A Guide to A Level English Past Papers

A Guide to A Level English Past Papers Get the Most from OCR, WJEC AQA English A Level Past Papers ChaptersHow To Revise Using Past PapersWhat Are Mark Schemes And Examiner’s Reports?Where To Find Past Papers For Your Exam BoardIf you are studying towards an English A Level qualification then knowing the kinds of questions you will be asked, and how best to answer them, at the assessment stage is perhaps the best form of revision you can do.By consulting past papers, you will be familiarising yourself with the structure of questions that you will soon be faced with and which sections of the exam could gain you the most points. It will also help to clarify the variety of options you will be faced with on the day, and therefore the scope of work you will be required to know and cover.Find A level and GCSE english past exam papers online. (Photo credit: David Feltkamp via VisualHuntUnderstanding Exam QuestionsYou may not realise in advance that you must write about not only one, but two texts to display your understanding of a given module or theme. Having taken this on board, you might approach your revision differently and analyse texts in pairs, coming up with relevant links and arguments, rather than independently.Other sections might conversely limit your response to focusing on a particular genre that you are not as comfortable with as others. Getting to know what students like yourself have been asked to write about in the last couple of years is a huge eye opener and will help you to build your confidence in interpreting those scary exam questions.How Using Past Papers Effectively Can Impact On Your WritingNot only will the study of past papers help you to prepare for assessment in regards to interpreting questions and planning responses, it will also aid in complementing what and how you write.Past papers and, even better, sample responses, provide an opportunity for you to examine what types of responses gain the top marks. Use this as an indicator of where your strengths and weaknesses lie, so that you can be more aware of areas in which you need t o put in the extra effort and those which you do not. Knowing where to focus your revision will ultimately save you time and give you more confidence in your ability to write a top response.Finally, when looking at past papers, you might come across some daunting documents. Do not worry! If mark schemes and examiners' reports sound a bit unnerving, we will put your mind at rest by helping to break these down and making sure that you know how to use these to your advantage during your revision.Learn more about English A levels and the English Literature course. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic re ading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow To Revise Using Past PapersUsing pas t papers as part of your revision process is a great way to prepare for exams, but you must be aware of how to use them properly. It is no good picking and choosing the questions you like the look of, nor is it a good idea to set yourself the task of answering questions if you aren’t putting yourself under the same types of conditions as you would be in an exam.If you want to get the most out of a past paper, set aside a few hours when you know that you won’t be disturbed. If you are at home, ensure that any family members know not to interrupt you. If you are at school, ask one of your English tutors if there might be a classroom free at a time when you have a string of free periods in which you can can revise and practice.Are you in need of some extra English tuition?Be sure to set yourself a time limit, and only have with you what you would be allowed in an exam hall (a pencil, a couple of pens, a highlighter and your texts â€" though ONLY if doing an open book assessment).Be sure to set yourself a time limit when using past papers for exam practice. Photo via Visualhunt.comSpend the first 5-10 minutes calmly reading the questions through and working out how to divide your time across the sections (exam questions should make it clear how long you are recommended to spend on each section by stating how much each question or set of questions is worth towards your total score).Understand The Structure Of ExamsMany students make the mistake of answering more questions than they need to in exams, which eats away at their time. Remember to read the instructions carefully and take note of if it states to answer one question ‘AND’ / ‘OR’ another. The major benefit of using this exam-style practise effectively is that you will learn how to manage your time when under pressure.Get Into The Habit Of Formulating ResponsesFurthermore, it is pointless looking at dozens of past paper questions but not attempting to answer them yourself. Although you might thin k it is useful to see sample questions, actually formulating responses allows you to fine tune your exam technique. This, and the confidence you will build, will go a long way in helping you to reach a higher final grade.Take a moment to study this guide to A Level English Language!When To Start Using Past Papers?Whether you are given past papers by your English tutor or not, it is up to you to be proactive and to source as many revision tools as you can. Ask your teacher if they can offer you any past papers to use or if they can point you in the right direction for getting hold of such resources. If they can’t help for any reason, ask another member of staff within the department who may have more knowledge on the subject.Past papers are useful for the duration of your course, so start using them early on to practise exam skills. The more papers you do, the better your technique will be, but you can also answer the same question multiple times to check up on your progress.If you find that your result is not what you had hoped, don’t despair. Use this as an opportunity to learn your weaknesses and set out a revision schedule which focuses on these areas.Incorporate these steps to effective A Level English study into your revisions!What Are Mark Schemes And Examiner’s Reports?Mark schemes are useful in showing you where you gained marks and, more importantly, where you lost them.By consulting the mark scheme, you can identify the questions which you answered particularly well.The document will also set out the key terms that you should aim to target in your response, so are particularly helpful in assuring you get the tactics right and maximise your scores  in the places where you are already doing well,  as well as those weaker areas.Examiners' reports additionally point out common mistakes that tripped students up in the particular set of exams. This makes areas of collective difficulty more transparent and provides a good lesson in what not to do your self. The most valuable thing to take away is what the examiners are looking for, and what it is that does not impress them.Have you already found in-depth knowledge about grading schemes and timetables?Where To Find Past Papers For Your Exam BoardGet Set Past Papers In Class Or As HomeworkIf you are at school or college, your teacher or English tutor London may have a selection of relevant past papers to give you. If you are in a position whereby you can do a practice exam paper during class, for instance if you have a double lesson, then you could find that the outcome is very rewarding.The benefit of doing past papers in a classroom setting is that you will be more focused on the task at hand. Having  your tutor supervise will also ensure that you don’t deviate from any of the strict rules that you put upon yourself.If you are a more mature learner, you might need a different guide to mastering A Levels English!Find a quiet spot to practice with past papers undisturbed. Photo v ia Visual huntIn addition, when it comes to having your paper marked professionally, your English tutors can offer you constructive feedback relating to your planning and responses. From the tiniest pieces of advice, like bringing an extra pen with you (if you happened to be unlucky enough to run out of ink during your mock exam!) to some highly influential suggestions, like how best to structure your essay plans, the process can highlight some key things that will make you think twice in the actual exam.Your educational establishment’s website or intranet pages may also have past exam papers listed for reference. Many schools offering A Levels keep records of past exams which can be accessed online by past, current or even keen prospective pupils. You may also come across some previous assessment questions on a range of websites or forums, but don’t rely too heavily on sources that are not deemed official.Practice with a private English tutor.Visit Exam Board Websites For Past PapersAlternatively, exam boards tend to upload past papers from a range of subjects. It is of course recommended to look at the most recent of exam papers to get an idea of what the current expectations are in terms of assessment, yet viewing a string of papers from the past few years can be useful too to see the most common types of questions that occur.If you consult AQA’s website, you will notice that they not only offer question papers from previous years broken down into units (dating back six years), but they also showcase the mark schemes linked to those questions along with examiners' reports for each.As previously stated, examiners’ reports are useful because they comment on the general ability of English students as a whole during that specific  academic year, and pinpoint where particular questions caused confusion or difficulties.OCR has a very similar set up on its website, with examiners’ reports equally readily available. The only difference is that the most re cent papers are limited to schools and must be downloaded by signing into Interchange. The remaining texts are available in .pdf format directly from the website.Meanwhile, WJEC provides a list of past papers to download, which are classed separately from the mark schemes found before them. Scroll down to access past English papers from 2012 onwards.If you require Braille versions, or have any past paper queries for that matter, you can easily contact the exam board of your choice to request this information. As well as providing email addresses, the boards are each active on social media so you can reach out to them with ease using your preferred method of contact.

Freshmen Yields At Top Colleges

Freshmen Yields At Top Colleges Elite colleges are all in competition with each other, and the one statistic they can brag about is how many high school students who received acceptance letters actually commit and attend that college. Many top colleges believe that this figure is the ultimate sign of how prestigious and respected that certain college is. This is how colleges compare themselves to one another. Harvard, Dartmouth, Cornell and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill all had more accepted high school students actually commit to them than in previous years, according to an article in The New York Times. Harvard reported about a 75% positive freshman yield, which was a slight increase from last year. Dartmouth had a 55% yield, an increase of 7%. North Carolina had a 53.3% yield, compared to last years 53.9%. However, North Carolina has not heard back from its 350, accepted, wait-listed students. The university believes its yield will increase dramatically. Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania both had similar yields, compared to last year. Cornells was at 49%, and the University of Pennsylvania was at 63%. Most of the colleges freshmen yields are expected to rise after wait-listed students are accepted. What this means for wait-listed students: Bad. These elite colleges are receiving more commitments from originally accepted students. Therefore, the enrollment for the incoming freshman class is already much higher than expected. So, colleges will not need to pull as many students from waiting lists. Harvard estimated that it will accept only 75 students from its waiting list because of higher freshmen yields. Dartmouths freshmen yield grew increased 7%, and the university stated that it might not accept any students from its waiting list.

TOP 5 Latest Trends in Online Education

TOP 5 Latest Trends in Online Education 0SHARESShare Web based-learning with the advent of educational technology has brought innovations in the knowledge delivery process of schools and colleges. The education system is highly focused on creating ways to provide effective learning tools and techniques in the most cost effective way. The 5 latest trends of online education in K-12 schools are: Concept of Blended Learning: Blended learning has gained tremendous growth in recent years. A lot of schools and colleges in urban areas have accepted blended learning to get know-how before investing in implementing learning management system. Competency based Learning: Competency based learning enables students to receive individualized instruction and opportunity to learn at their convenience. E-learning modules are gaining ground these days. Mobile based Learning: The mobile based learning has given the opportunity to utilize each second and minute learning new thing. Academic experts predict that mobile learning will grow quickly as other elements like online and blended learning. The extensive use of a Smartphone, notebooks and all other handy on-the go devices are leaning forward mobile-based learning. Instructional Content: The use of educational technology is not sufficient for an effective learning process. Technology facilitates the way of learning and not actual content that serves learning. The traditional way of learning through the curriculum is not enough. The portable learning encourages the growth and extensive use of instructional content. Learning Management System: Learning management system has given new dimension to the growth of online learning. Both online tutors and students get a convenient platform for effective sharing of knowledge. It is especially used by online tutoring and distance learning program where organizers analyze tutor and student performance and drive the development and growth towards improving overall performance of the students. [starbox id=admin]

University of Wisconsin-Madison A Student Interview

University of Wisconsin-Madison A Student Interview Samantha earned her bachelors degree in microbiology and genetics from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She specializes in algebra tutoring, anatomy tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Samantha: The campus is very easy to navigate, and is right next to the state capitol and downtown. Madison is very bike-friendly, and theres a bus system that can get you anywhere you need to go. The university provides students with bus passes each semester. Its very difficult to own and use a car on campus, simply because theres nowhere to park. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Samantha:Ive been able to forge wonderful relationships with my professors because theyre so personable and accessible. They really care about their students, and many of them have open door policies. My advisers have been great and have done their best to help me sort out requirements for my double major. Most of the TAs Ive had have been good as well. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Samantha:I lived in the only all-freshman dorm on campus, which was very social. Everyone was in the same boat of not knowing anyone and made an effort to reach out. The dorm administrators also put together countless activities for us and tried their hardest to make the dorms feel like home. Other dorms have different vibes depending on how many upperclassmen are living in them. The dining halls on campus are good, fairly priced, and easy to get to. I remember running across the street from my dorm in the middle of winter to grab some ice cream at the dining hall because its just so good. There are always more events happening on campus than you can attend, and there are definitely many clubs and organizations to join. The student organization fairs are a great place to see whats happening and find people with similar interests. Its so easy to get involved because theres something for everyone. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Samantha:UW is definitely a STEM school. The humanities are also very well represented and very diverse, but most of the funding goes to STEM programs. Madison has a reputation to uphold in the biological sciences, and as such, the biochemistry, genetics, and microbiology departments are very well respected. Engineering and computer science also have a significant presence. I studied genetics and microbiology because of my interest in disease. My departments are very well funded because of the impacts they have made in the field of scientific discovery, and I believe they use their funding wisely. We have fantastic labs with new, up-to-date equipment, and we learned cutting-edge techniques to use in research. 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? Samantha:Greek life is definitely present on campus, but it isnt overwhelming at all. It isnt as large as it is at many other universities, and most of the Greek housing is sequestered to a specific part of campus.I thought making friends as a freshman was relatively easy. I joined a student organization filled with outgoing people, and I made an effort to find people in my dorm to befriend. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Samantha:I havent had to use the Career Center services on campus, but Ive only heard good things. Each college on campus tends to sponsor a career fair every semester, and some big names show up including Google, Microsoft, Promega, and DuPont. Its a really great opportunity to network and find a job or internship. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Samantha:We have many different libraries on campus that are great for studying and group work. Theyre also scattered all over campus, so you never have to trek too far to get to one. The student unions on campus arent great study spots, but they are used for group work or just hanging out with friends. The Union Terrace during the summer becomes a hotspot for social gatherings and fun in Lake Mendota. The dorm lounges will vary greatly depending on the dorm, but plenty of people use them to study in. Describe the surrounding town. Samantha:Madison is a fantastic city with a distinct personalityit captured my heart the first time I visited. Madison offers plenty of opportunities to go sailing and swimming in the summer. As the capital city of Wisconsin, theres always something going on in town. The music scene is great and everyones always friendly. Off the top of my head, I can think of six significant venues that are always hosting some sort of entertainmentwhether that be a band, comedian, play, or orchestral performance. Finding things to do in winter gets a little more difficult simply because you wont want to walk anywhere in the cold weather, but there are certainly still things going on. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Samantha:Madison has about 30,000 undergrads, which is fairly sizeable. Depending on your classes and class standing, they can range from 15 individuals to about 300. The larger classes are always taught by a professor and usually have smaller discussion sessions once a week led by a TA. I never felt like the class sizes were an issue because the professors are still very accessible via email, office hours, and review sessions. You tend to lean on your TAs more in the large classes because you interact with them more, despite the fact they arent doing the teaching. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Samantha:Honestly, choosing one moment is a struggle for me because my experience at UW was so wonderful. As a microbiology major, I was required to take a laboratory course that taught us many modern research methods, and at the end of the semester we were taught how to brew beer from start to finish. Each lab group was assigned a different yeast, and we were to make one proper brew and one improper brew by changing fermentation conditions. At the end, we sampled the beer using gas chromatography to analyze its contents, and those of us who were 21 also used sensory analysis. We also compared the differences in taste and gas content in the proper and improper beers to learn what different brewing conditions can cause the yeast to do. It was an incredibly gratifying experience, despite the fact our beers werent very good! Check out Samanthas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What Does Origami Symbolize

What Does Origami Symbolize The Clever Symbolism Hidden in Origami Folds ChaptersTatsu, the Origami DragonChocho: the Origami ButterflyKaeru, the Origami FrogNeko, the Origami CatHakucho, the Origami SwanTsuru, the Origami CraneFolding origami is fun, engaging and constructive - to say nothing of its educational benefits. One must have discipline to precisely execute folds and creases; paper art such as origami appeals to those with a meticulous nature.Even toddlers can make a paper plane or a paper boat (yes, they are also origami!) while being, for the most part, the complete opposite of careful and precise.We do know of some fun origami for kids but the constructions we describe in this article might be a tad too complex for little ones. On the other hand, they may enjoy helping you make paper if you wanted to try your hand at that...For the most part, origami animals demand precision in their creation; they involve a far more intricate construction and substantially more attention to detail.Modular origami uses multiple sheets of paper to create one d esign. Attaining this level of skill at folding paper is and achievement for kids and adults!Besides simple constructions with obvious meaning - such as an origami boat or ninja stars, the art of folding we call origami is full of representation â€" not just in the figures origami artists delight in creating but in the very methods and traditions embodied in the practice of creating.For example, did you know that the Japanese Shoguns of Japan’s Edo Period tasked their junior men with hours of origami? In fact, it is generally thought that Japanese origami truly got its start during that time.Back then, besides folding paper along a certain crease pattern, it was permitted to cut the paper to suit the model, a practice called kirigami. Today, the more elaborate paper sculptures allow for cutting the paper but, strictly speaking, origami is made only by folding.So, as you get ready to fold square paper into your favourite origami designs, consider the fact that you are carrying on a long tradition in the art of paper folding.That might be enough to fire your enthusiasm but before you pick up your first sheet of paper, there is just one question left that needs asking: what do all of those origami models mean?That’s where Superprof comes in... NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTatsu, the Origami Dragon If you have any spare cash laying about, you could make money origami Image by jordandemuth from PixabayDragons are powerful creatures in Asian folklore; the Japanese dragon incorporates elements from Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dragons while still remaining its own beast.Unlike the imagery of dragons in the west, Asian dragons have long, snake-like bodies and several limbs. They generally do not have wings or breathe fire.The Japanese have no fewer than five dragons in their mythology but in origami, there is only one dragon: Tatsu.You may fold it out of shiny foil paper to give the illusion of shimmering scales or a piece of solid green paper to reflect its swampy origins.Did you know that just about every hobby and crafts store carries several types of Japanese paper? Still, no matter which paper you choose, your dragon will symbolize power, wisdom, mastery and success.Whether you attach it to a gift or give it away unattached, you will convey to the recipient that they will en joy good fortune and strength.You can learn how to fold your dragon in our companion article.Chocho: the Origami ButterflyTwo butterflies dancing around each other is a sign of marital bliss; that is why paper butterflies usually feature at Japanese weddings.Now, for a disclaimer: in spite of the Japanese words commonly used to describe paper crafts, this art form is not exclusively Japanese.Whereas butterflies generally symbolise a soul set free, here, in the UK, we have rather more ominous superstitions about butterflies.Some areas of our country hold that butterflies contain the souls of dead children, while in other places, superstition dictates that one must kill the first butterfly s/he sees or have bad luck throughout the year.Should that butterfly be yellow, woe to the whole family! It means everyone will be plagued with illness.Scotland and Ireland are mercifully kinder to these delicate flyers: they believe that butterflies near the grave of a loved one symbolize their dea r departed one has found their place in heaven.The paper butterfly has a decidedly different meaning than any of the above. It represents the hopes and dreams of young girls as they blossom into beautiful young women.That being the case, you may choose delicately-coloured origami paper to make your first mountain fold and reverse fold...  but, please: no yellow!Do you need folding instructions? There are plenty of step by step instructions on YouTube...So, if you wish to make a tiny frog to tuck into your wallet, you will have to practise your folding technique on very small origami paper.On the other hand, if you have kids heading off into the world, gifting them a brightly-coloured origami frog will serve to remind them that they should return home to visit, occasionally.You could pass such frogs to other dear ones who live far away, too.Unlike quilling, which is an involved process that calls for a variety of materials, you only need a square piece of paper - and of course, you h ave to know how to make an origami frog!A Word on KawaiiAlthough origami is not only an ancient Japanese art, invariably, everything origami is attributed to Japan. As such, you should be aware of another aspect of Japanese culture: they love anything cute!Whimsy permeates virtually every aspect of Japanese society, from their ultra-popular anime to their clothing.Anything â€" a drawing or a person that is shy, vulnerable, childlike and charming is adored in Japan; such is the essence of kawaii.For that reason, most origami paper is double-sided, and sometimes shows fantastic designs - a tessellation or bokashi. It may be shiny and feel delicate to the touch, belying its resilience... another aspect of the kawaii culture of Japan.Now that you know about the joy of cute, you may understand why the cat is another popular origami animal. These 3D origami pikachu creatures prove the Japanese obsession with cute! Souce: Pixabay Credit: Level17Neko, the Origami CatSo enraptured with felines is Japan that they celebrate National Cat Day each year on February 22... makes one wonder if they also celebrate International Cat Day, which is feted on the 8th of August.As the Japanese people have dedicated an entire day to the glory of cats, it stands to reason that cats are a popular origami creation.We love our cats as well, so learning how to make origami cats may become our national pastime!Cats are seen as mysterious and elusive, independent and wise. Cats are strong and self-assured; they never ask anyone for anything. They are also rapacious hunters all wrapped up in a coating of silky fur.If you need ideas for easy origami â€" maybe to get the kids settled down on a rainy day, you could hardly do better than a cat: the folding technique is simple and it does not take a lot of time to make.Once you get good at making cats , you can incorporate tessellations into your designs to give them some depth!  Hakucho, the Origami SwanIn many cultures, swans represent majesty and tranquillity, loyalty and strength. Because swans mate for life, they also represent monogamy and fidelity.Unfortunately, they don’t have any special meaning in Japanese culture, but then again, we’ve already determined that origami is not only a Japanese art.As origami projects go, swans are easy to fold and, because they can be freestanding, you might use them to decorate a picnic table or liven up a birthday party.It all starts with a diagonal fold and, 13 steps later, you are ready to decorate your swan... or leave its features up to the imagination.How about trying your hand at napkin folding? Before paper folding became popular in Europe, people would enjoy folding their napkin into various configurations, the swan being among the most popular designs.Naturally, you cannot fold a napkin the same manner as folding paper; unle ss it is starched, cloth simply won’t hold a crease. That is why it is best to make your swans (and other designs) out of coloured paper.This simple origami is a great way to get started practising paper craft.Did you know that the Lewis Ginter botanical garden in the US has an ‘origami in the park’ programme? Visitors there are treated to an assortment of paper sculpture installations, including swans.Wouldn’t it be great if our gardens also had such a display? Would you fold a thousand cranes to get your wish for peace? Image by 1278956 from PixabayTsuru, the Origami CraneIn Japan, the crane is the bird of peace, majesty, long life and fidelity â€" maybe that is why, for them, the swan pales in comparison.Origami cranes just might be the most renown origami bird; indeed, of all the origami figures to learn to fold, this one has the most meaning.Japanese tradition has it that, if one folds 1,000 paper cranes, what is wished for will come to pass.So it was that a young girl, stricken with cancer in the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing, endeavoured to fold origami birds, as many as needed to cheat death.Realising that her hopes were in vain, she nevertheless continued to fold each paper crane, this time with a wish for peace and hope. So the symbolism of the origami crane changed, from one of personal hope to one of global yearning.Learn of other reasons why origami is so important in Japanese culture...If you aim to learn origami folding, a good figure to aim for is the crane - mastering it would mean you have attained an intermediate level of folding skill.We recommend Washi paper for folding cranes; that brand is the top of the line, meaning your cranes will turn out beautifully. Once you've mastered how to fold this flapping bird, you could try your hand with the dragonfly or cicada, a pinwheel or even an origami box.What about origami flowers?You could start very simply, making an origami flower with just four petals and progress to an origami rose.Who knows? You may even create a kusudama â€" an origami model made up of origami flowers, sewn or glued together to make a ball.It will certainly put your childhood fortune teller or paper airplane to shame...Now learn more about the history of this fascinating and ancient art.

