The Ohio State University College Experience

The Ohio State University College Experience Vignesh earned his bachelors degree in biological sciences/pre-medicine from Ohio State University. He specializes in algebra tutoring, SAT tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below he shares his review of his experience at Ohio State University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Vignesh: I went to Ohio State University for my undergraduate schooling. I also attended Wright State University for summer classes in order to transfer credit to Ohio State University. The campus setting was great, as Columbus is such an active and engaging city. The campus had a very urban feel to it, as the best transportation options other than walking were going to places via bus. There was a regular bus schedule with scheduled stops at 15-minute intervals. I felt safe on campus, as campus security is very strong and available in many different buildings. You dont necessarily need a car or bike, but if you want to get to places quickly, having a car or bike will help. I walked to most places my first year, and had a car with me the rest of the years. How available are the professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants? Vignesh: Since this was a very big school, professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants usually taught different sections of a class. They were very available during their office hours. Emailing these faculty members was always helpful for me when needed, and most of them were very nice during their office hours. They were even willing to schedule separate meeting times if our schedules conflicted. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Vignesh: The dorm life was an experience of mixed emotions for me. I loved the new atmosphere, meeting new people, and the location of my dorm, as it was close to restaurants and many buildings as I lived on South Campus. I made lots of good friends in my dorm and studied, hung out, and played a lot of basketball with them since we were very close to a gym. The downside of living in a dorm is the loudness of the students there, including some crazy weekends with social activities and quiet hours. It was very tough to get adjusted to some aspects of dorm life, but it was a very interesting experience for me. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Vignesh: The sciences and mathematics are strong at Ohio State University. I studied biological sciences/pre-medicine and minored in business management. The university did a good job of supporting my particular study, as there were clear course guidelines for what classes to take to stay on track for graduation. I met with my academic advisor about once a quarter/semester to help stay on track. Meeting with an academic advisor is a great thing to do and helped me a lot. I would suggest everyone do the same. 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? Vignesh: It was a bit difficult to make consistent friends as a freshman. Lots of kids from my childhood and high school went to Ohio State University, but lots of these friendships broke apart due to different atmospheres, values, career ambitions, etc. I made plenty of new friends due to the large number of students at the university. Joining clubs, meeting people through dorms and classes, and at the gym were how I made most of my friends. I didnt join any fraternities, but I know it is a good way to make friends. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Vignesh: The Career Center was very helpful from reviews I heard from others. There is a nice learning center called Younkin Success Center to help with students struggling with school or coursework or other aspects of life. There are career fairs held regularly on campus. I was a pre-medical major, so there was a pre-medical club, and physicians and medical professionals that would come to campus and give talks or answer questions on a regular basis. How are the various study areas, such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Vignesh: There are a few libraries on campus. They are very available and have multiple floors, which are great due to the large number of students on campus. It does get hectic during midterm or final exam week. Those weeks I usually study in my dorm or apartment. The noise level is pretty well controlled in these areas due to good enforcement and following of rules. Describe the surrounding town. Vignesh: The city of Columbus is great. It is such a big city with so much to do with restaurants, venues, stores, gyms, football and basketball stadiums, and plenty to do on weekends or during free time. This made the environment very fun. It is important not to get too distracted from all there is to do there. The students go to the downtown area a decent amount during less stressful weekends. Going to football games at Ohio State University is the most popular thing to do on campus for social life. I got season tickets all four years at Ohio State University and loved going to the games. There is a lot to do in Columbus. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Vignesh: The student body is huge, as Ohio State University is ranked as the 2nd or 3rd biggest school in the country. Some of my classes had 200 to 300 students in the lecture hall, which had two floors to accommodate the number of students. The only disadvantage of this was that there wasnt much of a community feel to classes and interaction with teachers during class. The advantage of this is that it really teaches you independence and how to survive in real world settings. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Vignesh: I have some memorable moments with professors and classes. I took plenty of difficult classes in the sciences, but one class I enjoyed most was one I took my senior year. I took a two-course sequence in physiology, and I really enjoyed learning about the body, functions, and so much more in depth. We covered cellular reactions, homeostasis, action potentials, organ systems (heart, lungs, kidneys, respiratory, etc.) in great detail and I really enjoyed the class. This was my favorite science/major class. My favorite class in all of my undergraduate career was a sports and society class that I also took my senior year. This class required us to see how sports related to society, and the significance of sports in daily life and to cultures. We read a few books on how sports has impacted our world and had to do a final project picking a sports movie and writing about how it affected us, our view of society, and how it has shaped our understanding of sports in culture. I chose Coach Carter, an inspirational true story basketball movie talking about the importance of academics and balancing academics and basketball. I had a lot of experiences that I loved and some that I regretted, but these were the few that stick out to me the most. Check out Vigneshs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Multiplying fractions 0.5

