Impact Factor For Journals

Impact Factor For JournalsThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters is one of the leading journals in all of the sciences. It is an open access journal and so all papers are freely available for free download. That's the point: you can read a paper without paying a cent.One thing to keep in mind when evaluating the impact factor is that the impact factor can be misleading. For example, take the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. If you get a well-designed and well-documented paper from the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, then that's a good paper.This impact factor has been a subject of much discussion. Is it too high? How do you gauge if a paper is really that important? Well, you can use two different criteria:First, you can look at the impact factor of each individual article in the journal. In the case of Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, the impact factor for a paper is not just a single number, but rather a weighted average of how many times the journal is cited in the same field as the article. So, the best articles should be the ones with the highest impact factor.Second, you can also look at the impact factor of a field. For example, the Impact Factor is usually calculated by taking a sum of citations for articles in the field in which the paper is written. The influence of the paper has on that field is then calculated. A high Impact Factor is good for the field.So, how do you find out the impact factor of a particular paper? First, you look at the citation count in the field where the paper is written. If the paper is not cited in any field, then it is not useful in the eyes of the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.Finally, you can look at the impact factor of all articles published in the field. If the paper is not cited very often, that doesn't mean much. All it means is that the paper isn't important.

5 things college prep students should do before winter vacation

5 things college prep students should do before winter vacation Tips from a Costa Mesa College Admissions Consultant: 5 Things College Prep Students Should do Before Winter Vacation Summer is over, and high schoolers are back in the classroom. Students who are in the 10th through 12th grade are now prepping for college in addition to staying on track in their courses. The college prep years can either be a fun and productive time or they can become incredibly overwhelming and stressful depending on how prepared a student is and if theyre able to work efficiently. Although each student’s schedule will be tailored to their specific college goals, there are some things that every college prep student should do before they reach winter vacation. 1. Sign up for college entrance exams Its important to sign up for either the SAT or the ACT in advance of the actual test date because each testing program has strict cut off dates after which students will have to wait until the next test, sometimes months away. Once student know when theyre going to take the exam, they should take a practice test and get a baseline score. They can then work through a test prep booklet with the guidance of a tutor to assess their strengths and weaknesses and potentially improve their overall score before test day. 2. Take a college tour College prep students will also benefit from taking a tour of some of the college campuses they are most interested in. Deciding without visiting the campus leaves students with a big question mark in their mind regarding their future college experience. Its better for students to have an idea of what college life will be like to ease the transition. If students are not able to travel long distances to visit some of the schools on their list, they can visit their local university so that they can get an idea of campus life. Students can take an organized tour sponsored by the college, or they can go on their own with their family and take a look around (READ: 5 Things English Majors Should Do This Fall). 3. Get used to AP classes Many students start taking advanced placement classes as early as sophomore year. These classes require students to study and test at a much higher level and require an incredible amount of homework. One of the best things students can do is get used to the rigors of this type of a course, so they dont fall behind. They may need to work on study skills or learn how to study more efficiently, or they may need to develop more of a balance in their after school schedule. Students can also utilize the help of a tutor, study group, or their classroom teacher to get extra help when needed our private Costa Mesa AP tutors are here to help you succeed. 4. Join a club or organization In addition to working on academics and test prep, its important that college prep students have a chance to explore some of their interests so they can start thinking about what they might want to major in once in college. Most high schools offer several after school opportunities where students can explore personal interests. If a student is not interested in what their local school has to offer, they can often find activities for teens within their local community. Being involved in extracurricular activities help students find a balance in their schedule, allows them a chance to socialize with other motivated students, and looks great on college applications. 5. Refine study skills Study skills and personal organization will become essential during the college prep years. Students need to get things done as efficiently as possible, so they have time to complete all of their assignments, study for entrance exams, perhaps work a part-time job or volunteer within the community, and also just enjoy some free time to themselves. At this point, most students will know what study habits work best for their learning style, but they may need to work with a tutor a few hours here and there to stay on track. Our Costa Mesa private college admissions consultants have a 97% success rate. Call us today to learn more. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

4 things AP students must do before Thanksgiving break

4 things AP students must do before Thanksgiving break 4 things AP students must do before Thanksgiving break Advanced placement students have had a chance to get used to the challenging assignments thrown at them left and right and are probably starting to feel a little bit overwhelmed by this point in the year. Its a great time of year for students to assess where theyre at academically and set new goals based on what theyve already achieved. AP classes contain concepts that build upon one another and students will have a comprehensive exam in May that can help them gain entrance into colleges of their choice and even excuse them from a certain amount of college-level classes once they start attending university. To stay ahead of the crowd there are a few things every AP student should do before Thanksgiving break Dont wait to book your Orange County AP tutor. 1. Organize study notes Its essential for AP students to make sure they have all of their study notes organized and itemized throughout the year. Its tempting to throw away all those old notes and forget about them after taking a chapter-ending quiz, but students will need to hang onto these for their final exams in the spring. Students should know which notes go with which topic or chapter and which topics appeared on tests and quizzes throughout the year because this will be a big clue as to what might appear on the final exam in May. Many students choose to put off organization but find that the task becomes overwhelming and it can seriously affect their final score. Early organization is the key to success throughout an entire AP course. 2. Catch up on the reading Theres no denying that advanced placement courses require an excessive amount of reading thus many students begin to fall behind when their other classes become more demanding. At this point in the year, its a good idea for students to set aside some time to catch up on any missed reading, so they are on track and informed. Students can also work with their tutor to outline any concepts from those readings that they have missed. When AP students are 100% caught up with assignments they’re more likely to be confident about the material and participate in the class often resulting in higher grades and a better chance of getting a score of 3 or higher in May. 3. Join a study group AP students who work with their classmates as part of a team do much better when it comes to tests and quizzes. A large amount of information thrown at students in these high-level courses can become too much for one person to handle but, as part of a group, students give each other confidence and help each other become more successful than ever. Study groups provide a social element to the material that students miss when they study alone. When studying becomes something thats a little bit fun, students tend to pay more attention to the material and work through the chapters more successfully (READ: AP Test Taking Tips from a Private Orange County AP Tutor). 4. Get extra help By Thanksgiving break, students will know if they can handle an AP course on their own or if they need to get some extra help. This is especially true for students who are tackling their very first AP course during their sophomore or junior year. There are tons of students out there who are completely capable of understanding the content but have trouble organizing or working through the sheer amount of homework assignments. Working with a one-on-one tutor can take away a lot of this burden and allows students to focus on whats important, understanding the content and being well prepared for the final exams in May. Private tutors work with students to organize study notes and help students remedy weak areas on a regular basis and can make a student’s experience with AP courses a lot easier. Our private Orange County AP tutors are here to help you succeed. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Hiring 500+ teachers in the UAE Apply now!

Hiring 500+ teachers in the UAE Apply now! Interested in taking your teaching career to the Middle East? As you might remember, we posted earlier this month that we’re looking to fill over 500 teaching and leadership positions for the upcoming school year with UAE government schools. With in-person interview sessions happening very soon in the US, UK and the UAE, make sure you apply as soon as possible for a chance to interview in February (andcheck back here for confirmation on interview dates). Successful candidates will be teaching Secondary School (grades 8 to 12) in one of six emirates starting in August 2017. As a quick reminder, here are just some of the positions we’re recruiting for: English teachers Math teachers Science teachers - Physics, Chemistry and Biology Business teachers Physical Education teachers ICT (Information Communication Technology)/Computer teachers Benefits include: Tax-free salary Housing allowance is included in the monthly salary Flight ticket is provided for you, your spouse and up to three dependents at the start and end of the contract Summer vacation and national holidays End-of-contract bonus Health insurance is provided for you, your spouse and up to three dependents Qualifications and requirements: Bachelor’s degree Teaching certificate Two years of teaching experience Learn more about UAE government schools.

