Benefits of Organic Chemistry Tutor Work

Benefits of Organic Chemistry Tutor WorkThe organic chemistry tutor work provides a working environment for students to learn. The students can also have a chance to test the laboratory and process of teaching without having to worry about their performance. This is why students prefer to get involved in the organic chemistry tutor work because it provides a lot of benefits.It is the most convenient and interesting work that can be done anywhere. If you live near to your school or college then it is not a problem to get to your school for your studies. You can simply visit your school with the help of a tutor. The student can have fun and interact with other students in the classroom. These activities allow students to learn much faster.The organic chemistry tutor work can be done on your own at home or at your own place. The student does not need to travel far from home to do his research. You can have a chance to have a chat with the teachers and even ask questions. The students ge t a chance to get to know more about the subject and become familiar with the teachers and other students.The organic chemistry tutor work will also make your child able to learn the subject at a fast pace. There is no fear that he will fail in the next year. There is no stress at all that the student will be tired in the coming years. This is very important if the student wants to pass the test in the next semester.There are many different things that the students get to do as part of the tutor work. Some of these include taking tests, sitting on the same bench as the teacher and have discussions with him. They can also ask any question they have which are related to the subject.The tutor work has made sure that the students become proficient in the subject and can learn the lessons easily. When it comes to science, everyone has to be concerned about his grades. Students must ensure that they can do well so that they can get a better job and a good career.Some parents cannot even s pare enough time to go through the work of their children in the school. The organic chemistry tutor work will give students the chance to keep up with their studies. The organic chemistry tutor work is not only about learning but it also helps the students to grow and learn something new every day.

Learn English Food Idioms - Learn English with Harry ??

Learn English Food Idioms - Learn English with Harry ?? Food is one of our favourite  topics and whether you are trying to eat less or wishing we could eat more, it is a constant conversation piece. Today,   you will learn English Food Idioms. Lets start! Share! Help other students to improve English. 1. APPLES AND ORANGES   used when trying to compare two things that are very differentex. He bought a new car, it was a Mercedes. He used to drive a Fiat. It was like comparing apples with oranges. They were two totally different cars.Dont forget to watch my short video lesson What does Apples and Oranges mean English Food Idioms 2. A BANANA SKIN when something is likely to cause you to halt or to slip upex. His business was doing well. However the bank were not prepared to lend any more money. This was the banana skin on which his business would slip.3. TO GO NUTS to get very upset or to go mad  ex. The car driver did not see him parked on the street and crashed into him. He went nuts when he saw all the damage.4. A COUCH POTATO   someone who sits at home all day on the sofa watching TVex. He had not been out with his friends for many months. His wife told him to stop being a couch potato and take her to the restaurant.5. NOT TO PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET   to spread your risksex. David wanted to invest his money in an oil company. His adviser told him to invest in a number of different companies and spread his risk. He told him it was not wise to put all your eggs in one basket.6. AS COOL AS A CUCUMBER  â€" to stay very calm and relaxed, especially when everyone else around you is nervous or stressed ex. He stayed as cool as a cucumber during his driving test and passed it first time. English Food Idioms Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do next: 7. TO GO BANANAS  â€" to behave in a silly or crazy way, to get angryex. Mum will go bananas when she sees your school report.8. NOT MY CUP OF TEA if something is your cup of tea, it means you like or enjoy it. We usually use it in a negative sentence.ex. My husband loves cricket, but its not my cup of tea.9. PIECE OF CAKE something is very easy to doex. My English test was a piece of cake.10. TO PAY PEANUTS to pay very little moneyex. I recently left my job because Ive been paid peanuts for ages.11. TO BRING HOME THE BACONA very common and popular food in many countries especially in the UK and Ireland.  In Ireland for many years bacon and cabbage was the traditional meal for many families. The person who brings home the bacon is usually the main earner in the family or bread winner.  So now when we refer to this idiom it means that we are referring to the key person in the family he/she who earns the most and pays the bills.ex. The father in the family retired and his son took o ver the business. He made all the decision as he brought home the bacon.12. THAT’S HOW THE COOKIE CRUMBLESCookies  (biscuits)  are very tasty but usually very delicate and can break easily and leave crumbs everywhere. Thats how the cookie crumbles  means  that it is  just the way things happen and you can do nothing about it.ex. Deirdre had been thinking for a long time to change her car. The garage had advertised a really special deal if you changed the car before the end of the month. She went in to the garage on the 2nd of February and was told she was too late. She was really disappointed. But thats the way the cookie crumbles. You are too late!!

Three Ways to Worry Less for a Higher GRE Score

Three Ways to Worry Less for a Higher GRE Score GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog There are two games you must win if you want to score well on the GRE. The first is what I call the “outer” game. It consists of the how-to’s for getting right answers â€" the x’s and o’s, if you will â€" including math concepts, vocabulary, formulas, strategic elimination strategies, time management, and other such tangible applications. The outer game is where GRE students spend most of their time, and it’s what our online GRE prep courses do such a great job of teaching. However, equally important to your success on test day is your ability to conquer the “inner game” of the GRE. This is what takes place between your ears â€" your anxiety, your nerves, your overall worry. If you’re not able to tame those emotions both during your preparation in the weeks leading up to your exam and on exam day itself, then it may not matter how much you’ve prepared for the outer game because you’ll have a hard time staying calm and thinking clearly to transfer that knowledge into right answers. Students often overlook this crucial component of their GRE preparation, to their detriment. I don’t want that to be your story. Worrying about the GRE: Will it help? There’s a great movie that came out a few years ago starring Tom Hanks called “Bridge of Spies.” The character played by Hanks is a lawyer recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in the American courts. As the plot heats up, there are numerous times when the spy’s life is in jeopardy. Yet, the spy always appears to have a calm, even-keeled demeanor. Confused by this, Hanks asks him: “Aren’t you worried?” Each time the spy responds: “Would it help?” I love that! The retort has stuck with me because it’s so true. No matter what’s happening to us in life or how high the stakes appear to be, the act of worrying itself doesn’t really help at all, does it? In fact, it’s often counter-productive. Worrying raises our blood pressure and stresses our health. It keeps us from thinking clearly. It bogs us down and often keeps us from taking the action that actually could help the situation. And when it comes to the GRE, worrying is the surest way to lose the inner game we’ve been talking about. But the good news is, you can bring your test anxiety under control with a few proven mindset shifts. Here are three ways to worry less about the GRE for a higher score on test day. #1: Prepare well, and then trust your preparation. The Greek poet Archilochus famously said: We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training. How true that is. When it comes to the GRE, preparation (or training, to use Archilochus’s word) and worry have an inverse relationship. The less prepared you feel, the more worried you are about how you’re going to do. Conversely, the better prepared you are, the less anxiety you feel. The graph looks something like this: The performance of elite athletes illustrates this perfectly. I used to assume that star athletes felt incredibly nervous in the biggest moments. When Michael Jordan was standing at the foul line trying to sink a shot to win the big game, wasn’t he a nervous wreck? Heck, my heart rate went up just watching him â€" and I was sitting comfortably on my own couch! But no. It turns out that the best athletes actually feel calm in those moments because they default to their training. Michael Jordan shot tens of thousands of foul shots in practice, so he could literally make one with his eyes closed (which he famously did in a real game once). At the most important times, professional athletes are confident knowing that they’ve prepared well, and they can trust that preparation to carry them through. So for you on the GRE, put in the work. Prepare to the best of your ability (perhaps by taking our comprehensive online GRE prep course). And then once you’re done, trust that preparation. You’re ready for whatever the GRE can throw at you, so there’s no reason to worry! #2: Take the focus off yourself. Worry is a self-focused emotion. I’m so stressed out about the GRE. What if I get a bad score? My future depends on how well I do on the GRE. What if I run out of time? I’ve never been good at math. I…. Me…. etc. That’s an unhealthy mindset to have when preparing for the GRE. Not only unhealthy, but unhelpful. So take the focus off yourself. Instead, think about how doing well on the GRE can benefit others. In “Learn the Secret Ingredient for Dominating the GRE” I talk about the importance of connecting with your “Why” for wanting to go to grad school in the first place. Perhaps it’s to provide a better life for your kids. Maybe it’s to make a positive impact in the lives of others through social work. Or perhaps you want to become a nurse to help others live healthier lives. Whatever it is, there’s almost always a larger purpose that graduate school can help you achieve. Focus on that, and it will take a lot of the pressure off because now it’s no longer about you. #3: Adopt a healthier “big-picture” perspective. We tend to worry the most when we blow things out of proportion. One of the best ways to worry less about the GRE â€" and really, anything in life â€" is to remember where it fits into the bigger picture. Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the moon, said this about looking back at Earth from space: “It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn’t feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.” Ultimately our time here on Earth is short, and life will go on tomorrow whether you do well on the GRE or not. The sun will still rise. You’ll still have food to eat and air to breathe. And frankly, that’s more than a lot of people in the world can say. Having lived in Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, I saw first-hand what it was like when most people don’t even finish primary school, let alone high school or college. So what a privilege it is for you to even be thinking about going to graduate school! Doing so puts you in the top percentage of people worldwide in terms of education and career prospects. It’s important for you to do well on the GRE, I get it. You should do well. But don’t blow the GRE out of proportion. Once you realize that the worst-case scenario of a sub-par GRE score may not ruin your life as much as you think it will, the worry starts to go away. And that’s a much more positive place to operate from. Summary Consider the following two GRE candidates. Candidate A walks into the testing center fearful and dreading the experience. She’s worried that she’ll see questions she doesn’t know and won’t get the score she needs to get into her target graduate program. Conversely, Candidate B wakes up the morning of her test full of energy. This is the day she’s been working toward. It’s time to put her preparation to the test, and she’s confident that she’s ready. No matter how it turns out, she know she’s done everything she can to put herself in the best position for success. It’s game day. Bring it on! Which candidate do you think is more likely to perform to the best of her ability? My money is on Candidate B. Even if the two candidates studied the exact same amount, Candidate B’s mindset is much better, and that makes a huge difference. I want you to be like Candidate B. I want you to walk into the GRE testing center from a place of confidence rather than from a place of fear or worry. I want you to be positive and optimistic as you’re preparing for the GRE, and clear-headed and self-assured when you sit down to take the real thing. To do that, move beyond worry by taking to heart the three tips presented here. About the Author Brett Ethridge is the founder of Dominate Test Prep, creator of the industry’s most effective online prep courses for the GRE and GMAT. He’s an avid tennis player, a huge Duke basketball fan, and is passionate about empowering students to dominate their standardized test and get into the graduate school of their choice.

I Finished the italki October Language Challenge Early!

I Finished the italki October Language Challenge Early! This blog post reposted with permission. Originally appeared here on Kokothepolyglots blog site. I Finished The Italki October Language Challenge Early! -15 October, 2014 By Koko Polyglot Well this is an unexpected but pleasant surprise! Not only am I happy to announce that I’ve already completed the italki October Language Challenge early but I also got in one extra lesson as well. How cool is that? I guess the third time really was the charm. Since I have a lot going on this month, I had to book as many sessions in a short amount of time. Which meant there were times I had 3 lessons in one day! That was intense but I have to say my spoken Japanese has made quite a bit of improvement. Book All Your Sessions Ahead Of Time This is probably one of the best tips LindsayDoesLanguages recommends and this time it worked out really well for me! I made sure that I booked all if not most prior to the sessions themselves. Especially since I joined the language later than I did the last two. But unlike the last two, I was able to make sure every lesson was booked accordingly. Which meant taking up to three sessions in one day while tutoring students as well! By booking in advance you can work your schedule around the sessions instead of trying to fit them in when you can. I think my biggest mistake in the previous challenges was that I did not book enough sessions in advance. Had I done that I would have been able to take all sessions and even have time to reschedule ones that conflicted with the tutor’s schedule. Use A Variety Of Tutors This might be better advice for some languages rather than others. Especially if there aren’t many tutors for your target language. Luckily, Japanese is popular enough that I was able to use a wide variety of tutors to work with. Each Community Tutor and Professional Teacher have their unique method of teaching that you could benefit from the variety while finding out which tutors are best for you. Find tutors who cater to your specific needs and go from there. I recommend the following tutors for Japanese: Annie, Haru, Gosxi, Koichi, momonoki01, Tomaliko, Yuki, Tatsu, Masa, and Teacher ?? (Hanako). If you’re looking for reading practice during your session I would recommend Noriko  just for that. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Annie???Haru???Gosxi???????????01???Tomaliko???Yuki??, Tatsu???Masa????????? ???????????Noriko???????????? Focus On What You Want To Accomplish Setting goals for what you would like to achieve in your target language is important. My main goal for Japanese was to express myself more fluidly when I spoke. I felt like I was about to complete that goal because it was my primary focus. While I did get reading in, I didn’t get a chance to read the Nightmare Before Christmas in Japanese yet. So maybe I’ll get a chance to read at least the first two chapters before the end of the month. I’ll will keep you updated on how that goes and what unique words I’ve learned along the way. I always try to do something to keep me motivated during these challenges and doing a multitude of things can help you improve both input (reading and listening) as well as output (speaking and writing). What Next? I’m going to be focusing on Japanese for quite some time but moving on to my next language adventure. I will keep you updated when it is needed to be revealed. In the meantime, I will be attempting to read the Nightmare Before Christmas completely in Japanese. My goal for that was to read at least two chapters. This will be my make priority for Japanese next week. I will also be doing my SRS repetitions on Memrise and LingQ as well as watch interesting content in Japanese. How are you doing in the italki October Language Challenge? Have you completed the challenge already? Still have a ways to go? Almost done? I would love to hear about your progress! ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I Finished the italki October Language Challenge Early! This blog post reposted with permission. Originally appeared here on Kokothepolyglots blog site. I Finished The Italki October Language Challenge Early! -15 October, 2014 By Koko Polyglot Well this is an unexpected but pleasant surprise! Not only am I happy to announce that I’ve already completed the italki October Language Challenge early but I also got in one extra lesson as well. How cool is that? I guess the third time really was the charm. Since I have a lot going on this month, I had to book as many sessions in a short amount of time. Which meant there were times I had 3 lessons in one day! That was intense but I have to say my spoken Japanese has made quite a bit of improvement. Book All Your Sessions Ahead Of Time This is probably one of the best tips LindsayDoesLanguages recommends and this time it worked out really well for me! I made sure that I booked all if not most prior to the sessions themselves. Especially since I joined the language later than I did the last two. But unlike the last two, I was able to make sure every lesson was booked accordingly. Which meant taking up to three sessions in one day while tutoring students as well! By booking in advance you can work your schedule around the sessions instead of trying to fit them in when you can. I think my biggest mistake in the previous challenges was that I did not book enough sessions in advance. Had I done that I would have been able to take all sessions and even have time to reschedule ones that conflicted with the tutor’s schedule. Use A Variety Of Tutors This might be better advice for some languages rather than others. Especially if there aren’t many tutors for your target language. Luckily, Japanese is popular enough that I was able to use a wide variety of tutors to work with. Each Community Tutor and Professional Teacher have their unique method of teaching that you could benefit from the variety while finding out which tutors are best for you. Find tutors who cater to your specific needs and go from there. I recommend the following tutors for Japanese: Annie, Haru, Gosxi, Koichi, momonoki01, Tomaliko, Yuki, Tatsu, Masa, and Teacher ?? (Hanako). If you’re looking for reading practice during your session I would recommend Noriko  just for that. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Annie???Haru???Gosxi???????????01???Tomaliko???Yuki??, Tatsu???Masa????????? ???????????Noriko???????????? Focus On What You Want To Accomplish Setting goals for what you would like to achieve in your target language is important. My main goal for Japanese was to express myself more fluidly when I spoke. I felt like I was about to complete that goal because it was my primary focus. While I did get reading in, I didn’t get a chance to read the Nightmare Before Christmas in Japanese yet. So maybe I’ll get a chance to read at least the first two chapters before the end of the month. I’ll will keep you updated on how that goes and what unique words I’ve learned along the way. I always try to do something to keep me motivated during these challenges and doing a multitude of things can help you improve both input (reading and listening) as well as output (speaking and writing). What Next? I’m going to be focusing on Japanese for quite some time but moving on to my next language adventure. I will keep you updated when it is needed to be revealed. In the meantime, I will be attempting to read the Nightmare Before Christmas completely in Japanese. My goal for that was to read at least two chapters. This will be my make priority for Japanese next week. I will also be doing my SRS repetitions on Memrise and LingQ as well as watch interesting content in Japanese. How are you doing in the italki October Language Challenge? Have you completed the challenge already? Still have a ways to go? Almost done? I would love to hear about your progress! ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

