ANGELINA JOLIE-PITT APPOINTED VISITING PROFESSOR AT LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

ANGELINA JOLIE-PITT APPOINTED VISITING PROFESSOR AT LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS The US actress, film director and special envoy for the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency has been appointed visiting professor at the London School of Economics (LSE), where she will teach a Masters in gender and human rights. The Oscar-winning actress will join former foreign secretary William Hague as a lecturer at the university’s Centre for Women, Peace and Security where she will help to teach students studying for a Master’s degree. Jolie-Pitt, who has been a goodwill ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency and is currently one of its special envoys, has been a vocal campaigner on refugee rights and gender based violence. Jolie-Pitt will serve as a guest editor of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour later this month to be aired on 17th June, where she will explore the refugee crisis in the lead-up to World Refugee Day the following Monday. Jolie-Pitt said “I am looking forward to teaching and to learning from the students as well as to sharing my own experiences of working alongside governments and the United Nations”. Hague said: “This course will help underpin our work in preventing violence in conflict, developing expertise and research to assist us in tackling the culture of impunity. I look forward to working with the LSE students and my fellow visiting professors.” The one year course will include modules on Women, Peace and Security, Gender and Militarisation and Gender and Human Rights.

BUILDING UP YOUR BRAIN

BUILDING UP YOUR BRAIN The brain is often described as being “like a muscle”. We judge literacy and numeracy exercises as more beneficial for your brain than running, playing and learning on the move. But the brain-as-muscle analogy doesn’t quite work. To build up your biceps you can’t avoid flexing them. When it comes to your brain, an oblique approach can be surprisingly effective. Brain training: should you believe the hype? Scientists are showing that the runner’s high can have profound effects on your brain. Moreover, specific physical activities can markedly alter its structure in precise ways. A wave of studies exploring the unexpected links between mental and bodily fitness is emerging from labs. This research might give you the nudge to get more active. It can also help you choose the best ways to prepare physically for mental challenges such as exams, interviews and creative projects. Boost your memory The part of the brain that responds strongly to aerobic exercise is the hippocampus. Well-controlled experiments in children, adults and the elderly show that this brain structure grows as people get fitter. Since the hippocampus is at the core of the brain’s learning and memory systems, this finding partly explains the memory-boosting effects of improved cardiovascular fitness. As well as slowly improving your memory hardware, exercise can have a more immediate positive impact on your memory. German researchers showed that walking or cycling during, but not before, learning helped new foreign language vocabulary to stick. So exercise while you revise. Don’t push it too hard, though: vigorous workouts can raise your stress levels! Improve your concentration Besides making memories stickier, exercise can help you focus and stay on task. The best scientific evidence comes from testing school children, but the same most likely applies to us all. Interspersing lessons with 20-minute bouts of aerobics-style exercise improved the attention spans of Dutch school pupils. Meanwhile, a large randomised controlled trial in the US looked at the effects of daily after-school sports classes over a school year. The children, of course, got fitter. Less predictably, their executive control improved. They became more adept at ignoring distractions, multitasking, and holding and manipulating information in their minds. And if that all sounds like hard work, you may not have to get out of breath to reap the attention-honing effects of exercise! Just 10 minutes of playful coordination skills, like bouncing two balls at the same time, improved the attention of a large group of German teenagers. Improve your mental health Love it or hate it, bouts of physical activity can have potent effects on your mood. The runner’s high – that feeling of elation that follows intense exercise – is good for the brain. Don’t sit still The cognitive spillover from exercise reminds us that our brains and bodies and don’t operate in isolation. What you do with your body impinges on your mental faculties. Sitting still all day, every day, is dangerous. So don’t dither about what form of exercise you do. Find something you enjoy, then get up and do it!

