How a Volunteer Can Help Boost Your Career Potential in Ferris State Tutoring Department

How a Volunteer Can Help Boost Your Career Potential in Ferris State Tutoring DepartmentA good way to boost your career potential in Ferris State Tutoring Department is to participate in one of their tutoring programs. Though you would not be admitted into a regular tutoring program, you can enroll yourself as a volunteer in this program that can take your career to a higher level.The tutoring program at Ferris is a great opportunity for someone who wants to be part of this growing industry. Being a volunteer will give you the chance to contribute to the tutoring program and it will also give you the opportunity to make your own kind of difference in this field. Volunteering is an excellent way to gain more experience and even acquire new skills which you can use later in your work. If you want to enhance your knowledge in the field of tutoring, then being a volunteer could be the perfect choice for you.If you are interested in tutoring and want to get experience as a volunteer, you can choose from a variety of different positions. You can become a member of the tutoring department itself, work in a private tutor or you can even teach at a university or college on campus. These various positions are open to all, and the best part is that they are available for both students and teachers.Tutoring at a public school will cost a student money, and a teacher will also spend a lot of time on tutoring. If you can arrange to tutor at a private school on campus, then that would be much better for both the teacher and the student. It would also be more convenient for the teacher because it would not have to be broken into sessions. This will also ensure that the class time for the student will not be taken up by this tutoring session.Tutoring at a public school could also require you to provide services to the students. If you are interested in helping out at a private school, then you will be required to prepare the curriculum for the students. You could also help out by providing personal tutoring to students who need it. This is probably the most rewarding position to choose, as you will have the chance to meet new and interesting people, as well as help students of all ages.The other positions are more specialized and involve only the tutors at Ferris. Teachers and students alike can become an important part of the tutoring program, and this will allow the tutors to advance their skills. They could also learn a great deal from tutors who have had experience in the tutoring industry. This will help them in the future, and a good mentor could lead them to an advanced career in this field.Volunteering at Ferris will certainly have great rewards for you, as well as many great opportunities. If you want to enhance your career potential, then this could be the ideal way for you to do so.

Eagle County Schools

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

Teacher Placement Coordinator QA Meet Mia!

