Introducing Varsity Tutors Student of the Week Program

Introducing Varsity Tutors’ Student of the Week Program At Varsity Tutors, we believe that asking for help is a sign of strength, and that choosing to improve yourself as a learnerat home, in school, or in the workplaceis a goal thats worthy of attention. We also know that behind every improved grade and mastered concept is hard work and dedication. Thats why were pleased to announce our Student of the Week program. This new program recognizes students who are striving to reach their learning goals and who have demonstrated plenty of effort and a positive attitude while doing so. Each week, well select one person as our Student of the Week. To be eligible, you or the person you nominate must be a current client on the Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform. Students of all ages, at all educational levels, are welcome to apply. Whether youre pursuing a formal degree or a personal learning goal, we want to hear your story. To nominate yourself or someone else, youll need: The nominees first and last name An email address for contacting the nominee or the nominee's parent The nominees location (i.e. city and state) The nominees grade (if applicable) A brief description (100 words or less) of the nominees learning goal and why they deserve to be recognized You can submit this information here. Each Student of the Week will receive one free hour of tutoring. Students of the Week will also be recognized on the Varsity Tutors blog and will have the opportunity to participate in local media coverage. We hope to see your nomination soon!

What to Know About Middle School Math

What to Know About Middle School Math With the introduction of newand often challengingconcepts, middle school math can be a roadblock for many students. To best offer guidance to middle school students who are apprehensive about their math class, there are specific things parents should know about middle school mathsuch as how students can establish good study habits, ways to encourage development of strong subject-specific skills, and how to identify opportunities for advancement. Middle school math can be intimidating for students and parents alike. Keep reading to learn what to know about middle school math: Middle school math allows students to establish strong study habits Your students middle school math class is a great time for them to practice excellent study habits that will foster future success. Middle school math classes often involve a plethora of assignments that may feel unlike previous classes workloads. Therefore, its a great opportunity for your student to gain useful study skills. At the start of the semester, ensure your student understands where to find homework assignmentswhether this be in the course syllabus or through the schools online platform. Regardless, good study habits begin with students remaining consistent and up-to-date on all class assignments. If a student encounters concepts they find challenging, its important to address these questions with their teacher. Remind your student that its beneficial to be proactive and to ask questions before grades become negatively affected. At times, students are unable to identity their own mistakes; therefore, discussing concepts and assignments with teachers can give students insight into how to improve. When reviewing for quizzes or exams, its key to do all the practice problems provided. Encourage your student to analyze incorrect answers in order to identify areas of improvement. [RELATED: How to Help Math-Phobic Students This School Year] Middle school math involves a number of foundational concepts Math classes in middle school introduce students to concepts they likely lack a high level of familiarity with. That being said, the large amount of information students are expected to learn can be overwhelming at first. You can help your student ease their concerns by noting concepts they may encounter, including: Substitution Equations Percents Proportions. Its key to understand that concepts learned in middle school math are often the foundation for higher-level courses students will take in the future. Skills learned now, for example, may come into play in high school geometry or calculus. Note that math classes build upon each other. Therefore, if students experience knowledge gaps at this level, its important to address them before moving on. Always encourage your student to discuss any concerns they may have with both you and their teacher. Support development of these concepts by assisting your student in finding strategies that suit them best. Its critical for students to find specific techniques that work best for their individual learning styles. If your student is a visual learner, they can research at home the concepts learned in class to find related educational videos. Students may also color-code notes to help further absorb information. Encourage your student to be honest with themselves about what helps them learn these important concepts best. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals] Middle school math can provide opportunities for advancement While not every middle school has honors math classes, it could be beneficial to inquire about the opportunities for advancement available to your student. If your student would thrive in an honors-level course, discuss with his or her teacher what options are available and what they would entail. These types of classes can provide the extra challenge some students are looking for. Additionally, taking honors math classes in middle school can gain students admission to higher-level high school math courses. [RELATED: Must-Try STEAM/STEM Activities for Fall] Middle school math doesnt have to be a source of stress for you or your student. Have an open discussion with your student about their interests and concerns. Remind them to always approach teachers if they have questions or concerns, and to utilize appropriate study practices. This is a great opportunity for your student to take ownership of their learning and to seek out ways to excel. 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.

How to Apply for University in the UK

How to Apply for University in the UK Navigating the complexities of UK University Applications ChaptersFirst StepsThe Application ProcessChoosing CoursesThe Personal StatementAlmost DoneDeadlines and OffersYour race is nearly run: you’ve sat your first round of A-Levels and are preparing for Round II of your examinations.Perhaps you’ve winnowed your list of subjects from an ambitious five down to the three that are most representative of the fields of study needed for your admissions requirements.If you are an international student intending to study in the UK, you are furiously working toward satisfying all of your International Baccalaureate requirements.And you study. My, how you study!Whether IB or A-Levels, those all-important test scores are, sorry to say, only half of your battle. You still have to apply for admission â€" hopefully at the university of your choice and, hopefully, in the study programme that most entices you.With all of the logistics â€" finance, legalities, marks and paperwork, applying for admission at university can seem an overwhelming task.Shini ng a light through those convoluted turns is your Superprof, who lays out the path towards claiming your place as an undergraduate. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40 /h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFirst StepsIn The Wizard of Oz, every munchkin and (good) witch assures Dorothy that the surest path â€" indeed, the only way for her wish to be granted is to make her way to Emerald City to meet with the wizard.The remaining bad witch only wishes to send Dorothy to her doom for letting her house fall on the wicked witch’s sister.And how does one get to Emerald City? By following the yellow brick road, of course! Much like the fabled Oz crew, you only need to follow your yellow brick road through the UCAS admission process Image by skeeze from PixabayFor you, the student gazing into at least three more years of academia, your Wizard bears the acronymic name of UCAS.UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the gateway through which you must proclaim your intent to pursue higher learning.You may follow one of two ‘yellow brick roads’ to deliver your application to UCAS; either via the Internet, by registering for an account and applying directly, or through your school/college.If you are an international student, you too can direct yourself to the UCAS website, register for an ‘individual’ account and submit your application. An individual account means that you are not represented by any UK school.The third type of candidate, prospective university students who have already left college, should follow the same path as international students: register for an individual account on the UCAS website and then, submit your university application.Hopefully, you have already made the rounds of university open days at the schools you would like to attend. You should have already met with an academic advisor and discussed degree programs with your friends and family to decide what are the best options for you.If you are outside of the UK, you might consult the University League Tables and read up on the schools that pique your interest.You might also need to know how to choose a course of study…Before you apply, you should have worked out how you will finance your education. You may apply for financial aid: grants (money you don’t have to pay back), or student loans â€" either maintenance loans to pay for living expenses or tuition loans to pay for your classes.Naturally, you may apply for all three types of financial assistance.The Application ProcessOnce you have registered with UCAS, you should carefully read all the information regarding your opti ons for selecting courses and schools before actually filling out the online application.For UK students still in school, if you are applying through your college, you will fill out a paper application form that your school will forward to UCAS.Back to the online application, now…On the ‘application’ screen, you will be asked a lot of personal details: what qualifies you for the undergraduate degree program(s) you are applying for? Do you have a criminal record? Are you a ‘home’ student?Home students are not only students native to the UK. If you live in the British Virgin Islands, you too can use UCAS for your undergraduate admissions process Image by Anna Mustermann from PixabayIf you are not British but have lived in the UK for at least three years and are a permanent resident, or the European Economic Area or Switzerland for that amount of time, you also qualify as a home student.Furthermore, if you are a prospective UK university student who lives in a qualifying overseas territory, you too are considered a home student. Said territories include:AntiguaArubaBermudaThe British Virgin IslandsThe Cayman IslandsFaroe IslandsGreenlandNew CaledoniaMonserratThe Falkland Islands and othersThe advantage of being a home student is that you will pay the same amount for your higher education as a native British student would.As you surely know, costs for international students are much higher, so be sure to see if you qualify as a home student before declaring your status on your application.The application provides a space f or you to declare any special needs, for instance, if you have mobility challenges that require accommodation or you have been declared a special needs (SEN) student.Every student dreads writing it, yet it is a consistent part of virtually every university admissions process, no matter where in the world said school might be.Luckily, in the UK, those statements are not quite as demanding as elsewhere…Your personal statement, a vital component of your application, should be no longer than 4,000 characters; around 700 words â€" about half as long as this article is.That is a fairly limited number of words to express your interest in your chosen subject (or in higher education in general, if you’re applying for more than one field of study), why you should be selected for enrollment and list any special achievements or awards you’ve earned in school.Of all the supporting documents required for university application, the personal statement is as important as your A-Level scores; a badly-written one might keep you from being accepted in the best study programs and/or the best schools, even if your grades are sterling.For this reason, you might consider writing several drafts and asking friends, family or teachers to critique them and select the best one(s). Once you have revised your statement, making sure it is error-free, enter it into the space provided on the UCAS application page.Find out how you can write your best personal statement… Many schools will make their admissions decision largely on your personal statement so writing several drafts is a good idea Image by StartupStockPhotos from PixabayAlmost DoneNow that you have your application filled out, your course(s) selected and your personal statement hammered out, you only lack two components to complete and submit your application.The first is a letter of recommendation, preferably from someone who knows you academically; maybe a teacher or advisor. If you’ve been working, you might ask your employer for a reference letter.And then, you have to pay your application fee. If you have selected only one course of study, your fee will be £20; two or more courses will cost £25 to apply.All that’s left is to click ‘submit’ and wait for the offers to come rolling in!Deadlines and OffersIdeally, you should apply for university as soon as UCAS makes the application function available; usually mid-May â€" before you sit your A-Levels. That will give you the be st chance for admission to the course you most want.If you’re not an early starter, no worries; UCAS will accept your application for admission throughout the year â€" at least until the end of June.After that, your application will be considered ‘clearing’, meaning that schools, rather than viewing you as a competitive candidate, will consider your application in terms of filling empty spots in their classrooms.Still, some programs’ enrolment options close earlier than others so, if you were hoping for a spot in dance or musical theatre, you would be much better off applying quickly.Be sure to check your UCAS account frequently for your application status!A conditional offer means that the school accepts your application pending your A-Level scores while an unconditional offer means you have a spot â€" but you may have further admission requirements.A withdrawn offer means that either you or the school has eliminated a class. If the school has done so, you should see an exp lanation in your UCAS tracker page.The last possibility, an unsuccessful offer, means that the school has rejected your application. They may or may not notify you of the reason for their decision.Between studying to make good grades and the stress of competition for the best classes, scrambling for letters of recommendation and making sure your application materials are in order â€" to say nothing rushing to meet your application deadline…Applying for university is no easy task. Still, like Dorothy going to meet the wizard, all you have to do is follow the yellow brick road.

A Beginners Guide to the Steel Hang.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Steel Hang. Everything You Need to Know about the Steel Hang. ChaptersWhat is a Steel Hang?Where You Can Hear the Hang.Some Things to Know about Playing the Steel Hang.Where to Find a Steel Hang Teacher.In our series on different types of percussion instruments, we have looked at everything from playing the marimba to playing the triangle. However, now, we are going to be looking at an instrument whose history, technique, and use is completely different.That’s the steel hang, a percussion instrument characterised by its round, shell-like shape, its mesmerising, hypnotic sound, and the fact that it is made in its entirety out of only two pieces of metal.It is quite an incredible instrument â€" and one that has not yet gained the full attention it deserves. However, you’re most likely to hear it in the street, played by performers from around the world: there are still not a huge number of recording artists in the steel hang.So, if you want to learn an instrument still known, primarily, for its novelty, then you are in the right place. Becaus e we’ll show you not only what this instrument is, but how to get one yourself and then how to develop in the technique.As we said, it is a fascinating and gorgeous instrument. If you haven’t heard one already, get yourself on YouTube. If you are already intrigued, let’s read on. It's a beautiful instrument the hang. (Image from Didge Project) SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is a Steel Hang?What, then, is a hang?Firstly, it is worth pointing out immediately that it doesn’t â€" in any sense at all â€" actually hang. Rather, it is an instrument that you play with it sat in your lap.The word ‘hang’, in the dialect of German spoken in Bern, Switzerland, means both ‘hand’ and ‘hill’ â€" a comb ination of senses that nicely describes both the use and shape of this instrument. So, no, it is not something that ‘hangs’ â€" and nor is it something that we can call a ‘hang drum’, because it is not really a drum in any strict sense either.Rather, the hang is an instrument in the family of idiophones, instruments that consist of blocks of material which vibrates in its entirety to produce the sound. Instruments such as the xylophone, the vibraphone, and the marimba sit in this family too. However, the hang takes this logic to a much more extreme length.The hang is constructed with two round bowl-shaped pieces of metal that are fastened together. The top piece â€" when the instrument is placed in your lap â€" has indentations of different sizes hammered into it.The instrument is played by striking those indentations with your hand and fingers â€" so that different notes are produced through the resonation of the whole instrument. Meanwhile, there is a hole in the lower par t that sits between your legs â€" allowing sound to resonate further and, essentially, to exit the instrument.A (Really Quite) Brief History of the Steel Hang.Whilst many of the musical instruments we know are ancient things â€" whose distant origins are shrouded in mystery â€" the steel hang is different.This instrument is, actually, far from ancient. Rather, it is very new indeed.The hang was created by two inventors, Felix Rohner and Sabina Scharer â€" in 2000. And since then, these two, under the company name of PANArt, have created every hang personally in their own workshop in Bern, Switzerland.As you can see, there is not much history to the object.However, what is important to know is that the instrument is built on similar principles to the more familiar steelpan. That, another idiophone, originates from Trinidad and Tobago, and it is one pan-shaped instrument that is struck with mallets. This gives the steelpan a much brighter tone than the hang â€" but the principles on w hich the two instruments are based are the same. And Rohner and Scharer did a lot of research on the steelpan before making their instrument.Find out how to play the xylophone! Why not learn to play the steel hang? (Image from Curious Sounds)Are there Different Types of Hang?Whilst the construction of these instruments is done by the two inventors, there is not just one type of the instrument to choose from â€" if you are interested in getting one yourself.Rather, the steel hangs come in lots of different sizes and ranges and in different ‘generations’, as PANArt calls them.Whilst the first hang ever made was twenty inches diameter, with a height of nine inches, there are now over fifty different versions of the instrument. They come in different keys, different sizes, and, in some later generations, the two hemispheres of the instrument are integrated into a whole.PANArt have even developed a hang that is strung: with a body in a familiar hang form, but with a guitar-like neck, the instrument combines strings with the percussive essence of the hang.How You Can Get Your Hands on a Hang.As we said, the hang is only produced by the Swiss company, PANArt. However, in recent years, they have moved onto different types of musical instruments â€" and have discontinued the production of the hang. This, obviously, makes a new hang quite difficult to come by.If you are determined to get yourself one of these exceptional instruments, get in touch with PANArt directly.Another option would be to search for a hang second-hand. Head to eBay or Craigslist or check out local listings. Be careful, however. As the instruments are not produced so much anymore â€" and as they are becoming increasingly famous day by day â€" the price continues to increase.You can expect these days to pay up to four thousand dollars for a second-hand hang â€" which might make you think twice about it. And given its price, plenty of scammers lurk around these parts of the internet.However, if you have the money, there is absolutely no shame in forking out for one.Check out our article on playing the tambourine!Where You Can Hear the Hang.We said above that one of the be st places to hear a steel hang is pretty much by chance, in the street.Hangs remain a favourite instrument of street performers â€" as there is not yet an established repertoire and audience for the instrument. If you have never had the luck to pass by a hang player in the street, head to YouTube, where you will find hundreds of videos of exactly these kinds of people.However, over recent years, there have been a growing number of recording artists who feature the hang in their performances. Let’s take a look at two of them.Hang Massive.Hang Massive are probably the most famous of the bands that play the hang. Their instrumental, ambient tracks often feature as many as four hangs (played by two people) that allow them to weave together wonderful melodic lines.If you are looking for the rockstars of hang, Hang Massive are the people you need.Manu Delago.Manu Delago is a percussionist and experimental musician who has started to incorporate the hang more and more into his music.Wher e Hang Massive take a more conventional approach to the instrument â€" playing it with their hands â€" Delago combines handwork with mallets, and with other instruments too.This guy shows you what can be achieved with the steel hang. Learn about the history of the hang! (Image from Deezer Blog)Some Things to Know about Playing the Steel Hang.When you are playing the hang, you need to remember that the instrument needs to resonate. And to do this, the opening on the bottom side of the instrument should ideally be unobstructed.Whilst with more sophisticated playing you will be introduced to techniques in which you can open and close this whole, it’s best to keep it open for now.Conventionally, the hang is played with the thumbs of each hand â€" although, if you are Delago, you will experiment with this â€" struck into the indentations of the instrument.Luckily enough, there is not strictly any ‘wrong’ note on the hang, as they are usually constructed diatonically.Where to Find a Steel Hang Teacher.With the instrument growing in popularity, there are plenty of places where someone can find a hang teacher.One of those places is Superprof, a community of students and tutors from around the world. With nearly ten million tutors teaching in over a thousand different subjects, of course we have hang tutors available.Depending on your location, we have tutors to help you in the hang both in person and online â€" to help you nail your technique, jam, and find inspiration for future performances.Just get in touch with a tutor to organise a lesson. The majority will give you your first lesson absolutely free!

Six Ways to Build Student Confidence

Six Ways to Build Student Confidence A confident student has a much better chance of being successful in school and beyond. You might not be able to teach confidence, but you certainly can nurture it in each of your students. Here are six ways to do so: Loosen the reins. Maintain control over your classroom environment, not your students. Let them take the lead on classwork and assignments, and take on a supporting role. Pump them up. Tell your students that you believe in them and their abilities often. The more you do so, the more theyll believe it, too. Foster the development of a growth mindset. Let your students know that you believe that theres always something to discover and that learning never stops. Theyll start to recognize that learning is continuous and that their potential is unlimited. Set goals as a class. Theres something very empowering about setting goals. Encourage your students to take control of their destiny by putting on paper the endeavors that matter to them (and the steps theyll take to achieve them). Embrace the mantra Lets explore that. When students ask questions, dont just give them the answers. Have them delve into new topics. Ignite their curiosities. Point out their strengths. You dont need to do so publicly, but find opportunities to let your students know when they do things particularly well or when you see them exerting extra effort. They might not recognize those attributes in themselves. Confidence is an important trait that you can help build in your students through your everyday interactions. In doing so, youll have a lasting positive impact that will serve them well in life.

Whats Up with Donald Trump

Whats Up with Donald Trump Ive been avoiding writing something on Donald Trump for a long time, even though students, friends and co-workers from outside the U.S. keep asking me if this is for real. Does this guy really have a chance? A few have thought that Trump was actually some sort of bizarre joke.I havent written anything about it yet in part because I havent known exactly how to explain the Trump phenomenon. Also,  Trump gets a ridiculous amount of attention already, and I hate  to add to it. But the video Im using this week is just too funny to ignore.Whether or not you like him as the next president (just to be honest, I dont) you have to admit that hes been a master of attracting free media attention. His campaign has done next to no advertising, yet hes easily the best known candidate for the 2016 elections.Youve probably heard some his more controversial statements. Hes proposed banning all muslims from entering the United States, hes proposed somehow making all 11 million undocumented immigrants l eave, hes insulted women, and a disabled reporter.So why do people still like him? Why is he doing well in the polls? The video below makes an hilarious attempt at answering this question. Watch the video, then see if you can complete the listening exercise in comments.Vocabulary: A couple words to help you out.GOP Another name for the Republican Party, the political party for which Trump wants to be nominated.Focus Group A demographically diverse group of people that  participate in a guided discussion about a political campaign, product, television series, etc.Single Out  To choose a person or group of people from a larger group for special attention.Answer the questions below in comments, and well respond.What is the big question?Why does the report ask, Thats a good thing?What does he mean when he says, Just so were on the same page.Do you want a president in there that really ____ __  ______.What does the sentence above mean?What do you think of the vast majority conversati on?Why is the statement, Hes not singling out this group because of their religous beliefs so strange and funny?At last we had reached _____ ____. Even some Trump supporters cant ____ ___ ___ ___ why people support Donald Trump.What do the expressions in the above sentence mean?Why do you think Trump is so popular?

Kumon Student is Committed to Spreading Kindness

Kumon Student is Committed to Spreading Kindness Kumon Student is Committed to Spreading Kindness Rishika, 13-years-old, Math Level M There are two types of people in the world. Those that make things happen and those who watch things happen. Rishika is a ‘do-er.’ When she was just nine years old, she founded the nonprofit organization Little Helpers. Her mission was to inspire young children to help those who are less fortunate. “Something inside me kept telling me to share my blessings with others,” said Rishika. “Little Helpers was born with the motto of helping others and inspiring others to help. I wanted to make a difference not just by myself but as a group.” Since its creation, Little Helpers has made a difference in thousands of lives in the greater Cincinnati area and beyond. Some of the Little Helpers’ service projects include donating over 2,800 new toys to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and packing food for orphans around the world. Rishika’s philanthropic spirit and passion for her organization has been an inspiration to her fellow classmates to also get involved. Because of her  desire to help others, she was recognized as a “Distinguished Finalist” at the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. “My lifetime goal is to spread kindness and keep those around me happy and smiling,” said Rishika. “Our lives are not just about satisfying ourselves and getting what we need. Our lives are about inspiring and changing others during our journey.” When Rishika is not volunteering, she enjoys putting her math skills to the test with her fellow Kumon Students on a Lego Robotics Team â€" the Robo Rangers. The team has competed in various FIRST Lego League Robotics Challenges using STEM applications to develop solutions to real-world problems. Rishika was one of 56 students selected for Kumon’s 3rd Annual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The recognition proves to be a source of motivation for Rishika, as she continues her Kumon journey. “It is always motivating for me when my work gets recognized, and attending the Student Conference was a huge encouragement,” said Rishika. “Now, I’m even more motivated to complete the Kumon Math Program.” Rishika shares highlights from the Student Conference and her plans to continue making a difference in the future. How do you continue to stay motivated in Kumon? As I reach higher levels, the worksheets become more challenging. I always look back at how far I’ve come, and that motivates me to keep going. I’m motivated to work harder, and the harder I work, the more I achieve. I always believe in myself and say, “I CAN do it!” What do you want to be when you grow up? I would like to become a doctor in outer space and help astronauts out. I will be the first pediatrician on Mars! What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly. This is such a great book and talks about women being a part of a critical space mission. Not many females are a part of the STEM field, but this book proves that anything is possible. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? My biggest inspiration is my mom. She has always been my backbone. Any time I need anything, I can always count on her. I look up to my mom and want to be just like her in the future. I dedicate my achievements to her and consider myself lucky to have her in my life. What was your experience like at the 2019 Kumon Student Conference, and what was your favorite part? The Student Conference was a memorable experience! I learned so many things while having loads of fun. There were so many great parts of the conference, including meeting Mr. Mino Tanabe, President of Kumon North America. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Cross Country Star Committed to Reaching Goals Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success From Struggling Student to Kumon Dual Program Completer Inspired by a Kumon Program Completer, This Student Became One Himself Kumon Student is Committed to Spreading Kindness Kumon Student is Committed to Spreading Kindness Rishika, 13-years-old, Math Level M There are two types of people in the world. Those that make things happen and those who watch things happen. Rishika is a ‘do-er.’ When she was just nine years old, she founded the nonprofit organization Little Helpers. Her mission was to inspire young children to help those who are less fortunate. “Something inside me kept telling me to share my blessings with others,” said Rishika. “Little Helpers was born with the motto of helping others and inspiring others to help. I wanted to make a difference not just by myself but as a group.” Since its creation, Little Helpers has made a difference in thousands of lives in the greater Cincinnati area and beyond. Some of the Little Helpers’ service projects include donating over 2,800 new toys to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and packing food for orphans around the world. Rishika’s philanthropic spirit and passion for her organization has been an inspiration to her fellow classmates to also get involved. Because of her  desire to help others, she was recognized as a “Distinguished Finalist” at the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. “My lifetime goal is to spread kindness and keep those around me happy and smiling,” said Rishika. “Our lives are not just about satisfying ourselves and getting what we need. Our lives are about inspiring and changing others during our journey.” When Rishika is not volunteering, she enjoys putting her math skills to the test with her fellow Kumon Students on a Lego Robotics Team â€" the Robo Rangers. The team has competed in various FIRST Lego League Robotics Challenges using STEM applications to develop solutions to real-world problems. Rishika was one of 56 students selected for Kumon’s 3rd Annual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The recognition proves to be a source of motivation for Rishika, as she continues her Kumon journey. “It is always motivating for me when my work gets recognized, and attending the Student Conference was a huge encouragement,” said Rishika. “Now, I’m even more motivated to complete the Kumon Math Program.” Rishika shares highlights from the Student Conference and her plans to continue making a difference in the future. How do you continue to stay motivated in Kumon? As I reach higher levels, the worksheets become more challenging. I always look back at how far I’ve come, and that motivates me to keep going. I’m motivated to work harder, and the harder I work, the more I achieve. I always believe in myself and say, “I CAN do it!” What do you want to be when you grow up? I would like to become a doctor in outer space and help astronauts out. I will be the first pediatrician on Mars! What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly. This is such a great book and talks about women being a part of a critical space mission. Not many females are a part of the STEM field, but this book proves that anything is possible. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? My biggest inspiration is my mom. She has always been my backbone. Any time I need anything, I can always count on her. I look up to my mom and want to be just like her in the future. I dedicate my achievements to her and consider myself lucky to have her in my life. What was your experience like at the 2019 Kumon Student Conference, and what was your favorite part? The Student Conference was a memorable experience! I learned so many things while having loads of fun. There were so many great parts of the conference, including meeting Mr. Mino Tanabe, President of Kumon North America. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Cross Country Star Committed to Reaching Goals Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success From Struggling Student to Kumon Dual Program Completer Inspired by a Kumon Program Completer, This Student Became One Himself

Financial Aid Options for Study Abroad Programs

Financial Aid Options for Study Abroad Programs Study Abroad: Financial Aid Options Many United States based students would relish the opportunity to study abroad; however, studying abroad can be very expensive. In addition to paying regular US tuition, students and their parents are now faced with attempting to pay for international fees. In the past, the option to study abroad was solely for families who could afford to pay every penny. Now, there are some financial options for students studying overseas. One â€" Apply using existing financial aid Students who are already on financial aid can apply to have their funds put towards a semester abroad or summer abroad if they are doing this program directly through their college or university (READ: Why You Should Study Abroad). If financial aid is given directly through the school, students should visit their financial aid office on campus and get direct answers in person. Two â€" The Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship Program This program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; it is administered through the Institute of International Education. For a student to receive money through this scholarship program, they must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Students who are eligible can put this money towards a semester, summer, or even a year-long study abroad program. Three â€" The National Security Education Program The National Security Education Program and the Fulbright Program are funded through the US federal government and offer grants as well as fellowships that both undergraduate and graduate students can use to either study or research overseas. These programs are especially popular amongst graduate students. Four â€" Foreign Language and Area Studies This is a fellowship program which is funded by the US Department of Education. This particular fellowship is offered to students who are earning a foreign language degree abroad. For example, a student who wishes to learn Swedish will often find that living in Sweden for a period of time will enable them to become fluent in speaking, writing, reading, and listening (this holds true for any given language). Five â€" The Critical Language Scholarship Program This fellowship program is funded by the US Department of State as well as the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Students who wish to learn one of 13 languages that are considered to be critical to international relations may be able to attend an intensive summer language program at recognized overseas institutions. There are also funding options available to study abroad through private institutions. A list of these institutions include: The Chrysler Corporation, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and Amoco (READ: 7 Reasons to Study Abroad in the UK). Other options Other options come from institutions such as the Foundation for Global Scholars, the Rotary Foundation, and the Fund for Education Abroad. These institutions offer funding for both undergraduate and graduate students and are sometimes restricted by field of study (READ: Study Abroad: 6 Tips for Studying in Paris). Students who are studying abroad are faced with a great deal of research due to the fact that each country has its own set of laws and regulations regarding disabled students. However, students from the United States who happen to have a disability are entitled to receive the same amount of financial aid as any non-disabled student as long as they a meet all of the academic and financial need requirements. Students who are planning to use financial aid in order to fund their study abroad programs should do their own research and fact checking ahead of time. Some helpful sources include: Studyabroad.com, the College Board Scholarship Search, CareerOneStop, and the Student Guide, which is maintained by the US Department of Education. source: http://www.nafsa.org/Find_Resources/Supporting_Study_Abroad/Network_Resources/Education_Abroad/Financial_Aid___Study_Abroad__Basic_Facts_for_Students/#1 All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by TutorNerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.