Jobs in a Tutors Duties

Jobs in a Tutor's DutiesAs a math tutor, your primary duty is to help students in their math and logic courses. However, you may also be required to develop math quiz questions and to complete some other assignments. Such tasks will normally be completed by a tutor's assistant. You will be more likely to find a tutor's assistant in a college or university setting, but they can also be found at home or at local businesses.When looking for a math tutor duties you must make sure you know about the different jobs that a tutor can perform. If you are taking a job interview for a college or university, you will have to include the job duties that you will be expected to perform while on assignment. A good way to answer this question is to tell them how many math quiz questions you will expect to complete each day or how much you will complete each week.When you are choosing a math tutor duties make sure you discuss the different aspects of each. For example, you may be asked to prepare a p roof of some type. Some employers will expect you to read a passage and give an answer so you can check your work and make changes when necessary.There are a number of career options available for those who want to be a math tutor. The biggest is probably to become a tutor at a college or university. However, for most people a high school career or even a part time job is possible.It is possible to find work at a private tutoring center or through a company offering math tutor duties. At times, students might choose to pay someone else to tutor them. For these, you will need to be careful about whom you choose to work with and make sure they have experience and quality grades.Since you are handling students one on one, you will need to find a tutor with a good rapport with the students. Often, students feel that a good tutor is someone who is friendly and cares about the welfare of students. Make sure you get an attitude test that will give you a general idea of how a tutor interact s with students.As you look for math tutor duties you should consider all aspects of the jobs you are looking for. As long as you are clear about the responsibilities involved, you will be able to find a good job.

Behaviour Management Techniques that Work

Behaviour Management Techniques that Work Behaviour Management Techniques for Teaching and Tutoring ChaptersWhy You Need Effective Behaviour Management TechniquesThe Classroom Management Techniques that will Change Your Life as a TeacherMaybe you became a teacher or tutor because you love your subject and want to share your passion to the next generation. Maybe you joined up because you find kids inspiring and insightful and wanted to help them grow. Or maybe it was because you just loved the idea of teaching.Something you maybe hadn’t expected was that, in your classroom or your tutoring studio, behaviour management would be something you would be doing the most. Dishing out a reward for positive behaviour and a punishment for those who misbehave â€" or hearing your kids calling out, endlessly off task, or misbehaving in all sorts of other ways.It’s classroom management that teachers find most exhausting â€" beside the paperwork and lesson plans at least. However, it doesn’t need to be. Because effective classroom management doesn’t need to be all about punishing and prais ing. It’s not about discipline or managing kids that aren’t behaving.No, behaviour management is something much broader than this, and much deeper. It’s about the strategies and methods that teachers and educators use to help children make the most out of their learning â€" and achieve success. So, forget the image of the teacher merely enforcing classroom rules or getting angry at disruptive behaviour. This has long been seen to be fairly ineffective.Rather, let’s think about different ways to manage the classroom environment. From cooperative learning to encouraging curiosity, here are some classroom management tips that go beyond merely telling children off. You’ll be a more effective teacher â€" and you’ll have happier kids too. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st l esson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy You Need Effective Behaviour Management TechniquesEffective classroom management strategies are an essential part of effective teaching. Without them, nothing, quite simply, can be done: without classroom management techniques that work, there is no chance of being able to even teach.This makes behaviour management strategies the fundamental elements of a good teacher’s arsenal â€" whether that’s as a school teacher or a private tutor. The possibility of student learning â€" and, later, student achievemen t â€" comes from effective management skills, appropriate behavior, and, ultimately, mutual teacher-student respect.Because, even as a private tutor, you are not only teaching your young student the content of whichever subject they are learning. Rather, through your classes, they will develop their social-emotional skills, their respect for the social contract, and their own interests and curiosity.This is what class management should nurture â€" not just that kids shut up and listen to what you are saying. This approach is good for neither you nor the child.If you want to know about behaviour management theories, check out our article!The Classroom Management Techniques that will Change Your Life as a TeacherBehaviour management is not just about classroom discipline. It’s about building and facilitating a learning environment animated by curiosity, by respect