10 Great Reasons To Study Physics

10 Great Reasons To Study Physics There Are So Many Advantages To Studying Physics Chapters1. Find Out Why The World Works The Way It Does2. You Can Solve Problems3. A Wide Range Of Career Opportunities4. It Keeps You On Your Toes5. It Complements Different Subjects, Such As Maths6. It Gives You A Challenge7. You Could Work Overseas8. Acquire Skills Valuable To Employers9. Appreciate Modern Technology10. Embrace Post Graduate Research OpportunitiesPhysics is a fantastic subject to study at university, for a wide variety of reasons. Whether you’re thinking about physics courses at university, or would like to combine physics with another degree subject, such as maths or engineering, there are plenty of reasons why studying physics to a degree level can benefit you. For instance:Physics can help stimulate and challenge you academically;A degree in physics can help you in the workplace once you’ve graduated; andYou might make a whole new circle of friends through your physics course.If you need any further encouragement to study physics at university, below are te n great reasons why physics is worthwhile studying at university, regardless of whether you plan to study the subject at Oxford or  Cambridge or elsewhere.Business and finance; orTechnology, to name a few.So if you’d think that a career as an accountant, engineer, investment analyst, journalist, mathematician, or you think that another position entirely would interest you, then a physics degree is likely to help you reach your goal, even if indirectly.If you do decide that a career in physics is something you would like to pursue, bear in mind that it might be helpful to try and secure some form of work experience within a related field in order to boost your chances of success.4. It Keeps You On Your ToesOne of the other appealing aspects of learning about physics is that it is a constantly evolving field.This means that you should never be bored when studying the subject, as theories that were once held in high esteem are challenged and replaced with newer, more dynamic theories .If you like the idea of constantly learning, especially with a physics and maths tutor, a physics degree could really suit you.You can learn more about astronomy by studying physics. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Pexels, Pixabay)Ability to learn complex formula; andAbility to embrace and understand new concepts and ideas.So, if you want to study a subject at a university that offers a challenge and will keep you engaged, then physics might just be the degree route for you, especially if you enjoy the mathematical side of the subject, such as solving equations or performing algebra or calculus.7. You Could Work OverseasIf you would like to have a degree that enables you to travel and work overseas for an extended period, then physics is a great degree to consider.For example, while studying a physics degree you may be able to land yourself an internship or work experience placement abroad. Equally, once you’ve graduated, you may be able to apply for jobs in other English-speaking countr ies, such as America.Even if travelling isn't for you, there are still plenty of career opportunities available to physics graduates who want to be based in the U.K., as highlighted above.8. Acquire Skills Valuable To EmployersYou learn so much during a physics degree, including a variety of transferable skills, such as:Problem-solving and analytical skills;Research skills; andCommunication and presentation skills.These transferable skills are often particularly attractive to employers in a number of different industries, meaning that you can help your C.V. stand out from the rest of the crowd when you have a physics degree to your name.What’s more, physics is actually in high demand in some fields, such as teaching. Due to the lack of qualified physics teachers, the government is offering financial incentives to graduates such as physics graduates, with the aim to help bring more physics graduates into the classroom as teachers.Studying physics can also give you an appreciation o f modern technology and how certain devices work. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Free-Photos, Pixabay)9. Appreciate Modern TechnologyIt’s not all that shocking to learn that much of what we take for granted in today’s digitally-driven age has been developed and is in use thanks to physics. For example, consider just a few of the below items that we use on a daily basis:Computers and laptops;Digital cameras;Mobile phones; andDVD and MP3 players.If you’re interested in technology and learning about how things work, then learning more about physics can help you to understand why the modern world, and the devices that populate it, function as they do today.10. Embrace Post Graduate Research OpportunitiesIf you enjoy studying and think that you’d like to stay at university longer once you’ve finished your physics undergraduate degree, then you’ll be happy to hear that there are plenty of postgraduate opportunities available at universities across the U.K. for physics graduates.Wheth er you’d like to pursue a master’s degree in a more applied area, such as astrophysics, cosmology, theoretical physics, or quantum mechanics, or you’re even considering a PhD, then having an undergraduate degree in physics can certainly help get you there.Even if you’d like to move away from physics and study a different subject for your master’s, such as finance, then you should be able to pursue those avenues as well. If in doubt, consult your university’s careers adviser for further input specific to your own situation and your academic aspirations.You might also have a long talk with your physics and maths tutor on the subject... s/he would know more than anyone about such opportunities!

