Understanding Cultural Chemistry

Understanding Cultural ChemistryCultural chemistry is important to the functioning of a society. Most people would agree that the place where one lives has an effect on how one interacts with the rest of the world. The people you associate with can lead to influencing you to work together and behave in a certain way.For example, if you live in the United States, it is not unusual for you to be friends with someone from China or France. However, it is not the case for every person in the United States. What could have brought this rare relationship between the two nations closer than when they first came to America? Cultural chemistry is key to understanding what has made this relationship the way it is today.Because we have so many different cultures in this country, we have been able to overcome the type of country we are as well as the differences between them. There are differences between people who live in different parts of the world and who speak different languages. However, when two people live in the same culture, they tend to have similar beliefs, values, and behaviors.As a society, we have invested in various resources to help bridge cultural barriers. These efforts have been paid off, and we now enjoy tremendous benefits from their contributions. The ease of communication between nations has helped us to interact better with other peoples, and the examples of cultural behavior and development in other countries help to promote openness and good manners.If there are differences between different cultures, it can be said that we as a society were once stronger when we were united. Those differences could have been addressed and could have prevented conflicts between cultures, but this wasn't the case in the past.Nowadays, we live in different ways. We tend to become friends with people who we don't really know much about, and we often meet people at jobs and other social events, where we develop relationships ofa short-term nature, depending on the i ntentions of the parties involved. This is a change in the pattern of cultural chemistry, and we need to recognize that this change in the pattern is the result of some culture's unique characteristics. Although cultural characteristics might be important to our success in the long run, we should recognize that some cultures will benefit from learning to think in new ways.This is one reason why we need to encourage our children to go out into the world and make new friends. It's an important part of having the best chance of survival for our civilization. Not only will it improve the way that our children will interact with others, but it will strengthen our society overall.

The Secrets Of Better Writing In English

The Secrets Of Better Writing In English How To Write Well In English ChaptersAre You Ready To Communicate In English?Formal Letter Writing Exercises In English: Cover LetterDownload Your Learner ExperienceMatch And Show The RelevanceRewrite The HighlightsOrganise Your Content Into A Logical And Easy To Read OrderAdvanced Tips For Better WritingHow To Write A Dissertation In English: How To Write An EssayInformal Letter Writing: Write A Letter To A Friend To Learn EnglishHow To Find Someone To Write To In English Online And Offline?What Do To Improve Writing Skills Once I Have Found A Writing Partner?If you have ever considered travelling around the world to new and far away places. You may not realise just how vital it is to speak and write well in English. As you make your plans to travel the world whether that is to emigrate or just to travel abroad. English lessons are a fantastic and essential resource to allow you to communicate with the locals in the country that you are travelling to. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free !Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAre You Ready To Communicate In English?The  English language is almost regarded as the worlds international language, it allows two parties who don't speak the same language to come together and communicate effectively. English is used worldwide for professional purposes such as getting a job, applying for internships and University applications.Learning to write a disse rtation gives you the chance to progress. Photo Source: UnsplashOften when learning a language many people find it harder to learn to write in the language, but the importance of learning to write in the language that you are learning is very important especially when you plan to work in a professional capacity.No matter why you are learning to write in English, here is how to learn to write English and avoid the biggest mistakes.Formal Letter Writing Exercises In English: Cover LetterKnowing how to write and speak in English is a skill that will help your professional career. This is a sought-after ability to use in the workplace, Being confident in your spoken English communication will give you a head start in your professional career. Even getting to the initial stage of the interview will require you to use your English skills when you write a cover letter to register your interest in the role that you would like to apply for.Additionally, you can find that you have to complete an English assessment. Especially when English skills could be an essential part of the job. Although this may sound intimidating, don't panic! We will go through how to write a successful cover letter step by step and also give you the tools that you need to write it.1. Download your experience. 2. Match and show the relevance. 2. Rewrite the highlights. 3. Organise everything you have into a logical order. 