Friday, March 6, 2020

A Day in the Life at Cornell University

A Day in the Life at Cornell University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Stephanie is a Houston tutor specializing in Literature tutoring, History tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, and much more. She graduated from Cornell University in 2004 with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. Check out her review of 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? Stephanie: Cornell is located in the town of Ithaca, New York. The area immediately surrounding campus is referred to as College Town with Ithaca proper located just down the hill from the campus. It is a beautiful campus with rolling hills, gorges, and waterfalls. The campus is very safe, but you do need to use common sense when walking at night. The campus is divided according to schools and colleges. Each school or college within the university has its own quad or central location. On-campus bus transportation is convenient and Cornell students can purchase special bus passes for semester or annual use. Students also walk or bike to class. If you plan to walk or bike, be prepared for cold winters good boots are a must! Most of the upperclassmen, especially those who live off campus, typically have cars, but parking can be tricky on campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Stephanie: I felt that all of my professors, advisers, and TAs were accessible I just had to make an appointment or attend office hours. Since class sizes can vary tremendously depending on majors and colleges, I would highly recommend going to office hours to develop a rapport with the professor. This is especially true if you are interested in a particular subject or if you want to work with a particular professor later on in your collegiate life. A pre-existing relationship with a professor is also helpful if you choose to undertake a thesis because you select your own advisor. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Stephanie: All of the freshmen live together on North Campus and there are a variety of housing and dining options depending on personal preference. Answers that you provide to university polls on lifestyle and personality type will likely determine what type of housing environment in which you are placed. You can also request a certain dormitory or housing option. The dining halls on campus are first rate and accommodate every type of diet. 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? Stephanie: Cornells academics are highly respected and you will find top-notch professors and staff in every major and in every college. I was accepted to Cornells College of Arts and Sciences as an English major but switched majors halfway through my sophomore year to Sociology. Switching majors was easy since I was switching intra-college. It is possible to switch majors inter-college, but you will need to work closely with the registrar and your advisors to ensure that all of your academic requirements are satisfied. 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? Stephanie: Making friends at Cornell is a breeze! The student body is large and diverse, and there will definitely be people who have the same interests as you do! There is Greek life on campus, but there are so many other student groups that going Greek is by no means mandatory in order to feel accepted and develop close bonds with your peers. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Stephanie: The Career Center is fantastic and Cornell has a robust on-campus recruiting and interviewing initiative. All of the top companies and non-profits come to Cornell to interview. In addition, there are career fairs and the alumni network is very strong. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Stephanie: There are lots of spaces to study to fit every preference. Typically, you will find your favorite spot by the end of exams first semester. 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? Stephanie: Ithaca and College Town boast an impressive collection of restaurants, theatres, and bars and pubs. Cornell also has the Johnson Art Museum, the Ornithology Lab, a rare book collection, and many other state-of-the-art public resources. Cornell does a great job of bringing in music, theatre, and comedy acts to campus, as well as prominent speakers. For example, while I was at Cornell, I saw No Doubt play a show, went to see Jon Stewart, and President Bill Clinton delivered my commencement address. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Stephanie: Cornell is the largest Ivy League school with a student body of around 13,000, but the way the university divides itself by colleges makes it feel much smaller. Class size varies depending on subject matter and the particular college. Large classes will typically include both seminar (where new materials are presented) and a section that is taught by a TA with a class size of 10-15 (where material is reviewed). VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Stephanie: I dont think I can think of just one experience that I loved! I absolutely adored my time at Cornell I really did not want to leave. I found that everything, from the friends that I made to the instruction that I received, were more than I could have hoped for. Check out Stephanies tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Start Cooking on a Budget

