Definition of Reagents in Chemistry

Definition of Reagents in ChemistryA definition of reagents in chemistry can be very useful. The term usually denotes substances that are used to perform chemical reactions. There are many types of reagents and each one has specific functions.When a chemical reaction is required, the substances used in the process is called the catalyst or the reagent. There are two types of reagents in chemistry; solid and liquid. Solid reagents are the ones that are used to initiate chemical reactions. It is also known as inert or inactive materials.One of the main functions of the solid reagent is to slow down the reaction of the chemical process. The other function is to facilitate the flow of the gas to the reaction point. Some of the common uses of solid reagents include the dilution of the chemicals to achieve a desired volume, checking if a substance is mixed properly with the other ingredients of the chemical process, sterilization of the container, concentration of some chemicals and introd uction of the chemical into a new container for further processing. Reagents can also be prepared to mix with alcohols or ethyl acetate in the industrial settings.The reagent also plays an important role in the chemical process. They are usually dissolved in liquid and serve as carriers to carry the chemical to its intended destination. This is why it is necessary to dilute the reagents prior to use. As mentioned earlier, reagents can also be used to mix some chemicals.There are many ways that the reactions are carried out and it is because of this reason that the chemical reactions can be slow. This can be overcome by adding more reagents to the mixture. An example would be the addition of sulfur to carbon dioxide in a chemical reaction. The carbon dioxide would turn to sulfur and then the reaction proceeds as it is supposed to. The use of water is another way to speed up a chemical reaction. When the reaction is stopped for a short period of time, the chemical reaction begins agai n without using as much of the reagent. Some scientists prefer to use fresh reagents for a longer period of time and some prefer to use reagents that have been used before and then replace them with fresh ones for a more efficient reaction. Others may prefer to use a new reagent every time a chemical is mixed with a different one.Reagents are classified as organic, inorganic, metallic and molecular. Organic reagents are those that are chemical compounds that are inorganic and usually they are organic compounds such as carbon, sulfur, and oxygen, or carbon and nitrogen. Inorganic reagents are those that are inorganic compounds that do not have organic elements in them and they are usually copper and sulfur compounds.In terms of their usage, the reagents are grouped according to their function or application. These groups include analytical, metal, structural, bacteriological, enzyme, polar, and others. There are several reagents in chemistry that are used in isolation and others that are used in combinations. Many reagents have different functions and some of them are categorized based on their reactivity.

The Benefits of Tutoring Services

The Benefits of Tutoring ServicesIf you are a person who is interested in the studies and learning of business, management, or a related field of study, then the opportunity to enroll yourself in a college or university is probably on your to-do list. To achieve that goal, you will have to consult with a number of tutors before you decide on one. If you know one such person, he or she can provide you the best opportunity to obtain the education you desire.After all, time is of the essence. When you need to attain your goal in this lifetime, you will surely need some sort of skills you cannot learn at school. While some may think that time is money, it can be as well the other way around.Time is the most valuable commodity you will ever have in your life. No matter what you might have or how much you have in your bank account, there is no way that you will be able to get to your goal if you do not spend time. While you may learn and acquire skills and knowledge in your studies, you wi ll never be able to get what you want unless you are willing to spend your time and effort. And the best way to spend your time is to enlist the services of a credible and experienced tutor.When you seek out a quality tutoring service, you will discover that there are a number of benefits to consider when enrolling yourself in the provision of momentum tutoring. Among them, most will find time essential.Many people are under the impression that momentum tutoring is only for students that already have a degree. However, there are also others who would prefer to enroll their children in these courses. Even adults have the option to enroll themselves in these courses if they wish to obtain an advanced education.It is important to realize that momentum tutoring is different from many other programs that can be found online. While other tutoring service providers will offer general information and lessons, such as what they expect their students to learn, these tutors also provide specif ic lessons focused on individual areas that you are interested in. For example, if you are interested in accounting, you would receive lessons on the subject of accounting.In addition to all the aspects you will have access to, you will also have support when you need it the most. These tutors will assist you in any situation, no matter how stressful or unclear your situation may be.

How technology can encourage the undervalued introvert - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How technology can encourage the undervalued introvert - Introvert Whisperer How technology can encourage the undervalued introvert Masters at flying under the radar, it is well known that introverts are often overlooked and undervalued in the workplace. In many cases, it is the extroverts who remain in the spotlight, constantly progressing. Extroverts commonly take the reins in the workplace and are usually known to be social butterflies, ambitious and talkative, the ones who are confident and progressive through their careers. There can often be a lot of pressure introverts trying to progress in their career. They are either expected to conform to the realm of extroverts, or they will be left to stew in their own shyness and remain incognito within the working environment. As technology has recently become an important part of organisational development in large organisations, the potential to organise and improve can not only help introverts and extroverts, but also aid employers in recognising the true potential of their introvert workers, as they often have a lot of unrecognised skills to offer. Understanding the introvert Sharing ideas and taking active part in discussion and decisions are what is expected of team members, which is why it often seems as if introverts aren’t contributing. The truth often is that while extroverts are busy talking, introverts are busy listening â€" an important and valuable skill. It is often smart not to do all of the talking in many cases and this can show strong internal power as well as good observational skills that allow the introvert to sit back, take things in and process them accordingly. It is often the case that extrovert leaders are likely to be a liability if their followers are also outgoing and ambitious people who take the initiative. Extrovert leaders are not as responding to proactivity and scarcely give others the chance to speak and express their opinions. This can make introvert leaders more subtly superior, as they will give their team the chance to speak and share their thoughts, acting more as an organisational leader as opposed to a dictator. Introverts are known to spend a lot of time alone, but in today’s society and culture, this is usually discouraged. Some quiet time alone however, is actually very good for you and builds on inner strength. While everyone is busy talking and interacting, the introvert will be processing thoughts, forming and shaping ideas in their minds. Why introverts need to develop in the work place In their quietness, many underestimate, misunderstand and/or undervalue the introvert which is bad for both the introvert and the business. Introverts have an outstanding ability to stay focused, where others will get distracted and they will not shy away from solitude as they know it will only add to their inner strength. Solitude can be fruitful and gives them the chance to self-reflect, plan, create, and theorise, which are invaluable qualities at work. How technology can help Organisational development software provides the tools to improve and strengthen weaknesses within your team; shaping and moulding your organisation into a mountain of success. The most crucial part of this is allowing personal development to take place. OD software often takes a social media style approach. This can allow team leaders and team members themselves to view and access their own profile, where they need to improve, what their strengths are, what their goals are, etc. Team leaders will be more on top of everything and aware of the capabilities of the introvert. Additionally, the introvert will be able to see where they need to improve, where they want to aim, and will inevitably be given that extra drive and push where it may have been lacking before as they will have a target and a goal that builds on their own skills as well as the team’s. Objectives, structure and policy will also build on the foundation of your team and help to develop the business socially, as a unit, as well as identifying potential problems and risks that may arrive. Understanding the introvert with the aid of organisational development technology will allow you to fully utilise their skills and bring them to their full potential. Author Bio: Laura Morrissey is a writer for Disc Assessment. She shares tips for both employers and employees in working to the best of their ability together. Her specialist areas are motivation and team building. CAREER ACCELERATION 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: CLICK HERE!

