Wednesday, March 25, 2020

University Math Tutoring

University Math TutoringWith the massive increase in demand for university maths tutoring over the past few years, many companies have opened their doors and started offering this service. However, you may find that not all of them will be able to meet your exact needs.If you are looking for a tutor, university maths tutoring is a necessity. Whether you want an individual tutor, or you are on a team of tutors for an exam, university maths tutoring is important. This article aims to help you make the right choice when it comes to choosing a tutor.Tutors charge for their services. Since the demand for tutors is so high, the prices charged by companies vary greatly. You can expect to pay more for a tutor who specializes in specific subjects, but many cheaper tutors are available. It is important to research the company you are considering hiring tutors from to see what their charges are, and how they calculate their charges.When it comes to choosing a university maths tutor, be sure to get the most affordable option. Many tutors offer you a great price, but you will be expected to attend a few tutoring sessions before they agree to work with you. The best way to get the best price is to contact them yourself. Make sure you communicate well with the tutor you are working with, and find out where they work. You should also ask if you can set up appointments to help you practice your lessons.Another thing to look for when choosing a tutor is the tuition fees that they will charge. Most tutors have a fee for each hour they spend with their students. Since the demand for tutors is so high, the price of the tuition fees increases. You should also inquire about their payment method, since some tutors accept payment online, and others will accept checks.The quality of teaching is also important when you are choosing a university maths tutor. If you are studying for an exam or even just for fun, you need to ensure that the tutor you choose is knowledgeable about all the ma terial. However, if you are preparing for a university-level exam, you need to make sure that the tutor you are working with has a solid teaching background, as well as solid teaching experience.When you are searching for a tutor, be sure to talk to several different tutors before you commit to one. Remember that the demand for tutors is so high, and it is important to get the best possible tutoring experience you can get.

Friday, March 6, 2020

A Student Review of University of California, Irvine

A Student Review of University of California, Irvine The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Allison earned her bachelors degree in cognitive sciences at University of California, Irvine and earned a juris doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She lives in Sacramento and specializes in algebra tutoring, English tutoring, psychology tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at University of California, Irvine: Describe the campus setting and transportation options at University of California, Irvine. Allison: University of California, Irvine has a great campus setting. There are plenty of transportation options. Although I lived on campus the first year in the dorms (so I didnt need to worry about transportation because I walked to class), my remaining three years I lived off campus. University of California, Irvine provided shuttle buses for students outside of campus and even to some of the surrounding cities. I had friends who biked and carpooled as well. One of the reasons I loved UCI was that Irvine was voted one of the safest cities in America. I never had any issues and I found the campus and city safe, welcoming, and clean! How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Allison:I loved the staff at University of California, Irvine. All of my professors and teaching assistants were not only willing, but eager to help. They were always an email, if not a meeting, away, and they really seemed to appreciate students who asked questions and took the time to meet with them outside of class. I also found that my academic advisors were knowledgeable, communicative, and helpful. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Allison:Dorm life was pretty great. We had lots of different options. I personally lived in Mesa Court, but I also had friends who lived in Middle Earth. I felt that I met students with similar interests, but I also had the opportunity to meet students with different backgrounds and goals. The dorms were pretty close to one another and to school, and it took about 5-10 minutes to get to class (walking) from either one. I loved all of the different options for using your meal card. I definitely bought one the first year and it saved my lifeespecially during midterms and finals. The dorms, as well as the student body and organizations on campus, always had something to do. I felt that there was always a place for anyone and everyone on campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at University of California, Irvine? Allison:I think we are known more for biological sciences, and I met a lot of students who were pre-med my first year. With that being said, I was not pre-med; I was part of the Social Sciences School, but I felt that that was represented as well on campus. I had friends who were involved in different majors and programs, and we were all happy with our experience. University of California, Irvine really does go above and beyond, because they provide multiple opportunities and avenues for students to succeed. From professors, TAs, tutors, and even life coaches provided and sponsored by the Counseling Center, University of California, Irvine offers every opportunity for students to achieve their goals. 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? Allison:I thought it was very easy to meet students and make friends as a freshman. For one, University of California, Irvine offers SPOP, which was the student parent orientation program that allowed students and their parents an opportunity to stay in the dorms for a night and meet some of the new freshman. I was so excited to start because I had already made friends before I even started school. I personally didnt feel that Greek life was extremely significant, but thats because I didnt rush my first or even second year of college. I did rush my third year of college and I discovered that Greek Life could be whatever you wanted it to be. If you wanted to be super involved or just a little, finding a sorority or fraternity that respected or met your needs was easy, attainable, and fun. I loved my sorority sisters, but I am glad that I didnt rush until I was sure that it was something that I wanted to pursue. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Allison:I thought our Career Center was great. The staff was helpful and I enjoyed taking the personality assessment tests to find the right career for me. I also really liked our Counseling Center, as they provided opportunities for those in psychology to get involved and harness their public speaking and/or people skills. I didnt utilize the on-campus recruitment options like I wish I would have, but there are so many opportunities, and I had friends who worked at Fortune 500 companies right after graduation. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Allison:From the libraries, common hall, outside lounges, student lounges, and coffee houses, there are so many places to study on campus. The libraries could sometimes get crowded during midterms or finals, but as a whole there was always a seat or desk available when one needed it. And the lounges near Crystal Cove seats are so comfy! Try not to fall asleep! Describe the surrounding town. Allison:Irvine is in the heart of the OC. I lived in Irvine for 4 years, and eventually after school I moved to Costa Mesa and the Laguna Beach. I had friends who lived in Newport Beach, Long Beach, and Huntington Beach and commuted. There is always something going on, whether its at the beach, a music festival, or cook-off. Some students did stay near Irvine, but Irvine as a whole is a pretty quiet town. Some of us traveled outside of Irvine if we wanted to go to the beach or go shopping, but I really liked hanging out in Irvine and trying the different cuisines. How big or small is the student body of University of California, Irvine? Allison:Personally, the student body was overwhelming for me. I came from a school where my entire student body was the size of a full lecture hall. It felt a little too big, initially, but Im so happy that it was such a large class size because I felt thats what made our school so diverse. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Allison:I worked with the Counseling Center for the last two years of my college career. I was a C.O.A.C.H. (aka a student life coach), and it was myself and 13 other students participating in the program. We all had different majors, experiences, and goals, but we all had one thing in common: we wanted to help people. The purpose of C.O.A.C.H. was to help students struggling with social, academic, and personal goals. Although we worked with students with their problems, we also were able to share our own personal history and life stories with each other. I would have never guessed I would have become so close with the other coaches, but we were all so sad to leave by the end. Our mentor and professor set the tone for our group and required that we be honest, respectful, and thoughtful, not only with our clients, but ourselves. This life lesson is something I still use today while working with clients in the legal setting, and I am forever grateful for everything she taught me. Check out Allisons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Making of a Stellar Score on the GRE

The Making of a Stellar Score on the GRE GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog I often hear people wonder whether it is possible to increase one’s GRE score. They believe that a standardized test score is more or less set in stone, one’s score changing plus or minus two points depending on the day. This line of thinking is actually woefully inaccurate; with a combination of diligence, resources, and the proper approach, you can greatly increase your score. Indeed, I’ve seen a couple of Magoosh students increase their scores by 29 points. Mind you, I’m not trying to shamelessly promote our brand. Instead, I not only want do away with the thinking that one’s GRE score is immutable, but also show you how to make significant point increases to your current score. An Important Question So what is a good GRE score? Well, it is one in which you improve dramatically. What this means differs wildly on the situation. To illustrate, imagine two students who have gone up by 12 points. One goes from a 145 in both sections to a 151 in both sections; the other goes from 164 in both sections to a perfect score. Clearly, the latter is far more impressive, since any point increase you can attain once you are over 165 is amazing. The first student, by contrast, hasn’t really done too much for his competitive edge. Had that student increased by 24 points, on the other hand, then he has achieved a great score. He need not feel like he has to get in the mid-160’s to make his effort worthwhile; his scores will help him get into some decent programs. The reason I mention this hypothetical student is I don’t want to give the impression that the only good score is one in the high 160’s and that everyone is capable of achieving that score. My experience has shown me that certain point increases are difficult to come by. Anything over a 30-point increase is exceedingly rare on the GRE. How Do You Get Your “Good” GRE Score? Diligence You’ve hard it countless times before, but it’s true: hard work is the only way to make big things happen. The GRE is no exception; you’ll need to apply yourself day and night, making sacrifices in your social life or your Netflix viewing. Relaxing to your favorite music might have to be replaced by listening to GRE vocabulary podcasts. Resources There is a plethora of bad material out there. Really speaking, anyone with a blog can start writing questions or pitching strategies. Always exercise caution and stick with trusted names and questions. (For helpful book reviews: Magoosh’s GRE book reviews). Approach This is, in many ways, the most important facet to improving your score; yet, it is often the subtlest. First off, don’t just do practice question after practice question. Understand your mistakes, and how the test writers create question. Learning the kind of answer choices that tempt you is important as well. Try out the strategies in a few different prep books to find out which one(s) suit you best. Finally, take plenty of practice tests so you can constantly see how you are improving and, more importantly, which parts of the test you need to focus on. Takeaway By combining the three elements above, you can witness dramatic increases in your GRE score. Of course, you will need plenty of time to see this happen. But during those periods where you aren’t improving, or aren’t improving as much, know that it is possible. About the Author This post was written by Chris Lele, resident GRE expert at Magoosh, a leader in GRE prep. For help with GRE vocabulary, check out our free flashcards and Vocab Wednesday videos on the Magoosh GRE Blog.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Exam Day Hints

Exam Day Hints Exam time is here but there’s no need to panic! Our tutors have shared their best exam day tips to get you through this scary time. From everyone at Tutorfair: GOOD LUCK! 1. The night before: go to bed half an hour earlier than usual to wind yourself down ready for a good night’s sleep. 2. In the morning: eat a high protein and complex carbohydrate breakfast. It will release energy  slowly through the day, keeping you alert for your exam. 3. Write a list of anything you wish to take with you to the exam in advance. Forgetting even a small thing, such a pre-exam snack, could throw you off course and add to feelings of nerves. 4. Arrive early to your exam venue and don’t speak about the exam topics with your peers. Last -minute discussions about which topics everyone has focused on won’t help and may panic you. 5. Accept those butterflies in your stomach before the exam! Those feelings of nerves are increasing your heart rate, delivering more oxygen to your brain and keeping you alert. 6. When the examiner announces the start there will be a frantic rustling of papers. Don’t dive in with everyone else: wait for the commotion to die down and then calmly turn over your paper. When you see the questions for the first time, you’ll be quiet and focused instead of panicky. 7. Once  you’ve  warmed up your brain with a few of the easier questions,  consider going to the  end of the paper and working backwards. Doing the harder questions first, when your brain  is fresher, may result in fewer careless mistakes. 8. An old but important favourite: check how many marks are assigned to each question and spend your time accordingly! If it’s a 60-minute exam with 60 marks, you can spend 1 minute on each mark. 9. Jot down any vital equations, facts, quotes or dates at the start while your brain is fresh. As you get more tired you can refer back to them. Anything that takes less than a minute to put down is worth it. Don’t spend too much time though â€" they might not come up. 10. Don’t waste your energy and confidence on a question that feels insurmountable. Circle it and come back to it later. You might figure it out while filling in the rest of your paper; or a later question may even remind you of the answer.

