What is it Like to Attend The Pennsylvania State University

What is it Like to Attend The Pennsylvania State University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alexandra is a Philadelphia tutor specializing in Environmental Science tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, and all levels of Spanish tutoring. She is a 2013 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and holds a Bachelors degree in Environmental Resource Management. Check out her review of her school: 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? Alexandra: Penn State is located in central PA, which is a very rural area. The nearest major city is three hours away. However, the campus itself and the surrounding town of State College are bustling with people, most of whom are in some way connected to the school. Freshmen are not allowed to bring cars. Sophomores and upperclassmen may bring cars, but parking can be expensive and having a car is typically unnecessary. The CATA buses will get you anywhere on campus and are free for campus and downtown service. There are also CATA buses that charge a small fee and will get you to Wal-Mart, Trader Joes, farther off-campus residences, etc. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alexandra: Professor and TA availability depends largely on the class size. Freshman and sophomore Intro classes and Gen Eds may have 300-400 students in them. These classes are given in lecture halls, and students typically dont actually meet the professor. Questions are usually encouraged, but asking a question in a class that big can be intimidating. Classes of this size typically involve a smaller, weekly meeting (either a recitation or a lab) in which students can ask TAs questions and approach the material in a more personal setting. 300- and 400-level classes are usually smaller than the Intro-level classes. Juniors and seniors may have some classes with as few as 10 or 20 students. In these classes, students can get to know the professor, and the professor will usually make an effort to get to know them back. Academic advisors are generally very accessible, but in a school as big as Penn State, this depends on individual cases. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alexandra: East Halls are the freshman dorms, in which all residents are freshmen. Socializing here is typically pretty easy since everyone is in the same boat and trying to make friends. However, not all freshmen are placed in East Halls. South Halls and Pollock Halls are also an option for freshmen. It is generally more difficult to socialize in these halls, since a lot of their residents are upperclassmen and sorority sisters who already have their group of friends. However, the room conditions and dining in these halls are a little bit better than in East. West Halls are the nicest dorms and have the best dining options. Typically, only sophomores and upperclassmen are placed in West Halls. Eastview Terrace also has very nice dorms and each dorm has its own bathroom. However, Eastview Terrace is extremely quiet and not a lot of fun. Its good for the study-oriented student who just wants a nice place to sleep at night. Freshmen are required to live in the dorms. After the first year, many Penn State students switch to apartments or houses downtown. Living downtown is great for students who want to be close to their classes, but have a more independent lifestyle. 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: Penn State is most famous for its business school. Smeal College of Business is an extremely reputable college with high acceptance standards. It is the #1 pick for business recruiters in the U.S. I studied Environmental Resource Management, which is under the College of Agricultural Sciences. The College of Agricultural Sciences is Penn States first college, and one of its strongest. I loved my major and my college overall. The university does a great job of supporting Ag Sci students. It is a small college, which gives students the opportunity to feel part of a close-knit community even though the university itself is huge. By junior year, ERM students know each other and can expect to see the same faces in most of their classes. 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: The size of the school can be overwhelming at first and make socializing seem difficult. The best advice I can give is to join two or three clubs that really interest you. Also, be friendly to the people in your classes and in your dorm. A lot of the friends you keep for the long run will be people from your hall or in your major. Greek life is prominent and plays an active role in campus activities and in the nightlife, but is by no means necessary to having a social life. The majority of the student body is not involved in Greek life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Alexandra: The Career Center is very helpful. Students can attend resume and interview workshops and schedule one-on-one consultations with career advisors. The university hosts a massive three-day career fair every semester with some of the top company recruits in the country present. In addition, individual colleges and departments often hold smaller career fairs for their students. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Alexandra: The library is huge and beautiful. It can be crowded during finals season, but its usually easy to get a seat. There are also smaller libraries and many study lounges throughout campus, so even when the main library is crowded, finding a place to study is always manageable. The HUB is the student union. It is usually noisy and crowded, but its a good place to meet up with people or to grab a bite. Food at the HUB is expensive. The dorm lounges are clean and generally comfortable. Every dorm complex has a building with dining halls, study lounges, and other amenities for 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: State College was one of my favorite things about Penn State. Its a small town with a lot of history that revolves almost entirely around the university. On football weekends, its booming with visiting alumni and fans dressed in blue and white. The bar scene is great. Nightlife for the under-21 crowd is a lot of fun, too. Theres a diverse array of eating options, from cheap Chinese food to a Cajun lounge to Indian buffets to the kind of historical taverns you bring mom and dad to when they visit. Theres also lots of shopping options, cafes, etc. Students typically spend a lot of time downtown, and many of them choose to live downtown. I lived in apartments downtown my sophomore, junior, and senior years. I spent most of the daytime on campus for classes and meetings, then would come back and eat and spend the rest of my day downtown. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alexandra: There are over 45,000 students on the University Park campus (including graduate and law students). The size of the student body is not for everyone; students can become overwhelmed if they dont make an effort to find a niche and make the school their own. I was pleased with typical class sizes. Intro and Gen Ed classes are typically in large lecture halls. These are a fun part of the college experience, in my opinion. Your professors typically will not know your name in these classes and will not notice if you show up or do your work. Keeping up with lectures and doing well is entirely your responsibility. Higher-level classes tend to get smaller, and provide an opportunity to get to know some faculty members. Some of my favorite classes were 300- and 400-level classes with 10 or 20 students in them. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Alexandra: I think my most memorable academic experiences at Penn State were the field trips. My major involved a lot of field trips including soil sampling trips to the forest, trips to observe mountain geology, tours of waste treatment plants, and hikes through wetlands and nature reserves. Many of my classes had a new field trip every week. These were my favorite moments, times in which we could get away from town, spend time in nature, and learn in a hands-on manner. Check out Alexandras tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

