Finding The Best Tutoring Company Logos

Finding The Best Tutoring Company LogosIf you look around your college or university, you will see that most of the main organizations have one word in common; and that is that of a tutoring company logos. The reason why is because that the tutoring industry is of great importance in almost every field of education. You will be surprised to know that the tutoring industry is very popular and not just that of your high school, but even colleges.In the UK, for example, a good number of University Tutors are paid by the college or university to make sure that the students are in the class that is assigned for them. When the students don't meet the requirements, the tutors have a duty to report it to the tutor who in turn report it to the teaching office or principal, which is the same as the teaching staff.It is necessary to find out about the tutoring companies which have been registered with the government agencies so that you can be sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company . After all, the tutoring industry is extremely important in any field of education as it involves a huge number of students, which could be very costly if the educational institution has to keep paying the tutors.Therefore, when you need help and attention from a tutoring company, you have to be certain that the company is registered with the government and will be able to provide you with all the information you require. Remember, a reputable company will be able to provide you with the best and effective help that will not only satisfy you but will also make you feel at ease.When it comes to choosing the best company logos, one of the things that you have to consider is their credibility. You should find out whether they offer free consultation and advice as well as feedback. Apart from this, when you go for a consultation, you will be also required to choose the facilities that the tutoring company is offering to you and the tuition fee that is charged for the tutoring.It is ver y important to compare the offers and benefits offered by different tutoring companies as it will really help you in selecting the best priced company logos. Another thing that you should keep in mind is that the tutoring company that you select should also be a good choice if you need help while attending lectures as this will ensure that you get the correct type of help and will also teach you how to solve all the problems that might arise when taking up courses.With all these factors in your hand, you will have no problem finding the best tutoring company logos. Apart from this, you should make sure that the tutoring company will not only provide you with the best services but also that you can get all the information that you need through the contact numbers that you have posted on their website.

How to Help a Child with ADHD Improve Focus and Task Completion

How to Help a Child with ADHD Improve Focus and Task Completion For students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), simple tasks such as getting ready for school and finishing a homework assignment can be a stressful battle. Eileen Huntingtonof Huntington Learning Center reminds parents of children with ADHD that approaching these issues with patience and consistency can make a tremendous difference. Your primary goal is to help your child be successful in spite of some of the challenges he or she faces with time management and attention, says Huntington. Sheoffers a few strategies for parents to keep ADHD students focused and on task: Focus on the positive. Negative attention and threats can exacerbate a problematic situation with an ADHD child. Instead, point out the things that your child is doing right and reward effort and positive behavior rather than solely focus on your childs failures. Use checklists for daily tasks and routines. Relying on checklists for multistep tasks can make a big difference for ADHD children, who tend to lose focus even during simple daily routines. For example, an after school checklist might include steps like empty backpack folders, hand Mom and Dad important papers, bring homework folder and pencils to desk and grab snack. Put tasks in order or even assign lengths of time. Use checklists for other routines as well, such as homework sessions and chores. Use timers. Its common for ADHD children to lose track of time or take a long time to complete uncomplicated tasks. Give your child a timer to use along with his or her daily checklist. Break down big tasks into smaller ones and assign time limits for each. For example, if your child can comfortably complete homework in 45 minutes, break down each subject even further: 15 minutes for math, 10 minutes for writing and 20 minutes for reading. Use focus-enhancing tools. Some settings and tools can promote concentration and keep children relaxed and focused. Does your child need a little background noise or music to concentrate? Does he or she prefer sitting on an exercise ball instead of a desk chair? Some ADHD students think best when fidgeting or playing with silly putty or another fidget/sensory toy or tool. Others are most successful when their workspace is clear and uncluttered. Pay attention to how your child works and talk about what could help. Boost your childs confidence. Children who struggle to get things done and stay focused often struggle with diminished confidence. Help your child recognize that which makes him or her special and always compliment his or her efforts and progress, no matter how small. Students with an ADHD diagnosis have to work hard to stay on task and focused. If you need help supporting your childs needs, call Huntington. Our ADHD instructional strategies and customized programs can help your child boost his or her skills and do better in school. Call 1 800 CAN LEARN today. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2016 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

10 Best Jobs for College Grads Who Want to Travel

10 Best Jobs for College Grads Who Want to Travel Photo Via: Pixabay.com 1. Photography Of course, you should know there are plenty of subsets of photography that don’t require significant travel (think wedding photographers, portrait photographers, etc.). That being said, many individuals that go into photography do so to travel to new and exciting places and to take photographs that are unique, creative and overall exceptional. If you have a passion for photography, the outdoors or travel/tourism, this might be a great path for you. Also consider, however, that it’s a difficult industry to get into, and once you are in, it can be quite competitive. This is to say that not every individual that opts to become a travel photographer is going to be successful. In fact, many live out of their own pockets and freelance for extra cash as they pursue their dreams. So if you have the flexibility, the funds and the drive, this is the perfect job for you!  2. Writing On this same note, travel writers are always in demand and have the opportunity to travel around the world for the simple need to inform others of places they should visit. There are several types of travel writers, including those working in the tourism industry to drive tourism in certain locations as well as news reporters who travel the world to tell stories that may not otherwise get around. Again, it’s important to note that becoming a travel writer is no easy task. While it’s simple enough to pick up a few freelance gigs here and there, they typically require travel on your own dime until you make a name for yourself. And even so, there’s no guarantee that your writing will drive any sales, which could mean you walk away with nothing. Travel writing is without a doubt fun and exciting work, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly, and you should both prepare yourself for failure and for travel to locations that you may not have an interest in. 3. Tourism and Recreation Perhaps one of the more obvious choices, tourism and recreation is a career path option that’s without a doubt a guarantee to travel to new and exciting locations. That being said, a career in this field typically requires a degree that speaks to the position you want to hold. While you can take a degree (such as a bachelor’s in English) and turn that into an HR career within a hotel chain, working directly in a company that focuses on driving tourism sales and improving the location requires a more specific education. In addition, the tourism industry isn’t exactly for everyone. The industry requires a dedication to the field, including guest services, which isn’t always a favorite. The industry certainly has a “customer is always right” mentality, which requires a high level of patience, and the industry isn’t always fun and games, but rather requires a strong knowledge of what does and doesn’t work in regards to drawing new customers to your location. The all being said, if this sounds like a career path that would work for you, you’ll certainly enjoy the travel aspect! 4. International Business One of the most common career paths of those who study abroad, International Business is a career path that can mean many things, but that will ultimately require a high level of international business trips. While that does sound exciting, there are a few items to consider here as well. For one thing, international travel requires long hours and can leave you away from home for weeks on end. In addition, traveling for work feels much different than traveling for recreational purposes, and it can be rather exhausting. Finally, it’s important to note that a business major isn’t easily obtained: the degree requires a lot of education, and moving up within a company in this field can require a significant amount of continued education well into your position. So while traveling may sound like a good idea, make sure you’re considering all facets of this career path, as it’s certainly going to be a challenging one. 5. Teaching Infographic Via: Canva No, not all teachers travel. In fact, there are very many that don’t. That being said, there are many perks to being a traveling teacher. To begin, teaching English as a second language opens the door for teachers to travel to other countries to teach. While the perks are certainly that you can travel and that you’re pursuing your passion, there are other elements to consider as well. For example, teaching English in foreign countries is challenging work, and the demand isn’t always in a location that you may want to visit. In fact, more often than not you may be required to travel to a location that you don’t want to go to at all. Another perk is that teaching abroad can sometimes result in paid tuition, as the demand is so high that teachers pursuing that career path are reimbursed for their education. That being said, this isn’t always the case, and such deals can leave you in violent and/or majorly depressed areas. In addition, you are typically required to stay throughout the school year, which means you are away from home for months on end. 6. Flight Attendant A relatively easy way to ensure you’ll always get to travel to new locations, becoming a flight attendant is a surefire way to get your traveling in. Flight attendants are constantly in the air, and while this may seem like a good thing, there are also some negatives to consider here as well. For one, you’re away from home all the time, sometimes required to stay overnight in new cities. You may also be required to work holidays and abnormal hours that impact your work-life balance. Finally, remember that flight attendants are in the service of assisting people, which means they are largely dealing in customer service. Again, customer service can be a thankless job and certainly isn’t for everyone. That all being said, working as a flight attendant means that you’ll be close with your co-workers, you’ll get free travel and you’ll get to visit new places that you may not have had the opportunity to visit otherwise. So enjoy! 