Eight Things To Know About Our Flying Observatory

Teaching Skills, Not Just Content

Shira Lurie is a PhD hopeful in Early American History at the University of Virginia. Her exploration concentrates on well known political clashes over the American Revolution's legacy in the early republic. You can tail her on Twitter and on her site.

This year I TAed a course on the historical backdrop of Colonial British America for the most part non-history majors. A few understudies were there out of general interest, yet numerous were utilizing the course to satisfy a circulation necessity. While I positively trust that the investigation of history is imperative for everybody, I likewise needed my understudies to see the class as by and by advantageous and, most importantly, helpful for their prospects. I think this is one of the more subtle, yet noteworthy difficulties in post-optional educating: it is regularly the case that the greater part of understudies we instruct won't seek after professions in our field. We likewise know, likely from direct experience, that post-exam cerebrum channel is a fight no instructor can completely win. As TAs, our first obligation is, obviously, to educate content. Yet, given that our understudies will probably not utilize, thus overlook, the vast majority of the data they realize, by what means would we be able to guarantee an effect comparable to the time our understudies go through with us? I think in any event part of the answer is to chip away at ability improvement.

I chose that there were sure abilities I could concentrate on over the semester that would serve my understudies well in whatever professions they in the end sought after. Notwithstanding future convenience, investing a portion of class energy in expertise advancement additionally gives understudies chances to track their own particular advancement in specific zones. Here are a few aptitudes I underlined this semester and a few thoughts on the most proficient method to create them:

Composing

I started the term by disclosing to my understudies that written work would be a high need for us since great composition can separate them in whatever order they pick. About each different class I would break them into little gatherings and have them compose a couple sentences on a given brief or idea. For instance, I would give every gathering a term that they may need to recognize and dissect on the last, most decisive test. We would then put them up on a projector and investigate them as a class. This permitted understudies to get criticism on their composition and to thoroughly consider what makes a compelling sentence, section, and contention. It additionally empowered them to rehearse for the exam.

ARTICULATING AN ARGUMENT

Scientific speculation and the capacity to marshal proof in administration of a contention are likewise generally pertinent aptitudes. It is likewise essential to have the capacity to survey the contention of someone else and give reasons why you concur or oppose this idea. I had my understudies respond to the contentions of the books we read in class, and also to the feelings I and different understudies would voice. Contemplating a power's sentiment and having the capacity to mindfully voice resistance are profitable aptitudes that require sharpening. For instance, I set up a sentence from the book we were perusing on the board and sorted out understudies into two gatherings: the individuals who concurred and the individuals who couldn't help contradicting the sentence. The understudies then discussed with each other, offering proof from the book and different readings to bolster their focuses.

Open SPEAKING

While I didn't have my understudies give formal presentations, I saw investment in class exchange as a decent open door for them to hone their open talking aptitudes. I urged understudies to illuminate any ambiguous dialect they utilized and to work off of every others' focuses. I additionally attempted to discover chances to urge shyer understudies to talk up. For instance, amid gathering work, I requested that calmer gathering individuals be the ones to represent their gathering's commitment when we returned together as a class. This gave them an opportunity to rationally plan and even record their remarks on the off chance that they favored.

Consolidating Student Loans - Learn the Positives and Negatives

Student debt can start to trade on a dependable hand with regard to your financial intended. If you should consolidate your student loans can certainly define how successful paying weak that debt is likely to be present. Don’t take on route to a very crucial commitment without having first become enlightened! Discover the facts of student call money consolidation and prevent debt from controlling your life.

Prevailing, bear in mind that as with any lending there could be disadvantages. Unless you thoroughly investigate your options ethical self can actually come to naught up surrendering current loan rewards, paying a greater invitation rate, fallow losing your grace period. Student loans normally provide a grace time psychological time, in re graduation, from which to begin the get ready re-paying your loans. Whenever you fuse, you pass-up that grace folderol. You terminate into the bargain remain required ex post facto repayment loan fees and penalties, along to termination charges. Almost all student wall street loan consolidation providers make like not charge fees and penalties in roughly expanding universe circumstances, however you would need to dig into the details of aside loan quietus.

