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i want to study abroad - part II: how do i pay for study abroad?

10/31/2013

The Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg, Russia. This might be the most (accidentally) artistic picture I've ever taken.

YOU CAN PAY TO GO ABROAD...

Ok, you've decided you want to study abroad. Now how do you pay for it?

It will typically cost you thousands (on top of regular tuition) to study overseas. You can pay out of pocket by getting a job and saving up, but I would suggest you do NOT take out a loan to cover your trip. It's just not an essential expense and student loans are difficult enough to pay off.

If you believe your only option is to pay your own way, consider going for shorter terms through summer learning or Winter Break opportunities, when tuition will be less expensive overall.

OR - YOU CAN GET PAID TO STUDY ABROAD

The incredible Church on Spilled Blood was a 7-minute walk from my host's apartment. Russia is amazingly beautiful in the summer.

There are so many opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to receive funding to study abroad. The following is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are five reliable places to start looking for money:

Institutional Funding
Seek institutional funding through your university and/or relevant department. Typically, you need to meet three criteria:

Display a real academic need to travel to a certain place, whether for a research project or career objective.
Demonstrate some kind of institutional support while abroad, through a local school, organization, or exchange program.
Have clearly defined objectives for your trip, as well as a plan for how you will accomplish them AND a back-up plan in case your original idea does not pan out.

Check with professors if your program offers scholarships and grants for students to go abroad. My first trip to Russia was sponsored by the University of Notre Dame's Nanovic Institute for European Studies.

Harvard sent me to Honolulu for a month to complete research in the University of Hawaii's library.

In exchange for funding for both, I had to produce a final paper and a report of expenditures upon my return. Easy and totally worth it.

Fulbright Award (Or Similar)
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is one of the best options for graduate students looking to complete field work in their discipline. There are grants available for those who want to teach English in their destination country, while working on their own research, and awards for research alone.

If you want to apply for a Fulbright, find a scholar to mentor you through the process. In 2007 one of my professors took it upon himself to read my essay drafts, look over my application, and administered my language exam.

Two Points:

Be strategic with your recommendations. It's not fair, but the committee will typically want to see letters from full professors, not lecturers, adjunct faculty, or entry-level instructors.
Make sure your project is incredibly specific but with broad relevance. (Easy, right?)

For example, I received a Fulbright Award in 2008 to the Republic of Georgia, where I was going to study the repatriation efforts of a small minority group, the Meskhetian Turks, who Stalin had deported to Central Asia in the 1940s.

I realize 99.9% of people who read that ^ think some variation of, "What? Why? What does that even mean?"

But the broader relevance was there in terms of Georgia's national identity and redefining itself vis-a-vis Russia in the Post-Soviet world.

In other words, you want your project to be just weird enough to get noticed, but with obvious practical applications.

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)
JET has been around for almost 30 years now, and is sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Participants are recruited to either teach English in local schools, collaborate with local international relations groups, or serve as Sports Exchange Advisors.

Yes, they pay people to come in and coach. However, SEA's have to be recommended by the country's National Olympic Committee or a governmental organization, so two year's on your high school's club rugby team do not make you eligible.

90% of JET's participants work as language teachers, and need to demonstrate a commitment to teaching students while developing an appreciation for Japanese culture and language.

JET's participants receive airfare, a salary, and health insurance. Although you pay for your own housing, your host institution will typically assist you in finding a reasonable place to live prior to your arrival.

JET has a good reputation for taking excellent care of its participants, so this a good option for those who want a year-long immersion experience with a strong safety net.

American Councils for International Education
Founded in 1974, American Councils provides research, language-learning, and cultural exchange opportunities for those interested in working in Eurasia and Southeast Europe.

Similar to the Fulbright, American Councils' research awards are extremely competitive, and students planning on applying would do well to seek the mentorship of a qualified scholar in their field of study.

American Councils emphasizes using research, language, and cultural exchange as a means of strengthening relations between the former Soviet republics and the United States, so be prepared to make a case for how your project will contribute to an international dialogue among scholars.

Critical Language Scholarship Program
The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS) has 13 fully-funded summer language-learning institutes in: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Persian, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Hindi, Indonesian, Punjabi, Turkish, and Urdu. The program is funded in part by the US Department of State and American Councils oversees the selection process.

The CLS is especially perfect for three types of students:

You plan on going into academia as a career and language skills are essential for your field of study
You plan on pursuing a government job and need expertise in a specific region's language and culture
You are about to graduate college, and have an interest in language-learning; the CLS will look fantastic on any resume or graduate/professional school application

Researching in Hawaii. By the way, it wasn't all luxury and beaches. I was staying in student lodging that had an unfortunate flying roach infestation.

SO IS IT WORTH IT?

Absolutely.

But if you already have significant debt from student loans, do NOT take out more money to pay for your trip. Either find a way to pay out of pocket, or, better yet, win funding from a reputable organization. It looks great on your resume, saves you time and money, and connects you with people and organizations at your destination.

And finally, remember - once you receive one grant, others follow more easily.

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i want to study abroad - Part I

10/30/2013

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why study abroad?

Let me tell you a story.

When I was an undergrad, all my friends wanted to spend their junior years in London, Australia, and Ireland. Notre Dame even boasted a "Semester At Sea" program for students to sail around the world (yes, like the short-lived Canadian TV series, Breaker High, starring a baby Ryan Gosling)!

Meanwhile, I was taking Russian classes and had this idea in my head of doing a semester in St. Petersburg, where I would bond with my host Babushka immediately. She would take me to the city's oldest theaters to see ballet performances and movies, and I would be semi-fluent in Russian within a couple of weeks.

I'd wear a thick fur coat and walk along the canals, maybe stopping into a cafe to warm up with a big cup of coffee. I was going to meet a baby bear.

Much more interesting than Ireland.

Here's what really happened:

I was placed with a girl not older than I who had the best of intentions, but could not afford to host and was soon borrowing money to feed me. As soon as I found this out I started paying for my own meals, and then eventually moved out altogether to a hostel for the remainder of my stay.

I went during the summer, so no fur coats, but lots of rain!

Also, I have pretty intense agoraphobia, meaning I'll walk miles before I take buses or subways if I can avoid them. So I did. I lost two pairs of shoes to the Petersburg streets within 9 weeks.

The coffee, like any European country, was served in thimble-sized cups and could cost up to $6, plus your firstborn.

Except McDonald's. You can expect that to be almost the same, no matter where you are in the world.

really important to remember

Guess what took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize? You're not in America. Don't expect anything to be like it is at home.

I kept getting so frustrated with all the differences. Whaddayamean I have to carry my passport on me to the library? Why are grapes prohibitively expensive? WHY IS THERE NO TOILET PAPER IN PUBLIC RESTROOMS?

It goes without saying that any destination is going to require some open-mindedness. Ultimately, your study abroad experience is what you make of it, and the people who have the best trips are those who come prepared to be flexible, try new things, and willing to speak the language.

Russia was pretty great at times. For a History major, it is like a living museum. People were largely helpful and accommodating.

Also - I did get to see a baby bear on a leash outside in a park and it was amazing. (And a tourist trap.)

additional considerations

Sure, you can pay your school tuition for a semester abroad.

Or you can receive funding. However, awards, grants, and scholarships for studying abroad are incredibly competitive, so it's important to know how to convey the urgency of YOUR PROJECT being sponsored.

Writing a competitive funding application is a whole topic in itself, so for now I'll leave you with a quick checklist:

Make sure you understand the sponsoring institution or organization's mission and mirror their values and objectives back to them in your own application.
Write to any potential sponsors in the country you want to work in and ask for their advice and assistance. If possible, get an introduction from a mutual party so you are not requesting their help out of the blue.
The essay needs to contain the history of your project, as well as your intended academic/professional trajectory.

how do i pay for study abroad?

