multiple tutors according to the needs: Each student has individual needs. Some may face difficulties to learn the subject while few are unable to complete their routine school academics and others may require tutoring in more advanced subjects. Online tutoring allows students to access tutors according to their needs. The students who are weak in a particular subject can access tutor who knows the subject conceptually or some other may seek tutor for extra academic help like homework help and test preparation etc. College students access online tutor to seek guidance on the advanced subject who not only teaches you lessons but also help you understand the application of the advanced topics. Individualized One-to-one tutoring: Online tutoring websites allow one-to-one tutoring with subject experts. The tutor analyzes student’s capacity, aptitude, strengths and weaknesses in the subject and design tutoring sessions according to the pace of the student. The individualized tutoring focuses on weak areas of the student and work towards grade improvement. Learn with various teaching methodologies, tools and techniques: Tutors online is an expert in tutoring apply various tools, techniques and teaching methodology giving stress free learning. Online learning is full of quizzes, study games, puzzles, labs, experiments, access to various online resources and a lot more. Reinforcement: The tutors make subject more interesting than ever before. The toughest and boring subject is delivered in the way to transform it as most interesting one. The various tools and techniques used during the online session give a proper understanding on the topics; thus, create interest in students to learn the subject. [starbox id=admin]

Word Choice Errors

Word Choice Errors Below is a list of word choice errors the Virtual Writing Tutor can detect and correct. The list is not exhaustive. Instead, it will give you a sense of the kinds of errors that I consider a word choice error and I have been working to correct. Transfer errors Word choice errors are often due to interference from the writers first language and are sometimes called false-cognate errors  or translation errors. Other times the errors seem developmental in nature, coming from a lack of knowledge of the different vocabulary choices available in English or collocations required by a particular context. Sometimes, phrases just sound awkward in English because they are words we would never put together.     Translation errors Another source of word choice errors can be bilingual dictionaries or automatic translation websites. For example, a  root waterway treatment is not a synonym for a root canal treatment.   Homophones I have not included typos as a word choice errors if they can be considered contextual spelling errors instead, for example, I was the winner or one million dollar.   However, I consider the wrong choice of homophones (for example,   there/their) is a type of word choice error. Here is another example: Words pored from his mouth, but the  students were up until midnight, pouring over their books. Often-confused words and eggcorns Similar sounding words that are often confused are another source of word choice errors.  Adverse/averse, effect/affect are common examples.     Eggcorns are another problem.   Doggy-dog and duck tape are common examples. 70 Word Choice Errors Copy and paste this list into the grammar checker to see the corrections. The tiger of Serghei took a lot of place.This problem is really bigger than I expected.I dont remember my tall, but I am short.I usually like to wear joggings.I like eating at Lonimar, my favorite Dominican food.She spoke very loudly like I was deaf.All prisoners had committed heavy crimes.It was a little difficult question.The police asked for a little description of the carThe website is named Biology Corner.He told me he had followed several trainings.Suddenly, he took me and he hardly kissed me.For me, I can not support the pets of Jackson.   (False-cognate)We opened the light and we saw blood in the bathroom.   (False-cognate) This website is named “Biology Corner.”He was determined to get the money by all means.I advise you to take as many exercises as you can.Im doing the course to expand my job opportunities.I said you beforeAlmost foreigner like pizza.Almost students are tired.There is a lot of tools at your disposition.This website is a huge difference maker for me.I me asure 5 feet.The thing is that I did not know or think that this field of study has as much responsibilities.The metro is ten minutes away by walking.Every dentist needs a  dental collaborator to help with cleaning and preparation.On my last visit to the dentist, I had a  root waterway treatment.First of all, social anxiety is characterized by an intense fear of situation that can procure humiliation.I like to see my friend, look movies and read some good book of science fiction.Some couples prefer not to make children.In my new job I have to make a lot of important choices.Finally, look random video on YouTube make me smile.Words pored from his mouth.The students were up until midnight, pouring over their books.I think Ill lay down for a few minutes.We are wholly adverse to the new policy.Taxes are having an averse effect on production.The news is much surprising.I pass all my classes with excellent grades.The boss of another multinational wants us to join our two companies.It is a really affective remedy.The majority of them are working in an educational entourage and the others in health department.The car couldnt stop because its brakes were broken.Dinner is the main dish of the day.It was a long distance between the hotel and the beach.The magazine is printed every month.Unemployment is a very important problem.That didn’t let me enough time in the morning to pray.While I was walking I see my friend and he proposed to me to embark in his car.Basement flats are often dark and moist.Last day, I had a dream.Hes name is Boris.It was very delicious.The teachers are very kind and comprehensive.When I arrive at work, I take my new email on my computer.I am very a blunderer.Results found the relationships among these variables.We have received a great deal of complaints.He earned a lot of money on the lottery.We have an urgent need of a new secretary.I speak French since ever.I work as a sales in a clothes shop.I use English during my work on when I speak to fr iend who only speak English.I have been talking French since Im born.In my new job Im demanded to work overtime.When you are not in your best, they are every time behind you like brothers.Having in mind that the roads will be busy,I think that we should make an early start.I got to know the south of London very deeply.There was a negligent amount of liquid in the test tube. 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Tutorfair Resource Sharing Day!

Tutorfair Resource Sharing Day! Tutorfair holds a Tutor resource sharing day! To help tutors share ideas and be the best that they can be for their students we held at resource sharing event at Tutorfair headquarters on Friday 13th of January. As a tutor you develop your own unique teaching style and amass a collection of great resources to help your students with the more challenging topics. The difficulty can sometimes occur when, as a tutor, you want to learn new techniques or ask questions about areas that you are less familiar with. At Tutorfair we are aiming to solve this by bringing great tutors together where they can share learning materials, get hints and tips, as well as support from fellow tutors. On the day we had some great learning resources to share. Around 15 tutors, specialising in a range of subjects, gathered to impart their knowledge and expertise. Adam S, a maths tutor and qualified teacher, shared a great game he uses with this students to help explain probability. Have a go at playing it yourself here! Another great tutor Raphael O gave us a great way of using less paper. Replace paper with a whiteboard and pen and make teaching more interactive and save money on paper at the same time! With range of tutors from maths, science and language backgrounds there were some interesting opportunities to learn. It might surprise you how tutoring tips can be shared even across different subject areas. It was clear from this event that effective tutoring requires fantastic resources and passionate educators who are open to new ideas. If you would like to access some of these resources please visit our fantastic resource centre. If you are a tutor looking to take part there will be more events coming up every month. Checkout out more  Tutorfair blogs  here: 'What Should we be teaching our children?' Five Strategies to improve Academic Performance Are you looking for a tutor? If you would like some help finding a tutor to understand your child's educational needs, do give us a call on  020 3322 4748. Alternatively you can visit our website and enter the subject and level you are looking for.

Virtual Reality Revolutionizes Online Tutoring

Virtual Reality Revolutionizes Online Tutoring Virtual reality will make online tutoring as common place as one-on-one tutor over the next years this is the prediction of tutoring expert and founder of TutorZ Dirk Wagner. Today, many parents and students hold the belief that online tutoring has significant limitations. A tutor can notice the every so slight change in her students learning mood to slow down or speed up the pace of instruction among many other things. A computer-only interface does not yet allow for such a rich multi-sensory exchange of information. But what if multimedia-interface such as the Google or Vuzix become widely available and affordable? What if screen sharing apps such as Skype or teamviewer run on these goggles? It will break down the barriers digital barriers between learner and its teacher and revolutionize tutoring as we know it. The Trends Research Institute predicted in its Top Trends for 2014: “In higher education circles, the long-held belief that digital learning has significant limitations will fade.” Our “digital learning’s golden era” trend anticipated that once the stigma melted among university elites, the flood gates would open. In our opinion, virtual reality tutoring will be the best of both world: students have access to world-class tutors around the globe while having the experience of this tutor sitting next to him in the study room. Add to that in an area of unmanageable college debt and a stagnating economy online degrees are ow accepted as legitimate, and more affordable as its brick-and-mortar counterparts. So rejoice, tutors and students, the golden age of tutoring is about to come!