Should I Go to Drexel University

Should I Go to Drexel University Emily earned her bachelors degree in psychology from Drexel University. She specializes in English tutoring, biology tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Drexel University. Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Emily: Drexel University is situated in the heart of Philadelphia. The campus and the city are very walkable, and public transportation is accessible and easy to use. Campus security has a strong presence at the university, and because Drexel sits right next to the University of Pennsylvania, students seem to feel safe. Like at many urban campuses, however, street smarts are emphasized and helpful safety tips are taught during freshman orientation. Since the city and campus are so walkable and public transportation is very easy to navigate, a car is not necessary and a bike is optional. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Emily:I can mostly speak from the perspective of the psychology and anatomy departments, but for me, professors were readily available during their office hours or by appointment. I found them eager to answer questions and help any student who needed extra assistance. Teaching assistants were typically seen at the introductory course level and were, more often than not, seniors who had done well in the course and enjoyed teaching. This makes for a nice intermingling of students from different years. The teaching assistants tend to act as mentors to the younger students and are quick with advice. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Emily:The dorm rooms, especially within the freshman dorms, are typical of an urban college campus. The rooms are small and are typically two-person rooms. Each person has a desk, bed, wardrobe, and dresser. Since Drexel is an urban campus, dining options are extremely varied if one is willing to venture off campus. On campus, there is a dining hall, restaurants, and coffee shops. Many clubs are very active at Drexel and bring students together. Many students also tend to meet in their freshman dorm and in classes. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Emily:Drexel is very well known for their engineering, computer science, business, and health sciences programs. I chose to major in psychology. I also took a number of anatomy and physiology courses with the nursing students during my four years at Drexel. I found the psychology department to be warm and welcoming and very willing to get to know its students individually. I was unsure as to what I wanted to do long-term; as such, psychology opened many doors for me and left me flexible to take a number of different paths. I ended up taking a health professions path and made this decision during the spring of my sophomore year. 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? Emily:I found the freshman dorms and my classes to be the place that I initially made friends. It was relatively easy for me to make friends, as everyone was in the same boat freshman year. After freshman year, I met people through classes and clubs. Greek life does not play a very significant role at Drexel. I didnt join Greek life and didnt feel like I was missing out. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Emily:The career center is extremely helpful and very present on campus. Drexel is famous for its co-operative education program. Co-ops are essentially six-month-long internships that allow students real-world, paid, job experience before they graduate. Students can choose from either a four year, one co-op option or a five year three co-op option as their plan of study. Many well-known companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Johnson Johnson, Merrill Lynch, and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia recruit for co-ops on campus. Drexel has a very high post-college hiring rate due to the co-op program. Some students choose to leave the Philadelphia area for one or more of their co-ops. There are also many international co-op opportunities available. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Emily:The student center is typically used for club meetings and performances. The honors lounge is also housed in the student center, and many students in Drexels Pennoni Honors College make good use of the space. The library is small for the number of students who are typically there. During exam times, it feels cramped. Drexel has been building new study spaces over the past couple of years. Students who live in the dorms tend to use their dorms common room to study in groups. Describe the surrounding town. Emily:Drexel students tend to really explore the city of Philadelphia. Many students spend their off-time enjoying the city and getting involved in volunteer projects and programs. There is always something to do downtown, and the hustle of city life means that things never get boring. From festivals to parades to sporting events, there is always something to do on or off campus. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Emily:The undergraduate population is about 15,000 students. It is a good size, such that I continued to meet people well into my senior year, but small enough that I saw many friends walking around campus on a daily basis. The typical class size (except for introductory classes) is about 30 students. Many of my courses within the psychology department were much smaller than that, with the average class size around 15 students. I really enjoyed this small-class feel and it catered very much to my learning style. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Emily:I have never been a math person. I have always struggled with numbers, and may or may not still use my fingers at times when asked to perform mental math without paper and a pencil handy. That being said, when I began a statistics course during my sophomore year at Drexel, my hopes were not high regarding my success. I am here to say that I was very wrong with my initial thoughts about the course. I had a fantastic professor who was finishing up her PhD in psychology and statistics. She broke down the material so that every concept was like learning a baking recipe. If I followed her clearly defined steps, I would come up with correct answers every time! Over the next two years I took higher level courses that she taught, and loved them. Who knew that I would come to really enjoy statistics? I sure had no idea! Check out Emilys tutoring profile.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Examples of Linear Equations

Examples of Linear Equations Linear equation is basically defined the linear characteristic of the function in this case the function varies linearly. Examples of linear equation are given below:- Y = x + 4 Y = x Y = 3 x The above defined examples are one of the suitable examples of linear equation. These examples can also be defined by the graphical representation. In short, linear equation helps us to understand the graph of linearly function. Generally linear equation are of two types, one type is linear equation in one variable other is linear equation in two variables. This can be clear by following examples. Question 1:- Find the value of x if 3x + 4 is equal to 10 Solution 1:- Given, 3x + 4 = 10 Firstly we need to subtract 4 from both sides 3x + 4 -4 = 10 4 3x = 6 Now to find out value of x, divide both sides by 3 3x/3 = 6/3 So x = 2 Question 2:-Find the value of x if 4x + 6 is equal to 10 + 2x Solution 2:- Given, 4x + 6 = 10 +2x So 4x 2x +6 is equal to 10 2x + 6 = 10 Firstly we need to subtract 6 from both sides 2x + 6 - 6 = 10 6 2x = 4 Now to find out value of x, divide both sides by 2 2x/2 = 4/2 So x = 2

