#History Optional Syllabus

[thestudyias]

History optional syllabus

TheStudyIAS provides History Optional syllabus covers a vast range of topics across Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, along with World History. It's divided into two papers:

Paper I: Covers Ancient & Medieval Indian History

Paper II: Covers Modern Indian History & World History

TheStudyIAS's course likely equips you with the necessary tools and guidance to tackle these areas. This might include recommended resources, topic breakdowns, and strategies for approaching the exam. If you want more information on history optional syllabus do visit our official website http://www.thestudyias.net

[oureducationblog-blog]

Is History a good optional for UPSC CSE ?

Few UPSC conversations end without touching on the “which optional?” question. 48 subjects jostle for attention, but History has remained a sentimental favourite since the Examination’s inception. The chronicles of ancient dynasties, the sweep of modern revolutions, and the drama of world wars can look enticing—or intimidating—depending on whom you ask. This in-depth guide examines whether History is genuinely a good optional for UPSC Civil Services Examination, weighing:

Popularity & success-rate data from 2017–2024

Overlap with General Studies and Essay papers

Pros and pain-points compared with other humanities optionals

Toppers’ insights and paper-wise preparation strategy

Recommended books, note-making hacks, and test-series schedule

Is history a good optional for upsc exam

Best history optional coaching in delhi

best history optional test series

[selfconsumerofmywoes]

i have to pick my ‘specialist subject’ for next year off of a very limited list and i honestly don’t give a fuck about a single one

[fckmebarnes]

honeybee

professor!bucky barnes x student!reader

bucky convinces you to stay in his class

18+ men and minors dni! smut — fingering (r). oral (r & bucky!)

w/c — 4.6k

a/n — iykyk <3 @professor-james-buchanan-barnes you are heavily on my mind with this one <3

the drone of the professor at the front of the theater had your head falling to the side of your shoulder, your pack back sitting tightly in your lap. your shoe tapped anxiously as the orientation went on, checking the clock every so often to see if time had passed by any quicker. but it hasn't, it only passed by in five’s and you wanted to groan out loud with how long and boring this orientation was going.

you had been to plenty of these, it was your third year earning your bachelors in art history, but for some reason the college made all students go to one each year. it was a pain in the ass, but you did what you had to do.

you focused back into the professor at the front and caught the tail end of the lecture, “that’s a wrap! if you need any help your counselors will be in the student offices.” as soon as the words left the man’s mouth, the theater roared softly with hushed conversations with students, and the shuffling of feet and zipped book bags.

you left out a sigh as you looked down at your schedule. you had a new class you wanted to add to your already 4 classes, but you knew it would be worth it. art history with a very profound and well known professor barnes.

you did your research on the man over the summer, your friends telling you to take his class not only because he was unusually handsome for a professor, but the way he spoke made everyone want to drop their panties. your friends had a bet that by the third class you’d dress like the rest, see through button up white blouses and the shortest skirt that you knew you didn’t have.

you could only roll your eyes, shooing them away as you read about him. he was top his grade in his graduating class at college, his father was an alumni at the college you were attending and was one of the first people on campus to make an art history department. before, the campus didn’t see too much of a need for history classes on old art, just people being hands on. but after they added a few courses with professor barnes being one of the options, enrollment for the courses boomed.

you had only seen a picture of him online in the catalog for the rest of the professors. he had short hair, the top a little longer so you could see his curls. and a full beard adorned his face, the sharpest blue eyes you had ever seen. it was no wonder people thought he was handsome, because he was. he was someone people would talk about through the halls and at lunch and even in other classes. you did your best to drown out the conversations, but the ones you did pick up on were heavily sexual

you walked through the art building and went up a few flights of stairs until you reached professor barnes’ classroom. you peered in through the window and only saw a few people taking up seats, and the man himself sitting behind his desk, eyes glued to the screen. you turned the handle, the squeak on the door announcing your presence and all eyes including his turned towards you. you knew you weren’t late, class started in ten but the way he stared you down made it seem like you missed all of the lesson.

“welcome, grab a seat anywhere you’d like. we’ll begin shortly.” you could only nod as you gulped, taking the first open seat at the front closest to the door. it gave you a better way to leave the class first, so you didn’t have to wait behind. you settled in your seat, pushing your backpack onto the table and unzipped it, taking out a notebook and a pen. you weren’t sure what the first day of his class would look like, so you prepared lightly. knowing that you’d read over the syllabus and maybe take a few notes. as you zipped up your backpack, you could see from the corner of your eye he stood up from his seat.

his black dress shirt sleeves were rolled to the middle of his arm, right above his elbows. he had two buttons undone at the top, and his black slacks and dress shoes topped off the all black look. he shook his right wrist to center the silver watch that sat against his skin and checked the time. you took note of the way his black and gold arm shone in the light, how the soft whirring of the plates shifted as he shook his wrist.

you nervously hit your lip, glancing between him and the clock right in front of you. your knee shook, you weren’t sure why you were so nervous, maybe it was the course itself. or maybe it was because you had the sexiest man as your professor for the next five months.

you shook your head to try and focus on something else other than the fact that this 6’4 giant man was your professor. he shoved his hands in his pockets as he stood in the front of the class and cleared his throat.

“good afternoon everyone. i will be your professor for the next five months. you’ll learn everything that has to do with dutch and flemish works and how the folks in the 1600’s lived life in the dead of winter. i will be focusing on a few artists such as Vermeer and Rembrandt and the impact that had with their oil paintings.” you could feel the nerves that were buzzing in your body dissipate as he spoke, the low and soft tone reverberated throughout the silent and mostly empty classroom. you watched as he walked back and forth in front of the room, but your mind had already started to wander. you couldn’t help your eyes as they trailed over his face down to his neck, where the slope of his neck met his broad shoulders and how tight the black dress shirt fit on his chest. you watched how his arms moved as he spoke, making sure to announce anything he was saying with his hands.

and his hands. his flesh right hand that held the silver watch, the veins protesting as he moved his fingers. and his metal hand? the fingers moving on their own and the secrets they held on how he came to have a metal arm? you wondered if it went only half way to his elbow or even further to his shoulder. you wondered exactly how long he’s had it, and imagined how the coolness of the metal would feel against your throat.

you snapped out of your thoughts as you heard him clearing his throat, eyes locked directly onto your face. your cheeks flushed with embarrassment as your leg came to a halt, and started to tap your pen lightly on the notebook. his eyes searched through yours and you swore you saw the corner of his lip turn upwards into a smirk.

“uh, sorry. can you repeat that?” you felt your face heating up, the warmth spread through your cheeks and down to your neck as he shook his head

“stay after a few minutes.” could only nod in response, looking back at the clock and seeing there was still a whole 40 minutes left of the class.

this was going to be a long class.

***

as the students shuffled quickly out of the classroom, you looked over and saw professor barnes sitting in his chair, beckoning you over to him. you shoved your things in your bag and slung it over your shoulder, head dipped down and embarrassment radiating off of you.

“it seems like you were lost in thought today. may i ask, what about?” oh god, there was going to be absolutely no way in hell you were going to tell him you were thinking of him choking you out with his metal hand. you shook your head and shrugged your shoulders the best you could.

“nothing important, i’m so sorry.” you hoped that he didn’t detect the nerves in your tone, and how your voice cracked just slightly because you knew you were bad at lying.

he noticed.

“hm.” was the only response he gave you as he sat forward and rested his forearms on the edge of his desk, shuffling some papers. his hands lay flat on the papers and looked up at you, a small smile against his lips. you felt that shit in your tummy and in your pussy.

“i suppose while you were daydreaming, you didn’t catch onto the assignment i gave out.” you shook your head.

“due by friday, i would like a short essay on the artist Vermeer, a little autobiography if you will.” you nodded, making a mental note do plug your laptop in when you got back to your apartment to do some research. “if you need any assistance, my office hours after class are posted on the paper outside the door. see you wednesday, y/n.”

***

“you’ve got to be kidding me.” it was the next week of the new semester, you turned in your essay and looked back on your graded work. a bold C stood out to you, and a frown etched onto your face. you weren’t sure what prompted professor barnes to give you a C, you busted your ass on that research, you knew that it was worth of an A.

it was after class hours and you marched right down to his classroom, looking at the times on the paper he told that was posted out front. you knocked on the door twice, and heard a gentle ‘come in’ from the other side. you turned the handle and closed it behind you, walking right up to his desk.

“why’d you grade me a C?” you couldn’t handle having a grade lower than a B-, you didn’t want to put pressure on yourself but the thought of failing your semester really was daunting. you pushed yourself to do better, you needed to do better. he looked up from his phone, setting it face down and sitting back in his chair, lacing his fingers together on his lap.

“that’s what i think you earned. is it not fair?” the tone in his voice felt condescending, hating the way he gave you a pointed look, licking his bottom lip quickly. you shook your head and crossed your arms.

the entire last week of having classes with him, there was nothing short of passing glances and subtle looks here and there. you could tell by the way his eyes raked over your body, he was thinking about you more than just a student. the thought made your core ache just slightly, and you were beginning to find that the rumors of girls throwing themselves at him were true, you just weren’t ready to do that just yet. the brat in you was telling you to prolong it, and boy could you.

“is that not the answer you wanted to hear?” you shook your head again, rolling your eyes and tapping your foot. he sensed the attitude coming off of you, and cocked an eyebrow, leaning forward. he had to admit, he was pretty impressed with you standing there. he was normally known throughout the student like for girls to just kneel and beg for a good grade. usually, he waved them off. he didn’t want that kind of reputation.

but you.

you were different. you were a different kind of attention seeker. you thrived off of getting told what to do and praises. he noticed each lesson he had so far, that when you raised your hand and got an answer correct, his praise would make you smile and a satisfied grin would come across your face.

this, this attitude was different though. you weren’t happy with your grace, and he thought of a good way to get that grace bumped up a bit.

“you know, y/n, you’re the first student to not throw themselves at me.” he paused, watching as your features relaxed, your foot tapping slower. “but don’t think i don’t notice each thigh squeeze when i praise you,” he stood up slowly, rounding the corner of his desk so he stood just next to you, leaning down ever so slightly with his face mere inches next to you.

“each lip bite you do that drives me insane when we make eye contact and you pretend to look away. i notice the way you squirm under my gaze.” his lips brushed the outside of your ear, biting on the shell softly, before pulling away.

“don’t think i don’t notice how much you want me, honeybee. just as much as i want you.” he leaned back and crossed his arms against his chest. you could feel the slick on the inside of your thighs under your jeans, a shudder falling through your spine as you watched him bite his lower lip. he thought for a second, wondering what exactly you would do for him and how far you were willing to go to be a brat just for a better grade.

between you and him, you didn’t know he was a brat tamer.

“so, are you going to be a good girl and tell me why you deserve a better grade than what you got? or, are you going to be a little brat and make it harder for you? it’s your choice, love.” the nickname went straight to your pussy, rolling your bottom lip in between your teeth you gulped and shook your head. you were prepared for his reaction, weren’t prepared for him to be so /prepared/ for your attitude.

you shook your head, biting your lower lip hard enough to draw some blood and the metallic taste spread across your tastebuds. he bummed in response, nodding and his hand outstretched to cup the side of your face ever so gently you weren’t even sure he was caressing your face.

“see you in class on wednesday, love.” you could only nod as you turned on your heel and gripped the strap of your bag so tight you swore you would rip it off. as soon as the soft click of the door was heard behind you, you leaned against the exposed brick wall of the hallway and let out the longest sigh you hadn’t been aware you were holding.

you were royally fucked.

***

you had done your best to not steal glances to your professor as he spoke no matter how close he usually walked towards your desk as he gave his lecture. it didn’t matter how good he smelled each time he walked by, how the sound of his voice went straight to your core, how he wore those tight fucking shirts each class. you weren’t going to cave.

it had been a few weeks since you had that little talk with professor barnes, and quiet frankly he had it. he coulndt stop thinking about how you looked each day when you came into class, the way you always gave him doe eyes everytime you swore he didn’t see you sneaking glances an how you shifted in your seat afterwards, your cheeks glowing red. he thought of a way to have you stay after class, just so he could play with you. there wasn’t a night that had gone by where he didn’t wake up in the middle of the night with his sheets covered in him cum from a wet dream he was just having of eating your sweet pussy out.

he was tired of dreaming. he wanted the real thing.

this week you seemed exceptionally fed up and tense. you had been biting your fingernails for the last twenty minutes of class and it was driving him mad seeing this nervous tick he didn’t realize you had.

“next class we will go over the dutch golden age. there, i will be explaining more in depth why Rembrandt was exceptional in his day and age. class is dismissed.” you huffed as you gathered your things in your bag, jumping softly at the tap on your desk. you looked up and saw professor barnes motioning towards his desk, telling you to stay after. you slumped your shoulders, just wanting to go home and go to sleepy. reluctantly you nodded your head and watched the last student leave the classroom and shut the door behind them.

“what can i help you with, professor?” you walked over to his desk as he sat down, one strap over your shoulder and your arms crossed, tapping your foot just wanting to leave. he lifted his hand and stuck out his pointer finger, telling you to come around the side of the desk and face him. you dropped your bag, rounding the desk and stood in front of him as he turned towards you.

“whats up with you? you seem.. on edge.” you were pretty shocked that he had even noticed your odd behavior. you sighed softly, dropping your arms to your sides and playing with the end of your shirt.

“just having a hard time in other classes.” you hated to admit it but you were falling behind, and you were normally really good at keeping up with homework and projects. but truth be told, you over loaded yourself. you were in between dropping your statistics class or this one, and you really didn’t want to drop this one. “i might drop a class, it looks more like this one im going to have to drop.” a frown etched onto professor barnes face as he realized what you just said. there was no way he was going to have you drop this class.

his hands lifted gingerly from his lap and settled lighting on your hips, your breath hitching in your throat at the contact. he pulled you forward towards him slow enough for you to turn around and leave the classroom, but you didn’t. instead you willingly walked towards him until you were standing in between his legs, your hands placed on his shoulders. he was looking up at you, and the view from over him was breathtaking

“i would hate to lose you as a student, love.” his fingers made small little circles on your hips, catching his bottom lip in his teeth, rolling it in thought. you could feel your heart skip a beat as you watched his eyes travel from your gaze, down the side of your face to your lips, down your neck and cascading down your chest before quickly up to your eyes again.

“let me try and convince you to stay, will you?” you felt your pussy throb at his words, knowign exactly what he meant by that, but you wanted to hear him say it, fuck you wanted to see him do it. instead you merely nodded, the lust in his eyes growing bigger as you gave him consent and he went for your face, his hands gripping the sides of your head and pulling you down to his lips. it was heavy and heated, desperation with each movement of his lips against yours, and you kissed him just as needily. he pulled away, his lips glistening with spit, red and swollen. he stood up, and as soon as he cowered over you, you felt small.

his hands went to your waist and he picked you up with ease, pushing all the papers on his desk to the side as they flung onto the floor. the back of your bare thighs from wearing shorts made contact with the cool wooden surface, his hands travelling to your knee and pushing your thighs apart.

“tell me to stop.” he breathed softly, his fingers hovering over your clothed cunt, eyes flickering back to yours searching for any indication you didn’t want this

“want you to convince me, professor.” the softest sigh came from your lips as soon as the words left your mouth, his thumb pressing against your clothed clit. your hips immediately responded to his touch, and he couldn only let out a lowe chuckle as he watched your thighs flex with every move of his thumb against your clit.

“so responsive..” he mumbled more to himself than you, sinking down to his knees and pulling your closer to the edge of the desk. you let out of asoft shriek until your thing stung from a small smack from his metal hand.

“try and stay quiet, love. dont want anyone to hear us, now do you?” you shook your head, cant believing you momentarily forgot you were in a fucking classroom, on your college campus.

the thought left as soon as you felt a cool blow of breath on your now exposed pussy,panties behind pushed aside, dripping just for him.

“shit.” he groaned softly as he dragged his knuckles through your folds and loved how his metal fingers glistened with your arousal. this was a sight he only wanted. his eyes flickered up to yours as he pushed the tip of his metall finger only barely into your cunt. his mouth opened with yours as you let out a small gasp, licking his bottom lip as he pushed his finger all the way in. you hummed in satisfaction as soon as he bottomed out to his knuckle.

but he was dissatisfied, pushing a second finger into your cunt, and the quiet moan in return made his cock harder than it already was, straining against his dress pants.

“fuck..” was all he could say as he pumped his fingers in and otu of you, slowing down every so often to see your arousal coating both of his fingers. you whimpered as soon as he pulled his fingers out of you all the way, your hands splayed out on the desk holding your wait.

before you could beg for his fingers again, he pushed his fingers back into your cunt and his lips attached to your clit, you couldn't help but let out a soft moan as soon as he started sucking on your clit, pumping and curling his fingers inside of your sweet cunt. he was addicted, and he hadn’t even made cum yet. you threw your head back as his fingers curled in your cunt, hitting your g-spot just soft enough that you felt a small coil in your tummy. you clenched his fingers and he swore he busted a nut as soon as he felt your pussy gripping onto his two metal fingers.

“fuck love, your cunt is gripping the shit out of my fingers. you gonna cum, honeybee? make a mess on your professor’s fingers?” he cooed softly, attaching his lips once again on your clit and sucked the swollen bud, making your thighs clench and you bit your bottom lip to suppress the loudest moan you think it was going to be.

he hummed against your clit as you came, taking his fingers out and pushing his tongue in your dripping pussy, his fingers going up to your mouth and you instantly wrapped your lips around his two metal fingers, tasting your cum on your tongue. you both let out two soft low moans as his tongue assaulted your cunt, lappin gup every single drop of your cum.

he pulled away and took his fingers with him, looking down at your pussy and licking his lips, his beard shining in your slick.

it was one of the hottest things you have ever seen, and he noticed that something about that moment turned you on because your cunt clenched around nothing.

“you taste so fucking sweet, honeybee. the most forbidden flower, only for me.” his eyelids were hooded as he pulled his hand away from your panties and shorts, putting them back in place. he sat back and could see his hard cock pressing tightly against his dress pants. you wetted your lips at the sight and before he could even say anything, you hopped off the desk and got on your knees in between his legs.

his hand instantly went to the back of your head, panting softly as your hands went up his thich, cloth covered thighs, reaching the zipper of his dress pants. slowly, you unzipped the zipper, your eyes never leaving his. the sexual tension between the two of you was thick enough you could cut with a knife.

as you popped the button on his dress pants, you pulled his cock out from the confines of his boxers, the tip leaking gpre-cum and you noticed a small damp spot against his dress pants. “see what you do to me, honeybee?” you could only nod as you gripped his cock, the hottest moan leaving his lips as his felt your soft and delicate warm skin on his cock. he watched as your eyes traveled from the bottom of his shaft to his throbbing and leaking tip.

“go on, honeybee. show your professor how you actually use that mouth. must be good for something other than giving attitude.” you licked your lips and sucked on the tip of his cock, moaning at the taste of him on your tongue. he sucked in a sharp breath, the grip on the back of your hair tightening causing you to moan. he checked that kink off on his mental list of things you were into.

you sat up straighter, leaning over more of his cock and taking more in your mouth, your hand gripping the base of his cock before you pumped a little as you went deeper. your spit was trailing down the sides of his cock and making a damp spot on his boxers, but you knew for a fact with the curses and mumbling he did under his breath, you knew he didn’t give one shit about his clothes.

