Ask an Admissions Expert Amy Jasper

Ask an Admissions Expert Amy Jasper Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Amy Jasper helps students navigate the college admissions process through her admissions consulting service, My College Fit. She has worked in undergraduate admissions at a number of institutions including Duke Universityand the College of William Mary. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Amy: The Common Application and individual colleges do not release their updated applications until the summer before senior year. I encourage students to get the general information sections completed as soon as possible to get them out of the way. The Common Application essay topics are remaining the same for the class of 2015, so work on the personal statement can begin at the end of junior year (many English teachers will have juniors do one in class). I believe the best time is summer. The workload of junior year is in the past and, quite frankly, a student is more mature. Work on your essays, put them aside for a bit, and then revisit them. You can do this when you have time on your side. However, if you begin an application the day before its due, you are not going to produce your best product even if you feel you work well under pressure. Its great to begin senior year with basic information on applications completed and a final or close to final draft of the personal statement completed. The college application process can be like having an additional class in the fall, so seniors should use summer to their advantage. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Amy: I find that many students are looking for a life-altering experience to write about, of which most dont have. Oftentimes, the best topic is really right in front of them. There are many things in your everyday life that you feel strongly about that could actually be quite interesting to someone who doesnt know you. And thats the key. You want to attract and maintain the admissions officers interest. A student should think about what they want the college to know about them and work backward from there. Ask yourself questions about your likes, dislikes and passions. Whats fun to you? What makes you laugh? Was there a moment when life seemed particularly difficult? VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Amy: Of course the good old sports essay is a deal breaker for me. My two children are athletes, and my husband was a high school and college athlete. I do understand the importance of sports and how an injury, big win, or a big loss is impactful. I really do. But what students need to realize is that it is difficult to convey anything unique or interesting about any of those things. Perhaps the worst essay topic choice I ever encountered was an applicant discussing a very personal experience with his girlfriend. No way ever is that appropriate! The key is to remember that admissions officers are people; therefore, how they respond to an essay is going to be subjective. If an essay is boring (sports injury) or pushes the envelope way too far (boyfriend/ girlfriend TMI), it is very difficult to respond to that with, I definitely want to put this kid in the yes pile. And of course that is the response an applicant is working for. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Amy: Although it can be difficult to believe, admissions officers really can tell when someone is not being authentic in his or her application. Make sure your essays are in your voice and your passions come through. Another big mistake is not answering questions correctly. If a college asks, What tweet would best summarize your day? (and I did see that question this year), your answer should be 140 characters or less, because that is a tweet. If a school didnt want a specific answer, they wouldnt ask a specific question. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Amy: Typically, the process begins by reviewing an applicants transcript and counting the number of years they have in the core subject areas: English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language. Then the admissions officer will look at the grade made in each course. Weighted GPAs are often not the best representation of grades, therefore many schools look at each grade received in each course. Some colleges recalculate the GPA so all applicants are on the same scale. They would then count the number of honors, AP, or IB classes to reflect strength of courses. The order of the next three items is usually done based on the readers personal preference. The admissions officer would now review a students activities and involvement, highlighting anything found to be particularly stellar or interesting and also looking for commitment. Next they note the students SAT or ACT scores. Finally, the officer would read the applicants essays. Most officers write a few notes or take-aways from the essay like, Great story about climbing favorite tree as a kid. Excellent writer. I want to meet this kid. Didnt get anything about him from this. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Amy: It is important to tell your own story about something that can be perceived as negative. If you leave things unexplained, people will make their own deductions, which may not be correct. Bad grades one semester? Show an improvement in the next semester. Made a bad social choice? Explain what you have learned from your mistakes. Involved in no activities or sports after school because you have to work or take care of your siblings? List those as commitments on your applications - because they are! VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Amy: The best way, of course, is to visit a campus. Prospective student events are definitely planned to create a wonderful showing of all that is good at college, however, they do give you access to professors, students, and organizations that you may not experience on a regular visit. Use it to your advantage and ask questions that are important to you and that will give you a more realistic view. Follow your gut. If you feel like you dont belong there, you probably dont. If you visit a campus for an information session and tour, be certain to ask questions that cant be answered on the website. Ask your tour guide the name and size of her smallest class her freshman year, as well as her largest. If professor interaction is important to you, ask for examples they have had with their professors. Social life? Ask him what there was to do on campus last Friday night. Do remember that tour guides are people and people sometimes have a bad day. Dont blame the college for a bad tour guide. Try to see beyond him or her. After the tour, eat on campus or hang out in the student center. Grab a school newspaper. Again, follow your gut. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Amy: ED, which is binding, is a huge commitment. Not only is a student saying they know what their first choice is in October or November, they are also saying that if they are admitted, they will attend. I only encourage students to apply ED when they are confident in the decision and not applying because it is perceived as an acceptance strategy. ED is not the right choice for a family that will need to weigh their financial aid options from various schools. Early action, which is non-binding, has become quite popular with many colleges and applicants. Early action application deadlines allow a student to get a decision early in the process. What makes early action attractive is that if the student is admitted, they are not bound to go. I recommend this to students who are happy with their grades and do not need first semester senior grades to strengthen their application. The good news is there are still many schools with deadlines in January and even February, so students still m ay have deadlines spread over a few months. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Amy: Grades are definitely important. Many times, students think a low grade in, say, an AP or IB class is okay because of the strength of the class. The reality is, in the applicant pools at selective colleges, there are plenty of applicants who will have taken the same class who received a high grade. Better grades make a student more competitive. Although test scores are never usually the most important factor in the admissions process, they are a factor. If colleges require SAT or ACT scores, then it is important to them. If they did not value scores, they would not require testing. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Amy: Choose a teacher who knows you well. Its best if the teacher is from an academic subject in your junior year. Ideally, you have been an active participant in their class and have done well. You want a teacher who can speak to the type of student you are. If you ask a teacher and they suggest that you perhaps choose another teacher who may know you better, dont be hurt. Be thankful that they were honest with you. That is much better than if they had said yes and sent a mediocre letter. When asking a teacher, be polite and follow-up with an email. Also be certain to understand your schools policies around recommendations. Are they sent electronically? Do you need to provide forms or envelopes? What information does your counselor require from you? All schools have their own way of doing things, and its your responsibility to know and follow the rules. Lastly, remember to thank your teacher after theyve completed the letter. Check out My College Fit for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Should I Go To University of Minnesota

Should I Go To University of Minnesota The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Erik received his Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics and his Master of Science from University of Minnesota. He is currently a tutor in Minneapolis specializing in Algebra tutoring, Calculus tutoring, Mechanical Engineering tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at University of Minnesota: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Erik: University of Minnesota has one of the biggest student bodies in the country, so there are people of all different backgrounds, as well as student groups for just about everything. There are two campuses. They are linked by a commuter bus which runs frequently and is free for students. The university is situated across the river from downtown Minneapolis, but it is large enough to be more like a small city itself. Almost everyone that you encounter during the day is affiliated with the university somehow. Most students walk or bike to class, but those living on or near the St. Paul campus also take the commuter bus to class. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Erik:The professors at University of Minnesota are very willing to talk with you if you have questions or comments about the course. In every course I have taken, the professor has encouraged me to visit him or her during office hours. In addition, an academic adviser is assigned to every student to help students plan their academic career. Teaching assistants are highly qualified and knowledgeable graduate students whose job it is to help students understand the course material. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Erik:Dormlife is a good chance to get to know other students. Many lasting friendships are made in the dorms, and each dorm organizes activities to help students meet each other. A meal plan is also available. For my dorm, the meals were buffet-style with no limit on quantity. Students can also opt to eat out. The facilities for cooking may be limited depending on which dorm the student lives in. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Erik:University of Minnesota is a huge school, so almost every possible area of study has a major. The school is highly ranked in Psychology and Chemical Engineering. I chose to study Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics because I have always liked math and science, and there are great research opportunities at the university. As an undergraduate, I had access to computer labs, a wind tunnel, and other lab facilities, and I always felt like the professors were there to help me when I had problems. If the student is proactive and motivated, there are a great number of resources to take advantage of, from student groups, to seminars, to public speaking and networking events. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Erik:A lot of students struggle when faced with the prospect of making new friends. Fortunately, whether you are very outgoing or not, there are people with the same interests as you at University of Minnesota. That is why it is great to take advantage of all the clubs and activities organized by the school. I struggled with meeting people my first year until I studied abroad in Hong Kong, where I was forced to talk to others and ended up forming great friendships. I did not participate in Greek life, but there are several fraternities and sororities if you choose to go Greek. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Erik:The Career Center has resources like mock interviews, career counselors, and online portals where employers can find your resume and reach out to you. There are also classes (like Careers in Engineering) that teach you what jobs are out there and how to position yourself to succeed coming out of school. There are career fairs in the fall and spring where recruiters from reputable companies come and talk with students of all ages. Many students get interviews through these events that later lead to internships or full-time employment. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Erik:The libraries range from small libraries in specific departments to large buildings that service all the students in a given college. The libraries are usually full of students who are working, and they have cafes or convenience stores attached. Most libraries are open late (until 10:00 p.m. or midnight, with some specific computer labs staying open 24 hours a day). The libraries are never so crowded that you cannot find a seat or computer. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Erik:Minneapolis is a big arts and culture city. There are a lot of festivals, concerts, and public events that are free and sponsored by the city. It has an exceptional number of diverse and highly-acclaimed restaurants, due in part to the large Somali and Southeast Asian populations. As a student, I would frequently take the bus downtown or walk to the West Bank for concerts or to eat at a new restaurant. The location of the campus makes going downtown easy, but there are still plenty of activities on campus if you choose to stay closer. The majority of students stay on campus, but almost everyone goes out once in a while. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Erik:The student body is 50,000+ (including graduate students). Class sizes range from 30-100 students, and they are usually on the larger end in your freshman and sophomore years. I never had an issue with the class sizes because the professors always stop to ask questions, and they are available after class or in office hours. In addition to the larger lectures, there are smaller discussion sections. During these discussion sections, a teaching assistant goes over the material and can answer your questions. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Erik:I remember working on my first engineering group project for the class Aerospace Structures. We worked on a design that was to be submitted just before Spring Break. It was such a learning experience to rely on each other, rather than the professor or a TA, to solve our problems. We met in the library and stayed late, trying to finish before the deadline. These late nights are the most memorable nights of schoolwork that I had, and they were where I learned how to work with others. Check out Eriks tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to say THANK YOU in English - Different Ways to say THANK YOU

How to say THANK YOU in English - Different Ways to say THANK YOU We were all taught (usually by our parents) to say please and thank you when we wanted something (please) and when we received something (thank you). I still think a simple thank you is so important whenever anyone does something for us or offers us something. So lets learn how to say THANK YOU in English correctly. It does not cost any time to reply with a simple thank you. Watch how people react they nearly always smile.There are many forms to say thank you in English. A simple quick thanks is quite informal and very acceptable. How to Say Thank You in English THANK YOU SO MUCH  or THANK YOU VERY MUCH are not only more formal but also express a deeper appreciation.The other day a man kindly helped me when I has a spot (a little) of difficulty with my car. He would not take any payment so I offered my sincere thanks with a very warm “thank you so much” as I really meant it.THANKS A LOT has a similar meaning but is more informal and used quite commonly today. It is no less meaningful because we use the informal form so do not be afraid to express yourself in such a way.Other forms of Thank you are used depending on which country you are in. In England and Ireland you will often hear THANK GOD but its more said in a form of gratitude that everything has worked out ok rather than an expression of appreciation.For example: The weather was really bad and lots of ice lay on the road. When I got home safely my Mother said “thank God you are home safely”.It is also used as follows: Thanks be to God. It has an identical meaning. Be careful n ot to confuse them both. I often hear students say Thanks God but this is incorrect.Other options how to say Thank You in English include such expressions as:  THANKS A MILL/MILLION (Irish English)  andTHANKS A BUNCHThese very popular English expressions are informal and are used in everyday situations.It can also be said with a hint of sarcasm or irony. Usually when someone means the opposite. Perhaps, you did not really help the person or your help did not assist in any way for example:Me: Hi. Gary could you give me a hand to lift these boxes?Gary: Sorry mate I just got dressed I am on my way out. I don’t want to get dirty.Me: Ok thanks a bunch (ironic laugh)Now you know how to say THANK YOU in English in a few different ways. And remember that saying THANK YOU is  one of the easiest way to let someone know that we appreciate their help.   How to Say and Respond to Thank you in English Responding to Thank You NOT AT ALL!  You use not at all as a polite response to someone thanking you for something.Thank you very much for giving me a lift.Not at all.THATS ALL RIGHTWe use thats all right in the same way.  Thank you for lending me your car today.Thats all right, I didnt need it anyway.We can also use DONT MENTION IT and IT WAS NOTHINGThanks a lot for giving me a lift home.It was nothing.(IT WAS) MY PLEASURE is a little bit more formalThank you for baking a birthday cake for my son.It was my pleasure.

PTA Fundraising with Tutorfair

PTA Fundraising with Tutorfair 40% of students in London have a private tutor, and Tutorfair.com is where you can find the best tutors in your local area. We have hundreds of vetted and trained tutors covering subjects from Maths and English to Admissions and Music. We also promise that for every student who pays, Tutorfair gives free tutoring to a child who can’t afford it. Not only is Tutorfair the socially responsible way to find tutors but your PTA can earn ~ £60 per student through recommending Tutorfair.  All parents need to do is sign up to Tutorfair via your PTA fundraising  link. On average parents spend £1,200 on tutoring. As a website Tutorfair can afford to take less commission than a traditional agency  and tutors get to give back through the one-for-one mission, which is why so many great tutors are on Tutorfair. “Their 'child for child' promise ensures that tuition is not just for 'the privileged few' and replaces the X-Factor (X for eXpensive) with the Feel Good Factor. It's helicopter parenting with a conscience; the educational equivalent of off-setting your (naughty) air miles.” -  SchoolGuide.co.uk Plus, PTA fundraising is quick and easy to set up: We create a unique link including your code  e.g.tutorfair.com?regcode=your_reference. You share it with parents, friends, groups on email, Facebook, blogs, school website etc. When a new student books a tutor we pay you commission. A few more details: For now, Tutorfair is only in London and surrounding areas. Payments are made monthly in arrears. On average, parents spend £1,200 on private tuition and your PTA earns ~ £60 (5%) of everything spent on tutoring over a year. Percentages are calculated from pre-social, pre-VAT hourly rates. Client must sign up via the PTA’s link for the commission to be tracked. For example: If a tutor costs £30/hr and a parent booked 40 lessons over 4 months the school PTA would receive £15/month for four months. This is a great way for your PTA to raise funds for your school, whilst helping those children who can’t afford a tutor.   Tutorfair's free tutoring had helped over 2,500 children by 2015. If your PTA would like to sign up please fill in this form.  If you have any more questions please email Breanna at breanna@tutorfair.com.

Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse - Tutor Hunt Blog

Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse? Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse?UniversitiesI can remember receiving an unconditional offer from my chosen university, and joking with my parents that I didn`t need to revise for my exams. `Whatever I get they have to admit me!` I thought, believing this was a licence to relax in my studies, and perhaps work on my computer game technique. Thankfully my parents made sure I knuckled down and got to work, and in the end I actually chose to go to another university after receiving my grades - but receiving the offer felt like a golden ticket. There has been concern over the precipitous rise in unconditional offers granted during the last 5 years. In 2013 the number of unconditional offers granted to 18 year olds was a modest 3000. In 2018 however the number had risen to a staggering 117,000! Quite an increase there, nearly 40 fold by my calculations. There has also been a huge growth in the so called `conditional unconditional` offers, which didn`t actually exist in 2013, but were granted to 66,000 students in 2018. I wasn`t actually aware of the `conditional unconditional` category, but have since learnt that it means the student is granted the place without question, with the stipulation that they make that university their first choice. Concerns have been raised by both schools and colleges that those students granted such guarantees are underachieving in exams, spending less time revising by taking `their foot off the gas,` according to the Office for Students (OfS). Researchers also found that those with unconditional offers were likely to miss their predicted marks by as much as two or three grades. It is disquieting to think that there may have been many A-Level students who were on course to receiving A grades, but after being granted unconditional offers became less studious, and ended up getting only C grades. OfS chief executive Nicola Dandridge has expressed serious concern about the huge rise in unconditional offers, in particular critiquing those `with strings attached, which are akin to pressure selling`. With the introduction of university fees the students, as opposed to local councils, now pay the majority of the bill, and securing placements may have become more of a commercial enterprise. Indeed, the Office for Students has likened the commonplace use of unconditional offers to `pressure selling,` and has said that universities may even be contravening consumer law. This is hardly the language one would expect when discussing the education sector, but the simple truth is that university places do need to be `sold` for the institutions to remain functional. Despite these concerns there are many who are of the opinion that unconditional offers have a vital role to play in ensuring everyone has a chance of going to university. Chris Husbands, vice-chancellor of the OfS has said that these offers give a chance to those students who `might otherwise not have the opportunity to study at a very high level`. `What unconditional offers can do when used in this way is to remove one element of pressure from the system and then ideally help students to achieve their potential and to thrive.` The Office for Students has said it will be monitoring the situation closely, and will be looking for a correlation between unconditional offers, and students not attaining their predicted grades, or dropping out soon after beginning their courses. They will also be encouraging students to be aware of any `pressure selling practices,` and have said they will take regulatory action, which may include fining universities, and forcing changes in their internal practices. The Student Room, an online forum where students can discuss all matters relating to university, has been discussing the pros and cons associated with unconditional offers for some time. In one post a student said they had received four unconditional offers out of their five applications, but each had the stipulation that they had to be selected as the first choice. This left the student rather disillusioned, feeling that `the universities do not actually care if I get the grade, instead, they just care about how many places they fill and want to guarantee as many as possible with the appeal of an unconditional offer.` Universities should only admit students onto courses who are academically suited for them. But with the growing commercialisation of the education sector, it is inevitable that the primary concern of universities will be ensuring their courses are fully booked up. Empty seats in the lecture hall means a loss of income. For many receiving an unconditional offer will be confidence boosting, and galvanise them to get the best grade they can; for others though it may mean they get a place on a course not suitable for them, and end up dropping out of university all together. 13 months ago0Add a Comment

American International in Egypt (Main Campus)

American International in Egypt (Main Campus) American International in Egypt (Main Campus) The American International School in Egypt has been one of Egypts leading schools since it opened its doors to its first 240 students in 1990. Today, AIS Egypt has two campuses, with a combined student population of over 2000 students. AIS Egypt is a member of Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL), a group of ten American and British schools spanning six countries and three continents. In partnership with the school community, our mission is to provide eligible students, primarily from the Middle East and living in the Greater Cairo area, with a challenging American and International college preparatory education. Our caring, professional faculty strive to empower our students to become critical, independent thinkers with the skills to be dynamic participants in an ever-changing global society. Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in Philadelphia, AIS Egypts American diploma is recognized by the Egyptian Ministry of Education as equivalent to the Egyptian General Secondary Certificate. Our International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Our American curriculum follows United States national standards as well as Virginia standards and is designed to prepare students for entry into highly competitive colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. During every step of our students academic journey we strive to provide the finest American educational instruction while cultivating a passion for learning, a capacity for critical thinking and a sense of civic responsibility. A tradition of educational excellence drives our future.

Tutors Provide Support for Schizophrenic Patients

Tutors Provide Support for Schizophrenic Patients Misfortune has struck me recently because my fiancée has been diagnosed with a form of schizophrenia.  She no longer is the sweet, caring and intelligent women she used to be.  Due to her  psychosis  she disconnects  from the real world and now her life mainly goes on in her head.  Imaginary voices speak to her while she is awake, acts on her negative emotion by attempting to hurt some people around. She also fails to identify her fiancée (that is me).  A horrifying scenario indeed! In this article I provide an overview of schizophrenia, how it is diagnosed, treated and how tutors can provide support to manage this mental disease. Schizophrenia is an illness of the mind and best characterized by poor cognitive and emotional  responsiveness. Depending on the individual he or she will exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: 1. Delusions: False believes. Such as having imaginary friends, being a spy or being followed. My fiancée believed I was about to pack my bag to leave her for good. 2. Hallucinations often in the form of voices in the head, but schizophrenic people may also  see, smell, taste, and feel things that are not there. My fiancée for example held her ears closed in an attempt to escape these voices. 3. Bizarre Behavior covers a wide range of ways that seems strange or inappropriate to normal people. My fiancée started five  different household tasks without finishing one of them. 4. Disorganized Speech: Sentences which may not make much sense, strange topic of conversation changes. 5. Negative Symptoms: Lack of motivation or interest. Emotional distance even to loved ones. Diminishing ability to function socially. One may judge schizophrenic people  as being of poor characters.  But this is far from the truth as schizophrenia is a genuine biological disorder:  In the brain billions of neurons interact with each other.  This process requires bio-chemicals or neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonins.  Most commonly, elevated levels of  dopamines  causes misfiring of neurons which trigger the minds misinterpretation of reality. Diagnosing Schizophrenia There is no test for schizophrenia yet.  Instead the  psychiatrist interviews and observes the patient and identifies the disease by the symptoms.  Often MRI scans provide further clues about the presence of schizophrenia.  Moreover, doctors must rule out other causes such as a brain tumor or drug abuse by means of  blood and urine tests  as well as  MRIs. In order to prescribe the right treatment a doctors consider  different types of psychic disorders: 1. Schizophrenia: Symptoms start 6 months or more prior to the onset of the episode. They increase in severity and usually impair social functioning and/or degrade performance at work. 2.  Schizophreniform  Disorder:  Same symptoms as schizophrenia, but they start 6 months or less before the full outbreak of the illness. 3. Brief Psychotic Disorder, or brief reactive disorder. Symptoms last at least a day but never more than a month. The duration of the psychosis is generally shorter (1 to 3 months). Thereafter the patient fully recovers.  Because my fiancée experienced such a sudden onset of her symptoms I am hopeful her diagnosis is that of a brief psychotic disorder and will return to the wonderful person she was before. 4.  Schizoaffective Disorder: A mix schizophrenia and  mood disorder exhibiting depression and/or bipolar disorder. 5. Delusional Disorder: To them it is evident they are being followed, conspired against or have to save the world.  No reasoning will help.  These delusions persist for at least one month or more. Treatment Unfortunately, there is no cure for schizophrenia.  But the illness can be managed by means of  antipsychotic  medications, often in combination with psychotherapy, family counseling and group therapy. The first-line psychiatric treatment for schizophrenia is by means of anti-psychotic medication  which can reduce the symptoms of psychosis in about one or two weeks.  Long term use of  antipsychotic  of decreases the risk of relapse.  These mediation typical block dopamine receptors in the brains synapses.  While this process manages psychosis often well it accompanied by harmful side effects.  These effects include weight gain, muscle weakness, inability to remain motionless, shrinkage of brain volume, diabetes, sexual dysfunction and  reduced life expectancy. Today most antipsychotics  in use are in second generation. They have less side-effects.  Examples of these newer medications include  clozapine, risperidone, quetiapine, and  ziprasidone. Besides psychotherapy, family and group therapy there is evidence that diet and managing stress reduces the severity of  schizophrenia  or lessens the risk of a relapse. In fact the ubiquitous  gluten found in bread, cookies, snacks and many other processed foods coupled with a genetic predisposition might cause the patient to produce gluten antibodies harmful for the brain (auto-immune response). Since stress can trigger a psychic episode it is simple to manage it. Stay away from a high  carb  diet and prefer fresh fruits and vegetable together with fatty fishes (rich in omega-3).  At TutorZ.com you find tutors who can advise you on which  nutrients  are right for mental health. Another important way to manage schizophrenia is physical exercises. It builds up lost muscle wait, controls gained weight and most importantly acts to reduce stress. Yoga, meditation  and  Tai Chi have been proven to be especially effect and is offered by many tutors on  TutorZ.com. Of course, when dealing with schizophrenia it is always necessary to seek (ongoing) advice and treatment from psychologist or psychiatrists.  However, in less severe cases of schizophrenia a tutor might be the right person to give you a break from having to attend your child, spouse or parent.  In fact, developing creative skills such as playing  guitar or piano, acting on stage, painting or knitting helps to reduce the symptoms.  The skill set required of a tutor teaching a schizophrenic student is similar to that of autism, attention deficit disorder or manic syndromes.  We at  TutorZ.com can connect you with tutors who specialize in schizophrenia, autism, dyslexia  and  ADHD. For further information about schizophrenia you may also contact one of our qualified  psychology  tutors. Tutors Provide Support for Schizophrenic Patients Misfortune has struck me recently because my fiancée has been diagnosed with a form of schizophrenia.  She no longer is the sweet, caring and intelligent women she used to be.  Due to her  psychosis  she disconnects  from the real world and now her life mainly goes on in her head.  Imaginary voices speak to her while she is awake, acts on her negative emotion by attempting to hurt some people around. She also fails to identify her fiancée (that is me).  A horrifying scenario indeed! In this article I provide an overview of schizophrenia, how it is diagnosed, treated and how tutors can provide support to manage this mental disease. Schizophrenia is an illness of the mind and best characterized by poor cognitive and emotional  responsiveness. Depending on the individual he or she will exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: 1. Delusions: False believes. Such as having imaginary friends, being a spy or being followed. My fiancée believed I was about to pack my bag to leave her for good. 2. Hallucinations often in the form of voices in the head, but schizophrenic people may also  see, smell, taste, and feel things that are not there. My fiancée for example held her ears closed in an attempt to escape these voices. 3. Bizarre Behavior covers a wide range of ways that seems strange or inappropriate to normal people. My fiancée started five  different household tasks without finishing one of them. 4. Disorganized Speech: Sentences which may not make much sense, strange topic of conversation changes. 5. Negative Symptoms: Lack of motivation or interest. Emotional distance even to loved ones. Diminishing ability to function socially. One may judge schizophrenic people  as being of poor characters.  But this is far from the truth as schizophrenia is a genuine biological disorder:  In the brain billions of neurons interact with each other.  This process requires bio-chemicals or neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonins.  Most commonly, elevated levels of  dopamines  causes misfiring of neurons which trigger the minds misinterpretation of reality. Diagnosing Schizophrenia There is no test for schizophrenia yet.  Instead the  psychiatrist interviews and observes the patient and identifies the disease by the symptoms.  Often MRI scans provide further clues about the presence of schizophrenia.  Moreover, doctors must rule out other causes such as a brain tumor or drug abuse by means of  blood and urine tests  as well as  MRIs. In order to prescribe the right treatment a doctors consider  different types of psychic disorders: 1. Schizophrenia: Symptoms start 6 months or more prior to the onset of the episode. They increase in severity and usually impair social functioning and/or degrade performance at work. 2.  Schizophreniform  Disorder:  Same symptoms as schizophrenia, but they start 6 months or less before the full outbreak of the illness. 3. Brief Psychotic Disorder, or brief reactive disorder. Symptoms last at least a day but never more than a month. The duration of the psychosis is generally shorter (1 to 3 months). Thereafter the patient fully recovers.  Because my fiancée experienced such a sudden onset of her symptoms I am hopeful her diagnosis is that of a brief psychotic disorder and will return to the wonderful person she was before. 4.  Schizoaffective Disorder: A mix schizophrenia and  mood disorder exhibiting depression and/or bipolar disorder. 5. Delusional Disorder: To them it is evident they are being followed, conspired against or have to save the world.  No reasoning will help.  These delusions persist for at least one month or more. Treatment Unfortunately, there is no cure for schizophrenia.  But the illness can be managed by means of  antipsychotic  medications, often in combination with psychotherapy, family counseling and group therapy. The first-line psychiatric treatment for schizophrenia is by means of anti-psychotic medication  which can reduce the symptoms of psychosis in about one or two weeks.  Long term use of  antipsychotic  of decreases the risk of relapse.  These mediation typical block dopamine receptors in the brains synapses.  While this process manages psychosis often well it accompanied by harmful side effects.  These effects include weight gain, muscle weakness, inability to remain motionless, shrinkage of brain volume, diabetes, sexual dysfunction and  reduced life expectancy. Today most antipsychotics  in use are in second generation. They have less side-effects.  Examples of these newer medications include  clozapine, risperidone, quetiapine, and  ziprasidone. Besides psychotherapy, family and group therapy there is evidence that diet and managing stress reduces the severity of  schizophrenia  or lessens the risk of a relapse. In fact the ubiquitous  gluten found in bread, cookies, snacks and many other processed foods coupled with a genetic predisposition might cause the patient to produce gluten antibodies harmful for the brain (auto-immune response). Since stress can trigger a psychic episode it is simple to manage it. Stay away from a high  carb  diet and prefer fresh fruits and vegetable together with fatty fishes (rich in omega-3).  At TutorZ.com you find tutors who can advise you on which  nutrients  are right for mental health. Another important way to manage schizophrenia is physical exercises. It builds up lost muscle wait, controls gained weight and most importantly acts to reduce stress. Yoga, meditation  and  Tai Chi have been proven to be especially effect and is offered by many tutors on  TutorZ.com. Of course, when dealing with schizophrenia it is always necessary to seek (ongoing) advice and treatment from psychologist or psychiatrists.  However, in less severe cases of schizophrenia a tutor might be the right person to give you a break from having to attend your child, spouse or parent.  In fact, developing creative skills such as playing  guitar or piano, acting on stage, painting or knitting helps to reduce the symptoms.  The skill set required of a tutor teaching a schizophrenic student is similar to that of autism, attention deficit disorder or manic syndromes.  We at  TutorZ.com can connect you with tutors who specialize in schizophrenia, autism, dyslexia  and  ADHD. For further information about schizophrenia you may also contact one of our qualified  psychology  tutors.