Monday, March 30, 2020

Essay Writing Tutors

Essay Writing TutorsWould you want to have an English essay writing tutor in your life? A good one can give you the power to grab your essay writing dreams. Using the right kind of English essay writing tutor can help you write in a way that even a very old school child could write. That's why so many people who are too young for essay writing tutors to be present just trust their own abilities and go through the course by themselves.For the most part, when people think of essay writing tutors, they are thinking of those who get paid to teach children the art of writing English essays. While this does help some people, it is not for everyone. Most English essay writing tutors are more than capable of teaching kids how to write essays, so there is no need to get a professional to teach you how to write essay.If you are looking for professional advice for writing your essay, you might want to consider what I am about to tell you. The truth is that not all essay writing tutors are bad o r lacking in skills. Sometimes, good essay writing tutors will try to do a better job of helping students learn to write better.The only thing that you need to do is make sure that the essay writing tutor you choose is someone you trust with your essay writing aspirations. When I was looking for a good essay writing tutor, I did a lot of research on the internet. I read several reviews about essay writing tutors in my area. Some of them had poor reviews, but others had very good ones.I wanted to know if they were professional writers and what kind of skills they would need to get the job done. After reading over hundreds of reviews and the resumes of many of the essay writing tutors in my area, I decided to hire one. My essay writing tutor turned out to be someone who was really helpful and also wrote essays well.The reason why I chose a good essay writing tutor who knows how to write essay was because I wanted someone who knew how to write essays well. A good essay writing tutor sh ould not just sit down and start giving you advice about the topic at hand. They should understand how to edit and format the essay that they are helping you write.The best essay writing tutor in my area is someone who was a book editor before he decided to pursue writing essays. His resume clearly states that he knows how to write an essay for academic purposes and not just for amusement. He was the right person for me.It is only natural for a student to look for essay writing tutors in their school. Those in high school will probably try to find the right essay writing tutor in order to gain high marks and make sure that their kids get the grades they need for their projects.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Surviving stress during the last month of high school

Surviving stress during the last month of high school Tips from a Private Costa Mesa Tutor: Surviving stress during the last month of high school Most students will finish high school in early or mid-June. This means that the last month of school is almost underway and students will be bombarded with all sorts of academic activities before they get to walk across the stage on graduation day. Whether theyre taking advanced placement exams, studying for finals, or filling out financial aid and scholarship applications, students will certainly face a fair amount of stress. Luckily, there are lots of things high school seniors can do to not only survive the stress but thrive and have a happy, well-rounded end of high school experience our private Costa Mesa academic tutors are here to help you finish the year strong. 1.   Organize test prep and finals study early Organization is a great way for students to survive the stressful elements of the last month they are in high school. Its easy to get distracted by social activities, senioritis, and the impending independence that awaits them once they start college. However, before all of these things happen students will need to take tons of exams and finish their remaining homework assignments so their GPA stays high enough that they can keep their college acceptance and maintain any requirements left for graduation. 2.   Arrange for downtime and social activities One way to prevent too much stress is for students to admit they need enough time to rest and socialize with friends. Too much socialization can lead to lower grades and more stress, but a little bit of fun time with friends is a good thing. If student’s schedule a reasonable amount of downtime and social activities theyre more likely to feel good about sitting down to do their homework when the time comes (READ: 5 Things to write about on a scholarship application). 3.   Get help from a private Costa Mesa academic tutor One of the best things a private Costa Mesa academic tutor can do for a student helps them stay on track and stay motivated when it comes to all of their after-school academic activities. Many seniors feel like theyre so close to graduation that they dont need to work with their tutor anymore but, in fact, this is one of the most important times for students to get help if needed. Tutors can help look at a student’s schedule and make sure they meet all of their important deadlines, help them study efficiently for advanced placement exams, assist students in staying on track when it comes to finals study and basic at-home assignments, and keep their spirits high when their stress levels start to get out of control. 4.   Stay focused on the big picture When students start to feel overly stressed they often focus on just the small picture, that is they think about whats happening this week and next week but cant see beyond that. This can be very difficult for students because its going to be one of the most stressful months of their lives but, once graduation comes they’re going to be in a whole different situation. Its important to remind students at this level that the big picture is the most important thing and that this academically challenging time will be complete in a few short weeks. 5.   Celebrate success Its also really important for students to celebrate every success during their very last month of high school. Did they get a 4 on their AP exam? This is something they should stop and celebrate. Did they win a $500 scholarship that will help them pay for books and fees their first semester of college? Celebrate this as well. Many students at this level rush through all of their accomplishments just to get to the next task because there are so many things going on at once. However, students who feel confident and accomplished are more likely to be able to survive the stress thats thrown at them and conquer this very important time of their academic lives. 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

The Organic Chemistry Tutor Conduction

The Organic Chemistry Tutor ConductionThe Organic Chemistry Tutor Conduction is an online course that teaches the principles of organic chemistry in a fun and interactive manner. The subject is interesting, engaging and easy to learn. If you are one of those individuals who are interested in becoming a professor, then this course would be a perfect fit for you. It can give you a great chance to make a fresh start and with new ideas and students.The course will not only help you develop skills in your field but it can also give you some ideas about how you can connect with your students. By presenting chemical concepts in a nice way, the Organic Chemistry Tutor Conduction can give you a more personal approach to teaching. To make this work for you, you will have to have a thorough knowledge of the concepts that are being taught. By learning the subject, you will be able to clarify and explain the concepts in a clearer manner. It will also give you a stronger foundation to build upon a s you advance in your career.By taking the Organic Chemistry Tutor Conduction, you can expect to gain knowledge on many different types of solvents. This is very important since the different solvents can have different effects on the chemical reactions. You can also learn about reactions that take place with certain elements in your laboratory. This allows you to understand the effects of these elements in your laboratory. You will also be taught about ion exchange and ion pumping in a fun and interactive manner.With the help of the device described in the course, you can conduct experiments on such element. To do this, you can use an ion exchange kit. After reading the book on the chemistry topic, you can easily make an electronic ion exchange using a rechargeable lithium battery. Other components used in the course include a variety of test tubes, a radioactive element that reacts with iodine, magnesium powder, potassium chloride, a dilute acid, a bromine tracer, and a filler. Al l these components are required to conduct some research.If you want to learn more about laboratory safety, you can read the book titled 'Lab Safety for Students' by Dr. Norman Sparling. This book is a good reference that explains how to effectively keep a laboratory safe. The use of gloves and face masks are also covered in the book. It also discusses the steps to take to prevent exposure to radioactive substances.If you are interested in a subject that can give you a break from the usual field of study, then this is a course that will surely help you. You can learn chemistry in a fun and interactive manner. You can make a new career in a college or university. You can also start your own business if you want to make an extra income.Overall, the Organic Chemistry Tutor Conduction is a course that will help you expand your knowledge and improve your knowledge as well. When you finish the course, you will have a good foundation to build upon.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Learn to Win With Pokemon Silver

Learn to Win With Pokemon SilverPokemon Silver Trainer is an old tutor in this age of internet marketing. Many trainers are into the genre, but not many are masters of it. This is one of the best resources to increase your income in online gaming with Silver.Pokemon Silver, Trainer, has been around for a while now. It first came out about four years ago. Although there are many who claim to be masters of this game, there aren't many that will actually recommend it as their top game. Well, there are no more than a handful of those that would recommend this particular game.For those that are good at the game, they have been able to make millions of dollars off of the top trainer. The only problem with that is that, as more people are offered this strategy guide to earning extra money with Pokemon, the popularity of the game is increasing.What makes Pokemon Silver Trainer so much more popular? It is because the top trainers can earn money with this game. That is why it is more appealing to the masses and more profitable to the elite trainers.Pokemon Silver is not even the easiest game to learn how to play. It takes some time and money to master. That is why so many trainers have been forced to quit and start learning from free games instead.Of course, there are still those that will try their luck on Pokemon Silver. However, the newbie players, as well as veterans are more likely to continue playing on newer games.So if you want to be a Trainer that can earn thousands of dollars a day, then Silver is the right game to play. There are many guides to teach you how to succeed as a Trainer, but thereisn't any one for winning as well.

Latin American Geopolitics

Latin American Geopolitics How Will Latin American Geopolitics Shape the 21st Century? ChaptersLatin America’s BeginningsLatin America as She Stands NowThe Region’s Heavy HittersWho Is Contributing to Latin Countries’ Development?When you think of Latin American exports, what comes to mind?Dances, you might think: steamy tangos and sassy salsas. Or music: just now, YouTube Latin music videos rank among the most-streamed.And, of course, food. These days, one can find a Mexican restaurant just about anywhere in the UK, and Argentine beef is legendary for its succulence and tenderness.And how about an ice-cold Corona with a wedge of lime to go with that steak?All of this makes Latin America sound like a dream holiday destination â€" which, in fact, it is.From the clear waters off Costa Rica to the picturesque ports of Saint Lucia, those of us keen for a tropical paradise inevitably head toward the Caribbean or elsewhere in Latin America.Is that all there is to Latin America? A few holiday snaps and the echo of sultry songs?Quite the contrary! Countries in Latin Amer ica, long ignored on the world stage, are starting to come into their own.Latin America has collectively been seen as economically weak â€" in spite of her vast resources, there was little potential for development. For those reasons and more, historically, nobody really saw the need to look closer at those countries and dependencies... but those ideas are changing.Slowly, other governments are beginning to see the value in Latin America’s vast resources and are pouring money into those countries’ coffers for infrastructure improvements as well as industrial projects.Is Latin America, long ignored on the global stage, on the rise?Your Superprof takes a look at global factors impacting Latin America and that region’s geopolitical effects on the wider world.The tropical climate and seemingly impassable jungle terrain made South America’s interior virtually inaccessible.Central America has a different story to tell.Relatively early, European powers saw potential in Panama; if o nly they could create a shipping lane across that narrow land, they could avoid navigating around the dangerous Straits of Magellan!The flurry of foreign money and resources that poured into that country during the phases of canal building did much to put the spotlight in Central America.Unfortunately, tropical heat and disease did much to dissuade those wealthy entities from further development in that country or anywhere else in Latin America.They packed up their tools, took their money and technological savvy, and left Latin America to fend for itself.How do geopolitics in the Middle East compare to Latin America's?Latin America as She Stands NowFor a long time, crime and violence stalled development in Latin America.As individual Latin American countries transitioned from authoritarian to democratic rule, juntas, gangs and drug cartels took over even basic civic institutions such as public education, policing and government.This has led to a vicious circle: with minimal educatio n, there are few job opportunities; with no work, people turn to crime and, as violence escalates, fewer international entities entertain the idea of investing or trading in the region.Through this constant cycle of action and reaction, the wealth gap in Latin American countries grows ever wider until, stretched to its breaking point, economies snap, plunging countries into chaos and driving citizens to flee.Venezuela is a particularly dramatic example of such.Once a wealthy land through oil exports, President Chavez launched several social reforms, promoting education and social welfare programmes.  His hand-picked successor has upended those fragile gains.Under Nicholas Maduro’s tenure, the country’s oil industry â€" its main economic driver, all but collapsed. Further plundering of the state-owned natural gas and oil coffers led to a profound economic recession.Sanctions placed on Venezuela by other countries have further impacted the country’s economic viability. Added to that financial crisis is the lack of confidence in the government, caused by Maduro’s ever stronger hold on government affairs.The Venezuelan crisis is affecting all of the neighbouring countries; from Columbia, which temporarily opened her borders so Venezuelans can buy needed goods to those impacted by migration of the Venezuelan people looking for new horizons.That’s all the bad sides; now let’s look at the good things driving Latin American geopolitics.Find out how geopolitics in Russia compare to Latin America's...At one time, Venezuela was Latin America's richest nation; now the people are in crisis Image by David Mark from PixabayThe Region’s Heavy HittersWhile all eyes are on the Venezuelan crisis, elsewhere in Latin America, things are getting rosier.Without a doubt, Latin America is a land rich in natural resources and there are plenty of people available to work them.Historically, the heat and humidity discouraged foreign speculation in the region: how could anyon e work in those conditions?  Now, with climate control well within reach, other countries are thinking: why not set up shop in Latin America?The second stumbling block to that idea was intra-national transportation.Latin American countries typically being underdeveloped and not necessarily on friendly terms with their neighbouring nations, any industry in the middle of South America would not have ready access to international shipping lanes.Even Brazil, as large and diverse as she is, did not exactly have the roads and rails to transport finished goods produced inland to the various seaports they would ship out of.That is why there is now intense focus on infrastructure â€" building facilities, roads and railways, throughout Latin America.Naturally, those ventures provide jobs which, in turn, stimulate the economy of individual countries and the region as a whole.As far as energy production, Latin America has it all over the rest of the world; not just for her vast reserves of oil but in renewable energy resources that she is already making ample use of.Paraguay exports 90% of the energy it generates at their massive hydroelectric facilitiesother Central American countries draw 65% of their energy from hydro resourcesAndean countries are overwhelmingly powered by solar and wind energythose countries include Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and VenezuelaThe Caribbean countries also rely on renewable resourcesFrom this standpoint alone, we can see why other nations are contemplating investment in Latin America.How do all of these aspects play into geopolitics? Get an introduction to the subject now...With the help for foreign investment and trade, many Latin American cities will resemble Bogotá Image by Jerzy Andrzej Kucia from PixabayWho Is Contributing to Latin Countries’ Development?One would expect the United States, Latin America’s closest neighbour, to spearhead investment and development in the region.As it seems that American interests lie elsewhere for now, other nations are eagerly pursuing free trade agreements, both with individual countries and trade blocs that encompass several countries in Latin America.Mercosur is one such pact; it serves Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. They have recently entered into a trade agreement with the European Union, an arrangement that will benefit everyone.Whereas Japan has longstanding ties with Latin America in general, China is now pouring investment capital into select countries’ infrastructure and modernisation. To wit, several Chinese companies recently bid on Brazil’s planned expansion of their railroad system.While the Chinese may have a way to go before they can sway Brazilian officials away from their ties with Japan, they are on track to influence Caribbean nations.Through disaster relief as well as trade deals, loans and investments, China is making its mark in Latin America, almost so quietly that it has gone without notice.Does China's competition with Japan in Lat in America have anything to do with geopolitics in Asia?Naturally, Russian diplomacy in Latin America is making great strides; theirs is a symbiotic relationship that cannot be overlooked.Latin America, essentially ignored until recently as a global political and economic entity, and Russia, politically and economically shunned by European and American leaders have found that, together, they can bolster each other's global standing.Trade deals, arms and technology have made their way from Russia into Nicaragua, Cuba and Bolivia, effectively giving Mr Putin acceptance and validation to balance out the global criticism of his domestic and international policies.It also provides him with a back door into European and American politics - a possibility that some might say has sinister overtones.What do European geopolitics have to do with Russia?Finally, South African involvement in Latin America has grown over the last 15 years, specifically with Mexico, Cuba and Brazil; with Peru unvei ling a plan to boost ties with several African countries.Africa and Latin America have several points in common, from the mining of raw materials to being largely overlooked in global affairs.A look at African geopolitics shows that their main focus for trade and relations remains the northern hemisphere; a position which essentially renders Latin America a competitor because that region’s goals are the same.Unlike other regions around the globe â€" Asia and in particular the Middle East, Europe and Africa, Latin America’s impact on world politics and economy has been minimal â€" and mostly overshadowed by her low place on the global peace index.That contrasts sharply with those countries’ recent advances in the energy and industry sectors.Now, wealthier countries are casting avid eyes on the riches to be had in Latin America, till now largely untapped, and are fairly tripping over themselves to be among the first providers of capital and service in order to reap the largest g ains.Only time will tell whether Latin American countries’ leaders will be compelled to ‘sell to the highest bidder’ or whether she will find her place as a global power.Now take a closer look at geopolitics around the world...

4 Things to Do the First Week of Classes

4 Things to Do the First Week of Classes Ready or not, here come the first week of classes! While it may seem like you just sat down for your last final exams, there are plenty of things to start doing the first week of classes, like going back-to-school shopping for new study supplies and re-starting those morning alarms. But if you want this semester to be your best one ever, you need to kick off some more in-depth initiatives the first week of classes to ensure you start off strong. By doing the following four things the first week of classes, youll lay the foundation for a stellar continuation of the school year. 1. Meet with your instructors the first week of classes It can be easy to avoid one-on-one contact with your new teachers or professors until you absolutely need their help, and many students end up taking this approach. However, one of the best things you can do during your first week of classes is establish a relationship with your instructors so they know your face and name. Visit your professors office hours to introduce yourself, and let them know how excited you are for the spring semester. A little effort can go a long way! Face-to-face time with your instructor is necessary for a great student-teacher rapport, and that can later lead to more effective assistance with exam prep, or perhaps a needed letter of recommendation. 2. During your first week of classes, evaluate and make new goals Before you decide how youre going to make your new semester a great one, you need to evaluate how your last semester went. To start, make a list of things that went well: Did you get great grades on your papers? Did you do a good job balancing your school work with your internship or part-time job? Next, think about specifically what you did to be good at those thingsthese strategies, habits, and tactics are what you should make a point to continue into the new semester. [RELATED: New Years Resolutions for Students] After that part of your self-reflection is complete, consider the things that didnt go so well. Did you fail to study well ahead of time for midterms and finals? Did you often sleep through your 8a.m. lecture? When you think about the things that didnt go as well as you hoped, you can identify what negative habits may have contributed to them and make a point to avoid those this semester. Once youve completed this part of your self-reflection as well, you can begin to make tailored goals to improve your weak areas and continue to strengthen your positive ones. 3. Master your schedule for your first week of classes For some students, this may seem like an easy taskbut it is still vitally important. Getting used to a new schedule can be difficult, especially for college students who are running between multiple buildings on campus. Classes may be starting way earlier than youre used to, or ending later into the evening. Knowing when you have time to study is one of the keys to your success this semester. Plan out chunks of time you have on campus that you can spend in the library or at a professors office hours, and evaluate how many extracurricular activities you can take on. Ensure you also know exactly where your various classes are on campusyou might have some classes at a new building youve never been to before, so consider checking it out on an off day. Dont wait too long before figuring these things out! 4. Throughout your first week of classes, get ahead where you can The first week of the semester may be known as syllabus week, when instructors spend the majority of the time reviewing the semesters schedule and dont necessarily assign any reading or assignments. Instead of using this down time to completely relax, try to get ahead on some of your reading, or start an organizational system to get all of your assignment deadlines and test dates in place. Get these things laid out in a planner or calendar now so you wont have to worry about figuring them out later when youre busy with all of your classwork. Double-check that you have the following items as well: required textbooks any supplemental materials requested by professors extra pens and pencils notebooks and folders for each class Lastly, prepare for any other needs you anticipate. Do you know youll need a tutor in advanced biology? Look into biology tutoring and start making those arrangements while you have the free time. Hoping to gain the benefits of group studying this year? Start reaching out to classmates to gauge whos interested. Your future self will thank you! 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.

Are You Bragging or Self-Promoting - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are You Bragging or Self-Promoting - Introvert Whisperer Are You Bragging or Self-Promoting? Often times when we’re with a mindless bragger we think that because they are doing all of that boastful chatter that they must be perceived as a real winner.   Bragging really isn’t that effective.   Sure, some of it may do some good to help that person get ahead, but generally, most people don’t care to listen to that sort of thing very long. You can self-promote without coming across as a bragging jerk.   Also, people are attracted to others who are confident, which means asserting your personal brand by self-promotion a good thing to do.   Let’s detail out some of the things you can do to self-promote while avoiding being a bragger: Look for opportunities.  You can easily update your boss and peers in the hallway, staff meeting or even by writing status reports.   Look for ways to let people know what you’re up to. Stay modest.    One of the obvious characteristics of being a bragger is a sense of arrogance.   One of the biggest signs is using “I” way too much.   If you’re concerned you could be viewed as bragging, adopt a tactic of using “we” when you speak of accomplishments when at all possible. Stay balanced.    Part of the reason we dislike braggers is they drone on way too much about how wonderful they are or details about something they did.   Keep your comments brief and everyone will appreciate it.   You can be very impactful with just a couple of well thought out sentences. Use well-placed words.     All it takes sometimes is one word.   When you have a clear image of your personal branding, one well-placed word injected in what you’re saying will reinforce or extend your brand.   Here is an example: “I champion and recruit talent.”  Notice the word champion.   It completely enriches what you know about that person. Keep to the facts.    When what you are saying is simple, straightforward information, it isn’t bragging, nor will it be perceived that way. Communicate your accomplishments.   You are the only one who really knows.    When we think our work speaks for itself, what we are doing is hoping someone will notice.   Hoping isn’t a good strategy for career growth.   You are the only one who truly knows what you’ve done, which means it must be you who communicates the information about your accomplishments. Keep people in the loop.    It is good for you both.   Other people will benefit by knowing about what you’ve done or can do.   You are a resource and you can help people understand what you can do for them or with them. Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective. But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

What is it Like to Attend Concordia College

What is it Like to Attend Concordia College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Shantel received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education from Concordia College. She is currently a tutor in Boston specializing in ESL/ELL tutoring, readingtutoring, writingtutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at Concordia College: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Shantel: The campus is set in a smaller town of about 40,000, and it is across the river from Fargo, North Dakota (population: 114,000). The campus is incredibly picturesque. It is hidden from the rest of the world by beautiful trees, making it feel like you are in your own world. There is a gorgeous bell tower, a pond with a fountain, and beautiful buildings with impeccable landscaping. The campus is very safe and well-lit. Campus security will walk with students if they would like them to. Many of the buildings are interconnected, which is helpful in the winter.There are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, ice cream shops, and fast food places within walking distance. Quite a few students will come with a car if they live a few hours away, so it's never a problem to get a ride somewhere. There are ride share boards for going home for weekends or vacations. A local taxi service offers a discount to college students, so having a car isn't really necessary. A bike would be help ful, but its also not necessary. Everything on campus is an easy walk away. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Shantel:One thing I loved about Concordia College is how easy it was to talk with professors. There are no teaching assistants, and academic advisers have an open door policy. Your academic adviser is often a professor that you will have for your major, and I got to know mine very well. Students will have the same professors multiple times, which helps to build those connections. Freshmen classes may be 20-30 students, and upper-level courses can be as small as seven. The average class size is 18, and the student to faculty ratio is 12:1. Professors hold regular office hours, but they are available via email at almost any time, and they welcome students walking in to say hello or to ask a question. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Shantel:First- and second-year students are required to live on campus to help build community. All of my college friends now, ten years later, are people I met in my first year of college, and my best friends are women who were on my dorm floor. Dorms for first and second years are not co-ed, and they are separated by building. The RAs are fantastic! They plan social events, mixers, and are always available to talk to students. My freshman RA and I are still very close. There are two dining halls on campus with a huge variety of options. There are campus apartments for juniors and seniors, where many students will live. I chose to live off-campus, and I partially regret this decision, even though it was a good glimpse into real life. I missed the community of the college. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting yourparticular area of study? Shantel:There are 65 majors, and most students will double major or at least have a major and a minor. I was an Education major, but I also was required to major in English and minor in Communications. The reason behind this is so that I'm more of an expert in my content area. Concordia College is a liberal arts school, so students are required to take several core classes in various subject areas. I enjoyed being able to expand my knowledge in other areas. I took a meteorology course to fulfill my science requirement, and bowling (which took place at a local bowling alley) to fulfill my physical fitness credit. With the Education major, students are out in schools in their first year. There are mini practicums/student teaching opportunities each year that lead up to the senior year semester of student teaching. I loved all of the opportunities to get in the classroom and practice teaching, learn from veteran teachers, and gain experience. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Shantel:There is no Greek life at Concordia College, but there are over 100 clubs. I was active in several, and I made a lot of new friends. There is an activity fair every fall where students can learn about all of the clubs and intramural sports groups. Concordia College has all of the college sports you'd need (including hockey), plus an active music scene. Concordia College is most well known for music (not sports). The Concordia College choir, band, and orchestra all do tours each year, many of which include an international trip. There are several different levels for each group for students with varying abilities and time commitments. My favorite part about Concordia College is that the week before school is freshman orientation week. All freshmen are assigned a club and do many of the activities with that group. Clubs are led by an upperclassmen who is trained, and students get to know each other in a smaller setting. Club leaders make door signs for each student and come by to welcome them as they arrive on campus. It's a great way to get to know the campus and to ask all the questions students are wondering. Freshmen all take a common class with their club throughout the first semester. VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Shantel:The Career Center is fantastic, and students also have access to a psychologist and a campus pastor. There are many counseling groups happening on a rolling basis, including a grief group. VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Shantel:It's never hard to find space on campus to do anything. The campus is small, and there are only 2,400 students. It's small enough that you usually recognize someone as you're walking around campus, but there are plenty of new people to meet. Finding a quiet study cubby in the library is easy to do. There are more computers than students need, and there is a lot of outdoor space where students sit and chat. There are study areas in each dorm, and nooks and crannies all over campus. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between? To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Shantel:The surrounding areas population is 224,000, and there are two other colleges nearby. Minnesota State University Moorhead is not far away, and NDSU (North Dakota State University) is just a short drive. The NDSU Bison are well known for their impressive football and hockey teams, so going to a game there is always fun. The Fargo-Moorhead area is heavily populated with college students, so there is plenty to do. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Shantel:With only 2,400 students, freshman classes may be 20-30, and upper-level courses can be as small as seven students. The average class size is 18. I loved the smaller class sizes, especially as I got into my upper-level courses. It was great to have so much personalized attention, and my ideas were always heard. Professors all know their students very well, and they remember us years later when we visit. They love teaching and are approachable. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Shantel:I really enjoyed my History of the English language course, and the professor who taught it was hilarious. He loved his subject matter and really taught me what it was to be a good teacher. I took just as many notes during his class about the content as I did his teaching methods. I also did a semester abroad, which I highly recommend to anyone! I studied in Norway and traveled to seven other countries as part of my program. It was the most incredible experience. During spring break, some classes will have an opportunity to travel abroad. For example, I took a literature class that had the option to go to France with the professor over spring break. I regret not going on that trip. There are plenty of opportunities for travel with groups like Habitat for Humanity. Check out Shantels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Italian Grammar Rules How to Form Singular and Plural Nouns

Italian Grammar Rules How to Form Singular and Plural Nouns Brooke Neuman Mastering Italian grammar can be difficult. Nonetheless, its important if you want to become proficient in the Italian language. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some tips and tricks on how to form singular and plural nouns In Italian, it’s important to understand how to form singular and plural nouns. After all, nouns are a cornerstone of the Italian languageâ€"or any language for that matter. Luckily, this Italian grammar rule is easy to master as it follows a certain pattern. Once you learn this recognizable pattern, you’ll be able to express more exponentially in Italian. Lets get started! Identifying the Gender of a Noun Regardless of number, each noun has a gender: masculine or feminine. It’s important that you understand how to recognize whether a noun is feminine or masculine. Once you know whether a noun is feminine or masculine in the singular, you can make changes to the ending to pluralize. If a noun is feminine, it generally ends in â€"a in the singular and if it is masculine, it generally ends in â€"o in the singular. See examples below: Feminine:  la mela Masculine:   il ragazzo However, there are some nouns that end in â€"e,  which can be  feminine or masculine. See examples below: Masculine: il ristorante Feminine: la notte Pluralizing the Noun The most basic way to pluralize singular nouns is as follows: Nouns ending in â€"o, the ending changes to â€"i in the plural. See example below: Singular: il libro Plural:   i libri Nouns ending in â€"a, the ending changes to â€"e in the plural. See example below: Singular: la bambina Plural: le bambine Nouns ending in â€"ca change to â€"che in the plural.  See example below: Singular: l’amica Plural: le amiche Nouns ending in â€"e change to â€"i in the plural. See example below: Singular: lo studente Plural: gli studenti Exceptions to the Rule There are several exceptions to the rules listed above: For the nouns that end in â€"io,  the -i is generally not repeated in the ending.  An exception to this are words like lo zio, which becomes gli zii. See example below: Singular:  il negozio Plural:   i negozi not i negozii There are certain  feminine nouns ending in â€"a that change to â€"i in the plural. See example below: Singular:  l’ala Plural: le ali. There are certain  masculine nouns ending in â€"a that  change ending to â€"i in the plural, along with nouns ending in â€"o and â€"e, which can be masculine or feminine. See examples below: Singular:  il problema Plural:  i problemi Singular:  la mano Plural:  le mani There are also nouns ending in â€"a that can be both masculine and feminine. Dentista, for example, can be accompanied by the masculine or feminine article;  la dentista or il dentista. In these cases, the masculine noun changes to â€"i in the plural and the feminine noun changes to â€"e in the plural. See example below: Masculine Plural: i dentisti Feminine Plural: le dentiste Nouns that end in â€"ca and â€"ga have a hard sound that needs to be preserved in the plural. To do so, the plural forms add an -h, but are otherwise normal in their pluralization. These nouns can be either feminine or masculine. Here is an example of each: Singular: la barca Plural: le barche Singular: lo stratega Plural: gli strateghi The same addition of the ‘h’ in the plural also applies to nouns ending in â€"go and in â€"co. Some nouns ending in â€"co, however, don’t include ‘h’ in the plural (l’amico à gli amici). Singular:  il dialogo Plural:i dialoghi Singular:  il pacco Plural:  i pacchi Lastly, another type of noun with a spelling change are those that end in â€"cia or â€"gia. If the â€"i in this ending is unstressed in the singular, it drops the â€"i in the plural. However, if the â€"i is stressed, it is retained in the plural. Singular:la mancia Plural:  le mance Singular:  la farmacia Plural:  le farmacie Abbreviated Nouns In Italian grammar, there are other types of nouns that are  abbreviated, which are shortened to make them easier to write and say. La foto, for example, which is short for la fotografia. With these nouns, they retain the same ending in the plural shortened forms (le foto). Similarly, nouns that end with an accented vowel or a consonant don’t change in the plural, either. See examples below: Singular:  il caffé Plural:  i caffé Singular:  il film Plural:  i film An important part of understanding nouns is also understanding what articles accompany them, including definite and indefinite articles. You can read more about articles in this blog post. While there are many exceptions to nouns, the basic rules of how to form singular and plural nouns will take you quite far. As  you work with your Italian tutor, you can learn the exceptions through practice, listening, and repetition. Before you know it, you will naturally form singular and plural nouns perfectly! Photo by llmicrofono Ogglono Post Author:  Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches Italian in New York, NY. She graduated summa cum laude from New York University, with a double degree in Italian Language and Literature and Classical Music Performance.  Learn more about Nadia here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher