Teach Your Child To Succeed In The Classroom

Teach Your Child To Succeed In The ClassroomTutoring for kindergarten students can be a lot of fun. It is true that teaching these younger students is difficult as there are many obstacles that they might encounter in the classroom. So for parents who are looking for an opportunity to help their child learn through the teaching of kindergarten lessons, there are many ways to do so.One way to encourage a child to stay with the class is to participate in the group activities. You can also encourage your child to learn from your participation. Such participation can be part of the tutoring for kindergarten lessons plan.For instance, you can help your child get better academically by helping them with assignments. You can also instruct them to go on reading and writing assignments with other members of the class. This will improve the teacher-student relationship and make your child more confident to participate in the classroom.Another way to encourage participation in the classroom is to allow your child to interact with other children in the class. This can be done either through mass discussions or private conversations. However, the tutoring for kindergarten lessons can be enhanced if there is a place in the classroom where the child can play with the classmates.Children love to play with other children and this will improve their confidence in the class. You can also encourage them to participate in the classroom activity and do as much as they can at their own pace.Some kindergartners prefer to work in their own room or to do their homework while others prefer to study in their classroom. This is a good way to encourage your child to spend more time working and less time waiting. Also, your child can enjoy the freedom to explore in the class while you will teach them about the art of studying.So if you are looking for an opportunity to teach your child how to succeed in the classroom, there are plenty of opportunities for you to do so. You should select the tutoring for kindergarten lessons program according to your child's level and interests.

The 6 Most Bingeable Language Learning Roku Channels

The 6 Most Bingeable Language Learning Roku Channels The 6 Most Bingeable Language Learning Roku Channels Watching stuff on Roku is entertaining but not always productive.Studying a language is productive but not always entertaining.But what if you want it both ways?Cant we have our fun and get fluent, too?Luckily, learning a language on Roku will help you do just that.The right Roku channels can give you essential language training with the click of the remote. Many of them offer highly immersive learning experiences all from your TV roomâ€"and many are even free.These six Roku channels will give you all the material you need to turn your TV into your new favorite learning device! Why Learn a Language on Roku?First, learning a language on Roku is convenient. Roku is a handheld, portable device, so you can use it to turn any TV into a language learning tool. Youll  instantly gain the benefits of learning a foreign language at home  (or at your parents house, an AirBnB, an empty waiting room, you name it).And its a very affordable little gadget!Plus, learning a language on Roku is more fun and relaxing  than learning through many other methods. No need for an office, desk and set of pencils. Youll be learning while watching TV and movies, maybe from your favorite couch with a cup of tea in hand.Since youll be comfortable and entertained, your motivation to keep learning will go up.Finally, Roku offers diverse learning techniques. There are specific resources for language learners, but there are also resources that can hook you up with authentic international content. With these international options, youll hear your target language in many different, entertaining contexts.This is the same idea behind FluentU, another great option for fun language learning. Like Roku, FluentU hooks you up with real-world target language videos (like movie and TV clips, music videos, inspiring talks and more).Better yet, each video is organized by level and comes with interactive captions, flashcards and exercises, so youre actively building your vocabulary while you watch.Being a c ouch potato is starting to sound pretty smart, isnt it?The 6 Most Bingeable Language Learning Roku ChannelsInnovative LanguageInnovative Languages Roku channel offers lessons that incorporate cultural information, grammar, popular vocabulary and more. Each lesson features conversations to illustrate key rules and phrases.Plus, lessons are delivered by native speakers to give you a more authentic experience.With over 40 hours of content per language, Innovative Language is appropriate for all levels of language learner and aims to get even beginning learners speaking within minutes.The Roku channel offers lessons for 30 different languages, including popular options like Chinese, French, German and Japanese, along with less common options like Cantonese, Finnish and Polish.For $0.99 a month, youll have access to one language. Aspiring polyglot? For $3.99 per month, you can access material for all the languages.If you like this Roku channel, you can keep learning even when youre away from your TV. Innovative Language also has a series of popular audio and video podcasts for targeted language learning.The team is always churning out new lessonsâ€"there are already more than 1,000 available on their SpanishPod101 and ChineseClass101 