What is it Like to Attend The University of Southern Mississippi

What is it Like to Attend The University of Southern Mississippi The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Michael is a 2012 graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelors degree in English. He is an online tutor specializing in several areas of Reading tutoring, Writing tutoring, and Literature tutoring. See what he had to say about his time at The University of Southern Mississippi: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Michael: The campus of The University of Southern Mississippi is quite nice. It is not too large, so biking or walking from class to class is carefree and enjoyable, and there is ample space for greenery. The University of Southern Mississippis lawns are great places to relax and rest between classes. There is a bus system in town, but it is not extensive. A bike can be handy, as the universitys location is fairly central. With a well-planned route, you can get most anywhere without having to cross too much traffic. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Michael: I never had a problem with my professors or advisers. Every professor sets some hours aside for office visits. Most are easily contacted by phone or by email, and they are fairly responsive. I know of some fellow classmates who had other experiences, but most departments have their mainstays who are usually quite available and quite approachable. Teaching assistants are plentiful. They tend to be friendly, but teaching quality can range. Some are as good as professors. Some just stick to their slides and curriculum. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Michael: The dorms are fairly well maintained and well located to encourage socializing. Most are in central areas of campus to encourage exploration and provide communal spaces for students to gather. The dining options are varied. Snack vendors are great for grab-and-go meals. A few fast food or carry-out places are located in the student center, and the dining hall serves a wide array of meals throughout the day. The campus plays host to a variety of clubs and organizations, so getting involved is quite easy and rewarding. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Michael: The Political Science field is considered by many (largely in the liberal arts) to be one of the most visible majors on campus. We also have an excellent polymer science department, but our liberal arts in general keep up just as well. I studied English and Instructional Technology because I wanted a background in research, as well as the technology used in education. I knew that I wanted to go into Library Science, and such a background would help me along the way. Our English department is excellent: well staffed with supportive, experienced professors, and marked by challenging programs. I certainly feel like I got my tuitions worth out of the department. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Michael: Meeting new people was quite easy as a freshman since the dorms for freshmen were communal. Even leaving the dorm set up aside, with the variety of activities on campus and the centralization of its dining options, making friends is not at all a problem for anyone reasonably social. Though I have only little experience with Greek life, I know it is well represented, with the local Greek row being stocked with fraternities and sororities of all shapes and sizes, most very active. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Michael: Student support services never failed to meet my needs in my time there. I only rarely had need to use our career support services, but my few occasions always exposed me to friendly staff who were eager to help students meet their goals. Other support centers, such as the writing center, were equally well maintained, with reliable, well-trained staff. I do not recall a large sampling of recruiting companies approaching me, but The University of Southern Mississippi never lacked for representation, always being visited by numerous companies during job fairs. Again, this is a part of the university I had less exposure to, but I do not recall the school lacking in any way. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Michael: The library provided several levels of restriction on noise so that certain floors were quieter than others. This made it a very handy place for any studying, whether alone or in a group, and I often went there first. Dorms rarely ever suffered from noise problems, at least the ones I stayed insave for the occasional fire drill. The student union tended to be less a study area and more a socializing location. Groups would hold programs there, and students would eat lunch and dinner and chat. This made it less useful than the dorms or the library. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Michael: Hattiesburg is not a terribly large town. It is quaint and flat, but this makes it feel comfortable and close. It is easy to get from one side of town to the other without relying on the highways. Though recently struck by a few weather disasters, Hattiesburg is still a nice town. I recall few parts that looked run down, and fewer still near the school. It is by no means comparable to places like San Francisco, but Hattiesburg did have places to explore. The downtown area offered a variety of shops and was often bustling on weekends. The other side of town, closer to the highways, provided a wide expanse of malls and outlet centers of all kinds, as well as plenty of dining options. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Michael: The student body was not tiny, but I never once sat in an auditorium class in my four years. I know such classes were held, but it was extremely easy to trade them for more personal classes. I was very pleased with this, as I prefer a class where I can get to know new people and potential homework buddies. This also made getting to know the professors much easier, and it made building rapport with them enjoyable and beneficial. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Michael: One of our professors, a major figurehead of the English department, was retiring. Our History of the English Language class would be the last he taught as a full-time professor. In this class, he held weekly etymology contests where students would submit the etymologies of words and the most interesting one would win a stuffed animal. For our last day of class, we held a party for him, and one of the gifts we gave him was a teddy bear with an etymology card of his name. Noun: Greatest Teacher Ever. He was so happy he cried. Check out Michaels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learning the Notes on a Fretboard