7. Pilot With similar perks to becoming a flight attendant, becoming a pilot will ensure your salary is higher and that you still get to travel to new and exciting places, without the hassle. Of course, becoming a pilot is no cake walk. In fact, it requires a large amount of education, typically a significant amount of math and science courses that require an intelligent mind. Plus, there are the hours of flight school and other additional learning requirements that make it challenging to join this profession. With that said, pilots have the ability to fly a plane to new destinations, often resulting in vacations and getaways that you may not have had the opportunity for otherwise. Again, consider the difficulty in getting to this point, but once you’re there, this is certainly one of the best jobs for grads who want to travel. 8. Environmental Sciences Think marine biology, similar animal studies or the study of the environment as a whole. There are countless professions within this field, but the most important aspect is that a profession in this field can take you all around the world and back again, requiring a significant amount of travel, research and awe. Again, this isn’t an easy profession to get into. For many, specializations can take years and the travel may not be a constant. However, working in fields such as this allow you to pursue your passion and study animals and environments that are of interest to you, sometimes to the point of helping the environment in expanding our knowledge of it. While some individuals in this field may find themselves in one location, others travel the world to study natural environments, collect samples and simply observe nature and everything it has to offer in order to share that information/knowledge upon their return. Again, this is a career path that has so many subsets it’s impossible to keep up with, but once you find what you’re passionate about and move forward with it, there’s no doubt that you’ll be in one of the best jobs for grads who want to travel. 9. Cruise Ship Staff Often one of the last thought about professions in regards to travel, working on a cruise ship is a surefire way to work like every day is like a vacation. Working on a cruise ship can mean many things: medical staff, human resources, customer service, entertainment industry professional, lifeguard, chef, etc. (the list truly goes on forever). This is great news for those unsure of what they want to do in the future, or for those that know for sure but want to ensure travel is also incorporated into their career. Some downsides in relation to cruise ship working are that it requires you to live on the ship for quite some time, in small cabins, usually shared, which means that you aren’t really able to leave work and unwind for the day. In addition to constantly working, cruise ship employees aren’t always paid well, though it does depend largely on the field you choose to go into here. Also, consider that not all cruise line employees are on the ship; some individuals (such as those in marketing) actually work from an office on shore that doesn’t allow you to travel for work. Basically, working on a cruise ship can be tiring, but the benefits can also outweigh the cons so long as you truly love what you do and enjoy the travel aspect. 10. Nurse/Doctor Last, but definitely not least, working as a nurse/doctor typically means you work in a hospital in the location of your choice. That being said, there are options out there for travel, such as Doctors Without Borders. Granted, some of these are volunteer experiences, which isn’t always financially in the cards, but it does provide you with the opportunity to travel for the profession that you’ve worked hard to get into. Some cons to consider here are first the difficulty in becoming a doctor. Not only is the education challenging and competitive, it’s also important to note not all doctors/nurses are going to be eligible to travel, and that many won’t get that opportunity. In addition, not all travel work is positive, as there are some locations in which you’ll find the amount of help you can provide doesn’t at all suffice in sustaining a healthy environment. Of course, doctors are paid well (even if volunteering for a few months), and traveling to help other locations can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have the pleasure of partaking in. So as long as you have the ambition to pursue this career, you’ll be in one of the best jobs for grads who want to travel. Photo Via: Pixabay.com Again, traveling for work isn’t for everyone. That being said, for those that love to travel, having a career that requires a significant amount of travel might just be in your best interest. There are countless opportunities for travel-related jobs, regardless of your major: all it takes is a little research, time and energy on your part. So get started in planning your future and look into these best jobs for grads who want to travel; you won’t be disappointed!

Irvine Math Tutoring The Unit Circle - TutorNerds

Irvine Math Tutoring The Unit Circle - TutorNerds Irvine Math Tutoring Tips: The Unit Circle â€" Learning and Memorizing Made Easy! Irvine Math Tutoring Tips: The Unit Circle â€" Learning and Memorizing Made Easy! The Unit Circle is a staple of trigonometry and precalculus classes. It is a circle with a radius of one that is centered at the origin of a two-dimensional coordinate system. Essentially the simplest circle that we can put on our grid book your private Irvine math tutor today. Nearly every class will require students to memorize specific angles and they’re coordinates on this circle. For example, the “top” of the circle is at 90 ° (the angle is measured from the right side of the x-axis, or the “East” stem if you think of it as a compass) which is the point (0 , 1) since it is straight up and the unit circle has a radius of one. Similarly, we get (0, -1) at 270 ° at the bottom of the circle. The harder memorization comes in when you look at some of the points that are don’t lie perfectly on our axes. See an image of a typical unit circle below. image taken from Wikipedia, submitted by Jim.belk Here, we see the points we mentioned, but also a lot of pi symbols, radicals, and many fractions. This image can look quite daunting since most teachers expect you to be able to draw it yourself on command. So, let’s dissect how to learn it more easily with much less memorization. First, we need to know how to use radians (a way to measure angles without degrees). We won’t get into why radians are the way they are in this post, but you understand them on the unit circle. You’ll need to know two facts: A circle is 360 ° A circle is 2p radians With these two facts, we can convert between the two with some dimensional analysis. It’s like how knowing that 12 inches is 1 foot allows you to figure out that 4 feet is 48 inches. For some examples, here is how to find 30 ° in radians: Here we set up the fractions since we know that 2p is the same as 360 °. You cross multiply and divide to find x, simplifying the fraction at the end. Here is the same concept except converting from radians to degrees. Let’s say we have p/4 and want to find it in degrees: Here we had some more fractions to work with, but the pis cancel out to give us 45 °. Now back to the unit circle. The unit circle is better memorized as two circles instead of one. On one circle they count by 30 ° increments (which we just learned is equal to p/6 radians) and on the other, we count by 45 ° increments (which we also just learned is equal to p/4 radians). Here is circle number one: Notice the bold terms.   They all have a denominator of 6.   This circle corresponds to the blue lines we see on Wikipedia circle.   But notice how much easier it is to memorize in increments of p/6.   One p/6, Two p/6, Three p/6, Four p/6, etc. up until all the way around the circle is Twelve p/6.   The unit circle is just simplifying the fractions!   12 p/6 is just 2p since 12/6 = 2.   Just count the p/6’s around the circle and simplify the fractions.   Much simpler than memorizing all of those fractions. Now that we know the angles of the unit circle, we have to learn the coordinates at each angle.   The ones on the corners aren’t bad since those are just variations of -1, 0, and 1 and we can tell what the coordinate pair should be.   For the remaining 8 points, here are the only two numbers we need to memorize: Again, we won’t go into why these are the numbers since we’re just focused on memorization. Notice here that they both have a denominator of 2. Then, notice that v3 is larger than 1. Every coordinate point will be a combination of these points, so just look for which side is bigger. If the x side looks bigger (like in p/6), then the x side gets the v3/2 and the y side gets the 1/2. For 10p/6, notice that the longer side is in the y-direction and is going down. This means the y coordinate get the v3/2 and it is negative: (1/2, -v3/2). Notice now that the bold terms are all with a denominator of 4. Here we count by p/4’s instead of p/6’s. This circle corresponds to the red lines on the regular unit circle. Here we count increments of p/4 until we get to 8p/4 which is our full circle of two pi. Memorize that these are the two circles that are put on top of each other for the full unit circle. Both are just counting until you get to 2p. Now we’ll learn the coordinate points for this circle. The “corners are still the same as the blue circle ((1,0), (0,1), (-1,0), and (0,-1)), and we only have one number to memorize for the diagonal angles in between: All of the coordinates for these angles on the unit circle will be v2/2 for both x and y. Just don’t forget to include the negative signs when necessary. So, for example, 3p/4 will be (-v2/2, v2/2) and 5p/4 will be (-v2/2, -v2/2). If you can keep these two circles separate in your head it will significantly help you when drawing your own: and without the brute force memorization of every reduced fraction that many teachers suggest. Notice too that the diagonals of the orange circle fit perfectly between the diagonals of the blue circle since 45 ° is halfway between 30 ° and 60 °. Though memorization is still necessary, hopefully this guide will save you from mindlessly cramming and consequently forgetting your unit circle as you delve deeper into trigonometry. From trigonometry to statistics, our private Irvine math tutors are here to help. Call TutorNerds today to book you Irvine math tutor. Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