Start Cooking on a Budget How Much Does it Cost to Learn How to Cook? ChaptersHow Much Does Cooking Equipment Cost?How Much Do Cooking Courses Cost?How Can You Learn to Cook for Free?Easy Recipes for Under £5“Cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music.” - Julia ChildHave you thought about opening a cookbook and making your own dishes rather than eating ready meals, instant soups, and leftovers?A lot of people enjoy cooking.What about you?Learning to cook can be quite the investment once you’ve bought the equipment you’ll need to make your own dishes. However, once you've got the equipment, it'll pay for itself as you can make hearty and healthy meals.Whether you’re cooking simple recipes or haute cuisine, you should probably opt for seasonal produce. In addition to saving money, you’ll also get the nutritional benefits of these products and you'll find it much easier to eat well. GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1s t lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Much Does Cooking Equipment Cost?To change your eating habits and start making your own delicious meals, you’ll need to get a few essentials. While you might think cooking on a budget is difficult, you don’t need a kitchen like they have on Masterchef.You don't need to offer haute cuisine to provide good food. (Source: neshom)You’re not going to be doing molecular gastronomy but rather some simple home cooking and healthy meals.Here is some essential cooking equipment you should get for preparing y our ingredients and how much they cost.A peeler for fruits and vegetables. These usually cost under £10. You should pay attention to what it’s made of (stainless steel, ceramic, plastic) and how sturdy the handle is.A good knife for cutting, slicing, etc. You’ll probably pay around £20 for a decent knife. Cheaper knives don't tend to last. Don’t forget a knife sharpener, too.A chopping board since you wouldn’t want to wreck your bench. This usually can work out between £5 and £10 depending on what you go for.For cooking meat and vegetables, you should get the following:A saucepan. If you live on your own, one should be enough. However, it’s recommended that you get two. A 20cm diameter saucepan ranges between £15 and £30.A frying pan. The price will vary depending on the quality and the covering. A 28cm diameter frying pan can cost between £15 and £40.A wooden spoon and spatula. These are often sold as a pack and are useful for mixing and won't scratch your pan whe n you stir a sauce. They usually cost around £5.Lids so that your sauces don’t spit onto the counter. You can get glass or stainless steel lids. You can buy them separately for between €15 and €25 or get pots and pans that come with them and you’ll save more money doing the latter.A strainer. Opt for a strainer with small holes so you can use it for stock, rice, and any type of pasta. This usually can work out between £5 and £10 depending on what you go for.An oven dish. This is essential for cooking stuff in the oven. They’re usually made of glass, but you can also get stainless steel ones. They cost between £5 and £20, depending on the size.Of course, if you’re interested in baking, you’ll probably want a measuring cup, kitchen scales, and mixing bowls.  When you cook for yourself, you can choose what you eat and, therefore, eat more healthily and save money.So when are you going to start?How Much Do Cooking Courses Cost?There are several options for those who w ant to learn how to become a chef:Attending a cookery schoolDoing a cooking workshopStudying a degree in gastronomyTaking private cooking tutorialsThere are cooking schools in larger cities. Thus, a student who wants to learn traditional recipes may have to spend a substantial amount of money.Simple ingredients can make simple dishes that taste delicious. (Source: congerdesign)For example, the Cordon Bleu in London is a culinary arts, wine and management school that was founded in the early 1930s with a focus on the cooking techniques that were being taught to gourmet French chefs. The school was initially founded as L’Ecole du Petit Cordon Bleu by Rosemary Hume and Dione Lucas after being allowed to take the Cordon Bleu tradition to the UK.Did you know that Hume created the recipe for “Poulet Reine Elizabeth” for the Queen's coronation?This recipe is more commonly known as “Coronation Chicken”.The longer courses (such as the Grand Diplôme) can cost nearly £35,000 for 9 months. This is the kind of course where you will learn the art of cooking, every single technique, and all the cooking methods that the worlds best chefs have mastered. Of course, since you'll learn how to prepare a large variety of dishes, you'll be expected to handle seafood, veal (amongst other meats), and alcohol.There are four main culinary arts diplomas offered by the school: cuisine, pâtisserie, boulangerie, and gastronomy and