How to Answer Free Response Questions on AP Exams

How to Answer Free Response Questions on AP Exams While the average student can generally make sense of multiple-choice questions, the threat of a free response question can be nerve-wracking. On AP exams, free response questions present a particularly difficult challenge on an already strenuous test, and many students devote multiple resources (e.g. guidebooks, study groups, tutors) and weeks of prep to them. But learning to negotiate the free response portion of the AP exam can ease students worries, offer a structured way to study, and increase your likelihood of a more positive testing experience with a higher pass rate. So, take notehere are several strategies to help you answer free response questions on AP exams. Organize your efforts Poor penmanship (and an unreadable free response) is a terrible reason to sacrifice points. Ensure your answers (whether drawn or written) are neat. If you are constructing a diagram or graph, label all of its parts and title it. Begin your free response answer with an outline to prevent confusion and disorganization. Use this outline as a blueprint to construct your answer, and pay special attention to the verbiage utilized in the questiondouble-check that you are explaining, describing, contrasting, comparing, or calculating as the question requires. Understand that you will be graded on the whole productnot your final answer alone. How you communicate your response is of great importance.Here are some great tipsonhowto prep for AP exams. Focus on the question It is all too easy to become lost in lengthy or especially difficult questions, and there are a number of them on AP exams. Read the question more than once. Can you describe the task at hand? Answer only the question asked of you. If the question prompts you to compose an essay, do not solely provide diagrams. For multi-part problems, determine how the various components relate to one another. Dissect questions to make sense of them, and include answers from prior parts if the question requires you to. Attempt to answer all portions of a free response question, even if you must skip a portion. Even if you have no idea how to address a problem, do not leave it blank. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer, so draw upon your knowledge base and do your best. These are 3 common mistakes toavoid on AP examsthat you should be aware of. Think about your language While you may be creative, the free response section on AP exams may not be an ideal opportunity to express yourself. Focus more onlanguage that is functional, rather thanstriking. Be as specific as possible in your vocabulary, and draw from the terminology within the question. Define those terms that you use, and opt for high syntax only if the context is appropriate. You are not expected to act as a thesaurus, so aim for function, not style. If you are struggling to remember a particular term, describe the larger concept instead. Here are a great test prep timeline for AP examsthat may help you prepare. Use your time wisely This may go without saying, but it is important that you monitor your time. AP exams often contain more than one free response question. Do not allot the bulk of your time to a single prompt. Above all, remember to relax as you enter the free response portion of the test. Take a deep breath, allow yourself time to read and analyze the question, and then do your very best!

What is the Best Equipment for Wildlife Photography

What is the Best Equipment for Wildlife Photography Wildlife Photography: Essential Kit and then Some ChaptersEssential Camera EquipmentSupporting Your CameraExtras You Should Have in Your KitLet us suppose that you’ve moved beyond snapping pics of your garden, of the snails and the birds and even of your cat â€" that rapacious hunter!Let’s say that, for the first time, you’re planning a holiday around your passion for wildlife photography; you’re ready for a whole new set of challenges â€" in terrain, in subject matter and weather conditions.You’ve got your lenses and camera bodies, meters and your various supports... you just can’t wait to go!Wait! Those things we mentioned a moment ago â€" the weather and terrain, matter greatly â€" not just to you but to your kit.For instance, to photograph animals in the beautiful, unpredictable arctic wilderness, you would have to bring protective gear for your equipment as well as extra batteries because the cold will sap their energy much faster than you might be used to.Conversely, if you’re photographing in the Serengeti or th e Kalahari, your biggest worry, as far as your kit is concerned, is getting dust or sand in it.In fact, there are so many variables to consider when planning such an excursion, not the least of which is what equipment and photography accessories you should take with you.That is why your Superprof has compiled this list of essential, nice-to-have and optional kit that every wildlife photographer should have, no matter where the excursion takes place.Go get your camera bag; we’ll wait. It is a good idea to compare notes; we might have something on our list that you had not considered putting on yours.  And if you have something on your list we don’t have on ours, won’t you let us know?If you are brand new to wildlife photography, maybe wondering where and how to get started, this article is for you.  We aim to provide you with a bit of information about the gear you need before you head out on your first shoot.Do you have your list ready? Here we go! 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 tutorsEssential Camera Equipment You don't need a lot of kit to photograph wildlife but there are a few must-have items. Image by Jan VaÅ¡ek from PixabayYou may have seen pictures of wildlife photographers on assignment, standing or squatting behind a tripod-mounted camera outfitted with a telephoto lens.Of the three pieces of kit mentioned in that sentence, only one is absolutely vital: the camera.Of course, a camera body would be worthless without a lens but it is understood that even a point and shoot camera comes with some sort of lens... we’ll talk more about lenses in a moment.Equally important are the components that permit your DSLR cameras to record and preserve images: batteries and memory cards. Running out of either is the sure end to your photography session.Making sure you have these two vital components in ample supply is the best way to not kick yourself for missing that perfect shot for want of them.LensesDepending on what your subject matter is, you may or may not need a long lens.For instance, i f macro photography is your speciality, a telephoto lens may hinder rather than help you achieve your best shot.On the other hand, if you’re out to get the temperamental hippo on film, the further you are away from their environment, the safer you will be.More than any other, this piece of kit underscores why it is a good idea to plan your shoots; that is the best way to not carry kit that you won’t need.Nevertheless, you will need some sort of lens and, depending on the environment you’re working in, some sort of protection or camouflage for it. In all cases, it is advisable to have a rain cover for your lenses and camera.If indeed you are after that hot-tempered hippo or maybe you’ve decided to head to Canada to snap off some shots of grizzly bears, having a teleconverter is an excellent idea.Also called lens extenders, these devices fit between your camera body and your lens to give you a more focused, tight-in image that appears as though you had gotten close enough to y our subject to touch it.Teleconverters magnify the centre portion of your frame but do not affect your lens’s minimum focus distance.There are arguments for and against using such extenders. Achieving tighter framing is definitely on the plus side, while the fact that they decrease the overall focus of your lens is certainly a drawback.In shopping for a lens extender, be sure that the model you select is compatible with your kit!Last word on lenses: you should have a bag that will accommodate all of your lenses including the longest ones.Tell us, please: how did you get started photographing wild animals? Tripods are an essential piece of wildlife photography kit Image by Günther Schneider from PixabaySupporting Your CameraNeedless to say, the idea of standing still for hours on end, in all weather conditions, while holding several pounds of gear to your eye and your finger on the shutter button is enough to deter even the hardiest of photographers.To say nothing of the shots they would have to discard because of camera shake.In spite of the romance accorded to wildlife photography, it really boils down to a bit of setting up and a whole lot of waiting around.Even after all of your studying â€" of your subjects’ habits and habitat, and your planning (what kit to bring and when best to go), it is quite unfortunate that animals won’t perform on cue... and you shouldn’t try to make them.That means that you end up setting up your shot and waiting for your target to make an appearance and/or do something picture-worthy.To make setting up easier, there is a range of stabilising and p ropping equipment you should have with you.As its name implies, a tripod has three height-adjustable legs that can securely support your camera.Tripods are great if you intend to take panoramic shots â€" maybe of a herd in the distance or one of the bigger animals, perhaps an elephant or a giraffe.As wildlife photography does involve a lot of waiting, you may choose to frame your shot, retreat (and sit down), and activate your camera remotely once your quarry appears in your field of focus.If you are not after big game â€" if photographing birds punches your ticket, then you’ll surely want to be more mobile. In that case, a monopod is more suitable.Just like the tripod implies three legs, monopods only have one. Their function is to keep your camera steady while you shoot with a standard-sized lens - it would be hard to balance with a telephoto lens.The advantage of a monopod is speed; if you need to reposition yourself, it is much easier to do so using a monopod.Both of these cam era supports are well suited for photographing subjects that have a bit of height and will generally follow a slow and predictable trajectory. Adding a gimbal tripod head can be a game-changer.A gimbal permits you to effortlessly move your camera both vertically and horizontally, as needed.Thus, with a gimbal on your tripod, you could point your camera to the ground and photograph smaller animals, like a weasel or an iguana.On the other hand, if you anticipate ground-level work, why not get a ground pod? You got it: these pods hold the camera steady at just above ground level.The ultimate solution to camera support and photographer’s comfort is a bean bag.Let’s say that you are of the intrepid sort; you don’t mind climbing a tree to get that perfect shot.In those types of situations, tripods are decidedly inconvenient but a bean bag can straddle a branch and cradle your camera with ease, keeping it perfectly still while you squeeze off frame after frame.Now, let’s imagine yo u at ground level, waiting for the squirrels or other urban wildlife to come out and play. You could use a ground pod but a bean bag will give you so much more flexibility in aiming your shots.Finally, let us take the car door example. It is almost a shame that wildlife has grown accustomed to the smell and sound of cars but humans are still scented as predators.Many wildlife photographers have clued into that reality and have taken some amazing shots while sitting in their car.That is a nifty trick for capturing the best wildlife photos; there are a few more to add to your repertoire. Consider adding such a headlamp to your kit; it really helps! Image by WikimediaImages from PixabayExtras You Should Have in Your KitTaking photographs of animals requires patience, good equipment and a willingness to meet them in their environment.Doing so poses certain risks, especially the bigger the animal and the time or season you set out â€" say, just after birthing.Images of animals with their young are particularly evocative and highly sought after.  They are also particularly dangerous to capture; that is why many such nature photographers install a camera trap near their quarry’s den.A camera trap is a device that is activated by motion sensors or by an infrared sensor. When the subject moves, the camera is activated; it takes the shot while you remain at a safe distance.Camera traps come with a variety of features and a correspondingly wide range of prices; if your goal is making money from wildlife photos, investing in such a device would be a good idea.Other good acce ssories to have in your kit are:binocularsheadlightglovesfiltersextra batteries and memory cardsa camera cleaning kita maintenance kitBy no means are these few items all there is to have; camera shops are full of equipment made specifically for outdoor photography.But, with these essential items in your kit, you’re at least ready to get started taking pictures. In time you will add to your kit those items you find helpful.Perhaps one of them might be a guide to the most amazing places for wildlife photography...

Back To School Specials

Back To School Specials We've done the hard work for you and present to you some of the best offers as students and teachers alike are gearing up to return to school. We know that many parents and students are on tight (or tighter budgets). Also take the time to check out our great rates on tutoring, brought to you by the best tutors! Free Amazon Prime membership - free one year membership to college students with a .edu email account. Amazon Prime means FREE two day shipping on most of the online megastore's items, as well as reduced next-day shipping fares. As Amamzon Prime member, I definitely appreciate the two-day shipping (nobody likes waiting a week or more for that book to arrive) Free iPod touch - purchase a Mac laptop or desktop, and receive a free 8GB iPod touch. Doesn't get any simpler than that! VISA card specials - use your VISA card and receive discounts or free offers at many retailers, such as Office Depot and JC Penny. Fujitsu Laptop Offers - this offer is only valid till 8/12, so act fast! Take $100 many of their most popular laptop models and also receive free shipping and a free external hard drive. This promotion is perfect for freshmen hunting for their college laptop! Staples Teacher Appreciation Day - check the store's site to see when Teacher Appreciation Day is arriving at your city!

Embroidering Patterns

Embroidering Patterns Learning to Embroider Patterns ChaptersLearning the Essential StitchesCreating Your Embroidery PatternsFull Patterns or Basic Outlines?Advice for Creating EmbroideryHow Can You Learn to Embroider?“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” - Maya AngelouAre you creative or would you like to be?More and more people are looking for creative hobbies and pastimes.Have you considered embroidery?There’s something for everyone when it comes to embroidery. To get started, here’s what you need to know about embroidering patterns. RaySewing Teacher 5.00 (6) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PrincessSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnaSewing Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArianwenSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ShaziaSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZanetaSewing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GianmariaS ewing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JacquelineSewing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning the Essential StitchesTo start with embroidery, you need to familiarise yourself with the different stitches and embroidery techniques. These embroidery stitches will be used to create your first patterns onto linen or an Aida cloth. So get your needles out and start by learning these stitches. Cross-stitch is great for beginners. (Source: severyanka)The Cross-stitchThe cross-stitch is one of the easiest stitches to do and is often taught to beginners. It’s a good idea to learn how to do this stitch on an Aida cloth; a fabric with a grid of holes ready for you to work on. With your Aida cloth, needle, and thread, you can learn how to do cross-stitch in a matter of minutes.The cross-stitch involves creating a cross with the thread. Start by bringing the needle up and then bringing it down diagonally from the first point. Next, bring it up in one of the adjacent corners and back down diagonally across the original line to make a cross. You’ve just done your first cross-stitch! You can create entire embroideries with just a cross-stitch. There are plenty of patterns for butterflies, windmills, houses, etc. just using cross-stitches.The Stem StitchThe stem stitch is also a very simple stitch that you can learn how to do. You can use it to make fine lines such as the stem of a flower, for example. Start by bringing your needle up and then back down about a centimetre away in the direction you want to go, then bring the needle back up through the first point. You can do this for several stitches, always coming up through the end of the last stitch.With just these two stitches, you can make a lot of embroideries. After you've learnt these hand embroidery stitches, you can move onto the satin stitch, chain stitch, back stitch, French knot, running stitch, blanket stitch, etc.Using Embroidery PatternsBudding embroiderers don’t often know where to begin, what to embroider, or how to embroider it. Fortunately, this is what patterns are for.Patterns are essentially a how-to guide that shows embroiderers what stitches to make and which colours to use to create embroidery. The different stitches are indicated. You can find patterns in embroidery books and embroidery kits. You can also find them online!There are two main types of pattern.Traditionally, pattern s are found printed out. The embroiderer can refer to it and know which stitches they should be making and where they should make them. This is more complicated than having the pattern printed directly onto the fabric.In this case, the embroiderer can just follow the markings on the pattern with the right coloured thread. They won’t need to count stitches as they’re already marked out on the fabric they’re embroidering on.These types of patterns are particularly useful for beginners. However, you won’t be able to let your imagination run wild with them. You’ll need to reproduce the patterns as they appear on the fabric.Think of them as training.Creating Your Embroidery PatternsIn the past, it was uncommon for everyone to have access to patterns. After all, when it comes to creative pursuits, the goal is to be creative and let your imagination do the talking. Patterns are used as instruction manuals for embroidery. (Source: 5xy)Bit by bit, try to make your patterns, even if they are simple. This might be a flower, a house, whatever.  Of course, don’t just dive in and start embroidering directly onto the fabric.It’s a good idea to use a water erasable marker so that you can sketch out what you plan to embroider and remove these markings once you’ve finished embroidering. Sketch out your ideas first. Once you’ve done this, you can start following these lines with cross-stitches, stem stitches, chain stitches, etc.  Once you’re comfortable with this, you can start embroidering your patterns onto clothing or furnishings.There are plenty of places you can get inspiration for your projects. For example, the social network Pinterest is home to many inspiration embroiders who regularly share their creations and their ideas. Similarly, there’s loads of inspiration for knitting, sewing, patchwork, crochet, embroidery and a whole plethor a of textile arts.Made a mistake?Learn about removing embroidery. RaySewing Teacher 5.00 (6) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PrincessSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnaSewing Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArianwenSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ShaziaSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZanetaSewing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GianmariaSewing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JacquelineSewing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFull Patterns or Basic Outlines?You can create almost anything with embroidery. You can make animals, letters, a face, anything that pops into your head. Of course, the style will differ by embroiderer.You can embroider a face just by using lines. You can also create a face leaving no empty spaces. The entire pattern is embroider ed with cross-stitches or satin stitches, etc.  These patterns are easier to see from a distance but they also require a lot more thread and a lot more time.If you don’t want to spend too much time on your embroidery and are looking for a more delicate result, you may want to work just with lines and using stem stitches, for example.You can also use cross-stitches for the contours but these won’t give very good results for curves and the result will look pixelated.Choose the style that works for you.Finished?Consider framing your embroidery.Advice for Creating EmbroideryBefore you start your first project, we recommend you get everything that you’re going to need. Set aside a space you can work in so that you won’t constantly be getting up and looking for stuff. Make sure your needles, threads, scissors, and everything else you need are within reach. Patterns can range from the very simple to the very complex. (Source: stux)Take particular care when choosing the fabric. You don’t want to use fabric that stretches a lot as it can be really difficult to work on. If you’re starting with cross-stitch, consider getting an Aida cloth or linen.Start small; you don’t want to be overambitious with your first project. The goal of your first project is to learn the basics of embroidery. Of course, don’t choose a tiny project with lots of small fiddly parts.Once you’ve finished your first project, ask for some feedback from somebody in the know. For example, the staff in arts and crafts shops or haberdasheries are often avid embroiderers.Finally, keep in mind that embroidery isn’t just done with thread. You can use ribbon, wool, pearls, etc.  All of these things are great for jazzing up outfits and furnishings.Discover how to embroider eyes.How Can You Learn to Embroider?If you want to get some help with your embroidery, there ar e plenty of resources and people who can help. You can embroider with more than just thread. (Source: tookapic)You can learn how to embroider with YouTube tutorials. There are videos explaining almost every technique and they're great for practising.If you’re not a huge fan of the internet, you can always find guides and books to help you learn. Additionally, you can keep these books within reach while you’re working. An embroidery kit for beginners is also a great idea as they come with everything you need to get started as well as a beginner’s guide to embroidery.Haberdasheries and arts and crafts shops also have workshops for those wanting to learn how to embroider. You can get advice from professionals on your projects and what materials you should use.It's up to you now.You could look for private embroidery tutors on Superprof to guide you through the process and teach you how to do it. If you need help with embroidery designs, needlepoint, Blackwork, or Hardanger, consider getting in touch with one. There are three ma in types of tutorial available and, like with tutors, each comes with its pros and cons.Face-to-face tutorials are great for getting bespoke and tailored tuition as you're the only student in the class. Furthermore, your tutor will be spending a lot of time outside of the sewing classes preparing lessons for you. While these are usually the most costly, they're also the most cost-effective as every minute of a session is spent helping you learn.Online tutorials are similar but your tutor won't be there in the room with you. While these are usually better for academic subjects, if you've got a good webcam, microphone, and internet connection, there's no reason a talented embroider couldn't help you learn remotely. Online private tutors tend to cheaper than face-to-face tutorials.Finally, group tutorials are good for those on a budget as the cost of the tutor's time and experience will be shared amongst all the students in attendance. While you won't get as much one-on-one time with y our tutor, you will pay less per student per hour.

The Essential Art Equipment for Drawing Painting

The Essential Art Equipment for Drawing Painting Pencils, Paint Brushes and Canvas: The Essential Illustrator Tools ChaptersThe Best Graphic Tablets for Illustrators and CartoonistsOnline Interactive White BoardsFor Those Who Prefer the PencilFirst You Sketch, and then You PaintPaint Brushes Need CanvasThe Cost of Framing a Portrait...Art lovers don't stop at visiting museums to enjoy their favourite canvases; they also take brush to hand to impose their imagination onto canvas or sketchpad... or computer.Expressing oneself artistically has many benefits, one of them being a calming effect: drawing and painting can reduce stress.While sketching, the artist detaches from the strain of today's ultra-connected world.Artistic endeavours work the right side of the brain, improve hand-eye coordination, and can even lower blood pressure.To effectively render art, one must observe nature and be able to faithfully reproduce it, without letting your left brain influence artistic vision.Right brain? Left brain?To fully grasp how the brain's hemispheres influence perception and artistic ability, you should ch eck out Betty Edwards' book: Drawing on the Right Side.As fascinating as the topic of the human brain is, our interest lies elsewhere, at least for this article.While art can be made of just about everything, drawing anything, be it the human form or a rose, requires certain implements.From graphic tablets to charcoal and colored pencils, we now discuss the logistics of art creation.Wacom is generally considered the leader in graphic arts Source: Pixabay Credit: NinjaBeavermodels can even connect wirelessly.It is a pressure-sensitive pad that comes equipped with a stylus; and that is where the resemblance to a graphite pencil and drawing paper end.It can be disconcerting, at first, to trace the tip of the stylus along, with nothing appearing under your hand, as it would if you were sketching on paper.Producing art on a graphic tablet calls for an evolution of your hand-eye coordination. Using this equipment, you would see lines and contour appear on a computer screen, unless you inv est in an LCD tablet, which has a display built-in.Also, whereas traditional artists use an eraser â€" a completely separate tool from the pencil, for shading and blending, graphic tablets have a totally different utility for that purpose.And, while a purist might have a pencil case full of implements of different thicknesses and composition for varying the darkness and broadness of pencil strokes, a graphic artist needs only to press harder on the sensitive pad to make a thicker, darker line.Selecting a graphic tablet comes down to your needs: are you taking a Drawing for Beginners class, and your art teacher requires you to furnish a tablet?Are you a professional portrait artist, ready to modernise your studio?Do you just like cartooning, or drawing cool things?If you are ready to make your mark (pun intended) on the graphic arts world, here is what you should look for in a tablet:the size of the tablet (the area available to draw in)the resolution of the tabletthe stylus and pad sensitivitysoftware compatibility (with your computer's operating system)You can find such tablets at a range of prices, depending on the features and resolution you are looking for.Entry-level ones start at around £50; high-grade tablets can run into the hundreds of pounds.In art circles, the Wacom tablet is generally recognised as the leader in the technology of digital drawing.Online Interactive White BoardsIf you are not quite sure of where you artistic aspirations might lead, you may want to hold off on investing in a digital painting device.Interactive white boards online is an alternative to purchasing a graphic tablet.In an IWB, as such applications are known, you have a collaborative visual communication tool that allows you to create art drawing online.You can share your work and invite your friends' or colleagues' input on the art project.IWBs have been taken out of the boardroom, where they were originally used to brainstorm, mind map, and cultivate ideas.Online, they h ave seduced a wider, more diverse audience, including schools, and individuals who are learning how to draw.These web-based white boards, while great to hone your drawing skills, also suit as:element integrators: you can add photos, music, voice and video to your artistic expressionchat  gateways to other artists; great for developing your drawing techniquesexport portals for your sketches: you can upload them into your blog or other social media outletan open document sharing marketplaceNaturally, each IWB has its own properties. Some permit step by step drawing among a group of artists while others forbid collaboration.Most sites allow basic drawing lessons in  figure drawing with only a login; others demand a fee to access their sites' premium features.If you want to try your hand at perspective drawing or three dimensional art online, here are a few sites to try:FlockdrawDeekitAww appPixiClipWorking on these sites, and perhaps benefiting from drawing tutorials by an established illustrator, makes having a go at these easy drawing pages worth your time.The top names in pencil manufacturers also make quality coloured pencils Source: Pixabay Credit: HolihoSeven different brush heads permit painting anything from the finest of lines and expressive faces to realistically texturing clouds. Absolute beginners would be best served by purchasing a full complement of brushes, ones that come in a packaged set, rather than individual implements. At least until they have decided whether they prefer rendering portraits in oil, as opposed to still lifes in acrylic.For artists ready to graduate from coloured pencils to paint, there is a variety of media to choose from Source: Pixabay Credit: BodobePaint Brushes Need CanvasAs long as you have settled on paint as your medium, you should consider what you will paint on.How should you choose your canvas? And how much will it cost?Any artistic endeavour requires investment: of time, of passion, and, of course, of money. Depend ing on the type and size of canvas you select, your cost can vary significantly.Types of canvas include linen, cotton and synthetic cloth. If you are particularly adept at portrait drawing, you may even invest in what is called portrait canvas: fine-woven linen.Synthetic canvas is relatively new on the art scene. In spite of traditionalists mistrusting this untested material, it is a cost-effective solution to more expensive weaves. Regardless of type and quality of your canvas material, size plays a big part in pricing your art canvases. Canvases are sized in two formats: landscape and portrait. Under each header exists assorted dimensions, ranging from just a few inches square to wall-sized tableaux. If you would like to draw a cat playing with yarn, a suitably-sized canvas will cost substantially less than should you want to depict a realistic drawing of a battle.The Cost of Framing a Portrait...or anything else you draw. After all of your investment in drawing materials and art lessons; learning how to use negative space to highlight your subject... guess what? Unless your medium is online drawing, you should invest in a quality frame to display your work.And, why not? Doesn't your particular brand of realism deserve display?It should come as no surprise that, the larger the frame needed, the more expensive it will be.You can trim your cost by selecting a metal frame â€" suitable if your art follows the style of contemporary artists; or a less ornate wooden frame. In either case, you should opt for an intermediary between the frame and your two point perspective: either a marie-louise or a passe partout. These are a type of mounting that subtly  highlight your painting and help protect it.For oils, it places a barrier between frame and canvas; for oil pastels or mixed media, it keeps  your work off your frame's glass cover. You might know that professional framers, artists onto themselves, are notoriously close-mouthed about the price of framing artwork. H owever, most offer free quotes: take them up on that! Request several, and then choose the best price. Now, you have a general idea of what it take to pursue art as a vocation, or just as a pastime.Unless you are unusually gifted in the field, it will most likely be of no use to watch art videos. Why not take online drawing lessons? Or sign up for an art instruction class at your local community centre? With Superprof you can find drawing courses London, art classes in Bristol or Sketching lessons in Glasgow. The world is your oyster!You can learn shading techniques, how to add texture to your portrait painting; everything from crosshatching to caricature. Once you have masted the basics, you can move on to more complex, exacting work: drawing the human form, accurately draw hands, and even toss out a Chibi Totoro! Surely, you don't need anyone to tell you what to draw...

