What is it Like to Attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

What is it Like to Attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Ryan is a Chicago tutor who specializes in College Essay prep tutoring, World History tutoring, Geometry, and more. He graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008 with a degree in Political Science and History. See what he had to say about 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? Ryan: The setting is downstate away from the hustle and bustle of the Chicago area in the quiet towns of Champaign and Urbana. It is a safe campus and the bus system is very reliable. The campus is quite large but not so spread out so that you may walk, bike, or bus around campus in a timely manner. I would not recommend a car unless you live off campus, as on-campus parking is expensive and it is difficult to find a parking spot. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ryan: For such a large university, U of I is very personable. I found that I was able to talk to professors, AAs, and TAs whenever I needed to do so. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ryan: U of I has the largest Greek (fraternity/sorority) system in the country. Socialization opportunities are widespread. The dorms are O.K., and they are large so that you will find that you have an increased opportunity to find your niche of friends. Many restaurants on campus, and many places deliver very late. 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? Ryan: I would have to say that U of I is best known for its Engineering and Computer Science programs. If this is your interest, a job after graduation is guaranteed. I studied Political Science and History in the Liberal Arts and Sciences College. Renowned scholars are in this area, and U of I has a world-class reputation in its LAS programs. I entered graduate school with the tools to succeed because of U of I, and am rapidly approaching attaining my PhD. 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? Ryan: As mentioned above, U of I has a large Greek system. I myself did not join a fraternity, as I had many friends from high school also attending U of I. I also befriended many people on my dorm floor. As U of I is a large school, I would say making friends as a freshman is easier than other schools. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Ryan: U of I is Illinois flagship university. I cant think of a company that does not come to campus looking for employees. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ryan: Libraries can get overcrowded at night, so get there early. There are plenty of them, however, so you can find your favorite! There are enough places to study. I would recommend staying away from dorm lounges, as they usually end up being social forums and you cant get much studying done. Libraries, coffee shops, and the student union are where I went to study. 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? Ryan: Champaign-Urbana is a small dual-city area of about 100,000 people. It is compact and small and easy to navigate. The town offers everything that a Chicago suburb may, but other than that there is not anything that really stands out about the area. Campus is the best part of town, so I recommend staying close. Besides, you are there to study anyway, right? VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ryan: Lectures can be huge. My biggest class had nearly 800 students. However, you are also assigned a discussion section with a TA for each large class so that you can have the personal and small class setting as well. These are usually about 30 students per class. The upper-tier classes when you are a junior and senior are smaller and more personalized. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ryan: My favorite class was a political science class with Professor Scott Althaus. It was on the science of campaigning. We did real-world statistics and marketing strategies to learn how campaign managers do what they do and win elections; a very interesting and very real-world applicable class. Check out Ryans tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Tips for Parents 9 Ways to Teach Spanish to Your Toddler

Tips for Parents 9 Ways to Teach Spanish to Your Toddler Sign up successful 3. Watch Spanish TV and Movies Kids learn a lot of language through watching children’s TV shows and movies, and watching television in Spanish provides the exact same benefits. If you dont get Spanish language channels on your TV, you can select Spanish audio on DVDs, use YouTube videos, or find movies in Spanish for kids on Netflix. 4. Play Outdoor Counting Games Teach your toddler numbers in Spanish by playing any outdoor games that involves counting, such as catch, jump rope, hopscotch, or soccer. 5. Expressions in the Mirror Sit in front of a mirror and ask your child to make a face to represent an emotion. You can try happy (feliz), sad (triste), angry (enojado/enojada), and confused (confundido/confundida). 6. Play I Spy A great activity for long car rides, play I Spy in Spanish to help your child learn both the alphabet and more vocabulary. 7. Sing Along to Music Another good option for livening up car rides is singing songs in Spanish. This is one of the best ways to practice speaking in full sentences, and at the same time your toddler will hear a native speaker singing the language to help with proper pronunciation. 8. Play Simon Says (Simón  Dice) The imperative is a little more complex in Spanish than in English, but even toddlers can learn to respond and produce commands with this game. Simon Says (or  Simón  Dice) is also an ideal opportunity to practice words for body parts and movement. 9. Celebrate a Tradition from a Spanish-Speaking Country Even if you dont have a connection to a particular Spanish-speaking country, you can celebrate a festival in your home. There are plenty to choose from, including  Día  de los  Muertos  from Mexico, Fiesta de la  Candelaria  from Peru, and Las  Fallas  from Spain. Just remember: keeping up with your child’s level of Spanish may soon become difficult if you are relying on the vocabulary and basic grammar you learned in high school. Consider brushing up on your own knowledge by booking Spanish lessons with a private tutor or, as your child gets older, find a language tutor for him or her. Speaking a second language is a lifelong skill that will open up tons of opportunities for your child academically, personally, and professionally. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution