Sunday, March 29, 2020

A Quick Look At the Program In Chemistry

A Quick Look At the Program In ChemistryIf you want to advance your career in a fun and exciting environment, you should consider pursuing a PhD in Penn State Chemistry. The degree program is one of the most prestigious chemistry programs in the country and offers students a broad array of programs and curriculum.As a student, the goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. The degree provides a great deal of flexibility for students, because it includes both the field and laboratory aspects of the major. Once you earn a Bachelor's degree, you can start to explore graduate studies and other graduate programs in this area of study.Students are first introduced to the study of materials through the course in Materials Science and Engineering. This program includes an introduction to the topic of thermodynamics, a description of several different types of experiments, and the creation of a working model of the world's materials. The course covers all facets of the natural scienc es and provides an overview of how these fields combine to form a comprehensive science.The field of Chemistry is quite expansive, so students who choose to pursue a Doctorate of Science will be well equipped to gain a better scientific understanding of the subject. The program includes a concentration in a specific aspect of the subject, such as the chemical structure of living cells. The program also features a wide variety of electives that can help students learn about many different aspects of the field.One of the major facets of the program is the examination of the chemical properties of various biological and non-living materials. Students complete laboratory work in the form of projects in various subjects. While the majority of these projects are not successful, they help students better understand the nature of various materials, which helps them in their career in the future.After earning your PhD in Chemistry, you can then choose to pursue a PhD in another natural scien ce area. The student can then continue on to finish their Bachelor's degree in the area of the science they choose. The program is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and many of the programs allow students to graduate with a Master's in the same area of study.The Biology PhD is a great option for students who are interested in research. While the program does not specifically focus on the study of living organisms, the work performed during the course allows students to delve deeper into the subject matter. After earning your doctorate, students can immediately begin their careers in the research community, helping to build upon existing knowledge about biological materials.As you can see, the program in Chemistry is a broad and flexible one. There are many options for a PhD in Chemistry, and the right program will provide you with a chance to earn a truly prestigious degree. You should contact an admissions counselor at Pen n State and inquire about the program in order to get the right credentials for your future career goals.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Cheating in exams with technology - Tutor Hunt Blog

Cheating in exams with technology Invisible ink and other inventive ways to cheat in exams Invisible ink and other inventive ways to cheat in examsSchoolsStudents have always sought new ways to cheat in exams. Ever since we have been testing them, making them sit quietly in lines of little desks, too far apart from them to see the work of their neighbor, they have been developing ever more cunning ways to score some extra points. The testing room may be a place of high surveillance, with teachers pacing up and down the rows of the studious scribblers; there may even be cameras scrutinizing every movement the pupils make - as long as exams retain their importance, many students will be willing to take a risk to get a better mark. With their very future at stake - the difference of a percentage point potentially determining their admission to a university, who can really blame them?When I was at school the most sophisticated way of evading detection was by constructing something called `cheat notes.` These were simply a tiny scraps of paper, sometimes no larger than a stamp, onto which would be written information which our brains somehow could not retain. This might be certain dates for a history exam, or mathematical formulae for a physics test. The contraband data had to be concise of course, nothing more than a few lines could be imprinted onto these tiny scraps, which would be surreptitiously unfolded out on the battlefield of the exam hall. After opening these origami-like objects, the pupil might be dismayed to find they couldn`t read their own tiny script; or would discover that the ink had blotted, rendering the aids useless. If they believed their cover had been blown, and that a teacher was about to intercept them, the cheat notes would be swiftly devoured, with the information they couldn`t keep in their mind now assimilated through their digestive system.These days there are far more ingenious was to cheat in exams - the most obvious tool for this malfeasance being the mobile phone. The internet exceeds in scope the library of Alexandria, and with just about every school child possessing a smart phone, the answer to that problematic exam question may just be a few finger taps away. It is of course forbidden to take phones into exam halls; but it is all too easy for a student to pass off an old phone to their teacher, while retaining their current handset, which they can secretly use during the exam. I have heard that some schools and universities actually frisk the students before each exam, checking them for any secret communication devices they may have on their person. With phones getting ever smaller and more concealable one wonders how far this `probing` might go - will we soon see students having to pass though airport like security checks before being tested? There are affordable watches that can now access the internet - and soon the world will be graced by the long awaited Google Glass, which will allow a simulated cinematic screen to be observed through a pair of glasses. These will enable anyone to view th e internet with clandestine ease, and also record anything they so much as look at. Perhaps all pupils will need to have their spectacles inspected prior to entering the exam room, to ensure they will not be able to transmit an image of their test to a group of friends, who would be able to dictate the perfect answer through the tiny speakers in the arms of the glasses.A slightly more prosaic method of cheating in an exam was `brought to light` recently, when a university law student was caught, having covered 24 pages with invisible ink, which they were able to read using a UV light source, which they had smuggled into the room. The protocol for law exams permits students to consult certain text books, and the student had filled 24 pages of one book with `unauthorized notes` according to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. Though there is almost something charming - James Bond crossed with Harry Potter - about this case, it represents a rise in `cheat tech,` with the OIA rev ealing that hundreds of students have been caught with covert devices they hoped would aid them during exams.Lord Story, Liberal Democrats education spokesman for the House of Lords, has said that students are under immense pressure to do well in exams, and that the temptation to get higher grades by cheating can sometimes be too hard to resist.`The number of students is increasing all the time, particularly overseas students. Sometimes rich parents are paying the fees and the young person is desperate to do well in exams and make sure money wasn`t wasted`.Cheating is a pernicious problem: If students are consistently able to evade detection during exams, and obtain grades that do not accurately reflect their academic abilities, then the very credibility of that academic institution will be devalued. Colleges will soon discern that high grades from a certain school carry little currency; while the very reputation of a university could be tarnished if it awards degrees to those who d o not deserve them. 2 years ago0Add a Comment

