Learn How to Sing with the Voice of an Opera Singer

Learn How to Sing with the Voice of an Opera Singer Everything You Wanted to Know About Operatic Singing Classes ChaptersThe Steps to Follow for Starting Out with Tragédie LyriqueHow to Get a Powerful VoiceThe Different Types of SingerReaching the High Notes (Men) or the Low Notes (Women)The Journey of a Professional Opera Singer“I do not mind what language an opera is sung in so long as it is an language I do not understand.” Sir Edward AppletonThere are plenty of different people who love a certain singer or composer.  Each to their own, after all. However, when it comes to music, opera and its magnificence are at the pinnacle with singers who, over centuries and centuries, have made their way onto the stage to accompany an entire symphonic orchestra on their own.This incredible energy and physical prowess is enough to leave is stupefied. It’s more than that, though. It’s an art form in itself where notes which would otherwise be impossible for an amateur or beginner to croon are beautifully delivered to the ears of music lovers.A lot of young people tend to characterise opera as rid iculous affairs with elements like people dressed as trees singing in German. To be fair, most French people don’t understand everything going on in Carmen and Italians would say the same when it comes to the operas of Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini (which are in Italian).However, you have to say it’s a complete art form in the every sense of the word. Who doesn’t dream of being able to sing with the incredible and elegant timbre of Luciano Pavarotti or Roberto Alagna?  Here are a few tips and tricks to set you on your merry way.We’ve already been able to put together ten different elements that you’ll need if you want to start singing baroque music or classic opera.Opera singing requires that the singer moves the audience just like the strings of a violin can pull on your heart strings. (Source: Donald Tong)Train your ear (familiarise yourself with the masterpieces of Haydn, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Schumann, Bellini, Mahler, Britten, Brahms, Offenbach, Beethoven, Ra meau, Franz Schubert, Handel, Gluck, Debussy, Gounod, Strauss, Vivaldi, Massenet, etc.)Learn to sing in key with the help of video and audio resources and a private tutor (additionally, studying music theory or knowing how to play an instrument will help a lot, too)Study a bit of Italian, German, French, and Spanish, so that you can read the language of almost any opera before you learn to sing in the operatic style.Once you’re old enough, work out what your tessitura is and record yourself regularly while looking at the notes and advice your vocal coach leaves you.Enter into competitions or start attending a music school.Never stop training. However, make sure you don’t overdo it and exhaust your throat. If you smoke, you should quit immediately.Develop and master all the different subtleties and singing techniques (vibrato, trills, etc.) and learn to sing as part of a duet or along to a philharmonic orchestra.Don’t forget the importance of your acting and your stage presence .Perform in public.Persevere but also remember to have a back-up plan.How to Get a Powerful VoiceIf there’s one big difference between a club singer and an absolute diva, it’s how powerful their voices are.  In short, it’s like trying to compare the singing of a breathy indie girl singer and Beyoncé in terms of the power in their voices.The first thing that characterises power in people’s voices is how they breathe. This, in turn, depends on the pitches made by the vocal cords.  An agile thoracic cavity is half of what makes a great singer a great singer...When singing, they need to work on their breathing in exactly the same way that athletes and sports stars do when they want to win.  The pressure needs to be balanced and maintained both above and below the throat in order to be able to sing strongly with minimal effort.The airflow needs to be regulated. It’s easy to make a single sound, like when using the whistle register but it can be difficult in other registers.  T ry not to overexert yourself as you may find yourself losing your voice. This is one of the biggest worries for those working on their voice, losing it.In fact, mentally, don’t consider it as singing loudly but rather as making yourself heard by those who are far away.A piano keyboard is divided into octaves from the lowest to the highest.When it comes to both male and female voices, you can say the same. Singers are classified in terms of the range of notes they can produce.  Generally, female singers are classified as (from lowest to highest):ContraltoMezzo-sopranoSopranoBeing able to tell the difference between the bass clef and the treble clef is basic music theory. (Source: pixabay.com)Male singers are usually classified as:BassBaritoneTenorCountertenorEach of these categories are often further divided into sub-classes.  To make things even more complicated, certain composers even amuse themselves by writing particularly difficult parts for singers and really challenging them in terms of their range and abilities.Don’t worry, though. While tenors and sopranos seem to often be the stars of the show, there are plenty of starring roles for all types of voice!Reaching the High Notes (Men) or the Low Notes (Women)It should go without saying that in the past, composers and artists would come under heavy criticism and end up never playing again.While things aren’t as strict in the modern world, if you want to avoid metaphorical rotten vegetables, you’re going to have to work on vocal technique, master music theory, and completely refine your voice for an ever-scrupulous audience.What would people say if a pianist performing a Berlioz piano concerto had never learnt his scales or his arpeggios? You can already imagine all the rotten vegetables being thrown upon the stage.How can you tell one tenor from another? It’s often their range. The range of one tenor can make them much more suitable for a role than another.  Of course, they’re expected to have mastered their range before they start trying to hit the higher notes and falsetto using a head voice before going on to master a more powerful chest voice.As you can see, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.  Of course, you should look at works like The Barber of Seville, Lohengrin, Hamlet, The Tales of Hoffman, The Marriage of Figaro, Requiem, and Il Trovatore.Check out some great online singing lessons.The Journey of a Professional Opera SingerOpera singing is first and foremost a passion: we love music, we train our musical ears, then we start joyfully discovering new works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (The Magic Flute, for example, with Queen of the Night), Bizet, Gaetano Donizetti, Richard Wagner, Rossini, etc.The first thing you need to learn is to sing in key. Ideally, you’ll learn this as young as possible so that you won’t have too many gaps in your knowledge and will be able to effortlessly tackle the more difficult activities later on in your training. Additionally , you should consider music theory classes or singing lessons.  There are plenty of music workshops and classes around the country for young children who are interested in it.Unfortunately, some people are more talented than others when it comes to music. Not everyone has a naturally beautiful voice or a mastery of vibrato necessary to play the starring role in an opera.  However, even if you do have the voice of a famous tenor, it’s not worth anything if you don’t persevere with singing or just stop enjoying music altogether.In order to expand your knowledge, you should attend operas, visit famous theatres (both in the UK and around the world).If you want to perform in the world's most famous opera houses, you'll have to work tirelessly on your vocal techniques. (Source: Amy Wakley)Musical knowledge will also help a great deal. If you play an instrument like the trombone, horn, baritone saxophone, harp, accordion, harpsichord, cello, or the contrabass, this will be really usefu l when studying singing and music theory.The ideal method is to start learning as young as possible (adolescence at the latest) with the help of a quality vocal coach who specialised in the human voice and its physiology.  Puberty can be a trying experience, especially when singing. Once your voice breaks, you’ll have to re-learn how to use it. Fortunately, you don’t have to start completely from scratch when this happens.This is where a vocal coach can be a huge help. At around 16 years of age for girls (and a bit later for boys), your ideal tessitura will take shape.The learning process can take a long time. It always requires that you have self-confidence, perseverance, physical endurance, and are determined. Physiologically speaking, singers at this kind of level are the equivalent of top-level athletes.With a lot of hard work, you could end up being good enough to enter into singing competitions in order to attend some of the most prestigious schools around the world.  Your first modest performances will put you well on your way to becoming a professional and performing some of the biggest masterpieces of opera from greats such as Purcell, Wagner, and Berlioz, for example.What comes after that? Contracts raining on your desk? A European tour? International fame?Sign up for your first singing lessons now.

