Northwest Arkansas Tutoring Offers Many Options For Special Education Students

Northwest Arkansas Tutoring Offers Many Options For Special Education StudentsNorthwest Arkansas Tutoring offers many options for those that are searching for a quality and effective education. There are courses that are specifically designed for those that are starting college, so that they can be prepared for the courses that will be required. There are also special education programs that are geared towards helping those with learning disabilities to gain an equal footing in society.Those that are looking for a more hands-on approach to learning should look into the online classes. These classes allow students to learn through interaction with others. Online tutoring allows students to interact with others that share the same interest as them, instead of just learning through books or video. This is an excellent way to learn.For those that have a higher educational level, Northwest Arkansas Tutoring can offer specialized courses. These courses are designed for students who have sp ecific needs that cannot be met through traditional tutoring services. There are also special programs for those that need a little extra help in the areas of math, reading, language arts, sciences, and creative writing.Parents and guardians are able to benefit from this exceptional parent education experience. There are many wonderful mentors and teachers that can be found online that will work hand in hand with the parent to help their child achieve the best possible success. In some cases the student can be paired up with a parent or guardian. In other cases they will work on their own.Northwest Arkansas Tutoring offers a great educational opportunity for students who are struggling with their school work. The program focuses on all of the areas of need that are commonly found in children with special needs. They have training for teachers and staff members in order to work with these children so that they can excel at their educational level. They make sure that students are abl e to take tests and do well in class. Finding the perfect program for a child with special needs is something that everyone needs to consider when it comes to finding the right kind of program. Parents need to make sure that they get the proper support that they need in order to provide the best possible education. Whether that means dealing with a challenging child or working with a child that is still learning, parents and guardians can find the assistance that they need to help provide the education that they deserve.With Northwest Arkansas Tutoring, students can be more successful. They will find that their learning has been bolstered, and that they are given the best opportunities to learn. They will find that they have greater success and more successes in life because of this wonderful program.Parents should consider whether the online class is best for their child. Some people prefer to attend a traditional class with a teacher to get an in-person teaching experience. Other people prefer to receive instruction from the computer, and use the web to access to the educational materials that they need. There are many different options available for parents, so that they can find the perfect option for their child.

Five Educational Activities for Your Kid This Summer

Five Educational Activities for Your Kid This Summer Five educational activities for your kid this summer Summer is a great opportunity for kids to work on fun, hands-on educational projects that they dont have a chance to complete during the school year. Many kids think of education as simply working on English and math assignments in the classroom, but theres so much more to a well-rounded education. Kids who complete fun summer projects will be more motivated to learn and discover the world around them and be creative in general. Parents can also tailor such projects to meet their kids’ specific interests book your private San Diego summer tutor today. 1.   Lego creations Kids can do tons of fun things with Legos without even knowing that they’re learning. Although it just seems like a fun building project, kids can actually learn about structural engineering by creating a building, bridge, or any other creation that can stand up without falling. Kids can follow directions on the box or just start from scratch and learn from trial and error. Kids who like Legos can be entertained for hours and actually learn some valuable educational lessons by figuring out what they need to do to get their creation to defy gravity. 2.   A science project There are tons of science projects parents can do with their kids this summer. Whether kids are collecting soil samples to determine what type of vegetables to grow in the back garden, dipping pennies in vinegar to see if they become clean and shiny once again, or creating a papier-mâché volcano and filling it with a baking soda mixture, science projects are hands-on, encourage tactile-based learning, teach teamwork, and help kids really think about how the world around them really works. 3.   Arts and crafts Creativity is part of any good education and there are tons of great arts and crafts projects out there for kids to experience this summer. Kids can learn how to draw a self-portrait simply using a handheld mirror, pencil, and paper or they might learn to mix up every color of the rainbow with their paint set. Whether kids are at the beginning level experiencing art for the first time or highly experienced and sophisticated art masters, theres plenty of creativity to be had during the summer months (READ: 10 Reasons You Need an Orange County Summer Tutor). 4.   A museum visit One of the best things parents can do with their kids over the summer is take a break from the heat and visit a museum as part of a summertime field trip. Kids will have a chance to learn about something that peaks their interest, engage in a hands-on experience, and spend the day outside of the house. Southern California offers myriad museums for all age groups and interests so theres plenty of time to visit several types of museums that explore everything from natural history, art history, aquatic life, starts planets, and more. 5.   Discovering the Outdoors During the school year kids spend a lot of time indoors, and so they should take advantage of the outdoor environment during the summer. Although it might just seem like a walk in the park, spending time in nature can teach kids a lot about the world around them. They can learn about different species of flora and fauna, learn which plants are water resistant, which animals live in the local environment, and the importance of open space in any community. Exploring a nature park or preserve also offers some valuable family time where everybody can enjoy the outdoors together. In addition to these educational activities for your kid, an in-home San Diego summer tutor is the perfect way to keep your kid sharp over break. Call us today and ask about our summer discounts. 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.

English Subtitles Movie Learning - How To Find The Right Method For You

English Subtitles Movie Learning - How To Find The Right Method For YouIf you love English, you may be a great candidate for English subtitles movie learning. As the ability to speak English in an international context is extremely useful, it is a great idea to take advantage of this natural skill.Since so many people are learning to speak English, there are now some other advantages. One of the biggest ones is that it is usually the language where you have the best chances of finding employment and this is because employers trust that you can speak English as well as any other language. This is really worth noting, as if you cannot speak English well enough to communicate effectively in a job interview, this can often mean the difference between getting a job and being overlooked altogether.Another benefit of learning to speak English is that this language will come in handy when you need to travel. It is always a good idea to keep yourself updated with what is happening in the worl d, especially since you are going to be travelling to places all over the world. It is a great way to see the various cultures that surround you and to get to know the locals. If you have not learned the basics, you could easily come across a situation where it could mean the difference between doing business and not doing so.In addition to this, having a background in English can also help you stand out in a tough career market where you will be competing with other English speakers. Many people find that speaking to other people in this language means they are given a bit more leeway, so they are able to do more than they would normally, which could in turn benefit them in terms of their career opportunities.It is also important to understand that if you are already getting some experience in a certain area, you should get more exposure to others in that field. Not only does this mean that you can get to learn a bit more about the trade, but it also helps you to discover new thing s and to broaden your horizons. You may even find that you are made to feel more comfortable in the field.So if you want to make the most of your English as you try to get ahead in your career, there are some strategies that you should use to get the most from your time and effort studying the language. Once you are more comfortable with the language, you will have a better opportunity of making a name for yourself and becoming an expert in the field.Learning to speak English subtitles movie learning is the best way to go. This will allow you to practice and gain confidence at the same time, making the process of learning a lot easier to cope with.

Chemistry Tutors For Class 11

Chemistry Tutors For Class 11An online chemistry tutor for class 11 is the perfect choice for individuals who want to become a chemistry teacher but are not interested in teaching high school students. Online chemistry tutors for class 11 will help you to prepare the science for your students and allow you to continue with your career. You can enjoy your work and still spend time with your family and friends.To become an online chemistry tutor for class 11, you can hire tutors to work with you. These tutors will work closely with you and your students to help you with the class and all subjects at school. The online tutors for class 11 will give you specialized information that you may not have been able to get by yourself. There are many different approaches and tips that can be used to prepare students to enter the world of science.You can also work with an online chemistry tutor to teach specific chemistry topics that your students need help with. By being able to help your studen ts, you can go on to be a professional in the field of chemistry.These online tutors can provide quality preparation for your students. They will help your students understand how the elements work together to create certain chemicals and how these elements interact with each other.An online chemistry tutor for class 11 will be able to help you design effective learning objectives and give you all the material you need to review and use for a successful lesson. Online tutors will also be able to help you plan appropriate questions that will help you and your students learn more about the subject.An online chemistry tutor for class 11 will help you provide interesting quizzes and tests to test your students' understanding of the material. These quizzes and tests can be used to test what students know and what they don't know about the chemistry course. If you don't want to do this, there are plenty of resources available to help you with the testing and to help you have fun in your l essons.An online chemistry tutor for class 11 will provide you with tips for teaching chemistry to your students. A chemistry teacher can help your students learn about the periodic table, how atoms are composed, and how the elements work together to create compounds. With these tips, you can help students understand everything they need to know about chemistry.

