The Best Place to Post Tutoring Services Online

The Best Place to Post Tutoring Services OnlineThe best place to post tutoring services online is with a private tutoring company. Why is this? Well, let's discuss why, and then I'll explain how to find the best place to post tutoring services.A private tutoring company will be able to put you in touch with the best tutors available, since they're the ones who know the best. They also get to place you in contact with the most qualified teachers who can offer the best. This is the perfect way to advertise your services and get the attention of potential students.You may not want to advertise your services as a tutor on the internet. Many of these companies will have an entire department dedicated to this. If you post your services to a private tutoring company, you'll be able to speak directly with a professional in this department, who will be able to put you in touch with qualified teachers on the best possible terms.Another reason why posting tutoring services online is such a good idea is because you'll also be able to post your own site for your own websites. This will give you an opportunity to showcase your skills and qualifications, as well as make you even more accessible to people who are looking for tutors online.Because of the enormous amount of competition that exists on the internet today, a tutoring company will also have enough connections within the teaching profession to know whom they can best advertise with. This means that they will be able to give you the best possible response from prospective students.Another great advantage of posting tutoring services online is that you'll be able to increase your contact with prospective students by seeing if they have any personal experience with a tutor. If they do, then you can usually find out where they got their tutoring from, and how good their experiences were.Now that you know why posting tutoring services online is such a good idea, you should already be thinking about what kind of tutor serv ices to post. Remember that, but if you post tutoring services online, it will be easy for people to find you.

Drum Lessons for Beginners

Drum Lessons for Beginners Learn to Play the Drums ChaptersDo You Need Your Own Drum Kit to Learn to Play the Drums?Preparing for your Drum LessonsDo your feet always tap with the beats of a song? Do you groove with the rhythm whenever music is playing?If you’ve been thinking about learning to play a musical instrument, you might want to consider a percussion instrument.Some people think drums are nothing but loud, used to keep marching bands in synch. But there is so much more to playing drums than just banging a skin with sticks.So why not explore the fascinating world of percussion and learn to play the drums?learning the rudiments of drumming, wetting your feet and finding out if drum playing is really for you.However, you will need to practice at home, even as a beginner - and that means buying drums. Whether you are learning jazz drumming or practising your rock drum solo, you need the right feedback under your drumsticks to improve your drum play. And that means investing in a drum set.Here are some online drum lessons for y ou.You might get away with borrowing drums at the very beginning, but you should really buy your own drum set. Photo credit: screen-box.de on Visual HuntIf you are learning hand drumming or ethnic drum music - such as an African drum (Djembe or talking drums), conga, samba drums, or indeed anything portable, it’s more likely that your music teacher will have some that you can borrow to practice on at home. Once you reach the intermediate level, you will still need your own drum. The prices for hand drums vary greatly - bongos go for anywhere from £60 to £300, congas between £300 to £600, bodhrans average around £50.Find out how much drum lessons cost...Practising at home without a drum setBut can you practise without having a drum set at home? To a certain extent, yes.When learning to play the drums, you can take a series of buckets and cans about the right size and set them up like a drum kit. Dave Grohl from Nirvana is famous for using snare drumsticks to practice on pillow s. It is a way for a beginner drummer to practise the moves, the rhythm of switching from one drum to another.However, what it can’t teach you is proper stick control. The sound of the drums and cymbals will vary depending on where you hit (rim or skin), how hard you hit and what type of stick you use - regular drumsticks, padded mallets or brushes. You need to learn the difference in sound between your bass, snare and toms. And that is only possible with actual, physical drums.Also, it’s pretty difficult to simulate a pedal. Even if you can use an old sewing machine pedal to practise your timing, you won’t be getting the physical and auditory feedback you need to improve your bass drum playing.Electronic drums and practise pads are easier on the neighbours, but unless you want to specialise in electronic drums, an acoustic set is best. Photo on VisualHunt.comBeing nice to your neighboursDo you live in a flat with thin walls and floors? Nosy neighbours, who complain at the lea st little cough?It’s likely your drum teacher will nag you to use a practise pad in any case.A practice pad is just a little rubber pad that gives acoustic feedback when struck. In short, it’s a drum without the resonance body. It’s not as loud and it is actually very sensitive, so you actually have to be more accurate on a practice pad. However, there are a number of disadvantages.ProsConsIt’s portable.With only one pad, you can’t practice complex drum fills for your drum solo.It’s quiet compared with a physical drum.You can’t practice your kick drum.Its surface is made to imitate that of a snare drum.It only imitates snares and doesn’t give the feel of toms.It’s wonderful for practising rudiments such as a simple drum beat, drum rolls or a paradiddle.It doesn’t have rims.It’s very sensitive, forcing you to be accurate.While quite sensitive, you won’t be learning to listen to your drums - which have more reverb and overtones.It’s a good way to practice sho wmanship drumming.You can’t practice your cymbal work.If you can’t have an acoustic drum set at home when learning drums another option is to go for an electronic drum set. It will have the full set of drums set up like a traditional drum kit. The pads are designed to feel like a traditional drumhead when you hit them. You can play them with headphones and get a sound nearer to real drums.However, though the sound is close, it isn’t exactly the same. On the upside, you can program a whole array of interesting sounds (canon or foghorn, anyone?).Preparing for your Drum LessonsWhen learning how to play the drums, you will find that it’s not just about drum fills and jazz improvisation. You will need to know how to care for your instrument and how to read musical notation.Drum tuningDo you come back from your drumming lessons wondering why your snare and toms sound different from those used by Carmine Appice, John Blackwell or Buddy Rich? It might have to do with how your drums are tuned.Some drums are tuned to a certain pitch and left at that. Other drums are tunable during play (like tabors or African talking drums). In the latter case, your drum instructor will definitely teach you how to vary the pitch while playing.In the former, a good educator will demonstrate how tuning the top and bottom heads will affect the sound of your drums. At the latest when you need to change the drum head, you will need to learn to tune your drums.Pearl Drums has a handy set of instructions for tuning the common drums of a drum set. Exactly what pitch you tune them to and what drum heads you choose will depend on the musical style you are playing - rock, jazz, afro-cuban, Latin or Big Band, and of course your own personal preferences.Do you know how to find your ideal drum tutor?Learning to Read Drum NotationIf you want to progress beyond the beginner exercises set by your drum teacher, you will need to learn how to read drum notation.If you can already read music, it can be both helpful and a hindrance. In normal musical notation, the placement of the notes on the staff give you the note played and the type of note (eighth note, quarter note…) will give you the rhythm.With drum notation, it’s a little different.It doesn’t help that there is no truly standardised notation, though there are some that are more common than others. The one used in Norman Weinberg’s Guide to Standardized Drumset Notation is the most commonly used out there, but you might find yourself confronted with a completely different notation once you start getting gigs.The basic premise remains the same:The type of percussion instrument is indicated by the shape of the note. Drums are usually normal black notes, cymbals, whether hi-hats or crash are an “x”, additional percussion instruments can be a triangle or cross. Which specific instrument is meant is indicated by its place on the stave. For example, the kick drum is generally on the bottom space of the staff; if d ouble bass drums are used, the second bass will be on the lowest bar. The snare is on the “la” or “A” space (if it were in treble clef). Drum sheet music publishers always include a legend at the beginning of the piece.Additional symbols can indicate ghost notes, rolls (eighth or sixteenth note or triplets), flams, drags or ruffs.Rhythm is indicated as in traditional music notation with the types of note (full, quarter, eighth etc.) Note that every drum notation is four beats to the bar unless otherwise indicated (a rare and challenging event).Drum notation looks like normal musical notation but works on slightly diffreent premise. Photo credit: chi-ryu on Visualhunt.comAnother way of writing down drum beats and rhythms is using a drum tabulation, or drum tabs.A drum tab will have a line for each of the instruments, and each strike is indicated with an o for drums or an x for cymbals. A line “-” indicates that the instrument is silent. Drag, flam, ghost notes etc. each h ave a specific letter assigned to them.To advance in your craft, you will need to learn to read both drum music notation and drum tabs. A metronome is a useful tool to help you with that.Learning how to play drums can appear daunting at first, but as you progress in your lessons you will soon get into the groove and improvise your own drum fills. And why not try a personal instructor like one of Superprof’s many drum tutors near you?Ready, steady, go! It's time to learn how to play the drums!

Conjecture Geometry

Conjecture Geometry Conjecture geometry is a very useful tool. A conjecture is a hypothesis. Some of the hypothesis is when 2 angles form a linear pair the addition of the angles is 180 degrees. The vertical angle conjecture is when 2 angles are vertical angles, and then both measure the same or are congruent. This way there are different types of conjecture hypothesis like corresponding angles conjecture, alternate interior angle conjecture and others. Conjecture geometry is useful for triangles, like SSS / ASA / SAS congruence conjectures. Even used for quadrilateral/ pentagon/ polygon sum conjectures. Example 1: Using SAS triangle area conjecture find the area of triangle with sides 4 cm and 8 cm having angle between these sides C = 30 degrees. Solution: In the given problem Area of Triangle = (1/2 a b) sin C Plugging in the values of a, b and C we get, Area of Triangle = (1/2 x 4 x 8) sin 30 16 sin 30 = 16 x (since sin 30 = ) 8 cm^2 The area of the triangle = 8 cm^2. Example 2: Using equiangular polygon conjecture find the measure of interior angle if number of sides of the polygon are 5. Solution: For the given problem Interior angle = [(n - 2) x 180] / n plugging in the values of n we get, Interior angle = [(5 2) x 180] / 3 [(3) x 180] / 3 Interior angle = 180 degrees.

A Day in the Life at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst

A Day in the Life at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jennifer received her bachelors degree in English and History from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and her masters degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from Ohio State University. She is currently a tutor in Austin specializing in writing, literature, and clarinet, among other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jennifer: The University of Massachusetts-Amherst is nestled in the Pioneer Valley. This large campus is near several other colleges (Amherst, Smith, Hampshire, and Mount Holyoke) and has great, free, public transportation throughout the county. When I was in school, I did not have a car and was able to get to class, the grocery store, the movies, and my friends apartments safely and quickly on the busses. The campus core is well lit at nights, and there are always people around, so I felt safe after night classes. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jennifer:Depending on your major, or the course, professors and academic advisors are accessible. In my first year, I was undeclared, so I had to schedule an academic advising session. Once I declared English, my advisor was assigned and we met regularly. Faculty are good about creating opportunities to work on projects with them too. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jennifer:I lived on campus for two years, and it was a lot of fun. My residence hall had learning communities, so I was placed with other people who shared similar interests and classes. In fact, as part of my Learning Community, a few of my classes were in my residence hall which was really nice in the winter! Dining is buffet style at most of the dining halls so you can choose what you like to eat (and how much). There are also caf-style options at the Union. Getting involved in student organizations can be tricky at first because the campus is pretty big, but I met a lot of people through my Learning Community and music classes. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Jennifer:I studied English and History because I liked the flexibility of choosing my own course plan. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst was great in substituting course requirements in these majors, and allowing me to take classes at other colleges that I found interesting. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Jennifer:It was easy to make friends because I sought out student organizations. I joined marching band, and met over 400 people before classes even started. Having a common interest helped break the ice for sure. Greek life is active at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, but definitely didnt drive the entire campus. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jennifer:I used the Career Center to help apply for graduate schools. They advised me on my applications, resumes, and planning for interviews. My application process required me to travel to other colleges, but the University of Massachusetts-Amherst was helpful in preparing me before these visits. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jennifer:The W.E.B DuBois library underwent major construction and renovations while I was in school. There are a ton of study spaces for individual and group projects. My friends and I would stay at the library several nights a week because it is near the Union and had all the resources we needed to do our homework. There are over 20 floors, so it is easy to find a quiet space if you need. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Jennifer:Amherst is a small town with a few restaurants and shops, while Hadley and North Hampton are pretty accessible by bus and car. There are many music performances, theater, sporting events, and festivals on or near campus to keep you busy. I would often go out to eat at one of the local restaurants, and never felt like I couldnt afford a nice meal. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jennifer:The University of Massachusetts-Amherst is one of the biggest campuses in the state. With that said, I had a few classes with over 300 students, but 90 percent of my classes were under 15. There were generally enough sections of a class so students could get individual attention from the professors. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jennifer:I joined the marching band so I could continue playing saxophone in school and make friends right away. During the football playoffs, almost everyone was watching the games. When the team won the semi-finals, everyone was cheering and celebrating and then we found out that the band would get to travel to National Championships with the team. This was a great way to end my senior year with the band and have a lasting memory from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Check out Jennifers tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Photosynthesis Equation Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Photosynthesis Equation Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The process in which certain carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water by chlorophyllous cells in the presence of light, oxygen being the byproduct is generally called photosynthesis. The summary equation for photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 12 H2O + Solar energy C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O By the use of water and Carbon dioxide labeled with isotope oxygen biochemists have been able to demonstrate that the oxygen released in photosynthesis comes not from Carbon dioxide but from water. Photosynthesis is an anabolic process in which green plants or green parts of the plants synthesize or manufacture complex carbonaceous organic food substances carbohydrates with carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and evolve oxygen as a byproduct .Thus in this process radiant energy is converted into chemical energy. The green plants apart from taking nutrients from soil,make their own food by utilizing carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. This is the basis of photosynthesis. During this process oxygen is evolved and released to the atmosphere. During photosynthesis carbon dioxide is chemically reduced to carbohydrate. Water molecule splits in presence of sunlight. This process is called photolysis and oxygen is released. Importance of photosynthesis: Food is the source of energy needed by animal and plant life. And this food is manufactured by green plants from inorganic substances with the aid of sunlight energy during photosynthesis. Food represents the stored energy of sunrays. Fuel in the form of wood is also the indirect result of photosynthesis activity of plant and it is also thought that coal, petroleum etc. are also the remote consequences of photosynthesis.

How Colleges Make Admissions Decisions

How Colleges Make Admissions Decisions How colleges make admissions decisions In about 30 seconds. Hours of tedium and toil into your application, schoolwork, extra-curriculars and SAT/ACT all comes down to a quick 30-second yes or no. The sad truth is, thats usually how colleges make admissions decisions. In 2012, Rachel Rubin, a doctoral student at Harvard, surveyed 75 of the most competitive colleges regarding admissions processes. Her research revealed that there really is a black-and-white approach to some admissions, despite the constant claim we look at students holistically. College admissions have multiple steps to go through; however, most dont make it past the very first one. Step one: GPA/Test-score screeningMost schools set minimum GPA and SAT/ACT requirements. If youre significantly above the requirements youre in. If youre significant below youre out, and if youre somewhere in the middle, youre on the fence. It really is that simple. At top schools, youll need to score in the top 10% on your SAT or ACT and have a GPA of at least 3.5. But, top schools will demand that you take a tougher curriculum, meaning if you dont have any AP classes, you probably wont get in. You will need at least a 28 on the ACT and a 2,100 on the SAT (for 2012 statistics). Most colleges post their ACT/SAT requirements online. 76% of the colleges surveyed said this is how they make admissions decisions. The others (comprised mostly of selective liberal arts schools) said they look for students who are a good fit with the colleges standards and culture first. In other words, they look at your essay, recommendations and application questions first, then your grades/test scores. Step two: Quick read of your applicationIf you meet the GPA/test score requirements, schools then consider your essay, extra-curricular involvement and application. Some colleges assign letter grades to each student. A and B students will be accepted D and F students wont be, and C students will receive further review. Admissions committees are looking for students who stand out, students who will thrive at their school. You have to show passion and that youre headed for a great academic/professional career. But, most importantly, you have to DO SOMETHING. If youre majoring in Creative Writing, write a collection of short stories and publish them on a WordPress site. Include the link in your essay. Science majors can complete a project and enter in a competition. Write about your findings. For business, try to start a small company, even if its just you. It doesnt have to be successful and profitable, but the fact that you tried sets you above the rest. Those are the types of students who get accepted based on essays and letters of recommendation. Step three: Scrutinize your applicationSome colleges will make a decision after step two, but others will further consider your application. This is where they look at you holistically and compare every detail of your essay, involvement and recommendations to other students. This is usually the last step, but some colleges may require an interview. The intangibles:Colleges favor students for a variety of factors beyond race/ethnicity. Your selected major could play a role, especially if its uncommon in the applicant pool. Schools try to avoid making decisions based on students financial needs. But, all factors equal, a student who has no financial needs may get in over one who has major financial needs.

What is the USMLE

What is the USMLE Medical students spend a significant amount of time in school. Once a doctor has their M.D., or Doctor of Medicine degree, theres one last thing to do before they can practice medicine: get licensed. In order to become licensed to practice medicine in the United States, doctors must pass the USMLE. Given in a series of three steps, this exam, administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners, is designed to test a physicians knowledge and ability to provide appropriate medical care. If youre planning on pursuing a career in medicine, keep reading to learn what you need to know about the USMLE exam. USMLE basics The USMLE is a three-step examination that tests what youve learned about providing appropriate medical care to patients. The USMLE is given at different times throughout a students allopathic medical school career. If you pass all the steps of the USMLE, you become eligible to apply for a license to practice medicine in the U.S. [RELATED: 10 Study Habits to Avoid] USMLE Step 1 Step 1 of the USMLE is designed to assess whether or not youre able to apply basic scientific concepts when practicing medicine. Most medical school students take it after their second year. This step incorporates practical questions about a number of subjects, including anatomy, behavioral sciences, microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, and others. Step 1 is given in eight hours on one day, and is divided into seven 60-minute parts. There is a maximum of 40 questions in each partaltogether, there is a maximum of 280 questions. Students are not allowed to retake Step 1 if they pass just to earn a higher score. This test costs $630. [RELATED: Time Management Tips for Students] USMLE Step 2 This portion of the USMLE is meant to judge your ability to apply your medical and scientific knowledge to practicing medicine in a clinical setting under supervision. Most medical students take Step 2 during their fourth year of medical school. Step 2 is divided into two parts: Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) During the CK part of Step 2, you will demonstrate your basic clinical knowledge and skills throughout eight 60-minute blocks spread out over a nine-hour test day. In this part of the exam, youll answer multiple-choice questions that run through different medical scenarios that you must determine how to react to. Step 2 CK costs $630. Step 2 CS is an in-person exam where you see multiple actors who play roles as patients. When you see these patients, you must perform a physical exam, collect their medical history, diagnose any conditions he or she may have, and write a patient note based on your interaction. Youll have 15 minutes for your patient encounter and 10 minutes to write your patient note. Step 2 CS costs $1,290 to take. USMLE Step 3 This is the last part of the USMLE, and its usually taken upon a students graduation from medical school during their first year of residency. It tests your knowledge of medicine and ability to practice unsupervised. This is a two-day examination that covers a wide range of medical issues, from pregnancy and childbirth to behavioral and emotional disorders. Step 3 of the USMLE is held over two days. The first days test session lasts about seven hours, and includes 232 multiple-choice questions split into six 60-minute blocks of 38 to 39 questions. The second days test session lasts about nine hours and is split into six 45-minute blocks of 30 multiple-choice questions. The last part includes 13 patient case simulations that last 10 to 20 minutes each. This test costs $875. USMLE scoring You must pass all parts of the USMLE in order to apply for a license to practice medicine. Each part of the test, except Step 2 CS, is weighed on a three-digit scale. The minimum passing scores are 194 for Step 1, 209 for Step 2 CK, and 196 for Step 3. Step 2 CS is scored as pass or fail based on your performance. [RELATED: 3 Efficient Ways to Study on the Go] After you pass all parts of the USMLE, you can request a transcript be sent to the medical licensing authority of your choice. If you can get through these many years of testing, it can pay off in the form of a rewarding career in medicine. 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.

Morning Mayhem Try These 7 Steps

Morning Mayhem Try These 7 Steps Mornings can be hard for kids with ADHD and their parents. Having ADHD can make it hard to wake up in the morning, keep track of time, and get things done independently. So, its very common for families of kids with ADHD to feel rushed, stressed, and disorganized before the school and workdays even begin. Starting your day off this way is hard on you and your child. A few simple changes can make mornings better. Good mornings start with a good nights sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, children between the ages of 6-13 require 9 to 11 hours of sleep, and teens between the ages of 14-17 need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Wake your child up at the same time every day. This routine will help regulate their circadian rhythm and make it easier for them to get out of bed in the morning. Create a checklist. Together with your child, make a list of the things they need to do each morning. Try to keep the list limited to no more than 7 items. For example: Wake up with only 1 reminder from mom by 7:20 Brush my teeth Wash my face Brush my hair Get dressed Eat breakfast and finish my 7:50 Post the checklist in a spot where your child can see it every morning. Make it look fun and let your child decorate it -- it helps your child feel like they own the routine too. When your child finishes all the steps, provide a lot of praise. Make sure your praise is truthful, specific and positive. Great job brushing your teeth without needing a reminder. or 7:45am and done? High five! Way to go! Consider providing your child with a reward as an extra incentive to finish their morning routine independently and on time. Rewards can be simple, but they should be immediate. Things like picking a special snack for lunch, choosing the radio station in the car on the way to school, getting a special hair style, or getting 10 minutes of screen time. When your child is first learning their new routine, you may need to provide supervision and an occasional reminder. So, try to get yourself up and ready a bit early on the first few days of the new routine. This way youll be able to give your child your full attention when they need it. 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.

Improve Your GPA by Training Your Brain

Improve Your GPA by Training Your Brain Improving Academic Performance Have you ever caught yourself being too critical of your abilities in a given area? Students in particular can be their own worst enemies. They don’t realize how powerful an influence mindset can be on day-to-day actions. In reality, what we think about ourselves and our abilities will determine what we can achieve, especially academically. In fact, there’s evidence that, if you believe you aren’t good at standardized tests, or aren’t very good at math, your brain is actually looking for ways to reinforce that belief, so that it can put the belief on autopilot, and spend more of its energy figuring things out that it’s not sure of. So, let’s talk about the power of thinking differently to improve your performance in class, standardized exams, or undergraduate and graduate institutions. We call this phenomenon the cycle of perpetual same-ness, which is a term and concept we borrowed from Dana Wilde, creator of the Mind-Aware brand. So-called facts and ideas that you think about yourself might very well be holding you back in ways that you don’t realize. Your thoughts may be reinforcing unsupported, mostly negative assumptions regarding your abilities that, paradoxically, your brain naturally wants to keep reinforcing, even though they negatively affect your performance. This occurs in a sequence of reinforcing steps over the course of months or years. Step 1: It begins with an event in the actual world. At some point, some specific event causes you to react and begin to believe something about yourself. For example, in second grade, you do a math exercise in class and get it wrong. Immediately, you wonder if you’re “bad” at math. You look around and notice that all of your friends in class are smirking, and you have trouble following your teacher’s explanation of why your answer is wrong. Step 2: This is followed by a reaction, and a conscious belief in your mind. You consciously think about the situation, and conclude that you must not be good at math. Not only did you get the question wrong, the teacher tried to explain it to you, and still you couldn’t understand. It seemed clear that everyone else understood. It seems apparent that the other students had an easier time with the question. They are better at math than you. Step 3: Eventually this belief enters your unconscious mind, and becomes part of the lens through which you view the world, affecting how you behave and reaffirming the belief. That initial run-in with math may happen a few more times. Perhaps by chance, or perhaps because your confidence with math has eroded a bit. Eventually, you decide that yes, you aren’t good at math, and that belief slips into your unconscious mind. It is just part of who you are. Being bad at math is a little frustrating, and uncomfortable to think about at first. But, you resign yourself to not being a math person. After all, you’ve been told we all have different talents, and people that are good at math may not be good at things in which you excel. After you come to believe that you’re just generally not good at math, your brain may try to fit its internal subconscious belief into the external world around you. So you’re going to find yourself automatically reaffirming your belief that you are bad at math again and again through behaving in a way that will endorse it (i.e., by not studying very hard or much, by avoiding difficult math problems that build math skills, etc.). The brain is trying to make sense of the world efficiently and effectively. Why would the brain work like this? Imagine the first time you rode a bike. Your mind was intently focused on every step of the process, putting your feet on the pedals, moving one foot forward, then the other, keeping your balance, grasping the handle bars. If you had to consciously go through all of that every time you rode a bike, it would get pretty overwhelming and you’d have trouble productively thinking about other things while riding that bike. The way our brains work, we have to constantly take a lot of information and put it into our subconscious to make room to bring in new observations. That’s why you can easily ride a bike or drive somewhere you’ve been a million times without thinking about it. Your brain has already catalogued it into your subconscious so that you don’t have to actively think about it to make room for new things. Why is this relevant to you or your child’s academic success? Let’s say, once again, you get a bad grade on that math test. We have the tendency to then say to ourselves, “I’m bad at math”, especially after witnessing other kids excelling. That opinion sticks with you until it becomes a fact. You do poorly on another test because of your already existing low confidence, and the cycle perpetuates itself. You need to break that cycle. Just as you stop thinking about how to ride a bike after the first few times, you stop thinking about how badly you believe you are at math and it becomes a part of who you are. From now on, your brain rejects any thoughts that you would rather be good at math or the possibility that you could be a natural with numbers. Your brain rejects these ideas in an attempt to make your daily life easier and go about it with as little stress as possible. You continue believing that you are lousy at math because it’s effortless. You form these beliefs early on in life, they influence your personality, your personality influences your behavior, and you grow old always ‘knowing’ you were never a math person. And, surprisingly, you’re completely comfortable with that because your brain automatically accepts it as fact due to your early experience and observations of others’ experiences around you. However, in reality, you can train your brain to behave differently by breaking that cycle. How can you do this? There are a variety of ways to go about breaking this cycle. Here are some options: Actively question your own assumptions about your abilities. Use positive “self-talk” in place of negative self-talk. If you catch yourself saying “I’m horrible at math” consciously stop yourself and just say “I have the potential to become much better at math than I currently think I am” Choose one academic area that you don’t consider a strength, and devote an extra hour per week to practicing in that area. All you need to do is apply practice - the right kind of practice - to a new belief that you can improve your math skills, or English skills, or creative skills, or whatever it may be that you seem to lack natural talent in. It is up to you to decide whether you are going to be a math person or not. It is up to each of us to decide where we place our passion and our focus and our hard work; don’t let your brain’s attempt at efficiency stop you from becoming great at something, or just getting generally better grades in school and higher scores on standardized tests.