Preparing to Study in Spain

Preparing to Study in Spain The Guide to Becoming a Student in Spain ChaptersThe Language Level Required for Becoming a Student in SpainWhat Is the Standard of Living Like in Spain?Adapting to Spanish FoodEverything Happens Later in SpainLiving in Spain: FootballAccommodation in SpainThe Weather in SpainHow Much Do Spanish Universities Cost?Getting Your Spanish Degree Recognised“I have the most evil memories of Spain, but I have very few bad memories of Spaniards.” - George OrwellThe Spanish are famous for being warm and welcoming. They’ll greet you with a couple kisses on the cheek, something that can feel weird for Britons.There are tonnes of British people living in Spain, too.  Even though Spain isn’t that far away, it’s quite different from the UK in terms of culture and going there is a great cross-cultural experience, even if just for a summer abroad.Whether you're an undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral candidate, or international student, here's how you can study abroad in Spain, improve your language skills, and get used to life o n Spanish campuses.If you're still asking yourself “why study abroad?”, this article should help you get ready! TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Language Level Required for Becoming a Student in SpainIn Spain, they speak Spanish. This means you’ll need to work hard in your Spanish lessons or maybe even consider doing intensive Spanish courses before you go. Since language and culture are closely related, you may w ant to go abroad to learn more about Spain, too.Watching films in Spanish is a great way to learn the language. (Source: igorovsyannykov)Language study is one of the main reasons students decide to study abroad. The lessons at university in Spain will be in Spanish and you’ll need to be able to follow along just like any Spanish student.You’ll need at least an A2 or B1 to get you started as you’ll soon start learning quickly once you’re immersed in the culture. It might be worthwhile spending some time with a host family in Spain over the summer to help you brush up.Of course, if you attend an international university, you'll find that you can get lessons in English. However, this mightn't help you improve your language skills.There’s the Instituto Cervantes in London, Manchester, and Leeds that could help.  This will help you from the second you arrive in your new university. There’s already plenty of things that could stress you out so make sure the language isn’t on e of them.A language test may be required for certain universities. It’s a good idea to be prepared. Of course, if you go to Barcelona, for example, Catalan is spoken. In some universities, both languages are official.What Is the Standard of Living Like in Spain?The average salary in Spain is €1,718 whereas in the UK €2,102.That said, the gap between the highest and lowest salaries tends to be bigger.  Unsurprisingly, Madrid has some of the highest salaries alongside País Vasco and Navarre.If you want to prepare for your time abroad, you should go with a similar budget to that of a student in the UK.Of course, you can always to a paid internship or get scholarships for your language courses or international education. You can get a lot more out of your year abroad if you can focus on your studies. That said, if you do have to work, employers do love a candidate with multicultural and international experience, even if it was just one semester abroad.In addition to the Erasmus grant, there are also study abroad scholarships to help you with paying for your education abroad.In Spain, you don’t need to be that formal with your teachers at university and you can probably call them by their first name. You might be surprised at just how relaxed everything is. No need to use “sir” or “miss” or the formalities that most British people use when speaking.  You can speak to your fellow students in a similar way to your teachers.Of course, there is a cultural difference across the country, too. Generally, you can be more informal in the south of Spain than in the north. Life in Seville and Granada is generally more relaxed than the bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona, for one.Adapting to Spanish FoodStudying in Spain is a great way to get to know the food. Get ready for paella and tapas!  Spanish food is based on a Mediterranean diet and you’ll find a lot of olive oil, garlic, herbs, spices, fish, and seafood.Spain is home to plenty of great food. ( Source: Eisenmenger)Like in the UK, each region has its own specialities and you can enjoy food such as:TapasPaellaCocidoGazpachoChorizoTortilla (Spanish omelette)Cochinillo asado (roast pork)ChurrosNatillasLeche fritaSpanish food is quite fatty since a lot of things are cooked in olive oil. That said, they don’t use butter in cooking as much as we do.Everything Happens Later in SpainDinner in Spain takes place a few hours later than it does in the UK. Lunch is around 2 in the afternoon and dinner is around 9 or 10. Of course, your timetable at university will have this in mind, too. Lessons start around 9 in the morning and your lunch break can end as late as 4 in the afternoon.Some shops also shut during the afternoon. You can still get stuff as late as 10 in the evening. Of course, between 2 and 5, you might be shocked to see so many shops closed.Also, be wary of the word “mañana” in Spain. It means both “morning” and “tomorrow” and seems to be interchangeable with “later”, “next week”, or just “never”.Can’t find something in a shop?It might be there “mañana”...  People in Spain aren’t as bothered about timekeeping as we are in the UK and timetables and schedules can sometimes seem arbitrary.It seems that bullfighting is the only thing that’ll start on time. Of course, we’re exaggerating, but you do need to get used to not expecting things to take place at the exact time they say. It can be tricky at first, but soon you’ll find it much more relaxing. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLiving in Spain: FootballYou’ll soon see just how much Spaniards like to laugh and have fun, but not when it comes to football as that’s serious business.  Football is a religion in Spain and a lot of the country follows either Real Madrid or Barcelona. Weekends are dominated by sport.It’s a great way to get involved in local life.Accommodation in SpainStudying abroad is an opportunity to live a real student lifestyle.  You can expect to pay between €200 and €400 per month for a room.  You can also get accommodation at university for around €300 per month with both food and board included.  Of course, these costs will vary depending on what type of accommodation you get and where it is in the city. However, you’ll probably have more money for going out than you would in the UK.The Weather in SpainStudying in Spain is a great opportunity to en joy some good weather. Most of Spain has a Mediterranean climate. This means it’s warm and dry between May and October and there’s little rain.The weather is one of the reasons why Spain is so popular for students. (Source: cocoparisienne)Of course, Spain’s a big country and in the south, it’s much hotter and the air’s harder to breathe.  Cities near mountains can suffer from a lot of cold wind in the winter. That said, whether you’re in Madrid, Barcelona, Murcia, or Valencia, when it rains in Spain, it rains!How Much Do Spanish Universities Cost?Tuition fees in Spain are different in each region but in general, they’re all quite similar. You won’t pay exactly the same in Valladolid as you would in Salamanca.A degree can cost around €900 per academic year while a master’s degree can cost €1,500 in a public university.Private universities can charge as much as they like and you can pay between €8,000 and €20,000 for a master’s degree. Academia in Spain is quite similar to the system in the UK and the cost is quite comparable to a lot of other places in the world.You can get a grant or bursary as part of an exchange programme. For example, the Erasmus grant could help you.  You can also get a job in a bar or restaurant to help make ends meet. You won’t need a work visa, either.Getting Your Spanish Degree RecognisedYou can get a degree in almost any subject in Spain.No matter where you live or study, you'll need to adapt to the local culture. (Source: 12019)You can study in both the UK and Spain as part of a degree course.  Thanks to the bachelor's master's doctorate system, your degree will be valid and recognised.When it comes to master’s degrees or PhDs, you’ll need to enrol directly with the Spanish university. You’ll need a certain number of ECTS credits in order to get onto a master’s degree for example.So are you ready to start preparing to study in Spain?If you need more information about enrollment, when the deadline is, or life as an exchange student, consider getting in touch with the study abroad office at your university in the UK. You'll be able to speak to an advisor and learn more about education abroad. Otherwise, contact the alumni of your course who've done the same. It doesn't matter whether you're studying economics, humanities, foreign languages, science, or the arts, everyone can benefit from international study!Whether you do a gap year or a whole year abroad, you won't need a student visa, either!Ready for your departure?

History of the Violin Its Birth and Evolution.

