Pros and Cons - Peer Tutoring

Pros and Cons - Peer TutoringIf you're looking for pros and cons, then peer tutoring and the popularity of online tutoring is likely to be among your top choices. This is because this form of tutoring has been hugely popular throughout the past few years. Parents are finding that it's a great way to encourage their children to learn at a much quicker pace, whilst still maintaining the privacy they prefer. Nowadays, tutors are only too happy to provide the benefit of peer tutoring to parents with the aim of encouraging their children to learn faster and better.Perhaps the most prominent pros of peer tutoring for parents is that it allows them to interact with other parents at a much more personal level. Instead of having to spend an hour with one tutor over coffee, parents can sit down and discuss anything they wish with each other. It provides a more personal experience for the learner, which in turn gives them the opportunity to be more motivated.There are other pros, which include the fact that the pros go along with the cons. People are making the choice of taking up tutoring, as a result of the advantages that they enjoy. That said, there are also some cons to peer tutoring, which parents must consider. This is the first thing they should keep in mind, since it is much more beneficial than other forms of tutoring.Parents must bear in mind, however, that not all tutoring is equal. Although it is important to find out what is good about tutoring before taking on a new program, parents should not sacrifice quality in order to have an enjoyable experience. If they find a high quality program, which has proven itself through its positive feedback, they should definitely stick with it.Parents must also make sure that they do not take on a tutor who is only going to work for them, but not for their child. It is the parent's job to provide motivation, and the tutor is simply there to help. It is better to find a tutor who is well known and who has demonstrated resu lts, rather than a single individual who claim to be the world's best tutor.Parents are likely to have more fun when tutoring, as they will be having much more of a personal interaction with the tutor. Most tutors who provide this form of peer tutoring will charge a fee for each lesson, so the actual cost will differ according to the tutor's quality. Since peer tutoring works, the tutors charge in order to maintain their income. Parents may find themselves spending more money, but they should look to this as an investment into their child's education.Peer tutoring can be a wonderful way to provide guidance to your child, but it is important to ensure that you do not lose the aspect of personalised feedback. When you compare peer tutoring to other forms of tutoring, you'll be surprised at how much your child will benefit from the service.

The Importance of a GMAT Score

The Importance of a GMAT Score GMAT MBA Admissions Blog If you are applying to an MBA program, you probably already know that the business school admissions committees will look at a number of elements in your application, but also that not all components are made equal in this process. One of the most important factors when applying to business school is your score for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), which is a standardized exam developed specifically for business school applicants, intended to measure their capability in pursuing an MBA program in an objective way. Applicants to MBA programs often think that the GMAT is only important in the admissions process, to get admitted to their dream business school, but that is actually not true. Instead, it is likely that you will be asked to disclose your GMAT score after graduation, as many prospective employers, companies and talent scouts will want to see these to evaluate how suitable you are for specific jobs. In this post, however, we will be focusing on the importance of a GMAT score for MBA application purposes, as we know many MBA applicants are wondering: just how important is the GMAT score? And is it worth retaking the exam, should you get a less than perfect score? The answer to these questions is that it depends where you will be applying. Not all business schools place the same importance on the score. It is known, however, that many of the top business schools use the score to weed out applicants, before looking closely at other parts of their application. It is also said that even in cases where they do look carefully at the application as a whole, a lower than average GMAT score can often be such a hurdle that the applicant needs to be extraordinary in other areas in order to overcome the low score and even be considered for admission. Some of the top business schools known to place a lot of importance on GMAT scores are Wharton, MIT and Stanford. That doesn’t mean it is unheard of for an applicant with a low GMAT score to be admitted to these schools, it just means they will have to make up for that score in a big way in the rest of their profile. Applicants applying to such GMAT-heavy business schools may want to consider retaking the test if they end up with a less than desirable GMAT score to improve their chances of admission, and repeat if necessary. On the other hand, there are plenty of other reputable business schools that just see the score as one part of the application and are looking for a well-rounded application instead. Applicants applying to these schools need not worry as much about their GMAT score and may want to consider other ways of boosting their profile (excellent recommendations, strong essays, etc.) instead of retaking the exam. What is a “good” GMAT score then? Again, this really depends on the business school in question but for most top ranked business schools, a score above 700 is considered to be a good thing, meaning the applicant will probably not be rejected on the basis of the score alone. Anything under 700, however, for the top 10 or even top 20, and the applicant may want to consider retaking in order to maximize their chances of admission. For lower ranked business schools, the definition of “good” will vary considerably but keep in mind that an above average score may really boost your chances at these schools, including for scholarships. About the Author Michelle Miller is the CEO ofARINGO Americas, an MBA admissions consulting firm specializing in assisting candidates gain entry to the top MBA programs around the world. Michelle has worked in higher education for over 10 years and is currently writing her PhD dissertation.

9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Refinancing Your Student Loans

9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Refinancing Your Student Loans blog.credit.com 5. Will they combine federal and private loans? The allure of refinancing student loans is being able to group all of your loans into one. Many students took out government financed loans as well as personal loans which can be tricky because of varying payments and amounts. Refinancing usually allows you to bundle all of your loans together into one payment which can be a huge plus. 6. Have I done my research? Similar to what I said about finding the best rates, do your research on the company in general. It’s likely you’ll be working with them for five to 10 years and if you’re constantly frustrated with them, it’s a recipe for disaster. Make sure the company you have is helpful and provides personal information for you. Don’t fall into the trap of finding good rates at a company you hate dealing with. 7. What are minimum rates? Even though it may seem counter intuitive, sometimes your debt may be too low. Most times, companies require a minimum of $7,500-10,000 of minimum student loan debt. If you’re under that, it may be easier to just pay off your student loans in the traditional fashion. Again, these rates will vary based on the company you’re looking at, so if your debt ranges around those numbers, be sure to check for minimum rates. 8. What’s my income and credit score? Like many loans, refinancing companies will often require either a steady (and relatively high) income or a really nice credit score to be approved. If you’re fresh out of college, it isn’t likely that either of those will be your first priority and might be lacking. However, some companies will accept you based on timely payments in general. Because of this, you’ll probably need a cosigner on your refinancing loan. If finding someone to cosign seems like a large issue, refinancing may become an issue for you. 9. Should I shorten my loan horizon? Ultimately, as it is with any loan, the shorter the horizon of your loan, the less interest you’ll be paying. This means you’ll be paying less money than you already owe. However, this doesn’t mean that the shortest loan is always the most feasible option. If you are seriously doubting your abilities to make the monthly payments on the shortest loan plan, don’t force yourself to. Make sure you’re settled into something reasonable and safe. Ask yourself if you can seriously take on the responsibilities of the loan. With all the grey areas of student loans and debt, finding out exactly how and what to do about them seems difficult at best. Because of the varying nature of student loans in amounts, grants, loan types, and other things, no one formula works. The best thing to do is to always do your research and really understand the benefits and repercussions of any loaning option. Talk to the staff of loaning companies to get a true feel to what you should be doing and how they’ll be able to help you. Once you do decide to refinance or not, you’ll be glad you know why.

Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge

Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge Sign up for the italki 2014 October  Language Challenge! Take the October Language Challenge!  This is a short, one-month Challenge where you give your language learning a quick boost! Our  last Language Challenge, the World Cup Language Challenge was  a tough Challenge!  25 hours in 2 months is very difficult to do but we still had over 55% of our Challengers who finished it and many of the winners  made huge improvements in their language learning. For those of you who felt that the last Challenge was a bit too Challenging, the October Language Challenge  might be just right for you as it is  just for the month of October.  For those of you who finished the last Challenge, the October Language Challenge should be easy to finish! To take the Language Challenge, you will need to follow these steps: 1. PLEDGE 100 ITC (10USD) You will get this pledge back when you complete the Challenge. Deadline to take the pledge is October 7th, 2014 2. TAKE 12  HOURS OF LESSONS  DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER With any Community Tutor or Professional Teacher from October 1st untilOctober 31st (think ~3 lessons a week) 3. WIN 200ITC (20USD) Youll receive your 100 ITC pledge back AND 200 ITC for a total of 300 ITC!. We are paying you to learn a language! Click here to Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge now! And finally become fluent in a new language! Still have questions about the Challenge?  Click here to read the Official Rules and FAQs. What Previous Challengers Say! I always wanted to learn French but always had an excuse to never put in the time to truly learn it. The italki Language Challenge was the perfect opportunity to finally start learning French. It was tough but it worked! Lexi You can do it! See Before and After Videos ( 1 | 2 ) from Winners of our previous Language Challenges! Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge Sign up for the italki 2014 October  Language Challenge! Take the October Language Challenge!  This is a short, one-month Challenge where you give your language learning a quick boost! Our  last Language Challenge, the World Cup Language Challenge was  a tough Challenge!  25 hours in 2 months is very difficult to do but we still had over 55% of our Challengers who finished it and many of the winners  made huge improvements in their language learning. For those of you who felt that the last Challenge was a bit too Challenging, the October Language Challenge  might be just right for you as it is  just for the month of October.  For those of you who finished the last Challenge, the October Language Challenge should be easy to finish! To take the Language Challenge, you will need to follow these steps: 1. PLEDGE 100 ITC (10USD) You will get this pledge back when you complete the Challenge. Deadline to take the pledge is October 7th, 2014 2. TAKE 12  HOURS OF LESSONS  DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER With any Community Tutor or Professional Teacher from October 1st untilOctober 31st (think ~3 lessons a week) 3. WIN 200ITC (20USD) Youll receive your 100 ITC pledge back AND 200 ITC for a total of 300 ITC!. We are paying you to learn a language! Click here to Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge now! And finally become fluent in a new language! Still have questions about the Challenge?  Click here to read the Official Rules and FAQs. What Previous Challengers Say! I always wanted to learn French but always had an excuse to never put in the time to truly learn it. The italki Language Challenge was the perfect opportunity to finally start learning French. It was tough but it worked! Lexi You can do it! See Before and After Videos ( 1 | 2 ) from Winners of our previous Language Challenges!

The Journey to Learning Spanish for Beginner Students

The Journey to Learning Spanish for Beginner Students Learning a foreign language is by no means a piece of cake, but it is definitely not impossible. Back in middle school, I remember when I first found out that I would be taking Spanish classes, I was quite nervous. However, I quickly found myself very interested, and I developed my own strategies to effectively learn Spanish and do well in my future Spanish courses. I am not from a Spanish speaking country and I do not have any Spanish speaking friends. Fortunately, both in middle school and high school, I was able to receive a Spanish achievement award during the awards ceremonies. The strategies that I developed will guide students to excel in their beginner as well as more advanced Spanish courses.1. Have a Solid Knowledge of the Basics.As a student, you must be able to know the basics in the Spanish language. By basics I mean the alphabet, colors, days of the week, months, seasons, and etc. You should also know the definition of basic words such as name, age, and origin. The next step to knowing the basics is repetition. You must make flashcards with pronunciations, and also you must write out each new word multiple times in order to memorize the correct spelling.2. Translate the familiar words first.When you read a sentence and don’t understand the meaning of a sentence, translate word by word. For instance, ¿Quantos años tienes? may seem unclear at first, however, if you translate each word, the question will make a lot of sense. Quantos means How many? Años means years, and tienes means you have. By translating each word you can figure out that the question is asking about your age. This is a simple example, however, you can use the same tactics for more complex questions/ sentences. You can even pick out children’s Spanish books and translate each word to practice your translation skills.3.Familiarize yourself with the infinitive form and all of the conjugations.The infinitive form of the verb has AR, ER, or IR ending such as hablar, comer, and v ivir. Make sure you know that the infinitive form is to+ verb such as hablar is to + speak. Many people confuse the conjugated forms of the verb. Therefore, make sure you know that hablo, hablas, habla, hablamos, and hablan all refer to the verb hablar which means to speak. However, they do not mean the same thing, each form refers to its own pronoun. For instance, when you see the word hablan do not say it automatically think that it means to speak, recognize that this verb is conjugated and it refers to THEY speak.4. Repetition, repetition, repetitionI can not stress enough repetition can help you learn quickly.Make notes, flashcards, and repeat the new words as much as possible. Another great way of memorizing is writing out the names of objects in Spanish on a sticky note and sticking it to the corresponding object. For instance, you can put a sticky note with the word SILLA on a chair, MESA on a table, and etc. Each time you will look at these objects you will see the Spanish t ranslation along with the correct spelling.5. Watch Videos.Nowadays, we all go on youtube and watch some sort of a video in varying lengths. Every once in a while, just search for a Spanish movie with Spanish subtitles and also English subtitles. You do not have to watch an entire episode, you can just watch a few minutes every day. When you read the previous sentence, you might think why Spanish subtitles? Well, reading the Spanish subtitles will allow you to get better at spelling, and also sometimes the actors might speak too fast, so if you read the subtitles you might better understand the meaning. Also, the English subtitles will allow you to get the meaning of simple and more complex words. For instance, after you hear the word VAMOS, or ¿Que Paso? multiple times you will quickly learn their meaning since Spanish speaking people use them a lot.

Four Easy Ways to Make Summer Break Fun and Educational

Four Easy Ways to Make Summer Break Fun and Educational Four Easy Ways to Make Summer Break Fun and Educational Playgrounds may not be the only place your kids experience a “slide” this summer. While a break from the mental taxation of school is needed, studies show most kids lose two and a half months of their math computational skills between school grades. The same loss can happen in reading during the long school break. Just imagine the math and reading your child learned in the last marking period being completely forgotten by the fall. The good news is there is plenty of time in the summer for fun and learning. Here are simple things parents can do to prevent learning loss and keep skills sharp through the summer. Encourage your child to read books. The easiest way to counter learning loss is for kids to read books. Try to incorporate reading into your child’s bedtime routine. If you have an early riser, this is a great activity first thing in the morning. Reading each day goes a long way towards developing valuable vocabulary and comprehension skills. Enroll in a learning program. If you want even more enrichment, the best method is to find an individualized learning program. The Kumon Math and Reading program provides customized lesson plans year-round for pre-school through high school aged children and can help prevent the summer slide. Take a walking or biking tour. Whether you explore your own neighborhood or a new one while on vacation, educational walking or bicycle tours are a great way to learn about history while getting some exercise. Visit a museum. Start by exploring your local museum’s web site to help get your child excited about a visit. Search for interactive exhibits and periods of history that your child has studied in school to make it even more engaging. Make those exhibits among your first stops when you visit the museum. Summer is a break from school, but doesn’t have to be a break from learning. Take regular fun activities that are already planned and turn them into learning opportunities. Without even realizing it, your kids will enjoy themselves while keeping their brains stimulated and engaged. You might also be interested in: Maintaining Momentum this Summer to Keep from Falling Behind 5 Creative Summer Reading Tips 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup Four Easy Ways to Make Summer Break Fun and Educational Four Easy Ways to Make Summer Break Fun and Educational Playgrounds may not be the only place your kids experience a “slide” this summer. While a break from the mental taxation of school is needed, studies show most kids lose two and a half months of their math computational skills between school grades. The same loss can happen in reading during the long school break. Just imagine the math and reading your child learned in the last marking period being completely forgotten by the fall. The good news is there is plenty of time in the summer for fun and learning. Here are simple things parents can do to prevent learning loss and keep skills sharp through the summer. Encourage your child to read books. The easiest way to counter learning loss is for kids to read books. Try to incorporate reading into your child’s bedtime routine. If you have an early riser, this is a great activity first thing in the morning. Reading each day goes a long way towards developing valuable vocabulary and comprehension skills. Enroll in a learning program. If you want even more enrichment, the best method is to find an individualized learning program. The Kumon Math and Reading program provides customized lesson plans year-round for pre-school through high school aged children and can help prevent the summer slide. Take a walking or biking tour. Whether you explore your own neighborhood or a new one while on vacation, educational walking or bicycle tours are a great way to learn about history while getting some exercise. Visit a museum. Start by exploring your local museum’s web site to help get your child excited about a visit. Search for interactive exhibits and periods of history that your child has studied in school to make it even more engaging. Make those exhibits among your first stops when you visit the museum. Summer is a break from school, but doesn’t have to be a break from learning. Take regular fun activities that are already planned and turn them into learning opportunities. Without even realizing it, your kids will enjoy themselves while keeping their brains stimulated and engaged. You might also be interested in: Maintaining Momentum this Summer to Keep from Falling Behind 5 Creative Summer Reading Tips 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup

How to Prepare For the ACT General Chemistry Final Exam

How to Prepare For the ACT General Chemistry Final ExamA student taking the American College Testing (ACT) General Chemistry final exam must perform his or her best. The test is the final measure of whether a student has learned enough about chemistry to earn a college degree. While taking the test, it is important to remember that the test is graded based on the student's performance, not the subject matter. As a result, a student must know the material well enough to pass the test.Taking the General Chemistry test may be the first step toward earning your college degree. In addition to the American College Testing (ACT) General Chemistry exam, you will also have to take the test for every subject you wish to study. A good prep course can help prepare students for the exams and for the college entrance exam.Students with previous experience studying for the test will do better than those who have never taken an ACT test before. In addition to the exam preparation courses available o nline, some ACT testing centers offer certain classes specifically designed for individuals who have never taken the ACT General Chemistry exam.The test itself is structured to make it easy for students. You will not have to worry about remembering many difficult elements of the test, such as the percentages of hydrogen and oxygen in water. It is more about taking a few questions at a time and trying to answer them correctly.Most students will have a number of tips they can use to prepare for the test. Some students find that practicing the topics covered on the test before taking it can improve their test-taking skills. Others will be able to recall much of the material during their practice sessions. After all, it is often more effective to study what you know and less about what you don't know.For those students who have not taken the test before, they may be more nervous than usual. If this is the case, try to put yourself in a relaxed environment where you won't be interrupted. Allow yourself some time to enjoy some snacks or reading a book. Also, don't be afraid to make mistakes or test yourself more.These tips are useful to students who have never taken the test before. Following these tips will help you make your exam preparation as simple as possible.

Organic Chemistry Condensed Structure

Organic Chemistry Condensed StructureOrganic chemistry condensed structure has been one of the most important study of the field for decades. The reason for this is that condensed structure deals with the individual atoms, molecules and cells. This applies to many different chemical applications such as the synthesis of fuels, chemicals, and other compounds.Some of the popular organic chemistry condensed structure courses include organic chemistry: Fluids. It helps students understand the properties of liquids, solid materials, and mixtures. In particular, the course focuses on the properties of organic solids such as liquids, water, and other fluids. Topics include their molecular structures, dissolving characteristics, and melting points. It also teaches students about bonding of chemicals, the concept of elementary phases, and how structures and reactions work in chemical reactivity.Organic chemistry condensed structure is also taught by some colleges and universities as part of a more comprehensive course in organic chemistry. This approach helps the student learn how the molecular structures of organic compounds are built up from smaller parts.A prerequisite for taking an organic chemistry condensed structure course is to have taken at least one course in organic chemistry. Some institutions may require students to take a laboratory component before they can proceed. This is usually done after a thorough review of laboratory procedures and terminology for both organic and inorganic chemistry.An organic chemistry condensed structure course covers the chemistry of organic compounds as well as their properties. It covers areas such as solubility and boiling points, melting points, molecular weights, metal-organic and covalent bonding, and solid-liquid equilibrium. Students learn about the basic properties of alkanes, aromatics, ketones, ethers, and aldehydes, as well as about how solvents affect the properties of these compounds.Most schools or colleges offer ing this kind of course teach it under the name of organic chemistry. However, students who wish to pursue a condensed structure, generally opt for the name or title. They may also choose to select the course according to the purpose they have for it, such as elective or supplemental.For students with busy schedules, they might want to request that their individual chemistry syllabus is followed. They may even request that extra reading materials be sent along with the course schedule. The student may also specify how much time is needed to complete the course. The instructor should be able to accommodate the request.

A Day in the Life at University of California, Davis

A Day in the Life at University of California, Davis The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Kandace is a San Francisco tutor specializing in ACT prep tutoring, Literature tutoring, Writing tutoring, and many other areas. She earned Bachelors degrees in both English Literature and Psychology in 2013 from University of California, Davis. See what she had to say about University of California, Davis: 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? Kandace: University of California, Davis has a student population of about 34,000, and the population of the city is roughly 65,000. Since half of the towns population is comprised of students, the town takes special care to cater to them. The campus and the town are incredibly safe. I never felt threatened, even when alone late at night. Bike theft is one of the most common crimes at the university (locks and bike chains are a must!). University of California, Davis prides itself on being a bike-friendly town. The streets are wide, the speed limits are low, the town is small, and there are no hills (just slight inclines). With that said, the campus is large. Many students ride bikes from class to class, especially if they have short breaks between classes. However, I found that once you start taking major-specific classes, the classrooms will usually be close together. The buses run on time and cover the whole city. You can ride the bus for free with a valid student ID. There is als o a taxi service that runs from 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. It will pick you up from a specific place and take you to a specific destination. Student safety is a high priority. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Kandace: All professors and teaching assistants hold regular office hours, usually multiple times per week. Most professors are willing to schedule appointments if a student is unable to attend their office hours. Academic advisers are slightly harder to meet with, depending on the size of the major and the time of year. I suggest making an appointment. Before meeting with your academic adviser, look at all your general education and major requirements, as well as your unofficial transcript. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kandace: I lived in the Tercero dorms, which were newly built. They were clean and housed two students comfortably. Tip: loft your bed and use the space underneath for storage. The different dorm sections (Segundo, Tercero, and Cuarto) are in no way centrally located on the campus. If you have a bike, this is not a problem. The dining halls provide a wide variety of meal optionsincluding vegan- and vegetarian-friendly! Every dorm section has its own dining hall. My dorm had a lounge with a television, as well as a designated study area. I was shy my freshman year, but I still found it easy to meet people. It is important to remember that everyone is out of their comfort zone when they move away to college. Some people might have friends from high school, but for the most part, everyone is eager to make new friends. 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? Kandace: I studied English Literature and Psychology. I studied Psychology simply because I am fascinated by the subject matter. I studied English Literature because I could spend every day of my life reading and writing, and I would be perfectly happy. I want to take this opportunity to mention that at University of California, Davis, it is easy to double major with hard work and strong organizational skills. The university practices the quarter system, and classes are easy to get into. The general education requirements are not overbearing. The English Literature program is much smaller than the Psychology program, so it is slightly easier to get advising appointments. As I said earlier, professors and teaching assistants are easy to reach out to. I always felt supported. 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? Kandace: It is not hard to meet people at University of California, Davis. There are plenty of activities that provide a way to meet people with common interests. There are also club and intramural sports teams. I joined the rugby team freshman year (having never played it), and I met some wonderful people, including my roommate for two years. Greek life plays a moderate role in the campus social life. I had no interest in joining a sorority, but if it interests you, it is available. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Kandace: The Internship and Career Center does active on-campus recruiting. It is easy to access its services, and to my knowledge you can utilize it for a year after you graduate. Many professors do research on campus, and it is relatively easy to find an internship in an on-campus lab. I did an internship in a social psychology lab for a year. Basically, if you send enough emails, you can get an internship. There are also internship and career fairs in the fall, winter, and spring. They provide a good opportunity to talk directly to employers. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Kandace: There are plenty of places to study at University of California, Davis. Most dorms have quiet designated study rooms. The library is huge, and it has multiple study spaces on every floor. You can also snag a meeting room if you want to have a study group. The union is also a great place to study. There is a quiet room on the first floor with tables, couches, outlets, and a fireplace. Tip: there is also an art room upstairs, which not many people know about. It has tables, couches, and outlets. If you want to study outside, the wireless internet at University of California, Davisis far-reaching. You can study on the quad or in the arboretum (the arboretum is beautiful a must-see). If you would rather study off-campus, there are coffee shops and bars that offer free internet. 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? Kandace: Again, Davis is a small town. It is as fun or as boring as you make it. The downtown area of the city is right next to campus. It is comprised mostly of independent stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. The Mondavi Center and Freeborn Hall host concerts, plays, and other performances. There is a farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the park downtown, which you must attend! There is amazing produce, meat, prepared food, and live music (on Saturdays). Since it is a small town, students get creative. The co-ops host parties frequently that include live music or DJ sets. With that said, my college social experience is defined by nights spent sitting around my backyard fire pit, hosting dinner parties, study sessions, poetry readings, and movie nights. Your friends will become your family. You depend on each other for all sorts of things, including entertainment. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kandace: University of California, Davis has a relatively large student population. Class sizes greatly depend on your major, as well as the particular class within that major. For example, my Cognitive Psychology class (taken by most Psychology majors) was in a large lecture hall, but my Human Memory course was small (about 30 people). My English classes were much smaller overall than my Psychology courses. I was generally pleased with my class sizes. I never felt as though the class size negatively affected my ability to learn the material. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kandace: In a poetry course my junior year, the professor started the class by exclaiming, POETRY! What is it? And how do we read it? Youll have to excuse mecoffee is the elixir of life, but apparently Ive had too much this morning. The class laughed hysterically. In the next ten weeks, this man completely transformed the way I read and thought about poetry. He was kind, thoughtful, and encouraged student participation. His passion for the subject matter inspired almost every student in that class. This is the type of eccentricity and enthusiasm I started to expect from my English professors at University of California, Davis. Check out Kandaces tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.