Electrostatic Chemistry Explained

Electrostatic Chemistry ExplainedElectrostatic Chemistry is an advanced chemical theory. It seeks to describe what occurs in the atmosphere as a result of the interactions between atoms, molecules and electrons. These interactions may result in chemicals such as salt, water or even a solid state. The initial idea for this was by Albert Einstein.The basic ideas behind electrostatics is that different charges on different atoms combine to form ions, which then combine with each other to form compounds. The properties of these compounds are determined by the interplay of charge and hydrodynamics. This is how the properties of a substance to change depending on its concentration of ions.The electrochemical process used for electrolysis, or simply electrostatics is in many ways similar to electrolysis used in electrolysis, the electrolysis of water. Electrolysis is used in many chemical reactions, where an acid and base co-exist. When the resulting compound is neutralized, it becomes a sa lt. For example, the reactions are used to remove hydrogen from water to create hydrochloric acid and hydrogen gas.Electrolysis is also used in the production of many chemicals. Chemicals that are not readily available can be obtained through electrolysis, or electrostatics. One of the most important applications of this theory is in the formation of metal-oxide-based batteries. The major use is in energy storage.An electrolytic reaction occurs when two metals are mixed together. The reaction takes place because of the need for electrons to move to the outer layers of the two substances. In this case, the two metals are sodium and potassium, and the charge ions are removed from the solution and brought to the electrode that is coated with an electrochemical contact.The resulting mixture contains potassium chloride and sodium. These ions separate, then mix together again, causing a separation of potassium from sodium. When this occurs, potassium begins to leave sodium, and the new sa lt is formed. The electrolysis is carried out when the two metals are combined, and the materials, then run through an electrolytic cell to create an electrochemical battery.Potassium is a soft, and it is often used in the production of antacids. Potassium chloride is commonly used in potassium bicarbonate, which are also a component of soda, as well as cooking salt, baking soda and baking powder. Sodium is a soft metal, which makes it useful for many industrial purposes. Sodium chloride is the most common form of sodium found in everyday foods.Electrostatic Chemistry is an important concept in the field of chemistry. Its study has led to a better understanding of how things work, and many new chemical compounds have been made possible. With more people studying this theory, new inventions will be created.

Five year high in University clearing figures - Tutor Hunt Blog

Five year high in University clearing figures Five year high in University clearing figures Five year high in University clearing figuresUniversitiesPredicted grades give a fair indication of what a student can expect to receive as their final mark. Of course these academic prophesies can can empower some, galvanising them to work harder and exceed their expectations. For others they can leave them complacent, riding the wave of their assurances, before crashing down to a more lowly level than prophesied. University applications are generally based on predicted grades: The pupil, along with their teachers and perhaps a guidance councillor, will help them choose which universities they can apply to. All that`s required is they achieve the necessary grades, and they will be admitted to their place of future learning, their future happiness and security assured. But what of those who don`t make the grade? Has it all been for nothing? How can they possibly hope to re-apply at the eleventh hour? to reprise the process they began a year ago, selecting another university, completing their UCAS form, and finding a suitable place of learning with only a few weeks before term begins? Fortunately there is a system in place to assist students in this position. `Clearing` is the contingency plan offered by most universities, allowing students to effectively re-apply, and find any courses available to them with their current grade set. UCAS itself will also help students in their search, and their guidelines are fairly comprehensive: Clearing is available from July to September each year. Clearing vacancies are regularly updated - generally every day, so students are advised to recheck availabilities as frequently as possible. Results day itself is the busiest day, as might be expected. Many thousands of students will be using the clearing system. Don`t worry if you cant find the course you are seeking on that very day, or even that week. Be patient: it`s a very dynamic time, and vacancies are very likely to appear, especially if you are flexible with your specific subject and location. Recent results have indicated that 2017 has shown a five year high in the number of students seeking a place through clearing. Figures show that 11,180 students found undergraduate courses through the clearing system in the first 24 hours after the A-Level results were announced. While this number appears prohibitively high, students this year actually have a very good chance of finding another course, because of the recent dip in university applications. Ever increasing exam fees have led to many universities receiving a reduced number of applications - this means that those seeking another course through clearing will be more able to find a vacant seat in the lecture hall. UCAS Chief Executive Clare Marchant said that there are more than 45,000 courses that can admit more students - a situation that certain favours those who didn`t get the grades they hoped for, and are seeking another route through the clearing system. Patience is needed though, as the clearing process can be long and arduous. I myself went through the system, having missed the grade on a couple of subjects. These were the days before the internet, and I can remember many anxious hours on the telephone, calling up different universities, speaking to many admissions secretaries. It was late August, and I still hadn`t found a course to accept me. I was prepared to watch all my friends go off to university, walking off into the sunset, while I was consigned to endure what would have felt like the end credits of my life. Finally though, at well past the eleventh hour, I found a university that had a vacancy, and everything turned out fine. Many students don`t even know about the clearing system, and believe exams to be a life or death ordeal. While this kind of pressure can bring out the best in some, in others it can be inhibiting, and ; result in an academic performance in no way indicative of their true intellectual abilities. Exam retakes are another option - and though the thought of being a year behind can be intolerable, another year`s study, along with another year`s maturity, can have a hugely positive effect. I can recall a friend of mine, who having missed out on his target grades, decided to retake his A-Levels a year later - the following summer he far exceeded the results he needed to get into the university he had chosen, and was able to select a more prestigious place to study. 2 years ago0Add a Comment

Teaching abroad with your family Jobs with family benefits (With job postings)

Teaching abroad with your family Jobs with family benefits (With job postings) Having kids shouldn’t prevent teachers from exploring the potential of their teaching careers overseas. In fact, opportunities for parents to teach abroad should be sought after. These are chances for teachers to bring their kids with them on the adventure of a lifetime. The key to making this a reality, though, is finding teaching jobs abroad that offer the right benefit packages. Ideally, a parent (or teaching couple) moving abroad to teach would receive airfare, tuition, accommodation and other perks for their children. Positions offering this full package do exist with Teach Away. There are also positions that offer one or some of these benefits. If you’re an educator seeking a job that offers benefits for your children, the trick is to keep your eyes peeled and to apply for Teach Away jobs that list benefits for dependents or for eligible family members. As you’re on the Teach Away job board, look for something like this: This is an example of teaching job benefits that provide accommodation and airfare for the teacher and dependents. Since tuition benefits for dependents are not listed, we can assume they are not offered. Further details, specifically with regards to the number of dependents, will be discussed with your Teach Away Placement Coordinator when you reach the interview stage of the application process. Want to find out your earning potential teaching anywhere in the world? Get a decent idea of what you can expect with the help of our free teach abroad salary calculator! Current job openings with benefits for children: Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Qatar Foundation Kindergarten teachers PYP teachers Elementary teachers Middle and high school English teachers Middle and high school science teachers Middle and high school math teachers American United School of Kuwait Math teachers Science teachers English teachers Kindergarten teachers Elementary teachers Elementary counselor ELA teacher ICT teachers High school PE teachers Librarian/Information Specialist AP economics teacher AP environmental science teacher AP Geography teacher AP English teacher Emirates National Schools Kindergarten teachers Elementary teachers Middle school English teachers Middle school science teachers Middle school math teachers High school chemistry teachers High school biology teachers High school physics teachers High school math teachers UAE Government Schools Life Skills teachers Early years English teachers English teachers Math teachers Business studies teachers Physics teachers Chemistry teachers Biology teachers PE teachers Elementary English teachers

Universal American School Dubai

Universal American School Dubai Universal American School Dubai Welcome to Universal American School, where you can be yourself, discover new opportunities, and work with a remarkable faculty dedicated to individual excellence.Universal American School in Dubai is an internationally accredited IB World School, offering a high-quality education to a student body of 1500, representing 75 nationalities. The state-of- the art, 70,000 sq. meter campus is located in Dubai Festival City. UAS is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools as well as by the Council of International Schools. UAS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the elementary school, and the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Theacademically challengingHigh School Diploma is based on courses and required credits in grades 9-12 including IB courses in grades 11 and 12. Across grades 7-10 UAS offers a school-developed, conceptually-based curriculumthat provides an effective transition from elementary to the diploma courses in Grades 11 and 12. Mr. Andrew Torris currently serves as the UAS Director. UAS provides its students with a quality American international education that incorporates the strengths of the studentsown cultures. The schools goal is to develop students core and essential skills, as well as their capacities for critical thinking and creativity. In addition to cultivating a passion for learning, UAS promotes students development of their character, their skills as young leaders, and their sense of civic responsibility. The faculty members are highly-trained educators committed toregion.