There are lots of ways. You can even get paid to go abroad.

But I'll go into all of that in Part II.

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monday Link-up

10/28/2013

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A recent study suggests college students find business professional dress off-putting. Meanwhile, another speculates that the retirement age for millennials could be pushed up to 75. Sooo...suck it up, put on a suit, and get a job? If only it were that simple.

Study Indicates College Students Prefer Casual Dress
Shocking.

The Secret to Success - Be Kind To Yourself
Yes, in addition to grit, it's important to believe in your own abilities.

I am Woman, Watch Me Hack
Why are fewer women going into computer science these days?

Evernote
The perfect app for anyone looking to stay hyper-organized.

3 Steps To Finding a Job You Truly Love
Figure out how what you're good at and what you enjoy doing intersects in a job.

Will Student Debt Push The Retirement Age to 75?
It's generally still better to get a college degree, debt and all. But seriously, be careful about taking out multiple student loans.

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NEVER GOOD ENOUGH - THE IMPOSTOR SYNDROME

10/23/2013

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never good enough

I asked, "Has anyone in here ever felt like they aren't good enough?"

In a room of 20 young women at one of the nation's top schools - every single one of them - admitted to feeling like they are not, and never will be, good enough.

This past week, Ashley Looker of Unique Holistic Happiness and I co-hosted a seminar entitled "College Survival Strategies" for some of Pacific Lutheran University's young women. I planned to discuss essay writing, until I noticed how carefully the girls were listening, taking notes, and asking questions. And that's when it hit me - this was a room full of high-achieving students who had given up free time on a Monday night to come listen to Ashley and I discuss excelling in college.

I went off the script and asked, "Has anyone in here ever felt like they aren't good enough? That you aren't smart enough? That you don't work hard enough? That maybe the university made a mistake when admitting you, and you're not actually supposed to be here? Are you scared everyone is going to find out you're not good enough?"

The room went quiet. I waited.

"Every day."

I looked over at one of the girls who spoke up. "Every day, you said?" I repeated.

"Yes," she said, looking slightly embarrassed.

But then another girl raised her hand, "Me too."

Then another. Then everyone.

Every single student in the room at one of the nation's leading universities just admitted that they felt stupid, incompetent, and fraudulent in their academic lives.

FoOLING EVERYONE

I watched as the girls' initial embarrassment gave way to relief, realizing that their peers felt the exact same sense of general inadequacy.

"Guess what?" I told them, "What you're feeling is a real phenomenon. It's called the Impostor Syndrome, and it's important you know that it's your perception, but NOT necessarily reality."

"You know how I know this?" I went on. "When I was getting my master's degree at Harvard a few years ago, I was certain the school had made a mistake in admitting me. Because I was stupid! I mean, I got good grades, but I was obviously just fooling everyone. And I lived in fear that it was a matter of time before everybody else found out."

I continued telling them about how I saw an advertisement for a free seminar from Valerie Young, an expert on the Impostor Syndrome. It was offered at the end of summer, before classes were back in. I figured it would be just me and Valerie in that room since, hello, it was Harvard - everyone else there was a genius.

It was standing room only, people.

500-some students, including PhD candidates, packed the auditorium, convinced that they were all the single dumbest person at Harvard.

IT's just luck

In addition to feeling like you are a giant phony, Impostor Syndrome is also characterized by the belief that you got lucky. Worked really hard and won a scholarship? Phew. You don't know how that happened. Guess it was destiny / fate / sheer luck.

Except it's not. You earned it. So own it.

I remember my master's thesis adviser forcing me to claim credit for my accomplishments after I told her, "I know I'm incredibly lucky, being accepted into this program."

"It's not luck, Jessica," she corrected me. "You did this. You got here. You know that right?" And she stared at me while I squirmed in my seat, horribly uncomfortable with what was going on.