THE UK IS HOME TO THREE OF EUROPE’S MOST INNOVATIVE UNIVERSITIES

THE UK IS HOME TO THREE OF EUROPE’S MOST INNOVATIVE UNIVERSITIES The UK has three of Europe’s most innovative universities with Imperial College London leading the way in the top ten, according to a new ranking. Belgium’s KU Leuven has taken the top spot, with Cambridge coming third in Reuters’ first-ever top 100 list which aims to identify which institutions throughout the continent contribute the most to science and technology. The list also aims to highlight which universities have the greatest impact on the global economy. Top 10 most innovative universities in Europe: KU Leuven – Belgium Imperial College London – UK Cambridge – UK EPFL – Switzerland TU Munich – Germany Erlangen Nuremberg – Germany Delft University of Technology – Netherlands Oxford – UK Munich – Germany Zurich – Switzerland Other key findings of the rankings have highlighted the strong performance of universities in Western Europe, with 60 institutions featuring in the top 100. Germany accounts for 24 of 100 – more than any other country – while the UK comes in second with a total of 17 institutions. Top 10 most innovative universities in the UK: Imperial College London Cambridge Oxford Manchester Dundee London Cardiff Birmingham Leeds Sheffield Arlyn Tobias Gajilan, co-editor of the rankings and Reuters deputy editor for professional news, said the biggest thing the results have shown is that “innovation can originate almost anywhere.”What matters most is a school’s technical focus and the practical application of its research into real world products and solutions. “Innovation means different things to different people, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s been so difficult to measure. By taking an empirical approach that incorporates a broad set of ten metrics, we have provided new insights into how universities are impacting both the European and global economies.” Click here to see the complete 100 list

BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH IDEAS

BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH IDEAS Finding inspiration for the daily packed lunch ritual or office meal can sometimes be a chore, but with these recipes you’ll have plenty to look forward to at lunch time. Chickpea Tuna A take on the classic sandwich filler that leaves no room for wrinkled nosed or unhappy tummies. This recipe transforms the humble chickpea into a jazzy edition to any Monday morning lunchbox. Fact check: Per 100g, chickpeas contain 19g of protein. They also contain 0g of dietary cholesterol while a single serving of tuna contains up to 49mg! For the full recipe visit hotforfoodblog.com Hot pocket lunch pittas These pittas pack a punch of flavour and are great as a quick after-school snack or lunch. Wrap in tin-foil for on the go, or enjoy with a side of home-made fries or crisps. Ingredients (for 2 pittas) 2 wholemeal pitta breads 1 ½ tsp butter or sunflower spread 1tsp olive oil Salad leaves and toppings of your choice 4 chestnut mushrooms 2 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cherry tomatoes, sliced 100g smoked tofu- this can be found in the refrigerated section in health stores and some larger supermarkets. Alternatively, you can use pre cooked and seasoned chicken. 1 tbsp hummus Hot sauce, siracha or similar- optional Spicy Mushroom Pitta To prepare the filling 1. Finley slice the mushrooms and add to a pan with 1 ½ tsp of butter. Lightly sauté then add the minced garlic. 2. Cook 5/6 minutes then add in the sliced cherry tomatoes. 3. Cook for a further 2 minutes until warm through. Assemble 1. Cut open and toast one of the pittas; you can do this in your regular toaster or under the grill. 2. Spread hummus on both sides of the pita. 3. Add your lettuce and the mushroom filling. 4. Top with fixings of your choice; I recommend freshly sliced tomatoes and red onion. 5. Drizzle with hot sauce and enjoy! Smokey chik’un pitta This is a great option if you’re vegetarian or if you simply want a lighter alternative to meat. The smoked tofu gives a richer flavour, putting even the most carnivorous of pallets to the test. Did you know… tofu contains all eight essential amino acids and is thought to provide the same cancer and heart disease fighting properties as whole soy beans. For the chick’un 1. Using your hands, break the tofu into bite-sized chunks. Don’t worry about being neat with this, the more rugged the pieces look the better! 2. Using the same pan in which you prepared the mushrooms, heat up 1sp of olive oil. 3. Add the tofu chunks and cook until warmed through. 4. Toast pitta and add salad and fixings; with this recipe I recommend cucumbers or pickled gherkins. 5. Add your warm tofu and enjoy!