“just like that, baby. doing so good for me. youre such a good girl.” you moaned softly at the praise, and finally he was able to get an actual noise from you instead of the sight of you shuffling your thighs together.

his other hand went to the back of his head as he leaned back and thrusted his hips a little up into your throat. you stilled your movement and that had him put his other hand on the side of your face as he fucked up into you, your hands gripping his thick thighs.

“like when i fuck your throat, honeybee? course you do. only want to please me, dont you?” you nodded as best as you could with his cock down your throat but he already knew the answer. he knew you only wanted to please him, and with the way your lips were wrapped around his cock, he knew you had already made up your mind about not dropping his class.

you opened your throat more for his cock, and the second your hnd moved from his thigh to his ballsack and fondled them in your hands, you felt his balls tightened and a low groan coming from his throat. his hot cum shot down your throat and you swallowed it all, sucked on his cock as he emptied his load into your throat, not wanting to waste a single drop.

you sucked him off a little longer to prolong his high until he rested his hips back onto the chair, your lips leaving his cock with a lewd pop. you licked your lips and your hands went back to his thighs.

“good girl, let me see. did you swallow all of your professors cum?” you nodded, opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue to show him you did exactly what he asked of you. he nodded in approval, his hands going to cradle your face. you leaned into his touch and a smile played against your lips.

“ill drop statistics.”

[itsnesss]

Hii babe, I have another little request if you’re taking them!

Could you write something Kimi Antonelli x fem!reader where she’s super stressed because she’s about to take her final exams (like the French bac) and she hasn’t started revising at all?? It’s literally in a month, and she feels completely overwhelmed and behind.Like she’s spiraling a bit, maybe crying over highlighters and making dramatic “I’m gonna fail” speeches while Kimi just tries to calm her down and support her. Maybe he helps her organize her revision or just stays with her through the stress, reminding her that she’s smart and capable even if she doesn’t feel like it.Basically soft academic panic + golden retriever boyfriend energy. Only if it inspires you of course!! But I’d love that dynamic.

𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞: 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 | kimi antonelli × fem!reader

summary | final exams in a month, panic sets in tears, chaos, and dramatic speeches. kimi stays, calms, organizes, and reminds: you're capable

warnings | gf!reader, academic stress, panic attack elements (crying, overwhelm), comfort, fluff, golden retriever boyfriend energy

word count | 1.5 k

🖇 more ka12 🖇 f1 masterlist

You're surrounded by highlighters. One is drying out on the edge of the bed without its cap, another is chewed between your fingers, and several more are scattered across the desk like witnesses to a crime.

Your notes are everywhere: some open on the floor, others crumpled, one pinned to the wall with washi tape like that’s going to help you absorb information through osmosis.

Your heart is pounding, your eyes are burning, and your thoughts are racing a mile a minute. You don’t even know where to start. You haven’t touched a single flashcard, haven’t opened the first topic, and the bac is in a month. One month. Thirty days. What can you do in thirty days? Go over the entire syllabus? Prepare text commentaries? Review philosophy, history, math? Sleep? No. Sleep is no longer an option.

You feel your throat burn. You're about to cry for the third time this afternoon—and it’s because of a damn dried-up highlighter.

And then, you hear the door open.

"Hey, amore..." says a familiar voice, soft, almost carefree.

Kimi walks in with a bag of croissants in one hand and his jacket slung over his shoulder. He has that smile he always wears when he sees you... but it fades the moment he takes in the disaster that is your room. And you.

"What happened here?"

You turn with a kind of hysterical laugh caught in your throat.

"What happened?" you repeat, your eyes wide. "Kimi, the bac is in a month! A month! And I haven’t started anything! I’m completely lost, I’m going to fail, my life is going to be ruined, I won’t get into university, and I’ll end up… I don’t know! Selling defective highlighters from a street stall while crying!"

You toss a tissue at your face and sigh. You're being dramatic you know it. But you're so overwhelmed you can’t help it. Everything feels too big, too hard, and you feel so, so small in front of it.

Kimi walks toward you carefully, like he’s afraid of spooking you.

"Are you crying because of…?"

"Yes, because of a highlighter!" you yell, pointing at the pastel yellow one that has tragically died on the floor. "It was dry and that was the last straw!"

He lets out a soft laugh and crouches beside you. With the kind of tenderness only he has, he runs a thumb over your damp cheek and wipes away the tear.

"At least you cry in style," he says, and you let out a choked laugh between sobs.

"Don’t make fun of me," you mumble, letting yourself fall against him. Your forehead rests against his chest, and you feel his arm wrap around you.

"I’d never do that. I'm here for this, right? To hold you while the world falls apart because of some exams."

He closes his eyes and rests his chin on your head. His voice, calm, steady, warm, filters through your chaotic thoughts like an anchor.

"You’re going to be okay. I promise. We’ll do this together, okay?"

You don’t say anything, but your hand clutches his shirt. Because even though everything in your head is spinning out of control... he always manages to stop the chaos, at least a little.

You don’t know how long you stay curled up against him. It could be minutes or an eternity. All you hear is his calm, steady breathing, like he’s trying to regulate yours with his. And in a way, it works. Your heart no longer beats with the same violence, and the tears though not completely gone have stopped flowing uncontrollably.

"Does your head hurt?" he asks quietly.

You nod, not lifting your face from his shirt. His hand moves gently across your back, drawing little circles that, for the first time in hours, make you feel like you’re not alone in this wreckage.

"Okay, listen," he says softly, pressing a small kiss to the top of your head. "I know it all feels like a giant mountain right now, but we can break it down. Step by step. Day by day. I’ll help you, amore. Want to start?"

"I don’t even know where…" you whisper, voice cracking.

"From the beginning. Tell me which subjects you need to prepare."

You take a breath, pull back slightly, and look at your desk in resignation.

"Literature, history, philosophy, english, geo, and math."

Kimi nods like it’s not a monstrous list.

"Perfect. Then we’re going to make a schedule. A real one. With breaks, time to breathe, and…" he reaches into the bag he left on the desk, "croissants as rewards."

You can’t help but laugh.

"You’re going to motivate me with pastries?"

"I’m going to motivate you with love and pastries. Which is objectively better than any educational system."