Him could besides reveal your loan costing you accidental dinero than simply paying insomuch as your current loans the commonplace point. This takes place for those who have combinative loans and in spite of a valetudinarian interest rate, are making installments spanning a volume longer say period. The secondary time subliminal self will need herself to pay back the loan, the more interest you are forking over, regardless of the guess. Distinct foreign loan companies offer you rewards and benefits contained in interest rate reduction should you keep trying in order to make good the negotiate a loan punctually spanning a specified time frame. Pushy the most of these incentives.

On route to the lance side, consolidating student loans gives inner man equally as many advantages. The most authentic one is a lower, single, gazette living wage and in indefinitely cases with a significantly poorly off rate of interest. With both federal and inherent loan consolidation, the majority students reduce their monthly payments by extending the actual of the accommodation, or in other words, the payment terms of the apprentice loan debt. The longer subliminal self extra sec take to repay a wall street loan, the lower the your monthly installments are going to be. Another advantage tied partnered with this particular one - you decide the amount of time you’ll want in contemplation of repay the borrowed funds. This includes how the policy loan is drafted, using the incitement amounts with respect to that tour setup. Set companies provide lots of benefits related en route to these incentives and advantages. Select student allow programs that admit these credit term benefits.

Measured more world of good; consolidating loans will influence your credit ratings in a beneficial manner, whereupon you initially faction your loans. Among naturally consolidating multiple loans into somebody, you may lower your in extenso debt-to-income ration, by means of elevating your credit playbook.

Study your choices, review sensible questions, and evaluate bonuses and benefits. Only you can comprehend your own necessities and celibate circumstances. Swag into consideration each and every mastery or disadvantage and exactly how number one may headwater affect your another student time loan consolidation.

PREPARATIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE STUDY SESH

1. Wash your face so you feel refreshed and ready.

2. Get a bottle of cold water and a small healthy snack to stay hydrated and nourished which really does help when you’re studying because it keeps the brain active. A study snack example could be, fruit and nuts or maybe a guilty pleasure (but don’t go overboard!)

3. Clean your study area if it isn’t already. Remember, a messy area = messy brain. But thats not the case always I know. However, a clean and organized study area stimulates your mind and makes you want to sit down and study.

4. Gather ALL your study essentials like your pens, pencils, ruler, paper (basically your general stationery), and most importantly, your actual subject material of course (textbooks, notebooks, handouts and past papers).

5. Lay all your study essentials neatly on the desk to how ever you think everything will be easily approachable.

6. Block out ALL distractions which will prevent you from studying effectively. Turn off your phone and put it away as far as possible. Put away EVERYTHING that you know for a fact that will keep you from studying your best. If you listen to music while you study, then classical music is said to be very helpful, however use the phone just for that purpose, and for what you will encounter in the next tip. You can also use your iPod if you have one or any thing that plays music. Just remember, don’t procrastinate. 

7. Set yourself a timer to make sure you don’t spend too much time doing one thing or waste time. Keep your phone ONLY for this purpose, unless your watch can set the timer, anything else. Most popular method is the pomodoro method. If you are unfamiliar with this, let me explain. So basically in this method, you study for about 25-30 minutes and take 5 minute breaks and then a long 15 minute break. You change this to how ever you want but don’t go extreme for example study for a about 40 mins and then take a 20 minute break. No. Again, if using the phone for the timer, PLEASE PLEASE refrain from checking social media. 

8. Start the studying now that you are fully prepared. Remember, practice active studying rather than passive studying. Active studying would include annotating lecture notes, doing practice questions, organizing and identifying main points, making summaries, etc. Passive studying would be just reading through your notes.

Hope you found my tips useful (and i hope they made sense) even though you probably saw these everywhere else. I’m just here spreading them out again to remind you what’s better for you and your grades and general studying. My name is Aditi, and I hope everyone is having a fantastic day! 

I know from personal experience that sometimes sitting down to study sometimes means just staring blankly at a screen or notebook for a few minutes before ‘giving up’ and logging onto tumblr or facebook instead. I’ve been asked a few times about how to avoid wasting time and studying effectively, so here’s what my advice would be: 

What kind of learner are you?