nutrition.There are plenty of cooking workshops up and down the country.The Diplôme de Cuisine can be studied over 9 months or intensively over 6. This is the course that teaches students classic techniques.The Pastry and Confectionary diploma (Diplôme de Pâtisserie) also lasts for 9 months (6 months intensive) and includes cake making and decorating.The Diplôme de Boulangerie focuses on making bread dough, viennoiserie, and other baked goods. This course lasts 7 months and is useful for anyone wanting to open and run their own bakery.Le Cordon Bl eu also offers short courses on various techniques, summer cooking courses, wine tasting, and cake decorating. These courses can be as short as two hours or as long as three weeks. These could be ideal for amateur chefs who want to get better at preparing pastry or gain some fundamental knife skills (in the kitchen, of course!).You could also opt for private cooking tutorials if you’re interested in learning a few different recipes or culinary techniques.On Superprof, a private cooking tutorial costs around £25 per hour. However, a lot of tutors offer their first hour of tutoring for free. This is a good opportunity to see if you get along.  Of course, the cost will vary depending on where you are and your tutor’s experience and qualifications.Find cooking classes london.How Can You Learn to Cook for Free?You don’t have to break the bank to learn how to cook. Quite the opposite. You can learn to make gourmet dishes for very little money.When done right, cooking can be a lot o f fun. (Source: 089photoshootings)As a beginner learning to cook on a budget, you might make a few mistakes, so here’s some advice to help you:Be organised: from going to the supermarket to making your dishes, you should avoid waste at all costs.Read the recipe before you start cooking so that you know what to expect.Test the recipe before you cook it for your friends and family.To learn more about stress-free cooking, there are a few good options:Cooking MOOCs: a MOOC is an online course and you can study a variety of different subjects. There are MOOCs on cooking and you can learn the basics as well as more advanced techniques thanks to them.Video tutorials on YouTube: there are plenty of freely accessible video tutorials on YouTube with recipes and explanations of certain cooking techniques.Cooking websites and blogs: again the internet is home to a lot of useful resources for those on a budget. Check out some of the most popular websites and blogs for useful recipes and advice .When it comes to cooking, practice makes perfect! You can find recipes for whatever you fancy from ham omelettes, lasagna, stuffed vegetables, beef stew, etc, and more often than not, the simplest dishes are the best!Easy Recipes for Under £5When we say dishes for less than a fiver, we’re not talking about canned beans on toast, instant noodles, or prepackaged sandwiches or leftover curry from the night before! When you go grocery shopping, you can fill your pantry with inexpensive and nutritious ingredients and start making healthier meals.You need to be organised from the very moment you arrive at the market! (Source:Make sure your cupboards are stocked up with useful vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, peas, etc. You can also keep veggies in your fridge or freezer for making filling stews, a casserole, a broth, or other money saving dishes like a stir-fry, chilli con carne, etc.There are plenty of budget recipes available online or in cooking magazines and recipe books. Here are a couple of examples to inspire you.Roast Camembert SurprisePreparation time: 15 minutes.Cooking time: 40 minutes.Ingredients for serving four people:1 Camembert1 yellow onion3 tablespoons of brown sugar10g of raisins4 large slices of breadParsley and chives100g of unsalted butter1 tablespoon of brown sugarCiderPreparation:Peel and slice the onion before browning it in a frying pan with butter.Add the vinegar and reduce for two minutes. Add the sugar and reduce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.Cut an 8cm diameter hole in the Camembert and remove it.Full the hole with onions, raisins, and herbs.Put the lid back on the Camembert and wrap it in tinfoil.Cook for 20 minutes at 200 °C.Toast the bread and cut it into soldiers.Serve with a green salad and cider.Chocolate/Orange/Apricot Gooey CookiesPreparation time: 15 minutes.Cooking time: 20 minutes.Ingredients for 16 cookies:50g of unsalted butter50g of slightly salted butter1 egg100g of cane sugar200g of flour1 orange8 tender a pricots1 teaspoon of baking powder75g of milk chocolatePreparation:Dice the apricots, zest the orange, and grind the chocolate.Beat the eggs, baking powder, and half of the flour.Add the butter and sugar and work the dough with your hands.Add the chocolate, apricots, and orange zest before adding the rest of the flour.Create 40g piles of dough (around a tablespoon) onto a baking tray.Bake for 12 to 14 minutes at 180 °C.Cooking VocabularyWhen you learn how to cook, you’ll also need to learn the jargon. In each of our cooking articles, we’ve included a few definitions to help you so make sure to read the other articles.ZestZesting is when you remove the zest (the outer coloured part of a citrus fruit peel) to use to flavour food. Don’t use the white part.ConcasseThis is when you crush or grind something into large pieces. It commonly refers to a process used on tomatoes.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Math Tips from a Calculus Tutor