ACNE 101

ACNE 101 With 50% of women and 25% of men suffering from it at some point in their life, you’re not alone if you’ve experienced acne. This is often little consolation however when you’re faced with a fresh batch of pimples every morning. If left unchecked, acne can have a serious impact on self-confidence which can effect everything from academic performance to sleep. What is acne? Acne often surfaces during the onset of puberty, around age 14 for girls and 15/16 for boys. Characterised by comedones (blackheads, whiteheads and puss-filled spots) acne can effect the face, neck, back and chest. Sometimes acne can cause raised red bumps or pustules, oily skin and even scarring.For most people, acne will clear up in the early twenties but can flare up again at any time, especially during pregnancy and stressful periods. What causes acne?At a basic level, acne is caused by the overproduction of oil in the sebaceous glands. This is often because those who suffer from acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of testosterone which can cause inflammation in the skin and blocked pores. Although certain external factors such as shaving, changing environments, certain foods and skincare systems can have an adverse effect on the skin, for the most part acne can be attributed to genes. As frustrating and as this may sound, there are things you can do to help keep your acne under control.Tips for Acne Management If you’re currently stabbing in the dark when it comes to acne treatment, here are a few tried and tested tips to get you started. Remember if you decide to go down the medical route, this should be a last resort; do your best to try all possible avenues first and always consult a doctor or registered dermatologist before taking any medication. Sleep- Getting a good nights rest is key to helping improve the appearance of acne. Your body uses the time you’re sleeping for repair- this goes for your skin too!Make sure you’re getting a solid six to eight hours of sleep every night as well as changing your pillowcase at least once a week and washing your pillows every couple of months. Did you know… you could kill dust mites and other bacteria that may have found their way onto your pillow by washing them at 60C or putting them in the freezer for 24hrs! Water- Although simple, this tip really does make a world of difference. Ensure you are consuming a minimum of 2 litres of water per day to help reduce inflammation and ensure your skin is sufficiently hydrated. If you’re trying to tackle particularly persistent acne, also try avoiding caffeinated and sugary drinks, as these will only dehydrate yourself and your skin further leading to more breakouts.At home treatments- This can be tricky and expensive if you’re not careful. Unfortunately there is no blueprint for treating acne and while some things work for some people, they may not for others. If possible, identify what it is about a particular product is creating a negative or positive effect on your skin; pay attention to chemical ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid as well as mineral oil and fragrances; while the former can often over-dry and irritate skin, the latter can clog pores and create greasiness. Honey I treated my acne!– Honey is a natural antiseptic and can be applied topically to pimples to help reduce swelling. Consistency- Once you’ve identified a thorough skincare regime that works for you, stick to it! It takes roughly one month for the surface of your skin to renew meaning it’s going to take a while for your skin to acclimatise to new products. Stress- As an unavoidable part of life, stress can become consuming and detrimental to our physical and mental health. Stress causes an inflamed state in the body that can contribute to the inflammation of the sebaceous glands and in turn create a surplus of oil.You can try to manage this in a variety of ways such as regular exercise and meditation. Don’t dry out your skin- Just because you’ve got acne it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got oily skin. In fact, more often that not using extremely drying products can lead your skin to overcompensate, produce more oil and then you run the risk of getting more spots. Go easy with the products which claim to drain your skin of moisture, instead opting for oil free moisturisers and avoid harsh astringents whenever possible. Food group elimination- Although this topic is often disputed, I believe that for some, particular foods can have a negative effect on the skin. Dairy, coffee and some soy products are often linked to an increase breakouts. Try cutting back on some of these for a period of time and track how your skin reacts. Whatever you do to try and help your skin remember you’re not on your own. As demoralising as it can be, try to stay positive; it wont last forever, there are things you can do to help yourself and as cheesy as it sounds, it’s what’s on the inside that really counts!

