Things to Consider Before Hiring a Tutor For Primary School

Things to Consider Before Hiring a Tutor For Primary SchoolAre you looking for a tutoring service for your child? If so, then here are some things you should consider before hiring one. This will help you decide whether the tutoring service is for you or not.The first thing to do is to find out whether your child will be taking the course. For example, there are different types of schools that teach this subject. These include kindergarten, first grade, second grade, junior high, and senior high. In this case, you will have to know which type of school your child would be attending.Now that you know the type of school the child is going to be in, you can choose the right tutor for your child. There are many tutors in every city, but you must look for someone who is experienced. This is because this subject can be difficult. Moreover, it will take time for your child to be able to grasp it. As such, you should be ready to make a huge investment.Since it will take time for your child t o grasp this subject, you will have to be prepared to pay tuition fees. You will be paying for an expensive tutoring service in return for your child's good grades. Hence, make sure you are comfortable with the price. Just think of it as an investment in your child's future.You should also consider the process of choosing a tutor. Some tutors for primary school offer drop-in services. However, you must be careful about this since your child may not like being around you. Moreover, a good tutor is one who works with your child on a more personal level.A good tutor for primary school is one who is flexible. Your child should be able to feel relaxed around him or her. This is because your child would have trouble concentrating if he or she feels anxious. The tutor must also be patient and give your child enough time to absorb his lessons. Also, you must be able to trust the tutor as he or she knows the subject very well.Children love going to school so make sure that you pick a reputab le tutor. You should avoid those who are not established. If you do not want to be forced to choose between a well established tutor and a less experienced one, you can always look for ones who are not only experienced but also reputable. This way, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you have made the right choice.All in all, you should consider your child and then the type of school he or she will be attending. This will help you choose the right tutor for primary school.

Does Online Tutoring Have Privacy Issues?

Does Online Tutoring Have Privacy Issues?Online tutoring colleges are popping up across the country, allowing college students to study at home, whether they want to or not. However, the appeal of this arrangement is not without some negative elements, most notably privacy concerns. These concerns stem from the assumption that colleges should know about their students. If colleges can track students and keep tabs on them, then how can they protect their privacy?Since there is a lack of information about online tutoring colleges, some students fear that any information about them is compromised. This could lead to a lot of mistrust in the student's opinion. Student privacy is more than just protecting information. In today's world, it also includes the ability to view educational videos and enjoy educational activities that are not advertised. It can also protect the student's academic records from misuse.This information privacy is not only limited to college students. Many employers use the fact that there is no physical contact with the student for employment purposes. Therefore, even if colleges do have an agreement with the company where the student works, it is still possible that the student is able to find ways to work around this restriction. That is why, it is crucial for employers to make it clear to their employees that if they provide contact information, they will be at risk for internet privacy violations.To make things worse, college students tend to take a lot of online classes, even when they would rather be taking classes in person. Since they are so busy, they tend to put a lot of extra pressure on themselves to do well on their assignments, and thus lose focus on their study. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lowered grade in spite of an above average grade in their other subjects.It is the job of a teacher to make their students take online learning seriously. A good teacher will find ways to give them a break. For example, if the student i s studying a little bit ahead of time, it can be a benefit to hold the class and watch video content. Many students who would normally balk at this idea will happily oblige because they are used to going to class and being limited in the time that they can study. This is much different than being a student with a student-teacher ratio.There are many benefits to online tutoring, such as not having to worry about one's grades and deadlines. It can also be a great way to learn some practical skills. Students who find these activities valuable also find that they can be more productive students.There are also a lot of benefits to both the student and the parent of a student, because the student's privacy can be protected, the parent can also have time for themselves. In some cases, colleges will allow parents to sign up for a parent-teacher day, where they can learn how to improve their children's writing and spelling. They can also go over tips on how to increase their child's attentio n span. This allows both parents and teachers to have a much closer bond.

Online Tutoring - How It Has Changed the World of Education

Online Tutoring - How It Has Changed the World of Education 0SHARESShare Digital technology has changed the way of imparting education. The expectations from the current education system have changed a lot in the way tutor and student connects with each other to take tutoring. The virtual classroom is now well equipped with technological equipment like computer, laptop, interactive whiteboard, digital pen, projector, touch-pad phones, etc. The change is never instant or spontaneous, it gradually penetrates into the system eliminating old and introducing some new ways of receiving education. Online education builds a safe online environment for online tutor and students giving comfortable and confident feeling to make the virtual classroom live and act. Online classroom becomes interesting with the use of audio/video files, graphics, presentations, 3D-imaging, etc. The online tutoring is building trust between student and online tutors, tutoring complex lessons in cognitive online demands. Tutoring online has gained huge popularity among students with reason that it can be tailored on a case to case basis. The tutoring sessions are engineered considering student’s strengths and weaknesses. The tutoring is carried out one-to-one between students and tutor in a very personalized way focusing on each student needs. The luxury that online learning can give to students, tutors and parents is tremendous. The student can get quality tutoring right at the home with lots of flexibility in services and pricing. Online educational programs offer true knowledge with the necessary flexibility. Online tutoring is a new paradigm to get students ready to accept the challenges that approach in the next few decades to come. [starbox id=admin]