Should You Take the ACT Plus Writing

Should You Take the ACT Plus Writing Most high school students plan to take either the ACT or the SAT, but once you choose an exam, your decision is not yet complete. The ACT, for instance, offers an optional writing componentthe ACT Plus Writing. But should you take this sub-test? First, consider the basics The ACT Plus Writing lengthens the ACT by thirty minutes, and it currently costs an additional $16.50. You will be presented with a single prompt. This prompt will describe an issue and two opposing viewpoints. You must then support one of the two provided perspectives, or alternately, present your own. Of course, your score will not reflect the side you choose, and you do not have to argue for the viewpoint you actually holdjust the one about whichyou can write the most effectiveessay. The case for completing the ACT Plus Writing is fairly compelling: It may be required While the writing portion of the exam is technically optional, certain schools require it for admission. If you are sitting for the ACT during your junior year, you may have little idea about which colleges you will ultimately apply towhich means it may or may not be required. Some schools simply recommend that you take it - follow their advice. Colleges that do not require the ACT Plus Writing may still accept and examine your results, which couldstrengthen your portfolio. It can highlight key skills Though the ACT may feel like a mere means to an end, it is designed to allow you to showcase your skills to colleges. This is also true of the Writing section. By completing a short essay, you can demonstrate your communication skillsand schools are deeply interested in your ability to read, write, and thoughtfully argue. It is not multiple-choice The ACT Plus Writing is scored by two human readers. These individuals review and evaluate your essay, and then they assign it a score between 2 and 12. If you do not excel at multiple-choice testing, the ACT Plus Writing can be a wonderful way for you to stand out to colleges. You may also find these tips on how to improve your ACT scorehelpful. It may improve your ability to write well While studying for the ACT Plus Writing, you may realize that you are becoming a better writer. Often, the ability to write well is developed by continual practice. As you complete sample prompts, your skill set in writing quickly and clearly will improve. Writing tutors can also be of great use, as they can offer excellent feedback and direct your prep efforts accordingly. Remember thatACT practice testsmay help you improve your overall score as well. This will work to your advantage as you enter college, where you will be expected to write coherently startingthe first day of your first semester. Thus, sitting for the ACT Plus Writing may make you a more successful college studentif you prepare appropriately. If you plan to review for the other sections of the ACT, it may make logistical sense to proceed one step furtherin other words, to complete the ACT Plus Writing as well. While you might regret not taking it, it is unlikely that the reverse will be true. [RELATED: What is an Average ACT Score?]

How Can I Make My Own Dress Pattern

How Can I Make My Own Dress Pattern You Too Can Make Your Own Dress Patterns ChaptersGetting Starting: Gathering SuppliesGetting the Measurements RightFinding Inspiration for Your PatternsPutting it all TogetherMost of us don’t exactly fit in the narrow spectrum of sizing espoused by the clothing industry.We’ve gotten used to blouses that don’t fit quite right, to wearing our trousers around our hips so that they will be long enough and to wearing tunic dresses while wishing we could wear an A-line dress.Still, those of us who exceed the industry’s average sizing by only a bit have it better than Caroline Welz who, at 206cm in height, is the tallest woman in Germany.Or Zainab Bibi, who was granted asylum in Britain after fleeing her home country because her extreme height of 218cm made her a target for violence.What about Jessica Pardoe? At 208cm, she is officially the tallest British woman. She shops online for her clothes and, according to her, they are much more expensive than any clothes in the shops.Wait a minute, what are we saying?If you want t o wear an A-line dress but can’t find one in your size or a pattern for it, you can make one! And if you want an open-back summer dress with a flared skirt, you can make a pattern for it, too.You can make any sewing pattern you want, from a wrap dress to a knit dress… all the way to a dress tunic that flatters rather than conceals your shape.Already the objections flow: ‘I’m not a designer’, ‘I’m not a pattern maker’ and ‘I don’t know a thing about pattern drafting!’There, do you have that out of your system?Perhaps the only thing stopping you from sewing your own clothes is that you need to learn how to sew but nothing is stopping you from designing your own dress patterns and your Superprof is going to show you how to do it.And, just in case you didn’t know, your Superprof has sewing