Every now and then you’ll get a paper back covered in red marks for “mistakes” that weren’t forbidden anywhere on the syllabus or essay prompt–the unspoken rules of essay writing. By the time you reach college level writing, professors expect you to know them by heart, but the fact of the matter is, most college students slip up when crunch time comes around.
Read on to find out if you’re making some of the mistakes that make your professors slap their foreheads in pain:
1. Forgetting the Essay’s Default Style
So your prof assigned you a formal argumentative essay in which you have to argue the merits or pitfalls of underwater basket weaving, and you hand him a six-page paper detailing your personal distaste for the subject, with “I think” and “In my opinion” scattered all the way through it. Oops.
Fix It:
For the essay above, you should have used a formal, third person voice. That means leaving all the “I”s out of it, and focusing on proving your argument with evidence and facts instead of sharing your opinion (your prof will tell you if he or she wants your opinion!). You should also use “one” instead of “you.”
There are different appropriate styles for each of the four types of essay. In some you may use first person, telling a story from your perspective or sharing your opinion in an opinion piece. In others you might use a formal third person, like in the example above. You can learn more about the four types of essays and how to write them at Purdue’s Online Writing Lab:
2. OMG!
When I edited essays in college, I was shocked by how many people wrote academic essays like they were writing the professor an email, but then, I was already in on the unwritten rules. In fact, students using text slang in their papers is starting to make the news.
Fix It:
You should always be conscious of a paper’s level of formality, and when in doubt–be professional! Use correct grammar, run a spell check, and avoid using slang or idioms (those odd phrases that don’t make sense literally, like “It cost an arm and a leg”). Please, please, please do not use texting or chatting slang like “OMG” or “thx,” and never substitute “4″ in the place of “for.” If you think this doesn’t happen in college, I’m proud of you. If you’ve done it, forgive yourself, move on, and never do it again! 
3. He Was Mocked for Using Passive Voice.
When I was a freshman in college one of my friends sent me a frantic email. His professor had handed back his essay with express instructions to eliminate the passive voice, and he wanted to know–what the heck was passive voice?
Well my friends, passive voice is when the action of the sentence is acted upon by it’s subject. (Are you shaking your head out trying to figure out what I just said? Purdue has a great diagram here that will help!)
Fix It:
Whenever you can, try to use the active voice, and don’t forget to proof read and try to change your passive voice sentences to active! (That’s Purdue helping out again–they know better than I!)
These three simple things can help make your essays much, much stronger, so start here and work your way up. I’ve got more essay writing tips coming your way in a bit, so once you’ve mastered these basics you can take your essay writing to the next level. (Weird what you look forward to in school, isn’t it?)
image
March 26th, 2010
Jamie
Filed under: academics
Subscribe
Related Posts
There are tons of scholarship opportunities out there, but none of them seem quite as much fun as the dozens of video contests I’ve seen for students. So to get you ready and motivated to fill out those scholarship apps this year, I threw together a few contests I came across this week that have upcoming deadlines. Happy filming.
Herman Miller’s “Hey, Where Do You Learn Best?” Student Video Contest
I’m going to come right out and say that what caught my attention here was the brand name of my sweetie’s favorite chairs. I guess one of UCSD’s study rooms had Herman Miller chairs, and he liked them (and talked about them) so much that I actually know what kind of chair is my significant other’s favorite. But I digress.
Their video contest for students wants short, creative videos about where you learn best, whether it is study multi-tasking during spin class or while tanning (and dodging frisbees) in the quad.
Basics: 1-3 minute video about where you learn
Grand Prize: $2,500 Visa Gift Card
Deadline: March 26, 2010 (coming right up! hurry!)
More Info: http://www.hermanmiller.com/student-Video-Contest
Center for Freedom and Prosperity’s Free Market Video Contest
Feel passionate about politics & the economy? Enter CF&P’s Free Market Video contest–they want to hear your spin on how . The video should be educational and persuasive, and should make the information accessible to other students.
Basics: 1-3 minute video about free-markets
Grand Prize: $1,000
Deadline: May 1, 2010
More Info: http://www.freedomandprosperity.org/videos/contest/contest.shtml
The Christophers’ Video Contest for College Students
If you have a gift for positive thinking (or want to work on it, anyway) this contest is for you. All they want is a film under 5 minutes about how “One Person Can Make a Difference.”