4 More Websites to Help You Learn Spanish Online

4 More Websites to Help You Learn Spanish Online Suzy S. Last week, we reviewed several websites designed to supplement your Spanish lessons to make sure youre learning throughout the week! But thats not even close to whats available out there here are five more websites specifically for beginners to help you learn Spanish online! 1) Study Spanish This website offers free lessons for all levels, including a section for beginners.  Study Spanish  features a pronunciation guide, useful words and comments for travelers, and even cultural information. The website also has assistance for students studying Spanish in school. 2) About.coms, Spanish language page We’ve all used  about.com  to clarify a few points here or there, but did you know that  it also  offers Spanish resources, including verb charts, grammar explanations, vocabulary lessons, and online quizzes? As an added bonus, this resource is available for free! 3) SpanishDict SpanishDict is a great translation tool. Use this resource to practice vocabulary and research phrases you don’t understand. SpanishDict also has great verb conjugation charts that make learning new tenses â€" and the myriad of ways you can conjugate them â€" much easier. 4) Cramberry This resource is a flashcard website that gives you the ability to make flashcards that you can use to quiz yourself on Spanish vocabulary. Cramberry is a smart system, so it will show you the cards you miss more often, thus giving you a greater opportunity to learn those tricky words. Don’t have any vocabulary to study at the moment? Use Cramberry’s pre-made Spanish flashcards to learn some new words! Finally, keep in mind though the internet makes it easier to learn Spanish online, nothing beats the benefit of studying one-on-one with a qualified tutor. Your tutor will help you stay motivated, catch your pronunciation mistakes before they become habits, and cater the lessons for your particular learning style. Browse our Spanish tutors near you here! Bonus:   Check out our guide to ways to learn Spanish by budget! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Careers 4 Things That Will Derail Your Job Search Before You Even Get Started - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Careers 4 Things That Will Derail Your Job Search Before You Even Get Started - Introvert Whisperer Careers: 4 Things That Will Derail Your Job Search Before You Even Get Started Getting job clarity is one of the simplest concepts in job search, yet one of the hardest steps to take.   When I say job clarity, I mean the 2-3 specific jobs a person is pursuing in their quest to find a new job.   It does sound simple, but my observation is that in reality, a job seeker is often troubled about clarity.  I have seen people realize that due to their background and desires, they could head in a number of different directions â€" all valid, all confused.   One of the first questions I ask a person who seems to be struggling with their job search is what specific jobs they are pursuing.   The answers I get range from an industry they want to focus on like “finance and banking” to something that resembles a word jumble.  An industry is not a job title, nor is a word jumble. I know right then that their struggle in the job search is not a bad resume’ or work experience, it has to do with the fact that they haven’t focused on what they are in search of.   It’s like saying they’ll find my home somewhere in the Northwest.   It’s a direction, but so loose they really can’t begin an effective search.  The chances of someone finding my home are almost zero.   Your chances of finding a job without knowing what you are in search of might be about the same. An effective job search entails a great strategic plan, but you can’t begin to form a plan, if you aren’t clear on what your goal or job is.   As a result, a job seeker will end up jumping after every tip, every lead and many ads, because they all seem like something they could do.   This lack of clarity drifts into the resume’ they develop, which without an understanding of what the job is, also lacks a clear message to anyone who receives it.   When they speak to any of their network, the network walks away confused about what kind of help they can offer.   In other words, any effort expended on the job search can often be ineffective and really a waste of time until the job seeker can zero in on a couple of jobs/titles they can focus on and believe in. So what leads to this lack of clarity and what can a person do to clear up the muddy waters? Too many jobs on the radar.   This is an issue I see a great deal.   