4. Advanced tip: Add something to enhance the letter and help you to stand out.Download Your Learner ExperienceFirst, you want to write the different parts of your letter into the relevant paragraphs. Such as the introduction, the skills paragraph and your experience paragraph. Take your time and just write whatever you can think of, this doesn't have to be perfect but should be detailed and specific. It is not the final letter but the tool that will help you to create an excellent letter.Match And Show The RelevanceOnce this has been done, secondly take a look at the job descr iption and job requirements and highlight on it what experience you have had that you can demonstrate. Highlight any industry words or any strong words such as knowledgeable, hard working etc.Discover the best English courses in London.Think about the structure of your dissertation. Photo Source: UnsplashThe next thing to do is look at what you have written in part one and highlight on your written text where you have direct examples or experience that match what the job requirements ask for. If you need to expand the first section, do so.Rewrite The HighlightsNow you want to go back to your sections and delete anything that isn't highlighted. To rewrite your content, you should have the highlighted job description in front of you and your own highlighted text. Now you are going to write the first draft of your letter.Using the rough highlighted draft that you created you are going to rearrange the wording to fit into the following structure. Using the highlighted job description as a guide for how you should word your paragraphs. You should now look at your own highlighted sections, and use as many as possible from your own writing. You should moderately sprinkle power words and industry words that you found in the job description. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsOrganise Your Content Into A Logical And Easy To Read Orde r1. Learning How To Write The Introduction Here you should be introducing who you are, your strengths and your high level of education and experience. Pay attention to your punctuation, spelling and grammar. 2. Introduce Your Skills To Speak English Write your first paragraph example and your second paragraph example These paragraphs should demonstrate why you are good for the job. This is where you go into detail to showcase your skills. While you should be writing about a meaningful experience that you have had. You should get to the point as quickly as possible, this means you should make it easy to read and succinct. 3. Write Your Closing Paragraph Here you should remind them you are interested in the job and when you can start, add any housekeeping like your availability, any ideas you have for improving the job, Invite them to contact you for more information or for an informal chat. 4. Write Your Salutation And End The Letter Thank them for their time and say goodbyeAdvanced Tips For Better WritingIf you want to stand out, make sure that your letter has no mistakes and is formatted well.The best way to acquire new vocabulary. Photo Source: UnsplashAsk someone else to read and review your letter, if this person is a native English speaker with a good knowledge of English literature it would help you greatly.If you feel that you can not do the final letter on your own, then follow the steps to produce a draft for proofreading. You can also hire an English copywriter to proofread and rewrite it for you in perfect English grammar.However, if you do use professional writing services, you should mention it in the interview especially if writing in English is an integral part of the job. As an excellently written letter will not match your skills, should you be hired.How To Write A Dissertation In English: How To Write An EssayA dissertation is a long-form essay which presents an idea and develops the concept by introducing relevant supporting information. The practical exercise of writing a thesis involves organising, revising and preparing your ideas with an outline then researching arguments to help your ideas to develop. Essays are written as a final piece of writing when you are studying for your degree course or other forms of study.You will need to work on your writing proficiency a lot before you can be expected to get to the level of writing a passing dissertation for your degree. You can practice getting to this level by continuously writing a variety of short-form essays on your chosen topic.If you are able to get these shorter essays marked by your English teacher you will eventually be able to improve English speaking and writing skills enough to be ready to confidently begin to write your dissertation.Not only does the exercise of developing your writing skills make it possible to organise your ideas and arguments but it also allows you to learn new vocabulary words and how to express yourself elegantly.Another overlooked s kill is reading and researching a lot in your topic and practising putting this into your own words. When it comes time to write your dissertation this practice will be invaluable to you.When you are planning your dissertation or other exams, you should start by preparing high-level titles for each section and lead the reader through the idea that you are trying to communicate.When starting to write something, you are ready to begin writing your dissertation, you should make sure to start with a substantial introduction and end with a definite conclusion. You should make it clear what you are talking about, get to the point clearly and make it interesting to read.Informal Letter Writing: Write A Letter To A Friend To Learn EnglishIf you are an English student working at speaking English, you should try to incorporate a variety of ways of study to improve your language skills. A great way to do that for your written English is to by writing, you could write anything really, but an es pecially fun way to use this skill is to write to someone and having them support your English writing journey.In addition to getting to know a new person and making a new friend. Regular writing with a native English speaker allows you to set yourself a goal to achieve and stay motivated. Not only do they help to keep you accountable but your writing partner will also help you learn to write correctly. This simultaneously improves your reading and writing in the language too.You will learn how English speakers write everyday English expressions, words, sentence structure and phrases and slowly you will also learn the best ways to communicate. Even better this is a free English strategy you practice the language.How To Find Someone To Write To In English Online And Offline?Everyone is interested in languages these days, and there are so many platforms and apps that can help your speaking skills and meet new people that are interested in meeting new to people to teach them their lang uage or even to learn your and exchange language skills.You can find lots of people to write to on writing workshops, social networks if you go to language groups. You can place a post to show interest or read through other posts to find someone who is offering to help or exchange languages.What Do To Improve Writing Skills Once I Have Found A Writing Partner?The first thing that you should do is discuss what each of you wants to get out to the partnership and explain how to maximise those outcomes. So perhaps you want to learn to improve writing in English and write confidently, and they just want a friend to talk to. This is the perfect match, and you can now discuss a schedule to meet and communicate.English writing skills whether educational, professional or recreational capacity is an excellent skill to develop and use to deepen your understanding of the language.   