Ashley Robinson

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Recent Posts

Is an Environmental Science Degree Right for You?

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Nov 11, 2019 11:00:00 AM

General Education

Are you searching for a major that’s dynamic and flexible, that connects you to the world around you, and gives you a sense of being a part of the solution to many of the Earth’s problems? You might want to think about becoming an environmental science major.

The good news is that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in environmental science are projected to grow 11% over the next ten years. Furthermore, the median income for environmental science-related fields in the United States is $71,130 per year, more than double the overall median US salary of $31,561.

In other words, there’s a lot of opportunity for you to take your love of the environment and turn it into a lucrative career!

An environmental science degree can be a good tool for breaking into an environmental field. That’s why we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the environmental science degree into this handy article. We’ll teach you what to expect from an environmental science major, go over the top programs in the nation, then show you what you can do with your environmental science degree after graduation. 

We’ve got a lot to talk about, so let’s get to it! 

 

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Is an Economics Major Right for You?

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Nov 11, 2019 9:00:00 AM

General Education

If you listen to the news, you’ve probably heard people talk quite a bit about “the economy,” which is the major focus of economics. While many people think of money, calculators, business people in suits when they hear the term, economics is actually a complex field of study...and it’s also something you can major in when you go to college! 

But what is economics, exactly? Everyone’s definition of economics varies, depending on their area of interest. It’s focused on money, yes, but its primary focus is how money is used and how it can change the world, for better or for worse. If you’re interested in commerce, financial systems, or even the history of Wall Street, economics might be a good major for you. 

In this article, we’re going to give you a general overview of majoring in economics. We’ll answer many common questions, including: 

  • What is the study of economics?
  • What is being an economics major like?
  • Which schools have the best economics programs?
  • What can you do with an economics degree?

Let’s dive in! 

 

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How to Become a Veterinarian: Key Steps and Qualities

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Nov 7, 2019 6:00:00 PM

General Education

It’s quite likely that your first encounter with a veterinarian happened when your pet was sick and needed a little extra care. That’s because a veterinarian’s primary job is to care for animals! Working with cute, cuddly critters is part of the appeal of the job--in fact, “veterinarian” is one of the most common responses from kids when they’re asked what they want to do when they grow up!

If you’re interested in becoming a vet, it’s a good idea to know quite a bit about the profession. In this article, we’ll talk about what vets do, what kinds of degrees and licenses they hold, how long it takes to become a vet, and what kinds of personal qualities it takes to succeed in the profession. We’ll also walk you through the process of becoming a vet step by step to help you prepare for your dream career. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including:

  • How long does it take to become a vet
  • How to decide whether becoming a veterinarian is right for you
  • What classes you should take in high school and college
  • How to pick a good undergraduate university and vet school
  • What vet school is like

So let’s get started!

 

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Kinesiology Degree: Is It Right for You?

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Nov 6, 2019 4:00:00 PM

General Education

If you’ve never heard of it before, the word “kinesiology” can sound like another language. Kinesiology is simply the study of something we all encounter every day: movement. It’s also a college major that can lead to a successful career after you graduate.

There’s a lot to know about majoring in kinesiology, though. Sure, you now know what it is, but do you know the kind of pay you can expect from kinesiology jobs? Or about how long a kinesiology degree takes? It can be a little overwhelming, so we’re here to walk you through:

  • What kinesiology is
  • What being a kinesiology major is like
  • Which schools have the best kinesiology programs
  • The types of jobs you can get with a kinesiology degree

So, what is kinesiology, exactly?

 

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The 12 Best Accounting Schools in the United States

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 14, 2019 5:00:00 PM

General Education

If you’re looking into majoring in a business-related field, you might find yourself looking into accounting programs. And accounting is a great choice: not only are accounting degrees in demand, but accounting is a field that tends to remain stable even during economic recessions. After all, businesses still need to make sure they’re running payroll, auditing their finances, and paying their taxes on time. 

If you’re thinking about majoring in accounting, there are a lot of benefits to attending one of the top accounting programs in the nation. Not only will you get a top-rate education, you’ll also have access to top-level faculty, networking events, and internships (among other perks). 

In this article, we’ll give you the inside scoop on the 12 best accounting colleges in the United States. We’ll also share our top tips for getting into competitive accounting programs. 

