I Broke His Brain (long-tastic)...

[Sapphire Silk]

It really makes you wish there was the funding to have that material properly replicated. Most scholars interested in the content of such documents will be happy with a certified replica.



Edit to add: I know there's nothing emotionally to compare with holding the original. But scholars as a general rule value archiving and protecting, and would awe at the original in its protective covering, then go ahead and read the replica for their research work.

A lot of the material I used for my thesis was adequately protected in acid free mylar. A great deal of it was on microfilm. However there was still a lot of originals I looked at, and probably 50% or more of my resources were the originals.

Whenever I dealt with original documents, I handled them very carefully; holding by the edges as much as possible, wearing gloves, using care when unfolding, etc. I also photocopied documentes I wanted to use, so I only handled originals once and then carefully put them away.

As a grad student in history, I had a job as an assistant in a historical archives started at my university by my two favorite professors. They taught me a lot about conservation. After I graduated, I donated all my research materials to the archives. Even 20 years later, my profs tell me my research is among the most requested materials the archives has

At the time I was doing my research I can't ever recall that I was asked for specific ID to access anything in the Maryland Historical Society's archives, or at the National Archives. But then again, the materials I requested were so obscure, perhaps the archivists figured I wouldn't ask if I weren't a legit scholar.

[draftermatt]

Stuff I agree with

I agree with every thing you posted.

I remember getting into an argument with someone in my English 101 "isn't this too hard" class.

I told them that I had harder assignments in High School, and my Brit Lit teacher Senior Year would have failed this paper I just got a C on so no, it wasn't too hard.

I also threw at them if it's not "real school" then why do universities accept these classes towards their degrees, and why are they paying tuition for it?

I also think that there's a bit of a stigma attached to attending a community college, at least as a younger student...

My High School had a big wall where they put college/military choices of the seniors. Imagine our surprise when those of so going to Community College didn't get our names on the wall.

Imagine our laughing as we started our 2nd and 3rd semesters when MANY of those people who went to Bigger and Better schools were suddenly roaming the halls of the Community College.

[BeeMused]

I always had the problem of staying within the page limit, luckily not too many profs knew about the wonders of computer typography when I was at university. So proper choice of font and some margin fiddling did the trick.

[vikingchyk]

#font shenanigans deleted for brevity#
When I was in college, I would write my short papers (<15 pages) as I was typing them. On a manual typewriter.

Damn, I'm old.

[Sapphire Silk]

<snip>My High School had a big wall where they put college/military choices of the seniors. Imagine our surprise when those of so going to Community College didn't get our names on the wall.

Imagine our laughing as we started our 2nd and 3rd semesters when MANY of those people who went to Bigger and Better schools were suddenly roaming the halls of the Community College.

I don't get people who diss Community Colleges. The vigour is the same, and a lot of people drop out because it is just too difficult/demanding for them.

A lot of RNs get their education at community colleges.

I guess since community colleges take everyone who applies, it just isn't exclusive enough.

[MoonCat]

not all teachers let you do this, although if you get creative you can find something. My english prof had a themed class (death to themed classes) and we had to write our final on an aspect of war.

I ended up writing about post traumatic stress and the morality of a new drug they're developing that blocks the brain from forming long-term memory. Theres always an interesting facet to something youre not interested in.

I'd like to read that!

[Eisa]

My public 4-year university basically takes anyone who applies, too... Seriously, you would have to fail really HARD not to get in.

[ExRetailDrone]

Wow, that kid was freaking over a 7-10 page paper that he had 9 weeks to work on? And he thinks the military will be better! That boggles the mind.

I remember my first stint in college, my freshman year. My final for my English seminar was insane: I had to conduct 5 interviews of staff members regarding the liberal arts, write a 20-25 page paper, and present my findings in class during a 10-minute presentation. I got the interviews done in a timely manner, but I cranked that paper out the night before it was due in class. I remember doing fine on it (although the class as a whole not so much because I was notorious for coming to class unprepared ).

[panda]

My God... 7-10 pages in over 2 MONTHS!?!? On a topic of HIS CHOICE no less!! When I was in secondary school we had to write that much every fortnight from day 1 to when I finally gave up English at 16... then I had to do it in French. Much worse.