What is it Like to Attend University of Richmond

What is it Like to Attend University of Richmond The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Rafy earned his Bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Richmond in 2013. He is now a Washington D.C. tutor specializing in Calculus tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, Biology tutoring, and several other subjects. Check out his review of the University of Richmond: 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? Rafy: The University of Richmond campus is beautiful, secluded, and safe. The campus is only 15 minutes away from downtown Richmond and several shopping areas. Having a car is a big plus since the city's transportation system is not great. However, the university provides shuttles to the popular shopping areas and to several volunteering destinations. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Rafy: Most professors do not have teaching assistants. Given the small class sizes, the professors are available during class and in their offices. Most professors have office hours, and they are available to set up meetings outside the classroom. Academic advisers are also available throughout the semester, and they set up meetings before semester registration to make sure their students are on track to graduate. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Rafy: Over 90% of the students choose to live on campus all four years. I think that shows that campus life is absolutely a big part of the college experience at the University of Richmond. There are several dorms, townhouses, and apartments to choose from. You can also choose to live in a single bedroom or have roommates. Students are also allowed to purchase parking passes for their cars all four years. There are several dining options on campus. The main cafeteria has fantastic food with a wide variety of options. There are also several special dining days like Caribbean nights, sushi nights, etc. In addition, there are several other dining options, such as fast food and sandwich shops around campus. 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? Rafy: The programs most represented at the University of Richmond are business-related, like business administration, marketing, and international studies. I majored in biology with a concentration in pre-health studies because I wanted to apply to dental school. The university has a good pre-health program, with several events and guest speakers to raise awareness about the program. This is reflected in the high acceptance rate to medical and dental 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? Rafy: The students in general are very friendly. Most students are always looking to make new friends, especially during freshman year. Given the small school size, seeing the same people on a daily basis also helps in making friends. Greek life is big on campus, and it plays a significant role in the campus social life. However, most of their events are open to all students, which means most students do not feel pressured to join Greek life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Rafy: The Career Center at the University of Richmond has several good resources for students, starting with writing resumes and cover letters to helping with interview preparation and the career search. The Career Center website is also very helpful, as several companies post their internships and post-graduation positions on the website. They actively look to recruit students from the university. Several reputable companies, especially ones in the Washington, D.C. area and New York City, recruit students and conduct interviews on campus throughout the academic year. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Rafy: There are several study areas that are readily available to students. Dorms have study lounges, but they are not very big. Most students choose to study in academic buildings or the library, which is open 24/7. The library can get crowded during busy evenings, but you can always find a place to work. There are different sections designed for different study habits. There are silent areas, quiet areas, group-study areas, and rooms available for individual or group work. 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? Rafy: Richmond is a great city. It is not a very big city, but it is also not a small one. The city has great history that is well presented in many areas. There are many local restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries in the area. There are several festivals throughout the year that give Richmond its own identity. In addition, the downtown area is very alive during the weekdays and weekend. Many students go downtown for these festivals, restaurants, and other events. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Rafy: The undergraduate student body is just over 3,000 students. It is small enough to see the same faces on a daily basis, but it is big enough to always meet new people. The class sizes are typically small. The introductory courses never exceeded 30 students per class. The higher-level courses that I took, which were in the science field, never exceeded 12-16 students per class. I was very pleased with the small class size because I always knew that I could raise my hand and ask the professor to repeat any concept I did not understand during class. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Rafy: One of my favorite professors at the University of Richmond is Dr. Krista Stenger. She was the reason I became interested in molecular biology. I took several courses with her. She was more than a professorshe was a mentor to any student who sought her help. She also assigned students to do part of her research in the immunology lab course. I gained experience in several lab techniques that most students do not gain during their undergraduate studies. In addition, she was very excited to help me with my applications to dental school and applications to work in research labs. Check out Rafys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Standing Out in a New Career - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Standing Out in a New Career - Introvert Whisperer Standing Out in a New Career Starting a new job can be daunting, especially if it’s the next step (or even scarier, the first step) of a career you’re trying to build for yourself. After all, this could be your financial future and your steps in establishing a professional life for yourself! It’s only natural to feel nervous â€" you don’t have to feel bad for that or out of place. It’s completely normal. However, so many people enter new work-life situations and unfortunately get stuck in a rut of simply working for their next paycheck. That does not have to be you. You should always be trying to do better â€" to get ahead and carve out the best life you can. This will require standing out in your new job, but don’t worry! The first step is being aware of how you can do this. Here are some ways to stand out in your new career and to get ahead. Stay Social The networking that you undoubtedly did before landing this job doesn’t stop when you get hired. Building relationships will forever be important in any profession, and it’s your job to put yourself in those situations. Yes, it may change a bit once you find yourself comfortable and secure in a new job, but don’t become too comfortable and secure. Attend events and put yourself into situations in order to meet new people and network. Make your new career routine one that commonly puts you on to the radars of those who can help you advance. Additionally, being social like this will make you look good at work too. Being active online may actually be a way to show your personality to your employers and new professional connections. While it’s also important to maintain a sense of professionalism on your public profiles, it’s also important to show off how you interact with people outside of work. Showing consistency in who you are at work as well as outside of it may prove your worthiness to handle new social situations in a different company position, should you apply for a new job as well. So stay social, ponyboy. Be an Asset Your employers hired you because they are under the impression that you will be good for their company and will do the job well. Prove them right. Be the kind of employee that the company needs â€" they should be better off with you than without you, and never neutral. Do your job well; go the extra mile. And bring your fellow employees up. Without overdoing your enthusiasm, keep in mind that a good attitude is infectious. Besides, motivating other employees may in turn motivate you, and keeping a relationship of gratitude, praise, and constructive criticism open between you and your co-workers may not only increase how much you get done but improve how you do it. Of course, you’ve probably experienced the opposite of an asset employee. Maybe you’ve even been that employee. What some may call a “toxic employee,” you may know as an apathetic or lazy co-worker. These people don’t often stick around, and if they do, they have a tendency to bring those around them down. They will never move up in a company. If you want to excel, then set out to be the opposite. A “non-toxic employee,” as exemplified in an infographic by Rymax Marketing Agency, may be defined someone who shares the same values as the company, shows long-term potential, and is ultimately healthy for others to be around. They communicate well with others and have enthusiasm for what they do. They own their work. So ask yourself: Do you have pride in your work, or is it merely for the paycheck? Self-Improvement You know what really helps you stay ahead of the cut? Improving your career involves sharpening your skills and going the extra mile. You’re never too old or experienced to learn new things or change the way you do things. It’s important to constantly be pushing yourself to get better. Your employers will notice, and it will be important for the next step in your career with them. This isn’t a call for you to put yourself at risk. Sometimes, people put work before personal health, and it takes its toll. If you find your physical and mental health declining due to your new job, don’t be afraid to reset and get healthy. In the long run, this will hurt your performance, because you won’t be recharged and healthy enough to improve to the extent you could otherwise. So stay ahead of the weather â€" you’ll need to to do your best. How have you stood out in a new career? We would love to hear about it â€" chime off in the comments below! Author Bio: Frankie Wallace is a freelance writer from Boise, Idaho and contributes to a wide variety of blogs online. Wallace writes about many different topics, from education to the environment. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer