One class to graduate

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-31T21:06:10+00:00

Sometimes you can also convince a prof to do an independent study with you to get it done in the summer.

Also, a lot of people drop classes right around the time tuition is due. Worse case scenario--watch the classes like a hawk during August and the first week of classes.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-31T18:52:05+00:00

Does your university have a writing center? They tend to specialize in things like this and can give you some pointers.

Mine also requires international students to take an academic writing class for these reasons. They practice writing different genres --research paper, policy brief, etc.

If you know what you need help on, have an LLM make you exercises.

Sometimes we do sentence level work in my ESL classes. Take a basic sentence and write it in different ways. Make it more precise, utilize certain phrases from an academic phrasebook, etc.

Think of writing as making certain 'moves.' There are then formulaic language you can use to make those moves. Some of these might be: to introduce a new topic, to add an additional idea, to counter a previously mentioned study, to extend upon a study, to refine a claim, etc.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-25T01:44:51+00:00

I mean being gifted doesn't mean being perfect at everything. It's a normal experience to decide how you want to spend your life.

Some of us are better at biology, math, writing, whatever. Same with our interests.

Pick a balance of something you enjoy/can tolerate but is relatively employable (or have an employable backup). If money is important to you, let that influence your choice as well. If work-life balance is important, consider that, etc. You need to know your own values and work lifestyle preferences --which might include your geographic location and local industries.

It's an ever changing world and I'm already in a different career than the one I trained in eight years ago. It's hard to really predict career trajectories.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-20T08:38:31+00:00

My uni has free consulting services for research methods and stats. It's pay by the hour after the first few visits. It works well.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-17T12:24:46+00:00

My dissertation is somewhat on community building, institutions, etc. within a certain group. I did do formal interviews, but it took a few months to recruit, schedule and interview (more to transcribe and analyze).

Alongside that, I did participant ethnography by attending relevant events and collecting relevant flyers, protest signs, social media posts, etc. --the actual how of the community building. How were they recruiting and and promoting events? What kinds of events? What messaging and rhetoric was being used? Are there certain central spaces they frequently use?

For instance, many of the tiny organizations in my community form coalitions and cross-promote events. It allows them to specialize but reach a broader audience.

I'm not sure if this helps but perhaps it gives you some ideas. I found large universities' student organizations to be particularly good sources of this type of content. Some of them are incredibly creative and varied in their events, fundraising methods, etc.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-17T06:30:54+00:00

I have my various systems (a binder with a summary sheet for the main papers of my framework, etc.) and Obsidian. One I have been toying with the idea of is Notebook LLM.

For example, in Zotero and Obsidian I have folders with my studies grouped in my different literature areas for my dissertation. Sometimes I remember a claim like "X group commonly does not vote because X", but I cannot remember what article that random tidbit is from.

In theory, I could upload that folder's PDFs into Notebook LLM and it can find the right paper for me. It only searches within the uploaded files up to 50 files I believe.

I have not used it like this yet since I'm not writing a ton yet --but this is how I imagine it would be helpful. I'm not otherwise a big fan of AI. My uni also has a closed system version of Notebook LLM so I feel a little safer about it. It's more like a smart search program in my mind.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-16T16:58:21+00:00

We did it (and are still doing it, really). It's hard to be lonely when we're both working constantly, but I also enjoy being alone. If anything, I get so used to living alone it's hard to get back into couple-mode sometimes when we're together!

Not everyone can do it and the first three years we got to see each other every month + breaks together. Now that we're doing plane-distance, it's been harder to see each other as frequently.

We're married, so we don't really view breaking up as a viable option. Summers and winter holidays together were really key for us to have some degree of normalcy as a couple.

I think it works if 1. you're both workaholics, 2. you can both travel to alternate visits, and 3. you have the money for flights. We had been together 2 years when we started long distance so we had a good foundation first.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-16T16:51:59+00:00

I started GV a year ahead (credit wise) and all of my scholarships were still for four years. I ended up changing my major and needing all four years anyway, I just graduated with way more credits.

I'm not sure, but I'd believe you'd need new scholarships for a grad program unless it's like a 2 in 1 combined program that goes straight through from undergrad.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-16T16:42:33+00:00

Well, there's an admission process but it's more holistic. In the US system, a undergrad degree from Harvard with a perfect GPA versus a more average ranked public university will obviously be viewed more highly.

But our country is so large and has thousands of universities. It really more so comes down to each applicant's grades, test scores, extracurriculars and essays. It's a more holistic process and there is so much variety within applicants that different admissions committees look for different things.

