The Benefits Of Online English Language Programs

The Benefits Of Online English Language ProgramsIf you are a working person and want to enhance your business skills, then blended learning in English language should be your top priority. These days, a lot of people have started taking up internet-based education programs. This means they have opted for online educational training programs.When enrolling in an online learning program, you should find out what the content is that you will be learning. There are various subjects that you can study under such as business management, accounting, English language and also other subjects related to that. If you study under a subject that is related to your profession, then it will be easier for you to understand the concepts of that particular subject.In order to improve your skill in English language, it is important that you start learning from a young age. All children learn best when they are very young. So you should try to teach your child from a very early age that they should pay attention to all the instructions given to them and they should also try to listen to your instructions.If you don't start learning at an early age, it is likely that you will lose interest in learning a new language at a later stage. This might mean that you will never be able to speak and read English fluently at a later stage. The best way to encourage your child to learn any new language is to enroll them in an English language program.One of the most advantageous aspects of blend learning in English language is that it is inexpensive. It is generally the case that many students who were once enrolled in English classes are now looking for methods of learning and this in turn makes learning more affordable. The cost of online education programs is well within the reach of the common people these days.In order to make learning English as simple as possible, you can take the help of your partner or even a friend. Most of the times the best help for children is the parents. If you have a close friend or someone that you can consult with in order to help you learn English, then it will be a great help for both of you.Learning English doesn't have to be difficult at all. The concept of blending the concepts of various subjects is quite common. Therefore, if you are unable to learn English at an early age because of the different demands placed on the learner, then you can make the whole process easy by combining some of the basics.Whichever way you choose to blend your English learning, you should always make sure that you are always striving to learn something new. To achieve this, you will need to try to improve your skills in English language.

Diet Not Working Try These 5 Tips!

Diet Not Working Try These 5 Tips! pexels.com 1. “Counting calories, but not eating real food” Many individuals (especially younger individuals, i.e. college students) tend to think that so long as you’re under a certain amount of calories every day, you’re eating healthy. This is not the case. You can count calories all you want, but if you aren’t eating what your body needs, and if you’re still filling it with junk, your diet is not going to work. In other words, processed foods aren’t going to cut it. You need fiber, healthy fats, protein, fruits, and veggies, etc. If you’re eating refined carbs and sugar, you’re not going to see the results that you want. Think the healthier you eat, the better you’ll look. 2. “Starting the day with carbohydrates” It sounds counterproductive, but it isn’t. That morning bowl of cereal isn’t actually helping you (especially if you’re eating Cookie Crisp or other unhealthy options) and neither are the orange juice or jelly covered toast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and, for the most part, we waste it on unhealthy foods that are defeating our health streak before we can even begin. Basically, you should be targeting 15 grams of protein in the morning. So what would this mean in terms of breakfast foods? You should be eating yogurt and granola, protein shakes, eggs, etc. Anything that you can classify as healthy and that has that protein that you need to kick-start your day. 3. “Not getting enough sleep” This is probably going to be our biggest battle if you aren’t sleeping well, your body isn’t doing well. So stop with the all-nighters or the late night parties every weekday because this is going to make you more susceptible when the flu runs around your campus and it’s going to completely diminish your health productivity as well. You need sleep, your diet needs sleep, and your health needs sleep. If you aren’t sleeping well (or just refuse to go to bed), you’re more likely to overeat. You’re also more likely to gain weight. So what is a healthy sleeping routine? 8 hours minimum. That doesn’t mean skip your 9 a.m. class, that means go to bed before 1 a.m. Adjust your schedule to accommodate and you will feel and look better, guaranteed! 4. “Eating when not hungry” We’re all far too guilty of it, and we know that we’re doing it as it happens, but it’s an unconscious habit that’s hard to kick. Basically, when you’re feeling bored, or stressed, or tired, or thirsty, or you’re sitting there doing nothing, your body will believe that it’s hungry. Stop feeding it! If you’re finding yourself snacking for no reason throughout the day, you need to make some changes. There are, luckily, a few ways to correct this. For one thing, utilize a hunger scale, ranked 1-10 (1 being starving and 10 being overly full). If you are below a 4 on the hunger scale, you can eat. If you are above a 4, don’t. If that’s too difficult to master, you can make note of the times you’re watching TV and feeling hungry, determine if you’re just bored or if you’re actually ready to eat, and do something to keep yourself busy if you aren’t actually hungry. Basically, you can use your hunger as a bored-ometer if you’re hungry but you shouldn’t be, you’re probably bored and trying to fill some time. So do something more productive and come back to the TV a little later! 5. “Hanging with the wrong crowd” Most often, this is going to be your friends and family that aren’t supportive of your weight-loss efforts. In these circumstances, individuals are more likely to regain the weight or to stop their diets altogether. A new study also revealed that individuals are the most likely to cheat on their diets when they’re out with friends and family, as it’s very easy to be manipulated into having a “cheat day,” etc. Basically, don’t accept where you are. If you want to continue to eat healthy, don’t let others talk you out of it. Stick to your diet, and if you’re worried about cheating when you go out, don’t eat out. Invite friends over for some healthy snacks or for a home-cooked meal. Don’t let them manipulate your diet you’re in charge. Start implementing these diet tips into your everyday routine and you’ll be back in that swimsuit and ready for summer in no time!

Teach Away Telegram - June 2011

Teach Away Telegram - June 2011 In this month's issue, we look at mandatory subjects in different countries, and discuss the importance of integrating technology in the classroom. One teacher shares his experience applying for a position overseas, and why he knows that going to Japan is the ideal move for him.Whether you are in the middle of or wrapping up the current school year, already well into your much-deserved summer break, or starting a new position soon, we hope you are doing well â€" and that you are ready to dive in to the latest Teach Away Telegram.Happy reading! - The Teach Away TeamIn this issue:Mandatory School Subjects Around the WorldTechnology in the ClassroomStarting a New Adventure: A Teacher StoryMandatory School Subjects Around the WorldThe debate over which school subjects should be compulsory for students is nothing new. Curriculum and school programs are often caught in the middle of opposing sides â€" whether to update the courses offered to reflect new requirements and the demands of our modern world, or to return to a ‘back to basics’ approach with the core subjects of Math, Science, and English taking precedence.Math and Science are almost always an essential component of any curriculum. Indeed, our modern world places more and more emphasis on skills typically associated with these subjects, stressing the importance of numeracy, analytical and problem-solving skills. But while some subjects seem to be a given part of the curriculum for all grade levels, and in nearly every country worldwide, some subjects are struggling to maintain ‘required’ status.The arts, physical education, and social studies classes are not always compulsory subjects, depending on where it is one is studying. As well, while English education is on the rise in developing countries, and most countries in Europe mandate that students learn a second or third language throughout their formative years, language education in North America is not as advanced. Though French education is mand atory in Canada and Spanish education is required in the US, the number of modern language courses available outside of French and Spanish in public schools is often dismal.Curriculum design is conducted by school boards and governing bodies. With strains on funding and budget cuts the reality in some countries, and widespread educational reform and a stronger emphasis on improving education in others, it is easy to see how curriculum can be affected by policy and current events.Ultimately, curriculum will continue to change, both due to and regardless of budget concerns and the challenges of our modern world. The challenge is to ensure that despite the constant modifications, the curriculum is meeting students’ needs, both now and for the future.Technology in the ClassroomAs computer labs and internet access become more commonplace in schools, educators are seeking out more interactive and assistive technologies in order to advance student learning. One of the most significant co mponents of any school improvement or educational reform program is an emphasis on integrating technology into the classroom.Large-scale education reform programs like the ones currently underway in Abu Dhabi and Malaysia are not the only examples of how the integration of technology is becoming a large part of the curriculum. Teachers worldwide are making use of technology in order to provide a more dynamic approach.In addition to basic word processors and digital information (such as online encyclopaedias), technology can help teachers maximize the effectiveness of teaching strategies through providing more ways to present a lesson. It also widens the variety of learning activities students can choose, enabling them to express themselves in more current modes of communication.In addition to using technology as a teaching tool, integrating it into the classroom allows students to gain more exposure to new ideas, other cultures, and perhaps most importantly, resources available from all over the world. Students have unprecedented access to educational games, visual and auditory learning tools, and interactive learning software. Teachers are also able to implement assistive technologies that can make adapting or modifying a lesson or assessment method that much easier, and thus, that much more accessible to students with different needs.The creation and expansion of these technologies is not only changing how teachers teach, how students learn, and how students are assessed, but it is also affecting where students learn. Interactive programming enables students to learn from home in an effective and immersive way that does not involve poring over a textbook with no additional information or resources for support. As well, more schools are offering distance and e-learning courses.Not surprisingly, instruction on technology integration is becoming a requirement for many teacher training programs. In addition to better training for teachers, the availability of mo re grants and funding for technology programs, and with more teaching and learning tools being developed regularly, it is a very exciting time for teachers integrating technology into their classroom.Starting A New Adventure: A Teacher StoryThis month, we spoke with Ryan Patterson, a California native who recently accepted a job offer to teach in Japan. We asked Ryan about why he wants to teach overseas, why he is heading to Japan, and what anyone considering a position abroad should know when applying.When asked about why he is interested in teaching overseas and why he wants to work in Japan in particular, it is evident that for Ryan Patterson, the choice was obvious. “I have been to Japan three times,” he explains. “And I absolutely love it.” Ryan visited Japan twice prior to university; he took part in a program during high school where he had the opportunity to stay with a host family and attend a local high school with the family’s children. During these two visits, he learned a lot about Japanese culture, explaining that he really began to appreciate the way of life in Japan. While at university, Ryan decided to return to Japan to spend a year living and studying in Tokyo.“I wanted to gain even more understanding. I was exposed to more culture and more language in a more in-depth and comprehensive way. I took classes alongside other Japanese students, and I loved it. I was learning a lot,” he says, sounding cheerful at the thought of his year abroad.“While studying in Tokyo, I got the chance to teach English to friends and the family I was staying with, and I realized that I really enjoyed it. I decided that teaching English was something I wanted to pursue. Before I even returned home, I knew I wanted to return to Japan to teach English.”Although he has already spent time in Japan, Ryan knows that he will gain a lot from the experience. “I’m hoping to see Japan in a new way,” he explains. “I’ve seen it from a tourist’s per spective, I’ve seen it from a student’s perspective, and now I will see it in a new way. I want to be exposed to more of the culture, to have the chance to improve my language skills â€" and I’m excited to see how that turns out.”Ryan is looking forward to being able to speak Japanese 24 hours a day, which will give him a chance to practice his skills. He is hoping to gain enough Japanese language fluency to allow him to go to graduate school in Japan.Despite the challenge of moving one’s life to a new country, and despite knowing he will miss certain things about home (“Mexican food!”), Ryan’s words of advice for anyone thinking about applying are encouraging: “Definitely do it! It’s worth it. Don’t panic.” He says the being flexible is the key to having a positive experience. “You can’t expect things to be the way you want them to be. You need to know that things will be completely different from what you might expect, and that it’s going to be alrigh t. It’s supposed to be foreign to you. If you have an open mind, you’ll love the experience.”Ryan departs for Japan this August.

Should You Hire a Tutor TV Program or Not?

Should You Hire a Tutor TV Program or Not?In the past I've written a few articles on different aspects of whether a tutor TV program is right for your child. Today, I'll be talking about whether you should hire a tutor TV program or not.First, I think there are two major benefits to hiring private tutors. One is that they are typically much more affordable than what you'd pay if you were paying a public or school teacher. Private tutors can often have lower rates than in-home teachers, which means you'll save a lot of money over the long run.Another reason why I believe hiring a private tutor is better is because there's usually no discrimination involved. Whereas when you're dealing with a teacher at school, there is always some type of bias against certain groups, a private tutor will never discriminate because they don't want to offend anybody. That's nice because it ensures that everybody gets a fair shake regardless of their ability.However, I also think the benefits of an onlin e tutor TV program are much more important. Online tutors are typically much more expensive than teachers you'd find at your local library or school. They're also much more mobile, meaning that they could go from one place to another, work with kids who might not be able to afford their own tuition.In other words, the fact that they're so much more affordable, the fact that they're mobile, and the fact that they're working with kids who can't otherwise afford their own tuition puts them at a much higher price than a tutor TV program. There's a big difference between hiring a tutor TV program and hiring a private tutor.In my opinion, if you're looking for cheaper tuition, a tutor TV program is usually the way to go. However, if you looking for the best quality education and you can't afford a private tutor, you need to consider an online tutor.Overall, I think the best decision for you is whether you'd rather spend the money on a tutor TV program or not. After all, if you can't affor d a private tutor to teach your kid, it doesn't make sense to pay a ridiculous price for a tutor TV program.

Where to Find Your Chemistry Class

Where to Find Your Chemistry ClassThere are many different types of courses that can be completed within your Chemistry org. As you begin to understand these, you can begin to see how each will make you a better scientist and ultimately, an effective and productive chemist.A Chemistry course will be tailored to your individual learning style. You may need a more formal course to have everything in writing, while other courses will be designed to include less paperwork. The more you learn the more you will appreciate your progress and your ability to apply what you learn.To succeed you will need to understand the concepts involved with the actual laboratory work. Knowing the chemistry and being able to perform experiments will make all the difference in your research and the people you turn into successful chemists. Experiments will help you understand how the properties of various chemicals react. Also you will be able to understand the differences between compounds.It is also import ant to understand that there are two types of chemistry, analytical and descriptive. The descriptive chemistry you will learn will cover things like coloration, aromas, and the components of a chemical, as well as techniques to identify what your sample is made of. Analytical chemists will continue on with the actual laboratory work.The important aspect of any chemistry course is learning how to explain and analyze things. This will determine whether or not you are able to present your results in a way that makes sense. This means that you will need to have good writing skills to be able to communicate what you know to your classmates. This way you will be able to accurately describe things, make connections and find the details that need to be understood.You can also take a chemistry course to help you with your undergraduate major. One of the most common is an introductory course that will give you the knowledge that you need to succeed at the college level.If you would like to co mplete a common organic chemistry course, you should consider enrolling in an Intro to Organic Chemistry course. This will give you the background that you need to start on your path to becoming a quality Chemist. In order to get the best results possible, you will need to understand the fundamentals, as well as the specific chemicals and techniques used in the laboratory.

Learn French in France How to Study Abroad

Learn French in France How to Study Abroad Megan L. Do you dream of attending classes in France? French tutor  Carol Beth L.  has done just that! Here, she shares how to study abroad in France, and the questions you must answer before you go 1) What kind of program are you searching for? Many students study abroad for a semester or for a year as an undergraduate. If this is your situation, your college or university will likely have one or more  approved programs to  which you can apply. While  some programs may be best suited for  French majors and minors, if you are studying another subject, look for a program with that  subject  in mind, and  present your suitability for the course. For example, perhaps you have an interest in art. The program, the city, or France itself is a particularly notable opportunity to expand your studies in the subject. That said, sometimes, these college or university programs can be difficult to fit into your college program. They  will have certain requirements and/or a limit to the numbers of students to be admitted, and so they can also be competitive. Finally,  perhaps you are not currently in college, but still want the experience of studying and living abroad. In any  of these  cases, consider attending an independent summer or semester-long program. Some students take a semester off and adjust their graduation schedule to accommodate such international learning opportunities. Though it becomes more difficult after college to maintain a sufficiently flexible schedule to accommodate such trips, some people are able to do it, either by saving vacation time, taking leave or sabbatical time, using the opportunity for  professional development, or finding time between jobs. You may even be able to do an exchange as part of your job, or teach there for a year. 2) Does your language level fit the program you are seeking to attend? College and university programs will basically want to be able to verify that you are capable of completing college-level work in French. If your proficiency in French is not very high (or even non-existent), other independent programs are often more flexible. 3) Where will your program be? Paris is probably the most common city for study abroad programs. The Sorbonne even has classes  for foreigners wishing to learn French (les Cours de Civilisation Française). If you are setting up your program  through your college or university, they should be able to tell you which cities are available to study abroad in. Depending on your institution, it may be more difficult or impossible to go to a city that is not pre-approved, but some institutions do allow it. If you are studying  independent of a university, you may have greater range of geographic options. Many, if not most, of Frances major cities (as well as some in Belgium, Switzerland, and other French-speaking countries)  host or have hosted foreign students at one time or another. 4) What will your housing be like? International students in France usually have a couple of options when it comes to finding housing. Some rent an apartment on their own or with classmates or friends. Others find homestays. Often, your study abroad program can help you find housing, but you may need to finalize it on your own. In Paris, international students are also eligible to apply for housing in the Cité Universitaire, student dormitories just south of the city. From there, it is a quick ride to the Latin Quarter, where many students have their classes. 5) What will you use for transportation? Hint: The answer most likely will not be “a car.” Bringing a car trans-Atlantic is impractical, and buying one there is probably more expensive than its worth, especially if youre not there for very long. Additionally, though you wouldnt necessarily need to pass the notoriously difficult French driving test, you would need to obtain and carry a notarized translation of your driving license. As an alternative, consider taking public transportation. In many cities, public transportation is very good. For example, Paris is home to one of the best subway systems in the world, and even many locals dont bother with a car unless theyre leaving the city. Buying a monthly pass is, for many, the best option available. Even if you decide to leave the city where you are studying, the European train system is more developed than the United States system, and flying is also an option for longer distances. 6) What are your plans for food? Dining  out in France is wonderful, but be prepared to make your own food from time to time. Many French cities, like Paris, have open-air markets with fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. Local grocery stores can supply you with some basics; chains like Monoprix can also help. Though many chains have started providing bags, French stores have traditionally required customers to bring their own. Even at the stores that do provide bags, you may see many people bring their own reusable ones. You may wish to get in the habit of bringing a bag  just in case, especially if you will be visiting smaller, locally-run stores. Nonetheless, be sure to set aside part of your budget for eating out and having drinks with friends. This is a relatively common way to catch up with people outside of work and school. 7) How do you plan to meet the locals? If you want to improve your conversation skills  in French (as  most students studying abroad in France do),  finding local French friends is a huge help. One easy way to do this is to take your interests to your new city. Play a musical instrument? Try to locate a local amateur or college orchestra, or other music-related opportunities. Like to play sports? Keep an eye out for a local rugby or soccer team. And if you regularly attend church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, try to find one that will also allow you to connect with French-speaking locals. France has become increasingly international, so even topics that dont originate in France, such as manga or swing dance, will still have some fans. 8) How will  you handle cultural differences?Are local customs different than what you are used to? If the locals think a little differently on some topics, appreciate those  differences. If you encounter a difference that you would consider to be ridiculous or extreme, dont take it personally.  Either side could be right, wrong, or neither. The Paris subway, for example, is usually fabulous compared to U.S. public transit, and drivers license tests are very expensive and difficult to pass. As a result, teenagers dont put as much of a priority as their American counterparts on obtaining a license, and many people dont have or dont use their cars. The exception is when the subway workers decide to go on strike. And when they do, Parisian professors and employers know that people are going to have transportation issues, so tardiness is often treated a bit more lightly during that time. In more general terms, the French also like to discuss things a bit more than Americans do. Sometimes it may seem that everyone has an opinion on everything, and that they like to add the hows and whys into their discussion. To someone like myself, who had always lived in the more laid-back Southern California, this can  sometimes come across as argumentative. 9) What cultural and historic sites will you be near? In Paris alone, there are many historic sites and museums. Even Versailles is only a short train ride outside the city. Near Toulouse, you can find the castle of Carcassonne. Take note  of what is nearby, and consider taking a weekend or two to visit different sites. (Editors Note: Weekend Student Adventures offers great guided tours in Paris!) 10) Will you have resources and days off to allow you to visit other notable areas of France and/or Europe? Sometimes, students have the opportunity to travel Europe during the summer before or after their semester abroad. During my semester abroad, we had several weeks of classes in Paris after winter break, and for many students, it was less expensive to stay in France than to buy an extra round-trip ticket home for the holidays. A classmate and I took the opportunity to visit some sites in northwestern France, including several castles of the Loire Valley and Mont Saint-Michel. While not everyone can do this, know your schedule and resources so that you can create plans  if the opportunity arises. Most of all, enjoy and learn from your stay abroad, and bring back your experiences to  share with your American classmates and colleagues. Are you planning to study abroad in France, or have you been before? Share your plans or experiences in the comments below! Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching since 2009.  Learn more about Carol Beth here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

A Student Review of Tufts University

A Student Review of Tufts University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Julia is a San Francisco-Bay Area tutor and 2011 graduate of Tufts University. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and tutors several subjects, specializing inElementary Math tutoring, Psychology tutoring, and SAT prep tutoring. Check out what Julia had to say about her time at Tufts University: 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? Julia: Tufts University is a very small campus, so it is possible to walk everywhere. You will be in great shape walking up and down the hills all day! You really only need a car if you are traveling off-campus for grocery shopping or other tasks. The T (or subway) is great if you want to go into Boston, and it is easy to catch it from Davis Square. Davis Square is about a 15-minute walk from campus, but there is also a shuttle that travels back and forth. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Julia: I had great experiences with my professors and my adviser. When I first started school, I was very stubborn about not wanting to ask for help. However, I soon realized that I was really only letting myself down. All of the professors that I went to for help were thrilled that I was showing initiative and interest in the topic, and they made themselves very available to me. Part of the reason I chose to go to a smaller school was to have relationships with faculty members, and I feel I was able to achieve this. I cannot say enough good things about my adviser! He was absolutely amazing. We developed a strong relationship, and I am still in contact with him today. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Julia: I really enjoyed dorm life! I only spent my freshman year in a dorm, as I went on to live in my sorority house and off-campus. The dorm rooms are pretty simple, but it is easy to decorate and personalize them. There are two dining halls on campus, one that is uphill and one that is downhill. Everyone has a preference about which they like better, but they are both great. Tufts University has pretty fantastic food, so avoid the Freshman 15! I loved my freshman year dorm because it was very centrally located. I was 100 feet from the dining hall, and all of my classes were a five-minute walk away. Tufts University always has a million things going on, so there are many socialization opportunities available! Just check Tuftslife.com. At the beginning of the school year, there are a lot of events planned just for freshmen, so you can make friends easily and quickly. 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? Julia: Tufts University has a great International Relations department and a very highly rated Child Development department. I minored in Child Development and majored in Psychology. I chose to study Psychology because I loved my introductory classes, and all of the professors that I had were great. Tufts University does not make you choose a major until the end of your sophomore year, and they encourage you to take classes in many different fields. They really support you in finding the right fit. I loved my department and my adviser, and I do not think I have met anyone who does not feel the same. 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? Julia: Tufts University does not have a large Greek life. There were three sororities while I was attending school (2007-2011) and about ten fraternities. There is absolutely no need to join Greek life to make friends, because there are tons of other clubs, groups, teams, etc. It was also easy to make friends in my dorm and in my classes. I did choose to join a sorority because I wanted to expand my social circle even more. Everyone in my sorority was involved in several different campus activities, so by joining the sorority, I also ended up involved in sports, clubs, and philanthropic activities. Tufts University also offers pre-orientation groups for freshmen, which I highly recommend! I did the wilderness pre-orientation group, which involves backpacking along the Appalachian Trail for about five days before school starts. This ensures that you already know a few people when you get to campus, which I greatly appreciated. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Julia: I cannot say that I used the Career Center very much, but I heard good things about it. There is a large job fair in the spring that attracts a lot of great companies. Everyone I know ended up with a job they were happy with after graduation, and many of my friends have gone on to medical school or law school. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Julia: I love Tisch Library at Tufts University. First, it is huge, so you never have to worry about finding somewhere to sit. It also has social areas where you can sit with friends, eat snacks, and talk. (There are quiet areas for when you really need to get down to business.) There are several smaller libraries on campus that friends of mine went to, but I was always happy with Tisch Library. There are also several cafes on and around campus that I went to when I got sick of the library. I did not spend a lot of time in my dorm lounge. 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? Julia: Tufts University is in a really great location. It has its own downtown area (Davis Square), but it is also very close to Cambridge and Boston. I probably went into Davis Square once or twice a week and into Cambridge or Boston once a month. Campus life is pretty fun, so leaving campus was not necessary. However, there were some fun bars and restaurants in Davis Square, as well as a movie theater/concert venue. When you wanted to go shopping or to an area bigger than Davis Square, Cambridge was a five-minute subway ride away, and downtown Boston was about 20 minutes away. I remember going to the aquarium in Boston, checking out Quincy Market and the North End, walking down Newbury Street, and visiting the Boston Commons. Overall, it was an amazing place to go to school. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Julia: Size was a big part of my attraction to Tufts University. I knew I wanted a school that was bigger than my high school, because I did not want to know everyone by the time I graduated. I wanted to constantly be meeting new people! However, I also did not want to be overwhelmed by the student body. I wanted to find a niche that I was comfortable with, and I did not want to get lost in the shuffle. Tufts University was the perfect size for that, with about 5,000 undergraduates. Introductory classes were always pretty large, but most of my classes by junior and senior year were under 20 people, some even under 10. It was great to have classes that small because they were much more personal. Professors actually knew your name and got to know you over the course of the semester. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Julia: During my sophomore year, I ended up in a class that was very difficult for me. For some reason, the information did not click. After the first test, I realized I was going to have to change my strategy if I was going to earn a passing grade. I began sitting in the front row, asking the professor lots of questions before and after class, and studying a lot. When our final exam was approaching, I hit the books, and I hit them hard. I went into the exam feeling really good but that did not last long. I left the test close to tears I was sure I had failed. I was waiting outside the classroom for a friend of mine to finish when the professor came out to check on me. When he asked how I thought the test had gone, I broke into tears. I still remember what my professor said to me at that moment: This test is just a small part of your grade. I have seen the effort you have put into this class, and I know how hard you have worked. I see you in the front row every class, and all of tha t will be reflected in your grade. Later that day, he emailed me to let me know that I had ended up with a B in the class. This moment sticks out in my mind because it was the first time I realized how much the professors really cared. He wanted me to do well almost as much as I wanted to do well! It also felt really good to know that my hard work was noticed and appreciated, even in a subject that was really difficult for me. That moment taught me to always put in the extra effort because you never know who is paying attention. Check out Julias tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.