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Course strategies
Other Strategies
For the first time you are engaging in studies and research
that will be judged not relative to your classmates, but relative to a
larger profession. The competitiveness and real risk of failure to "be the
best" paralyzes many of the very best. A recent study of graduate education
at our peer institutions revealed that only 56% of students entering Ph.D.
programs in English, History, and Political Science were awarded the Ph.D.
It is very difficult to know who will suceed. Some of the very brightest,
most promising students perform superbly in courses but never finish the
Ph.D. thesis. They become part of the largest group of ABD's (All But
Dissertation). Of those that finish the Ph.D., the number of graduates who
never produce additional research exceeds the number that go onto
illustrious academic careers. We do not understand what makes the
difference.
There is very much about the successful education of
researchers that remains a mystery to me. The goal of graduate education is
clear: to produce researchers who will make substantial contributions to
their fields. How to achieve that goal is less clear. Today, however, I want
to focus on what we do know about completing doctoral degrees. There are
things that you can do to make sure you obtain your Ph.D., rather than join
the larger group of permanent ABD's.
Make sure that you always have an advisor, more than one if
possible. Your advisors are the faculty personally responsible for telling
you how you are doing and what you need to do to make progress.
Your advisor should be able to meet with you as needed. When
you are taking courses, they should guide your course selection each
semester. As you progress through the program, they should assist in shaping
your research agenda. After you have finished courses, your advisor should
assist you to find a special subject area, define and redefine a specific
research question, and respond to drafts of your dissertation proposal and
dissertation chapters. As you near the completion of your dissertation, your
advisor should guide your job search, including advising you in preparing
the credentials needed for your application, writing personal letters of
reference, and making personal inquiries with their own professional
contacts.
You should take an active role in determining who your
advisor will be. You obviously need to select faculty who are engaged in
research close to your own interests. The faculty you choose should be
responsive to you. On a subject level, they should be people that you can
respect and with whom you can establish professional dialogue. In addition,
check the graduate student grapevine to find out about their record with
other students. How have their students fared? Have they completed? How long
did it take? Does the professor set responsible standards: sufficiently high
that her/his recommendations will carry weight later on, but not so high
that no one ever completes in a timely manner? What does the professor
expect from advisees? Does he/she set deadlines for outlines and chapters?
What is the placement record for her/his students?
The persons who serve as your specific advisors may change
as your interests change or become clearer.
You also must take responsibility for making the advising
relationship work. Make appointments with your advisor to keep your advisor
up-to-date on your progress, and remember that your advisor deals with many
students. He or she will not remember your last conversation. Start with a
summary of where you were at the last meeting.
Discuss your plans for your entire graduate career,
especially time schedule, financial support, and work commitments.
Follow your advisor's suggestions. If you disagree with the
advice, you must either get your advisor to change his or her position or
you must get another advisor. You cannot expect a faculty member to continue
to devote time to your work and career if you ignore their input.
Consciously use your courses to prepare yourself for writing
a dissertation. Don't take incompletes; complete each course as you register
for it.
Read the papers and books assigned in your courses with an
eye to thinking of ways to study the same question differently. Take note of
how ideas are expressed and the form in which papers are written. Keep notes
on these considerations. But, do not fall into the graduate student habit of
only looking at a study to list all its problems. This strategy is
ultimately paralyzing. Every study/approach has its advantages and
disadvantages. You will not be able to come up with a research plan that
does not have problems. Rather, focus on what else can be done.
Consider possible dissertation topic interests and devote
course term papers to those topics.
You should attend the seminars/workshops/colloquia in your
field of interest. Seminars represent less of an investment of your time
than courses and allow you to meet faculty whose interests may be similar to
yours. Furthermore, by attending the seminars, you will learn seminar skills
that are important in your own future work roles.
Discuss your work with other students; form
academically-oriented support groups. Comraderie with your classmates
provides the best cure to the isolation that is often experienced by
graduate students in the humanities and social sciences.
Read the materials provided by your graduate group and
fulfill rules and requirements. If properly designed, they impose a clear
set of steps to completion of the doctoral degree and give you feedback
along the way.
Assist a faculty member in his or her research; ask about
joint authorship. This will improve your letters of recommendation from the
faculty member and publications will improve your resume.
Do not take outside jobs unless you are starving; it is far
too easy to devote time to projects with immediate results and put longer
term, harder intellectual challenges, like finishing a dissertation, on the
back burner. But do engage in family , social, and recreational activities
that keep graduate school in perspective.
For the first time in your life , it is no longer enough to
be the smartest kid in your class. As you write a dissertation, you take on
generations of knowledge. It can be a heavy burden for those whose entire
identity depends on being the best. We hope that you will be the best, but
most of us do not achieve that level of eminence. For most of us, there is
somebody who can do our jobs better than we do, but luckily enough they are
otherwise engaged! You will find your niche. Remembering this will help you
keep your sanity, and keeping your sanity assures you of finding your niche!
