4 Tips for Staying Focused and Organized as Junior Year Gets Busy

4 Tips for Staying Focused and Organized as Junior Year Gets Busy The following is a guest post written by Anna Carapellotti of Admissionado, a premier college admissions consulting company focused on helping students get into their dream schools. With winter break a little under a month away, were sure all of you are looking forward to some much-deserved relaxation. But in the meantime, youre probably feeling the pressure of pending exams and final papers, as well as the need to keep thinking about college applications. To help you put forth your best effort, weve compiled a list of things to help you stay focused and organized during the upcoming monthand then again in the new year! 1. Minimize distractions First things first, put your smartphone away and close Facebook on your computer. By minimizing the distractions posed by social media while studying, writing, etc., you will be able to get through your work more efficiently and effectively, as well as save more quality time for rest and relaxation, your family, and friends. In addition to minimizing the digital distractions, its important to find yourself a tidy, quiet place to work. If you have your own desk in your bedroom, keep it clean and uncluttered. If you dont have this luxury, find a quiet place elsewhere in your home, or plan to go to your local library when you have work to do. [RELATED: 4 Things NOT to Let Slide During Senior Year] 2. Develop a system for organizing your work Whether you use paper or a laptop, its important to keep your work organized. This will prevent you from losing assignments or forgetting to do them in the first place. Moreover, taking the time to develop a filing system on your desktop (or one on your literal desk) will make studying for your cumulative mid-year and final exams much easier. 3. Make to-do lists As your responsibilities increase (and trust us, they will only continue to do so), you may find yourself losing track of everything you need to do. It can be helpful to make lists of the things you need to accomplish, and it can be incredibly satisfying to mark off the things you have completed. So, regardless of whether you choose to use scraps of paper or something a bit more sophisticated on your smartphone, taking note of the things youd like to accomplish in the short-term can pave the way to what you would like to achieve in the long-run! 4. Keep a consistent schedule With a standard school day and extracurricular activities filling your afternoons, chances are your schedule is already pretty consistent. However, you can take your organizational skills to the next level by sticking to another sort of schedule in your downtime. Perhaps you could set aside Sunday afternoons to get organized, make your weekly to-do list, and spend some time looking at information about colleges, or you could set aside a certain block of time each evening during the week for reading and studying. This level of consistency will ensure that you make time for what is important. As you can see, tackling the remainder of junior year in an organized and focused fashion will be easy! By simply minimizing distractions and developing systems to organize your time and work, you will help ensure that you will accomplish a great deal in the short-term and will set yourself up to succeed in the long-run as well! The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Best Bass Guitar Brands on a Budget

5 Best Bass Guitar Brands on a Budget Suzy S. In the market for a bass guitar? Here, Orange, CA teacher Miller W.  explores the  best bass guitar brands to consider if youre on a budget This list of the best bass guitar brands will give you a good frame of reference for finding a quality instrument while on a budget. While not always the cheapest options available, these basses are built to a reliably high standard for the price and can always be found for at least under $1000, if not much less. 1) Squier by Fender (Range: $279.99-$379.99) Squier has really upped the ante on their bass offerings in the last five years or so. The Vintage Modified (VM) and Classic Vibe (CV) series are very well-built instruments and sound great for the price. Most models come equipped with Duncan Designed Pickups. The Affinity series is cheaper but of noticeably lower quality. The VM and CV Series offer all the classic tones in the Jazz and Precisions basses (in four- and five-string models), as well as less common sounds from the Fretless Jazz bass, the Telecaster bass, and the newly revived Bass VI. Recommendation: Vintage Modified Jazz Bass 2) MTD Kingston (Range: $499-$819) The Kingston Brand is the mass-produced branch of MTD USA, a high-end bass custom shop run by Michael Tobias. Kingston basses are designed to be as close to the handmade standard at the best price point. The three models that make up the Kingston line are the CRB (with one P-type pickup, starts at $499), the Saratoga (with two J-type pickups, starts at $529), and the Artist (with one MM-type pickup, $689). The pickups and build quality are astonishingly high quality for the price, and the asymmetrical neck construction allows for incredibly fast shifting up and down the neck. The Artist is the only active model, and it includes a very versatile three-band EQ. Recommendation: MTD Kingston Saratoga 3) GL Tribute (Range: $449-$749) GL was the last company Leo Fender started before his death, consequently the models offered by GL and their more budget-friendly brand Tribute are the natural evolution of the Fender Models. The Tribute Line has more individual models, all of which are very well built and contain almost any combination of J pickups, P pickups, and Humbuckers. The L2000 ($699), arguably their flagship model, is one of the most versatile instruments available, as its two Humbucker pickups are augmented by a three-way pickup selector, a series/parallel switch, and a switchable three-mode preamp which controls volume, bass, and treble. Recommendation: GL Tribute L2000 or L2500 4) Spector Legend (Range: $499-$849) The Spector Legend Series offers slightly less in the way of variety, but that is made up for in the quality of construction. The Legend Series contains the Standard line, which comes in four- and five-string versions, as well as the Classic Line, which is available with four, five, or six strings. All of these basses are equipped with two SSD Humbuckers, with the exception of the Standard Four String model, which has an EMG P/J pickup set. Spector is also known for its beautiful paintjobs and exotic wood tops, both of which are options when purchasing a Legend. These basses are incredibly durable. Dan Briggs, of Between the Buried and Me fame, played the same Spector Legend Five String he bought when he was 16 until just a few years ago, which is a true testament to the longevity of these basses. Recommendation: Spector Legend Classic 5. 