The Benefits of a Geometry and Chemistry Tutor

The Benefits of a Geometry and Chemistry TutorThe geometry and chemistry tutor is important in many different aspects of the education and study of science. Often a student with poor study habits or learning skills will find that the lessons that they need for homework or any other aspect of their education are not covered by the teacher.You need to understand the benefits of taking a tutor, the reason it is so important for a good student. The first benefit is that you will be allowed to help yourself in the tutoring sessions that you take. You should also know that your tutor will be attending classes with you to help you with your lessons, and this can help with the reinforcement that you need when you do not have much self-motivation.Geometry and chemistry tutor is a necessity for most students. They may have to take many lessons at a time. It is difficult for a student to learn quickly and effectively if they are not concentrating and studying well. If you are not on top of your studies then you will find that your grades and progress will suffer.Another great benefit of getting a tutor is that you will be able to get some help with many of the aspects of school that you find difficult to deal with. For example, homework problems that seem too difficult can be solved quite easily by using a geometry and chemistry tutor. You may find that it is only one problem that you need help with.Geometry and chemistry tutors are also a great resource for students who want to become better at mathematics. When you are struggling with a problem in geometry or chemistry, a tutor can give you a hand to help you solve it properly. You will also be given lessons that are helpful to you. These may involve solving the problem in a better way, or they might involve a similar problem but in a different way to solve it.You will also find that geometry and chemistry tutors are experts in math problems that are more advanced than what you have learned. You will be given exercises and problems that are much more complex than what you would find in any normal geometry and chemistry lesson. For example, you may need to work out problems involving diagrams and graphs. If you do not have a tutor, then you will need to learn the maths through trial and error.If you are trying to solve problems in geometry and chemistry, it is very important that you are doing your best to grasp the concept before moving on to the next step. This will give you a much higher success rate in the problems that you will solve.You should understand that a geometry and chemistry tutor is a great addition to your learning. You will be able to use their experience and knowledge of the subject to help you make sure that you learn as quickly and effectively as possible.

What Every Student Should Know About Scholarships and Tuition Discounting

What Every Student Should Know About Scholarships and Tuition Discounting via Pexels What is tuition discounting? This is a term that some of you may be unfamiliar with, but tuition discounting generally refers to grants and scholarships that colleges and universities give students. In some situations, it is put into practice when colleges and universities charge high tuition and then offer large “discounts” (aka merit aid) to their qualified candidates. Why is tuition discounting put into practice? Tuition discounting is most prevalent in small, private colleges and universities, and was originally put into practice to allow students to attend college without the price tag, or their families’ financial situation, preventing them from doing so. Having started out as need-based financial aid, tuition discounting now encompasses merit-based aid as well (such as merit scholarships). As tuition discounting often makes a private college or university much more affordable, it helps these private schools attract and enroll more students over time. This potentially raises the question of why all schools don’t just make their tuition or sticker price more affordable in the first place an act that would, in many situations, eliminate the need for tuition discounting. However, a school that offers tuition discounting actually appears more attractive to college applicants, based on surveys that found both parents and students prefer schools with high costs that offer large discounts instead of schools with a lower original cost. Why, you may ask? It’s because of an idea that has become ingrained in the minds of the general public: that the higher the price, the higher quality it must be. As a result, schools that have high sticker prices appear to be “better” in the eyes of college applicants and their parents, which leads to more applications, more scholarships being given out, and ultimately, more enrollment. Offering tuition discounts is a win for private colleges and universities, and receiving such discounts is seemingly a win for the students as well. What are the disadvantages of tuition discounting? On the flip side, tuition discounting can lead to some pretty negative consequences, both for schools and students. Some colleges and universities offer such large discounts to their students that it’s eating into their revenue, which is certainly not sustainable in the long run. What’s more, the high cost/high aid model can sometimes discourage low-income students from attending costly private institutions, mainly because some of these students and their families are unaware that financial aid is available. How do you receive a tuition discount (e.g. a scholarship)? There are a number of ways to receive a tuition discount. One way is to qualify for a tuition waiver based on your family’s income level. If your family’s income falls below a certain threshold, you may be able to qualify for a tuition waiver. Another option is to see whether the college and/or university you’re applying to offers legacy scholarships. If you have a family member who once graduated from that school, it might be worth looking into a possible legacy scholarship. Another totally classic and viable way to receive aid is by actively applying for scholarships. With so many different kinds of scholarships out there, you have many options to choose from. For example, there are a number of academic scholarships that you can apply for, which are based on your academic performance, including your GPA as well as standardized test scores (such as the SAT and ACT). Other types of scholarship options out there may include athletic, community service, minority, creative, and other unique scholarships. Where can you find them? Lucky for you, finding scholarships isn’t the hard part there are so many places you can look. One option is to visit your career center and inquire about available scholarships. Another option is to look to organizations in your community and find out if they’re offering scholarships for college students. Even if they’re not large companies or organizations, some local businesses in your neighborhood or community might have an annual scholarship that they give out. If you want to search for scholarships from the comfort of your own computer, there are many websites at your disposal, such as Fastweb.com. When it comes to applying for and receiving tuition discounts of any sort, it’s important to be informed about what it can do for you.

