Key Learning Competencies in English Grade 8

Key Learning Competencies in English Grade 8When it comes to studying for an exam and learning competencies in English, grade 8 students will have a better understanding of what they are required to do. Here we'll talk about the key learning competencies that will help you make your exams a success.Speaking - speaking is always an important part of studying for an exam. The amount of time you spend reading and writing is only part of the skill. Speaking is how you convey information to others, even if you're reading or writing it on paper. This is how you demonstrate your knowledge.Critical Reading - I find this one very important because critical reading is what will help you succeed when it comes to your exam. If you don't read well, you'll be terrible at answering questions. It is your first skill that you must master.Speaking & Writing - this is the skill that you'll use in your English degree. You will be putting your knowledge into words that people can understand and use. If you have no idea what this means, I would suggest finding a dictionary and figuring out how to say some of the more complex words to the people you'll be studying with. In any case, this is where you'll find out how to write convincingly and effectively.Writing - writing is the key to communicating ideas. A quick review of the school shows that the most important subject in any class is writing. This is why there are so many first year English courses that focus on the written word. If you want to become good at this, you have to master the skill. This is the one skill that really works in your future.Other Skills - if you want to learn how to speak English well, another skill that you'll need to master is oral communication. Just like in any other skill, practice makes perfect. But just like the other skills, you'll need to practice more than you would other things. That's because the next skill you'll be looking at is your ability to interact with others, and how well you do it .Don't forget, English is not just spoken English. You can't study for an exam without understanding how to communicate in writing. By learning the skills listed above, you'll be a better student who excels at your exams.

A Day in the Life at Brown University

A Day in the Life at Brown University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jay is a Boston tutor specializing in Chemistry tutoring, Statistics tutoring, Algebra tutoring, and more. He is a 2012 graduate of Brown University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Check out his review of 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? Jay: The campus is nestled atop College Hill with a 10-15 minute walk downtown. The campus has a variety of walking routes that keep you within the college campus feel en route to class. If one would like to grab a lunch out of the cafeterias, Thayer Street provides a multitude of restaurants and quick-bite places! There are buses to get around Providence (free if you are a student!) but its nice to have a bike as well. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jay: The professors are generally remarkable. They are super engaging and most are more than willing to help students who are proactive about their studies. Brown University is a place that serves the entrepreneurial spirit. If you want to succeed, they have all the resources and direction one needs to become a leader. Teaching assistants are also very willing to help because most of them are fellow peers. The advisors are a mix of people volunteering to advise and those who were asked to advise. I had a poor academic advisor but a lot of my friends had great advisors. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jay: Dorm life is par. Brown seems to think its a good idea to require payment ($600) to live off-campus after sophomore year, but then doesnt have enough space to room the on-campus students. Dining options are slowly getting better and there are several student groups pushing local food into the dining areas. Socialization opportunities are boundless at Brown. There are so many amazing students groups to choose from, and if not, you can just create your own and get money to support your mission if attendance is past five or so people. 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? Jay: Thats a good question; Im not sure what is best represented. Engineering and Computer Science have awesome buildings. There is a brand new, state-of-the-art CLPS (Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences) building with amazing classrooms and laboratories. I majored in Psychology and was able to study there during my senior year. They supported my area of study well. 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? Jay: I was a varsity soccer player at school, so that was my main friend group (spent five hours a day minimum with them). It is not difficult to meet new people, as most students are open at Brown. It is a very welcoming atmosphere. Greek life does play a role in campus social life but it is not the center of attention. It is well balanced with student groups, informal friend groups, and other social organizations. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jay: With regret, I did not take advantage of the Career Center and other student support services. It was my ego that was getting in the way (I can do this all by myself!). Dont do this; take advantage of the services Brown offers because its a large part of what Brown offers. There are many reputable companies that come to recruit at our Career Fairs. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jay: Libraries can get overcrowded at times, but there are designated areas for quiet study and group study. Groups can reserve rooms online at the libraries for group study. If one is creative, you can always find empty rooms and lounges for studying all around campus. 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? Jay: East Providence is awesome. Food is great in Providence. Free buses for students make it cheap and easy to get downtown. It depends on what the student wants to do but I feel like there is everything: a mall, restaurants, music venues, small privately owned cinemas, the beach, parks, etc. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jay: There are about 6,000 undergraduate students at Brown and the class sizes are well proportioned. Intro classes can be quite large but any secondary and advanced classes are 5-20 students. I loved my classes and how engaging everyone was in them. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jay: My favorite class must have been the History of Medicine. The professor was a brilliant historian and very captivating. He discouraged note taking (perfect) because he wanted everyone to just listen. He brought us to the libraries to talk to the Brown University librarians who showed us 500 year-old books. One book was even bound with human skin! I remember reading about one of the first heart surgeries and was disgusted with the doctors carelessness when it came to sanitation! Check out Jays tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

