Professional Women Dont Act Like This

Introvert Whisperer / Professional Women Dont Act Like This Professional Women! Don’t Act Like a Chick If you want to Get Ahead as a professional It’s no secret that women are still struggling for pay and position equity. You don’t have to dig too far to find a study vividly illustrating that point. Although you read many things about asserting yourself and being willing to demand a higher wage, there is one big thing missing with a lot of advice to women. Don’t act like a chick. Huh? What is acting like a chick? Over the years, I’ve noticed that there is a  category of women whose behavior does nothing to support any career goals. The Chick is a woman who has apparently learned behavior that worked on a segment of the population like the parents and BFF’s but is a total turn off in the work place. The Chick” has behavior that blatantly reminds the boss or upper management, that, yes, she is female and not in a good professional way. The type of behavior that defines you as a Chick AND that you want to avoid at all costs: Talk your feelings over â€" While you may be used to a lot of personal disclosure, keep a big chunk of it for your friends that don’t work with you. Especially, minimize your emotional conversations to the boss. Your good work will become overshadowed by what could look like an inability to hold it together. Don’t get “squealy” â€" This is the vocalization equivalent to fingernails on a black board. If you are excited and tend to squeal, save it for a sporting event with friends. Don’t call yourself a “girl” â€" There are people I know who use this third person term almost as an excuse. We know you’re woman, but now you’ve just told us you’re actually a girl. It’s not complimentary or cute. Stop apologizing so much â€" One of the big differences between men and women is the nasty habit women have of apologizing way too much. It diminishes the meaning of a real apology so save the apologies for when you truly need to apologize. Don’t apologize for your opinions or having the strength to share them.

How to Choose the Perfect ESOL Teacher for You

How to Choose the Perfect ESOL Teacher for You All You Need to Know Before Choosing an ESOL Courses ChaptersThe Benefits of Private English LessonsCertified English Teacher or Undergraduate?Essential Qualities of Your Ideal ESOL TutorWhere to Look for the Best ESOL Tutors to Teach You How to Speak EnglishLearning how to speak English fluently as a non-native speaker is a great opportunity, but nothing can help you improve your English and boost your motivation more than taking your lessons with a private tutor.However, when it comes to finding the ideal tutor, many learners are left in the dark.So here is our advice for learners of English for Speakers of Other Languages who are looking for a one to one tutor. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Benefits of Private English LessonsOne to One Sessions vs Group StudyUnlike group lessons, private tuition means that students benefit from the full, undivided attention of their tutor and have the opportunity to ask as many questions as they please.Private tutoring means that lessons can be adapted to the learning pace of the individual student rather than that of a class.Depending on the level at which you study English, your tutor will be able to teach you according to your needs as well as your learning objectives.Tutors can build on your current knowledge as well as support you alongside your learning in school or university, keeping track of your progress with regular spell ing and English grammar quizzes.These small tests and quizzes will help your tutor identify your strengths as well as your weaknesses, and use them as a basis for future lessons.By doing this, tutors are able to create a tailored learning plan just for you.As you will be alone with your tutor, there will be no pressure to perform well in front of other students and there are no silly questions! This calm atmosphere will help you feel more relaxed towards learning.Being Tutored vs Teaching YourselfThe first positive aspect of private tuition is that, unlike teaching yourself a language, you have someone at your side to help you improve your pronunciation and spot any mistakes.English is flourishing as a language, and practicing regularly will help you get used to how it works so that you can use it confidently in day-to-day life.When it comes to learning a language, the number 1 rule is simple: Use it or Lose it.Taking lessons with a private English tutor can help close the gap betwe en your level of written English and your oral language skills.When you start to learn common phrases or idiomatic expressions from the English language, you can practice using them in context with your tutor. Using new words is the best way to memorise them for the future.Your tutor will be in a good position to suggest useful learning resources for your level which could help you immensely.Don't go it alone: Superprof has over 1 million tutors ready to support you ¦ source: Pixabay - Concord90This is just one of the advantages to learning English with a private tutor. You benefit from their know-how as well as their teaching experience in their discipline so that by the end of your course, you will be able to communicate, discuss and debate fluently in English.Certified English Teacher or Undergraduate?There are no real rules for those wishing to become a tutor, which is why it’s so attractive for many university students.But how do you know what to look for in your search for the ideal tutor? Tutors, especially tutors who teach English, come from all backgrounds. Some are trained school teachers, while others study their subject at university.In the case of English tutors, there are also many native English speakers who are willing to help others learn to speak English as a second language.University StudentsStudents are often good at teaching younger pupils as they can identify with their learning journey and tend to be closer in age to their learners than many other tutors.For this reason, their approach is often closer to the school syllabus, and they will easily be able to help their pupil familiarise themselves with what examiners are looking for.Undergrads are also in the perfect position to help learners with revision tactics to learn to conjugate tricky verbs, for example.Qualified TeachersOf course, teachers have a wealth of experience and an expertise that students do not yet have.Teachers know what their pupils are looking for and hoping to ac hieve even before the first session, and they also know what topics are coming up that their student may struggle with.Armed with this useful knowledge, teachers can prepare their lessons and their pupils for any tough points that may come up and put measures in place to support their student should they be faced with any obstacles.As professionals, qualified teachers know where to find the best grammar exercises and worksheets to support you throughout your learning.The Decision is Up to the StudentUltimately, it is the student who chooses their tutor.Aside from choosing within their price range, the student will prefer someone who can easily adapt to their needs and removes the pressure from learning.While some feel more reassured by the experienced of certified teachers, but others prefer being able to identify with younger tutors who are still in education themselves.Essential Qualities of Your Ideal ESOL TutorIn order to get the most out of your English courses in London or els ewhere around the UK, you need to optimise your lessons.There are a few ways to achieve this, including:Take stock of your needsIt may seem obvious, but from the very first English lesson with your tutor it is important that both you and your tutor are aware of where you currently stand.Do your tutor's qualities match your needs? ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnapThis will help the tutor plan future lessons and provide appropriate learning material.Decide which topics you would like to cover in your lessonsWould you like to improve your vocabulary? Or what about revising conjugation, literacy and listening comprehension or use of tenses? Whether you would like to work on the technical side of English, or you’d prefer to practice your British accent and learn about slang, your tutor will be able to help you with this.Remember to use your English outside of your lessonsThe more you speak in English and practice your writing skills, the more natural it will feel for you.So why not watch films and TV shows in English or get stuck into some good English literature?So What Makes a Good Tutor?Good ESOL teachers are professional and have native or nearly native abilities in speaking English, which they share with their students using an effective methodology.When it comes to grammar, high-quality tutors will teach each topic when it becomes relevant to the learner, rather than handing out grammar rules to learn by heart.Teachers should also make sure that their lessons cover all aspects of English equally. This means not focussing on vocabulary too much, but also concentrating on written expression, oral skills and listening skills.No aspect of language learning should be neglected.The best tutors speak as much English as possible during their sessions to encourage their students to interact in the language so that using English feels more natural.However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the tutee is having trouble with a particular point and the y cannot understand the English explanation, it is appropriate for the tutor to briefly switch to the native language of their student.While you practice your spoken English, your tutor should let you explain yourself without interrupting with corrections. Good tutors will prefer to take notes while their student is speaking, do discuss corrections afterwards.The most important points for developing good English speaking proficiency is that the student feels motivated to practice their spoken English and feels free to express themselves in their foreign language.Encouraging learners to want to learn English will boost their confidence, which leads to improved English fluency.Your tutor will give you homework to complete after your lessons. This could be a text to read, or a vocabulary list.The very best of tutors will have brilliant English pronunciation which the learner can mimic to improve their own. This is an essential part of developing a good English accent.You can learn Engl ish online with a Superprof tutor.Where to Look for the Best ESOL Tutors to Teach You How to Speak EnglishIt is important to be thorough in your search for your ideal ESOL tutor.Local AdvertsKeep an eye on advertising in newspapers and on notice boards in your local area.Home tutors often advertise where their hometowns where they know they can travel to students’ houses to deliver their lessons.Consult local press to see what's available ¦ source: Pixabay - stevepbHowever, the downside of local adverts for teaching English is that you cannot always be sure that you are getting the best deal.Available tutors may not have the necessary level of qualification to suit your needs, or their hourly rate may be too high for your budget.Whatever happens, you should take care when registering an interest in these tutors. If their telephone number or email address is on their advert, don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more about their offer.Or better still, you could arrange to m eet them in person. This gives you the opportunity to see how you get along before committing to tuition.Tutoring AgenciesThe advantage of using tutoring companies to find an English tutor is that the employees look after your specific case, including your needs and goals.The hourly charge is set by the agency, who checks the details of each family as well as the qualifications of their tutors. The match tutors with tutees based on availability, level of study and goals.Tutors are often monitored by their agencies and have to report on the progress of their students.Although this procedure can reassure parents and students, it can be tedious for the tutors, who may not feel free to apply their own methodology in their teaching.  Learn about taking ESOL courses as an adult  as well here.Social Media and Word of MouthWhy not ask your friends, teachers and colleagues for advice on finding the best English tutor for you?The advantage to looking within your own social circles is that you know and trust those who advise you.Websites and PlatformsThere are many tutoring websites on the World Wide Web which all offer a different perspective on the market for private tutoring.Some websites focus on the teaching of foreign languages, while others are more generalist.Most of the time, the teams working behind each of these websites filter through tutors by asking them to complete a profile displaying their specialities, availability, and the rates they charge.This enables platforms to only advertise tutors who are serious about sharing their knowledge.Just as you should with local tutors, we recommend that prospective students get in contact and schedule a meeting with tutors before choosing a tutor for the long term.  Learn how long it will take to learn English here.

What is it Like to Attend University of Rochester

What is it Like to Attend University of Rochester The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Taylor is a 2014 graduate of the University of Rochester with a Bachelors degree in English Literature and French. She is a New York City tutor specializing in French tutoring, Writing tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, and more. Check out her review of her school: 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? Taylor: Campus is very safe, but the areas surrounding campus require you to be aware at nightbut it is safe if you are smart! Luckily, buses run regularly (some as often as every fifteen minutes, some about half an hour apart) to take you to places you need to go, both near campus and in the city of Rochester. Campus itself is small and easy to walk (it takes about fifteen minutes to get from end to end), and there are tunnels connecting the main academic buildings to help you stay warm during harsh winters. A bike might be useful for upperclassmen, who often live on the outer edges of campus or off-campus to save money, but freshman life is very centralized, so you likely would not need a bike your first year. Cars are useful for upperclassmen, but freshmen are not allowed to have them, and they certainly are not necessary, since university buses go everywhere you need to go. Rochester also has an affordable public bus system, but students rarely use it, since university buses are free. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Taylor: I always found professors, advisers, and teaching assistants to be very available. In departments that have a graduate program, most teaching assistants are graduate students who have offices and office hours. Professors and advisers have weekly office hours, too. These times are usually available for drop-ins, though some professors will request that you email in advance just to let them know you are comingalthough this is usually more convenient for you, too, since then you know you will not be waiting around while the professor talks to another student. Professors are almost always flexible, too, so if you cannot make their scheduled office hours for some reason, they are usually more than willing to make another appointment with you, as long as you contact them in advance. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Taylor: Dorm life, particularly for underclassmen, is really fun! Orientation at the University of Rochester is really great, and it is designed to bond you with your hall-mates right away. By the end of your first week, you will feel like your hall is a home full of close friends. I graduated recently, and I am still close with many of my hall-mates from freshman year. Freshmen have an unlimited dining plan at several all-you-can-eat dining halls, as well as additional dining dollars for other a la carte dining facilities. These are all located pretty centrally on campus, and the biggest (which was recently renovated and has a whole bunch of different stations) is on the first floor of the biggest freshman dorm. It is not uncommon to see students show up for weekend brunch in their pajamas and slippers. Socialization opportunities abound on campusthere are over one hundred clubs available, and it is pretty easy to start your own. There are tons of athletic groups, ranging from varsi ty sports to club, intramural, or the odd group of friends who gather for pick-up games. 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? Taylor: Since the University of Rochester has a major medical school, a lot of students plan on being doctors. Though this percentage drops as students discover other interests, throughout all four years, the biggest programs of study are in the sciences: biology, cognitive sciences, engineering, etc. There are tons of resources available for these majors, but I was in two smaller programs, and I found many advantages to this, too. In English and Modern Languages, I found that professors had more time for individual students, especially for things like internships or independent studies, as well as preparation for graduate school if you decide to go. Though bigger majors may have more university-wide resources, as a student in a smaller major, I was able to create personal relationships with professors. 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? Taylor: It is very easy to make friends as a freshman, since orientation is designed to get hall-mates to know one another. When classes start, it is also pretty easy to meet other underclassmen in your academic program, especially if you are in entry-level courses with lots of other freshmen. Clubs and groups, which start the week after orientation, are also a great way to meet new people. Greek life comprises about 20-25% of students, which is the perfect ratio, because it means that fraternities and sororities are available for students who want to join them, but they are definitely not necessary to make friends on campus for students who are not interested. Freshmen are not allowed to pledge until their first spring semester, however, so almost everyone has become involved in some kind of group by that point. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Taylor: The Career Center has a number of counselors, all of whom specialize in different subjects to help students with job and internship searches in their specific majors. They also hold a series of helpful seminars throughout the year, some directed at different class years, and companies recruit on campus regularly. Again, because the science majors are bigger, they will have more recruiters and programs, but these opportunities are not absent for smaller majorsthey just require a little more drive from students, who must be more proactive in seeking out help. That said, many students of every major graduate with prestigious jobs lined up, and many more find great jobs in the first few months after graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Taylor: As with any college, libraries are super crowded during finals, but during the rest of the year, there is plenty of space in a variety of libraries. These spaces all have a slightly different atmosphere, from very serious and very quiet to more relaxed and designed for group work. One library is open 24 hours during the school year, and other libraries are open until 3:00 a.m. on weeknights, with shorter hours on the weekends. The student union is also open late most nights, and it is host to a number of events and food options. The main library and student union are both located centrally on campus, and they are convenient for students at any time of day. Dorm lounges host some studiers, but they are mostly areas for socializationespecially for freshmen as they get to know one another. 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? Taylor: The school tries to get students involved in Rochester as a community, since students often tend to stick to campus for the majority of their social and academic lives. That said, Rochester is a great city, and a recent college town projectslated to open this fallright next to the university is going to give students even more reason to venture off campus. The college town is going to host a number of restaurants, bars, and stores, including a huge grocery store and a Barnes and Noble. Buses do run downtown, and they loop through an area that contains many museums, as well as more restaurants and shops. These ventures for students tend to be more occasional than regular, but they provide something new and exciting for those rare times that campus life does not offer something fun to do. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Taylor: The undergraduate student body has about 5,000 students, with some graduate and medical students who are largely separate from the undergraduates. My class sizes rangedsince I was in a small major, my typical class had about 30 students, but they got as large as 150 and, in one notable instance, as small as just me! Larger majors may have bigger classes for introductory courses, but since the student body is not huge, even popular majors see class sizes decrease in upper-level courses. And, even for large classes, professors and teaching assistants are available for help when you need it. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Taylor: One memorable class was one that I took optionally during the winter intersession, called Theatre in England. This class runs annually, and it provides students of all majors with the chance to travel to London and see a series of plays over two weeks. Seeing two plays a day was exhausting, but it was unbelievably exiting and fun, and it made me close friends that I had not had before the trip, not to mention a bundle of amazing memories. I had not had such an intensive bonding experience like that since freshman orientation, and I learned more in two weeks than I would have ever thought imaginable. Check out Taylors tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learn Geometry Interactively To Understand It Better

Learn Geometry Interactively To Understand It Better I did it much better in calculus and algebra, but failed to learn Geometry. My grade averaged out to a B. I barely managed to avoid geometry after that. So I went on to get a computer science degree. At one point of time I was mixing things like partial differential equations. Here are some tips that you can try to follow: Have confidence. You will just be fine. Practice Practice Practice: Geometry can be mastered with combination of talent and practice. Keep doing a practice and eventually you will be an expert after practicing multiple times. Visualize: The best way to study geometry is to visualize it. Once you have visualized it, try and think about what you can use it for. Once you have done it, you will be able to understand the importance of the topic you are studying. Certain subjects are better learnt by doing and interactive learning is the best available option. This is the option to learn subjects like geometry. There are a variety of computer based apps that can help students learn geometry interactively. Our online math tutors recommend that you try them out if you are finding learning geometry problematic. In fact, learning via route is quite important for kids as they begin understanding better. They understand what is learnt with understanding is indelible in memory. This will help them fare better in the future. We’ve listed some of the popular apps that help kids with learning geometry; read on. Shape Arts: Geometry Creations  This app has a lot of puzzles and problems that require solving and they are especially attractive as they come in vibrant colours and curious shapes. For instance, kids are given a puzzle that needs filling with the scrambled parts and they have to drop various shapes into the right place to complete the puzzle and so on. Not only is it entertaining for kids, it teaches them about various shapes and sizes and how they can be put together to form different objects. Jungle Geometry This app is quite entertaining and can be used to teach students about measurement, line pairs, names of shapes, angles and has illustrations that help students understand scaling and concepts such as ratios and how to calculate the area of a complex figure by splitting it into smaller easier figures and so on. Geometry in our opinion should be learnt kinaesthetically and this app is extremely helpful for that. The next time you are looking up math homework help online to teach your child geometry, opt for this app instead and make learning fun for your little one. Geo Gebra There are many math apps in GeoGebra such as the graphing calculator, CAS, 3D Grapher, Spreadsheet, Probability, Geometry and so on that enable easy learning. The Geometry app is all about learning to draw various shapes and playing around with them and figuring out details pertaining to them. Geometry Pad Geometry Pad can be used as a form of small-group tentative activity followed by geometry lessons. After the students learn about unique triangles, the online calculus tutors can make them build particular triangles and further assess their angles and also sides for supporting different theorems. Students can also share their constructions along with their classmates and talk about their similarities and differences. The next time you wish to seek math assignment help or simply help for geometry for your child, have a look at one of these apps and try them out. You can make learning interesting and interactive and this is the best way to learn geometry! There are other apps too such Cabri, Cinderella, Geoboard, My Geometric Universe, Mathlingz Geometry Education and so on that you can try out. Good Luck!

Mind Games Improving your Mental Practice

Mind Games Improving your Mental Practice Suzy S. Youve probably heard the phrase Practice makes perfect.   But how about Mental practice makes perfect? Believe it or not, a lot of your success begins with your mind setting goals and then envisioning yourself reaching them, for example. Below, check out some advice from Hillsborough teacher Jessica R. and get your mind in motion! I tell all my students within minutes of walking through the door that learning to sing is a sport.   It requires training your voice and your ears, the development of muscle memory and a passion to improve every time you show up for a lesson.   What the audience hears is art, but they only get to hear you after months of coaching and practice have sculpted you into the Rocky Balboa of opera or musical theater. So what can we learn from actual athletes that will help us become better musicians?   Sports psychologists have discovered that the most skilled athletes in any sport spend a lot more time looking at the target (the basketball hoop, the catcher’s mitt, etc.) than less skilled athletes.   This focus is called the “Quiet Eye,” and using it gives them the time to prepare their movements mentally before they actually take the shot. I propose to you that the next time you’re out for a jog, stuck in traffic, or sitting in a waiting room, consider it the perfect opportunity to become a better singer.   Concentrate on something you’re working on in your voice lessons that you’d like to improve.   Be very specific with yourself about what it is.   Hear the music in your head and try to form the most perfect version of it you can imagine.   Try to feel the sensations in your body that you felt the very best time you’ve ever sung.   Avoid negative commentary like “Don’t miss the high note!” or “Don’t run out of breath!” and instead try things like “I need to sing more into the preparation note to nail this high note” and “I need to remember to breathe here in a relaxed and deep way.”   Repeat this process until the thoughts become second nature.   The results will show up right away the next time you practice! Want even more expert advice from our teachers?    Sign up for email updates here! Jessica R. teaches singing, music performance, opera voice, and theatrical Broadway singing lessons to students of all ages in Hillsborough, NJ.   Jessica joined the TakeLessons team in May 2012, with over 10 years of experience teaching voice and performing nationally as an opera singer. Sign up for lessons with Jessica, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher in your area! Photo by shibuya246.

The Med School Application Timeline From MCAT to Interview Prep

The Med School Application Timeline From MCAT to Interview Prep MCAT Medical School Admissions This is a guest blog post from our friends at InGenius Prep. Applying to med school requires careful thought, planning, and preparation. While the decision that you want to become a doctor can be made overnight, preparing takes a much longer time. Before you apply, it’s important to understand the application process, prerequisites, and timeline for applying to medical school. Deciding if Medical School is For You When you evaluate your career options, think about the future ahead â€" not just the next four to five years in med school. Becoming a doctor requires serious educational commitment. Evaluate your ability to survive years of training, residency, and practice medicine for the rest of your life. More importantly, ask yourself: Do I have what it takes to succeed in medical school? Take a couple of weeks or months to make the decision. Seek advice from professors, your family, and talk to practicing doctors. Once you made the decision to pursue medicine, make sure to fulfill all med school prerequisites. Taking the MCAT Exam The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized multiple-choice exam that med school applicants need to take as part of the medical school admission process. In most cases, the test is taken one year prior to the year you plan to enter medical school. Normally, applicants take the MCAT exam during or after their junior year in college. There are many different ways to prepare for the MCAT, from self-study, to MCAT prep classes, to private MCAT tutoring. The MCAT, however, is a beast of an exam, relative to other standardized tests you may have taken. It not only tests core academic skills like reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and mathematics, but also speciic content knowlege in biology, physics, and chemistry. So, you need to plan to study for a bit longer than you might expect. Some students spend 6 months preparing for the MCAT. Applying to Medical School The entire medical school application process takes about one whole year, including AMCAS application, med school interviews, and acceptances. June marks the start of the AMCAS application submission. Because med schools use rolling admissions, the earlier you submit your AMCAS application the better. After you submit your AMCAS application, start working on your secondaries. It’s important to start your secondary applications as soon as possible because often times you are required to write more than one additional essay. Try to return all of the medical school admission requirements within a few weeks to increase your chances of getting an early interview slot. Interviews and Acceptances Medical school interviews normally begin in mid-September and often continue through winter and early spring. If your application is evaluated early, expect to get notified as early as October. However, some med schools wait to notify all their candidates in March or April of the following year. If you got accepted to multiple schools, you should decide where you want to attend and withdraw your other applications. If you need help throughout your med school application process, anInGenius Prepadmissions expertcan provide you guidance every step of the way â€" from your school list to yourinterview preparation. Summary In general, it's important to approach the process of applying to medical schoolstrategically, which means you need to 1) set a goal (i.e, target med school program(s), 2) build a fact-base around what it takes to reach it (i.e, required classes, MCAT score, etc.), 3) consider various alternative ways you could go about meeting your goal, design an approach that works best given your unique situation, strenghts, and weaknesses, and then develop aspecific plan. Approaching your academic and professional life more strategically is perhaps the most important of the seven rules MyGuru discusses in its new, free eBook -The 7 Rules of Academic Performance

Different Ways to Say NO in English - Learn English with Harry

Different Ways to Say NO in English - Learn English with Harry English native speakers like to be polite. If you havent already visited How to say sorry in English, go and do it now. Here Im going to teach you different ways to say NO in English. Learn formal and informal ways of saying NO.  The word NO is very short and negative and emphatic. However, sometimes when we wish to say NO  there are more polite ways to do it. I have set out below a number of different ways to say NO in English  that you can use in different circumstances. Examples are given to help to explain the meaning  better. Sometimes when we want to say NO we try not to be rude or to hurt someone’s feelings so we  prefer to use a variety of words that still mean NO. Here are some useful English words and expressions that mean NO. Polite Ways to Say NO in English I AM AFRAID NOT This is probably one of the most polite ways to say NO in English. You may be asked to go to a party or meet your friends for something to eat. You  would like to go but for some reason you are unable to attend. In this situation you can turn down  the invitation in a polite way.For example,   your friend Mary asks: Are you going to come to the party  tonight in Ian’s house? I am afraid not I promised to babysit for my Aunt and I cannot let her down.NOT REALLY Not quite, not particularly. In this situation you are asked what you might like to do. You would prefer to do  something else or indeed you might prefer to do nothing. Here you can use the phrase Not Really.For example, Irina asks whether you would like to go to the cinema to see the new James Bond movie. You would  prefer to stay in . You reply not really I would prefer to stay at home tonight I have an early start  tomorrow. Ways to Say NO in English - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Facebook Reddit Twitter Vkontakte POSSIBLY/PROBABLY NOT Where you may not feel that you are likely to succeed but you are still going  to try then you can use either Probably or Possibly not.For example, you are about to take your  driving test. Your friend asks you whether you will pass it. You can reply probably not but I will try  my best. You can also use perhaps not with the same meaning.For example, will Javier pass that  maths test? I am not sure, perhaps not but he is studying hard.NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE This is a much more formal denial. This would be best used in a business  context where you do not really know the person, to whom you are talking, very well.For example, David comes into your office to ask if the latest shipment from London has arrived. Not to  my knowledgebut I was away yesterday so it could have come in when I  was not here. I will check and get back to you. Less Polite Ways to Say NO in English CERTAINLY NOT This is a much more firm denial or refusal and can be used when you want the person  you are talking to, to be clear as to what you mean.For example, your son asks you if he can cycle  to his friends house to watch the match. You reply: Certainly not. The match ends at 11 pm and you  have school tomorrow and it is too dangerous to cycle back home so late. There is no doubt that you  mean no.YOU MUST BE JOKING When you cannot believe that someone is serious about something you can  use the phrase you must be joking or you’re joking? (no !).For example, your wife tells you that your neighbours are getting divorced. Wow, you’re joking ? They only got married 2 years ago. What happened?NO WAY! Sometimes said as a joke or also as a more serious statement. Usually used to tell  somebody that you cannot agree with what they have said.For example, your friend asks you to  lend him €50 . You reply: No way! I still didn’t get back the last €50 I lent you last month!! orYour friend Michael calls you to tell you he is leaving his job to go back to University to become a pilot.  You reply: No way! That is great news. It’s what you always wanted to do. English Vocabulary Phrases to Learn to turn down to refuseto let somebody down to disappoint somebodyshipment deliveryThats it for today. Make sure to use other ways to say NO in English in your next conversation.

Why the School Day Should be Extended

Why the School Day Should be Extended The length of the school day has always been a contentious issue. It has long been debated whether extending it would have an impact on children's educational achievements, either for better or worse: would the extra time allow for a richer educational experience, or would it cause pupils' minds to 'burn out'? Although schools have slight regional variation up and down the country, the average length of the school day in the UK is from about 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. which includes 5 lessons, a morning break and lunchtime. Depending on each school's provision for extra-curricular activities, children may stay on after school (or before in some cases) for additional activities (often sports and interest groups). The question stands: Is the school day long enough? And perhaps to a lesser extent: How should we structure our school day? Many people have voiced the opinion that the school day is too short and that it needs to be extended sufficiently so pupils will improve academically; a proposition that has cross-party agreement: Michael Gove recently voiced his preference for a 10 hour school day and Stephen Twigg, the Shadow Education Secretary, said that that children should spend more time in schools to prepare them for the world of work. Predictably, this was met with backlash from teaching unions who argued that this would stretch already overworked staff and reduce the quality of their performance. The question you have to ask yourself is: in what job to workers clock off at 3:30 p.m? However, do we want to liken attending school to punching clocks and signing timesheets? Is there a way of lengthening the school day without doing this? Compared to much of the world, the UK length for the school day is on a par with many other countries. However, many Asian countries - such as Japan and China - have longer school days: they typically run from 8-5, with study sessions and supported activities often running late into the evenings. In addition to this, they may have sessions on weekends, and holidays are often spent in study camps and summer schools. This approach does seem to pay dividends for these countries as they well known for their educational success and economic weight. Could a similar approach pay off in the UK? To some extent, this has already been trialled here. Private schools often run beyond 5 o'clock as do many other selective institutions. However, these schools also benefit from increased funding and small class ratios (typically 8:1). A more interesting example is that of Great Yarmouth primary academy in Norfolk. The school day at this school runs from 7:45 to 6 p.m, meaning it adheres to Gove's ideal of a 10 hour school day. Pupils can attend a free breakfast club from 7:45 a.m., lessons run from 8:55-3:30 and from then on pupils take part in compulsory extra-curricular activities like cello lessons, first aid, sport and even rocket engineering at Cambridge University. The really nifty bit is for the final hour of school pupils get help with homework. Cynics will note that this academy is sponsored by a millionaire and other schools will not be able to finance this approach. However, teachers don't actually have to take part in extra-curricular activities and the homework help is actually provided by teaching assistants who are of course paid considerably less than teachers. This rewards staff who put extra hours in and echoes the sentiments of Unison who are in favour of a banked hours scheme where staff are pa id extra for additional hours they work. Results have improved at the school (it was once deemed a failing school by Ofsted) and, most importantly, the pupils seem to be enjoying it! There is the obvious issue of whether this would leave children exhausted and robbed of valuable family time. However, in an era where both parents work longer hours than ever before and often get home late, would pupils be actually missing out at all? Could this sort of scheme act as a form of free 'childcare' for parents, keeping their children occupied and out of trouble? Of course there are problems with this, the main one being whether staff would want to commit to these longer hours. However, from my experience with school staff, I've seen many who have been quite keen to take part in extra-curricular activities: it is a chance to get to know the pupils in a more relaxed, informal context. It also provides teachers with a break from the classroom and keeps them fresh for the next day. For pupils, it might make school seem more of a home environment, a fun place where they enjoy going. At every school I have worked, pupils have always loved extra-curricular activities. It could even be used as a behaviour management technique by removing privileges from pupils if they misbehave. Studies have also shown that pupils who take part in extra-curricular activities generally have better results than those that don't. Astonishingly, the Independent Schools Council (ISC) found that schools who offered 30 or more activities were more likely to have nearly 100 % of pupils achieving GCSE grade B or above. Implementing this approach would need a bit of creativity and may reduce the time for meetings and admin, but surely this would be beneficial for teachers and would allow them to concentrate on pupils more. Personally, I believe this approach should be applied throughout the school day as well as after school: before school, breaks and lunches you could have homework clinics and study groups which should be compulsory for pupils to attend. It keeps students occupied and stimulated and might even allow for a clearer division between school and home: completing homework and revising in supporting environments outside of lesson time will allow pupils to gain access to specialist approach which they can only benefit from. It might also allow pupils to have less work to do when they get home, leaving them time to relax. Going down this route would generate some opposition: even the scheme at Great Yarmouth Academy motivated over 100 people to sign a petition against the scheme and 13 parents to withdraw their pupils. Any change will always produce conflict, but the long term benefit of this scheme would be huge. The most successful schools I have been to have been the ones which have extensive extra-curricular provision and which are also open to pupils on weekends and holidays to use the sports facilities (perhaps casually or something organised like a soccer school/holiday scheme), and also have events such as booster classes, revision sessions and summer schools. The least successful schools I have observed have been the ones where pupils cannot wait to get out of the door at home-time and rarely stay behind for any activities. All of this seems to indicate there are certainly some benefits for extending the school day. With many authority figures also in favour of this, there could be a change in the school landscape soon. Food for thought indeed. Sam is a second year student at the Lancaster campus of the University of Cumbria. He is training to be a secondary maths teacher and has worked in schools on numerous work and volunteer placements as a teacher and teaching assistant.