How to Memorize Words in a Foreign Language 5 Rock Solid Techniques

How to Memorize Words in a Foreign Language 5 Rock Solid Techniques How to Memorize Words in a Foreign Language: 5 Rock Solid Techniques Want to memorize a ton of vocabulary?Youll need to channel your inner elephant.(You dont need to walk on all fours or find the nearest watering hole.)You just need some techniques to build up your memory so its as strong as an elephants.And its easier than you might think.Your  memory  is kind of like a muscle. You need to exercise it regularly so it stays strong. The more you flex it, the more powerful itll become. With the right strategies, plus consistent hard work, youll be able to memorize foreign language vocabulary efficiently and long-term.But before I point you to some of those effective strategies, let’s take a closer look at how memory works from a language learning perspective. How Your Brain Stores New WordsMemories are the result of our brains encoding information  so we can access it later. Psychologists have suggested that this process takes place in three stages: encoding, storage and retrieval. For language learners, understanding these three stages can help you maximize your own vocabulary memorization.Stage one, encoding, can occur through pictures, sound or meaning. In other words, you can remember a new vocabulary word through seeing it, hearing it or learning its definition. Both longterm and short term memory use all three of these routes to encode information.The second stage, storage, involves holding information for a short or extended period of time. Most adults keep only a few items in their short term memory at once, while longterm memory has a much larger, perhaps unlimited, capacity. For learning a new language, we obviously want to hold vocabulary in our longterm memory.The third stage, retrieval, is also crucialâ€"youll never remember a foreign word if you cant pull it out of memory storage. The key here is that longterm memory works by association, meaning the organization and context of information is key to retrieving it. This principle underlies several of the vocabulary memorization tips well cover below.So now that we know how memory works, let’s talk about some ways to improve your memorization.How to Memorize Words in a Foreign Language: 5 Rock Solid Techniques1. Set a Schedule for Daily PracticeEver wonder how musicians memorize their music? They play it over and over again, sometimes  breaking it up until they can play a piece seamlessly. It’s a process, but it pays off on stage.  Language is like that tooâ€"it needs to be used repetitively.To make this as easy as possible, set a schedule so that vocabulary practice becomes a natural part of your day-to-day routine. If youre a morning person, plan half an hour before you get dressed every day. If youve got a long work schedule, try to take time during your lunch break.It can also be helpful to build rewards into your schedule so you have incentives to stick with it. For example, you can treat yourself to a guilty pleasure snack after a full week of daily practice.2. Group New Words by ThemeCreate lists of similar words grouped by theme o r category. For example, you might make lists of color words, types of food, verbs for physical actions, etc. in your target language.Organizing words  into categories breaks down the much longer list of vocabulary into easier to memorize chunks. As noted above, creating these types of associations is key to cementing new words in your longterm memory.  I personally like to write themed word lists vertically on a sheet of paper, with the English translations on  the opposite side.Aside from creating connections in your memory, this technique can also boost your motivation to memorize new words. By giving yourself small, manageable lists to work with, you wont get overwhelmed or burned out so easily.3. Use Old School and New School FlashcardsWhile they may seem old school, flashcards are a great way to drill new target language words into  your brain. Theyre simple, customizable and easy to use. All you need are some pieces  of paper or index cards and a pen. I personally like to use two different colors of inkâ€"one for the English and  one for the foreign language.This exercise works even better if you say the word aloud as your run your cards, to help with memorization and  pronunciation in one go.Are you more of a tech-savvy language learner? There are plenty of cool digital flashcard options, too:Quizlet  allows you to create and use your own flashcards online or search for existing flashcard sets. That means its a perfect tool both for drilling a specific word set or testing yourself on overall vocabulary knowledge.To find relevant flashcards, just type your target language in the search bar on top of the homepage. Best of all, you can take your cards anywhere since Quizlet also has mobile apps.The app and website  StudyBlue  functions in a similar way, with more than 400 million flashcards and study tools already uploaded. Theses range from high school to college to the professional level. And if you cant find exactly what youre looking for, you can crea te your own cards, for free!4. Learn in Authentic Contexts with FluentUWhich do you think is easier: memorizing a series of random words and translations, or memorizing words used in real-life, entertaining videos?Probably the latter, right? It just makes sense that when were engaged with words and hearing them in authentic contexts, theyll stick in our brains better. And thats what FluentU is all about.FluentU is an innovative tool where you can watch real target language videos, like movie trailers, funny YouTube clips and inspiring talks, which have been transformed into a language learning experience. Each video comes with interactive captions you can click to get a definition, pronunciation and visual learning aid for any word you dont recognize.After you watch a video, youll get tailor-made flashcards and exercises to make sure you retain the new words youve just encountered.FluentU videos are created for all learning levels from beginner to advanced. Plus, FluentU remembers w hat youve watched and suggests more videos based on that info, creating a truly personalized experience.And like any great language tool, you can take it anywhere! With the FluentU mobile app for iOS or Android devices  you can watch new videos and practice vocabulary while youre on your lunch break, at line at the bank, etc.All while absorbing your target language the way native speakers really use it!5. Use Your Words!Challenge yourself to use the words youre memorizing as often as possible in real-life situations. By using them in context, youll not only remember them better, theyll also feel more relevant to you in your journey to fluency.After using flashcards, I like to challenge myself. Ill try writing a paragraph or letter with my new vocabulary (and without using my lists or a dictionary). Ill also record myself using my phone, just talking on a random topic, and try to incorporate a handful of new words.Better yet, to make sure youre actually using new words the right way, try to work them into conversation with a language exchange partner or in a post on a language discussion forum.Testing yourself like this is a way to put all the practice time to work, and when it goes right, itll boost your confidence to use your target language with a native speaker.Memorization in a foreign language is the steep part of the language learning mountain. Once  you find some strategies that work for you, the process becomes smoother. Set time aside, even a  coffee break, to work through your lists or flashcards, either paper or online.Using a new language to communicate with others is a challenge worth the effort. Once we have a handle on the grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary, we need a boost of confidence to use our new skill. Practicing and building up a strong memory can do that for you.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Standard Temperature in Chemistry

