4 Crucial Elements of Singing Every Great Vocalist Knows

4 Crucial Elements of Singing Every Great Vocalist Knows Sign up successful Practice Like the proverbial building constructed on sand, a weak foundation creates an unstable building that won’t stand the test of time. It’s very important for all of us as singers and musicians to have solid practice techniques in order to develop our instrument and make it a stronger one with every performance. A full, strong voice will have the stamina for a full capacity of creative expression when it comes to singing. A complete practice routine should include: Warm Ups Our vocal cords are like any other muscle in our body; they need to be warmed up before we can sing a song, the same way we need to warm up our legs before we can run a marathon. Warming up your voice with lip trills, runs on your middle range, single tone exercises, and breathing exercises are essential before you start any technical vocal work. Your voice will respond better once you give it the proper warm up. Consider your vocal warm up the way you tell your vocal cords that they are going to be doing some weight lifting! When I started taking voice lessons, I used to warm up my voice two to three times a day for about 10-20 minutes, depending on what songs I was working on and the technical work my voice teacher had laid out for me. Nowadays, I warm up my voice every morning, before seeing my students, for at least 30 minutes, then do some technical work, and so on. Technical Work With every lesson I teach, I work on breathing with my students. Strong breath management is the basis for learning how to sing well. You cannot sing the right note if your breathing is not in place. Its just impossible. I recommend dividing your technical work into stages: breathing exercises, flexibility, and range extension, for starters. And if you are tired or straining in any way, STOP! Take a break. Song Performance Start by choosing a couple of songs in a style that you like, and make sure that they are within your singing range. To find that out, look for the lowest and highest notes in the song. Most of the song should be within your middle range, although it is possible that it may have a few low or high notes outside your comfort zone in that case, work on those notes and see if with time they become easier for you. You can always transpose the song to a lower or higher key if that will make it easier for you to sing. Cool Down After all your hard work, spend about 5 to 10 minutes doing some warm up exercises to cool down your voice. To do this effectively, keep the exercises within the middle range of your voice. This will ease the process of your voice going back to your normal everyday vocal use by allowing the tissue temperature to lower. Check out the video below for more details: Patience Learning any instrument especially vocal technique requires patience, especially if there are any bad habits to undo. The payoff of being patient with your instrument while learning how to sing properly is that you will have a well-trained instrument capable of greater expression. Every now and then you may have what I like to call an aha! moment in singing, but most of the time progress comes after a long period of work that peaks and then plateaus for a while. As long as you keep working at it, you will always be growing and learning something new about your instrument. Perseverance You need to always stay focused on your goals as a singer. Something that has helped me with this is to keep a clear picture of where I am going and what it is that I want to accomplish. I always keep track of my short-term goals and how those are helping me reach my long term ones. I always celebrate my accomplishments and learn from my mistakes. If I have a performance that wasnt my best, I allow myself to take a break and see what happened and allow myself to feel what I am feeling, but I do not allow that to discourage me from reaching my goals. It’s a work in progress and its only getting better. Play Music, especially singing, should always be FUN! So don’t ever forget that. You should love and enjoy what you are singing. And you should enjoy it before, during, and after each and every performance! Be proud of yourself and your hard work. Celebrate your singing and every opportunity you get to share your talent! Angel V. teaches singing, guitar, dance, and more in Palm Springs, CA. He received his Voice Performance/Music Business degree, along with minors in Piano and Guitar, from Berklee College of Music.  Learn more about Angel here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  Fire At Will [Photography]

Time Management Strategies for the MCAT

Time Management Strategies for the MCAT The MCAT is typically considered a fast-paced exam. Certain sections can seem harder to finish within the allotted time than others, but all the portions of the test require students to employ time management strategies in order to succeed. The Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences sections each have 52 questions that must be completed in 70 minutes, while Verbal Reasoning consists of 40 questions in a 60-minute window. Below are several key time management strategies to exercise while sitting for the exam to ensure that you do not exceed the time limit and forego points. 1. Monitor the time This simple technique may seem intuitive, but on exam day, many test-takers forget to note the time. Wear a reliable watch, and locate the clock in your exam room as soon as you sit down. Be certain you understand the pacing of the section you are working on. You have approximately one minute and twenty seconds for each question on the Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences portions. For Verbal Reasoning, you will have one minute and thirty seconds for each problem. Do not become obsessive about the time, but establish landmarks within each section to ensure you are on schedule. For example, when you have 35 minutes remaining in Physical Sciences (the half-way mark), you should be finished with at least 26 (half) of the questions. Here is some great information on how to manage your time during MCAT prepas well. 2. Move on from difficult questions Utilizing this time management strategy can seem difficult at first, because the majority of students hope to answer every single question correctly. However, recognizing your limits and moving on from a very difficult question that you cannot seem to grasp will ultimately earn you more points. By moving on, you allow yourself to answer easier questions in the section. If you still have time remaining after you have completed the remaining problems, return to those you initially omitted. These are5 strategies for MCAT practice teststhat you may finduseful. 3. Read the question line before the stem Many question stems on the MCAT consist of several lines of text. In order to quickly understand what information you must know, read the last line of the stem before the beginning. This will focus your skimming of the rest of the stem. Many times, it is not even necessary to read the remainder because you will be able to answer the question immediately. However, you should always skim the stem to ensure you understand the full problem. 4. Practice beforehand Though this is not a time management strategy you can rely upon come test day, it is crucial to complete timed practice sections and full exams to gain familiarity with the pacing of the MCAT. Practicing well in advance will also aid you in understanding the types of questions you will be asked on test day. Moreover, you can practice applying the above strategies during your sample exams to further build your time management skills. An MCAT tutorcan even guide you through each individual step. Timing is a major component of success on the MCAT. Many students struggle to earn an extra point or two simply because they do not reach the questions at the end of a section. Pacing yourself by watching the clock, moving on from difficult questions, reading the question line of the stem first, and completing practice examsbefore test day are all important strategies to help you beat the clock.

Approaches to Studying in College

Approaches to Studying in College You will often find homework, projects, and exams to be very different in the college world than they were in the high school world. This doesnt always mean harder, just different although yes, they will often be significantly harder. But the major differences that make these assignments so much more difficult include the tighter time constraints, drastic changes in environment, and lengthier tasks in question. All of this will be so brand new to you, nothing like the days when you came home at 3 p.m. to sit and work on worksheets at your kitchen table. With all the surrounding distractions, identifying a successful study atmosphere on a college campus can initially seem like a lost cause, so here are some paths you can take that will guide you in a helpful direction. Study Groups: Never, ever, ever underestimate the power of a study group. Even if youre one of those people who prefers to work independently and thinks groups slow productivity down, youd be surprised at how many more answers you can come up with just by working with other people. Whether it be in a lecture or a small discussion class, if youre having trouble understanding a concept, odds are other students are too. By coming together and literally talking through it, you have multiple minds working, reading, and brainstorming aloud. Since youve all been through the same class sessions with the same professor and are therefore on the same page with this particular curriculum, you automatically form the best team to nail down the answers to your questions. One student may have missed a bullet point that another student picked up and some students may grasp a concept where others have no idea where to begin. These groups are the ultimate way to put the pieces of the puzzle together an d find the solutions upon you when you least expect it. It really does roll back to the old clich, two heads are better than one. Libraries, Coffee Houses, and the Student Union: These are the quintessential college spots you always hear about. No matter who you are, these will be prominent parts of your college experience just by physically living on campus you cant help but find yourself in one of these buildings from time to time. Some, actually many, students go particularly out of their way to head to these places over and over again. Why? Because they make great study spots. Caffeine is readily available, you are never alone, and most importantly, they are open late. The latter cant always be applied to the coffee shops, but certainly for the libraries and most likely the Student Union. These are terrific alternatives to your noisy dorm or drafty apartment and the way their atmospheres cater to students leaves you never feeling out of place. These are environments where its acceptable to show up in sweatpants and set up camp with your laptop open, Red Bull by your side, and midnight snack in hand. This a pproach to studying culminates a key part of the collegiate experience. Professors and Office Hours: The idea of office hours is usually blown off by students right when they read it on the syllabus or first hear the professor speak of them. The reason for this is that office hours are usually held at random times in the afternoon when students either have another class or just dont want to take the time to attend. If you want to understand class material better and none of your efforts independently or with fellow students has worked, then going directly to the source should be your next step. Your professor is required to hold office hours, a time when he or she is guaranteed to be in their office and ready to answer any questions you may have, so why wouldnt you take advantage of it? If you have another commitment at this time, such as class, then email your professor to set up a different time to meet and they will almost always accommodate you. If you arent busy during this time, you must overcome the laziness and get yourself over there. Talking to your professor one on one and being able to ask follow-up questions you might have been too nervous to ask in class will do wonders for you comprehension of a lesson plan. This is the ultimate way to get a real handle on things and receive actual insider advice on how to triumph the academic challenges in front of you. It is the most personalized learning you will get. Plus, showing up in the first place will ensure you stand out positively in the professors mind for outwardly showing effort a perk that may help you when grading time comes around. The common element in all of these studying approaches is self-discipline. In college, no one is there to make sure you get all this work done on time nor are they there to wake you up and get you to these classrooms when you need to be in them. Succeeding in college relies on your ability to take full responsibility and control of what you do. Put yourself in the right places with the right surroundings and you will study well.

How to Find a Dance Instructor

How to Find a Dance Instructor How to Find the Right Dance Teacher for You ChaptersWhere Can You Find Dance Teachers?Choose a Dance Teacher Based on Their SpecialityGet a Private Dance Tutor for Classes at Home or OnlineChoose a Dance Teacher Based on Your LevelThe Pros and Cons of Each Type of Dance TutorHire a Dance Tutor According to Their Experience and QualificationsWhether you’re doing chacha, rumba, or disco dancing, there are plenty of dancers ready to teach you all about their style of dance. Salsa classes, Jive classes, pole dancing classes - they are all options!Beginners can often find it difficult to find the right tutor or dance teacher for them. This is because a teacher that works for one student may not work for another. It’s therefore essential that you make the right choice when choosing your tutor.Got no rhythm?Are you always embarrassed at dance parties?Would you like to learn how to dance?Here’s our advice for choosing the best dance teacher for you! SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jamie Dance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhere Can You Find Dance Teachers?Young dance students often worry about getting the wrong type of dance lesson when they first start.Conservatoires and universities are often home to the best dance teachers. (Source: Vladislav83)If you want to choose a good dance instructor, there are a few solutions. Firstly, if you choose to attend a dance school or a dance academy, you may have the option of attending your first class for free as a taster session. This is your opportunity to see if you get along with the teacher and if their teaching style works for you.As a student, you have to feel at ease with your tutor and comfortable with the teaching techniques they’re using. Our advice is to observe their class for an hour, if you can, and then talk with the other students in the class, too. The aim is to choose a tutor whose personality and teaching styles work well for you. Don’t hesitate to ask the other students in the dance studio a few questions.Here are some of the places you could find dance lessons:Certified dance schoolsUncertified dance studiosNational conservatoiresRegional conservatoiresClassified ads offering private dance tutorialsDance associationsNational dance centres, theatres, and music schoolsThe atmosphere is also important when it comes to choosing the right dance class.  While some students prefer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, others might prefer the more serious approach taken by conservatoires. You should also work out what you r favourite style of dance is before choosing your dance classes.Find dance classes in London.Remember also it's not just in London you can find dance classes. Look out for dance classes glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham too!Choose a Dance Teacher Based on Their SpecialityWhy not learn about different types of dancing thanks to private dance tutorials?As a general rule, beginners or intermediate dance students will start learning a common style such as modern dance, jazz, or ballet. It’s quite easy to find a number of different tutors and dance teachers offering these styles around the country.However, there are also tutors offering rarer styles such as Bollywood dancing, Latin dance, African dance, etc. and there are even a number of different tutors who offer a few different styles and can mix and match their classes depending on what you’re after.The best thing is to talk to the tutor beforehand so you know what types of dancing lessons you can get now and in the futu re.Whether you want to learn hip hop, tango, salsa, or breakdancing, you can find a tutor specialising in it. (Source: picography.co)There are so many different types of dance tutorials to take your fancy:Argentine tangoBachataBallroom dancingBalletChachaCuban salsa or Puerto Rican salsaDance fitness (Zumba, etc.)FlamencoHip HopLatin danceMerengueOriental danceRagga DancehallSwing danceTapThe FoxtrotWaltzWest Coast SwingWhether just a simple beginner’s class to gain some confidence on the dance floor or an intensive course on how to dance a certain style, you’re bound to find someone to meet your requirements.  Why not find out about new dance styles with a qualified and experienced dance tutor? SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGet a Private Dance Tutor for Classes at Home or OnlineEnjoy a fun and interesting dance class without having to leave the comfort of your own home.  