Online Math Tutoring- Consistent Learning Guaranteed

Online Math Tutoring- Consistent Learning Guaranteed 0SHARESShare The major problem with classroom teaching is that at times you cant stop and rewind the teacher when you lose your way. You even hesitate to raise your hand and ask a question as doing so too often interrupts the whole class.  Students many a times just wont raise their hands for fear of embarrassment. Tutor Pace a recognized USA based online tutoring website, planned sessions to guide students in a friendly, step-by-step manner. The proficient online tutors make the lessons interesting, which gives students confidence. At times students are not even aware of their areas of concern in math, they simply believe they are struggling. The website offers highly educated tutors in order to plug the gaps in knowledge and ensure a solid understanding. One of the most powerful features of this service is that you can comfortably ask as many times as you want until you feel comfortable. Theres nothing to get embarrassed and the tutors will never get frustrated. When students change teachers, they need to adjust to the new teachers style of presenting lessons. Here, however you enjoy the facility of consistent learning. [starbox id=admin]

The History of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

The History of the Japanese Tea Ceremony The Origins of the Japanese Tea Ceremony ChaptersThe Arrival of Tea in JapanThe Religious Aspects of the Japanese Tea CeremonyThe Samurai Influence on the Tea CeremonyThe Father of the Japanese Tea CeremonyWhat Is the Tea Ceremony like Nowadays?“For tea, though ridiculed by those who are naturally of coarse nerves, or are become so from wine-drinking, and are not susceptible of influence from so refined a stimulant, will always be the favourite beverage of the intellectual.” - Thomas de QuinceyJapan produces around 100,000 tonnes of tea per year and only 3% of it makes it out of the country as an export.Tea as a warm beverage appeared in Japan in the 9th century with the arrival of Buddhist monks from China. Bit by bit, the ritual of drinking tea was created around the consumption of the drink.The Japanese tea ceremony is known as cha-no-yu (lit. hot water and tea). Learn more about the history of the Japanese tea ceremony. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Arrival of Tea in JapanIn China, tea has been consumed for thousands of years. The first tea trees were planted in the Yunnan province. The was used as medicine from 2,700 BCE before later becoming a drink. While tea is now grown in Japan, it was originally from China. (Source: DukeAsh)This Buddhist practice popularised the consumption of tea. Since the religion banned alcohol, tea was an excellent way to stay awake during meditation. Tea was consumed by the aristocracy and monks and became popular under the Sui dynasty between 581 and 618.Once it arrived in Japan in the 9th, it became a huge success. It was very quickly grown locally so that the populace wouldn’t have to import from China.Learn more about the different types of tea in Japan.The Religious Aspects of the Japanese Tea CeremonyUnsurprisingly, the tea ceremony originated in China with the writings of Lu Yu: Ch'a Ching or The Classic of Tea in 760 CE. The author explained the history of tea in China from the Shennong to the Tang Dynasty. If poisoned, Shennong would eat tea leaves to purify himself.The book mentions the culture around preparing tea. The book, which comes in three volumes, is nowadays thought of like the Bib le of tea. While tea ceremonies aren't quite like a religious service, several religious elements need to be observed. (Source: terimakasih0)The tea ceremony has a religious aspect. Lu Yu was heavily influenced by Zen Buddhishm. These ideas would evolve into the tea ceremony that’s still performed today in Japan.In the 9th century, Buddhist monks were sent to Japan to China. They’d bring tea with them to Japan. The Japanese Emperor Saga started the spread of drinking of tea to the Japanese upper classes in 815 CE. He visited the monk Eishu who offered him a drink of sencha tea, a popular pastime in China under the Tang Dynasty. It became fashionable in Japanese intellectual circles.At the time, tea was packaged into blocks to facilitate its transport. It’s then warmed and a piece is broken off by hand or with a knife and ground into a powder. Then, hot water (not boiling) is added to the powder.Japanese green tea remained a rare pearl as it was only grown in small quantities locally for m edicinal purposes and consumption by the nobility.In Japan, the monk Eisai popularised the consumption of tea. He brought green tea seeds from China at the end of the 12th century and planted them in a temple in Kyoto. He’d then grind the green tea leaves into a fine powder thereby creating matcha. He introduced this new way to consume tea and insisted on the benefits it had: metabolism, antioxidants, detoxification, reduced cholesterol, vitamins, etc.Due to its links to Zen Buddhism, matcha tea was used in Buddhist monasteries in religious rituals. Thanks to high levels of caffeine, it was used to keep monks awake during meditation.Learn about attending a Japanese tea ceremony. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese T eacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Samurai Influence on the Tea CeremonyThe first tea ceremony was mentioned in the 8th century but this was a much simpler version to what we know today. It’s mentioned in Lu Yu’s writings and it mentions the temperature of the water and the necessary utensils to prepare it. The samurai had a profound influence on the tea ceremony. (Source: WikiImages)While Ensai popularised tea across Japan, it was the samurai who’d make it a veritable ritual.In the 8th century, warriors started drinking matcha. They would organise magnificent parties for their guests in which they’d have to be able to distinguish the different teas. The guests would pass the cups around to taste the drinks and guess what they were. Passing a single cup or bowl around in a tea ceremony arose during this time.Of course, this ritual spread to the other classes who’d drink tea in tearooms. This helped create the rooms in which tea ceremonies now take place.Find out what happens in a Japanese tea ceremony.The Father of the Japanese Tea CeremonyMurata Juko is thought of as the father of the Japanese tea ceremony. He designed the tearooms in which he’d dedicate his life to learning more about the ritual and perfecting it.The philosophy of the tea ceremony started with him. He was a ma ster of Zen meditation and became a monk aged 11. He spent the rest of his life in Nara in his tearoom teaching the art of tasting tea.It wasn’t until the 16th century that the tea ceremony would spread to all strata of Japanese societies. Sen no Rikyu developed the key concepts of the ceremony:Sei, purity: the hardest concept to understand. When the Japanese enter the tearoom, they have to leave their problems at the door. The tea master needs to conduct the ceremony with an open heart.Kei, respect. This is about showing respect to each person in attendance regardless of their class. This is symbolised by the fact you have to bow to enter into the tea room and kneel in the seiza position.Wa, harmony. All the utensils used need to be in harmony with nature and bring peace to the guests.Jaku, tranquillity. This is about respecting all the aforementioned concepts to achieve tranquillity.Other concepts have appeared recently including “wabi” or solitude and “kokororire” or de votion.Rikyu also laid out 7 rules for the “Way of Tea”:Prepare a bowl of tea.Place the charcoal to heat the water well.Arrange flowers as if they were growing in a field.Evoke coolness in summer and warmth in winter.Be ready ahead of time.Prepare for rain.Be considerate of other guests.What Is the Tea Ceremony like Nowadays?A tea ceremony is a symbolic event and quintessentially Japanese. At first, it was just for male guests but during the Meiji era, women were allowed to attend. Mastering the ceremony became a sign of a good housekeeper. While matcha tea can be consumed outside of tea ceremonies, it's not the same! (Source: teechen)There were extracurricular lessons on the tea ceremony and the utensils used to prepare the tea (bamboo whisk, teapots, bowls, etc.) started appearing for all budgets. There are three main schools of tea ceremony: Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushakojisenke. While there are three schools, there are a lot of similarities between them.Matcha tea isn’t drunk in Japan outside of the tea ceremony. However, more and more of its being exported to the United States and across Asia. Matcha is consumed as a matcha latte with spices and also used in pastries and desserts like macaroons, ice cream, panna cotta, etc.A traditional tea ceremony can last up to 4 hours. Tea lovers will delight at how the tea is prepared in a Japanese tea ceremony!If you'd like to learn the language before you go to Japan or a Japanese tea ceremony, you should get in touch with one of the many talented and experienced privat e Japanese tutors on Superprof. With three main types of private tutorial available, face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials, there's a solution for every type of learner and budget.Group tutorials are great for those on a budget at the cost of the tutor's time is shared amongst all the students in attendance. While you won't get as much one-on-one time with your tutor in these tutorials, if you and a group of friends are going to Japan and would all like to learn a bit of the language, they're a great option.Face-to-face tutorials tend to be the most effective tutorials because they're tailored to an individual student who'll have the tutor's undivided attention throughout the session. However, with all the extra work the tutor will put into tailoring their tutorials, you can expect to pay more and these types of tutorials are usually the most expensive.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials but your tutor won't be in the room with you. Thanks to the internet, you can get Japanese tutorials via webcam. Your tutor might even be in Japan!

Volume of a Triangular Prism Tutors

Volume of a Triangular Prism Tutors A triangular prism is one of the different kinds of prisms and it consists of congruent triangular bases and hence the name! In a triangular prism, the bases are connected by 3 parallelograms. Volume of a triangular prism is the measure of space contained inside the prism and this volume can be calculated using the volume formula. Volume of any prism in general is the product of the area of the base and its height and this formula is used to find the volume of the triangular prism. Example 1: What is the volume of a triangular prism whose base of the triangle is 4m, height of the triangular base is 2m and length of the prism is 6m? Given: base of the triangular prism == b= 4m Height of the base triangle, h = 2m Length of the prism, l = 6m Volume of a triangular prism, V = 1/2 * b * h * l This gives, volume, V= 1/2 * 4m * 2m * 6m= 24m3 Therefore, volume of the given triangular prism is 24m3 Example 2: What is the volume of a triangular prism whose base of the triangle is 10m, height of the triangular base is 7m and length of the prism is 12m? Given: base of the triangular prism == b= 10m Height of the base triangle, h = 7m Length of the prism, l = 12m Volume of a triangular prism, V = 1/2 * b * h * l This gives, volume, V= 1/2 * 10m * 7m * 12m= 420m3 Therefore, volume of the given triangular prism is 420m3

How to Personally Tailor a Cover Letter

How to Personally Tailor a Cover Letter Ah, the classic cover letter. If you dont have at least some sort of template for one of these typed up, then you are nowhere near ready to embark on the job application process. However, there is something very crucial to remember about these original templates you create never send them out without meticulously personalizing them to the job/company you are applying to. Once you have the basic form of your cover letter set up, do not forget to go over these essential points: Who are you sending this to? This is not in reference to the company. It means who specifically will be receiving and reading this initially? Scan the job posting and/or Careers section of the company website to try to find the name of the person you will be sending this to. Sometimes it will be easy since the application prompt may instruct you to email your materials to [Insert Name Here] at [Insert Email Address Here]. But other times, it will just give you a generic email with no name attached to it. Depending on the type of company, it may be okay to call and ask who receives the applications. But if not, you will just be stuck without a name to address it to and in that case, always use To Whom It May Concern. What are the responsibilities of this job? Never fail to acknowledge your understanding of what this role entails. It is your responsibility in this cover letter to prove why your experience matches the duties of this job, so going on and on about general accomplishments that dont necessarily relate to the position will not help you. You must filter out the impressive things youve done that prove you are qualified specifically for what you are applying for. What does this company do? Conduct your background research and let the reader of this letter know that you are fully aware of what their company does. Explaining why youre a match for the job is great, but without demonstrating a clear understanding of what this company is all about, your self-sales pitch is not complete. Going into some details about why you admire this organization and the aspects of it that attracted you to apply will set you apart. Otherwise, you are selling the cover letter short of its personalized touch and subsequently selling yourself short as well. If you thoroughly cover all these areas while confidently marketing yourself as the best candidate out there, you will have one well-presented cover letter. Just dont forget to double-check everything. The worst mistake you could make is getting the title of the position wrong or leaving in the name of a different company you applied to yesterday. Those kinds of typos are unfixable, so do your best to get it all right the first time!

Algebraic Expressions Worksheet - Maths Online Tutoring

Algebraic Expressions Worksheet - Maths Online Tutoring Algebraic expressions are the expressions which contain one unknown variable. If we simplify the given algebraic expressions we can find out the value of the unknown variable. Let us discuss algebraic expressions with some of the examples. We can verify the value of the unknown value by substituting the value in the equation again and simplifying. Example 1: Find out the value a in the equations 2a + 6 = 20. Solution: The given equation is 2a + 6 = 20. In this equation now subtract 6 on both sides then we will get it as 2a + 6 6 = 20 6 which is equal to 2a = 14 now divide the equation by 2 on both sides then we will get it as 2a / 2 = 14 / 2 which is equal to a = 7. The required value of a is 7. Now we can verify this by substituting a value in 2a + 6 = 20 which equal to 2 (7) + 6 = 20 that is 14 + 6 = 20. Example 2: Find out the value of the x in the equation x^2 + 16 = 25. Solution: The given equation is x^2 + 16 = 25 now on both the sides subtract 16 then we will get it as x^2 + 16 16 = 25 16 which is equal to x^2 = 9 now take square roots on both the sides then we will get it as x = square root (9) which is equal to +- 3.

Biology Revision 10 Reasons to Love the Subject

Biology Revision 10 Reasons to Love the Subject 10 Great Things About Biology Chapters1. You can make the most of hands-on learning2. Learn latest research methods3. You can use its principles to answer big questions4. You can benefit from a clear career path5. You can discover the basic living concepts6. You can learn about the human body and how treat it7. You can explore the food chain in an ecosystem8. You can better understand the environment9. You will receive accreditation10. It is important to societyGCSE A Level Biology RevisionIf you’re still on the fence about whether this subject can deliver on all levels, including providing the fun factor, interesting content and great career prospects for the future, then check out the list below for ten great reasons to study Biology.Why Should You Take Your Biology Revision Seriously?Referred to as the 'science of life', Biology is an exciting, practical science that explores all living things, including humans, animals and plants.Biology allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of all living organisms on our planet, i.e. how they function as well as how they rely on one another to survive.From Year 7 through to your scientific university degree, Biology offers you so much in terms of knowledge, skills, activities, excursions, and possibly even accreditation. With this many opportunities on offer, both academically and professionally, you must ensure that you take your Biology lessons seriously, even if you don't see yourself pursuing the subject during your higher education.See how you can benefit from a biology a level tutor  by clicking  here.Being given the chance to learn about how your body works and how to nurture the environment all around us is such a fantastic opportunity, as it enables us to grasp concepts that are intertwined with our everyday lives.Just because you do not want to study biological anatomy in the future doesn't mean you shouldn't at least show an interest in how your body fights off germs, how chromosomes dictate how we look and how the male and female reproductive systems work, for example.Moreover, examining animal and plant matters can be very useful in understanding seemingly ordinary things like how their input in our diet, nutrition and health, which are extremely important to daily life.

What Are the Different Types of Art and Design Degrees

What Are the Different Types of Art and Design Degrees Everything to Know About Studying Art and Design ChaptersTypes of Art Degrees and ProgramsTypes of Design SubjectsTypes of Jobs You Can Get with an Art DegreeWhile many people believe that they have the capacity to define what art is, it is much harder to pin down than it might seem. The general definition of fine arts says, only, that it is the production of “beautiful objects.”To add more substance behind this definition, we can look at the three most common branches of art: visual arts, performing arts, literature. While there is a lot of borrowing that occurs between the three disciplines, it is the first two that are often used in referring to a master or bachelor of the arts.You can check for the best art classes near me here. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTypes of Art Degrees and ProgramsThe most common type of art degree you are likely to receive in any university will be either a bachelor of fine arts, or BFA, and a master of fine arts, an MFA. Like the definition of fine arts, the subjects that these degrees over is also quite broad. People who are receiving degrees in this field can be anything from art theorists to ceramics-makers.Fine Arts DegreesBeing a scholar in the fine arts will often mean encountering both new movements as well as new artists that challenge your ideas, giving you access to a wide array of ideas. This is reflected in the diversity of subjects within fine arts programs.Here are some ideas of some fields that you can specialize in and can help you narrow down your future college of art:SculpturePrintmakingArt designDrawing and PaintingStudio artsArchitectureDigital mediaA career path in fine arts is often interdisciplin aryFilm School DegreesWhile specializing in film can come with the same title as other fine arts degrees, depending on what kind of university you attend, film school degrees offer an incredible range of art programs. While some young artists choose to attend art universities dedicated to film and film production, students can also receive degrees in subjects like film theory from liberal arts colleges.The types of degrees you can expect from film schools cover traditional topics like editing, other technical skills, and screenwriting â€" or some other, contemporary subjects like game art.Some programs that might be worth checking out if you’re interested in what film school can offer you are:Computer animationFilm and television productionPhotographyArt History DegreesArt history degrees are ideal for people who are interested in curatorial work, museums, galleries or art auctions. While many people often think of art degrees as pertaining to creative fields, it can also mix with subjects such as business, finance and history. If you are interested in how these two worlds interact, specializing in art history â€" regardless of your artistic inclination â€" can be for you.Art history degrees and the courses they offer will differ from program to program. Some degrees structure their degrees around specific movements in art while others allow for more of a focus on one specific period in art history. It is a field as broad as any in the art world, so make sure to identify which moment in art history â€" baroque, pop art â€" interests you the most.Types of Design SubjectsGetting an art and design degree can be different from regular degrees in fine arts because of their highly interdisciplinary nature â€" coordinating subjects like the visual arts and physical composition. Because the majority of design products are physical, many young artists who go into this field can also open up their own retail or artisanal store.Here are some of the most common programs you are likely to be awarded if you go to a college of art and design.Fashion DesignWhile fashion design subjects can seem like a narrow field, composed of only designing and producing apparel â€" fashion design degrees encompass everything related to the fashion industry. The subjects that it covers can range anywhere from jewellery making and graphic design to illustration and printmaking.While you are likely to find courses within schools of art that are related to the fashion world, many students interested in this field normally choose to attend a university that is specifically for fashion design. One such example is the London College of Fashion, which offers undergraduate degrees in subjects like design or product and furniture design.Make sure to check out the educational requirements of design programsInterior DesignWhile you may not realize it, the design of everything from hospital rooms to malls have been designed with a specific purpose or goal in mind. The rooms and spaces you encounter on a daily basis are studied in the subject of interior design.Interior design requires the study of many different subjects, and is closely linked to the field of project management. The Royal College of Art offers courses like 3D design or branding and communication.PhotographyThanks to the explosion of ever-more affordable smartphones, photography is now one of the most accessible fields. The advantageous part about studying photography relative to other arts subjects is that many beginners courses and art programs in high school or at the undergraduate level can sometimes lend cameras and equipment out to their students.Depending on what type of photography you’d like to pursue, you’ll have to get different equipment. For example, the types of cameras needed for wildlife photography are naturally going to be different from the ones used at an event’s photography company. Falmouth University and the University of Gloucestershire both offer bachelor prog rams in photography,AnimationStudents who study animation can come from a wide range of subjects. Some students who major in film only discover, through the course of their program, about their passion for animation. Regardless of the motivation, students who enrol in animation programs will be taking courses like graphic design, multimedia and more.If you’re interested in getting a degree in animation, it can be useful to start by checking out De Montfort University or the University of Edinburgh. Majoring in animation is also a great idea if you’d like to study abroad, as many of the world’s greatest universities have reputable programs in animation.Graphic DesignGraphic design is one of those jobs that bleed into many different aspects of our lives. For example, while there is a team of graphic designers working behind the latest video game â€" they can also be found working for companies and organizations.This art program is also great for people who enjoy freelancing. Som e of the best universities for graphic design are the University of Brighton and Arts University Bournemouth. Graphic design is for people who are seeking to combine their two passions: computer software and visual arts.ArchitecturePrograms in architecture will be slightly different from any of the other art and design degrees. While many people don’t often consider architects to be fine artists, architecture has often either followed or preceded all of the major movements in art. Incidentally, this is also why architecture is so important for art history.Getting a degree in architecture will mean that, for the majority, you will be awarded with a Bachelor of Science (BS), dependent on what field you decide to specialize in. Some of the topics you will be able to study in this field are Sustainable Design, Metropolitan Design or Industrial Design. If you’re interested in checking out some degree programs in the UK, make sure to check out the University of Sheffield and Newcastle University.Attaining a design degree can mean pushing the boundaries on the traditionalTypes of Jobs You Can Get with an Art DegreeIt can be difficult to find out what you’d like to do as your career, especially because of the fact that today’s economy is influencing people to have more than one career over the span of their working lifetime. What is always good to be, however, is prepared â€" be sure to check out what types of jobs and salaries your degree can get you with the right preparation.Exhibition WorkThe dream for many artists is to be able to live off of their art alone. This can include having their artwork on display for galleries or museums, of simply collaborating with local coffee shops and businesses. If you are interested in selling your own work, running your own gallery and collaborating with other artists, this might be a good field to look into.One thing to note is that there is a very small percentage of artists that manage to support themselves on their artwork alone. As with any other artist, like performing artist, it is often necessary to have more than one job if you decide to try and live off of your art in order to earn a decent income.Arts AdministrationWhile you may have never heard of the field of arts administration before, you have definitely been at the receiving end of their services. Jobs in this world can be found anywhere from NGOs, galleries to museums. This field doesn’t so much deal with the production of your own art but of facilitating the movement of art from people and places to another.Some of common careers you are likely to encounter in this field are in art institutions, national libraries, or galleries. Arts administration can combine your love of art and other subjects such as finance, project management and art history.While it is impossible to go through all the possible careers you can attain with an art and design degree, here are some more jobs you will likely encounter on your job hunt:Art teach erFilm industryPerforming Arts industry

Forming Study Groups - Private Tutoring

Forming Study Groups BobbiM Apr 19, 2014 Study groups can be very helpful. In fact, one of the best ways to review is by forming study groups. Some students will form study groups that meet on a weekly basis to talk about and review what went on in class that week. Other students like to use study groups just before an exam as a way of reviewing and perhaps even getting a new or different perspective on what they have learned. Either way, study groups have big advantages if they are done right. Perhaps the biggest advantage of being part of a study group is that it allows you to listen to information on another persons voice, which can provide insights that you may not have considered. In a traditional course, you listen to your professors interpretation of the information during lectures, you read the text for another interpretation, and through these two sources, you come up with your own interpretation or meaning. You have listened, read, and written down material, so you have used several if your senses. All of this interaction should help you gain a greater degree of understanding of the material. It stands to reason, then, that by listening to and interacting with others who are also trying to understand the course information, you would gain a deeper understanding, be able to remember the concepts better, and subsequently do better on the exams. Its important to think about the characteristics of good study groups. Just meeting with people in the same course does not necessarily make a study group. Good study groups have the following characteristics: -Everyone comes prepared. Study groups do not replace studying on your own. Everyone should come to the group prepared to review the information, pose and answer possible test questions, and voice questions about material they dont understand. If the study group members have to spend all their time trying to teach a large portion of the course material to someone who didnt even attempt to learn it on her own, most members will not benefit. -Everyone can talk through a difficult idea with the group. It helps everyone in the group if you choose something that is giving you a bit of trouble or something that you may have some questions about. As you are reviewing your understanding of the concept, others who may understand it better than you should be encouraged to offer additional explanation. Dont shy away from discussing information that you dont know very well; it defeats the purpose of the group. -Members of the study group should be classmates, but not necessarily friends. Everyone knows what can happen when friends get together to study: everything goes fine for the first few minutes, but its easy to get off track. Its much better to have serious students, who all have the goal of doing well, in your study group rather than just recruiting your friends. Thats not to say that studying with friends will never work; its simply harder to study with friends than it is with classmates working toward a common goal. -Meet at a place that is conducive to studying. Campus libraries often have study rooms set aside for just this purpose. Such rooms are generally small and sound proof so that normal conversation an discussion can be carried out with ease. If your library doesnt have study rooms, dorms often have common areas equipped with study rooms. Empty classrooms can also work well if your only alternative is to study in someones room or at someones home or apartment, remind yourself what the purpose of the session is-to review the course material for a test, not to socialize. -Have clear goals and structure. When you initially form a study group, you should have a more specific goal than to get together and study. Most groups meet at regular times. Groups that have a game plan in mind before they come together are generally the most successful. Almost everyone can benefit from belonging to a study group at one time or another, but study groups work particularly well for students who learn better auditorily and through discussion and in courses they find problematic. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.