Audio Conversation For Learning English

Audio Conversation For Learning EnglishAudio conversation for learning English is a very effective method to learn a language through the medium of music. It is really fantastic that you can actually listen to native speakers and see them while being able to get their perspectives about what you are saying.If you want to learn more about your mother tongue, you have to learn it from a native speaker. It is important to listen to native speaking. You cannot learn English from any newspaper or internet articles. You need to listen to a native speaker who speaks English.Do not make the mistake of listening to somebody live as they are talking. They may be talking about something else. This would be a very difficult process for you as you would only be hearing the sounds of the words while they are said and not actually hearing what they are saying.In order to hear native speakers in your area, you need to take advantage of the internet. Using an internet connection is the easiest way to learn English while being able to listen to native speakers.The process of learning English is a little bit different for everyone. You have to be able to start listening to English language learning audio while still at a comfortable level of being able to comprehend the words.You can take the extra effort to actually purchase a good quality course that has good information. There are many online courses that are created by some native English speakers and are designed with native speakers in mind. This is the way you need to be looking at if you want to learn English.This will be the real thing, you will be listening to. This will be a real conversation with native speakers of English and you will be able to understand what they are saying.

Four Ways to Increase Your Salary - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Four Ways to Increase Your Salary - Introvert Whisperer Four Ways to Increase Your Salary In a survey conducted by Monster, they discovered that over 65 percent of employees are dissatisfied with their pay. The average pay raise in 2017 is expected to be around 3 percent. For some, this is simply not enough of an increase. There are many professionals stuck in limbo, unsure of how they can increase their wages. Luckily, there are a few proven methods of increasing your earning potential. Job Hopping Job hopping can often be a great way to increase your salary. Job hopping can be defined as voluntarily changing jobs every year or two, with the goal of increasing one’s wages. ADP, a payroll processing company, studied salary information for 24 million private sector workers in the first quarter of 2016. Their findings support the notion that job hopping can often lead to a higher salary. They found that job switchers saw a 6 percent increase in wages on average. There was a larger wage increase for younger workers, as employees under 25 saw an average wage increase of 11 percent. Advanced Degrees   Pursuing an advanced degree in your field has been proven to lead to raises, promotions, and better job prospects. In a study by Georgetown University, they found that on average, graduate degree holders earn 28 percent more than bachelor’s degree holders. In some cases, a graduate degree can lead to an increase in earnings up to $40,000 a year.  To put this further into perspective, the GMAC found that professionals who hold a graduate degree in business earn from $500,000 to $1 million more over a 20-year career than individuals without an advanced degree. Clearly, an advanced degree can increase your earning potential exponentially. Professional Certifications   Obtaining a professional certification is another proven method of increasing your salary. These certifications don’t typically have as high of a return on investment as graduate degrees, but they can lead to significant pay increases nonetheless. In a recent survey conducted by Simplilearn, it was found that after completing a professional certification, 76 percent of respondents reported an increase in salary. The survey also discovered that the top fields for salary increases from certifications are digital marketing, IT service and architecture, project management, and big data analytics. Learning a Foreign Language   The ability to speak another language can also increase your potential earnings. As the business world becomes more connected, the ability to communicate with individuals in a variety of languages is becoming an increasingly coveted skillset. The Economist reported that the average earnings bonus for an American that learns a foreign language is 2 percent. Some languages can increase earnings more than others, with a 2.3 percent increase for learning French, and a 3.8 percent increase for learning German. Though the increase in earnings for learning a foreign language is lower than other methods, it will undoubtedly make yourself an attractive candidate in the increasingly connected world of business. These methods have been proven to increase earning potential. For those willing to go out on a limb and look for new opportunities, job hopping can be one of the best ways to increase your salary. For those looking to stay in their current roles, adding to your skillset can lead to increased wages as well. Author: Tim Ufer Tim currently works with university graduate programs as a community outreach manager. Tim has developed a passion for career advancement and professional development. Tim’s expertise includes career advice, higher education, and entrepreneurship. Go to top 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 by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Essential Qualities of a Personal Trainer

Essential Qualities of a Personal Trainer What Qualities Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Personal Trainer? ChaptersBecoming a Personal Fitness CoachQualities and Qualifications to be a Personal TrainerQualities to be a Personal TrainerUse Your Sports Competence  to Be a Personal TrainerGain Experience in Personal TrainingTaking Care of Your Personal AppearanceAre you a personal trainer and on the lookout for new clients?Do you already have a recognized diploma as a fitness professional or are you a professional athlete looking for a new career and on your way to becoming a personal trainer?Indeed, what could be more rewarding than to help people achieve their fitness goals with one on one fitness courses at home, away from the impersonal atmosphere of a health club?Do you know what the origin of the word “coaching” is?It comes from the word “coach”, a closed horse-drawn carriage dating to the 16th century.First used in Kocs in Hungary, the coach soon spread throughout Europe and became generalised as a means of public transportation. It could hold six to eight people and was well- adapted to longer distances as well as short ones.Personal coaches are descendants of the coachmen who saw their passengers safely to their destination. Photo credit: Cavedragon on Visual huntSo where does modern “coaching” come in? The coachman - the driver of the coach - was the one who accompanied everyone and helped arrive at their destination.By 1830, the word “coach” had become a word for an instructor or tutor, mentor and finally trainer.Different sports need different physical preparations - and their own specialised and qualified personal trainers. Photo credit: Joint Base Lewis McChord on VisualhuntFor under your guidance, they are sure to improve in health and fitness, not only through continuing fitness programs, but also with the proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity such as weight lifting or cardiovascular training (at least 10 minutes every day), or even just walking every day.Your fitness career will depend on your own fitness ed ucation and discipline. No-one will hire an out-of-shape trainer! Your body is part of your credentials in your personal trainer career.This is also why having practised sports on a professional level makes you qualified in the eyes of your clients. They know you have been there and done that and that you have gone through everything they are experiencing. It will also tell them that you are truly passionate about your sport and not simply teaching them the handbook on resistance training, but have hands on experience and are knowledgeable in the field.Gain Experience in Personal TrainingDo you want to register with Superprof and offer personal training at home or as a webinar?Make the most of it in order to gain and showcase your experience.Prove you are worth every penny of your trainer certification by showcasing your experience. If you are just starting out as a fitness instructor, you might consider asking an established personal trainer to let you assist him for a few months, or working in a gym for a while to garner some experience.On this private tutoring platform, you can set up a profile, work for yourself and become your own marketing specialist.With up to fifty different coaches available in a city near you and hundreds nationally to choose from, you can find clients and gain important professional experience in personal fitness training sessions. As a certified personal trainer, Superprof allows you to display your:Accreditation and qualificationsSpeciality and abilities (senior fitness, youth fitness, sports for special populations; or else exercise physiology, corrective exercise, resistance training…)What training techniques you useStrategies for helping others stay motivated and achieve their goalsHow long you have been dedicated to sports and to training othersHow you set up the sessions for your fitness program (warm-ups, exercise training, muscle building, stretching, endurance exercises etc…)The greater your experience in personal fitn ess training, the higher the personal trainer salary you can command, moving up to more challenging clients who may even want to know how to become professional athletes themselves.If you have already worked in the fitness industry, whether in personal fitness or group fitness, be sure to put it in your profile and on any other marketing material you have. It tells your potential clientele that you have the requisite skills and experience to create a personalised work out suited to their needs.Join the discussion: how should one train to become a personal trainer?Taking Care of Your Personal AppearanceAnother important factor in creating a client base is your physical appearance.This means personal hygiene, a neat appearance with trimmed hair and well-curated facial hair (clean-shaven or trimmed beard) and shaved legs for the ladies (feminism aside, it gives the impression of cleanliness and shows off your leg muscles.) Make sure you shower between clients - if your schedule is a bi t tight, excuse yourself for your sweaty appearance and ask to use their bathroom for a rub down with a damp towel. This shows that you care about the impression you make - both in looks and odour!Unless you are training sumo wrestlers, you should make sure your personal appearance convinces your clients that you know about fitness. Photo credit: MastaBaba on Visual HuntBut more than that, clients will expect a personal trainer to be in good physical shape. A personal fitness instructor who is obese or underweight, stiff, and out of shape will not inspire confidence in his or her abilities.This doesn’t mean you need to look like a bodybuilder. But you need to look fit and healthy. So make sure you stay in shape and eat well since your body is your billboard!Now learn more about how to market your skills as a personal trainer...

