How to Identify Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry

How to Identify Functional Groups in Organic ChemistryIf you are looking for information on how to identify functional groups in organic chemistry, you have come to the right place. There are many methods that will identify and group together chemicals that you have studied. The first step is understanding what type of compounds you are dealing with so that you can identify them and know how to go about identifying them.Identifying compounds can be somewhat tricky because they contain a lot of atoms. One method that is used for finding molecules is through x-ray crystallography. In this method, you put a piece of a chemical compound into a crystal and then let it sit for some time so that it will slowly begin to form a structure.However, there are many problems with this method because it is very expensive and difficult to do. For one thing, it requires the use of several different techniques, which means that it will take longer. Moreover, the crystals that you get from this process are not very detailed. Therefore, when you use this method to identify groups of chemicals, you cannot get the details that you want and the meaning of the group becomes quite ambiguous.Another technique used to identify functional groups in organic chemistry is through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This method involves putting a sample in a chamber where electrons are hitting a positive ion and a negative ion. By measuring the energy that the electrons are giving off as they bounce around, you can tell how the groups are structured.X-ray fluorescence can also be used to determine how molecular groups are organized, but it can be somewhat more complex than using fluorescence as a method for identifying functional groups in organic chemistry. However, in order to identify groups, X-ray fluorescence needs to be done with a sample that has been prepared for testing at an atomic level. However, if you cannot find such a sample, you can look at photosynthetic species.Some species th at are used in organic chemistry have photosynthetic ability and therefore, when they are used to develop cells, you can determine how they are organized. The sample you can use for this is known as phytoplankton. When you measure the absorbance of the cells, you can determine how the groups are connected.You can also use other methods for how to identify functional groups in organic chemistry. The commonest method is molecular dissection. In this method, the molecule is broken down into its constituent parts, and then the researchers can look at the pieces in order to figure out the structures of the groups.In organic chemistry, you can determine how to identify functional groups by observing these methods. However, if you want the details, you will need to find a sample that has been prepared specifically for this purpose. However, there are plenty of samples that can be used for this purpose, including the ones that were used in crystallography, X-ray fluorescence, and molecular dissection.