apps, among several others. They also offer PDF lesson notes and access to a worldwide language community for a varied, immersive learning experience.Just try not to get in too deep all at onceâ€"its important to sleep every few days.Little PimLittle Pim is a popular language learning system for children and anyone with a childlike sensibility.Since Little Pim is meant to be a convenient option, it should come as no surprise that in addition to apps, CDs, DVDs, flashcards and books, Little Pim also offers a  Roku channel.Designed for beginning students, Little Pim uses spaced repetition to teach key words and phrases at the optimal moment, making memorization easier and faster. Words are presented with associated images and animations to help learners connect the word or phrase with its meaning.Additionally, children are featured in many videos, which is engaging for kid learners and adorable for adult learners.There are a dozen popular languages offered.NetflixIf you like TV and movies, chances are that the very word Netflix fills you with an overwhelming sense of joy and contentment.And not only can Netflix fill the extra hours you have each day, it can also help you learn a language. Thats because Netflix offers tons of international movies and TV.To browse, all you have to do is select the International category and go to town. Otherwise, you can search your target language and browse from there. Once you watch one foreign-language program, Netflix will start suggesting plenty more, so youll never lack for options.For instance, Spanish learners will love compulsively viewable TV series, like El barco  (The Boat) and El internado  (The Boarding School), though you may get a little paranoid that someone is out to get you. Netflix is even producing original Spanish-language content now, including Club de cuervos  (Club of Crows) and Las chicas del cable  (Cable Girls).For French students, TV shows like Les témoins  (Witnesses) provide handy language practice. Netflix also has an original French series, Dix pour cent  (Call My Agent!).There are plenty of options for other languages, too. For instance, language students might dive into the German TV show Der gleiche Himmel  (The Same Sky), the Chinese movie  ??????  (Secret) or popular Japanese anime like ????????? ??????  (Pokémon: XY).Plus, Netflix offers fairly flexible captioning on Roku. By going to the options menu, you can choose to eliminate captions or set captions to English or your target language.This way, you can practice listening without assistance, enjoy your favorite international entertainment with English-language support or listen in your target language while being able to refer back to the printed words.Amazon Prime V ideoAmazon offers some free international content for any Prime subscriber, so if youre a sucker for free two-day shipping, you can also go ahead and enjoy some language learning on your Roku.While Amazons international selection isnt huge, it does have a few quality options. You can find them by browsing the foreign movies  or foreign TV  categories.Amazon Prime is particularly friendly to Russian learnersâ€"one TV show to get started with is ?????????  (Ekaterina).While the selection isnt as vast as Netflixs, Amazon does offer some unique choices you wont find elsewhere.HuluHulu may not have a lot for language learners on Roku, but it does have some nice options that you might want to consider.You can browse using the international TV and international movie categories. Unfortunately, these categories arent consistently browseable without an existing subscription.Hulu is perhaps best suited for anyone interested in Asian languages, since it offers a decent selection of material in Chinese, Japanese and Korean.For Chinese students, there are options like  ???? (Shaolin Soccer). Japanese students can enjoy movies like  ?????? (13 Assassins). Meanwhile, Korean learners might like  ?? (The Host).French learners might like the TV series Engrenages  (Spiral).If youre interested in Scandinavian languages, you might like the TV show Bron/Broen  (The Bridge), which is in Danish and Swedish.YouTubeYouTube is everyones favorite free source of kitten videos and makeup tutorials. But YouTube is so much more than that for language learners on Roku!YouTube has videos on virtually any language you can possibly think of and some you could never imagine. For instance, if youre looking for a little !Xóõ listening practice, YouTube is there for you, though trying to replicate the sounds could literally give you a lump in your throat.But between the free grammar lessons, vocabulary lists and authentic material, YouTube is a language learners dream come true!Make heavy use of t he search barâ€"just type in your target language plus the topic youre hoping to learn, or even broader keywords like grammar lesson or for beginners. You can also search for your hobbies or areas of interest with search terms in your target language for fun, free authentic content.Bonus: An International Roku Channel in Your Target LanguageThis isnt just one channel: its a bunch.Thats because there are quite a few  international Roku channels that focus on providing content from one specific region. You can select a region where your target language is spoken, download a channel that focuses on that region and enjoy learning material.For instance, learning Chinese, Japanese or Korean? Try DramaFever. Spanish more your speed? Chile TV en Vivo  (Chile Live TV) might be right up your alley.Learning a language doesnt need to feel like youre swimming upstream. With these Roku channels, youll be streaming your way to fluency in no time!And One More ThingIf youve made it this far, youre p robably pretty interested in video learning (and with good reason, its awesome!).So we thought wed offer you a more detailed look at FluentU.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