What New College Students Should Know About EdTech

What New College Students Should Know About EdTech As technology evolves and becomes increasingly essential within our society, the college classroom evolves as well. The integration of technology into the classroom has allowed for increasing educational possibilities. However, there are some basic concepts that new college students should know about educational technology (or edtech) to maximize their schooling experience. Be prepared It is likely that if you are a new college student, you will encounter some form of edtech in your classes. Many colleges offer a short course on educational technology; if your college does so, enroll in this class during your first term. Additionally, some libraries and academic support centers offer workshops that discuss various technologies that are likely to be applied in the classroom. Here are 3 tips to better utilize your electronic textbooks. Pay close attention to the types of courses for which you register. Are you registering for an online class? Is it a hybrid course that is a mix of in-person and online sessions? Or is it a class that meets via interactive television? One benefit of online courses is that they are available to a greater number of students. However, if you are not comfortable with taking an online class, sign up for an in-person course. You can also take a preparatory class or workshop to make your online learning experience less stressful. If you not familiar with the type of educational technology that will be used in a class, check with your instructor to see if he or she can suggest any resources to help you transition. Many learning platforms have built-in tutorials that will show college students exactly how to use them. Similarly, the publishers of electronic textbooks often supply tutorials or websites that explain all of the products features. Jump in Some students, especially those who have not encountered edtech before, are nervous about the concept. Familiarize yourself with the idea via a tutorial or a school workshop, and then jump right into it! You may want to let your instructor know that you are new to this form of educational technology. However, there is no better way to learn these programs than by simply using them. If you feel especially unsure, ask a friend, classmate, or a tutor who understands the concept so he or she can assist you the first few times you use it. Here is some great information on digital textbooksthat may help you prepare. Learn the benefits While there is a learning curve involved with educational technology, it carries many benefits. Technology can provide opportunities that are not otherwise available. It can make studying easier, too. Set aside time to learn the advantages of edtech so you can benefit from it. This is some great information on the future of technology in education. Systems like Blackboard permit collaboration with classmates and instructors. Electronic textbooks have features that traditional textbooks do not, such as the ability to share margin notes. Hybrid classes provide students with both the virtual and face-to-face class experience. In addition, hybrid classes give students the chance to reflect on and generate discussions later, once they have digested the lecture. As the classroom advances technologically, college students must adjust to the changes in order to maximize their experience. Prepare yourself the best you can for the technology you are likely to encounter, dive right into the experience, and know the benefits technology can confer.

