How to Find the Right Tutor For You

How to Find the Right Tutor For YouVector tutoring online has opened up many doors to both adults and students who would like to increase their knowledge. Tutors are not only in the business of giving lectures, but they are also in the business of helping students develop their academic skills. Learning has taken a different turn over the past few years and a lot of people have started taking an interest in studying. If you want to take your study seriously, you need to learn from a tutor who will teach you what you need to know.Learning to read and write is no longer a luxury. It has become a necessity for those who want to find a job or for those who would like to get a better education. But how do you find tutors? Is it possible to find one online?Sure, you can look on some free lists to find someone to teach you. The thing is, most of them are not doing well and can offer no guarantees. Many of them only want you to pay them and when you do, they often start teaching you about a subject you don't need. Not to mention, if you pay them, they won't be able to help you.This is where many students and adults get confusing. Tutors can do very well online and it is much easier to search for one. You can look for teachers, colleges, and universities that offer tutoring and ask for a recommendation. It is almost as easy as browsing through some lists.You can also look for a good tutor. You can visit the websites of tutors and try to contact them. If you don't get a response, you can check out their ratings online. People who rate online tutors are usually very satisfied with their services.Check out the school's website and find out if there are a lot of students who are willing to seek their help. This is a good indicator that the school has enough tutors to work with. When you find a school, visit the student forums and see if there are any teachers who are willing to give out advice. This way, you will be sure to find a tutor who you can actually work with.When y ou choose the right tutor, you will be able to improve your studies as well as your career. This will definitely boost your confidence and increase your motivation.

Linear Equations Word Problems

Linear Equations Word Problems Linear equations are a very commonly used concept in Algebra. Linear equations play a very important role in the most general cases in math as it simply requires solving them to find the unknown variable. So these linear equations can be simply put in the form of a word problem, and then we should solve for the variable by performing calculations. Word problems first require a good reading and an understanding of what is given and what is asked, and then it becomes very simple to solve for the unknown. Example 1: Given, 6 more than an unknown number is equal to 15. Find that unknown number. Let the unknown number be = x In order to answer this, we need to translate the question to math terms. 6 more than an unknown number implies x + 6 So the given question means: x + 6 = 15 Solving for x == x + 6 - 6 = 15 6 So, x = 15 6 == x = 9 Therefore, the unknown number is 9. Example 2: Given, the difference between a number and 12 is -7. Find the unknown number. Let the unknown number be = x In order to answer this, we need to translate the question to math terms. Difference between a number and 12 implies x - 12 So the given question means: x 12 = -7 Solving for x == x 12 + 12 = -7 + 12 So, x = 5 == x = 5 Therefore, the unknown number is 5.

Why You Should Take a Creative Writing Course.

Why You Should Take a Creative Writing Course. All the Information You Need on Creative Writing Courses. ChaptersWhat is Creative Writing?The Best Creative Writing Courses in the UK.Tips to Improve Your Creative Writing Skills.The Main Features of Creative Writing â€" that Every Creative Writer Needs to Nail.Some Jobs You Can Do after a Creative Writing Degree.Creative writing classes have been popping up all over the country in the last decade or so â€" from poetry writing workshops to creative writing degree programs, from writing retreats to weekly screenwriting sessions.They come in all sorts of different forms, but the most novel â€" if you’ll excuse the pun â€" is the degree. That’s three years, for an undergraduate degree, spent learning how to hone your writing skills â€" and the same if you want to do PhD.But with this growth in the creative writing education industry, there have sat up the inevitable crowds of nay-sayers. Or haters, as we might call them these days. You can’t teach creative writing, they say. It’s not a real degree, they say.All of this honestly became quite boring before it had even begun. Because, as we’ll show below, there are very legitimate reasons why creative writing should be taught â€" and why creative writers can really benefit from dedicated teaching. Not to mention the dedicated time to practise that creative writing courses offer.Here, we’re going to look at everything you need to know about joining a creative writing program â€" from what creative writing actually is to the employment prospects you can anticipate afterwards.Creative writing is a wonderful discipline â€" so let’s take a look! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusi c reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Creative Writing?So, what do we actually mean by creative writing? Our guess is that you’ll have a sense of this already.Generally, ‘creative’ writing is defined in opposition to those types of writing that aren’t thought to be creative. Journalism or technical writing, or the work of a copywriter, these are all considered insufficiently creative to be creative writing. Even academic writing is excluded from this definition.Unfortunately, this doesn’t really follow any meaning of creativity that we might hold. And, as a consequence, ‘creative writing’ appears to have something of a silly name.Writing Differs by Purpose.What really distinguishes the novelist from the copywriter is not how creative they are, but rather what they do with language. Writing fiction is, of course, different to writing marketing copy, but in different ways.Texts differ in terms of purpose: journalism informs and copywriting persuades. ‘Creative writing’ meanwhile entertains and doesn’t, really, do anything. This i s one of the fundamental ideas in poetics and theory: literature just sort of is. Creative writing is about reading too.The Types of ‘Creative’ Writing.A different way of defining creative writing is to look at the forms that are generally considered to be creative. These are, fundamentally, literary forms.Fiction. Fiction, including short fiction, is creative writing in continuous prose. It usually follows a narrative and includes some sort of character development.Poetry. Poetry is a form that is written in deliberate lines and is notable for its ambiguity and density of language. In can be performed or read on the page.Drama. Playwriting, scriptwriting, or dramatic writing is writing for performance on a stage. Dialogue is a crucial aspect of this form.Screenwriting. As opposed to the stage, a screenwriter writes for television or film.Creative Nonfiction. Distinguished from its fictional sibling, creative non-fiction is prose that takes reality as its subject. This can include personal essays, memoir writing, and other forms.Can Creative Writing be Taught? Of course, it can. Like all artistic disciplines, creative writing requires skill, specific writing techniques, and practise. In all of these things teaching can be helpful.You can see more on this in our article, What is Creative Writing?The Best Creative Writing Courses in the UK.There are lots of different opportunities for people wishing to study creative writing in any possible form â€" whether at university or more casually. The way that you choose will depend on the particular style of learning that you desire.Here we’ll look at three popular options: creative writing programs at university, the casual writing workshop, and the writing retreat. You can find out more about all of these options in our article, The Best Writing Courses in the UK.Studying Creative Writing at University.Taking a creative writing program at university is one of the most serious ways to study the discipline. Usually, you can expect to spend three years studying the subject at degree level, a year for a creative writing MA, and a further three years for a PhD.Whilst at a postgraduate level you can dedicate yourself fulltime to your creative process, during an undergraduate course you will most likely be dividing your time between your writing and the study of another subject â€" usually cinema, English literature, or fine art. Check out creative writing courses!Taking a Short Course in Creative Writing.You don’t need to go to university to have a bit of creative writing tuition, however. There are classes available in most major cities where you can work with a professional writer to hone the skills you need to polish off your first novel or start getting published.Whilst London’s Faber Academy is a great place to go for that, you can also try Superprof for a private creative writing tutor.  Heading Off for a Writing Retreat.Finally, then, there is the third format: the creative writing retreat. These are where companies organise for you to go off into the countryside to work on your writing.They are a great opportunity for anyone looking for some peace and quiet â€" and a bit of friendly guidance. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson f ree!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTips to Improve Your Creative Writing Skills.Creative writing instructors will give you plenty of tips on how to develop your craft of writing. And whilst many will try to develop the minutiae of your style and encourage you to find new stores of energy to finish your work, it’s important to think about the big things that creative writing requires too.Here are three lessons to keep you on the right track in your writing. You can find more in our article, Top Tips to Improve Your Creative Writing Skills.#1 Find Inspiration Everywhere.A creative writer should be interested in the world around them â€" and in the literary works of others. As they said of the Ivan Turgenev, the Russian novelist from the nineteenth century, he was ‘a born spectator’ â€" and he turned his spectating into art.Do the sam e. Because your inspiration comes from what’s outside your head.#2 Keep Experimenting.Don’t get hooked on a style too soon. There’s an infinite variety of different ways that you can write. So, keep experimenting â€" and keep challenging yourself â€" until you have perfected your own style.#3 Cut When Necessary.The process of writing doesn’t stop when you reach the end of the last line. Really, it continues into the process of editing too (which is just writing by a different name).Effective editing can turn a decent book into a masterpiece â€" so never shirk from cutting. Want to write a novel? Try a creative writing course.The Main Features of Creative Writing â€" that Every Creative Writer Needs to Nail.There are many aspects to creative writing â€" and not all of them are hugely creative. But these differ quite significantly from form to form, from genre to genre: what features in a poem is not really the same as that which you’ll see in a novel â€" by no means.But creative writers need to nail all of the important elements in the particular terrain on which they are working. To see more on this, check out our article, What are the Main Elements of Creative Writing?The Central Elements of Poetry.What makes poetry poetry? What really are its essential features? Well, honestly, it depends who you ask â€" but there are some that most people are probably agreed on.Metre: Metre refers to the length and rhythm of each line of poetry, how quickly it seeks to be read, how each word sounds and feels alongside the others.Form / Structure: The form of the p oem is what the poem is. Are we talking a sonnet or an ode? These forms shape the whole nature of the poem.Some Jobs You Can Do after a Creative Writing Degree.We’re guessing that the lot of you will be hoping to go into the literary industry after you have completed a course in creative writing: you’ll be hoping to write professionally, get published, and hopefully make a name for yourself. Good on you!If this is not your thing, however, there are plenty of other options that you can go for with a creative writing degree.These include teaching, working in a library or in a publishing house, or becoming a different sort of writer. You could become a copywriter, for example, or a journalist or literary critic!Find out more about possible jobs after a creative writing degree!

How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals

How Parents Can Help Students Setâ€"and Achieveâ€"Academic Goals This post is part of a month-long series to help you start 2018 on the right foot. Throughout January, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for advice, tips, and tricks on how to reignite your passion for learning this winter. As we enter a new year, many parents, students, and families are focusing on setting goals. For students of all ages, these may center around academics. And while it can be easy for parents of elementary and middle school students to overlook their role in helping their children identify and accomplish goals, parental involvement can have a significant impact on the outcome. Among other tasks, parents can provide background and context for goals, and emphasize the importance of reflection. If youre hoping to take an active role in your childs goal-setting process, learn how parents can help students setand achieveacademic goals. Goal-setting tip #1: Focus on collaboration When setting goals, collaboration serves as a vital tool for parents and students. Parents canand shouldview their role as integral to their childs goal-setting process, but their child should take the lead. When setting goals, speak with your child about his or her aims. Make time, too, for follow-up discussions as he or she works toward these goals. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges] Goal-setting tip #2: Provide context, and establish reasonable expectations As your student begins to set goals, you can help by establishing your starting point. This can help children of all ages identify realistic goals. Establish where your student is coming from in order to determine where he or she might be going. Dont limit your students dreamsjust shape them into measurable steps. For example, if your child hopes to earn straight As, but, in previous semesters, failed multiple classes because of late work, this goal may not be an ideal place to start. Instead, you may want to suggest a simpler goal like, I will turn all work in on time, which is measurable, achievable, and will help with his or her eventual desire to earn all As. Think about dividing goals into short-term and long-term endeavors based on your students starting point, which will help with the next recommendation. [RELATED: 3 Methods for Setting Goals] Goal-setting tip #3: Identify and track milestones Goal-setting at any age works best when you can measure progress. For younger students, it can be challenging to think about goals in such a concrete way. Often, goal-setters look at large-scale items that are not only difficult to achieve, but difficult to measure as they progress. Instead of setting a goal like, Be the best speaker on the debate team, encourage your student to narrow his or her focus. For instance, he may set a goal to participate in three speech events, or she may set a goal to identify three public speaking role models. Both of these goals help your child work toward becoming a better speaker, but both have concrete ways to measure success. Continue to meet with your student to check in on progress, gently suggesting ways to get back on track or providing encouragement where it is needed. Set new ways to measure achievement if necessary, and adjust expectations as required. Goal-setting tip #4: Provide time for reflection Once the timeframe for the goal in question has passed, it is important to revisit the process with your child. This involves more than deciding whether or not he or she achieved the goal. Decide what went well, where your student struggled, and where he or she felt successful. Ask your child to identify where and how he or she could have used additional support from you or others. Finally, make a plan for achieving the next goal, whether it is a new goal or a variation on one that wasnt quite achieved the first time around. By collaborating, understanding the starting point, tracking milestones, and evaluating the process, your student will be equipped to set and achieve goals in no time! [RELATED: The Importance of Self-Reflection: How to End the Year on a Positive Note] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Watch Now How to Tune a Guitar

Watch Now How to Tune a Guitar Suzy S. Over the past few months, weve explored some great tips for aspiring guitar players.   From guitar tips for beginners to improving your electric guitar tone, we hope the advice has helped you along the way.   But without a properly-tuned guitar, all of these tips can go out the window.   In fact, playing an out of tune instrument is one very common mistake that guitar players make when first learning to play. So before you go any further, its time to learn how to tune your guitar.   First step?   Get a tuner!   If you dont have one already, youve got a few choices.   You can either purchase a normal, portable electronic tuner (check out these top-rated tuners), or you can download an app for your Smartphone.   Our staff favorites here at TakeLessons are gStrings for Android (free) and Gibson Learn (free) or TabToolkit ($9.99) or for iPhone/iPad. Now lets get started! Questions, comments, or want to share your own tips?   What type of guitar tuner do you recommend, or what other apps do you love?   Leave a comment on our Facebook page to share with the community! Looking for guitar lessons or music teacher jobs? Visit TakeLessons.com!

How to Learn Drums in a Music School

How to Learn Drums in a Music School Can You Do a Drum Course? ChaptersWhat is a Drum School?The Level Required to Attend a Drum SchoolTraining at a Drum SchoolImportant Information About Drum Schools“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” - PlatoMusic has charms to soothe the savage breast. This is a common expression when talking about music. While it does soothe the proverbial savage beast, you need to practise to get the most out of it.Drums are an instrument with a lot of potential. They often accompany other types of percussion, provide rhythm, or just make noise (according to some).  However, drums are also at the heart of jazz music (and its derivatives).With that in mind, is it worthwhile attending a course on learning how to play the drums?If you dream of becoming the next Thomas Lang, Tony Royster, Steve Gadd, or John Bonham, you should have a look at the different ways to learn how to play them!In this article, we'll be lo oking at drum schools and music schools, the pros and cons of them, and how they can help you learn to play the drums. SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is a Drum School?As you’ve probably guessed, this is a type of music school that specialises in music education and teaching people how to play the drums! The drums aren’t really like the harmonica, piano, guitar, trombone, or bass. The drums (and percussion) are a special kind of instrument and a drummer is a different kind of musician to a pianist or someone who plays the violin or clarinet, for example.Studying music, especially in a specialised school, can make you a better drummer. (Source: stevepb)Rather than traditional music theory, you’ll need to learn about rhythm, tempo, and time signatures in order to play the drums. The curriculum for drummers is very different from those playing brass instruments and your music teacher will have to be a specialist in percussion instruments.A drum school provides training for aspiring and experienced drummers. You’ll be helped by a gifted teacher, too.  You need to keep in mind the differences between a music school and a conservatoire. A lot of music schools are private businesses and more accessible than the conservatoires, which are essentially universities specialising in music, drama, and art degrees.The students, unlike self-taught musicians, will be accompanied by a teacher who will provide tui tion (for a fee) and prepare them for either a recital or audition. In some cases, when you sign up, you’re signed up for the whole year!Music schools have existed for centuries and were even around in the Middle Ages! They’ve stood the test of time and have taught many students over the years how to play the drums, ukulele, piano, flute, etc., as well as how to sing thanks to quality tuition from talented teachers.The Level Required to Attend a Drum SchoolYour level is quite important when it comes to attending a drum school, but probably not for the reasons you have in mind. In fact, while everyone can get some type of musical training, it’s important that your training is suitable to your level in order to get the most out of it. Drums are an instrument for all levels, after all!It's important that your classes match your abilities. (Source: Pexels)That’s why there isn’t a specific level you have to have. Instead, you need to know what level you are so that you can atte nd the right class and get the right training. The same goes for all classes including music theory, jazz piano or classical piano, and playing the guitar.While most schools offer classes by level, not all do. It’s important to make sure that when attending a drum class at a school or getting a private drum tutor that you do your research!Playing the drums at a school can be a lot of fun if you’re attending the right class and making progress. It doesn’t matter whether you’re learning for fun or for professional reasons.  You can also pick the type of drums and drumming you prefer. Your teacher will also help you find the right drumming equipment.Training at a Drum SchoolMusic schools and drum schools, more importantly, don’t tend to offer free classes and you can often sign up for classes when you want. This means that it’s quite easy to start learning to play the drums whenever you want. However, there tend to be fewer classes during the school holidays.Pick your weapo n! (Source: flockine)Your classes will depend on the teacher who’s providing them. A good teacher will help you get the most out of every minute you spend with them and also make you feel like playing the drums outside of class and maybe even inspire you to become a professional drummer. Music is about having fun, after all!Even if you’re learning the electric guitar, saxophone, or drums, most classes in a music school are in groups. While a lot of the classes will be organised into levels, you still need to keep in mind that the lesson has to work for every student. This means you mightn’t all have the same tastes when it comes to music.This means you’ll have to be patient as you won’t always be studying exactly what you want. The most important thing is to be passionate about learning and wanting to play the drums.Don’t forget that are also private tutorials for learning how to play drums so that you can get lessons tailored to you. You can learn the basics alongside a professional drummer, for example.Important Information About Drum SchoolsDrum schools aren’t conversatoires. There are many different ways to learn about musicology and different teaching approaches to learning how to play an instrument. There are also a few details you should be aware of.If you want to play drums in a band, you'll first have to learn how to play drums! (Source: Free-Photos)In addition to enrolment, teaching approaches, etc., there is also the price to consider as one of the most important aspects to consider.  The average cost tends to sit around £100 per month for proper drum training. Of course, there are schools that cost more and others that cost less.If you want to learn to play the drums either in a school or with a private tutor, you’ll need to invest both time and money. You’ll need to pay teachers, invest in equipment, and also travel to where your lessons are. We can’t forget that there are also online drum lessons if you can’t afford the lat ter.You need to carefully consider where your lessons are as you’ll need to go there once or twice a week depending on the type of course that you’re attending. Depending on where you live, you may have a choice of several nearby schools or have to travel to the  other side of town to attend the only one that’s near you.If your school is a couple of miles away, you mightn’t want to walk there when it’s raining cats and dogs. On the other hand, if you live in the flat above the music school, you shouldn’t ever really miss a class!Your teacher’s passion for teaching the drums is arguably the most important thing to consider when learning to play the drums. You never know whether you’re going to get along with your teacher before you meet them and it’s really important that you do. While this isn’t usually the case, it’s something you need to keep in mind.You need to make sure that your teacher employs effective teaching techniques that work for you. While you can ’t always find this out before you start your class, you should try to find out as much about them as you can.In short, drums are a great instrument to learn in a class at a music school. However, before you attend your first drum lesson and start playing drums, you should carefully consider your options and decide which type of drum instruction is right for you.If you're an absolute beginner, you'll probably need to invest in drum sets including a bass drum, snare drum, cymbals and hi-hat, tom-toms, and sticks. As you progress through your drumming lessons and you learn different musical styles, you may want to add to your drum set. For example, jazz drumming doesn't require a double bass pedal, but metal music certainly does.Beginners shouldn't go out and buy a lot of stuff for their drum kit as they won't be aware of exactly what they need. Learn some drum beats and rudiments before you invest in a kit like you've seen famous drummers playing.

Spotting Signs of Stress in Teens with ADHD

Spotting Signs of Stress in Teens with ADHD Teenagers might not be faced with many of the situations that adults consider to be stressful, like financial concerns, parenting challenges, long commutes, a demanding career, job instability, etc., but the middle and high school years come with a set of challenges that can be highly stressful in their own right. In fact, in a 2013 American Psychological Association survey teenagers reported experiencing unhealthy levels of stress at higher rates than adults. Teens cited school as the number one source of stress, followed by worries about getting into a good college and figuring out what to do after high school. Other sources of stress included social pressures, worrying about family members, and worrying about family finances. When a teen has ADHD, their risk for unhealthy levels of stress goes up even higher. ADHD symptoms make school more challenging, both during the school day and in the evening during homework time. Friendships and dating can be harder with ADHD too, especially for teens that have difficulty picking up on subtle social cues or who tend to impulsively say things that they regret later. If your teenager is like most, then his or her afterschool and weekend schedule is packed with extracurricular activities that leave little room for down time. The time management challenges and impulsivity that comes with ADHD make it much more likely that a teen will get in over his or her head with too much to do and too little time. But like most teens, those with ADHD may not recognize that they have bitten off more than they can chew. They dont necessarily know that their stress level is higher than it should be, or that they can ask for help. Parents can usually identify unhealthy levels of stress before teenagers are able to do so themselves. Parents can also see the bigger picture, focus on long-term goals, and access help in ways that teenagers with ADHD often cannot. However, as a parent spotting signs of stress in a teenager with ADHD can be tricky. Many of the signs of teenage stress overlap with symptoms that typically accompany ADHD or are known side effects from ADHD medications: Poor concentration Sleep problems Anger outbursts Anxiety Poor appetite Headaches or stomach complaints Social withdrawal Taking longer to complete schoolwork and/or missing deadlines So, when your teenager seems highly irritable, his or her grades are lower than you think they should be, he or she is complaining that he or she never has enough time to finish homework, and talks about not being able to focus in class, is that stress or is it ADHD? Every teen is different, but there are some signs that will indicate that unhealthy levels of stress may be part of the picture: Differences in personality during school breaks vs. when school is in session. Many teens will be less irritable, angry, or frustrated when school isnt in session. However, if the change is dramatic, to the point where during breaks or summer vacation you find yourself thinking things like, Im so glad to see my child finally starting to act like her usual self again, then that is a sign that your teen may be experiencing unhealthy stress during the school year. Loss of interest and enthusiasm. If your previously energetic, enthusiastic, and curious teen has started to seem uninterested in things, especially things that he or she usually enjoys, then that may be a sign of stress. Its typical for teens to shift their interests and become less enthusiastic about things that they may have enjoyed when they were younger; but they should still be interested in something, even if its a new activity or subject in school. Hinting at being overwhelmed. Some teens will actually tell you that they are stressed out or overwhelmed, but many dont think about themselves in these terms. Instead you may start hearing them say negative things about their ability to get things done, or their life in general. Things like: I cant do it. Ill never get everything finished! Its too much. I hate school! When you try to help or problem-solve they may simply shutdown and refuse to try, not because they dont care but because they are overwhelmed. If you think your teen may be overly stressed, then start by having a conversation. Pick a low-key moment with your teen and start off by simply acknowledging that youve noticed that he or she has a lot on the plate right now. Ask what it feels like to have so much going on, and if he or she ever has moments where it feels like too much. Many teens will open up and will talk about themselves, but dont feel pressured to get them to talk about everything in a single conversation. Its okay to simply use the first conversation as an icebreaker on the topic. Sometimes shorter conversations with parents are all teens can handle when the subject matter is intense or serious. Therapists in your area or at your childs school can also help you figure out if stress is having a negative effect on your teen. So, dont hesitate to reach out and ask for help if youre worried. Youll be getting the support that you need, and youll be serving as a great role model for your teen by showing that its okay to ask for help when you need it. 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.