History of the Violin Its Birth and Evolution. From 1520 to Today: The History of the Violin ChaptersThe Origins of the ViolinThe Prestigious Rise of the Violin in ItalyThe History of Violin: The Best Composers of the 17th CenturyThe Violin During The 18th CenturyThe Modern History of the ViolinHaydn, Schubert, Berlioz, Menuhin, Schumann, Glissando, the list of great violinists goes on and on.Back then, there was no such thing as online cello tutorials or online violin lessons and only a few people could learn to play the violin.  These artists certainly helped bring the violin and its music to everyone. From its inception in the 16th century to the electric version available nowadays, the violin has an interesting history.Whether baroque music or classic music, an acoustic violin or an electric one, the family of string instruments has changed drastically over time.Originating in the Arab world, it became famous thanks to Italian luthiers during the Renaissance who changed it; then it was changed again in the 19th century in the form of an electric version.From classical mu sic to contemporary music, over the course of this article, we’ll be looking at the history of the violin family, the musical instruments of the same name, the best violin makers and what every music lover and budding virtuoso should know about it. TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Origins of the ViolinThe violin’s birth still remains shrouded in mystery. It would take several centuries before it would start looking like the violin as we k now it today.  Something you should know before you start taking your violin lessons.The violin has a big family. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)Stringed instruments or anything resembling a violin bow wouldn’t appear until the 10th century.  Before that, these types of musical instruments, like the lyre, were played by plucking the strings. Bowed string instruments appeared later in the Chinese Empire, Byzantine Empire, and the Arab-Muslim world.These instruments were played with a bow made from horsehair.  The rebab is often considered one of the violin’s oldest ancestors.  It was the first bowed string instrument in the Arab-Muslim world and would arrive in Europe through Spain. It would later be called the “Vihuela” in Spain and the “Viola” in Italian.Then a new evolution came along, the viol: The viola da gamba and viola da braccio which were used before the violin existed. The viol was a modified chordophone whose performer would use bowing to vibrate the strings and c reate the sound. Lyres, which are similar to early violins, were only ever plucked, though the left hand manipulated the strings on the neck to change notes.The first mention of the violin came in 1520. The Italian term “violino” means little viol.  We often see this in Italian spec sheets for the instruments, which were a different size to today. These instruments were built in Brescia, Venice, Antwerp and Brussels.The final version of the instrument was made by the Andrea Amati’s lutherie workshop in Cremona. The look and the sound of the instrument wouldn't change for another century. It would take a while before there'd be concert music for violins and they'd become part of many orchestra, quartet, symphony, and ensemble pieces.Discover the available violin lessons online here.The Prestigious Rise of the Violin in ItalyThe first real violin dates back to 1564.  Catherine de' Medici ordered one for her son Charles IX, King of France. The instrument then became a part of the royal court where it has remained ever since.  This helped the Amati workshop become famous. Their children and grandchildren continued the family business and would be luthiers.The quality of violins crafted in the town helped make Cremona the home of the violin. In fact, Cremona was the home to the workshop of the famous Guarneri family (Andrea, Giovanni, Giuseppe, Pietro, and Bartolomeo most famously) of instrument makers. Subsequently, Italy became home to many luthiers during this time and is still the home of the violin.Aspiring luthiers still travel there to learn the techniques which have been used by Italian workshops for centuries. These handmade violins are, unsurprisingly, of the highest quality.A luthier chooses their wood (often spruce, ebony, maple, boxwood, willow, and rosewood) depending on its tonal quality, then sculpts it using traditional tools as the first luthiers would have when making violins in the 16th century.Cremona is the historic home of the violin. ( Source: Wikimedia Commons)At the time, king Henry of France was one of the first to establish a programme for learning to make violins, a profession the king acknowledged. The training lasted 6 years and was provided by a guild master.Before this training existed, musicians had to build their own instrument themselves. TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe History of Violin: The Best Composers of the 17th CenturyIt would take another century after the royal order for Antonio Stradivari to change the violin’s appearance.The manufacturing methods are still a secret. Out of over a thousand instruments made by the Italian, there are still around 650 in good condition because of the high levels of craftsmanship.  