A Ph.D in Student

Graduation on the Horizon

12:22 PM

This is it my friends.

The moment I have been working towards since 2015.

This week is the last week of my practicum, where I am learning how to be a therapist by working with real clients under the tutelage of some really amazing supervisors (I haven't blogged about this because there isn't much about it that I can actually share due to confidentiality reasons). The end of the month marks the end of all my classes save for one.

I have one class left. Just one.

And then, in December, I will graduate with a Master's in Counseling Psychology and can apply for my associateship, and then I can actually, finally, finally, change careers.

I am sure I will have more poignant things to say when graduation is finally here, but the end of practicum is a big deal. I've accrued the 400 hours of practicum to graduate (at least 200 are direct counseling hours where I work with clients face-to-face). I have done all the coursework (save for the one class, that is). It's finally here.

There are a few things I have to do in order to reach that milestone, however:

Pay $2,778.53 for the last class (financial aid doesn't stretch that much when you are a graduate student)
Pay $250 to apply for graduation
Pay $70+ for Livescan
Pay $150 to apply for associateship
Plus whatever costs for testing that I may be forgetting.

Changing careers is hard. It isn't cheap, either. I am working two jobs right now, while also finishing my Master's. It is hard enough for me, and I can't imagine how hard it is for someone with a family, kids, people they need to care for, or a different socioeconomic status as me. I recognize that my privilege of not having a family, of having a previous degree that has helped me get a better paying job (although I am STILL underpaid...ahem) so that I can afford college, and of course other privileges have helped me immensely in changing careers, while I also understand that things could have been a lot easier.

But I did the work. I put in the effort. The victory is mine.

And while I love school, because trust me, I'd do this for free and with no reward of a degree if I could, I am happy to see it coming to an end. Maybe, in the future, I will pursue an English degree for funsies (I mean, if I am already reading, why not?). But for now, this journey is coming to a close.

Which just means there's going to be room for more journeys to come.

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Don't Let Academia Bully You

12:08 PM

I recently participated in a discussion where many students felt that their professors were bullying them, and they didn't know what to do about it, or why it was happening. Unfortunately, professors are not always professional, and sometimes they can unload their issues on another person. To some, a student is below them, and they can do what they want to make those people feel miserable or less-than.

When I first went to college, and was at FIDM, I had two professors who bullied in two different ways. One was actually verbally abusive, and yelled at students who didn't get things right the first time, or asked questions. It was not a good learning environment. All we did was follow directions...with no room to experiment or apply what we "learned." Another professor bullied in a more subtle but still malicious way, by gossiping to each student and other professors to spread rumors and pit people against each other. In the end, the class was divided, with half against the other half. I reported them both to the school, which resulted in all the professors, even the nice ones, from ever talking to me again. It was obviously a toxic environment all around. Unfortunately, I was very young and didn't understand the nature of abuse, toxic people, or bullying. I unfortunately believed that it was because I didn't work hard enough, or I was a bad person who somehow deserved it.

In the years since FIDM, I've learned a lot about all of those things. I survived narcissistic bosses and boyfriends, as well as toxic people at work who created smear campaigns, ostracized, and gossiped. I faced verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and interpersonal abuse. It WAS abuse, and no amount of mental gymnastics can justify it. None of it was my fault. And none of it is EVER warranted.

When I returned to school, I was wary enough about abuse that I didn't want any part of it. Any professor that showed any inkling of abuse was immediately dropped, and there were three of them. One flirted with the men in the class, making everyone uncomfortable. One basically told us all that we were too dumb to pass his class. Another was rude and demeaning to the women in the class.

I can't say I am an expert at spotting abusive people. After all, if they weren't able to hide who they really are, they wouldn't be successful anywhere. Abusive people know how to manipulate, connive, and talk their way out of situations. But there are red flags to look out for (and please keep in mind that when I say there are red flags to look out for, it doesn't mean that it is your fault if you can't spot all red flags...the prey is not responsible for the predator's choice):

Humiliation

This can be subtle, and can be masked as being justified. But if you are left feeling guilty, inferior, or embarrassed, you are probably being subjected to humiliation abuse. In this type of abuse, the abuser may reword how they talk to you to make you seem like you are always making a mistake or saying the wrong thing. If you ask a question, they may talk over you or make you feel like you're stupid. They may make a public example of your work as what not to do, over and over. They offer critique, but no solution. They are condescending, rude, and are generally out to make you feel inferior to them.

What does this look like?

"Here we see everything not to do..."
"Did you not read the book?"
"Thank you for the textbook definition, however, I'm looking for something with critical thought behind it. Next?"
"Perhaps you should have paid more attention in your prerequisites..."
"Are you sure that is how its supposed to be?"

If you'll notice, this requires an audience. The professor will never suggest one on one time or a private review. Here is what the above looks like when not abusive:

"I love that you attempted this hard technique. Here are a few tips to make it work a bit smoother..."
"Close, but if we look at the book, it says that..." or "I admire your unique perspective. Perhaps you can integrate it with the questions of the homework, and also consider this point of view in a sort of argumentive essay?"
"Yes, that is an excellent definition. How do we apply that to real life, though?"
"I understand this is a tough concept. Let's have a little mini review..."

The above all acknowledge the student as someone who is learning and not an expert. But they also acknowledge the student as a person. People forget things. People make mistakes. People are not perfect. It acknowledges attempts without making people feel horrible for not being perfect.

Sabotage

This can happen where a professor does not give a student their time, at least, not as much as they do for others. Perhaps they withhold information, neglect to show someone something, or even worse, steal or damage their work. I have had a professor sell my portfolio at FIDM to Forever 21. Even though that didn't sabotage my grade, it did con me out of money!

There are also tales of professors who will automatically dock points from assignments with no explanation. Sometimes if pressed for an explanation, they will refuse, tell you "go read the syllabus," or come up with a reason that you know is not legit. I have faced these sorts of professors before, and have had to get my student advisor, the dean, and/or the program department head(s) involved. Only once has this action not helped me, but it's still worth it. Remember, school is a service you pay for, a service designed to help you learn. If it is not doing that, you aren't getting what you paid for (this is not an excuse to go full Karen on someone, though...be respectful).

Gossip and ostracism

This is when a person or persons target someone and gossip enough to turn the crowd against the person (otherwise known as a smear campaign). Ostracism is when they purposely exclude someone, or use other abusive methods to make others participate in ostracizing someone. If a professor has favorites, and those favorites are doing poorly, they may manipulate the situation so where others feel out of place or unworthy in the class. This is horrible because the professor is in a position of power, and people will naturally want to believe them. In my example, one half of the class believed the professor. However, gossip and ostracism are long games. They take time and effort. If a person gossips against you once, whatever. But long term gossip poisons the mind, and people begin to see this as truth. It is not okay.

Verbal abuse

Verbal abuse might be hard to pass off, but as in my example, it has happened. What made it work for the professor was that we were a small class size (6 students) and we could not drop the class. It was literally impossible to drop the class because there were no concurrent classes, the classes only occurred once a year, and she was the only professor for that class anyway. The professor was in a position of power, over 6 young adults who didn't know better, and was getting paid either way. There was no one target in the class, as all received the abuse. When someone reported her, she denied it.

Verbal abuse is when someone is being outright belligerent towards someone, such as yelling, screaming, using insults, and profanity. However, it can also be a part of humiliation, or any verbal abuse used to manipulate, lie, or demean. If it makes you feel like crap, its abuse.

What to do

If you are facing these situations, there are several things you can do. You can do all of them, actually.

Keep a record: record what happened, when, at what time, and who the witnesses were.
Report it to your academic counselor: you want to create a paper trail, so be sure to tell them. Plus, they're supposed to be on your side.
Report it to the dean of the department, and CC your counselor: that way, you can show that it is a serious situation, and also, the recipient will see that others are CC'd and be more inclined to act.
Have other students report it as well: give them the emails of who to report it to and ask them to speak up. When more than one person acts, it makes an impact. But if others don't because they are afraid or "don't want to get involved," that is fine. You can't force people how to act.
AGAIN: remember that you are paying the school for the service of their professors teaching you, and if you are not getting your money's worth, then you need to speak up. Just as you would if you ordered a hamburger that was raw, or bought something that broke the next day. Why should you put up with a broken service at school? Just because professors are professors does not mean they have power over you. This is not high school.

You are worthy of having an educational experience that prepares you for your future without making you feel horrible about yourself. If a professor is behaving wrongly, realize that it has nothing to do with you. You are not inferior for attracting their horrible ways. You are not unworthy for this happening to you. You have done nothing wrong. So just report them, and understand that you cannot control others, and if it wasn't you, it would be someone else.

Get help

Most schools have mental health professionals you can call on when you are having issues. A professor who is abusive is an issue. You can talk to your school's therapist to not only get perspective on the issue and learn how to deal with it, but to work out your emotions and stress. If the abuse makes you feel anxious or depressed, please reach out. You deserve care and compassion.

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Keep It Together While Writing a Lit Review

10:48 PM

A big part of studying psychology is conducting literature reviews, which are like research projects but require APA formatting and doesn't involve any actual studies (i.e. surveys, experiments, or observations). Instead, it is much like an MLA report where one reviews different peer reviewed sources and create a report that usually just includes the Introduction, Literature Review, Discussion, and Conclusion. Since no study has been conducted, there's no need for procedures, methods, or results. Often, an abstract is not needed, either.

Creating one of these reports may seem like a cluster of a mess and a burden. But the main purpose of these reports is to get you to research other peer reviewed items and to read about something outside of a textbook. It is also to get you to understand how research studies create the results that the layperson sees as truths.

If you feel that these papers keep you in a state of stress, try following my steps towards success below:

Plan ahead accordingly.

I've written about assignment planning before. Basically, have a good idea of how you work and how much time you need to do an assignment, and plan accordingly. In my online classes, I get the syllabus a week ahead of time, so I start planning the semester right then. Here's how that looks:

So, given this, I can see what I need to get done, when. I actually don't go by a strict schedule anymore because I've reached a familiarity with myself and how I work, so I can just...go by my own needs. But the schedule still looks quite similar to the above. Just because I don't follow the schedule to a T doesn't mean I wait to the last minute to get things done.

Have some familiarity with the APA format...or use a template.

If you are in the psychology major, all your papers will end up being APA, regardless if they are reflection, research, a study, or...whatever. So one day you should have a class that teaches you how to write APA, like Research Methods or Writing for Social Sciences. If you haven't taken those classes yet, do not fear...there are tools out there to help you.

First there is Academic Writer, which is basically an engine that formats your writing for you. You type out your essay in the appropriate fields, and when done...bam! A full, put-together report!

Select a template that best fits your paper. Then, get started!

It even has a tool to help you organize your references...and to search for them!

I forgot all of the name of the paper I was referencing, but I remembered one of the authors and parts of the title. The paper popped right up!

