dimanche0829

Just wanted to revive this and see if anyone else on this forum has recently joined the site. I've noticed a pretty sudden increase in profiles for people who attend my school, and I'm starting to see more results in terms of research papers. I'm also getting into it a little more now by adding a few more research interests, e-stalking people I academically admire, etc. I still haven't uploaded a paper yet, but I'm hoping to add a paper on Tristram Shandy over Christmas break. (read: January or February.)

IME, many people who revisit thoughts about what they may have left behind often do it more out of loneliness than regret. I do agree that you should immerse yourself in your studies, but I also think it's important to have fun. Even if you don't have a core group of friends to go out with, there is a ton of fun to be had in simple activities, like taking a 15-20 minute walk around campus, watching a movie, listening to some good music, taking pictures, etc.

I use spiral notebooks for regular note-taking during class. Works great. I cannot bring myself to use sprial notebooks when preparing to write a paper. I feel way too restricted, and the wire spiral drives me nuts, getting in the way of a comfortable writing position (I write at a very sharp angle). Legal pads afford me the room I need to jot down my crazy ideas, and all their digressions, and I don't have to worry about leaving spiral imprints all over my arm.

I accidentally clicked dislike on your post when I actually meant to click like because you gave a good suggestion about taking the prep test. Do you know if there a way to fix that? Exactly my point!!!

I certainly don't dispute your statement. In fact, most of the faculty I know think the test is ridiculous and incapable of measuring intelligence. I wholeheartedly agree. Yet the GRE sticks around anyway. Why? Because it narrows down the applicant pool, especially for programs that receive 500-600 applications with only about 5-10 acceptances to award. I'd also like to point out that many financial awards are given based on high GRE scores, so there is some incentive to try for high scores. A low score obviously doesn't guarantee that you won't be accepted, just as a high score guarantee that you will be accepted or receive awards. Most people are told to do "just enough" because even "just enough" requires effort and hard work. It RARELY favors a slacker mentality. I obviously used "entrance exam" in the most general sense--kind of like using the phrase "if you want to say" on internet forums to describe something that is written, and not actually spoken. Mere technicalities of the least importance and productivity, my friend. Nevertheless, I shared my opinion and am sticking to it. Can people score well without studying? Yeah, of course. Can people score poorly without studying? You betcha. Are people rejected from grad programs due to poor GRE scores and slacking off on apps? It's been known to happen. So, yeah, I do take issue with the OP's assertion that studying in advance is unnecessary just because they happened to score well. That's good for them, but many people won't experience similar results, and it's just not smart advice to give to others who have very real concerns about the test.

Congratulations, you're happy. You tested well. Your methods and background worked for you. Consider yourself lucky. You'll have a long and difficult road ahead if you think you can successfully slack your way through grad school, too- assuming you're even accepted into a program. You're not nearly as clever as you think you are; slacking on any part of the application is just a BAD idea. If you're not even willing to put forth an honest effort to study for an entrance exam, you really just don't belong in the applicant pool. My 0.02.

I definitely share in your concerns. While I LOVE the idea that people who need help may finally have some kind of assistance, and to some extent applaud the effort of this program, I don't think it will actually solve the problem. If anything, I am left with a sense of dread that this will only make the problem worse. And then where will we go?

I sure hope this isn't too good to be true... http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/education/26debt.html?_r=1&hpw

Woah, how did my response turn into four? I wanted to express my love for literature and all, but this is just excessive. Is there a way to delete?

As long as people still ask: "Oh, that movie was a book first?" I know that I'll be needed. Maybe not right away, but someday, somewhere, in some way, shape, or form. Until that day arrives, I will take absolute pleasure in filling my head with the most delicately intricate strings of words, written by those from the past, present and future. *heart flutter*

As long as people still ask: "Oh, that movie was a book first?" I know that I'll be needed. Maybe not right away, but someday, somewhere, in some way, shape, or form. Until that day arrives, I will take absolute pleasure in filling my head with the most delicately intricate strings of words, written by those from the past, present and future. *heart flutter*

As long as people still ask: "Oh, that movie was a book first?" I know that I'll be needed. Maybe not right away, but someday, somewhere, in some way, shape, or form. Until that day arrives, I will take absolute pleasure in filling my head with the most delicately intricate strings of words, written by those from the past, present and future. *heart flutter*

As long as people still ask: "Oh, that movie was a book first?" I know that I'll be needed. Maybe not right away, but someday, somewhere, in some way, shape, or form. Until that day arrives, I will take absolute pleasure in filling my head with the most delicately intricate strings of words, written by those from the past, present and future. *heart flutter*

I use the fine point sharpies on regular notebooks and there is barely any bleedthrough for me; Then again, I write very fast and very lightly.

Belgian chocolates

I love all of you right now. I am a big fan of sharpie fine point, but I'll also use gell pens. You can't pay me enough to get near ball-point, though; I get way too annoyed by all the smudges and ink gaps.

I believe WUSTL has a great WGS program, though I don't know the particulars.

presidential election

With November's subject test fast approaching (panicpanicpanicpanicpanic!), I'm curious to know what you're using to study besides run-of-the-mill study books and websites (i.e. Kaplan, Princeton Review, &c). Here are a few of my favorites: The Facts on File: Dictionary of Classical, Biblical, & Literary Allusions, by Abraham Lass, David Kiremidjian, and Ruth Goldstein. Each entry is short, to the point, and easy to remember. A Glossary of Literary Terms, by M. H. Abrams. It's good for those who haven't had much exposure to theory, or who need to brush up on literary terminology. I Always Look Up The Word Egregious, by Maxwell Nurnberg. It's "the vocabulary book for those who don't need one."

I was just reading Joyce's raunchy love letters to Nora the other week. Explains so much...

Agreed, agreed, agreed.

I think I've seen a few threads where someone eventually ask about another's focus, so I figured we should have a thread for it! I'm interested in studying the rise of the novel, but am especially interested in focusing on Laurence Sterne/Tristram Shandy.