Ten Minutes Before Class : Recent Episodes
Professor Diascro
One of my favorite parts about teaching college students is the ten minutes before class starts when we have time to chat about whatever's on our minds.
I've divided topics related to asking for letters of recommendation into four categories:
Category 1: Who to Ask
1. Someone who can write positively
2. Someone with relevant experience for your application
3. Someone you know
Category 2: How and When to Ask
1. Contact the professor, by email or in person
2. Ask at the time you’re applying
Category 3: Providing Information
1. Make it easy for the recommender
2. Watch email for additional requests
3. Identify deadlines
Category 4: Follow Up Communications
1. Thank yous
2. Reminders
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod on Twitter or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
This is an inexhaustive list of folks I follow for their expertise about issues and problems of the day.
· Jelani Cobb (Twitter: jelani9): professor of journalism at Columbia; staff writer for The New Yorker.· Jack Goldsmith (Twitter: @jacklgoldsmith): professor at Harvard University, expert on national security, and co-founder of Lawfare.
· Joanne Freeman (Twitter: @jbf1755): professor of history at Yale University. Her recent book is about violence in Congress during the Civil War period and she recently published an op-ed in the New York Times on the same topic. She has a lecture series called History Matters that is online and open to the public.
· Rick Hasen (Twitter: @rickhasen): professor of law at the University of California Irvine; expert on election law and has a blog on the same topic.
· Sherrilyn Ifill (Twitter: @Sifill_LDF): President of NAACP Legal Defense Fund, she’s an expert on civil liberties, most notably voting rights. Her guest appearance on Chris Hayes’s podcast Why Is This Happening last summer was one of the most compelling discussions about race I’ve experienced.
· Orin Kerr (Twitter: @OrinKerr): professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley, he’s an expert on computer crime law and internet surveillance. I know almost nothing about these topics so following him has been eye opening.
· Harry Litman (Twitter: @harrylitman): a former federal prosecutor, columnist for LA Times. His podcast, Talking Feds, includes a rotating group of former federal employees, journalists, and others to talk about current legal issues. His has a patreon too.
· Barb McQuade (Twitter: @BarbMcQuade): professor of law professor at the University of Michigan, she’s a former federal prosecutor and expert on national security.
· Dan Rather (Twitter: @DanRather): former news anchor, investigative journalist, and writer. His has a Substack newsletter called Steady.
· Heather Cox Richardson (Twitter: @HC_Richardson): professor of history at Boston College with a Substack newsletter, Letters from an American.
· Adam Serwer (Twitter: @AdamSerwer): staff writer for The Atlantic Magazine.
· Zoe Tillman (Twitter: @ZoeTillman): journalist for Buzzfeed News, she is my go-to on courts and justice issues.
· Joyce Vance (Twitter: @JoyceWhiteVance): professor law professor at the University of Alabama and a former federal prosecutor.
· Steve Vladeck (Twitter: @Steve_vladeck): professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin.
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod on Twitter or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod on Twitter or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
2020 Election Litigation Tracker at SCOTUSBlog
Here are the GOP and Trump Campaign's Allegations of Election Irregularities at Washington Post
Trump's Path Electoral Victory Is Disappearing. So Are His Legal Avenues at Washington Post
ProPublica's Guide to 2020 Election Laws and Lawsuits at ProPublica
The Supreme Court's Pennsylvania Cleanup at WSJ
Trump Suits Aim to Block Certification in Key States at WSJ
Few Courts Have Intervened in Elections in Ways Sought by Trump Campaign at WSJ
Trump Campaign Files Lawsuit on Pennsylvania Election Result. Does it Have a Case? at NR
Amicus Podcast by Dahlia Lithwick: Empty Suits: Do Trump's Lawyers Have the Goods? at Slate
Election Law Blog by Professor Rick Hasen
Booth, Wayne C. et al. 2016. The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL.
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod on Twitter or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
Writing Tools and Resources:
Purdue Owl PurdueOWL (Online Writing Lab) :
For Grammar
For Punctuation
For Research and Citation
The University of North Carolina Writing Center
For Plagiarism
For Citation Resources
For Thesis Statements
For Evidence
For Arguments
On Reading Aloud
Grammarly
GrammarCheck
There might be an F-bomb dropped early in this episode. I did warn you in Episode 1 that I curse at times …
If you can get past that, let me know about the little things you do to mitigate the stress and anxiety you feel these days.