Math Tips from a Calculus Tutor Today we welcome Cory Sweet, veteran math tutor and South Bay calculus department head, to our blog! Cory is sharing his top three math tips for success in any math class, from algebra 1 all the way up through AP calculus and beyond.Math Tip #1: Show your work! (No mental math!)My first math tip to help you succeed is something all of your math teachers are already telling you to do on every test, quiz, and homework assignment: show your work! By showing your work on every problem, you’re actually helping the teacher and yourself. On tests and quizzes, this is your chance to show your teacher what you know. When you only write down the final answer, the teacher has no idea if you know and understand the process of getting to that answer. It might as well be a random guess, or even a result of cheating! When you present your work neatly and efficiently, you demonstrate that you know all of the steps to reach the answer. In case you still have questions, consider Private Tutoring At Home.There is a second part to this math tip: by showing all of your work, you’re not doing any math in your head. One thing I tell all of my students is that doing math in your head is a great party trick, but it gets you nothing on tests and quizzes. I can’t even begin to count the number of mistakes I’ve seen students make when they could have easily used a calculator or written out the problem. By doing math in your head, you’re more likely to make a mistake! Instead, write out each step, check your math with a calculator (if allowed), and work methodically and at a decent pace. Writing down your work won’t fix every mistake, but it will reduce your chances of making them. Bonus: if you do make the occasional mistake, your teacher is more likely to give you partial credit if they can see your process.Math Tip #2: Study a little bit each dayMy second math tip has to do with worst and best studying practices. Imagine that you have a test on Friday, and you estimate that two hours of studying should be plenty. Some students will study for two hours the night before the test, thinking that this will be enough time to learn the material.I’m here to tell you that cramming the night before the test is one of the most inefficient ways to study. It is only slightly better than not studying at all! By having a two-hour study block the night before, you might create more problems for yourself. First, You might stay up late to finish other homework and so are too tired to do well on the test. Also, you might encounter a concept that you don’t understand, with little time to learn it. Lastly, you might not actually learn the material that well!I want you to think of something you enjoy but need to practice to improve. This could be an instrument, a sport, a gameâ€"anything that requires effort. Now, I’m going to offer you two ways to study: you can practice for two hours at 4 p.m. for a week or for ten hours on a Saturday. Which did you choose? Hopeful ly the first option! Both take the same amount of total time, but you will retain more over a longer period. One word comes to mind when I think about practicing for ten hours straight: fatigue. Instead, the best way to study is to practice persistence and do a little bit each day. With regular practice, you can train yourself to think differently, develop muscle memory, and improve performance and technique. After all, slow and steady wins the race!Math Tip #3: Spaghetti on the wallMy final math tip concerns what you should do when you come across a problem that you’re not sure how to tackle. I am a huge advocate of throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks. No, this doesn’t mean you should start playing baseball with pasta. Rather, it means that trial and error in math is often a valid approach. Far too often I’ve seen this situation: a student will read a math problem and then will think and think and think but never do anything, frozen with indecision. My advice: pick something and just give it a try.There’s no way of knowing if that problem-solving method in your head will work until you actually put pencil to paper and try it out. If it doesn’t work, it’s not a big dealâ€"turn your pencil around, erase, and try again! Each time you try a new strategy, you’ll get a little closer to solving the problem. You might notice a piece of information you missed the first time, spot a careless mistake, or realize that you need to draw a diagram. Even if you don’t end up getting the right answer, you may still get some partial credit from your teacherâ€"better to have something written down on the paper to show that you engaged with the problem!Thanks, Cory, for all those great math tips! To learn more about tutoring at AJ and math homework help from homeworkdoer, click here.

Meta Testing Strategy for the LSAT

Meta Testing Strategy for the LSAT LSAT Law School Blog There are many things to keep in mind while studying for the LSAT exam. It’s overwhelming enough to try to master techniques for each of the sections. But at some point, take a break from driving yourself crazy with the logic questions and the games, and consider some other overall strategies that can help improve your score: Bring your own watch. It’s essential to keep track of time. Who knows if you can see the clock â€" who knows if there will be a clock? Control your conditions as much as you can. Learn to shake it off â€" Just like the Cash Cab host tells contestants who miss the red light challenge to “shake it off,” train yourself to shake off sections that you feel don’t go well. Don’t pay attention to the people around you - Chances are you aren’t even working on the same sections at the same time. The exam booklets are shuffled into different orders. You don’t know what your neighbor is working on and you shouldn’t care. Don’t let yourself get distracted; don’t break your rhythm. Don’t talk to others about the test on breaks - If someone tells you they thought the reading comprehension was easy and you thought it was hard, you may just waste energy worrying about it. Plus, you may have taken an experimental section, and you might get the easier one later in the day. Never leave a question blank. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Always take the last few seconds before time is called to go back through to answer the ones you weren’t sure about. Make blind guesses on the rest. If I haven’t even looked at a question, I always choose “B.” Don’t put your pencil down until you absolutely have to. Keep your energy up - It’s a long day. Bring energy snacks to have on hand when you’re flagging. These strategies can help you from losing points, and may even help you gain some. I also found that it gave me a sense of calm and control going into what is such a high stakes situation. By being more relaxed, it may help you as you work the questions as well.

Teach Away Telegram - December 2011

Teach Away Telegram - December 2011 We hope you have had a great holiday season and are as excited as we are for 2012! This month's newsletter contains information on some exciting opportunities for 2012 to help you bring in the new year with a bang!We know that the end of the year is a busy time so we hope you will find this list of jobs helpful as you consider where you might want to teach in the upcoming year. Drop by our Community page to connect with us - we look forward to hearing from you in 2012! Happy New Year!- The Teach Away TeamIn this issue:Teach Abroad in Doha, QatarTeach Abroad in Hong KongMore Exciting Job Opportunities for 2012Teach Abroad in Doha, QatarDoha is the capital city of Qatar, and it continues to grow and expand into one of the most vibrant and exciting destinations in the Middle East. With a rich cultural history, a growing expat population, and some of the most lucrative teaching jobs in the world, Qatar has so much to offer.As schools in Qatar undergo a massive education reform, more and more foreign teachers are relocating to Qatar to take part in the reform program and earn an excellent salary in exchange for their efforts. Teaching jobs in Qatar range from Kindergarten through secondary school, with many positions requiring Special Education experience as part of a major effort to address special learning needs across all grade levels.Teach Away is now interviewing candidates for teaching positions at an exclusive private school in Doha. This school offers extensive resources to staff and students, and is focused on providing outstanding programs to students with special needs. In-person interviews are quickly approaching, with interviews taking place in Boston, Chicago, and Seattle in early 2012. For more information and to apply, please visit Teaching Jobs Abroad.Teach Abroad in Hong KongHong Kong is one of the most sought-after destinations for teaching in Asia. The Native-speaking English Teachers (NET) Scheme provides ample salary and benefits for teachers a nd their families, allowing them to live comfortably in lively Hong Kong. Teach Away has once again been selected by the Hong Kong Education Bureau as a provider of licensed teachers for the NET Scheme.As an important hub in Asia, Hong Kong is a busy and lively city. Known for being a centre of pop culture, its proximity to mainland China, and a large English-speaking population, Hong Kong is a great destination for Westerners looking to teach abroad but maintain the essential comforts of home. Situated on the water, Hong Kong has a number of incredible beaches, and the subtropical climate means there is plenty of time to enjoy time outdoors.Teach Away is now interviewing candidates for teaching positions in Hong Kong public schools. Teachers in Hong Kong will teach English at the primary or secondary level, while also contributing to the greater school community. In-person interviews are scheduled to take place in Toronto and Vancouver in early 2012. For more information and to app ly, please visit Teaching Jobs Abroad.More Exciting Job Opportunities For 2012!Teach Away is now accepting applications for amazing teaching opportunities in Senegal, Colombia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. To find out about all available teaching jobs abroad and to get started on your next teaching adventure, visit the Teach Away Jobs page.