The average rates for dance tutorials around the UK on Superprof are between £15 and £30 per hour.Private lessons are generally cheaper than paying to attend dance schools or conservatoires. There are also a lot of benefits to getting private tutorials over group classes. You can get instruction more regularly than in group classes and after just a few sessions, you’ll see yourself making a lot of progress in terms of your technique and your understanding of music.The student can even ask their tutor to give them some extra exercise s to do between lessons!Here are some of the places you could find out about dance tutorials:Online classifieds sites (such as Superprof)Ads in local newspapersAds in schoolsFrom the mouths of different dancersPrivate agencies offering dance classesTutors advertising their dance tutorials on social mediaHiring a private tutor is therefore a good choice for students of any level as well as for couples, small groups, children, teens, and adults.If you're getting married, learning to dance together could be a great idea for you and your partner. Firstly, it's a fun activity and an interesting way to learn about new styles of dance and secondly, you can get wedding dance lessons for couples so that you're ready for the first dance at your upcoming wedding.Why not impress all your guests and showcase all the new dance moves you've been taught?On Superprof, there’s also the option to get online private dance lessons. Dance tutorials over webcam mean that students can practise their rout ines without having to leave their house and they’ll also have the option of using some of the best online resources. By taking dance tutorials on Skype, you can choose from the best tutors in the UK and the best tutors from all over the world.Choose a Dance Teacher Based on Your LevelDon’t run before you can walk. The same can be said for dancing.When it comes to the arts, it’s pointless trying to rush your learning: in just a few hours, your tutor should have a good idea of what your level is and the best ways to help you progress. Instead of wasting time (and money) by getting lessons that aren’t right for your level, you should work out what your goals and do an appraisal of your abilities.There are three main levels when it comes to dance tutorials:Beginners’ dance tutorialsIntermediate dance tutorialsAdvanced dance tutorialsExperienced teachers will tell you what levels they teach and there are also teachers offering lessons for all levels which means they can be you r teacher for a while.In addition to the level offered by the tutor, you should also keep your personal goals in mind. Some teachers, like those who work in the conservatoires, may not meet all your requirements. The best thing to do is to talk to them about your objectives before your first lesson so that you’ll know if they can meet your expectations.Whether you are putting on a show, going out dancing, or preparing for the first dance at your wedding, there are specific tutors who’ll be able to help you.The Pros and Cons of Each Type of Dance TutorThe right tutor will make sure you feel at ease in each lesson.  This is more a question of the tutor’s and the student’s personality over anything else.Make sure you're learning in an encouraging and relaxed environment. (Source: Jabore)Another criteria a lot of students forget is the tutor’s first aid skills. It’s not uncommon for a few accidents to occur, especially leg and ankle injuries. A good idea would be to check wh ether or not your tutor is trained in first aid.Here’s a brief list of what you should look out for during your first dance tutorial:How they teach the lessonHow they adapt the choreography to the level of their studentWhether the tutor is patient and caringThe explanations of dance stepsHow the tutor motivates their studentTo what extent the tutor respects the limits set by the studentThe tutor’s open-mindednessTheir knowledge of music and dancing as an art formTheir artistic creativity and how they improviseThe materials and resources they bring to a lessonHere’s a brief list of what you shouldn’t expect to see from your tutor:Not adapting the difficulty to the level of their studentIgnoring the student’s musical preferencesPainful or difficult choreographyNot warming upGeneric teaching techniques that aren’t adapted to their studentHaving too low a level for advanced studentsStudents are well within their rights to try out one or several tutors in order to find the ri ght one. The goal, after all, is to look forward to your next lessons rather than to dread them.Hire a Dance Tutor According to Their Experience and QualificationsGet dance tutorials from a tutor who’s famous for their talents as a dancer!The way you're taught is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a tutor. (Source: ionasnicolae)When it comes to the arts, a lot of students prefer to work with an experienced dancer rather than an experienced teacher. Of course, a dancer or choreographer who’s been part of a number of famous shows is probably pretty experienced.Nevertheless, the more experienced a tutor is, the more they’ll probably charge. A lot of beginners prefer to get a self-taught tutor to help them learn to dance or a student to teach them in order to save a bit of money.There are a number of different qualifications your tutor might have:A level 3 qualificationA degreeA postgraduate degreeA PhDHowever, be careful! An experienced dancer isn’t nece ssarily a good tutor. Qualifications in dancing only prove how good of a dancer your tutor might be. You need to see if they have experience with teaching or teaching qualifications, too!To make the right choice, make sure you do your research first and that the way your tutor teaches is right for you! Don't be tempted to just go for the first advert you see when you type 'dance classes near me'.