Learn How to Code with Coding Courses

Learn How to Code with Coding Courses Work in IT by Learning to Code with Online Coding Courses ChaptersIs Learning the Fundamentals of Programming Languages without a Qualification an Insurmountable Challenge?BBCCodeacademyLearn Programming Skills with CourseraFree Code CampW3SchoolsWith more and more technologies, jobs in IT are almost always in demand.  However, despite a curriculum that supposedly teaches pupils how to use a computer, there’s still a lack of people with the appropriate IT skills for completing the fundamental challenges facing modern businesses. This is one of the few sectors that always finds it difficult to find skilled employees and build a capable workforce (not to say that those already in the field aren't already very talented).If you’re fresh out of school or looking for a career change, you should consider learning to code or developing your IT skills.There are plenty of educational establishments offering computer science and computer programming courses to help beginners and those starting from scratch become systems engineers, programmers, or web designers.Can you learn to code and become an IT tutor without a degree in IT?How can you give private tutorials in IT without IT qualifications?Even if you can completely teach yourself about computers, learning programming is a different beast altogether. In fact, you might struggle to find a job in IT without the appropriate qualifications in programming. Most employers prefer that their staff have the appropriate qualifications for these kinds of jobs.Code will look like a foreign language to the untrained eye. (Source: negativespace.co)Additionally, teaching yourself about computers requires an enormous amount of motivation. School isn’t entirely pointless, after all. It allows you to gain the necessary knowledge and skills that jobs in IT require.On the other hand, it's easy to learn coding and become a programmer or a web developer without having an A Level in IT. A Levels are not the only way to learn about computers. There are many different ways. In fact, there are places where you can get free or cheap IT lessons to help you .It doesn’t matter whether you’re 16, 30, or 50, a career in IT will welcome you with open arms. You can also call a private tutor to help you or to teach you everything you need to know about computers.Find computer courses near you here or stat at home and follow online computer courses.BBCIf you'd like to learn how to code but are an absolute beginner in need of an introduction to computer science, the BBC has a useful site (although it’s no longer updated) for those just starting out with computers. In addition to its WebWise course that teaches the basics of using computers and the internet, there are also links for those studying IT and computing at GCSE or Standard Grade. There are also links to other useful resources on how to program and programming concepts.Before you learn to code, you'll need to take the plunge and learn how to use computers effectively. (Source: pixabay.com)There are links to resources on web design, programming, the government’s own programmes for digital literacy, etc. While a lot of these resources are free, you can expert to have to pay for some of the more professional resources.With IT, computers, and programming all being things you do on your computer, it’s no surprise that you can learn a great deal about them from your computer.You should consider checking out MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) for classes on programming and coding and Codeacademy, in particular, which incentivises students by awarding them badges. Unlike universities, these courses are for everyone and it doesn’t matter if you have a GCSE or A Level in IT or not.This is arguably the most famous MOOC for learning more about IT. The site was founded by Zach Sims and Ryan Bubinski after Sims dropped out from Columbia University to focus on the platform.The platform quickly grew and now has several million users. It probably won't matter which programming language you want to learn t o program in, there are 12 languages with interactive activities for you to do on Codeacademy.Codeacademy is like a university, but for code. (Source: pixabay.com)Of course, as with most MOOCs, the numbers can be a bit misleading as the number of students who actually finish each course is very low. Only a third of those who “enrol” on a Codeacademy course actually finish it.This isn't because the courses are bad but rather because people sign up to courses because they can or on a whim. A lot of people sign up to introductory classes and never finish them. These numbers may also be skewed due to the fact that a lot of users mightn’t complete every exercise on a given course because they’ve already learnt what they need to know.While Codeacademy is free, there is an option to pay for it which comes with benefits such as added support. This support includes personalised learning plans, more advanced quizzes, realistic projects, and help from advisers.This is a great option fo r those whose schedules are too varied to regularly schedule a class.With Codeacademy, you can do the activities, exercises, and coding courses whenever you feel like it. You can also start and stop courses as you please.If you only need to learn the basics of a given language, for example, you can do those modules and then move on to another language. It’s a fantastic tool for those wanting to bolster their IT skill set.The only problem is that the badges probably won’t sway an interviewer’s mind.Learn Programming Skills with CourseraIf you need an introduction to programming, Coursera is another MOOC that you should consider looking at. While it doesn’t focus solely on programming and IT (there are a huge variety of different courses taught), it’s worth mentioning for those wanting to gain some valuable IT skills.Although the courses are free, you’ll have to pay if you want an accredited certificate for them.  Some of the courses on Coursera are even offered by some of the world’s most prestigious universities including Washington, Michigan, Toronto, and Stanford.Signing up is really easy, too. You sign up to Coursera in the same way you would to any other website. Once you’ve got a user name and password, you’re pretty much ready to go and start learning.This is great solution for people who prefer a university-style approach to learning without the tuition fees that come with it. For those looking for a career change, it’s a useful way to learn in your own time and at your own speed since unlike a traditional course, you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to doing the work and studying.Free Code CampFree Code Camp is a more social option than some of the others suggested in this article.Did you know that learning programming could save the world?The special thing about Free Code Camp is that it works by teaching users how to code and allowing them to use that coding knowledge to code for non-profit organisations.Free Code Camp, lea rn to code without having to brave the elements. (Source:  snapwiresnaps.tumblr.com)After students learn JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, they get to do project assignments either on their own or with a partner. After they’ve finished their project assignments, they have the opportunity to gain real computer programmer experience by building a web app and writing code for the aforementioned non-profits. This can help them:Learn how to build a web app and how to write codeLearn how to integrate user interfacesLearn how develop appsDevelop Java and web development skillsWork towards a new career in ITLearn how to solve real problems and complete tasks under deadlinesThe practical experience is what really sets Free Code Camp apart from some of the other examples given in this article. While the other platforms may be better in terms of theoretical knowledge, you can’t put a price on the experience you gain from really developing a solution to a given problem.W3SchoolsW3Schools is a grea t resource for those learning how to code. Imagine it like the Lego set of coding. While you have the instructions, you can just play around. You can use it to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, jQuery, AngularJS, XML, and Bootstrap. You can easily get started today.You’re completely free to follow the tutorials if you want. Otherwise, you can just start playing around with the code you’ve learnt.  On a personal note, I regularly have this site open for help with HTML and CSS and have found it to be an absolute life-saver.With so many different ways to learn IT skills and how to programme, you really haven’t got an excuse! In short:You can gain valuable IT training and skills without having to attend university. You don’t even really need to have an A Level in IT or computing. It’s a sector with a seemingly never-ending demand for employees and free resources for those willing to put the time in to gain the required IT skills. With sites like Codeacademy, W3Schools, Fr ee Code Camp, and Coursera (not to mention all the other MOOCs), you’re spoilt for choice.Of course, since these sites require you to work a lot on your own, you should make sure that you’re motivated before embark on a course. Otherwise, you may as well not bother.If you're a tutor, you should find out more on how to plan an IT tutorial!

French Music Countdown 4 Biggest French Hits of Summer 2015

French Music Countdown 4 Biggest French Hits of Summer 2015 Sign up successful 1) Feder ft. Lyse “Goodbye” Despite being a far cry from the standard  summer jam, the seductive deep house grooves of Nice-born Feder’s “Goodbye” nonetheless cast a major spell over French listeners during  the latter half of summer. It held  the number one spot on the French charts for a longer period of time (five weeks) than any other track across the May through August window. This song’s heady combination of underground rhythms, Balkan-tinged strings, and luscious pop vocals allowed it to claim its crown as France’s unquestioned tube de l’été (French for hit of the summer). Listening to this type of music is a good way to practice your French listening skills. 2) David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rehxa and Afrojack “Hey Mama” For American audiences, this is a song that obviously needs no introduction. Still, it would be remiss of me to compile a list of this summers biggest French songs without including a track that not only tore up the legendary DJs home market of France, but also found  international success with which Mr. Guetta has become familiar with over the last few years. 3) Fréro Delavega and Skydancer “Le Chant des Sirènes Remix” (The Sirens’ Song Remix) Fréro Delavega is a French duo made up of 25-year-old Jeremy Fréro and 28-year-old Flo Delavega. They first rose to prominence via their participation in the French reality show The Voice: La Plus Belle Voix. “Le Chant des Sirènes” was the biggest hit to come from the pair’s self-titled 2014 debut album, and following the 2015 release of this remix from producer Sky Dancer, the new version of the track began its own climb up the charts. Sky Dancer’s take on “Le Chant des Sirènes” combines the downbeat beauty of the original with a tastefully handled house beat and atmospheric synths that amplify the charms  of the original song without transforming it. One of the benefits of this approach is that the eloquent poetry of the original’s lyrics is left intact and accessible to the listener, allowing lines like, Les années passent, l’écho s’évade sur la Dune du Pilat/ Au gré des saisons, des photomatons, je m’abandonne à ces lueurs d’autrefois   or The years pass, the echo escapes across the Dune of Pilat/At the mercy of the seasons, of photo booths, I give myself over to gleams of former times â€" to add a tangible sense of place and longing to the track’s melancholic rhythms and melodies. Be sure to take note of  how the lyrics in this song are sung. Trying to get French pronunciation down can be difficult, but as always with anything new, keep practicing! 4) Maître Gims “Est-ce que tu m’aimes?” (Do You Love Me?) After first making a name for himself as a member of hip-hop group Sexion d’Assaut, Maître Gims embarked on a solo career in 2013 with the release of his hugely successful debut album Subliminal. “Est-ce que tu m’aimes?”, the first single to be released from forthcoming follow-up M.C.A.R., finds Maître Gims sliding right back into his hit-making ways without missing a beat. The French MC’s West African heritage (Maître was born in Zaire but immigrated to France when he was only two years old) heavily influences  the track. It has bustling tribal drums underpinning a group  of half-sung/half-rapped hooks that are almost guaranteed to have wormed their way into the most distant reaches of your eardrums, even if some of the lines themselves seem designed specifically to cause a bit of cringing. For example,  J’étais prêt à graver ton image a l’encre noire sous mes paupières/ Afin de te voir même dans un sommeil éternel â€" or I was ready to engrave your image in black ink under my eyelids/ So that I would be able to see you even in the midst of an eternal slumber. Most importantly, this song functions as a thrilling pouring-out-my-heart-and-soul  power ballad. At the same time, it provides a small window into the great diversity of cultural experiences and aesthetic tendencies that are currently shaping the style and substance of 21st century French pop. End of the Tour That concludes our French summer music tour I hope you had fun! Its fun listening to songs when you dont know the language. Although, learning French could make your listening experience all the better! Try listening to some contemporary French singers if youd like more. Ill see you at the next tour! Post Author:  Seth N. Seth N.  is fluent in French and teaches  in Maylene, AL. He recently graduated from Yale University with a bachelors degree in  East Asian Languages and Literature. Seth plans on returning to school this Fall to earn a law degree.  Learn more about Seth 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