A. Adjustment
Adjustment to any new situation or culture is not accomplished in just a few
days but is rather an ongoing process over time. Following are four stages of
cultural adjustment for your consideration:
1.
The Honeymoon Stage
This stage is characterized by happiness, anticipation, and excitement.
Everything is new. The “dream” to study in the United States is coming true.
This is an exciting time and in all the enthusiasm you frequently nod or smile
to indicate understanding when in fact you have not understood. As your
misunderstandings mount up, you are likely to experience the second stage of
cultural adjustment.
2. The Hostility Stage
During this time you have periods of great frustration, anger, anxiety, and
sometimes depression. Following the initial excitement has come frustration with
the college bureaucracy and the weariness of speaking in and listening to
English every day. Sleep patterns may be disrupted. You may suffer from
indigestion and be unable to eat. Often your reaction is to reject the new
environment in which you feel discomfort. You may think, “If I feel bad it's
because of them.” At this point, you may display "hostility" toward the new
culture. There may be anger over minor frustrations, fear and mistrust of
Americans, frequent absenteeism, lack of interest, and lack of motivation. Many
academic problems begin during this stage. The hostility stage can be a
difficult and painful stage. Realizing this can be very beneficial in moving on
to the third stage of cultural adjustment.
3. The Humor Stage
This stage follows when you begin to relax in a new situation and to laugh at
minor mistakes and misunderstandings, which previously would have caused major
headaches. This more relaxed state of being occurs after you have made some
friends,
learned to manage the size and complexity of the University, understand your
studies, and you begin to pass your tests.
4. The Home Stage
You find yourself here as you are able to retain an allegiance to your home
culture, but also “feel at home” in your newly acquired culture. You have
successfully adjusted to the norms and standards of the University and the U.S.,
and should be commended for the ability to live successfully in two cultures.
B. Invitations or Hospitality
Be on time. Call if you cannot make an appointment or invitation.
C. Customs, Values, Beliefs
It is good to conform to the customs of the country but don't lose your own
personal values and beliefs.
D. Daylight Savings Time
An adjustment in clocks to allow for more daylight hours during the spring and
summer months.
1. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in April. All
clocks are moved forward one hour. 2:00 a.m. becomes 3:00 a.m.
2. Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. All
clocks are moved backward one hour. 2:00 a.m. becomes 1:00 a.m.
E. Alcoholic Beverages
You must be 21 years old to purchase OR consume alcoholic beverages (beer, wine
or liquor). You cannot purchase alcoholic beverages for another person who is
under 21. These laws are very strict and must be followed closely.
Keeping Yourself Safe
This information is for
your safety and security. Please read this information carefully.
Whether you live on/off campus
-Lock your doors and windows 1)every time you leave, and 2) even while you are
at home.
-Sliding glass doors? Keep them locked and place something in the track to keep
them secure.
-Do not open the door to strangers.
-Ask for I.D. if you do not know the person at your door, even if he/she is in
uniform.
-Buy renter’s insurance to protect your possessions from fire and theft.
-Do not give personal information (phone number, address, etc.) to strangers.
-Do not let others use your money, credit cards, car, or expensive equipment.
Walking on campus/Outdoor
Safety
-Do not walk alone, especially at night (this includes men and women).
-On and off campus, go places with friends.
-Look around you and be aware while you are out.
-Keep your money in your wallet or purse, and do not “flash it” in public.
-There are 150 emergency telephones on campus. They are yellow boxes with a blue
light on top. Each telephone rings directly to the emergency center. You should
not hesitate to use these telephones if you have an emergency. The Campus Police
are available to escort you on campus. You can reach them from any Blue Light
Emergency phone.
Car Safety
-NEVER drink alcohol and drive.
-If your friend is drunk, take his/her keys away. If you can’t get the keys, do
not ride with that person. Call a taxi or another friend.
-Lock all of your doors at all times.
-Lock all your doors every time you leave your car and NEVER leave the keys in
the ignition.
-Hide bags, purses, CDs, cell phones and packages under the seat or in the
trunk.
-Look in your backseat and around your car before you get in.
-Keep your gas tank at least half full of gas.
-Be aware of anyone standing near your car.
-If you think you are being followed DO NOT go home. Drive to a well-lit, public
place, and call the police.
-If a car behind you flashes its lights, or you hear a siren, a police officer
may be signaling you to “pull over”.
If the car is clearly and obviously a police car:
1.
Pull over to the side of the road.
2.
Turn off your car engine and wait for the officer with both hands on the
steering wheel.
3.
Most
importantly, do not get out of your car and don’t reach for anything while you
are waiting for the officer to approach.
It is frightening to be
stopped by a police officer-so, if you are extremely nervous (especially if the
officer is in “plainclothes” or in an “unmarked” car), turn on your four way
flashers, and you are allowed to drive to a public place before stopping.
Personal Safety for Women
and Men
-Do not allow any stranger to get too close.
-Don’t give information about your credit cards to a stranger.
-Your body belongs to you! If you do not want someone to touch or kiss you, tell
him/her “NO!” and get away from them.
AND
-If someone touches you and you do not want him/her to, this is considered
sexual harassment.
-It is hard, especially for women, to fight back, since women are raised to “be
nice”, but if someone tries to take you away somewhere, fighting back may save
your life!!
In the UNITED STATES,
the EMERGENCY number is 911. You can call from any phone and do not need money
to call. The UNC Charlotte campus has an assigned POLICE department that has
jurisdiction on and off campus. If you are On-campus, it is advised that you
call campus POLICE because they will respond faster.
Keeping Yourself Healthy
Student Health Services
UNC Charlotte
Student Health Services, located in Brocker Health Center, provides primary
medical care, disease prevention, health education, wellness promotion, and
various specialty services to all registered* UNC Charlotte students.
Student Health
Services is staffed by a team of physicians, physician assistants, nurse
practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, radiology
technologists, medical lab technicians, health educators, and certified
substance abuse counselors. Their staff is committed to being recognized as
student health care specialists by providing individualized health and wellness
services to the students at UNC Charlotte.
Health care in the United States is extremely expensive,
therefore it is critical that you are covered under a good health insurance
plan. You can purchase health insurance from your home country, from a company
in the U.S. or from UNC Charlotte. Visit
http://www.studentinsurance.com/uncc/uncc.html for
more information on UNC Charlotte health insurance.
*Registered is
defined as enrollment in the current semester, or, if seeking services
in-between semesters, enrollment in the next scheduled semester and having been
enrolled in the preceding semester. Students not enrolled in the current
semester but who meet the eligibility requirements stated above must pay the
student health fee for the current semester.
Hours
Fall and
Spring
Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Summer and Intersession
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Brocker Health Center is located on the corner of Cameron Boulevard and
University Road. Parking is available for patients.
For more information, please visit
http://www.uncc.edu/health_svcs/
For your
convenience, appointments are highly recommended. Specialty clinics and some
services require an appointment. Contact the appointment desk at
704-687-4617
for details.
Counseling Services
http://www.uncc.edu/counseling_center
The Counseling
Center at UNC Charlotte offers a range of services designed to help students
realize their full potential within the academic environment. To achieve this
goal, professional psychologists and counselors provide personal counseling,
career counseling, group therapy, support groups, and consultation to the
University Community.
The information you
share with your counselor is confidential. University officials, teachers,
parents, law enforcement officials, potential employers, and others have no
access to any of your records without your written permission. To obtain
information on various psychological topics, visit
http://www.uncc.edu/counseling_center/selfhelp.htm
Hours
Office hours are
8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. Monday through Friday.
Location
The Counseling Center is located in 158 Atkins Building and is
accessible through an entrance on the east side of the building (facing the
Belk
Tower). For more information, visit
http://www.uncc.edu/counseling_center/
To make an
appointment call 704-687-2105 during business hours or stop by
the center.
Students on F1 or
J1 visas who will be employed are eligible for social security number and
must apply in person at the local Social Security Office at least 10 days
after their SEVIS registration, performed by the ISSO. Proof of visa status
is required and will include passport, I-94 card, I-20 or DS-2019, on-campus
employment offer letter (F-1s only), and a letter of eligibility from the
ISSO.
Application Procedure for
On-Campus Jobs
1) Student
interviews with hiring departments after presenting the ‘blue card’ issued
by the International Student/Scholar Office. This is evidence that the I-9
has been completed and that you are an F-1 student.
2) If the hiring
department decides to hire you, an employment offer letter will be produced
by the Student Employment Office and sent to the ISSO (F-1s only).
After 3 days, go
to the ISSO and pick up the employment offer letter, together with the
letter of authorization from the ISSO (2 letters).
Note: J-1s
need only the authorization letter from ISSO.
4) Go to the
Social Security Administration office to apply for the Social Security
Number. See the ISSO for driving directions.
5) You should
request a receipt from the Social Security Office. Take that receipt to the
Student Employment Office on the 2nd floor of the King Building.
The Student Employment Office will establish a temporary ID number to allow
you to begin working.
6) When you
receive your Social Security card (in about 2 weeks), return to the Student
Employment Office and they will make a photocopy of the original card and
update your employment record.
Applications and
directions to the Social Security
Office are available by clicking on the links or in the ISSO.
The UNC Charlotte identification numbers (999-00-0000) are issued to students
who do not have a Social Security number. They are used on campus for record and
identification purposes but cannot be used when a social security number is
required for work or getting a drivers license.
Driving in the US / Transportation
Driver’s License
If you
expect to drive a car while in Charlotte, it is required that you obtain a
North Carolina Driver’s License. To obtain a drivers license in North
Carolina, you must present the following personal identification documents
having the exact same spelling of your name.
Acceptable
documents are:
Passport
Valid I-20 or
DS-2019
Official
University transcript.
Proof of residency
Liability
insurance on your car
Social Security
Number
You will need to
pass a written test and a driving test.
North
Carolina Identification Card is issued by the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) to individuals who:
Do not have a
driver’s license
Want an ID for
cashing checks and other off-campus identification
You must present
the following documents having the exact same spelling of your name:
passport, valid I-20 or DS-2019, official University transcript, social
security number.
Driver’s License examining locations are located at:
8446 Hwy 29 (North
Tryon) 704-399-8306
6016 Brookshire
Blvd
704-535-2525
201-A W. Arrowood
Rd 704-455-9517
TRANSPORTATION
A. Automobiles
1. Car insurance is required by North Carolina law.
2. Registration of car and transfer of car title - All
vehicles must be registered and display an up-to-date license plate. Written
proof of ownership is required to obtain the license plate. To register your
car, the following must be presented to the Car Registration Office: title to
car, registration card, and proof of insurance. Students transferring from
another state must register their car within 30 days of arrival.
Car Registration Offices are located at:
6016 Brookshire Blvd. 704-399-8306
6058 Independence Blvd. 704-535-2525
4612 Hwy 49, Harrisburg 704-455-9517
B. UNC Charlotte Bus Service
There is regular service 7 days a week to and
from Charlotte. Bus service to other locations in Charlotte can be accessed
with the use of your bus pass. Bus schedules are available in the International
Student Office. For more information, go to:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Home.htm
Choosing an Immigration Attorney
Please
talk with an advisor in the ISSO first before seeking an immigration attorney.
It may or may not be necessary in your individual situation.
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How to Hire an Immigration Attorney
by Stephen Yale-Loehr
Deciding whether to hire an immigration attorney is an important decision.
The first issue is whether you need an immigration attorney. Some immigration
matters can be relatively straightforward. Many times, however, it is useful to
hire an immigration attorney, for three reasons. First, immigration law is one
of the most complicated areas of U.S. law, perhaps second only to tax law in its
complexity. Second, U.S. immigration law is changing all the time, and it is
hard to keep up, even for many immigration lawyers. Third, immigration lawyers
can help make sure that your application goes through the immigration
bureaucracy smoothly and quickly.
If you decide you want to hire an immigration attorney, there are many ways
to find a good one. The best way to do so is to be a smart consumer. Just as you
would ask around and do research before seeing a doctor or buying a car, so too
you should do research before hiring an immigration lawyer. Ask your friends and
colleagues if they know any good immigration lawyers. If you work for an
employer, he or she may know of a good immigration lawyer. Many immigration
lawyers are members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). You
can find out whether there are any AILA immigration attorneys in your area by
checking the AILA web site at
www.aila.org.
Before hiring an immigration attorney, ask the following questions:
1. Will I be charged by the hour on or a flat rate? If by the hour, what is
the lawyer's estimate of his or her legal fees to do my case? If the matter is
by the flat rate, what exactly does that include or exclude? For example, if the
original petition is denied and the lawyer needs to file an appeal, will that be
included in the flat rate?
2. How much experience does the immigration attorney have with this
particular kind of immigration case? Like other attorneys, immigration attorneys
specialize. Some specialize in asylum, removal cases, or business immigration
matters. You do not want an immigration attorney who specializes in asylum cases
to be handling his or her first business visa application on your behalf.
3. Ask the attorney for references from satisfied clients. Then call those
clients to find out what they thought of the attorney.
Another important question is determining who pays the immigration attorney's
legal fees. That can depend. In business visa cases, sometimes the employer will
pay. Sometimes the foreign national will pay. Sometimes both will split the fee.
Remember that even if the employer pays, you are also the attorney's client.
In sum, deciding whether to hire an immigration attorney, and then finding
the right one for your case, is a big decision. However, by asking the proper
questions and doing some research, you can find a good attorney to help steer
your way through the maze of U.S. immigration law.
Biographical information: Stephen Yale-Loehr
teaches immigration and refugee law at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York.
He also practices immigration law at True, Walsh & Miller in Ithaca ( www.twmlaw.com).
He also is the co-author of Immigration Law and Procedure, a 20-volume
treatise on U.S. immigration law. For more information, contact Mr. Yale-Loehr
at syl@twmlaw.com.
Please note: This article is provided for general informational purposes
only, and does not constitute legal advice for specific cases, which should only
be obtained from an attorney. Copyright 1999 True, Walsh & Miller, LLP.
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