Memorizing New Vocabulary

 Photo and essay by Ara Ibrahim

Have you ever felt that your memory capacity for memorizing a lot of new vocabulary is holding you back? If yes, don’t worry; I felt this way too! Learning a new language is difficult and requires endless effort. During ELI classes, students learn many new words. Learning a new word means recognizing it while seeing and hearing it, and being able to use the word while speaking and writing as well. Most of the time, teachers don’t teach students how to memorize and remember words. They only inform students about words they should know. Consequently, students need to use the following strategies to assist them to memorize new words easily and effectively.

To begin with, whenever you hear or learn a word, write it down. It is much better if you have the words handy. Using flash cards is excellent option! After writing down the word on one side, look it up for its part of speech (noun, verb, adj, etc.) in dictionaries, and write it under or next to the word. Next, write the definition with the synonym on the other side. You may also write its pronunciation, which will be helpful to remember the word. If you don’t like papers, there are electronic flash cards too! In this case, you can benefit from applications such as Quizlet.

Afterwards, study the roots of the word, prefixes, and suffixes. For example, when you see a word like cooperative, you know that prefix (co) means together, and the root (operative) means work. Therefore, you can infer that cooperative means working together. After reading a word use mnemonics. Try to link it to a memory, something funny, or anything that helps you somehow to remember the word. For instance, the sound of the word pragmatic is similar to its synonym’s sound “practical”. They both start with “pra”, so you can think of this and memorize using this technique.

Subsequently, study the flash cards. After you write down the words and everything, read them for the second and third time. The next day, read the words again, but this time challenge yourself by only looking at the words and attempt to remember their definition. While doing this, put the words that you remember together, and put those you don’t remember together, so you can review them later. After three days, go over all of them and review. Then, study them again after three weeks and after a few months. Keep doing so until you memorize all of the words. I promise if you do this, you’ll never forget the words, and they’ll stick in your mind.

Finally, the best way to remember a word is practicing and trying to use this word. Thus, try to read as much as you can. Spend a lot of time reading in the new language. The more you read, the more words you learn. In fact, when you come to Texas A&M University, you will see daily newspapers called “The Battalion” throughout campus. Pick one up every day and read the articles first. Then, if you see a new word, write it down and study using the methods mentioned before. After studying, try to use the new words in speaking or writing. Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake at first. It is essential that you attempt to use the word every chance you get.

To sum up, to master vocabulary, you had better use some good techniques such as flash cards, know the word forms, relate the word to something, and practice. All of these things are equally significant and helpful for memorizing new terms. I hope these approaches could help you in improving your vocabulary. However, the procedures stated above are not the only way.

Amazon Prime

Photo and essay by Norah Almasoud

Moving to a foreign country is not that easy. The feeling of fear and anxiety of moving to a foreign country is not something surprising. We all experienced the same feeling. However, this feeling will disappear gradually when you become familiar with the new place. Also you have to benefit from the advice of other people who have been there or still live in this place. Today, I am going to describe the process of creating an Amazon Prime account. Amazon is an online retailer that sells almost everything. This advice may help you.

First, let me tell you about the advantages of using Amazon Prime to purchase things. An Amazon Prime membership provides unlimited, instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows on hundreds of compatible devices including computers, TVs, laptops, or your choice of more than over 600 devices. Also, there is unlimited ad-free access to over a million songs and hundreds of playlists and free Two-Day Shipping with no minimum order size on millions of items. In addition, you may enjoy borrowing e-books for free as frequently as once monthly with no due date through Kindle fire, or by downloading the kindle app on your laptop or any smart device.

Above all, we are busy students and many of us do not own a car. For example, using Amazon Prime has helped me avoid the crowds and long lines at the MSC book store. Besides that, I got my books cheaper and within two days only with free shipping included with my membership. Buying online from Amazon allows me to take my time to examine the books I want to buy and compare the prices with other book stores. This also goes for buying my other stuff like office supplies, home needs, and toys for my children. Moreover, it has helped me to share memorable moments with my friends when I forget to do so early.

After learning about these advantages, are you ready to create Amazon Prime account? Ok, prepare your Visa card or your credit card which is valid in the United States. In your browser, type http://www.Amazon.com/gp/prime/signup . Then, the page will appear. Here you can see the front page of Amazon Prime. In the right side bottom you will see “Start your 30 day free trial”. Press on it then choose “new customer”. The registration page will appear. At this moment fill in the blanks with your information then press “create account”. You will be moved to the front page again. Now, notice that the “sign in” in the drop down list has changed to be your account. Congratulations, you have already created an Amazon account, but still there are some steps to have a Prime membership.

Now you are on the same page which you signed in with your account. Press on “Start your 30 day free trial” at the bottom again in order to complete your payment method and billing address. After that, press start my free trial and enjoy your Amazon Prime. After 30 days, your membership will automatically upgrade to an annual plan for $99/year. However, if you are a student, you can register with your TAMU email to get a 50% discount. Also, if you do not want to continue your membership, you can end it from the settings in your account at any time before the 30 days finish. Now, when you start shopping, just look for the Prime logo.

I hope you can all try using Amazon Prime; it is worth it. Lastly, I do not want to forget to welcome you to Aggie land.

Resource: http://www.Amazon.com/

How to Start Learning English

Photo and essay by Atheer Jumaah

Many scientists, researchers, and visionaries report that the English language is the key of sciences nowadays. People can access millions of novels, publications, and books in almost all subjects and specialties written in the English language. As a result, a lot of people start their education by learning English. Some people acknowledge that learning English is arduous enough to form barriers between them and their goals, whereas, others try to achieve their goals even though they face some obstacles while they are learning English. Perhaps, they travel to English speaking countries to practice English by communicating with native speakers; it is the most successful way to learn English. However, to make this goal easy to achieve, there are some important details that should be considered by English learners which are discussed below.

First of all, preparing for studying English should be done by learners themselves depending on their own efforts. To illustrate, learners should improve their listening skills before leaving to their destinations (English speaking countries) by listening to English speech using a variety of resources: the news, dialogs, and learning websites. These help the learners recognize English speech and capture its meaning quickly. Thus, by doing that, learners will be able to start English learning by using the English language itself. Otherwise, learners will lose too much time while being in an English speaking country tackling these problems, added to the psychological impacts that result from case learners feeling unable to communicate with people everywhere because of language barriers.

Secondly, learners should try employing simple grammatical tenses when they are speaking and writing. Having sufficient experiences using simple tenses of English language helps them express their ideas easily. Learners will notice, while being in English speaking countries, that the majority of grammatical tenses which are used by native speakers are: simple past tense, simple present tense, and simple future tense. In the beginning, learners do not need to spend a lot of time to learn complicated tenses because this issue may affect learners' speeds of learning adversely. For these reasons, learners should have a clear knowledge of how to use simple grammatical tenses before going on to complicated tenses.

Thirdly, learning vocabulary words, with their ideal uses, is a major part of learning English. Some linguists, on one hand, emphasize memorizing words in expressions without translating to learners' mother languages. Others, on the other hand, believe that learners have to get complete understanding for each vocabulary word in learners' native languages; that is to make sure about getting its certain meaning. For example, learners might use the vocabulary word 'guilt' instead of 'regret' by mistake, or they might use the wrong prepositions in their sentences. Because of that, leaners have to have balance between understanding words in their native languages, on the one hand, and practicing them in expressions to master their using, on the other hand.

Ultimately, learning the English language by depending on an academic manner may be an effective way somewhat, yet learners should try to keep communicating with native speakers. Every learner has an ideal way to achieve that. Some learners prefer to rely on social communication websites; Facebook draws an obvious picture for this case; thousands of people around the world exchange their culture and learn languages by using Facebook. Others prefer to live with native speakers while they are studying in English speaking countries and keep communicating with their roommates. These may help abolish language barriers step by step.

To recapitulate briefly, English learners should organize their plans of study. Many steps should be considered. Firstly, get ready before leaving to English speaking countries and practice the most usable grammatical tenses before looking deeply at the complicated tenses. Then try memorizing English words in complete sentences. Lastly, invest all available chances as much as possible to communicate with English native speakers. Hence, learners will be ready to learn intermediate and advanced levels of English language. Many troubles may hinder learners as they are learning. Nevertheless, they should have persistence to achieve this big goal, and troubles do not keep eager learners away from it.

Opening a Bank Account

 Photo and essay by FF

The banking system is a fabulous feature of the developed countries. In the past, people used to carry their money and precious items everywhere. Therefore, they spent money and effort to save and protect their wealth. However, nowadays we can save our money and gold in a safe place and sleep in peace without our minds being distributed by negative thoughts. It is very important for everyone to have a bank account, especially students, because they need a bank account to transfer money from their country to pay enrolment fees and living expenses. Moreover, they can pay their bills automatically or with a check, and they can have 24/7 access to their cash via ATMs and cash machines. Below, I will show you the steps of opening a checking account in the Bank of America to facilitate the process for the prospective international students.

Before going to the bank you have to be sure of some issues. First, if you are not 18 yet, you should always have your parent or guardian be a co-owner of the account. Second, you have to prepare some personal documents because in the bank they will ask you to give them some information about yourself: your name, date of birth, current address and phone number, Social Security number (in most cases) and email address. Additionally, you should provide evidence to prove your identity such as a passport or driver’s license. So prepare all your documents before going there to save time and effort. Moreover, the bank will need a minimum of $500 as a first deposit to complete the process of opening a bank account. After preparing your documents and minimum requirement money, find the nearest branch of the Bank of America by using a map or the GPS, and check their business hours. You can find information about the location and business hours online at the official website of the Bank of America. Then, go and visit them as soon as possible.

When you arrive at the bank, take a number and wait your turn. When it is your turn, the employee will ask you about the reason for your visit, and you should say: “I want to open a checking account”. Next, the employee will ask you to give him the information and the documents that I have mentioned above in the second paragraph, so be prepared. In the last step, you will have to sign some papers, and this signature must be the same for your future transactions. Then, you will get a temporary debit card to use for the next week until they send the permanent one to your house. Be sure that you are giving them the correct home address while they are taking your personal information. In addition, it is very important to order checks while you are in the bank because many daily truncations cannot be accomplished without paying in checks such as: paying your house or apartment rent and paying the fees of your children daycare. You can order checks since you have opened a bank account.

After two weeks approximately, you will receive your permanent card in the mail box. For more safety, don’t forget to destroy your temporary card, so no one else can use it the futures.

Opening a bank account is a priority for all students. Without opening a bank account, many important responsibilities will be delayed. For example, before I have arrived college station, I attempted to reserve a seat for my son in the daycare, but the principle of the daycare requested a registration fee by check! She didn’t accept any other payment methods, so this mission was delayed for 3 months until we opened an American bank account, and that was very risky. Consequently, if you don’t have a bank account yet, go to the nearest bank branch and start your process now.

How to Do Well in the Joint Composition

Photo and essay by Bayan Zeinelabdin

The Joint Composition is a test that is held two times each semester for ELI students. Only students who have Grammar or Composition class will take this exam. It tests students in how much they can write and apply what they have learned in classes in 40 minutes. All students from all levels will meet on the same date and at the same time. As soon as the prompt shows up, your time starts counting down. You will have to understand the prompt, brainstorm your ideas, write, revise, and submit your essay all in 40 minutes. Do not worry if you cannot write enough, or have more to add but run out of time. There is always a second draft where you can revise, edit, and add. Now let me give you some steps to follow when you take this test.

First, you have to prepare yourself well. The day before the exam, check your email; you will find a message from the ELI’s secretary that has all the information you will need, for example, when to arrive, what information you need to write, and where you will take the exam. Also, go to bed early; you will need to get enough sleep. In the morning, have your breakfast and come early.

Second, arrive early so that you can find an appropriate and comfortable spot in the classroom. Also, arriving early will give you time to open your computer, sign in to eCampus, open the course page, prepare a message for your instructor, and create a new Word document. Then guess what? You are ready to take the test!

Third, when the test begins, try to use your time wisely. The 40 minutes that you will be given will run very quickly. In the beginning, give yourself some time to read the prompt very carefully. If you cannot understand what it is asking you to write, feel free to ask one of the instructors. They will not mind illustrating the prompt for you. After you get it, start to brainstorm your ideas. Try to make an outline for your essay and make sure you do not waste a lot of time in this step. Then start writing. Organize your essay in five well written paragraphs. Then keep some time to read what you have just written, and make corrections as you are reading. Finally, submit your essay within the 40 minutes. If you cannot do it on time, then your teacher will correct it, but you will not be able to have feedback from other teachers.

Lastly, one week after the test, you will get your essay back with corrections and some feedback. Your teacher will give you some time to make your final draft of your Joint Composition. You can develop your essay with more details and examples. Also you can improve it by correcting your mistakes.

It is not difficult to achieve a good score on the Joint composition. However, it requires some preparation and time management. It is also a good training for the TOEFL test which is usually a requirement to study in an English medium university.

From My Country to ELI Classes

Photo and essay by Nabil Mohammad Ali Hameed AL Hakeem

Traveling to the United States and to College Station is not a very easy trip, especially if you are coming from a distant country like Iraq, so it is better to schedule your plans and not leave everything to happen randomly and spontaneously. To start smoothly and easily in ELI (English Language Institute) classes, there are several steps you should consider during the pre and post arrival in the USA.

First and before coming to the United States, you ought to make some preparations like a hotel reservation and taxi or shuttle booking. You can do that by prior coordination with the former students in the Texas A&M University. Getting contact information about the former students can be achieved by the online student’s clubs and associations which exists on the TAMU website (https://studentactivities.tamu.edu/app/). Also, you can contact the ELI’s advisors and can ask them for help. In my case, I had never known anyone in College Station, so I contacted the advisor Melody and asked her for some information about Iraqi students at the Texas A&M University; she was a very cooperative person. Moreover, one of the former students listed the important documents, materials and medicine that I was supposed to bring with me, and he sent me the list by email. The information that I got from the former students was very beneficial and valuable.

The next step starts on the day after your arrival in College Station. Invest your time to find and lease a suitable apartment. In addition to the prices, it is important to take into consideration some factors when you want to lease an apartment: size of apartment (number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, and facilities), nearness to stores and shopping centers, and buses which pass through. However, sometimes, your choice depends on the size of your family and school for your children.

In parallel with looking for an apartment, you can do two important things. Obtaining a cell phone line is very important for keeping in touch with the family and friends. Also, you need to open a new account in one of the banks to manage your money through a debit card. Because there are few taxis here, it is very important to have a car in College Station. In fact, it is useful to bring an international driver’s license from your country. That will allow you to drive any car until you take an exam to acquire a new American driver’s license.

Before starting ELI classes, you need to send an email to the embassy’s cultural office of your country to inform them about your arrival in the United States, and at the same time try to make an I94 document online. This document provides limited access to arrival and departure date records of nonimmigrant people entering and departing the United States. Also, you have to go to the GSC (General Service Center) on campus to obtain an ID and then go to register in SSP (Sponsored Students Program), ISP (International Students Program) and ELI office. I think it is better to come to the United States at least one month before ELI classes begin to do all these things, try to engage with the American society, and take enough time to prepare for the ELPE (English Language Proficiency Exam). All required documents are supposed to be sent to the embassy during the first month after your arrival.

In conclusion, the preceding paragraphs describe an important process that you have to keep in your mind when you decide to study in the United States. Actually, the newly arrived students will find great assistance by the former students and the ELI’s staff. In my opinion, prior preparation by coordination with the former students, providing the required living facilities, and completing the registration process are the mobilization stage before the ELI classes.

The Laundry Process

Essay by Juan Delgado

There is a very vital process students must learn about before coming to the English Language Institute at Texas A & M. One of the most frightening things for a young student leaving the comforts of his home has to do with doing the laundry. Another piece of bad news for you guys is that it is something that has to be done, and drycleaners in the U.S. are very expensive. Therefore, we need to do it by ourselves. Calm down, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, for I will help you with a few tips that I have learned with practice during the first five months.

The first thing to do is practice at least one time at home prior to your travel. Check out what kinds of products are used at your home and check if they are similar to the ones sold in the U.S. Try to ask for tricks and memorize them because once you are by yourself, they will be very useful. Secondly, after being in College Station, search for the nearest washing machine and dryer. In my case, I am very lucky to have them in my apartment which helps me keep my clothes safe. I am not worried about washing room opening hours in case there is one.

Third, buy liquid soap because it treats clothing with delicacy. Do not forget to purchase a softener because otherwise the texture of your apparel will be different from the one that you are accustomed to. Fourth, before putting the clothes in the washing machine, remind yourself of separating it into two groups with colors and whites, this is a suggestion to prevent colors from mixing up with whites. After that, put the first of the two groups in the washing machine, be careful about the amount of soap you add in proportion to the clothes you threw into the machine, pay attention to the inside part of the cap on soap container, for it might help you with an illustration of how much soap is needed. It will take approximately one hour. After that, take out the wet cloth as soon as possible and place them in the dryer adding the softener to the machine.

Finally, if you do not know how to use an iron are you are not familiar with the technique, I would recommend that you read my last tip carefully. Remove the apparel from the dryer right after the machine stops. This will help you to avoid awkward wrinkles, and also fold your shirts immediately. This will allow you to look like if you were back home. If you follow these easy steps, you will succeed I have.

How You Can Join a Student Organization Or Club at Texas A&M University

 Photo and essay by Jesmir Corina Baloa-Perez

Starting to study in a university implies a change of environment, where the process of adaptation could be more complex if you come from another country. You come with a suitcase filled of dreams and goals. A new adventure starts. You start to meet new sites and have the opportunity to make new friends and interact with people of diverse cultures. But, if you are introverted, meeting new people and starting a friendship for you could be complex. Nevertheless, Texas A&M University has diverse student organizations and clubs where you could find one that matches your interests. This option should help you to make new friends with the same preferences as you. Here are some steps you can take to join one.

To begin, you need to investigate diverse organizations and clubs that are active on campus. Normally, when a semester starts, the university organizes an event called MSC Fall Open House, where diverse organizations and clubs participate. There, you can speak with members of the organizations and clubs and clarify your doubts about their mission. For instance, if you like the sports, you could meet in MSC Fall Open House with members of TAMU Gymnastics Club or Texas A&M Tennis Club, but if you like the leadership role, you could meet with members of Aggie Women in Leadership or Aggie Orientation Leader Program.

The next step is to choose some organizations or clubs according to your interests. Probably, you will find a couple of options that you like. Then, you could investigate more about the organizations and clubs that you selected previously. In the website of Student Activities (https://studentactivities.tamu.edu), you could find more detailed information about the organizations and clubs such as their events, contact information, website, etc.

Finally, you have to contact a principal member and talk with him/her to plan your admission. Most of the members are gentle and friendly. They will give you all the information that you need. Many people consider joining an organization or club is a great experience, because this is a fun manner of meeting new people and making friends.

The process of joining an organization or club in Texas A&M is easy. You only need to find information about the organizations and clubs of your preference, select an organization or club and contact the principal member. You will be ready to make new friends and have great moments with gentle and friendly people.

Ground Shuttle

Essay by Fayez Almutairi 

Have you ever thought about how to travel between Houston and College Station? Houston is the biggest city in the state of Texas. Also, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located in Houston. It has a variety of restaurants and shopping malls. There are many ways to travel between College Station and Houston. You can travel by using an airplane, but it will cost you more money. Another way is to rent a car from any car rental’s companies. Still, you need to pay for the car’s insurance. Some people use a taxi, which costs them about $ 200 at least. Ground Shuttle is the best and most economical way between College Station and Houston.

First of all, let me explain what Ground Shuttle is. It is a company that uses vans to transport its customers to their destination. The vans accommodate up to 12 people. Ground Shuttle offers daily trips to Houston from College Station. It just costs you $30 for one ticket. Moreover, you can request a group trip. That means a special trip for your family or your friends to a specific place near College Station. Also, if you have any specific needs, they will arrange it for you. Their web site is www.groundshuttle.com. You can get your ticket online. Beside, their website is extremely secure, so that you can pay online, too.

Second, here are some tips that should help you. Be ready 50 minutes before the departure time. You may take carry-on baggage and a suitcase with you during the trip. They offer child’s car seats, but you should request it earlier. If your flight is delayed in Houston airport, you can notify them by email reservations@groundshuttle.com or via phone (855) 303-4415 to change your reservation to the next forthcoming trip with zero charge.

Finally, you must carry your passport with you during the trip. Also, you should print your ticket. I highly recommend that you tip the van’s drivers because they feel appreciated when customers recognize their efforts and kindness. The tip is about 15% of the bill.

To sum up, without any doubt, Ground Shuttle is the best and most economical way to travel between College Station and Houston. I have used Ground Shuttle many times. They are nice and professional in their job.

How to do a Visual Check of Your Car

 Photos and essay by Hussam Al-Mashhadani

Many people suffer from daily issues or failures that occur in their cars. Some of them can be classified as minor, while the others can be classified as major issues. These failures, in fact, may occur due to an abundance of minor, but important, details that compromise a part or many parts in your car. Nevertheless, these failures can be avoided by several steps, which produce together what is known as visual check, or maintenance, of the car.

First, you need to check the engine’s oil level. This can be done by pulling a stick marked with a ring at the end. It is usually found in the upper part of the engine, even though in different places in different cars. Still, it can be found there. What you need to do for this step is to first pull out this stick and then check visually the amount of oil on that stick. There are usually two lines with words written down on each. The first, or the upper line, refers to maximum, and the second one which is the bottom line refers to the minimum limit. After that, you need to wipe the oil from that stick, put it in again, and pull it one more time. Then you need to see the level of oil. It is usually between the minimum and the maximum level on the stick. If not, then you need to fill the engine with oil somewhere between the minimum and the maximum level. However, the important thing is not to leave it under the minimum level. Otherwise, it will lead to the destruction of the engine in the future. Doing this step may protect the engine from severe friction which leads to total failure.

The second step is to check the radiator fluid. In fact it is a very essential component in the engine, because it is responsible for cooling the engine’s temperature while it is operating. This step can be done by removing the radiator’s cover which can be located in the upper part of the radiator. For safety, never open that cover while the engine is working, because it is hot, and the steam might scald your hand. However, after opening the cover, you need to fill the radiator with anti-freeze fluid to the permitted limit. Don’t use water though, because water may cause additional damage inside your engine such as rust. Then, you need to close the cap to the radiator very tightly. Basically, following this step can prevent the over heat in the engine which lead to a general failure in the engine’s performance. Also, not using water may prevent from forming rust inside the engine which leads to the same results eventually.

The third step is to check the brakes and its fluid. This process can be done by having a visual check on the brake pads. Look at them in their place and see if the thickness of these pads is normal. The normal thickness ranges from 0.25 - 0.5”. If it gets below that range, there might be a danger to the brake system, so you need to replace them by then. Another thing we should take care of is the brake fluid, and that can be done by the same step as the engine oil’s check. Doing this step actually can prevent the failure of the brake system which is an important component in your car.

Another important step is to check the battery. Usually, the battery’s life ranges from 1.5 - 2.5 years depending on the conditions and the maintenance as well. The battery generally has two outlets. The positive, which always comes with a red colored ring surrounding it, and the negative one, which always has the same thing as the positive but with a black ring instead. The positive pole, most often, comes with a bigger diameter than the negative one, because it represents the live line. In other words, it represents the outlet of electrons that gives the energy to the engine as it needs a great amount of energy to start, whereas the negative one comes with a smaller diameter, because it is considered as the inlet of the energy that comes from the engine. However, to maintain a good condition of your battery throughout the year, you must keep it clean. Simply, remove the cable connector from its terminal, then start cleaning it with a wire brush, just as you brush your teeth. Make sure the cables are unbroken or rusty. Otherwise, it will leak the battery’s charge, and eventually, the battery will be damaged. First, take the positive port, then the negative. When you put them back, you need to put them in reverse order. This way you will maintain the longest battery’s life, and you can save some money as well.

All in all, many people would consider these steps as unimportant, and doing them is a waste of time. However, in my opinion, small things can cause huge damage to your car in places that you may not realize. Furthermore, with these steps you can guarantee a longer life for your engine, brake system, your car, and the most important thing you have, your life.

The first step,…oil level

The second step,… radiator fluid level

The third step,…Brake fluid

Brakes pads

The fourth step,..the battery