Organic Chemistry Tutor Wave Particle

Organic Chemistry Tutor Wave ParticleAn Organic Chemistry Tutor Wave particle is an easy to use, high-powered tool for molecular and atomic analysis. With this item, you can have both the power of a highly accurate reference manual and the features of a high tech software application with a tablet interface. It has some advantages that make it a good choice for molecular compound analysis.It has a safe ion source, which protects your research and allows you to focus on your research. All it takes is one wrong or incorrect choice in an analytical instrument and the results could be harmful. On the other hand, using a lab notebook for molecular compound analysis is almost impossible since it will take a considerable amount of time to print out a number of pages of text. This is where the convenient portable unit comes in.This package has a stable 4 inch long magnet with a two-channel encoder and a built in audio amplifier that produces a strong signal that is inaudible to the ear. Usin g this with a tablet display or even a laptop is easy. It has two programs, Chemistry Student Screen and Sample Analysis Software, for the novice to intermediate chemist.In Chemistry Student Screen, you can learn how to get the appropriate value from the first term in charge of charge-off reactions using a simple graphical display. Sample Analysis Software gives you the ability to look at a number of resources online to ensure that you are using the right source and not just assuming that you are.The electronic textbook included in the package provides step by step directions and often consists of videos. Since it is so easy to open the package and view the digital images of the software, this is an ideal place to learn about molecular structure. It also gives you a chance to study the chemistry that is relevant to the topic you are working on.A lot of students do not take the opportunity to purchase an Organic Chemistry Tutor Wave particle. For those who are interested in getting o ne, the internet is a great resource to obtain information on this device. There are some sites that provide helpful tips and suggestions for students who want to learn more about these tools.Purchasing this portable unit is a great way to learn about the proper use of the scientific apparatus and to learn what tools are available to you. The first thing you will want to do is select the unit that will best meet your needs. The next thing you will want to do is to read reviews on the products that interest you so that you can find one that fits your needs perfectly.

The Best Study Habits

The Best Study Habits All students have heard it before. The it is the constant nagging by parents and teachers about study habits. Find a quiet place to study, study at the same time/same place every day, study in an empty room are some of the typical methods that parents or teachers preach. However, they are wrong, absolutely wrong. A group of cognitive psychologists researched how to increase tangible learning through studying and discovered that most of the conventional wisdom about study habits is incorrect, according to an article in The New York Times. The group of cognitive psychologists determined that alternating and mixing up studying is the key to effective studying. Students should alternate the rooms they study in rather than staying in the exact same room every day. This increases memory retention. Also, students should vary the material they study instead of focusing on a single subject. We have known these principles for some time, and its intriguing that schools dont pick them up, or that people dont learn them by trial and error, said Robert A. Bjork, a psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. Instead, we walk around with all sorts of unexamined beliefs about what works that are mistaken. The psychologists noted that these findings work for all ages. Also, a personal tutor could help students create and foster a positive studying environment. Psychologists also examined the popular notion that students have personal learning styles. Conventional wisdom says that some students are visual learners while others are auditory learners. There are countless of other similar examples of how students learn differently. Recently, the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest published a report stating that a group of psychologists found absolutely no support for this notion. The contrast between the enormous popularity of the learning-styles approach within education and the lack of credible evidence for its utility is, in our opinion, striking and disturbing, the researchers concluded, according to The New York Times. The New York Times cited a learning experiment from 1978. Psychologists placed college students in two separate rooms while they studied a list of 40 vocabulary words. The first room had no windows and was very cluttered; the other had a nice window view of the colleges courtyard. The students who studied with the window view did far better than the others. Their conclusions were that the brain makes associations between what is being studied and the background sensations at the time. This forces the brain to make multiple associations with the same material, which increases neural activity. The brain then works harder and memory retention then increases. The journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology recently published an online study in which two University of South Florida professors taught a group of fourth graders four equations that all calculate a different dimension of a prism. Half of the class was repeatedly taught one equation over and over again like the number of prism faces when given the number of sides at the base. These students then moved on to the next equation. The other half studied all four equations grouped together. The fourth graders took a test the next day. Those who studied the problems together outscored those who did not 77 percent to 33 percent. When students see a list of problems, all of the same kind, they know the strategy to use before they even read the problem, said Dr. Rohrer, one of the studys creators. Thats like riding a bike with training wheels. With mixed practice, he added, each problem is different from the last one, which means kids must learn how to choose the appropriate procedure just like they had to do on the test.

A Day in the Life at University of Michigan

A Day in the Life at University of Michigan The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Samantha is a Philadelphia tutor specializing in a multitude of subjects such as Statistics tutoring, Physiology tutoring, and Italian tutoring. She studied Biopsychology and Music at University of Michigan where she graduated from in 2012. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Samantha: The campus at the University of Michigan is extremely diverse. Central Campus (the main part of campus) is relatively urban, with a variety of businesses, stores, and restaurants. North campus (the home of the music, theatre, engineering and art programs) is a more suburban/rural area with rolling hills, small lakes and a plethora of green space. Despite the occasional petty crime, campus is very well monitored and extremely safe. The campus is quite large, however, so while there is no need for a car, bikes and the university bus system are often necessary to travel the entirety of campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Samantha: The exceedingly large size of the university inherently limits the contact between faculty and students. Despite the often large class sizes, all professors hold office hours and are extremely approachable and are often thrilled to have interpersonal contact with students. Advisors and teaching assistants are not inundated with such large classes, so they are significantly more available than their professor counterparts. Generally, if a student needs help, wants guidance or merely wants to interact with faculty or staff, they are easily able to. However, if students are not proactive, they will likely not cultivate meaningful relationships with the professors. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Samantha: There are a variety of dorm layouts and locations at the University of Michigan. Most dorms are the traditional layout, but some are suite-style. There are dorms throughout central campus and one very large dorm on north campus. Each dorm is situated either directly next to or very near to a dining hall. Each dining hall has a variety of options that can accommodate all dietary restrictions. Michigan, throughout history, has been lauded for its masterful balance of emphasis on strong academics and on cultivating friendships through active socialization opportunities. The dorms are no different they contain quiet study rooms but also organize many social excursions and activities. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Samantha: The University of Michigans success and representation is quite evenly distributed across programs and majors. I graduated with a dual degree in Music (vocal performance) and Neuroscience. Both my areas of study were extremely comprehensive with numerous diverse elective selections to supplement the core curriculum. Additionally, I was thrilled with the instruction in both my majors. Both my professors and graduate student instructors/assistants were not only competent teachers, but also leaders in their field (be it musical performance or research). The university also supported both my areas of study financially. Merit and need-based aid were both readily accessible if earned and sought. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Samantha: I am very outgoing, so I immediately felt comfortable on campus and had many friends. The size of the university is certainly daunting to some, but it also means that the university is abundant in resources and in activities. I found that I could find people extremely easily who had similar interests, clubs that facilitated meeting those with similar interests, and activities aimed at cultivating new friendships. The University of Michigan is the kind of school where a student does not have to actively try to be involved it is expected and significantly easier than the alternative. I have yet to meet a Michigan graduate who did not love their experience social and otherwise. Post-graduation, I have made more of my friends through Michigan alumni networks than anywhere else the spirit for the university and the number of opportunities for involvement and change are so abundant, that it transcends the four years of schooling. Greek life has a presence on campus, but by no means is a necessity to have a thriving social life. I did not participate in Greek life, but I have many friends that did and both of our experiences were extremely rich and neither precludes one from taking advantage of all that Michigan has to offer. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Samantha: I cannot say enough about this. The Career Center played an integral role in my life throughout my junior and senior year. I decided to attend Drexel University for my PhD because of the Career Center and couldnt be happier with my choice. The reputation of the University of Michigan is outstanding, and the alumni network is unparalleled. As a result, most large corporations either actively recruit at Michigan or at least are represented at one of the many job fairs on campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Samantha: I am aware of at least 11 libraries on the campus of the University of Michigan. Additionally, there are many rooms at the Michigan League Student Union and all dormitories that offer productive study areas. They all certainly get busy around midterms and finals, but in my four years, I never had any problems finding a place to study. The study areas are also extremely diverse offering group areas, computer labs, meeting rooms, quiet rooms, private individual carrels, media rooms, etc. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Samantha: Ann Arbor is internationally acclaimed. It is a very artsy town and revolves entirely around the university. There are numerous fine dining restaurants and art galleries in addition to the traditional college-town establishments. Furthermore, there are theatres, music venues and many events occurring in the town of Ann Arbor. While the town is filled with possibilities for activities, there are also a great deal of activities occurring on campus. The Music, Theatre Dance school is top in the nation, so there are always concerts, musicals, operas and plays available to students (for free or cheap) around campus. There are also many non-formalized music and arts performances. Additionally, Michigan is famous for its sports! Football Saturdays are a fixture in Michigan tradition, and there are always basketball games, hockey games, and other sports around as well. If you dont want to watch them, you can always play them too. There are many club and intramural teams around cam pus, and if one that you want doesnt exist, you can make it. It all of my years living in Ann Arbor, I only traveled to Detroit a handful of times and almost always for organized events: date parties, Red Wings games, Lions games, Tigers games, the Detroit Jazz Festival, operas at the Detroit Opera House, Detroit Symphony concerts. Detroit has much to offer, but it is never necessary to leave Ann Arbor unless you want to! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Samantha: The student body is huge. It is entirely a personal preference but I was generally quite pleased with the class sizes. I often attended large lectures (upwards of 100-200 students), but they were all divided into small discussion sections that met once a week. As students work their way into the more specialized upper-level courses of their program, the classes generally get smaller and smaller and students have more contact with faculty. For me, it was a good transition from the lower level classes to the more specialized upper level classes but lectures are unavoidable in most programs. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Samantha: My senior year I decided to branch out and take a 400-level (highest undergraduate level) small seminar in political science a topic I had never taken a class in before. The title of the class was The History of Zionism and the Middle East Conflict. The content seemed interesting (despite my lack of previous exposure to any class of this nature) and the readings were extremely applicable to understanding current events. The class, unbeknownst to me at the time, consisted of 10 students and a discussion/debate format. Without a doubt, this class was the most challenging, most interesting and most rewarding class I have ever taken at the University of Michigan. My professor, Dr. Lieberman, taught us by example how to be informed consumers of politics and current events, how to effectively research, and how to self-initiate large-scale writing assignments. This class, although entirely unrelated to my area of study, was a signal to me that I was capable and ready to embark on a PhD program. Many other classes and professors made an extremely large mark on my intellectual endeavours and my personal ones if I had unlimited time and space, I could write a book about my positive experiences at the University of Michigan (and likely only a few small pages about the negative ones). Check out Samanthas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

A Student Review of Columbia University

A Student Review of Columbia University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alastair is studying history at Columbia University. He lives in Cleveland and specializes in European history tutoring, world history tutoring, and literature tutoring, among other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Columbia University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options at Columbia University. Alastair: Columbia is located in Morningside Heights, a neighborhood bordering the Upper West Side of New York City that affords relatively easy access to the immense cultural riches and professional opportunities of the metropolis while still retaining a relaxed, collegial atmosphere. Although there are few skyscrapers in the vicinity and the area is less densely populated than New York as a whole, Morningside Heights is still a diverse, vibrant subsection of Manhattan that has a distinct culture from the university itself. For undergraduates, a car or bike is totally unnecessary anywhere within the five boroughs of the city is accessible by bus or subway, while the classes are all within a seven- to ten-minute walk of the dorms. There is a large and available contingent of public safety officers patrolling campus constantly, along with identification card checks at dorms, libraries and the gym, so safety within the self-contained Columbia bubble is assured. Outside, in New York, s tudents should exercise common sense with the awareness that while crime has trended at all-time lows in recent years, caution is always necessary in a megacity. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alastair:The availability of professors is almost entirely dependent on their seniority, their publishing schedule and reputation within the broader academic world, the size of the class, and a students standing. Upperclassmen typically receive more attention due to the more pressing nature of their job and graduate school searches. This varies from professor to professor, but faculty with high public profiles are less likely to quickly respond to emails, give feedback about grades, or permit unrelated conversation during office hours. Younger professors, those teaching core classes, and teaching assistants are almost always well-qualified and friendly, but as is the case at any university, faculty expect communication with students to be concise and class-related. Academic advisers can be helpful, but also may not proactively reach out to students during important deadline periods. In general, the schools administration is massive and somewhat unwieldy, but its inefficiency is maske d by the brilliance of individual professors. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alastair:The quality of the dorms varies significantly between buildings and at different class levels. There is some belief among undergraduates that the administration reserves higher quality housing for freshman, foists dramatically less-appealing dorms on sophomores and juniors, and ratchets the quality back up for seniors who would otherwise be more tempted to live off campus. The vast majority of students do end up staying on campus for all four years, given the desire to live with friends and avoid expensive New York rent rates. Dorms do implicitly cater to different demographics, as outlined in annual features by the schools two major undergraduate publications, Bwog and the Columbia Daily Spectator. Freshmen looking to socialize often take doubles or triples in Carman Hall, while the most studious types end up in Furnald, and students looking for singles spend their first year in John Jay. The dining options are acceptable but will excite few gourmands John Jay Hall and Fer ris Dining Hall emphasize buffet-style ready meals with some stations. The food is rotated on a predictable calendar and is seemingly heavy on leftovers. Socialization, again, is up to the individual student. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Columbia University? Alastair:Columbias majors are excellent almost to a fault. Academically, the university will not disappoint you. However, while many of the humanities majors are well-resourced, this is not true for the creative writing department, which struggles to retain faculty and provide sufficient courses to meet demand. I am still in the process of deciding my major, and the difficulty of registering for courses in highly sought after and relatively underfunded majors does complicate that decision-making process. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Alastair:Meeting people in your dorms is the easiest option, but clubs and political groups will probably sustain more durable, meaningful relationships in the long term. Classes also offer another way to meet people, and Columbians shouldnt forget about the millions of residents of the city and thousands of other university students available to befriend. Structured social events like football games are not a major part of campus life, especially because athletics tend to disappoint on the field. Greek life comprises only 14 percent of undergraduates, but nonetheless strongly supports the social scene, particularly during Homecoming weekend, the spring Bacchanal concert, Halloween and other major social events. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Alastair:The Center for Career Education is a great resource for students interested in the finance industry, which it collaborates closely with to coordinate interviews for students applying for internships and jobs. Most students do ultimately attain employment or enter graduate school upon finishing their degree, and the high mid-career earnings of Columbia graduates speak for themselves. Consultants can be conveniently scheduled to assist with resume revising, internship and job applications or career counselling. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Alastair:Butler Library, at the heart of campus, is the largest undergraduate library in the country and offers six pristine marble floors and fifteen levels of molded wooden stacks for students to study in. Predictably, the grim reality of exam week renders this inviting exterior somewhat less thrilling as literally thousands of students spread out through the library system, causing seating shortages not only in Butler but in the architecture, law, and engineering libraries that are most sought after. Savvy students can generally find a seat any time. Most people avoid dorm lounges given the difficulty of studying in a loud environment, and some do cloister themselves in quieter parts of the student union. Describe the surrounding town. Alastair:New York is the major reason for Columbias decentralized social scene, as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA, the United Nations, Broadway, Times Square and multiple other major universities are all an easy subway ride away. The quality and quantity of cultural institutions is astounding, as is the difficulty of extricating oneself from the academic and extracurricular ties that seem to bind students to campus. Going downtown is logistically simple but complicated by the intense workload, in and outside the classroom. Nightlife is inaccessible to underclassmen but, particularly in the summer, a major draw for juniors and seniors. How big or small is the student body at Columbia University? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alastair:There are just over 8,000 undergraduate students divided between the four schools: Columbia College (CC), General Studies (GS), Barnard College and the School for Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Of these, Columbia College is the largest and most well-known; SEAS the best resourced and integrated socially with CC; Barnard the most independent in terms of identity, given its history as a womens college, and GS the most separate from campus, as many of the non-traditional GS students have ongoing careers or family commitments that require them to live in apartments. Class sizes in terms of seminars and discussion sections are well-apportioned and students will not be lost in the crowd. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Alastair:During my first week of classes, my International Relations class received an email informing us that our professor, Kimberly Marten, would be making an appearance on PBS. This was in addition to her many articles that fall in publications like Foreign Affairs covering the war in Ukraine, the character of the Putin regime and NATOs role in the crisis. It was a typical display of the credibility with which the university and its faculty are regarded by the outside world and the microscope on the intellectual and political life of our campus. Check out Alastairs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What is it Like to Attend California Institute of Technology

What is it Like to Attend California Institute of Technology The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Caroline is an MCAT tutorlocated in San Diego. She graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2014 with a Bachelors degree in Biology. Check out her review of her school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Caroline: Caltech has a gorgeous campus! It is very small, only about a mile and a half in perimeter. It is definitely walkable, although many people own bikes (or longboards). There are also bus and train stops near campus if you need to use public transportation. Campus is fairly safe, partly due to its location in suburban Pasadena and partly due to the Honor Code, which states that students shall not take unfair advantage of others. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Caroline: On the whole, professors, advisors and teaching assistants were very available. Even though research is a priority, many professors love teaching as well, and it really shows in their interactions with students. For example, one professor invited a group of students out to lunch once a month at the faculty dining club. Needless to say, those lunches were very popular! VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Caroline: Caltech has a house system, very similar to that of Harry Potter. We have eight houses, which are all fine houses. They have their own personalities and traditions, and, more importantly, are a wonderful way for students to form social networks. There is a lot of coursework, but something about pulling repeated all-nighters to work on sets together makes for a great bonding experience! It is not all work, however! We also have traditions like Ditch Day and the pranking culture that keeps campus life very lively. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Caroline: Majors such as Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics were all very popular. All majors have strong support networks built in. Advisors can offer career advice alongside the Career Center. Students frequently join research labs, as well, and their Principal Investigators are another source of support. I chose to study Biology and English. I started off with a strong inclination toward Biology, and I found that one of the best ways to learn about the human psyche was through literature. The humanities department may not be one of the more well-known parts of Caltech, but its faculty were extremely warm and supportive of students. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Caroline: In lieu of Greek life, we have a house system. Everyone gets sorted into a house at the start of freshman year. Because of the quirky antics within each house, freshmen usually get incorporated into their house social life very quickly. Caltech also has a support network, made up of upper class counselors, health advocates, resident assistants, and counselors. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Caroline: Many companies such as Google recruit at Caltech. Computer Science is, of course, a very popular major, but companies are also interested in Engineering and Applied Mathematics majors, as well. The Career Center is fairly helpful, although it is limited in resources. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Caroline: The dorm lounges are a popular place to hang out, although people usually study in the libraries or in the Student Activities Center, which is located in the basement of certain houses. There is usually plenty of space, and facilities are nice. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Caroline: Old Town Pasadena is about two miles away. There is plenty to do in downtown Pasadena, such as visiting restaurants and shopping. Many students who own cars frequently go out to Koreatown or downtown Los Angeles to spend time, as well. Because there is usually a heavy workload, off-campus excursions are limited, but students at Caltech work hard and play hard too! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Caroline: We have about 225 students per year. It is a very small class, which gives you the chance to get to know everyone. Although I sometimes wished for the excitement of a larger class, I am glad to have had a more tightknit experience because of our small class size. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Caroline: Lets go back to first principles. The professor went on to derive the resting potential of an average neuron using seawater concentrations of ions such as Na+ and K+. This was my first taste of neuroscience, and I have been addicted ever since. He taught us to contemplate at a molecular, cellular, and circuit level about basic neural functions. For the last homework assignment, he asked us to write what we thought were the biggest unanswered questions in neuroscience. Biology has a reputation for being based in memorization, but this professor pushed us to think and to question. Check out Carolines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.