10 Ways to Study without Distraction

10 Ways to Study without Distraction Sign up successful 1. Create the right environment. Distraction is often a byproduct of an environment filled with noise, excess technology, open browsers â€" you get the idea. Create an environment designed for studying. This can be as simple as clearing your workspace, restarting your computer, and taking a few deep breaths to quiet the mind. 2. Set an intention. Distraction can also happen when you are unclear about the direction in which you are headed, or what you are trying to accomplish. Set a clear intention for a period of time or a project so that you are always working towards something specific, achievable, and quantifiable. 3. Turn off the channels of communication. Facebook, Twitter, email, telephone â€" all of these are great for communicating and reaching out, but when you are trying to stay focused, they can undermine even the most determined of us. Turn your phone to silent, sign out of your email and social media accounts, and know that most communication is non-urgent, so returning to it an hour or two will likely cause no disruption at all. 4. Vary your routine. Boredom is a leading cause of distraction. When you’re bored, you don’t want to focus and accomplish something specific. You can avoid boredom by varying your routine in terms of your study location, your method of studying (flashcards, asking someone to quiz you, reading aloud versus silently, etc.) and any other factor within your control. 5. Make your goal public. When you have your reputation at stake, you will be much more likely to meet your goal. So find an accountability partner or post your goal to study without distraction for a certain amount of time to social media, and then follow up with a post stating how you did. Achieving your goal can be even more rewarding when your network knows about it, too! 6. Find support. Sometimes distraction happens because we are overwhelmed by the tasks in front of us. Finding help can be as simple as taking a study skills class, talking to a friend, or reaching out to a classmate. This is one of the best ways to study efficiently, because when you feel supported and in control, you are more likely to be productive. 7. Manage expectations from others. Those around you can also be a significant source of distraction. If you know you need to study quietly for the next two hours, but your partner, child or roommate doesnt know this, it’s bound to result in distraction. Communicating your needs simply and clearly ahead of time can create the space you need without offending those around you. 8. Take breaks. All work and no play results in… not a lot of work done. Taking breaks is essential to recharge your mental and physical state, so that when you do study, you can use your time well. 9. Prepare beforehand. Studying can be as simple as finding your book and notebook, but other times, you may need additional equipment. Preparing ahead of time by charging your laptop, printing out any reading material, or downloading study guides can ensure that you spend your designated study time actually studying rather than locating the tools that you will need. Similarly, make sure you are as well-rested, fed, and hydrated as possible so that you are not distracted by bodily sensations of sleepiness, hunger, and thirst. 10. Use time management techniques. There are a few ways to study and techniques to try; the Pomodoro technique, for example, can revolutionize your use of time. Making use of simple tools for time management can ensure you stay on track. With these tips, you should find that you accomplish your study goals in less time. Remember to make small changes and tweak your routine according to your daily needs. And give yourself a little leeway, too â€" nobody is ever 100% distraction-free, so just do your best and reward yourself as you take steps toward an organized, efficient studying routine. Jinan B. tutors in Life Science in Honolulu, HI. She is currently an  Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, teaching various courses including  Community Nutrition, Concepts in Nutrition Education, and Advanced Child and Adolescent Nutrition.  Learn more about Jinan 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 Photo  by  UBC Learning Commons

Study Tip How to Create a Good Study Environment

Study Tip How to Create a Good Study Environment Weve talked about the how to avoid study distractions, weve talked about randomly helpful items to help you study, but now its time to talk about how you can put all of those things together and produce a great study environment. No student is in a good position to study if the surrounding atmosphere isnt conducive to such productivity. Before you gather your books and attempt to cram that information into your brain, you need to make sure you are placed in a good setting, whether it's somewhere for a solo study session, meeting with your SAT tutor, or taking an ACT practice test. The number one rule when it comes to creating study environments? Dont go by what anyone else does. Everybodys brains are vastly different and therefore excel under different types of circumstances. Joining your roommate at Starbucks may seem fun and beneficial to your workload, but is it? Do the subtle conversations and noisy blenders really comfort you like they comfort that friend of yours? They might. But if they dont, just the fact that youre with your supportive friend isnt going to be enough to bring the good studying out of you. Never completely rely on another persons ideas for study environments, no matter who they are. It is up to you and you only to choose what surrounding details make you study well. Not sure what exactly constitutes your perfect study environment? Below are some ideas to give thought to: Noise level: Complete silence, constant sounds, or somewhere in between? The silence can freak some people out while others find it vital for focused studying. Just as well, some students hate noise during this time while others find it reassuring. Whether all of this refers to nearby people talking, buses that often drive by, or a smoothie machine mixing away, you need to figure out how theyll factor into your brains train of thought. They might throw it off or they might encourage it to work harder its up to you to see which direction you typically go in. Seating/Tables: Do you need lounge chairs and incredibly cushy couches when studying? Or does that just distract you more? Dont use seating that will send you into a study coma or day-dreaming session. If those comfortable arrangements will prevent you from being productive, find a place with ordinary, hard chairs that will force you to sit up straight. Tables are the next item to cover; dont get trapped in an area with very little table space to align your study materials. That is a category of frustration that nobody has time for. For instance, some cafs have extremely tiny tables that are great for setting down your coffee, but thats about it. Consider a sturdy desk or lengthy library table if youre going to be spreading out a lot of notes to look over. Amount of people around: Think about the constant actions of adjacent strangers and how they make you feel when studying. That kind of situation may sidetrack you on very high levels, or it might make you feel relaxed again, everyone is different. Also, you could be in a place where these other people are studying, which could help you stay motivated, or you could be somewhere where these people are just hanging out and not working, which could frequently divert your attention. Determine how surrounding people affect your study process and go from there. You might find that you need total isolation to focus Computer-friendliness: Often times you need your laptop with you to study, so its always a good idea to make sure your study space is conducive to that. You dont want to end up in a situation where theres basically no room for your computer to sit other than on your lap. Even worse, being stuck at a place with little to no outlets around can leave you in quite the compromising position if you run low on battery power you certainly dont want to have to end your study session abruptly against your will. Additionally, make sure to find a place that is not messy; for instance, you dont want to sit your computer on a dirty table that is rarely cleaned off. Dont set it up on a constrained space where a nearby drink could spill onto it either! Location: Is this place right by where you live? Is it a time-consuming drive away? Is it close to a coffee supplier? These are all good things to think about when choosing the study spot of choice. Perhaps you are creating this environment in your home, but even then you should consider how close you are to food, television, or anything else you might want on a much-needed break or not want near you at all. Some students find it helpful to be nearby their home so they can easily return to comfort if they get restless and frustrated. Others purposely situate themselves far from their places of residence in order to ensure they will stay put in the study zone. Ultimately, think about the things you want near you when you study and the things you want to be a great distance from you. Pick your locale accordingly. With these standards in mind, you should have a much easier time preparing for those exams. Find this perfect spot and get going!

Apply These 9 Secret Techniques To Improve SAT College Test

Apply These 9 Secret Techniques To Improve SAT College Test 0SHARESShare Follow these secret techniques to improve SAT College Test!! 1)           Control your mental anxiety right from the prep start to gain confidence 2)           Do not leave the questions half read. In your haste to manage time, you would miss the corners of the questions 3)           SAT   Testers are particular about deceiving you with misleading answers which pose for the right answers. Repeated Sat preps make you pick out deceptive answers at the very first look 4)            Follow the progressive   order of   difficulty in questions and skip the difficult ones to spare time 5)           Learn the art of visualization Imagine how you will do the SAT test and what your scores could be. Have a mental calculation of all the practice tests and hit a target 6)           Assess your plus and strengths Evaluate how you have taken up the journey with prep and practice and what you could achieve in the end with your strong aspects of preparation and skills. 7)           No over preparation-Last minute cramming could handicap your mental abilities and cause unexpected frustration. Be satisfied with what you have prepared and relax your mind on the eve of the exam 8)           Take full length tests to assess your weak spots 9)           Regular practice with ample time for  prep is essential for success Similarly, ACT Question and Answer prep helps ace ACT test. Avail   SAT or  ACT online Registration with Tutor pace. Com to have an edge in the exam. [starbox id=admin]

17 Surprising Health Benefits of Playing an Instrument

17 Surprising Health Benefits of Playing an Instrument Health Benefits of Playing an Instrument Jessica Dais Playing an instrument has many benefits learning self-discipline, strengthening mental capacity, and spreading the joy of music, just to name a few. And research shows that these benefits aren’t just for kids. Musicians of any age can take advantage of the physical and emotional health benefits of playing an instrument. It doesn’t matter what instrument you choose to play, either! Keep reading to discover how the act of playing music can drastically improve your overall health.   Health Benefits of Playing an Instrument Physical Benefits of Music Deep Breathing Most of the time our breathing is very shallow, but activities like singing or playing a wind instrument require deep breathing from the diaphragm. This strengthens your lungs and respiratory system. Playing the harmonica can even help with pulmonary disease! Immune Response When we learn to play an instrument, we often become inspired to create our own music. According to an article by Live Science, making music “enhances the immunological response, which enables us to fight viruses.” Stress Relief Playing music brings your energy and focus into a positive activity, which can help alleviate stress. Those reduced stress levels can help get your blood pressure and heart rate down to a healthy level. Fine Hearing Learning music refines your hearing skills by training you to isolate sounds as they occur. Studies have even shown that musicians are better at picking out specific voices and sounds in a noisy environment. Exercise Playing an instrument naturally leads to increased physical activity. Whether youre playing the piano, guitar, strings, or a wind instrument, youre using your arm and back muscles to play and/or hold up your instrument. And if you play the drums, you even get to do some cardio! Posture Any good music teacher will correct your posture during lessons. This can help you get into the habit of sitting up straight and having proper alignment even when youre not playing. These are all great ways to alleviate neck and back pain. Mental Benefits of Music Mental Performance Playing music is like doing a workout for every part of your brain. It helps improve your mental performance and memory. There’s even evidence that music can help a patient’s brain recover from a stroke, as well as slow the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Coordination Using your fingers, hands, and feet in a rhythmic manner for a sustained amount of time, while also being conscious of playing the correct tones, can be a challenge for even the most coordinated people. Over time though, playing music refines your motor skills that go beyond the hand-eye. Time Management Learning an instrument requires practice, of course! But more specifically, it requires consistency and routine. Figuring out how to fit practice into your busy schedule and really stick to it helps you develop better time management and organization skills. Reading Skills Reading music helps strengthen your ability to process information by creating new connections between the synapses in your brain. As a result, reading and absorbing information from other sources becomes a lot easier. Listening Skills Learning music doesn’t just improve your ability to hear details; it also makes you better at listening. Whether you’re practicing on your own or playing with other people, you have to listen for timing, expression, and whether you’re in tune. This can make you a better listener even in everyday conversations as well. Concentration Focus is a necessary part of learning an instrument. Improving your musical skills forces you to use all the parts of your brain involved in concentration, making you better able to concentrate in other life situations. This is another reason why music is beneficial for those with disorders like ADD. Mathematics Learning music is all about pattern recognition, which is mathematical in itself. But even more than that, learning about how music is divided into equal measures and beats, and how those beats are in broken up, can help improve your math skills! SEE ALSO: The 5 Easiest Instruments Perfect for Adult Learners Emotional Benefits of Music Self Expression Whether you’re writing your own piece of music or playing someone else’s, music allows you to express yourself in new ways. You also get to be creative when choosing your own unique style and genre. Therapy Playing music can help with stress, insomnia, and depression because it acts as an outlet for difficult emotions. It can be a form of self-soothing in tough situations, and a healthy distraction from a stressful day. Achievement There’s nothing like the feeling of finally mastering one of your favorite songs! Setting a goal, putting in the work, and eventually reaching that goal gives you a strong sense of achievement. It will improve your confidence in other areas of life in the process. New Friends Whether you use music as an icebreaker when meeting new people, or as a way to actually meet new people playing in a choir, band, or orchestra, for example music is a great way to make new friends. These are just a few of the remarkable health benefits of playing an instrument. To begin reaping the benefits of music in your life, check out the online group music lessons  at TakeLessons Live today. You can access hundreds of live classes on a variety of instruments completely free for your first month. Start playing that instrument youve always wanted to, and your body, mind, and spirit will thank you! Post Author:  Jasmine T. Jasmine T. teaches piano, academics, yoga, and more in San Diego, CA. She has her Power Yoga Level 1 200-Hour Certification, as well as a Certificate of Merit for Piano and Theory from the Music Teachers Association of California. Learn more about Jasmine here!

How AJ Can Help with Less Common AP Exams

How AJ Can Help with Less Common AP Exams When it comes to AP exams, there is a wide variation in the number of test takers for a given exam. Nearly 400,000 students take the AP English Language test, while other exams have fewer than 20,000 test takers. AJ Tutoring strives to provide exam preparation for all of these tests, big or small! Probably the biggest factor in the popularity of a given test is the number of schools that offer the associated course. However, for almost all courses (besides AP Research and AP Seminar), it is possible to take the exam without having taken an AP class, and AJ Tutoring, with both our academic offerings throughout the year and our specialized test prep, is also a great resource for helping students in that position.  Regardless of whether the plan is to take the test in as part of an AP Course or not, it is important to note that the College Board is changing the registration deadline for the test?rather than registering in the spring, students will be required to register in the fall or pay a hefty late fee.  Students looking to take the exam without taking the course will need to reach out to the AP coordinator at a school that offers AP testing no later than October 4.  What are some great tests that don’t get as much attention as they deserve? Here are four of our favorites, chosen because they have relatively few test takers, but we feel they are valuable tests for many different careers. AJ can help with any of these tests, and dozens more!AP Human GeographyAP Human Geography is a highly unappreciated test, often overlooked compared to other social sciences tests like AP US History or Government and Politics. However, this course provides a great introduction to popular majors like anthropology, sociology, and international politics or business. Many students also find the content more interesting and lively, since it is focused on the patterns of human behavior on a large scale in the present day, rather than in the past. After taking this class, studen ts will be much better prepared for college courses like demographics, urban studies, cultural diffusion, and economic development, and more than any other class will help students gain a better understanding of the world around them!AP Art History While it often counts for credit in a Fine Arts category, Art History is also a great way to get another perspective on history, by learning how different cultures throughout history have used painting, sculpture, architecture, and other media to express themselves. The AP Art History curriculum includes learning about how both European and non-European art have gone through multiple phases, and asks students to write about art work based on the philosophical and aesthetic context it was created in.  While the course does involve some memorization of artwork, the pieces that need to be memorized are published and definite, so students willing to do some work with flashcards and a tutor to help them see the big picture trends! can do ve ry well on this test. It’s a great course for students interested in art who would like to get background on the styles and theories that have shaped art to this day, as well as students interested in anthropology, history, or philosophy. AP PsychologyAP Psychology is one of the less-common AP courses, and is most often taken by students in their Junior or Senior years. AP Psychology courses cover a wide variety of topics in psychology, including neuro-anatomy, human behavior, child development, and the study of abnormal psychological functions all of which excite the minds of young science-minded students! The AP Psychology course is most similar to an upper-level Biology course in its density of terms and case studies, but lacks the harder science elements of AP Chemistry and Physics that prove challenging for some learners. While some schools do not offer an AP Psychology class, the AP exam itself is surprisingly coachable with a bit of outside studying: a standard psychology student can feel confident and capable to succeed on the AP Exam! If your student is interested in the sciences and looking for another AP to add valuable science credit to their college resume, consider reaching out and exploring AP Psychology!AP Environmental ScienceIn AP Environmental Science, students use a holistic view of biological and political systems to explore how the human world and the natural world are interwoven in such a fashion that is sometimes mutually beneficial, while in other instances more problematic. Additionally, by understanding the methodologies, students can gain insight on how to identify environmental problems, evaluate risks, and examine potential solutions. The curriculum will discuss the earth’s individual systems such as water cycles, earth’s orbit around the sun, and tectonic plates along with how these systems are interconnected and have changed over geological time. This is a great course for students interested in any natural science, espe cially ecology, as well as those looking forward to studying political science or civil or environmental engineering.

Piano in the Water Using Modal Verbs to Talk About Strange Events in English

Piano in the Water Using Modal Verbs to Talk About Strange Events in English Last week a grand piano was found  in the middle of Biscayne Bay, Florida, United States. Let’s watch a report on the occurrence and answer some questions about the strange event.At what  exact location  did wildlife officials say the piano was found in the bay?Why does the report say the piano was strategically placed on the highest spot on the bays sandstrip?What are the two main theories about where the piano came from?At what point will the authorities move the piano?What is your theory about where the piano came from?I think the piano was there as the result ofan accident?an emergency?a joke?an experiment?a drunken (alcohol-fueled) episode?an attention-seeking person or group?What would you do if you found a piano near your house? The mysterious piano of Biscayne Bay.When we talk about the possibility of strange events we generally use modal verbs like might, should, could, would. These give us more information about the other verbs in our statements.Here are some examples:I w ould try and find out who owned the piano?I might leave it there for someone else to figure out what to do with it?I could take a photo of it and post it on Facebook.I should return it but I would probably take it home and keep it.Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

On Sex Scandals and Gender

On Sex Scandals and Gender Anthony Wiener, the former Congressman running for Mayor of New York. photo credit: AP I thought so. It seems like sex scandals and politics are synonymous. Historically speaking, one thinks of JFK. He was one of the most iconic Presidents to ever live, admired for his short but impressive political tenure. He is also remembered for his romp with a famous blonde. The 1990‘s in the U.S. brought forth the internet, cell phones, and both the President and the Speaker of the House being embroiled in sex scandals. The internet and political sex scandals have become fast friends. In recent years alone, multiple members of Congress resigned after allegations of lewd conduct (some of which was through the internet), and it turns out that even the head of the CIA cannot get away with having an affair. There has been a governor-love-child scandal, a governor-prostitution-scandal, and a Republican presidential candidate brought down amidst allegations of sexual harassment. It seems, though, that we may have turned a corner when it comes to political sex scandals. Forgiveness and a return to public life may be possible for those who were previously involved in scandals, at least in New York. Currently, both Anthony Weiner and Elliot Spitzer have made serious bids to be the Mayor and city Comptroller, respectively. In recent polls, it seems that the two men stand a very good chance to be elected. I find political sex scandals fascinating, in that they seem to be a boys‘ club. I can think of no female politicians who have had sex scandals affect their careers. When I think about women whose careers have been affected by scandals of a sexual nature, I think of pageant queens and teachers.   Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America, who resigned in the wake of a nude photo scandal. photo credit: people.com It’s interesting, because the nature of the scandals are different. The scandals of many male politicians tend to be predatory in nature (sexual harassment, solicitation, etc.). Female scandals tend to be brought on by people sharing explicit materials without the women’s permission (sex tapes, nude photos, etc). I’m speaking very generally, of course, but it’s a good testament to how our society works. Pillars of sexism like the assumption of access to women’s bodies and third parties commandeering women’s bodies for financial gain make it unsurprising that no female politicians of note have behaved in a way that would lead to a sex scandal, or at least they have not been caught. That brings a kind of relief, because the repercussions they would face might be far worse than male politicians. Krystal Ball, a commentator for MSNBC once suffered a scandal of her own when racy photos of her were leaked while she ran for congress unsuccessfully. She penned a piece for the Huf fington Post addressing the issue, stating that sometimes the sex lives of women leak into the public sphere. She calls on people to abandon the idea that female sexuality and professional aptitude are mutually exclusive. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Recently I attended a conference in New York City, the aim of which was to empower and motivate young women. One of the panels that I attended was about social media, and the women featured on the panel discussed what to put on the internet and what not to put on the internet. Such phrases as “it’s a different set of standards for girls,” came out of their mouths, with one blogging professional saying that she wouldn’t hire young women whose online personas she deemed unsuitable. It’s moments like those in my life that make me doubt that, if Anthony Wiener and Elliot Spitzer were women, they would be welcomed into New York City political races with open arms. Criminal, predatory, and hypocritical behavior aside, in a broad sense, sex and sexuality are really nothing to end a career over. Prince Charles, a new Grandfather, is an accomplished environmentalist and future King of England. Behind him are the days when his sexual phone conversations with his then-mistress Camilla Parker-Bowles became public. In some cases, people have taken sex scandals and built their careers off of them (here’s looking at you, Kim).   It really worries me that attitudes about sex are so utterly Victorian when it comes to public figures. I can honestly say that, were I a public figure, if anything explicit from my own personal life ever leaked into public, sure, I’d be embarrassed, but what would I really have to apologize about? Having a life? I think that forgiving Spitzer and Wiener is a step in the right direction. I don’t condone their actions, (some of which was criminal), but I do respect their admitting their mistakes and moving on with their liv es. I just hope that if the opportunity arises, people will extend that same courtesy to women.

The Hyperglot and Hakuna MatataÂ

The Hyperglot and “Hakuna Matata”   There are many movies celebrating very particular hobbies. From surfing to stamp collecting, cinema illustrates the thrill of hobbies that capture our obsessions and imaginations. What, then, about our favorite obsession: learning languages? Though there are plenty of actors who speak multiple languages, and quite a few movies where they switch fluidly among and between spoken languages, it is hard to identify a film that is about language-learning as a hobby. Enter “The Hyperglot”, a 2013 short film celebrating the self-directed language learner. The story is simple: a talented, self-directed learner of languages in New York City is looking for connection. Switching fluidly among languages, he actually finds a greater degree of understanding from those UN-like him in speakers of languages from all corners of the world. All of his interactions are with people who would otherwise be passers-by. Instead of leading separate lives intersecting only in time and space, our hero finds real connection with the people and linguistic worlds around him. After the screening of this film at the NY Polyglot Conference 2015, the italki team decided to get together on a Thursday night, and watch it with a few friends. After the 25 minutes it took to watch the film, the mood of the room had changed. There is something magical about seeing one’s obsession affirmed in a work of art. The conversation among us became lively, excited. Various hidden language talents of the room burst forth and bloomed among us. We even decided to have a small language challenge of our own, to memorize Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King in a language we have not studied before. The choices ranged from Chinese to Icelandic, and we are sure to see some hilarious renditions of this song by italki staff on our instagram feed soon. The bigger insight from this italki activity is this: language learning is a fundamentally community-oriented exercise. In the same way that we we build community around our passions in a local context, creation of art and media like The Hyperglot film provides additional motivation from inspiration and a feeling of partaking in a larger, more global experience. Learning foreign languages in isolation is self-contradictory, as language is the medium of connection and interaction. Having our passions affirmed by our own tribes and communities helps us stick to the work involved in achieving our language goals, not just because of accountability, but because of the real rewards that come from interacting within and belonging to a group of friends. The presence of media dedicated to our passions helps us feel this on an even greater scale, and inspires us to dream and to succeed. The trick to staying motivated, then, is surrounding ourselves with those who share our passion, as well as seeking out those inspiring works of art that celebrate and affirm our belief that our passion is worth pursuing. The Hyperglot and “Hakuna Matata”   There are many movies celebrating very particular hobbies. From surfing to stamp collecting, cinema illustrates the thrill of hobbies that capture our obsessions and imaginations. What, then, about our favorite obsession: learning languages? Though there are plenty of actors who speak multiple languages, and quite a few movies where they switch fluidly among and between spoken languages, it is hard to identify a film that is about language-learning as a hobby. Enter “The Hyperglot”, a 2013 short film celebrating the self-directed language learner. The story is simple: a talented, self-directed learner of languages in New York City is looking for connection. Switching fluidly among languages, he actually finds a greater degree of understanding from those UN-like him in speakers of languages from all corners of the world. All of his interactions are with people who would otherwise be passers-by. Instead of leading separate lives intersecting only in time and space, our hero finds real connection with the people and linguistic worlds around him. After the screening of this film at the NY Polyglot Conference 2015, the italki team decided to get together on a Thursday night, and watch it with a few friends. After the 25 minutes it took to watch the film, the mood of the room had changed. There is something magical about seeing one’s obsession affirmed in a work of art. The conversation among us became lively, excited. Various hidden language talents of the room burst forth and bloomed among us. We even decided to have a small language challenge of our own, to memorize Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King in a language we have not studied before. The choices ranged from Chinese to Icelandic, and we are sure to see some hilarious renditions of this song by italki staff on our instagram feed soon. The bigger insight from this italki activity is this: language learning is a fundamentally community-oriented exercise. In the same way that we we build community around our passions in a local context, creation of art and media like The Hyperglot film provides additional motivation from inspiration and a feeling of partaking in a larger, more global experience. Learning foreign languages in isolation is self-contradictory, as language is the medium of connection and interaction. Having our passions affirmed by our own tribes and communities helps us stick to the work involved in achieving our language goals, not just because of accountability, but because of the real rewards that come from interacting within and belonging to a group of friends. The presence of media dedicated to our passions helps us feel this on an even greater scale, and inspires us to dream and to succeed. The trick to staying motivated, then, is surrounding ourselves with those who share our passion, as well as seeking out those inspiring works of art that celebrate and affirm our belief that our passion is worth pursuing.