How to Find the Best College Prep Tutoring

How to Find the Best College Prep TutoringCollege prep tutoring can often be hard to find when you are trying to juggle college work and tutoring. However, if you are willing to put in the effort it is possible to find the best college prep tutoring options available to you. There are quite a few different areas that tutors may focus on. These options are generally based on experience, and how many hours they devote to working with students.One of the most popular college prep tutoring options is that the tutor has already been to college and is known for teaching students in the same class as a current student. Students are usually welcomed into this kind of tutoring, since most college students take the same classes every semester. As a result, the student will not have to sit through tests or take time away from school to practice with their tutor.Another option for tuition is the personal teaching route. This route is usually related to a traditional tutor who may be the professo r's wife or other family member who wants to teach the student. This kind of tuition is usually more expensive than the traditional tuition option.The middle school student may not have the benefit of a professor to help them, but they may still want to work with one of their friends to get better grades. Often this option is limited by time and money since they will only be able to work with one person. Therefore, some tutors may work with these students only, while others may charge a fee for the help.For private tuition, there are options that allow the student to take part in tutoring sessions with someone they know and trust. This option allows the student to get a coach, who they know can keep up with their homework and study habits. The coach can also get to know the student's schedule and allow the student to concentrate on schoolwork.Other college prep options include programs that involve tuition for tutors who are good at English language learning. Many English Language L earners need tutoring on topics such as grammar, spelling, and reading. While this option is limited in time and cost, it provides a teacher who can help students overcome the linguistic barriers.Each college prep choice has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to consider all of the different college prep options and determine which ones are most helpful and useful for your own individual needs.

What are Descriptive Statistics

What are Descriptive Statistics Analyse Data Like a Pro ChaptersThe Origin of StatisticsTypes of Statistical AnalysisTips and Tricks for Learning Applied StatisticsFrom collecting the perfect sample size to ensuring the integrity of your statistical interpretation, understanding all the components of statistics can be difficult to navigate. In a world where knowing and using statistics is becoming ever more relevant in policies, social movements and more, it can be helpful to learn or recap some of the basics. Here’s everything you need to know about descriptive statistics!Being able to accurately interpret data is an essential statistics skill AisvaryaData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdeyemiData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdenikeData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GokhanData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OlawaleData Analysis Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThanushanData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AisvaranData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Muhammad umairData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (2) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Origin of StatisticsUsing bit data analysis and statistical methods to understand the world around us may seem like a 20th century invention. While the statistical inference that statisticians conduct in the present day are much more powerful with statistical software and programs, the work of the statistician is one of the oldest trades on the planet.While the intricacies of Bayesian statistics or understanding categorical data deserve a lengthier explanation in the context of the evolution of statistical data and analysis, you can get the basics by looking at the origin of statistics in a nutshell.While statistical inference intersects a plurality of other modern disciplines, such as biostatistics or business analytics, it started as a way to order or register the phenomena of early humans. Recording and analysing the movements or agriculture, astrology or commerce to improve sanitary, food and economic conditions were all ways our ancestors used inferential and descriptive statistics.Types of Statistical AnalysisAttempting to define a domain like mathematical statistics, whose uses are ubiquitous, can be like trying to find a needle in the dark - especially if that needle happens to be as headache inducing as probability theory. Here to alleviate the confusion behind all things probability and statistics is someone who initially detested anything having to do with statistical analysis.Admittedly, the jargon attached to statistical theory can get scary: ordinal and categorical data, sample data, population mean, percentile, Markov chain.Behind the complex terminology, however, are concepts that are actually quite simple at their base. If you’re studying statistics, you will li kely be taught Bayesian statistics, which uses a probability distribution in order to test a null hypothesis against an alternative hypothesis. In layperson’s terms, Bayesian statistics makes assumptions about raw data to construct hypotheses and then tests whether those hypotheses are likely or not for that given set of data. Before diving further into prediction analysis and common statistical techniques, it can be helpful to start with the common ways in which you can use data visualization to analyse qualitative and quantitative data.Descriptive StatisticsAnyone who’s had to produce a histogram, pie or bar chart for class or work â€" congratulations, you’ve participated in one of the most common ways data scientists conduct statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics are measures of central tendency and variance, which translates into measuring data by the average and how far away particular points are from that average. Measures of central tendency can include metrics li ke:       Sample mean       Median       ModeMeasures of variability, or dispersion, include things like:       Variances       Covariance       Standard deviationWhile this may sound like an overly simplified process, conducting exploratory analysis with descriptive statistics is an integral part of every study design. Before the mathematician or data scientists concerns themselves with multivariate linear regression or constructing a confidence interval with estimators, they have to know what their data contains.You can complete a statistical data analysis with just descriptive statistics and their visualizations. One of the most beautiful examples of this dates back to the 1850s, when Florence Nightingale produced her infamous “coxcomb” pie chart in order to extract vital information on mortality during the Crimean War. At a time when women in the field were virtually non-existent, Nightingale paved the way for innovative, under-represented groups in statistics.Se emingly similar statistics can have wildly different impacts on policyAnother important aspect of generating descriptive statistics is that many statistics or regression models necessitate certain assumptions in order for the them to be valid. While these assumptions vary from model to model, the most common requirement is that the data be normally distributed. A normal distribution is a probability curve that follows the central limit theorem. The majority of data normally doesn’t follow a normal distribution, which is why you’ll see many statisticians transform their dependent variables or independent variable.Using software like SPSS, R or excel â€" anyone can easily extract these metrics of central tendency and dispersion from the data. If the data is normally distributed, these metrics become extremely powerful. In finance, for example, the distribution of the data and the percentile under which certain prices or stocks fall under are used in order to understand the advanta ges or risks of potential trade deals.Common Descriptive Statistics ProblemsAs you’ve probably noticed by now, descriptive statistics is very distinct from the other main branch of statistics: inferential statistics. While inferential statistics uses the data to try to make predictions about the populations using statistical models, descriptive statistics merely describes what is actually in the data.Using descriptive statistics to analyse categorical and numerical, observational data is a type of statistical methodology that people utilize when they want to, for example:       Determine what percentage of their customers are young adults       Want to know what the distribution of grades in a university       Need to understand the effect size between two patient groups in a trialThis type of analysis, as opposed to regression analysis or ANOVA is typically called univariate analysis because it tends to analyse only one variable at a time.Descriptive Statistics ExampleWhile aspects of statistics like chi-square analysis, confidence intervals, or the correlation coefficient can be very enlightening â€" sometimes, all you need are descriptive statistics. Take the following numbers into account:       Mean: 30       Standard Deviation: 4Let’s say these numbers pertain to a set of data on your class’ test scores. You want to understand how the class performed but aren’t sure how to set up your experimental design. Assuming the data follow a normal distribution, we know that 68% of scores are within one standard deviation of the mean, 95% are within two standard deviations and 99% are within three.Without using statistical significance, randomization, or the least squares method, you are able to figure out that 95% of the class scored between 22 and 38 points where:       The lower bound: 30 â€" (2 * 4)       The upper bound: 30 + (2 * 4)Another statistical giant in the realm of descriptive analysis is correlation, which is a number that desc ribes the relationship between two variables. While you probably already know this, make sure that you fully understand the difference between correlation and causality. Correlation is a mathematical tool to understand how changes in one variable relates to changes in another, while causality is the notion that the changes in one variable causes changes in another.If you’ve ever heard a mathematician joke, then you’ll definitely appreciate the common example statisticians give when elucidating the correlation-does-not-equal-causality point. Take, for example, hand size and age. If you were to plot a sample of people from various ages, you would likely see a relationship where the bigger the hand size, the bigger the age as well. While there is clearly a correlation, or relationship, between hand size and age, there is unlikely to be any causality. If there were, this would mean that, were your hands to get smaller or disappear, you would either regress in age or die, respectivel y.Inferential StatisticsMoving onto the other main branch of statistics, inferential statistics is what people normally think of when they call up images of statistics. Relying on probability theory to create statistical models to draw inferences or calculate an estimator on one dependent variable or more, inferential statistics can be hard to define. However, the most important characteristics of inferential statistics can be boiled down to one sentence: the branch uses sample data on a population to make predictions outside that data set.Distributions and probability can be taught at a young ageTips and Tricks for Learning Applied StatisticsFrom binomial distributions and outliers to finding the perfect parametric test, understanding or remembering all of statistic’s components is an impossible feat. However, there are plenty of ways to either learn or improve your statistic skills.Getting Statistics Help OnlineUse the many websites online dedicated towards explaining statistica l concepts like a random variable or analysis of variance. Here are some of the best tutorial or troubleshooting guides online:Towards Data ScienceTutorials PointHow to Find a Tutor in StatisticsIf you prefer one-on-one help, make sure to check out Superprof’s community of over 140,000 maths teachers in the UK. From probability to regression, you can try a lesson for the average price of 10 pounds an hour! What are Descriptive Statistics Analyse Data Like a Pro ChaptersThe Origin of StatisticsTypes of Statistical AnalysisTips and Tricks for Learning Applied StatisticsFrom collecting the perfect sample size to ensuring the integrity of your statistical interpretation, understanding all the components of statistics can be difficult to navigate. In a world where knowing and using statistics is becoming ever more relevant in policies, social movements and more, it can be helpful to learn or recap some of the basics. Here’s everything you need to know about descriptive statistics!Being able to accurately interpret data is an essential statistics skill AisvaryaData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdeyemiData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdenikeData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThanushanData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GokhanData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson f ree!Discover all our tutors OlawaleData Analysis Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AisvaranData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Muhammad umairData Analysis Teacher 5.00 (2) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Origin of StatisticsUsing bit data analysis and statistical methods to understand the world around us may seem like a 20th century invention. While the statistical inference that statisticians conduct in the present day are much more powerful with statistical software and programs, the work of the statistician is one of the oldest trades on the planet.While the intricacies of Bayesian statistics or understanding categorical data deserve a lengthier explanation in the context of the evolution of statistical data and analysis, you can get the basics by looking at the origin of statistics in a nutshell.While statistical inference intersects a plurality of other modern disciplines, such as biostatistics or business analytics, it started as a way to order or register the phenomena of early humans. Recording and analysing the movements or agriculture, astrology or commerce to improve sanitary, food and economic conditions were all ways our ancestors used inferential and descriptive statistics.Types of Statistical AnalysisAttempting to define a domain like mathematical statistics, whose uses are ubiquitous, can be like trying to find a needle in the dark - especially if that needle happens to be as headache inducing as probability theory. Here to alleviate the confusion behind all things probability and statistics is someone who initially detested anything having to do with statistical analysis.Admittedly, the jargon attached to statistical theory can get scary: ordinal and categorical data, sample data, population mean, percentile, Markov chain.Behind the complex terminology, however, are concepts that are actually quite simple at their base. If you’re studying statistics, you will li kely be taught Bayesian statistics, which uses a probability distribution in order to test a null hypothesis against an alternative hypothesis. In layperson’s terms, Bayesian statistics makes assumptions about raw data to construct hypotheses and then tests whether those hypotheses are likely or not for that given set of data. Before diving further into prediction analysis and common statistical techniques, it can be helpful to start with the common ways in which you can use data visualization to analyse qualitative and quantitative data.Descriptive StatisticsAnyone who’s had to produce a histogram, pie or bar chart for class or work â€" congratulations, you’ve participated in one of the most common ways data scientists conduct statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics are measures of central tendency and variance, which translates into measuring data by the average and how far away particular points are from that average. Measures of central tendency can include metrics li ke:       Sample mean       Median       ModeMeasures of variability, or dispersion, include things like:       Variances       Covariance       Standard deviationWhile this may sound like an overly simplified process, conducting exploratory analysis with descriptive statistics is an integral part of every study design. Before the mathematician or data scientists concerns themselves with multivariate linear regression or constructing a confidence interval with estimators, they have to know what their data contains.You can complete a statistical data analysis with just descriptive statistics and their visualizations. One of the most beautiful examples of this dates back to the 1850s, when Florence Nightingale produced her infamous “coxcomb” pie chart in order to extract vital information on mortality during the Crimean War. At a time when women in the field were virtually non-existent, Nightingale paved the way for innovative, under-represented groups in statistics.Se emingly similar statistics can have wildly different impacts on policyAnother important aspect of generating descriptive statistics is that many statistics or regression models necessitate certain assumptions in order for the them to be valid. While these assumptions vary from model to model, the most common requirement is that the data be normally distributed. A normal distribution is a probability curve that follows the central limit theorem. The majority of data normally doesn’t follow a normal distribution, which is why you’ll see many statisticians transform their dependent variables or independent variable.Using software like SPSS, R or excel â€" anyone can easily extract these metrics of central tendency and dispersion from the data. If the data is normally distributed, these metrics become extremely powerful. In finance, for example, the distribution of the data and the percentile under which certain prices or stocks fall under are used in order to understand the advanta ges or risks of potential trade deals.Common Descriptive Statistics ProblemsAs you’ve probably noticed by now, descriptive statistics is very distinct from the other main branch of statistics: inferential statistics. While inferential statistics uses the data to try to make predictions about the populations using statistical models, descriptive statistics merely describes what is actually in the data.Using descriptive statistics to analyse categorical and numerical, observational data is a type of statistical methodology that people utilize when they want to, for example:       Determine what percentage of their customers are young adults       Want to know what the distribution of grades in a university       Need to understand the effect size between two patient groups in a trialThis type of analysis, as opposed to regression analysis or ANOVA is typically called univariate analysis because it tends to analyse only one variable at a time.Descriptive Statistics ExampleWhile aspects of statistics like chi-square analysis, confidence intervals, or the correlation coefficient can be very enlightening â€" sometimes, all you need are descriptive statistics. Take the following numbers into account:       Mean: 30       Standard Deviation: 4Let’s say these numbers pertain to a set of data on your class’ test scores. You want to understand how the class performed but aren’t sure how to set up your experimental design. Assuming the data follow a normal distribution, we know that 68% of scores are within one standard deviation of the mean, 95% are within two standard deviations and 99% are within three.Without using statistical significance, randomization, or the least squares method, you are able to figure out that 95% of the class scored between 22 and 38 points where:       The lower bound: 30 â€" (2 * 4)       The upper bound: 30 + (2 * 4)Another statistical giant in the realm of descriptive analysis is correlation, which is a number that desc ribes the relationship between two variables. While you probably already know this, make sure that you fully understand the difference between correlation and causality. Correlation is a mathematical tool to understand how changes in one variable relates to changes in another, while causality is the notion that the changes in one variable causes changes in another.If you’ve ever heard a mathematician joke, then you’ll definitely appreciate the common example statisticians give when elucidating the correlation-does-not-equal-causality point. Take, for example, hand size and age. If you were to plot a sample of people from various ages, you would likely see a relationship where the bigger the hand size, the bigger the age as well. While there is clearly a correlation, or relationship, between hand size and age, there is unlikely to be any causality. If there were, this would mean that, were your hands to get smaller or disappear, you would either regress in age or die, respectivel y.Inferential StatisticsMoving onto the other main branch of statistics, inferential statistics is what people normally think of when they call up images of statistics. Relying on probability theory to create statistical models to draw inferences or calculate an estimator on one dependent variable or more, inferential statistics can be hard to define. However, the most important characteristics of inferential statistics can be boiled down to one sentence: the branch uses sample data on a population to make predictions outside that data set.Distributions and probability can be taught at a young ageTips and Tricks for Learning Applied StatisticsFrom binomial distributions and outliers to finding the perfect parametric test, understanding or remembering all of statistic’s components is an impossible feat. However, there are plenty of ways to either learn or improve your statistic skills.Getting Statistics Help OnlineUse the many websites online dedicated towards explaining statistica l concepts like a random variable or analysis of variance. Here are some of the best tutorial or troubleshooting guides online:Towards Data ScienceTutorials PointHow to Find a Tutor in StatisticsIf you prefer one-on-one help, make sure to check out Superprof’s community of over 140,000 maths teachers in the UK. From probability to regression, you can try a lesson for the average price of 10 pounds an hour!

Why Plastic Surgery Wont Do Much to Advance Your Career - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Why Plastic Surgery Wont Do Much to Advance Your Career - Introvert Whisperer Why Plastic Surgery Wont Do Much to Advance Your Career I was recently contacted by a big news outlet to comment on the  topic of plastic surgery for career success. I realized in the process of doing speaking with them  that I really needed to write on this topic as well, so you could benefit by it, in case you missed the recording. First, it’s important that you know that I think plastic surgery is a great option for people who want to correct or improve upon what they currently have. I have no moral or ethical issues with it. I also think that if a person should decide to do so, they need to pursue plastic surgery for purely personal reasons. However, plastic surgery done for any other reason than your own internal desire is a bad idea. Surgery of any sort is serious business. Simply doing the surgery has its own share of risks, not to mention the outcome. To pursue something that can be so life-altering as plastic surgery solely to give your career or job search an advantage is even riskier. There are never assurances that an improvement in your appearance will do anything to advance your career or get a great job offer. The Truth About Our Appearances Anyone who  believes plastic surgery will give their career a much-needed boost doesn’t understand the dynamics of working for someone. Unless your career is in entertainment or fashion, your appearance is way down the list of things that will give you a competitive advantage. You may argue that there are studies that show that beautiful people get ahead or get doors opened for them when others are left in the dust. Yes, attractive people get picked first, get asked to the prom first and may even have an advantage in interviews but that’s where it stops. All you have to do is to look at our political leaders or captains of industry to get the full story. Most of these people have very average appearances, and a few could stop a clock. One or two are attractive and that’s it. So, what happened to all of those “hot” people on the way to the top? Performance. You might be able to get a door opened when youre beautiful, but once you have entered, it all comes down to how well you perform. (Like this thought? Tweet it!)  Those who are used to trading solely on their appearance rudely find out that if they can’t get the job done, they will be  shown the door again on their way out. Whats an Average Person to Do? That means that for the rest of humanity, the playing field gets leveled very quickly when it comes to careers. We can compete with the beautiful people. The great thing is that for the average-looking person, we’ve always known we had to perform well because we didn’t have our looks to help us along the way. If youre contemplating plastic surgery because youve packed a few years under your belt, guess what? You won’t be able to hide your age that long to employers. Even if you cut off your years of experience in your resume, sooner or later your age will show because of things like the age of your kids or stories of past experience you tell. If you aren’t in the “mature worker” category but think plastic surgery will give your job search or career some help, what planet are you living on? You aren’t going to change that much. You might look like a fresher version of you, but that fresher version is still going to interact with people the same and have the same skill sets, unless you plan to do a major overhaul from the inside out. (And by the way, if you are going to change your behavior game, change it first and see how it goes. You might be shocked to find its  the best thing you could do for your career.) Put simply, you’re focusing on the wrong things to achieve success in your job search and career if you think the answer is plastic surgery. Would  you ever contemplate plastic surgery? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments! Image:  Flickr Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Biology the Dynamics of Life Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Biology the Dynamics of Life Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace Biology is the study of living organisms. These living organisms are capable of change with time because they are subjected to different environmental conditions. Biology help us to control various diseases caused due to insanitary environmental conditions in the diet or due to malfunctioning of certain organs in the body .With the help of biological knowledge like medicines, surgery, and microbiology ,man has been able to keep himself healthy by adopting certain precautions or by the use of various medicines. The knowledge of biology helps us to develop better varieties of crop plants and better varieties of useful domestic animals by adopting selective breeding and hybridization techniques etc. It also help us to gain knowledge about the diseases of various domestic plants and animals and to adopt various control measures. It provides us new techniques for storing and protecting of stored grains as well as for the preservation of food. Thus the knowledge of biology enables us to get more yields from plants and animals. The knowledge of biology makes us aware about the impending dangers of deforestation, industrialization, killing of wild life and contamination of air and water with industrial wastes and sewage. It warns us about the environmental hazards caused by insanitation, disposal of town refuse and infected drinking water in cities and towns. It enables us to learn our responsibilities to society in matters of public health and community. Biology help us to develop aesthetic sense and inculcates some hobbies like nature photography, insect collecting, bird keeping, fish rearing and gardening.

Songwriting Tips Songwriting Prompts to Beat Writers Block

Songwriting Tips Songwriting Prompts to Beat Writers Block Megan L. Every songwriter runs into writers block at some point in their career. To help you dig your way out of the dreaded doldrums of songwriters block, we put together 25 songwriting tips and prompts  plus  great songs to inspire you. Check out these songwriting tips and  find your muse today! Bonus: Take the quiz to find out what you should write your next song about! Write about your day. Think your life is boring and you have nothing to say? Check out the lyrics to this Courtney Barnett song and think again. She starts Small Poppies by  describing a yard and finds unique meaning in those  every-day details. Write about your favorite book. You dont need to have a degree in classic literature, and you dont need to be an overtly bookish artist to pull this songwriting move off. For inspiration, look to Led Zeppelin. Their catalog is full of Lord of the Rings references, especially apparent in songs like Ramble On. Literary references dont have to stay on the page. Another great track that takes on this prompt is Soma by The Strokes. This song walks a line between referencing Brave New World and commenting on contemporary drug culture. Write about someone from history. No need to write a history lesson to follow this songwriting prompt. In her song, Amelia, Joni Mitchell drew on the amazing story of Amelia Earhart and combined it with a personal story to create a poignant and heartbreaking song. Write a response to someone else’s song. Got a song stuck in your head? Maybe you can write a response by taking on the subject of that song from a different point of view. For example, The Mamas The Papas classic California Dreamin' is all about feeling restless and wanting to run away to California. Wolf Parades 2008 song California Dreamer pulls imagery from The Mamas The Papas original and tells the story of being left behind in the snow. Write about something that makes you angry. Odds are, the things that really grind your gears are super relatable. Tap into your anger and let it all out in a song. Write about your favorite food. Feeling hungry? Why not write an ode to your favorite food. Grilled Cheese by Cherry Glazerr is a fun and playful display of the bands teenage attitude and garage-rock vibes. Write a song with no chorus. If you usually write songs with a predictable verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure, breaking out of that box can be great for your creativity. For song structure inspiration, check out In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel, and their full album by the same name. Use the chord progression from another song. Its okay to use the same chord progression as another song that already exists. There are hundreds of songs you can play using just a few chords. Experiment with some common chord progressions and feel free to put your own spin on it! Write a song for your best friend. Friends are some of the most special people in our lives, so why not honor your bond with your best bud in song? For inspiration, check out this song by The White Stripes. Try writing in a different style than you’re used to. Working in different styles is great way to avoid getting stuck as a songwriter. For example, check out this lovely acoustic song by drone-metal artist Chelsea Wolfe. On her album Unknown Rooms, Wolfe took a detour from her heavier, dronier electric material and wrote a beautiful album on acoustic guitar. Write about your pet. You can write a song about your pet without heading into childrens music territory. Pinbacks 2001 hit Penelope is actually about a pet goldfish. Make your lyrics a conversation between two characters. Thinking of a song as a conversation can open up tons of new songwriting possibilities. Even if youre not as adventurous as David Bowie in his Space Oddity days, consider using dialog in your next song. Write about your favorite holiday. Holiday music doesnt have to be sentimental or overly saccharine (unless thats what youre going for, of course). Take a cue from Misfits and write your own dark Halloween ballad, or be a trailblazer and write the first song ever about a more obscure holiday. Write a sequel to one of your own songs. Do you have a song that people seem to really love? Why not write part two! Ever since the 50s and 60s, pop artists have been following up hit singles with sequels, like Leslie Gores follow up to Its My Party And Ill Cry If I Want To entitled Judys Turn To Cry. Take that, Judy! Write about someone in your family (you don’t have to tell them). Family can be wonderful, horrible, comforting, difficult, or all of those things at once. Theres likely a lot of fodder for songs in your family story if you look. For inspiration, check out Feet Asleep by Thao, written about the singers relationship with her mother. Write about your fondest memory. Memories are a rich source of inspiration for many songwriters, so tap into your happiest memories to find your next song. Sylvan Essos Amelia Meath wrote Come Down about bathing with her cousins as a small child. Write about something that scares you. Fear is a powerful, primal emotion that we all experience. Whether youre afraid of intimacy, loss, or monsters under the bed, your song about your fear is sure to resonate with many people. Draw inspiration from your religion or spirituality. If youre a spiritual or religious person, you can absolutely find deep inspiration in your faith. Many of Leonard Cohens classic songs, such as Hallelujah, use religious imagery to illustrate personal stories and feelings. Write about something in nature. Get off  your computer, put down your phone, and write a song about something you see outside. Often, when you unplug, youll find inspiration is right there waiting for you. Write about your daydreams. Dreams and daydreams are great source material for songs! Dont limit yourself to writing about the real world. You might even find themes from your dreams repeating throughout multiple songs, like Lordes frequent references to royalty in her work. Write about something you regret. Weve all done things were not proud of or that we would rather not think about. Get in tune with your regrets and youll likely find something worth singing about. For inspiration, listen to Cats in the Cradle, one of the most well-known and haunting songs about regret. Write about a social issue. Do you have strong feelings about a social issue, like racial equality, LGBT rights, or feminism? Like Beyoncé, use your music to speak your mind and maybe even inspire change. Write about the town where you grew up. Evoke feelings of nostalgia by writing about the town where you grew up. How has it changed since you were young? What do you miss? Write about the last time you cried. You might not enjoy dwelling on pain or sadness, but there is something deeply satisfying about a well-written sad song. Check out this song by Angel Olsen for inspiration and try writing an emotional song of your own. Write about someone or something that always makes you smile. What makes you happiest? Whether its watching your favorite show, going to the beach, or just seeing that special someone, you can put that happiness into a song. The most important thing is to have fun! For extra help or feedback with your songs, its always a great idea to work with a partner or private music teacher who can help you hear your songs in a new way. What inspires you? Share the odd or interesting things that have sparked your songs in the comments below! Learn more: Check out our step-by-step guide to songwriting! 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 Start Singing What to Know Before Your First Lesson

How to Start Singing What to Know Before Your First Lesson Suzy S. Ready to learn how to start singing? Theres no need to be nervous about your first lesson check out these top tips from Valencia, PA teacher Melody M.: So you want to start singing? Great! You might be so excited you can’t wait for your first lesson. If you are like most people, you may also be filled with a little trepidation or even outright anxiety. Here are 5 pieces of advice to help make that first lesson a great one. 1. You Are Not Supposed To Know Anything Yet. Your teacher is not a judge on American Idol. Remember that when you walk into your first lesson and first learn how to start singing, it is their job to teach you, not your job to impress them. Relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy learning how to sing from someone who has dedicated their life to it. They will appreciate you acknowledging their expertise, and you will be relieved from the pressure to perform. 2. Love Your Mistakes. Mistakes are not mistakes, they are part of the learning process. Imagine that instead of learning to sing, you were learning to play guitar. Would you cringe and crumble every time you plucked the wrong note? Probably not. Guitar players understand that the best way to learn is to experiment with their instruments. The same goes for singing! Learn to love your mistakes they will make you a better singer. 3. You are not Beyonce. One of the most common complaints I hear from students is, “I want to sound like Beyonce Kelly Clarkson Ed Sheeran The truth is, you will probably never sound like the famous person you want to sound like. This is because each person is born with their own unique instrument, and there is no changing that. You wouldn’t yell at a ukulele because it doesn’t sound like a Fender Strat. Go into your first lesson excited to discover your own unique sound, and I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. 4. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Before you begin your lessons know that singing well takes a lot of time, energy, and dedication. How long it will take you to sing well depends on your level of natural talent, the technique you are learning, your practice schedule, and how often you take lessons. Singers are vocal athletes, and muscle memory training takes time. Also remember that your teacher has been studying singing for many years. Don’t expect to match his or her level of mastery overnight. 5. Enjoy the Ride. You and your teacher have one very important thing in common you both love to sing. Remember what inspired you to start singing in the first place? Was it a concert you went to? A music video you watched? Perhaps a Broadway show that blew your mind? It is that fire that burns inside of your teacher, too. So much so, in fact, that they decided to make a life out of it. Never lose sight of this shared passion and allow yourself to enjoy the process as your journey unfolds. Melody M. teaches singing, Broadway singing and songwriting to students of all ages in Valencia, PA, as well as through online lessons. A certified SLS (speech level singing) instructor, Melody joined the TakeLessons team in March 2009. Her specialties include pop, musical theater, jazz, rock and blues styles. Learn more about Melody  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 Candice Linkie

How to Maximize Your GMAT Prep This Summer

How to Maximize Your GMAT Prep This Summer Are you sitting for the GMAT this fall? Fantastic! Summer is an excellent time to prepare, as it enables you to concern yourself with one fewer item come application time. Does the GMAT overwhelm you? There is no need to worry. With an action plan, you can begin your journey to business school on the right foot. Here are three tips to help you maximize your summer GMAT prep: 1. Complete a diagnostic test as soon as possible A GMAT practice testprovides you with a baseline score, which is necessary to determine how far you are from your target result. This initial diagnosis will also assist you in identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Different individuals will have different areas to focus on. For example, nonnative speakers of American English may need to study verbal questions more than they do quantitative ones. Test-takers who have difficulty with Integrated Reasoning problems may wish to enhance their problem-solving abilities. Diagnostic exams also build stamina. Your testing experience will require a minimum of four hours: you must arrive at the exam center at least 30 minutes before your test, which is three hours and 30 minutes in length, not including optional breaks (which you should take). Why not build your energy well in advance? 2. Create a long-term study plan As you develop a GMAT study plan, work backward. Start with the enrollment date for your prospective business school. If you wish to enter an MBA program that begins in August of the following year, when should you ideally apply? Then, determine when you can and should sit for the exam. What is the latest GMAT test you can complete without missing your application deadline? This will be your last resort in case you must retake the exam to achieve a higher score. Here are some great tips on how to reach your target GMAT score. In addition, decide upon the earliest date that you can feasibly sit for the GMAT. Based on your practice test, how much time do you need to properly prepare? 3. Determine your ideal review method If you can teach yourself concepts and remain on task without guidance,studying independently is a valid option. Remember, however, that this is only an effectiveway to prepare for the exam if you have the self-disciplineto stay committed to your GMAT plan. Remember to prioritize your study sessions and to stay honest about your abilities. If you require individual attention from a GMAT expert who can provide you with lessons tailored to your specific abilities, consider working with a tutor. Not all tutors are right for all students, so choose someone who can help you develop your personal strengths and address your particular weaknesses. GMAT tutorshave often walked the same road to business school as you, and they can provide perspective on both the exam and the process of earning an MBA. A third option is to study with other prospective business school students. You can teach one another about the areas you understand best. Share your skills! You will also benefit from a support system of fellow business school applicants who know what you are going through. Whichever method you use, ensure there is an emphasis on material from GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council). Their guides contain actual questions from past GMAT exams, which, of course, serve as excellentpractice material. You may also want to consider these 3 GMAT strategies you learned while in college. Have a great summer, and good luck!

LSAT Tip of the Week Non-Conditional Questions

LSAT Tip of the Week Non-Conditional Questions LSAT Law School Blog A common question type you will see for a logic game in the logical reasoning section will be non-conditional questions. Non-conditional questions can be viewed as the opposite of conditional questions and no new information will be set forth. So how do you tackle this question type? Well, since there is no new information you will have to depend on the information you already have as well as the inferences and diagrams you have already made. The question will either ask you for something that (1) must be true or (2) must be false/could be true. The former is straightforward, and you just need to find the answer choice that is always true, a good hint is to look at the inferences you already made. The latter is a bit more complicated. Here, you will have to play a game of elimination. Most likely you will have to check each rule given and see which answer choice violates a rule. Remember this general rule of thumb to differentiate the two non-conditional questions and you will save t ime on your approach and analysis.