Mastering the Art of Zen Guitar

Mastering the Art of Zen Guitar Suzy S. Billy Joel once said “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everybody loves music.” Today, we encourage you to think about why you play the guitar.   Dreams of shredding on stage with Steve Vai aside, most musicians would cite the emotional connection to music as a big motivator. Guitar practice, after all, is like a form of meditation; think about it: theres a reason that art and music therapy have become a booming industry. The ties between human emotion and music are unmistakable. (Need extra proof?   Check out this video of a nursing home resident and his reaction to music from his era.) Many spiritual advocates encourage the act of living in the moment, a mindset that will help you leave the past behind and stop worrying about the things you cant control in the future.   For some musicians, getting lost in the music is natural.   For others, it may take some practice. So how can you add a little zen to your guitar playing? Here are some great tips for a zen guitar practice session, as originally published on Guitar Habits, one of our favorite guitar blogs: Solitude The best way to practicing this way is in solitude. Tell your family when and for how long you are going to practice. Ask them to give you some privacy for the time being. Find yourself a room in the house where you can have some peace and quiet. Create your own sacred hide out where you can play your instrument, where you can practice without distractions (turn off all electronic devices) and work on becoming a better guitar player or songwriter. Slow down Slow is the way to go. When you practice licks, solos, chord progressions, or anything at all, you first need to practice things slow. We are all eager to play faster, but we also need to play fluently. Your fingers and your brain need to get used to new moves and shapes. Be patient and take your time. Concentrate on clear notes, steady rhythm and guitar fluency. Make sure you can play things perfect slowly and then build up speed gradually. Pause Take a moment to breathe and release the tension from the muscles in your fingers, hands, arms, shoulders and back. Let them rest for a few minutes. Go through a small relaxation exercise for great results: Focus on single parts of your body and relax them one by one. Self-fulfilling prophecy You design and live the life you create. Buddha said: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” Therefore banish all negative thoughts like: “I can’t do this,” “This is impossible,” and “No way this is going to work.” If those lines enter your mind you will just say to yourself: “I let you go now.” Replace that with positive, motivational and inspiring thoughts like: “I will get there,” “I’m becoming a better player with each workout,” “I’m working on something cool here” and “Practice makes perfect.” What do you think of these tips?   Are you zen in your guitar playing?   Stop by our Facebook page and share your thoughts with the community! Learn more about guitar sign up to receive email updates with even more expert tips and advice! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher You might also like Stop Stressing: 3 Remedies for Musical Frustration Excel at Music By Acting Like a Child Whats Causing Your Stage Fright? Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography.

5 Reasons My Guitar Might Be My Best Friend

5 Reasons My Guitar Might Be My Best Friend Sign up successful I’ve had it since I was 18 years old.   Friends, girlfriends, pets, even family come and go, but not this guitar.   It has followed me to places as far away as India and Africa, not to mention all over the USA.   It has played gigs, lessons, jams and entertained thousands while never missing a beat, although, it has broken a string or two on occasion. 2.   This guitar has been a good investment. It was the first decent instrument I ever owned and has held its value, something I can’t say for any of the cars or houses I have owned.  Even if it were worth a million bucks, though, I don’t think I would sell it. 3. This guitar never complains. I’ve played it in the rain, the snow, the very cold and a windstorm so severe that speaker columns got blown over. Once, at a beside-a-lake gig, we were swarmed by so many insects I could hardly see the fretboard.   But it just kept playing. 4. This guitar speaks its mind. It won’t say a word until I pick it up.   Even then, it waits for my fingers to point it in the right direction.   It can be very eloquent and downright sassy when the mood takes it, which is often.   Plug it into a wah-wah?   Forget about it, you will not get a word in edgewise. 5.   This guitar is never boring. When I first picked it up, all I wanted to do was play fast and loud.   But then I got interested in learning more about chords.   When I started experimenting with alternate tunings, I almost lost my mind.   Taking on fingerstyle was quite the worthy challenge.   Wow, so much guitar, so little time! Is your guitar your best friend?   Have you given it a name?   Maybe it’s just a piece of wood and steel to some, but if you spend some time with it, I guarantee you will not be bored! Like this post? Dont miss any of our tips, tricks and advice! Sign up for a free email subscription to receive our updates! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher You might also like 3 Easy Guitar Chords for Beginners What You Can Learn from a Less-Than-Perfect Gig 5 Reasons to Fit Jam Sessions Into Your Guitar Lessons Ed C. teaches music theory, music recording, songwriting and guitar lessons in Gresham, OR. He joined the TakeLessons team in February 2013, with over 30 years of experience playing guitar, singing, writing songs and making music. Learn more about Ed, or search for a music teacher near you!

What You Need To Know About The Next Generation GMAT

What You Need To Know About The Next Generation GMAT Improving Academic Performance The following is a guest post from our friends at 2 Minute GMAT: Many are worried about the new upcoming GMAT exam, to say the least. There has not been much information released about the test, which has only added to the worries of test takers around the world. If you did not know, starting on June 2012 GMAT test will be the first to take the new edition of the exam.There will be many changes to the upcoming GMAT. Specifically, the new GMAT will have a section calledIntegrated Reasoning, or IR. This sectionwill measure your ability to analyze different types of data from several sources. The taker will need to consider a number of presented options and take decisions in the same way they would in the real world. The IR section is intended to resemble a real-life scenario, and may involve resources from budget sheets, emails, and notes from top management. Test takers will then need to evaluate and synthesize the data. Unlike the current GMAT, which included verbal, mathematics and analytical writing sections, theNext Generation GMAT examwill exchange the writing section for the new IR part. Because this part is intended to emulate real-life business environments, the answers will either be correct or incorrect.Many individuals have been vocal about these changes. Christine Poon, dean of The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, was quoted saying that, “This has been called the era of big data, and it is increasingly evident that the future will be claimed by those able to see the critical patterns among overwhelming complexity.” Many other business school recruiters also believe this exam was created in responseto the necessities of the business world.The IR section will include different types of questions including a sortable table of information, similar to a spreadsheet, a multi-source reasoningquestion providing test takers with various types of information in multiple tabs (t ext, charts, and tables), and interpreted graphs and graphical images. We want to wish the upcoming GMAT test takers the best of luck.Founded in 2009, 2minuteGMAT guarantees that you will improve your GMAT score by 50 points or your money back. We send you a unique email every day for 6 months with 10 GMAT Questions of the Day (5 Math and 5 Verbal), a daily blurb about top business schools, and advice from experts on how to improve your GMAT score. Visit the 2minuteGMAT blog for updates and GMAT tips.For more advice on improving your GMAT score, visit http://www.2minutegmat.com

TOEFL Writing Topics

TOEFL Writing Topics Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person should never make an important decision alone. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person’s childhood years (the time from birth to twelve years of age) are the most important years of a person’s life. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A zoo has no useful purpose. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All students should be required to study art and music in secondary school. Use specific reasons to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do anything they can to make a profit. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should be required to help with household tasks as soon as they are able to do so. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, e-mail, or telephone calls. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Games are as important for adults as they are for children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? High schools should allow students to study the courses that students want to study. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more important for students to study history and litera ture than it is for them to study science and mathematics. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only people who earn a lot of money are successful. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18 year-old) teenaged children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different. Use specific reasons to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People behave differently when they wear different clothes. Do you agree that different clothes influence the way people behave? Use specific examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts. Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Playing a game is fun only when you win. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Playing games teaches us about life. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following sta tement? Reading fiction (such as novels and short stories) is more enjoyable than watching movies. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Self-confidence is the most important factor for success in school or at work. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Sometimes it is better not to tell the truth. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has destroyed communication among friends and family. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television, newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention t o the personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities. Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? There is nothing that young people can teach older people. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount of money to their students’ sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Dont know how to start your essay? Here are 30 KICKASS ways to begin an essay. Some people Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with? Explain why.Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Some people believe that the best way of learn ing about life is by listening to the advice of family and friends. Other people believe that the best way of learning about life is through personal experience. Compare the advantages of these two different ways of learning about life. Which do you think is preferable? Use specific examples to support your preference.Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advant ages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?Some people enjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences. Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do not change their usual habits. Compare these two approaches to life. Which approach do you prefer? Explain why.Some people like doing work by hand. Others prefer using machines. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to supp ort your answer.Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day’s work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Compare the benefits of planning free-time activities with the benefits of not making plans. Which do you prefer-planning or not planning for your leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons to support your answer.Some people prefe r to spend their free time outdoors. Other people prefer to spend their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be outside or would you prefer to be inside for your leisure activities? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.Some people prefer to spend time with one or two close friends. Others choose to spend time with a large number of friends. Compare the advantages of each choice. Which of these two ways of spending time do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your answer.Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Some people say that physical exercise should be a requir ed part of every school day. Other people believe that students should spend the whole school day on academic studies. Which opinion do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community, or even climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or moving in search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Some people think that the family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to support your position.Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay.Some people trust their first impressions about a person’s character because they believe these judgments are generally correct. Other people do not judge a person’s character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong. Compare these two attitudes. Which attitude do you agree with? Support your choice with specific examples.Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the talking) in class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some of the talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons and details to support your choice.Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study with a group of students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advant ages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Got questions? Here are all of the answers. If you could/were If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Use specific details to explain why this invention is needed.If you could make one important change in a school that you attended, what change would you make? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. It has recently been announced It has recently been announced that a large shopping center may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.It has recently been announced that a new high school may be built in your community. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details in your answer.It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.It has recently been announced that a new restaurant may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. Check grammar with the VWT essay checker here People do stuff People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge). Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for good health? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer.People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing things; other people learn by reading about things; others learn by listening to people talk about things. Which of these methods of learning is best for you? Use specific examples to support your choice.People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music important to many people ? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.People remember special gifts or presents that they have received. Why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support your answer. Compare A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either to go on vacation to buy a car Your friend has asked you for advice. Compare your friend’s two choices and explain which one you think your friend should choose. Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country. Others prefer to keep their own customs. Compare these two choices. Which one do you prefer? Support your answer with specific details.It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by your society? Give specific reasons to support your answer.Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They may choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in apartments in the community. Compare the advantages of living in university housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the community. Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your preference.The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your choice.Some peoplebelieve that the best way of learning about life is by listening to the advice of family and friends. Other people believe that the best way of learning about life is through personal experience. Compare the advantages of these two different ways of learning about life. Which do you think is preferable? Use specific examples to support your preference.Some peopletrust their first impressions about a person’s character because they believe these judgments are generally correct. Other people do not judge a person’s character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong. Compare these two attitudes. Which attitude do you agree with? Support your choice with specific examples.Some peoplethink that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?Some peopleprefer to spend time with one or two close friends. Others choose to spend time with a large number of friends. Compare the advantages of each choice. Which of these two ways of spending time do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your answer.Some peopleprefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Compare the benefits of planning free-time activities with the benefits of not making plans. Which do you prefer-planning or not planning for your leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.Some peoplechoose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?Some peopleenjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences. Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do not change their usual habits. Compare these two approach es to life. Which approach do you prefer? Explain why. 240 of the toughest IELTS Essay Writing Topics What? What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.What are some of the qualities of a good parent? Use specific details and examples to explain your answer.What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.What do you consider to be the most important room in a house? Why is this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer. You You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.You have decided to give several hours of your time each month to improve the community where you live. What is one thing you will do to improve your community? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to exp lain your choice.You must select a person to teach others to do a job. Which one of the following is the most important for you to consider in making your selection? The person’s education, the person’s work experience, the quality of the person’s previous work? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Learn how to correct grammar errors Miscellaneous TOEFL question types “When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success.” Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position.A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child’s development. What gift would you give to help a child develop? Why? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use spe cific reasons and details to develop your essay.A university plans to develop a new research center in your country. Some people want a center for business research. Other people want a center for research in agriculture (farming). Which of these two kinds of research centers do you recommend for your country? Use specific reasons in your recommendation.Awards and prizes are given for excellence in various fields. Do these awards and prizes serve a useful purpose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you think it has changed people’s lives. Automobiles, bicycles, airplanes?Countries, businesses, and schools are three areas that need good leaders. Choose one of these three areas and describe the most important qualities of a leader in that area. Explain why these qualities are important, using specific examples and details.Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after careful thought. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The decisions that people make quickly are always wrong. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents’ generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.Films can tell us a lot about the country where they were made. What have you learned about a country from watching its movies? Use specific examples and details to support your response.Groups or organizations are an important part of some people’s lives. Why are groups or organizations important to people? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.How do movies or television influence people’s behavior? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.Imagine that you are preparing for a trip. You plan to be away from your home for a year. In addition to clothing and personal care items, you can take one additional thing. What would you take and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land? Use specific details to explain your answer.In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details.In the future, students may have the choice of studying at home by using technology such as computers or television or of studying at traditional schools. Which would you prefer? Use reasons and specific details to explain your choice.In your country, is there more need for land to be left in its natural condition or is there more need for land to be developed for housing and industry? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your experience to explain your answer. When you write your answer, you are not limited to the examples listed in the prompt.Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reason s and examples to support your opinion.Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.It is sometimes said that borrowing money from a friend can harm or damage the friendship. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people treat t heir birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer.Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicin e. What is one kind of plant that is important to you or the people in your country? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.Resolving problems between individuals or groups is important. What should be considered or kept in mind in resolving problems between individuals or groups? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Some high schools require all students to wear school uniforms. Other high schools per mit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of these two school policies do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think the new century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer.The expression “Never, never give up” means to keep trying and never stop working for your goals. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.The twentieth century saw great change. In your opinion, what is one change that should be remembered about the twentieth century? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.When famous people such as actors, athletes and rock stars give their opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay attention to these opinions? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.When people need to complain about a product or poor service, some prefer to complain in writing and others prefer to complain in person. Which way do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.When students move to a new school, they sometimes face problems. How can schools help these students with their problems? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work? Explain your opinion, using specific reasons and examples.Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other danger ous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.You have decided to give several hours of your time each month to improve the community where you live. What is one thing you will do to improve your community? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which wou ld you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.You must select a person to teach others to do a job. Which one of the following is the most important for you to consider in making your selection? The person’s education, the person’s work experience, the quality of the person’s previous work? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.Your school has enough money to purchase either computers for students or books for the library. Which should your school choose to buy- computers or books? Use specific reasons and examples to support your recommendation.Your school has received a gift of money. What do you think is the best way for your school to spend this money? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Please follow and like us:

How to Properly Resign From a Position

How to Properly Resign From a Position Photo: Pexels Timing is important When people think of the go-to method for resigning from a position, they often think of a two weeks notice. Meaning, the standard for resignations if submitting a resignation at least two weeks in advance your resignation is effective two weeks after submission. However, this is not always the appropriate amount of time. Be sure to check any possible employment contract or paperwork to see if there is a specified amount for notice. What you do not want to do is become a no-show or a ghost in the workplace. Dont be that person that just disappears on everyone, not bothering to even give mention of resignation. It is not fair to your coworkers, who will have to scramble to pick up the slack. It is also not fair on yourself you may be avoiding the confrontation of resignation, but you are effectively cutting yourself off from future opportunities. This doesnt mean not being able to return to the company you are quitting, but also losing out on the networking or references you may have built from your time in the position. No one will want to recommend or vouch for someone that left them in the dark, especially in the middle of an important task or project. Dont take your resignation as a time to vent If your time in a job position was less than pleasant, you do not want to necessarily let that show in your resignation, especially if its something like your resignation letter that will likely be paired with your employee record. You dont want to be remembered as the person who spent an entire page declaring your hatred for a coworker, your boss, or your job position. Do not brag about the job position or company you are moving onto, no matter how much you may want to. Try to focus on the positives of your time with the company. Instead of focusing on what you didnt get to do, or things you didnt like about the company, try to focus on the opposite. Incorporate some aspect of gratitude in your resignation letter, write about what you are thankful for: things you have learned, opportunities you were given, and so on. If you do think you need to bring attention to the reasons you are quitting, like harassment in the workplace or unsafe working conditions, go about reporting it properly. If you truly want action to happen, pursue it, just dont complain about it just because you can now that you are quitting. Go through with an exit interview, and do it properly When you submit your resignation, you may be asked to conduct an exit interview. An exit interview can be seen as something similar to a job assessment or evaluation. It is a meeting that takes place between a companys human resources department and yourself. Rather than evaluating your performance, they are looking for your input on evaluating the company and improve future company relations. The company is looking for your honest feedback during an exit interview, whether it be an online survey or in-person interview. You dont have to lie and pretend your time at the company was all sunshine and roses, because it likely wasnt Remember to be respectful even when criticizing. Your exit interview will be attached to your employee record at the company, and possibly help build your future recommendations, whether it be positive or negative. Prepare yourself Even if you have your resignation planned down to the sentence, your boss may not react the way you want them to. They may even terminate your employment immediately after you submit your resignation. Make sure to prepare yourself for immediate termination back up any files you do not want to lose on your work computer. Resigning from a job position is not easy, whether you really like your company or dont like it at all. Either way, make sure you are leaving your position as gracefully as possible, starting with a proper resignation. Dont let an improper resignation get in the way of your future opportunities, whether it be with your current company or another.