within the teacher-student relationships and among the class, and by willing student engagement. It’s this, rather tha n discipline as such that encourages student learning.Here are the tips that you need to help cultivate such an environment. Kids love to work togetherLet Students Help Decide the RulesRules are something that are really quite necessary within a school context. However, to develop class rules that your students will understand and respect, it is helpful to develop these rules with the kids themselves.Asking your students what they consider to be appropriate classroom behaviour is a good way to start at the beginning of the year. Discuss this with your class and turn the conversation to the appropriate and fair consequences for those who do not stick to the agreed rules.It will be a fun conversation and it will give the students an active role in developing expected behaviour â€" meaning that they will have signed up to it already.Remember the RulesOnce you have agreed on the rules together, you’re going to have to remember what was agreed. Too many teachers are inconsistent with their application of rules â€" and this doesn’t give their students the framework that they need for things like positive rei nforcement to be effective.Consistency is one of the crucial qualities you need when hoping to manage a classroom. It enables the children to remember what to expect â€" and consequently, how they agreed to behave.Being able to whip out the piece of paper on which you wrote the agreed rules makes for a handy piece of theatre in the future too.Remind the Students that They Have Responsibilities TooGood classroom behaviour is not just about sitting still and answering questions when asked. Your students have responsibilities to the class themselves â€" and reminding them of this is an important part of creating a harmonious atmosphere.Giving students responsibilities gives them a stake in the upkeep and management of the classroom â€" and they are usually quite proud to be trusted with such tasks.At the same time, it takes some of the pressure off you too: you don’t need to do everything in the classroom â€" and your pupils don’t want you to either. A well-behaved class?Set Topics and Tasks that are Open-EndedCuriosity is one of the most important virtues in children â€" for self-growth, the development of their own interests and individuality, and for important skills in later life. Enabling your students to develop this is a crucial part of behaviour management too â€" as, usually, when kids are engaged in tasks that interest them, they are much less likely to engage in disruptive behaviour.Setting tasks that are open-ended, student-directed, and led by the children’s own curiosity, interests, and creativity is a great way to develop this virtue. They don’t always need to be led by strict, content-based learning objectives â€" as sometimes the most important lesson is in the search.Encourage Students to Develop Their Own InterestsThe same applies here too. Students, as much as teachers and tutors, can feel a little strait-jacketed by the curriculum and lesson plans sometimes. And even if it is within the context of what ne eds to be learned, it is important to give your class the opportunity to develop their own interests and pursue them with everyone else.Whether this is as part of a particular case study or for a research project at home, giving the class an opportunity to pursue their own interests shows them that their interests are valid â€" whilst they might be informative and interesting for the rest of the class too.Be a Good Role ModelIf you want your students to behave, it is helpful if you stick to the rules that you have outlined too: if you don’t want them to be late, it is best not to be late yourself, for example. Or, if you want them to bring their homework back for a particular day, it is best if you mark their homework for the date that you have agreed too.This is important, because kids do have an acute sense of injustice and unfairness â€" and it is not fair if you something is expected of them that is not expected of everyone.All in all, this amounts to being a good role model. And whilst this might sound like a give with teachers, we know that not all of us are.Encourage Mutual RespectIf your students respect you, then great. If your students respect each other, then even better. Developing an environment in which everyone listens to everyone else â€" and in which everyone feels comfortable â€" is almost the ultimate aim of good classroom management.It’s not good enough that the children only listen to you, and only do what you ask personally. Rather, finding effective ways to get everyone knowing each other and cooperating is the way to build respect among everyone in the class. Behaviour management is so important.Maintain Good Relations with the ParentsIt doesn’t take place in the classroom, but there are few things that have such an effect on the classroom as the attitudes and actions of your students’ parents.Get them onside and keep them there â€" and report to them all the excellent work that your students have been doing. Being congratulated by their parents for work they have done in class is a great way to get your students onside too.Watch Out for Your Response to Situations.Finally, classroom management isn’t only about the behaviour of your students. If you have made a lot of effort to develop their respect, remember that this is easily lost too.Try to avoid ever losing your cool â€" as students remember this.Find out why behaviour management is important!

