Everyone would agree that teaching is important, right? But what do universities and colleges actually do to demonstrate that it matters, to really make it a priority? 

How often do you feel seen in your work, or get feedback that really speaks to you? When it happens, which is rare, you have to really take a moment to let it sink in. Work has its ups and downs, and taking time to appreciate the gems can be even more important than working through your challenges. I am glad to be able to capture a recent bright spot here.

Students coming into your class on a given day are thinking about many things apart from the topic of the class. Even if they did their homework and are prepared, they probably don’t walk into the room thinking about the specifics. How can you use the time before class starts to welcome everyone and get ready for the day? Say goodbye to the awkward silence, where everyone is just on their phones waiting for you to start. Use the time to welcome students, have them feel comfortable together, and get in the mind of what you’re going to teach that day. 

January has been a real beat-down. Record snow and cold, horrible news, lots of disconnection around us on so many levels. It seems like nothing is the way it’s supposed to be right now. But of course we still have work and other obligations. How do you stay productive? Read my advice for staying focused and moving forward with your goals during challenging times.

As college students everywhere are heading back into the classroom after winter break, I thought it would be useful to explore one of my favorite topics, the first day of class. The first day of class is like the foundation of a house, or the introduction of the paper: it all builds from there. Students are nervous and unsure of what to expect, they may even have new sneakers and notebooks, all to get ready for your class. There is a real power in the anticipation that comes with a new beginning. How do you want to start their journey with you?

What does it mean to be good at something? How do you know? Today I explore different perspectives on the answers to these questions, to help instructors and students think about developing a shared understanding of success.

I was planning to end the year with my take on grading and assessment. It’s been so much in the news this fall, with Harvard’s grading report, too many As, not enough rigor! And now it’s finals season; many instructors and TAs are out there trying to get their grades in. But I was so shaken up by the events of the weekend, especially the shooting at Brown, which hit so close to home. As the Brown community was sheltering in place, I was reflecting on the events we’ve had to handle over the years.

A friend and former colleague I’ve been meeting with regularly just landed a great job, and she wrote to thank me for my support and share how helpful I was! One of my favorite parts of my work is getting the chance to work with and learn from so many brilliant people, and it’s even better when I can contribute to their success. 

Landing a campus visit is exciting, but it can also feel like so much pressure: I have made it this far, how can I get to the next step!? What if I don’t? Channel your nerves into excitement, do your best, and be yourself. Read my guidance to feel as calm and prepared as possible to set yourself up for success.

Throughout my career, I have specialized in helping scholars find their voices in every sense of that phrase, whether they were honing their English language skills, figuring out how to talk about their research, or standing on a stage to speak with power and conviction. 

What does it mean to develop your voice? How can we keep working on it, especially during the age of AI?

It’s Thanksgiving week, a season with an extra focus on gratitude. Call your mom! Text a friend you miss. Send your mentor a card. Thank a teacher. You may think they know how you feel, but it’s always good to name it, and these connections can become even stronger. Being connected and grateful for what you have seems like the best fortification against the hard things life may throw at you. There are many rituals that can help you stay in touch with what you appreciate, whether you meditate, say some form of grace before a meal, or if you, like me, have a tradition of saying what you are thankful for during Thanksgiving dinner.

What makes you famous? If you are working on getting a job or communicating your value for fellowships or other audiences, chances are you are getting tips on your “brand,” or trying to write the perfect tagline for LinkedIn. Boiling your dissertation or many years of experience down to a few words might feel too hard, or overly simplistic, or even trivial, but this skill of distilling your contribution is useful for both you and your audience.

If you had to describe your approach or contribution in five words, what would they be? Here I tell you my words and how I found them.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be successful lately. But what does it mean to fail? Especially during this season of so many layoffs and people trying and failing to get jobs, we’re supposed to think about how to learn from these events and stay positive to move forward. Fail your way to success! It was either that or a broken plate for today’s image, but I am trying to be optimistic.

This weekend I reviewed all the Polished Owl materials and wanted to make sure my audience knows about all the great resources available!

Did you know that I have a great guide on Mentoring, written by one of my best friends and smartest colleagues Adam Beaver? Whether you are a student navigating your relationship with your advisor, a faculty member or scholar mentoring students, or even a parent worrying about this aspect of your responsibility to your kids, this guide can help you think about how to make any mentoring relationship rewarding and productive. As I was reading this again, it hit me (again) how many parallels there are with good practices, whether you are teaching, advising, or leading in any way.