When a person is looking for a job and has had years of experience, they may look at BOTH the array of work they have done PLUS the array of work they could do.   It’s wonderful to have so many transferable skills.   It allows you to pursue a wide variety of positions with the belief you will be successful, because you have done that work before.   The problem is that this often creates a lack focus and direction. Solution:  If you are lucky enough to be in this situation â€" congratulations!   But, you need to make some choices.   I have seen people avoid making a choice because they either thought it would reduce their chances of landing a job or they were interested in pursuing them all.   You have to decide which 2 or 3 job titles you will enjoy the most, be the most competitive for and are perhaps the most abundant for you to pursue.   You have to narrow down your choices.   Once you’ve made your decision, you need to be convinced that your choices are right and move forward with confidence. Changing career focus.   I’ve seen people use a change of job as a platform for making anywhere from a major career change to simply applying their work in a new industry.   Certainly, if your situation and background call for that kind of shift, I say: Go for it!   However, I have seen people let that shift confuse them or make them unclear about what that next career is.   If you aren’t clear about what you’re looking for, imagine how unclear the universe of hiring managers is about where you belong. Solution:   Before you step into the job search, you need to explore your options, as well as yourself.   If you’re doing a “slight shift”, you should be able to find job titles fairly quickly with some research.   If you’re doing a wholesale career change, you have a whole self-examination process to go through to discover what you want to do when you grow up.   Treat yourself like a research project.   Go to work exploring your values, skills and passions and research where those can be applied.   You do not make a major career change by launching a job search; if you do, you may not like the results. Mistake an industry for a job.   This one I find fascinating.   I can’t figure out what the internal process must be, but I have had people answer the question of “What kind of job are you looking for?” with things like “investments” or “banking” or “green technology”.   Even after additional probing, they are unwavering in their responses.   An industry is not a job or a career â€" it’s a business classification. Solution: You need to test yourself in this area.   You could be what I call “tone deaf” to what you are thinking (and saying) around a job.   You might think you’re crystal clear, but in fact, you aren’t at all.   It’s also important to understand that if you are looking for a job, you need to be clear with your network and hiring managers.   Find a trusted person with a critical ear who will give you some good honest feedback.   Tell them what you’re looking for, and then ask them if you might be talking about an industry or a real job. You may be holding on to the past.   For people that have been laid off or are facing the end of some dream career, you may lack clarity, because you’re looking backward not forward.   You haven’t come to grips with the fact that your circumstances are now causing you to look for a job.   You may be reluctantly trudging through the acts of looking for a job.   You might be thinking you have to go do “X” because that’s all you can do.   There are a variety of reactions when people are in this state of transition.   If you think you might fall into this situation, you might lack clarity, because you can’t “see” yourself in that next job. Solution:   Normally, transition has its own timeline, but you may not.   If you can afford to simply give yourself a space of time to allow your previous work life to end, it will free you up to think more clearly about your next job.   If your circumstances simply won’t allow you to move through your transition at your own pace, then I suggest you consider a coach or someone who can help you process the endings.  This can open up the possibilities for finding your dream in the next thing you do. I heard a quote that I think applies here: “When you are clear, what you want will show up in your life, and only to the extent you are clear”. Chris and Janet Attwood.   I think this summarizes it best.   To maximize your job search, to make everything you do count, you have to get clear about the job you’re pursuing. 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: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

What to Know About AP Exams in 2019

What to Know About AP Exams in 2019 Attention high school AP students: beginning this August, you can expect changes to the AP exam process. Items on the agenda include enhanced free test prep materials for AP teachers, an earlier AP exam registration deadline in November, and a $40.00 late fee for late registration or exam cancellation. If youre planning on taking an AP course, read on to learn about the changes that could affect your AP exam experience in 2019. Change #1 for AP exams in 2019: new study and assessment materials The College Board has developed study tools and curriculum materials for teachers. This includes a library of unit-by-unit planning guides for AP classes, real exam questions, unit assessment tests, and a performance dashboard on which students and teachers can track performance on AP course materials. For teachers, study and assessment tools could make it easier than ever to help their students master an AP subject. For students, these resources could help keep their studying more focused during the yearincreasing their understanding of the AP subject and boosting their AP exam performance at the end of the year. [RELATED: The Ultimate Study Plan for AP Courses] Change #2 for AP exams in 2019: new exam registration deadline According to the College Board, high school students are more likely to take an AP examand to do wellif they commit to doing so at the start of the school year. For that reason, the College Board has moved its AP exam registration deadline to November. However, it suggests students decide whether or not they wish to take AP exams even earlier, by October. If you fail to register by November, or later change your exam selection or cancel your exam altogether, youll be charged a $40.00 late fee. [RELATED: The Top 4 Myths About AP Exams] Change #3 for AP exams in 2019: new curricula for certain AP courses For all AP classes, you can expect the curricula to be clearer and more streamlined due to the College Boards new AP course resources. Several popular courses, specifically AP World History and AP Biology, will also be updated. Some major changes for the AP World History curriculum include: Organization of the course into four historical periods from 1200 CE to the present Organization of the course into nine units covering those four historical periods Addition of a sixth theme, Technology and Innovation A new framework outlining specific skills necessary to ace the AP World History exam Some major changes for the AP Biology curriculum include: Organization of the course into eight commonly taught biology units, including the cell cycle and ecology Correspondence of the eight units with four Big Ideas in biologyevolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and systems interaction Better connection of learning objectives to what is taught A new framework outlining specific skills necessary to ace the AP Biology exam For a full list of AP courses, visit the College Board. [RELATED: What Are AP Through-Course Assessments?] Being aware of these changes and what they will mean for your AP studies can benefit your overall AP experience. If youre on the fence about taking an AP exam next year, sit down with your schools guidance counselor to learn about your options and to determine which academic plan is best for you. 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 Are The Latest Developments In Online Tutoring Systems Or Platforms

What Are The Latest Developments In Online Tutoring Systems Or Platforms 0SHARESShare Education is very much part of life today. Proficiency, good academic result, in-depth knowledge and very good communication skill are important to land a job in today’s scenario.  Industries these days look for candidates who are multi-skilled. With the arrival of the internet, the whole lot seems to be available on the net. Its vast reach and easier availability have made things very easy. One of these is the educational system. Nowadays you have a virtual classroom session that may be attended from the comfort of home. Students can access online experts anytime from wherever they want. They may ask questions about various topics and get their doubts clarified.  There are online tutoring websites offering solutions to your home work as well! You may even get the required guidance for your test preparation. The online tutoring system supplies the keys to unlock the essential subjects for your children without the threat of discrimination. Students are not discriminated for color of skin, caste, religion or sex. Now online tutoring  platform  has become a dependable stand for NCLB students. As a part of the latest development US Govt has introduced a special session for this section. They are now eligible to attend structured classes and enjoy the free educational support. The use of Skype, Google chat, sharing of whiteboard, audio visual sessions make the sites attractive.   Experts are however, working recurrently to improve the system so as to make it more effective. [starbox id=admin]

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REQUESTED BY NCDHHS ADD MATH - Heart Math Tutoring

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REQUESTED BY NCDHHS â€" ADD MATH - Heart Math Tutoring COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REQUESTED BY NCDHHS â€" ADD MATH COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REQUESTED BY NCDHHS â€" ADD MATH November 19, 2018 The NC Department of Health and Human Services released a draft statewide Early Childhood Action Plan and is asking for community feedback in writing by November 30th. The goal of the plan is to improve early childhood outcomes across NC for children ages 0 â€" 8. Ten high level goals range from improving housing and hunger to health and academics. While it is encouraging to see reading included in the plan, (goal #10 is stated as “Grade Level Reading: Young children across North Carolina will read on grade-level in elementary school.”), it is surprising that math is not currently included as a goal.This document should ideally drive action across the state and so what is included (or excluded) matters. Photo credit:www.cvcsd.stier.org Here are some reasons it is important to include math in efforts to improve early childhood outcomes: School-entry math skills are predictive of later achievement in both math and reading â€" with an even higher correlation than school-entry reading skills. (Greg Duncan, et. Al, 2007) Only 40% of fourth graders in North Carolina are on grade level in math. (2017 NAEP) Math at age 7 impacts socio-economic status at age 42 (Source: Ritchie Bates, Enduring Links From Childhood Mathematics and Reading Achievement to Adult Socioeconomic Status, 2013) The Early Childhood Action Plan can be found here: https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/ECAP-Draft-11.01.18.pdf Community members are invited to go on record requesting that math be incorporated as a high-level goal along with reading (“Grade Level Reading AND Math”) by emailingEdnv. EXAMPLE FEEDBACK: Dear NCDHHS â€" I saw a copy of the Early Childhood Action Plan and want to urge you to include math in goal #10 (“Grade level reading and math”). Math is critical to academic confidence, high-school graduation, and post-secondary and employment options, and skills must be developed early. Here are some additional stats: School-entry math skills are predictive of later achievement in both math and reading â€" with an even higher correlation than school-entry reading skills. (Greg Duncan, et. Al, 2007) Only 40% of fourth graders in North Carolina are on grade level in math. (2017 NAEP) Math at age 7 impacts socio-economic status at age 42 (Source: Ritchie Bates, Enduring Links From Childhood Mathematics and Reading Achievement to Adult Socioeconomic Status, 2013) In early years, math and literacy skills are closely tied (executive function skills, language that organizes/categorizes/describes, ordering and quantities). Please make sure families, educators, and community leaders know how important both subjects are to success and that neither subject is left behind at children’s detriment. Thank you.

Reported Speech in English - Video and Exercise

Reported Speech in English - Video and Exercise Reported speech in English is used to tell someone what you or someone else said in the past. The video below has great illustrations that makes this much more clear and understandable. It will help you change different tenses to reported speech, and will also teach you some of the reporting verbs that we use in English.Try these exercises on reported speech, then watch the video below to see how you did.Change the sentences to reported speech. (If it seems to difficult, watch the video first).Example: Amy: I like skiing. - Amy says she like skiing.1. Amy: I am running.2. Amy: Ive been to Spain.3. Amy: I bought new shoes.4. Amy: I was reading when you called.5. Amy: I am going to Argentina.6. Amy: I will call you.Ok, now watch the video to see how you did, then try the additional exercises. Change the sentences to reported speech, exactly like the first exercise.1. Jim: I am going to see a movie tonight.2. Anne: I was watching TV when I got the phone call.3. Fred: Ive been thinking a bout buying a boat.4. John: I am listening to a new album.5. Joe: I hate that show Friends.6. Sam: I will buy dinner.7. Kelly: I got you a present. Reported Speech in English - Video and Exercise Reported speech in English is used to tell someone what you or someone else said in the past. The video below has great illustrations that makes this much more clear and understandable. It will help you change different tenses to reported speech, and will also teach you some of the reporting verbs that we use in English.Try these exercises on reported speech, then watch the video below to see how you did.Change the sentences to reported speech. (If it seems to difficult, watch the video first).Example: Amy: I like skiing. - Amy says she like skiing.1. Amy: I am running.2. Amy: Ive been to Spain.3. Amy: I bought new shoes.4. Amy: I was reading when you called.5. Amy: I am going to Argentina.6. Amy: I will call you.Ok, now watch the video to see how you did, then try the additional exercises. Change the sentences to reported speech, exactly like the first exercise.1. Jim: I am going to see a movie tonight.2. Anne: I was watching TV when I got the phone call.3. Fred: Ive been thinking a bout buying a boat.4. John: I am listening to a new album.5. Joe: I hate that show Friends.6. Sam: I will buy dinner.7. Kelly: I got you a present.

Listening Exercise A Trick to Help You Sleep!

Listening Exercise A Trick to Help You Sleep! We all know that sleep is important, and we should probably be getting more of it.  For a variety of reasons, many people dont get the ideal 8-hour nights sleep.  Maybe you dont have the time, maybe you like  to stay out late, or maybe you just have trouble falling asleep.  On the other hand, maybe youre one of those lucky people who always  has a good nights sleep.  Either way, you  never know when youll  need this sleeping life hack.  Watch the following video, and brush up on your listening skills by answering the questions in the comment section.Ok.  So you cant sleep.  Youve _____ everything: warm glasses of milk, ________ sheep, ______ off the late-night binge watching, all of the usual tips.But, ____ you _____ ________ one of your feet outside your blankets?In numbers one and two, the narrator uses gerunds after the verb to try.  What have you tried doing to help you sleep?Researchers ____ _____ a link between high body temperature and alertness.In number 4, the narrat or uses the present perfect tense to talk about the accomplishment of the researchers.  What else have researchers or doctors accomplished over the years?__  the skin of your feet __  _______ to cool night air, the blood there _____  down.In number 6, he uses the zero conditional to talk about things that happen in general.  Both of the verbs are in present tense.  What happens to the blood in your feet if you dont stick them  out?If youd like to practice more grammar with a native English instructor, sign up for a class with LOI today!