What is it Like to Attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania

What is it Like to Attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Luke is a Philadelphia tutor and 2005 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelors degree in history and tutors several subjects, including English tutoring, history tutoring, and writing tutoring. Check out what Luke had to say about his time at Indiana University of Pennsylvania: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Luke: The campus setting at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is quite picturesque. Indiana, Pennsylvania is a small, rather quaint town surrounded by rolling hills and forest. Although the town is located in a rural area, the campus is centrally located and accessible from almost anywhere in the area by bus, bicycle, or even on foot. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Indiana University of Pennsylvania? Luke: The professors and academic advisers at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, on the whole, are very available and dedicated to the needs of their students. This is achieved largely through the relatively small class sizes at the university, which average 25-30 students or less per class. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Luke: Dorm life was also very pleasant at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The rooms and dining options were very adequate and accessible to the average needs of a student, and there was ample opportunity for socialization due to the small, close-knit atmosphere of the campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Luke: Indiana University of Pennsylvania is well known across the state of Pennsylvania as a top-notch teaching-oriented institution. It has a strong liberal arts background, and is also well known for its nursing and criminology programs. I majored in history and minored in political science as these were, and still are, my main areas of expertise. The university did a superb job of supporting me in my studies, and our history department had a wide assortment of top-tier professors with doctorates from Harvard University, Yale University, Georgetown University, and Cambridge University, to name just a few. 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? Luke: Im a rather gregarious person, so it wasnt very difficult for me to meet people and make friends as a freshman. But even for those who are less naturally extroverted, Indiana University of Pennsylvanias relatively small, tightly-knit campus and diverse student body easily facilitates socialization and cultural exchange. Greek life does play a large role in campus social life, but it didnt for me. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania? Luke: To be truthful, I didnt utilize the Career Center at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as I instead planned on attending graduate school. However, I can attest to the reliability of the faculty and student support services in helping me make the transition to graduate study. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Luke: Indiana University of Pennsylvanias Stapleton Library is perhaps not of the highest caliber, but it was rarely overcrowded and reasonably spacious. The latter can certainly be said for the much larger and more modern dormitories and student union center. Describe the surrounding town. Luke: If you enjoy a quiet, quaint, small-town environment, then Indiana, Pennsylvania is the place to be. If, however, you are more accustomed to a fast-paced urban environment, you may find Indiana quite boring, or even stifling. Despite this, there is a lively nightlife in the small downtown area on evenings and weekends, and quite a few good restaurants to partake in. In my experience, students typically spend more time off-campus. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes at Indiana University of Pennsylvania? Luke: Indiana University of Pennsylvania has a good-sized student bodyabout 15,000-20,000 students in a town of only about 12,000 people. As I mentioned before, I was extremely pleased with the generally small class sizes, and I definitely felt this translated to a richer, more personal experience with curricula and professors alike. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Luke: Ill never forget Classical Political Thought taught by Dr. John Sitton. Despite being a 6:00-9:00 p.m. course, the class was extremely dynamic and enthralling, and the time flew by. Students were encouraged to speak their minds with questions or comments whenever applicable. I knew Dr. Sitton really cared about his students when he shared with us his attendance policy on the first day of class. He told us he worked his way through college and graduate school and, therefore, would never fault a student for missing class, as he gave us the benefit of the doubt that if we had to miss his class, it must be due to something of greater importance, such as perhaps a job or some personal emergency, and penalizing someone for something that may have been out of his or her control (i.e. life interceding) was not something he felt to be morally justified. Check out Lukes tutoring profile The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Help Teens Be Successful Students

How to Help Teens Be Successful Students Theres no doubt that success in school requires that students work hard, put forth significant effort, and of course, reach out for help from teachers and parents when they need it. But the best students embrace several other habits and strategies. Here are some of the most important ones that parents can suggest that their teens follow: Setting goals and making plans Teens who think about their futures and set academic and career goals for themselves will always be more successful than their wandering counterparts. Parents can talk with their teens about where they want to take their lives and how they can start taking steps in the right direction now. They should also encourage them to welcome big challenges with confidence. Getting involved Few teens want school work to be the only thing they have going on in life. Extracurricular activities like sports, music or clubs are important for teens mental and social development. Such endeavors allow teens to develop passions and strengthen their connections to school and give them opportunities to form relationships with other students. All of these things have been shown to support academic achievement while having many other benefits. Speaking up in class Theres a reason many teachers incentivize teens with participation points that contribute to the overall class grade. Being engaged in class is the simplest form of active learning and helps students retain material more effectively, recognize areas of confusion quicker and take ownership of their educational experience. Adopting good life habits Parents should never underestimate the importance that daily practices can have on their teens lives. A healthy breakfast before school has long been linked to improved concentration. Sufficient sleep helps teens get through their busy days and stay focused at school and in the evenings when they need to do homework. A consistent home routine minimizes anxiety and helps teens feel more in control. Planning the study routine Studying is essential in high school, but so is planning out those study sessions for maximum learning. Teens who lay out a plan for each study session make better use of their time and are better able to keep up with school work than those who approach homework time haphazardly and without any advanced planning. Done correctly, that planning process should involve setting goals for each study session and prioritizing homework to be completed. Helping your teen develop these kinds of behaviors as students will lay the groundwork for life success as well. Just as important, it will help him or her start off on the right foot at college. Make a few small changes and see what they do for your teens school attitude and academic well-being. As you implement other adjustments, youll begin to notice the additional benefits and positive impact on your student. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.