Tutors in New York City - Things to Consider Before Choosing One

Tutors in New York City - Things to Consider Before Choosing OneA good tutor in New York, whether he or she is a certified instructor or just some unlicensed person from the street can really give you some idea of what it takes to be a tutor in NYC. When you are going to New York City for the first time, you might want to spend some time to know more about it. The level of academic expertise you need to know how to teach your students at that particular university or college in New York City, the type of things that they do not understand, the way the educational system is organized, the timings of classes etc.They even have tutors to help kids who are not able to go to classes for some reasons, for example they are sick or have to go back home. But you need to make sure that the tutor in New York city is certified by the governing board before you hire him or her. Some tutors in New York City are working under the patronage of those teachers that are teaching them.This is why you sh ould be careful when you are choosing one of them. You may end up getting cheated or wasting your money. If you are in the process of searching for the best tutors in New York city, then you will need to know that the most popular colleges are being charged more than the schools that are famous in terms of the reputation. It is important that you make an informed decision before you hire a tutor in New York City because it is quite tough to do so.Although the tutors in New York City have earned their positions, it is always better to get someone who has studied in an American school. Students that have come to New York as international students tend to understand the whole culture of the city in a better way than the students who are visiting for the first time. For this reason you should be aware of the different rules that govern the community in terms of politics, culture and society.Be prepared to learn about the different patterns of how the people live their lives. These patte rns are a big factor in learning the language of the city. You need to spend some time to familiarize yourself with the culture of New York City as you will be having to conduct interviews with the students so that you can understand their needs and requirements.It is important that you understand what the students want, so that you can provide them the best of services. When you select a tutor in New York city, it is very important that you ask him or her if they will be there when they take their exams. This will give you some indication of how serious they are about helping them become educated. You need to remember that any other decision you make while working with them will affect their future and career.Tutor in New York City will be a part of your team to support you as you plan out your courses. If you select a tutor who is untrained, they may not be able to provide all the help that you need. Even though you will be spending some extra time in the program, you need to make sure that you are putting the best focus on your studies.You have to remember that there are many possibilities in New York. A great advantage of studying here is that you can save on money compared to studying at home in America. Tutors in New York City will help you realize this advantage as well as help you save some money in the process.

STEM Learning - ALOHA Mind Math

STEM Learning So much information is being shared about STEM which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM is the initiativeaddressing education policy andcurriculumchoices in schools from kindergarten through college to improve competitiveness in technology development. It has implications for workforce development, national security concerns and immigration policy. In this article, we would like to point out some articles and resources that make STEM that much more appealing for students participating in ALOHA Mind Math programs. In recent articles about jobs that use math read more here and here, we have discussed the importance that math plays in you or your students future. The STEM initiative pushes that even further. Educational systems and states, including our President, have created entire pathways to help students determine a path they may pursue related to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Illinois is one those visit their pathways site here. A recent article from the New York Times shares a the opinion of most teens that science is dull and boring and that teachers are not prepared. While this perception may be true, there is something to be said about Math and Science being for more than just Geeks. Do you watch the show, The Big Bang Theory? Amy played by Mayim Bialyk is Sheldons girlfriend on the show.Hollywood and science rarely come together as vividly as they have in her life. She has a Ph.D. in neuroscience AND she plays a neurobiologist on the television show. There is an entire series of articles from people passionate about the STEM initiative. In another recent article from INC., the writer shared a statistic from code.org that in 2020, there will be one million more computer science jobs than computer science students. So between the aging of American Baby Boomers causing industry to become more technological, and the lack of properly trained students ready to graduate into those jobs, the world could come to a screeching halt?? While this isnt likely, it causes a concern about who will fill those positions. At ALOHA we are doing our best to improve the math, reading and writing skills of Generation Z to prepare them for those job openings. To find out more about the STEM initiative visit http://www.ed.gov/stem.

Online Chemistry Teacher

Online Chemistry TeacherWith over five hundred students in the online chemistry program at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will find a lot of students who are qualified to pursue an education in the balance of equilibrium organic chemistry. However, your student has an additional requirement for achieving his education that may not be met by the online science teacher.One of the most requested service by students is online chemistry Tutors. Online tutors are professionally qualified with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. They are committed to academic excellence. They can carry out research, demonstrate their skills to students, and are dedicated to personal knowledge and self-improvement.These online teachers provide service to chemistry professors to teach chemistry classes in the laboratory or in Bio-Solvents lab. They offer invaluable assistance to graduate students. They enhance the learning experience for the students who want to pursue further studies. These tutors are extremely helpful for students who have difficulties with understanding various topics of chemistry.Online tutors are skilled and well trained to give guidance in online Chemistry classes. If you wish to find a suitable balance between professional and personal service, online chemistry tutors will fulfill your need. Their services are worth their price as they are dedicated to meeting the demands of their customers.Online Chemistry teacher is good for your career, because it allows you to work from home. You will be able to attend office hours and avail of great opportunities to find a new job.The tutor will be able to guide you to explore and promote your interests and help you to enhance your understanding. You will be able to advance in your job when you are enrolled in an online Chemistry class. Online Chemistry Tutors are available to provide you insight about the latest technology, the latest methods and trends in Chemistry, and the latest processes that support Science.Tequilibrium o rganic chemistry tutor The advantage of a Science Advisor is that he is a school chemistry teacher as well. He is able to introduce and explain Chemistry concepts to students. There are many other advantages associated with online Chemistry Teaching.

Chemistry in Your Life

Chemistry in Your LifeFrom high school to college, the subject of Chemistry has always been a preferred option for students. Chemists are vital for every society and country because they have the ability to come up with solutions to real problems. And while studying in college, the learning environment of a college or university is very important to keep in mind as Chemistry is an integral part of the course of study and the students are given various options to pursue it.Students are taught by subject matter experts that even though Mathematics is a vital component of any college or university program, it is not the only topic to be studied. For students of Chemistry, the subject choice of course is mainly based on their interests and aptitude. However, students who are drawn towards the field of Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biomolecular and Botany, will more commonly pick Chemistry as a course as it covers almost all the subjects of Biology. The curriculum of Chemistry is n ormally divided into two parts, the upper and the lower division. However, there are various topics which are regularly included in these two parts of the syllabus.The first two years of the curriculum of Chemistry are dedicated to the upper division, and the final two years are devoted to the lower division. In the upper division, the topics that are taught will be Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Nuclear Physics, Quantum Chemistry, Astrophysics, Computational Chemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Biochemistry. Some of the topics that are regular are Physics, Astronomy, and Linear Algebra. These topics are selected from the vast amounts of syllabuses available which provide more diversity in the curriculum.In the physics class, students have to solve various equations in order to give the correct answers. Moreover, there are also other topics such as mathematical modelling, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics of liquids, water, atomic a nd molecular physics, elementary particles, atoms, nuclear reactions, free energy, nuclear fusion, solid state physics, solid state and solid semiconductors, radioactive and subatomic particles, nuclear weapons, and gamma rays, amongst others.In the second year of the course, students will be taught about Synthetic Chemistry and the techniques involved in this type of chemistry. While in the first years, they have to learn all the subject of biology and the subjects related to chemistry. So there is more scope for the student to select the topics of his choice.Daltons or Degrees in Chemistry are conferred in many Universities. A student has to take the test (also known as BCQ) before the test can be taken. The degree is required in order to qualify for a Graduate level position in the Chemical Industries, Pharmaceutical Industries, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and so on. However, the Master's degree (MAS) is also required for these positions.The course of study for Chemis try can be taken in most Universities of the country. Students will also need to clear the State exam for admission to the college or university of their choice, as the exams will be given after the official entrance examinations are done.

French Language App Review MosaLingua

French Language App Review MosaLingua Brooke Neuman Are you looking for a fun app to help you practice French in between lessons? Below, French teacher Jinky B. shares her review of the French language app MosaLingua   As a French instructor for students of various ages and proficiency levels, I’m always searching for easy and interactive apps to help supplement French lessons. So when I was introduced to the French learning app MosaLingua, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and fun it was to use. The science behind  the app  is a formula of timed repetition. After words are introduced and reviewed, they are repeated at specific points in time. This formula allows students to learn French words and phrases quickly. Whats more, the student can see and track progress via visual graphs. Below are some of my favorite benefits the app offers as well as ways students can use the app to learn French effectively. 1. Learn Essential Vocabulary MosaLingua initially provides the student with flashcards. Based on the student’s proficiency level, the flashcards can be increased in difficulty. A clear audio clip is played and then the student repeats the phrase via a recording option. The flip side of the flashcard then shows the French vocabulary word, its English equivalent, and the word(s) in a sentence. I love the recording option. The student can compare the recording to the teacher recording and make any necessary changes. 2. Explore Thematic Vocabulary If students are interested in exploring a specific themeâ€"for example, shopping or travelingâ€"a list of thematic categories is provided. Within each category are more specified lists, such as how to ask the cost of an item or how to ask where something is located. This is a great option if the student desires to quickly learn a set of phrases to use in a certain situation. 3. Listen to Dialogues One feature that I particularly like  is audio of actual dialogue depicting common situations that arise during travel or everyday life. Students have the option to  listen only to the dialogue or to also see the corresponding French and English subtitles. This feature is great for students who are working on their pronunciation skills and oral comprehension. MosaLingua is incredibly user-friendly with various ways to practice French vocabulary. Whether youre a beginner or intermediate student, the app is a great way to practice in between your French lessons. Post Author:  Jinky B. Jinky B. teaches  French lessons in Jacksonville, FL. She has her  Bachelors of Arts in French, French Literature and Psychology from Florida State University and has over five years of teaching experience.  Learn more about Jinky B.  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Should I Go To University of Houston

Should I Go To University of Houston The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Brandon is a Houston tutor specializing in Algebra tutoring, Middle School Math tutoring, Statistics tutoring, and a number of other areas. He is currently a senior at University of Houston majoring in Psychology. See what he had to share about University of Houston: 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? Brandon: University of Houston has a bus system that runs every 15 minutes. Other than that, the other modes of transportation are bike, foot, and longboard. I would argue that actually being on campus is safe, but the outskirts of campus are not. You do not need a car or bike if you do not mind walking a bit. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Brandon:The vast majority of professors and teaching assistants are readily available, but there are always those teachers who are impossible to reach. As for academic advisers, they seem to be pretty hard to schedule a face-to-face meeting with, especially around course-scheduling time. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Brandon:The majority of the rooms are nice, as most buildings are being renovated or have been renovated. The dining options get really old, really fast, and the hours of operation are not ideal. University of Houstonis definitely not a school where you want to live on-campus for longer than you have to. The location of the dorms in relation to class buildings is pretty close in general, though there are still those 20-minute walks that will happen anywhere. 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? Brandon:I would say that Business and our Hotel and Restaurant Management majors are the best represented and supported. I studied Psychology because I wanted to help people. I had nothing to do with the university. I would say that they did not support my area of study at all, really. 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? Brandon:If you want to make friends, you have plenty of opportunities to do so at the opening events. As long as you intend to befriend someone, it is easily attainable at University of Houston. Greek life does not really play a role in campus social life, other than one event that they host every year called Frontier Fiesta. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Brandon:The only service that is subpar is the Financial Aid office. They are quick to give you your bill, but slow to apply your aid. When they do, nine times out of ten, the aid amount is incorrect. Not many reputable companies recruit on campus to my knowledge, but I am just a Psychology major, which is mostly comprised of independent study. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Brandon:The library has two completely quiet floors, two group study floors, and then various floors in-between. It welcomes all kinds of people and their unique study habits. The lounges are pretty good in the freshmen dorms, but other than that, they are scarce. In the evening, study areas are pretty available, particularly at the library. During the day, the library is a commuter hangout. 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? Brandon:Campus is pretty much surrounded by run-down houses in the Third Ward. There is nothing exciting to do close to University of Houston, really, but there is Rice Village and the Galleria. They make for pretty cool hangout spots. Most people choose to go to the downtown area rather than stay on the campus. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Brandon:Our student body is an average size, but in the evenings if you live on campus, it can feel like the student body is very small. University of Houston is not a campus that people opt to hang out at. Our class sizes were generally no more than 40 once you finished your required core classes. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Brandon:I had a really good professor who genuinely cared about giving us the opportunity to flourish. She was open to helping students obtain internships, and she was funny and excited about her job. She reminded me that there are people out there who actually love to teach and love to help people become well-rounded. Check out Brandons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to ensure you wake up and want to go to work - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to ensure you wake up and want to go to work - Introvert Whisperer How to ensure you wake up and want to go to work Be honest â€" do you bounce out of bed on a work morning, hum a happy tune and skip to work? It might be exaggerated, but the sentiment is obvious â€" do you love going to work? Some people quite like their job, enjoy what they do but don’t have a real swing of opinion either way as to whether they love it or hate it. They like it. It pays a decent salary, pays the bills and allows them to get on and do what they want in their non-work time. For others, they dread it. There are all kinds of reasons why their job is no longer doing it for them. It could be workplace issues or it could be that they are bored and unchallenged by what they do, day after day, shift after shift. This is where NCC Home Learning comes in. If it is time for a change, how about looking at a whole new career? Study from home, carry on working, carry on paying the bills Home learning gives the best of both worlds. You are working â€" yes, still in that job but you are working towards something new â€" which means you can still pay the bills. You can study when you can, when you feel you work best and you take it at a pace that suits you. From taking on a diploma course in Personal Training and Sports Coaching to Beautician Training, there are all manner of topics and careers that you can study for, from the comfort of your own home, on the train home, on the bus to work… Why being happy at work is important Your working life and career are more than just about paying the bills. Assuming that you work for around 50 years at full-time hours, you will spend 92,000 hours at work. Being happy is more than just about time whipping by… Improved productivity   Research has shown that people who are happy in their work tend to have spikes in productivity. If you are happier in your job, you will work longer, harder and more efficient too. You might recognize this in colleagues; people who go to work merely to pay the bills or to have something to do with their day tend to be less rambunctious about how they go about working. Improved health Fulfillment is not something that is discussed enough. Being happy means you feeling fulfilled. You haven’t settled for second best; you don’t feel stressed, and you are happy with your lot. Bring fulfilled in your work and life is a great feeling and one that not everyone will get to experience in life. Improved creativity When you are happy, you have the ability to become more creative. This doesn’t mean that as you start your new career you become Picasso, it means that you have the mental ability to be able to solve problems creatively, face challenges head on without becoming bogged down and so on. Obstacles are seen in a different light â€" rather than tripping over them in the dark and swearing, you now see them as a challenged to be faced, but ones that can be conquered. Better pay If you are employed, your natural enthusiasm for your job will stand you in good stead when it comes to promotion. Which employer would fail to promote someone who clearly loves working for them and what they do? People happy at work tend to enjoy a better salary. Improved conditions Not everyone is employed, finding that their dream job and career lies within their own hands. Instead of feeling hemmed in by the office and doing the bidding of another, you can work in improved conditions: your own. Many people who go on to complete home study courses will start their own business, as well as those in employment who will either seek promotion or a new career entirely. Improved relationships You may not be overtly unhappy at work but you will feel the stress more. Invariably, if you are stressed and unhappy, it will affect relationships. From how you interact with a loved one, to friendships and so on. Are you unhappy at work? Or should the question be, are you happy are work? Seeing as you spend so many hours there, isn’t it worth making these happy? If you feel stuck or unhappy in your job, seek out a new career with home learning courses. Or, why not aim for promotion and aim for the next big thing? A great way to becoming an inspiring leader is with my new, live training program: “Lead Like You Mean It” Leadership Development Program.  You will learn things no one has taught you but after developing hundreds of managers and leaders, I can tell you, this works.  Check out the details now: https://introvertwhisperer.leadpages.co/leadlikeyoumeanitpilot/

