#ask engrprof

[engrprof]

Patron saint of rational fandom/real life balance.

Ooh, I like this one.  My goal for sure!!

[engrprof]

patron saint of intellectualism, prose, and tumblr fandoms

Sweet!  Thank you.  People who know me irl would probably say patron saint of klutzes!

[engrprof]

Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar who could drink you under the table

David Hume could out-consume Schopenhauer and Heigel

[engrprof]

What do you do when something is badly written/incomprehensible, but in a way that is obviously because the writer's first language is not English? This is something I always have trouble with :/

I really struggle with that, too.  First, I try to casually talk to the student and find out if I’m right.  I’ve had a few people who only know English who I absolutely believed were ESL students based on their writing.

If they are ESL, I try to do 3 things:

1.  Respond respectfully to the content as much as I can make it out.

2. Encourage them for the parts they did do well.

3.  I still take points off, because I know that they will be held to that standard.  But I also refer them to resources that we have on campus and offer to work them as I can.  Sometimes I give them the option to redo assignments or to have extra time.

Basically, I try to remember on all my students that the goal is to bring them to the point where they can do well.  The ones that frustrate me are the ones that aren’t willing to try.  The ones that are trying but clearly have no clue make me mad at the teachers who clearly passed them without them mastering the material.

I also vent on Tumblr so I won’t say mean things to them on their papers!

Anybody else have good ideas?

[engrprof]

First of all, is Lady Sybil from Downton Abbey that you mentioned?? 'Cause she is 10/10. Secondly, I'm applying for civil engineeering, what difficulties you had during college that you think I should know before hand? (That lucky number; amazing af)

No, Lady Sybil is from the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. She’s introduced in Guards! Guards! which I think is one of the best romances ever written.

As far as civil engineering, a really important thing is to reach out to other people to study with.  It really makes a huge difference.  If someone hadn’t reached out to me, I never would have made it.

Glad you got the lucky number. Wasn’t sure anyone would!

[engrprof]

I recently started going to the park and listening to podcasts as my only physical activity

Hey, at least you’re getting out of the house!  Good start!

[engrprof]

i agree on the martian thing. im definitely nowhere near engineer levels of practicality but i thought it was pretty clear that watney was purposefully avoiding existential/emotional crises by putting all his efforts into survival, with whatevers left going into the tried and true defense mechanisms known as humour and distraction. which is pretty reasonable I'd say. Feels like a funnier and more technically minded version of The Hatchet actually (which i really loved as a kid and still do now)

Thanks!  I haven’t read The Hatchet. Sounds like I should!

[engrprof]

I recently decided to go back to school and get a masters. I was wondering if you can give me any advise as far as working and going to school part time or going to school full time and working part time. It's a pretty big decision, any advise is welcome.

Good for you!  That’s a big decision.  The decision really needs to be based on your circumstances.  A lot depends on how supportive your family and your work are.  I was able to work full time and go to school for my masters because my then-husband worked evenings, the classes were in the evenings and I didn’t have any children at that point.  I recommend sitting down with the budget numbers and working it out.  Don’t forget to assume that some things will go wrong that you don’t expect.  In general, school full-time is nice because you can focus more and get done sooner, but if you have to work too much it impacts your grades.  In which case, part time might be better.  

If possible, do the first semester or quarter as a trial, then see if you need to change.  Good luck!  It’ll be hard work, but it’ll be worth it.