Equal Learning Foundations Testimonial

Equal Learning Foundations Testimonial Tutorz has done an amazing job with giving a stream of leads. My experience has been that the leads come in back to back on almost a daily basis. No other online tutoring services web site has even come close. The management is great about keeping in touch, and is the only company that seems to really care that the tutors (not just the students) are happy with the service. I’m very pleased with it, and would certainly recommend it to anyone without thinking twice!! by Mary Mackay, The Equal Learning Foundation (ELF), January 29th, 2008, Re-Released on March 10, 2011

Need A Brainpower Boost Salute The Sun

Need A Brainpower Boost Salute The Sun Photo by yogicphotos via Flickr. According to a recent study, a mere 20 minutes of Hatha Yoga practice  significantly  improved participants (a group of female undergraduate students) speed and accuracy of recall on memory tests, providing them with a heightened ability to retain information and maintain focus. A common sequence of poses in Hatha Yoga is the Sun Salutation, and consists of various, flowing poses that incorporate partial inversions that direct blood flow to the brain.  This sequence is excellent to perform during those mornings when you need to get your blood flowing without having to leave your apartment or dorm. The video below will guide you through the sun salutation movements: Traditional Sun Salutation Also, for all you manly men out there, youll never have to question your masculinity while doing yoga again, thanks to the rise of Broga. Hare Pose Photo courtesy of lovemyyoga.com The hare pose, also known as  Sanangasana,  is another inverted yoga pose with brain-boosting benefits. Its known to provide maximum extension of the spine, increasing elasticity and increasing the flow of fresh, oxygen-rich blood to the brain, and can be done following the sun salutation. Feathered Peacock Pose (Pincha Mayurasana) Photo by David Martinez via  The Yoga Journal The Feathered Peacock Pose is essentially one of the ultimate inversion poses, with advanced versions not requiring the use of a wall. However, since most of us probably arent advanced yogis, it would be best to use a wall to rest your feet on while you hold the pose. In addition to drawing blood flow down to the brain, you are also drawing it down to your lungs and working your upper body. Tai Chi Photo by Joel Santos Photography via Flickr. Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art that focuses on slow, meditative movements, has been shown in a study conducted by the University of South Florida to increase brain volume and improve mental activity, and may even delay the onset of Alzheimers disease. In the tai chi group, we saw brain growth of one-half of 1 percent over eight months, said James Mortimer, lead researcher and USF professor of epidemiology and biostatistics  in an interview. Like yoga, tai chi is a low impact and continuously-flowing exercise requiring heightened mental awareness. Many scientists speculate that this mental engagement may be the reason for their significant impact on the brain. High-Intensity Interval Training Photo courtesy of swide.com Commonly referred to as HIIT,  this type of training is high-impact and involves alternating bouts of high-intensity exercise followed by a rest period, which is repeated for a short duration, typically 20 to 30 minutes, or even as little as 8 to 10 depending on how hard youre working.  An example would be similar to a Tabata workout (a form of HIIT), where you would perform 20 seconds of all-out intense exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for eight rounds. High-intensity exercise triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophic factor that plays an important role in the survival of neurons and synapse plasticity.  In a study involving high-intensity exercise and BDNF, researchers found that,  vocabulary learning was 20 percent faster after intense physical exercise as compared to the other two conditions. This condition also elicited the strongest increases in BDNF and catecholamine levels. The other two conditions within the study were low-impact running and rest, which essentially portrays high-intensity exercise as superior to low-intensity exercise in terms of cognitive improvement and learning performance. However, you may be wondering how this is possible due to the positive studies cited above mentioning the benefits of low-impact exercises on brain power and memory, which are seemingly contradictory; the bottom line is, while high-intensity exercise releases BDNF, low-intensity exercise like weight training releases an insulin like growth factor, which promotes neural survival in ways high-intensity exercise doesnt. Brain health seems to be more of a balancing act than a cut-and-dry system, which is why it is recommended to include a mixture of the previous exercises in order to reap optimal brain-boosting effects (just as long as this mixture doesnt constitute attempting to consume coffee while performing the Feathered Peacock Pose).