How to Deal with Presentation Anxiety - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Deal with Presentation Anxiety - Introvert Whisperer How to Deal with Presentation Anxiety Whatever your occupation, chances are you will be asked to make a presentation at some point, or you may wish to do so to inform or persuade listeners about an important topic. However, fear of public speaking is high on the list of peoples insecurities. Some rank it as their number one fear, and others in the top three or four. Anxiety associated with giving a speech, presentation, or demonstration can be managed by following tips like the following. Know Your Topic One of the best ways for learning how to overcome fear of speaking in meetings is to know your topic inside out. If it is your topic and you have worked extensively with it or presented it previously to individuals or small groups, you probably already have plenty of information, and you are ready to answer questions that may be asked. But if you were assigned a new topic, do some research and learn all you can to become the expert for your upcoming presentation. Research for a Recent Study on Your Topic This is somewhat related to the above tip. Do your research if there are any recent studies on your topic. Your newfound knowledge will give you the confidence to speak up and share what you know with the listeners. The more you know, the greater respect your audience will have for your talk. They will be more likely to listen to what you say than care about your mannerisms. However, if you tend to mumble or stutter a bit, practice beforehand on adjusting these issues. Prepare in Advance Many speakers rehearse their presentation before actually giving it. This can be done several days before or a couple of hours ahead of time. Practicing your speech is one of the most effective ways of how to deal with presentation anxiety. Below are also some of the tips for your preparation: Be sure you are pronouncing names or related jargon correctly, and double-check your facts for accuracy. Organize your talk so that it flows smoothly from one point to the next. Create a well-researched slides with a great layout that will aid your talk. Have your notes prepared in a readable format, and time yourself to ensure your presentation remains within the allotted timeframe. Ask a colleague or mentor to listen to your practice run, and then offer feedback for improvement. Get Familiar with the Setup If possible, check out the venue or room where you will be giving the upcoming presentation. Inquire about logistics, such as seating and acoustics, including whether you will be able to wear a lapel mic or an earpiece microphone if needed, as well as lighting. A podium may be helpful for notes if needed. You will also want to check on the available technology if you plan to present a slideshow or an interactive online activity with the audience. You will feel more comfortable and in control when you take time before the presentation to learn about the seminar room and its setup style as well as anyone who may be on hand to provide technical assistance if needed. Learn about Audience Expectations If you are giving a talk to your workplace colleagues in a conference room at your jobsite, you probably already have a good idea of what they expect and how to prepare. But if the audience will include people from other companies, the industry, or the public, you may need to tailor your presentation to meet their needs as well. This is an important aspect of becoming aware of how to not be nervous for a presentation. Know what your intended audience needs to hear, and prepare to deliver your message clearly. Look Your Best Since you will be the center of attention along with your topic, your audience expects you to be a professional source of information. Dress in keeping with the venue or event. For example, a lunchtime presentation for a local business or civic group may require a business casual look. Dress more professionally for conferences. These are a few popular and proven ways of how to not get nervous during a presentation. Advance preparation helps you to feel confident and less anxious. About the Author The article was written by Gigi Wara. Gigi is a freelance writer and traveller, currently based in Thailand. Topic of interest includes anything related to self-improvement and career development. Go to top Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Its Not You, Its Me What If I Need to Switch Teachers

