Sunday, March 22, 2020

What is it Like to Attend the State University of New York at Geneseo

What is it Like to Attend the State University of New York at Geneseo Chase is a current senior at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He is majoring in Spanish and international relations. He specializes in various levels of Spanish tutoring. Below, he shares his experience at SUNY Geneseo: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Chase: The SUNY Geneseo campus is the perfect size, neither too big nor too small. The freshman side of campus, sometimes referred to as the south side, is somewhat separated from the rest of the campus. However, its still less than a 10-minute walk to the academic buildings. The campus itself is located next to Main Street, which has restaurants and coffee shops. There is also a campus bus system that takes you around to different locations on campus, as well as to the local grocery store. A car is not necessary unless you live off campus as an upperclassman, although most off-campus living options are within walking distance of campus. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Chase: The professors and TAs are available as much as you need them. As with any other college or university, they will not seek you out. Rather, if you need extra help or have any questions, they are a simple email away. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Chase: The dorm life situation is what you would find at any SUNY school and provides many opportunities for socialization. They recently added a new dorm, which is very modern and nice. They also recently renovated the on-campus dining hall, which has gotten much better since my freshman year. They offer gluten-free and other options for those with dietary limitations. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Chase: From my experience, Geneseo is best known for its science department, specifically physics, as well as their school of education. That is not to say that all other majors are obsolete, just that those are what the school is best known for. I, for example, double major in Spanish and international relations; I have received an excellent education for both of these concentrations. The history and political science professors were all very knowledgeable, engaging, and have superb credentials. 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? Chase: It was not difficult to meet people as a freshman. Geneseo has a thriving Greek life community, which I would recommend if you enjoy meeting new people. At Geneseo, its really important to get involved in an organization, whether that is a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or club. Since the school itself is rather small, its important to be in something, which in turn facilitates the process of meeting friends. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Chase: Geneseo has a really strong alumni base that helps current students get jobs or internships post-graduation. I have had friends who have gained employment because of a Geneseo connection. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Chase: There are an abundance of places to study on campus. Most academic buildings are open until 2 AM, so there is always a quiet place to study. Describe the surrounding town. Chase: Geneseo is basically in the middle of nowhere in upstate New York, which can be a bit of a culture shock for students coming from the downstate area. The closest big city is Rochester, which is about a half hour away. So, I would say there is not much to do outside the immediate vicinity of campus. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing, because it means that everyone will always be on or around campus, which leads to a more close-knit community. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Chase: I believe there are currently about 5,000 undergrad students. The class sizes were one of the main reasons I chose to attend Geneseo. Obviously, introductory lecture classes and some science classes will have over 100 students per class. Aside from those classes, though, my average class size was about 20-25 students. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Chase: My most memorable experience with a professor was in my Latin American history class my junior year. The class was the most engaging and interesting class I have ever taken in my life. I am currently doing a directed study with that same professor. Check out Chases tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Friday, March 6, 2020

A Guide to the Best Internet Browsers

A Guide to the Best Internet Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer: Which Top Internet Browsers Will You Choose? ChaptersWhat Is A Web Browser?Top Internet BrowsersCompatibility Table For Mobile BrowsersHow To Choose the Best Web browser?A List of Deceased Web Browsers“Whoever masters the Internet, masters the world…” - Christophe BonnefontAlphonse de Lamartine wrote two centuries ago: “A single being is missing, and the whole world seems empty.” Yet at the beginning of this third millennium, isolation is rather the lot of the student, worker or holiday-maker lacking a Wi-Fi connection!For fans of poetry - or indeed, anyone searching for anything - surfing the Internet for relevant websites is a must for staying in touch and finding out the basics of using a computer.But here is the rub: a screen and a microprocessor are not enough to access a url. And so we propose to enter the world of bowsers 2.0 and gain a better understanding of them so you can choose which browser is best adapted to your needs.several installed on your computer and change whenever you want.Problems with cookies, a virus or recurring bugs can be good reasons for wanting to switch browsers. And, though some insist that having two different browsers leads to domestic problems, it is practical to have another browser on hand if a site doesn’t load properly on the one you are using.Though there are still some independent email providers (such as Thunderbird), more and more people are turning to gmail (by Google) or other high-speed webmail providers. The same is true for IMs (Instant Messaging services): MSN is not the only one available anymore.Unlike most other software programmes, Internet browsers are free - with a few rare and endangered exceptions.The most common operating systems in use today are Windows, Mac Os, Linux/Ubuntu, iOS and Android. Each has its own particularities, which is why most have their own browsers. This is what we will be looking at now.Learn ;ore about the Internet by following online computer courses.Top Internet BrowsersWith its microprocessor and user-friendly interface for use as a true digital office, the computer is still the king of digital. Today as for the last few decades, three main operating systems share the market. Here they are, by order of importance:Windows, Bill Gates’ successful multinational, with its Windows 93, 95, 98, 2000, Xp, Vista, 7, 8, 9 and 10… This computing giant soon won over the hearts of firms and gamers.Mac OS, Apple’s hyper-secure creation while Steve Jobs was still with us, from Classic to X, from 0.0 to 10.12.6. The apple with a bite taken out of it always had its exclusive markets such as graphic design and printing, but every passing year it gains on Nr. 1 thanks to innovative designs and marketing as innovative as the solutions it proposes.Linux or Ubuntu (GNU), on the rise because of its open-source accessibility (it’s free) is very popular with IT technicians and free-access gurus. It first appeared in 2004 and has been perfected over time.Within this very select little club you will find a great number of Internet browsers. The 5 most common browser softwares (by market percentage), used by those looking for the best browser there is:Google Chrome unites as of July 2017 more than half the internet users on the planet. Google Chrome owes its existence to Chromium, an open-source project, and has the advantage of working just as well with Windows, Mac and Linux.Almost 1 in 5 Internet users praise Safari, juggling between Mac and Windows and using Webkit.Internet Explorer (replaced by Edge in 2015) still attracts about one person in ten - yet it’s still lost ground from the time it was pre-installed on every Windows machine.Mozilla Firefox satisfies about 7% of users. Like Chrome, it is polyvalent and runs on all systems (we strongly recommend it.)With Opera, we are suddenly falling into an elite club with only 2% of users. This is somewhat surprising considering its multiplatform character which runs even on rare and little-known operating systems, and with a certain success on mobile devices (see nr. 4 below).Chrome is one of the younger browser generation but is already one of the most popular out there. Photo credit: Daniel Bowen on VisualHuntWeb BrowserFirmCompatible SystemsDate of CreationInstallation linkGoogle Chrome/ChromiumGoogleAndroid, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux2008https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/index.htmlSafariAppleiOS, Mac et Windows (from XP up)2003https://support.apple.com/en_GB/downloadsFirefoxMozillaWindows, iOS (since 2015)2002https://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/new/EdgeMicrosoftWindows 10, Xbox One2015https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/microsoft-edgeInternet ExplorerMicrosoftWindows (support ended 2015)1994https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/internet-explorer.aspxOperaOpera SoftwareiOS, Android, Nintendo DS1994http://www.opera.comUC BrowserUCWebiOS, Android, Windows Phone, RT, S60, CE, Bada, J2ME, BREW, MTK2004https://uc-browser.en.softonic.com/LynxLynx-devhttp://www.avantbrowser.com/default.aspx?uil=e n1992http://www.vordweb.co.uk/standards/download_lynx.htmAvant BrowserAvant ForceWindows (2000, XP, Vista and 7)2004http://www.avantbrowser.com/default.aspx?uil=enMaxthon Cloud BrowseMaxthon International LimitedWindows, Linux, OS X2006http://de.maxthon.com/In addition, we should also mention various alternative browsers such as Seamonkey, Rockmelt, Camino (native to Mac OS X) and Dolphin Browser HD.How To Choose the Best Web browser?Your average user mostly wants to use the Internet to consult or create web content. However, the question of which browser is the best is largely subjective. With the help of this table, you will be able to best choose and install a version that will run smoothly and be compatible with your system.After that, you will need to make up your own mind. Different browsers will work better depending on your RAM, what kind of computer security you have (firewall or antivirus - there are good free antiviruses out there like Avast), what kind of pop-up blocker plug-in you want to use.You can look at statistics where those who habitually surf the Internet express their preferences; but there is no easy solution, especially since everyone surfs differently: watching lecture videos on YouTube, listening to Internet radio, visiting insecure sites, posting on programming forums, getting a computer science degree in an online degree program….Mozilla Firefox's fiery fox has a well-known logo inspired by nature - and is a good all-round browser for Mac or Windows.Depending on what smartphone or tablet you have, the system bugs won’t all be the same. For example, Opera Mini has the advantage of limiting the temporary files in your cache.There are some reflexes you should train to avoid inconvenience - have only one default browser, uninstall any malware or spyware (if you suddenly have a different startup page or homepage, that’s an important clue), avoid clicking on advertisements (even consider using something like Adblock), regularly empt y your browser cache and delete your browser history, get a better antivirus, don’t install unnecessary plug-ins, be wary of supposed “new functions”, set up your advanced settings, install a new browser or re-install the old one if it becomes unusually slow or crashes regularly.BrowserAdvantagesDisadvantagesGoogle ChromeFast, secure and with a minimalistic interfaceYou personal data remains in the hands of GoogleFirefoxSecure and well-structured. A model browser with an IDM model interface perfect for managing your downloads.Less add-ons and extensions than ChromeSafariSimple and without unnecessary functions. The traditional browser for Apple hardware.Not that fast.OperaOpera’s list of VPN tools.Recurring problems with JavaScript.Internet ExplorerThe fastest browser out there…… but with horrible security; also problems with a lot of HTML and XHTML normsWhile Internet Explorer is fast, it often has trouble interpreting the common web programming languages html and xhtml and the layout language css, displaying websites in an odd fashion. Photo credit: atzu on Visual huntA List of Deceased Web BrowsersOut of nostalgia for old web apps considered the “fastest browser in the world”, out of curiosity or because you want to develop your own open-source software by taking inspiration from the source code of the best applications of the past, it might be interesting to cite some of the defunct software that have served us well (you might learn about some of them during your computing courses):Netscape Navigator (abandoned in 2008) was created by Mosaic developer Marc Andreessen: until it was overtaken by Internet Explorer in 2000, the most used browser worldwide NCSA Mosaic an old-timer dating to 1992, born under Window then used by Macintosh, and without which there would be no urls.NetPositive - or “Net+” - is the first-born for BeOS systems -if that doesn’t make you feel old.Either way, don’t forget to monitor your add-ons and protect your private life. This is particularly important if you are using Google rather than an alternative search engine such as DuckDuckGo, as your data is gathered to tailor ads to your tastes depending on where you surf!A good free browser should also offer good parental control, run smoothly no matter how many tabs you have open, and offer the possibility of sychonising a new version with the old.Still have questions? Check out our beginner computer courses!Click here for A Guide To Web Security Computer Safety.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

What If Im Not Talented 4 Reasons We Put Off Learning New Skills

What If Im Not Talented 4 Reasons We Put Off Learning New Skills Suzy S. Learning a new skill, exploring a new hobby, or working toward a big goal can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. The cycle is all-too-common. Maybe you buy a brand new guitar or a bunch of books in another language, and youre pumped up to start learning! You noodle away for a while or thumb through some pages and then the doubts start to creep in. What if I have no musical talent? What if after months of practicing  Spanish I still get nervous talking to a native speaker? Those self-doubts can get the best of you if you let them but youre stronger than that, right? We recently surveyed our readers to find out some of the  common worries when it comes to taking lessons. Is it nerves? Is it fear that you wont be any good? Do you feel clueless about what  instrument to buy, or which supplies to invest in? Heres what we found out, followed by  advice straight from current students for overcoming the most common concerns. 1) Im worried I wont be talented  at my instrument, target language, etc. This was one of the most popular  responses  in  our survey. And we totally get it. But heres the  brutal truth: you probably wont be any good at first. So heres what you need to keep in mind: If youre a total beginner, remember that teachers are used to this! As long as youre motivated and excited about  learning, thats what your teacher wants to see. Your teacher is also there to give you real-time feedback. If youre trying to learn from prerecorded videos or books, youll miss out on that one-on-one help. With the right guidance and practice, youre bound to improve your skills. Learning just for fun? Even better! Try to think positively, and remember that even if youre learning slowly, youre still making progress. Setting small and specific goals can help immensely. And dont forget to  celebrate when you reach them! 2) Im worried formal lessons will make learning boring. Did your parents force you to take piano lessons as a child? Did you take a language class in high school or college to fulfill a credit  requirement? Heres a little secret: even if you disliked these lessons or classes back then, making the decision to learn something on your own is a totally different experience. Now is your chance to set your own goals. Are you learning a language for an upcoming vacation? Do you want to learn an instrument  for fun, to keep your mind sharp? Take some time to think about your motivations. Next comes the fun part. The great thing about working with a private teacher is that your lessons will be customized exactly for you. If youre clear about your goals, your teacher will work with you to keep you motivated so if youre feeling bored, speak up! 3) Im worried I wont have enough time to commit to learning, practicing, etc. Ah, the common excuse: I dont have time for lessons! In reality, its just a matter of reorganizing your time to make room for your hobbies.  We like to compare it to budgeting your money and that starts with setting those specific (and realistic) goals, taking advantage of practice time you may be overlooking, and following the pay-yourself-first rule (learn more here). Moreover, taking private lessons can actually keep you on track. Instead of wasting time on confusing online programs or watching tutorial videos out of order, your teacher will have  a plan to ensure youre making progress at the right pace. 4) Im worried my teacher wont be a good match for me. Yup, we get this one too. Working with  the right teacher can play a big part in your learning experience. Maybe you need someone whos great with kids, if youre booking lessons for your  son or daughter. Maybe you want to work with a teacher who specializes in a certain genre, dialect, or style.  Thousands of private teachers have joined TakeLessons, so youre bound to find a great one. So take a look, browse around, and let us know if you need some help. And dont worry  youre always covered by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. More tips here: The 7 Types of Learners How to Find the Best Teacher For YOU OK, ready to take the next step? You might still feel nervous thats OK. Even our pro teachers were in your shoes once. Heck, even Kurt Cobain, Misty Copeland, Mark Zuckerberg, and  anyone else who inspires you was once a beginner. And look where they are now. For the aspiring musicians out there, well share one last piece of advice from Belinda M., one of our guitar students: Learning to become a great musician is like the lottery You cant win if you dont play! How can you argue with that? Photo By  U.S. Army Need Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Vegan Recipes How to Eat Vegan

Vegan Recipes How to Eat Vegan All You Need To Know About Adopting A Vegan Diet Plan ChaptersWhat's All This Talk About Vegan Foods?What Is Vegan Food?Vegan Health BenefitsThe 5 Best Supermarkets For Buying Vegan Foods10 Quick And Simple Vegan Recipes10 Vegan Baking RecipesAre You Ready To Go Vegan?3. Sainsbury’sSainsbury’s offer their customers a fair few  vegan ingredients and dishes. Their Freefrom line offers vegan-labelled products, including vegan-friendly crispier bars, Turkish delights and ice creams. In their frozen section, you will find meat-free meatballs and burgers alongside Quorn and Linda McCartney products.Vegan foods like Quorn products are stocked in a number of supermarkets. Photo credit: ms_bulsara on Visualhunt.com4. TescoJust like its previous competitor, Tesco stocks an array of products suitable for vegans, including cheeses, margarine, yoghurts, and ice cream. Their frozen foods section comprises of soya mince, kale and butternut squash roasts and falafels.5. WaitroseAs you might expect, Waitrose delivers the goods when it comes to a spe cific diet like veganism. Their extensive range of healthy foods includes basil tofu, hotdogs, ice cream, curries, crisps and crumbles. Big name brands include Quorn and Cauldron.Morrisons, Aldi and Asda do offer some vegan foods too, but this seems to be more ‘by accident’ than a well thought out plan to stock healthy vegan goods.Likewise, Lidl don’t have a great range of vegan foods but they do label their foods clearly and are cooperative when you ask them questions in store or by email.You can discover more about the vegan food ranges stocked by the above stores in the blog The Best Shops For Vegan Food.10 Quick And Simple Vegan RecipesAre you looking for some vegan recipes which will look good as well as fill you up but that won’t take hours to prepare?Look no further than our list below of ten quick and simple recipes. Whether you like to get your dinner preparation over and done with as quickly or possible, or you like to make your dinner-making a drawn out affair, ea ch of these recipes can feasibly be ready in around half an hour.That gives you a few extra minutes to pour yourself a nice cold glass of vegan-friendly wine while you wait for your culinary masterpiece to be ready!1. Vegan pizza: Okay, it takes 40 mins but is worth the extra 10!For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visitMy Favorite Vegan Pizza2. Mediterranean baked sweet potatoes: A savoury, sweet, fresh and comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish.In summary, this fast recipe consists of:Baked sweet potatoes â€" cut in half to shorten cooking time Seasoned, roasted chickpeas Garlic-herb sauce Parsley-tomato salad for garnishThe result is a quick and easy lunch or dinner that’s both satisfying and healthy. For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visitMediterranean Baked Sweet Potatoes3. Coconut curry: A flavoursome dish that lets you use up your leftover vegetables.Here is a flexible recipe that allows you to use whichever vegetables and spices you fe el like. Although the the recipe uses broccoli, carrot, onion, snow peas and tomato, you could go with whatever veggies you wish! The same goes for the spices: this method keeps it simple with curry powder and a pinch of cayenne but you could also add turmeric, cinnamon or cumin to add even more flavour.For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visit30-Minute Coconut Curry4. Poblano and portobello fajitas: an alternative to the Mexican favourite.Ingredients• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) olive or coconut oil • 1 poblano pepper, seeds removed and thinly sliced • 2 bell peppers, seeds removed and thinly sliced • 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and thinly sliced • 1 yellow or white onion, cut into thin rounds • 2 large or 4 baby portobello mushrooms, stems removed, wiped clean and thinly sliced • 2 ripe avocados • juice of 1/2 lime • sea salt, cumin, garlic powder • optional: 1 tsp A1 steak sauce (for mushrooms) • 6 small flour or corn tortillas • optional: fresh red on ion, hot sauce, cilantro, salsaMethod1. Heat a large skillet and a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot add a dash of olive or coconut oil to the large skillet, then the onion and peppers. Season generously with salt, cumin and garlic powder.2. Cook until softened and slightly caramelised, stirring often. Set aside and cover to keep warm.3. At the same time, add a dash of oil to the medium pan. Then add the mushrooms. Season with a bit of salt and once softened and brown (see photo), add a dash of A1 (vegan-friendly) for more flavour (optional). Remove from heat, set aside and cover.4. Prepare guacamole by adding two avocados to a bowl then adding the juice of half a lime and a generous pinch of salt. Fresh cilantro and onion are optional.5. Warm tortillas in the microwave or oven and you’re ready to go. Serve tortillas with peppers and onions, mushrooms, guacamole, and any other toppings you desire such as salsa, hot sauce, and cheese or sour cream (for non-vegan).Nutri tion information* Serving size: 1/3 recipe Calories: 427 Fat: 27.8g Saturated fat: 5.7g Carbohydrates: 43.1g Sugar: 7.1g Sodium: 215mg Fiber: 14.8g Protein: 6.7g*Nutritional information roughly calculated based on 1/3 recipe without toppings.Recipe courtesy ofPoblano and Portobello Fajitas5. Vegan green chilli mac’n’cheese: a simple alternative to the original cheese-fest.This is an unprocessed, wholesome, dairy-free recipe to help satisfy those cravings for childhood favourites. It is creamy, cheesy, spicy and absolutely delicious. Plus, it offers just under 20 grass of protein with every serving â€" what more could you want?For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visitVegan Green Chili Mac n CheeseNote: You will need to soak your cashews overnight!6. Vegan mushroom stroganoffIngredients• noodles • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 yellow onion, chopped • 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour, divided • 2 cups beefless beef broth or vegetable broth • 1 tablespoon so y sauce • 1 teaspoon lemon juice • 1 teaspoon tomato paste • 1 1/2 pounds mushrooms (half Portobello and half White Button mushrooms), cut into large 2-inch chunks • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar • 1/4 cup vegan sour cream (optional) • 10 turns of fresh ground, black pepper • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, mincedMethod1. Cook the noodles per the direction on the package. Under cook them a bit because they will be cooked again once incorporated into the sauce.2. Drain and set aside.3. In a large saucepan, add the olive oil and sauté the onions for 3 minutes over medium heat.4. Add the flour and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.5. Gradually add the broth, soy sauce, lemon juice, and tomato paste, while stirring at the same time. Stir until mixture becomes thick and bubbly, about a minute.6. Add the mushrooms, thyme, sage, and salt. Stir to combine.7. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequen tly until mushrooms have shrunk in size.8. Add the vinegar and simmer for 4 more minutes.9. Add the noodles, sour cream, 1 tablespoon of flour, black pepper, and parsley and cook on low for an additional 5 minutes.10. Garnish with parsley.Nutritional informationTotal Calories: 795 | Total Carbs: 104 g | Total Fat: 21 g | Total Protein: 50 g | Total Sodium: 1,548 g | Total Sugar: 13 gRecipe courtesy of One Green Planet.For more head turning vegan recipes, take a look at the blog 10  Vegan Recipes That Will Turn Heads.10 Vegan Baking RecipesIf you are a devout vegan, you’ll be all too aware of the products you can and can’t use when baking vegan puddings. However, if you are trying out a vegan recipe or want to put in that extra effort and cook a completely vegan three-course meal for a vegan friend, then you might like to find some recipes that won’t require you to go out an buy a shop-full of alternatives to your kitchen cupboard basics.Here are ten recipes that use straightfo rward ingredients, suitable for a vegan diet.1. Vegan tiffinUsing ingredients from your larder, like coconut oil, golden syrup, cranberries and pistachios, you can make this tasty dessert. It is great for parties, and with some vegan dark chocolate and ginger nut biscuits thrown in, no one would suspect it’s vegan it tastes so good!For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visit BBC Good Food.2. Sticky Toffee Pear PuddingIngredients• 8 small firm pears • 200g golden caster sugar • 2 cinnamon sticks • 1 star anise • 6 cloves • 1 lemon, zest pared • 1 orange, zest pared • vegan ice cream, to serve (optional)For the sponge • 250g pitted dates • 2 tbsp linseeds • 300ml unsweetened almond milk • 200ml vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing • 175g dark muscovado sugar • 200g self-raising flour • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 1 tsp ground mixed spiceMethod1. Peel the pears and cut the bottom off each to give a flat base â€" cut them to a height th at will fit snugly in your tin. Use a melon baller or small knife to cut out the pips from the base. Roughly chop the pear scraps, discarding the pips, and set aside. Tip the sugar, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, zests and 600ml water into a saucepan large enough to fit all the pears. Bring to the boil, then simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Add the pears, cover with a lid or a piece of baking parchment, and poach gently for 15 mins until a knife easily slides into a pear. Leave to cool in the liquid.2. Now make the sponge. Put the dates and linseeds in a saucepan and add the almond milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 2-3 mins until the dates are soft. Pour into a food processer and blitz until smooth. Add the oil and blend again, then scrape into a bowl and set aside to cool a little. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 20 x 30cm baking tin (a loose -bottomed one if possible) with a strip of baking parchment.3. Put the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl with 1/ 2 tsp salt. Mix well, breaking up any lumps of sugar with your fingers, and shaking the bowl a few times to encourage any remaining lumps to come to the surface. Add the date and oil mixture, and stir well. Fold in the chopped pear scraps. Scrape the cake mixture into the tin, then nestle in the pears, standing straight up, so that the bottom halves are covered. Bake for 35-40 mins until the cake is cooked through. Insert a skewer to the centre to check â€" it should come out clean. If there is any wet cake mixture on the skewer, return the cake to the oven and bake for 10 mins more, then check again.4. Meanwhile, bring the pear poaching liquid back to the boil and simmer until reduced to a glossy syrup. When the pudding is cooked, cool for 5-10 mins, then brush all over with the syrup, saving a little extra to serve alongside, with vegan ice cream, if you like.Recipe courtesy of BBC Good Food.If you’d like to make your own toffee sauce to go with the above, you can f ind a link to a vegan-friendly recipe when visiting the above recipe on the BBC Good Food site.3. Avocado strawberry ices: a refreshing and fruity summer dessert.For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, click here.4. Banana bread: makes two flavour-packed loaves to go around!Find the full list of ingredients and cooking method here.5. Lemon cakeIngredients• 250g vegan margarine • 200g sugar • 2 tsp vanilla sugar • 30g soya flour • 1/2 tsp xanthan gum • 200ml warm water including juice of 2 lemons • Finely grated zest of 2 lemons • 150g plain flour • 100g corn flour • 15g baking powder • 50g ground almondsFor the icing • 150g icing sugar • 3 tbsp lemon juice • 2 tsp lemon zestMethod1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees, line a 30cm cake loaf tin and lightly grease.2. Place vegan margarine, sugar and vanilla sugar, soya flour, lemon zest and xanthan gum into a mixing bowl. Combine on low speed.3. Top up the lemon juice with warm water to 200ml in total . Let liquid drizzle into mixture beating on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until creamy.4. Sift flour, corn flour and baking powder and fold under mixture with a spatula.5. Fill with loaf tin cake mixture and bake for 65-70 minutes.To make the icingMix the icing sugar with zest and lemon juice. Spread over cake.Recipe courtesy of Vegan Society.Are You Ready To Go Vegan?And there you have it! Everything you need to know about becoming or remaining vegan, including some really great recipes to try out.For more vegan baking recipes to try your hand at, visit my blog 10 Amazing Vegan Baking Recipes.So, even if you aren't sure that you can stick it out, why not try going vegan for Lent? Just like so many others out there, you will no doubt find yourself loving that feel-good sensation of ridding your body of some of the nasty, hidden things that you ingest as part of a traditional British diet. Why not get help with cooking classes at Superprof.

Why English Help is a Must for Success for Businessmen in the Business World

Why English Help is a Must for Success for Businessmen in the Business World 0SHARESShare English is a language without which survival and identity in business world is out of question. Proper English help to attain fluency in the language is a must to improve your business circles. Why you need English language fluency to shine in your business? English is the official language of many countries and is believed to be the effective medium of communication by businessmen of various countries. Hence, it is a common platform to communicate with different countrymen. Lack of knowledge in spoken English would pull your down and make a drop in your business communication, which, in turn, would cause lapse in extending your business circles. What can an English tutor do for you in this matter? An online English tutor can teach you how to use the language as a potential medium to carry on your message when you have business meetings with people of other countries. His teaching of proper pronunciation, strong and apt vocabulary and native fluency in speech with right phonetic patterns would show you apart from others and enhance your image in the business crowd. The audio drills and visual representations of those audio drills used in English tutoring would help you perfect the spoken language with effective speaking skills. Tutor Pace renders online methods for improving communication levels of business people with its selective programs and schedules. Get English Tutor Online Now! [starbox id=admin]

3 Questions to Ask Your High School Guidance Counselor This Month

3 Questions to Ask Your High School Guidance Counselor This Month The start of the spring semesterregardless of your high school gradecan be a pivotal time in your college admissions journey. You likely have a plethora of questions, most centered around what progress you should be making by this time in your high school career. In order to ensure youre on track, meeting with your high school guidance counselor can be immensely beneficial. Questions to ask your guidance counselor include verifying that your class schedule has you on the right track, understanding which standardized tests are best for you, and learning how your extracurriculars factor into college admissions. Hoping to start the spring semesterand continue your college searchon the right foot? Here are three questions to ask your high school guidance counselor this month: Question #1 to ask your high school guidance counselor: Is my high school schedule fully supporting my college admissions chances? Its vital that you follow a high school schedule that will set you up for success in the long-term. While there are likely a list of required courses you must take, be sure that your selected electives and subject-specific course choices will ultimately promote a well-rounded academic profile. Review your remaining required courses with your guidance counselor, as well as any opportunities your schedule may offer for you to complete classes that will best reflect your academic abilities to prospective colleges. Additionally, discuss with your counselor any dual credit options your school may offer so that you can potentially enter your freshman year of college with credits in hand. [RELATED: 4 Small Ways to Strengthen Your College Applications This School Year] Question #2 to ask your high school guidance counselor: Which exams will set me up for college admissions success? This month is an excellent time to create a test prep plan for the year. Deciding which standardized tests to take, however, can be more complicated than you might initially believe. Its important to research whether the schools youre most interested in have a preference between the ACT and SAT, and make your plan accordingly. In addition, your guidance counselor can help educate you on other testing options that may further bolster your application. These options may include: AP and IB courses SAT Subject Tests If you feel particularly strong in a specific subject, for example, an SAT Subject Test or enrollment in an AP course may help your college application stand out. Your guidance counselor can help you analyze your academic profile to decide what testing options will be best for you. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Narrowing Your College Search] Question #3 to ask your high school guidance counselor: How do admissions officers view high school extracurriculars? In addition to ensuring youre taking the right exams and courses that will showcase you as a well-rounded applicant, its key to participate in extracurriculars while in high school. School-sponsored clubs offer the unique opportunity to enhance your college application while participating in activities you enjoy. Your guidance counselor can help you discover what groups are available at your school surrounding your interests. In addition, your counselor may be aware of community organizations that you can join that will elevate your college application. [RELATED: What to Do After Youve Submitted Your College Applications] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Are MCAT Prep Courses Worth It

Are MCAT Prep Courses Worth It Amy W Dec 14, 2018 Find a Top Rated MCAT Tutor Near You! It's Simple and Secure - Get Real Results Fast. Find Expert Private Tutors at Reasonable Rates Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson Are MCAT prep courses worth it? Well, like so many things in life, that depends.   It depends on you and your motivation as well as the type and quality of the course that you choose to take. The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is one of the most grueling standardized tests a student will come across. The Best MCAT Prep Course Review What is the MCAT? The exam is required to gain access into virtually every medical school in the United States and most medical schools in Canada, therefore it may come as no surprise that prepping for the MCAT should be your top priority. Enrolling in an MCAT course is one way to ensure you adequately prepared and ready for whatever may be on the exam this year. The problem is, there are many types of courses available, how do you know which one is the best. And at quite a price, are MCAT prep courses worth it? This article will help you understand the MCAT and why enrolling in a prep course may be a good idea for you. While most standardized tests are know for their uniqueness and difficulty, the MCAT is on anther level above the rest! The test itself is administered over 7.5 hours, making it physically exhausting and extremely mentally draining. It is a multiple choice test (this doesn’t make it any easier) that tests applicants on the skills and knowledge required in medical school and when practicing medicine. The content of the tests covers four sections; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills A score is given for each section, and the scores are added together to provide a total score that is reported around six or seven weeks after completion of the test. Test Preparation Resources There are many test preparation tools available to students to help get ready for the MCAT, some are free and some come at a cost. Naturally, you want to prepare the best way possible, so how do you know if the free resources are reliable or if the paid MCAT prep courses are worth it? Some high quality, legitimate resources include; Official MCAT practice exams, section bank, flashcards, and sample tests. These are available from the AAMC website, produced by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The Khan Academy MCAT Collection is free and easily accessible to use. Speaking with students who have sat the MCAT is also worthwhile. It will give you an indication of how much time you need to prepare and you can learn from other people’s mistakes!   In addition, some of those that have taken it already might be willing to spend a little time with you preparing for your exam. It certainly doesnt hurt to ask! Using a qualified MCAT tutor. Private Tutoring at Home is an easy way to find a certified tutor in your area, one that can tailor-make study sessions to suit your needs and help you achieve your goals. While a tutor isn’t free, they usually cost a lot less than courses and can offer personalized sessions geared towards what and where you need the help and to spend the time. MCAT prep courses are often detailed and high quality. Some of the popular ones are Kaplan MCAT course and the Princeton Review MCAT prep course. They vary in delivery and cost, but there are plenty of options out there. Keep reading to find out more about these courses. MCAT Prep Courses: The Details There are many, many, many MCAT Prep courses available to prospective test takers. Naturally, the people that create these courses would like students to participate and will happily give a ton of reasons and reviews as to why theirs is the best. This guide takes an objective view on the types of courses available, allowing you to make an informed decision and get the best results possible. Let’s look at the type and style of MCAT Prep courses that are available; Self-Paced Prep Courses â€" these are ideal if you need flexibility! Students are given an array of materials and a rough agenda to follow. The course is completed at a pace that suits the individual. The down side to self-paced prep courses is that they require a high level of independent motivation and the ability to manage time effectively. While the structure and content of the course is provided, each student will have to identify their own weaknesses â€" something that can be difficult to do for even the most dedicated students. Some self-paced courses offer customized content to help cater for individual needs, so if you choose this kind of course, look out for adaptable ones. Live Online Prep Courses â€" if you like the idea of guided classes, but are unable to attend a physical class, then live online courses are a great option. You still have to commit to the set study schedule, but can do so from the comfort of your own home. This saves time traveling to and from class, as well as needing to carry books and resources with you. The key to a good live online MCAT prep course lies with the quality of teaching. They must be engaging and offer help and guidance both in and out of set class times, as well as providing resources and extra materials to help you make the most of your ‘out-of-class’ study time. In-Person Prep Courses â€" for a more traditional approach to MCAT prep, opt for in-person courses. These allow for plenty of interaction and discussion with not only instructors, but with fellow test-takers as well. The teacher should offer direct guidance and provide assistance when and where it is needed. The fact that you have allocated and structured study time is a bonus, especially if you lack the internal motivation to get studying, but you also need to spend time outside of class studying too. Make sure your course instructor is able to provide extra study materials as well as being on hand to answer questions and queries in between classes. Intensive Prep Courses â€" intensive courses are great for those with limited study time and the ability to work well under pressure and time constraints. These courses are also great for those who want a strong boost of knowledge and skills. They are often of incredibly high quality, but are so time consuming that you won’t be able to fit much more into your schedule. Intensive prep courses can also be expensive, but if you have the time and the money, they may just be worth it. The best MCAT prep course for you will depend on several factors: Your individual learning style Available time Budget And strengths and weaknesses all play a part in deciding what approach will suit you best. So… Are MCAT Prep Courses Worth It? MCAT prep courses are costly, there’s no way around that fact. For some, the cost may be just too much to bear, with time and money better spent using free tools (there are plenty of them), spending a small sum on prep books and official practice tests, or enlisting the help of a tutor at a fraction of the cost. If you are basically motivated and organized, you may not need to invest your cash in these courses. However, if you need structure in your study schedule and allocated class time to ensure you prepare, then MCAT prep courses will be incredibly useful. Equally, if you can spare the funds, you have nothing to lose. The large sum is a small drop in the ocean in order to give yourself the best preparation possible, ensuring academic success and the results on the test that you need this year. The best MCAT prep course is only going to make sense if youre willing to put the time and energy into it.   Nothing beats good ole fashioned effort and thats what getting good scores on tests like this require.   If you are willing to put the time in, then its likely that youll get a score that makes you happy and be one step closer to getting into medical school. Good luck!We can help you find the best private tutor near you! It’s simple and secure â€" Get real results fast. Your first hour with any tutor is protected by our Good Fit Guarantee: You don't pay for tutoring unless you find a good fit. Choose Your Subject â€" Add Your Zip Code â€" Find Top Rated Tutors Starting Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson

Answer Questions Like a Scientist for GMAT Success

Answer Questions Like a Scientist for GMAT Success GMAT MBA Admissions Blog One of the great misconceptions about standardized exams such as the GMAT or the SAT is that they are tests of “Math” or “English.” Rather, these types of tests are tests of analytical thinkingâ€"in short, logicâ€"that require a certain basic level of Math or English to succeed. It’s pretty clear that we need to develop these hard skills: facility with Algebra, English grammar, etc. in order to succeed. What is less apparent is the fact that we must also learn how to ask the right questions of ourselves in order to tackle these exams efficiently. Why? Because the test-writers are literally trying to confuse you. The good news is that they use a very particular system to do this, and it’s crackable. However, this is not any normal sort of confusing writing. Let’s look at three different species of confusing writing; the third is what you’ll see on the GMAT or the SAT. It’s badly written. This is something we’ve all experienced. Something simply doesn’t make sense because its internal logic doesn’t make sense. Not much to say here: this book needs an editor. The information is broken down inaccessibly. Long story short, when a mathematician writes a textbook, it’s easy to forget what it’s like to be learning for the first time. She assumes that the steps taken in order to reach the next line will make sense to the reader. Sometimes this works, but often it doesn’t. There is an internal logic, but it’s not obvious to many readers. To me, this is just a different form of poor writing. The information is all there, but packaged in an intentionally-jumbled way. This is the entire problem with GMAT- and SAT-style standardized exams. All necessary information is there (it must be in order to successfully imply one particular answer!) but it is often presented in a way that seems backward, confusing, or illogical. Yes, that’s on purpose. The SAT and the GMAT give you raw information and force you to interpret it. In Quant, you must know where an equation comes from rather than blindly plugging in: What’s the point of this equation? How would I make any number fit it? How would I prove it? This is a little harder to describe for the Verbal part of these exams, but the best example is high-level questions where hard-and-fast rules break down and you have to make a judgment call based on “style” in grammar-type or “inference” in reading-type questions. For both, the interpretation is a form of inference. Inductive vs. Deductive Logic You’ll need to know this terminology to proceed, so let’s address Deductive and Inductive Logic. Deductive Logic is straightforward “reorganization of information.” It’s like an Algebra problem: all of the stuff is already there on the page; you’re just reorganizing to solve for X. There is no new information created. The most convenient (and crucial) distinction: a computer uses only deductive logic. Inductive Logic is inferential: it requires a guess (and a test). Inductive Logic works from empirical information, recognizes patterns, and makes an “educated guess” based on the information provided. This guess creates new information. Crucial: a computer does not use Inductive Logic. Look at it this way: The GMAT and the SAT are both presented to test your inductive thinking ability as well as your deductive thinking ability. Now let’s take a look at the best weapon in our arsenal. Use the Scientific Method to Break Down Information This might be like taking a Howitzer to a knife fight, but sometimes you gotta bring out the heavy artillery. We’ve established already that the information you’ll be presented on the GMAT or the SAT is given in a jumble. How to make sense of it? Easy: the Scientific Method. The Scientific Method is a brilliant mash-up of both Inductive and Deductive Logic that allows us to bounce back and forth between Inductive and Deductive Logic, guessing-and-checking our way to a reasonable answer. Let’s look at the Scientific Method in its most basic form: State the problem What do you have and what do you need? Hypothesis/Hypotheses about the cause of the problem Got an idea about what’s happening here? Look for that stumbling block. Feel around; try to figure out where it is. Got it? Good. Experiment, testing the hypothesis. Now that you have an idea, what are you going to do about it? Got a technique in mind? Predict results of the experiment See whether that technique works: is that move likely to make the Algebra shake out something useful? Do you think that assumption could clarify the difference between those two answers in Reading Comprehension? Compare the predictions to the actual outcomes Maybe it worked, maybe it didn’t. If it didn’t, throw it out. Conclusions regarding the results Do you have an answer yet? If so, great. If not, then perhaps the hypothesis was wrong. Time to think of something else that might work. If this seems long… Note that, of course, we routinely roll steps 3-6 together. For the moment, though, take it as slowly as necessary. Are you stuck with a problem? Not sure how to shake something loose? The common answer among novice test-takers is “I just don’t know some factoid that I’m supposed to know and if I knew that random thing then I’d be able to solve it.” What’s more likely, thoughâ€"assuming you know your basicsâ€"is that you don’t know how to solve it. Thinking in terms of “hows” is a global approach, assuming that you will plan, prepare, and roadmap a solution to the problem. This is exactly what the Scientific Method guides you through. Next time you’re stuck, give it a little science. See what happens. If you want to read more, I’ve written a 16-page guide going into even greater depth about how to Ask the Right Questions on the GMATâ€"with special emphasis on how developing this skill can help you overcome test anxiety! Link to Guide: https://yourgmatcoach.withcoach.com/free-pdf-guide-how-to-break-down-gmat-questions About the AuthorRowan Hand has worked as a GMAT tutor for students across the globe since 2005. He is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller (categories: GMAT and Test Prep), Last Minute GMAT Grammar. Rowan has helped over 500 students make their careers at schools such as LBS, Columbia, Wharton, INSEAD, and more. Contact Rowan directly: rowan@yourgmatcoach.com Link to site: www.yourgmatcoach.com