Choose A Violin Course Online Or At Home

Choose A Violin Course Online Or At Home Where Should I Take My Violin Lessons? ChaptersBenefits Of Music LessonsPros And Cons Of Online Violin LessonsPros And Cons Of Self Study LessonsPros And Cons Of In-Person LessonsPractice makes perfect. Like any instrument and any musician, the violin and violinist are no different. To be able to create the best sound, practice is required and a lot of it. But how do you maximise your music lessons and fast-track yourself to creating successful music?There are many ways in which to learn to play the violin, but whichever path you choose violin lessons will play a big part in speeding up the process. You may choose to study online, with free self-study resources or perhaps with a private violin teacher.A key to deciding how you would like to learn is to be aware of your goals for the instrument. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each learning route and hopefully by the end of this article you will closer to making the best choice for you and your violin.Playing the violin takes enormous discipline. Photo Source: Unsplash TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBenefits Of Music LessonsThe violin is one of the most beautiful instruments that you can choose. Although the road to being proficient is a long one, once you have achieved fluency there will be nothing to hold you back.These are the top benefits for remaining focused and dedicated to your violin practice.Violin is excellent for mental health and improving brain function overall.Sensory dexterity: Violin musicians may have the ability to tune into sounds better than some other people due to years of ear training.Learning violin can support a better attention span, patience and memory over time.Practising the violin is great to build confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness.Can increase wellbeing, reduces stress and it also provides an emotional outlet.An essential tip for playing the violin better is good posture. Practising the violin encourages better posture while standing and health awareness of the body.Playing the violin naturally instils the better organisation, self-discipline and heightened motivation.The violin community is very supportive and encouraging, which is perfect if you like to feel like part of something bigger. Although you spend your time learning how to play the violin alone or with your teacher. You will be able to join the violin community and even join orchestras, group violin classes London, music groups or get access to better schools including music schools.Studying violin online can save you quite a bit of money vs the same in person violin class. Photo Source: UnsplashPros And Cons Of Online Violin LessonsStudying online is a happy medium between taking private lessons which are structured and expensive and studying alone which is free and unstructured.  Learning how to play the violin online is a great way to study with professionals from around the world. You can choose to study with any great violin teacher or musician that offers to teach music online.All without having to fly across the world, you can meet them on Skype or Google hangouts, with apps like WhatsApp or Facebook chat, even with webinar software such as go to webinar.   In fact, as long as you have a strong internet connection, a good camera and microphone, your lesson will be almost like being taught in person.A key benefit of studying online is that you can save quite a bit of money vs the same in person violin class. Working with a tutor online can be ver y engaging as they can incorporate the power of the internet into the lesson. Also, you will be able to learn which websites you can use to practice outside of the lesson.Although studying online can seem more casual it should be treated with the same level of discipline and focus that you give to 1-1 lessons. Violin teachers where ever they are based will want to see you make progress towards your goals. Advantages Of Online Music LessonsYou learn anywhere at any time that you want to as long as the music teacher is available.There are a wide variety of apps, software’s and communication tools with which to meet your violin tutor.Studying online is a very engaging and fun way to study as you have lots of tools at your disposal and have to be a bit more creative to get your point across.You can record your lessons and watch them as many times as you like.Great for students from remote areas and student who prefer to have a wide selection of violin teachers to learn from.Useful for the beginner violin to study music theory, how to read violin sheet music, and the basics of music education.Perfect for musicians who already know the basics to intermediate about how to play the violin and just need to have regular follow up music lessons to ask questions or practice specific areas for improvement.Disadvantages Of Online Violin ClassesThe teacher cannot help you physically so things like tuning your violin, finger placement, posture, violin maintenance and the flow of your movement could suffer if they cannot see you clearly enough to advise a correction.You need to have a high-speed internet connection, an excellent clear camera, an excellent microphone.Internet connections can fail so can equipment.This is not the best route if you hope to be a professional musician although it would work well with private one to one violin classes.Pros And Cons Of Self Study LessonsSelf-study is a great way to study the violin for anyone who is highly motivated, focused and se rious about music. There are so many benefits including saving a lot of money on the cost of private violin lessons.If you are a musician, who has studied and learned how to play the guitar, cello or other stringed instruments in the past. You will likely be able to learn the basics of the violin without too much difficulty, you will also become accustomed to tuning your strings and will be able to learn how to tune your violin. Finger placement may also be familiar to you if you have a musical background.Most importantly if you also know how to read music, you will be in for a treat. However, if you have no background in music, are not a music prodigy, a beginner in the ideas of self-motivation and determination. You might want to consider another learning option as this may not be the option that will support you to succeed.Advantages Of Self StudyGreat for people who have a musical background.Very suitable for a musician who knows how to play string instruments.Possible for highl y motivated and patience students.This is the cheapest option, and there is nothing to pay unless you choose to seek outside help.There is a plethora of free material online and offline, including apps. That can help you with your violin lessons and personal curriculum.Will let you progress at you own pace, you may study as much or as little as you want to without worrying about meeting set targets.Disadvantages Of Self StudyNot suitable for students who have low levels of discipline.Not great for beginners who want to learn to read sheet musicVery challenging for beginners to learn violin in this way.Is lonely and lacks encouragement.Lack of structure may slow progress.Lack of guidance may create bad habits and hinder performance.The violin is one of the most beautiful instruments that you can choose. Photo Source: UnsplashPros And Cons Of In-Person LessonsLearning the violin privately and in-person is hands down the best way to learn the instrument. If you are able to find a teach er, violinist or music program available in your local area. This is how the most talented violinists have been taught and continue to learn today.If you wish to follow in their footsteps, you will be encouraged to study in this way. When you study with a violinist privately, you will be taught everything you need to know to become an active musician. Having your teacher with you means that you will be able to learn with ear training how to tune your violin correctly, you will be able to see how they hold the instrument and they will be able to correct you physically.The teacher will be able to troubleshoot any issues with your performance quickly and help you with it. Such as fixing your posture, finger placement, helping you to tune your violin and look after it. To attend lessons, you need to bring nothing more than a passion for the violin, your violin and an open mind that is ready to learn.The best thing about private lessons is that your violin tutor will be able to spot any habits that you are starting to form and defeat them quickly.Advantages Of Private LessonsHaving a private teacher focuses you on learning the violinPlaying the violin with your teaching will be inspiring and encouraging as you see yourself improve.You don’t need any out of the ordinary equipment, you, your violin and bow are enough to get started.You will have a hands-on approach to learning which will protect your progress and dispel any bad habits which could affect your success later one.Your environment will be distraction freeYou will get a first-hand look at the right posture, finger placement and how to maintain your instrument.Great for all ages especially very young students who will need a more hands-on approach to learning.Disadvantages Of Having A Private Violin InstructorViolin takes a long time to learn, and the private lesson can be expensive.There is little in the way of flexibility went it come to scheduling, and if you travel, you are likely to miss lessons.Your selection of violin teachers near me is limited to your local area.You will have to motivate yourself to leave home to travel to the violin lesson.All 3 of these routes to learning the violin have their pros and their cons. Once you know your goals the best course for you will become clear. There is no doubt about it, playing the violin takes enormous discipline. It is a very technical instrument to master, but it has considerable benefits if you are willing to stay the course. With passion, dedication and the right Violin lessons, you will be able to become accomplished in playing your beloved violin.

Ask an Admissions Expert Ian Fisher

Ask an Admissions Expert Ian Fisher Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Ian Fisher is a college admissions consultantfor College Coach. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Reed College before attending Stanford University, at which he earned his masters degree in education policy. Ian previously served as a senior admissions officer at Reed College. How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Ian: The application itself really shouldnt be started until the early fall of the senior year. Most applications dont actually launch until after August 1, so you cant start filling them out anyway. That said, you can do some leg work to get the bulk of the application done well beforehand. Students should develop an activities list or resume that tracks their involvement throughout high school, and they should begin work on the personal statement, the proverbial college essay, over the summer after 11th grade. What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Ian:My first piece of advice is for students to begin by ignoring the essay prompts all together, whether theyre writing a personal statement for the Common App or for a school-specific application. The prompts will be important as you begin crafting your essay, but they shouldnt determine what you plan to write about. I encourage students to take some time to reflect on important questions: What are you passionate about? What experiences have shaped you? What is missing from your application that you want to convey to an admissions officer? Among your friends and family, what are you known for? What adjectives best capture who you are? The goal here is for the student to meaningfully consider his identity before diving into the writing processit might reveal a topic that he wouldnt have considered if he had started with the prompts. Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Ian:Writing a sports essay is challenging because so much has been written about sports that its hard to be original. There are only so many ways one can describe her competitiveness or feelings of accomplishment at winning the big game. There are rare cases where a sports essay truly is the best essay for a student, but it doesnt happen all that often. I also would caution students to stay away from writing about experiences in third-world countries or working as a volunteer among other disadvantaged groups. Rarely do students have the maturity and thoughtfulness to engage significant differences in privilege or opportunity, and essays along this vein often come across as trite or oblivious. What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Ian:It is always really clear to an admission officer when a student doesnt put full effort into his application. If you have simple typos or other errors that suggest you dont care about the school to which youre applying, youre not endearing yourself to your admissions officer. Be sure to treat every aspect of the application with care, to proofread for mistakes, and to give supplemental essays the same attention that you give to the personal statement. You want to convey your seriousness about a particular school, and that can be done by submitting an airtight, error-free application. What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Ian:Every institution reads applications differently, and every admission officer has his own habits when it comes to reading a file. When I worked at Reed, my colleagues and I read the application materials in different orders, depending on our own style. I always started with the personal statement before moving on to extracurricular involvement, test scores, the transcript, letters of recommendation, and the supplement. I wanted to hear who the student was in his own words before getting to the rest of the file, and that was a great way for students to get me on their side (or not!) before seeing their academic record. You can certainly count on an admission officer to read every word of your essays and other required materialsthey wouldnt ask for that content if they didnt plan to read it. You can also expect that a reader wont spend more than about 10 to 15 minutes on a single file, so you have precious little time to make an impact. What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Ian:Most of the content of the application is out of your control by the time you start working on it. Your grades are what they are, as are your scores. You cant tell your teachers or counselor what to write about youtheir recommendations will be filled with their own words. The only aspects of the application you have full control over are the way you describe your extracurricular activities and your essay. Put extra thought into conveying the details of your involvement (what you did is much more important than titles or positions held) and the voice that you develop through your essay. How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Ian:The best way to learn about a schools culture is by visiting. Take the official tour and information session and talk to student workers in the admission office. This will develop the institutions view of itself and the values to which it aspires. Then, take the conversation to the unofficial side of campus. Talk to students in the dining hall, the library, and the quad. See whether the official spiel is corroborated by the average student. What is life on campus like? How do students spend their free time? What would they change about their school? The more people you talk to, the more you can hone in on the reality of that college experience. Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Ian:I only recommend early decision (ED) for students who have an unquestioned number-one choice. There is so much press about advantages for applying ED that I worry students are putting all their eggs in one basket without truly being excited about a school. Sure, ED can help you get in, but do you really want to go there more than anywhere else? If you cant confidently say yes, ED is not for you. For early action (EA), I recommend students apply EA if their application is as good as it is going to be at the time of the deadline (typically November 1). If youre organized and on top of the ball, EA is a great way for you to get some information from colleges much earlier in the processDecember or January as opposed to late-March. That said, if you need the help of a solid senior fall to pull up your GPA or to demonstrate that you can manage rigorous coursework, its better to wait and submit your application with fall grades. For students that had a sub-par 11th grade, I almost always encourage them to apply regular decision after bringing their performance back up to par in 12th grade. How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Ian:For the vast majority of colleges, your academic record is the most important factor in the admissions process. A school will first look at grades and coursework to get a sense of the kind of student you are, then it will look at your test scores to see how your compare to other students nationwide and what kind of academic potential you have. If your numbers make you competitive for admission, the college will turn to other aspects of your application to decide whether youll be admitted or denied. Only in rare cases will a student who is well below average academically be offered admission, and that is usually because of a compelling point of excellence elsewhere in her file. For students who are poor testers, I highly recommend researching schools with test-optional policies. These schools will give the student the option of submitting test scores, and this can be a great option for a student with a strong transcript and weaker test scores. For a list of test-optional schools, consult fairtest.org. What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Ian:Be respectful of your teachers time! Request recommendations at the end of your junior year, if you can. When you return to school in the fall, let your teachers know where you plan to apply, when they can expect to receive the request for the letter of recommendation, and when the letter of recommendation needs to be submitted. Ask them if they have any questions for you, or if you can provide them with any information that will help them write a better letter of recommendation. Teachers know that writing these letters is a part of their job, but they will look much more favorably upon those students who manage the recommendation process with thoughtfulness and maturity. Stay on your teachers good sides! Visit College Coach for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Ways To Prepare For Bluegrass Guitar Lessons

5 Ways To Prepare For Bluegrass Guitar Lessons Suzy S. Starting bluegrass guitar lessons is fun and exciting, and odds are youll have a lot to learn! Guitar teacher  Samuel B.  shares a few things youll want to do before you get started Bluegrass is as much a piece of American musical culture as jazz, blues, country, gospel and early rock and roll. All of these styles (save for jazz) are based on the same three chords: C, F and G7th. Three of these styles (blues, country and gospel) are based on a slow rhythm that allows the guitarist room to experiment with varied melodic patterns within the space of a single chord. What sets bluegrass apart from these other categories is not its chord structure, but the way that its chords are played hitting the bottom string and strumming the chord only once. Bluegrass picking must be in perfect sync with the fast-paced rhythm that this pattern imposes. There are a few things you can do before you start your bluegrass guitar lessons to begin recognizing and appreciating the intricate melodies you will eventually be learning to play that stem from this rhythm. 1. Do a Lot of Listening One piece of songwriting advice that resonates with me is this: determine what specifically moves you about your favorite songs and copy those elements in the ones you write. Comparably, youll want to familiarize yourself with the music of various bluegrass artists (I recommend Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, and Alison Krauss), in order to get a clear idea of who you want to sound like (or perhaps not sound like). If you live in or near a music-friendly city, go to a few local bluegrass shows. They need not be held at sports arenas nor should you treat these outings like field research. Theyre just opportunities to surround yourself with the music and let it sink in over a sandwich and a drink. Bring a friend or other loved one and share the experience. 2. Do a Guided Visualization In order to a gain a more in-depth understanding of the music and why it matters to you, listen to your favorite piece of bluegrass music with your eyes closed and then write down what it made you think of. Whats familiar to you about the sound? What isnt? Is there a specific landscape or region of the world that came to mind? If so, who was there? What was this person or these people doing? What colors do you remember from the scene? What sounds? What smells? Was anyone serving food? If so, what do you suppose it would have tasted like? Would anything pertaining to your sense of touch have been relevant? If so, what did it feel like? In a manner similar to what I described about the shows, your visualization should not be treated like its supposed to be prize-winning literature. Your answers need not be relevant to the music in any historical or socially significant way â€" just true to how it made you feel and what it made you think of. 3. Consider Joining a Bluegrass Song Circle If youre already familiar with first-position chords (the ones on the first three frets), a song circle will provide you a chance to learn some new tricks as well as introduce you to a network of other musicians you might perform or record with in the future. Above all, song circles will actively engage you with bluegrass music and musicians in a communal format unavailable in one-one-one bluegrass guitar lessons. What youll learn in the lessons will compliment what you learn in the circle and vice versa. 4. Practice Your Scales You probably saw this one coming a mile away, but scale mastery is pertinent to every genre. Bluegrass is certainly no exception. Unless you want to play only chords, practicing scales (particularly major ones) is the only way of improving your dexterity, as well as your familiarity with the notes that comprise the form. Start with the major scale in C,  and learn it backwards and forward: E|O||-O| B|O||-O| G||O|| D||O|-O| A||O|-O| E|O||-O| Then, take it up a full step to D, and do the same: E||O-|O||-O| B||O-|O||-O| G||O-||O|| D||O-||O|-O| A||O-||O|-O| E||O-|O||-O| 5. Do Some Research About Appalachia If youre a serious musician (or are at least intent on becoming one), youll want some understanding of what inspired your specific genre to come through in your playing. Youll want to know about the daily livelihoods and struggles of the people who originally made the music. How did they provide for their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter? What were their personal struggles (medicine, family life)? Their professional ones (industrial)? In what ways do you suppose all of these daily uncertainties inspired their music? One of my favorite books about the region is October Sky. Written by former NASA engineer Homer Hickam Junior, it chronicles the slow collapse of a West Virginia mining town. While bluegrass music is a mostly pleasant and playful-sounding form, its inspiration lies in the rugged, desolate and often bleak environment its original makers inhabited. Your goal as a musician should be to paint a both colorful and heartfelt portrait of this environment. Dont wait to get started with your guitar lessons! Search for a guitar teacher now. Samuel B. teaches beginner  guitar lessons in Austin, TX. He teaches lessons face-to-face without sheet music, which is his adaptation of Japanese instruction (involving a call-and-response method).  Learn more about Samuel here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Elvert Barnes

