Acid Base Definition - What Is It?

Acid Base Definition - What Is It?Acid base is a term used to describe any substance containing a base, meaning hydrogen and oxygen. The term is also used to describe a substance that has a compound of oxygen and a carbon-based liquid or solid.Many different types of acid base are used in various industries. While some acids can be toxic to humans if consumed, some are not. These are considered hazardous substances and can lead to life threatening illnesses if it is misused.There are many different types of acid bases and the two main types are hydrochloric and nitric. In nitric acid, the base is combined with water and the resulting solid is a base.Nitric acid is used for cleaning many types of chemicals, such as gases, solvents, and pesticides. The most common product of this type of acid is nitric acid, which is used to clean soils, debris, and other nonliving materials. This type of acid also dissolves into various liquids, forming solids. Hydrochloric acid is a less commonly use d acid base.A third type of acid base is a mixture of two or more solid bases. These include but are not limited to, ammonium hydroxide, ethylene oxide, potassium hydroxide, or potassium chlorate. In this type of acid, a mixture of oxygen and a carbon-based liquid or solid dissolves. This combination is known as perchlorate and is typically used to disinfect a confined space.Nitric acid, which is the most commonly used acid base, is a popular disinfectant, by destroying bacteria and pathogens in the environment. It is very efficient in removing bacteria and viruses, which make it effective at controlling the spread of various forms of bacterial and viral infections.By using this acid base, an operator can rapidly disinfect a building or kill a pathogen or bacteria in a confined space. Unlike other types of acid bases, nitric acid is nonreactive to the human body and can effectively protect it from harsh chemical agents.

Unschooling

Unschooling There is a discussion going on in America about what went wrong in the past years to decades. This discussion is not limited to about what went wrong in our financial and regulatory systems that caused this economic recession. The change permeates many areas of life including education. While we came to think that public schools is the only and best way to educate our children there are new concepts out there that promise a better future for our young ones. One of these new concepts is Unschooling. Wikipedia defines Unschooling as a set of educational philosophies and practices centered on allowing children to learn through their natural life experiences, including child directed play, game play, household responsibilities, work experience, and social interaction, rather than through a more traditional school curriculum. Unschooling encourages exploration of activities led by the children themselves, facilitated by the adults. Unschooling differs from conventional schooling principally in the thesis that standard curricula and conventional grading methods, as well as other features of traditional schooling, are counterproductive to the goal of maximizing the education of each child. Looking at the definition of Unschooling one can easily see an relation to homeschooling. Homeschooled children are taught typically by parents and sometimes by tutors, rather than in a formal settings of public or private school. At home they can more easily follow their natural curiosities and explore subjects of personal interests. Public schools tend to be more structured as a student must follow the curriculum and learn at the pace the teacher and peers dictate. Critics of home schooling and unschooling tend to view it as an extreme educational philosophy. They are concerned that unschooled children will lack the social skills, structure, and motivation of their peers, especially in the job market. Proponents of unschooling claim exactly the opposite is true: self-directed education in a natural environment makes a child more equipped to handle the real world. The general public has a perception about homeschoolers that they cant talk to people. In my view this common perception is entirely wrong. I found talking to young home schooled kids a delight as they are curious about life and ask questions that even an adult can challenge intellectually. Probably a nice way to describe unschooling is to say to learn from life and follow your passion. Home schooled kids go through life with eyes wide open and tend to generate novel ideas. And many new ideas come from unexpected sources. Thats what is needed to foster the change America is in need right now. For example, the organic whole food movement of the past years did not come from MBA educated thinkers of big food businesses but come the grass root thinkers at the bottom. No matter what age youre no matter whats our background you can learn in life. But the ability to learn must be learnt itself. Public schools tend to stifle the natural curiosity of children while unschooled kids tend to take more initiative in learning by their own. There is such an abundance to learn in life. Whether youre interested in history, science, writing, acting, sports, science, computer programming, web design or Spanish there is no much information and help out there to satisfy your learning curiosity. I myself use the Web heavily for my personal and professional growth. Quite often before I work on a new area I Google it or watch Youtube on the topic. It is amazing but I almost ever found the information I was looking for. Also professionally I constantly educate my self using the web in areas such as PHP and MySql programming, machine learning and SEO marketing. Although I want to school for 18 years I feel that most of the knowledge learnt there was not that appl icable to life. Granted learning Russian language and historic materialism in East Germany is probably an rare case of wasted knowledge). But even my math education was overdone: I dont use matrices and differential equations in my daily life. But today when I learn about business, economics and programming I feel that this is very applicable. And I get all this knowledge for very little money from the web, youtube videos, torrent media or from books conveniently bought at Amazon. Some progress towards unschool has alredy been made in the past. Thanks to the homeschooling laws of the past 10 years children can be taught at home by their parents (at leas in California and some other rstates). We also have seen the creation of community centers. Here homeschooled students have access to professors, computer Internet, books and local news. Sometimes they have even labs (science, languages) where homeschooled children have the also the same equipment resources as public school students. In summary, unschooling promises to be more effective and less costly for of education than that of traditional public and private schools. Unschooling centers around the learners curiosities, natural life and work experiences. The legal possibility of unschooling exists already today; and so do many resources. Whats the big challenge is for parents and self learner to unlearn the ingrained patterns of scholastic learning and transition to self-direct form of learning.

Choosing your destination

Choosing your destination By Thiago SilvaSo you decided to step out of your comfort zone and explore other cultures while teaching English - now where should you start? While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, there are a few steps you can take to make your search more effective.One of the first things you should do is assess your qualifications. Do you have a university degree? Have you taken a TESL certification course? Have you ever taught English? Maybe you have volunteer experience at a summer camp, for example, and that experience can strengthen your application if you are applying to teach kids. Once you have listed all your qualifications, it’s time to look for positions that match them.“I got in contact with a couple of teachers who'd done the Teach Away program and they gave me some advice on accommodation and cost of living”, Tom said.Tom Eminson, a Teach Away teacher in Vietnam, said that his research started after hearing good things about teaching in Vietnam from other tea chers.This exchange of information- and expectations- is the best way to evaluate whether you will like the way of life in a given destination. Take a look at the Teach Away Community page to learn more about your chosen country by chatting with the teachers who are already there.Mackenzie Soper, a Teach Away teacher Abu Dhabi, writes a blog about her experience living and teaching in the Middle East, and is a great resource for teachers who are considering applying for a job in the UAE.Whatever exotic location you choose, the invaluable international teaching experience will not only boost your resumé, but also your personal growth. Pack your bags and embrace the world!Thiago Silva is the  Teach Away  blogger.

12 Tips to Consider When Getting in Shape

12 Tips to Consider When Getting in Shape //d3p7mn7jyeu9ms.cloudfront.net/cee54ef6b4b2608b58f73e80607f8bf3%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmedia-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2F736x%2Fa8%2F90%2F0f%2Fa8900f125c24283f342d7c1e9d633b50.jpg 2. Change it up:  A repetitive workout routine will become tired, leaving you disinterested and bored. So mix it up a little bit: mix and match workout tapes or use Pinterest to create different exercise routines for each workout. The bottom line is to get creative with your workouts. Don’t let yourself get bored or quitting will be that much easier. //d2wa2tyobqx1pp.cloudfront.net/c6a20dc4aabfd5c389bf988eee687012%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fthethreadaffect.files.wordpress.com%2Fuloop%2Fw%3D628%26r%3D305%2Fjpg%2F2012%2F02%2Ffebabs.jpg 3. Starving Yourself Isn’t a Diet:  I know that cleanses are a fad in the workout world at the moment, but starving yourself or drinking your food isn’t exactly healthy. The best way to diet: eat healthy. Simple as that. Avoid snack foods and stick to the basic food groups. Don’t skip out on proteins and don’t be afraid to eat fruits and vegetables. So long as you put the bag of Cheetos down, you’re stepping in the right direction. //d27ql944xr9meu.cloudfront.net/32555029194eeb3572d29e78d3c93055%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.lhsfna.org%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2FLHSFNA%2Fassets%2FImage%2FJuicing45.jpg 4. You Don’t Need a Partner to Exercise:  Don’t wait for that one time your friend is available; make sure your workout is getting done when YOU want it to. If your friend is available and wants to workout with you, great! It’s always easier to workout when someone else is pushing you, but don’t allow friends to dictate your workout schedule. //d1d20t9fkd7io6.cloudfront.net/ef10d8a72e3f5ee9f3ae05f664b0bc56%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmotocrossactionmag.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2FUploads%2FPublic%2FImages%2F5b818a6c39cda4a968d8km80e30350ba370154631ed809d6543fb1c128b17c6c99-1.jpg 5. Music Can Go A Long Way:  If you’re a music fan, load your iPod up with your favorite songs and exercise away. Try and stick to songs with quick beats that amp you up; that way, you are enjoying your workout and the fast-paced music is more likely to get you moving. //d27ql944xr9meu.cloudfront.net/a9089ef82bcde9061412c5ac5e32ca5b%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fvalleygirlblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgirl-with-ipod.jpg 6. Get Outside:  Don’t force yourself to use the elliptical or treadmill everyday. Find a trail nearby or take a quick jog around your park. A change of scenery is always a good thing, and you’re more likely to run longer when entertained by a new environment. //d2ov68p9vqf0gt.cloudfront.net/f356dbb0cf707cbcf85064d40782ebae%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmoviewriternyu.files.wordpress.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2F2013%2F01%2Frunning-outside.jpg 7. Have a Dynamic Workout:  Don’t forget that running isn’t the only workout. Exercising everything is the best way to get in shape, and just the occasional jog isn’t exactly a well-rounded workout. So mix it up while you’re at the gym, and be sure to work more than one muscle group. //d1qpyd3pu6qx6u.cloudfront.net/eccfddb2605605cf91a1074e8a393024%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.gymprofessor.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Ffiles%2F5113%2F4574%2F8778%2Fendurance-gym-workout.jpg 8. Give Yourself a Break:  Don’t kill yourself trying to workout everyday. Odds are, it isn’t going to happen. Set a schedule for yourself of how many days a week you’d (reasonably) like to exercise. Don’t forget to give yourself the breaks your body needs to have a successful exercise routine. //d1d20t9fkd7io6.cloudfront.net/4df415a57bde434ee45cfd965ba0185e%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fcommunity.runnersworld.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2FfileSendAction%2FfcType%2F0%2FfcOid%2F72370443375264129%2FfilePointer%2F72229705927922154%2Ffodoid%2F72229705927922150%2FimageType%2FMEDIUM%2FinlineImage%2Ftrue%2Frest%2520day.jpg 9. Don’t Get Discouraged:  We’ve all stepped on the scale and been disappointed by what we’ve seen. Don’t let it discourage you. If one week you don’t lose weight, it doesn’t mean you won’t ever lose weight. Use the scale more as a reference guide than a means of motivation and you’ll be less likely to get down on yourself for the less successful weeks. //d15yd2pup8u1d3.cloudfront.net/9afcf8bde6bb21b9371613b349e9e6ff%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fimagecache%2Fssm_600w%2Fstatic%2Fscale-600x450_1.jpg 10. Don’t Spend a Fortune, But Don’t Be Cheap:  It’d be ridiculous to buy every exercise machine you find, but don’t forget that it’s still important to have the right equipment. Sometimes the cheap road isn’t the right road. Going to the gym for equipment is probably your safest bet for the best equipment. However, don’t count out exercise tapes; for a student on a budget, they may just save your bank account. //d2gk0uetp1q970.cloudfront.net/217f3aeb2b65cecd0eda35a31ef028be%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmac.magicdvdripper.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2Fmagicdvdripperformac%2Fsupport%2Fburn-insanity-workout-dvd-mac.jpg 11. Be Realistic:  Set goals that are achievable. Don’t tell yourself you will lose all the weight you want to in a week, because you probably won’t. Set realistic goals in increments to make sure that you’re achieving them in a healthy and safe way. //d3p7mn7jyeu9ms.cloudfront.net/b8234f336eee3bfd8fecc1e42ba42383%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.tcpersonaltraining.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Fttatatshshshkdhkdhkskshksh.jpg 12. Satisfy Your Cravings: This is probably the weirdest piece of advice you’ve been given in regards to being healthy, but it is probably the most important. Don’t shut down your cravings: It’ll only make them worse later on. So instead, compromise. Have a chocolate bar when you crave it and make up for it in your workout by doing a few extra pushups or running an extra 2 minutes. That way, your craving is satisfied and it hasn’t set you back all that much. //dihmh4v20db76.cloudfront.net/33c4ca3b75527b7c50016c6ab9ee12b8%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Ftechglam.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F08%2Ftips-to-control-cravings.jpg