?? Growth Mindset - Its about asking the right Questions

?? Growth Mindset - Its about asking the right Questions Growth Mindset - Its about asking the right Questions Intuitively, Growth Mindset sits well with those who teach or tutor. The belief that ability can be improved with effort and learning is q core belief for those who work with young people. The science seems to back this belief up. Numerous peer reviewed researchpapers have found evidence that those with a growth mindset reap many benefits. These include, but are not limited to, coping better with transitions, persisting longer at a task, enjoying their work more, seeking out better feedback. Some evidence suggests that this translates into better grades.Having a growth mindset, however, is not a silver bullet or a quick fix. A whole host of other factors clearly play a part in a child’s success (i.e. socio-economic background, opportunity, access to quality teaching and ability to delay gratification). Genes also play a role. In David Epstein’s excellent book, the Sports Gene, he highlights many instances of how genes/talent/nature (call it what you will) impact on performance. I f in doubt, consider this: The fastest time a woman has ever run the 100m is 10.49 seconds (with many actually questioning the legitimacy of this time). This time is not quick enough to be in the top 3000 times ever run. Genes clearly play a role.That is not to say that developing a growth mindset doesn’t matter. It does. It is just good to set realistic expectations. So if you do want to help a child develop their mindset, where do you start? We now know more than ever about the science of developing a growth mindset. We recommend that you begin a discussion with children using these four key questions, which can act as a springboard for a more detailed conversation. This will begin to develop an understanding of the concept of mindset, and how they can improve theirs:How hard are you willing to work today for tomorrow success?Research suggests that spending just a few minutes with students exploring how doing well at this topic will help them achieve their future goals creates a sense of purpose. This sense of purpose results in students paying more attention and putting more effort in. Combine this with teaching them that their ability can be improve can be a powerful combination.What can you learn from successful people?Psychologists have found that comparing yourself with others can have a negative impact on your confidence, motivation, self-management and academic performance. Learning from others (instead of feeling threatened by their success) is a good way to develop your mindset.Do you spend more time arguing or actioning feedback?Seeking out, valuing and actioning feedback is one of the healthiest behaviours students can adopt in order to improve their learning. Those who see feedback as a personal attack and a threat to their identity. This can quickly lead to a fixed mindset.You had a setback. What would you do differently next time?This is one of our favourite questions to ask. It stops students from dwelling on the past and helps them focus on the now and on the future. This gives them a sense of control over the situation.This sort of question is often referred to by psychologists as ‘metacognition’. In laymans terms, this means being aware and in control of your own thought process. This sort of thinking skills are on the most effective strategies to help students improve their and performance and resilience.Other questions that also tick this box include ‘what do I need to do first?’ and ‘who can I ask for advice?’. You can read more about these sort of questions in our post, ‘9 Questions to Improve Metacognition’.These tips won't help a child develop a growth mindset over night. As with all things in psychology (and when working with children and teenagers) it is much more messy, nuanced and slower than that. But these conversations are definitely a good starting point to help them along the way. Bradley BuschBradley Busch is a lead trainer for InnerDrive, a mental skills training company that helps people develop a growth mindset.

Defying All Odds This Kumon Student is Headed to the Special Olympics

Defying All Odds This Kumon Student is Headed to the Special Olympics Defying All Odds: This Kumon Student is Headed to the Special Olympics Our founder, Toru Kumon, once said “Give it a try! Or you will never discover your true potential.” Meet  Rhea. She  stepped outside of her comfort zone, gave it a try and fell in love with the sport of gymnastics. Today, she’s the New Jersey State Champion for Gymnastics, Level 3,  and will be representing  her state  at the  2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington  this July.  As an all-around gymnast, Rhea will compete on the beam, the bars apparatus, vault and floor exercise. After Rhea was diagnosed with a learning disability at  five  years old, her  parents  decided to enroll her in Kumon because they felt the structured approach would really help her both academically and socially. “I was amazed by how quickly we saw improvementsâ€"they were apparent within a month and have been consistent  ever  since,” said  Rhea’s mother  Rekha. “Not only was  she  able to start following lessons in class  without  becoming frustrated, but she also developed improved social skills.” Rhea’s Kumon Instructor, Rinku Kapur, refers to her as their “shining star” and boy does she live up to that name. She’s fully grasped the self-learning approach and has incorporated structure into every aspect of her daily life, which is imperative with the schedule that she maintains. Between the intense training for the upcoming Special Olympics, school work, Kumon studies and her other extracurricular activities, time management has been  key  for Rhea. “We are so appreciative of the entire Kumon family, but especially for Rinku,” said  Rekha. “She took it upon herself to make sure our daughter was successful and we are so grateful for that. Because of her, Rhea has overcome her academic hurdles, learned to be organized and structured and developed a sense of accountability and responsibility that she’ll use for the rest of her life.” The motto of the Special Olympicsâ€"“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”â€"is about finding the courage to give it your all. If you saw Rhea perform, you’d see that she  exudes confidence in gymnastics. We look forward to following her continued success. You might also be interested in: Defying Age Limits: How One Student Conquered the Stage and Academics From One Kumon Student to Another: From Struggling Student to Kumon Dual Program Completer Defining Success: What It Means as a Kumon Student and Parent Defying All Odds This Kumon Student is Headed to the Special Olympics Defying All Odds: This Kumon Student is Headed to the Special Olympics Our founder, Toru Kumon, once said “Give it a try! Or you will never discover your true potential.” Meet  Rhea. She  stepped outside of her comfort zone, gave it a try and fell in love with the sport of gymnastics. Today, she’s the New Jersey State Champion for Gymnastics, Level 3,  and will be representing  her state  at the  2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington  this July.  As an all-around gymnast, Rhea will compete on the beam, the bars apparatus, vault and floor exercise. After Rhea was diagnosed with a learning disability at  five  years old, her  parents  decided to enroll her in Kumon because they felt the structured approach would really help her both academically and socially. “I was amazed by how quickly we saw improvementsâ€"they were apparent within a month and have been consistent  ever  since,” said  Rhea’s mother  Rekha. “Not only was  she  able to start following lessons in class  without  becoming frustrated, but she also developed improved social skills.” Rhea’s Kumon Instructor, Rinku Kapur, refers to her as their “shining star” and boy does she live up to that name. She’s fully grasped the self-learning approach and has incorporated structure into every aspect of her daily life, which is imperative with the schedule that she maintains. Between the intense training for the upcoming Special Olympics, school work, Kumon studies and her other extracurricular activities, time management has been  key  for Rhea. “We are so appreciative of the entire Kumon family, but especially for Rinku,” said  Rekha. “She took it upon herself to make sure our daughter was successful and we are so grateful for that. Because of her, Rhea has overcome her academic hurdles, learned to be organized and structured and developed a sense of accountability and responsibility that she’ll use for the rest of her life.” The motto of the Special Olympicsâ€"“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”â€"is about finding the courage to give it your all. If you saw Rhea perform, you’d see that she  exudes confidence in gymnastics. We look forward to following her continued success. You might also be interested in: Defying Age Limits: How One Student Conquered the Stage and Academics From One Kumon Student to Another: From Struggling Student to Kumon Dual Program Completer Defining Success: What It Means as a Kumon Student and Parent