Bonding Crystals to Store and Transport Carbon Compounds

Bonding Crystals to Store and Transport Carbon CompoundsOne of the newest and most interesting elements to show up in the news lately is the latest innovation in bonds chemistry: bonds of carbon-based compounds. In the last couple of years, scientists have been trying to work out how to store and transport some of these elements in a new way. They are designing molecules that allow them to hold the elements at a low temperature, without the risk of the element spontaneously decomposing.One of the recent technology breakthroughs has been the creation of a molecule with a ring. They may seem familiar - they are similar to the two rings found on most bonds chemistry and bio-organic chemistry supplies. But the similarities end there, as these rings are actually extremely useful.These rings are held in place by molecules called co-axial ligands. These are excited by cross-linked benzene rings that are contained within a special molecule called CO 2 - but they can be used as well. In these new hybrid cross-linked rings, the oxygen and hydrogen atoms have different spins, making it easier for scientists to control the bonding and other properties of the molecules. The rings also make it possible to 'strip' them off so that the ring loses its special property.Other ways in which these cross-linked rings are used to hold various elements have been discovered too. However, it is important to understand the difference between chemistry engineering, as this can often make an otherwise important discovery very different. Engineering is concerned with structures and methods for producing or using materials, while chemistry deals with the chemical reactions which produce the materials, and the application of the materials.For example, in the production of fuel for cars and ships, the chemical compounds that help the fuel run smoothly are relatively simple. Making them is very simple too, making it easy to mix up different types of fuels and then create a fuel mixture that wil l work as a power source. However, the application of these fuels is much more difficult. This is because it is possible to take certain fuels, combine them with other substances, and get something that is not very useful for most applications.Engineers do not think much about the engineering aspect of chemical compounds - they are a matter of producing the right recipe of reactants, additives, and the desired reaction products. Chemists, on the other hand, think about the chemical reaction that takes place in order to make a particular chemical compound, and the reactions that may occur between the components in the compound.As a result, chemical engineers consider building blocks as the basis of chemistry, and chemicals as the building blocks of the universe. As it turns out, chemistry is very similar to physics, with the two fields doing a lot of work together in order to improve the science of physics itself. At the same time, physics and chemistry need each other to understand the interactions that take place in the world around us.

