Chemistry Combination Reaction

Chemistry Combination ReactionIn Chemistry, a chemical reaction is caused by two or more chemicals that are reacting with each other to form a chemical compound. When two or more chemicals react they both change the properties of a substance. This property can either be a good or bad one. Each chemical reacts differently with each other and the properties they affect can be classified in two ways.In this chemistry combination reaction, each chemical makes a different kind of chemical compound and can be classified into two basic groups, such as oxidizing and reducing, or neutralizing and reducing. There are many common reactions but some of the most commonly seen are:Solubility: The solubility of any substance is defined as how easily a substance can be dissolved in water. The solubility is important because the type of substances may either dissolve quickly in water or slow down the process, which can be one that will affect its reaction with other substances. This is because some a cids and bases will dissolve easily and others will take longer. A good example is sodium hydroxide, which has an extremely low solubility, yet can dissolve into water very quickly.Dissolution and affinity: the dissolving and binding of two or more components. These types of reactions include some salts such as sodium chloride, that are used in chemical laboratories, as well as elements like sulfur and potassium. When two or more substances react, they will start to bond together, with the materials binding being called covalent bonds.Valence: the valence or 'angle' of a metal ion. Metal ions have positive or negative charges and as such these can either be attracted or repelled. They can also be 'flipped'unflipped' depending on their shape and valence state.Ionic conductivity: a measure of how quickly an ionic molecule is able to go from one state to another by means of an electric field. The more conductive the molecule, the faster it can move. The ions that go faster are called e lectrostatically charged ions and those that go slower are known as inert ions.A chemical reaction is a complex process, that can be studied and analyzed using the measurements we already have. To see a more comprehensive picture of a chemical reaction, you should know the most common classes that occur in the most chemicals. Just as a simple question such as, is this jelly or not? or, are those noodles that thick or thin, can be found in the most common chemical compounds.

Should I Go To George Washington University

Should I Go To George Washington University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alyson is a Miami tutor and 2012 graduate of George Washington University. She holds a Bachelors degree in psychology and tutors several subjects, including psychology tutoring, reading tutoring, and science tutoring. Check out what Alyson had to say about her time at George Washington University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Alyson: George Washington University is a great school for a balance between college and city life. The campus is located right in the heart of Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House, Georgetown, and endless points of entertainment. Because of its proximity to such high profile locations, it is extremely safe. During the presidential inauguration, there was a Secret Service member standing at every corner (and being late to class because the presidential motorcade drove by is a valid excuse). The campus has its own metro stop, and Washington, D.C. public transportation cant be beat. If the metro or bus wont get you there, theres a $5.00 taxi waiting to be hailed. I lived there for four years, and never once needed a car. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at George Washington University? Alyson: I never had a problem meeting with my professors, TAs, or academic advisers. They were always available during office hours, and if that didnt work, then I could simply email them and find another time. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alyson: The dorms at George Washington University are amazing. I lived in them all four years and loved it. George Washington University doesnt have a meal plan, so most of the dorms have kitchens and are pretty spacious. The freshman dorm Thurston Hall also has a cleaning service that will come and clean your room twice a week. Not bad! Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Alyson: I would say that the best supported schools at George Washington University are the Elliott School of International Affairs, the School of Business, and the School of Media and Public Affairs. The liberal arts school is great as well, but since the majority of the student body goes that route, it means the advisers are not as helpful. Personally, I majored in psychology and never had a problem with support, though I would have liked better advisers, as it wasnt until my senior year that I realized I could have taken on another major or an extra semester abroad. 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? Alyson: Making friends is easy if you get involved. George Washington University has chances year-round for students to join clubs, internships, and volunteer opportunities. I was personally involved in Greek life, and its a great way to make friends and have experiences you wouldnt otherwise have, but I wouldnt say its necessary to a good social life at George Washington University. The George Washington University crowd is definitely work hard, play hard, but if thats your thing, nowhere else can beat it. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services at George Washington University? Alyson: The career center is great for helping students find work-study placements. They will also help you with free resume editing and interview prep. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Alyson: These areas are all great places to study. They only really get crowded around midterm and finals season, but George Washington University has an online booking system that allows you to reserve study rooms for however long you need during those weeks, so you always know you have a place to go. Describe the surrounding town at George Washington University. Alyson: There are few places in the world that beat going to school in Washington, D.C. You can feel the energy of the city all around you. Not only is everyone smart and informed, but its also incredibly tourist friendly, which means there is always something to do. Concerts, nightlife, restaurants, farmers markets, you name it. And when you need a break from the city, just hop on the metro, and venture into Virginia or Maryland to get your fix of the country. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alyson: For me, George Washington University was the perfect size. It is a medium sized school, so the student body is small enough that you recognize most faces, but large enough that you are able to meet someone new all the time. And if you need to make it smaller, joining a club or getting involved on campus is a great way to find your core group. Students at George Washington University tend to be very social. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Alyson: One of the best classes I took was my Israeli Media class. The class was entirely in Hebrew, but we were able to have conversations and debates about politics in the Middle East, and to view Israeli media through many different lenses. It was a small class of maybe 10 people at best, so we really got to know each other and to dive deep into our opinions and feelings on the conflict in Israel. Check out Alysons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Resources for Preparing Home Tutoring Classes

