The Academic: Issue 9 by The Academic

the

academic 9

by students, for students

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

To all current and past readers and staff of The Academic — thank you for your support over the past two years. It is an honor to interact with you, and we will be forever grateful for your dedication. — Meadow and Sydney

Editors’ Note The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

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MMMMMM PPPPPPP & SSSSSS GGGGGG LLLLLL AAAAAA HHHHH

Dear readers, Happy birthday to us! This issue marks the end of our second year creating content for you, and we are thrilled to announce the accomplishments we had in 2017. Of our original Issue 1 team, five remain: the two of us, Candyce Zotz, Cailee Dela Cruz, and Joanna Tasmin. We have had the pleasure of working together for two full years, meaning that we have surmounted our challenges and relished in our successes as one cohesive unit. You may have noticed that our social media presence has grown exponentially over the past year, as new publicity member CJ worked with us and our designers to regularly post to platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. He has also been leading our advertising campaigns and managing donations to our Patreon and Ko-fi accounts. By experimenting with creative initiatives such as Instagram takeovers and polls, CJ has served as a bridge between readers and staff and helped us to better understand the interests of our audience. We have depended on the consistency and reliability of our staff heavily throughout the course of this issue, as Meadow continued to navigate their first year of college and Sydney worked seemingly non-stop to submit college and scholarship applications. Yet again, we want to thank Candyce, our Art Director, and Sam, our Editing Director, for stepping in whenever necessary to help us stay on track throughout Issue 9. This publication would not have turned out half as well as it did without their creative genius and ever-present drive. We would like to express our gratitude once more for your support in 2017. We plan to continue producing the content you love in the coming year, and hope to hear from you with suggestions for new articles! As always, feel free to reach out to us on any of our social media platforms or via email at theacademiczine@gmail.com.

Love, Meadow and Sydney

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Meet the Staff What’s your favorite issue that we’ve done so far? Why? L ayout by Nicole DiNaN

Directors The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Issue 3

I love Issue 3 so much. The color scheme speaks to me; bright colors are my favorites. The bubbles, curvy lines, and ice cream make the issue fun and light. It also had some great articles, and this was the first issue we got to fully collaborate with Allyson, the previous art director.

Meadow Pendley Editor in Chief & Writer 18 | Decatur, GA | Joined Issue 1

Issue 6 There will always be a special place in my heart for Issue 6. I think our designers did an amazing job of making our vision a reality, and I loved having the opportunity to write my exposé, What it Means to Be a Student.

Sydney Gerbel Editor in Chief & Writing Director 18 | Chicago, IL | Joined Issue 1 Tumblr: boardingschoolblr

Issue 7 Without question, my favorite article thus far is Issue 7. Visually, the Issue is stunning, but I also think that Issue serves as a testament what this talented team of writers, designers, and editors can achieve.

Samantha Mitchell Editing Director 21 | Illinois, USA | Joined Issue 3 Tumblr: collegerefs

Issue 2 I absolutely loved designing for Issue 2. Green is my favorite color and I loved the aesthetic!

Candyce Zotz Art Director 17 | Frisco, TX | Joined Issue 1 Tumblr: candydsgn

Editors The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Issue 5

I’ll always be partial to my first issue, Issue 5. Not only is it a beautifully organized and professional example of what our amazing designers can accomplish, but the articles were so much fun to work on with the lovely writers on this team.

Alex Johnson

17 | Washington, D.C. | Joined Issue 5 Tumblr: idlestudy

Issue 7 I have to be partial to Issue 7 as the first issue I worked on and the gorgeous aesthetic made by the Design team. I loved reading all the articles and feeling like I was a part of something incredible.

Amanda

15 | New Jersey, USA | Joined Issue 3 Tumblr: eruditekid

Issue 8 Issue 8 was definitely my favorite; it’s just incredible seeing how far the zine has come and how much of its growth I have been a part of!

Carol

18 | Los Angeles, CA | Joined Issue 3 Tumblr: studiix

Issue 8 I love Issue 8, since it was my first issue, but I also love the design of Issue 7.

Colby Payne 17 | British Columbia, Canada | Joined Issue 8

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Issue 7 Issue 7! I’m in love with the designs and the articles I got to edit for the issue.

Rawan Mostafa 20 | Toronto, ON | Joined Issue 6

Issue 6 Issue 6. It has the most pleasing aesthetic, and has a really nice color palette!

Zhengmao Ouyang 16 | Toronto, ON | Joined Issue 8 Tumblr: aplacetofocus

Writers The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Issue 7

I had a lot of fun working on Issue 7. It was an incredibly well-designed issue and it meant a lot to me to be able to write the Dear Girls article.

Barrett Yueh

17 | Scottsdale, AZ | Joined Issue 5 Tumblr: kabalevskys and crosswordtypo

Issue 3 It’s so tough to choose! Issue 3 is special to me because that’s when our staff truly began to find our footing; I feel we grew tremendously between Issue 2 and 3, and I’m still proud to have been a part of it.

Cailee Dela Cruz

23 | Saskatchewan, Canada | Joined Issue 1 Instagram: illreader

Issue 7 My favorite issue has to be Issue 7. Our designers outdid themselves, and every article fits into the overall aesthetic so well. Every article was written so well, and our editors really kept us on track, making Issue 7 a reflection of what The Academic is truly all about.

Gabrielle Drong 21 | Chicago, IL | Joined Issue 5 Tumblr: collegerefs

Issue 8 My favorite issue thus far has been Issue 8. As this was my first time writing for The Academic, I thoroughly enjoyed working with a team of talented and passionate people to produce something meaningful to our community.

Jenett Cheng

18 | New Jersey, USA | Joined Issue 8 Tumblr: polvglot

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Issue 7 Issue 7 has to be my favorite issue in terms of content, and I really enjoyed writing my articles as well as reading others. I also loved the look and feel of the layout.

Nadia Bey

16 | North Carolina, USA | Joined Issue 6 Tumblr: gardenofideas

Issue 7 My favorite issue would have to be Issue 7; I really loved its aesthetic and content, and it’s important to me as the first I contributed to.

Silvia Zeamer 19 | Boston, MA | Joined Issue 7 Tumblr: hollohat

Designers The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Issue 7

I was blown away by Issue 7. The quirky and colorful yet simple aesthetic is right up my street, not to mention the content was well thought out and beautifully written.

Alison Huang

17 | Beijing, China | Joined Issue 8 Instagram: paperclps

Issue 6 My favorite issue thus far is Issue 6. As a designer, I absolutely adore this issue’s aesthetic, especially the shades of purple and the watercolor effects!

Jennifer Liu 16 | Singapore | Joined Issue 5

Issue 4 My favorite issue is definitely Issue 4! Loved the fall aesthetics and warm sketchbook feel of that issue.

Joanna Tasmin 16 | Singapore | Joined Issue 1

Issue 7 My favorite issue is probably Issue 7! I find the colors and general aesthetic of it to be absolutely lovely.

Jocelyn Tsai

18 | Terre Haute, IN | Joined Issue 4 @obsidianstudy

The Academic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Issue 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; February 1st, 2018

Issue 7 Personally, I loved Issue 7 because of the font, color-scheme and nautical concept; I also really enjoyed the variety of articles and topics that were covered!

Lia Ngo

22 | Toronto, Canada | Joined Issue 6 Tumblr: julyjournal

Issue 7 My favorite issue to design for was Issue 7 because I loved the icon and illustration style that we used.

Nicole Dinan 20 | Ohio, USA | Joined Issue 6 Tumblr: nicoledinan

Publicist The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Issue 7

My favorite issue was Issue 7 — I like the colorful, creative theme and useful articles. It was also the first issue I got to work on, making it more special to me.

17 | Connecticut, USA | Joined Issue 7

Our Favorite Issues

ISSUE NUMBER

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

TABLE OF CON T EN TS Dedication 3 Editors Note 4 Meet the Staa 6

01.

Study Resources for Your Core Classes, Part 4: History 18 Online School: The Public School at Home 21 Academic Integrity 25 Writing Papers at the Last Minute 29 The Declassiﬁed Writing Survival Guide 36 GRE Preparation & Resources 43 Surviving Socratic Seminars 48 A Letter to the Graduating Class 53 16

02.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Elitism in Education 56 Emailing Etiquette: Communicating Professionally in School & Work 61 Staying Safe While Having Fun 66 Fitness for Everyday People 70 Dealing with Feelings of Inadequacy 76

03.

An Interview With nerdastically 80 Book Reviews 84 Digging Deeper: 100 Questions to Get to Know Someone 89

Study Resources The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

FOR YOUR CORE CL ASSES PART 4: HISTORY WWWWWWW SSSSSS ZZZZZZ EEEEEE AAAA LLLLLL JJJJJJ TTTTTT

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The challenges to the study of history are unique; in essence, it is the study of everything that has ever happened, pieced together through frequently lost or damaged records made centuries or millennia ago by biased actors in forgotten cultures. The scope of detail to any given event is virtually infinite. Many of them are separated from us by a gulf of time and consequently by a lack of cultural understanding as well as of coherent records. Finally, everything we have by which to evaluate history is inherently subjective. Let’s outline some ways wa to deal with these challenges.

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The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Get the Big Picture Because of the enormous amount of information available about some events, particularly recent ones, it is easy to get lost in the details. Before you look at individuals, at short periods of time, or at other small-scale details, zoom out and think about the macro. Consider the larger context of what you are studying, its causes and effects, and its it similarities to events in other times and places. Know why it is significant and why it fits in, so that you can keep those conclusions in the back of your mind as you take in its details.

IT IS EASY TO GET LOST IN

details

Chronology

Physical Resources ·

Going hand in hand with the last point is the necessity of having a solid grasp of chronology to understand where an event fits into your overall conception of history. That might mean specific dates, but it doesn’t have to; knowing what was happening before and after can be just as helpful, if not more. It is the first step to tying events into larger networks of causation and analysis. la

Textbooks: Chances are you have one containing what you need to know. The main drawback is that they are often limited in the information they choose to include and may fail to be interesting. However, they are specifically aimed at students and the transmission of the specific information you need, and make a great starting point. nee Topic-specific books and articles: Whatever you are studying, chances are someone has written about it. These can range from engaging general audience books to heavy academic tomes. Encyclopedias, coffee-table books, miscellaneous: Often limited in scope and information, but often bring a good summary and sometimes new factoids, and often a good place to start getting a general idea.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Online ·

Wikipedia: The site you’ve been being warned about all your life. It cannot be guaranteed to be reliable, but it has become more so with time, and each article comes with citations which are a great springboard for further research. Scholarly articles: Easily searchable through google scholar or your school’s database, and for the most part thorough and reliable. Often use formal language which has the advantage of precision and clarity and the disadvantage of potentially taking some extra effort to understand. Primary sources: Can often be accessed in online archives hosted by museums, governments, or local organizations. The National Archives and ABC-CLIO are two large-scale examples. Often hard to read, but have the advantage of bringing you closer to actual events and the people acting in them.

why is this important? what do i think about this? what is the author trying to say here?

Analyze Evaluating your sources is vital. Think about where they came from, what the author’s viewpoint was, and how that might have impacted the contents. Read through the eyes of a skeptic; remember all authors have an agenda, and be critical. Then, consider what the information you have means. Why is it important? To your class? To your general im understanding of history? What do you think about it? Let yourself assimilate new things you learn about the past into your worldview; then, consider applying them to the future.

how does this change my views?

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

4. Read through the paper. You don’t have time to write four or five drafts. Read through what you’ve written frequently and make adjustments as you see fit. In a time crunch, it’s easier to make smaller edits as you go instead of waiting until the end and having to rewrite entire portions of your paper. 5. Refer to the rubric. If you were given a rubric or checklist, use it. Avoid writing about things that won’t make a positive influence on your grade. Save yourself some time and energy and address points on the rubric or checklist as directly as possible.

Before you submit your paper: 1. Read through everything a final time. If you wrote the paper in a hurry, it’s likely a few duplicate words and typos are hiding in the writing, and these are a dead giveaway that you wrote everything in a single draft. Read the paper out loud to yourself. This will allow you to pick up on any mistakes that your eyes might glaze over. You might also want to consider using a tool such as grammar.ly if you’re afraid you haven’t caught all the mistakes. 2. Double-check your formatting. Again, check the rubric for any specific requirements with regards to formatting, page numbers, appendices, works cited pages or bibliographies, titles, and other conventions. These are easy points to pad your grade with, and you don’t want to lose them for something so simple.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

After you’ve submitted your paper: 1. Don’t get complacent. Remind yourself this is not an experience to be repeated. Just because you did it once — and you might have even gotten a good grade on it — doesn’t mean you should do it again. One A on this last-minute paper does not mean you’ll get an A on every paper you write the night before.

With some careful time management, you should be able to avoid regularly writing papers the night before. But if you’re a serial procrastinator, hopefully you know how to procrastinate smartly.

Now go write your paper.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

The Academic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Issue 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; February 1st, 2018

The Declassified Writing Survival Guide Written by Nadia Bey edited by R awaN L ayout by Nicole diNaN

Writing is an essential element of communication, but many people struggle to get their point across in writing. Whether you are writing a creative piece or an academic paper, every form of writing has a purpose that is communicated through grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Some forms of writing such as poems and scripts have different requirements from more formal kinds such as essays and novels, and advice may vary depending on what art form you are interested in. With the rapid expansion of the Internet comes a vast array of resources at our disposal, in addition to the traditional reference books and guidebooks.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

General Writing and Grammar There are several resources that can assist you in multiple areas of writing. There are word references and grammar references. Word References: A dictionary and thesaurus are a writer’s best friend! They can help you find the right word to describe something or provide inspiration. You can find these references in physical form or online. Some options include MerriamWebster, Dictionary.com, and Thesaurus.com. Grammar and Formal Writing: The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is full of writing advice on the mechanics of writing, punctuation, correspondence, and even making PowerPoints! Purdue OWL is also well-known for its information on citations, literary criticisms, and other academic topics.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Creative Writing, Drama, and Plays One of the best things about being a creative writer is that you can get inspiration from the places where you least expect it. One small aspect of your world can be transformed into something bigger in an instant. However, sometimes we need extra assistance. If you don’t know where to begin with your work, you want to look for prompts. If you want more generic prompts, Oblicard is the website to visit! This website generates ambiguous phrases such as “try faking it” or “tape your mouth,” which leave much room for interpretation and thus the space for a creative work to take shape. The website Writer’s Digest warrants a special mention because it discusses fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and publishing! It is a great starting point whether you’re looking for prompts or more specific advice. They have also published several books including The Emotional Craft of Fiction, which deals with story development and eliciting reactions from the reader. Another website that helps with forming your story is Helping Writers Become Authors, run by author K.M. Weiland. Weiland has also published workbooks for outlining and writing novels that can be located on the webpage. It is impossible to construct a story or poem without using literary devices. A glossary of literary terms can be located at literarydevices.net, along with common themes in literature. It also contains tips on structure and style. To see writers in action, performing or creating their work, you can find videos on YouTube! Some writers run livestreams while they complete their work and they encourage others to complete work alongside them. There is a large community of poets on channels like SlamFind, Button Poetry, Get Lit, and Brave New Voices. There is also a smaller YouTube community for fiction writing tips. If you’re looking to write a play, there are videos about that as well! It may be beneficial to simply read other scripts or watch actors perform a scene in order to understand what you need. How do they express emotion? Where are there shifts in tone or dialogue? Some other websites that are specific to screenwriting include Young Playwrights 101 and Doollee, the latter of which contains the synopses and scripts from thousands of plays and playwrights. The former is geared towards young people who want to begin writing scripts.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Tools for Writing Some websites are created specifically for organizing or analyzing your writing, and they serve a similar purpose to some of the aforementioned writing handbooks. My personal favorite is Hiveword, a website that allows you to manage scenes, characters, artifacts, and plotlines. It also allows you to export all of your data as a file for offline access. In addition to the aforementioned grammar resources, there are websites that can analyze your writing for grammatical errors and syntax. Hemingway App deals with grammar, sentence length, word choice, and readability. ProWritingAid is similar to Hemingway in terms of stylistic suggestions, but it allows you to select what style you are writing in; you can choose creative writing, general writing, or other options. The free version only examines 500 words at a time, so you will have to copy and paste in fragments to modify a larger body of work. The app also points out cliches and redundancies, and it analyzes how consistent you are in your writing. “Sticky sentences” or sentences that upset pacing and contain lots of fillers will be flagged in the system. Finally, it identifies minor elements such as dialogue tags, transitions, and literary devices. If you have a hard time sitting down to write, you can use applications such as Cold Turkey or Write or Die. Cold Turkey, formerly known as Writer’s Block, locks your computer in full-screen mode until you reach a specific word count or time limit. Write or Die is notorious for its system of doling out punishments when you stop writing for too long; it will play loud sounds, show you upsetting images, or even erase your work until you begin again! This may sound frightening to some, but there are alternatives to the popular Consequence Mode. Reward Mode shows you nice images or plays relaxing sounds once you begin writing, and Stimulus Mode plays relaxing sounds until you stop. You can adjust settings as you see fit, and there is an option to save your work when you are done. The web version is free, but there is a mobile app for a cost. Finally, for the screenwriter there is WriterDuet, which allows imports and exports, collaboration, and professional formatting.

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Writing Communities Writing is a form of communication. Thus, the best way to write is to write with others. It may be daunting to have others critique your work, but it is beneficial to have an impartial source looking at your work. Additionally, you are able to market your work through online and physical communities like book festivals, conferences, or workshops. If you just want to share your work and receive feedback, you may be looking for a free publishing platform such as Wattpad or Booksie. However, be careful with some websites or companies; some sites in particular retain the first rights to your stories, which means that if you try to print your manuscript the way it appears on the site, it can only be published as a reprint. You may not even be able to publish it at all! You can also share your work on forums like Absolute Write or the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) website. Believe it or not, the NaNo community offers advice and support year-round, not just in November! For writers that are more committed to publishing their work, WeBook allows you to connect with skilled literary agents, and share and rate manuscripts. Finally, given that the idea for The Academic originated on social media, it would be a disservice to not mention platforms like Tumblr, Instagram, or Facebook. There are social media communities dedicated to fanfiction, poetry, roleplaying, and more, and this is an excellent place to practice your skills and generate ideas with like-minded individuals. These are only a few of the many resources that you can benefit from, and the more you write, the easier it will be to get your point across. Happy writing!

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

1 SECTION Analytical Writing

Remember that you only have 30 minutes for each essay, so don’t spend too much time planning it out. It is best to begin writing after five to seven minutes of brainstorming. The following resources provide tips as well as essay prompts that will help you practice for the Analytical Writing section:

Resources for Analytical Writing:

(2 essays, 30 minutes each)

If you prefer physical study materials, try the following:

The Analytical Writing section is composed of 2 essays: one issue and one argument. The issue essay presents an opinion, claim, statement, or recommendation on a topic followed by specific instructions on how to respond. You must evaluate the issue and present your side on it, using reason and example to support your views. On the other hand, the argument essay requires you to evaluate a given argument and then consider its logical soundness, critiquing the authors argument. While the issue essay requires you to construct your own argument towards an issue, the argument essay requires you to evaluate the effectiveness of someone else’s argument. The essays can cover a variety of topics including everything from the fine arts to the humanities and the physical sciences, but do not require knowledge of any specific content. The most important thing that they are looking for is your ability to formulate a logical response. Even so, make sure that your essay is stylistically and grammatically polished sentences. The GRE is not offered on paper where computerized testing is available, and the essays will be typed out. There is no spell check or grammar checker on the ETS software, so it is necessary to read over your essays and look for glaring errors.

• The Princeton Review’s Cracking the GRE workbook • Kaplan GRE and GMAT Writing Workbook If you prefer online study materials, try the following: • ETS’ issue topic and argument topic pool with old essay questions • Benchprep’s many helpful tips for improving your score • Kaplan Test Prep on structuring the GRE essays

“

The most important thing that they are looking for is your ability to formulate a logical response.

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The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

2 SECTION Verbal Reasoning (2 essays, 30 minutes each)

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE tests the breadth of your vocabulary as well as the strength of your reading and critical analysis skills. In this section, you will encounter the following three kinds of questions: reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Reading comprehension questions will ask you to read a short text and answer wi content-based questions. The questions you encounter will not be simply asking you to recall plot; you will be asked to engage with the text on a deeper level and consider its implications. In text completion questions, you will be asked to select either one or two words

to fill in the blank(s) of a sentence or phrase. Finally, in sentence equivalence questions, you will be asked to select two words that will fill in a single blank of a sentence so that both words would make the sentence mean the same thing. Put simply, you are trying to identify two words that will mean the same thing in the context you are presented. yo While it is easy for improve and expand your vocabulary through flashcards and reading, improving your critical analysis skills will take some dedicated practice. The following resources can help you achieve the score you need in Verbal Reasoning:

Resources for Verbal Reasoning: If you prefer physical study materials, try the following: •

•

GRE vocabulary flashcards, available through Kaplan Test Prep, Manhattan Prep, Barron’s Prep, and many others Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems

If you prefer online study materials, try the following: • •

GRE Vocabulary Flashcards from Magoosh (available as an app and for desktop) Practice tests on Kaptest.com

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

3 SECTION Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections, 35 minutes each)

particularly important. Some also may require you to draw a diagram and recall equations. While the ACT and SAT provide some equations, the GRE does not. They must be memorized or else many questions will be unsolvable. Much of the test's material is based on concepts taught in high school, though those who have not taken math during their undergraduate career may ma find this section especially difficult and will have to refresh themselves on the subject.

The Quantitative Reasoning section is composed of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis questions, testing the range of your mathematical skill. In this section you will have to complete quantitative comparison, multiple choice, and numeric entry questions. Some questions will be independent of each other whereas those pertaining to graphs or charts wh will contain multiple questions pertaining to themselves. Comparison questions require you to evaluate the relative magnitude of the quantities that must be computed, stating whether A or B is greater, whether they are equal to each other, or if the relationship cannot be determined. Multiple choice questions have you select one or sometimes more than one solution to a problem. Data analysis questions can be more challenging as they often contain multiple steps to solve and require interpretation, but focused practice can improve proficiency with these types of problems.

Improving your math skills will inevitably take dedicated practice. The following resources can help you achieve a higher score on quantitative reasoning: Resources for Quantitative Reasoning: If you prefer physical study materials, try the following: • The Princeton Review’s Cracking the GRE workbook • Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. book of GRE Practice Problems If you prefer online study materials, try the following: • The PerfectScores YouTube channel with useful videos that review concepts covered on the GRE, including example problems • Practice tests on Kaptest • Magoosh study plans

While some of the problems are abstract, many are posed as word problems that must be converted and interpreted mathematically. Many of the questions also test your logical thinking, as the wording of the question can be

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

When you’re ready to take the exam: When you’re ready to take the GRE, sign up at ETS.com and register at a testing center near you. Again, you will most likely take a computer-administered exam. Immediately after the exam, you will be asked if you would like to report your scores or not. If you choose not to, your scores will be forfeited and will not be put on your record. If you choose to report your scores, they will be reported and you will be able to send them to graduate schools that you’re applying to. Upon completion of the exam, you will be given your Verbal and Quantitative scores immediately. The essays will take a week or two to be graded, and you will receive an email when your score is finalized. Many students retake the GRE, but it is expensive to do so. The exam costs around $200, so make sure you’re as prepared as possible for your test date! Good luck!

