The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Ondra is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations as well as a Ph.D. in English. She is an Atlanta tutor who specializes in SAT prep tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, Writing tutoring, Phonics tutoring, and much more. Check out her review of her alma mater:
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?
Ondra: The University of Georgia’s main campus, in Athens, is huge; however, the campus transit system makes it very easy to travel between housing, cafeterias, academic buildings, and other university facilities. Campus security maintains a safe environment; however, because the campus is so large and located near a busy downtown area, students must exercise caution at all times. I did not have car during my first two years at UGA, but many of my friends did. If I needed or wanted to do activities occurring off-campus, I either rode the Athens city transit buses, which service the UGA campus, as well, or I rode with my friends who did have cars.
VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants?
Ondra: Professors hold designated office hours, and many professors have teaching assistants who also are available to assist students. Academic advisors also are available to assist students.
VT: How would you describe the dorm life – rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students?
Ondra: I’ll share this experience: I invited my cousin to visit me while she was trying to decide whether to attend UGA or another university. Although she was initially intimidated by the large campus grounds, once she visited the dormitories and the dining facilities and saw first-hand not only how many options there are for housing and dining, but also how these facilities offered extended options for socialization, she easily decided UGA was the place for her. My experience was no different.
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?
Ondra: I chose to attend The University of Georgia because I had planned to major in Journalism. At the time that I was applying for college admission, UGA’s Journalism program was ranked third in the country, and it remains one of the top ranked journalism schools in our country today. I chose to study Journalism because I always have enjoyed writing, and I am a good writer. UGA’s faculty are experienced professionals who do an excellent job of offering the practical experience for students preparing to enter the field of Journalism.
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?
Ondra: I made friends very easily during my freshman year at The University of Georgia, owing primarily to the numerous mixers and social gatherings planned specifically to introduce freshman students to college life at UGA. Greek life plays a significant role in campus social life, both in terms of campus outreach programs and in terms of offering another social outlet for those who join the Greek community, as I did.
VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus?
Ondra: I did not take full advantage of the Campus Career Center; however, I wish I had because very reputable companies recruit on campus at The University of Georgia.
VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious?
Ondra: Although the study areas on The University of Georgia campus offer extended venues for socialization, serious students frequently use the campus libraries, the student union, and even the dormitory lounges for individual and group study opportunities. There are two major libraries on campus at the university, a very large, accommodating student union, and spacious dormitory lounges campus-wide.
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?
Ondra: Downtown Athens might as well be considered an extension of the campus grounds, because it has great restaurants, fun novelty shops, and affordable clothing stores, all of which University of Georgia students take full advantage, and on a regular basis. Downtown Athens offers exciting night life entertainment; however, students must always use extreme caution, more than they would for on-campus events, simply because this area is not an actual part of the campus grounds.
VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes?
Ondra: The student body is larger than the small town where I grew up; consequently, Introductory, 1000-level courses tend to be very large – auditorium-size large, and I hated being reduced to a random ID number for attendance and assignment purposes during an entire semester. Upper-level courses, however, tend to be much smaller and allow for better teacher-student interaction.
VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most.
Ondra: My most memorable classes were the ones where I was reduced to my ID number for an entire semester. On one hand, I regretted these courses because I felt like I had no real voice in the class and had no real support from my professors; on the other hand, as a result of these very same dynamics, these large courses made me more a more independent student.
Check out Ondra’s tutoring profile.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
