Improvisation Classes

Improvisation Classes Learn How To Act Through Improvisation ChaptersIf I Want To Learn To Act Do I Need To Learn How To Improvise?How Can I Improve My Acting Techniques, Such As Improvisation?Improvisation is not a new invention, despite its popularity today. In fact, improvisation has been around for hundreds of years, even forming part of the Commedia dell’Arte in Italy during the sixteenth century.In essence, improvisation describes a performance in which the actors’ responses are unplanned, as there is often little to no script to go by. Instead, actors play off each other, their characters, and their environment in real time to develop a plot and advance a story forward.Not only is improvisation a popular performance form, but it is also a useful skill for an actor to have. This is because improvisation can help an actor create a better-rounded and believable character. Additionally, improvisation may produce moments that scriptwriters may not have thought of that make a performance shine that little bit brighter.So, if you’re new to acting and wondering where to start, or you’re looking you further develop your acting skills, learning a few things about improvisation (known as “improv” for short) can really help you improve your craft as an actor.This article outlines the benefits of learning improvisation  and where you can develop your improvisation skills.Improv classes tend to be more closely associated with comedy and comedy classes than tragedy, although that's not to say that improvisation skills aren't useful to learn in an acting class for reasons other than comedy. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Pixabay)Robert De Niro’s “You talkin' to me?” line in the 1976 film Taxi Driver; andThe “You're gonna need a bigger boat” line in the 1975 film Jaws.While improvisation is a highly recognised skill in the world of acting, it’s worth noting that not all actors are as reliant on improvisation, as they may prefer to use other acting techniques when performing their craft. S o, while knowing improvisation may benefit you as an actor, for example when it comes to standing out during castings, don’t feel as though you absolutely must be an expert in improvisation in order to progress as an actor.Although improvisation can be a wonderful skill to add to your repertoire if you are taking acting classes, or developing your talents as an actor, it’s equally important to realise that improvisation isn’t just a skill used by actors.For example, improvisation is also commonly seen in other mediums and is particularly well-known for its use within the realm of comedy, such as stand up and other forms of live comedy.Many notable comics, such as Robin Williams, were highly regarded for their improvisation skills and often made improvisation a core part of their routines. This not only highlighted the creativity of the comedians but also made the audience laugh and helped them to enjoy watching the comic perform on stage.While comedic performances, sketch come dy, and acting are the most common areas people associate with improvisation, it can also be a useful skill to have in day-to-day life. It’s not uncommon, for instance, for improvisation classes to be offered to people as diverse as:School-age students; andProfessionals in business.The reason why improv classes and workshops can really help such diverse groups of people is that they can help develop a variety of skills that are useful in daily life.For example, improvisation classes for businesses may help team members develop and showcase their listening, speaking, and all-round communication skills, as you need to think on your feet to respond to the person you’re performing with.Similarly, improvisation can be a great way to develop your creative skills, as well as the ability to think on your feet.An improv class or a different type of  acting workshop can be a great way to help develop your creativity and boost your confidence as an actor. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Free-Photo s, Pixabay)How Can I Improve My Acting Techniques, Such As Improvisation?There are a number of different ways you can improve your fundamental improvisation skills.One of the most common ways of developing your improvisation techniques is to attend an improvisation class or workshop, either one that’s specifically designed for actors or one that is also designed to appeal to members of the general public.There are numerous classes available in the UK that accept a range of ability levels, regardless of whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned performer. For instance, the Free Association in London is just one example of where you might go to improve your improv.Aside from attending classes, there are other ways you can get better at improvising. For example, you could:Watch shows and films that feature actors and comedians that are famous for their improvisation skills, such as Kristen Wiig, Steve Carell, and Will Ferrell;Attend comedy nights, a comedy festival, a comedy c lass, or other events where improvisational comedy is being performed; andPlay or watch improv games such as Whose Line Is It Anyway?In essence, the more that you can immerse yourself in the world of improvisation, and practice improvisation as a participant rather than as an observer, the more your skills should hopefully develop.Where Can I Find Improvisation Drama Lessons?There are improvisation drama classes near me across the UK, so you should be able to find a class near you with relative ease, particularly if you live in a major city. When looking for an improv comedy class or general improv class try and find one that has a good reputation and has received positive feedback from previous course attendees, as these are generally good indicators of the quality of the course.It’s also worth bearing in mind that what you will be taught on an improvisation course may well depend on the type of course (e.g. whether it’s designed for absolute beginners or more experienced perfo rmers) as well as the instructor running the course.Generally speaking though, you’re likely to work through a variety of games, exercises and performances over the course of an improvisation class, all while having the chance to meet new people and potentially make new friends.If you’re unsure of what the class’ content is exactly and would like to find out, or if you'd like to know if the course is an intensive one, always try to speak to the course provider and ask for further details.Improv classes can really help boost your confidence as a performer, and can really help those looking to learn how to act or get into comedy, including stand up comedy. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay)Don’t Be AfraidSome people may feel put off from attending an improvisation class for fear that they may look silly doing improvisation exercises or that they’ll make a fool out of themselves.Don’t be!The main thing to remember is that everyone at an improvisation class is th ere to learn more about improvisation and improve their skills, so you’re all in the same boat.If you’re able to let go of any fears that you may have and embrace the experience and the laughter that should follow, then you should find that you get more out of the class, and you’ll maybe even have fun while doing so!If you want to learn more about improvisation, but are still struggling to find a course that’s right for you, why not consider hiring a drama tutor who can help you with improv?Superprof has a wide network of tutors for a variety of subjects, including acting, meaning that you should be able to find a tutor near you that is able to offer one to one, group, workshop, or online acting lessons.So, whether you’d like to learn improvisation in order to:Perform better during castings and auditions;Develop your acting skills and confidence in a supportive environment;Get better at improv comedy or sketch performances; orImprove your comedic timing,A Superprof tutor m ay be able to help you! Given that tutors can offer greater flexibility when it comes to class availability, and may also be more competitive when it comes to pricing, you might be surprised at how well drama tuition could work for you.

How Can I Develop My Public Speaking Skills

How Can I Develop My Public Speaking Skills Ways To Improve Public Speaking Skills ChaptersWhat Is Public Speaking And Why Do I Need This Skill?How To Get Better At Communicating VocallyAdditional Public Speaking Tips For Introverts 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 tutorsWhat Is Public Speaking And Why Do I Need This Skill?Public speaking is, in essence, any form of addressing a crowd or speaking in public .It could be reciting a poem in front of your classmates, making a new proposal in a meeting at work, or you could be inspiring a group of fellow activists on a subject you're passionate about. Regardless of why you're speaking publicly, the ultimate aim is to be persuasive and get your message across, whilst feeling comfortable speaking.This act of effective communication, speaking to an audience, requires quite a lot of preparation for some whereas, for others, it comes somewhat naturally. That said, different environments and audiences can play a big part in how you react under pressure so even the most confident speakers can crumble under extreme pressure when feeling speech anxiety!When public speaking, the information is intended to have a purpose, i.e. to educate, influence or entertain the listeners so it's important to speak with confidence.When it comes to your career, good leadership and conversational skills can make you stand out from the rest of your team, ensure that people listen to your points, help you to make sales and leads, and allow you to be more transparent, among many other reasons to work this skill.However, public speaking isn't all about looking out for yourself in terms of job security and promotion. Being able to speak confidently can, outside of the workplace, help you to adjust to social situations that once made you uncomfortable (such as mingling, making small talk with strangers, etc...), enable you to showcase your knowledge on a subject and allow you to learn more about your interests.Does the idea that you have to speak in public give you a fright and fill you with nervousness? Then keep reading for some tips on how to get rid of public speaking anxiety.How To Get Better At Communicating Vocally Learn from the best public speakers of our time. Photo on Visualhunt.comWant to master presentation skills? Then you first need to get to grips with the basics of oral communication.Here are some tips and tricks for getting better at speaking to the masses and diminish performance anxiety.Prepare Well To Diminish NervesBeing nervous is normal: pounding heart, sweaty palms, dry mouth, we've all experienced it. But nerves are also good, as they show that you care.The best way to overcome these feelings, however, is to be as prepared as you can be when giving a presentation. If you have re-read your notes a hundred times, then you have no need to feel worried about your speaking skills!Know Your AudienceGet to know who it is you are addressing because remember that delivering presentations is about them and not you.Find out as much as you can about the crowd so that you can choose your vocabulary wisely in your presentation to engage the audience, work out how much information you feed them and decide how to organise the speech (with kids, for example, you'll need to keep injecting fun activities in between chunks of detail if you want to keep them hooked throughout!).Go With The FlowWhile you should know your audience and should, therefore, have an idea of how they will respond to your speech, it's wise to try to feel their response and work with the feedback and vibes they give. If it means forgetting your cue cards and going off on a tangent because that is how the speech evolves, then go with the flow if you are confident to do so! Everyone hates it when politicians keep returning to the point they want to make instead of answering the question put to them... the greatest speeches keep your listeners on side.Let Your Personality Shine Through.Be yourself, during your speech, as otherwise, you will be too focused on trying to maintain your alter ego or persona. You will have better credibility if your personality shines through while you address the crowd and y our audience feels it can trust you. Be real, even if you don't like the sound of your own voice and you'll deliver a great presentation!Use Light Humour As An Ice-BreakerOne of the most common phobias in life is giving a presentation to an audience... how to overcome fear? Be funny!Making the odd joke here and there, especially at the beginning of a speech can be a great way to captivate the audience however steer clear of any dry humour as you don't want to wind up upsetting people. Using humour in most situations can break the ice. Photo credit: benzado on Visual Hunt / CC BY-SADon't Read Word For WordEven though you may have written down an excellent speech, don't read it word for word, that's a failure to grasp any presenting skills. Or, if you really have to because you struggle to retain a script, then make sure that you make eye contact with the crowd regularly. Otherwise, you won't be able to keep an eye on their reactions!Use Your Body LanguageThe way you hold yourself and the way you present yourself on stage can be just as important as how you deliver your speech vocally. Use hand gestures and, more importantly, use your face to get your message across more powerfully. You need presence if you want to influence your audience and thankfully adrenaline helps a lot with this.Start Well, End WellEnding a speech well is almost as important as to start it off on the right foot. What's more, people will usually remember the beginning and end more, since they are more likely to drift during the middle of your speech. Make sure you conclude with a strong summary and give them food for thought.Additional Public Speaking Tips For IntrovertsTry Out A PersonaContrary to what we said above, introverts might like to try pretending they are someone else, but not a different person entirely. Very nervous people might do well imagining that they are not the quiet person they are by nature and instead act as though they are full of confidence and self-esteem. Speaking is performing, after all.You might even discover a new, more extroverted side of yourself that you didn’t know was there before!Check Your AppearanceIntroverts are normally riddled with negative feelings - are they laughing at me, have I got spinach in my teeth, are my flies pulled up, etc... - so it is important to focus on your appearance before you take to the stage so that that is one thing you can tick off your list and be sure of. Maybe go to the toilets just before your speec h and start your checklist in front of the mirror to ensure you are well prepared:   Hair, tick! Teeth, tick! Shirt tucked in, tick!!!Remember also, your audience aren't going to judge you solely on your appearance so it's not the be all and end all. The most important thing is getting your message across with little speaking anxiety.Smile At Your AudienceEven if it is masking a whole bucket of feelings, starting your speech with a smile is proven to get more people on side. What's more, even if it is slightly forced, it is likely to make you feel happier and distract from your nerves. Seeing a few warm and friendly smiles back at you could also put you at ease as you begin. If you are a nervous person by nature, then you may need to work extra hard on your public speaking. Photo on Visualhunt.comLet Others Take Over If AppropriateI know, this is supposed to your time to shine, to take the limelight. But you didn't really want it anyway, did you? If you are clever, you could mask your fears by delivering a short and sweet speech and then encouraging participation and getting your audience to do a bit of the work for you, all the while keeping them engaged and managing to avoid speaking much yourself. Genius isn't it?!Take Some Time AfterwardsAfter your speech, you'll probably be buzzing that it's over but also worrying about if it went well. And all that nervous energy will probably linger! Public speaking, for anyone, can be quite draining, especially if you've spent a long time memorizing and working on your delivery skills beforehand to make sure you nailed what to say. Make sure that you don't arrange to do anything that means you are rushing about a fter the speech. Just get yourself home, with a nice cup of tea (or glass of wine, if you prefer!) and put your feet up!See here which online resources are available to those wanting to give great speeches.

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Beijing

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Beijing When Should You Visit Beijing? ChaptersThe Weather in BeijingShould You Avoid Summer and Winter?Are Autumn and Spring the Best Times to Visit?Popular Dates in Beijing“The climate is what you expect; the weather is what you get.”If you’ve been looking at travel guides for information on travelling to Beijing for your next holidays, you’ll have probably seen that the best times to go are in spring or the month of September.Most people visit China between April and May and September and October.The environment is an important factor to consider when visiting Beijing as well as traditional Chinese events.So when should you visit the capital of China?In this article, we'll look at what the weather and climate are like in Beijing, whether you should go in winter and summer, and if autumn and spring are more agreeable.When China starts to warm up, the flowers start to bloom. (Source: Lastronaut)Autumn is officially between September and October but it could be as short as between a week and ten days.Autumn in the north of China is cold in the morning but mild during the day. It’s a great time to visit Beijing and other Chinese cities like Tianjin, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guilin.  This season sees very little rainfall even though temperatures do start dropping as the days go on.Spring is the second-best time to visit Beijing since between April and May, the temperatures increase, the ice melts, and the flowers bloom. It’s also dry and the temperatures are around 20 °C.Spring is also the low season for tourists in China which means you can benefit from reduced prices. However, on days like Labour Day on May 1st, the prices can skyrocket as millions of tourists make their way to the capitalAre you looking for more information on the weather in China?Make sure you choose the right time to go!Find out more about budgeting for a trip to Beijing.Popular Dates in BeijingChina is the world's most populous country, with about 1.5 billion people.The Chinese New Year is really busy and pric es can triple or quadruple! (Source: Highline)It’s also difficult to find a cheap flight in the height of summer or the Chinese New Year.You don’t need to be an expert on China to know the best time to visit Beijing.  Avoid visiting Beijing during traditional holidays if you like peace and quiet, for example.It’s recommended that you avoid national holidays, the National Day of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese New Year, the Moon Festival, as well as the school holidays.Here’s a quick list of some of Beijing’s most popular events and festivals:Chinese New Year: 24-31 January 2020, 11-18 February 2021.National Day of the People's Republic of China: 1-7 October.Qingming Festival: 4-7 April.Labour Day: 1-4 May.Dragon Boat Festival: 7-9 June 2019, 25-27 June 2020.Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival): 13-15 September 2019.During these events, public transport is packed and the prices of everything increases.  Millions of students travel to see their families during the Chinese New Year and fill the airports, stations, and Chinese roads.  With so many people travelling at the same time, it’s effectively a migration.During the Chinese New Year, finding flights or train tickets is incredibly difficult. Hotel prices double or triple.  It’s really a week to avoid unless you’re set on seeing lions and dragons dancing in the street or the Lantern Festival on the last day of the festivities.The National Day of the People's Republic of China is on the 1st of October but the festivities last the whole week. There’s an increase in tourism so it’s not the ideal time to try and visit the city.Find out more about finding accommodation in Beijing.Mainland China is huge so keep in mind that even though this advice applies to Beijing, if you visit Xinjiang, the Yangtze River, Zedong, Tibet, Shaanxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hainan, or Hangzhou, you'll need to check the climates before your trip to China.Before you go to China, consider getting private tutorial s in Mandarin Chinese. On Superprof, there are three types of language tutorials available: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are bespoke lessons with one tutor and one student. As the only student in the class, this is the most cost-effective type of private tutorial. Your tutor can spend all their time focusing on you, rather than having their attention split between you and other students.Group tutorials are closer to traditional lessons at school with multiple students and a single teacher. This is usually the cheapest type of tutorial since the cost of the tutor's time will be shared amongst all the students in attendance. If you and your family or friends are planning a trip to China, you could all get Chinese lessons together from a tutor before you go.Online tutorials are similar with the main difference being that the private tutor isn't there with you in the room. Thanks to the internet and programmes such as Skype, you ca n learn Chinese from anywhere with a decent internet connection and from tutors from anywhere in the world. Your Chinese language tutor may even be in China!Each type has its pros and cons so it's up to you and your budget to decide which type of private tutorials you want.Learn Mandarin London now!

