Using Online English Tutors to Improve Your English Skills

Using Online English Tutors to Improve Your English SkillsIf you want to improve your English language skills, online English tutors are a great resource. From basic lessons to advanced lessons, you can choose the type of help you need from thousands of tutors around the world. Some of these tutors are students who already know how to speak English but don't feel they have the time to sit down and study.The Chinese online language courses have become increasingly popular in recent years. While they were created as a way for Chinese immigrants to learn English, their popularity has only grown over the past few years. In fact, one of the best Chinese language programs is offered on the Internet. This is because of its user-friendliness and the ability to be used anywhere.English language learners no longer have to travel outside of the country to learn English. With Chinese online English lessons, learners can learn while sitting at home. They can work in any order, play games, listen to online translators, or do other tasks. While some of the benefits of online English help are obvious, others are less so.For instance, there is much to be gained by speaking to native speakers of the Chinese language online. You can find that native speakers can understand and sometimes speak with you much better than you could in person. They can also easily understand your questions and be able to give helpful answers. Because they can speak your language fluently, they will be more willing to help you with problems you encounter.Another benefit of taking Chinese language lessons online is that they are more convenient than learning offline. While it is possible to sign up for regular classes, you usually have to wait several weeks to start. You can use the lessons online any time you want, including after work. In addition, they allow you to watch the classes on demand, unlike with regular class times when you can't watch the lessons on demand.Because the Chinese language prog ram is so popular online, there are many services that offer tutoring. However, you should be careful. Look for a tutor who offers courses and works with a personal teaching approach, not a distance learning approach. Distance learning courses require you to attend large classes and work through a homework approach.It is also important to find a tutor who works with both the written and spoken English. Tutors who only work with the written English often tend to favor the written word over the spoken word. It is also important to find a tutor who doesn't try to rush you through their work. By working slowly and putting in the effort, you can get better English skills.All in all, the Chinese language is a very challenging language to learn. However, with online English lessons, English learners can study at their own pace and get instant feedback from tutors online. By using this method, you can continue to improve your English even when you're not in front of the computer screen.

5 Questions Every College Senior Asks Themselves

5 Questions Every College Senior Asks Themselves Photo Credit: en.hdyo.org Where has the time gone? Well, the funny thing about time is that it just keeps going. Theres no pause button on life, and whether or not youre ready, as a college senior (who has no plans at the moment to attend grad school), youre moving on to whatever the next chapter in your life will be. I suggest you get with the program, stay present, and make the most of each moment. (Easier said than done, I know). How can I be an adult already? For me, this question is usually accompanied by some expletives, followed by Im not ready and make it stop! Being an adult is scary, as is leaving the world of academics (for now, at least) when its all many of us have known for the last 15+ years. But part of being an adult is facing your fears not necessarily conquering them, but at least coming face-to-face with them and marching on. As graduating college seniors, we are now real adults who are about to head off into the real world, hopefully smarter than we were at our high school graduations. Why do I have to go into the real world? I recently told my mom while venting to her about some of the above questions that being responsible is no fun. Unfortunately, being a graduating college senior means its time to enter the real world, get a job, and start being a contributing member of society. (Ugh). And when youve got bills and loans to pay, youre not really in a place to be frivolous and not worry about money, but instead need to enter the real world as quickly and seamlessly as possible to start earning an income. But worrying about money is super tiresome, boring, and stressful, and ultimately wont do anything to help. And because Im not exactly rolling in the Benjamins and neither are most of my fellow college seniors we cant really afford not to enter the real world. So the short answer is that we have to enter the real world because thats where the money is, and strangely, Ive gotten quite attached to my habit of being able to buy food to eat when Im hungry. Photo Credit: agirlsessence.com What if everything Ive done until now has all been a huge mistake? This is one of my favorites to ask myself because it leads to my going back over every decision Ive ever made and wondering if I shouldve done things differently its great fun. But ultimately, whether or not everything weve done until now has been a huge mistake, we are where we are and we cant go back and have a do over. Marty McFly, were not. Hopefully, once the neurosis has stopped, youll look back proudly and nostalgically on the path that took you to where you are now, rather than looking back regretfully. But if you do have regrets and wish youd done things differently, use that as the fuel to propel you to where you want to go in the future and try not to make those same mistakes twice. YOLO people; and I say that un-ironically. What am I doing with my life? This is the big one and this is the one most college seniors ask themselves, promptly followed by an in-depth and lengthy freakout during which we question every single thing weve ever done until now. (Im not alone in this, right? Right?) I always thought that graduating college meant Id have all the answers, and my life would be going exactly how I thought it would. (Im sure Gods laughing so hard right now). But just because were leaving school doesnt mean we have to have our lives completely planned out. Whether youre going to be starting the job youve always dreamed of or are still filling out applications and keeping your fingers crossed, at least you are doing something with your life (or trying anyway). And by the time you retire, you probably will have done many things in your life and yet, still be asking yourself this very question. In fact, I hope I never fully answer this question for myself, because I think as long as we keep asking ourselves this, well continue trying new things, exploring new opportunities, and seizing every moment. So stay hungry, my fellow college seniors and I mean that metaphorically.

New Years Language Challengers- Make a Public Video Pledge and earn 50 ITC!

New Years Language Challengers- Make a Public Video Pledge and earn 50 ITC! So in the spirit of giving, were offering this bonus again to help you complete the Challenge! If youve signed up for the italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge, were giving away even more  ITC to motivate you to succeed!  Do you really want to complete the challenge?  Use peer pressure (in a good way) to help yourself achieve your language learning goal! Life Hacks research has shown that if you put yourself up to something by doing it in public, you follow through because others are watching. Things that you put on the Web have a better chance of getting done! BONUS 50ITC! Upload your Language Challenge Public Video Pledge Make a Public Video Pledge by uploading a video to YouTube or Youku before you begin your first session (or your first few sessions). What should you say in your Public Video Pledge? Youtube video: Youku video: Speak in your native language Tell us why you are taking The Challenge and what language you are learning Tell us what you will commit to (e.g. I promise to take at least 3 sessions a week) Tell us your Language Challenge Goal (e.g. Five minute conversation with a co-worker) Speak in the language you are learning Repeat the above in the language you are learning If you can’t say anything, or your language level is at a beginner level then try to say a few words you know in the language or just say you have no ability. Label the video: “(italki username)’s  italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge Public Pledge” The video should not be longer than 2 minutes in length. Write a Notebook Entry “I’ve made a Public Video Pledge for the italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge” and paste the YouTube/Youku URL. We will immediately award you with 50ITC once you post your notebook entry and we verify the video! Just send us an email to support@italki.com and let us know your username so we can view the Notebook entry with the Public Video Pledge link! If youve signed up for The Challenge and you really want to finish, you should make the Public Video Pledge now!  Youll get paid for it and it will help you complete the Challenge! New Years Language Challengers- Make a Public Video Pledge and earn 50 ITC! So in the spirit of giving, were offering this bonus again to help you complete the Challenge! If youve signed up for the italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge, were giving away even more  ITC to motivate you to succeed!  Do you really want to complete the challenge?  Use peer pressure (in a good way) to help yourself achieve your language learning goal! Life Hacks research has shown that if you put yourself up to something by doing it in public, you follow through because others are watching. Things that you put on the Web have a better chance of getting done! BONUS 50ITC! Upload your Language Challenge Public Video Pledge Make a Public Video Pledge by uploading a video to YouTube or Youku before you begin your first session (or your first few sessions). What should you say in your Public Video Pledge? Youtube video: Youku video: Speak in your native language Tell us why you are taking The Challenge and what language you are learning Tell us what you will commit to (e.g. I promise to take at least 3 sessions a week) Tell us your Language Challenge Goal (e.g. Five minute conversation with a co-worker) Speak in the language you are learning Repeat the above in the language you are learning If you can’t say anything, or your language level is at a beginner level then try to say a few words you know in the language or just say you have no ability. Label the video: “(italki username)’s  italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge Public Pledge” The video should not be longer than 2 minutes in length. Write a Notebook Entry “I’ve made a Public Video Pledge for the italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge” and paste the YouTube/Youku URL. We will immediately award you with 50ITC once you post your notebook entry and we verify the video! Just send us an email to support@italki.com and let us know your username so we can view the Notebook entry with the Public Video Pledge link! If youve signed up for The Challenge and you really want to finish, you should make the Public Video Pledge now!  Youll get paid for it and it will help you complete the Challenge! New Years Language Challengers- Make a Public Video Pledge and earn 50 ITC! So in the spirit of giving, were offering this bonus again to help you complete the Challenge! If youve signed up for the italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge, were giving away even more  ITC to motivate you to succeed!  Do you really want to complete the challenge?  Use peer pressure (in a good way) to help yourself achieve your language learning goal! Life Hacks research has shown that if you put yourself up to something by doing it in public, you follow through because others are watching. Things that you put on the Web have a better chance of getting done! BONUS 50ITC! Upload your Language Challenge Public Video Pledge Make a Public Video Pledge by uploading a video to YouTube or Youku before you begin your first session (or your first few sessions). What should you say in your Public Video Pledge? Youtube video: Youku video: Speak in your native language Tell us why you are taking The Challenge and what language you are learning Tell us what you will commit to (e.g. I promise to take at least 3 sessions a week) Tell us your Language Challenge Goal (e.g. Five minute conversation with a co-worker) Speak in the language you are learning Repeat the above in the language you are learning If you can’t say anything, or your language level is at a beginner level then try to say a few words you know in the language or just say you have no ability. Label the video: “(italki username)’s  italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge Public Pledge” The video should not be longer than 2 minutes in length. Write a Notebook Entry “I’ve made a Public Video Pledge for the italki 2015 New Years Language Challenge” and paste the YouTube/Youku URL. We will immediately award you with 50ITC once you post your notebook entry and we verify the video! Just send us an email to support@italki.com and let us know your username so we can view the Notebook entry with the Public Video Pledge link! If youve signed up for The Challenge and you really want to finish, you should make the Public Video Pledge now!  Youll get paid for it and it will help you complete the Challenge!

Chemist Tutor At GCCA - Learn About the Various Subjects and Their Contents

Chemist Tutor At GCCA - Learn About the Various Subjects and Their ContentsA chemistry tutor at GCCA can help you learn chemistry as a means of improving your grades and your academic record. Chemistry is an important subject because it helps people understand how the elements that make up the different types of life exist. It also helps people to understand why some of the molecules that they see around them have a chemical similarity to each other.People tend to think that the course would take years to complete, but it doesn't take long to become an expert in the field. By enrolling in a tutor, you are not only helping yourself by being educated, but you are also helping others. If you get good grades, it will help you become more employable because employers will be more likely to look at you favorably. It will also help you to get scholarships and grants that will benefit your academic pursuits.You have to start by going through the required textbook that goes into teaching you about chemistry, and as you learn more, you will have to go back and read more to fully understand all of the terms and concepts that are taught. These books are really easy to understand, and they also come with wonderful illustrations.A lot of the time, your tutor at GCCA can come in handy to get you through the difficult parts of the course. It can also give you insights into how some of the laboratory activities are done. The chemistry instructor will guide you through the different procedures and will do his best to ensure that you understand how everything works. He may give you some tips on how to save money on purchasing some of the laboratory supplies.If you need some extra guidance during the entire course, you can call upon your tutor to come in and give you guidance on the things that you may need help with. He can also tell you which laboratories are the most challenging and which can be done in the easiest manner.In addition to being an instructor, your tutor at GCCA c an also be of help to you by giving you an aptitude test. This will determine whether you have the knowledge to be a good chemist, and if so, then your tutor will give you some advice on how to improve the skills that you need to have.The chemistry instructor at GCCA has complete confidence in their students, and they will teach you everything that you need to know about the subject. It can help you to gain some great degrees, and it can also give you an added advantage over the competition in college admissions.

Tutoring in Doolyestown PA

Tutoring in Doolyestown PAMost parents would never know that they can have a tutor come to dole out tutoring and support services in the small town of Doolyestown Pa. Here, many people can attend classes and meet different types of people who are willing to learn at least a little bit about the English language. The town is about an hour's drive from Philadelphia and is one of the largest towns in New Jersey.It is also home to the Faulkner English Center, where there are a number of interesting activities like doing things at your own pace, sports such as swimming, and a theater group. If you are interested in learning how to speak English, the Faulkner center will teach you how to master the English language.There are plenty of books available online to help anyone learn how to speak the English language. You should also find some local support groups. There are lots of ways for you to meet new people who are willing to help you through what may be a difficult time in learning Engli sh.Of course, the town of Doolyestown Pa. has plenty of programs and activities for teens as well as adults.People who want to visit the town can take a tour of the area which can give them a great sense of the area. While it is not a city you can easily visit, you will want to learn more about the city from those who live there. Many people think the language sounds a little different than it does in other areas, but you will discover how useful and simple the language can be if you just want to brush up on the basics.For those who need to take their education needs a step further, there are several options available. Online tutoring is a good choice for people who may have trouble coming into class. They can study and review notes online with their tutor to work at their own pace.Once you get comfortable with the English language, you may want to try attending a class and interacting with students who live in the same town. There are no special requirements to join in as long as y ou meet the age requirements.

Online Slope Formula Tutors

Online Slope Formula Tutors Slope is defined as rise over run. Slope is found by the change of y axis co-ordinates over the change in x axis co-ordinates. Slope of a straight line gives the orientation of the line with respect to the co-ordinate axes. The slope of the line is used in different formulas such as slope intercept form, slope point form etc. which help in writing the equation of the straight lines. Slope formula = change in y coordinates / change in the x coordinates. Example 1: Find the slope of the straight line passing through the two points (11, 15) and (2, 14)? Solution: Given are the two points (11, 15) and (2, 14) from a straight line. Slope = change in y coordinates / change in the x coordinates. Here for the given two points slope = (14 (15)) / (2 (11)). Slope = -1 / -9 Simplifying slope = 1/9. Hence slope of the straight line passing through the given points = 1/9. Example 2: Find the slope of the straight line passing through the two points (0, 0) and (2, 3)? Solution: Given are the two points (0, 0) and (2, 3) from a straight line. Slope = change in y coordinates / change in the x coordinates. Here for the given two points slope = (3 (0)) / (2 (0)). Slope = 3 - 0 / 2 - 0. Simplifying slope = 3/2. Hence slope of the straight line passing through the given points = 3/2.

Parenchymal Tissue Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Parenchymal Tissue Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The parenchyma tissue is composed of living cells having thin walls and a polyhedral shape, and concerned with vegetative activities of the plant. The parenchyma is the primitive tissue since the lower plants have given rise to the higher plants through specialization and since the single type or the few type of cells found in the lower plants have become by specialization the many and elaborate types of the higher plants. The parenchyma consists of isodiametric, thin walled and equally expanded cells. The parenchyma cells are oval, rounded or polygonal in shape having well developed space among them. The cells are not greatly elongated in any direction. The cells of this tissue are living and contain sufficient amount of cytoplasm in them. Usually each cell possesses one or more nuclei. Parenchyma makes up large parts of various organs in a plant. Pith, mesophyll of leaves, the pulp of fruits, endosperm of seeds, cortex of stems and roots, and other organs of plants consist mainly of parenchyma. The parenchyma cells also occur in xylem and phloem. In aquatic plants, the parenchyma cells in the cortex possess well developed air spaces and are called aerenchyma.The turgid parenchyma cells help in giving rigidity to the plant body. Partial conduction of water is also maintained through parenchymatous cells. The parenchyma cells acts as special storage tissue to store food materials in the form of starch grains, proteins, fats and oils. The parenchyma cells which contain chloroplasts in them make chlorenchyma which is responsible for photosynthesis in green plants. In water plants the parenchyma keep up the buoyancy of the plants.

Know, Like, Trust The Key to Creating Your Competitive Advantage - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Know, Like, Trust The Key to Creating Your Competitive Advantage - Introvert Whisperer Know, Like, Trust: The Key to Creating Your Competitive Advantage Why does one kid get picked first for playing a game at school? Is it because theyre the most popular? Is it because theyre the best at playing the game? Yes to both. Why does this same person always get picked first, or is at least among the first to be picked? Because they have a competitive advantage. Understanding what it takes to create a competitive advantage for your career is important. Just like getting picked to be on a team, you want to be picked for promotions and opportunities. You want to be one of those people other people think of when they want to have “just the right person. That person could be you. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) What Is a Competitive Advantage? Businesses talk about competitive advantage all the time. As a manager of your career,  you can learn from their thinking on this topic. In a business setting, a competitive advantage is  a condition or attribute that allows the business  to outperform or in some way distinguish itself from the competition.  Some examples: Starbucks competitive advantage is clearly that they are everywhere. You can argue their coffee is the competitive advantage, and maybe it contributes, but it’s hard to compete as a coffee retailer against Starbucks, who is located in grocery stores, department stores and is  on every other block in some cities. Definitely a competitive advantage. Apple has maintained competitive advantage by being the first to innovate a graphic user interface followed by various forms of computing ranging from cell phones to tablets to laptops and computers. Other companies have been running this past decade simply to try to catch up. In other words, a competitive advantage can be as simple as being the first one to do something, the one to offer the best price, or a combination of alluring attributes. If we look at the example of the kid getting picked first, this kid was  well liked and had a noteworthy skill set. It’s possible their advantage could have been just one of those two attributes. When you look around you, who has the competitive advantage, and what is it about them that has created this condition? If you answered, “Because the boss likes them,” you might think that situation is a complete mystery, but it’s really not. Sure, the boss might really like them, but theres a reason for this, and you can do a lot to ensure the same status for yourself. If youve ever heard of the term know, like, trust, it  can help you form your plan for creating a competitive advantage. (More about that in a minute.) Why a Competitive Advantage Is Important for  Introverts I’m sure you’ve noticed the cultural “darlings” are the extraverted people. Theyre certainly more noticeable and the standard all of us are measured by. For us Introverts, we don’t have this built-in competitive advantage. We have to work a bit harder to simply keep up with others, much less stand out or have any competitive advantage. If youve failed to help others understand what makes you distinct from those around you, you are failing your career. You may also be failing those people because they can’t use or benefit from  your capabilities. Failure to create a competitive advantage means you will not get ahead, not get promotions, will struggle with the job search and will feel completely under-appreciated. You could add lost income to this list because if youre slow to get promoted, you will be slow to get increases in your paycheck. Any one of these issues is significant enough to warrant your attention, but most people who  don’t create competitive advantage for themselves suffer from all of these problems. I might add that when youre repeatedly facing these problems, it will ultimately change who you are. It’s hard to stay positive and enjoy life when the biggest part of how you spend your time is deflating you each and every day. Now, back to the whole concept of know, like, trust The Anatomy of Know, Like, Trust 1. Know Once again, we can learn from business concepts and apply them to our career. Keep in mind it’s people who do business with people, which means this concept is really all about how people relate to each other. This first part of this equation (know)  is about helping other people to know you. You need to help other people understand your skills, your strengths and your values. This is the recipe for what makes you unique. Aside from simply knowing that juicy list of attributes, we all want to know what’s in it for me? Yes, we are all self-centered, as much as we try to deny it. The people you come in contact with, especially at work, need to know how you can help them. If you haven’t educated those around you, you will get ignored and, from there, the whole cascade of issues I mentioned previously will be your reality. The reason you must start this process with know is because until someone understands what you bring to the party, it’s impossible to like or trust you. 2. Like Think about this for a minute: What kind of gravitational pull does someone have when you don’t like them?  How supportive are you of them? More than likely, you run the other way to avoid people like this. You are not likely  to do anything  to help or support a person you don’t like, much less do anything other than the bare minimum to interact with them. Even if you don’t dislike another person and are neutral about them, these same questions apply. No one goes out of their way to support or help another person who  is a blank slate to them emotionally. All of this means there is good reason to have someone like you and become emotionally invested in you (and vice versa). It’s also important to point out that when you like someone, youre more apt to pay attention to them and cut them some slack when they mess up. We become more invested in people we like and want to see things go well for them. This doesn’t mean you have to set out to turn everyone into your BFF, because that wouldn’t happen anyway. It simply  means that as you help people to know  you, you should  also be engaged in finding a real connection with them. 3. Trust Trust is a foundational characteristic of all successful relationships. It is the reliance we place in another person based on their integrity, strengths, values and reliability. When you can’t trust another person, you inherently question their motives and behavior. Your distrust becomes the lens through which you view them. It is possible to like a person but not trust them, which is why your competitive advantage must be  founded in all three characteristics. If only 2 of the 3 exist, you really don’t have the conditions necessary for forming a competitive advantage. People can know, understand and take advantage of your skill sets, but if they don’t like or trust you, they will stop short right there. They won’t refer people to you, they won’t make a case for promoting you and theyll  have second thoughts if opportunities crop up for which  youre qualified. Trust can be a very fragile thing as it can be destroyed by only one bad act. Restoration of trust takes time and consistent behavior to restore and, even then, can be not fully rebuilt. How to Create Know, Like, Trust (and Build Your Competitive Advantage) You have complete control over  how this should be orchestrated. Heres how to do it: Creating  Know Communication â€" This isnt always a strong suit of Introverts, but you can still mater it. Its really about looking for opportunities to update, share and help others. You don’t have to turn into a blabbermouth, but you do need to freely offer up information and make it easy for others to get it from you. Focus â€" What you focus on is how people come to know you. If you want to be known a certain way, then focus on that thing by talking about it and doing whatever it  is. For instance, if you want to be known as a social media  guru, then learn it, do it and help others to do it. Consistency â€" If you only occasionally do the other two items, people won’t know what to make of you. You have to be consistent. Being consistent also is foundational to building trust as it shows others they can rely on you and know what to expect. Creating  Like You might think liking someone is magical or organic, and while that does take place, it also has  certain qualities you can replicate. People are more attracted to other people and like them when you: Are warm and inviting.   Smile at others; it shows that you re open and friendly. Are humorous.  People like people who have a good sense of humor and can easily laugh and enjoy life. Look at them. It’s hard to feel a connection with someone who really won’t look you in the face. Show interest. Strange how this works. People like people who like them. The best way to show interest is to ask questions and become engaged with the person youre talking with. Find commonality.  When  youre asking questions, look for points of commonality between you and the other  person. It’s easier to engage with someone when you have a few things in common. Obviously, you have work in common already it’s your job to find other things as well. Support them. When you offer to help someone, especially with your skills, it not only reinforces your competitive advantage, but you build an all-important relationship. Creating Trust Assuming you got the message about consistency, youve  probably begun to established trust with other people at work. This, of course, assumes youre a person who  operates with integrity and honesty as their core values. The biggest challenge you have now (which might not be that much of a challenge for you) is to do nothing to mess up that impression. In Summary Know, like, trust  is the backbone to your competitive advantage and you need  a competitive advantage if you are to succeed in life and in your career. (By the way, these same pearls of wisdom also apply to our Extraverted counterparts out there, but don’t share this with them. Use this advice as your own secret weapon, saved only for the Ambitious Introvert.) What steps can you take to create  know, like trust and build your competitive advantage today? Share your thoughts in the comments! Image:  Flickr Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

My Experience at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

My Experience at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Michael received his Bachelors degree in Earth Systems, Environment and Society from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently a tutor in Portland specializing in ACT Science tutoring, Earth Science tutoring, Environmental Science tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: 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? Michael: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is in a classic college town setting, about three hours south of Chicago. Although relatively urban, the campus itself is typically safe. The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District provides free buses to students. The buses go all over campus, and it is very easy to get around without a car or bike. Most buildings are within walking distance of the on-campus housing options. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Michael: Though it depends on the size of the class and a students given major, the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants all typically make themselves available to students on a regular basis. It may be difficult to receive a lot of one-on-one attention from a professor in a larger class, but these courses often have smaller lab or discussion sections in which teaching assistants are available. It will be easier to access your academic adviser if you are enrolled in a smaller, newer major. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Michael:There are a variety of dorms all across campus. They all offer good dining options and plenty of opportunities to socialize with other students including access to different clubs, intramural sports, etc. Depending on the dormyou choose, rooms can range from a rudimentary summer camp feel to a plush hotel (including private bathrooms). 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? Michael:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is known mostly for its Business (specifically Accounting) and Engineering programs, which are both considered top-tier. I majored in Earth Systems, Environment and Society (ESES) and minored in History during my time there. ESES was a brand new major when I was there, and I chose to study it because the coursework in Environmental Science, Geology, Geography, and other fields appealed to me. Since the major was brand new, the program went through some growing pains during my time on campus, but I think the university did a good job overall. 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? Michael:I met many individuals around the dorms that I still stay in contact with to this day. It was pretty easy for me to meet people and make new friends as a freshman, in part because I made the decision to join a social fraternity. Greek life plays a significant role in campus social life, but it is by no means necessary. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has the largest Greek system in the country, but there are so many other options for meeting people. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Michael:Once again, this would depend on the major, but University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seemed to have great student support services, and there were always different career fairs to attend. Many reputable companies do recruit on campus, specifically in the areas of Finance and Business. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Michael:At any big school like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, crowding can be an issue in libraries and other study areas. This is especially the case at the Undergraduate Library. However, there are many other areas that are open to all students including the Grainger Engineering Library that frequently have ample space. 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? Michael:The total population of the Champaign-Urbana area is just around 230,000, which makes it more than just a small, quaint college town. As such, it has many of the amenities and nightlife options that larger towns offer. Since there are great bars and concert venues right on campus, many students stay near campus. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Michael:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school, and its undergraduate enrollment is close to 33,000. Personally, I enjoyed being at a larger school, and I took the opportunity to meet many individuals. However, large class sizes are an unavoidable reality at a larger school. Having said that, I was generally pleased with my class sizes, and I was still able to enroll in plenty of classes with a smaller number of students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Michael:One of my favorite courses was Geology 103 with Dr. Michael Stewart. I thoroughly enjoyed his teaching style and the content of the course. One day, he decided to take half of a class session to talk about ESES, a new major that I eventually decided to enroll in based upon my experience in his class. I do not regret that decision at all! Check out Michaels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.