Basics: Under 5 minute film on the theme “One Person Can Make a Difference”
Grand Prize: $2,000
Deadline: June 11, 2010
More Info: http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=273
photo
March 23rd, 2010
Jamie
Filed under: paying for college
Subscribe
Related Posts
Well my honey is making his way through the first year of med school, and I do NOT envy him his workload. But at least his study techniques are useful! Check them out:
“Pimpin’” It
So when the hubs came home from school on Monday he casually asked me, “Have I told you about pimping?” You can probably imagine the look I gave him after that weird question, but he quickly explained that it is an actual term med students use for one of their study techniques–explained to him by his 40-something class moderator (and she is a serious and respected ER doctor who just finished her second residency).
The basics of “pimping” are simple: You go over your notes and study alone, and then get together with someone you work well with and take turns firing off questions at each other, one after another. It is fast paced and intense, and really gets your synapses firing.
The way my sweetie and his study comp do it is to simply say something like, “Tell me about keytones.” The questioner lets his partner start off with a simple description, and then fires off questions until the discussion continues. They spend hours doing this, but hopefully your major doesn’t require that much “pimping.” 
Become the Teacher
Another method that works really well for a lot of the study groups is to take turns being the teacher. One of my sweetie’s study groups gets a small room in the library and each take a topic they’re familiar with to re-teach to the group. They discuss problems, hypotheses, and questions together, go over anything confusing from lecture and of course mess around cracking jokes and stuff, which helps them all stay sane on full-day study dates. Then they swap teachers.
The group gets the benefit of going over notes again, while the teacher gets to really focus on wrapping his or her mind around their teaching topic.
Solo Study & DIY White Boards
While group and partner studying are both awesome ways to dig deeper into material, you first need to have the foundation of solo-study. For tips about how to study on your own, check out these memory tips and consider these thoughts on how to kickstart your study habits. (Still not getting anything done? Time for some ridiculously easy ways to kick distractions.)
A new tip we picked up from a second year med student this year was to DIY a whiteboard (shown above!). It is really easy and ridiculously cheap. We found a huge sheet of whiteboard at Home Depot and cut it down to fit on our desk (they have a saw available for free there). We got four desk-sized pieces for only 10 bucks, so the extras got passed on to other students. Now the hubs slaps down his computer and notes on the whiteboard, and writes down chemical reactions, internal processes, and all kinds of things I don’t understand, like the stuff he wrote in the photo you see up at the top there…
Bonus points if you know what’s going on in that photo. It is a super-intricate process of creating ATP… And such. Haha.
Even if you aren’t a science student, this could be a great tool for brainstorming essay ideas, diagramming sentences, time-lining historical events, and making a note-to-self so you retrieve laundry before it gets stolen.
February 26th, 2010
Jamie
Filed under: academics study tips
Subscribe
Related Posts
Cinderblock getting you down? I can’t say I miss the prison-style walls of my old dorm room, but I did have a great time dressing them up on the cheap, and I’ve still got the room-design bug… I scan the aisles of stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Marshall’s (the “Big Four” of bargain shopping!) every week scouting out deals (I usually don’t buy anything but I get tons of ideas for DIY projects).
If your dorm room needs some kick and you don’t know where to start, check out these design basics to get you started. And don’t think we’re stuck bargain shopping–it wouldn’t be SCL without some DIY links.
Lighting is terrible in most dorm rooms, so bring your own to pep up the space. I like to have good strong lighting for study time (”task lighting” like a desk lamp), something a little softer for just hanging out, and something super low (Christmas lights or a low-watt lamp) for relaxing. The light level in your room can be an amazing mood-altering tool, and you can find lamps for as little as $10 at stores like Wal*Mart, Target, or–my all-time dorm fav–Ikea. And (as you will note in the DIY) I am a believer that a little romance can go a long way–DIY a chandelier to hang over your bed (or to give to your girlfriend for Valentine’s day, boys!).
DIY: (But be careful!)
Mirrors are a key element in any dorm room. They throw light around to brighten up sometimes dingy dorm lighting and look amazingly chic (a great stand in for artwork). Plus you get the added bonus of having somewhere to check out your hair. Target has some super cute over-the-door mirrors for $15 (of scrimp a little and opt for their $5 version), or you can thrift around for some (or ask you relatives–who knows what you’ll get).
DIY:
- I admit, I am not handy enough to make a mirror… and I don’t know anyone else who is, either.
Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive!
DIY by grabbing some canvases, paint, and brushes for under $20 at an art store (if your local one has coupons or discount days, wait for those! Our Michael’s does a 40% off one item coupon once a week!). You can even just grab some canvas fabric (a few bucks at a hardware store), a grass mat from the beach, or even some cardboard to paint on. Frame fabric or wrapping paper for a graphic punch. Even easier (and free-er) go old-school and do a photo or magazine collage on your wall.
Not artsy? Shop thrift stores for funky frames and vintage books or album covers (cool + cheap), or scan the Big Four for pre-fab artwork at a big discount.
DIY:
Bed, couch, study zone: your XL Twin has a lot of functions in such a small space, so dress it to work for all of them. Pile throw pillows on to turn it into a “couch” (day-bed style) during the day, then toss them in the closet and crawl under some fluffy blankets at day’s end.
DIY:
Inspiration is what keeps me going when I look at my white white white apartment walls. Get your own here:
photo
February 8th, 2010
Jamie
Filed under: dorm room
Subscribe
Related Posts
I love eating, but cooking new, flavorful foods (with their tons of crazy and expensive ingredients) intimidates me. In fact, I whipped up some sweet and sour sauce the other day, but I was so nervous about getting all the food on the table at the same time that I freaked out and burned the chicken I was cooking at the same time. The fire alarm even went off.
So this month, let’s take it nice and easy: here’s my favorite last-minute recipe, and you only need three ingredients.
Cranberry Apple Chicken
2 chicken breasts (defrosted if frozen)
1 Granny Smith apple
1 can whole cranberry sauce
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Core and dice apple. Put apple bits into a bowl.
3. Pour cranberry sauce into the bowl with apple bits, mix well.
4. Spoon half the cranberry mixture into a pan (metal or glass, even a pie pan will work). Place chicken breasts on top of the mixture, then spread the remaining cranberry apple combo over the top of the chicken.
5. Bake for 40 minutes. Catch up on the TV you missed last night on Hulu. Or study. Your choice.
6. Check chicken for done-ness (it should be cooked all the way through, with no pink in the middle).
7. Enjoy!
p.s. Sorry there’s no picture–I forgot to take one before we CHOWED this stuff down.
February 1st, 2010
Jamie
Filed under: food & recipes
Subscribe
Related Posts
A blanket of snow isn’t a sentence to stay indoors! Get some warm (and water proof!) clothes on, and venture out for a snow-date with your honey (and then warm each other up afterward!). Let it snow!
1. Eskimo Kisses. Whether you have fond childhood memories of snow-fort building or you’re a complete newbie to the winter wonderland gig (like me!), I definitely recommend you get out there and build an igloo out of snow! (For faster work, make it a group-date, or just enjoy the time alone with your crush.) Be sure you pack your snow tightly before you hollow out a little room, and keep some structural “columns” inside to help hold it up. It will look magical lit up inside at night!
2. Snow Painting. Need another reason to get out and play in the snow? This is the only time yellow snow isn’t dangerous! Fill some spray bottles with water tinted with a few drops of food coloring. Write love notes. Paint each other’s portraits. Be ridiculous.
3. Sculptorades. Want to make a masterpiece like the one above (but maybe just a little bit smaller)? All you need is some time, a ton of snow, and a cardboard box. Use tools you have on hand, like a spatula, beach shovel, and tablespoon, to carve out your snow masterpiece. For more directions and tips, check out this article about snow sculpting. (Search Harbin Ice Festival for more inspiration!)
4. Icy Icee. Not into the whole freezing-to-the-bone bit, even for a date? Pick up some flavoring syrups at the grocery store (they work for Italian sodas, too–yum) and whip up your own custom snow cones (or cups, use whatever you’ve got.) Just make sure the snow is fresh so you don’t get any surprises.
5. Candlelight. Take the traditional candlelit dinner to the next level–make clusters of glittering ice-candles and light up an outdoor mini-picnic. Start the day before and have everything ready when your crush arrives. I suggest warm-weather clothes and mittens, some quilts and something dry and waterproof (a simple tarp would be fine) to sit on. Skip the full-on dinner and do dessert instead (you can only brave the cold for so long). Gingerbread cookies and cocoa are a great start.
photo
January 29th, 2010
Jamie
Filed under: dating
Subscribe
Related Posts
Next Posts
Previous Posts
Loading ...