The Stradivarius violins remain a veritable legend in the world of music. In fact, these are considered to be the finest sounding instruments of all time.In the 17th century, the violin became an essential instrument in many orchestras since composers like Monteverdi and Lully were using them in their compositions. Monteverdi was himself a violin player and was the first to use the violin in his compositions. The musician regularly collaborated with Andrea Amati’s children Antonio and Girolamo as well as his grandson Nicolo. The first two were luthiers for Henry IV of France’s orchestra.The arrival of the sonata would make the violin an essential part of composition in the 17th century. Lully became the royal violi nist.Not only did the composer create musical versions of Molière’s work for Louis the 14th but he also enthusiastically performed them including George Dandin ou Le Malade Imaginaire, in particular.The two artists basically invented a new genre in doing so.Lully is one of the greatest violinists of all time. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)The violin became an essential instrument for musical composition during this time. It would continue to evolve during the following century.The Violin During The 18th CenturyViolin techniques continued to develop during the 18th century, too.  Musicians like Vivaldi, Locatelli, and Tartini kept pushing the envelope. Mozart wrote many sonatas for violin during this time.During this period, the violin was already established as part of the orchestra. A lot of important conductors were violinists themselves.  The city of Paris became the meeting place for Europe’s greatest violinists. Mozart spent a lot of time composing there.Vivaldi also composed his famous violin concerti in France’s capital. His most famous concerti, Le Quattro Stagioni, composed in 1723 represent each of the main parts in a year. These tunes are some of the most famous pieces of classical music in the world.The violin continued to establish itself as a serious instrument during the 18th century.  During this century, the violin’s shape and manufacturing methods changed. In fact, the increased usage of the instrument led to more and more composers and musicians looking for better violin. To meet their growing needs, luthiers lengthened the neck, bass bar, and the diameter of the sound post.Thus, the luthiers of the time took the designs of the violins made by Amati and Stradivarius and modified them. The violin has remained relatively unchanged since then.The Modern History of the ViolinWhile modern music doesn’t tend use older instruments like the violin, the violin is still an instrument people are learning to play nowadays.However, it does have t he image as an instrument of the upper classes rather than the working classes (except in the case of folk music). The cost and the years of practice required have turned many aspiring musicians away.If you've attended a wedding, you've probably heard Pachelbel's Canon. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)However, we’ve all heard Canon played millions of time. Thanks to cover versions of the piece on YouTube, it’s become popular again. In fact, there are even covers of the piece on the electric violin.Furthermore, the new ways of buying things have changed things up. Rather than calling a luthier to build you a violin, you can now get an acoustic or electric violin for a reasonable price from online stores.Aesthetically speaking, the violin hasn’t really changed since the end of the 18th century. The birth of the electric violin is the first major change in a while.An instrument that was once used for royal courts can now be used in rock, pop, or folk music. The electric violin comes i n a whole variety of shapes, some more outrageous than others since they don't need to be carved and can do away with traditional manufacturing techniques. Some do away with the sound box and the wood commonly used in making violins and look very unlike the violins of old.What better way to make the violin appealing again?There are famous modern groups using the violin. In fact, some of these groups are combining traditional music education (often from reputable conservatoires) with modern sensibilities when they play instruments like the cello or violin.If you’re a beginner, you should check out our violin playlist.