Standard Temperature in ChemistryA standard temperature in chemistry is a standard that is set for every material. It is used to measure the temperature of a substance.A heat is the chemical energy that gives a substance with the ability to work. Heat is either present in the molecules or it is absent. The heat that a substance receives determines how well it can be manipulated. Heat will always give some difference to the behavior of molecules, and this is why the temperature in chemistry is used. By using this standard, you will be able to control the amount of heat that is present in your cells and the material you are working with.In this chemistry set, the standard temperature is measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit. The temperatures are in units that you may already know. The Celsius units measure the heat in degree Celsius, while the Fahrenheit unit measures the heat in degree Fahrenheit.This chemistry set will include many measurements for the heat that is present in the substan ce. You will see that the temperatures are in degrees Celsius and in degrees Fahrenheit. The unit of measurement for the heat that is contained in the mixture is the mole.Chemists will always use a specific kind of chemical bond, called the ether bond. They will also use the specific bonding and the isotope bonding to describe the properties of the material. The most common element that chemists will use is carbon, although this chemistry set will also contain nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, oxygen, and other elements.To begin this chemistry set, you will need to know about the common units that are used in this chemistry set. The mole will be the unit of measurement used, and the mole is also known as the atomic mass. These units will give you a general idea of the chemical properties of the mixture.You can find many materials and substances that have a standard temperature in chemistry. These materials are usually petroleum based liquids. Petroleum based liquids can have man y different reactions with chemicals, and you will need to understand how different reactions occur before you make your compound. When you begin the lab work, you will need to prepare the standard temperature in chemistry.

Why Social Networking Websites Is More Important Than Search Engines

Why Social Networking Websites Is More Important Than Search EnginesSo, the season's still young, and I can tell you that at this point in time my opinion on the two hottest shows currently are Family Guy and 21 Jump Street. Let me explain why these two programs are so hot right now.The reason why 21 Jump Street is so hot right now is because of the chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Yes, that's right. This show had a chemistry problem from the start, but recently that has been rectified.Jonah Hill is an actor who was born with both an acting talent and a singing talent. He has taken the talents he already had and transformed them into something amazing.What I love about him is that he is constantly improving his acting talent, while also learning how to sing and changing his style to match. It's actually surprising how quickly he has gotten to this point.Channing Tatum on the other hand is an actor who never has been pigeonholed into being a super hero. He has a great physique, but he's so versatile that he can easily play anything, even a super hero.He's also been lucky enough to be around some really talented people, who will make any role look easier than it really is. Channing even has a whole acting history built up that I'll be talking about in the future.Now that I have you intrigued, let's talk about the chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. They have made a great chemistry in this show, which is a major factor why this show is so hot right now. Just know that I hope it stays that way for a while.21 Jump Street Chemistry - Part 1<|startoftext|> PARACOUNT 4 SENTCOUNT social networking websites ENDPARAMSocial networking websites, or sites like Facebook and Twitter for short, are becoming very popular, even though they were not even a year old when Google first launched their search engine. In fact, many people don't even realize that they have their own website, but all websites are the same in the end: they are all just d istributed networks of data and ideas that connect people.These websites are very different from social network sites where the most popular social media are used to communicate with people, however. For example, using social networking sites to sell products is completely pointless because people will just use Facebook or Twitter to send people to your website instead.Social networking is no different than using search engines to find information. When you go to Google, it's all about finding what you're looking for and finding the best place to get it. People go to Google more for things like online shopping and recipes and their favorite web-based news channels than they do for dating sites and travel sites.With social networking, there is no such thing as a 'best'most popular' place to find information, and everyone finds their place. You might want to try it out and see how well it works for you, but for most people it's not even worth the time or the effort.