He hands you his phone, already open on a scheduling app. You look at it, surprised.

"You had this ready?"

"I know you, amore. I had a feeling."

You start dividing the days by subjects, assigning realistic study hours, leaving room for breaks, and marking small “rewards” at the end of each day. Kimi does it all with infinite patience, listening without judgment, suggesting instead of imposing.

"This is insane," you whisper at some point, watching the schedule take shape.

"No," he corrects you, taking your hand, "this is what you do when you decide to fight instead of give up. And you always fight even when you cry over highlighters."

You sigh. There’s still a pinch of anxiety in your chest, but it no longer fills the whole space. Because now he’s there, sharing it with you.

"What if I don’t make it? What if I run out of time?"

"Then we’ll improvise. Or you’ll do your best. Because you’re brilliant, even if you don’t feel like it today. I know that. And I’m not going anywhere. Even if you have to study twenty hours straight and yell at me because you don’t understand Rousseau."

You look at him. He has that soft, silly smile that always disarms you.

"Thank you," you whisper.

"Don’t thank me yet," he replies, standing up to grab your flashcards. "The battle against the note mountain hasn’t even started. But don’t worry. I brought reinforcements. And croissants."

You laugh. For the first time in days, you truly laugh.

And while he starts sorting your notebooks by color, as if that were a war tactic… you realize maybe you can do this.

Because you have Kimi. And with him, everything feels a little less impossible.

Days passed. Some were chaotic, full of tears, existential dread, and internal battles with the voice in your head telling you you wouldn’t make it. Others were miraculously productive, with full hours of focus, checkmarks on your calendar, and that almost-forgotten feeling of progress.

But the best part was that Kimi was there for all of it.

He became your official study partner. He sat beside you, even if he didn’t understand a single word of your philosophy texts. He read your outlines, quizzed you, and gave you a kiss every time you got one right. He learned how to pronounce Spinoza without laughing and ended up having opinions about Victor Hugo. More than once, you caught him doodling nonsense in the margins of your pages while you reviewed.

"Is this a philosophical pig?"

"No, it’s Descartes… in cochon mignon version," he replied seriously, like it made perfect sense.

And you laughed. You laughed so hard you forgot, for a second, all the stress.

That particular night, you were both lying on your bedroom floor. Your notes were stacked, and your head was resting on his lap. He was stroking your hair absentmindedly while you repeated phrases quietly.

"‘L’homme est condamné à être libre…’" you murmured.

"That guy sounds intense," he said, and you smiled.

"It’s Sartre."

"Couldn’t he just say ‘do what you want but take responsibility’?"

"Wouldn’t be existentialism if it were that easy to digest."

"Touché," he said, kissing your forehead.

You fall silent for a few seconds. Your eyes sting a little from exhaustion, and that familiar twinge of insecurity creeps in.

"Do you really think I can do this?"

Kimi stops stroking your hair and makes you look at him.

"Y/N… I don’t think. I know. You’re smart—smarter than you give yourself credit for. You’re scared, sure, but that doesn’t mean you’re not capable. Look at you: you’ve been fighting this for days, organizing, reviewing, moving forward. Even when you’re tired. Even when you’re scared. You keep going. And not everyone does that."

You feel a knot form in your throat. You’re not sure if it’s because of his words, his voice, or the way he looks at you like you're everything good in the world packed into one person.

"Can I give up for just a little bit?"

"You can give up for as long as you need," he whispers. "And I’ll stay with you until you’re ready to start again."

You wrap your arms around him tightly. And for a moment, between notes, highlighters, and philosophical theories, you feel safe.

And just a little bit braver.

[dramatic-dolphin]

When I was in school in like 2012 iirc, the Hungarian government made it mandatory for children to either attend a religion class of their choice or a "morals and ethics" class, which already says incredible things about the government if they think these two are in any way interchangeable. Even though there was incredible religious variety offered (a hundred different christian sects, plus two jewish and one buddhist), I do not recall enough of my classmates choosing a religion class that they'd actually start one, so we were all in Morals And Ethics.

Now, ethics is a fascinating class in the Hungarian school system, in that I'm sure a syllabus exists for it but I have never heard of any two teachers who taught it in any way similarly. In some places it's like Bible Study Option Two, You May Not Be Christian But We're Forcing You To Do This, and there are even some suitably culturally christian conservative textbooks that made me wince when I found them online. The only morals happening in there are good little christian-conservative life lessons. This is presumably the government's actual intent.

Anyways the teacher who taught us the subject from grades 5-8 was our homeroom teacher, who decided it was actually an extra homeroom class. Which was sometimes an extra history class, since he was also our history teacher and terminally behind schedule. We never discussed a single thing related to Morals And Ethics in those four years. Everyone had straight 5's (the best grade). It was the best class. 10/10.

In high school however, the subject was given to the teacher who also taught philosophy, and he decided it would be an Intro To Philosophy class before our actual philosophy classes. Ethics And Morals? Sure, sure, but let's take this seriously. So, according to Socrates–

The fun part is that both of these men were in fact christian conservatives. They just either cared too little or too much about the actual subject, and so we managed to escape unpropagandized. Thanks guys.

[fanauthorworkshop]

Introducing the FAW Summer Asynch Session!

Many people have mentioned that the times I lead the spring and fall workshops aren’t accessible for those with busy/unpredictable schedules, but they would still like to participate in the workshop and join the FAW community. To address that feedback, I’m running an asynchronous summer session. An asynch session doesn’t have a set meeting time. Instead, you’ll read up to 2 pieces presented each week by fellow participants, write them crit letters, and participate in discussion over Discord. 

The only required* meeting is an individual 30 minute Zoom call with me any time during the two weeks prior to the start of workshop. We'll use that time to go over the syllabus together and I can answer any questions you have. You'll book via Calendly once I send the welcome email.

*Optional for previous participants

Participants of the workshop receive:

Attendance in a 4-6 week asynchronous course during which you’ll provide feedback to your peers and workshop one piece of your own work, up to 6,000 words.

Access to the Fanauthor Workshop Discord server, an active community where we host weekly accountability meetings, writing sprints, a twice monthly short story club, and other events.

A 15-30 minute pre-workshop consultation with me to go over the syllabus and any questions you have.

A 30-45 minute post-workshop consultation with me to discuss the feedback you received, come up with a plan for revision and/or publication, or anything else you’d like to discuss regarding your writing.

Open enrollment option in future workshops.