Soft Skills Every Introvert Needs to Master - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Soft Skills Every Introvert Needs to Master - Introvert Whisperer Soft Skills Every Introvert Needs to Master We as introvert often consider the fact that maybe it is too late for us to make a change in ourselves. Instead of harboring such unproductive thoughts, we need a positive frame of mind about practicing and perfecting new soft skills. So what are these soft skills introverts need to master? Develop Organized Thought Process Communication can sometimes become repetitive and redundant. You have to find ways to make it fun and lively. You must be cognizant of the words you want to use to express your thoughts. There is no harm in taking half a second more to process your feelings. Since introverts, we need to make sure that we can communicate what we want to say explicitly. The momentary silence is often helpful in letting you focus on the conversation instead of slipping away words that you may not have wanted to say. Stop Complaining and Start Smiling   If you have ever read the book, “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living?” by Dale Carnegie, you must have read the chapter focusing on “not to cry over spilled milk.” This particular chapter discusses the story of a professor who teaches people how to stop worrying. Every time the professor walks into the class, he has a glass of milk on the table. He picks up that glass and drops it onto the floor. Everyone in the classroom becomes uneasy at what the professor just did. Later, the professor explains to the students, no matter how much he may whine, complain, or regret, that would not bring back the milk. Therefore, always smile to radiate positivity that can help everyone stay positive and focused. Learn to Forgive Yourself   We often face stressful situations in life where we are unable to make a decision. However, we may not always make smart choices. Sometimes, we tend to make decisions that do not go the way we would have liked. It is OK not to make all the decisions perfect in life. We must give room to ourselves to accept our mistakes and grow out of them. There is no point living in the shadows of past regrets. Unless we can break the shackles of the memories of our bad decisions, we will keep on struggling to find a way forward. Learn to forgive yourself and move forward with all your heart, passion and tenacity to surmount challenges in life. Practice Starting Conversations by Asking Questions   Sometimes, we introverts are too shy to break the ice and start a conversation. Some individuals may not agree. But many believe that it is difficult to start a new discussion, particularly with a stranger or person who we do not know that well. One way of doing that is by asking questions and getting inquisitive about other people’s lives. When you take an interest in other person’s life, they would be more than happy to share their stories. They would be able to share their observations and would be glad to enjoy your company. You would often read the usual career related soft skills that people often ask us to master. But as an introvert person, most of us have these non-existent fears or limitations that if we can overcome, can help us grow as individuals. Author Bio: Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will?  If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

A Day in the Life at Princeton University

A Day in the Life at Princeton University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Laura is an Austin tutor specializing in ACT prep tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, Writing tutoring, GRE prep tutoring, and more. She graduated from Princeton University in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in English. Check out her review of her 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? Laura: Princeton is located in the quiet town of Princeton, NJ. Princetons campus is peaceful and gorgeous; its mostly designed in a collegiate Gothic architectural style that is reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge. On the north side of campus, the main humanities building (McCosh), the main library (Firestone), the chapel, and many of the dormitory buildings are among the most beautiful buildings youll ever see and I still cant quite believe that I got to spend four years living in and around the famous Blair Arch. You will get spoiled with the beauty of the campus all my friends note that this is something that they really miss! Almost all students live on campus, and that means that its easy to get around campus by foot. Most of my classes were a five-minute walk away from my dorm room. The engineering quad is the farthest from the center of campus, and so a fair number of engineers do use bikes to get around but even this isnt necessary. Only a few students own cars, and they are useful only for leaving campus and not for getting around on campus. A train line runs onto campus, which is a much easier option for transportation if youre going to the airport or into New York. The campus is extremely safe Im very sensitive to danger, but even I would sometimes walk home alone from rehearsals or club meetings at 2 am. You can always call campus security for an escort between buildings, however, and there are blue phones all over campus which you can use to call security in case you feel unsafe at any time. But honestly, youll probably never need to use them. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Laura: Extremely available! This, to my mind, is the number one advantage that Princeton has over other major research institutions the professors take their undergraduate teaching extremely seriously and consistently prioritize their undergraduates. Its often said that Princeton is a liberal arts college (accessibility of professors, emphasis on undergraduates) with the advantages of a major research university (huge library, professors at the top of their field) and its really true! There are lots of opportunities to get to know your professors: from freshman seminars (aimed at allowing first-year students to work with top professors in a variety of departments), to college dining halls (each dining hall has several faculty fellows who eat there regularly), discussion sections for classes (all faculty are required to lead precepts alongside their graduate student teaching fellows), and of course, office hours. One of Princetons unique qualities is that you can often work with the top professors in a department even without majoring in their field; many top Princeton professors voluntarily choose to teach introductory courses. Students all work one-on-one with a top professor on their independent work in their junior and senior years. All students must complete one or two junior papers (medium-length research papers) and a senior thesis. For most Princeton students (myself included!), this is one of the highlights of their Princeton careers most seniors produce theses that are longer and smarter than anything theyve ever written before. Students can also choose to apply for a creative thesis, which might be a book of fiction / poetry or a performance in a play (with a critical analysis element). Of course, the amount of contact you have with your professors partly depends on you. If youre like me and seek out small seminars, you can interact almost solely with professors throughout your four years. If you prefer large lecture courses, its possible to largely avoid professor contact until you start your independent work junior year. My number one piece of advice to incoming students is to pursue every opportunity to get to know their professors. You will have the most brilliant scholars in the world teaching your classes, and they really, honestly want to get to know you and to help you in any way they can. Take advantage of it! Academic advising is run through your residential college for the first two years, and through your department for the following two. Residential college advising is fine; departmental advising is much better. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Laura: For the first two years, students are placed in one of six residential colleges (Mathey, Rocky, Butler, Wilson, Forbes, Whitman), which serve as your de facto community for the first years on campus. Student meal plans (which are required for all incoming students) allow you to eat in any of the college dining halls, but most students end up eating at their own because they know so many people there. Indeed, the residential college system means that you can go to the dining hall at any time and see people you know much of my free time in college was spent lingering in the dining hall over dinner, as new friends kept arriving and sparking new and vibrant conversations. In the second two years, students still live on campus (housing is guaranteed for everyone), but they have a wide variety of eating options: going independent (students have their own kitchen and cook for themselves), joining a co-op (a group of students alternate cooking for one other), staying in the residential college (eating in dining halls), or most famously and popularly, joining an eating club. About 70% of students choose the last option, but its definitely not a required part of Princeton life. I stayed in my residential college (Mathey the best one!) for four years, but I still ate with my friends from eating clubs or co-ops regularly because everyone gets guest meal passes which allow them to invite their friends to dine with them at their club / college. Dorm rooms are generally quite nice; most students live in doubles or quads their first year or two (quads generally have two bedrooms and a large common room, doubles usually have one room) but in later years, you can either live in a larger suite or get a single room for yourself. 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? Laura: I knew that I wanted to be an English major even before I arrived on the Princeton campus, and I chose Princeton partially because I knew that they had one of the top programs in the country. Astonishingly, the department exceeded my expectations; professors in the department are both brilliant scholars, and inventive and generous teachers. There were also fantastic departmental resources available; the English department even funded me to go to England to do independent research the summer before my senior year! The most popular majors are Economics and Political Science, but the smaller majors are every bit as good as the larger ones (if not better). Indeed, Princeton has run campaigns encouraging students to follow their passions and pick unorthodox majors, where class sizes are small and where students will receive intensive faculty guidance. The Woodrow Wilson school (or Woody-Woo), a Public Policy major, is a signature Princeton major which uniquely helps students think about policy-making as undergraduates. But departments are strong across the board, in the humanities, sciences, social sciences and engineering. 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? Laura: I found it incredibly easy to make friends at Princeton because of the diversity of organizations which allow you to carve out a niche (or multiple niches!) for yourself. The residential colleges make it easy to get to know people in your first two years, and they run further programs to foster a strong sense of student community, including weekly discussion tables and college trips to NYC. I ran a Philosophy Table discussion group which mimicked a language table, but talked about abstract philosophical questions instead! Most students on campus are involved with multiple organizations I was very active in an Episcopalian student religious organization, a Shakespearean theater group, and the English department community and this made it easy not to be pigeonholed in a single group. Youll also get to know people through your classes; many students at Princeton really do want to continue class conversations over lunch after class is over. Greek life is not very prominent on campus; they exist, but they operate largely under the radar. Much more popular are Princetons eating clubs, social organizations which 70% of students join. Eating Clubs are either sign-in or bicker clubs; sign-in clubs allow you to join by simply putting your name on a list, while bicker clubs ask you to go through a process like a sorority / fraternity rush. Most students join eating clubs in the second half of their second year, but you can continue to join in later years (which means you can switch your eating club or change to another dining option at the beginning of any semester). Students dine in their eating clubs and attend social events there in the evenings, but only a few officers live there; evening events are usually open to non-members as well. Each of the eating clubs has its own reputation and they become a crucial part of many Princeton students identities. But its perfectly possible to be very happy at Princeton without being a part of an eating club as well. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Laura: The Career Center has an active presence on campus, but I never used them because professors did such a fantastic job helping me make my post-graduation plans. I went on to a Ph.D. program, and my advisors in the English department walked me through every step of the process, helping me select schools, write personal statements, and decide which school to accept. (I went on to an English Ph.D. program at Harvard.) But my friends who did use the Career Center found them generally helpful, and they continued to receive help after graduation, both in compiling resumes and recommendations, and in being put in contact with alumni in the field. Many companies from across the country recruit directly on the Princeton campus and there are regular careers fairs which allow you to talk to lots of different possible employers. Its also worth noting that Princeton has an incredibly strong alumni network that helped many of my friends get amazing internships and interviews in their chosen field. Princeton alumni are passionate about their school, and they come back, year after year, for Princetons elaborate three-day reunion celebration every May. Because of this loyalty and love of Princeton, alumni are almost universally eager to help undergraduates and recent grads succeed in their chosen field! VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Laura: There are lots of different places to study around the Princeton campus. Dorm study rooms are well-maintained and generally include some kitchen equipment for snacks, residential colleges and eating clubs have small libraries for quiet study near the dorms, and the Frist Campus Center, though loud, offers a large array of dining and caffeination options. Princetons main library is Firestone; while the main reading-rooms get quite crowded around exam-time, there are always enough working spaces on lower floors of the library, which still have natural light thanks to skylights. Seniors are also able to request carrels in Firestone, where they can store books for their senior thesis and where they can study; these are quite cramped, but they do ensure a quiet working space at all times! You can also choose to study in one of specialized libraries (East Asian studies, Architecture, Art, Engineering), many of which are quite beautiful! 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? Laura: The area of Princeton immediately around campus is beautiful and exquisitely maintained with expensive restaurants and shops, four ice cream / fro-yo shops (Princeton students consume a lot of ice cream!), and a hotel. Because the restaurants immediately around campus tend to be expensive (Panera is the best inexpensive dining option), students generally walk down Nassau Street to access an array of less expensive dining options a bit further from campus. Very few students have cars (its hard to get on-campus parking before senior year) and buses are available, but not super easy to use, so students tend not to leave campus very often. Some students get frustrated by the town of Princeton, but for the majority of students, life happens almost entirely on campus. For those who do want to get away from campus, it is definitely possible. A train, affectionately known as the Dinky, runs directly on to the Princeton campus and connects students to the NJ Transit line. In one hour, a student can get to the Newark airport or to New York City itself! Most students go to New York at least a few times during their four years at Princeton; the residential colleges organize sponsored trips to New York to see Broadway shows and operas at an extremely reduced price (bus transport included), and classes sometimes take their students to the city for field trips (usually plays / operas or museum visits). A few students make New York a more regular part of their social life and visit the city more often. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Laura: Princeton has around 1,300 students in each class (5,300 undergraduate students total), plus 2,500 graduate students. For me, this was the perfect size; large enough that I continued to meet new people from my class through the end of my senior year and small enough that I constantly ran into people I knew as I walked around campus. Because there are so many more undergraduates than graduate students (and because grad students generally live on the far edges of campus), Princeton truly feels like an undergraduate campus. Class sizes are excellent at Princeton. Most of my classes were small seminars (averaging 10-15 students), some were small lectures (30 students), and a few were larger lecture courses. Lectures in the humanities are rarely larger than 80 people, though science courses can be larger. But every course has a small section / discussion component called a precept, which will allow you to ask questions and discuss the material from class. The precept system worked very well for me; I often had professors running my precepts, and the few graduate students who taught my precepts were generally good. (A graduate student will never teach a lecture or a seminar at Princeton.) VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Laura: One of my most memorable class experiences was an intensive sequence of courses aimed at freshmen called the Humanities sequence (HUM 216-219). Over the course of two semesters (technically four classes), we read the great books of Western Civilization, from the ancient Greeks to the end of the nineteenth-century, working closely with five top professors from different departments each semester. The course was interdisciplinary, asking students to think in terms of history, literature and philosophy, and brought together a fantastic group of students who were eager to immerse themselves in the best works of the human mind. Because the workload was so intense, the group coalesced into a social as well as academic community; many of my closest friends at Princeton came out of this course. By the end of the term, we made class t-shirts with pictures of one of our professors on the front, with the motto: T.K. Rabb [the professor] is our philosopher-king. Crazy nerdy, but very fun. I also have to mention Chemistry 207 (Advanced General Chemistry) a course that I took to fulfill my science requirement, which ended up being an extremely enjoyable course. The class combined intense academic work with consistently amazing demonstrations; the professors joked that they tried to orchestrate at least one explosion per class. They also periodically tested the validity of popular movie scenes etc.; one day, we tested whether a person could really outrun a burning fuse by going to the back of the chemistry building, having one student volunteer dress up as Zorro (complete with black mask, black hat, and sword) and then run as fast as he could alongside a trail of gunpowder. And Zorro won! Check out Lauras tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.