Apologia Biology - Get Your Own Career Boost by Studying at Apologia Biology

Apologia Biology - Get Your Own Career Boost by Studying at Apologia BiologyApologia Biology is the only full-time school in the United States that focuses on apologetics. The program is for adults and that means that the best student can get the education, the best teachers and the best education possible, without ever having to go back to school again. The instructors are the experts who can guide you through all of the curriculum.Apologia Biology offers more than just a program. They offer courses in the Bible, ethics, politics, Christian, literature, law, psychology, health, philosophy, economics, spirituality, and more. The curriculum is comprehensive, so that every person can find a course that will appeal to him or her. When you are applying for a job, you will also find the background in a world of controversy that will help you get accepted and succeed.The professors in the course are all original thinkers. It has a good balance of teaching and learning, with the course work being easy enough for anyone to understand. The course's success is directly related to how the students learn, not how much teaching is done.The most important thing to know about Apologia Biology is that it does not demand any outside money for tuition. In other schools, you have to go to graduate school to get a scholarship to help pay for your tuition. This means that you have to sacrifice, but you do get to get an education.In some cases, your scholarship money may be the difference between being a credit or an 'F'. You will never be pressured into taking a certain course, because the professors there are very strong believers in objective truth. No one is looking for the pretentious, edgy student in this program.Students will get to talk to the professors face to face, and have him tell them what they think. Students who like the students in their class will probably work harder and finish better in order to show that they like the people who they study with. When you take an A+ in Apologia Biology, you really have no excuse for failing.As a result of these free lectures, you will also learn more about yourself, because you will see the effects of your learning. You will appreciate the lessons and find that the time you put into the courses is well worth it.

Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge!

Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com

Efficient Multitasking How to Learn Different Languages at Once

Efficient Multitasking How to Learn Different Languages at Once Quick question: Whats even better than mastering a foreign tongue?Why, mastering two foreign languages, of course!If youve ever dreamed of studying multiple languages at once, youre not alone.While the very concept perplexes traditional students in North America, studying different languages concurrently is a commonplace occurrence in schools across Europe and Asia.In fact, many high schoolers across the globe are required to study two foreign languages to graduate.If you  jump into a multilingual study plan feet first right now, you might  find yourself lost in a maze of conjugations, vocabulary words and grammar drills.So before you  leap, take some time to discover the benefits of studying multiple languages, prepare yourself for the inevitable challenges and get equipped with the right strategies needed to juggle multiple languages over the long-term.Lets get started! Why Learn  Different  Languages at the Same Time?A Faster Path to MultilingualismAside from the sheer fun of st udying a language, learning to speak a foreign tongue provides a number of  incredible professional and interpersonal benefits. Some of the cognitive benefits of language learning include improved problem-solving abilities, memorization skills and creativity.  Studying multiple languages amplifies those benefits, providing your brain with plenty of stimulation and challenges.While studying two languages together may slow down your overall learning progress in a single language, it will allow you to advance at a similar pace through two different linguistic systems. Some students find this approach more appealing than studying a single language from beginning to end, before starting on another.Increased Challenge for Language LoversScientists believe certain individuals may possess the ability to learn a new language more rapidly and efficiently than other people. If youre one of these people, developing the capacity to speak a foreign language may not require the same amount of effo rt it takes some students.Choosing to study two different languages serves as an additional challenge that will keep your brain working overtime. There have been several reported cases of ambitious polyglots teaching themselves upwards of ten languages simultaneously, so regardless of how busy you find yourself on any given day, two should prove manageable if you remain motivated.Addressing a NeedLanguage skills arent merely an extra bonus for many students, but rather an essential component of their everyday lives. Whether youre a travel aficionado gearing up for a big trip overseas, or you instead plan to spend long hours working on a project with foreign colleagues, learning multiple languages may serve a real need.Some students also take on the two-language approach to complete university credits. No matter what your motivation for tackling this admitted challenge may be, sometimes concurrent studies are simply inevitable.Choosing the Right Languages to Study at the Same TimeThe Argument for Dissimilar LanguagesEven if you consider yourself the Michelangelo of language learning, you will encounter obstacles as you attempt to gain proficiency in two different languages. Researchers have explored how the human brain stores different languages, with a number of factors influencing the region where linguistic information resides. Bilingual children who learn two languages concurrently often store parts of different languages in the same general area, whereas students who take on a foreign language later in life store that information in different regions of their brain.When you learn two languages simultaneously, your brain will naturally make connections between the two. For this reason, it may be worth considering learning two languages at opposite ends of the linguistic spectrum. For example, while romance languages will share similar vocabulary words, grammatical structure and writing systems, a Germanic language and an Asian language share almost no simil arities. Its incredibly easy to trip into another foreign language when they share a similar syntax, but youre unlikely to toss out a Japanese word or two while speaking German, for example.Building on Previous Learning ExperiencesStudying incredibly different languages may prove beneficial for some students, but others instead choose to pick a language in the same family as one they already speak. This approach helps lessen the workload for students concerned about overdoing it. Remember, regardless of which language you ultimately choose, you will want to make time to not only study your new languages, but also to continually invest in retaining your skills in other languages you speak.Feeling stuck about where to begin? Consider this cheat sheet to learn about the specific benefits of many world languages. If youre feeling squeamish about committing to a particular language, look for local cultural groups that offer language learning opportunities.Meetup  organizes language learn ing groups in many cities around the world, which can provide a starting ground for your research. If you live in a larger city, contact your nearest foreign consulateâ€"many consuls work to promote foreign language education through various initiatives in their local communities.Crafting a Study Strategy to Learn Different Languages at OnceScheduling Time for StudyEven the most devoted budding linguistics often struggle to simultaneously focus on improving their skills in multiple languages. Not only is it vital to find a strategy for juggling both languages, but youll need to schedule time to keep both languages a priority. Some students find it beneficial to pencil language learning time onto their daily agenda, as a means of creating a lifelong habit. Even if you dont opt to schedule your time in this way, you will need to determine what rhythm works best for your personal acquisition style.Alternating between two languages necessitates serious time management skills. Some stude nts alternate between different languages each week, while others spend the morning learning one language and the afternoon studying another. Choose your preferred approach and work to maximize your efforts as much as possible.Are you familiar with the Pomodoro Technique? Developed by Francesco Cirillo, this productivity method uses short blocks of time (traditionally 25 minutes) to keep interruptions and distractions at bay. If you struggle to keep your language learning on track, use a free tool like Tomighty or Pomodairo to create these spurts of learning time. You can also get creative by exploring all of the unique ways to efficiently learn a language throughout the day.Setting Learning GoalsKeeping your study sessions spontaneous and incorporating a myriad of learning materials will no doubt keep your language learning enjoyable, but dont forget to set goals for yourself as you progress. Try to set defined goals and work your hardest to reach them as you improve your abilities in both languages. This will help bolster your motivation.According to research conducted at UCLA, setting process goals often proves more successful than focusing on your desired outcome. For example, it might be enticing to imagine yourself chatting up your gondolier on your next trip to Rome, but youre more likely to actually master Italian if you instead set small goals necessary to reach that dream.Dont simply visualize yourself speaking the languageâ€"instead, determine to master five new conjugations this week. Next week, you can focus on learning 40 new vocabulary words. Achieving these goals will provide inspiration, and each objective serves as yet another stepping stone on the way to fluency.Immersion in Two Different  LanguagesAre you familiar with the expression, Use it or lose it? Its hard to overstate the importance of immersing yourself in a foreign language, particularly in the beginning stages of your studies. Simple techniques like watching movies and TV offer a great starting ground, but youll also want to try to converse with native speakers on a regular basis.Online Immersion with FluentUOne way to immerse yourself in a foreign language is with  FluentU,  an online platform and app that takes  real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.  You can browse videos  by difficulty (beginner to native), topic (arts and entertainment, health and lifestyle, etc.) and  format (video blog, news,  shows, etc.).FluentU isnt just watching videosâ€"its about learning and actively practicing the language you hear in videos. FluentUs unique learn mode will teach you  all that the clip has to offer. Learn mode takes your learning history into account, asking questions based on what you already know, which  sets  you up for success.Creating an In-depth Study AgendaIt can be hard to keep yourself from favoring one language over the other, which is why its benefi cial to make commitments outside of your own time. Find a language exchange partner for both of the languages youre learning and schedule meetups in advance. Volunteer for cultural events, tutor at a language institute and make friends studying the languages you enjoy. Its one thing to skip over the 45 minutes youve allotted for your evening flashcards session, but chances are better than not youll want to keep the social engagements you have made.Another powerful tool for ensuring you progress in multiple languages is to create  an agenda for the month ahead and purposefully alternate between your chosen languages. It can feel frustrating to spend several hours mastering a certain skill in one language, only to find you need to put in time on another language. Instead, consider diverting your focus with an 80-20 approach. Devote 80% of your time for a given week on language A, before switching to language B the following week.The Importance of Memorization WorkUltimately, every lan guage learner begins to grasp linguistic concepts differently, which is why its essential to remain flexible and experiment with various learning styles. No matter how you juggle your joint learning endeavor, however, remember to keep a keen eye on how much time youre spending on memorization exercises.Focus on repetition techniques to drill new vocabulary words and grammatical principles into your brain. Be careful not to neglect actual practice of your new skills, by taking the time to put them into practice. One simple way to do this is by using a combination of flashcards and writing exercises.Take 10 new vocabulary words and spend a few days memorizing them. After you feel confident in your recall, write sentences using your new words. This helps solidify the links in your brain between your new found knowledge and its real-life application. You can also try this technique with other parts of speech, including verbs, possessive adjectives and prepositional phrases.Studying a fo reign language is perhaps one of the most fulfilling activities on the planet, but taking on two languages at the same time is no small undertaking. Carefully consider the pros and cons of learning two languages simultaneously, and make the decision that best works for you.If youve got the time on your hands to make it happen, focus on creating long-term goals to keep your studies on track. With hard work and a bit of luck, youll be a veritable polyglot in no time.Adam Zetterlund is a language enthusiast living in New York City. He spent five years honing his foreign language skills in Paris and London, and he currently partners with a number of international clients in a marketing capacity. Learn more by reading his blog.

Language Challenge Prizes!

Language Challenge Prizes! Throughout the challenge we will be  giving away prizes  to challengers who  promote us on social media. We have awarded our first spot prize to  @CabildoSpanish on twitter, a free OXFORD English Online Placement Test!!! To enter in the drawing for the next prize which will be a subscription to video language lessons: Make a post on facebook/weibo  with the hashtag:  #italkichallenge or TRIPLE (3x) your chances  of winning by doing the following: Take a picture of yourself holding a sign with the hashtag: #italkichallenge and post it on facebook/weibo. Here is an example: We know you can do it! Keep it up! If you ever have questions, or need any help contact us at support@italki.com Language Challenge Prizes! Throughout the challenge we will be  giving away prizes  to challengers who  promote us on social media. We have awarded our first spot prize to  @CabildoSpanish on twitter, a free OXFORD English Online Placement Test!!! To enter in the drawing for the next prize which will be a subscription to video language lessons: Make a post on facebook/weibo  with the hashtag:  #italkichallenge or TRIPLE (3x) your chances  of winning by doing the following: Take a picture of yourself holding a sign with the hashtag: #italkichallenge and post it on facebook/weibo. Here is an example: We know you can do it! Keep it up! If you ever have questions, or need any help contact us at support@italki.com

Volume in Chemistry

Volume in ChemistryWhat is the volume in chemistry? Chemistry students learn that they are studying the structure of the chemical elements by having to make chemical combinations that can be studied with reference to the density of these elements. By adding oxygen and hydrogen to potassium it produces the element magnesium which has a different mass than potassium.Reading this, you may ask how it is that reading this makes the difference. Well, in case you don't know, adding oxygen and hydrogen to magnesium has a different density than that of potassium. Therefore, you can find out by measuring the mass of the elements and by multiplying this number by itself.The fact that you are reading a volume in chemistry text means that you are using units of measure. The units are generally called volumes. You learn all about volumes of the chemical elements in the standard works, as you study the structures of the various elements in the textbook.Reading this shows that you will be using chem istry units. In the units used for chemistry you are doing the same thing as learning to read volume in chemistry in your book. You will be determining density and weights. This is the same as being able to read volume in chemistry.When you begin to read this material, you are going to see that you will also have to remember certain quantities. Sometimes, when you are just reading you will not need to remember what numbers mean but when you are learning you are going to need to remember what they mean. Sometimes it is easy to get confused as you are trying to learn and it is difficult to remember. You will notice this as you are learning chemistry, and this can be easily remedied by having some learning aids such as this volume in chemistry text.You do not need to understand every word in this text, you only need to remember whatvolume is. Chemistry texts are generally full of numbers that mean something. When you are trying to read this text you will get out of it what you did not expect, especially if you do not know any chemistry. If you have the text with you when you first get into chemistry class, you will have something that will help you remember what you are doing.Even if you do not learn everything that is required for a chemistry course, you will still have learned something. The only reason you are reading this volume in chemistry is because you need to remember what quantities are written on the page. With chemistry you can take the same approach as you learn how to read volume in chemistry.

The Chemistry of Life

The Chemistry of LifeMark Twain, one of the most original writers, predicted a number of centuries before the modern atomic age that there would be chemistry as a scientific discipline. One hundred years ago this had not been predicted, but the reason for this prediction is that at that time chemistry was so unknown and undefined that when Mark Twain began to write about it, he knew it would be an important part of the sciences of the future.In his books, Mark Twain predicted that when he died, 'Science would teach all its study of the matter to the world, and Chemistry would alone keep itself pure.' As of now, chemistry has changed so much and advanced so quickly that the only remaining laboratory-type entity that can do chemistry on the molecular level is perhaps the atomic microscope. Science has made so many other advances in just the last century, so much more can be accomplished with chemistry if we use chemistry to its full potential.Carbon and the Chemistry of Life was writte n in 1899, one hundred years ago. It was written so succinctly that the reader has no trouble understanding it. It is a celebration of everything we know and love about the world, and it also reminds us of the fact that today's discoveries in chemistry are only the beginning.Of course, we are at the dawn of a new era of chemistry, the 'chemistry of life' era. To a non-chemist, chemistry seems simple and fun. We know that the world is full of products of chemical reactions, and so we can smile, wonder, and marvel at what we see.How we once speculated about the continents moving as the air cooled and compressed its contents to create the oceans and continents we know today is only part of the world's fluids. A scientist will explain this to you in a few minutes, but in the meantime, let's give a little love to the world we live in.As it is the case with everything else in chemistry, the appearance of carbon is not necessarily as beautiful as the story of a man who stood on the face of a mountain, saw the formations, and then thought, 'Gee, I wish I could do that'. It is a hard thing to understand, but carbon, like any other element, is always going to be the same. This gives chemistry a great deal of purpose, because chemistry is a scientific discipline based on observation, on the measurements of known quantities, and on experiments in order to determine the amount of each element present in the universe.If you're interested in science, your interest should be in chemistry, because science is simply one branch of chemistry, and all branches are branches of chemistry. And if you're interested in the world around you, then it's not enough to care about that chemistry, you need to care about all the chemistry in the world!

What are the Differences Between Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

What are the Differences Between Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans By now, youve likely heard a lot about the changes tothe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students in college (or enrolling in college) are strongly encouraged to fill out a FAFSA each school year, as the form determines eligibility for financial aid, such as grants and student loans. However, you may not have heard about the different types of loans that are made available through the FAFSA. Two of the most popular types of loans you may be offered through the U.S. Department of Education are subsidized and unsubsidized loans. But which one do you want or qualify for? Here are some of the major differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans that you should know about. Direct subsidized loans have better terms for interest accrued Perhaps the largest difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is how interest is accrued. There are noticeable financial benefits associated with subsidized loans. With a subsidized loan, the U.S. Department of Education pays interest on money borrowed while youre enrolled at least half-time, for a grace period of six months after you leave school and for a deferment period. This means you start accruing interest six months after graduation rather than the day you take out the loan, making the difference between several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. If you take out an unsubsidized loan, you will be responsible for all of the interest accrued, including while you were enrolled in school and during any period of deferment. Unpaid interest will be added to your principal loan balance. It is advisable to make interest payments while in school to decrease the amount you will owe after graduation, but this is not always possible for students who may only work part-ti me or who are unable to work while they are in school. Loan limits vary between direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans The amount of an unsubsidized loan is determined by the college or university you are attending and your grade level, but will never exceed the amount of your tuition. There are also more stringent limits on the amount of subsidized loans a student can take out. For example, a dependent undergraduate student can qualify for a maximum loan of $5,500 for his or her first year, but only $3,500 of that amount can be subsidized. Students must also be aware of aggregate loan limits$31,000 for a dependent undergraduate student, only $23,000 of which may be subsidized. For a particularly expensive school, this means a student may reach his or her aggregate loan limit before graduation. You must demonstrate financial need in order to receive a direct subsidized loan You will only be offered subsidized loans if your FAFSA demonstrates financial need. However, even if you do demonstrate financial need, you may also receive unsubsidized loans to help cover additional costs. On the other hand, you do not need to demonstrate financial need to qualify for an unsubsidized loan, so unsubsidized loans are available to everyone. Direct subsidized loans are offered only to undergraduate students Subsidized loans are only available to undergraduate students, or those seeking an associate degree or a bachelors degree. Unsubsidized loans, however, are offered to both undergraduate and graduate students seeking a masters or doctoral degree. Unsubsidized loans do not have a time limit for eligibility Subsidized loans have a time limit, called a maximum eligibility period, on how long a student is eligible to receive this type of aid, while unsubsidized loans do not have a time limit. Subsidized loans can be awarded for up to 150 percent of your program length. For example, a typical bachelors degree may require 120 credits completed over four years. For such a student, a subsidized loan would be available for up to six years (150 percent of four years), or, around 180 credits. After this period, the student would need to rely on unsubsidized loans. Both subsidized and unsubsidized loans offer some of the best interest rates and most flexible payback conditions to students, especially when compared to private loans. If you plan to take out loans to pay for your college education, be sure you fully understand all that is being offered to you to maximize your search for financial aid. Understanding the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is crucial to this process. It is recommended to accept your subsidized loans first, and then accept unsubsidized loans as needed after that. Most importantly, if you have questions, dont hesitate to ask your college or universitys financial aid office for help navigating your options.

Lets Learn How to Play the Cittern.

Let’s Learn How to Play the Cittern. What You Need to Know Before Learning to Play the Cittern. ChaptersWhat is the Cittern?Some Famous Cittern Performers.How to Play the Cittern.Where to Find Cittern Lessons.We imagine that the world is split into two types of people: those who have never heard of the cittern, and those who desperately want to get their hands on this musical instrument and get playing.Considering that you have found yourself here, we are guessing that you belong in the second category â€" although you might not put it in those terms. And our project here is to have you fulfil your desire: to get you playing this stringed instrument and taking its music to everyone in that first category.And we’ll admit it. Out of all the musical instruments that you can possibly learn in the world, the cittern is up there with the mandolin or the harpsichord as one of more obscure stringed instruments. It’s not exactly like the modern guitar, is it, or violins, for which you can find lessons and training on pretty much every corner of every street.No, it isn’t. If you wa nt to learn to play the cittern, you have to make a bit more of an effort. You need to find out how to tune it, what notes the strings are supposed to be â€" and then find the correct strumming or plucking technique, and all the pieces in the repertoire that you’ll want to play.You’ll never take for granted how easy it is to learn the guitar ever again.So, here, we’re going to give you all the information that you might need before you sit down and start learning the cittern: a bit of the instrument’s history, some famous citternists you need to know, and some basic techniques.And we’ll finish off by pointing you in the direction of some cittern teachers â€" to make your life a bit easier. Why not learn the cittern? (image from Magills) PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is the Cittern?If you have read our article on learning to play the mandolin, you may well think that this instrument known as the cittern is really just another of the family of mandolins.In fact, many of its features are very similar: it often has eight strings arranged into four two-string courses â€" although it can often have six courses too â€", it h as a box-shaped body and resonator, and it is strung with metal strings. However, where with a mandolin you use a plectrum, on the cittern you primarily just use your fingers.Meanwhile, whilst mandolins are reasonably widespread as instruments, citterns are not so much. And, importantly, they only come in one shape. There are not all these differences between flat-backed and bowl-shaped citterns that you find in mandolins. Citterns are flat-backed â€" making them easier and cheaper to make.However, the primary difference between the cittern and the mandolin is in their history. They are two distinct instruments with two distinct trajectories. But, given their history â€" and the fact that the cittern is a primarily historical instrument â€" all of these terms tend to become a little confused.And so, despite the cittern’s history, it can often be very similar â€" and often confused â€" with a mandolin, a mandola, or even a bouzouki.A Brief History of the Cittern.The cittern comes f rom the family of lutes and it was popular across Europe in the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. It is generally thought to have developed from the earlier instrument, the citole, which is considered to be the ancestor of the modern-day fiddle.Whilst most string instruments during the Renaissance used gut strings, the cittern made use of metal, which were placed over a fretted neck and what is known as a ‘pear-shaped body’ â€" as opposed to the contemporary guitar’s double-shouldered shape.Just as the guitar is now, the cittern was a popular instrument, with popular in the sense of it being an instrument of the people rather than, say, of the aristocracy. There are even references to citterns being in barber shop waiting rooms, so that people could play as they waited.However, by the end of the eighteenth century, the guitar had started to push the cittern aside, in terms of popularity and distribution. Apart from in Germany and Switzerland, where citterns were still bei ng commonly made and played, they generally stopped being used across Europe.Stefan Sobell, an English luthier, has, since the seventies, been making instruments that he calls ‘citterns’. This is essentially an octave mandolin but with five courses â€" again suggesting that the distinction between the mandolin and the cittern is not so rigid.Check out how to learn the ukulele too! 'The Duel', by Cornelis Saftleven - featuring the citternSome Famous Cittern Performers.Well, okay, maybe ‘famous’ is pushing it a little; as in the world of the lute and other string instruments, no-one is exactly famous in the world of the cittern.However, it is good to know that there are some citternists out there from whom you can draw some inspiration. Because that, really, is what folk music is all about: listening to other composers and players of traditional music and developing it in a way that suits your taste.So, let’s look at two citternists who can show you a bit about how this instrument is played. And yes, whilst famous is a push, these guys may well be considered rockstars in the world of the cittern.Ale Carr.Let’s start with Ale Carr, the cittern player with the Denmark-based band Dreamers’ Circus. These guys play awesome classical-inspired folk music, combining Carr’s cittern and a fiddle.Carr shows you what contemporary cittern-playing can be â€" and t he tunes he plays on his five-course (ten-string) cittern are really incredible.You can find some solo performances on YouTube. Otherwise, you can find him on the folk circuit across Europe and beyond.Gregory Doc Rossi.Meanwhile, Gregory Doc Rossi is something of the boss of traditional cittern music. As something of a specialist in the cittern, he has established the Cittern Society â€" an organisation that promotes cittern music â€" he has given lectures and research on the history of the cittern, and he has recorded music from forgotten manuscripts of scores for cittern.Regarded as something of an expert of the cittern, he performs all over the world on this string instrument.How to Play the Cittern.The cittern is traditionally plucked with the fingers â€" as opposed to the mandolin, for which a plectrum or a quill was traditionally used.However, these days, it is common to use a plectrum â€" as both Rossi and Carr do.Whilst anyone with knowledge of the classical or acoustic guit ar would be able to play a cittern, the primary â€" and not insubstantial â€" difference is in the cittern’s courses. This means that with every note that you fret, you are required to actually fret two strings simultaneously. Whilst this is a bit tough on the fingers at first, you will soon get used to it.On the other end of the instrument, however, you have to be able to pluck both strings simultaneously too. This is why the plectrum has become a bit more popular than fingerpicking on the cittern.Whilst picking, it is crucial that you engage both of the strings, otherwise your tone will be affected. If only one string sounds, you won’t get as much volume or as much depth of tone. Learn all of these amazing string instruments.How to Tune a Cittern?As citterns are traditional instruments, there is no single standard tuning that is used. Rather, there are as many as is convenient for you.We get that this does not provide a huge amount of guidance! However, many citternists use one of the following tunings:CGDADDGDADDADADIf you have a four-course cittern, traditional tunings areBGDEAGDEWhere to Find Cittern Lessons.A good teacher is always a gift when you are starting out on a new instrument. And even if you are a guitarist with a good technique nailed, teachers can be useful for all sorts of other things too: for providing you with repertoire or inspiration, general advice, or jamming practice.And whilst there is not a whole load of cittern tutors out there, there are some. Let’s take a look.Find a Private Cittern Tutor on Superprof.One way to find someone to help you to learn the cittern would be through Superprof, a platform that connects students to tutors worldwide.We have hundreds of different tutors of the mandolin, the lute, the cittern, and a whole raft of other string instruments across the world.All you need to do is get in touch. So, search for a cittern tutor near you and get started!Online Resources.You can find plenty of resources to help you in your quest to master the cittern online too. From YouTube to music forums, there are so many people out there who can talk you through the basics.Check out how to learn the banjo too!

Should I Go to Hillsdale College

Should I Go to Hillsdale College Carrie earned her bachelors degree in French language and literature from Hillsdale College. She specializes in French tutoring, reading tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Hillsdale College: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Carrie: Hillsdale College is a rural campus, a little over an hour drive from Lansing and Ann Arbor, Michigan. In a quiet residential area, the campus is small, neat, and orderly, and most of the buildings are close to one another. There are plenty of trees to provide shade for studying outside during the early fall and late spring months. The campus is small enough to make walking the usual form of transportation, although many students also enjoy having a bike on campus. I had a car with me, with the exception of my freshman year, which I found helpful for drives to Ann Arbor. On campus I felt completely safe, as I would regularly see campus security patrolling the streets. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Carrie:As a school of 1,300 students, classes are small and professors take an interest in their students achievements, both in the classroom and beyond. I was always able to meet with my professors during office hours. When I was unable to come during their normal times, my professors would schedule appointments with me on an individual basis. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Carrie:There are numerous activitiesto participate in on campus. I was a French language and literature major and a member of a number of clubs and organizations. My freshman year in Olds Dormitory was particularly memorable, as only freshman girls can live in this small residence. I really enjoyed our dorm dances and our get-to-know-campus scavenger hunt. The furniture was also bright and new, which made it fun to make the space your own. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Carrie:The political science, economics, and history majors seem to be among the greatest in number. The biology program is very strong as well. I studied French language and literature and was well supported by my professors. 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? Carrie:Living in Olds Dormitory, an all-girls freshman dorm, was a wonderful way to make friends. With only 20 girls to a hall and community bathrooms, you cant help but meet and get to know everyone youre living with. The Greek system has a strong presence on campus and several of my close friends joined a house and loved the experience. Though I considered rushing, I ultimately remained an independent and still felt included in campus life. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Carrie:I took advantage of the Career Center during my time and received much help with developing and refining my resume. Hillsdale College does host a number of companies, like Stryker and Enterprise, to recruit graduates. The school also hosts a successful job fair on campus exclusively for independent elementary and high schools looking for highly qualified teachers. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Carrie:The student union is a relatively new building with AJs Caf for coffee and quick meals, the dining room, and a big-screen TV to host movie and game nights. Saga, the only dining room on campus, was designed specifically so that students would come together during meals to meet and discuss ideas, creating a close-knit and thoughtful community culture. The library, while not new, has three levels and plenty of space for individuals and groups to work. Describe the surrounding town. Carrie:The town of Hillsdale is small, but the downtown area becomes more modern each year. I also enjoyed taking the drive to Ann Arbor on the weekends, especially to grab lunch at Zingermans Deli. Hillsdale is small and out of the way, so you will need to get creative on weekends to stay entertained when youre not hard at work. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Carrie:The student body was roughly 1,300 students while I was attending and I enjoyed my class sizes. For the required courses, I was in classes of 30 students. For my major, however, my classes were rarely more than 15 students. There were enough of us for interesting discussions and few enough to give each of us plenty of opportunity to participate. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Carrie:One of my most memorable classes was German 101. As a French major, I took this class because I was interested in learning another language that I had never studied before. Dr. Yaniga treated us beginners with respect and instilled in me a love of the German language. He was clearly passionate about the subject and this showed in his teaching. Dr. Yaniga also kept the class fun and encouraged us to come to the weekly German conversation table. Students at the college are expected to rise to the challenge of thinking independently and deeply about their studies, regardless of whether a course is part of your major or not. It makes for a college filled with interesting and friendly people all seeking to learn more and to have fun while doing it. Check out Carriestutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.