Teacher Placement Coordinator QA Meet Mia! Meet Mia! She is one of our incredible Placement Coordinators here at Teach Away. Mia brings to Teach Away her own experience from abroad, having taught English in Spain’s Andalucía region. A year in Spain teaching ESL to 18-20 year-old native Spanish speakers proved to be a challenge, but even more so it was a year that proved to be fun, rewarding, and a great gateway to future career options for Mia.  We had the chance to chat about culture, challenges, language, and advice. Have a read (and note that all these photos were taken during Mia’s trip!):  Describe some differences you noticed between Spanish culture and your own.Mia: One of the main differences I noticed is that Spanish culture is incredibly artistic. It is normal for the streets to be filled with romantic guitar music and the bars to be buzzing with passionate flamenco dancing.  Spain is also home to a number of famous artists and architects, including Picasso and Gaudi, and because of this, you can feel the art istic expression wherever you go.  It’s important for visiting teachers to respect the traditions and cultural practices of their new countries. Were there any unique Spanish traditions that you didn’t know about before arriving?Mia: Before arriving, I was not aware of the grandiose festivals that Spain is famous for. Spanish people love to party and have wild celebrations. One festival that I was lucky to experience was Las Fallas. During the event, enormous doll-like figures are constructed and displayed throughout the city. At the end of the festival, the figures are lit on fire to a raging party. This is only one example of the rowdy festivals that the country is known for.  (Las Fallas festival)  Were you able to speak any Spanish beforehand and how did your Spanish skills develop during your time abroad?Mia: Before leaving, I was enrolled in a few Spanish courses. I entered the country with very basic, elementary level Spanish skills. The program that I was involved in all owed me to continue my Spanish education while I was in the country. Learning the language broadened my experience and helped me to build relationships.  How difficult was communicating with your students?Mia: At times I found communicating with my students to be very challenging. I was fortunate enough to be partnered with a translator, who I was especially grateful for during these times.  Were these language challenges some of the most difficult experiences of living and working in a new country?Mia: Absolutely. The biggest challenge that I faced was the communication barrier. Although I knew elementary level Spanish, it was difficult maintaining fluent conversation with locals in their own language. It’s important to keep in mind that anyone coming to a new country may experience difficulties in communication. Do not get discouraged because your skills will only improve with practice!  Tell me about the most rewarding aspects of your time in Spain.Mia: One of the best parts of my time abroad was getting to meet new people and build relationships. I did my best to take advantage of social situations and tried to say yes to everything.  As a result, I felt as if I was able to build positive friendships based on mutual interests and understandings. I also found that I learned a lot from my colleagues, students, and roommates about language and culture.During my time abroad I also traveled extensively throughout Europe.  The experiences I had and the friends that I made along the way were some extremely rewarding aspects as well.      What should teachers going abroad for the first time do to best prepare for living somewhere new?Mia: Research, research, research! It is your job to know where you are going, both geographically and culturally. Knowing specific details about the region of the world that you are about to enter will help you in the long run. Although it may be difficult, try to go into the situation without expectations and with an open mind. Letting go of preconceived notions will ultimately allow you to have the best experience possible.  As a Placement Coordinator at Teach Away, what traits have you noticed to be especially helpful to successful teach abroad candidatesMia: At Teach Away, we are always looking for individuals who are passionate about teaching, eager to learn, and ready to be challenged. It is our hope that our candidates are flexible and open to new experiences, both in and out of the classroom.    