You will make some mistakes while you work to improve your good writing skills but so do English native speakers. The great thing is that once you learn it, you will not make the same mistake twice. If you start by practising the English language strategies that a native speaker uses.   All ESL students can improve their writing skills, listening skills and allow English to enter our brain and gives us the access to fluently expressing our thoughts making us easy to understand.

How to Plan College Campus Visits

How to Plan College Campus Visits Probably one of the most critical steps of the college search, your campus visits need to be scheduled early on with plenty of time to spare. These visits are pivotal points in your decision-making process, as there is simply no better way to get a real handle on a campus than by spending some time on it. But with so much to do in the period of college application insanity, how can you possibly make sure each of these visits are scheduled appropriately and made use of in the best ways? Moreover, how do you know which campuses you need to visit? All of these questions that might be asked in a panic before quickly-approaching deadlines are more the reason to think about this important college search element well ahead of time. Dont leave yourself in a bind at the last minute; get these plans figured out now! A handful of steps are useful here: #1: Pick the schools From the very beginning, when you start compiling the list of colleges you like, put them into categories. There will be schools youre extremely excited about and genuinely want to see, there will be those that you like from what youve read about them but dont know much about first-hand, and there will be some that youve been told you should check out but have no idea what they have to offer. To take a little shortcut here, schools in all of these categories should be visited. Its up to you to identify which ones you see yourself definitely taking the time to apply to and then going from there. The point is, you have a lot to learn about each of these types of schools. The school that you love, the school that you know a little about, and the school you know nothing about, all have secrets to be uncovered and benefits from in-person experience to be had. #2: Determine application deadlines Every school has different requirements and guidance for deadlines, so make sure you get this step taken care of promptly. Youre going to want to adequately set up your visits around these important dates so you never feel pressured to rush through a tour or skip an informational interview. Additionally, spread these visits out as much as you can. Although this will sometimes be out of your control, do everything in your power to schedule them far apart from each other. You dont want two visits to blend in because they are so close together and then forget which campus had what. Or worse, you dont want to be so exhausted from the adjacent trips that you lose focus and dont pay strong enough attention to the colleges youre visiting. Try to give each of these visits their own span of time so you can take in and process their information separate from the others. Here are 4 tips to help you manage the college application process. #3: Call an admissions officer Visiting a campus blindly with no guidance as to what you should be doing or seeing is pointless; you must speak with an admissions representative before you make your trip. An integral part of their jobs is to prepare students for these visits, so make use of their valuable resources. Ask when scheduled tours are and sign up for one. Ask about possible over-night programs with current students and set one up if you are interested in learning about the college experience in that way. Ask about any other opportunities that you might not know about because that is what the admissions officers are ready to inform you of. They know all the ins and outs of campus visits and what you need to do to make the most of them. You might get to sit in on a class, get a free meal at the local dining hall, or a multitude of other interesting things that will help you feel acclimated to that colleges unique scene. You may also want to check out these tips on how to pre pare for a college visit. #4: Make a checklist In addition to the events youve signed up for and made note of from the admissions officer, jot down everything you personally want to accomplish and make sure the length of your trip accommodates all of it. More importantly, figure out if and how youre going to be able to accomplish those things. You dont want to waste a good amount of time on your visit wandering around aimlessly, looking for ways to accomplish your list item, especially if its something that it turns out cant be done. You must determine if these list items are even possible to accomplish before you go. Do you want to talk to a current student? Experience an evening at a local venue in the town? See an off-campus apartment? Tour the library? Many things will be taken care of through your campus tour, but many wont. Settle these things now. You may also want to check outthesetop questions to ask at a campus information session that you may not have thought of yet Now that youve taken in these steps, you should be ready to go. Get those visits planned and search away!

The Sumo Guide

The Sumo Guide Sumo and the Land of the Rising Sun ChaptersWhat is a Sumotori?Sumo Rules and RitualsThe Origins of SumoSumo Throughout HistoryJapanese culture is rich and varied. Those who travel to Japan can experience the customs, rituals, and delicious food.  In terms of Japanese culture, sumo is a martial art in which larger combatants wrestle as part of a sacred ritual. This is one of the most popular sports in Japan and for several centuries, its history was intertwined with that of Shintoism. If you go to Japan, you need to see what Japanese wrestling is really about!In this article, we’re looking at Japan’s ancestral sport, what it is, and where it fits in Japans rich and diverse culture. From the sumo wrestlers, known as a sumotori, to the ceremonies, you’ll learn about this popular discipline and the grand champions of it. 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 tutorsWhat is a Sumotori?A sumotori needs to be large and capable of defeating their opponent in a gruelling fight. In Japan, the preferred term for a sumo wrestler is “rikishi”, which means “mister” and “strength”, showing their respect for the sacred combatant.Rikishi train from a young age in a heya, “stables” or “training quarters” where they also live. They’re used to eating food designed to gain weight. Most rikishi weight at least 22st but they can weigh as much as 34st, albeit while drastically reducing their life expectancy.Sumo wrestling is hugely popular in Japan. (Source: Wiki media Commons)The combatants fight barefoot in the dohyo (ring) wearing just a maetate-mitsu (codpiece) with a belt known as a mawashi. Each rikishi’s hair is styled in keeping with tradition and according to their rank. Furthermore, each rikishi has their shikona or ring name.There’s an established ranking for the rikishi from apprentice (uchi-deshi) to professionals (sekitori). However, there are ranks granted to great champions. The most important ranks are sekiwake, ozeki, and yokozuna, the grand champion.Here’s a list of some of the great yokozuna throughout history:Akashi Shiganosuke (1600-1649)Shiranui Dakuemon (1801-1854),Shiranui Kôemon (1825-1879)Jinmaku Kyûgorô (1829-1903)Kimenzan Tanigorô (1826-1871)Umegatani I Tôtarô (1845-1928)Tachiyama Mineemon (1877-1941)Tochigiyama Moriya (1892-1959)Tsunenohana Kan’ichi (1896-1960)Futabayama Sadaji (1912-1968)Tochinishiki Kiyotaka (1925-1990)Taihô Kôki (1940-2013)Wajima Hiroshi (1948-2018)Kitanoumi Toshimitsu (1953-2 015)Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (1955-2016)Takanohana Kôji (1972-)Asashôryû Akinori (1980-)Hakuhô Shô (1985-)Kisenosato Yutaka (1986-)Rikishi aren’t the most common type of athlete in Japan and there are only around 800 of them across all of Japan.Check out our article on Japanese weaponry.Sumo Rules and RitualsRikishi fight in the dohyo which represents the heavens and is 6m ². The match itself takes place in a 4m-diameter ring in the centre of the dohyo. There’s a ceiling hanging over the ring, making the arena a sanctuary and the match is dedicated to the gods. Sumo wrestling isn't just a sport, it's also a traditional ceremony and ritual. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)Before starting the fight, there are several rituals for washing the rikishi’s body and spirit. They’ll rinse their mouths with water and clean their bodies with a paper towel. To protect them from injury, they’ll purify the ring with salt.To win, the rikishi needs to push their adversary out of the ring of onto the floor of the dohyo. Only a rikishi’s feet are allowed to touch the ground. They also lose if they touch the bags of straw surrounding the combat area.In sumo, you cannot throw punches or kick above the hips, strangle, or pull hair. You cannot grab the maetate-mitsu of your opponent either. They fight by striking their opponents with an open palm, grappling, or using their weight or their opponent’s weight against them.Here are a few important sumo terms:Basho: sumo tournament.Chiri-chozu: the ritual before a fight.Danpatsu-shiki: a farewell ceremony during which a rikishi’s hair is cut by their friends.Dohyo: the area of combat.Fusenpai: when a rikishi loses for not being present for the fight.Gaijin: a foreign rikishi, generally any combatant not born in Japan.Gunbai: a wooden fan used by the referee.Gyoji: the referee.Hanamichi: the paths to the dohyo that run from east to west.Heya: the organisation and training room for the rikishi.Hiiki: the supporters.Intai: a rikishi’s retirement.Jungyo: an exhibition match outside of sumo tournaments used to recruit new rikishi and show them to the public.Keiko: a rikishi’s training in the heya.Kimarite: one of 82 official sumo techniques.Kokugi: “national sport”, the term used to talk about sumo.Kokugikan: the main sumo stadium in Tokyo and home to the National Sumo Federation.Kyokai: the National Sumo Federation, also known as the Nihon Sumo Kyokai.Maetate-mitsu: the rikishi’s codpiece.Oshi-zumo: a combat style in which body weight is used to remove the opponent from the ring.Oze i: the grand champion after the yokuzuna and before the sekiwake.Rikishi: sumo wrestler.Sekiwake: the grand champion after the ozeki.Shingitai: the three principles of sumo, heart, body, and technique.Tachiai: the start of a match.Tsuppari: slapping the body or face with an open palm.Yokozuna: the grand champion. A title held until death.Yusho: the winner of a sumo tournament.Zensho-yusho: a tournament won without any defeats.There are 6 main sumo tournaments each year: 3 in Tokyo, 1 in Osaka, 1 in Nagoya, and 1 in Fukuoka. Each rikishi fights once per day for 15 days and the combatant with the best win/loss ratio is the champion. At the end of the tournament, the rikishi receives the emperor’s trophy.The Origins of SumoThe history of sumo is intertwined with Japanese history: the first mention of sumo wrestling can be found in the Kojiki, a chronicle of Japanese history dating back to 712. According to legend, a sumo match decided who controlled the Japanese islands. Sumo wrestling originated as a battle of the gods. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)The gods Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata fought on the Shimane beach. Outside of legend, it’s difficult to say exactly when sumo wrestling arose in Japan. It seems that sumo wrestling was used as an agricultural ritual to bring about a good harvest. There were no illegal blows and these fights were to the death.  In the Nihon Shoki, sumo was said to have begun between mortals around 23BCE. The first winner, Sukune, is said to be the father of sumo.Interested in Japanese culture?Find out more about geishas.Sumo Throughout HistoryDuring the Nara Period (8th century), sumo wrestling was introduced to the imperial court and an annual festival was organised. There were several festivals in the Imperial Palace of Emperor Shomu. Thus, sumo was no longer an agricultural ritual but a ritual for peace and prosperity. Sumo wrestling's history dates back over 1,500 years! (Source: Wikimedia Commons)Sumo became a martial art during the reign of Emperor Saga (9th century) and the warrior class practised the sport from the 12th century. Several great Japanese military chiefs were fans of sumo including Minamoto no Yoritomo and Nobunaga Oda.During the 17th century, the rikishi started becoming professionals and entertainers for the Japanese elite. This is also when the first rings surrounded by bags of straw. They started burying them during the 18th century.During the Edo Period, the great daimyos became the sponsors for sumos grand champions. In addition to a salary, the rikishi also earnt the title of samurai.Modern sumo wrestling was developed during the Edo Period: the Kanjin-zumo was used to raise funds for buildings, sanctuaries, repairing temples, bridges, and other public works.The official ranking system was also introduced during the Edo Period. Official organisations were formed and merged during the 20th century, leading to the modern Sumo Kyokai.Now you know a bit more about Japanese culture and the national sport. If you want to learn even more, consider reading our other articles on Japan or getting Japanese language lessons from a private tutor on Superprof!There are three distinct types of private tutorial on offer for Japanese students: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each type is different in terms of learning styles and cost, so what may be right for one student may not be right for another.Face-to-face tutorials involve just a single student and tutor and will include a bespoke programme or course that's being taught to the student. You will be getting a tailored service which is very cost-effective!Online tutorials also involve one student with a tutor but the two aren't physically in the same place. Thanks to the internet, you can be taught Japanese online via webcam. With fewer travel costs and the ability to schedule more t utorials each week, the tutor doesn't need to charge as much for their tutorials.Group tutorials are more like the classes you would've had in school with one teacher and multiple students. With each student footing the bill, the cost per student per hour tends to be less than the other two types of tutorial.  Don't forget that a lot of tutors on Superprof offer the first hour of tuition for free, too!