tutors standing by to help you learn how to sew, too… If you're fed up with high prices for a dress that will fit you right, make your own dress pattern! Image by Michal Jarmoluk from PixabayYour first step in pattern drafting is gathering the tools and supplies you need.We want to focus a moment on pattern paper and our first question to you is: have you ever studied a Newlook, Butterick or McCall’s sewing pattern? Not the lines and symbols â€" we’ll get to them soon enough, but the quality of the paper itself.Pattern paper seems to be very thin, like onion skin tracing paper, right?This type of paper, thin and translucent as it is, is ideal for making patterns because it has a high cotton fibre content, which makes it resistant to tears.When you go to your sewing supplies shop, you will find many different types of paper for pattern-making, from the SpotCross type to paper that is already gridded. You may even find packs of Burda Style tissue paper for sale!Naturally, you should buy the paper you feel would give you the best resul ts; the one you could best work with. However, we would like to give you a few things to think about:A roll of paper works better than sheets for pattern-making; you won’t have any crease marks to mar your pattern and your paper will always be long enough.You might find that the ‘busier’ the paper is â€" the more markings it has, the more distracting it can bechoosing paper that has light grid lines may be a good ‘starter’ pattern paperAvoid standard craft paper; it is too thick and heavy for pattern making (but it is great for drawing!)Likewise, reconsider your selection of tracing paper; it may not hold up well for pattern makingDo consider buying template card stock; we will explain why shortlyThe right paper is essential to pattern-making but you will need other tools and accessories to make patterns for sewing your own clothes.You can find a complete list of tools you will need in our pattern-making basics article.Getting the Measurements RightObviously, the most crit ical aspect of making a dress pattern â€" or a pattern for a wrap skirt, patterns for loungewear or even a pajama pattern is getting the measurements.Equally obvious is that contorting yourself to measure every aspect of your body is likely to yield an inaccurate result.Even the seemingly easy measures, say from your shoulder to your wrist might not be wholly correct â€" and how could you measure from the nape of your neck to the base of your spine?To obtain your exact measurements, you have a couple of choices: you can ask a friend you feel comfortable with to measure you or you could endure a session in a dressmaking shop to be professionally measured.However, the dressmaker might not be thrilled to spend so much time recording your every measure but not getting a commission for any sewing project. It is impossible to measure yourself accurately to make a shirt pattern or a skirt pattern Image by Myriam Zilles from PixabayThere is another way you can measure yourself without making anyone angry or feeling embarrassed…Your Superprof has outlined the easiest way to obtain your measurements without offending a seamstress in an article titled How to Adapt Sewing Patterns.Now, let’s get to that template card stock we recommended you buy, along with your other pattern-making supplies.You will not want to measure yourself each time you wish to make yourself something new to wear; for that reason, you should create a sloper.In the fashion industry, a sloper is a size template that pattern drafters use so that they don’t have to measure again and again.You may be new to making your own patterns and, by extension sewing your own clothes but we intuit that you will move quickly beyond beginner sewing and make more stunning outfits tailored to your figure.For that reason, you will pr obably need to make three slopers: a bodice, a skirt sloper and a trouser sloper.You can learn all about slopers and how to turn them into patterns for clothes in our in-depth article on pattern-making…At this point, you have your templates â€" slopers, but you are not yet ready to make patterns.Finding Inspiration for Your Patterns“We have nothing for you” â€" shopkeeper in Kunming, China upon seeing an overly tall/large customer browsing the racks of clothes.If you’ve ever been driven out of a dress shop, either by the seething/sneering stares levelled at you or more overtly, as that Chinese shopkeeper did, you know what it feels like to be publicly shamed.This time, it's their shame! You have a cloak of assuredness guiding your discerning eye; you only want to see what can be had. The getting will be done later, once you’ve drawn your pattern.There is nothing wrong with you taking inspiration from clothing hanging in the shops or anything you see online.For instance, if you like how asymmetrical hemlines set off your height, feel free to incorporate one into your prospective design. Likewise, if you prefer a scoop neckline to a boat neck, there is nothing wrong with borrowing that idea.By no means are we suggesting copying the designs of any famous labels and in no way are we encouraging you to counterfeit designer clothing!The idea behind looking at an assortment of designs is to find what works best for you, what features and aspects you like and what you feel you would be most comfortable wearing.You may also look at sewing patterns; Kwik Sew and Sew Easy are just two names that have patterns in modern styles. You could look at Vogue patterns if you are angling for more classic lines.If you’re cruising around online, you might try Lookbook, and even Simplicity Patterns has a lot to offer in the way of style and design.You could also visit your local sewing store to paw through their pattern bins. Don’t know where one is? Find out in our whe re to buy patterns article… You may use dress forms to see how your dress drapes Image by Nikola Belopitov from PixabayPutting it all TogetherYou now have some great ideas for the dress you want to make and you have a sloper â€" a template of your measurements. You also have the tools you need to make your first pattern.It is now time to put everything together.Earlier, we mentioned you do not need to be an artist to make clothing patterns. Now is the time to prove our point.You will use an assortment of guides â€" the straightedge, square and French curve you bought, to draw your pattern.Place your slope under your paper so you will know how long to draw the skirt and how to draw the bodice.Now, add embellishment: if you want your dress to have a square neck, you may use your L-square to draw precise angles. If you want the skirt to be pleated, you only need to draw vertical lines from the waist to the hem.And so it goes: if you want cuffed sleeves, draw them in. If you are making a wrap dress pattern, don’t forget to draw in the sash.Once you have your dress completely drawn, it is only a matter of making each pattern piece. Don’t forget to incorporate a 5/8 inch seam allowance!You should end up with at least 2 skirt pieces (front and back), a waistband (unless you are sewing a tunic dress), and 2-3 pieces for the bodice, depending on whether you want it to button.You may also have a collar or neckline piece and you may need some interfacing for your collar. You may also opt for sleeves and cuffs.Once you are done with dress sewing, you can wear your new fit-and-flare dress to your first class so you can learn how to make patterns for more cute clothes!

Kitchen Wars (Or Not) How to Professionally and Respectfully Share the Office Kitchen - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Kitchen Wars (Or Not) How to Professionally and Respectfully Share the Office Kitchen - Introvert Whisperer Kitchen Wars (Or Not): How to Professionally and Respectfully Share the Office Kitchen Anna Aamone January 21, 2015 Communication, Office Politics No responses Go to top Having issues with the colleagues on the workplace is actually normal. When people with different characteristics spend so much time together every day in one or two rooms, things can become pretty intense. You dont have to feel stressed about your trips to the office kitchen, though. Coworkers ordinarily communicate most in the office kitchen, which leads to more conflicts and tension. It’s not necessary for things to go bad, though, especially because that makes work more tedious than it has to be. Take advantage of these tips to professionally and respectfully share the office kitchen with the other people at work. 1. Remember Your Manners No one said you have to become best friends with the people from your office in order to be able to work in peace every day. It’s enough simply to follow basic etiquette, which will allow you to go through every day without any unpleasant problems or conflicts. 2. Share the Space Always remember the fact that the kitchen is for everybody. When you’re not getting along with a colleague, there is nothing easier than starting a fight in this “less formal” work space. You have to accept the fact that the kitchen in your office is for everybody, and it’s still part of your office so you must learn to coexist even with the colleagues you don’t like. 3. Keep It Clean Maintain the place as cleanly as possible. The cleanness of the office kitchen is very important and shouldnt be underestimated. Even when there is a maid or other professional cleaner who comes to clean it regularly, you have to avoid making a big mess because this is enough reason for significant tension to crop up with your colleagues. Same goes for the messes of others within reason, of course. It’s better to wipe up the coffee spill or throw away the piece of trash than to start drama over something very small. 4. Don’t Hog the Fridge There is enough space in the fridge for everyone, but there might not be room for everything. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) The space in the refrigerator in the office kitchen is limited, and this could potentially create a conflict among the people in the office. Only store things in the fridge that you plan to eat immediately and only put things in the fridge that really need to be kept cold. 5. Don’t Pick Fights Dont provoke your colleagues and don’t respond to the bait they throw your way, either. The stressful environment of work can easily make you more susceptible to provocations, especially when you’re already dealing with some tension with a colleague who just happens to need a coffee refill at the same time you do. There is no need for more tension, so just try to ignore any provocations. This will save you a lot of troubles and the peace in your office will be preserved. 6. Leave It How You Found It Leave the kitchen in the same state of order and cleanliness it was in when you walked in. Some people think that since they are not at home, they aren’t obliged to perform any kind of cleaning or organizing. The kitchen in your office needs as much cleaning and cares as the one in your home. The major cleaning and disinfection may still be the responsibility of the cleaning staff, but you simply must clean up after yourself for the sake of your coworkers. Don’t leave a mess and you wont have any problems. Go to top Do you have any other office kitchen survival tips? Share them in the comments! Image: Flickr Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Transitions for Better Cohesion

Transitions for Better Cohesion Cohesion is what helps your reader understand the connection between your ideas. Transitions and conjunctions are the words and phrases that build cohesion. Here is a list of cohesion-building words. I have designed the Virtual Writing Tutors Cohesion Checker to measure the cohesion in your text by looking for transitions and conjunctions. When the system detects cohesion in your text, it displays a bar graph showing you what categories of transition words and conjunctions you have used. An example of the feedback from the cohesion checker If you dont use cohesion words in your text, you have a problem. Your writing will seem choppy and disconnected to your reader. On the other extreme, it is also possible to use too many cohesion words, which your reader will find awkward and distracting. Cohesion Words Coordinating Conjunctions and but for nor or so yet Subordinating Conjunctions as as if as though because before even even if if in order that rather than since so that than that though unless until when whenever while Transitions Indicating a Time Order after a long time after a short while afterward at present at the same time at this moment concurrently currently earlier former formerly henceforth hereafter heretofore in retrospect in the future in the past not long after not long ago of late preceding presently previously prior to recently right after right away simultaneously soon after thereafter until now yesterday Transitions Indicating a Contrast different from even though in contrast in opposition to nonetheless on the contrary on the other hand opposing otherwise regardless the antithesis of the reverse of to differ from to differentiate to oppose up against whereas a clear difference a distinct difference a striking difference a strong distinction against although an opposing view and yet another distinction balanced against by contrast contrarily contrary to conversely counter to despite Transitions Indicating a Comparison along the same lines analogous to as compared with as well as by comparison comparable comparatively compared to consistent with correlate correspondingly equal equivalent identical in a similar fashion in comparison in like manner in the same manner in the same way like likewise matching meanwhile of little difference parallel to relative to relatively resemble resembling similarly synonymous to the same extent too uniformly where Transitions Indicating Causes and Effects accordingly as a consequence as a result because of this by reason of caused by consequently due to for this purpose for this reason hence in effect in view of on account of otherwise owing to the end result the outcome the ramifications thereafter therefore thus to this end Transitions Indicating a Sequence at first at last at the beginning at the end at the onset commencing with concluded with concluding with embark final finally first following that from this point immediately in the end in the first in the last in the second in the third in turn initially last later on next occasion once place second /secondly so far starting with subsequently the final point the following week the latter the second stage third to begin with Transitions for Introducing Additional Information again also and then besides following this further furthermore in addition lastly now so too whats more Transitions for Introducing Examples a case in point an analogy another way as an example as an illustration consider consider as an illustration for example for instance for one thing in another case in one example in order to clarify in particular in the following manner in this case in this situation in this specific instance more exactly namely on this occasion specifically such as suppose that take the case of that is to be exact to bring to light to clarify to demonstrate to exemplify to explain to illuminate to illustrate to put another way to show Transitions for Emphasis and Intensification above all actually after all as a matter of fact certainly decidedly definitely equally important especially furthermore in fact increasingly important indeed more emphatically more important moreover most important of all most of all of great concern of major concern primarily significantly surely the crux of the matter the main issue the main problem the major reason there is no question that to emphasize to recapitulate very likely without a doubt without doubt without question Transitions Indicating an Exception however in spite of nevertheless once in a while sometimes still Transitions for Summarizing and Concluding as has been notedas I have saidas I have shownhencein briefin conclusionin shortin sum it followson the wholesumming upthe upshot of all this is thatto concludeto sum upto summarize Transitions Indicating a Concession admittedly concede that granted it is true that while it is true that naturallyof courseto be sure Transitions for Elaborating by extension in other words to elaborate to put it another way to put it bluntly to put it succinctly ultimately Please follow and like us:

A New Force in GRE Prep

A New Force in GRE Prep GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog At MyGuru, we are generally adamant that the best way to prepare for the GRE is to use official practice materials. But, until recently, the Educational Testing Service made this a bit more difficult than it needed to be. For many years GRE students have waited for this… a fully online version of the POWERPREP software that works for both PC and Mac operating systems! As of July 30, 2017, ETS will no longer require students to download or use a CD-ROM to install the buggy and computer-freezing official POWERPREP II practice exam software. In fact, you can go to the official GRE website at www.ets.org/gre to experience the brand new, and cosmetically updated, POWERPREP interface right now. Access POWERPREP PLUS Online To access the new and improved free ETS official GRE practice tests you must first create an account with ETS at www.ets.org/gre. Once you have created your account, go to My GRE Home and proceed with the following steps: In the Test Preparation section of the page click Shop for Test Preparation Click the Add to Cart checkbox on the right side of the page to select both POWERPREP Online â€" Practice Test 1 and Practice Test 2 Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Next In the Your Shopping Cart page confirm a subtotal of $0 and click Submit Return to My GRE Home In the Test Preparation section of the page click My Test Preparation and Services Click Go To Practice Test for the exam you wish to begin Enter your name and click Launch Test to begin the practice exam Use Chrome or Safari for the best experience using this new tool and be thankful that you will never again see a MS-DOS pop-up window when preparing for a standardized test! For more detailed browser and operating system parameters, visit the ETS system requirements website. More Official Practice Resources In addition to the new online interface, the folks at ETS are also finally providing more than just the same two computerized practice tests that have existed for more than a decade. With POWERPREP PLUS GRE candidates can now purchase two additional practice exams for $39.95 each, and not only that… they come with answer explanations! To purchase a POWERPREP PLUS test, follow the same instructions for the free practice exams, but select to add to your cart the POWERPREP PLUS exam(s) you wish to purchase. While this may seem a bit expensive for a single online exam, let alone one that is only accessible for 90 days after first being opened, these tests represent the gold standard in adaptable online GRE preparation. Also, these exams come with never before seen questions that will be new to even the most veteran GRE prepper. In all, this new online interface will be a great new resource for every GRE student. Looking for more online self-paced GRE practice? In our focus on 1-1 in-person GRE tutoring and our growing experience with online GRE tutoring, we generally encourage students to stick with official practice materials, like the ETS resources references above. However, if you’re looking for additional online, self-paced GRE practice, we’ve found Magoosh GRE and Prep Scholar GRE to offer high quality, relatively affordable solutions with unique features such as thousands of practice problems, full length practice tests, good video explanations, and adaptive practice. About the Author Stefan Maisnier is the Director of Online Tutoring at MyGuru.He has been tutoring graduate school candidates for more than a decade in the testing techniques he used to overcome an average undergraduate GPA to gain acceptance to Northwestern University Master's in Journalism program. He is also a published writer whose name can be found on some of the best-known print and onlinetest prep resources.

Second wave of university strikes to affect millions of students - Tutor Hunt Blog

Second wave of university strikes to affect millions of students Over a million students will miss out on lectures in second wave of university strikes Over a million students will miss out on lectures in second wave of university strikesUniversitiesMost young schoolchildren will very likely be only too happy to learn their school has closed for the day. They might be compelled to feign disappointment, but secretly many of them will probably be delighted that they have an unexpected day off from school, thanks to excessive snow, flooding, or some other unforeseen incident. One would hope that university students are be more concerned about missing lessons, but I can recall, back when I was studying for my degree, feeling delighted when I was informed a lecture was to be cancelled. To be quite honest, my peers and I simply saw this as an excuse to visit the student union bar. Of course this was back when there were no university fees, when I was lucky enough to study for a degree without having to pay tens of thousands of pounds. So how do students feel now, given the high fees they are required to pay, when they learn the lecture they have paid to attend has been cancelled? The University and college union (UCU), a British trade union for higher education, has announced that 74 universities are planning 14 days of strikes, over disputes staff are having with pensions, working conditions and pay. It is thought that more than a million students could be adversely affected by this, the second wave of mass walkouts across the UK. Last November and December saw eight days of strikes, involving tens of thousands of workers across 60 universities. Angela Rayner, current Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commented on these strikes last year, imploring universities to put students first, and to bring `a reasonable offer back to the negotiating table` to prevent hundreds of teaching hours being lost. With students leaving university with, on average, around 30,000 worth of debt, I can well understand how frustrating it must be to have parts of your course just cancelled. In any other sector, be it the leisure or service industry, compensation would definitely be forthcoming, but it seems these thousands of students are just going to have to accept that large parts of their courses, education they have paid for, will simply not be delivered. The UCU has warned that there will possibly be even more strikes going into the summer term if these disputes are not resolved, with Jo Grady, the General Secretary of the trade union warning `If universities want to avoid further disruption they need to deal with rising pension costs, and address the problems over pay and conditions.` Tom Barton, a student in his third year at Sheffield Hallam University, has said that his dissertation could suffer because of the walkouts, as he will have no one to offer academic advice for two whole weeks. Mr Barton has been motivated to create a petition for all those students who have been adversely affected by the industrial action, and has said the strikes of last winter were very detrimental to his studies, as `I had a piece of work that I needed feedback on, but I couldn`t get in touch with my tutor to get the feedback.` `This led me to completely rush my work when they came back off strike to meet a deadline, which I fully believe got me a much worse mark than I should have.` The petition requests that each student affected by the strikes should receive at least 860 in compensation. Such is the chagrin amongst the student body that Mr Barton`s petition received an astonishing 6000 signatures in less than 24 hours. The figure hasn`t just been chosen arbitrarily, but rather accords with the calculated cost of the tuition the students will be missing. `We are paying 863.33 for 14 days of study which we won`t receive,` the petition explains. I fully support the rights of workers to strike, but at the expense of students` education well, that certainly gives pause for thought. Across the country pension costs are rising, and it may simply be the case that universities are simply not funded enough to meet these increased costs. Commenting on this a spokesperson for Universities UK, a national representative for the employers, in this case the universities, has said: `We regret that UCU are planning further strike action at a time when positive talks on the future of the scheme are making significant progress and are ongoing.` `Despite this, UCU continue to request that employers pay still higher contributions at unaffordable levels. The best way forward is to work collectively to secure a pension scheme that is highly valued and affordable for all.` `By law, pension costs had to rise to maintain current benefits. Employers have agreed to cover 65 per cent of these increased costs, taking their contribution to 21.1 per cent of salaries from October 2019 together committing 250m more a year. Members have been asked to make a fair contribution too.` One can only hope that these matters are resolved before students begin to be put off applying for university, in the belief that they could be paying for a substantial number of classes they simply won`t receive. Thankfully such lengthy strikes have not yet affected primary and secondary schools, but who knows what the future will hold? 20 days ago0Add a Comment