April 18, 2021

Why You Can't Cite Wikipedia

April 18, 2021/ Katie Dwyer

You need information. You find the information on Wikipedia. You do it when you are curious about some small idea in the middle of the night, when you are trying to win an argument, etc. It’s the first stop for all answers to things we don’t know.

But you really can’t cite Wikipedia.

At least, if you have an assignment that requires four authoritative sources, Wikipedia isn’t one of them. You are a college student. Here’s why… and the final reason I give is the same as every other teacher/professor: “because I said so.”

March 16, 2015

Making the Most of Your Thesis: From Classroom to the 'Real World' (Guest Post)

March 16, 2015/ Katie Dwyer

Korrin Bishop launched her post-graduate life from the network and experience gained through writing an undergraduate thesis. She shares her thesis writing advice, as well as her perspective on leveraging research into 'real world' publication and opportunities.

This is a fabulous post for all those out there who have a thesis looming on the horizon and are wondering how to make it happen an if it really matters. Here's how to do it, and why it's worth the work.

February 04, 2015

Study Tips: Taking Notes on Books

February 04, 2015/ Katie Dwyer

It's easy to get overwhelmed by assigned readings for college classes, and to feel like you'll never remember all of it anyway... so why bother?

Detailed note taking can save enormous amounts of work later on. If you know an assigned book in depth, and can quickly find quotes to support your ideas or arguments, you will be well on your way to having a useful source document both for your current class and for future assignments.

This is my process for taking notes in assigned books. It's made a huge difference in my studies, and I bet it works for you too!

January 09, 2015

Is an Online Degree a Good Idea?

January 09, 2015/ Katie Dwyer

Are online degrees a good idea? Will an online degree provide the same quality of education you would receive in a brick and mortar location? Will the degree be as respected?

Several major online programs have been embroiled in scandals and revealed as frauds. But an increasing number of respected universities and colleges are now offering online courses of their own. So, here's the question: is an online degree a good idea for you?

December 05, 2014

Write Your Own Essays (No Excuses)

December 05, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

It’s finals season. It’s stressful. Students are stressed about essays and exams and grades and all the studying they’ve put off for the semester. This makes it a good moment to write about something I’ve had on my mind for a long while now—something that has probably crossed the radar of most students and has hopefully never been utilized by readers here. I have a bit of a rant for you today—essay writing services.

Do not use them. Ever.

Write your own essays.

October 07, 2014

College Logistics: How Do I...

October 07, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

At every stage in the college journey, there is a plethora of shifting logistical and practical questions. Early college questions (How do I register for classes? How do I use the gym? How do I use the online homework website?) give way to mid-college questions (How do I prepare to go abroad? How do I decide if this is the right major for me? How do I move off-campus and deal with all the accompanying real-life logistics?) and finally to the questions that plague soon-to-be graduates (How do I turn in my thesis? How do I get transcripts? How am I going to make it in the real world…)

September 22, 2014

Choosing a Second Language

September 22, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

There are a seemingly infinite number of studies and reports out there on the value of a second language—everything from increased business opportunities to an enhanced ability to empathize or to think creatively. Mastery of a second language is supposed to increase potential lifetime earnings, and possibly stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s. It's also part of every Bachelor of Arts degree, and therefore a graduation requirement for many college undergraduates. So if learning a second language is part of your college future, how do you choose which one to study?

August 04, 2014

Study Tips: Co-Writing An Essay

August 04, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

Co-writing, if done right, means that both parties play to their strengths and ultimately do less work. It's also something that is a common exercise in the non-academic "real world." Most group projects in school do not resemble a work setting in the slightest—you will rarely be called upon to join a group of four colleagues in presenting on something you know very little about. However, you will often have to turn in a final product, written or otherwise, resulting from collaboration and compromise. In fact, many jobs rely almost completely on this model.

July 09, 2014

The Disconnected College Curriculum and "Spider Ed": Guest Post by "Professor X"

July 09, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

Colleges are no longer producing responsible citizens of the world. This is a damning testament, since the world, or at least America, is clearly evolving toward entitled lifestyles where people are informed by their own filters and become disconnected from any real world. Why is the college experience enabling students to remain on this path?

May 14, 2014

Essay Writing Basics: The Fast First Draft

May 14, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

A fast draft means you have a starting place. You get the main points down on paper. And even for longer projects, this process of writing a fast draft will help push the whole process along.

April 07, 2014

In Defense of Large Lecture Classes

April 07, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

The key to a quality lecture seems to be some magical blend of the teacher’s passion and expertise with the relevance and level of engagement of the material at hand. You should walk away from a lecture with a sense that you have gained something that you couldn’t get from the assigned reading.

February 24, 2014

What I learned taking college classes in prison

February 24, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

I spent hundreds of hours in the Oregon State Penitentiary, first as a student, then as a teacher’s assistant and program coordinator. But that first day, on entering the prison, that Dostoevsky quote was certainly on my mind. What did this massive building say about our society? And how would I fit into the smaller microcosm of the classroom?

January 20, 2014

The Benefits of College Credits in High School

January 20, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

College-level classes will help you prepare for what you’ll be expected to learn once you arrive on campus. And the credits you earn before you arrive on campus will increase your freedom in coursework, flexibility in travel, and your overall opportunity to take advantage of the full breadth of the college experiences available to you.

January 08, 2014

Textbooks: When to Buy

January 08, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

I spent an average of less than $50 per semester on my books for college.

The cost of textbooks is one of the major complaints for college students. And rightly so: some schools quote costs in excess of $300 per semester, depending on the classes and major. Textbooks can be a huge burden, so here’s my secret: don’t buy them. In many cases, proper planning and informed decision-making can make all the difference.

January 06, 2014

Starting the Semester: The Syllabus

January 06, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

The syllabus is your friend. It tells you exactly what you need to do to be prepared for class, learn what’s valuable, and get a good grade. A well-written syllabus leaves no mysteries to course structure or requirements. It’s all there, on a piece of paper, and you will probably go through an exhaustive discussion on that first day. Pay attention.