How to Improve Assignment Grades

How to Improve Assignment Grades Assignment grades are important for boosting your GPA and for heading towards academic success. Good study habits improve your scores in assignments and here they are for your perusal: Write down assignment dates in your planner Due dates for assignments, topics and guidelines are to be filled up in a planner once the assignments are given. By doing so, you are able to maintain regular schedule and time frame for doing assignments. Don’t forget to bring your paperwork to the class You may forget to bring your homework to class in the last minute.   So, prepare everything before hand, keep your assignment (if hand written) ready in your backpack and submit on time. Talk to your teacher about your assignments Make sure that you know your assignment requirements pretty well. Check whether you are able to understand the title and other things well. If not, talk to your teacher, confirm the details and set to prepare the assignments afterwards. Otherwise seek online Assignment help where tutors explain every requirement of assignment in detail for your easy preparation. Being confident in Math learning is very crucial for keeping up with the classes and preparing for Math tests and https://t.co/VQ45EFLxmk â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) March 3, 2016 Have a color code for your assignments Choose a particular color for every subject and use the same for topic, highlights, folder, sticky notes pens etc. Your mind gets organized about the assignment topic once you see the color. Many such beautiful tricks will be known to you once you get best assignment help from online experts in the field. Have a study zone at home for writing assignments Particular time and place are important to train your mind towards regular assignment writing without procrastination. Find a suitable study zone at home for writing assignments and stick to it every day for having a routine in doing assignment. Assignments Giving You A Head Ache? Try Out An Online Assignment Service Assignment tensions in subjects like math make students allergic to that subject with apprehensions of falling grades in the subject. Even if you sit on them, you find no way to pick out methods and means to complete. Online services are the timely source at such critical junctures with their assignment help through proper study sources. It is true, you lose your tendency to help by self to follow up your course of study- you can’t help it due to the impending work stress and the complicated nature of assignment tasks. Same way, problem solution in Math has become a difficult and time consuming task, driving students to their wits end to hire services online. Let us see how you can resolve such issues. @TutorPace Offers 10% Discount on Online #Assignment Help for Improved Grades http://t.co/P1NO7BttIg #backtoschool pic.twitter.com/vJs9iihJwU â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) September 10, 2015 Proper help through assignment experts: The e- tutoring sites are the real pillars of strength in the hours of emergency, when students struggle to work on their assignment tasks or term papers, research papers, thesis or an essay in English. Once you give the dead line and pay the quote, they stick to your requirements and follow the instructions as given in the order. All you need to do is to be clear in your requirements to buy quality assignment from expert tutors. They write in accordance with the desired style and given guidelines. Assignment service is a real fountain spring of innovative ideas for the students to follow up after reading the written papers for them. Read More:  10 Factors That Make eLearning The Future Of American Education They learn the writing strategies and original ideas expressed by the writers through their papers and could get involved to know more about the topic to enhance their knowledge. Might be, the occasion could be the inception of a long term relationship between the assignment provider and the clientele. It is, after all, the sharing of knowledge which is brought forth by online tutors and writers. But, it is mandatory on the part of the students to check whether the assignments are free from plagiarism and are unique in their content. Simple methods to solve math word problems: Though the math concepts are simple, the math word problems look difficult for the sake of translating them So, read the whole problem and then attempt to solve it Work step by step to arrive at a solution Work out to arrive at a clear idea. Organize the known factors to find out the unknown Does Math word problems every day to pick up the essence of them Regular practice makes you look at the problems with ease and familiarity Follow a list of hints and clues to pick up the word problem easily Help with math word problems is available online for all kinds of Math sums like addition word problems, percentage ones and so on. Those who are strong in numbers need not worry over algebra 1 or 2. Others should take care to take up some orientation to arrive at proper algebra answers. For, being strong in algebra is the fundamental quality to do Physics calculations and Engineering concepts at an advanced level. Online tutors for algebra would very well show you the way to strengthen your algebraic knowledge with their expertise and exposure to the field. Assignment service and help with math word problems as well as algebra answers make the student task easy and fun through online sources. Online tutoring centers offer many more tips to improve your scores and gain top ranks in class.

To Prevent Overwhelm-Set Boundaries - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / To Prevent Overwhelm-Set Boundaries - Introvert Whisperer To Prevent Overwhelm-Set Boundaries I realized what a fool I’d been as soon as my co-worker launched into a recruitment pitch for his political lobby group. We were all crowded into a conference room at the office, and more people kept coming in and trying to find seats. My co-worker â€" let’s call him Stan â€" smirked to himself as he surveyed the rows and rows of potential recruits. “Thank you for attending my lectures on the history of money these past few weeks,” he began. “We are planning a number of petitions and demonstrations over the next few months, so I’ll be sending you the dates and times by email.” I groaned inwardly. And all along I’d been going to these boring talks because I thought he was just enthusiastic about history. Stan wasn’t even a friend of mine. When he first told me he was planning a 10-part lecture series on capitalism â€" during my precious lunch break â€" I wanted to show up to a few just to be nice. The one time I didn’t attend, I caught him scowling at me in the office cafeteria. Naively, I’d had no idea he had a hidden agenda and that it was all just a self-serving political campaign. As I listened to his used-car-salesman pitch, I came to a decision. I stood up and walked out. Stan hasn’t spoken to me since. Setting boundaries is one of the most important skills for introverts, especially busy working ones like me. If I had just said no to Stan at the very beginning, I would not have gotten dragged into a socially claustrophobic political rally. I would also have avoided feeling overwhelmed and stressed-out after losing my lunch breaks, which I usually spend alone, or quietly catching up with work. So why is it so hard to say No? Guilt. So often, it’s hard not to feel like we’re letting someone down by saying no. Women especially feel expected to cater for other people’s needs ahead of their own â€" and saying no can lead to feelings of guilt and even failure. Saying no can also be hard because we lack assertiveness or dislike confrontation. Solutions:      *  Respect your needs. As an introvert, I can only take so much social interaction before I start to feel overwhelmed. Life is much easier when I know ahead of time how long I need to be ‘sociable’ for and can set my own limits. Rather than get dragged into my co-worker’s talks, I should have given myself permission to empathize with my own needs over his. But I didn’t, and the result was: feeling drained, frazzled and resentful for the rest of the day.      *  See the strings attached. When I attended Stan’s lunchtime talks, I naively failed to realize a key point: everyone has their own agenda. I was attending out of niceness; he just wanted new recruits. And I also realize that since they were so well-attended, Stan didn’t truly care whether I went to his talks or not. But ultimately, I put my discomfort at ‘letting him down’ below his need for me to attend. In future, when someone is trying to rope me into a social event that I don’t really want to attend, I will do two things: 1) Ask myself: “How much do I really want to go, no matter how eager the other person seems to have me there? Do they have a hidden agenda?” and 2) Either say: “Can I get back to you on that?” or “Sorry, I won’t be able to make it.” That’s all. No need for guilt trips or second-guessing myself.      *Be more assertive. Now, I’m not suggesting that all introverts are unassertive. Nothing of the sort! But if there’s one thing that all introverts have in common, it’s that we recharge our energy by being alone, and can get pretty tired when forced to interact socially for too long. But we all have different pain thresholds, and when it comes to dealing with people I don’t particularly like, my threshold is pretty low. But because I also knew Stan was the kind who didn’t like to take ‘no’ for an answer, I avoided that conversation and just went to his talks to avoid confrontation. But now I kick myself when I think of the hours I could have saved myself by being braver and just saying no right from the start. In short, boundaries have become my best friend. It’s so much better to learn how to say no â€" and stick to it â€" than spend any more time annoyed at myself for getting sucked in yet again. Stan, meanwhile, has started speaking to me again â€" I suspect he’s got some new lectures planned.

My Experience at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

My Experience at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Michael received his Bachelors degree in Earth Systems, Environment and Society from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently a tutor in Portland specializing in ACT Science tutoring, Earth Science tutoring, Environmental Science tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: 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? Michael: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is in a classic college town setting, about three hours south of Chicago. Although relatively urban, the campus itself is typically safe. The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District provides free buses to students. The buses go all over campus, and it is very easy to get around without a car or bike. Most buildings are within walking distance of the on-campus housing options. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Michael: Though it depends on the size of the class and a students given major, the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants all typically make themselves available to students on a regular basis. It may be difficult to receive a lot of one-on-one attention from a professor in a larger class, but these courses often have smaller lab or discussion sections in which teaching assistants are available. It will be easier to access your academic adviser if you are enrolled in a smaller, newer major. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Michael:There are a variety of dorms all across campus. They all offer good dining options and plenty of opportunities to socialize with other students including access to different clubs, intramural sports, etc. Depending on the dormyou choose, rooms can range from a rudimentary summer camp feel to a plush hotel (including private bathrooms). 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? Michael:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is known mostly for its Business (specifically Accounting) and Engineering programs, which are both considered top-tier. I majored in Earth Systems, Environment and Society (ESES) and minored in History during my time there. ESES was a brand new major when I was there, and I chose to study it because the coursework in Environmental Science, Geology, Geography, and other fields appealed to me. Since the major was brand new, the program went through some growing pains during my time on campus, but I think the university did a good job overall. 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? Michael:I met many individuals around the dorms that I still stay in contact with to this day. It was pretty easy for me to meet people and make new friends as a freshman, in part because I made the decision to join a social fraternity. Greek life plays a significant role in campus social life, but it is by no means necessary. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has the largest Greek system in the country, but there are so many other options for meeting people. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Michael:Once again, this would depend on the major, but University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seemed to have great student support services, and there were always different career fairs to attend. Many reputable companies do recruit on campus, specifically in the areas of Finance and Business. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Michael:At any big school like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, crowding can be an issue in libraries and other study areas. This is especially the case at the Undergraduate Library. However, there are many other areas that are open to all students including the Grainger Engineering Library that frequently have ample space. 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? Michael:The total population of the Champaign-Urbana area is just around 230,000, which makes it more than just a small, quaint college town. As such, it has many of the amenities and nightlife options that larger towns offer. Since there are great bars and concert venues right on campus, many students stay near campus. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Michael:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school, and its undergraduate enrollment is close to 33,000. Personally, I enjoyed being at a larger school, and I took the opportunity to meet many individuals. However, large class sizes are an unavoidable reality at a larger school. Having said that, I was generally pleased with my class sizes, and I was still able to enroll in plenty of classes with a smaller number of students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Michael:One of my favorite courses was Geology 103 with Dr. Michael Stewart. I thoroughly enjoyed his teaching style and the content of the course. One day, he decided to take half of a class session to talk about ESES, a new major that I eventually decided to enroll in based upon my experience in his class. I do not regret that decision at all! Check out Michaels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

10 Things to Do Before School Starts

10 Things to Do Before School Starts Suzy S. Summer is coming to an end are you ready for a new academic year? If not, dont fret. Get organized for back to school with these tips from online tutor  Natalie S Back-to-school prep is upon us! The summer is drawing to a close, and it will soon be time to get ready to begin a new school year. We know it can be overwhelming when you start to think about the long list of things to do in order to prepare for school, so here are some steps to help you get organized for back to school and start the year off on a successful note! 1) Write down your goals A new year is beginning and that means opportunities for a whole new set of experiences. Take a few minutes to write down five goals that you hope to accomplish this year, and think about how you can make this year better than the last one. Do you want to improve your knowledge of a specific subject, to prepare yourself for AP classes later on? Or maybe take on a new hobby, like photography or learning how to play an instrument? Get excited about whats in store! 2) Get one step ahead of everyone else If you know who your teachers are and you can easily contact them, consider sending an email asking for the class syllabus. Most teachers generally stick to the same schedule each year, so they can give you an idea of what books you might be reading or what concepts you might be working on in the first few weeks of school. If youre feeling ambitious, you can begin to read ahead or study some of those concepts on your own. This will help lighten your workload later in the semester when you have less time! 3) Review last year’s math concepts This is especially important if you’re advancing into a higher consecutive math class, like Algebra I to Algebra II, or Pre-Calculus to Calculus. Spend 20 minutes each day reviewing the concepts that you learned last year, and attempt to get ahead by reading over the first chapter or two for the new, more advanced course. 4) Form a study group Are you and a few of your friends taking the same class? Make a commitment to study together! Even if you all have different teachers, the core material will be the same. Set up a plan before school starts, so everyone builds it into their schedule from the beginning of the year. 5) Write Most students take an entire summer off from stringing eloquent arguments together, and because of this, their early semester essays suffer. Take 20 minutes each day and practice writing short introductory paragraphs. You may also want to get ahead by working with a writing tutor, or at least lining one up for when you need help with your first writing assignment. 6) Review last year’s foreign language notes If you’re taking Spanish, French, or any other foreign language, review the vocabulary and grammar rules before school begins. Most foreign language classes hit the ground running with very little review, so make sure you take the time to look through your old notes and books. 7) Identify the course you are least excited to take this year Maybe you really hate learning new math concepts, or perhaps biology just doesnt interest you at all. Regardless of the reason, figure out which subject might be the most challenging for you and start preparing for that class now. Do some online research, find a tutor through TakeLessons, and really dedicate some time to learning more about this subject. Even though it may not be fun, this will help a ton! 8) Purchase a daily planner This is perhaps the most important item to buy before the school year starts. It’s been proven time and time again that people are more effective when they write down their goals, plan out their days, and give themselves deadlines for projects and assignments. This is a great habit to get into at a young age, and it is a huge part of what makes people successful. Be disciplined, make yourself stick to a consistent schedule, and write down the top five things you want to accomplish each day. You will stay motivated and be more productive. Most importantly, you’ll be creating healthy habits that will facilitate success in your future endeavors. 9) Organize your study time before school starts Create a study chart depicting when you’ll study for each subject, and hold yourself accountable to making the time to study for those classes. Make sure you plan for some flexibility in case one subject needs more attention than another. 10) Seek out a tutor now It’s important to enter the new school year feeling confident in your abilities, so if you foresee any issues, don’t wait to find a tutor! Your workload is only going to become tougher and more intense as the year goes on. Be proactive and get the help you need, before youre really struggling. Follow these steps to get organized for back to school and you’ll be ready to start off the new year with confidence and a plan for success. Each year brings the possibility to learn, grow, and be more inspired than you were the year before. Enjoy the ride and embrace all of these newfound opportunities that will soon arise for you! Natalie S. tutors online in English, ESL, History, Phonics, Reading, and Test Prep. She received her BA in English Education at the University of Delaware, and her MA in English Literature at San Diego State University. Learn more about Natalie 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 Photos by Rick Payette, Mario Mancuso, Francisco Martins, Concordia University, Nathan Congleton, Alexa Clark, Christian Jensen, Sara Grajeda, Jimmie, Utah State Library,  comedy_nose

Best Economics Online Publications

Best Economics Online Publications Discover More About Economics In The News ChaptersKeep Up To Date with Reuters and the FTFollow UK Economic News with the BBCCheck Out the Powerhouses That are the Economist and ForbesFind The Online Publications That Best Suit YouSummaryThere are many different ways to learn about economics, and one of the easiest and most fun ways is to read the news.Although not every news story is necessarily about economics, the fact that economics influences so much of our daily lives means that often you can improve your understanding of financial economics, banking, or global economics just by reading daily news stories and keeping up to date with the latest political developments.With that in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of where you can find quality online economics news that will help give you a broader outlook on this fascinating subject.Many UK economic news outlets have their own social media presence. (Source: CC BY 2.0, Blogtrepreneur, via Flickr)Facebook; andLinkedInWhat’s more, there’s also Reuters TV as well as a Reuters Live Blog, so whether you prefer to have your news delivered via tweet, TV, or through an online article, there’s a format to suit you (you can listen to podcasts as well).What's more, the Financial Times almost needs no introduction as an online publication. With a focus on business and economic news, the publication has become the go-to for anyone working or interested in finance and economics. With content that focuses on domestic as well as international news, it’s also a great one-stop-shop if you want to learn more about economics on a global level.Equally, if you plan on working within finance and are currently studying economics or business at school or university, then you’d also do well to catch up with the daily news on Bloomberg. Although Bloomberg News is a U.S. based news agency, it provides news stories from all regions of the globe, including Europe, so there are plenty of relevant and engaging articles to catch up on.Get a London economics tutor her e.Follow UK Economic News with the BBCIf you’re looking for news that is more local in focus, then you could do far worse than the BBC. The BBC covers a wide range of news, from business and banks to technology, entertainment and world news.Although it doesn’t claim to have a particular emphasis on economic news, there is solid coverage of UK business news, and it is a great resource to use when looking for an insight into economic trends.An equally good source for the latest information on UK business and finance is the Guardian’s website. If you’re looking for the latest information on the UK economy, as well as a place to read up on the daily headlines, then the Guardian has a wide range of articles for you to read, with new articles added regularly.So whether you would like to read more about stocks, wage volatility, government spending, currency markets, global wealth, or even the Chinese economy, you'll likely be able to find an article that will help you.What’s more , you can follow both the BBC and the Guardian on social media, as they both have an established social media presence. That means that you can stay up to date with the news even as you’re on the go, and as a result, you eliminate any uncertainty that you're missing out on the latest news updates.Ideally, it’s best to read a wide variety of newspapers and their columnists, for example:The BBC;The Guardian;The Independent; andThe TimesBy reading widely, not only will you find out about the different perspectives that the papers have, but you’ll also develop a wider understanding of the topic you’re reading about, whether that’s fiscal policy or the global economy.Titles such as the Economist issue weekly magazines with the latest UK  economics news. (Source: CC BY-SA 2.0, Sean Winters, Flickr)provides regular, informative content; andhas some form of focus on economic issues, whether that’s international trade or global financeYou’ll find that, once you’ve found a new s outlet that works for you, you’ll be more motivated to read that publication’s articles regularly. This will, in turn, give you more knowledge about past and current  issues, such as:changes in interest rates;the 2008 recession and the global financial crisis; andthe rate of GDP growth and economic growth or decline globallyKnowing about such issues will help your performance in class and help give you a successful outcome in your economics studies.What’s more, you can use certain online publications as great reference sources for an upcoming exam or essay. For example, the UK government has its own statistics website, which you can search if you want to cite any statistics that will help support an argument you’re making in a piece of homework.There are also online publications such as the OECD Observer that can help build your understanding of global economic issues. Although it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find an article that can be easily referenced in your essay, the OECD Observer has articles that cover a wide range of topics, including:the economy;governance;taxation; andtrade and investmentThis means that the publication is full of useful resources that can provide a solid overview of the issues, both economic and otherwise, that are impacting the world today.You often see economics in the news. (Source: CC0 1.0, geralt, Pixabay)SummaryAlthough reading an online economics publication is a great way to improve your understanding of economics and current affairs, the best way of getting into the habit of reading such news articles daily is to find a newspaper or news outlet that appeals to you.If you find the Financial Times too formal, then it may be that you’ll have better luck reading articles from the Economist. It’s all about experimenting and reading different stories to see what works and helps you learn more about different economies and how they are performing on the world economic stage.Although extra-curricular reading can b e a great way to supplement any economics A-level or university course, there are other ways to improve your grades.For example, hiring a tutor to help you in your upcoming exams is a great way to improve your grades, focus your learning on areas that you struggle with, whether that is macroeconomics, microeconomics, or the world economy. Additionally, tutors can help improve your exam technique.What’s more, tutoring, in combination with reading widely on the subject of economics, will stand you in great stead for upcoming exams. Sites such as Superprof have more than one qualified economics tutor near me that would be happy to boost your confidence in economics  and help you prepare for exam success.Learn economics online.

Does Practice Make Perfect

Does Practice Make Perfect Improving Academic Performance We all know that in order to acquire a new skill we have to practice. Anytime we want to learn something new in school, it requires practice as well. However, some methods of practice are far more effective than others. Often what separates great from average in school, sports, and other endeavors is not just natural talent but how they practice. Both quantity and quality of practice are important. It is apparent that people who love to practice often eventually outperform those who don’t. In general, the more you practice, the better the outcome will be. A student who studies every day for several months for the SAT is going to do better than a student who starts studying a few days before the test. However, there is a limit on how much practice a person can do, and you don’t want to practice so much that you start to feel burnt out. Getting good at something also depends on the quality of practice that you do. If you practice without knowing your specific needs for improvement, you are often ingraining the same mistakes you always make. Conversely, great performers in all areas practice deliberately. This means that they are constantly analyzing their performance looking for areas that need improvement. Quality practiceworks to improve performance because it builds up myelin sheath which insulates the axons that carry information in your brain. This allows information to travel more efficiently. Quality practice should have several characteristics: 1. Target weaknesses at the edge of your ability. Make sure that you are not just practicing skills that you already know. When you practice, it should be right at the cusp of what you are already able to do and what you are trying to learn but not currently able to do. Practice should feel challenging, and it is a good idea to practice mixed skillsinstead of always focusing on one skill at a time. Students who practice the current skill they are learning along with previous skills do better on future tests because they must pair each skill with the proper procedure. Sometimes it is helpful to have the honest feedback of a coach in sports or a teacher or tutor in academics to help analyze your performance and target skills to work on. Deliberate practice means breaking down the big thing you are learning into its parts. So, if you are taking a test, do a practice test and see which skills you are struggling with the most. Focus on learning those skills before taking the whole test again. 2. Focus on the task at hand by minimizing distractions. We are constantly distracted by our cellphones, Facebook, and other social media. Place all cell phones in a place where you cannot see or hear them while studying. If you need to use your device for studying, use an app like Offtime that blocks other programs and alerts for the time period that you are working. 3.Divide time into multiple daily practice sessions of limited duration. Practice for short periods of time where you are completely focused, and then take a break. If you work for too long, you will start to feel fatigued and you won’t be able to retain as much. Practicing for long periods of time also leaves you much more prone to distractions. 4. Practice slowly and work up to the speed that you need. Don’t worry about timing at first, worry about mastering the skill. Once you are able to perform the skill, then start practicing your timing. 5. Practice mentally between actual physical practice sessions. When you are not practicing, think about what was challenging and mentally rehearse those skills. Chances are that the next time you attempt them, they will seem easier. The old saying is that “practice makes perfect”. However, it is not just quantity of practice that makes a difference. People who become successful at any skill focus on strategies to make sure that their time is filled with high-quality practice. About the Author Nina Parrish is a former special education teacher and a licensed school counselor. She is the owner of Parrish Learning Zone a K-12 tutoring company in Virginia. Her blog The Learning Zone publishes content on education and parenting topics.