The Spring Guide To De-Stressing

The Spring Guide To De-Stressing Photo courtesy of Pixabay. Cleansing activities abound in our society from juice fasts to sauna sweats, we have our pick on how we chose to rid ourselves of poisons. First, however, Id like to focus on getting rid of the root poison that is preventing us from feeling the lightness that spring has to offer: stress. April is National Stress Awareness Month, which begs us to first become aware of what stress really is, and what areas it should influence (or not influence) in our lives. Acute stress, described as good stress, is stress that keeps us on our toes and makes us strive for more; in other words, its a positive motivator. Chronic stress is the type that lingers in our day-to-day life and has negative effects on our health. According to an article featured in  Psychology Today: [Stress]  dampens the immune system and dries out the digestive tract, setting the stage for disorders from irritable bowel syndrome to ulcerative colitis. It impairs  memory  and in extreme cases fuels anxiety. It can even gnaw away at the ends of chromosomes, thereby accelerating cellular aging. In other words, chronic stress can be a serious threat to our well-being, and in our fast-paced world, extremely hard to escape. The following strategies unite the mind and body in combating stress, holding the theory that if the body can suffer due to the effect of stress on the mind, the body and mind must work together in order to relax and revive. De-stressing the Mind Read to Relaxation According to the  Telegraph, just six minutes of reading a day can reduce stress levels by more than two-thirds. Psychologists at mind lab International at the University of Sussex believe that the act of reading forces the mind to concentrate on text and comprehension, causing the reader to essentially escape from a stressful mind. Researchers also reported that reading lowered stress even more than common stress-relievers, such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea. Call Mom New research featured in  Scientific American  reports that hearing your mothers voice can initiate the same biochemical responses as receiving a hug from her. These responses included decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increased oxytocinthe feel-good bonding hormonelevels. Usually, oxytocin was thought to come into play only during physical contact; however, Leslie  Seltzer, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Child Emotion Lab and lead author on the study, said in the article, But it’s clear from these results that a mother’s voice can have the same effect as a hug, even if they’re not standing there. Laugh This may seem like a no-brainer, but laughing, whether its with a group of friends or over a cat video on Youtube, leads to decreased cortisol levels,  endorphin release  and a stronger immune system. Accept What You Cannot Control One of the biggest stressors many of us have on a daily basis is the what if? stressor. There is a constant analysis of trivial future events that have no clear answer until its time for them to pass, so why stress about them ahead of time? Our minds become a much freer place when we learn to accept that worrying doesnt change outcomes, it only changes our moods and our health for the worse. One tactic Ive found useful in halting worrying in its tracks is to ask if there is an immediate solution to the problem Im worrying over. For instance, Im worried my paper might be late later in the week seeing as Im so busy. Is there a solution? Yes, I can do the paper right now (even if I have to forfeit a couple hours of sleep) so its out of my mind. Worry ended. Another example: Im worried about not getting the job I applied for last week; I have yet to hear anything and Im dwelling on trivial factors such as, What if I phrased something wrong on my cover letter? and What if I chose the wrong font for the heading? These questions are consuming me at this point, so I stop and ask, Well, what can be done about it? The answer? Nothing. No action can be taken at this point. Therefore, its not only better, but logical, to let it go. De-stressing the Body Garden This might come as a surprise, but gardening has been proven to lower stress levels and aid in relaxation. According to  Health.com, In addition to being a source of fresh, healthy produce, gardening can ease  stress, keep you limber, and even improve your mood. Luckily, urban gardening is all the rage, so dont worry if you dont have a lot of space. A small balcony, a few pots, soil and seeds are all you need to get started. Sip on Kava-kava and Take Adaptogens Kava-kava is one of the top herbs for relaxation, acting as a muscle relaxer and anti-depressant. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form, and can deeply relax you, so be sure to take it in the evening to wind down. Ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb, is a potent adaptogen, meaning it minimizes the effects of stress on the body and helps it to cope with stressors. According to  Natural News, The herb has performed as well as or better than some common anxiety medications in studies. The typical dosage is 300-500 mg once or twice daily, so taking a capsule form may be preferred. Indulge Your Inner Yogi Yoga as a whole is excellent for stress relief and loosening tense areas of the body; however, there are a few poses that specifically target stress. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge pose), according to the  Yoga Journal, Calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs, and Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal), Is an excellent way to induce a meditative state of awareness. Both poses, among several others, can be found on their site. Eat Cherries and Celery Celery contains  phthalides, phytonutrients that are known to have a sedative effect, while  cherries  contain  anthocyanins, natural pain relievers, and melatonin, the hormone we produce to relax before sleep. De-stressing tactics shouldnt be utilized as just activities to do and be done with, but as lifestyle routines for obtaining a peaceful mind and sound body. Once these two come together free of chronic stress, we can begin to truly see each day as a new start: a perpetual spring.

Pokemon White 2 Move Tutor - How To Use It?

Pokemon White 2 Move Tutor - How To Use It?Pokemon White 2, the sequel to Pokemon White (Gold, Silver, and Crystal), is a game that is so full of exploration and endless possibilities, that there is little room for criticism. The first time you play, you could easily find yourself lost without the Pokemon White 2 Move Tutor. You can get it for free and it's easy to learn how to use it. However, there are some things that people want to know about using the Pokemon move tutor.Before I can tell you about the use of the Move Tutor, I must tell you what exactly a move tutor is. This is an item that allows you to learn the moves that your Pokemon knows by simply touching them. There are two types of Pokemon move tutors. The first type is portable, meaning that it is an item that is attached to your Pokemon in order to give you access to their move list.The second type is the one that is always with your Pokemon at all times. This is a power source that is found on your Pokemon and then it is connected to a port on your Pokemon through the trainer computer. It is constantly powered up by the energy of your Pokemon. As long as the trainer computer has energy left, it will continue to give you the moves that your Pokemon know.If you have the Pokemon move tutor in your Pokemon box, you can teach your Pokemon the moves you want them to know. If you have the Pokemon move tutor power up, you can then teach your Pokemon up to ten moves. Once you have learned the moves, you can then begin the battle.When you use the Pokemon move tutor, you will notice that your Pokemon will instantly begin to learn the move. If you are not familiar with a move, you can simply touch the move that you want your Pokemon to learn and your Pokemon will do it in about ten seconds. You do not need to have any Pokemon experience or even battle experience to use the move tutor.You can only teach up to five moves at a time. The number of moves that you can teach depends on your Pokemon's level. If you do not want to teach more than five moves, you can wait until your Pokemon's levels up. When you level up, your Pokemon will receive five more moves from the move tutor.As long as you keep an eye on your Pokemon's, it will learn the moves that you want. If you decide that you do not want to get the Pokemon move tutor anytime soon, you can also purchase a trainer PC with the ability to send your Pokemon's moves directly from their box to your computer. You can then teach your Pokemon the moves that you want to give them.

Get The Best Results Through Act Tutoring New Orleans

Get The Best Results Through Act Tutoring New OrleansDid you know that Act Tutoring New Orleans can help you get a higher grade than what you would get in a traditional classroom? This tutoring system is intended to help you excel in an educational environment. They are willing to work with you and help you get the best possible results that you want.You will be able to receive the tutoring that you need to learn anything that you want to. Act Tutoring New Orleans provides you with their academic expertise as well as free services. All of the knowledge that they have will be theirs to give.To assist you, they will give you all of the tools that you need to go beyond what you could do in a traditional classroom. You will be provided with all of the relevant software that you need to master the subject that you desire to. You will be able to utilize all of the resources that you want. You will be given the option to take a class at your own pace and schedule your time to get the work d one.As an instructor, you will not be paid for the tutoring. This is unlike other tutoring that you will be offered by other institutions. Instead, Act Tutoring New Orleans will give you the assistance in the form of its tutors. With these tutors, you will be able to obtain the best grades possible without spending too much time.With all of the help that they provide, you will be able to achieve high academic performance. You will not only be given the tools that you need to succeed, but also its tutors. You will also have the opportunity to conduct interviews with these tutors.These tutors will make sure that you are getting the knowledge that you need to surpass the obstacles that you face. When you will learn the right way, you will be able to set yourself up for success. With this guide, you will be able to overcome all of the problems that you may have faced. In addition, you will be able to rise above them and move on to bigger things.With this training, you will be able to mo ve ahead to achieve high academic performance and become an expert. You will also be able to get your degree at a faster rate. This will put you ahead of the competition.

What is it Like to Attend University of Pittsburgh

What is it Like to Attend University of Pittsburgh The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Brian is a New York City tutor specializing in MCAT prep tutoring, Physics tutoring, Algebra tutoring, and much more. He graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences. See what he had to say about his school: 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? Brian: The University of Pittsburghs main campus is in the heart of the citys Oakland neighborhood. While it has the feel of a college town, the university buildings are interspersed amongst city restaurants, shops, and cafes, so youll never be isolated from the rest of the world. There is always something to do, and everything you need is within walking distance. If something is slightly farther away, city buses are free to use for University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon students. Many students ride bikes around campus, and usually only commuters bring cars. Taxicabs and $5 limo services are also available for students interested in exploring other parts of the city. Although the campus is in the city, Oakland and the surrounding neighborhoods are extremely safe. Dorm entrances require swipe access by 24-hour security guards. University police are very responsive to incidents and work closely with the city police. The university also provides its own campus bus service, as well as SafeRider, an on-call van shuttle service for non-emergency transportation during the evening and early-morning hours. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Brian: Professors, advisers, and teaching assistants (TAs) are as available as you choose to utilize them. I have never had a problem going to a professor or TA for help, whether for their class or for career advice and letters of recommendation for summer internships and medical school. To this day, I still keep in touch with a couple of my professors and make sure I stop by their offices when I revisit Pittsburgh. The Department of Biology and pre-medicine advisers were wonderful, and I would often stop by in-between classes just to chat with them about non-academic issues. They were key for getting me into medical school. The world-renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals are also on campus and provide many research and volunteer opportunities for students interested in the healthcare fields. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Brian: There are numerous undergraduate dorm options ranging from single rooms to suites with private bathrooms-- even apartment-style complexes for upperclassmen with separate rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. Most dorms have their own 24-hour fitness centers in addition to the three campus gyms. Housing options are located throughout the campus and are chosen based on a lottery system favoring upperclassmen. Seniors are not guaranteed university housing, and many students move off-campus after their freshman year. Off-campus housing can be within walking distance and is extremely cheap. I was paying just over $400 a month, which included all utilities, but knew of friends who paid even less. There are numerous dining options both on and off-campus. The university requires students living in dormitories to purchase meal plans, which can be used at cafeterias and Starbucks coffee carts all throughout the campus. As mentioned earlier, there are numerous private eateries and bars in the city that have wonderful deals and half-off menus for students. In warmer weather, Schenley Plaza has a large lawn and outdoor seating for their unique cafes. There is so much to do as a student in Pittsburgh. PITT football games are played at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and are a great opportunity to hang out with friends and make new ones while cheering on the Panthers. Student tickets are ridiculously cheap and allow one to sit right up to the first row of the lower levels! The university provides shuttle service to the stadium and also sponsors a tailgate for every home game, providing free hot dogs and food, as well as grills to cook them on. PITT basketball games are played on campus at the Petersen Events Center. There are also cheap tickets with a courtside student section. Pitt also has large state-of-the-art recreational facilities, including the 40,000 square foot Baierl Student Recreation Center. It features cardio equipment, free weights, a matted stretching area, a multi-purpose room, and racquetball courts. There are two other fitness centers on campus, as well as an Olympic-size swimming pool, basketball courts, more racquetball courts, and other multi-purpose rooms with boxing and kick-boxing equipment. 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? Brian: The sciences are extremely strong at the University of Pittsburgh, especially anything that has to do with medicine due to the affiliated world-class hospital system. The nursing and physical therapy programs are amongst the top 10 in the nation, and the pharmacy school is extremely strong as well. I cannot speak much about other majors, but my former roommate was a business and political science major who recently graduated from law school at Pitt and who mentions it as a top program. I majored in the Biological Sciences and had minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies. I was always interested in biology and found myself even more interested in medicine, so I chose the major that I did. As mentioned earlier, the departments advisers and pre-medical adviser were wonderful. 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? Brian: It was rather easy to meet people right away, as the university puts a huge emphasis on the orientation week before classes begin. They sponsor tons of social activities to get students together and comfortable transitioning to college. While there is a large Greek presence on campus, they are friendly to non-members and will occasionally host events that allow non-Greek students to attend. Many of my friends were in fraternities and sororities, but I chose not to join. Even so, I was invited to hang out at their houses and attended Halloween gatherings and sorority date nights. Outside of fraternities and sororities, there are numerous opportunities for socializing. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Brian: I did not take advantage of the Career Center, as I knew I was going to pursue post-graduate studies. I got my advice from the pre-medical adviser. The school does host a career fair once a semester at the Petersen Events Center, which always has an enormous turnout by many reputable companies. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Brian: Hillman Library is the main library on campus, and it has a large study area and floors with quiet study rooms. This library is the most popular and tends to get crowded, especially during finals week. Students are free to use numerous other libraries around campus that are quieter and far less crowded. Any of the classrooms in buildings throughout the campus are also fair game for student use, provided there are no classes taking place at the time. The Cathedral of Learning is a truly unique place to study in its castle-like environment or in its Nationality Rooms. The 33rd floor of the building also has a study area with an amazing view of the city. In warmer weather, many students study outside at outdoor tables and benches or on lawns throughout the campus. Students are also given a printing quota every semester, which they can use at seven computer labs throughout the campus that have Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers. Nordys Place (after Chancellor Nordenberg) is the universitys newly renovated student union that has a snack bar, dining area, flat screen HDTVs, table tennis, billiards, and other games-- even live performances. Each floor of every dorm that does not have suites or apartment-style living has a lounge with tables, couches, and TVs for student use. 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? Brian: As mentioned above, the campus is integrated into the city, so there is something to do for everyone. Division I and professional sports teams are huge in Pittsburgh, and it is hard to not get sucked into it. Pittsburghers are die-hard Pittsburgh sports fans and bleed black and gold. Pittsburgh is an extremely cultured city boasting world-class museums, including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art, as well as the Andy Warhol Museum, all free and easily accessible to students. The Strip District is a market district featuring fresh foods and produce and shops of all cultures. For religious observers or those who are simply curious, Pittsburgh churches and temples have gorgeous architecture and are extremely welcoming to students and visitors, often providing free meals and social events. For the outdoorsman/woman, there are numerous trails to bike, as well as multiple opportunities for hiking/camping and hunting just outside of the city. Although students will usually stay near campus on an average day, most students will take advantage of the abundant opportunities around the city throughout their college careers. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Brian: There are about 4,000 undergraduate students a year, which makes for a sizable student body. Because of this, the Student Government Board is taken seriously and is provided with a lot of responsibility and power for decision-making. General and introductory classes are large and will often be 300-400+ students. Upper-level courses will be much smaller and will often be only 10-20 students. This was perfect for me, as much less individual attention is needed in introductory classes, while more difficult upper-level courses allowed students to interact closely with professors. The University Honors College offers courses in all areas of study with smaller class sizes (10-20) even in introductory-level classes, but they tend to be more difficult and involve term papers. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Brian: Pitt offers many great electives, both serious and recreational. While I had a blast taking fun courses such as scuba diving, jiu jitsu, sports conditioning, and EMT, my most memorable experience with a class turned out to not be one of my strongest or favorite classes. Writing has never been my strength, but during my junior year, I decided to take the upper-level writing course Research Writing even after hearing how tough the course was. I worked extremely hard and diligently, but struggled through it. I got a low-70 on my first paper and was devastated, but I did not give up. I talked to the teacher and asked for extra help and tips for improving. I took advantage of the writing center on campus and picked up pointers there, as well. I improved drastically as the course went on and got a 96 on my final paper, though it was not enough to overcome my slow start, and my average fell just shy of 90. While the end result was not what I envisioned for myself, I was extremely pleased with the experience and my improvement over the semester, as was the professor. I stayed in touch with her the rest of my college career and the year after, and she was more than happy to write a letter of recommendation in support of my applying to medical school. VT: Anything else youd like to add? Brian: The moment I stepped foot on the University of Pittsburgh campus, I knew that was where I was going to college. I applied to very few schools and up to as late as January, I had only applied to (and got accepted by) Rutgers University. I ended up applying to three other schools, but I didnt send in my Pittsburgh application until the end of March. I had no special desire to go to any particular school and would have been happy staying in New Jersey where I was born and raised, but visiting the city of Pittsburgh in April of senior year prodded me to take a chance and experience a completely different setting than I was used to. I made my decision right then and there and never looked back Check out Brians tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

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