Square Root Negative 1

Square Root Negative 1 The numbers written inside the square root radical can be either 0 or any positive integer in order to get a real solution as the y value. If a negative number is written inside the square root, then the output becomes an imaginary number, commonly represented by i. Square root of -1, which can also be written as -1 is called as the imaginary number and it is not considered a real number. -1 is equal to i which means the value of i = -1. Example 1: What is the simplified form of -12? -12 is an imaginary number since it consists the negative sign inside the radical. -12 can also be written as: (-1 * 12). This is equal to -1 * 12 and here -1 is the i value and is the imaginary number. Hence we get: -12 = i * 12 and now we can simplify 12. This implies: -12 = i * (2* 2* 3) = i * 23. Therefore the simplified form of -12 = 2i3. Example 2: What is the simplified form of -18? -18 is an imaginary number since it consists the negative sign inside the radical. -18 can also be written as: (-1 * 18). This is equal to -1 * 18 and here -1 is the i value and is the imaginary number. Hence we get: -18 = i * 18 and now we can simplify 18. This implies: -18 = i * (2 * 3 * 3) = i * 32. Therefore the simplified form of -18 = 3i2.

A Student Review of University of California, Irvine

A Student Review of University of California, Irvine The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Allison earned her bachelors degree in cognitive sciences at University of California, Irvine and earned a juris doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She lives in Sacramento and specializes in algebra tutoring, English tutoring, psychology tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at University of California, Irvine: Describe the campus setting and transportation options at University of California, Irvine. Allison: University of California, Irvine has a great campus setting. There are plenty of transportation options. Although I lived on campus the first year in the dorms (so I didnt need to worry about transportation because I walked to class), my remaining three years I lived off campus. University of California, Irvine provided shuttle buses for students outside of campus and even to some of the surrounding cities. I had friends who biked and carpooled as well. One of the reasons I loved UCI was that Irvine was voted one of the safest cities in America. I never had any issues and I found the campus and city safe, welcoming, and clean! How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Allison:I loved the staff at University of California, Irvine. All of my professors and teaching assistants were not only willing, but eager to help. They were always an email, if not a meeting, away, and they really seemed to appreciate students who asked questions and took the time to meet with them outside of class. I also found that my academic advisors were knowledgeable, communicative, and helpful. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Allison:Dorm life was pretty great. We had lots of different options. I personally lived in Mesa Court, but I also had friends who lived in Middle Earth. I felt that I met students with similar interests, but I also had the opportunity to meet students with different backgrounds and goals. The dorms were pretty close to one another and to school, and it took about 5-10 minutes to get to class (walking) from either one. I loved all of the different options for using your meal card. I definitely bought one the first year and it saved my lifeespecially during midterms and finals. The dorms, as well as the student body and organizations on campus, always had something to do. I felt that there was always a place for anyone and everyone on campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at University of California, Irvine? Allison:I think we are known more for biological sciences, and I met a lot of students who were pre-med my first year. With that being said, I was not pre-med; I was part of the Social Sciences School, but I felt that that was represented as well on campus. I had friends who were involved in different majors and programs, and we were all happy with our experience. University of California, Irvine really does go above and beyond, because they provide multiple opportunities and avenues for students to succeed. From professors, TAs, tutors, and even life coaches provided and sponsored by the Counseling Center, University of California, Irvine offers every opportunity for students to achieve their goals. 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? Allison:I thought it was very easy to meet students and make friends as a freshman. For one, University of California, Irvine offers SPOP, which was the student parent orientation program that allowed students and their parents an opportunity to stay in the dorms for a night and meet some of the new freshman. I was so excited to start because I had already made friends before I even started school. I personally didnt feel that Greek life was extremely significant, but thats because I didnt rush my first or even second year of college. I did rush my third year of college and I discovered that Greek Life could be whatever you wanted it to be. If you wanted to be super involved or just a little, finding a sorority or fraternity that respected or met your needs was easy, attainable, and fun. I loved my sorority sisters, but I am glad that I didnt rush until I was sure that it was something that I wanted to pursue. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Allison:I thought our Career Center was great. The staff was helpful and I enjoyed taking the personality assessment tests to find the right career for me. I also really liked our Counseling Center, as they provided opportunities for those in psychology to get involved and harness their public speaking and/or people skills. I didnt utilize the on-campus recruitment options like I wish I would have, but there are so many opportunities, and I had friends who worked at Fortune 500 companies right after graduation. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Allison:From the libraries, common hall, outside lounges, student lounges, and coffee houses, there are so many places to study on campus. The libraries could sometimes get crowded during midterms or finals, but as a whole there was always a seat or desk available when one needed it. And the lounges near Crystal Cove seats are so comfy! Try not to fall asleep! Describe the surrounding town. Allison:Irvine is in the heart of the OC. I lived in Irvine for 4 years, and eventually after school I moved to Costa Mesa and the Laguna Beach. I had friends who lived in Newport Beach, Long Beach, and Huntington Beach and commuted. There is always something going on, whether its at the beach, a music festival, or cook-off. Some students did stay near Irvine, but Irvine as a whole is a pretty quiet town. Some of us traveled outside of Irvine if we wanted to go to the beach or go shopping, but I really liked hanging out in Irvine and trying the different cuisines. How big or small is the student body of University of California, Irvine? Allison:Personally, the student body was overwhelming for me. I came from a school where my entire student body was the size of a full lecture hall. It felt a little too big, initially, but Im so happy that it was such a large class size because I felt thats what made our school so diverse. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Allison:I worked with the Counseling Center for the last two years of my college career. I was a C.O.A.C.H. (aka a student life coach), and it was myself and 13 other students participating in the program. We all had different majors, experiences, and goals, but we all had one thing in common: we wanted to help people. The purpose of C.O.A.C.H. was to help students struggling with social, academic, and personal goals. Although we worked with students with their problems, we also were able to share our own personal history and life stories with each other. I would have never guessed I would have become so close with the other coaches, but we were all so sad to leave by the end. Our mentor and professor set the tone for our group and required that we be honest, respectful, and thoughtful, not only with our clients, but ourselves. This life lesson is something I still use today while working with clients in the legal setting, and I am forever grateful for everything she taught me. Check out Allisons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.