How to Play the Banjo.

How to Play the Banjo. Here’s Literally Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Playing the Banjo. ChaptersWhat is the Banjo?Famous Banjo Performances.How to Play the Banjo: Some Different Banjo Techniques.Where to Get Banjo Lessons.The banjo, with its unmistakeable percussive twang, is a beautiful and distinctive string instrument. Across the musical worlds of folk, blues, bluegrass, and traditional music, its presence is widely felt â€" and never to be missed.However, unlike its more famous six-string sibling, the guitar, it is not so easy to find resources and guidance on how to learn to play the banjo. In fact, most music stores in the UK â€" apart from the most specialist ones â€" hardly even stock them. And then there is the challenge of finding yourself a banjo lesson after that.Yet, it is not impossible. So, if your dream is to become a virtuosic banjoist, don’t give up just yet. This musical instrument deserves to have so many more players than it does â€" and, here, we’re going to show you how you can join the ranks of the banjo players yourself.We’re going to run through some of the key aspects of the banjo that you need to know â€" from its history to its physiognomy to its most famous and respected players and performances. And then we’ll show you how you can actually expect to find a banjo teacher where you are.As we said, it is far from impossible. With some basic knowledge and heap of commitment, you’ll be a proper banjo player in no time. So, let’s take a look.And, by the way, you can learn about playing the lute! PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Ry anGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is the Banjo?Even if you’re a total beginner, you’ve certainly heard a banjo â€" and probably seen one too. It’s perhaps one of the most characteristic instruments of American traditional music â€" developed by the African-American slave community before being appropriated by the white population â€" and, these days, it characterises the world of folk music.It’s easily recognised: four, five, or six strings that are stretched over the instrument’s ‘head’, a circular frame over which a plastic â€" or, more traditionally, animal skin â€" membrane is stretched. The result is a string instrument that produces a percussive, plucked sound, often with an underlying drone. Learn the banjo - like this bloke!How Many Strings Does a Banjo Have?As we said, the banjo’s number of strings can vary â€" and they are usually found with four, five, or six different strings.Despite these variations, the ‘normal’ or standard banjo has five strings. Usually, on the five-string banjo, whilst the rest of the strings stretch from the tuning nuts at the top to the bridge at the bottom, the fifth string starts from the fifth fret. This means that you have a string ready there to play whichever higher notes you might want to play.The four-string banjo might immediately be seen as something played like a bass guitar, but it is actually much more like a ukulele. You will play it like a uke â€" but, predictably enough, it will sound like a banjo.Something similar applies to the six-string banjo. However, it plays less like a uke and more like a normal six-string guitar. It retains its banjo sound, of course.Ever thought about learning the ukulele?Are there Different Ty pes of Banjo?The main distinction to be found in banjos is that in the number of strings. However, there are a number of niche instruments that suit particular styles of playing, which we will outline below.Something perhaps more important that you should be aware of first, though, is the resonator. On the head of a banjo â€" the instrument’s round body â€" is the plastic membrane through which the sound is produced.However, picture the other side of that body. Sometimes, this is left open. If so, this is called, quite predictably, an ‘open-backed’ banjo.The alternative is that the back is covered with a plate, which is called a resonator. These produce a much louder sound and the tone is heavier and punchier. If you are playing bluegrass â€" one of the most famous genres for the banjo â€" you’ll be wanting a resonator banjo.Meanwhile, here are some of the other major types of banjo:Plectrum banjo. We know that the five-string banjo usually has one string shorter. Take this away and you have what is called a plectrum banjo â€" which is usually played with a plectrum.Tenor banjo. Popularised by the banjoist from the Dubliners, the tenor banjo is an Irish development. A shorter neck and a particular tuning, the Irish tenor banjo is usually used as a rhythm instrument.Bass and cello banjo. These are much lower in pitch and were developed for banjo orchestras, believe it or not.Check out the mandolin and the cittern whilst you are here! Why not take up the banjo?Famous Banjo Performances.The history of the banjo is long. However, given its popular roots, the early practitioners of the instrument are not well known. In fact, it is in the twentieth century that the banjo became the famous â€" although alternative â€" instrument it is now.Here are two of the most famous banjoists of the twentieth century â€" as well as another band that purists won’t like…Earl Scruggs.Referred to as the father of bluegrass and one of the most important banjo players ever to have graced the planet, Earl Scruggs changed the way that people played the banjo.With his famous ‘Scruggs style’ â€" a three-fingered style which came to define bluegrass music â€" he influenced generations of banjo players after him.Béla Fleck.Of all contemporary banjo players, the Grammy award-winning Béla Fleck has done most to take the instrument out of its particular niche and apply it to all manner of musical styles.With his virtuosic style, his pen chant for jazz licks, and his absurdly talented band, the Flecktones, Fleck has given new life to the instrument.Mumford Sons.We did tell you that the purists wouldn’t like this. Whilst Mumford Sons aren’t exactly the most inventive of musicians, they have done music a great favour by popularising the banjo sound â€" at least in the UK.These days, you can’t be a folk band without a banjo â€" and that’s thanks to this country-inspired pop band.Find out about different types of string instruments!How to Play the Banjo: Some Different Banjo Techniques.Many guitarists often assume, because they can play a plucked string instrument, that they can play all of them. This isn’t exactly true â€" as the banjo has a number of specific techniques that are really quite different from standard guitar playing.Clawhammer.One of the most distinctive of banjo techniques is the clawhammer technique. This is notable for the fact that, when playing, you don’t pick upwards with your fingers â€" but rather downwards. Obviously, you won’t recognise this from the guitar.Get your hand into a claw-like shape and move it from the wrist (you don’t want to flick your fingers independently).This technique produces one of the most characteristic sounds the banjo produces.Scruggs Style.The typical bluegrass sound, Scruggs style is played with fingerpicks on the thumb and the first two fingers. You’ll want to alternate each in a ‘rolling’ pattern of arpeggios.With the Scruggs style, a melody is interwoven in the arpeggios played, with the result being a fast, often swung or syncopated rhythm.Irish Folk.One of the easier techniques for a beginner to learn is the Irish style of banjo playing.This is done usually with a pick â€" like a guitarist’s â€" and is usually played on a four-string tenor banjo. The banjoist Earl Scruggs (image from NPR)Where to Get Banjo Lessons.Now, the most important part of your musical learning journey, let’s find you a banjo teacher.An instrument teacher is without doubt the most important person in your musical education â€" apart from you of course â€" so make sure you choose them wisely.Your banjo player should be able to show the basic techniques, musical theory, and songs, for sure. But they should also inspire you to take an interest in everything about the instrument â€" and get you discovering your own favourite elements.Find a Banjo Tutor on Superprof.One of the best places to find a banjo tutor is through Superprof, our platform that connects students with tutors from across the world.We have twelve tutors available for online lessons, who will sit with you and show you everything you need to know about excelling in the instrument.Head to Your Local Music Store.If you in a town with a music store, one of the best places to find instrument l essons is right there. Just pop your head in and ask.Be aware, however, that the banjo is not like the guitar. Not every man and his dog can play and teach the banjo.Check Out Banjo Resources Online.The internet is a great place to learn new skills â€" and that includes learning the banjo too.You’ll find tablature, video tutorials, and all manner of other things online. So, if you have a banjo ready to be played â€" go and get started.

7 Things That You Absolutely Shouldnt Put In Your Resume - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 7 Things That You Absolutely Shouldnt Put In Your Resume - Introvert Whisperer 7 Things That You Absolutely Shouldnt Put In Your Resume   Resumes are viewed as opportunities to display capability. In fact, you are told to include all information you think will help you secure the job. However, this invitation seems to have been abused and is costing more people the job instead of offering them the opportunity. The reality is that employers receive hundreds of applications for every advert put out. This denies them the luxury of dealing with irrelevant entries in your resume. A resume must therefore only contain what is valuable to your application. This means that some items must be automatically expelled from your resume. Experts have given 8 common entries that will cost you your coveted position. 1. Work Experience Are you surprised because employers want people with working experience? Well, not all experience is relevant. Identify the instances you worked and got skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. You might have been an intern or worked part-time in a field that is not related to your qualification. Keep such information to yourself. This is why you should prepare different resumes for each job you apply so that you can include only the relevant information. The inclusion of irrelevant work experience blankets the most important information that your potential employer is interested in. The employer is left to search for details in a bulky resume. Employers do not have the time and will end up skipping your resume. Make your work experience section lean and relevant. Highlight the most relevant experience and you will capture the eye of your potential employer. 2. Personal Information Most job seekers are confused by the question, “Tell us about yourself” to the point of including personal information in their resumes. The most common personal information entered in resumes includes marital status, religion, height, parental status and hair color, among others. If your employer is interested in such information, you will be asked to provide it during the interview. Unless the advert has a provision for age, no one wants to know about it. There are very few instances where such information is necessary. If you are applying for a position in a religious organization that is sensitive about marital and religious status, you are welcome to include such details. In fact, the requirements indicated on the advert will guide you on the kind of information to provide. 3. Hobbies There is no doubt that employers want all rounded employees. But what you do during your free time will never be important to an employer. You might love biking, playing video games, taking nature photos or hiking, among many other hobbies, but they contribute zero to your work success. In fact, the next time your employer wants photos taken of operations at the firm or an event for the organization, he will never look for the employee who indicated that he enjoys taking photos. Do not ignore the hobbies all together. Find a way of bringing them up during the interview. Once your results are impressive, these hobbies will differentiate you from ordinary employees. They show that you are outgoing and take personal initiative. The company will also take pride in a good performer during a national dancing competition, or such events. 4. Praise Adjectives It is good to be tech savvy and a natural leader. It is also impressive to be a good problem solver and innovative. However, everyone can coin such phrases and include them in resumes. However, only a few can provide evidence of what their natural leadership or tech-savvy skills have done. In fact, organizations and employers are looking for these skills in their employees. However, they require employees who have demonstrated these skills. Other than state that you are a problem solver, highlight your strategic leadership and the results these skills brought to your former employer. 5. Falsehood One of the renowned entrepreneurs is famous for the quote to the effect that if you are offered a job and do not know how to do it, take the job first then learn how to do it. This does not work in the employment sector. Do not apply for a job you are not qualified and hope to learn upon employment. Do not state that you have worked for a company or employer yet you have not. Falsehood will catch up with you, even if it is later in life. Employers verify the information given in resumes. The minute they discover that it was false, you will be on your way out of the job. 6. Referees Employers will expressly state whether they need a referee in your resume or not. In fact, you will be asked to provide this information on a different page. Most employers talk to referees at the final stage of decision making. You will have passed several stages of interview and awaiting confirmation. It is advisable that you inform the referees in advance. They are in a position to give a positive word for you with prior information than when ambushed. Include referees who will add value to your job search. 7. Bluff And Inconsistencies A resume should always and only be informed by the job you are applying for. Check the qualification and information required and include it in the resume. Any other information that is not required should be ignored. In fact, you should have a resume that is brief and precise. One that provides the details required and makes it easier for the shortlisting team to spot the skills they are looking for. Based on the position applied and requirements of the candidate, make your resume as precise as possible. The ultimate guide for the information that goes into a resume is the candidate requirements on the advert. You have a responsibility of making it easy for the employer and vetting committee to spot required skills and pick them out amidst the thousands of applications made. Consult a professional in resume making to streamline your resume and make it attractive in the eyes of the employer. This is your sure way to employment. About the author: Betsy Randall  is a researcher and writer at TermPaperEasy with a Master Degree in Philosophy. Her Liberal Art Education is not an obstacle to learn new technology that she did her hobby. Also, she provides free tutoring lessons for students in the local school in Florida. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

A Day in the Life at Cornell University

A Day in the Life at Cornell University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Stephanie is a Houston tutor specializing in Literature tutoring, History tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, and much more. She graduated from Cornell University in 2004 with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. Check out her review of her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Stephanie: Cornell is located in the town of Ithaca, New York. The area immediately surrounding campus is referred to as College Town with Ithaca proper located just down the hill from the campus. It is a beautiful campus with rolling hills, gorges, and waterfalls. The campus is very safe, but you do need to use common sense when walking at night. The campus is divided according to schools and colleges. Each school or college within the university has its own quad or central location. On-campus bus transportation is convenient and Cornell students can purchase special bus passes for semester or annual use. Students also walk or bike to class. If you plan to walk or bike, be prepared for cold winters good boots are a must! Most of the upperclassmen, especially those who live off campus, typically have cars, but parking can be tricky on campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Stephanie: I felt that all of my professors, advisers, and TAs were accessible I just had to make an appointment or attend office hours. Since class sizes can vary tremendously depending on majors and colleges, I would highly recommend going to office hours to develop a rapport with the professor. This is especially true if you are interested in a particular subject or if you want to work with a particular professor later on in your collegiate life. A pre-existing relationship with a professor is also helpful if you choose to undertake a thesis because you select your own advisor. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Stephanie: All of the freshmen live together on North Campus and there are a variety of housing and dining options depending on personal preference. Answers that you provide to university polls on lifestyle and personality type will likely determine what type of housing environment in which you are placed. You can also request a certain dormitory or housing option. The dining halls on campus are first rate and accommodate every type of diet. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Stephanie: Cornells academics are highly respected and you will find top-notch professors and staff in every major and in every college. I was accepted to Cornells College of Arts and Sciences as an English major but switched majors halfway through my sophomore year to Sociology. Switching majors was easy since I was switching intra-college. It is possible to switch majors inter-college, but you will need to work closely with the registrar and your advisors to ensure that all of your academic requirements are satisfied. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Stephanie: Making friends at Cornell is a breeze! The student body is large and diverse, and there will definitely be people who have the same interests as you do! There is Greek life on campus, but there are so many other student groups that going Greek is by no means mandatory in order to feel accepted and develop close bonds with your peers. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Stephanie: The Career Center is fantastic and Cornell has a robust on-campus recruiting and interviewing initiative. All of the top companies and non-profits come to Cornell to interview. In addition, there are career fairs and the alumni network is very strong. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Stephanie: There are lots of spaces to study to fit every preference. Typically, you will find your favorite spot by the end of exams first semester. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Stephanie: Ithaca and College Town boast an impressive collection of restaurants, theatres, and bars and pubs. Cornell also has the Johnson Art Museum, the Ornithology Lab, a rare book collection, and many other state-of-the-art public resources. Cornell does a great job of bringing in music, theatre, and comedy acts to campus, as well as prominent speakers. For example, while I was at Cornell, I saw No Doubt play a show, went to see Jon Stewart, and President Bill Clinton delivered my commencement address. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Stephanie: Cornell is the largest Ivy League school with a student body of around 13,000, but the way the university divides itself by colleges makes it feel much smaller. Class size varies depending on subject matter and the particular college. Large classes will typically include both seminar (where new materials are presented) and a section that is taught by a TA with a class size of 10-15 (where material is reviewed). VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Stephanie: I dont think I can think of just one experience that I loved! I absolutely adored my time at Cornell I really did not want to leave. I found that everything, from the friends that I made to the instruction that I received, were more than I could have hoped for. Check out Stephanies tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Start Cooking on a Budget

Start Cooking on a Budget How Much Does it Cost to Learn How to Cook? ChaptersHow Much Does Cooking Equipment Cost?How Much Do Cooking Courses Cost?How Can You Learn to Cook for Free?Easy Recipes for Under £5“Cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music.” - Julia ChildHave you thought about opening a cookbook and making your own dishes rather than eating ready meals, instant soups, and leftovers?A lot of people enjoy cooking.What about you?Learning to cook can be quite the investment once you’ve bought the equipment you’ll need to make your own dishes. However, once you've got the equipment, it'll pay for itself as you can make hearty and healthy meals.Whether you’re cooking simple recipes or haute cuisine, you should probably opt for seasonal produce. In addition to saving money, you’ll also get the nutritional benefits of these products and you'll find it much easier to eat well. GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1s t lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Much Does Cooking Equipment Cost?To change your eating habits and start making your own delicious meals, you’ll need to get a few essentials. While you might think cooking on a budget is difficult, you don’t need a kitchen like they have on Masterchef.You don't need to offer haute cuisine to provide good food. (Source: neshom)You’re not going to be doing molecular gastronomy but rather some simple home cooking and healthy meals.Here is some essential cooking equipment you should get for preparing y our ingredients and how much they cost.A peeler for fruits and vegetables. These usually cost under £10. You should pay attention to what it’s made of (stainless steel, ceramic, plastic) and how sturdy the handle is.A good knife for cutting, slicing, etc. You’ll probably pay around £20 for a decent knife. Cheaper knives don't tend to last. Don’t forget a knife sharpener, too.A chopping board since you wouldn’t want to wreck your bench. This usually can work out between £5 and £10 depending on what you go for.For cooking meat and vegetables, you should get the following:A saucepan. If you live on your own, one should be enough. However, it’s recommended that you get two. A 20cm diameter saucepan ranges between £15 and £30.A frying pan. The price will vary depending on the quality and the covering. A 28cm diameter frying pan can cost between £15 and £40.A wooden spoon and spatula. These are often sold as a pack and are useful for mixing and won't scratch your pan whe n you stir a sauce. They usually cost around £5.Lids so that your sauces don’t spit onto the counter. You can get glass or stainless steel lids. You can buy them separately for between €15 and €25 or get pots and pans that come with them and you’ll save more money doing the latter.A strainer. Opt for a strainer with small holes so you can use it for stock, rice, and any type of pasta. This usually can work out between £5 and £10 depending on what you go for.An oven dish. This is essential for cooking stuff in the oven. They’re usually made of glass, but you can also get stainless steel ones. They cost between £5 and £20, depending on the size.Of course, if you’re interested in baking, you’ll probably want a measuring cup, kitchen scales, and mixing bowls.  When you cook for yourself, you can choose what you eat and, therefore, eat more healthily and save money.So when are you going to start?How Much Do Cooking Courses Cost?There are several options for those who w ant to learn how to become a chef:Attending a cookery schoolDoing a cooking workshopStudying a degree in gastronomyTaking private cooking tutorialsThere are cooking schools in larger cities. Thus, a student who wants to learn traditional recipes may have to spend a substantial amount of money.Simple ingredients can make simple dishes that taste delicious. (Source: congerdesign)For example, the Cordon Bleu in London is a culinary arts, wine and management school that was founded in the early 1930s with a focus on the cooking techniques that were being taught to gourmet French chefs. The school was initially founded as L’Ecole du Petit Cordon Bleu by Rosemary Hume and Dione Lucas after being allowed to take the Cordon Bleu tradition to the UK.Did you know that Hume created the recipe for “Poulet Reine Elizabeth” for the Queen's coronation?This recipe is more commonly known as “Coronation Chicken”.The longer courses (such as the Grand Diplôme) can cost nearly £35,000 for 9 months. This is the kind of course where you will learn the art of cooking, every single technique, and all the cooking methods that the worlds best chefs have mastered. Of course, since you'll learn how to prepare a large variety of dishes, you'll be expected to handle seafood, veal (amongst other meats), and alcohol.There are four main culinary arts diplomas offered by the school: cuisine, pâtisserie, boulangerie, and gastronomy and nutrition.There are plenty of cooking workshops up and down the country.The Diplôme de Cuisine can be studied over 9 months or intensively over 6. This is the course that teaches students classic techniques.The Pastry and Confectionary diploma (Diplôme de Pâtisserie) also lasts for 9 months (6 months intensive) and includes cake making and decorating.The Diplôme de Boulangerie focuses on making bread dough, viennoiserie, and other baked goods. This course lasts 7 months and is useful for anyone wanting to open and run their own bakery.Le Cordon Bl eu also offers short courses on various techniques, summer cooking courses, wine tasting, and cake decorating. These courses can be as short as two hours or as long as three weeks. These could be ideal for amateur chefs who want to get better at preparing pastry or gain some fundamental knife skills (in the kitchen, of course!).You could also opt for private cooking tutorials if you’re interested in learning a few different recipes or culinary techniques.On Superprof, a private cooking tutorial costs around £25 per hour. However, a lot of tutors offer their first hour of tutoring for free. This is a good opportunity to see if you get along.  Of course, the cost will vary depending on where you are and your tutor’s experience and qualifications.Find cooking classes london.How Can You Learn to Cook for Free?You don’t have to break the bank to learn how to cook. Quite the opposite. You can learn to make gourmet dishes for very little money.When done right, cooking can be a lot o f fun. (Source: 089photoshootings)As a beginner learning to cook on a budget, you might make a few mistakes, so here’s some advice to help you:Be organised: from going to the supermarket to making your dishes, you should avoid waste at all costs.Read the recipe before you start cooking so that you know what to expect.Test the recipe before you cook it for your friends and family.To learn more about stress-free cooking, there are a few good options:Cooking MOOCs: a MOOC is an online course and you can study a variety of different subjects. There are MOOCs on cooking and you can learn the basics as well as more advanced techniques thanks to them.Video tutorials on YouTube: there are plenty of freely accessible video tutorials on YouTube with recipes and explanations of certain cooking techniques.Cooking websites and blogs: again the internet is home to a lot of useful resources for those on a budget. Check out some of the most popular websites and blogs for useful recipes and advice .When it comes to cooking, practice makes perfect! You can find recipes for whatever you fancy from ham omelettes, lasagna, stuffed vegetables, beef stew, etc, and more often than not, the simplest dishes are the best!Easy Recipes for Under £5When we say dishes for less than a fiver, we’re not talking about canned beans on toast, instant noodles, or prepackaged sandwiches or leftover curry from the night before! When you go grocery shopping, you can fill your pantry with inexpensive and nutritious ingredients and start making healthier meals.You need to be organised from the very moment you arrive at the market! (Source:Make sure your cupboards are stocked up with useful vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, peas, etc. You can also keep veggies in your fridge or freezer for making filling stews, a casserole, a broth, or other money saving dishes like a stir-fry, chilli con carne, etc.There are plenty of budget recipes available online or in cooking magazines and recipe books. Here are a couple of examples to inspire you.Roast Camembert SurprisePreparation time: 15 minutes.Cooking time: 40 minutes.Ingredients for serving four people:1 Camembert1 yellow onion3 tablespoons of brown sugar10g of raisins4 large slices of breadParsley and chives100g of unsalted butter1 tablespoon of brown sugarCiderPreparation:Peel and slice the onion before browning it in a frying pan with butter.Add the vinegar and reduce for two minutes. Add the sugar and reduce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.Cut an 8cm diameter hole in the Camembert and remove it.Full the hole with onions, raisins, and herbs.Put the lid back on the Camembert and wrap it in tinfoil.Cook for 20 minutes at 200 °C.Toast the bread and cut it into soldiers.Serve with a green salad and cider.Chocolate/Orange/Apricot Gooey CookiesPreparation time: 15 minutes.Cooking time: 20 minutes.Ingredients for 16 cookies:50g of unsalted butter50g of slightly salted butter1 egg100g of cane sugar200g of flour1 orange8 tender a pricots1 teaspoon of baking powder75g of milk chocolatePreparation:Dice the apricots, zest the orange, and grind the chocolate.Beat the eggs, baking powder, and half of the flour.Add the butter and sugar and work the dough with your hands.Add the chocolate, apricots, and orange zest before adding the rest of the flour.Create 40g piles of dough (around a tablespoon) onto a baking tray.Bake for 12 to 14 minutes at 180 °C.Cooking VocabularyWhen you learn how to cook, you’ll also need to learn the jargon. In each of our cooking articles, we’ve included a few definitions to help you so make sure to read the other articles.ZestZesting is when you remove the zest (the outer coloured part of a citrus fruit peel) to use to flavour food. Don’t use the white part.ConcasseThis is when you crush or grind something into large pieces. It commonly refers to a process used on tomatoes.

Math Tips from a Calculus Tutor

Math Tips from a Calculus Tutor Today we welcome Cory Sweet, veteran math tutor and South Bay calculus department head, to our blog! Cory is sharing his top three math tips for success in any math class, from algebra 1 all the way up through AP calculus and beyond.Math Tip #1: Show your work! (No mental math!)My first math tip to help you succeed is something all of your math teachers are already telling you to do on every test, quiz, and homework assignment: show your work! By showing your work on every problem, you’re actually helping the teacher and yourself. On tests and quizzes, this is your chance to show your teacher what you know. When you only write down the final answer, the teacher has no idea if you know and understand the process of getting to that answer. It might as well be a random guess, or even a result of cheating! When you present your work neatly and efficiently, you demonstrate that you know all of the steps to reach the answer. In case you still have questions, consider Private Tutoring At Home.There is a second part to this math tip: by showing all of your work, you’re not doing any math in your head. One thing I tell all of my students is that doing math in your head is a great party trick, but it gets you nothing on tests and quizzes. I can’t even begin to count the number of mistakes I’ve seen students make when they could have easily used a calculator or written out the problem. By doing math in your head, you’re more likely to make a mistake! Instead, write out each step, check your math with a calculator (if allowed), and work methodically and at a decent pace. Writing down your work won’t fix every mistake, but it will reduce your chances of making them. Bonus: if you do make the occasional mistake, your teacher is more likely to give you partial credit if they can see your process.Math Tip #2: Study a little bit each dayMy second math tip has to do with worst and best studying practices. Imagine that you have a test on Friday, and you estimate that two hours of studying should be plenty. Some students will study for two hours the night before the test, thinking that this will be enough time to learn the material.I’m here to tell you that cramming the night before the test is one of the most inefficient ways to study. It is only slightly better than not studying at all! By having a two-hour study block the night before, you might create more problems for yourself. First, You might stay up late to finish other homework and so are too tired to do well on the test. Also, you might encounter a concept that you don’t understand, with little time to learn it. Lastly, you might not actually learn the material that well!I want you to think of something you enjoy but need to practice to improve. This could be an instrument, a sport, a gameâ€"anything that requires effort. Now, I’m going to offer you two ways to study: you can practice for two hours at 4 p.m. for a week or for ten hours on a Saturday. Which did you choose? Hopeful ly the first option! Both take the same amount of total time, but you will retain more over a longer period. One word comes to mind when I think about practicing for ten hours straight: fatigue. Instead, the best way to study is to practice persistence and do a little bit each day. With regular practice, you can train yourself to think differently, develop muscle memory, and improve performance and technique. After all, slow and steady wins the race!Math Tip #3: Spaghetti on the wallMy final math tip concerns what you should do when you come across a problem that you’re not sure how to tackle. I am a huge advocate of throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks. No, this doesn’t mean you should start playing baseball with pasta. Rather, it means that trial and error in math is often a valid approach. Far too often I’ve seen this situation: a student will read a math problem and then will think and think and think but never do anything, frozen with indecision. My advice: pick something and just give it a try.There’s no way of knowing if that problem-solving method in your head will work until you actually put pencil to paper and try it out. If it doesn’t work, it’s not a big dealâ€"turn your pencil around, erase, and try again! Each time you try a new strategy, you’ll get a little closer to solving the problem. You might notice a piece of information you missed the first time, spot a careless mistake, or realize that you need to draw a diagram. Even if you don’t end up getting the right answer, you may still get some partial credit from your teacherâ€"better to have something written down on the paper to show that you engaged with the problem!Thanks, Cory, for all those great math tips! To learn more about tutoring at AJ and math homework help from homeworkdoer, click here.

Meta Testing Strategy for the LSAT

Meta Testing Strategy for the LSAT LSAT Law School Blog There are many things to keep in mind while studying for the LSAT exam. It’s overwhelming enough to try to master techniques for each of the sections. But at some point, take a break from driving yourself crazy with the logic questions and the games, and consider some other overall strategies that can help improve your score: Bring your own watch. It’s essential to keep track of time. Who knows if you can see the clock â€" who knows if there will be a clock? Control your conditions as much as you can. Learn to shake it off â€" Just like the Cash Cab host tells contestants who miss the red light challenge to “shake it off,” train yourself to shake off sections that you feel don’t go well. Don’t pay attention to the people around you - Chances are you aren’t even working on the same sections at the same time. The exam booklets are shuffled into different orders. You don’t know what your neighbor is working on and you shouldn’t care. Don’t let yourself get distracted; don’t break your rhythm. Don’t talk to others about the test on breaks - If someone tells you they thought the reading comprehension was easy and you thought it was hard, you may just waste energy worrying about it. Plus, you may have taken an experimental section, and you might get the easier one later in the day. Never leave a question blank. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Always take the last few seconds before time is called to go back through to answer the ones you weren’t sure about. Make blind guesses on the rest. If I haven’t even looked at a question, I always choose “B.” Don’t put your pencil down until you absolutely have to. Keep your energy up - It’s a long day. Bring energy snacks to have on hand when you’re flagging. These strategies can help you from losing points, and may even help you gain some. I also found that it gave me a sense of calm and control going into what is such a high stakes situation. By being more relaxed, it may help you as you work the questions as well.

GCSE and A-Level exam revision resources

GCSE and A-Level exam revision resources Many students will be revising for exams during the next few weeks so we have listed a few sites that provide useful resources and revision material for GCSE and A-Level exams. GCSE and A-Level Maths Exam Solutions is a very popular site with endless resources for GCSE and A-Level students. Get Revising provides exam preparation which includes a tool for creating revision timetables, a revision card tool and quiz generators. Students can share materials and recommendations too. The Student Room is a forum for maths and other subjects too. A place to share revision tips and receive homework help. S-cool An excellent site that provides GCSE and A-Level revision material on many academic subjects. GCSE and A-Level English and English literature EnglishBiz is packed with revision material for English and English Literature exams. It also provides study guides for GCSE English novels and poems. GCSE Bitesize from the BBC has top revision resources in many subjects. It includes a very active message board. Audio clips can be downloaded too. SparkNotes is a valuable learning platform for for A-level English Literature revision. Teachit provides a selection of guides and learning resources, including audio files of classic poems and much more! It's important to prepare an active revision method that works for you. Below are some common methods that many students use. Make your own mind maps or spider diagrams and stick them on the wall! Get a friend to test you. Tape notes and play them back. Prepare yourself questions - go over the wrong answers. Use mnemonics (eg.order of colours in the rainbow- Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green Blue, Indigo, Violet) Practise past exam papers. We wish all students the very best of luck with their exams!

How to Update Your Teaching Resume

How to Update Your Teaching Resume As a teacher, regularly updating your resume - and LinkedIn profile - is always useful, even if you’re not currently job hunting. It will help you to keep track of your achievements, and if an exciting teaching opportunity does arise, you’ll be ready to apply.The most important point to remember is that a teaching resume is marketing you to a potential employer. It’s not simply pages of employment history. You’re a teacher after all, so it goes without saying that excellent command of language will be expected.In the coming year, institutions around the world will be on the hunt for only the brightest teachers, and competition is getting tougher. Here is our advice on how to upgrade your resume to stand out.Concentrate on key skillsA good teacher resume should represent who the applicant is and why they’re great at teaching. This means that skills should be the main focus and continue to be referred to throughout. If you’re applying for a specific role, ensure you include the key attributes the job requires. If a posting makes a point of asking for candidates with experience of working with a certain computer program, for example, make sure you clearly state your ability to use the software.On LinkedIn, use of keywords in your profile summary can optimize it in search results. If a teaching institution is looking for teachers with a specific ability, qualification or skill, you could rank as number one in their results. Also, ensure that your skills section is accurate and work on your endorsements.Emphasize your accomplishmentsResumes can be easily refreshed by adding more depth to role descriptions. Employers are looking to see what you have achieved so far as a teacher, not a long list of your classroom duties - they’re aware of what teaching involves! Rather than simply stating that you taught science to high school students and demonstrated experiments, explain how you inspired your pupils to engage with difficult topics or assisted a challen ging class to reach their targets. Include which areas of your experience you particularly developed further in each role.Have international appealWhen applying for a teaching job abroad, make sure your resume is in a standardized, international format. Read the application guidelines in the posting carefully and follow them. Research typical resume layouts in the countries of interest and organize yours accordingly. If a resume is presented in a familiar way, a prospective employer will find it easier to read and navigate, making them more likely to take notice.Keep it short and sweetA new teaching position means another paragraph on your resume. However, in general a resume should never be more than two pages long, and this rule still stands even if a candidate has several years of experience. Whatever you do, don’t try and cram it all into two pages by choosing size 6 font or making drastic changes to the page layout. Be ruthless and remove the least relevant or most outdated r ole if length becomes an issue.If you are highly experienced, it may be worth creating a separate biography, detailing all of your past roles and experience for your own reference. Some institutions may want to go through your entire teaching history but they will generally only ask for this at a later application stage.Get it proofreadA teacher resume littered with spelling mistakes and incorrect grammar is not going to make a good impression. It’s likely you’ve read through your resume hundreds of times checking for errors, but sometimes this is counterproductive. Computer spell checks don’t always pick up on names, places or grammar. Ask a friend or family member to read over it for you. They may spot mistakes you’ve missed or have advice on how to improve the overall flow and tone. If you can get another education professional to check through it, even better.Best of luck with your teaching career in 2014!