What is it Like to Attend The University of Texas at San Antonio

What is it Like to Attend The University of Texas at San Antonio The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Ian received his Bachelors degree in Biology from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2000. He is currently a tutor in San Antonio specializing in Biology tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, Microbiology tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at The University of Texas at San Antonio: 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? Ian: The main campus of The University of Texas at San Antonio is on the northwest edge of the city, settled along the lip of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. While not near the center of town, it is nonetheless a very urban environment with numerous cafes, shopping centers, and plenty of activities nearby. Traffic is always a pain in any large city, so if you choose to live off-campus, you can pick from the large assortment of apartments that put you within walking or biking distance. Otherwise, you will need to plan your commute accordingly. The university runs frequent shuttles between major campus areas, distant parking lots, and satellite campuses. San Antonios public bus system also has several lines that run to the main and downtown campuses. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ian:Very! In my experience, professors at The University of Texas at San Antonio regularly attend their office hours and are very approachable. Teaching assistants are as well. In addition, academic advisers at The University of Texas at San Antonio have shown a real dedication to helping students plan out their desired curricula in order to maximize their time. They can help you get all the classes you want while avoiding being overloaded. However, by the time you are a senior, it is all about letting go of the hand that is holding yours and learning to do it yourself! VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ian:In the years since I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio, I have visited often for lectures and science conferences. I have seen a huge amount of progress in their dorm structures. There are dorms all over campus, as well as a sprawling university-run apartment complex. There are also new restaurants, cafes, and cafeterias popping up everywhere. Students get chances to grab a bite, meet up with friends, and then head to class or the library. 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? Ian:The University of Texas at San Antonio has a very large range of high-quality programs. Their best-represented programs are probably the College of Business and the College of Sciences. Both of these programs receive tremendous funding from federal and state agencies, as well as large grants from patrons. They are both staffed by highly ranked and prestigious faculty. When I came to The University of Texas at San Antonio, I immediately majored in Biology, and I have never looked back. I come from a family of scientists, and I suppose it was in my blood. The faculty and staff of the College of Sciences, and the department of Biology in particular, were extremely supportive and helpful. Since my graduation, I have proudly watched as the department of Biology has reaped the benefits it worked so hard to earn. The faculty size has increased, the quality of graduates has improved, and the areas of post-graduate research have expanded significantly. There are also many diverse opportunities for undergraduates to get involved in several different research programs through work-study or independent study. These can help students see how an advanced, high-tech lab really operates. 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? Ian:Oh, I made friends within an hour of being on campus... and I am a bit of an introvert! In fact, some of the students I met in my first semester are still, seventeen years later, among my best friends. Maybe it is something about that traditional Texas hospitality, but making friends on campus at The University of Texas at San Antonio is rarely a problem, and you can feel welcome just about anywhere. There is indeed a Greek presence on campus. While not as large or encompassing as on other campuses, it can nevertheless provide a source of friendship and camaraderie. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Ian:There is a great Career Center on campus that works diligently to help students find work upon graduation, and it is staffed with experienced people. That being said, you can also help yourself by attending one of the several recruitment events held throughout the school year. As a science enthusiast, I was particularly drawn to many of the biotechnology firms that attended these events, and it really gave me a chance to learn about advertising yourself and mastering interview skills. For those undergraduates interested in pursuing post-graduate education, there are also many events that host representatives from graduate programs at other universities, both local and distant. The representatives are usually extremely friendly, and they like to talk to undergraduates about not only the work at their universities, but also about how a student can best prepare themselves for entry. These events truly helped me to become better prepared for my own entry into graduate school. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ian:One of the hallmarks of Texas is the wide-open spaces, and this pretty much holds true for the campus at The University of Texas at San Antonio. With a campus as large as the universitys, you will have plenty to choose from. If you like to huddle up in seclusion for an intense study session like I used to, you will not be disappointed. There is a plethora of quiet nooks and secluded desks all over campus for some good quiet time (including the occasional nap!) both indoors and out. You may have to hunt a little for a good spot during finals, but you will find one. If a raucous and talkative group study session is more your style, then you are also in luck. There is usually plenty of space at large tables all over campus and in the cafes. There are also decent group study rooms in the library. The libraries and student centers are best to find a quiet spot indoors, and, as you would expect, you can expect a little noise around the dorm lounges, especially on Friday and Saturday ni ghts. 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? Ian:San Antonio is a pretty fun town. As the seventh largest city in the United States, there is a pleasant hodge-podge of things to do and see. Off-campus, you will find the usual dining selections of any big city, from ritzy to franchise to some awesome little hole-in-the-wall joints. The food truck industry is booming too. You can find some high-quality eats from these trucks, and quite a few make stops near The University of Texas at San Antonio campus. The arts scene is also thriving, particularly on First Fridays in the Southtown area of the city not to mention some pretty terrific museums and small galleries. For theme park fun, there is both SeaWorld and Six Flags. If you prefer clubs, you will find a bunch scattered throughout the city, but most are centered in or near the downtown area. Students frequently head downtown for fun and games, and there is also a beautiful downtown campus where you can take classes. And do not ever forget to take a stroll along the Riverwalk in the downtown area. I am a San Antonio native, and I still get a thrill there. Getting away from town is also great, as the surrounding area is studded with state parks, and a drive through the Hill Country is unforgettable. Austin (with its famous music scene and very different atmosphere) is only an hour and a half away, and the Texas coast can be reached in a little over two hours. But be warned: San Antonio is huge. A highway trip across the city, even with zero traffic, could still take over an hour. Also, if you plan to be in town from mid-June to mid-September, be prepared for some intense heat and humidity. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ian:The University of Texas at San Antonio has a student body of about 30,000, so it is pretty big. While a big university offers students a wide range of experiences and a huge selection of courses, freshmen can often expect their entry-level courses to be pretty big too. Some can be up to 200-250 students. This is not always the case, however, and many core or entry-level courses are much smaller. Generally, exams for the very large classes are multiple-choice and electronically scanned. While this may not be the best measure of a students knowledge, it is an unfortunate consequence of a large class size. But rest assured that as you progress through your field of study, class size shrinks dramatically. When that time comes, expect exams and assignments to be more in-depth and to really force you to stretch your brain a little. Do not worry, though this is a good thing. In addition, a professor will occasionally choose a teaching assistant to give one or two lectures, but this is mainly as an aid to help graduate students learn to teach, and the faculty member is frequently present. As a former teaching assistant, I found this to be extremely helpful. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ian:Without a second thought it would be my mentor, Dr. Heidner. I took my first class with him pretty late in my undergraduate career, but he certainly had the biggest impact. As a wannabe microbiologist at the time, I took his class on viruses and immunity, and I visited him during his office hours with questions. These visits were illuminating, and they turned into regular visits simply for the sake of talking science. He then offered me a chance to study in his lab my senior year. As a mentor, he took the time to offer counseling and advice, he gave me opportunities to meet other scientists in the field, and he helped prepare me for my own entry into advanced academia. While I remember him most positively of all, he is one of a large number of talented and dedicated professors at The University of Texas at San Antonio who go the extra mile to help students. Check out Ians tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Human Lung Diagram

Human Lung Diagram The lungs are located in the thoracic chamber which is an air tight chamber which is formed dorsally by the vertebral column, ventrally by the sternum, laterally by the ribs, and on the lower side by the dome shaped diaphragm. Lungs are paired soft, spongy organ responsible for gas exchange between the atmosphere and the blood. Inhaled oxygen is supplied to the blood and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and is exhaled out. Each of the lungs is s divided into lobes. The left lung has two lobes and the right has three lobes. The lobed lungs are enclosed in a double layered membrane called the Pleura. This membrane allows the lungs to move against the ribcage with minimal friction. Lying between two lungs is the mediastinum containing the heart, esophagus, trachea and major vessels and nerves. The positioning of these organs result in the left lung being smaller than the right, as the heart and its associated vessels require more space in the left side of the chest. The branching network of bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli constitute the lungs. Each of the two bronchi branches into secondary or lobar bronchi then into smaller bronchiole. The bronchioles end at the alveolus. The total number of alveoli in both lungs is estimated as 300 million. So the total alveolar surface, available for gas exchange far exceeds the general body surface. In adult man, the surface area of skin is around 1.6 m2 only, but the total alveolar space is nearly 100 m2.The bronchi are strengthened by cartilage while the bronchioles are entirely muscular.

Huntington Learning Center Shares Effective Summer Learning Strategies

Huntington Learning Center Shares Effective Summer Learning Strategies Your child has worked hard all school yearthe last thing you want is for him or her to lose ground over summer. Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center advises parents to keep their children learning over summer break to minimize regression and the loss of essential skills for next school year. Children deserve a break over summer, but there are many simple things parents can do to minimize learning loss and keep their childrens minds sharp while school is out, says Huntington. She offers several summer learning strategies: Blend enrichment with recreation. Few children want to sit at a desk all summer with the books open. Summer should be about relaxation and exploration, so try to find ways to combine learning and fun. Field trips and outings to library events and activities are two easy options, but get creative. Pick educational themes for each week of summer and read articles, plan activities and play games within that theme. Take a road trip somewhere historic and do some advance reading and research as a family. Do a little each day. Even as little as 15-20 minutes of daily academic practice can help children retain what they know in between school years. Check out workbooks that are designed to bridge learning between grades. Ask your childs teacher for recommendations for math and reading. Or enroll your child in a flexible, individualized tutoring program at Huntington. Work on projects. Project-based learning is an excellent way to apply knowledge and skills and keep the mind active over summer. There are many advantages of this student-centered method of learning: students learn to solve problems, explore topics thoroughly and find answers to questions through research. At home, you could pick a theme or topic and have your child come up with a list of things to investigate about that topic. Throughout the summer, encourage him or her to share what he or she learns. Let your child drive the work, but facilitate along the way. Read for fun. Summer is the perfect time for children to explore books they dont have the time to enjoy during the school year. Give your child the freedom to read whatever he or she likes this summer, and remember that magazines, blogs, comic books and child-appropriate websites are all fair game. Study after study shows that a daily summer reading habit prevents children from taking a step backward. As long as your child is reading, do not be too picky about the format or subject. Huntingtonsays that summer is a great time for children to continue learning in a more relaxed, self-directed way. Its important for children to recharge their batteries over summer break, but parents should nudge them off the couch and encourage them to explore their imaginations and engage in projects and learning opportunities with peers and siblings. A little structured work each day can make a tremendous difference in preventing brain drain too, and will make the start of next school that much easier. Huntington offers summer tutoring programs for all types of studentswhether a child has fallen behind in one or more subjects or simply wants to stay up on his or her skills during the school break. Call the City Huntington at 1-800-CAN-LEARN or visit www.huntingtonhelps.com to learn more. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Hang On - Phrasal Verb of the Day

Hang On - Phrasal Verb of the Day Todays phrasal verb of the day is: Hang OnInfinitive form: Hang OnPresent Tense: Hang On/ Hangs Oning form: Hanging OnPast tense: Hung OnPast Participle: Hung OnHang On is an inseparable English phrasal verb. It can be used in formally and informally:When you hold something so tightly so as not to fall off or get hurt. Hold On is synonymous to Hang On1. You can tell that its Jackies first time to ride the roller coaster, he was hanging on to his seat as if he could fall off any minute.2. The kid hangs on to his mothers hand as they walk in the park.[Informal] When you wait for a short time1. Oh, hang on a second here, this cant be right. Why are you putting the blame on me all of a sudden?2. The technical support representative over the phone told Ben to hang on while she searches her computer for his record.  iframe width=560 height=315 src=//www.youtube.com/embed/f0n4OARmHm4 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframeExercises: Write your answers in comments and we will correct them.Ryan Stone:  You just hold on and Im gonna start pulling you in. Im gonna start Matt Kowalski:  Hey, Doc. Ryan Stone:  Just hold on. ____ __. I am gonna pull you in. Matt Kowalski:  Ryan, listen. Ryan Stone:  Im gonna pull you in. Matt Kowalski:  You have to let me go. Ryan Stone:  NoFill in the gaps from the video above:1. Can you ___ __ for a moment? Ill be right back2. Before you wait for something, make sure that its something worth _____ __ for.3. ____ __ to the ledge while I find a rope to get you down here.4. _____ __, I cant believe you just said that. Can you repeat that for me please?5. A man ____ __ to his rope as he rappelled down the building.Change the example sentences above to negative sentences (or positive, if the sentence is already negative). Then change them to questions.

Upcoming Interviews for Abu Dhabi Vocational Schools

Upcoming Interviews for Abu Dhabi Vocational Schools Teach Away is hiring for positions with Abu Dhabi vocational schools! Teachers who qualify will earn a lucrative tax-free salary in the UAE, one of the world's wealthiest countries. Positions are available forMathematics andEnglishTeachers. Jobs in Abu Dhabi Vocational Schools Teachers should have 3 years of experience and a Bachelor's degree in the field they plan to teach. Please visit the job postings for full details: Mathematics teacher English teacher Job Benefits Tax-free salaryof11,000-13,000 AED/month (approximately $3,000-3,500 USD) Subsidized accommodation Return airfare provided for the teacher + 1 dependent Family medical insurance provided Tuition allowance for dependents Summer vacation + national holidays Interviews Interviews will take place inChicago (March 17-20)andNew York (March 22-24). Teachers must be able to attend an in-person interview in order to be eligible. Apply Teachers with 3 years of experience and a Bachelor's degree in their subject area canapply online. If you have already applied with Teach Away and would like to be considered for these positions, please email kathryn (at) teachaway-dot-com directly.

March 17 is Saint Patrick`s Day

March 17 is Saint Patrick`s Day Every year on March 17, the Irish and the Irish-wannabes across the globe observe St. Patricks Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green. The historic figure St. Patrick was born in England circa 385 AD. St. Patrick was captured by pirates as a child and brought to Ireland. During his enslavement, he was called to Christianity and escaped his captors after six years. He returned to Ireland as a missionary, and in his teachings, combined Irish pagan beliefs with Christian sacrament, devising the Celtic Cross. He is annually honored on March 17. In Ireland St. Patricks day is somewhat of a national holiday. But also in our country this day plays a bigger and bigger role as an unofficial national holiday celebrating the Irish and Irish American culture. In Chatham County, Georgia, Patricks Day has already become an official holiday. Look out the window on to the street. Dont you see a lot of green today? Skyscrapers in Dallas, Texas are lit in green neon lights. The water fountain in front of the White House yard has been dyed green. What else can you see which has turned green today? At TutorZ office some men are wearing green sweaters while one women wears green shoes. The celebration of St. Patricks day has become a tradition at the TutorZ office commemorating this day with a St. Patricks day article in 2013. Happy St. Patricks Day!

Tips for Sophomores and Juniors Summer To-Do List

Tips for Sophomores and Juniors Summer To-Do List Tips From a Private Irvine Tutor | Rising Sophomores and Juniors: Summer To-Do List Tips From a Private Irvine Tutor | Rising Sophomores and Juniors: Summer To-Do List There are countless information and advice available for incoming freshmen and students who will be entering the workforce for the first time this fall. However, there are plenty of things that rising sophomores and juniors in college can do this summer that will help them be successful as well. Students who are in the middle of their college career should consider reviewing important information from past courses, should look for internships and internship-like situations, and should look for ways to streamline their class schedule. The more efficient students are throughout their entire college career, the more likely they will be to graduate in four years and have a successful and invigorating post-secondary learning experience become a more efficient college student with the help of an Orange County summer tutor. 1. Create a flexible internship situation Although internships are highly competitive (and not that easy to come by these days), college students can learn just as much by doing an unofficial internship. This may include working with a professor or professional in their major field of study who will allow the student to shadow them throughout the workday. In this situation, the student will learn a lot about the field or the workplace and can gain valuable skills about choosing a major or learning where to get started in the business. Although they may not be able to put these skills on their resume as an ‘internship’, they can gain valuable information about future and career. 2. Review past material Many students ‘luck out’ when it comes to a test or two. If this is the case, it might be a good idea to review material that may have been overlooked. Although some students may have breezed through finals and then promptly forgotten a lot of important information, they are reminded that English 1A is followed by English 1B. If a student had to know how to write a 5 page paper using MLA format with every comma in its place last year, they will probably have to write a 10 page paper using MLA format this year. Students who feel iffy about the material they learned in the past year are encouraged to review said material over the summer. A day or two of review could potentially save a student hours upon hours of wasted time during the fall semester (READ: 10 Study Tips from an Irvine History Tutor). 3. Get started on a career search Although it may seem totally overwhelming for a rising sophomore or junior to start thinking about their career, its a smart thing to do given the nation’s current economic and employment situation. It would be better for a student to find out early on that one thing or another might not work out or that their dream job may require additional study or funding. This way they can still change their path relatively easily or prepare for a potentially tumultuous career search. Many outgoing seniors are discouraged to find out that it takes them over a year to land a good starting position because they havent done an internship or certification program needed to start in their field. Additionally, many seniors find out a little too late that the field they dreamed of entering requires a Masters degree or other additional education that they cannot afford at this point in her life. However, if a student finds out this information earlier on in their college career, they have a better cha nce of getting certain things out of the way so they can enjoy their dream job earlier rather than later. 4. Make connections The importance of making connections prior to graduating from college cant be stressed enough. Many new grads find that they didnt get enough references or that they dont have enough fluid connections, those that continue to be updated through friendships and current professional connections, to help them with their initial job search. Students who work on making connections sophomore and junior year can finish college with a long list of people to call for help when it comes to education and work (READ: The 2016 SAT: Vocabulary vs. Vocabulary in Context). Bottom line Although many college students only think about using the summer as a way to either make money or take summer school, there are many things they can do that can be highly beneficial to the efficiency of their fall semester and potential career choices down the road. Students who spend just a few hours making connections, reviewing past material, and learning how to streamline their curriculum will have a much easier start to the next semester. Make the most of your time off with the help of an Orange County private summer tutor. Call us today to get matched with the perfect tutor. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.