What three pieces of advice would you offer a licensed teacher who has never taught or travelled abroad, but would like to?Mia: First and foremost, it’s very important that you do your research. Take the time to research all available opportunities and the countries that you are interested in. It may also be beneficial to speak with someone who has already taught or traveled abroad; this may allow you to gain a firsthand perspective or helpful advice. I would also recommend that you remain flexible and o pen-minded about your geographic location. Try not to limit yourself and be open to more than one location and opportunity. Lastly, candidates need to be open to both professional and personal growth. Do not be afraid to acquire new skills, expand your teaching repertoire and push yourself out of your comfort zone.  For more from experienced overseas teachers, join us tomorrow at 1pm for Passport to Teach’s final day: Teacher Experiences Fireside Chat. We’ll hear from teachers as they share their experiences abroad and you’ll have the opportunity to ask your questions live! Teachers who have taught in China, Egypt, England, and Korea will be joining us.

Why You Should Take Notes By Hand

Why You Should Take Notes By Hand Attending classes, college lectures or conferences leave your laptop in its bag, or don`t bring it at all. Because if learning is your goal, using a laptop during class is a terrible idea. Try to use traditional tools: paper and a pen and you will find something surprising. Scientific research says youll get much more out of classes when you are taking notes by hand instead of using laptop. Whats more, students perform worse on exams when they use laptops in class. So, whats the reason? Researchers have found that laptop use during class-time might be distracting. In other words, a laptop is whole world of distraction: its so easy to click over to Facebook or buy things on Amazon during the lecture. And even when students arent distracted with their laptops, the act of taking notes using keyboards actually seems to interfere with their ability to remember information. Typing is faster than handwriting for most people and it can come in handy when theres a lot of information. But it turns out the fact that you are slower when you take notes by hand is what makes it more useful for better long-term comprehension. It happens because students on laptops usually just mindlessly type everything a teacher says without extra processing of the material. But students taking notes the old-fashioned way, have to actively listen and select whats important. And this extra processing of the material ultimately benefits them. So, despite of the fact that the idea of taking notes by hand just seems old-fashioned to many students today. There are still advantages of taking notes with a pen and paper. If you want to learn something and remember lectures better maybe you should put your laptop away. And ask our Writing Tutors about simple techniques how to take notes more effectively. Why You Should Take Notes By Hand Attending classes, college lectures or conferences leave your laptop in its bag, or don`t bring it at all. Because if learning is your goal, using a laptop during class is a terrible idea. Try to use traditional tools: paper and a pen and you will find something surprising. Scientific research says youll get much more out of classes when you are taking notes by hand instead of using laptop. Whats more, students perform worse on exams when they use laptops in class. So, whats the reason? Researchers have found that laptop use during class-time might be distracting. In other words, a laptop is whole world of distraction: its so easy to click over to Facebook or buy things on Amazon during the lecture. And even when students arent distracted with their laptops, the act of taking notes using keyboards actually seems to interfere with their ability to remember information. Typing is faster than handwriting for most people and it can come in handy when theres a lot of information. But it turns out the fact that you are slower when you take notes by hand is what makes it more useful for better long-term comprehension. It happens because students on laptops usually just mindlessly type everything a teacher says without extra processing of the material. But students taking notes the old-fashioned way, have to actively listen and select whats important. And this extra processing of the material ultimately benefits them. So, despite of the fact that the idea of taking notes by hand just seems old-fashioned to many students today. There are still advantages of taking notes with a pen and paper. If you want to learn something and remember lectures better maybe you should put your laptop away. And ask our Writing Tutors about simple techniques how to take notes more effectively.