Multiplying fractions 0.5 Multiplication is one of the common used arithmetic operation in mathematics. Multiplication is denoted by a cross sign . In multiplication the order of the numbers doesnt change the answer. So multiplication of two numbers is always commutative and associative. Multiplication can be applied to different types of numbers such as fractions, integers, decimals. Fractions are the numbers written in p/q form. A fraction number cannot have denominator equal to zero. Fractions can be changed to decimals and vice versa. Example 1: Danny runs 0.5 miles every day. If he ran continuously for 4 days. How many miles did she cover? Solution: Number of miles ran each day = 0.5 = 1/2. Number of days he ran = 4. Total number of miles Danny covered = 4 x 1/2 = 4/2. (Here 4 and 2 have GCF 2. Divide numerator and denominator by 2.) This gives (4 2)/(2 2) = 2/1 =2. Hence Danny ran 2 miles in four days. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) What is the answer when 42 is multiplied with 0.5? a) 24 b) 21 c) 42 d) None of these. Correct answer: option a. Explanation: Here given for the multiplication 42 x 0.5 =? First multiply 42 with the number 5; 42 x 5 = 210. Then multiply 42 with the number 0; 42 x 0 = 00. Now add the two derived answers 210 + 000 = 210 and place a decimal point 21.0 Hence 42 x 0.5 = 21.