4 Signs a Student Will Be Successful in Middle School

4 Signs a Student Will Be Successful in Middle School 4 signs a student will be successful in middle school Starting middle school is one of the biggest transitions a student will face throughout their academic career. This time represents both educational and social changes that can make it a challenge to be successful overall. However, some students have an easy transition to middle school and do well in their more difficult classes. There are some signs that a student will be successful in middle school, which can, in turn, lead to success in high school and beyond. If a student is keeping their stress low but their grades high and has a great relationship with some responsible and motivated peers, they’re probably going in the right direction our experienced Orange County middle school tutors are here to help. 1.   Consistently good grades Starting middle school is a pretty big academic transition and some students who received excellent grades in elementary school may need a little bit of help from a study group or tutor. This is totally normal because the concepts at this level of learning are getting increasingly harder and build upon themselves. However, if a middle school student is receiving As and Bs in most of their courses its a sign that they’re going to be academically successful. Its always a good idea for students to maintain open lines of communication with their kid’s teacher just to see if things are on track. At this point in the year, students will have been handed back a few assignments and tests so parents can take a look and see how their kid is doing. The most important thing is that the grades are consistent. If a student gets one poor grade here and there, its not necessarily indicative of their overall effort. The consistency is the key to success during this transition. 2. They like their teacher Middle school age students sometimes have mixed feelings about their classroom teachers. Teachers start assigning more work at a more difficult level, which can be overwhelming for some students. Additionally, this is the time when students begin to challenge authority figures. As a result, if middle school students like their teacher its a really good sign. This means they enjoy school overall and generally have good feelings about their educational experience. They may feel that the teacher is a tough grader or gives out too much homework but that doesnt necessarily mean they dont like their teachers. If a middle school student feels comfortable raising their hand and asking questions or staying after class to ask for help, they’re very likely to be successful in general. 3. Their friends are good role models Its a good sign if a middle school student has made friends with other students who are motivated to do well academically and who are good role models. This means that students are likely to influence each other in a positive way and encourage each other to study for exams and complete homework assignments on time. Making new friends at a new school can be a social challenge so students may consider joining a study group or social club to enjoy this particular element of growing up (READ: 5 Ways to Study for Science Class). 4. Choosing an after-school activity The rigors of academics can become overwhelming at times, making it hard for students to participate in extracurricular activities. However, if students are interested in activities such as sports, arts, and music, or a volunteer group, they are probably on the right track. If a student is too tired to do much of anything when they come home from school they might be getting overwhelmed and need a little bit of extra help. To maintain a great work-life balance, students need to have some fun when outside of the classroom. Participating in a fun after-school activity can add to their success. Even successful students need help from time to time. Our private Orange County academic tutors will help your middle-schooler succeed in every topic. From science to English, TutorNerds is here to help. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Work Definition - What Is It?

Work Definition - What Is It?Work definition is important when you are looking to determine whether you should consider pursuing a career in chemistry. While the general public usually considers a job as an appropriate career for them, many will often tell you that you are not an ideal candidate unless you have a chemistry degree. Whether or not you want to pursue a career in chemistry is really up to you but you should be aware of what it means to have a work definition to figure out if chemistry is the right career for you.First of all, you need to decide whether or not work definition means that you are required to perform scientific laboratory research. If so, then obviously, you probably would be a chemist. However, it could mean that you only have to carry out laboratory work if there is a chemistry job open and it does not mean that you are only required to do laboratory work for your life after school. For example, I am a licensed practical nurse and am not required to do any scientific laboratory research while I was working for a company.Then, you also need to determine whether or not you are required to complete a specific work definition of chemical materials for a particular course. For example, there is a requirement that you must complete chemical lab requirements that you took as part of the chemistry department when you were a student. This is just one form of work definition and you might not even be required to complete this at all, especially if you take a course that does not require chemical lab work at all.Then, you also need to determine what type of work you will be doing after school is over. If you have completed a four year degree from a university, then you will most likely find a lab technician position or a position with a pharmaceutical company where you will work closely with a chemist. If you are thinking about doing a degree that is not accredited, you might not have a real work definition of what your career path might look l ike in the future.It is important to realize that even after you graduate, there will be a wide variety of new career paths that you can take. Therefore, you will still need to have a work definition in order to know what your expectations are as far as the direction you want to go in your life.Also, be sure to make sure that you have a work definition that includes a job outlook for at least three years after you graduate. You do not want to waste time chasing down a new career when you are actually chasing after a more desirable career. For example, if you are not sure if you will ever return to school for a degree in chemistry, you might want to work with your life coach to help you get a work definition of a career that you can continue to pursue after you graduate.Finally, make sure that you make sure that you have a work definition so that you know if you want to continue your education or pursue a different career. Often, there is a definite difference between a career and a job. However, make sure that you think through this carefully before making a decision about pursuing your education.

How to Find the Best Portuguese Tutor Jobs Online

How to Find the Best Portuguese Tutor Jobs OnlineIf you are looking for good quality Portuguese tutor jobs then this is your chance to learn the language and be taught to speak in Portuguese. It is a great opportunity to expand your work experience and give you more responsibility in your work environment.There are many reasons why Portuguese is spoken so widely and many jobs are available in teaching or consulting for companies that require translation of written material, newspaper reports, educational materials and conferences. These jobs will involve having to communicate with people who speak Portuguese in a non-professional setting and having to know the vocabulary and grammatical structures of Portuguese. The language can help to attract potential employers to you and open up new opportunities.You will also find it beneficial to learn how to write in Portuguese and would be happy to build your confidence in writing. Your employers will appreciate the effort they will see in yo u. Language is important but more so when you are doing work in a professional setting.If you have a degree in a foreign language and are interested in Portuguese then this is a good option for you. It helps to acquire the skills which employers look for, knowledge and a good command of the language. It is important to find the right type of Portuguese tutor jobs to help you take the next step towards achieving success.You need to find employment where you are comfortable and that is going to help you develop in the language and build your language proficiency. Employers are looking for well-educated individuals with a proper command of the language. A good command of the language is necessary to open the doors to employment opportunities. Job vacancies in Portugal also tend to pay very well, making it easier to reach your goals.Find the best Portuguese tutor jobs that fit into your needs and to suit your career. Take your time and do not rush into signing on with an employer. Being a member of a club is not always good. It is important to find a good Portuguese tutor jobs that will give you the training that you need to make your career more successful.While searching for Portuguese tutor jobs online be sure to check out the different website that advertises and it is important to compare the English language websites against the Portuguese language websites to help you find the perfect one. If you are ready to learn the language in a fun and practical way then you can find excellent job opportunities by joining online courses. This will give you the opportunity to get a good certificate, which will show employers you are committed to learning Portuguese and taking it seriously.

How to Effectively Give Your Teenagers Career Guidance

How to Effectively Give Your Teenagers Career Guidance Mistakes to Avoid when Helping Your Children with their Future ChaptersIgnoring Your Child’s SchoolingBelieving a Good Student Doesn’t Need GuidanceIgnoring Your Child’s ResultsNot Taking Your Child’s Personality into AccountNot Listening to What They WantBe Adamant that They Have to Go to UniversityNot Thinking About Your Child’s Academic ChoicesStressing Out About Your Child’s ChoicesThinking that Career Counselling is PointlessGetting Biased Career Advice“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” - Henry FordStudents need help when it comes to making choices about their studies and career and parents need to play their part in their children’s futures. However, it’s never easy getting involved as a parent, especially by the time they're teenagers.  Similarly, getting involved doesn’t mean pushing your dreams onto your child.To help you get it right, here are 10 mistakes to avoid when helping your child make decisions about their future.Find persona l development training with a coach on Superprof. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsIgnoring Your Child’s SchoolingThe first mistake to avoid is thinking that your child’s education is none of your concern. Of course, what they choose to do is their choice but this is a personal choice that can’t be taken lightly and it's your role as a parent to guarantee the best future for them. After all, that's what you've been doing their whole lives.However, a teenager needs to feel supported by their parents during this part of their life. The parents need to play the most important support role in all this, not a career counsellor or psychologist.Remember that it can be difficult for teenagers to think about what they want to be doing in 5 or 10 years.Your role as a parent is to help them discover the job market by talking to them about your experience, taking them to open days, and helping them find resources to help them decide.  Career exploration is a good way to discover the world of work, establish a career path, and work out which is the best career for them.Keep in mind that your child's future isn't just the teachers' responsibility. To be fair, most teachers will have hundreds of students to take care of and they'll tell you that children whose parents take an interest in their schooling tend to do better than those that don't.Believing a Good Student Doesn’t Need GuidanceJust because your child’s doing well at school, it doesn’t mean that they know exactly what they want to do in their career. What you have to do in school is worlds apart from what you have to do at work and you need more than just good grades to succeed. Even good students can benefit from academic guidance. (Source: ludi)Additionally, a student can be getting good grades and still not know what they want to do next. Academic and school guidance isn’t just a way to help struggling students get better grades, it's there to help them get the most out of their education.Every student needs help with making the right choices for their career. Just because a child is getting good results, that doesn't mean that they know anything about job search strategies, have made any career choices, or are even thinking about their future career will be.Ignoring Your Child’s ResultsResults at school will usually dictate whether or not you get onto a university course. Most teachers have so many students that it’s difficult for them to give each student the time they deserve and help them decide what they’re going to do in the future.  Even though this isn’t the only thing to take into account, exam results are essential for certain careers. Don't base your decisions entirely on your child's exam results, though. (Source: F1Digitals)Would your child like to become a doctor but is struggling with biology?If they’re determined, they can turn things around with private tutorials. However, if they can’t turn things around, they’re more likely to give up. Some universities demand great results over several years since every one of their applicants might have straight As in their A-Levels.Not Taking Your Child’s Personality into AccountOf course, grades aren’t everything. Good students are often expected to take their studies as far as they can go. Things are starting to change, but generally, it seems like students have one of two choices:Students with good grades study A Levels, an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, a doctorate, etc.Students with poor grades leave school with no formal qualifications or study vocational qualifications.We need to move away from these stereotypes.Firstly, students with degree s are less likely to find work than ever before. Additionally, good students can get a vocation.Take their personality into account. Some students love school and studies while others would rather get out of school as quickly as possible. Ignoring their personality type is a quick way to lead them down the wrong career pathways.  Fortunately, there are loads of career tests that consider personality traits. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st le sson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsNot Listening to What They WantIn addition to the student’s personality, you also need to think about what they want. It can sometimes be difficult not to impose your hopes and dreams onto your child. However, you can't make the choice or completely reject their ideas.Do you like drawing and would like to make a career out of that?Instead of rejecting their ideas and saying that there are no opportunities in the arts, have a look at careers that use these skills like an architect or graphic designer.Do they just want to dance?Show them some of the alternatives and encourage them to research what else they can do in case of injury, for example. A career transition may be necessary further down the line.Find out more about the cost of career guidance.Be Adamant that They Have to Go to UniversityWanting your child to go to university at any cost is not the righ t way to go about things for many reasons:You run the risk of complicating things if they’re not interested in it at all.They may go just to keep you happy and end up getting nothing out of their studies and changing careers later on.Degrees don’t always lead to jobs, either.Their success in school will depend greatly on how much they get out of it. Academia isn’t for everyone, after all. University isn't essential for a lot of good careers. (Source: Free-Photos)Not Thinking About Your Child’s Academic ChoicesYour child will have to make their first major decision during their GCSEs but this isn’t why you’ll need to think about their choices.  You need to give your child time and space to think about what they want to do and the best options for them. You can get them thinking about their future as early as Year 7.Later on, you can show them useful sites and resources, take them to university open days, and help them to meet professionals in the fields they’re interested in through work experience or internships.By the time they have to pick their GCSEs, they should have a better idea of what they might be interested in. Once they’ve finished their GCSEs, they should know what steps they’ll have to take to get the career of their dreams.Stressing Out About Your Child’s ChoicesIt can be worrying for parents seeing their children lost, but you can’t pass these concerns onto your child.  Trust that your child will find their way. Remember that you can always change your mind later. You can resit exams, change courses, and even change careers if necessary.Remember that we don’t even know what half the jobs of the future will be. There’s a high chance that a certain line of work doesn't even exist yet and that they may change careers once it does. Your role is to point them in the right direction rather than stressing out about a lack of it.Think about your own time at school. You’ve probably made mistakes, changed your mind, changed jobs, or even changed careers.Thinking that Career Counselling is PointlessTo work out what your child is good at, it might be a good idea to look for some help. You might have bad memories of meeting with your tutor or career counsellor, but there are alternatives.There are services to help students decide what to do, find the training they’ll need, and work out who they are and what they should be doing with their lives.  An academic appraisal or aptitude test could help a student see what their strengths and weaknesses are and point them in the right direction.Getting Biased Career AdviceBefore you get educational guidance for your child, make sure that they’re either independent or unbiased. A biased advisor may not be giving your child the best information for their future. One person's goals may not be your own or, more importantly, your child's. (Source: TeroVesalainen)There are many good career guidance services and there are also many great career counsellors and career coaching tutors. Check their qualifications, their reputation, and their experience first. You might want to interview them before hiring them.Now that you know what to avoid, you can help your child make the right choices in school. The rest is up to you. Help them work out their career options, what career they're interested in, and even consider taking them to career fairs or job fairs!