Accounting principles

Accounting principles Financial accounting is a branch of accounting where businesses are required to keep their financial transactions. These transactions are recorded, summarized and presented in the form of statements called financial statement or financial report and income statement or a balance sheet. In United States, these documents can be prepared according to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Financial reports are prepared for use by external customer like investor, banker and internal customers like company shareholders and employees. Topics covered: Accounting basics Accounting equation Accounting principles Income statement Balance sheet Bank reconciliation Bills Payable and accounts receivables According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a publicly traded company is required to file financial reports every quarter. The purpose of filing these documents is not to report the value of company but to provide sufficient informations to others to assess the value of company.

Simple Tips for Getting Ahead as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Simple Tips for Getting Ahead as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer Simple Tips for Getting Ahead as an Introvert Between working your 9-5 job, running endless errands, and visiting family and friends, day-to-day life is exhausting. Finding the time and energy to work on your personal development can seem like a nearly impossible feat at times, and for introverts, these barriers to success are only heightened. That’s why I’ve come up with a few simple, proactive ways to help introverts get ahead without becoming burned out or defeated. Create a Concentrated Network of Impactful People You probably see it all the time, both online and in person. Your extroverted coworkers are constantly chatting and reaching out to people, wielding their skills in small talk and complimenting to create a large number of surface-level connections with others in your field. In their minds, it’s a simple formula: more connections = more opportunities. Although building and fostering your network is important for personal and professional growth, playing the numbers game is counterproductive. Remember: quantity is not always greater than quality. Properly managing a large network will cost you time and energy that could be devoted to more relevant pursuits. And networking poorly is worse than not doing it at all. That’s why you should forge connections that prioritize relevance and a genuine relationship, as this will yield opportunities that better align with your own personal interests and goals.   Look to the Future Instead of Reflecting on the Past Nearly every introvert knows the dread that comes after a social interaction. Did I say the right things?   Was the conversation boring?   Did I speak too much? Or not enough? Overcoming your self-doubt is one the best and most simple ways to get ahead. Not only will you become more confident in your decisions and interactions with others, but you’ll also end up saving time and operating more efficiently. To successfully let go of your doubt, practice looking toward the future by writing down large-scale goals for the year and smaller ones for the upcoming months, weeks, and days. By reflecting on your performance in previous years, you’ll also be able to acknowledge and let go of the things in your past that hold you back. Find Your Method of Communicatingâ€" And Excel at It Successfully conveying information in your workplace will be essential to moving upward. But becoming a better communicator as an introvert isn’t necessarily about improving your areas of weaknessâ€" a better angle to this challenge is to identify the different ways of communicating and determine the ways you are already successfully exchanging ideas with others. If you’re better at dealing with people in more intimate situations, ask to work on smaller teams at work or schedule 1-on-1 meetings with your higher-ups. Maybe you like keeping comprehensive, personal notes; take that skill and share relevant information with your team in the notes sections of documents and databases. Or, if you like to take time to think before you share, emailing should be your best friend. Realize whatever methods work best for you and use them to your advantage. Share Your Successes Although telling others about your accomplishments may feeling like you’re seeking attention, it’s often crucial to ensure you get the credit and praise you deserve. Bragging about your achievements or causing a scene is definitely not the way to approach sharing successes, but there’s no shame in highlighting something important that you’ve achieved. Your boss won’t be able to see the accomplishments of everyone they oversee; that’s why it’s important to make sure you get the spotlight when you deserve it. You may struggle with verbalizing your own successes or sharing them widely, so instead try CC’ing your management team on important correspondence, calling out the successes of your department as a whole, or sharing ideas in team meetings (while making sure you get credit for them).   