4 Thoughts Students Have on the First Day of a New Job

4 Thoughts Students Have on the First Day of a New Job via Pixabay Every year, several million students graduate from college and are expected to enter the real world of hard work. Each month, at least several thousand students submit applications and resumes to various job boards and “we’re hiring” companies in the hopes of making the cut. Looking for a job is exhilarating and pain-staking all at the same time. Once you land a job, congratulations! But beware that a different kind of excitement followed by a little (or a lot) of anxiety takes hold. Trust me, you’ll get through fine as millions of young and old people before you have had to cross this way. You may be feeling nervous about beginning a new job or working somewhere for the very first time. And such feelings are completely normal. Making the move from full-time student to full-time professional employee can be a huge jump from the pool to the ocean. In college, much of your time was structured. Classes were set at specific times, and the same went for sports practice, live games, and bedtime if you lived in a campus dorm. You were also, for the most part, only responsible for yourself which included class attendance, health, homework, and grades. You had coaches, professors, mentors, and guidance counselors to serve as a booster along the way. Now, in the working world, things are different very different. You are still responsible for yourself and for your work but the whole company or department is relying on you to hold up your end of the deal. A mistake could be costly, even damaging to the reputation of the company and your co-workers. That’s another thing: you now have co-workers, bosses, supervisors, team leads, and managers that you have to choose to get along with. It would be great if we all could fast forward a month after we’ve settled into our new jobs, but it doesn’t work out that way. Here are some thoughts students have on the first day of their new job and a few suggestions on how to make for a more pleasant experience. 1. I don’t know anyone. Will my co-workers and supervisor like me? I hope I can fit in. If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, it’s normal. You’re the new kid on the block and will be for a while, and that is always an awkward position to be in. But soon, you’ll get the hang of your job duties and fit right into the team. Just don’t give up too soon. A good rule of thumb is to be open and personable beforehand. For example, you could find out some of the people you’ll be working with beforehand, connect with them on LinkedIn or friend them on Facebook, let them know you’re a new employee, and ask to meet them for coffee or lunch one day at their convenience. This way, you’ve put your best foot forward and made some connections ahead of your first day. Doing this can give you an extra boost of confidence and make the first day less stressful. 2. Am I wearing the right things? Is my clothing professional enough? If you already interviewed and received the position you applied for, you should have a good basic idea of what type of clothing is expected in the workplace. Sometimes the dress is business casual while other times it is more laid-back. Still, some companies want their employees to be creative and forward while other companies prefer a more reserved look. It is all in the research. How was the recruiter or the interviewer dressed? That may give you some ideas to begin with. As always, when in doubt, don’t be too bashful to ask. Asking what is appropriate attire beforehand can make you feel better about starting your new job on day one. 3. I look lost, fearful, afraid, or feel like I don’t belong. It is very important to counter feelings with fact. You may not know everything that you will know within a few months. Since you have to start somewhere, it may be a little scary starting out, but just knowing that many other people have walked in your shoes can be comforting. Remember, you applied for the position and you got hired for the position. That is an accomplishment within itself. Therefore, you do belong. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, remember what you’re there for and what you will learn. 4. I don’t know or understand something. Ask. Ask. Ask. You may feel as though you are being an annoyance by asking your co-workers or boss a lot of questions or asking for help or checking in with someone to see if you’re on the right track. It may feel that way, but you’re not. You get ahead by asking questions, getting help, and learning from others. You’re new and there are a few perks to being new including that the people around you who know more than you within the company are obligated to answer your questions and offer their help. Being the new employee the rookie is both exciting and challenging. Like anything else in life, you will have to do some things by trial and error and you will be faced with opportunities and problems. Your goal is to make the best of every situation. Learn all you can. Work as hard as you can. Keep an open mind and make a good impression.

