How Parents Can Make Use of Chaffey College Tutoring Services

How Parents Can Make Use of Chaffey College Tutoring ServicesThe Chaffey College is a comprehensive, comprehensive and yet affordable college tuition and tutoring program which are suitable for all ages. It is also a totally comprehensive college where students of various age groups from both genders can access the finest in educational offerings which are completely compatible with each other.The only reason why this college is highly popular among its parents and students alike is because of the great demand for its services and the particular quality of its offerings. One of the most common ways of paying for the college tuition is by taking the World bank loan, which is seen as an alternative funding option since there are also various scholarship programs that help students get funds from this source.Chaffey College offers several unique facilities and tutoring programs to its students. It also provides specialized study rooms and open study facilities, so that all kinds of lear ning tools and equipment can be brought into use in the campus is converted into a well-equipped and modern college.What makes Chaffey the ideal college to enroll your child? This college has an extended network of education partners and all are made available to any student irrespective of their preference. For instance, students studying at Chaffey can also avail the education of a host of allied schools and colleges within the area.The other main advantage of opting for Chaffey College is that it is the best college to meet your learning requirements. This college will certainly offer students the best educational experience for acquiring the required academic credentials. This facility and the fact that it is one of the few colleges in India that offers diverse options for different types of learning will definitely make it one of the most sought after schools.Another major advantage of Chaffey College is that it is considered as a specialized college, which means that it takes into account the character and level of success of the student. The great support network and the excellent tutoring facilities are just some of the positive factors to be noted here. Because of these advantages, more parents are turning to the services of this college as they can select from a number of course materials and programs to suit their preferences.No matter what the cost of the college or the tuition fee, one thing is certain that the tuition fee is not going to be an issue for many families. The amount of money they are spending is still one of the major reasons for enrolling their children at this prestigious college. However, the amount of satisfaction they get out of this service is priceless.

How to excel at learning to play the piano

How to excel at learning to play the piano The Top 5 Tips for becoming a Pianist ChaptersOur first advice for learning to play the pianoHow to learn to play the pianoIs it necessary to learn solfege to play the piano?What are the basic piano chords?How to learn piano scalesLearning to play the piano is far from straightforward.All aspects of piano training â€" solfege, reading sheet music, posture, dexterity, head-hands-feet coordination, method â€" are difficult, technical and process-driven.Although certain student pianists learn quicker than others (remember, we don’t all have the same cognitive and musical predispositions), all beginner pianists go through the same phase of feeling handicapped at the keyboard!To become a fluid player and feel at ease with your piano, you must be motivated, determined, perseverant and strict, while also taking pleasure from playing those piano chords and arpeggios!Here, Superprof presents you with 5 steps to remember as you learn to play piano. You’ll be playing like Mozart in no time! LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson f ree!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsOur first advice for learning to play the pianoBefore you even touch those keys, you must adopt proper posture for piano playing.Learning proper posture is key to becoming a true pianist.Body postureFirst,  sit in the middle of the keyboard, where the middle octaves are found. Your main benchmark for positioning your left hand is the middle C. Make sure your seat or piano stool is at the right height: not too high or low.The classic posture taught to every beginner pianist to play the piano correctly is as follows:Your elbows: they should be at the same height as the keyboard.Sit on a bench: better than a chair, a bench will allow you to move yourself easily from side to side, towards the low notes or the high notes, whatever the piano song calls for!Your back: it must be straight and not curved forward.Your shoulders: they must be lightly behind you to avoid pain, open up your thorax and allow for easy breathing while you play.Your hands: your 10 fingers should be slightly bent, so that they press the keys with the tip of the phalanx, almost at the nail.The palm of your hand should be somewhat lifted, which will give each hand speed, range and fluidity.Your feet should be placed firmly on the floor, in parallel to each other.To learn to play the piano, begin by playing the keys separately and lightly. Generally, the key of F is played with the left hand (the 5 lines at the bottom of each measure) and the key of G with the right hand.Play the rhythm sep arately from the melody.When you play a piano piece, try to avoid mixing up the steps, and play a song at the speed noted in your sheet music. This will mean that:Your brain will memorize the chord sequences correctlyYou will improve your dexterityYour technique and fingering will get betterYou’ll understand the piece’s nuances, and make it your own!So progressively increase the tempo as you attain a more advanced level. Remember that if you are taking piano lessons, your piano teacher should be guiding you and giving you all these directions.Can you play with small hands?Some people who aren’t blessed with big hands consider themselves unable to play the piano and believe that their physique is incompatible with the keyboard. The same goes for those who think their fingers are too fat for guitar playing. These two misconceptions are excuses! All you have to do is take a glance at the hands of jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani to see that this argument doesn’t hold!Hand size o r finger length and width won’t affect the playing quality of the pianist.  What’s more, having small hands will help you do those chromatic movements (C-C#-D)!Now that you know the right positions, let’s move on to the question of piano courses: can you learn by yourself or are piano lessons necessary?How to learn to play the pianoTeaching yourself, taking private lessons, attending music school, playing on the internet, learning with friends… everything is possible depending on your way of working, your budget and your music experience and level.Teach yourself the piano: it's difficult but possible!Teach yourself to play the pianoIf you are reticent about taking a piano class and prefer to do it on your own for whatever reason, you’ll need to assemble a bunch of resources:A metronomeA manual for beginner pianoA music theory manual to learn solfegeA book of sheet music for absolute beginnersA lot of determination and willThe big advantage of creating a beginner piano meth od when one is self-taught is that one learns to read notes by producing automatic reflexes.A metronome can help you keep time.As you progress you may need to:Purchase more learning materials that correspond to your levelDownload free piano music on the internet to learn to read musicLook at piano tutorials on Youtube and DailymotionConsult online piano coursesTrain yourself to play a song that you hear: this will improve your musical ear and help you play by earBut everything has its downside. Here are some disadvantages to teaching yourself to play the piano as opposed to taking a piano lesson:You aren’t structured or supervised, so no one will correct your errorsYour solfege attempts wont be listened to by a professionalYou risk taking up bad habitsThe risk of frustration and discouragement is higherIt’s therefore possible to learn the piano alone, but you don’t have the best chances on your side. Taking music classes is the preferred means of learning and making regular pr ogress on the keyboard.Take piano lessons with an instructorYour private piano teacher will provide a structure for learning, while observing and encouraging you. He or she will teach you how to surmount challenges, something that may also benefit other situations in your daily life! Piano classes are an exchange of positive energy and music appreciation that feed the beginner piano player’s motivation.Different formulas are at your disposal: private lessons (like the ones you’d book at Superprof, for example), a music school or a conservatory for higher education students.And since you’ll be spending a lot of time with your piano teacher, at least an hour per week depending on the method you choose, it’s very important that you get along with one another. So choose a teacher who corresponds to your personality and objectives. And if you don’t find the right match at first, try again!I found my ideal music teacher on Superprof, after several fruitless Internet searches for piano lessons London.Finding the right piano teacher is the key to learning piano. LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsIs it necessary to learn solfege to play the piano?Contrary to what countless frustrated students think, solfege is not just an evil game devised by piano instructors.It’s a language one must master, and it works for all musical instruments. With solfege you’ll be able to read a piece of sheet music just as you would a novel.Solfege training is a fundam ental aspect of piano lessons: 15 minutes of solfege often precedes playing, as it’s the basis for reading, playing, arranging and composing music.So when and how should you learn solfege?Learn solfege as a child: children learn new things faster than adultsPractice solfege exercises throughout your lesson: at the beginning, a little in the middle and again at the end.Learn solfege to distinguish between different rhythmsSolfege will improve your global understanding of musicMastering solfege will boost your self confidence when you playIf you are comfortable with solfege, you’ll be able to learn other instruments much faster and easier.Learning solfege allows you to truly understand music and speeds up your overall training!What are the basic piano chords?A piano has 88 keys. That’s right, Beethoven’s favorite instrument has 52 white keys and 36 black keys.While we’re on the subject, perhaps you want to know the main piano chords? Why spend time working on all the chords if you’re an amateur pianist who is learning piano songs for beginners? Mary had a little lamb, anyone?The 4 main piano  chords are:A minorC majorF majorG majorAll you need to know to get your first record deal with Universal! Well almost…How to learn piano scalesAll beginner musicians, whether they are pianists, guitarists, or…, must ceaselessly repeat their scales to begin to master their ear training become more advanced.For the piano, this often means repeating the C scale: do-ré-mi-fa-sol-la-si-do-si-la-sol-fa-mi-ré-do and again… and again… and again. We do this for two reasons:So that the musician will automatically recognize the proper sounds of each note.To work on finger placement and movement.The major piano scales are:Scale of C major,Scale of D major,Scale of E major,Scale of F major,Scale of G major, etc…A piano has 88 keys.And while we’re on the subject, the minor scales are: the natural minor scale, harmonic minor scale, ascending melodic minor scale a nd the descending melodic minor scale! You’ll need to learn all these piano basics before you can think about things like chord progressions and improvisation!You’ll also have to think about what music style you want to play. There are different methods for classical piano and others for jazz piano, for example. Or what about blues, pop-rock or variety piano? In every case, you must work with regularity, being even stricter with yourself if you are self-taught! If you are taking piano lessons, tell your music instructor what songs you’d like to play and he or she will guide you on the best method to use to get there.You’ve now mastered your posture, read sheet music, and learned some piano chords and scales. Time to play piano!

When Should I Take the MCAT

When Should I Take the MCAT MCAT Medical School Admissions College in and of itself is a daunting process for most students. Studying constantly for twelve to eighteen hours of course work, juggling extracurricular activities, and trying to maintain an active social life can be challenging. Add in aspirations to attend medical school and suddenly you are overwhelmed. Needless to say, this entire process requires a significant amount of planning. Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll have at least resolved one concern on your list and answered the question of when to take your medical college admission test (MCAT). Evaluate Your Coursework The most important consideration in taking the MCAT is what level of premedical course work you have completed. Pertinent to this is the understanding that the MCAT tests extensively on required premedical courses and additional information not covered in these courses. For example, there is a portion of physiology on the cardiovascular, renal, and genitourinary systems on the MCAT that is not normally taught in premedical prerequisites but might be covered in classes the student takes electively such as anatomy and physiology. Because of the large burden of information, it is ideal to take the MCAT after you have completed all of your required course work and if possible a few extra courses to solidify and deepen your understanding of the content that will be covered on the MCAT. Most schools recommend taking cell biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry to aid with the MCAT as well as the transition to medical school. Some students are particularly adept at t eaching themselves and are able to perform extraordinarily well on the MCAT despite not completing their prerequisites prior to taking the exam. However, this is a small margin of the population of premedical students and not typically advised. Consult the Calendar Another factor to take into account is the timing of the application process. The typical timeframe for application and interviews to medical school is a year. For example, most application systems open in May of the year prior to enrollment and students are admitted up to June of the following year. This requires that the MCAT be taken at latest by May of the year prior to attendance. Backtracking even further, MCAT scores take a month to be released, which means ideally, your MCAT should be taken at latest by April of the year prior to enrollment in medical school. Taking into consideration the fact that many students do not achieve their target score and retake the MCAT means that you should consider having a buffer of time to retake the test if necessary. While this seems a bit tedious or even cautionary, keep in mind that this could cause you to either apply with a noncompetitive score or delay your application by a year. If you do not have a score that meets the standards of ad missions you are investing both money and time in a process that may have minimal or no yields. In addition, you are required to disclose if you have applied to medical school previously which can affect how your application is viewed by an admissions committee. Give Yourself Time Taking these factors into consideration, it is ideal to take your first MCAT in the summer or fall of the year prior to application. For most students this falls in the beginning of their ‘Junior’ or third year of school. Taking the MCAT in the fall allows you to evaluate your score early and make crucial decisions from there. If you end up needing to retake the MCAT this gives you a few months to assess changes to make in your next test preparation period. It also allows you a window to register for the test which can be difficult some years when testing sites are limited and many students are taking the exam. If you end up receiving a score that you are satisfied with, this gives you a good window of time to plan for the application cycle and prewrite essays. This period of time could also be used to address any weaknesses in the student’s application such as volunteer work or extracurricular activities. Be Prepared Finally, realize that the best time to take the MCAT is when you are most prepared and able to perform well on the exam. While most students are anxious to get moving through the long process that a career in medicine requires, realize that a year or two spent working toward your goal will not impact your career in the long run. Put in the time now and perform your best so that you can set yourself up early to do well. About the Author Jordan Salley is one of MyGuru's most accomplished MCAT tutors. Clickhereto learn more!

The 5 best places to save money teaching abroad

The 5 best places to save money teaching abroad Okay, so you’ve made up your mind to teach English abroad and now comes the exciting part: choosing where to go. Some people make this decision based on a lifelong obsession with a certain culture, or just a few breathtaking photos they see online. But for others, choosing where to teach might not be so simple. In fact, it might involve late nights and going so deep down a YouTube hole that there’s no way back. I’ve been there. Choosing where to teach abroad can be a headache and almost the hardest part of the puzzle. It can be overwhelming since the world is massive and the options seem endless. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. If you want to save money while teaching abroad, we’ve rounded up a few countries you may want to consider. 1. United Arab Emirates You can make more money than you can spend teaching in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), since the country offers some of the most attractive financial packages for teachers looking to work abroad. The salaries in Abu Dhabi and Dubai usually come with benefits like housing, flights, health insurance and an end-of-contract bonus. Some teachers even have their utilities covered (so you can blast the air-con without worrying about bank-balance-crippling bills). Although the UAE is one of the flashier teach abroad destinations, it’s certainly not impossible to save. The excellent compensation means you can live a relatively lavish lifestyle and still pocket a good bit of your wages. Teachers considering this part of the world will be well-positioned for flights to other countries in the Middle East, as well as parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It’s also home to a large expat community, which can help new teachers settle in faster. Get a feel for exactly what living, spending and saving in the UAE is like with this teacher’s account of budgeting while living and working in the UAE. Amount in USD/month (approx. for 1 person) Salary for teachers in the UAE $2,400â€"$5,700 (tax-free)plus housing, flights, health insurance end-of-contract bonus Saving potential for teachers in the UAE Big savers: $2,500 Moderate savers: $1,500 Light savers: $900 Cost of living for teachers in the UAE (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $2,250 Moderate spenders: $2,000 Light spenders: $1,500 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in the UAE $1,500â€"$2,000 (not including flights) 2. China China has always been subject to global curiosity, but it’s only in recent years that the opportunity to teach there has become truly attractive. As the economy continues to grow, the Chinese government is pushing education and investing in the English language. There are teaching positions in China to suit every type of personâ€"â€"from rugged rural villages to sprawling cities. As China’s demand for teachers grows, so do teachers’ salaries. The average teacher manages to save a decent amount of money in China. Although wages are low compared to Middle Eastern countries, the cost of living is much lower. It’s worth shopping around for the right position as benefits can vary and getting your flights and accommodations covered can go a long way towards fattening your wallet. Whether you’re an experienced educator or fresh grad interested in teaching in China, it’s worth checking out the Explore Program for some of the best opportunities. Amount in USD/month (approx.1 person) Salary for teachers in China $1,500â€"$4,500 (tax-free)plus housing, flights, health insurance end-of-contract bonus Saving potential for teachers in China Big savers: $3,000 Moderate Savers: $2,000 Light savers: $900 Cost of living for teachers in China (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,200 Moderate spenders: $800 Light spenders: $600 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in China $1,000â€"$1,500 (not including flights) 3. Kuwait When people talk about teaching in the Middle East it often seems like the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia are the only countries that come to mind. But there are lots of countries investing in foreign teachers and ignoring them would be a mistake. Kuwait offers pay and benefits that are on par with its famous neighbours, but the cost-of-living is lower, making it an attractive option for families looking to teach in the Middle East. Teachers that make the trip to Kuwait will probably be a little surprised by how different it is to home. Men outnumber women and alcohol is banned (so it’s not exactly a party destination). It’s good news for people that enjoy socializing over food or family-friendly activities, as this is how people spend their free time in this small country. Kuwait is small enough to miss on a map, but world travelers won’t be disappointed as it offers easy access to the rest of the Middle East, as well as parts of Asia. Amount in USD/month (approx. for1 person) Salary for teachers in Kuwait $2,600â€"$4,000 (tax-free)plus housing,flights, bonus, healthcare Saving potential for teachers in Kuwait Big savers: $3,000 Moderate savers: $1,500 Light savers: $1,000 Cost of living for teachers in Kuwait (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,600 Moderate spenders: $1,100 Light spenders: $650 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in Kuwait $1,000â€"$1,500 (not including flights) 4.South Korea If the Middle East or China seem a bit daunting, then perhaps teaching in South Korea is the answer. A modern country that boasts big cities and idyllic rural landscapes, English teachers have been traveling here in droves to pay off loans and even save for down payments. It’s not uncommon for teachers to go for a year and leave five years later! The quality of life is one of the best in the world and it’s not hard to put aside some serious cash. Budgeting while teaching in South Korea really doesn’t have to be hard. One of the main attractions of teaching in South Korea is that you really don’t have to skimp on experiences to save big. You can hop on a plane and quickly find yourself in Japan, China or Southeast Asia. Amount in USD/month (approx. for1 person) Salary for teachers in South Korea $1,800â€"$2,700plus housing, flights, healthcare and end-of-contract bonus Saving potential for teachers in South Korea Big savers: $1,500 Moderate savers: $1,000 Light savers: $600 Cost of living for teachers in South Korea (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,200 Moderate spenders: $1,000 Light spenders: $800 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in South Korea $1,000â€"$1,500 (not including flights) 5. Kazakhstan If you fancy going off the beaten track in central Asia, then this might be a welcome option. Offering snow leopards and a doorstep to Europe, Kazakhstan is worth considering for the saving-savvy teacher. If you want a reasonable cost of living, great wages and immersion in a brand new culture, look no further. Stunning scenery and modern cities abound and there is no shortage of things to do and places to see. It’s the most diverse of the central Asian countries due to its unique history and ties to Russia. Tea addicts, bread lovers and shish kebab worshippers will all find what they’re looking for. It'seasy to maintain a high standard of living here. Cost of living can be expensive, but it’s balanced by the impressive wages. Teachers looking to move here will most likely need to be certified teachers at home. Amount in USD/month (approx. for1 person) Salary for teachers in Kazakhstan $3,000â€"$5,000, plus housing allowance, flights health insurance Saving potential for teachers in Kazakhstan Big savers: $3,000 Moderate savers: $2,000 Light savers: $1,000 Cost of living for teachers in Kazakhstan (including utilities, transport, phone, groceries, etc.) Big spenders: $1,500 Moderate spenders: $1,000 Light spenders: $800 (all excluding rent) Start-up costs for teachers in Kazakhstan $800â€"$1,000 Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. What you should consider if you’re looking to teach abroad as a way to save When I was picking a country there were a ton of questions on the tip of my tongue, but a few factors were non-negotiable. So, I stubbornly scoured the internet looking for specific answers in a sea of annoyingly generic information and let’s be frank, some pretty weird YouTube videos about what to expect in different countries. I’m going to save you that hassle by sharing my findings with you. First off, you should probably scribble down what you want from a position and try to focus on a couple of things to narrow down your search. For me, these were the non-negotiables (although I wanted to save, money wasn’t my only priority): a. Proximity to other countries - cheap travel options when teaching abroad I wanted to be close enough to other countries to make the odd country-hop budget-friendly. There was no way I was going to pack my suitcase for a year without getting to tick a couple of places off the bucket list. There are plenty of countries that are close to other places that have a high demand for English teachers. Look no further than Southeast Asia, the Middle East or Europe for a bunch of budget-friendly travel options. Some are cheaper than others, so it’s worth seeing how much flights out of your chosen country would cost you. b. Skimp on costs but not on experiences â€"choose a place that’s so fascinating you won’t get bored For me, the country needed to be rich in culture and have the option of teaching in rural areas. I had a hankering for an off-the-grid, immersive experience. I definitely did not want to end up in an expat community where there was an expensive city for me to blow my wages in. I wanted mountains, the total absence of temptation and an outdoorsy year away. Spending my weekends hiking stunning mountain ranges and exploring hidden temples was definitely a shortcut to saving money. As you search, try to think about what you will actually do on a day-to-day basis. Is having other foreigners nearby a priority? How immersed in the local life do you want to be? What kind of little luxuries do you need in your life? c. Look out for low cost of living, small set-up costs and good wages I spent hours online researching cost of living, anticipated savings, set-up costs and salary. Because sometimes the highest wages, don’t always result in the highest savings. If you’re still not sure where you want to go, download our TEFL Country Comparison Chart. Or why not try our salary calculator and see how your qualifications and experience will add up to?

Press Release italki launches WhatsApp for language learning

Press Release italki launches “WhatsApp for language learning” Language learning social network launches iPhone app to connect 1 million language partners around the world through text and voice chat SHANGHAI, China January 29, 2013 italki, the leading social network for language learning, has launched the first iPhone app to connect language learners around the world through text, voice, and images. The “italki Messenger” allows language learners to text message, voice chat, and share images with the over 1 million language learners currently using italki. “Chatting with a language partner is one of the most popular activities on the italki website.  Extending this to a mobile app is a great way to help our users stay connected and learn a language,” said co-founder, Kevin Chen. “Users can now practice their written and spoken language, anytime and anywhere.  No other app connects you instantly with other language learners.” italki’s iPhone app allows language learners to text message, voice message, and share pictures.  After creating an account, a user can search for new language partners by language or country.  Over 200 countries and over 100 languages are represented on italki, which gives users the opportunity to start practicing any language immediately. “We are delighted with the launch of italki’s iPhone app,” said William Bao Bean, an investor in italki. “We expect italki will continue to innovate on both mobile and web.” To download italki’s free iPhone app (“italki Messenger”), click here. About italki italki is an online language learning community that brings students and teachers together for paid and free language learning.  Since launching in 2007, the italki community has grown to over 1 million members from over 200 countries and has been featured in top international press such as Techcrunch, Mashable, The Independent, and The Guardian. Visit for more information. Press Contact: Ross Cranwell Marketing Director italki.com ross@italki.com

7 Fashionable Tech Accessories

7 Fashionable Tech Accessories Eco-Fused Waterproof CasePhoto Courtesy of Amazon.com If you have a smart phone and love being near the water, this accessory is a perfect fit for you! It is a great way to protect the super expensive phone youre holding in your hand whether youre on a boat, lounging by the pool, running around in the snow, or working at Sea World. With transparent sides it allows full normal use, including picture taking and touch-screen capabilities. These waterproof bags can fit iPhones, iPods and Samsung S4 and Samsung S3 phones. Additionally, it comes with a stylus pen that will work with the above mentioned devices and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Get more information about it on Amazon. 2. Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens Kit for iPhone $70 The Olloclip 4-in-1 LensPhoto Courtesy of Amazon.com For all of you crazy Instagrammin people out there, this accessory is about to take you to the next level! Though slightly pricey for some, it is definitely the more affordable option when it comes to taking awesome pictures. This 4-in-1 lens includes options for Fisheye, Wide-Angle, 10x Macro and 15x Macro. You also get a bonus iPhone tripod adapter how cool is that? Look for more information about it on Amazon. 3. Tablet Pillow $12-$35 The Tablet Pal 9-11 Inches Universal Holder/PillowPhoto Courtesy of Amazon.com For those of you who want to treat your iPad or tablet to a little luxury, stop here!  There are a variety of different types you can find: clunky, sleek, full-on-pillow, on-the-go, and many more. A tablet pillow allows you to prop up your tablet for a better view, rest it on your lap, or set it on the table. My favorite is the Tablet Pal 9-11 Inches Universal Tablet Holder/Pillow because of how much more sophisticated and stylish it looks compared to other brands. Tablet pillows or holders are great for when you are sick of holding up your tablet for long periods of time. Check out all of the different styles on  Amazon. 4. Boom Movement Swimmer Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker $60 Boom Movement Waterproof Bluetooth SpeakerPhoto Courtesy of Nordstrom This speaker is probably one of the coolest things I have stumbled upon. With a tail that twists and loops around virtually anything, you can use this Bluetooth waterproof speaker anywhere you need music and not worry about it getting water damage. Talk about taking shower singing to a whole new level! This speaker can be immersed in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Additionally, on just a two hour charge, this device will give you an eight-hour full volume playback time. By unscrewing the tail you will find a suction-cup option that will help boost the bass sound. With the Bluetooth option you can connect to your Smartphone or tablet and listen to the music you want, to your hearts content. You can find this accessory on Amazon and at Nordstrom. 5. Charger Sync USB Fabric Cable Cord $10 Fabric Cable CordsPhoto Courtesy of Etsy.com For those of you who want to have your own distinct cable cord to charge your iPhone 5/5s/5c/ iPad, then you should definitely check out these fabric cable cords. Because these handmade cords are made out of fabric, they have a longer cable lifetime and it also keeps it flexible. Do you have a pet who likes to chew on all of your cords? This is perfect for you, then, because the fabric keeps them from directly gnawing on the cord itself. Nine out of 10 reviews on this product were completely positive, and for only $10, I would totally check it out! You can find this product on Etsy. 6. Not Your Average Flash Drive $7-$100 Unique flash drivePhoto Courtesy of Etsy.com We all need flash drives. And if youre a college student you probably need two or three. However, getting a plain black one is not only boring, its dangerous. The majority of flash drives you see are black, navy, or silver. So what happens when you accidentally leave yours in the classroom? Chances are someone is just going to assume it is theirs and pick it up. This can be absolutely detrimental to your day, and possibly even your life depending on how much information you put on your flash drives. To save the day, Etsy provides a ton of different, adorable, hilarious options you could have as your flash drive to help differentiate yours from your neighbors. 7. Protect your tablet computer fashionably $10-$40 iPad cover casePhoto Courtesy of Etsy.com With all of the various activities you do throughout the day that require your tablet or laptop, it is important to have some sort of a case to help protect it from becoming scratched, or god-forbid you drop it. You should have a case that reflects your personality, and Etsy is by your side to help. However you can also find some really fun patterns on  Amazon, at  Target  and  Nordstrom and at so many other places. Look around and find one that showcases who you are! There are so many fun and unique technology accessories out there that are just waiting for you to find them. So spruce up that computer, replace that broken phone case, and carry around something that reflects your personality.

Student Loan Forgiveness Defined

Student Loan Forgiveness Defined http://www.outstandingcolleges.com From jargon such as subsidized to unsubsidized, there is a ton to be informed on. Read below to find out the ins and outs of student loan forgiveness. What is it? The Federal Direct Loan Program, most recently nicknamed “Obama Student Loan Forgiveness,” assists students with financial circumstances. Back in 2010, President Obama made some changes to the process, not affecting private borrowers. Instead of waiting a hefty 25 years to receive student loan forgiveness, it is now a solid 20. Plus, the federal government will not give subsidies to private lending institutions for federally backed loans. The term subsidized means that the federal government will pay all interest while the student is currently enrolled in school. Unsubsidized, however, demands that the borrower pay the full amount of interest. This is the one you do not want and that we attempt to stay away from. There are also now more opportunities for students who are considered poor or minorities. And if you became a borrower starting in 2014, you are now able and qualified to make payments off of 10 percent of your income. Though these changes are not the best that they could potentially be, they are definitely improvements. Do we have options? The direct loan program offers various repayment plans for the borrower. They are able to consolidate their federal student loans into one new loan. They then are able to select a specific repayment plan. The Standard Repayment is where the borrower pays a fixed amount each month for the entire life of the loan. This relies on the amount borrowed, your interest rate, and the overall term of the loan. The Graduated Repayment is popular amongst students and details that the borrower would pay amounts lower than the Standard Repayment plan, but that it gradually increases every two years. The Income Contingent plan allows the borrower to make payments based off of their annual income, family size, loan balance, and interest rate. These borrowers are even able to make payments as low as $0 a month. The Income Based plan bases the borrower’s payment on both their family size and total income. The loan and interest rates balance are not used in calculating the set monthly payments here. Fifteen percent of the borrower’s discretionary income is required to be paid to the federal student loans. The Pay As You Earn plan tends to be the lowest monthly payment, but is based on the borrower’s income as well. As opposed to the 15 percent used in the Income Based plan, there is only 10 percent of the discretionary income used as a payment. Discretionary income, by the way, is where the amount of an individual’s income that is remaining for spending, investing or saving after taxes and personal necessities is paid in full. How does it work? Depending on which plan you decide to select for your federal direct loan, there are certain rules to abide by. Usually and most commonly, the loans term would consist of 20-25 years, depending on when the loans were originally borrowed. If you choose the Income Contingent, Income Based, or the Pay As You Earn repayment plans, then your loan balance would be forgiven at the end of the term if you still have a remaining balance. This would be ideal because then the total interest is minimal by the end of the loans term. The amount you are forgiven for completely depends on your original loan amount, the amount you are earning, and how much the earnings fluctuate during the life of your repayment plan. Your goal is to really try to stick with subsidized loans, and then pay them off as quickly and timely as possible. There are thousands of students struggling with student debt every year. Though they are a blessing and allow many the ability to achieve their college degrees, loans can weigh students down in a major way. Interest rates seem to be raising every year, as well as terms that mean nothing to us simply because we are unable to understand their meanings. The ultimate intention is to understand what it means to have loans, specific loans at that, and further, the exact loan amounts including said interest. The key is to try to understand what student loan forgiveness is, what options we are offered, and how it works at the end of it all. I believe in you.