See if your school has access to this tool. Otherwise, you may have to pay for it. If you don't want to do that, there are other ways to put together your paper. Word has a template for APA here. And then there is Google docs with a template here. However, no matter what you use, make sure that the finished product adheres to the APA 6th edition guidelines (or, whatever edition is out when you read this). If you don't know what those are, check out the below:

*I will be using Google Docs during this example, as Microsoft Word online makes formatting hard to determine for APA. Do not use my paper for your own. Plagiarism is not ok, and all my papers are submitted to a database that WILL compare your paper to mine and let your professor know.

Time to research your topic.

I am going to use my topic of this week for Psychophysiology for an example. The topic is Alzheimer's disease, specifically, the genes and other causes linked to Alzheimer's disease. This is a subject I am very keen about...after all, my grandma died of Alzheimer's in 1998, and if anything, I want to avoid that same fate in myself.

I begin by using my school library's resource search engine, and will use Alzheimer's as the first term and either cause, treatment, or genes/genetics in the second term:

This provides me with the most relevant items. I am required to use peer reviewed items for this paper, so I don't look at textbooks, guides for the layperson, videos, or periodicals.

Input your resources into a generator.

Use something like Academic Writer or Citation Machine, which will automatically format your references in alphabetical order and in proper APA formatting (sidenote: even if they do so, be sure to always check your references...sometimes these generators can give you an oops with stray commas or periods, or italics where they aren't needed, etc.).

After you create a citation, it will be displayed on your "Bibliography." This is a confirmation it was created.

Citation Machine will organize your references in alphabetical order, and then you can copy all and paste into your reference page. You can search for your reference by title, author, or doi. Keywords don't help much, however. You can cite a variety of items, and even use their manual entry mode to add references that Citation Machine can't find.

You can see that Citation Machine can help you create citations for many different formats, and for many types of resources. Aside from books, websites, and journals, one I use most is photographs for use in presentations. Yeah, you have to cite those too!

My citation list usually ends up being a few pages, so the "copy all" tool really helps! When you paste it to your reference page, make sure that the formatting is correct. Sometimes it will switch fonts and font sizes on you.

Create notes based on what you find in the articles.

After I find a resource I want to use (I will be using Carroll & Macauley's paper for this lit review), I will go ahead and read it while taking notes on relevant information. When I first started writing lit reviews, I would print out the whole report and highlight information. Then I realized that, for literature reviews, you usually only need to read two sections: the abstract and discussion sections.

I write notes on things I find that seem relevant to the writing prompt. These papers have tons of biological info that I do not understand and have never been taught. I try to stick to things that are also relevant to the course, which is an undergrad biological psychology course.

The abstract is going to tell you that this study is one you need to pay attention to. The discussion section will not only elaborate on things mentioned in the abstract, but will also tell you if the study's hypothesis was proven or disproved. However, if you are reading a literature review, like the paper I have selected above, you will have to read all of it, with the conclusion summarizing the info.

When you take notes, be sure to mention which resource the notes came from, and if you can, the page number in case you need to go back to the resource later. Here I have noted the citation of the authors, and date, so that it can be easily referenced when writing.

Write by section, and leave the intro for last.

Many people get caught up in writing the introduction for a lit review first. But how can you introduce what you are writing before you have written it? If you are able to do this, all the kudos to you, but for the rest of us, it's probably best to leave the intro for last.

Instead, start on the lit review. Write by subheadings, i.e. for this paper:

I usually use other papers that have been graded as having good APA format for a template. That way, I don't have to worry about re-formatting! Here you can see bits of my last essay on sleep disorders remaining. In this particular essay for Alzheimer's, I wrote the discussion first because 1) it was easier and 2) it required reflection and I had a lot to say about the disease.

Try to keep the information in an order that flows, leading towards a conclusion. You can see from the above that I started with explaining the disease (symptoms, who it effects, etc), and then moved to causes, then to treatments.

I went section by section to not only ensure the flow of the paper, but to keep my brain from frazzling. You can do the sections out of order if it makes sense, too! Sometimes I do that as well.

Fill in each chunk separately, and add citations as you go. Your reference page should be complete so it should be easy to add citations now. And, if your notes are organized with citations, you can just plug them in where you need them! No need for going back to the resources and trying to figure out where you saw what.

Write the conclusion.

The conclusion is going to be more like a discussion and conclusion, and it will go into more detail than the introduction will.

Write the intro, and if your professor requires an abstract, write that now.

The introduction should be just that: an intro to what you are going to write without going into a ton of detail. You are leading the reader into what they are about to read. But since you knew what you wrote now, this part should be easy.

Check to make sure you have used all your citations.

Even though I make notes on many citations, and use Citation Machine to add them to the list, sometimes I do not use all my citations. Double check that they are used, and if not, just delete them, or if you forgot to cite them, add the citations now.

Make sure that your citations are formatted correctly.

See the below? See any mistakes?

This is directly copied from the school Library's citation generator!

Yeah, that's right. After some of the last names, there are no commas. This is why you need to double check Citation Machine, or wherever you get your citations generated from (these come from the Library's citation generator!). Sometimes the generators will Italicize things that don't need it, add capital letters in places where it should not be, and will remove dates even if they are there. Each generator I've used has some flaw, so you just have to keep on your toes.

Ensure formatting is good on all other things.

Check your title page, your running heads, and margins. If everything is good to go, submit the paper for review by a tutor, or, turn it in.

What are your tips for getting Lit Reviews written without going nuts? Drop them below!

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Hurtling Towards Graduation: What to Expect When You Are Too Busy to Expect Anything!

8:23 PM

This is it, my friends. Graduation is on the horizon. The final step. What we've been inching towards for all these years, despite the struggles and hardships, triumph and achievements. Times sure have changed for me since starting school again in 2015. I was working in a furniture warehouse doing SEO and social media management for a mismanaged company, I had moved back in with my parents (ouch), and had lost my cat. I was depressed, gaining weight, and had even confessed at one point that I saw no point in going on with living.

The years between saw me regaining confidence in myself and my abilities, in finding a groove in school, and understanding what got me to that point in 2015 and how I was going to propel myself forward. I changed careers, changed majors, and changed schools. I dealt with the hardships of being a transfer student, of having to navigate the hardships of dealing with traditional schooling, and did my best to make myself the best student I could be.

I had dedicated myself 100% to school. I achieved a 4.0 (since returning to school), and my life is so much more different.

I now work as a copywriter for a major fashion retailer and am making decent money. I have my own place, and live in a city I love, with diverse, wonderful and caring neighbors. I have a group of friends at work and in my neighborhood who understand diversity, and who all love each other for who they are. My health is as good as it has been in a long, long time. I can only see things going up from here.

After graduation, I am immediately starting the MFT grad program here at CBU. I am not going to stop or take a break. I have two years of more hard work and determination headed my way, and then I will be able to work as a therapist. My program is a hybrid program so that I can also work with law enforcement if I choose too, which I might.

But I know that not everyone has a plan for after graduation. In case you don't, or you are a bit scared of what is going to happen, read below.

Before you are even close to graduating, work in the field.

When I went to FIDM, no one told me this until I was close to graduating. I had one internship, and that internship was basically me pinning and basting seams, and ripping other seams. It was not worth my time and effort, and did nothing for me.

Now, I do my best to work or volunteer in the field, even if it isn't a full time job. I volunteer how I can with organizations that are aligned with my future career: I garden with a local food bank that has its own gardening centers that grow food for the homeless and poor, and I assist an organization for troubled youth by acting as an emissary between my work and the organization. I am also planning on volunteering for Big Brother, Big Sister.

When I go to grad school, I will have hours I must complete in the field, so I don't need to worry too much about experience. But if you don't plan to go to grad school, get involved:

Apply for internships as early as you can: if you work full time, look for weekend or evening internships. If you can't leave home after work or school, look for something that lets you volunteer from home, like a hotline.
Practice your art at home: for example, if you go to FIDM, get a dress form and some muslin of both woven and knit, and drape and pattern make at home. The more practice you get, the better. Don't let schoolwork just exist at school.
Expand your education beyond school: sign up for museum tours, lectures, and more. Read books that aren't assigned by your teacher. In fact, ask your teacher for recommended books to read. Ask your teacher for people to interview. Go interview people. For example, I interviewed a family therapist to learn just what went into their job and how she got to where she was (if you're reading this, thank you for the inspiration!)
Apply for jobs in your field: even if you are sweeping floors, getting coffee, or doing other menial labor, start applying for jobs. Even if you don't plan on staying there long...a way in is a way in. Don't go for the big companies first, unless they scout for you. Go for some mom & pop type places. You will learn some real nitty gritty stuff there.

Why do you want to do all this? So when you take the next step, and actually graduate, you are a step ahead. There will be TONS of students who did not work in the field during school, who expect a job when they graduate. That is not how today's job market works. Employers are no longer investing in their employees with training. You want to go in showing that you already have skills and experience.

All of this is going to make it easier for you to market yourself as a new hire after you graduate. You can put experience on your resume/CV, and you can show future employers how you stand out from the crowd.

Make sure your credits are squared up.

Nothing sucks more than applying for graduation and finding out you're a few credits shy of graduation. I've seen it happen. Make an appointment with your counselor and make sure you are on track. Most schools should have a tool that tallies your credits and shows your progress towards graduation. If not, make sure.

Apply for graduation.

This includes an application and a grad fee, usually. Junior colleges sometimes do not have graduation fees, but CBU does. There is usually a deadline for applying for graduation, too. Make sure you apply on time!

When you get approved, it is usually conditional upon you completing specific requirements. If you don't finish those requirements, you can't graduate, and will be included in the next graduation round. Or, if you are shy a class, they will let you graduate (sometimes) and then make you come back to complete the class.

Celebrate you.

I had a professor tell me that the milestones matter. Graduation does matter. I did not walk when I went to FIDM, as I was just so completely done with school. I was ready to move on with my life! My achievement at FIDM didn't feel like an achievement to me. It just felt like another hassle. And I didn't want to go back to walk. I didn't even go back for exit counseling. I was capital D done.

This time around, I am going to celebrate me. I have purchased a class ring, and I will be walking. I will also be taking graduation photos (some fun ones), and hopefully be having a little get together. Why? Because I want to put a good memory cap on it. I want to build that positive association towards all my hard work. It does work, I promise.

My ring when it will be done! I went with Dunham Jewelry Manufacturing, who seem to have good reviews on their FB page and are way cheaper than Jostens or the others. I got a sapphire to reflect the colors of my school, and a cross because it is a Christian school. The Lancer is the school mascot, and psych is my major. The interior says "2nd Time's the Charm" because I feel so good about going to school and changing my career! Even though Gold is also a school color, I opted for sterling silver because it will last longer.

