Rhythms Every Guitarist Should Know

Rhythms Every Guitarist Should Know Which Rhythms Should Guitarist Know? ChaptersMaster a Lever Motion on the GuitarThree Basic Rhythm Exercises for the GuitarCampfire Music for the GuitarPop Rhythm on the GuitarThe Ballad Rhythm on the GuitarThe Waltz Rhythm on the GuitarThe Pop Country Rhythm on the GuitarThe Bolero/Rumba rhythm on the guitarThe Quaver Rhythm on the GuitarTwo Bonus Rhythms for the Guitar“My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.” - Martin LutherAccording to a study by Fender, 50% of new guitarists in 2018 were women.  That said, it doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman, you have to work on your rhythm.Rhythm is essential when it comes to playing the guitar. In fact, you could argue that it's half of the work.However, it's a part of guitar playing that far too many guitarists ignore. They think it isn't necessary, takes too long to perfect, or it's too complicated.Rhythm is an essential part of guitar playing.Learning it can take some time but it will allow you to learn much more quickly.It's no more complicated than learning a pentatonic scale, arpeggio, or harmonic.Here are some rhythms that you should learn on the guitar and some exercises to help you practise them. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 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 tutorsMaster a Lever Motion on the GuitarThe first thing you need to learn when playing the guitar is how to position your hands on the body and neck of your acoustic, electric, or electro-acoustic gu itar.Rhythm theory can be applied to all instruments. (Source: egonkling)In order to play a rhythm, it’s recommended that you hold the plectrum between your thumb and index finger. You need to hold it firmly, almost perpendicular to the strings you're going to strike with it.If you prefer playing with your fingers, you need to place your thumb against your index finger and use the nail on your index finger for downstrokes and the nail on your thumb for upstrokes.  But really you should use a plectrum. You'll see that it's far less tiring than using your fingers.Then, to get the most out of your rhythm exercises, you need to train your hand to do a regular lever motion. This is an up and down motion that you need to be able to do constantly and consistently.  By practising this action, you'll help render your wrist and your elbow more supple.Once you're comfortable making this motion of away from the strings, try muting the strings with your left hand and bring your right hand clos er to them. The result will be a scraping sound.  Of course, for a more consistent motion, practice with the help of a metronome.Find out why you should study rhythm.Three Basic Rhythm Exercises for the GuitarIt doesn't matter what style of music you're playing (jazz fusion, Bossanova, blues, rock, etc.), you'll need to master rhythm.  The same is true for any other musical instrument, be it the saxophone, violin, cello, accordion, flute, double bass, trombone, etc.For each rhythm exercise, you have to follow the steps. Read carefully what you have to do.  Practise the rhythm without playing any chords so that's you've got the rhythmic pattern down.You can follow the beat by tapping your foot or moving your head. This will help your body to synchronise with the rhythm, making it more natural.  Don't forget the play along with a metronome and take your time.Start slowly and then increase the tempo progressively by 10 bpm at a time. This will give your brain the necessary time to assi milate the pattern so there you don't have to think about it later.  Finally, play a chord progression with the rhythm you've learnt.Rhythm 1Playing each beat using the lever motion as follows:1: downAnd: up2: downAnd: up3: downAnd: up4: downAnd: upPlaces to single chord and don't try to do a chord progression. Choose a chord you're good at playing and stick with it.The goal of the exercises to improve your rhythm and not improve any other technique.Find out more about rhythms on guitar.Rhythm 2Now we're only going to play the downstrokes on each beat but not the upstrokes on the offbeats:1: downAnd: nothing2: downAnd: nothing3: downAnd: nothing4: downAnd: nothingRemember the lever motion. Even when you're not hitting the strings, you should be doing it.Rhythm 3This time, only play the upward motion on the offbeats:1: nothingAnd: up2: nothingAnd: up3: nothingAnd: up4: nothingAnd: upThis movement is more difficult because it's not as natural playing offbeats and only using upstrokes. You can increase the tempo in increments but don't skip any of the steps.Check out even more guitar rhythms.Campfire Music for the GuitarThe rhythm of campfire music was designed for the guitar. While it's usually for an acoustic guitar, you can also play it on electric guitars.Guitars and campfires go well together. (Source: 12019)You'll recognise it as the rhythm used in Nirvana's About a Girl.It's a simple rhythm, but it can be used at different tempos and developed upon. It's played in standard time and includes a crotchet followed by a quaver, a crotchet, and three quavers.1: downAnd: nothing2: downAnd: up3: nothingAnd: up4: downAnd: upThere's a good rhythm to improvise over and is one of the first rhythms that anyone learning the guitar should consider practising.Pop Rhythm on the GuitarYou can play this rhythm as follows:1: downAnd: nothing2: downAnd: up3: nothingAnd: up4: downAnd: upKeep in mind that how you stress certain beats and offbeats can drastically change how it sou nds.Whether you're left handed or right handed, you'll see that mastering rhythm isn't that complicated. If you feel like you need more help with rhythm, you should suggest it to your guitar tutor. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 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 tutorsThe Ballad Rhythm on the GuitarThis is a very useful rhythm if you want to compose sweet melodies for your beloved.Here is how you play the ballad of rhythm on the guitar:1: downAnd: up2: downAnd: up3: downAnd: u p4: downTo help you, try playing this rhythm with the following chords: G, Em, C and DThe Waltz Rhythm on the GuitarWhile all the rhythms we previously explained were binary rhythms, the waltz is a ternary rhythm.A waltz rhythm is the same one as used in its namesake genre. (Source: MeineMaennerwelt)This is how you play it:1: downAnd: up2: downAnd: up3: downAnd: upTernary rhythms are also commonly used in jazz and blues, especially with a bit of swing and a lot of triplets.The Pop Country Rhythm on the GuitarThis is another binary rhythm commonly used in pop country:1: down (accented)And: nothing2: downAnd: nothing3: downAnd: up4: downAnd: upMake sure you accent the very first beat without letting it ring out.The Bolero/Rumba rhythm on the guitarWhy not vary the different styles?With a clean guitar, this rhythm can add a Hispanic touch to your playing.Here's how you play it:1: down (accented)And: nothing2: downAnd: up3: nothingAnd: up4: downAnd: upPlaying the guitar is more than jus t Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones.The Quaver Rhythm on the GuitarAny self-respecting guitarist should be able to play quavers in a measure.1: downAnd: nothing2: downAnd: up3: downAnd: up4: downAnd: nothingIt doesn't matter which string you play these rhythms on, just start off simple.  Don't try to play these rhythms with barre chords or while playing a guitar solo.Two Bonus Rhythms for the GuitarHere are two extra rhythms for guitar, which may be difficult to master for beginners.Make sure you regularly practise rhythms. (Source: congerdesign)The country rhythmThis rhythm is obviously used a lot in country music but also can be found in other genres:1: down (accented)And: nothing2: downAnd: up3: down (accented)And: nothing4: downAnd: upThe Reggae RhythmThis rhythm is essential for modern reggae music:1: downAnd: nothing2: downAnd: up3: downAnd: nothing4: downAnd: nothingWhether it's in online guitar classes, while teaching yourself, or with a guitar teacher, don' t forget to work on your rhythm in order to become a better guitarist.  Don't get discouraged. You can do it!If you're still finding strumming patterns and chord progressions difficult, consider getting guitar lessons from another guitarist or guitar teacher. They can help you with more than just rhythm.If you've set your sights on becoming the next great guitar player, they can teach you about music theory and how to read sheet music and tablature.Whether you're looking for guitar lessons for beginners, intermediates, or experts, you can learn how to play guitar better and master everything from fingerstyle to rhythm guitar with a guitar tutor from Superprof.You just need to search for guitar tutors where you live and find the tutor offering the guitar course or lessons that best suit your needs.If you can't find the ideal tutor near you, don't forget that there are also online guitar tutorials available over webcam.The choice is yours!

ACA Associated Chartered Accountant

ACA Associated Chartered Accountant The Benefits of Becoming An ACA Chartered Accountant ChaptersGetting Through The ACA ExamsWhere Can An ACA Qualification Take You?How Do I Start Studying Towards The ACA?If you’re looking at a career in accountancy, tax, business, or finance, then you may want to consider whether it’s worth studying for the ACA qualification.Being known as an ACA qualified accountant can bring a huge range of benefits when it comes to advancing your career prospects, as you’ll have the relevant experience and professional knowledge to help you succeed within your chosen career.While it can take a long time to get the ACA qualification, and there’s certainly a lot of hard work that goes into getting the qualification, the advantages of having those letters after your name are often found to be worth it.So whether you work for one of the “Big Four,” a top-20 professional services firm, a small accounting practice, or you work in an industry, there are plenty of reasons why the ACA qualification might be right for you.Have you thought about ta king accounting lessons online?You will have to make time to commit to many hours of study if you want to successfully pass your ACA exams. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, congerdesign, Pixabay)Assurance;Management Information;Business, Technology and Finance;Principles of Taxation; andLaw.Professional Level ExamsThere are a further six exams at the professional level stage:Financial Accounting and Reporting;Audit and Assurance;Business Planning;Tax Compliance;Business Strategy and Technology; andFinancial Management.Advanced LevelAt the advanced level, there are only three final exams to pass:Corporate Reporting;Strategic Business Management; andThe Case Study.The ACA exams are difficult, there’s no getting around that fact. But there is plenty of support available throughout your studies. Whether you prefer to learn the modules in the ACA via distance learning or group study, the ICAEW offers a number of flexible study options to suit most preferences.Equally, if you think that you’d like to study the ACA in the future, but you’re not sure whether your knowledge of basic maths is up to scratch, then you could also reach out to a maths or accounting tutor London at Superprof for advice. They could provide some additional support, advice, and study tips to help you on your way.Find out also how Superprof could help you prepare for your ICAEW qualification exam...You will likely become very familiar with using a calculator during a large number of your ACA exams! (Image Source: CC0 1.0, moreharmony, Pixabay)Where Can An ACA Qualification Take You?Having the letters “ACA” after your name can offer huge benefits if you’re looking at having a career in the accounting or professional services industry.Being ACA qualified means that you’ve successfully completed the extensive examination process that comes with obtaining the award. As a result, an ACA accountant will be well-versed across a number of different technical areas, for example:IFRS accounting stand ards;The taxation of individuals and companies within the UK; andThe different ways of evaluating the value of businesses, and how to assess how a business is performing based on its financial position and performance.In addition, anyone with an ACA qualification will have to have completed a rigorous amount of practical work experience, meaning that an ACA accountant has had a good amount of time in industry or in practice and will have gained experience working with a wide variety of clients.You may also be interested in sitting the CPA exam...This experience and knowledge are often highly sought by employers. Indeed, many ACA qualified accountants that work in practice find that they are approached by recruiters more frequently once they are qualified to see whether they would like to change jobs and take up a position in an  industry.Often, such moves also entail a pay rise and promotion, although many ACA qualified accountants also decide to remain in practice and rise through the ranks of professional services firms such as Deloitte, Ernst and Young, PWC, KPMG, and many others.The other benefit of having the ACA is that it’s an accountancy qualification that is recognised internationally. According to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), who issues the ACA award, there are “membership recognition agreements in place with CAANZ in Australia and New Zealand, HKICPA in Hong Kong, SAICA in South Africa.”So, whether you’re looking to stay within your current position within an accounting firm, are looking to start your career in accountancy and taxation, if you would like to have a highly-respected and internationally mobile qualification, then the ACA can be a great choice.Even if you stay in the UK for the full duration of your career, the skills that you learn while gaining the ACA qualification can set you up for success, even within the wider business world, as many board members of top companies in the UK have an ACA qualification or equivalent.Would you be interested in becoming a certified fraud examiner?An ACA qualification is internationally recognised in many different countries and can really help boost your career prospects, both in the UK and abroad. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, GDJ, Pixabay)How Do I Start Studying Towards The ACA?There are a number of different entry routes into the ACA, but typically you would find an employer that is willing to pay for you to study towards your ACA exams, while you work for them and gain the relevant practical work experience that you need.There is no typical ACA candidate, as no university degree is required to study for the qualification. Even if you have been to university, the background of candidates varies widely. For instance, many ACA students may have studied finance, accounting, or business studies while at university, whereas others may have studied unrelated subjects, as diverse as:Law;Modern languages;Engineering; orHistory.While an accoun ting graduate may have an initial upper hand over other candidates when it comes to modules such as accounting, ultimately you’re at no major advantage or disadvantage when it comes to completing the ACA exams, as everything in each module is taught from scratch, and many of the ACA course covers topics that aren’t likely to be taught in an accounting degree course at university.However, if you’d like to combine your degree studies with the potential to study for the ACA, there are university courses out there that offer modules that are accredited by the ICAEW.This means that, if you pass these modules during your degree, you may be entitled to a credit for prior learning in respect of a relevant module within the ACA course. Note that such credits only apply to certain exams within the ACA qualification, so you will still need to sit some exams to complete your ACA.Also discover what a certified management accountant does...ACA And CTA Joint QualificationIf you’re looking to work within the area of taxation or have a particular interest in tax, then one potential option is to study for the combined ACA/CTA joint programme, which has only been available as a programme for the past few years.CertifiedAre you interested in joining the Certified Financial Analyst Institute?Previously, tax professionals, particularly at larger professional services firms such as Deloitte, would generally complete their ACA qualification first, before separately studying for the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification, which is its own qualification awarded by the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).While you can still choose to obtain both qualifications separately, students can now choose to study for the ACA and CTA qualifications at the same time. Joint programme students generally will study the same modules as a pure ACA pathway student, although there will be some differences in the number and type of exams you take. Further information on the joint qualificati on can be found here.Passing the ACA exams can be tough, but once you’re ACA qualified, a lot of career opportunities open, and all the effort becomes worth it. Often, people working through the ACA find it difficult, and understandably so, but then once they have the letters after their name, they often feel that all their hard work has paid off, and they now have a qualification that they can be proud of that should help them advance in their career.If you feel like you need to improve your understanding of accounting concepts or want some additional support to improve your accounting knowledge, then you could consider hiring a personal accounting tutor to help you. A tutor can be especially helpful if you’re currently studying accounting at school or university and would like some extra help when it comes to preparing for your end of year exams.Just enter your postcode to find local accounting tutors near me who are happy to offer lessons on a one on one basis. Equally, if yo u’d prefer to have remote lessons, then remote accounting tutors are also available on Superprof. It’s just a case of finding the best tutor for you!Now discover the many ways you could put your accounting degree to use!

Online Tutorials What to Expect

Online Tutorials What to Expect What Are Online Private Tutorials Like? ChaptersChecking Your Equipment Before an Online TutorialDefining the Objectives of Your Online Private TutorialsThe Structure of an Online TutorialHow Are Online Tutorials Different to Face-to-Face Tutorials“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” - Anthony J. D'AngeloThe private tutoring market continues to grow but it’s difficult to find information on what percentage of students are taking online tutorials via webcam. However, with technology advancing and the market growing, it’d be safe to say that more students are probably opting for online tutorials as well as face-to-face ones.It might be difficult to find face-to-face tutorials if you live away from a large city. In this case, online tutorials via webcam are a great way to avoid paying for the tutor to travel to you since they’re often cheaper than face-to-face tutorials.But are the same as face-to-face tutorials? What are online tutoring services like? CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChecking Your Equipment Before an Online TutorialThe first thing you need to do before getting online tutorials is checking that everything works fine. Before you start your lessons, make sure that everything works fine. (Free-Photos)Your tutor won’t be next to you but you will need to ensure that they can see and hear you. Poor communication can ruin a good lesson. Similarly, you’ll waste time and the lesson will be less effective.Here are our three tips for ensuring you’re ready on the day of your first lesson.Check the quality of your webcam and consider getting a new one if the quality is really low. You can also use a camera plugged into your computer as a webcam if necessary. Make sure that you’re in a well-lit room and avoid glare.Check your microphone: call a friend or family member over Skype and ensure the sound quality if good. It’s important that the teacher can you as clearly as you can hear them. If your microphone isn’t very good, you can get decent microphones for under £20. If you can’t hear very well, you might want to use headphones.Check your internet connection: if the call regularly drops or the video freezing, your internet connection may not be quick enough. You can use resources like Speedtest to check.If you’ve got everything working fine, you can then start looking for an online private tutor. Make sure you turn your computer on at least 15 minutes before the lesson in case it has any updates to install or you need to check your equipment again. The right equipment will make your online tutorials better.Before your first online tutorial, ask the tutor which video conferencing software they prefer. Download and test it before your first lesson. More often than not, tutors will opt for Skype or Google Talk. In some cases, private tutoring companies will use their platform and software.Make sure you check the quality of the call before you start any online tutorials. Find a quiet place where you won’t get interrupted or distracted.Now you’re ready to start your online private tutorials.Defining the Objectives of Your Online Private TutorialsDuring your first online tutorial, your tutor will probably want to know about your level in the given subject, your learning objectives, and establish a methodology that will work well with your learning style and goals. Your tutor will plan your lessons according to your objectives. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)Your first session will be used to establish the best course of action and is a great opportunity for the tutor and student to get to know one another a bit. You’re more likely to just chat with each other rather than do an actual lesson.Your tutor will probably ask you questions like:What is your level?What is your goal? Catch up, preparing for an exam, learning a new language, preparing for a job interview, etc.Do you need help in the long-term or short-term?When are you available?Of course, there’ll also be questions specific to the subject you want to study. This first meeting isn’t just about getting to know one another. It’s also about working out how your tutor can teach you, how much time they’ll need, and what they’ll need to teach you. Of course, this isn’t all set in stone and can change over time.Discover how much online tutorials cost.The Structure of an Online Tutor ialYour lesson will be just like traditional one-on-one tutoring in many regards. Of course, unlike home tutoring, your supplemental instruction will be provided using a webcam. You might want to keep a note of your online tutorial schedule. (Source: Free-Photos)Going Over the LessonIn any academic support tutorial or private tutorial, you’ll need to first go over what you’ve previously learnt to ensure that the knowledge has been consolidated. They’ll check that you’ve remembered the stuff from the last lesson or what you’ve been studying in school, for example.You’ll need to either send your tutor notes or materials from your classes via email, Dropbox, or Google Drive or via the video conferencing software you use. They’ll use this information to plan future tutorials and exercises.They’ll also be interested in your notes as they’ll be able to help you improve your note-taking. Poor note-taking can hinder your learning in a giving subject. If you can’t follow your notes or the lesson, it’ll be harder for you to learn.Your tutor is there to help you with all this.ExercisesAfter you’ve gone over previous lessons, the tutor will take you through some exercises to check your understanding of certain concepts. These can be speaking or writing exercises. At this stage, you might need a few tools to help you:Screen sharing: this allows you to show the other person what’s on your screen and it’s effective for correcting errors.Google Docs can be used to send documents to one another and also work on the same document simultaneously.GeoGebra is a useful tool for maths including geometry, algebra, statistics, and calculus.Each Lesson is UniqueNot each lesson will be the same and follow this revision, exercises, correction structure. The tutor can change and adapt the lessons according to your needs.  Don’t hesitate to tell them how you feel about certain activities and what you need to study.The lessons can change according to how you progress and your strengths and weaknesses. Trust that your tutor can guide you towards success.  Don’t hesitate to ask for regular feedback and assessment every month if your tut or isn’t already offering this. This will help you see how you’re progressing towards your goals.Learn how to find online tutorials.How Are Online Tutorials Different to Face-to-Face TutorialsAs you’ll have noticed, you have to prepare differently for online tutorials (scanning and sending documents, screen sharing, checking your connection, etc...). But other than that, there isn’t that much difference. The advantages of private tutorials are that the student isn't as shy about asking questions. (Source: weisanjiang)The academic support tutor is there to help the student to learn. Over webcam, you can still ask the same questions that you’d ask a tutor who’s there in the room with you.They can also show you different resources and make use of technology to make the lessons more entertaining and engaging.  They'll help you rediscover a passion for learning. You’ll learn more effectively through the learning approaches they can teach you. They can do this either via webcam or face-to-face.The tutor’s there to give you confidence in your abilities and support you through the learning experience. They may need to motivate you and ensure you don’t get distracted by everything you can find on the internet.  Whether you need help with test prep, study skills, test-taking, or a particular subject, you can find many talented and experienced private tutors on Superprof, many of whom offer free tutoring for the first hour.While it's true that anyone can become a tutor (as there are no formal prerequisites), the best tutors tailor their lessons to those being tutored, whether they're tutoring them online, in person, or as part of a study group.No matter what you want to learn, there are three main types of tutorial available: the online tutorials we were discussing in this article, face-to-face tutorials, and group tutorials. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and it'll be up to you to choose which works for you, your learning objectives, and your budget.Group tutorials tend to be the cheapest per person per hour since the cost of the tutor's time is divided between all the students attending. However, this means that you won't have the tutor's undivided attention during the whole class.Face-to-face tutorials are just between you and your tutor. The courses are tailored to you and as a result, you'll pay a premium for all the time inside and outside of th e class the tutors puts into planning and teaching the course. These tend to be the most cost-effective type of tutorials even if they're also usually the most costly.And you already know what you need to know about online private tutorials!

Breaks, Mini-Tests, and Multi-Task Avoidance Three Ways to Study Better

Breaks, Mini-Tests, and Multi-Task Avoidance Three Ways to Study Better Improving Academic Performance Few people like to do homework or study for a test. But it’s obviously important to do these things to perform well in school. And if you must engage in these activities, you might as well be as efficient and productive as possible. You want to get as much benefit from each hour you invest in studying as possible. In this article I’ll share three very practical, yet science-backed ways to get more out of every hour you invest in studying. #1 Know when to take a break. I’m not sure if it is widely understood that the brain has two main “modes” of thinking: Focused and Diffuse. I first learned about this concept in an online course called Learning How to Learn. When most people think about the process of studying for a test or going to a course lecture, they are envisioning “focused learning” where there is conscious effort to pay attention to a fact or concept and understand how it works. This is absolutely the primary way in which we learn. We apply reason and logic to understand how the pieces of a puzzle fit together, whether that “puzzle” is about history or algebra. However, there is another mode of learning called “Diffuse.” To understand this mode, which operates in the “background” of your brain, imagine you are struggling with a difficult math problem. You’ve been at it for 15 minutes, but there are 15 other problems you need to do for homework, so you just let it go and move on because you literally don’t have any more time. In the diffuse mode of learning you are not consciously thinking about a problem, but without realizing it, your mind is still working on it (in a sense). You know it’s something you’d like to solve or understand, and sub-consciously, your brain connects dots in the background and sort of “tests” a large number of potential linkages that might shed some light on the problem for you. It’s unlikely that the answer to the math problem will magically come to you at 9PM that night. However, when you crack open the book to do homework or sit down in the next class lecture, you may be surprised to somewhat quickly realize that you now understand the concept. The moral of the story here is that instead of continuing to struggle with a problem, sometimes it makes sense to take break and do something else, or at least move on to a different problem. #2 Stop underlining, start summarizing and testing yourself The brain retains more information when it is truly “activated.” Put differently, more learning occurs when you engage in “active” vs. “passive” studying. And, a great example of a “passive” activity is reading. Obviously, reading, as far as activities go, is a good thing to be doing and a very important part of learning and doing well in school. But, it’s important to try to get the most out of the time you invest in reading. Many studies have shown that simply reading about something is not a great way to learn or remember it. Reading passages and underlining them often feels good, because it seems like you are accomplishing something. But studies show little benefit. In this article on effective studying techniques by Annie Murphy Paul, she discusses several more effective alternatives to underlining. I will cover or have covered some of these ideas in other posts, but two strategies that are better than underlining include summarizing key ideas in your own words. This forces your brain to “activate” and re-formulate the idea before writing it down. Even better than summarizing, according to the article, is to use flashcards or other means to quiz yourself. Quizzing yourself is the ultimate way to truly engage with the material vs. passively absorbing it. This process of engaging is what researchers believe leads to higher levels of retention and learning. #3 Stop multi-tasking and start focusing You will learn a lot less and will find it more difficult and time consuming to understand and complete assignments if you multi-task. It’s as simple and clear as that. In an article in Inc. magazine, Larry Kim (@larrykim) writes about how multi-tasking lowers work quality and efficiency because it “makes it more difficult to organize thoughts and filter out irrelevant information.” He references a study at the University of London that suggest multi-tasking while performing cognitive tasks experienced IQ drops that were similar to subjects who hadn’t slept for an entire night or who had smoked marijuana. Multi-tasking is another topic written about very well by Annie Murphy Paul in her article You’ll Never Learn in Slate. On the one hand, you don’t need to overthink this one. Of course, when you try to do more than one thing at once, you are paying less attention to each thing. You’ll be more likely to miss important points altogether or not fully understand any given point you are hearing or reading about. Paul quotes a psychology professor at the University of Michigan who says “Under most conditions, the brain simply cannot do two complex tasks at the same time. It can only happen when two tasks are very simple and when they don’t complete with each other for the same resources…an example would be folding laundry and listening to a weather report on the radio. That’s fine…but listening to a lecture while texting or doing homework while being on Facebook â€" each of these tasks is very demanding.” Here are five research-backed results of trying to multi-task: Assignments/tasks take longer to complete, both because of time spent on the distracting activity and the need to re-familiarize yourself every time you re-engage You’ll experience mental fatigue from switching back and forth, and that will lead to mistakes Your memory of what you’re learning will be worse, as a direct result of having been switching back and forth across tasks when originally formulating the memory Our brains process information less efficiently when we are multi-tasking. In one study, students who multi-tasked remembered facts as well as non-multi-taskers, but were far less adept at extrapolating key themes to different contexts. Finally, some studies have simply shown that students who, in general, do more multi-tasking, simply have lower GPAs overall. Most likely as a result of all of the other issues we’ve already discussed. Summary There are many ways to start becoming a better student and a more efficient studier. Three important ones include: Knowing when to take a break Choosing more “active” ways to engage with what you are reading than simple underlining, and Avoiding multi-tasking at all costs when you are trying to learn or study something.

Frequently asked questions What should I bring with me to the SAT and ACT

Frequently asked questions What should I bring with me to the SAT and ACT Students often ask what they should bring with them to the testing center on SAT or ACT test day.   With the tests coming up on June 2 and 9, 2012, this is a very relevant question.   You can find a complete list on the College Board’s website, but I’ll summarize it here.   You should bring:Admission ticket â€" print this out the night before.   You need this to get into the test!Photo ID â€" your driver’s license or school ID works.   You also need this to get into the test.   Your receipt from Taco Bell does not count as an ID (this actually happened at my student’s test center, and the person in question didn’t get in).Calculator â€" either graphing or scientific calculators are allowed, but no calculators with full keyboards.   Make sure you replace the batteries a few days before the test!Number 2 pencils â€" no mechanical pencils allowed.   Bring several of them so you have backups.Extra eraser â€" to make it easier to erase cleanly on the scantron.Watch â€" this shou ld be an old-fashioned wristwatch that doesn’t beep.   Helpful to keep track of the time you have left on each section.WaterHigh-energy snacks for the break â€" think granola bars, bananas.   Anything that will keep you going for four hours!Driving directions to the testing center, or a GPS â€" if you’re from Palo Alto but you’re taking the SAT at Bellarmine, you might not know how to get there.   Be prepared!It’s also important to know what NOT to bring to the SAT and ACT:Your phone, iPod, any other electronic gadgets â€" you won’t be allowed to use them if you have time left over on a section, and you don’t want to risk them getting confiscated if you forget to turn off the sound.   Leave them in the car!Highlighters and pens â€" you can only use pencils.Notes of any kind â€" this should be obvious!Scratch paper â€" the proctor will provide this for you.Good luck from AJ Tutoring!

Seashell English

Seashell English Seashell English Xian itself is a cultural icon with a history dating back 4,000 years. On days off, lose yourself in the maze of old Xian streets, take a jog along the top of the 9-mile ancient city wall, try some authentic Chinese cuisine, learn some Chinese, see the local Terracotta Warriors or let your hair down in one of the hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs here. Xian is awesome! Shaanxi Longing Shell Education and Technology Group is located in Xian, the capital city of Shaan Xi province in China. The group was founded in 2015. The Group has always been committed to helping the development of education and serving the education industry. It includes many international top education brands, with integrated education, training, examination and other comprehensive services, covering young childrens education, qualification assessment and other fields. The education branches affiliated to Longing Shell Education have a motto To have every kid shine like a pearl. Our mission is simple, to help our kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder and help children to become socially responsible citizens of the world. Longing Shell Education focuses on providing excellent training programs and professional curriculums. Part of our process to ensure that we have the best quality of teachers, is to hire foreign and Chinese teachers who have a bachelors degree or higher. All our teachers also have at least one International English teaching certificate. Seashell English is an excellent English training brand for children , which was created by Shaanxi Longing Shell Education Technology Group, with support of other International Authoritative Education Groups. It is committed to providing a series of English and international thinking training services for young learners aged 2-18. All in all, it cultivates international comprehensive talents for thousands of families and helps children to build a brilliant life. View our Brochure

4 Slick Ways to Have a Memory Like an Elephant When Learning a Language

4 Slick Ways to Have a Memory Like an Elephant When Learning a Language 4 Slick Ways to Have a Memory Like an Elephant When  Learning a Language There is an elephant named Butterfly.But you have the hardest time remembering her name.So lets try a little exercise: Picture the elephant in your mind. Now make her ears spread out wide, as if they were wings.In fact, make her ears  big monarch butterfly wings in your imagination. Take it a step further and make them as colorful and crazy as you like.Now whenever you see your elephant, call up that image with the butterfly wing ears, and you should instantly remember her name: Butterfly. Memory problem solved!What does this have to do with language learning?Our memories are essential tools for learning a new language. Yet at times, it may seem impossible to  retain all of the thousands of words we try to absorb  (or even to remember someones name)!We’ve all come across those polyglots who can switch from Spanish, to French, to Portuguese, to Russian, to German  without even batting an eye. I’m sure most of us assume that their brains are just wired differentlyâ€"that they were born with a special ability to absorb new languages that we will never have.Maybe.Or, much more likely, they just have great memories.The good news is: so can you.Just like  we can strengthen  our physical bodies, we have the ability to grow and enhance both our short-term and long-term memories.With four simple tricksâ€"including the one used aboveâ€"youll  be able to  retaining new information better than before, and have  the extra space you need  in your brain  when learning a new language. 4 Slick Ways to Have a Memory Like an Elephant When  Learning a Language1. ExerciseYes, the dreaded work out. If you already work out consistently, then you’re in great shape (no pun intended). Turns out though, that working out isn’t just good for our bodies. It also does wonders for our brain function.  Certain physical activitiesâ€"like racquetball or choreographed dancingâ€"require our brains to use a lot of concentration, and that  coordination increases the capacity for learning.S tudies have shown that cardio workouts increase the size of the hippocampus. This is the area of the brain that is associated with forming new memories and learning. So, when we’re learning a new language, we want to keep this area of the brain stimulated in order to  increase our ability to retain new vocabulary.No need to break the bank for this either; anything that causes you to break into a small sweat will help. This even includes household chores. So maybe do some sweeping, take a brisk walk, join an exercise group or simply spend some time at the gym. Just make sure to get your blood pumping!Take it a  step further:  Incorporate your target language into your exercise. If exercise were always fun, wed all look like Heidi Klum. Since this isnt usually  the case, you need to find something that truly motivates  or entertains you. While working out, try swapping out your regular playlist with some music or a podcast  from your target language. Itll improve your comprehension, and also help take your mind off of the physical activity.You could also do a workout video  in  your target language. Searching YouTube will be the quickest way to get you hands on these workouts  vids.Go even further:  Learn the names of the equipment youre using or the exercises youre doing, or start counting  your reps aloud in your target language. Exercise  is the perfect activity for mastering basics like counting and commands. If you have a regular workout, try narrating what youre doing in your target languageâ€"as if you were leading an exercise class!2. Eat Brain FoodFood doesn’t just keep us fit and energized. There are lots of nutrients in food that are essential to our brain function and development. Some of these vital nutrients are omega-3 fatty acids,  Vitamin E, anthocyanin, selenium  and folic acid.They all play different roles in helping to improve brain function, among the other wonderful things that they do for our bodies. When eaten on a regular basis, thes e foods can help improve your  memoryâ€"which can assist you  on your  language learning journey.Heres where youll find these nutrients:Omega-3s: Salmon, tuna, walnuts, dark leafy greens, cauliflower, squashVitamin E: Brazil nuts, walnuts,  cashews, sunflower seeds, nut butters, tahiniAnthocyanin: Berries and grapes, apples, eggplant, red onions, red beetsSelenium:  Tuna, cod, oysters Brazil nuts, oatsFolic Acid: Broccoli, dark leafy greens, avocado, beans, lentils, citrus fruitTake it a step further: Use these foods as part of your language learning process. While youre stocking up for all of this delicious brain food, why not create your grocery list in your target language? You could  also create a colorful food chart/collage to keep on your fridge. Label all of the foods in your target language, and make the chart really visual. This way, youll remember to keep these foods in rotation on your grocery list, while also drilling the new vocabulary into your brain.Go even further:   Try following new recipes in your target language using some of your brain food. Youll be learning and getting a taste of the culture at the same time. Its a full-on immersion experience without ever having to leave home.3. Use MnemonicsMnemonics  can be a really  way to help us remember new concepts or vocabulary. One that pops into mind is Stephen Colbert’s funny My Very Educated Mother Just Said Uh-oh! No Pluto, which works doubly to help us remember the order of the planets from the sun, and that Pluto is no longer classified as a planet. Mnemonics can effectively help us with language learning, too.BAGS. This was the mnemonic used by my middle school French teacher when we learned adjective placement, which is an acronym for Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size. It’s something I learned early on in life and still remember and use to this day. So while sometimes it may seem tedious to come up with these mnemonics, the pay-off is well worth it. They can stay in our minds forever, whic h is exactly what we want when we are learning a new language.Mnemonics don’t always have to be whacky sentences or acronyms. They can also be something visual, like our elephant named Butterfly. The point is to create  associations that will make it easier for you to remember the words or grammar rules you’re learning, so that you can recall them  easier.For example, the French word for ladder  is  Ã©chelle.  So here, you might  pull up an image of a ladder and then imagine a huge, colorful seashell perched on one of its rungsâ€"because  Ã©chelle sounds something like the English word shell. Many Eastern languages  work especially  well with mnemonics, as their characters  sometimes look like the object  they mean.Take it a step further:  Use mnemonics to learn genders of nouns.If your target language has gendered nouns, use mnemonics to remember not only the meaning of the word, but the gender as well. Using our same example above, the word ladder is feminine in French:  la é chelle. So you might make your ladder bright pink or red in your vivid imageâ€"or whatever color youd like to associate with feminine nouns.As this isnt an  exact science; a lot of the mnemonics you come up with my be a little silly or weird, and thats okay! This is about memorizing the vocabulary in a way thats easiest for you. No one can see whats going on in your head, so go for it.4. Build a Memory PalaceA memory palace is technically another type of mnemonic device, but it calls upon our spatial memories and requires a bit more explanation. It’s one of the most useful and effective tools we can use when learning a new language (or for anything we’re trying to memorize). While it may sound complicated, it simply takes some getting used to.To start building your palace, just pull up an image of  a familiar settingâ€"like your home, work or school.  Then, you need to create a floor plan. If you want to start small you can imagine a single room. However, if youre up for a chall enge, you can imagine your entire house, apartment, gym  or any place that  you can picture clearly in your mind. This will give you more places to put memories.Your  map can be mental or you can actually draw one. There should also be a clear route from room to room. You want to be able to move freely from one room to the next without backtracking, so you may need to knock down a few (virtual)  walls in your palace.  Then, make sure you memorize your palace, taking a walk through from start to finish.Once your palace is memorized, you’ll want to identify storage units or numbered stations. This is where you will put words or information youd like to remember. You are literally creating spaces in your memory where words will go, using details from your palace, so be sure to remember these stations.After you have your route and your stations clear in your mind, you can start the storage process. You can be as literal or as creative as you want. For instance, if you’re learning Fr ench, you might store the French word for door, la porte,  right on the outside  of your  front door. La porte is similar to the English word  port, so you might paint a picturesque seaside on your front door. Or better yet, turn  your entire front yard into a harbor with crashing waves and fishermen. The crazier and more vivid, the easier youll remember it.The next time you need to store a new word or concept, put the mnemonic  in the very next slot inside your palace. When you run out of space in one palace, create a new one, but do it in a way thats  easy for you to remember. Take a daily stroll through your palace so you don’t forget. It will soon become a part of your working memory, and your mind will eventually be able to recall the word meanings without the mnemonics!Take it a step further: Visit your palace in real life. If youve chosen a real place that you have access to, you can practice in your memory palace in real time. While youre physically in the space that you h ave designated as your memory  palace, take time to  reinforce  the stations in your mind so that you can more easily recall them while youre away.Notice all of the details in your actual palace, and look for new spots to store memories.  Every now and then, rather than your visual walk through your palace, take an actual walk through. You might even put up visual reminders in your real-life palaceâ€"like a picture of a harbor on the front door of your home to remember la porte.While learning a new language is always going to be a challenge, these small steps can completely jumpstart your memory. With a sharp memory (and a healthy body!), youll be in the best possible position to excel and reach your language learning goals! And One More ThingIn addition to all of the above, FluentU can really up your memory power with its spaced repetition and addictive videos. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you l earn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.