Am I Fluent Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out!

Am I Fluent Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out! Am I Fluent? Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out! Its a question that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time.Okay, maybe the beginning of time is a bit of an exaggeration.But its a question thats probably plagued mankind for the last 50,000 to two million years in other words, as long as language has been around.Am I fluent?For language learners, the struggle is real. As you take more and more online language courses  and strive to  learn a language fluently  or  get fluent faster, chances are youll always be wondering where youre at.Am I already fluent? If not, when will I be fluent? How will I even know?  Sadly, theres no billboard to announce your fluency. There wont be a large scale balloon release to celebrate your accomplishment.That doesnt mean, however, that you cant determine whether or not youre fluent.All you need to do is ask yourself the six valuable questions below. The Challenge of Defining FluentThe first problem with defining fluent is that theres no set definition. While your average dictionary often tri es to define fluent as being marked with ease using a language, ease seems vague, at best. This makes the definition highly flexible.Plus, there are different degrees of fluency. Language classification systems  and  language proficiency tests  attempt to quantify levels of fluency on clear scales, so if you really want to approximate your level of fluency, a test can help.Finally, the word fluent can (and does) mean different things to different people. Since the main idea is that you need to speak a language with ease, everyone can hold a different idea about what this means. To some people, this might just mean being able to hold a basic conversation. To others, it means being able to communicate or understand nearly any idea on any topic.So your friend who claims to be fluent in French may only be able to order a croissant, while your friend who claims shes nowhere near fluent in Chinese may be able to hold conversations and conduct business, but struggle with some specific voca bulary sets.That all being said, there are some basic questions you can ask yourself to get an idea of how close you are to whats commonly accepted as fluency. So lets find out how fluent you are!Am I Fluent? Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out!Do I translate in my head?Considering whether or not you translate in your head is a helpful way to measure fluency. If you translate between your target and native language in your head continually, chances are youre not what most people would consider fluent. Thats because full fluency generally requires an ability to think in your target language. Thinking in your target language is important because it saves valuable time, improving your ability to interact fully.Looking to jump-start your ability to think in your target language?Consider immersing yourself in the language. One popular way to do this is to travel to a destination where your target language is widely spoken.If that isnt feasible for you, you might consider at-home media immersion with FluentU. FluentU offers authentic, real-world videos like movie trailers, music videos, news and more. All videos are captioned, and the captions are annotated, putting word definitions, associated images and example sentences at the tips of your fingers. You can even click words to see how theyre used in other videos on the site.Another easy way to transition towards thinking in your target language is through journaling.  Each day, set aside 15 minutes to write about your day so far, what you did and how youre feeling in your target language. Doing this will encourage you to think in your target language and save you the effort of translating in your head.Additionally, if you know youre going to write in your target language at the end of the day, you might find yourself thinking about your feelings and activities in your target language during the day to prepare for your journaling time.How quickly can I speak?Some people speak slowly even in their native tongue, b ut if you speak much more slowly in your target language than in your native language, chances are youre not fluent just yet.Having to speak slowly is usually a mark of inexperience speaking the language. If you want to improve your rate of speed, one key way to do it is to find a language learning buddy for conversation practice. The more you practice, the more your speed will naturally improve.To find a language learning buddy, you might check your local university or school system.Still no luck? Reddits language learning community might help you connect with someone whos studying the same language as you. Once youve found the right match, you can practice via Skype.How quickly can I understand?Perhaps even more important than the ability to speak quickly is the ability to understand quickly. When you hear your target language spoken, do you immediately understand what you hear, or does it take you a moment?One good way to measure this is to think about your last conversation in y our target language. After the other speaker finished, did you already know what theyd said, or did you have to go over it again in your head? Immediately understanding your target language with little effort points towards fluency.Does it still take you a while to understand the language? One way to improve your ability to understand spoken language quickly is to  watch TV and movies in your target language.Luckily for you, Netflix is a treasure trove of foreign language programming. If youre still a ways off from fluency, you might want to start watching with subtitles. As you get more comfortable listening to your target language, remove the subtitles.But how will you know when your listening skills are strong enough to be considered fluent? One surefire way is to watch unfamiliar material in your target language without subtitles and see how things go. If you can fully understand even rapid-fire dialogue without pausing, chances are you can consider yourself fluent.How hard do I need to think about what I want to say?If you need to think through anything you say or write out carefully, chances are, youre not yet fluent.For full fluency, you should be able to speak or write off-the-cuff, like you can in your native language. This is a clear marker of ease in using the language, which is a sign of fluency.One way to practice thinking your words out less is to post on social media in your target language. After all, social media is clearly the place for ill-thought-out communication!You might want to start a separate account on a social media outlet like Twitter, dedicated solely to your target language. You may want to avoid using your real name so that if you mess up too badly, you can distance yourself from the account!Then, whenever something happens that you want to react to, simply post quickly in your target language without thinking out the language youre using. Over time, this will get easier and easier.Can native speakers understand me?If you really are fluent in your target language, native speakers should definitely be able to understand you. Do your native speaker friends ask you to repeat what youve said? Do they look confused whenever you speak? If so, youre probably not fluent just yet.Since the goal of learning any language is to be able to communicate effectively in that language, its a big obstacle if native speakers cant understand you. It could be an issue with pronunciation, accent, vocabulary or grammar, but regardless of the root cause, this problem can definitely keep you from being fluent.One way to determine what exactly is stopping native speakers from understanding you is to hire  a native-speaking tutor.Italki can help you find a tutor to assess your areas of weakness and help you become more fluent. If youre not sure if a native speaker can understand you, a tutor will be able to tell you. If you know native speakers dont understand you but dont know why, a tutor can also help pinpoint whats causing this i ssue and work with you to correct it.How comfortable am I with my target language?Yes, comfort counts when it comes to fluency! If you can speak your target language as comfortably as your native language, thats a great sign that you might be fluent. If you still get twitchy when you have to actually use your target language, theres a strong chance youre not quite fluent.One way to improve your skill and comfort level is to find a language exchange partner whos a native speaker. Language exchange partners will help you practice their mother tongue in exchange for help practicing yours.Language exchange services like Tandem are a helpful way to connect with your ideal conversation partner.To get the most out of language exchange, keep a list of things you want to talk about. For instance, if youre struggling with a vocabulary word or grammar structure, you might jot it down so that you can talk to your conversation partner about it. Same thing for topics you struggle with. For exampl e, if youre going on a business trip, you might ask your conversation partner to simulate a business meeting with you to make yourself more comfortable using this specific vocabulary set.Regardless of how you do it, interacting more in your target language can massively increase your confidence, so this is a surefire way to get more comfortable and closer to fluency.Are you fluent? With these six questions, you might be able to finally answer that.And if the answer is no, hopefully you have a good idea now of how to work on moving towards that goal! And One More ThingFluentU can help you with all aspects of your fluencyâ€"all from the comfort of home!With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful exam ples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