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

SURVIVING SOCRATIC SEMINARS

Written by Silvia Zeamer edited by alex JohnSon L ayout by nicole Dinan

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

A Socratic Seminar is a method of running a classroom. What makes it different is that it is structured around the instructor asking questions of the students and the students coming to answers; there is very little lecturing involved. It is known to have been originally used by the Greek philosopher Socrates in the form of a collaborative discussion whose aim was to reach the truth through pointed questions and thoughtful argument. Since then, it has come to encompass a variety of related formats ranging from the instructor calling upon individuals in a lecture, to the room being separated into small groups to discuss an openended question. Some love it, some hate it. Its claim to effectiveness is based on the idea that it is possible, through clear thinking guided by questions, to come to the conclusions that underlie knowledge, and thus to learn them. Either way, the student’s experience is characterized by a responsibility to come prepared to contribute material, and the expectation of deriving new material more from the words of other students than from the teacher, who is there more as a guide. This format brings a whole new set of challenges. Because the classroom is based around the students’ answers to questions, each student must have a sufficient degree of understanding to allow them to contribute coherent thoughts as well as the ability to concisely express them to the class. There is more burden on the student to engage in class and less to simply commit information to memory. Those who are inclined to speak up frequently and learn well in such a setting may find a Socratic Seminar far more agreeable than other formats, while others may find its challenges to be a significant deterrent. Either way, there are ways to prepare effectively and ensure success in the classroom.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

BEFORE CLASS If there is reading to be done, the first step is, of course, to read it. While doing so, keep in mind the purpose of the reading. For this classroom style, it is important to draw out a few points you understand well in addition to general understanding. It’s hard to say something coherent when called upon if you have only a vague understanding of the material! It is important to look for connections between points and themes in the class and the readings. Once you’ve thought about them, you can come up with a few clear, well thought out things to say. You can adjust the level of detail and comprehensiveness of your notes according to the expectations of your class after attending a session or two. If the questions asked are very specific and unpredictable, for instance, you will want to be particularly thorough in your reading. If they’re looser, it might make more sense to concentrate on the parts you find most interesting to dive into. If you take notes before class, find a way to emphasize your strong points so that they will be easily visible to you when you need to remember them in class.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

IN CLASS Look over any notes or annotations at the beginning of class to remind yourself of what you may have been thinking while doing the reading or other prep work. The process of note-taking is heavily affected by the typical lack of slides, a lecture, or many of the other elements which give a more traditional class structure in the presentation of information. It’s particularly important in this format, not only to contribute, but to pay careful attention to others. The contributions of fellow students are even more important than they might be in other settings, because they make up the bulk of the material in this classroom style. They also provide jumping-off points for your own thoughts. Consider making a voice recording of the class - ask your professor first, of course. This way, you can concentrate on participating as actively as possible without worrying about taking notes on everything that comes up. Also, you might have an easier time formatting good, structured notes from a recording in retrospect when you know where the conversation went. Another advantage is that you will hear what you sound like when speaking; we often have a hard time knowing how we come across to others. Listening to a recording can give you the ability to understand and better control the impression you make upon others. A major drawback of the Socratic Seminar is that it is easy for a few students who feel comfortable speaking to dominate, leaving the rest of the class in silence. Take note of whether you speak up often. If you do, make sure to leave a few seconds of silence before you do in case someone else is collecting their thoughts. When answering others, remember that it is not important to attack every aspect of a question when you speak up. They are often large and difficult to grapple with, and the format is meant for students to make small individual points which can build off one another. Make one point, and see if someone else has a different wording for your next one. On the flip side, if you don’t tend to speak up, consider why that is. Being at the center of attention can be intimidating, but this type of class is a unique opportunity to develop your ability to speak in a generally safe setting. What you say doesn’t have to be perfect; take a stab at something interesting and see where it goes. In essence, you are participating in a conversation with peers, about a topic you probably wouldn’t get to discuss usually. Take advantage of the chance!

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

AFTER CLASS Look over your notes; rewrite them if that’s something you do. They will probably turn out less structured and logical than your typical lecture notes might be. That can be a chance to try a new note-taking style, or to work over the material again while you put it into a clearer framework for yourself. Reflect on what you were thinking before class, and examine how your viewpoint may have been challenged, changed, or reinforced. If you have questions you would like to pursue further, research them or ask your instructor. Continue the conversation with a classmate who said something you liked. If you’re new to them, Socratic Seminars will make you exercise a whole new set of skills you might not have used much in school previously, but they bring a matching set of new opportunities: you can read with a whole new purpose, see your own opinions shape your class, be visible to your professor in a way sitting at the front of a lecture will never let you do, and have conversations with your classmates!

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Graduating Class A

LET TER TO THE

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To the graduating class of 2018: It’s February and your college applications have been submitted for a month, if not longer. There isn’t any more work to be done, so you haven’t been putting the same amount of effort into school as you have in the past. I mean, there is work, but not anything that seems to matter. After all, nothing is going to change whether or not colleges are going to accept you. At this point, you don’t have to do your homework, study for po tests, or even come to class at all. Everything that colleges are going to see has been submitted, so there’s no point in even trying anymore, right? I think you already know the answer — and it isn’t the opposite of left. It’s easy to get senioritis. You no longer have to perform under the pressure of doing well for college admissions committees, so it’s natural to want to slack off a little. However, this is not an excuse to completely disregard school and your responsibilities. Remember this when you start feeling the symptoms of senioritis:

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Colleges will still see your grades, and they still hold considerable weight for the future. It’s a myth that colleges will not see your grades during the spring semester; upon admission, you will be asked to provide your spring semester transcript and, if your grades drop considerably, college admission boards will notice. Moreover, as a college freshman myself, I cannot count how many times I have had to use my high school GPA during my first semester. Tons of applications, from club executive board positions to scholarships, will require your high school GPA. In addition, for at least the first semester of college, it’s your high school GPA that employers see on your resume. Part of the reason I was able to nab an internship for this coming spring was because I didn’t slack off during my senior spring ab and my high school GPA demonstrated that. Even if it doesn’t seem like it now, your grades now will have an effect on opportunities in the future. Do yourself a favor and maintain your work ethic.

Don’t follow your classmates. Classmates can be the best and worst influences. If you find that your classmates are skipping classes, not handing in assignments, and putting zero effort into school because application season is over, don’t follow suit. Know your own values, and follow those instead. Prioritize school work and keep your life on track rather than following the popular trend of slacking off.

Enjoy the present. I know it is tempting to keep looking toward the future and imagine your life as a freshman in college. I was guilty of this as well; I could not wait to graduate and start university life. Nevertheless, know that that time will come when it comes. It’s important to enjoy the time you have in high school while it lasts. At least for me, part of the fun in high school was learning and doing well in class. The way classes are structured in college are drastically different. You may not be in a room with 20 or so classmates and a teacher. You might be in an enormous hall, with more than 400 classmates and a lecturer. The prospect of going off to college is exciting, but remember that you’re about to finish one chapter of your life. Enjoy the familiarity, focus on the now, and end your high school career on a strong note.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

“

Enjoy the familiarity, focus on the now, and end your high school career on a st strong note. s

Academia is still quite signiﬁcant regardless of college admissions. Learning is a lifelong process that does not come to an end once college applications are submitted. When you’re in class, you’re there to learn something, to grow as a person, to gain a better understanding of the world. Your effort in class will always be to your own benefit. Even if grades are no longer as important to you, the advantage you gain from working hard in class does not yo diminish. Your time in high school does not serve the sole purpose of just getting into college — it is meant to help you gain a better understanding of the world. Use this time to work for yourself, and not for an admissions board.

”

The following months are new opportunities.

I’ve never really liked the idea of doing something solely for the sake of college applications. Would you be a different person if you didn’t have to look good for the admissions boards? Would you still have volunteered at your community center, tutored those kids, or taken all those AP classes if you couldn’t have used them for your Common Application? I like to think you would have. High Ap school has more value than just serving as a means to get into college. Although your applications are done, the school year is not. Keep going, and work hard.

Yes, there is less pressure to perform for colleges now that applications are done. However, do not see this as an excuse to slack off. Instead, see this time as an opportunity to grow as a person and pursue new things. Pick up a new skill, such as learning how to code, learning a new language, or learning how to cook. Or, spend some time applying for summer internships, working on your blog, or su volunteering. Reframe your mindset and realize the senior spring is a chance for new freedoms.

Best of luck,

Jenett

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

their students’ chances of getting into Ivy Leagues. The pressure to get into prestigious schools is starting earlier and earlier: I remember being asked about college as early as eighth grade and automatically responding that I was thinking about Washington University while adults nodded with approval. In junior year, people would ask me if I was applying to the Curtis Institute, as if it were a sin for a musician not to, and I’d get so nervous about it that I’d start crying. We’ve been trained to ne think schools like Harvard and Yale and Stanford are the best schools; that if you go there, a prosperous future is a guarantee. Let me tell you something: it’s not. My sister graduated from MIT this summer and is currently working as a hostess in a steakhouse in Boston. And let’s not forget that for every successful top-tier university graduate, there’s a handful of people who don’t have the same luck. Back when Juilliard was still one of my dream schools, I had anxiety attacks every day about whether or not I was good enough to get in, until my friend sent me a link to “The Juilliard Effect,” by Daniel Walkin, an article about the conservatory graduates who were forced to find other professions because they couldn’t get jobs as musicians. On the other hand, for some co people, these schools do lead to their self-discovery and success. Juilliard has produced plenty of well-known, successful actors, musicians, and dancers: Gillian Jacobs, Viola Davis, and Itzhak Perlman, to name a few. But at what cost? Gillian Jacobs revealed in an interview that, even after graduating, just being in the general proximity of Lincoln Center brought back memories of being placed on academic probation and almost getting cut from the school, and gave her anxiety.

the elitism problem is a vicious cycle. Unfortunately, the elitism problem is a vicious cycle. As schools have become obsessed with rankings, students have become obsessed with top-ranked schools, which makes schools all the more obsessed with their rankings. There exists a damaging misconception in many top-tier universities that tough love

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achieves results — and many of the students there who attribute their college acceptance to their parents’ tough love don’t recognize the faults in their thinking. This explains why so many students at Ivy Leagues and highly selective universities suddenly find themselves in high-pressure situations without recognizing any warning signs, leading to the increase in mental health issues at these institutions. According to a New York Times article on college suicides, anxiety and depression are Ti now “the two most common mental health diagnoses among college students” (“Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection”).There’s a reason why Harvard and MIT, amongst others, have designated mental health days for their students, but sometimes these aren’t enough. The way a school treats you is be more important than its name. At university, your undergraduate years are meant to be your formative years. You’re not supposed to know for certain how much you’ll be making a year, who you’re meant to be, or what career you’ll choose for the rest of your life... your undergraduate years are more free than high school, but you shouldn’t feel like your swimming pool suddenly became an ocean. These years are intended for you to determine how you function best, which ar makes it even more crucial that you have a nurturing environment you feel comfortable in, not necessarily one that will leave you with the most impressive diploma. So, my friends, I promise you that the name of the school you go to isn’t everything. There’s a reason why schools like Stanford have alumni interviews — they determine whether the school will fit you well. You will end up at the school that is right for you. And just because you don’t go to an Ivy League doesn’t mean you won’t be successful. After all, attending to community college never stopped Bill Hader from joining the SNL cast.

Barrett Works Cited 1. Deresiewicz, William. Excellent Sheep: the Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life. Free Press, 2015. 2. Jones, Sam, and Gillian Jacobs. “Gillian Jacobs: ‘Juilliard Took Away My Love of Acting.”Off Camera, 24 Feb. 2017. Wakin, Daniel J., et al. “The Juilliard Effect: Ten Years Later.” 12 Dec. 2004. 59

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Emailing Etiquette: C OM M U N IC AT I NG PROF E S SION A L LY I N S C HO OL & WOR K Written by Jenett Cheng Edited by Rawan Mostafa Layout by Candyce Zotz

Emailing is one of the primary modes of communication in the professional world; therefore, it is crucial to understand the basics of emailing etiquette to ensure you give off a good first impression and sound professional when you write.

The Basics -----------------------------------------------------------There are five components of a professional email: the email address, the subject line, the salutation, the body, and the conclusion. The first step in creating a professional email starts with the email address. Don’t send anyone an email using the address you made in sixth grade. Not only is this unprofessional, it is also embarrassing. When emailing a professor, use the email that is provided by your school. You could also choose to create a new email account, in which the following formats of addresses are popular: • firstname.lastname@emailprovider.com • lastnamefirstname@emailprovider.com This allows the receiver to know who you are and that you are not a spam bot.

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The Subject Line --------------------------------------------------The next part is the subject line. The key here is to make it as concise as possible while still conveying the main purpose of the email. In addition, you should include your name for the convenience of the reader. This is most applicable with job applications or submitting class work. Some examples of appropriate subject lines are: • Your Name - Class Registration Request • World History Project Question • Thank you for the Interview on Thursday!

The Salutation ----------------------------------------------------The third step of your email is the salutation. The beginning of the letter is the first thing your audience will read — make sure it’s polite. Greet the person you are addressing, and introduce yourself if you have never spoken to this person before. If you haven’t spoken to the person in a long time, it’s okay to include something like: “I hope this email finds you well” or “I hope you enjoyed your weekend.” Additional salutations include: • Dear …, • Hello …, • *To whom it may concern, *‘To whom it may concern” is sometimes viewed as impersonal and lazy. Thus, use the phrase if you do not know who you are writing to. This may be the case with job applications if the name of the hiring representative is not made available. Do some digging to determine who you should address your email to before your resort to this salutation.

The Body --------------------------------------------------------------The fourth and most important part of your email is the body. The ideal email has as few words as possible. Get straight to the point and try your best to keep the email between one to two paragraphs. While writing, analyze each sentence in your email, and make sure it has a purpose. If you are unsure of how to start, write a thesis statement of sorts. For example, “I am writing to express interest in this student organization.” Remember, your email is not the time to pull out all of your SAT vocabulary! Your email should sound formal and eloquent but ultimately be easy to read. At the beginning of the email, include the context of why you are writing.

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For example, if you are asking a professor for help on an assignment, introduce yourself and include what class of theirs you are in. Lastly, try to accommodate the person you are emailing while still remaining confident. If you are asking a question, gear it towards them by using phrases such as “would it be possible?” and “what do you think?”. However, avoid sounding passive by forgoing the words like “just.” In summary, keep it short, keep it intelligent, and accommodate.

The Conclusion ---------------------------------------------------The fifth and final part of your email is the conclusion. Again, be as courteous as possible when ending your email. Be sure to thank the person you are writing to for their time and consideration. Offer them contact information to ensure any future correspondence will be seamless. Be sure to sign off with your name! Here are some examples of closing remarks: • Thank you, • Best, • Sincerely, • Looking forward to hearing from you, • Respectfully,

Emailing in an Academic Setting -----------------------There are a few aspects that vary depending on the context. When writing in an academic setting, be sure to properly address the person you are writing to. For instance, do some research when writing the email to see if the professor you are writing to has a doctorate degree. If they do, you should address them using “Dr.” instead of “Professor.” After you greet them, introduce yourself for the first one or two emails if you haven’t contacted them before. When doing this, cover where you know them and why you need them. At the beginning of the year, some professors may note what to include in an email, such as school ID or class section; make sure you include these things as required.

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Example email: • Subject: Barry Botter - History Class Questions & Meeting Times • Dear Professor Whitman, My name is Barry Botter, and I am a first-year student enrolled in your second period history class. I have several questions concerning the material we covered last Wednesday. Since the midterm is approaching, I was wondering if it would be possible to go over these issues in person. I understand that you are extremely busy, so please let me know what time would work for you. I am generally available any weekday in the afternoon from 1-5. Thank you for your time, Barry Botter Howarst University Class of 2021 Section 2

Emailing in a Work Setting --------------------------------Cover letters to employers are similar to those in an academic setting. Address the email to the hiring manager, if possible. When introducing yourself, only include aspects that are relevant to the job, such as your school and graduating year. Gear your email towards the employer, and talk about what you would be able to contribute if you were to work with the company. Furthermore, tailor your email to each company by including phrases that correspond to their mission statement. This will separate you from other candidates that have a generic email for all prospective employers. Lastly, attach a PDF of your resume, and make sure the file is named something along the lines of “Your Name - CV.” Please note that the following format is appropriate for a part time job or internship and may not be pertinent to other applications.

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Example email: • Subject: Barry Botter - Marketing Intern Application • Dear Ms. Solmon, My name is Barry Botter, and I am a freshman at howarst University of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am interested in the marketing internship at Ringots. I am self-driven and passionate about marketing, and would enjoy helping Ringots expand its international influence. Attached is my resume. Please email me if you have any questions. I am also available via text or call at (XXX) XXX-XXX. Looking forward to hearing from you, Barry Botter Howarst University Class of 2021

Writing a Follow Up Email ----------------------------------Finally, here are some tips for writing a follow up email. As always, mention where you know this person from. The time between when to follow up depends on the circumstance. 24 hours is generally a good rule of thumb if you have had an interview or past correspondence. All other emails can be within 72 hours. If you have emailed a person and they never respond, you can email them again in a week. Example email: • Subject: Wonderful meeting you! • Dear Mr. Tufo, It was wonderful meeting you this past Thursday at the Distinguished Students Dinner. I enjoyed hearing you speak about your experiences as a financial advisor and learned a lot about the occupation. I hope we can keep in touch! Thank you, Barry Botter Howarst University Class of 2021

Final Remarks ----------------------------------------------------I hope you learned some good emailing tips for the future. Take into consideration the context above all else — this might be a good outline on how to write emails, but the tone of communication depends on how comfortable you are with the person. Also, please make sure you proofread. Now, go forth and write!

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If applicable, being familiar with your campus safety force can be very helpful. On most college campuses, there are safety telephones. If you have public safety telephones scattered on campus, it is vital to know their locations. If your campus does not have these, you can instead have your campus safety department’s phone number saved in your phone as a contact. For easy access, make campus safety one of your favorite contacts or speed dial. If you do not know your campus safety’s phone number, usually googling “[school name] campus safety” or “[school name] public safety” will do the trick. If not, you can also visit the campus safety office to get a business card. A s always, being aware of your surroundings is a simple step; when you’re walking alone, don’t only look at your phone because attackers usually target those who aren’t paying attention or appear confused. For example, I know of a beautiful place on my campus during the day, but I refuse to go there at night because there isn’t much lighting and it backs up to the woods. Get to know your neighbors as well; being aware of your surroundings doesn’t just apply to being outside. It also means knowing who your neighbors and RA(s) are, and getting their phone number(s) if applicable. For me, I know everyone on my floor, so if something of mine were to go missing, I would know where to start. Safety often increases in numbers, so the buddy system is very important. If you can even get a group of friends, that’s even better. Most of the time, I go out in groups of three to five. Not only is this a safety precaution, but it is also a way to encourage you to reach out to others and make new friends. Whether we’re walking to my favorite ice cream place within our campus’s bubble or making a quick run for food in the middle of the night, we are together and safer because of it. Of course, the biggest takeaway should be that although campus safety is important, don’t let fear ruin your time. Being away from your parents will naturally lend to having more personal responsibility, but you should still have fun. Even when your due dates are catching up to you, take a break once you’ve worked to deserve it, and don’t be terrified to walk down the road to get ice cream at your favorite place.

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Fitness for

everyday people

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The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Everyone knows students are busy people. Between homework, extracurriculars, working, and maintaining a social life, who has time to work out? Trust me, I understand the struggle. It may seem impossible to stay active when your schedule is tight or you’re unfamiliar with exercise, but my job today is to tell you that fitness is everywhere, even for those of us who fi can’t take ten steps across a room without tripping on our own feet. I’m not here to tell you to get a gym membership. Gyms can be costly and aren’t always accessible, so I’ve compiled some realistic alternatives for you, beginning with exercising at home.

We live in a digital era that gives us 24/7 access to resources on the internet, so why not utilize them? YouTube is an all-access information hub for health and fitness, and these channels are outstanding resources for living a fit life:

The fact of the matter is that movement is integral to maintaining fitness. It’s not the be-all-end-all, of course, but it is important. Look at it this way: at least working out on your bedroom floor is more convenient than going to the gym. There’s no commute, no need to worry about exercising around strangers, and you can easily move around in the comfort of your own home. I ar wholeheartedly believe it’s feasible even if you have limited experience.

1. 2. 3.

Carly Rowena, a fitness blogger and vlogger. Blogilates, the brainchild of fitness entrepreneur, Cassey Ho. The Fitness Marshall, dance-based cardio videos taught by Caleb Marshall, a certified dance instructor.

These three channels offer at-home workout ideas and advice for fitness beginners, as well as easy, nutritious, and affordable recipes. I’ll return to food later, but for now, I simply want you to get comfortable with the idea of exercise.

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If you’re a more hands-on learner, workout programs that let you follow along in real-time will be most beneficial. Here’s where fitness apps come in handy! I’ve tried plenty of these in the past, but these are at the top of my list: 1. 2. 3.

Typically these at-home workouts don’t require any equipment, but if you are interested in creating a comfortable space for exercising, buy a yoga mat. They are inexpensive and easy to find in your local department store. I bought one for $8 and I’ve used it for years; it’s my favorite fitness purchase and an investment I recommend to everybody.

8fit, available for iOS and Android. Nike Training Club, available for iOS and Android. Streaks Workout, available for iOS only.

Now let’s move from at-home fitness to getting fit at school. I admit my next tip is niche, but I’m here to provide options for anyone and everyone, so hear me out: treadmill desks.

These apps offer at-home workouts intended for any level of fitness, from total beginners to seasoned athletes. The process of exercise shouldn’t add any stress to your plate; I chose these apps specifically because they are user-friendly and completely customizable to suit your personal needs. Better yet, they’re free! This way, you can download each of them and wa determine which one is best for you without breaking the bank. Of course, these apps do offer paid upgrades if you’re interested in a more intensive experience, but the free versions can help you hit the ground running.

My university library has some of these that nobody knew about, and I figure it might be a similar situation for you. Check your school’s facilities to see if any are available on your campus; they are the ultimate multitasking tool. If you can get access to a treadmill desk, you don’t have to find time for exercise, nor do you have to know how to work out. You can simply walk while kn you read or type, easy-peasy! However, treadmill desks aren’t exactly mainstream yet. For this reason, we’re left with solutions that may not be quite as innovative — nonetheless, these options are still incredibly effective.

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Most students in North America are well into the winter semester by now, but this tip may benefit those of you taking spring or summer classes in the coming months: physical electives. There’s a good chance you’ll have to take an elective in order to fill your class schedule. Instead of using that elective to increase your homework pile, why not opt for an active class? Class choices vary from school to school, but it doesn’t hurt to explore your options. If you’re not much for high-impact sports, standard physical education classes are the last electives you would ever choose. The cool thing about the education system’s development is that Phys. Ed. isn’t necessarily the only active class available anymore; plenty of schools offer alternatives like dance and yoga now, and that’s an initiative I wholeheartedly support. As someone who hated having to take Phys. Ed. classes in school, it would have been a dream for me to have other options — take advantage of the opportunity! Like treadmill desks, the advantage of incorporating fitness into your pre-existing schedule means you won’t have to make time for it. Sure, you’re going to class, but your only homework is stretching. Along the same vein of low-maintenance activities is intramurals. If your school has an intramural league, round up some friends and start a team! Society places so much emphasis on playing sports and working out as forms of exercise that we tend to forget that all types of movement are good for us. A classic game of frisbee may not seem very intense, but you’re still running around as you would be during higher-intensity activities. I recommend intramurals because they’re a fun way to get your body moving while you spend time with people who care about you. Having fun and participating in activities that make you happy are major factors in your general wellbeing. We don’t always realize how our mental health can affect our physical health and vice versa, so I want to iterate that now.

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Fitness isn’t solely about keeping your weight under control; it’s also about keeping your mind at ease, lowering your stress levels and making sure your whole body — inside and out — is in a healthy condition. A lot of students neglect their emotional health for the sake of their grades, and I won’t be the last person to tell you it’s not worth it. Your mindset is half the battle when it comes to most of mi the things you do in life. Willpower. Motivation. Determination. They all come from being in a positive, strong state of mind.

Lucky for you, the rest of this article will focus on how to maintain your fitness through other means — starting with the antithesis of exercise, sleep! We all know we should get eight hours of sleep every night, and we all know it rarely happens. Regardless of your reasoning for not getting enough rest, it is critical that you do yourself a favor and prioritize proper sleep. Whether that means giving yourself a designated bedtime, or taking naps during the day, sleep is fundamental for your overall health. If your schedule is hectic fo and even the idea of going to bed makes you feel overwhelmed, check out sleepyti.me, a website that calculates optimal bedtimes for you based on when you need to wake up.

That being said, you may not even be reading this for the sake of learning how to exercise, so it’s about time for us to address the big question: “How do I become fit if I’m busy for most of my day and can’t find a suitable workout routine?”

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So how do you develop your fitness besides exercise and sleep? Food! Not a $1.50 coffee from the vending machine and a bag of chips. I’m talking about real food with real ingredients. I’m sure that makes me sound like the boring adults in your life, but they’re onto something! Your physical fitness and mental health are largely determined by what you eat on a daily basis. You know those food pyramids we used to learn about in grade school? They exist for a reason. I won’t go into too much detail about nutrition, but you can check out Issue #4 and Issue #7 of The Academic for some snack and smoothie ideas to get started. The last tips I have are intended for when you’re out in the world, not at home or school. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Take the stairs whenever possible. The more often you commit to walking up a flight of stairs, the easier those steps will be to take. Let it become a habit instead of a chore. Use a different mode of transportation — weather permitting, of course. Choose to walk, ride a bike, a skateboard, a scooter, use rollerblades or even a hoverboard to get where you need to go. If you absolutely have to drive a car on your commute, make a conscious effort to park a little further away. Those few extra steps make a big difference! Spend your free time at locations that allow you to walk around. Why not go to the mall, or a museum, or maybe even an art gallery? Whatever suits your taste is perfect.

What I hope you take away from this article is the understanding that fitness is multifaceted. We are different people leading different lives, so there’s no formula for getting fit that works for everyone. I hope I’ve given you worthwhile advice, and that you feel better informed and more confident about fitness than you did when you began reading this article. We all start somewhere, somehow, and now it’s time to get going!

inadequacy The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

DEALING WITH FEELINGS OF

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The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent. We’ve all heard this phrase before; this well-known quote by Eleanor Roosevelt is found on classroom walls everywhere. It’s meant to be inspiring and to serve as one of the many reminders that students can overcome anything. But, sometimes, this phrase hurts to hear — especially in a world that encourages elitism, constant competition, and endless scrutiny. A co study by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine revealed that most bullies at the secondary level are not at-risk students, but rather some of the most talented, popular kids in school (Rivara & Menestrel 77). What are we supposed to do when the people who make us feel lowly might actually be more accomplished than us? We are told to keep our heads up, but constant reminders about the importance of staying positive in a largely negative environment leaves many students feeling lost, hopeless, and alone. You may wonder: am I to blame? Does this mean that I brought it upon myself? The answer, in every scenario, is unequivocally no.

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Growing up, I have learned that adolescence is not as easy as some people make it out to be. I know that I’ve faced some difficult situations that left me searching for answers; between complex relationships, being mistreated and even harassed, trying to find my voice in a school of nearly 3,000 students, and increasing awareness of how unfair the world can be, I felt aw like I had nowhere to turn. However, I realized that these feelings were not valid, and I had more power over the situation than I previously believed. Feelings of inadequacy tend to coincide with feelings of being misunderstood; everyone around you is growing and finding themselves, but it seems like you can’t catch up to them. Regardless of whether or not this is true, it does not matter — you are never required to meet the same milestones as someone else at the same time, let alone at all.

Conflicting opinions and the desire to fit in are a normal part of being a teenager, but sometimes feeling inadequate is symptomatic of deeper problems such as harassment, bullying, or oppression. Being ostracized or mistreated by your peers can certainly create some feelings of anxiety, and systemic abuse based on who you are can lead to other mental health issues. ar Once you have identified what causes your feelings of inadequacy, ask if it is something you can control. If you feel bad about not being able to perform a certain activity, like playing an instrument or learning information quickly, you should practice! In 10th grade, I found some subjects to be really complicated, and it was taking a toll on my health, so I spent an more time studying the material to gain a better understanding. Set aside time each day to work on perfecting your vibrato or studying flashcards, and with time, you should become more confident in your abilities. But what if you are having negative feelings about something that you can’t control directly, or your feelings persist despite your greatest efforts?

Even if you know this, how do you believe that it is true? How do you deal with feelings of inadequacy?

First, you must find the root of your emotions. What is causing your feelings of inadequacy? Is it a specific situation, such as giving a presentation during class? Is it a specific person? Students often run into negative emotions when they have to share their opinions with others, or when they are being evaluated by a certain set of standards.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

Social and academic stressors may affect us at a deeper level than we anticipate. It may affect our perception of our worth, and it will take more than just wishful thinking to will it away. However, it is not impossible to challenge these harmful thoughts; regardless of how things appear, change is always attainable. The question is, what will I do about it? is

refuse to confront them; you are allowed to be sad, but do not let your sadness or past mistakes control you. I used to look back at my middle school years with disdain because of how “overdramatic” I was when it came to conflict, which affected how I handled problems later on. But, recently, I realized that there is no use in criticizing myself, because I did what I believed was right at the time. What truly matters is the growth I have experienced in the years since then, and that I handle conflict appropriately now.

If there is a specific person or setting that makes you feel awful, consider leaving the situation. It may be difficult if you are abandoning a friendship/relationship or an extracurricular that you have devoted a lot of time to. If leaving just doesn’t seem viable, consider altering the situation. You are always allowed to set boundaries, such as distancing yourself or bo speaking up more often. You should avoid being a people-pleaser because it will only hurt you in the long run. It may take some time to assert yourself, but determining your wants and needs is essential to challenging negative feelings about your worth. It is also important to do things for yourself. This goes beyond just basic self-care or pampering; taking risks in situations where you have nothing to lose helps you develop confidence.

Another important thing to remember while confronting feelings of inadequacy is that you can always talk to someone. There are ways to locate others who have seen similar struggles, and there are entire communities that exist for the sole purpose of connecting with others. Surround yourself with people who support you and make you feel loved. We should seek out the similarities between our troubles, and discuss how to properly handle our differences. Remember that you are valuable, and nothing can change that. I can admit that I am not perfect, but I am perfectly okay with that.

The ultimate goal of all of this is to change your thinking. Taking concrete action to improve yourself will lead to happiness in the future, and positive affirmations are very helpful. A self-affirmation is defined as the process of identifying and focusing on one’s most important values and it has been proven to impact your creativity and your ability to solve problems cr (Creswell). Simply reminding yourself that you are worth it even if your mind says otherwise will eventually lead to a psychological transformation. That being said, never wallow in your feelings or

Works Cited 1.

Creswell, J. David, Janine M. Dutcher, William M. P. Klein, Peter R. Harris, and John M. Levine. "Self-Affirmation Improves Problem-Solving under Stress." PLOS ONE. Public Library of Science, 1 May 2013. Web. 19 Dec. 2017. Rivara, Frederick, and Suzanne Le Menestrel. Preventing Bullying: Through Science, Policy, and Practice. Washington, DC: National Academies, 2016. Print.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

an interview with nerdastically WWWWWWW SSSSSS GGGGGG EEEEEE SSSSSSSS MMMMMMMM LLLLLL LLL NNN

“”

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

This issue, we reached out to Ewa, a blogger on tumblr (@nerdastically), to learn more about her thoughts on both the studyblr community and her time as a student. Check out her responses to learn more! Hi Ewa! To begin, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m Ewa, I’m 20 years old, and I’m from Poland. I’m currently studying at a Polish university called AGH, and I’m in my second year of a computer science degree course. I’m interested mostly in graphic design (especially CDs, book covers, posters, postcards, that kind of useful, everyday stuff), but I also dabble a bit in music and a bit in art. How did you find the studyblr community? What inspired you to create your blog? I’ve always liked doing colorful notes. One day, I came looking for ideas on Pinterest and I found something there that took me to emmastudies’s tumblr. I had a fandom tumblr account before that day, but after following Emma for a while I decided to join the studyblr community and give it a go.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

What is the best class you’ve ever taken? Oh man! I really liked my English classes I did 3 years ago. They were taught by native speakers that weren’t really teachers. They were more like our friends, which made us learn more and “forced” us to speak English everyday.

[...] ﬁnd your own pace and as long as you’re being consistent with wi it you’ll get there eventually.

What are you learning right now? I’m taking so many difficult classes this semester that I’m just praying for it to end! They’re mostly dynamic systems (connected to differential equations), java, physics, some challenging classes in matlab, and the fundamentals of electrics (which involves us playing with cables and the current). If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? I would choose to have cures for all diseases, because they stop so many people from doing what they love. I would especially hope to see solutions for mental disorders, given that they are becoming increasingly common. Where do you hope to be in 5 years? Um, I don’t know. I’ll just see where life takes me! I’ll try to accept and embrace whatever it throws at me. Hopefully I’ll be happy. What is the most important message you want your followers to hear from your content? That grades don’t define you nor your effort, and that even though media, your parents, or teachers tell you to do something a certain way, it’s sometimes okay to go your own way as long as it makes you happy.

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

http://nerdastically.tumblr.com

Where (on what social media platforms) can our readers follow you?

What are some helpful resources or pieces of advice for someone pursuing your major/interests?

On tumblr, instagram, pinterest: @nerdastically I made a thousand posts about this! In general, don’t get discouraged when you’re behind your class, and find your own pace and as long as you’re being consistent with it – you’ll get there eventually. Don’t be afraid to ask a classmate or a teacher for help or scroll through Stack Overflow – it makes you learn, too.

I also have an art IG which is somewhat neglected at the moment, but if anyone’s interested: @ewsart Thanks for the opportunity to do this and good luck with everything x

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

WWWWWWW VVVVVVV CCCCCCCCCCCC EEEEEE MMMMMM PPPPPPP LLLLLL JJJJJJJ TTTT

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

It’s easy to spend a long amount of time with someone without really getting to know them. Any kind of relationship works best when people can support each other to the best of their abilities, which is easier when they know each other well. To help you learn more about the people around you, here are 100 questions that you can either work into conversations with friends, family, and significant others or simply ask back and forth in a game-like format. You never know what you might learn about someone you’ve known for years! Written by Sydney Gerbel Edited by Samantha Mitchell Layout by Candyce Zotz

Digging Deeper:

100 Questions to Get to Know Someone 89

The Academic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Issue 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; February 1st, 2018

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

How are you feeling right now? What have you done so far today? What is the best way to start a day? What is your favorite song right now? What role does religion play in your life? What is the best thing about being of your gender? Do you believe in astrology? What is the most useless fact you know? What is your favorite word? What can you see from your bedroom window? Where did you grow up? What is your favorite joke? What would your ideal day include? When is your birthday? What is your favorite food? What game have you spent hours playing? If you had to change your name, what would you pick? What is your favorite season? What languages do you want to learn? Which word do you always misspell? What was your favorite movie growing up? What is you favorite movie now? Do you play any sports? What is your favorite quotation? Have you ever met someone famous? What is your favorite holiday? What did you want to be when you grew up? What is your lucky number? Do you tend to be early, late, or right on time? What is your favorite school subject? When are you happiest? What is your favorite book? What is your worst habit?

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66.

Do you have a favorite artist? What energizes you the most? Whom do you work closest with? What nicknames did you have as a kid? What do you like to do when you’re alone? How do you relax? Do you follow current events? Have you ever had a paranormal experience? Who is your best friend? What is one thing you are horrible at? What is one thing you are great at? How do you define success? If you could relive one day from your childhood, which would you pick? What is one thing from your childhood that you’ll never be too old for? What is your favorite physical feature on yourself? What is your favorite thing about your personality? What is the best mistake you’ve ever made? What one thing are you most excited for? If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? What helps your through your hardest days? What qualities do you admire in others? What do you want to do more of? What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t issues? What takes up too much of your time? What concept blows your mind? What practical skills do you wish you had? What can you talk about for hours? If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? What is your most prized possession? Who or what is your nemesis? How have you changed in the past five years? What is the most memorable gift you’ve ever received? What do you like most about your family?

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67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100.

What is something that everyone should try? What is the biggest rule you’ve ever broken? If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you win gold for? What role do you play in your group of friends? What always makes you feel better? Who is the best teacher you’ve ever had? How do you procrastinate? Who inspires you to be better? What do you do to make the world a better place? What risks are not worth taking? Do you believe in fate? When did you last cry? What long shot have you taken that really paid off? What should be the goal of humanity? What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? What is the best compliment you’ve ever received? What kind of parent do you think you’ll be? Who do you miss? What do you strongly suspect but have no proof of? What emotions do you feel the most? What emotions do you wish you felt more? What do you daydream about? Who has had the biggest impact on your life? If you died today, what would your greatest achievement be? What gives your life meaning? What is the most surprising self-realization you’ve had? What social stigma does society need to get over? What is your biggest fear? What is the most important lesson your parents taught you? Where do you see yourself in the future? If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? What is truly unique about you? What are you going to do with the rest of your day? What is the best question to ask someone to get to know them?

The Academic — Issue 9 — February 1st, 2018

INTER ACTING WITH

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Issue 9 | February 2018 @theacademiczine