How to Play Jazz on the Guitar

How to Play Jazz on the Guitar Become a Jazz Guitarist ChaptersHow Do You Make a Jazz Guitar Sound?Jazz Guitar SwingThe Main Jazz ChordsJazz Guitar: The Minor Melodic ScaleJazz Guitar ImprovisationJazz Guitar Vocabulary“Jazz musicians were liking things before they were cool since before it was cool to like things before they were cool.” - AnonymousThe oldest guitar-shaped instrument is over 3,500 years old! While jazz music is much newer than that, it’s still got a rich and diverse history.While often considered elitist in comparison to styles like bossa nova or flamenco, this is mainly because jazz music is difficult for beginners to play but once you start listening to it and playing it, you'll see just how enjoyable it can be.Learning jazz guitar in order to play jazz blues, Gypsy jazz, or jazz-rock is an impressive feat. Not just anyone can become a jazz guitarist. You need to know how to play the guitar and then put a lot of effort in to come anywhere close to the great jazz guitarists like George Benson, Pat Martino, Kenny B urrell, or Mike Stern.In this article, we're going to look at what gives jazz tunes their distinctive sound and feel, what chord progression you should use, and how jazz guitar lessons can help you the next time you have to play a solo. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Do You Make a Jazz Guitar Sound?Jazz has a warm, soft, and round sound. To get this, you need to start with a jazz guitar.The first thing you should do is buy a guitar i f you want to start playing! (Source: storytellersupply)Forget about a classical guitar or a folk guitar and look for an electric guitar with a big soundbox. These are also known as hollow bodies or archtops.  Of course, these come at a price as these instruments are designed with almost solely jazz in mind.The strings play an important role in producing a jazzy tone. In jazz music, the strings are very slack because they’re hit hard.  Opt for flatwound strings for a warmer sound.The pick or plectrum also plays an important role in creating that jazz sound. You need to get a really hard plectrum. In fact, some musicians even opt for wooden or horn plectrums. Choose one that’s slightly bevelled to avoid a harsh sound.  To get a jazz sound, the best way is to listen, listen, and listen again to jazz music to get an idea of the rich culture of the music.Jazz Guitarist InspirationDjango ReinhardtPat MethenyWes MontgomeryJimi RaneyJoe PassLarry CoryellGeorges BensonJim HallJohn McLau ghlinWolfgang MultsphielJohn ScofieldJimi HendrixKurt RosenwinkelJonathan KreisbergJazz Guitar SwingSwing is one of the foundations of jazz music!Jazz has a particular rhythm that takes a lot of practice to get right! (Source: WikiImages)What is it exactly?Swing (or shuffle in blues music) is a way of playing whereby the second quaver of each pair of quavers is played late. The quavers are played like a triplet. In jazz, you can play in a ternary rhythm instead of a binary rhythm if you want.I recommend listening to jazz rhythms on the drums to get a better understanding of how to play jazz guitar. While the drums are often found at the back of the stage, the drummer actually plays the lead role in jazz music.There are different ways you can swing. For example, you can vary your swing during a song. You needn’t always play that second quaver in the same way.  To get the hang of swing, you need to be laid back. You need to voluntarily play offbeat. However, you mustn’t do it all the time. You still need to play to the beat every so often.This technique is better with slow and simple songs. Just keep in mind that with jazz music, it’s better to be late than early.  Train your ear to understand this nuanced technique and replicate it.  Finally, work on jazz phrasing which can be really difficult for guitarists. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Main Jazz ChordsPlaying jazz guitar is like building a monument... incredibly difficult!  There are plenty of chords, chord progressions, solos, licks, ways to play notes, guitar effects, and different styles (Gypsy jazz, blues rock, jazz fusion, etc.)  You won’t become a great jazz guitar player with just a few chords!Discern the difference between chord progression in jazz an when playing hard rock or heavy metal guitar...Jazz music takes more than just a trumpet! (Source: ahkeemhopkins)One thing’s for sure, while the deep fifth plays an essential role in rock, blues, and pop music, it has no place in jazz music.  With its powerful sound, it doesn’t really mesh well with jazz’s round and warm sound. However, it can be played on the higher notes.While this rule is often broken, it’s better to leave the low fifth harmonies to one side for now.  Jazz chords are usually enriched chords as they provide colour.  7th chords are very common in jazz music. These are the first ones you’ll learn, be them major or minor.You’ll find the same cho rds popping up again and again in popular jazz music. You can have fun with the jazz classics and start creating your own pieces easily. Jazz music often uses evolutions of a series of common chords. It’ll be much easier learning new chords once you’ve got the hang of the basics.When you see chord diagrams, they show you the fingerboard vertically. The lowest string is at the left. The frets are represented by boxes and circles represent where you should place your fingers. 1 represents your index finger and 4 represents your pinky. If there’s a cross on the string, it means you won’t play it.Jazz Guitar: The Minor Melodic ScaleRock tends to use minor pentatonic scales whereas the best jazz opts for the melodic minor scale.  There are plenty of minor scales but the minor melodic scale is the most commonly used for jazz solos.There are 7 notes in the scale and you don’t need to avoid any of them, unlike the major scale in which you should avoid fourths.  It’s played on ja zz’s iconic cadence: the II V I. This corresponds to C major, D minor 7 (II), G major 7 (V), C major 7 (I).To better understand this minor melodic scale, it’s recommended you do a few exercises:On D minor 7 and C major, play the D scale.On G major 7, play the flat minor melodic, also known as the altered scale.All these notes will produce a jazz feel to your music, getting you one step closer to that jazz style.How different is jazz guitar from playing rock or folk music on the guitar?Jazz Guitar ImprovisationWhat would jazz be without improvisation?Not much! Jazz music is built upon a musician’s ability to improvise. This is what makes mastering the style so difficult.There are certain scales at every jazz musician should be familiar with. (Source: SocialButterflyMMG)One thing’s for sure: if you want to become a jazz guitarist, you’re going to have to master it. Jazz isn’t an easy style for beginners to understand.In order to play jazz, you have to have a deep understan ding of jazz music. Furthermore, improvisation is the foundation of jazz. In order to improvise, you need to be fully versed in chords, scales, arpeggios, and harmonies.  You can’t improvise with just a few notes as your improvisation will be terrible.Why not start by playing intervals?The interval is the distance between two notes:C to C: Perfect unisonTwo notes from C (D): SecondThree notes from C (E): ThirdFour notes from C (F): FourthFive notes from C (G): FifthSix notes from C (A): SixthSeven notes from C (B): SeventhEight notes from C (C): OctaveOnce you go beyond the octave, you end up with double intervals. Intervals are useful for a number of things:Understanding how chords are put togetherPlaying chords on the neckCreating chords on an acoustic guitarReading notes and quickly finding themUnderstanding arpeggios, phrasing, and melodiesImprovising and finding new melodic ideasTraining your earMake sure to study music theory to better understand intervals, play better solos , and improvise better when playing jazz.And the, the next step would be to write your own guitar compositions...Jazz Guitar VocabularyBecoming a jazz musician is quite the challenge. It’s hugely important that you learn the lingo in order to improve your guitar playing, understand music theory and how a melody works, and create a composition.We've also included glossaries and explanations of vocabulary in our other articles on guitar resources and learning how to play the guitar,  so make sure that you also check them out!NutThis is the part at the far end of the fingerboard on the head of the guitar. This is one of the two points over, along with the bridge, where the guitar strings are suspended and make contact with the guitar.Sound BoardThis is the part of the guitar that receives the vibrations from the bridge and amplifies them.Now discover more music genres you could play on your guitar...

The Disappearance Of Small Classes

The Disappearance Of Small Classes Most schools boast small, effective student to faculty ratios. Smaller classes give students more one-on-one time with faculty members, increasing the value of their education. But, the economic downturn is dramatically increasing the size of classes at all levels. Justin Snider, an undergraduate professor of writing at Columbia University, wrote a guest column in The Washington Post stating that schools can no longer afford small classes. Snider cited Californias 1996 decision to launch a state-wide, class-size reduction program that planned to reward districts and schools for capping classes in grades k-3 at 20 students. The measure is estimated to have cost the state at least $20 billion. California was not the only state to spend billions on decreasing class sizes. Funds were mostly irrelevant in the late 90s, only school improvements seemed to matter. States and districts could continually show small student improvement through these efforts. However, current students are beginning to pay the price for these hasty decisions. These efforts were based on the Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) project conducted in Tennessee. It compared low-income students achievement in classes of 13-17 students with similar students in classes of 22-25 students. This study showed miniscule academic achievements for low-income students in smaller classes. Politicians ran with this study, claiming that this could reduce the gap between low-income students and wealthy students. However, they could not mimic the exact circumstances of the Tennessee study. States most notably California went to desperate measures to decrease class sizes. The state hired nearly 21,000 teachers overnight, pulling teachers from wherever they could find them. California hired what they could get, and most of these teachers did not have the appropriate credentials. The number of uncertified teachers in the mid to late 90s dramatically increased from 1 in 50 to 1 in 7. Then, low-income students were much more likely to be taught by uncertified teachers than middle-class or affluent students were. Florida has experienced similar circumstances. It has spent an estimated $16 billion on class-size reduction since 2002. To continue this measure, Floridas taxpayers will have to pay an extra $353 million this year. Money is slowly fading from states budgets, and class sizes are beginning to slowly increase. Parents and administrators are still calling for smaller classes, but politicians are running out of options. Snider argues that teacher quality is much more important than class size. He states that class size can affect students learning at the extremes, but slight decreases of five students or so do not matter. Snider concludes his argument by stating that politicians need to invest more money in teacher quality than class size. Snider used Zeke Vanderhoek, the founder of The Equity Project Charter School in New York City, as an example. Vanderhoeks teachers are the highest paid public educators in the country, earning at least $125,000 per year. Vanderhoek is able to pay his teachers so well because he decided that it would be more beneficial for the students to have the best educators with 30-student class sizes instead of 20.

Is Your Child Ready for Algebra

Is Your Child Ready for Algebra Is your child ready for Algebra? It will likely be your childs first real step into more advanced math. This can be a frustrating transition for students who do not adequately understand pre-algebra concepts. Luckily, there are several ways to determine whether your child is fully prepared for a venture into algebra. For students and parents alike, math in general can be overwhelming, much less algebra. Many parents struggled with math as students, and it may be difficult to continue helping your children as they progress through math classes.Your child will move from integers and one-step equations to linear inequalities and factoring polynomials. Consider a math placement test to determine algebra readiness If you believe your student may be ready to progress to Algebra, consider providing him or her with a placement test. You can find a multitude of testing options (many for free) online. Providing your child with an Algebra diagnostic exam or pre-test can offer a little insight into your childs current math abilities. You may also request formal placement testing through the schools guidance office. Your child may initially feel uncomfortable taking any kind of test, but assure him or her that it is necessary to advance to the next level of study. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), some indicators of algebra readiness include: The ability to use properties such as commutativity, associativity, and distributivity. E.g., knowing that 5 + 9is equal to 9+ 5 (commutativity) Understanding the concept of using symbols (oftentimes letters) to represent unknown quantities E.g., letting x represent the number of apples in a basket. The ability to express mathematical relationships using equations. E.g,writing 2x = 8. Talk with your child about algebra Your child can offer the best perspective when it comes to his or her preparedness for a new challenge. Sit down with your child and have an honest conversation about whether or not he or she would like to precede to Algebra. If your student is unsure, you may again bring up the option of taking a placement test. You might also talk to your childs current math teacher or even a school academic counselor people trained to evaluate your students readiness for the next math class. Let your child know that there are options available if he or she decides to progress. You can arrange a peer study group, seek an algebra tutor, or simply practice newly learned math skills beyond the classroom. A mixture of supportive resources and consistent practice can help your student be successful in the classroom. Do some algebraic prep work If you feel that your child is ready for Algebra but needs a refresher, you can encourage him or her to practice algebra at home. Work through sample problems, watch step-by-step tutorials on YouTube, and review more fundamental concepts as you go. Ask your childs Algebra teacher for a syllabus If your child is feeling hesitant about an upcoming Algebra class, it may be a good idea to talk with his or her teacher. Often, teachers have their syllabi prepared well in advance of class. If you ask, your childs Algebra teacher may provide the syllabus to you earlier than the class start date. A syllabus can contain a lot of valuable information, including the course timeline, learning objectives, and testing policies. This can help you evaluate readiness and even prepare for at-home review that reinforces concepts learned in class. Below is an adapted sample standards syllabus for grades 6 - 8, as it pertains to algebraic knowledge: Algebraic Standards Grades 6 - 8 specific examples Understand patterns and relations E.g., Identify patterns when given a data in a table or graph Represent mathematical statements using algebraic symbols E.g., know what y = ax + b means in terms of graphing a line Use math models to represent and understand quantiative relationships E.g., given an equation of a line, plot some points on a graph Analyze change E.g., given plots on a graph, explain how changes in the independent variable affect the output (dependent variable) Is Algebra the next step? Finally, your child may not have much choice when it comes to taking an Algebra class. Ultimately, it may be up to the teacher or school to determine whether or not your child is ready to take a more advanced math class. In this case, it is important that you do everything you can to prepare your child. Empower him or her to succeed by providing encouragement and academic support. Alternatively, you and your child may wish to explore alternatives to Algebra. Depending on the particular school and your childs grade level, there may be classes offered that are more suitable to his or her skills. The best thing you can do as a parent is offer encouragement and support, no matter the class. 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 atblog@varsitytutors.com.

Learn Chinese Fast With These Great Tools

Learn Chinese Fast With These Great Tools The Best Tools to Learn Mandarin Chinese ChaptersSupplement Your Chinese Classes With Lessons Through AppsUsing Websites Specialised in Chinese Language ExercisesTake Part in a Chinese Language ExchangeLearn About Chinese HistoryWatch Chinese Movies in the Original Language“The Great Wall of China is a beautiful monument, but there are too many walls between men already.”This phrase was pronounced by Michael Gorbatchev - Head of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991 - during an official visit in China in 1989 just before the fall of the Berlin Wall.With language apps, there are no walls between native speakers and students of Chinese.Learning a foreign language such as Chinese can also be a difficult wall to climb.When you are a native speaker of an Indo-European language - such as French, Spanish, German or English - learning the Chinese language seems inaccessible.Even if you concentrate on Mandarin Chinese, everything is different - the pronunciation, sounds (it’s a tonal language), the Chinese writing system (necessi tating calligraphy lessons), grammar etc.That’s why it’s often not enough to simply take private Chinese lessons.Here is a series of tools you can use to supplement your Chinese lessons and learn Chinese fast: apps, websites, films, history lessons…Also discover the best way to learn Chinese...Join Facebook groups of travellers or Chinese expatriotsLook through student forums: there are a lot of Chinese seeking to learn English.Go shopping in Chinatown to practise your Chinese and find Mandarin language exchange partners. Photo by Ken Lund on Visual huntLearn About Chinese HistoryLearning a language without learning anything about its culture is like tasting a dish without knowing its ingredients.Taking Chinese language lessons is a good opportunity for finding out more about China’s history and that of its various dynasties.Learning about Chinese civilisation opens your eyes to an incredibly rich culture: literature, painting, calligraphy, music and all the arts.Chinese cha racters are a very ancient writing system. Learning their history can help you understand them. Photo credit: Fæ via VisualHuntLearning about the history of China also lets you discover the biographies of the legendary emperors who shaped Chinese culture and whose heritage is still very much present today.It also helps you review Pinyin: you can learn to recognise Chinese characters by getting to know the great figures of Chinese history.China was first inhabited more than a million years ago by Homo Erectus in the lower Palaeolithic. But Chinese history truly starts with the reign of the Yellow Emperor Huándì of the ancient ethnicity of Huaxia, who ruled in the 27th century BC.Among the 56 ethnic groups inhabiting China today, the most important is the Han, making up 95 % of the current Chinese population. They reigned over the north-east of what is now modern China for more than 400 years (206 BC to 220 AD).To learn Chinese writing in private lessons is to learn the Han writing system.Now you understand why learning Chinese is considered so difficult - even though the Chinese language is now unified, its original form - traditional Chinese - is over 2000 years old.Watch Chinese Movies in the Original LanguageOne last tip to help booster your knowledge of the Chinese language: watch Chinese films in the original language with English subtitles.You can learn Chinese through entertainment: by watching films “made in China”.But why do this to yourself?It’s excellent cognitive training. It helps the brain get used to the tones, accents and intonations in dialogue, hear phrases and expressions spoken by native-speaking Chinese actors.Watching Chinese movies is a wonderful strategy to stimulate your auditive memory and perfect your Chinese pronunciation.Apart from its non-negligible added value to your Chinese classes, Chinese movies are also helpful for cultural and linguistic immersion.A true intensive course without doing any actual work!Take Chinese cl asses London with a private tutor.

What is it Like to Attend Seattle University

What is it Like to Attend Seattle University Amanda specializes in ACT tutoring and SAT tutoring, among other subjects. She is studying applied mathematics at Seattle University. Interested in attending Seattle University? Check out her college experience review below: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Amanda: Seattle University is located in near downtown Seattle. The University is well integrated into the city life around it, but manages to keep campus feeling like it's own separate area for students. Most freshman and sophomore students live on campus and get around campus by walking and biking, then use the bus system for activities off campus. Students who live off campus, such as myself, tend to use the bus system, although some do commute via car. No matter what mode of transportation, the campus and its location is one that not only feels safe, but is very safe. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Amanda: Professors are available during their scheduled office hours every week, which is a helpful time to clarify material and receive advice on work. Academic advisers have walk in hours every week, but scheduled appointments can also be made a few days in advance. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Amanda: From what I know about dorm life, it's a great option for first and second year students. The rooms are equipped with two twin beds, two desks, two wardrobes, a mini fridge, a microwave, a sink, a mirror, and shelf space. Windows are above the desks, which provide quite a bit of natural light and help to cool dorms. Communal bathrooms are down the hall, but the sink in each dorm allows for morning and night bathroom routines to be more personal. There are cafs and dining spaces located in some of the buildings. This makes it convenient and easy to study over lunch or grab a quick coffee and muffin before class. There are communal areas to hangout or study with anyone. Living in a dorm allows for constant socialization opportunities, between living with someone and being around dozens of other people. Hearing about activities that are going on on campus are inevitable when living in a dorm. The opportunities seem endless for making friends and spending time with them. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Amanda: I am studying Mathematics because I've always had a passion for the subject and can picture myself in a career doing such. Seattle University has two buildings for the school of Science Engineering, which allows students in math and science majors to interact. Each student also gets assigned to a learning community, which is an area and group of people who are in similar majors. This creates another environment that promotes studying individually and in a group, with access to tutors. 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? Amanda: During orientation, we were separated into different groupings a few times. I was able to meet people that were also living off campus, people with similar majors, people with very different majors, and people with similar hobbies. The setup of orientation forced us to mingle with other students, which led to a few friends for me. With common grounds comes friendship. Seattle University does not have a Greek life. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Amanda: The Career Center helps students to receive help in applying and maintaining jobs and careers. On campus job opportunities are available, as well as internships with nearby companies. There are resources that will help students perfect rsums and prepare for interviews. Reputable companies attend the yearly job fair to recruit graduating students as well as undergraduates for internships. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Amanda: Study areas, such as the learning communities, tutoring labs, library, and office hours are easily available and are not often overcrowded. Describe the surrounding town. Amanda: Students at Seattle University often rent equipment from the on campus gym and go kayaking, hiking, etc. Religious retreats are also available for students to attend. People in Seattle are very outdoorsy and adventurous, and Seattle University's students are no different. Students occasionally venture out to the city and downtown for concerts and sports games, but mainly stay on campus due to their busy daily and school life. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Amanda: The student body is tight-knit at around 4,000 students. Classes are also intimate at around 20 students. Lecture classes of 100 students do not exist. Students and professors are able to interact more personally in smaller class sizes. Check out Amandas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

English Vocabulary Allusion or Illusion

English Vocabulary Allusion or Illusion Some  commonly confused English vocabulary words that are often mistaken even by English speakers are allusion and illusion.The picture is not spinning, its an illusion.Do you know the difference between them?There was a famous pop song of the 1980s with one of these words in the title by a band called Imagination. What do you think it was called? Was it Just an Allusion or Just an Illusion?AllusionAn allusion is a figure of speech that means to make reference to something in a direct or indirect way.An allusion is mostly used when talking about literature.For example:The writer is making an allusion to the work of the great Russian writer, Tolstoy, in this reference.However, the prevalence of the word has spread and now it is also used to talk about film, art, photography and many other forms of visual art.In general conversation it is used to describe the act of making a passing reference to something.For example:The cake has the same smell as my mother’s pastries. Here, allusion is being made to my mother’s pastries.The verb form of allusion is regular with I am alluding to and he alludes to being the most commonly used versions.IllusionAn illusion occurs when the senses are deceived. It happens when the reality and what is perceived are different.For example:I had hoped John would come home for the holidays but that was an illusion.The classic example of an illusion is a mirage in the desert when someone is convinced he or she is seeing a lake of water when it does not exist in reality.ExerciseFill in the blanks with either allusion or illusion. I had the ________ that I would go straight to university after school but I don’t think I will be able to.My teacher made an _______ to the Roman Empire in class today.Her work is full of optical _______.It looks like the river has been dyed green but don’t worry, it’s just an ______.Don’t forget to _____ to the Dutch masters in your essay. You will get a higher grade if you do.Did you remember the name of that 1980s pop song? Lets see if you got it right.Did you find this blog helpful? Please share in on Facebook and Twitter.

Teens Resistant to ADHD Therapy

Teens Resistant to ADHD Therapy When your teenager is struggling, you naturally want to do everything that you can to help them. For many teens with ADHD, that means working with a therapist as part of their treatment plan. But what can do you do as a parent if you know that your teen needs therapy, but they refuse to attend sessions? How can you get them the help they need if you cant even get them into the therapists office in the first place? Its very common for teenagers with ADHD (and teenagers without ADHD for that matter) to be resistant to the idea of working with a therapist. There isnt usually one single factor driving the resistance, and the underlying reasons vary from teen to teen, but there are usually some similar themes. For starters, some teens are generally opposed to anything that they perceive as being their parents idea. They want to be in control of their own decisions, and they certainly dont want to do something just because their parents tell them its in their best interest. For teens with ADHD who have a history of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, this reason alone may be why they are refusing treatment. Other teens dont want to meet with a therapist because they have misconceptions about what therapy is, or they view therapy as a sign that there is something wrong with them. While this line of reasoning may not be accurate, it can be hard for parents to convince their teen to change their point of vi ew. Lastly, there are some teens who worry that the therapist wont be able to help them and sessions will be a waste of time, and others who fear feeling uncomfortable in sessions if they are asked to discuss things they would rather avoid. So, as a parent, what should you do? With any one of the scenarios above, how do you convince your teen to go to therapy? And if you succeed in getting them to see a therapist, how do you make sure that your teen will cooperate once they are in the session? There is no easy one-size-fits-all solution here, but there are a few strategies that may help. Approach the situation from the teens point of view. When it comes to getting your teen to go to therapy sessions, talking to them about the reasons why you think they need treatment is not going to work. Instead, look at the situation from the teenagers point of view. Think about the things that are most important to them, and which of those things may not be going very well right now. Maybe they cant participate in extracurricular activities because of poor grades, are struggling with friendships, are worried that they wont get into college, or are tired of arguing with their parents all the time. Whatever it is, talk to them about how therapy can help improve these aspects of their lives. Engage a respected peer or adult. Often teenagers are simply not in a mental space where they are able or willing to hear what their parents are saying to them. No matter what their parents say, they refuse to listen. To really get through to your teen, they may need to hear about the benefits of therapy from a respected peer or adult in their life. Ideally, this person will have had experience with therapy themselves and can talk about their experience. Sometimes it just takes the right messenger to get a teenager to listen. Provide incentives. If all else fails, consider providing incentives or rewards for your teen if they attend therapy sessions. Remember that the primary goal at this stage is to get your teen into treatment. If incentives, either in the form of privileges (e.g. a later curfew on the weekends) or tangible rewards (e.g. gift cards or money toward a big-ticket item that they would like to buy), do the trick, then it may be a short-term solution that ultimately gets them one step closer to accepting the help that they need. When you succeed in getting your child to attend therapy sessions, try not to worry too much about how they behave once they are actually in the room. It can be frustrating to think that your teen may be wasting valuable time and money by not giving 100%, but as a parent, there really isnt much you can do to control what your teen does during therapy sessions. Fortunately, good therapists who have experience with adolescents can form close bonds with even the most resistant teens. The best thing you can do as a parent is research therapists ahead of time and find one who seems like they will be a good fit for your teen. If, after a couple of months, the therapist and teen tell you that your teen isnt participating in sessions, then it may be time to look for a new therapist. In the meantime, do what you can to get your teenager into the therapists office, and then let the therapist take the lead from there. 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.

Tips to Improve Your MBA Candidacy Starting Today

Tips to Improve Your MBA Candidacy Starting Today GMAT MBA Admissions Blog If an MBA is in your future, it is never too early to start improving your profile. MBA applications require a significant time commitment, with applicants devoting hundreds of hours across months to prepare their applications. Starting well ahead of deadlines will help you to manage your time and to make sure that you are able to give your applications your best effort. Whether you plan to submit an application this year or in the next few years, you can take steps today to improve your chances at getting into your top MBA program. Add volunteer and leadership experience. For the application process, is important to show that you have interests outside of the workplace and that you take an active role in those activities. Attending business school is a social experience and it is expected that you will take part in many different types of activities to build bonds with your cohort. Admissions committees want to see that you are an active participant with extracurricular activities and that you will be an engaged member outside of the classroom. Now is not the time to pick up a new activity for the sake of the application. Instead, consider your hobbies and the activities that you have been involved with in the past and if there are opportunities for you to strengthen your involvement. Leadership experience is an important part of the application; however, many MBA applicants work in competitive jobs and do not have a lot of down time. Nevertheless, you should try to find opportunities to take on leadership roles. These roles can be with an internal organization at work or with an extracurricular. Demonstrate initiative where you can, it will help you to stand out on your applications. Interact with your target business schools. Getting an MBA ensures that you will become part of a business network for life. Networking is so important in the business world; yet, many people forget about the importance of networking during the application stage. There is a lot of information related to MBA programs: rankings, the programs’ websites, blogs, and videos. Admissions committees want to see that you have gone a step beyond the information that is online and that you have directly interacted with business schools. This indicates your interest in the program and also sets you apart from other applicants who have not done an in-depth level of research. In-person connections are also valuable for you. They will allow you to confirm that the program is a good fit. Take time to visit business schools if they are located nearby or if you can travel. If you do visit, meet admissions staff, go on a campus tour, and attend a class. If you are not able to visit a school, then attend virtual events. Many schools offer informative webinars or other virtual ways to interact with them. Reach out to students. Speaking with current or recently graduated MBA students is a great way to learn more about the culture of the program. They will be able to share an insider’s perspective and will provide more nuanced information than you would get from reading a website. Take or retake the GMAT. While some people are natural standardized test takers, the GMAT is a hurdle for most in the MBA application process. Your GMAT score is valid for 5 years so why not study for and take the exam early? Once you begin the application process, you will become occupied with the other aspects of the application. Preparing for and taking the exam at a strategic time, when you are less busy, will minimize the stress of the process. Taking the GMAT at least twice is also a good idea. Ideally you want to have a GMAT score that is on par with or higher than the average score at your target schools. If on your first attempt, you earn a score that is the average score of your target schools, consider taking the GMAT once more to see if you can get a higher score. The admissions committees also want to see that you have self-awareness about your statistics and that you are trying to elevate your candidacy to the very best that it can be. Choose your recommenders. Letter of recommendations are the wildcard of the application. Many applicants have a recommender who agrees to help them only to delay submitting the letter or to back out at the last minute due to other obligations. You will spend a lot of time and effort on your application so do not leave this portion to chance. You should be prepared to guide your recommenders by providing examples and anecdotes that showcase your strengths. You can start to keep track of these interactions so that you will have notes ready for the letters. Make sure that your recommenders have more than enough time to complete their letter and that they know what to expect. It is also good practice to have a backup candidate in mind in case your recommenders are not able to fulfill their obligation. About the Author Rona Aydin has an MBA from Oxford and is the Founder of Oriel Admissions, an MBA admissions consulting firm thatprovides services to MBA candidates to help them prepare their business school applications.