The Chemistry Station- Fallout New Vegas

The Chemistry Station- Fallout New VegasThere is a lot to talk about in the Fallout New Vegas add-on, The Chemistry Station. The game was not without its problems but the graphics and art-style were a lot more awesome than what I remembered. It took a few times playing the game before I understood why there are so many weapons in the game. I had to play for several hours to grasp the fact that weapons are hidden in many places, thus making it easier to find them without actually using it.To start with, the first thing you need to do in The Chemistry Station is to look for a vending machine that has a random radioactive item inside it. You need to loot this machine to get the Radaway and Rad-X that can be crafted to create various different items like ammo, weapons, the ingredients and stimpaks. Rad-X can also be used to turn humans into Super Mutants and the Radaway can be used to clean human corpses. The Vending Machine in New Vegas has a special item that can be crafted to transfor m an area into a more hostile atmosphere. It does not work in all areas though.That's not all though because once you get the crafting item you need to run up and pick a fight with one of the raiders in the area and make sure they don't blend in well in the future. After picking a fight you need to disarm all the looters or else they will keep coming back for more until you find them. Keep running around the city shooting the looters and running away.Radiation is deadly in Fallout. Most of the game requires you to run for your life from any radiation that gets near you or your party members. When you are in combat all you need to do is crouch and hold the right button to survive the damage and go all out for the kill. If you do the normal thing you will never hit the enemy and if you hit them they will just heal. Use the 'Full Power' weapon to do a huge amount of damage to the enemies.I was surprised to see how many gun holsters you can find in Fallout. All the ones I saw were very similar in appearance to a guitar pick but I did find that when I use the weapon to throw on my back I still won't drop the gun. In the end you have to mix up your musical weapon and the body pillow to ensure that the V.A.T.S. won't only swing at enemies, but fall short on your target.The Chemist station in The Chemistry Station is not as great as other games I've played like Dishonored and L.A. Noire. I never really used it for crafting since I didn't see the point of making weapons when there are better weapons available. The only thing that you can make with the Chemist station is explosives. I found that there was a lot of dust that got on my Pip-Boy screen that didn't even have anything to do with explosives so I had to clean it up every now and then. I would recommend that you empty the container that it's placed in and keep it clean because I found out that I had a lot of containers filled with dust in one area of the Mojave Wasteland.The conversation wheel in Fallout was ter rible and I didn't know where to go to create a new line of dialogue. There were no stars for a topic so there was no way for me to be able to keep on talking with my companions. The dialogue wheel in The Chemistry Station works but it's still not the same as it was in the other games.I still love playing Fallout, but I can't say that it's as good as I remember. I think I'm getting more confused by the game each time I play it and there's no way for me to tell if my real-life science skills are going to match up.

Chatfest Shanghai

Chatfest Shanghai For italki Shanghai members, were organizing its first event for all of its members in Shanghai to come out and meet each other face-to-face. This will be a great opportunity to: Meet some of the people you chat with Find new language partners Meet the italki team Learn about different cultures, and Indulge yourself with a Dunkin Donut! Well have activities to help you mix and mingle and meet new people. Speakers and students of all language welcome! We look forward to meeting all of you at Dunkin Donuts! Date: Wednesday, March 25th Time: 7-  9 pm Location: Dunkin Donuts ShiMen Yi Lu 239, near Weihai Lu Metro Line 2: Nanjing Xi Lu Chatfest Shanghai For italki Shanghai members, were organizing its first event for all of its members in Shanghai to come out and meet each other face-to-face. This will be a great opportunity to: Meet some of the people you chat with Find new language partners Meet the italki team Learn about different cultures, and Indulge yourself with a Dunkin Donut! Well have activities to help you mix and mingle and meet new people. Speakers and students of all language welcome! We look forward to meeting all of you at Dunkin Donuts! Date: Wednesday, March 25th Time: 7-  9 pm Location: Dunkin Donuts ShiMen Yi Lu 239, near Weihai Lu Metro Line 2: Nanjing Xi Lu

Open Stacks Chemistry Lab - A Great Solution For Those With Limited Space

Open Stacks Chemistry Lab - A Great Solution For Those With Limited SpaceAn open stacks chemistry lab is a great option for those who have limited space and/or if space is an issue. Although not as large as the closed stacks lab, it still can offer the same types of information, but with more space. This space is generally made up of open shelves and dividers, which are great for teaching resources that are readily available.Labs like this are perfect for the homeowner that does not have enough room to fit in a traditional classroom setup. Often they are not accessible to people that need to work on complicated lab equipment or materials. The open shelves can help keep the storage of supplies and equipment organized and available.Typically, the study areas are limited in the room they occupy, and usually there are no windows. This is perfect for studying since it is easily viewable by students and other instructors. But sometimes it is not convenient to study here since there is no a ccess to a computer or printer.Open stacks labs often are a lot larger than normal classrooms, so they are a little more expensive. Since they are basically the same room, there is usually only one desk per student, so finding extra desks might be difficult. Also, the glass doors and glass dividers can be a little costly to replace.If you are considering purchasing an open stacks chemistry lab, look into the options available to you. There are many classes available for open stacks, including physics, biology, chemistry, and more.Open stacks are often found in certain schools that are located in suburban areas. These types of labs do not usually have to be a great deal bigger than the standard classrooms. They can easily accommodate an entire school, so they are easy to fit into a smaller space if space is an issue.Many science departments have started to use these labs to supplement the classes they offer. It is a nice solution for those teachers that want a great classroom but do not have enough room for a traditional classroom setup.

East Palomar Tennis and Tutoring

East Palomar Tennis and TutoringEast Palomar Tennis and Tutoring are a world class coaching and learning center. There are two areas of the facility - the main gymnasium, which is the venue for practice sessions, and the tennis courts that you will play your tennis on after a warm up session. The classrooms and the practice courts are on the main floor.The facility has a spacious gym and tennis courts. The tennis court can be set up for any size of tournament. As well as that, there are dozens of children's studios and three swimming pools for those who wish to take part in water sports. This tennis center also has an open gym area that is suitable for groups and with plenty of space for the practice sessions.Coach these players or teach children in an hour. They have twenty-four hour access to the facility. You will get excellent customer service at East Palomar Tennis and Tutoring.The facilities include a separate practice court for kids and adult practice to ensure that you do not get hurt. The facility is a children's center, so they have an area for children to do homework, read, watch cartoons and play games. You can also hire the facilities of the program for school parties and other events.On the main floor, you will find two grand entrances that are wheelchair accessible. You can come in via the children's entrance. If you need to leave for work early, you can use the adults' entrance. The facility provides a shuttle bus service for those who have mobility issues.The north side of the facility has a café which serves delicious coffee and tea. There are a small store and anoffice area. The place is friendly and efficient.Parents and teachers can sign-up for this program for their own students. It is very convenient to their teaching schedule and budget. East Palomar Tennis and Tutoring also offer competitive tuition and tutoring.

13 Super Effective Ways to Motivate Your Child to Practice Music

13 Super Effective Ways to Motivate Your Child to Practice Music Sign up successful Treat Music Like a Different Subject Think back to when you were in school. You had your academic classes and your after-school activities. You knew your daily routine: Math, English, Science, etc. Then after school: piles of endless homework! With so many different subjects, its no wonder adding time to practice music can seem like a burden to a kid. Thats where you come in you can help shift your childs mindset! Whats the bottom line? Its up to you to help your child see music in a different light! Rather than treating music like any other subject, create a distinction so your child sees music as something he or she wants to do. The best way to shift your childs mindset is to let him or her play an instrument theyre  actually interested in. If you want your child to be motivated to play an instrument, music needs to be different than other educational subjects, says Bobby K. from Guitar Chalk. Your child shouldn’t see music as a forced discipline, like Math or Geography. This ultimately comes down to choosing the right instrument, which is going to be the one the child is excited about and wants to play on his or her own. For me, that was the guitar, which had me practicing (voluntarily) three to four hours a day at 11 years old. That couldnt have happened with piano  because piano wasnt my instrument. It was just another subject. But guitar was different in that it felt like play, not school work. Getting your child into a similar situation, where their instrument doesnt feel like just another school subject, is absolutely critical. If its not happening, that might be a signal that its time to switch instruments. This also means you may need to be flexible. While it can be expensive to allow a child to start and stop several different activities, try to work with him or her to find one he or she enjoys and is intrinsically motivated to practice. Like this tip? Click here to tweet it.   Put Your Child in Control Its no secret that when were told to do something, we dont always want to do it. During the course of a day, there are several different people (parents, teachers, older siblings, coaches) telling kids what to do. Add music to that list and its no wonder motivation seems to dwindle! Combat this problem by putting your child in control. Let him or her determine the practice schedule, that way theyre more likely to stick to it. Kids hear adults tell them what to do all the time; to catch their attention, let them plan their own practice schedule,  says Nicole Weiss, LCSW Psychotherapist and Coach. Start with the end in mind. Basically, you want to get your child to make the decision that he or she needs to practice  so that he or she can play the way he or she wants to play. After the decision is made, the parent can help the child research and figure out how often a good musician practices. The child then sets a schedule based on the reality that, to be good, one must practice. Not only will this allow your child to feel a sense of control, it will also help him or her to learn the value of practice. The child makes the schedule, then the parent reinforces it, Weiss says. Im sure many parents reading this would sayyeah but will they do that day to day? Thats where you come in but you have more weight in your reminder. It was the childs desire to make the goal. Additionally, the reward should be for accomplishing little goals. For example: practice every night this week and we can download that song you want. Reward the work. More: Motivate Your Child to Practice With a Reward System Help Your Child Understand the Gift of Music Show your child that playing a musical instrument  is a special privilege  and an opportunity that isnt necessarily available to everyone. Teach your child to appreciate music and all it has to offer. Help them discover that music can enhance their life. I believe that were here in this world to do great things with the gift of our lives, and were here to serve others, says Heather F. from Music for Young Violinists. Learning to play [the violin] helps us in both of these areas were drawn up into a level of greatness through the discipline required to study this art form, and in this process, we cultivate a gift that we can share with others. This also includes helping your child develop a love for music. Take them to concerts or shows, play music at home, and help them discover what they like. Many adults wish they had stuck with a hobby or endeavor they started as a child, like playing a musical instrument. While this can be a difficult concept for young kids to grasp, teaching them to appreciate music can help them understand why practice is important. According to this article from MusicTeachersHelper on motivating students to practice, I can’t count how many times I’ve heard adults say to me, I quit taking piano when I was young and it was such a mistake. I wish I could go back and take lessons again. Parents can help children know the value that musical talent brings to society. Dont Make  Practice an Obligation This one may seem a bit counterintuitive, right? After all, youve invested the money in an instrument and lessons, and you want your child to make the most of it. Plus, if your son or daughter wants to be good, he or she needs to practice! The key here is to not make practice seem like an obligation, as compared to other fun activities. For example, if your son or daughter loves to play video games or play outside, dont allow him or her to do this until after completing practice. Using a fun activity as a reward will create the mindset that practice is the obligation that stands in the way of the fun activity, and this could create resentment or dread for practice. As  Why We Teach Piano  suggests, Dont set an arbitrary amount of practice time, without specific goals, and then reward them with playtime or video games afterwards. This just reinforces the notion that playing piano is not fun and video games are fun. Plan Performances When it comes to any sport, hobby, or endeavor, its important to keep your eye on the prize. The same thing applies when it comes to your child learning an instrument; your son or daughter has to have a goal in sight, otherwise, he or she may question  the need to practice. If you want to keep students engaged and excited about their music education, make sure theyre performing consistently throughout the year, says Anthony M.  founder and author of The Music Parents Guide. There are other profound effects on more scheduled performances for all school programs, as well. We, as parents and teachers, need to foster a growing curiosity and even an excitement about music in our childrens lives. Consistent performances are the best way to do this and continue to motivate our children. It gets better: Not only do performances help to increase excitement, they also work to hold children accountable. Ask any music teacher even the most unmotivated student will be more likely to practice if it means avoiding embarrassment at a recital! Let Your Child Choose Just because you loved playing piano as a kid doesnt mean your child will love playing just as much. Your child may have other interests, and its important to allow him or her to explore different endeavors. First of all, I think it’s critical that the child choose the instrument they’re going to learn, says Matt T. from Unlock the Guitar. I’m a guitarist, and I’d love nothing more than my son to be interested in learning guitar, but he’s undeniably drawn to the piano. Plus, if an instrument is thrust upon them, practicing it will also be thrust upon them. Letting the child choose the instrument turns this on its head, and into your favor, even if they didn’t choose the instrument you would have liked them to play. Be Their Cheerleader Let your child know youre his or her biggest fan, especially early on when your child may feel  frustrated or discouraged. Eighty-eight notes school of music suggests  listening to your child at home as often as you can and making encouraging remarks about their progress. Also, make sure to ask them how their lessons went. Take a genuine interest in your childs musical journey. Your son or daughter will be excited to play for you and show off new skills! Help Them Engage With Music Your child is more likely to practice music if he or she feels connected to the process. Help your son or daughter develop an interest and curiosity for music. To help your child stay engaged, become a part of the process. Whatever you can do to get involved is likely to increase their interest and motivation. Motivating your child by reward or punishment will stop working very quickly; instead, help your child get curious about music and develop an inner desire to engage with music, says Jonas G., the founder of flowkey.Let your child play around with different instruments. Listen to music and sing together. Your child will naturally want to imitate you, so a big motivation for children to practice is seeing their parents engage with music themselves. Create Challenges Rather than telling your child to practice, help him or her set specific goals and challenges. This will help them progress faster because theyll work on accomplishing specific tasks or mastering particular skills. This idea can be applied to any instrument. Practiceopedia author and practice expert, Philip J., has a completely different take: Dont ask your kids to practice they wont know what to do. Instead, give them bite-sized, clear challenges to complete: (1) Work out a fingering for measures 24-35 (2) Gradually speed up section B to 85bpm. (3) Be able to play the left hand of the coda from memory. Having trouble coming up with the right challenge? Check out Phillips website, thebootcampedition.com, for a huge collection. Celebrate ALL Accomplishments Learning to play an instrument is a long journey full of peaks, valleys, and plateaus. While youll definitely be proud when you watch your child perform, its important to celebrate the little victories along the way. While verbal praise is important, you may also want to create another way to celebrate achievements;  familyshare  recommends keeping a journal of your childs accomplishments. When you put it in writing, youre less likely to forget. If journaling isnt your thing, you can keep a white board on the fridge, or make a chart that you can display in the house! Celebrating the little victories will help your child keep a positive attitude when theyre struggling or having difficulty tackling a new concept or song. Let Them Play Music They Like While there are always certain signature songs and classics for various instruments, your child will lose interest if he or she doesnt like the music theyre playing. Work with your childs teacher to make sure your child is  playing some music they truly enjoy. According to the Academy of Music and Dance, As children  get to be around 10 years old, sometimes younger, they start to develop preferences for musical style, largely influenced by radio, TV, and whatever they’re most exposed to at home. They will also typically gravitate to whatever their friends are listening to, especially for boys at around age 13 and girls around age 11. Use this as a motivational strategy; allow your son or daughter to play at least one familiar song as part of their weekly routine. Make Practice Fun This should come as no surprise no one wants to practice when its boring!  Incorporate fun games, activities, and challenges, and your child will look forward to practice! According to PianoDiscoveries, appropriate goals and positive reinforcement will make practicing fun and rewarding. Very few children are self-motivated in their practice. Most need incentives and reminders to keep them focused and moving forward. Ask your childs music teacher for some creative ways to make practice more fun! Find the Right Teacher This brings us to our last strategy and one of the most important: find the right teacher! Although practice is done outside of lessons, if your child connects with his or her teacher, theyre  much more likely to practice on their  own time. According to Music Central,finding the right teacher will make or break the whole experience. Don’t be afraid to try a new teacher if your child isn’t connecting. The best teachers are usually the ones who not only teach, but know how to be a good friend and mentor to your child. Find a teacher who understands your childs learning style, and a person whos able to teach concepts in a way that keeps your child interested. When your son or daughter  likes his or her teacher, theyll be more willing to take direction and practice consistently. Share this Image On Your Site pstrongPlease include attribution to TakeLessons.com with this graphic./strong/pbr /br /br /br / pa href=/blog/motivate-your-child-to-practice-music-z15img src=/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/13-Super-Effective-Ways-to-Motivate-Your-Child-to-Practice-Music_720x4919.jpg alt=13 Super Effective Ways to Motivate Your Child to Practice width=720px border=0 //a/pbr /br /br /br / p Which of these strategies have been successful for you? Do you have other methods that you use to motivate your child? Let us know in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Difference Quotient Examples

Difference Quotient Examples Difference quotient examples help in finding derivative of a function. Dividing the function difference from the difference of the points is called as difference quotient. This gives slope of a secant line passing through two points. The formula for finding difference quotient is (f(x + h) f(x)) / h and it is denoted by dy /dx. Problem 1: Consider a function f(x) = 2x^2 5 and x changes from 1 to 1.4. Find the value of the difference quotient in this situation. Solution: Given function isf(x) = 2x^2 5 = So f(x + h) = 2(x + h) ^2 5 = Difference Quotient for function f(x) = (f(x + h) f(x)) / h = (2(x + h) ^2 5 (2x^2 5)) / h= (2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 5 -2x^2 + 5)/ h = (4xh + 2h^2)/ h = 4x + 2h = Given x changes from 1 to 1.4 = So dx = 1.4 1 = 0.4. (Hence, h = 0.4) = Using x = 1 and h = 0.4 then = Difference quotient = 4x + 2h = 4(1) + 2(0.4)) = 4 + 0.8 = 4.08 = Therefore, 4.08 is the slope of secant line when x changes from 1 to 1.3 Problem 2: Consider the function f(x) = 7x 2. Find the difference quotient and find dy when dx = 2. Solution: Given function isf(x) = 7x 2 = So f(x + h) = 7(x +h) 2 = Difference Quotient for function f(x) = (f(x + h) f(x)) / h = (7(x +h) 2 (7x 2)) / h = 7 = Difference quotient is always 7 for this function. = We have dy / dx = 7 = dy = 7 * dx = 7 * 2 = 14.

How To Find Cooking Classes Or A Cooking Tutor

How To Find Cooking Classes Or A Cooking Tutor How To Find Cooking Classes ChaptersWhere To Start?The Learning ProcessTypes of Cooking ClassesHow To Choose The Right Cooking Course Or Tutor For YouFood occupies a large slice of our daily life: we think about it, spend time either cultivating or selecting and purchasing food; preparing it and consuming it. As such, that doesn’t sound like one of humans’ better qualities, that is until you think about food as more than sustenance.Food can be a peace maker, a bridge builder and an art form.What we eat and how we eat it â€" cooked or raw, bland or spicy, the blending of dairy and meat; eating with or without utensils (and what those utensils are) could be interpreted as a reflection of our moral values, heritage and culture.On the flipside of that coin: food is a science â€" which method of preparation yields the most appeal, the best taste and the maximum number of nutrients?Today, we look at cooking classes London. Not just those that reflect our customs and cravings but those from cultures and social mov ements around the world.Themed courses might include how to host a dinner party for your boss, workers or colleagues. You may kick off the summer season by learning how to barbecue, greet the fall by enroling in a stew or chowder class and brighten the winter with hearty, stick-to-the-ribs meals learned from a local chef or passionate foodie.And then, there is specialty cooking:gluten free cookingvegetarian and vegan cookinghow to make fresh pastathe art of preparing sushihow to create quick, effortless yet tasty weeknight mealsthe secrets of Mediterranean herbs and Indian spiceshow bake artisan breadpastry art: making patisserie-worthy croissants, petit fours and other tasty treatsAh, the selections are endless!You could learn how to recreate traditional Spanish recipes like paella or learn how to balance the textures and flavours of the Greek moussaka. And how about a zesty Oriental stir-fry?Other food or sommelier related courses might include wine tastings, how to throw a great dinner party or preparing finger foods. You may also consider hosting a mystery party.Imagine an Agatha Christie tale - Murder on the Orient Express or The Mirror Crack'd, brought to life through your exquisite planning!Mystery dinners are a very popular form of entertainment across the pond. Rather than being spectators, all of the dinner guests are active in the role-play and food plays a part in the festivities as well!Naturally, hosting such a party would be a very ambitious and complex undertaking, and planning the menu to complement the event takes some skill... skills you could easily pick up in a cooking class!For more detailed information on selecting the best cooking class or teacher for your needs, why not take a look at Superprof's tips on How To Choose The Best Cooking Tutor?The Learning ProcessThe Self-Taught MethodWhether you have always been a foodie or cooking enthusiast, or your culinary abilities have for some time been a bit lacking, you can refine and build on y our existing skills or learn how to cook from scratch in one of two ways: teaching yourself or signing up for a cooking course or two.By adopting a self-taught method, you will  experiment and learn as you go.  Naturally, we hope for your success  but you should be prepared for a few setbacks: experimentation is not necessarily wholly effective, nor it is an easy learning experience.Still, you should be rewarded for your courage and, if a few dishes end up a little more crispy than intended, well, that is simply the price one pays for being more than a bit daring.  What if you suffer critics? Dinner guests who are less than complimentary of your Burnt Boeuf Bourguignon? By all means, invite them to join you in a culinary arts class or invite them to teach you! No need to withstand criticism that a REAL chef would never make the mistakes you made...With that said, now, the upside of being a self-taught chef...Discovering and developing culinary skills on your own implies you are poss essed of a sense of adventure - yes, cooking can be thought of in that way!Besides that, it shows you really are committed to learning from sources like books and tutorials which can result in more unique culinary ideas and methods.  That can be all the more satisfying to know that you discovered techniques and tastes all by yourself.Of course, you’ll need to have some basic cooking skills up your sleeve upon which to build. No one is ever really alone on their journey to culinary excellence. Most people have been taught to cook by a loved one, and often have fond memories of times spent in the kitchen, learning about food.You should check out these cooking classes near me!Many people will have spent time in the kitchen with a parent or grandparent. Photo credit: Daniel Bachhuber on Visual HuntRegardless of how you have become the chef you are today - or how you intend to become the chef you've always wanted to be, you should embrace other people's comments, suggestions and even c riticism.  Among other reasons, this is what will make you a better cook.Think about this: some people yearn to be a chef so that they can please others with their culinary creations. How can you expect to do that if nobody ever gives you feedback?The food industry relies heavily on inspiration, on developing new taste sensations and yes, on criticism.Naturally, we understand that not everyone has the desire to learn to cook  with their eye on becoming an amazing, internationally-recognised chef adorned with Michelin stars - and suffer criticism along the way.For most aspiring chefs, the ultimate goal is simply to be able to cook a nice meal for their loved ones or their date, or to find the confidence to prepare satisfying weeknight meals from scratch. For that practical outcome, you can rest assured: even a beginner's cooking course will fill you with confidence and the desire to cook tasty meals the whole family will enjoy!The Modern-Day Kitchen AssistantAs a self-taught kitchen master, you may be looking for resources to increase your culinary prowess.The Internet is a great outlet for learning any new skill, including cooking. Type in the right query and your favourite search engine will yield  an array of information, instructions, videos and recipes. You could even type in the wrong query and get results for dishes you never thought of!The best part about  incorporating online learning into your kitchen forays is that you have a multitude of recipes, chefs and knowledge, delivering the goods, right to your kitchen!By contrast, a cooking class might only present you with one instructor, one type of cuisine - French, Mediterranean, homestyle... and you are limited to what your instructor teaches.  That's not to say that cooking courses don't have their value; we'll talk about that shortly!If you search online for recipes or cooking instruction, you are sure to find a range of related articles, like foods you should learn to cook in your twenties, skills e very cook should know, basic recipes to learn or learning how to cook by yourself (with pictures), to name but a few.What about learning how to cook by watching cooking shows on the telly?You could argue that watching world-famous chefs cooking on the screen can teach you a lot about cooking methods, which wouldn't be far wrong.The biggest issue with such shows is that they are edited for time. You won't always get to see the chef ply his/her skills; in fact s/he is functioning more as a presenter than a teacher.  And you can't stop and start a television programme as you could a video, so that you can better follow along!Besides, there’s really absolutely nothing like working with food first-hand!  Smelling the aromas as you are grilling, frying, simmering or baking and seeing how your concoctions look, feel and taste  when you serve them.Is your mouth watering? If so, get on down to your local culinary arts school  in time to enrol in your first cooking course!The Taught MethodE specially if you are a novice in the kitchen, best way to learn cooking fundamentals  is to attend a class. What might such a syllabus contain?You might think that anyone can ply a knife, for example, but it takes skill to fillet a fish, trim fat from chicken and pare vegetables.And, while the average cook in a Chinese household will use a meat cleaver for everything from peeling garlic to chopping potatoes, you might want to know that, in our cooking culture, there is a knife for every purpose. As an aspiring chef, you should learn how to identify them and how to use them.Do you know the difference between braising and searing? Which method would you use to prepare, say, a rump roast?Successfully completing a cooking course can not only equip you with fundamental (or more advanced) kitchen skills, it can also help you to develop better cooking ideas and can even offer you an extra qualification to pursue, should you desire to enter the catering or hospitality industry as a professi onal chef.We could go on and on about what you would learn in a cooking class but why take our word for it? Before shopping around for your lessons, be sure to find out how much cooking classes cost.Food presentation is as much a culinary skill as the ability to blend flavours Source: Pixabay Credit: Daria YakovlevaTypes of Cooking ClassesAs mentioned above, there are so many cuisines to experiment with, so many styles and types of cooking to study and so many flavours, textures, colour and seasoning combinations you could wow your palate with!Let's take a closer look at some of the world's cuisines you might aspire to incorporate into your menu.AsianOh, dear! Where should we start on this epic gastronomical exploration?From China's Eight Great Cuisines to Japan's fugu sashimi - toxic if prepared incorrectly, if ever a foodie might seek paradise, the Asian continent would be it! And we haven't even mentioned the delicate curries of India, the tahini-based dishes of the Middle East o r Turkish cuisine, so good it has gained a foothold in Europe!Fancy a dish of hummus? How about a fatayer, a pie stuffed with meat, spinach or cheese?Most deliciously, our British palates have been conducting a long-term love affair with Indian food and chicken tikka masala seems to top our list of favourites from that country!Fortunately, there are plenty of Indian food cooking classes all around our land.EuropeanDoes anyone in your social circle occasionally pop over to the continent to enjoy a fine dining experience in Normandy or Brittany?How about taking a French cooking class and wowing them with your epicurean efforts?The French created the fine dining experience and, while one may enjoy sumptuous meals in our own country, more people have picked up on the concept of 'destination dining' - travelling to a particular restaurant in order to sample the fare.Destination restaurants also originated in France thanks to the Michelin Guide, which would feature  restaurants worthy of a detour while on a motoring journey. Today, both the Michelin Guide and destination restaurants are a must for passionate foodies!Of course, there is nothing wrong with German food, Polish food and the delectable Spanish fare that so many of us enjoy while on holiday. Even Hungarian food, with its sauces and sweet paprika, is a taste sensation.What about Oceanian cuisine? heavy influence from Europe but still distinctive flavours and traditionsAfricanA remarkable feature of this region's cuisine is a distinct lack of imports: neither ingredients nor dishes from other lands have made their way into the essentially African diet.Fortunately for us, some African dishes have made their way to our shores. Have you ever had a plate of couscous, served with vegetables and chickpeas? How about that Ethiopian favourite, Injera, served with thick, meaty stew?While it would be hard to summarise this vast continent's diverse food culture, we can summarise by stating that the traditional African diet consists mostly of locally-sourced fruits and grains, meats and dairy.Naturally, this does not reflect individual countries' food preferences; some diets are based more on dairy products.Are your taste buds tingling? Why not find such a restaurant and ask the chef if he would divulge a few of his culinary secrets?The AmericasContrary to the widely-held belief that American cuisine consists of only hamburgers, food in the Americas - north, south and central is a panoply of gastronomical diversity: spicy, savoury, sweet and satisfying, one can find food to suit any taste on this continent.You may sample venison stews in the Yukon region and the searing beef offerings in Argentina.The Yucatan Peninsula, a favoured holiday destination, is the largest habanero chili pepper producer and much of their cuisine is accompanied by a serving of this super-spicy pepper, either as a paste or a salsa.Perhaps the most curious of cuisines in the Americas in Mexican. Established some 9,000 year s ago, foods generally consisted of what was available in the way of plants and fruits. It was only when the Spanish arrived, bringing with them their preference for meat, dairy and rice that the Mexican diet evolved to include them.Traditional Mexican food is, for the most part, not particularly spicy. Tex-Mex, a fusion of Texan and Mexican cooking styles is what we generally accept as Mexican food.Who wouldn't like a vegetable skewer, drizzled with olive oil and lightly grilled? Source: Pixabay Credit: RitaEVegetarian/Vegan CuisineEither for health reasons or moral ones - or a combination of both, people are gravitating toward a meat-free diet or avoiding animal products altogether.However, far from such food choices consisting of tofu and bean sprouts as the old saw claims, vegetarian and vegan diets are rich with flavour and texture, and replete with choice.Naturally, it might be a challenge for a standard omnivore - someone who consumes both animal and plant products to convert to an entirely plant-based diet. Fortunately, there are plenty of cooking classes around the UK that can steer us in the right direction!Cooking on a BudgetNot everyone has the means to enjoy destination dining or even the best selections of meats and veg; at least one-third of our country's population live at or below poverty level.To make matters worse, food quality and the types of foods in those households is considered a root cause of several preventable conditions such as obesity and diabetes.Advocates aver that education is the way to reverse those alarming health statistics.If we accept that premise, then surely, learning how to make the most of the food available and of one's food budget is a step in the right direction.   Even those with a more generous food allowance could adopt these tactics to help cut down on food waste!This phenomenon, unfortunately, is not new.In 1855, chef Alexis Soyer published a book titled Cookery for the Poor, a tome full of recipes and suggest ions to make dining as nutritious and palatable as possible. Today, that effort continues: various organisations have undertaken initiatives to educate those less able to provide top-shelf goods.Cooking for Youths and the ElderlyCountries all over the world are seeing a sharp increase in senior population; a statistic that is bringing about a most curious situation.  Some people, admittedly men, who have never cooked anything are now finding themselves compelled to face kitchen duty for the first time in their lives.At the other end of the spectrum, more children stepping into the kitchen and taking an active part in food preparation.Both of these scenarios have opened a floodgate of opportunity for cooking classes targeted at those demographics.Other Types of CookingBy no means is this list exhaustive: you might find yourself wishing to try your hand at molecular cuisine - a style of food preparation uses technologically advanced equipment like induction cookers. Did you notice we haven't mentioned Australian or Polynesian food?And there's haute cuisine, nouvelle cuisine, cuisines that take into account religious dietary laws...Much as we would love to cover every aspect of this topic in depth, really, you should go and explore for yourself what is out there. This article is meant to serve as an amuse-bouche, a tasty morsel consumed as a prelude to the main course.How To Choose The Right Cooking Course Or Tutor For YouWho Takes Cooking Lessons?Male or female, young or old... there really is no typical cookery student. In fact, individuals who enrol on cookery classes are so varied that I should think The Culinary Institute and The Cooking Channel have trouble knowing where to target their campaigns or advertisements!One thing that they all share is a passion for food and, having watched many series of Masterchef, it seems that more and more young people wish to become a chef.Many young chefs are entering the industry and innovating how we prepare, cook and ea t food. Photo credit: ToerismeVla on VisualhuntProspective students  all share one more thing in common, though. They all want to know where to start their search for a cooking class!Considerations When Looking At Cooking SchoolsThere are many different calibres of chefs, as you will probably know from having watched chef personalities on the television or from having eaten in a Michelin-starred or Rosette-awarded restaurant. Do remember that those highly-qualified chefs are unlikely to offer private classes, due to their hectic schedules!That said, some very high-profile chefs have established  their own culinary schools, like Rick Stein and Raymond Blanc. If your personal kitchen hero has also gone that route, look into that cookery school.No need to fret if the chef teaching your cooking classes is not world-renown.So long as they have at least a culinary arts degree  and experience in the food service industry, then they are likely qualified and perfectly positioned to teach oth ers about what they have learnt.Where To Begin Your SearchThe best place to start when looking for cooking courses is by looking online.You should find a good amount of information regarding the companies, schools or individuals offering lessons in the many disciplines of cooking, as well as an overview of what you might learn during the process.Your local county website may be a good place to visit, as they often provide information to the community about classes and activities in the area.One thing to consider right from the beginning is whether you want to  join a group session  where one-to-one time will be limited, or a  private course whereby you can take more from it in the way of feedback, encouragement and advice.There are pros and cons to both, but if you are thinking about paying for a particular experience then make sure that you choose the experience you want, and don't just settle for the first course you find.Alternatively, if you are feeling overwhelmed by Internet s earches, then why not head into your local library, tourism office or colleges in the surrounding towns to see if they have leaflets or information pointing to cooking classes.By going in and speaking with administrative staff, you can get a feel for the environment you would learn cooking. You might also be invited to take a look around the kitchen, fridges, freezers, pantry and classroom as well as meet the instructor.Even better, you might have the opportunity to sit in on a class that is taking place to see if it is for you or not.You might have discussed going on a cooking course with a group of friends  or you might be looking at cooking lessons as an opportunity to meet others with a similar passion for cooking.Attending any kind of vocational course is a great way to interact with others whose interests match yours.Who knows? You might fall head over heels for one of your classmates. All it takes is for a little bit of exotic cuisine  to fill the air with undeniable romance!

The Top Study Tips for Midterms

The Top Study Tips for Midterms Its almost midterm season, and you may be feeling a bit stressed. But dont fretyou can still devise a study plan that maximizes your success. The top study tips for midterms include forming a study group, highlighting your notes, and refusing to cram before the big day (or days). Looking for ways to ace your midterms? Continue reading to learn how you can best utilize your time leading up to midterms. The top study tips for midtermstwo weeks before You know the date of your exam, and your professor has likely mentioned what content will be on the midterm. Great! Regardless of whether you take notes on a computer or with a pen and paper, now is the perfect time to start highlighting. By keeping track of important sections in each chapter or document, youll have easy access to information as you begin studying. Highlight definitions and important terms. When there are sections with difficult content or important topics, highlighting them will help you remember to revisit these concepts during your review periods. Depending on how much content is covered on the exam, now might be a great time to create a study group with others in your class. Even if you miss a lecture, someone in your group will surely have the material covered. You can even ask members of your group to start a study guide or flashcards that each person can contribute to over time. [RELATED: 10 Study Habits to Avoid] The top study tips for midtermsthe week of By now, youve most likely covered a majority of the material that will be on the midterm. While youre still a few days away from the actual exam, its time to start revisiting some of the more difficult topics. You should have highlighted sections of review materials, and you can use these to get started: Reread any textbook chapters about this concept. Review practice problems from your homework. When youre spending hours working on the same subject, make sure to take breaks and to refuel when necessary. Its easy to lose focus and to stop processing study material, and a break can help you return to the material feeling refreshed. Remember, its still not too late to start a study group. Invite others from your class to meet and to discuss any questions the group has. If everyone in your study group is having trouble with a certain concept, its time to visit your professors office hours. Any teaching assistants in the course could also be a useful resource. [RELATED: 5 Reasons Students Should Meet with Professors During Office Hours] The top study tips for midtermsthe day before Dont cram! Studies have shown that this is not an effective way to learn material. If you still feel uncertain about a large portion of the information that will be covered on your midterm, focus on developing an understanding of the main ideas. These will likely appear on the test with more frequency than specific details, and they may help you narrow down some options on multiple-choice questions. Review a few of the big topics, make sure you get some rest, and eat a healthy meal before your midterm. Good luck! [RELATED: How Eating Healthy Can Improve Test Scores] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

10 Essential Songs You Need on Your Halloween Playlist

10 Essential Songs You Need on Your Halloween Playlist Megan L. Whether youre turning your house into a creepy haunted mansion, heading to a rockin Halloween party, or getting the kids dressed up for trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, these Halloween party songs are the best way to get into the spirit. No playlist fit for consumption by ghouls and goblins is complete without these 10 essentials. Turn it up, and have a happy and safe Halloween! 1. Thriller Who doesnt love the Thriller dance? 2. Candy Because its not Halloween without plenty of candy. 3. I Put a Spell on You For extra bonus Halloween points, check out Bette Midlers version of this classic tune from the movie Hocus Pocus. 4. This is Halloween Another great Halloween movie, Nightmare Before Christmas, is full of great songs by Danny Elfman, perfect for this scary season! 5. Dead Mans Party Speaking of Danny Elfman, throw a Dead Mans Party with this 80s favorite. 6. Time Warp Rocky Horror is always appropriate. 7. Somebodys Watching Me This tune is perfect for a Halloween dance-off! 8. Ghost Riders in the Sky Johnny Cash brings the spooky vibes in this golden oldie. 9. Psycho Killer Run, run, run! 10. Monster Mash Because its not Halloween until youre doing the mash! Whats your favorite Halloween party song? Tell us all about it in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher