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.

December 15, 2014

The Benefits of an Honors College

December 15, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

Choosing a college is an incredibly exciting and (often) stressful process. For high-flying high school students, private schools and liberal arts colleges often seem like the logical choice. However, an Honors College at a large public university can offer incredible opportunities and benefits for academics, social life, and broader opportunities.

I was a student at the University of Oregon's Honors College. Here's why that was a great fit for me (and why an Honors College could be a great fit for you, too).

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 07, 2014

Thesis Writing Basics: Choosing an Undergraduate Thesis Topic

July 07, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

An undergraduate thesis is the culmination of a college experience, and if you have the opportunity (or obligation) to write one, you will probably approach it with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. It is your chance to write something that is almost entirely self-directed: it will bring together the information and skills that you have learned thus far on your academic journey and set you free to pursue a specific research topic of your choice.

May 30, 2014

7 Coping Strategies While Doing Depressing Research

May 30, 2014/ Katie Dwyer

To do this kind of work, we have to be able to look after ourselves and our emotions. Every person will have a different way of coping, and a different set of triggers, challenges, and specific responses to what they learn. This is far from an exhaustive list, but it’s a starting place: how to cope with doing depressing research as an academic.

November 06, 2013

Getting into "closed" classes

November 06, 2013/ Katie Dwyer

So here’s something I wish I had known from the beginning: a “closed class” does not mean what you think it means. If the class is capped at thirty, and there are thirty students already signed up, then it just means you need to be a bit more creative about making your schedule happen. Here’s what worked for me