What is it Like to Attend American University

What is it Like to Attend American University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences, as well. Kelsey is a Philadelphia tutor and 2013 graduate of American University. She holds a Bachelors degree in International Studies and specializes inseveral subjects such as ACT prep tutoring, History tutoring, and Reading tutoring. See what Kelsey had to say about her time at American University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Kelsey: American University is in a great area of Washington, D.C. It is within the city limits, but it still has that small campus feel. The university provides a shuttle that runs continuously throughout the day directly to the nearest Metro stop, Tenleytown-AU. Many students ride bikes, but most walk or take the shuttle on a daily basis. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Kelsey: Professors at American University are required to hold office hours regularly, and most are happy to meet by appointment. However, as many professors teaching at American University are also working throughout Washington, D.C. in their respective fields, they are not as accessible as professors from more rural colleges. Their expertise is a bonus, but you have to work hard to form close relationships with the faculty. Every student at American University is assigned an academic adviser based on the school of their admission (mine, for example, was the School of International Service) who will be their guide throughout college. I personally had a wonderful experience with my adviser, and I can truly say she was my biggest supporter during my years at American University. However, other students I have talked with have said their advisers were not as involved or supportive. It may depend on your assigned adviser, and you can ask to switch if you feel someone else would be more helpful. You can receive additional advisers for special programs, such as a dual major or, in my case, the honors program. American University does not utilize teaching assistants except in very large courses (usually introductory level). As I was in the honors program, my classes were always under 30 students, and I never worked with teaching assistants. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kelsey: All students are required to live on campus and to have a meal plan during their freshman year. The dorms are clean and have many new facilities (and, I presume, even more additions since I left a year ago). The dorms are broken up into general assignment, honors program, and special programs (such as major-specific housing). There are many dining options on campus, and the food in the main dining hall (the Tavern) is usually very good. The campus makes a concerted effort to accommodate all dietary needs. The one drawback of housing at American University is overcrowding. When I was attending, even students in honors dorms were put in mandatory three-bunk rooms (with three students living in a space originally intended for two students). That being said, the resident assistants are friendly, and the university staff was always accessible. Most students decided to live off-campus by their junior year. Local housing is fairly accessible but, given the schools location in Washington, D.C., can be expensive. Most students share an apartment with several roommates or rent houses with a large group of other American University students. 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? Kelsey: American University is almost completely geared toward the Political Science and International Studies majors. The School of Public Affairs, School of Communication, and School of International Service are the biggest draws for the university, and the most attention is paid to them on campus. These programs are well funded by the university, and speakers, symposiums, and other events are held for students majoring in these subjects every day. However, if you are interested in other fields, or if you are not sure what subject you are interested in, American University may be a challenging place. The school is full of very driven students who have clear career objectives, and it can be difficult to be an undecided major in that environment. I majored in International Studies with concentrations in Peace and Conflict Resolution and Europe. I knew before applying to schools that I wanted to focus on international relations, and I was very satisfied with my choice of major in college. American University is one of the best international studies schools, and I feel that I got a very thorough education that has helped me be successful post-graduation. I am currently a law student focusing on international law, and I have always found myself to be one of the most prepared students in my current classes. 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? Kelsey: While it has many strong points, American University is not a very sociable campus, at least in my experience. As I mentioned above, the students drawn to American University (and Washington, D.C. in general) tend to be very motivated, ambitious people. This can make for great professional connections after graduation, but it creates a competitive atmosphere on campus. I am sure that many people had better experiences, but having moved to Washington, D.C. from a small town, I personally had trouble finding a group of friends my freshman year. I did, however, make friends later in college through groups like the American University Chamber Singers. American University has a very large, active Greek life community. While I did not personally participate, I have many friends who rushed and had very positive experiences. It is not, however, a requirement to being social at American University by any means! VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Kelsey: One of the many advantages of American University is the massive amount of internship opportunities available in the city. The Career Center is a big part of the campus support system for these internships. They offer services like resume reviews and mock interviews throughout the year, as well as private appointments. For undergraduates, there is generally one large career fair per year, where tons of organizations come to campus looking for future interns. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Kelsey: There is generally plenty of room on campus for studying. The library has tons of study cubbies, as well as a spacious lounge area with a caf. There are also other great student spaces, such as the Davenport Caf (located in the School of International Service) or the Mary Graydon Center. I never had a problem finding places to hang out with friends. 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? Kelsey: There are lots of shops and restaurants within walking distance of the school, most located in Tenleytown. Some students prefer to stay close to campus, while others (like myself) really embrace living in Washington, D.C. I usually went downtown or into different neighborhoods every Friday and Saturday. These excursions were some of my best times at American University. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kelsey: As I mentioned above, I was in the honors program, so even in my general education classes, there were never more than 30 people. I have heard from friends not in honors that some first-year classes can be quite large, some going over 60 students. All of my upper-level courses were very small (10-15 students). As my major became more and more specific, I knew the people in my classes quite well. I was very happy with the class size and individual attention I was given by professors in class. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kelsey: While this may be a humiliating story, I hope it helps incoming freshmen! When I was in my last year at American University (my third year, as I graduated early), I was taking an overbooked courseload and simultaneously trying to finish my senior honors thesis. I thought I was handling the stress fine, until one day in my favorite class (an International Peace and Conflict Resolution intensive course), I answered a question and got it completely wrong. My professor did not make a big deal out of it, and just moved on to another student to answer. Ordinarily, this would not have bothered me, but stressed out as I was, I had a complete panic attack in the middle of class. I had to rush out of the room to the bathroom, telling everyone I was having an allergic reaction. I was so embarrassed! When I emailed my professor later to explain what had happened, she was very understanding and everything went back to normal. However, I regret putting so much pressure on myself and not asking for help sooner. It is great to be a self-motivated, ambitious student, but sometimes we can confuse independence with stubbornness. If I had been more willing to talk about the pressure I was feeling, maybe my professor could have helped me before I had a mini-meltdown! I urge any student, whether you decide to go to American University or another school, to find a good support network at college and reach out when you need help. I think it would have made my college experience much more positive. Check out Kelseys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learning Italian The Language of Music

Learning Italian The Language of Music Learn to Speak Italian, the Official Language of Music ChaptersWhy is Italian the Language of Music?Italian Musical TerminologyThe Great Classical Italian ComposersThe Italian Language and OperaItalian in Modern-Day MusicThere are many different ways you can learn Italian. For instance, you may enjoy Italian cinema or have a passion for Italian gastronomy.You may also learn Italian through Italian tutoring.There are thousands of Italian teachers around the world who can help you with your homework, grammar exercises, listening comprehension and your Italian pronunciation regardless of where you live.Superprof is an online platform that helps each learner find their ideal in-home or online tutor for all kinds of subjects and budgets.Another option is taking an  Italian language course at a language school in your spare time.And what about if you’re interested in music?As we’re going to see, the Italian language and music share a long history which spans several centuries.The first traces of the Italian language being used in a musical context are from the Middle Ages:Guido d’Arezzo (992 â€" 1033), inventor of modern musical notationPetrarch (1304 â€" 1374), an Italian poet and initiator of the 14th century renaissanceBut it was during the Renaissance period (from the 14th to the 18th century), which began in Italy and the city of Florence, that the music came anchored to this beautiful country shaped like a boot.This was an exciting period for Italy and the world of music alike, as modern Europe began to develop and make its mark on the rest of the world.Italian Musical TerminologyIt was during the Baroque period in particular that Italy, its composers and its musical language began to spread throughout the rest of Europe.The Baroque period spanned the 17th and 18th centuries and heavily featured the harpsichord, a keyboard instrument from the period.As the decades and centuries passed, Italian continued to dominate the language around music, as it still does in the classical music of today.Everyone is capable of taking part in this musical-linguistic heritage, even without being a native speaker of Italian!Here are a few examples of the Italian vocabulary you would be expected to learn as a classical musician, regardless of your level:A cappella: Without instrumentsAdagio: SlowAllegro: LivelyAndante: At a walking paceConcerto: Solo instrument accompanied by orchestraCrescendo: Increasing in volumeDiminuendo: Becoming softerForte: LoudMezzo forte: Moderately loudPianissimo: Very quietPiano: QuietPoco a poco: Bit by bitPresto: FastTempo: TimingThese are just a few key examples, but the amount of vocabulary used in English music is incredibly extensive.For those learning a musical instrument today or are hoping to take it up, learning music theory does count as knowing some Italian - even if it seems you don't know anything 'useful' such as greetings, the Italian alphabet, days of the week in Italian or common Italian phrases and expressions.If you’d like to take your Italian learning fu rther, why not call on the help of a teacher to help you in your language learning as well as your fluency in Italian as a foreign language?Hiring an Italian teacher or private Italian tutor as you learn about Italian grammar rules, verb conjugation, how to use adjectives, and common Italian words and phrases to use in Italian conversation will mean that you can ditch the phrasebook and get to know Italia for yourself. You find an Italian tutor near you or learn Italian online via Skype or other means of communication.You’ll also be able to go from speaking basic Italian to being fluent in your conversational Italian speaking, working on the melodic Italian pronunciation that makes the language so beautiful along the way. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1 st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Great Classical Italian ComposersThe Italian language is known around the world for its beauty.It’s hard to find a more beautiful language than the one that is spoken on the other side of the Alps. Portuguese and French often grace our ears with their romantic phonetics, but there’s something about Italian…It’s no wonder then that the search for beauty in music usually finishes with Italian composers!You'll probably realise Vivaldi's Four Seasons or Verdi's Dies Irae from the very first chord ¦ source: Visualhunt - ancasta1901Without needing to be a big fan of classical music and opera, we all know at least one composer of Italian origin who has made their mark on music as well as the history of art.Among these great composers and musicians from history are:Gregorio Allegri,Giovanni Gabrieli,Claudio Monteverdi,Antonio Vivaldi,Antonio Salieri,Francesco Cavalli,Giuseppe Verdi,Cesare NegriVincenzo Bellini,Domenico Scarlatti,Gioachino Rossini,Giacomo Puccini,Bruno Maderma,Gaetano Donizetti,These great names represent the centuries of scores, transpositions, crotchets, and minims which have not only allowed the Italian language to last as a musical language but which have also made Italian the language we most heavily associate with music.There are many ways you can learn about the Italian language and its music. You could go to a music school or even learn at university.During your higher education, you may have the opportunity to take optional classes alongside your degree. Why not choose a module in the history of art or even study Italian for beginners?You could take a trip to Italy for Italian langua ge lessons as part of a language exchange in an Italian city â€" there really is no better way to learn a new language and learn to speak Italian fluently than by immersing yourself in Italian culture.So, knowing how to speak Italian could lead you to a career in music among many other possibilities â€" did you know that speaking Italian is a real asset in the fashion industry?The Italian Language and OperaSo, we know that Italy’s musical history is a force to be reckoned with, but what about its modern music?The incredible talents of the Italians didn’t stop once the composers of the Renaissance died.Italian contemporary music has also been blessed with the emergence of genius composers such as the world famous Ennio Morricone, Luciano Berio and Sylvano Bussotti.Particularly at the time of the so-called ‘democratisation of opera’, which took place all over the world in the 1990’s, Italian opera singers flew the flag for Italian music once again.The Sydney Opera House is a symbol of opera's modern-day success ¦ source: Visualhunt - Alex wongNames such as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Roberto Alagna or even older ones such as Enrico Caruso, Mario Del Monaco and Carlo Bergonzi are all very familiar to us.Every one of these singers spoke Italian, the language of music, and this is a perfect example of how language and culture are often a match made in heaven.Italian in Modern-Day MusicAs you now know, Italian is the official language of music.Of course, being a musician and speaking Italian are two very different things, and Italian musical terminology is used as a part of English vocabulary, for example: ‘singing a capella’, ‘da capo’, ‘going to the opera’, ‘play those notes staccato’.But the influence of the Italian language on music doesn’t stop at classical and opera.Contemporary music is also influenced by modern Italian singers, whose songs are famous around the world:MinaLaura PausiniEros RamazzottiSo, Italian is definitel y a musical language in its sing-song intonation as well as its history and influence.Find a private tutor on Superprof to help you master the Italian language:Italian lessons GlasgowItalian lessons LondonOnline Italian lessonsItalian classes near me

What Are the Principles of Hatha Yoga

What Are the Principles of Hatha Yoga What Is Hatha Yoga? ChaptersThe Origins of Hatha YogaThe Specificities of Hatha YogaThe Effects of Hatha Yoga“Hatha yoga is spirituality of the body; it is the most perfect union of corporeal and incorporeal.” - Terri GuillemetsYoga is an ancient discipline which has become a veritable sporting activity that’s popular all over the world, including in the UK. There are different branches and disciplines of yoga including the popular ashtanga yoga, prenatal yoga, Kundalini yoga, Iyengar yoga, even Vinyasa yoga and Hatha yoga.Today we’ll be focusing on the latter for the simple reason that you could consider it the most “traditional” of the different forms of yoga. For this reason, it’s one of the most common forms of yoga found in the UK.So why is Hatha yoga so popular, what are the common poses, and how can a hatha yoga class help me to strengthen and tone muscles?You’ll find the answers to these questions and more throughout this article. everyone can achieve this and progress in Hatha y oga.Of course, benefits such as inner peace might be good enough to convince some people, but what are the concrete benefits?What about the benefits for the body and mind?You’ll find the answers to these questions as you read on.The Effects of Hatha YogaThere are plenty of benefits to Hatha yoga! The various exercises during a dynamic yoga session can help you get into shape and improve your health in general, which is always worth working on. Yoga doesn’t just focus on one part of your body but your entire wellbeing, which is why you chain together several different poses.Whether you do classes in a group or on your own, Hatha yoga will improve your fitness. (Source: janeb13)Firstly, you can manage stress by carefully controlling your breathing. Breathing is hugely important in Hatha yoga because you need it to hold the different poses as long as you can.Hatha yoga can also make you more aware of yourself because each position will quickly tell you if there are any problems, th erefore making you more familiar with each part of your body, breathing, and any problems you may have.How can we talk about Hatha yoga without mentioning muscle definition and tone?Since you have to hold each pose for a while, you’ll be giving different groups of muscles a good workout. In fact, traditional yoga is great for toning muscles while also taking care of your spirit and mind. It’s good for everything!While this might seem obvious, Hatha yoga is also a great way to become far more flexible. Again, this is thanks to the poses you have to adopt. In fact, in addition to being great for your mind, you’ll also work on various parts of your body while stretching and improving your flexibility.Finally, Hatha yoga can work wonders for your spirit and mind, especially in terms of relaxation. With visualisation and meditative relaxation, beginners will quickly learn to manage their emotions and their actions, improve their concentration, as well as better boost our morale and mood.Hatha yoga is a complete discipline that is halfway between a workout and meditation and you’ll very quickly start to see some progress over the course of a few weeks. The only thing left to do now is to try it for yourself.Let’s all head to our nearest gym or sports centre!Don't forget that if the Hatha yoga practice doesn't take your fancy, you can also get power yoga or Ashtanga yoga classes, do Bikram yoga (or hot yoga) or Vinyasa yoga. While all of these yoga styles are different, they all tend to include breathing techniques (pranayama) and adopting certain yoga postures (asanas). Even if you're not sold on aligning your chakras, the physical benefits of yoga are a good reason to take it up.If you don't feel comfortable attending group classes, don't forget that you can look for a yogi or yoga teacher on sites like Superprof. You can be taught yoga poses and enjoy the restorative benefits of yoga practices with your own personal instructor all while gaining a deeper spiritual understanding of the yoga philosophy.Don't forget to ask your doctor if yoga is right for you if you have pre-existing conditions or have had any injuries that may cause you problems. You don't want to get injured in your first every session!

11 Morning Routines To Keep You Motivated And Productive

Introvert Whisperer / 11 Morning Routines To Keep You Motivated And Productive 11 Morning Routines That Can Make You Motivated And Productive Evelyn Kail August 20, 2017 Self-Promotion, Thought for the Day No responses The morning is possibly one of the most important periods of the day. If you work your morning routine right then you can set your day up for success. However, if you simply roll out of bed and into your workday without taking time out to kick start your day then you will probably have something of a terrible time. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do in the morning to make you motivated and productive for the entire day. These are generally simple, easy routine changes which are easy to implement and which can have a profound impact on your life. Some of the best things to do in the morning include: 1. Take time out to exercise: Exercise is a simple and easy way to quick start your day in just a few minutes. Take time out when you get up to do a few minutes exercise and get your blood running. The easiest and most common way to do this is probably just to go for a walk around the block or around your local park. Alternatively, things push-ups and sit-ups can be completed in just a few minutes and will help you maintain your physical health. 2. Relax and meditate for a few minutes:   Simple relaxation and meditation can help you get your mind in order in the morning, allowing you to start your day off fresh and without stress. This can help you be more productive throughout the workday, and can help reduce downtime and the feeling of being overloaded at work.   3. Take your vitamins and other supplements:   If you are lacking certain vitamins or essential minerals then it can be a good idea to take supplements. Taking these in the morning will allow your body to adjust, and will greatly improve your physical and mental health. This in turn will help to keep you motivated and to make you more productive throughout the day. 4. Substitute your coffee for a more appropriate beverage:   Coffee is not a healthy drink and â€" despite what people think â€" does not help you focus. While it may keep you awake, you will find that your focus levels are dramatically reduced and that you are generally less productive. Substituting your morning coffee for something healthier such as tea will help get you off to a good start. 5.  Read something inspirational:   A bit of inspirational reading in the morning never goes astray. Try and go for things which are interesting and which will motivate you to reach for new heights in your career and personal life. 6.  Put your dinner in the slow cooker before you leave for work:   Healthy eating is an essential part of a decent lifestyle. Cooking your own meals is a great place to start. Take the time to put together a meal and leave it slowly cooking in a slow cooker while you are at work. By the time you get home you will have an amazing meal to look forward to! 7.  Eat a healthy breakfast:   Again, eating is extremely important. Eating a healthy breakfast is one of the key things to include in your morning routine if you are trying to motivate yourself and become more productive. A decent cooked breakfast will help you wake up, will get your blood flowing before you get into the hard part of the day, and will let you relax for a few minutes before work. 8.  Take your dog for a walk:   Exercise is just as important (if not more important) than eating well. Exercising in the morning will get your blood flowing, will help to wake you up, and will help to relieve any stress which you may be feeling. Simply walking around the block can be enough â€" try it today! 9.  Read the newspaper:   Getting in touch with the modern world before starting your day can help you put your problems into perspective. Reading a newspaper is a great way to do this â€" and it can also help you to relieve some stress and to simply forget about the complexities of your own life for a while. 10.  Plan your day:   Having a plan is one of the best ways to ensure that you are successful in your daily life. Start with writing down everything that you need to do during the day, and list things in order of their priorities. This will make you more productive, and should help to reduce procrastination and increase motivation. 11.  Make your bed so that its nice when you get home:   There is nothing better than coming home and jumping into a nicely made bed. Taking a few minutes in the morning to make your bed up nicely will give you something to look forward to during your busy workday, and can create some sort of symbolic ‘order’ in your crazily busy life. Try and implement some of the above morning routine changes to make sure that you are as motivated and productive as possible in your daily life. Go to top PERSONAL BRANDING Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Gain College Acceptance The Write Way

Gain College Acceptance The Write Way Gain College Acceptance The Write Way Gaining college admission requires a delicate balance of high school grades, personal history and participation, test scores, and college writing skills. A student works for years to gain the grades and personal history required to stand out in a crowded admissions field. But the SAT exam and the personal statement required by most colleges provide only a brief window for success.College writing skills are unique in that they benefit both the student's SAT scores and the directed personal statement as part of a college admission portfolio. Even if your child has received excellent writing instruction during high school, the professionals at Huntington Learning Centers can help fine tune the writing skills of even the most established writer. The time spent in these tutoring sessions will provide insight on how to write focused pieces of literature carefully crafted for the: SAT Exam.Eachstudent that sits for the SAT exam is required to complete a writtenessay. Students are expected to read a passage or excerpt and develop apoint of view from the presented material. This point of view must bebased on sound reasoning and supported by a student's studies, reading,observations, and experiences. The writing portion of the SAT exam is apowerful opportunity for a student to express their thoughts, communicateeffectively, utilize precise language, and develop ideas. The essay prompts are typically general statements that are applicable to all students regardless of location, race, ethnicity, or gender. The most recently released prompts from the March 2013 administration asked students to consider the importance of paying attention to details, setting goals, or resolving conflict. Students interpreted the reading passages and crafted careful responses to a series of guiding questions. Since the writing portion is timed, students must be able to write efficiently and process ideas quickly. Personal Statement. Eachcollege has a different admissions process and most institutions requirestudents submit a personal statement as part of the admissions portfolio.This statement should contain a balance of spirit and substance and allowthe admissions panel an opportunity to learn something about your child.It should stand out without being contrived and be substantive withoutbeing too serious. When crafting a personal statement a student should: Connect to experiences.Simply listing past experiences isn't effective in a personal statement. Students should include specific examples of past experiences and discuss how these experiences will help them with their future educational endeavors. Showing a clear link between personal history and future college education provides weight to the admissions portfolio. Look to the future.Being admitted into the college isn't enough. A student should find ways in the personal statement to describe and explain how the college can help them achieve future goals and to be successful after the education ends. Avoid clichs.Clear word choice is crucial since most personal statements have a word limit. Don't waste these words on hyperbole, cliches, or vague language. Students need to be clear, concise, and communicate effectively. Be honest.Students should paint themselves in the best light possible while remaining honest. Stretching the truth or offering unsubstantiated evidence doesn't make the personal statement better, these tactics make it false. Huntington Learning Centers are committed to creating high quality individual tutoring sessions aimed at increasing a student's writing skills. We will begin by assessing your child's writing and determining areas of strength and weakness. Based on this assessment data we will carefully craft a series of tutoring sessions that will meet these defined needs. Ongoing assessment and feedback will provide you the assurance you need that the tutoring is a wise investment and will benefit your child's writing skills and future college placement. Consider your child's writing skills. What areas of their writing could use attention? How can tutoring sessions with a Huntington Learning Center writing specialist boost their college writing skills?

Effort vs. Talent Which hasa greaterimpact on academic success Part One

Effort vs. Talent Which hasa greaterimpact on academic success Part One Improving Academic Performance Anybody that reads this blog knows that we like to write about how mindset, effort, deliberate practice, proper study habits, organization and time management skills, strategic planning (and many other concepts that have more to do with “what you do” than “what you are born with”) are critical drivers of academic success. And, importantly, they are firmly under the control of any student. In our view, these concepts as a group easily trump IQ or talent when it comes to explaining success in and outside of school. At the same time, we know that genes do matter. IQ is a metric that does help explain academic and other types of performance, and it is, for example, correlated with performance on standardized tests (even though I must stress again, hard work and structured practicewill help you improve dramatically on standardized tests whatever your starting point). So, is there a framework that can be used to think about the relationship between effort and talent in explaining academic and other types success? Which is more important? It's a tough question, but while listening to a recent episode ofthe Psychology Podcast hosted by Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman,I think I may have found an answer. My intuition has always been that both parents and students place too much value on innate or “raw” intelligence, genes, and concepts such as “talent” or IQ and not enough on effort, practice techniques, and planning in pursuit of academic or other goals. I tend to believe that many people who appear naturally smart or gifted (in any particular area) and who seem like great examples of “raw talent” actually work very hard behind the scenes to build their skills. A growing body of research, much of which has been written about in the books on our virtual book shelf of recommended reading on academic performance, supports my intuition here. So, I was interested to hear, while listening toDr. Kaufman's podcast,a description between the relationship between effort and talent offered up by Angela Duckworth, who holds a PhD in Psychology and whose research focuses on a concept called “grit” as a driver of success in life. Grit is very much wrapped up in the more simplistic notion that effort is way more important than people might realize when it comes to explaining how and why people succeed. In Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long Term Goals, Dr. Duckworth defines grit as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Grit entails working strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. The gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon; his or her advantage is stamina. Whereas disappointment or boredom signals to others that it is time to change trajectory and cut losses, the gritty individual stays the course.” So, she’s very interested in whether AND how sustained effort can lead to success. In the podcast I referenced above, she offered up a formula that I had not read about previously, but which intuitively struck me as directionally correct. I should also note againthat Dr. Duckworth is a PhD on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania’s Psychology department, so I’d imagine that there is some significant research available that backs up the formula I’m about to describe. Beware, we are about to get into just a little bit of algebra. She first offered by the following formula â€" Performance = SKILL x EFFORT. This means that how well you do is a function of how much skill you have and how much effort you put into the task. I’d imagine this seems intuitively true to most people. She then offered up another formula â€" SKILL = TALENT x EFFORT. Here, she’s suggesting skill is a function of two things. First, it does have to do with talent, which she describes as the factor that is driven by genetic makeup and natural ability. It’s what you are born with. However, skills are also a function of how much effort you put into building skills. Practice builds skills, and practice requires effort. Using some simple algebraic substitution, we get to â€" Performance = [TALENT x EFFORT] x EFFORT, which reduces to â€" Performance = TALENT x EFFORT2 What this means is that effort shows up twice when you try to explain performance. In this sense, then, effort is twice as important as talent when it comes to explaining success (as a general rule). Consider this in two different contexts: baseball and math. In baseball, you build your hitting skills through repeated practice, working on your technique and building hand-eye coordination. Your ability to hit is, I think obviously, a function of some starting point of skill and the effort you put into building skill. Now, when you are playing in an actual game, your performance is based on this skill as well as the effort you put into paying attention, running your fastest to get to first base or chase down the fly ball, etc. If you are highly skilled but feeling sick, haven’t slept, and just broke up with your girlfriend (so your mind is wandering), you’ll perform far worse than you otherwise would. In a math class, the same is true. The math skills required to do well on a big algebra test are a function of the effort you put into paying attention in class and doing your homework, and your natural math ability. On the day of the test though, if you are sleepy and your mind is not in the right place, or if you are disorganized and show up late, your performance will suffer, even if your skills are strong. In our next article, we’ll explore some interesting implications of the Performance = TALENT x EFFORT2 formula for success. To explore some of the topics we’ve touched on in this article, consider reading the following books or web-sites: Mindset â€" The New Psychology of Success or http://www.mindsetonline.com/ How Children Succeed â€" Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character or http://www.paultough.com/ The Talent Code â€" Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Or http://thetalentcode.com/

Has Feminism Gone the way of Hansel and Gretel A Feminist Response To The Social Construction of Gender

Has Feminism Gone the way of Hansel and Gretel A Feminist Response To The Social Construction of Gender A photo of me from my sophomore year of college. I am a feminist who celebrates my femininity. I feel that history has shown us that enfranchisement in the United States has never lead to immediate equality. The enfranchisement of black men in the 1860‘s certainly did not lead to their equality in the eyes of all Americans.   If in fact, I was to follow the same model that DeFazio has presented, then perhaps the Civil Rights movement “Lost its Way” after enfranchisement, and we can gloss over the Civil Rights movement of the twentieth century. This is what DeFazio does to the second-wave feminist movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s, but many feminists, and people in general, would consider the second wave of feminism to be just as important as the first. DeFazio cites a study discussing the genetic differences between men and women, but nowhere in that study does it say that women are genetically predisposed to be relegated to the private sphere. A major argument of the second-wave feminist movement is that both sexes have the right to pursue careers, regardless of mar riage or familial aspirations. Gloria Steinem, a woman so lauded in the second-wave of feminism she’s almost become adelightful cliché, once said;  â€œIve yet to be on a campus where most women werent worrying about some aspect of combining marriage, children, and a career. Ive yet to find one where many men were worrying about the same thing.”   While this  socially constructed  belief had somewhat faded from public discourse;  Ann-Marie Slaughter’s piece for The Atlantic  last year reminded us that the marriage/family debate is still one that women have. I would ask DeFazio if he is interested in having children, and if so, is he concerned with balancing being a parent with having a career? Gloria Steinem in the 1970s, an important period for the feminist movement. Photo Credit: http://wearethefishers.blogspot.com/ I’d also like to admit that the marriage/family debate, which while is still a prevalent part of feminism, is just one small piece of the puzzle. Never mind that sexual violence, domestic violence, women’s reproductive rights, and the fact that there are gender dysmorphic people who do not fit into the two prescribed gender roles, all are things that feminism seeks to have discussions about. I’m just frustrated with the notion that feminism has “lost its way.” All movements change, and there are many interpretations of feminism. I agree that there are biological differences between the sexesthe sexes, but not the genders. Gender is the social interpretation of sex, and often, the two are confused because of how powerful social construction is. While you may not agree that gender is socially constructed, the social construction that masculinity is the dominant sex is pretty hard to ignore. You may think those of us in the academy who argue for social construction of gender a re wrong, but there are many of us who are feminist in different ways.  My favorite tumblr  is a constant reminder of how important feminism is to people. Feminism has not “lost its way.” It was never on one path to begin with.

What Employers Expect From You in the Workplace

What Employers Expect From You in the Workplace Image via pixabay.com Employers expect you to ask questions when needed This expectation is especially the case if you are a new employee, but still stands when you have been an employee for an extended amount of time. Like in other areas of your life (mainly school), you may fear to ask questions in case it makes you look inexperienced or incapable of fulfilling your position, but questions are encouraged in many areas of life. Asking a question is inviting an opportunity to learn, and this is something you should remember when you go into a new job. There is a reason for employers and other figures to add If you have any questions, feel free to send them my way or something very similar when speaking to new hires and other employees. You may feel like you are bothering your employer by stopping to ask a question, but you are helping them and yourself out. They most likely will not know you are having difficulty or need assistance unless you otherwise ask them. Employers are not mind-readers, so letting them know when instructions were a little vague, or if you are still unfamiliar with a certain software program will help them work with you down the line, and may even help future employees. What employers expect is for their employees to openly communicate when they are having trouble with a task or need some assistance, so do not be afraid to ask questions. Employers expect you to take initiative Your employer will expect you to take initiative in your position in order to perform well and initiate improvement and growth in not only yourself but to the workplace. If you have not grown as an employee from the day that you started, it reflects a lack of initiative and contribution in the workplace. You want to show that you are actively growing in your position by taking initiative. This can be contributing in meetings and offering your input, showing genuine interest in tasks or events that are taking place. It can also be offering suggestions on how to improve current methods or practices that are used around the workplace. For example, if you see something that is not being done in the most productive way or can be adjusted in order to be more effective, try suggesting it to your employer. This shows that you are actively paying attention to practices taking place around the workplace, and also actively looking at how things can improve. You are reflecting that you care enough to better the company as an employee. Taking initiative shows your employer that you have grown from when you first started at the company as you have grown more comfortable in your position and demonstrated what you can offer to the company. Employers expect reliability   This expectation should go without saying, but what employers expect most often is reliability from their employees. Reliability covers the basics of what is expected from most employees. Employers expect you to show up on time and ready to work. If theres a uniform, you are in it. If you are scheduled to work, you are expected to be there. Employers will expect you to follow company protocol daily as you complete tasks and employers expect you to meet deadlines as they are given, Employers want to be able to give you a task or a deadline without having to constantly check in with you or worry that you have not done it. When you are first starting out as an employee, it is more typical for your employer or a more experienced employee to talk you through some tasks or coach you through your first few deadlines. However, as time passes, you are expected to handle things on your own more often. You can still ask questions, of course, but your employers will expect you to be able to handle most tasks and deadlines by yourself. They will expect you to carry on like every other employee, having your work done without extra worrying on their part. What employers expect is a reliable employee. What employers expect from their  employees varies depending on the work you are taking part in, but these three expectations are more common throughout employers and will give you a sense on what your employer will expect from you.