Preparing Yourself For a Career in Plastics and Chemistry

Preparing Yourself For a Career in Plastics and ChemistryIf you are interested in pursuing a career in plastics and specifically chemical engineering, you will probably want to get your hands on a BSc in Chemistry or a MSc in Chemistry. When it comes to getting a good job in this field, there are many practical things that you will need to do in order to make sure that you are successful. The following tips will help you get prepared for a career in plastics and chemistry.As a first step in making sure that you are getting prepared for a career in plastics and chemistry, you should consider taking a BSc in Chemistry. This is a strong degree in this field and will definitely be useful to you later on in life. On the other hand, if you decide to go with a MSc in Chemistry, you can take it after you finish high school and get a professional degree. Once you have a good BSc in Chemistry, you will have a pretty good chance of being successful in any chemical engineering field that you cho ose. This is because BSc in Chemistry majors are usually good students and good candidates for research jobs.Next, you will want to know how to prepare yourself for the job market and how to move ahead in the career you want. For a job in the chemical engineering field, you will want to look at your college and see if there are any internships or other programs that you can apply for. These programs can give you the chance to meet people from different industries and learn how they work with chemicals.Most mechanical engineering jobs will not require much technical training but will require a lot of hands-on training. In the future, you will need to study a lot about organic chemistry and also have some knowledge about the physics of how chemicals react with other materials.After you have completed your pre-requisite education, you will need to do a preparation process in order to make sure that you have everything you need to do well in the chemical engineering field. You will want to find out about all the opportunities for internships and other programs that will allow you to network with the different companies.Also, you will want to read up on pre-requisites and what materials are required in order to get through the program. Usually, those who are preparing for careers in plastics and chemistry will need to have a good GPA and strong grades in their courses.This is just one example of how you can prepare yourself for a career in plastics and chemistry. There are many other things that you can do these things while you are in college.

Why your schools 11 initiative should include digital literacy training for your teachers

Why your school’s 11 initiative should include digital literacy training for your teachers Going 1:1 or BYOD? Don’t forget about digital literacy training for your teaching staff. As the world moves further into the twenty-first century, school and district leaders are encountering mounting pressure to realign, rethink and reinvent traditional education practices at their schools in order to meet the needs of today’s students - those ubiquitous digital natives. 1:1 (or BYOD) initiatives are by no means a new phenomenon in our schools and districts. However, while many of our classrooms have been transitioning to a 1:1 initiative over the past few years, many education leaders continue to struggle with planning and implementing successful technology rollouts at their schools. Digital technology is fundamentally changing how teachers teach. Simply giving each student their own device will not magically result in better learning outcomes - unless you also address their teacher’s digital literacies and competencies. And as a school leader, you play a crucial role in guiding your teachers into the digital age. Possessing digital skills and being digitally literate are two markedly different things. And as we see time and time again, without the right teacher training, education initiatives have a tendency to crash and burn. Schools and district leaders who are considering launching or who are currently involved in a 1:1 initiative need to make professional development for their teachers a core component of their rollout plan. As this Edutopia article argues: “While individual educators can develop the skills necessary to help students succeed in the new economy, if that capacity does not spread throughout the school, and if the school lacks the tools needed for teachers to effectively instruct in the digital world, ultimately, students will suffer.” It’s not just about helping your teachers become technically savvy. Laying the groundwork for a successful 1:1 initiative starts with providing the right training for teachers on the effective use of digital tools and technology. Schools and districts need to implement a solid digital literacy training program that empowers their educators to make the successful transition to a technology-rich classroom environment. Digital literacy also needs to be a significant element in this process. As digital tools and technology become more and more standard in classrooms, savvy school and district leaders need to recognize that all their teachers can benefit from effective digital literacy training and work proactively to develop a comprehensive technology support and teacher training program for all teaching staff. As Alan November states, “adding a digital device to the classroom without a fundamental change in the culture of teaching and learning will not lead to significant improvement.” In the end, 1:1 programs can only be as effective as the teachers leading them on a day-to-day basis. Implementing 1:1 technology is simply not enough. Many teachers struggle with their continually evolving role in teaching and using technology in their classrooms as well as how technology is shifting the way their students learn. And without the right digital literacy training, teachers will inevitably struggle with finding meaningful ways to engage students with technology and equip them with the 21st-century skills they will needto be globally competitive citizens. Before teachers can effectively facilitate the use of a new tool or device in their classroom, they need the training to understand how a particular tool can effectively enhance student learning outcomes. Digital literacy training for your teaching staff is an essential to a successful 1:1 digital initiative. Teach Away has partnered with Teachers College, Columbia University, to offer an online digital literacy training program for K-8 teachers. Contact us today to find out about volume pricing for your teacher group, school or district!

