The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach—they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Carolyn received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She is currently a tutor in Minneapolis specializing in English tutoring, essay editing tutoring, reading tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Describe the campus setting and transportation options.
Carolyn: The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a beautiful green campus with lots of trees and rolling land in a typical, rural American town. The Kinnickinnic River runs through campus, and it takes only 20 minutes at most to walk from one end of campus to the other. Most students walk or bike. There is also a reasonably priced taxi service in town to get students to places further away from campus. The campus is considered to be a very safe place. I never felt unsafe walking there, even at night. It is well lit with campus police on patrol 24 hours a day.
How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
Carolyn: I found the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants to be very approachable and helpful. The class sizes are reasonably small, and individual attention is the norm. There is also help available from tutors if needed.
How would you describe the dorm life—rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students?
Carolyn: The dorms are all close to class buildings, and students can easily walk to classes. The walkways are cleared right away after a snowfall, so walking is always an option. The food at the university is tasty, and many healthy options are included on the menu. There are lots of other dining choices within minutes of campus, including pizza places, Chinese restaurants, Mexican restaurants, and several fast food choices. There is a theater just blocks away that has been family-run and owned for years and years, and it still offers movie tickets for $3.00 and buttered popcorn for $1.00.
Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?
Carolyn: The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is noted for its agriculture major. It also has a very good education department, which is the course of study that I chose. I majored in elementary education. There is a campus day care on site which has a very good reputation for early childhood education. The music department is very good, as well, and that was my minor area of study. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is also noted for its physics and chemistry majors. One famous astronaut, Dan Brandenstein, graduated from the school. He piloted one space shuttle mission and commanded two other missions. Boyd Huppert, reporter for KARE 11 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, also graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
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?
Carolyn: The campus is a very friendly one. It is a fairly small university in a small town, and the River Falls population is roughly 15,000 people. It is easy to get to know other students, especially within one’s major area of study.
How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?
Carolyn: The student support services are very helpful, and once again, because it is a small university in a small town, individual help is available.
How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges?
Carolyn: The university library is a very good library, and it has everything needed for your studying. There is also a beautiful library downtown in River Falls which is only a few blocks from campus. It is a multi-purpose library, and it has all the latest technical equipment needed for today’s operations.
Describe the surrounding town.
Carolyn: The city of River Falls is a small community. Students can feel safe walking the streets even at night. There are several shops and stores within the city, as well as restaurants and fast food places. River Falls is only about 15 miles from Woodbury, Minnesota and 30 miles from St. Paul, Minnesota. There is every shopping and dining option imaginable there.
How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes?
Carolyn: The student body is a little over 6,000 students, and the class sizes are ideal.
Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most.
Carolyn: I particularly remember Dr. Elliot Wold, who was my voice teacher and choir teacher at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He has since retired, but he was a very dedicated and talented man who loved music. I would say that he impacted my life because he had such a strong work ethic and love of music and teaching.
Check out Carolyn’s tutoring profile.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
