Martha Neth
Okay, it is week five and you are realizing that Fall B is just around the corner.
How can you make it through the next few weeks? We have some ideas.
If you need help with motivation, check out this tipsheet.
If you need help with time management, how about this one.
Are you stressed? How about these ideas.
You can make an SLC appointment via our scheduler or RMCAD Connect.
Let us ease your stress and help you get to the next term!
Depending on where you live, autumn may be on its way to you. Here in Denver, Colorado, the weather is still warm, but we look forward to the leaves turning and a quiet chill creeping into the air.
If you want to practice your creative writing skills, here are some autumn-inspired prompts to get you started.
Browse the Poetry Foundation’s collection of fall poems and find one that appeals to you. You might, for example, choose “The Song of the Witches” from Shakespeare’s MacBeth or "For the Chipmunk in my Yard” by Robert Gibb. After you’ve settled on a poem, write your own piece in the style of your example.
In The Great Gatsby, the confidant socialite Jordan Baker says, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall” (p. 106). What might prompt a different kind of person to say this line? Write a vignette in which Jordan’s words come from the mouth of your own character.
Examine Van Gogh’s Autumn Landscape and freewrite for several minutes about what you observe.
Next, walk outside and write at least two observations for each sense. What do you see, smell, feel, hear, taste?
Do you notice any themes that repeat throughout your observations? Can you begin shaping them into a personal essay, paralleling Van Gogh’s painting with your own experiences?
Aura
Who are you?
My name is Aura, I am our Library Manager + Game Art tutor here at RMCAD!
I attended RMCAD, and graduated with my BFA in 2023.
What do you do?
I assist students with Library materials and their toughest 3D assignments!
I assist in: PBR hand-painted textures, asset modeling, digital sculpting, hard surface + organic modeling, environment setup (lighting and rendering) in Unreal Engine, Maya, Zbrush, Adobe Substance Painter
Favorite things?
My favorite things are, of course, my 3D art practice, cooking, spending quality time with my friends, family, and, more importantly, my cat. I also LOVE computer building and playing video games.
Why do you love tutoring?
I love being able to assist students who are struggling with their assignments and seeing their “a-ha” moments!
Being a critical part of the college journey is important to me, and I aim to provide the necessary steps and tools that allow students to achieve their personal and academic goals!
Ask me about:
Computer building! (and my cat).
Emma
Who are you?
I’m the SLC’s full-time writing specialist.
What do you do?
As a writing tutor, I help with drafting, revising, and pretty much everything else writing-related! I also teach Composition courses in the Liberal Arts department.
Favorite things?
Science fiction, crisp spring weather, Van Gogh paintings, Latin, and the way sunlight turns gold in the evening.
Why do you love tutoring?
I like being able to give students personalized support one-on-one.
Ask me about:
Ask me for book recommendations. I’m a genre omnivore, so I’ve read—and can recommend—a little bit of everything.
Ryan
Who are you?
I’m Ryan Mitchell, I do all things music production, including but not limited to: Composing, Song Writing, Troubleshooting Audio and Digital Audio Workstations, and any/other Music Production class and software help.
What do you do?
As a tutor for the SLC and more so for the Music Production program, I help with any of the needs for students that are in the Music Production program or any students outside of the Music Production program that are wanting to know more about audio and anything listed above.
Favorite things?
I genuinely love music and anything audio-related.
Why do you love tutoring?
As an SLC tutor, I love tutoring because it gives me a chance to work on and develop my skills for teaching, which is my main goal after completing school.
Ask me about:
Anything, I enjoy conversation!
Hayden
Who are you?
My name is Hayden! I am a Junior at RMCAD, as well as an illustration peer tutor.
What do you do?
I help students with illustration-related assignments or general needs! I can also help students experiment with their art and build new skills!
Favorite things?
I love the D&D podcast "Just Roll With It" and have completed both the Riptide and Wonderlust campaigns. I also love reading, writing, drawing (of course), and playing RPGs in my free time!
Why do you love tutoring?
I deeply value feedback as part of the creative process, and I enjoy being helpful and offering guidance to others!
Ask me about:
Just about anything! My cat, my hobbies, what classes I’ve completed at RMCAD/what I’ve found most helpful… I love to chat, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation!
Bruna
Who are you?
My name is Bruna! I’m a Senior studying internationally from Brazil, and a 3D Animation peer tutor at RMCAD!
What do you do?
I’m at students’ disposal to help mostly with 3D assignments, including: 3D Animation, 3D Rigging and Character Modeling in Maya. I’m also your designated bilingual peer tutor - I speak Portuguese, a little Spanish, and English of course. If you need a little extra help with your English or comprehension, let me know!
Favorite things?
Singing, playing the guitar, concerts, creating stories and characters, making art, the ocean, family time, and following Christ.