Chemistry Oven - Useful For Every Student to Teach

Chemistry Oven - Useful For Every Student to TeachIt is not uncommon for a lot of science classes at school to be taught using chemistry ovens. Because chemistry is an easy subject to learn, it can easily be taught in a classroom environment, where many students may have no prior chemistry experience.Chemistry ovens are an essential part of any teacher's arsenal for teaching the subject in a classroom setting. Without one, students would have to come up with different ways to bring about the reactions that the teacher is looking for, and this would be very time consuming and often not very accurate.The next step in teaching chemistry would be to allow students to experiment on their own. This can help with maintaining good habits. With this, they would start using the correct reaction that the teacher wants them to use and making sure that they take all necessary precautions when handling chemicals.Students would also make mistakes and use their chemistry ovens to help them learn fro m their mistakes. This would also improve the students' time management, as well as their comprehension and confidence in using their chemistry ovens to conduct experiments.They could also teach their chemistry class students about how to apply the principles of chemistry using various metals and other chemicals. In many cases, these would include creating new combinations to solve chemical problems and a variety of other things.A chemistry oven is also perfect for students who are teaching other science classes at school. If a student wants to teach the chemistry of oil, for example, they would use the right utensil to do so.For cooking classes, a laboratory oven would also be useful. The oven could be used to create different types of foods, ranging from the basic popcorn to kimchi, in various amounts.

Chemistry Combustion - How it Can Help You

Chemistry Combustion - How it Can Help YouChemistry combustion refers to the process in which chemicals react in an environment to produce heat. The process starts with a chemical compound called an oxidant and the gas phase called a clean agent. The reactants become unstable and burn with the heat produced. Chemical reactions occur on a microscopic level in the atmosphere because of the varying levels of oxygen present in the air.Heat from chemical combustion is commonly felt in areas where there is windy conditions. Windy conditions create turbulent conditions, which allow the volatile molecules of the gas to mix. This mixing produces more combustible gases that can then reach the surface. The first reason that a person would look into how to control chemical combustion is because they want to enjoy more space while driving. When it comes to cold temperatures, you don't need to waste your precious fuel.Another common example is when people use the sulfuric acid in home remedies or detergents to clean up their homes. The sulfurous properties allow the cleaning agent to react with the cleaning solvent, which will combine all together, resulting in a beautiful odorless, colorless liquid. The combination of chemicals is what results in the reaction between the cleaner and the cleaning solvent.The use of gas chromatography and high-speed processing equipment has changed the way that people experience some types of chemical reactions. This process involves a chemical compound to be put through the different stages of the chemical process. Once the compound is put through the process, the components of the compound are separated and placed in different bottles that have the specific numbers so that the mixture can be analyzed.The large company that manufactures the equipment has a wide range of products that will help you analyze this compound. There are tests that you can do to test for the reaction time and other variables that can affect the reaction and that you can even add your own customized tests to help you understand the reaction. Since this process is going to be used in your business, you want to ensure that you are fully familiar with the software.This procedure also allows a chemist to separate the compound to be used into smaller parts that are easier to handle. The larger compound makes for more expensive work and this is where the cleaning and the analysis come in. This method allows the product to be cut into pieces that can be easily handled. It also allows the work to be done at a higher speed.When you start talking about this procedure, the application of chemicals is not the only thing that is involved. You will need to take care of the clean up. This can include any type of cleaning fluids that the product may require and you will need to remove the contaminants. In some cases, there are quite a few that you will need to deal with.

Wauwatosa Free Algebra Homework Help - Find Help With Maths

Wauwatosa Free Algebra Homework Help - Find Help With MathsIn Wauwatosa, WI a high-school has introduced a new program in the area of Math. They have introduced Math homework help from parents and the district office, that will take it from your class when you arrive for the next grade. The importance of homework has increased in today's society due to competition of which students are the best at their jobs and if they fail to do homework they will be known as lazy. Also it is necessary to do some homework, in order to pass an exam.Every student can now enroll for Math classes because of this program. This makes the future of math much brighter, thanks to this, the fact that there is more competition in the math level. There is also a lot of competition between students and teachers is really a great motivator to help the students achieve their goals.Students must realize that they have to excel at Math, just like in other subjects such as English, History, Science, and others, beca use of such high demand for the courses, there is not enough time for student learning. In Wauwatosa, WI the attention of the teachers and the students is quite focused on Maths. Because of this, Math homework help is very important. If you are interested in Maths, you will definitely benefit from this.For anyone who has not been to high school yet, math is basically doing numbers and studying them. Math is about memorizing and studying the various angles, directions, distances, etc., in order to arrive at one conclusion. Once you have memorized the algebra facts, you will discover the truth of the matter. It is not simply solving equations. However, in mathematics, we are still used to know the basics of Maths.When you visit your teacher, ask about algebra homework help, as a solution to your problem. They are really worried and confused, as there are several students who are failing in Maths and are really in a big trouble. As the teacher, you can easily find a solution for them a nd help them improve their Maths skills.In case of the difficulties in Maths, it is better to ask the Math instructor, but it is not as easy as asking for algebra homework help. The number of math problems given by the students is higher than the number of algebra problems.So, the best way to get help in Maths is to find the right source of Math homework help that is completely designed for your needs. It is easy to locate good sources of algebra homework help. You just need to type in 'Algebra Help' in any search engine and you will see numerous sites offering high quality sources of Math homework help.

A Student Review of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

A Student Review of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alexandra graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2011 with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She is now a Chicago tutor specializing in many subjects, such as Algebra tutoring, Arithmetic tutoring, Geometry tutoring, and much more. See what she had to say as she reflected on her time at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Alexandra:I went to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Champaign/Urbana. The campus has great transportation options (lots of buses), and parking was not totally unreasonable either. The area is pretty rural, but it is a college town, so the population doubles during the school year. There is a pretty good mall, and a lot to do on campus and in the surrounding area. A lot of people bike, and there are bike paths all over campus, but campus is small enough that you can walk everywhere too. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alexandra:The majority of the teachers that I had were wonderful. I began college with a pre-veterinary medicine track, so I had a lot of science classes. Those classes were often called weed out classes. There were a lot of students in those, and there was very little help given unless you made a lot of effort to seek it out. But as you get more involved in your major and the classes get smaller, the teachers are clearly invested in your success. They were always willing to help and very understanding of extenuating circumstances. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alexandra:I lived in the dorms for four years. That is unusual, but I loved the dorms. They were very social, and each dorm had its own cafeteria. I ate dinner with a group of 12 really close friends. There is a real sense of community. There are a lot of people, but it is easy to build a neighborhood. A wide variety of room types exist, from singles to quads. I stayed in all-female housing, but most dorms are co-educational. My dorm was very clean and comfortable. Some are not, but most are nice, especially since they have recently updated most of them. You just have to do your research to determine what kind of dorm situation you want. 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? Alexandra:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has top Business and Engineering programs. There are a lot of people from both departments at the school. I knew a lot of people in the Music program, as well. It is a very small program, but everyone spoke very positively about how great the instructors were. I was in the Education program, and I believed it to be excellent. Teachers were very dedicated to staying informed of research-based practices, as well as the latest studies in the field. Most of my professors were published and very distinguished. 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? Alexandra:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has the most Greek organizations of any college in the United States. So, Greek life plays a huge role in the culture there. I was in a professional sorority, but that is not where I met most of my friends. I found it very easy to meet people. There are hundreds of student organizations, and that is where I met most of my friends. The dorms are also very social, and there is a lot of emphasis (in most dorms) on creating social and supportive environments. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Alexandra:I never used the Career Center on campus, and my field is not one that is often recruited. There are a few job fairs every year, organized by industry. I had a job when I graduated, so I did not attend any of these fairs, but most of my friends went to them, and they said they were helpful. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Alexandra:Each dorm has its own small library and computer lab, so those are very easy to get to. There is also a large main library that has multiple buildings. Each college has a library, as well, so there are great areas to study all over campus, with just about every resource you could want. You can also request books online and they can be sent to your dorm library, so you do not even have to search for them! The library system at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is really excellent. The student union offers a lot of activities, which, while a little dorky, were actually pretty funand a great way to meet friends. I never felt things were overly crowded, despite the fact that University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has so many students. 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? Alexandra:There is a huge mall that we went to rather frequently. There are also downtown areas in Champaign and Urbana that have a lot of fun restaurants and shops. There is one main street on campus that has a lot of restaurants that are good for a college student budget, and there is a lot to do. The surrounding area has a lot of farms, which provide a ton of activities for the fall. I would say most students do not leave campus more than once or twice a weekperhaps more if they have a car. The bus system works pretty wellit goes to the downtown areas and the mall, but it was not really necessary to leave campus most of the time. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alexandra:There were 40,000 undergraduate students when I was there. My class sizes varied from 10 people to 500, depending on the class. I did not hate the large classes because they provided many opportunities to meet people and develop study groups, etc. The small classes were also nice because it meant a lot of teacher attention, as well as help if you needed it. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Alexandra: I had one class that I loved with a teacher who was clearly knowledgeable and adored his subject. He taught animal science classes, but his area of expertise was sheep. While working with him, I learned to love sheep too, and I seriously considered going into that field (something I never would have considered before his class). He really taught me the infectiousness of one person's passions, and he helped me develop some of my own teaching philosophies. I learned from him that if I love what I am teaching, chances are my students will too. Check out Alexandras tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