What is it Like to Attend Rice University

What is it Like to Attend Rice University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Michelle is a Houston-based tutor and a senior at Rice University. She is a History major with a minor in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities. Michelle specializes in many subjects including ACT prep tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, and Spanish tutoring. Check out her review of Rice: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Michelle: It is really easy to get around on my campus. It isnt hilly, and were a small school, so it is only a fifteen-minute walk across the whole campus. Many people bike around campus. There is also a shuttle service that goes around the whole campus every few minutes. VT: How helpful are the academic advisors? Michelle: The Office of Academic Advising is great here at Rice. Since we are a small school, it is really easy to get an appointment. During Rices orientation week, about half of the time is dedicated to academic advising and registration, making sure that everyone is comfortable with his or her schedule before the first week of classes starts. VT: How would you describe the dorm life? Michelle: The social life on campus is oriented around the dorms. We have eleven dorms that we call residential colleges. These are similar to the houses in Harry Potter. We live there, eat there, and many social events are held there. We also compete against the other colleges in friendly campus wide competitions. All of the colleges host a party at their dorm each semester. Because of the campus culture and social life, many people want to live in the dorms all four years. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Michelle: Rice has a reputation as a science and engineering school, but we also have a lot of great programs in humanities and social science. I am a history major and have gotten a lot of support from the humanities school. Rice has a disproportionately large number of pre-med students. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Michelle: It was so easy to make friends as a freshman. Rice has an orientation week that is a big deal. Students have an entire week to meet their roommates, their orientation week group, as well as some upperclassman the week before classes start. The residential college system also makes it very easy to make friends. VT: How helpful is the Career Center? Michelle: The Center for Career Development is also very helpful. They set up on-campus interviews for seniors, but they will also meet you and help you starting your freshman year. I have gotten help there on my resume, which was great. VT: How are the various study areas? Libraries? The Student Union? Dorm lounges? Michelle: The dorms have a lot of good study areas. Fondren Library has six floors to study on. The Student Union is small, but thats not too big of a problem since there are always classrooms around campus that are open. VT: What is the surrounding town like? What are the best local attractions that make it unique? Michelle: Houston is an amazing place to live as a college student. It is such a big city, which is great because there is so much opportunity. There are a ton of restaurants and shopping right near campus. The campus is also located in the museum District/Medical Center area. There is so much culture, and the hospitals are great for internships. Lots of concerts and other events come to Houston. The job market here in Houston is one of the best in the country. This is great for summer internships and employment after graduation, especially considering the stellar reputation that Rice students have in Houston. VT: How big or small is the student body and how does that affect your experience? Michelle: The student body is about 3,500 undergraduates. This is a really good size. It is big enough that there are a lot of resources and opportunities here, but small enough that individual students can really take advantage of all of the opportunities. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you dreaded the most. Michelle: I took an English class that was workshop based. We wrote personal essays about our life experiences. In the process we became very close as a class. I became a better writer, and I bonded with my professor and the other students in the class. Check out Michelles tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

9 Virtual Tools For The Math Classroom

9 Virtual Tools For The Math Classroom 0SHARESShare With an increasing number of people switching to technology, more and more schools especially classrooms are adopting the use of virtual technologies in running sessions. Whether one to one teaching, group study, or getting ready for projects as well as exams, virtual tools prove to be beneficial in uplifting a student’s academic success. There are tons of virtual tools available in the online world worth checking out. However there are a few shortlisted ones that really pay off well when it comes to math homework help. Check them out and test their worth. Know the Numbers Number Pieces is an amazing app to build base ones, tens, and hundreds blocks right from where you are seated. Join pieces in groups of 10 and enhance the computational skills of division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction. Through this app kids can deal with multi digit numbers, explore decimals, or even know how to tackle equations. Students can really play around with their thought process through this application. Solve math using Calculator MyScript Calculator is an amazing calculator app that includes both normal and scientific functions. It is even more interesting to see an integrated technology for handwriting recognition that lets students to write their problems, so that they get relevant correct answers based on the problem they have entered. There are even some real quick gestures to wipe out numbers and symbols with ease. 8 #Videos That Prove #Math Is Awesome http://t.co/ctmhsmzZ7o pic.twitter.com/A3986sfavR â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 17, 2015 Learn the Vocabulary of math Math Vocabulary Cards help you know the key terms, definitions, and getting a thorough conceptual understanding of the words that you come across in mathematics. Get real life examples accompanied with each term to have an in-depth knowledge of the related subject. Switch seamlessly between English Spanish vocabulary. It is completely ideal for elementary level classrooms and more. Analyze the Angles Free Protractor is a wonderful tool to learn all about angles. Children can create all sorts of angles whether right angle, obtuse angle, acute angle, or even more. Moving the line across the screen can change angles. Kids can carve out paper shapes, pattern blocks, and more to build angles. Working with angles is a nightmare for many kids; however things become easier with this app. Tutor Pace Offering #HighSchool #Math #Tutoring In Just $299.99, 20% #OFF To 1st 50 #Students http://t.co/Nd0pgaMK1l pic.twitter.com/2fSOZd24Y1 â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 6, 2015 Draw the Graphs Geometry Pad is an app that let kids draw shapes as well as lines as if they are drawing the same on paper. They can add text, join coordinate points, and even play with grids, just like real graphs. There are tons of features to explore out there educating kids regarding XY axis and more. Kids can now draw both axis with coordinates defined to draw easy graphs. Watch the Clock Interactive Telling Time Lite is an absolute easy way for children to learn and play with both digital as well as analog clocks. The app can tell time in multiple languages other than English such as Italian, Chinese, Korean, Danish, Norweign, Portugese, Dutch, Russian, Swedish, German, Japanese, Spanish, and French. Kids have a gala time playing with 9 interactive clocks that are 100% handmade. They facilitate students with minute and hour hands suitable for small hands. With a wide range of background music, voice overs, and clock designs, the app creates a cheerful environment for kids only enhancing their learning capabilities. Identify the Patterns Pattern Shapes help students in exploring fractions and geometry, as well as kids can draw around on screen all over. Unlimited supply of block patterns is available at their disposal. Children can actually go for decomposition of larger shapes, symmetry investigation, and establish relationships between geometrical shapes. It is a more enhanced version of Number Pieces app that we saw above. Do You Hate Math? 5 Ways To Instill A Love Of Math In Kids http://t.co/SDnaKpFKp5 #backtoschool #homeschooling pic.twitter.com/afIR8VqvZx â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 12, 2015 Measure with Ruler Ruler is an app that converts screen into a ruler. Kids can actually measure in centimeters and inches. Even area and perimeter can be measured with the help of this tool that enables virtual measurements. Once the app starts, the entire screen converts into a ruler wherein kids can start taking measurements immediately with ease, to learn all above measurement metrics. Find the Shapes Geoboard is a tool that helps kids to get used to fractions, congruence, angles, area, perimeter, polygons, and line segments. They can switch between circular board, rectangular board, and a square board to play with measurement of time, fractions, as well as angle explorations. With so many concepts to tackle in geometry, it is a boon for kids to differentiate between shapes. 100 #LessonPlans And Ideas For Teaching #Math http://t.co/gWy2T5eKsT â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 3, 2015 What to carry in math classroom next time? All the above tools that we just discussed play a vital role in the overall mental growth of kids when it comes to math development. You can find out similar tools all across web. However, it is very important to understand, which ones can be grasped easily by children in comprehending features and functionalities. An online math tutor can possibly help kids experimenting with apps. A professional firm can help kids even more dealing with such kind of apps and how they can be used in most optimum way. With iPad coming into existence, it is quite handy to use these apps in the virtual classroom. Mathematics is an extensive field with too many things to remember and apply. If children can have access to such tools that they can refer to apply concepts and understanding, then online math tutoring can make things easier with right kind of guidance in apt direction. What we saw are a host of iOS apps meant for iPad, but if you look at the App Store or even Play Store in more depth, you can possibly see hundreds or thousands of apps related to Mathematics that can make it a lovable subject to deal with. You might want to share your thoughts on the same or even bring to us similar kind of apps. Please feel free to do it by passing on your valuable comments. We will certainly feature them all in our future articles and even provide information on the newest apps in the math arena. [starbox id=admin]

5 Tips for Avoiding College Essay Writers Block This December

5 Tips for Avoiding College Essay Writer’s Block This December While December is often cited as the most wonderful time of the year, for 12th graders staring down college application deadlines, that isnt always the caseespecially if you still have a lot of work to do on your college essays. If youre still working hard on those essays deep into December, chances are youve run into some combination of writers block, procrastination, and just plain old thinking you have a lot more time than you really do. Whatever your reasoning, here are five tips for avoiding college essay writers block this December. (10th and 11th graders, dont close the page just yet! Below, weve included suggestions on how to avoid the college essay hustle-and-bustle when its your turn.) 1. To avoid college essay writers block, list out the things youre proud of Do you feel anxious just looking at the college essay prompts? Is it hard to decide on a topic to write about? If so, step away from the prompts. Remember: your college essays are all about helping admissions officers learn more about you and what makes you talented, likable, interesting, and capable of contributing to and learning from your dream school. So before you get stuck answering a specific question, think about what you want them to know about you first. Without looking at the essay topics, make a list of things that youre proud of and that you want schools to know about you. This doesnt have to be awards or accomplishmentsanything you like about yourself will do. Do you love animals? Do you play the guitar? Do you like learning new languages or trying new foods? Start listing some examples of things youd want someone to know about you, and in doing so, you can find things worth writing about in your essays. For 10th and 11th graders: Keep a journal of experiences that seem like they would be good essay topics, such as times that you learned an important lesson, fought through adversity to accomplish a goal, or got to know someone totally different from you. When it comes time to write your essays, youll already have some stories to choose from and youll have documented some of your thoughts and the important details to make writing easier. [RELATED: 5 Quick Tips for Writing a College Application Essay] 2. Brainstorm before you begin writing your college essays Have you tried to write your college essays several times already, only to stare aimlessly at that blinking cursor on your screen? Youre not alone: the authors of your favorite books and movies have been exactly where you are. But keep in mind that you dont have to go straight to writing full, perfect sentences and paragraphs. Often the best way to start an admissions essayor any paper, for that matteris by sketching out ideas so that you can pick the direction that youre most excited about (and that may be easiest to write). You also dont want to lose an important train of thought while youre figuring out which preposition or punctuation to use in your introduction. Take the list of essay topics and jot down a few ideas for each oneeven if you dont think the ideas are particularly good. Oftentimes, your best idea comes to mind because it relates to something that one of your worst ideas reminded you of. Take some time to brainstorm several topics, and youre much more likely to find one that flows right from your mind to the keyboard. Dont feel stuck writing the first application essay topic that came to mind on the first essay question you decided to write about. Instead, give yourself an opportunity to consider several ideas, and youll have a topic thats easy to write about and easy to be proud of. For 10th and 11th graders: Even though youre not writing college essays this year, take some time to read (or print out) the admissions essay topics for your favorite schools (or for the Common Application, which is accepted by most schools). Since the topics for college application essays are very similar year to year, this gives you the opportunity to jot down ideas or experiences that come to you over the next year or two so that your brainstorm is already well underway when it comes time to start your essays. (Youll thank yourself, we promise.) 3. Write something for your college essays so you have something to react to If its mid-December and youre still working on important college essays that are due at the beginning of January, chances are youre experiencing some combination of writers block and procrastination. One big key to avoiding both of these pitfalls is to just write somethingeven if you know as youre writing it that its not very good, and even if its only a paragraph or two to get started. Why? For one, it forces you to start, which is a big step. And two, it gives you something to react to and improve. As you read it back, or have a friend or parent read it for you, you can determine what you like about it (keep that!) and what you dont. Then, you can try to make it better or replace it with something else. Remember, too, that you dont have to write your entire essay all at once, and you dont even have to start at the very beginning. If you write a single paragraph and then give yourself a break, youre already way ahead of where you started, and youll have something to work on after that break. And if coming up with the perfect thesis statement or introduction paragraph seems impossible in the moment, try starting in the middle. Write the details of the story you want to tell and then come back to the introduction later so that youre not stuck on the same single sentence for hours that you could be using to be almost done. For 10th and 11th graders: Use these strategies as you write essays and other assignments so that you train yourself to get past writers block and to avoid procrastination. 4. Talk the college essay writers block out A big problem with writing is that its easy to hit backspace and start over whenever your first attempt at a sentence isnt quite perfect. Written sentences have to have a capitalized first word, a subject and a predicate, punctuation at the endthey seem to set a bar for organization and formality thats too high for a first draft or a brainstorm session. So we start, then delete, then start again, then delete again, and in doing so, struggle to get momentum behind our ideas. But how often do you have that problem when youre talking with your friends? Conversation generally flows without a need for perfection: you speak in phrases that arent always complete sentences, you take tangents that dont relate back to your thesis statement, you say um or like for a quick opportunity to find the word youre looking for and then you get right back to talking, as opposed to feeling the need to delete and start over. A great way to overcome writers block is to move your first draft or your brainstorm away from keyboard and screen or pencil and paper and bring it to a conversation. Tell a friend, a parent, or even an essay editing tutor the story youre thinking about telling in your essay, and the details and organization will start to flow. Just as helpfully, youll get immediate feedbackOh, I like that, or, Maybe give a few more details on how that started?as opposed to having to wait until you have a completed draft to print or email to someone. And since your parents and friends know a lot of your stories already, theyre also in a great position to help you tell your story even more vividly. Dont have anyone handy to listen to your spoken-word essay draft? Try telling it to the mirror: just the act of turning your ideas into a verbal conversation can help you get it flowing more quickly and naturally. For 10th and 11th graders: If you hit writers block for anything youre writing, practice turning your first draft into a conversation so that you have techniques to get unstuck as a writer. 5. Dont let perfect be the enemy of good enough when it comes to your college essays Heres a secret about college admissions: everyone else applying to your target schools is imperfect and nervous too. No matter how impressive their transcripts and extracurriculars are, when your counterparts sit down to write their essays, theyre stressed about saying the right things, nervous about choosing the right stories, and worried about fitting within the word count. The admissions office at your dream school is going to read thousands of essays this year, and none of them are going to be perfect but lots are going to get their authors admitted. Dont worry about a perfect essay: write something thats good enough and then enlist your friends, parents, and thesaurus to help you make it a little bit better before you submit it. A very good essay thats ready to submit before the deadline is a much better essay than a perfect essay that only partially exists in your mindand if youre applying to multiple schools and writing multiple essays, you just dont have time to finish all those incomplete essays before the due dates. As you search for the perfect word, phrase, introduction, or conclusion, dont stop everything until you find it: write something thats good enough so that youll have something to submit, and then come back to it to see if that piece of perfection does finally come to you. For 10th and 11th graders: Heed the wisdom of the seniors who came before you. Application deadlines come faster than you think, so when the late summer/early fall of your senior year arrives, dont assume you have plenty of time to wait until the perfect topic, paragraph, or thesis sentence strikes you. Start writing early and use the rest of the fall to improve your initial drafts. Your December self will thank you when your job is merely to improve essays right before the deadline, not to write them from scratch. [RELATED: How to Write a Great College Essay] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Fires in Montana A listening exercise with weather vocabulary

