As always, thanks for everyone's submissions! Hopefully these will bring some smiles to your faces.
Our Winner If wine is Jesus's blood and bread is Jesus's body, then the food at Benson must be Jesus's ingrown toenail. -- Sam Smith Honorable mentions My friend, who's a double major in CS and music, has his birthday coming up, so I asked him what he wanted. Unhelpfully, he said "a new keyboard". -- Bryce Klassen As the remaining waking breaths left his body, the Alzheimer's patient Dewey Needham was finally able to recognize the loving faces of his dear friends and family who were standing right beside him. With the EKG monitor beeping faster and faster, Mr. Needham realized he had one remaining breath, so he let out a final spine piercing, blood-curling scream, as he was suddenly hit with the horror that his family would soon discover his uncleared browser history. -- Liam Llerena Greetings Writers,
Finals got you down? It’s okay because… Spring Break is just around the corner! Starting Friday 3/18, the HUB will be closed for Spring Break and Week One of Spring Quarter. You can find us back in the library for in-person tutoring on Sunday 4/3. As always, if you need any writing help over the break, check out some of our past blog posts, the HUB’s online resources, or the writing resource fan-favorite – Purdue Owl. Congratulations on making it through another quarter, and enjoy your time off! Hey everyone! With the quarter coming to a close, many of you will be busy writing final papers for your classes. In order to keep your writing environment fresh, here are 5 great places on campus to write your papers! Five excellent places to wrtie papers on campus – in no particular order :)
These are just a few of the great places to write papers on campus. Feel free to explore these and to find your own! If you have any personal favorite spots to write papers on campus that you don’t see mentioned above, feel free to leave a comment and share it so that others can explore too :) Anyways, you should get back to that paper: it’s certainly not going to write itself (I wish). Good luck with finals week! About the Author:
Nate Metz '23 (he/his) is an English and History double major. He loves all types of reading and writing (especially creative writing) and in addition to working as a Writing Partner at The HUB, he is involved with the University Honors Program, the LEAD Scholars Program, and the Santa Clara Review. Hello Broncos! With finals happening within the next few weeks, I think it’s best we start to figure out how you can be successful. Whether you have a final project or an actual test, stay tuned as I’ll provide you with 5 helpful tips so you can be successful during finals week, confident in your studies, and ready to pass the class! 1. Get To Work Earlier Rather Than Later It doesn’t matter if it’s a group project or studying for a final test, I recommend you start working immediately (if you haven’t already). When you look at successful people, they don’t wait until the last minute, so why should you? "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” - Benjamin Franklin. “Preparation doesn’t assure victory, it assures confidence.” - Amit Kalantri, “Wealth of Words” For those working within a group, I recommend you have a group chat beyond email, because not everyone checks their emails. You can either create a shared calendar, with specific events so everyone knows when things should be done, and what days to meet; or you can create calendar events and share them with everyone else. 2. Take Advantage of Office Hours I bet you all know the importance of going to class: you can learn more on the material, etc. But have you considered going to office hours? This is the time where you can engage with the professor one-on-one or group-to-professor to truly have all your questions answered. Not only will the professor’s expectations become clear, but your needs from the class can also be addressed. 3. Split Up the Time of Study When you focus so much on one material, your brain becomes overwhelmed, and mentally you get exhausted. I want you to be successful, so I recommend you set a time limit on how much time is spent on a given subject/project. Then take a break, have a snack, before getting back to work. Following the pomodoro method your productivity will slowly but surely increase. *For group work, not only should you split up the responsibilities amongst the team, but you should also have different deadlines for smaller parts of the assignment, so everyone won’t be stressed out completing the entire project in one night. 4. Practice Interactive Studying Many students “study” by only rereading notes and textbooks. Sure this is “studying” but it’s not the most effective, studying. You should be testing your mind, so try flashcards or creating test questions for yourself and/or peers. This way you’re truly testing your knowledge. I also recommend trying practice exams if possible, or using quizlet (they have a bunch of interactive studying options). *Study groups can be helpful, just make sure you’re actually working (not playing the whole time). 