Trace-your-hand-turkeys. That’s the first thing I think of when someone says “Thanksgiving;” elaborately decorated turkeys I used to fashion out of paper and glue and feathers (and sequins and bobble eyes). Basically, any and all art supplies available to me were used in the making of a professional hand turkey.
I am just so happy to be home! It’s great to sit here and think about things like that, without worrying about what’s due tomorrow. Thanksgiving really is a much needed break from the college pace. Eating pie, watching football– that’s what life should be about!
School, was, as usual, really busy this week. Professors like the idea of wrapping up a unit right before Thanksgiving so you don’t have it hanging over your head, and try to come back to the same stuff after five days off. Unfortunately, all professors seem to have adopted this philosophy, so the few days before Thanksgiving is basically pre-finals week, with EVERY class throwing a test at you.
So lots of school work is really the main thing I have been up to lately. On Friday night, my friends and I took our chemistry work to Starbucks downtown, so we were at least able to feel like we had done something fun instead of doing homework on a weekend. It really wasn’t too bad! Then, there was the last football game on Saturday against Michigan State. It was so sad to watch Paul Posluszny play his last game! But next year, our team will be national champions. Or so says my dad.
Another big project I’ve been working on lately is the creation of an Honors Tutoring Program. As long as I’m on the subject, let me bring you up to speed on why such a program might exist.
HONORS COURSES 101
- The honors section of a class usually requires a more detailed understanding of the coursework, or in some cases, introduces new material completely absent from the regular version of the class. The small class size and discussion-based philosophy of learning allows for students and teachers to go above and beyond the scope of standard coursework. In some classes, there might be a special term project at the end, such as a research paper or a creative piece that integrates the material you have learned in class with broader concepts in education and society.
Basically, honors classes are much more in-depth than your run-of-the-mill memorize-your-notes-fill-in-the-bubble test. While this makes for an awesome learning experience, it also leads to some very difficult homework assignments and exams. Recently, it has come to the attention of the Schreyer Honors College Academic Committee that there is no place for students to get help with their honors-course related questions. There are already resource rooms in place for many subjects, but the programs are designed around the material covered in the regular section. While the tutors available in the general resource room possess a strong understanding of the material in the regular sections, they aren’t familiar with the honors course material and are therefore not always able to help. This is where the SHC Student Council picked up…
I am chair of the Academic Committee of the Schreyer Honors College Student Council, and someone had mentioned the idea to us of beginning a peer tutoring program specifically designed for honors courses. After an entire semester of brainstorming, information sessions, recruiting, and LOTS of planning and logistics, my committee is FINALLY tying together the final plans! Starting next week (the week of November 26), we are launching the Pilot Honors Tutoring Program. We selected eight classes that we knew students traditionally have difficulties with and got upperclassman who had already taken those courses to volunteer their time to tutor for three weeks. If the program runs well, we will pick it up again next semester. If not… well, hopefully that won’t happen.
Do you want to see the email announcement that just got sent out about it?! I know you do. It’s very exciting:
“PILOT PEER HONORS TUTORING PROGRAM
Beginning the week of November 26, the SHC Student Council is sponsoring a pilot peer tutoring program for the following honors classes this semester. Times will run as follows:
Mondays, 8:00-10:00: MATH 140H, MATH 141H, MATH 230H, MATH 231H
Mondays, 8:00-9:00: ECON 2H
Wednesdays, 8:00-10:00: BMB 251H, CHEM 12H, CHEM 38H
*EXCEPTION: There will be no CHEM 12H on Wednesday, November 29. The CHEM 12H tutoring for that week will be held on TUESDAY, November 28 instead, from 8:00-10:00.
Tutoring will be held in C-007 Atherton Hall, and will continue through the week of December 10. All students enrolled in the honors course are encouraged to attend! If you have any questions, or if you are interested in being a tutor for any honors class, e-mail Megan Krench, chair of the SHC Student Council Academic Committee at mak5065@psu.edu.”
All that work, summarized in one paragraph-long announcement. Amazing.
I hope everything works out well! I will keep you all posted… Until then, enjoy your Thanksgiving!
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