 

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The Best HiSET Practice Tests to Help You Ace Your Exam

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 13, 2019 7:00:00 PM

General Education

If you’re reading this, you probably already know what the HiSET is and have decided that taking the HiSET Exam is the correct decision for you. That’s a great first step on the journey to earning your high school equivalency!

As you’re probably aware, the HiSET Exam is not cheap (it can potentially cost as much as $125 after administrative or testing center fees), so you likely will not want to take it multiple times. It’s definitely better to prepare beforehand so you’ll only need to pay that fee once.

That’s why we’re going to cover the following in this article to give you a full overview of the HiSET practice tests:

  • What the HiSET Exam is
  • Why you should take a practice test
  • How this article can help you prepare for the HiSET practice test
  • A list of available HiSET practice tests
  • How to get the most out of the HiSET practice test

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get moving!

 

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18 Critical To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes, Explained

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 9, 2019 3:00:00 PM

General Education

Not only is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird one of the most widely taught books in American high schools, but it's also one of the most popular books in general. In fact, it was just recently voted "America’s favorite novel"! Its popularity has endured for decades, and it’s still taught in schools across the United States today.

That’s why we’re explaining the top 18 To Kill a Mockingbird quotes for you. In addition to becoming familiar with the stand-out moments of the novel, by the end of this article you’ll have a deeper understanding of the book’s themes, characters, and most important elements.

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What Is the HiSET? Expert Guide to the High School Equivalency Test

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 7, 2019 9:00:00 AM

General Education

Finishing high school the "traditional" way isn't the right path for everyone. That's why there are exams you can take to earn what's known as a high school equivalency (HSE) credential in the U.S. The HiSET Exam is a test that allows you to earn an HSE credential if you discontinued your high school education but want the equivalent of a high school diploma.

The HiSET isn't the only high school equivalency exam option. (You've probably heard quite a bit about another HSE test, the GED.) We're betting you have a lot of questions about how the HiSET works, what taking the exam will be like, and what you can do with the HiSET once you take the exam.

That's why we're going to cover the following in this article to give you a full overview of the HiSET Exam:

  • What the HiSET Exam is
  • Who can take the HiSET Exam
  • The four most important details to know before you register for the HiSET, including how much the exam costs
  • What to expect when you take the exam, including the length of the exam, exam format, and its contents
  • Four key differences between the HiSET Exam and the GED
  • Four resources to help you learn more about and prep for the HiSET Exam

We've got a lot to cover, so let's get moving!


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Full Expert Analysis: "Do not go gentle into that good night" by Dylan Thomas

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 6, 2019 2:00:00 PM

General Education

Learning to read and understand poetry is tricky business. Between the tough terminology—what is synecdoche, anyway?!—and complicated structure, it can sometimes feel impossible to understand what a poet is trying to say. Unfortunately, if you're going to take the AP Literature exam, you're going to have to figure out how to quickly read and understand poetry.

One of the best ways to get a handle on poetry is to read a poem along with a detailed explanation of both what the poem means and how the poet conveys that meaning.

To do this, we're going to take a look at Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night," one of the most famous poems of the 20th century. Not only will you have a handle on the poem's overall message, but you'll also understand the most important techniques Dylan Thomas uses to convey that meaning to the reader.

We promise: by the end of this article, poetry will seem a lot less scary. So let's get started!

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What Is a Republic vs a Democracy?  Understanding the Difference

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 6, 2019 2:00:00 PM

Advanced Placement (AP), General Education

If you look closely at the United States Pledge of Allegiance, you'll see that it calls the United States a republic. It reads: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." So what does that mean, exactly? Can the United States be both a democracy and a republic? And what is the difference between a democracy and republic, anyway?

As it turns out, there are subtle, but important, differences between a democracy and a republic, and that the definitions aren't mutually exclusive. In other words, it's complicated. But don't worry! Knowing the differences between a republic vs a democracy is important for tons of AP exams, including both history tests (U.S. and world) and both government and politics tests (U.S. and comparative). That's why we've put this guide together for you.

By the end of this article, you'll know the definitions of a democracy and a republic, how they operate, the differences between them, and where the United States fits into the discussion.

So let's get started!

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What Is a Preposition? Definition, Meaning, and Examples

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 1, 2019 12:00:00 PM

General Education

Prepositions are one of the eight parts of speech in the English language, and they’re pretty important. Prepositions allow us to create complex sentences and add in important details. They play a crucial role in helping sentences make sense, which is super important when you need to communicate clearly and effectively.

But if you have to sit down and give an accurate preposition definition, things can get a little tricky. You may know that prepositions are usually short words like at, for, in, on, or under, but what is a preposition as a part of speech? What do prepositions do, and how the heck do you identify a preposition in a sentence?

To help you become an expert on prepositions, we’re going to talk about the following in this article:

  • Answer the questions “What is a preposition?” and “What does preposition mean?”
  • Explain each type of preposition definition with examples of each type used in a sentence
  • Provide a list of four top tips for identifying prepositions in sentences

If there’s a specific type of preposition you want to know more about—like prepositions of space—you can find the information quickly by holding Command + F on your keyboard, then typing in the term you’re looking for.

Now without further ado, let’s get started!

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Understanding the 8 Parts of Speech: Definitions and Examples

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Oct 1, 2019 12:00:00 PM

General Education

If you’re trying to learn the grammatical rules of English, you’ve probably been asked to learn the parts of speech. But what are parts of speech and how many are there? How do you know which words are classified in each part of speech?

The answers to these questions can be a bit complicated—English is a difficult language to learn and understand. Don’t fret, though! We’re going to answer each of these questions for you with a full guide to the parts of speech that explains the following:

  • What the parts of speech are, including a comprehensive parts of speech list
  • Parts of speech definitions for the individual parts of speech. (If you’re looking for information on a specific part of speech, you can search for it by pressing Command + F, then typing in the part of speech you’re interested in.) 
  • Parts of speech examples
  • A ten question quiz covering parts of speech definitions and parts of speech examples

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s begin!

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What Part of Speech Is the Word 'The'?

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Sep 30, 2019 4:00:00 PM

General Education

When you start breaking it down, the English language is pretty complicated—especially if you're trying to learn it from scratch! One of the most important English words to understand is the.

But what part of speech is the word the, and when should it be used in a sentence? Is the word the a preposition? Is the a pronoun? Or is the word the considered a different part of speech?

To help you learn exactly how the word the works in the English language, we're going to do the following in this article:

  • Answer the question, "What part of speech is the?"
  • Explain how to use the correctly in sentences, with examples
  • Provide a full list of other words that are classified as the same part of speech as the in the English language

Okay, let's get started learning about the word the!

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The 9 Best Sight Word Games for Kids and Adults

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Sep 30, 2019 3:00:00 PM

General Education

Anyone (of any age!) who’s interested in increasing their English vocabulary or literacy skills needs to be familiar with sight words—what they are, how they work in the English language, and which words are considered sight words!

One effective way to master sight words is by playing games. Science shows that high-quality educational games can be effective tools to help you learn new concepts and skills. And hey—who doesn’t want to have fun while learning?

To help you choose sight word games that are proven to be effective at increasing vocabulary and enhancing literacy skills, we’ve compiled a full guide to sight word games and activities for you. Included in this article are:

  • A definition of what sight words are and why they’re important
  • Three do-it-yourself sight word games
  • Three physical sight word games
  • Three digital sight word games and sight word apps

So by the end of this post, you’ll have nine sight word games and activities that can help you improve both your vocabulary and reading skills!

 

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The Best Controversial Topics for Debates and Essays

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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Sep 11, 2019 12:00:00 PM

General Education

Controversial topics are a good choice for an essay or debate because they immediately draw in the reader or listener. The adage that “controversy sells” is so rooted in society that even the rapper Chamillionaire named his second album after it! Controversial issues are also a good topic because it’s easier to write a strong thesis and find sources to back up your argument. After all, when something is controversial, everybody wants to have their say over it.

However, it’s also important that you address controversial issues with sensitivity and care. Because controversial topics tend to raise emotions, you must walk a thin line between opinion and fact in order to build trust between you and your reader/listener.

In this article, we’re going to give you the best controversial topics you can use for essays and debates—and we’ll explain the controversies for you, too! We’ll also discuss when to use controversial topics, the pros and cons of choosing a controversial issue, and tips for making sure you’re treating a controversial topic with sensitivity and respect.

That’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!


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