What is it Like to Attend University of California, Irvine

What is it Like to Attend University of California, Irvine The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Nikhita is a Los Angeles tutor specializing in Algebra tutoring, Pre-Calculus tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, and more. She is a senior at University of California, Irvine majoring in Biological Sciences. See what she had to say about her 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? Nikhita: UC Irvine is set in the middle of a very suburban town, but the university is very different from the city itself. My experiences of growing up in Irvine were much different from my experiences going to college there. The campus itself is shaped like a circle, making it very accessible, even without a car or a bike. Additionally, having a car or bike is sometimes more of a hassle because its tough to use it around campus. There are shuttle buses available from all the housing communities and around the campus itself, so a car is not necessary. The campus itself is beautifulall of the buildings are built around a giant park. Because the weather is wonderful, there are always students studying, taking naps, or playing sports in the park, creating a very welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Irvine is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in America and UC Irvine embodies that spirit as well. There are lots of measures in place to ensure students feel safe on or around c ampus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Nikhita: Because the lectures are relatively large, it is sometimes hard for students to approach them during class. However, professors are always open for questions before, after, and during the lecture. Additionally, they all have office hours which students take advantage of in order to get to know them better. Academic advisors are always available in their offices, by walk-in or by appointment. Teaching assistants teach discussion sections which are much smaller than lectures (usually around 20 people) and also hold their own office hours so students can get all of their questions answered. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Nikhita: UC Irvines freshman dorms are located on campus, making the longest walk from your room to your class 15 minutes. The rooms themselves are very spacious and come with a lot of furniture already in it. There are three dining halls on campus and many restaurants and cafes available. The housing communities host multiple social events, as does each particular hall. Most people make a majority of their friends through their freshman dorm life (myself included) and it was definitely a worthwhile experience! 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? Nikhita: UC Irvine has a lot of unique programs and majors available, but the most common major is Biological Sciences. I am a Biological Sciences major and hope to go into the healthcare field, as do most Science majors at UC Irvine. The university knows this and does a really good job supporting the Biology program and specifically tailors the requirements to meet those of pre-professional schools. 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? Nikhita: Dorm life really helped me make friends as a freshman. I met a lot of amazing people whom Im still friends with. Additionally, getting involved on campus is a major asset. The more organizations you are involved with, the more different types of people you meet. Although the campus is large and may seem intimidating, getting involved in smaller organizations will help you meet a lot of wonderful people. Greek life is fairly predominant on campus but a lot of people are not affiliated. You can definitely still have a social life even if you arent in a sorority or fraternity. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Nikhita: UC Irvine has a great career website, called ZotLink, which hosts hundreds of thousands of job opportunities available for students. I found multiple opportunities on there, including internships, part-time jobs, and full-time jobs, which have helped me grow as a person. Additionally, there are quarterly career and graduate program fairs which help students get exposure to reputable companies and programs. The Career Center also hosts daily workshops and seminars to help students figure out their interests or find programs that will help them achieve their goals. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Nikhita: UC Irvine has two libraries, a huge student center, and study rooms in every dorm suite. There are ample study rooms and independent study areas, but they do tend to get busy during finals week. However, if you want a study room, just make sure to reserve one ahead of time and you shouldnt have any problems. 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? Nikhita: Irvine itself is a suburban area but it has many malls, movie theaters, and shopping complexes. Additionally, its central location means it is only ten minutes away from the beach, an hour from the mountains, an hour from Los Angeles, and an hour from San Diego. It is also only four hours from Las Vegas. Because of its location, it can be fun, especially if you know someone with a car. If not, there are also a lot of shopping complexes and a movie theater around campus, and UC Irvine hosts a lot of concerts and social evens itself. Most students stay near campus their first year and then when they get a car, they start venturing off to other locations. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Nikhita: UC Irvine is home to a total of 25,000 students. Therefore, the lower-division class sizes are pretty big (between 200-400 people) but there are also smaller discussion sections with only twenty people. Therefore, it does require extra effort on the students part to make the most of their education and the opportunities they have, but it is very easy to get used to the sizes. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Nikhita: I recently took a Biochemistry class with a very difficult professor. He required students to think a lot and apply the concepts that we learned in what was already a difficult subject. Looking back, although I had to work very hard to do well, the class taught me a lot about the value of getting an education that teaches you skills that you can use later on. College doesnt only teach you facts about the classes youre taking, but also teaches you how to study, how to break out of your comfort zone, and how to enjoy and take control of your own life. Check out Nikhitas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What Equipment do you Need for Ceramic Lessons

What Equipment do you Need for Ceramic Lessons The Equipment Needed for Ceramics Lessons ChaptersKilns: the Essential Ceramics EquipmentPotter’s WheelRacksHand ToolsTwo ExtrasSpace, the Necessary ComponentYou might remember this line from any job interviews you participated in: what do you bring to the table?Come to think of it, you might have heard it even if you’ve never been on a job interview; it is a fairly common phrase that implies you must provide a measure of something to receive something in return.It’s also, if you think about it, a little bit demeaning, as though your obvious qualities would not be sufficient to close the deal â€" whatever the deal may be.The good news is, when it comes to ceramics class, you don’t (necessarily) have to bring anything to the table, at least as far as equipment goes.Ceramic arts are engaging and challenging. They require fortitude, a bit of physical strength and endurance, and more than a bit of knowledge about the creative process involved.How does one go from concept to actual, tangible earthenware that you can seal with a ceramic glaze and then safely serve food out of?To be sure, there is equipment involved in ceramic art; the art center or ceramic studio where you’ll take your classes is no doubt full of tools and equipment for the burgeoning ceramic artist.No doubt that you will find everything from ceramic materials to pottery wheels, extruders, slab rollers and more. Let’s not forget the most important piece of equipment: a kiln... or several, depending on how big the space is and the type of ceramic products they produce.For instance, raku pottery is fired at a much lower temperature than studio pottery or art ceramics; if this is the type of pottery you want to specialise in, you would need a raku kiln.It’s a good thing that ceramics studios have different types of kilns already installed. Can you imagine yourself lugging your gas kiln or electric kiln to every single class you attend?The fact is, although you may be asked to pay for the clay and other materials you use in class, the studio where you take lessons will most likely have all of the equipment you need.They will also recommend that, if you’re serious about pottery-making, you should work at home at least as much as you work in class.So, let’s say you are on your way to a Bachelor of Fine Arts, taking an extracurricular class at a ceramics studio in town. You will still have to do a bit of work at home, even if it is only mold making so that you can make a whole set of tableware with the same pattern.You can make your plaster moulds at home if you have the right materials and equipment.Likewise, if you’re taking adult classes, working with ceramics for the first time, you might make clay figurines at home that you could then fire in your next class.So, when it comes to equipment you might need for your classes, the answer there is: depending on how far along you are in your studies (you’re going for your Master of Fine Arts?) the more tools and equipment you’re going to need.Superprof no w takes a look at the list of utensils and implements you need to become the artist in residence. 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Image by falco from PixabayIt goes without saying that you would have a difficult time declaring yourself a maker of ceramic sculpture if you did not have the most crucial piece of equipment: a kiln.Besides deciding whether your kiln will be powered by gas or electric (or wood, if you build one yourself), you have to decide what size kiln you will need â€" now and in five years.If your goal is to make small ceramic medallions for painting and drawing, you may choose from among the smaller models available but if the thought of vases fills your mind day and night, you will certainly have to choose a kiln with a larger interior space.And then, materials matter. The above-mentioned raku kiln, for instance, would be a low-temperature model. It would be suitable for terracotta and low-fire glazes. On the other end of the spectrum, if you aim to create durable stoneware, for example, you would need a high-temperature ki ln.Unfortunately for your budget, you cannot simply buy the hottest kiln and turn the temperature down as needed. The thermostats are set for specific temperature ranges so selecting a kiln based on the type of pottery you plan to make would be your best bet.Discover more properties of ceramics...Potter’s WheelArt history teaches us that our ancestors made pottery long before the invention of the wheel.If you wanted to be an absolute purist, your signature style might involve making pottery as it was done long ago: by placing the piece on a grass mat, turning the mat as needed to work on all sides of the vessel.Learn more about the history of ceramics...On the other hand, why reinvent the wheel?  