Its Not You, Its Me What If I Need to Switch Teachers Suzy S. The connection between student and teacher is important especially for a one-on-one environment (as in private lessons), as opposed to in a classroom setting. And this applies for any subject youre learning, from music to dance to languages!  If your teacher isnt explaining things in a way you understand, or perhaps isnt providing the encouragement you need,  it can make the learning process much more difficult.   Finding the perfect teacher even if that means switching teachers at some point is incredibly important to your success. If youre feeling frustrated, or just plain stuck, we encourage you to speak with your current instructor first.   Communication is key and the more your instructor knows, the better he or she can help you progress!   Sometimes, its as simple as adjusting what youre working on.   Good teachers are open to feedback and will work with you to make sure youre getting what you need out of your lessons. But other times, its simply not a good match. The good news?   Theres nothing wrong with that.   It doesnt make you a bad student, and it doesnt mean you should give up your goal of learning and mastering a new skill.  Sometimes, its just a matter of finding the teacher you click with the best.   Every instructor is different in terms of teaching style, communication style, and experience, and you may very well mesh with one over another. Here are some common examples of times when you may want to consider switching teachers: You or your child has special needs, and your current teacher is not comfortable adjusting to them. Your child is having trouble focusing, or your instructor isnt used to teaching kids (it takes a lot of patience to handle an antsy child!). Youd like to learn a specific technique or music genre that your current teacher isnt able to teach you. Youve reached a level that your instructor isnt comfortable teaching. Youve been working with one teacher for a very long time, and you no longer feel challenged or motivated. You have a very strict schedule or time frame that your teacher cannot accommodate. With the TakeLessons program, students are free to switch teachers when the need arises let us know your feedback, and well work with you to find a new teacher who better suits your needs, goals, and interests. The most important thing to remember is to be honest with the teacher youre parting with, and also be honest with yourself and what you (or your child) need. When youve found the right teacher, youll notice a difference sometimes right off the bat.   And thats what were here for! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Poetprince

3 Habits that are Hurting Your SAT Prep

3 Habits that are Hurting Your SAT Prep If youre a high school upperclassman, you know that time is precious. Between homework, sports, part-time jobs, and spending time with friends, your schedule is pretty full. For juniors and seniors that plan on taking the SAT, it can be difficult to find time to study before the test. Taking time to prepare for the SAT is essential to doing well, but its the quality, not the quantity, of studying time that can truly make a difference in your score. With that in mind, here are three habits that are hurting your SAT prep. 1. Crash studying for the SAT Dont think that just because the material on the SAT is material you may have already learned that you will be able to ace the test after only a few study sessions. Cramming a week before the SAT is like participating in a triathlon without ever training. Crash studying not only is an ineffective way to learn and remember content, but can also hurt you when it comes to test time. Learning so much information in a short period of time can leave you anxious and forgetful the last things you need to feel on test day. Having a strict study schedule that you adhere to is key to maximizing the time you spend studying. Spacing out your studying over several months will ensure that you arent cramming the week before the test. Instead of spending eight hours a night the week before the SAT trying to memorize information, spread that time out over at least three months. Plan to set aside an hour a day at the beginning of your study schedule to ease into studying, then amp up the amount of time as the test nears. Although some of the content may seem familiar, you will need to familiarize yourself with content you may not have seen in years and give your brain ample time to recall it. You may find working with aprep bookbeneficial. 2. Faking a SAT practice test Youve all heard the saying practice makes perfect, and the SAT is no exception. If you are taking SAT practice tests before the actual exam, you are on the right track in your studying course. Practice tests help you to familiarize yourself with the structure of the test questions and can provide you with valuable data regarding your strengths and weaknesses. However, if practice tests are not taken correctly, you could be wasting your time. [RELATED: How is the New SAT Scored?] When taking the practice test, it is important to choose a location that mimics the location you will be in when taking your SAT. Do not take a practice test in your living room with the TV on, laying in bed, or in a location where you know there will be distractions. Your goal is to prepare yourself for the same environment that you will be in when you take the real test. Create a good study environment, with a quiet, comfortable space and a desk. When you walk in to take the SAT, you want it to feel familiar. Simulating a practice test also means adhering to the rules that you will have to follow when taking the actual test. Do not use any tools to practice that you will not be able to use on the test. Furthermore, do not break up the test into sections over days or take longer breaks than you will be allowed on test day. Training your brain to focus throughout the whole test is vital to succeeding on the SAT. 3. Focusing on the what and not the why Getting the correct answer is of course the goal when taking the SAT. However, when studying for the test, the answer isnt the only thing that matters. After a practice test, it is important to look back at your incorrect answers and figure out why your answer was wrong, and why the correct answer was right. Each practice test and problem should be a learning experience, whether you originally got the answer right or wrong. The questions you see on practice tests will not be duplicated verbatim on the actual test, so memorizing an answer will only waste your time. Instead, focus on the type of mistake you made, and find out how to avoid making that type of mistake in the future. Similar questions will likely stump you on the actual test if they fooled you on the practice test, so focus on where your line of thinking went wrong. Ensuring that the time you spend studying for the SAT is spent in the correct way will determine your success come test day. Improper studying techniques can waste time and set back your studying schedule ultimately hurting your score on test day. Avoid these habits that are hurting your SAT prep, and you can maximize the quality of your studying.

3 Important Tips When Translating French to English

3 Important Tips When Translating French to English Megan L. Translating French to English is a common way to study the language and improve your skills. Tutor  Nadia B.  shares three big tips so you dont get lost in translation Are you learning French and need to translate some of your French homework into English? Or perhaps you want to translate a  French text just to be sure that you have understood the meaning? Translation is a useful tool for improving comprehension and fluency, so read on for three important tips for translating French to English. These tips will ensure you translate  quickly and accurately  on your first try! 1. Dont translate idiomatic expressions literally. There are many French expressions that shouldnt be taken  literally when translating French to English. The literal translation wont reflect the meaning of the expression. If you come across an expression that, when translated literally makes no sense in context, youve probably found an idiomatic expression. Here are some examples of French idiomatic expressions and how they can be translated into English: une bouche dincendie fire hydrant (Since  bouche means mouth in English, a mouth of fire isnt a correct translation!) une bonne fourchette a hearty eater (or, literally, a good fork, but that lacks meaning to English speakers!) faire le pont to make a long weekend (literally, to make a bridge, but it refers to the French habit of taking a four-day break by adding Friday or Monday to the weekend plus the mid-week day that a holiday falls on) To improve your skills when translating French to English, try to learn as many idiomatic expressions as possible. If youre listening to a French speaker and you dont understand an expression they use, inquire as to the meaning so you can continue to build your knowledge base. Over time, this will make French translation easier and more rapid as you draw on the knowledge you already possess. 2. Use online forums and dictionaries to get help when needed. When translating French to English, sometimes you can get stuck with certain expressions or usages. If you just cant figure out how to appropriately translate something, forums like WordReference  offer valuable help from native French speakers and highly knowledgeable second-language French speakers. There is a huge archive of threads covering a wide range of topics in French, so you can type in a phrase or word to learn more details about it. After all, when possible it is always in your best interest to use human translation for the most accurate understanding. Online French dictionaries are another excellent resource. A well-respected one is Larousse. Here,  you can access a French-English dictionary, as well as a French monolingual dictionary, in which you can find words and definitions all in French. The monolingual dictionary can be an especially great way to increase your knowledge and your proficiency in French as you research your translation query. 3. Use cognates, but watch out for false cognates. Cognates are a great help when trying to increase fluency in a language and translate quickly. Here is a short list of French-English cognates: immense immense amusant amusing, fun la page the page la musique the music la tomate the tomato le candidat the candidate lhôpital the hospital The only thing to remember with cognates is that there can also be faux amis  (false cognates). These tricky  French  words sound like a word in English but are not equal in meaning. Here are some French false cognates to watch out for: actuellement currently (not actually) attendre to wait (not to attend) assister to attend (not to assist) bras arms (not bra) blessé injured (not blessed) une librarie bookshop (not library) un raisin grape (not raisin) If you follow these three tips, you should be translating with confidence in no time! The more attention you pay to the details and work on increasing your vocabulary and knowledge of idiomatic expressions, the more you will find that your translations are accurate and thorough. Want to learn more about translating French to English? Taking French lessons with a private tutor is a great way to increase your proficiency in the language, because you can receive individualized instruction that best  fits your needs. Find your French teacher today! Post Author: Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches Italian  and piano in New York, NY, as well as through online lessons. She speaks Italian, English, and French and received her degree in Music Performance from New York University.  Learn more about Nadia here! Photo by  decar66 Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Multiplying mixed numbers

Multiplying mixed numbers Different arithmetic operations such as multiplication can be used to solve fractions. Fractions are numbers which have numerator and the denominator of the p/q form. The denominator is not equal to zero. There are different types of fraction such as proper, improper and mixed fraction. The mixed number is a combination of a whole number and proper fraction. The fraction which has numerator greater than the denominator is the improper fraction. A mixed number can be changed into improper fraction and vice versa. Example 1: What is the answer when the mixed fractions 2 x 1 are multiplied? Solution: Given are two mixed fractions 2 and 1 . Change the mixed number into improper fractions: This gives 2 = (2 x 4 + 3)/4 = (8 + 3)/4 = 11/4. Then, 1 = (1 x 4 + 1)/4 = (4 + 1)/4 = 5/4. Multiplying the fractions gives 11/4 x 5/4 = 55/16. Converting 55/16 to a mixed fraction gives 3 7/16. Hence, the answer is 3 7/16. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) What is answer for multiplying 6/5 x 2 ? a) 1 b) 3 c) 2/3 d) None of these. Correct answer: option b. Given are two fractions 6/5 and 2 . Change the mixed fraction into improper fractions: This gives 2 = (2 x 2 + 1)/2 = (4 + 1)/2 = 5/2. Multiplying the fractions gives 6/5 x 5/2 = 6/2 = 3. Hence, the answer is 3.

How to Balance Work and Grad School

How to Balance Work and Grad School Congratulations on your decision to attend grad school! According to the Census Bureau, just 9.3% of American adults over 25 have earned a masters degree. Pursuing a masters degree is no easy task, but it is an endeavor that can yield a number of benefits. Grad school allows you to explore your academic passions on a deeper level, participate in cutting-edge research projects, make valuable contacts in your field, and strengthen your employment prospects. Some graduate students choose to work and study at the same time, while others do so out of necessity. In any case, a proper balance between both responsibilities is indispensable and can be achieved through the following advice. Heres how to balance work and grad school: Balance work and grad school by communicating with your supervisor To balance the demands of academia and work simultaneously, you must first and foremost learn how to manage your time. Grad school is quite different from your undergraduate years, so although you may have held a job while you worked toward your bachelors degree, your experience juggling both this time may present unexpected challenges. As you work toward your masters degree, your work schedule should remain fairly predictable. You should have a clear idea each week of which days and times you will have off; this way, you know exactly when and for how long you will be able to work on class assignments. Your boss should absolutely be aware of your plans to attend grad school, so talk to them as soon as possible to avoid scheduling disasters. If it is impossible for you to have a consistent schedule given the nature of your job, you should at least aim to keep your number of work hours steady. Open communication with supervisors is key to maintaining a healthy balance between work and school. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Business School] Balance work and grad school by taking your study materials to work Work and grad school are two enormous responsibilities on their own. When you also consider all the other chores and errands you must tend to in a week, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed. It is for this reason that you must make the most of your downtime at work. During breaks, for instance, may be a great time to get ahead on class readings, studying, and other assignments. Take portable study materials to work, such as lightweight textbooks and flash cards, that you can easily look at in your free time. Since using your cell phone may be frowned on at work, it may be best to bring printouts, rather than electronic copies, of texts. [RELATED: How Students Can Improve Their Research Skills] Balance work and grad school by making some social sacrifices To maintain your job and your grad school average, you may need to make some social sacrifices. This implies that you might have to decline invitations to friendly gatherings at times. If it is Friday evening and you have a big project due on Monday, it may be wise to stay at home and work on your project rather than go out with your friends. You should not, however, give up your social life completely because of a demanding schedule. Seeing friends and interacting with others is not only enjoyable, it is essential to our emotional well-being. So, stay in contact with those you care about. Just make sure social outings do not interfere with work or study time. [RELATED: How Do Undergraduate and Graduate Theses Differ?] With effective time management skills, balancing work and grad school is a quite feasible task. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