Choosing a Private Tutor For Private Calculus

Choosing a Private Tutor For Private CalculusPrivate calculus tutoring can be a wonderful option for anyone who desires to pursue higher education. The tremendous flexibility of private tutoring allows students to complete any degree program, any time they choose, in the comfort of their own home. Private tutors help students learn algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and more.Private tutors usually offer classroom instruction on Saturdays but often can vary the schedule based on the student's convenience. They often work with students to meet individual needs. When making a decision about which private tutor to use, students should carefully consider the following factors:Learning style: Students may like to work independently or collaboratively. Each type of learning style requires different ways of completing a course, whether it is a rigorous lecture class or a fun online chat course. Students should discuss how the tutor will work with them individually. Each type of learn ing style requires different activities to keep students motivated.Important dates: Tutors have to meet or exceed some dates during the semester. A student can easily miss a date if it is not in sync with the tutor's schedule. If one is attending an online forum, a tutor may be a lot more flexible about this because the tutor does not have to worry about being away from home.Scheduling outside the school year: Many schools allow a student to study in the evening, but some only allow an hour in the morning. There are classes during the day and at night, and many students prefer to study later in the evening or early in the morning. Different schedules are better for different types of students. The instructor should determine a schedule that suits the student's schedule. Also, a scheduling conflict may prevent a student from taking a certain class.Class time: Students should schedule a class in a room that allows time for independent work. A student should ask the tutor what the best times are for independent work, because sometimes time constraints may prevent working from home. Most tutors have much more flexibility with their schedules than with academics. Students should contact the instructor for a list of preferred times.Students should carefully weigh their schedules to choose the right tutor. Depending on the student's level of achievement, there may be better options for learning. Once the student has chosen a tutor, the next step is to work on meeting the tutor's schedule.

Help for Students with Poor Math Skills

Help for Students with Poor Math SkillsOne of the finest school districts in the country is New York City, and it has an exceptional public school system, but that's not the case in the greater New York City region. The nation's largest city has, for many years, had a system of affordable school tutoring for students who need help in their education. From elementary school through high school, students in New York City receive academic assistance from experts who specialize in the subject of math.This kind of support and tutoring is carried out at Columbia- MD. The tutoring programs are completely independent, with no one who works at the New York City public schools coaching the students. In fact, any teacher or school official can be employed as a tutor, since there is no connection between a public school and the program.A training session is conducted annually by the tutoring experts at Columbia-MD, where the children are taught to solve their own problems in mathematics. Student s are tested at the end of the first year to see whether they have improved. Some parents want their children to get college credit for their participation in this program, but it is up to the schools to decide whether a student can receive credit for his or her participation in this program.A brief review of the materials is offered at every session at Columbia-MD. Most of the books used in the program have already been used by other students in other classes. There are also many books on different subjects, such as economics, history, geography, languages, and more.A child should never have to spend money on books that are only useful to the public school system. In addition, there are many DVDs and videos that the students can use during the course of the program.This system of offering tutoring to students has been effective for many years, and it is used by many students who may not be able to afford private tutoring. Many of the tutors who work in this program are former publi c school teachers, and many of them are very good at what they do. Columbia-MD is a recognized institution of the American Association of Schools of Education, and they also award accreditation to the tutoring programs.These programs are being used by many students who cannot afford private tutoring. The students who use the programs are very motivated, and they get a lot of help from the tutors. The result is that a student can obtain a good grade without having to get help from a traditional teacher.

SAT Literature Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

SAT Literature Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace Expert Online SAT Literature Tutoring If you are looking to get into a competitive college English program, the SAT Literature program may demonstrate your ability to perform at an advanced level. Because the test covers hundreds of years and both English and American Literature, its important to prepare for every aspect of the SAT Literature exam. At Tutor Pace, we require our online Literature tutors to pass a stringent test to become part of our team. In addition, we perform regular evaluations to ensure each of them stays current with the changing trends of the SAT Literature exam. The result is one of the most extensive and well-trained networks of online SAT Literature tutors available in one place. Literature Mastery to Help You Succeed Theres a lot to cover when preparing for the exam. According to the makers of the SAT, the test covers: American Literature English Literature Worldwide Literature written in English The Renaissance to the 20th Century Prose, poetry, and drama It can be difficult to master all of these concepts, so working with Tutor Pace allows you to be matched with a tutor who excels at each area. If you find a tutor you are comfortable with, you can even designate them as a favorite and work with them whenever they are available. Tutor Pace wants you to score higher than you ever hoped on the test, so our online SAT Literature tutoring program is designed to give you the edge in your college career.

German Lessons in Glasgow

German Lessons in Glasgow Where to Find German Classes in Glasgow ChaptersGerman Classes at the Goethe InstitutTake German Lessons with a TutorLearn German in a Language SchoolGerman Language Study at the University of GlasgowIn spite of the Old Firm, our favourite rivalry, Glasgow is consistently voted the friendliest city in the world by travellers and locals alike.Even so, that football rivalry does not make us so crazy that we could that we would fail to embrace something new... say, language lessons.With the tourist season well underway and folks from all over the world visiting, and the reputation our Dear Green Place enjoys, we could bet that at least some of those travellers would be from Germany.Wouldn’t it be great if you could greet them in their native language?Or how about visiting Nuremberg, our German sister-city, with whom we have commercial, cultural and social ties, on your summer holiday?All of these great reasons aside, you don’t really have to have a specific cause for learning German.You might just want to study the langua ge of Goethe for the sheer pleasure of learning something new, or because you would like to plan a holiday to Munich to experience the authentic Oktoberfest.Whatever your reasons for learning German (are you a student needing a bit of exam preparation before sitting your Highers?), Glasgow surely has German lessons for you.Let’s go find them!Gerd Altmann from PixabayNamed after renowned poet and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, this institute is a cultural exchange and education organisation whose prime objective is to promote the German language worldwide.We are quite fortunate to have an Institut in Glesga; there are only two others in all of the UK!While German instruction is their priority, you shouldn’t think that classroom learning is all there is to Goethe.By far the more captivating aspect of their presence in our city is the cultural events that they put on, everything from musicals to discussion of current events, both in our city and elsewhere in the UK.Did you k now that Goethe will host events at the Edinburgh Festival? Why not see if you could also take German lessons in Edinburgh?Naturally, we could go on and on about all that is on offer at our Goethe Institut but our topic is German language courses in Glasgow and, if you only connect with the fine teachers at that facility for those lessons, you would certainly be well-served.If you are an adult learner, you have your choice of classes and delivery methods: in a formal setting at the Institut or online; a format more in keeping with today’s digital pace.You may also take courses individually â€" just you and your teacher, or in a group with other students who speak German as well as you do.If you wish to certify your language skills through the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Goethe can help you prepare for that ordeal ahead of administering it to you.Indeed, Goethe is the authorised proctor for those German language exams!Whether you are a youth or adult, they can help you earn your official German language certificate; a vital credential if you plan to study abroad or find work in Germany.You may check their web page for course particulars, dates and costs. While you’re there, be sure to check what is on offer through their ‘culture’ and ‘events’ pages.While consulting their page, you may find yourself totally taken with certain cultural elements of Germany or wonder why the Glasgow Institut is hosting German classes in Birmingham...Take German Lessons with a TutorThe Goethe Institut offers private tutoring, but then, so do other language schools â€" we’ll get to them in a moment.Even better: private tutors whose native language is German abound in our city!It is true that, no matter how strong your desire to learn a foreign language, the pressures and demands of modern life often get in the way. After all, you could hardly ignore your family in favour of a language course, could you?Home tutors provide you with the solution you need to meet your goal and start learning German. In fact, tutors fit the bill in many language learning situations:you have a secondary school student studying for Highers or Advanced Highers in Germanyou are a student at Glasgow University majoring in Germanyou are unable to travel of an evening or would be more comfortable learning languages at homeyour entire family â€" partner and teenaged children, wish to learn German as a groupyou prefer to take lessons online, via webcamNo one method of delivery is better than any other and your preferences should be at the top of the list of criteria you have for language instruction.That is why Superprof tutors have adopted a wide range of teaching methods, suitable for any location you wish to learn at be it in your local library or your dining room table.You can also find Superprof tutors who give lessons online.Whether you need help with your university German language course or need intensive German tutelage ahead of your holiday , Superprof stands at the ready with 18 tutors in the Glesga area and a community of thousands online.A bit of German language instruction will help you navigate public transportation when you visit Germany Image by Thomas Ulrich from PixabayLearn German in a Language SchoolIf you are interested in learning German as a second language, Glasgow is the place to be!Several schools offer courses in German, whether your work in an international company demands it or if you just want to pick up conversational German before your holiday in Berlin.One such organisation is Live Language.They prefer to teach in small groups, no more than 14 people, so that everyone has a chance to participate without feeling pressured or rushed.Each course lasts 12 weeks, with two hours of instruction per week in which they tap into all four language skill areas: reading and writing, listening and speaking.Fortunately, you would not have to endure grammar lessons. In fact, there will be no verb conjugation or repetitive pronunciation drills eating up your class time.These courses are taught communicatively, meaning that the focus is on interaction rather than grammatical competence. Let’s hope you’re prepared to enjoy engaging learning sessions!If you are not sure exactly where you are in your language ability â€" maybe you can say Guten Morgen but Gute Nacht escapes you, you could take a placement test so your teacher can know where best to start with you.It wouldn’t do any good putting yourself in an intermediate class if you are an absolute beginner!You might wonder why you need to learn how to read and write in German if all you want to do is speak and understand the language reasonably well.This is the type of question you should address to your course advisor before choosing a class. Luckily, the people at Live Language are very helpful in that regard.Do German learners in Leeds also rely on Live Language?Language Trainers has chosen their name well: all they do is language and they do it very well.That does not mean that they have a few tired old books that they teach out of; every lesson is targeted to students’ interests and goals.For instance, let’s say you have an opportunity for an internship at Siemens headquarters.Although you have been assured that everyone there speaks English, you wish to show cultural competence by picking up a few German phrases.Each one of your lessons would be targeted to the language and culture of Germany, especially business culture, which can be a bit formal.Furthermore, your discussions might touch upon city-specific events and region-specific dialect, depending on whether you will work out of the Berlin or Munich office.Are German language programs in Belfast equally thorough?Language Trainers has offices throughout the UK and in Ireland (and around the world), so that even if you have to travel on business, you may still catch your weekly German lesson (provided the centre you will guest at agrees).Or you coul d simply arrange for online lessons; then, it wouldn’t matter where in the world you are!Find out where you could take German courses in Cardiff, should you have business there.Are the bratwursts you would eat in Germany very different from the ones you grill at home? Image by andrasgs from PixabayGerman Language Study at the University of GlasgowThis implication this header creates is that it would pertain only to students enroled in a degree German language program.The fact is, while this institute of higher learning does indeed have several degree programmes that include German speaking, not every university course is meant for university students; to wit, their short courses.Find out if universities in London offer similar German language training through a short course format.These language classes follow a progressive structure.Although there are no prerequisites for taking a German course, you must have some knowledge of German, either learned independently or through previ ous formal language studies taken elsewhere.Though you will not earn a certificate for your language training in these short courses, you will gain language proficiency... and that was your goal all along, wasn’t it?Gaining fluency in foreign languages is the work of a lifetime, meaning you must study for your entire life if you wish to master German as a foreign language.Sounds a bit daunting but, if you are consumed with a love of study or are enamoured with the German language, it is really not a punishing task.On the other hand, if you are pursuing German studies simply so you can be communicative as you sail down the Rhine on a cruise, those conversational German lessons will really pay off â€" if only so that you can truly appreciate the richness of German culture.No matter your reasons for learning, you now know where you can find lessons in Glasgow.Where can you find German lessons anywhere in the UK?

Should I Go to the University of Texas at Arlington

Should I Go to the University of Texas at Arlington Ayona earned her bachelors degree in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. She specializes in American literature tutoring, writing tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at the University of Texas at Arlington: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Ayona: The University of Texas at Arlington is a very academic campus that provides a variety of transportation options. The UTARI shuttle bus is very convenient for students who need a ride to class or want to tour the campus. In addition, the Mavs Courtesy Escort is very helpful when traveling on campus after hours to ensure the safety of students. One day after leaving the library at 2 a.m., I had to walk back to my car which was parked in a garage on the opposite side of campus. I felt safe because I was able to use the courtesy shuttle. Due to the surrounding neighbors and local school districts, UTA is a very rural campus. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ayona:The professors have scheduled office hours where they are available to assist students. In most cases, they are willing to schedule a meeting outside of their office hours to meet the needs of a student. To set up a meeting with an academic adviser, you are able to go online, which was very convenient. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ayona:Although I lived off-campus, I have heard from friends that dorm life is very beneficial. Living on campus helps to expand social life, because you have more access to events and social gatherings. Many guest speakers and concerts are held on campus as well. UTA has a dining hall that provides a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are also restaurants available, such as Pie Five, Chick-fil-A, Bombay Chopsticks, Panera Bread, and many more. There are three Starbucks located on campus, which is where I spent a lot of time and money. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Ayona:Engineering and nursing are the top two majors at UTA. I received my bachelors degree in English. I chose this degree because of my strong passion for education reform. I want to teach English language arts and reading, improve education in low income schools, and progress toward becoming a college professor. The university was very supportive in helping me reach my goals. 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? Ayona:Although I was not involved in Greek life, it does play a major role in social life. I was able to meet new friends in most of my classes, because many of my classes involved group projects. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Ayona:The Career Center is very helpful for students who are looking to begin work in the corporate world. They connect you with many employers, help you develop skills to succeed as a professional, and host many job fairs on campus. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Ayona:There are many areas for students to study, including the library, the UC (University Center), or in each academic building. The library has six floors and offers a variety of seating and computers designated for study. The UC not only has dining, but provides an abundant amount of space to study. Since the UC is also used for dining, it does get crowded around lunchtime. Any other time, seating is easily available. There are also many study areas outside to enjoy on a nice sunny day. Describe the surrounding town. Ayona:UTA is within a few minutes of theme parks such as Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor. Many sporting events also take place locally. Although we are located in Arlington, the campus is only about a half hour from downtown Dallas, where you can enjoy museums and performing arts centers. If you want to enjoy a night out with friends, there are many exquisite restaurants to choose from. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ayona:UTA has over 30,000 students from many different backgrounds. I was always pleased with the class sizes because they were never over-crowded. They usually consisted of 20-35 students. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ayona:I really enjoyed Dr. Rambsys English courses, because we were able to combine literature with pop culture. I took a literature course dedicated to the rapper Jay-Z where we analyzed his lyrics, had class discussions about meaning of texts, and presented our findings using graphs and other online tools. Our findings included data such as the number of metaphors or slant rhymes that were used in his lyrics. We also compared Jay-Zs lyrics to the Autobiography of Frederick Douglass. Typically, literature courses engage students in close reading of poets from Emily Dickinson to John Donne. However, if you really think about it, rap is also poetry, which makes it relevant in the academic world. Check out Ayonas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

4 Important Facts to Know About Your GPA

4 Important Facts to Know About Your GPA At the end of your report card every year, listed under your current grades, is your cumulative GPA. You might know what is typically seen as a great GPAfor example, something at or near a 4.0 and what numbers represent weaker GPAs. But you may not know how your GPA is calculated, how it will influence your college admissions process, and how you can use it to decide what kinds of colleges might fit you best. Your cumulative GPA is a powerful marker of where you are academically and what kind of academic performance you might be capable of later on. When looking at your GPA from this past school year, keep these four important facts in mind: 1. Your cumulative GPA may be weightedand different schools have different methods of weighting GPAs If you take some honors or AP classes, your grades from these classes might result in your cumulative GPA being calculated with higher numbers. For example, some schools grade AP classes on a 5.0 scale and honors classes on a 4.5 scale, thus making it possible for your cumulative GPA to be over a 4.0. If your school weights these more advanced classes by adjusting the grading scale, then your cumulative GPA may be a weighted GPA, intended to reflect the increased rigor of your courseload. Furthermore, the way one school weights its more challenging classes may not be the way other schools weight theirs, and some schools may not weight their classes at all. Before you get excited about your GPA, figure out if your school weights classes and if the cumulative GPA on your report card is weighted or unweighted. [RELATED: How LSAC Calculates Your GPA] 2. Colleges may place more emphasis on your unweighted GPA Colleges receive a copy of your official high school transcript that may include both your unweighted and weighted GPAs. Because high schools calculate their weighted GPAs in a myriad of ways, many colleges look to standardize the grading scales of their applicants by putting everyone back on the old 4.0 scalemeaning that colleges may look at your unweighted GPA as well. Colleges can then assess the rigor of your courseload by looking at which classes are listed on your transcript. Thus, if you have an unweighted GPA of 3.7 and took four AP classes, you might be more enticing than a candidate with an unweighted 4.0 who took no challenging courses. 3. You can use your GPA to determine how competitive of a college applicant you might be Most colleges share the average GPAs of students in their recent entering classes, and you can use this data to help determine if you are a competitive applicant for certain schools. Applying to a few reach schools is standard for most students, but it should be noted that your reach schools should be just thatwithin reach. Use your GPA as a guideline during your application process. However, keep in mind the college admissions process is typically holistic, meaning the application reviewers review all aspects of your academic history and what you have to offer, so try not to completely write off a potential school due to a target GPA mismatch. Your GPA can act as just one of many guiding factors as you research colleges to find which are the best statistical fits. [RELATED: Is MCAT or GPA More Important for Med School?] 4. Colleges may use your GPA as an indication of how well you will perform academically at the collegiate level Colleges know that a past record of strong academic performance typically begets future strong performances. Colleges look at GPAs not only as evidence of your high school accomplishments, but as likely predictors of future promise. Your GPA may represent what you will bring to a school academically and how well you might do once you graduate from college. Make sure youre putting your best foot forward by working consistently hard and challenging yourself throughout your high school career so that your GPA reflects a promising candidate who is ready to take on a collegiate courseload. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.