Things to Know About 529 Plans

Things to Know About 529 Plans A 529 plan offers a range of tax and other benefits for parents putting away money for their childrens college education. You might already know this if you have one set up for your child, but if not, here are a few essentials about this excellent college savings plan: The 529 plans biggest benefit: tax-free growth. Earnings on 529 plans contributions grow federal tax-free. Earnings are taxed when the money is withdrawn for college. Many states offer a full or partial tax deduction or credit for 529 plan contributions. Over 30 states offer this opportunity for each year you contribute to the 529 plan. State income tax benefits vary in different states, so its best to check with your financial advisor on the rules. Mom and Dad have control over the plan. You, not the named beneficiary of the 529 plan, stay in control of the 529 account you open. That means you can make sure your child uses the account for college costs. Everyone can take advantage. There are no income limits, age limits or annual contribution limits on 529 plans. However, there are lifetime contribution limits, which vary by plan (ranging from $235,000 to $520,000). Funds can be used at college or K-12 schools that charge tuition. The full value of your 529 plan can be used at any eligible college or university, including some international institutions. As of January 2018, 529 plan savings can also be used to pay for tuition expenses at private, public or religious elementary or secondary schools, up to $10,000 per year, per beneficiary. Yes, 529 plans affect college financial aid, but not much. Assets in 529 accounts owned by a parent are considered parental assets on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The first $20,000 of parental assets arent counted in the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation. If you save more than that, a maximum of 5.64% of parental assets are counted (as compared to other student assets, which are counted at 20%). What does that mean? Higher EFC means less financial aid. So, while 529 plan funds increase your EFC, its minimal, especially compared to other student assets. Also, qualified 529 distributions to pay for college expenses are not included in the base-year income that reduces college financial aid eligibility each year. And 529 accounts owned by a grandparent, other relative or family friend have no effect on a students FAFSA. If you dont use the 529 plan funds for college, there are some penalties. The good news is theyre minimal. If you withdraw from a 529 plan for something other than college costs, the earnings are subject to a 10% withdrawal penalty (and an additional 2.5% state tax penalty in California). Your contributions will never be subject to tax or penalty (because you make contributions with after-tax dollars). There are exceptions to the 529 plan withdrawal penalty. The 10% penalty is waived if the 529 plan beneficiary passes away, becomes disabled, receives tax-free assistance (like a large scholarship), receives tuition assistance from an employer (there are some rules to this, of course), or attends a U.S. military academy. College is expensive. The 529 plan is an excellent vehicle for college savings, and investing in one earlier in your childs life means you benefit from compounded earnings. Contact your financial advisor with questions and to learn about the best 529 plan options in your state. Information referencedfrom savingforcollege.com, an independent resource for parents and financial professionals. You can learn more about 529 plans tax benefits at www.irs.gov.

Junior Year Checklist to Get Ready for College

Junior Year Checklist to Get Ready for College In the journey toward college, junior year is pivotal. This is when your teen should start buckling down and doing serious work to get ready: registering for college entrance exams, preparing for those exams, researching college options and much more. Theres plenty to do between now and next summer. Heres a checklist to keep you and your teen on track: Schedule a time to talk with the guidance counselor. This goes for both of you. The guidance counselor likely has a list of college to-dos and deadlines for the school year. Your teen should also discuss the best classes to take to stay on the right course for college. Take your teen to college fairs. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Fairs all around the country are a great option to learn more about different colleges and universities and their campus lives, majors and more. The NACAC website says each fair draws representatives from 175 to 400 colleges. Start having more serious conversations about what your teen seeks in a college. Your teen should approach the college conversation with diligence and care. Discuss the aspects of college that might matter to your teen, including location, student body size, variety of majors and campus life. Talk about the cost. Now is the time to begin researching college scholarships and financial aid. The U.S. Department of Educations Federal Student Aid website is a great resource, as are the websites of the colleges financial aid offices. And here are several to-dos that are your teens responsibility: Sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. Registration is handled through the guidance counselor. More information is available at www.collegeboard.com. Discuss and sign up for any Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Your teen should talk with the school AP coordinator about upcoming dates for AP exams and which, if any, to take. Visit the guidance counselor. This is the year when your teen must stay in good contact with the guidance counselor, who can keep share what is on the horizon for college and make sure your teen is doing everything needed. Register for the SAT and/or ACT. Spring before senior year is a good time to take these exams for the first time, but your teen might even want to do so in the fall. Upcoming SAT 2019-2020 dates are October 5, November 2, December 7, March 14, May 2 and June 6. Upcoming ACT dates are October 26, December 14, February 8, April 4, June 13 and July 18, 2020. Develop an SAT/ACT prep plan. Now that your teen is an upperclassman, it will take discipline to find time to study for the SAT/ACT. This must be a priority, though, so encourage your teen to call Huntington. We offer three levels of exam prep: premier, 32-hour and 14-hour programs. Make a list of colleges of interest. Early junior year, your teen should make a list of colleges and start doing some research (some might even be at career fairs or high school campus visit days this school year). Then, your teen can narrow this list throughout the year before doing more intensive exploration the summer before senior year. Keep a list of important milestones from high school. These poignant moments and turning points in your teens high school experience might come in handy when its time to start applying to colleges and working on the personal essay for those that require one. Create a resume. Your teen will continue to add to the resume graduation nears, but its a good year to start putting one together in anticipation of applying to colleges. Build good relationships with teachers, coaches or other mentors. Your teen should make letter of recommendation requests early senior year, if not sooner. Remind your teen that letters are best written by teachers and others who can confidently speak to your teens abilities, ethics, character and more. If your teen doesnt have strong relationships with teachers yet, this is the year to cultivate them. Want to help your teen navigate the college research process successfully? Need help getting your teen prepared for the SAT/ACT, SAT Subject or Advanced Placement exams? Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn more about our learning and exam prep programs.

4 Tips to Quit Your Job the Right Way

4 Tips to Quit Your Job the Right Way via Pexels 1. Be polite and professional. No matter how extreme the reason for quitting may be, being professional about the whole situation is important. Even if youre not exactly the biggest fan of your boss or your coworkers, acting cordially will serve you well (and prevent any other major problems from arising). With that being said, its definitely in your best interest to plan ahead what youre going to say and how youll say it. If you find lists helpful, write down a list of reasons, only for yourself, on why you want to leave your job. Since youll be the only one seeing it, you can be as blunt as youd like just make sure you get all the main points down. Then look over all your points and think about how you can communicate those reasons in a polite, professional manner. However, that doesnt mean you should feel obligated  to fully explain why youre leaving. If you prefer to keep your reasons private to your boss, you can do that without feeling guilty and without your boss thinking youre hiding something. The main goal here is to clearly and effectively communicate your desire to leave the job. As a result, its also important to show your manager that youve thought this plan through and that you really think its the best decision for you (and for the company) right now. Doing so will increase the chance that your boss hears you out and reciprocates a sense of professionalism and courtesy towards you. If you go on to pursue jobs in other career fields, prospective future employers may also inquire into your job history. You want to be prepared to show them that youve always been professional and courteous in any situation which is why its so important to handle quitting your previous job gracefully. And, of course, being polite is just the right thi ng to do. 2. Talk to your manager in person. When it comes to uncomfortable topics such as quitting a job, most people are probably tempted to simply send an email and avoid all face-to-face interaction because its just easier that way. However, easier doesnt necessarily mean better. If you really do want to come across as professional and responsible, setting up an in-person meeting with your boss is the best bet. Give your boss a heads-up that you want to talk about something and schedule a time to meet. While it may seem a bit nerve-wracking to sit down with them and express everything face-to-face, remain confident and remember that it doesnt have to be a serious, solemn conversation. Your relationship with your boss also determines the tone of the conversation, so keep that in mind while speaking to them. 3. Give plenty of notice beforehand. The general minimum amount of time is two weeks. If you can afford to let your boss know even earlier, that is certainly more convenient for them and for the company as a whole, as they will have more time to prepare for your departure and start looking for someone to replace you. Giving less than two weeks notice is definitely the less ideal option, as it can leave your boss and your colleagues in a tight spot. Keeping in mind that you want to be as professional and responsible as possible, make it a priority to speak to your boss as early as you can. Also, staying around for those two weeks or more will show that you are willing to help with the transition process as the company searches for a replacement. 4. Dont get lazy after youve decided to quit. It may be tempting to slack off after you hand in your two weeks notice, but dont give in. Continuing to work hard at your job just as you always have is important if you want to show your true work ethic and commitment to doing well. Plus, sticking it out until the end will most likely allow you to leave the job with a sense of accomplishment. After giving it your all and seeing it through to the end, you can feel fulfilled as you move on to the next big thing in your life.

5 Ways to Survive Spring Semester of Senior Year

5 Ways to Survive Spring Semester of Senior Year Spring Semester of Senior Year: 5 Ways to Survive Spring Semester of Senior Year: 5 Ways to Survive Spring semester of senior year in high school is now underway. This can be a time of mixed emotions and huge life changes that can strongly affect a students ability to concentrate. Although it seems like high school is pretty much over, its important for students to be able to survive and thrive through this last term so they can keep their grades up and maintain stability. If seniors can look at a few of the common problems they may face, theyll have a better idea of how to survive spring semester. 1. College letters One of the things that will affect high school seniors the most this term is the arrival of college acceptance (and denial) letters. This will be a big issue for any student who applied to a college or university. Once students know their options for attendance, they will have the big decision of narrowing down their choice to just one school. Each student will have a different experience, and its important that they are able to maintain their concentration throughout the anticipation and decision-making process (READ: Tips from a Fullerton tutor: how to overcome senioritis). 2. Maintaining focus One way students can maintain focus is to get a little bit of help with organization. This may come from any number of apps, their classroom teacher, a parent, tutor, or study group. Its important that students think about both the small picture and the big one. Students will have any number of assignments, tests, and quizzes that they have to complete this week but they should also look at the remainder of the academic year as a whole and make sure theyre meeting all of their goals. Most seniors will be enrolled in an AP course, and will still have to maintain their focus so they can perform well on that exam in May (READ: Best 5 math apps for high school students). 3. Staying within a routine Seniors are encouraged to stick to the routine that has been working for them up until now. Once students know they have been accepted into college, it can be easy to give into the temptations of senioritis and stop trying altogether. However, students who have a strong dip in GPA right at the end of their high school career may be denied the opportunity for scholarship-based financial aid or graduation honors. Additionally, seniors are encouraged to remember that their university acceptance is conditional; meaning that if their GPA changes significantly, the college may revoke their acceptance. Students can stay within their routine by continuing to meet with their tutor and study group, continuing to participate in any volunteer or after school clubs, and arranging for social time on the weekends. 4. Getting ready for next year At this point, seniors shouldnt look too far into the future when it comes to making specific plans because it may distract them from their current applications. However, there are a few things seniors need to look at sooner rather than later. Financial aid and scholarship applications will require immediate attention and students will need to make sure they have done everything required to enroll in their chosen university. Other than that, students are encouraged to make a checklist with due dates for everything they need to do during the summer so they can get started as soon as high school ends (READ: 4 differences between high school and college that may catch you by surprise). 5. Spend quality time with friends and family One of the most important things seniors can do is simply spend quality time with friends and family who they wont see as much next year. Most college freshman will be making all new friends in a few months so its nice to enjoy current high school friendships so they can survive the distance of college life. Additionally, when students are off at college, they may miss their family more than they think. Spring semester is a great time to participate in social activities with family and friends before going off to the big adventure that is the university experience. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.