Below are notes and audio from each participant. You’ll find tips and an idea of what you might expect from: Laura Wenk (CS), Anne Downes (CASA), Bonnie Vigeland (Library), Michele Hardesty (HACU), Jane Couperus (CS), Kim Chang (CSI), Chris Cianfrani (NS), and John Slepian (IA)
Laura Wenk: Intro
(She/Her/Hers)
Div3athamp.hampshire.edu
One stop shop for all Div III resources and info.
How much time should I be working on my Div?
- 3 classes of work = 35 hrs a week aka a full time job
What does that look like?
- Not just on the Computer
- Time meeting with your committee.
- Talking to Peers.
- Researching.
- Piloting
- Creating
- Finding a placement for you work if applicable.
- Talking about your work.
- Giving and getting feedback.
- Etc.
More on Div III
This is about the process as much as the product. Learning about and from the process (it is a year of learning) – don’t think you need to use everything you read or write or do in the Div III product.
Take a breath.
Ann Downs: CASA all things DIV III
(She/Her/Hers)
None of you have done a Div III before and we are aware that it requires a specific skillset that you have been working on but it has yet to be put all together. When you aren’t sure or don’t know what to do always ask for help.
Ask for help at any point of your div be it starting, where to go, how to approach it, all the way to the logistics.
You need to be doing 2 advanced activities.
-3 documents (link or post)
– Best Practices for Div III
-Workshop
-Div III Calendar
CASA does not have to be a scary place. There are a lot of people here to help you through the Div III journey and don’t hesitate to ask for their help!
Bonnie Vigeland: Research Librarian in Humanities and Film (She/Her/Hers)
There are 4 research librarians here to help you!
All they need to know is what you are interested in or need help with and they can assist you. Part of their jobs is to continually be learning through reading, watching, listening etc. They can point you in helpful directions as well as strategize research methods.
How to best contact the Research Librarians?
Email to make an appointment. Mention what you are interested in and what help you are looking for.
Other Library Based Resources:
Writing Fellows from the Writing Center are in the library Sunday 1-9 p.m., Monday – Thursday, 6-10 p.m.
New Knowledge Commons Fellows
Michele Hardesty: Associate Professor of U.S. Literatures/ Cultural Studies
(She/Her/Hers)
Find Community with fellow Div IIIs
Create a routine
Envision the year ahead with your committee and setting deadlines
Look at your year in chunks
If things don’t feel totally right in the start, that’s okay! It takes time.
Tripp: Recent Div III
(He/Him/His)
Self Care
Do a little bit of work everyday
You will have on and off days and that’s okay
Jane Couperus: Associate Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
(She/Her/Hers)
Faculty can learn as much from you as you from them. Sometimes you’ll be the expert!
Bring in accountability from outside sources if you are struggling with deadlines.
Build in slack time for moments that derail you from your Div. Having a packed calendar with no wiggle room might lead to things not being done if something comes up or takes longer.
Make other goals that help you learn about the process of your Div vs. only the product.
Your Div is a single project. If you hate it at the end that’s okay. You’ll have other bigger and better projects in your life.
COMMUNICATE. COMMUNICATE. COMMUNICATE. If you don’t tell your advisors what you are doing then they don’t know what is going on especially when you need help.
Eat, Sleep, Play.
Did you eat your normal amount?
Did you get enough sleep?
Make time to play. Have fun. Relax.
Abby Hanus: Recent Div III/ Alumni Fellow
(They/Them/Theirs)
First steps in self care is recognizing yourself and that you deserve care of yourself and from others. Asking for care along with accepting it takes acts of bravery within yourself. Learning care was a huge part of the divisional process for Abby. Communicate with your committee. Tell them when you are struggling because their role is to support you.
Kim Chang: Associate Professor of Cultural Psychology
(She/Her/Hers)
Seek community
Read widely
Talk widely
Scoping a project: making your div a manageable size
Cycles in your Div III
Div III seminars are really helpful
John Slepian: Five College Associate Professor of Art and Technology
(He/Him/His)
Div III is weird. If you are weirded out its normal.
Chances are your div III will be great. But it won’t be the most amazing thing ever. Chances are your Div will just be a good part of college and you will have more projects to follow.
Do something you like doing. You are getting up everyday and doing something, make sure you like it or you won’t be successful in it.
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