Fires in Montana A listening exercise with weather vocabulary Its hot here, in Whitefish, Montana where LOI is based. Much hotter than normal. Fires are burning in the forests and smoke is in the air. Weve got an  interesting listening exercise about natural disasters in the United States  that will test  your weather language,' which is important for small talk and opening a conversation with someone.First will start off with some vocabulary to prepare you for the video.Match the vocabulary words with the definition.QuakeDroughtFloodForest-fireCropsTornadoesHailPrairieRemoteMother natureMudA. soft and sticky wet matter mixed from earth and water. B. Pieces of frozen rain of varying sizes that fall during a storm. C. A large open area of grassland. D. Nature described as a powerful person or force. E. A long period of very little rainfall, creating a shortage of water. F. Comes from Earthquake when tectonic plates cause the earth to move. G. A large amount of water that causes damage, due to rain, snow, or rivers. H. A plant that is grown in la rge amounts for food. I. A fire that burns woods and mountainous areas. J. An adjective to describe far from population centers, cities, and towns. K. A storm of violently rotating winds in a circular motion.Ok, now watch the video below, and then answer the listening questions.Answer the questions below in comments, and well respond.1. What do the government and insurance companies call a natural disaster?2. How much did the damage caused by natural disasters cost  the United States?3. What is Californias biggest threat?4. What was the most notable act of God in 2014 in the Northwest?5. What is the bigger threat to the Northwest?6. Why is it going to get worse in the Northwest?7. What is the natural disaster that is most common in Oklahoma and Kansas?8. Is it the wind that does the most property damage in a hurricane?9. Why does snowfall cost so much? (he names two things)10. What region is considered the safest from natural disasters?What natural disasters happen  in your country? What is the weather like there? Is it common to make small talk about the weather?