STEM Activities for Fall

Must-Try STEAM/STEM Activities for Fall You are likely familiar with STEM (or science, technology, engineering, and math) as an education movement across schools in the U.S. A newer movement, STEAM, includes an A for art as a bridge to the other disciplines, as well as an essential component for driving innovation and problem-solving. Introducing your student to STEAM and STEM through engaging activities can be very beneficial. STEAM/STEM activities for fall can include exploring nature, experimenting with building and design activities, and getting a jump start on a science fair project. Interested in incorporating STEAM and STEM activities into the autumn months? Keep reading for must-try STEAM/STEM activities for fall: [RELATED: What is the STEAM Movement?] Explore nature with fall STEAM/STEM activities The world is your oyster when it comes to learning about nature via STEAM or STEM. Look around your backyard or a public park for elements to observe in your natural environment: for instance, mushrooms and tree rings, as well as more autumnal items like fallen leaves and pine cones. Go on a scavenger hunt outdoors for naturally occurring fractals, and then recreate them at home with art supplies. On cooler days, bring nature insidegrow flowers or other plants indoors, and record their development. Trace the veins of autumn leaves, and then research the purpose of these veins. Use fall STEAM/STEM activities to build and design objects The process of building and designing objects develops engineering skills, and it asks students to problem-solve questions of physics and balance. Try a classic activity, like building the perfect egg drop contraption. Experiment with various materials, like wood, paper, marshmallows, and clay. Build a structure using bamboo skewers joined by balls of clay or gumdrops, or make a geodesic dome by feeding pipe cleaners through straws and securing them. Dont forget to consider different types of structures, such as bridges and boats. On the design end, origami is a great STEAM-based learning activity that touches on fractions, geometry, and physics. Follow instructions to make a specific design, or try multiple ways to create the same design. Draw mazes and use magnets, on both sides of the paper, to move through the maze. Experiment with different art materials like watercolors, vinegar, oil, and dish soap, which you can use for tie dye or other paper projects. [RELATED: 4 Ways to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills] Get a head start on science fair projects with fall STEAM/STEM activities Fall is a great time to try various science experiments, especially ahead of the science fair that often takes place in the spring. Make a volcano, create a water cycle in a plastic bag, or grow flowers in the dark. Whip up a batch of Oobleck, a mixture of cornstarch and water that acts like a liquid and a solid based on how you interact with it. Ask your childs science teacher for ideas, or find books that pertain to your students interests. [RELATED: 3 Ways to Get Ahead on Your Students Science Fair Project] Fall is a great time of transitionboth in nature and at schoolthat is ripe for STEAM and STEM activities. Have fun! 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 at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Violin Lessons for Beginners

