How to Write an Email to Your Professor

How to Write an Email to Your Professor In high school, emails were often delivered to your teachers through your school's online portal or via your parents. In college, however, things are a bit different. When reaching out to a college professor, you are the one crafting the message and sending it from your school account. Sending emails to your professors might seem like no big deal. However, you should think twice before hitting send. Constructing professional emails when corresponding with your professor is an integral part of the student-teacher relationship. Things to remember when writing an email to your professor include properly structuring the introductory portion of your email, avoiding informal or relaxed language, and doing your research before sending your email. Writing appropriate emails to your professor can make you seem earnest about your education. It also prompts your professor to take you seriously, and helps you get in the professional mindset that college demands. Keep reading to learn how to write an email to your professor. Properly structure the introduction of your email to your professor The introductory paragraph is likely the first thing your professor will read after receiving your email, so pay it special attention. If you have just begun the course, introduce yourself, and mention what class youre taking. This can be as simple as, My name is Kelly. Im in your Literature 101 course. If you feel its necessary to include more information, such as the class section number or the days of the week that the course meets, dont hesitate to do so. You dont want your professor to reach the end of the email and have no idea who you are. Yes, if your class is large or your professor is teaching many courses this semester, he or she might not be able to precisely place your face. But if you can provide clear details, you have a better chance of him or her remembering you. Once you establish who you are and what class youre in, dive into your question(s). You can say something along the lines of, Im reaching out to you because or, The reason for my email is These are both great ways to introduce your question or concern in a professional manner. Explain your question or concern, as well as any ideas you have to remedy it. If you go to your professor with no solution in mind, expecting him or her to fix the problem, your email may not be well-received. Your professor would like to see that you thought through this problem before reaching out. It makes you look prepared, mature, and serious about the class. [RELATED: 5 Reasons Students Should Meet with Professors During Office Hours] When writing an email to your professor, avoid informal or overly relaxed language Even if your professor has a relaxed attitude toward students and allows you to call him or her by their first name in class, still make an effort to send formal emails. Rememberat the end of the day, your professor is your teacher, not your friend. Unless your professor specifically states that it is okay to address emails by first name, avoid it if possible. Some professors who hold the title of doctor also like to be addressed as such. Keep this in mind when reaching out to a professor. Always check what his or her formal title is, and address the email accordingly. As previously stated, its important to have a structure to your email: Introduce yourself State your problem Include any solutions you may have in mind. By jumping right into the issue without an introduction, you risk using an informal tone. Avoid relaxed language, such as words you are likely to use when around friends. Reread your email once it is composed, and see if there are any words or phrases you can switch out for more formal language. When doing this, however, make sure the new words you choose actually fit the particular meaning. Often, students will try to sound professional and misuse words in the process. [RELATED: 4 Confusing Grammar Rules Cleared Up] Do your research before hitting send on an email to your professor Before you hit send on your email, verify that you cant find the answers somewhere yourself. Check to make sure the information you are asking for cannot be accessed through your student portal or in the syllabus. Also ask your classmates if they can help with your concern. Yes, your professor is there to help, but make sure the help is actually warranted. The last thing you want to do when trying to reach out and make a good impression on your professor is appear unprepared. At the end of the day, your professor is happy to answer any questions you may have about the course. He or she is likely teaching the class because he or she is passionate about the topic. When reaching out to professors via email, make sure to properly set up your introduction, avoid informal language, and research your question before sending your email. [RELATED: How Students Can Improve Their Research Skills] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How to Create Your First Resume

How to Create Your First Resume Creating a resum for the first time can be just a little bit daunting. Where to even begin is probably what throws students off the most. There are a lot of things to take into consideration, such as what format to use, what information to include, what order to put that information in, etc. Well, it is actually quite simple. The best way to approach putting together a resum is by understanding its main purpose to represent your professional self in the absolute best way possible. This is an extremely detailed elevator speech put on paper meant to convince any employer that you are the top candidate. Lets get the most intimidating task over with choosing and using a particular format. Thankfully with a quick Google search, the internet will bring you tons of options for different resum templates that you can easily download and apply to your own document or just re-create on your own, depending on how complex they may or may not be. Now, which one do you choose? In the long run, this particular choice wont make much of a difference either way. It just depends which style you find most aesthetically pleasing and which organizational form you wish to use. Just make sure you thoroughly look through the various options so you are aware of all that is out there before you settle on one format. Once you have a format set up, all you need to do is fill in the blanks. First, it is important that you understand exactly what employers want to know about their applicants. Its a give-in that they want to know about your past experience, but its the details you include about that experience that set you apart. For instance, when you list the responsibilities you held at a past job, go a step further and get into specifics with those duties. Instead of saying you performed sales transactions, state how many transactions you performed each day. Or instead of saying you helped solve customers problems, give examples of the kinds of problems you dealt with. Additionally, be sure to include any other significant accomplishments or honors that existed outside of one of these jobs you will be listing. Give as clear an image as possible of everything you are capable of. Never sell yourself short because this resum is usually the first opportunity employers have to learn about you and it c an either make or break whether you move on to the next step. Most importantly, tailor this resum to your intended profession. If youre applying for a journalism job, dedicate a whole section to your journalism experience separate from different positions you may have previously held. Still include those positions if they showcase your talent, but dont make them the main priority. It is critical that you highlight your proficiency in the skills necessary for the field you wish to work in, or else employers will assume you are sending a generalized resum to multiple jobs in all kinds of different professions and therefore dont really care about the work they specifically do. Bottom line: design the document so that your name and headline have a strong presence, your most important skills are appropriately showcased, and the employer in question feels you are passionate about their particular type of work. Nail all these points and youll have a very well-polished paper representation of your professional self.

The Truth About the Vocal Fry Epidemic

The Truth About the Vocal Fry Epidemic Suzy S. How bad is vocal fry, anyway? As a singer, should you be concerned about this new vocal trend, heard in artists such as Britney Spears? In this guest post by Ann Arbor, MI voice teacher  Elaina R., listen to a vocal fry example and learn the truth behind the fuss I was recently listening to This American Life (a popular radio show and podcast), and the hosts started talking about vocal fry. As a voice professional, I immediately started paying rapt attention. Within a few minutes, I could tell that there is a serious societal problem surrounding this tiny vocal fault. As it turns out, the media has been complaining about the glottal fry epidemic for years, claiming that young women use too much of it in their speech (check out this ridiculous article). Is vocal fry really a speech trend? Is it really limited to young women? What is vocal fry, anyway? Get the truth â€" and throw out the lies â€" here. What Is Vocal Fry? Vocal fry happens when someone doesn’t use enough breath to speak. The lack of breath causes a creaky sound as the vocal cords come into close contact. It usually happens at the ends of phrases, as the pitch of the sentence goes down and tapers off. Listen to some of the reporters for a vocal fry example on the aforementioned This American Life  segment. Vocal Fry Misconceptions There is an astonishing amount of misinformation in the media about vocal fry. Here are the misconceptions I find most alarming: Myth: Vocal fry happens because “that’s the way your voice is.” Truth: Vocal fry happens because youre using a very small amount of air to speak. That’s why lots of people talk with vocal fry in the morning, as their bodies are still getting warmed up. Myth: Only young women speak with vocal fry. Truth: Anyone can speak with vocal fry, and almost everyone speaks with vocal fry occasionally. In the segment, Ira Glass correctly points out that he, in fact, speaks with vocal fry. In this video examining vocal fry, the vocal coach exhibits a vocal fry example at the end of his very first sentence, probably by accident: Myth: Vocal fry is a new trend. Truth: Vocal fry is not new. It has been happening for as long as humans have been phonating. Myth: You can’t get rid of vocal fry. Truth: Vocal fry is very easy to get rid of. Is Vocal Fry Bad? Vocal fry is not an efficient way to speak. Not using adequate air to speak puts unnecessary stress on your vocal cords. It is also impossible to project when using vocal fry, so unless you are speaking to someone right next to you, it won’t serve you well. From a societal perspective, there is evidence that the older generations (people 40 and up) have negative attitudes toward vocal fry in young women. As the earlier podcast and article attest, middle-aged to older folks perceive young women who speak with vocal fry as unintelligent and insecure. This is just plain sexist, since the same views don’t seem to apply to men. However, if you are a young woman who speaks with vocal fry, it’s important to know what others may think when you speak. (Heres an interesting take on the issue from NPR.) How to Speak Without Vocal Fry To speak without vocal fry, simply speak with breath support. Try this: Take the time to breathe before you speak. As you speak, think about projecting your sound to someone across the room. Do not allow the end of your sentence to nosedive into vocal fry. If you have a voice teacher, she or he will be happy to help you master this. The more you work supported speaking into your daily life, the easier it will get. No Epidemic Here It isn’t fair that some people have such strong preconceived notions about vocal fry. However, the truth remains that those notions exist (and that vocal fry is not healthy in the first place). I also find that learning to speak well positively affects your singing. Speak well, sing well, and spread the word: vocal fry is no epidemic. It’s just part of life. Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She is currently  working on a Master of Music at the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here! 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 Photo by hnkkk

Editing Photos for Beginners

Editing Photos for Beginners How Can You Simply Retouch a Photo? ChaptersHow Can You Transfer Your Photos onto a Computer?How Do You Edit the Size and Dimensions of Photos?How Do You Blur a Photo?How Do You Change the Format of a Photo?“In photography thiere is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” - Alfred StieglitzEditing photos is often quite scary for novices. Adobe Photoshop CC, layers, luminosity, Picasa, etc., can strike fear into the heart of the uninitiated. However, it’s not really that complicated!Nowadays, the techniques have changed and almost anyone can edit photos in an intuitive way. Whether it’s adjusting the contrast, making collages, HDR correction, you can do almost anything.In May 2017, France made it illegal for edited photos to be displayed without mentioning that they’ve been retouched. It just goes to show how good they can look. There are certain functions that you should learn how to use to make your snaps better.So are you ready to start editing your photos? Which are the best programmes ? How can you correct details in just a few clicks?Don’t panic! We’ve got the answers for you right here. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Can You Transfer Your Photos onto a Computer?Importing your photos onto your computer is the first step when editing photos. How you do this will depend on the device where your photos are stored: Mac, PC, iPhone, Android, etc. There are a few differences between each one.Before you can edit your photos, you'll need them on your computer. (Source: TheAngryTeddy)On an iPhone, you have a few choices for transferring files and photos.If you have a Mac, iCloud is the most practical way to transfer your snaps in a few clicks. Thanks to regularly being synchronised over the cloud, your photos and files will be stored automatically. You just have to log into your iCloud account to find your favourite photos wherever you are. This is the magic of the cloud!If you have a Windows PC, you can import your photos by connecting your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable. Windows 10 has a lighter programme than iCloud called “Photos”.There’s also Aidrop which, if you have two Apple devices, works over Bluetooth. Connect your phone to your computer using the app and your photos will be transferred.From an Android phone, things are just as simple.  In fact, you can also use a USB cable as we mentioned before. You just need to connect your pho ne to your computer and drag the photos from your phone to your computer. That’s it!If you don’t have a cable on you, you can use apps like WeTransfer, Google Drive, or AirMore, which uses QR Codes. The joys of technology!You can also store your photos on a USB key or external hard disk and transfer your photos over USB. You can store plenty of digital photos on a memory card. In this case, you’ll need to take the memory card out of the device and insert it into your computer.Some Macs don’t come with a memory card so in this case, you’ll need a USB adapter for it. Once you’ve got the photos on your computer, you’re ready to start editing them!How Do You Edit the Size and Dimensions of Photos?Changing the file size or dimensions of a photo is one of the most common modifications. If you’re sending your photos in an email, they can massively increase the file size.In the same way you can fit more photos into an album if you make them smaller, you can store more photos on your computer if you do the same. (Source: jarmoluk)So what’s the solution?You can modify the size of photos according to your needs. When you edit photos online, there are plenty of different techniques you can use.Don’t worry, we’ll get to them.  While every photo editor is different, each has a lot of common.Changing the Dimensions of an ImageTo resize a photo, photo editing software is usually your best choice. Adobe Photoshop is the most popular programme and is often considered the best for editing photos at home.  By changing the number of pixels and retaining the proportions, you can resize your photo.The same is true for Lightroom which, thanks to advanced settings and high resolutions, can provide satisfying results. Of course, since we’re not in a perfect world, these programmes aren’t available for free.That said, there are some free photo editing programmes that you can use to resize photos and images. Of course, there are different sites available where y ou can upload a photo and resize it. The advantage of these services is that they won’t cost you a penny.If you can't afford the Adobe Creative Cloud, you can download a free photo editor like GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program).Changing the File SizeThe size of the photo isn’t the only thing you can change, you can also change the file size. This is done with compression. “But what’s that?” we hear you ask! It’s very simple.Compression is the act of making a file take up less space in a folder and you can do this my zipping it.On Mac, you just need to right-click, choose “Compress” and a new compressed folder will be created right next to it.On Windows, you can go to the Picture tools menu and compress them from there.There are also programmes and websites you can use to compress files in just a few clicks. Changing the file size isn’t that complicated.Keep in mind that not all image formats are the same. While you can use an online photo editor to convert image s, there's free image editing software that you can download that will give you more options and photo effects than these online tools.Find the best photography courses on here.How Do You Blur a Photo?Blurring photos is one of the most popular features of photo editing software. Along with modifying the contrasts, changing the white balance, or adjust the sharpness, a blur filter is an essential tool in any image editor.If you want the subject to pop, you might want to blur the background. (Source: GerDukes)Whether it’s stains or blemishes on a t-shirt, a registration plate on a car, or whatever, you can easily edit your photos in one click by adding a blur effect.So how can you do this with photo editing software?If you have an apple device, you can use the Skitch app. You just need to download it to the device and choose the photo. The app’s icon will appear in your settings. You can choose the area you want to blur, and with a bit of magic, you’re done.On Windows, you can u se “Evernote”, a similar app. When you choose the image you want to blur, the “@” symbol will appear in the top left of the photo. From there you can pixelate the photo.You can also use the blurring tools in programmes like Photoshop Lightroom or GIMP.Gaussian blur or Gaussian smoothing can be used to smooth out photos. You can also achieve similar results with a good camera. If you want a nice blur, you can do so by using the right tools. Here’s what you’ll need to do:Get as close to your subject as you can.Ensure the background is at least 2 metres away.Use a 200-500mm telephoto lensTo reduce the field of depth, use an aperture of F/1.8 or F/2.If you still would like to learn more, then you should consider getting the help of a professional photographer private photography tutor on Superprof. They'll be able to show you how to touch up your photos, get professional photo quality from your snaps, and all the secrets of digital photo enhancement.Find the best photography courses in the UK on Superprof.How Do You Change the Format of a Photo?What is the format of a photo?The format is the type of file your photo is saved as. Gif, jpeg, pdf, xnview, png, raw, etc. are all different types of file format. There are plenty of different types.Different file types have different properties. (Source: MTZD)Some file types are bigger than others and some are more compatible with certain programmes, will load quicker, are better for attaching to emails, etc.  The type you choose should be dependent on what you’re doing with it and what you need it for. There are a few ways to change the file type.On Windows, you can click Edit on the photo you want to change. Then you just need to “Save as...” and choose the file type when saving.Easy, isn’t it?On Mac, it’s just as simple. Select the image and choose “Export Selected Images”. It’ll ask you the file type you want to export them as and you’re done.In addition to these solutions, there are also online solutions. A quick search for “image converter” on Google will provide you with plenty of different solutions.You can also learn using online photography courses.Nevertheless, GIMP, the famous photo editing software package inspired by Photoshop, is free and useful. You can remove red-eye, change the contrast, adjust the black and white balance, crop, modify photos in just a few clicks.By opening the image in question and exporting it, you’ll be presented with the option to change its file type.Whether you’re using filters, creating montages, cropping an image, removing imperfections, etc., you need to start with the basics.So are you ready to edit your photos?

College College Scholarship Sweepstakes Winner

College College Scholarship Sweepstakes Winner Barrington, IL, 12/22/14 The Barrington Huntington Learning Center announced the winner of its College Scholarship Sweepstakes. Bella McCloskey of Tower Lakes, IL, received a $500 scholarship toward future college tuition and fees. McCloskey is currently a junior at Barrington High School and loves physics and ceramics. Bella has been visiting colleges and universities west of Chicago as she prefers to attend a college in a state with warmer weather. She was excited to find out that she had won the scholarship. She forgot that her entry was submitted when she signed up for the ACT prep program. Winning was a big surprise, said McCloskeys parents. Huntington is a proud supporter of high school students who strive to attend college, and we are excited to assist this student with her college tuition, said Beth Meier of the Barrington Huntington Learning Center. In addition to the Barrington center, Huntington Learning Centers across the country participated in Huntingtons College Scholarship Sweepstakes. High school students aged 14 and older were eligible to enter, as were parents, grandparents and friends of high school students attending college after graduation. Entries were submitted via text message. About Huntington Learning Center Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

Educator Resources for Professional Development

Educator Resources for Professional Development It is always a good idea to improve yourself as an educator. Whether you are seeking an online community of teachers where you can exchange ideas, or a site with articles, tech tips, lesson inspiration and more, here are several resources worth exploring: Edutopia offers teacher development resources and other tools and articles that help teachers implement project-based learning, social and emotional learning, comprehensive assessment, integrated studies, and technology integration. TeachThought grows teaching through thought leadership, professional development, resource curation, curriculum development, podcast publishing, and collaboration with organizations around the world. Annenberg Learner distributes multimedia courses and workshops to help teachers keep current on the content they teach. Professional development resources provide teachers with research on the most effective teaching strategies and their connection to national education content standards, as well as tips on practical, classroom application. KQED Teach offers a collection of free professional learning opportunities focused on digital media. Educators can build skills in digital storytelling, data visualization, and critical media use to support all curriculum areas. Teaching Channel highlights inspiring and effective teaching practices in America's schools, offering a library of videos to teachers free of charge. Photo bySharon McCutcheononUnsplash

Brainy Secrets of Green Tea

Brainy Secrets of Green Tea Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants, polyphenol, flavonoids and other useful ingredients. The healing properties of green tea are almost boundless. Polyphenols, contained in green tea, block the growth of cancer cells and enhance the insulin activity. Fluoride, another natural component of green tea, inhibits the growth of oral bacteria, prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Green tea increases the metabolic rate, which stimulates weight loss. Tea is a source of flavonoids, improving the LDL-HDL cholesterol ration and protecting blood vessels. Drinking green tea hinders the accumulation of free radicals and boosts immune system which may delay ageing. Unlike synthetic medications, all these miraculous effects of green tea are achieved without negative physiological consequences. So, several cups of green tea per day, with its immense healing and anti-ageing properties, could help to protect you from many diseases. In addition to positive influence on health, drinking green tea can also improve brainpower. Researchers  discovered that some natural ingredients found in tea can improve brain performance, memory and attention span. Catechins, contained in tea, were found to preserve brain cells from the negative influence of the protein, which builds up with ageing and weakens cognitive activity. Thus drinking tea helps to reduce such age-related disorders as progressive cognitive decline and dementia. Tea, like coffee, contains caffeine that has stimulating influence on the central nervous system, increases alertness and reduces fatigue. It is known that caffeine may cause headaches and increased blood pressure. However, tea is a safer stimulant than coffee because tea contains theanine, which reduces potential side effects of the caffeine. The natural combination of theanine and caffeine in tea is exceptionally beneficial in improving brain performance on cognitive tasks. A recent study from China revealed even more fascinating facts. Epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG ), an organic chemical in green tea, was found to promote the generation of neural progenitor cells. This provides benefits for learning by improving spatial memory and object recognition. An ancient Chinese wisdom declares: “Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary.” Modern scientists  confirmed this old saying. Drinking tea protects your body from ageing, prevents diseases and keeps your mind sharp. Drink several cups of green tea every day and take all the benefits of this amazing beverage!

How best to judge ability at GCSE and A-level

How best to judge ability at GCSE and A-level It's summer, and in the UK that means only one thing for many of our young people: the nervous wait for GCSE and A-level results. Their teachers and private tutors are arguably just as tense: those of us who have spent the last year coaching children in the techniques of the Maths GCSE or the English A-level are unlikely to get a good night's sleep until we know whether our efforts have paid off. But are exams really the fairest way to grade our teenagers? Certainly as private tutors a lot of the work we do (especially in the last term of school) is centred on exam techniques, yet every year the 'exam culture' debate rages on. Some suggest that exam techniques should be taught in schools to a much higher degree. On the one hand, this would provide a strong basis for all students facing the rigours of exams, but on the other it could easily take time away from teaching core subjects. So, what alternatives are there? One option is an emphasis on coursework. This can give students the chance to shine without the pressure of a three-hour window to demonstrate their ability. A flexible system can allow pupils to choose their own topics and style, providing a more enjoyable learning experience. But does it penalise those students who thrive in exam conditions? A second possibility is the eradication of testing altogether, instead providing certificates of achievement based on students' continuous performance throughout the year, as assessed by their teachers. This sounds like a fair system, but it could be vulnerable to the subjectivity of the teacher, as well as the risk of human error. As this year's GCSE and A-level grades are eagerly awaited, the debate continues. What is the fairest way to judge the ability of our young people? An overarching focus on one evaluative method can lead to an unfair advantage for some, so is a mixture of both the answer? Or do you think your tutees would thrive if exams and coursework were to be removed altogether?