Wustl Chemistry - An Insiders Guide

Wustl Chemistry - An Insider's GuideWustl Chemistry has been at the forefront of the industry for over a decade, pioneering the field of chemistry education. Their products are a unique blend of science education, engineering technology and modern tools to meet every student's needs. Many schools across the country have used their products to excel, while all were thrilled with the results.If you are considering a science curriculum, you may be in for some surprises. Most of the times, students are not told the purpose of the science curriculum. It is important to educate yourself as this will let you know which subjects are being taught and why. The field of biology is one example.A certain section of biology is essential for anyone wishing to become a biologist. Biology teaches your child to be aware of what goes on in our environment. However, when it comes to modern chemistry, most schools use Chem 101.This course covers all the different types of chemical reactions. In this cour se, students are exposed to the varied properties of chemicals. Students are exposed to their properties and reactions and learn how these chemicals are formed. They learn how the world works and the things that cause certain chemicals to react.In the end, students who study chemistry find that they like the subject. Chemists enjoy teaching chemistry because they see it as a discipline. Most of the times, the chemistry teacher actually becomes a role model for students.Chemistry also provides practical knowledge of the everyday world and uses science to solve problems. While most people learn science as a hobby, many want to make a career out of it. A career in chemistry, if taken seriously, can open many doors.Most science teachers who go through this course are amazed at how many students are really receptive. It is no wonder. Students enjoy learning chemistry because they discover new things, they get a feel for the world around them and they begin to understand what makes things tick.

Ask an Admissions Expert Cara Ray

Ask an Admissions Expert Cara Ray Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Cara Ray attained her Masters in Higher Education from The University of Denvers Morgridge College of Education and went on to become the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at The University of Colorado Boulder. She spent a great deal of time recruiting students all over the country, reading thousands of applications, and even chaired one of the application reading committees. Currently, Cara is a member of the Great College Advice team, an organization dedicated to consulting with and guiding students through the college admissions process. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Cara: There are plenty of opportunities for students to start work early on their college applications. While many students think they need to wait until their senior year, junior year is actually a great time to start. In the junior year students can develop a testing plan for standardized tests, identify teachers who would be ideal to write their letters of recommendation, start brainstorming essay topics, create a college list, go on campus visits, and collect general information needed for their application. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Cara: Selecting an essay topic is difficult for many students. Students often get so stuck on the question being asked of them, and trying to interpret the best answer they think the college wants to see, that they dont select the best topic for themselves. I often take a different approach and encourage students to work backwards. I ask them to think about what it is that they want the college to know about them and what they feel is important in their life that they arent able to get across in another part of their application. I also tend to do a lot of brainstorming sessions, and a lot of digging, with students when it comes to selecting their topic. Students should think about what it is that sets them apart from their peers. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Cara: I think one of the warnings I would give to students is that writing a college essay is very different than an academic paper you write for school. It is easy to spot the students who are afraid to deviate from the standard five-paragraph essay that they write for their high school English class. The college essay is a time to be creative, take a risk, write from the heart, and make it personal. Students should remember that admissions counselors read hundreds of essays. They have seen all the standard my grandfather is the most influential person in my life and the my trip to Costa Rica for a service project changed my life essays. Give them something fresh. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Cara: One of the biggest mistakes a student can make on the college application is to not proofread. There are often small silly mistakes that are made by students that have big consequences when it comes to their admissions decisions. Students should take the time to proofread their essays and applications carefully. Have a family member, teacher, or counselor read over everything before submitting. As an educational consultant I have caught everything from a student marking the opposite gender on their application to forgetting to indicate that they are a legacy to indicating a major of interest that the college of they are applying to doesnt even offer. When working in admissions, one of the worst proofreading mistakes I would catch was a student putting another colleges name in the essay. No college admissions officer wants to think you want to go to x school over them. Double-check your work! VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Cara: The important thing to remember in the college admissions process is that every admissions office has a different way they review applicants. You should always check with each individual school to determine how they review and evaluate applications and what elements are most important to them in the process. In general, colleges will ask you to submit an application, essay (or multiple essays), standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, application fee and a school report along with an official transcript. Admissions counselors will evaluate your application once all materials are received. Some colleges use just one reader to make a decision while others operate in the form of committee where multiple individuals may weigh in on the strength of your application. Some colleges have certain formulas that they use to determine an applicants strength while others use a very thorough holistic review process to evaluate all aspects of an applicant. Reading the policies on the colleges admission website or attending an information by the college will help clarify their process. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Cara: Wow, it is hard to pick just one thing. Think about this though. There are certain things you can control in the process and certain things you cannot. When you get to your senior year you cant change your academic past or GPA too much, you cant change the test scores you have already received, and you cant change who else is applying. However, you can make sure to show the colleges learn who you are both inside and outside the classroom. Dont speed through the activities or extra-curricular section on the application or the short activity essay in the Common App. Take time on your personal essay. Be selective with who you request to write good letters of recommendation. Elaborate on who you are as a person, aside from just numbers and make sure you make the most of the space allowed. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Cara: Every student has their own way to determine whether or not a university is the right fit for them. However, there are a few things I suggest. First, it is important to do plenty of research on the college. Just like when writing a research paper, it is important to use a variety of sources and examine the subject from numerous angles. Read the website, read student blogs, participate in online chats, take a virtual tour, go for a campus visit, look at the course catalog, look at the student groups and clubs, talk to admissions representatives, talk to current students, and ask lots and lots of questions. Think about your own personal values and goals and determine whether or not the university will help you satisfy those. Weigh all of the factors that may be important to you - geographic location, academic major, scholarship offers, research opportunities, school spirit, study abroad, sports programs, professor interaction, alumni satisfaction, etc. Then see how all of those f it together. I strongly recommend a campus visit and taking the time to walk around by yourself as a student, away from your parents. Picture what it would be like to go there as a student. Sit and observe a class if you can, eat in the dining hall, talk to multiple people. The more research you do, the better you will be able to determine a fit. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Cara: There are lots of different deadlines floating around out there and the most important part is that you understand which one is right for you. In order to do so, make sure you understand the differences between binding decisions and nonbinding decisions. If you are entering into an early decision process that is binding, note that you are agreeing to attend that college if accepted. Therefore, I recommend that students only apply for an early decision, binding program, if a college is truly your first choice and your family is willing to forgo the possibility of comparing prices between colleges. You must be willing to let go of all other admissions decisions and financial offers. For students not at that stage, early action can provide an opportunity to submit the application early and receive a decision at an earlier date without a binding agreement. For those students who may need some extra time on their applications and essays, or are retaking a standardized test, regular decision might be the right fit. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Cara: Grades and standardized test scores are extremely important when admissions decisions made. For many colleges, they are the most important part of a college application. However, as I have stated before, each college is different. For example, remember that there are colleges out there that are test-optional that may be good for students who feel that standardized tests do not represent their academic talent. Also, if you feel that your scores or any part of your transcript is not a good representative of your ability, you may want to address this either in an interview or additional essay in your application. When I worked in admissions I would often tell students that unless they provided an explanation, we were left to make assumptions when reviewing their application. Perhaps something significant happened in your freshman year of high school that impacted your grades. It is important to let the college know this. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Cara: Once you have identified the teachers you want to ask for a letter of recommendation it is time to pop the question. First, make sure you are allowing plenty of time for your teachers to be able to write the letter. Do not approach a teacher with the request right before it is due. Second, it is important to find a time to ask your teachers where they arent rushed and when they actually have time to focus. Teachers are incredibly busy and asking them during the first week of the school year or during finals may not be the best time to capture their attention. Consider asking them to set aside some time to talk with you. Third, once you are ready to ask your teachers you should also be prepared to give them some additional materials. These may include a resume, a copy of your transcript and possibly even your personal statement. You may want to also give the teacher a reminder of some of the highlights you had in their class. Your teachers letters should focus on who you are in a classroom setting so if you had a project you were particularly proud of or a presentation you thought you did well on, remind them. You will also want to make sure you are familiar with how your high school sends letters of recommendation. Some schools still use paper and want to send these through the mail. In this case, you will want to provide your teacher with self addressed and stamped envelopes to the admissions office colleges you want them submitted. For high schools that use Naviance, or have the ability to send electronic transcripts, make sure you have filled out any specific request forms that will allow your teacher to upload their documents. No matter what, you should always remember to thank your teachers for writing your letter! Visit the Great College Advice website for more information on the services offered by Cara and her fellow college admissions consultants.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Luck of The Irish Talking About St. Patricks Day in English