A Day in the Life at University of Wisconsin-Madison

A Day in the Life at University of Wisconsin-Madison The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. John received his Bachelors degree in Zoology from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently a tutor in New York City specializing in algebratutoring, chemistrytutoring, and geometrytutoring, among other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at University of Wisconsin-Madison: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? John: The campus is very easy to navigate, whether by bike, foot, or public transit. Because the campus resides in Wisconsins capital city, the bus system is superb. Madison (the city) is not very big, and it interacts wonderfully with the university to create a safe and healthy campus environment. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? John:Despite being a large university with several thousand students, the University of Wisconsin-Madison prides itself on the accessibility of its professors and staff. There are always opportunities to track down university staff its just important to motivate yourself to take advantage of those opportunities. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? John:Dorm life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a blast, and each part of campus provides a unique experience. The school is constantly growing and renovating its dorms, so they offer all of the necessities for students to feel at home in Madison. There are always various dorm events for underclassmen to attend and to get the chance to socialize with one another. 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? John:The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the top research institutions in the country, so the sciences are very well represented. The school also prides itself on excellent Business and Education programs. I studied Animal Biology and dabbled in Environmental Sciences. Ive always had a keen interest in the environment and the life that it supports. Animal Biology allowed me to delve deep into these areas of study. I felt incredibly supported as I pursued my major. There were great opportunities to learn, both in and out of the classroom. 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? John:I had no difficulty meeting people as a freshman. Thats one of the great things about dorm life it throws you into a fun environment with hundreds of your peers who are going through the same transition as yourself. It makes it really easy to connect with others. Greek life is present at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but it does not play a significant role in social life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? John:The University of Wisconsin-Madison has an incredible amount of student support services, along with the Career Center. I found them all to be very helpful. The important thing is to make sure you take advantage of these services. Many reputable companies recruit on campus. There are several career events on campus throughout the year where companies send representatives to the university to meet with students and to help give them an idea of their post-collegiate future. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? John:There are more than enough study locations on campus. It really just depends on what a student is looking for. There are highly social environments for group study, there are quieter spots that support privacy, and there is everything in-between. You never have to feel confined to one space while studying. 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? John:The university and capital city are tied to one another in a very positive fashion. There is plenty of stimulation outside of academia whenever a student needs to experience college life beyond the classroom. Downtown Madison is a great spot for meals out, live music, dancing, and shopping. Madison is also a very physically active city, with many chances to satisfy ones itch to experience the outdoors. The campus and downtown are essentially adjacent to one another, so its very easy to find any number of students downtown at all times. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? John:The student body is very large. I enjoyed being a small fish in a big pond. There are so many opportunities when youre at a large school, and theres no end to the services provided by professors and staff in and out of the classroom. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. John:I took Entomology, the study of insects, one semester. My professor was incredibly passionate about the subject, and he instilled in his students that same passion. I remember on two different occasions going on class field trips to some of the nearby natural land preserves to search for insects and get an idea of field research. I really had a great time on those adventures. Check out Johns tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.