5) Ibanez (Range: aprox. $300-$900) This is where things get a little tricky. Ibanez makes a huge range of basses, from the lowest of the low to highest of the high, more or less. The trick is finding that range in the middle that is high quality but doesn’t break the bank. I’ve found the best bang for your buck range is minimum $300 anything below that is pretty shoddy workmanship and somewhere around $900 at the top. The Soundgear series is always a safe bet; they are pretty much all equipped with two Humbuckers and a 3-Band onboard EQ, which gives them a serious leg up in versatility, although not to the same extent as the GL Tribute L2000. Ibanez also offers the Artcore series, which consists of shortscale hollowbody basses with a very classic vibe. Artcore basses are some of the only Passive Ibanez basses and generally come with two more subtly voiced pickups, while their Active counterparts generally lend themselves to a more Hi-Fi tone that cuts through the mix. Recommendation: Ibanez AGB200 (Artcore) or SR505 (Soundgear) These are some of the best bass guitar brands out there, all with prices that wont completely break the bank. Good luck finding the bass for you! Miller W. teaches acoustic guitar, bass guitar, music theory and upright bass in Orange, CA. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Santa Barbara and has been teaching students since 2008. Learn more about Miller W. 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 Italian through a Study Abroad

Learn Italian through a Study Abroad Speak Italian through a Semester in Italy ChaptersLanguage Learning in the Italian University SystemLearn to Speak Italian through ErasmusChoosing an Italian Course in an Italian UniversityThe best Italian universitiesChoosing a City to study for your Trip to ItalyAt some point in their academic career, every student dreams of spending a year or more in a university in a different country. For those students who study Italian and want to take their language lessons to the next level, Italy is often chosen as the ideal destination for continuing their studies.Taking part in an immersion program through studying abroad not only allows students to learn Italian while studying important Italian vocabulary and colloquial Italian phrases, but it also means learning about Italian culture in depth.Before leaving on your journey towards speaking Italian fluently, students must not only select a university which they would like to attend, but also what program and city they would like to study in. This guide tells you not only  everyt hing you need to know about studying abroad in Italy, but everything form obtaining accommodation to choosing a university!Learn to speak fluently by a complete Italian immersion program DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLanguage Learning in the Italian University SystemLearning a new language can already be difficult without having to learn to navigate an entirely new administrative system. While studying Ital ian language and culture will be a beautiful experience, you should also familiarize yourself with the Italian educational system.Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate level speaker, you don’t need to be fluent in Italian to understand what type of Italian lessons or language courses will be available to you when you arrive to Italy.The Italian educational system is often considered to resemble the UK’s own system, with a few exceptions. Italy is made up of 60 public universities, three of which are technological universities and sixteen private ones.While there are many universities to choose from, it all depends on what your goal is with regards to your move abroad. Some examples of what you can study in Italian universities are:Learning Italian as a foreign languageTaking language courses in a language school while also workingLearning to speak other romance languages and their literatureStudying subjects like math or science in ItalianIf you’re worried your gramma r and vocabulary in Italian aren’t good enough to be able to study in Italy, make sure to contact the appropriate program advisors to understand your options.Depending in where you’re from, there can be some slight to major differences between the school systems in Italy and that of your country of residence. For example, in the majority of Italian universities, attendance in courses are optional.The diploma system in Italy also resembles those the world over, involving three levels of higher education. You can obtain degrees similar to a bachelor’s, masters and doctorate through programs awarding a laurea, laurea magistrale, and dottorato, respectively. The laurea and laurea magistrale normally take about three and five years to accomplish, while the dottorato is usually completed after eight years of study.In Italy, university exams also follow a slightly different process than in the UK. From an academic point of view, the tests favor oral elements in exams over written one s. This will be a great opportunity to expand on public speaking skills and, for those that are worried, the majority of schools allow students to retake the exams if they score low in the first round.Take these Italian language courses to make your study in Italian Universities easier.Learn to Speak Italian through ErasmusLearning Italian and becoming fluent can be difficult for beginners, especially those who are constantly looking for ways to improve their conversational and listening skills. For the hands-on learner who wants to improve their knowledge on not only Italian grammar, but