Student Experiences at Cornell University

Student Experiences at Cornell University Peter earned his bachelors degree in chemistry from Cornell University. He specializes in algebra tutoring, biology tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at Cornell University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Peter: The campus in Ithaca is quite rural. There are buses throughout campus if you need to get from, say, West Campus to North Campus. I felt safe, as there were blue lights and the police presence was strong. A car can be useful if you want to explore the surrounding areas, like the mountains or lake, but there are also buses that travel to and from campus and within campus. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Peter: The professors generally set office hours and are certainly available closer to exams. The teaching assistants are definitely available to talk more in a one-on-one setting and are available more frequently than professors. Academic advisors are what you make of them. They can be assigned to pretty large groups of students, but if you are purposeful in making your meetings with them, they should respond positively. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Peter: The dorm life is quite vibrant as a freshman on North Campus. Everyone is together and there are no upperclassmen, so you really get the chance to bond with your dorm-mates and people in other dorms. Some dorms are newer than others. I was lucky enough to be put in Mews Dorm, which was less than fiveyears old. There are lots of opportunities to connect with people, especially if you join clubs that you are interested in. It is easy to meet people when you are engaging in a common interest. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Peter: There is a very large pre-med and biological sciences representation on campus. The pre-med community was especially strong for me, as I was social chair of the campuss only pre-medical professional fraternity: Phi Delta Epsilon. I felt the resources provided to pre-medical students were quite numerous, especially if you were a biological sciences major or minor. You could always set up chats with biological sciences office advisors to plan your trajectory and get advice on what to pursue. Also, Cornell did a good job at preparing you for the HCEC process. 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? Peter: It was definitely quite easy for me to meet people and make friends as a freshman. You can find friends at dorms or on campus if you join organizations. Greek life can be a positive influence on your social life if you choose it for the right reasons (meeting people). I found from my experience with Greek life, that this really was a chance where people were open to getting to know you and made an effort to do so. It is a good way to form longer-term relationships, especially with fellow members of your pledge class. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Peter: There are career centers for each of the seven colleges at Cornell. The Career Center I was a part of was the College of Arts and Sciences career center. They knew everyone was coming from a general liberal arts background and were responsive and good at helping you figure out how to pitch yourself to employers. Overall, I was very impressed with the breadth of employers who came to campus. Many reputable consulting and financial firms came, as well as many other types of organizations (nonprofit, TFA, etc.). How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Peter: There are lots of places to study. The libraries are beautiful and great places to be if you want to get stuff done. There are many nooks and crannies and levels to the libraries you can explore. My favorite library was Uris in the White study area. Dorm lounges are okay, but I would definitely recommend going to the libraries, and, if it is nice out, outside on the slope. Describe the surrounding town. Peter: College town and the surrounding town of Ithaca have a decent amount of personality. If you like free food and small festivals, you will like Ithaca. There is also a fresh farmers market and there are shops that are paradise if you are an organic food lover. I will say NYC is a four-hour drive away, so it can be a little isolating at times, especially during winter. But if you love the outdoors, there is always something to do. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Peter: The size of the student body is huge: 20,000 people total, counting graduate students. Though, the size of my school, the College of Arts and Sciences, was only around 4,000 people total. If you find small communities within this large one, you will be good. I would say, when you are walking through campus, there is hardly a time you will not see someone you knowso the campus is small in that sense. If you are enrolled in general chemistry, expect class sizes of up to 1,000 students, with a very tightly packed lecture. If you are in a writing seminar, expect a class size of 10 to 20 peoplemuch more manageable. The only classes that are massive are the general pre-med or general engineering courses. Once you get to your junior and senior years, the size and general interest of people in the class will go up down and up respectively. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Peter: One of my favorite classes ever was my Philosophy writing seminar. The professor was great in the sense that he truly listened and was interested in what you had to say. He let the class propel discussions, while he guided us. The material was very intellectually stimulating and the professor was very good at modeling what he wanted on papers. We learned some basic logic and also some cool theories about what makes an object exist or not (Metaphysics). This is a great class that is good for anyone wanting to get a well-rounded liberal arts education. Check out Peters tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Discrete Math Help

Discrete Math Help Discrete math is the branch of mathematics which deals with objects that can have distinct values. The term discrete is used in contrast with continuous. Discrete objects require integers whereas continuous objects require real numbers. The discrete mathematics is used in fields such as number theory, graph theory and theory of computation. The study of discrete mathematics includes study of algorithm and their implementations. The importance of discrete mathematics is increased more in recent times. Research in discrete mathematics is also increased more due to development of computers. Problem 1: A five digit number is in specific order and the digits are between 0 - 9. How many different numbers can be formed if one digit can be used only once? Solution: Given the five digit number is in specific order. Here the order matters so we may use permutation. = P (n, r) = n! / (n-r)! = n is number of number of digits 0 9 = 10 = r = 5 digit number = P (10, 5) = 10! / (10 5)! = (10* 9* 8* 7* 6* 5* 4* 3* 2* 1) / 5* 4* 3* 2* 1= 25200 = The number of 5 digit numbers formed = 25200 Problem 2: In how many ways 6 students from a group of 15 students can be lined up for a program? Solution: The number of students = 15 = 6 students are lined up from group of 15 students = There are P (15, 6) possible permutations of 6 students from a group of 15 students. = P (15, 6) = 15! / (15 6)! = 15! / 9! = 3603600 = There are 3603600 different lines can be formed.

21 Powerful Tips to Refuel Your Passion for Singing

21 Powerful Tips to Refuel Your Passion for Singing Suzy S. Struggling to find singing gigs? Not feeling inspired? If your  passion is dwindling, its time to take action. Dont give up singing just yet! Read on as Sacramento, CA voice teacher Kevin B. shares his advice Let’s face it when you have a job or any kind of regular commitment, there are going to be some days when you just don’t want to do it. This goes for everyone even musicians who couldnt imagine doing anything else! If you find yourself feeling this way, don’t freak out. Don’t think that you’ve become jaded or depressed, or that you don’t care about your art anymore. The fact that you’re willing to resist the call of the TV, put on the big-kid  pants, and go do your craft just shows how much you do care, and it sets you apart from thousands of musicians everywhere. But here’s where the problem lies: being a singer, much like being an actor (or any other sort of entertainer for that matter), is not a job where you get the luxury of being able to lack enthusiasm. You’re front-and-freaking-center, and when you don’t want to be there, it shows. So suck it up kid, and put on a smile! Or better yet, refuel your passion. Here are 21 ways to do so. 1. Re-envision your dreams â€" and be specific about them! I’m willing to bet that you remember the experience that set you on this path. Whether it was that musical that made you cry, or that singer that blew you away with his skill and presence, you haven’t forgotten what makes you hit that practice room when it’s time. Much time has probably passed since then, and you’ve got a good grip on your skills, your strengths, and what you bring to the table. So now is the time to turn your dream from an ambiguous entity into a concrete goal: is there a certain part you want to play? An ensemble you want to join? A venue that you dream of performing in? Whatever it is, you’ve been working hard, and you’re well on your way to achieving that dream! That ought to put a smile on your face. 2. Leave the student behind â€" just for a bit Whatever you’ve been learning in your voice lessons, chances are you’ve taken it with you in your everyday music listening. When you listen to music, your head is probably racing to apply everything you’ve learned: “Oh, he’s totally singing with a high larynx in that part!” “Oh man, she was not in tune on that belt!” This is normal, but  turning off that part of the brain also has its benefits. You enjoyed music before you started taking lessons, and enjoying music with that same blank slate that you used to have can help you remember why you started doing this in the first place. Give it a try! 3. Apply what you’ve learned to a new genre Most of us, I’m pretty sure, have thought about singing multiple genres before. And one of the things I love about studying voice is that so much of it applies to many different genres, or even all of them! Sure, you loved how you got that perfect vibrato going on your Italian art song, but what about using that same technique on the classical crossover song you love? You’re really nailing the breath support with your music theater repertoire, how about seeing how well that support works on that old jazz standard your grandpa used to play? You’ve worked hard on improving your instrument, you deserve to play around with it! 4. Challenge yourself You should feel challenged in your lessons. If you don’t, that’s definitely something you should take up with your voice teacher. However it can also feel empowering to challenge yourself on specific things. After all, no matter how much your teacher gives you to work on, you only have them for a certain amount of time each week, and there’s bound to be more things to work on than just what you’ve talked about in your lessons. Just think of how much fun it will be at your next lesson when you get to say  â€œHey teach, look what I can do!” 5. Learn from the pros Sometimes it takes a pro’s touch to get your spark back. Fortunately, there are many opportunities available to learn from the best! The queen mother of all such opportunities is a master class: if you have the chance to attend â€" or better yet participate in â€" one of these, be there. Period. In the absence of such an opportunity, you can also find interviews or master classes on YouTube to help you stay motivated and get back on track. 6. Keep a practice log When I was seeing a personal trainer to keep in shape, he told me to write down all the workouts I completed. That way each time I went  to work out, I would see what I did the previous week, and I could  decide whether to do  the same thing or try something more challenging. For many vocal students, practicing can be the same way. In terms of keeping your passion on track, the benefit it has is that you get to look back  and realize how far you’ve come. 7. Go to a concert This probably seems like an obvious one, but it always strikes me as odd when musicians spend all their time practicing their craft, and no time watching it! Seeing someone up on the stage doing what you love might just make you wish you were up there, and then BAM! Theres your motivation to keep singing. 8. Focus on finding that music job you’ve been wanting Sure, you’ve thought about how wonderful it would be to get paid to sing. Perhaps, though, you didn’t think about how empowering it would be. When people pay you to sing, to do what you love, it boosts your confidence, and confidence is a singer’s bread and butter. If you don’t know where to start, ask your voice teacher. They’ll be able to tell you if they think you’re ready for such a thing, or at the very least how to get you ready. For those interested in being a professional singer  eventually, this is an important step! 9. Switch it up! When it comes to practicing, repetition is the quickest way to kill enthusiasm. There’s no more effective way to kill a piece of repertoire than to work on “that one phrase” over and over again. If you haven’t learned to spare yourself from this kind of torture, now you know. Instead, work on “that one phrase” for a while, then switch to another piece of rep, or at the very least a different part of the song. Singing should be hard work, but there’s no reason it has to be boring work! 10. Try on a new hat No, not literally. What I mean to say is try a new role in music. If you haven’t tried your hand at songwriting  or composing yet, you might be surprised to discover how empowering it is. If you’re not the creative type, try learning a new instrument or even learning to dance. Not only might this give you a new perspective on your singing, but it’ll help you beef up your resume! 11. Absorb the arts â€" namely the ones that inspire your music There’s a reason that they talk about painting, architecture, and literature in music history classes. It’s because the different schools of the arts influence one another. The lyrics to art songs come from poetry, and many pieces of music correlate to paintings  and other art. So go to an art gallery, a poetry reading, or a play! As a student of the arts, you are a part of a rich, vast, and diverse culture, and that is something that should be celebrated! 12. Take on a new project Singers should have voracious appetites. You should want to get involved as often as you can with as many different projects as you can. If you’re feeling particularly unenthused about your studies, maybe you just haven’t found the project that really fuels your passion yet. There are an abundance of talented musicians out there, so go find them! If you’re worried about the time it will take out of your week, stick to something small. Find a pianist who can pick up music really fast, practice with him or her  once a week, and then just like that you’ll have another project under your belt. 13. Make a lunch date with a teacher or mentor The best teachers I know are the ones who will do anything for their students. If youre struggling with how to stay motivated  (or anything else related to your singing), your teacher or mentor will likely have advice for you. Theyve probably experienced what youre going through  at one point! If nothing else, you’ll get to spend a lovely afternoon with someone who cares about you! 14. Take a break! Perhaps your problem is that you’re just working too hard! One of my favorite pieces of life advice I ever got is: “Music should be inspiration for life, and life should be inspiration for music.” Musicians should be happy people who live a fulfilling life. So make time to do what you love, and you might just end up falling in love again with what you do! 15. Go kill it at karaoke As I’ve mentioned before, confidence is a singer’s life’s blood. So if your compliment reservoir is running low, go and fill it! Pick that perfect karaoke song, have a couple drinks with friends, and soak up any compliments you get from the experience. If you’re under 21, see number 12 and find a duet partner to do open mic nights with you. Often these places are filled with lackluster musicians, so if you put even a little effort into your performance it’s bound to get noticed. 16. Invest in your future â€" even if it’s something small Sometimes in the midst of all our hard work, our destination can seem so far away. To  stay motivated, find a way to bring home the reality of the next big thing in your singing life. Have a recital coming up? Go buy the dress you’re going to wear! Have a rock show coming up? Maybe it’s time for a new mic. You’ll have to do these things anyway, so why not do it now? Spend the afternoon daydreaming and getting pumped and then go practice, so you can nail the performance! 17. Add to your collection Another investment that you can make to fuel your enthusiasm is in the form of books and DVDs. Singers should have large collections of repertoire books, as well as DVDs of live performances to model their craft after. If you need an enthusiasm boost, maybe it’s time to beef up your collection. It can only help you grow! 18. Discover something new The best singers are  curious people. So, get out there and be the first among your group of friends to discover an opera or musical that nobody has ever heard of. The music that can give you your new inspiration could be out there, but if you don’t seek it out you will never know! 19. Research one of your favorite singers In keeping with number 18, be curious about the people who have helped you get where you are.  If you have an idol, you should know where they grew up, how old they were when they first got signed, who their first record label was,  and so on. If you haven’t figured out from reading so far, I believe in learning from the pros! (Editors note: You can also learn what not to do  from watching famous singers!) 20. Network Sometimes the answer to how to stay motivated  wont come from a mentor or a professional singer, but someone a little closer to your level. If you’re in college, you’ve got it easy â€" join the local chapter of a music fraternity and you’re instantly connected with individuals just like you. If you aren’t in college, go to lots of shows and network there. If you get enough musician friends, perhaps you could even start a weekly meet-up, and get fuel for your passion every week! 21. Summer programs There are a million reasons to look into summer music programs, one of which is that there’s nothing quite as motivating as spending a few weeks continually working and improving your voice, surrounded by individuals who are doing the same. Summer programs are often expensive, but if you can spare the dough, the rewards will be more than worth it. The most important thing to remember is that you have to make time for these ideas. That might mean skipping hanging out with your girlfriend on Tuesday night so that you can rehearse with your duet partner, or taking a night to watch a recorded master class when you would normally watch  Netflix. To become a singer, you need to have a fire in your heart for it; neglecting that element of the music is just as bad as singing off-key, breathing in the middle of a word, or any other technical mistake. So go get your passion on track, if it isn’t already and then rock that practice time like the awesome singer that you are! Readers, how do you stay motivated  and  make sure singing  remains a passion? Leave a comment with your own tips and advice! Post Author:  Kevin B. Kevin B. is a private singing instructor in Sacramento, CA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music at  California State University, Sacramento, and has performed in many musicals and operas in Sacramento.  Learn more about Kevin here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Learn German Online Websites, Apps, Digital Resources

Learn German Online Websites, Apps, Digital Resources Learning German Online is a Fast Effective Way to Study ChaptersLearn The German Basics At Your Own Pace With BBC Online Language CoursesBenefit From Thirty-Four Free Lessons With Deutsch LernenBabbel: Providing The Shortest Path To Real-Life ConversationsSign Up To Deutsch Akademie’s Comprehensive German Grammar TrainerSpeed Up Language Learning By Using DuoLingo For Five Minutes A DayListen Your Way To German Proficiency With Rocket Languages' Audio LessonsAdopt A Scientific Approach To Your Acquisition Of German With MemriseThere are many ways that you can learn German online and what’s more, you normally don’t even have to pay tuition fees! Thanks to a range of websites, apps and online courses designed to help you move forward with learning German, you can easily find a resource that suits you.One of the biggest benefits to learning online is that you can do it when and where you want to.So, for example, if you work shifts and can’t find a class that can accommodate your non-working hours then an online course or tutorial mig ht be the perfect option for you. Online resources facilitate learning and make the entire process more convenient and easy. And ease of learning goes a long way in today’s society.Similarly, if you have a family to support and can’t realistically do anything for yourself until after your children have gone to sleep at night, then having access to online materials can be your saviour.Alternatively, your company might imminently be sending you on a work placement in a German-speaking country and you may not have the time to commit to lessons during the day due to ongoing business responsibilities.It can be difficult to find time for German lessons around your family and professional life. Photo credit: thetejon via VisualHunt.comRegardless of your reasons for learning German, you are sure to find lots of helpful content on the Internet.Do remember, however, that not all resources found on the web can be trusted so try to stick to official sites rather then blogs, and try not to f orget also that learning through online materials is just one part of language acquisition. You must speak it and experience conversations too to be able to advance, although some courses do offer the opportunity to experiment with speaking in the foreign language to.That said, some genuine blogs can help to supplement your learning by providing an insight into things like German culture, slang and gastronomy, among other things.Making Progress With Language Learning Using Online ResourcesMany online resources have been adapted to help beginners learn German, some of which are part of renowned British-based corporations while others are the products of specialist German-speaking companies. The BBC, for example, has a dedicated space for online language lessons in addition to its famous Bitesize site designed for school revision.Not all German classes have to be given in the classroom. Learn how to learn German by playing games and reading German newspapers and authors. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearn The German Basics At Your Own Pace With BBC Online Language CoursesThe purpose of the BBC Online Courses is to provide a range of lessons that can be followed at the student’s own pace. As part of their online language courses, German is offered with a 12-week beginner’s course which teaches all of the basics and awards you with a BBC certificate when you come to complete the final assessment.Yo u can sign up for this course for free and the BBC will even send weekly mailings containing encouragement and tips to help your language-learning journey.The introductory course itself is made up of clips to watch and listen to, with the opportunity to read transcripts and key language terminology in writing. The practical subjects include greeting people, asking for directions, buying rail tickets, checking into a hotel, as well as many more scenarios that learners are likely to be faced with during their time in Germany.You will want to learn the basics, like how to buy a rail ticket, to get by in Germany. Photo credit: Schnitzel_bank via VisualHunt.comBenefit From Thirty-Four Free Lessons With Deutsch LernenDeutsch Lernen, on the other hand, is an Austrian-derived language course which focuses on learning German with interactive exercises. It offers ten German lessons for complete beginners and a further twenty-four grammar-related lessons for more advanced learners.The free cou rse also looks at German language orthography, i.e. the language’s conventional spelling system, and proposes two tests to help learners assess their progress.Babbel: Providing The Shortest Path To Real-Life ConversationsBabbel, meanwhile, is a mobile app and organisation founded by two German managing directors which offers learning resources for various languages. The idea of the ‘Babbel Method’ is to keep language learning fast and fun while adopting world-class techniques, proven strategies and the strongest academic learning practices to teach languages.Speed, especially in such a technology-driven world,  is of utmost importance to many learners, as is ease of access. This is why Babbel has found such great success. It offers powerful and progressive lessons which guarantee the shortest path to real-life conversations thanks to dialogues, cognitive techniques, speech recognition activities and topics tailored to your native language and personal preferences. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSign Up To Deutsch Akademie’s Comprehensive German Grammar TrainerDeutsch Akademie is a comprehensive online German course that offers more than 20,000 German grammar and vocabulary exercises, making up up over 800 hours of interactive online resources. The course is structured in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and is therefore a great way to teach yourself t he language in a well-informed and progressive manner.Additionally, this course is perfect for those who wish to build on their existing skills. The advantages are that you can control your progress, there is a qualified German teacher on hand to answer your questions and the grammar points are each presented with clear explanations and examples.Speed Up Language Learning By Using DuoLingo For Five Minutes A DayDuoLingo is a very popular language learning app that boasts the ability to help you learn German by spending just five minutes a day going over its mini-tutorials. The ‘addictive’ app enables students to earn points for correct answers, race against the clock and move up levels. All of these aspects combined make of DuoLingo an exciting way to learn a new language like German.Its slogan is: ‘Learn a language for free. Forever.’ This serves as a great reminder of just what is on offer here â€" the ability to acquire a new skill for life for absolutely no money at all. The owners of DuoLingo seem to have targeted this app at young professionals with limited time on the hands, who turn to their mobile phones during breaks from work, as well as those commuting to work with little else to do with their journey time.Apps like DuoLingo provide a great platform for learning whilst on the go, like on your daily commute to work. Photo credit: Davide D'Amico via Visual huntHowever, the platform is now available for classroom environments too with thousands of teachers already using its lessons to enhance their own teaching methods.If you've ever thought about studying German in Germany, check out 'study in Germany' for great tips about learning German and moving to the farther-land.Listen Your Way To German Proficiency With Rocket Languages' Audio LessonsRocket Languages is an award-winning language learning course provider based in New Zealand, but providing learning resources to pupils across the world. A relatively new addition to the language learning community, Rocket Languages was formed in 2004 by passionate linguists in an attempt to break the mould of traditional language learning techniques.Starting with Spanish, the team developed a very successful online course that enabled beginners to speak Spanish from the very first lesson, and they have since built on this success with further releases addressing French, Arabic, Mandarin, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Russian, all adapted for native English speakers.Members can trial the courses for free before committing to buy the full set of lessons, many of which include interactive audio lessons that are great for learning in the car. All content is available 24/7 and a user-friendly mobile app makes learning easy whilst in the go.Apps and websites are very practical, but they can't answer questions like a German language course London or Bristol.Adopt A Scientific Approach To Your Acquisition Of German With MemriseLast but not least there is Memrise, a language learning app which features games, native speaker videos and other recreational activities to make learning fun. The main purpose of the online platform is to combine memory techniques and entertaining content to create a welcoming environment in which language progression can take place.Based very much on scientific evidence, this app aims to encourage the acquisition of a second language using triggers and memorisation techniques which allow the brain to come up with and retain information related to their chosen language.As you can see, there's a broad range of digital resources on offer for language beginners, many of which offer different benefits, but all of them share the same goal: to help you to learn a new language.Discover how to learn German through TV and film and perfect your German speaking with audiobooks and podcasts.If your learning German, be sure to validate your German level with a certification in the German language.

Gibson vs. Fender Which Brand Do Guitar Players Prefer [Vote]

Gibson vs. Fender Which Brand Do Guitar Players Prefer [Vote] Suzy S. In the Gibson vs. Fender debate, where do you stand? Here, professional musician  Michael L.  shares his thoughts on the two brands…     Theres nothing like being a guitar player, am I right? Youve got your pick of genres to explore, from jazz to country to metal. You have amazing guitarists to look up to and learn from. And when it comes to gear, you have your pick of some of the coolest innovations to make your sound rock. If youre like most guitarists,  you like to talk about your gear, too. Youll find  heated debates online about the best guitar amps, strings, pedals, and more. And if you’re in the market for  your first guitar, you’ll likely get a lot of (unsolicited) advice about the best guitar brands and models. One of the biggest rivalries in the world of electric guitars is Gibson vs. Fender. Many guitar players have allegiances to their favorite company, although both produce professional-grade guitars. So, which brand is better? To start, lets review the  history of both companies, as well as  a general breakdown of the types of guitars offered. Then, Ill share  my personal preference between  the guitar manufacturers. All About Gibson Guitars Gibson dates back to the late 1800s, when Orville Gibson patented a mandolin design that was much more durable than other instruments at that time. He sold these instruments out of a one-room workshop in Kalamazoo, MI, until his death in 1918. The designs lived on, however, as the company hired designer Lloyd Lear to continue creating new instruments. In 1936, the company invented the first  commercially successful Spanish-style electric guitar, the ES 150 (ES stands for Electric Spanish). Next came the P-90 pickup in 1946 and the Les Paul in 1952. The Les Paul, perhaps the most  iconic model from the company, was Gibsons first solid body electric guitar. In 1958 Gibson also introduced semi-hollow body guitars with the ES-335. Afterward came  the Gibson SG and Firebird in the 1960s. Since then Gibson has stayed on top of the list of premier instrument manufacturers. All About Fender Guitars Leo Fender started Fender Guitars in 1946, and his first innovation was the production of solid body guitars. Up until then, electric guitars were made with hollow bodies, meaning that they were somewhat fragile and somewhat complicated in design. Leo Fenders guitars offered a more  straightforward design; the were bodies made from one solid block of wood and the bridges were simply attached to the body, removing the need for extra calibration of elevated bridges. The first commercially available guitar from Fender was the Telecaster, originally called the Tele, in 1951. That same year Leo Fender also invented the electric bass. Until then, bassists had to use an upright bass, making it difficult to hear the bass while electric guitars and drums were being played. Next, the Stratocaster hit the market in 1954, introducing a tremolo bridge (or whammy bar) to the world. Fender kept the amazing innovations coming, introducing the Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Jazz Bass, and Twin Reverb amp over the next decade. Gibson  vs. Fender: Style Adaptability When choosing between Fender or Gibson, there are many factors  to consider.  The main factor for me is style adaptability. Both Fender and Gibson have different models for different musical styles and tastes. The  Gibson Style Gibsons  electric guitars generally sport humbucker pickups,  known for their thicker, rounder tone. You also get less feedback, which limits the types of delay and overdrive tones you can experiment with, but ensures a cleaner and more consistent sound. Gibson mainly  uses mahogany for their guitar bodies, which is what gives it that slightly darker sound. Another feature that affects a Gibson guitars sound is the scale length. Gibson typically uses a 24.75 scale length, producing warmer, muddy overtones. Outside of the sound created, Gibson guitars also feel different to players. Gibsons typically have a longer fingerboard radius, at 12, which means a fatter neck. With a fatter neck, the strings are at a more even height, which may help you  play faster. Gibson Guitars Les Paul guitars in particular boast a  full tone that can serve as an entire rhythm section if need be. With a switch of pickups, you can also find a lead tone that cuts through, while still maintaining low-end frequencies.  Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, and Zakk Wylde are known for playing Les Pauls. A Gibson SG, another example, is a straight rock-n-roll or punk rocker guitar. Its shrill with big low frequencies, which is great for blues. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Angus Young, and Tony Iommi favor the SG. The  Fender Style Fender guitars have a bit of a different sound, again because of the way theyre made. Fenders are  usually  made with alder and ash, producing a brighter tone and offering a lighter feel. Fender typically uses a 25.5 scale length, which provides a rich, almost bell-like tone. And for its fingerboard, Fender typically uses a shorter radius (7.25-9.5), offering a thinner, curved neck.  Beginners and players with small hands might find these thinner necks more comfortable. Fender Guitars The single coil pickups of a Stratocaster, in particular, may be your preference if you like lots of treble in your tone and want to make lead lines pop. Some famous Stratocaster players are Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Frusciante, and Jeff Beck. Telecaster tone, on the other hand, has a bit of a flat thud to it. The notes generally dont have a full sustain and the lipstick pickup promotes more mid to low frequencies. Players like Joe Strummer, Keith Richards, and Prince favor telecasters. Who Wins? For me, its difficult to take a personal side in the Fender vs. Gibson debate. Both companies have produced legendary instruments that have shaped music around the world. Both have helped define electric guitar tone. However, I will have to side with Fender in this arena. I love the feel of Fender instruments, particularly Jazzmaster and Telecasters. Both have broad, flat necks that fit my fingers and a tone that sounds divine. The Telecaster has an honest thud to its sound and the Jazzmaster gives you a full range of tonal experimental possibilities. What Other Opinions Are Out There? Search through any guitar forum or blog, and youll find tons of information  about Fender, Gibson, and other guitar brands. If youd like to research some more before casting your vote, here are some articles and posts to check out: Stratocaster vs. Les Paul: Which is Right For You? via The HUB from Musicians Friend Les Paul Vs Stratocaster Guitar Review, via Spinditty Fender vs. Gibson list your preference and why, via GearSlutz forum Your Turn Which guitar brand is best? Cast your vote here: Which guitar brand is better? Gibson Fender View Results Loading ... Dont have an opinion yet? If youre trying to decide which guitar to buy, dont just trust the poll results. Try out different guitar brands, models, and styles, and youll find what you like best. And once you have that perfect  guitar, its time to improve your skills! Search for guitar teachers in your area and  get help with playing chords, songs, and much more. Good luck! Photo by  Larry Ziffle Post Author:  Michael  L. Michael teaches ukulele, guitar, drums, and music theory in Austin, TX. In addition to private lessons, Michael teaches music to special education students and foster children with Kids in a New Groove.  Learn more about Michael here! Need Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

GCSE Biology Revision GCSE Exams Grading System

GCSE Biology Revision GCSE Exams Grading System Biology Tuition: Reformed Biology GCSE Grading And Exam System ChaptersHow Are GCSEs Being Graded Post-2016?Getting Your Head Around Your Upcoming ExamsWhen Will My GCSE Exam Timetable Be Released?What If I Am Away On The Day An Exam Is Set?How Can Knowing My Timetable In Advance Help Me?GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, and this certification is awarded at the end of a two-year study programme after exams have been marked.Traditionally taken by those aged around sixteen years-old, this course is compulsory for students in the UK. However, the Sciences have recently undergone some specific changes that might affect you.The way in which pupils are assessed as part of the UK’s education system has been a hot topic in recent years. As it stands, British students are tested across each subject undertaken at GCSE level, a test which used to make up more than half of their overall grade, but is now more often than not the only way that exam boards assess students' performance.Yet, with children and young adults in our count ry allegedly being among the most tested on the planet, surely they should be accustomed to performing under pressure?It seems, however, that the recurrent need to test performance and improvement during schooling is something that still causes a lot of distress for pupils, and the abolishment of coursework is making the importance of exams all the more stressful.Biology GCSE exams are now marked solely on exams. Photo credit: c_H via Visual hunt / CC BY MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiolo gy Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Are GCSEs Being Graded Post-2016?One very important thing to note as you enter your first or second year of GCSE is that this course has undergone many changes in the last couple of years. This means that the structure of courses may be different than before, as well as how you are assessed.Keep reading to find out how the changes affect you, as this could help you to feel more confident in the approach to the exams.Most GCSE pupils will be familiar with the historical grading system, which awarded marks ranging from A*-G with A* being the highest attainable and G being the lowest (except for a U, which is for very poorly answered exams or ones that have been missed). However, a new grade system is currently being phased into the UK education system whereby pupils are marked against a 9-1 system instead.This new grading method will have been applied for the first time on this year’s Year 11 students who studied English Language, English Literature and Mathematics, with the remaining subjects being changed over the course of the next couple of years.Although it sounds reasonably straightforward, the letters do not translate seamlessly into the scale of numbers. As such, Ofqual, the exams watchdog, has advised educators not to make direct comparisons between the two because the boundaries do differ and it could be misleading for pupils.While there is still a U, or ungraded, mark, grades 9, 8 and 7 are roughly equivalent to A* and A. Grades 6, 5 and 4 can be likened to a B-C, meanwhile a 3 is said to be similar to a current D. Finally, 2 and 1 are closest to E, F and G grades.The traditional GCSE grading system is to be replaced by a numbering system. Photo via VisualhuntSearch for a creditable A level biology tutor here.If you are studying towards OCR’s Biology A, a component of the Gateway Sciences Suite, then this new numerical system should clear up on confusion! Unless of course you ar e happy to let everyone think that the A represents your predicted or final grade…Moreover, if you have already selected your GCSE options, you will already understand that Science courses are marked differently now than before.Whereas in previous years you would have studied Biology, Chemistry and Physics towards a Double or Triple Science award, you now choose one Core Science,  which will be your academic focus during the course of the two years, and then select an additional subject,  which will have a more vocational aspect. You get separate grades for each which allows students more opportunities to excel in Science.Learn more about the curriculum here.Getting Your Head Around Your Upcoming ExamsIt is probably hard to get to grips with the fact that you will be participating in nationwide exams along with your peers across the country, especially if you have never been tested in this way before.Nevertheless, your exams are going to happen and will make up all of your final g rade, so it is time to start thinking seriously about them.Having access to a timetable, even if only a provisional one, can really help to prepare you psychologically for the culmination of your course, because having a specific goal to work towards can be very motivating.Using a calendar or a countdown app might make it even easier to remain focused on the exam period and might, on some level, build up a bit of anticipation for the day of the first exam to finally come.Attempt to keep your spirits up by translating your nervous energy into positivity. Just think, once you have completed your last exam you will have an entirely carefree summer ahead of you!Hiring biology tutors can also have a great impact on your success. MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen Will My GCSE Exam Timetable Be Released?Timetables for compulsory exams like GCSEs and A Levels are usually released a couple of years in advance, but do remember that these are only there for guidance and should not be taken as completely certain.Although exams will usually take place across roughly the same 2-3 week period of each academic year, you should never attempt to predict when your exams will be based on information from previous years.To be on the safe side, however, we would recommend that you do not make any arrangements for holidays or social events around the time of your exams unless completely necessary, as doing so could all ow you to get distracted from your revision, cause unwanted stress due to losing precious revision time, or leave you feeling tired and less alert.Get a reputable biology tutor on the Superprof platform.Your education does not last forever but you will have plenty of opportunities to go on trips or nights out in the future.Think positive thoughts - the summer after your exams will be he best ever! Photo credit: Scarleth Marie via Visual hunt / CC BYWhat If I Am Away On The Day An Exam Is Set?You should make sure that you do not accidentally make any plans which cause you to be away on the date of any of your exams.  Failing to sit an exam could result in you failing the entire course and putting two years of study to waste.If your family are looking to book a holiday which crosses over with the exam period, then every effort should be made for the trip to be booked for a later date, or rebooked for another year. Even a once in a lifetime trip will not sway the examiners, as the rule s cannot be twisted for just one pupil.If, however, you have a valid reason for missing an exam, such as being unable to make an exam due to the death of a loved one or as a result of having a funeral to attend, you should consult your school or exam board at the earliest opportunity. Be warned that your sixteenth birthday will absolutely not be classed as a reasonable excuse to miss or re-sit an exam.In emergencies, the officials will work together to do all that they can to help you, whether that be awarding you a mark based on other assessed performances or using comparable units of a completed exam to predict how you would probably have been graded. This is called special consideration and applies to all GCSE students so long as they have completed 25% or more of the total assessment for the subject.Similarly, special consideration can be applied to those who made it to the exam but were affected by circumstances out of their control, like sickness, a bereavement, or being in th e midst of a court case, for example. In situations like these, exam boards will give an allowance (usually up to 5% of the raw mark) dependent on the severity of the circumstances.How Can Knowing My Timetable In Advance Help Me?For some students, knowing exactly what will be happening on a certain day or week in the future can really help them to visualise their movements on a given day and aid in putting their mind at rest. For those who are particularly susceptible to feeling stress on a severe level, being able to organise yourself far in advance can be quite satisfying.Use this information to plan educational activities, like pencilling in revision sessions with friends or setting aside time to complete independent study prior to a certain exam.If you and your fellow students want to go and visit a museum or gallery that has significance to your course, be sure to get this booked in before the exam comes around. There are no second chances when it comes to exam-taking so do not let yourself have any regrets.As touched upon above, using a calendar or diary to effectively countdown to the date of an exam or the start of the exam period can be a great way of making what is a nerve-racking experience more positive.As soon as you are given your final timetable, which will most likely be 1-2 terms in advance, be sure to give a copy to your parent or guardian.To learn everything you need to know about Biology revision, you can visit our blog on GCSE Biology revision.You can also discover where to find useful resources for revision by clicking here.

Intransitive Verb Errors

Intransitive Verb Errors Intransitive!    Not allowed.Source: Ville Miettinen  from Helsinki, Finland INCORRECT:   Recent studies have risen a number of key questions regarding the impact of CCTV on crime. CORRECT:       Recent studies have raised a number of key questions regarding the impact of CCTV on crime. RULE:     The verb    have risen is intransitive, and therefore it cannot have an object like  a number of key questions.     INCORRECT:     A work managed by Rost(1991) has shown up about two hundred definitions since 1900 till 1990, while the major part of writers didnt define it (Rost,1993). CORRECT:     A work managed by Rost(1991) has revealed about two hundred definitions since 1900 till 1990, while the major part of writers didnt define it (Rost,1993). RULE:      The verb    has shown up  is intransitive, and therefore it cannot have an object like  about two hundred definitions. Please follow and like us:

Applying to Business School Revised GRE vs. GMAT MyGurus Perspective

Applying to Business School Revised GRE vs. GMAT MyGuru's Perspective GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog Many MBA programs are now accepting the Revised GRE test for admissions. We recently wrote a post on our blog which covers most of what you’d need to know about the specifics of the revised GRE, in case you’re unfamiliar with it. In any case, the GMAT has dominated this market for a long time, but this new version of the GRE is making serious inroads. Fourteen of the top 20 MBA programs accept the GRE for admissions and 3 of the six holdouts in the top 20 accept the GRE for their evening and weekend MBA programs. So, which test is right for you? Here’s what we’ve been telling students at MyGuru: The obvious answer is that it depends on where you want to go to school. All the top schools accept the GMAT, and it’s unlikely that this will change any time soon. Several top schools â€" such as Duke, Brigham Young, and Michigan State â€" only accept the GMAT. Finally, some schools â€" University of Chicago, Berkeley, and UCLA are prime examples â€" require the GMAT for their regular full-time programs, and only accept the GRE for part-time admissions. Beyond this it comes down to your individual strengths and weaknesses. All of the MyGuru tutors who have taken both the new GRE and the GMAT find the GMAT to be a more challenging test â€" especially when it comes to the quantitative section. This is only anecdotal evidence, but our internal stats undermine ETS’s GRE / GMAT conversion chart â€" when we convert our GRE scores to GMAT, the chart ALWAYS overestimates our actual GMAT scores. If you haven’t cracked a math book in a decade, then you should seriously consider the GRE, but there is a lot of work you can do on math fundamentals that will help you with both tests, so it’s not an obvious decision. If you’re a verbal geek, it’s still not an obvious decision: the verbal portion of the GRE shows up as a single score, while the verbal portion of the GMAT is factored into your overall score, and, because GMAT test takers tend to be quant geeks, strong verbal scores can really separate you from the field. If you’re wavering between MBA programs and other graduate degrees, such as public policy, or if you are considering a dual degree, then the GRE is the way to go â€" why take both tests if you don’t have to. Interestingly, we’ve worked with a lot of students on GRE prep over the past few years, and only one of these students was using the GRE to apply to business school. But, it seems to be gaining in popularity at a steady pace. It’s also important to remember that the conversation about this is ongoing, and is about to get a lot more interesting. The GMAT is changing too in June of 2012. They’re dropping an essay and adding a ‘Integrated Reasoning’ section. This adds a new wrinkle to any decision about which test to take. Stay tuned for updates on the GRE and GMAT.