When you’re earning a degree abroad and learning in a second language, taking notes can be extremely beneficial—and extremely difficult. Despite this reality, note-taking can provide you with a resource to refer back to while studying, and it can also help you organize both your thoughts and the information you are learning. Here are eight tips for taking notes in your second language:
 
1. Prepare for class
Preparing for class ahead of time, either by reading ahead in the textbook or researching the lecture subject online, is well worth your time and effort. First of all, this preparation will introduce you to key vocabulary, and it can be much easier to take notes when you already know the terminology. This is especially true when you are taking notes in your second language. Preparation is also helpful in that you will have a general idea of what the professor is talking about before you begin listening.
 
2. Pay attention
It is important to pay attention when you are taking notes in any language, but it is particularly important in your second language. When you lose focus, it is often more difficult to figure out what your professor was talking about and to re-engage. If you are having trouble focusing, find a method that works for you. Some people find that chewing gum or drinking ice water can help them focus. Others find that movement can help, whether it is tapping their foot or drawing pictures. Just the act of writing notes by hand (rather than typing them) may help you pay attention.
 
3. Ask questions
If you are able to ask questions in class, do so. Not only will you gain clarification of issues that you don’t understand, you will also have more time to write down the information that the professor is discussing.
 
4. Write down the key points
Do not try to write down the lecture word for word. Pay attention to what the professor is saying, and then note key points, dates, vocabulary, etc. If you have prepared for class ahead of time, this will be easier. You will be able to write down those bits of information that are new, or that your professor emphasizes as particularly important.
 
5. Use a note-taking system
You will need to find a system that helps you get the key points on paper. There are a variety of note-taking systems, including outlining, Cornell notes, word webs, and mind-mapping. It can also be helpful to record lectures so that you can listen to them again and fill in the blanks in your notes. Just make sure the professor approves recording of his or her lectures.
 
6. Learn abbreviations and symbols
A study in 2011 found that English language learners use fewer abbreviations in their notes. This can contribute to students having fewer notes overall. When you are preparing ahead of time, learning common abbreviations and symbols—both for your second language in general, as well as for your subject in particular—can be helpful.
 
7. Review your notes in a timely manner
Since you won’t be writing down complete sentences, your notes may not make sense to you in a few weeks when you are studying for a test. In order to make sense of your notes, you need to review them as soon as possible, preferably immediately after class. Flesh them out a bit so that they will be easier for you to understand later. Make sure that your notes are complete and accurate by reviewing them with a fellow student. It can also be helpful to summarize what the professor was talking about that day.
 
8. Get clarification
Once you have taken notes in class and reviewed them, get clarification of the points that you don’t understand. You can do this by asking your professor during office hours, going to a tutor, or doing some more reading in your book and/or online. Sometimes it is helpful to get clarification in your native language, just so you better understand the material. You should make sure, however, to also get clarification in your second language.
 
Even if you are proficient at taking notes in your native language, taking notes in your second language can pose challenges. By making sure that you prepare for class ahead of time, pay attention, ask questions, write down key points, use note-taking systems, use abbreviations, review your notes soon after taking them, and get clarification of points you don’t understand, you can do a better job at taking notes and will have a better resource for test preparation.
 
Dana Elmore is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world's largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.   

When it comes to learning a foreign language, there are no universal rules. Some people are capable of speaking a new language just months after they have started to learn it, while others take years, despite understanding the language well. The crucial difference between those two processes is that understanding is passive, whereas actually speaking the language is active, and therefore requires a lot more effort.
 
If you are struggling to take your speaking to a new level, check out these 10 ways to improve.
 
1.     Do It for the Right Reasons
If you are just learning a foreign language because you need it for a test or work, you will treat it as a chore. You need to realize that knowing a foreign language can enrich all areas of your life. The key is to let it in, and see all the benefits it can offer you.
 
2.     Create Opportunities to Speak in Foreign Language
If there aren't any clubs or communities where you can speak with native speakers, there are plenty of chances to do it online, through social media or chat apps. You can also start writing and honing your knowledge of a foreign language that way. Also, every time you travel outside your own country is yet another perfect opportunity.
 
3.    Approach it as an Adventure
For many learners, a foreign language is just another subject they have to learn by heart.  Working as a language tutor for Essaysontime, I noticed that this is exactly the reason why my students were stagnating in their attempts to speak fluently. Once they realized that the goal is not to cram and get a good grade, they started making real progress while learning to speak in a more relaxed and natural way.
 
4.     Rely on Multiple Sources
Instead of just using books to learn a new language, rely on other methods as well, such as movies, music, podcasts, and TV shows. By making the learning experience more immersive, you will be able to learn more words and phrases and become familiar with all the different contexts they can be used in.
 
5.     Think in the Language You're Learning
Although it may seem impossible at first, you need to start thinking in a foreign language instead of translating everything into your native language and going back and forth like that. Become familiar with the common sentence structures of the language and practice making variations regularly until you recall them quickly and effortlessly. This will eliminate the need to build a sentence translating it word by word.
 
6.     Have a Small "Database" of Words in Your Head
Speaking is a relatively fast process, which means you need to have a certain number of words inside your head which you can recall at any time. A way around this would be to focus on those words and phrases you use in your native language on a daily basis and then learn their equivalents in a foreign language. That way, you will always have your own “database” of words and phrases you can rely on at any given moment.
 
7.     Listen More
Your ability to listen is essential here because it will help you recognize the words and understand the phrases more easily. Apart from listening to others speaking, practice your pronunciation. By combining those two, you will be on your way to understanding and articulating your thoughts almost automatically.
 
8.     Be a Smart Reader
Once you are presented with a new text, your goal should not be to try and take each word, translate it, and then memorize it, but to learn how it fits into the overall context. That way, rather than mechanically memorizing, you will begin to understand how and why that particular word or phrase was used in that sentence.
 
9.     Don't Get Too Hung Up on Mistakes
Every time you are trying to learn something new, you are bound to make mistakes. Lots of them. And that is perfectly fine. But, if you keep making the same ones repeatedly, focus on them and put together a list of those mistakes, figure out the reason why you are making them, as well as practice avoiding them in your speech.
 
Conclusion
If you are having trouble learning and speaking a foreign language, that doesn't mean you are not cut out for it. It just means that you need to change something in your approach, and these useful tips should help you do just that. Keep at it, practice, and before you know it, you will become fluent.
 
Sophia Anderson is an enthusiastic language tutor and a blogger from Australia. She believes that learning something new every day is a must. Her inspiration comes from reading books and online blog posts that cover a wide range of her interests. Talk to her on Twitter. 

In today's world, many people have decided that they want to obtain a degree that empowers them to change the world for the better. If this is the case for you, it's important to note that there are a wide range of degrees you can obtain that will enhance your ability to operate in a philanthropic capacity. Here are four of them.


1. Master's of Business Administration
This type of program will provide students with a wide range of courses that provide knowledge regarding how to operate effectively in the public sector. Also note that a recent survey from Net Impact outlines one hundred business school programs that are socially-focused. It's also important to know that individuals who choose this major may have the ability to concentrate in a field such as Social Enterprise.


2. Master's of Public Administration
This degree program is valuable because it trains students to apply key business skills within the public sector. Individuals who obtain a master’s in public administration can perform exceptionally well within key roles like Manager of Philanthropic Programs, Director of Development, or Grants Manager. In addition to gaining a degree the traditional way, you can earn this degree online through a number of educational institutions.


3. Bachelor's of Civil Engineering
As research has shown, the world's population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by the year 2050. A great deal of this growth will transpire within developing and underdeveloped countries. Unfortunately, many of these countries do not have the infrastructure necessary to deal with rapid population growth.
 
As such, they will need help dealing with factors such as construction, waste disposal, water, and transportation. Civil engineers assist with the construction and transportation sector by designing, building, supervising, operating, and maintaining construction projects in both the private and public sectors.
 
Specifically, they play a role in the development of airports, buildings, tunnels, roads, bridges, dams, and the systems responsible for sewage treatment and water supply. To work as a civil engineer, you'll need to attain a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology.


