Organic Chemistry - New Information

Organic Chemistry - New InformationIn this article I will be discussing what's new on the Organic Chemistry Tutor website and why it is useful. There have been several changes that were made to the site in order to improve the services provided by the company.Now we will go into detail about what exactly is available on the Organic Chemistry Tutor website. The website is still a lot more than just a website for you to go to, it's still a great way to learn more about the various subjects and how to best learn them. So lets take a look at the new features available and whether or not they are useful for everyone.One of the new features that has been added is the workbook feature. This allows you to not only learn more about your Organic Chemistry subject but also help teach yourself. If you don't know how to do a particular lesson, for example, you can easily create a workbook that teaches you that lesson, step by step. Allowing you to learn at your own pace and time without the press ure of someone telling you to learn the lesson.The next new aspect of the site is the social networking features. You can share notes and reports with others as well as make new notes with others. This has always been a feature that was missing from the Organic Chemistry tutor website, but it allows you to easily get together with other organic chemistry students and make notes together as well as share notes and even report your knowledge and skills with each other.These two features are two of the most popular features and they are both used extensively by people who are learning about Organic Chemistry. With the many people that use the site, you can definitely expect this type of interaction between people from all different backgrounds. These are just two of the main areas of interest that you can see when using the site.Another major area that you can find when using the site is the different teaching methods that the website offers. There are several methods that are currentl y offered and each one helps to help better teach you in a way that will be more beneficial to you. There are several different methods of teaching, but I have only listed the two that I feel are the most popular for now.The first method that is available is video tutorials. These videos provide you with a step by step approach to teaching you the lessons. While the videos are not very in depth they are still a great tool and the best part is you can download them, play them back in your web browser and even show them to your friends.The second method that is offered is the audio teaching that is available on the site and this allows you to get a hands on approach to teaching the Organic Chemistry lessons that you are going to be learning. This allows you to go back and review any mistakes that you have made and go over the lessons with your teacher. Both of these methods provide you with an effective way to learn Organic Chemistry at your own pace, so you can be taught the lesson a nd then used your notes to continue to learn on your own.

The italki team is taking the Language Challenge to learn Chinese

The italki team is taking the Language Challenge to learn Chinese We are taking the Challenge too! and if we can do it anyone can! The 2015 New Years Language Challenge has begun and were so excited that so many of you have chosen to participate in our biggest challenge ever! 3 of our very own italki Staff have also decided to participate in the New Years Language Challenge to learn Chinese.  All of them have made Public Video Pledges to learn Chinese! Were going to be following their progress on a special italki staff New Years Language Challenge update  page here.  All 3 of our staff will be posting videos and making weekly blog posts about their experiences taking the Language Challenge to learn Chinese. Karthik, Data Scientist Karthik is from the U.S. and works as our Data Scientist.  He has been trying to learn Chinese before with no results. Now he wants to challenge himself to speak with his Chinese colleagues. Josie, Services and Operations Josie recently joined italki from the U.K.  She is part of the Services and Operations team at italki.  She has been to China a few times but has never been disciplined enough to study Mandarin. Aimé, Marketing Intern Aimé is a recent college grad from the Canada who came to Shanghai to do internship at italki. So how much Chinese can they learn in 20 hours? Visit this blog for weekly updates or go directly to the special italki staff Challenge Update page to keep track of their progress!  We also put up a discussion post so you can comment on how well (or poorly they are doing?). The italki team is taking the Language Challenge to learn Chinese We are taking the Challenge too! and if we can do it anyone can! The 2015 New Years Language Challenge has begun and were so excited that so many of you have chosen to participate in our biggest challenge ever! 3 of our very own italki Staff have also decided to participate in the New Years Language Challenge to learn Chinese.  All of them have made Public Video Pledges to learn Chinese! Were going to be following their progress on a special italki staff New Years Language Challenge update  page here.  All 3 of our staff will be posting videos and making weekly blog posts about their experiences taking the Language Challenge to learn Chinese. Karthik, Data Scientist Karthik is from the U.S. and works as our Data Scientist.  He has been trying to learn Chinese before with no results. Now he wants to challenge himself to speak with his Chinese colleagues. Josie, Services and Operations Josie recently joined italki from the U.K.  She is part of the Services and Operations team at italki.  She has been to China a few times but has never been disciplined enough to study Mandarin. Aimé, Marketing Intern Aimé is a recent college grad from the Canada who came to Shanghai to do internship at italki. So how much Chinese can they learn in 20 hours? Visit this blog for weekly updates or go directly to the special italki staff Challenge Update page to keep track of their progress!  We also put up a discussion post so you can comment on how well (or poorly they are doing?). The italki team is taking the Language Challenge to learn Chinese We are taking the Challenge too! and if we can do it anyone can! The 2015 New Years Language Challenge has begun and were so excited that so many of you have chosen to participate in our biggest challenge ever! 3 of our very own italki Staff have also decided to participate in the New Years Language Challenge to learn Chinese.  All of them have made Public Video Pledges to learn Chinese! Were going to be following their progress on a special italki staff New Years Language Challenge update  page here.  All 3 of our staff will be posting videos and making weekly blog posts about their experiences taking the Language Challenge to learn Chinese. Karthik, Data Scientist Karthik is from the U.S. and works as our Data Scientist.  He has been trying to learn Chinese before with no results. Now he wants to challenge himself to speak with his Chinese colleagues. Josie, Services and Operations Josie recently joined italki from the U.K.  She is part of the Services and Operations team at italki.  She has been to China a few times but has never been disciplined enough to study Mandarin. Aimé, Marketing Intern Aimé is a recent college grad from the Canada who came to Shanghai to do internship at italki. So how much Chinese can they learn in 20 hours? Visit this blog for weekly updates or go directly to the special italki staff Challenge Update page to keep track of their progress!  We also put up a discussion post so you can comment on how well (or poorly they are doing?).

Introducing a Parents Tutoring Club to Your Family

Introducing a Parents' Tutoring Club to Your FamilyIf you are a parent who has never sat in on a parents' meeting or who would like to make an impact on the lives of your children, consider joining a tutoring club for your children. This is a great way to bring together parents and teachers, motivate them and provide an excellent opportunity to promote good family relationships. In addition, it provides an excellent way to get a much needed break from the stresses of life.Clubs of parents and teachers can help both to increase the frequency of parent-teacher meetings and to obtain additional resources for your child's education. In addition, it will allow you to create a team atmosphere where your children feel that they are being cared for and valued.Most parents who participate in this type of group know that it is important to spend quality time with their children, often at the end of the day when they can get most out of their day. By joining a tutoring club, you will not only b e giving your children the love and attention they need but you will also have some fun while doing it.Another reason why parents want to attend such a meeting is because they want to provide support to other parents who may be teaching their children at the same time. These meetings provide a great opportunity to build relationships with each other and to develop trust in each other. You will also have the opportunity to take a break from your busy schedule and meet other parents who want to build healthy relationships with their children.You will be able to browse through the tutor's online list, get more information about them and arrange to see if they are available to teach your child. If you do decide to join a tutoring club, you can choose to schedule a first visit for one or two classes. The first session will usually last only half an hour and you will often find that you are very interested in the lessons that the teacher has to offer.After the first session, you will be a ble to continue to visit their site for each succeeding tutor and stay in touch with each person's strengths and weaknesses as you try to develop a good working relationship. Once you have had the opportunity to visit their site and compare the teaching style and philosophy of each tutor, you will probably find that you like and trust most of them.In addition, you will find that your children will often benefit from the shared experiences and relationships that you have developed with your other parent and teacher. In the end, a tutoring club for parents and teachers is an excellent opportunity to provide valuable support and love to children.