Get Smarter with Your Money Here’s an undeniable fact when it comes to getting ahead: having money will open up time, resources, and opportunities that can give you the extra boost you need to advance in life. Thanks to the internet, there are plenty of ways to make money after your workday that have little or nothing to do with socializing or working with others. And when successful enough, these enjoyable side gigs can eventually become your primary source of income. If you don’t have time to pursue a side hustle, focus on places where you can cut down on spending and drive down monthly costs. Perform a personal financial audit by evaluating your income and expenses at least once a year to see areas of your spending that are unnecessary and could be reduced. Since debt is one of the main reasons why people aren’t able to get ahead, concentrate on finding opportunities to consolidate and save where you can. If you are someone with any amount of student debt, do your research and take advantage of student loan refinancing solutions. An even easier avenue would be to stop spending money on frivolous things like coffee every day and only using your credit card to purchase the essentials.   Give Yourself Some Downtime The main way you can avoid burnout, fatigue, and discouragement is by always keeping you and your needs in mind. For introverts especially, it’s important to give yourself time alone to reflect and recharge at the end of each day. From reviewing your week’s productivity to curling up with a great book, downtime helps you take a step back from your daily routine and figure out what the next step is for you. As counterintuitive as it might initially seem, be sure to budget time into your schedule that is specifically dedicated to resting and planning your next steps toward success. When you arrive at work the next day, this time of rest will give you the patience and stamina you need to survive and thrive in a world of extroverts.   AUTHOR ATTRIBUTION: Kathy Philipson is a content creator who enjoys writing on career and financial advice, especially for entrepreneurs and go-getters. When she isn’t writing, Kathy enjoys thumbing through her Instagram feed, attending to her two cats, and watching the Game Show Network. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How Can Parents Unfamiliar with the Common Core Help their Children at Home

How Can Parents Unfamiliar with the Common Core Help their Children at Home How Can Parents Unfamiliar with the Common Core Help their Children at Home? The Common Core State Standards were developed by an independent coalition of education professionals to prepare students for a 21st century global workforce. The standards outline the skills that students should acquire at each grade level, and are specific to reading and math. The objective of Common Core State Standards is to create greater consistency among school districts, so that any two students in a grade level should have the same basic foundation for success. Parents will have a significant role in helping their children meet those standards, which has created some anxiety because many parents feel the standards are more rigorous. According to a Gallup Poll conducted in April 2014, 35 percent of parents had a positive impression of the new standards and 28 percent of parents had a negative one. The remaining 37 percent didn't know what the Common Core State Standards were. Because the Common Core State Standards are relatively new to everyone involved students, parents, and teachers there will be a learning curve. Parents must take an active approach in order to help their children with homework and learning skills at home. Here are several tips that will help parents to get started: Review the Standards for Your Child's Grade Level: There are a number of different resources that provide easy-to-follow guides on the math and reading standards. The Common Core website is a good place to gain information. Here you will find the standards, links to each state's educational website, FAQs, a history of the standards, and more. The PTA website is another good resource for standards basics, and has several short guides specifically for parents who want to help their children at home. Be Prepared: A key element of the Common Core State Standards is analysis. Students are not expected to simply know an answer; they should also be able to explain how they came to it. Some parents who are new to the Common Core State Standards may need to take extra time to review what their children are learning in order to help them succeed. Seek Help when Necessary: A common misconception is that the standards are the curriculum. The standards are only goals, and how those goals are reached is determined at the local level. Therefore, parents should speak with their children's teachers in order to learn more about what is going on in the classroom and ways that they can help at home. In addition, extra help can be obtained through tutoring. A Huntington Learning Center tutor can develop a personalized lesson plan and monitor success through ongoing assessments to ensure that your child is making a smooth transition to the standards. For more information on the Common Core State Standards, please contact us today at 1-800-CAN-LEARN or visit a Huntington Learning Center near you.