What is it Like to Attend Stony Brook University

What is it Like to Attend Stony Brook University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Tiffany is a senior at Stony Brook University studying Spanish Language Literature. She is a New York City tutor who specializes in SAT prep tutoriing, Literature tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, and more. See what she had to say about 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? Tiffany: The Stony Brook campus is very large and has a cosmopolitan, mature, and city-like feel to it. The student body is extremely diverse, which I love. It seems like almost every country and language in the world is represented here. I feel very safe on campus, and Security is easily contacted and always available. I commute from home via car. In fact, half of the student body also commutes. On campus, there are always buses running that bring students from one area on campus to another (since its so vast). And the buses run late, which is convenient. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants? Tiffany: My professors have always made themselves very available to me, but the Spanish department at Stony Brook is rather small. Ive heard from my pre-med friends that their Biology professors and such can be hard to contact. But the advising office is open all day long, and you can make appointments with them almost anytime. Some classes have teaching assistants, while others do not. Here, there are lots of tutoring options and a writing center, both in English and for the foreign languages. I tutor at the Spanish Writing Center. I can say that I never felt totally in the dark when I didnt understand a topic. There is always someone there to help; you just have to reach out and be heard. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Tiffany: Im a commuter, so I cant comment on the dorm life here. There are many, many dining options though Wendys, Mexican, Asian, and lots more. Even off campus, dining options are close by and plentiful. Stony Brook University is located right near the LIRR train station, so commuting and traveling is easy. There are also lots of clubs and organizations to join. Im involved in a few of them, including Sigma Beta Honor Society, which conducts community service events on the island. I transferred from a private school my sophomore year, and I honestly love it here. There are so many opportunities and ways to keep busy. 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? Tiffany: Stony Brook is renowned for its Premedical, Dental, Computer Science, and other Science programs. I chose to study Spanish because its what Im best at, and I find it to be unbelievably useful in everyday life. Im glad I chose Spanish as my major. Its not a common major here, but for that very reason, I was able to get a lot of individual care and one-on-one mentoring. I know all my professors on a first-name basis, which is awesome. 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? Tiffany: I found it very easy to meet new people, even as a sophomore, but Im a social creature. Joining clubs and going to campus events is a great way to get out there. Or you can just start talking to people, which is what I do. Ive made a few friends just by being friendly while sitting on the benches outside. To be honest, whether or not you meet people totally depends on your behavior. Potential friends are everywhere. You just have to get over being shy if you want to enjoy your college experience. And while parties are always fun, you generally wont meet people who have the same academic interests/passions as you at those sorts of events, so be well-rounded and maybe go to cultural events, too! Im happy to say that Greek life does not play a significant role in the social atmosphere of Stony Brook University. Actually, one of the reasons that I left my first school, a small private college in PA, was because I chose not to go Greek and felt like an outcast as a result of that choice. Thats so not the case at Stony. Here, there are people of every sort imaginable. There really is no excuse not to find a friend just like you. Jocks, nerds, exchange students, etc. were all here! VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Tiffany: Our Career Center is awesome. Theyre currently helping me search for teaching jobs in the states and abroad. Theyre very professional, too. I know there are many opportunities for internships here. Stony has an online program called Zebra Net where you can post your resume, and employers can seek you out electronically. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Tiffany: It totally depends on the time of day. Some study areas are always packed, which is why I choose to go to the less-known ones or walk a few flights up the stairs to find a quiet space. There are plenty of places to hide out in; you just have to know which are the hot spots and which arent. Stony Brook has a lot of computers for student use, though. 