The 4-Letter Acronym All Aspiring Singers Need to Know

The 4-Letter Acronym All Aspiring Singers Need to Know Sign up successful Vocalists are the only musicians  who do not have the option of making actual, physical contact with their instrument in order to produce a sound or tone. This is an important thing to consider when youre thinking about how to be a better singer. It  puts us at both an advantage and a disadvantage for a couple of reasons. For example, advantages include not having to carry much with us to a gig or having to spend money replacing parts we ARE the instrument.  However, being the instrument can also be a disadvantage, as many things can affect our singing voice:  the weather, our bodys natural hormonal balance, our diets, sleep habits, stress levels, and our emotions. Even sneezing too hard can cause an issue for some (especially if the sneeze happens while on stage yikes!). In my work as a music therapist, music educator, and artist development specialist, many of my clients bring some level of anxiety with them to our first voice lesson. By the time they leave, it is always my goal to have thoroughly expressed the necessity of sharing their emotional space with their audience, as this is what  allows connection and authenticity. For example, if you are singing in a choir, it is the use of realistic and authentic gestures, facial expressions, and vocal color that can only be the result of connecting with the piece of music. This cannot happen solely on an intellectual level. This must happen in an emotional way, as well. I am not suggesting that students expect a full-on therapy session whenever they go to a lesson or gig.  On the contrary, I encourage my students and clients to utilize the following tools as ways to paint the song into the hearts and minds of the listener. I use the acronym  L.I.V.E. to remind my students of these tools. L Laser I have seen much success in employing metaphors and symbolism into my teaching style. One of my most popular metaphors includes visualizing the voice as a laser. Somehow, students are able to better understand how to direct their voices. This is specifically helpful for artists-in-training who are learning how to project and properly sing forward. I Internalize Even the most touching song is only considered as such because the listener experienced some kind of emotional connection with the artists interpretation, the story of the song or even their own personal journey in life. Every song has several different avenues that lend toward artist connection and interpretation. Some artists connect with the melody, whether its haunting or flirtatious. Some feel more connected to the drum and bass of a song, while others are drawn toward its auxiliary instrumentation (strings, horns, etc.). Other artists connect with the lyrics, the actual story of the song. Finally, some will find their emotional bearings through another artists interpretation of the song. These connections are certainly interchangeable, sometimes from moment to moment. This is where a vocalist can recall real life situations and repurpose them as spices and herbs in our musical stew. V Visualize Anybody can sing karaoke! Chances are, if a student has worked with a private voice teacher or vocal coach, he or she is not aiming to just get through the song. My guess is that the student aspires to be much more polished and skillful at the art of singing. Visualizing yourself performing, and using visualization as a way to prepare for that long phrase coming up, may be the difference between singing pretty and throwing down! E â€" Explore Enunciation/Exaggeration No, Im not suggesting that every singer should aspire to become the Jim Carey of vocal acrobatics and shenanigans. I am suggesting we remember the fact that music is in the entertainment industry. As such, the most common underlying expectation people have when they come to a vocal concert is to be wowed and entertained. One of the easiest and most accessible ways to entertain your audience is to allow yourself to enunciate and exaggerate certain words and phrases in the song. Enunciation can be a tool applied to the melody, rhythm, lyrics, or emotion. Choosing to lay back behind the beat, or to syncopate a phrase or two to express a certain mood, emotion, or color, may be what sets you apart from others musically. Or, perhaps calling into mind that lovely person who cut you off in traffic may be just the thought to add some extra oomph  into your version of a power ballad, blues number, or musical theater piece. (I generally use the phrase, Put some STANK on it!) Got it? Heres a recap of what to remember: Remembering these tips can help you be a better singer and improve your stage presence. Additionally, exploration can be the difference between a working musician and a starving artist. Get out there and network! For example, in my lovely city of Baltimore, there are many clubs, venues, places of worship and coffee shops that provide ample time and opportunity to explore other genres, network, and much more. Get involved in the music community of your city to explore your musical authenticity! And, that’s it! Let’s not separate our lives from our music. When it’s go time the time to perform the most memorable performances are by those who remember to L.I.V.E. through their music. Dont just sing the lyrics, let your heart sing! Thanks for reading! Post Author:  DeTrece L. DeTrece L. is a radio show host, artist development specialist, music therapist, music producer and singing teacher  in Baltimore, MD. She has performed internationally since age 8 with stars such as Brenda Russell and Steven  Tyler, and has been  teaching singing lessons for over 15 years. Learn more about DeTrece here! Photo by Robert Pratt 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

25+ Must Know Basic Dutch Phrases

25+ Must Know Basic Dutch Phrases Dutch Language Basics To Impress Any Native ChaptersBasic Dutch Phases That Everyone Can TryDemonstrate Excellent Etiquette With These Common Dutch PhasesUseful Dutch Phases For Conversation And Making New FriendsSimple Dutch Phases For Survival  Dutch Vocabulary Which Is Very Similar To English WordsFunny Common Dutch Phases To Impress The LocalsLearning to speak any new foreign language is hard work, even saying basic Dutch Phrases takes focus, dedication, and determination. Of all of the stages while studying a new language, being a beginner is probably the hardest part. Everything that you hear sounds foreign, you get easily confused, and even easy things like saying hello can leave you feeling unsure of yourself.But despite the initial hardships of learning a language, there is nothing quite like when you break through to the other side and find yourself communicating fluently. Learning a new language is worth the effort, even in countries like the Netherlands, where much of the population speaks English as a second langu age. Despite being bilingual, Dutch people appreciate seeing people taking the time to learn even a few basic Dutch words and phrases. Dutch people do not expect you to be fluent, but Dutch people do highly appreciate you demonstrating your genuine interest in their language, culture, and country.Dutch is a beautiful language spoken by over 23 million people around the world. While the language originates in the Netherlands, it is also the national language of Suriname in South America, Aruba and the Dutch Antilles in the Caribbean. So if you are planning a trip abroad, why not try to pick up some of the languages common terms.The best way to do that is by learning some new Dutch words and expressions. Below you will find some useful Dutch phrases that you can use in a variety of situations. The below words and phrases are written in English, Dutch and then have a helpful Phonetic pronunciation in brackets. This tailormade Dutch phrasebook is for people who don’t speak Dutch but a re either interested in learning the language or at least want to try an introduction to the language even if they can only say a few words by the end of it. Trying to memorize these Dutch words and phrases will help you to have a better experience of Dutch culture. Because once you start speaking to Dutch people in their native language, they will not only look at you differently, but they will also be more open to you.  Alsof Er Een Engltje Over Je Tong Piest  (Literal Translation - As If An Angel Is Peeing On Your Tongue)I Can’t Understand:Daar Kan Ik Een Chocola Van Maken â€"  (Literal Translation -  I Can't Make Any Chocolate From That)This Is An Exclamation When You Are Amazed:Nu Breekt Mijn Klomp(Literal Translation - Now My Wooden Shoes Is Breaking.)A major part of learning any language is being courageous. Photo Source: UnsplashSo that wraps up our phrase book, out of this list I hope you can find a few words that you can use on your next trip to a Dutch-speaking country . I hope that you have an enjoyable time on your language learning experience and can soak up Dutch culture which is rich in history.Remember a significant part of deciding to learn any language is courageous. Don’t be afraid of making a fool of yourself with mistakes that are bound to happen while you are learning. These mistakes are an opportunity to learn and improve. We all have to remember that when we are learning a new language that we are our own biggest critics. While we are kicking ourselves for being unable to grasp the last word we have discovered. People around us are inspired by the fact that we are even trying.In a world where most people revert to speaking English and expect that everyone else should follow suit. When you learn to speak a language, you step out of the box to reveal yourself as someone who loves and respects different cultures.So which is the first Dutch word that you are going to try?

Working Out Your Level as a Guitarist

Working Out Your Level as a Guitarist Are You a Beginner, Intermediate, or an Advanced Guitarist? How do You Work Out Your Level? ChaptersBeginnerIntermediateWhat Is an Advanced Guitarist?“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” - Victor HugoIt's thought that around a fifth of musicians play the guitar.  However, it's difficult to determine how well each of them can play guitar since it's very difficult to quantify guitar technique.No matter how well a given guitarist plays, there are always techniques they can improve or new techniques that they can learn. In this article, we're going to attempts to give you a general guide to follow in order to gauge your level on the guitar.If you haven't had the opportunity to have your level gauged by a tutor or a teacher because you're teaching yourself rather than taking guitar lessons, you just need to follow our guide. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBeginnerAnyone who learns how to play the guitar will have to start as a beginner. However, there's a huge difference between a beginner who's never picked up a guitar and somebody who's been playing for a few weeks. You'll be surprised at how much you learn how to play guitar after a month of practising or working with a guitar teacher.The first time you pick up a guitar, it's going to be tricky. (Source: Couleur)To help you work out what level you have on the guitar, be it the acoustic guitar, jazz guitar, or the electric guitar, here are some of the different types of beginners.Absolute BeginnerBefore y ou start taking the online guitar classes, private guitar tutorials, or teaching yourself how to play the guitar, you'll have to start as an absolute beginner.You'll have never touched a guitar in your life, you won't know how to hold a plectrum, tune a guitar, or even coordinate your left and right hands. Online guitar lessons mightn't be ideal when you've never taken a single guitar lesson in your life.You may remain at this level for a long time depending on your musical capabilities.  Some people remain absolute beginners for just a couple of weeks, especially if they have experience playing other musical instruments.  It all depends on how much effort you put in.Of course, that's not all.  Everybody's different when it comes to music. Some may already know how to read music or have a great ear for different notes. Others may require more time.As an absolute beginner, you learn how to make notes on the guitar, how to position your hands, and the right posture to adopt when you'r e playing. You'll notice very quickly just how much playing the guitar hurts your fingers when you first start playing.Don't worry, though, you'll get used to it. Even Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix would have gone through this stage.BeginnerOnce you are no longer an absolute beginner who's never touched a guitar in their life, you'll have reached the stage of beginner.You'll have taken a few online classes, private tutorials, regular classes either in a group for on your own, or have spent some time teaching yourself. You'll be aware of some of the basic guitar techniques and know a few basic chords.You'll be able to play a few simple songs along to some music. While your timing mightn't be perfect and you still play a few wrong notes, you're getting there!You'll be aware of what you've got to do and where you need to go in order to master playing your instrument. You'll also know that you've got a long way to go.Play for a few friends and get feedback from them. (Source: Free-Photos)S easoned BeginnerThis is one of the more difficult levels to be at…This is when a lot of players start to plateau. When you first learn to play guitar, you'll make a lot of progress in a short amount of time, start strumming some basic chords, and learn to find notes on the neck.  This progression tends to make a guitar player overestimate their own abilities.The seasoned beginner isn't necessarily capable of any advanced techniques but they can play what they know quite well. They're able to play in time to music and have mastered all the basic chords.They'll be able to expand their repertoire by playing almost any basic song requested of them. They'll still be taking beginner guitar lessons and working on their rhythm, playing certain notes, and learning guitar basics.They may be able to even play and sing at the same time. At this point, you might even say they're good at the guitar. But they're not without fault.As a seasoned beginner, inconsistency is their biggest flaw.  This means that while they're quite good at playing the guitar and they have a decent level, they'll still make mistakes. It doesn't matter whether you play the guitar for five, 10, or 15 years, it won't guarantee that you'll exceed the level of a seasoned beginner.If you constantly play basic songs and chord progressions, you’ll always remain a seasoned a beginner. You need to be aware of your level and start looking to challenge yourself with more advanced techniques and more difficult songs.IntermediateNot everyone makes it to the intermediate stage. You aren’t guaranteed to reach this stage just by practising for a few years. It depends on how you practice during this time. Your guitar instructor won't always be there to help you learn guitar or to teach you new techniques.If you attend a weekly guitar class but don't touch your guitar for the rest of the week, you'll remain a beginner much longer than somebody who practises a little bit every day.Playing guitar in a band could help your guitar playing. (Source: Free-Photos)Lower IntermediateThe lower intermediate follows the seasoned beginner. You're starting to explore the entire neck of the guitar. You familiar with the different notes and a bit of music theory.  You play the songs you know well and you're familiar with concepts such as harmony.Your playing is more varied than that of a beginner and you integrate more complicated chords into your repertoire, which is broader than that of a beginner. You can comfortably sing whilst you play the guitar and you're even capable of basic solos and improvisation.Bit by bit, your ear is developing and you can play without needing to concentrate too hard. Playing the guitar is becoming more natural to you.However, you're still aware of everything that you still need to learn and you're not resting on your laurels. You keep working on your technique and have your sights set on  achieving a higher level of playing.Maybe composing and improvising will help you rea ch that level.Upper IntermediateAt this point, you're far from being a beginner. You'll have a great understanding of several guitar techniques, know your way around the neck, and have a good ear for music.You'll be able to harmonise in real time and reproduce most of what you hear on the guitar without needing sheet music of guitar tablature.Additionally, your timing will be far tighter than that of the beginner.Since you'll have a good understanding of music theory for guitarists and a number of scales, you'll be able to improvise and compose your own music with greater ease. Playing the guitar become second nature to you and you won't need to think too much about it when you do it.You'll have a solid technique which will make playing most songs quite simple. Additionally, you'll also be able to relax while you're playing and improvise.At this point, you probably want to join a band and start making and performing your own music to crowds.This is the point where a lot of guitarist s may stagnate.  When you reach this level of playing, you may still have never taken a single music theory lesson in your life. Now might be the ideal time to do just that. Otherwise, you run the risk of remaining an intermediate guitarist for the rest of your life.If you have been taking group classes for private tutorials, you can always ask your teacher about more advanced music theory or even moving to a new class. You may have reached the stage where your level is beyond that of what's being taught.Check out our tips for guitarists.What Is an Advanced Guitarist?Moving beyond an intermediate level is complicated.A lot of guitarists will never become as good as the greats. (Source: 691806)Your technique needs to be flawless, timing impeccable, and you need to have a sound knowledge and music theory and be able to apply it to your playing.You'll be able to use all the different techniques you've learnt throughout your years of studying how to play the guitar at any given time.You r improvisation is fluid and you can easily reproduce almost any music you hear. You can also play almost whatever you want, whenever you want, all without making any mistakes. You're playing will be so natural that you'll barely have to think about what you're doing.By this stage, you'll probably have a lot of experience performing on stage either as a soloist or part of a group.It'll all seem quite easy, even in front of the crown. Nobody can deny that you're a great guitarist.It's taken years of practice to get to this point. To get a such an advanced level, you've had to remain motivated, regularly practise, and almost constantly work on your guitar playing.That said, the journey isn't over. Anyone who's reached this level won't probably rest on their laurels. There's always something you can improve or integrate into your playing to become a better guitarist or a better musician.However, keep in mind that it's not your level that really counts.  It's the music that counts and h ow we share it and enjoy it.A simple riff can make an absolute tune. Look at how songs like Seven Nation Army and Smells Like Teen Spirit are relatively simple to play but were also huge successes.Music can be simple and effective.Isn't the main thing to just enjoy music and share it?

A Guide to Italys Islands

A Guide to Italys Islands What’s There to See and Do in Sicily, Sardinia, and Capri? ChaptersItaly: Why Visit Sardinia?Visiting the Island of CapriOur Advice for Visiting SicilyWhich Are the Most Beautiful Beaches on the Italian Islands?“I love places that have an incredible history. I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I love the attitudes of Italians.” - Elton JohnWhile Italy’s main cities like Rome, Naples, and Florence attract thousands of tourists, Italy’s islands are also hugely popular. In the last 10 years, tourism in Sicily and Sardinia has increased by 20%. This is hardly surprising given the beautiful beaches and landscapes.Italy is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionian Sea, Adriatic Sea, and the Ligurian Sea.How well do you know Italy’s main islands? Are you organising a trip there? How are you going to get there? What should you see first?Let’s have a quick look at the main Italian islands. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsItaly: Why Visit Sardinia?One of the main reasons tourists head to Sardinia is because it’s filled to the brim with treasures including 7 of Italy’s 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Speaking of heritage, Sardinia has a strong identity, particularly due to its various festivals. The five most popular include:Sartiglia, in the town of Oristano, is an event with a medieval vibe, acrobatics, and horse riding.Sant’Efisio, in Cagliari, celebrates the patron saint of the Island. Sagra del Redentore, in Nuoro, is organised in honour of Chris the Redeemer at the end of August each year.Carnaval de Tempio Pausania, which takes place each year on Shrove Tuesday.The Carnaval de Mamoiada takes place in January and is famous for the costumes with black masks. Sardinia is home to both natural and manmade beauty. (Source: Simon)In addition to festivals, what else is there to do in Sardinia?Once you’ve done your trip around Sardinia, you’ll probably have built up an appetite. Here are some essential local dishes:Prawns in Vernaccia Wine.Chiusòni, a type of gnocchi made from durum wheat semolina.Panada, a bread soup starter with lamb.Cordula, goat or lamb intestines with peas and olives.Amaretti, for dessert, which are almond-based macaroons.In 2017, a record 14 million tourists visited Sardinia.Due to its size, Sardinia is a perfect destination to travel around for 10 to 15 days. Keep in mind that the Cagliari will be your first point of call since that’s where the airport is. There are direct flights from London and Manchester.In general, you might want to focus on either the north or the south of the island to give you time to relax. You need to work out that suits your needs.Visiting the Island of CapriCapri is famous for its beaut y and being the island of lovers. You’ll find romantic hotels like Punta Tragara and Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco. The Villa Tenerezza is also a good choice for those wanting to discover Capri and a good base. Capri has some spectacular views. (Source: babusz)Capri has a good climate year-round and with all its seaside destinations, it’s seen tourism increase by 25% in just 5 years.How can you visit this unmissable destination? You should know that going to Capri requires a bit of organisation. There’s no international airport and the closest airport is in Naples, which has regular flights from the UK. Once you’re in Naples, look for the following ferry companies:CaremarSNAVNLG - Navigazione Libera del GolfoAlilauroAalicostCapitan MorganCheck out DirectFerries to find out more about timetables and prices.Once you get there, after 3 to 5 hours of travelling, you’ll be ready to discover the island of Capri.One of the other unmissable sites on the island is Anacapri, a town in the northwest. You can get there on the blue line and it’s just 15-20 by foot from the Blue Grotto. Anacapri is also popular for its charming ambience and its beautiful little Baroque church. It’s the perfec t place to be by the sea.If you want some fresh air, head to the top of Monte Solaro, at an elevation of 589m, which is also the highest point in Capri. There are some incredible views for you to enjoy after a few hours of walking. If you like a challenge, you might want to consider some of these hiking routes in Capri:Via Krupp, which takes you through the Gardens of Augustus.The Arco Naturale route, which offers a view over the Sorrente peninsula.The Migliera Path, a quiet and beautiful route.There are also several beaches, which we’ll talk about later...Now, let’s have a look at the Island of Sicily, Italy's largest island.Our Advice for Visiting SicilySicily is the largest Italian island and is famous for its beauty and everything you can do there. It's located just off the coast of southern Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Etna is an active volcano. (Source: 6657176)When you head to Sicily, you should know what to expect once you get there. You should know a little about the climate and weather:You could spend the whole year in Sicily walking and sunbathing.The sunny periods are between April and October.In July and August, the temperature can rise to 34 degrees.Generally, it’s recommended that you visit Sicily between April and June or September and October to avoid tourists.Whether you’re in the north or the south of the island, there are a few towns that you have to visit. These include:Palermo, the capital of Sicily.Cefalù, famous for its beach, cathedral (duomo), and nightlife.Tinari, a Greco-Roman town full of heart, soul, and olive fields.Taormina, home to colourful architecture.Etna, home to the active volcano.Catania, a rich university town and the second-largest in Sicily.Let’s not forget the specialities of Sicily, which are famous all over the world. You can enjoy pasta with au bergines by the sea on one of the many famous beaches in Sicily:Mondello, near Palermo.Favignana, in the south of the island.Scala dei Turchi, by white cliffs.Stromboli, home to unique Sicilian nature.While we’re talking about beaches, here are some of the best across Italy’s main islands.Which Are the Most Beautiful Beaches on the Italian Islands?In Italy, and on its islands, in particular, there are plenty of watersports and activities you can do if you don’t feel like just lying on your beach towel: jet skiing, boat trips, or hiking. Italy is a popular seaside destination. Of its 5,175km of coastline, 96.1% is public beaches. The beaches on the islands are some of the best in Italy. (Source: hirisflower)Of course, there are also private beaches.  A beach’s charm isn’t always whether or not the water is clear. In some cases, it’s its accessibility. There are also coves and grottoes where you can bathe instead of beaches. Some of the best beaches are:Conigli Beach or “Rabbit Beach” in Sicily.Chiaia di Luna on Ponza.Fetovia Beach on the Island of Elba.Cala Rossa Beach on the Island of Favignana.There are hundreds of Italian islands. Some, like Sardinia, Sicily, and Capri, are famous for their charm, natural wonders, and beautiful beaches.This is especially true of San Vito lo Capo in Sicily. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Italy. The Marina Piccola Beach in Capri is also very famous. If you want more nature, Berchida Beach in Sardinia is perfect.Finally, here are three unique and private beaches for those who’d prefer some peace and quiet.Da Gioa, Capri, not far from the Lido del Faro.Pelosa, Sardinia, a natural tropical beach.Phi Beach, Arzachena, a little slice of paradise that’s famous for its sunsets.So are you ready to visit the Italian islands?Before you go to Italy or its islands, you might want to learn some Italian. Fortunately for you, there are many talented tutors on Superprof who can help you. In terms of private Italian tutorials, there are three main types: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials involve just the student and their tutor and are tailored to the former. Your tutor can work with your strengths and weaknesses and put together a programme for you. These tutorials tend to be the most costly but they're also the most cost-effective.Online tutorials are similar but you're not in the same place as your tutor. Thanks to the internet, webcams, and video conferencing, you can learn a language online. Online tutors tend to charge less than face-to-face tutors because they have fewer outgoi ngs and expenses and can schedule more tutorials each week.Finally, group tutorials include groups of students learning together. If you and a group of friends, such as your travel companions, want to learn some Italian before you go, you can get group tutorials. With each student sharing the cost of the tutor's time, this type of tutorials tends to work out cheaper per person per hour.

Tips to Write a Resume for Your Grad School Application

Tips to Write a Resume for Your Grad School Application As you prepare to apply to grad school, you may find yourself constructing a number of resumes. As you lookto get into the grad school of your dreams, an updated resume is a mustand there are plenty of tips to help you make your resume unique, provide all the necessary information, and present the best version of yourself. While a resume for a grad school application may look a little like a resume used for other purposes, its different in many ways. As you begin to put together a stellar resume to hopefully secure you a spot at your top institution, keep these tips in mind. CV or resume? It is important to determine the specific requirements and goals of your program as you attempt to determine whether a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the most effective choice. For most programs, a CV, which emphasizes academic background, teaching/research experience, awards, publications, and honors, is the better choice. A CV is longer, more detailed, and differently tailored than a resume, so youll likely have to create a new document. [RELATED: What is the Grad School Application Process?] How will you format your grad school resume or CV? A CV or resume can take liberties with format, so think about the order in which youd like to present your accomplishments. This will vary based upon the program to which you are applying and the specific skill sets and experience you have. You can customize your CV as needed for different applications, but youll almost always include the following: contact information education publications professional presentations honors and awards teaching experience research skills/experience relevant work experience references If you dont have adequate information to fill in each of these sections, remember that it is okay to omit them as necessary. In fact, it may make your application stronger if you focus on highlighting your true achievements and avoid filler content. Be a thoughtfuleditor to your resume or CV Often, it can feel like you need to fill all of the space on a page to offer a competitive CV or resume. That isnt the caserelevant career or research experience will do more for your application than the first part-time job you ever had. Stick to the information that positively contributes to your application and cut the extras. You should almost never include activities or experiences from high school, as it can weaken your overall document and make you seem desperate to fill spacethere are exceptions, however. Perhaps one of those activities was particularly relevant to your goals nowyou may have taken an impressive leadership position at the time that helped build your current portfolio, or you may still be helping that organization as part of its alumni committee. If youve still got some time before submitting your application, work to gain experiences that will fill any gaps now. Even a new volunteer experience or research position has a place on a CV or resume, and it is never too late to begin! Ensure your resume or CV is concise While you might expand upon your experience in an essay, a resume or CV should be short. You want to present as much information as you can in a limited space. Instead of writing complete sentences, focus on clarity. For example, if you helped ESL students learn idioms as an English tutor, you might write Taught ESL students in your CV. Consider also adding specific numbers when possiblei.e. you might add to that, Taught 3-4 ESL students per month. This helps demonstrate exactly how much and how often you contributed in your various tasks, rather than just giving a generic statement that could be inferred many ways. Below are a few more examples of how to quantify and enhance your listed achievements: Achievement How to Quantify it Wrote articles for XYZ publication Wrote 3 weekly articles for XYZ publication Tutored students Tutored 5 students per month in math and science Managed budgets Managed monthly budgets of $___ [RELATED: The Importance of Writing Skills] Because youve got to convey more information with less space, word choice will be important. Use strong verbs that give an accurate sense of the work you did. Youll also want to be consistent in your tone and tense, so pay attention to language as you work through your resume or CV. Think about how content is consumed More and more, we take in content that is fast and easy to digest. Theres a lot of material out there, and weve only got so much time. As you prepare your resume or CV for grad school applications, keep this in mind. Youve got a few seconds to catch the attention of someone, so make it count. Use bullet points and white space to your advantage. The bottom line about grad school resumes / CVs A strong resume or CV provides an excellent building block for future applications and jobs, so your time is well spent. By keeping your material concise, relevant, and well organized, youre more than likely to make a lasting impression on grad schools. Best of all, youll have the foundation of a great resume to use later on. Good luck! 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 at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Volunteer Spotlight Mrs. Alothman, Winterfield parent and HEART volunteer - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer Spotlight â€" Mrs. Alothman, Winterfield parent and HEART volunteer - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer Spotlight â€" Mrs. Alothman, Winterfield parent and HEART volunteer Volunteer Spotlight â€" Mrs. Alothman, Winterfield parent and HEART volunteer November 28, 2013 A mother of four, Mrs. Alothman has spent many hours working as a tutor at home. Now, with three of the four happily in school at Winterfield, Mrs. Alothman has time to help her children’s classmates on Monday afternoons through HEART Tutoring. “This is my first tutoring experience with HEART, and I am very pleased to volunteer with them. I enjoy the curriculum; it’s not complicated! You don’t need any extra help to teach the lessons, and if you do, the coordinator is always there. She is awesome.” Having recently seen her own children working hard to build their math skills, Mrs. Alothman appreciates the curriculum’s hands-on approach. “The program helps students understand what is happening with the math and why you do it that way, instead of just following the memorized process. And it’s taught in a fun and easy way.” It can be difficult to find an effective way to make a difference at your children’s school, but Mrs. Alothman likes how HEART is organized and helpful to the teachers. “I only wish they had more volunteers to serve more students,” she says.

Tutorfair Foundation praised by Sutton Trust

Tutorfair Foundation praised by Sutton Trust The Tutorfair Foundation is delighted to have been mentioned as an ‘innovative model’ by The Sutton Trust. In a press release introducing their new polling of young people and teachers, The Sutton Trust has called for more private tuition companies to provide tuition to disadvantaged pupils for free as well as for greater investment in non-profit programmes that connect tutors with schools. The Tutorfair Foundation (alongside MyTutor and Tutor Trust) was listed as innovative model already operational in this area. The survey of 1,678 teachers, conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), found that a quarter (24%) of secondary school teachers have delivered private tuition outside school in the past two years, with two-thirds of them having done so after a direct approached from parents. This reflects the growing prevalence of private tutoring in the UK, with 27% of 11-16-year olds in England and Wales now saying they have had tuition (up from 18% in 2005). The Sutton Trust recognises that students who receive private tuition disproportionately come from better-off backgrounds, finding that 34% of high-affluence households will engage a tutor compared to only 20% of low-affluence households. They recommend that schools seek out one-to-one and small-group tuition for their pupil premium eligible students, and that the government should invest in projects that can provide tuition to disadvantaged students sustainably. Tutorfair On- Demand Tutorfair’s latest innovation is Tutorfair On-Demand. We’ve built an instant messaging (text and image) platform available completely free on any connected mobile or desktop device. During homework hours, students who post a question or topic that they’re struggling with will instantly be connected to a trained Tutorfair tutor who is qualified to help them. Later, sessions are assessed by our Quality Assurance team to ensure that the standard of teaching always remains high. This is a revolutionary approach to scaling free tutoring â€" taking tuition into hundreds of homes for the first time and providing a uniquely flexible voluntary programme for talented tutors who want to give back. To date, the platform has been piloted with 600 students in 34 schools and we are now seeking funding to help us scale up and gather more robust evidence of impact. If you would like to know more about the programme, please visit  here.

Best Ways to Use Facebook as a College Student

Best Ways to Use Facebook as a College Student pexels.com Facebook Groups Facebook is all about being social, making connections, and networking. So why not have a meeting of the minds with people interested in the same things as you? There are millions of Facebook groups out there that can be tailored to exactly what you might be interested in. You can connect with people in your area, with people from your school, with those interested in the same extracurricular activities, and more! You can stay up to date with the latest trends in that field or area with conveniently placed threads from the group popping up through your newsfeed. If that is too much for you, you can change your notification settings or how the information from the group pops up in your everyday timeline. You can set it so that you only learn what is going on in the group if you decide to go directly to the group’s page. It is up to you. Whatever you are looking for, though to have a dialogue, to meet new people, to advertise yourself Facebook groups can be a great way to do it. Do you have events you want to advertise? Why not join groups that are filled with people that are interested in those kinds of events and share it with them? It could be just what they are looking for too. Not sure what classes to take? Why not join a student group of your peers who have been grappling with the same decisions for advice? You never know who or what you might stumble upon to help you move forward. pexels.com Business Pages If there is something you do or something you want to help advertise, it can be really beneficial to make a Facebook page for it! I am not talking about a page for memes or something, though it needs to be something that can really help your career (unless creating a page for memes can somehow help you). Do you have an organization that you want to help become more widely known? You can make it a business page, whether it is for a student organization you are a part of or a business that you work for or own. Creating a page does not cost money (unless you choose to pay for ads) and it creates a direct link between you and the audience you either have or want to have. You can help it to branch out and connect with the people who are interested and want to support your work as well as getting the word out about what exactly it is that you are doing. If you want to market yourself, you can create a professional business page for yourself that keeps people in the loop about what you are doing professionally. That way you can avoid feeling like you are bragging on your personal page and can help create a distance between your professional and social lives. Announcements Milestones You often have a great network of peers and friends at your disposal on Facebook. But is everyone aware of what you have been up to? Of course not! You cannot expect everyone in your Facebook network to know exactly what you are doing and what you plan to do. But without knowing that, how can they be involved or support you? Whether or not it feels like bragging, you can certainly let your friends on Facebook know when you have accomplished something or hit a milestone. Just got a job that you are really excited about? Post about it. Just got awarded a grant for a research project? Share the details of what you are working on. Super passionate about a cause? Do not be afraid to share who you are, what you are doing, and what you stand for loud and proud. Or, if you do not feel comfortable making a post, you can create a milestone event. That way even in the future, you can track and look back at all the great accomplishments you made and when.