?? A Parents Guide to Maths University Applications

?? A Parents Guide to Maths University Applications A Parents Guide to Maths University Applications Guest post contributed by STEP MathsThe application process for Maths applicants at the top Universities can be confusing, with a plethora of different admissions tests, interviews and entry requirements. This guide should help make sense of it.Open DaysFor an application to start University in September 2018, the admissions process will start in just a few months’ time. Maths specific Open Days at Cambridge start in April 2017 and many other universities are similar. These days are vital for getting a ‘feel’ of different universities, in addition to accessing all the important information about the course, accommodation, financial support, campus facilities etc. all in one place. For universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Durham, Open Days can be important for choosing a college, giving a chance to see the great variety in the size, age and location of different colleges.The exams (AS levels or other exams) in May and June are also extremely important; for one, they can form the basis of any predicted grades for the final A Level exams.UCAS ApplicationOver the Summer Holiday, there will be time to do two very important things in preparation for the new year: completing the UCAS form and preparing for any early Admissions Tests.One of the major parts of the UCAS form is the personal statement. This is often very important, even for Maths applications. It gives an opportunity to show interest in Maths outside of the school curriculum, such as any books read or so-called ‘super-curricular’ activities. For me, this included things like taking part in Maths Challenges and attending my college’s Maths Society.Contrary to expectations, It is also important to show that you can communicate clearly and efficiently as all Maths has to be communicated, often using words.The deadline for the UCAS Application is some point in October 2017 for competitive courses including Oxford and Cambridge, although schools and colleges often require an earlier deadlin e to give them time to write their references. (The general deadline is in January.) By this point, then, it must have been decided which courses will be applied for and the personal statement must have been completed.Most universities will offer either a four or three year course for Mathematics. It is commonly suggested that if there is any potential of doing the four year course, that is the one which should be applied for, since it is easier to change down rather than change up. November Admissions TestsNear the start of November some Universities require applicants to sit Admissions Tests. These include the MAT (Maths Admissions Test) and the TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission). These are used to either decide which applicants to give offers to or to interview.The MAT is used by both Oxford and Imperial College London. It is two and a half hours long and totals a maximum of 100 marks, made up of both multiple choice and long questions. The content is based only on the current Core 1 and Core 2 modules, so preparation can start quite early on. (This may vary with the new A-level coming in.) Oxford uses the MAT to cut down circa 2000 applicants to around 800, who are given interviews.The TMUA is a relatively new admissions test, piloted in 2016, and is used primarily by Durham University to decide which applicants to give offers. Applicants to Lancaster and LSE can also receive a lower offer with a strong result in the TMUA. It is made up of t wo one hour long multiple choice papers, both on the same day in November, with content also mostly based on AS Level maths.InterviewsFor Oxford and Cambridge, interviews begin in December. The process differs between the two (and between individual colleges) but the central idea is to help choose students suitable for supervision-style or tutorial-style learning and differentiate between those with similarly high grades.At Cambridge, most applicants are invited to interview. The interviews are done by individual colleges, and thus different applicants will have different experiences. Most applicants will have around two interviews in one day. These interviews will be solely maths focused, and some of them will have a short test before. The interviews will form a significant but part of the decision of whether to make an applicant a university offer.At Oxford, fewer applicants are invited to interview, due to the MAT exam which will have been taken beforehand. Applicants to Oxford w ill also have more interviews, with at least two different colleges. These interviews will take place over a number of days in mid-December, and students will stay in the college applied to for a couple of nights. The interviews themselves will have a similar format to those at Cambridge, mostly just working through a small number of Maths problems.Winter PoolOffers will be given out by Cambridge and Oxford in mid-January. Since applications are not always balanced between colleges, both Oxford and Cambridge have a ‘pool’ system which evens this out. If a college has too many applicants which they think are worthy of an offer, some applicants can be pooled. This means other colleges with too few accepted students can take students from this pool.This means that in January some students can receive offers from a College which they did not apply to. Firm and Insurance DecisionsBy May all offers should have been decided and it is time to choose which offers to accept. The firm choice is simply the favourite university, and if that offer is met that will be the student’s university. The insurance choice is a backup in case the offer is not met for the firm choice. Because of this, it should have lower entry requirements. If neither offer is met, the student can enter Clearing on results day. STEPSTEP is the final Maths Admissions Test, used by Cambridge, Warwick, Bath, UCL and increasingly many universities. Unlike other admissions tests, STEP is taken around June, at the same time as A Level exams. Because of this, offers from places like Cambridge or Warwick depend on getting certain grades in STEP.There are three separate papers taken on three separate days; STEP 1 and 2 only require knowledge of A Level Maths while STEP 3 requires Further Maths. The papers are graded as S, 1, 2, 3, or U, with S being the highest grade.A stan dard offer from Cambridge will require a grade 1 in STEP 2 and 3. The exams are three hours long with 13 questions marked out of 20. Only the best 6 answers are marked in STEP. Around four full solutions out of a maximum of six answers should earn a grade 1.These exams are pretty tough. In 2016, 527 out of 1312 applicants got an offer. Of those 527, only 256 were accepted, as not everyone will meet their STEP offer. Finding a maths tutor to assist with preparing for these exams can hugely increase your chances of success.Results DayResults Day will be towards the end of August, and a lot of things can happen on that day. What is different especially for maths applicants to Cambridge is the Summer Pool. This acts similarly to the Winter Pool, if you missed your offer to one college, another college can choose to accept you. Due to STEP, this is a relatively common occurrence, with 26 out of 256 people getting in through the Summer Pool.Entry RequirementsThese are the typical entry re quirements for 2017 entry doing a 3 year maths course: CambridgeA*A*A (Mathematics, Further Mathematics + another subject) + 1,1 in STEP 2 and 3OxfordA*A*A with the A*s in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (if taken)WarwickVariations on A*A*A + 2 in STEPImperialA*A*ADurhamA*A*AOthersCheck University WebsiteThese may change for 2018 entry and individual offers can be different from the standard offer. STEP Maths provides training courses for students looking to study Mathematics and related subjects at university - with a particular focus on STEP, MAT, TMUA and interviews.Preparing to apply to Oxbridge and similar institutions? Tutorful have you covered with tutors across the UK experienced in University application processes. Wherever you aim to study, our tutors can help you prepare. View Oxbridge Admissions Tutors

Get to Business Start Something That Matters

Get to Business 'Start Something That Matters' TOMS, One for One. Its no surprise that this book was a New York Time’s bestseller. This book gives some powerful insight about business and living life in general. Mycoskie mentions six traits in the book that everyone need to know and follow to start and maintain something new. His advice: Find your story, face your fears, be resourceful without resources, keep it simple, build trust, and realize that giving is good business. Mycoskie also states in his book that you cannot have a successful business if you have not overcome fear. The hardest part of a business for some people is starting. Most people find it hard to start because they are afraid of failure. Success is not all about the status and the money a person makes. One person’s definition of success may be different from another person’s definition. Those who are full of creativity and who are open hearted are the ones that find the most success most of the time. Mycoskie’s book compromises readers a new way of thinking about success, expressed by work that fulfills hunger for material accomplishment, generous impact and personal meaning. Mycoskie’s goal was also to inspire others and make a positive impact, and start something that truly matters. Mycoskie found success because he was on a mission. He wanted to provide shoes for those kids in Argentina and other places that didn’t have any shoes. He had a business plan with a purpose. He also used eco-friendly material through the process. Start Something That Matters his highly recommended for college students who want to go into business. This book is wonderful and tells a great story, and offers great at advice for anyone who wants to start their own business or who is interested in how Mycoskie got started with TOMS. Sources:  WSJ.com,  Start Something That Matters

Tutoring Jobs For Those With No Degree

Tutoring Jobs For Those With No DegreeIf you want to find work as an online tutor, you need to be able to demonstrate a sound work ethic and the ability to effectively deal with students of all ages. There are many options out there for you need to make the best choice possible.Many reputable online tutoring companies provide a course in online tutoring for those who have no formal teaching qualification. This type of work is ideal for someone who has less than an Associate degree in the subject they are tutoring. It can also be suitable for anyone who is just getting started in the field of education.Most people who enter this line of work can expect to be offered some available online tutor jobs within their first few months in the industry. You need to do your research and gather some experience under your belt if you want to be a trusted online tutor and earn a decent wage. Your success will depend on how well you are able to build a good rapport with your clients.A great option for new students is to join online forums which discuss the subject of education and offer advice. These discussions can be extremely useful to you if you want to learn more about what to expect. As well as offering useful information, you will be able to interact with other tutors in the industry and gain an insight into what other tutors think about the working of online tutoring.Another great opportunity for those with no degrees is to teach tutoring courses in your local area. It can be fun to teach kids and to see what happens when they come to your home to use your services!If you are looking for a job in a traditional school setting it may be a good idea to consider teaching in an inner city school or in a school in a rural area. By involving the whole community in the education of children you will find that people become much more receptive to your services.Whatever you decide to do, there are plenty of tutoring jobs out there waiting for you. If you are willing to invest s ome time and effort in finding a suitable career, it can be a rewarding and satisfying job that you will be able to look back on with pride.

Choosing the Best Chemistry Project For the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Choosing the Best Chemistry Project For the Nobel Prize in ChemistryChemistry is one of the biggest and most hotly debated branches of science in the United States. And when it comes to Nobel prize chemistry, the competition is fierce indeed!If you are really looking for a great science fair project to take home, chemistry can be a great choice because of its wide application. If you are not too sure about how to choose which science fair project to take, then try and take a look at some of the grand prizes given out by the prize competitions in the Chemistry field.There are a lot of different things that you could take on if you decided to build a science fair project based on a particular topic. Do you want to research the past of a certain element? Take on a quiz question that involves the history of a specific element or that takes on the theme of a particular type of element.This could be a very educational and quite short answer, but if you want to really challenge yourself as a student, then taking on something that has a lot of problems with it. When choosing a science fair project, try and make sure that there is an area where you can go off the beaten track and make some sort of research. Remember, the aim of any science fair is to have fun, so you should never feel like you have to do something you don't like.Another way to ensure that you are getting out there as much as possible is to join any competition that you have your eye on. This will mean that you can get out and meet other students who may be doing something similar to what you are doing.At the end of the day, there is no competition more fun than having fun! So take a look at some of the grand prizes given out by the chemistry competitions and decide what is the best way to make your project stand out!These are just a few examples of some of the various prizes available for a Nobel prize in chemistry. There are a lot more, so get out there and find out about them!

Latin Lessons in School

Latin Lessons in School Why You Should Be Taking Latin at GCSE ChaptersWhat is the Value of Learning Latin? Keep your Options OpenBenefits of Private Latin LessonsSo Are Private Lessons Worth It?During your secondary school education you have the option to take on extra subjects outside of the usual curriculum. Whatever subjects you choose you can take Latin alongside them (providing your school allows you to).Latin can provide you with a strong base for other languages you learn like French, Spanish and Italian and can even help you understand your own language!Latin is at the root of the Romance languages such as French or Italian. Photo credit: Internet Archive Book Images on VisualHunt.comLearning this mental discipline is difficult and takes hard work but it not only help with your language skills but in many other skills in life.Latin fills in the missing linksLatin will change your learning across all subjects from good to great. Latin fills in the missing links in modern education, it ties everything together. Latin is for languages what maths is for science, it provides a strong foundation on which to learn other languages. It gives your learning structure.Languages and maths are arguably the most difficult subjects to learn because you have to keep building on what you know, nothing can be forgotten. That’s a lot of information to remember! Subjects like this continuously require new skills that are more advanced than the ones you already have. Most other subjects are not as difficult as this and instead focus on topics. Like history for example, you learn about a certain topic like World War One and you pass an exam on that topic and then you move on. You don’t need to keep this knowledge for the next exam which will be on a different topic.But, Latin and maths aren’t that easy. You have to remember all the knowledge you’ve learned and be able to build on it to improve. This type of ‘deeper’ thinking, going further into a subject than surface knowledge (like dates and facts of the World Wars), is an essential skill for students. Studying maths and Latin can provide you with this skill.Find out what to expect when taking Latin lessons...Keep your Options OpenWhile Latin may not open every door for you it certainly won’t close any. This language, despite being a dead one, offers many possibilities on a linguistic and historical level.You could become a Latin teacher. Latin is coming back into fashion with more and more people wanting to pick up the language. Working as a language teacher you can help keep this dead language alive!Aside from the linguistic side, don’t forget the strong history behind Latin. Latin was the dominant language in Europe for hundreds of years. Then it was the language of the Christian Church, its impact was huge. Understanding the history of Latin can be a profession!   Historians, theologians, archaeologists, ethnologists all have bases in Latin. This language is very useful to understand our past.You may investigate tools for learning Latin online ...Benefits of Private Latin LessonsLearn latin with a Superprof private tutor. Source: Visual HuntThe benefits of private lessons are endless! While learning in group lessons can be helpful and can help you at the beginning, private lessons are tailored to you and you can learn at your own pace rather than the pace of the rest of the group.But to really succeed in private lessons you must first have the motivation to begin and the determination to carry on and improve!Improve your Latin, quicklyThe problem with group classes is that you don’t get one on one time. You might be struggling with a certain grammar point or finding a certain word hard to pronounce. In a group class, your teacher probably won’t have the time to help each individual with everything they’re struggling with. That’s where a private tutor can help. They are there to help you as an individual, so they can help you grasp that grammar point and to pronounce that word.Classes will be tailored to your speci fic needs and goals. If you find something difficult you can spend more time on that and less time on other points that are easier for you.Your teacher will get to know the best way for you to learn so they can adapt lessons to assure you reach your potential. Having a personal tutor also means you have nowhere to hide! If you’ve not done the homework, then it’s going to be obvious when you’re the only student in the class… A personal tutor will keep you accountable and make sure you’re putting the work in. Latin is a hard language to learn so you have to be motivated!Boost your confidenceAs well as improving your Latin skills on paper, private lessons will also boost your confidence in your abilities! In a group class, it can be hard to find the confidence to answer questions in front of others or to practice your speaking skills in conversation classes.  A private tutor can help with this. As we said earlier, a private tutor is there just for you and so will know the be st way to improve your confidence. You can do one on one conversations with them or repeat exercises until you are confident you know it.Private tutors are specialists in their subjects so you know you can ask them anything about Latin! If you don’t understand something tell them straight away, they’ll help you work it out and you can go on to the next topic confident in your abilities!Find out where you can take Latin lessons in London...So Are Private Lessons Worth It?Private lessons are useful in all learning and even more so in the field of languages. Group classes are often not enough to acquire a complete practice which will allow you to progress quickly.And beyond learning grammar points and vocabulary, it is the longer-term vision that is interesting. Master the texts of Plato, Aristotle, and Titus. Knowing the history of Rome through the ancient texts serves your knowledge of general culture.It can open up additional opportunities at a professional level too. Latin is t he language of many professions, like Law, is the language of governments and theology. Latin also provides the roots for the vocabulary of modern science, and even geography: did you know that Argentina comes from  Argentum  because it was a land where great silver deposits were found?Latin is integrated into our daily lives. You will see that this language is far from dead.Find your Latin tutor on Superprof  !Now discover easy ways for you to start learning Latin...

52 Fun French Vocabulary Words and Phrases for Summer

52 Fun French Vocabulary Words and Phrases for Summer Suzy S. Summer, summer, summertime! Its the perfect time to relax and have some fun. Plus, its a season full of fun French words and phrases! Read on to learn some vocab from French tutor  Beth  L.   Summer is coming, and France is a wonderful haven during this time of year (if you can avoid the heat)! The weather is warm, and delicious, fresh food abounds. Children are on vacation from school, and many families take advantage of that to travel. For many, the allure of nature and the great outdoors is difficult to resist. What will you be doing with your summer? Beef up your vocabulary so you can tell your friends about it â€" in French! One of the first things summer brings to mind is the excitement of vacation and travel. 1) lété â€" summer 2) les vacances â€" vacation Note: les vacances dété â€" summer vacation 3) voyager to travel 4) un voyage a journey 5) juin â€" June 6) juillet â€" July 7) août â€" August Now, lets use these words in a sentence! For example Pendant mes vacances dété, jaime bien voyager! (During my summer vacation, I like to travel!) Je peux choisir le mois de juin, le mois de juillet, ou le mois daoût pour mon voyage. (I can choose the month of June, the month of July, or the month of August for my trip.) Many people enjoy the extra time and warmer weather to enjoy the outdoors. 8) le parc â€" the park 9) la pelouse â€" the lawn / grass 10) un pique-nique â€" a picnic 11) de la glace â€" some ice cream 12) la plage â€" the beach 13) le sable â€" sand 14) la piscine â€" the swimming pool 15) la mer â€" the sea 16) locéan â€" the ocean 17) un maillot de bain a swim suit 18) un lac â€" a lake 19) un bateau â€" a boat 20) nager â€" to swim 21) le Jardin â€" the garden 22) jardiner â€" to garden 23) une fleur / des fleurs â€" a / some flower(s) 24) une plante â€" a plant 25) un arbre  â€" a tree 26) la nature â€" nature 27) les montagnes â€" the mountains 28) dehors â€" outside 29) marcher â€" to  walk 30) courir â€" to run 31) jouer â€" to play Editors Note: Get a refresher on  conjugating -er verbs. Example sentences: Pendant lété, nous jouons souvent dans le parc. (During the summer, we often play in the park.) On prend un pique-nique pour déjeuner déhors. (We bring a picnic to eat lunch outside.) Jaime surtout le jardin denfants avec ses fleurs et ses arbres. (I especially like the childrens garden with its flowers and trees.) J’ai toujours aimé les bateaux. (I always liked boats.) Quand je suis à la mer, je fais du bateau à voiles. (When I’m by the sea, I go sailboating.) Quand je passe du temps à un lac, je regarde l’eau et les arbres, et j’écoute la silence.  (When I spend time at a lake, I look at the water and the trees, and I listen to the silence.) With the outdoors, of course, youll need to be able to talk about  the beautiful weather, as well. 32) le soleil the sun 33) la chaleur â€" the heat 34) le vent â€" the wind 35) les nuages â€" the clouds 36) le ciel â€" the sky 37) le sud â€" the south Example sentences: Quand on va à la plage, il faut se souvenir de son maillot de bain! (When you go to the beach, you must remember your bathing suit!) Comme ça, on peut courir dans l’eau et dans le sable. On peut se bronzer sous le soleil, sentir le vent sur la peau, et apprécier la beauté de l’eau et du ciel. (That way, you/we/one can run in the water and in the sand. You/we/one can tan yourself/ourselves/oneself in the sun, feel the wind on your/our/one’s skin, and appreciate the beauty of the water and the sky.) In addition to the words above, below  are some common phrases and expressions related to summer. 1) Je vais dehors Im going outside 2) Il fait chaud Its hot 3) Il fait du soleil Its sunny 4) Il fait beau Its / the weather is beautiful 5) Il fait du vent â€" Its windy 6) donner de lombre â€" give / provide shade 7) se limoger â€" to distance oneself 8) faire du camping â€" to go camping 9) faire du bateau à voile â€" to go sailboating 10) aller à la (f.) / aller au (m.) / aller aux (pl.) to go to 11) prendre lautoroute â€" take the highway 12) tomber en panne â€" break down 13) un coup de soleil â€" sunburn 14) prendre un coup de soleil â€" get a sunburn 15) se bronzer â€" to sunbathe / to get a tan Check the same regular verb list linked above for help conjugating the regular -er verbs on this list. Several more expressions use the verbs faire and aller. (Learn more about irregular conjugations here.) Example sentences: Aujourdhui, on a voulu se bronzer à la plage. (Today, we wanted to tan ourselves at the beach.) Mais on est tombé en panne quand on a pris lautoroute. (But our car broke down when we were getting onto the freeway.) On a perdu toute une journée dété! (We lost a whole day of summer!) So, what are your favorite French words and phrases for summer? Here are ours: As school lets out and the summer begins, dont be the first to lose your French â€" instead, continue  practicing with your friends while youre out having fun! Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching since 2009.  Learn more about Carol Beth here! Photo by  Tommie Hansen Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

