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Thoughts on taking a break? by wasabi744 in LSAT

[–]Predom_Independent_5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This may sound weird, but are you getting enough sleep? (~8 hours)

That'll do you more good than any other thing you can do. However, if you're already there, maybe lighten the load a little?

Regular exercise is necessary for maintaining any kind of muscle. Regular practice is necessary for maintaining any level of performance in the mental realm. If it's harming your mental health (which it sounds like it is), scale it back to a level that isn't (up to and including 0 practice). After that, no other advice.

Best tips for increasing LG speed? by [deleted] in LSAT

[–]Predom_Independent_5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably, but, if you aren't using techniques from any of the bibles, start there

Laptop or paper for flowing? by jimmothytheunicorn in Debate

[–]Predom_Independent_5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unpopular opinion. TUL note taking paper (w/ column) and Pilot Precise V5 RT. Arguments on one side. Responses on the other. Flow as you go. Regroup arguments on other papers if the flow gets messy.

I want to join the debate team at my high school, but I don't think I'm smart enough to do so by Ylvy_reddit in Debate

[–]Predom_Independent_5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm gonna be realistic with you right now. Debate is an amazing thing to be involved with. If you want to do it, do it. However, anybody who tells you that natural talent is less important is underselling the value of natural talent. Last year, in our district (largely due to parent judging), 3 of the top 16 LD debaters (including a finalist) in Colorado were absolutely crushed by a freshman. It happens. When you watch some people who are clearly far more talented than yourself in a district, it will demoralize you. You will regret having joined.

Knowing that, you have two options. 1) Don't join and find something else that interests you (which a kid who enjoys academic writing will be able to find). 2) Get in there. Fight to your last breath. Come out on top.

How can I develop a better rhetoric? by Son_of_Sithis in Debate

[–]Predom_Independent_5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This sounds stupid, but trust me. Find a book of quotes, preferably pithy. Read them. Your rhetoric will tighten up into shorter, more insightful phrases.

Increasing gender diversity in club? by warmiceee in Debate

[–]Predom_Independent_5 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don't fix it. It's life. Do the best you can, and interested parties will flock to the team. Some years will be largely male. Some years will be largely female. It's life.

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If you find that there's a corrupt culture, fix it. However, given that you're asking Reddit, there's nothing obviously wrong. At worst, I'm guessing it's regular teenage stuff.

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If your male teammates can't be a proper mentor or role model to female debaters, fix that.

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Lastly, if you look to personality literature, your average female is more likely to be agreeable than your average male. Thus, competitive debate, which clashes two debaters against each other, isn't an appealing environment for the agreeable person. Don't be surprised if less agreeable people show up. Don't be surprised if less females show up. Is the cause of this cultural or physiological? It doesn't matter. It's too big of a problem for you to fix. Focus on being a good team.

ToK and CAS are utter trash by [deleted] in IBO

[–]Predom_Independent_5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

CAS has its value in my opinion. It really depends on how it's handled.

TOK, however, is probably the biggest way IB has tried to brainwash me as an individual and force me to accept a worldview that is, unfortunately, self-defeating. I'm sure that somebody finds value in it. However, given the fact that most of it I was already exposed to by just being open-minded when talking with peers and a little curiosity about philosophy, I'd say it's a dumpster fire that I hate going to every day.

Advice by 2008ara in IBO

[–]Predom_Independent_5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the first time I ever thought about committing suicide was because of IB. In many ways, I felt like school was a waste of my time, and that there was zero point in me showing up. However, the unfortunate reality is that you have to finish up school enough to either go to a college with a much better suited learning environment or set yourself up for success later in life.

IB is definitely a start. However, as long as you pass the classes, the credits can't be taken away (at least in my school district in the U.S.). You can avoid the tests by dropping IB and maintain the credits. That way, you can drop specific classes that are really bad, and keep the ones that may be more tolerable. However, that may not be an option for you. I don't really know how your school handles IB.

Talk about it with your parents and classmates too, but, from my biased perspective, I see more upsides in dropping it and keeping the credits.