A Day in the Life at University of Missouri

A Day in the Life at University of Missouri The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Grant is a New York City tutor specializing in AP English tutoring, History tutoring, all levels of French tutoring, and more. He graduated from University of Missouri in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in Economics. See what he had to say about his alma mater: 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? Grant: Columbia, Missouri is a safe college town, with about 89,000 permanent residents and another 36,000 students split between two private colleges and a university. All freshmen at the University of Missouri (affectionately called Mizzou) are required to live on campus, which is adjacent to the downtown area. Both are very walkable, and as dining and limited grocery shopping are available on campus, many freshmen forgo a car. After freshman year, there are housing options very close to campus (some across the street), but many students also move farther away to live in bigger or less expensive housing. For the latter, a car is necessary to get to and from campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Grant: This depends a great deal on the type of class (big lecture versus small seminar) and the school or department in which students are enrolled. Both teaching assistants and professors are required to hold a minimum number of office hours per class, but professors of large lectures may be more difficult to see during office hours (particularly close to exam time). Teaching assistants are generally easier to see, and many large lectures have online forums where students can post questions and receive responses from teaching assistants and professors, usually within 24 hours. Also, departments with smaller classes and programs (e.g. Romance Languages and mid- to high-level Economics) have greater contact time with professors and academic advisers. In general, higher-level courses across all programs have smaller classes and greater interaction with teaching staff. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Grant: Many dorms are new or recently renovated, and many have vibrant social scenes and many organized activities to help build a sense of community. There are also many dining options (some better than others), and both dorms and dining halls are all located on campus. There is also a larger sense of community forged by sporting events, when thousands of students attend football and basketball games. 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? Grant: The University of Missouri is perhaps best known for its School of Journalism. As the oldest journalism school in the country, it is one of the most popular and well-supported programs. The Trulaske College of Business is particularly well-funded, as well as life sciences (particularly related to livestock or agriculture). I studied Economics and French, both in the College of Arts and Sciences. While not exceptionally well-supported, both programs have attracted a number of excellent professors, and I was generally pleased with my learning experience. There are a number of other well-respected programs, such as the College of Engineering, and the Schools of Law and Medicine. 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? Grant: I was in a fraternity, so socializing was fairly easy. Greek Life has a very significant presence at Mizzou, with around 25% of students belonging to a fraternity or sorority. For those who don't think Greek Life is right for them, however, many students make their closest friends in their freshmen dorms, and there are also a variety of clubs and societies to suit the interests of students. It is definitely important to find a niche in such a large university! VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Grant: I cannot speak to the quality of the Career Center, as I never used their services. There are regular career fairs and networking events, sometimes organized by the Career Center and sometimes by individual schools or departments. In terms of other student support, there is an excellent counseling center, where students can see a trained counselor for free. There is also an excellent fitness center on campus and free tutoring for qualifying students (usually students with learning difficulties or from low-income backgrounds). VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Grant: Study spaces and the library become more crowded during exam time, but many of the classroom buildings are open late and are available for studying. I don't think I ever spent more than a couple of minutes looking for a place to study quietly. 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? Grant: Campus is directly next to downtown, which is the center of the city's social life. There are numerous restaurants, concerts venues, bars, and theaters. It's a very vibrant place during the academic year but can definitely get a bit boring during the summer. There are also some excellent outdoor opportunities, with easy access to the Katy Trail for hiking and cycling. The Lake of the Ozarks is 45 minutes away, and there are also a number of rivers and streams in that area for canoeing/floating. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Grant: There are about 27,000 undergraduates, and a few thousand graduate students. While most entry-level classes are large lectures, the all have small (~20 person) seminars. Many of my classes were much smaller (30 students or less), and by my junior year, I never had another large lecture. Some of my classes in high-level economics or French had a dozen students. Ways to avoid large classes are by taking honors courses, courses in small departments, and entering with advanced credit (e.g. AP/IB credit), which allows students to bypass many large, entry-level classes. Check out Grants tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learn Chinese Fast With These Great Tools

Learn Chinese Fast With These Great Tools The Best Tools to Learn Mandarin Chinese ChaptersSupplement Your Chinese Classes With Lessons Through AppsUsing Websites Specialised in Chinese Language ExercisesTake Part in a Chinese Language ExchangeLearn About Chinese HistoryWatch Chinese Movies in the Original Language“The Great Wall of China is a beautiful monument, but there are too many walls between men already.”This phrase was pronounced by Michael Gorbatchev - Head of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991 - during an official visit in China in 1989 just before the fall of the Berlin Wall.With language apps, there are no walls between native speakers and students of Chinese.Learning a foreign language such as Chinese can also be a difficult wall to climb.When you are a native speaker of an Indo-European language - such as French, Spanish, German or English - learning the Chinese language seems inaccessible.Even if you concentrate on Mandarin Chinese, everything is different - the pronunciation, sounds (it’s a tonal language), the Chinese writing system (necessi tating calligraphy lessons), grammar etc.That’s why it’s often not enough to simply take private Chinese lessons.Here is a series of tools you can use to supplement your Chinese lessons and learn Chinese fast: apps, websites, films, history lessons…Also discover the best way to learn Chinese...Join Facebook groups of travellers or Chinese expatriotsLook through student forums: there are a lot of Chinese seeking to learn English.Go shopping in Chinatown to practise your Chinese and find Mandarin language exchange partners. Photo by Ken Lund on Visual huntLearn About Chinese HistoryLearning a language without learning anything about its culture is like tasting a dish without knowing its ingredients.Taking Chinese language lessons is a good opportunity for finding out more about China’s history and that of its various dynasties.Learning about Chinese civilisation opens your eyes to an incredibly rich culture: literature, painting, calligraphy, music and all the arts.Chinese cha racters are a very ancient writing system. Learning their history can help you understand them. Photo credit: Fæ via VisualHuntLearning about the history of China also lets you discover the biographies of the legendary emperors who shaped Chinese culture and whose heritage is still very much present today.It also helps you review Pinyin: you can learn to recognise Chinese characters by getting to know the great figures of Chinese history.China was first inhabited more than a million years ago by Homo Erectus in the lower Palaeolithic. But Chinese history truly starts with the reign of the Yellow Emperor Huándì of the ancient ethnicity of Huaxia, who ruled in the 27th century BC.Among the 56 ethnic groups inhabiting China today, the most important is the Han, making up 95 % of the current Chinese population. They reigned over the north-east of what is now modern China for more than 400 years (206 BC to 220 AD).To learn Chinese writing in private lessons is to learn the Han writing system.Now you understand why learning Chinese is considered so difficult - even though the Chinese language is now unified, its original form - traditional Chinese - is over 2000 years old.Watch Chinese Movies in the Original LanguageOne last tip to help booster your knowledge of the Chinese language: watch Chinese films in the original language with English subtitles.You can learn Chinese through entertainment: by watching films “made in China”.But why do this to yourself?It’s excellent cognitive training. It helps the brain get used to the tones, accents and intonations in dialogue, hear phrases and expressions spoken by native-speaking Chinese actors.Watching Chinese movies is a wonderful strategy to stimulate your auditive memory and perfect your Chinese pronunciation.Apart from its non-negligible added value to your Chinese classes, Chinese movies are also helpful for cultural and linguistic immersion.A true intensive course without doing any actual work!Take Chinese cl asses London with a private tutor.

What is it Like to Attend Seattle University

What is it Like to Attend Seattle University Amanda specializes in ACT tutoring and SAT tutoring, among other subjects. She is studying applied mathematics at Seattle University. Interested in attending Seattle University? Check out her college experience review below: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Amanda: Seattle University is located in near downtown Seattle. The University is well integrated into the city life around it, but manages to keep campus feeling like it's own separate area for students. Most freshman and sophomore students live on campus and get around campus by walking and biking, then use the bus system for activities off campus. Students who live off campus, such as myself, tend to use the bus system, although some do commute via car. No matter what mode of transportation, the campus and its location is one that not only feels safe, but is very safe. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Amanda: Professors are available during their scheduled office hours every week, which is a helpful time to clarify material and receive advice on work. Academic advisers have walk in hours every week, but scheduled appointments can also be made a few days in advance. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Amanda: From what I know about dorm life, it's a great option for first and second year students. The rooms are equipped with two twin beds, two desks, two wardrobes, a mini fridge, a microwave, a sink, a mirror, and shelf space. Windows are above the desks, which provide quite a bit of natural light and help to cool dorms. Communal bathrooms are down the hall, but the sink in each dorm allows for morning and night bathroom routines to be more personal. There are cafs and dining spaces located in some of the buildings. This makes it convenient and easy to study over lunch or grab a quick coffee and muffin before class. There are communal areas to hangout or study with anyone. Living in a dorm allows for constant socialization opportunities, between living with someone and being around dozens of other people. Hearing about activities that are going on on campus are inevitable when living in a dorm. The opportunities seem endless for making friends and spending time with them. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Amanda: I am studying Mathematics because I've always had a passion for the subject and can picture myself in a career doing such. Seattle University has two buildings for the school of Science Engineering, which allows students in math and science majors to interact. Each student also gets assigned to a learning community, which is an area and group of people who are in similar majors. This creates another environment that promotes studying individually and in a group, with access to tutors. 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? Amanda: During orientation, we were separated into different groupings a few times. I was able to meet people that were also living off campus, people with similar majors, people with very different majors, and people with similar hobbies. The setup of orientation forced us to mingle with other students, which led to a few friends for me. With common grounds comes friendship. Seattle University does not have a Greek life. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Amanda: The Career Center helps students to receive help in applying and maintaining jobs and careers. On campus job opportunities are available, as well as internships with nearby companies. There are resources that will help students perfect rsums and prepare for interviews. Reputable companies attend the yearly job fair to recruit graduating students as well as undergraduates for internships. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Amanda: Study areas, such as the learning communities, tutoring labs, library, and office hours are easily available and are not often overcrowded. Describe the surrounding town. Amanda: Students at Seattle University often rent equipment from the on campus gym and go kayaking, hiking, etc. Religious retreats are also available for students to attend. People in Seattle are very outdoorsy and adventurous, and Seattle University's students are no different. Students occasionally venture out to the city and downtown for concerts and sports games, but mainly stay on campus due to their busy daily and school life. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Amanda: The student body is tight-knit at around 4,000 students. Classes are also intimate at around 20 students. Lecture classes of 100 students do not exist. Students and professors are able to interact more personally in smaller class sizes. Check out Amandas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

English Vocabulary Allusion or Illusion

English Vocabulary Allusion or Illusion Some  commonly confused English vocabulary words that are often mistaken even by English speakers are allusion and illusion.The picture is not spinning, its an illusion.Do you know the difference between them?There was a famous pop song of the 1980s with one of these words in the title by a band called Imagination. What do you think it was called? Was it Just an Allusion or Just an Illusion?AllusionAn allusion is a figure of speech that means to make reference to something in a direct or indirect way.An allusion is mostly used when talking about literature.For example:The writer is making an allusion to the work of the great Russian writer, Tolstoy, in this reference.However, the prevalence of the word has spread and now it is also used to talk about film, art, photography and many other forms of visual art.In general conversation it is used to describe the act of making a passing reference to something.For example:The cake has the same smell as my mother’s pastries. Here, allusion is being made to my mother’s pastries.The verb form of allusion is regular with I am alluding to and he alludes to being the most commonly used versions.IllusionAn illusion occurs when the senses are deceived. It happens when the reality and what is perceived are different.For example:I had hoped John would come home for the holidays but that was an illusion.The classic example of an illusion is a mirage in the desert when someone is convinced he or she is seeing a lake of water when it does not exist in reality.ExerciseFill in the blanks with either allusion or illusion. I had the ________ that I would go straight to university after school but I don’t think I will be able to.My teacher made an _______ to the Roman Empire in class today.Her work is full of optical _______.It looks like the river has been dyed green but don’t worry, it’s just an ______.Don’t forget to _____ to the Dutch masters in your essay. You will get a higher grade if you do.Did you remember the name of that 1980s pop song? Lets see if you got it right.Did you find this blog helpful? Please share in on Facebook and Twitter.

Tutor Social!

Tutor Social! The Tutorfair crowd together once again for our monthly mingle. Tutorfair founders Edd and super-tutor Mark enjoyed a pint or two… New (and fabulous) English tutor Jim R celebrated all the new bookings he’s had through Tutorfair: There was quite a crowd - these gatherings are getting bigger and bigger! We think there were about 50 tutors present - but our count may not have been entirely accurate towards the end (hic!) The tutor whose face you can (just) see below is Eton entrance specialist Joseph N. Joe joined us just before half-term - and then had over 20 hours tutoring in his first week! Way to go, Joe… What’s the collective noun for super-tutors? A starburst of super-tutors perhaps? Meet some of our top tutors (from left to right): supertutor Mark M, who co-founded Tutorfair; English tutor Phineas, who has been tutoring all over the world; Science tutor Frank,  who left behind the cancer research lab to do more teaching; and all-round tutor superstar Madeleine, who uses her Developmental Psychology background to help struggling students. What a team! Fancy getting some top tips from this lot? (And all our other superstars of course) Come to the next Tutorfair tutor social!

How to Choose the Right Elective Courses in College

How to Choose the Right Elective Courses in College Choosing the Right Elective Courses in College In high school, students dont get to choose their classes for the most part. Although there are elective courses, many students choose based on what fits into their schedule or what they need to satisfy college admissions. However, once students arrive at university, they will be able to choose from a plethora of courses that satisfy their elective and general education requirements. This is the chance students have been waiting for; they get actually to choose what they are going to learn about. Thus, its important for students to choose elective classes they’re interested in, and that will help them expand their personal knowledge of either their major or another topic of interest succeed in your college courses with the help of one of our experienced Orange County college tutors. 1.   Think outside the box Students are encouraged to choose an elective course that takes them outside of their comfort zone. Perhaps the student has always wanted to learn how to make pottery or has always been fascinated by astronomy. They may be, say, a business major, but they have an opportunity in their first two years to think outside the box and learn something different. College is an opportunity for students to expand their personal knowledge base and also enjoy developing new skills and making new discoveries. Students who limit themselves to something that only fits into their schedule often find that they are not that engaged in their elective courses. 2. Counterbalance the stress of general ed courses Students are encouraged to think about how they can create a work-life balance when they choose elective courses. For example, if a student is taking two business admin courses and a science lab they may find theyre spending most of the week with their head in a book. It can be beneficial for students to have a creative or athletic outlet during a tough semester. For instance, students could choose their fourth class to be drawing and painting, weightlifting, or yoga. This is a major counterbalance to reading and writing intensive courses that keep stress high and deadlines tight. In fact, students who have a fun elective course often perform better in their general ed and major field of study classes (READ: 5 Reasons to Avoid Cramming For a Test). 3. Explore potential majors Many students dont know specifically what they want to major in their first or second year of college. Elective courses provide an excellent opportunity for students to discover what they might do as a potential career. Some students are pretty sure theyre going to major in a particular topic, but when they take their first course they find that they dont want to spend 30 years focused on that particular subject. Elective units provide students with a valuable opportunity to explore potential careers. 4. Try an internship Another great option is for students to complete a summer internship. This gives students an on-the-job experience to help them understand what their daily life will be like once they graduate from college. Because students are not paid for the majority of internships, its important they receive college credit and stay on track towards graduation as they complete their work training. 5.   Improve social circumstances The majority of college level courses encourage students to work solo or with just one or two other people. However, a great many jobs require people to work as a team and problem-solve together. Thus, its important that students have some social education while in school. Many elective classes contain field trips, group projects, or community involvement as part of the overall curriculum. This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to work as a team and develop career skills. Additionally, students new to college can use their elective classes to study in a more social environment where they can develop long-lasting friendships that help improve the overall university experience. Dont fall behind in your college courses. Stay ahead and succeed with the help of our private Orange County college tutors. 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.

Eagle County Schools

Eagle County Schools Eagle County Schools WHO ARE WE? While we dont mean to brag, were also not shy about living the good life in Eagle County. In fact, we work hard to keep it good. The spirit of Eagle County is embodied in the story of the creation of Vail as a ski resort. Vision. Big dreams. Collaboration. Tenacity. Luck. Commitment. It was a magnet for people who wanted to live on purpose and build a magic valley. Its still such a magnet. Were not for everyone. We dont have malls, a ton of fast food, or twenty cineplexes sprinkled around town. But, what we do have is pretty special. Serving Pre-K through 12th grade students from Vail to Dotsero, including Red Cliff, McCoy, and Bond. Eagle County Schools is an innovative district comprised of 830 professionals engaging nearly 7,000 students. Our vision is to prepare all of our students to be global-ready graduates, who will be successful in their careers or college experience and contribute to their communities in positive and effective ways. The District benchmarks international top performing schools to model practices that lead to success for all students. We believe that the only way to improve learning outcomes for students is through better instruction. Consequently, we focus our efforts on an instructional core of educators, learners, and standards. All actions, initiatives, and efforts are viewed through this lens with the expectation that they must shape one of these three tenets in order to be effective. MISSION We teach the children of Eagle County to have creative and active minds, compassion for others, enthusiasm for lifelong learning, and the courage to act on their dreams. VISION Global-Ready Graduates VALUES Engaged Learners Inspired Professionals A Sense of Adventure A Caring Community A Commitment to Equity AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Eagle Valley High School ranked in the top 10% of high schools across the nation for career and college readiness two years in a row. The District has had three Principals of the Year in Colorado, one Superintendent of the Year, and one English Language Director of the Year. Our schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, John Irwin Schools of Excellence, and with the Governors Distinguished Improvement award from the Colorado Department of Education. DEMOGRAPHICS Even though we believe that we have the absolute best place to work and live in the world, we do have many challenges. And, we need your expertise to help us overcome them and achieve world-class success. Our student population is diverse in both demographics and economic background. With 34.6% of students being English Language Learners compared with the state average of 14.4%, we are also uniquely positioned to evolve into a dual language district with bi-lingual graduates supporting our vision of international competitiveness. While geographically positioned near affluent communities like Vail and Beaver Creek, 42.2% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Our schools and students are supported by active PTAs, local non-profit foundations, youth services-focused organizations, and a variety of private-public partnerships and individual philanthropists. Read more about our Globally Inspired Vision in the Unparalleld Altitude Report http://www.eagleschools.net/sites/default/files/website/strategicplan/AltitudeReport5.pdf ECS Recruting Guide Unparalleled Altitude Altitude in Action View our Brochure