How to start the school year right

How to start the school year right Teachers in many countries across the world go back to school this week and next week. For all of our teachers at home and overseas, good luck in the new school year, and remember these tips to start the year off right!Introduce yourself - Every teacher has a different level of comfort with how familiar they are willing to be with their students, and it’s up to you to decide how much personal information you choose to share with your class. However, letting your students know a little about yourself - your interests and hobbies, what you did with your summer, your pets - can set a welcoming atmosphere and ease first-day jitters for students. Other slightly more unconventional facts about yourself might include your least favorite food, a bad habit you have, or the most interesting place you've ever visited.Get to know your students - Have your students share the above information with you! Icebreaker questions get students smiling and help you learn more about their personalities. For a challenge, ask students to share something unique about themselves that they think is true for only them and no one else in the class. You'll learn which student raises pet tarantulas, which one has twelve brothers and sisters, and which one has a fear of butterflies.Learn names as quickly as possible - Some teachers are better than others when it comes to memorization. During the first few days, use a labeled seating chart and say students’ names out loud every time you speak to them in order to commit them to memory. This is crucial to establishing classroom order.Reinforce your goals - Before your students arrive on the first day of school, remind yourself of your short-term and long-term goals for the school year. Repeat throughout the day, and every day of your first week, in order to maintain the right perspective and outlook for the year.Remember to breathe - The first day of school is hectic for everyone. As a teacher, you might be feeling even more stress than your students. Not only is it your responsibility to ease your students into the new year, but you have the added burden of needing to do so while also setting the tone of your classroom and establishing authority. Not an easy task! Whether you’re teaching kindergarten or high school, don’t let first-day nerves overwhelm you. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that things will have settled down tomorrow.Have your own tips? Share your ideas with us below! We'd love to hear your first-day-of-school classroom activities.

Happy Lantern Festival and the Year of the Tiger

Happy Lantern Festival and the Year of the Tiger We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Lantern Festival and Year of the Tiger. The Lantern Festival is traditionally the last day of the Chinese New Year Holiday (also known as the Spring Festival Chunjié ??), and it is a festival that is supposed to bring good luck and hope. We hope that everyones 2010 is off to a great start. At italki, were really excited about this year, because there is so much to do. Well be putting a lot of effort this year into improving the site, and building features to make it easier for you to learn a language. Thanks again for being part of the italki community, and well work to make the Year of the Tiger our best year yet. The italki Team Happy Lantern Festival and the Year of the Tiger We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Lantern Festival and Year of the Tiger. The Lantern Festival is traditionally the last day of the Chinese New Year Holiday (also known as the Spring Festival Chunjié ??), and it is a festival that is supposed to bring good luck and hope. We hope that everyones 2010 is off to a great start. At italki, were really excited about this year, because there is so much to do. Well be putting a lot of effort this year into improving the site, and building features to make it easier for you to learn a language. Thanks again for being part of the italki community, and well work to make the Year of the Tiger our best year yet. The italki Team

