Why You Should Learn a New Instrument in the New Year. Photo contains images of staff music and a guitar.

Why You Should Learn a New Instrument in the New Year

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Why You Should Learn an Instrument in the New Year

 

Why You Should Learn a New Instrument in the New Year. Photo contains images of staff music and a guitar.

 

It’s almost January 1, and we all know what that means: New Year’s Resolutions are here. With 2023 around the corner, the possibilities are endless. Consider learning a new instrument, and we’ll tell you why music lessons are a great resolution.


Bring Your Passion for Music to the Next Level

If you’re reading this article, then the chances are that you’re a music fan. Learning a new instrument gives you the opportunity to be a part of the music rather than just listening to the music. Whether you learn a Jimi Hendrix guitar solo, a Chopin piano classic, or an Adele vocal part, immersing yourself in the music is one of the greatest feelings.


Learn a New Lifelong Skill

Learning an instrument and the music theory behind it is an invaluable skill that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Once you’ve gotten the hang of the instrument and understand enough of the theory, you’re set to keep learning new pieces on your own for the rest of your life. You may even consider writing your own music! Whether you’re 6 or 60, 2023 is the perfect time to begin developing this new musical skill set.


Reap Cognitive and Emotional Benefits

Research shows that learning a new instrument builds connections in the brain, enhances memory, and strengthens executive skills. Playing an instrument is also meditative, where 100% of your focus is on the music. Research shows that music’s emphasis on the here-and-now provides stress relief and boosts emotional wellbeing.


Book Your Music Lessons for the New Year

Hodis Learning & Music’s expert music teachers have years of experience helping students learn new instruments and gain a deeper understanding of elemental music skills. Call us or email us today to get more information and schedule your first session.

Things to do before you set new year's resolutions.

Things To Do Before You Set Resolutions

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Things To Do Before You Set New Year Resolutions

 

Things to do before you set new year resolutions.

 

The start of a new year always brings about talk of resolutions. The promise of a fresh, new year can make you feel like you could do or be anything! But before you jump into the year ahead, there are a couple of things you should do.


Celebrate Your Accomplishments

Take some time to think and journal about all that you accomplished in the past year! Perhaps you improved your grades over a semester, you made a new friend, won a big game, performed at a recital in front of your family, traveled to a new city. Those accomplishments and activities are exciting and worth remembering and celebrating. 


Reflect On The Challenges

There might also be things that you didn’t enjoy as much this past year but it’s still worth reflecting on those things. When you do, keep perspective and note what’s in your control and what’s outside of your control.


Practice Gratitude

Gratitude can be a powerful practice that improves mood and outlook. By building up a habit of gratitude, you can remember and call upon gratitude during times that are challenging or disappointing. Whether you are celebrating lots of good things that happened in the past year or you feel you want to be in a better place next year, gratitude can remind you of the things you do have. Start by simply writing down 5 things you are grateful for.

These 3 simple activities can help you if you decide to set resolutions for the new year. Maybe you want to expand upon your accomplishments from 2022, or maybe there are things you want to improve in 2023. Reflection and gratitude can help you remember what is important to you and where you want to focus your efforts in the new year.


Are You Setting New Year Resolutions to Improve Grades Or Learn a New Skill?

Consider hiring a private academic tutor, music teacher, or art teacher. Our expert educators will provide 1-on-1, tailored instruction to meet you where you are and help you grow. Call us or email us now to schedule your first session!


Further Reading On New Year Resolutions & Wellness

Shine Bright & Start Strong Series: Setting SMART Goals
Shine Bright & Start Strong Series: 3 Steps to Be More Organized & Efficient
Shine Bright & Start Strong Series: A Better Mindset to Achieve Success
Learn a New Instrument in the New Year

How Parents Can Help Boost Adolescents’ Self-Esteem in Academic Transitions

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How Parents Can Help Boost Adolescents’ Self-Esteem in Academic Transitions

How Parents Can Help Boost Adolescents’ Self-Esteem in Academic Transitions

Academic transitions cause disruptions that can be challenging for students, especially adolescents. During adolescence, many students already struggle with their self-esteem. Read this article by Hodis Learning & Music president, Drew M. Hodis, on the South Pasadenan News website. The article provides parents with skills to help their adolescent children boost their self-esteem in academic transitions.

4 Reasons You Should Give the Gift of Music Lessons This Holiday Season

4 Reasons You Should Give the Gift of Music Lessons This Holiday Season

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4 Reasons You Should Give the Gift of Music Lessons This Holiday Season

 

4 Reasons You Should Give the Gift of Music Lessons This Holiday Season

 

The holiday season is here, and parents are scrambling to find the right gifts for their children. If your child loves music, then music lessons are the perfect present. Music lessons will help your child build lifelong skills and lasting memories. Below are just four of many reasons you should give the gift of music lessons this holiday season.


1. Enhance Your Child’s Brain Development

Research shows that playing an instrument increases connectivity between different areas of the brain, resulting in better verbal memory, stronger reading ability, and stronger executive functioning skills. Adults who received music lessons as kids were even shown to have higher IQs, on average, compared to those who never played an instrument.


2. Engage in a New Hobby (That Isn’t Video Games)

Cultivating new hobbies is extremely important for your child’s development. With music lessons under their belt, your child will have access to choirs, bands, and even music-related clubs at school where they can meet and make new friends. And playing an instrument or singing requires your child to be unplugged from their video games!


3. Music Lessons & Playing an Instrument Are Fun

There’s something so uniquely exciting about playing your favorite song on the piano or being able to rock out with a friend. With the help of expert music lessons, your child is sure to experience the joy in music.


4. Promote Time-Management, Discipline, and Commitment with Music Lessons

Music lessons require students to practice outside of sessions, which demands a certain degree of time-management skills as well as discipline and commitment.

Learning how to sing or play an instrument with expert music teachers at Hodis Learning & Music will set your child up for a lifetime of jamming with friends, discipline and commitment, and better cognitive functioning. Call us at 626-227-1149 or submit a message on our website to get more information and start lessons today.

How Parents Can Help Students Manage Exam Stress

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How Parents Can Help Students Manage Exam Stress

 

How Parents Can Help Students Manage Exam Stress. Photo of parent tutoring his student.

 

Finals week is a stressful time for students, and it can be a challenging time for parents, too. With your child feeling stressed and possibly overwhelmed, it’s natural to feel it with them. While students can implement stress-reduction measures on their own, sometimes they need a little extra guidance at home. We have provided a few steps parents can take to help their students feel less stressed and more in control.

 

Help Your Student Avoid Distractions

We’ve all been there – when it comes to study time, we can sometimes get caught up in the distractions around us. Help your student create a distraction-free study space, or drive them to the library to study. Another valuable lesson you can teach your student is to turn off their phone and place it in another room while studying.


Make Sure Your Student is Getting Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep during finals is extremely important. However, many students struggle to cultivate good sleeping habits during this time. Help your student create a sleep schedule and help them stick to it.


Stay on Top of Your Student’s Exam Schedule

No kid likes a “helicopter parent.” But if your student is a little less organized, they may really need your help in keeping track of exams and planning study schedules. Try creating a “team effort” approach where your role is to provide guidance and structure.


Remain Calm

Stress and anxiety are contagious, and it’s normal to feel the pressure along with your student. But perhaps one of the most important things parents can do during this important period is to model calmness. When your student is feeling overwhelmed, your calm support will go a long way.


Reduce Exam Stress With a Tutor

Final exams can put pressure on the entire family. Thankfully, Hodis Learning & Music has expert educators who are here to help. Schedule a session with one of our experienced tutors today!

Tips for Managing Finals Stress

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Tips for Managing Finals Stress

 

In this blog post, we cover tips for managing finals stress. Photo of student who is stressed out by their final exams. Read now!

 

It’s almost the end of the semester, but before that much-needed break, many students first have to complete final exams. It’s a stressful and challenging time. If you need study tips, check out the Building Strong Study Skills series on our resource blog. 

In addition to studying, you also have to take care of yourself physically and mentally during this time. Below are some tips to help you manage stress in these final weeks of school.


Prioritize Sleep

It might seem like the only way to actually study for all your finals is to pull all-nighters, but this will only negatively affect your ability to function. Staying up all night isn’t effective for studying because, at a certain point, you won’t retain information anymore. Creating a spaced practice for studying in the week or two leading up to your final will be far more beneficial for helping you retain the information. Additionally, sleep will help your brain and body recover so you feel rested and sharp on your test day.


Build in Exercise Breaks

Blow off finals stress with 30 minutes of exercise a few days a week. Choose an activity that feels good; it doesn’t have to be a super hard or expensive class. Follow an online yoga tutorial or go for a walk or jog around the neighborhood. Set a reminder on your phone or block off time in your calendar to make sure you actually take these helpful breaks.


Use Positive Visualization

If you struggle with anxious thoughts or you’re always imagining the worst-case scenarios, try positive visualization before your exam. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and imagine feeling confident and maybe even excited in the exam room. What does confidence feel like? How does your body respond? Do you smile to yourself, sit up straighter, and push your shoulders back? In your head, tell yourself how good you feel about this test, how much time you spent studying, and how you know you have all the information in your head. Imagine you know the answers to every question on the test and how amazing that will feel! Visualize how relaxed and happy you’ll be after the exam. You can repeat this visualization technique several times.


Eat Well & Hydrate

When you’re stressed and tired, it can be easy to reach for a bag of chips or chocolate candy to mindlessly eat while you study. However, it’s more important than ever to fuel your body with nourishing, filling foods. Make yourself a balanced study snack that will keep you full but also energize you without the crash from sugar. Also, make sure you are eating a good breakfast before your exam and drinking lots of water. This will help you feel more awake and give your brain the fuel it needs to perform! Some nourishing study snacks could be:

  • Avocado toast and eggs
  • Peanut butter toast with banana and your favorite nuts on the side 
  • Yogurt with granola and berries
  • Crackers, cheese, almonds, and some sliced apple
  • A turkey sandwich and a handful of chips


Get Ahead of Finals Stress with an Expert Tutor

Hiring a tutor can also be a great way to help you study and prepare for exams. Email us today or call (626) 227-1149 to set up a session today!

 

Learn more about managing stress during finals season. If you’re a parent, learn how you can help your student manage exam stress.

Why HLM Art Instruction Might Be Right for You. Read more now! Image of an artist holding a palette and paintbrush with a smile on her face.

Why HLM Art Instruction Might Be Right for You

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Why HLM Art Instruction Might Be Right for You

 

Why HLM Art Instruction Might Be Right for You. Read more now! Image of an artist holding a palette and paintbrush with a smile on her face.

 

You don’t want to invest a lot of money in lessons yet

Perhaps you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money or get locked into a semester-long class. Our art instruction is offered at some of the lowest market rates, but that doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing quality instruction. Hodis Learning & Music (HLM) art instructors are professionals with years of experience, and have degrees in their field. Additionally, instructors meet with you one-on-one and can teach in your home, so lessons are comfortable and not intimidating. 


You have a child who likes art and you want them to have more instruction

Maybe your child is getting bored with coloring books, or perhaps they were gifted a new camera and want to start taking photos. If this sounds familiar, HLM art instruction might be a great way to get your child creating and learning in a more focused, educational way. We have instructors for a variety of mediums and age-levels, and lessons are designed specifically for your child’s age and skill level. Plus, any new art materials you buy for your child are certain to get used on a regular basis with their HLM instructor!


You don’t have art lessons in school

Perhaps your student doesn’t have art lessons in school, or they aren’t able to fit it into their schedule. Art instruction with HLM can provide your student the opportunity to hone their skills, or learn brand new ones, outside of the classroom. With HLM, you get to set your own schedule. While we do bill on a month-to-month basis, you can determine how many lessons you want in that month, so sessions fit into your schedule.


Or, the lessons in school aren’t enough

Maybe your student needs extra attention outside of school art classes so they can develop their skills and technique. Whether you are simply looking for that extra instruction, or your student is considering applying to selective art schools, HLM instructors can help your student excel at the next level. With many instructors having gone through the rigorous application process themselves, they know what goes into an application and portfolio for art school. 


Take 1-on-1 Art Lessons With an Expert Art Instructor

To learn more about our art instructors and what they teach, visit our website at hodislearning.com or call (626) 227-1149 to schedule your first session today!