Violin Lessons for Beginners Learn How to Play the Violin as a Complete Beginner ChaptersFirst Impressions: Get to Know Your InstrumentViolin Lessons for Beginners: What Can You Expect?What Will You Learn in Beginner Violin Lessons?It’s not difficult to be inspired by an instrument as beautiful and interesting as the violin.Whether it’s the perfectly coordinated bowing of the string section in a philharmonic symphony orchestra or a particular piece which showcases the violin (such as Vivaldi’s Spring from The Four Seasons), the violin is truly mesmerising.Are you thinking about learning to play the violin? Learning how to play the violin from scratch can be daunting.So, what do you need to bear in mind as a beginner violinist? Are there any top tips  on violin for beginners to help you along the way?If you or your child wants to start taking music classes but you’re in-the-dark about what to expect, Superprof is here to help!How do you take care of a violin? What will I learn in my violin lessons? Can you gain qualifications in a musical instrument? This guide to learning the violin will answer all of these questions and more! TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFirst Impressions: Get to Know Your InstrumentGoing to a specialist music or violin shop to get your very first violin can be quite daunting if you’re not already familiar with the instrument.The first thing any new violinist should know is that violins come in a range of sizes. Why? Because the size of a violin affects a musician’s abil ity to play it properly and comfortably.Violins usually come in six different sizes for beginners, which are denoted by fractions ranging from 1/16 size to 4/4 size (or full size).Your violin will be matched to you based on the length of your arm: with a violin of the correct size, you should be able to comfortably hold the scroll of the violin in the palm of the left hand.Discover the different violin lessons Glasgow here.Playing the correct size violin is incredibly important for beginners ¦ source: Pixabay - musik-tongerSo, once you’ve brought your instrument home, what should you do next?When you open up your violin case, you’ll find your violin as well as your bow.The first thing you should do is look closely at the way in which the violin is fitted into its case. The padding in musical instrument is shaped to keep instruments cushioned yet secure â€" so it’s important that you know how to properly put your violin away after your practice sessions.Another top tip is to a void touching the hair of the violin bow with your hands! The horsehair that violin bows are made from is very absorbent, so dirtying it with oil from your hands will affect the quality of the sound it produces.Musical instruments, and string instruments in particular are fragile, so knowing how properly take care of it as well as learning how to set up your violin is essential (the experts in music shops can help you with this).You will learn about maintaining your violin at an early stage in your musical instruction. The first thing you will be taught is tightening and loosening your bow before and after playing the violin.Tighten the screw at the end of the bow until you feel some resistance but the horsehair is not taut. Next, apply rosin to the bow. Rosin helps the bow grip to the violin strings to produce a sound, rather than simply gliding over them. It comes in block and powder form and can be bought in most musical instrument shops.Once you can have finished playing your vi olin, loosen the horsehair before putting the bow back in the violin case.It is also a good idea to wipe down your violin with a dry cloth. This will help prevent the build-up of dust which can affect the instrument’s performance.Your violin teacher will be the best person to advise you on getting to know the smallest member of the family of stringed instruments, whether it’s making practices more comfortable with a sturdy chair or finding a good shoulder rest to fit to your instrument, or any other violin equipment you might need.Violin Lessons for Beginners: What Can You Expect?If you’re a complete newbie to the world of violin music lessons, it may seem mysterious at first, but never fear! Superprof is here to tell you what to expect in your violin lessons.(Find out how much violin lessons cost.)So, what usually happens in music lessons?Each violin lesson will usually be divided into three main sections:Warm upExercisesPiecesJust as you would do before playing a sport, you need to warm up  and check your tuning before you attempt to play pieces on your violin.Warming up is about getting your brain in music mode and making sure that you’re in the right frame of mind to practice and learn.Just like in sport, warming up before you play music is essential ¦ source: Pixabay - RoAllFor violinists, warming up usually consists of quickly running through scales and experimenting with the bowing to create a legato or staccato sound, or even putting down the bow and plucking the strings with your fingers, which is called pizzicato.Quickly running through your violin scales will warm up your fingers and jog your memory as you recall the key signature and notes for each scale.If you’re a complete beginner, some of this musical jargon may seem like a foreign language â€" but don’t worry! Your violin teacher will quickly be able to teach you about what these words mean.Technical exercises usually follow warm ups. Exercises are all about getting you used to ha ndling your instrument and developing muscle memory for tricky combinations of notes which are common in solo and orchestral pieces (such as chromatic scales and arpeggios).Once you have properly warmed up and your brain is in gear, you’ll be ready to start working on your pieces!Your violin tutor will set you several pieces to work on over the course of a few weeks. The objective of working on pieces is to develop your sense of rhythm, musicality and performance skills.As a complete beginner, the pieces you are assigned will only be short at first, but you can expect to be working on about three pieces of music at any one time. For example, after your first few lessons you might be given Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Au Clair de la Lune and Ode to Joy to work on at home.The pieces you are given are to be practiced at home. Practicing the violin on a regular basis is essential if you’re serious about making progress.Once your teacher feels that you are on the right track, they wi ll suggest that you prepare to take exams in the violin.Musical examinations are not compulsory for those who are learning for enjoyment, however, preparing for them is a great way to ensure that you are constantly advancing in your learning.ABRSM music exams are rated in difficulty with a system of grades ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 8.Every year, new pieces and requirements are assigned to each grade in the music syllabus you’re your teacher will have plenty of previous examination material to help you practice before you delve into your own pieces.In order to fulfil the requirements of the syllabus, you will need to select three pieces to play by choosing one piece from each of the three lists in the ABRSM syllabus. Usually, two of the pieces will have a piano accompaniment, and the final piece will be a study or etude (performed without any additional accompaniment).Don’t be put off by the idea of searching for  violin lessons near me because of music exams. Remember: theyâ €™re not obligatory and they’re not as scary as you think!What Will You Learn in Beginner Violin Lessons?Before you become a violin virtuoso who can sight-read any solo by Vivaldi or Paganini, you’ll need to master the basics of playing the violin.Playing the violin is about far more than producing a good sound and being able to play your scales incredibly quickly.Regardless of your objectives when it comes to playing the violin, if you’re going to get anywhere in your musical career, you need to lay the groundwork.Thankfully, by taking violin lessons, you’ll be introduced to and immersed in the world of music from day one.The first thing you learn is likely to involve learning how to hold the violin and bow properly.Your violin teacher will show you the correct position for holding the violin’s bow as well as where you should position your hand on the neck of the violin to be able to reach the fingerboard.Getting into good habits at an early stage in your learning will he lp you avoid problems with your posture, intonation, fingering, vibrato and placement later on in your progress.One of the most important things you will learn in your music lessons is how to read music.Once you've learnt to read music, you'll never have to learn again! ¦ source: Pixabay - loriaamIf you don’t already know how to read musical notation, you’re probably aware of how it looks â€" and learning what the blobs and sticks mean will help you make sense of it!The musical notation on violin sheet music may look complex at first, but your violin teacher will help you learn to play it one note at a time.In addition to the notes on the stave, you’ll also need to be able to understand musical directions in pieces, which take the form of symbols and words.Look up for violin teacher London  now.It may surprise you to find out that the worded directions are usually in Italian. This means that you’ll have to learn to understand a few words of Italian such as crescendo and and ante to be able to fully understand how you should be performing the music.If you decide you want to learn violin, you'll find that's it's a challenge, but it is incredibly rewarding. So, regardless of your age, experience and confidence, if you dream of taking up the violin, what’s stopping you?

MCAT Or GPA More Important For Med School

MCAT Or GPA More Important For Med School It depends on the med school. But, the easy answer is: MCAT. Some med schools believe that GPA is a better indicator of future success because it measures your work ethic and determination. However, your MCAT score is the only factor that is completely objective. It is the only factor that can compare all students evenly. Admissions counselors can support every decision they make with a students MCAT score, and they have no problem making definitive answers based on your MCAT. But, some schools will place equal importance on MCAT and GPA. Some med school admissions counselors use a metric to form an aggregate value of your GPA and MCAT score. They use this complex metric: MCAT + (GPA*10) - 1, which boils down to every 1 point of your MCAT being equal to 0.1 point of your GPA. Think of it this way, you get one point for each point on your MCAT, and an additional point for each 0.1 point of your GPA. So, if your combined MCAT score is 25, and your GPA is 2.5, your aggregate score is 50. But, its not that simple because its not all about your aggregate score. Most colleges have MCAT/GPA benchmarks that you must meet to be considered. You can look through our MCATtutors to get a sense of what a strong med school candidate looks like. Top med schools want to see a strong balance between your GPA and MCAT. In theory, you could score a 38 on your MCAT (which will put you above most med schools average score) and have a 2.9 GPA. That would yield an aggregate score of 67, which is fairly competitive. But, most schools would rather see a 3.5 GPA and an MCAT score of 32. Some top schools require at least a 3.5 GPA and at least a combined MCATscore of 30. And if you dont have these scores, you wont even be considered. A 3.5/30 will make you relevant at most medicalschools, but you may need 3.5/33 to be competitive. A high MCAT score can bring up a lower GPA and vice versa but only to a certain extent. A low score on either will draw red flags, making you unlikely to be accepted. Other schools look at your objective factors as a checklist, meaning there is no real difference between a 3.9 GPA and a 3.6 GPA. If you have a 3.5 or better, you meet that credential, and then you are still being considered. This can be the same for your MCAT score. Learn how MCAT tutorscan help you improve your chances of acceptance into a top med school. But, 3.5 is the minimum GPA you should achieve, and anything less than that could hurt your chances of being accepted into a top medical school. Med school admissions counselors all say they look at students holistically, considering GPA, MCAT, experience, interview, research, resume, etc. However, at most schools, you have to get past the GPA and MCAT benchmarks first.

Find Acting Classes In Edinburgh

Find Acting Classes In Edinburgh Your Next Acting Coach Could Be Around The Corner In Edinburgh ChaptersWhy Study Acting?Why Take Acting Classes In Edinburgh?How Do I Know If An Acting Class Is Right For Me?Take Advantage Of Formal QualificationsOr Take An Acting Course At Your Own PaceThere are a lot of perks to being a successful actor, such as:The recognition you get from both audience members and your fellow actors;The ability to travel to perform a role; orThe chance to portray a variety of different characters, each with their unique complexities and quirks.However, as with any skill, becoming a good actor takes time, skill, patience, and perseverance. Luckily, one very simple way to get better at acting is to take acting lessons.This article outlines where you can study acting in Edinburgh, and what to think about before you book on your next course.Being a better comedian by developing your improv skills;Being more assertive in the workplace or everyday situations; andBuilding your confidence more generally.There are lots of drama courses out there that acknowledge the benefits of developing acting skills within a corporate setting.For example, Edinburgh Acting School offers private and corporate lessons, which can be tailored depending on your specific goals. So, whether you think acting lessons would improve team dynamics at work, or you need help with your public speaking, there are courses out there that can help.Take good drama classes near me on Superprof.You can take advantage of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival when taking acting classes in Edinburgh (Image Source: Pixabay)Why Take Acting Classes In Edinburgh?Although you can find acting courses in pretty much any major city within the UK, there is another reason to take acting classes in Edinburgh specifically (aside from the range of courses on offer).That reason is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.Every year for three weeks in August, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival plays hosts to a huge array of performances, including:Plays and physical theatre;Comedy and cabaret;Spoken word and musicals; and Dance and circus, to name a few.Thousands of different performances take place over the three weeks. Some performances are by famous acts. For example, the Fringe is well known for its comedy, with most major comedians performing at the Fringe, from Stephen Fry to Phil Wang. However, there are plenty of performances from actors, comics, or other performers looking for their break.As an acting student, the Fringe gives you thousands of opportunities to experience different performances, learn from those events, and also potentially take part in shows as well. This makes it a wonderfully useful resource to make use of if you are interested in pursuing acting or performance more generally, either as a career or as a hobby.Whether the acting course focusses on a specific subject matter;What your existing acting ability level is; andHow much time you have to commit to acting classes.Let’s look at some of these factors in more detail.The Type Of Acting CourseOne of the first things you should think about when looking for a drama course is the type you want to take. This is because there are a lot of different areas to study when it comes to acting, so ideally you should pick a course that focusses on the topics you’d like to learn more about.For example, you can find dedicated improvisation classes, classes that concentrate solely on the audition process, as well as general acting classes that focus on topics such as acting techniques (method, Meisner etc).Course CostAlthough in a perfect world money would be no object, the truth is that you shouldn’t book onto a drama course if you can’t afford the fees.Thankfully, Edinburgh has lots of different drama schools and acting programmes available, so you should be able to find a course that suits your budget, whether that means finding a private tutor, going to drop-in acting classes, or taking a long-term acting course.There are lots of places where you can study acting in Edinburgh (Image Source: Pixabay)Take Advantage Of Formal QualificationsIf you are committed to learning more about acting, whether that means developing your understanding of character acting and conveying emotion, learning about the ins and outs of the industry, or what you can do to improve your chances of landing a role, there are formal drama and acting qualifications out there that you can take.For example, one way you can study towards a formal qualification in acting in Edinburgh is to take a BA in acting. Edinburgh Napier University, for example, offers the following BA (Hons) courses:Acting and EnglishActing for Stage and ScreenBoth courses are full-time and they should equip you with skills and opportunities such as:Landing on your feet post-degree by having a “career action plan, a showreel and significant acting experience”;Having the chance to present a show yourself at the Fringe Festival; andWorking on both the stage as well as the screen.Of course, you might not be able to commit to full-time study when it comes to developing your talents as an actor.If that’s the case, fear not, as there are other courses and qualifications available in drama schools in Edinburgh that do not take as long to study for as a university degree.For example, Acting Out Drama School offers an acting diploma course as well as a directing and devising diploma course. The acting diploma course is a part-time offering, primarily completed through distance study, which aims to prepare its participants for working in the “professional world”. The course can last for up to one year. A similar offering is also available for those that undertake the directing diploma.There are both formal and informal study options available if you're looking for acting classes in Edinburgh (Image Source: Pixabay)Or Take An Acting Course At Your Own PaceIf you want to become a better actor, don’t feel as though you need to have a formal qualification under your belt.Although formal acting qualifications, such as thos e listed above, can really help provide you with the foundations of acting, from both a practical and theoretical perspective, if you don’t have the time to commit to a full acting qualification, you can still improve by going to acting classes and learning as much about the craft as possible.Whether that means:Checking out the Fringe Festival each year to see different types of improv, plays, or physical theatre;Going to different acting classes to develop specific skills (such as cold reading, audition technique, or on-camera work); orFinding out more about different acting methods, such as method acting, the Meisner technique, or the Stanislavsky  method,You’ll be giving yourself the best opportunity to improve as an actor.Equally, if there’s a specific area of acting that you’d like help with, or just want to have intensive classes that focus on the areas you’re most interested in, then you could consider hiring a private acting tutor.A private acting tutor, such as on e available on Superprof, offers a way to learn more about acting in a way that fits your schedule. If you find that you can’t commit to full-time study, want more practice outside of your drama classes, or just want to take acting classes occasionally, a private acting tutor can help you whenever you need it.Superprof has many tutors in Edinburgh that can help with either in-person or online-only lessons. What’s more, private tuition doesn’t necessarily mean one-on-one lessons only. If you have a group of people that you’d like to work with, for example by reading through a group scene together, then acting tutors can also work with groups as well.So if you need some extra help preparing for a particular scene, want to improve your script analysis, or just want to spend some extra time perfecting your abilities, personalised tutoring could be the way to go.Just enter your postcode to find out which local acting tutors are available to help you.Find more acting classes in th e UK:Acting classes in the UKActing classes in LondonActing classes in ManchesterActing classes in GlasgowActing classes in BirminghamActing classes in BelfastActing classes in LeedsActing classes in Cardiff

Helping with Homework Tips for Kids

Helping with Homework Tips for Kids For many parents, one of the most stressful aspects of the school experience is the nightly homework routineor lack thereof. Does the mere mention of homework cause your child to go running in the other direction? Is your child at the age where he or she should be doing homework independently, but isnt? Does your child procrastinate so much that homework is too often a stressful, late-night battle that is dreaded by the entire family? The good news is that homework time doesnt need to look like thisand in fact, there are a number of changes you can make at home to help your child become more focused, efficient and effective during homework time. Here are a few dos and donts when helping your child with homework: Do have your child set goals. Have your child set goals at the start of each and every homework session. Your child should list out the assignments he or she needs to complete and rank them in order of priority. To get your child into the habit of managing time, try breaking down assignments into smaller tasks, and have your child estimate how much time each task will take. Then, use a timer to help keep your child on track. Dont put yourself in charge of keeping your child on task. Certainly, in the early grades, your child may need more guidance, direction and management during homework time, but as time goes on, always strive to put your child in the drivers seat when it comes to goal-setting and time management during study sessions. Do make homework a priority. Studies show that when parents make school a priority and regularly express its importance, children feel more committed to school. Treat homework like a top family priority and schedule all other activities around it (and not the other way around). Remind your child that school is his or her responsibility, just as you have responsibilities as a parent and employee. Dont homework bash. Lets face it: there may be times when your students homework seems confusing to you both. There may be nights when your child is overwhelmed by the volume of what he or she is supposed to do and it frustrates you. And there may be moments when you can relate to how your child is feeling about homework. However, it will not help matters to agree with your child that homework is stupid and pointless or to empathize that you also hate reading. Do your best to remain positive about homework and school and their importance. Do encourage and incentivize the right way. Sometimes, children need a little encouragement with homework, and its fine to offer small rewards for achieving goals. For example, if your procrastinator child completes homework within a reasonable timeframe for five nights in a row, perhaps he or she could earn a privilege such as a sleepover with friends or an extra hour of TV at the end of the week. Its also helpful to offer small bonuses during homework, too. For example, after 30 minutes of good effort toward homework, give your child a five-minute break to text a friend or go outside. Dont bargain, nag, threaten or bribe. If your child resists homework, it is easy to fall into the trap of yelling to force him or her to do what you want or even to bribe him or her with rewards (or alternatively, punishment). These strategies are short-term fixesif that. To truly help your child in the long run, you must get him or her to buy into the importance of homework, which cannot be accomplished through threats or arguments. Instead, set an expectation with your child that homework will be completed each night, set aside sufficient time for homework and support your child in his or her efforts. Homework doesnt have to be a source of conflict. By establishing and sticking to a routine, setting expectations with your child that he or she will put in effort to complete homework on time and to the best of his or her ability, and praising your childs efforts, you can take much of the stress out of the process. It is also important to let your child know that you care about his or her future. Sometimes, homework struggles are a sign of deeper learning issues. If you are concerned that your child might lack the ability to complete his or her homework successfully or independently, or that he or she is struggling with other types of problems, call Huntington at 1-800-CAN-LEARN.

Creating Independent Students

Creating Independent Students Creating Independent Students Whether you teach elementary school or high school, one of your key goals is to help your students become independent, capable learners. In fact, nurturing independence in students is an underpinning of the Common Core State Standards, which state that students who are college and career ready are self-directed learners overall. Just as it is essential for your students to comprehend the content that you teach, it is critical that they become more focused and able to think on their own as they mature as learners. Students need to learn how to develop their ideas, solve problems, seek out resources on their own, and much more. How can you foster such academic independence? Here are a few exercises to incorporate into your lessons that will build essential self-starter competencies: Encourage students to learn from their mistakes. Making mistakes is how students learn, but it is critical that you teach your students to not only recognize their mistakes, but also figure out potential solutions. How? Walk students step by step through solutions to common mistakes, and invite their input so that they comprehend where they went wrong and how to fix it. Always encourage your students to ask questions. Most importantly, let your students know that mistakes are opportunities to confirm understanding of how a problem or process works. Set goals. At the beginning of each year, have students set a number of short- and long-term goalsseveral that are related to your class and several broader life or academic goals. In class or as homework, have students write down the roadblocks standing in the way of their goals and the necessary steps to overcome them. Throughout the year, revisit goals and have students track their progress. The goal-setting process is rich with valuable lessons about working diligently toward the things one wants, taking ownership of ones life and education, beating challenges and more. Strive for intrinsic motivation. While it is tempting to motivate students with extrinsic rewards such as constant praise, prizes or bribes, students who are inspired to learn because they want tointrinsically motivatedare far better off in the long run. So, what can you do to help? Challenge your students. Set the bar high and give them the tools and support to reach it. Urge students to ask questions and think through solutions, and congratulate them for their efforts and progress, not just their grades. The more you can do to encourage students to learn for learnings sake, the more independent they will be. Establish clear rules and procedures. Students of all ages flourish when they know what is expected of them throughout the school day. Equipped with a consistent routine upon which they can rely, your students can be more independent when completing tasks, working on bigger projects and transitioning between activities. This will translate to independence at home, too. Students who know how to function independently and successfully in the classroom are more likely to complete their homework without reminders from parents. Focus on organizational skills. As students move into middle and high school, the art of organization is more critical than ever. Expect students to keep their desks and backpacks tidy and organized. They should have a designated place for everything, from papers to books, so it is quick and easy to get out materials and get to work when you ask them to. A related and equally important concept is time management. Teach your students to keep track of their homework and assignments in a planner or smartphone app. Consider incorporating into each class a few minutes of administration time (during which students can write down assignments and other information, organize their desks and notes, and more). Students must learn to be self-starters and independent thinkers in order to succeed in college and beyond. You can build this aptitude by giving your students opportunities to think, make decisions and learn from their mistakes. Provide your students ample guidance and support and the result will be engaged students who are confident in themselves and their abilities.

Pupils in Northern Ireland start receiving GCSE results

Pupils in Northern Ireland start receiving GCSE results GCSE pupils in Northern Ireland started receiving their results yesterday but will not know their complete set of grades until Thursday. Two thirds of NI GCSEs are set and marked by the local CCEA board, and those results are already making their way into students' hands. Pupils will have to wait until tomorrow, however, to receive the results of the remaining one third of exam papers that are set and marked by English and Welsh exam boards. Schools in NI have successfully lobbied exam boards to bring forward next year's GCSE results by two days so that students will receive all of their results on 24th August 2010. Teachers say the late arrival of GCSE results is an administrative nightmare, especially as some NI schools are re-opening this week and will have to decide very quickly whether to accept or reject pupils who want to study A-levels. School uniform suppliers in Northern Ireland say that some parents have ordered new blazers, skirts and trousers prior to the full publication of GCSE results, hopeful that their children will receive good enough GCSE results tomorrow to progress to A-level study.

A Guide to the LSAT Getting into Law School - TutorNerds

A Guide to the LSAT Getting into Law School - TutorNerds Getting into Law School: An Irvine Law School Admissions Consultant Guide to the LSAT Getting into Law School: An Irvine Law School Admissions Consultant Guide to the LSAT There is a lot to think about when it comes to applying to law school. Students who obtain a JD will have an opportunity for a successful career in many different areas of the field. Applying to, and attending, law school is no joke and applicants should be prepared for extensive study and preparation. Although there are many things required to apply successfully to law school, one thing every student will have to do is take the LSAT. The LSAT will test a students ability to be successful in law school as well as their skills in analyzing text, reason, and logic. To gain acceptance to a well-respected university, students should aim to score well above average on the LSAT. 1. What is the LSAT? Applicants to law school must take the LSAT. The LSAT provides a standard of verbal and reasoning skills that universities can use to determine if an applicant is appropriate for their program. These skills are essential to success in any law program. There are three question types on the LSAT all of which are multiple choice. They include reading comprehension questions, analytical reading questions, and logical reasoning questions. Theres also a writing sample given at the end of the exam that will be sent to the applicant’s chosen schools. 2. What are the sections on the LSAT? The test has 5, 35-minute multiple choice sections. Four of the sections will count towards the test taker’s overall score. The fifth section, which will be unknown to the student, is an experimental section (remember the SAT experimental section?). There is also a 35-minute unscored writing sample. LSAT scores can range between 120 and 180. 3. How difficult is the LSAT? Law school is challenging, and so is the LSAT. Students should be prepared to analyze extensively different situations and think logically at an advanced level. Test takers will also need superior written communication and reading comprehension skills. Students who have been out of school for a while will need to brush up on any of the skills they havent been using on a daily basis. Although each student is unique, almost every LSAT prep student will attest to the difficulty of the exam. 4. Information for mature students Students who have taken a break between their undergraduate degree and law school will need to think about several aspects of the application process. If possible, they should speak with an advisor at the university where they received their Bachelor’s. Students who took the LSAT several years ago will probably need to take the exam again as test scores expire after about five years. Additionally, students who will not be able to attend full-time due to family or work obligations should consider which schools can offer them a part-time program or work-study option. Going back to school can be a big change and organization can help students gear up for graduate studies (READ: 7 Tips for Studying While Traveling). 5. More about law school Students considering law school should speak with an advisor at their undergraduate program and get information about the entire process. Students should be prepared for an arduous and detailed journey once they are accepted to a law program so its important they understand the amount of work that will need to be completed. Students will need to compile numerous paperwork in addition to their LSAT scores, including letters of recommendation from professors and official transcripts. Students will also need to pay for their schooling and are encouraged to look into a number of federal, private, and work-study program. Students should also think about the campus environment of schools they apply to. They will need all of their concentration for their studies and so should feel comfortable in the place they will be living and working. Source: http://www.lsac.org/jd Applying to law school? Score high on your LSAT with the help of an Irvine Law School admissions consultant from TutorNerds. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.