If you don't want to walk or buy a ring, that is fine. But do something for you. Go on a trip. Buy yourself something to symbolize the end of a journey, and the step forward. Create a reflection journal. Have a cheat day. Get your car detailed. Buy those shoes. Get your hair did. Have a spa day. Just make sure to remember the most important aspect of this journey: YOU.

When I graduate with my Master's, I plan on going to Hawaii or Belize, or maybe even Germany or the Mediterranean.

If you are going to grad school, apply ahead of time.

You don't wait until you graduate undergrad studies to apply for grad school. I applied a year ahead of time. Certain programs have certain due dates for applications. For mine, since it is an online school, the application deadlines are quarterly. But most are yearly, and require things like essays, recommendation letters, and interviews. Do not wait! Everyone is also going to apply, and if you thought getting into undergrad was hard, grad school is harder. You want your application to be the first, or among the first, as some grad programs have cohorts with limited seats.

Get your cap, gown, and other regalia...and tickets.

My school adds the cap and gown fee with the graduation fee, so I don't need to worry about it. But some don't, so you need to go to the student store and buy the graduation package. The grad package usually includes the cap, gown, and the tassel (which you can upgrade). They also have other sashes, ropes, and medallions that you can add. These usually relate to different organizations if you were a part of them, your GPA or honors awards, or your ethnicity.

Some schools even have a grad cap decorating party, which I attended for Chaffey. It was a lot of fun, and I was able to create an awesome grad cap with the school's mascot on it (I pretended it was my cat, Moo, who thinks he's a panther).

Also plan for tickets. Some colleges give you a limited amount, and some make you buy them. If you need more than what you get, plan ahead to buy some. Some colleges have an independent Facebook group such as a textbook swap or buy/sell, and you can usually find someone selling their excess tickets there.

And lastly, steam your gown. Usually they come all folded and when you unfold those polyester monstrosities, they have tons of creases. If you have a clothes steamer, steam out those creases. If not, a low setting on an iron with a steamer may work (polyester melts, so don't push it). You an also hang them in a steamy bathroom for a while, during and after shower.

Do you have any other tips for graduation? Let me and other readers know below!

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How to Successfully Get a Paper Re-Graded

essays 12:09 PM

Some backstory. My new college is 100% online, where every course has Discussion Boards due weekly, various tests and assignments sprinkled throughout, and an end of term Capstone Project that may or may not replace a final exam (sometimes it does, but sometimes you have this final project and a final). This capstone project takes the form of a very long essay or a presentation video of some sort. The purpose of the capstone is to show that you have complete mastery of the material presented throughout the course of the class. It is recommended that one starts the capstone project at the start of the term, which is an advanced, fast paced, 8 week course. So there isn't a lot of time to dilly dally.

I finished the Capstone Projects for my classes one particular term without much of a hitch. One was a lengthy analysis of a study between two independent variables (gender and altruism) and the dependent variable (anxiety), and ended up being 27 pages. The other was a research project on a book. I started the projects during the middle of the course, and kept extensive notes, and turned them in on time.

However, while the statistics paper received a 100%, the research project received a C. The feedback I received stated that the paper seemed to be written for another class, and did not meet the requirements. Also, there were parts missing that were required, and parts were added that were not asked for.

I was a little confused. I had been expecting a great grade for this paper. I had made sure to follow the rubric to a T. I re-read the paper to try to find where the professor was seeing these mistakes. But I came back satisfied that I had, indeed, met the requirements. Even though with the C on the paper, I got an A- in the class. But I was not happy about the grade.

I faced a choice. I could accept the grade...after all, A- isn't bad. Or, I could fight it.

I am a person of principles. I believe that if I did A grade work, I should get an A. I'd even settle for a high B on this paper. But I knew I did not do C level work. And if I did miss something on the paper to make the C grade valid, I wanted to know what it was so that, in the future, I could do better.

What is a person supposed to do in this situation?

Sometimes, people may think that whatever a professor says has to be accepted and that is it. In high school, any argument with your teacher was you vs. them, and there wasn't much wiggle room. Sometimes that carries over to college. And in today's world, authority is often mistaken for absolute, as there are often consequences that can hinder your life, such as getting fired or missing out on income. This can make it intimidating to question a professor. Especially because, sometimes, professors take insult when you question them. It doesn't happen often, but professors are people too and some may be oldschool in their rules, teaching styles, and demeanor. It happens.

However, always know that despite this, you have a right to discuss your papers and grades. In fact, you should keep a record of your grade so that you know what your grade is at all times. That way, like a bank statement, if something doesn't add up, you can always bring it to the professor's attention.

So if you get a grade back on a paper and feel that something is wrong, don't be afraid to speak up. Especially since, if you don't, no one else will do it for you.

So I plan to speak up, what next?

First, if you are confused or feel a rush of emotion, don't panic. For me, that is very hard because I have anxiety and I just automatically panic. But let the emotion go through you and then try to think things through logically. You deserve answers. You are paying for school, and this is your future you are talking about! If you put in the work, you deserve to know what's up.

But remember that when speaking to your professor, you need to appear calm, cool, and collected, but not apologetic. So remind yourself...you are ensuring that you get the service you paid for (if you want to think of the situation as a customer service situation!).

But first, find out who you can get in your corner to assist you.

I have an adviser at my school who is available every day in case something goes wrong. That means anything: from my laptop breaking to issues with grades. I knew that I could call on her to help me mediate this issue, so I CC'd her on the email. I also left her a voicemail as it was the weekend, and made plans to follow up with her on the upcoming Monday.

