The Basics of Talking About Positive Experiences With Learning Or Using English

The Basics of Talking About Positive Experiences With Learning Or Using EnglishWhen you learn something or use a new tool, the first thought that comes to mind is always about talking about how good it was or how many years of use it has been. Yet, it is also important to bring in other things that you are going to talk about.The most effective way to talk about a positive experience with learning or using English is to first start with the conversation topic. The easiest to begin with is probably saying you have to go for a drive because there were snow and ice on the roads. This will start off the conversation.You then need to ask what was the weather like outside so that you're not driving in the rain. Next you can ask what was the temperature because if it was below freezing, you're in for a cold ride. The next question you need to ask yourself is why are you going to drive in the first place? After this question you will want to start to share your personal opinion about whether you think English is indeed hard or easy.If you feel that other people take English lessons so seriously, maybe this is the reason why you feel this way about it, you should be able to share with them what lessons you have taken, your opinion about what others say and share with them your own ideas about how you believe it should be. It's important to have this kind of self-talk when learning something new.Most of the time the one who is taking the classes are really happy that they are learning something so well, but often times they don't realize that the other people are putting so much effort into the course that they are taking or that other people are taking it as much or even more than they are. Instead of discouraging them, it is their responsibility to learn from them and to help them improve their English skills, which is something that all of us can do.You can also do this by encouraging them to do some activities, but before they start, you want to make sure that they h ave an idea about how the language is used. Make them understand and then challenge them to actually learn it without feeling so intimidated.Also, you will want to share with them that you're having fun and sharing your opinions about it. Of course, most of the time, others want to hear that you want to talk about how hard it is and all of the negative things you think about it, but you want to show them that you're learning so that they can see that you're willing to try to improve and you're only being negative because you haven't tried yet.There are a lot of ways to talk about an experience or a tool in interesting ways when learning or using English. It is up to you and how you want to continue.

Learn How to Read Cantonese.

Learn How to Read Cantonese. Learning Cantonese? Here’s Some Useful Info on Reading Cantonese Characters. ChaptersIs Learning Cantonese Really Worth the Effort?Do We Need to Learn the Script?Cantonese and Mandarin: Same Script?Cantonese Written and Cantonese Spoken.Romanization: Yale and JyutpingCharacters and Components.Welsh and Norwegian, say, seem to pale in comparison. It makes Spanish and French seem like a complete doddle. Even languages like Russian and Greek, with their completely different alphabets, seem much more manageable.At least they have alphabets. With this, you can almost start to make sense of the words, the phrases, spotting patterns between symbols across different texts. Oh, if everything were this easy!Cantonese â€" and Chinese languages in general â€" are a completely different ball game. At first, they seem like they are a collection of completely random lines and shapes. They appear totally incomprehensible, as you search for a rule to the meaning, to the pronunciation.This very fact seems to put most people off attempting to learn Chinese at all. Or, if they d o, they limit themselves to learning how to speak, rather than having to delve into the great challenge of learning Chinese characters.And this, in a sense, is understandable. Yet, it is such a shame. With language learning comes challenge â€" and with challenge comes an awful lot of rewards.If you’re committed to learning Cantonese, you’ll need to make peace with learning the traditional Chinese characters. And, you’ll find, it’s not as difficult as you might have thought. Learn to read Cantonese! NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsIs Learning Cantonese Really Worth the Effort?Let’s say that, yes, learning Cantonese as a new language is hard. Let’s say that it is particularly hard for those who do not already know Mandarin Chinese or another Chinese language. Let’s admit both of these things.Even if we do accept them, however, learning a language will be the best thing you will ever do. And learning a language like Cantonese will be a n even bigger achievement. With over sixty million people speaking Cantonese â€" in both mainland China and in the southern Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau â€" you will be opening up a world of opportunities by learning Cantonese. That’s a world of friends, romances, career paths, and travel possibilities too.You’ll have a much greater insight into Hong Kong and Chinese culture â€" and you’ll be developing your own abilities. Learning a second language does not merely permit you to speak a new language: it changes the way you think, relate to people, and act in the world too.So, yes, learning Cantonese sure is worth the effort â€" the little extra effort of having to manage the task of reading and writing Chinese script. Let’s make an effort.Find out how to learn Cantonese!Do We Need to Learn the Script?One of the most common questions that tutors of Cantonese receive from students might be more of a cry of desperation rather than an actual, legitimate question: do w e really have to learn the Chinese script? Even if that’s true, the question itself deserves an honest answer.And that answer depends, really, on what you want to learn Cantonese for. If you want to go to Hong Kong to make friends and have a laugh, you’ll get a different answer to if you want to study Cantonese academically, or if you want to read Cantonese literature.Honestly, if you are aiming for just a conversational ability in Cantonese with native speakers, then no: learning the script is absolutely not a priority. Rather, you should be practising your Chinese pronunciation and your verbal fluency, you should be focusing on the process of how to learn to speak.Because speaking is where language primarily happens. Where we use the majority of our language is through our mouths, rather than through the nib of a pen or through the pages of a book.However, if you are moving to Hong Kong or Macau, you’ll notice that text is everywhere. Just as in the streets of the west (wher e we probably take it for granted), the walls of the streets are plastered in words â€" or rather, at this point, symbols that you don’t understand.The short answer, really then, is learn to speak before you learn to read and write. And that’s regardless of what you are learning the language for.Find out how to write Cantonese! Find new vocabulary from your reading. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCantonese and Mandarin: Same Script?Before you learn to read Cantonese, however, it is worth knowing a bit about the writing system that they use. Because ‘Chinese script’ or a ‘Chinese character’ is not a monolithic thing.Learning Mandarin script and learning that of Cantonese is a very similar process. However, we need to stress that these are simply not the same at all. They use a lot of the same characters, but the pronunciation is different â€" so different that the languages are mutually unintelligible. And given that the grammar of the two languages also differs, it is not even likely that a Mandarin speaker would be able to follow a Cantonese text.Whilst simplified Chinese text is primarily used by those who speak Mandarin, this is where Mandarin and Cantonese differ. Cantonese, on the other hand, uses the traditional characters.What these are is something fairly self-explanatory. The traditional script â€" used in Cantonese and Taiwan â€" is the original script that has developed over centuries, millennia even. The simplified Chinese of mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia, however, has â€" surprise, surprise, been simplified. Yes, this means that it is easier to read.As you are facing Cantonese, you’ve got a bigger challenge. Yet, this challenge is much greater when you are writing than when you are simply reading. Reading is merely a game of searching fo r patterns and deriving meaning from them (see below!). But producing those characters is a lot harder than just recognising them.The trouble is that Cantonese has another difficulty.Cantonese Written and Cantonese Spoken.When reading Cantonese, you’ll notice a further difference. This is the difference between what is generally called ‘written’ Cantonese and ‘spoken’ Cantonese. The trouble is that ‘spoken’ Cantonese, in this context, is a written form in itself. Imagine very formal English, the sort of thing that you would find in broadsheet newspapers, academic textbooks, and government copy. But then imagine the sort of language that most English speakers would text to their mates or the sort of language that is spoken down the pub.In English, we use the same alphabet for both forms. In the former, the sentences might be longer, more grammatically correct, and with more official language. You wouldn’t start an email to an employer with ‘hey dude’, just as you wouldn’t say goodbye to a friend with ‘yours sincerely’.In Cantonese, the difference is that completely different characters are used for the two registers of speech, with completely different words. Whilst written Cantonese is the standard Chinese that is common to mainland China and all other countries speaking Chinese, spoken Cantonese is limited to those who speak Cantonese.Spoken language in Cantonese is the way you will be texting your friends. But you should really know standard, written Chinese if you are intending to get a job in Hong Kong, say.Find out how to learn Cantonese vocabulary! Build your Cantonese dictionaryRomanization: Yale and JyutpingWhen you start learning Cantonese, it is worth noting, you will be primarily be learning with a Romanized system, that being a system that transforms the Cantonese phonemes (or sounds) into the alphabet that we use in the western world.This is to help anyone who is not a native speaker to navigate the complexities of the Chinese written system.There are plenty of Romanization systems in Cantonese â€" developed by different people trying to work with the characters in their native language. The most common that you will probably come across are Cantonese pinyin, Yale romanisation, and Jyutping, the system developed by the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong.These are generally quite similar. Between Yale and Jyutping, nearly all the consonants are identical. However, there are differences in the tones and in some particular sounds. As we said, however, the differences are small.Romanisation will be what will help you take your first steps in Cantonese. However, when you are reading long texts, the system soon becomes exhausting. As there are no spaces between words in Cantonese, the system doesn’t always appear clear in distinguishing where one word finishes and another begins.Characters and Components.At a certain point, then, you will have to move on to the characters themselves. And as, according to some estimates, there are over fifty thousand different characters, this can be a little intimidating.Don’t worry, however. Because, as with all languages, the vast majority of them are very rarely used; only a couple of thousand of these are in everyday use. And, a lot of Cantonese speakers also forget how to write certain characters themselves. So, let that be a load off your mind.RadicalsWhat should be really reassuring, however, is that each of these fifty thousand characters is actually the product of only 214 smaller components. These are called either components or radicals. These are the semanti c and phonetic building blocks of Cantonese. And once you can recognise these, you will be able to spot them in every different word.As we said, reading is all about spotting patterns. And once you are familiar with the code â€" the radicals â€" the patterns will slowly but surely become clear. So, now read our full guide to learning Cantonese!

Take the SIELE Spanish Proficiency Test

Take the SIELE Spanish Proficiency Test Everything you Need to Know About the SIELE Language Proficiency Test ChaptersWhat is the SIELE Spanish Certificate?The Importance of the Format of any Spanish TestWhere and When Can you Take this Spanish Language Test?Similarities and Differences between the SIELE and the DELEWhy Choose the SIELE Spanish TestLearning a foreign language is widely seen as an invaluable skill. Whether this is having a conversational level in order to speak to the locals whilst on holiday, or improving your proficiency so that you are near fluency in order to move abroad.And when it comes to moving abroad, there aren't many languages that open more doors than Spanish.The Spanish language is spoken in by 440 million native speakers in 20 different countries. A number of international organisations use Spanish as an official language, including the EU, the WTO, and the UN.The widespread use of Spanish means that if you are looking for a change of job or a shift in career, this could be the language for you. However, it is very likely that in doing so, you will need to take a Spanish language proficiency test to prove your level to any prospective employer.After all, before offering you a job, they will need to know that your language skills, including your vocabulary and grammar, are up to the task of speaking Spanish everyday in a professional environment in order to be able to carry out the duties of you job.So which is the best test to prove your Spanish speaking ability? There are a number of options, but in this article we are going to focus on one of the new ones which is administered by the Instituto de Cervantes. It is called the SIELE, and it could be exactly what you are looking for!Taking a Spanish proficiency test could help you navigate your way to a new career.In the SIELE Global, the four components are framed as:Reading comprehension (5 tasks with a total of 38 questions and a time limit of 60 minutes)Listening Comprehension (6 tasks with a total of 38 questions and a time limit of 55 minutes)Written Expression and Interaction (2 tasks in 50 minutes)Spoken Expression and Interaction (5 tasks in 50 minutes)This certificate will give you complete coverage in terms of you proving your all round linguistic ability to a prospective employer.The SIELE is a computer based test.The second option relates to taking a selection of four modalities  which are based on a combination of the tests which you have to take for the SIELE Global, and therefore the number of tasks, questions, and time limit stay the same as the information stated above. The options are as follows:S1 - Reading Comprehension + Listening ComprehensionS2 - Reading Comprehension + Written Expression and InteractionS3 - Listening Comprehension + Spoken Expression and InteractionS4 - Spoken Expression and InteractionThe opportunity to choose your modalities could make your language certificate even more applicable to the job or sector that you want to work or study in. For example, a job in tourism might rely more on the spoken language, and therefore you wi ll want to show how fluent you are, and that your pronunciation is up to scratch.In such a case, the S4 modality will be perfect for you to demonstrate this as intensive parts of the grammar will be of less use to you. Obviously some grammar points will be required, such as your knowledge of the conjugation of verbs, but this will be assessed as part your ability to communicate verbally and hold a conversation.How is it Scored?Each of the four parts is worth 250 points. This means that the SIELE Global is out of a total of 1000, and each of the four modalities are out of a total of 500 (if they contain two of the SIELE Global tests) or 250 for S4 which only contains the Spoken Expression and Interaction.The Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension are all multiple choice answers, and therefore the marking is done automatically by the computer. The other two parts are marked by SIELE Linguistic Experts.As we mentioned before, the SIELE gives you an overall mark based on the CEFR. This is important because it makes the mark you receive usable worldwide, from Spain to Latin America. In fact, all Spanish speaking countries, and any Hispanic company, will be able to understand the result given according to the CEFR due to its international use.The SIELE offers results ranging from A1-C1 on the CEFR scale. However, each of the four modalities has a slightly different threshold in terms of where the boundaries between each of the levels are drawn. The SIELE website has all of the cut off points for all of the different levels.Your SIELE results will be available online three weeks after you take the test. (Source: Visual Hunt)Studying can increase your chances of a good test score on both the SIELE and the DELE.DifferencesAs you might expect, the differences between the DELE and the SIELE are more numerous than the similarities.For starters, the DELE goes up to C2 level on the CEFR, where as the SIELE stops at C1. This is the difference between being an adva nced Spanish speaker, and being a proficient Spanish speaker.The two also have differing periods of validity. The DELE has no expiration date, but the SIELE is only valid for 5 years from the moment you get your results.In terms of the exam itself, there are some big differences. There are 6 DELE exams; one for each level (A1-C2), and the candidate has to decide beforehand which level they want to sit. This also makes the outcome of each DELE exam a simple pass or fail.On the other hand, there is only one SIELE exam. The result is not a simple pass or fail, and the score you get will put you into one of the aforementioned CEFR levels (A1-C1). The SIELE is also electronic based, and it offers more opportunities to take the exam as there aren't fixed dates throughout the year when the exam is taken worldwide, as is the case with the DELE.As such, each of the 700 test centres throughout the world can decide their own test dates, meaning that there are more options available to the cand idate.The SIELE also offers its candidates the opportunity to tailor their language certificate, as we have described above with the SIELE Global and the four different modalities. This is not possible with the DELE, and there is one common exam that is taken in each exam period all around the world.Crucially, just like you need to know what the SIELE entails before you take it, you'll need to know what the DELE Spanish test consists of before you take that, too.Why Choose the SIELE Spanish TestThe SIELE Spanish exam is a proficiency exam is a test that is right out of the modern, technological era.Whereas with other Spanish tests you have to do them with pen and paper, the SIELE is an electronic test and therefore you do it whilst sat at a computer. One of the advantages of this is the short turn around time for you to get your results back.You won't need to get lost in a sea of paper and books when you take the SIELE Spanish test (Source: Pexels)With the DELE exam you have to wait around 3 months for your results, with the SIELE you only have to wait three weeks. This means that if you are on a tight time scale and you need your results quickly, the SIELE could be the option for you.Another advantage is that there are no exact dates and times. This flexibility allows more opportunities to sit the SIELE exam when compared to other Spanish proficiency tests with tend to have 4 or 5 fixed global dates around the world. Often with other tests you might have to wait several months to take them, with the SIELE it is often a matter of days or weeks.The SIELE can also boast being flexible and widely applicable. The ability to choose to do the SIELE Global or one of four different combinations means that you can find something that suits you and your needs. Additionally, the partnership between universities in Spain, Argentina, and Mexico, as well as the Instituto de Cervantes, ensures that the language and culture used is a combination of what you find in Europe and Latin America.All of these reasons coupled together provide a strong case as to why you should take a SIELE exam. However, as is often the case when it comes to language proficiency tests, you should find one that suits you and your needs.

3 Ways to Prepare for the Business School Transition

3 Ways to Prepare for the Business School Transition Are you starting business school this fall? Congratulations! Beginning an MBA program marks a significant transition in your life, so how can you prepare for this next stage in your academic journey? Here are three ways to prepare for the business school transition: 1. Speak with your family and friends Business school is not just an educational programit is a lifestyle. It begins the moment you receive your acceptance letter, and your priorities will shift well before you start classes. Let your loved ones know that your schedule will change and fluctuate. This is a list of 5 things to do the summer before business schoolthat may help you prepare. Connect with second-years in your MBA program to learn how they have dealt with the demands of business school while also managing their commitments to the people in their lives. Juggling classwork, exercise, family, friends, and perhaps a bit of personal time will not be simple, but by planning ahead, remaining flexible, and speaking with those around you, you can succeed in this regard. If you are having trouble choosing a program this information on how to choose the right executive MBA program for youmay be helpful. 2. Get to know your first semester classes Accounting? Finance? Statistics? Now is the time to familiarize yourself with basic business concepts in these fields. For students who wish to prepare before classes officially begin, ask your school about their preferred methods. Certain programs may provide incoming students with study tools tailored to their core classes. You can also peruse pre-MBA guidebooks. In addition to familiarizing yourself with your business school courses, take a trip to your favorite office supply store, either in person or online. Unlike the workplace, schools generally do not provide students with essentials like highlighters, notebooks, pencils, or pens. You may also benefit from a new laptop, new software for your computer, or a new calculator. Inquire with your school about suggestions for appropriate electronic equipment. And do not forget a messenger bagafter all, you will need a way to carry your MBA gear! 3. Determine exactly why you wish to attend business school Yes, you outlined this information in your application, but circumstances may have changed. What industry would you like to work in? What position would you like to hold? Where would you like to live? What lifestyle would you like to maintain? Even though you may have told your schools admissions officers that you would like to work as an engineering consultant based in Chicago with the option to travel internationally twice per month, that plan may no longer suit you if your interests have shifted to marketing management with a domestic focus for a consumer packaged goods company. Figure out where you want your future to go, as well as why you want it to go there. Research companies and opportunities that fit the goals you currently have for your life. Then, once classes begin and recruiters start to visit your campus, you will have a better sense of which internships and full-time positions are best for you. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your first internshipif you do decide to pursue one. Embrace this exciting chapter in your life. The business school transition will be intense, but incredibly rewarding as well, so enjoy all that the MBA world tosses at you.

Solving fractions

Solving fractions Fraction is usually written in the p/q form. Here p is the numerator and q is the denominator. The denominator of a fraction cannot be equal to zero i.e. q not equal to zero. Fraction are very commonly used and very important form of representation of numbers. Fraction are included in different equations expressions in numerical and algebraic expressions. Some fractions can be further simplified according to the requirement. Different mathematical operations can be used to simplify and solve a given fraction. Example 1: Simplify and find the answer by adding the given 3 fraction numbers 7/3 + 5/3 + /3? Solution: The first step is to add the first two fraction numbers which have the same denominator 3. This gives 7/3 + 5/3 = 12/3 Later add the third fraction i.e. 1/3 to the derived answer 12/3 Which is in turn equal to 12/3 + 2/3 = 14/3 Therefore, this gives 7/3 + 5/3 + 2/3 = 14/3. Example 2: Simplify and find the answer by adding the given 3 fraction numbers 1/5 + 4/5 + 1/2? Solution: The first step is to add the first two fraction numbers which have the same denominator 5. This gives 1/5 + 4/5 = 5/5; this further simplifies as 5/5 = 1. Later add the fraction 1/2 to the derived answer 2 Which is in turn equal to 1 + 1/2. LCM is 2. Using the common denominator as 2, 2/2 + 1/2 = 3/2 Therefore, this gives adding the three fractions 1/5 + 4/5 + 1/2 = 3/2.

6 Work Tips To Get Yourself Collaborating With Others More - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 6 Work Tips To Get Yourself Collaborating With Others More - Introvert Whisperer 6 Work Tips To Get Yourself Collaborating With Others More The dreaded moment has arrived. Nearly all year you’ve kept your head down and avoided cooperation and collaboration. You’ve been able to breeze by on your laurels, which is nice because you’re not at the whim of anyone else. You can do your own thing and work at your own pace. All that is shattered as you’re handed your new project that requires â€" gasp â€" collaboration with your co-workers. You’re going to have to talk to them, spend time with them, work alongside them? Okay, maybe that entire scenario is just a tad dramatic. But everyone knows that feeling where you’re finally forced out of your comfort bubble and you have to work alongside a group of folks, people you may have seen every day but know little about. It’s not easy breaking that barrier. What do you say? How do you share and collaborate? What should you keep to yourself? Sadly, you’ll have to find the answer to a lot of the questions you have floating around inside your head on your own. That’s the nature of being collaborative: You need to learn to adapt. We can, however, help a little by sharing a few ways to improve your cooperativeness. Let’s dive in. 1. Speak Up Shy or not, if you’re not used to being social, there’s going to be a point where you censor yourself. You will hold back what you want to say or keep an idea â€" good or not â€" to yourself. Yes, there’s the possibility that you’re wrong and speaking up won’t bring anything to pass. What about the opposite, however? What if your idea is more streamlined and helps you get the work done faster or better? What if you have the right answer and your colleagues are wrong? What if you can pose the solution to a problem you’ve all been trying to figure out for hours, days or even weeks? Start every collaborative project by expressing yourself in full and continue to do it throughout the scope of your work. Don’t hold back. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro, and you’ll be able to share, explain or collaborate on nearly anything. 2. Find Better Tools  You’ll undoubtedly be using a variety of tools, software, and apps to get your work done and collaborate with the rest of your team. Make sure before you start doing the heavy work that you’ve chosen the right tools for you and everyone else. If necessary, download a new app or browser extension to help you all communicate and get more done. Some companies do have policies against the kinds of third-party apps they’ll allow employees to use, but there should still be some options available for you to choose from. 3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions  Look, we’ve all heard that saying, “No question is a dumb question,” and every single one of us knows it’s not true. There are many, many dumb questions. That creates blinding fear that you’re going to be the one, the dumb person to ask the silliest question ever. Don’t be afraid. Who cares if the question you have to ask is stupid or not? If you have a question, then get clarification from someone, anyone. It’s important, and chances are someone else had the exact same question you did â€" they were just too scared to ask. Collaboration requires communication, and one of the best ways to communicate is to ask a question and pose a discussion, so don’t be afraid to do so. 4. Force Yourself to Stand Out  As an introvert, there’s no way around it: You are going to have to come out of your safety bubble. Don’t waste time trying to figure out when and where is the best time to do it. Just jump. Force yourself to stand out by any means necessary. If this means being the one to speak up first, then do it. If it means being the first one to ask questions or make suggestions, do it. Don’t be content sitting on the sidelines, because this is a collaborative effort, and every bit of participation helps. Participate! Get out there and make yourself be a part of the team, whether you enjoy it or not. 5. Don’t Underestimate Your Mad Skills  You are at your job for a reason. Either you’re awesome at what you do, you have a long list of experience and knowledge or you’re just plain cool in general. Whatever the case, you have plenty to offer, so don’t forget that. Your ideas have weight and most likely will help your team. Your opinions matter and may save you a lot of hassle. Your presence matters, and your team would be worse off without you there. You already know you have a lot to contribute, and that means there’s a ton you can do to support your team, so do it! 6. Disagreements Are Going to Happen  No one ever sees eye to eye, and when a team of professionals works together, there’s always going to be someone that disagrees. So long as the “conflict” is not negative in nature and no one is attacking the others, disagreements will help you and your team perform better. It pushes you and the others to think outside the box and find solutions to problems instead of just settling on a particular decision or action. Don’t be afraid of disagreements or conflict. Don’t feed it by making things worse and being mean to the others in your group, but recognize the importance of such an event during a group project. If you go into your project with all these things in mind, you’ll do just fine. You never know â€" you may even come out of the whole ordeal a more open, collaborative person. Author:Kayla Matthews is a self-improvement writer contributing to publications like The Daily Muse, MakeUseOf, Lifehack and The Huffington Post. To read more professional development posts from Kayla, check out her blog, Productivity Theory. Go to top NETWORKING Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What is it Like to Attend College of William & Mary

What is it Like to Attend College of William & Mary The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Bernadette is a Virginia Beach tutor specializing in Essay Editing tutoring, Grammar and Mechanics tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, and a number of other areas. She is a 2014 graduate of College of William Mary with a Bachelors degree in Biology. See what she had to share about College of William Mary: 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? Bernadette: College of William Mary is located in Williamsburg, adjacent to the restored Colonial Williamsburg area. The campus is very safe, and the surrounding neighborhoods are easily accessible by bike or on foot. I have to say that I sometimes called the bus my worst enemy. It generally comes twice an hour for each stop, so if you miss one bus, it can be a while until the next comes. Making a friend with a car is always a good call for grocery or Target trips when you might be carrying heavier items. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Bernadette:College of William Mary emphasizes student-faculty engagement, and most professors are very available to students. Getting to know your professors can help more than just your grades. You might find out about a research opportunity, summer program, or get the scoop on a new class. Having close relationships with a few professors is also helpful as you prepare to transition to the real world, as you may find that some are willing to be references for you during a job or graduate school search. You will most often encounter teaching assistants in lab sessions for science classes. I had positive experiences with teaching assistants over my four years. They were knowledgeable (most are graduate students), helpful, and easy to relate to. At a small school like College of William Mary, you might also have graduate students in some advanced classes, which I really enjoyed. It was great to have some role models closer to my age, as well as to hear about their experiences as unde rgraduates and applying to graduate school. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Bernadette:I lived on campus all four years, which is not uncommon. Freshman year you go through orientation with your hall (the 20 or so other students who live closest to you). This is a great way to acclimate to the campus and make friends. The lottery for picking rooms can be stressful, but if you live in special interest housing or with a Resident Assistant, you can avoid that process. Additionally, basically everyone eventually gets placed in housing by the school. I would also say that living in a less popular dorm can be a bonding experience and can even be fun with the right roommate. Campus dining is fine, and having a meal plan is really convenient depending on where you live (i.e. whether you have a full kitchen, how many people you share it with, and how long you have for lunch). Even though people are not usually crazy about dining hall food, it is a great way to see people. Everyone has to eat, after all! Getting involved on campus is the best way to meet people. Find a group that does something you are interested in, and you will automatically have something in common with other people! It can take time to meet people, but finding those friends who light up your day makes it worth going to club meetings. 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? Bernadette:Lots of people study English, History, International Relations, or an area in the business school. College of William Mary is a liberal arts school, but many of the science programs are excellent, as well. I studied Biology, which is a very popular major! The Biology department encourages students to participate in research, and it requires the completion of a rigorous list of courses. I found the professors and other students challenging and encouraging. 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? Bernadette:As a freshman, you complete orientation right before the start of classes with your hall, which gives you a chance to learn about the campus, as well as meet your closest neighbors. People meet their best friends in their freshman halls, and even if you do not forge such a close bond, starting the school year together means that you know the people you will see each day in the laundry room, bathroom, study lounge, and probably in some of your classes! You should definitely join some clubs and student organizations. There is so much time outside of class, and you should fill it with positive things where you can make friends. The Greek community on campus is thriving, but it does not dominate the social scene. I enjoyed being part of a social sorority, but I continued to have strong friendships outside the Greek system. Greeks are passionate about community service and being leaders on campus, and they are an incredibly supportive group of people. I enjoyed being part of an organization that challenged me to always improve, and I was surrounded by driven people with high aspirations. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Bernadette:The Career Center is very helpful for students pursuing liberal arts and business degrees. It is particularly well-equipped to help students find jobs in government or the non-profit sector. In addition, large consulting companies (Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, etc.) recruit each fall, and many students participate in this process. The Career Center offers workshops on networking, interviewing, resume reviewing, and many other subjects. I would recommend taking advantage of them as soon as possible. There are programs to help you figure out what career path you might like to pursue, so even if you are not in a job-applying phase, there may be something you will find useful. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Bernadette:The library has a somewhat cult-like following. People tend to have strong feelings about their favorite floor, section, and even type of seating to study in. I tended to prefer the childrens literature section, a comfortable chair in the afternoon, or a table and straight-backed chair in the evening for serious study. During finals it can get a bit crowded, but there is plenty of space on campus for all the students to find a quiet place to work. 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? Bernadette:Williamsburg is a small town, and it is dominated by the college and the restored colonial area. There is good dining and a few bars (for students over 21 to enjoy!) within walking distance. There are also multiple coffee shops, ice cream places, and a few bookstores. A bit farther afield, you will find a multiplex, chain restaurants, and more shopping. The outlet mall is a popular weekend destination. Find a friend with a car, and you will be set in no time. Duke of Gloucester Street is lined with restored historical homes and some very nice restaurants. Cars are not permitted, making it a popular walking or running street. Williamsburg can be a little on the quiet side, but I always found enough to do while I was there! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Bernadette:The undergraduate student body is about 6,000 students. I found this to be a good size. For most of my time, it felt like there were new people to meet, but you could pretty much rely on running into someone you knew at big events. Class size varies depending on discipline, and it tends to shrink as you advance in your program. I liked that most semesters I had several smaller classes and some larger ones. Having all small classes might sound great, but it can be good to have one or two where you are not constantly on the spot to answer. Additionally, you will probably have to take some large, introductory-level classes to complete your general education requirements. Especially in your first few semesters, it is key to give yourself some balance. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Bernadette:I really loved a Biology seminar I took in the spring of my junior year. We went in-depth on a variety of challenging topics around the theme of population dynamics. Each class period we read and discussed two or three scientific papers. As the class progressed, each student took a turn leading the discussion, and we each developed a topic to write a research paper on. The class was great because of the topic, as well as the professor. She structured the discussion so everyone got a chance to participate and was able to learn. Discussion-based classes might sound like a great idea, but I actually found that it was rare to stumble upon one where an environment of collaborative learning truly existed. The class was difficult and demanded a lot of work, but I learned a lot and developed more confidence in my abilities. Check out Bernadettes tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.