A pottery wheel will make your work faster, easier and with less chance for error... after you get good at working clay, that is.Clay artists suggest beginners take a wheel throwing class.It takes a certain amount of skill to know exactly how fast to permit the wheel to spin, how much pre ssure to put on the clay and how much water to use.  It is also a good idea to get into good pottery-making habits from the start: good posture, good pressure and a good skills set.Naturally, if you take a wheel throwing class, you will surely want to follow up at home, on your own wheel.Here again, you have a wide selection to choose from â€" different sizes and different heights. The speed is controlled by a treadle, much like a sewing machine, making it variable so that is one factor you don’t necessarily have to worry about.Wheels are not cheap so consider carefully. Your selection should be based on the pieces you intend to create and the ceramic material you intend to work with.Don’t waste your money on a lightweight tabletop model if, eventually, you intend to work heavy pieces!A wheel, a kiln and a variety of clays are enough to get you started in the visual arts. Everything else on this list is optional, even the hand tools!Check out the tutors for the best art courses near me here. These racks were built for a specific shape and size, you can be more general in building your racks Image by falco from Pixabay CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1s t lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRacksNaturally, you can cool terra cotta pieces on any surface that can withstand the heat â€" remember, whatever comes out of the kiln is going to be very hot.One particular sculptor we talked to raved about the functionality of milk crates. She had built an entire wall full of shelves with nothing but milk crates and boards.The boards form the shelves while the crates work as storage space for anything from paints and glazes to hand tools.If your studio space is limited, p erhaps this could be an option for you, too.Hand ToolsNaturally, your hands are the best tools for pottery. Besides them, you will need a few more implements:a wire clay cutterloop, wire and ribbon toolswooden modelling toolsribs and scraperspotter’s needlescallipersbrushesspongesNaturally, there are plenty more clay tools â€" fettling knives and clay turning tools but the ones listed above should be enough to get you started. You don't really need a wide array of tools to work with ceramics Image by Free-Photos from PixabayTwo ExtrasOnce you have sunk deeply into the world of studio ceramics â€" in other words, you live, breathe, eat and sleep studio art, two pieces you will certainly add to your equipment inventory are a slab roller and an extruder.Extruders are particularly handy if you intend to incorporate the same shape into all of your designs, say, a handle on a mug or a repeating pattern on a vase. It works a bit like a cake decoration set: a filled body with a variety of ‘tips’.If you plan on working with very big pieces, having a slab roller would be quite helpful.  Basically, it is a giant rolling pin; you set the slab’s desired thickness and the machine will roll it out for you.If you wanted to roll out smaller pieces, you could, of course, use a kitchen rolling pin but you’re not guaranteed uniform thickness throughout.Find out what you need to get started with pottery lessons...Space , the Necessary ComponentSpace is neither a tool nor a piece of equipment but it is absolutely vital to becoming a resident artist.You must have enough room for storage; it is not likely that you will buy your composite materials in retail shops â€" meaning a pound at a time. Rather, you would establish an account for bulk purchases of ceramic materials... and you will have to have a place to store them.Besides the space needed to store your raw materials, you will need space for a cooling rack or three.Your art studio should also have a water supply and a sink outfitted with a clay trap â€" you don’t want bits of clay clogging the sewer systems. You’ll also need sufficient lighting and a power source for your kiln, if electric kilns are what you have your eye on.By contrast, if a wood kiln strikes you better, you will have to have room to store wood and make sure your space is well-ventilated â€" or have a space outside for your kiln.Finally, you have to have room to work in.Th at may sound obvious but you’d be surprised at how many just-starting-out ceramic artists don’t leave themselves enough room to work or worse: choose to work in cramped, potentially dangerous conditions!To get an idea of the space you would need, cast an eye around the studio you take classes in. Is it large? Well-lit? Does it have plenty of room?That is what you need to aim for when setting up your studio, too.Now discover where you can find the best ceramics classes and workshops...