If you don't have an adviser like this, see who else you can CC. Does the professor have a TA or assistant? What about the department head or dean? Do you have a counselor that you have a close relationship with, or perhaps a cohort leader or representative? Be sure to CC someone so that you have support.

Now, address your concerns in an email.

Let your professor know that you received your grade and are confused as to why it was graded that way (especially if they did not leave any feedback). If you feel you have met the grading rubric, if one is provided, go through and let them know where in the paper they can find the points that match the grading requirements.

For example, I realized that my strict adherence to APA guidelines may have made the language of the paper impersonal, and the professor may have been looking for personal language, so I let them know this fact. I also pointed out where information was that they may have missed.

I did not apologize or grovel. You have nothing to apologize for! Also, I did not use any passive aggressive language, such as, "I'm sorry, but I don't see what you're talking about." If you are unsure of what they are talking about in their feedback, ask them for clarification. "I am unclear as to what your feedback means. Could you please explain it to me?"

Cover all the bases.

Be sure to attach your essay into the email, and you can even go so far as to go through the essay and make comments on or highlight information you feel your professor may have missed. You can even attach a copy of the rubric and their feedback. You may think, "Why do I need to do that? Shouldn't my professor already have this info?"

Yes, and no. Your professor may have hundreds of students, and your paper is one of many. Once it is out of sight, it may be out of mind. Go ahead and give this information anyway, just in case. It also shows thoroughness in your thinking.

Send the email...and follow up.

One thing I notice that people do is once they send something out, they feel the ball is in the other party's court. No. This is your grade and you have to do the work for it. Just like when you send out resumes...you don't just send it out and hope for someone to call you. After I sent the email, I called my adviser and left them a message, letting them know that my email was waiting for them, and to again apprise them of the situation. And its a good thing I did, because I had mixed up my professor's email with another professor with a similar name! My adviser let me know and I sent the email to the right person!

My adviser let me know that she would give the professor two days to respond, and then we could follow up. But sometimes professors are so busy, they won't read your email for a while. Or, some schools have email systems that won't let emails from professors and students go through to each other once their term together is over. Whatever the circumstance, make sure your professor is in receipt of that email, even if you have to hoof it down to their office during office hours and verbally ask them. Don't give up. Remember, you deserve to have your concerns addressed.

Get ready for the process.

Schools often have a process regarding grade changes, especially if the grade effects a final grade that has already been submitted for records. First, your professor will review the paper, and recheck their rubric. They may return to you with more feedback, and stick to their guns regarding their original assessment. They may get offended (professors are people too, and some do get offended...but their response is not your fault, unless your email was offensive). They may blow you off (this is where your CC email and help kicks in...hopefully the other eyes can prevent this, but just in case, these people can have your back). Or they may let you know about the process they have to follow. It shouldn't be too complicated, however.

For mine, the professor had to reassess the paper, and they did find everything I had pointed out. They changed my grade from a C to an A for the paper. But then they had to resubmit my final grade to records, which required some paperwork done on their end. For me, there was no pushback on this step, but you may find yourself having to submit paperwork or deal with records and admissions in a situation that makes you question the effectiveness of bureaucracy. Either way, stick with it.

Don't freak out if you don't "win."

You may end up getting a big fat "NO" from a professor, or they may only be willing to help you so far. And you may end up exhausting your options. You may now choose to file a complaint with the school, or you can move on. I am the person who will keep pushing it. But I have had situations where a professor refuses to work with me, or even a part of a school administration refuses to work with me. I then just give them an appropriate review on Ratemyprofessor.com and move on. Luckily, my efforts usually give me applicable grades, so none of these instances have really hurt my GPA.

College is an institution that has two goals: to provide a learning environment for students and to earn money. Sometimes, the earning money part gets in the way of the learning part. This is where some pushback, fees, and unfair practices may come from. Hopefully you have found a school that is willing to work with you, and can help you tailor your learning experience to what you need, not the other way around. If you find yourself in a situation where you are regularly facing problems with professors despite all your best efforts, and you are honest with your abilities and respectively earned grades, you may want to transfer schools.

What about you? Have you ever faced a situation like this? What did you do about it?

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How to Get Through a Boring Reading Assignment

11:31 AM

I'm a person who loves books. During my several-months-long break from school (between August and what is now to be January 7th), I've dusted probably 3 novels a week. I have trophies for the number of books I've read in elementary school. That being said...sometimes I run into reading assignments that make me want to rip out my eyes or hair or both because they're just so dang boring.

It happens. Something in our brain decides that the things we want to study are suddenly things we don't want anything to do with because the things we want to do suddenly become the things we have to do. There's a bit of negative association there, which isn't helped when the book is written in a boring way, or we are reading something for an elective that we honestly don't care much for.

Despite all that, if we want the good grades, we feel the need to buckle down and bite the bullet. This can then lead to more resistance, more intimidation, and then, procrastination.

Which we all try to avoid, right?

I have a few tricks that get me through reading such boring material, and these tricks work for me. But I've compiled that list, plus stuff I've seen through the net, and perhaps you can find something that works for you.

First, get rid of all distractions.

Oh boy. The biggie. If you're a parent, or are at work, or are freaking out over something else in your mind, you may have to find a way to work around this. First thing is to set a designated time to work on your school stuff by planning out your semester and planning out your assignments. Try to treat this time as if you were at work. Your kids, spouse, dog, cat, horse, whatever...they can't come and take you away from work. There's a boundary there, right? Of course, you will need to go take care of things if something arises, and who can forget the interview that was interrupted by fun little ones:

But distractions can be anything. I recommend planning out your assignments because anxiety over deadlines is one hell of a distraction. Who can focus when they're worried? I deal with anxiety on the daily, and I've kind of worked around it, but when you're in the grip of it, and you have other things to worry about, absorbing your reading is going to be the last line on your brain's priority chain.