Learning a foreign language. Is THAT difficult

Learning a foreign language. Is THAT difficult Some people tend to believe that they have little aptitude for languages. But this may not be so true we all have quite similar abilities. The truth is learning languages is all about attitude and will! Lets start analyzing what is language? Any language is just tool to express, a way of encoding our thoughts. Different languages â€" are different ways to encode thoughts. Our brains are used to replace meanings of things and actions, while we grow, and storage them.  While the brains primary function is to store information, its also must forget things. In fact, according to some neuro scientists, the brains main function is the ability  to forget, not to remember. When starting to learn a new language â€" many of the newly  memorized names are starting to erase, making our learning more difficult. Our native  language has a priority in our brain, which is why we can start to forget what we have  learnt. How can we help our brains to remember what we to remember when studying a foreign language? First of all, it helps to understand that specific, school-type tasks are not so effective: read and retell the text, memorize dialogs, write a review So useless for absorbing a language. Rule number one: do only effective and pleasant tasks, learning should be enjoyable and should not cause much difficulty. Any forced action provokes only negative feelings, which are not good for the learning. For example â€" listen to your favorite song; search for a translation of its words and you will understand its meaning. And singing it frequently makes you practice this new language â€" making your vocabulary grow. My personal experience for successful learning â€" is finding a hobby and start learning terms and phrases that have to do with it. I adore cooking, so I search for the videos with subtitles and I associate words I read with food and processes I see. Each person perceives the world in his/her own way. Therefore, to understand better any foreign language, you must understand the mindset of the people, for whom this language is native. Just knowing a huge heap of foreign words will not help you speak. Rule number 2: learning must go deeper, reaching and getting interest in the history, customs and traditions of the people â€" for whom this language is native. It is a good idea to go to a country where the studied language is spoken, to dive into the actual environment. However, in practice, it does not give any guarantee that you will quickly and naturally speak in a foreign language. Why? The first reason â€" lack of proper communication with native speakers. If you are traveling as a tourist, you will be speaking mostly with your guide or companions. If you come as part of a student group, then, as a rule, most of the time you will be talking each one with other. Because its easier. Man is so constituted that he always tries to follow the line of least resistance. Rule number 3: Try to go on your own.  Dare the risk! If that feels too  intimidating, keep your cell phone with the number of a translator handy. The second reason the difficulty to establish close contacts with foreign friends. You are a stranger for them â€" deal with it! Just not give up, act confident and respectful, do not get shy when you are talking with some mistakes. And always keep the distance. The third reason. Native speakers do not know their language. Sounds funny, but its true. Pay attention to themselves. They cannot correctly answer the meaning, and explain some words. Once in Ecuador, I saw a huge strike â€" some taxis blocked the main streets. Ecuadorians called that “Páro” â€" I tried to make my friends explain me what does “Paro” means… they could not. Thus, the success of learning a foreign language abroad depends on your personal qualities. How quickly and easily you can start contacts and well-established relationship with other people? I can say that the main factor is motivation. Realize your personal need for foreign language skills, apply regular efforts, be patient, and you will always succeed. It is desirable in learning a foreign language, to minimize the use of their mother tongue. This will accelerate the overcome of language barrier. And most importantly, the learning process should be fun. Do not be upset if something does not work right away. Focus on your objective, on your language success. Believe in yourself, and the results will come faster than you think. Learning a foreign language. Is THAT difficult Some people tend to believe that they have little aptitude for languages. But this may not be so true we all have quite similar abilities. The truth is learning languages is all about attitude and will! Lets start analyzing what is language? Any language is just tool to express, a way of encoding our thoughts. Different languages â€" are different ways to encode thoughts. Our brains are used to replace meanings of things and actions, while we grow, and storage them.  While the brains primary function is to store information, its also must forget things. In fact, according to some neuro scientists, the brains main function is the ability  to forget, not to remember. When starting to learn a new language â€" many of the newly  memorized names are starting to erase, making our learning more difficult. Our native  language has a priority in our brain, which is why we can start to forget what we have  learnt. How can we help our brains to remember what we to remember when studying a foreign language? First of all, it helps to understand that specific, school-type tasks are not so effective: read and retell the text, memorize dialogs, write a review So useless for absorbing a language. Rule number one: do only effective and pleasant tasks, learning should be enjoyable and should not cause much difficulty. Any forced action provokes only negative feelings, which are not good for the learning. For example â€" listen to your favorite song; search for a translation of its words and you will understand its meaning. And singing it frequently makes you practice this new language â€" making your vocabulary grow. My personal experience for successful learning â€" is finding a hobby and start learning terms and phrases that have to do with it. I adore cooking, so I search for the videos with subtitles and I associate words I read with food and processes I see. Each person perceives the world in his/her own way. Therefore, to understand better any foreign language, you must understand the mindset of the people, for whom this language is native. Just knowing a huge heap of foreign words will not help you speak. Rule number 2: learning must go deeper, reaching and getting interest in the history, customs and traditions of the people â€" for whom this language is native. It is a good idea to go to a country where the studied language is spoken, to dive into the actual environment. However, in practice, it does not give any guarantee that you will quickly and naturally speak in a foreign language. Why? The first reason â€" lack of proper communication with native speakers. If you are traveling as a tourist, you will be speaking mostly with your guide or companions. If you come as part of a student group, then, as a rule, most of the time you will be talking each one with other. Because its easier. Man is so constituted that he always tries to follow the line of least resistance. Rule number 3: Try to go on your own.  Dare the risk! If that feels too  intimidating, keep your cell phone with the number of a translator handy. The second reason the difficulty to establish close contacts with foreign friends. You are a stranger for them â€" deal with it! Just not give up, act confident and respectful, do not get shy when you are talking with some mistakes. And always keep the distance. The third reason. Native speakers do not know their language. Sounds funny, but its true. Pay attention to themselves. They cannot correctly answer the meaning, and explain some words. Once in Ecuador, I saw a huge strike â€" some taxis blocked the main streets. Ecuadorians called that “Páro” â€" I tried to make my friends explain me what does “Paro” means… they could not. Thus, the success of learning a foreign language abroad depends on your personal qualities. How quickly and easily you can start contacts and well-established relationship with other people? I can say that the main factor is motivation. Realize your personal need for foreign language skills, apply regular efforts, be patient, and you will always succeed. It is desirable in learning a foreign language, to minimize the use of their mother tongue. This will accelerate the overcome of language barrier. And most importantly, the learning process should be fun. Do not be upset if something does not work right away. Focus on your objective, on your language success. Believe in yourself, and the results will come faster than you think.

Bath Bomb Chemistry - A Great Activity For Kids and Adults

Bath Bomb Chemistry - A Great Activity For Kids and AdultsBath Bomb Chemistry is a great activity for children and adults alike. The fun-filled activity is available in a downloadable electronic book.The eBook, which is a great addition to a child's science book, has a special feature that allows elementary school age students to use it as an interactive puzzle. The technology behind the Bath Bomb Chemistry eBook is simple. The eBook features interactive activities that can be played by children up to the age of 12.Kids love to do puzzles and games. They love puzzles because they are fun to do. In fact, many teachers would have to recommend that you include puzzles in your science project because it teaches kids how to be creative. For example, let's say you want to write a paper on the development of plants.You will need to develop a hypothesis about the physical act and how the process occurred. Since this is a physical act, you could come up with the statement that the process of putting plants into a container caused the flow of water and oxygen from the outside. The chemical reaction is required to create the oxygen. If you are not very sure about how plants grow, then perhaps you should ask them if you can play a game to solve the problem.Once you have developed the hypothesis, it is time to develop the mechanics of the physical act. This means that you need to plan out where the 'pot' or container will be placed in the student's hands and what color is it. You can use the example that you want to write a report about the effects of a compound on plants. So, where will you place the pot?When this experiment is completed, a child will have to give a vote as to whether or not it is safe to eat the plant. Of course, if it tastes good, they will keep eating it. It is important that the child knows what he or she is voting on. After the experiment is completed, it is up to the teacher to determine whether or not it was successful. If it was successful, then yo u can then present the results of the experiment to the class.Using the Bath Bomb Chemistry eBook, it is possible to teach young children about the chemical reactions that occur during the natural process of plants growing. As well, you can teach them how to use the activity as a learning tool.

The Best Way to Find A Varsity Tutor For Varsity Tutors

The Best Way to Find A Varsity Tutor For Varsity TutorsIf you want to find out what it takes to be a Varsity Tutor, you may be wondering if it is possible to become one yourself. There are some guides that have been written about the process, but if you don't have enough knowledge to help you be successful at the tutoring field, there are some things that you can do to prepare yourself for the hard work. As long as you plan on earning a college degree in the future, finding a tutoring career will be a great way to get the education that you need.Perhaps the best part of this is that you will be able to make the most of your time studying English. Not everyone that is serious about this field has the time to spare to go out and hunt down all the tutors they need. Some of them are already working full-time and can only do so much to find someone they can trust. That is why it is important to find a program that provides classes with a tutor that is willing to help out those that are no t able to help themselves. Most of the time this will pay off because you will be learning and becoming more knowledgeable than you would be if you were working alone.One other thing that you need to think about is how much you want to work out to become a Varsity Tutor. Many people that are just starting out may look into a variety of ways to earn extra money while they learn their craft. However, if you feel that your dream is just a little bit too far out there, there are plenty of different jobs that you can look into.Most of these jobs are going to be in fields like health care, education, or even careers that include computers. If you want to go into a nursing career, for example, you can consider the opportunities available in the fields of nursing. If you have a desire to be a teacher, there are even careers in public schools. These may not be the best options for everyone, but you will likely find that they do offer a great deal of flexibility for those that do have a speci fic goal in mind.Another option for anyone who wants to work toward being a Varsity Tutor is to go into the high school programs that have been set up to make teaching skills more accessible to young people. By teaching young students in this way, you can be in charge of a very valuable skill that they can use on the job. Your job will be to interact with your students and make sure that they understand what they are expected to do. Even if they don't know what they are supposed to do, you will still be able to make sure that they know what they should not do.It is never too late to get a graduate degree, and you should always look into getting a graduate degree in English if you really want to make it in this field. You may also want to consider getting a Master's in English or even a Master's in Education. There are many reasons why someone would like to pursue a Masters in this field, but when you combine it with the tuition that comes with it, it makes a great choice. The fact t hat you can earn it from a field that you are passionate about and is something that you are sure to enjoy also helps make it worth it.If you love to work with children, it may be something that you want to consider when you first start your new challenge. Being a Varsity Tutor gives you an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others that you will never have the chance to see otherwise.

Should I Go To University of Miami

Should I Go To University of Miami The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Aaron is a Miami tutor specializing in Spanish tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, Literature tutoring, and more. He graduated from the University of Miami in 2012 with a Bachelors degree in English Literature. Check out his review of his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Aaron: The campus is very safe, and the security guards / police force have a strong presence to make the students feel protected. That being said, the surrounding area is so nice that there isnt even a great need for them, but theyre there for you anyway. In terms of transportation, a bike can get you most anywhere you need to go; trips to the mall or grocery shopping are done in minutes, and the MetroRail, a monorail with service which reaches most of Miami Dade County, allows passengers to bring their bikes. The university also has shuttles running round the clock to get people where they need to be around the campuses (including the Marine Science campus on Key Biscayne). VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Aaron: I cant speak for all of the programs and professors at UM, but in my experience, they were constantly available and accessible for whatever questions may arise. The same goes for the academic administration; your advisers, deans, and other officials have great availability and accessibility. President Shalala can often be found walking around campus engaging students. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Aaron: I never stayed in the dorms, but from what I have seen, they are more functional than flashy. The emphasis is on student safety, which makes sense considering hurricanes are a very real problem we have to face living in South Florida. To cope with this reality, the dorm buildings were designed to be the safest buildings in the entire county in terms of withstanding hurricanes. The cafeterias were not popular among the students, though I personally loved them. Theyre buffet style, so after working out at the gym, I would pop into the cafeteria and eat to my hearts content. Despite the food not being popular amongst the student body, everyone loves the staff. They are definitely the friendliest assemblage of people in the entire university. 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? Aaron: UM kind of has the practical areas of study vibe lots of premed, prelaw, and even pre-veterinarians as well as engineers, Business Administration, etc. This isnt to say that the other programs are lacking. I studied English Literature and received a wide breadth of tutelage from professors specializing in a wide variety of topics. And despite seeming like the perfect place for Latin American or Caribbean Literature, UM is definitely a hotbed for British andIrish Literature, particularly the work of James Joyce. There are a few literary journals based out of UM, and there seems to be ample room for future growth in that field as well as others. 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? Aaron: Meeting people was easy. The university plays a big role in facilitating that process. Greek life is so-so; a lot of people are into it but there are so many other things to do and see in Miami that no one feels pressured to get involved if they dont want to. VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Aaron: Toppel Career Center has to be among the best in the nation at what they do. They helped me tremendously in terms of job hunting and advising. There are a lot of big companies which frequently visit UM, especially those with a Latin American or foreign slant. For example, the School of Communication is practically a feeder school into Telemundo, Univision, and other Spanish language television companies. Ditto for the business school and its proximity to the many corporate headquarters in downtown Coral Gables (Bacardi, Club Med, and many others). VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they overcrowded, easily available, spacious? Aaron: Students have a wide variety of choices as to where they study. Some prefer the library or the stacks, others prefer reading by the pool, and a lot of students just stay in their dorms. The university sets up hammocks on certain palm trees during finals its awesome. 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? Aaron: There is nowhere else in the world like Miami. It has the nickname of being The Gateway to the Americas and The Capital of Latin America, and it is here that you can find whole communities made up of people from around the world. I knew someone who had Cubans, Spaniards, Koreans, and African Americans living on the same street as he did growing up. If being exposed to a huge variety of cultures is of interest to a possible applicant, there is really no better place than Miami. A lot of students dont venture from campus or the surrounding municipalities aside from Miami Beach, but there are many ways to take advantage of this global city for those who chose to do so. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Aaron: The campus is never overwhelmingly big or small; its constantly floating in a happy medium. There are a few big seminar classes, but the majority of them were around 1015 students per class. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Aaron: One of my professors had just finished writing a book and did a reading from it at the local bookstore. I went, and amongst those in the audience were all of my other professors. English Literature can be an individualistic endeavor for many people, so seeing my other professors there supporting another one of my professors was awesome. The feeling of camaraderie was palpable, and I truly felt like I was amongst friends. Check out Aarons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Educational Road Trip Games for the Whole Family