Why do you love tutoring?
I’m still brand new but I love giving back to a school that’s given me so much and being an active part of the community.
Ask me about:
You can always ask me about RMCAD, resources, language troubles, all things 3D and cool bands!
Logan
Who are you?
Hi, I’m Logan, a Sophomore at RMCAD and a 2d animation tutor!
What do you do?
I assist students in navigating Toon Boom, I offer advice on animations when requested, and I produce videos on different aspects of 2d animation.
Favorite things?
In my free time, I like watching movies and youtube videos as well as playing Souls-likes and rogue-like video games.
Why do you love tutoring?
I like working with other students in an effort to increase all of our animation skills.
Ask me about:
Anything, but especially movie recommendations!
Jenni
Who are you?
I’m a mom, freelance designer, and fiber artist who loves all things design.
What do you do?
I am the graphic design tutor and a learning commons coordinator. I help students one-on-one with assignments, facilitate workshops, and develop resources for students.
Favorite things?
Coffee, people watching, quaking aspens, heavy metal, and a sweater I can swim in.
Why do you love tutoring?
Helping students build their knowledge and confidence so they can become strong, independent learners.
Ask me about:
Time-saving tips for your everyday workflow. I love systems and finding the most efficient way to execute tasks.
Martha
Who are you?
I am Martha, director of the learning commons and destroyer of souls.
What do you do?
I can help with writing and research.
Favorite things?
My kids; answering questions; loud music; strong coffee.
Why do you love tutoring?
I love encouraging learning. The more you know, the more you know.
Ask me about:
Anything. Ask me anything.
Katharine
Who are you?
I am a maker of things, master of nothing, tinkerer of everything.
What do you do?
For the SLC? I am one of the full-time professional tutors and specialize in assisting Interior Design students.
Favorite things?
The mountains, traveling, music…storytelling of any kind.
Why do you love tutoring?
I love to learn, and I love watching others learn.
Ask me about:
Anything, I am an open book.
Summer B has started! We hope everyone is feeling comfortable as the new term begins.
Let’s go over a few things:
The Learning Commons consists of the Student Learning Center (SLC) and Library. We are here to provide academic support. This means we can help with coursework, understanding assignments, providing feedback on your work, navigating software, and more.
We want to help you to learn more effectively! Here are some tools to assist you:
If you need further assistance or have questions, please email us at learning@rmcad.edu.
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, June 21st marks the 2025 summer solstice—the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer. What better way to expand your creative writing skills than by drawing inspiration from the changing seasons? Whether you want to try your hand at creative nonfiction, fiction, or poetry, here are some prompts to get you started:
1. Creative nonfiction: Ambushed by smell
Alongside warm weather and sunny skies, summer brings its own unique scents. When I think of summer, I imagine the chlorine of pool water and the sulfur of fireworks. What comes to your mind?
Scent is tied closely to memory in our brains, so smells can be powerful prompts for reflective essays. The authors of Tell it Slant: Writing and Shaping Creative Nonfiction ask,
Have you ever been ‘ambushed’ by a smell you didn’t expect? For example, have you opened a box of clothing from a deceased relative and had the smell of that person’s house flood over you? Or, have you walked into a friend’s house and smelled a meal exactly like one you remember from childhood? (Miller & Paola, p. 13)
Take a moment to reflect on the scents of your summer and the memories they evoke. Have you ever been ambushed by smell?
2. Fiction: Six-word story
The most famous six-word story was penned by Ernest Hemingway. You may have heard it before:
For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.
Written in the form of a newspaper ad, this tiny story evokes an entire narrative. Today, six-word stories are a popular form of microfiction. Wired Magazine even hosts a monthly six-word science fiction contest.
Try your hand at a six-word story inspired by the summer solstice.
3. Poetry: Idyll
Idylls are brief poems centered on the natural world. They evoke nostalgia by emphasizing small, everyday moments. Writing one is the perfect way to reflect on the changing seasons and the past year.
Idylls have a long history, going all the way back to the ancient Greek poet Theocritus (born c. 300 BCE). While many Greek poets wrote about warfare, Theocritus focused on simple pleasures and the beauty of the natural world. Following Theocritus’s example, poets throughout the centuries have written idylls.
Check out a few famous idylls to get your creative juices flowing:
“The Solitary Reaper” by William Wordsworth
Now try writing your own!
Imagine: You’ve just completed the first draft of your essay. You’ve hit the required page count, penned the last sentence, and saved your document. Congratulations! You’re done!
… or are you?
Writing the first draft of your essay is only the first step. You still need to revise. Your argument may have changed between when you started and when you ended the essay, or maybe you can find a clearer way to express your thoughts. Very few essays emerge fully formed from your mind without needing adjustments. As the English professor Donald Murray put it, “Writing is revising.”
So, how do you revise? What is revising?
Revision isn’t just checking for typos and making sure your formatting is correct. It’s examining your paper as a whole, ensuring that the parts work together to say what you want them to say. Try the following strategies:
When in doubt, don’t be afraid to make a tutoring appointment with the SLC. We can help! You can also check out this SLC tipsheet for more revision strategies.
Happy revising!
Photo by Becky Fantham on Unsplash
If you want to nurture your creative writing skills, simply getting started can be tough. The fear of the blank page comes for many of us! Even professional writers fight to wrangle their inner critic. Laini Taylor, the author of the bestselling young adult novels Smoke & Bone and Strange the Dreamer, has written openly on her blog about her struggles with writer’s block, procrastination, and self-doubt.
To overcome her fear of the blank page, Laini Taylor invented a freewriting exercise called an “attic notebook.” If you want to get more comfortable writing creatively, give an attic notebook a try!
In Tayor’s words, an attic notebook is:
an ongoing writing exercise in which you commit to filling up a notebook in short, regular sessions without looking back to read what you wrote until after it’s full + one month. That is, you only move forward, never peeking backward, and once you reach the last page, you close it, put the date on the cover and set it aside, only to be opened after a month has gone by.
My experience has been that when I finally get to read it, I remember almost none of it and it feels like finding a weird notebook in an attic, full of glittering fragments of stories, poems, ideas, imagery. Hence the name: “attic notebook.”
Essentially, an attic notebook is a judgement-free zone: a place to experiment and make mistakes without worrying about structure or quality. Only once you finish the notebook do you allow yourself to plumb its depths for inspiration.
No single writing exercise will work for everyone, but sometimes giving yourself space to write without judgement can help you become more comfortable putting words on a page. To borrow from Tayor again:
Since you’re not allowed to read what you wrote, you can’t judge it, so you can’t get discouraged. You turn the page and move on. The further you get into the notebook, the more those early pages turn to mysteries, and the quieter the inner critic becomes. Eventually, in fact, your inner critic will just abandon the space altogether because it has nothing to do! It will wither and retreat. [...] Overall, process will be allowed to outweigh outcome, enabling a nimbler, looser creative mindset.
Set aside ten or fifteen minutes each day to write in your attic notebook, and you may be surprised by how quickly the pages fill up—and how freely the words flow.
Image Credit: Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Official poster for the collaboration of the
mural project
Abel Miller- Art Education
Welcome to the final installment of “The Triboro 102 Mural” only featured in the Learning Commons Blog. Last year I started writing about the journey of this mural going up in, you guessed it, Triboro Room 102, in Fall 2024. That date has passed and the mural is in fact up and I am finally finishing this series in the Learning Commons Blog!
Our last phase of the project was “Creation,” which took place between Summer and Fall of 2024. While the members of 360 Thinkers originally planned to paint the mural, to the point of online students planning to come to Denver to help paint, it was decided by admin that it be a vinyl wrap. The students then had to create it digitally and with help from staff and MonsterInk changed the dimensions to fit the wall correctly. With much back and forth and pride, Zu and Abel completed the mural in August of 2024 and was put up in Room 102 of the Triboro building on October 2nd 2024.
If you haven't ever explored our Library Guides, you might not know all that we offer.
For example, check out our College 101 guide.
We also have a guide about critical thinking and another one about media literacy.
And Dr. Black's Warrior Queens class has been building a guide about weapons and armor.
We have a guide for Art History: Theories and Methods that covers starting points for the theories you learn.
We have a guide for professional practice that includes business information.
If you could make a guide, what would you make?
As you are finishing up this term, and getting your bibliographies and citations in order, you might wonder why we cite, and also why we cite in different styles.
The reason why we might use one style over another is often determined by the field in which we are working. Purdue OWL breaks it down this way:
MLA (Modern language Association) emphasizes Authorship, so authors are very important.
APA (American Psychological Association) emphasizes date. Since publication date is important in the social sciences, APA Style is more likely to be used.
CMOS (Chicago Manual of Style) emphasizes source origin. History and art history are concerned greatly with source, so footnotes and detailed references lists are preferred.
There are a lot of other reasons why we might use one over another. APA tries to reduce bias, for example, so first initials, instead of names are included in references. CMOS has a much more robust way of including images, which makes is preferable in art history. We don't use MLA much at RMCAD, because we teach fewer literature classes where it would be used.
One of the big differences between APA and CMOS is the way citations are built within the paper itself. They both use final bibliographies or references lists, but within the paper, APA uses in-text citations while CMOS uses footnotes. from the description above, you can probably figure out why. APA is concernced about dates so a citation to Purdue OWL (2018) is sufficient as it points to the item in the reference list. CMOS wants a more complete source, which the footnote will provide.
I hope this helps clear things up.
As always, make an appointment with the SLC if you need help finalizing those citations!