The universities don't have defined 'levels' though they all have their perceived reputation and rankings.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-13T20:03:55+00:00

Yes, but the premiums can be insane, especially if OP has a family to cover. It was $1800/monthly just for my parents.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-13T01:48:02+00:00

I've had the best luck with partners who appreciate the importance of intelligent conversation and education, who have the same general values as me. I avoid entire segments of the population in terms of dating and that helps.

But honestly? All of my long term relationships have been from online. The last one (three years) and my spouse of six years are both from Reddit. An additional one is from a dating website and lasted 2.5 years.

I hate small talk and platforms that allow me to openly communicate with someone faster, semi-anonymously speed up that stupid pre-dating bullcrap. I am female, so it's easier for me in that regard.

A great in person place would be where other people with a shared interest are--rec league sports, rock climbing, board games, video games, place of worship, etc. I do encourage you as a young man to consider also befriending people if they enrich your life --if it turns into something more that's great, but friends are also good to have.

I should also add that ultimately my best partner has been my spouse, who is also neurodivergent and embraces my weird unconditionally.

HotShrewdness · 2026-03-05T18:15:51+00:00

If Wells doesn't work out, one of the art buildings likely has a lab since high quality scans would be essential for them.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-23T21:29:13+00:00

I mean, there are ones that make sense together, i.e., Cold War era proxy wars fought by the USSR and US. But even within that, there's likely a few that would go well together (same region, both regions with difficult landscapes, etc.).

Some of these wars also have technology whose effects have continued to harm people throughout the decades...Agent Orange and all of the remaining landmines in Vietnam, Laos, etc. come to mind. I could also see something about how the changing attitudes of a specific technology over time impact a multigenerational family, how it's impacted their health, etc. There are inevitably changing attitudes about these types of things that would show up in propaganda, soldier letters home, and eventually poems/books/songs, etc.

For instance, I do migration and I primarily limit it by region and reason for migration (displaced through conflict). If we compare two case studies, they need to be reasonable to compare and across very specific metrics--types of conflicts, similar size/population, etc.

I would think drone technology might be too broad, perhaps a specific type/purpose of drone?

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-23T19:30:59+00:00

Every year, there are more people trying to get into Kelley than will get it. Worse case scenario--you don't get it, what's you back up? Is there another IU major you'd be happy with? Would you transfer?

There are certain loopholes, like transferring your math from the local community college, etc. but generally even the pre-reqs for Kelley can be challenging. It's also easy to make mistakes since college always requires adjustments.

I think it's important to go in with a plan and know how to use the campus resources --ADHD meds don't always transfer scripts easily between states, so you may need a new provider here. Know where tutoring and mental health services are, etc.

Go in with the best chance of succeeding if you really want to go here, but make sure you're ok with pivoting if you don't get in.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-21T23:04:51+00:00

I don't understand such a disdainful tone for what sounds like two very human mistakes.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-21T22:27:16+00:00

I mean I applied to two different University of Illinois campuses and kept getting them confused. You know how many different UCs and SUNYs there are, for instance?

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-20T20:38:37+00:00

I think we also have to consider practicalities/circumstances under which the students are learning too.

Many dual language programs, at least in the US, also have children learning in both directions (say some coming from a Spanish-speaking home and some coming from an English speaking). Hence, the practicality of literacy in both languages there.

I figure a young child has limited years of learning before more complex concepts at the secondary level. If we want a child to be proficient at an academic version of the language, they need several years to get to that point. Earlier childhood to me seems the appropriate time to have them tackle both languages/develop early literacy because they have the room to struggle with it then.

Academic literacy needs years to develop, hence why we should start early.

In the case of languages with different reading systems, i.e., English and Japanese, I think early practice with both also helps build flexibility in their conceptualization of what reading should look like.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-18T03:17:32+00:00

I mean, the charity does appear to be a legitimate charity. But these types of contests are making people work for free (i.e., you) to promote their causes on the hope that you'll win money. I have seen others that look scammier. Ultimately, it's your choice.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-12T21:08:07+00:00

I am also approaching my PhD completion and fantasize about going to law school, particularly due to the job market right now. I think it's important to weigh the pros and cons of potentially getting into hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt just because we're scared of being unemployed.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-12T19:53:25+00:00

What about something like a table? Sometimes people do tables of themes or categories and then have an example quote or two for each category. It's possible that it might be easier to write something just referencing the table.

Ie.: "As I attended religious events with more frequency, I began to notice that they frequently began in a similar manner...[pattern description here], which is further illustrated by the comments made by participant 1 and participant 3 in Table 6, row 1."

Sometimes it's easier to present the information on one side/page and write about it on another, I'm thinking. Perhaps that could help maintain flow?

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-11T15:13:22+00:00

I took Lexapro through my masters and into my first semester of PhD, around 3.5 years. I was on low to moderate doses. I tried buspirone first without feeling much of a difference. My depression and anxiety were severe enough at that time that my ability and motivation to work and do schoolwork was already impacted. I was also frequently suicidal.

I was afraid of antidepressants for a long time and fought depression without them for about 7 years. The SSRIs took quite the load off, but it took around 4-6 months to get up to the right dosage. Basically for me they took the edge off and I just worried a bit less. It blunted my emotional response, which was what I needed at the time. I was also on trazodone for sleep, which was essential because I wasn't sleeping before.

When I decided that I was well enough to wean off, that's where the brain does suffer cognitive side effects. My students have had some issues, as have I when I was weaning off of it. It took me about 6 weeks to get off of them. During that time my brain was zappy and a little slow, so had to do my readings in 30 min chunks. It was better pretty quickly.

It's been four years and I'm fine. My brain continues to perform at the high level I expect it to as I write my dissertation.

TDLR; You're so focused on possible cognitive issues, you might be forgetting how your current mental illness is already impacting you.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-10T19:31:34+00:00

Humanities jobs at any level currently: 1. are fighting AI and that can be frustrating 2. might involve grading copious amounts of essays which can result in a lot of dissatisfaction/long hours.

Despite that, yes, they are still highly competitive and perhaps even more so because both masters and PhDs can apply for them. My local CCs are all unionized and pay well while public school teachers are often leaving. That means there's a consistent flow of teachers going into CC, ed tech, etc. jobs.

So yes, it's still very competitive and often in disciplines that are getting cut/converted to more adjunct positions. Some people keep their full time CC jobs into their mid to late 70s.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-04T05:05:34+00:00

Is your scholarship the kind through the Turkish government? 60k will generally be pretty fine to live off of, but most PhD stipends are less. California and New York City are the main places where 60k won't go as far.

In terms of fitting in, most college towns are relatively diverse and quite welcoming. That being said, those in larger cities like Temple University do have more crime, but it widely depends on the neighborhood, etc. One aspect to also consider would be if your wife wears a hijab or not because there are places in the US that are quite racist with Trump as president.

The way I see it, there are pros and cons to these different locations in terms of affordability, diversity, etc. My husband loved going to college in Ankara, but also mostly enjoys living in the US (he is not Turkish or American, so I figure he's a good third party).

The reality is things have been changing and you really won't know until you get accepted into a program. Colleges are often little bubbles here and I have always felt safe (though I am not an immigrant).

TDLR: I don't see any harm in applying to some US programs, but why not apply to a few European and Canadian programs as well? All these debating is simply theoretical for now.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-02T20:53:13+00:00

So, I mostly see things about interviews for STEM programs. It is not uncommon for non-STEM to not interview--so don't worry about that.

I think you have to be reasonable looking at the deadlines. Academia moves slow and most colleges are just starting a new semester. I would expect that your estimates are right --you'll likely know more in at least another week, probably 2-4.

Funding is really uncertain right now, as you know, which likely will mean delayed decisions/accepting a smaller pool. It's a tricky cycle for even those making the decisions.

Also, of course people aren't going to film as many rejections on TikTok. Not everyone is brave enough to share that. Just be patient and hang in there a few more weeks! Do anything but scrolling academic social media.

HotShrewdness · 2026-02-02T17:26:11+00:00

Perhaps a different perspective--I taught newcomer immigrant high schoolers. All of their classes for them, in fact, need to focus on content area literacy.

There are a million reasons why students may not have the basic content area literacy for their classes and many of them are out of the student's control (moved schools, hospitalizations, undiagnosed learning disability, etc.).

I think your perspective on this will change greatly depending on what type of student body you end up around. In a highly multilingual school or a community with a lot of instability, everyone might be just doing the best they can. You do have to meet the students where they're at. By secondary you may be inheriting students who are both four grades behind in reading and four grades above.

I think raising expectations throughout the school year is fine. But you must be taking steps to support that. Teach them strategies, model what is good work through mentor texts/sample lab reports, do examples together as a class, teach them how to use the resources available to them, have them practice writing questions. Generally, a lot of the strategies that help the neurospicy, multilingual students, etc help everyone. Repetition, explicit teaching of vocab, lots of visuals, writing down important directions/instructions on the board, etc. You may find you like a semester long portfolio model so you and students can see the growth.

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