The Single Most Important Tip for How to Sing Acapella

The Single Most Important Tip for How to Sing Acapella Sign up successful #1 Tip for How to Sing Acapella Ear training is the single most important tip for how to sing acapella. What is ear training you ask? Being able to recognize pitch, tone color, and rhythms by hearing, and then demonstrating that through singing. The official definition from Webster Dictionary is: training to improve musical perception that generally includes solfège, sight singing, and musical dictation.” Don’t be intimidated! Ear training is not as scary as it sounds. Below, we’ll share a simple exercise to get you on the right track in developing your listening skills. The Most Effective Ear Training Exercise To get started, pick a few standard, traditional songs something from the American songbook such as “Amazing Grace” or “God Bless America,” that everyone is familiar with.  Next, listen to a professional recording of the song. [If you play an instrument, learn to play the melody of the song. Its okay if you need to look at the sheet music or lyrics this does not need to be memorized right away.] Once you feel confident acapella singing the melody of the song, start to double-check yourself. Sing one note at a time, and then compare it to the recording. If you’re playing along with a piano or guitar, check your pitch against it. If you did not hit the correct note, simply try again until you can sing the correct pitch. This process does take time, and it shouldnt be rushed. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t hit the right note the first time; it takes practice! Once you’ve mastered note-by-note checking, try acapella singing the whole song from start to finish. Record yourself doing this so you can spot areas that still need some improvement. If the notes you sang sound the same as the original melody congrats, youre training your ear! If they sounded quite different, focus back on that melody again, and go over it pitch by pitch. You should also compare your last note to the last note of the recording, to make sure you stayed on track. You can repeat this exercise as many times as you need to with as many different songs as you like. You can also watch video tutorials like this one, that help you learn to identify and remember the individual notes in a song The more practice you get at ear training, the faster you will learn how to sing acapella! More Ways to Perfect Your Acapella Singing Being able to recognize if your singing is off pitch, flat, or sharp is ear training in itself. To further sharpen these necessary skills for acapella, listen to a range of very good singers and then, some not-so-good singers. Look for the difference in their pitch, intonation, and tonality. If youre unable to tell the difference of hearing pitches, and every note sounds the same to you, you may require some additional ear training methods. Here are a few excellent apps that will help you learn while on-the-go: Complete Ear Trainer Easy Music Good Ear Pro TakeLessons Live You can also try singing while you play scales or singing intervals to perfect your sound. If you’re a more advanced musician, try composing without the use of an instrument or transcribing your favorite song. Every professional singer should have a few songs in their repertoire that they can sing acapella. You never know when your next audition may be, and you can’t always expect a musician or CD player to accompany you at your auditions. If you need some additional guidance learning how to sing acapella, consider lessons from a vocal instructor to broaden your skillset. A vocal teacher can guide you through the process of ear training at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Good luck, and enjoy learning the art of acapella! Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches singing and acting lessons online. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal Performance and she currently performs all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country. Learn more about Liz 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

How to Overcome Dysfunctional Behaviors and Stay on Track in Your Career - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Overcome Dysfunctional Behaviors and Stay on Track in Your Career - Introvert Whisperer How to Overcome Dysfunctional Behaviors and Stay on Track in Your Career No, life often isn’t fair, but you know what? You have to muster your strength and courage and deal with all the challenges, because no one else will do that on your behalf. Overcoming dysfunctional behaviors to stay on track in your career is beyond essential, so check out our tips and guidelines and learn how to make it happen with success. Just keep on reading, start taking notes, and enjoy! Which life situations can cause dysfunctional behaviors? Dysfunctional behaviors can be caused by a wide range of life situations, from tough breakups and divorce, losing a loved one, and challenges at work to some internal struggles and conflicts. You’re highly likely to get overwhelmed and thrown off balance when dealing with such situations, which is exactly when you will start behaving much different than usual. For some people, this can last for a few days or weeks, until they find a way to get back on track. On the other hand, for others, dysfunctional behavior can stick for a much longer period (a few months or more), which can negatively affect their careers and everything they’ve been working on for years. Overcoming such behavior is essential, so keep on reading to learn how to make it happen. How to rebound after challenging situations and go on with your life? Rebounding after challenging life situations and overcoming dysfunctional behaviors can be a long and exhausting process, but you must know that it’s crucial for you to go on with your life and do what’s best for yourself. Even though it can be hard, it certainly isn’t impossible, so check out our tips and save the career you’ve worked so hard for. Give yourself time to recover Healing is a process, which means that it’ll take a lot of time for you to go through it properly. This basically means that you can’t expect your worries, pain, and discomfort to disappear after a single conversation with your loved ones or after a just couple of days. Giving yourself time to recover is crucial here, so don’t rush yourself and take as much time as you need. Even though pushing yourself to do something you aren’t comfortable with can be beneficial sometimes, it’s highly likely that it’ll actually slow down your recovery, not allowing you to overcome those dysfunctional behaviors. So, take one step at a time, don’t rush yourself and don’t let others rush you, and you’ll do a great job. Seek professional help Seeking professional help is always a good idea â€" especially if you’ve been struggling to overcome those challenging life situations for quite some time, so don’t wait any longer and ask for help. Getting back to your business after a divorce, loss of a loved one, or finding out that you suffer from serious disease is always difficult, which is why you should work with a business coach who can help you amplify the results of your business, increase profit, and gain back your time. So, if you’re running your own business and you simply can’t manage to get back on track, this is definitely the best thing you can do. Just give it a try and you’ll see a fantastic improvement. Don’t overanalyze When something bad happens and throws you off balance, overanalyzing is usually the first thing you’ll do, right? Even though worrying about things that have happened, might happen, or will never happen seems completely logical at that point in time, you must know that it is the last thing you should ever do. The same goes for questioning your self-worth, so give yourself time to evaluate the reality of the situation and don’t rush to fix things. Besides that, creating different kinds of scenarios in your mind can bring more harm than good in the long run, so stop overanalyzing, change your perspective a little bit, and you’ll see that everything is possible if you think rationally.

Guitar Prices How Much Are We Talking

Guitar Prices How Much Are We Talking How Much Does a Guitar Cost Then? ChaptersHow Much Does a Classical Guitar Cost?How Much Does an Electric Guitar Cost? How Much Does an Acoustic Guitar Cost?How to Buy an Inexpensive Guitar?What is the Price of Guitar Strings?How to Buy a Second-hand Guitar?How does one acquire a guitar?  Whether you want to play blues, rock, pop, flamenco, jazz, gypsy jazz or a French variety, you will first have to go through the process of purchasing a guitar. However, it’s sometimes difficult to know how much to spend on this string instrument when you’re just beginning to take music lessons. Many elements need to be taken into account when it comes to price. These instruments can be more or less expensive according to their manufacture time, their maker, and also their features. If they have a cutaway, they may be more expensive. If you want a musical instrument that is constructed well, with a solid fretboard, headstock, and back and sides, you're going to be looking at paying more. If you want an axe that combines good pla yability with an attractive body shape, you can't expect to pay nothing.  Guitarists can pay thousands of pounds for a new guitar. Yet, new guitar players shouldn't pay more than three hundred for their first instrument - and that applies to electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and classical guitars alike.The advice of a professional, music teacher or others, will be a great help to  you in making your choice.In the meantime, here’s an idea of what you can find on the market.Getting attention from people  is good, but with a guitar it’s even better. But if you want to seduce your crush with a beautiful Stratocaster worthy of the biggest rock bands, good luck!Or even with another brand: Fender, Ibanez, Gibson, Dreadnought, Gibson Les Paul…When we start music lessons, especially guitar lessons, teachers often recommend starting out with a classical guitar. Don’t worry, this doesn’t prevent you from moving on to something else afterward, like an electric or folk guitar, but th e classical guitar will give you the necessary knowledge to play this instrument.Indeed, the classical guitar neck is easier to use. It will teach you where to ideally position your left hand. In addition, its  nylon strings will be easier to strum  for a beginner than the electric guitar’s steel strings. It will train you in important techniques such as fingerstyle and in your navigation of the fingerboard - essential skills you will need to move on to acoustics or electrics.  Honestly, people that start off playing the nylon string classical guitar make better guitarists in the long run.The neck on the classical guitar is suited for novices.But how much should you pay for a good classical guitar?Classical guitars can cost from $50 to $1500 or more. So how do we make the right choice? Be aware that $50 guitars are more often children's toys than real guitars that will last over time! To invest in your first guitar, you should consider prices around $120. In this price range, you will easily find a guitar that makes you happy without going broke.  Look at models by Cordoba, Yamaha, and even Fender, who all make a very good beginner nylon string guitar.How Much Does an Electric Guitar Cost?After a few months or years of playing the classical guitar, you want to switch to the electric guitar? But how much does an electric guitar cost?Like the classical guitar, different price ranges are available for the electric guitar, whether you buy it online or at the store.Good quality guitars cost around $130. Certainly, you won’t have the same guitar as Jimi Hendrix, but you’ll find one that will do the trick. As you progress, and if your budget allows, you will be able to upgrade and resell your first guitar.But with the electric guitar, also comes the amplifier (or guitar amp).Indeed, we must not forget the cost of accessories that come with an electric guitar. And buying an electric guitar without an amp is useless since the sound would barely be noticeable.The electric guitar requires the purchase of an amp.Several stores offer a package including the guitar and the amp together.It’s entirely possible to find a package deal at a good price (around $150). This can very well do the trick for a beginner guitar player. In addition, the set often includes a guitar case or gig bag (although not a hardshell one), as well as a strap, tuners, and some spare electric guitar strings. The perfect tools to play the guitar.  But if your level is a bit higher and you want to perform onstage, look for a slightly higher priced amplifier, like from the brand Marshall for example.For electric guitars, the reliable budget brands are Yamaha, Epiphone, and ESP Ltd.The electric guitar is not for you?You could find a good compromise between the classical guitar and the electric guitar by buying an acoustic-electric guitar!This is an acoustic guitar equipped with microphones to amplify the sound. A sound that will be closer to the classical guitar than electric since it is part of the acoustic guitar family. Indeed, the sound can resonate alone in the body of the guitar, the sound box.But what is the acoustic guitar used for?This type of guitar is ideal for playing any kind of musical style, unlike the classical guitar which is more for jazz music, gypsy style, or, as the name suggests, classical music. With an acoustic guitar, you can play rock, the French variety, and the blues. It’s enough to delight more than one aficionado.But how much does an acoustic guitar cost? As with other types of guitars, you can easily find starting prices around $130 for an acoustic guitar.However, an acoustic guitar is often an important investment that we want to keep all our life. So it may be wiser to look at guitars between $200 and $600 if your budget allows. These are generally of very good quality and will last for a long time.Some good brands include Seagull, Taylor Guitars, and Martin Guitars.As for accessories, it's up to you to decide whether you want to get an amp or not. Know that if you don’t want to play on stage, the amp could be useless.You can play any type of music with a folk guitar.However, consider buying a guitar case, a tuning fork, a tuner, a metronome and a capo. The last one shortens the neck to change the tone. It’s a tool as useful as the pick to have fun playing guitar!How to Buy an Inexpensive Guitar?Your budget does not meet your guitar desire?You will then have to find an inexpensive guitar  without decreasing the quality. This balance will be found especially in the manufactured quality of the guitar.Indeed, the more high-end the guitar finishes are, the more expensive the guitar will be.For example, you shouldn’t go to a luthier (a guitar maker) if you’re on a budget. Guitars are usually worked with great precision and patience. The prices then correspond to the quality of manufacture.Several other elements can change the price of a guitar - for example, the wood choice (spruce, oak, maple , rosewood, mahogany, ebony...). Some woods are rarer than others. Varnish and the mechanics can also change the price.You can get a guitar that’s less expensive than others by foregoing the higher-end finishing details.Also, take advantage of music stores’ discounts. Whether it's during a sale or not, some sellers sometimes give discounts for certain guitars. Go to the store and ask for advice.Otherwise, you can opt for a second-hand guitar. Online or at the flea market, you can find a good guitar that costs half of the regular price.What is the Price of Guitar Strings?Once you get your guitar, you will have to take good care of it. This includes maintaining the strings. Indeed, you shouldn’t wait until a string breaks to replace it. Be aware that your strings get damaged over time and this can change the tone of your guitar.That’s why it’s recommended to regularly change your string set, not just one of the six strings. Changing only one string could break the harmony of your guitar...It's up to you to decide how often you should change your strings. Some musicians change them before each concert. Others, every six months. It really depends on your personal practice and the care you give to your guitar.However, a few little things can delay the oxidation of the strings. For example, you can wash your hands before playing and wipe the strings after each use. This will extend the life of your strings.But that does not exempt you from changing them. A string set costs around $10 in a music store or online. Check out Strings and Beyond to find the right string set for you. The price of the guitar strings may vary according to the material (steel, nylon or others), but also the treatment of the strings. Some strings may be more resistant to oxidation than others.If you’ve never changed your strings before, ask your guitar teacher for help or watch a tutorial online. You will quickly get the hang of it.You can also ask a seller to do it for around $10. How to Buy a Second-hand Guitar?It is strongly advised to try out an instrument before buying it.Although science has shown the benefit of music for our health, instruments are not yet reimbursed by our insurance. It is, therefore, necessary to look for other solutions to find the guitar of your dreams at a low price.Buying a pre-owned guitar is a great way to lower the price. It’s usually half of the original price.This option should not be overlooked by those with a small budget. And for that, there are several solutions.For example, you can go to flea markets. This is the ideal place to negotiate directly with the seller. Moreover, you can test the guitar then and there; a key point when it comes to buying a guitar.You can also check out pawn shops. They have, for the most part, an area dedicated to musical instruments. And you can be sure that you will find an array of guitars. These places give the opportunity to seek advice from the salesperson who will guide you in your cho ice.You can also use one of the most common means of purchasing an item: the Internet. Many people use sites like craigslist.org to make their purchases. And there you can find tons of guitars.However, how not to get ripped off?First off, check the original price of the guitar to make sure that the used guitar is actually cheaper. Then ask the seller to see the instrument. Make an appointment to go to their home or meet in a public place to test the instrument.Some things must be checked such as the condition of the mechanics, the presence of cracks or shocks, the condition of the bridge and neck, and the condition of the soundbox.And do not hesitate to take your time and ask a friend who is knowledgeable about guitars to accompany you.Take time to think before you buy.To get you started, why not consider taking private lessons.  Searching for guitar lessons London  produces the most results on Superprof but there is a lot more choice if you're willing to learn online.

What is an Average ACT Score

What is an Average ACT Score Whether youve recently taken the ACT or you have an upcoming test date, you are likely asking the question, What is an average ACT score? Knowing the answer to this question can be helpful for a plethora of reasons, including gauging where you fall compared to other students applying to your target schools and establishing your goal score. According to ACT, Inc., the average ACT score in 2017 was a 21 (on a scale of 1-36). What this means is, on average, 50 percent of test-takers scored a 21 on their ACT. What does this mean for you? When understanding the breakdown of an average ACT score, its important to know how the ACT sections are scored, how schools use the ACT, and how to set your personal target score. Heres what youll find in this article: How the ACT is scored How ACT sections are scored What to know about the optional ACT Essay What the additional scores are on your ACT score report How schools use the ACT What this ACT breakdown means for you. Understanding ACT scoring can be intimidating at first glance, and dissecting the average ACT score can be confusing. Keep reading to learn how the ACT is scored, what you need to know about the optional ACT writing section, and what the average ACT score breakdown means for you. How is the ACT scored? The ACT exam sets out to test students readiness to excel in college-level courses. For decades, the SAT was the go-to test for high school juniors and seniors who planned to attend college. Now, in certain parts of the countryparticularly the Midwestthe ACT is as or more common than the SAT. While comparison to others is often discouraged, when it comes to college admissions, comparing one student to another is precisely what admissions committees do. In light of this reality, it can be helpful for you to know and understand your ACT score, as well as how it compares to the average ACT score. The average ACT score is a 21. In light of this information, a score of 32 (for example) would be well above average. This is a positive sign, but your composite score doesnt offer a complete picture of your academic abilities. Instead, consider it a quick reference. For instance, if Person A earned a score of 30, you can assume that he or she did relatively well on all four sections, whereas a score of 18 would suggest that he or she did poorly on one or more of the sections. Your overall, or composite, ACT result is an averaged, scaled score that reflects your performance in each section. Let's take the following scenario, for example, if you earned a: 30 in English 33 in Mathematics 31 in Reading 34 in Science. Your composite score would be a 32. This is due to the averaging of each section. Essentially, each sections score is added together and divided by four. This will give you your composite score. The below chart illustrates how percentile rankings coincide with your ACT score. As shown, if you receive an ACT score of 25, your score falls in the top 20 percent of test-takers. Percentile ACT Score (out of 36) Top 1% 34 or higher Top 5% 30 Top 10% 28 Top 20% 25 Top 30% 23 Top 40% 22 Top 50% average 21 *The above data comes from ACT.org. Rather than looking solely at your composite score as a measure of your abilities, the section scores, benchmarks, and rankings made available to you on your official score report will tell you far more about where you truly stand. ACT terms can be confusing at first, especially when attempting to analyze your score report. Below is an ACT keywords chart to reference when understanding your ACT score. Understanding what each score you receive means will help you to better grasp the breakdown of your score, and in turn, compare it to the national average ACT score. How are ACT sections scored? As previously mentioned, each of the four sections on the ACT has a raw score. The English section, for example, has 75 questions. If you answer all 75 correctly, your raw score would be 75. This score is then converted to a scaled result between 1 and 36 points, which is further divided into two subscores. Why are there subscores? Each portion of the ACT tests you on various aspects of a particular subject. In the English section, you will be tested on your ability to comprehend and employ the mechanics of the language, as well as your ability to craft an argument. Each subscore falls between 1 and 18, for a total of 1 to 36 points. (Note that 1 is the lowest, and that 18 or 36 is the highest.) Benchmark Average ACT English score 18 20.3 ACT Math Score 22 20.7 ACT Reading Score 22 21.4 ACT Science Score 23 20.9 When analyzing your English score, the first metric to consider is the benchmark score, which, according to ACT, Inc., indicates at least a 50% chance of getting a B or higher or about a 75% chance of getting a C or higher in a first-year college class... Thus, your score should be above the benchmark. For the English section, the benchmark score is 18. If you earn an 18 or above, you are likely ready for college-level English material. The average score for this section is 20.3. Using the score from our hypothetical scenario, you earned a 30 in English, which means that your score is above average and in the 91st percentile. The Mathematics portion of the ACT tests students in three areas: pre-algebra/elementary algebra, algebra/coordinate geometry, and plane geometry/trigonometry. The benchmark score for the ACT Mathematics section is 22, and the national average is 20.7. If you were to earn a score of 18 on this portion (rather than our hypothetical of 33), you would fall below the benchmark and the national average, with a rank in the 45th percentile. In this case, you can see how an above-average composite score might provide an inaccurate representation of your abilities across different fields of study. If they were to take a closer look at your section scores, admissions officials would realize that your math skills are somewhat below average and in need of improvement. With that said, the national average suggests that many ACT test-takers perform at a below-average level on the Mathematics portion, so you would not be alone. The Reading section consists of two subscores that test your comprehension of the social studies/sciences and arts/literature. The first two portions of this subtest, social studies and natural sciences, present passages from fields like anthropology, chemistry, and psychology. The third and fourth portions, arts and literature, present passages from novels and personal essays. Each passages purpose is to evaluate your ability to grasp the concepts being presented, to identify the main ideas, and to use reasoning to arrive at the point of the work. You may also be asked to identify implicit meaning or to demonstrate an understanding of certain words in context. In this case, the benchmark is 22, and the national average is 21.4. Recalling our hypothetical scenario, you received a 31, which places you above the benchmark. You are also in the 91st percentile. You performed at an above-average level, and you should be prepared for college-level reading comprehension tasks. Unlike other sections of the ACT, the Science portion has no subscores, and you will only receive a single score between 1 and 36. The benchmark for this section is 23, the highest of all four portions of the ACT. The Science section measures your comprehension of data sets like charts and graphs, while also assessing your knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories that drive the field. You may be asked to read research summaries or to compare conflicting viewpoints. The average Science score is 20.9, which falls below the benchmark. With a hypothetical score of 34, you would be well above average and in the 99th percentile. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew About Taking the ACT/SAT] What should you know about the optional ACT Essay? As you now know, your ACT score is comprised of four sections, but there is also an optional fifth sectionthe Writing subtest, which requires the composition of a short essay. Before you decide whether or not you will take the ACT essay, keep in mind that although it will not change your composite score, it is required by certain schools and recommended by others. Its important to note that ACT Writing is less firmly required than in past years. Many schools, particularly Ivy League universities, are choosing to make the essay portion of the ACT optional for students. In May 2018, schools such as Yale University, Harvard University, and Dartmouth University made the essay optional for students in future classes. The latest to announce this change in requirements is Brown University, who dropped the ACT essay requirement early in July 2018. With fewer and fewer schools requiring the ACT essay, does this mean you shouldnt take it? Its key to note that although schools are dropping the ACT essay requirement, this doesnt mean the essay is not recommended. Taking the essay portion can strengthen existing writing skills and prepare you for college writing. Additionally, if you feel you are a strong writer, the ACT essay can showcase your skills to schools. In order to determine whether the colleges and universities to which you are applying require this ACT component, speak with the admissions department or review the schools website. In addition to the above mentioned schools, the following universities no longer require the ACT essay: Columbia University University of Pennsylvania Cornell University Stanford University Princeton University California Institute of Technology. During the Writing section of the ACT, you will be provided with an issue and three different perspectives on that issue. Once you have read the passage, you will be asked to analyze each perspective and to develop a written response that takes all three into consideration and demonstrates your critical thinking skills. The purpose of the ACT essay is to assess a students critical reading and thinking skills, as well as his or her ability to form an argument based on the evidence presented in the text. As with the other sections, you will be given a score between 1 and 36. There is no benchmark for the Writing subtest and no current average. However, there are four subscores that range from 2 to 12: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use and conventions. [RELATED: How to Prepare for the ACT Essay] What are the additional scores on my ACT score report? The information presented thus far explains what each subject area measures, how to interpret your score, and how a given result compares to the national average. When you receive your ACT score report, however, you will notice that there are additional scores and percentages reported along with your composite and section scores. The first is your English Language Arts (or ELA) score, which combines your English, Reading, and Writing scores into a single scaled and averaged score between 1 and 36. The purpose of this metric is to provide a single score that reflects your abilities in subjects like the humanities. Assume you earned a 25 on the English section, a 22 on the Reading section, and a 25 on the Writing section. Your ELA score would be a 24. While the data on national averages has not yet been released, you would be in the 70th percentile according to ACT, Inc. The same equation is used to calculate a single score for Mathematics and Science. In this case, a STEM score of 19 would fall in the 44th percentile. This section of your report also provides insight into your understanding of complex texts and what the ACT refers to as Progress Toward Career Readiness. The scales for these items can be viewed here. Finally, when you register for the ACT, you will be asked to provide the names of those schools that should receive your score report. When you receive your results, you will notice that ACT, Inc. has included information on the average scores for enrolled first-year students at your first four institutions, as well as GPAs and class rankings. How do schools use the ACT? Each college or university is unique, and each institution has something different in mind when it comes to its ideal applicant. This means that an average or lower-than-average ACT score will not necessarily prevent you from attending the school of your choice. Below is a chart detailing the average ACT score at select institutions. Its key to remember that universitiesIvy League or otherwiselook at factors besides standardized test scores. Schools use the ACT as one factor, in addition to others, when making admissions decisions. They note participation in extracurricular and volunteer activities, cumulative GPA, and types of courses you took in high school, to name a few. University Average ACT Score in 2017 Princeton University 32-36 Dartmouth College 32 Columbia University 33-35 Cornell University 33 Its best not to make decisions about where to apply based solely on the average ACT scores of accepted students, since college admissions decisions are based on a number of factors. Still, knowing how your score compares to other applicants can help you narrow down your short list of schools. Such data can help you eliminate outliers that are too high or too low given your own metrics. You can also call or email the admissions department, and discuss how your scores will affect your chances of admission. What does this ACT breakdown mean for me? In many cases, composite scores, section scores, subscores, benchmarks, national averages, and the like are the purvey of admissions committees, high school guidance counselors, and parents. Nevertheless, breaking down these various scores can provide you with a wealth of important informationnot just about the average ACT score, but also about what schools might be looking for from applicants, and how you can become a more appealing candidate. If this information leads you to believe you should be making a bigger effort to improve your ACT score, consider using ACT practice tests or ACT tutoring for help. In your personal statement, for instance, you will probably explain who you are as a person and who you are as a student. This may include a summary of your academic areas of interest and one or more majors that you are considering pursuing. Whatever you tell admissions committees about your academic goals and dreams, you should ensure that your statement is enhanced and supported by your ACT scores. If, for example, you love science and you hope to pursue a degree in chemistry, a low score on the Science section of the ACT could suggest that you might not be ready for college-level science courses. As a result, you might not receive an offer of admission. [RELATED: What to Do When Rejected from Your Dream School] To identify your goal score, you can both review how ACT scoring is broken down and establish reliable prep strategies. The best way to understand how you will perform on the ACT leading up to the exam is to take ACT practice tests. Practice tests can help identify areas of both strength and weakness. You can note whether you need improvement on time management or if you excel at specific concepts. Once you have taken your practice test, set aside time to review the results and note where you should be placing the bulk of your prep time. Identify your goal score by researching the average ACT score of accepted students at your schools of interest and comparing this with your practice test results. ACT tutoring is another option to pinpoint areas of improvement and set specific prep strategies for success on the exam. [RELATED: How to Create an ACT Prep Plan] Understanding the average ACT score can be beneficial to you for a multitude of reasons. Knowing that the average ACT score is 21 can help you to identify your target score and properly prep for the exam. Once you understand the average ACT score and how it is broken down, you can properly assess what the average ACT score means for you. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

Circulatory System Functions

Circulatory System Functions As animals grow in size and complexity, tissues and organs with specific functions developed each dependent onthe others for some essential process or chemicals. The need arose for a system to transport materials, especially food, oxygen, CO2 and wastes between the various organs. The circulatory system mediates the continuous movement of all body fluids. The circulatory system helps in the following functions: 1. Transport of nutrients: Sugars, amino acids, minerals and vitamins are picked up by blood from intestine and transported to different parts of the body for storage and assimilation. 2. Transport of oxygen: It transports oxygen from the respiratory surface to the tissues for utilization in respiration. 3. Transport of Carbon dioxide: CO2 formed during respiration is taken by blood to the respiratory surface for elimination. 4. Transport of waste products: It carries nitrogenous wastes from various parts of the body to the kidneys for separation and elimination 5. Transport of hormones: Endocrine glands pour their hormones into blood for transport to target tissues. 6. Maintenance of water balance: Circulating blood provides water and inorganic salts in the region of deficiency and removes the same in the area of excess. 7. Regulation of body temperature: Blood distributes heat to all parts of the body. It also conducts heat to the surface for dissipation 8. Maintenance of pH: Blood maintains pH of tissue fluids with the help of various buffers. 9. Body defence: Blood contains phagocytic leucocytes, and immunocytes for defence against germs.

Colleges With Small Class Sizes

Colleges With Small Class Sizes Small is not a word many students hear when colleges talk about their class sizes anymore, and when they do use that word theyre most likely using it incorrectly. Major budget cuts have forced many colleges to cut costs. The easiest and most effective way for colleges to do that was by slimming down on their staff (both professors and administrators). The national, public universities were hit harder than private universities, and research universities were hit the hardest. See more from Varsity Tutors here on budget cuts leading to larger class sizes. But, not all schools have increased their class sizes, and some have actually maintained relatively small classes, according to an article in the US News World Report. The US News World Report surveyed 256 national universities in 2010 and found that 46.2 percent of those schools surveyed have class sizes under 20 students, on average. It also found that liberal arts colleges (schools that award at least half their degrees in the liberal arts field) have much smaller classes, with 63.3 of classes having fewer than 20 students. The US News World Report surveyed 1,355 total institutions of all categories including private colleges, tech/vocational schools and regional/local colleges. It found that 55.2 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students. The New School in New York topped the US News World Reports list of national universities with the smallest classes. The New School has an undergrad enrollment of 6,882 with 91.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Naturally, most of the New Schools degrees awarded are in liberal arts fields. Four of the 10 national universities on this list are ranked in the top 10 best national colleges list, also determined by the US News World Report, not surprisingly. The four are Harvard, Yale, Columbia and the University of Chicago. Colleges try to keep their student-to-faculty ratios as low as possible. Smaller class sizes give students more one-on-one time with professors and more tailored learning. In small classes, professors can adjust their curriculum to fit the interests of each class something thats completely lost in huge, lecture halls.

Recognizing Screen Addiction in Kids with ADHD

Recognizing Screen Addiction in Kids with ADHD If youre the parent of a child who spends hours each day playing video games, watching YouTube videos, or checking out friends social media posts, youve probably wondered at times whether all of this screen time is problematic or if its just part of growing up in the 21st century. While all kids benefit from reasonable limits around screen time, kids with ADHD may need stricter limits than most to prevent them from becoming addicted to their screens. ADHD and Screen Addiction Research shows that kids with ADHD are at high risk for developing screen addiction. In fact, its estimated that up to 25% of kids and teens with ADHD suffer from some form of screen addiction. Why are kids with ADHD at increased risk? The constant simulation and reinforcement that comes from fast paced video games, videos, and even social media sites triggers a release of dopamine in the brain the same reward chemical that is implicated in other addictions (food, drugs, gambling, etc.). The brains of kids and adults with ADHD are especially sensitive to this dopamine release, and as a result, have a harder time disengaging from triggering activities than individuals without ADHD. What are the Signs of Screen Addiction? How can you tell if your child is actually addicted to screens, or just really enjoys spending time on his or her iPad or playing video games? Start by thinking back to times when you have tried to set screen time limits. How has your child reacted when you put the limits in place? Most kids will be disappointed and upset, but kids with a screen problem will quickly escalate verbally and sometimes physically. They will act as though their world has just been crushed, and will try just about any tactic to their screen time back. They will often become very sneaky in their efforts to get back in front of a screen, and will typically lie when confronted about their behavior. Children with a screen addiction prefer playing videogames or going online much more than any other activity. In fact, they may seem to no longer truly enjoy any activity that isnt screen-related. As a result, their relationships with friends and family and their grades at school begin to suffer. How Do You Help Your Child Break the Addiction? There isnt a one-size-fits-all approach to screen addiction. However, there are four basic principles that apply to everyone: Limit the number of screens in your home. Keep televisions out of your childs bedroom and do not allow any tablets or smartphones in his or her room overnight. Have one central charging station in the house where everyone leaves their devices at the end of the day and during mealtimes. Limit internet access. Set up website blockers for all of your childs most addictive sites and apps. Also, work with your internet provider to disable your childs internet access at a set time each day. Be a good role model. Set limits around your own screen time. Pay attention to the amount of time you spend on your phone or tablet. If your child sees that you are constantly in front of a screen, then you are sending the message that excessive screen time isnt a problem. With these two steps in place, your path forward will depend on the age of your child and his or her level of screen addiction. If you have a younger child with a relatively mild problem, then putting firm limits into place (e.g., 30 minutes of iPad time a day) and sticking to them despite the behavior outbursts, will help dramatically. In addition, if your child has not started playing videogames yet, then do not let him or her start now. In my experience, the most severe cases of screen addiction among kids and teens with ADHD all involved videogames. With any type of addiction, the best strategy is prevention. If you have an older child or teen with a moderate or severe screen problem, then intervening is more difficult. Kids and teens who are addicted to screens rarely have any insight into their problem, so talking to them about their behavior and encouraging change is very challenging. Its best to work with a child and adolescent cognitive behavioral (CBT) therapist who has experience treating screen addictions. A good therapist will work closely with both you and your child to set limits on screen use at home, and help your child learn to enjoy activities that dont involve their phone, tablet, or gaming console. Screen addiction is a very real problem for many children with ADHD, and its not something that will simply get better on its own. Look out for the signs of screen addiction and get help if you think your child is struggling to manage healthy limits around screen time. 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.

Does Fidgeting Help Kids with ADHD Focus

Does Fidgeting Help Kids with ADHD Focus Have you noticed that many kids with ADHD seem to move and fidget constantly when they are doing their homework or are sitting at a desk in their classroom, no matter how many times theyve been told to sit still or stay in their seat? Have you also noticed that these same kids seem to have no problem sitting still when theyre watching a movie or playing a videogame? This stark contrast in behavior perplexes and frustrates many teachers and parents. It gives the impression that kids with ADHD are able to sit still when they want to and only move constantly at other times because theyre trying to avoid doing their schoolwork or escape a boring situation, or because they are simply being defiant. A team of researchers had a different idea. What if the fidgeting and constant movement actually serves a purpose? What if moving actually helps kids with ADHD focus on their work, think more clearly, and stay alert and engaged when they are doing something that is not particularly interesting to them? To test this theory Dr. Rapport and his students developed a series of studies that precisely measured the movements of elementary school-aged boys with ADHD in two different scenarios. In the first scenario, the boys sat and watched a movie, which is an activity that most people can focus on fairly effortlessly. In the second scenario, the boys completed computer-based tasks that required them to concentrate and use their working memory working memory is what allows us to store information in our mind for short periods of time and use the stored information to do things like calculate math problems in our head. During the movie there was very little movement from the boys with ADHD, but as soon as they switched gears and started their working memory computer tasks the amount of movement increased dramatically. The boys without ADHD moved a bit more during the working memory tasks than they did during the movie, but not nearly as much as their ADHD counterparts. In a follow-up study, the researchers looked more closely at how movement impacted the boys level of accuracy on the working memory tasks. Sure enough, for most of the boys with ADHD, the more they moved the more accurately they performed! The opposite was true for the boys without ADHD. Their accuracy actually decreased the more that they moved. Why does movement helps kids with ADHD perform better? Its probably tied to the fact that the brains of kids with ADHD need more stimulation in order to click into gear and focus than the brains of kids without ADHD. So, when an activity isnt very interesting or stimulating, kids with ADHD need an extra push to get their brains working, and moving their bodies gives their brains the push that they need. Everyone actually experiences this sometimes. Next time youre in a boring meeting or are really feeling like you need another cup of coffee, pay attention to your body. Youll probably find yourself fidgeting or moving around in an effort to stay alert and engaged. The difference for kids with ADHD is that they feel like this on a daily basis. So, does this mean that we should stop telling kids with ADHD to stay in their seat and sit still? If a child is in a situation where their movement isnt distracting to other kids around them, and theyre staying on task and getting their work done, then I would recommend allowing them to keep moving. If the child is in a classroom and other kids are getting distracted, or the childs desk has to be moved away from his peers because of his movement, then the answer isnt as straightforward. In classroom situations it can be helpful to find tools that allow kids to move or fidget without disrupting the group. Different tools work for different kids, so finding the right option might take some trial and error. In general I recommend fidget tools that can be attached to desks or chairs rather than loose fidget objects that can be lost or turn into distracting toys. Bouncy Bands attach to chairs and desk legs and can help facilitate quiet feet and leg movement (http://bouncybands.com/). Or, if a standing desk is an option at your childs school, many come with a fidget bar already installed that is similar to a swinging footrest. For kids who fidget with their hands a simple strip of Velcro attached to the bottom of the desk can be a good sensory fidget tool. Next time you see your child fidgeting or moving during homework time, spend some time observing him before you decide whether or not you should tell him to sit still. The movement might just be helping him build up the brain power he needs in order to concentrate and do his work well. 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.