Helpful Hints & Professional Pointers

As a professor, I consider it my job not only to teach students some substantive topic area (e.g., Latin American politics), but also to show students how they can learn more effectively on their own. In this light, I have prepared a series of "helpful hints" (aimed at undergraduates) and "professional pointers" (aimed at graduate students). Actually, graduate and undergraduate students could benefit from both sets. The "Role Playing" and "Matrix" handouts are particularly useful for anyone doing research. Please remember, though, that these are only hints. They do not guarantee academic success. There is only one person who is ultimately responsible for your academic career -- you! If you have additional ideas or issues that you would like addressed in this series, please e-mail me.

Helpful Hints
(mostly for undergraduate students)

College
Taking Notes
Reading Academic Works
Studying for Exams
Taking Essay Exams
Study Groups
Citations
Asking Questions
Role Playing
Recommendation Letters

Professional Pointers
(mostly for graduate students)

Graduate School
Curriculum Vita
Conferencing
The Comps
Job Talks
The Matrix
Fifteen Minutes of Fame
Role Playing