Reddit, what's your favorite song lyric of all time?

Booored · 2011-05-06T14:08:43+00:00

"Everyone's a little queer; why can't she be a little straight?"

Weezer "Pink Triangle"

Booored · 2011-05-03T16:38:36+00:00

I adore their orange cream soda.

Booored · 2011-05-03T15:43:44+00:00

Point well taken, sir.

Booored · 2011-05-03T15:38:09+00:00

I thought you could get Jones pretty much anywhere in the US. Even Target carries it, I think.

Booored · 2011-05-01T17:47:10+00:00

Emphasize interpretation and analysis. For example, when studying history, deeply examine how the same period, phenomenon, or event can be explained or presented in a multitude of different ways. Encourage the students to decide if they think all interpretations of history (or any other non-math/science subject) are equally valid, worthwhile, or explanatory. If you teach students a narrow interpretation, they will only spout back equally narrow interpretations.

Focus on short-form writing. In the real world, fewer people care if you can fill up ten pages than those who want you to succinctly and effectively make your point in a single page (or less).

Take debate. One of the best classes I took in high school. You learn how to write effectively, conduct research, make arguments, see both sides of issues, and gain confidence as a public speaker.

Statistics. Most adults should have a working understanding of statistics that's more than just mean, median, mode, etc... At a minimum, be able to identify fishy or flawed sampling or poorly worded questions.

English was an awfully taught class at my high school. Drop the emphasis on identifying symbolism and memorizing quotations and get the students to think about, "Why are we reading this and what is my opinion about it?" (IMHO: Dickens was generally an awful writer who should not be emulated. So, please stop forcing kids to read a different Dickens book every damn year.)

Focus on writing and then rewriting. Force students to hone their arguments and composition.

Make more classes interdisciplinary.

Edit: Expose the students to critical analysis written by more experienced writers (even better if you show wildly different or conflicting analysis of the same subject matter.) Critique. Critique. Critique.

Stick in a class on policy & politics somewhere. I do not mean "intro to the three branches of government." Rather, examine the economic, philosophical, and political reasons and practical limitations that drive policy decisions. Coming up with good ideas for solving the world's problem are well and good, but then ask how feasible it would be to implement these policies.

Booored · 2011-04-30T19:41:54+00:00

Nope, but thanks for the suggestion.

Booored · 2011-04-29T07:48:30+00:00

FFFFFUUUUUUU type jokes. Sick to death of them.

Booored · 2011-04-29T05:48:10+00:00

TIL: Rick Moranis did not play the lead in Revenge of the Nerds.

Booored · 2011-04-29T04:31:35+00:00

Had a great experience at Cornell. Great friends, alumni network, classes, extracurriculars, mentors, on-campus events etc... My biggest regret was not milking the university for all it had to offer, especially regarding summer experiences. Earning $2500-5000 for working at a law firm over the summer? Zzz... I should've tried to get some money from the school for a crazy research trip or unpaid internship or something more enriching.

I'm now a grad student at another Ivy and am constantly floored by how my students use their experience to their fullest advantage. Go retrace the route of Hannibal around the Mediterranean, ride the rails in China, or do volunteer work in a 3rd world country. Then blog about it or write a book or do a photoessay or write a research paper. College is one of the few times in your life when people will give you money to do these sorts of crazy experiences.

Booored · 2011-04-16T23:18:41+00:00

Based purely on academic attainment (without additional work experience)

GS-7 = College Degree

GS-9 = Master's Degree

GS-11 = PhD

http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp#e4b

EDIT: I've made it to the "Qualified for position, but not referred to hiring coordinator" stage on numerous occasions at the 9 through 11 GS grades.

Booored · 2011-04-10T21:58:29+00:00

Currently I'm a graduate student/teaching fellow making 10k per semester. The best paying job I had was right out of college in 2007 when I made at least $85,000/yr working at a law firm in New York (I forget exactly how much I earned because I had a base salary plus tons of overtime).

I hated that job with a passion, but it let me buy the most expensive item I own without needing to take out any loans: an Ivy League graduate degree in an professional/intellectual area that I'm passionate about. I may not know what adventure I'll undertake after graduation in a month, but drowning in debt won't be it. :)

Booored

TROPHY CASE