Timeline

Applications close: June 14

Syllabus calls: July 1 - 12

Workshop begins: July 15

Workshop ends: Before August 23, depending on the number of participants

Cost

The recommended amount is $150. If you’re experiencing financial hardship and unable to pay, or can't pay the full amount, please let me know.

How to apply

Eligibility

Anyone over the age of 18 who considers themselves a participant of fandom and who is familiar with fanfiction may apply. A stable internet connection is also required. Submissions must be written in English.

Application requirements

To apply, you will need:

A brief cover letter discussing your fan history and goals as a (fan)writer (more specific instructions on submittable).

Maximum 1,000 words of your writing, either original work or fanfiction. This may be previously published/posted.

You can apply via submittable. Applications close June 14. There is no fee for applying.

FAQ and other info under the cut.

FAQ

Are there any content restrictions to what I can workshop?

The only restriction is word count (max 6k), with the following caveats:

If you workshop a piece in a form other than prose (for example, a script), your peers may not be able to offer constructive feedback on that aspect of the work. Participants are asked only to have a familiarity with prose.

Content warnings are required for each piece (if applicable), and participants who are uncomfortable reading certain subject matter may abstain from your workshop.

What is the time commitment of the workshop?

As a participant of the workshop, you'll be asked to:

Workshop any piece of your own prose up to 6k words, which will need to be uploaded no later than the Sunday prior to your workshop week. For example, if you sign up to workshop in week 2, your submission will be due July 14. Participants will have a week to read it and write their crit letter, and discussion will begin over Discord on July 22.

Read 2 pieces per week, write a 1-page crit letter for the author, and participate in the Discord discussion.

What are the benefits of being in the Fanauthor Workshop community?

We have an active Discord server open only to those who have participated in the workshop. Once you've completed the workshop, you'll have access to attend our weekly accountability meetings*, writing sprints, our twice monthly short story club, and other events we host.

*I'm working on figuring out an asynch accountability group.

You'll also have an open enrollment option in future workshops, where in lieu of applying again, you can pay a portion of what you intend to pay and secure your seat in the upcoming workshop.

I'll be working on rolling out additional events and benefits throughout the year.

Can workshop participants submit to OFIC Magazine?

Yes! Part of the reason I run the workshop is to inspire and promote the original work of fanwriters. You can follow us on tumblr @oficmag.

Who is running the workshop?

@bettsfic! In short, I lived a dreary cubicle life as a banker until I found fanfiction at 24. I loved it so much that I quit my job to get an MFA in creative writing. I loved the MFA so much that I became a writing teacher. I have some publications, awards, an agent, and 2 million words of fic on ao3. I don't have a book out yet but I'm getting there.

Currently I'm a writing coach and freelance editor. I also have a lowkey writing-related newsletter. And I've been answering writing advice asks on my blog for 10 years.

If you want an idea of the kind of writing activities I create, last summer I worked with @books on a workshop series which includes craft essays and some fun prompts.

If you're interested in my original work, my short story "Not If, When" is a good representation of my writing. For something darker, check out "Shut Up and Kill Me."

What is the workshop like?

Check out G's experience of attending the workshop. And here's some feedback from previous participants.

One final note: This is the first summer asynch session so there may be some hiccups. I've taught asynch classes before so it's not totally new to me, but there's still bound to be some pivoting when the workflow that makes sense in my head doesn't work super well in reality. It happens sometimes. I'm always taking feedback and trying to improve the workshop.

If you have questions about the workshop or application process, you can shoot me an ask, DM me, or add me on Discord (I'm bettsfic there too). Or you can email me at ekweeks@gmail.com.

[kidspawn]

Fic Snippet for this absolute monster of a TRC AU that gradually took my life by the throat and threw it like a ragdoll. I've been scribbling and editing and annotating and just scrounging whatever I can and it's kind of coming together and I jut wanted to share a little piece of it.

Been a minute since I posted any writing beyond some goofy snippets. I've got chapter two almost done, and a few loose threads to weave. But here's what I've got in my back pocket.

I may or may not have poured some of my detestation of group projects into this one.

Adam cursed under his breath and tucked his phone in his backpack. He didn’t have a spare charger to waste on social media today, nor to answer whichever one of his group mates were trying to shuck extra work on his shoulders two days before their paper was due. There was enough of a chance they were trying to negotiate less of a word count for their section, or for Adam to just “look it over”, and he'd bet on it were he a betting man. But he wasn't, so muting their chat seemed to be the best option. Saved him the headache and the realization he was the only person in his course with half a brain cell. It was a sobering and dismal thought. 

Last time he did a “collaborative paper” - he’d fight it harder next time. This project would’ve been easier on his own. 

He pulled his phone back out, opened the group chat, and typed,

Please have your section done by tonight. I’ll look over it at about ten. We can do final edits tomorrow. Am not available any sooner.

He paused to frown down at his calendar, with its streaks of blue and red, and green dictating the next semester to the very last second. Or, at least, how their syllabus dictated. Their current project, which his residual Psychology credit hinged on, was slated to take up the next three days. He would not be extending the deadline. 

If you don’t send it in, I will email the teacher that you did not participate. 

Thanks.

Swiping out the chat, tapping Do Not Disturb (just as several messages fired in with responses, all ranging in their outrage), and slipping the phone back in his bag, Adam made his way up the stairs, a meticulous one, two. He was on edge, he knew, all prickled and poised for venom in the absence of sufficient sleep. There wasn’t much to do about that, nor much to fix his disposition. Turning his phone off and keeping his mouth shut served only as damage control. 

He turned his focus, instead, to the one treat he allowed each alternating week - his upper levels Latin course, a superfluous addition for his workload, though he justified it as necessary to his wellbeing. Latin did not come easy, but it did come with joy, and oftentimes he forgot to separate the two - the challenge of it was enthralling despite his intrinsic need for success.

Aglionby had offered Latin courses, a crucial element of their graduation requirements. Adam, though he had not attended, had carried a torch for the prospect years later. One day, he’d intoned, when he caught that stiff blue blazer in the corner of his eye, sinking its hooks in his deepest resentments. One day, I will do this for fun. With my luxury of time. He’d repeated the mantra when the inevitable came, when finances had become too oppressive an issue to accommodate. When he’d been given the opportunity, he’d seized it despite advising to the contrary. 

“It’s a wholly unnecessary course. You’ve already got the art credit for graduation.” His academic advisor had said, sighing as she pushed her glasses up her nose. She was a kindly woman, crinkles in her eyes that spoke to her warmer nature. Adam had felt his anxieties melt from his shoulders at the curl of her welcoming approval. There was an inclination towards compliments, unnecessary but wringing a pleasant warmth under his collar all the same. 

“It counts with my history credit, doesn’t it?” Adam asked, “Or at least as an elective.”

She’d pursed her lips, glaring through her lenses. It was a tepid narrow of eyes. She had a soft spot for him, mainly because he actually scheduled and fulfilled his appointments over the semester. 

“I’ll see what we can do.” She’d said. “But you’ll burn yourself out.”

“Not with this.”

Adam had not burnt out, not once in his life. He teetered on the edge, pulled himself back by the bootstraps, buckled down, and got his shit done. He didn’t plan on it now, much less with the one luxury he’d allotted himself. It was the closest to a happy place he’d found in recent years. Burning out was not an option. Checked off the list of possibilities, a practiced behavior that restricted all possibility of failure. 

It had gotten him this far, and it’d drag him further over the finish line, even if he was broken and bloody at the final crawl.

[betterlivingindustriesss]

[Image ID: laptop display which reads 5:49 AM]

Pretty early start to the day, I'm probably going to finish around half of my remaining physics notes this morning and then do a MCQ from Knowt. I have to go to all my classes today and turn in late work, but since AP's are over in history we're doing international films!

Also, I've been absolutely obsessed with The Bear recently and one of my goals for today is not to binge three episodes like I did yesterday :(

Goals:

send completed lesson plan to my math teacher to print out

create the first draft of my 'seven layer hell' dip and figure out who I want to put into it

start registering for summer courses at second choice options

take out the trash

complete physics syllabus completely and focus on problem solving

Connections Puzzle #702 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟪🟦🟪🟩 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟪🟪🟩🟪 🟩🟪🟩🟪 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟩🟩🟩🟩

god I love connections

[symbiosiscollegeac]

Why Pursuing a BA After 12th in Pune Is a Smart Career Move

For students finishing their 12th standard and looking for a meaningful and flexible academic path, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree offers an excellent option. With a wide range of subjects and career possibilities, the BA program provides the kind of foundational knowledge and skills that remain relevant in an ever-changing job market.

Pune often called the academic heart of Maharashtra, has emerged as a preferred destination for students seeking a strong liberal arts education. Its colleges are known for academic quality, cultural diversity, and exposure to real-world learning.

A Versatile Degree with Strong Foundations

A BA program allows students to dive deep into subjects like English, Economics, Psychology, Political Science, History, Sociology, and more. The degree is structured to help students build critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that employers value across industries.

Unlike technical courses that limit you to specific roles, a BA opens up opportunities in multiple fields. Students can later branch into education, media, public administration, content creation, research, and even corporate roles.

Learning Beyond Textbooks

One of the key advantages of studying BA in Pune is the focus on practical learning. Many colleges offer hands-on projects, field visits, seminars, and internships that allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-life settings.

Colleges like Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce (SCAC) include skill-based modules, guest lectures, and interactive learning sessions. Students benefit from workshops on soft skills, communication, digital tools, and social research methods. This exposure helps bridge the gap between academic learning and professional application.

Career Opportunities After BA

Contrary to popular myths, BA graduates have access to a wide range of career options. Depending on your subject and interests, you can explore roles such as:

Content writer or editor

Public relations or communications officer

Human resource executive

Policy analyst or civil service aspirant

Counselor or psychologist (with further study)

NGO or social sector professional

The flexibility of the degree also makes it easier to pursue postgraduate studies in management, arts, education, or social sciences. Many students go on to write exams like UPSC, and NET, or prepare for international education.

Updated Curriculum Aligned with Today’s Needs

In recent years, leading BA colleges in Pune have revised their curricula to match current demands. With the New Education Policy in place, students can now choose specializations, combine major and minor subjects, and earn credit through internships and add-on certifications.

Institutions like SCAC have introduced courses in digital media, creative writing, personality development, and campus-to-career transitions. These additions help students stay ahead in both academic and professional spheres.

A College Experience That Builds Confidence

College life is more than academics. Pune’s BA colleges offer rich student life through clubs, debates, theatre, literature forums, and social outreach programs. These activities play a major role in developing leadership, creativity, and collaboration.

Such an environment not only builds confidence but also helps students discover their interests beyond the syllabus. It prepares them for life after college, both personally and professionally.

Why Pune Makes a Difference

Studying in Pune comes with several advantages. The city offers a blend of academic excellence, affordable living, and access to opportunities in NGOs, media houses, educational institutions, and startups. The student-friendly atmosphere, combined with cultural exposure, makes it an ideal place to pursue a BA degree.

Colleges like SCAC are recognized for maintaining academic rigor while also encouraging holistic development. With a supportive faculty, strong infrastructure, and focus on career readiness, students are well-positioned to succeed after graduation.

Final Thoughts

A BA degree is not just about studying arts subjects. It is about developing a flexible mindset, learning how to think critically, and gaining the skills to adapt in a variety of fields. For students looking to make the most of their college years, Pune offers the right combination of learning, exposure, and growth.

Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce stands among the respected institutions that help students build a strong foundation for their future, both in academics and beyond.

[thestudyias]

History optional classes in UPSC

Mastering the Past: A Guide to History Optional Classes for UPSC by The Study IAS

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a gateway to prestigious administrative positions in India. Choosing the right optional subject is crucial for success, and History, with its vast scope and rich tapestry of events, can be a compelling option for many aspirants. However, navigating the intricacies of historical study for UPSC requires a strong foundation and strategic guidance.

Why Choose The Study IAS for History Optional?

The Study IAS, under the expert tutelage of Mr. Manikant Singh, has established itself as a leading name in UPSC coaching, particularly for History Optional. Here's what sets us apart:

Unmatched Expertise: Mr. Singh, a renowned historian and UPSC mentor, possesses a deep understanding of the UPSC syllabus and its nuances.

Comprehensive Course Structure: Our meticulously designed course covers the entire UPSC History Optional syllabus, encompassing both Ancient and Modern Indian History, World History, and Indian Heritage & Culture.

Doubt Clearance Sessions: Dedicated doubt clearance sessions offer a platform to address your specific queries and gain further clarity on complex historical concepts

Test Series and Mock Exams: Regular test series and mock exams simulate the actual UPSC exam format.

Course Offerings at The Study IAS:

The Study IAS offers a range of History Optional Classes to cater to different learning styles and preferences:

Online History Lectures: Our online video lectures, delivered by Mr. Singh himself, offer the flexibility to learn from anywhere, anytime.

Live Online Classes: For those seeking a more interactive learning experience, we offer live online classes streamed through our learning app.

Offline Classes (Delhi Center): Our Delhi center provides a traditional classroom setting for students who thrive in a structured learning environment

Conclusion:

History Optional, when approached strategically, can be a rewarding choice for your UPSC journey. With The Study IAS by your side, you'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to conquer the exam. We invite you to explore our History Optional Courses and embark on a voyage through the captivating world of history with us.

If you want to more about history optional classes for UPSC, then visit our website www,thestudyias.net

[one-billion-marbles]

Headcannoning BG3 Companions as Australian High School teachers

I do work at schools sometimes, and I still have the Baldur's Gate III brainrot, so we're combining the two.

Wyll: the normalest one of the group, I think he's just a teacher. I'd say English, history, and PhD for the junior high school kids, he's very enthusiastic about teaching and the students kind of make fun of him but it's all in good fun. The type of teacher to put on movies at the end of the term but also strictly enforce no hat no play.

Laezel: the sports coordinator who gets way too competitive at house competitions and literally rings parents up to interrogate them if a kid is sick and doesn't come to the athletics carnival or the cross country. She's that teacher that comes in face paint and a tutu in their house colour and have spares for all the kids who didn't bother.

Halsin: food tec and hospo teacher. He would always decide to have classes outside because he didn't want to 'waste the beautiful weather'. Also the teacher the gay friend group bonds to.

Gale: another normie; he teaches chemistry for the seniors and maths and science for the juniors. That's teacher who will always go off syllabus on random tangents instead of teaching the examinable content, and also has a doctorate?? (Why is he a high school teacher). Also somehow always assigned to go on the field trips and campus, brings a shit ton of sunscreen.

Karlach: SLSO (a teachers aide). She'll sit up the back with the ones that make trouble and keep them engaged with the content, but the kids still love her. or maybe a the groundskeeper. For some rsn a group of kids would always pack bond to the groundskeeper and become besties with them.

Shadowheart: front desk receptionist. They are either the sweetest, most understanding people you'll ever meet, or the most bitchy, gossipy, power trippy arseholes in the world. Obvi shadowheart starts off as the bitchy kind and gets nicer like in the game. I feel like she would also run those optional chapel classes for the younger kids who's parents signed them up for it.

Astarion: an absolute bastard from the DOE who comes in randomly to check in with the school, aka tell them what they're doing wrong and get people in trouble for stupid shit. Either that or another office lady with shadowheart (they would gossip about EVERYONE)

Let me know if this is at all interesting, and if you want to see more

[astriiformes]

Should also add that I am very excited about that course taught by the PhD students -- it's a medieval history class, and the syllabus says that later in the semester they'll be offering an extra credit option that involves recreating a medieval recipe!

[hindahoney]

I'm a conservative conversion student with a mikveh date of 08/07 and I wish I was excited but it just feels hollow. I've been at this for 7 years on my own, and 1 year with a rabbi. He had me take a class (that was far to beginner for me, which I mentioned to him and he said “I don’t want you wasting your time on this class if you’re not getting anything from it… well see you in class”) and we've only met individually like 4 times - we've literally talked for less than an hour total. Our last meeting was 5 minutes and consisted of “so do you want go to the mikveh soon?”. It’s been my call this whole way, he hasn’t expressed any opinion or really guided me anywhere. He hasn’t really gauged where I’m at at all, no “how many times a day are you praying?” or “how did you celebrate shavuos?” etc. It just feels so frustrating. I would convert modox if I could but my fiance is not jewish and I'm not asking him to convert. I just feel like I haven't learned anything and I haven’t been challenged at all through this process. It just rubs me the wrong way because this should be hard, some people should get a no, and we should be pushed. Sorry for venting, I’m just feeling really down about this whole thing.

I know how frustrating this must be for you, and I agree that it should be hard and some people should be told no. At my university's Hillel, the rabbi there has an "introduction to judaism" class that meets for one hour a week for eighteen weeks and at the end of it if you get a good grade they just ask if you want to convert and if you do, you get a mikveh date (This class had no testing, and was based entirely on if you just showed up). I was talking about this with the rabbi and asked if they'd ever turned someone away, or if they had ever had someone go to the beit din and determine the person was not yet ready, and they said no, not in all twenty years they had done this class. I knew someone in this class so I asked for the syllabus and reading list, and it was incredibly lack-luster and didn't explain a lot of core concepts of Jewish observance or history (Obviously, how can you learn 4,000 years of history in 18 hours?), did not require you to read the Torah, or to learn any Hebrew at all. The class didn't teach prayers for different occasions, nor did it touch on bible stories and characters. These were supposedly conservative conversions.

I'm not saying "Oh reform and conservative conversions are always bad because theyre not observant etc etc" because I don't believe that, and if an orthodox rabbi did the same thing I would also think it wasn't good enough. What I AM saying is, regardless of whatever movement the person is converting to, they deserve to have a good and thorough education, enough to be able to determine it fits with their wants, needs, and lifestyle. They deserve to know what they're getting into, and are really (in my opinion) owed time, attention, dedication, and care by their sponsoring rabbi. You deserve to have a rabbi who cares enough to make the course more challenging or complex for your needs, and who is willing to make time to meet with you outside of class. You deserve to know about the mitzvot you're going to be saddled with after you convert, because it's not like you can just de-convert, and you should be educated on the various halachic interpretations to decide which one fits for you. You should be thoroughly educated on Jewish history so you understand the people and culture you are joining, and the burden (and blessing) you are putting on your own shoulders by being a part of the Jewish people. To do any less is a disservice to you.

You have two options, the way I see it. You can either complete this conversion, which will be relatively simple from how it sounds, and you will officially be recognized as a Jew by both conservative and reform movements. This will allow you to go on Birthright and other similar programs (internships, educational trips, job offers to Israel, etc) and opens the door for you to go to a seminary or yeshiva that accepts conservative conversions. If you aren't satisfied still, you can try to do another conversion through modox. Or, you can forego the conservative conversion and seek out a modox rabbi instead.

[changingmymajortojoan]

okay. if i want to stay in ****** i can apply to history of art or english programs for a dissertation topic of performance of the self through autobiographical auteurship, which would totally fall under film/tv studies with the way my sample syllabus is shaping up right now. there are some good options for both around here! **** is the most promising, followed by **** **** i guess for nostalgia's sake. i can always stay at ****** in dance or go english/art history there too. really excited and looking forward to the upcoming application cycle