Ask for help in wrangling the kids for the time you need to study. Toss Fido a bone, Whiskers some catnip, a remote to your husband, and put on Golden Girls for your mom (or House Hunters for my mom). Then, get to work.

Understand your learning style and utilize it.

Not everyone learns the same way, and this is really good to know because you can use it to aid in your studying, but then you realize you possibly could have done better in school in the past had you been taught with your learning style in mind. One of my learning styles is Aural learner, and I NEED music in the background to sort of like...set the pace for my brain. When it comes to reading assignments, I turn on either heavy metal, electronic for studying, or other studying music with a fast tempo. I can't read in silence, and while the music doesn't necessarily help me absorb things, it sort of...keeps me focused.

I am also a Solitary and Visual learner. I have sort of an advantage in that I can easily read and absorb what I read. But it's hard to do so with people hanging out and asking questions or distracting me. Go ahead and take the test to see which one you are!

After you know, try to incorporate things that cater your learning style into your reading assignment. I use music to keep myself focused:

For visual learners, try doodling out ideas or constructing out images in your mind of what you read. Create little symbols in your mind's eye. Watch some Youtube videos as you go along. Take notes. Mind-map.
For aural learners, try music, talking out loud, or even (if you can), have someone read the passage out loud to you. My dad works well by talking things out with himself. It cracks me up and sometimes I ask him who he's talking to.
For a physical learner, you may have a bit of a harder time focusing on the reading material. Try getting up and moving around. Read while you walk. This can be tricky to master, but it can be done. Pick a place with very little people and sort of just...keep an eye

Those are just some ideas. Do some research to find out what works for you!

Count the pages...

A friend of mine asked for help in a reading assignment because she just couldn't get through it. I asked her how many pages there were. About 250...so about the size of a novel, give or take. I told her that, and she was like oh...I dust novels this size easily!

Most of our reading assignments aren't books-all-at-once, but chapters. Count the pages and realize just how much work is being asked of you. 20 pages? Ok. You can do this. You are more powerful than this assignment!

Break down the reading into chunks...if you can.

If you've waited until the last minute to do the reading, ignore this for now. But in the future, try breaking down the reading into smaller chunks so that you don't feel like you have to sit for a long time and get through a heavy reading assignment all at once. For example, set aside 30 minutes a day for reading. Do it on your work breaks, or lunch breaks. And once that time slot is over, set it aside. Separate the chunks depending on how much you can tolerate reading in a given time period, and when the reading assignment is due.

For example, I can tolerate reading large chunks of a textbook for long periods of time...but I get antsy about an hour in. But the chapters are due every week. So I separate the chapter into chunks that I know will only take me one hour to get through.

Annotate as you go.

Get your notebook out and write notes as you go, if it seems important. Write the page number of where you found that tidbit of info...that way you don't have to go back and re-search your book for the info, if you need to cite it.

Don't read it all.

I know a teacher reading this is groaning, but let's face it...we don't have all the time in the world to read every word. If you don't have this time, read the bolded items, pay attention to tables and graphs, and big details. Usually, textbooks compound information so you may feel like you need to read all of it, but maybe just skim and if something catches your eye, write it down.

If you need to, employ reading guides or tutors to help you get through the material. Some textbook companies have websites now with extra material that is condensed and also easier to digest. Google some learning help for your text, or concepts you don't readily get, and see if some other way of phrasing what you're learning helps the info stick.

Audiobook it.

I took a children's lit class last quarter with a big list of books to read. Most of them were easy picture books, but there was Harry Potter and The Watsons Go to Birmingham. I could easily get through these books in leisure time, but I didn't have leisure time. So, I purchased the audiobooks and listened to them while doing other work. It worked out and I actually paid better attention to what was going on in the books. Plus, the narrator for The Watsons was very entertaining.

Sometimes we have to turn what we have to do into what we want to do. What do we want to do? Be entertained, of course! And if you can turn an assignment into entertainment, then you've done some psychological reworking of your own processes! And hopefully, have gotten a good grade at the same time.

Ask for help.

Ask someone who has taken the class before for their notes, or for any help they may be able to give you regarding the reading. If you need someone to read to you in order for you to understand the material, see if someone can help you with that. And if all else fails, ask the professor! Sometimes they have their own tips and tricks that can help you get through the info. Sometimes they even have study guides for you to look at, that way you can just focus on the important stuff!

How do you get through a reading assignment? Let me know your tips and tricks

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What is it Like to Transfer to an Online Only School?

online classes 10:58 AM

Online schooling is one of those things that I could only dream of when I went to FIDM in the early 2000s. I had a wicked 2-hour-each-way-commute, and aside from pattern classes, there was no reason for me to make that commute. I wanted online or at least hybrid courses, to save not only my wallet from gas prices, but my car from its inevitable early demise (joke's on me, that car was a tank and lasted 10 whole years).

Also, online classes would have saved my sanity. There's something to be said about losing 4 hours a day to just getting somewhere...time I would never get back.

However, the world has evolved since then, and the online world has become fully integrated with the "real world." When I went to my JC this time around, I took a few online-only classes only because all the other classes were full, and as a person with a high credit count, I had no registration priority so these classes were the scrapings at the bottom of the registration barrel. I wasn't very fond of the online classes I took at my JC...we were tested on minuscule details in the readings and had to turn in papers that took way too much time...at least in comparison to the ones from regular classes.

So when I transferred to an Online Only school, I was a little wary, especially as it was an "advanced," fast-paced college, or so I was told. I soon found that while condensed (a semester was supposedly condensed into 8-week classes), they were not advanced at all. I found that the classes from the JC were much harder than the ones at the Online Only school.

I wanted to compare and contrast the differences between online and class meeting type classes.

Traditional Class Meetings

Pros:

More face to face interaction with your professors, which helps them to know who you are. Also, you can get questions answered right then and there.
If you are the type of learner that needs to focus on auditory information, or PowerPoints that are being explained in the moment, this is the best class type for you.
You can interact with other students, which helps if you are very social, or like to discuss information in the moment.
Often you do not have to read all the books in the class, and can get away with just going off the lectures.
Sometimes these classes come with aides or tutors that can help you - for free - and you can go to these people for help.

Cons:

Registration is often a free-for-all, especially if you transfer in or are a returning student and have credits left over. You often do not have registration priority, and if you have work or children to take care of, it is often hard to find classes that fit your schedule.
You have to be on time, and attend the class physically...which sucks if you are "not feeling it" one day or another. Skipping class can often set you behind.
You have to learn at the pace of the class, which means if it is too slow for you, you will be bored. If it is too fast-paced, you are continuously playing catch up, and are anxious.
Not all of these classes come with aides or tutors, and you may have to compete for space and time to see tutors at school centers.
Being of a physical format type of school, if you want to see any sort of administration, you need to schedule way ahead of time and cannot just call to get quick answers.

Online Only Class Types

Pros:

You can move at the pace you want, which means if you need extra time, you can take it. If you are a faster learner, you can get everything done as fast as you want.
You can even work ahead of time and turn things in when you want.
Teachers, administration, and advisors are a phone call or email away.
You can craft your own learning style into your class. I am a visual learner, so I was able to work better with this format. I also love to read, so the reading wasn't too big a deal for me.
Powerpoints and lectures are available at any time, so you can revisit them whenever you want.
There is usually an online tutoring system that you can access at any time, at any day, whenever you want.
Professors usually respond to your emails with a well written and detailed response, and seem happy to answer your questions. They seem eager to help.
Classes are registered for you so that you always get classes you need, when you need them, and you do not have to fight for space in classes.
The library is usually all online, and you can access things without having to go to the physical library.
You can work on stuff literally everywhere. On your lunch breaks, while commuting to work (as long as you aren't driving, of course), from your phone, you name it.

Cons:

Discussion boards, which are designed to have you connect to the content of the class, the professor, and the other students, are often usually just busy-work. Other students will give form responses that are generic and do not create discussion. Professors respond to you maybe 10% of the time.
You have to read all the material, and will get tested on it.
No face-to-face interaction.
Sometimes professors take a while to respond to your emails.
This type of school costs a lot of money in comparison to JCs.
Not all your credits may transfer, and you may have to retake a few classes to meet the online-only school's credit minimum.
If you go to a Christian school like me, you will often have Christian classes thrown in that you must take. If you go to a specialty school like that, you may have to take some extra classes that aren't related to your major that you weren't prepared to take.

Another pro that I was not expecting, and which may a me-only perk, is that I had a professor call me to discuss my future plans. I have never had a professor be this invested in my future, and I found it to be quite the surprise. I suppose the smaller classes, and more flexible format of the online-only classes made it so where the professors could focus better on each student. I was truly appreciative of that contact.

What do you think? Would you dare to try an online-only school? If you have, what are your experiences?

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Graduation on the Horizon

Don't Let Academia Bully You

Humiliation

Sabotage

Gossip and ostracism

Verbal abuse

What to do

Get help

Keep It Together While Writing a Lit Review

Plan ahead accordingly.

Have some familiarity with the APA format...or use a template.

Time to research your topic.

Input your resources into a generator.

Create notes based on what you find in the articles.

Write by section, and leave the intro for last.

Write the conclusion.

Write the intro, and if your professor requires an abstract, write that now.

Check to make sure you have used all your citations.

Make sure that your citations are formatted correctly.

Ensure formatting is good on all other things.

What are your tips for getting Lit Reviews written without going nuts? Drop them below!

Hurtling Towards Graduation: What to Expect When You Are Too Busy to Expect Anything!

Before you are even close to graduating, work in the field.

Make sure your credits are squared up.

Apply for graduation.

Celebrate you.

If you are going to grad school, apply ahead of time.

Get your cap, gown, and other regalia...and tickets.

Do you have any other tips for graduation? Let me and other readers know below!

How to Successfully Get a Paper Re-Graded

What is a person supposed to do in this situation?

So I plan to speak up, what next?

But first, find out who you can get in your corner to assist you.

Now, address your concerns in an email.

Cover all the bases.

Send the email...and follow up.

Get ready for the process.

Don't freak out if you don't "win."

What about you? Have you ever faced a situation like this? What did you do about it?

How to Get Through a Boring Reading Assignment

First, get rid of all distractions.

Understand your learning style and utilize it.

Count the pages...

Break down the reading into chunks...if you can.

Annotate as you go.

Don't read it all.

Audiobook it.

Ask for help.

How do you get through a reading assignment? Let me know your tips and tricks

What is it Like to Transfer to an Online Only School?

Traditional Class Meetings

Online Only Class Types

What do you think? Would you dare to try an online-only school? If you have, what are your experiences?

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