How to Get Top Quality Assignments at the Lowest Cost

How to Get Top Quality Assignments at the Lowest Cost 0SHARESShare Assignments give a lot of pressure to students today’s academic scenario. Whether it is a class test, assignments, project or final exams. Everything contributes towards the GPA these days and it is important to bring your ‘A’ game every single time. Some students may be adept at class tests and homework. While others may also be good at assignments. A student who excels in all of these is quite rare. It becomes extremely difficult to score well in assignments with all the added pressure. Projects where presentation, creativity, theme is chosen and research are given a lot of importance also becomes difficult. In such a scenario, online assignment help is extremely handy. Now many students are increasingly turning towards such platforms for help. Why is Online Assignments help advantageous? Apart from the typical advantages of the online platform such as round the clock access, studying from home, time saving and global connectivity, online platforms are turning out to be very cost effective too. With access to  expert online tutors who specialize in the subject, students find it easy to get all the input required. Some students may require only guidance and nudging in the right direction. While others might require extensive help such as clarification of doubts, multiple revisions of the paper. In some cases sessions on the topic to help them get a firm grasp of it. And all of this is possible with online assignment help. Assignment help experts sometimes offer services wherein they write most of the paper and handhold the student through the entire process. It helps them come out with a great paper that is sure to fetch them top grades. With the online platform, the cost too is minimal and you end up spending way lesser on assignment help. Also, with such a medium, it is very easy to connect to your tutor or expert. As their availability is round the clock and you can get help from across the world! Given the advantages of this medium, many students are employing this medium to come up with standard assignments. Also the projects that help them score top grades. Also, these days online homework help, project help and tutoring sessions too are available for those who require them. With such reach across the globe and given its rising popularity. The medium is set to grow and cement its place in the education sector.

Applying for University

Applying for University Clarifying the University Application Process ChaptersHow to Apply for UniversityHow to Beat Application DeadlinesChoosing Your Course of StudyWriting an Effective Personal StatementFor the Chinese, it’s called the Gao Kao and in the US, they’re called SATs. The International Baccalaureate final exam process is called the DP Assessment; DP representing Diploma Programme.Here, in the UK, we sit A-Levels, rigorous exams in subjects of our choosing for the same reason that students in other countries do: to mark our readiness (and eligibility) for higher education.For some, a good A-Levels result means three to four more years of study (more, if you plan on graduate and postgraduate studies); for others, it signifies that they are well and truly done with academia.Whichever side of that fence you stand on and especially if you’re currently straddling that fence, you might want to hedge your bets by registering with UCAS to see what’s available to you.Doing so doesn’t necessarily signal an intent to enrol at university; it merely shows that you are clever in examining every option open to you before discarding anything that might benefit you, now or down the road.That’s true even if you have no intention of pursuing higher education.In that spirit â€" the idea that, for perhaps the only time in your life, all choices are laid out before you, your Superprof talks about going to university.If only to be well-informed, we invite you to join this discussion.Through UCAS, we can see what schools are open for enrolment and what courses they have to offer. We can see enrolment requirements and draft the dreaded personal statement.We can even find out our A-Level results! It wasn't so long ago that students had to write each university's office of admissions to request a place in their degree programs Image by stempow from PixabayIt wasn’t so long ago that prospective university students had to apply to each institute they hoped to attend, endure the agonising wait for an acceptance (or rejection) letter and, upon accepting one university’s offer, having to write letters declining all other offers.Or not. That’s what made university enrolment such a mess: nobody knew, until courses started, who was actually going to be there. What a nightmare!UCAS has made life so much simpler: you register for your UCAS account, fill in your personal details on the UCAS application (mindful of following application instructions), draft your UCAS personal statement, and pay your application fee of £20 ( £25 if you are applying for more than one course of study).And then, you get to sit back while UCAS does all of the work. You only have to log in occasionally t o check your application status.If you are an international student hoping to attend university in the UK, you would apply for admission in much the same way. However, you will have to provide an acceptable IELTS score when you register.You will also have to provide proof that you have money to cover your living expenses.Naturally, there is plenty of other things you should know about applying for university…How to Beat Application DeadlinesOur online application system is generous in its information sharing; among other pertinent facts about university applications, UCAS maintains a calendar of dates and deadlines that you should keep an eye on if you want your admissions application to be seen in the best light.On the whole, that means registering and applying as soon as you meet the admission requirements; you shouldn't wait until you receive your A-Level test scores.Filling out the common application in UCAS is generally not a problem; most students apply online fairly quickly and easily. If you are an international student, you may have a bit more to information to furnish but you too can make quick work of it.The extra admissions requirements are what slow most people down: getting letters of recommendation from someone who knows you academically, choosing courses of study and writing a personal statement.Of all the application requirements, those two seem to stymie applicants the most. We’ll go over them briefly later in this article.If you are undecided about applying for admission to university, you may choose to wait past the mid-January application deadline; in fact, many students wait to choose any areas of study until early July, when Clearing opens, to see which courses are leftover.That’s when they make their selection.There are other tactics you can use to maximise your undergraduate admissions advantages; we’ve listed them all in our companion article. Many new students want to know what life will be like at university before accepting an offer Image by StockSnap from PixabayChoosing Your Course of StudyDegree-seeking students sometimes know exactly what field they’d like to study; others are all over the board.Biology might appeal, but then Drama and Literature are so stimulating! And then, there are those fields of study that virtually guarantee financial success later in life...Out of the wealth of degree programs on offer, how is anybody supposed to choose?You may opt to:go with your passion â€" which topic is closest to your heartgo with your interests: if you are full of curiosity, you might broaden your horizons while slaking your thirst for knowledgebet on your skills: whether your talent lies in drawing or maths, you can find courses to further develop your talentgo with what might be most rewarding: aim for the career field that will bring you the most satisfaction in the long runfind flexibility: consider degree plans that offer the broadest employment potential rather than narrow degrees that don’t translate well into other fields.don’t forget the financial returns: always consider your future earning potential when selecting your course of study.These are all individual points to consider in the wide spectrum of concerns that every university applicant thinks of â€" or has pointed out to them by friends, relatives and other concerned parties.Believe it or not, some undergraduate students actually select their course of study by the reported quality of student life at any university.The wise undergraduate student considers all of those points and more when selecting university courses; they also talk with people outside of their immediate circle to get a bigger picture of what each course has to offer.You may talk with your school counselor and maybe even an admissions counselor to get an idea of the potential of interesting courses â€" employability, financial reward and your chances of bei ng given a place in that study programme.You may also talk with people who work in those fields to find out if their experiences are what you’re looking for before you begin the admissions process.And, before you submit your application, you should get more advice on how to select your courses.Writing an Effective Personal StatementHow is it that universities can boldly make unconditional offers to students they know practically nothing about?Think about it: when UCAS forwards your application package to every university you’ve selected, A-Level results aren’t yet published.Those schools know next to nothing about you. They’re not looking at your academic transcript or attendance record to see if you’re a good student. They don’t know about your financial aid requests (if any) or if you are SEN when they offer you an unconditional place in their school. The admissions office makes their application decisions largely based on students' personal statements Image by free stock photos from www.picjumbo.com from PixabaySure, it could be that some recruitment restrictions have been lifted and now it’s an all-out race for universities to attract students; some schools even offer enticements for accepting unconditional offers, such as a new laptop or a possible scholarship.Still, that would account for only a portion of the unconditional offers made by universities to prospective students.If you receive an unconditional offer of enrolment, it’s far more likely that your personal statement has struck a chord with the admissions committee and they really want someone like you to attend their school.How do you write a statement that convinces total strangers, people whose careers centre on reading such expressions by the thousands… how do you write a statement that impresses a body who has likely ‘read it all’?First, by being sincere .Many students believe that coming on ‘wow’ - with hyperbolic statements or humour as an attention-getter will put them atop the heap but soon find themselves at the bottom of the selection pile.What really grabs the attention of the selection committee is a well-phrased statement with a ring of truth pervading it.Authenticity is the second criterion to weave your personal narrative out of.It goes without saying that plagiarising is out of the question but the quality of being original goes beyond merely copying another’s words.Incorporating well-known quotes into your statement would seem like a no-brainer â€" wouldn’t it show how well-read you are? On the contrary; you may well be erudite but you’re still spouting someone else’s words; the admissions body wants to hear your words, not others'!Likewise with trite phrases and tired words: you may well be passionate about your academic pursuits but, for a refreshing change, why not describe why you’re passionate rather than simply saying ‘… and it awoke in me a passion...’ or some variation thereof.For a university to make an admission decision based purely on an admission application and a roughly 700-word narrative, that narrative has to be really good.It would behove you to pick up more tips on how to write your personal statement…

Top 5 Books College Students Should Read this Summer

Top 5 Books College Students Should Read this Summer Ah, summerone of the most beloved times of the year for students. Unless youre taking a full load of summer classes, you can say goodbye to textbooks, quizzes, and essays for awhile. You may have a part-time job or an internship, but with summer always comes a lot more freedom, and with that comes a lot more free time. While there are tons of great ways to fill this time, reading a good book is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills while also simply enjoying yourself. Before you argue that you arent going to crack a book open again until the first day of the new semester, consider the benefits that reading gives you, regardless of the book youve chosen. Reading expands your vocabulary (without flashcards!), gives you a new perspective of the world around you, and entertains you. Whether youre in the car on a road trip, laying out on the beach, or spending a quiet day inside, a good book is a great option. The following books are not textbooks, but can definitely teach you a thing or two. 1. For an old classic: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Many students read great books in middle school or high school, but some of the greatness can be lost in a book when it becomes required reading. Revisiting a classic book from your early schooling is a great way to take a trip down memory lane, and since it isnt for class, you wont have to worry about the tests or essays. Theres a reason these books, like The Great Gatsby, are often required reading for students. This book, set in the 1920s, follows the wealthy Jay Gatsby while detailing the parties he throws in his mansion. The plot focuses on his love for Daisy Buchanan and the conflicts it creates. While reading The Great Gatsby, youll not only be transported back to the Jazz Age, but also to your high school English class when you first learned about character foils and rising action. The reminder of these possibly forgotten literary elements can help you refine your reading comprehension skills. Other classics to take you back in time: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 2. For a memoir that teaches a great lesson: Yes Please by Amy Poehler Light-hearted memoirs are not only enjoyable to read, they also can teach you valuable lessons. Memoirs can give you a different perspective on the world as you learn about other peoples experiences, which may be completely different from your own. Memoirs are also a great way to start the process of self-reflection, while reading the lessons that successful people learned can put you ahead of the game. Yes Please by Amy Poehler is an inspirational read that details her life as a woman in comedy, and you better believe Amy brings her comedic A-game with this bookbut it will have you thinking as much as it has you laughing, as you learn some of the most interesting life lessons she has to offer. Other memoirs for a lesson on life: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling, My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor (for a more serious read). 3. For a book that really makes you think: The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore The best part about a great piece of literature is the way it challenges you to think hard about the world around you. The Other Wes Moore is a true story of two children with the same name who grew up in poverty in Baltimore. As you follow both of them throughout their lives, one becomes a Rhodes Scholar, while the other serves a life sentence in prison. This book challenges you to think about how your choices can impact your entire life and how ones upbringing can play a major role in their future. Other books to challenge your perspective: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Giver by Lois Lowry 4. For a little self-help: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell Reading a book meant to influence your lifestyle is always an intriguing learning experience. Think of these books as enjoyable and entertaining self-help books that leave you with actionable steps to improve some aspect of your life. Blink is about the choices we make on instinct without thinking, and how some people are strong at making the correct choices while others choices can lead to unintended consequences. Blink reveals how to be a great decision-maker while profiling some experts and some failed situations. This is a great book for any college student to read, as decision-making is one of the biggest skills you will need in the real world. Another book to help you get a fresh start: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg 5. For a hidden history lesson: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak When you pick up a great book that is set in a historical time period, you learn about history without even trying. The Book Thief follows a young girl who lives in Germany during World War II with her foster parents. The book describes her experiences with the Nazi regime and the political situation in Germany at the time, particularly the destroying of books by the Nazi party. Not only is this a beautifully written book, narrated by death, it also gives detailed insight into the past. Other hidden history lessons can be found in: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

What is it Like to Attend Chatham University

What is it Like to Attend Chatham University Alexandra earned her bachelors degree in English and cultural studies from Chatham University. She specializes in writing tutoring, study skills tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Chatham University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Alexandra: Chatham University is an arboretum located in the city of Pittsburgh. As a student, you enjoy a lush, beautiful campus full of history and old mansions established as the Chatham College for Women in 1869. Now a co-educational institution, its nestled between the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods, two very popular and trendy places to live for students who attend the surrounding schools. Chatham is one of many schools in Pittsburgh that provides free public transit to their students by using their ID cards. Chatham also has shuttles available to take students grocery shopping and into town. The campus feels rural, but is located in an urban setting popularly and endearingly referred to as the Chatham bubble. I have never felt unsafe on campus, as Chatham is very much a community, and security is taken very seriously. Transportation options include free bus and shuttle access, ample space for parking bikes, as well as Zipcars on campus for student use. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alexandra: Chatham doesnt have separate academic advisers from faculty; instead, the faculty who you work with in classes on a daily basis serve as your academic advisers and mentors. Professors are readily available during their posted office hours and are incredibly open to finding time to meet with you to talk about school and life. They also help you choose and schedule your classes each semester. You get, if you choose, to have a lot of personal interactions with professors at Chatham, and each and every one of them is invested in helping you succeed and reach your goals. Teaching assistants are graduate students in the MFA and science programs and are also readily available to help. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alexandra: The dorm life at Chatham is as social as you want it to be. Woodland Hall is the biggest dorm on campus and most central to the other facilities on campus with about four floors, housing 20-30 people on each floor. Fickes Hall is just down the hill from Woodland Hall and is the second biggest with three floors, housing about 20-40 people on each floor. The rooms and bathrooms in these two buildings have a lot of character. Rea House and Laughlin House are two smaller, but beautiful old mansions. Rea House includes residents who are involved with environmental issues, while Laughlin House includes international students and residents that are involved with cultural immersion and international issues. There are also apartments available on Fifth Avenue for undergraduate and graduate students. I was the Resident Assistant for Rea House and Apartments on Fifth Avenue, and I can honestly say that you can be as involved or not involved in the community as you wish to be. The fur thest housing, Apartments on Fifth Avenue, has a private walkway that leads up to campus. To get to classes and other facilities on campus is less than a 15 minute walk. The main campus is small and self-sustaining. Dining options are greatthere is a coffee shop on the main campus and a huge dining hall with amazing, mostly locally-sourced food. You are also a short walk away from the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods, home to amazing coffee shops, restaurants, and diners. Student Affairs at Chatham is a strong force and there are always programs happening. Again, you can choose to be as involved or not involved in the thriving academic and extracurricular Chatham community as you like. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Alexandra: Chatham has some really unique and amazing programs, including the newest food studies program for undergraduate and graduate students. Professors at Chatham have strong ties to the Pittsburgh community and around the world, so no matter what your professional goal is, they are able to provide strong insights and mentorship. The strongest programs at Chatham are their science programs, psychology, English, and marketing. I studied English and Cultural Studies at Chatham because I had an amazing high school English teacher that studied at Chatham and inspired me to attend. There are many intersections between the English and Cultural Studies programs, so adding the Cultural Studies major was a natural extension of the English major. Professors definitely push students to do graduate-level work and have an incredibly high acceptance rate for getting students into prominent graduate programs. 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? Alexandra: It was incredibly easy to meet people and make friends as a freshman at Chatham. As a student in the Chatham Scholars program, I took the same classes with the same group of people, so we were able to foster strong relationships that have endured long after graduating. There are many events and organizations on campus that allow you to meet people as well as get involved off campus. Student Affairs, particularly working in resident life, actually led me to meet some of my best friends. Chatham does not have Greek life; however, Student Affairs invites Greek life from the surrounding universities to attend events. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Alexandra: The PACE Center on campus is in one central location inthe Jennie King Mellon Library. It houses many services, including the Writing Center, Tutoring Services, and Career Center. The Writing Center is where graduate students work with undergraduates of all levels to complete writing assignments. Tutoring Services allows students to set up tutoring appointments and request note takers for classes. At Career Services, students can set up internships and attend career workshops. Chatham is really good at bringing in alumni that have achieved significant career goals and who love to work with current students to help them achieve their professional goals. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Alexandra: At Chatham, any type of study area that you could imagine is available, and all are in beautiful facilities. You can work individually in study cubbies in the library or in spacious conference rooms with a group. You can also work individually or with friends at the coffee shop. The dorm lounges are all spacious and comfortable, and never over-crowded. You can go off campus to one of many coffee shops and diners in Shadyside, Oakland, or Squirrel Hill. All of these spaces are never too crowded, are easily available, and spacious. Describe the surrounding town. Alexandra: Chatham is nestled between the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Many of the universities in Pittsburgh are all located along Fifth Avenue, including Chatham. Directly outside of the Chatham campus are small, residential streets with beautiful mansions that lead to the popular Ellsworth Avenue and Walnut Street in Shadyside and to Murray Avenue and Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill. Both of these places include stores and restaurants. Downtown, you can watch a Pittsburgh Penguins game across the street from Duquesne University at the PPG Paints Arena. You can also attend a play, symphony performance, or musical in the Cultural District where all of the theaters are located. If youre feeling adventurous, you can cross one of the many bridges to the North Shore and attend a Pirates game, Steelers game, or even visit the Andy Warhol Museum. Whether youre into the arts, sports, food, hiking, or biking, Pittsburgh has something for you. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alexandra: Chatham is a small liberal arts school where faculty members are incredibly invested in your success. My common core classes had 20-25 students, which was incredibly effective and comfortable since the professor easily learned our names and mediated fascinating and enlightening conversations among the group. Some of my English classes had 10 people, while some had up to 25. Regardless of the size, professors were always incredibly attentive to students' needs. I was really pleased with the typical class sizes, and these sizes are pretty much the same across majors. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Alexandra: Every class that I had at Chatham was incredibly enlightening and helped me to become the professional I am today. One of the many memorable moments during my time as an undergraduate student at Chatham has to be my Tutorial defense. I had three amazing professors who were on my committee and encouraged me throughout the process. The head chair of my committee was a professor I knew even before I started at Chatham, the chair of the English department, who had taught and inspired my high school English teacher. The second chair of my committee, the Director of the Food Studies program, had directed my study abroad trip to Italy. The third chair of my Committee, the Director of Cultural Studies, was and remains a dear friend and mentor who I had worked as a research assistant to. The moment when they told me I had passed and that they couldnt wait to see what the future had in store really exemplified the entirety of my educational experience at Chatham. Check out Alexandras tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Essential Study Skills That Every Middle School Student Should Master

5 Essential Study Skills That Every Middle School Student Should Master Improving Back to School Study Skills for Middle School Students Middle school is a vital time in a student's educational career and middle school study skills are essential to success in high school and beyond. Think of middle school much like the practices leading up to a big game. An athlete's practice performance is important because that time spent mastering the fundamentals pays off when the stakes are high during a game. Middle school is the same way. There are many different study skills that students should master in middle school that will play a valuable role when the stakes are much higher. As a parent it is vital for you to play an active role in your middle schooler student's education. Working with your child now to master essential middle school study skills will help lay a strong foundation for future grades. Parents and students should work together to: Find the best time to study Every student is different. It is important to remember what works for others, or what worked for you, may not be best for your child. Spend time experimenting with study times to see when your child is most effective. For several days have your child complete homework and other school tasks immediately upon arriving home. Then try switching the study time to later in the evening, perhaps immediately after dinner. If neither of these times work for your child, evaluate your family's daily schedule for other available study blocks that may be more beneficial. Keep materials organized Many middle school students don't naturally possess essential organizational skills. The ability to organize materials, schedules, and assignments can be difficult. Work with your child to establish and maintain an organizational system that is efficient and tailored to this year's coursework. Provide the materials necessary for your child to stay organized such as binders, folders, and an assignment planner. Take the time to help your child keep the materials organized and intervene if your child is experiencing difficulty. Learn to take notes Taking notes is a critically important study skill in high school and college. Middle school is an ideal time to learn note taking skills because it provides plenty of opportunity to practice and refine this skill. Huntington Learning Centers offers students the opportunity to learn study skills, including note taking, from highly trained professionals. Your child's tutor will teach specific note taking skills to help with this year's courses. There will also be an emphasis on general note taking skills that can be applied to a variety of subject areas. This helps your child view note taking as a universal study skill that can be used in any course. Develop a study schedule Your child has a schedule full of challenging academic work and may be overwhelmed by the prospect of managing all of the assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests. Ask your child for course schedules and syllabi and work to create a master schedule. Help your child see the big picture and understand that planning ahead is essential for success. Work together to devise weekly and monthly study schedules that provide plenty of time for all coursework. Build foundational research skills Think about all the research papers and projects in your child's future. High school and college courses require students to research topics to write papers, complete laboratory work, prepare persuasive arguments, and present material. This research based coursework will be much easier if your child has the research skills necessary for success. As part of the study skills tutoring sessions at Huntington Learning Centers students learn how to conduct effective research and how to use valuable reference skills to determine important information. Students learn how to find the information they're looking for and ways to compile it for use in papers, projects, and presentations.