Rebuild Your Math Skills with Summer Math Worksheets

Rebuild Your Math Skills with Summer Math Worksheets Summer is a time when schools are shut for vacation and kids are upbeat with shouts of joy and spirits of happiness. This is seen across the globe   as it is a very common phenomenon. For the time being no kid is ready to sit with his studies or any other learning schedule. Parents are disturbed a bit on seeing the long brain drain of their kids during summer vacation and try to work up the same one way or the other. Many online part-time jobs are available for teens and camping their activities as well. Many indulge in internship programs and what about kids who have not grown to the teen level? Summer programs to lessen parents’ anxiety In primary and middle school many summer programs have been designed and are available online to engage kids. While some of them are for sheer fun or for developing some creative art like painting, drawing or music, most of them are found to be academic-oriented. There are benefits that incur on the kids and are readily accessed by parents. Check Out:  100 Lesson Plans And Ideas For Teaching Math Mathematics have a special role in educational subjects that cause parents anxiety all the time. The main concern is due to math phobia and the tendency of children to forget math skills acquired during their last academic year. This comes from practice and any lapse in behavior will certainly give rise to serious effects. Summer Math worksheets for student benefit Many tutoring websites or academic sites are providing Summer math worksheets. You can use them for helping your kid retain his Math skills without a lapse in his learning process. There are various summer Math worksheets available for your kid to print, use and benefit. You will easily find the Summer Math Worksheet for K-12 from the first grade. Your child learns and most of them conform to any curriculum for that matter. Most of the students forgot the basic skills of addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. Any student can use a worksheet to strengthen their math skills. Online tutoring sites have their role to play Online tutoring websites take advantage of the situation and introduce summer coaching classes where foundation courses for Math, English and other subjects are available. Tutor Pace is an online tutoring website that stands in the front in introducing courses that cater to the needs of every student possible. You feel confident and reassured after taking our Math worksheets and can also gain personal assistance from our tutors for clearance of doubts you have in subject areas. With online tutoring, you will keep them in your possession while providing them with continuing education, and an additional structured daily schedule. Dont worry about operating around association football and dance lessons with on-line education. Its extra convenient associate degree is cheaper than hiring an actual tutor for home visits. You will keep them safe and also from troubles. Summer is not a time to waste and summer courses should also be taken seriously for the benefits they provide. Maintaining accumulated skills in subjects such as mathematics gives a good start to the upcoming schooling sessions. It also boosts your morale to face upcoming math classes with positive attitude. Make sure you take advantage of such math worksheets and revise your skills. Build your future with success in the coming academic sessions. Save

You Do Grieve When You Lose a Job - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / You Do Grieve When You Lose a Job - Introvert Whisperer You Do Grieve When You Lose a Job I’ll put it to you straight.   Getting laid off or fired hurts.   A lot.   It hurts even if you didn’t like the job or the boss. The reason it hurts is because you made an emotional investment in your job.   Its a big part of how you spend your life and even with bad jobs, we bring a piece of us to it every day.   It has many of the same characteristics of a relationship.   That’s why it’s hard to leave a job, just like a relationship. But when leaving your job isn’t your choice, you are facing loss and rejection.   Those are two of life’s biggest fears.   Only now it’s not a fear any longer; its reality and a painful reality you have to figure out how to get through. There are several things you have to realize about the impact getting laid off has on you. This is a very real loss. It’s right up there with the death of a loved one.   Many people think maybe you “shouldn’t” feel bad but that is totally wrong thinking.   No one but you can judge the depth of hurt and loss but you.     We experience many losses in life with the biggest being death but there is loss of financial security, loss of your home, health, safety and beloved pets.   I read a study one time and the loss of a job was about 3rd from the top with death of a loved one being the first and loss of freedom through incarceration being second.   Since most people never experience being thrown in jail, it makes losing a job right up there as one of the worst forms of loss. You may grieve. With loss comes grief and it sticks to you like a rogue piece of bubble gum.   You just can’t seem to shake it and shows up at very strange times.   Just know you’re normal. Don’t let anyone smother you with platitudes of “It’s only a job” or “You’ll get over it when you get another job” or “Time heals all wounds”. That’s horse manure.   Those sayings will only cause you to hide rather than process your hurt.   I have found the older version of “stages of grief” to be wrong and unhelpful.   To help you process any loss, I suggest looking into books and work done by Russell Friedman and griefrecoverymethod.com They acknowledge loss, all kinds of loss and take you through a process to help through their books and methods. In addition to what I suggested, if you can, spend a bit of time taking care of yourself. Many people jump into a frenzy of job searching work and I can understand the reaction (especially if you have financial concerns) but if you can- do nice things for you.   Don’t overindulge in abusiveness (drugs or alcohol) but take long walks, hit a hot tub or get a massage. Don’t tough this out alone. Many people do but it’s not a healthy way to move through the process. I had a woman write me about the impact of losing her job.   She told me about how she reacted after getting a letter of “position elimination”.   She didn’t see it coming and was devastated.   She outlined how from that point forward she has never allowed herself to put personal items in her office. She never made her office a home. It was like she symbolically has kept herself ready to leave her job.   Often our outside mirrors our inside and I think her story recaps some of what you should consider.   We do have to be ready to change jobs for whatever life throws our way. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

2017 New Years Resolutions for Students

2017 New Year’s Resolutions for Students The New Year is the perfect time for a fresh startand, you guessed it, that means it's time for New Year's resolutions! There are plenty of ways students can take advantage of New Year's resolutions, regardless of age or schooling level, to make them more successful this school year. If you are unsure about the types of resolutionsyou should set for yourself, see below for a few ideas of where to start. New Years resolutions are incredibly personal, so simply use this as a guide to create resolutions that make sense for you. New Years Resolution #1: Join new activities Staying active, meeting new people, and discovering new things about yourself are just a few of the perks of joining extracurricular activities. Remember, however, that what speaks to one person may not necessarily be what speaks to you, so choose activities based on your own interests and goals, not just what your best friend is doing. The best way to stick with this resolution is to identify the hobbies and skills you enjoy, and then find activities that foster them. Here are a few examples: Enjoy soccer? Consider joining an intramural league. Love playing music? Join your schools band or orchestra. Interested in cooking? Theres likely a culinary arts group or elective cooking class you could check out. Challenge yourself to join at least one new activity and really commit to ityou might be surprised at how much it can change your life! New Years Resolution #2: Get organized Being organized is an essential part of success in school (and life, in general). If you have not been the best with this in past years, 2017 is a great time to set some new standards for yourself. Think about what organization means to you and specifically which habits would help you become a more organized student. Do you want to keep better track of your commitments? Is physically organizing your spaces like your dorm room or desk very important? Or perhaps you would just like to start working toward a future goal and it requires some much needed planning to get there. Consider what is important to organize and work from there. It'll feel great to get everything in order so you can be successful in the coming year. New Years Resolution #3: Eat healthier This may not be the most fun resolution on your list, but eating healthy is a goal that will simply make you feel better overall. Getting the proper amounts of nutrition can improve your brain functionality, helping you to focus better on studying, achieve better grades on tests, and so on. The adjustment of eating healthier can encompass quite a number of changes, so focus on one aspect at a time. Even just swapping out your after-school snack with some fruits or veggies is an easy way to implement healthy eating into your daily routine. New Years Resolution #4: Improve your grades The key with improving grades is to be realistic and set goals over a logical timeframe. It could be nearly impossible to jump from a 2.5 to a 3.9 GPA in just one semester, for instance. However, setting reachable benchmarks throughout the year to work toward better grades can be highly beneficial. Maybe your GPA isnt a concern to you right now, but you simply wish to improve your grade in a specific class. Perhaps you have struggled in your Spanish class the last few semestersyou could set a resolution for 2017 to improve your grade in that class by one letter. Putting in extra time during homework sessions, planning your study sessions ahead of time, and improving your note-taking skills are all strategies that could help you achieve better grades. Moreover, dont forget about SAT and ACT scores! If you plan to take one of those exams this year, why not take actionable steps, like downloading free test prep books or mobile apps, to reach a target score? Area for Improvement Goal Example GPA Move from a 3.2 to a 3.5 ACT score Increase from a 24 to a 27 Class grade Raise from a B- to an A- Remember that New Years resolutions should be feasible, but also ones that push you to be the best version of yourself. Think hard about what you want to achieve in your future, and set resolutions now to help you be successful. Happy New Year! 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 at blog@varsitytutors.com.

