The Newest CCNY Math Tutoring Program

The Newest CCNY Math Tutoring ProgramCCNY Math Tutoring is one of the best ways to give your child a head start in their school learning. CCNY Math Tutoring in New York City has a curriculum that is full of challenges and fun.Here are some of the latest innovations from the CCNY Math Tutoring Company, and hopefully you will find the curriculum more interesting than reading it! New! What makes this curriculum so exciting is the interactive component, where your child can try out and learn with the course. This allows your child to practice his skills with real world situations, and just as importantly, lets him see the results of their learning before it's too late.New! The latest addition to the curriculum is a website, which allows your child to check their grade and class attendance using just a few clicks of a mouse.New! The CCNY Math Tutoring program has a number of other great new additions, and they include multiple assignments, which allow your child to study more of the mater ial and learn all of the aspects of the subject at the same time.New! In addition to the interactive features mentioned above, the curriculum is now much more challenging and features a brand new format for math practice, where your child works with 'teachers' in a real classroom environment, with real tests and real classwork.In conclusion, this is an exciting time for parents in New York City, who will be able to enroll their children in CCNY Math Tutoring, and be rewarded with the most challenging math curriculum ever! Parents can also take advantage of the free materials offered by the company, which are designed to introduce your child to these exciting concepts in the safest and most comfortable way possible.

5 Facts Everyone Should Know About Biology

5 Facts Everyone Should Know About Biology 0SHARESShare Biology the science of life  is that part of your studies that teaches you all about why your body functions the way it does how and why one reacts in certain situations. There are various hidden facts about our body organs that one needs to be aware about. Here is a list of few of such details relating to our body organs which can alter your thinking   regarding your body’s functioning. • In today’s time, even with the development in medical science, various reasons lead to the failure of our internal organs. But how much damage to the same can we bear? The truth is that even if 80 per cent of the intestines or 75 per cent of the liver is removed, a human being can survive. And similarly if one kidney and one lung are removed, we will still be alive! That is how strong our body is. • An ear, whose primary function is thought to be of hearing, is basically meant to maintain the balance of our body. Yes, you read it right. In case one loses an ear, that person will face a lot of disorientation in case of walking and maintaining balance. •  Bowman capsule  is a cup like structure in a nephron, which is a kidney cell, and undertakes the first step in the process of blood filtration by extracting from it the urine. • Why do we as humans can think rationally and behave the way we do? It is because of the growth in the brain’s cerebral cortex; this part of the brain stores the memory and controls the motor functions and thought processes. • Does your nose start watering when you cry? If yes, it’s because of the drain created by the tear ducts into the back of your nose. [starbox id=admin]

Should I Go To Stony Brook University

Should I Go To Stony Brook University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Marc is a graduate of Stony Brook University from which he earned a Bachelors degree in Biochemistry in 2013. He is a New York City tutor who specializes in Algebra tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, Pre-Calculus tutoring, and a number of other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Stony Brook: 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? Marc: Stony Brook is a safe, beautiful campus with multiple options for transportation. There is a bus system that allows for transportation to destinations both within and outside of the campus. There are also locations on campus where students may rent bikes, as well asa train within walking distance that can take students to New York City. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Marc: Availability varies from professor to professor. That said, most are accommodating, and they will allow students to schedule an appointment if they are unable to meet during regularly scheduled office hours. Academic advisers and teaching assistants tend to be enthusiastic and eager to help students. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Marc: The quality of rooms varies from building to building, as well as within the buildings themselves. The university tends to house three freshmen per room. This may be uncomfortable if you are used to having your own room. However, the university does start to de-triple during the second semester. Moving on, campus dining is not five stars by any means. However, it is certainly not the worst food I have eaten. I would say it is above average, albeit expensive. With regard to social life, I would say there are many opportunities to meet new people. However, Stony Brook is a commuter school, which means the campus will be quieter on the weekends. 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? Marc: Stony Brook University offers a variety of degree programs, from the arts to the sciences. I initially found out about Stony Brook because of its reputation for being strong in the sciences. Having worked towards and attained a biochemistry degree, I can confirm this. There are also many research opportunities and a hospital to acquire clinical experience at if you are pre-medicine. 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? Marc: As a freshman, it was easy to make friends within classes and inside the dorms themselves. The dorms have pool tables and ping pong tables. Engaging in these activities may be one way to meet new people and make friends. Playing basketball is another waythere are many basketball courts throughout campus. These are just a few of the possible ways. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Marc: From my experience with the Career Center, I can vouch that they are extremely helpful and friendly. They helped me format my resume correctly, and they answered any questions I had. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Marc: The libraries are normally quiet and not over-crowded. It is easy to find a good area to study. They also have quiet lounges located in dorm buildings. 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? Marc: The surrounding area contains a shopping mall, various supermarkets, Walmart, and a movie theater. There is also a nearby train that goes to New York City. Students seem to enjoy visiting the city. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Marc: The student body is fairly large. Some of the science classes, particularly the introductory sciences, contain hundreds of students. Recitations accompany the lectures. Recitations usually contain 30 students, and they are taught by graduate students. Because of the large class size, it may be difficult to ask a question during lecture. Despite this, it is easy to get one-on-one help from the professor during office hours or from your graduate teaching assistant during recitation. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Marc:Two of my favorite classes happen to be sociology classes I took with Dr. Marrone. She is extremely kind and effectively relays course material. Check out Marcs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Aboriginal Australia

Aboriginal Australia Who were the First People in Australia? ChaptersA Brief History of MigrationThe People of AustraliaLife in Indigenous AustraliaLeisure ActivitiesTechnology of the Australian aboriginal PeopleLegacy of Australia's Native PeopleOver the last few years, the term ‘aboriginal’ used to refer to indigenous populations in Australia has been called to question for its racist connotations.However, this word is perfectly fit for use without capitalising the first letter; it is Latin for ‘original inhabitant’.Another good reason to not use that word when speaking of Australia’s native people is the diversity of cultures, languages and histories of the various tribes.Whether considered singly or overall, encapsulating all that they represent in a single â€" some say hurtful adjective does them a great disservice.That puts us in a rather difficult position, seeing as we aim to uncover as much of their history, culture and achievements as possible in a reasonably lengthy article rather than a ponderous tome.Still, your Superpro f is up to the challenge; in fact, the thrill of discovery is upon us!Let us not tarry, then... MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Brief History of Migration Bush tucker is typical fare eaten by original Australians Image by pen_ash from PixabayThe challenge of establishing the history of indigenous Australians lies in the fact that, until European ships arrived, there were no records save for oral histories.To establish a tentative record of past events, archaeologists rely on the tools of their trade: radiocarbon and luminescence dating and, more recently, DNA testing.Such a test, conducted on a human skeleton found in Lake Mungo’s dry bed puts humans on the Australian continent around 65,000 years ago.Other remains, found in Victoria, indicated by their skeletons â€" thick brow ridges and very large teeth, that they were from a different branch of the hominid tree.Taken together, the difference in species seems to suggest that there was more than one migration event into Australia. This is a topic that is hotly debated still today.In spite of those (and other) indications, the prevalent theory is that a single migration populated the continent between 64,000 to 75,000 years ago.Even within that single postulate is room for discussion: whether they island-hopped, built boats or walked over the land bridge across the Arafura Sea to arrive in Australia.As sea levels were around 100 meters lower at that time, it may have been possible to walk but the more likely happening was that they were the first mariners ever.Once there, they became one of the most remarkable cultures â€" not for their evolution but for their seeming lack thereof.Discover one of the most evolved societies in Antiquity: Ancient EgyptThe People of AustraliaToday, we recognise two distinct groups of people indigenous to Australia: Australians natives and Torres Strait Islanders.Within those major categorisations, there exist several tribes unique onto themselves even though they share certain cultural elements.The largest tribes or groups were identified by the language they spoke which, in turn, was recognised at a part of the territory they occ upied.Quite possibly, there are more than 500 such groups; some of the most prominent aboriginal tribes include:The Murrawarri people: New South Wales/Queensland regionThe Koori in New South Wales and VictoriaThe Ngunnawal of the Australian Capital TerritoryThe Goori in Southeast QueenslandThe Nyungar in southern Western AustraliaThe Anangu in northern South AustraliaThe Arrernte in Central AustraliaThe Palawah in TasmaniaThe Tiwi on the Tiwi IslandsWhile some groups who lived fairly close spoke a dialect of that territory and shared cultural features, by no means could these alliances be considered political or economic in nature.As the tribes were all nomadic, they laid no claim to any territory. As they were hunter-gatherers, they had no crops to defend.They had no political agenda and no economy to cultivate or support... but that doesn’t mean that there were no conflicts!Encroaching on another tribe’s hunting ground could spark tribal warfare, often resulting in revenge kil lings. Also, women and children often fell victim to violence from other tribes and even within their own tribe.Find out how gender roles played out in other ancient civilisations.Other than that, how was life before European colonization? MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLife in Indigenous Australia Australian cave paintings depict scenes from everyday life or spiritual beliefs Image