6 Ways to Spend February Break? - by TutorNerds

6 Ways to Spend February Break? - by TutorNerds Tips From An Orange County Academic Tutor: 6 Ways to Spend February Break Some schools offer a full week off in February, otherwise known as ski week in colder climates and beach week in Southern California. Many students will simply have Friday and Monday off but for those who have a full week to spare, there are many productive ways they can spend it. 1. Relax   and recharge This is a top choice for many students who are just trying to survive through the end of the academic year. Students who are not yet into their college prep years would be wise to simply take a break so that their brains are powered up to work hard through June. 2. Get organized Students who are currently in middle school or high school will benefit from spending some time going through all of those binders, folders and piles of paper on the floor from semesters past. Now is a good time to get rid of any assignments that are no longer needed. Many students are digging through overstuffed folders at this point in the year and often lose current assignments, which leads them to fall behind. 3. Go SAT crazy Students who are taking the SAT and ACT in May or June can use this week to take a practice test. It probably won’t be their first choice but its a good way to run some academic diagnostics to see if it’s time to consult an Irvine test prep tutor (READ: How Many Hours of Tutoring Do I Need To Improve My SAT Score by 100 Points?). 4. Make AP plans The majority of students who are successful on the AP exams start their test prep no later than March 1st. Even if students are getting grades in the A range in their AP classes, the test is a whole other matter. Spending two or three hours this week will help students know what theyre in for and ensure that they can get at least a 3 if not better on the AP exams in May (READ: Advanced Placement Exam Prep in the Competitive Orange County School System). 5. Look at colleges Any juniors out there who have not yet made plans to look at colleges should definitely think about doing that this week. Although private tours and interviews require an appointment, students who are simply looking to get a feel for the college campus lifestyle can join any of the university’s prescheduled tours. Sophomores who are not quite ready to make a final decision about the colleges they want to apply to, might use this time to simply look at the local state college and get a feel for campus life. Sophomore year is certainly not too early to start researching colleges. 6. Complete some volunteer hours Many students fall behind on their volunteer hours due to numerous academic and athletic commitments. If students are not going out of town during their break, its a good time to catch up on some volunteering. This doesnt have to be an unpleasant activity; students are strongly encouraged to explore volunteer experiences that they are genuinely interested in. Although now mandatory, community service can still be heavily enriching. Call the local hospital to deliver flowers to overnight patients, enjoy caring for kittens and puppies at the local animal shelter, and show kindness by delivering sack lunches and hygiene kids to the local homeless population (READ: Getting Your Community Service Credits). In Short However a student chooses to spend their February break, theres no right or wrong answer for the entire teen population. Students are encouraged to look at their past and future commitments, their current level of stress, and what they need to get done before June in order to make appropriate decisions. Enjoy your break! All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about â€" our Orange County private academic tutors are happy to help. 6 Ways to Spend February Break? - by TutorNerds Tips From An Orange County Academic Tutor: 6 Ways to Spend February Break Some schools offer a full week off in February, otherwise known as ski week in colder climates and beach week in Southern California. Many students will simply have Friday and Monday off but for those who have a full week to spare, there are many productive ways they can spend it. 1. Relax   and recharge This is a top choice for many students who are just trying to survive through the end of the academic year. Students who are not yet into their college prep years would be wise to simply take a break so that their brains are powered up to work hard through June. 2. Get organized Students who are currently in middle school or high school will benefit from spending some time going through all of those binders, folders and piles of paper on the floor from semesters past. Now is a good time to get rid of any assignments that are no longer needed. Many students are digging through overstuffed folders at this point in the year and often lose current assignments, which leads them to fall behind. 3. Go SAT crazy Students who are taking the SAT and ACT in May or June can use this week to take a practice test. It probably won’t be their first choice but its a good way to run some academic diagnostics to see if it’s time to consult an Irvine test prep tutor (READ: How Many Hours of Tutoring Do I Need To Improve My SAT Score by 100 Points?). 