The 25 Best Karaoke Songs for Women

The 25 Best Karaoke Songs for Women Elaina R. Want to be the star of your next karaoke night? Weve got you covered.  In this article, voice teacher  Elaina R.  shares 25 recommendations of karaoke songs for women. Have you ever noticed that guys like Bruno Mars, Sam Smith, and Adam Levine sing so high that barely any other guys can hit the same notes? What about the fact that female artists like Sia, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry leave women in the same painful situation? You aren’t imagining things; the popular music industry has been overrun by high voices ever since pop was invented. Its nearly impossible for normal people (without digital enhancement) to sing lots of popular songs. In fact, many of the original singers of these songs can’t reliably belt out those high notes night after night â€" it just isn’t healthy. This is why if you’re a female vocalist, instead of attempting to screech out Chandelier at your next karaoke session, you might want to consider sticking with Justin Bieber instead. Keep reading to find out more. Why Songs by Guys Make Great Female Karaoke Songs In my experience, the average woman can belt up to about a G4 or an A4 before things start getting uncomfortable (if I just lost you, check out this article  on voice types). Im a professional singer and I can only comfortably belt up to a C#5 or D5. In contrast, here are a few of the belted high notes in some popular songs with female singers: Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off  (D5) Katy Perry’s Firework  (D#5) Sia’s Chandelier  (F5) Ariana Grande’s Problem  (G#5) These notes are a fifth to an octave above what most women are capable of belting. Theyre so high in fact, that a trained singer like me  can’t belt most of them! Its physically impossible  for most women to sing these songs without straining their vocal cords or flipping up into head voice. Now let’s take a look at some of the high belted notes in popular songs by male artists. OMI’s Cheerleader  (E4) Justin Bieber’s What Do You Mean  (F4) Walk The Moon’s Shut Up and Dance  (G#4) Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk  (D5) Aside from the Bruno Mars song, all of those have belted high notes that most women can comfortably handle. And although you might expect the songs to go too low for women, they usually don’t. The lowest note in the four songs listed above is a momentary C#3 in Shut Up and Dance. Some women can sing down there, but if you can’t, it’s easy enough to substitute a higher note that fits in the chord (one safe tactic is to simply stay on the previous note). Have I convinced you? If so, consider some of these hits next time you go to a karaoke bar. 25 Karaoke Songs for Women (Originally By Guys) 1. The Lazy Song â€" Bruno Mars 2. Forget You â€" Cee Lo Green 3. Photograph â€" Ed Sheeran 4. Trap Queen â€" Fetty Wap 5. Firestone â€" Kygo  ft. Conrad Sewell 6. Hold Back the River â€" James Bay 7. Let It Go â€" James Bay 8. Want To Want Me â€" Jason Derulo 9. Don’t Stop Believing â€" Journey 10. Love Yourself â€" Justin Bieber 11. Years Years â€" King 12. Are You With Me â€" Lost Frequencies 13. Sweet Home Alabama â€" Lynyrd Skynyrd 14. Sugar â€" Maroon 5 15. Billie Jean â€" Michael Jackson 16. Thriller â€" Michael Jackson 17. Avicii â€" The Nights 18. Cheerleader â€" OMI 19. Hey Ya â€" OutKast 20. Happy â€" Pharell Williams 21. I’m Not The Only One â€" Sam Smith 22. Stay With Me â€" Sam Smith 23. See You Again â€" Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth 24. Can’t Feel My Face â€" The Weeknd 25. Earned It â€" The Weeknd If youve tried any of these hits at a recent karaoke night, leave a comment below and let us know how it went. Want to really take the audience by storm at your next karaoke event? Check out the online karaoke classes at TakeLessons Live. Try as many classes as youd like free for 30 days! Post Author:  Elaina R. Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She received her Master of Music from  the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here! 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

You are in control of your Attitude - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / You are in control of your Attitude - Introvert Whisperer You are in control of your Attitude I want to make it about your ability to choose your general outlook on things that come your way in life or at work.   While there may be something that comes your way that makes you stressed or unhappy at first, you can choose to let that linger with you or you can choose how you want to feel. Some people think that whatever way they feel about something is not in their control but that’s not really the case.   We have gotten used to reacting to our situations, especially negative ones, and simply live with it.   It’s a paradigm or belief that you have no control but you are in complete control and probably very few people have shared that insight.   It’s important to know this fact. If this sounds like you and you are now wondering how do you “turn off” your brain or “switch it”, you do have some work to do to retrain yourself but it’s painless and will take some time.   Let me give you an example: If someone doesn’t speak to you on the way into work in the morning, you can choose to take it personally and let it hurt your feelings or you can choose to think this person has something on their mind.   See?   It’s your choice on how to view a situation that could be negative. Here’s your quick brain “re-train: Catch yourself in a negative reaction. Ask yourself: “How do I choose to feel right now?” or “What is a different perspective I could take that would serve me better right now?” Repeat until you have a new habit. So, choose to live a life you prefer. Go to top 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

Economics in Popular Culture

Economics in Popular Culture Learn More About The Most Famous Economists and Their Theories Chapters10 Most Famous Economists of All Time10 Most Famous Economics Books10 Famous Examples of Economic Collapse10 Famous Economic TheoriesIf you’re studying economics at GCSE, A-level, or if you’re an economics undergraduate at university, there are lists upon lists of famous economists, economic works, as well as economic theories that you’re expected to understand.In fact, some would say it's a common assumption that you should at least be aware of, if not very familiar with, a variety of economic policies, economic problems, and what top economists, from Keynes to David Ricardo, would think of such issues.While having economics tuition from Superprof, can certainly help you learn about the key thinkers that have shaped the field of economics today, you can also supplement your study in a number of ways, for example, by:Reading some of the greatest economic works written by renowned economists that cover topics such as prospect theory and the invisible hand;Learning more a bout economics in the daily news; andFinding out more about the thoughts and beliefs of past and present major economic thinkers.With that in mind, we let you know below which economists, theories and works, are almost essential reading for students of economics.Milton Friedman; andAdam SmithKeynes and Friedman are almost required learning in any economics curriculum, largely because their opposing views form a crucial backdrop to economic policy that came to shape much of the 20th century.Keynesianism argued in favour of market regulation and government spending in order to control the boom and bust cycle of economics and introduced concepts such as aggregate demand. Indeed, much of Keynes work formed the basis of macroeconomics today.Friedman, on the other hand, was a fundamental believer in the free market and was therefore in opposition to Keynes. Although Friedman’s voice was perhaps not as strong in the 20th century, his ideas garnered a wide range of followers who believe i n free-market capitalism.The important thing to note is that economics as a subject is full of economists, from Hayek to Marx, who hold widely differing views to one another, whether that relates to conflict around:Whether capitalism or socialism is a better economic model; orWhether there should be more regulation in markets, or if a laissez-faire approach is betterRegardless of where you personally stand on such issues, it’s a great idea to read widely and understand what the key theories of major economic thinkers are, many of whom have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics.That way, it will develop your analytical skills when looking at an economics problem, and will also give you a greater appreciation of how one school of economics can differ to another.Equally, if you need any help fine-tuning your knowledge of figures such as Keynes, you could also hire a private tutor from Superprof to help you.You should familiarise yourself with examples of economic models, as it wi ll help your economics studies. (Source: CC BY-SA 4.0, Debangana.mukherjee, Wikimedia Commons)10 Most Famous Economics BooksThere are a number of economics books out there, and as a result, there are plenty of books specialising in different niches. So if you would like to:read a work about behavioural economics;learn more about economic history; orwant to understand the key principles of macroeconomicsthere is a book out there you can learn from.For example, an excellent work that would complement any study into behavioural economics is Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. A psychologist by trade, Kahneman outlines decades of his work, arguing that humans, far from being homo economicus, can actually act in quite irrational ways.Equally, if you’d like to delve deeper into the past, and read a classic economics work, then you’d do well to read The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, which covers topics such as the free market, along with the division of labour.If you take th e time to read a wide range of works, across a number of economics niches, then not only will your appreciation for schools of economic thought increase, but you’ll also become immediately more familiar with key economists' theories and beliefs.For example, whether or not you agree with his writings, you can understand a lot about what Karl Marx had to say about capitalism and his views on socialism in his works The Communist Manifesto and Capital. Often, it's much easier to understand a thinker's perspective and ideas once you read their own words about the issue, as opposed to reading a summary of their economic work.Daniel Kahneman is considered one of the top economists of our time, even though he's a psychologist! (Source: CC BY-SA 2.0, Buster Benson, Flickr)10 Famous Examples of Economic CollapseWhilst it’s important to know as much as possible about certain economists and their works, for example, Keynes, Hayek, Marx, or Friedman, it’s also worth taking some time to res earch what happens to global and local economies when there is an economic crash or another form of market failure.Although there have been a number of crashes in recent times, with the 2008 financial crisis perhaps being the most frequently referenced, economic collapses are not a phenomenon of the 20th and 21st  centuries.For example, there were a number of crashes and speculative bubbles in the 17th and 18th centuries, with some examples being:The tulip mania in the Netherlands in the 17th century;The Mississippi bubble of the 18th century; andThe French Revolution of 1789If you spend some time researching these crashes, you may begin to see some parallels or patterns in why crashes happen, and how they can be resolved to return countries to economic growth.However, if you're looking to focus your studies on one or two famous crashes, many would argue that one of the most famous economic collapses has to be the Great Depression, which was triggered by the Wall Street Crash in 192 9. Sending the world into years of global recession, the crash has been well-documented and extensively discussed, so there is plenty of relevant, interesting material on the subject should you wish to find out more.Of course, you could also reach out to a tutor at Superprof, who will be able to discuss major economic collapses with you in more detail, and provide you with interesting anecdotes and facts that you can quote in your next essay or exam.The Wall Street Crash of 1929 was the beginning of the Great Depression. (Source: Public Domain, Sparkx 11, Wikimedia Commons)10 Famous Economic TheoriesAlthough you may learn about the key economists of all time, the best way to learn about such figures is to understand what their core economic theories were.By reading up on the most common economic theories around, you’ll:Help improve your understanding of major economic figures, such as Keynes, Friedman or Smith;Gain more familiarity with different economic concepts, from laissez-fa ire economics to game theory; andUnderstand what schools of thought economists belong to.There are economic models and economic concepts that have been around for hundreds of years, with classical economics, which was spearheaded by figures such as Adam Smith, being one such example. However, other equally compelling and long-standing theories have appeared, such as:Keynesian economics;Milton Friedman and the theory of monetarism, which is closely associated with him; andMarxism, and in particular, Karl Marx's criticism of capitalist economies.Additionally, newer economic concepts have also gained traction in the past few decades. For example, game theory and prospect theory are both still relatively new economic theories. Prospect theory, in particular, has done much to develop our understanding of the field of behavioural economics and challenges the idea that human beings always made rational economic decisions.Although not every economic theory will necessarily agree with anothe r â€" Keynes and Friedman being two very famous examples of economists whose theories’ clashed at times â€" it’s important to read about different, and contradicting economic theories.This will not only help improve your skills in economic analysis, but it will also develop your understanding of the field of economics as a whole, and what issues economists of today are concerned with, whether that's:inflation;unemployment; ormonetary policy.Ultimately, if you are able to focus your studies by researching the most famous examples of economic theory, you'll set yourself in good stead for your exams.Equally, if you need any help at all preparing for an upcoming exam or essay, or if you’re struggling to find out more about a particular economist, such as Stiglitz, then you can also turn to tutoring sites such as Superprof for help.There is a range of economics tutors at Superprof, who offer both online and in-person tutoring sessions, so you can definitely find a tutor with the ex pertise and availability to suit you.

How to Get a Good List of References

How to Get a Good List of References You will inevitably be asked to give a list of references throughout your many application processes. This shouldnt be any shocking news to you, but if you are still new to the ways of the job search, you should be aware of the proper etiquette required to get and use a reference. Never blindly assume someone will be your reference and then give their information to a potential employer. There are some cases where this may be okay, for instance if you have been working for a certain company for a very long time and have a close and comfortable enough relationship with your boss that it would almost be silly to ask their permission. Ultimately, you have to be the judge of those things. But in many situations, its just safer to confront your employer directly about using them as a reference before you actually do it. Another reason this is important is because you never know what kind of contact information a potential employer will request for your references. Sometimes they just need an email address, other times theyll want a phone number, and many times they will want both. If you never discussed this with your references, you may find yourself in a pinch and having to list a company email or phone number. Itll be easier for everybody all around if you have a direct phone number and email address for each of your references. Think of it this way: you want to make it as easy as possible for potential employers to get a hold of your references. They may have to go through several unnecessary hurdles to get this person on the phone if they are being transferred from department to department and being put on hold for minutes at a time. No employer whos going through many applicants has or wants to spend the time on that. Plus, your references company probably wont appreciate all the hassle either . Lets say that for some reason you have come across direct contact information for your reference before having the references discussion with them. Dont think you are in the clear and no longer need to speak to them about it anymore. For all you know, this person may not like that particular email address or phone number given out to the public. If they are contacted by a stranger through those lines of communication and find out you are the reason, you may risk them resenting you for it. Hey, wasnt the whole point of this that they would give you a good reference in the first place? Dont let it slip away from you so easily. As long as you politely ask these people if they will be your reference, get the proper contact information that they say is appropriate, and be very gracious for their help, your references list will be a piece of cake. None of this takes long to do, but that doesnt take away from its significance. You picked these people because you feel they will sing your praises; going about this process is the way to maintain that relationship.

5 Ways Microphones Have Changed the Music Industry

5 Ways Microphones Have Changed the Music Industry Suzy S. If youve ever stepped on stage to perform, you may not have thought much about the microphone youre about to use. But its history is actually pretty interesting, as music recording equipment has developed drastically since the first condenser microphone came on the market. These changes have made a big impact on the music industry as a whole, and, for better or worse, are here to stay. Power Requirement Without outside amplification, the loudest musician wins every time. But when you introduce microphones into the mix, every individual instrument can be heard as the composer intended. So you can have brass instruments playing at fortissimo, and woodwinds and strings playing mezzopiano, but the final decision as to the volume is up to the sound engineer running the music recording equipment. Likewise, in a live setting, a quiet singer or instrumentalist can still be heard in the back row with proper amplification. Microphones can be strategically placed around a stage to pick up any whisper or important sounds, so the audience can hear them regardless of where they are seated. Live Performances While microphones have definitely become a powerful tool in the arsenal of music recording equipment, they are equally as important in live performances. A vocalist or musician does not need to be exceptionally powerful, as detailed above. This allows him or her to be more agile and experimental with the sound. Whereas a non-amplified performance requires the emphasis to be on power to reach the audience, a microphone gives the performer the freedom to deliver the highest quality sound to the audience at whatever output power is manageable, and the amplifier picks up the sound from the microphone and brings it to a proper volume. Overdubbing and Effects With a live performance, a performer can relax and focus on quality over quantity, so to speak. In addition to the value of amplifying the output, microphones can be used in conjunction with music recording equipment to provide a wide variety of aftereffects. Overdubbing, for example, can be beneficial for a solo artist who plays multiple instruments or sings different parts on a track. With the right music recording equipment, the artist can set up for the backing vocals, instrumentation, and then focus on lead vocals and one instrument during a live performance or put it all together for a music video, like this YouTube artist. Effects also heavily rely on a microphone. A vocalist can change timbre or distortion, and many acoustic instruments can be amplified with different waveform filters to change the sound. Without the microphone, all of these effects are limited, or nonexistent. Sampling Sampling requires a microphone for it to be of any sort of use at all. The difference between a cover and a sample lies with who is doing the performing. An artist who wishes to sample another needs the original recording, otherwise he or she will be covering the work instead of just sampling the original artist. With a microphone used in conjunction with the rest of the music recording equipment for the original recording, the sample can be overlaid with the new artists and processed through another microphone. Architecture of Performance Halls and Recording Studios Prior to the use of microphones, live performances relied on natural amplification for the audience to experience the sound. This required extensive work on walls and ceiling segments that would reflect the sound in the proper direction. It also required performances to be quite exact, as improper placement or slight variations in tempo would have a drastic effect on audience perception. While recording studios were few and far between before the microphone was in common use with music recording equipment, they also had to abide by the rules of natural amplification. Nowadays, every vocal and instrument has at least one microphone, and  performers can even be isolated into separate recording booths, so that the microphone has no chance of picking up any other sounds. Effects such as echos, reverberations, and delay, which were originally built in to recording spaces (or present unintentionally), are now added after the original recording.   Whether in studio or on stage, microphones should not be taken for granted. They help both first-time and seasoned artists make the most out of their music. And microphones add a new dimension to the production capabilities of music recording equipment. Who knows what technological advancements will be next for the music industry? 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 Photo  by  saulk61, erik forsberg

Use a Standard Approach to Conquer GRE Quantitative Comparisons

Use a Standard Approach to Conquer GRE Quantitative Comparisons GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog One of the first thoughts that befuddles many potential GRE students is â€" How exactly do these Quantitative Comparisons work? This is the subject of today’s video tutorial with our Director of Online Tutoring â€" Stefan Maisnier. The most important thing to understand about so-called Quant Comps is that although the quantities may change, the answer choices never do. So, for the first eight or nine questions of every Quantitative section the note taking format and process for working through the problem remain the same. Standardizing the approach as done in the above video helps students maximize efficiency and memorize the meaning of the answer choices over time. In addition, understanding the goal of the question minimizes the amount of excess calculation. As seen in this problem, evaluating only one of the quantities may be enough to arrive at the correct answer, and of course getting to the destination in half the time of your peers is the name of the GRE game! About the Author: Stefan Maisnier is the Director of Online Tutoring at MyGuru, and sometimes contemplates the lagging Verbal scores of business school applicants while gazing wistfully at his own Masters of Science in Journalism diploma from Northwestern University.

Tips for Teens Why is it so Hard to Stop Procrastinating

Tips for Teens â€"Why is it so Hard to Stop Procrastinating Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? says the ADHD brain. When you have ADHD getting started on homework or sitting down to study can be hard - really hard. Many teens with ADHD feel like their brain struggles to gear up and focus on the assignment. Others feel so overwhelmed by the essay, project, or upcoming test that they dont know where to start. Some know where to begin, but put off getting started because they worry that they wont be able to do the assignment well enough to meet their high standards. With all of these negative feelings coming up, the natural reaction is to avoid the assignment, project, or upcoming test all together. This avoidance strategy works initially. For a while you do feel much less anxious and less stressed, but before you know it youre in trouble. The test is in an hour and you havent studied, or the big project is due tomorrow and you havent gotten started. Your stress and anxiety skyrocket. Even if you do make the deadline, its only af ter pulling an all-nighter or handing in work that you know isnt your best. You promise yourself that you wont procrastinate again, but within just a few days youre back in the same spot. Everyone procrastinates sometimes. Its human nature. But when you procrastinate so often that it prevents you from reaching your full potential and adds stress and anxiety to your life, then its a problem. Youre not alone. Most people with ADHD (and many people without ADHD) struggle with procrastination. The good news is that you can break the procrastination cycle with two steps: first identify the ADHD tendencies that cause you to procrastinate and then make some relatively simple changes that will help you overcome these challenges. Common ADHD tendencies that lead to procrastination are listed below. Think about which of these apply to you - for some people it may be all five and for others it may be just one or two. Seeking Instant Gratification. With ADHD comes a tendency to prioritize things that are fun in the moment over things that are less enjoyable now but come with a delayed reward. Working on assignments and studying for tests are both activities with delayed payoffs. Sometimes the delay is very long, like when you study for months to prepare for the SAT. Other times it can be relatively short, like when you start working on an essay a few days before its due. In many cases the delayed payoff for your effort can be big like excellent scores on the SAT! But when you have ADHD its hard to be motivated by a delayed reward even with big payoffs. So, instead of getting started on things you logically know you need to get done, youre likely to do something immediately fun and rewarding instead - like playing videogames or chatting with friends. Feeling overwhelmed. When you have ADHD you can easily feel overwhelmed by longer assignments and exams that require a lot of preparation. It can be hard to know where to start or how to break the assignments or study plans down into smaller manageable chunks. No one wants to feel overwhelmed, and when you procrastinate youre able to avoid this feeling at least for a short time. Unfortunately, when you procrastinate you ultimately feel more overwhelmed in the long run. Time management. Estimating the amount of time it will take to complete an assignment or study for a test can be difficult when you have ADHD. Youre more likely to underestimate the amount of time you will need, and you may have trouble paying attention to the amount of time that has passed once you start working. Both of these ADHD tendencies make it difficult to get started early on projects and manage your time well so youll finish by the deadline. Self-confidence. When youre not confident in your ability to write a strong essay or get a good grade on a test, then it can be very difficult to get started. Self-defeating thoughts start to creep in, your anxiety goes up, and an already challenging task becomes even more unappealing. Many people with ADHD struggle with self-confidence, especially when it comes to school, so its not surprising that this might be causing some difficulties now. With ADHD its very easy to get distracted by almost anything, especially anything with a screen. Before you know it youve been sucked into your phone for an hour and genuinely have no idea how much time has passed! Once youre distracted by your phone or computer it can be even harder to switch gears and get started on the work youve been avoiding. Did you see yourself in any of these tendencies? Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings over the next few days as you get started on assignments or procrastinate instead of getting work done. See if you notice any other tendencies popping up. Once youve identified your own patterns youll be ready to take action and make some changes. In my next post I discuss some simple steps that will help you stop procrastinating so you can turn in assignments on time, with less stress, and earn better grades! ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

San Diego Academic Tutor 5 ways to Improve Concentration

San Diego Academic Tutor 5 ways to Improve Concentration San Diego Academic Tutor Tips: 5 Ways to Improve Concentration Students have so many things to concentrate on these days, and they’re encouraged to multitask at every turn. Unfortunately, so many difficult academic tasks can often lead to a serious amount of fatigue. When students are tired, they lose their concentration almost straight away, and that can make focusing on homework a major challenge. Once students develop this unhelpful cycle, the entire semester could be at risk. However, there are some great ways students can improve their concentration so they can get their work done efficiently and still have time left over to rest, relax, or just have some fun our private San Diego academic tutors are here to help you concentrate on your studies. 1.   Block out the world Although its important for students to be able to work as a team and socialize, sometimes its better to block out the world when a student needs to do some serious studying. Finding a quiet study space is important, but students can also listen to ambient noises or relaxing music in their headphones to help block out noise in a coffee shop or school library. Students are also encouraged to shut down social media and put their cell phones in another room, so theyre not tempted to take a quick peek at what their friends are doing online â€" which usually leads to several hours of social media surfing. 2. Meet with an organizational consultant Organizational and educational consultants have been working with students for years to help them make the study more efficient. In many cases, high school students are spending two hours completing an assignment worth two points and but spending 45 minutes trying to finish a three-page paper. Elementary and middle school students might not even understand what the percentage and points system means and dedicate equal time to every assignment regardless of what its worth. Organizational consultants can help students prioritize their time and manage different assignments by importance, often leaving them with more free time and increased concentration. 3. Boost self-esteem If students are worried about the grade they got on their last assignment or what their friends at school think about their contribution to the study group, theyre less likely to be able to maintain their focus. Its very normal for teens to have lots of different worries but those worries take away from mental focus. Its essential for students, at this age, to feel that their teachers and parents are proud of their work and receive compliments when they do something correctly. Students may also get a self-esteem boost from participating in sports or working on a creative activity. Its important they get to participate in something they excel in so that they can feel good about themselves and put that extra effort and focus on more difficult assignments (READ: San Diego Admissions Consulting: How Many Schools Should I Apply to?). 4. Limit time with electronics When students spend too much time on a tablet or laptop when not working on assignments, their eyes and brains can become overly fatigued. Students can spend some time in nature or just get a little bit of exercise to help counterbalance their lack of movement while studying or can download an app that cuts the amount of blue light they’re exposed to during extended study sessions. 5. Sleep One of the simplest and most effective ways students can improve their focus is to get eight or more hours of sleep every night. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially for college prep students who are trying to fit in SAT or ACT study along with their regular academic courses. Regardless, students who are running on empty during the day will have a difficult time focusing and find that relatively easy tasks become difficult. Adequate sleep is the key to maintaining concentration throughout a student’s academic career. Learn how to concentrate on your studies from our experienced San Diego academic tutors. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.