by ejakob from PixabayUntil 1788, when European explorers first arrived, the tribes of Australia were still using stone tools.In fact, the entire period prior to the arrival of colonists is considered a continuation of the Stone Age because there was no metal in use.As mentioned before, the tribes were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers; they did not plant crops or harvest until after European settlers had commanded vast portions of the most habitable land.For millennia, they lived in harmony with their land, their beliefs and their gods.GovernmentIndigenous Australian spiritual beliefs had no hierarchy â€" each deity and spirit was equally powerful and important.Thus, the people native to Australia endeavoured to mirror their beliefs by not establishing any social hierarchy.Healers and elders, with their long life experience and deep spirituality, were revered for those qualities, not for having been se lected to lead.Even so, their status as leader was/is only conditional; another member may emerge as a leader if s/he offers a more effective solution to a situation.In some groups, women played a powerful leadership role, but only insofar as women’s issues were concerned.The issue of government did not bear any significance until the British started colonising the land; they felt that some delegate from the groups in question should be available to talk with them.Thus, unwittingly, the British established hierarchies within the native tribes.How did the Mayans differ from other South American civilisations?Spiritual BeliefsThough each tribe had their own oral traditions, belief systems and spiritual values, the overarching theme was respect for the land and the significance of The Dreamtime.The Dreamtime refers both to the creation of the land and to the state of dreaming that humans enjoy.According to this creation myth, ‘First Peoples’ rose from the land and walked across i t, naming plants and animals as they went.Contrary to many other belief systems, theirs does not indicate that humans are above or apart from other animals or even the land; a remarkable equality among living things and the land permeates these beliefs.The Rainbow Serpent is considered the ultimate Creator; it resides under the land, in a permanent water hole. As the legend goes, it moved beneath the land, creating mountains and gorges.Where it emerged would be a body of water â€" the Serpent controls all of the water.In some groups, the serpent is male and in others, female. Yet others assign it both genders while still others maintain its gender is ambiguous.For many groups, Baiame is the Sky Father; creator of the land and hills, the trees and beasts. He gave people their laws of life, their traditions and their songs.He also created the first bora, a place where boys are initiated into manhood.Women are forbidden from seeing any depictions of Baiame, nor may they approach any su ch sacred sites.It would be difficult to give a rundown of every deity and belief the many tribes of Australia hold sacred but, looking at their most powerful symbols of creation gives us a good idea of their venerations.How did the Inca honour their gods?Significant CeremoniesAs you might imagine, indigenous people observed many rites, holding ceremonies when required.For instance, fire-stick farming was seen as good land husbandry; people felt it was their duty to take care of their natural environment. We talk more about the use of fire a little further on.Other rituals include:Male Initiation CeremonyFor a male to reach adulthood is a lengthy process; first, he must engage in what used to be called a walkabout: a period of several months in which he would leave his group and fend for himself.Once he returned, the bora would ensue.  Physical ordeals they might have endured included scarification, circumcision and tooth loss.Also during this time, they would be told of the tribe†™s legends and religious visions. They would be taught all of the sacred songs and dances. For some groups, the solemnity of the occasion would be broken by feasting.Females were barred from this rite. Initiation ceremonies tend to be very elaborate Image by falco from PixabayThe Smoking CeremonyAfter a bora or after a new child was born, members of the groups would set various plants to smoulder, producing a smoke believed to have cleansing properties.It was also believed to ward off bad spirits.CorroboreeThis event gave people the means of interacting with The Dreamtime.Wearing costumes, paint and adornments not commonly worn, people would dance, sing and act out parts of The Dreaming.This word is actually an anglicisation of ‘caribberie’, a word which, in turn, means different things to different groups of native Australians.Conversely, the concept of celebrating The Dreamtime is represented differently across all of Australia.Between territory squabbles and internal conflict, constant migration and rituals, was there any time for fun?What did the Ancient Greeks do for fun?Leisure ActivitiesSadly, much of what entertained the aboriginal people of Australia has been lost to h istory. However, there is some retelling of games involving a ball made of possum hide.Marn Grook, a word from the Weiwurung language that means ‘ball’ or ‘game’ is taken to represent all manner of pastimes involving kicking and catching a ball.Although this activity’s rules varied from group to group across the regions, it bore a strong similarity to football... although more than 100 people may have played in any match-up.Art features prominently in these cultures; examples of such date back thousands of years.the didgeridoo, considered one of the oldest musical instruments to date, is a long tube of eucalyptus with no finger holes that the player blows into to create sound.  Typically, playing that instrument was a 'males only' proposition.Other musical instruments include: clapsticks, bull roarers and gum leaf - a free reed instrument.Three major regional styles of aboriginal art include a simple figurative style found in Queensland; a complex figurative style Arnhem L and and a geometric style that radiates out from Central Australia.In terms of age and abundance, aboriginal art is said to be on par with the caves in Lascaux; in fact, experts agree that this is the world’s oldest continuing art tradition.The paint used to render these works is the same ochre that they adorn themselves with for ritual celebrations. A musician playing a didgeridoo and clapsticks Image by John R Perry from PixabayTechnology of the Australian aboriginal PeopleAs a hunter-gatherer society of the Stone Age, nothing went to waste; not even women’s hair.A woman’s long hair would provide ample material to make a string that could fasten arrowheads to spear poles.  They would braid strands of hair together to make general-purpose belts that held tools or from which a loincloth could hang.Hair was also used to make baskets and fishing nets, headbands or supports for a coolamon â€" a carrying vessel generally borne on the head.Tree bark also had many uses, from building shelters to building canoes.More advanced devices included the boomerang and the message stick â€" symbols engraved on a piece of wood approximately 30cm long, which would be delivered to other groups.Sometimes, the purpose of these message sticks was to invite a nearby tribe to a corobboree.The Use of FireIn Australia, evidence of fire was found that dates back 100,000 years.What’s remarkable is that people had discovered a way to harness fire’s power to clear otherwise impenetrable brush, to drive game animals and to produce new growth of food plants.In that sense, you might say that the original Australians were fire farmers.Fire was also used to communicate with distant tribes, drive dangerous inhabitants out of underbrush â€" snakes and poisonous insects, and to increase diversity in food plants.However, care was taken to not burn the jungles that were home to their guiding spirits.How did the Aztecs manage their jungle growth?Legacy of Australia's Native PeopleIf it hadn’t been for European explorers, native Australians might have continued to live the way they had for centuries.What truly impacted the native people of Australia was British Colonisation.To be sure, we weren’t the first ones to land but we were the ones to stay... and we brought our social ills and diseases with us.Influenza, measles and smallpox esp ecially proved devastating; within a year, approximately half of the native population in the Sidney area had succumbed to them.It is true that Governor Phillip, the first ‘leader’ of the colonies, did his best to adhere to his orders: find a way to live with the natives, but he couldn’t be everywhere at once. Several of his underlings got away with massacring entire tribes.Although he did eventually find a cooperative liaison, it took a few more centuries to finally accord indigenous Australians the right to live according to their culture and beliefs.It is difficult to assess the legacy of the oldest continuous civilisation because they still live and we hope they will continue to do so â€" under their own rites and laws.Now discover what happened with the Mesopotamian civilisation.

Math Failures Are Not Regrettable - Why

Math Failures Are Not Regrettable - Why Math is a subject which is much dreaded. Once students falter in the subject, they feel frustrated and do not want to continue with their Math studies. Truly speaking, Math failures are the ones that step up subject success. How do Math failures turn out negative? It is very common to err and very, very common to err in Math. So, Math failures occur at any point of time. Kids who are very good at computational skills may go wrong in their conceptual approach to Math topics at advanced level. Or it can be that they misconstrue Math symbols and fail miserably as in fixing the unknown values in Algebra. It is only the attitude that turns Math failures negative and makes students develop phobia and anxiety about the subject. Who make a mess of Math failures? Primarily it is parents and teachers who make a mess of Math failures. Most of the parents have Math anxiety on their part and they enforce the same on their kids. When kids face a miserable situation like poor grades in a Math test, they jump to the conclusion that their kids are like them and they will not be able to accomplish Math successfully. Read Also:  A Survey of Mathematical Education. The Causes of Student Dropout Most of the teachers have a tendency to discourage kids once they fail in a Math test. Students naturally shrink within themselves and do not have the confidence to attend Math classes. Peers also cause disturbance in Math learning with their power struggles and comparative talks. So, Math failures cause lots of mental tremors in students and push them to hate the subject. How do Math failures become stepping stones to success? When students detect Math disabilities in them, they should not be afraid of the onslaught of failures upon them. They can work on them with an able Online Math Tutor and come out of their cringing situations. In fact, these failures sow the seed of good fundamentals and strong skills in them. Once they understand where they err, they will not go back on them and would venture to learn with more seriousness, attitude and focus. #Failure Is Just A Stepping Stone To #Success If You See It That Way https://t.co/4YX9jxA1qS pic.twitter.com/x7Y7KzmBJf â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) April 19, 2016 The need of online tutors in Math learning The thing you need is somebody to encourage you when you go wrong in Math. Tutors online have the patience to do it and help you with proper solutions to catch hold of the areas where you prove weak. The tutors write the sums on white board with you and correct your errors on the spot and provide strategies that do not allow you to err again. Math homework help online is the right destination for students to come out of their erring spots and learn the subject with a positive attitude.

Changing The Way We Think About IQ and ADHD

Changing The Way We Think About IQ and ADHD During discussions about ADHD and IQ, two common myths often enter the conversation: (1) Kids with ADHD are smarter or more creative than kids without ADHD, but they simply dont apply themselves, or (2) the opposite view, that kids with ADHD arent as smart as kids without ADHD. In reality, there is no direct connection between ADHD and intelligence. Just as there is a full range of intelligence among kids without ADHD, there is a full range of intelligence among kids with ADHD some are highly intelligent, most are of average intelligence, and some fall into the below-average range of intelligence. While ADHD does not have a significant impact on intelligence, it does make it harder for a child to learn in a traditional classroom environment, and it interferes with his or her ability to effectively demonstrate his or her knowledge on assignments and tests. Since kids are often described as being smart or not smart based on the grades that they receive, having ADHD-related academic ch allenges can lead to the perception a child is less intelligent or less motivated than his or her classmates. Intelligence, as it has been traditionally defined, is a reflection of skills measured on standardized IQ tests, including verbal and spatial reasoning, information processing, and memory skills. These are essentially the skills that are most highly correlated with academic success. Traditional IQ tests however, are limited in their ability to capture an individuals full range of abilities and potential. Fortunately, multifaceted models of intelligence have been proposed to address this problem. Dr. Howard Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences is one IQ model that encompasses nine different types of intelligence: Spatial: visualizing objects in 3D, mentally and physically manipulating objects with a specific goal in mind Naturalist: Understanding living things, reading nature, connecting with nature Musical: discerning the pitch, tone, rhythm, and timbre of sounds Logical/Mathematical: quantifying things, engaging in scientific thinking and reasoning Intrapersonal: understanding your own feelings and needs Linguistic: verbal and written expression Interpersonal: sensing other peoples feelings and motives Bodily-kinesthetic: coordinating your mind with your body Existential: grappling with the questions of why we live and why we die For kids and teens with ADHD who do not fit into the traditional model of intelligence, a Multiple Intelligences framework provides an opportunity for tailoring and personalizing the way that they are taught in the classroom. For example, for children who learn best in a more physical way or a more musical way, teaching math through physical activity or music could have a significant impact on a childs ability to learn. In addition, allowing kids to demonstrate their knowledge in ways that capitalize on their strengths (e.g., through project-based learning) could greatly enhance their academic performance and motivation. Parents and teachers have the opportunity to reflect on a childs abilities and consider which of the 9 intelligences represent areas of strength. Providing opportunities for a child to develop these strengths through extracurricular activities will build self-confidence, and help buffer against the feelings of self-doubt that come with having ADHD. With a Multiple Intelligences framework, parents and teachers can start to change the dialog around what it means to be smart, and empower kids with ADHD to see their true potential - well beyond the grades that they receive at school. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

10 Tips for Presenting Your Best Self To Colleges Part 2

10 Tips for Presenting Your Best Self To Colleges â€" Part 2 ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog In part one of this two-part post, I referenced five ways to differentiate yourself in preparation for applying to college. The first five tips were: Do what you love Distinguish yourself at school Distinguish yourself in your community Get a job or an internship Do some independent research In each case, the idea was to do something that makes you unique, and would suggest you’d be an intelligent, interesting, thoughtful addition to even the most selective college or university student body. Now, let’s cover tips 6 â€" 10. 6. Read This one seems simple, but wow, does no one do it and wow, is it powerful. Get a library card and READ. Keep a list of what you read. Teenagers don't read enough for pleasure (I know you have a lot of homework and sports, but even at 2 pages a day you can finish a book or two a year...) Reading opens your mind to new subjects, teaches you vocabulary, increases your imagination and attention span, and strengthens your writing. Colleges love to see kids who read because you are more well informed in choosing your major and you will have to read a lot in college, so everybody wins! 7. Go crazy taking in cultural activities in your city This activity is often overlooked, but you can go to plays, concerts, dance performances, art shows, lectures, poetry readings and all sorts of similar events in your city. Even if you live in a very small town, during the fair there are always events like this that you can attend. Learning about cultures shows your intellectual curiosity, and colleges are educational institutions first and foremost, so they really love kids who think and appreciate diverse experiences. Whether it's a ballet, a wood carving lecture at the library, or a tractor pull at the fairground, get out there and experience life! 8. Pursue a really weird, obscure hobby If you have any desire to learn to blow glass, country two-step, make duck calls, or recite poetry at slamfests, do it. Colleges (and employers) love people with hobbies because it makes you interesting and well rounded. When you pursue your hobby in Renaissance dance or civil war reenactment, a college will be able to see what kinds of things you can bring to campus to share with other students. And remember, you can learn any of these things from YouTube; you don't always need expensive lessons. 9. Investigate and really consider obscure majors While browsing through a college's course catalog and online statistics, look at the number of students enrolled in each major. Learn about the smallest and most obscure majors on campus because most kids are probably applying for the same things and one of these lesser-known majors might actually really catch your eye! 10. Publish anything No joke. If you can publish an article, a blog, a BOOK, a chapbook of poetry--do it. One year I even had a student who wanted to publish his own manifesto, and I did have a girl who wrote her own Latin textbook because she couldn't find one she liked... The point is, if you can actually manage to write or direct and publish something, then by all means do so. Colleges love movers and shakers, in good ways, so if you are one such kid, then let it be known by your output. Publishing is basically awesome. There are many ways that you canstand out from the pack, and all of them involve you following your own heart and pursuing your passions. Best of luck to you as you do. Yay, college! SusannaCerasuolo, M.Ed is a college counselor based in Seattle, WA. She has been working with high school students for 20 years, first as an English teacher and then as a guidance counselor. As a first generation college graduate, Susanna believes that education is the best way to break the poverty cycle and she is passionate about increasing access to Higher Ed. Susanna foundedwww.CollegeMapper.com, a free website that gives each high school student a step-by-step plan to find and apply to college. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'a519c073-790d-4c67-b0fd-7095f1869478', {});