One Easy Way to Enhance Your Voice Lessons

One Easy Way to Enhance Your Voice Lessons Suzy S. Want to really improve your singing?   Truly owning your voice and making the most of your lessons requires more than just learning the lyrics and following your teachers direction. Read on for some great advice from Denver voice teacher Ruth C., and start approaching your singing from a whole new perspective Unlike other instruments, the voice is inside the body, which can make it a very frustrating instrument to understand! Scientists have done tons of studies to better understand how your two little vocal folds work when breath passes through them â€" but when you’re actually in the middle of your voice lesson, how can you understand what’s going on? The goal of lessons should always be to find your voice (not to mimic your favorite recording artist or your teacher).   The best possible way to make sure you understand what your teacher is having you do is to ask tons of questions.   It may feel silly to ask some basic questions, but I guarantee your teacher will love answering them! If it helps you to understand some of the anatomy/science of singing, ask for a full explanation from your teacher.   Teachers may use a variety of terms for the same idea (breath support, diaphragmatic breathing, etc.  â€" which all refer to the same thing), so make sure you and your teacher are on the same page.   Or if you work better with images (“singing with an even flow of air feels like ice skating”), make sure you and your teacher remember a few key ones to use in your lessons. Knowing the terms is one thing.   Feeling and being able to describe them as they happen in your body and voice is another.   Make sure you can identify how it feels to sing with good breath support. Does your rib cage expand?   Does your stomach expand or contract as you sing?   Do you run out of breath before the end of the phrase?   These are all questions to ask yourself and your teacher as you are working in your lesson. The practice of defining terms and seeing how they act in your voice will give you the best knowledge of all how to practice and sing successfully when your teacher isn’t there!   When you’re at home working on a song, can you feel the same flow of air, or relaxation in your jaw?   If not, then ask yourself how your teacher got you to find these qualities in your lesson.   (Having a recording of your lessons can help with this when your memory fails!) Learning to sing is not always easy, but practicing this kind of “Socratic Questioning” during your lessons will help you continue your improvement in between them.   When you have a better understanding of what really happened in those lessons, you can take that knowledge with you for the rest of your life! Want even more expert advice from our teachers?    Sign up for email updates here! Ruth C. teaches singing, opera voice and acting lessons to students in Denver, CO. Ruth joined the TakeLessons team in June 2012, and her specialties include classical/opera, musical theater, jazz and folk singing styles. Sign up for lessons with Ruth, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! Photo by DanBrady

4 Easy Things You Need to Be Doing to Advance Your Career - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 4 Easy Things You Need to Be Doing to Advance Your Career - Introvert Whisperer 4 Easy Things You Need to Be Doing to Advance Your Career 4 Easy Things You Need to Be Doing to Advance Your Career Are you the kind of person who lets others take the lead in a business meeting? That might be helping your career. Even though youre an Introvert, there are some strategies that will help you get ahead, without making you cringe: Which strategy will make the biggest change in your current career track? Share your thoughts in the comments! 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.

Should I Go To Columbia University

Should I Go To Columbia University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jordy is a New York City tutor specializing in many subjects such as AP English tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, ISEE prep tutoring,SSAT prep tutoringand more. She holds a Bachelors degree in English Literature and Art History from Columbia University from which she graduated in 2007. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jordy:Columbia is an absolutely beautiful campus. In fact, the campus itself is one of the main things that initially attracted me to the school. Despite being in the middle of Manhattan, you walk through those gates and you are in a world unto itself, each building grand and gorgeous. The library faade is literally inscribed with the names of philosophical and literary heavyweights, so the buildings themselves actually inspire one to think and work harder. As far as transportation options go, I found it to be a plus to not have a car at college. New Yorks public transport system is so comprehensive, and there is a subway stop right outside the College Walk gates that is actually called 116th Street Columbia University and tiled in Columbia blue. I have never felt unsafe on the subway, and of course if youre in a hurry or its super late at night, theres always a yellow cab within an arms reach. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jordy:I always found that if I wanted to speak to someone, they were available. Its one of the benefits of a small campus and undergraduate community that you never have to walk more than a couple of blocks to chat with someone. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jordy:The housing at Columbia is great. In fact, over 90% of undergrads live on campus all four years, and theres a huge range of types of housing, from standard hallway dorms on the quad to pre-war apartments owned by the university several blocks from the main campus. Even freshman year, there are several optionsa social dorm of double rooms organized in suites, a more private dorm of small single rooms, and even some suite-style housing that includes students from across all four years. Every freshman lives right on the main quad, no more than a three minute walk to the library and main dining hall. I met some of my life-long best friends in my freshman dormwe all happened to be stacked on top of each other in three consecutive floors. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Jordy:I always knew I wanted to major in English in college, and I came to Columbia for their renowned Core Curriculum (summer before freshman year, everyones required to read The Iliad), but through luck and an open elective spot my sophomore fall, I happened to also take an art history class that totally changed my life. Theres nothing like being able to study art history in New York City, where you can go see so many of the works in person, and the following spring, I ended up declaring a double major, and was even able to study abroad in Paris and see many more works with my own eyes. The most popular majors on campus seem to be Economics and Political Science, but because of the Core Curriculum I mentioned, everyone takes classes together and has a strong shared experience. Its wonderful to know that if I happen to meet an alum from the class of 1950 or 2050, we will be able to discuss the same great texts. 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? Jordy:As I mentioned, because the whole freshman class is concentrated into a few dorms, one dining hall, and takes Core classes together, its really easy to meet people and get to know them. And since NYC is just outside the gates, there is always something to check out with your new friends. Greek life is a small presence on campusthough I do love to point out that our sororities and fraternities are housed in gorgeous old Upper West Side brownstones. Its more common for guys to participate in Greek life, as most of the fraternities are organized around sports teams. But the option is definitely there if youre interested. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jordy:Because of Columbias central location and stellar reputation, everyone recruits on campus. There are career fairs, internship opportunities, field-based recruitingyou name it, you can find it. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jordy:The libraries at Columbia are gorgeous, and the system is one of the largest in the nation, and if CU doesnt have a book, theyll bring it in overnight from a nearby Ivy like Yale or Brown. Actually, because everyones working so hard all the time, the library becomes a social hub of its own, and you figure out the rooms to go to if you need to buckle down versus those you head toward if you have time to chat with friends and eat some snacks. 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? Jordy:Obviously, Columbia is smack in the middle of New York City, but it is distinctly different from other city schools in that it has a gorgeous campus that is set apart from the hustle and bustle, as opposed to hidden among non-campus city buildings. There are tons of cute, student-focused restaurants, bars, and coffee shops right around the perimeter of campus that give the area of Morningside Heights a very neighborhood-y feel. And the rest of New York is just a subway ride away! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jordy:There are a lot of students on the Columbia campus at any given time, but the undergraduate community is actually one of the smallest in the Ivy League, at around 5,000 students. In my four years, I had only four large lectures, and none were within my majors. The rest of my classes fell into one of two groups: lectures with around 40 students that required a small discussion section, and classes of 20 or fewer. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jordy: I felt most lucky to be beginning my Art History major the year that the Museum of Modern Art reopened following an extensive renovation. As we learned about the landmarks of Western Art, we were able to visit the MoMA and see the Pollacks, Lichtensteins, and Warhols in person. This class and the opportunities afforded to us by being in the city changed the course of my academic trajectory and even led me to study abroad in Paris, which was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Check out Jordys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learning Italian for Business