Learning the Notes on a Fretboard Finding the Notes on a Fretboard: Guitar for Beginners ChaptersWhy Should You Learn the Notes on the Fretboard?How to Learn Your Way Around the FretboardLearning the First Three Strings of the GuitarGetting to Know the Neck of Your Guitar“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” - PlatoLearning how to play the guitar means that you’ll have to learn which notes each of the 20 to 24 frets on the fretboard correspond to.It’s not easy learning how to play the guitar as you need to coordinate both hands, learn chords (major and minor chords, barre chords, etc.), scales (pentatonic, triads, etc.), and music theory.  At an intermediate level, you’ll have to learn how to improvise.Half of the guitarists in the US and the UK are women.  It just goes to show that music knows no gender.Would you like to learn the notes on a guitar fretboard?Here’s how! PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Te acher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Should You Learn the Notes on the Fretboard?A lot of guitarists play with chords and scales without having ever studied any music theory. They just need to listen to a song and innately understand what’s going on musically. Learning the notes on the guitar's neck will help you to improve your playing. (Source: freestocks-photos)Some guitarists learn how to play the guitar from a very young age without having to learn music theory.  So it’s not necessary to know the notes on the guitar to learn how to play it.  However, every musician knows how the fretboard is laid out.That said, not everyone will be one of these gifted guitarists who can become a virtuoso with almost no formal training.  Knowing your way around the fretboard will help you to play chords without needing a chord dictionary.With a right-handed guitar, you’ll use your left hand to play the notes. You should know which notes make up the chords and where they appear on a fretboard.Learn the notes of the open strings and the notes of the subsequent 20 to 24 frets.  At the start, learning to play the guitar can be tricky because the notes on the fretboard aren’t arranged in a clear way like the keys on a piano. A guitar neck includes fre ts and strings.This means that you need to understand where all the notes are on the fretboard. To get there, there are a few techniques to help you.Learn about the different types of guitar.How to Learn Your Way Around the FretboardUnderstanding your fretboard is all about understanding the intervals between musical notes. Learn the notes by the head of the guitar first. (Source: Katrina_S)The first stage consists of learning the notes of the open strings in standard tuning: E, A, D, G, B, E.  The lowest and highest strings in standard tuning are both tuned to E.In your first guitar lessons, you’ll learn that you can divide the guitar neck into two main parts.The low strings: The 6th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings.The high strings: The 2nd and 1st strings.All strings are 5 semitones apart except for between the G and B string which are four. This will help you when learning the notes on the fretboard.Another way to understand the neck is to understand that any note can be played on a lower string if you move up five frets or on a higher string if you move five frets down.  Moving between G and B strings is different as you’ll have to move up or down four frets.If you play the third fret on the high E string, you’ll be playing a “G”. If you move up five frets and move up to the B string, you’ll play the same note.If you play the third fret on the B string, you’ll play a “D”. By going up four frets and moving up to the G string, you can play the same “D”.Quick quiz!If you play the 5th fret on the D string, how can you play it on the A string?By playing the 10th fret!Make sure you keep your guitar clean.Learning the First Three Strings of the GuitarYou’ll quickly learn the open note on each string. Learning the lowest notes first will help you form the roots of barre chords. (Source: ThorstenF)You need to understand that the interval between each fret is a semitone.Here’s the rule for the first E string: There are no semitones between E and F and B and C.  All the other notes have a semitone between them.  This is why there’s only a fret between B and C and E and F. There are two frets between every other note. The first fret is, therefore, an F. Next, let’s find the interval between each fret.What does the third fret on the E string play?G.And on the fifth fret? If you count between 3 and 5, there are two frets, two semitones. This means you’ll end up with an A.Since an octave spans twelve semitones, the note of each open string repeats on the 12th fret.  The 12th fret on every string is an octave higher than the string when played open.Most guitar necks have inlays in the shape of dots or trapeziums (or something fancier) on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 1 9th, and 21st frets.  Since we know that the 5th fret is A, then the 7th fret is B. This makes the 8th fret C, the 10th fret D, and the 12th fret E.You can do the same for the A and D strings.Find out how to properly hold a guitar.Getting to Know the Neck of Your GuitarTo play a chord progression or find a particular harmony, you might want to learn a scale. Knowing which note is on each fret will improve your playing. (Source: lobpreis)If you know the notes on the 5th and 6th strings, you should be able to play any major or minor chord.Let’s take C the major scale: C D E F G A B C.Let’s go to the following positions:E string: E, F (1st fret), G (3rd fret).B string: B, C (1st fret), D (3rd fret).G string: G, A (2nd fret).D string: D, E (2nd fret), F (3rd fret).A string: A, B (2nd fret), C (3rd fret).E string: E, F (1st fret), G (3rd fret).To make a C major chord, you need to remember that the C is the tonic.  Next, you need the third, the E. The fifth is G. The seventh is B.  Thanks to the fact that each fret is a semitone, you can discern that the fret after an F is an F#.The fret below a B will be a Bb. However, this is also the A#.You should learn which notes the first three frets on each string are. You’ll find the following notes on the first three threads on each string:High E string: E, F, F#, G.B string: B, C, C#, D.G strin g: G, G#, A, A#.D string: D, D#, E, F.A string: A, A#, B, C.Low E string: E, F, F#, G.You’ve just learnt the chromatic scale.  You can find scale diagrams and tablature online to help you.Work your way around the major and minor scales from C until you get back to C.  This will help you work on your finger placement and you should then be able to transpose them anywhere on the fretboard.To conclude, don’t waste your time learning the notes all over the fretboard as you can transpose them from the ones you already know.If you'd like to learn more about how to play the guitar, there are plenty of useful resources online. You can find tablature sites to show you how to play certain songs as well as video tutorials on sites like YouTube. However, if you prefer to be taught how to play, you should consider getting in touch with one of the many talented and experienced guitar tutors on Superprof.There are three types of guitar tutorial available: face-to-face, online, and group. Each of these come with their pros and cons and it's really up to you to choose which one works best with your learning style and your budget.Generally speaking, face-to-face tutorials are the most effective as they're just between you and your tutor. Your tutor can focus all their time and energy on you during the tutorial and also plan the tutorials with you in mind. However, this bespoke service comes at a cost and while guitar tutors don't tend to charge a fortune, face-to-face tutorials are usually the most costly type of tutorial available.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials in the respect that they're just between the tutor and the student but their main difference is that the tutor won't be there with you in the room. Instead, they'll be teaching you remotely via webcam and video conferencing software. While these types of tutorials tend to be cheaper than face-to-face tutorials, they do have the disadvantage of not being as effective for hands-on subjects.Fina lly, there are group tutorials. With several students in a single tutorial, you won't get as much one-on-one time with your tutor and there's no guarantee that the tutorials will be tailored to you; there are other students that need to be taught, after all. With all the students footing the bill, these tutorials tend to work out the cheapest per student per hour.