What is it Like to Attend Western Washington University

What is it Like to Attend Western Washington University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Brianna received her bachelors degree in Spanish from Western Washington University. She is currently a tutor in Portland specializing in Spanish. See what she had to say about her experience at Western Washington University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Brianna: Campus is very close to everything you need, including the downtown, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. There is a great bus system that runs through campus, downtown, and surrounding areas. I never needed a car while living at college; and in fact, biking is often more convenient and fun than a bus or car! VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Brianna:The majority of my professors and advisers werevery helpful and committed to their students education, providing extra office hours when needed and good communication. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Brianna:Personally, I was not a fan of the dorms; however, many students I talk to have loved living in them! It is a great way to meet people because there are a variety of activities weekly that cater to the interests of a diverse group of students. The dining options are alright, but not fantastic. 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? Brianna:The Sciences, Education, and Business programs are some of the best-represented programs. I studied Spanish, and I did feel very supported by the teachers and staff. It is a small major, so you get to know everyone in your classes fairly quickly, which makes making connections with professors and other students easy. 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? Brianna:I made friends primarily by participating in collegiate track. Getting involved in clubs and intramural sports is a great way for freshmen to make friends. Because of students votes, we do not have a Greek life at our school. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Brianna:The Career Center is helpful for many students; however, I did not take advantage of it, and therefore I am unfamiliar with the companies who recruit. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Brianna:There are a variety of study areas at Western Washington University. There is an ideal study spot for anyone, whether it be spacious or small and cozy. The library only gets very crowded during mid-terms and finals week. There are also many other cafes and markets on campus that are great for studying (if you dont mind a little noisier environment). 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? Brianna:One of my favorite things about Western Washington University is the amazing wilderness that surrounds the campus. It is an ideal place for campers, hikers, mountain bikers, sailors, kayakers, and everyone and anyone in between! I can walk outside my apartment and onto a trail that runs through the forest and leads to a lake. If you are not a big fan of the outdoors, the downtown is also a great place to be. It is only a mile from campus and so it is very easy to grab a bite to eat during a busy day at one of the many restaurants. Students are everywhere at Western Washington University. Lots of students enjoy going to the boardwalk on the bay which connects to downtown by a beautiful, lush trail. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Brianna:The student body was a perfect size for me. There are 15,000 students that attend Western Washington University; however, it feels like much fewer. The campus itself is fairly small, so you see people you know everywhere! The class sizes were ideal for me. In my upper-division classes there were on average 20-30 students. Of course the lower-division lecture classes usually had more like 60-150 students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Brianna:One memorable experience was in my Developmental Psychology class. My professor showed a video of an elderly choir group who sings for underrepresented populations all over the world. They sang for a group of inmates at a jail immediately after one of the choir members had passed away. It was very inspiring and emotional to see the way the choir inspired the inmates, many of whom were crying and hugging the elderly folks after the performance. I found myself as well as other students tearing up. it was a very moving experience to see two extremely different populations who would normally not interact connect in such a positive and meaningful way. Check out Briannas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Abiotic Factors Of The Taiga Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Abiotic Factors Of The Taiga Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace Abiotic factors are the nonliving factors of an organisms environment. It may be of chemical or physical. Taiga is the worlds largest biome. It is also known as the boreal forests or northern coniferous forest or Cold Climate Forest. Taiga or the boreal forests lie south of Tundra in the northern hemisphere. It covers a large portion of Canada, Alaska and Eurasia. The taiga biome is located between the Tundra biome in the north and the temperate grassland biome in the south. The abiotic factors of the taiga biome include temperature, sunlight, soil, air, water etc. The taiga climate is dominated by cold arctic air. During the summer, the taiga receives more light and thus leads to hotter days. Six months out of the year the temperatures in the Taiga are below freezing, so therefore the winters are very cold and very snowy. The summer and winter are the prime seasons of the Taiga, for the autumn and spring are so short it is hardly noticeable. Temperature:The temperature is warmer than in tundra, due to this the Taiga lacks permafrost. Six months out of the year the temperatures in the Taiga are below freezing, so therefore the winters are very cold and very snowy. Rainfall: The southern parts of Taiga have a rainfall of about 35 to 40 cm per year. Taiga has low evaporation rate and has frequent fog that results in wet conditions. Soil:Soil is saturated with water and is acidic. The soil is low in nutrients, and is more fertile in lowland areas. A number of crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and canola are grown in the taiga regions.