GMAT Study Planning Fundamentals Choosing a GRE Preparation Method

GRE/GMAT Study Planning Fundamentals Choosing a GRE Preparation Method GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog This is the first in a multipart series on how to go about studying for the GRE or GMAT. We don’t plan on going into detail on specific concepts covered on the GRE or specific test-taking strategies in this series. Instead, the intention is to cover higher level, foundational issues around preparing for these exams, such as what type of support to get, what materials to use, what mindset to cultivate, etc. This article is being posted on our GRE blog, but we’ll switch from GRE to GMAT over time, as the concepts are broadly applicable to both exams. To start, let’s point out that we are often asked what materials we recommend our students use to prepare for the GRE. We generally have a clear answer to this question (it focuses on using the Official Guide to the GRE and a few other free or low cost materials), but before exploring that question in the next installment of our “GRE/GMAT Study Planning Fundamentals” series, we need to answer a higher-level question. What is your preferred approach to studying for the GRE in the first place? You need to match your materials with the overall approach you are most comfortable with and which will work best for you. So, in this initial article, we’ll explore various approaches to preparing for the GRE. There are two basic, initial dimensions to the question of how to prepare for the GRE: “offline vs. online” and “type of support.” Offline vs. online is almost self-explanatory. It means, will you primarily be working offline with physical books, potentially meeting someone in-person to review, or will you be heavily leveraging the internet and using an online course or app? The “type of support” dimension breaks down into the following options: Self-study using a test prep book, such as the official guide mentioned above, or something from Princeton Review, Barron’s, Kaplan, or many other sources Self-paced course or “app” â€" good examples here would be GRE prep from Magoosh, Dominate the GRE, or PrepScholar Full service real-time class or course Private GRE tutor The “right” approach to studying for the GRE is partially a function of personal preference, particularly when it comes to offline vs. online. But, it’s also a function of the type of student you are and your particular strengths and weaknesses. The below matrix may help you think through your options. Let’s make our way through the above matrix and explore the pros and cons of these approaches. Box 1 will be the upper left (private tutoring completed offline), and then box 2 will be the one below it. So, box 4 is self-study completed offline. We’ll then consider box 5 to be private tutoring completed online, and box 8 to be the lower right, or self-study completed online. As we evaluate each box, we’ll be concerned with ultimate effectiveness for various types of students (i.e., ability of the approach to lead to a higher GRE score), but also cost and convenience. Let’s start by discussing Box 1, or private tutoring completed offline and in-person, and Box 5, private tutoring completed online over the internet. We’ll compare these boxes to each other, as well as to the rest of the matrix. Private tutoring is probably the most customized way to prepare for the GRE. IF you have a good GRE tutor, he or she will help you develop a customized plan, explain concepts in ways that more quickly make sense to you, and function as a mentor to accelerate your GRE prep. On the other hand, 1-1 GRE tutoring can be very expensive, and because each tutor has his or her own approach, there is a downside that involves a lack of structure and too much time spent on this or that topic, whereby a student ends up feeling like they have spent a lot of money and spent a lot of time, but still don’t know all they need to know to get a high score. In general, though, with private GRE tutoring, assuming you have a good or very good GRE tutor, you’ll get an approach tailored to your unique situation (timing, strengths, etc.) that is expensive but effective in building your skills and preparing you for test day. If you are an average test taker and just looking for an average score or above average score, this option could be less attractive to you. A class or an “app,” or even self-study, may strike a better balance of effectiveness, cost, and convenience. Classes tend to “teach to the average,” meaning they cover topics at a pace that makes sense for the average student. However, this means that for someone who is really struggling, the class might be go too fast. But, for someone shooting for a 90th percentile score at a minimum, the same class might be going too slow. If you have spiky strengths and weaknesses, the class approach is also problematic. For the mathematically gifted but verbally challenged student, half the class is a waste, and the other half may progress too quickly. In all these cases, private tutoring, due to the customized approach, is a great option relative to classes. But for the average student, it’s a harder call. If you compare private tutoring to a self-paced app (box 6) or self-study (4 or 8), the average student may just find that they must be extremely disciplined and hard working to prepare adequately on their own without support of a tutor or course/app to provide guidance on concepts and practice problems. But, self-study is clearly much less expensive. Our biased view, in part informed by the hundreds of hours the author of this article spent self-studying for the GMAT instead of getting a private tutor, is that the use of an app or private tutor is a good investment. Regarding the online vs. offline question, or box 1 vs. 5, many students continue to feel like there is no substitute to sitting down with someone in-person to study or receive private tutoring. And it’s true that a lot is communicated through non-verbal cues, etc. However, I should note that the right type of online GRE tutoring, with a clear video and easy to use online whiteboard, can feel very much like an in-person experience. You see the tutor’s face, and he or she sees yours. You see the whiteboard, just like you’d see the paper. You are both looking at the same e-book, just as if you were looking at a physical book. When you consider these points, the fact that online tutoring is obviously more convenient (no travel, easier to fit into everyone’s schedule, etc.), the fact that online sessions can be recorded for later review, and the fact that the GRE is given online anyway, our view is that online tutoring is a better option than in-person tutoring (when done right, with an effective platform). In part 2 of this article, we’ll review the rest of the matrix and explain why, in our view, boxes 3, 5, and 6 are the best approaches to preparing for the GRE for the majority of students.

English phrases to use at a pub - Its my shout! - English Lesson via Skype

English phrases to use at a pub - It’s my shout! - English Lesson via Skype We have discussed the origins of a “pub” and the terms used to describe the interior. Here are some English phrases and words you might hear on your next visit to a typical Pub. For many years the only order  you would hear is I’ll have a pint please. So beer or stout (much darker in colour and brewed  differently) were drunk in pint or half pint glasses or measures and that is still the case today.However, the biggest change that I have witnessed is the bottle. Now you are as likely to hear:-I’ll  have a bottle please or a bottle of beer-Which would you like? Heineken or Bud?-No, I will have  a Coors please. -In a glass? -No, by the neck.By the neck means without a glass; so many people  now drink without a glass.Here are some other common or likely English phrases and words on your next  visit to a pub:Just put it on my tab please if the bar owner knows you and you are ordering a lot of drinks they  may allow you to accumulate the orders and pay for them at the end of the night.Just put it on my card if you are celebrating a special event you might arrange with the barman to  leave your credit card behind the bar and tell him each time you order a drink. At the end of the  night he gives you the bad news!!The drinks are on me If you are celebrating promotion or a birthday you might buy a drink for  everyone in the bar or your close friends.I’ll get the first round or I think its your round next? A round or a round of drinks means a drink for  everyone in your group. Its customary for someone to buy the first round and then someone else  buys the next round and so on.It’s my shout! This means I’ll buy the drinks. We use shout because in a busy bar or pub you often  have to shout at the barman to get his attention and place (give) your order.At the end of the night it is traditional for the barman to shout last orders. Ladies and gentlemen  last orders please!. In the UK pubs used to close at 11 or 11.30 pm so the barman would shout last  order s 10 or 15 mins before closing. The licence does not permit him to sell alcohol after closing  time. However, the authorities usually allow drinking up time a short period after closing to allow  you to finish your drink.Have you know homes to go to! A very common phrase heard at the end of the night when the  barman is trying to get everyone out and start his cleaning.Regrettably pubs have changed dramatically. Now they serve more food than alcohol and the old  traditional pubs are disappearing. They can still be found in villages and towns with the locals  occupying the same seat everyday.In many cases they are a social club where elderly neighbours get  a chance to gossip and chat. Enjoy your next visit. Cheers!More words and phrases can be found in my post A visit to the pub

Yeah! It`s Friday!!

Yeah! It`s Friday!! Today it`s Friday! I cannot wait for the weekend to come. It`s the last weekend of the summer 2015 and I am planning to spend it at the beach! My husband and I are going to the beautiful Huntington Beach, California. Looks like a nice way to spend the last weekend of summer. Hope it will be sunny! The question to all our tutors  â€"What are your plans for the last weekend of the summer?

New Campaign, Say Yes to Dallas, Aims to Attract Millennial Workforce

New Campaign, Say Yes to Dallas, Aims to Attract Millennial Workforce pixabay.com There’s no question that millennials are the future of the American workforce. The Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) knows this too. Because they’ve taken a strong interest in attracting millennial talent to the Dallas region, they’ve recently launched a campaign called Say Yes to Dallas, according to a recent press release. Say Yes to Dallas is a multi-channel and multi-level marketing initiative that will help draw the attention of young, hard working professionals from all around the nation. To the DRC, the quality they’re most looking to attract is “talent.” This campaign will showcase the benefits that Dallas presents specifically to young people looking to advance their careers, raise a family, and enjoy their lives. Right now, the Dallas region is becoming one of the most thriving and dynamic marketplace areas in the country. In the past seven years, 75 companies have located to the region and created more than 500,000 jobs. However, professional development isn’t the only thing that millennials are looking for in an ideal city. The DRC recently sent out a nationwide survey to better understand what young people are really looking for in a place to live. Their results found that millennials are searching for factors such as access to healthy living areas like parks and hiking trails, proximity to retail and entertainment options, and a welcoming and progressive culture. Dallas is already on the right track to becoming a great city and a majority of people surveyed already had a positive opinion of the Dallas region and would consider moving for the right opportunity. While economic growth is certainly a factor in drawing in young, talented people, the DRC recognizes the many other aspects needed to build a great community. Dale Petroskey, President and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber, said in the release, “We want the entire world to know what we know: Dallas truly has something for everyone from diverse job opportunities and an affordable cost of living to unique neighborhoods and unlimited access to parks, culture, arts, sports, and entertainment.” Say Yes to Dallas’ website is a crucial resource which provides future residents with information on the benefits of moving to the city or region. It aims to answer questions that many potential residents would have. The website also features a job portal, a cost of living calculator, and links to explore Dallas’s vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. It features various information about nightlife, dining, and entertainment, as well as testimonials from recently  relocated residents who now live in and love Dallas. For more information about the campaign or Say Yes to Dallas more generally, visit their website at www.sayyestodallas.com or find them on their social media outlets: Facebook Twitter Instagram

6 Electronics Every Student Needs

6 Electronics Every Student Needs GIFsec.com 1.  Power strip This may seem like a boring one, but it will likely be the most important electronic you purchase. Dorm rooms are notorious for skimping out on outlets a power strip will take care of this issue. As a student who relies on your laptop, phone, e-reader, and tablet for class, it’s vital that you are able to charge them all at once so they are ready to go when you are. There’s nothing worse than trying to time when you need to switch out your electronics from using the outlet so that you can hopefully get everything you need charged up before class. Opt for a surge protecting power strip over one that isn’t this will protect you from any electrical surges that can damage your devices. 2. External hard drive Again, it’s not the most exciting electronic you can get, but it will really save your life. As students, our lives are on our laptops this is a large burden for our laptops to carry. We are constantly filling our hard drives with papers, presentations, videos, photos, and music and, eventually, our laptop can break under the pressure. This is where an external hard drive has your back. Losing all of your files because of a crash is DEVASTATING to you as a student and as a young person. An external hard drive is the best way to protect your important files from getting destroyed in the event of a crash. 3. E-reader An e-reader is a great product to have as a student. Books are an unavoidable part of school  but there are ways to make buying books cheaper and easier. E-readers are great because you can buy not only novels on them but also sometimes entire textbooks. Having all your textbooks on one device will save you from scoliosis caused by lugging massive textbooks around campus. E-books are often cheaper than buying the physical copies so the money that you spend on the e-reader will be made up in the money you save on books. giphy.com 4.  Laptop This one almost goes without saying. It’s near impossible to be a student these days without a laptop   they are great for note-taking, writing papers, editing media, and just surfing the web anywhere you want. Depending on your major, you might want to pick a computer that is capable of supporting what you do. If you just plan on using your laptop for writing papers and surfing the web, a Samsung Chromebook is a solid, cheap option for you. However, if you are going to be doing more extensive video editing or downloading heftier software, something like a Mac or Samsung Notebook might be a better bet. There are a ton of resources out there to help you choose the right computer for your needs do your research before buying one! 5.  Headphones Almost anywhere you go on campus, there will be people with  headphones  and earbuds on. Whether you’re walking between classes or studying in the library, headphones are an important part of your day. There are all kinds of headphones and earbuds to choose from at varying price points. If you are someone who likes to listen to your music a lot throughout the day, maybe opt for a slightly more expensive pair  that is likely to last longer and produce better sound. If you just use your headphones in your room, you might do fine with a cheaper pair. Take a look at your lifestyle to make the right choice! giphy.com 6. Smartphone apps This one is less a physical electronic, but just as necessary. There are THOUSANDS of apps made specifically for college students for both academic and enjoyment purposes and most of them free! Whether you need to brush up before your Spanish exam or try to balance your academics and your health, there’s an app for that! There are even apps for your more uninhibited nights out. Thanks to our smartphones, you can have food delivered to your dorm and keep your homework schedule on track using the same device. It goes without saying that you will need a smartphone in order to use any of these apps. If you don’t have one already, there are a multitude of options to choose from.