I Need Help on My Algebra Homework - What to Do?

I Need Help on My Algebra Homework - What to Do?Are you having a hard time getting I need help on my algebra homework? If so, you may be wondering what to do to get things done.When it comes to taking on algebra homework, you don't want to sit back and let someone else figure everything out for you. There are a number of different resources that are available to assist you. These are great if you need a little guidance but at the same time need to concentrate on your own studies.First of all, if you're having problems, then you're going to need some sort of math course. Math is an important subject and you need to learn how to go about it in a way that you can do well. You don't want to be too easy on yourself or get too frustrated. This will only make your workload worse and you'll soon find yourself getting no work done.Now, there are classes that you can take that have the right math course to give you the help you need. There are also books and guides that you can buy that will h ave some great lessons. These can be very helpful but they can be expensive. Some can be found online, but they may cost a lot.The best method is to find a book that has the basic algebra courses on it and then go from there. Take some tests and do some practice tests until you get better at doing things with your algebra homework. If you like you can take your math tests to a professional that can give you suggestions to help you with it.The internet is a great resource for both regular people and professionals. You can get help with things on the internet that other people cannot so you can focus on your own homework.Your focus needs to be on your studies and your grade doesn't need to come first. Make sure that you are using some of the resources that are available to you.

6 Broadway Belting Audition Songs to Knock Em Dead

6 Broadway Belting Audition Songs to Knock Em Dead Sign up successful 1. Johnny One Note  Babes in Arms Made popular by the great Judy Garland, this number will have  you belting several big B flats with gusto! This 1937 show tune is a solid classic to choose if you’re auditioning for an older show. Its also a great choice for teen belters with a good middle voice; it provides enough of a challenge without too much of a chance to strain the voice, as it doesn’t sit too high. Consider this a nice intro to belting! 2. Wherever He Ain’t  Mack and Mabel What a showstopper! Although Jerry Herman’s “Mack and Mabel” was not a hit, critics agree the music is sublime, and this is no exception! This sassy number requires you to sing some high notes,  so it’s best for an advanced adult belter with more secure technique. 3. City Lights  The Act Kander and Ebb wrote “The Act” for another legendary belter: Ms. Liza Minnelli! But don’t worry: you can make this one your own    and you should. This song sits lower, so range-wise it’s not difficult. But it  runs  for six  minutes, so if youre singing it for an audition, make sure you perform the cut that shows you off best! Its also  ideal for a dancer who  belts. After all, these ARE the composers of “Chicago”! Not only will you be showing off your belting chops, but you’re expected to bring it as far as showmanship, too! Related Video: How to Choose the Best Broadway Songs for Your Voice 4. All Falls Down  Chaplin Ooh, this is a GREAT new one  yes, from another flop musical. What makes this Broadway song so great?  It’s completely sassy and has a memorable “cakewalk” style. You get to belt this one full out; it’s probably the most challenging number on this list, as you need to belt pretty high… again and again. So this one is for the advanced belters only! 5. I’m The Greatest Star  Funny Girl It’s been said “People” should be  off-limits, as it belongs to Barbra (and I’ll have to agree with that!), but as far as I’m concerned, singers should feel free to use the REST of the great songs in “Funny Girl”! The big belting doesn’t really come until the end of this song, so I’d say this is more for the intermediate belter. The bulk of the song lies in mid-voice and is meant to be sung with TONS of conviction… and serious comedic chops! 6. Live Out Loud  A Little Princess This is for younger belters! Its  a wonderful, uplifting tune that is sure to wow. Its also very good for those who have more of a soprano-ish quality to their voice. (Soprano/belt is definitely a voice type! Lucky ladies like the fabulous Sierra Boggess in the  video below are proof they exist.) The melody is gorgeous and quick-moving, and it’s just under three  minutes. Choosing Belting Songs for Auditions Before you choose one of these songs, remember that belting is a specific vocal skill that doesn’t come easily to most of us. It’s super easy to hurt yourself if you do it incorrectly. The last thing you want is to strain  your voice! Some voice teachers specialize in the technique, so make sure you’re working with someone who  can help you achieve the sound you’re after! TakeLessons has many talented instructors who  can help you achieve your belting goals. Good luck at your audition! Post Author:  Molly R. Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013.  Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How to Deal With the 6 Most Embarrassing Singing Mistakes

How to Deal With the 6 Most Embarrassing Singing Mistakes Suzy S. Do you get nervous when singing, or maybe right before a vocal performance? Youre not alone. Thinking about all of the worst-case scenarios can be scary! Luckily, these situations arent the end of the world. Read on as Austin, TX teacher Gfire M. shares how to deal If we lived in a perfect world, our voice would always sound 100% our best, the venues would always love our choice of material and provide the best sound reinforcement possible, and wed never, ever, ever make any mistakes on stage. But realistically, the magical, musical Murphy’s Law will ensure that you encounter some of these worst-case gig scenarios. But instead of letting your nervous energy take over, use these tips to cope with grace. 1. You forgot the words to your song This particular problem is actually easy to deal with for us creatives! You can repeat a verse that you do remember, or you can even make up some words on the spot. At least 90% of your audience won’t notice! 2. You have to sing even though youre sick This problem is more difficult. Plan to get extra sleep on the night before the gig if possible. Drink extra water, Throat Coat tea (with honey, if you like), or perhaps some raw juices to get things flowing. Make sure to pack ibuprofen and throat drops for the show to help you feel better. Then, just do the best you can. 3. You can’t hear yourself on stage This is also a difficult problem. If you don’t play an instrument, you can hold one ear shut with your finger so that you can hear yourself internally while the other ear listens to the band. For a long-term solution, you may find that in-ear monitors offer you a better opportunity to hear the band and yourself in a mix that is programmed to your needs. 4. The venue doesn’t like your music, singing, band, etc. This problem is horrible, but it does happen! Just do your best to be as professional as possible and get through the gig hopefully getting your full pay at the end. And then, never perform at that venue again. Theres always another venue that will totally love your music, singing, and band. 5. Youre nervous about singing that spot in the song that you never really hit in tune There are a few ways to approach this problem. The first is to have an alternate note ready to sing instead of the problem note. You can then work on hitting the note better at home, while having an easier note to hit in the meantime on stage. Or you can practice like crazy on that note at home and just go for it as best as possible at the gig. Again, at least 90% of the people will not hear whether you hit the note or not. Its just one note among the thousands you sing in any one night. 6. You forgot your microphone, mic stand, music, music stand, etc. Facing this problem can be easy or hard, depending on your circumstances! If you live close enough to go back to your house or wherever youre staying, just tell whomever is in charge that youre going back to get this vital piece of musical equipment, and that youll do your best to get back on time. If this is impossible, you just have to improvise. If youre prepared, you have stashed away a spare mic in your bag, or perhaps one of your bandmates has a mic or mic stand you can borrow. Just do the best you can. At its best, the music industry can be quite challenging. While getting nervous when singing is normal, it doesnt have to take over your performance. If you can maintain an attitude of flexibility and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to help your gig go well, you will be primed for a successful singing career! Gfire teaches music theory, opera voice, piano, singing, and songwriting in Austin, TX. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from University of Maryland, as well as her Master of the Science of Singing from Ernest George White Society. Learn more about Gfire here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher  Photo by Andrew E. Larsen

What is it Like to Attend Whitman College

What is it Like to Attend Whitman College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jeremy is a Houston tutor and 2011 graduate of Whitman College where he studied Biology. He specializes in many subjects such as Anatomy tutoring, Government tutoring, and SAT prep tutoring. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jeremy: The campus is small and impeccably maintained, with beautiful gardens, handsome buildings (late 1800s-present), and a liberal sprinkling of pleasant art installations. On campus, one can get by with or without a bike. Cars are nice to have for weekend escapades and big shopping trips, but certainly not a necessity. If you dont have one, a friend will. If you do, youll have no trouble finding parking, and no trouble paying for it, seeing as its free. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jeremy: Professors and academic advisors are extremely available. So available, in fact, that there is no such thing as a teaching assistant at Whitman. There is no need; professors are easy to find and happy to help. This accessibility is a component of a campus culture where students are, in some respects, treated much like PhD students at universities. Professors often go by first names, and will personally mentor students. Visiting a professors house or working side by side with a professor on research, is commonplace. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jeremy: Dorm life is excellent. Rooms are mostly very comfortable, there are plenty of scheduled social activities, and RAs are generally very good. Food services at Whitman are superb. You will feel spoiled. 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? Jeremy: Whitman has an excellent Biology Department, and Biology is often the most popular major. Other areas of strength include Chemistry, Biochemistry, English, and Drama. Personally, I went with Biology because it appealed to me, and because there was abundant overlap between the Biology major requirements and pre-med requirements. Overall, I have nothing but praise for the Biology Department. The faculty was universally excellent, and I got to do all sorts of awesome things that I imagine students at larger schools never get to do, simply as a consequence of logistical issues. For instance, because my Pathophysiology class was small, the professor, who was good friends with the county medical examiner, was able to take me and seven other students to an autopsy. It was macabre, but also so fascinating and cool. 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? Jeremy: Campus programing is carefully constructed to facilitate the development of friendships, and it shows. I had friends within a day of arriving on campus. Add to this a fantastic Greek life that features prominently on campus and recruits aggressively, and youll feel socially connected in no time. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jeremy: The Career Center is something of a weak link. It is decent, but by no means an area where the school excels. There are job fairs, but the small size and remote location of the school means the recruiters tend to be somewhat local. Other student support services are superb. Need to talk to someone? The counseling center will set you up with a therapist for several months free of charge. Feeling sick? Student Health is staffed 24/7 by at least one nurse, and a doctor visits every weekday morning. These services are also free, save for prescription drugs. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jeremy: Campus facilities are spacious, modern, and, often quite aesthetically pleasing. Many of the newer buildings on campus are designed according to a Northwestern Modern aesthetic (lots of glass, exposed wood, etc.). The library is well-stocked with books, couches, a caf, and modern computers, and is open 24/7, 7 days a week, anytime school is in session, and many times when its not. My only complaint would be that some of the dorm lounges can seem a little dorm lounge-ish. 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? Jeremy: Whitman College is located in Walla Walla, Washington. Picture verdant temperate rainforests, a Northwestern coastline, and sleepy weekend afternoons spent in the caf reading a book while the rain patters on the roof. Now expel these images from your mind, because, for better or worse, Walla Walla is not part of the coastal Northwest, nor does it feel like the coastal Northwest. Rather, the town is situated near the Southeastern corner of Washington State, and, in terms of landscape, climate, and culture, it has much more in common with parts of Idaho than it does with Western Washington. The Cascade Range creates a rain shadow that keeps the area fairly arid, and the landscape features rolling grass covered hills and pine forests. Walla Wallas inland location contributes to cold winters and hot summers. With regards to recreation, outdoorsy types will find no shortage of things to do. But dont expect much else. Walla Walla plays host to a burgeoning wine industry, and some g enuinely good restaurants and art galleries exist to cater to the wine tourists who show up during the summer. Otherwise, one could be forgiven for imagining that the Cascade Range not only creates a rain shadow, but a culture shadow as well. Downtown is dead by 6pm on Fridays, and culturally speaking, little goes on in the town most of the year (outside of what happens on campus). Though the Whitman campus is gorgeous, the surrounding area is relatively impoverished, and crime is definitely a concern. Overall, without the rich campus life Whitman offers, Walla Walla would feel very isolated. Indeed, it is very isolated; it is not random that the state elected to put the maximum security prison on the outskirts of the town. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jeremy: The school has approximately 1,600 students. Personally, I enjoyed the small size. Its rather nice to constantly run into people you know. The typical class size ranges from 50 for a popular introductory course to as few as 10 for upper level major courses. I think Whitmans consistently small class size is one of its strengths. Small class size facilitates discussion and collaboration, and affords a level of access to professors that students in larger schools would marvel at. One of my classes had one of our three weekly meetings on Thursday evenings at my professors house! VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jeremy: I had numerous incredible experiences in my classes. One of the best was my experience in Organic Chemistry. It began with sincere disappointment. One of the professors who had been teaching the class for several decades had just retired. Ordinarily, this would not have fazed me, but this professor, L. G. Skip Wade Jr., was particularly exceptional. In addition to being the author of a widely used and extremely well-reviewed organic chemistry textbook (search Skip Wade Chemistry on Google), Professor Wade was regarded by students as a tremendously gifted educator. The fact that I had just missed the opportunity to have him teach me organic chemistry was more than a little irksome. Fortunately for me, it turned out that Professor Wade was as competent at hiring a replacement as he was at teaching. His successor, Professor Marion Gtz (indeed, shes German), was my favorite professor out of all the many fantastic professors that I had while at Whitman. An eminently gifted educato r, Professor Gtz was a smart, engaging, funny, and dedicated teacher. She provided weekly tutorials (supplemental practice sessions) two evenings a week, completely of her own volition. These sessions were attended by nearly every student in the class, both because they were fantastically helpful, and because Professor Gtz would frequently show up with home baked goodies. She expected a lot of her students, and her tests occasionally featured strikingly difficult questions, but more so than any other professor I had, she reciprocated for the commitment to learning she demanded of her students with an equally strong commitment to teaching them. Check out Jeremys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What is a College Shortlist

What is a College Shortlist As you embark on the college application process, its easy to become overwhelmed by the multitude of application requirements and the sheer volume of colleges you could apply to. A college shortlist is a list of approximately six to 10 colleges that will help you target your search and streamline the application process. Creating a college shortlist helps you organize your list of potential schools, encourages you to narrow down your choices, and prompts you to identify schools to further communicate with. Eager to find ways to focus your college search? Keep reading to learn more about college shortlists. A college shortlist can aid you in organizing your university search A college shortlist is a key way to conserve your resources during the application process. At this point in time, you likely have other important responsibilities in your lifeacademic, extracurricular, and socialthat you must prioritize in addition to college application tasks. Making a shortlist will help you focus your energy on a smaller list of schools, instead of stretching yourself too thin trying to tackle a longer list. Additionally, creating a shortlist by choosing schools that fit your needs, desires, and academic background will allow you to submit the most complete applications and will give you a higher chance of acceptance to a school youre excited to attend. [RELATED: JuniorsComplete This College Admissions Checklist This Semester] A college shortlist prompts you to narrow down your choices While creating your college shortlist, identify the factors that are important to you in a potential school. When researching schools, its important to be honest with yourself about what you hope to get out of your college experience and to be realistic with these criteria. Look into various aspects of the schools, including: If you already have a major or academic area youd like to pursue, research the schools degree program in that field. Look into the departments website, including professors biographies, classes offered for the current semester, and course requirements for the major. Are there classes that youre interested in, or professors work whose interests align with yours? Make a note of this when creating your college shortlist. Note school rankings when creating this list, specifically in areas that interest you most. Consider the average test scores and GPA of an admitted student, for example, to see if they generally match yours. Its important to research the cost of attending each school, as well as what scholarships and financial aid are available to students. The size and location of the school can greatly influence your college experience. Do you prefer small, medium, or large campuses? The size of the college could affect the resources you have access to, as well as the individual attention you may be able to receive. Would you prefer to live in a city, suburb, or rural area? How far away will you be from home? Consider your individual priorities and goals in terms of resources and campus life. Are there other aspects of campus life that are important to you, such as attending a religiously-affiliated school or participating in Greek life? [RELATED: How to Choose the Right Match Schools] A college shortlist encourages you to visit and communicate with the schools on your list If youre able to, visit the schools on your list during the semester, preferably on a weekday so you can sit in on a class or two. Campus visits can show you exactly what the school is all about and either confirm or eliminate its place on your list. A tour will help you envision what it would be like to attend the school, and put you into contact with current students or faculty who can give you more specific information not found on the schools website. Youll also be able to better learn what the schools priorities are, and if these line up with your ideal college experience. If youre not able to visit, check out a virtual tour onlinewhich many schools haveand see if you can get in touch with a current student or alumnus/alumna for a formal or informal interview to answer any questions you may have. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Your Guidance Counselor About College] Your family members, teachers, and academic counselors will all be insightful resources while creating your college shortlist. Be honest with yourself when writing this list about what you hope to get out of a prospective college, as well as purposeful when adding schools to your list. 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.

13 English Idioms about Buildings - English Lesson via Skype

13 English Idioms about Buildings - English Lesson via Skype There are more parts to a building than just the walls. Here are some more commonly used English idioms about buildings or parts of a building. 13 English Idioms about Buildings IN THE BACK DOORthis is often used to describe how someone might get a job or an appointment or an interview that other people might find difficult to achieve.Example: I have wanted to get a job  working for that newspaper for such a long time. Finally I got an interview through the back door.  My uncle is best friends with the new CEO.TO OPEN DOORS FOR YOUto provide new opportunities for someoneExample: My friend was so well known that he could literally call anyone in the  football club and get me interviews with all the stars. He was able to open so many doors for me. I  was really impressed.AN OPEN DOOR POLICYa business term usually used to signify that a manager/boss is always willing to meet a member of staff to discuss work issues.Example: If you have any suggestions on how to improve our processes, my door is always open.THROUGH THE CEILING  orTHROUGH THE ROOFoften related to prices, prices increase quickly due to inflation, profits and other financial issuesExample: The pric es of petrol has risen very quickly this year, it has gone through the ceiling.THROUGH THE FLOORthis is again in relation to prices, prices fall down, decrease quickly due to economic downturn, recession Example: The market has weakened no one wants to buy these cars now the prices have gone through the floor (fallen quickly).TO HIT THE CEILING/ROOFto become angry suddenlyExample: He was really angry and got very annoyed when I told him I had crashed the new company car. He hit the ceiling (or hit the roof) when I told him!!TO HAVE THE FLOORIn a debate or in a discussion when someone is allowed to address the audience or answer questions he is said to “have the floor”, i.e. control the meeting at that time.Example: Company CEO had the floor for questions and comments.THE WRITING IS ON THE WALLWhen the result can be predicted or the outcome is known in advance.Example: When he failed to achieve his targets for the third month in a row, the writing was on the wall. He was surely g oing to get fired! English Idioms about Buildings - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do with it: TO TAKE THE FLOORto stand up and address an audienceExample: He took the floor and made a proposal, and it was a success.FROM DOOR TO DOORgoing to all houses on the streetExample: There are some school kids going from door to door collecting money.FROM PILLAR TO POSTfrom one place to another with no planning or purposeExample: Sarahs stepbrother Jack moved from pillar to post during his teens.WINDOW SHOPPINGsomeone only looks at the goods in the shop windows, they dont go inside or buyExample: When I was in New York, I went window shopping on Fifth Avenue.WINDOW DRESSINGsomething that makes something or somebody look better than it really isExample: A new eye-catching ad for fizzy drinks involves a lot of window dressing.

Tutoring the Overlap Between Teaching, Coaching and Mentoring

Tutoring the Overlap Between Teaching, Coaching and Mentoring Often when I’m called upon to explain the role of a tutor, I say that our main goal is to unlock whatever is standing in the way of a student achieving. In that respect, I see the job of a tutor as a combination of teacher, coach and a mentor. After discussing this idea with a set of successful tutors, teachers, life coaches and psychologists, these seem to be fairly good descriptions of each: Teaching A teacher imparts knowledge and understanding, usually following some form of curriculum or lesson plan. Most often they will teach a group of students (can be done one-on-one) and will work over a pre-determined time period. Examples include: school teachers, driving instructors, IT training. Coaching A coach will support an individual to achieve a specific goal, often it will be immediate and over a defined time period. The coach does not need to have any personal experience in that particular field, but instead challenges that person to grow and find answers for themselves. This work is mostly done one-on-one but can be done in groups too. Examples include: life coaches, sports coaches, personal trainers. Mentoring A mentor usually works one-on-one, and their approach is usually less structured and more organic than the other two. They share their own specific experience to help guide an individual who is setting out, or struggling, on a path that they themselves undertook in the past. A mentor is generally more long-term in their approach, and they will usually take a broader view of a person. Examples include: Corporate mentors, Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars*, university peer mentors. In hindsight, when I was at school… …some of the best teachers I had not only taught their subjects but were also like coaches and mentors to me. My belief is that the best tutors are those who, to varying degrees, undertake all three of these roles. At times, your job may be simply just to teach. You have identified a topic that needs to be covered and you teach it. You plan your work and work this plan. You test to assess what your student has taken onboard and create new plans based on this testing. Other times your job is to work out why a student has not been learning in school. They’re sitting in the same class as 30 other students who seem to ‘get it’ and they’re the only one who’s not. This kind of work requires a combination of mentoring and coaching. Coaching when you’re focused on why they may not have understood a particular topic, and mentoring when you’re helping them negotiate the tough world of being a student and also helping them understand why they might want to do well in school. Tutoring is the hybrid of teaching, coaching and mentoring because it involves imparting knowledge and wisdom to students, coaching them to reach their full potential and sharing specific personal experiences with them so they can grow as people. The question to ask now is why is it on the increase? Some would argue that Tutoring is merely more visible right now. That is true, but there does seem to be a marked increase. With numerous studies indicating that the return on investments for business coaching are 6 times the initial investment, it’s no surprise why so many companies are now offering coaching to their employees (1.) Results are seen in improved teamwork, morale and many other ‘soft’ skills. (2.) Mentoring programmes are equally popular with 71% of the 500 largest American companies which offer them (3.) However, coaching and mentoring programs haven’t always been so popular and it is only recently that they are becoming widely accepted, especially as people are appreciating the importance of a more subtle model of human development. As more adults receive coaching and mentoring, they may be wanting the same for their children and this is where tutoring comes in; because it helps children to improve academically whilst (when done well) very much preparing them for the challenges of life. An extra note from Mark: Thank you for taking your time to read this blog. Over the coming months I’ll be producing a number of blogs that will outline skills and tips for both parents and tutors, compiled from my notes and interviews I have conducted over the last few years. I’ve had the great fortune to interview a large number of highly successful and well-regarded tutors, as well as educational psychologists, teachers (the ones who are actually in schools) and parents to produce these blog posts. Please keep a look out on the Tutorfair blog to read more. References 1. 2004 MetrixGlobal Study â€" 689%, 2001 Manchester Group Study on Coaching â€" return almost 6 times investment â€" both http://leaderfuledge.com/resources-podcasts-papers-a-links/articles/101.html 2. 85% managers say enhancing team morale is the main value of coaching â€" chartered managers institute. http://leaderfuledge.com/resources-podcasts-papers-a-links/articles/101.html 3. 2007 Lydell Bridgeford on http://www.insala.com/Articles/leadership-coaching/mentoring-current-trends.asp * Visit www.management-mentors.com to find out more about mentoring and of course more importantly, see why Yoda is a coach and Obi Wan is a mentor.