LONDON LIVING- MY EXPERIENCE AT A LONDON BASED UNIVERSITY AND ADVICE FOR UNDERGRADUATES

LONDON LIVING- MY EXPERIENCE AT A LONDON BASED UNIVERSITY AND ADVICE FOR UNDERGRADUATES “London is a roost for every bird”- Benjamin Disraeli Before moving to London just over three years ago, the longest I’d ever spent in the capital was 48 hours. For me, London was a city brimming with culture, packed with undiscovered worlds such as Camden Lock and Richmond Park and a place full of surprises on every corner. Amongst many others, these were all reasons that I was drawn to the city. I’d always known I wanted to go to university; from the onset of my GCSE’s I was certain that I wanted to read English Literature and Language at degree level. It was something I set my sights on and proceeded to work towards for the following four years. I know this is the case for a lot of people and tends to act as a huge incentive to get through the arduous examination processes. I was certainly clear on what I wanted to study, the only problem was deciding where. A lot of my friends chose to study at universities fairly close to home; coming from Liverpool meant that York, Leeds and Manchester were all popular choices, but no one seemed particularly sold on The South, especially London. There could have been many contributing factors as to why this was the case, however I believe one of the strongest deterrents was cost. The first thing that often comes to mind when you say London is ‘expensive!’ I can understand how elevated prices can put you off visiting a place for a long weekend, let along studying there for three years. While I totally understand that this very real concern for a lot of people, including myself initially, I will say you’d be hard put to find a student who’s rolling in cash. My rationale was simple, if I’m going to be broke I may as well be broke in one of the best cities in the world! I would strongly advise anyone, regardless of where you’re planning on studying, to look into the bursaries, grants and loans that are available to you. I understand times are tougher than ever, but be aware universities want you to study with them, more often than not they are willing to go the extra mile to get you in their lecture theatres. While there are a whole host of amazing universities to choose from spanning the length and breadth of the country, the aspect of studying in London which really gave it an edge for me, were the resources available on my doorstep. As I was an arts student, the array of world class theatres such as The Globe, Old Vic and National, were invaluable. Being able to see text in performance so frequently and to be given such a vast choice, was truly wonderful. In addition, London not only plays host to so many fantastic libraries such as the British Library and Senate House, it also offers world renowned research centres and hospitals. As well as the superb academic resources, London really is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and hotbed for events, ensuring you’ll always be spoilt for choice on Friday evening. Discovering the hidden gems of the city were just as rewarding as making use of everything else at my disposal, which is something I will forever remember about my time at university. Attending an open day is the best way to ‘try before you buy’. Doing this will certainly give you a flavour of what’s to come. I knew, almost as soon as I set foot on the campus of my chosen university, that I was in the right place. Much like buying or renting a new home, once you know, you know. My advice here is to go with your gut instinct; remember it’s you who’ll be studying and potentially living, in the city of your chosen university, so what you think takes precedence over all other opinions. I truly believe that studying in London equipped me with so much more than a degree in English Literature and Language; it heightened my awareness of living and woking with different types of people, broadened my horizons and gave me a real thirst to fulfil my true potential. While this can be true of any university experience, I strongly believe these skills were intensified through living in the capital; the environment is one which nurtures and challenges inquisitive minds and certainly pushes you to discover more about your academic and personal abilities.

PRACTICING SELF CARE

PRACTICING SELF CARE In an age where things are becoming progressively more tumultuous for young people, it’s no surprise mental health issues are on the rise. 55% of children who are bullied suffer from severe depression as adults. Among children and teenagers the number of those suffering from anxiety have increased by 70% in the past 25 years and more than half of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils have experienced bullying. These worrying statistics show how challenging life can be for our younger generation and brings to light how crucial it is that we preach anti-bullying and anti-harassment at the same time as teaching self care. While it may seem self explanatory, those who suffer from mental health issues or are subject to bullying often find the latter immensely difficult. Instilling self care practices from a young age can really help give those who feel they may have hit a wall, something to fall back on. While this is no blueprint for preventing mental health issues from arising, learning to cope with them or even the weight of everyday life can be invaluable. I think we can overlook very basic acts of self love such as keeping our bedrooms and home spaces clean and tidy, keeping our clothes clean, taking pride in our appearance and doing things we enjoy on a regular basis, and brand them as mundane, ‘everyday’ tasks or even chores. I wholeheartedly disagree with this sentiment and think we should take pleasure in the little things; chasing the big end goal, the grand finale, the show stopping firework is necessary at times but so often unattainable in our daily lives. We must learn to appreciate the little things and show others that, although not every day many be good, there is something good in ever day. Indeed, warning signs for mental unrest can often be a lack of interest or care taken towards basic hygiene, an inability or lack of clear cognitive function, dramatic mood swings or changes in eating habits. In younger children, issues may manifest in things like frequent temper tantrums, changes in school performance or persistent nightmares. If you think things have begun to spiral out of control please do not put off asking for help purely because you think it’s ‘taboo’, ‘embarrassing’ or an act of worrying over something silly. Your concerns are valid, you need to be listened to and you will thank yourself in the long run. Of course if you’re fearing for the health of a loved one or friend, this can become a little more tricky. Try broaching the subject in a non confrontational way and try to use reflexive questioning for example ; “Can you tell me how … makes you feel”, “So what you’re telling me is…can you help me understand how that…” Remember crisis management is ten times more difficult than prevention or catching and treating issues early. We must accept that taking care of our mental health is just as important and indeed feeds into our physical wellbeing. If we are prepared to encourage those we love to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables every day and exercise regularly to benefit them physically, we should be prepared to help them manage their mental health. Doing simple things everyday such as making to-do lists, meditating or taking time to focus on a creative outlet, can make a huge difference. As well as this, we must start and maintain an open dialogue surrounding mental health so to give those suffering, or those who believe someone they love is suffering, a place to turn to. Please find below links to charities which help those suffering from mental health issues for more detailed information and contact details. youngminds.org.uk   samaritans.org   b-eat.co.uk

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PREPPING FOR ENTRANCE EXAMS

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PREPPING FOR ENTRANCE EXAMS The new school year is underway, and with it come looming entrance exams. Preparing for these assessments can be just as intimidating for parents as for the children themselves. From the perspective of an educational consultant and tutor, I have found that the key is to take the mystery out of the process. Whether your child is getting ready to sit 8+, 11+, 13+ or any other entry-level test, there are some simple guidelines that you can follow to take the autumn exam calendar from battle to breeze. Here are five core principles to follow for your ultimate guide to prepping for entrance exams: 1. Get informed It may seem like the obvious thing, but many parents are actually ill-informed about the exams their children are preparing to take. Instead of allowing your anxiety to become your child’s anxiety, sit down with a computer and do a little research. You should be clear about the dates and times of any entrance assessments, and all schools will provide this information as well as some idea of their exam criteria on their website. Having a hard time navigating the site? Now is the time to ring up the school or send them an email and ask for some guidance. It’s good to have a list of questions. Your child should know and be prepared for: the length of the exam(s), what materials they are allowed to bring in with them, and the format/content. Some schools are more forthcoming than others when it comes to disclosing the types of questions on their assessments. If they offer past papers or sample exams to look through, be sure you have familiarised yourself with these. If they’re more reticent, look for a range of past papers from other equivalent schools and compare two or three to get a sense of the level for which your child should be aiming. Knowledge is power; the more you know and understand the simplest processes and forms of the entrance exams, the less intimidating they will look. Try putting up a big, colour-blocked calendar to map milestones leading up to the exam dates. You and your child can visualise the coming months together, and plan accordingly. This is also where an educational consultant or well-experienced tutor can make a helpful difference. If you have a list of schools and dates, a knowledgeable advisor can guide you toward the best resources and revision suitable to your needs. 2. Little bites Once you’ve gathered all your information, it may feel like you have an unmanageable amount of revision ahead. Try not to allow this to become overwhelming. The key word here is consistency.It is never a good idea to dedicate one or two days a week to long study sessions. Your child will become exhausted and associate revision with stress, tiredness, and boredom. It is also impossible to retain information or motivation in this way. Instead, dedicate a small amount of time every day to revising and little chunks of work. I really mean small amounts of time. Consider reviewing spellings or simple maths over breakfast every morning, no more than fifteen minutes before school. Morning is a perfect time to unlock memories stored from the previous night’s work. Don’t try to introduce new material or anything that involves reading fresh text this early in the day. Instead, use your mornings to go over the kind of things that need to become second-nature—formulas for Maths, parts of speech for English, key dates or chronologies for History. In the afternoon, allow your child some time to decompress from school before your second fifteen-minute stretch of the day. This is a good time to pick one new topic and engage closely. If morning is about memory and drilling, afternoon is for asking and learning. Try reading an unseen poem and answering questions in a limited space of time. Pick up a sample exam and select just one type of non-verbal reasoning question to unpack. In two- to three-day units, this type of cyclical review will be the most effective preparation your child can get. No more than half an hour per day, but make the most of that time to feel both productive and rested. 3. The big picture You may want to work in little bite-sized portions, but this doesn’t mean losing sight of the bigger picture. First, there is the big picture when it comes to preparation. Feeling lost in the middle of all that day-to-day revision? Not sure whether you are focussing on the right areas of study with your child? Begin by speaking to your child’s teacher. Read their school reports. Every couple weeks (and not more often than that!) you can consider setting your child part of a timed assessment. The time constraint is good to practice every once in a while, and it will reveal the areas in most need of improvement. Second, there is the big picture when it comes to getting accepted. It is a wonderful accomplishment and vote of confidence to be accepted into the school of your dreams. But it is just as important for your child to be able to visualise what will happen if they do not get in, and to understand that the exam date does not stand between you and a sheer drop off a cliff.Discuss what your child will do next with either outcome. Maybe you have some past experiences of school applications, job interviews, or other assessments that you can talk about. Everyone, even adults, face these scary processes, and your child will benefit from hearing you be vulnerable about your own challenges. Every parent manages expectations in their own way, and this is going to be particular to you and your child. That said, it is worth emphasising that these entrance exams do not define the skill or potential of the students in question. There is nothing but truth in this. If you are already involved in your

WHAT ARE ACCELERATED LEARNING STRATEGIES?

