Category: Academics & Studying

Giraffes have lots of stomachs, like cows, so it sorta depends on how you’re keeping score. bit.ly/bc-giraffe. IF you fail calc (which you won’t), you’ll cry, then you’ll dry your eyes and talk to your advisor about what to do next.

Acknowledging a problem is the first step to addressing it, so you are on the right track. It is difficult as the semester draws to a close and finals loom … lots of stress and pressure. I don’t know what you’re procrastinating about, but try breaking it down into chunks. Success can lead to more success. Next time do one little thing. And the next time add another. And if you fail or slip, try again. Ask for help. Persevere. I have faith in you! <3

Propensity score matching is a statistical method for overcoming selection bias when comparing groups of participants and nonparticipants in an experiment. The authors of a heavily cited paper (bit.ly/propensity-detailed) say, “Its basic idea is to find in a large group of nonparticipants those individuals who are similar to the participants in all relevant pre-treatment characteristics X.” The score can be calculated in many statistical analysis programs, like SPSS, SAS, Stata, and R. Here’s a quick introduction in video: bit.ly/propensity-intro.

I haven’t studied econometrics, and I’m not sure how one would test for future cointegration. But you could try taking ECON8821 Time Series Econometrics next Fall, or for more immediate answers, speak to Professor Zhijie Xiao who teaches this course in our Economics department (bit.ly/zhijiexiao).

I can give you some context. The GRE is an exam that is created, instituted, and analysed by a private for-profit testing company. There is little evidence that it actually measures your aptitude for success in graduate school. More and more graduate schools are eliminating the need for the GRE as part of your application. Even when it is part of your application, graduate school admissions departments are giving it less and less value as part of your application package. It is a hurdle, treat it as such. Focus on your personal statement, which is a much more important and valuable piece of your admissions package in that you can share your passions, your successes, and your growth (past and potential) with your future department as a true introduction to how awesome you are and why you would be a good fit and an asset to the field. The best thing you can do the night before *any* exam is get a good night’s sleep. Sweet dreams! You’ll do great.