China UnionPay Chinas main bankcard payment system on italki

China UnionPay Chinas main bankcard payment system on italki ???: ?????????: ????? italki. Were excited to now offer China UnionPay on italki. China UnionPay is Chinas largest interbank payment network, and almost every ATM card in China supports China UnionPay. For many Chinese, paying with their bank card is one of the most convenient methods of purchasing products and transfering money. By simply going to any ATM machine, a person can use their card to directly transfer money to another card. When you use China UnionPay on italki youll first be taken to China UnionPays payment gateway. Afterwards, youll be asked to choose which bank issued your card. Each bank will have its own payment process most will let you transact online with your bankcard. We hope this allows more users in China to get access to italki teachers and italki marketplace partners. We also want to say keep paying attention to the blog, because we have many more improvements coming soon.

How Can You Benefit From Online Learning?

How Can You Benefit From Online Learning?If you are looking for reliable and affordable learning materials for your class or special interests, HCC Online Tutoring might be the right choice for you. The company offers varied means of learning which can not only help you in your studies but also give you the opportunity to make a contribution to the society. One can find numerous online learning services in the world today which give you access to a wide range of learning options. However, online tutoring has its own advantages and disadvantages which you need to be aware of before making a decision.The main advantage of online tutoring is that it helps students take full advantage of their time and allow them to focus on their studies without the need of remaining physically near the classes or listening to the students' comments while waiting for lectures. Since online tutoring services are available in different languages, the whole idea is that you do not have to learn a new langu age and you can just concentrate on your studies and study till you graduate. This means that you can save money and time on your educational activities.Another advantage of online learning is that you do not have to be present at the classrooms or teach a class yourself. You can take the entire course from home by means of online tutoring courses. Thus, you get the opportunity to spend more time on your education which would definitely enhance your learning abilities.Another advantage of online learning is that it allows you to interact with other students online and communicate with them. The communication tools available on online learning platforms are extensive, as they allow you to make your own profile, join and start chatting with other students and enjoy the same through a variety of chat channels. Thus, you get a chance to get in touch with the other students, who may actually help you out in your studies and provide you with a lot of information about your chosen subject or discipline.Another advantage of online learning is that you can also make use of the software which is provided by the company and can easily edit or even modify the contents, design the whole website and even get involved in the administrative tasks at the website itself. The company however, provides only an ideal platform in which students can post questions and solutions. They cannot provide you with answers nor can they make you comfortable as the online tutoring services usually lack the services of an actual teacher. Thus, you would have to answer your own questions which may sometimes be difficult to understand.Online tutoring services also offer other features such as some teachers are only available to take queries during the times when students are using the online service. This would help you in your studies as you can see what the teachers have to say and discuss with them on topics related to your study. However, you would have to pay an extra fee if you want to ava il of this option.Online tutoring services are the best way to stay ahead of your class and keep you focused in your studies. The good thing about online learning is that it could be the best way to learn, as it can help you make valuable contributions to the society and make you realize the value of education.

