Soft Skills Every Introvert Needs to Master - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Soft Skills Every Introvert Needs to Master - Introvert Whisperer Soft Skills Every Introvert Needs to Master We as introvert often consider the fact that maybe it is too late for us to make a change in ourselves. Instead of harboring such unproductive thoughts, we need a positive frame of mind about practicing and perfecting new soft skills. So what are these soft skills introverts need to master? Develop Organized Thought Process Communication can sometimes become repetitive and redundant. You have to find ways to make it fun and lively. You must be cognizant of the words you want to use to express your thoughts. There is no harm in taking half a second more to process your feelings. Since introverts, we need to make sure that we can communicate what we want to say explicitly. The momentary silence is often helpful in letting you focus on the conversation instead of slipping away words that you may not have wanted to say. Stop Complaining and Start Smiling   If you have ever read the book, “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living?” by Dale Carnegie, you must have read the chapter focusing on “not to cry over spilled milk.” This particular chapter discusses the story of a professor who teaches people how to stop worrying. Every time the professor walks into the class, he has a glass of milk on the table. He picks up that glass and drops it onto the floor. Everyone in the classroom becomes uneasy at what the professor just did. Later, the professor explains to the students, no matter how much he may whine, complain, or regret, that would not bring back the milk. Therefore, always smile to radiate positivity that can help everyone stay positive and focused. Learn to Forgive Yourself   We often face stressful situations in life where we are unable to make a decision. However, we may not always make smart choices. Sometimes, we tend to make decisions that do not go the way we would have liked. It is OK not to make all the decisions perfect in life. We must give room to ourselves to accept our mistakes and grow out of them. There is no point living in the shadows of past regrets. Unless we can break the shackles of the memories of our bad decisions, we will keep on struggling to find a way forward. Learn to forgive yourself and move forward with all your heart, passion and tenacity to surmount challenges in life. Practice Starting Conversations by Asking Questions   Sometimes, we introverts are too shy to break the ice and start a conversation. Some individuals may not agree. But many believe that it is difficult to start a new discussion, particularly with a stranger or person who we do not know that well. One way of doing that is by asking questions and getting inquisitive about other people’s lives. When you take an interest in other person’s life, they would be more than happy to share their stories. They would be able to share their observations and would be glad to enjoy your company. You would often read the usual career related soft skills that people often ask us to master. But as an introvert person, most of us have these non-existent fears or limitations that if we can overcome, can help us grow as individuals. Author Bio: 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

Tools for Crochet

Tools for Crochet The Tools You Need to Crochet ChaptersGetting Started with Crochet: Crochet HooksWhich Yarn Should You Start Crocheting with?Useful Tools when Getting Started with Crochet“Those who think chocolate is addictive have clearly never tried crochet.” - AnonymousAccording to a study Betsan Corkhill, 81% of women feel happier after they’ve been knitting or doing crochet. Knitting and crochet are great ways to reduce stress and they also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.Handmade fashion is in a resurgence at the moment and many young adults have found a passion for crafts.Are you a fan? Why not learn how to crochet?In this article, we’re looking at exactly what you’ll need to start doing crochet. RaySewing Teacher 5.00 (6) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PrincessSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnaSewing Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArianwenSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ShaziaSewing T eacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZanetaSewing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GianmariaSewing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JacquelineSewing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGetting Started with Crochet: Crochet HooksTo learn to knit, you’ll need knitting needles. To crochet, you’ll need a crochet hook. So far, so good.You can make a lot of the same things either by knitting or by crochet. (Source: FeeLoona)Wait, just one hook?Of course! Unlike knitting, you only need a single crochet hook. The technique is different from knitting.So before you start making a snood, an amigurumi soft toy, or lampshade, you’ll need to choose the right crochet hook and for this, you'll need a bit of help!There are plenty of different materials, diameters, and sizes, and choosing the right crochet hook is half the battle. Fortunately, we’re here to help you!What Does a Crochet Hook Consist of?Firstly, keep in mind that there are a lot of differences between crochet and knitting. Crochet hooks aren’t like knitting needles, for one.A crochet needle is made up of:A headA shaftA handleThe head has a point at the end, allowing you to hook onto a loop. It can be pointed or flat or anything in between. The pointier it is, the easier it is to hook a loop in a tight-knit. If you want to crochet lace, you’ll want a flat head so that you don’t damage the lace.After the head, there’s the throat, this allows you to keep a hold on the yarn or thread. Choose a throat that the yarn won’t come off of. Above the throat, there’s the lip. This is the part directly above the throat.  You can get an inlined head or a tapered head. For more precision, an inlined hook is recommended.Find sewing classes near me.The shaft joins the head to the handle. This is the part that determines the crochet hook’s diameter. It can be short or long. A short shaft will restrict the number of l oops you can do. For consistent loops, you’ll want a straight shaft.When it comes to handles, you can get everything from minimalist handles to thumb rests, grips, and ergonomic crochet needles. It’s important to consider the handle since it’ll affect the weight of the crochet hook. Thumb rests can be very practical for some and very annoying for others. It all depends on how you hold your crochet hook. You’ll need to try out a few different ones.If you can't decide, you can always get a crochet hook set or a crochet set that comes with crochet supplies.There are plenty of great reasons to crochet.Choosing the MaterialSteel crochet hooks are used for fine work like lace doilies, for example. You can also use an aluminium crochet hook for this.For a tight-knit, you'll need a small crochet hook. (Source: xxolgaxx)For less delicate crochet projects like scarves, jumpers, or hats with thick yarn, you can use bamboo or plastic crochet hooks.  If you want to start making a tablecl oth or a rug, it’s recommended that you work with plastic crochet hooks.To get started, plastic crochet hooks are cheaper but tend to start with a 0.6cm diameter. If your budget allows it, we recommend getting a size 4 or 5 wooden or aluminium crochet hook.Different DiametersJust like with knitting needles, crochet hooks have a number that defines their diameter. A hook with a 4 will be 0.4cm in diameter. Thus, the bigger the number, the thicker the hook is and the bigger your loops will be. When it comes to wool, they tend to mention the diameter you should use. Beginners should opt for 0.4 or 0.5cm diameter hooks so that they can see the loops.  As you gain experience, you’ll be able to tell which diameter you’ll need depending on how tightly-knit you want your project to be.A crochet hook is also smaller than a knitting needle. They tend to be between 12.5cm and 20cm in length and 15cm hooks are recommended for beginners.Look for sewing classes London.Where Can You Buy Croc het Hooks?There are plenty of craft stores where you can buy crochet hooks in the UK. There are also plenty of websites.  You’ll pay anywhere from a couple of quid to around £15 depending on the material and design. You can also get crochet hook kits with several hooks in.Which Yarn Should You Start Crocheting with?The type of yarn or crochet thread will depend on your project. If you’re making an item of clothing, you’ll probably want a soft material.There are plenty of different wools to choose from. (Source: wilhei)When you get started, you should pick a project that you really want to make. Start off with something quick and simple so that you don’t get discouraged like a cushion cover, lampshade, soft toy, or a headband.Choose the yarn according to what you’re making. Most crochet tutorials and patterns will tell you which material and the thickness you’ll need. Buy just what you need so you can see if crochet is for you or not. You don’t need to stock a haberdas hery when you’re just getting started.Even though certain yarns are recommended for certain projects, you should also remember that there’s an element of personal preference to consider. Trust in yourself since the goal is to enjoy yourself, after all. Nevertheless, we’re here to help you get started and it’s better to start off with a simple material that’s easy to crochet.Choose a single colour so that it’s easier to see your work. Forget about thick wool as it tend to unravel and are tricky for beginners to work with. Soft cotton thread is easier to crochet with.You’ll soon get the hang of it and you’ll be able to make whatever you want.Useful Tools when Getting Started with CrochetEven though you can crochet with just a hook and some thread, there are some tools that’ll make your life easier.While a crochet hook and wool are the most important, there are also other important crochet tools you can get. (Source: Semevent)Crochet ScissorsYou’ll probably end up n eeding some scissors when you crochet. Choose a smallish pair of scissors, the same size as the ones you’d have in primary school, for example. These can be useful for cutting your thread at the end.Wool NeedleIf you knit, you’ll know what we’re talking about and you probably won’t need to invest in one. A metal or plastic wool needle is useful for hiding the ends of the wool or thread in your creations.Practical, isn’t it?Stitch MarkersEven if clips or safety pins do the job, stitch markers in different colours can help you differentiate the threads used.  As their name indicates, their job is to indicate the specific parts of your work, such as where you should change thread or increase or decrease.Measuring TapeEvery good seamstress knows that measuring is everything and a measuring tape will help you a lot when you crochet. It’s always a good idea to measure your yarn before you start a project.Now that you know what you’ll need, you’re ready to get started.So wh ich hook are you going to use?If you want to learn more about how to do Tunisian crochet, Afghan crochet, tapestry, embellishment, knitting, or needlework, consider getting in touch with a private tutor. Whether you need help choosing your crochet thread, crochet kits, or craft yarn, they'll be able to help you with choosing a crochet kit and teaching you the techniques you'll need to get started!On Superprof, there are three main types of tutorial on offer: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each type has its pros and cons and the best one for you will depend on your budget and goals.Group tutorials are usually the cheapest because you're sharing the cost of the tutor's time with the other students in attendance.Face-to-face tutorials tend to be the most expensive (and cost-effective) as the tutor's all yours for the lesson and they'll be creating bespoke lessons for you.Finally, if you want a one-on-one tutorial for less or can't find a suitable tutor w here you live, online tutorials are great because they can be taught from anywhere in the world. All you need is a webcam and a decent internet connection!

The Parts of a Drum Kit

The Parts of a Drum Kit A Guide the Main Parts of a Drum Set ChaptersHistory of the Drum KitWhat are the Parts of a Standard Acoustic Drum SetElectronic Drum SetsIf you decide to study percussion, especially modern drumming, you will be confronted with drum kits - different types of drum set up so they can all be played by one drummer. drummers using it were called trap drummers. While the overhang pedal for the bass drum was known since the 1870s, it was not immediately popular, many drummers preferring to continue in the double-drumming style. As more and more companies offered solutions for a drum pedal, the bass drum became the kick drum, liberating the hands for more complicated fills and drum rolls with the snares.These pedals were often rather slow or unreliable in their timing until the Ludwig Ludwig Co. patented the first truly reliable bass drum pedal in 1909. Now nothing stood in the way of the full potential of the kick drum.Very often, early trap sets were set up by each individual drummer, and while the combination of instrument s - snare and bass - was fairly common, stands or traps could hold any combination of toms, gongs, tambourines… and, in fact, still can.Also discover the different components that make up a modern drum set!  A drum kit or trap set from a band in 1928. Photo credit: State Library of Queensland, Australia on Visual huntThe basic modern drum kit, though, arose in the 1920s vaudeville bands. Baby Dodds, a drummer playing riverboats on the Mississippi with Louis Armstrong, hung a side cymbal over the bass drum - the first ride cymbal. The Ludwig Company invented a lower version of the hi-hat after observing Dodds tapping with his left foot; Dodds then suggested it be raised so it could be easier to play.And so one man had a hand in the invention of both signature drum-set cymbals.Big-Band Era drum setsWith a new sound becoming popular in the 1930s - due in part to the popularity of radio - a new drum sound was needed, and drum kits expanded to include not only the snare and bass drums, but also tom-tom drums; a China cymbal and small crash cymbals became popular additions. But the basic big band drum set soon became established as:Bass drumSnare drumTom-tomFloor tomHi-hats in various iterationsEventually, the large floor toms got fitted with legs, and “consolettes” made it possible to add smaller drums (usually tom-toms called “ride toms”) above the bass drum.As be-bop evolved, the trend led away from the big drums toward a sound that wasn’t quite as loud. Mostly this meant smaller drum sizes and the popularisation of the ride cymbal. Be-bop bands also pioneered the use of a double bass drum.Discover famous drummers of rock and jazz that you could learn from!Rock drummingWith rock'n’roll, bigger drum kits became popular once more, many drummers, especially in the 1980s, using a highly-personalised drum kit with a great many different drums and cymbals.Drum kits can be expanded at will - with as many drums and cymbals as you like. Photo credit: kamalab oulhosn on VisualhuntWhat are the Parts of a Standard Acoustic Drum SetAs a beginner drummer, you won’t need to worry about unusual and eclectic drums such as timbales, congo drums or tambourines. You should start out with a basic drum set to learn your craft; you can always expand later on.The components of an acoustic drum kit are:DrumsStands for the drums, also called a rackCymbalsCymbal standPedalsSticks, mallets and brushesSeat for the drummer called the drum throne.A lot of children start out with a very simple three-piece drum set, comprised of:Snare drumBass drumHanging tomHi-hatsHanging cymbal(The “pieces” refer to the drums, not the cymbals).What easy drum pieces can beginners learn to play the drum to?A junior drum set with bas drum, snare and one tom, with a single cymbal - perfect when you are just starting out. Photo credit: mikecogh on VisualHunt.comThis is extremely basic, and while there are many easy drum songs you can learn that don’t go beyond that, if yo u take drumming and drumming lessons seriously you will eventually want to invest in a five-piece kit or another drum set.A five-piece kit includes:Bass drumSnare drumThree toms of different sizes: low, middle and high pitch. All can be hanging toms, or one can be a floor tom. The exact constellation will depend on whether you want to play jazz, rock or fusion music.2 crash cymbalsA hi-hat standEffects cymbals (optional)Let’s have a closer look at the individual drums and the different sounds they contribute to the kit.Snare drumsSnare drums are double-headed drums with wires strung under the lower drum head and tensioned. Also called side drums, snares have drum shells that can be made out of wood, metal, acrylic or fibreglass. Drum skin tension is achieved by the use of tensions rods.It is very sensitive and responsive and can be played very subtly to great effect, but also produce loud cracking sounds, especially if hit on its metal rim. It is often used for the backbeat.You ca n play the snare with sticks, brushes or mallets.There are almost infinite variations on the snare drum, from the Highland snare, piccolo snare to the tarol snare.Do you know where the snare fits into the history of drums and drumming?Bass drumsBass drums are generally double-headed. They have a cylindrical body where the diameter is greater than its depth.Bass drums come in three main variations:Concert bass drums usually mounted on a stand  where the angle of the drum can be adjusted.Kick drums mounted vertically on a floor stand and beaten with a bass drum pedal.Pitched bass drums tuned to a specific pitch and generally worn in a harness in marching bands. Often a single cymbal is attached to it.The bass drum is stricken by a heavy felt-covered mallet; two matching mallets or a double-headed mallet is used for drum rolls. On kick drums, this mallet is attached to the foot pedal.When hung vertically, it might be played with a mallet in one hand and a rute in the other.Bass drums h ave a deep sound. It is often played on beats one and three, contrasting with the backbeat (two, four) of the other drums.Tom drumsA tom-tom (a term that supposedly comes from India) is a cylindrical drum. Unlike the snare, it has no snare wires; there are one-headed and two-headed variations.Toms are usually used for fills.A nice view of well-loved drums: hanging toms, snare and a floor tom (and tons of cymbals). Photo credit: Travis Estell on Visual huntThe first examples had no rims, but as metal tensioning elements appeared, so did, eventually, the rim.Hanging toms or rack toms are mounted on high stands; racks can take more than one drum. Floor toms are set on short feet. A floor tom is not quite as deep as a bass drum, but more resonant.CymbalsA drum set typically has several cymbals; at least two, with any number of additions:A hi-hat cymbalA crash cymbalA ride cymbalEffect cymbalsElectronic Drum SetsElectronic sets have the advantage of full volume control - you can get the energy of hitting hard  without blowing away the ears of little old ladies intent on their afternoon tea. You can even listen to them with headphones.They include:A drum module that processes the data and turns it into sound.Drum pads with trigger pads that can be programmed to the sound you want. This is not necessarily a version of acoustic drums, but can be any sound you want. Rhythmic squeaking mouse is seldom called for, but it is possible on an electronic drum. They are usually organised the way the drums would be on an acoustic drum rack.Rubber cymbals.Electronic drums are particularly useful if you want absolute control over the volume of your drums or if you want to reproduce a sound that cannot be made by other modern instruments.Electronic drum sets are made to look a lot like acoustic kits. Photo credit: Christian Steen on Visual HuntHowever, tapping the trigger pads does not have exactly the same feel as drumming on acoustic drums. You will be lacking feedback from your sticks.It is possible to attach specially-made trigger pads to a traditional drum set for a hybrid drumming experience.In the course of your drum lessons, your Superprof drum instructor may recommend such a kit!Now learn more facts about drums...

Brain Rules 6 Ways to Improve Brain Function

Brain Rules 6 Ways to Improve Brain Function Improving Academic Performance In Brain Rules, John Medina, a molecular biologist and student of the brain, dissects the way our brains work, providing practical tips and advice for how to harness your brain’s ability to learn and grow to be more successful in every avenue of life from school to work and more. Oftentimes, students feel that the only way they can improve academically or enhance their performance on exams is by taking an expensive course or hiring a tutor, someone else to teach them. While seeking-out academic help is certainly important and can help you make great strides, there are many things you can do on your own to improve your brain function and ability to better comprehend and recall information. SURVIVAL Overtime, human’s brains have evolved as a survival mechanism from initially being used for necessities such as breathing and keeping us alive to a brain ideal for dissecting complex subjects and problem solving. Humans’ ability to relate to each other became our chief survival tool. By building relationships and creating alliances with others we are best able to learn, grow and problem solve. The same way that humans in the past worked together to survive the environment and a changing ecological landscape, today those same relationships serve us both at school and in the workplace. In our learning environments relationships are equally as important. How many times has a teacher or professor you perceive as being condescending led you to clam up and not seek out help. Under such a circumstance the student does not feel trust, but rather judgement and isolation. Obviously, this is not the ideal scenario for a productive learning environment. When choosing a private tutor or even study partner, you must feel comfortable, you’ll be unable to work successfully with someone who makes you feel self-conscious or insecure GENDER Male and female brains are different. Even something as simple as our gender can affect the ways we process information. Anatomically, male and female brains are different. Due to the different make-up of their brains men and women process information differently. Men tend to take in information and get the gist of it, while women are more inclined to recall more details about any given subject. On the surface, this may not have much to do with learning and retention, but students can put this knowledge to great use. We all recognize that over the course of our educational careers we have a greater affinity for certain professors or instructors over others. Think back to your favorite teacher, was she a big picture type of instructor or did she use plenty of details to paint a picture of the course material? In general, when reading a passage or watching a presentation, are you more likely to recall the main idea of the reading or do certain descriptive details stays with you? By recognizing how you absorb and retain information you can become more efficient while studying. SHORT LONG-TERM MEMORY Once you recognize the ways you absorb information you can work on methods to help you retain this information. We forget much of what we hear within 30 seconds if it’s not repeated. Therefore, it’s imperative to repeat the information in a variety of ways to remember it. This could be as simple as hearing a phone number and repeating it to ourselves over and over until we can jot it down, this goes into our short-term memory. We are essentially encoding the information in our brains to be retrieved later. If we no longer need the information, its purged from our brain. The more intricately we encode information the better it will be remembered. During infancy and childhood, we often learn songs or chants to remember parts of our body, manners, multiplication tables etc. As we grew we began to employ mnemonic devices to help us remember things like the order of operations when working an algebra problem. These mechanisms are more elaborate tools used to help us encode data into our brains. Eventually, if we repeat information long enough and consistently, we can commit it to our long-term memory. But, this takes much more time, sometimes as long as years. It’s said that information learned in the first grade is not completely formed until your sophomore year of high school! Use tools such as repetition and mnemonic devices to help you retain information. STRESS Our bodies were built to handle stress for short periods of time, as we encounter obstacles which will heighten our stress only so long as we problem solve to find a solution. The human brain and body are not built to endure on-going or chronic stress and eventually this type of stress can have a dangerous impact on our brains leading to such serious health events as cardiac arrest, stroke or damage to the hippocampus region of the brain leading to memory problems. Outside of chronic stress, there are forms of emotional stress which can leave you feeling hopeless when things are beyond your control. This type of stress hampers out ability to learn or perform at work. Take measures to keep your stress levels in check, it is hard enough to study and retain information when we are in the right frame of mind. It can prove almost impossible to concentrate when we are under a lot of stress. How can we limit stress? By being vigilant about those things we do have control over. Don’t procrastinate, when we wait until the last minute to cram for a test or pull an all-nighter to complete an assignment we are not only putting ourselves under emotional stress but our bodies under physical stress, this includes a lack of sleep or poor eating habits as we skip meals or fill up on junk and caffeine as we try to power through cram sessions. VISION Vision trumps all our other senses, we remember most, what we see. If you hear a piece of information, 3 days later you will only remember 10% of it. If you are introduced to that information with an accompanying picture, 3 days later you will remember 65% of it! It’s as if our brain takes a snap-shot of the picture and stores it, allowing us to recall the information we have associated with the picture. How do we incorporate this into our studying and retaining of information? When taking notes incorporate more diagrams and flow charts, whenever possible use a picture representation of an event or process. This way, when studying you can quickly pick out visual cues to help jog your memory about the subject matter.

MyGuru Adds Six More Experienced Tutors to its Team

MyGuru Adds Six More Experienced Tutors to its Team Improving Academic Performance MyGuru announced today that six more tutors have been accepted as members of its independently contracted tutoring team. Only 1 in 10 interested applicants is ultimately accepted as a tutor for MyGuru. As a boutique tutoring company, we don't aim to constantly expand our list of available tutors - we bring tutors onto the team only when they are truly exceptional and able to increase ouroverall quality level. David A.David is aUniversity economics lecturer with 7 years of experience tutoring high school, college and graduate students. He'searned a BS in Mathematics, Statistics and Economics, as well as a MS in Economics - all from theUniversity of Chicago. He is currently pursuing Ph.D. studies in Economics at Northwestern University in Evanston. He specializes in Mathematics, Economics, and Statistics, but is also capable of tutoring finance and accounting at the undergraduate and graduate level.Irina V.Irina is a graduate student in Mathematics at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She attended UIC as an undergrad, majoring in Mathematics and Statistics and obtaining a minor in Chemistry. She also attended Lincoln Park High School- where she achieved International Baccalaureate Diploma and AP Honors. Her tutoring experience includes the Math Learning Center UIC- Calculus I, II, III and Statistics (2010), Chemistry Research Aid-data processing and representation for Driver Group at UIC (2009-2010) and Jungman Elemetary-8th grade mathematics (2010), as well as Lincoln Park High School-Peer tutoring in mathematics and chemistry (2007-2009). She also tutors privately.Sonia C.Sonia attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa), graduating with a B.A. in French. She is fluent in French, and is currently a JD (law) student at the University of Iowa. She specializes in LSAT, Mathematics, and Political Science.Lauren H.Lauren holds a JD (155 on her LSAT) and an MBA from Valparaiso University in Indiana, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio. She has held positions as a teaching assistant, teacher (Job Corps), and private economics tutor.Minaz M.Minaz is a certified public accountant (CPA), with an MBA in Finance from St. Johns University in New York (3.8/4.0 GPA). He served as an Accounting Instructor at St John, and has privately tutored students in a variety of mathematics and accounting related subjects.Olga L.Olga is a graduate of Loyola University-Chicago (Biological Sciences) who scored an 11 on both sections of the MCAT. She has tutored privately for many years in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology courses, as well as for the ACT and SAT.

Mental Health in College What to look out for

Mental Health in College What to look out for A stack of books waiting to be read by Anna Smith College can be a stressful time for people. For some it may be their first time living on their own for an extended period of time. The academic pressure is high and the social scene can be unhealthy. The following are some things to look out forfor both yourself and for others: 1. Depression Depression is probably one of the most common mental health disorders and has received a lot of attention. Yet many are still unaware of just how debilitating it can be. Signs of depression include: loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities, loss of appetite, fatigue, low mood, difficult concentrating and sleep changes. Depression has many forms but they should all be taken seriously. 2. Anxiety Anxiety is another common problem for college students, especially with the push to take more classes, join clubs and apply and enter the job market. It is important to take time to relax even if it is only a few minutes. Common signs of anxiety are panicky feelings, restlessness, hypervigilance, trouble concentrating and feelings of worry or dread. People tend to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders as something that an individual should just get over, but anxiety can be just as  debilitating  as depression and is a problem for many people. 3. Eating Disorders Eating disorders are particularly a problem for women, but men are becoming increasingly affected by eating disorders. There are many types of eating disorders and the longer they go untreated the more entrenched they become. Early detection and intervention can save lives. Anorexia Nervosa is the number one cause of death for women between the ages of 16 and 24 in the mental health field. Signs of eating disorders are drastic change in weight or eating habits, fear of food, excessive cutting of food, restricting or binging, overexercising, avoiding certain foods, guilt associated with food or weight or body shape, feeling fat when you are not, fear of becoming fat and purging, using laxatives/diuretics or other methods of making up for intake. If you or someone you know show any of these symptoms please take the step and speak to someone. The counseling center is always able to provide more information and there are various support groups available such as the Red Tent and Active Minds. Take action, you could save someones life and help them get better.

italki Team Language Challenge Week 6 Update FINAL UPDATE!

italki Team Language Challenge Week 6 Update FINAL UPDATE! The italki team is taking  the 2015 New Years Language Challenge How much Chinese can they learn in 20 hours? 3 members of the team at italki are taking the language challenge to improve their skill in Mandarin. Each of them will have 20 hours of lessons between January and February. Can you do better than them?  Check out their original Public Video Pledges that they made at the beginning of the Challenge  here. Week 6 Updates Aimé, Intern Week 6 I finished the Language Challenge last week already, and besides that, I finished my internship at italki!   It was a great experience living and working in Shanghai and learning Chinese as part of the Language Challenge.  I hope everyone else out there is feeling really proud of their progress! Josie, Services Week 6 I am done! I have completed my 20 hours! I did successfully complete my 20 hours for my Challenge goal, but I haven’t finished writing down all of my vocabulary. But, I am writing it all down, so it’s 20 hours worth of notes that I’m cleaning up and putting into one book ?? I rewarded myself with some good rest! It was nice to relax and not think about sessions for a few days. Then, I  finished cleaning up my notes and even squeezed in a cheeky last session before the 28th. My last goal for this week was to  complete my notebook with all of my notes, and use colours and pictures to help me memorize! It was nice to finish before the end, so I didn’t have to stress out. Its great to see how much Ive really improved! Karthik, Data Scientist Week 6 I  did it!  1 hour every day for 5 days got me to 20 hours! I wanted to take 10 hours last week, and I took 5 hours instead, so I met my weekly goal halfway. Even though I didn’t complete 10 hours, 5 hours is still a lot of language learning (for me). So, I got myself a pint of Salted Caramel Ice Cream and enjoyed! My goal for this final week was to do the last  5 hours of lessons in the last  5 days to complete the language challenge. I realized that, for me, in order to finish the challenge, I should do two things: 1. Buy Packages, not Individual Sessions 2. Schedule Lessons as far in advance as I can possibly plan I know that if I do these two things, I will definitely attend, because I have already made time for it in my schedule. I wish I had realized this earlier.  But, it still worked out in the end. If my strategy had been to buy 20 individual lessons, instead of two 10-lesson packages, I don’t think I would have been disciplined enough to finish the challenge.  Good thing I did this in the last week! italki Team Language Challenge Week 6 Update FINAL UPDATE! The italki team is taking  the 2015 New Years Language Challenge How much Chinese can they learn in 20 hours? 3 members of the team at italki are taking the language challenge to improve their skill in Mandarin. Each of them will have 20 hours of lessons between January and February. Can you do better than them?  Check out their original Public Video Pledges that they made at the beginning of the Challenge  here. Week 6 Updates Aimé, Intern Week 6 I finished the Language Challenge last week already, and besides that, I finished my internship at italki!   It was a great experience living and working in Shanghai and learning Chinese as part of the Language Challenge.  I hope everyone else out there is feeling really proud of their progress! Josie, Services Week 6 I am done! I have completed my 20 hours! I did successfully complete my 20 hours for my Challenge goal, but I haven’t finished writing down all of my vocabulary. But, I am writing it all down, so it’s 20 hours worth of notes that I’m cleaning up and putting into one book ?? I rewarded myself with some good rest! It was nice to relax and not think about sessions for a few days. Then, I  finished cleaning up my notes and even squeezed in a cheeky last session before the 28th. My last goal for this week was to  complete my notebook with all of my notes, and use colours and pictures to help me memorize! It was nice to finish before the end, so I didn’t have to stress out. Its great to see how much Ive really improved! Karthik, Data Scientist Week 6 I  did it!  1 hour every day for 5 days got me to 20 hours! I wanted to take 10 hours last week, and I took 5 hours instead, so I met my weekly goal halfway. Even though I didn’t complete 10 hours, 5 hours is still a lot of language learning (for me). So, I got myself a pint of Salted Caramel Ice Cream and enjoyed! My goal for this final week was to do the last  5 hours of lessons in the last  5 days to complete the language challenge. I realized that, for me, in order to finish the challenge, I should do two things: 1. Buy Packages, not Individual Sessions 2. Schedule Lessons as far in advance as I can possibly plan I know that if I do these two things, I will definitely attend, because I have already made time for it in my schedule. I wish I had realized this earlier.  But, it still worked out in the end. If my strategy had been to buy 20 individual lessons, instead of two 10-lesson packages, I don’t think I would have been disciplined enough to finish the challenge.  Good thing I did this in the last week!