Making Learning Easier

Making Learning Easier Making Learning Easier 5 Tips to Give Your Student an Advantage There is no magic bullet to ensure that your child will be an excellent student who never experiences problems or challenges. However, there are a few things you can do to help your child stay focused and work more efficiently, thereby setting him or her up for success during homework time and in the classroom: Establish routines and rules. Clear procedures create a home environment conducive to maximum learning, eliminating wasted time and encouraging children to work more efficiently. On the other hand, lack of structure can result in a child feeling unorganized and overwhelmed. Just as your childs teacher does in the classroom, establish and maintain clear routines for study time at home. Once you have established and communicated those rules, hold your child to them. The less time spent on getting settled into homework, organizing or finding ones things, the more time can be spent on learning. Read, read, read. Simply put, a child who is a capable, confident reader will find school to be easier overall. Reading is essential in every subject, and teachers will increasingly expect your child to offer opinions on and insight into the things he or she reads. Make books, literature and reading a frequent family activity. Incorporate reading into your daily lives, and encourage your child to read for fun, both aloud and independently. Work on basic skills. If your child is struggling with basic concepts and this is causing problems in class and during homework, it may be time to investigate. Consider having your child assessed to get more details on what academic skills he or she may be lacking. Encourage thinking. No matter what subject your child studies, critical thinking is an important skill that you can and should hone from an early age. Encourage your child to analyze, question and express opinions on books, articles, news and more. When reading stories, discuss the characters and main messages and have your child share his or her thoughts and ideas. Even with subjects like math and science, teach your child to think through problems and talk about the practical application of math and science concepts. The more your child develops such essential higher order thinking abilities, the more capable your child will be as a student. Foster good study habits. Many children who are otherwise capable students are hampered by disorganization and poor study skills. Teach your child the basics, such as maintaining a neat workspace and backpack, embracing a system for tracking homework and projects (and their due dates), and making all study and homework sessions efficient. Ask for suggestions from your childs teacher as well. Finally, one of the most important things parents can do to benefit their children is talk about school. It sounds simple, and it isbut study after study proves the positive effects of parental involvement on students long-term educational outcomes. A small amount of effort today will help your child build a strong foundation for school and life success.

How to use Direct and Indirect Objects (Video with Exercises)

How to use Direct and Indirect Objects (Video with Exercises) One of the most difficult things to explain to our students is the use of direct and indirect objects in English. In particular, students have difficulty with verbs that require both an object and an indirect object. They are known as ditransitive verbs.The video below gives a very detailed explanation of how to use ditransitive verbs.Exercise: rewrite the following sentences putting the indirect object before the direct object.Here is an example:My sister sent a new scarf to me.My sister sent me a new scarf.1. Paul told a secret to her.2. My mother left some food for me.3. I promised to give my golden ring to her when I die.4. Teauna baked huckleberry muffins for Paul.5. The president awarded the purple heart to the soldiers.6. Ill lend a necklace to you that matches your dress.7. I read a book to my daughter this morning.8. The doctor prescribed penicillin to my grandmother for her infection.9. The waiter served some delicious food to us.10. I ordered a new coat for her because it is almost winter.

3 Healthy One-Bowl Meal Recipes

3 Healthy One-Bowl Meal Recipes Image via http://myrecipes.com We all reach that point of the week when you need something exciting to lift you out of the workday slump and motivate you to make it to the weekend. This is why I love to treat myself to exciting meals that not only require minimal effort but can also help to keep me on track of my healthy diet. Whether it is lunch or dinner, I suggest that you try out a dynamic one-bowl meal that mixes up a variety of delicious ingredients to create an epic combination of flavors! Whether youre into seafood, rice, burritos, or noodles (to name a few) you can find a tantalizing bowl that suits your preferred tastes while indulging your appetite without any guilt. If all youve ever used those bowls for are soup, salad,  or cereal, get ready  to widen your dish horizons! Shrimp and Bean Burrito Bowl   Image via http://myrecipes.com The main power player in this dish is the tangy sweet chili sauce, which kicks up the flavor of the shrimp. This sauce is the perfect balance of spicy and sweet and serves for a tasty glaze on the shrimp. For a vegetarian protein, you can opt for cubed tofu instead of shrimp, and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock in the bean mixture. Ingredients: •3/4 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson) •2 (15-oz.) cans unsalted kidney beans, rinsed and drained •1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter •5/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided •5/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided •2 teaspoons olive oil •1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 24) •1 1/2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce (such as Mae Ploy) •1 (8.5-oz.) pkg. precooked brown rice (such as Uncle Bens) •1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro •1 ripe avocado, sliced •2 tablespoons crumbled Cotija cheese •4 lime wedges Instructions: 1. Bring stock and beans to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat. Place bean mixture, butter, 3/8 teaspoon salt, and 3/8 teaspoon black pepper in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth. 2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Sprinkle shrimp with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add shrimp to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat. Stir in chili sauce. 3. Heat rice according to package directions. 4. Divide bean mixture and rice among four shallow bowls; top evenly with shrimp, cilantro and avocado. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve with lime wedges. Tuna Poke Bowl With Brown Rice Image via http://myrecipes.com Poke (pronounced POH-keh) is a popular Hawaiian salad featuring raw tuna. It is a refreshing and flavorful dish that feels light yet is filling and satisfying until the last bite. If attempting to recreate this dish at home, be sure to purchase your seafood from a reputable retailer. Don’t be afraid to inquire about the source of your fish, as the quality of the tuna can either make or break this bowl. Ingredients: •2 cups hot cooked short-grain brown rice •1 cup very thinly sliced lacinato kale (stems removed) •2 tablespoons rice vinegar, divided •1/4 teaspoon kosher salt •2 1/2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce •1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil •1/2 teaspoon Sriracha chili sauce •1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger •1 pound raw sushi-grade ahi tuna, cut into 3/4-in. cubes •3/4 cup cubed seeded peeled cucumber •1 small avocado, peeled and diced •1 green onion, thinly sliced •1 1/2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, lightly toasted Instructions: 1. Combine rice, kale, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and salt in a bowl; toss to coat. 2. Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha, ginger, and remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add tuna, cucumber, avocado, and green onion; toss gently to coat. 3. Divide rice mixture evenly among four bowls; top with tuna mixture. Sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds. Serve immediately. Mushroom and Chicken Marsala Bowls Image via http://myrecipes.com Chicken Marsala is an American variation of the traditional Italian scaloppina dishes, of which there are many varieties throughout Italy. This dynamic chicken marsala bowl garners its flavors from the crisp sweetness of the marsala wine, the rich texture of the chicken thighs, and the buttery flavor from the brown mushrooms. Serve over quinoa or brown rice for a fiber packed, hearty, and satisfying fall dish! Ingredients: •2 1/2 tablespoons butter, divided •1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained •1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock, divided •3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided •1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil, divided •1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach •1 pound mushrooms, quartered •8 ounces skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces •1/4 cup minced shallots •1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme •4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced •1/2 cup dry Marsala wine •1 teaspoon Dijon mustard •1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Instructions: 1. Melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add quinoa to pan; sauté three minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Add 1 1/4 cups stock; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add spinach; cook 1 1/2 minutes or until beginning to wilt. Remove spinach from pan. 3. Melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter in pan. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms; cook eight minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove mushroom mixture from pan. 4. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chicken to pan; sauté four minutes, browning on all sides. Add shallots, thyme, and garlic; sauté 1 1/2 minutes. 5. Add wine and remaining 1/4 cup stock, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook two minutes or until liquid is reduced by two-thirds and becomes slightly syrupy. Remove from heat. 6. Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, mustard, pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, stirring constantly until butter melts. Stir in mushrooms and spinach.

Tips from a Fullerton Tutor How to Overcome Senioritis

Tips from a Fullerton Tutor How to Overcome Senioritis Tips from a Private Fullerton Academic Tutor: How to Overcome Senioritis: The Last Semester Push Tips from a Private Fullerton Academic Tutor: How to Overcome Senioritis: The Last Semester Push Senioritis has always been and continues to be a significant issue for students about to graduate high school. Some students started to lose their concentration way back in September, but most will be dreaming of things other than assignments by the end of January or February. Many students can still squeak by with a decent GPA and continue to do well with less effort through the end of the academic year. However, these students still perform well because they have less on their plate, not because theyre not studying. College applications are over, which is a huge weight off any student’s shoulders. Unfortunately, too many students take their senioritis too far and can end up in a bad spot with their overall grades. This can result in the loss of a scholarship, financial aid, or even cause them to lose their place at the college of their dreams.  It’s important for seniors to overcome their senioritis and push through their very last semester as a high school student. Here are five tips from a private Fullerton tutor on how to beat senioritis your final semester. 1. Balance your work-life schedule Now that students dont have to spend several hours a week applying to colleges and writing personal statements, they can rebalance their work life schedule. This doesnt mean they should simply give up and stop studying altogether but rather they should take a look at what they can do with these newly free hours. Maybe they wanted to take an exercise class or spend time with friends on the weekends. Perhaps they have a few community service hours left to fill, or maybe they need to spend time applying for a scholarship. What’s important is that students maintain a balance that is reasonable and that they can maintain through the end of May (READ: Irvine English Tutor: 5 Tips for Last Minute Finals Study). 2. Maintain a routine Its important that students maintain a routine until the end of their senior year. Even if theyre still getting all As and feel confident about their AP exams in the spring, they still need to have some structure. Perhaps they come home from school and take an hour break prior to completing homework or maybe they work with their tutor on Saturdays from 2 to 4. Whats important is that they keep their routine consistent so they stay motivated. 3. Schedule in social time Students who dont schedule in any social time will either end up feeling overwhelmed and isolated or will end up dropping all of their responsibilities to hang out with friends. Its hard to give up social plans on Friday night but it’s easier if a student knows they have fun plans for both Saturday and Sunday. Social time is important and students are encouraged to schedule it in reasonable increments so they can enjoy life but still get all of their work done in a timely manner. 4. Meet with the teacher once a week Students who are fighting off senioritis are encouraged to me with their teacher once a week or so. Most high school teachers have office hours where students can come and ask for extra help. Even if the student is maintaining a good GPA; they know they will have to the hold themselves accountable if theyre meeting with their teacher regularly. If their teacher is unavailable students are encouraged to work with their tutor once a week and make sure theyre staying organized. Students can also ask their Fullerton academic tutors to hold them accountable and remind them of important due dates (READ: The Modern College Experience: One Size Doesnt Fit All). 5. Picture a positive future High school seniors who are becoming overwhelmed may have a difficult time picturing a positive future. When studying for AP exams, it may seem like high school will never end. This encourages students to give up on their studies and simply hang out and watch TV after school. Unfortunately, this can lead to some serious issues when it comes to graduation. Alternatively, seniors are encouraged to think of what their lives will be like a year from now. Perhaps they will be attending a fabulous college and studying something they love in a new and exciting city. Whatever the situation, students are encouraged to keep their future at the forefront of their mind so they can remember what theyre doing all this hard work for. End your senior year on a positive note with the help of a Fullerton, CA academic tutor from TutorNerds. Call us today for more details. 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.

England`s Schools facing a severe Teacher shortage - Tutor Hunt Blog

England`s Schools facing a severe Teacher shortage England`s Schools facing a severe Teacher shortage England`s Schools facing a severe Teacher shortageSchoolsFor many years now there has been a teacher shortage in the UK. Back in 2016 the National Audit Office (NAO) confirmed in an extensive report that many schools were severely understaffed, and there were an exorbitant number of temporary filled positions - a figure that had apparently doubled between 2011 and 2014. The Education Policy Institute, an independent, evidence-based research body which aims to promote high quality education outcomes for young people, has recently published a report that says many British schools are severely understaffed. There is a `severe shortage` of teachers, which has inevitably led to larger classes, with many subjects being taught by staff lacking the relevant degree. These last two points are extremely concerning - It is of course harder to maintain discipline in a larger class, and there is less chance of pupils receiving even a little one to one help from the teacher. I wasn`t aware that teachers were even permitted to teach a subject that they didn`t possess a degree in - having retired from teaching a little over a decade ago, I recall my colleagues were all suitably qualified to teach their classes; it would be dismaying to think standards have slipped so precipitously in such a short span of time. In a recent statement Education Secretary Damian Hinds announced that staff recruitment is a top priority, and said that targeted pay increases could assist with the problem. Back in July a fast track teacher training course was given the green light. Aiming to recruit teachers in computing, mathematics, chemistry, home economics, and physics, the course consist of the whole of the two-year postgraduate diploma of education (PGDE) and teacher induction, and can be completed in just 18 months. Education Secretary John Swinney was extremely enthusiastic about the new fast track courses: `This innovative programme will aim to broaden the range of people entering the profession in shortage subject areas and provide a challenging and rewarding opportunity to train in rural schools within areas of high deprivation.` The courses contain less holiday time, so those determined to undertake them will certainly have to knuckle down - but the chance to become a fully qualified teacher in less than two years will certain be attractive to many. The shortage of teachers in the STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - has been a concern for some time. The economy is obviously becoming more technology orientated, and if the UK is to remain competitive, we must ensure that we produce a workforce capable of meeting the needs of the modern market. The 2016 NAO report contained some extremely concerning statistics, detailing how the majority of the government`s recruitment targets were missed, and that little more than half the design and Technology teacher places were filled. In the same year the department for education was heavily criticised for failing to hit recruitment targets - continuing a somewhat dismal pattern, as they had also failed to meet them for the previous three years. When met with criticism about the teacher shortage the government seems to reflexively roll out the same response - that there are more teachers in the profession than ever before. On the face of it this seems a satisfactory rebuttal, and it is indeed factually correct. From 2016 to 2017 the number of teachers in the profession rose by 1.3 per cent, from 506,000 to 512,000. A very slight rise, but an increase certainly. The pertinent issue however is that we have more pupils than ever before in the education system, with the number growing every year. It is estimated that, because of the rise in birth rate, as we enter the 2020`s the school population is very likely to increase by between 800,000 and 900,000 - a truly staggering figure, almost a million extra pupils in the education system by the end of the decade. Is the government taking proper steps to deal with the problem? A judicious way to bring more people into teaching, in my opinion, is to make the profession itself more attractive. There are a multitude of potential teachers out there, working in industry - in the scientific, corporate, and business sectors - who have both academic, and workplace knowledge. If the profession of teaching could be made more attractive to them, then the shortage could be attenuated. 18 months ago0Add a Comment