The Indirect Effects of Independent Reading

The Indirect Effects of Independent Reading Improving Academic Performance “The amount of free reading done outside of school has consistently been found to relate to growth in vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general information. Students who read independently become better readers, score higher on achievement tests in all subject areas, and have greater content knowledge than those who do not. -Research Journal of the American Association of School Librarians The indirect effects of independent reading are well documented and, in some ways, almost obvious. You can split the effects into two categories: direct and indirect. The direct effects are perhaps the most obvious. The more you read, the more information you’ll accumulate about a variety of topics. If you read about finance, you’ll learn finance. If you read history, you’ll learn more history. If you aren’t a great public speaker, obviously reading a public speaking book can help you improve. In addition, your vocabulary naturally expands, regardless of what you’re reading. Even if you are only reading fiction, you’ll still learn about people, places, concepts, ideas, etc. that apply in the real world. The indirect effects of increased reading are less obvious, but perhaps more important. By reading more, even more fiction, you naturally will improve your command of the English language (spelling, grammar, usage, etc.), reading comprehension skills, ability to apply logic, understanding of cause and effect, and more. In fact, the benefits of reading independently can be downright surprising. According to the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, there is a strong correlation between independent reading and mathematics achievement. Studies show reading and writing skills not only lead to general academic success, but are also directly valued by colleges and employers as high as almost any other factor. At the same time, we see the average 12th grade reading scores declining in the U.S. between 1992 and 2005. The most surprising study I’ve found was conducted by Dr Alice Sullivan and Matt Brown, who analyzed the reading behavior of approximately 6,000 young people being followed by the 1970 British Cohort Study, which is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. According to the Institute of Education University of London’s review of that report, “reading for pleasure was found to be more important for children's cognitive development between ages 10 and 16 than their parents' level of education. The combined effect on children's progress of reading books often, going to the library regularly and reading newspapers at 16 was four times greater than the advantage children gained from having a parent with a degree.” Interesting, and luckily or unluckily depending on your situation, the reading comprehension skills can be much more difficult to build quickly. At MyGuru, when we’re helping students prepare for standardized tests, we tend to find that, paradoxically, the most stressed out students are those that are really struggling with the math section of the ACT, SAT, GRE, or GMAT, but those that are truly lacking basic math skills can be the easiest students to help. “We can teach you how to solve quadratic equations by “completing the square” if you’ve forgotten most of the algebra you learned in high school. We can teach you any math that you once learned and have now forgotten. We can even teach you a lot of math that you never learned in the first place. Unfortunately, we cannot re-teach you how to read and comprehend…improving your reading comprehension skills takes time, persistence, and focused practice.” John Easter - Senior GMAT, GRE, ACT, and SAT tutor for MyGuru (John holds a B.A. in English and B.A. in Mathematics, Indiana University-Bloomington, and M.A. in Mathematics) What does it mean to read intentionally? You’ll get the most benefit out of reading more if you do so intentionally. There are actually two contexts in which to interpret what this means, and it goes back to the direct vs. indirect distinction we made above. First, you are reading intentionally if you know you aren’t great at managing your schedule and being organized, and so you buy a book about personal productivity, making to-do lists, using calendar tools, etc. However, you are also reading intentionally if you know that, in 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 months you’ll be taking a standardized test with a “verbal” component. So, with that in mind, you stop yourself while reading and ask questions like: What was the author’s main point? What evidence does his use to support that point? What type of evidence could be used to challenge the point? Etc. Or, on an even simpler level, I know that a magazine like the Economist is not always easy reading. Even when I try to read it, I sometimes find myself losing the point, but continuing with the article, just trying to pick up whatever info I can, to say that I read it. To read intentionally would always be to challenge yourself to stop, think critically about what you’ve read to ensure you understand the logic, and move on only once you’ve truly understood the paragraph, article, or chapter. You can do this while sitting in a room with your parents, friends, girlfriend, or spouse. They don’t need to know that you’re not just reading, you’re reading intentionally to build your comprehension and critical thinking skills. How to learn more? I’d recommend reading the New York Times, Economist, or Wall Street Journal, anything non-fiction, that you’re interested in, and in particular, historical fiction. Historical fiction is set in contexts which are real, but which involved characters and plots that are fictional. So, they are the best of both worlds in a sense. You can learn a lot of real information, while also being highly entertained. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'f08a3c58-464f-4164-a82e-313b7951bbb2', {});