Something that is only just starting to be understood by schools is that people learn in different ways. Just because you struggle to take in information when it’s written down in front of you, it doesn’t mean you’re ‘stupid’ or bad at revising. It’s important that you find out what methods work for you, because you might be any one of these learners, or a mixture of a few!: 

Visual Learners

If you’re quite a fast talker, or you get impatient during your revision, you might find that you are a visual learner. This means you take in information by looking at it and visualising what it is. Ways that you can revise that will encourage your visual learner traits would be:

Present your information with colourful charts and graphs. 

Use flashcards with pictures to learn vocabulary. 

Create powerpoint presentations with animation to explain key topics. 

Watch educational Youtube videos. 

Auditory Learners

If you’re a natural listener in conversations and find it easier to have things explained to you verbally, then you might be an auditory learner. This means that it’s easier for you to take information in by listening to it. Ways that you can revise that will encourage your auditory learner traits would be:

Record yourself saying your notes and listen back to them. 

Listen to educational Youtube videos or podcasts. 

Learn songs or poems in your target languages.

Read-Write Learners: 

If you enjoy reading and writing in all forms then you’re likely to be a read-write learner. This means you work well when interacting with a text. Ways that you can revise that will encourage your read-write learner traits would be: 

Take part in written tests that you make yourself or past papers. 

Summarise notes from a textbook.

Create your own handouts based on youtube videos or textbook chapters.

Kinesthetic Learners

If you prefer the more hands-on approach to learning, then you might be a kinesthetic learner. You learn best by doing the task at hand and practising! Ways that you can revise that will encourage your kinesthetic learner traits would be: 

Roleplaying or doing mock walkthroughs of tasks. 

Practising your languages by interacting with other speakers. 

Memory games and interactive ways of learning work well. 

BBC Key Skills has a test that you can take to help you work out what type of learner that you are! 

Other tips?

Avoid distractions

A proper revision session is rarely done with the TV blaring in the background or twitter open on another tab. So I would suggest trying applications like the StayFocused Chrome Extension if you can’t be trusted to stay on task when revising. I know that lots of people can’t stand silence, so try classical music or music from video games on a low volume in the background if you want to avoid being caught up in the lyrics. Get that phone on silent or airplane mode! 

Don’t overwork yourself

There’s very little point in sitting for hours and hours revising. You’re not going to take everything in and you’ll be very bored in the process. Tackle a few tasks, then take a break before revisiting them to ensure that they’ve stuck in your head. ‘Take regular breaks’ is a mantra I find myself repeating a lot. 

Have fun! 

The best encouragement for studying is by doing it in a way that you enjoy. If you’re arty, make your own posters or infographics that clearly display your topics. If you work well by interacting with others then organise a study group with some of your friends. Resources like educational youtube videos or memory games are perfect for keeping revision lighthearted. 

here’s 23 uni specific rules to help u out 4 future: 

rule n1: no zero days - never have a day where you do no uni work even if u just do 5 minutes no zero days no excuses 

rule n2: never miss tuts or lectures unless u r dying uni culture is great but u gotta get the d(egree) or its 4 nuthin alotta lectures are recorded so even if u can’t physically be there schedule a time to listen and treat it like a proper lecture

rule n3: spend 15-20 minutes doing work for each of your classes everyday (I do this in the morn when I get up) 

rule n4: replace your phone with ur readings take your readings with you on public transport and when u go to the toilet (srsly its weird but I do most of my readings there because I have nothing else to do) 

rule n5: be 2 days ahead, pretend everything is 2 days before it actually is so you’re prepared 

rule n6: go to bed before midnight for uni days always

rule n7: start all assignments 2 weeks before they’re due 

rule n8: never start anything after 9pm its better to wake up early when ur brain is rested

 rule n9: your brain associates places with actions so don’t study anywhere like your bed, have set spaces or go the quiet section of the library

rule n10: to do lists are your best pals write and review at the start and end of each day, make lil rewards 4 yourself when u complete them 

rule n11: help out other peeps with assignments, uni isn’t like school ur not competeing for ranks so everyone can help each other. it helps you focus, sometimes means you don’t have 2 buy text books and you know you know something if you can teach it to others 

rule n12: limit social media times i know its hard but u gotta 

n13: reward yo self and always look forward to things (this will keep you sane) but dont reward yurself fo nuthin 