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
In the last several days, I've read and listened to a few sources of wonderful information about Justice Ginsburg and her legacy. I encourage you to check them out, and to let me know what sources you've used to learn more about her.
- Totenberg, Nina. "A 5-Decade-Long Friendship That Began with a Phone Call," NPR.
- Lithwick, Dahlia. "RBG's Prophetic Warning on Roe v. Wade Went Ignored."Slate.
- Talking Feds Podcast. "Before She Was Notorious: Clerking For Ruth Bader Ginsburg."
- Gresko, Jessica. "A Rapper, An Elevator, and An Elephant: Stories Ginsburg Told." AP.
Earlier this summer, Dahlia Lithwick produced a two-part series on Justice Ginsburg's life and an interview with the Justice herself, on the Slate podcast, Amicus.
- The Class of RBG, Part 1
- The Class of RBG, Part 2
- An Interview with Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Quotes by Justice Ginsburg
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
The Big Ten has reversed its decision to play football this Fall. Here's the Ohio State statement.
Report on heart injuries from COVID among college athletes.
Pac-12 statement about Fall football season.
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
College Student Voter Turnout
Tufts University, National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement
Government/Party Voting Information
Vote.org: voter id laws for each state, among other information
USA.gov: links to state election offices/Secretaries of State for information on registering
VoteGOP: Republican National Committee registration site
I Will Vote: Democratic National Committee registration site
College GOTV Organizations
Campus Vote Project
Alliance for Youth Action: Our Vote, Our Future
Check your campus for Republican and Democratic groups
Other GOTV OrganizationsWhen We All Vote
Rock the Vote
Human Rights Campaign Voting Center
League of Women Voters
NAACP: Our Vote, Our Voice
Voto Latino
Spread the Vote
VoteAmerica
Vote Save America
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
Diascro's Playlist:
George Winston
Yo-Yo Ma
Butch Baldassari
Gipsy Kings
Hollow Coves
Yarn
Tracy Chapman
Simon and Garfunkel
The Chicks
Taylor Swift
Tom Petty
Edwin McCain
Jack Johnson
Sting
The Police
Counting Crows
Bryan Adams
ELO
Donna the Buffalo
Hootie and the Blowfish
Steve Miller Band
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
Being remote from your college or university, away from your friends and your campus, may be very difficult this Fall and beyond. There are a lot of things we can do to make connections and build community that will go a long way toward fighting loneliness and isolation.
For additional resources and support during these challenging times:
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
NCCSD Crisis Resources: Includes general suicide hotline and specific hotlines for POC, LGTBQ, sexual assault, eating disorders, and others. And COVID, natural disasters, and grief counseling.
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
Managing your time can be very hard! But there are resources, like student services centers on campus where expert staff can help you develop skills and provide tools that increase your organizational skills.
Also, check out these resources for additional information:
Executive Functions for College Students: Don't Leave Home Without Them
Purdue University Global, Management Tips for Busy Students
Ohio University, Time Management
Northeastern University, 7 Time Management Tips for Online Students
Tulane University, Guide to Mastering Time Management for Online Learners
New York University, Tips for More Effective Personal Time Management
A few time management apps that look useful:
iHomework App
Focus Keeper
myHomework Planner
Countdown Timer Plus
Alarmed
Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University
- Covid Response Page
- Crisis Infographic and Guide (PDF)
- Dr. Goldrick-Rab
Basic Needs Among College Students
- Data Reports: APA and Inside Higher Ed
- National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD): Hunger and Homelessness
- Affordable College Online: Homeless Students Guide
- Campus Basic Needs Centers/Food Pantries:
- The Ohio State University
- UC San Diego
- UC Los Angeles
- UC Berkeley
- University of Kentucky
- Northern VA Community College System
Disability Resource Centers
- National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD)
- Preparing for Fall 2020
- Covid-19 Resources
- Food Insecurity and Homelessness Resources (w/ links to Hope Center too)
Crisis Resources and Hotlines
- NCCSD Crisis Resources: Includes general suicide hotline and specific hotlines for POC, LGTBQ, sexual assault, eating disorders, and others. And COVID, natural disasters, and grief counseling.
- Infographic for Crisis Resources
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Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers)! Be in touch with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Produced and music by Matthew Diascro
What am I reading?
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Behaving Badly by Isabel Wolff (also, A Vintage Affair)
Watergate Girl by Jill Wine-Banks (also, Becoming by Michelle Obama)
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram Kendi
What are you reading?? Please share!
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Contact Professor Diascro (she, her, hers) with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
Art by ORCSAID
Music by Matthew Diascro
How can you prepare for and manage the term – or several terms – that you may be distanced from your professors and other support?
Before classes start:
1. Be in touch with your major/minor department advisors to get questions about class offerings, credits, grading, attendance, and anything else you can think of.
2. Look for and bookmark the Registrar's webpage for information about any adjustments to classes, grading options, and potential calendar changes and deadlines.
3. Be in touch with your disability services office and counselor (if relevant). It's best to connect early, in advance of any concerns or hurdles you might face during the term. You also want to make sure your paperwork is ready to go when classes start.
4. Check in with your campus's Basic Needs Center, if there is one. Questions about food, housing, and economic security can be answered, even if you’re remote. These folks are amazing resources and it's likely they know about assistance you can access even if you live in a different community than your campus. Also, BN staff may have information on counseling and mental health – and physical health – resources, even if you’re not on campus.
5. Check in with your campus library to see what resources they have available to you for remote research. Librarians may be your most important allies during remote instruction.
6. Know where to find campus tech support, just in case. It's likely that something will not work as you hope at some point during the term.
7. Check your email! Don't miss communications that may help you get ready for the term.
When classes start:
1. Review your course syllabi as soon as you can and ask questions! Specifically look to see how and when your professor/TA is available for office hours; it the time and method doesn't work for you, explain and request a change.
2. Introduce yourself to your professor and/or TA as a way of connecting in a low risk way. This will help you break the ice and make it more likely for you to communicate with questions when you need to.
3. Ask substantive questions about class material when you don’t understand something. You won't be able to rely on others as much as you might otherwise in a normal classroom space.
4. Ask tech questions if you can’t access material. And if need actual tech assistance, you’ll know how to reach the campus tech folks for help (see above!).
5. Provide documentation that you need for class accommodations, which may be the same or different in online environment. Again, you will have connected with this office before classes started!
6. Seek out classmates that may have similar questions or approaches or challenges with the class. This isn't easy online, but with Zoom, discussion threads, and other opportunities, you may get to meet some of your classmate. Take advantage if you can.
Nerves and insecurity about self-advocating are very common:
1. Try not to avoid advocating for yourself. It's hard but you want to get what you need. Professors and others want to help but often we don't know how unless you tell us.
2. Practice your communications! You can script out what you want to say before calling or sending an email; you can rehearse your questions with a friend or family member. I do this all the time!!
3. No communication is a one-shot deal. If you don't get all your questions answered, or if they're not answered sufficiently, ask again. Sometimes you have to sit with answers to know what you don't understand.
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Contact Professor Diascro (she, her, hers) with questions, concerns, thoughts about college by DM @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
Art by ORCSAID
Music by Matthew Diascro
Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers). DM me with questions, concerns, thoughts about college at @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Music by Matthew Diascro
Hosted by me, Professor Diascro (she, her, hers). Send your questions, concerns, ideas to me on Twitter at @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
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Art by ORCSAID
Music by Matthew Diascro
Contact me by Twitter @10mbc_pod or by email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com.
Please be safe.
Welcome to Ten Minutes Before Class, a podcast for college students!
My goal is to provide a few minutes each week to chat about what you're thinking about, what you're worrying about, how you're spending your time … whatever you might talk about while you're just hanging out waiting for class to start.
First episode drops Wednesday, June 17. Subscribe and join me then!
DM on Twitter @10mbc_pod or email at tenminutesbeforeclass@gmail.com with topics for future episodes. And use #10mbc on social media.
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Art by ORCSAID
Music by Matthew Diascro