4. Master's of Urban Planning
This degree program places primacy on implementing strategies and systems that will contribute to the revitalization of cities. The program also focuses on solving environmental concerns and improving impoverished areas. Individuals who graduate from the degree program will oftentimes work with international organizations like the World Bank and the UN. People who wish to work with nonprofits or housing agencies oftentimes find that this degree program is the perfect fit.
 
If you're serious about making the world a better place, now is the time to select a degree program that will put you on the path to philanthropic excellence. Use the information found in this guide to help you determine which program would be most appropriate and advantageous for you.

Ani Oaks is a freelance writer and web enthusiast. You can read some of her published work on her Google+ page. ​

​Enjoyed your high school life? That’s good to know.
 
You probably had the time of your life during your prom and graduation. But you have to admit, you’re also stoked for college! More freedom, fun parties, college hotties to crush on, great co-curriculars and orgs are but a few things you are certainly looking forward to once you enter the university.
 
But don’t let your anticipation get the best of you. There’s still summer before college life that is waiting to be enjoyed. Here are five things to do before you move on to the university:
 

Enjoy quality time with your family and friends

While you are looking forward to a more independent living in a few months’ time, don’t forget to spend quality time with your family and friends.
 
You probably didn’t realize that going to college also meant leaving behind familiar faces and places. You know you’re going to miss them when you’re away. So, make this summer a blast and unforgettable! Gather your friends and plan a roadtrip. Go to the beach. Have a pajama party like you used to do back then. Or you can visit your favorite local burger joint and chat the time away.
 
Attend your annual family reunion, and reconnect with your cousins, aunts, and uncles.
 

Learn how to behave like an adult and gain life skills

You’ll probably miss your family more when you realize you’re going to do your own chores in your college dorm.
 
Laundry, cooking, housekeeping, driving, budgeting, even waking up for a quick shower in time for your first class--these are just some life skills you need to have before going to college. Learn how to wash colored and whites. Pay the kitchen a visit and cook a real meal. Make your bed once you get up.
 
Spend your summer practicing these skills, so you know you’ll be ready and independent when the school year kicks in.
 

Do some cleaning up

First off, do a closet raid.
 
Since you are now anticipating college life, you have to dress like it. No more frilly tops or baggy jeans if you feel like they do not represent the real you. Pick which clothes you are going to keep, and which ones you will give away or sell in a garage sale.
 
Also, remember to retain neat and polished pieces that you can wear to college or for your internship. You might want to invite your friends to make your closet clean up more fun. Second thing you might want to clean up is your Facebook timeline.
 
Just as you want your wardrobe to reflect who you really are, your Facebook page should do too, especially that it’s the go-to page for your new friends to get to know you.
 

Get to know the ins and outs of uni and your roommate

Don’t wait for the academic year to start to know your way around uni. Make sure you know the buildings and the ways you can get around campus. Check out the nearby places as well and familiarize yourself with the area.
 
As an incoming freshman, you are probably going to stay in an on-campus housing. The first college friend you will most likely have is your roommate. So before the college term starts, you might want to establish a friendly connection with the person you’re going to share your space with.
 
Search for him/her on social media networks, and drop a message to say ‘hi.’ It’s better to know whether the two of you will click, as living with someone you barely know can be challenging.
 

Prepare for your classes

The professionals at Online Essays Scholaradvisor  have this awesome tip: better back up your anticipation with preparation.
 
As early as summer, some classes open for registration. It would be of convenience if you can register for classes as early as possible, since some classes might fill up fast.
 
If you are unsure of what subjects to take, you better consult your admissions counselor for some recommendations. Once you have worked out your schedule, you can now buy required textbooks and read up on summer readings.
 
Congratulations to making it into college! It is a huge leap, but you’ll be fine. Make the most out of it, and embrace its challenges. Cheers to more life adventures in college!
 
 
Laura Buckler is a freelance writer and personal tutor. One of her favorite things in life is reading fiction. She enjoys her work and life in general. Follow her on twitter.