Beginner Basics How to Teach Yourself Guitar

Beginner Basics How to Teach Yourself Guitar Suzy S. Getting started on guitar can be mystifying without a great teacher to guide you. Follow these tips from guitar teacher Jerry W. and  youll be on your way to playing the guitar So you want to teach yourself how to play guitar? You dream of playing your favorite song or gigging in a band. Youve bought a guitar and youre ready to start. But now what? Where should you begin? In this post I will walk you through making a plan to teach yourself guitar. I will cover the steps to developing your goals and making a plan. Determine Your Starting Point Your first step is to assess your current musical ability. Are you a complete musical beginner or do you already play another instrument? The most important factor to consider at this point is whether you already know how to read music. If you have previous musical background and read music then your task will be much easier and you will want to look for teaching materials (books, videos, blogs) that delve right into the actual techniques of playing the guitar and the unique characteristic of guitar music. If, however, you are a complete beginner, then you need to find teaching resources that take you step by step through reading music in addition to learning guitar. Determine Your Goals Once you know your starting point you need to determine your ending point. What do you hope to accomplish as a guitar player? Why do you want to teach yourself guitar? Do you want to simply strum along with your favorite song or play standard chords as you sing, or do you want to be able to play lead guitar and solo over the band? Are you interested in strumming rhythm on the acoustic guitar, rocking out on the electric, fingerpicking a folk tune or playing classical music? Although it is possible to become proficient in each of these areas, it is best and more reasonable to start with a simple clear and reachable goal. Determine Your Style The most important part of your goal setting is to determine your preferred guitar style. The first step in this is to choose between the three primary types of guitar: acoustic, electric and classical. Once you select the type of guitar I would recommend focusing on a specific style of music. There are a lot of resources out there for the guitar player and knowing what style you are looking for will help you to quickly narrow down your options. Also, the style of music you wish to play will help determine what music reading skills you need to have. You can strum to music by simply being able to read chord symbols, a lot of pop music is written in guitar tablature (tab) but to play classical guitar you will need to learn standard music notation. Make a Plan Now that you have a clear goal it is time to make a plan. Here are the primary steps to your plan: Find resources. Search the web for the best books, videos and articles on your chosen guitar style. Go to your nearest music store and look at their resources. Talk to the salesperson and ask them what will work best for your goals. If you know anyone who plays guitar, see what they use. There are a wealth of resources available so spend some time checking out the reviews and seeing which ones look best for helping you reach your goals. Set up a practice schedule. There is no substitute for practice. The amount of time you are willing and able to practice will have the greatest impact on your eventual success. It is best to have a specific time set aside. If you really want to reach your goal you will need to spend the time. If you dont schedule it, then it is all too easy to forget and allow other activities to crowd it out. Choose a time and stick with it.  Play with others. As soon as possible begin to play with others. The fun of making music together will encourage you to go back and practice some more. Also, more advanced musicians are often happy to offer pointers you can take back to the practice room. Work the Plan You have a goal. You have a plan. Now for the hard part. You need to work your plan. No amount of dreaming and no amount of planning will make up for the hard work of practicing and playing on a regular basis. If you want to teach yourself guitar then you will have to work hard. But if you stick with it, in a few weeks you will begin to see progress and soon you will have the pleasure of reaching your goal and the enjoyment of playing your favorite music on your guitar. Remember, you can only get so far teaching yourself guitar. Nothing beats private guitar lessons if you want to learn proper technique and see fast results! Jerry W. teaches classical guitar, composition, trombone and  trumpet  in Grosse Pointe, MI.  He received his Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from  Cornerstone University and went on to receive both his Masters and PhD in Music Composition from  Michigan State University.  Jerry has been making music and teaching students for over thirty years.    Learn more about Jerry W. 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  yoppy