What is it Like to Attend Boston University

What is it Like to Attend Boston University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Catherine is a New York City tutor specializing in all levels of Latin tutoring. She holds a Bachelors degree in Ancient Greek and Latin from Boston University. Check out her review of her undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Catherine: Boston University doesnt have a traditional campus feel, although there is a central campus and a sort of quad we call the Beach. Boston is a wonderful starter city for students who have always wanted to live in an urban setting but dont want to be overwhelmed. The campus isnt that large, but there is the subway or The T. A car would be a hassle to park. A bike would be helpful (but watch out for the drivers!) if you lived in West Campus or off campus in Allston. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Catherine: My professors and teaching assistants were always available during their office hours and by appointment. I loved my academic advisor, Prof. Stephanie Nelson. Although she was very busy, she always made time for me. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Catherine: I had a unique experience as I always lived in a brownstone in specialty housing. I highly recommend applying for specialty housing. My friends who lived in the dorms had the standard college experience. They made friends on their floors and in the student lounges. My friends who lived in West Campus complained that they lived far from the main campus, but there is more of a traditional dorm setting up there. Its a trade-off. At the time I attended, there were many dining options that combined dining hall and points to use after the dorms closed at night or at the student union (GSU). The food has a good reputation at BU. 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? Catherine: The most popular majors are Business, Management, Marketing, Social Sciences, Communication, Journalism, and Engineering, but the school offers a tremendous amount of other majors as well. I started out as a premed student. I was taking the required science courses. At the same time, I also loved the Classics, so I decided to major in Ancient Greek and Latin. I cant praise the Classics Department enough! They were so supportive, and as a Classics major, you feel as though you are attending a much smaller school. Im still in touch with some of my professors, and I graduated almost 10 years ago! 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? Catherine: It was quite easy to meet friends. I started making friends at Freshman Orientation. Because I lived in specialty housing which is smaller, I had to make a bit of extra effort to meet people than the students who lived in a big dorm. I knew a few people who belonged to a fraternity, but Greek life isnt too big at BU. All the sororities and fraternities are off campus. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Catherine: I visited the Career Center to get advice and for career testing, and they were very helpful. Because there is such a vast alumni network, many great companies recruit students and alumni. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Catherine: BU is constantly building new spaces for students. The only time I found the library and student union to be too crowed was during finals. I am curious to see what theyve done since I graduated. 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? Catherine: Boston is a great, small city. People from some cities find it somewhat limiting because all the bars close at 2 a.m. and the T stops running at 12:30 a.m., but I really didnt mind since I was from the middle of nowhere. Boston is a cultural center, so there are a ton of museums, restaurants, shopping areas, concert venues, etc. They have all that you could ask for in a city. Students constantly go downtown Its so close. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Catherine: With over 18, 000 students, it is a large school. I was generally pleased with my class sizes, especially for my Classics courses and in my recitations. Lectures can be a few hundred people, but there is a good TA to student ratio. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Catherine: There were so many memorable moments at BU, but I really loved how the professors in the Classics Department did individual speeches for the graduates at graduation. That touched my heart! Check out Catherines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.