Sunday, March 29, 2020

Computer Science in Northern Ireland

Computer Science in Northern IrelandIf you have ever wanted to learn computer science in Northern Ireland then now is the time to enrol in a computer science course as there are many computer related jobs available. The only issue is that it can be difficult to find one as the jobs in Northern Ireland are already highly competitive, but the problem can be solved by learning how to take up computer science lessons.You will not find many jobs in Northern Ireland, which is why many of the Irish people have moved to this part of the world. With computers being so important in this modern world, we see many Northern Irish people with good careers in IT, as well as a lot of jobs in the high end IT industries. These IT jobs are very well paid and are ideal for the young graduates who wish to change careers and study and earn a degree.You may wonder what the point of taking computer science classes is when you have no idea where to start when it comes to a computer course. The problem is tha t a lot of people are either unable to find a course that suits them or the ones that they do find tend to be too expensive. As long as you take up computer science lessons in Northern Ireland you will be able to get the training that you need to get a good job in this field.Another reason why so many Irish people are moving to Northern Ireland is that the cost of living in this part of the world is very low. In addition to this, there are many opportunities available to them and they often find that the money that they spend on traveling back and forth does not really cover their living expenses. A computer science class can help to put these individuals in a position to make the type of money that they want and can provide them with the type of career that they are looking for.With the wide variety of colleges and schools that offer the computer courses, you will be able to choose from one that offers full time or part time courses. Many people find that these are good ways to hel p to get them started and if you can do all of your work from home that would also help to reduce your costs. If you want to study in Northern Ireland, you will find that it is a good idea to choose a college that offers some form of certification, so that you can get your certifications while you are still studying.You should also consider going to the courses because they can give you new skills that you never knew existed. When you are looking for a job, especially in this day and age, you need to make sure that you learn new skills so that you are always at the top of your game.Some schools will offer courses on Saturdays and Sundays so that students who work are free during the day. This means that you will be able to get the best experience for your money. If you take up the computer science classes, you will be able to get an understanding of how to set up programs that can help you to save money, develop new ideas, and can even teach you how to get yourself a job in the IT i ndustry.If you do decide to enrol in a course, there are several things that you will need to look for when choosing a school. In particular you will want to make sure that they offer the correct amount of money for tuition, as well as take care to ensure that the instructors are reputable and do have the necessary credentials. When you take up a course in Northern Ireland you will have access to a great deal of information on all levels of computer science, and you will also have access to other opportunities that are available in the IT field.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Top 5 Study Spots

Top 5 Study Spots This post was written by Megan YbarraWhen I was in college, my study set-up during my first semester of freshman year was a package of chocolate chip pop tarts, some coffee, and my books and papers all over my bed. And then my roommate decided to start up a sorority for Hispanic scholars, so my dorm room became less of an educational oasis and more Latina World Command. It was then I discovered a desk in the northwest corner of the sixth floor of the library, which was to be my constant companion throughout the next three and a half years. Libraries top the list, of course, but here are some other alternatives to study in when your house has become your hell (academically speaking).1. LibrariesThey’re quiet, they have alternative texts if the book you’ve got isn’t much help to you, and these days many local libraries host and sponsor free tutoring programs. In fact, though Frog Tutoring specializes in private, in-home tutoring, most of the tutoring sessions for college students happen at libraries due to the disruptive nature of the student’s home life and the accrued cost of meeting at a coffee shop three times a week. Library chairs are also very cushy, by and large.2. Coffee ShopsAh, for the days when I studied James Joyce on a soft, velvet cushion with a nice blueberry muffin, a caramel macchiato, and an industrial sized bottle of ibuprofen. You can find an English tutor to help you with pretty much any genre and/or book but Finnegan’s Wake, although I understand that getting an A on that paper is a good indication that your psychiatrist is about to up your dosage. It’s also a great place for small, relaxed study group sessions, as long as everyone’s wallet is equal to the task. 3. Designated Study HallsMany high schools and dorms have large rooms dedicated to this purpose. Mine had one with a piano in it, which was nice when the pianist was a music major, but impossible when the pianist was practicing for his Billy Joel cover band (true story ). Nine times out of ten, this is not an issue.4. Parks or The QuadFresh air and sunlight are actually conducive to retention and performance. You are also likely to run into a classmate who may also need to study. These situations are actually really great for language students looking to hone their conversational skills.5. Laundry Room/LaundromatYes, seriously. The background noise is white and not distracting and people will generally leave you alone. If you’re a structured studier, your study breaks are predictably timed and you’re managing your time effectively â€" especially if you do actually meet the [person] of your dreams there after all. Tell us what your favorite study spot is in the comments below!