Why teaching abroad is so popular

Why teaching abroad is so popular Teach Away recently made the headlines  with rising application figures showing that more and more teachers are looking to swap their classroom for one abroad.  So why are increasing numbers of teachers heading overseas to work? Well, where shall we start?  1. Teaching overseas provides new perspectives on educationAttitudes towards education and teaching methods vary everywhere. Every culture takes a different approach to learning which may make you view your current beliefs and practices in a new light. In pursuit of self-improvement, teachers are seeking to enrich their careers in education while and making a positive impact on others. Students in countries overseas tend to take their schooling extremely seriously, often more driven to achieve their goals and motivated by a successful future. Teachers working abroad almost always report that they’ve learned as much as their pupils during the experience.  2. There are growing teaching opportunities abroadDemand for qualified, nat ive English-speaking teachers in international schools across the world is rising rapidly. We find ourselves adding new vacancies to our job board every day. The education systems in the States, Canada, UK and Australia have all suffered from funding cuts, political struggles and job losses in recent years. Subsequently there is greater competition for teaching positions for both experienced educators as well as the newly qualified. One way teachers are overcoming these difficulties is by considering a multitude of opportunities away from home.  3. Initiatives abroad offer unrivalled employment benefitsOverseas employers understand the concerns and challenges that come with moving to a new country for work and in light of this, they tend to offer generous employment packages. These packages can include free family accommodation, travel allowances, free education and healthcare for up to three dependents and annual vacation flights home, amongst other benefits. In addition to this, t eachers working in Middle East can also take advantage of a tax-free salary. Most teachers find that their only expenses are food, household goods, leisure and entertainment.  3. Experience a different cultureSure, you can go on vacation for a week and see the highlights of a country, but to really immerse yourself in another culture, you need to live there. Teaching allows you direct contact with a variety of people of different age groups and backgrounds, providing a unique insight. Adapting to day-to-day life encourages personal development and opens your mind to the variety of humanity.  4. Add diversity to your teaching experienceExperience teaching overseas in a prestigious school is an attractive addition to your resume, whether applying for a job back home or for another position abroad. Future employers will consider your insight into international education as a significant asset. A successful time spent teaching abroad demonstrates versatility and an ability to work as pa rt of a diverse team. Being able to share your knowledge of progressive teaching methods and implement all the lessons you’ve learned in order to enrich another classroom will make you a very desirable candidate.  5. Lead a more enjoyable lifestyleMany of the regions where English-speaking teachers are in high demand just so happen to be some of the world’s most diverse, beautiful and sunny. Although a teacher’s working day has its challenges, the general way of life in the Middle East is significantly more laid back than the pace of life you might be used to. People take life slower and there is an emphasis on community, socializing and spending time with family is actively encouraged.  6. Broaden your travel horizonsSetting up home in an entirely new region presents the perfect opportunity to travel to places that may not normally be easily accessible to you. Locations we regularly recruit for in the Middle East, Asia and Europe serve as an ideal base for exploring these con tinents further, and affordably too. Whether it’s Paris for a long weekend, or spending spring break island hopping in Thailand, the possibilities are endless.

4 tips on how to blog while teaching abroad

4 tips on how to blog while teaching abroad For many new teachers abroad, traveling and living overseas is a life-changing experience that they’re excited to share with family, friends and the world. If frequent posting on your personal social media channels and Skype sessions with those back home just aren’t cutting it, blogging can be the perfect platform for teachers working abroad to share their unique journey. If you’re thinking about starting a blog of your very own, we’ve taken the guesswork out of the entire blogging process below! Read on to find out more. 1. Find your voice and blogging “niche” Obviously, travel is the general umbrella in which your blog is going to fall under, but this category is huge and as a new blogger your voice is likely to get lost in the oversaturated online world. Rather, decide on a narrower category that you want to fill in which you can deliver a more concise voice. Teaching abroad is already a great start, but begin to narrow it down further to find your unique voice. Perhaps you want to tell your story teaching abroad from your viewpoint as a recent student trying to make their way in the real world? Or maybe you ditched your corporate life for the adventure of teaching English abroad in a foreign country? Whatever your experience and background, it’s a unique viewpoint that you can use to your advantage. And don’t be afraid to branch off a little bit once your blog is established and you have a broader reader base! 2. Get all your tech stuff covered ASAP As much as you probably want to get your blog up and running ASAP so you can start writing, there are some important (more tech related) projects you should take the time to tackle first! These may seem tedious, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run when your blog has awesome SEO results and looks like you spent way too much money on a pro web designer. Wordpress is the most commonly used blogging platform - it’s also professional and highly customizable. Some other popular options are include Squarespace, Blogger and Tumblr. It may also be worthwhile investing in a private .com domain name, which can help your search engine results and looks much more professional than using a host URL. After you’ve got your domain name chosen and registered, your next step should be to choose a theme for your blog. It should be reflective of your personality, organized and easy to navigate for readers. Many blogging host websites provide free basic themes, but it may be worth looking into purchasing a premium theme instead. They’re generally much more professional looking and provide many more customization options, and the cost is not astronomical! You can get a great-looking blog theme for anywhere from $30 to $60. When customizing your blog's theme, it may be helpful to have a basic knowledge of web design or HTML. There are many resources and even free courses online that can provide you with basic coding knowledge! 3. Take time to organize a schedule - and stick to it Teachers have busy schedules that are full of lesson plans, class work and activities. As a teacher, you’re no stranger to making effective plans for your classroom. A similar level of organization must be applied to your blog as well. It’s essential that you take the time to plan out your posts, either on a weekly or monthly basis. This ensures that you’re consistently posting (and not just for the sake of posting) quality content that will keep people engaged and reading. Whichever platform you use to stay organized, whether it's using a physical agenda, an online planner/calendar, or simply a spare notebook, make sure the strategy you use to plan your blog’s content is easy to understand for you. 4. Connect with others! Running a successful blog while teaching abroad is not only about writing, but connecting with your readers and other bloggers. Engaging with readers will give you an even more human persona for them to connect too, showing that there is an actual person who is experiencing these things behind the screen! As well, connecting with other travel and teaching abroad bloggers can allow you to exchange ideas and advice with others to not only drive more traffic but to gain insight on how to improve your blog. Social media is a necessity, and it is crucial that you dedicate time to your social channels. Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter are the most popular with bloggers across all genres. Creating quality content on social media that is related to and links back to your blog gives you the perfect platform on which to communicate with readers and grow your audience. It may also be helpful to reach out to fellow expat teachers you work with to not only gain another reader but open up the potential for guest writing opportunities! There are plenty of resources online to connect with fellow bloggers. Facebook groups that focus on travel blogging are a perfect place to discuss ideas and get inspired by fellow bloggers. They also provide a great opportunity to get other bloggers to view your content and potentially give feedback. Starting a blog may seem like an exciting but overwhelming project to pick up as someone teaching abroad, but it’s a great way to share your journey with loved ones back home, as well as other international teachers who are in a similar boat. We know that teachers have their plates full with lesson planning and exploring their new home abroad, but blogging is possible with some passion and a little organization. So don’t be afraid to start sharing your incredible adventure teaching abroad with the world!

English-Language Anime Translator

English-Language Anime TranslatorThere are so many ways to learn Japanese with an anime royal tutor. But if you want to make the most of it, it is important that you get your anime experience as good as possible by getting an English-language anime translator. A good anime translation company will not only help you learn the language but also have a good grasp of the anime industry, so that you can navigate through the jungle of different regions, take on roles that are just as exciting as that of the major Japanese productions, and have a strong work ethic to boot.A Japanese anime royal tutor has to deal with a big range of people and it would be a shame if you were one of the few who got the full effect. Japanese people are social creatures, but the thing about them is that they like their special customs, traditions, and regional idioms. They will do anything they can to protect their family from foreigners who wish to displace them.Anime is the mainstream product in Japan right n ow. It is difficult to imagine a whole group of people sitting down and enjoying their favourite show without somebody else beside them, chatting away about the technicalities of the plot, the detail in which the actors acted, the costumes they wore, the sounds of the actors made, and how real the anime characters really looked. However, it would be impossible to watch all of the great movies that are made each year without getting yourself immersed in the native culture.Anime is so popular here in Japan that there are even dedicated anime movie clubs. So, if you are interested in a career in anime, there are a few choices that you could make. You could either choose to become a manga artist, get a job in the anime industry, or become a translator.Manga artists make their living drawing manga about pop idols, sports stars, women and men of various background and age. Their work can be the basis for a full-length movie or TV series. anime The job of an anime translator is a little mo re complicated. You would translate the text in manga into words that the English speaking public can understand. A translator is usually hired by an animation studio to do this job, or is sometimes hired as a freelancer by other companies who want to use Japanese translators in a more formal manner. If you have a degree in English or linguistics, you may be able to get a job in this field.If you want to learn more about anime, there are a number of good places that will offer you a hands-on experience. If you are lucky enough to be able to take an anime class at an international school, you will be able to immerse yourself in the culture and learn all the jargon that comes with the Japanese language. Either way, being immersed in anime will have a positive impact on your ability to speak the language.