Drew M. Hodis
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Playing Music Can Improve Academic Performance and Help You Get Into College

playing music can improve academic performance and help you get into college

There are many benefits to learning to play a musical instrument. In addition to being a fun and rewarding hobby, music can also improve your cognitive abilities, help you learn more effectively, and even boost your chances of getting into college.

How Does Music Improve Cognitive Abilities?

Playing a musical instrument requires a wide range of cognitive skills, including:

  • Attention: You need to be able to focus on the music and you’re playing, even when there are distractions around you.
  • Memory: You need to be able to remember the notes and rhythms of the music, as well as the fingerings for your instrument.
  • Problem-solving: You need to be able to figure out how to play the music correctly, even if it is challenging.
  • Creativity: You need to be able to express yourself through music and come up with new ideas.

All of these cognitive skills are also important for academic success. Studies have shown that students who play musical instruments tend to have better grades in school, especially in math and science. They also tend to score higher on standardized tests.

How Does Music Help You Learn More Effectively?

There are a few reasons why music can help you learn more effectively. First, music can help you improve your memory. When you learn a new piece of music, you are essentially learning a new language. You have to remember the notes, the rhythms, and the fingerings. This process of learning helps to strengthen your memory skills.

Second, music can help you improve your focus and concentration. When you are playing an instrument, you need to be fully focused on the music. This can help you to develop the ability to focus on your schoolwork and other tasks.

Third, music can help you to relax and de-stress. When you are feeling stressed, it can be difficult to learn effectively. However, music can help you to relax and reduce stress levels. This can make it easier for you to focus on your schoolwork and other tasks.

How Can Music Help You Get Into College?

Many colleges and universities look for well-rounded students who have a variety of interests. Playing a musical instrument is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to a hobby and your ability to learn new skills.

Additionally, many colleges offer music scholarships, which can help you to pay for your education. If this is something you’re interested in, then learn more about our music school prep and audition training workshop.

If you are interested in learning to play a musical instrument, there are many resources available to help you get started. You can take lessons from a private instructor, join a community music school, or even learn online. No matter how you choose to learn, playing a musical instrument can be a rewarding experience that will benefit you both academically and personally.

Additional Tips for Getting Started with a Musical Instrument:

  • Choose an instrument that you are interested in and that is appropriate for your age and skill level. See also: choosing the right instrument.
  • Find a qualified instructor who can teach you the basics of playing the instrument.
  • Practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at playing the instrument.
  • Be patient. It takes time and practice to become a good musician.
  • Have fun! Playing music should be enjoyable.

If you are willing to put in the time and effort, learning to play a musical instrument can be a rewarding experience that will benefit you in many ways. So what are you waiting for? Pick up an instrument today and start playing!

Music Lessons at Hodis Learning & Music

Music lessons with Hodis Learning & Music’s expert music educators are a great way to help your child develop their musical skills and practice regularly. Learn more or schedule your first session by calling or emailing us today

Learn more about the musical instruments that you can learn with an expert music teacher at Hodis Learning & Music:

by
Drew M. Hodis
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Benefits of Private SAT Tutoring

Some colleges are waiving the requirement for standardized testing. But the truth is that college admissions committees are still more likely to accept students who submit high test scores than they are to accept students who do not submit any test scores. So, getting high SAT scores is still as important as ever. SAT tutoring is the best option for making significant changes to your test scores. Continue reading to learn why working with expert SAT tutors is the right option for your student.

Primary Benefits of Private SAT Tutoring

There are many benefits to private SAT tutoring. Here are some of the most important:

  • Personalized attention: When you work with a private tutor, you get one-on-one attention. This means that the tutor can focus on your strengths and weaknesses, and help you develop a study plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
  • Expert guidance: Private SAT tutors at Hodis Learning & Music are experts in the SAT. They know the test inside and out, and they can teach you the strategies and techniques that you need to succeed.
  • Motivation: A private tutor can help you stay motivated and on track with your studies. They can also provide you with encouragement and support when you need it.
  • Flexibility: Private tutoring is flexible. You can work with your tutor at a time that is convenient for you, and you can focus on the areas that you need the most help with.

Private SAT Tutoring Can Also Help You:

  • Improve your reading comprehension skills: The SAT includes a section on reading comprehension, which tests your ability to understand and analyze passages. A private tutor can help you improve your reading comprehension skills by teaching you how to identify the main idea of a passage, how to make inferences, and how to answer comprehension questions.
  • Master math concepts: The SAT also includes a section on math, which tests your knowledge of basic math concepts. A private tutor can help you master math concepts by providing you with extra practice, explaining concepts in a way that you understand, and helping you develop problem-solving skills.
  • Develop test-taking strategies: The SAT is a timed test, so it is important to develop effective test-taking strategies. A private tutor can help you develop test-taking strategies by teaching you how to manage your time, how to avoid careless errors, and how to answer questions quickly and accurately.

If you are serious about getting a high score on the SAT, then private SAT tutoring is a great option. With the help of a private tutor, you can improve your skills, boost your confidence, and achieve your target score.

How to Choose a Private SAT Tutor

When choosing a private SAT tutor, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • Experience: Make sure that the tutor has experience teaching the SAT. They should be familiar with the test format, the types of questions that are asked, and the most effective strategies for answering them.
  • Credentials: The tutor should have the appropriate credentials. They should be certified by a reputable organization, such as the Association for Test Preparation, Admissions, and Private Tutoring.
  • Personality: The tutor should be a good fit for you. You should feel comfortable working with them, and you should feel confident that they can help you achieve your goals.

Conclusion

Private SAT tutoring can be a great investment in your future. With the help of a private tutor, you can improve your skills, boost your confidence, and achieve your target score. If you are serious about getting a high score on the SAT and getting into the college of your dreams, then private SAT tutoring is a great option.

2023-2024 Test Prep Dates

We recommend beginning test prep tutoring at least 2-3 months before your first test date, depending on how much experience you have.

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline
August 26, 2023 July 28, 2023
October 7, 2023 September 7, 2023
November 4, 2023 October 5, 2023
December 2, 2023 November 2, 2023
March 9, 2024 February 23, 2024
May 4, 2024 April 19, 2024
June 1, 2024 May 17, 2024

Register for the SAT test on the CollegeBoard’s website here.

Sign Up for SAT Tutoring 

Raise your test scores with expert, private SAT tutoring at Hodis Learning & Music. Learn more or schedule your first session by calling or emailing us today.

by
Rachel Hodis
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Educator Spotlight: Muan M.

Educator Spotlight: Muan M.

What subjects do you teach?

  • Academic Tutoring: AP Physics (Mechanics and Electromagnetism+Waves), Lower and Upper Division Physics (Solid State Mechanics, Thermodynamics, etc), Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus.

What’s the most rewarding part of being an educator?

For me, by far the most rewarding aspect of being an educator is the relationship that is fostered with not just each student, but their families as a whole. You learn about the struggles each family goes through and get to experience a wide variety of cultures and ways of life. That is what makes it so meaningful: the process of gradually understanding their difficulties and being able to help them from the inside out, watching the students grow, and sharing in the relief and pride of each wonderful family. It’s something really special.


What are the most common areas you see your students struggling in? How do you help them in those areas?

I feel like a component of academic success that is oftentimes overlooked is the student’s confidence in their abilities. Obviously their aptitude is a major factor, but the goal should be to learn as much as possible. From that will come the ability to solve problems and get better grades. The thing to start with is getting students to really enjoy the process of learning and school in general, and that comes with confidence in their ability to figure things out.

That is where I feel many of the students I have worked with have had their motivation stalled. They may have had a bad string of tests or had someone in their academic life disapprove of their efforts. Regardless of the reason for it, that lack of self-assurance is a very common issue, and one that everyone faces at some point. It just takes time, and sometimes someone (like an HLM tutor) to help you along the way sometimes.


How do you help them improve in those areas?

The first steps toward achieving confidence and the sort of upward spiral of enjoyment and ability are not complicated. It is a combination of a lot of things, but fundamentally, hard work will do wonders to start students on that path. It is important that hard work is met with results though, to start that positive feedback loop. When first starting out with a student, it’s of paramount importance that they feel as though they have control of what they’re doing. I think that’s really what the value of tutors and teachers in general are: to provide guidance and tailor material so that the proper difficulty balance is struck to keep the student motivated as well as learning.


What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching students?

I graduated with my BS in physics last year and now spend a lot of my days pouring over math problems with students, so I’ve discovered some more artistic hobbies. I’ve recently gotten into making music (I have a synthesizer and everything, which is fun) and film production/editing. I love to read, mostly fantasy books at the moment, like The Kingkiller Chronicles. I also spend a lot of time either in the gym or playing pick-up basketball. It’s a nice balance.


What do you think makes Hodis Learning & Music a great service and company to work for?

I can honestly say that, over the course of my admittedly limited work experience, Hodis Learning & Music is the best company I’ve worked for thus far. Because it was founded and is based in the South Pasadena/Pasadena area, HLM is a very close-knit community of students, families, tutors, and school districts. It makes everything a bit more comfortable and easy. With this also comes an immense amount of experience with the California education curriculum.

I also have to give props to the president of the company, Drew Hodis, and the rest of management. They run a really tight ship and make every effort to make it an easy process for us tutors and for the students and families. I’m really happy to be working for HLM!

Learn more about Muan.

by
Rachel Hodis
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The Impact of Exercise on Academic Performance

The Impact of Exercise on Academic Performance

Today, we’re discussing the incredible impact of exercise on academic performance. When children and adolescents stay active, they experience higher levels of fitness, lower body fat, and stronger muscles and bones compared to those who are more sedentary.

Additionally, physical activity enhances cognitive abilities, which means improved academic performance, sharper memory, and better overall thinking skills. On top of that, it can even help alleviate symptoms of depression. So, encouraging your students to get moving is a fantastic way to support their physical and mental well-being! 


The Scientific Impact of Exercise on Academic Performance

The FITKids study by Hillman et al. (2018) explored the effects of physical activity on conflict monitoring in young individuals. Conflict monitoring is the cognitive process of detecting and managing conflicting information. The findings revealed that regular physical activity has a positive impact on conflict monitoring abilities.

Improved conflict monitoring abilities can improve decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, and cognitive flexibility, which are all crucial for academic success.

In another study, Chomitz et al. (2009) investigated the association between physical fitness and academic achievement in third- and fifth-grade students. The researchers collected data on cardiovascular endurance, body mass index, and muscular strength and endurance. Academic achievement was assessed using standardized tests in reading and math.

The study revealed that students who demonstrated higher levels of physical fitness also performed better academically, particularly in the areas of reading and math. The findings also suggested that higher levels of physical fitness were associated with improved cognitive behaviors, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.


Recommended Exercise Guidelines

According to the CDC, children and adolescents aged 6-17 years old should get 60 minutes or more of moderate to intense physical activity daily. Most of those 60 minutes should be spent doing a moderate to vigorous aerobic activity. Think running, bike riding, or a sport like soccer or basketball. This hour of moderate to vigorous activity should be done at least 3 days a week.

A portion of the daily 60-minute activity should also include a muscle-strengthening activity. Muscle-strengthening activities should also be done at least 3 days per week. Climbing trees or playing on a play structure with ladders, ropes, and slides are considered muscle-strengthening activities. Adolescents might consider using weight machines, resistance bands, or hand-held weights to strengthen muscles.

Part of the daily 60-minute activity should include bone-strengthening physical activities as well. Hopping, skipping, or jumping are examples of bone-strengthening activities.

Many children and adolescents likely already meet the recommended exercise guidelines by playing daily at recess, visiting parks, or participating in a sport with weekly practices.


Conclusion

It’s important for children and adolescents to build healthy habits and have an active lifestyle. Exercise has a proven positive impact on academic performance and cognitive development. Parents and guardians should encourage their students to be active every day.

If your active student needs help preparing for exams, completing homework, or just generally needs academic support, contact Hodis Learning & Music. Call us or request a call back to learn more and book your first session today!


Citations

Hillman, C. H., Pontifex, M. B., Raine, L. B., Castelli, D. M., Hall, E. E., & Kramer, A. F. (2018). Effects of the FITKids physical activity randomized controlled trial on conflict monitoring in youth.

Chomitz, V. R., Slining, M. M., McGowan, R. J., Mitchell, S. E., Dawson, G. F., & Hacker, K. A. (2009). Is there a relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement? Positive results from public school children in the northeastern United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Adolescents. www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/guidelines

University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (n.d.). Physical Activity: Kids and Teens. food.unl.edu/article/physical-activity-kids-and-teens