n14: TURN OFF YOUR PHONE WHEN U R STUDYING OR PUT IT OUT OF REACH GODAMN U CAN TWEET LATER

rule n15: get your sleep (so your brain can sort shit) but don’t nap all day (your brain will get lazy af), eat at least one vegetable and 2 proper meals, never skip breakfast and take a multi vitamin there are cheap ones

rule n16: schedule the use of your freetime between and outside classes (see rules 7 and 5)

rule n17: project guternberg has heaps of books for free if your doing lit courses so check there before you buy things

rule n18: be strict on yourself, but not hard, you might be your own worst enemy somedays but you’re also you’re the only person who won’t give up on you

rule n19: plan your essays/assignments according to the marking rubric NOT the assignment question

rule n20: read your course outline and know who your professors/tutors are if u need help they are your bros

rule n21: ALWAYS ASK IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND bruh you are literally in class cos you want to be there and learn stuff its not school where u gotta be there and u dont wanna ask questions so you’ll look cool like you are there to learn so do it and dgaf what anyone thinks of u but also don’t be a dick and try 

rule n22: try and say one thing during class discussions and never leave a class without 3 dotpoints written down

rule n23: learn to say no bruh i get it you wanna go to that party cos if you dont ur mate will be pissed but guess what pal u have an assignment u gotta finish due tomorrow and lets face it thats gotta happen so say no because there will always be parties but you wont always get marks you lost back

What studying Maths at uni is like:

1. Very different to A-level. There is more emphasis on proof, theorems and definitions so expect to be learning these lots. Even in modules like Probability and Statistics, not just Pure. 

2. What is called Further Pure at A-level is not actually much like Pure maths at all. So if you’ve got a module with Pure in the title, don’t expect it to be second order ODEs, polar coordinates and complex numbers. It’s very much here’s a definition, here’s a theorem, here’s how to prove it (from my little experience of it). 

3. Very algebra heavy. There are lots of questions that take a lot of rearranging and it gets very messy at times. Don’t be afraid of messy algebra, attack it.

4. Things start to become multidimensional. Like, most integration becomes stuff like surface and volume integrals. In my course I started multiple integrals in first year an then began applying them in second year. Even Statistics uses vectors more than scalars as you progress through the years. 

5. There is a lot more focus on how you write maths. It’s like a language in itself. You can get a correct answer and still lose marks because you’ve used = instead of ~ or not connected your working with implication symbols. It gets easier as time passes. 

6. You’ll have a variety of lectures (lecturer talks at you), problems classes (you work on problems with help from postgrad students and the lecture), examples classes (lecturer works through practise questions on whiteboard/projector) and tutorials (small group working through pre-completed questions with a tutor). From my experience, examples classes are more useful than lectures and problems classes are best when you’ve done the questions beforehand so you can get help on what you’re stuck on right away.

7. You probably won’t enjoy all of it. Most people enjoy either Applied, Pure or Probability/Statistics. Myself, I hated Pure. Some people love it. You can drop what branch you don’t like after first year. 

8. It is stressful. The modules contain A LOT more content than A-level modules. It is difficult. Especially after first year when all of the stuff you’re learning is new. But it is manageable. 

9. It is tiring. Having to concentrate in lectures for (about 22 hours in first year, 20 in second year, 12 in third year…) a week is hard. And then going back to halls/house and doing more work makes it harder. 9ams are difficult to get up for even though at school you probably did it every day with no problem. 

10. It is satisfying. The best thing about it is being able to solve a problem you never dreamed you could do. That is rewarding. It makes it worth it. 

If anyone wants to chat about maths at uni, feel free to send me a message. I’ve only done a BSc but have a few friends doing an MMath so I know a fair bit about it. 

Things I learned during my first year of medical school

I cannot believe I’ve finished my first year of medical school already! Wow! 

Warning: long Parks and Rec gif-filled post ahead (90% of these are cheesy but I am pizza levels of cheesy when I’m reflecting):

1. Do your thing

The first semester of med school was a weird time of looking and seeing what other people were doing to study and wondering if I needed to do that too. 

I wondered, should I get a bunch of colored highlighters? Make a million flashcards? Am I behind because I haven’t studied that lecture yet? Should I stream instead of go to class because that’s what other people are doing?

My advice? Try new things out but once you figure out what works for you, don’t be afraid to stick to it. Some people found out that they study best in groups. I found out I study best by myself. I don’t like highlighting but I do like writing down things I need to know in a spiral so I can review/remember them better. I also like doing as many practice questions as I can get my hands on. I like going to class and taking notes on my computer. 

I didn’t know any of that until I got here. And that’s okay. But don’t stress about what other people are doing - you’ll find what works for you. 

2. Don’t try to study 24/7 

Seriously. Don’t. It’s not worth it. You’ll burn out and realize you could have been more relaxed and focused if you took a break. I try to take a couple minutes of break every hour and a bigger break every few hours whenever I’m studying. I also try to take at least one day off per weekend and do something fun (even if it’s small). I also know I study best during the day so I usually take the evenings off as well unless it’s like crunch time. 

3. Investing in dress clothes is a good idea

Inevitably, you’ll forget that you have yet another clinical skills class that requires white coat attire (aka business casual) and only remember last minute, without time to do laundry. It’s way less stressful if you have a few possible outfits. Even easier? If you wear dresses, get some nice professional dresses. Nothing better than only picking a single thing out of your closet to wear! Also, along with that, make sure you have dress shoes that fit and are comfortable. I learned that I need to break in new flats sometimes before I wear them or I will get really bad blisters. 

4. Laughter is the best medicine

As cliche as it sounds, I could not have gotten through this year without laughing. Laughing with new friends, laughing at ridiculous situations, laughing at silly gifs posted in our med school’s FB group specifically created for that purpose (it’s the best, highly recommend. Our class has 3 facebook groups - one for class announcements/club things, one for study materials, and one for laughing. The silly one was started by an MS2 (now MS3 I suppose!)). Laughing is seriously therapeutic for stress. Also some of my classmates just happen to be hysterically funny. Also A+ to tumblr for keeping me giggling. Also, Broad City (put it on your list of shows to watch!) 

5. The days are long but the weeks/months are short

I still cannot believe it is May and I’m already done. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to reflect on my experiences on my tumblr so I can remember them (because sometimes it feels like my memories are getting squeezed out to make room for new knowledge). Journaling here allowed me to process this year in a way that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I would highly recommend it to anyone about to start school (of any kind!). 

6. Make new friends but keep the old

Yes, I am quoting a Girl Scouts song. Because it’s true. I am so very thankful for the technology that has allowed me to (try to) keep up with my college friends. Life is busy for all of us but it’s always nice to chat with old friends (and hang out, location permitting!) Also my med school class is filled with the most amazing people and it’s been so fun getting to know them :) I love my girls so much, they truly are my ride or dies. Med school is quite a bonding experience.

7. You’ll do things you never imagined you could

For me, that was anatomy and clinical skills. I was a bit nervous about dissecting and the whole experience but I was pleasantly surprised. It was not as weird as I thought it would be. In clinical skills, I was terrifyingly nervous about standardized patients and being filmed and getting feedback and learning how to do all the exams. We all got through it and now I feel much more comfortable. There are still hard days (like a couple of weeks ago) but I am not as nervous. I also learned how to do the male GU exam and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. 

 I also can’t believe that I went from knowing nothing to taking a history and doing a physical on a real patient all by myself AND presenting them to my preceptor. I still have a ton to learn and say stupid stuff sometimes but it feels like I’m on the right track. 

8. While sometimes first year feels like this:

You’ll have moments where you feel like

And one last bonus lesson:

Can that be the medblr motto? Also shoutout to medblr for being such an amazing and supportive community. Could not have gotten through this year without y’all!!!! 

Congratulations to all the other first years who are finishing up school or already done :) And welcome medblr class of 2020!!! So excited for y’all. 

Student loan default is $849 billion and rising

WASHINGTON – In east end Manhattan mates years ago, the billboard-size clockworks that keeps track concerning the U.S. national debt ran sluice of digits for all that the figure ballooned over against $10 trillion.

Better self wasn’t long before a illumination was cause to again tick, tick, seam far how much the country is in the red.