A Day in the Life at University of Michigan

A Day in the Life at University of Michigan The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Samantha is a Philadelphia tutor specializing in a multitude of subjects such as Statistics tutoring, Physiology tutoring, and Italian tutoring. She studied Biopsychology and Music at University of Michigan where she graduated from in 2012. See what she had to say about 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? Samantha: The campus at the University of Michigan is extremely diverse. Central Campus (the main part of campus) is relatively urban, with a variety of businesses, stores, and restaurants. North campus (the home of the music, theatre, engineering and art programs) is a more suburban/rural area with rolling hills, small lakes and a plethora of green space. Despite the occasional petty crime, campus is very well monitored and extremely safe. The campus is quite large, however, so while there is no need for a car, bikes and the university bus system are often necessary to travel the entirety of campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Samantha: The exceedingly large size of the university inherently limits the contact between faculty and students. Despite the often large class sizes, all professors hold office hours and are extremely approachable and are often thrilled to have interpersonal contact with students. Advisors and teaching assistants are not inundated with such large classes, so they are significantly more available than their professor counterparts. Generally, if a student needs help, wants guidance or merely wants to interact with faculty or staff, they are easily able to. However, if students are not proactive, they will likely not cultivate meaningful relationships with the professors. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Samantha: There are a variety of dorm layouts and locations at the University of Michigan. Most dorms are the traditional layout, but some are suite-style. There are dorms throughout central campus and one very large dorm on north campus. Each dorm is situated either directly next to or very near to a dining hall. Each dining hall has a variety of options that can accommodate all dietary restrictions. Michigan, throughout history, has been lauded for its masterful balance of emphasis on strong academics and on cultivating friendships through active socialization opportunities. The dorms are no different they contain quiet study rooms but also organize many social excursions and activities. 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? Samantha: The University of Michigans success and representation is quite evenly distributed across programs and majors. I graduated with a dual degree in Music (vocal performance) and Neuroscience. Both my areas of study were extremely comprehensive with numerous diverse elective selections to supplement the core curriculum. Additionally, I was thrilled with the instruction in both my majors. Both my professors and graduate student instructors/assistants were not only competent teachers, but also leaders in their field (be it musical performance or research). The university also supported both my areas of study financially. Merit and need-based aid were both readily accessible if earned and sought. 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? Samantha: I am very outgoing, so I immediately felt comfortable on campus and had many friends. The size of the university is certainly daunting to some, but it also means that the university is abundant in resources and in activities. I found that I could find people extremely easily who had similar interests, clubs that facilitated meeting those with similar interests, and activities aimed at cultivating new friendships. The University of Michigan is the kind of school where a student does not have to actively try to be involved it is expected and significantly easier than the alternative. I have yet to meet a Michigan graduate who did not love their experience social and otherwise. Post-graduation, I have made more of my friends through Michigan alumni networks than anywhere else the spirit for the university and the number of opportunities for involvement and change are so abundant, that it transcends the four years of schooling. Greek life has a presence on campus, but by no means is a necessity to have a thriving social life. I did not participate in Greek life, but I have many friends that did and both of our experiences were extremely rich and neither precludes one from taking advantage of all that Michigan has to offer. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Samantha: I cannot say enough about this. The Career Center played an integral role in my life throughout my junior and senior year. I decided to attend Drexel University for my PhD because of the Career Center and couldnt be happier with my choice. The reputation of the University of Michigan is outstanding, and the alumni network is unparalleled. As a result, most large corporations either actively recruit at Michigan or at least are represented at one of the many job fairs on campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Samantha: I am aware of at least 11 libraries on the campus of the University of Michigan. Additionally, there are many rooms at the Michigan League Student Union and all dormitories that offer productive study areas. They all certainly get busy around midterms and finals, but in my four years, I never had any problems finding a place to study. The study areas are also extremely diverse offering group areas, computer labs, meeting rooms, quiet rooms, private individual carrels, media rooms, etc. 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? Samantha: Ann Arbor is internationally acclaimed. It is a very artsy town and revolves entirely around the university. There are numerous fine dining restaurants and art galleries in addition to the traditional college-town establishments. Furthermore, there are theatres, music venues and many events occurring in the town of Ann Arbor. While the town is filled with possibilities for activities, there are also a great deal of activities occurring on campus. The Music, Theatre Dance school is top in the nation, so there are always concerts, musicals, operas and plays available to students (for free or cheap) around campus. There are also many non-formalized music and arts performances. Additionally, Michigan is famous for its sports! Football Saturdays are a fixture in Michigan tradition, and there are always basketball games, hockey games, and other sports around as well. If you dont want to watch them, you can always play them too. There are many club and intramural teams around cam pus, and if one that you want doesnt exist, you can make it. It all of my years living in Ann Arbor, I only traveled to Detroit a handful of times and almost always for organized events: date parties, Red Wings games, Lions games, Tigers games, the Detroit Jazz Festival, operas at the Detroit Opera House, Detroit Symphony concerts. Detroit has much to offer, but it is never necessary to leave Ann Arbor unless you want to! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Samantha: The student body is huge. It is entirely a personal preference but I was generally quite pleased with the class sizes. I often attended large lectures (upwards of 100-200 students), but they were all divided into small discussion sections that met once a week. As students work their way into the more specialized upper-level courses of their program, the classes generally get smaller and smaller and students have more contact with faculty. For me, it was a good transition from the lower level classes to the more specialized upper level classes but lectures are unavoidable in most programs. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Samantha: My senior year I decided to branch out and take a 400-level (highest undergraduate level) small seminar in political science a topic I had never taken a class in before. The title of the class was The History of Zionism and the Middle East Conflict. The content seemed interesting (despite my lack of previous exposure to any class of this nature) and the readings were extremely applicable to understanding current events. The class, unbeknownst to me at the time, consisted of 10 students and a discussion/debate format. Without a doubt, this class was the most challenging, most interesting and most rewarding class I have ever taken at the University of Michigan. My professor, Dr. Lieberman, taught us by example how to be informed consumers of politics and current events, how to effectively research, and how to self-initiate large-scale writing assignments. This class, although entirely unrelated to my area of study, was a signal to me that I was capable and ready to embark on a PhD program. Many other classes and professors made an extremely large mark on my intellectual endeavours and my personal ones if I had unlimited time and space, I could write a book about my positive experiences at the University of Michigan (and likely only a few small pages about the negative ones). Check out Samanthas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.