Learning Italian for Business Learn to Speak Italian Fluently:  The Advantages are Endless ChaptersItalian: A Prestigious Latinate LanguageMuch More than a Language for TouristsHow Learning Italian can Enhance Your CVWhy Choose Italian?Learning a foreign language such as Italian is always a good idea, as it opens up a world of opportunity on a personal as well as a professional level.The melodic intonation, attractive accent and unmistakeable Italian hand gestures is what makes the Italian language so charming.But how can Italian language lessons help your career? How much value does learning Italian add to your CV? What position does Italy hold in international trade?Italy is the 7th most economically powerful country in the world, and one of the founding members of the European Union.It is a country that is recognized in many important areas such as art restoration (more than 60% of the world's art treasures are located in Italy according to UNESCO), teaching, trade, music, luxury fashion, cinema, automotive, research, and so much more.By deciding to learn to speak Itali an, you are opening your eyes to a language and culture that spans centuries and has played a major role in shaping the world as we know it today.Spending some time living and working in Italy is a learning experience that will work wonders for your language proficiency. Cultural immersion in Rome for example will not only help you with your conversational Italian but also with your general language sense, such as your listening comprehension and knowing how to correctly use certain words and phrases in the right context.Having a good command of everyday Italian words and expressions will make you sound more competent in your Italian speaking and more like a native speaker of the language - so you can ditch the phrasebook and learn by doing!Modern-day Italy offers a warm welcome for its visitors who hope to develop their professional skills and broaden their horizons.There are already more than 7500 American companies located in Italy, including General Electric, Hewlett Packard, IB M or Motorola to name a few.But which companies employ British people?  and how should you find them? How can knowing how to speak Italian help you in the world of business?Why Choose Italian?At Superprof, we believe that there are at least five good reasons to learn Italian.Deciding to learn Italian is a brilliant opportunity to add value to your CV as you gain useful professional skills.From a recruitment point of view, having someone who already speaks the Italian language as a candidate makes them stand out, as they won’t require any additional training in Italian, saving companies time and money.Whether you learn Italian for free or take online Italian courses, the outcome can be quite interesting.With the majority of UK nationals rarely choosing to learn a new language and the ones that do choosing French or Spanish, as an Italian speaker, you’ll be a rare breed â€" almost as rare as those who learn Chinese, learn Arabic, or learn Portuguese.The number of learners who want to study Italian is shockingly low, putting the language in 4th position behind French, Spanish and German.  Find the best places to live and study as an Italian student in Italy.If you really want to take these professional opportunities, you’ll have to maintain an open mind and keep reminding yourself that foreign strategies will never work in Italy if you do not familiarise yourself with the Italian status-quo and the language.Italy is a country where human relationships count and play a major role, so don’t forget to work on your personal relations and try to become more empathetic so that you fit better into Italian organisations.For example, Italians don’t like speaking English very much, so make an effort to only speak their language â€" even if you get stuck for vocab!Small efforts such as this one will demonstrate a motivation to integrate yourself in Italian culture.Speaking Italian will bring you closer to the heart of Italian culture and its people, who will welco me you as one of their own.

How To Write A Resume For Med School

How To Write A Resume For Med School Sometimes, whether youre accepted to med school comes down to the numbers (GPA / MCATscore), and you cant change those. However, there are many areas you can improve on or spin to create a more impressive resume. These tips below can help you build a strong, professional resume to help your acceptance chances. Stop: Take a step back before you begin your resume, med school application or anything else. Try to find a theme, belief or mantra that describes you or what you stand for and thread it throughout your entire application. Write a little blurb about yourself, stating why you are bound for a great medical career, but do not include it on your resume. Create it around your qualities and skills and write everything in your application from that blurb. Objective statement: This should speak to your core belief. Med schools want to see that youre a passionate, enthusiastic student heading for a profound medical career, and your objective statement should indicate that. But, passionate, enthusiastic student heading for a profound medical career is a terrible objective statement because an admissions counselor has read that before. Take some time with your objective statement, and boil it down to the one unique quality you have that will make you a catch at any med school similar to the blurb you write about yourself. If youre interested in research, your objective statement could speak to your desire to find a solution to every problem or your statement could be about how you will to help people through the gift of medicine. Work on your objective statement and write something completely unique, something that will make a med school counselor stop and think. Benefit-driven work experience: Med schools admissions are very competitive, and only about half (or less) of the students who apply are actually accepted. Nearly every admitted student will have a prestigious internship; so simply having one will not help you much. You need to indicate that what you did during your internship helped the practice and ultimately its patients. Med schools want to see tangible results of your efforts. Write as specific and detailed as you possibly can about your internship experience. Dont just write: worked closely with doctors, patients, nurses, etc. Instead, write: Administered medicinal injections for quicker/more effective patient support. Analyzed blood/urine samples for more sophisticated data entry. As an intern, you will most likely handle a lot of administrative work like filing patient records or data. But, med schools dont care if you are the worlds quickest filer. Write about your medicine-related duties. Use resume paper: If you are mailing in your resume, use resume paper. It will make you look more professional. Use a template: Youre on your way to becoming a doctor, not a graphic artist. Theres no shame in using an existing resume template. Aesthetically pleasing templates are readily available online and maybe even on your computer in programs like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and even Microsoft Office. But, your resume should still look professional, and make sure you have lots of white space because that makes it easier to read. Academic accolades: Include where you went for undergraduate school and what honors or accolades you earned. Include what groups, clubs, organizations, extracurricular activities, etc. you were a part of and what results you created there. Contact info: Name, permanent address, email address, phone number, and website (if you have it) should all be in the header on your resume. Strong GPA: At this point, you cannot change your GPA or MCATscore (for those of you who have not taken the MCAT yet, you should strongly consider a private MCAT tutor). But, you should have at least a 3.5 GPA to be competitive at mid-level med schools. You will probably need around a 3.7 or higher for top tier schools. The average GPA is 3.57 for students who get accepted into med school, and that number is rising, according to eHow.com. However, some students who have lower GPAs opt not to include it in their resumes. This could work in your favor, but remember: the school is going to see your GPA one way or another. Learn howMCAT tutorscan help you improve your chances of acceptance into a top med school. High MCATscore: This could be the most important factor on your resume because the MCATallows med schools to compare any and all students. But again, you cannot change it. The average MCATscore for accepted students is a 30, and rising. But, if you want to be competitive at top med schools, you will need to at least be in the 33-36 range.

Improving Performance in School through Social-Emotional Learning An Introduction

Improving Performance in School through Social-Emotional Learning An Introduction Improving Academic Performance In the world of education, new fads can sometimes garner swift support but fall fast. As parents, we sometimes look for quick fixes to our children’s learning struggles; but that approach can lead to wasted time spent on strategies that aren’t effective in the long term. Thankfully, some trends do seem to make a lasting, positive impact. SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) is steadily proving itself to be an effective force in a growing number of school districts. WHAT IS SEL? As quoted from an article entitled “The Psychological Approach to Educating Kids” in The Atlantic: “SELâ€"also called whole-child educationâ€"is a systematic, evidence-based approach to teaching kids how to achieve goals, understand and manage emotions, build empathy, forge relationships, and make responsible decisions.” â€"See the full article here. SEL puts emphasis on a human trait, the ability to “be social”, that is often ignored or undervalued in an academic setting: Socialization is necessary to building relationships, managing interactions with others, and learning how to empathize â€" all things that almost certainly aid in the creation of an organized, effective, happy and well-adjusted student and young adult. The main force behind this movement is CASEL, The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. It’s an organization dedicated to ‘the practice of promoting integrated academic, social, and emotional learning for all children in preschool through high school’ (casel.org). CASEL takes the lead on research, practicing SEL in classrooms, homes, and the community, and promoting policy that encourages placing importance on emotional and social health throughout a person’s childhood. WHY IT WORKS Too often we hear the story of the very intelligent young adult who ‘can’t connect with peers’, or ‘just can’t seem to set goals and stick to them’. One may argue that it’s due to a general tendency to focus first on academics and test scores without consideration for the context / home environment in which the student is operating. Social-Emotional Learning emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making through organized classroom activities and lessons such as learning the proper way to handshake. This leads to an ability to understand others’ perspectives and lower depression rates in students, based on prior studies represented in an Edutopia article entitled, “Why Social and Emotional Learning is Essential for Students”. In a world where human-human interaction is diminishing, SEL argues that it is important that we teach children to set goals, persevere, and how to appropriately connect in real time with real people. In 2011, a meta-analysis published in the journal Child Development showed an 11 percentile gain in academic achievement for students who participated in a well-implemented SEL program versus students who didn’t. The positive effects are seen even in students who have anxiety, depression, or mental disorders â€" they learn goal setting, stress management, and organization techniques. HOW SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT SEL Implementing SEL can be a whole school effort. Findings from a research project called SECURe (Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Understanding and Regulation in education), show that it takes every adult throughout every part of the school day and in every section of the building trained to employ a set of language and practices that they can use when emotions come up to maintain a successful SEL initiative (Harvard.edu). The difference between SEL programs and its counterparts and predecessors is that the whole school takes part in an effort to increase emotional health in all students. When a school district takes on the task of prioritizing SEL, the entire staff is trained, so that things like perseverance and goal setting are incorporated everywhere. Yes, even in Biology or Phys. Ed. The most successful programs even branch out into the community, educating parents on how to emphasize socialization, respect, and self-awareness in their children. Basically, unlike other programs that primarily focus on certain aspects of a child’s well-being, SEL attempts to create a ‘whole child education’ (social, emotional, physical, and academic) philosophy. HOW TO IMPLEMENT OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM SEL, as you might expect, can be implemented outside of the classroom as well. Green Ivy is a consulting, test prep, and college coaching firm. They incorporate SEL into everything they do, including weekly tutoring sessions. Green Ivy supports self-awareness and self-management, working with students on lists of personal values and limiting the amount of technology time. The instructors try to help students discover their unique strengths and interests. The results they’ve seen from allowing children the time and space to reflect and find their own niche is increased self-confidence, higher academic achievement, and a sense of independence. Beloit College in Wisconsin, seeing the value of SEL, now trains all of their peer tutors in the approach and expects them to implement the concepts as often as possible. The Atlantic’s article “The Psychological Approach to Educating Kids” tells the story of Daniel, a high school senior in Texas, a student who has had issues with OCD and anxiety for many years. At first, he was skeptical of SEL, but once he grew accustomed to it, he learned how to stay organized, better study skills, and how to manage his time. SEL also helped to reduce his academic stress and anxiety with techniques he now uses daily. Daniel currently teaches SEL himself (through a student-led instruction program), is valedictorian of his class, and will be attending Harvard as a student athlete in the fall. IN CONCLUSION SEL has many critics, but there’s no doubt that an overwhelming amount of positive research has been done and conclusions have been drawn that SEL works. School districts, charter schools, and universities across the country have implemented the program into their daily routines. We must recognize that if a child isn’t emotionally and socially healthy, he or she is not going to be able to reach his/her potential academically, and SEL principles offer a potential intervention to improve outcomes for at-risk students.

Importance of Writing Skills in College

Importance of Writing Skills in College You and your teen already know how important writing skills are in high school. It probably comes as no surprise that they are just as critical in college. In just about every subject, professors assign essays along with many other writing assignments. But beyond the fact that students are expected to do a lot of it in college, why else is the ability to write so important? Here are six reasons: Communication is vital in todays world. Its a digital world where communication skills matterand writing is at the core of strong communication. No matter what students go on to major in at college (and what they intend to do after they graduate), they will be expected to express their work clearly, concisely and coherently in writing. Writing helps students refine ideas. In college, students are often asked to do research and formulate arguments and present that information in written format. This prepares them for the real world, where professionals in many industries must do this on a daily basiswhen emailing colleagues and creating and sharing reports, for example. Good writing leaves a strong impression. Like it or not, these days, many people are judged by their writing because so many introductions in the real world are made via email or similar. Quality writing will make students stand out (and bad writing will also make them stand out, but not in a good way). Writing skills prove workplace readiness. The goal of college, of course, is to prepare students for their future careersand communication is consistently ranked as one of the most valued traits by all types of employers. Having an aptitude for writing earns people credibility, no matter what field theyre in. Having writing ability shows professionalism. Great leaders are often great writers, capable of inspiring others and instigating change with their words and ideas. Even on a more practical basis, professionals must be able to write emails, reports, memos and letters that are clear and effective. Students who hone their writing abilities in college will be better equipped as professionals. Poor writing gets ignored. Rambling essaysconfusing emailswordy titlesdisorganized papers: these will get ignored by a professor, just as poor writing in the workplace will get disregarded as unimportant and irrelevant. Whether a student plans to become a journalist, business professional, teacher or engineer, its essential to learn that writing well means getting heard and noticed. Its crucial that your teen has good writing skills and techniques before she sets foot on a college campus. If your teen needs support throughout high school, call Huntington. Well help your teen hone those imperative writing abilities and become a more confident writer before she heads off to college.

If You Answer Yes to These Questions, You Can Handle a Part-Time Job

If You Answer Yes to These Questions, You Can Handle a Part-Time Job via Pixabay Do You Have Some Free Time? Are there multiple times a week that you find yourself binging on a newly released Netflix show? Maybe you find that you get your school work done in an incredibly short amount of time and you’re bored while your friends are still studying and writing papers. If you have multiple hours of free time each week, including the weekends, it’s probably time for you to find a part-time job. Think of it, you can fill those empty hours with making money! Is Your Workload Pretty Light? Each semester in college is different. The workload during some semesters may be absolutely unbearable and you may be drowning in assignments while other semesters may have a much lighter workload. If you are taking general education courses or mostly electives this semester, your workload is most likely be easier and lighter than if you were taking core classes for your major. If you find that you are able to finish your work quickly and it isn’t too demanding, you can probably handle a part-time job. via Pixabay Do You Have Good Time Management Skills? Time management is an important skill to perfect and maintain throughout life, not just during college. We can all be procrastinators sometimes, it’s only human. However, if you find that you fight the urge to procrastinate and don’t leave assignments until the last second, you can most likely handle a part-time job. When working and going to school, it’s important to stick to a schedule and have your work done on time. This may mean that you have to finish an assignment a week early so you don’t fall behind and are still able to work. Are You Motivated? Make a list of your goals for the semester, life, and after college. If your goal is to make money and not be drowning in student loan debt for years, you are probably motivated to make time to work a few hours during the week. It’s important to have motivation throughout the semester because if you lack motivation, you will most likely be miserable and won’t excel in school or your part-time job. Can You Find a Job Related to Your Major? Depending on your major, you may be able to find a job that will help you gain experience for when you graduate and start your career. Not only will this be a great way to make money, but it is an awesome resume booster! This part-time job may also take the form of an internship, which is perfect because it can also count for school credit. via Pixabay Will You Be Overwhelmed? You know yourself best. Ask yourself if you will be overwhelmed if you start working a part-time job. If you find that you are struggling to finish assignments and projects on time from more than just procrastinating, then maybe a part-time job will have to wait until next semester. Seriously think about your current workload, social life, and extracurricular activities. If you feel that you can fit in a few extra hours a week to make some money at a part-time job and you are motivated to make it work, then go for it! Is It Worth Your Time? Sometimes working for minimum wage won’t be worth your time while in school. Depending on the commute time and cost, you may be making much less than you originally thought when you applied for the job. If you find that a majority of your earnings will be going towards travel expenses, food, or any other additional costs of having the job, it may be better to sit this one out and focus on your schooling or finding an internship. If you answered “yes” to these questions, it may be time to start your part-time job search. When applying, make sure that the manager or supervisor is flexible in their scheduling and understands that you are a student first and an employee second. Good luck!