Pardon Me, Your Personal Brand Is Still Showing - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Pardon Me, Your Personal Brand Is Still Showing - Introvert Whisperer Pardon Me, Your Personal Brand Is Still Showing Except maybe your brand, what you offer to others, isn’t clear at all. Maybe you’ve felt like your tongue got stuck in your throat at networking meetings when people asked, “So, what is it that you do?” You never have to be caught in the headlights again. Even better, you can create the kind of image that helps you lock down jobs, makes promotions a snap, and gains the respect of your peers. You’ll do that by taking a short and easy journey, guided gently by the hands of a pro who’s worked with hundreds of people just like you. Inside this workbook, you’ll both learn and write the template for your own personal brand at the same time â€" crafting a brand that’s in alignment with your goals. Discover: How to figure out what your personal brand truly is Why your personal brand is vital to your career path How to communicate and demonstrate your brand at work, on social media and other critical places you want to reinforce that branding How to do damage control when you blunder (which will happen at some point) How to reinvent and change your brand when your goals change Don’t get stuck in dead-end jobs or be overlooked anymore.  When you complete this workbook your own brand will pop out like the “S” on Superman’s chest. You’ll be comfortable telling others what you’re all about.  Best of all, your branding will be aligned with your dreams. If you liked “What Color Is My Parachute” or “No More Monday’s: Fire Yourself-and Other Revolutionary Ways to Discover Your True Calling at Work”, you’ll want to add this book to your list. “Easy to read and a snap to go through and institute.  I can see where anyone would benefit, whether they’re just starting their career or reinventing themselves.  This is a classic I’ll refer to if I ever decide to switch careers again.”- Amazon Reviewer Get your copy of Personal Branding Today! Or the Audiobook Version! Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Online trigonometry tutors can turn trigonometry into an easy subject

Online trigonometry tutors can turn trigonometry into an easy subject Today with the fast moving world, children also have to be fast and furious with the kind of work they do. Parents always remain pretty concerned about their child regarding their future. For a child it is very important to have a composed and a bright future. A good future will help the child to live a life of satisfaction and also a life of enjoyment. This process should start from the ground level. People should be more focused with their child and should help them to reach that point from where they can easily taste success. From the very initial days things should be in progress and so good school, proper teachers, good and proper ambience is very important for any student to live a life where education will be important. Parents may think that the entire thing is about money and without money nothing is possible. Yes, it is true that without money nothing is possible and so you need money to provide all these facilities to your child. But one thing can be assured and that is for a good tutor you do not need to spend enough money as it can be reached at your affordable reach. The online tutoring facility is a great way through which you can easily come up with any problem’s solution. The subject may be tough but the efficiency of the teacher will help you to get out of the problem with ease. Have you heard about trigonometry? If yes then you may know what trigonometry is all about. Trigonometry is said as the branch of math that mainly deals with the angles, triangles, sides and properties. Studying and knowing this subject properly will help you to get jobs in many fields. This is a part of mathematics and is considered tough as well. A good teacher can help you out. The first and foremost way to learn or adapt any subject is through properly going through it, knowing which section do you have problem with and how much time does it take to solve the problems. After you have done all these then you can come up with your problems to the teachers. This is the time when you need a good teacher. A good teacher will guide you through all the adversities of the subject and will help the subject become easier and accessible to you. Online teachers are present easily now. You can get in touch with the tutors whenever you think you have problem with the subject. With time the availability of online tutors are getting increased day by day and students are really adapting the concept and enrolling their names in it. It is less time taking way and also an effective one. Now let us analyze some of the benefits of online tutoring that will help you as a parent to know how much helpful it is and how does it work. Online tutoring and its certain benefits Online Tutoring works entirely with the help of internet. Internet helps in making online tutors work. The process of online tutoring is conducted through emails, online chats, video conferencing and tele conferencing. In online tutoring process student do not have to visit the teacher, it is everything that internet will do. Internet is considered as the strongest medium in today’s era. It takes less time and is much effective. The online tutoring service has some of the benefits that are numbered here so that you can know every detail about online tutoring. The teachers that are appointed for any of the reputed institutes of online tutoring service are very much efficient and have expert knowledge with the subject. They have great qualification over the subject and so they can deliver some of the best way to learn for their students as well. The appointment process of the teachers is very tough and this is the reason that only expert professionals can crack the interview process and get selected. This is one of the best places where you will get the best teacher in your affordability. Unlike private tutoring, online institutes do not have any time limitation.     Yes, you heard it right. Online tutors do not have any time limitation. It is on the student as to when and for how long they want to carry on with the subject. Teachers will be present till the time they are not able to know the subject or the topic well. This helps the student in many ways. They can clear their doubts anything that comes up as teachers are present all round the clock and throughout the year. There is no holiday for online tutors. They have to keep on working for the benefit of the students. The one on one service is also available only with online tutoring. So you know what this service is all about. If no then let me tell you that this section is about having a teacher beside you all round the clock. The individual teacher will help and guide an individual student whenever the student wants to attend the class. No other students will be entertained at that point of time. This is mostly effective for the weak as well as the shy students who cannot open up with their problems publicly. The best part of online tutoring is that the students do not have to move here and there to attend the tuition classes. They can easily sit at their most comfortable place and attend the classes. This increases the concentration power of the child and the child learns faster and on easy basis. This process also saves their time, energy and transportation cost as well. Tutor Pace, a correct choice Among the lot of online tutoring institutes, I will suggest you to keep up with Tutor Pace as it is one of the reputed institutes along with it provide some of the best services at a very affordable price. Online trigonometry tutors is one service available with Tutor Pace.  