What is a College Seminar

What is a College Seminar During college, you may encounter a specific type of course format: the seminar. College seminar courses are typically small, and are generally led by a professor. They are often higher-level classes that focus on a specialized subject area in a given major or minor. Students are expected to participate regularly in college seminars, including giving presentations and participating in discussions. There are many ways that students can succeed in a college seminar course, including emphasizing their participation, remaining distraction-free, and actively listening during class sessions. Keep reading to learn more about college seminars: Which majors rely on college seminar courses? Any major can offer a seminar course, but some specializations lend themselves more readily to this format. Others may lean toward classes that utilize lectures. You may encounter a seminar in: A language course A literature course A philosophy course And others. Higher-level courses are often focused on discussion and investigation, rather than simple mastery of information and skills. In such instances, a seminar class is particularly useful. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew About Picking a College Major] How to succeed in a college seminar If youre used to lecture courses, or if youre a little shy, you might feel intimidated by a seminar class. But you shouldnt beanyone is capable of succeeding in a college seminar. Here are some tips for success: Focus on your participation in your college seminar In most cases, professors in seminars are looking less for right answers, and more for genuine engagement. Professors participation grades may be among the most highly weighted grades youll receive in a college seminar. So, focus on completing your assignments on time and being prepared for class so you can contribute to conversations in a meaningful way. [RELATED: Top 5 College Study Tips] Put any distractions away during your college seminar This means silencing your smartphone and putting it in your bag. Ensure social media websites and messaging apps are not open on your laptop or tablet. Because seminar class sizes are small, your professor will most certainly notice if youre not paying attentionand he or she will not hesitate to dock points from your final grade. [RELATED: Time Management Tips for Students] Listen to others while in your college seminar A conversation is all about give and take. This holds especially true in seminar courses, where youll be having lots of conversations with the people around you for the entire semester. Its easy to talk a lot during a college seminar, and less easy to listen to others. Try to balance your speaking with listening. Hearing others input will help you shape your thoughts and opinions more cohesively so you can more meaningfully contribute to the conversation. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.