International Programs School

International Programs School International Programs School The International Programs School in Al Khobar opened in 2000 with 19 students. To date, the school has an enrollment of more than 790 students representing over 35 different nationalities. IPS is a dynamic, gender-segregated, international school in KSA offering a North American curriculum. We are accredited by MSA and authorized by the Saudi Ministry of Education. Our faculty is a mix of certified teachers from English speaking countries and Arabic teachers from the Middle East. Our core courses of study are aligned with North American standards and we pride ourselves in providing a top quality classroom environment for our students. IPS is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Program (PYP) and the Diploma Program (DP). International Programs School International Programs School The International Programs School is one of the top international schools in Saudi Arabia, and currently, has over 590 students from 35 different nationalities. The school curriculum is aligned with North American standards and are accredited by MSA in Philadelphia and by the Saudi Ministry of Education. IPS faculty come from many different nationalities, each bringing a unique perspective to their student’s education and contribute to the multiculturalism and focus of the school. Students are responsible for taking an active role in their education, but IPS teachers are passionate about ensuring students are given the proper tools and skills to become lifelong learners even after graduation.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Advantages of Duke Graduate Student Tutoring

Advantages of Duke Graduate Student TutoringThe Duke Graduate Student Tutoring Program is a very good way to learn from those who have achieved much success in their careers. It has helped many graduates go on to become world class individuals.Duke is one of the premier graduate schools in the country. With this program, you can really get that same recognition. What does it take to become a Duke graduate student? There are many who have found the resources they need and have excelled.Many prospective students look at the Duke website to see if there are any scholarships available for them. However, they may not find the information they need until they've started their college career.A few examples of scholarships available from Duke include the Dominguez Family Scholarship, the Campbell Grant, the Duke Overbrook Scholarship, the Thomas M. Cooley Prize for Achievement in Professionalism, the Williamson Award, the DiBartolo Award, the Davey Award, the Robert Woods Keller Grant, the G eorge H. Eastman Award, the Kiplinger Family Foundation Fellowship, the Powell Foundation Fellowship, the Pat Summitt Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Catherine Wilson Chair at Duke, the Smith Foundation and the SAE Foundation Scholar Awards. You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid to see if any scholarships are available for a specific school or program.As mentioned, potential students can consult the Office of Financial Aid to see if there are any scholarships for their particular school or program. Since so many scholarships are offered by different sources, it's best to start as early as possible. Start as early as high school to see if there are any scholarships for the higher grades. This gives you an idea of what you should focus on.Once you've established that you're doing well academically, you can move on to how to get a better job. The kind of jobs that don't require much work outside of school are the ones you will want to get once you're done with school.Rem ember, there are many scholarships available for students that attend Duke. Duke doesn't use scholarships to weed out students, it uses them to help make sure students are successful. You just need to figure out which scholarships and grants are most beneficial to you and then apply for them.

Practical Organic Chemistry

Practical Organic ChemistryPractical Organic Chemistry is a home based project in which one takes chemistry classes, combines them with math and science and then uses this knowledge to understand the natural world around him or her. People who are interested in this field of study are generally interested in studying natural phenomena such as the atomic structure of organic molecules and the chemical reactions that take place within it. People who find the topic interesting can learn practical organic chemistry with the help of this book. This book covers the subject of organic chemistry from elementary steps all the way to complete professional education.Since practical organic chemistry is an extension of ordinary chemistry, students would learn a lot about chemistry in the process. Students can learn about chemical reactions, why things happen and what they mean in the natural world, which is useful especially if one wants to become a physician or scientist in the future. In parti cular, students interested in becoming chemical engineers could learn about the structure of organic molecules. This is also useful if one wants to become a chemist.Practical Organic Chemistry has a large number of sources of information about organic molecules and their chemical reactions. This book makes sure that students get the most out of it. It also provides online exercises for students to practice their knowledge before taking the real classes. Other than this, the book also gives additional guides that teach students how to make experiments and how to interpret results. These guides can be found in the appendixes of the book.A large number of online assignments are also available for students to do. The book also contains many exercises that cover a variety of topics. One of the online assignments deals with the practical measurement of temperature and pressure. The student needs to analyze chemical reaction graphs to determine the absolute humidity of the environment and the concentration of chemical compounds in that environment.Another online assignment, this time dealing with understanding organic chemistry, includes the measurement of temperature and pressure. This is the second section in the book. Students should then find out which one of the four possible temperatures or pressures, which are - absolute, absolute and relative, is more advantageous for the study of organic chemistry.Finally, students will have to take online lectures with an exam at the end of the year. They should also take the practical organic chemistry online quizzes that come along with the book. This helps them master the material faster. Some of the online quizzes are put together by different students who provide feedback on the topics to be covered.Students can check out more information about Practical Organic Chemistry by visiting its website. It also has articles that help in explaining the theory behind the subject. The author of the book, Dr. Raymond E. Silver ha s also written many articles that will be useful for those interested in the subject.

Jobs in Vallejo - Tutoring Jobs in Vallejo, California

Jobs in Vallejo - Tutoring Jobs in Vallejo, CaliforniaIf you want to become a tutor in Vallejo, California, one of the best places to start is the local community college, or on-campus college, as it is often called. Just as with all campus jobs, tutoring opportunities are limited; however, this is by no means a job without a future for those who find the right place to begin their career.Students enrolled in certain language courses will need tutors to help them with reading and writing skills. They also have the opportunity to get technical training on computers and software to enhance their academic studies. Tutoring can also be a wonderful way to get students excited about learning.People interested in tutoring can take classes through vocational training programs, vocational colleges or even a computer academy. These all provide certification for those interested in working as tutors. In fact, many online jobs these days require that someone be certified in a specific language.A nother good place to start is in a community college, because they provide numerous tutoring opportunities from ESL classes to classroom workshops. Teachers at the college level can serve as tutors in such special programs as language classes for handicapped students or ESL classes for high school students who do not speak English as their first language.Some of the best tutoring jobs in Vallejo include tutoring at local schools and libraries. Others may offer tutoring online. Although this can save money on travel, it can be a very good way to get into the field.Even a job in a community college can be advantageous to a person's career, because tutoring opportunities abound throughout the year. A person may also be able to specialize his or her skills, such as teaching Spanish in an English class, or providing tutoring in a particular language class. A person may be able to work part time while taking another course or getting a certification.If you decide to become a tutor, take t he time to search for tutoring opportunities in Vallejo. The quality of your work and the amount of money you make may depend on your motivation and ability to meet the needs of students in the area. If you enjoy helping others with their learning, it could be an excellent way to gain experience, and make a great living.

The Best Math Tutor for High School Students Ever

The Best Math Tutor for High School Students Ever Struggling with your math homework? Tutor Pace’s math tutor can help you. If you are a middle school student, you can get the best ever math tutor. Math tutor: Why math tutor from Tutor Pace? Tutor Pace’s math tutor has got you covered 24/7. Whether early morning or late night, you can learn anytime from anywhere. Connect with our math experts all day and all night at your ease. Busy on weekdays? Get connected with our math experts on weekends. Struggle with geometry? You don’t need to worry because our math tutor is here for you. Our math experts help you with algebra, geometry, calculus, and all other math subjects. From solving algebra 1 to algebraic expressions, our tutors help you with everything. Tell us where you are facing problems and we’ll give you our best math tutor right away. Receive step by step solutions to all your questions, whether hard or easy. Finish your homework on time by connecting with our tutors from your comfortable place. Practice better using high quality study material provided directly by the math tutor. The comprehensive material includes study modules, math worksheets, and practice tests. Get regular feedback that helps you improve your performance. Study interactively in our virtual classrooms full of high-tech tools, such as whiteboard and live chat. Utilize whiteboard to work on your problems in real time. Use live chat to talk to your math tutor directly. Ask your doubts and convey your messages easily. Receive extra help on your test prep and exam prep. Follow a perfect study routine designed by our expert math tutor. Get your assignments done on time. Take expert’s guidance on your academic project. 7th grade math tutor: Tips for all 7th graders from our expert 7th grade math tutor Are you a 7th grader? If yes, Tutor Pace’s 7th grade math tutor has got something beneficial for you. Just read further to find out. 1. Arrange math accessories: Make separate notebooks for different math subjects. Have an alternative rough copy where you can perform calculations. Avoid filling the margins and labels of your textbooks. You can underline important terms and mark important questions. 2. Focus on information: Extract as much information as possible from a math question. Divide the information into separate sections. You can write the given, unknown, and irrelevant details under different headings. Focus on keywords that give you a good idea of what the question is asking about. 3. Record your answers: Don’t just solve questions and leave the solutions into your rough work. Record them separately in a notebook, so that you can refer to them during your tests and exams. Also, write your answers in a clean manner. That helps you to get organized. 4. Break your solution: Divide your solution into parts. Have a step by step approach when working on your solutions. Show each and every step to help teacher analyze your answer sheets better. This way, you get additional points for showing a complete solution. This strategy does wonders to your exam score, because even if your answer is wrong, you do get points for showing steps. 5. Practice word problems: Practice more and more word problems each day. You get to work on your analytical skills by means of word problems. You can understand problems better by grasping the accurate information. 6. Ask questions: Memorization helps only partially, while the real back-end work is done by abstract reasoning. So, keep asking questions from teachers in order to understand all your formulas well. 7th grade is a standard point for developing your reasoning skills. 7. Read a chapter in two turns: Read your chapter once before attending you class. Cover only the important topics and get a gist of the entire chapter. Don’t run into details at this point. Then, read the chapter again after attending your class. Now, enter into the details. Cover every topic that you had left before. Solve the illustrations and pay attention to case studies and other activities. 8. Apply math to real life situations: Try applying your learned math concepts to practical situations. This will help you enjoy the subject and get more relevant at it. 8th grade math tutor: Tips by 8th grade math tutor for ensuring success in 8th grade math An 8th grader needs to know the right things to achieve the best results. To help them, our 8th grade math tutor has come up with some cool tips. ? Don’t miss your homework: Finish your homework every night. Put efforts into solving questions. That opens your mind. Go through your class notes. They help you do a quick revision of all the important concepts and questions. ? Show all your calculations: No matter how brilliant of a student are you, it is always good to show all your calculations. It helps your teacher evaluate your exam sheets better. ? Make revisions in homework: If your homework shows a few red marks made by your teacher, you need to revise your homework. Those red marks signify mistakes and corrections to be made by you. Check for such mistakes on regular basis and correct them. ? Take other’s help: Ask students who are good in math to help you. Most of the times, your class mates can clear your doubts, if you approach them positively. Even better, if you are friends with them. ? Don’t keep your doubts pending: Ensure to ask your doubts the day you have them. Request your teacher to spare some time and explain what you do not understand. Often, teachers are happy to help students. But, students never approach them on time. ? Be neat: Use pencil for drawing shapes and figures in geometry. Use pen only for your writing purposes. ? Read textbook regularly: After revising notes, go through your textbook every day. Mark what you don’t understand and ask it from your teacher next day. Tutor Pace ensures your overall improvement by increasing your scores and confidence in the subject. Get our math tutor right now!

What are The Most Common Mistakes in English for ESOL Learners

What are The Most Common Mistakes in English for ESOL Learners Untangling Common English Mistakes Everyone Makes ChaptersCommonly Mis-pronounced Words in EnglishThe Most Common Rule Exceptions in EnglishCommonly Made English  Grammar MistakesA Word on Improving English SpellingIs Learning English Really so Hard?Every Esl teacher will tell you that mastering English should be a lifelong proposition:  one that requires attention to rules  as well as deviations  thereof.Any English learner, whether a native speaker in primary school or international student at university, is equally firm in the assertion that, to learn English properly, one must use a variety of techniques to continuously improve language skills.Wouldn't it be helpful to have a handy guide to follow as your learn? A roadmap detailing what pitfalls to avoid?Here we do our best to condense into one convenient list the most frequent errors of spelling, speaking, reading and writing in English.As a bonus, you will find helpful tips for English pronunciation and explanations of the more obscure grammar rules.Get your notebooks ready: h ere we go! free exam preparation materials.English is the most prevalent language taught online. - duolingoWith your computer, tablet or smartphone, you can learn everything from basic words and phrases to why nouns sometimes act as adjectives.Taking lessons online in addition to your other language courses might even help you advance faster!While beautiful, this sunset not 'literally' the most beautiful. Source: Pixabay Credit: MacayranFor more on the topic of regular and irregular verbs, conjugation and usage, you can refer to the British Council website, or other language learning resource you normally use.You could ask your Esol teacher more about verb usage, too.Vocabulary Gone AwryI am literally so happy I could fly!The word literally is often used in slang to express a quality or extremity.That was literally the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen.While trendy and popular, using such words as slang is not proper usage of vocabulary.While the sunset in question may well have been the most beautiful that the speaker has ever seen, it is unlikely that anyone could actually fly on the wings of happiness!To improve your English, try to resist following popular linguistic trends... at least until you have a firm grasp of the language. Following the British Council's podcasts is a good way to improve your English listening as well as your spoken English.On their website, you will hear conversation between native speakers over common, everyday subjects such as cooking or shopping.You can follow these conversations by printing out and reading the accompanying transcripts. Doing so will sharpen your reading skills and writing skills.These podcasts do not use incorrect grammar phrases or promote the use of slang, unless the topic itself is the proper usage of slang phrases.However, they will get you familiar with the idiom and its usage. Practice and PractiseEnglish vocabulary has several word pairs that are the same, but for one letter.Practice and practise is s uch a one, as is advice/advise.Spelled with a c, these words are nouns that can be used as adjectives:I always ask my Esl teacher for advice.or:You should take some practice quizzes before your exam.Contrast those with:My Esol teacher advised me to practise my reading and writing.Although there is no difference in the way these words sound, whether spelled with s or c, in writing them, the difference is crucial: one letter will decide what type of word it is.Even native English speakers use the verb in place of the noun sometimes. Word Order is Important!In English, arranging words to form sentences  follows this form: subject-verb-object, except to phrase questions.You probably learned that exception in your earliest English language classes. What follows takes us a step further in understanding word order.The cute little brown dog begged for treats.Listing adjectives requires a certain order for them to make sense. The qualifications are:Quantity or numberQuality or opinionSizeAge ShapeColorProper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material)Purpose or qualifierAccording to this list, the color of the dog is less important than its size; therefore little precedes brown.Similarly, the opinion that the dog is cute is far more meaningful than any of its other attributes, hence it is the first adjective on the list.Whether studying for Ielts or learning English for everyday use, this is one of the grammar lessons you should exercise often, until you can use serial adjectives like a native English speaker.A Word on Improving English SpellingMore than half of the words in English can be spelled  by the way they sound.Breaking words down into syllables can help you spell English words even difficult words correctly, every time. Whether you take English courses online or at a language school, spelling will feature heavily in your curriculum.The path to proper English may sometimes seem like an uphill climb. Source: Pixabay Credit: HansTo practice your spelling, you can write your favorite expressions and idioms â€" without copying!Is Learning English Really so Hard?With all of the grammar rules and spelling foibles, learning the English language certainly is challenging.To improve your English, you should select learning materials based on your goal.Do you aspire to being an international student at Oxford? If so, ESOL practise exercises would be for you.Has an American firm enlisted you? Then Business English and TOEFL quizzes would suit your needs better.If you wish to improve your language skills, you can take English lessons online or in a classroom.Proficiency in English comes from work and dedication.Practice your English daily, enroll in English classes, play word games online, and learn new vocabulary every day.You will soon find that learning English really is easy to learn.If you are looking for additional support with English, you can find a range of English courses in London and throughout the UK on Superprof.

A Student Review of Columbia University

A Student Review of Columbia University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alastair is studying history at Columbia University. He lives in Cleveland and specializes in European history tutoring, world history tutoring, and literature tutoring, among other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Columbia University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options at Columbia University. Alastair: Columbia is located in Morningside Heights, a neighborhood bordering the Upper West Side of New York City that affords relatively easy access to the immense cultural riches and professional opportunities of the metropolis while still retaining a relaxed, collegial atmosphere. Although there are few skyscrapers in the vicinity and the area is less densely populated than New York as a whole, Morningside Heights is still a diverse, vibrant subsection of Manhattan that has a distinct culture from the university itself. For undergraduates, a car or bike is totally unnecessary anywhere within the five boroughs of the city is accessible by bus or subway, while the classes are all within a seven- to ten-minute walk of the dorms. There is a large and available contingent of public safety officers patrolling campus constantly, along with identification card checks at dorms, libraries and the gym, so safety within the self-contained Columbia bubble is assured. Outside, in New York, s tudents should exercise common sense with the awareness that while crime has trended at all-time lows in recent years, caution is always necessary in a megacity. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alastair:The availability of professors is almost entirely dependent on their seniority, their publishing schedule and reputation within the broader academic world, the size of the class, and a students standing. Upperclassmen typically receive more attention due to the more pressing nature of their job and graduate school searches. This varies from professor to professor, but faculty with high public profiles are less likely to quickly respond to emails, give feedback about grades, or permit unrelated conversation during office hours. Younger professors, those teaching core classes, and teaching assistants are almost always well-qualified and friendly, but as is the case at any university, faculty expect communication with students to be concise and class-related. Academic advisers can be helpful, but also may not proactively reach out to students during important deadline periods. In general, the schools administration is massive and somewhat unwieldy, but its inefficiency is maske d by the brilliance of individual professors. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alastair:The quality of the dorms varies significantly between buildings and at different class levels. There is some belief among undergraduates that the administration reserves higher quality housing for freshman, foists dramatically less-appealing dorms on sophomores and juniors, and ratchets the quality back up for seniors who would otherwise be more tempted to live off campus. The vast majority of students do end up staying on campus for all four years, given the desire to live with friends and avoid expensive New York rent rates. Dorms do implicitly cater to different demographics, as outlined in annual features by the schools two major undergraduate publications, Bwog and the Columbia Daily Spectator. Freshmen looking to socialize often take doubles or triples in Carman Hall, while the most studious types end up in Furnald, and students looking for singles spend their first year in John Jay. The dining options are acceptable but will excite few gourmands John Jay Hall and Fer ris Dining Hall emphasize buffet-style ready meals with some stations. The food is rotated on a predictable calendar and is seemingly heavy on leftovers. Socialization, again, is up to the individual student. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Columbia University? Alastair:Columbias majors are excellent almost to a fault. Academically, the university will not disappoint you. However, while many of the humanities majors are well-resourced, this is not true for the creative writing department, which struggles to retain faculty and provide sufficient courses to meet demand. I am still in the process of deciding my major, and the difficulty of registering for courses in highly sought after and relatively underfunded majors does complicate that decision-making process. 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? Alastair:Meeting people in your dorms is the easiest option, but clubs and political groups will probably sustain more durable, meaningful relationships in the long term. Classes also offer another way to meet people, and Columbians shouldnt forget about the millions of residents of the city and thousands of other university students available to befriend. Structured social events like football games are not a major part of campus life, especially because athletics tend to disappoint on the field. Greek life comprises only 14 percent of undergraduates, but nonetheless strongly supports the social scene, particularly during Homecoming weekend, the spring Bacchanal concert, Halloween and other major social events. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Alastair:The Center for Career Education is a great resource for students interested in the finance industry, which it collaborates closely with to coordinate interviews for students applying for internships and jobs. Most students do ultimately attain employment or enter graduate school upon finishing their degree, and the high mid-career earnings of Columbia graduates speak for themselves. Consultants can be conveniently scheduled to assist with resume revising, internship and job applications or career counselling. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Alastair:Butler Library, at the heart of campus, is the largest undergraduate library in the country and offers six pristine marble floors and fifteen levels of molded wooden stacks for students to study in. Predictably, the grim reality of exam week renders this inviting exterior somewhat less thrilling as literally thousands of students spread out through the library system, causing seating shortages not only in Butler but in the architecture, law, and engineering libraries that are most sought after. Savvy students can generally find a seat any time. Most people avoid dorm lounges given the difficulty of studying in a loud environment, and some do cloister themselves in quieter parts of the student union. Describe the surrounding town. Alastair:New York is the major reason for Columbias decentralized social scene, as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA, the United Nations, Broadway, Times Square and multiple other major universities are all an easy subway ride away. The quality and quantity of cultural institutions is astounding, as is the difficulty of extricating oneself from the academic and extracurricular ties that seem to bind students to campus. Going downtown is logistically simple but complicated by the intense workload, in and outside the classroom. Nightlife is inaccessible to underclassmen but, particularly in the summer, a major draw for juniors and seniors. How big or small is the student body at Columbia University? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alastair:There are just over 8,000 undergraduate students divided between the four schools: Columbia College (CC), General Studies (GS), Barnard College and the School for Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Of these, Columbia College is the largest and most well-known; SEAS the best resourced and integrated socially with CC; Barnard the most independent in terms of identity, given its history as a womens college, and GS the most separate from campus, as many of the non-traditional GS students have ongoing careers or family commitments that require them to live in apartments. Class sizes in terms of seminars and discussion sections are well-apportioned and students will not be lost in the crowd. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Alastair:During my first week of classes, my International Relations class received an email informing us that our professor, Kimberly Marten, would be making an appearance on PBS. This was in addition to her many articles that fall in publications like Foreign Affairs covering the war in Ukraine, the character of the Putin regime and NATOs role in the crisis. It was a typical display of the credibility with which the university and its faculty are regarded by the outside world and the microscope on the intellectual and political life of our campus. Check out Alastairs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.