She didn't let me leave until I said I believed her.

i never do anything right

Finally, those with Impostor Syndrome tend to let their failures - big and small - crowd out their many accomplishments in their mind, so that they erroneously assign a pattern of wrongdoing to themselves.

It took me a long time to realize two things:

First, what we constitute as a "failure" needs to be put in appropriate perspective. You didn't win that incredibly competitive scholarship or get into Yale? That's ok. Neither did thousands of other people. It's not personal.

Second, as Pollyanna as it sounds, failures can lead to new, unforeseen opportunities. I thought I wanted to go to Dartmouth for undergrad. I was DEVASTATED when I didn't get in. Like, Messy Sobbing In A Pillow Devastated. Then I ended up at Notre Dame and I can't imagine having gone anywhere else, especially considering how my time there set me up for multiple opportunities after graduation.

I'm safe for now, but what about next time?

If you've been walking around, fearful of the moments when your classmates and instructors discover that you're the dumbest thing ever and a blight to the campus and school name in general - Stop.

You will discover that sometimes your best isn't good enough, but you are good enough.

You can feel lucky to be at your particular school, but it wasn't luck that got you there. It was you.

You have failed at things but you're not a failure.

So there. Your secret is out.

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Monday Link-up

10/21/2013

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This week I want to highlight the real secret to successful students. Guess what? It's NOT talent, genius, or shortcuts:

The One Trait That Determines Long Term Success
Over at Nerd Fitness, discussing how GRIT trumps TALENT.

True Grit: Can Perseverance Be Taught?
Based on a 10 question survey given to incoming West Point freshmen, Dr. Duckworth determined that Grit - more than any other trait - predicted a student's success at the institution.

Why Perfect Students Don't Get Accepted
It's great to be well-rounded, but even more important to demonstrate focus, drive, and devotion to a single academic or professional objective. At many institutions legacies trump even the most perfect student, so figure out what makes you a special snowflake among the rest of the non-legacy applicants.

Why I'm Still Not Going To Join Facebook
Four arguments he doesn't find convincing. Do you?

Home Touch Trail Mix
Unique Holistic Happiness has an easy superfood recipe for students to carry in their bags or during holiday travel.

How Intense Study May Harm Our Workouts
And vice versa. This may be of particular interest to student athletes.

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Student Loans, Beer Pong, and Campus Food: A Reluctant Book Review

10/13/2013

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From Left to Write asks reviewers to connect the book of the month with their personal experiences. Accordingly, this is not a traditional book review, but rather, my response to this month’s selection. Find out more here. I received an advance copy of Reasons Mommy Drinks for free, but I was not compensated in any way for this review. My comments are my own. This book is available for purchase here.

I Don't Get It...

I kind of hated this book. However, I think it's important to acknowledge that the authors, Lyranda Martin Evans and Fiona Stevenson, weren't trying to annoy me. Moreover, I will readily admit that I am not a new mother, and so maybe I just didn't get it.

The format is simple: on the left page a complaint about motherhood, and on the right, a cocktail recipe designed to help you cope with things like trying not to break your baby, flying with an infant, and going to Disney World.

What was probably meant to be tongue-in-cheek just comes off as crude bellyaching.

...But Maybe College Students, Past and Present Will

With little to go on, I thought the most relevant response I could hope to write would be an ode to the little annoyances particular to college life. Full disclosure - I had a pretty great undergraduate experience at the University of Notre Dame. Grad school at Harvard, however...well, another story for another time.

Past and Current Students, which of the following irritating aspects of college life do you identify with?:

Lack of Sleep / Nap Time
Sometimes you feel like you work an overnight job, staying up until 2 or 3 to finish a paper, comfort a hysterical person you found sobbing in the dorm's hallway, or just because your roommates were all there and it seemed like a good time to watch the entire first season of Arrested Development.

And sometimes it feels like kindergarten, with everybody sneaking in a pre-nap lunch at 10:30, a post-lunch nap at 1:00, a pre-Political Science power nap at 2:30, and then a 30 minute pre-dinner nap at 5:30. This is not the real world. Enjoy it while you can.

Visitors / Houseguests
Your room is not really yours when you share it with anyone else. Most of the time visitors were a welcome distraction from homework. I met someone who became a good friend after he and some buddies traveled through our all-girls dorm around 10:30pm playing the bongos and ukulele, like some kind of Don Ho tribute band.

I saw them outside our door, rolled my eyes, and then watched as my roommate invited them in. Turns out she knew Mr. Bongos from class. Unfortunately, he woke up our other roommate because, remember, somebody is always napping.

Not all drop-in guests are as enchanting. My glamorous first-year roommate brought in a constant stream of friends and overnight guests who made it clear I was the dorkiest dork who ever dorked.

Everything Makes Her Cry
Who didn't know THAT girl who always hanging around, ready to tell you all the reasons that life was awful and she was miserable? She'd leave her room door open, ambushing innocent people walking down the hall and, being polite, accidentally inviting a loaded conversation by saying something like, "Hey, how are you?"

Note to these people: A "How Are You" tossed out when a person is still walking is generally rhetorical. Don't tell them about your lingering cold, relationship problems, and that weird fight you had with your boyfriend's mom.

You’re Sick
Of course you're sick. You live in confined quarters with a bunch of people who aren't getting enough sleep, are emotionally on-edge, and keep parading in a revolving door of visitors who add their germs into the mix as well. Expect a cold at least once every two months.

The Family Pet
What do you mean you can't keep a pet in the dorm?!

And no, our rectress' dog didn't count as our pet.

My roommate's brother gifted her with the tiniest turtle. I wasn't too keen on hosting salmonella, but hey, it made her happy and nobody was forcing me to touch it. We named him "Popsicle" to remind ourselves and guests not to lick it. However, things took a turn for the devastating when Popsicle spiraled down into a deep depression and passed away over Christmas break. No more pets for us.

Ex-Boyfriends
Um, it is not fun to date in a setting where everybody knows everybody's business. It is not fun to call it quits with somebody and then run into him in the dining hall / student center / your friend's party. It is not fun to have someone expect a few dates means you are now in love and will marry upon graduation. It is not fun to date someone who has different preferences for social activities. Beer pong is not a date.

The Weather
I went to school where it was -20 F for most of January and February. It was totally normal to suit up before your seven-minute trek across campus in two coats, a scarf wrapped up to your eyes, doubled-up gloves, and waterproof boots. You told your roommates you loved them, and if you weren't back in time for dinner...well, divide your possessions evenly.

The Pediatrician
You're now in charge of your own health care. That's right. You make (and pay for) your own doctor's appointments. And remember, you're going to get sick pretty frequently. If you can afford dental, I'd like to know what sort of magical unicorn health plan your university is offering. I used to rely on Groupons and prayers to keep my teeth healthy.

Disposable Income
BAHAHAHAHAhahaha, that's funny.

There's no such thing when you carry a student loan.

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The Kind of Mother I Want To Be - October Book Club

10/10/2013

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From Left to Write asks reviewers to connect the book of the month with their personal experiences. Accordingly, this is not a traditional book review, but rather, my response to this month’s selection. Find out more here. I received an advance copy of The Funeral Dress for free, but I was not compensated in any way for this review. My comments are my own. The Funeral Dress is available for purchase here.

This post gets a little personal. The entire book is about a teenage girl struggling to mother a newborn baby, having no maternal figure to model herself after. It made me really question if mothering is a natural instinct or a learned practice. Specifically, does a parent actively decide how they will teach, discipline, and show affection for their children? Or is it something that just organically evolves over time with enough interaction?

So, a lot of questions, but I wanted to narrow my response down to the one I imagine the protagonist, Emmalee, was forced to confront: what kind of mother do I want to be?

How To Mom Like a Champ [The Summary]

Set in the 1970s, sixteen-year-old Emmalee Bullard is used to being abandoned. Stuck in a poor Southern town, she lives in a shack with her drunken, abusive father, Nolan, and her illegitimate baby girl, Kelly Faye. Nolan blames her for her mother's death, claiming caring for Emmalee killed his wife. Then he blames Emmalee for refusing to reveal Kelly Faye's father. The town gave up long ago on reaching out to the family, and left them to suffer with each other.

It's not until Emmalee takes a position at a shirt factory as a collar maker that she finds someone who cares about her. Grumpy Leona Lane, a fellow seamstress, adopts Emmalee as her protegee, and offers to let the girl and her baby come live with Leona and her husband in their trailer. Leona, who lost a baby as a young woman and was never able to conceive after, is excited to have two girls to mother.

Then it gets sad.
However, the night before Emmalee is set to escape from Nolan, Leona and her husband die in a car accident. Emmalee struggles with her disappointment, losing her friend, and her insecurities about being a mother as the town prepares for the couple's funeral. Emmalee appeals to the town's funeral home director for permission to sew Leona's funeral dress. Leona's church community protests that an unmarried single mother assume such an important task, but the director, along with other seamstresses from the factory, rally around her.

Ultimately, Emmalee learns that Leona's death did not close off her last opportunity for happiness. Instead, she forms new connections with previously estranged community members, gains confidence in her ability to raise a daughter, and defends her right to remain Kelly Faye's mother.

The Kind of Mother I Want To Be [The Personal]

I used to joke that I wanted seven boys; add me and a husband and we would have enough for an on-call baseball team! I was less certain about a daughter. The idea of a girl scared me. They seemed more difficult. I would know. I was one.

Now that I'm older and...older, I find myself warming more to the possibility of a girl. I think it's because, as I edge closer to 30, I am more certain about what kind of mother I would want to be to my daughter:

I would teach her to make others feel like a priority.
Throughout most of my undergrad and early grad school years, I felt constantly on high alert. I was always rushing from one spot to another, intensely anxious and trapped in my mind. I remember one day walking across the quad and spotting a friend. I had a little extra time, so instead of saying, "Hey!" and barreling past him, I stopped and talked with him for a few minutes. Our conversation left me feeling significantly happier and I arrived to class in a much better mood than usual.

Later that day at lunch he told me that he was surprised when I paused to chat with him earlier. "Usually you don't stop to talk to anybody," he observed.

I never forgot that. All this time I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping my head down and focusing on school first. But what I didn't realize is how important it is to make the people in your life feel like a priority, even when you're busy. Life is never going to be more convenient for establishing and maintaining relationships. Which is why it is so important to make time for them.

I would teach her that there is no such thing as TOO kind.
There are two individuals I look to for cues on being unfailingly generous and kind. The first is my husband, who still opens the car door for me whenever we go somewhere, remembers the precise amount of cream I like in my coffee, and built a bench for our patio based on my leg length so it would be optimally comfortable for me. He encouraged me to keep a rescue kitten even though he had no interest in having a cat. Then, a year later, he told me to keep another one.

The second, my former college roommate and forever friend, loves sleep more than anything but faithfully woke up early on Saturdays to go volunteer at a local animal shelter. Torn between her fondness for a good steak and her concern for the environment, she reduced her meat intake significantly. I once mentioned I liked to jump rope for exercise; she sent me a book about jumping rope for fitness. She tries to see both sides of any issue, offers assistance to friends and strangers alike, and is the first to hug even the most unhuggable among us (me).

I would teach her, however, that she doesn't have to be nice all the time.
My husband and my friend are wonderfully generous people, but they aren't doormats. Moreover, I think it's especially important for a girl to know that she doesn't have to play nice all the time. Because there are going to be times when someone will attempt to exert power over her or a situation by manipulating her into playing nice.