also Italian culture, the Erasmus program can be the perfect solution.This program, available to students in eligible countries, offers both academic and internship opportunities abroad. On top of that, the Erasmus organization itself also gives out a certain number of scholarships each year for students enrolled in the program.Conversational Italian will be part of your daily life in ItalyThe only caveat to this program is that students often don’t have a wide variety of schools to choose from. In fact, the program is based on what is known as a study exchange, which means that your choices will be limited to the universities and countries with which your home school and country has good, international relations with.Luckily, the Erasmus program can be flexible, so if you’re dead set on studying a Italian or language course in Italy, there’s a good chance you’ll get the chance to apply for a school there.The Erasmus program itself is structured in a simple manner. It consists of a student, studying for one or two semesters in the country of their choice, subject to the strength of their application and their level in that particular language. It is then up to that student’s home university to find the student a university in that country to which they will be attending.If you don’t like this aspect of mystery involved in the application process, you’re not alon e. In fact, students often attain a list of partnered universities before they apply â€" in many cases the lists are available either from your home school or school in Italian online. After applying, the student will have between six months to a year to prepare for their study trip. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChoosing an Italian Course in an Italian UniversityIt is possible that you’ve decided that yo u’d like to apply to an Italian university independent of any organization. If you’d like to take an independent approach to studying, there are many different pathways to choose from when wanting to study in Italy, regardless of whether you want to take courses in the Italian language, online courses, or want to be enrolled in a full-time basis.If you’d like to apply to private or technical universities, all you will need to do is to submit an application after you complete your exams. Your diploma, which is known as the diploma di istruzione secondaria di secondo grado in Italian, should be supported by a translated letter of motivation.It is important that you have a conversation with the advisor of the program you are interested in as soon as possible. They will be able to give you advice and help on issues like wither basic Italian or fluency is required in the program, the important deadlines to admissions and much more. Understanding the kind of written and spoken Itali an will be required in your program is vital if you are an Italian language learner who is unsure about their level of pronunciation and grammar.You should pay special attention to the European Credit Transfer System, or ECTS, which facilitates the process of translating the academic worth of diplomas from one country to another. If your program does not follow this system, understanding what the ECTS entails is a great starting point for gauging how much your diploma is “worth.”In addition to this, you will also need letters of recommendations from your previous professors or employers, which describe in detail the reasons why you should be chosen. Make sure to find Italian speakers for this portion of your application if your program requires you to do so, and that your recommendation letters include key words and phrases that highlight your best traits.It is important to note that many programs impose a limit to how many students they accept each year. This is especially true for programs such as medicine or architecture. Whatever university you apply to, once you accept, the second step will be to assess how well you speak Italian with a language test, organized either by your university or by each student themselves.Choosing where to study Italian is a difficult, but rewarding, choiceThe best Italian universitiesMuch of higher education is concerned, now, less with the importance of finding a school tailored to each student and more with continuing the narrative that reputable schools are the ones to aspire to. There are many reasons for this, which is why it is good to understand what schools are considered to be the best in Italy.Taken from a mixture of both the infamous Shanghai, Times Higher Education and QS rankings, the best Italian universities include:Times Higher EducationQS Top UniversitiesShanghai (ARWU)Scuola Superiore Sant’AnnaPolitecnico di MilanoU. Sapienza University of RomeScuola Normale Superiore di PisaU. di BolognaUniversity of P aduaU. di BolognaScuola Normale Superiore di PisaPolitecnico di MilanoVita-Salute San Raffaele UniversityScuola Superiore Sant’AnnaU. di BolognaU. degli studi di TrentoU. Sapienza University of RomeU. di FlorenceChoosing a City to study for your Trip to ItalyChoosing a university by the city they are located in can also be an important deciding factor. Whether you’re looking for the most opportunities in terms of shopping, professional life, food â€" or all three â€" these cities are often cited as the most student friendly cities in Italy:RomeThe capital of Italy, as you would expect, is not lacking distinguished and historically rich universities. Rome, in fact, boasts an establishment that is recognized worldwide for its interesting past and its peerless academic quality: Sapienza.The university is not only one of the oldest in the world, having been established in 1303, but also one of the biggest in Europe.MilanThe fashion capital of the world also contains two of Italy’s most renowned schools: Bocconi, which is cited as the best Italian university for commerce, and Politecnico, for engineering. Milan is also host to a number of universities, one of which is placed as the 38th best in the entire world.BolognaThe Universita di Bologna is known for being an Italian language powerhouse. In fact, since 2015, with the establishment of a department of latin, Bologne placed itself as a perfect city for foreigners and locals alike with a passion for the romance languages.

Is it really a Hostile Work Environment 5 Steps for Dealing with Difficult People - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Is it really a Hostile Work Environment 5 Steps for Dealing with Difficult People - Introvert Whisperer Is it really a Hostile Work Environment? 5 Steps for Dealing with Difficult People Sometimes terminology is used in our culture that gets adopted and used, but it isn’t being used correctly. “Hostile Work Environment” is one of those terms that you hear, but may or may not be true to the legal definition of it. That’s right  when it comes to this term; we have laws about hostile work environments and with the law comes a legal definition. It’s good to know the difference, because depending on what you are really talking about, your potential actions could be very different. To quote About.com: “A hostile work environment is created by a boss or coworker whose actions, communication or behavior makes doing your job impossible. This means that the behavior altered the terms, conditions, and/or reasonable expectations of a comfortable work environment…and must be discriminatory in nature. (Discriminatory would be about age, religion, gender, or race). The behavior must last over time and must be severe.”  As you can see this is a very specific set of behaviors that protect our right to work. There can be legal ramifications because someone has made working and prospering at work impossible, if this issue is not handled properly by the employer. Since we are clear about the true, legal term “Hostile Work Environment”, let’s look at what is taking place when your work situation may or may not be aligned to this technical term, but it’s bad nonetheless. What can you do in either situation? Know the proper way to escalate an issue. You don’t want to go from your office to the local Bureau of Labor and Industry to talk to a lawyer. No matter which situation you are in, you are expected to work from the bottom up. Your steps should be: 1. Address the issue directly with the offender. Difficult for many people, but necessary, is to adequately communicate what the issue is and to give a very specific example. You don’t want to use absolutes like “you always talk vulgar to me” when that isn’t actually true, because that person may be vulgar frequently, but not ‘always’. Consider: “When you spoke to me just now, that was vulgar and inappropriate. You do not have my permission to continue. 2. If the issue continues.  Again, difficult for some people, but you need to repeat your previous message and then let them know you will be escalating it to both management and HR. By this point, you should be documenting both your conversations and comments made to you by the offender. You may need this type of detailed information when you take the issue up the food chain. 3. Take it to management and Human Resources (HR).  Not all companies have an HR, but if they do, you need to cover your bases and ensure they are in the loop. When you take your issue to your manager, you will be much more effective if you can keep calm and professional. An emotional scene won’t help make your case despite how you might feel about it. You need to be prepared to give specific examples. You also need to be prepared for management to speak to the offender, making the previous step important. You must hold your management accountable for correcting the situation. This doesn’t mean you insisting on this person being fired, but it is reasonable to expect that they will take whatever action they think will curb the inappropriate behavior. You should expect, and ask for a follow up, to minimally hear back that they did take action. You don’t need a full account of what was said and done, as that is confidential. 4. If it continues.  Again, you need to follow the previous steps and waste no time informing your management and HR. You are still looking for these people to take action. 5. And if it still continues.  At this point, you may be out of options. If the issue does follow the definition of a hostile work environment, you may have grounds for a legal action. If it is simply someone who does annoying things, badgers your work or makes rude remarks, your only two options are: -Take the issue to a higher management level. -Leave. While it might seem unfair that you would have to be the one to leave, all too many people tend to be weenies   when  dealing with difficult personnel issues. You can either find a way to tolerate it, be miserable or leave. Hopefully, you will never have to face this type of situation but if you do, learn the right way, the professional way of addressing this kind of issue. It will be more effective in the long run for everyone involved. Office Politics Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today! Start watching now! Click here to watch now!

How to Create 3D Drawings

How to Create 3D Drawings How to Draw in 3D ChaptersWhat is a 3D drawing?How do I Draw in Perspective?How Do I Create an Optical Illusion Effect in a Drawing?A Selection of Tutorials to Learn 3D Drawing3D Drawing: The Best Apps!Which Pens Should I Use for 3D Drawing?Tips for Easy 3D Drawing“That which we perceive is not of the world, but of the brain’s model of the world.”This quote from Chris Frith makes sense when you realise how successful 3D drawings can mislead and distort our perception.And yet, representing reality in all its dimensions on only a flat surface is not that easy when you start drawing, yet it is fundamental to many different types of art.What are the best techniques for drawing in 3D?How can you create the illusion that a drawing isn’t flat?In this article you’ll find techniques for drawing in perspective and mastering anamorphic art, and learn to draw various models realistically. And why not try it out using a 3D pen? FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tuto rs EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SabrinaDrawing Teacher 4.33 (3) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is a 3D drawing?What is the difference between a 2D and a 3D drawing? Well, the answer is pretty simple.When we draw in 2D (two dimensions), we produce a sketch on our paper with no sense of volume. All that is really taken into account is the width and height of our object. But when we draw in 3D, we include a third dimension: depth. It’s stating the obvious to say that drawing in 3D makes a drawing more realistic, considering that it’s more faithful to the small details that the eye observes in reality. It copies reliefs and distances, and keeps the same proportions as in reality, for instance when drawing a face.From putting into perspective to grasping optical illusions, 3D drawing takes various forms and requires strong competency in drawing.How do artists completely master these drawing techniques?How can you give the illusion that a flat drawing jumps off the page?The first thing you need to know for creating volume in a drawing is how to draw in perspective.How do I Draw in Perspective?Perspective is the technique which allows you to draw an object in space in three dimensions. The drawer takes into account the depth of the scene and reproduces the object as it is perceived from their own point of view.Learn basic techniques to mimic reality. Photo on VisualHunt.comCavalier perspective consists of giving an object volume by adding a structure of parallel lines. This is a type of drawing that we predominantly fin d in geometry to represent a cube, for example.Linear perspective is often used in drawing. In order to create a good linear perspective, we generally concentrate on these two elements:A horizon lineOne or more vanishing points.From these elements, by drawing lines we can create a grid that will work as visual guides for drawing the various parts of our scene.There are many different types of linear perspectives, which helps the drawer create depth and volume in their work:Frontal perspective: the eye is facing the scene front-on. The drawing is based on the horizon line at eye level, and all the lines meet at one sole vanishing point.Oblique perspective: we see this in two directions. The composition has two vanishing points. This type of perspective uses two vanishing points, allowing you to draw cubes and other geometric shapes by taking into account their real shape and depth.Aerial perspective: here we take into account all the dimensions of the object by working on its represe ntation with three vanishing points. This is the most realistic perspective, predominantly used in architecture to represent furniture, for example.Mastering drawing in perspective is necessary to create a realistic drawing and give it volume, such as drawing a hand for example. Drawing in 3D is not about improvisation. You need to really use your eyes and take in the proportions of your object as faithfully as possible. Representing characters or objects by properly observing the effects of depth is crucial for great 3D drawing.Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is an example of the atmospheric perspective technique. Photo on VisualHunt.comSome artists use another type of perspective as well: atmospheric perspective.It could be compared to a camera and its focus. This perspective is based on impressions. This means that whatever is in the foreground is drawn in a clear and precise way, but the more you look in depth, the more the details are unclear. Some artists also play on colours an d gradients as well to create this effect of depth: the cooler the colours, the less precise the details of the scene.This is a technique developed and used by Flemish painters of the 15th century, but it is also seen in the work of Leonardo da Vinci, notably in the Mona Lisa.How Do I Create an Optical Illusion Effect in a Drawing?Those who master the art of drawing in perspective achieve an even more impressive result in their work. The objects seem to literally jump of the page and come to life.When a drawing is successful it gives the impression of coming to life and really takes on three dimensions. It’s a great start for designing an eye-catching company logo too!This impression is an optical illusion, which is only noticeable from one specific angle. When you look at an anamorphic drawing you have to look at it a certain way in order to see the result in 3D. From any other angle, you’ll only see a distorted image.How Do I Create a Picture that Jumps off the Page?Learn to b ring your drawings to life with some simple techniques. Photo credit: Abi Skipp on Visual HuntYou need to learn the right technique. It’s not only necessary to know how to distort an image correctly, but for the result to be really realistic, you also need to master basic drawing techniques. There are quite a few steps to get from the first sketch to the finished piece. You will to know how to draw each detail of your subject, and also how to paint or colour your drawing for effect.To create an anamorphic drawing, you’ll need to distort the image that you wish to represent on paper. The main techniques that will help you draw an anamorphic image are:Use a camera to capture your object in a photo, which you can print or display to help you sketch it accuratelyUse computer software to distort the object that you wish to represent so that you can draw it easilyUse a grid system to draw the object in its correct proportionsCut out part of the outline of the drawing to reinforce the 3D impressionUse multiple sheets or fold a sheet to achieve the desired volume effectMany artists have been able to master the art of anamorphic drawing, such as Leon Keer and Kurt Wenner. You can sometimes even come across 3D art on the ground or on walls in public spaces. Many street artists produce striking realist pieces.Between gaping holes in the middle of the pavement and sharks protruding from the road, there are many performances from artists such as Edgar Mueller and Julian Beever, for example, that are really impressive.You could even use this technique to design your own tattoo! FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SabrinaDr awing Teacher 4.33 (3) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Selection of Tutorials to Learn 3D DrawingTo train yourself up in 3D drawing, it’s important to master the basic drawing techniques. You can practice really easily thanks to the huge range of online tutorials that are available online, with step-by-step guides to help you improve you sketches and create a realistic 3D drawingYou will find tutorials for all different levels, whether you are a total beginner or an experienced drawer.Among some of the easiest things to draw, this clever tutorial shows you how to draw a Rubic’s Cube in 3D, giving the impression of levitating above the paper. This well-explained guide will familiarise you with the basic techniques, which you can then transfer onto other objects:How to draw a 3D Rubik's CubeThe following video reveal s the secret for drawing a 3D open door. You’ll see how, by cutting the bottom of the paper, you can create a really realistic effect:How to draw a 3D open doorHere, you will discover how lines can help create volume. In this instructive video, you will learn to draw a half-sphere in 3D. With the same principle, you will also be able to draw other 3D objects such as hands:How to draw a 3D half sphereMore experimental artists could try a 3D drawing of a great white shark, which seems truer than life thanks to this video:How to draw a 3D sharkDesign Software to Help with 3D DrawingThere are lots of different types of 3D software. Used for all sorts of purposes, they allow you to create synthesised three-dimensional images.From 3D architecture to 3D modelling to 3D animation, the design industry has so many options for creating things in three dimensions â€" today, 3D is everywhere. It is even exceeded by augmented reality and 4D cinema. With 3D modelling software, creatives can now even use 3D printers to realise their designs.As an amateur designer, you can easily find some free design software to use. Software is generally fairly intuitive and simple to use, allowing you to familiarise yourself and experiment with three-dimensional vision.Which design software should I choose?What is the best software?That all depends on your needs. You can use 3D design software online or opt for one that you download to your computer. Here are a few examples of 3D software you could use:Photoshop: an abcolute essential for all graphic designers, it offers infinite possibilities for design, very much like Adobe Illustrator.Krita and Artweaver: these are also great programmes for design which both have their own advantages.Google Sketchup: perfect for 3D modelling, this software was initially built for architecture and interior decoration.Blender: this 3D modelling and animation software is one of the main points of reference for experts.Autocad: this is one the most used pl atforms for creating 2D and 3D designs.Manga Studio EX: perfect for creating 2D and 3D cartoon or manga art.3D Drawing: The Best Apps!If you want to learn to draw in 3D, there are other interesting tools at your disposal: tablet or smartphone 3D drawing applications. They will accompany you everywhere, all throughout the day. It’s therefore really easy to improve your drawing skills and techniques when you have a spare moment, be it in your lunchbreak or on your commute to work!On your phone or tablet you’ll be able to learn to draw volume in order to achieve a realistic 3D effect.3D drawing is one of the most popular drawing techniques. Whether you want to become a professional or simply improve your skills for fun, you’ll easily find the perfect for you.Here at Superprof, we’ve selected some of the best apps for you which offer great guidance and techniques. From 3D modelling to learning to draw in realistic perspective, there is an app for all tastes and all ages!To learn 3D drawing simply follow the steps in this app! Source: play.google.comLearn to Draw 3D, to progress at your own paceThis app is accessible for younger ages, starting from the age of 8 up. It’s a clear app for helping you learn to draw in 3D and easily create optical illusions.The app is pretty well made and easy to use. You can choose a 3D drawing model and then discover all the different steps to reproduce the image yourself. A simple but effective app for understanding the essential steps of 3D drawing at your own pace.How to Draw 3D and Illusion, videos dedicated to 3D drawingThis app is also really great on a pedagogical level, teaching you to draw in 3D with its tutorial videos. The app actually gathers all the best YouTube tutorials on the subject, so you get the best drawing lessons for kids possible. It’s especially useful when you can’t find good online tutors yourself and want drawing lessons for beginners.The app is updated every week so that you can discover load s of new videos and techniques at the click of a button!Tilt Brush, virtual reality 3D drawingDrawing in 3D just got even more exciting thanks to Tilt Brush, an app which lets you pain in 3D space with virtual reality. Even though it’s not an app strictly for learning 3D drawing techniques on paper, it’s still a great tool for discovering different, creative ways to work in 3D!With a virtual reality headset, you can let your imagination take free rein and create 3D art in a virtual world.Leopoly, to create 3D charactersAvailable on tablets and also on your PC, Leopoly is an app which allows you to create 3D characters and modify them exactly to your specifications thanks to the numerous tools at your disposal.This is an app that all animation and comic fans will appreciate, helping you to design and bring to life your very own characters!Tinkercad, 3D design for beginnersTinkercad is an Autodesk app which also offers a wide range of design software for professionals and amateurs alike. Tinkercad makes 3D drawing simple with an easy-to-use display â€" making it an essential for 3D designers!The app is based on shapes that can be assembled to build up your designs. Anyone can bring their creations to life with the 3D printing feature, so now you don’t have to be an expert to get creative with 3D modelling.Tinkerplay, perfect for kids!Autodesk also offers Tinkerplay, a really popular modelling app for children as it allows you to easily create 3D characters and creatures. You start from a basic model, which you can personalise by experimenting with the different elements and features. You can then print or order your 3D characters. It’s the perfect app for a lively imaginationWhich Pens Should I Use for 3D Drawing?Because 3D drawing also entails virtual reality, 3D printing and 3-dimensional writing, it’s impossible to talk about the subject without mentioning 3D pens.So what is a 3D pen? It’s an innovative tool which operates on the same principle as a 3D printer. The 3D pen allows you to write and draw in 3 dimensions with its simple function: the pen heats the plastic, which cools when released onto a support. This means you can create 3D structures really easily and quickly.You can use an object to help you draw contours in 3D, build parts and assemble them, or simply let your imagination run free!A 3D pen can contain one of two types of plastic: ABS or PLA. The choice of plastic that you opt for is important for different types of projects.ABS is a material that cools instantly, so it’s ideal for 3D drawing. It’s a plastic made from petroleum, which allows you to easily create different shapes which will hold their structure well. You can make all sorts â€" straight and curved lines, spirals, and geometric shapes. It’s also very useful for 2D writing creations that you can peel off and use as you wish.PLA cools less rapidly, taking longer to solidify. PLA is mainly composed of starch and natural materials, and is biod egradable. It is better suited for 3D writing as it adheres well to a support, such as cardboard, metal or ceramics. It’s useful for drawing 2D images that won’t peel off.How do I choose a 3D pen?Browse the market for the perfect 3D pen to suit your needs! Photo credit: yourbestdigs on VisualHunt.comUnlike 3D printers which are only available to particular groups of people, 3D pens appeal to a large demographic because they are affordable and accessible.  Both amateur and professional artists are intrigued by the idea of 3D drawing, and it amuses children for hours â€" it’s the perfect hobby for those who love building and realising their designs, providing infinite opportunities for invention!The first 3D pen was the 3Doodler. Today it’s in its third generation, and this latest version is more precise and reliable than ever, at an affordable price.There are many different models of 3D pens today. They are available at all prices, with varying choice depending on your perso nal needs and expectations. There are a few elements to take into account when making your choice, such as:The design and weight of the pen: this is an important element to facilitate the handling and accuracy of your 3D drawing.LCD display: another important point when using a 3D pen is monitoring its functions, such as the pen’s temperature. The temperature makes it possible to experiment with the effects of the plastic.The price: obviously, your budget will influence your choice of pen, but this will also affect the quality of pen that you will look for and afford. You can find 3D pens for less that £50, but they aren’t always the best quality.The brand: among the field of big names in the world of 3D pens, the mentionable ones are 3Doodler, Lix pens, Yestech 3D, 7tech 3D and GENESIS.Tips for Easy 3D DrawingWhether you love new technologies or you prefer putting pen to paper the old fashioned way, you can quickly progress with drawing if you take some online classes!You coul d learn to draw all sorts of objects such as buildings, hands, or faces, or even create your own comic book.You will benefit so much from the advice and experience of an expert drawing teacher, who will help you master the art of drawing in perspective, 3-dimensional drawing and realism.But taking online art classes is not enough to completely master the techniques of three-dimensional drawing. You will also have to acquire specific skills, which can only be done with patience and through regular practice in your own time.To become a real expert in 3D drawing, start by following these tips:Practice lots of varied drawing exercises so that you can work on the effects of perspective and volume.Learn to observe and draw the small details of you object for a realistic result â€" after all, 3D drawing is based on technically accurate and realistic reproduction of an object. To successfully draw 3D images, whether on paper or a tablet, it’s essential to master the basics of drawing (suc h as proportions, light and shadow, perspective, details).Practice regularly to make it second nature. Carrying a sketchbook around with you is a great start to incorporate drawing into your everyday life.Get inspired by artists and pieces that you love, and watch online tutorials to learn how to draw just like them.So are you ready to start 3D drawing? Grab your pencil or charcoal and don’t forget your rubber…or your tablet!Find tutors for drawing lessons throughout the UK on Superprof:Drawing courses LondonDrawing courses BirminghamDrawing lessons GlasgowDrawing lessons online

How to prepare for the 11 Plus interview

How to prepare for the 11 Plus interview If your child has reached the interview stage of the 11 Plus exam at an independent school, congratulations! They are one step closer to that offer, and they’ve already done extremely well. The interview process is difficult to prepare for: schools will be looking for confident and articulate students. We asked one of our top tutors and 11 Plus experts, James M, to share some of the most common 11 Plus interview questions… Introductory and warm-up questions Tell me about yourself! How would your friends describe you? Describe yourself using 3 adjectives Tell me about your hobbies and interests. What is your favourite subject? What book are you reading at the moment? Tell me about it and describe it using adjectives. General questions Why do you want to come to our school? What’s the difference between our school and the school you are coming from? Tell me about a lesson that you really enjoyed. What made it so enjoyable? If you were head of our school, what changes would you make? What makes a good teacher? What do you find hard at school,   and what do you do when you find something hard? Why are you suited for our school? Have you visited our school before? What did you think? Do you have any questions for us? Specific academic questions and tasks What is the difference between volume and area? 22  + 32  + 42 =  ? What is the product of 12 and 5? Read this poem aloud. What is your favourite literary technique and why? What is the meaning of the word ______ (insert word) Tell me your favourite metaphor/simile/personification. Brain teasers Is it possible to have a box with nothing inside? What is bravery? What would the world be like if it was ruled by monkeys? Is there more happiness or sadness in the world? What is more important, being right or being nice? What colour would a zebra be if it lost all its stripes? If I borrow a million pounds, am I a millionaire? How many bricks make a wall? If I take the engine out of a car, is it still a car? Answering the questions James has also put together some of his top tips for students who have an 11+ interview coming up. Before the interview, students should: Look at the school website and write down three interesting things that you like Try and visit the school and talk to pupils/teachers. Remember who you spoke to and what you liked about the experience Practise with a parent / teacher / friend! During the interview: When first meeting teachers always smile, shake hands and make eye contact Make sure you answer the question! Talk for about 5-10 seconds for each answer, because any more than that is too long, and any less may make you seem shy Think of examples for your all answers by incorporating your hobbies and interests. You might like playing a musical instrument but give more detail: “I play piano grade 4 and play in the school band”. This is much better than just saying “I play piano”. For the brainteasers, think about the wording of the question. For example, “What is bravery?” To answer this, think of things that are brave and things that are not brave. What do all the things that are brave have in common? Similarly, with “How many bricks make a wall?” you could think about what a wall is. A wall can just be a barrier between two things, so a single brick could be a wall (especially to a small insect). For a human though a barrier would have to be bigger! Remember, these questions don’t really have a right or wrong answer, they are meant to test how you think. Good luck! James M is one of our top 11+ tutors. With over 10 years of experience, James has prepared students for some of the most competitive schools, including Westminster, Eton, Latymer and St Paul’s. As well as being a fantastic private tutor, James has also organised mock exam sessions through his own exam preparation consultancy. Interested in booking a lesson with James? Click here to visit his Tutorfair profile and find out more!

Creating Independent Students

Creating Independent Students Creating Independent Students Whether you teach elementary school or high school, one of your key goals is to help your students become independent, capable learners. In fact, nurturing independence in students is an underpinning of the Common Core State Standards, which state that students who are college and career ready are self-directed learners overall. Just as it is essential for your students to comprehend the content that you teach, it is critical that they become more focused and able to think on their own as they mature as learners. Students need to learn how to develop their ideas, solve problems, seek out resources on their own, and much more. How can you foster such academic independence? Here are a few exercises to incorporate into your lessons that will build essential self-starter competencies: Encourage students to learn from their mistakes. Making mistakes is how students learn, but it is critical that you teach your students to not only recognize their mistakes, but also figure out potential solutions. How? Walk students step by step through solutions to common mistakes, and invite their input so that they comprehend where they went wrong and how to fix it. Always encourage your students to ask questions. Most importantly, let your students know that mistakes are opportunities to confirm understanding of how a problem or process works. Set goals. At the beginning of each year, have students set a number of short- and long-term goalsseveral that are related to your class and several broader life or academic goals. In class or as homework, have students write down the roadblocks standing in the way of their goals and the necessary steps to overcome them. Throughout the year, revisit goals and have students track their progress. The goal-setting process is rich with valuable lessons about working diligently toward the things one wants, taking ownership of ones life and education, beating challenges and more. Strive for intrinsic motivation. While it is tempting to motivate students with extrinsic rewards such as constant praise, prizes or bribes, students who are inspired to learn because they want tointrinsically motivatedare far better off in the long run. So, what can you do to help? Challenge your students. Set the bar high and give them the tools and support to reach it. Urge students to ask questions and think through solutions, and congratulate them for their efforts and progress, not just their grades. The more you can do to encourage students to learn for learnings sake, the more independent they will be. Establish clear rules and procedures. Students of all ages flourish when they know what is expected of them throughout the school day. Equipped with a consistent routine upon which they can rely, your students can be more independent when completing tasks, working on bigger projects and transitioning between activities. This will translate to independence at home, too. Students who know how to function independently and successfully in the classroom are more likely to complete their homework without reminders from parents. Focus on organizational skills. As students move into middle and high school, the art of organization is more critical than ever. Expect students to keep their desks and backpacks tidy and organized. They should have a designated place for everything, from papers to books, so it is quick and easy to get out materials and get to work when you ask them to. A related and equally important concept is time management. Teach your students to keep track of their homework and assignments in a planner or smartphone app. Consider incorporating into each class a few minutes of administration time (during which students can write down assignments and other information, organize their desks and notes, and more). Students must learn to be self-starters and independent thinkers in order to succeed in college and beyond. You can build this aptitude by giving your students opportunities to think, make decisions and learn from their mistakes. Provide your students ample guidance and support and the result will be engaged students who are confident in themselves and their abilities.

Win $15,000 for Innovative Visual and Oral Health Solutions

Win $15,000 for Innovative Visual and Oral Health Solutions http://mms.businesswire.com Whole You, Inc.,  a Mitsui Chemicals company committed to offering solutions that allow those with sensory and physical mobility challenges to live life to the fullest, has teamed up with crowd-sourcing company InnoCentive to challenge healthcare professionals and the public to create innovative solutions for those with oral and visual challenges, according to this press release. On the oral side of the challenge, Whole You is looking for ways to motivate patients and incentivize their compliance to regularly use their oral appliances to effectively manage obstructive sleep apnea. On the visual front, the company is asking for ideas about other services that vision care providers can offer to optimize a persons health and well-being. The person that recommends the best idea in each category will be awarded $15,000, an amount I know any college student needs. In addition, Whole You announced its advisory group in the press release, which consists of professionals with expertise in both sensory and physical mobility areas. This group will provide input and guidance into the development of Whole Yous innovation efforts and will judge the Whole You challenge submissions. http://eye.uams.edu Here is a list of the current group: • Rupa Balachandran PhD., CCC-A Program Director Audiology, Associate Professor Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of the Pacific • Dr. Ting-Ling Chang, DDS, Clinical Professor and Section Chair of Prosthodontics at the Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, UCLA School of Dentistry • David Green, Social Entrepreneur, MacArthur Fellow and Ashoka Fellow • Dr. Moshe Lewis, MD, MPH, Chief, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehab, California Pacific Medical Center, St. Luke’s Campus • Dr. Katayoun Omrani, DDS Orofacial Pain specialist, Los Angeles Pain Clinic; Dentist at the Headache, Orofacial Pain and Sleep Apnea Program at the Cedars-Sinai Pain Center • Dr. Frank Spors, MS, PhD, Assistant Professor at the College of Optometry at Western University of Health Sciences “We have identified many sensory and physical mobility challenges that individuals face and believe that an open innovation approach is essential to creating truly ground-breaking products that we know the market needs,” said Hiromi Inagaki, chief innovation officer, Whole You. “The partnerships with our advisory group and InnoCentive demonstrate our commitment to tapping in to great minds that are aligned with our vision â€" to deliver innovative solutions to for those with sensory and physical mobility challenges.” The entirety of Whole Yous partnerships and collaborations, including the open innovation challenges and expanding advisory group, will be a part of Whole Yous Living Lab, which is a unique, interdisciplinary innovation network where a broad range of experts come together to develop solutions to optimize health and well-being. https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com “One of my main goals is to provide my patients with the best solutions available so they can live life to the fullest, and Whole You is now on the frontline of this innovation,” said Dr. Ting-Ling Chang, DDS, Clinical Professor and Section Chair of Prosthodontics at the Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, UCLA School of Dentistry. “I am pleased to be a part of the company’s platform that encourages ongoing discussion that will drive enhancements in the dental industry. I look forward to seeing what solutions will come from the InnoCentive challenge.” Submit your oral or visual solution to one of the InnoCentive challenges here. For more information about Whole You, click here.