3 Advantages of Hiring a Bilingual Candidate - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 3 Advantages of Hiring a Bilingual Candidate - Introvert Whisperer 3 Advantages of Hiring a Bilingual Candidate SELF-PROMOTION Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will?  If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Your Professional Field Guide To Be A Rock-Star Introvert-Part Three - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Your Professional Field Guide To Be A Rock-Star Introvert-Part Three - Introvert Whisperer Your Professional Field Guide To Be A Rock-Star Introvert-Part Three Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective. But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Volunteer With Heart Cate Rogers - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer With Heart Cate Rogers - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer With Heart: Cate Rogers Volunteer With Heart: Cate Rogers April 1, 2016 Cate Rogers has always considered math critically important. She spent more than 40 years in education starting as a secretary, then as a special education teacher, an elementary and middle school principal, a superintendent and then as a professor and graduate school dean. She worked tirelessly to help teachers overcome their own fears and biases in the teaching of math (and science, too) so they would be able to instill in their students a love of math. Cate tutors a third grader and a fourth grader each week at Piney Grove Elementary School through Heart Math Tutoring. Why did you become a volunteer? After retiring, I wanted to be involved with children and their learning. My husband found this program and wanted to work with young children as well so we are doing this together. This is his first time tutoring and we are learning and growing together. Things change in education and it is important to keep up with the times. This program is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in helping a child improve his or her math skills. What  its  something you have in common with one of your  students? The color purple! We both love it! What would you tell someone who is  thinking about becoming a volunteer? Heart is a wonderful opportunity for someone who would like to make a difference in a childs life. The program is well organized with extensive lesson plans. Seeing the gains made by the students is very rewarding. Its only a few hours a week and its well worth your time and commitment. Give it a try! Cate’s students look forward to working with her each week. We can always count on her fourth grade student arriving early on Thursdays, eager to know if Cate is here for her tutoring session. Heart is fortunate and grateful that Cate and John Rogers have chosen to spend their time each week with the program at Piney Grove Elementary! The Rogers are new to North Carolina as of summer 2015, and we  wish you a very warm welcome to Charlotte! #VolunteerwithHeart #ItAllAddsUp

Domestic Violence And Guns Dont Really Mix

Domestic Violence And Guns Don't Really Mix pexels.com On Monday, the Supreme Court voted to uphold this law, preventing those convicted with misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns. Two men from Maine, Stephen Voisine and William Armstrong III, were involved in the case, claiming that their guilty pleas for domestic violence (i.e. hitting their partners) shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether or not they are able to obtain a weapon. The justices disagreed. They rejected all arguments that the law should cover only intentional acts of abuse and not “reckless” acts of abuse. (Reckless here defined as the perpetrator “is aware of the risk that an act will cause injury, but not certain it will”). An example of such “reckless” behavior would be throwing a plate during an argument or slamming doors in the same scenario. Justice Elena Kagan, speaking on behalf of all Supreme Court justices, claimed this law was put forth by Congress 20 years ago to close out a loophole, and “prohibit domestic abusers convicted under run-of-the-mill misdemeanor or assault and battery laws from possessing guns.” She also claimed that excluding “reckless” misdemeanors would undermine the design of this law. Of course, gun rights activists are in strong opposition to this ruling. According to them, Voisine and Armstrong III shouldn’t lose a constitutional right just because of domestic abuse. Advocates for domestic abuse fell on the other side of the spectrum, pushing for the restriction to stay in place. Voisine pled guilty in 2004 to assault when he slapped his girlfriend in the face while under the influence. A few years following this incident, he was reported by an anonymous source for having shot a bald eagle with a rifle, at which point he was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison. Armstrong pled guilty in 2008 to assaulting his wife. A few years following the incident, police searched his home during a narcotics investigation and discovered firearms and ammunition. He was then sentenced to three years of probation. While this wasn’t the most important case the justices had to cover, its outcome is certainly a step in the right direction. The Obama administration is happy with the ruling according to White House spokesman, Eric Schultz, suggesting that it still probably wouldn’t affect the current gun control debate circulating in Congress following the mass shooting in Orlando, FL. Still, it’s a case worthy of our attention, especially because it prompted Justice Clarence Thomas to ask multiple questions from the bench, something he hadn’t done in about 10 years. (Justice Thomas was a close friend of Justice Antonin Scalia, the recently deceased judge, a conservative supporter of gun rights). So it was no surprise that Justice Thomas was concerned with the argument that misdemeanor conviction would deprive a person of a constitutional right to bear arms. And it was also no surprise that he dissented from the ruling on Monday, stating, “Under the majority’s reading, a single conviction under a state assault statute for recklessly causing an injury to a family member such as by texting while driving can now trigger a lifetime ban on gun ownership … We treat no other constitutional right so cavalierly.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented as well, agreeing that Congress’ law should have been written differently to include reckless conduct. Voisine and Armstong were the major topics of Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court, as they were both convicted of breaking federal law following their misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence. This didn’t stop either man, however, from arguing that they shouldn’t be barred from owning firearms, as their convictions “could have been based on reckless action, not action that was knowing or intentional.” But with the Supreme Court ruling just the opposite, it’s something for everyone to keep in mind, and hopefully something that will have an effect on future gun laws. The bottom line: if you commit a crime, be it misdemeanor or major felony, you’re bound to lose some privileges. While the country is largely divided on gun control issues, it’s important to remember, especially in this instance, that domestic violence is nonetheless violence. So putting a gun into the arms of an already violent being is something that should be taken seriously. And unfortunately, this isn’t something that can be looked upon on a case-by-case basis. So don’t commit crimes and you won’t have your rights taken away. At least, that’s what the Supreme Court’s ruling is telling the general population. So for now, it’s in your best interest to listen, as there are going to be many gun law debates to follow, and they’re going to be the final say.

5 Apartment Safety Tips for Fall Semester

5 Apartment Safety Tips for Fall Semester Image via Pixabay.com 2. Connect with at least one neighbor or fellow resident In the fall, new folks are usually moving to new apartments if you live in a college town. It’s a smart idea to pay attention to whether new people are moving in nearby or next door to your apartment, and get to know them if possible. Even knowing just one other resident in your apartment complex or neighborhood can be a lifesaver if you need someone to watch over your doorstep if packages are dropped off while you’re not home, or if you just want to clarify something your landlord sent out in a blast email. Make an effort to at least stop by to say hello and exchange phone numbers if at all possible. Your peace of mind will increase! 3. Consider buying a safe If you own any extremely valuable items a fancy camera, an extra laptop, a pair of those mystifying yet cool Google glasses you might get a little more anxious than you normally would about the notion of someone ever breaking into your place. These items could be the first to go. The solution? Store them in a safe. This is just about the most secure way to protect valuables. College students might not see the need for a safe (I usually picture older folks actually owning and using safes), but it can be a great investment especially if you don’t live in the safest neighborhood. If you can’t afford one, consider storing expensive valuables in a very obscure and hard to access location (like the very top shelf of your closet, an area difficult for even you to reach unless you really needed something). To further enhance your apartment’s safety, consider getting renters insurance: a relatively inexpensive way to ensure that in the event of a break in/theft, your belongings would be replaced and you’d receive compensation equal to what was stolen. 4. If you live alone, don’t make it obvious Don’t go out of your way to tell people around you that you live alone. This sounds fundamental, but more often than not, folks will bring it up from time to time without realizing the dangerous repercussions of doing so. The more you mention living alone while talking with friends in public, the higher a chance there is of the wrong person overhearing and possibly showing up at your place with questionable intentions. At night, it’s good to leave a light on when you leave the house so that your house still looks occupied (and it helps you out upon your return, when you’d otherwise be fumbling around in the dark looking for a light switch). 5. Invest in a doormat In fall semester, rain starts becoming a thing again after many dry summer months (depending on where you live, of course). To minimize the chances of you slipping on your kitchen tiles upon arrival home from school, be sure to place a good quality doormat on your front step so that you can rub the mud or water off of your shoes before you go inside. Not only is this a simple fall safety tip, but it’s also a quick way to keep your floors cleaner. Students want to minimize the need to clean! Overall, to stay safe this fall, make sure you check that everything in your apartment is working properly: drains, faucets, door locks, etc. If something is defective or otherwise broken, contact your landlord right away before the issue worsens. You’ll want to make sure your place is up to date and fully functioning this fall before the air turns colder and weather conditions get wilder. For more advice and resources for apartment living, visit your campus’ rentals office or talk to your peers, housemates, and friends about apartment safety. They just might have some tips you didn’t think of! Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.