What is it Like to Attend Smith College

What is it Like to Attend Smith College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Molly is a Washington D.C. tutor specializing in ACT prep tutoring, PSAT prep tutoring, Linguistics tutoring, and more. She holds a Bachelors degree in Linguistics from Smith College, a womens liberal arts school, where she graduated from in 2012. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Molly: Smith is located in the cute, quiet town of Northampton, near Springfield and Amherst, Massachusetts. Boston is about 2 hours away by car or bus. There are 4 nearby colleges, part of the 5-college consortium, that are very easy to get to by bus, and all of the local and university buses are free with a college ID! Some people bring a car to school, but parking can be difficult, and for most people, theres no need for one. Lots of people bike around campus, though campus is small enough to walk anywhere in less than 15 minutes. Except when theres snow, biking is fun, easy, and safe and there are beautiful trails that run through campus and into the nearby neighborhoods. Campus is very small and safe and quickly comes to feel like home. The Campus Police officers are easy to reach in case of trouble, very friendly, and quick to respond (even if youre just locked out of your room). VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Molly: There are almost no teaching assistants at Smith. All professors schedule office hours when you can visit them. Most professors are very approachable and respond quickly to emails or drop-by visits. Academic advisers may be harder to keep in touch with particularly before youve chosen a major. Most professors double as academic advisers, and in my experience they take their teaching more seriously than their advising. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Molly: Smith has a very special and unique on-campus housing situation. Most students live on campus all four years, and the houses (thats what we call our dorms) are very mixed with students from all class years. Students live in houses with large communal areas living rooms with couches, desks, TVs, games, books, fire places, free boxes, pianos, pool tables, and whatever other items the house acquires over the years. Most first-years and sophomores share doubles (or triples), but almost all juniors and seniors live in single rooms. Students have the option to move to a new house at any time, but many students live in the house they were first placed in for all four years. There is a strong sense of community in the houses, and there are many events and opportunities throughout the year to show your house pride! There are kitchens in about 10 different houses, and each offers a different menu and slightly different dining hours. For example, there is a vegetarian kitchen, a kosher kitchen, an Asian kitchen, and a healthy options kitchen; and each one offers breakfast, brunch, or lunch and dinner. Dinner ends early, which can be frustrating when youre up late at night finishing a paper, but the options are very good. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Molly: Smith takes special pride in its Engineering program. Other popular majors are Philosophy, English, Art History/Studio Art, and SWAG (Studies of Women And Gender). If someone is interested in a major that is not well supported at the school, students have the opportunity to create their own major and incorporate classes from the other 4 colleges in the consortium (Amherst, UMass Amherst, Hampshire, and Mt. Holyoke). In fact thats how I completed my major in Linguistics, which is not a supported major at Smith yet! VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Molly: There are no sororities on campus though your first house might start to feel like one! Many people meet their best friends in their houses, but there are also a variety of student orgs and events where you can meet people with similar interests. And of course, you can meet some great, intelligent people in class! Students participate very actively in their House Counsels, and there are many upper-classwomen available to support the new students as they arrive and throughout their first year. The ResLife on campus is also very supportive, and there are regular, organized house activities that anyone can participate in, such as a field trip to the apple orchards, a house game night, a kayaking trip on the pond, or a popcorn and movie night. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Molly: The Career Development Office is very active on campus, and their services are available to all alumna of the college as well. I never took advantage of these services, but maybe I will in the future! VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Molly: There are many comfortable places to study in all different kinds of environments. The libraries are large and comfortable, and its usually easy to find a seat except during finals. The Campus Center also has couches and study lounges that are a bit brighter and noisier than the libraries, but lots of people have study sessions there. When the weathers nice, many people choose a quiet lawn as their study spot; and in the winter people can spend time in the botanical gardens (green house) especially a good spot for reading. There are also a number of computer labs and studios around campus for science and art students. And the common spaces in the houses are also great areas to study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Molly: Northampton is a cute, small town that some might call hippie and Smith is right on the edge of it. Its literally a five-minute walk to downtown. There are a number of great cafes with alternative food options (gluten-free, vegan, etc.) and open-mic nights. Many people spend time in town to escape the relatively small campus. There is also some good shopping, though its a bit expensive. Its only a twenty-minute bus ride to get to any of the other colleges, so theres always something to do. There is also one club in town that can be quite popular on Wednesday nights. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Molly: There are about 2,600 students at Smith. Each graduating class is between 600 and 700 people. The student body is big enough that I never felt like there was not anyone new to meet, but small enough that you run into people you know just about everywhere. Class sizes are great I never had more than 50 students in a class, and most of my classes were between 8 and 20 students. If you know you want to end up at a big school, Smith is not it. For me the size of the school was perfect. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Molly: Throughout my career at Smith, the best class I took was an astronomy class calledThe Big Bang and Beyond. There are no Gen Ed requirements at Smith, and I took this class completely on a whim, since it had nothing to do with my major. It was a theoretical class about the nature of the universe and different theories that led up to and have followed the Big Bang.While I cant claim to remember the details of the theories we studied off the top of my head, I find my thoughts still often drift into vast space, wondering whether our universe is expanding, contracting, or situated snugly in scalar field valley, one of many in a series of universe pockets. I am still awed by how this professor presented complex theories in such a way that they were accessible to me and still resonate in my post-college life. VT: Anything else a prospective student should know? Molly: If you are hesitating about attending a women's college, Smith or otherwise, my advice is: go for it!My sister and I both attended women's colleges - mine on the East coast, hers on the West.There are so many opportunities to participate in anything and everything in an amazingly positive environment. It's an amazing experience. And I promise you will meet men (...if you want to!) Check out Mollys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Tutoring vs. Executive Function Coaching A Review

Tutoring vs. Executive Function Coaching A Review Academic Performance Explained Podcast In this episode of our podcast, MyGuru founder Mark Skoskiewicz interviews Jackie Stachel from Beyond BookSmart, an executive function coaching company. At Beyond BookSmart, coaches work one on one with students to help them develop executive function skills â€" the self-management skills that help people achieve their goals. What are executive function skills? Executive function skills include planning, prioritizing, managing time, regulating emotions, and organizing materials and thoughts. These skills contribute significantly to academic success, but they usually are not taught in a specific class in school. A student who does not have these skills may struggle with schoolwork; many hard-working, intelligent students do not achieve their full potential because they lack self-management skills. However, anyone who learns and practices these skills can improve his or her academic performance. Self-management skills are the keys to success â€" not just in school, but in life in general. Is there a difference between a tutor and an executive function coach? Do you need both? In fact, there is a pretty big distinction between tutors and executive function coaches; many students work with both concurrently. Tutoring is great for helping students develop skills and areas of knowledge that are subject-specific, usually pertaining to a specific class or standardized test. Executive function coaching, on the other hand, helps students develop general skills to manage their work and themselves â€" skills they can apply to any class. For example, if a student has a research paper, an executive function coach might guide the student to plan it, prioritize it, break it down into small steps, and put it on his or her calendar. Then, when that student has a paper due for another class, he or she can apply the same framework to that paper regardless of the subject. How much can executive function coaching actually impact students? A key part of executive function coaching is helping students change how they perceive themselves. Initially, many students who are struggling academically think that this is because they are lazy or just do not care about school. However, many students who are perceived as “lazy” are simply demoralized by low self-confidence. They don’t believe their efforts will get them the results they want, so they simply stop trying. Over time, with gradual work and a consistent connection between coach and student, it is possible to help students gain confidence and see themselves as capable students. This process takes time â€" there is no quick fix â€" but students only need to invest a small amount of effort to start seeing results. Typically, coaches start by first helping students achieve small goals â€" things the students already know they are capable of doing. As students build a track record of small successes, they gain the confidence to tackle increasingly difficult goals, until finally they are doing things they didn’t know they could. In addition to coaching, are there any other ways to improve your executive function skills? In order to develop your executive function skills, you need to recognize the things that typically get you off track and then figure out how to avoid those. Distractions are a major obstacle for most students, and one of the biggest distractions in this day and age is the internet. One tool that can help you minimize distractions while working is a free app called Self-Control. With this app, you can identify websites that are time drains for you (such as Facebook or Reddit), and specify an amount of time to block yourself from visiting them. Once you have blocked them, there is no way to reverse it until the predetermined amount of time has passed. You can also improve your executive function skills by working to better manage your emotions. Emotions can seriously influence academic performance; first of all, students typically do not do as well if they are frustrated or have a negative attitude towards the work they are supposed to do. In addition, when people are upset and agitated, they are not able to efficiently access their higher-level thought processes. Therefore, when you are stressed, it is actually more difficult to think properly. This makes it very important for students who get test anxiety to have resources that can help them calm down before taking tests. One helpful tool iscalm.com, which features effective, free guided meditations. These are great for beginners, because they have verbal instructions and range anywhere from 2 to 20 minutes in length (so you can start off small). These meditation audios are available as mp3 files, or you can access them on your smartphone or iPad. Interested in learning more? For more information about Beyond BookSmart, visithttp://www.beyondbooksmart.com. There, you can find blog posts and other free content, including tips on regulating emotions, transitioning from middle school to high school, and writing an effective college application essay.

Helping Your Child Become Faster and More Efficient by Embracing Routine and Structure

Helping Your Child Become Faster and More Efficient by Embracing Routine and Structure Help your child be faster and more efficient this school year! For a busy parents with limited time, it's frustrating when your child seems to have no sense of urgency and no motivation to get things done. If you're having a hard time getting your child to move fasterhere are a few tips to help him or her become speedier and more organized in school and life. Give your child checklists. Some children do much better when they have a visual to-do list that they can check off step by step. Create a checklist for any daily routine that seems to spark your childs inner procrastinator. For a younger child, draw or write out the steps and laminate the checklist. For the morning checklist, for example, your child can check off each step with a dry erase markerfrom getting dressed to making a lunch to checking that all homework and other items are in placed into his or her backpack before heading out the door. Older children might do well with smartphone reminders and alarms. Plan aheadand get your child to do the same. Whenever possible, do things ahead of time. If your child has basketball practice shortly after school, have him or her get out the gym bag, clothes and gear the night before, so that all he or she needs to do after school is change clothes and grab a quick snack. If the morning routine is difficult for your child, have him or her lay out his or outfit and get his or her backpack ready to go at night rather than in the morning. Set time limits for each and every task. Some children are relatively organized, but slower than they need to be. If this is your child, set small goals for each task. For example, if a homework worksheet should take your child 10 minutes to complete, set a timer for 15. If he or she dawdles or gets distracted while getting ready for school, set a goal of getting to the breakfast table by a specific time. Then, set another goal of having his or her shoes on and backpack ready 10 minutes before departure time. Keep an organized house and have your child do the same. Good organization and efficiency go hand in hand. When your child is disorganized, its too easy for him or her to lose things and overlook important dates, obligations and homework assignmentsand these problems are only exacerbated by his or her tendency to move and work slowly. Encourage your child to embrace a reliable organizational system at his or her desk, in his or her room and anywhere else. This leads to less wasted time and minimized stress. Have a frank conversation. Sometimes, the logical approach can work wonders. Talk with your child about all of the things that need to be accomplished each day by your child and by you. Explain that it is difficult to finish those tasks when he or she wastes 25 minutes on something that should take two, and that you want his or her help in keeping the household chaos to a minimum. Let your child know that the more efficient he or she is with time, the more time he or she will have to do fun things like play games or hang out with friends. Build in extra time. The reality is that some children may just do things slowerfrom eating dinner to showering to completing school work. Do your best to establish and stick to routines whenever possible, but also be realistic about your expectations. Your child may simply be hard wired to move more slowly than you would prefer. Build a little extra time into your daily routines to accommodate and avoid the stress of constant scolding and nagging. With effort, patience and practice, you can help you child become responsible and efficient with his or her time. Remember: all children are different, so while he or she may not do things exactly as you like, you can help him or her become a self-starter and an organized student and person. Those skills will stay with your childand benefit him or herfor the rest of his or her life.