How to Find a Good Tutor For Classical Conversations

How to Find a Good Tutor For Classical ConversationsClassical conversations with a tutor is one of the most important skills that you will need to get good grades. It's not just that it'll help you in your studies, but it will also help you in your social life. Let's look at how to find a good tutor who meets your classical conversation needs.Finding a good classical conversation tutor is one of the most important things you will ever have to do. This skill is not something that you are born with, but you have to learn it. One of the best ways to do this is to meet potential tutors and try them out in the real world. So what are some good tips on finding a tutor?One of the best ways to find a good classical conversation tutor is to talk to friends. You may not have met the tutor yet, but they probably know someone who does. Even if they don't you can get a good idea about how well they go with people.Another way is to ask your teacher for recommendations. Chances are that your teache r has a favorite tutor and will be more than happy to recommend that person. This will give you a better feel for how well your tutor will work with other students. So once you know a bit about your tutor, you can start your search.The last way to find a tutor is to go to your college course. Most colleges and universities provide a wide variety of courses. If your college offers classes that are related to your choice of class, you might be able to find a tutor through the course.These aren't the only ways to find a tutor. You might even find a tutor online or in a local bookstore. All you have to do is ask around to see if anyone knows about any tutors.Choosing a tutor for class discussion can be one of the most important decisions you make. If you make the right choices, you will be more likely to get good grades and better social skills.

Getting to Grips with Rhythm Guitar.

Getting to Grips with Rhythm Guitar. Mastering Different Guitar Rhythms. ChaptersGeneral Rules on RhythmDeveloping Your Rhythm.The Three Pillars of RhythmAdvice for Finding the Rhythm in a Piece of MusicWhen you’re learning guitar, you’ll rapidly realize that there are some basics you need to master â€" reading notes and tabs, picking notes out on the guitar, playing with a pick or fingerstyle, and learning the main major and minor chords.This, obviously, is just the beginning. Any guitar player needs to know their fretboard inside out. They should know a bit of music theory, including reading tablature and knowing scales and arpeggio shapes. Effective guitar players should have their chord shapes down, their chord progressions, and their physical chord changes.Once you graduate to reading music or tabs as well, you’ll realize that there’s something else important that you need to master. Because whilst all the above - knowledge of the major scale, the pentatonic, and power chords - focuses on the melodic and harmonic aspects of music, there is an other musical element that is absolutely crucial. That's rhythm.Because although your guitar techniques might be down, you don't know really how to play the guitar unless you have a good rhythmic sense.So, what do you need to do to learn the rhythm of a piece of music? What makes one good at rhythm guitar? Are there online tutorials or guitar lessons that you can take to improve?How do you go about mastering it?Whatever style of music you’re playing, it’ll be made up of two basic parts â€" pitch and rhythm.If you already know everything about guitar and guitarists, it’s a fact of which you’ll be well aware.But music isn't really musical without rhythm. You can't really have any melodies - no guitar solos nor lead guitar - without rhythm. That's why we say you don't know how to play guitar if you don't know rhythm. As the jazz guitarist, Scott Henderson, says, in music, rhythm is everything.But what is rhythm?We generally think of it as being the thing that happens when we st rum. But really it's everywhere in music and in guitar - in fingerpicking, in improvisation, in any open chords, barre chords, or chord progression.It is what makes music musical - as it is all the things that relate to the movement of the music. Without rhythm, we would just have one single long note - which isn't hugely interesting.Rhythm is something that touches your heart, itches your feet, and makes you want to dance and move. It's like an internal beat that you’re externalizing through your guitar playing.You’ll often find rhythms that you recognize when you’re playing genres like rock, pop, or funk.  Rhythm can also help keep you motivated in your guitar playing. A good beat will make your guitar classes easier - but, if it doesn't come naturally, it's nothing that some guitar practice won't help.Developing Your Rhythm.So, the notes themselves are pretty easy. You’ll quickly begin to recognize them when you sing or play.But music becomes a little more complex when we add rhythm - and this applies as much to classical guitar as it does to jazz guitar and blues guitar.Rhythm underpins all aspects of guitar music.Here are two recommendations to find your rhythm.If you want to take guitar lessons and learn to keep the rhythm for different pieces of music, there aren't too many options.Firstly, you could learn to read music, whether through guitar tabs or through traditional scores. You could go to a music shop or find an online store to buy an official songbook that contains the score for the piece of music that you want to learn. Then you can learn the exact song, with all the notes and timings laid out. For the beginner guitar player who values accuracy, this is a great option - because you will have the precise rhythm for your favorite songs or pieces.Secondly, you can train your ear to learn a song and its rhythm just from listening to it. Whilst a lot of rock guitar riffs and chord work might be quite easy to pick up, getting the precision of rhythm when songs are more complex is a bit more challenging. Think about a Hendrix guitar solo. These are not always the easiest things to replicate. You'll need to really develop your ear training for this.A third option might be to sign up for a guitar lesson or guitar course. But guitar lessons will be better over time with regular practice, and won’t just produce immediate results.If you choose to go with the songbook option, it’s pretty easy. You’ll just need to find the tabs that correspond to your piece of music so that you can replicate the notes and rhythm easily on your guitar. But you'll need to learn how to read the rhythms first!If you decide to go with a musical ear instead, it may take some time and experience to achieve your desired result.Thankfully, here are a few tips to help you reach your goal.The Three Pillars of RhythmFirst of all, in order to learn a piece of music and play all of the chords, you should know that there isn’t just one specific rhythm for each song.There are dozens of different ways to play a piece of music and replicate its rhythm, and the one that you choose has more to do with the style you’re going for than anything else.But to bring your music to life, you must master the rhythm. (And learning to read and play guitar chords is essential too!)Learning the rhythm requires getting three key factors right - your foot, your right hand, and your head.Pillar 1 â€" Your FootIn fact, learning the rhythm for a piece of music often means putting your foot to work.Your foot can serve as your foundation for defining your tempo and will help keep the beat.Working with your foot is easy â€" just tap it to the beat. Make sure that you move your foot regularly and don’t stop or slow down.  Even if at the beginning it takes a bit of attention to keep tapping your foot, it’ll soon become second nature.You can use whichever foot is more comfortable in a given moment, some musicians even switch feet in the middle of a song .However, there are a couple of basic guidelines for keeping time with your foot:Only one foot should be moving at a given time.Your foot hits the floor on each beat.For example, take a piece of normal music, and start counting 1, 2, 3, 4.Use your metronome and set it to 60 to pulse on the beat.  Each time the metronome clicks, tap your foot on the ground.  Between each click, your foot goes up and comes back down.  It’s very important to tap your foot in time with the metronome.As long as you keep this movement going, you will find that the rest of your rhythmic work will fit into place with this beat.Pillar 2 â€" Your Right HandYour right hand is the hand that strums the strings on your guitar.This hand will begin to move in spite of itself and follow the movements of your foot. This way it will never lose the rhythm of your playing.  When your foot rises, your hand will also rise, and when your foot goes down, so should your hand.In this way, your hand will follow the movements of your foot.  How should you train your hand? Use the same method as before, start your metronome, and begin to tap your foot.Once your foot is on the beat, add in the movements of your right hand.Keep a precise down-up movement with your right hand, if you are using a pick. You want to move down when your foot taps, and up when your foot is raised.Pillar 3 â€" Your HeadOf course, it’s impossible to learn rhythm without using your head!But what should your head do to learn the rhythm? It’s pretty easy - just count to 4.Take the example of setting your metronome to 60 again and work on a piece of music set in 4/4 (which includes more than 90% of rock, blues, pop, and folk music). Your foot and hand are keeping beat at the same speed.Your brain will begin to learn to count when your foot is tapping the floor â€" 1, 2, 3, 4; 1, 2, 3, 4; 1…etc..Thanks to this easy method, you’ll always know when the top of the bar is.Advice for Finding the Rhythm in a Piece of MusicBesides all of the other techniques and things to keep in mind when you’re playing guitar, here’s some additional advice to help you find your rhythm and learn your favorite piece of music at guitar class.Interpreting the MusicLike we mentioned before, rhythm isn’t just a fixed and permanent value.  It’s something that you need to keep in mind as you learn a piece of music and make it your own.You may have already realized from listening to instrumental segments of music that rhythm is also something that can change, even over the course of a single song.The rhythm of the chords used during the first verse is often different from the rhythm used in the third, say.In fact, musicians and singers will often tweak and play with a piece of music, performing certain portions differently from the way that they were originally written.All guitarists need to know their guitar rhythms - and that includes you.Make the rhythm yours when you perform your music!This difference in the rhythm is espec ially audible during live concerts and performances.So always keep this in mind â€" there isn’t just one rhythm to follow, but several depending on how you’re feeling in any given moment.Don’t Necessarily Try to Match the Original RhythmWhen you first start playing guitar, you’ll often want to learn your favorite song and try to play it at the same speed as the original.However, it will take time, patience, and perseverance before you can play a song at the same speed as the greats.Start by choosing easy songs with a basic rhythm, and then work up to more complicated pieces as you improve.  Keep in mind that you aren’t automatically going to be able to play at the same level as someone who’s released an album!But the important thing here is that, unless you want to, you don't need to necessarily replicate precisely  the rhythm of the song you are playing. Make it your own!Take the Context into ConsiderationWhen you’re trying to replicate a favorite piece of music, take a couple of minutes to think about how that music was made.A typical group is often made up of two guitarists, one bassist, a keyboard, a drummer, a singer, and maybe one or two other instruments.With all of these other players, the guitarists must often keep to simple rhythms so that the other instruments can be heard and appreciated as well.Sometimes you can find yourself playing a rhythm that’s a bit boring.  Try and find a more interesting rhythm which has more complexity and can be played on its own on the guitar.Get in the rhythm with bass guitar lessons!Make Your Own VersionWhen you’re learning existing songs, whether it’s by listening to a CD or watching a video on YouTube, you’ll never be able to reproduce exactly the same rhythm and notes. This is because each musician has their own style, preferences, and influences - and you will too!Learn how to make a piece of music your own, and experiment with changing and modifying the rhythm to reflect your current feeling s.The more you play with a piece of music, the more interesting it will be to listen to.Is it time to change your guitar strings? Find out how with this easy guide...The key to acing guitar rhythms is by listening.Don’t hesitate to try things out for yourself. The more you play, the better your reflexes and your ear for the music will become.Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, work and practice are the keys to playing well.However, don’t just play nonsense - some rhythms will sound really terrible with some pieces of music.You’ll have to figure out how many beats there are per measure, and then take that into consideration to find the right rhythm for your song.As you can see, getting the rhythm right is a key part of replicating a piece of music on the guitar. Some genres, such as rock or blues, really rely on the rhythm of their songs to give them a certain feel, and if you don’t get the rhythm right the song may no longer be recognizable.Maybe you hav en’t actually bought a guitar yet? Or maybe you’re just starting to work on arpeggios?

An Introverts Guide to Moving - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / An Introverts Guide to Moving - Introvert Whisperer An Introverts Guide to Moving Kayla Matthews May 17, 2019 Adaptability No responses Go to top Moving is stressful, no matter who you are. But as an introvert, moving comes with everything you detest, from talking to potential landlords to trying to make new friends. Unfortunately, moving is a necessary evil in life. According to one study, the average person moves more than 11 times in their lifetime. If youre facing a big move â€" like heading away to college, searching for a new apartment or even moving back home â€" the anxiety and apprehension may already be creeping in. Perhaps youre worried about getting lost in a strange city. Maybe youre concerned about meeting new people. Or perhaps youre just bummed about having to find a new pizza joint. No matter your anxieties, worrying is a normal part of any move. While theres a lot thats out of your control, theres still plenty you can do to put yourself more at ease in a new environment. How to Survive Your Next Move If your next move is on the horizon, start planning now to make the experience as easy as possible. The eight tips below are designed to help introverts like you adapt and feel more comfortable. Take Time Off A move is going to take valuable man hours, so dont stress yourself further by trying to balance work and relocating. Take a few days off to focus on packing boxes and getting prepared. Keep your boxes organized and labeled, using a permanent marker to indicate which contain kitchen items versus bedroom items. By planning ahead and scheduling time off, you can avoid the stress of asking around for last-minute help. Start to Unpack Get started unpacking as soon as you move, decorating your space to make it your own. Hang up any artwork you brought over, set up your knick-knacks and display your favorite photographs. Or, you can even get adventurous and use wall decorations and hanging shelves for belongings like books and collectibles. By unpacking, you can start to feel at home right away. Seek Other Introverts Whether youre moving to a college dorm or shared apartment, you can take steps to ensure your new living space is comfortable. When meeting with potential roommates, ask them if theyre an introvert or extrovert. By finding someone who has  introverted traits and qualities  similar to you, youre more likely to have a space where you can each enjoy privacy and feel relaxed. As a bonus, you may even find your introverted qualities bring you together to foster a new friendship. Keep it Short If you want to introduce yourself to new neighbors â€" or you find yourself ambushed in the hallway â€" give yourself a much-needed reprieve by keeping the interaction short. Have a deadline of five or ten minutes, after which you can gracefully bow out and head back to your sanctuary. This deadline allows you to socialize and meet new people without getting overwhelmed. Each interaction after that, no matter how short, will get easier. Invest in Headphones As an introvert, you might dread that tap on the shoulder or other indication that someone is looking to chat. Youd rather keep your head down and stay to yourself. But it can be hard to tell others you dont feel like talking without looking rude. One easy fix â€" wear a pair of headphones. Whether you want to listen to music or enjoy a silent walk, wearing a pair of headphones is an easy deterrent to any Chatty Kathy that might get in your way. Use a Buffer As an introvert, one of the best ways to feel more at ease when meeting new people is to find a buffer. A buffer is something besides conversation which keeps the group occupied, like ice cream at a colleges dorm social party. Other great buffers include board games, video games, movies and sports. While you might still feel anxious, a buffer can help take the edge off and give you something to talk about. Join a Class You dont have to find a wild group of friends to hang around, but even an introvert needs a pal or two. By taking a class or joining a group, you can meet people who have similar interests, giving you common ground to form a bond. If you stick around long enough, youre bound to make a friend. Check out the local community center for activities such as art lessons, exercise classes and more. Or search on websites like Meetup for a local interest group you can join, like a photography club or dog walking group. Find the Library If youre moving back home or share an apartment with a roommate, you may have to find another space to recharge. As a place where silence is expected, the library has been a long-time sanctuary to introverts everywhere. Most are free to join and offer access to books, movies, games, computers and much more. Take your notes and study for an upcoming exam or grab a book and disappear into a new world. How to Make Your Move Easier Even in a big and bustling city, theres plenty you can to ease the transition of moving and find a place thats your own. While you can use headphones to avoid conversations and keep interactions with neighbors to a minimum, what an introvert ultimately needs is a chance to be alone and recharge. Once you have a space you can call your own, you can take the steps to slowly meet new people and start to feel at home in your new location. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Volume of a Pyramid Formula Tutors

Volume of a Pyramid Formula Tutors A pyramid is a 3-dimensional solid geometric figure which consists of a base and there are 4 triangles placed on the base. The 4 triangles connect the base to the topmost point of the pyramid known as the apex or the vertex of the pyramid. Volume of a pyramid is the measure of the space contained inside it. There can be different kinds of bases such as a square base or a rectangular base and the volume depends on the height and the area of its base. Example 1: What is the volume of a rectangular base pyramid whose base length is 6m, width is 5m and the height is 8m? Given base length of the pyramid, l = 6m Width of the base, w = 5m Height of the pyramid, h = 8m Volume of the pyramid, V = 1/3 * Area of the base * height Area of the rectangular base = length * width = 6m * 5m = 30m2 Volume, V = 1/3 * 30m 2 * 8m = 80m3 Therefore, volume of the given pyramid, V = 80m3 Example 2: What is the volume of a square base pyramid whose base length is 7m and the height is 12m? Given base length of the pyramid, b = 7m Height of the pyramid, h = 12m Volume of the pyramid, V = 1/3 * Area of the base * height Area of the square base = b2 = (7m)2 = 49m2 Volume, V = 1/3 * 49m 2 * 12m = 196m3 Therefore, volume of the given pyramid, V = 196m3

How to Choose Summer Activities for Your College Applications

How to Choose Summer Activities for Your College Applications The following piece was written by Rachel Korn. Rachel has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert seriesand is a former University of Pennsylvaniaadmissions officer, as well as the founder of her own admissions consulting firm. In your applications to college, you will be asked what you did during your high school summers. Why? Your choices of summer activities actually say a lot about your personality, what you love, and your skills. Admissions offices care about your summer activities because they want you to be productive. They do not expect you to work all the time and never play in fact, admissions officers lament that this does not happen often enough, that today it is hard for a kid to just be a kid but they do want to see you engaging. They want you to be following some passion, exploring, challenging yourself, and hopefully, just like in your activities during the school year, taking on some leadership if applicable. And there is no one right activity. Indeed, there are infinite directions you can go during your summers: you can work, earn an internship, take a vacation, take a class, get involved with an organization or create your own activity around one of your passions. Let me share some examples of specifically what you can do depending on your interests: If you ultimately want to be a newspaper writer, intern at a newspaper. If your serious hobby is dance or music, attend a performing arts camp and try to perfect your craft. If you are a skilled athlete, sign up for sports workshops. If you love science, enroll in science classes at a college and push beyond your high school curriculum. If you want to become an entrepreneur and develop a start-up, build your first one. But what if you need to babysit a younger sibling or you need to work full-time either to support your family or to finance your car insurance and gas? Thats okay, too. In your application, you will be asked about your family, their jobs, and where you live. From this information, admissions officers will know that work is a necessity. They do not judge that in any negative way. In fact, they fully respect it and it means you know how to be responsible already. On the other end of the spectrum are those students fortunate to have the ability and financial means to take time off. Maybe you can attend summer school, find a non-paying internship, volunteer, or travel and explore the world. If this is your passion, go for it. However, note that passion is key. Choose these activities because they excite you. These kinds of opportunities will be given full credit for how great they are only if they are part of a larger pattern of your demonstrated interests. A fancy title will not impress on its own. The skill or interest behind earning the fancy title impresses. What about being original? Dont you have to do something to stand out from the crowd? While it is still possible today to win some creativity points if you spend your time engaging in something truly unusual, it is the very rare student who does. Even those unique summer activities still fall under very general headings performing arts, academic exploration, volunteer work, interning, building a start-up, etc. If you have an exceptional idea, by all means pursue it, but know that you can be distinctive sometimes just by doing what you already do well. Most important, truly, is what you get out of your activities and how you learn and grow. You will be able to share that information in your college essays, but summer activities are far more valuable than just lines in an application they are the chance to develop your abilities and personality. They give you lifelong value. That is why they ultimately matter. Thus, when developing your summer plans, explore, be thoughtful and find what interests you. It makes you more interesting. Visit RachelsAdmissions Consultingsite. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Ask an Admissions Expert Deena Maerowitz

Ask an Admissions Expert Deena Maerowitz Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Deena Maerowitz was previously the Associate Director of Admissions at the Columbia UniversityBusiness School. She holds a professional membership in the Independent Educational Consultants Association and is also a member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants. Deena currently works with students on their college applications with a personalized approach in guiding them through the college admissions process through her independent consulting firm. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Deena: I would say that it doesn't hurt to become familiar with the common app and the process for applying in the spring of junior year. I work with clients on applications and essays during the summer prior to senior year. Of course, its always great to try to visit campuses when they are in session, and if you can do this during your sophomore and junior year, youll be ahead of the game. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Deena: Think about a time, a snapshot in your life, where you really learned something about yourself. Try to identify a time of growth, development, and a real interest in your life. The most important thing about the admissions essay is that its about an experience that only you have had. This doesnt mean you cant write about something that you do with a team, or that other kids participate in, but it means that the story you tell about your experience should be one that only you could tell. Focus on times when youve really challenged yourself to think differently about something, or how your views on an experience have impacted who you are now. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Deena: I'd definitely say that applicants should stay away fromwriting about things that arent really about you, re: it focuses on someone else's experience and not about how that person or event impacted you. Some other things not to do? Dont write about how you dont want to write the essay, or become too abstract or rhetorical. Dont use the essay to rally against the admissions process. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Deena: Not knowing enough about the college and why it's a good fit. Not thinking through essays or application questions. Not making the effort to visit if you're close by is also a sign that youre not really taking this college seriously. Make sure that every step of the way, through your visits to campus, interviews, essays, etc., that youre conveying your knowledge of the college and why you want to be there. Conveying a lack of interest is a big mistake. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Deena:I would read applications, take notes on the side, give my thoughts, and pass onto another member of the committee. Often, I would re-read essays and give myself some time to think about the applicant, what they would bring to the community, and how they would fit in with the academics of life on campus. Often, one admissions officer will advocate for a particular applicant once they form a relationship with that candidates application, and sometimes especially when theyve met them in person and are impressed with what theyve seen. 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? Deena: What they will bring to the community, why that college is a fit for them, and how they know that about themselves. Applicants should take this process seriously. Applying to college is hard, but try to think about it as a step by step process. Its important not to rush through the process. Each step, research, visits, interviews, and essays are important, so if you have the opportunity and time to experience the college as much as you can before you apply, you should. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Deena: Visit, research departments, Google professors and areas of interest, and see what turns up. Talk to students, get off the beaten path on campus visits. Taste the food, sit in on a class, see what is happening on weekends. Look at the dorms that they don't show you on the tour. Check out what people are doing in the library. There are so many ways to determine what life is like on campus. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Deena: It really depends. Early decision is great for applicants that absolutely know that a particular school is their first choice, and that they will not regret withdrawing applications from other schools if they're accepted. Many colleges accept Early Decision applicants at a higher rate than those from the regular decision pool. I also think that Early Action is a great way for students to find out sooner about admissions so that April and May dont feel so loaded. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Deena: They are incredibly important, but of course, not at all the only thing! Colleges want to know what you will bring to the community, what your interests are, what type of thinker you are, and what you are like as a person. What sports do you enjoy? What clubs? How have you been a leader? Admissions committees will look for a link in a students experience. So, its more important to show commitment and focus in outside activities than to be scattered. Grades and scores count, but so do all of the other aspects of what you can convey about who you are and what youve achieved. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Deena: I suggest they bring a resum to their teacher, to give them a more full understanding as to who they are outside the classroom. I also suggest students hold onto their best pieces of work from that class and are able to really articulate important issues they learned about or why that class was important to them. Do whatever you can to make the process easier for your teacher, and don't forget to waive your right to see the recommendation, and to thank your teacher for their help! For more information, visit UndergradAdmit.com. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.