7 Careers To Consider If You Love Writing

7 Careers To Consider If You Love Writing Image via Pexels.com 1. Freelance Writer/Author If you can’t imagine doing anything else but writing, it makes the most sense to simply make a career around writing itself! There are still people out there who think being a writer isn’t lucrative money-wise, but that notion is fairly outdated. You can prove those people wrong! Making a living as a writer is entirely doable in 2018; if you want to be a successful author, you have to be disciplined, focused, resourceful and flexible. It may take a long time to get to where you want to be, and there are plenty of other aspiring authors out there attending every AWP conference and reading all the guides on finding an agent. If you network with enough published authors and take advantage of every resource that comes your way, you can make a comfortable living as an author. Freelancing also remains popular among writers who want to get published in various magazines, online venues and anthologies. If you are new to freelancing, check out websites like Upwork.com, a site designed for freelancers to be connected with projects in their field of work! Freelancing can build up your portfolio and prepare you for your next adventure as a writer. You can also work as a content writer for websites and companies that create curriculum and other materials. 2. Technical Writer If you’ve got a passion for engineering and writing, becoming a technical writer could be a smart move. According to WritingAssist.com, “Technical writers create documents to communicate complex and technical information simply. The specifics of the job vary from company to company and industry to industry. But, broadly stated, a technical writer creates or gathers information and then organizes and presents it in a user-friendly manner. This could come in the form of a web page, in-software or in-app help, a video tutorial, blog, wiki, and more.” Specifically, as a technical writer, you will “write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions,” as stated in Business Insider’s article, “High-paying jobs for people who love writing.” But you don’t have to be a technical writer to be a writer in STEM-oriented professions, either. Businesses and companies need strong communicators, and tech companies who primarily attract STEM graduates understand that having some humanities folks on staff can greatly improve productivity. “Soft skills” are in high demand alongside “hard skills.” 3. Social Media Manager If you love writing short blurbs on Twitter, a few paragraphs on Facebook, captions on Instagram and blog entries, you’d probably be a fabulous social media manager (also seen as “social media writer,” “web communications manager,” and others). The great part about working in social media? It’s lively, it’s immediate and garners almost instant reactions by your page’s audience. Consider becoming a social media manager or coordinator if you enjoy being on social media often, understand the most popular platforms and how to use them wisely, and if you’re able to write witty posts quickly and frequently. Image via Pexels.com 4. Public Relations Manager A career in PR requires top-notch communication and presentation skills. You may find that much of this work is writing-intensive, mainly because your primary task involves relaying your company’s message to the outside world. You will write countless emails, potentially design flyers and even plan events and fundraisers that benefit your organization. Above all, you’ll write to maintain relationships with colleagues outside and inside of your workplace, acting as the go-to person for anyone looking to learn more about what your company does. 5. Journalist or Copy Editor Do you have a fierce appetite for seeking out the untold stories of your community? Love to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment where anything can happen? You could be a great journalist. Journalists have challenging (and exciting) jobs full of interviewing, deadlines and plenty of opportunities for writing press releases and articles on a daily or weekly basis. If you love to edit just as much as you love to write, copy editing can be a great way to read and write at work 6. Grant Writer Nonprofits and human rights organizations need grant writers to help them secure funding for community programs, services and resources. If you’ve got a knack for persuasion and writing compelling, tight and well-considered arguments, grant writing could be a rewarding career. At its core, grant writing is about understanding the mission and goals of a company/nonprofit and relaying the importance of an initiative to a funding body. These funding bodies will consider your proposal and either award or deny funding to the organization. 7. Professor If you’re looking to go all the way in your education and get your Ph.D., you might enjoy a career as a university professor! Professors, given their doctorate status, are usually asked to produce regular papers, research and other creative projects in conjunction with their teaching responsibilities. This job is great for those who love academia through and through. Search far and wide online and offline, and you’re bound to find a role that suits your writing interests. Start by searching jobs on LinkedIn in your area, chatting with folks in the industry you’d like to enter, and making a habit of searching for writing jobs both remote or in-person. Writing is an expansive, multidimensional field; you’ll find your way within it. After all, there aren’t many fields that don’t involve written content!

After School Activities 5 Tips to Help Your Child Socialize

After School Activities 5 Tips to Help Your Child Socialize After School Activities: Help Your Child Socialize With These 5 Tips Socialization is so important to the healthy development of a young child. However, most school districts have increasingly stringent goals that need to be met including test scores and general educational benchmarks. As a result, teachers are spending more time on core subjects and less time on socialization and structured play. As kids progress through elementary school, they will also be expected to spend more time on homework than the previous generations. The good news is that there are lots of fun and creative after school activities that encourage socialization at a young age. 1.   Time at the playground Taking a child to the park or playground seems like a simple after school activity, but its one of the most useful things students can do between the ages of K through 2nd grade. Each student will have had a different upbringing from birth to 5 and will come to kindergarten with a different set of social skills. Some kids will live in a neighborhood full of other children their age or have several siblings in the household. Other children may not have had as much of an opportunity to socialize or attend preschool as their counterparts. Time at the playground teaches children to learn how to share the equipment and get along with other children they dont already know in a semi-structured but supervised environment. 2. A non-competitive sports team Some sports leagues are highly competitive and are fantastic for students who want to refine their athletic skills or compete to win. Alternatively, there are several non-competitive sports teams that primarily develop social skills and general physical education. This second type of activity is great for kids who need more of an opportunity to socialize. The coaches and volunteers will keep the environment structured and make sure everything works out OK, but the kids have an opportunity to learn a skill while depending on each other for support. The focus isnt so much on winning but experiencing an organized form of socialization that is essential to a childs overall upbringing (READ: After School Activities: 5 Ways to Tear Your Kid Away From the TV). 3. Community service Volunteering isnt just for high school students who need to complete units to apply to college. Rather, community service activities are a fantastic way for younger kids to learn how to get along with their fellow human beings. Whether students are helping out at a bake sale that benefits their school or working with members of the community who need some extra TLC, volunteerism helps teach empathy and encourages youngsters to work together for the greater good. 4. Play dates Kids often ask to have play dates with their best friends at school or in the neighborhood. Its great to have time for close friends, but its also important for kids to get to know others their age who they havent met yet. Many communities have scheduled activities that any child can participate in on an official or unofficial basis. Whether a parent arranges for kids to spend a little bit of time with each other after school completing a craft, playing outside, or joining in on a community event, play dates are one of the most important yet simple ways young kids can learn how to socialize. 5. Arts and crafts Many community centers offer arts and craft classes with a hands-on approach. Although kids will take home their individual art projects, these types of after school activities allow for a higher level of socialization that isnt always allowed in the classroom. Children will have the opportunity to converse and collaborate in an environment where they get to give and take feedback on how to complete their creative endeavor. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.