Recently, I was pleased to write a recommendation for an outstanding 4th year medical student's application for a residency program. I've been asked to write and review a number of recommendation letters over the years. While the letters I've written and read highlight a wide range of positive attributes, two characteristics have stood out to me lately. Supervisors recognize someone who is confident. For example: “she displays decisiveness.” They also value someone who is humble—“receptive to feedback,” and “shows … [Read more...] about Developing Christ-like Character in Grad School
life in the academy
Teaching Tips: Growing in Respect, Learning to Fly
Beth Madison recently shared some of her tips on teaching in Humility, Caring, and Cheerleading. Here she follows up with a few teaching ideas learned from Ephesians. Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. This passage encourages me to remember two things about my students when I'm teaching: They need to fly–Like a mother eagle pushes her eaglets out of the nest to learn to fly, I try to … [Read more...] about Teaching Tips: Growing in Respect, Learning to Fly
Journaling to Practice Honesty (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
Today we welcome Inez Tan, a writer with MFA training and experience with the Augustine Collective, a student-led movement of Christian journals on college campuses. Inez talks about journaling as part of her spiritual life. Read other entries in the Writing As a Spiritual Discipline series here. … [Read more...] about Journaling to Practice Honesty (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
What Writing Does for Me (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
Tamarie Macon continues our spring series on Writing As a Spiritual Discipline with reflections on the writing process—including some in poetry. Read Tamarie's other ESN reflections here, on Navigating the Rapids and how to Plan Long and Prosper. To see other posts in the Writing As a Spiritual Discipline series, click here. Writing . . . focuses me. Having to write one word—one letter—at a time forces me to focus. On one idea. In the moment. Writing slows my thoughts to one idea at a time. It's like … [Read more...] about What Writing Does for Me (Writing As a Spiritual Discipline Series)
Letter to My Self, Starting Graduate School
Historian Ryan Wilkinson, PhD finished and starting a tenure track job in the fall, writes a letter to himself at the beginning of graduate school. We hope it's a great encouragement, wherever you are on your academic journey. Dear Me, Well, congratulations—you're going to graduate school! So—this is your future self, writing from a decade ahead to let you know that you'll have a lot of fun. On the other hand . . . it won't all be easy. Hmmm? What do I mean? Well, let me give you some examples. … [Read more...] about Letter to My Self, Starting Graduate School