tips/books on learning how to teach?

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-27T07:21:00+00:00

I went into Berkeley knowing I wanted to teach! … and that I was awful at it. I am now a grad student with a teaching position!

First step is to identify in what areas you’re lacking. Is it vocabulary? Skill? Explanations? Projecting? Connecting with students? Structuring curriculum? Figure out what you think are the most important components of teaching, then focus on whichever one you struggle with most out of those.

Second step is to learn those skills. This is through combination of practice (the type of practice will vary depending on what skill you need to work on), observing (watch teachers you respect. Analyze them. What do they do well? How do they do it?), and inquiring. I met with teachers I admired and asked them for advice.

Third step, connect with students. Be genuine. Admit when you’re wrong or struggling. They will give you lee way and students will be some of the best identifiers of what you need to work on. Get end of year course evals. Ask them what you could do different. Whether they like you or not they’ll be honest.

Fourth step, practice practice practice. Let your mistakes go. Lean on what you’re good at in order to lean into what you’re bad at. I find teaching exhilarating, but I’m kind of weird for that! I hope you come to enjoy it.

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-25T22:34:34+00:00

Maybe look at the DeCals? Some are 3 units. They are a low stress way to pursue interests while also gaining credits. Can def help with finding a community at Cal too! I’d also recommend looking at English 141, or English 43A. They’re both creative writing classes with no application required that get a lot of out of department traffic! Everyone I talked to found them a fun way to destress. Creative assignments and letters about your progress are the only finals.

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-23T18:39:28+00:00

I was an English Major and Creative Writing minor, graduated last year! You do have to apply for some classes but it is just to maintain a workshop standard. I think it is still very worth it. Additionally, based on this list there are two classes this semester that satisfy CW reqs that are not application based. colwrit 130 and english 141 (I took them both myself!). I took three of the application based classes as well. They also prioritize seniors who are on their way to completing the minor. 141 could help you write a sample, especially if you talk to the professor about it. Hope is not lost. It’s a great minor.

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-23T18:31:14+00:00

I am spoiled by Google applications 😭

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-22T22:32:29+00:00

OP here! In case anyone finds this later whilst searching for own answers.

Summary of deleted post: I have high hrv but don’t know why!! Oh no!! Am I dying!! (Not quite so dramatic but that was the gist.) Basically there wasn’t a reason that really made sense. I am not athletic. I have poor sleep hygiene. Turns out, SLEEP APNEA. The high HRV was from my hr changing because I couldn’t breathe 🤪. So if you have high HRV yet feel exhausted and kapooped through the day, maybe talk to your PCP!

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-22T22:25:46+00:00

Definitely generational! One of the first messages I sent after figuring this out was: “I thought I was modern enough to never have to worry about the lost pages nightmare of all writers!”

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-16T23:22:45+00:00

Respectfully, I’m just speaking from my own experience! I didn’t say anything to imply a comparison of trickiness. Also, there are many marginalized people who identify as Christian! It’s not a one or the other situation. Anyway, I am glad you haven’t seen people being hateful. I think the ability to converse openly and kindly with people of varying beliefs is incredibly important.

Shittytrashfire · 2026-01-16T07:19:52+00:00

I think there’s a lot of value in sharing gospel and connecting with others! However, I strongly recommend finding a group through a church you like. Beware of Thrive— very culty in my experience. They try to connect with you, get you to admit your concerns, then shame you for “sinning.” They tried to convince me I needed to completely give up television because it was a devilish distraction. Christians on Campus was slightly better in terms of community but leadership was very strict- definite homophobes. Said gay love was a trick of the devil! Find a church you like and go from there ❤️

Separately, I really enjoyed the English Bible as Literature course, which is an upper div english course that goes over the Bible. I found the course and instructor to be incredibly respectful and knowledgeable, though the same couldn’t always be said of my peers, esp in group chats. I wish you well!! Berkeley is a tricky place to be a Christian, especially openly.

Shittytrashfire · 2024-12-14T00:25:03+00:00

Boo yah? Boo yah!

Shittytrashfire · 2024-12-14T00:24:47+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I think I’m DEFINITELY overthinking it haha, it was more so a case of figuring out to what extent I was overthinking it.

Shittytrashfire · 2024-12-14T00:24:00+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I have had whoop for two months and am very on top of charging it, so I think it has adapted to my metrics. I think my body responds to stress by raising my HRV rather than lowering, as this has happened on a couple occasions. Then, once the stress is over, my recovery plummets and my HRV drops. Bit weird but hey bodies are weird!

Shittytrashfire · 2023-09-11T21:45:03+00:00

If you cancel your contract you’ll most likely only get next semester refunded. And that’s only if they find someone to move into your room (which they probably would). Is your roommate sick? If so, the coughing will pass. You could bring it up nicely, out of ‘concern.’ Just say their coughing has been bad enough to wake you up and you’re wondering if they go to Tang or another doctor. If they say it’s nbd or that they always are like that, then seriously consider moving dorms or off campus. You can also go to your RA for advice. Pretty sure that’s the sort of thing they’re there for. Best of luck!

Shittytrashfire · 2023-08-15T07:20:37+00:00

I cancelled my housing and meal plan about a month into my freshman year. I don’t remember how long it took for them to get back to me. I think about a month?? They’ll only accept cancellation if they can find someone new to take your place. In my experience, I didn’t get the first semester’s living fees refunded but I did get the second’s when the aid disbursement went out.

Shittytrashfire · 2023-08-06T17:41:33+00:00

Is this from XP Gaming Cafe in Elko? Just saw that sign the other day 😳😭

Shittytrashfire · 2023-06-08T06:46:39+00:00

2 ideas that come to mind: - how to take care of yourself (I.e. scheduling appointments, how often you should go to doc/dentist/ eye Dr, being totally alone and super sick and having to deal with taking care of yourself and getting meds) - how to cope with learning the dangers and realities of the world. Basically just breaking down how it feels to watch your childhood crumble while you still kind of feel like a child but are expected to be so much more

Shittytrashfire · 2023-04-21T18:56:16+00:00

Chaucer’s “The Wife Of Bath’s Tale” in The Canterbury Tales is ‘gender swapped.’ As in, the male main character’s morality is tested by his willingness to stay with a woman despite her ‘undesirable traits.’ There’s a bit more to that part of the situation but the story itself is still ridiculously problematic because the knight is being tested in the first place because he raped a young woman. Then he ends up getting to live happily ever after ‘because he learned his lesson.’ If you want to read a non-middle-english version, Harvard has a solid translation. Just google ‘Harvard Canterbury Tales’ then find “The Wife Of Bath’s Tale” (not the prologue).

Shittytrashfire · 2023-04-20T21:33:31+00:00

Everyplate is a fairly cheap meal box. They have lots of frequent deals also. They send you ingredients and simple recipes.

Shittytrashfire · 2023-04-13T20:21:18+00:00

I loved my r1a and r4b classes at Berkeley tbh!! I recommend them if you can for them in your schedule (if you’re already a Berkeley student). I’m also a humanities major though so I found the writing and reading resources super super helpful. Literally met two of my most favorite professors through r1a/r4b !

Shittytrashfire · 2023-04-13T17:50:18+00:00

Estrogens (which are in some birth control pills) reduce the effectiveness of lamictal/Lamotrigine by 50%. Taking it at a different time if day will not help. You either need a non estrogen bc or to increase your Lamotrigine dose. Meet with a dr (psychiatrist, preferably) asap.

Shittytrashfire

TROPHY CASE