The Difference Between Algebra Help and Algebra Equation Calculator Using Inverse Operation

The Difference Between Algebra Help and Algebra Equation Calculator Using Inverse OperationAt first, algebra help or math help may seem like a lot of things. This is a common misconception and people often confuse it with algebra. However, it is not the same.Algebra help has the advantage that there are many resources available. These include various books, journals, and videos online. It would be beneficial to use all these resources if you are interested in learning algebra. However, there are many exceptions to this rule.One example is the fact that not all sources have an equal knowledge base and this does not always ensure that you will have the best and most accurate information. Also, the internet is a very fast source of information which might have a very long history and not all people have the time to go through every single word. There are also some people who have a limited knowledge base, this is also a problem for them to even consider using the internet because it wou ld require a lot of time to learn everything.However, as I said earlier, there are exceptions to this rule and there are several resources for algebra help. These resources include books, journals, web sites, and videos. The only rule is that the more resources you use, the better and updated the information. This means that these resources need to contain all the information you need in order to practice algebra effectively.In addition to this, the inverse operation can be used in many different problems and it also has a lot of important applications. You do not just need to master the inverse operation but you also need to understand how to solve problems using it. There are many methods for solving these problems and you should know about them so that you can solve the problems at your best.In my opinion, I think that the inverse operation is a very powerful tool for you to use. It can solve almost any kind of problem in a simple and efficient way and this helps you to increase your analytical skills.All in all, the online resources can be very helpful if you have limited time and money. Many textbooks and websites can give you a complete set of information on using the inverse opertion. However, you need to make sure that the resources are accurate and updated so that you can fully benefit from it.

The Tutor Academy of Lahore

The Tutor Academy of LahoreAre you going to attend the Lahore Tutor Academy? If so, you will be joining a school that is known for its excellent education and high standards.The school, which is also known as the Lahore International School, is located in Pakistan's capital city of Lahore. Its curriculum is a blend of English, Maths, and Science. This school also has a large number of students who come from more than 40 countries across the world. Students who have an interest in business and accounting are also part of the school.The school also provides students with additional learning opportunities. In addition to providing English, Maths, and Science, it also offers Arts and crafts classes for students in grades 6 and up. This school also serves a very large population of students in Pakistan and is one of the oldest private English Language Schools in the country. Classes are held seven days a week and all students are required to attend every day of the school.One of the best things about this school is that its curriculum is tailored specifically for students of various different ages. They are also able to go home after their lessons to continue with their life after school. Since the school has its own library, students can study at their own pace and without pressure. They can also create and use their own tests and quizzes for their exams and can keep up with their studies as well.The school was founded in 1967 and provides a high quality international education for students who speak English. It is very well known for its highly skilled teachers and lecturers, who are able to answer any questions of students. Another reason why students like the school is because of the support that they receive from their parents who can drop them off during the day when they are attending classes. These schools are also very well managed by their administration staff, who provide support to students both at home and at school.One of the most popular subjects at t he school is tutoring. There are also many institutions and colleges where students are able to learn English through the tutoring program. This program offers English classes for students who are unable to attend regular classes due to certain reasons such as physical disabilities or mental problems. There are many tutors that are available in Pakistan to work with students who want to learn English as a second language.The main purpose of enrolling in this school is to study English. Students are also given a chance to interact with many other students from different cultures. Although the student community is a mix of many different backgrounds, the academic standards are high and the students are able to obtain a diploma in English and Mathematics.

Watercolour Techniques for Beginners

Watercolour Techniques for Beginners Watercolour Painting: Hacks for Beginners ChaptersControlling Watercolour PaintMastering WashesUnderstand How Colours InteractPaint from Light to DarkQuick Tips: Watercolours for BeginnersFew words in the English language have so convoluted a history as the word ‘hack’. It’s oldest reference meant ‘chopping or cutting roughly’ while its newest incarnation suggests sinister intent behind a computer keyboard.Neither of these actions has anything to do with watercolour painting; indeed, we would never recommend you chop your work to pieces!On the other hand, hacking can imply cutting through rough terrain.Imagine hacking your way through a jungle. Using this definition, one can easily stretch ‘hacking’ into the realm of creating art with water-based paints, going from the wild unknown of mixing colours to mastering the ability to put keep the paint exactly where you want it.Watercolours are more difficult to work with than oils and acrylics; one reason being that it is more challenging to control your colour using this medium.One remarkable facet of watercolour paper (or paper in general) is that it absorbs and spreads the applied colour, perhaps to places you didn’t want any colour at all.Learning how to control where the colour goes is one reason that many simply give up on the idea of using watercolours as a medium.That is the first hack we outline, followed by many others to make your fledgeling watercolour works worthy... not hackneyed! FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off 2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsControlling Watercolour Paint When you learn to paint with watercolors, give yourself plenty of practice time to master these techniques Image by Pexels from PixabayTry it for yourself: place a few drops of water on a piece of paper and watch what happens.Paper, by its very nature, is absorbent, although some are more so than others. Watercolour paper is such a one; it is made of cotton fibres, usually blended with wood pulp to give it a unique texture that readily absorbs liquid.  Its weight allows for the application of water without buckling unduly or becoming brittle.All of that sounds great until you find you have a translucent cerulean halo in your skyscape where a cloud should be.There are several hacks you can use to prevent your colour intruding where you don’t want it; the first one is using quality art supplies.Understandably, you won’t want to spend a lot of money on watercolours, brushes or paper if you’re just starting out. While that is sound reasoning, our experts recommend you don’t settl e for the lowest quality paper available, either.Decent paper can make your venture into watercolor painting more rewarding; using a good grade of paper can help you discover how the elements of painting â€" water, pigment and brush type interact.Now that you have suitable paper, a few brushes and a palette of colours, it is time to try these techniques.Join the discussion: where can you find the best watercolor painting tutorials and resources?The Wet-on-Dry MethodThe most elemental watercolour painting technique is wet paint onto dry paper.You might be tempted to make tight brushstrokes to control where the paint goes but that won’t necessarily do the trick. The better method is to control how much water you use when you mix your paints. Using a dry brush will help, too.The Wet-on-Wet MethodThis trick works great if you’re painting a large area.First, paint the area in question with water, using bold strokes so that no one spot gets wetter than the other. Next, mix your colour s and apply.The paper, already wet, will absorb less colour, leaving it where it is supposed to be.The Dry-on-Dry MethodIf your work calls for sharp, distinct lines, this method is what you should use.You may wonder about this particular technique; after all, watercolour, by its very nature, is wet. Indeed, there will be some wetness, but not as much.Your paper should be dry, of course, but now comes the tricky part: use as little water as possible in mixing your colours and then, blot any excess liquid from your brush before it touches the canvas.This method is also called the dry brush technique.The Dry-on-Wet MethodLet's add a cadmium yellow sun to the cerulean sky you just painted.Rather than waiting for your paper to dry (or using a blow-dryer to speed the process up â€" another hack!), you simply mix your yellow paint with as little water as possible and blot the excess water off of your brush before applying it to your painting.Mastering these four techniques will go a long w ay towards controlling your watercolor paint â€" both where it goes and its intensity.Now delve deeper into the craft: discover watercolor painting for beginners... Making washes with watercolor paints is a great way to learn how the paint will interact with the paper Image by Stux  from PixabayMastering WashesIn terms of painting with watercolor, washing means filling a large area of the paper with a base layer of colour, either as a background for the depiction or for underpainting.Naturally, there are several painting techniques you can use to ‘wash’ your paper.The Flat WashAs its name implies, this wash calls for an even coat of colour. The way to achieve it incorporates the wet-on-wet technique.First, wet your sheet with a clean brush, and then apply colour using bold, even strokes. Ideally, you should use a wide brush; leave the round brushes for the more detailed work.The Gradaded WashYou’re looking for opaque colour at the top of the sheet, transitioning to translucent the closer you get to the bottom.Here again, you’ll use the wet-on-wet technique and mix your colour so that it is particularly vibrant. Next, paint your paper in horizontal strokes, starting at the top and working your way down. You’ll notice that, as your brush ‘runs out’ of paint, your brushstrokes will become lighter and lighter.The key to this technique is propping your painting board â€" the board that you’ve taped your paper to so that its top slants slightly towards you.This allows gravity to help you achieve the effect you want by forcing most of the liquid to stay on the surface of the paper rather than saturate it.This technique is also called the Ombré effect. The Variegated WashThis technique works particularly well for landscape painting or painting a seascape â€" any scene that calls for large areas of colour.Again, it relies on the wet-on-wet technique, but then you apply colours boldly: swirls, dashes, random streaks. The criteria are that the colours complement each other (more on that in a mo) and that they are wet enough to run and blend.You may like to tilt your paint board this way and that to encourage colour i n every direction; just be careful your colours don’t blend too much lest you end up with a messy blob.Using this technique will give your painting remarkable depth, so will this next tip.secondary colours: orange, purple and green, and the tertiary ones that result from the combinations of those colours.What distinguishes burnt sienna from burnt umber? What’s the difference between cobalt blue and ultramarine blue?For your reference, you may invest in a colour wheel the next time you are at the art supply store or you could download one. Always, when starting a new project: after sketching your design, paint the light colours first! Image by Robert Armstrong from PixabayPaint from Light to DarkWhen using oil paints or acrylic paints as media, artists commonly paint dark tones first and finish with light ones. If watercolor paint is your medium, you should do the inverse.Why, you wonder?Earlier in this article, we discussed how easy it is for your colour to get away from you; to spread where you don’t want it to.There are several ways to keep that from happening; besides the ones mentioned above you may try the lifting technique â€" essentially blotting excess colour off the page with a nearly-dry brush (or a paper towel, if you’re careful).By far the better way to conceal any mistakes early on is by applying the darker colours over the lighter ones.You can cover up any mistakes made with light-coloured paint; it is much harder to mask dark-colour errors!Quick Tips: Watercolours for BeginnersNow, to finish off, we present some no-brainer hacks that still merit a ‘who would have thought?’Use two jars: rather than spend a lot of time dumping and refilling your water, keep one jar for clean water and the other to rinse your brushes inTape your paper â€" not just to keep it in place while you work but to keep it from wrinkling when exposed to water!The blow-dryer/heat gun solution: it would be best to let each layer of paint dry naturally but, if you’re in a hurry, you can speed up the process with these tools.Just be sure you use a diffuser on the blow dryer, otherwise, the generated wind may fling your paint where you don’t want it!Block out white spaces: if a portion of your painting is meant to stay white â€" maybe a sail or a cloud, use masking fluid to preserve those spaces. It can be removed later, when you’re putting on the finishing touches.Take a class: you may find some at your local community or adult education centre; you may also count on Superprof painting tutors!Through them, you will certainly learn all you need to know about how to paint with watercolours.

What is it Like to Attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington

What is it Like to Attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Michael is a New York City tutor specializing in SAT Math tutoring ACT Math tutoring, Algebra tutoring, Calculus tutoring, and much more. He graduated from University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics. 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? Michael: UNCWs campus is safe and convenient. Since the campus does not have roads running through it, many students easily get around campus with skateboards and bikes. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Michael: UNCW is known for having professors dedicated to teaching, rather than research. Thus, the professors at UNCW were always helpful and available. This made class and advising very informative and meaningful. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Michael: The living conditions get bigger and better each year at UNCW. After living in standard dorms as a freshman, all other on-campus housing offers individual rooms and large living spaces. As for socialization opportunities, the vast amount of clubs, teams, and societies are second to none. There is a club for anything youre interested in, and every student is involved in something. The dining options on-campus are great and all different. My favorite dining hall was Dubs, and my favorite place to stop in was the on-campus Dunkin Donuts. 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? Michael: The best-represented majors at UNCW are Business, Marine Biology, Nursing, and Education. But, from my experience, every major was well supported because of the high caliber professors. I studied Mathematics and Education, which both had excellent support and professors. 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? Michael: Meeting people as a freshman was easy because of the students participation on campus. At the beginning of each semester, there is a campus involvement fair in which you sign up for clubs, teams, and societies. Greek life does not play a large role in campus social life, but it does exist. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Michael: The Career Center and student services were helpful with my job search and resume. During the year, there are many career fairs, which big companies use to recruit on campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Michael: UNCWs library is great for studying, except during finals period. It becomes over-crowded then. Besides the library, there are plenty of lounge-type areas to get some light studying done around campus. 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? Michael: The city of Wilmington is a highlight of UNCW. Four miles east of campus is Wrightsville Beach, and four miles west of campus is Downtown Wilmington (located on the Cape Fear River). So, within eight miles, you have endless possibilities that students use frequently. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Michael: The student body is around 14,000 students, making for a medium-sized school feel. As a Mathematics major, I was in classes of 20-30 and the professors knew my name. Some other majors like Business have lectures in large lecture halls. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Michael: As a junior, I took Modern College Geometry in a small classroom with 22 students. With a great professor and motivated classmates, our classroom became a learning environment with a real team feel. I have never seen such collaboration, participation, and desire to learn in a college class before. During the lectures, the forum was open to discussion and ideas were constantly brewing. After class, there was always a group of up to 10 students who worked on the assignments together. Modern College Geometry was a memorable experience for me and drastically improved my ability to write mathematics proofs. Check out Michaels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Should I Go To University of California-Berkeley

Should I Go To University of California-Berkeley The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jack is a Los Angeles tutor specializing in Algebra tutoring, AP Calculus tutoring, Economics tutoring, and much more. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of California-Berkeley with a Bachelors degree in Environmental Economics Policy. 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? Jack: Berkeley is very urban and although there arent many skyscrapers, most of what you see around you will be buildings. It has a good public transit system with both buses and the subway which make it very convenient to get around the area without a car. The campus itself is beautiful. Its an older school, so many of the buildings were built across different times with different architectural styles. Besides that, the campus has a lot of grassy areas and different types of trees, which makes it enjoyable to walk around in between classes. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jack: Like any other huge university, how available your professors, TAs, and advisors are depends on your department and overall luck. In other words, there are both helpful and not-so-helpful people. In my opinion, though, most of the people you meet are willing to help you if you make the effort to meet them and follow their advice. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jack: The dorm life is great. Theyve built new dorms recently and have facilities for students to do different activities. Theres a variety of dining options, many of which are open late. People in the dorms are friendly and all looking to make new friends. Also, if youre lucky, youll get assigned a dorm room thats high up and facing the bay; I guarantee you that no other dorm room anywhere in this country will have a better view. 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? Jack: The most popular majors are Business, Microbiology, and Engineering. The school does a good job of supporting all the majors offered, but those three are probably the best represented in terms of funding, student involvement, and recruiting opportunities. I studied Environmental Economics because the subject interested me, and the department, faculty, and peers were terrific. 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? Jack: Its extremely easy to meet people and make friends as a freshman. Chances are that people in your dorm are looking to make friends, too. Not only that, but there are clubs or events on campus for nearly every activity/interest, so its easy to find friends outside the dorms as well. Greek life is pretty significant also but by no means is the only way to socialize and have fun. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jack: The Career Center is extremely helpful if you use it. They offer lots of services including recruiting events, helping with your resume, mock interviews, and career advising. Since UC-Berkeley is a reputable school, many top companies recruit from our campus. Not only local startups, but internationally renowned companies from every industry often send recruiters to our campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jack: Cal has a bunch of places to study. There are over 10 libraries on campus in addition to learning centers, study lounges, cafes, and even some open classrooms you could use. The weather is great most of the year, so many people end up studying outside, too. Youll always find more than enough space to do your work with the exception of the week before finals. Berkeley students seem to spontaneously multiply that week. 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? Jack: The surrounding area is great. There are a lot of things to do around Berkeley, but if you want to explore more, then Oakland and San Francisco are right next to it as well. Both are easily accessible through the bus and subway system. The entire Bay area is beautiful and because of the start-up culture, youll find a lot of neat little shops and eateries around the area. Its a great place to be if you like being outdoors. Just three miles west of campus is the marina/ocean where you can go fishing, boating, or have a nice meal at the docks. A mile from campus in the other direction will take you up the hills where theres a nice hiking trail that yields amazing views of the campus, city, bridge, and surrounding bay. If youre big into scenery, this is hands-down the best college to go to. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jack: Cal has a huge population and most of the classes you take will be in giant lectures where you will hardly get a chance to ask questions. This is offset by the discussion classes, which are headed by graduate student instructors (GSIs) and more personalized with 10-30 students. As you progress, classes generally get smaller. Personally, the class sizes did not bother me. I know some people learn better with smaller classes, but professors and GSIs usually hold enough office hours to allow those students to come in and work through problems they have in classes. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jack: The most memorable class I took was one that I ended up dropping actually. Its an extremely popular class taught during the spring semester by Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor. That year, there was a film crew working on a documentary about the subject, and they attended every class with us along with their film equipment. Because of the classs popularity, its assigned the biggest lecture hall, designed to seat 700 students. The first lecture was filled with much more than that, though, because we had students who werent enrolled attending in hopes of being added to the roster. So with them, the film crew, the enrolled students, and random fans of Professor Reich who had no affiliation with the campus but wanted to see him lecture, there were easily over 1,000 people packed in the room. There were people sitting on the floor, peeking in from outside the door; the whole thing had a concert vibe to it. It was also the biggest fire hazard Ive been in, which prompted me to d rop it. Check out Jacks tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.