Writing expressions with exponents

Writing expressions with exponents There are different types of expressions in math. An expression can be written using different variables, numbers and exponents. The exponent is the power of the number or the variables. The exponent tell the number of times the base variable or number is to be multiplied. In an exponent expression if the base value is equal then the powers of the numbers can be equated. This rule can be written as: am = an. Hence, m = n. Example 1: Find the value of p in the expression: 125 = 5p? Solution: Here the exponent expression is given 125 = 5p. Hence the number can be factorized as 125 = 5 x 5 x 5. (The number 5 is multiplied three times so 5 is raised to the power 3.) Now the number can be written in the exponent form as: 125 = 53. Now equating the number to the given expression: 5p = 53. Since the base numbers for the expressions are equal equate the powers. Hence the answer is p = 3. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) The number 81 can be written as an exponent expression as the following? a) 93 b) 9 c) 92 d) None of these. Correct answer: option c. The number 81 can be factorized and written as: 81 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 9 x 9. The number 9 is multiplied two times. So, 2 is the exponent for the number 9. Hence the exponent expression for 81 = 92.

13 Phrasal Verbs with LET English Lesson via Skype

13 Phrasal Verbs with LET English Lesson via Skype Here you will learn 13 phrasal verbs with Let. Things we will go through include: let somebody down meaning, let up meaning, let in on meaning, etc I will give you plenty of examples and you will be able to understand the meaning in context. Lets get started! 13 Phrasal Verbs with Let LET SOMETHING DOWNmeaning: to make clothes longerExample: I need to let down this dress, its too short.LET SOMEONE DOWNmeaning: to disappoint someoneExample: He really let me down by lying to me.LET ONmeaning: to reveal a secret, usually without any intention of doing soExample: That was John who let on that she had stolen the money.LET sOMEONE OFFmeaning: to forgive someone, not to punishExample: The police officer let him off without arresting him.LET OFFmeaning: to cause a bomb or a similar device to explodeExample: On Tuesday evening police said they did not yet have any idea who had let off the bomb.LET UPmeaning: to become less strongExample: The boat wont sail until the strong winds let up.Scroll down for 7 more Phrasal Verbs with Let. Phrasal Verbs with Let - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do with it: LET SOMETHING INTO SOMETHINGmeaning: to put something such as window or decoration into a flat surface (wall, roof, floor, etc) so it doesnt stick outExample: A box, about ten inches deep, was let into the floor of the cupboard.LET OUTmeaning: to end  Example: School will let out at 12:30 PM this Friday because of the final exams next week.LET SOMETHING OUTmeaning: to make clothes largerExample: Ive gained a few pounds over Christmas, so I have to have my skirt let out.LET SOMEONE OUTmeaning: to release someoneExample: After 10 years, Peters uncle was finally let out of prison.LET IN ONmeaning: to allow someone to know about somethingExample: He wouldnt let me in on his plans.LET IN(TO)meaning: to allow someone or something to enter a placeExample: Let the light in with a tall sliding glass door.Jack knocked on the door, and I let him in.LET YOURSELF IN FOR SOMETHINGmeaning: to get yourself involved in an unpleasant situation, usually unintentionallyEaxmple: I dont know why Jim lets himself in such an isolated lifestyle.   Phrasal Verbs with Let - Image to share

An Introduction to Grit A Key to Academic Performance

An Introduction to Grit A Key to Academic Performance Improving Academic Performance Over the past five years, I’ve done a fair amount of secondary research (reading articles, books, etc.) on academic performance. Two of the most interesting and actionable discoveries I’ve made are that A) a student’s mindset is far more important in explaining academic success than I would have imagined and B) a concept called Grit is what seems to power the performance of a student with the right mindset. The “Growth Mindset” is a concept invented by Dr. Carol Dweck, a Standford Psychologist. Her research shows that individuals can generally be placed into one of two buckets: a) those that have a growth mindset and b) those that have a fixed mindset. Here, briefly, are the key differences between the two mindsets. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe your intelligence, for example, is a “fixed’ trait that you inherit. You can “make the best of it” of course, but you’ll be “capped” at performing at a certain level, because you just don’t have the genes or intellectual horse power to succeed in certain academic situations. If you have a growth mindset, however, you believe your intelligence is something you build over time. Instead of thinking about your intellect as an inherited trait, you view it as a muscle that grows the more you use it (i.e., study, take difficult courses, etc.). An individual’s mindset might shift when considering academic performance, personality traits, or athletic ability. One might have a fixed mindset in some areas, and a growth mindset in others. For example, you might think you are shy because it’s just your personality, but be more growth oriented when it comes to intelligence or learning new athletic skills. All else equal, Dweck has shown that individuals with a growth mindset outperform those with a fixed mindset in an academic setting. The reason for this is, in some ways, very simple and intuitive. Most people would probably not argue that success in school comes from a mix of “IQ” and effort. You can make up for lower innate intellectual horsepower by working hard. In fact, there’s even research which suggests that intellectual horsepower itself is not as “fixed” as most people believe. For example, increased levels of education have been shown to improve IQ scores, and getting the right amount of sleep and eating right has been shown to improve cognitive function. So, if you have a Growth Mindset when it comes to academic performance, you’ll be better off. In part, this is simply because with more hard work, you’ll improve and learn more. But what is it exactly that drives the growth mindset-oriented individual when the task at hand is particularly difficult? To perform well in school, you must put forth a lot of effort, solve problems, pay attention, ask question, work with classmates and teachers, etc. A mindset sets the stage for success, but how is that mindset actually implemented? In Grit: The Power Of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth suggests a combination of passion and perseverance - or, as she calls it, Grit, explains why some people are successful, and other people are not. . What is Grit? To make it through West Point at the United States Military Academy, one must survive the Beast Barracks â€" a training program designed to filter out those without the mental and physical stamina to succeed. During the admissions process, West Point calculates the Whole Candidate Score; a combination of SAT scores, high school rank, appraisals of leadership potential, and physical fitness measures. It is designed to find the people who will succeed. Remarkably, Duckworth found that the Whole Candidate score didn’t predict who made it through Beast Barracks. Actually, those with the highest Whole Candidate Scores were just as likely to drop out as the those with the lowest. What did predict success in Beast Barracks, however, was a score on what Duckworth calls the “Grit Scale.” According to Duckworth, people who are relatively “gritty” are resilient, work very hard, and know on a very “deep” level what they want to achieve. Her “grit score” measures those factors. Duckworth has found that, in almost any domain, the grittier you are, the more successful you will be. Why? Because you simply keep practicing, keep learning, and keep trying different approaches until you succeed. In an academic context, I have come to believe that students place far less importance on focused effort than they should. Students incorrectly assume that a certain innate “talent” for a subject is required to succeed at what they consider “advanced” courses, when in fact it’s the Grit to engage in sustained practice that matters. For example, do you think getting a PhD in Physics requires a certain innate talent or IQ level? If you do, you are probably wrong. In fact, it is probably grit, not IQ, that explains why one person obtains a PhD in Physics while another does not, even though they’d like to. This might not seem intuitive, because after all, getting a PhD in Physics requires mastery of some extremely complicated concepts, but let me explain. Students seem to observe the best student in class easily answer questions, or the teacher, graduate teaching assistant, or professor breeze through discussions of complicated subjects, and assume there must be some natural ability that underlies their knowledge. What they don’t see is all of the time spent practicing and studying, likely in a very deliberate way. It’s practice, not innate talent, that almost always explains knowledge and understanding of a subject. And, the gritty person is more likely to practice more and stick with difficult concepts until they fully understand them. Now, I’ll grant you, if you are going to earn a PhD in Physics from Harvard or certainly if you are going to earn a Nobel Prize in Physics, your IQ is probably going to matter. But even then, there is no Physics “gene.” Your effort and your work ethic combine to explain your performance. For an interesting exploration of these ideas, read this article by Cal Newport, a Computer Science Professor at Georgetown University, who was asked “To what extent does intelligence matter in college success?” Newport begins his response by saying “I don’t believe that intrinsic intelligence plays any significant role at the college level.” Read the full blog article about why intrinsic intelligence doesn’t drive academic success here. In my next post about grit, I’ll cover why effort matters twice, and discuss some ways to become grittier