Resources for Preparing Home Tutoring Classes Which Tools Should You Use to Organise Academic Support? ChaptersKey Qualities for Private TutorsTangible Resources for Private TutorialsLearning Through PlayIf you want to teach academic support, be it for maths, physics, English, French, Spanish, homework help, etc., you’re going to have to be familiar with both your student’s level and their course at school.In recent years, the private tutorial market has grown and is now worth around £6b.  Over 40% of children in London had received private tutorials.So how do you plan academic support tutorials?Here are some teaching resources that the experienced tutors on Superprof swear by. 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 tu tors 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/h1st 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 tutorsKey Qualities for P rivate TutorsIt might seem obvious that if you want to help a student to catch up with their studies, you’re going to have to be familiar with the subject that you’re teaching.  If someone hasn’t done maths in ten years, it’s possible that the student may surpass the teacher.Make sure you introduce yourself with a friendly handshake and a smile. (Source: rawpixel)Some students might be failing. Others are just struggling in a few subjects and don’t want to have to resit.  Some may just want to improve their grades in order to get into a good university.It’s worthwhile mentioning that there are many reasons for getting private tutorials and the tutor will have to adapt to their students’ needs.Whether you’re teaching a brand new student for the first time or teaching them throughout the whole academic year, you’re going to have to opt for resources that work with the student.First and foremost, you have to make sure that you arrive on time. Tutors who regularly show up late to class will leave a bad impression on both the student and their parents.Before an academic support tutorial, you need to take care of your physical appearance by making sure that you’re appropriately washed and dressed. While this isn't a resource, it is key to ensuring that your tutorials go well.Academic support and private tutorials often require an in-depth knowledge of the curriculum.So, how can you teach private tutorials if you’re not familiar with what’s on the curriculum?Whether you’re teaching sciences (maths, physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) or the arts, you’ll need to bridge the gap between what the students are being taught in school. Another intangible resource is your teaching approach.The right teaching approaches can unlock your potential as an educator and help your students to improve. You also need to adapt your approaches to your student’s level. Here are some of the key qualities that a good tutor should have:Transferring knowledgeA ra nge of teaching approachesPatienceSpeaking skillsAvailabilityListening skillsIf you can't transfer knowledge, you can't teach. A tutor's main goal is to make sure that a student learns something. If they leave the tutorial knowing the same or less than they did when it started, something has gone wrong. While you're never guaranteed that a student will immediately get something, a range of teaching approaches can help you to change things up when something isn't working.This is where patience comes into play. A tutor can never get annoyed with the student for not getting something immediately. They need to remain calm so that they can continue to teach effectively.Your speaking skills will ensure that you provide students with information as clearly as possible. The last thing you want is for a student to be confused because your delivery was poor or because you didn't explain something well. Listening to your student will also ensure that you're always aware of what's going on in c lass.Finally, you need to be available to your student. While you don't have to be on call  for twenty-four hours a day, your tutee should be able to contact you in the event that they have a problem. Make sure you set limits and acceptable times for your students to get in touch. The last thing you want is phonecalls at 3 a.m. because they're stressing about an exam that you know they're going to have no problem passing.Punctuality, friendliness, and a familiarity with the national curriculum are also useful qualities, but what tangible resources do you need to teach private tutorials?Here are several online teaching jobs for teachers.Tangible Resources for Private TutorialsWhile you may have all the skills and qualities that make a good tutor, you can’t arrive at your private tutorial empty-handed.Even for your first ever tutorial, you should probably bring a few resources to start the student off with a bit of revision: textbooks, digital resources (apps, websites), revision bo oks and sheets. It might be worthwhile also bringing something to test their level so that you know exactly what to bring to the next tutorial.In maths, economics, and science tutorials, a graph can go a long way to explaining what you mean. (Source: 6689062)Textbooks often have exercises for them to do. Again, you need to take the student’s age and level into account. Older students can probably work on essay skills or exam technique right from the start. They can also focus on essay structure.A private tutor will probably include more interactive and engaging activities for younger students. There are plenty of sites with fun games and activities for a wide variety of different subjects, especially for those in primary school.It’s important that your classes are carefully prepared according to the students level and needs. Are they catching up, a failing student, or applying to a top university and need the best grades possible?In a way, preparing your tutorials should be like filling a toolkit with the right tools.You’ll need resources that can help the student’s cognitive abilities:A course planRevision sheets (especially for GCSE and A Level students)Documents relating to the chapter they’re studying (with diagrams, tables, texts, articles, etc.)Exercises (either found online or prepared by the tutor themselves)Analytics exercises: Who, what, where, when, why, and how?Brainstorming ideas with the student.An evaluation at the end of the sessionWhile some tutors still prefer pen and paper, a computer means that you don't have to carry tonnes of documents. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)When it comes to private tutorials, the tutor often arrives with a tonne of teaching resources since they can never be sure how the lesson is going to go.Is the student going to be enthusiastic, tired, irritable, or relaxed?They always need to bring backup materials, too. In some cases, a digital resource may not work and they’ll need other things to do to replace it .Learning Through PlayHow do good tutors motivate students or show their parents that their child just needed a different approach to what they were getting at school?Teaching DifferentlyIn order to get the most out of the student and save them from resits or failure, there’s a great teaching approach to help students learn: the Montessori Method of education.The aim is to let the child develop at their own speed.Both adults and children can learn a lot from games and play. (Source: Thaliesin)How do you teach them what they need to know?Firstly, you need to let the child choose the activities they want to do. From the age of 3, the child should be able to focus on certain tasks. This teaching approach focuses on freedom and learning at one’s own pace (without judging how quickly they’re learning) and letting them experience things and understand them.Games and physical objects are used for things like teaching addition and subtraction.  The Montessori Method can be included in private tutorials because most of the activities are designed for individuals or small groups.Naturally, you may wonder whether it is better to tutor at your home where you would have all of these resources available, or at your student's home, where s/he would feel more comfortable...Games for Online TutorialsNowadays, there are plenty of resources revolutionising teaching that can be freely accessed by tutors. Online academic support is starting to replace traditional tutors. Using video games in tutorials can make learning easier as students are enjoying playing.They can help children to learn as they can focus their attention and motivate them as they don’t even realise they’re learning because they’re having so much fun.  Games and digital resources blend real tangible objectives (learning or practising) with the fun of video games.  You'd be hard-pressed to find a young child that wouldn't rather play video games than study (even if they don't realise they're doing both ).Platforms like Khan Academy, one of the world's most popular MOOCs, can be used between two tutorials in order to help a student practice or revise.There are courses for adults and children and a huge database to inspire tutors who are planning their tutorials. Furthermore, it’s free!Preparing games for academic support tutorials is a great way to help students learn.Convinced?Don’t hesitate to take your computer, smartphone, or tablet to your private tutorials. They’re some of the best resources for helping students learn.Now discover more ideas to personalise your tutoring sessions...