Lost for Words The Ultimate Roadmap to 9 Best Translation Apps for Your iPhone

Lost for Words The Ultimate Roadmap to 9 Best Translation Apps for Your iPhone 9 Best Translation Apps for Your iPhone Before I leave the house,  I run through a mental checklist.Keys? In my hand.Wallet? In my purse.Purse? Over my shoulder.iPhone? In my other hand.As you can see, I’m not one who carries oodles of stuff. I have a real short must-have list.My phone? I never leave home without it. I suspect that you might be like me. Sure, you might have an extra thing or two to take from home in the morning. And you might swap your purse for a backpack or briefcase.But your phone? I bet you always have it on you when you leave.It’s a wise move, carrying an iPhone  with you. Your iPhone is essentially a tool used for instant global communication. That’s right. Your phone connects you to the worldâ€"and an undeniably huge amount of information.This is an especially useful gift for language learnersâ€"especially if we equip our iPhones with a solid translation app.With the right app,  were never at a loss for language skills. We never have to wonder how to ask for directions, translate signs or menu s or even chat with locals. All that informationâ€"and more!â€"is right on our phones!Also,  using a translation app potentially  brings language study to every minute of the day. A key to language learning  is practice, so this is almost reason enough to download a translation app!Using a translation app on your iPhone provides mobile, and sometimes entertaining, answers to language questions wherever you go.I bet you’re wondering how you ever left home without one, right?Well, no worries. We’ve got some incredible translation app options for that handy iPhone of yours!Let’s check some out! What to Look for in a Translation AppAn app  is a bit of computer programming designed for a specific purpose. In the case of language translation apps, they translate in a fast, uncomplicated, user-friendly way.When you consider downloading a translation app to your iPhone, make sure that your target language is included in the languages covered by the particular app. Not all apps provi de translations for all languages! Individual apps generally list the languages included along with other information on their download pages.Secondly, see if it’s possible to customize vocabulary lists. Some apps allow learners to build personalized lists of frequently used words and phrases. This is especially beneficial if you’re going into an employment or educational setting that has a specific vocabulary set you’ll want to access frequently.Make sure the app has the capacity to be helpful to your learning program. That is, look for one that does more than translate.Does it have an audio feature so you can listen to, then repeat words? That’s a super way to power up your speaking skills!Is there any gaming feature on the app? Increasing vocabulary by playing games is an ideal tool for language learning success! So,  look for “extras” that will enhance your practice time.Another feature I always look for in a translation app is whether or not casual, everyday words a re included. Things like idioms or slang always attract me. It’s a neat way to learn to sound like a local!9 Best Translation Apps for Your iPhoneFluentUWhile FluentU is not specifically a translation app, this  app has excellent translation features!FluentU is an online immersion platform that takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.Each video contains subtitles in both the target language and English. These subtitles can be toggled on and off at will, and  definitions for any subtitled words are available simply by hovering your cursor over the word in question.While watching videos or listening to audio, you can tap on any word in the apps interactive subtitles to better learn its meaning and see it used in context. Words and phrases are translated in a way that showcases their placement in conversations or text.Listen to words and phrases in example sentences to perfect p ronunciation and see them used in countless videos to better understand their context.FluentU isnt just about watching videosâ€"its about learning and actively practicing the language you hear in videos. Use the interactive subtitles, flashcards, quizzes and vocabulary lists to learn English phrases better than ever!Language TranslatorLanguage Translator is an app that relies solely on users speaking into it! Theres absolutely no typing necessary to use this app. Translating with this is fast and fun and has loads of interesting applications!Since this app allows users to speak into the phone and have their voice translated into another language, it opens the possibility to have complete conversations with someone when neither speaker knows muchâ€"or even anyâ€"of the other’s language!I have actually seen this work for a dating couple. She spoke Spanish and he spoke French but this translation app on her iPhone allowed them to communicate while they were learning each other’s na tive language!Aside from its romantic usefulness, Language Translator offers real-time translations in over 50 languages. This makes it an ideal travel companion as well as a translation tool!Reverso ContextReverso Context is a translation app that offers super translation options as well as a few fun extras!Translations appear in more than one format. That is, when a user speaks or types a word or phrase into their iPhone, a simple translation is given along with examples of how the vocabulary is used.Sentences and short text passages give users a real feel for how the word is used in both conversational settings, as well as in literary texts. Seeing translations in context makes it easy to put words and phrases into use for learnersâ€"and its especially helpful for beginners who may need a bit more than just a dictionary translation.The app also allows users to build customized vocabulary lists and flashcards. It even provides users with short quizzes based on the words most frequ ently translatedâ€"so it helps learners nail down vocabulary that they actually use!iTranslate VoiceThis app is a super tool for language learners! Its voice translation is accurate and the ability to share or copy voice conversations makes this app an ideal choice for anyone who consults with or shares material with other learners.The app has a phrasebook that features commonly used phrases. It also allows users to build a customized phrasebook filled with words and phrases based on individual preferences.This app can provide translations in more than 40 languages, including multiple dialects of Arabic and Chinese.Plus, the real-time translation that you receive as you speak into your iPhone makes using iTranslate Voice super simple and fast.Camera Translator: Translate +This point-and-translate app works with text or photos to  translate documents from one language into another. It works with street signs, too!If you struggle to read foreign-language restaurant menus, instructions , transportation guides or nearly anything else, this app is going to make your life a whole lot easier!The app is capable of translating more than 100 languages and can easily detect photos and images in a wide range of formats.I have this app on my iPhone and can attest that it works great when Im traveling. It has saved me from getting lost in a city where I couldnt read the road signs, so this one is a must-have in my book.SayHi TranslateSayHi Translate facilitates communication in a straightforward format that makes it possible for learners with little (or no!) language skills to share ideas in over 50 languages and dialects!Users can either pull up the keyboard to write text to be translated or use the microphone to access the voice translation option.One of the best features of this app is that it shows conversation in both languages. That makes it a snap for users to compile personalized phrase and vocabulary lists.Also, comparing sentence structure between two languages cou ldn’t be clearer! This is an ideal method for grabbing some grammar basics  by seeing them put into use.TextGrabberTextGrabber makes translating long passages of text a breeze.Users point their iPhones at text and its scanned and instantly translated. If the iPhone is connected to the internet, this is available in more than 100 languages. Offline, it translates into 10 languages.There is also a text-to-speech option that allows for spoken text to be translated. Additionally, the material translated can be quickly shared with other devices as well as apps that are installed on your phone.This is a great option for anyone who does a lot of reading or who is in an employment situation where there are important foreign documents that must be completely understood!Microsoft TranslatorMicrosoft Translator is a workhorse app that works both online and without internet access.It translates voice, text, photos and screenshots.A plus is the option to download languages for offline translat ion and study purposes. This is great for anyone who will be traveling to a spot with sketchy internet service or for learners intent on getting some extra vocabulary work in!Translate phrases and listen to them to perfect pronunciation skills. Save the most frequently translated phrases so they can be accessed for later use. Or, use the phrasebooks to pick up conversational tidbits!All in all, this is a solid app with lots of options.myLanguage ProThis app goes one step further than a lot of other translation apps for iPhones.In addition to offering text translation, it provides transliteration, which helps users read non-Latin script translations. Essentially, transliteration spells the characters in Latin script. This can also assist with pronunciation.Users can hear translationsâ€"a super way to hone pronunciation skills!â€"and can even pair a language with a target country so dialects are accurately represented.With 90 languages available for translation on this app, it has a w ide audience! Even exotic languages less frequently available on most appsâ€"like Cebuano, Mongolian or Maori, to name a fewâ€"can be found here.Let’s admit it: No one leaves home without their phone. And if you’ve got an iPhone with one or two translation apps downloaded onto it, youll never leave home without your target language at your fingertips!If youre traveling, explore with confidence.If you’re hoping to power up your language skills, incorporate some extra study time into your program by using one of these apps. Use every spare moment, including coffee breaks!And if you’re working hard to communicate in a foreign language, these apps have you covered.Youll never be lost for a word, phrase or translation again!

All About Tutoring Encyclopedia

All About Tutoring EncyclopediaTutoring has gained quite a reputation in the past few years. When you try to find someone who can help you with your homework or your studies, odds are that you will only end up finding one or two other people who have been tutoring their children for years and they know the best ways to teach them how to learn. However, there are a lot of people who would like to give their kids an education of their own.Most people tend to focus on teaching kids at home or even in schools as a way to better themselves and make sure that they get the proper education. That is why there are so many magazines, websites, and books about tutoring. There are also many people who want to do something good for the world, so they become tutors for others.In addition to tutoring college students and adults, there are also many self-taught tutors who will teach their own children how to learn something. Unfortunately, some people are not cut out to be tutors. A tutor must have a good amount of patience, they must be able to work with their children in order to teach them the right way, and they must have a love for learning.If you are the parent or the teacher of a child who is in need of a tutor, then you will want to read about the tutor and learn about what makes a good tutor. Most importantly, you will want to check out the tutor's qualifications. In the case of a young student, you should verify that the tutor is certified by the National Association of Educational Advisors and Supervisors.You will want to check out the tutor's experiences. You will want to check out if the tutor is certified by the Association of College Educators (ACE). In the case of any other people who are tutoring for a fee, you will want to make sure that they are certified by the Association of College and University Tutors (ACUT). This is especially important if you decide to use a tutor that is not certified.In addition to checking out the tutor's qualifications, you will w ant to check out the tutor's experience. You will want to check into whether the tutor has really learned how to teach and has kept their skills and experience fresh. You will want to check into how many people the tutor has helped with their own skills and how many students the tutor has helped.The tutor you choose should be based on these criteria in order to make sure that you are getting the best tutor possible. Do not be afraid to check out different tutors, and even to compare a few of them. When you find the perfect tutor, make sure that you find the right fit for your child.

How Much Can You Earn As a Tutor Job in Singapore?

How Much Can You Earn As a Tutor Job in Singapore?How much do you want to earn as a tutor job in Singapore? If you love teaching, teach in Singapore for the money. There are lots of jobs available in tutoring sector in Singapore. Just search for them in the online search engines and start the search.Tutors work on an hourly basis. Of course the work load is different for every tutor. However most tutors usually handle three to four students in their teaching duties each day. So the workload is not so high for a regular tutor job in Singapore.A tutor job in Singapore will be ideal for your dream job. You will also get a lot of benefits like holidays, free trips and others. This opportunity will give you a real salary and perks. The tutoring job in Singapore is a unique opportunity which could give you a chance to try out different places and talk to students and teachers from all over the world.Try doing this at home where you can have all your needs in one place. The advantages of th e tutoring jobs in Singapore would make you think that it is truly worth your time. If you are tired of your ordinary life, you can choose your own working hours. If you choose to go home after work, you can sleep.You can spend some time to enjoy your loved ones, watch TV or some short breaks. Tutoring in Singapore is one good way to spend time with your loved ones. Apart from that, your child could learn the English language and also try a new country in your first tutoring job in Singapore.The big thing is that you can make money with this job too. Tutoring is one profession where you can earn a good living.Ttutor job in Singapore You can go there from home and enjoy life and find something nice comfortable world around you. You may be spending money on rent, food and bills, but it will give you enough money to pay back those debts with ease.

What is it Like to Attend Northwestern University

What is it Like to Attend Northwestern University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Chloe is a 2012 graduate of Northwestern University and holds a Bachelors degree in English Literature. She is an Austin tutor who specializes in Essay Editing tutoring, Reading tutoring, ISEE prep tutoring, and more. See what she had to say about her alma mater: 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? Chloe: Northwesterns Evanston campus is on the medium/large end (240 acres), with lots of open outdoor spaces. It is right by Lake Michigan, well maintained, and really pleasant to walk around. Located in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, it is a happy medium between urban and rural campuses. On campus grounds, I felt very safe because they are well lit and even late into the night there are always a few people walking around. I lived farther off campus than most students do and was not as comfortable going home by myself at night. When it comes to transportation, Northwestern has you covered. There are several L train stops in Evanston, which can get you to downtown Chicago in roughly 45 minutes (less if you can catch the express train), but is not used to get around Evanston. The Metra is another, slightly more expensive, train option, mostly used by working commuters traveling longer distances. To travel through Evanston and the Northwestern campus, buses, biking, and walking are all commonly used. Northwestern has a campus shuttle used nearly exclusively by students, but the Evanston Loop is also convenient, especially for students living off-campus. With some transfers, the Evanston Loop can also take you into Chicago. From 7pm-3am, Northwestern also offers a driving service called Saferide. While it is NOT a taxi service and will rarely be available on-demand, Saferide can be used when students do not feel comfortable getting home on their own. Students should be aware that in the winter, they get booked rapidly, and are not meant to be used regularly. If need be, Evanston also has a number of taxicab companies that can be at your door within 5 to 15 minutes. Finally, Northwestern offers a carpooling service around the holidays that allows students to share rides to OHare and Midway airports at a discounted price. Not many undergraduate students have cars at Northwestern because with all of the other options, it is unnecessary, and parking is inconvenient both on and off campus. Many students do have bikes, which make for faster trips to campus, but once on campus, it becomes difficult to bike through the crowds of people walking. I personally walked nearly everywhere throughout my time at Northwestern, and while I do not have fond memories of walking through snow for months, it was definitely doable. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Chloe: Whenever I sought out professors, they were pleasant and encouraged me to ask questions and bounce ideas off of them. One of my favorite aspects of college was having in-depth conversations with my professors that were sparked by concepts/texts from class, but had nothing to do with assignments. That being said, do not expect professors to come to you if you are struggling, have missed a lot of class, etc. Professors who reach out to you just to check in are rare at Northwestern, so dont be afraid to contact them. The majority of teaching assistants were exceedingly available. They were quick to respond to emails and usually happy to stay after class and/or set up meetings to talk to students. Unfortunately, the handful of times I was able to see my academic advisors over my four years, my meetings with them were brief and only dealt with necessities such as getting paperwork done. I did not feel much advising took place when it came to making decisions about my studies, but I must say that I have many friends who loved their advisors and felt that they were helpful. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Chloe: Northwestern freshmen are required to live on campus, and most sophomores live there as well. The personalities of the Northwestern dorms span a huge range. Fortunately, there are pictures and descriptions of all the dorms online so you will know what to expect. There are 18 residence halls and 11 residential colleges. The former are traditional dorms while the latter emphasize community, each with their own faculty fellows and built-in opportunities for students to get to know each other. Many residential colleges have concentrations, such as green living, performing arts, and international studies, attracting students who are particularly interested in those fields. For someone like me, who was nervous about making new friends, it made sense to opt for a residential college. During orientation, there were activities planned every night, ranging from making smores on the lakefill to touring the entire dorm building in groups on a scavenger hunt. I loved living in Willard Resi dential College, and several of my closest friendships were formed there. Nearly all dorms are coed (with separate bathrooms), have kitchen facilities, TV/game rooms, and large common rooms. Double rooms are the most common, with a handful of singles and triples. Many have their own dining halls and/or convenience stores, and those which do not are only a short walk from dining/shopping locations. Dorms located on north campus are closer to the athletic facilities, Engineering buildings, and fraternities, while those on south campus are quieter and nearer to the Liberal Arts buildings and downtown Evanston. Accepted Northwestern students rank their top 5 preferred dorms and will typically be placed in one (I was placed in my first choice) and those who wish to live in a residential college must submit a brief essay about why they would like to live there. Sophomores who wish to stay on campus but change their dorm can do so. 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? Chloe: Some of Northwesterns most popular areas of study are: Journalism, Engineering, Communications, Political Science, and Psychology. The majors within the Medill School of Journalism, the School of Communication, and the McCormick School of Engineering are all more in the spotlight because their schools are revered and specialized. Because the School of Education and Social Policy is the smallest school and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences has over 60 majors and minors rather than a particular focus, they receive less publicity. Of course, that does not mean that the students themselves are any less valued. I graduated with two majors, Film in the School of Communications and English in Weinberg, and I had great experiences with both departments. I came to Northwestern as a Communication Studies major, but after my first English class I realized that I was meant to study literature. As a sophomore, I enrolled in a Film Theory course which I enjoyed so much that I decided to minor, but eventually accumulated enough courses to double-major! The English departments faculty is brilliant and dedicated. My English courses taught me not only about literature, but history, gender studies, and religion as well. The Film department is filled with more quirky, but equally passionate teachers, and Northwestern offers numerous opportunities for Film majors such as grants, screenings, internships, and lecture series with media industry professionals. 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? Chloe: Overall, I found it relatively easy to meet people at Northwestern. Of course, it takes awhile to distinguish who amongst the dozens of other students you seem to meet everyday will be the ones you form lasting friendships with. For the duration of orientation week, freshmen spend most of their time in groups with other students of the same major, and several events are organized by school, giving them many opportunities to meet people with similar interests. The residential college I lived in also had at least one planned activity every week (more during orientation), which was a nice way to get acclimated. Many professors at Northwestern, especially those teaching courses designed for freshmen, include introductions and even brief activities on the first day of class so that students can learn a little bit about each other at the start of the quarter. About half of undergraduates pledge fraternities and sororities, but Greek life is not especially apparent to those who are not a part of it. Students who go Greek seem to dedicate a significant amount of time to it, but fraternity parties are typically open to everyone, and being part of a fraternity/sorority is definitely not pivotal to having an active social life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Chloe: While I never went there myself, many of my colleagues found internships, fellowships, and jobs during school and after college through the Career Center. It has a solid reputation for jump-starting the careers of students and recent graduates. Students also receive weekly emails about various recruiting opportunities, job fairs, guest lectures, and tutorials for building skills such as resume-writing and interviewing. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Chloe: Norris University Center, Northwesterns main student center, was just updated last year. It is spacious, and a great place to grab a meal with friends between classes, study, or meet in groups to work on projects. Norris houses a bookstore, a large food court, a Starbucks, a FedEx mailing center, a small art gallery, an arcade, and an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter! The ground floor also overlooks the lake and offers a beautiful view. Norris is usually busy but not overly crowded. While I only visited a few dorm lounges, the ones I did spend time in were clean and well-furnished, but rarely full. The dorm I lived in was sizeable and had a common room, study lounge, computer lab, TV lounge, and game room. These were never packed, with about ten students at a time in each. University Library, which is attached to Northwesterns gorgeous original library, Deering, is enormous. Most of the time, it is easy to find an empty desk, armchair, or even an entire room to study in. However, around midterms and finals weeks, it can be hard to find a comfortable work space, and impossible to find a secluded one. During those hectic times, the main library stays open all night, and most students will have pulled an all-nighter there by the time they graduate. The Engineering and Math departments have their own libraries elsewhere on campus, which are significantly smaller, but offer an alternative for students majoring in those subjects. 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? Chloe: Northwesterns undergraduate campus is located in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Popular Evanston businesses within walking-distance of campus are Whole Foods, Urban Outfitters, Barnes Noble, American Apparel, an Irish pub, a few bars, several coffee shops, and a movie theatre which screens major releases as well as independent and art films. Evanston also has wide variety of restaurants, many of which rival the quality of those in Chicago. There are upscale spots perfect for date nights as well as standards like Chipotle and Burger King. Evanston is far from boring, but most businesses do close around 10pm even on the weekends, which can be disappointing for night owls. Luckily the El train runs until 2am, so you can go into Chicago for more options. Despite the cold, Chicago is one of the countrys liveliest and most diverse cities, and a huge perk of going to Northwestern is knowing it is close by. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Chloe: Northwestern currently has about 8,500 undergraduates and nearly 11,000 graduate students. However, the individual schools within Northwestern vary in size. The School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), for example, has about 300 undergraduates and 400 graduate students while the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences has around 4,000 undergraduates and no graduate students. Class sizes vary greatly I took discussion-based courses with less than 10 students as well as large lectures with nearly 200. As an English major, most of my courses consisted of 20-30 students. Of course, the further along in your studies, the more opportunity for small classes you have. Not only do upperclassmen register first for their classes, but once students have declared their majors and minors, they are able to pre-register for classes in those subjects. I found this system worked well, allowing those with a vested interest in certain areas of study the chance to get into small classes with s tudents who shared their majors/minors. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Chloe: My sophomore year, I heard that my favorite professor would be teaching a Faulkner course only available every other year. Because I was an underclassman and didnt have priority, I couldnt sign up in time for such a popular class. Fortunately, I got in as a senior and it turned out to be one of the most fascinating and memorable courses I ever took at Northwestern. Our last day of discussion was held in our professor's home, where we all brought different brunch items. Crammed in wherever we could fit, we shared our final thoughts about the books we had read while we ate bagels and drank coffee! It was a great end to the quarter and I felt completely rewarded for having waited several years to take the class. Check out Chloes tutoring profile. The views expressed this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.