Educational Road Trip Games for the Whole Family With the school year coming to a close, and summer just around the corner, many families will embark on road trips to spend quality time together and to see the country. Long road trips, as parents know, can make children restless they may even inspire the dreaded question, Are we there yet? To keep almost anyone entertained in the car, here are four educational road trip games for the whole family: The license plate game The license plate game is a great educational road trip game for children of all ages. Provide each passenger in your car with a map of the United States. While on your trip, look for license plates from all 50 states. As a license plate is identified, mark that state off on the map. To make the game more challenging for older children, use a point system. Award one point to the person who spots the license plate first, a second point to the person who finds the matching state on the map, and a third point to the person who most quickly calls out that states capital. This game can help with reading and geography skills. You may also want to consider a card game that can boost social and academic skillswhile you are on your trip! The last letter game The last letter game can be adjusted to suit different interests and age groups by simply changing the category. Pick a broad topic with an array of possible answers book titles, foreign cities, musical artists, etc. and start by identifying one item that fits within the category. The next person should think of a different answer that starts with the last letter of the previous word. The pattern then continues. For example, if the topic was animals, the first person might say zebra, the second person could say aardvark, and the third person might say kangaroo. Whenever your family runs out of options, switch categories. This educational road trip game is a great way to practice the alphabet and problem-solving skills. You may also want to consider these 4 board games that can help you improve your critical thinking skills. Storytelling games Encourage your familys imagination and creativity through storytelling games. Choose a vehicle, landmark, or other scene that you pass on your trip, and ask, Where is that car going? or, Why is that there? Each person in the car should take a turn telling a story. Try to select different objects or locations that inspire a narrative so that each member of the family has a unique starting point. I Spy People of all ages can enjoy a game of I Spy, which like the options above can be adjusted for various age groups. To play, someone states what he or she has spied, and the other passengers must attempt to guess what this item is. Tailor your I Spy statements to what you would like your children to learn. For example, say, I spy something that begins with the letter A, and then continue through the alphabet. If your child is working on counting or colors, you can try, I spy something blue, or, I spy something in a set of three. Road trips are a great way to bond and enjoy family time together, but be prepared to fight boredom with educational road trip games designed for the car. These 6 activities to keep students learningmay also be useful on your road trip. This arsenal of technology-free activities is perfect for any trip, no matter the route or the destination. Now hit the road!

Should I Go To University of Notre Dame

Should I Go To University of Notre Dame The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Ashley graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 with a Bachelors degree in Biological Science Theology. She currently tutors many subjects in Boston specializing inBiology tutoring, ACT prep tutoring,SAT prep tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, and more. Take a look at her review of the University of Notre Dame: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ashley: The University of Notre Dame is located in South Bend, Indiana, only a few miles south of Michigan and less than two hours east of Chicago. The campus is gorgeous. It is essentially self-contained, with sweeping lawns, beautiful gardens, patches of woodland, and two lakes (with lovely trails for jogging!). I quickly felt right at home on the University of Notre Dames campus, and it is quite safebesides being set apart from the surrounding neighborhoods, the campus has ample lighting and many emergency call stations. Almost all undergraduates live right on campus, and you can walk nearly anywhere in about 15 minutes. Some students ride their bikes to class, and to get off-campus, most students drive, bike, or take a shuttle bus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ashley: Very rarely did I have difficulty getting in contact with professors or advisers at the University of Notre Dame. Particularly for first-year or especially challenging courses, the professors and teaching assistants know that students will need help, and they often hold frequent office hours or tutorial sessions. Academic support in the form of tutoring and advising is also available, with a special focus on first-year students. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ashley: The University of Notre Dame is well known for its unique dorm life. Almost all undergraduates choose to live on-campus for all four years. The University of Notre Dames dorm life is special because there are no sororities or fraternities. Instead, each single-sex dorm has a distinctive character and community of its own. Each dorm has its own chapel and Mass schedule, as well as a hall council that plans events (liturgical, social, service, etc.) to support dorm life. Students are fiercely loyal to their dormsthey celebrate their dorm mascot (we were the Howard Hall Ducks), play against other dorms teams in inter-hall sporting events (the inter-hall football championship is played in Notre Dame Stadium), and compete for the celebrated title of Hall of the Year. Your dorm is truly your family while at the University of Notre Dame! There are two main dining halls on campus, and both are fantastic (I highly recommend North Dining Halls pasta stir-fry and South Dining Halls make-your-own-pizza). In addition, there are a variety of cafes and smaller dining options scattered throughout the academic buildings and LaFortune Student Center. Most students have a meal plan, which gives them access to three all-you-can-eat meals in the dining hall each day, in addition to Flex Points that can be spent at eateries around campus. 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? Ashley: The University of Notre Dame has a wide variety of majors in the College of Science, College of Arts and Letters, College of Engineering, and Mendoza College of Business. All students begin in the First Year of Studies program, where they take foundational courses that set the stage for their specialization when they declare a major for sophomore year. Most students have at least one minor in addition to their major, and many students double-major. For example, I was a Biological Science major (College of Science) with a second major in Theology (College of Arts and Letters). I loved having the opportunity to learn more about my faith by taking theology classes alongside the science classes in my Biological Science major. Even better, I had many opportunities to take elective coursessuch as Greek, geology, and literatureoutside of my main focus areas. 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? Ashley: The University of Notre Dame is most often described as a family, and this strong sense of community begins with an acceptance letter that says, Welcome home. First-year students are immediately welcomed into their dorm communities, and they can participate in a variety of dorm and inter-hall events specifically designed for freshmen. In addition, the University Notre Dame hosts an event during which all of the campus clubs and organizations are present so students can browse their (nearly infinite!) options and find activities that suit their interests. First-year students also quickly get to experience the great tradition of campus football, and autumn Saturdays are a near-sacred time as everyone cheers on the Fighting Irish. VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Ashley: The Career Center is a useful resource, which I especially used when I needed help developing a resume for the first time. Juniors and seniors often attend the several career fairs offered throughout the year, and the University of Notre Dame also hosts a service fair for students who would like to commit themselves to a service or religious organization for a few years after graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ashley: The University of Notre Dames main library is 13 stories high and filled with desks and comfortable chairs for studying. In addition, there are several smaller libraries around campus. Many academic buildings (e.g., the Jordan Hall of Science) have designated study spaces that can be either quiet or social, depending on the atmosphere encouraged by that department. Dorms usually have at least one study lounge on each floor, but these can be louder and more crowded than the library, especially when students are hesitant to walk too far in the winter. I always enjoyed trying out new study spaces, as well as finding interesting, out-of-the-way locations in which to read or write a paper. 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? Ashley: The University of Notre Dame is bordered by suburban neighborhoods, a larger commercial road, campus apartments, and recently-developed commercial streets geared toward students (think Chipotle, campus bookstore, ice cream, trendy restaurants, etc.). Honestly, there is so much to do that most students spend the majority of their free time on campus! The neighboring city of Mishawaka has a ton of stores and restaurants. For students willing to travel, the city of Chicago is easily accessed by bus or train, and the Lake Michigan shore is not too far away, either. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ashley: There are about 8,000 undergraduates, which was a perfect size for meneither overwhelmingly large, nor so small that it felt constraining. As a Biological Science major, I often had larger lecture-style classes in my first two years, but class sizes decreased for more specialized upper-level courses. My Theology courses in the College of Arts and Letters were generally smaller and included many seminar-style (less than 20 students) classes. I felt that these class sizes, though diverse, were very appropriate given the nature of the courses. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Ashley: My most memorable courses at the University of Notre Dame were my Beginning Greek I and II classes, which I took just for fun (as a science major in a classics course, I was definitely an anomaly!). Learning an ancient language required a skill set and study strategies that were very different from my typical homework assignments (memorizing biological processes, writing lab reports, or writing theology essays). Greek was by far my hardest and most demanding course that yearand yet it was one of the most fun! My professor did an outstanding job of making his lessons engaging and yet incredibly demanding. His high expectations gave us all the motivation to prepare meticulously for each class. Even though Greek was an elective for me, I also treasured the fact that my study of Greek simultaneously informed the other classes I was takinggeology, physiology, and theology are all disciplines with a Greek-based technical vocabulary. Check out Ashleys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Tactics for Starting a Conversation with a Stranger - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Tactics for Starting a Conversation with a Stranger - Introvert Whisperer 5 Tactics for Starting a Conversation with a Stranger Dorothy May 18, 2016 Communication, Problem-Solving 2 responses There is a hierarchy of cringe-worthy activities and high on the list is networking.   If you peel back networking, there are few things worse for many people (like my fellow socially reluctant) than approaching and speaking with a stranger. The problem you face is the fact that you have little or no “frame of reference” with this other person.   Where do you begin when starting a conversation?   Even if you can muster up the courage to go near the stranger, it makes you feel like a deer in the headlights. Do you run away as fast as possible or hope for the fire alarm to goes off? I have found that rather than stop in your tracks, it’s good to have some conversation tactics that I have found to work well.   With a bit of planning, you can seriously reduce the fear and loathing of networking. Tactic #1 â€" What do you have in common RIGHT NOW? There is something you do have in common with this stranger and that is whatever the event is you are attending.   If it is a party you were invited to, you have that person in common.   If it is a group associated with a profession or interest, you have the focus of the group as a place to start. Possible openers: How do you and Jane know each other? How long have you been part of the project management group? What is your profession that brings you to this group? Tactic #2 â€" Look for a “point of entry”. “Point of entry” is my little term for a conversation starter.   It could be something the person is snacking on all the way to an article of clothing.   It may not become the topic for a full-blown 15-minute conversation but it’s a place to start.   Your questions will have to fill in the rest of the conversation. Possible openers: I see you’re munching on the egg rolls, do you recommend them? I noticed your lapel pin, what is the pin associated with? Tactic #3 â€" Ask for an introduction. An often overlooked tactic is to ask someone like the event organizer or a person you do know, to introduce you to someone you don’t know.   Usually, this person will have some knowledge about the person they are introducing you to and will mention the insight during the introduction.   Pay attention as this can help you launch your conversation. Tactic #4 â€" Be transparent. So often, we think we have to be the perfect, glossy version of a human when we meet someone new.   It’s really ok to admit you are there to get acquainted with new people and would like to have a chat with them.   People love people who are open and friendly.   Go ahead and admit you have no cleaver way of knowing where to start the conversation and introduce yourself. Possible openers: I’m new to this group and really don’t know anyone.   Is it ok for me to join you and your friends? (I’ve done this a number of times and people are remarkably hospitable) Hi, I don’t think you and I have met before.   I’m Dorothy and you are?   (Response) What brings you here today? Tactic #5 â€" The classic. We are all very accustomed to the question: “What kind of work do you do?”   Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask that classic question.   Once we know the kind of work someone does, it helps frame the next part of the conversation. One of the things you rarely hear discussed when it comes to networking is the idea of preparing for it.   I’m a big advocate of doing just that.   Not all of us are big social butterflies who can easily come into a setting and begin a gabfest with anyone they encounter.   I have discovered that you can think through various parts of the process and develop good tactics to help you get the most out of the next event.   Isn’t that worth the cringe reduction? Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective. But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. www.introvertwhisperer.com

The American Education Gap

The American Education Gap America was once the leader in postsecondary degrees. However, in recent years it has fallen far from the top. The Lumina Foundation for Education placed a goal in 2008 for a college completion rate of 60 percent by 2025. America will not reach that goal, according to an article in The Washington Post. The foundation claims to be the first organization to set this benchmark, which was later adopted by President Barack Obama and other education administrators. The number of Americans aged 25-64 with postsecondary degrees has risen slightly since 2007, from 37.7 percent to 37.9 percent in 2008. If this trend continues, the graduation rate could reach 46.6 percent in 2025, which would be around 23 million graduates shy of the goal. For America to reach its aggressive goal by 2025, it would have to produce about 278,781 more graduates each year until 2025, amassing to 38 million more college graduates. Politicians and administrators are throwing around many ideas. One idea is to contact Americans who attended some college but never graduated, encouraging them to go back to school. This plan could also make it easier for these people to achieve degrees. It would allow them to take only one or two classes to attain a degree, significantly cutting the amount of classes they would actually need. Another option for boosting college completion is reaching out to minority members. The college completion rate for African Americans stands at 26 percent and 19 percent for Hispanics. The Washington Post insinuated that colleges need to more effectively recruit underrepresented groups. This could boost the overall college completion rate, and it could help America inch closer to its 2025 goal. However, this is not necessarily bad news for students of all ages. America could begin to make desperate attempts to place more students in college. This could decrease tuition costs and make college more accessible for students. Scholarship funds could increase as well. Increasing the number of college graduates is likely to give America a more competitive edge in the business world. This could create more jobs and boost Americas economy.