WHAT ARE ACCELERATED LEARNING STRATEGIES? After over a year of interrupted learning, educators and parents are scrambling to address the existing learning gap among students. A few techniques are available to ensure students obtain the necessary knowledge, such as the so-called remediation. Meanwhile, some organizations offer accelerated learning program services to facilitate more profound and specialized learning. Introduction to Accelerated Learning Accelerated learning is more than speeding through the lessons to ensure the teachers cover everything the students need to learn. It is the opposite. Accelerated learning is a forward-thinking approach that supports a deeper level of learning, ensuring that kids get adequate support based on the level of learning that a student needs today. It also involves identifying the most crucial knowledge and skills students require and integrating this into the lessons. Additional support provided to students includes one-on-one learning and other research-backed techniques. Benefits of Accelerated Learning Accelerated learning program services can translate into several benefits for the student when the correct strategies are implemented. More learning in less time Accelerated learning program services enable students to acquire more knowledge and skills in a shorter time frame, ensuring quicker progress and better results.  Enhanced retention and mastery Advanced learning techniques promote active learning and spaced repetition to ensure better knowledge retention and mastery of the course. Flexibility Accelerated learning can be easily adapted to suit various learning styles, allowing the approach to be tailored to suit each student’s needs. Self-Directed Learning Accelerated learning techniques empower students to take control of their learning process and encourage students to adopt lifelong learning habits. Enhanced Problem Solving The accelerated approach facilitates creative thinking and boosts problem-solving skills. It focuses on a deeper understanding of knowledge.  Enhanced Engagement Due to the flexible approach and student-directed learning, the learning process encourages better engagement. And more engaged students mean better learning for them.  Confidence Building Students can experience rapid progress because accelerated learning instills more confidence in students. It makes students willing to tackle new knowledge and feel excited to face new challenges in the classroom.  Proven Accelerated Learning Strategies Choosing the right accelerated learning strategies will bridge the gap in students’ learning to ensure critical skills and concepts are acquired. Intentional Scaffolding This accelerated learning method starts with easier lessons before gradually improving to more complex concepts. This approach to accelerated learning ensures success because it builds a strong foundation of knowledge and learning habits to help a student gain confidence.  The intentional scaffolding technique combines different skills instead of focusing on one at a time, ensuring rapid progress and a deeper understanding of each concept. Spaced Repetition Spaced repetition is among the best techniques for accelerated learning, which involves reviewing and revisiting learning at spaced intervals. This approach ensures mastery of the subject and information instead of cramming large amounts of learning at any given time. The spacing effect is scientifically proven to deliver better retention information as it reinforces the student’s current learning level and gradually improves on it. Interleaving This accelerated learning technique is related to spaced repetition since it involves stringing along learning for related concepts. Since these subjects are related, it makes it easier for students to grasp the information and key concepts. It also promotes cognitive flexibility since it eliminates the traditional learning method involving passive memorization. Enhanced Vocabulary and Background Knowledge  Building the foundation of knowledge is critical to the success of accelerated learning techniques. Therefore, accelerated learning program services focus on enhancing a student’s background knowledge and vocabulary. These two improve students’ comprehension by exposing them to various learning tools and exercising their brains to process higher-level information. Harnessing the Tech Many learning facilities and educators employ technology in the learning process, better equipping students with access to tools and information to facilitate learning. Technology also benefits educators since digital tools enable them to conduct better assessments of student learning. Metacognition Metacognition refers to awareness of a student’s thinking and learning process. Improving a student’s metacognition skills regulates effective learning. It can identify learning gaps and employ appropriate strategies to bridge those gaps. It is part of the self-directed learning process wherein the students monitor their own progress and actively engage in their development. They are adjusted based on the initial assessment to ensure efficient and sustained progress.  Mind Mapping Mind mapping is another technique commonly used in accelerated learning program services. It is a visual learning technique that employs diagrams and maps to facilitate learning complex topics. The visual imagery enables the relationship of each concept to make it easier to review and retain the information.  Many educators employ more than one accelerated learning strategy to ensure effective results. It is crucial to adapt the approach to learning as each student varies in their learning response and knowledge acquisition.