Furan Chemistry Review

Furan Chemistry ReviewFuran Chemistry is one of the most influential books I have ever read. I'm a chemist by trade, so when I began reading this book I knew I was in for a good read. And it has been. If you're going to read about chemistry, I highly recommend this book.The chemistry in this book will make you want to do your homework. It will help you learn about what's in the samples that you've bought. The samples, also called reagents, are used in everything from making a cup of coffee to making ammonia. The reactions are shown step by step so that you can follow along and learn.I found the entire book to be very interesting and easy to read. The author, Stephen Probert, presents both the modern methods of using these chemicals and also many older methods. As a chemist, I love old methods that are so simple to use that even a child can understand them. Not all students are fortunate enough to receive a B.S. in chemistry. This book includes some chemical examples that are quite ea sy to understand.The book contains so much information, it's not surprising that you'll spend so much time on your Chemistry tests and projects. When you're learning about different molecules, you'll learn more about chemistry than most students will in an entire semester. The chapters are broken up into easy to understand topics such as the carbon molecule, alder wood, and iodine. The author does a good job of taking short snippets of scientific literature and explaining them in an easy to understand way.Furan Chemistry is one of the few books that will teach you about all of the different scientific methods and get you started on them. If you're interested in a career in science and technology, this book is a must-read. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to become a scientist or someone who wants to become a teacher. A teacher will find Furan Chemistry very helpful in their studies.The book covers a variety of subjects and I always enjoyed the way that he introduced them in each chapter. Each chapter was full of interesting information that I never knew existed. Even people who don't like chemistry can pick up this book and find themselves being entertained by the new method of learning chemistry.I found the book to be easy to read and easy to understand and it was exciting and informative at the same time. I had no problem jumping around the pages at a rapid pace and I don't mind reading faster than the average person. One thing I particularly liked about the book was the fact that Stephen Probert clearly explains all of the types of substances and how they are used in a variety of ways.The Furan Chemistry books I've read were more aimed towards people who wanted to become a chemist or someone who wanted to teach chemistry. These books are much easier to read than this book and tend to concentrate on all of the science involved in chemistry. If you're looking for a light reading experience, this book is for you.

Online Tutoring - How It Has Changed the World of Education

Online Tutoring - How It Has Changed the World of Education 0SHARESShare Digital technology has changed the way of imparting education. The expectations from the current education system have changed a lot in the way tutor and student connects with each other to take tutoring. The virtual classroom is now well equipped with technological equipment like computer, laptop, interactive whiteboard, digital pen, projector, touch-pad phones, etc. The change is never instant or spontaneous, it gradually penetrates into the system eliminating old and introducing some new ways of receiving education. Online education builds a safe online environment for online tutor and students giving comfortable and confident feeling to make the virtual classroom live and act. Online classroom becomes interesting with the use of audio/video files, graphics, presentations, 3D-imaging, etc. The online tutoring is building trust between student and online tutors, tutoring complex lessons in cognitive online demands. Tutoring online has gained huge popularity among students with reason that it can be tailored on a case to case basis. The tutoring sessions are engineered considering student’s strengths and weaknesses. The tutoring is carried out one-to-one between students and tutor in a very personalized way focusing on each student needs. The luxury that online learning can give to students, tutors and parents is tremendous. The student can get quality tutoring right at the home with lots of flexibility in services and pricing. Online educational programs offer true knowledge with the necessary flexibility. Online tutoring is a new paradigm to get students ready to accept the challenges that approach in the next few decades to come. [starbox id=admin]

Education By Numbers

Education By Numbers For some teachers its becoming what can I do to make my numbers better. Those numbers are of course their students. Numbers and students are not synonymous, but the new federal-funding, education allocation is placing them in the same sentence. An increasing amount of schools are implementing a value-added program to systematically determine how effective their teachers are, according to an article in The New York Times. Schools are receiving mixed reviews on this program. Some believe its an accurate way to measure a teachers ability. Critics, however, contend that its not accurate and shifts a teachers focus from what is best for the students to what is best for them. This system calculates a teachers value by comparing his/her students current test scores to previous years and other students in the same grade. Data analysts can then rank teachers based on this formula. For example if a third grader scored higher than 60% of his/her peers on a state-administered test, then he/she is predicted to have that same score during the fourth grade. If that student scores higher than 70%, the increase in achievement is attributed to his/her fourth grade teacher. The Obama administration has encouraged states to implement more precise methods for evaluating teachers. Many schools have already joined this value-added system bandwagon and even more expected to join soon. Traditionally, teachers have used similar programs to improve classrooms. However, the stakes are much higher now. Administrators are using this program to decide which teachers receive raises and which ones are fired. Michelle A. Rhee, the schools chancellor in Washington, recently fired about 25 teachers for poor evaluations. The Los Angeles Times published an online database that ranked area teachers from the most effective to the least effective. This piece resulted in the further evaluation of 6,000 teachers jobs. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said that The Los Angeles Times work was an exercise in healthy transparency during a recent speech. There are real issues and competing priorities and values that we must work through together balancing transparency, privacy, fairness and respect for teachers, Duncan said. I dont advocate that approach (The Los Angeles Times) for other districts. Some experts claim that this program is unreliable and inconsistent. They state that a teachers effectiveness will be all over this chart because of outside influences. They believe that this program should not be considered the ultimate form of evaluation. It does not account for tutors, transfers, changes in state tests or students motivations or abilities. The program does not reward teachers for maintaining higher-achieving students academic success. It only rewards for growth. Other experts, however, disagreed and claim that the outside influences can be controlled and accounted for. They believe that this system separates the effective teachers from the average and ineffective ones. Some believe that schools will attempt to adjust their teachers value levels to attain more federal funding. They believe that this could corrupt the value-added program.

Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Jens K.

Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Jens K. Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Jens K. holds a graduate degree from the London School of Economics and a J.D. from NYU Law. Since then, he has worked for international law firms in both New York and China and has taught law as an adjunct professor as well. He is the co-founder of Advantas Group, an international team of admissions experts who help students worldwide get into the graduate programs of their choice. VT: How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete a Law School application? Jens: It depends. An applicant with high grades, a strong LSAT score, and good writing skills might be able to prepare an application in one to two months. Others will want to spend more time fine-tuning their personal statements and customizing them for specific schools. Applicants with demanding full-time jobs should make sure to set realistic expectations in terms of how much time they can devote to their applications. There is, however, one general piece of advice that applies equally to all applicants: start early. Take the LSAT as early as possible and allow for sufficient time to track down academic transcripts and letters of recommendation. VT: What is the single most important thing applicants should focus on with this application? Jens: Be yourself. Let your application reflect who you are. A personal statement that doesnt match a letter of recommendation or the writing style of the LSAT writing sample is a sure way to guarantee a rejection letter. VT: What are the biggest mistakes one can make on a Law School application? Jens: Dishonesty and sloppy mistakes. Always, always be truthful in all your application material. For example, a poor grade or a criminal record can almost always be addressed adequately in a personal statement and in many cases create the basis for a lesson learned or personal transformation theme. Less serious but just as damaging are typos and other careless mistakes. At a minimum, you should have a friend look through any written material you submit. Otherwise, consider using a professional service to review and polish your application materials. The money you spend on application services will be a fraction of your overall law school budget and can pay for itself with even a small scholarship or an increase in the ranking of the schools you are admitted to. VT: What do Law School admissions officers look for most in an applicants essays/personal statements? Jens: Admissions officers want to be certain that the applicant is making the right choice by choosing to become a lawyer, and also that the applicant will be a good fit for a particular law school and student body. For example, regional law schools will often look for a commitment to the local community in addition to the applicants academic interests. In addition, admissions committees are always interested in learning about how an applicant has dealt with past challenges and obstacles. VT: Is there anything on a students application that would automatically disqualify them from being considered for the program? Jens: Lying, dishonesty, and concealing information the applicant is required to disclose. Even if an admissions committee doesnt uncover any comprising inconsistencies or information in an application, this could come back to haunt the applicant during the state bar admission process and even result in the withdrawal of the graduate's law school diploma. VT: What about the Law School admissions process differs the most from undergraduate admissions? Jens: The emphasis on how well the applicant does on a standardized test. Compared to undergraduate admissions and even most other graduate and professional programs, the LSAT score can truly make or break an application. VT: What kinds of things (experience, grades, etc.) might a student lack that would lead you to advise them not to apply? Jens: A spotty academic record or a very poor LSAT score would make admission to most law schools an uphill battle. In particular, an applicant with a very low LSAT score should seriously consider whether law school is the right choice. Ethical transgressions such as a history of academic dishonesty will also create challenges for an applicant and would have to be addressed directly in the application. VT: Is there anything you might see on a students application that would quickly put them ahead in the running? Jens: LSAT scores in the top one percentile. Things get less competitive at schools outside the top ten, but even then an applicants LSAT score remains the single best predictor of how successful a law school applicant will be (and, incidentally, of how they will do in their first year of law school, according to the ABA). Outstanding performance on college-level debate and mock trial tournaments can also give students a significant boost, although they are generally coupled with very high LSAT scores. VT: What advice do you have regarding LSAT test prep? Jens: As with all parts of the application, start early. Anyone seriously considering law school should take a sample test as soon as possible. Except for the most exceptional applicants, enrolling in an LSAT prep course or working with a tutor is sure to pay off. An improvement of a few points on the LSAT can be what it takes to get into a higher ranked school or to secure a scholarship. VT: What do law school admissions officers look for in recommendation letters? Jens: Recommendation letters are important in supporting and corroborating various other parts of the application--in particular, the personal statement. It is far better to select someone that knows the applicant well and provide a strong recommendation than one with an impressive title who will do a perfunctory job. The recommender should know the applicant's story and should ideally echo its key themes in the recommendation. To help ensure that this happens, we advise our clients to actually include a paragraph summarizing the important aspects of the application in an email to the recommender. Visit Advantas Application Consulting for more information.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Tips For Maintaining Your First Impression - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips For Maintaining Your First Impression - Introvert Whisperer Tips For Maintaining Your First Impression When it comes to beginning a new career, we all know the importance of making a first impression. From navigating the interview process to the often overwhelming first day, it can be difficult to find a balance between what society generally expects a professional image to be and something that shows off your own unique personality. Both are qualities viewed as important in the workplace, but as time goes on and you get more comfortable at your job, the level of care you put into your everyday look can start to dip. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re looking to both establish but also maintain a strong professional image. Be Better Than The Dress Code In 2019, it is not uncommon to find a place of employment with a “relaxed” dress code. The days of mandatory 3-piece suits and long dresses are fading fast. Younger companies or startups, may be perfectly ok with their employees showing up to work in jeans, t-shirts, leggings, or tank-tops. As beneficial as this can be for creating a casual and comfortable work environment, it can also cause the employees to feel more casual about the work they’re doing, sparking a lack of reverence for their job and quality of work. It also makes it easier for you to stand out. No matter what your company’s dress code, it’s always a good idea to go above and beyond. Consider the clothes you wore to your interview as a basis for what your work wardrobe should be. The interview is most likely where you’ll attempt to look the most professional, so it’s a good starting point for crafting the image you’ll want to be projecting in your day-to-day. Maybe you do prefer a more casual look or something in between. As long as you stay a cut above of the standard, you are sure to make the impression you’re shooting for. Embrace Your Halo The “halo effect” is a cognitive bias in the human brain which lets our overall impression of a person dictate how we feel about their character. Basically saying that if a person looks nice, we are likely to assume that they are, in fact, nice. While this may not always be true, it can surely be utilized as a tool to gain a positive reputation in the workplace. To take advantage of the automatic goodwill generated by the halo effect, you must focus on your appearance beyond clothing. Clear skin, trimmed nails, full and clean hair, are all qualities that your co-workers can, and will notice. Enhancing these grooming details will go a long way to boost your overall image, so it’s worth it to go the extra mile. Whether you’re trying out a new facial cleanser, or investing in hair loss treatments, developing a self-care routine will not only help you stand out at work but is also good for your overall levels of confidence and personal wellness. Professionalism A professional image is more than your appearance. All too often, the demeanor that one is taught to project during the interview process is thrown away after a few weeks on the job. Once comfort sets in, it can be easy to slip into your everyday mannerisms, which may or may not be suitable for your chosen profession. Manners, punctuality, a professional attitude these things matter. Especially when you consider that 85% of people believe a co-workers ability to be courteous has an effect on their career prospects. Believe it or not, there are still people out there who don’t see how their unprofessional behavior can negatively affect their co-workers. It should always be your goal to ensure you are not seen or thought of in this way. And you don’t have to be an extrovert in order to project a positive attitude in your work environment. Something as simple as a nod and smile from one employee to another can be enough to show that you’re a courteous, positive, person, deserving of recognition. Author Bio: Capri Fiello is a strong advocate for professional health and wellness. She believes that positivity and proactive self-care are the keys to success in career, relationships, and life. Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Learn To Speak Portuguese in Portugal

Learn To Speak Portuguese in Portugal How To Learn Portuguese In Portugal? ChaptersGoing to Portugal to studyAll The Formalities To Study In PortugalThe British Student Guide To Study in PortugalChoosing The Right Portuguese UniversityOne-third of former Erasmus students have a partner of another nationality and one million Erasmus babies were born since the education program began.Portuguese can be learned from Year 7 onwards when you have to choose which other languages you which to learn. From Grammar school onwards, you can learn to speak Portuguese to become a Lusophone, provided that the Portuguese language is offered in your secondary school.But to progress quickly in a foreign language, nothing beats total immersion.You can watch a Portuguese television channel or listen to Brazilian music, but the best way is to go on a language trip or to spend some time living in Portugal.Follow our guide to study Portuguese, we give you advice on how to go abroad to study.The Algarve is the southernmost region of continental Portugal. It has an area of 4,997 km2 (1,929 sq mi) with 451,006 permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGoing to Portugal to studyWould you like to learn Portuguese to continue your studies abroad?First of all, it will be necessary to take Portuguese courses because Portuguese universities ask their candidates to take an entrance exam to check their language level.A beginner's level may not b e enough to enrol in a Portuguese university, knowing that the courses will most certainly be in Portuguese. Try to reach at least an intermediate level to better integrate and follow the courses you have chosen for your diploma or degree.In high school, you can already start with a language exchange with a native speaker to learn how to deal with real-life situations.If you are determined to leave for Portugal for at least one term, semester or academic year, you can get financial support through various scholarships. Starting with the Erasmus grant program.To apply for this bursary, it is better to do it one full year ahead of your intended departure date, by contacting the International Relations Office. You should also discuss this with your teachers as you will need a letter of recommendation from two of them.Then, all you have to do is register directly at your host university in Portugal. Admission conditions differ from one to the other, so it is better to ask the administra tion of the institution concerned directly.The Erasmus grant covers the student's tuition fees in Portugal and entitles them to a monthly grant of approximately £150.But other financial aid may be granted to the student such as a scholarship from your local council authority or local government.All The Formalities To Study In PortugalBefore taking the leap and going to a Portuguese-speaking country to study for your degree, as well as Portuguese grammar, phonetics and the sounds of the language, you will need to prepare yourself.Portugal is part of the Schengen area just like the UK, which means that you can go there freely, without a visa as long as you possess  proper international identification documents such as a passport.As the UK does not make it mandatory for its citizens to hold a national ID card, your alternatives will either be a passport or an international driver's licence.No visa is therefore required for British students, but if you stay more than one term and less than one year, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit upon arrival at the competent authorities. After more than one year in Portugal, you will have to apply for a Portuguese residence permit.If you need to do an internship abroad, you only need a work permit as well.University registration requires the possession of an A-level or equivalent certificate of education and you will need to request an equivalence with the Portuguese Ministry of Education. The entrance exam depends on the university you are aiming for, but it is usually made up of 1 to 3 subjects.Depending on the length of your stay, you may need to open a bank account, sign up for a mobile phone number, electricity or water contract. Everything is done as in the UK, the same proof of address and identity documents will be requested.But if you want to be able to converse with your landlord, it is better to master Portuguese pronunciation, intonation and vocabulary by heart.The University of Coimbra is a Portuguese public university in Coimbra, Portugal. Established in 1290 in Lisbon, it went through a number of relocations until it was moved permanently to its current city in 1537, being one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world, the oldest university of Portugal, and one of the country's largest museums of higher education and research institutions.The British Student Guide To Study in PortugalTaking Portuguese language courses before leaving to study in Portugal is essential to enrol in universities.If you will find Portuguese people speaking English and even French, your courses will undoubtedly be in Portuguese.You can take intensive courses and take the opportunity to improve your listening and speaking skills. A fun course will allow you to accelerate your memorization and to dialogue easily and travel alone in Portugal.The cost of living is lower in Portugal. The minimum wage is €680, less than half the average wage in the UK and you will find the cost of living in Portugal more affordable than in the UK, especially if you are from London.Food is 30% cheaper on average in supermarkets but also in restaurants: you can buy a hearty dish for about less than ten euros.To find accommodation, get help from your university. In Portugal, the start-up Uniplaces specialises in student housing. Feel free to visit their website. For a shared room, it is possible to find one between 200 and 400 € per month depending on the location of the apartment and its standing.And don't forget to apply for a university residence. Spots are few but the rent is very cheap: 100 € per month. In the off chance that you get lucky and get one of the spots, you might be able to save a fair amount of money.The best advice you can get is to be open-minded. When you go to another country, you tend to compare it to your own. While natural, this habit does not help you to immerse yourself totally in the culture of the country, without any judgment.Portugal a nd Great Britain, though sharing a certain amount of European history, are two very different countries and some culture shock is to be expected but not at all feared.The Latin language is similar to the written language of Spanish, but in the spoken version of it is very different. The sounds are richer, the accent is singing and it will take practice to master the Portuguese conjugation.The personality of the Portuguese is also different from ours. Without making any generalizations, the Portuguese are colder and less extroverted than their Spanish neighbours. They attach great importance to decorum and reverence. They also have great difficulty saying no, which can cause some problems on a daily basis.On the other hand, if they seem withdrawn at first glance, all you have to do is break the ice and discover people who are welcoming, helpful and warm.As in Spain, the Catholic religion occupies a considerable place in Portugal, as does football, to which they are truly committed.As for mealtimes, you won't be too disoriented, however, they don't live on Spanish time, even if they still like to party.Feel free to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture by listening to fado, tasting the typical dishes and travelling through the country to the Azores, Lisbon and Faro.The Belém Tower is situated on the northern bank of the Tagus River in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém, municipality of Lisbon, accessible at the western end of the Avenida de Brasília by a small bridge.Choosing The Right Portuguese UniversityBefore you take off on a trip to Brazil to learn Brazilian Portuguese and get drunk on Brazilian culture, you can take advantage of Erasmus to learn Portuguese words and become bilingual.You can then use Portuguese to travel to Macau, East Timor, Rio de Janeiro or Guinea Bissau.But first, you have to choose your university in Portugal.Portugal's school system is gradually adapting to comply with the European LMD system. The country's public and priva te universities are already up to date. Only polytechnic institutes are still in the process of standardization.Thus, a semester validated in Portugal can be used to obtain your diploma in the UK. All credits are transferable. The LMD system corresponds to three cycles: bachelor, master, doctorate.Public or private universities provide theoretical and general education, while polytechnics prepare for a profession and offer professional training to students.The top 5 universities in the country are as follows:The University of Porto with its 13 faculties, its Institute of Biomedical Sciences and its Business School, The New University of Lisbon (NOVA): best faculty of economics, The University of Coimbra, the oldest in the country, The University of Lisbon, the largest in the country, The Portuguese Catholic University, a renowned business school. If you visit the universities of Porto or Coimbra, you will surely find that students wear a special outfit: black suit for men, black tai lor for women, all decorated with a tie and a black cape.This is what inspired the capes that students wear at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter saga, with J.K. Rowling having lived in Porto for a few years.So, ready to study in Portugal?

Studying General Biology

Studying General Biology Why and How to Study Biology ChaptersWhat do Biologists Do?Three Main Branches of Biology:Basic Biological ConceptsPeople often define themselves as what type of student they are using a left or right brain approach. In other words, they either think of themselves as having logic and information based interests or artistic and humanities related ones. Fortunately, when studying a polarizing subject like general biology, there are many ways you can become more involved in the subject you may either love or despise.Biological functions form a part of our daily lives, which includes everything from the bioinformatics that go into making your medicine to the cellular biology that go into enhancing your sports performance. Understanding the evolution of the field of biology, and the terms that make it up, can help you in your studies and in life.Subjects in the biological sciences are vastNucleus: structure found in most cells, except bacteria and some algae, that specializes in controlling and regulating the activit ies of the cell. Furthermore, it is where hereditary information, or genes, are locatedMeiosis: this is the process under which a germ cell divides its nucleus to form four sex cells, or gametes. Each gamete contains only half the amount of chromosomes as the original, parent cell.Cell division: the process under which cells reproduce, namely mitosis and meiosis.Phytotron: a special type of greenhouse utilized for studying plants and their environmentMolecule: a group of bonded atoms that form the smallest unit of a chemical compound, important for understanding plants’ molecular processes.Zoology forms a major part of biological studies, including knowledge over the make-up and behavior of animals. Some important terms to understand under this branch are:Selective breeding: the process by which parents are chosen to breed based off of particular characteristics with the aim of producing more desirable offspring.Heritable components: heritability is a statistic that involves a pro portion of phenotypic variance that is attributed to genetic varianceIn microbiology, there are many definitions one can encounter. However, the most important concepts to understand are the eight microorganisms that one can study.Eight microorganisms:Bacteria (eubacteria, archaea)AlgaeFungiProtozoaVirusesPrionsLichensSlime MoldsIf you're interested in learning how these concepts affect fields dealing with aquatic animals, check out marine biology!

Using the Pomodoro Technique for Effective Studying

Using the Pomodoro Technique for Effective Studying Do you struggle with focusing on a single task for a long period of time? Do you find yourself getting distracted when working on a calculus problem set, crafting a literature essay, or reviewing for a history exam? We all do! Welcome to the club.Understanding how your mind focuses and works is key to maximizing focus, which is itself key to success in academics and beyond. Perhaps surprisingly, working hard is often a function of how well you take breaks and rest. In the 1980’s, a time management coach named Francesco Cirillo developed a method for breaking down bouts of studying or working to include time for breaks. Pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato, derives from the timer Cirillo used as a college student, as it apparently resembled a tomato.Here are the steps in the Pomodoro Technique:Pick which tasks you need to complete.Set the timer (ideally tomato-shaped) to 25 minutes.Work.End when the timer goes off.Take a break for 5 minutes.Repeat steps 2-6.After 4 rounds, tak e a 30 minute break.By setting a specific time limit on your work and then trusting the alarm to let you know when it is complete, you are free to engross yourself completely in the task without checking your phone for time or worrying that you’ll become bored by spending too long working. A break is always on the horizon!Success (and enjoyment!) when engaging with a complicated subject is all about reaching a flow state in which you forget everything but the matter at hand. While the Pomodoro Technique works for some, it’s important to try out different methods to find one that works best for you.Our 1-on-1 study skills tutoring is designed to build students’ confidence and competence with academic organization in a highly customized way. Each student is different, and it’s important to find the best studying habits and techniques for each unique learner.If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your student reach his or her academic potential, give us a call toda y!

Active Listening Skills - Private Tutoring

Active Listening Skills BobbiM Apr 18, 2014 Listen. Really listen and youll learn a lot in your classes! Try not to daydream too much. Its not only important to know how you take and organize your notes, but also the kinds of information you should include. Of course, the kinds of information you should put in your notes vary from class to class. Listen for the following cues that your professor may give as a way of figuring out what is important to note: -Lists. Lists of things begin with cues such as There were three major reasons why President Johnson committed more troops to Vietnam. Short-term memory has five characteristics. Anytime you hear a number followed by several factors, stages, characteristics, etc., make sure you write the number of things along with the explanation. -Cause and effect. When you hear your professor discuss causes an effects, be sure to write it down. Cause/effect cues are common in history and political science. For example, there might be an event that caused a president to make a certain decision and this decision, in turn, had numerous effects on other events and decisions. In science, cause/effect can deal with concepts such as diseases or the good chain. -Definitions. Perhaps one of the most frequent types if information your professor will give in a lecture is definitions. Your professor might cue you by saying something as basic as covalent bond can be defined as. Its a good idea to get definitions written down in your notes precisely. If you only get down a portion of a definition or arent sure that you have it exactly right, check your text or with your professor as soon after class as possible. -Examples. Definitions are quite frequently followed by examples. Yet often, students will see example time as an occasion to tune out. But examples discussed in class make for prime test questions. If you have to choose, we believe its actually more important to get examples in your notes than it is definitions (you can get the definitions from your textbook). -Extended comments. When the professor spends a lot of time explaining something, you can be sure that it is important information. Try to stay connected with the lecturer during extended comments and take down as much of the information as possible. Essay, short answer, and higher-level multiple-choice items often come from these extended comments. -Superlatives. Anytime a professor uses words such as most important, or best explanation, least influential, be sure to write it down. For example, there may be many explanations for how memory works, but your psychology professor might believe that one explanation is the best. There are the kinds of things professors love to ask about on exams. -Voice or volume change. When professors think something is important or they want to stress it, they generally speak louder and slower. A change in the voice can be a clear indication that something important is being said. -Process notes. Process notes consist of information the professor gives about tests, how to study, when study or review sessions are held, how to think about the information, or how he wants an essay structured. They can also include clues about what information might be on the exam. Process notes often come right at the beginning of class, before some students are ready to take notes, or at the end of class, when some students are packed up and ready to leave. Becoming an active listener takes time, especially for classes in which you have little interest. Its not too difficult to stay connected with the lecturer in classes that you like or in classes where you have a professor who is dynamic. Its much more difficult in those courses that are, in some way, less appealing. But try to think about the bigger picture. If you are an active listener and take organized notes for the entire class period, studying and learning the course material will be a much easier task. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.