The paper is not going well.

You know, I think a lot of the problem (besides procrastination) is that I'm just not good at researching things. I can never seem to find anything that I want/ need, even though I *KNOW* there are dozens of articles and books written on the topic. Like mine right now, for instance. Gender and cross-dressing in Shakespeare. I KNOW there are NUMEROUS articles on that topic!!!!! But can I find them? Of course not. And the procrastination has not helped. At all!! Ugh. I'm so frustrated, I'm about ready to throw this Macbook across the room. But that'd just end up making me feel worse, now wouldn't it?

Well to cheer myself up, I'm going to share some splendid news with you. I believe I have mentioned The Exponent before, have I not? It's the college newspaper, for which I write Opinions columns. Well, guess what?! I ran for Opinions Editor next semester and I won!! My roommate (and the girlfriend of the previous Opinions Editor, who ran for a different editorial position) is going to be my Assistant Opinions Editor. I can do this either for credit *or* for money. I will probably end up doing it for money, because I don't think my major or either of my minors would benefit from it being taken as credit. I will have to ask my advisor though, of course. I'll keep you posted!! But really, isn't that fantastic news? I almost feel more cheerful. Perhaps I'll perk up a bit more when I can begin to see the light at the end of this dreadful tunnel known as my Shakespeare paper....

Papers!!

Well it came!! The Macbook. I pretty much love it; it's awesome!!

So I worked on Thanksgiving but at least I was home in the morning to eat with my family. I work all weekend (lame) and have to write a paper (even more lame), and read Frankenstein (not so lame, if it weren't for the darned paper).

Let me tell you this: papers are difficult and a pain in the butt, but if you would just start working on them a month or two in advance, like you're *SUPPOSED* to, it wouldn't be so bad. I procrastinate, and I guess everyone does, but I'm going to tell you this: do as I say, not as I do.

Really. Frantically trying to pull this thing together, I am thinking in the back of my mind, if I had started this when I first knew about it (read: September 2nd), it would be a lot less stressful and a lot more interesting.

Your professors don't tell you about these things and remind you of them just to bug you or make you panic. They are actually encouraging you to start it *EARLY*. They know it's a futile attempt. They know you're never *ACTUALLY* going to start when you should. But they hope anyway, and remind you because most of them are genuinely nice people who care about you.

So really. TAKE MY ADVICE. Working on a paper a couple of times a week for 3 months is far preferable than working on it for 6 hours a day for less than a week. It won't be as scary, and you might actually learn something. Chances are, you're going to be writing on something you're interested in, and working at a leisurely pace is going to make you happier and more receptive to learning new things about the topic.

Maybe I should try out this stellar advice myself next semester, eh? :)

- Laura

Laptops!

Hello everyone!!

Sorry I haven't written in about 3,000 years. I should be back on track now. Sadly my internet connection does not work for some obnoxious reason (that's one nice things about living *on* campus -- your internet *ALWAYS* works), and my boyfriend/his friends kind of... killed... my poor laptop. Luckily I'm getting a new (well, new to me -- it's actually a used one) MacBook, which I certainly HOPE will be a little more durable.

I really should just go rent a laptop until mine arrives. See, there's this really cool system at the University. You can check out a laptop! It doesn't cost anything and you get it for about 72 hours, I believe. The fee if it's late is a little steep, but then again it's a laptop, you know? The University needs to know that a) you haven't stolen it, b) that it's not damaged, and c) that it's going to be back in place to be readily available for the next person to use. There's a short period of time between check out periods, but if you have a dire pressing need to do a project or something, there are always labs (Bear's Den, library, etc.) open pretty late.

I have a huge paper due right after Thanksgiving, so I really should make it a point to go to a lab or the library sometime this week when I don't work.

Have a great weekend!!

Laura

Newspapers and Libraries

I. Am sooo. Tired. Ugh!! I'm finishing up putting clothes away and then falling asleep to Star Trek IV.

Tonight I went with my boyfriend and one of our friends to Dubuque because the new WoW update came out. I didn't get it because I don't have any level 70's yet, also I could not afford it. But Scott and Will got it, so they'll be happily occupied for the next 3 or 4 weeks straight. :) What should I do with all that free time? I know! Write to you lovely folks, of course! ;)

I may be tired but I am kind of excited about one thing: the Exponent. The Exponent is our school newspaper, and my friend Randy is the Opinions Editor. I'm on his staff and I write opinion articles. Basically I get to give my opinion on anything relevant to college life. As you might be able to tell, I enjoy doing this very much. I am a very opinionated individual. But a nice one, too. Usually. ;) :P

Anyway, Randy is running for a different position next year, and he wants *ME* to be the next Opinions Editor!! I have to run and whatnot, of course, but if I *did* get it, that'd be awesome!! Here is a list of the reasons why that would be amazing:

1) It pays. $100 a month. Who can argue with that?
2) It will look great on my grad school applications. I've been told I need more leadership positions to put on there.
3) It will be fun! I love feeling a part of something, and everyone at the Exponent is *SO* nice.
4) The Exponent uses Macs in their office. Go Macs! (I want a Macbook sooo badly. Anyone who wants to buy me one for Christmas, feel free. I won't complain. :P)

I just have to make sure that I get my schedule arranged properly. I need to get on those things. And don't even remind me of that 12-15 page paper due in a week for Shakespeare. (Dr. Hadorn's class -- I still have to talk about him, don't I?) Actually, *DO* remind me. Research tomorrow. The Karmann Library is good for research. And it smells amazing in there -- like books! :)

Laura!

Study Abroad Update

So I did a little research on the topic of studying abroad. (Sorry it's taken me awhile to get back to you on it!!) Apparently the programs directly through UW-Platteville are *not* your only option. There are also other programs that help students go abroad for less. I looked into some of these, and it looks like Ireland or Scotland MAY be able to expect me within a year or so, if I can get all my ducks in a row, as the saying goes.

Fortunately, the loans and grants that I already receive for school are applicable to these programs. So if a semester here costs, say, $7,000, and the program I want to enroll in has an estimated total cost of $10,000, I only need to save/borrow/apply for $3,000 extra. Not so scary when you find that out, huh?!

Also, before you even leave, you have to figure out what classes you are taking and make sure that they directly transfer to relevant credits over here. That way you don't waste any time and it won't put you back any. *whew*!

I have an appointment with my advisor tomorrow morning to discuss these things more fully and begin to plan. Wish me luck!! :)

Laura