James Curry: The Father of Sports Medicine

James Curry: The Father of Sports MedicineThe father of sports medicine, Dr. James M. Curry, Jr., popularized the use of the cool pad to help prevent injury and pain in athletes. Dr. Curry was one of the pioneers of prevention and injury prevention in sports medicine.In the early years of college, Curry's mother (a mountain biker) and father (a forest ranger) drove him and his brother to camp at Creekside College in Northern California. Curry used to sit in the back of the truck and watch all the younger boys shoot craps and bingo, hoping for a breakthrough.Curry's early interest in chemistry was developed in the late twenties when he worked as a lab technician for the University of Michigan. Curry read through reports on the medical profession, describing toxicologic tests on various drugs. The reports were excellent in providing the reader with a real-world example of what was involved in the development of drugs.Chemistry was not just an interest but a method to study chemical sta bility. Curry graduated from the University of Michigan and received his degree in 1905.Curry and his old time college friend George Cox both worked with their employers at the university. Curry used his mind and then his hands to make dyes, which led to further discoveries, until Cox became a research chemist in the laboratory.Cox was involved in many more chemical processes than Curry, and they were both involved in an important discovery about color and staining which was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Other associates followed suit and helped coin the term 'chemistry' in 1919. Curry and Cox were also involved in some of the other early molecular work.Curry became a great teacher and a brilliant researcher and chemist. He made it his personal goal to get in touch with everything that went on in chemistry. Curry's research led to many pharmaceutical developments and even the structure of DNA. Curry's name was part of the scientific and medical history o f America and his contributions are long lasting.

Summer Vacations with ADHD Managing Screen Time When Youre Traveling with Kids

Summer Vacations with ADHD Managing Screen Time When You’re Traveling with Kids Everyone looks forward to summer family vacations! This fun, memory-making, quality family time can be the highlight of the summer. Unfortunately, before the fun can begin parents of kids with ADHD must endure the long trip to the vacation destination. Without fail, long car and plane rides stir up some of the most challenging ADHD behaviors in children and cause sibling squabbles to reach new heights. In an effort to keep the peace and minimize boredom, most parents rely heavily on tablets, phones, and in-flight movies. They do this with good reason - screens can be very effective at keeping behavior in check. Unfortunately, for kids with ADHD, long stretches of screen time can have negative effects on their attention and behavior for hours (and sometimes days) after the journey is over. Many kids with ADHD have difficulty regulating their attention around screens. They become hyper-focused when theyre watching a show or playing videogames, but when the screen is taken away struggle to transition to another activity. In fact, research shows that some kids with ADHD continue to crave screen time for hours after they have spent a significant amount of time in front of screens. For these kids, taking the device away at the end of the trip can lead to meltdowns and outbursts, as well as seemingly constant begging for more screen time during the entire vacation. Not an ideal way to start off your family holiday! So, what should parents do? If your child struggles with regulating his or her attention and transitions around screen time, then keeping videogames and movies off limits during the trip is your best option. If this doesnt feel manageable or realistic, then follow these three guidelines to keeping screen-related disruptions to a minimum: Limit screen sessions to 30 minutes. Keeping your childs screen sessions relatively short, with longer screen-free breaks in between, will help your child regulate his or her attention. He or she will have an easier time transitioning off the screens, and he or she should have fewer screen time cravings after the trip. Create a screen schedule and stick to it. Plan out times when screens will be allowed and share this schedule with your child ahead of time. Keep track of screen session time by using the timer on your phone (its very easy to lose track and accidentally allow your child a much longer session then was planned). Do the same for the time between screen sessions. This way, when your child asks you when he or she can have the device back you can simply tell him or her to check the timer. Reward your child. If your child is not used to having limits around screen time, then adjusting to a schedule may be challenging. Acknowledge this when you discuss the schedule and your expectations with him or her ahead of time. Let your child know that he or she will earn a reward at the end of the trip if he or she keeps a positive attitude while sticking to the schedule. Make sure to praise him or her along the way and let him or her know that he or she is well on the way to earning a reward. Wondering what you should do to keep your child entertained in between screen sessions? The best activities are those that your child is able to look forward to and feel excited about. So, start by asking him or her to come up with some ideas. Bring some of your own ideas to the table too. Look for special activities that your child doesnt typically have an opportunity to do every day, to keep the novelty and interest high. Here are a few ideas to get you started: No Mess Creative Toys. No mess creative toys and art supplies, like molding and sculpting Wikki Sticks (wikkistix.com), Travel Spirograph (www.originalspirograph.com/), and dot art created with inexpensive school supply stickers (https://tinyurl.com/yb9f276d), can keep kids entertained for hours. Mad Libs. Mad Libs (http://www.madlibs.com/) fill in the blank stories will have everyone laughing, and will help the time fly by. Comic Books and Graphic Novels. If your child is a resistant reader, then reading a chapter book during a long car or plan ride isnt going to seem like an appealing activity. Instead, substitute with graphic novels or comic books. Many kids wish they could choose graphic novels or comic books as their assigned reading during school year, so having the opportunity to pick them as their vacation reads will feel like a treat. This family vacation, keep screen time to a minimum and fill the time with fun activities that your kids will enjoy. With a little planning and creativity, your vacation will be off to a great start this year! ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center 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 of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

The Challenge of Learning US English

The Challenge of Learning US English This is  a  guest post from our enthusiastic user Attila.    You can find the original  post here:  â€œThe Challenge of Learning US English” I launched a new blog called “The Challenge of Learning US English”.    Why did I begin this  blog?  I have had many thoughts about learning English that I’d like to  share.  I began to write these thoughts in an article, but then I realized  that one article wasnt enough.  Instead, I would need to write a series of  2-3 entries.  However, a series was still not enough. My ideas were like a  tree and new branches of thoughts continuously sprouted from my mind.  So  why not begin my own blog about it.  Some of my topics are serious, some of  them are just for fun. First of all, let me give you some details.  I’m 45 and I’ve been learning  English for ages. I started at the age of 12, but had many breaks. If I  added up my most active periods of learning, the total wouldn’t be more  than 4-5 years. During this long period of time, I’ve met several challenges (I  intentionally wrote the word challenge, not the word difficulty.) A  challenge has the power to push you forward and motivate you.  To learn a  foreign language is not easy, but it’s beautiful. It’s a discovery of a different culture, different people.  I’d like to show how I discovered (and  am continuing to discover!) this beautiful language. I’m not a native  speaker, and I’m not a perfect English speaker. Nor am I a teacher.  So Im  not interested in teaching English at all.  Instead, I would like to show  language learning from the perspective of a language learner. I’m going to post my favorite books, websites, TV shows, and other  material related to my learning process.  I’ll show you my successes and  experiences (I’ve had a lot!).  Ive also had pitfalls and several  misunderstandings (when I misunderstood someone, or I was misunderstood). I  won’t keep them in secret since they’re also important when learning  English. I do love all kinds of English, but I’m going to concentrate on American  English.  So I’m going to follow the American spelling rules and try to use  the words, phrases, and idioms of American English.  Im focusing on  American English because of the great opportunity I had to spend 4 months  in the States in 2013. Please feel free to make comments or contact me.  I don’t guarantee that I  can answer every question, but I hope there will be comments from native  speakers as well, maybe from teachers, and maybe they can answer some  questions as well.  I would like to help people discover English together. You can find my italki profile here. My teacher (Gardeniafly) who I found on italki.com helps me by reviewing my  posts. Please visit my blog, and if you like it share it with your friends. The Challenge of Learning US English This is  a  guest post from our enthusiastic user Attila.    You can find the original  post here:  â€œThe Challenge of Learning US English” I launched a new blog called “The Challenge of Learning US English”.    Why did I begin this  blog?  I have had many thoughts about learning English that I’d like to  share.  I began to write these thoughts in an article, but then I realized  that one article wasnt enough.  Instead, I would need to write a series of  2-3 entries.  However, a series was still not enough. My ideas were like a  tree and new branches of thoughts continuously sprouted from my mind.  So  why not begin my own blog about it.  Some of my topics are serious, some of  them are just for fun. First of all, let me give you some details.  I’m 45 and I’ve been learning  English for ages. I started at the age of 12, but had many breaks. If I  added up my most active periods of learning, the total wouldn’t be more  than 4-5 years. During this long period of time, I’ve met several challenges (I  intentionally wrote the word challenge, not the word difficulty.) A  challenge has the power to push you forward and motivate you.  To learn a  foreign language is not easy, but it’s beautiful. It’s a discovery of a different culture, different people.  I’d like to show how I discovered (and  am continuing to discover!) this beautiful language. I’m not a native  speaker, and I’m not a perfect English speaker. Nor am I a teacher.  So Im  not interested in teaching English at all.  Instead, I would like to show  language learning from the perspective of a language learner. I’m going to post my favorite books, websites, TV shows, and other  material related to my learning process.  I’ll show you my successes and  experiences (I’ve had a lot!).  Ive also had pitfalls and several  misunderstandings (when I misunderstood someone, or I was misunderstood). I  won’t keep them in secret since they’re also important when learning  English. I do love all kinds of English, but I’m going to concentrate on American  English.  So I’m going to follow the American spelling rules and try to use  the words, phrases, and idioms of American English.  Im focusing on  American English because of the great opportunity I had to spend 4 months  in the States in 2013. Please feel free to make comments or contact me.  I don’t guarantee that I  can answer every question, but I hope there will be comments from native  speakers as well, maybe from teachers, and maybe they can answer some  questions as well.  I would like to help people discover English together. You can find my italki profile here. My teacher (Gardeniafly) who I found on italki.com helps me by reviewing my  posts. Please visit my blog, and if you like it share it with your friends.

5 Ways to Fight Serious Winter Blues

5 Ways to Fight Serious Winter Blues Image via flickr.com As the days get shorter and it seems like the weather is always dark and miserable, some of us start getting a little (or, okay, a lot) down. If this describes you, it turns out that you may be sad because you have SAD. Before you think I’m just repeating myself and capitalizing words randomly for kicks, let me give you this one definition:  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)  is a form of depression that hits during the changing of the seasons. Winter-onset SAD, the specific form of Seasonal Affective Disorder that occurs during the fall and winter, is the most common. Feeling down? It could be SAD. (flickr.com) However, you shouldn’t mix up Seasonal Affective Disorder with “just feeling a little blue.” “Winter Blues” is a slang term for a feeling of mild sadness that clears up quickly on its own. On the other hand, SAD is a serious emotional disturbance and can really interfere with important activities you want to do, such as going to school or work. And while you might love an excuse to turn that term paper in late, having SAD really isn’t worth it. Symptoms: As if it didnt already sound bad enough, SAD is also difficult because the symptoms can vary widely and can even get more severe as the season goes on. Some  symptoms  include: Sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness Irritability or restlessness Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you normally enjoy Tiredness and low energy Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions Trouble sleeping Weight or appetite changes Social withdrawal Thoughts of death or suicide Feeling sad or hopeless is a symptom of SAD. (flickr.com) Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD also include: Weight changes (especially weight gain) Appetite changes (especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates) Trouble sleeping (especially oversleeping) Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs Hypersensitivity to rejection Trouble getting along with others What causes SAD?   Image via flickr.com “Well, how do you cure it then?” you may ask. Now that’s a little trickier. Doctors still don’t know what exactly causes Seasonal Affective Disorder, but they believe a few factors play into it (prepare yourself for a little biology!): Circadian rhythms: These are physical, mental and behavioral changes that occur in your body according to a 24-hour cycle. They are mainly influenced by the light or darkness in your surroundings. Serotonin melatonin levels: Chemicals in your brain that influence your mood and sleep pattern. They are also affected by the light or darkness around you. Now, after all this rather dense, distressing talk, you might understandably be dispirited. “So there’s nothing I can do?” you may ask. Not at all! There are actually several actions you can perform to help alleviate symptoms of SAD. 5 Tips to Go from SAD to Happy! Want to get over SAD? Then follow these tips! (flickr.com) 1. Light therapy (a.k.a. phototherapy): Image via flickr.com This type of therapy doesn’t make you lay down on a couch and spill about your childhood fears. Instead, you sit in front of a  special box  that produces artificial light. This light mimics natural sunlight to supposedly balance out certain chemicals in your brain (the previously mentioned serotonin and melatonin) that affect mood. Take that, cloudy days! Note: Before starting light therapy, speak to your doctor to see if it’s right and safe for you. 2. Avoid loading up on carbs in the morning.   Pancakes are an example of a carb-heavy food! (flickr.com) That picture just made you crave pancakes, didn’t it? Well, as tempting as pancakes, waffles and cereal are, they’re also some of the worst things you can eat in the morning if you want to stay awake and alert all day. This is because eating carbohydrate-heavy foods in the morning causes a sugar spike in your body, followed by a huge release of the chemical insulin in response. Insulin works to decrease the amount of sugar in your blood by moving it into your cells where it’s needed, causing a sharp plunge in your blood sugar level and prompting what we’ve all experienced before: afternoon tiredness. And when you’re already feeling tired and cranky from the overcast weather, extra fatigue is the last thing you need. To avoid the 2:00 slump, eat protein-dense foods like eggs instead of simple carbs. Foods filled with protein give you extended energy and keep you full and satisfied for longer, both of which you desperately need if you’re already dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder. No more hangry people here! Eat protein so you dont get hangry later! (Gif via hellogiggles.com) 3. Skip alcohol and other depressants.   Alcohol is bad for SAD! (flickr.com) It’s often difficult to remember that alcohol is a  depressant, especially when it can make you the life of the party. But it’s true: alcohol inhibits the normal functions of your brain, relaxing you and making you forget your inhibitions. So while drinking alcohol may be fun, the fact that it’s a depressant also means it lowers your mood and makes you more tired. If you have SAD, you don’t need another reason to be depressed or not drag yourself out of bed. This unfortunately means that you should nix the alcohol and other depressants if you want to have as much energy and be as happy as possible. Other  common depressants  include sleep aids and some antihistamines. However, always speak with your doctor before stopping or starting medications! 4. Dont oversleep. Beds are comfy, but dont spend too much time in them! (flickr.com) We’ve all been there: it’s oh so easy to hit the snooze button five more times when it’s cold and rainy outside your snug blanket burrito. But oversleeping may actually make you  more  tired, which is exactly the opposite of what you’re looking for when you’re suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. So limit the times you abuse that snooze button in the mornings and keep naps to 10-30 minutes. Another tip: going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can also help you stop oversleeping. The consistent schedule balances out your circadian rhythms, which can get disrupted as the seasons change and the daytime gets shorter, causing fatigue. 5. Get moving! Exercise is invigorating! (flickr.com) Exercise  is one of the best ways to beat back SAD! This is because physical activity produces endorphins, chemicals in your body that improve your mood and increase your energy. This can even last for hours after you’re done! In fact, exercising outside even when it’s cloudy is more beneficial and effective than many other SAD treatment methods. So get ready to jump for joy, because exercise can be better than an apple a day at keeping the doctor (and SAD) away!

3 Tips for Surviving Homesickness

3 Tips for Surviving Homesickness For all the college or university planning you may have done, one thing you probably were not prepared for was homesickness. Many students are initially excited at the prospect of being on their own, but all it takes is one bad day to make you long for the comforts of home. However, there are some great tips that may help make things a bit easier on you. Know you aren't alone It is important that you understand what you are going through is completely normal. The fact of the matter is that there are many, many students that are feeling homesick just as you are. Don't think because you are feeling those emotions that something is wrong with you. Homesickness is just part of an adjustment period. Become familiar with your new surroundings Take time to be comfortable with the whole new world around you. Walk around the campus and explore all you can. If you are tired of studying in the library, look for some secret study spots or be sure you know where the quiet caf shop is located. The more that you enter into the mindset that the campus belongs to you, the more comfortable you may feel. Get out Another way to help you deal with being homesick is to get up and get out of your room. Being in your room is the worst place you can be when it comes to being homesick. Head on down to the cafeteria to see what types of food it offers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. See if there is a cool coffee shop on campus. Check out the computer lab as an alternate means of writing your paper. If you have your own laptop, do your assignments while basking in the warm sunshine. One of the most important things you can do if you are experiencing homesickness is to have a positive attitude. You need to give yourself ample time to deal with missing home. This is not something you want to let completely control you by any means. Moving away from home is an adjustment, but it can get easier.

5 Problems You May Face When Working in a Group

5 Problems You May Face When Working in a Group During your educational career teachers will sometimes assign brief work tasks or longer projects to be completed by a group. Working as part of a group can have challenges, but with a plan and perseverance you should be able to benefits from and complete successfully a group project. Ignition Problems Simply beginning the project may prove troublesome. Group members are getting to know each other and are unsure how to manage the planning and workflow. Sometimes group members are well acquainted and find that familiarity causing its own problems, whether because of off task chatter or other behaviors or previous conflicts. Solving this problem is as simple as gently redirecting the group to the project's core. Read the assignment out loud and suggest a planning session reconvene to determine what steps are needed next. Make sure everyone is heard and assigned a task. Avoiding Tangents Sometimes when things seem to be going well because the group is having fun the discussion can veer away from the tasks at hand, wasting time and confusing the group's purpose. Using time productively is important in a group project as it may be hard to schedule the time together and participants may grow weary of tangents or anxious because little progress is being made. A good way to avoid going off topic is to develop an agenda for each meeting, perhaps assigning time frames for each step. Using a white board and checking off tasks as they are completed is a good strategy to keep things moving. Assign a chairperson or time monitor to stay on track and rotate those assignments with each meeting. Reining In Renegades Some members of the group may take on big chunks or even all of the project on without consulting or involving others. This may be a personality quirk or a reaction to a real or perceived lack of progress by the group. As the project by its nature needs involvement by all participants this is not a desired outcome. Convene the entire group and talk these issues out immediately. Figure out ways to use the drive and commitment of the soloing member to best advantage while returning to the group model. Consider allowing this person to team with one or two others to complete a section while other task are assigned to additional participants. Avoid the temptation to let one person complete all or most of the project as an easy way out as the teacher will likely not be pleased. Nip Inertia Be honest and determine if the renegade described above is merely reacting to a lack of resolve among group members. Respect the time constraints of all members of the group and make sure reasonable deadlines are assigned and enforced to make sure the project shapes up and is completed on time. Communicate regularly face to face or through texts, emails or other electronic methods. Use collaborative online documents to be able to track everyone's contributions and progress. Conflict Management Setting differences that interfere with the success of the task aside when working with others on a project is essential.. Allowing irritations or previous conflicts to derail a group project is petty and unprofessional. If you notice at the beginning of a project that some participants are acting in a hostile manner with each other as a group tackle the conflict before everyone's grade suffers. Some ways to manage intragroup conflict include a non-judgmental redirection to the purpose of the project, using the time management tips covered above. If a couple of participants really clash, assign them to different parts of the final result and team each with a partner who can keep in touch with the rest of the group. Allow everyone to have a say about the project and then codify group agreement before moving on. Improve your Study Skills by finding a STUDY SKILLS TUTOR.

What are the Common Characteristics of English Tutor Ads?

What are the Common Characteristics of English Tutor Ads?English tutor ads on the internet are probably the most searched items for that student who cannot cope with a classroom situation or perhaps those whose native language is not English. And the reason why such student desire for such tutoring services is because the English language is one of the languages that people need to learn when it comes to business, science and so on.However, English tutor services are also getting less popular now that the international market is becoming more influenced by global culture and language. One of the reason is that student's needs to learn it at home rather than spending money on a tutor or traveling to the place where he needs to learn it. In this scenario, those students who have spent their hard earned money to study in English speaking country are now shifting to the other areas and studying English at home.When it comes to an English teacher, they are becoming less popular nowadays d ue to the fact that these teachers are staying in England. So students prefer to go to a place where they can still get proper education. This means that there are fewer English teachers, so the student who wants to learn English can do so at his own pace.But even if the teacher was English speaking, the tuition is not only limited to that but the language is also incorporated in the tutor's lesson plans. For instance, there is some awareness about grammar rules, vocabulary, writing style and so on in this type of tutor.Therefore, while some students find it boring to hear lectures, they don't want to pay for a tutor who is not good enough to impart the necessary knowledge in the course. Sometimes students are put off by the fact that there are many scams in the internet but they do not realize the importance of searching carefully before they actually sign up with the tutor. So, it is important to search on the internet and conduct proper research for finding the right English tuto r services and finding the best tutor for the fee.There are few common characteristics of any English tutor services like the one who teaches English and others may have different learning styles. For instance, some would be strict on their lessons, while others would come in touch with the vocabulary point by point. And for some, tuition is all about creating you understand the English language better, while for others they want to learn English, find out you have the capability to write, speak and read in the language.It is important to find out the best English tutor in your area, based on the personal preference of the student, or because they wish to go to a certain country for learning. A tutor's personal fee will reflect his expertise and knowledge about the English language.

Taking the SAT Chemistry Subject Test Dates

Taking the SAT Chemistry Subject Test DatesIs it time to take the SAT Chemistry subject test? The answer to this question can depend on how much homework you do. Take a look at this basic study tip:Just like all the other sections, the SAT Chemistry test consists of multiple choice questions. This means that you have plenty of time to work through the content. This is a good time to focus on whatever areas of chemistry you need to focus on the most.While the science section of the SAT does have some similarities with the physics section, there are some differences. In physics, you have to refer to the directions and check the materials. When taking the SAT, you will not have to look at any instructions or the materials. In the end, this can make it easier for you to study.While there are different possible topics in the multiple choice section, the content can be somewhat similar. The entire SAT test will typically consist of two parts. The first part consists of the verbal portion a nd the second part consists of the math portion.While you will probably want to focus more on the math section in the SAT, you can also choose to study in both sections if you want to. The SAT science section will also have some text-based passages and activities. While they may not be as extensive as in the physics sections, you should still be able to take some time to study these parts if you want to.You should take the SAT test on the same day as your previous week's schedule. Some schools allow you to take the test on the following day, but you must notify them and allow enough time to get prepared. This is especially important if you take the SAT before the deadline for the fall semester. Many schools have varying rules about rescheduling tests after this point, so make sure to check with the school you are considering to see if they allow this type of test date.If you have a lot of homework to do, you may need to adjust your plans slightly. Be sure to use a study guide to get through your homework and study the parts thoroughly. Your preparation may pay off when the test date comes around.

Go On College Visits!

Go On College Visits! Choosing a college based on strong academics is very important; however, there is a lot more to college than its national, academic rankings. Every college has its own unique culture, consisting of its academics, its geographic location and its student body. Its the vibe one gets from that college. There is nothing you can read or hear to fully understand a colleges culture. No one can tell you truly what its truly like, and how you will feel about it. You need to visit as often as you can. Some colleges are in isolated towns, and others are in the heart of big cities. Students at certain colleges tailgate for football games and paint their bodies, and other students go to the football games just to watch the band play. Some colleges offer a wide range of studies, and others specialize in certain fields. Essentially, the college you choose will be your home for four years. Similarly, do you always pick the most intelligent friends? If you could choose your own parents, would you opt to live with the most intelligent couple you could find? Your universitys intelligence is very important to your future success, but students should also select a college based on how happy they will be there. Visiting a college is the only way to find out its unique culture. It is very easy and affordable to schedule a college visit/walkthrough with a bubbly, overexcited tour guide. These, however, only give students a surface level understanding of the university. Students will receive extensive knowledge on how high every building is, who it was named after, when it was constructed, who the dean is, etc. This is all information that you are likely to immediately forget. College visits/walkthroughs with tour guides can be helpful. However, the best way to truly understand the culture of a college is by living there. Many colleges allow students to take short summer sessions. These summer sessions vary from college-to-college. However, most are three to five days worth of classes. Students will experience living in the dorms and eating the dining hall food. Also, students are likely to have roommates. These can be expensive; however, you can earn credits to that university. This is truly a unique way to gain an accurate perspective of what the college campus is like. If interested, students should attend these short summer sessions between their junior and senior years of high school. If you go to one of the more prestigious ones, like the Oxbridge (Oxford / Cambridge) program, it can certainly help you during the college application process. Another great way to find out the culture of a college is by visiting a friend, or a friends older sibling who is currently at the school you are interested in. Stay with them for a weekend. College kids love visitors. They will likely welcome you and show you what their college is all about. He/she will not be paid by the university to recruit freshmen. Rather, he/she will just be another college kid showing you how to have a great time at that college. He/she will introduce you to his/her friends and take you to the local coffee shops and restaurants. Essentially, selecting a college that fits your personality well is equally important as academic prestige. If you are miserable at an elite college, then your performance is likely to suffer as well. Also, you wont have the motivation to get involved in extra-curricular activities, which are important to your success.