Tutoring Jobs in Barrington, Illinois

Tutoring Jobs in Barrington, IllinoisTutoring jobs in Barrington, Illinois are very important and growing every day. It is not only because of the people who need help. It is also because the economy has been struggling to cope with the increasing cost of living. This means many people are unable to pay their bills, which means they do not have enough money to take care of all the needs of their families.Barrington is a small town but a good one. Because of this, there are a number of services that the residents have to look out for. For example, schools need tutors to help students learn how to read and write. The neighbors and their kids need tutors to help them be able to get through high school. Doctors and other medical professionals need tutors to help them understand anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, biology, and other subjects.Taught abroad in other countries is another service that Barrington residents can offer. People can take lessons from tutors who live in another count ry, such as Spain, France, or India. You can ask for an apartment in Barrington for them to teach you English or French in the country you want to live.Tutoring jobs in Barrington are growing so fast that they need to be listed on the Internet so that more people will be able to apply for them. In order to make it easy for people to find them, the web site for this is Barrington Live. There are several types of tutoring that people can do.The most common jobs include teaching people how to read and write English and also help people to understand things like anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, and other subjects. Many tutors will teach others the art of music. People will be given tutoring in piano, guitar, or even singing.You can also learn to play the violin or even sing! Tutors will be giving you instructions on how to do all of these things in no time at all. It will also give you an idea of what it will be like to live in a new country where you know nothing.So if you want to le arn some English, want to go to college, or just want to help people through tutoring, you should check out Barrington. The neighborhood is good and there are a lot of wonderful things to do in the town. So if you're ready to start tutoring other people and becoming an awesome teacher, go ahead and start your new life in Barrington, Illinois!

What Are the Advantages to Using Online Tutors?

What Are the Advantages to Using Online Tutors?If you are thinking about getting a tutor to help you in your studies then you have come to the right place. The best places to find tutors are online and there are many advantages to choosing to work with online tutors. Here are some reasons why you should consider using an online tutor:You need to keep on top of your studies at all times and the only way to do this is by making sure that you are always looking for tutors to meet your needs. One thing you can do is look online for tutors and find out how they can help you. Some tutors will be cheaper than others and there are some who will be better than others. The good ones will charge a small fee for the time that they offer but you will also find that you have to commit yourself to a course for the whole period of the course.Tutors work 24 hours a day so you have to ensure that you do not miss out on your studies because of them being too busy. Some tutors will offer a two-week tria l period where you can check that they are good enough for you to work with. If you want to get an expert tutor then you need to make sure that you have chosen the right one for your needs.There are plenty of different tutors out there and it can be hard to choose the right one to help you. You can use the internet to see which tutors have been around for a while and which ones are new. This is a great way to ensure that you are not disappointed and you can decide which ones are most suitable for you. It can be hard to choose the perfect one so if you do not find the right one the first time, you can always ask for a second opinion.Many online tutors are very good at what they do and they can offer you a choice of different ways to study. You can choose between taking a course that will last for a week and then some that will last for two weeks. With the internet it is easier to understand how the process works and if you choose the option that will last for a week, you will have th e ability to continue working even if you do not have the time to study. This can be useful if you are feeling unwell or even when you are taking your children to school as you have time to look after them.If you find that you are struggling with your studies and you feel that you are struggling to get help, you may be able to go and visit a tutor but you will not be given a list of their qualifications. This is a small price to pay when you can go and sit down with someone who can offer you advice on studying. This can be beneficial as you can start to learn from someone who is better qualified than you.All of these points are important when you are looking to find the best tutors to work with in your studies. However, if you want to find the best tutors online then make sure that you choose the right one and do a bit of research before you buy.

Vocal Health Tips for Fall and Winter Part 1

Vocal Health Tips for Fall and Winter Part 1 Suzy S. Were in the height of the Fall season now, and Winter will be here before you know it! Before you get swept under by the holiday hustle-and-bustle, take a moment to review these vocal tips to keep you healthy during these colder months, courtesy of Seattle vocal teacher Nicole G... It’s my favorite time of year! The air is crisper and cooler, you’ve located your cozy fall jacket, you’ve started making hot oatmeal for breakfast. The heat may be turned on in the house, and you might be craving a hot cup of coffee to keep you awake on early morning routes to work. Or, you are managing a hectic school schedule, juggling homework, exam studying, play or musical rehearsal, a part-time job, sports practice, community service, college coursework, family time, holiday preparations, a social life… you name it! Busy. We are ALL busy people in our own ways, especially during this time of year. Yet even in the midst of this energetic daily buzz of life, it is EXTREMELY important to be taking care of our bodies, and clearly, our voices! Sometimes we get caught up in the craziness of our schedules. As singers and as people who use our voices constantly every day, we need to be aware of how to tend to our special, personal instruments. Below are several vocal health tips to help you take care of yourself in the best possible manner 1) Hydration is essential! Drink plenty of water. It is recommended to drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day. During the winter months, the air is drier, with little humidity or moisture in the air. It is especially important to maintain hydration in the winter months. You may be in the bathroom more frequently, but your vocal folds will be MUCH happier. If you drink coffee, tea, alcohol or any liquid containing caffeine, it is vital that you drink one glass of water (or more) to counteract the caffeine. This recommendation applies to everyone, not just singers! Caffeine is a stimulant, and while it keeps our energy up, it also dries out our vocal folds. 2) Strive to get enough sleep. When we are busy, sleep is often the first thing that gets the short stick. Everyone requires a different amount of sleep in order to function. In the same vein, a lack of sleep has a direct effect on the functioning of the voice (and your brain!). I highly encourage taking naps, if possible. It’s important to listen to your body’s needs. 3) Avoid using the phone at night. Most people arent aware of how they are using their breath and throat while speaking on the phone. When we’re calling a friend, study partner, relative, coworker or significant other, we are usually in a very different mindset than when we’re in a voice lesson or practicing. Because we don’t need to project, and because we have other things on our minds, we may fall into the habit of talking lazily or not loudly enough into the mic of a phone, which can tire out the voice rather quickly. By talking lazily, I mean using less air than we are equipped with, or unintentionally tightening the throat. 4) Be aware of your posture. Are you carrying a heavy backpack around between classes? Are you standing or sitting at a work desk frequently during the day? We often collapse our chests while carrying something heavy or while sitting in front of a computer. Keep checking in with your body throughout the day to make sure you stay upright and are leading from the sternum (the breast bone). The head can also unintentionally tip backward or jut forward. It’s best if your head feels as if it is floating on your spine. 5) Avoid clearing your throat during speech or after coughing; swallow instead. As the climate changes, its easy to feel “under the weather,” and we may start to clear our throats more. When you clear your throat, you are basically smacking your vocal folds together, which is abrasive. This can create a “repetitive stress injury” in the voice box, known as the larynx. Swallowing is a much healthier alternative to clearing your throat. You might also like To Sing, or Not to Sing: The Sore Throat Dilemma 5 Bad Habits That Are Wrecking Your Vocal Cords Can Yoga Help You Sing Better? Nicole G. teaches singing, music theory, Opera voice and speaking voice lessons to students of all ages in Seattle, WA. With her Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance from Ithica College School of Music, she is now pursuing a professional certificate program at Cornish College of the Arts. She joined the TakeLessons team in October 2012. Learn more about Nicole, or search for a teacher near you and sign up today! Photo by Dricker94