Visiting a University #2

This is part two in the (I guess..) three part series about me, visiting a university in Holland. Making my decision which one I should join next year..

I think it is wise to tell you that I live in a small city, with nothing like a university, so every trip is a trip to 'the big city'.

I've been to University of Utrecht friday. One of the best University's in Holland.

First I've been to the informative meeting of medicine, which fell short of my expectations. I thought Medicine in Utrecht was very, very good, but the presentation was not that good.

But the quality of the study ís good, there are every year 120 registrations who have an 8 average (so you don't have to compete in the draw). So pretty much motivated students.

And there are good abilities to study in a foreign country, something I would like to do.

After that informative meeting, I went to the meeting of Biology.

I didn't have any expectations, it is my favorite class in high school, but the study is nothing for me, I thought.

I was wrong. There are not only treehuggers in that study, and it is much more than just some flowers and some animals. You can chose very much, you can chose which way you want to go, so for me, the neuro-biology way would be great.

And here are some very good abilities to study somewhere else also great!

I have to check biology in more cities, if I wouldn't make it in medicine, I can always drop back to biology!

I didn't went 'down-town' Utrecht, cause I had to be somewhere in Apeldoorn, the place I live, so that's a pitty.

Everything together, I'm not that excited about Utrecht. But I certainly am about Biology. It was a very usefull day!

Speeching: How to use 'err' correctly

I already mentioned my physics teacher, who says 'err' 25 times in 5 minutes.

When he says it, it is really annoying. It looks like he just doesn't know what he wants to say, all the time. But you also may use 'err' in a good way.

When you are speeching, in front of a 'bigger' audience (more than 10 human beings) you can use the word.

The only golden rule is don't use it too much.

But how should you use it?

When you come with something big, if you want to say a really important thing, the 'err' can be really powerfull. It should go something like this: "How should I say this, err, when you ..."

And you have to look above the audience, with the obama-wayoflooking, to a brighter future, to a fantastic oppertunity you seem to see.

It will make you look philosophic. It looks like you are choosing your words wisely. So the audience will think that you are wise, cause what you want to tell, you want to tell good.

An other way to use the word 'err' is to speak very fast after it. So the silence between the word 'err' and the following word must be like nothing. "So if you use plan A to accomplice, you have to err-do this and this."

You show a little bit weakness, and that makes you actually charming.

So, you can use the, in common bad, 'err' correctly, you can use it in your advantage.

Do you have any tips, to turn the bad word 'err' in a good thing? I would like to hear!

Further reading on presentations:

How to give the perfect presentation in class

Presentation in class: The Introduction

Presentation in class: The middle

How to make a presentation, quick

Visiting a University #1

This is part one in the (I guess..) three part series about me, visiting a university in Holland. Making my decision which one I should join next year..

I think it is wise to tell you that I live in a small city, with nothing like a university, so every trip is a trip to 'the big city'.

Today I've visited Leiden University, Holland's oldest university.

Leiden is one of the biggest student cities. 1 on 7 person who lives there is a student. I love it.

It is a really Dutch city, with the old houses near the canal. So Dutch, so lovely.

I went to the informative meeting of medicins.

The speakers spoke in a large lecture room. A room which can fill 350 men. A sparkling new room, with microphones on the desk so you can ask the teacher question, without screaming.

The presentations of different persons was talked to each other by a student. A typical student from Leiden. A prep. In Holland we call it a 'bal'.

I heard some interesting presentation, I think Leiden is a good city to study medicins.

After the meeting, we went to the city, not less important!

We ate a pancake, in a cosy restaurant. And in front of us, there were to elder woman. I guess they were above 70. And what do old people do when they have to read the menu? Getting their glasses. But what did this woman do? Get a magnifying glass! I was perplex. So funny, seeing this woman looking at the menu through such a big magnifier!

I wanna put it in a list. Why should I chose Leiden, and why I shouldn't.

Should:

• Fantastic, Dutch city
• Oldest university, so many old traditions
• Relatively not that expensive rooms
• Everything is close, from your room to the university is 5 minutes on a bike

Shouldn't:

• There are many preps, which I don't want to become
• The decentral selection (on which you can avoid the draw) requirements are just crazy. I won't stand a chance

So, only two shouldn'ts. But the second one is a very heavy one. If I want to be sure to enter medicine next year, I can compete in the decentral selection. I think I will do that, but not in the one from Leiden, but from Groningen. Which I will be visiting soon, I hope..