Holiday Party 101 Ordering Food Delivery

Holiday Party 101 Ordering Food Delivery Image via unsplash.com Pizza Pizza is probably one of the first things that come to many peoples minds when it comes to food that is easy to order for delivery. Pizza is usually less expensive when you are looking at a tight budget, and bigger companies like Pizza Hut or Dominos Pizza always offer coupons that you could pick from depending on what works best for you and your holiday party. Not only can you order pizza, but you can also order chicken wing, bread, and salads all within the same delivery. Pizza is also versatile when it comes to being able to please everyones personal tastes. Satisfy vegetable lovers with an all-vegetable pizza, or put a variety of meat to make a more filling slice. You can definitely do your best to please a plethora of personal tastes when you are choosing pizza without breaking your budget. Pre-cut slices make it even easier for people to serve themselves without the issue of serving size or excess utensils. Chicken wings   If you have other options available for your vegetarian and vegan friends, chicken wings may be a great food to order for delivery for your holiday party. You can go from mild flavors like classic barbeque or lemon pepper, to more flavors with a bit of a kick like mango habanero. You can go the boneless route or go more traditional just be prepared to spend a little more on napkins as chicken wings tend to be a bit messier as saucy finger food. Popular wing places like Wingstop often offer discounts on bulk purchases if you are hosting a larger holiday party the more leftovers the better, right? Sushi   Although unconventional when it comes to the typical list of delivery foods, sushi can be the perfect option when it treating your guests at your holiday party. Like pizza, it will be easy to please many people with sushi because there will be so many options to choose from. You can go anywhere from the typical California roll for people that are not that familiar with sushi, to more traditional rolls for your friends that are sushi aficionados. With sushi delivery, it will also be fairly easy to serve as guests will be able to choose how much and what kind of sushi they are going to consume, and the mess created will be minimal. Sushi may be a little bit more expensive than typical food delivery options, but can be well worth it when your guests leave satisfied and happy with the holiday party. Sandwiches   When it comes to being a people pleaser, ordering sandwiches for delivery for your holiday party can often do the trick. You can get a variety of sandwiches to suit a variety of tastes at your holiday party: a classic Turkey, a spicy Italian, a ham and cheese, the possibilities are almost endless. You can make the sandwiches as healthy or filling as you want them to be. You also will not have to worry about serving guests when sandwiches are easy to grab and require no utensils. Depending on the place you are hiring from, you may want to ask if they have sandwich kits or do deconstructed sandwiches, giving your guests the chance to customize the sandwich depending on their own personal tastes and increasing your chances of satisfying every guests taste. Sandwich kits will often include a variety of spreads or sauces, meats, cheese, and vegetables for guests to build their own sandwich creation. Make this years holiday party unforgettable, and less of a hassle for you as the party host, by ordering one or more of these foods for delivery and adding it to the nights menu.