What To Know About The Writing Section Of The ACT

What To Know About The Writing Section Of The ACT The ACT Plus Writing includes an optional supplement to the standard exam. The half-hour test assesses your writing skills especially those writing skills emphasized in your high school English courses and in entry-level college composition classes. Well go over if you should register to take the additional Writing Test, what the prompt looks like, how to optimize your exam grade, and exactly what the ACT scorers are looking for when they read your essay. If you think you need additional assistance, you may want to contact an ACT tutoror review an ACT prep book.What does the Writing Test look like? The writing portion of the ACT gives a single prompt that describes an issue and the opposing points of view on the subject. You will be asked to state your position and adopt one or more of the stances described in the question. Your score will not be affected by your viewpoint.Since the Writing Test is optional, do I actually need to take it? It depends on where you are applying. Some c olleges and universities have decided to either require or recommend their ACT-taking applicants (as opposed to the SAT) opt for the Writing Test. Others have decided that Writing Test scores are not necessary. In other words, you should decide if you want to take the writing portion based on the requirements of the colleges to which you are applying. For example, Princeton and Yale both require the ACT Plus Writing, while Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins University recommend it, and Georgetown University has decided the supplement is not needed altogether. If you are planning on applying to multiple schools, contact the admissions office or check online to find out their preferences when it comes to the writing exam. Even if they do not require it, most colleges will accept scores from the ACT Plus Writing.But my dream school doesnt require the Writing Test. So do you really, really need to sit through another 30 minutes of the ACT? Unless you think youll do terribly, its safest in the long run to take the writing exam in case you change your mind, apply elsewhere, or are not accepted to your first choice school. If youre planning on applying to school(s) that dont require the writing supplement, but change your mind and decide to apply to one that does, you wouldnt want to have to retake the entire ACT just to include the Writing Test. That said, its best to take the ACT Plus Writing so you are not limiting yourself in the college admissions process. Does it matter when I take it? It actually doesnt - the ACT Plus Writing exam is offered on all national test dates in the United States, US territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada. It is also available on four international test days in other areas, and for Special or Arranged Testing.Does taking the ACT Plus Writing affect the price? Yes. Taking the standard ACT (with no writing) is $34 and taking the ACT Plus Writing is $49.50. The extra price tag includes score reports for up to four colleges when you list a valid code when you register online. However, the extra $15.50 writing exam fee is refundable on request if you are absent or decide to take the standard ACT (with no writing) before test day. What exactly am I being scored on? The ACT raters have a set of criteria that they use to judge each individual essay. Grades are given based on how well you articulate your perspective, use supporting evidence and logic, and maintain an emphasis on your position throughout the essay. Your ability to organize ideas logically and how well you communicate your argument through writing are also judged. How can I optimize my score? Make sure you understand the prompt and the issue at hand its okay to take another minute and reread the question. Be careful when picking a stance and remember that you dont necessarily have to take the position you believe. Instead, argue the perspective that you can give the best evidence for.Before beginning, use your Writing Test booklet to jot down some notes, organize your essay or create a brief outline. Brainstorm some reasons and examples you can use to explain your point of view on the topic. Keep in mind how others could respond to your viewpoint and how you could disprove their arguments. Spending a few minutes planning the layout of your essay ahead of time will help keep you on track and organized while youre writing. In your introduction, explain the issue and your position in a clear and rational way. In the next paragraph or two, elaborate on the topic in a larger context or describe the implications and why it is especially problematical. Be persuasive and address how those in opposition could respond to your viewpoint and provide a convincing counterargument. Stay focused on the subject and present specific examples. Your essay will be stronger if you clarify logical relationships by employing transitional phrases and words, varying sentence structure, and using precise and diverse word choices. Wrap up your essay with a powerful co nclusion that summarizes or reinforces your argument.Time is short on the Writing Test, so make the most of the 30 minutes. While you may also use ACT practice teststo prep for the rest of the exam, don't forget to prepare accordingly for this portion as well. On the test, remember to recheck your work before time is up, and fix any errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling, and make sure that all words are easy to read.

4 Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job

4 Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job The following is a guest post written by Caitlin Grove, an Associate Content Coordinatorfor Varsity Tutors. When you start to see the light at the end of the college tunnel, one particular question may cross your mind: How do I land my dream job? The idea of exiting the college journey and moving directly to your dream career is enticing. The harsh reality is that it isnt a simple process. Before I landed my current position as Associate Content Coordinator with Varsity Tutors, I had to be honest with myself about what the term dream job meant for me and how I would ultimately get there. In some ways, securing your dream job is like apartment hunting. Youve likely lived in several places by now, and you know what your must-haves are. You also know your criteria for your dream job. If youre confident in your vision for a fulfilling career, dont settleinstead, take these four steps to land your dream job. 1. Attend recruitment events at your dream companies Chances are youve wondered what it would be like to work at your dream company or companies, but short of securing an employment offer, how can you find out? In two words: recruitment events. Companies often host recruitment events like open houses for potential employees, sometimes in their headquarters or in a local office. These events give you the opportunity to decide if a companys mission, vision, and culture are right for you. The organization's culture, or the values and behaviors of the workplace environment, will be a significant factor in whether or not a particular job is right for you. Personally, I was looking to work for a company with a collaborative and supportive culture after I graduated college, which is exactly what I found in my current role. Realize that you might love a company based on its social presence or products, but the culture might be a negative environment to work in. Be honest with yourself about this aspect when attending recruitment events. Its important to consider these events mini-interviews. Dress professionally, research the company in advance, and prepare a short list of key qualities you possess that will make you a great fit for the organization. In short, come equipped with your elevator speech. Use this time to showcase why you mesh with the company's culture and brand. 2. Use social media as a networking tool The same social media accounts that you use daily can play a part in landing your dream job. As you likely know, social media is a great platform for connecting with others, including those individuals who work for your dream company or companies. Maintain a professional, active presence on your social channels to illustrate what you bring to the tableaim to post relevant and engaging content several times per week. On LinkedIn, join groups in an effort to connect with like-minded individuals in your field. Start a conversation on Twitter by commenting on or retweeting posts that are relevant to your desired profession. You can also join arranged Twitter conversations (or Twitter chats). When it comes to networking on social media, you can establish a rapport with individuals in your field with just a bit of effort. So long as you are contributing value to the conversations you enter or begin, networking through social media can help you land your dream job. Keep in mind, however, that while social media can be a great way to network, it can have a negative impact on your job search if used incorrectly. [RELATED: What College Students Should Know About Social Media] 3. Review your current skill set What skills and knowledge are central to your dream job? Do you confidently possess these attributes? Now is the time to ask yourself these questions, and, if necessary, find ways to improve your dream job toolkit. My current position, for example, requires copy editing skills and familiarity with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. While in college, I chose classes (like Writing for the Corporate and Institutional Market) and on-campus jobs that would help me build these skills before graduation. I also surrounded myself with professors and classmates who could provide support. For instance, if you have a friend whos a computer science major and you want to strengthen your coding skills, see what they can teach you. Keep in mind that you dont have to be outstanding in every single skill required by your dream job. The important thing is to showcase that you have a base level of knowledge and the drive to continue learning new skills once you begin employment. [RELATED: 4 Career Skills for Students to Develop] 4. Gain experience in your desired field prior to graduation Youre probably attending college with the end goal of pursuing a specific career, so why not show your future employer just how serious you are about the field? You can gain experience in your desired field via internships, on-campus jobs, research opportunities, and volunteer positions. [RELATED: How to Get Real-World Experience in Your College Major] These types of experiences can help you immensely when attempting to secure your dream job. They can put you in contact with industry connections, help you develop new skills, and demonstrate that you have real-world experience in your dream job. If you are still committed to your dream companies after attending recruitment events and networking with individuals within the organizations, pursue internships at those businesses. This can be a great way to get your foot in the door and to further discover if this is the right position and company for you. Use this experience, along with the other efforts described above, to illustrate to potential employers why you deserve your dream career. 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.

Popular English Christmas Idioms and Sayings ?? - Upgrade your English

Popular English Christmas Idioms and Sayings ?? - Upgrade your English Christmas is the most popular holiday celebrated in the UK. There are lots of customs and traditions including nativity plays, decorating our homes, singing carols and having a traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas day. Here are some popular English Christmas idioms and sayings that can be used during the holiday season. 11 English Christmas Idioms and Sayings Christmas comes but once a yearAs it only happens once a year we should treat people less fortunate than us a bit better in the Christmas season.Example: Jane went to the charity shop and made a large donation of cash for the homeless people. After all Christmas only comes once a year.To cancel someones ChristmasWhen a person threatens to cancel someones Christmas, it means he/she wants to kill or destroy someone (not literally, of course!) as the dead person will miss Christmas.Example: If Sam keeps bugging me, Im going to cancel his Christmas this year. All my Christmases have come togetherTo experience an event of extreme good luck or happiness, something happened that you were dreaming about.Example:  Last week I received an amazing job offer and yesterday my boyfriend proposed to me! It feels like all my Christmases have come together.To light up like a Christmas treeSomething had a dramatic effect on someones mood. Some event or situation made someone very happy.Example: Sarah saw a box of chocolates on her desk, and she lit up like a Christmas tree. Eat, drink and be merryEnjoy yourselves with good food and drink.Example: Welcome to our party! Eat, drink and be merry.Trim the treeto add decorations to the Christmas tree like ornaments, ribbons, baubles, or lace.Example: It was a longterm tradition for the whole family to trim the tree together.White elephanta gift exchange in which people bring unwanted itemsExample: Where did you get that ugly vase? Oh, I got it at a white elephant at work.Pigs in blanketsA variety of sausage-based foods in the UK, USA and Ireland. In the USA pigs in blankets are small sausages wrapped in croissant rolls.In the UK the ‘blanket’ is bacon. Pigs in blankets are a perfect   accompaniment to the traditional Christmas dinner. 11 English Christmas Idioms and Sayings Like turkeys voting for ChristmasTurkeys are the favourite choice of food for the Christmas dinner. When people accept a decision which is not going to work out well for them it is like turkeys voting for Christmas.Example:  The teachers agreed to accept the introduction of larger class numbers without any increase in their pay. It was like Turkeys voting for Christmas.To ring in the New YearTo have a party on New Year’s Eve (31st December) to welcome the New Year. When the church bells ring everyone wishes each other a happy New Year.Example: May and Christopher invited their friends to their home for a New Year’s Eve party to help them ring in the New Year.Christmas has come earlySomeone gets a welcome surprise they were not expecting.Example: Jonathan got a letter from his boss on the 1st December telling him that he had been promoted and was to receive a bonus. Indeed Christmas had come early for him.Bah, HumbugEbenezer Scrooge, the main character of Charles Dickens novel Chr istmas Carol used this term quite often. This expression is often used in the context of someone who shows a lack of Christmas spirit and ruins  other peoples enjoyment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! From everyone at AJ Tutoring, we wish you peace and happiness at your table this Thanksgiving!For us, the holidays are all about community and giving back. At AJ, community is one of our core values, and we are proud to partner with the local community to provide free or reduced-cost academic and test prep tutoring to students of all backgrounds. Please find below a brief snapshot of what we’ve done recently.Last year we worked with over 1000 students on a pro-bono or reduced-cost basis.We partnered with 18 non-profit organizations to provide top-quality instruction to underserved communities.Our team spent 1400 hours volunteering in the local community. 45% of AJ team members participated in our company-sponsored volunteer projects.AJ at Second Harvest Food BankAJ at Hidden VillaThrough our outreach efforts, we have partnered with local nonprofits and school groups in order to provide:SAT/ACT prep classesHigh School Entrance Exam ClassesAcademic Homework HelpSeminars on navigating the test-taking processSeminars on Study SkillsTeacher TrainingsStudent scholarshipsSupport of local community service effortsHere are just a few of our non-profit partners:SAT at Foundations for College EducationACT at Foundations for College EducationACT with AVID Los AltosSAT with AVID Mountain ViewISEE with Peninsula BridgeAcademic Homework Club with Peninsula BridgeAcademic Homework Club with Peninsula BridgeAcademic Homework Club with Peninsula BridgeWe look forward to another year of getting to know the Bay Area better and to furthering our educational mission! If you are interested in learning more about our educational outreach, you can reach out to AJ’s Social Outreach Director: Chelsea Greene!

8 Summer Jobs for College Students

8 Summer Jobs for College Students unsplash.com 3. Retail jobs Dont let the complaining of all your friends keep you from trying it for yourself. Take the dive and fill out an application at the local mall. Do you have a store where youre  constantly shopping?  You should probably look into getting a job there since they are probably going to make you wear their clothes anyway. Youre halfway there. 4. Office jobs According to Business Insider, becoming a temporary office manager can get you anywhere from $12-$24 per hour. Pretty nice gig, huh? And my guess is that you need to know how to file some papers and answer a phone. When you find a plethora of these jobs, let me know I think I might need one. 5. Serving jobs I dont have experience waiting tables, but its never too late to start! Depending on the fanciness of the restaurant where you get a job, you could potentially bring in some pretty good tips. The longer you do it, the better you get at it, and the better tips youll get. Find one of those hometown dives and youll start getting regulars. 6. Customer service jobs Call centers, Verizon literally, any company that hires people to sit around and answer phones and  make  calls. If thats your jam, snag a job thats doing just that. If youre into sales, get a telemarketer job. I hear those are quite lucrative. And while youre at it, take my number off the list! 7. Care.com Ive been on care.com for a few years now, and I cant even tell you how many jobs Ive gotten from simply sitting around and clicking apply now. Whether you want to take care of kids, run errands for people, clean houses, or pet sit, care.com has the resources youll need to find exactly what youre looking for. Its easy to make a profile and totally free! Employers can do background checks on you in seconds and even check your driving record. Its so convenient for both parties. Seriously, go do it right now. Youll be able to find steady work for the summer or just some quick jobs here and there. Whatever you need, care.com has it! 8. Internships Its not going to hurt you, is it? You could benefit from getting an internship (hopefully one thats paid) and itll entertain you for the entire summer! You will have something to do every day and learn about something you have a  passion for. Its the perfect compromise to being on summer break. A quick search on Google for internships near you should bring up a good amount of options (or check out Uloops listings  here!). Need some help?  Here  are 50 internships suggested by fastweb.com.

What Are Caregivers and How to Become One

What Are Caregivers and How to Become One Source: Ginger London Caregiving is a role many people take on when they least expect to do so. Illness, sickness, disability, or tragedy that causes one of these can creep up on a person at any given time and leave family members and friends with the very real responsibility of taking care of them for the rest of their lives. Sometimes, caregiving begins with a major health issue like a stroke. At other times, it begins after a tragic accident such as a car crash. And still, at other times, it is realized at the very start a sibling is born with a disability or a grandparent has severe Alzheimer’s. Whatever the case, life as you once knew it or as you would like to have imagined it stops and begins going down a very different path. You find yourself buying groceries, cooking meals, doing laundry, taking care of prescriptions, and even making hospital or doctor’s runs with your loved ones. It rarely happens the way we think it should. At some point, you realize that it is now a big responsibility to care for someone else in this way. Caregivers can be almost anybody spouses, parents, grandparents, older siblings, adult children, and even friends from church, school, or the neighborhood. If you ever find yourself in this type of role, it is critically important to make sure you own the role. Almost no one is completely ready to be a caregiver when the time calls for it, but to walk into a role of service to another human being is admirable. If you own it and identify yourself as a caregiver, you are more likely to give time and resources to make the extra effort for that person. Without identifying as a caregiver, you won’t be able to seek out the right people for help or search for the resources to use when you need them most. Most caregivers aren’t just caregivers. They also play a host of other roles. For example, you may be a caregiver AND a full-time student, a full-time employee, a weekly volunteer at your church or community charity, and have a host of family and personal commitments. Adding a caregiver on top of all of this can make you feel exhausted. However, when you choose to own the role and take it on wholeheartedly, you will have an easier time asking the right questions, seeking out the proper kind of help, navigating social and medical systems, and advocating for the needs of that person in your care. With that said, here are some job skills and requirements that you should be aware of if you desire to be a caregiver as a profession or if you suddenly find yourself in such a position. Establish your motives: Caregiving is not a job for the faint of heart. Explore whether you possess the interest and the traits needed for caregiving. Then, be sure to ask yourself if you are willing to take the next step and continuously learn in order to be the best caregiver you can be. Love and patience: It is not easy to care for another human being all the time. At times, you will feel like you want to give up and may even feel internally frustrated with the person when it comes to close contact times like feeding, changing, and keeping company. But if you keep in mind that the person you are caring for is a human being who deserves love and respect, you will cultivate patience and love in your heart and ensure it is displayed to them through your actions and attitude. Attention to detail: The person you are caring for may have specific regulations, schedules, and rules that you must follow. For example, they may have a set schedule for taking their medication (2 blue pills at 10 a.m.; 2 red pills at 12 noon; 2 purple pills at 2 p.m.; 1 yellow and 1 orange pill just before bed, and so on and so forth). One missed medication could be the difference between life and death for that individual. You must be mindful of the client’s requirements and be sure to take care of that person the way they want to be taken care of and, more importantly, the way they should be taken care of. Time management: Caregivers must be strict time managers and schedule keepers. If it is in the best interest of the patient, it is imperative that you are able to manage time well. For example, make sure medication is taken on time, clients get to their appointments and check-ups on time or at least ahead of time, they go to bed on time and wake up on time, eat proper meals on time, and so on. While a degree is not always required to be a caregiver, it is helpful to intentionally get all of the training you can. Watch videos online, ask questions, shadow a caregiver or even a nurse if you can, and ask for feedback.

?? How Much Does A Homeschool Tutor Cost

?? How Much Does A Homeschool Tutor Cost How Much Does A Homeschool Tutor Cost? The number of parents choosing to homeschool is growing. And so the need for experienced tutors in a range of subjects is rising too. Parents who carry out the majority of homeschool teaching can ask for help from an experienced and qualified tutor when it comes to certain topics. Hiring a private tutor offers students a more detailed and in-depth study of a subject, and makes use of a tutor’s understanding of 1-to-1 learning at home.Lots of parents are keen to learn more about private tuition but are unsure of the cost. The price of a tutor with Tutorful is based on several elements and can be led by the choices and needs of you and your child. Generally, each tutor session costs between £15 and £35 per hour. See the Table below for UK averages in key subjects and levels of study. The prices shown are per hour for in-person lessons.Average prices for homeschool tuition SubjectPrimary KS3GCSE A-LevelEnglish £20.85 £21.03 £20.86 £21.60 Maths £20.91 £21.04 £21.15 £22.10 Science £20.98 £21.09 £21.43 £21.60 Each tutor sets their own hourly rate and so the best way to get a specific quote is by searching for tutors in your area.Take a look at other factors that can play into the cost of a tutor for your homeschooled child. Age of the studentDepending on the age of your child, there are different educational needs and goals that they should be working towards. If your child has only just entered school-age, then a more general approach can be taken, looking at the basics in several subjects. But if your child is 15-18 years old, the focus could be on the curriculum and necessary skills to pass GCSEs and A-Levels.How old your child is affects the cost of a tutor by giving you the opportunity to choose a tutor best suited to the needs of your child. Save time, effort and money by selecting a tutor that has experience in teaching the age appropriate content for your child. Subject of studyThe number of subjects your child can be tutored in is almost limitless. From core subjects like Maths, English and Science, to skills like singing, languages, musical instruments and photography. Depending on the number of tutors that are available in your area, and offering tutelage in that subject, you’ll be able to have more choice between different tutors and the costs they set themselves.The topic of the lesson will also decide the amount of preparation, resources and equipment needed by yourself and the tutor. Many subjects can utilise paper, pens and textbooks, however more hands-on skills may require an investment such as an instrument, tools, or computer programmes which need to be factored into your cost, or the costs of the tutor, which could increase their hourly rate. Tutor experienceTutors want to share their knowledge. The subjects they’re offering to tutor in are often something they have a passion for, a lot of experience in, or even mu ltiple qualifications. If the tutor you have chosen is more qualified in a particular subject area than other people, you may see this reflected in their hourly rate. Those with extensive experience in a topic, or native speakers in the case of languages, may also set their cost at a higher figure.Here at Tutorful we recognise the benefits of experience in our tutors. Those who have been tutors with us for longer will rack up more “taught hours” which showcases to learners how experienced they are in private tuition. Remember to read the profile of the tutors to learn more about their experience in their subject and as a tutor. You’ll see useful details like how many repeat learners they have and how many hours they’ve taught - and there is space for them to tell you more about themselves. Distance and LocationHomeschooling offers the chance to teach and learn in the comfort of your own home, and private tuition can do the same. When searching for your perfect tutor, you can filter results in regards to location and distance in several ways. Choose whether you’d like lessons at your home, the tutor’s home or in our online classroom. For in-person lessons, you can see the distance between your postcode and the tutor and even filter results by distance.When travelling to you, tutors will factor travel time and costs into their hourly rate and will state how far they are willing to travel. If you’ll be travelling to the tutor’s home, you should consider how long it will take to get there and how much that will cost in addition to the hourly rate. Make sure you consider your own requirements, as well as those of the tutor, before committing to a lesson.Time and FrequencyOne of the biggest factors in the cost of tutoring will be how often you have a lesson . The more lessons you book, the more it will cost. Most tutors operate on a 1-hour lesson basis, but the length of the session and how often the lessons happen are up to you. Some people choose to set a budget while others continue to book lessons for as long as they’re needed. Whether you’re looking for a long-term tutor or a specific number of lessons, speak to your tutor and work out a schedule that works for you both.Different times of day may also make a difference to the cost of a tutor. As not all of our students are homeschooled, later in the afternoon and evening slots are often popular times as well as weekends. Those with the opportunity to learn during the day could see costs reduced. Start your journey by searching for your perfect tutor today Tutorful has no hidden fees and you will always pay the price that is advertised. For more information about payments, visit our FAQs page here