The Worlds Deadliest Garden

The Worlds Deadliest Garden How could such a beautiful garden be so poisonous?  Fun fact for all of you Harry Potter fans out there-Alnwick Castle is Hogwarts in the first few movies!   Alnwick Castle was used as Hogwarts in the first Harry Potter films.Today, we’ll first review some differences between British and American English.  Then, take a look at the short video, and practice your listening skills with the following comprehension questions.  Recently, Peter posted this lesson about British vs. American English.  Lets take a look at some common vocabulary differences between the two.  It’s your job to match the word a British person would say to what  someone from the US would use.  Write your answers to this and the following questions in the comments below!British English                  American Englishtill                                       aroundboot                                    elevatorchemist                               round triparoundabout                    cash registerwhereabouts                      trunkchips                                    wherecrisps                                  pharmacylift                                        diapernappy                                  French friesreturn                                  potato chipsHow many plants in the garden are poisonous?This plant is Giant Hogweed.  It will get up to ________  high.How many years could you have blisters from the hogweed?We have to _______ maintain the garden, so we have to tend the plants.How do the gardeners protect themselves when dealing with the poisonous plants?What will cyanide do to you?Why did the Duchess decide to have a poison garden instead of a herb garden?People are _____ by poisonous plants.Why is the man fascinated by the garden? Do you have a garden? If so, what types of plants does it hav e, and how do you tend it?

Ready, set, action Talking about movies in English

Ready, set, action Talking about movies in English by Muireann PrendergastTalking about movies is a great way to practice informal English. It is also a good way to learn to speak about your interests and pastimes. Let’s look at some of the vocabulary involved as well as some possible question and answer-style scenarios.What’s your favorite genre?Romantic comedy (also called rom-com)ComedyScience Fiction (also called sci-fi)HorrorForeign languageChick Flick (movies of interest to women)Animated moviesDocumentariesActionWesternPoliticalIndependent (also called indie)Why do you like this genre?If it is because these movies are exciting you can say:They keep me at the edge of my seat.They are fast-paced and I am never bored.If it is because you like the music you can say:I generally like the soundtrack to these movies.If it is because you like to see the technology used to make them you can say:I think the special effects used to make these movies are very impressive.If you like the issues they raise you can say:I can relate to the subject-matter of these movies.OrI think the issues they raise are realistic.OrI like them because they are frequently controversial.If you like the movies that you can watch with your whole family, you can say:I like them because they are family-orientated.How did your favorite movie do at the box office?Very well. It was a/an:             Major Blockbuster             An academy-award (Oscar) winnerIt was:             Critically-praisedNot so well. It was a:             Flop             Straight to-DVD movieIt was:             Critically-pannedWho is your favorite actor?Vocabulary to describe your favorite actors and actresses includes the following:             Handsome (or pretty is you are talking about a woman)             Cute             Attractive             Good-looking             Beautiful             Glamorous             Funny             Humorous             Quirky             VersatileVocabulary to describe your least favorite actors and actresses includes the follo wing:             Plain             Unattractive             Silly             Too extrovert             Overrated             Dull             A one trick pony (the opposite of versatile)If you want to talk about the important actors in the film you can use the terms:             Protagonist             Lead actor/actress             Villain             Bad-guyIf you want to talk about the actors/actresses with smaller roles in the film you can use the terms:             Supporting actor/actressAnd, if the part is particularly small:             ExtrasSome useful vocabulary to describe character traits of protagonists and supporting actors/actresses is:             Ambitious             Amoral             Arrogant             Childish             Cruel             Difficult             Dizzy             Domineering             Feminine             Foolish             Hostile             Indifferent             Irresponsible             Intense             Loyal             Manipula tive             Mean-spirited             Needy             Open-minded             Over-bearing             Pathetic             Shy             Social             Sympathetic             Trusting             Unconventional             VulnerableNow, let’s see what you’ve learned. Watch this movie clip of Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind with Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey. Answer the following questions:What words from the list of possible character traits above would you use to describe:1. The female protagonist?2. The chief male character?What do you think is the genre of this movie?What do you like/dislike about this movie?How do you think it performed at the box office?