5. Expand Your Study Environments Psychological studies have shown that studying in different environments helps improve memory… so go outside and study in the park, or a nice area within the library, don’t limit yourself. Have fun studying! About the Author:Lady Elizabeth, a sophomore at SCU who majors in psychology, has worked at the Writing Center since fall 2021. She is passionate about learning and helping others, whether it be with writing or in any other area. We had a great time reading everyone's submissions! Thanks to all the writers who sent in their work! Our winner! He opened the door, and, with the arrangement of flowers in her hands, she asked, "Are irises and lilies still your favorite flowers?" He looked back at the withering bouquet on his coffee table and, smiling, confirmed, "I think they always will be." -- Jacqueline Ramirez Honorable mentions I can’t take my eyes off the handsome man in the water. I think his name is also Narcissus. -- Fiona Sundy With another dumb Valentine’s Day comes another dumb gushy-mushy-shove-our-stupid-love-in-your-face social media feed to scroll through. God, I wish that were me. -- Isa Sanchez Flores He began to think about all of the memories they shared over the past three years and in that moment, Jason finally decided who he wanted to be his valentine as he gazed deeply into Maria’s eyes. His heart fluttered, and though the butterflies in his stomach were flapping faster than he could think, he was finally able to muster up the courage to say, “I wanted to ask if your friend Maya is single, because she’s so hot.” -- Ryan Delahoussaye When I was younger I had an almost magical experience with reading that I’ve been trying to recreate ever since. The rain was pouring down outside in the darkness, and I had decided to settle on my family’s small green couch and read a favorite book of mine: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Wanting to add to the already cozy atmosphere, I pulled a fuzzy blanket onto myself and our orange tabby Tractor settled by my side (my younger self had come up with his truly excellent name). Yet all these years later I know that what completed this warm, enveloping evening was the mug I held in my hand. Filled with the Republic of Tea’s Coconut Cocoa tea, I breathed in wafts of the chocolate-y scent while pouring through the pages of adventure before me. With every warm sip and turn of the page I felt more and more at peace, and I knew that this was how reading was best enjoyed. I know that to help me unwind I try to reach those same heights of coziness, often reaching for a warm beverage or a charming book to help create a peaceful experience. Thus, in an effort to offer a similar experience to any other person in need of some relaxation time, I offer you a carefully cultivated pairing menu (with food making an occasional appearance) of life’s most compatible creations: books and beverages. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen To pair with Austen’s likely most famous novel, I recommend a rose black tea, giving you a bit of caffeine to ponder her satirical takes along with a hint of floral flavors to transport you to Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley Gardens. You could enjoy your beverage cold, like Elizabeth’s trek to the Bingleys’ home to find her sister, or delightfully warm, like the dance halls that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy finds all too objectionable. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis It’s no secret that the best part of this book is the incredibly described Turkish delight offered to Edmund Pevensie. To go along with this read, frequent your local boba shop to satisfy the chewy cravings this novel may induce. Perhaps a fruit-flavored tea or jelly could complete the experience! Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me and You by Lin-Manuel Miranda Reading almost like a poetry book, this little novel features a small, uplifting thought directed at the reader on each page– one for morning and one for night. Whether you read this at the designated times or turn page after page like I did, treat yourself to some hot cocoa (good for both mornings and evenings) for a wholesome and soul-warming time. You deserve it! Becoming by Michelle Obama Because this book focuses on a real person (First Lady Michelle Obama), we can turn to what her personal beverage recommendations are; according to the Washington Post Michelle ran a campaign in 2013 asking Americans to drink more water (Thompson). As you read through her engaging and sometimes hilarious stories of her childhood, career and time in the White House, hydrate with some classic water (or, if you’re feeling adventurous, grab some of the sparkling variety!). Photo from Canva
Redwall by Brian Jacques This novel encapsulates my two favorite things better than any other: thrilling adventure and tasty treats. Following the tales of little woodland creatures as they find legendary swords, ancient armor and ultimately their courage, this book and all its prequels and sequels feature food in dazzling ways. Take a trip to the cellars and have Ambrose Spike, the hedgehog in charge of all Redwall’s drinks, pour you a calming and crisp tankard of mint tea for the journey ahead. About the author Chloe Moore (she/her/hers) is a junior studying English and Management, and this is her second year working at the HUB. She loves reading, writing (particularly poetry), baking, and animals of all kinds! Welcome Back Writers, We hope you had a wonderful holiday break and are surviving the temporary return of online classes. The HUB officially opened for winter quarter earlier this week, and we are operating online with truncated hours (4:00-8:00 PM) in light of the university’s most recent COVID-19 update. As originally planned, we will work in the Learning Commons as soon as COVID-19 protocols allow. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates regarding our eventual return to in-person tutoring. Additionally, be ready for more blog posts throughout the winter, plus another writing contest to be announced shortly! We realize online learning is not how most of us expected to start the quarter. However, if there’s anything we’ve learned over the last (almost) two years, it’s to expect… the unexpected. Hang in there, and happy 2022. Holiday Greetings to our SCU Community, As we reach the end of fall quarter, we want to remind everyone that the HUB will be closed during winter break and the first week of winter quarter (12/10 - 1/08). The HUB will (mostly) be returning to its home in the Library Learning Commons next quarter, so stay tuned for further updates! If you need any writing help over break, feel free to peruse our past blog posts, the HUB’s online resources, or the writing resource fan-favorite – Purdue Owl. More importantly, please take time to enjoy your loved ones and care for yourself. After the taxing quarter and emotional past few weeks, we all deserve more than a breather. Congratulations on making it through fall quarter. Happy Holidays. At the HUB Writing Center we know that writing expectations can differ quite a bit between cultures. Since that's the case, we asked SCU's international students to share how writing is taught differently in their home countries. We wanted to honor 2021's International Education Week (Nov. 15-19) and to help SCU faculty, students, and staff better understand how expectations about writing and the teaching of writing can vary between cultures. Our ultimate goal: find more ways to support SCU's international students by raising our collective campus awareness about how writing differs in various cultures and contexts. We collected responses anonymously and have chosen a few to share with the SCU community: What has surprised you about the writing you've been asked to do for your courses at SCU?
What would you like SCU students and professors to know about how writing was taught in your previous schooling in your home country?
What would you like SCU students and professors to know about what was considered good writing in your previous schooling in your home country?
Although I was given this book when I graduated high school, I never actually read it until the week before starting my Junior year of college. That was a big mistake. If I could, I would go back in time and read this during my first year because it gives excellent advice for incoming students. The author, Cal Newport, developed interesting and helpful strategies on how to become a standout student and make the most of your college years. He did this by interviewing star students around the nation and figuring out the habits that help them become so accomplished. He gives advice on maintaining a social life, extracurriculars, grades, writing tips, skill development, etc.
One of my main take-aways from the book was my realization that even the slightest changes can make such a huge difference. I never thought that dressing nicely for class or decorating my room would play a big role in my college experience, but I’ve learned that even little things like that can help boost my confidence and change my mood. Some of Newport’s tips definitely caught me off guard, such as “Avoid Daily To-Do Lists” and “Learn to Give Up”, but that’s part of what really grabbed my attention and made me want to continue reading. He offers a new and unique perspective that can be surprising yet extremely helpful. Cal emphasizes that learning to give up is not a weakness, but a skill. I can think of many times throughout my college years when I have stayed up far too late working on a problem set that I simply could not solve, no matter how hard I tried. I would have saved a lot of time and energy if I scheduled an appointment with the TA or attended the next office hours, and “gave up” for the time being. The key is to weigh the costs and benefits of your many commitments, and make the executive decision to either let go, delegate, or move something aside that becomes an unproductive use of time. I particularly like this skill because school-work-life balance is something that is very important to me, and productivity plays a major role in my idea of a star-student. I want to be able to work hard and smart at the same time, maximizing what I can get done in the time that is available. Even if you’re halfway through your college years, many of these strategies are good reminders of the activities you may have forgotten about. He emphasizes the importance of habits such as attending political rallies, guest lectures, and reading a newspaper. While you certainly don’t have to follow every guideline, just picking a few new tips to try is a great place to start. If you would like to push beyond the activities of an average college student and take the additional steps to have a fulfilling, rewarding, and exceptional college experience, then this book is for you. Get ready to feel inspired! About the author: Natalia Garcia is a junior who has worked at the HUB since fall 2020. She's an Economic major who also loves working with writers on any type of writing project. |