personal statement tutoring workshop

Personal Statement Workshop Overview

Whether you’re applying to high school, college, or a graduate program, having a strong personal statement is key to standing out to any admissions committee. In the Hodis Learning & Music Personal Statement Workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to know about crafting the perfect personal statement.

What To Expect

Once you sign up for the workshop, you’ll be matched with an expert tutor who will go over common prompts and help you brainstorm and draft your statement. You’ll hone your writing skills and create at least one compelling statement that you can use in your applications. You’ll also gain the skills you need to write other successful statements on your own.

Sign Up To Write a Winning Personal Statement Now

Reserve your spot in our Personal Statement Workshop now and you’ll save $40 on the listed price! This exclusive offer ends February 14. If you want more information, read about the workshop here

Call us today at (626) 227-1149 or email us to reserve your seat today!

standardized test prep tutoring workshop.

Standardized Test Prep Workshop Overview

If you plan to take the GRE, SAT, ACT, ISEE, or SSAT for college or high school admissions, you’ll benefit from this educational and helpful summer workshop! With our standardized test prep tutoring, you will receive tailored instruction to boost your scores.

 

Set Yourself Apart From Other Applicants

While standardized tests might not be a requirement for every school you apply to, good scores could be what differentiate you from other equally qualified applicants who share the same GPA and participate in similar extracurriculars.

 

Flexible Summer Test Prep Tutoring

As mentioned, the Hodis Learning & Music Standardized Test Prep Workshop takes place over the summer. You even get to set your own schedule and complete the workshop at a pace that works best for you! However, we do have a recommended number of sessions we advise students to sign up for. Test preparation is not something you can get in a single lesson, and the best way to improve in an area is through consistent work and practice.

Once you’ve signed up for the workshop and set your schedule, you’ll meet regularly with a professional tutor for one-on-one sessions. Depending on what areas you need the most help with, you’ll be assigned one to two expert tutors who will guide you through each specific portion of the exam. You’ll go over sample questions, learn how to identify patterns in test questions, and how to maximize your time so you feel confident in the exam room.

 

Plan Ahead – Book Your Test Prep Tutoring Workshop For This Summer!

Sure, summer seems like it’s far away, but we all know how quickly and easily schedules can book up. Reserve your spot in this workshop now and you’ll even save $40 on the listed price! This exclusive offer ends February 14. If you want more information, read about our workshop here. Contact us today at (626) 227-1149 or visit hodislearning.com/contact to reserve your seat in our Standardized Test Prep Workshop today!

 

Hoping to Enroll in Test Prep Tutoring This Spring?

No problem; we can help! Our test prep tutors can help your student this Spring. Just give us a call. If you’re hoping to take the SAT specifically, get more information in this article.

2023 Personalized Summer Programs: tutoring, music lessons, and art lessons

Summer Programs Overview

It’s never too early to start thinking about summer! Hodis Learning & Music is excited to share a sneak peek of our summer programs so you can start planning for the months ahead.

Each program takes place one-on-one with our expert tutors and educators. Lessons are always tailored to the student and their unique learning style and skill-level. Now let’s break down exactly what programs you can choose from!

Standardized Test Prep Workshop

Prepare for the SAT, ACT, GRE, ISEE, or SSAT with focused, individualized tutoring to maximize your chance of acceptance to your dream school!

Personal Statement Workshop

Learn how to craft a standout personal statement to increase your chance of acceptance to college or private school.

Foreign Language Workshop

Learn Spanish, Mandarin, or Korean in this fun, interactive workshop! Appropriate for anyone from beginners to advanced speakers.

Music School Preparation and Audition Training Workshop

Polish your application and perfect your audition piece with professional musicians who attended schools such as USC Thornton School of Music, Berklee College of Music, and Oberlin Conservatory!

Art Portfolio Workshop

Gain skills, brush up on technique, and learn how to compile a stellar portfolio in this art portfolio workshop. Appropriate for all levels from beginners to prospective art school students to professionals.


The Hodis Learning Advantage

Some perks about signing up for our summer programs:

  • Sessions take place in a focused, one-on-one environment either in-home or a public, convenient location like a public library or coffee shop.
  • Workshops are led by expert educators who have years of experience in their chosen field.
  • Lessons are tailored to your unique needs, specific skill-level, and individual learning style.
  • Flexible scheduling. Students aren’t locked into a specific number of sessions. While we do have suggestions for the number of and frequency of sessions, you get to set the schedule that works best for you.


Sign Up For Our Personalized Summer Education Programs

Learn more about our fun, educational summer programs here! Plus, when you sign up today, you can save $40 on the listed price.

SAT test help. Test tutor Best Math Tutor South Pasadena, English Tutor Pasadena, Chemistry Tutor San Marino, Homeshool Instruction Local top rated. Hodis Learning & Music Tutoring is the best rated tutor in Pasadena

It’s officially 2023, and for juniors in high school, that means it’s time to start thinking about when you’ll take the SAT. While many colleges and universities are dropping their testing requirements, a high test score could be what sets you apart from other applicants and even help you win scholarships.

2023 Spring SAT Test Dates

The spring SAT testing dates are listed on the College Board website and included below.

  • March 11, 2023
  • May 6, 2023
  • June 3, 2023

When To Start Test Prep

It’s recommended that you begin preparing and studying for the SAT 2-3 months before your exam. That means if you plan to take the SAT on March 11, you should start studying now.

Try Private SAT Test Prep Tutoring

But don’t panic! First, make sure you’ve registered for your exam date. Next, schedule SAT tutoring sessions with one of our expert tutors. Our tutors will work with you step-by-step, starting with a breakdown of the exam and evaluation of your skill-level. Your tutor will help you identify patterns in the questions, develop your reasoning skills, show you test-taking strategies, and assist you in managing your time. By the time of your testing date, you should feel prepared and confident!

The Hodis Learning Advantage

Our tutors are professional educators who hold degrees in their respective fields and have years of test-prep experience. They always provide focused, personalized instruction tailored to your needs and skill-level in a one-on-one setting. And sessions can take place in your home or a public setting– whichever is best and most convenient for you. Your tutor will meet with you regularly in the lead up to your SAT date to ensure you’re getting consistent practice and instruction.

Book your first SAT tutoring session today by calling (626) 227-1149 or visit email us today. Consider enrolling in our test prep workshop to prepare for your test.

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.

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!

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.

Navigating Group Projects. Image of children working together on a school project. Image contains blue and orange, the latter of which is the main color of Hodis Learning & Music's brand.

Last week we shared our first four tips for navigating group projects. Today, we have four more final tips and tricks to help you succeed!


Tip 4: Determine What Group Meetings Will Be Used For

Is that the time when members can work on their assigned portion of the project? Or should members have their assignments completed prior to the meeting so things can be put together and you can move on to the next phase of the project?


Tip 5: Take Meeting Notes & Distribute Them To All Members

You can assign the role of note taking to the group leader or to another member. The notes don’t have to be extremely detailed, but make sure they include important information like which members were in attendance, when the next meeting will be, who is assigned to what, deadlines, and any other relevant information. Make sure whoever takes the notes sends them to everyone after the meeting. Notes can also be used to hold group members accountable.


Tip 6: Communication is Key

Regular and respectful communication is incredibly important while working in a group project. Make sure you understand what you are assigned to work on and when those portions are due. If you are uncertain about something ask a group member for help or advice. That is the benefit of these unique circumstances- you are supposed to ask your classmates for help!


Tip 7: Play to Everyone’s Strengths, When Possible

If you are a strong writer, perhaps you take on the responsibility of putting together the final report for the project and make sure all sections are cohesive. If you love putting together PowerPoints, maybe you volunteer to oversee the creation of one for your group presentation. While it might not always be possible to do work that plays to your strengths in a group project, if you find opportunities, certainly take advantage of those.


Get Help From An Expert Tutor

If you need help with an upcoming school project, call us at (626) 227-1149 or visit hodislearning.com to get in touch with an expert educator today!

Navigating Group Projects. Image of students working together on a school assignment.

Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no doubt about it: group projects are incredibly practical and helpful in preparing students for future academic success and for real life beyond the classroom. You will definitely have group projects throughout high school and college, and you will most likely be working with a team at some point in your professional career. Learning how to successfully work in a group will benefit any student.


Why Are Group Projects So Challenging?

First, group projects bring together different personalities and working styles. This is why they are so critical, but also why they can be frustrating. Second, group projects often take place over a longer period of time, so it’s often necessary to coordinate schedules if you all must meet outside of the classroom to work together. Third, group projects usually demand a division of labor, which, if done incorrectly, can lead to some group members feeling like they are taking on a majority of the work while others don’t do anything. Finally, the grading criteria for a group project can be different from the criteria of your usual assignments, which might feel stressful or intimidating.


Tip 1: Meet & Go Over Assignment Expectations As Soon As Possible

Get your group together to meet in person as soon as possible after the assignment and groups are announced by your teacher. Go over the assignment, grading criteria, and timeline to ensure everyone understands the requirements. Exchange contact information and decide what your main form of communication will be, whether that is email, a group chat, or a messenger app.


Tip 2: Consider Assigning a Formal Team Manager or Leader

Sometimes teachers assign a leader and sometimes they do not. If your teacher does not assign a leader, consider doing so in your first group meeting. A leader doesn’t have to be the loudest person or the person who tells everyone else what to do. It can be someone who makes sure each element of the assignment is completed, creates the group chat, and submits the final project.


Tip 3: Determine Your Group Meeting Schedule

If you aren’t given time in class to work or you know you will need additional time outside of class to complete your assignment, make sure you determine when you will all meet again. You can simply set the next meeting date or you can create a schedule and say, “We will meet every Sunday at 3 PM at the local library.”


Some helpful scheduling hacks:

  • Consider setting a tentative recurring meeting date, to be used as needed. That way, if there is a week where you know you’ll need to meet in-person or an emergency comes up, you avoid last minute scheduling and everyone has that time blocked off in their calendar for meetings.
  • Make sure every member blocks out your agreed-upon meeting time in their calendars.
  • A day or two before, have your group leader double check with everyone that you all are still meeting at your designated time and place.
  • If everyone cannot meet in a physical location, or you feel that you don’t need to meet in-person, consider briefly checking in over Face Time or Zoom to make sure every member is on track.

If you need help with an upcoming school project, call us at (626) 227-1149 or visit hodislearning.com to get in touch with an expert educator today!

 

Check out more of our tips here to get the most out of your group project.

Tutoring Explained in 140 Fewer than 140 Characters. Photo contains images of books as well as the text, "Hodis Learning & Music".

In an age where ideas and concepts are reduced to soundbites and 10 second video clips, we thought we’d challenge ourselves to explain our craft in 140 characters or less. This is what we came up with:


Tutoring is focused, individualized academic instruction that helps students become independent learners.

 

Tutoring is like a cast for a broken arm. When you break your arm, you get a cast to help the bone heal. Once the bone is healed enough, the cast is removed and you are free to use your arm as you did before. Tutoring acts as a cast for students who are struggling in their academics by providing them with a deeper understanding of the material as well as study and organizational skills.

As the student becomes more confident with their academic abilities, a tutor is no longer needed on a regular basis. Just as a person with a recovered broken arm will still need to see the doctor for follow up appointments, sometimes a student who graduated from regular tutoring will need a couple “tune-up” sessions before soaring completely on their own.

At Hodis Learning & Music, our expert tutors are dedicated to helping students become independent learners through private, tailored sessions. Contact us here to book a session with one of our tutors!