The Luck of The Irish Talking About St. Patrick’s Day in English St Patrick’s Day, which is celebrated on March 17, is almost upon us. Do you know why it is celebrated? Do you know where it originated?Let’s learn about it in this lesson.First, let’s look at some words associated with St. Patrick’s Day. These are missing from the text. See if you can fill them in.1. Leprechauns2. Patron3. Emerald4. Snakes5. Superstition  6. Harp7. Celtic  8. Shamrock9. Corned10. MarchingWho  was St. Patrick?It is not known for sure whether St. Patrick was born in Wales or in Scotland, but it is known that he was born in the 4th century while  Britain was under Roman rule. Legend has it, he was kidnapped by slave traders at age 16 and brought to Ireland, also known as the ____ Isle, where he was forced to work as a shepherd.  According to his writings he was told by God in a dream to flee his captors by going to the Irish coast where he would board a boat and return to Britain. He did this by walking 200 kilometers. He is said to have been so moved by the ex perience that he studied to become a priest on his return home.When he became bishop, Patrick was called to Ireland to help convert the natives to Christianity. Writings from the time set out that he used the green three-leafed _____ to explain the idea of the holy trinity to the Irish. He traveled throughout the country, establishing churches, monasteries, schools and hospitals, all with the aim of converting the Irish to Christianity. He also said to have banished all the_______ from the island of Ireland.  His mission in Ireland was said to have lasted around 30 years. He died in Northern Ireland on March 17 461 AD. Today, he is known as the _____ saint of Ireland.  How it St. Patrick’s Day celebrated today?Although St. Patrick’s Day is technically a ______ feast day, it is celebrated around the world. On this day, parades take place with floats and ______ bands. Rivers and fountains are colored green. People dance and drink beer to mark the day. Celebrations of Irish culture also take place around this time.In Ireland, people eat a special meal of ____ beef, cabbage and soda bread.Other Associations with St. Patrick’s DayLittle mean old men called _______ are also associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day. It is said that they are shoemakers by trade and that they have a hidden pot of gold.In Ireland, there is a wall on Blarney Castle called the Blarney Stone. It is said that kissing the stone gives people the gift of eloquence. This is an example of a _______.The instrument associated with Ireland is the _____. It is mostly played by women with long hair and dresses.Sayings Associated With St. Patrick’s Day.  Some useful sayings associated with St. Patrick’s Day include:  1. (He has) the luck of the IrishThis means that someone is very lucky indeed as the Irish are associated with luck.2. May the road rise to meet youThis is a way to wish someone an easy, stress free, life.  2. Don’t rain on my paradeThis means don’t ruin or spoil my p lans just as rain would spoil a parade.Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to share it on Twitter and Facebook.

English Collocations with Success Learn English with Harry

English Collocations with Success Learn English with Harry Here you will learn useful English collocations with SUCCESS .Also, dont forget to check out English Expressions about Success where you will find idioms and expressions that will help you talk about your achievements and success in English.   This is Harry and welcome back to my podcast Speak Better English with Harry where I try to help you understand and make better use of your English.I’ve got a lot of words that we can use to collocate with SUCCESS. So let me give them to you and explain in a couple of examples how to use them. English Collocations with Success Share, help other students to improve English The first is TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS.Well, of course, we all like to achieve success in whatever we do. We don’t always reach that particular goal, but we like to try to achieve success.And we achieve success because of our own endeavours, because of the effort and work we put it into it.Or we can say we achieve success thanks to the support of our family, thanks to the support of our colleagues, thanks to the support of some benefactor, some supporters who have either given you financial support, or something else.A sports star, who’s starting off in his career as a golfer or a tennis player, will often need the support of a sponsor to get invitations to certain events, and then after some success at a lower level he rises and rises in the ranks of the tennis ranks and eventually wins some very significant competition.And he then can say   that his success or the success that he achieved is due to the support of his many many sponsors. To achieve success. DON'T SAY Don’t say MAKE success or MAKE a success. Say HAVE success or ACHIEVE success. We can DESERVE SUCCESS.So when we deserve success it usually means that we spend many years, or in some cases decades, trying to achieve something.A scientist trying to unravel the intricacies  of some disease, for example cancer research, eventually toasts the success of his breakthrough drug that is going to mean an end to extensive chemotherapy for some people. So everybody around the world will say:He deserves the success because he had spent many years researching, he had spent many days and nights trying to find that little breakthrough that will make the difference for thousands, perhaps millions, of people around the world and into the future.He deserves success.Or he deserves his success.Or the success is well deserved.So you can use in many ways, the meaning is exactly the same. He deserves success, he deserves that success. We can ENJOY SUCCESS.Of course, we can. When we achieve something, when we get to our goal, when we get to whatever we want to do. Whether it’s the end of that marathon or it’s that polar expedition, whatever it is, something even less important than that, we enjoy our success.So we enjoy our success because we know what we have done, what we have sacrificed to get where we are today. So people might often sayEnjoy the success while it lasts.And often success can be short-lived, meaning it doesn’t last for a long time.So we enjoy our success, and somebody might say: “Yes, while it lasts.” Today we are euphoric, and everybody’s congratulating us, in a weeks time people will have forgotten, so we become yesterday’s news.So enjoy success while it lasts, or just simply enjoy success, enjoy what you’ve done, enjoy what you have achieved. And then, finally, a much more formal last expression MEET WITH SUCCESS.His ideas or plans met with success.Meaning everybody else agreed that it was a good idea, good suggestion, and that’s how we should take this forward.So his plans for the redevelopment of the city centre were met with success. So the local council or the major, or the local government, whoever it is that has to give the final approval to the plans, liked what they saw, they liked the future, the pictures, the way the city was going to develop, so his plans were met with success.So this is sometimes about hope and aspiration. Our hopes are that people will like it, and our aspirations are our beliefs that we will one day live to see the fruits of our labour. It’s quite a formal expression meet with success.Everything we do, we hope, meets with success. Whether it’s a business course, it’s a university course, it’s some other plans that we can implement, and we hope that they can meet with success.Okay, so there are the collocations with success:to achieve successto deserve successto enjoy successto meet successClever, effective and efficient, cheap way for you to improve your English language skills.Again, thanks for listening, join me again soon.

An Evening with Some South Florida Food Trucks

An Evening with Some South Florida Food Trucks My prison photo in front of the Big Ragu truck. @TheBigRaguTruck I wasnt initially planning on eating anything at the Big Ragu food truck. Nothing against them, I just eat Italian food like everyday and was feeling decidedly adventurous. As the picture shows, their truck design popped and definitely drew people inincluding my sister. However, she did not go for a chicken parm sandwich, but instead landed on some jalapeño poppers. Nowjalapeño poppers are not Italian, but hey, its a food truck who cares? I was kindly offered a sample from my sister and was pleasantly surprised to taste one. They are exactly what they sound like:  jalapeño peppers with cheese inside, breaded and fried til golden brown. They were a nice warm up and got my taste buds thinking about what they were in the mood for. Main course Mojo Cuban Pork Philly from  Mojo on the Go Me posing in front of the Mojo on the Go truck. Watch out for this kid, he crosses his arms. @MojoOnTheGoMia   So as I was walking around all these really cool-looking trucks, I noticed that one in particular was cooking up food I was somewhat familiar with, yet they had their own distinct spin. The Mojo on the Go truck had a big menu on the front next to the ordering window and staring back at me was the Mojo Cuban Pork Philly. Now, I love Cuban food and I love Philly Cheesesteaks, so I figured the two would be a match made in heavenand they were. Imagine some of the best Cuban-style slow-cooked pork in a sub roll topped with cheese and potato sticks. It was a beautiful amalgamation that was admittedly hard to keep together (Ill admit I had to go get a fork), but no morsel was left behind. It was obvious these guys cook their pork from scratch because I found a quarter-sized piece of shoulder bone. At first it sucked cause I bit into it and I freaked out for a second, but then I was like, hey, these guys are doing it right, so what if they missed a little something during the sifting process . I know Id go back for more. Dessert- Gozen Berry Frozen Yogurt from Gozen Yogurt The side of the Gozen Yogurt truck.  @GozenYogurt These guys are master salesmen. They situated their truck right before the exit to all the trucks so that people couldnt help but stop before leaving for home. After a couple free samples of your standard frozen yogurt fair, I saw a flavor Id never heard of: Gozen Berry. Feeling very curious for a second, I asked what that was and the guy told me it was a combination of a bunch of their berry flavors. I tried a sample and I had my flavor. I figured I gotta have their signature flavor, right? I got a cup full and topped it with (free) gummy bears. The Gozen flavor itself was creamier than a simple berry frozen yogurt and was definitely something I would recommend to someone who is tired of your everyday flavors. The food truck session was very enjoyable even though it rained off and on. These three trucks were lucky enough to attract my pallet, but I know Chad will be gracing you with his feast soon, so keep checking the Uloop pages for more information on the trucks that were there. Most of these food trucks use social media know to let their customers know when and where they will be next, so follow them and get ya food on!

Sleep, a Healthy Lifestyle, and Academic Success

Sleep, a Healthy Lifestyle, and Academic Success Tips From a Private San Diego Tutor: Sleep, a Healthy Lifestyle, and Academic Success Tips From a Private San Diego Tutor: Sleep, a Healthy Lifestyle, and Academic Success Students mainly focus on how to succeed academically in college and how to pay for tuition, something that has been on everybody’s mind for decades, but they often forget to consider how health and happiness can effect education and academic success. Students should consider the value of sleep, nutrition, exercise, and general happiness when it comes to producing excellent grades. The mantra ‘work hard/play hard’ may work for some, but it leaves most students in the dust. College students and high school students preparing for college should consider the importance of a healthy life/study balance and how to access specific issues (READ: Summer Study Tips From an Irvine AP Tutor). 1. Are you getting enough sleep? Experts say that teens and young adults need about 8 hours of sleep each night. Many students get less than 6 hours of sleep on an average night and even less if they are cramming for finals week. When people don’t get enough sleep, they tend to have trouble absorbing information and are generally more irritable, not a good thing when it comes to learning important test material and making social connections for the future. Source: Mayo Clinic 2. Fruits, veggies, and proteins Many college students live off of a steady diet of ice cream, pizza, and tacos. However, according to the food pyramid, this is not the path to health. Students should be eating veggies or fruit at every meal to meet their daily requirements. Additionally, young minds need ample protein to be healthy and active. Source: Everyday Health 3. Exercise Some students get tons of exercise just walking or cycling around campus. Many students walk or cycle up to 5 or more miles a day depending on the size of their campus. Students who use a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation will likely pack on the miles just going about their daily business of getting groceries and meeting up with friends. However, many students don’t get much exercise and suffer the effects of prolonged periods of sitting, which can cause fatigue as well as neck and back pain. Source: CDC 4. Healthy socializing College students may feel isolated if they spend all their time in the library or their dorm room studying and need time to be around other people to enjoy the overall college experience. However, this doesn’t mean that all-night parties are the way to go. Students are encouraged to find a healthy balance between study time and social time. High school students also need a healthy social balance and are encouraged to allocate time with friends on the weekends or create a study group so that they can combine study and friends in an efficient manner (READ: Tips for Sophomores and Juniors: Summer To-Do List). 5. Setting realistic academic goals College prep students and new college students are encouraged to set academic goals that are realistic, ones they can obtain. Some students can handle three AP classes junior year, others can’t. Some college students can take on a double major, others will crack under the excessive study and tight time management. Students are encouraged to leave more time than they originally thought to complete freshman year assignments and schedule in each activity. Everything takes time: grocery shopping, walking to class, working a part-time job and, of course, self-study. In short Although students need to focus heavily on how to get all of their work done and be successful students, it’s also important to think about maintaining a study/life balance. Proper sleep, good nutrition, exercise, and social time all lead to a healthy college career. For more tips on how to achieve academic success this coming school year, seek the counsel of your Irvine academic tutor. Dont have one? Call us and well pair you 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.

5 Things Your Dad Actually Wanted for Fathers Day

5 Things Your Dad Actually Wanted for Fathers Day This Jr. must have a very happy Sr. 4. For you to win the lottery Years of paying for your education, your braces, your hobbies, your everything really; wouldnt a cool million just be the ultimate Fathers Day gift? 5. For you to say thanks once in a while Dads and moms are just about the most important people in your life. They are pretty much the sole reasons you are alive (we all took sex ed, right?). For that fact only, forget all the other stuff for a second if you want, they deserve our respect and our thanks. In my opinion, this kind of thing works like a diet. If you choose a fad diet, youll  do well  for a short period and then revert back to your old ways, but if you choose a healthy lifestyle, you will slowly lose weight and be able to keep it off. In the same way, if you use up all your good behavior on one day, dont think that gives you a free pass to revert back to that spoiled brat you were before. So give dad a hug and give mom one too, because after all, its a team effort having to deal with you on a daily basis.