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? Tiffany: Stony Brook, NY itself is not a big, hopping town. There are little strips with restaurants, bars, and other establishments, but I would say that most students travel elsewhere for real fun or stay on campus. Once again, its a different experience for me as a commuter. But since the train station is so close to campus (and it actually is located right on the outskirts of campus), traveling is made easy. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Tiffany: The student body here is absolutely huge, yet Im always running into people I know on campus. Some of my classes were large (like Anthropology 200+ students), while some were very small (less than 20 students). It depends on the type of class it is. Math and Science classes (Bio, Physics, Calculus, etc.) are generally much larger here. But I feel like the classes get smaller the farther along you get in your degree track i.e., the more specialized the classes are. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Tiffany: My favorite class of all time was Spanish 393 Introduction to Spanish linguistics. The professor was Jose Elias-Ulloa, an incredible man. This class made me realize that I want to return to Stony Brook for graduate school, and that my calling in life is linguistics. He and I are still in touch. Ive had a few bad experiences here, but they are truly insignificant in comparison with all the good ones. I love Stony Brook. I wouldnt trade my time here for anything. My advice to new and prospective college students is this: get to know your professors on a personal level, build and maintain good relationships, and be friendly and kind to people. Youre going to need references someday. And if you have a 4.0 GPA, but nobody can speak about you as a person, youre going to face some serious problems in the professional world. Check out Tiffanys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Cost of Visiting Porto

The Cost of Visiting Porto How Much Does It Cost to Visit Porto? ChaptersThe Cost of Getting to PortoThe Cost of Accommodation in PortoThe Cost of Eating in PortoThe Cost of Visiting Attractions in PortoThe Cost of Public Transport in Porto“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” - UnknownSpain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula and Portugal is smaller than its neighbour. However, there are plenty of great reasons to visit Portugal.When it comes to visiting Portugal, most people think of Lisbon or the Algarve. However, the north of Portugal is home to plenty of wonderful sights including Azulejo and little cobbled streets.The air traffic into Portugal’s second city has increased by 15% in the space of a year. This is thanks to a lot of budget airlines which have made travelling to Porto much more accessible.So how much does it cost to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site? How much does a trip around the old town cost?In this article, we'll look at the cost of travelling to Porto, how much you'll spend on accommodation , what you'll need to budget for food, how much it'll cost to see the sights, and how much you'll pay getting around the city. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Cost of Getting to PortoAre you dreaming of visiting Porto’s beautiful little streets? If you want to visit Porto, you first have to get there. (Source: MichaelGaida)Keep in mind that the city on the Douro river is now far more accessible. The arrival of budget airlines has helped tourism in the north of Portugal.  Thanks to Ryanair, Vueling, and EasyJet, almost anyone can visit Porto. Of course, the cost of getting to Porto will vary depending on the time of year. You can pay as little as £50 for return flights between London and Porto whereas at other times it can be far more expensive.The reasons these prices climb so much is due to Porto’s proximity to the sea. You should probably try to plan well in advance to pay as little as you can.  Keep in mind that if you can also get buses throughout the year across Europe but this does mean that you’ll have to endure several days on buses and coaches. Overall, flights are generally cheaper and quicker than every other type of transport.Finally, if you want to transport a lot of stuff, you can drive but this will take you around 20 hours of driving and cost you £250 for the trip (based on a drive from London).How you want to travel and when to go is up to you.The Cost of Accommodation in PortoAccommodation isn’t particularly expensive and you just need to pick the right hotel for the right price. Like any other city, different areas have different amenities and some are more expensive than others.Porto’s old town is where you’ll probably find the most expensive accommodation. For example, a 2-star hotel could cost you somewhere around £50 a night or £15 per night for a dormitory in a youth hostel.  You can also find Airbnbs for around £70 a night. Visiting Portugal isn’t necessarily cheap.There are sometimes some really good deals on accommodation or you could even opt to CouchSurf and you won’t need to pay anything!So what is CouchSurfing?CouchSurfing is staying at a stranger’s house for free. Put simply, you don’t pay anything and you can stay at a local’s home.This is a goo d way to speak with locals, learn more about the culture, and find out about great places to go. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Cost of Eating in PortoEating in Porto might end up being a significant part of your budget. That said, the cost of food in Portugal is a fraction of what it is in the UK. In comparison to the UK, restaurants in Portugal are great value for money. (Source: martaposemuckel)Whether you’re picking up a coffee, a bottle of water, or a 3-course meal, you can get it all on a budget in Porto!Porto’s a great place to get pasteis de nata and a nice Port for very little. Port wine is from Porto and, unsurprisingly, wine production is thriving in the city, with winemakers offering wine tastings and tours of their cellars.After you’ve eaten, you can then start visiting the city!The Cost of Visiting Attractions in PortoThere’s so much to see and do in Portugal and Porto, in particular. This city is a goldmine for lovers of unusual monuments and activities by the Atlantic Ocean. Some things you need to pay to visit whereas some great sights are free. (Source: olafpictures)Once again, unlike cities in the UK, Porto is quite cheap and there are many attractions you can visit for free. Here are some of Porto’s tourist attractions and how much it costs to visit them:Lello Bookstore: €5Stock Exchange Building: €8 (adult) and €4.50 (child)Porto Cathedral: €3Clérigos Tower: €5Casa do Infante: €2.20Serralves Foundation: €10The Centro Portugues de Fotografia, Church of Santa Clara, Dom Luís I Bridge, and the Palácio de Cristal are all free! You can visit Porto and its attractions very cheaply.The Cost of Public Transport in PortoThe Portuense (the locals) have a great public transport system but walking is still often the best way to discover the city. You need to think about how much it'll cost you to get around the city, too! (Source: Schmid-Reportagen)Basic Public TransportYou can travel around Porto using the city’s public transport. The system might seem quite complicated for those visiting the city, but it functions in two ways.The Andante Card is a card you can buy for €0.60 and you can put credit on it with journeys costing €1.20. This also includes trips on the bus or metro.  You can also get the tram, which is an enjoyable way to get around the city. A ticket on the tram costs €3 or €4 with entry to the Porto Tram Museum.  Finally, if you’ve got money to spare, you can travel around the city by taxi for between €4 and €6, with trips to the airport costing around €20.Tourist TransportSince you’re visiting the city as a tourist, you might want to enjoy the city by travelling around in transportation designed with tourists in mind.  There are companies like Yellow Bus and City Sightseeing offering guided tours around the city. This is a good way to enjoy a short stay in the city and still get to see everything with trips starting at €15.  You can also get a boat trip from Porto Tours along the River Douro for around a tenner!Finally, you can also get the funicular railway between Batalha and Ribeira for a great view of the Douro and the Dom Luís I Bridge. This costs €2.50 for a 10-minute trip.The Porto CardAre you familiar with the Porto Card?This is a pass you can get when visiting Porto that gets you discounts on public transport.This costs €6 for a day, €10 for two, €13 for three, and €15 for four. The Porto Card also offers a 10% discount at certain shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions like:Clérigos TowerThe Archaeology MuseumThe Quinta da Macieirinha romantic museumThe Serralves FoundationThe Military MuseumAnd many others!You can get them in Tourism Offices or at the airport!As you’ll have understood, Porto is a town you can quickly fall in love with. Wh at’s even better, is that it’s cheaper than most towns in the UK.  With flights, restaurants, tourist attractions, and transport, a two-day trip to Porto could cost between £250 and £500.This could be a good time to start learning Portuguese, couldn’t it?Before you go to the largest city in northern Portugal and enjoy all the heritage sites, Roman ruins, and Portuguese cuisine, you might want to get in touch with a tutor to help you learn the language!Fortunately for you, there are plenty of talented Portuguese tutors on Superprof!. There are three types of tutorial available, each with its advantages and disadvantages: group tutorials, online tutorials, and face-to-face tutorials.Group tutorials are great for those on a budget as you can share the cost of the tutor's time with the other students in attendance. However, you will get less one-on-one time with your tutor and receive more generalised tuition. It could be useful if you're going to Porto with a group of friends, though.Similarly, online tutorials are good if you're on a budget as the tutor doesn't have to travel and can, therefore, charge less per hour. If you both have a webcam and a decent internet connection, you can get Portuguese tutorials from anywhere in the world. Your tutor might even be from Porto.Finally, face-to-face tutorials are between you and the tutor. This is the most costly type of tutorial but it's also the most cost-effective. With these tutorials, you can get bespoke Portuguese lessons and learn exactly what you need to know.

3 Tips to Succeed in Medical School

3 Tips to Succeed in Medical School The following piece was written by Dr. Sahil Mehta. Sahil has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert series and is a former admissions interviewer for Columbia University. He is the founder of MedSchoolCoach. So, youve gone through the application process. Youve written your personal statement, put on your best suit, shared your personal stories at your medical school interview, and just got that email or phone call saying you are in! Congratulations! That is an amazing accomplishment getting into medical school is probably the hardest part of your journey. But there are plenty of trials and tribulations that lay ahead. As a medical student, you will be expected to do things you never thought you could. On the wards, youll be looked upon by patients as their doctor sometimes, even though you may have just Googled their disease five minutes before meeting them! Relax everyone goes through it, but here are three basic tips on how to succeed in medical school. 1. Read every night Medical school will throw a mountain of information at you. From anatomy to physiology to pathology, youll be constantly bombarded with new material. The best thing you can do is to stay on top of your daily classes. Read every day so that you are not left having to memorize all of anatomy the night before your final. Its more important than you think many of you may have been able to succeed in undergrad by simply cramming for tests. That becomes harder and harder in medical school, as the amount of information is enormous. Take two hours every day to review the material you learned in class and to preview the next days lectures. Medical schools have great online resources and lectures, so its easy to know what is coming. 2.Understand what you can, rather than memorize A lot of medical school is about memorizing facts, whether it be anatomical locations, drug dosages and interactions, or the cell cycle. But whenever you can, try to understand the material, rather than memorize it. Why is the left recurrent laryngeal nerve important clinically? If you ask yourself that question rather than memorize where it goes, youll remember the material much longer, and it will be much more relevant to you when you get on the wards! 3.Form study groups Medical school is a great time to make new friends, but given your eight hours of class and two hours of reading every night, that doesnt always leave much time. Remember that studying can be a social activity. Get your friends to study with you, quiz you, and help you understand the material. Unlike college, every one of your friends in medical school is taking the same classes as you, so use it to your advantage. Small group learning is essential for success in medical school and in medicine in general! There are many more ways to succeed in medical school, but hopefully this short list will get you started! Best of luck in the future. Remember, while the hardest part may be over, there is still plenty more work to be done as you continue on your journey to become a physician. Check outMedSchoolCoachfor more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Amanda Uhry

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Amanda Uhry Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Amanda Uhry is the founder and owner of Manhattan Private School Advisors, which helps up to 1,600 families per season in regards to preschool and K-12, boarding school, special needs admission, and college preparation. Before founding Manhattan Private School Advisors, she attended the University of Pennsylvaniaand Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. What is the typical timeline for private school admissions? Amanda: Getting in is a one- to two-year process before acceptance. Our many preschool and K-12 applicant families begin preparing for admissions one year in advance. Applications are due between October 15 and December 1. During that time or the spring before, parents tour schools and attend open houses and students are observed (younger children) or interviewed, a process which may go on until January. Parents are also interviewed separately at most schools. Final decisions are mailed or emailed in mid-February for continuing schools or early March for preschools. Parents have a number of days or weeks to make final decisions before schools go to wait lists. What is the typical process admissions officers go through to evaluate applications? Amanda: It depends on the school and the admissions director or staff, but all are generally looking for a child and family that might be a good fit for the school community. Children applying to kindergarten are often evaluated at a group or individual visit to the school, by school reports from preschools, and, at some schools, by AABL entrance exam testing. Children applying to older grades are evaluated via individual interviews or visits, transcripts and recommendations from teachers at present schools, and by scores on the ISEE or SSATentrance exam or often, both. What are the most important things children need to have represented on their applications? Amanda: Applicants need to represent who they really are and the same is true of parents in their parent statement. It is pointless to tell a school that a child is a brilliant, budding mathematician if he or she actually neither likes nor does well in math, just as it is a shame not to tell a school that an applicant is interested in any subject even if a parent thinks its silly. Classrooms are made up of all kinds of kids with all kinds of personalities and interests. Parents should not be afraid to discuss a childs weaknesses or areas that are emerging: this is the hallmark of an honest parent, not a flawed child! What are common mistakes parents and/or their children make when applying to these programs? Amanda: Children rarely make mistakes they are simply children. Parents make tons. They lie about their childs talents or interests. A five-year-old who likes to sing is not really the next Lady Gaga, just as a ten-year-old who won the science fair prize is not going to go for the Nobel Prize anytime soon. Parents also tell schools what they believe the schools want to hear and it often sounds silly and false. Parents need to work with qualified sources not get their info on schools and admissions from haunting parenting websites that often provide more disinformation on high-stakes schools admissions than usable or even reasonable advice. Just be yourself. Can you imagine spending K-12 at a school positioned as someone who is not you, not your kid, and not really your family? How should parents go about determining the culture of a private school, and whether it would be a good fit for their children? Amanda: The best way we have found is to connect applicant families with families who have students already at the schools. Parents at a school have nothing to gain or lose by being honest about that schools community. How important are standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Amanda: That depends entirely on the school. At some schools, testing is very important. At some other schools, it is not important at all and some schools do not test. What is universally important is that subtests of admissions tests do not have glaring discrepancies. In the ERB for younger kids, for example, it is far better to have average scores on the verbal and performance portions of the test rather than high scores in one area and low scores in another. What are the most important things parents need to represent about themselves when meeting with admissions officers? Amanda: Once again, honesty is always the best policy. If you feel progressive education is a waste of time, dont go tell the admissions director at a progressive school you think its marvelous and vice versa regarding traditional education. Remember that if you get in, faking it til youre making it may not work in a school community. You could wind up transferring out and doing the entire nightmarishly-competitive private school admissions process all over again. How competitive? Well, a good number of schools have reported receiving more than 1,000 applications for an average 60 kindergarten spots, and it gets worse moving up. That is not including siblings and legacies. Know before you go and discuss what you want as a family. Dont be afraid to be funny and relaxed in your parents interview; its a marvelous ice breaker. Also, do not do not, and I repeat do not assume admissions officers and staff whom you meet are your new friends. They are nice to everyone and professionally distant with all. That is because, in the end, they have to reject or waitlist up to 90% of the applicants! How does networking and having in-school connections affect one's chances of admission? Amanda: Its helpful and nice, but it doesnt always result in an acceptance not at all. Connections to board members who know you, your family, and your child are helpful. Connections to active families at the schools are helpful, but somewhat less so. Connections to teachers and staff at a given school are often not helpful at all in an admissions decision. How can a student best prepare for admissions interviews? Amanda: Your student can be his or herself. Children should also get used to speaking with adults because this is often an issue. Looking a teacher or admissions person in the eye while speaking to them, shaking hands, and saying simple greetings and farewells goes miles in a student interview. Additionally, so does having the student think about one or two school experiences he or she has enjoyed recently at his or her own school and being able to recount and discuss this with poise and passion. Visit Manhattan Private School Advisorsfor more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Using Technology To Engage Students

Using Technology To Engage Students Falling asleep in class, theres the hooded sweatshirt pulled over the head, hide your eyes as you rest your head on your hand or the-Im-just-going-to-hope-teacher-doesnt-see-me approach, is something that just happens at times, despite actual effort or interest. However, teachers are wising up and using new ploys to catch and wake up students, ploys more effective than the if-you-sleep-or-daydream-I-will-catch-you ploy. Teachers, in attempts to keep students awake, paying attention and engaged in their classes, are now armed with technology. Professors and teachers are now giving their students small hand-held devices called clickers that resemble TV remotes to monitor their students attention spans and quiz them, according to an article in The New York Times. Each clicker has a series of numbered buttons on it, and every 15 minutes or so a professor will give short quizzes that correlate with the current lecture, requiring students to first be paying attention and second push one of the buttons to correctly answer the quiz question. Heres how it works: John Jacobs Jr. is sitting in his 8 am Economics 101 class. Mr. Jacobs Jr. had a late night last night, staying up studying for other tests. Mr. Jacobs Jr. is growing increasingly more tired as Professor Dr. Preston Hulcuth is lecturing on supply and demand correlations and how they relate to the world of micro economics. Mr. Jacobs begins to nod off in the back row of class as Dr. Hulcuth periodically quizzes his students using the clickers. Dr. Hulcuth, stuck on supply and demand curves, announces a sudden quiz that will count toward each students grade. He asks, True or false, generally speaking, price and demand are inversely related meaning as one increases the other decreases and vice versa. Press the button labeled one for true and button two for false. Then students who are awake and paying attention would press button number one, correctly answering the question as true. However, John Jacobs Jr., and other students who are not paying attention, will incorrectly answer the question or sleep through it, getting points off their final grades. Professors can also ask multiple choice questions with the clickers and take attendance. Students can push a button on their clickers to inform the professor that they are confused about something in the lecture or provide other information. Northwestern, Harvard, Ohio State and other universities have already implemented these clickers into classes, asking students to answer quiz questions and provide feedback every 15 minutes, keeping them paying attention and engaged in classes. Administrators also hope that these devices will keep students off their cell phones and other gadgets during classes. Early studies at Harvard and Ohio State suggested that using these devices or other gadgets (making iPads and BlackBerrys, etc into class-ready clickers) increases students learning of new material. Professors can then display students responses to questions and the feedback they give on overhead monitors at the front of classrooms. Some students feel that these products unnecessarily monitor students in a big-brother fashion; however, others enjoy the increased interactions with professors.

7 Tips On Creating Workplace Motivation - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 7 Tips On Creating Workplace Motivation - Introvert Whisperer 7 Tips On Creating Workplace Motivation Motivation is one of those interesting things.  We think it should just drop out of the sky like magic but it never really does.  We also don’t really think about how to create motivation for ourselves but we really can with the right tools. First, let’s get on the same page about what motivation is.  Motivation is what causes you to take action.  Clearly, you’re at work so you do have some motivation because your action is going to work and performing your job.  What we are talking about is feeling engaged and inspired about the actions you do take.  Let’s look at some of the tools you can use to get fully engaged and motivated in the workplace: Change â€" Nothing like changing things to really get the juices going.  You don’t want to change things just for the sake of changing; however, you want to change things that don’t work well.  With that, you must have a vision of what the right outcome would be and then you apply your steps to create the action for change. Goals â€" Many times the lack of motivation is due to a lack of direction or goals.  Sit down and figure out what would really get you up in the morning and make that your goal.  Having a goal isn’t enough, it has to be a goal that you yearn for or have some emotions about.  Once established, put together a plan for how you will achieve your goals. Keep in mind SMART for goals = Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Resonate, Time-bounded if you really are going to shot for something worth having Be accountable â€" The vast majority of us want to do things but we’re really lazy about doing them.  It’s often easier to diet or workout with someone because we have a person that is looking for us to perform. Find someone to hold you accountable to yourself and be willing to trade off the favor. Clean up your own internal litter â€" We all have baggage but sometimes we have so much of it cluttering up our life that it bogs us down and we fail to see what’s possible.   Surround yourself with the right people â€" Yes, your mother was right…it is important to hang out with the right people.  In this case, hang out with people who are inspired and motivated as it will be contagious. Research the issue â€"  Find out from others what motivates them.  In the process, you may hear something that would really be great for you.  Don’t be afraid to copy what works. Cop an attitude  â€"  Motivation creates more motivation.  Look for it and it will be there.  We often get hung up about our ability to control things in the workplace.  The one thing we can control is our attitude and approach to various workplace challenges. These tools for workplace motivation are simple to do which means there is nothing but you holding you up from trying them. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Dealing with Back-to-School Anxiety

Dealing with Back-to-School Anxiety Everyone feels anxious on the first day of school. Even kids who love school and look forward to the first day feel some butterflies in their stomach as they wonder what their new teacher and classmates will be like. For kids with ADHD who have struggled with school in the past and whose relationships with classmates have often been challenging, the back to school jitters that they experience are often more intense than most. Even if they dont talk about feeling nervous, the anxiety will still be there and may show up in other ways like uncharacteristic irritability, difficulty sleeping, and complaints about stomachs and headaches. As a parent it can be hard to know how to help your child cope with his or her anxiety. In addition to strategies that help with everyday anxiety, like taking deep breaths or distracting yourself from anxious thoughts, there are a few important things you can do to help your child cope leading up to the first day of school. Help your child know what to expect. Anxiety often stems from not knowing what to expect when were doing something new for the first time. While you cant predict everything that will happen on the first day of school, there are things you can do to make the day feel more familiar and predictable for your child. Visit the school ahead of time and walk with your child to his or her new classroom. Allow your child to have some fun playing on the play structure or shooting hoops on the basketball court. Talk to your child about his or her new teacher. Share some of the good things that youve heard from other parents and kids. If its possible, have your child meet the new teacher ahead of time or create an opportunity for him or her to talk to a former student who enjoyed having that teacher in the past. Make sure your child is introduced to at least one classmate before the first day of school. If youre new to the area, talk to neighbors or someone at your childs new school to get tips on reaching out to some of your childs peers ahead of time. Create a back-to-school morning routine and start practicing in the week leading up to the start of school https://huntingtonhelps.com/resources/adhd-blog/back-to-school-routines-for-kids-with-adhd. Encourage your child to share their feelings. Some of our greatest fears can lose their power when we share them out loud. Not all kids are eager to talk about their anxiety, so some gentle encouragement may be needed. Ask your child questions about how he or she is feeling. Avoid emotionally loaded questions like, Are you nervous about starting school this year? Instead, ask neutral questions that allow your child to set the tone of the conversation. For example, What do you think the first day of school will be like this year? If he or she doesnt respond to your direct questions, avoid pushing your child to talk. Instead, be on the lookout for times when your child casually mentions how they are feeling about the upcoming school year. Use those moments as an opportunity to listen and respond with empathy and encouragement. Empathize when he or she expresses feelings of anxiety, or when he or she shuts down and seems walled off. Let your child know that you understand that it can be hard to go back to school, and that he or she might wish that summer could go on forever. Normalize his or her feelings by sharing some of your own personal experiences with back to school jitters. Create space to focus on the positives. Anxiety causes us to naturally focus on the negative aspects of a situation. Remind your child about the things he or she enjoyed at school last year even if he or she says that recess and art class were schools only two redeeming qualities! Its important for your child to have something to genuinely look forward to when he or she heads through the school doors on the first day. Help your child feel in control of some aspects of his or her day. When kids return to school they have very little control over how their day will go. They are more or less told what to do and when to do it from the moment they wake up in the morning until school ends for the day. You can help you child feel more in control by allowing him or her to make choices and decisions about small things that will impact his or her day. Here are a few ways that you can build in some choices: Allow your child to pick out the snack that will be included in his or her lunch. Ask your child if he or she would like to get to school early to play on the play structure for a few minutes, or if he or she would prefer to arrive right on time and head straight into the classroom. Let them pick out his or her first day of school outfit. Ask if he or she would like to choose the radio station in the car. If you walk your child to school, ask if he or she would like to choose the route that you take. Engage in conversations about choices that your child will be able to make throughout the school year. For example, he or she may be able to choose a musical instrument to play, a sports team to join, or sign up for a special afterschool activity. As a parent you cant take away all of your childs back-to-school anxiety. In fact, some anxiety is normal for everyone in the family at this time of year. But you can help your child cope with his or her anxiety by helping him or her feel more in control, creating space for him or her to share his or her feelings, and helping him or her know what to expect on the first day back at school. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Passive Voice Can be Mastered in 30 Minutes or Less!

Passive Voice Can be Mastered in 30 Minutes or Less! Do you often struggle with the English passive voice and need to be reminded when and how it is used?  Take 30 minutes out of your busy day to practice, and afterwards, youll feel like a master.  Lets get started! English Passive Voice Lesson!English Passive Voice VideoFirst, take a look at  this short grammar video  with review questions about the basics of passive voice.  Or, if youre too excited and just want to  begin, we can review the important facts here:WHEN  is the passive voice used?we dont know who or what does the actionthe action is most importantHOW  is the passive voice used?form of to be (OR to get-this is common  in American English) + past participleLets review the verbs be and get in  each tense, then you say  a sentence of your own after reading the example:English Passive Voice TensesPresent: is/am/are washed - get/gets washedexample: The dishes are washed by the dishwasher.Past: was/were robbed  - got  robbedexample: The shop got robbed the other night.Presen t continuous: is/am/are being made  - is/am/are getting  madeexample: The jewelry is being made for Mothers Day.Future: is going to/will be built  - is going to/will  get  builtexample: The apartment will be built next year.Present perfect: has/have been discovered  - has/have gotten  discoveredexample: The cure for cancer has not been discovered.Modals: should be prohibited  - should get  prohibitedexample: I think smoking in this restaurant should be prohibited.You  now know how and when passive voice is used.  This understanding can be strengthened by listening to examples of passive voice here:and here:  Youre almost there.  Its important to  review some irregular past participles that are different from their past simple form:English Past Participlesbite - bitten                see - seenblow - blown              show - shownbreak - broken                sing - sungeat - eaten              speak - spokengive - given                take - tak enknow - known              tear - tornovercome - overcome                wake - wokenride - ridden                  wear - wornrun - run              write - writtenOk, now its time to put it all together!  Change  the following sentences from active voice to passive voice.  Write your answers in the comment section.English Passive Voice ExerciseExample:  ActiveThe emotions overcame her.  Passive: She was overcome with emotions.The choir is singing songs.The nail has torn his  shirt.The fans  will see  Beyonce tonight.The police found the thief.Many students are taking that test this year.Teachers gave the award to the most creative person.A dog might bite him if he gets too close.He dresses himself every day.The owners will show the remodeled house this Saturday.His mom wakes him up every day.Great work!  Dont worry, if youre still not feeling like a master, remember to keep practicing, and take a class with LOI to perfect your skills!  Finally, h ere are 3  things  that should be kept in mind  about passive voice:Politicians often use the passive voice to intentionally obscure the idea of who did the action.  (Mistakes were made.)We often hear and see the passive voice in crime reports and scientific journals.If youre not sure if you have the passive voice, try ending the sentence with by aliens.The aliens attacked the town (by aliens).The town was attacked (by aliens).