Teaching Compassion to Students and Why Its Important

Teaching Compassion to Students and Why It's Important Improving Academic Performance When it comes to education, reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, used to take center stage and were the standard menu of what was taught to students starting in elementary school. Over time subjects like social studies and history, the applied sciences, and arts and culture were added to the list. In today’s world of education, where students are exposed to seemingly endless cascades of information and are coming to terms with growing up in a world highly affected by globalization, such subjects as community outreach, service learning, and multicultural units are sought after, even in the lower grades. Bottom line? Students are learning a lot. All subject areas have their place and offer significant development and exploration for students of all ages; as education continues to develop and change and schools attempt to foster more community-focused and united environments, subjects like mindfulness and compassion have gained popularity. So what happens when we explore teaching students concepts like kindness, mindfulness, and compassion, as courses themselves? Let’s dive in. According to an article on mindful.org, which explores the benefits of creating a “kindness curriculum,” the school environment is often highly stressful, over-stimulating, and a feeding ground for both minor and major bullying. While such realities cannot be entirely eradicated, (nor should they be if one is to develop character and resilience in a sufficient way) “caring practices” such as well-wishing circles and allowing quiet time for students to self-regulate, calm the nervous system, improve focus, and cultivate compassion, all of which help foster an overall better learning environment. Compassion is a strong buzzword in today’s world, both within education and beyond, and it remains a powerful practice that helps encourage empathy and brings connection to those who otherwise might not connect. Education World explores how “active compassion” on the part of teachers can help direct students from floundering to flourishing; sometimes it is as simple as a student having that special teacher or advisor to talk to about her problems that makes her capable of overcoming and succeeding in school. Why not carry those qualities into the classroom as part of learned curriculum? Teachers can promote active compassion by maintaining positive expectations, exuding warmth (while remaining firm), courteousness to all students and faculty, allowing students to take ownership of their learning, and to avoid at all cost the temptation to make sarcastic and cutting remarks. Compassion takes practice, but much like any habit, it builds upon itself; the more practice of active compassion, the more it builds up overall. Teachers are humans, too (despite their sometimes superhuman accomplishments) and have to practice cultivating empathy and compassion as much as the next guy; everyone has bad days and is prone to mistakes, but the more teachers (and parents) can practice empathy with their students, while still maintaining standards of learning and discipline, the more equanimity will result in the classroom. Simply modeling exercises like taking deep breaths before reacting to an uncomfortable situation can allow a teacher to keep her cool while also instilling some valuable tools in her students, rather than losing her temper and reprimanding, which can create a tense and even hostile environment, depending on the school setting. Even writing these rules out as something both teacher and student can strive for and placing them visibly in the classroom can be a great motivator for a school year. Just how does one go about allowing concepts like compassion and empathy to truly sink in? Much like developing a growth mindset, having an open mind is key. In truth, compassion cannot necessarily be taught the way that solving an equation can, but it can certainly be modeled and thus a part of classroom or school community expectations. Mindsets go far. An article on Mind/Shift explores how quickly setting the tone in the classroom is perhaps the most important factor in creating a healthy educational environment. In an interview with Dr. Robert Brooks, who once taught at a school within a lockdown psychiatric unit, he keenly observed that teachers “have to start with the assumption that everything you do in the classroom can have a major impact on a child’s life, not only in the classroom but later, too.” He noticed that certain behaviors like micro-managing and overly-controlling students in an attempt to instill order actually created more chaos and disease. Instead, he proposes a mindset shift across faculty that encourages maintaining big picture “why are we here and working in this profession” awareness, not taking student behavior personally, and allowance when applicable instead of force and rigidity. He emphasizes not blaming students for struggling in certain areas, but instead modeling how they might take steps to improve and reach the consistently high expectations that should be set in both individual classrooms and school communities as a whole. This would not only help teachers ward off burnout but encourage students to develop traits like resilience, self-awareness, and both self and other-oriented compassion. The world of education is complex and intricate, and while we cannot make it perfect or perfect for all teachers and students all the time, we can certainly take steps to help improve the mindsets and dispositions of teachers and learners. Learning compassion and kindness may not fix or prevent every problem, but they certainly cannot hurt. Try implementing a bit more of this in your classroom, with your children, or as a student or child yourself, and notice how things may shift for the better. About the Author Stephanie Ingraham is a former English teacher turned writer and tutor with a BA in English from UCLA and a Masters in Education from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. She is deeply passionate about education, psychology, child and adolescent development, literature, and writing. She believes the education world can benefit greatly from the meditation world - mindfulness and self-compassion are key! In her free time she loves reading and writing, music, baking, yoga, dance, animals, and exploring new cities. She currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. For more information on tutors like Stephanie, click here.

How to Answer the Toughest Job Interview Questions

How to Answer the Toughest Job Interview Questions Image via Pexels In a study about the job interviewing process, Come Recommended, a content agency which specializes in careers and job recruiting, found that in a survey of 2000 bosses, 33% claimed that they know within the first 90 seconds of an interview whether they will hire someone. You may shutter at that number, however, while 90 seconds may seem like a short amount of time, it is plenty to give a good impression if you answer perhaps the toughest of questions- “Tell me about yourself”. “Tell Me About Yourself” In the context of a job interview, it may be hard to figure out what segments of your life to reveal to your possible employer. According to the editor  of the Daily Muse, give them the present-past-future formula, meaning, “start with the presentâ€"where you are right now. Then, segue into the pastâ€"a little bit about the experiences you’ve had and the skills you gained at the previous position. Finally, finish with the futureâ€"why you are really excited about this particular opportunity.” When an interviewer asks you to speak about yourself, remember, you don’t have to delve into every detail about your life or recite the employment section of your resume, but rather convey why you are a perfect fit for the position based on your prior and current experiences. Image via Pexels After you’ve successfully answered the introductory question, you may face tougher questions such as: “What is Your Greatest Weakness?” Not one person likes to talk about what they’re bad at or when they made a mistake in life. Humans are prideful beings, and doing so often diminishes our confidence and pride. However, it’s important to be aware of your weaknesses, skills that need improving, and specific tasks that are challenging to you so you can grow and strengthen them. So, when an interview pops the timeless question, try to recall a trait of yours that could need improvement that isn’t a deal breaker. Allison Doyle of the Balance writes, “The  best way to answer questions about weaknesses  is to be honest, positive, and focused on solutions.” “Where Do You See Yourself In X Years?” Imagine where you, your career, or your life will be anytime in the future is a baffling and difficult thought for some. To effortlessly answer this question, consider potential goals and accomplishments you’d like to achieve within a reasonable amount of time. Don’t aim too high or too low, just think of somewhat realistic! Ruth Omoh of CNBC affirms this by stating, “Your potential employer wants to see that you plan on staying with the company for the long haul. No employer wants to spend money and resources training you just to have you leave.” Image via Pexels No one who is applying for jobs gets excited over the job interview process. It’s stressful and forces you to make a good first impression in a limited amount of time. This impression usually comes down to how you present yourself and how you answer tough questions. Despite the stressors and anxieties you may feel prior to an interview, if you effectively prepare beforehand by practicing answers and doing research on the employer, by the time you’re done, you’ll think the interview was a total breeze! As always, good luck!

Prioritizing Your Commitments For Health And Happiness

Prioritizing Your Commitments For Health And Happiness Image via Pixabay This is one of the largest, most common distortions college students have. True, we are powerhouses and we are at an age where we are most efficient and capable of doing a lot. Doing a lot in college is not a bad thing at all in general, until it becomes too much. The question of “what do you really have time for?” does not mean “how many activities can you fit into 18 hours before and after a six-hour sleep?” It means “what do you comfortably have time for?” Students burn out when they least expect it sometimes, and it can take a toll on mental and physical health. Be realistic when thinking about how much you can take on in a given term, and make sure to say no if you need to   even if you’re saying no to yourself. College students who know their limits and approximate energy levels will be better able to gauge the number of involvements they can comfortably handle in addition to their college coursework. It’s a horrible feeling to overcommit yourself to the point where you truly don’t have time to complete all your work and still feel in command of your life. What makes you excited? When you’re involved in a lot of organizations, chances are some of those involvements make you more excited than others. Maybe you’ve been executive director of your university’s television station for two years and you’re just now realizing that you lost interest after one year, or maybe something that you used to enjoy doing just isn’t working for you anymore. Check in with yourself to see which voluntary involvements you have that aren’t making you excited for life, and consider cutting back your time with that organization (or cutting it out of your life altogether). If you find yourself having trouble with this question, pose scenarios in your head where you imagine not doing one of the primary activities you’ve been doing for awhile. Does it make you sad to imagine not being part of the counseling center’s student advisory board? What about if you didn’t go to senate meetings anymore? Image via Flickr Testing out hypothetical scenarios against your feelings is a good way to intuitively get a sense of which activities mean the most to you. You’ll enjoy your days much more if you weed out activities that bring you down, stress you out excessively, or bring inconvenience to your schedule. What makes you grow? What develops you personally? Staying stagnant in the same position for four years is a lot less valuable than being in two dynamic environments that challenge you over the course of four years. Think about all the activities you do, the jobs you work, the organizations you work for, and consider whether those positions are actively helping you grow or pushing you in any effective or useful ways. If your answer is no, you might consider resigning from that activity or reassessing what you’re getting out of it. Additionally, if you ever feel (even unconsciously) that you’re doing a certain activity just for an item on your resume, know that this won’t be a good use of your time. Anyone looking at your resume likely assumes that whatever they see on there is something you invested yourself in out of personal interest. Plus, wouldn’t you rather have a resume full of involvements you’re proud of? Are you letting your health slide? Here’s an important truth we often forget: if your body isn’t well, you can’t work, go to meetings, go to classes, or do anything you enjoy. This should put things in perspective for students who have been putting their health secondary to their calendars. Consider reprioritizing your time if you find yourself without enough time to cook healthy food for yourself or sleep enough that your eyes don’t sting in the mornings. A healthy balance of positions and obligations in your life should leave you with a comfortable amount of time to stay rested and devote time to meal planning. The sooner you prioritize your commitments as a college student, the more quickly you’ll find yourself enjoying every day of your life you’ll be doing the things you want to be doing (for the most part), or at least less of the things that don’t serve you constructively or capture your interest. No matter which activities you do or how packed your schedule is, remember how important it is to carve out time to relax and maintain your well-being.

AIDS Awareness

Knowing Your StatusHIV/AIDS Awareness Photo by Trygve.u via Flickr.com September 27, 2012 was National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The PRIDE agency on campus held HIV/AIDS testing for any gay male who wanted to get tested. Testing was done at PRIDE’s LGBTQ Resource Center, located at the Union second floor room A211. People from Thagard and Leon County came to test. Testing was done between  on September 27th  on September 27thfrom 1pm- 4pm. All tests were rapid 20 minute tests, so you don’t have to wait so many weeks wondering the worst. As an incentive for getting tested as well those who were tested were given a $5 gift card to a business of choice. A $5 gift card  shouldnt  be what brings gay men in to get tested however. Gay men should want to know their status. It’s like getting that yearly physical. It’s not pleasant, but it’s all for a better living quality. It is one of my beliefs that knowledge is power. The more we know the more we can do. HIV/AIDS testing  isnt  something to worry about. It is an examination, one that can help you in the long run. In this life there are many things we are worried about, things we know nothing about. One thing we can know is our own status. The process is painless. Depending how you get it done. At PRIDE’s LGBTQ Resource Center they were doing rapid testing. A 20 minute wait is the max you would wait. You just had to fill out some paper work, swab your gums with special swab that will show if you’re negative or positive. It’s quick and easy. PRIDE is an agency for Florida State University as a part of Student Government. It works towards educated and helping any in regards to LGBTQ issues. They are mostly known for the drag show they put on every first Friday of the fall and spring semester. Yet,  theyve  do more than that. Such as free HIV testing that was held on September 27th.  They have done free HIV/AIDS testing regularly at their resource center before. Next month they plan a week of events for Coming Out Week, in celebrating National Coming Day. Also, they host an Alternative Prom every spring for those who  didnt  spent their prom in high school the way they wanted to. Simply by knowing your status and keeping up with it can change many lives. Knowing is just half the battle. If you know what something is you know how to deal with it. It’s no longer a boogie man in the shadows.