1) You don’t get it

Don’t let yourself fall behind if you realize the information just isn’t clicking. As small as [...]]]> You don’t need to fail out of school to convince yourself that you need a tutor. When thinking of getting a tutor it is important to consider various situations that could apply to you:

1) You don’t get it

Don’t let yourself fall behind if you realize the information just isn’t clicking. As small as one specific concept or an entire chapter, a private tutoring session can help tie it all together. It can be difficult at times to reach out to your teacher for in-depth help, which makes having a tutor especially convenient.

2) Your teacher isn’t helpful

Sometimes it can be tricky catching your teacher’s attention for the help you need. As some teachers may be annoyingly impatient or unwilling to cater to those that need a little extra clarification, coming home to an after-school tutor session can be just the comfort you need.

3) You need a little extra push

Although you might not be completely lost, a smidgen of fuzziness can expand quickly. Consistent tutoring allows you to stay on track and keep your workload clear of confusion.

4) You need consistency

Weekly tutoring can be beneficial in more ways than one. In addition to clarifying challenging concepts and intimidating essays, regular sessions allow a student to avoid becoming overwhelmed while remaining focused and on track with their workload.

5) Everyone needs an extra set of eyes

While you may not be a hot mess when it comes to keeping up with your schoolwork, a tutor’s feedback can propel you to better understandings that would have gone unnoticed. With this extra helping hand, a student can massage out kinks or errors in their work that may have been overlooked without their assistance.

Overall, a tutor’s job is not just to help you raise an F to an A. Their motivation and reliability allows the student to remain calm, focused, and on top of their schoolwork.

In Los Angeles we are surrounded by endless companies [...]]]> Recently we’ve posted about the importance of a summer abroad program at a college or university before heading off for the real deal. Just as participating in these programs demonstrates an interest in university life to future schools, finding a summer internship indicates a similar willingness.

In Los Angeles we are surrounded by endless companies and interests that often welcome free help. Whether it is through your high school, online references, or directly to a company of interest, it is important to reach out to various opportunities. Establishing a summer internship demonstrates to colleges that you go even further in developing your repertoire in the areas in which you’ve already shown an involvement. If you’re someone that has been playing an instrument for several years it might be worthwhile to work for a music company, just like if you plan on applying for a business program colleges would like to see the experience in a field of that nature. If you’ve shown an aptitude for writing and plan on being one professionally, working at an agency will give you the taste of what your future can hold. We are lucky to be surrounded by the entertainment capitol — aspiring directors, actors, and producers should seek out a production company or studio to learn how it really works. Regardless of your niche, this proves to colleges that your potential can be applied to the “real world” and are willing to work in a professional environment. Universities love this.

Although not all internships may be glamorous, they teach a student how to apply their understandings and knowledge to a professional setting. A student will become aware of the inner-workings of a business and understanding of starting at the bottom. Good grades are only half the package. Beef up your resume and your summers by interning. At the very least, they could even open more doors for new interests or opportunities further down the road!

Check out these sites to get a head start on finding a summer internship for you!

www.internshipprograms.com

www.goabroad.com/intern-abroad

www.idealist.org

www.volunteerinternational.org

In Los Angeles we are surrounded by endless companies [...]]]> Recently we’ve posted about the importance of a summer abroad program at a college or university before heading off for the real deal. Just as participating in these programs demonstrates an interest in university life to future schools, finding a summer internship indicates a similar willingness.

In Los Angeles we are surrounded by endless companies and interests that often welcome free help. Whether it is through your high school, online references, or directly to a company of interest, it is important to reach out to various opportunities. Establishing a summer internship demonstrates to colleges that you go even further in developing your repertoire in the areas in which you’ve already shown an involvement. If you’re someone that has been playing an instrument for several years it might be worthwhile to work for a music company, just like if you plan on applying for a business program colleges would like to see the experience in a field of that nature. If you’ve shown an aptitude for writing and plan on being one professionally, working at an agency will give you the taste of what your future can hold. We are lucky to be surrounded by the entertainment capitol — aspiring directors, actors, and producers should seek out a production company or studio to learn how it really works. Regardless of your niche, this proves to colleges that your potential can be applied to the “real world” and are willing to work in a professional environment. Universities love this.

Although not all internships may be glamorous, they teach a student how to apply their understandings and knowledge to a professional setting. A student will become aware of the inner-workings of a business and understanding of starting at the bottom. Good grades are only half the package. Beef up your resume and your summers by interning. At the very least, they could even open more doors for new interests or opportunities further down the road!

Check out these sites to get a head start on finding a summer internship for you!

www.internshipprograms.com

www.goabroad.com/intern-abroad

www.idealist.org

www.volunteerinternational.org

1) Can [...]]]> When selecting a tutor, it is important to evaluate certain aspects. They way you interact and communicate with your tutor is just as important as the assistance they provide for the material itself. A student-tutor relationship should be easy and helpful, so it is only fair to value these facets about your tutor.

1) Can work well with school materials

Your tutor should be able to work well with the school materials presented to them.Because not every student is from the same school or is taught by the same teacher, the tutor must be flexible in the varying methods that are offered.

2) Flexible Methods

Not only should your tutor be able to work with the methods presented by your teachers, but it’s critical that they are able to apply their own tips and techniques to fit those that you have already learned. The balance between the methods of your tutor and those learned in class should only further your understanding of the material, not confuse you more!

3) You should want to see your tutor!

In anticipation of meeting with your tutor, a student should look forward to clearing their minds and getting on the right track with their work. After a session, a student should have a sense of relief and understanding that is void of further confusion that could have arisen with the tutoring session. This relief should only leave the student feeling clear and confident about their work.

4) Good chemistry

The student-tutor relationship should have chemistry. With a proper sense of camaraderie, a student can trust their tutor more and enjoy the hours spent with them. With a touch of humor and companionship, better energy and attentiveness will follow. With proper chemistry, a student can become interested in the material and maybe even enjoy it, unlike before their tutoring began.

5) Engaging

Your tutor should be engaged with your work and YOU! A student should be able to trust their tutor that they are authorities on the material. In other words, they should be an expert 85% of time — they are confident authorities on the matter even if they need a quick reminder. Overall, they want to help you enjoy the material as much as they do!

1) You don’t get it

Don’t let yourself fall behind if you realize the information just isn’t clicking. As small as [...]]]> You don’t need to fail out of school to convince yourself that you need a tutor. When thinking of getting a tutor it is important to consider various situations that could apply to you:

1) You don’t get it

Don’t let yourself fall behind if you realize the information just isn’t clicking. As small as one specific concept or an entire chapter, a private tutoring session can help tie it all together. It can be difficult at times to reach out to your teacher for in-depth help, which makes having a tutor especially convenient.

2) Your teacher isn’t helpful

Sometimes it can be tricky catching your teacher’s attention for the help you need. As some teachers may be annoyingly impatient or unwilling to cater to those that need a little extra clarification, coming home to an after-school tutor session can be just the comfort you need.

3) You need a little extra push

Although you might not be completely lost, a smidgen of fuzziness can expand quickly. Consistent tutoring allows you to stay on track and keep your workload clear of confusion.

4) You need consistency

Weekly tutoring can be beneficial in more ways than one. In addition to clarifying challenging concepts and intimidating essays, regular sessions allow a student to avoid becoming overwhelmed while remaining focused and on track with their workload.

5) Everyone needs an extra set of eyes

While you may not be a hot mess when it comes to keeping up with your schoolwork, a tutor’s feedback can propel you to better understandings that would have gone unnoticed. With this extra helping hand, a student can massage out kinks or errors in their work that may have been overlooked without their assistance.

Overall, a tutor’s job is not just to help you raise an F to an A. Their motivation and reliability allows the student to remain calm, focused, and on top of their schoolwork.

1) Study In Small Increments

It’s important to not spend too much time focusing on one subject. Our suggestion is to study [...]]]> We’ve all experienced the overwhelming stress that is starting the process of gearing up for finals. Here are some helpful tips to keep you on track, focused, and productive during your rigorous studying!

1) Study In Small Increments

It’s important to not spend too much time focusing on one subject. Our suggestion is to study a couple chapters at most of one subject, say for 25-30 minutes, and then move on to entirely different material. This way, you stay stimulated by the change in subjects and are able to retain more of what you’re brain is working for.

2) Take Regular Breaks

Regular breaks are crucial to productive studying. Remember that after an or hour two your mind needs a rest. Grab a snack or watch 15 minutes of TV to recuperate and regroup before your next study session. Brain food during this time can go a long way. Try eating fruit and healthier snacks – excessive intake of caffeine can dehydrate you and actually become counterproductive in the studying process. Your brain needs real, healthy meals in order to stay properly stimulated.

3) Make a Schedule

Depending on the type of studier that you are, sticking to a realistic schedule will keep you on track and in good shape for finals. For the week before your finals, make a schedule that reflects the order in which you will be taking your finals. Don’t try to overextend yourself — If you’re not a morning person, don’t wake yourself up at 7 am to study. Understand your body and study habits in order to create a productive and helpful track for yourself.

4) Allow Yourself Down Time in the Evenings

It’s important that you don’t wear yourself out by studying 24/7. If you create a schedule as suggested, you should be able to study enough during the day that you can relax at night with some television and a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep is the worst thing one can do in preparation for finals. Let your brain recuperate and lounge after a long day’s work.

5) Don’t Think You Can Cram

Starting in advance is crucial to a positive finals week experience. Not only will you be more relaxed and confident the night before, but your ability to recall learned information is improved with extended periods of studying. Don’t harm yourselves by dedicating the night before to one subject; take your time and start earlier in order to attain better scores.

For additional tips check out this article from Teen College Education: http://www.teencollegeeducation.org/2010/01/crunch-time-study-tips-how-to-study-for.html

For foreign language studies we suggest taking the time a couple times a week to review different [...]]]> Summer is a great time to brush up on old concepts, especially in foreign languages and math. It’s important to keep your skills honed and fresh for a new year that will build on everything you’ve already learned.

For foreign language studies we suggest taking the time a couple times a week to review different verb tenses. Go through an old text book or online study site and refresh yourself on the steps for forming different verb conjugations and tenses. These concepts only get more complicated as you advance in your language and it’s important to have the fundamentals down.

For math review, whether it’s for school or SAT, it’s beneficial to refresh yourself on tricks that help make problems easier. For example, being able to easily recognize different types of triangles and other geometric shapes will speed up difficult problems. These concepts not only come up in more difficult math levels, but are also just as prominent in physics and math-based sciences. Reviewing algebra fundamentals will help gearing up for these classes much easier.

For extensive math exercises, visit: http://www.khanacademy.org/exercisedashboard