How to find Acting Classes in London

How to find Acting Classes in London London is the Place to be for Aspiring Thespians Looking for Drama Classes ChaptersActing Classes in LondonFind your Local Theatre Community Private Acting Coaches in LondonDrama Schools in LondonWant to take advantage of the home of the Globe theatre to become an actor? Do you simply feel like you were born to do this? From world-renowned drama schools to ab, London has a variety of learning environments for all budgets dotted all over the city.While some actors and actresses sign up to auditions without any preparation, relying on their natural talents, others train with great discipline. Faced with the complexity of today’s entertainment industry and its high levels of competition, those wishing to stand on the main stage of the Old Vic or the likes are strongly encouraged to seek formal theatre training.Waiting for your next big break? Talent is not all, take an acting class in London to sharpen your skills. (Source: www.unsplash.com)

4 Tips for Connecting with Your Online Instructor

4 Tips for Connecting with Your Online Instructor The Internet has made possible a plethora of activities that could once only be done in person. Online learning is one such area. Online learning is an appealing alternative to the traditional classroom setting for a variety of reasons. The relative affordability, flexible scheduling, and overall convenience of online courses attract thousands of new students each year. But while online courses are gaining more recognition than ever before, students may have reservations about the seemingly impersonal nature of e-learning. However, connecting with your online instructor is a goal that students can reach by participating in live lectures, posting on discussion boards, and reaching out to the instruction through email. 1. Connect with your online instructor by actively contributing to discussion threads Most online courses have a forum component that counts toward a students participation grade. The instructor may pose questions for students to respond to, or students may be expected to formulate their own questions or topics for discussion. In either case, actively participate in the forum by both creating original posts and reacting to the posts of others. Directly ask your instructor questions that show you are completing all the assignments and thinking critically about the big picture of the course. Most instructors love to see dynamic dialogues in the forum and will respond to comments that are directed at them. [RELATED: How Online Learning Helps Students] 2. Connect with your online instructor by participating during live lectures Frequently participating in the live virtual classroom also makes a positive impression on your instructor. Participation can include using the raise hand feature, speaking or activating video when the instructor gives permission, and writing in the chat box or on the virtual whiteboard. Writing relevant, thought-provoking comments in the chat box during lecture is likely to get your instructors attention. However, avoid writing comments that are silly, offensive, or off-topic. Instructors tend to remember and connect best with students who are vocal with their ideas and encourage other students to become involved. Participation shows that you are an eager, conscientious student, which translates well to your rapport with the instructor. [RELATED: 5 Benefits of Using Videos to Learn] 3. Connect with your online instructor by periodically sending the instructor an email If you are the type of student who enjoys a more personal level of interaction, you can write your instructor an occasional email. Start with sending an email at the beginning of the course to introduce yourself and to say how interested you are in the class. Following your initial email, you can send a brief message every few weeks to ask how you are doing in the class and to see if your instructor has personalized advice for you. Instructors are often impressed by students who seek out self-improvement. As always, though, mind your email etiquette: Do not type in capital letters, as they can read harshly to the recipient. Always greet and end with a proper farewell, and use words like please and thank you when appropriate. [RELATED: 4 Ways an Online Tutor Can Help You Succeed This School Year] 4. Connect with your online instructor by keeping in touch To stay connected with your online instructor in the long term, keep in touch even after the course ends. Your instructor can be an excellent source for recommending other classes, methods for obtaining an internship or a job, or general academic advice. Online learning is different in many ways from in-person classes. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to develop a relationship with your instructor. Building that connection is in your hands. 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.

Extended Test Time for Kids with ADHD

Extended Test Time for Kids with ADHD When kids and teens with ADHD qualify for accommodations at school, either through and IEP or 504 Plan, extended time on exams is often one of the academic accommodations provided. On the surface, providing students with ADHD with extended time on exams can seem like a great idea. After all, these students often take longer to complete assignments than students without ADHD, and on exams, they may only complete half the questions when their classmates without ADHD complete the entire test. So, extended time on exams seems like a reasonable accommodation that would give them the time they need to demonstrate their knowledge without being penalized for their ADHD symptoms. A closer look at the effects of extended time on academic performance, however, paints a picture that is much less straightforward. Lets start by talking about what extended time actually entails. Extended time typically translates into time-and-a-half (for example, 1 hours for a 1-hour test) or twice the allotted exam time. In addition to having more time to take the test, kids receiving this accommodation also take the exam in a separate room, either alone or with other students who have the same accommodation. Now lets take a look at some of the pros and cons of extended time: Being pulled out of class for exams. Taking exams in a separate room can be both a positive and a negative for students with ADHD. On the positive side, if they are in a room alone or with only a few other students, they may have an easier time staying focused. They may also have less anxiety if they are bothered by seeing other students finish first. On the negative side, students (particularly older elementary students and teens) who are sensitive to the stigma that can come with being singled out from your peers may resist the extended time accommodation altogether or feel uncomfortable with the situation. Addressing the underlying issue. There are many reasons why students with ADHD dont finish exams on time. Sometimes they have poor test-taking or reading comprehension skills; other times, they struggle to stay focused and work productively on a relatively boring task for even 10 minutes (and extending the length of the task doesnt improve their productivity); in other cases, anxiety is the culprit, and extended time doesnt reduce anxiety effectively. In some cases, slow processing speed is the underlying issue, which may actually be addressed by extended time. For students who have deficits in areas related to test-taking skills or who have test anxiety, addressing the underlying issues will be more effective than an extended time accommodation. Does it really improve academic performance? While only a handful of studies have looked at the effects of extended time on test grades and academic performance in students with ADHD, the findings generally show that there is no academic benefit.1 One exception is a study that looked at test performance in students with ADHD who had poor reading comprehension skills. Those students did seem to benefit from extended time. The one caveat here is that these studies were largely done in controlled environments and not in a typical noisy classroom setting. So, the real-world academic benefits for an individual student may be different from what this limited research has shown. Overall, extended time on exams is an accommodation to carefully consider for your child or teen with ADHD. It may be beneficial for some students and not beneficial for others. If you decide to include extended time as part of your childs 504 or IEP plan, monitor their progress. Are they showing academic improvement? Do they say that its helpful to take their exams in a separate room? Or do they find the pull-outs disruptive or stressful? When extended time is provided, its important to make sure that the underlying test-taking challenges are also addressed, whether thats treating the test anxiety, teaching strategies for improving the rate of information processing, or coming up with creative ways to improve concentration during exams (e.g. wearing noise-cancelling headphones while taking exams in the classroom). As is often the case with ADHD, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution, and its up to parents and teachers to find creative and comprehensive ways to help students r each their full potential. 1Brown, T.E., Reichel, P.C., Quinlan, D.M. (2011). Extended time improves reading comprehension test scores for adolescents with ADHD. Open Journal Of Psychiatry, 1, 79-87 Pariseau, M.E., Fabiano, G.A., Massetti, G.M., Hart, K.C., Pelham, W.E. (2010). Extended time on Academic Assignments: Does Increased Time Lead to Improved Performance for Kids with ADHD? School Psychology Quarterly, 25, 236-248. Lovett, B.J. Leja, A.M. (2015). ADHD symptoms and Benefit from Extended Time Testing Accommodations. Journal of Attention Disorders, 19, 167-172. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Whats a Good ACT Score

What’s a Good ACT Score ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Recently, a parent contacted MyGuru about ACT tutoring. Her daughter’s first session with the tutor went well, but because she was scheduled to take a practice ACT test in school the next week, they waited to schedule another session until the results of that test were available. Unfortunately, her daughter did worse than expected on this practice ACT test, and so the parent contacted MyGuru to confirm a desire to invest in ACT tutoring and schedule additional sessions. In the course of the discussion, this parent asked a targeted question to which I didn’t have an exact answer on the spot. I figured that I should find the answer to this seemingly basic question, as other parents or students will probably ask it. The question was, “what is the minimum ACT score required for admission to common Illinois universities, like the University of Illinois, Illinois State University, Northern Illinois, etc.”? There’s a reason I didn’t know the answer to this question off the top of my head â€" it’s a bit of a trick question. A little basic research reminded me that most colleges and universities really don’t have minimum ACT scores. Instead, they report the average ACT score for the middle 50% range of admitted students. Here’s what this means. First, line up all of the admitted students at a given school and rank them according to ACT score. Then, remove the top 25% of students, as well as the bottom 25% of students. What you have left is the middle 50% of students â€" essentially, you have a bottom and top end ACT score for the “average” admitted student. For example, at the University of Illinois, the middle 50% ACT range is 27 to 32 for admitted students. Then, in terms of what this means for admission, what most colleges do these days is say something like â€" Here at College XYZ, we have a holistic application review process. GPA, ACT/SAT, activities, coursework, etc. all play a part in the process. So, we don’t have a minimum requirement. But, here’s the ACT range for the middle 50% of admitted students. If you fall below the middle 50% range, you should make sure the rest of your application demonstrates your ability to succeed here. For example, at Illinois State University, the ACT range is 22 â€" 26, and the GPA range is 3.1 to 3.8. On their admissions web-site, they write “The chart below shows the middle 50 percent of students who were offered admission to the University for fall 2012. It may be in your best interest to submit an academic personal statement if you fall below or in the lower end of one or both of the ranges listed.” In other words, if you aren’t in those ranges, you need to explain yourself a bit via the optional “academic personal statement.” The Sliding Scale of GPA vs. ACT score In my opinion, informed by personal experience and conversations with admissions counselors, some of the larger, more selective universities have a “sliding scale” of GPA vs. ACT score. In other words, assuming you took high school classes with a reasonable level of difficulty, if your ACT score is relatively low, you can make up for this by having a relatively high GPA, and vice versa. But, if you fall outside of the “acceptable” range according to this sliding scale, you probably won’t get in. However, at smaller schools, they really do take a more holistic look at you as an applicant. For example, someone with great extracurricular activities and a really high ACT score might have a much better chance of getting into a prestigious smaller liberal arts school than their large state university, even though the liberal arts school is actually “ranked” more highly and is considered more selective. So, here’s how you can evaluate your ACT score or determine your required ACT score: Identify a list of schools you might want to attend Find the middle 50% range at potential schools See if your ACT score is within or above that range Here are some example ACT score ranges for popular Illinois colleges: To keep things simple, let’s take a quick look at three Illinois universities: University of Illinois â€" Urbana:A very selective school that’s consistently ranked in the top 50 by U.S. News and World report Middle ACT Range â€" 27 to 32 Illinois State University: A less selective state school, but one that only accepts motivated, intelligent students capable of pursuing a rigorous college education Middle ACT Range â€" 22 - 26 Southern Illinois University: A state school with a similar mission to Illinois State, but one which is even less selective Middle ACT Range â€" 18-24 What if your ACT score isn’t very good? How low can you go? Well, that depends. ACT, Inc. hopes students and colleges use the ACT to determine college readiness. They write that â€" “Only the ACT reports College Readiness Benchmark Scores â€" A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses, which include English Composition, Algebra, Social Science and Biology. These scores were empirically derived based on the actual performance of students in college.” The College Readiness Benchmark Scores are: English: 18 Math: 22 Reading: 21 Science: 24 Average: ~21 So, if your composite score is below 21, or any of your sub-scores are below the above numbers, you can probably expect all but the least selective colleges to think twice before admitting you. Of course, a strong GPA can certainly make up for weak ACT scores. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or thoughts. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

6 Ways a Summer Camp Job Will Boost Your Resume

6 Ways a Summer Camp Job Will Boost Your Resume Photo Via: Pixabay.com 1. Showcases soft skills Working at a summer camp can boost your resume in that there are certain soft skills, not necessarily listed on your resume, that this job suggests are present. For instance, while you may not directly state you’re flexible and adaptive verbatim in your resume, having a role such as this shows employers that you have those qualities. Summer camp roles require patience and dedication, both of which are soft skills that you can’t list out on your resume. There are countless other soft skills that employers look for in your interview, but having these skills spoken for by a simple job title is a great place to start. 2. Requires organizational skills An important quality to have on the job market at the moment is organizational skills. Employers want to see people that are organized and efficient, and holding a summer camp job can show that. Many counselors etc. need to plan every day’s activities ahead of time and manage their time throughout the day. These are important attributes to include on your resume and that this job will help you to highlight. 3. Management/customer service experience While many summer jobs offer customer service experience, summer camp jobs offer an additional level to that in people management. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you have direct reports in your role, it does mean that you can manage a small to large group of campers effectively. When you’re looking for an entry-level position, this experience will help to set you apart and show a potential employer that you have the skills necessary to grow internally. 4. Demonstrates dedication Summer camp counselors typically return to the job every summer throughout their college career. For those of you in this situation, this reads very well on a resume. Longevity is always a plus on a resume, as it shows your dedication to a position. When you’re looking at career employment, this longevity will help to showcase your potential dedication to a company, something that many employers are valuing now more than ever. 5. Potential for promotion Summer camp jobs typically offer a lot of growth for returning counselors. If you prove your abilities, there is a potential to work your way up year after year. In this way, you can also use this position to show potential employers your ability to commit and work your way up in a company. When employers are seeking to fill a full-time position, their goal is to keep someone in the role for a long time and, if all goes well, to keep them in the company and help them to grow professionally, internally. In this way, it’s in their best interest to hire an individual that will fit into this type of environment. If your resume shows your ability to move upwards, it will read well to a potential employer and could just set you apart from any competition. 6. Suggests creativity Finally, camp counselors typically require a certain level of creativity in their role. Whether it’s developing new games or working around difficult schedules, camp counselors need to be flexible and creative in all decision-making processes. The same goes for the job market. Employers look for individuals that can adapt to changing requirements or that can think creatively in order to problem-solve, troubleshoot or simply market products. Creative thinkers are a hot commodity, and not all summer positions will show this skill. Therefore, camp employees have an advantage in that they can articulate these creative processes and use them to their advantage on their resumes. Summer jobs aren’t necessarily ideal, though they do help you to pay the bills and build a resume. That being said, summer camp jobs are typically much more useful when it comes to your resume. The above six ways a summer camp job will boost your resume are just a start, as there are countless more ways in which having a summer camp job is a positive marker of your candidacy in the job market. So again, whether you have experience in this capacity or are simply looking for a new summer job, considering summer camp as an option is in your best interest financially and for your resume as well.

Orange County Tutoring Tips 5 Ways to Survive Testing Week

Orange County Tutoring Tips 5 Ways to Survive Testing Week Private Orange County Tutoring Tips: 5 Ways to Survive Testing Week Private Orange County Tutoring Tips: 5 Ways to Survive Testing Week It seems like kids are being tested more often and at a younger age these days. Although students and parents were always expecting to deal with standardized testing when it comes time to prepare for college, not every student is prepared for the amount of testing that occurs in the spring of each year. The specifics of the testing will vary by state and school district but, for the most part, each child will be tested for one week in the spring. More often than not, school districts dont give out specific feedback on the students’ scores but rather compiles them as part of statistics for the overall school or district. Other times, parents will receive an overall score later in the summer but will not get a specific breakdown of what their child did well on and what they need help with. Depending on a childs age there are a few different ways parents and students can prepare for the stress of these exams. 1. Keep it Low Pressure A lot of younger students are not worried about standardized tests unless the people around them are worried about it. If an elementary or middle school student is taking such a test sometimes, its better just to keep it low pressure. Basic testing is not the same as the PSAT, SAT, or AP exams. School-wide testing won’t determine whether or not a student goes to college or receives a scholarship but rather it collects data for the school district as a whole. Its good for students and parents to know strengths and weaknesses, but a low-stress situation will often result in a more accurate score (READ: 5 Tips to Remember Those Tricky Test Questions). 2. Take Breaks Its important for kids to be able to take a break in between exams. Many students will be taking tests all day for an entire week, which means their break will come after school. They should also be encouraged to take breaks in between exams if allowed. Students who try to complete assignments in between classes or on the way to school will probably be overwhelmed by the end of the day. When not in the testing room, students should enjoy a snack, sometimes outside at recess, or whatever the teacher allows. 3. Ask Teachers if There Will Be Other Assignments Due That Week Its also important for students to know if other assignments will be due during testing week. Hopefully, students will only need to focus on their exams during that time. But older students may need to finish incomplete assignments or get things handed in by the end of the academic year. If a paper or project is due the week of testing, its better to know this ahead of time. It may be distressing for students to be in the testing room all day and then have to come home and complete a project. 4. Keep the Lines of Communication Open Open communication is another way to survive a testing week. If students are curious why theyre being tested, they should feel like its okay to ask. Parents might also be confused as to the specific purpose of exams and should feel free to email the teacher or administration. In addition to direct communication, there are some great resources online that can inform parents and students. These specific websites will vary by school district and state. 5. Practice Good Nutrition and Exercise For students to be totally focused on their school-wide testing, its important they have good nutrition and exercise that week. Younger students can participate in sports or simply play outside. Although older students might have other academic or work commitments, they should at least have a chance to go for a walk in the fresh air for 10 to 15 minutes. Additionally, students of all ages should make sure theyre getting enough protein, fruits and veggies, and hydration during this time (READ: Super Foods and Testing). The best way to prep for finals is with the help of a private Orange Country tutor. Call us today for more information. 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 write.

Irvine Academic Tutor Tips How to Beat Senioritis - TutorNerds

Irvine Academic Tutor Tips How to Beat Senioritis - TutorNerds Follow These Tips From an Irvine Academic Tutor to Beat Senioritis Follow These Tips From an Irvine Academic Tutor to Beat Senioritis During the last month of school, its tempting for seniors to feel like theyre already on vacation and forget about whats going on in the classroom, including some very important issues that could potentially affect their future. Students who will be on scholarship need to maintain a certain GPA and students who have conditional college admissions letters (which is nearly everybody) need to keep those grades and test scores up in order to continue with their plans for this fall. Senioritis is normal and has been happening for generations but, its important for students to stay focused on these next couple of weeks and remember that school is still in session. 1. Maintain a regular after-school schedule It’s essential for students to make their after-school study schedule a priority until they take their last final exam. That means coming home or going to the library and studying, as usual, continuing to meet with their tutor, and staying away from friends who are skipping homework to start summer early. Maintaining a regular schedule also includes taking a reasonable amount of breaks and having enough downtime for the brain to recharge in order to finish the school year strong. Its very easy to get overwhelmed at this point in the year, and students are encouraged to make relaxation a priority in between study sessions (READ: 10 Reasons You Need an Irvine Summer Tutor). 2. Keep your eye on the prize When seniors become tempted to ditch responsibility in favor of summer activities, its important to remind them of everything they have achieved in order to get to where they are today. This includes getting excited about attending college in the fall. Talking about academic programs and major fields of study might be overwhelming at this point, so its better to focus on the fun aspects of university life such as finding a student apartment, looking at social clubs and organizations to join, or focusing on social and entertainment activities that take place on campus. Students who remember the big picture are more likely to be able to stick with high school academics for these next couple of weeks. 3. Continue to work with your tutor Part of avoiding senioritis includes maintaining regular sessions with a private tutor. Students should continue to work with their tutor in order to stay organized through the end of the year and also focus on final exams as well as any final projects that are due the very last week of school. Working with a one-on-one tutor on a regular basis forces students to stay on track and be held accountable for assignments they havent yet completed (READ: Tips From an Irvine Tutor: 5 Last-Minute Tips to Ace Your Finals). 4. Make study social Students who are tempted to socialize in lieu of completing homework assignments at this point in the year are encouraged to make their study time social in order to ensure academic success. Theres nothing wrong with working in a group just so long as each student is committed to doing well on final exams and completing any individual assignments. Students should consider working as part of a study group when focusing on subjects they generally do pretty well in and just need the motivation to stay focused or review. On the other hand, they might be better off studying solo or with their tutor when it comes to that one challenging topic they generally need extra help with. Want to beat senioritis? Our private Irvine academic tutors are here to help you end your high school years on a high note. Call TutorNerds today to book your private Irvine tutor. Members of the TutorNerds team and our private tutors write every blog post. If you have any questions about our blog, please email us at pr@tutornerds.com.