4. Make AP plans The majority of students who are successful on the AP exams start their test prep no later than March 1st. Even if students are getting grades in the A range in their AP classes, the test is a whole other matter. Spending two or three hours this week will help students know what theyre in for and ensure that they can get at least a 3 if not better on the AP exams in May (READ: Advanced Placement Exam Prep in the Competitive Orange County School System). 5. Look at colleges Any juniors out there who have not yet made plans to look at colleges should definitely think about doing that this week. Although private tours and interviews require an appointment, students who are simply looking to get a feel for the college campus lifestyle can join any of the university’s prescheduled tours. Sophomores who are not quite ready to make a final decision about the colleges they want to apply to, might use this time to simply look at the local state college and get a feel for campus life. Sophomore year is certainly not too early to start researching colleges. 6. Complete some volunteer hours Many students fall behind on their volunteer hours due to numerous academic and athletic commitments. If students are not going out of town during their break, its a good time to catch up on some volunteering. This doesnt have to be an unpleasant activity; students are strongly encouraged to explore volunteer experiences that they are genuinely interested in. Although now mandatory, community service can still be heavily enriching. Call the local hospital to deliver flowers to overnight patients, enjoy caring for kittens and puppies at the local animal shelter, and show kindness by delivering sack lunches and hygiene kids to the local homeless population (READ: Getting Your Community Service Credits). In Short However a student chooses to spend their February break, theres no right or wrong answer for the entire teen population. Students are encouraged to look at their past and future commitments, their current level of stress, and what they need to get done before June in order to make appropriate decisions. Enjoy your break! All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about â€" our Orange County private academic tutors are happy to help.

Critical Thinking Skills You Need to Master Now

Critical Thinking Skills You Need to Master Now via Pexels If Im already making you feel nervous, if youre doubting your critical thinking skills, you likely need to spend some time in reflection and maybe even practicing being more present when situations arise that call for critical thinking skills (probably every day). If you know you need to practice your critical thinking skills or you want to assess your current skills, ask yourself these questions: 1. Can I recognize, build, and appraise arguments? We all know what its like to be in conversation with someone who doesnt understand our point of view. We easily become frustrated when we cant get our point across, and were probably equally as frustrated when we dont understand anothers argument. When you find yourself in a situation with a group of people, viciously discussing the latest news article, top story headline, or world issue, do you find that you are able to recognize arguments that other people are making? Can you analyze the information they give you in order to draw your own conclusions about their personality/beliefs/morals? Actively displaying critical thinking skills means you can analyze another persons argument, piecing together the information given to you in order to understand your peers/friends/coworkers/associates. 2. Can I identify inconsistencies/errors in reasoning? Now imagine yourself in a situation where youre out to dinner with your colleagues and your latest  obnoxious  coworker starts talking about one of the more touchy subjects in common times. Theyre explaining their thoughts on the issue, and, before you know it, theyve completely lost you with their logic/reasoning. Do you find yourself stopping to think about the inconsistency of another persons reasoning? Do you actively investigate that discrepancy (whether its in your own head, with that person, or in a respectful conversation with someone else)? When we display critical thinking skills, were actively engaging with people during conversation, following the logic theyve used to create their conclusions. When its not consistent, its important that that inconsistency is explored if only a little! via Pexels 3. Do I approach problems in a systematic way? When youre given a problem at work, do you feel that you approach it in an organized, systematic way? Or do you find yourself scurrying around to find all of your materials once youre amidst the project? When we actively display solid critical thinking skills, we address problems in our lives in a way that makes us both efficient and effective. We use a system (if only in our head!) that takes us from one step to the next. If you find yourself frustrated that your projects never seem to get done reflect on  why  they are left unfinished. Maybe you dont approach them in a way that allows you to be both efficient  and  effective. 4. Can I think about situations from various points of view? Nothing is more frustrating than talking to someone who has no idea what its like to be anyone else. This often happens when we meet people who seem to have been handed  everything and come off as having  never worked a day in their life.   Its frustrating to try and get someone to understand a problem from a different point of view. Are you a person who can put themselves in the shoes of others? If you cant, dedicate time to reading the stories of others and truly try to understand their struggles. 5. When I communicate my ideas, am I easily understood? Do you find that when youre with your friends, youre often misunderstood? If you dont portray your ideas clearly in a group of people, your critical thinking skills might be a bit off track. Infographic by Lorena Roberts 6. Am I open to new ideas or ways of doing things? Open-mindedness is one of the most important critical thinking skills. Those of us lacking in this department rely on the way weve always done things, and dont look for ways to improve their current lifestyle. We call this stagnation and it can really put a damper on any relationship, whether it is romantic or not. Think about your grandparents they probably arent up to speed with technology, and may even resist using a cell phone. The way theyve always done things is to wait for a letter or an in-person visit. Because they arent open to new ways of doing things, theyre missing out on something that can add so much value to our lives. 7. When I work with others, do I contribute an equal amount? Critical thinking skills include the ability to collaborate. If youre the person in the group who tends to stand back thats okay! Its when you feel like you cant contribute at all that you lack critical thinking skills. You let your emotions take over your actions instead of giving (what you are able!) to the group. If you dont think working with others is your strong suit, give yourself ample opportunities to collaborate. The more you practice, the better youll get. Just remember to actively reflect on your experience and assess your involvement in the project. 8. Do I engage in envisioning or imagining a future thats better off? When we tap into our creative side and use it to imagine the world a better place (in whatever facet), we use critical thinking skills to analyze our current situations and improve it within reason. Its because people do this, ultimately, that the world becomes a better place. If we all accepted our own fate, took what the world gave us, and never pushed the limits, we would lack some of the coolest inventions and some of the worlds most important sciences. via Pexels 9. Do I actively spend time reflecting on my own beliefs and ideas? We all know what its like to talk to a recent high school graduate about worldly issues: they simply repeat what theyve heard their parents say without giving a lot of thought to their own ideas about the world. Its easy to lean on the logic of others. But those with solid critical thinking skills have actively analyzed their own beliefs. When we spend time in reflection of our own ideas, we stand on a solid foundation during conversation and we have an easier time understanding the point of view of another person. If you havent spent time thinking about  why  you believe what you believe, build that into your weekly routine.  Continue  to ask yourself where the foundations of your ideas about the world are rooted. Critical thinking skills arent just something we talk about in personal and professional development seminars. Many employers want to see evidence of strong critical thinking skills in their job candidates. When you walk into an interview, you want to display some evidence of  how  you use critical thinking both in your personal and work life. You can show your potential employer that critical thinking is part of who you are by mentioning the things youre doing to sharpen those skills, specifically. If youve found that you have a hard time working in groups, talk about activities youve gotten involved in thats helped you learn the value of collaboration. If youve had to reflect on your own thoughts and ideas and youve found that they have no basis, dig deeper into the topics in which youre interested. Challenge yourself to watch and listen to several different versions of the same news story, from various broadcasters. Arm yourself with  all  the facts and then have a conversation with friends and colleagues who will open up to you about their honest thoughts. Analysis might be one of the hardest areas to practice on your own. You could try actively engaging in analysis when youre out with your friends and family. However, you can also achieve stronger analysis skills if you build in time during your day to read and listen and take in the world around you. Read articles from various websites think about the thoughts of others find the flaws in their logic completely dismantle their argument and then put it back together. Having strong analytical skills will make you a better employee, a better partner, and a better friend (not to mention we need better critical thinkers in the world!). If youve decided your critical thinking needs some work, there are several resources that can help you get yourself to where you want to be. Begin by using this website for some general tips on improving critical thinking skills. If you want to assess your critical thinking skills, use Indeeds assessment at the link here.

Teacher engagement and the pursuit of happiness (Part 3)

Teacher engagement and the pursuit of happiness (Part 3) Ash Pugh, Director of Operations at Teach Away In part three of our four-part series, we look at the second part of the recruitment, onboarding and retention cycle: onboarding. Recruitment is just the beginning Once you’ve signed a candidate you love, your work is done, right? Not necessarily. The truth is, your work has only just begun. At Teach Away, the average lead time between a candidate accepting an offer and their start date is 123 days - that’s plenty of time for new hires to get cold feet. We asked our teachers to identify the way schools can help them adjust to their new environment: Source: Teach Away, International Education Recruitment Report 2017-2018. Download the complete report at www.teachaway.com/report. They need pre-departure support As community builders, you need a pre-onboarding program to get your new hires comfortable and invested in their new role and environment. By doing so, you’re not just more likely to avoid dropouts before candidates start. You’re also setting the stage for prolonged happiness when your new hires ultimately arrive at your school. 1. Make new hires feel like part of your school community. Personal touches, such as setting up their school email address so they receive communications and can engage with the community, or sending them a t-shirt with your school logo, can go a long way towards making new hires feel welcome and engaged. 2. Prepare new hires for life in their new surroundings. New teachers undoubtedly have questions about what life will be like when they arrive at their new home. You can alleviate a lot of anxiety on their part by making a concerted effort to prepare new hires for life abroad. Look into creating opportunities for existing staff to share their experiences with incoming staff. You could try hosting themed webinars run by current staff to share ideas about what entertainment options are available in your location, activities for families, what affairs to get in order at home before you leave or tips and tricks to help get set up when you arrive. You could also set up groups for incoming and outgoing staff to interact. Facilitating the passing on of rental homes, sale of cars or furniture, or even just providing a way for a new teacher to find out how to bring their beloved pet with them can be of great assistance to both incoming and outgoing staff. 3. Have an effective onboarding process in place. We’ve seen that international schools with a comprehensive onboarding process experience a significantly reduced likelihood of attrition within the first few months, compared with schools with a weaker - or nonexistent - onboarding process. As recent hire turnover continues to be a significant issue for many international schools worldwide, having a structured onboarding process cannot be overlooked. The first days, weeks and even months can often determine whether a teacher decides to stay at your school long term. Onboarding isn’t just about the practical elements of the job that need to be taken care of - securing a work visa, signing the paperwork and outlining professional duties. It’s about facilitating a “soft landing” and making a teacher (and their family) feel safe and comfortable in their new school and location. 4. Take the shock out of culture shock. Culture shock can have a profound impact on new hires. You need to be aware of the effect it can have on new teachers and be sure to talk to them about it. The support of peers who’ve been through the same thing and felt the same way they’re feeling cannot be understated. And remember that culture shock doesn’t only kick in at the beginning of the year, so ensure your efforts are sustained to account for the ups and downs that your new teacher hire will experience throughout the year. 5. Foster relationships among your teaching staff. As we see from Rainer Strack’s research, employees value good relationships with colleagues and their superiors. Knowing this, you should ensure you’re establishing and maintaining relationships with new employees. You should also provide opportunities, both inside and outside the school, for new teachers to build relationships with their colleagues. This could take the form of formailized social events or creating a teacher-led social committee to schedule informal gatherings that allow colleagues to connect. Check back next week for part fourwhere we look at the third part of the recruitment, onboarding and retention cycle: retention. This article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 edition of InterED, the bi-annual newsletter of the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE).