The Importance of Self-Reflection How to End the Year on a Positive Note

The Importance of Self-Reflection How to End the Year on a Positive Note Once Thanksgiving passes, many of us shift into autopilot mode to ride out the rest of the semesterwhether this means cramming for tests or pulling all-nighters for essays. While you more than deserve the holiday break, a great way to end the year positively is to take some time to reflect on your performance. Academic self-reflection, in particular, allows you to consider your unique strengths and weaknesses as a learner, strategies that helped or hindered you, and ways to move forward as you go into the New Year. Its also a great practice that will help you become a more effective and efficient student. Keep reading to learn how to end the year on a positive note. Reflect on your achievements Early in your self-reflection, consider what you have achieved over the past year. Identify both small- and large-scale achievements. Think, too, about what your teacher or peers did that assisted you. Were there specific activities or assignments that nudged you toward success? What resources did you take advantage of, such as: Office hours Study groups The writing center? What did you do specifically to improve your chances of success? Make a list or free-write about what worked well for you. Conversely, what problems did you run into while aiming for success, and what could you do to improve in these areas? Again, the more concrete you are, the better. [RELATED: 10 Study Habits to Avoid] Reflect on your daily schedule and study habits Mapping out your daily schedule and study habits is another useful aspect of self-reflection. Of course, every week is different, but take the time to chart out how you generally spent each day during the week, including any extracurricular activities. Then, consider how you spent your study and homework sessions: when, where, and how did you study? What kind of strategies did you use? For example, list out whether you took breaks, used class notes, made flashcards, or reread your textbook. How far in advance did you generally begin to study for an exam or prepare for a major project or paper? Think about your organizational methods, as well. Looking back, reflect on effective and ineffective aspects of your schedule and habits, and what you want to carry with you into the New Year. [RELATED: How to Make a Smart Study Routine] Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses By this point in your self-reflection, some of your strengths and weaknesses may have already made themselves known. Probe deeper, and consider your skills in keeping yourself organized and on task, as well as your skills in particular subjects and concepts. Its easy to get down on yourself in regard to your weaknesses, but remember that every student, and every person, has weak spots. You dont need to become a completely different person in order to meet your academic goals. Rather, knowing more about yourself can help you identify resources and strategies that will help you succeed. After self-reflecting, its time to make some goals for the New Year! Make sure that your goals are concrete, achievable, and quantifiable. Then, consider both strategies and habits that you can use moving forward, as well as support and help from outside sources, including classmates and instructors. After all this, dont forget to pat yourself on the back for the growth youve shown and the self-awareness youve gained through this process. [RELATED: 3 Note-Taking Formats Every Student Should Try] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

6 Communication Strategies to Improve Any Relationship - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 6 Communication Strategies to Improve Any Relationship - Introvert Whisperer 6 Communication Strategies to Improve Any Relationship Communication is what connects us to other people, yet we are rarely taught how to communicate effectively.  All too often what we try to communicate gets lost in translation and the other person hears something else or misunderstands, and frustration and conflicts ensue.   Fortunately, there are some basic strategies that can be used in any relationship to help improve connections and head off miscommunication before it starts.  If you’re struggling to communicate with others, take some time now and give the following 6 strategies, inspired by Klear Minds, a try. Be an Engaged Listener How often is it that during a conversation with someone, instead of listening to him or her, you are thinking about what you’re going to say next.  Effective communication is less about talking and more about listening.  While it might be difficult, try really listening to what the other person is saying.   Listening well means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding the emotions the other person is trying to communicate.  When you’re an engaged listener, not only will you better understand the other person, you’ll also make that person feel heard and understood. Be Aware of Your Nonverbal Signals Most of our communication with one another, in any relationship, isn’t what we say, but how we say it.  Nonverbal communication is your body language, the tone of your voice, its inflection, eye contact.   Be aware of the messages you are sending via non-verbal channels.  When communicating with others, try and use body language such as leaning in to listen, making eye contact, and keep a neutral body stance and tone to your voice.  By using nonverbal signals in this way, you can better connect with others, which helps to build better relationships at home and work. The “I’s” Have It   One of the most basic components of effective communication is the ability to communicate needs and feelings clearly without creating defensiveness in the other person.  One way to achieve this is to use “I” and “I feel” statements. For example, “I am having trouble dealing with my anxiety about our family’s spending habits, and my worries are keeping me awake at night.”   When you start with “I”, the focus is more on how you are feeling and how you are affected by the other person’s behaviour.   It’s less accusatory, sparks less defensiveness, and helps the other person understand your point of view rather than feeling attacked. Empathise Empathy is trying to see things from the point-of-view of others.  When communicating with others, try not to be judgemental or biased by preconceived ideas or beliefs.   Instead, try and view situations and responses from the other person’s perspective.   You don’t have to like or agree with their ideas, values, or opinions.  However, you do need to set aside your judgment and withhold blame and criticism in order to fully understand a person.  Developing empathy helps you better understand even the unspoken parts of your communication with others, and helps you respond more effectively. Keep Stress in Check Some communication scenarios are, by their nature, stressful. Stress can, however, be a major barrier to effective communication.  When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behavior.   To communicate effectively, you need to be aware of and in control of your emotions.  If you feel you must leave a situation to calm down, do so, then discuss the issue when you are calmer.   When you are calm and focused, you are better able to manage your emotions, and communication becomes more constructive. Assert Yourself Direct, assertive expression makes for clear communication and can help boost self-esteem and decision-making.  Being assertive means expressing your thoughts, feelings, and needs in an open and honest way, while standing up for yourself and respecting others.  It does NOT mean being hostile, aggressive, or demanding.  Communicating in an assertive manner can help you to minimize conflict, and have your needs better met, leading to more positive relationships with family, friends, and others. Conclusion Effective communication in relationships is something that often needs to be learned, polished and practiced over time.  It combines attentive listening, nonverbal communication, the ability to manage stress in the moment, and the capacity to recognize and understand your own emotions and those of the person you’re communicating with.  It can improve relationships at home, work, and in social situations by deepening your connections to others.  I hope you find these communication strategies helpful in your relationships, and remember, practice makes perfect!   This article was written by Dakota Murphey. Go to top NETWORKING Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

4 Ways to Incorporate MCAT Prep into your Daily Routine

4 Ways to Incorporate MCAT Prep into your Daily Routine For the majority of students, MCAT prep requires hundreds of hours of dedicated review. Often, this study occurs over several months. In addition to lengthy review sessions and practice tests, studying material in short snippets throughout the day can help pre-medical students fortify conceptual understanding and memorize key facts. Thus, incorporating MCAT prep into your daily routine can be a valuable strategy. Below are four ways to incorporate MCAT prep into your daily routine. Create a set of high-yield MCAT flashcards and review them every night Though the MCAT is largely rooted in understanding fundamental principles and problem-solving, there are always concepts, facts, and formulas that students must memorize to do well on the exam(e.g. endocrine pathways). When you are initially examining your review material, develop flashcards about these topics. Keep these flashcards on your nightstand and run through them each night before you sleep to easily incorporate MCAT prep into your routine. Add to your stack as you encounter additional information you must memorize, and before you realize it, you will have a better foundation in all the material you once had a difficult time recalling. Read notes while you exercise Though workouts can be an excellent way to unwind from the stresses of studying, certain parts of your exercise routine are great opportunities for you to read and absorb information. Consider adding elliptical or stationary bike time onto the end of each of your workouts, and then review prepared notes during that time. If you exercise multiple times per week, this study time can mount quickly and assist you in sorting through a number of topics. Talk through MCAT topics with your peers during a meal Studying for months for the MCAT can become a very isolating experience. To combat this and reinforce your review process, try to schedule a daily meal with those friends who are also studying for the MCAT. Use this meal to discuss a different topic each day, like the gastrointestinal system or chemical equilibrium. You will gain from their perspective, solidify concepts, and enjoy the company. Take advantage of audio learning There are several commercial products available that narrate MCAT concepts and facts in detail to students. Adding these products to your regular review can strengthen your understanding of material while driving, flying, walking to classes, working out, or doing anything else that allows you to have your headphones on or access to speakers. Though this is a passive method of learning, information you glean from audio learning is a bonus, as the alternative would have been not reviewing at those times. Incorporating MCAT prep into your daily routine may seem trivial at first. After all, most people often feel that nothing substantial can be accomplished in several minutes. However, over the course of months, those small moments become hours of review and study that you otherwise would not have had. This, in turn, can translate to large increases in your score, or perhaps a bump of one or two points. However, those one or two points could be the ultimate difference in your medical schoolapplication.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Law School

How to Write a Personal Statement for Law School The following piece was written by Christina Taber-Kewene. Christina has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is the Director of Law Admissions for Admit Advantage, an admissions consulting company for undergraduate, business school, and law school applicants. Ask any applicant, What is the hardest part of the law school application? and he or she will likely respond: The personal statement. No sane person enjoys trying to describe everything important about him- or herself in a single essayor, really, in any format. Good writingand editingis always painful, and when you are the topic, that pain is at least doubled. But write the statement you must, and it is anything but a throwaway exercise. This is your chance to shine, so take advantage of it! What it isnt Before we talk about what a personal statement is, lets address what it is not. Your personal statement is not a litany of your accolades and accomplishments. Your activities, honors, and achievements will speak for themselves on other parts of your application, such as on your resume and activities list. Likewise, your personal statement is not an excuse for or an explanation of past failures like low grades in college or low LSAT scores. Should you have such to address, you may do so in an addendum to your application. What it is So, what is the purpose of your personal statement? It is to show the admissions committee your character and personality. In particular, it is a place to tell your story in a way that highlights your unique perspective. That perspective might include a very specific plan for post-graduation, or it might reflect certain values you hold that will guide you in your career choices. There is no one way to approach the statement or its content, because each applicant is different. But here are some questions to consider that can help guide you toward finding a topic for your statement: What lessons have I learned in college / professional life about myself / my place in the world? How do those lessons relate to my decision to apply to law school? What have I accomplished academically and otherwise, especially in leadership roles? What do I wish to contribute to the world professionally? How do I plan to do that? How to do it These questions are a springboard for you to examine your personal goals and past learning. They are by no means the only or last questions you should ask yourself. As you hone in on who you are and how to express that, you will be prepared to tackle the objective of the personal statement, which is to show personal growth and leadership, as well as to articulate to an admissions committee why you are well suited for admission to its law school class. There are several common topics around which a statement may center. These include: A difficult decision A passion Important moments in your life Overcoming adversity An intellectual desire The key to making your statement stand out from the crowd is not the subject matter, but how well it demonstrates who you are and where you are going. I sat on an admissions panel recently where one of the panelists said that if he reads ten statements and then meets ten applicants at a cocktail party, he should know who wrote each statement without having to ask. Yes! Tell a good story A final word of advice, and one you will often hear is: show; dont tell. This is good advice. Dont say that you have grown from an experience or achieved something without showing how you did that. A personal statement is an exercise in nonfiction storytelling. Tell your story through memorable examples, and you will be well on your way to a strong personal statement that makes a positive impression on the admissions committee. VisitAdmit Advantagefor more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Overhaul Your Communication In An Introvert-Friendly Way - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Overhaul Your Communication In An Introvert-Friendly Way - Introvert Whisperer How to Overhaul Your Communication In An Introvert-Friendly Way Introverts can get a bad rap: They’re often mistaken for being aloof, snobby or shy. In reality, introverts feel depleted when in social settings and can only get re-energized when they’re alone. If you lean towards introversion, there are many ways to boost your communication effectiveness with coworkers and peers at work. Here are five approaches you can try: 1. Don’t Apologize for Who You Are You don’t need to ask for forgiveness for not liking mushrooms or fish, so why would you need to apologize for requiring alone time? An introvert is a legitimate personality type. You don’t need to berate yourself for possessing this characteristic and you don’t need to ask for forgiveness from others. This is who you are. As an introvert, you may need to spend upwards of 50 percent of your time alone for good mental and emotional health. 2. Give Voice to your Needs Getting labeled fearful or standoffish isn’t desirable in a workplace â€" or anywhere, really. To avoid this, make sure to articulate your need for solo time. Make sure to address your need to recharge alone, to your coworkers and superiors. If you can outline what this recharging time looks like, that’s even better. You can assist your colleagues in better understanding you and your needs. As collaboration is important in a workplace, it’s imperative that you’re your own advocate in helping others to be better able to honor your needs. 3. Focus on the Other Person Asking other people in the conversation about themselves and their work will give an introvert a break. Introverts are excellent listeners, so why not embrace this asset? Listening will take the pressure and attention off of you and put it on someone else. One added bonus to this approach is it reflects positively on you because people love talking about themselves and feeling heard. You’ll be considered a great conversationalist. 4. Use Social Media and Writing Putting pen to paper or text on social media or email is a fantastic way to engage with others while alone. Writing allows an introvert to thoughtfully articulate themselves without being put on the spot or on display at a meeting or presentation. Online platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn are an extension of this writing because they are a safe and effective way to interact for introverts. These networks also build familiarity between people, so when face-to-face interactions eventually occur there is an established level of comfort. 5. Take a Pause or a Break Putting your thoughts into words can take some time. Instead of beating yourself up for needing time to assemble your ideas into words, give yourself a break. Literally. It is perfectly normal and acceptable to take a moment to gather your thoughts. You can even ask for a moment to think â€" there’s no harm or foul in that. If a conversation is continuing for a while and you feel yourself needing a break, take one. You can simply say you need to visit the restroom or grab a refreshment or get something you forgot in your office. While you’re on your break, take the time to be still and find the solitude, which will refresh you before going back into the social setting. It’s not important or realistic for an introvert to become an extrovert â€" that is not the goal. Great thinkers, creative minds and influential people including Einstein, Steven Spielberg, Queen Elizabeth II and Gandhi fit into the introvert category. There are productive and successful ways for introverts to communicate while on the job. Guest Author Bio: Kayla Matthews  is a productivity writer and blogger, as well as the editor of  ProductivityTheory.com. You can follow her on Facebook  and  Twitter  to read her latest posts. Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Square Root of 56 - Maths Online Tutoring

Square Root of 56 - Maths Online Tutoring Square root of 56 is calculated by splitting 56 into its prime factors and hence 56 can be written as 2 * 2 * 2 * 7. So, the square root of 56 is equal to (2 * 2 * 2 * 7). Now in order to simplify the square root, we can pull out the numbers which are repeatedly multiplied twice. This gives 2 * (2 * 7) = 2 * 14 = 214. Therefore the square root of 56 is given as 56 = 214. Example 1: Simplify the given expression, 4 * 56. Here each square root radical should be simplified further. 4 = (2 * 2). Now pull out the number which is repeating twice inside the radical. This gives: 4 = 2and 4 is a perfect square since its square root gives a perfect number! And we already have 56 = 214. So, 4 * 56 = 2 * 214 = 414. Hence the value of the expression, 4 * 56is = 414. Example 2: Simplify the given expression, 14 + 56. Here each square root radical should be simplified further. 14 = (2 * 7) and it is already in its simplified form as no number is repeating twice inside the radical to be pulled out. And we have 56 = 214. So, 14 + 56 = 114 +214 = (1 + 2) 14 = 314. (They are like terms since they have the same radical 14 and hence can be added). Hence the value of the expression, 14 + 56 is = 314.

Using the Word Like in English video and exercise

Using the Word Like in English video and exercise Like can be a very confusing word for students learning English, mainly because it has so many different meanings in the language. The word has even become a noun, thanks to Facebook. This lesson will help with the most common, and grammatically correct usages of the word.Take a look at the example exercises below, and see if you can answer them. Youll see the correct answers in the video. Then try the exercise after the video.Exercise: Correctly answer the questions below, by understanding how the word like is used.What is Madonna like?What does Madonna look like?What does Madonna like?Ok, now watch the video:Exercise: Answer the questions below in comments, and we will respond.What does your favorite actor look like?What does your favorite actor like?What is your favorite actor like?Ok, thats it! Contact us if you have any questions.

Huntington Learning Center Shares Latest SAT Happenings

Huntington Learning Center Shares Latest SAT Happenings Latest Update: Feb. 16, 2018When it comes to the SAT college entrance exam, the last several years have been largely focused on the College Boards redesign of the test, but Huntington Learning Center is up on the latest news and information. Eileen Huntington, CEO and co-founder of Huntington Learning Center reminds parents of the importance of staying up to date. Last year brought a great deal of change to the SAT, but the College Board is still adjusting processes and other aspects of the SAT, she says. Huntingtonshares the latest SAT happenings that may impact your college-bound student: Students can now take the SAT in late August. For the first time since the mid-1970s, the College Board is offering an August exam date, based on feedback from students, K-12 and higher education professionals, and test center staff. This date provides students about to begin their senior year with earlier opportunities to take the exam before submitting college applications. Other benefits of an August SAT date: It will be it easier for students to dedicate themselves to an SAT prep program over summer break since school is not in session. A summer date should help minimize problems caused by issues such as delays in score reporting and weather-related test cancellations in late winter. Students heading into senior year will have two opportunities instead of one to take the SAT (August and October) before early admission application deadlines, which are usually in early November. The January exam date has been eliminated. Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, the January SAT date will no longer be offered. This means that the SAT continues to be offered seven times per year: in August, October, November, December, March, May and June. The process for requesting test accommodations is much simpler. In December 2016, the College Board announced a much simpler request process for testing accommodations for students currently using them at their schools through Individualized Education Programs and 504 Plans. Testing supports are available for English language learners (ELL), effective January 1, 2017. ELL students taking a state-funded SAT during the school day will now have access to testing instructions in several native languages and approved bilingual glossaries. The College Boards overall goal is to level the playing field for all students. Following the redesign of the SAT, the number of students taking the new exam in 2016 jumped to 1.36 million (compared to 1.18 million in 2015). This indicates a show of support among students and parents alike, says Huntington. The College Board has greatly increased its efforts to make the SAT and all of its exams reflect what students are learning in class. she says. Huntington is apprised of the latest changes and incorporates any and all adjustments into our prep programs. For more information about Huntingtons individualized SAT prep programs, contact Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.