When a man tells you to smile, you don't have to. I'm sorry it makes him uncomfortable for your girlish face to be mopey or angry or sad, but don't give into that impulse to obey and fake a smile. Feel your feelings. He'll get over it.

When a man heckles you, tells you you are pretty, and then calls you a horrible name because you did not answer as you attempt to walk down the street, through a parking lot, or into the grocery store, don't feel like you owe him anything. Not a smile, not a word.

I would teach her to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Take a class on something you have zero background in. Travel some place where you don't know the language. Try a new form of exercise. Attempt to befriend that person who seems like they are from another planet.

I've grown the most when I let myself feel uncomfortable because the subsequent realization of conquering something new (or even just surviving) is an incredible confidence-booster.

When I was 20 I lived in Russia for a summer. I didn't really know the language. I got lost a lot. I met a scary person or ten. But I also had fantastic travel companions, an endlessly patient Russian friend, and the impulse to see as many historic sights as possible in eight weeks.

So now, when something seems difficult, I just say to myself, "Hey. You survived Russia. You can do this."

I would teach her she is enough already.
She doesn't need to prove herself to me, or to anyone. I don't need a perfect daughter. And I'm pretty sure I won't be a perfect mother. But I'll try to impart that it feels perfect to be someone's mother.

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Monday Link-Up

10/7/2013

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Found It. Read It. Passing It On.

It's October. Which in the Academic Realm means midterms, a brief respite with a Fall Break, more tests, a quick Thanksgiving break, papers, and then final exams. You're practically done with the first semester!

Evergreen State College takes an alternative approach to higher education
You design your own area of study and assemble a team of faculty members to supervise. This is an experimental model that is already receiving national recognition.

Similarly, Science and Math Institute (SAMI) offers high school students an outdoor educational experience
Students spend more than 50% of their time outside, and there are classrooms in the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

This Ohio State University study says procrastinators receive lower grades.
I'm not sure I agree that is always the case.

Applying to Law School?
Here's an October checklist.

Want to find the humor in law school?
Here's a tumblr of law school memes.

Good reasons to join a sorority; the pros and cons of Greek Life
Possibly interested in Greek Life? One woman is grateful for the relationships she built with her sorority sisters, but there are disadvantages to pledging.

Tell Me:

Any law school alums out there with advice for those applying now?
Were you a part of a sorority or a fraternity? What was your experience like?

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The Pros and Cons of Procrastinating

10/3/2013

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You know that guy who can disappear for two hours before class and then show up with an essay that moves the professor to tears with its ingenuity, prose, and slight touch of whimsy? Or that girl who forgets it is her day to present to the class, wings it, and is completely captivating?

Are these kinds of people procrastinators or great improvisers? And does it matter when you get something done, as long as you ultimately complete the task?

It seems like procrastinating has a negative connotation, signaling a certain kind of weakness. However, I suggest we can potentially reframe our impulse to put off for tomorrow what we don’t want to do today as productive.

But first, let’s sort through when procrastinating is actually counterproductive:

You’re afraid of doing it wrong

Some assignments are high stakes. Maybe it’s 50% of your final grade, or you suspect your TA is out to get you (Sidenote: probably not). Or maybe you didn’t do the reading over the past few weeks, which yes, will make writing the paper quite difficult.

You didn’t want to ask for help, and now you’re stuck

You did not want your professor to know you are struggling. You already went to the TA’s office hours twice last week – what if she thinks you are hopeless? And your classmates all seem to get it…you don’t want to look stupid in front of them.

You have absolutely nothing to say

Writer’s Block can be a beast.

What you’re supposed to do is boring. Frisbee on the quad is awesome.

Papers about the French Revolution and Statistics worksheets are not exactly thrilling. (Unless they are for you. In which case, I think we can safely say you’ve found your ideal area of study.)

If any of these reasons sound familiar to you, procrastinating is a sign of a lack of self-confidence and self-discipline. Instructors are paid to help you – that’s their job – so don’t be shy about asking for help prior to a deadline. If you are convinced you have absolutely nothing to say for a paper, or are doomed to fail a homework assignment, this suggests you have either a) not been doing the work all along or b) not retaining the information all along.

I can’t help you with the boring. Some classes are required. Deal with it. If I, a double major in History and Russian Language and Literature could get through Conceptual Physics, you can too.

If you struggle with counterproductive procrastination, learn how to practice Mindful Writing, setting boundaries, and check out Productivity Owl. This app places an omniscient Productivity Owl on top of every webpage you visit, ensuring you don’t spend a disproportionate amount of time looking up zebra dietary habits, new memes to post on Facebook, or playing Candy Crush. In fact, you can block time-wasting sites altogether for a certain period. And this Owl is tough, requiring you to schedule your breaks with him in advance with the “Freetime Scheduler.”

Another excellent tool for those with paper-writing deadlines and a weakness for kittens: Written? Kitten! After writing a specified amount of words, you are rewarded with a new picture of a kitten being adorable.

Productive Procrastination

Try this experiment: the next time you find yourself procrastinating on an important task, find the easiest thing on your list that can be completed in a few minutes, do it, and see if you feel more capable of handling the important task or less. Some people call this productive procrastination. I call it productivity. After all, any action you decide to do is procrastination of everything else that, by default, you’ve decided not to do. - Andrew Kibbe

Once I got to grad school, I was never a fan of forcing students to study according to the same schedule. For example, I knew I wanted to finish my Master’s thesis a couple of weeks early. I needed to do this to give myself time to prepare for my final exams. For that reason, I was usually ahead of some other classmates in writing it. But so what? That didn’t mean my paper was inherently better for being done earlier. Some people work well under pressure, or like to wait until they are actually inspired. Others like to do as much research as possible and then start writing, whereas I’ve always researched and written at the same time.

I am a huge advocate of not forcing yourself to work at times you know you aren’t going to produce your best work. For me, that means anytime late at night. For others, that means any time they don’t feel the pressure of a deadline.

Moreover, if you are truly self-aware and self-disciplined, you know what you need to do and how long it will take. Let’s say you have a two-page paper due every week. You know it takes you four hours to read the book, 30 minutes to look over your notes, and 90 minutes to write the paper. Ok. Go for it.

As for presentations, maybe you want to abandon a planned speech, instead adopting a more conversational tone. Perhaps you want to see what others are doing before you speak. Or maybe you just know your audience well enough to feel comfortable improvising.

Unpopular Opinion?

Some instructors, parents, and current students might disagree with me, but I don’t think procrastination is always problematic. Moreover, it is pointless and counterproductive for me or anyone else to try and dictate when you should be working.

However, putting work off for the right reasons requires self-awareness, which is why I recommend incoming college freshmen experiment with planned work and various homework schedules in order to tap into when and how they are most productive.

The real problem isn’t procrastination – it’s self-discipline. Whether a week in advance or two hours prior, if you’re completing your assignments and receiving high marks, good. You’re fine. If, however, waiting until the last minute isn’t working for you, look into developing better study skills and making better use of your time.

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YOU CAN PAY TO GO ABROAD...

OR - YOU CAN GET PAID TO STUDY ABROAD

SO IS IT WORTH IT?

why study abroad?

really important to remember

additional considerations

how do i pay for study abroad?

never good enough

FoOLING EVERYONE

IT's just luck

i never do anything right

I'm safe for now, but what about next time?

I Don't Get It...

...But Maybe College Students, Past and Present Will

How To Mom Like a Champ [The Summary]

The Kind of Mother I Want To Be [The Personal]

Found It. Read It. Passing It On.

Tell Me:

You’re afraid of doing it wrong

You didn’t want to ask for help, and now you’re stuck

You have absolutely nothing to say

What you’re supposed to do is boring. Frisbee on the quad is awesome.

Productive Procrastination

Unpopular Opinion?

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