A Real Reason To Choose A CS Tutor Who Specialises In CS

A Real Reason To Choose A CS Tutor Who Specialises In CSYou need to decide which is more important, CS tutors who have specialised in the English CS syllabus or those who are great in other aspects of CS, such as iOS, Android or C++? Well, it depends on what you want out of your CS tutor. If you are a student and just want good advice and help in completing an exam or course, then the first thing you should do is look at your syllabus and find someone who specializes in that area. If you are a student who want to progress quickly in their studies, and especially if you want to be a doctor or an engineer, then a different tutor will be needed.In some cases, students do not even realise that there are so many different areas that they can specialise in. However, if you ever talk to a tutor who has worked with people who are working towards careers in other areas, then you will find that they know just about everything there is to know about these subjects.The next question to ask when choosing a CS tutor is whether they can write great reports and eBooks for students who want to learn to program. This can sometimes be a difficult process, because the material is so varied and requires the student to be able to keep up with it at a fast pace. Some students will have even trouble reading this material on their own, let alone writing it.It is not uncommon for students to take much longer than they should to complete an academic paper, if they are forced to choose between a report and an eBook. It is also not uncommon for students to struggle to learn the material, let alone read it, without a tutor to help them with it.Of course, you should choose a tutor who is both experienced and who has experience teaching these courses. You can always try to go down the route of trying to look for tutorials online, but remember that some of these tutorials may be well-meaning, but don't have enough time to cover everything you need. As a result, your knowledge of the subject is going to be limited, and you may find yourself not having enough of an idea about how to proceed.When you choose a CS tutor, make sure that you do research on the internet. The more you know about your choice, the better off you will be. It is also important to remember that, generally speaking, people who are willing to help students in general will be very responsive, and you may find that some of them do offer this service.No matter what the subject is, students will struggle to make the best use of the time when studying in their spare time, and the pressures of exams and tests mean that many students tend to find that they are feeling very low. A tutor can help students to get past these feelings, to achieve their goals, and to achieve them faster. Whether you want to be a doctor or a nurse, it does not matter.You are never too young to learn to program, and you are never too old to learn to code. So find someone who can help you make these dreams a reality, and get the assist ance you need. There is no reason why you cannot achieve them.

Help With the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

Help With the Fundamental Theorem of AlgebraIf you are struggling to find some help with the fundamental theorem of algebra, then this article should help. It is helpful to think about what the theorem of algebra is in order to see what problems you might have with it. In this article I will briefly outline what this theory says and then go into a bit more detail about solving it.So first of all, what is the theorem of algebra? Well, the theorem states that all relations can be written in a single form as pairs of numbers. Here I am assuming that we can choose a relationship, in which we have more than one number. The two numbers in the pairs will have to be integers or real numbers. So now we know that two numbers can be written as pairs and that a single relation can be written as a pair of numbers.This was useful information, but how do we go about finding out if we need help with the fundamental theorem of algebra? There are many ways to check and see if a relation holds. The sim plest way is to create an empty pair, and then check if you can match up the two sets.Let's say we have two sets called A and B. Here A has a certain property called H and B has another property called I. These are known as well-defined properties and you can consider them your own set. Then if A matches up with me, then we say that we can compare these two sets and they are equivalent to each other.But what if A does not match up with me? Well, if A is empty, then you can't create a whole new set from it, so you can't use it as a comparison.Now let's say A is empty, but there is another one, that is not equal to I. You can make a new set called B from this relation. Then you can compare these two sets and say that they are equivalent. We can also use these equivalence relations to help us understand what the theorem of algebra is.The fundamental theorem of algebra states that two sets of relationships, which are equivalent, are equivalent to each other if you can always create a ne w set by taking the relation from A to B. We have seen this from the earlier example, but what does this say about what does the relationship between A and B actually mean? Well, it can be defined in terms of the properties of the two sets. For example, if you start by saying that the set B is just like A, then you can use these equivalence relations to define the relationship. Then you can apply these properties to the values of the pairs to get the pairwise relations.

Organic Chemistry Tutor Chalkboard - Chemistry Classroom Or Laboratory

Organic Chemistry Tutor Chalkboard - Chemistry Classroom Or LaboratoryAn organic chemistry tutor chalkboard is a combination of different components that are ideal for classrooms and laboratories. It has a white board where an instructor can record notes, test answers, and grade assignments. This allows for easy tracking of notes and test answers. The notebook type of chalkboard is perfect for marking on a whiteboard so that the instructor can refer back to the whiteboard when it is needed.This combination features a computer, a laptop or tablet PC, and an online chemistry tutor. When the instructor first begins teaching a class or lab, they have the option of either getting online and receiving instant answers or choosing to have the instructor physically contact students to ask for answers. The use of online chemistry tutor gives the instructor the option of testing the methods he teaches, including writing and recording notes, taking test questions, grading assignments, and even p roviding feedback on tests.With online chemistry tutor, the instructor and the students can collaborate in real time. This allows for easy feedback on the methods used and the actual class work can be reviewed and discussed. While online chemistry tutor can provide instructor and student feedback at any time, the instructor can discuss things that pertain to the online labs or classes. The tutor has access to all of the lab manuals and lecture notes, which he can review again during the work day.This online chemistry tutor includes a hyperlink to the class website, allowing the instructor to see when the tutor is available and which textbooks to download for certain topics. A hyperlink also links to lab manuals, notes, quizzes, and assignments.An online chemistry tutor provides grading options such as a grade point calculator, short-answer sheet, and a student report. It also features an automatic calendar feature, complete with reminders to complete exams, to keep students on track . The assignment calendar allows students to know when assignments will be due and for how long.The online chemistry tutor also includes all of the materials necessary for the laboratory or class, including the lab guide, projects, notes, and lesson plans. When it comes to class material, there are no issues with materials, because the online chemistry tutor will provide all the materials needed. The classroom has a host of internet programs, including textbooks, projects, quizzes, lesson plans, assessment tests, study guides, and even websites and blogs to help students learn more.Whether online chemistry tutor is used in a traditional classroom setting or a lab, it makes a difference to both the instructor and the students. They have easier access to teachers, standardized tests, and labs, and students have access to all of the resources needed to learn chemistry.

What to Know Before You Buy Drums

What to Know Before You Buy Drums What You Should Know Before Buying Drums ChaptersDifferent Types of DrumsWhat Are the Best Drumsticks?What Are the Best Drum Kits to Buy?How Much Does a Drum Kit Cost?How to Tune a Drum KitA Guide to Drum Kit MaintenanceMaybe you were one of the lucky ones who got to see Rush in concert before Neil Peart retired.Or perhaps you’ve read the discussion boards of whether Lars Ullrich is or is not a good drummer.It could be that you or someone you know is taking drum lessons!In any of these cases, your fascination with percussion is evident.What Superprof is going to do is feed it a meal of facts, figures and fabled drummers, all with the intent to help you finally get the kit you’ve always dreamed of.Do you have a concrete idea of the kit you want? Then maybe Superprof can help you flesh out your drum set; maybe with eclectic percussion instruments or perhaps by helping you choose the right stick.drum mimics human speech.Gongs of AsiaIn Asia is where the cymbal came to prominence. Sure, they had their drums: war drums in Ch ina, ceremonial drums in Japan...You might say that the drums complement the cymbals! Or is it the other way around...?Either way, gongs and cymbals take centre stage in traditional Asian music.Today, the Asian influence prevails in the name of the Big Three cymbal companies, all of which originated in Asia:Zildjian â€" over 400 years in the business!Sabian: an offshoot of Zildjian, founded in Canada by the brother of Armand, who became CEO of the companyRobert nevertheless made use of the Zildjian technique for cymbal-making!Paiste: an Indo-European company founded in EstoniaAnd, of course, some of the finest cymbals on the market, the Istanbul Mehmets, are made in Turkey!Naturally, we have to include Meinl in the big cymbal names, but this company got its start less than 100 years ago, in Germany.Drumming in EuropeThe art of drumming remained essentially unchanged for over a thousand years until the snare drum was created in the 15th century.Its use, particularly by the military, revolutionised drum making and drum playing!Drum rudiments, the paradiddle and the drag among them, seem to have developed with the snare drum.As military campaigns became further-reaching, so too did the influence of snare drums, until they became ubiquitous.Today, they are essential for any jazz, rock or marching band!What are you going to beat yours with?The type of drumstick you play with will affect your sound and your playing Source: Pixabay Credit: PexelsWhat Are the Best Drumsticks?Categorising anything as best is, in principle, a subjective affair.And when it comes to drumsticks... so many variables go into the choice of sticks you use to beat your kit with!What type of music do you play?What level player are you: beginner, intermediate... advanced?What size are you? â€" nothing implied in that question; stick diameter and weight is important in selecting the right stickWhat sound are you looking for?What kind of kit do you have?A good drummer would have a stick bag replete with an assortment of drumsticks: oval heads and round ones; teardrop-shaped and barrel-shaped. Nylon-coated or pure wood...Each of these tips, along with the anatomy of the drumstick will affect what sound your drums make and how they respond to your playing.Furthermore: most sticks are made of either hickory wood, oak or maple; each type of wood brings its own properties to your sound.You can drum quickly with maple sticks because they are light, but they would not stand up to heavy rock drumming, for example.The rule of thumb for beginners is to learn to play with a set of 5A hickory sticks. They are of average weight and mid-sized diameter, and absorb vibration well.From there, you may opt to go for a heavier stick or one made out of nylon-coated graphite â€" a much lighter material that helps forestall fatigue.And then, you might experiment with brushes and mallets, just to see what kind of sound you can coax from your kit!time and patience.While some instrument techs advocate tuning your snare and bass drum first and then ranging the toms within that pitch spectrum, others insist you should start with the smallest drum and work your way through the sizes, finishing with the kick drum.Either way, you will start with your snare!One important distinction between tuning this drum and the rest of your kit is that you will tune the batter head first, and then the resonant head.With the other drums, that order is reversed.When tuning your drums, remember that you are tuning the heads to the tone and pitch of the shell â€" see what we mean by needing a good ear?You should tap the side of the drum with a stick as often as necessary to internalise its tone, and then, using the drum key, turn the tension rods in quarter-turn increments until the drum head makes a complementary sound.Always remember to work diagonally: work with the tension rod closest to you first, and then the one opposite to it.Never travel the circumference of the drum, loosening or tightening as you go, unless you are replacing the drum head!The best drummers agree that you should tune your drums before you play them, whenever there is a change in condition â€" from hot to cold or after they travel; and whenever you change the drum head.In fact, tuning should be a part of your regular drum maintenance!A drum key is vital to the proper tuning of your drums! Source: Wikipedia Credit: AlnoA Guide to Drum Kit MaintenanceAlthough drums exist for the purpose of getting beat on, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t treat them with loving care!Some drummers seldom/never bother to take on extensive drum maintenance and we daresay that big-name professional drummers hire instrument techs to take care of their drums.We urge you to not be one of those drummers who only wipe the dust off the heads prior to playing!With a bit of care, your drums and all of the drum accessories you kitted it out with, could last a good long time.Cleaning Your KitAbout once a year, you should totall y tear down your drums, removing everything, down to the lugs. Cover the badge up with masking tape and...Do not use household cleaners on them!T-Cut colourfast scratch remover would be the ticket to cleaning and restoring your shells’ lustre. If, after buffing them out, you feel like they need a coat of wax, apply it sparingly and let it dry before polishing them.Now the CymbalsThe most important thing when cleaning them is to work with the lathing!Cleaning them from the bell to the edge is sure to affect the tonal grooves, meaning your cymbal won’t sound the same.While there is substantial debate on what exactly should be used to clean them, Brasso or some other metal polish, experts advocate for Groove Juice, a mildly acidic cleanser.If your cymbal’s label is important to you, be careful of where you spray said Juice: being acidic, it will eat the brand name away!Acoustic drum sets and electronic drums are an investment: of money, of time and of your passion.Choosing the ri ght drum set, the right drum heads and the right drumsticks; even down to your selection of drum throne will all impact your love and ability to play the drums.Taking care of your investment through regular tuning and proper maintenance, from the drum hoops to the drum hardware means that you will have it to play on for a long time to come.Sure, you could upgrade your kit, but once you’ve found the one you want...Happy playing to you!

Definition of Coordinate

Definition of Coordinate Definition of coordinate is an introduction to coordinate geometry. In geometry the position of any point on a plane is described by pair of numbers called ordered pairs. The coordinate plain is given below. It has two lines perpendicular to each other. In the plane, the horizontal line is x-axis and vertical line is y-axis. The point where both the axis crosses is the origin and it is the point where x and y remains zero. In x-axis, the values to the right of origin are positive and to left are negative. In y axis, the values above the origin are positive and below the origin are negative. The below 2 examples show you how to plot a point in graph. Example 1: Plot the point (3, -6) on graph Solution: The center point is the origin and it is written as point (0, 0) because both x and y are zero at this point. = From the given point (3, -6) = X is positive 3 and y is -6 = So move 3 units to the right on x axis and 6 units down on y axis = (3, -6) is the point where it meets. Example 2: Find location of point on graph? Solution: Start from origin = Draw lines from the point that cuts x axis and y axis respectively. = Since, the line cuts at point 3 on x axis and at point 4 on y axis. = Therefore x= 3 and y=4 = So, the point shown in graph is (3, 4)

Harvard University A Student Interview

Harvard University A Student Interview The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Keena is a Chicago tutor and 2006 graduate of Harvard University, where she studied psychology. She specializes in math tutoring, psychology tutoring, and a number of other subjects. See what she had to share about her time at Harvard University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Keena: Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is really just a smaller part of Boston. The campus is pretty urban, but borders on residential areas which makes it feel a bit quieter and more neighborhood-y on the edges (I always liked this part because there were lots of people walking dogs, and I missed mine). Harvard has a shuttle bus that can transport students to and from various parts of the campus. The shuttle is a great option for students, since the campus itself is huge and it can take a long time to walk from one side to the other especially if you include the athletic facilities and graduate education buildings. A bike is also a good idea but be careful! Cambridge is known as the bike theft capital of the country and given the number of thefts Ive seen on campus, I believe it. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Keena: The professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants make themselves fairly available, but its important to remember that they are all involved in their own research or professional projects and often its difficult to get on their schedules. Sign up early, and make sure you know what youre going to talk about when you go to office hours. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Keena: The Houses at Harvard are one of the best parts of the University, in my opinion. Each House has its own personality and traditions, and being part of such a vibrant mini-community in the University has a very humanizing effect, especially since Harvard can be a cold and intense place at times. The Houses each have a dining hall and host various social activities for both house members and visitors, and it can be great to go from House to House experiencing the different atmospheres. I think its extremely important to take time to build a social network and put down your work for a while, especially at a place thats as academically intense as Harvard is. Youre supposed to be having fun, too! Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Harvard University? Keena: Im not sure I can speak to which programs are best represented and supported I do know that a lot of students come to Harvard and dive into a particular field without giving themselves the freedom to experience new fields, which I think is a big mistake. As an example, I started school thinking I wanted to be pre-med, but switched out of that track midway through my sophomore year because I didnt like organic chemistry. I graduated with a degree in social psychology, but if you asked me now what I would have done in retrospect, I would have chosen history or creative writing, since thats what I liked the best. Its incredibly important to take classes in new fields and focus on what you really enjoy doing, not just what you or someone else thinks you should be doing. 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? Keena: It was easy for me to make friends as a freshman. Harvard offers incoming freshmen the chance to go on a hiking trip with other new students before classes start (its called the Freshman Outdoor Program, or FOP) and it was through FOP that I met some of my best friends, friends I am still close with today. There are a lot of socialization opportunities within the dorms as well, and each entryway has two Prefects assigned to it upperclassmen who host weekly social activities with their freshmen, to help them make friends and integrate into the community. Greek life plays a pretty minimal role on campus; there are a handful of fraternities and sororities around, but they dont have houses and operate completely independently from the University itself. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Keena: I dont remember the Career Center being particularly helpful. I do remember a lot of huge companies recruiting on campus my senior year, mostly through dinners and social events designed to show students how fancy their lives could be after graduation. Some of my friends went this route, and had good experiences. For me, finding professors in fields I liked and who I could connect with gave me the most insight into what I wanted to do after school. Harvard is a big place, but finding upperclassmen and professors who you can connect with can help a lot in figuring out what you want to do. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges at Harvard University? Keena: The libraries at Harvard are the coolest. There are two main libraries (though I read somewhere that Harvard has more than 90 in total across various campuses): Widener (absolutely massive), and Lamont (smaller, more Undergraduate-focused). Widener is a lot of fun to explore, and there are many little nooks and crannies for students to hole up in for hours at a time to do work. Lamont is more social and feels warmer since its a bit smaller and has big, public study spaces. I studied at both and really liked having the opportunity to work in such interesting and well-designed spaces. They are both easily available. Describe the surrounding town. Keena: Cambridge is a very interesting town. There are a lot of stores, restaurants, and bars, and it feels urban but without the size of downtown Boston. A lot of establishments have been in the same place for decades, so its always possible to go back to your favorite haunts when you visit. Most undergraduates will tell you that the Kong is a perennial favorite among the students, though I also enjoyed going to Graftons, Cambridge Common, and Pinocchios Pizzeria. Its very easy to take the T to downtown Boston, though most students stay near campus since there is so much to do. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Keena: The student body felt big to me, though in reality the undergraduate enrollment is only around 7,000 students. Many of the introductory lecture classes are very large, but these always include smaller group sessions made up of 8-12 students with a Teaching Assistant. The smaller lecture classes are often between 10 and 30 students, though you are able to find classes with only a few students in some of the smaller fields. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Keena: Harvard is famous for its Human Sexuality class in the Psychology department. This class covers a wide variety of topics from sexual orientation and gender identity, to societal views of sexuality and sexuality in the media. Its an extremely popular class and was one of my favorites. The lectures were often so thought provoking that my friends and I would go out after class and spend hours talking about what we learned in class and how we felt about it. I would highly recommend every student taking this class if they can. In terms of regrets I regret taking too many classes that I thought I had to take (conceptual mathematics, organic chemistry, etc.) instead of classes I wanted to take. I didnt realize the freedom I had to dictate my own curriculum, and I wish I had figured that out earlier in my undergraduate career. Check out Keenas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Practise Yoga for Beginners at Home

How to Practise Yoga for Beginners at Home How to Start Yoga at Home ChaptersWhy Practise Yoga at Home?How to Start Yoga at HomeEquipment for Your Home Yoga StudioThe Best DVDs for Home YogaYouTube Home Yoga Videos“Yoga means addition â€" addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul.” - Amit RayWould you like to start doing yoga but don’t have the time to go to group yoga classes? Are you looking for a way to relax without breaking the bank?Practise yoga at home! Yoga is for everyone, after all.There are excellent books, DVDs, and online yoga practice resources available.To start things off and make sure you don’t pick up any bad habits, you should follow our advice...yoga works on all your muscles through stretching movements.The benefits of yoga aren't just physical; you can gain a deeper awareness of the world around you, an inner calm, and relieve anxiety through mindfulness meditation as a complement to a gentle yoga routine.Once you start, you’ll quickly realise that it’s not boring either since there are so many di fferent types of yoga: Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Kundalini yoga, restorative yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Yin yoga, etc.Find out what to look for when choosing your yoga mat...How to Start Yoga at HomeAre you ready to take your first steps into the world of yoga?As a beginner, it’s important that you make sure you’re ready to go in order to take care of your body and not injure yourself by attempting a challenging asana. Don't move onto an intermediate yoga pose before you've mastered the basics.Breathe and stretch! (Source: StockSnap)To get ready, you should:Make sure that you won’t be disturbed for between half an hour and an hour.Get your yoga mat readyPut your smartphone to silentPut on some music to help you relax and unwind. You could even put together a special yoga playlist that lasts the right amount of time.One thing you should definitely keep in mind: breathing, or pranayama, is an integral part of yoga. Make sure you’re breathing deeply during your exercises and sequence of yoga postures. You also need to focus on each breath.Here are three exercises for beginners to use with their yoga mat:Seated PoseSeated poses are ideal for starting your yoga sessions. It can relax your mind and body and encourages a good posture.Sit down. Keep your head, neck, and back aligned. Relax your shoulders, place your hands on your knees with your palm facing upwards and close your eyes. Be mindful of your breathing.The Chair PoseBend your knees while keeping them over your feet with your thighs as parallel to the floor as possible. Your torso should form a right angle with your thighs. Raise your hands towards the sky as you breathe. Place your weight on your heels so that your knees don’t bend too far forward.Search for yoga Manchester now.The Tree PoseThe tree pose works on your balance and strengthens the muscles in your lower body. Place your weight on your left leg and put the sole of your foot on your left ankle, move your right knee to the side, and then mov e your right foot up to your thigh. Keep your head straight and contract your abs and buttocks.Place your hands together as if you were praying and then raise them above your head. Stretch upwards, breathe, and hold this position for a few moments. Then do the same for the other side.Pick up on these techniques to master meditation...running with yoga...The Best DVDs for Home YogaHave you already learnt the basics and would like to go a little further? There are some great DVDs for yoga sessions in your own home, even for beginners!Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies, Sara IvanhoeThis DVD covers the basics of yoga and teaches you the 12 key yoga poses. Relax, learn different breathing exercises, and tone your body. This is a great resource with plenty of yoga for beginners.Yoga for Absolute Beginners, Susan FultonLearn quickly and become more flexible thanks to these exercises for beginners. The yoga poses are clearly explained and you can get your body moving along the relaxing music. P erfect for starting out.If you’re looking for something more dynamic, check out Susan Fulton’s Hatha Ashtanga Yoga series. You can quickly tone your body and rejuvenate the nervous system while learning how to control your emotions.Yoga to the Rescue for Back Pain, Desire RumbaughDo you have back problems or need to strengthen your back? Go with methods designed to improve your back muscles and alleviate back pain. You’ll also get rid of tension and improve the alignment of your spine.Yoga for Stress Relief, Barbara BenaghFind a relaxing and effective way to rid yourself of stress with yoga.Discover some of the best documentaries about yoga and meditation...YouTube Home Yoga VideosIn addition to DVDs, you can find plenty of videos on how to learn yoga on YouTube. If you don't have a yoga teacher training you, you should check out these digital yogis to learn more about yoga.Your yoga tutor doesn't necessarily need to be in the room with you. (Source: TheDigitalArtist)Yoga wit h AdrieneAdriene’s YouTube channel has a good range of yoga videos. You can do yoga for a variety of different reasons. Whether it’s for runners, for weight loss, or bedtime yoga, you’ll be able to find the right video routine for you. There are also a lot of good videos for beginners.Kino YogaKino, the host of this channel, is an experienced yogi and one of YouTube's most popular yoga teachers. His channel is a great resource for those learning yoga. If you’re looking for any particular pose, this is the channel you should go to first.Tara StilesTara Stiles created Strala Yoga, a dynamic yoga method that you do with music. Head on over to her YouTube channel. Without taking yourself too seriously, you can learn yoga exercises you can do to relax and for strengthening. If you’re expecting a special gift, why not try out prenatal yoga?So whether you're looking for spiritual healing, guided meditation, beginner yoga routines, there's nothing stopping you from learning how to do a few sun salutations in your living room and bringing your body and mind together.If you're completely new to yoga and would like more help, you should consider getting yoga tutorials from a private tutor. A lot of tutors and yogis on Superprof offer a free yoga taster session for the first hour so you can see if they're right for you.Now head over to our FAQ page for everything you want to know about yoga and if you would like to see some yoga documentaries, read our summary blog.

What to Ask Private Schools

What to Ask Private Schools No two kids are exactly alike. No two schools are, either. When looking at private schooloptions at any grade level, it's important that parents ask questions that help them identifythe key differences that will help determine what private school is best for their child. Knowing the right areas to ask questions about is an important step going into private school interviews and tours. As you dive into your exploration of private schools, keep these thoughts in mind: 1. What do you really want to know about this private school? This is different than what you think you should ask. You may feel that asking about test scores or admission rates is what's expected, but it will be most beneficial to everyone if you ask about the areas that truly matter to you. Dont shy away from tougher questions if theyre important to you, but also try not to delve too deeply into uncomfortable areas that put the admissions officer on the spot, such as those regarding your childs specific chances of getting into the school. 2. How is this private school uniquely positioned to help my child? Think about how your child learns and thrives, as well as his or her strengths and weaknesses, and focus your questions according to those needs. Is your son an excellent writer but struggles to work with others? You might want to ask about how the school promotes teamwork. Or, say your daughter has an interest in engineering or mathare there robotics teams or other extracurricular offerings that will boost her learning beyond the typical curriculum? Think about whether the schools overall mission fits the goals you and your child have. Goal Example Question To increase your child's socialization opportunities What kinds of group and teamwork opportunities do you provide? To expand your child's music education Are band, orchestra, and/or choir offered? What are the programs like? To prepare your child for college admissions How early doguidance counselors and teachersstart providingsupportforcollege applications? 3. Tell me more about As with a job interview, you want to go in with as much knowledge as you can glean from the schools website and other available references. This will help you ask better questions and prevent you from looking like you dont care, which is the impression youd likely give by asking for information you could have easily gotten online in five minutes of research. Identify something the school succeeds at that coincides with your goals, and then dig deeper to show your interest. 4. How does this private school keep up with emerging technology? Its no secret that edtech is growing rapidly. How are teachers at this school able to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning and introduce students to new skills? Do they utilize digital textbooks? What is the policy on student smartphone use? On a related note, how is the overall curriculum reviewed, and how often does it change? 5. Does this private school approach the arts from a global, multicultural perspective? Whether or not your child is artistically inclined, a broad education in music, art, theater and cultural differences is invaluable in a time of increasingly global higher education and professional opportunities. If your child does have a specific interest in an artistic area, find out how that can directly be supported by this school. Some areas you might want to inquire about include the following: band orchestra choir acting drawing/painting dance 6. What is the philosophy on athletics at this private school? Many private schools require all students to participate in athletics or some other form of physical education. The lessons in teamwork and health can be invaluable, but if this is an area where your child particularly excels or struggles, you may want to find out more about what his or her experience will be like. 7. How do teachers and administrators at this private school communicate with parents? Many private schools have sophisticated websites, blogs, or social media pages, but how are individual teachers communicating with parents about the classroom and their individual students? What systems are in place for emergency notifications? 8. What support does this private school offer forcollege applications and preparation? Rather than asking where most graduating students are accepted to college or what their test scores are, dig deeper to find out specifically how the schools guidance staff would eventually help your child through the college admissions process. It may seem far away, but it can never be too early to prepare. 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.

6 Tips to Maximize Your Search for Financial Aid

6 Tips to Maximize Your Search for Financial Aid The following piece was written by David Bakke, a contributing writer for the popular personal finance website and blog, Money Crashers. He offers expertise on many important topics ranging from student loan debt and frugal living to retirement planning and careers. His work has been featured in various prominent publications such as Forbes and U.S. News World Report. The cost of a college education is high, and only getting higher. According to the College Board, the overall cost of one year of school at a public college comes in right around $22,000. At a private school, that number is closer to $43,000. The prospect of assuming that much debt is enough to scare anyone off, so the last thing you want to do is rely strictly on student loans to finance your education. There are a ton of alternative options at your disposal to decrease the overall cost of your time in school, so follow these six tips to help get you started today: 1. Do not solely rely on your financial aid office The first place to go to optimize your search for assistance is your school's financial aid office. You can get information and guidance on the many forms of aid available from government-subsidized loans to assistance from private lenders, and make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck. It would be a mistake, however, to rely entirely on this resource. There are plenty of other outlets available; they just take a bit of effort to produce results. 2. Immerse yourself in the internet Roll up your sleeves and get to work. Once you've exhausted the resources at your financial aid office, it's time to take advantage of the many other opportunities at your disposal. Countless grants, scholarships, and other forms of free money can be found simply by scouring the Internet. Many are available based on your race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and your involvement in professional organizations. Dig deep, and you may be surprised at what you find. 3. Start your search early and apply as soon as possible Youll want to start your search as early as you can for all forms of financial aid. Don't wait until posted deadlines to submit your application. A lot of the grant money out there is allocated quickly and the last thing you want to do is miss out because you waited too long to apply. Even if you're only a junior in high school, it can't hurt to begin your search. That way, you're going to be better informed about how financial aid programs work and the best ways to take advantage of them. 4. Choose federal loans over private Focus on federal student loans rather than loans from private institutions. Of course, once your federal loan options are exhausted, you may be forced to explore financing via private lenders just be aware that interest rates are usually higher and payback options are generally much more strict. Make sure you've availed yourself of all federal loan opportunities before enlisting the help of private banks. 5. Create your own FAQ list The process of obtaining financial aid for college can be time-consuming, especially if you research all your available options. However, you may find that many applications require answers to very similar questions. If you're looking to cut down on the time you spend, create a document with answers to some of the more commonly asked questions. That way, you can reduce your workload to a little copying and pasting, save yourself some valuable time, and get more aid for college. 6. Never assume you don't qualify Even if you come from a high-income family, you may very well still qualify for financial aid. According to a recent survey by Sallie Mae, close to 30% of kids coming from these families never even bothered to fill out applications for federal student financial aid in 2011. This can be a big mistake. Sallie Mae also reports that students from families that earned more than $100,000 per year also received an average of over $5,000 in aid that same year. Do yourself a favor and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and see what happens. You might be surprised at the results. Final Thoughts Once you've done all you can to impact your college costs, it's time to get to work on college expenses. Forget about campus health insurance you're covered under your parents' plan until you reach the age of 26. Investigate the campus meal plan and make sure it's worth the cost. Avoid things like campus errand services, laundry pick up, and college debit cards because when you gauge them against the alternatives, they're simply not worth the cost. Just because your institution is doing everything in its power to bump up your college bill doesn't mean you have to fall prey to its tactics. What ways can you think of to find financial aid? For more information on how to finance your college education, visit MoneyCrashers.com. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors