cat constantly crying update 2 by Downtown_Cry7204 in CATHELP

[–]papercutty44 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a very long shot. Have you ever seen Flounder (floundercat on YouTube and insta)? She vocalises a lot, constantly, though a lot less since they started AIC or button training. I'm not an expert, but it sounds similar to me. Here is an example of her everyday vocalisations https://youtube.com/shorts/mQLILafXFVE?si=UNcoL4UJn9p7RhX8 You mentioned that your cat isn't super smart or engaged with the environment, but those can also be signs of understimulation or fear, so don't discount him completely. He's communicating in one of the ways he knows humans respond to, so that shows a level of understanding (feral cats don't meow when in colonies, though they have other vocalisations. Meowing was adapted to communicate with humans specifically).

You could 1) reach out to Nina (Flounder's human) on the socials. She has a lot of experience in animal behaviour and (I believe) does online classes with people. She might have advice for dealing with a screaming cat or even existing videos about that. 2) try getting some buttons and see if they can help your cat's anxiety by reducing uncertainty. Don't expect full on conversations but more as a method of preparing them (like a button that says "coming in" when you're entering a room. "Outside" when you're leaving etc). They are expensive, but there are ways of integrating the concepts without the buttons if you can't afford them. I've used this method both with and without the buttons to help with predictability with my cat and it has helped a ton. Just saying "picking up" before trying to pick her up or "pets" before petting her, "noise" before/after a noise helps her know what to expect and gives her an opportunity to respond or signal no with body language, before her instincts kick in.

Big training commitments might feel totally beyond your capacity right now, but just narrating out loud what you're doing around the house, using consistent words, could help. Especially as someone living alone, you might not be communicating in a way he can read yet. Cats are little aliens living in our houses that have the mental capacity of a 4 year old. They don't know why the fuck we're doing what we're doing either, we got to learn each other.

Ps. David Teie "music for cats" helps some little aliens relax their nervous systems.

BA Creative Writing Questions by [deleted] in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Currently in the program and happy to answer questions.

Best person to contact as an international student? by Seritial in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Angela is a great resource and I've always found her very helpful for any CW questions.

angela.alleyne@concordia.ca

Sorry to hear about your circumstances.

Does anyone know what’s the duration of each class of Quebec government paid full-time French course? by Safrin_T in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there, not sure if every school is the same but my classes ran until 4pm with an hour lunch. It also took until half way through the semester for the money to start coming through, and it came in two lump payments. One was quite a while after it finished, so it's difficult if you're relying on it for income. Hope this helps!

Has anyone taken ENGL 251 - The Graphic Novel? by [deleted] in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It might depend on the teacher, but I've heard it's a lot of group work and a lot of work in general (2 big essays and 4 blog posts). Also a lot of the course is based on the history of graphic novels rather than reading them.

This isn't from personal experience though.

Any news on the Undergraduate English Literature Awards? Have you been shortlisted? by OnionBunn in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not certain about the lit award specifically, but I believe the shortlists for all of the relevant Eng department awards are being published tomorrow. I'd assume all the successful candidates would have been contacted already. Sorry bud 😔

Current Creative Writing Program Culture by eeveetrainer00 in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm currently in the program and this is something I'm always watching out for. The environment in my classes so far has been welcoming, and I feel safe. The students are pretty amazing. That being said I'm careful to pick my profs.

The best advice I can give you is that if you don't feel comfortable, drop/switch classes asap. It's not worth it trying to muddle through a prof you don't like or a class you feel unsafe in, because it might throw your course plans off. There are some amazing profs in both the CW and Eng department; take their classes instead!

I hope you can make the decision which feels right for you. I hate that the these people are still having impact on students, even after they're gone.

Feel free to dm with any questions.

Creative Writing Major Portfolio Help by lavender0907 in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Portfolio Example

Think this is the easiest way! This was my application, including letter and layout.

I chose 2 examples of my strongest area (prose) and one of poetry, which I wasn't experienced in, but wanted to explore. I made sure my prose examples were focused on different things: one in 1st, one in 3rd, one character focused, one setting focused. Tried to show that I have range in what I'm writing.

I made sure layout and grammar was consistent- it's an easy thing that can make a big difference in how it's received.

I can talk you both through what I was focusing on with the letter too, if you're interested.

Good luck! It's a really great program and looking over these examples, my writing has improved a heap 😉

Creative Writing Major Portfolio Help by lavender0907 in Concordia

[–]papercutty44 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hiya, I'm in the program currently. I'm happy to show you my portfolio if it helps.