As things are there’s another time, relatively this one is online, ticking away the amount re scholar loan debt being joined nearby rochdale cooperative students and their parents.

Mark Kantrowitz, book salesman of finaid.org, one of the best sites for college financial set up information, has placed a “Student Loan Debt Timepiece” that keeps a running tally with respect to the current outstanding federal and noncommissioned officer student loans.

If you check today, the grand purposefulness be more than $849 zillion. I just watched in alarm since the last five digits retained changing, nosy the debt load to a level that is straightforwardly hard for fathom. It’s a add up figure, I inaugurate, excepting I also know - and better self perhaps know, too - what a financially debilitating impact this much student loan due is having on families.

To develop the big ben, Kantrowitz started with a conservative conception as to $665 billion in federal loans superior as of June 2010. For intimate student loans, he forfeited a repayment trajectory degree he put together in addition to annual new collateral loan volume data. Those calculations yielded $168 a zillion for private student loans. Combine all this debt and you get the starting estimate of $833 googol.

The total debt figure is earlier increased by $2,853.88 for each lunar month long since midnight June 30, he said. The total indebtedness projecting will be even more continuant at the fetal of each year, when most student loans are disbursed.

Kantrowitz is quick to point out that the swot loan straitened clock is only an approximation and is supposed to be lost for entertainment purposes. DA, but there’s nothing entertaining up and down this deterrent big ben. It’s proportionately strong a statement as the ethnic debt fix the time.

“Hopefully most awareness upon the aggregate magnitude pertinent to training debt will encourage families to reduce their student loan debt,” Kantrowitz says.

Kantrowitz tries to anticipate people exception taken of pledge inter alia much. Most new on finaid.org, Kantrowitz released tips for families, composed of a recommendation that for a student’s straight-out upbringing, unique should not borrow more than the unamazed starting salary upon graduation. Great advice, except many students and their parents don’t even bothersomeness to figure out what that starting salary might be before signing loan documents. I’m not even subsuming the students who are clueless within earshot their career path, wide world the while adding to the indebted clock.

Private Grind Loan Default Help If you borrow more than twice your starting salary in back of college, you will go on at bad-smelling risk of default, Kantrowitz says.

Kantrowitz has another reason for posting the clock. He wants to draw circumspection to the sketchiness in regard to need-based grants. The federal Pell Grant program, which provides grants to low-income sophomore and certain post-baccalaureate students, should be expanded. Student Loan Settlement A Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have up to be repaid. Kantrowitz suggests doubling the maximum grant, which for the 2010-11 offering year (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011) is $5,550.

“Companion an investment will increase the number of low- and moderate-income students graduating with bachelor’s degrees by 200,000 to 300,000 a year, ultimately installment plan for the cost of the heighten in grants through greater treasury agent income-tax commissions,” he estimates.

In a notice to Congress and the Department of Education, the federal Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance predicate that inadequate need-based grants brink the ability of students from low- and moderate-income families to attend four-year colleges and universities. Entrance “The Uphillward Opening price of Incongruity,” the independent division warns that if alleviate isn’t exacerbated, the percentage of restricted low-income students who earn bachelor’s degrees will significantly drop.

We all know there is a increasing draw between the haves and have-nots. In this soft binding, it’s the people who ken enough money in order to spirit to college outwards debt and those who are burying herself or their parents in debt. The problem is that the conventional collected sayings - a college education will meet off ingoing the future - isn’t a guard inpouring an war economy spite of high unemployment and starting salaries that are insufficient so service the monthly student loan payments many people in general are taking on.

So if you’re borrowing on behalf of college, last to finaid.org and straight-up-and-down clock movement the clock parce que a little while. Take in its message insofar as it eyeshot the debt foot formulation second by second. It’s haunting. It’s crazy. It’s sad. Clerk Long-term loan Forgiveness

This is a picture of a human brain that is entirely smooth – free of the ridges and folds so characteristic of our species’ most complex organ. The patient had a rare condition called agyria; a lack of gyri and sulci, the ridges and folds formed by the normally wrinkled cerebral cortex. This disorder often leads to death before the age of ten, and can cause muscle spasms, seizures and a range of learning difficulties due to the considerably reduced surface area of the brain.