Five Characteristics That Predict College Success

Five Characteristics That Predict College Success Its impossible to guarantee that your high schooler will go off to college, excel in all subjects, graduate summa cum laude and embark upon an incredible career. But wouldnt it be nice to know that your teen is on the right path? There are a number of benchmarks that are correlated with strong student performance, including a high GPA and taking challenging course work in middle and high school. But there are also certain characteristics that are common among students who do well in college and go on to become goal-driven, lifelong learners. Here are five student characteristics that are predictors of college success and tips on how to build these traits in your teen: Resilience Collegeand life in generalcan be stressful at times. Teens must be able to deal with the everyday challenges and issues that arise in a mature, productive way. Take a step back and let your teen fail and experience disappointments, then help him reflect on what he learned from that failure. This will help your teen build mental toughness and grit that will serve him well later on. Perseverance Students must learn that no accomplishment comes without effort and persistence. In fact, theres a good chance that some of the role models in their lives had to work very hard to get where they are. Encourage your teen to set goals big and smallfor college and beyond. Remind her that everything worth doing requires effort and dedication. Decision-making ability College is a brand-new adventure and it requires that teens be independent. The ability to make decisions is essential in college. Talk with your teen about how to come up with multiple possibilities to solve any problem, weigh the pros and cons of each, and decide/act with confidence. Decision-making and problem-solving go hand in hand. Self-management Self-management is vital as teens move into college. No longer will mom or dad be there to micromanage and keep them on track. You can cultivate this skill in your teen by encouraging her to embrace a growth mindset. Teach your teen to believe that she can always learn, improve and grow with effort. Self-advocacy Hopefully, teens learn in high school how to ask for help and speak up when their needs are not being met. Colleges professors expect that their students will do so, so the more you can step back while your teen is in high school and put him in the drivers seat, the better. If your teen doesnt get the grade he wants on a test, for example, its up to him to talk to the teacher about how to close those knowledge gaps and retake the test, if possible. One last tip for teens as they move toward college: establish a support system. College has its ups and downs. Your teen should feel comfortable reaching out to friends, teachers, family members, or a counselor or other mentor when he needs to. And remember: Huntington is here for your teen as well! Call us if your teen needs help getting prepared for college and you want to ensure she has the skills and aptitudes to succeed.

How to Extract Maximum Value from Your College Major

How to Extract Maximum Value from Your College Major Improving Academic Performance Despite the sneers of those around you, you went to college to study film history. Or, maybe you got a degree in literature or Urdu. While it’s good that you followed your passion, after graduation, it might seem that your parents and friends had a point. You’re having a tough time getting a job (or perhaps you are still choosing a college major, and this is a fear you have). In fact, there is too much worry and generalizing when it comes to choosing a major. If you think strategically, you can follow your passions and launch a successful career. The reason you chose a “useless” degree over something more practical, like pre-law or engineering, is because you feel passionate about that subject. So, to put that degree to work, you need to think critically about why you feel so inspired and motivated by that subject and how you can apply those same feelings to your career. Path #1: Pursue a direct link In many cases, students feel drawn to certain degree fields for the type of activity entailed in their study. For instance, student athletes enjoy watching and engaging with athletics. You should think about what you most enjoyed doing during your degree and draft a list of career options that concern those activities. Student athletes might study sport management in a master’s program to continue watching and engaging with athletics. This can lead to business careers with athletic programs in variety of capacities. Finally, if you chose your degree program for the information you gained as you completed it, you might choose to pursue a career that either enhances your knowledge and skill or else allows you to apply it. Those who study sociology might continue in academia to gain a Ph.D., which allows them to research sociological concepts and contribute to understanding within the field. Alternatively, they might become social workers, helping at-risk populations gain stability and success. Regardless of what you studied in school, there are career tracks that suit your interests - you just need to look for them. Path #2: Identify your technical skills Even if your degree program wasn’t inherently technical, you learned technical skills. For example, literature majors understand better than many degree-holders the technical side of composition, and writing is a hard skill that is in demand in nearly every industry. Your English major IS in demand in marketing departments across the world, IF you are passionate about applying your technical skills in writing to the brands and products of companies for which you might work. You could make a list of the technical skills you gained in your studies. These might include: Familiarity with certain computer programs Ability to analyze complex data Experience on social media or other marketing platforms Understanding of project management processes If you are having trouble listing out any hard skills you may have acquired during your degree program, you might speak with a career counselor at your school, a trusted professor or your friends and family to generate ideas. Path #3: Leverage your soft skills “Useless” fields are where soft skills thrive. Though not as overtly sought-after as hard skills - i.e., they are not often listed directly in job descriptions - soft skills are essential in every position, which means you could be more qualified for some jobs than candidates with more practical degrees. As you did with your technical abilities, you should create a list of your soft skills. These might include: Adaptability Work ethic Time management Teamwork Creativity It is good to write down a concrete example of each soft skill in use, like a difficult group project or a semester when you juggled 24 credit-hours. Then, you can more easily incorporate explanations of these skills in your job application materials and interviews. You may have studied something “odd,” but if you can articulate clearly how your studies helped you to become a better problem solver, team player, independent worker and productive person who managers his or her time and hits deadlines, companies will respond. Path #4: Consider graduate school If at the end of the day, you are having trouble identifying a career that would make you happy and/or you think your college major is holding you back, you can always pursue graduate school. And in fact, this IS a use for your college major. Law school, graduate programs, and MBA programs all require undergraduate degrees. And you have that box checked. Summary: Have confidence You may have been teased for your choice in degree - but people who deride certain degree programs may simply not understand what they involved. There are almost certainly a substantial number of hard and soft skills you acquired during your degree program, and if you effectively market those skills, you’ll be well positioned to launch a successful career.

The Top 10 Tactics for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently

The Top 10 Tactics for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently The Top 10 Tactics  for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently You’re doing it wrong!Well, only if youre not focusing the brunt of your attention on speaking your new language.Are you building your  language learning process  upon grammar rules and written exercises?Focused on those little details of the language?Writing out tons of vocabulary lists?Of course those aspects are super important too, especially when it comes to mastering reading, writing and listening. However, you wont get far if youre missing the crucial element of fluency: speech.Theres a common problem for many learners who focus on rules and proper writing, but  who  don’t practice their speech: They cannot understand native speakers and they choke during real conversations. We don’t want that to happen to you.We want you to act completely natural when you start speaking to a native, so you’ll make new friends and so everyone will be impressed. That’s why weve nailed down the 10 best learning tactics that will help you  speak  fluently. The best part is that theyre a pplicable to any language you decide to learn. The Top 10 Tactics  for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently1. Talk when you read and writeWriting is a really important part of language learning, so you should never neglect it. You need to complete different exercises that challenge you to answer questions, choose the right word that fits into a sentence, write essays and compose email messages.You’ve surely noticed that most lessons in grammar books come with a review and practice section. Instead of solving these parts mechanically, you can take your effectiveness to a whole new level: read out loud.  Read anything that you read or write in your target language out loud.Don’t be afraid to get silly and try to mimic the accent of a true native while doing this. Once you get in an actual conversation, your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary will shine through proper speech. Youll also get a confidence boost, which is extremely valuable for progress.2. ThinkPeople say you’ re not fluent in a foreign language until you catch yourself thinking in it. That makes sense. You can’t achieve high levels of fluency if youre constantly thinking in your native language and doing mental translations.Thinking 100% in a target language at the very beginning of your practice is difficult, but this simpler technique will drive you forward:  Learn how to say your most commonly said words and phrases in your target language.Think about all the short and simple sentences you use in your daily communication, and then  translate them into the language you’re learning. What do you use at the grocery store? At the post office? On the bus? At work? At home? Learn how to say them, and then always think them to yourself as you go about your daily business.Be careful, thoughâ€"literal translations don’t always work. Idioms usually require liberal interpretation, so you’ll need to do a research to see how certain phrases are being used in the language you’re learning. That’s a useful practice that will help you remember conversational phrases.3. Watch movies with subtitlesYou never bother watching movies without synchronization? You need to step away from that habit. Subtitles may seem  boring and distracting on the surface level, but theyre not the most important factor in this exercise. It’s the native speech you want to hear (and learn).There are a few phases in watching a foreign movie if you want to extract speaking lessons:First, you watch it while reading the subtitles. If theres a word you don’t understand, write it in your personal dictionary and define it.Pronounce those words and try to get the accent right. Fit them into sentences of your own, so you’ll understand how they can be used in different situations.Now, watch the movie again. Don’t read the subtitles this time. It’s important to understand as much of the speech  as you can. Then you can move to the next step that will take your fluency to the next level.Not at a level where you can realistically do the above? Or just think that sounds way too tedious for you? Instead of doing it with a movie, try the videos on FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videos from around the webâ€"including movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.FluentU makes sure all the captions in a video actually match up to the speech you hear, makes it super easy to pause and replay continually, and even gives you instant word lookup so you dont need to bother with looking stuff up in a dictionary.4. Imitate!Remember that movie? Watch it again! Sure, youre all too familiar with the scenes by now, but you won’t get bored because this is a learning method with a purpose. Pause the film frequently and imitate the speech.Listen to the way the actors pronounce the words and try to do the same.Once youre able to move your tongue faster and juggle those foreign sounds more easily, stop pausing and just try to parro t back what the characters are saying at the same time!  This requires you to understand every word they say in the moment and spit it out quickly. Once youre imitating like a legit parrot, your accent will start to get closer and closer to that of the native speaker youre imitating.5. Listen to local music and learn the lyricsThe words flow naturally when you sing, and you can usually get the pronunciation right when you sing.Music is also fun because it connects you to the culture you’re researching. Of course, you have to choose music with lyrics if you want to work on your fluency. Find the lyrics online and try to sing along. Thanks to the vast information on the Internet, lyrics of any song in any language are usually availableâ€"along with translations and romanized versions (if necessary).It doesn’t matter whether you have a talent  for music or not. The only important thing is to follow the flow of the words. Theres nothing more fluent than words connected through singi ng.6. Read local literatureEvery country and culture has its masterful writers. Miguel de Cervantes wrote in Spanish, Italy has Dante, Hugo presented the sophistication of French expressions, and the great Tolstoy and Dostoevsky revealed new dimensions of the Russian language. It’s important to explore the literature written in the language you’re learning. It’s even better when you read it out loud. You may also try to succeed in different online literature tests.Poetry has an even more awesome effect because it teaches you about rhythm. Of course, poetic expression is a bit more difficult to comprehend, so you’ll need to achieve higher levels of fluency to understand complex poems.7. Find a language learning buddyEven when you’re imitating the actors from a foreign movie, you won’t notice that your pronunciation is a little off sometimes. The human mind is a peculiar thing. It can easily distort our impressions and we may think we speak perfectly even when we’re maki ng serious mistakes. That’s why you need a friend who will join you on this journey.You can talk in the foreign language and correct each other when needed. The corrections may lead to heated discussions about the proper pronunciation of certain words, but the confrontations will be productive when you analyze native speech together.You can also make plans and set goals together, increasing your level of accountability and keeping you on track to fluency.8. Talk to a native speakerWhen you manage to amaze natives with your vocabulary and pronunciation, that’s when you can call yourself a fluent speaker. Your friends are great support when you learn a foreign language together, but they cannot replace natives.Some of the things you can do is travel or find a native in your area. You may consider taking a semester abroad in another country. Some countries, like Germany, offer wide range of programs through reputable language and culture institutes. If that doesn’t work, the Inte rnet will come to the rescue.Conversation Exchange is a platform that can help you find native speakers living in your area. You’ll connect. You’ll meet for a coffee and help each other become fluent in the languages you’re learning.Speaky is a worldwide language learning community where you can meet people from 180+ countries and connect with them to practice your language skills online.9. TravelWhen you want to become really fluent in a certain language, you have to understand the culture that speaks it. It’s important to see and feel that country from the inside. That’s when all idioms and phrases start making sense.You’ll meet many native speakers who will be happy to help you learn the language better. Traveling is not a simple decision to make, mainly because it costs a lot. However, theres no goal you can’t achieve with proper planning and budgeting.10. Analyze different dialectsIf youre fluent in the standardized form of the language you’re learning, it’s t ime to move to a master level: dialects. Explore the way natives speak in different areas of their countries. Try to learn words specific for those areas and experiment with the way the same words are being pronounced across the country.Your goal to become fluent in a foreign language will be a lifetime journey. Theres no peak that you can achieve.Youll always find new heights to reach. All above-listed methods have one thing in common: Theyre really fun.And theyre bound to help you boost your levels of fluency without serious difficulties! And One More ThingIf youre digging these tactics, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.