On Living in France and Learning French

On Living in France and Learning French Living in France and Learning French: How You Can Achieve You Francophone Ambitions ChaptersBenefits of Living in FranceLearn French by Moving to FranceTen French Phrases You Must KnowTop Five Cities for Study in FranceWe have to thank our King Henry V for instituting the passport system as we know it.He meant for such documents to permit his subjects identity and safe passage as they traveled through foreign lands and, more importantly, guarantee  re entry  into England after their sojourn abroad.Passports were not required to gain access to foreign territory until after WWI, from  which time those documents became the ultimate travel and status accessory.Before that time it was quite common for Britons to holiday in France â€" take in the social scene, or even seek higher education in the superior schools in Paris: the Pasteur Institute, for example, or the Curie Institute.Times really haven't changed that much in the intervening century, have they?We are all still so keen to explore all of France â€" from the hills of Normandy to the sunny shores of Biarritz. Som e of us even dream of owning a chalet in the Alps.And French wine! The numbers reveal that we are turning more and more to sipping â€" maybe not the expensive labels, but the competitively-priced wines from the Loire region, rather than Aussie wines.And, of course, there is French food. The gastronomy of France is without compare! The cheeses, the breads; the Michelin sauces...Why only partake of such extravagance on holiday? Why not just make the move to France and enjoy the French way of life anytime you want?France has long been artistic and cultural capital of the world Source: Pixabay Credit: Artsy-Beeregions of France have their variations, but the further south you go, the more balanced the weather, and the fewer severe weather events you will have to endure.Surely there are greater benefits to living in France than moderate weather, aren't there?Of course! Let us talk about them now.Finding a Home in FranceAs a British expatriate, you may find it surprisingly easy to secure suitable and affordable accommodations in France.Of course, you must first determine whether you would want to rent or buy a property.Renting a residence may be advisable at the outset, even though that might mean a later move to your permanent domicile.Still, Britons can and do shop the French property market, especially after discovering that owning property in France is much easier than initially thought!In the spirit of cooperation, our own government website provides a page with guidelines on how to conduct real estate transactions in France with minimal fanfare.Your family and work situations matter a great deal when considering your move to France.If married, your spouse should be onboard with the ideaIf you have school-aged children, you must consider their educationwhether you would enroll them in a French school or an international school could be a subject of further discussionIf unattached, you may have to consider your relatives, especially your parentsWho would be left to care for them after you've moved away?What will you do for money?That last question is quite often a detractor to the grand idea of broadening one's cultural and linguistic horizons by living abroad.Unless you are independently wealthy, you must earn your wages. How to do that in a country where, perhaps, you can't read the billboards?Working in FranceIf you are hoping to start a business, you couldn't have chosen a better country to move to.Ernst Young reports that France is one of the cheaper, less complicated countries among the greater G20 to start a new enterprise in.Naturally, you would have to be in possession of valid credentials, such as residency and work permits.You should also be aware that the French government is very meticulous in documenting every professional's training, from the freelance photographer to lecturers at universities.Thus we recommend that, before you make your international move, you should be sure that your diplomas are acceptable.If you wanted t o wait a few years to start your business â€" or never had it in mind to start a business, finding a job would be the order of the day.Perhaps the best aspect of working in France is its fabled 35-hour work week, coupled with generous leisure time.Fabled because, these days, that standard is not necessarily true: many an expat reports disillusionment at being tasked to more work hours than that minimum!If you are relocating in retirement, you need not fret over employment in France â€" lucky you! Your only concern would be learning how to speak French.Learn French by Moving to FranceMoving abroad to learn a language seems a bit like putting the cart in front of the horse. After all, shouldn't you have some measure of language competency before going overseas?Here we make the distinction between tourist French, language skills learned in a classroom, and the everyday language spoken by French people - three very separate propositions!The language of Molière spoken by native speakers is the level at which you aspire to communicate in. No more la fille and le garçon; enough with verb tenses and conjugation: you are ready to aim high and reach your goal! The best way to become fluent in French is to immerse yourself into the language and culture of France.The best way to do that is relocation to a French speaking country.Barring any status of independent wealth, there are several ways to engineer such a move that will ensure your language learning.If you are lucky to have the means, you can move to another country without worrying about how you will support yourself!As discussed above, you could start a business in France, making full use of the provisions and guarantees put in place for such entrepreneurs. Otherwise, you can...Move to France for StudyIf pursuing higher education in France, you should be aware of the language requirements: you may be compelled to sit the DELF, France's language competency exam. On the other hand, it is entirely possible to earn your university degree in France without speaking even passable French, but you would have to stick to the major cities, such as Paris,  Marseilles or Montpellier. Warning: doing so would be contrary to the whole point of moving to France to learn the language!If you want to live in France but higher education is not on your radar, you could always take other courses, such as cooking or art.And, of course, French language classes!Institut Linguistique Adenet, in Montpellier, offers just such a programme.You can choose to attend either their standard French course, or participate in an intensive learning experience.No matter which option you select, in groups of no more than 10, your language teacher would drill on grammar and vocabulary particulars, placing special emphasis on pronunciation through frequent oral exercises.The focus is more on communication than reading and writing in French. Grammar skills are reinforced through language usage rather than rote repetition or lessons devoted to the topic.If a five-month internship in the south of France sounds like a dream come true, this might be the French immersion learning environment for you!Besides studying verb tenses and and learning amusing French phrases, you will have ample time to socialise and sightsee.This outfit routinely coordinates outings and activities â€" from prowling around town to wine tastings, as well as cultural events.In short, you will have plenty of opportunity to make new friends to practice speaking French with.Volunteering in France in exchange for room and board is a fantastic way to get off the beaten path! Source: Pixabay Credit: Carla BorellaFind Volunteering Opportunities in FranceWe concede that not everyone with a yen for travel has the means to do so. Nor can everyone who wants to learn a new language invest the time and money that learning the language demands.Lastly:  not everyone craves a first class travel experience!The best way to experience a culture is to get off t he beaten path.It is that spirit of adventure that may interest you in a homestay experience, anywhere in France that suits your fancy!Especially today, when so many people would rather spend their money on experiences rather than possessions, sites like HelpX are playing a crucial role in matching those hoping to learn about life in other countries with people who need temporary help. As the site's name indicates, you will be given a place to live and food in exchange for a bit of work â€" be it teaching English to household members or helping out with animals on a farm.Bear in mind that this is not a permanent arrangement!You wouldn't be staying in any given location for more than a couple of months, at most, before moving on. This is one of the best aspects of such an engagement!You could then travel to another region in France â€" Brittany or Dordogne, and experience life there. And then... who knows?You may decide to experience life in Switzerland or Belgium, or any other Frenc h speaking country!After you've had your fill of traveling, gaining proficiency in French all the while, you will be ready to sit the DELF in your preferred city, find a flat and settle into your new French life.Find out more about learning French in France.Should you declare yourself such a vagabond, there are some must-know phrases that will serve you well in France.Before I went to France the first time, I turned to Superprof for my French courses London...Ten French Phrases You Must KnowThe French language is exceedingly formal â€" overburdened with formality, some might say.That claim does not necessarily hold water when you consider that English speaking populations also have rules for what is considered proper language in certain company.For example, it would not be good etiquette to use slang phrases  in  a job interview. Nor is it considered suitable to address your elders by their given names, unless they give you license to.You are no doubt well familiar with such rules i n your home country but, moving overseas â€" or even just travelling exposes you to a minefield of conversational faux pas if you are not familiar with the culture.With due understanding that, from one generation to the next, popular vernacular evolves, let us unveil ten French phrases suitable for verbal exchange between people of any age group.Bonjour and BonsoirYou may already know these words of greeting and farewell, but they do bear mentioning, especially in contrast to Salut!Salut is a dual-usage word of the same meaning that is suitable only among good friends, or people of the same age.Any time you walk into a shop or meet someone familiar, chiming bonjour is considered proper form.Upon parting in the evening, it is never OK to say bonne nuit â€" even though it means good night.Bonsoir is much more comme il faut.Merci, De rien, and Je Vous en PrieThe first word is most likely well known; perhaps you even use it on occasion.The second literally translates to of nothing, but is closer in meaning to it was nothing, or think nothing of it.The last phrase can have several meanings:I urge you to â€" your boss may be acceding your request to speakI beg of you â€" please, don't mention itI beseech you â€" the ultimately formal way to ask for somethingYou're Welcome  - a more formal way to say de rienBy all means â€" perhaps you would try on a dress in a shopIn the same spirit of asking a favour of someone, you might hear...This Floriste may answer your queries with Mais Oui, Bien Sûr! Source: Pixabay Credit: Nastya_gueppMais Oui, Bien Sûr! The first part means but yes!; the second is of course!. Used together, they render emphasis to the request at hand. Going back to trying clothing on in a shop: you would likely hear that exclamation from the accommodating shop keeper.You may also hear certainement, Madame!, or Monsieur, as the case may be.If you are of a younger generation, you may need to get familiar with d'ac!, short for d'accord! - meaning OK.NOTE: b ecause the French guard their linguistic heritage with such a fervor as to ban foreign word import by law, you should try to avoid saying that Americanism.Or, if you must use it, please do so in conjunction with with the easily memorisable d'ac, like so: OK, d'ac!.Excusez-moi, Pardonnez-moi; Desolé(e)Just as in English, you would preface a question in French with excuse me or pardon me.If you are more tentative in your use of France's official language, you might ask: Excusez-moi, parlez vous anglais? - do you speak English?, or you could ask where something is: the bus stop, the bank; even the loo!You can also use pardonnez-moi to apologise for a slight, such as bumping into someone or stepping on their toes on the bus.Desolé (or desolée, if you are female) is reserved for more serious offences; those for which you are gravely sorry. Should you accidentally knock someone's café au lait out of their hand, or even if you trip the waiter carrying a tray of yummy beverages, pardon simply won't do. Desolé, said with proper gravitas, is the word of the moment.Ce n'est Pas Grave; Pas de ProblèmeIt's not serious, or no problem would most likely be the response to any admission of fault on your part.Should you accidentally trample someone or jostle them on the bus, they may say ce n'est pas grave â€" it's not serious.You may also hear it's not serious â€" loosely translated as it's OK, on a playground: a parent consoling a tearful child.Pas de problème would be the likely response if you called someone to inform them you are running late for an appointment, or maybe if you don't have any small bills to buy your baguette at the boulangerie. Except where indicated, none of these words or phrases are age-specific; that is to say that anyone, of any age group might use them.For an expanded lexicon of must-know words and phrases, you can check out this page.One interesting aspect about France is that, although the country is divided into 12 regions â€" down from the historic 22; there are a few regional dialects.Everyone in France speaks Metropolitan French, as the official language is known.Compare that to our British English, with nearly 30 regional dialects!Now that you know pretty much everyone in France speaks the same language, there is no need to worry whether you are learning the right French for the region you want to start your new life in.Or the city you think about studying in...Do you want to graduate from a French University? Source: Pixabay Credit: StockSnapTop Five Cities for Study in FranceWe mentioned at the start of this article that, one hundred years ago, studying abroad was a mark of distinction for British citizenry.We also said that things hadn't really changed all that much.This report proves that, whenever possible, eager minds from the UK endeavour themselves to obtain education abroad, citing non-Anglophone countries as their preferred destinations.France is listed as one of the top destinations for UK university st udents seeking an international learning experience.That being the case, where  are all of these students going to study in France?1. Grenoble is ranked by international students as the city that has it all: culture and quality of life, as well as excellence in education and job placement for new graduates.It doesn't hurt that Grenoble is one of a handful of cities that hosts the European Institute of Innovation and Technology!2. Montpellier's sunny clime and  proximity to the Mediterranean virtually guarantee fun times and happy living.One reason that foreign students select this learning facility â€" besides its stunning architecture, is its reputation for excellence as one of the oldest universities in the world.3. Nantes is a relatively small town just outside of Brittany; famous for its diversity in education.Furthermore, Audencia â€" one of the campuses of this institute, was ranked by The Economist as the world's best Management school. 4. Aix-Marseilles University is  famous for grooming soon-to-be graduates for job placement after graduation.We note here that that 2012 saw a general overhaul in the French education system that led to unis all over the country merging individual schools into mega-campuses.The end effect is that Marseilles became the largest university in the French-speaking world, with the largest budget.5. University of BordeauxThis city in the southwest, already so famous for her wines, also lays claim to some of the best higher education facilities in the country!Students love Bordeaux because of the welcome they are treated to at the start of each academic year.Would you like to be present for their orientation event, called Grande Festival de Rentrée, in September?Mind you, we didn't pull these cities out of thin air, or based on our personal preference.Foreign students themselves responded to this French universities poll, wherein they divulged their preferences and the reasons why France is a great country to learn in!Yes, Fran ce is a great country to study in, to live in... it is even a great second home for retirees!There are just a few aspects to take care of before settling in your new country...Trip Notes: FranceEnjoying a holiday in another country is vastly different from settling in that country and making it your home.Uprooting yourself and, if so equipped, your family â€" one that perhaps includes small children and/or elderly members, makes for staggering logistics.There are so many aspects to consider!Perhaps the most prevalent question would be: will you move permanently, or return back home at some point further on?Other things to do before you relocate:Check Numbeo for the cost of living in various French cities as compared to your current locationLook into buying propertyInvestigate banking regulations and taxes, as well as social chargesBe sure to buy expat health insuranceEnsure you are properly degreed to work or study in FranceFight against culture shock: join a community of British ex pats onlineTaking these steps will ensure that your immigration will go off without a hitch.Bonne Chance!

7 Promotion Strategies That Work

Introvert Whisperer / 7 Promotion Strategies That Work 7 Promotion Strategies That Work Want answers on what it takes to get promoted? Take this short 4-minute assessment to gain  insights about YOU. You’ll immediately receive your results and guidance on powerful next steps. 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: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Preparing for the Redesigned SAT

Preparing for the Redesigned SAT Preparing for the Redesigned SAT In March of 2014, College Board officials announced plans to significantly alter the format and content of the SAT, one of the most widely taken college entrance exams in the nation. The reason? According to College Board, the Redesigned SAT will focus less on tricks and strategies and more on the work students see in high school. The changes will be a better assessment of the academic skills needed for college readiness. The Redesigned SAT will be administered for the first time in March 2016, so for students planning to take the SAT in 2016 or later, knowing about the changes to the test can help them to be better prepared. A Few Key Changes to the Redesigned SAT Time and Layout The current SAT takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete, but the Redesigned SAT will be 3 hours in length. One reason for this time difference is that the Essay will no longer be required on the Redesigned SAT. Students who choose to take the optional essay will receive an additional 50 minutes, resulting in the overall test length of 3 hours and 50 minutes. Before deciding whether or not to complete the essay, it is in a students best interest to research admissions requirements for their college choices, since college requirements will vary. The Redesigned SAT will have fewer sections than the current SAT. The current SAT has 10 sections (3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, and 1 experimental). The Redesigned SAT will have only 4 sections (Reading, Writing and Language, Math (calculator allowed), and Math (no calculator allowed). Even though there will be fewer sections, this does not mean the test will be easier. This new format will challenge students to manage their time carefully to ensure they complete numerous questions within lengthy sections in the allotted time. Scoring -Changing the rules The rules of scoring are changing significantly on the Redesigned SAT, and these changes can strongly influence a students test-taking strategy. On the current SAT, students gain points for correct answers, but there is a penalty for incorrect answers (1/4 point lost for each wrong answer). Students neither gain nor lose points if an answer is left blank. The Redesigned SAT will offer a more straight-forward scoring approach, allowing students to gain points for correct answers, but not penalizing students for incorrect responses. So how does this influence a students test-taking strategy? On the current SAT, students avoid lowering their score by omitting answers if they are less than certain their answer is right. With no fear of penalty on the Redesigned SAT, students should answer every question. Scoring-Setting goals The more questions that a student gets correct, the higher their score will be. 1600 is the new 2400, and by that we mean that the highest possible score on the Redesigned SAT will be a 1600 instead of the highest possible score on the current SAT which is a 2400. These changes are occurring as a result of the change in test format and sections. Students need to understand scoring potential on the test in order to set goals for themselves when testing. Content and Area of Focus The College Board created the Redesigned SAT to develop a more accurate assessment of the academic skills needed in our fast-paced, highly challenging educational system. The Redesigned SAT will more closely resemble the work encountered in the classroom. The Reading section will test the ability to develop a strong understanding of passages. The Writing and Language section will challenge students to identify correct grammar and usage while determining if passages are developed properly. Math skills will be tested with a calculator and without a calculator, assessing skills in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and problem solving and data analysis questions. Another change coming will be the addition of questions related to history/social studies and science. Students will find these types of questions in each section of the Redesigned SAT. A students performance on these types of questions can help high schools and colleges determine which courses the student is best suited for. Preparation is Key Understanding how the test is changing is a good place to start. To learn more about the Redesigned SAT, click here. The next step is to work with an SAT expert who can offer guidance and test-taking strategies specific to your needs. By working with an SAT expert, students can ensure they are fully prepared on test day. At Huntington, whether you are preparing for the current SAT or the Redesigned SAT, we can help. To learn more about our prep programs, click here, or call us at 1 800 CAN LEARN to speak with an educational consultant.

How a College Mindset Will Make You a Better College Candidate

How a College Mindset Will Make You a Better College Candidate ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Many high-schoolers picture big lecture halls and pulling all-nighters with a pile of books in the library when the term college academics comes up. The fact of the matter is that few high schoolers have any idea what to expect from college, and end up pretty shocked for most of the first semester. In college, the keys to success are independence and flexibility. This is way different than high school, which values habits like showing up on time every day, staying quiet during class, and completing homework on time. These aspects of high school education prepare you for college to some extent, but education is a very different experience once the training wheels come off. If you can work on becoming a more independent and flexible student in high school, you’ll not just prepare yourself for the style of work demanded by college, but you’ll start doing better in class and on tests as well. That can end up making a big difference on the quality of your college application and demonstrate to the school of your dreams that you’re not just a bright person, but really prepared for the ways that a great school will challenge you. How to Be a More Independent High Schooler Inevitably, there will be classes that you struggle with in college. Everyone struggles in a class at some point, and sometimes there are classes where everyone struggles because the department is trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. Successful college students don’t just grin and bear it, but take advantage of their professors’ and TAs’ office hours. When you go in and talk to these people, they’ll often lend you valuable insight on how essays are graded or what kinds of questions will appear on an exam. Taking that kind of ownership over your own academics will help you a lot in high school too. Make time before or after school, or even during lunch, to go talk to your chemistry teacher about the upcoming test. If you’re really struggling putting together close-reading analysis in English class, go to your English teacher with questions about the last essay you wrote. Yes, these habits will help you improve your grades. But there’s another benefit too. Making some time outside of class to get help from your teachers will help you build real relationships with them. Those relationships can be invaluable when it comes time to get some great letters of recommendation to attach to your college apps. Schools will love to hear that you’re the type of student who asks for help, because it means you’re the type of student who is devoted to great academic performance. The Value of Flexibility in High School We’ve talked on this blog before about the growth mindset. It’s an approach to learning where you say “I can improve at this thing I find difficult” instead of “I’m just not good at this thing!” Once again, you’ll encounter a lot of new subjects and ideas in college, and you sure won’t pass a class if you resign yourself to not getting it. Developing a growth mindset â€" that a class may be hard but you will figure it out â€" is essential for getting good grades and, even better, developing new passions. That philosophy class you take might seem impossible the first few weeks, but it could end up being an introduction to your major. Learning how to confront difficult material in high school is essential for one crucial component of your college app: standardized tests. The vast majority of your classmates find the SAT or ACT difficult in one way or another. The point of these tests is to be boring and difficult! Doing well on these exams doesn’t really mean you’re a genius, it means you’re good at taking these tests. The reason that colleges value, for example, the SAT is because someone who gets an amazing SAT score probably put a lot of work into improving at it. So if you took the PSAT and got a disappointing Math score, don’t just look at that and say “Oh no, my Math score is going to keep me from getting into a good school!” Put the time into reviewing the contentthat you don’t remember as well and taking practice tests to track your improvement. That growth mindset that is going to make you a great college student will also make you a great college candidate. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced test prep tutors. For more information on our SAT prep packages, click here.

5 Unconventional Tips for Becoming a Polyglot

5 Unconventional Tips for Becoming a Polyglot Becoming a polyglot is serious businessor, is it?All over the world, youll find average, everyday people speaking 2 or more languages.  Like, no big deal.In the United States, we often think that polyglots, or those who speak multiple languages, beis long to a rare and remarkable species.As an American myself, I was raised speaking English and only English.I dabbled in a few years of Spanish and Italian classes in grade school and university, however it wasnt nearly enough to bring me close to fluency. My situation is quite common for Americans.While living in Chinas Guangdong province, I witnessed just how mainstream polyglots are. In China, it isnt uncommon for natives to speak four languages: Mandarin (their native tongue), their hometown dialect (based on their province), Cantonese and English. The Chinese school system requires students to study English in grade school and usually college. So, by their mid-twenties most Chinese people will have a solid English proficiency.If you re someone thinking of becoming a polyglot, here are some tips to use as you learn the languages that make our world go round. 5 Unconventional Tips for Becoming a Polyglot1. Read the same book in multiple languagesThis is perhaps one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your reading skills in multiple languages. Rather than read a variety of books in a variety of languages, think of one book or book series you were quite familiar with growing up. This may be one youve already read several times in the past or one that was a staple to your childhood. There are some books that you can purchase with English on odd pages and a second language on even pages. That allows you to translate both languages line-by-line and easily decipher how sentences and grammar are structured. Alternatively, you could read a page in your target language and simply refer to the English side when you want to double-check your comprehension from time to time.If you arent sure where to start, Harry Potter is a popular choice and all-time favorite because people are usually at least somewhat familiar with the storyline. If Harry Potter isnt your cup of tea, try other novels or book series (i.e., The Hunger Games, Twilight, Fifty Shades of Grey,  etc.) that use simple sentence structures and have a reading level of 8th grade or lower.2. Use your busy time for studyingBecoming a polyglot requires extra effort. Duh! Youre in the big leagues now, so its going to take more than just your normal language learning routine to hone in on your multilingual skills. When you subtract the time you spend sleeping, eating, cooking, commuting, bathing, pooping and working, you arent left with much time to actually focus and study. Therefore, its important to incorporate language reminders into your busy time. Even though getting in an extra ten minutes of language study time at three various busy times a day may not seem like a worthwhile effort, it actually adds to 3.5 hours a week!If y ou arent sure of your busy time, spend a day recording exactly how long you do each of your regular tasks. This can be incredibly revealing of the amount of time you spend doing specific things each day. We typically spend more time doing certain mundane and routine tasks than we realize (hence those moments where we say, time flies). Then, think about if and how you can include language studying into (or in-between) those chunks of time.One idea is to listen to language dialogues or songs during your workout routine, while you cook, during your commute to work or while waiting for a meeting to begin at work. Not only will you be more productive over those 24 hours in general, but youll also be sure to accelerate the language learning process.3. Host Couchsurfers from around the worldIf you dont have the means to immerse yourself in a new culture or travel to the country that speaks your desired language, bring the language to you! Hosting Couchsurfing guests from around the world i s a free and effective way to practice your multiple language skills. If you arent familiar with the service, its an online community of over 9,000,000 users. You first create a profile as either a traveler or a host, filling out details about yourself and your interests. In this case, youd start as a host.You might think, why would I ever let a stranger stay at my home? Well, thats a totally valid thought, but not one that should keep you from giving it a shot. Couchsurfing takes safety seriously, and all hosts are required to leave feedback for past guests. That way you ensure that youre hosting someone responsible with a history of positive reviews.Rather than hosting guests and having them speak your language, try communicating to them in theirs. Make sure to host guests from a variety of countries so that youre exposing yourself to different languages. If youre still beginning your journey in becoming a polyglot, it may be better to host guests of one language until you feel co mfortable exposing yourself to an additional new language.Think about it: if youre thinking of picking up Italian and dont have the money to invest in books or tutoring, you can easily host Italian tourists visiting your hometown. Its a win for you, a win for the Couchsurfer and a win for the global community youre enriching.  Perfetto!4. Use the Laddering TechniqueWhen learning multiple languages, it can be tempting to, in your head, imagine the phrase you want to express in your native tongue and then translate it to your desired language. For example, if youre an English speaker learning both Mandarin and Japanese, you first think of what you want to say in English before you mentally translate it to either Mandarin or Japanese. In this case, English is used as the base language for  all  other languages.  Unfortunately, this ends up confusing the speaker, making it common to mix up and confuse languages.This is where the Laddering Technique comes in! Laddering is a process of cr eating a mental hierarchy for your language translations. Imagine a ladder where the first rung is your native language, the second rung is your second language and so on. When translating something, only use the language of the rung before the one youre trying to communicate with.For example, lets say your native language is English (first rung), followed by Spanish (second rung), followed by Japanese (third rung). When learning Japanese, rather than mentally translating words from English to Japanese, translate starting from Spanish. This not only enhances both your Spanish and Japanese skills, but it also makes the language learning a little bit easier on your brain.5. Work with a life coachLearning multiple languages can easily become overwhelming and scary for someone going at it alone.  Life coaching is an effective way to develop strategies to manage your time and amp up your productivity. Sometimes its hard for us to see what exactly is keeping us from maximizing our true po tential. A life coach is trained to help you see what youre not seeing and ask you some thought-provoking questions to reflect on. Specifically, a life coach can help you process where youre getting stuck and brainstorm ways to overcome any internal or external barriers to your learning.There is no single go-to formula for how to become a polyglot. When working with a life coach, you can create solutions that are tailor-made to your values and needs. Coaching can help you awaken your inner genius and discover ways to master your time and energy. Plus, it helps to have someone who can hold you accountable and motivate you every step of the way!Congrats on beginning this exciting journey to becoming a multilingual master!Frank Macri  works with those looking to create off the beaten path lifestyles. For tips on saving (and making) money abroad, unique options to travel for a living,  and wisdom picked up around the world, visit  www.TheFrankLife.com.

5 Ways to Navigate the Community College System

5 Ways to Navigate the Community College System 5 ways to navigate the community college system Many students choose to attend the excellent California community college system. Theres a chance for them to earn some certificates or AA degrees that will help them in their career or, they can transfer to a four-year Cal State or University of California campus and continue to finish their bachelor’s degree. Students who choose this option will need to complete a number of tasks before they can enroll and be successful. There are also a ton of options for students to go above and beyond when it comes to contributing to their campus community and gain an excellent chance of transferring to their dream four-year university. 1.   Before the first day of class Many students intend to start at a community college in the fall after graduating high school but never actually go through the steps to become a student. Anyone can enroll in a community college as long as they have a high school diploma but they still have to become an official student, take a series of exams, and meet with an advisor. Students should visit the website of the college they plan on attending and write down a list of important dates and deadlines. They should also visit the campus theyre going to attend and become familiar with their new surroundings.   While on campus, applicants should also make an appointment to meet with an academic advisor who can walk them through the various courses they need to take to earn an AA degree or transfer to a four-year campus. 2.   Academic and career counselors Community college students should plan to meet with an academic or career counselor at least once a semester while in attendance. New students may need to meet with a counselor several times to make sure theyre on the right track. Academic counselors can make sure that a student is taking the right classes so they can transfer to a four-year university of their choice or they can help students select appropriate courses to achieve an AA degree or complete a certificate program. If students are unsure of what they want to study as their future major they should check back with their academic counselor on a regular basis. Career counselors can also help students figure out what they need to do to get to a specific career. 3.   Choosing a four-year campus to transfer to Community college students in California will have two primary choices when it comes to transfer options. They can either attend the University of California system or the California State system. Both options will provide a clear path for which courses students need to take in order to successfully transfer. Students who are thinking about attending a private college or an out-of-state school are encouraged to talk with an admissions advisor at that school to make sure the courses they’re taking are transferable (READ: 5 Things to Think About Before Deciding On a College). 4.   Academic clubs and organizations One way community college students can go above and beyond their basic course load and impress potential admissions committees is to join any number of academic clubs and organizations. Some academic societies offer membership based on the student’s GPA while others are focused on a student’s concentration/major or just their general interests. Students can also join advocacy and volunteer organizations that help students of all different circumstances be successful and feel close to their community. These types of things look really good on a transcript but they are also a fabulous way to have a good overall two-year college experience. 5.   Non-traditional options Community colleges also offer students a ton of additional options to complete their courses and earn a degree. For instance, there are eight-week courses where motivated students can get through the course material faster, online courses for students who work full-time or dont live near the campus, and some vocational and elective courses ranging from physical fitness classes to concrete on-the-job training. There are tons of ways students can be successful these days, and they should explore the many options that community colleges have to offer. Still applying to college? Our private Irvine college admissions consultants are here to help. Our consultants have a 97% success rate. 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