6 Test Prep Mantras to Live By in the New Year

6 Test Prep Mantras to Live By in the New Year Inadequate preparation is one of the biggest reasons students do not perform at their best on academic tests. Yet, another key component to test prep is finding and maintaining a positive state of mind while studyingand taking the exam. These are some tips to help you identify your study style. Staying positive will reduce the inherent stress involved with studying, thus increasing your ability to concentrate and retain information. Likewise, keeping calm while taking the test enables you to more easily remember content while under pressure. Fortunately, the New Year can be a new opportunity to perfect your studying routine. Take these six test prep mantras to heart in order to minimize stress and maximize your test-taking ability in the New Year. 1. I can do this. Successful studying is rooted in positivity. The first thing you need to tell yourself when preparing for an exam is that you are fully capable of studying effectively. Negative thinking at this early stage undermines your own ability and will make it more difficult to study effectively. Here are some tips to help you mentally prepare for test day. 2. I will not cram. Though specific test-taking strategies may vary from student to student, it is clear that cramming is not a successful tactic. Your brain needs sufficient time to memorize terms and to make sense of content for easy recall. Too many students procrastinate when it comes to studying for tests, and they end up studying the bulk of the material in the most stressful period right before the test. Establish a study schedule and stick to it. Give yourself at least two weeks to study for a regular classroom exam, or two months or more for intense standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or GRE. 3. Keep doing what works, stop doing what does not. There are countless study routines and methods, many of which may work better for you than others and vice versa. Such strategiesinclude rewriting your notes, using flashcards, working in a study group or with tutors,listening to recorded lectures, or any helpful combination of these approaches. Using practice content specific to a test may help, too; for instance, taking ACT practice testsleading up to your ACT test day. Ditch study strategies that you find boring or ineffective, and stick to what works for you personally. Remember that most students benefit from using not one, but a variety of study techniques. For instance, you may find it helpful to both rewrite your notes and listen to recorded lectures in order to better understand the notes you rewrite. Do not hesitate to think outside of the box; combine several different effective strategies to maximize the time spent studying. 4. Each mistake is a new learning opportunity. It is important to make sure you do not become discouraged by any past test prep errors. Suppose that you test out a studying technique you have never tried before, and it ends up negatively affecting your performance on a test. Do not get hung up on your mistake! Instead, simply move forward, recognize why it failed, and study differently next time. Here are some great tips on how to best study for a test. 5. I have become so much better at _____. It is easy to become dispirited while studying for a subject about which you are less confident. However, negative thinking and despair will not improve your approach to it. Turn around your negative attitude by thinking about the improvements and progress you have made over time in a difficult subject. Remind yourself of challenging concepts that you encountered but eventually figured out. A positive outlook will give you the confidence you need to successfully prepare for a test in a challenging field of study. 6. I am ready for this test. After you have sufficiently studied for an exam using the above mantras, it is time for one last boost of positive thinking. Consider all of the high quality studying time you have devoted to your upcoming test. Picture yourself using your tried and tested techniques while studying for your test, and tell yourself you will do well. Then step into your exam room and ace that exam!

The Cost of Being a Mature Student

The Cost of Being a Mature Student How Much Does it Cost to Go Back to School? ChaptersThe Cost of Going Back to SchoolStudent Finance from the GovernmentLoansFunding from Your EmployerFunding Your Studies“Job training empowers people to realize their dreams and improve their lives.” - Sylvia Mathews BurwellHave you done a skills appraisal and decided that it’s time to study some more?There were 140,000 mature students in the UK in 2017. Plenty of people are going back to school to gain new skills, change careers, or get ahead in their current job.  But before you go back to your studies, you’ll need to plan everything out, choose where you’re going to study, apply, and work out exactly how you’re going to pay for it.So how much does it cost to go back to school and what funding is there for mature students? TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st les son free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Cost of Going Back to SchoolContinuing education includes training for those who are working and haven’t been to school in a while. Generally, it covers those who start their undergraduate degree course over the age of 21. The definition could also be extended to those who’ve had a gap of over two years in their education. That said, there’s nothing to stop those going back to school. Most tuition fees at UK universities are comparable. (Source: InspiredImages)Continuing education comes at a cost. There’s a lot more financial support available for those who remain in education than for those who go into work and come back to their studies later in life.  This is why you need to carefully research how you’re going to pay for your studies.That said, you’ll pay the same tuition fees as any other student. In the UK, tuition fees for undergraduates are capped at £9,250 per year. 76% of institutions charge the full amount so this is effectively what you can expect to pay for tuition.  It costs even more if you’re not a UK or EU student so you might want to avoid any nasty surprises.There are also other types of training and lifelong learning available for those who don’t fancy going to university. There are also shorter courses at university available. You mightn’t need to study for 3 or 4 years to get ahead in your career. That said, there are also private institutions that can cost even more than a degree!  As you’ll have understood, it depends where you go, what you study, and how long you go for.If you do decide to opt for private institutions, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to benefit from any financial support. Most financial support is for those attending university courses or government-recognised qualifications. It’s generally more costly at private establishments than in schools and unis.  Your study plans can quickly fall apart if you haven’t planned financially.Financial support can help but you’ll need to see if you qualify for it. Make sure you apply for financial aid as soon as you can as certain funding options can take a while to reach your account.  Without financial aid, continuing education may be beyond the reach of some. However, most institutions are happy to take your money and don’t care whether it comes directly from you or via financial support.If you can’t get any financial support, you m ay need to save before you go back to school. This may mean that you’ll have to put off your studies until you’ve saved enough.No matter what your financial situation, keep in mind that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Whether it’s through financial support or saving, anyone can go back to school.Discover the benefits of being a mature student.Student Finance from the GovernmentMature students can apply for student finance and the amount you’ll get will depend on the course you’re studying and your family situation. Families with children can get extra financial support. Just have a look at need-based financial aid and childcare funds.Similarly, if you're financially responsible for an adult there's funding available.  Anyone can apply so you might want to meet with a career counsellor and discuss your options both in terms of studies and financial support. There's student finance available for mature students. (Source: ISDiva)The main options for financial support are:Student finance (student loans)Bursaries.Scholarships.There are plenty of resources and career services available to help you work out the best options for you. Even if you’re not attending a university course, you can still get scholarships, bursaries, or help with paying tuition and fees or the cost of training courses.  Fortunately, the cost of attendance is almost the same at every university in the UK so you'll have a pretty good idea of the tuition fee.Find out more about your options as a mature student. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLoansIf there isn’t any funding available for you, you could always get funding in the form of a loan. While this isn’t advised given how much financial support is available, if you’re doing a private course or training, you mightn’t qualify for student finance or a student loan and need to borrow from private funding options.Always make sure that you can afford the loan repayment before taking out a loan or seeking financial assistance from a bank or lender and keep in mind that a private loan isn't free money and since you're not guaranteed a job when you finish your course, private loan debt can cripple families financially if you'r e the sole contributor.If the training or education is related to your current job and you intend to use it to improve your performance at work, you might want to see if your employer will fund it. This is better than having loans that need to be repaid.Find a personal development coach near me.Funding from Your EmployerCertain companies may offer to fund their employees’ education or training. Of course, this is usually only for training related to your job. That said, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Some larger companies are happy to pay for their staff’s training and education if it provides them with better staff. In some cases, an employer may pay for your studies if they help you become a better employee. (Source: rawpixel)There may also be smaller companies that adopt this mentality too. In addition to covering the cost of your course, some may even cover living expenses. Check with them to see if they would consider paying for college or university courses but don't expect the answer to be a yes.Find out what it's like being a mature student.Funding Your StudiesWhen there’s no financial support available to you, you’ll have to fund your studies yourself. You might consider working part-time while taking night classes or distance learning.If you can, try and save before you start studying more and working less. Savings are useful if you want to pay for college or university yourself, don't qualify for grants and scholarships, or don't want the burden of private loans or student loans.Some people may be able to get financial support from family members or their partner.  Whatever your fi nancial situation, it’s important that you remain motivated. If you've saved up, you can always pay for your tuition. (Source: Olichel)Find personal development courses near me.On Superprof, you can find life coaches, career tutors, and academic support tutors and there are three main types of tutorial available: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Each type of tutorial comes with its pros and cons and you'll need to think about your budget and your goals when choosing which one to go for.Face-to-face tutorials are between you and your tutor. As the only student in the class, you'll benefit from tailored sessions and your tutor's undivided attention. While these are often the most costly type of private tutorial, they're also the most cost-effective thanks to how much time your tutor can spend focusing on you.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials in terms of the tutor-student ratio but your tutor won't be in the room with you. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can now get private tutoring via webcam using video conferencing software such as Skype. While not ideal for hands-on subjects, online tutorials are great for academic subjects and they're often cheaper than the face-to-face tutorials since the tutor doesn't need to factor travel costs into their rates.Finally, group tutorials, as you may have guessed, are when you're taught alongside other students in a group. With several students footing the bill, these tutorials often work out cheaper per student per hour. While cheaper, it does mean you won't get as much attention from your tutor as they'll need to focus on several students at once. Unfortunately, this all means that they can't tailor their sessions to you as they'll need to take the other students' needs, strengths and weaknesses, and goals into account when planning their lessons.Think carefully about your goals, budget, and learning style before deciding what type of tutorials and tutor are right for you!

Banjo vs Guitar The Difference, Difficulty, How to Decide

Banjo vs Guitar The Difference, Difficulty, How to Decide Willy M. The battle between the banjo vs guitar is a tough one, especially when you’re new to music and trying to decide which instrument is right for you. In order to make the right choice, consider the following factors, and check out the poll below to see what other readers think is the best instrument to play! Which instrument do you prefer: banjo or guitar? Banjo Guitar View Results Loading ... Banjo vs Guitar: Key Things to Consider Musical Style Preferences It’s important to think about what style of music you want to learn. Keep in mind that all music instruction starts off with similar, basic concepts. So either instrument will suit the purposes of teaching you the skills you need to get started as a musician. It’s not until you progress a bit that you start to understand the intricacies of a particular musical style. And it is a common misconception that the banjo is an instrument solely used for bluegrass. Both the banjo and guitar have been used in a wide variety of genres, including blues, jazz, folk, country, and even pop. Both instruments lend an interesting sound to any genre of music. Even a few classical composers saw fit to use the banjo when it was introduced to them in the late 1800s. So, round one in the battle between the banjo vs guitar, does not go to either instrument. They both are very versatile and can facilitate many different styles of playing. Difficulty of the Guitar vs Banjo Depending on your size, the banjo might be easier to play because the neck is smaller and there are less strings. Some banjos tend to be a bit heavy for certain people though, especially children. What about the ease of pressing down on the strings? Well, this can be easily adjusted depending on the gauge of strings you use on either instrument. Thinner strings will be easier on the fingers, no matter what instrument you choose. The tuning you decide to learn will affect your ease of playing. The banjo is tuned to an open tuning, called “Open G tuning.” The guitar is typically tuned to “Standard” which are the notes E, A, D, G, B, E, and this does not create an open chord like the banjo tuning does. This means that whenever you pick up a banjo and strum across the strings, it immediately makes a pleasant sound because the strings are already tuned to one of the chords you will learn to play. So in this round of the banjo vs guitar debate, it appears that the banjo has a leg up on the competition. However, it is important to understand that certain guitar styles, such as the dobro that we often see in bluegrass music, will also be tuned to an Open G tuning, thereby taking away any advantage that the banjo has over the guitar. Learning Playing Chords When you’re learning to play in open tunings on the banjo, you will learn simple two and three finger chords that make up the basic chords you need to play bluegrass music. For example, the first few chords you’ll learn in Open G tuning on the banjo will likely be G, C, and D. People often ask if learning chords is more difficult on the guitar because there are more strings. This is certainly the case when you’re playing in standard tuning. However, the chord shapes on both the banjo and the guitar all fall into five basic categories. Once you have learned the five basic chords (C, A, G, E, and D) you have the ability to play any of the chords that you will need to learn for either instrument. How to Decide Ultimately, the final decision comes down to which instrument makes you the happiest. Which do you enjoy playing the most? Whatever you decide, you will find that the same skills you learn on the guitar allow you to easily take up the banjo later on, or vice versa. The best way to end the debate between the guitar vs banjo is to actually try a few private lessons. At TakeLessons, there are a variety of experienced teachers who play both the guitar and banjo, if you need some professional guidance making your final decision. Regardless of which instrument you choose, when you start your musical journey on the banjo or guitar, it will be one of the most rewarding decisions you ever make! Good luck, and let us know which instrument you decided on in the comments below. Post Author:  Willy M. Willy M. teaches banjo and guitar lessons in Winston Salem, NC. Willy has been teaching for over 20 years, and his students have ranged in age from young children to folks in their 80s.  Learn more about Willy 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

Online Paper Writer English Writing Online Tutorpace

Online Paper Writer English Writing Online Tutorpace There are many kinds of papers to write in English. For example thesis paper, research paper, journals and many more. Depending on the type of the Paper the writing is should be developed. For example in a Research paper of a given topic it is expected to gather enough reliable information and describe the topic accordingly. Data, articles used in the research paper should be recited. Having a rough draft for any paper helps to construct a good writing. For a presentable writing the content is very important. The students should use their ideas and creativity to present an impressive writing. Mentioned are the steps to write any writing assignment. These steps should provide an idea and guideline to present a good writing. Introduction is very crucial for any writing. The student can use relevant quotes sometimes to start the paper. The introduction of the paper discusses about the outline of the assignment. The introduction should be presented very carefully as the whole writing is constructed on its basis. Then the main body of the assignment. There can be required number of paragraphs depending on the content. The paragraphs can contain different thoughts and ideas to elaborate the paper. The paragraphs can also contain some relevant examples and some good research content. The last step is the conclusion of the paper. Its very important to conclude meaningfully. The conclusion of the writing gives the summary of the topic. A good writing assignment shows the students skill in English.

12 English Idioms relating to Communication - Learn English with Harry ??

12 English Idioms relating to Communication - Learn English with Harry ?? Here you will learn 12 English idioms relating to communication: in black and white, from horses mouth, keep someone posted and many more. 12 English Idioms relating to Communication Share! Help other students to improve English. We are continuously told that it is all about communication these days. You have to communicate better, quicker and faster. People want clear messages, fast responses and understandable facts. Of course, any language we learn is focused on communication. Whether it is business language or language for our personal use. English language is no exception. Here are some English idioms relating to communication with meanings and examples. 1. HOT OFF THE PRESSMeaning: when we receive information or news that is very recent we refer to it as breaking news  or  hot off the press.Example: Did you hear about the company? It is going in to liquidation, it’s literally hot of the press. My friend in the newspaper rang me.2. DROP SOMEONE A LINE  Meaning: when we want someone to contact us or stay in touch we ask them or suggest that they drop us a lineExample: Johns friend called him to see if he wanted to go to the big game at the weekend. John was busy and had no time to go to the match. So his friend told him: Why not drop me a line when you are free and we can meet up.3. TO COME OUT OF YOUR SHELLMeaning: to be less shy and more communicativeExample: After a few days in the camp Michael came out of his shell and began to play with the other boys.4. IN BLACK AND WHITEMeaning: when something is very clear and easy to understandExample: The letter from my bank manager   was very clear. I had no money it was there in black an d white. 5. IN THE LOOPMeaning: to keep someone informed or up to dateExample: My manager did not want to go to the meeting but told me to keep him informed, so I kept him in the loop woth what happened.6. KEEP ME POSTEDMeaning: to keep someone updated on eventsExample: My Mother rang to ask me when the baby was due. I told her it was likely to be a few more weeks but promised to keep her posted if anything changed.7. LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAGMeaning: to tell someone a secret or to disclose some information that perhaps you should not haveExample: My brother told me by text that he was coming home for Christmas to surprise my parents. I let the cat out of the bag when I showed the text to my mother.Scroll down for 5 more English Idioms relating to communication. English Idioms about Communication Share! Help other students to improve English. 8. SPILL THE BEANSMeaning: to finally tell someone what happenedExample: The school windows were broken at the weekend. I saw what happened when I was out walking. I finally spilled the beans and told the School Director when he accused me of doing it.9. TO TOUCH BASEMeaning: to get in contact with someoneExample: Why dont we touch base next week to pick a time to get together?10. GIVE SOMEONE THE LOW-DOWN ON SOMETHING OR SOMEONEMeaning: We usually use this idiom or expression when we want to get all the facts and information about something or someone.Example: Michael called his friend in the News Company and asked if he could meet him for dinner. He wanted to get the low-down on the new Mayor.   11. HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINENot all our information comes from reliable sources or not all of it comes from the TV news or newspapers.A lot of information comes from one person talking to another and so on. This gossiping  can be very reliable and refer to it as  hearing it through the grapevine. Through an unofficial information network.Example: David called into his boss and wanted to know if it was true that the company was moving to another city. Someone  heard it on the grapevine  and we want to know if it is true.I heard through the grapevine that my favourite band were about to release a new album.12. SPREAD LIKE WILDFIREMeaning: when people gossip usually the information, fact or fiction, goes from one person to another very quickly.Example: Davids boss told him it was not true and that someone must have misunderstood something. He asked David to stop the rumour as these things can  spread like wildfire.So I hope you enjoy these English idioms relating to communication. Re member, English is about communication, so keep practising to improve your speakins skills.

Three Ways to Worry Less for a Higher GRE Score

Three Ways to Worry Less for a Higher GRE Score GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog There are two games you must win if you want to score well on the GRE. The first is what I call the “outer” game. It consists of the how-to’s for getting right answers â€" the x’s and o’s, if you will â€" including math concepts, vocabulary, formulas, strategic elimination strategies, time management, and other such tangible applications. The outer game is where GRE students spend most of their time, and it’s what our online GRE prep courses do such a great job of teaching. However, equally important to your success on test day is your ability to conquer the “inner game” of the GRE. This is what takes place between your ears â€" your anxiety, your nerves, your overall worry. If you’re not able to tame those emotions both during your preparation in the weeks leading up to your exam and on exam day itself, then it may not matter how much you’ve prepared for the outer game because you’ll have a hard time staying calm and thinking clearly to transfer that knowledge into right answers. Students often overlook this crucial component of their GRE preparation, to their detriment. I don’t want that to be your story. Worrying about the GRE: Will it help? There’s a great movie that came out a few years ago starring Tom Hanks called “Bridge of Spies.” The character played by Hanks is a lawyer recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in the American courts. As the plot heats up, there are numerous times when the spy’s life is in jeopardy. Yet, the spy always appears to have a calm, even-keeled demeanor. Confused by this, Hanks asks him: “Aren’t you worried?” Each time the spy responds: “Would it help?” I love that! The retort has stuck with me because it’s so true. No matter what’s happening to us in life or how high the stakes appear to be, the act of worrying itself doesn’t really help at all, does it? In fact, it’s often counter-productive. Worrying raises our blood pressure and stresses our health. It keeps us from thinking clearly. It bogs us down and often keeps us from taking the action that actually could help the situation. And when it comes to the GRE, worrying is the surest way to lose the inner game we’ve been talking about. But the good news is, you can bring your test anxiety under control with a few proven mindset shifts. Here are three ways to worry less about the GRE for a higher score on test day. #1: Prepare well, and then trust your preparation. The Greek poet Archilochus famously said: We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training. How true that is. When it comes to the GRE, preparation (or training, to use Archilochus’s word) and worry have an inverse relationship. The less prepared you feel, the more worried you are about how you’re going to do. Conversely, the better prepared you are, the less anxiety you feel. The graph looks something like this: The performance of elite athletes illustrates this perfectly. I used to assume that star athletes felt incredibly nervous in the biggest moments. When Michael Jordan was standing at the foul line trying to sink a shot to win the big game, wasn’t he a nervous wreck? Heck, my heart rate went up just watching him â€" and I was sitting comfortably on my own couch! But no. It turns out that the best athletes actually feel calm in those moments because they default to their training. Michael Jordan shot tens of thousands of foul shots in practice, so he could literally make one with his eyes closed (which he famously did in a real game once). At the most important times, professional athletes are confident knowing that they’ve prepared well, and they can trust that preparation to carry them through. So for you on the GRE, put in the work. Prepare to the best of your ability (perhaps by taking our comprehensive online GRE prep course). And then once you’re done, trust that preparation. You’re ready for whatever the GRE can throw at you, so there’s no reason to worry! #2: Take the focus off yourself. Worry is a self-focused emotion. I’m so stressed out about the GRE. What if I get a bad score? My future depends on how well I do on the GRE. What if I run out of time? I’ve never been good at math. I…. Me…. etc. That’s an unhealthy mindset to have when preparing for the GRE. Not only unhealthy, but unhelpful. So take the focus off yourself. Instead, think about how doing well on the GRE can benefit others. In “Learn the Secret Ingredient for Dominating the GRE” I talk about the importance of connecting with your “Why” for wanting to go to grad school in the first place. Perhaps it’s to provide a better life for your kids. Maybe it’s to make a positive impact in the lives of others through social work. Or perhaps you want to become a nurse to help others live healthier lives. Whatever it is, there’s almost always a larger purpose that graduate school can help you achieve. Focus on that, and it will take a lot of the pressure off because now it’s no longer about you. #3: Adopt a healthier “big-picture” perspective. We tend to worry the most when we blow things out of proportion. One of the best ways to worry less about the GRE â€" and really, anything in life â€" is to remember where it fits into the bigger picture. Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the moon, said this about looking back at Earth from space: “It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn’t feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.” Ultimately our time here on Earth is short, and life will go on tomorrow whether you do well on the GRE or not. The sun will still rise. You’ll still have food to eat and air to breathe. And frankly, that’s more than a lot of people in the world can say. Having lived in Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, I saw first-hand what it was like when most people don’t even finish primary school, let alone high school or college. So what a privilege it is for you to even be thinking about going to graduate school! Doing so puts you in the top percentage of people worldwide in terms of education and career prospects. It’s important for you to do well on the GRE, I get it. You should do well. But don’t blow the GRE out of proportion. Once you realize that the worst-case scenario of a sub-par GRE score may not ruin your life as much as you think it will, the worry starts to go away. And that’s a much more positive place to operate from. Summary Consider the following two GRE candidates. Candidate A walks into the testing center fearful and dreading the experience. She’s worried that she’ll see questions she doesn’t know and won’t get the score she needs to get into her target graduate program. Conversely, Candidate B wakes up the morning of her test full of energy. This is the day she’s been working toward. It’s time to put her preparation to the test, and she’s confident that she’s ready. No matter how it turns out, she know she’s done everything she can to put herself in the best position for success. It’s game day. Bring it on! Which candidate do you think is more likely to perform to the best of her ability? My money is on Candidate B. Even if the two candidates studied the exact same amount, Candidate B’s mindset is much better, and that makes a huge difference. I want you to be like Candidate B. I want you to walk into the GRE testing center from a place of confidence rather than from a place of fear or worry. I want you to be positive and optimistic as you’re preparing for the GRE, and clear-headed and self-assured when you sit down to take the real thing. To do that, move beyond worry by taking to heart the three tips presented here. About the Author Brett Ethridge is the founder of Dominate Test Prep, creator of the industry’s most effective online prep courses for the GRE and GMAT. He’s an avid tennis player, a huge Duke basketball fan, and is passionate about empowering students to dominate their standardized test and get into the graduate school of their choice.

Calling All Webcomic Artists LINE Webtoon Challenge League Seeks New Artists

Calling All Webcomic Artists LINE Webtoon Challenge League Seeks New Artists Photo Via: https://lh4.ggpht.com According to a recent press release, the Challenge League is a “new feature that allows for artists to submit their webcomics for a chance to become an official LINE Webtoon artist.” The best part: this is a completely free chance to show LINE Webtoon what you’ve got. There’s no cost to the Challenge League and, as stated in the press release, it’s a great outlet for “aspiring artists looking to showcase their talents and gain recognition” while at the same time surrounding themselves with the “best comic content available via mobile and desktop.” In officially launching this Challenge League, “LINE Webtoon will host a $50,000 competition globally” in hopes of finding the “best” new webtoon artist. JunKoo Kim, who serves as Director and as the Head of the LINE Webtoon division, said: “We have spent over 10 years discovering and showcasing some of the best webtoon artists and content to our fans, and now we’re giving them the chance to become official LINE Webtoon webtoonists through Challenge League.” So what’s the appeal of competing in Challenge League? Photo Via: http://comicbastards.com For one thing, this opportunity grants artists the ability to meet and communicate with their audiences “through a simple and easy to use interface.” This environment allows artists to reach a higher popularity while simultaneously becoming official webtoonists. Opportunities that usually arise from affiliation with LINE Webtoon include re-creation of the webcomic across “diverse” media including TV series and film. Also, according to the press release, “LINE Webtoon is dedicated to helping artists launch a full time career, with some Webtoon artists earning up to $80,000 a month.” That’s a pretty steep paycheck, so an artist that can get his/her foot in the door with a company such as this is in good hands. As far as eligibility goes for this opportunity, anyone over the age of 14 is eligible to compete in the competition. All you need to do is upload a webcomic (in English) to this website. Content is judged on “audience engagement, such as number of views and shares” as well as “creativity, originality, and the artist’s ability to publish webcomics on a weekly basis.” And what of the prizes? There are two, third place prizes, one, second place prize and one grand prize at $5,000, $10,000 and $30,000 respectively. This contest will run until January 25, 2015 and the winner will be announced five days later. However, the Challenge League service will still be provided on the LINE Webtoon official site after the contest as well. Photo Via: http://31.media.tumblr.com The contest won’t be the extent of LINE Webtoon’s engagement with their audience, as they also wish to work more closely with universities and centers of higher education to “reward student artists that participate in the Challenge League competition.” According to the press release, if a student wins the $30,000 grand prize, there will be an additional $30,000 donation to that student’s institution of higher education. Likewise, they will be offered a contract with LINE Webtoon to produce official webcomics for the company. The opportunities LINE Webtoon is presenting its fans aren’t to be taken lightly, and in the expansion of the site’s audience by global means, prospective artists for the company will be promising individuals of incredible talent. Because LINE Webtoon has a large Korean following, the team looks forward to seeking out new artists on a global level, branching out to discover webcomic artists in new territories. In discussing the global appeal of LINE Webtoon’s Challenge League, Kim said: “Based on Challenge League’s popularity in Korea, where 73.4 percent of LINE Webtoon artists are discovered through Challenge League, we are excited to launch the competition globally and discover the next generation of webcomic artists.” LINE Webtoon itself was launched globally on July 2 of this year, and the site currently offers “multiple genres of webcomics” and “easy access to downloaded content on-the-go” as well as “approximately 53 webcomics.” Photo Via: https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net For anyone interested in more information on the Challenge League, you can visit the site, or to download LINE Webtoon, you can visit the Apple App Store and Google Play. Beginning November 27, fans can get all Challenge League content through these apps. Good luck to all participating!