Hello to the future students of Professor Jason Kalchik,

In this class you don’t have to worry about succeeding. Professor Kalchik is invested in  your success in this class. For someone who was coming back to school after years of  being out, this class was an amazing entry class to ease me back in the flow of things. I was a bit nervous in the beginning because I know I don’t have the best reading or writing skills, but through his constant feedback on your assignments, he really helps
you sharpen your skills.

I will say that this class takes some time and dedication, but I think that’s normal for all classes. If you show interest in the material and really try to find ways to improve your skills, then you will no doubt pass this class. This class encourages you to share your ideas no matter how different they may be. On top of that, Prof. Kalchik will give you advice and help think of alternative ways to support your ideas. Although I did not speak up in class that much, just being there and observing the interactions he has with other students helps.

What I liked about this class were the various activities, readings, and collaboration we did to help us understand the material better. These things really help you see things in a different perspective and in a deeper way that makes you question your personal values. I can confidently say that the different subjects we went over have made me do some real self-reflection. Questioning what I truly believe in. Opening my mind to things happening in the real world that I didn’t know I was being affected by. The best part of it
all is that Prof. Kalchik does not discriminate against what you think or believe. He does an amazing job at being unbiased (except for the use of AI haha), and it makes it clear that he wants to help you learn how to improve your comprehension and communication skills through reading and writing.

Some quick tips would be to be on time to class, turn in your assignments on time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Prof. Kalchik is NOT a strict professor; he is a very kind person who wants to help you. There have been moments that he has made many exceptions for me and has allowed me to turn in late work or quizzes to make sure I am passing his class. With that being said, DO NOT absolutely DO NOT take advantage of
his kindness. Show your gratitude by being invested and respectful.

I really enjoyed this class, and I would love to be one of his students again. I personally enjoyed the reading annotations we did. I personally don’t read at all, but doing these assignments has really helped and pushes me to read more. While some of the readings had a lot of pages, and some were even hard to understand because of the higher reading level, I really enjoyed the challenge, and I am glad I pushed through.

In the syllabus, Prof. Kalchik encourages you to “take advantage of available services,” and I 100% agree. He is always recommending to use the Writing Center to help write your papers or even brainstorm ideas. Even if you just need a social space to do work. Another thing I also really liked in his syllabus is that he states exactly how you are going to be graded. It is “not a traditional grading system focused on points and percentages.” You can constantly check your progress in the Grade section of your dashboard.

This class was fun and also a lot of work, but I believe you will come out a better student.

My kindest regards,
Caleb B. (2025)

Hello future ENGL 215 students,

I know you must be wondering, “what is this class going to be like?” or “what’s the professor like?” Well do not fear...or maybe do. (I’m only kidding)

This class was one of the most beneficial and interesting English courses I have taken thus far, and I absolutely despise old British Literature. This course taught me many things, from being creative with AI to being able to actually stand British Literature. Professor Kalchik makes the course very engaging and interesting by providing coursework that keeps his students interested.

Professor Kalchik is a very understanding and empathetic professor who is happy to help his students in every way that they need. If you ever have an issue, concern, or life problem that will hinder your ability to succeed in his class, he would be more than willing to work with you. Never hesitate to ask for help.

Now, I want to talk about something mentioned in the syllabus. When he says, “you should also be ready to participate to the best of your ability in class discussions and group work,” he means it. This class was one of the hardest courses I have ever taken and you better come to class having read everything he assigned for that day. Every class is either full of discussion, group work, or (ah!) quizzes! Sometimes all three in one day!

Just remember that this class is meant to be fun and engaging but it can be difficult, especially if you start to fall behind (so try not to). It will be an awesome ride full of interesting reads and difficult ones too, but this class teaches you so much so take it all in!

Hope you have fun!

Hello, there.

If you're reading this letter that means you've decided to join Professor Kalchik on his group journey through a wild ride of British Literature. In this brief letter I am going to share some advice on how you can be successful in this class while also creating a fun experience for yourself, your classmates, and for Professor Kalchik.

The best class sessions are the ones when most people get involved. Shakespeare wrote in his play Hamlet "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer".From my experience in this class, you want to be, and what you want to be is present. You want to be present both physically and consciously for your benefit in this class. The reason for this is, whether you're an English major or not, is for you to get the full experience of British Lit I.Being present has many advantages. These include, but are not limited to: Improving group discussion skills such as speaking and listening openly to other ideas. This will allow you to expand your thinking capabilities, which will make room for more creative and open minded ideas. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts either! Being present and thinking openly also gives one a set of different lenses that they can use to see things from a different perspective.This advantage is being able to understand. To elaborate; by viewing things from multiple perspectives it allows you to understand the voice you are hearing .This is because understanding is very important to comprehending literature. When you understand someone,or something, you appreciate it. That doesn't mean you have to agree with it, or even like it, it just means that you can put yourself in someone else's shoes. However, and most importantly,being present will prevent you from "suffering in your mind" throughout the semester.

There are techniques you can also apply in this class to help you be successful in regard to understanding reading assignments. First off, you need to put in the work. To study literature properly, you need to be willing to do more than just read something once. You don't want to cheat yourself out of understanding a text, so read the material at least twice. Reading a text again can be like rewatching a movie and seeing things you missed the first time. Putting in the work also includes looking up definitions of words you don't know and can't pronounce. This will happen a lot with early British Literature, but it will also improve your understanding of a text.For historical background, I would recommend watching YouTube videos. However, watch moret han just 1 video and from different accounts. This will allow you to pick up on things about a text you may have not picked up on while reading. Professor Kalchik also offers many supplemental texts to help you as well.

I hope this helps. This class is as fun as you make it. If everyone is willing to participate, be open, honest, and respectful of each other's views and opinions, your semester in this class will be very enjoyable. Have fun, make new friends, and enjoy the British Lit!

Sincerely,Evan 

At the start of the semester I was feeling nervous and a bit anxious. I had worries not just about doing good in this class but about not meeting my expectations of myself, or that I wouldn’t be at the level of the class. Since English is not my first language, that also made me a little insecure, but once I got into the rhythm of class about two weeks in, I felt more than confident about my status in the class, and that is because of the environment Professor Kalchik created in the class. At least in my case, he helped me feel more confident and to dig deeper when participating and made me want to do it more. Not just because of this, but also since everyone was following that same vibe, it felt like a very mindful and respectful place and made me want to participate even more and try to integrate myself.

I think that anyone can do anything they put their mind to, but I think in this class, if you have to be specific, I would just be yourself and respect others, try to follow the conversation and do the readings so you do so, and this will probably lead you to succeed in this class. But you are also going to learn to be more mindful when reading and make a habit of writing to help you understand the reading better. If you consider yourself as shy, having a great understanding of the readings can help you be more secure in your participation, which is something that is required, even if you think what you want to say is not relevant. It might be, and also it will bring a new perspective to the conversation or take it somewhere else completely. Either way, just make an effort and try to do the assignment in the most truthful way to who you are, so when you are doing the assignment you will add a little of you into each word you write.

Something that you do have to keep in mind is the essays. If you are not someone that is used to writing for long periods of time, try and learn beforehand how you work best, not only when trying to make an outline or a draft, but also to annotate your research and keep tabs on it. I would also take advantage of the small writing assignments to find your style so when the large ones come into play you feel more confident and like you have all the tools you need.

And if I would need to close with one last thing, it is the importance that in this class you will need to be looking at the small details, be precocious and mindful of everything you read, even as insignificant as it might be. Like, for example, the quotes that Professor Kalchik will leave in most of the assignments and syllabus to help motivate you, as well as the tips in the syllabus in a space called “How can I be successful in this class?”, especially sentences like “make mistakes” and learn from them. This class isn’t about making no mistakes, but to take advantage of them to better yourself. To anyone reading this, I will finish this by saying relax, there is no need for stress if you follow these tips, participate in class, and have a mission this semester to better yourself or just be open to learning new writing and reading techniques.

Hi, my name is Kesha. Thank you for reading my ramblings.

Here is a good reason why you WILL be successful in this class. It's the basics, you have no other choice but to succeed to continue forward in your academic journey, muahahahahah! But don't worry, it ain't difficult if you put in the work. Professor Kalchik has a genuine interest in your victory over yourself. Yes, you are your worst enemy in this class. Take it from me, who slacked off and now has more than enough assignents to complete in one week. It's not going to be fun, but at least I knew this was coming. Did it to myself, didn't I?

My favourite part of this class was the conversations I had with people around me afterwards. I think you should try it too. Every time I let people know what we do and write here, I see rolled eyes and hear: "this is what's wrong with college nowadays". This makes me laugh. Some people really think that college has turned into a cult! Some others, though, engaged in conversations with me spanning hours, debating, agreeing and laughing. Truly, college, and this class in particular, are there to expand our field of view. College creates a new angle to look at life and the people around us. Isn't it great that we don't have to sit in one hole our whole life?

If I were to give you advice, it wouldn't be on how to succeed. You know your path better than I do. But I can tell you how to make your time during this class more enjoyable. Speak your mind, let it out, tell others what you think, no matter how crazy it might feel. Don't just sit there during class,speak up, don't be scared. Kalchik don't bite. This class isn't really about writing, it's about conversing ideas. And the Professor is there to facilitate that process.

Kalchik says this in the syllabus: "We live in the information age. The ability to use language is power."
Do you agree? Personally, as a D&D enthusiast, I like to think of information as the most valuable resource.  It is a tool that helps us find common ground, to relate to others, and to create new things. Use it to your advantage.

The world is your oyster — time to find the pearl,
xoxo

Dear Future Students,

If you are taking English 216, be ready to read many complex and fascinating stories and poems! Some of my favorite stories that I’ve read while being an English major at Mesa have been in this class. In the syllabus, Professor Kalchik says, “If you take your work in this class seriously, you will be proud of what you produce and the skills you will continue to master.” This is very accurate for the course. If you do your readings and other assignments with care, engaging and digging deep into texts, then you will be successful in this course!

I recommend getting the required textbook for this course.  This will allow you to annotate and express your ideas on texts as you read. You can later use these annotations to help you in class discussions, essays, or exams. Try to write down the strategies that authors use to communicate the themes of their texts because this will also help you with exams and essays. In addition, I recommend having a notebook handy to write down important details from class discussions. This will be beneficial when preparing for exams and essays.

The stories and poetry can be challenging at times. I highly recommend reading aloud, especially for the early British literature stories/poetry. This can help you really hear what the author is saying and allow you to pick up on lines that are easy to miss when reading silently. Pay attention to footnotes in stories/poems because these can really help you look beyond the surface of the texts. In addition, watch videos on Youtube if you find yourself stuck understanding the meaning behind the texts. Then go back to the story/poem and reread it. Rereading is essential to understanding difficult texts.

One of the most difficult parts of this course for me was participation. Taking classes through Zoom unfortunately does not make being shy any easier. A good way to get your voice into discussions is through breakout rooms. Smaller settings help you get more comfortable, allows you to collaborate with other students, and develop your ideas. I regret not speaking up in class as much as I could have so I recommend trying to contribute your voice whenever possible, whether this is agreeing and adding to someone’s ideas or asking questions.

Finally, reach out to your professor! If you are concerned about an assignment, set up an office hours appointment. This can help you to see more of what your professor is looking for and expecting from your work. I especially recommend this if you have a difficult time writing essays and want to know if you are headed in the right direction.

Dear Future English Students,

Welcome to Mesa. The parking will ALWAYS be terrible. You must remember to arrive at school 30 minutes early AT LEAST to find a spot. Bring an umbrella because rain will catch you off guard on the walk to English class three times. Congratulations you’ve found a class that will most likely differ from your prior English classes. This class caught me off guard because I expected the usual demands of reading the texts and then moving on after either a quiz or test of reading comprehension. 

You will be successful in this class during this semester because the activities and homework assignments offered involve students to look deeper into the text by translating it into a comprehensible form of media that has been invented a significant amount of years after the text was written. We were able to make videos, memes, and relate the past writings to current evens of today. This was not a requirement of my previous English classes, they only asked us to make connections with the events prior to or during the time the authors wrote their works. Because this class allows the student to comedically relate the past writings to current events, it made this one of the most painless English classes. There was less detachment between the author and reader.

I will heavily advise each student to always do their homework and turn it in before its due date. My second advisement would be to do your homework. My third advisement: DO YOUR HOMEWORK. I’ve watched many classmates struggle because they allowed themselves to fall behind on homework assignments. Do your homework. Do your homework. Do your homework. Do the readings on time. Use YouTube videos to help explain the readings while reading through them. Show up to each class. Most of what Professor Jason highlights and emphasizes within the text during class ends up on the exams. Also don’t be afraid to email Jason if you need help with an assignment or need him to clarify something about the class or a specific text. He will always respond rapidly from my experience. 

“We will work together to closely investigate the reading assignments and our reactions to them” (ENG 215 Syllabus pg. 2). This class was exciting because it allowed you to work together with your classmates and get different insights on the texts. The group work helps one get multiple perspectives on the literature instead of one person’s isolated view. Hopefully, you have less anxiety about this class because you have classmates that feel the exact same emotions. Once you work with them, you’ll realize they are in the same boat as you. As long as you put effort into this class and keep up with the assignments you won’t fail it. 

I wish the best luck to you all. 

“So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ― J.R.R Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring 

Hey there, my name is Ashton, and I wanted to share a little about my experience in English C1000X. Personally, I have a few learning disabilities that I have struggled with for some time now, but Mr. Kalchik was on his A-game when it came to helping out. He took time out of his busy schedule to help me practically anytime I needed it, and he was always so supportive. I have never had a professor care the way he does. When Mr. Kalchik said, "I will be there for you throughout this journey, attempting to help in any way that I can, and I hope that we will unite as a community of respected colleagues, encouraging and assisting one another whenever possible. We’re in this together! I care about my students, and I feel personally invested in the success of each and every one of you. Let’s do this!" he really meant it.

I have always enjoyed writing; it has been a big part of my life for many years, and finding a class like Mr. Kalchik's was a huge blessing. I struggle with ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety (especially during tests), and once I made Mr. Kalchik aware of my situation, he was very kind and accommodated me as much as he could throughout the semester. This class was a great experience for me, and I am sure it will be for you as well.

During these past few months, we talked and read about politics, technology, equality, gender, and tackled multiple other smaller assignments along the way. During each individual project, I put my best foot forward and always tried my hardest to do well. If anyone had any issues or questions, Mr. Kalchik was right there to help. I like to look at this class as "you get out of it what you put into it," and staying open-minded and motivated will not only help you in the writing process but also in the way that you will be able to absorb the knowledge that is being passed onto you more easily. Being self-aware in this class will also be helpful so that you can ask for assistance on specifics when necessary. It’s important to take the time to have fun and enjoy the class while you are here because, from what I understand, there aren’t many classes or professors out there like Mr. Kalchik.

I would also just like to say thank you to Professor Kalchik. Being in your class this semester brought out a side of myself that I have never seen before. I was able to express myself through my writing in a way that I was not able to do before attending your class, and in doing so, I became a much less scared and anxious person. Taking this first step toward my future career was very nerve-wracking, but finding a new sense of confidence in this class was well worth the hard work!

I wish you all the very best of luck this year, and I hope that all of you can get out of this class what I have! Welcome to English C1000X!

Hello future students!

I've taken many English classes during my time in college, using them as a strategy to re-acclimate to academia after withdrawing from my first college. Returning to school, I needed to re-learn how to think and write, and English classes, with their focus on stories, always appealed to me. School has never been easy for me; I'm currently on my third attempt at college due to various challenges, including struggles with addiction. After rehab, I returned for a third try, enrolling in English 215 with Professor Kalchik at Mesa in the Spring. This led me to English 252A: Fundamentals of Fiction. My experience in this honors course was enriching, and I want to share that regardless of your background in English or life, Professor Kalchik's class is welcoming and enjoyable. I certainly enjoyed it, twice!

In regards to 252A, it was challenging, and admittedly, I underestimated the demands of the class. We delved into fascinating topics like world-building and interactive narrative writing, which required a significant amount of creative effort. While this was invigorating and has inspired me to write more, it was also quite taxing. It's important to pace yourself and stay on top of projects. I struggled with time management in this class and had to put in extra effort to catch up. Nonetheless, 252A has been one of the most interesting classes I've taken, and my only regret is not managing my time better.

Beyond staying on top of deadlines and assignments, I found the importance of listening and collaborating to be crucial in 252A. Learning to give and receive creative criticism was incredibly valuable. Putting my work out there has always been difficult for me, and I used to struggle with accepting feedback. However, I've learned that we are all works in progress, as are our creations. Approaching others with thoughtful, constructive critique, and being open to receiving it, can help us and our work improve. Some of the most enjoyable moments in 252A were discussing ideas with classmates.

So, have fun, take risks, and be open to the possibilities that may arise!

Sincerely,

Alex

Dear future students,

My name is Erica, and I was a victim student in this class. I was deathly intimidated by this class; it was a big group, and I was surrounded by a lot of people who already knew what they were talking about. I found out on the first day that when the course description said “world building,” I had no idea it meant with the emphasis of table top RPGs, and that really worried me. I had played RPGs but never something like D&D. If you have never played any sort of table top game, you will 100% be A-okay!

I remember telling Professor Kalchik that I was terrified of this class because I felt like the only person who had no idea what they were doing, but he assured me I would be alright. Everyone in class is super supportive, and even if you’re too shy to share with a group of people, you will be forced to share. For most assignments, we group up and share our ideas and work, and it’s actually very fun! Through these group reviews, I got a lot of great feedback and even made a good friend.

Your ideas are unique and special to you. Human creativity is a wonderful thing, so please do not dim your light by using AI! I guarantee to you that whatever idea you plan on trying to write will come to fruition! Something small can surprise you by how much it can grow into something so amazing! Remember to choose something you’re passionate about, and it will go a long way. Even if you think it’s super small, the classes and lectures we go through will help develop your idea into something you won’t even see coming. AI will not be doing you any favors in this class; you will only be depriving yourself of the opportunity to experience something great.

I highly encourage everyone who wants to write, to vent, to create, to grow, and everything in between to take this class. Whether you love games, TV shows, movies, tabletop gaming, or even music, take a chance on this class. You will meet a wonderful community and an equally amazing professor who will help you every step of the way.

Yay, and good luck!

Hey future nerds,

My name is Julian Banuelos. I recently wrapped up English 101X this Spring Semester 2024, and I have to say, it was a great journey. I got into the class thanks to my buddy James, who I know from our Trigonometry class in Fall 2023. James is actually here in the survey too, lol. he's a cool guy.

When I first started this class, I was nervous about literature and writing essays. After all, it's an English class, which means tons of writing, reading, and literature and I give props to anyone who majors in this subject. But then I met Professor Kalchik. He turned out to be a super down-to-earth, chill, and understanding guy. He made the class criteria straightforward and easy to understand. Whenever I had any questions or concerns, he guided me through them effortlessly to the point. Which I highly suggest for all you guys out there reading this—please reach out for help; don't be embarrassed!

Even though the essays were challenging at times, with the help of Professor Kalchik, the LRC tutoring center, and my own little knowledge, I managed to get through them and actually found English to be a bit more enjoyable. One of Professor Kalchik's sayings that stuck with me is that passing school only takes two things: showing up and doing the work. I really liked that because it simplifies what it takes to succeed. If you attend classes and put in the effort, you'll do well. This advice helped me stay focused and motivated throughout the semester.

In the beginning, I was worried about keeping up with the workload of college-level English. It seemed intimidating with its heavy emphasis on writing and literature. But guess what? The syllabus lays everything out clearly, nicely organized.

One thing that really helped me out was using the resources available at Mesa Campus. The LRC tutoring center was a game-changer. The tutors there are awesome and can help you brainstorm, organize your thoughts, and even revise your essays. Combine this with Professor Kalchik’s guidance, and you’ll be straight.

Let me share a quick story: I was really struggling with one essay, Essay #3, about the age of technology. I couldn't get my thoughts together too well. When we had our draft done, we had a one-on-one conference with Professor Kalchik for advice. During my conference, he gave me great tips on how to improve my writing and organize my thoughts better, and left me helpful comments.

After that, I decided to schedule a session at the LRC, which he recommended. The tutor helped me understand the prompt and brainstorm ideas. With their help, I revised my outline and incorporated the feedback from Professor Kalchik. This combination of getting advice from my professor and using the LRC resources made my essay much better. It taught me that seeking help and using available resources can make a huge difference.

So to sum it up: show up, do the work, ask for help when you need it, and use the resources available to you. Trust me, you’ve got this! If I could pass this class, so can you! English 101X might seem intimidating at first, but with the right mindset and perseverance, you’ll find it to be a rewarding and more fun experience.

Best of luck, guys. frr, God bless!

Dear New Students,

I wanted to start by introducing myself; my name is Anna. You all are probably super nervous to start this class, and trust me, I was too. I was stressed when I started, but I'm here to tell you there is no reason to be. The classwork is super fun and creative. The teacher is super cool and very helpful. He will be here the whole time and is always there if you need help. I remember this one assignment I struggled with, and I asked him if he could help, and he did. He scheduled a meeting with me and guided me through it. So you are not alone on this journey.

Some advice I can give you all is to be yourself. You must give your best in this class and always try your hardest. There is no such thing as failing; it's just learning and growing. So, there is also no reason to cheat in this class. The work isn't hard. It requires time and thinking, which I know you all can do. If you are yourself and let yourself shine through in your writing, you will be fine and should pass this class with no problem. All the professor wants is to see that you're growing as a writer, so I say don't cheat because that's not you, and you're not growing by doing that. So make sure all your work is original and your best.

Something the teacher said in the syllabus really stood out, and that was, “You will choose the grade you want to receive.” When he says this, he's not lying. Your grade is determined by the effort you put into your work. The more effort you put in and the harder you try, the better your grade will be. Also, don't stress about failing. The teacher is pretty cool, so if you mess up on an assignment, don't think that's the grade you get, because it's not. He always lets you redo it and leaves helpful tips so you know what you need to fix. So don't be nervous or stressed. You are going to be fine, and you're going to do great.

This was my favorite class, if that helps. Good luck to all of you. You're going to have so much fun in this class.

Sincerely,
Anna

Greetings! I am Patrick Talledo, and I welcome you to this wonderful ENGL101X class! I am writing this letter to whoever is reading it, to share what you need to know about this class and to offer some advice.

First, I would like to tell you about the structure and organization of this class. I can’t thank Professor Kalchik enough for making his coursework well-organized. He makes the assignments easy to follow. He provides lots of resources that you may need when working through certain assignments. I must say that Professor Kalchik has to be one of the greatest professors out there. Why, you ask? Let me tell you. Whenever you need him or have any questions about an assignment, he will try his best to respond as soon as possible. But please be patient with him if it does take a while because we all have our own lives. I believe out of all the English teachers/professors I have ever had, Professor Kalchik is very dedicated to helping his students out. And I really appreciate that!

Another reason why this class is so enjoyable is that in some assignments, you get to interact with other students. Don’t worry if you’re thinking, “Oh man, I don't want to talk to other people.” But trust me, it's easy and fun, as long as you follow through with the requirements of the assignments.

I also want to say that I took this class with a friend of mine I met in my first year of college. His name is Jay; you might see him here. We decided to take this class together. At first, I was a bit scared and nervous about taking classes, especially since it was my first year. But Professor Kalchik made me realize that there is nothing to be afraid or nervous about. Professor Kalchik gives off a very cool/chill vibe. He helped me a lot with writing, reading, and how to use resources. He helped me with one of my essays that I did not really complete thoroughly; I was missing about half a page, and he helped me revise by giving me advice on what I should do in that essay.

The learning environment in Professor Kalchik’s class is very welcoming. If I had a chance to take another English class with this professor, I would definitely take it! Fun fact about him: he likes to play video games.

As I am wrapping up this letter, a passage from the syllabus that I like is “it's vital that you get started on assignments early.” I can’t agree enough with this. I can’t even lie, I am a procrastinator here and there. But once in a while, I do my best to break free from that procrastinating mindset, as it can be vital to my grade. Procrastinating also causes more stress than getting things started earlier. So, a piece of advice for whoever is reading this is to not procrastinate and start the assignments as early as possible.

As you go through this journey, be prepared to learn but also don’t be afraid to become an artist. Be creative! You will pass this class with an A if you put in the work and effort. Don’t worry, you will enjoy this class! I wish you all the best of luck!

Hi! First, let me just say, you got this. Really. I know starting a new class can feel overwhelming, especially if you're like me and English isn't your first language. I remember feeling nervous in the beginning because I thought I had to write these perfect essays with perfect grammar just to do well. But what I found in this class was the total opposite.

What really helped me succeed was realizing that this class isn't about being perfect. It’s about being real. The professor cares more about your ideas, the effort you put in, and how well you follow the assignment, not how “perfect” your English sounds. That was a huge relief for me as an immigrant student. I always had this fear that I’d be judged for small grammar mistakes, but that was never the case here. Instead, I felt encouraged to just express myself. And slowly, that helped me gain more confidence in my writing.

One thing I really loved about this class is that it pushes you to think critically and be creative at the same time. You’ll get to reflect on your own life, your thoughts, and your values, which I didn’t expect from a writing class. And you’re allowed to write in your own style and use your own voice. It’s not boring or robotic like some writing classes. In fact, a lot of it felt more like journaling or storytelling, which made it fun.

But let me also give you some real advice: don’t wait until the last minute. Trust me, it adds up fast. Even if the assignments don’t feel huge at first, if you let them pile up, it becomes stressful. Try to plan ahead, even just a little each week. You’ll thank yourself later.

Overall, this class was actually fun for me. I got to express myself in ways I haven’t done in a long time. And I learned a lot about how to communicate my ideas better, without feeling like I had to be perfect.

So, to you reading this right now, don’t stress. Just be honest in your writing, manage your time, and enjoy the process. You’ll grow more than you expect.

Wishing you a good semester and good luck,
Jhenecys

Hi, my name is Jair. If you are looking to learn how to construct essays, cite articles, and extract all the necessary information from other articles, then this is the best class for you. I promise that by the end of the semester, you will know how to do all these things. That's what happened to me. Initially, I didn't know how to accomplish everything in an essay, but all the methods Mr. Kalchik used, the tutorials he provided, and the games we played together were extremely beneficial. 

One thing I particularly liked about this class was the games. Just as Mr. Kalchik said, "We will be playing around with different types of programs so that we can showcase our ideas in creative ways. The keyword here is playing." This is a class where you will never be bored. The activities and assignments are interesting, and with all the help provided, it's almost impossible to fail.

Another aspect I appreciated was the way assignments were graded. There are no traditional A, B, C, or F grades. If you submit the work, you get the point, even if it's not perfect, because Mr. Kalchik always gives feedback, and you can resubmit your work. Additionally, if you miss a class, there is always another way to earn a participation point.

Welcome to this class, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Good luck.

Trust the Struggle

Where do I begin? The semester before this class even started, I was already afraid of what to expect. As time got closer to the class starting, I began fishing around for information about the class. Professor Kalchik was on top of it, preparing all the information for those starting his class. His syllabus was already up, and there were letters from his previous students explaining what to expect. Boy, was I excited! It took the fear away and made me feel a little better, key word "a little."

When we first started class, it was an easy-going day. I remember Professor Kalchik asking us to jot down "What challenges or obstacles are we expected to face?" and "What are some strategies for overcoming those challenges?" My response to these questions went a little like this: "As I start college, I'm already running into challenges. I struggle with reading and comprehending. There seems to be a lot of reading in English class, and that creates stress for me because how can I do my homework if I have to keep reading the same things over and over. It’s really time-consuming and frustrating. I doubt myself a lot, so I have to keep fighting in my head that I’m going to be okay and I'm going to succeed. I also feel like I fall behind easily, maybe because reading becomes discouraging, and I wait until the last minute to try and understand what I just read. Some strategies I would try to utilize would be to read more, try to have a clear mind, ask for help, and stay on top of my work so I won't get behind." After re-reading this note at the end of the semester, I can agree with everything that was in that note.

The first weeks of class were easy peasy! I was stoked because I thought, "I'm finally going to pass an English class with a good grade." But as the weeks went on, the work got harder! His favorite saying is "Trust the struggle!" I trusted the struggle and got through every assignment either with an 'A' or given another chance to get an 'A'. Prof. Kalchik has great teaching strategies that push students to be the best they can be. He lets you pick your own grade and gives you a chart to help figure out where you stand in his class based on the assignments, quizzes, and participation requirements. That alone pushed me to get an 'A'! He’s very understanding and is there for his students with any help you might need. He gives chances, and I think that is important when being in college and learning something new because you are bound to mess up and need another chance; once again, trust the struggle. 

I wouldn’t recommend missing any class because although he gives "make-up assignments," I must admit those assignments are a lot harder than what you would've done in class that day that was missed. His class is fun, he makes learning fun, and easy to understand what's going on. You don’t need books for this class because he prints out all of your readings so you can annotate them. If you're anything like me when it comes to reading, then annotation will become your best friend. If you follow the syllabus and instructions for assignments, you will have nothing to worry about; you will pass with flying colors. The way I look at graded papers, you either get an 'A' or an 'F', but there is always room to fix your mistakes and get the 'A'. I’ve never had an 'A' in English before college but managed to get one in this class. With that being said, You must trust the struggle because your struggle will turn into success. Welcome to Professor Kalchik’s English class.

To those whom it may concern,

If you seek knowledge and arcane secrets beyond what mortal minds were meant to know, then approach this class with the utmost respect! As a veteran student, I shall illuminate the shadows of these halls and reveal their secrets to you. Keep your hearts guarded and your minds prepared to absorb wisdom that most will never encounter. But, in all seriousness, if you’re considering taking the 252 course, good for you! It’s a niche class, but it’s informative and very entertaining. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested, with a few words of caution.

First, the cautionary warning: If you choose this class, no matter your preconceived ideas about writing, literature, RPGs, and worldbuilding, go in with an open mind and be prepared to engage with the class on its terms. I've seen this class from different perspectives - once as a student and once observing my mother take it. Some people didn’t quite grasp the class’s purpose at first, either due to unfamiliarity with RPGs or having set opinions about them. Those who were open-minded and willing to adapt their thinking enjoyed the class more than those who tried to force the class to fit their preconceived notions. So, embrace new perspectives! You may learn something new or find a novel way to combine your ideas with what you learn in class.

Beyond that, you’ll have a great time. This class encourages success as much as it teaches. Its community-based nature is a highlight. In many online classes, you might not get to know your fellow students, but in ENG 252, you’ll likely get to know nearly everyone through sharing and viewing creative work. It’s an inspiring environment to be part of. Consider setting up a Discord server or using a similar platform to socialize with classmates and share notes or project ideas.

Remember, worldbuilding is an evolving process. Share your work with peers in the class and friends outside who are into RPGs. They might offer insights or ask questions that inspire you to refine or expand your ideas. Other perspectives can illuminate aspects of your work that you might not have considered, enriching your creative process.

So, take English 252. It’s informative and enjoyable. In the words of the Scribe Kalchik, from the class syllabus, “Think of this class as collaborative storytelling!” Engage with your peers and their contributions as you would with the lessons from texts and lectures. Together, you'll not only gain knowledge and enhance your creative skills but also have a great time and maybe even earn those As!

With love,

Ian, 12/15/2023.

Dear Future English 252 Students,

Are you a geek? Do you play RPGs? Have you spent hours creating characters for Cyberpunk or exploring Baldur’s Gate as a rogue or paladin? Have you ever wanted to build your own worlds for games or stories? If so, then English 252 is the class for you!

My name is Karen, and I’ve been a nerd for over 50 years! I love reading, watching movies/shows, and playing RPGs. I’ve taken both English 252 A & B with Professor Kalchik, and I can honestly say they were the most inspiring and entertaining classes I’ve taken so far.

However, they aren’t easy! English 252 is an Honors class, and you must work hard to get an A. Grades are “effort based,” which means you need to participate in class and write a lot. There's plenty of writing and world-building. I spent many nights writing until the early hours – not because I had to, but because I was so inspired to create! The form your work takes is really up to you. In Professor Kalchik’s class, I’ve created videos, built Choose-Your-Own-Adventures, designed maps, created a blog, and written fiction. No matter what crazy idea I had, Professor Kalchik encouraged and supported me. My friends and classmates even created video games for their major writing assignments!

Every class meeting was engaging and so much fun. Seriously, what other class lets you create a Cyberpunk character and then use it in an adventure during class? We also learned how to build worlds and create NPCs. Don’t know what those are? Take the class, roll initiative... and find out!

Hello future Kalchikians, you’ve enrolled in this class, you’re probably wondering if you’ll survive. If you want a short answer, yes. And what about the long answer? Yes, but only if you stop procrastinating like your life depends on TikTok scrolls (guilty). To break it down, procrastination feels fun in the moment (“I’ll just do it later” → famous last words). But it will betray you when it’s 11:59 PM and you’re staring at a blank Google Doc questioning all your life choices when you have work the next day at 6 AM (again guilty). Trust me, it’s not worth the stress wrinkles. Make a plan for when you’ll do homework, and then actually stick to it. Think of it like making plans with a friend…except the friend is your essay… and if you flake, the essay will ruin your GPA out of revenge =).

My next tip is if you have an iPad, download Notability (it costs money but it’s a life saver). That app basically became my emotional support notebook. I could highlight, doodle, and even yell at my notes in neon colors, highly recommended. It made me almost feel like I had my life together (so close). Oh, and don’t be that person who “reads” by skimming two sentences and then hoping for the best (whoops). Do the active reading. I know, I know it sounds boring, but it’ll leave you a prize in the end.  When it’s essay time, you won’t have to reread the whole article because you’ll already have the important parts highlighted and summarized. It's like academic time-travel.

One line from the syllabus literally said, "Unit 1 will guide us in moving from passive consumption to active engagement with cultural texts, sharpening our reading and writing habits to interact critically with the world." At first I said, “haha okay,” but it turns out that was the cheat code to not drowning. The more you actually do the reading, the easier everything else feels. Wild concept, I know. Also COMMUNICATE with sir  Kalchik, he helps a lot and he understands.. A lot! Anyway, the moral of the story is procrastination is a trap, Notability is your bestie, and active reading is the secret sauce. You’ll be fine, better than fine, actually. Just don’t wait until midnight to test your luck.

Good luck and may your Wi-Fi always stay strong,

A slightly sleep deprived survivor of this class

Hello future students of Professor Kalchik,

My name is Justin Vanta, and this was my first ever college-level honors course. Although daunting, I chose to follow through because I wanted the challenge—and there definitely is a hefty challenge in this class, at least for me personally. Throughout this course, you will be forced to not only write in a different way than you likely ever have before, but think in a different way as well. Professor Kalchik will often give you several options for how to go about your larger assignments, and you're free to either do what feels most natural to you or take a chance and explore a not-so-comfortable possibility. Actually, my main regret with this class is not taking more chances, and I urge you all to do just that. Professor Kalchik will 100% be happy to give you tips and advice on how to reach a fantastic final product, and in fact throughout the course he encouraged taking risks as well. In this class, you will be praised rather than penalized for trying something outlandish in your work, even if you're not necessarily an expert in the form you're writing in or utilizing the software you choose to deploy, supported by his syllabus with this direct excerpt:

"Do I expect you to be a computer whiz or design genius? Chances are you might be, but no. I do not. I do expect you to play around with these tools and keep your mind open to trying new stuff. Use your talents! And again,  our classmates and I will be there to help and support you along the way." --Professor Jason Kalchik

On another note, if your classmates are anything like mine, they're filled with awesome, zany ideas and are going to be an absolute joy to interact with as you bounce ideas and theory-craft your worlds. One thing to remember when you're sharing your works is that constructive criticism is invaluable! What may seem to you to be a minor detail can certainly snowball someone onto the path of overhauling their whole world—for me, when I was asked what was going on outside the bounds of my map during our map-making assignment, I had a pretty important snowball moment for my world. The story is only actively happening on one continent, but the outside perspective of the world is absolutely something I needed to give more focus to. My world is essentially undergoing a small-scale Lovecraftian apocalypse, and so I had to think about things like: why is the rest of the world not helping? Does anyone else even know what's happening here? Is there anyone out there to help? What could an outside force even do to provide aid and how would that affect the plot? And so, so much more.

But the main thing I want to emphasize about this class is the environment. This is hands down the most creative freedom I've ever experienced in a class, and it is truly a unique experience—here, right or wrong is more like the difference between fun and boring. Professor Kalchik will almost never force you to change anything about your writing, although he does give thought-provoking feedback that you absolutely should give a lot of weight to. Key word however, is should. What's more important than anything is for you to develop a world that is uniquely your own, whilst employing the various styles and techniques Professor Kalchik will teach you by showing examples, having you practice, and then having you share your examples among peers, critiquing and praising each other and coming up with more ideas amongst yourselves, finding inspiration for your own work in every bit along the way. This is the general formula for how this class goes, and if you can get used to that you're going to have a fantastic academic and creative experience.

I can assure you, the pace of the course is fair and the progression feels very natural. Whatever worries you do encounter, I'm sure Professor Kalchik would be happy to speak to you during class, office hours, or via email. Relax, and have fun crafting your world!

Dear Future English 205 Students,

When I first started this class, I was nervous. English was not my first language, and I worried if my ideas would be understood, plus I am an immigrant, and with everything going on in the country right now, my mind was heavy, I had a lot of personal concerns too, and when you have too much going on, it is hard to focus on a critical thinking class. Then I met Teacher Jason. I met him at the wrong time in my life, but he was the right person for me. He saw my potential, even when I couldn’t see it myself. There is an ad I like that says, “You only need one person to believe in us, only one.” For me, that one person was him. Because of his understanding and patience, I didn’t drop the class, even when it got hard. What I also learned here is that English 205 is not only about writing essays, it’s about learning to think deeper, to question what we see in the world, and to speak our truth in a way that connects with others. I enjoyed talking about what is currently happening in the world. It was such a mind workout.

My advice to you: don’t be afraid of your own voice. Even if your grammar is not perfect or you think your ideas are too simple, write them down. Your experience and point of view matter. You never know who will feel inspired because you spoke from the heart.

Read the assignments slowly, take notes, and ask questions. In this class, the best work comes when you mix your personal story with the skills you’re learning, things like critical thinking, analysis, and connecting to theories. Also, don’t wait until the last minute (how hypocrite I am, ahah, sometimes I wait for the last minute, but I finally understand that is not a good practice). This class can be a lot if you try to rush it.

Most important: respect your own growth. If you make mistakes, see them as proof that you are trying and learning. I came into this class feeling unsure, but I leave it more confident in my writing and in myself.

Trust me, you will finish this class stronger than you started.

Do your best and be gentle to yourself.

Ruth

To the incoming A++++ students,

You made a good decision choosing Professor Kalchik as your ENGL 205 professor because let me tell you guys that it was an experience that I wouldn’t forget! I’m Ejay and I took his course during the Summer 2025 semester fresh out of high school before I headed into San Diego State University in the fall to study kinesiology!

For starters, you WILL need to think. The fun kind of thinking don’t worry. This class wasn’t lying when it was titled “Critical” thinking because the majority of the time, it forced me to think outside my comfort zone and think more broadly about the world around me. This class is structured around the “signs” of life in American culture so the topics in this class will most likely be familiar which made it easier to write and annotate about. I found this fun because I saw America through a different lens, changing how I viewed our society and politics as a whole. From everyday ads to everyday superheroes, you will take a closer look and discover the true meanings behind everyday media.

In terms of the class structure, you will get about 3–4 readings per week but they aren’t too much of a battle to read. Some are lengthier than others but you are required to annotate them like it’s nobody’s business. Paired up with a few writing assignments and you’ll be back to enjoying your summer in no time. Also, take advantage of his extra credit opportunities. One includes talking to him about how you’re doing in the class and to check in how you are preparing for your next essay. He’s very approachable and he will help you expand on your thinking. Don’t be afraid to email him too, he will be happy to offer advice on your writings and answer any questions. If something comes up, please let him know!! He’s very flexible on due dates because there is no late work but it’s up to you to get everything done by the end of the semester. You can still get an A in this class even if you miss a few assignments. He truly cares about your success in this class through his check-ins and descriptive feedback on assignments.

My final advice is that you make sure to not procrastinate. I took CHEM 100 and PSYC 101 alongside 205 and the majority of my time was devoted to 205. Conceptually, all of the assignments are very doable and not confusing, you just have to be disciplined and focused to get all of your work done so you won’t fall behind. I encourage you to blend your own personal experiences and interactions into your own writings because you will find a bunch of the content to be very relatable so don’t feel afraid to speak your mind and remember to think critically!!!!

I wish nothing but the best for your semester and enjoy the journey life takes you on!!

Hi there future student(s)!

You have 100% made the right decision by enrolling in English 205, especially with Jason Kalchik. I mean it truly when I say that Professor Kalchik is amazing and it was a pleasure to have been a student of his, even if it was for a very quick summer session class! He is extremely detailed in his critique-work and genuinely held me accountable through the entire class to stay on track, and grow within the process. It can be easy to work so hard in a class, yet still feel like improvement academically was never made or fulfilled. I can reassure you that in this class, if you put in the effort, it will not feel that way! The academic reward of working hard and seeing your progress build and maintain is such a wonderful thing, and I definitely learned that because of this professor.

I feel like college professors nowadays can easily get caught up with the bigger responsibilities of keeping a class well paced, but the Professor took time each week to dig deep and connect with students in such a way that was highly respected and admirable. I knew that any struggle I may have faced in the class, I could easily contact Professor via email/Canvas and he would get back to me within 24 hours (most times within 12 hours...) and that was a true reassuring factor while being a college student.

I have always enjoyed English classes, so thankfully I felt confident in my work ethic, but I learned so much in a short amount of time. My biggest takeaway in this English summer class is to write naturally and really be myself. What I mean by that is finding a way to comfortably narrate as if you were speaking to a friend. Of course being appropriate in the dialogue and having the correct writing skills is needed, but doing this technique in my assignments taught me how to loosen up a bit. Not every sentence needs a fancy analytical word or a phrase that makes me sound like a brilliant novelist, because that's not me! It has taken me years to actually comprehend that in order to improve on my own.

Good luck in your future English class, I hope that my reassurance and advice can help ease your mind and build more confidence academically!

Best Wishes,
Simone

Dear Potential Student of Professor Kalchik,

Part of the prompt for this letter is to tell you why I think you will be successful. Well, I know nothing about you, so I'm not going to give you any inauthentic words of encouragement. Success is defined differently for everyone, and some people have not even defined it for themselves. Before you take this class (or any class) ((or make any major commitment/goal/choice)) you need to clearly define what it would look like for you to be successful in that endeavor.

For example: signing up for a co-ed basketball league. Do you want to be the best player in the league? What exactly does that look like? (Most points per game? Lead your team to win the championship?... etc.) Do you want to simply enjoy yourself? What exactly does THAT look like? (Make friendships with your teammates that you keep after the season is over? Keep your emotions under control while playing and be happy win or lose?... etc.)

You need to fill in the blank: I will be successful in this class if I ________. AND BE AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE!!! (ex: get a B, complete all the readings on time, not use AI software, fully engage and give an opinion that might be risky to express, or just pass the class with the least amount of effort possible). All of those are valid goals, but you need to identify and commit to what your goal is. Then you need to set a path for how you can achieve that goal: What can I do every day/week/weekend/month to ensure that I achieve that goal? And DO THOSE THINGS!!! And I guarantee you will achieve your goal, barring some extreme external event.

The next part of the prompt for this letter is to give you advice. My advice would be: do not take this class if you are not deeply interested in literature, history, or early American life—and definitely do not take this class if you want to get an A with minimal effort. That is not going to happen. You cannot get an A unless you fully and deeply annotate 16 readings, which is a very time-consuming task.

I think you, as the potential student, need to ask yourself, "Why am I signing up for this class?" And really be solid in your answer. If you are taking this class to fulfill your general education requirements as easily as possible, this is not the class for you. The workload is far greater than what a 3-unit class typically is. I have had 5-unit classes and accelerated intersession classes that require less than half of the time compared to this class. If you are only thinking of spending a total of 9–10 hours a week for this class like a typical 3-unit class, guess again. That is not even close to what is necessary to complete all the readings and assignments. Also, if you do not have annotating software, you will need to print out the readings to annotate, which is beyond an excessive waste of paper and money.

Now! This class does expose you to many interesting readings, which is cool. Professor Kalchik does give great (and very lengthy) responses to each and every assignment you submit. Some of the responses are longer than the writings you submitted. So, if one of your goals is to deeply learn about early American literature, this class will accomplish that.

My clipping from the syllabus would be the section on "ChatGPT." I would agree. Do not use it. The readings are not difficult, just long. They are really interesting and often emotional. You lose that emotion if you read a summary from AI.

Summary of my letter: great readings, caring professor, lots of time, choose your 'success' and make it happen.

Dear Future Students of Professor Kalchik,

Hello again! My name is Justin, and I’ve now had the pleasure of taking a second course with Professor Kalchik, this time centered around American literature. If you’re reading this, you're likely preparing to step into a class that challenges not only how you write, but how you think. And that’s exactly what makes learning here such a privilege.

From the beginning, you'll see that Professor Kalchik is the kind of instructor who brings both deep passion and genuine care into the classroom. He is the kind of professor who wants to see you succeed not just as a student, but as a thinker and communicator. His feedback is thoughtful, his lessons are engaging, and his dedication to his students never wavers. It's clear that he truly loves what he teaches and values the journey each student takes in the process.

One thing I want to emphasize, because it really does make a difference, is how true it is that fully immersing yourself in these readings transforms the entire experience. When you go beyond just skimming and truly engage with the material, everything else in the class clicks more naturally: the discussions become more interesting, the writing more insightful, and even the challenges start to feel exciting instead of overwhelming. The more you give to the readings, the more you’ll get out of the course.

I’ll be honest, this time around I did fall behind. Balancing school and work got to be far too chaotic, and there were stretches where I more than struggled to keep up. I kept thinking I’d have time to catch up later, but as the work began to pile, so did the pressure. Eventually, I did manage to get back on track, but not without a ton of unnecessary stress, and certainly not without the help of Professor K. I can’t help but wish I had stayed steady from the beginning, for the sake of both my grade and my overall experience. Take it from me: even when life outside the classroom gets chaotic, do your best to keep pace. You’ll thank yourself later, and your engagement with the course will be far more fulfilling. This is more than your average class and deserves to be treated as such.

What I can assure you, though, is that Professor Kalchik will always meet you with patience and support. He’s approachable, responsive, and understanding, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re struggling or uncertain. Just know that the sooner you do, the better your chances of getting back on solid footing.

This class has been one of the most intellectually rewarding experiences I’ve had, and I’m confident it will be for you too. Keep your mind open, stay engaged, and take the course seriously. You’re in excellent hands.

All the best,
Justin

Dear Future English 101 Student,

You're here, and that's what you came to do. English 101 is just another writing class, they say. But let me tell you, by the time it's over, you'll be taking with you not only better essays, but a smarter mind.

I had no idea what I was enrolling in when the semester started. I figured I'd read some articles, and I'd be all good. But it was so much more than that. English 101 teaches you to think and write differently. It teaches you how to actually read something and how to think deeply in words that actually stick with people.

Let's talk about Professor Kalchik because he's a big reason why I passed this class. He's easygoing, respectful, and really engaged in doing his part to help you. He responds to you on things, gives real feedback, and actually wants to see you succeed. If you're willing to put in the effort, he'll meet you halfway every time.

The following are some things I wish someone had told me when I began:

Don't leave classes until the last minute. The class is completely in your hands if you keep working on the weekly assignments.

Annotating: your grade depends on it. Learning how to read and annotate actively was new for me. It makes a difference when I start writing.

Read the feedback and use it. All the papers I got back had something positive in the comments. As soon as I started using those suggestions, my writing became stronger.

Use Canvas. All the work is laid out nicely in the modules. Trust the weekly schedule. It keeps you on top of things and organized.

To be fair, what I liked best about this class was that it never felt like a lot of work. It didn't feel like we were doing things just to do them. I could see myself improving week by week. When we finally did the last essay, I found that I was writing faster and more confidently than before.

If you go in with an open mind, ready to learn, and ready to do the work, you'll be okay. Don't overdo it. Just stay focused, ask questions when you need to, and trust in the class. You can get it done.

Wishing you good luck,
Joice

Hi English 101 Future Students!

This is Youssef. I had the class with Jason Kalchik and I didn’t regret taking the class with him btw.

I learned in this class that whatever effort you are going to put in, you will be paid back. I had a challenge maybe not all of you will face, but English isn’t my first language, so reading articles wasn’t easy for me. I talked to Jason about this and he helped me all the way until I finished this class.

It's an easy class. You just have to save 2–3 hours depending on the assignment, and sometimes less, for 2 days a week. So it's like 4 hours a week to read the articles and submit the assignment. I was taking more time than 2 hours since I am not born here, but it was really fun, and the essays are very easy and interesting.

My advice to you is don’t overwhelm yourself thinking that you have a lot of things to do. Maybe they appear huge, but they are really easy.

To prove my advice, I did two large pieces of writing in two consecutive days. Let me explain it. You have small writings and large ones. The large ones are full pages, and before you write you should read two sources and your articles, and then write your five full pages and cite your work. Don’t forget my native language isn’t English, so sometimes I have to translate what I want to say from my native language to English, and that takes a lot of time. So don’t overwhelm yourself. Just exert as much effort as you can and you will gain. Trust me.

However, I will be there for you throughout this journey, attempting to help in any way that I can, and I hope that we will unite as a community of respected colleagues, encouraging and assisting one another whenever possible. We’re in this together. I care about my students, and I feel personally invested in the success of each and every one of you. Let’s do this.

This is a part of the syllabus where I stopped when reading it, and I actually experienced it a lot. Jason was always there for me every time I wanted to talk to him. He always responded back with a Zoom link, and I joined, and we started discussing some stuff. I found out that he likes gaming like me!

Good luck with your classes this semester, and of course the English one. It is going to be easy. I promise you won’t even feel it.

Dear Future Students,

I want to make sure it’s known that at the beginning of this semester I was very hopeful, but equally terrified of what was to come, especially with a class I had tried to take over again. I was hopeful that in this class specifically, and with a new professor teaching it, I would be able to meet new people and grow from how I had done previously in my first try. It was important to me to try not to be overwhelmed when it came to understanding the readings and knowing that it’s not always the “smartest thing to say” that equals a good grade. I, for one, worried about that in my projects and large writing assignments, wondering whether or not this would be good enough for a high grade.

If you are reading this now, then hopefully you are also feeling a little more at ease within this class. However, if you are not, and you’re not feeling very capable in this class, then I would implore you to just wait till it’s after at least week three. And even after the first three weeks, it still is surprising how one might still take a minute to get the hang of a class. I remember realizing towards the conclusion that I had missed three writing assignments and a quiz. At that time, I had gone over the syllabus once more to see where the margin of error was and where I could recover from this. I reread a section under grade goals that went, “Our job in this class is to become stronger readers, critical thinkers, and writers... You can rework and turn in your assignments as many times as necessary.” That right there is a little nudge that it’s okay to mess up occasionally. And that you can revisit, revise, and come back stronger so you can still pass that missing quiz or small writing assignment.

I thought it best to break down two of the things that helped me most:

First, I was reading everything. I, at times, had to go over something 2–3 times before I really understood not only the narrative but also how to break these things down, annotate, and do so without frying your brain. Plus, annotations were part of this class specifically. It’s going to help you grow in all your understanding of each reading.

Another great way towards passing this class was to pick a grade goal and at least own up to it. I know sometimes a syllabus with specific contract grading can be intimidating, but to my surprise, this system has tons of room for marginal improvement. Our professor wants us to have shown we worked for the grade we wanted. You do that by taking every opportunity we have in this course.

I had to trust the struggle. As Gloria Anzaldúa said in the syllabus, “Do the work that matters. Vale la pena.” The work is worth it—not just for a letter grade, but for what it teaches you about your voice, your resilience, and your ability to think deeply about the world around you. Occasionally, you will feel uncertain. It's alright. The goal of this class is development, not perfection. Your strengths as a thinker and storyteller, as well as a student, will become more apparent the more you participate. Start now. Read something that makes you think. Write a frightening story. Pose an argument. Give an idea. On top of that, keep in mind that you are here for a reason whenever you are doubting yourself. The reward is genuine, but the labor is difficult. Frederick Douglass once said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” You got this, future students.

Sincerely,
Someone who made it and believes in you.
Madison

Future student in English 210! Who I used to be! I'm in my final two weeks of the semester and already preparing for my final project in this class. This is one of those classes where you have to stay on pace if you want to be at ease. With that said, Professor Kalchik is a very easygoing instructor. He's down to earth, works to accommodate the student, and is very responsive to communication. One thing that I've learned about him is that he's a great writer, and he's also a great speaker—so that's what you want from an English professor. The grading in the syllabus is going to be your Bible for the class. It's pretty clear, so as long as you follow those guidelines, you'll know where you are in class.

Furthermore, the Backspaces (which are extra credit) are going to be your breathing room, or they can be used for extra points if you wish. Other than the formal stuff, I took this class to prepare me for my transfer college (SDSU), and I have to say that I feel beyond prepared after taking this class. We have read some really great stuff that I don't think I would have read otherwise. You'll read things that supplement your knowledge in history and perhaps change your mind on a few things—like me.

As you prepare for this class and get your mind right, just remember to keep up with the reading. Have an open mind, and make sure you understand how to annotate. Annotating is perhaps the biggest thing you'll come to master by the end of the semester. I know you'll be successful. You've taken the first step by taking this class, and now there's no turning back. Take the challenge—Mr. Kalchik is a fun and meaningful class. You'll be shocked by some of the stuff you read, but in a good way!

Dear Future Students,

My name is Shemica, and let me tell you something before you take this class.
This class is challenging.
Wait, no, don’t leave yet! Hear me out.

As a non-native English speaker, I struggled a lot. I even considered dropping the class. There were times I doubted myself and thought I wasn’t going to pass, but guess what? I did. And you can, too.

In this class, you will struggle. There’s a lot of reading and annotating, but it will help you think critically and dig deeper into the issues the book is trying to explore. Re-reading is a must so you can fully understand what the author is trying to say. At times, it might feel overwhelming because of all the reading and writing. But you’ll also get to engage with your classmates’ inner thoughts, which is honestly one of the best parts. Their insights will expand your knowledge and show you different perspectives you might not have considered. You’ll do all of this, and you’ll do it fabulously.

Once again, yes, it is a challenging class, but it’s not hard. You might think there’s no difference between those terms. Technically, they might be synonyms, but in this case, there is a difference. The word hard implies something nearly impossible, where success feels out of reach. Challenging, on the other hand, means it pushes you, but you can overcome it. It will test your skills so that you can grow and become better than you ever were.

You need to work hard and stay focused. Success doesn’t just come to you—you have to chase it. Stay focused and don’t procrastinate (and yes, I know that’s ironic coming from a self-proclaimed procrastinator!).

But of course, if you’re struggling, reach out to the professor! Don’t be afraid to use your ultimate trump card—Professor Jason Kalchik himself. I highly encourage you to contact him, because he’s always there to listen and help. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. The only reason I succeeded is because I reached out. He guided me through the areas where I struggled most. He gives encouraging feedback that motivates you to keep going and get better.

Professor Jason isn’t looking for “perfect” or “successful” students. He’s looking for improvement. He values passion and genuine effort, and he will always push you to become the best version of yourself.

So here’s my advice:
● Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
● Take your time, but don’t waste your time.
● Participate in class discussions—your voice matters.
● Trust the process.
● And always keep reading, keep writing, and most importantly, keep slaying.

Chins up, Kings and Queens! 💖👑
You’ve got this.
—Shemica

Dear Future Scholars,

Welcome to English 101X, where you will learn how to write with great organization and great order to achieve perfected writing skills to pass this class. Professor Kalchik is awesome and helps you along the way with any questions or concerns. I want to thank him for helping me achieve my academic goals, where you choose your own grade by the effort you put into this class. That is the way you can achieve your goals in this class.

It is essential to recognize the potential within you and to remain motivated through challenges. Reflect on effective strategies that can help you progress through time management techniques, study habits, and stress management practices. My personal experience, I hope, enlightens you. When I initially struggled with my writing and hesitated to seek help, it led to unnecessary delays. However, I utilized the resources available, including a Zoom session with the professor. I was able to find clarity and began allowing my authentic self to be more creative. Each question that you ask and every draft you revise will enhance your critical thinking and writing skills. You will benefit from learning, and also, your peers can learn from you as well.

I leave great words of wisdom: embrace your journey ahead with creativity and a willingness to engage in deep thought and with deep material. The syllabus highlights the importance of being “challenged to rise to the occasion and engage with and produce meaningful, college-level work,” which underscores the need for commitment and effort. If you find yourself feeling anxious or overwhelmed, remember you can use the Writing Center at Mesa College, which can transform your late-night worries into steady progress. By actively participating in this class and putting forth your best work, you will not only meet expectations but also gain a rewarding academic experience using critical thinking at its best.

Well wishes on this journey to great success in this class.
Shanika

Dear Future English 210 Students,

I came into this class riding high on pure excitement. Finally, a class that lines up with the depths of my major! I told myself, "This will be a breeze because I want to be here." Yeah... jokes on me. Somewhere between the second annotation and the third late-night writing session, Burnout pulled up a chair and said, "Hey, mind if I stay a while... probably until the last day of the semester, LOSER!" So here's my first and biggest piece of advice: excitement is great, but it's not enough to carry you through the whole semester. You need discipline, too. Be excited, but also be realistic.

And here's what I wish I did: stick to the exact pacing the professor gives you. I'm begging you from the bottom of my spite-fueled, past-midnight soul... do NOT fall into the "I'll catch up later" trap. I tried it. I thought, "I'll just annotate the readings when I have time." Spoiler alert and big shocker to me: time does not magically appear when you want it to. Once you fall off the schedule, it becomes so much harder to climb back on. Save your brain, your sleep schedule, and your GPA. Trust the syllabus and trust the pacing. Because of an insanely crazy semester where I had not one or two but THREE major life events happen, if I had just stayed on pace with the syllabus, it would have sorted itself out, and I wouldn't be growing a million grey hairs (true story, there's photo evidence).

Speaking of the syllabus, read the "Windows in Time" section again when the class starts to feel heavy. There are a few lines that really stick with me: "Literary writing reflects our ever-evolving value systems and beliefs. It celebrates what we know of the universe and our purposes within it, while also exploring our fears and aspirations and granting us windows into worlds and ways of being both familiar and foreign to our own." That's not just filler for the syllabus. It is the perfect description of what this class does to your brain. You'll start seeing how myths shaped America, how literature was used to cover things up or reveal truths, and how stories have always been a fight for power, identity, and meaning.

Another thing: talk to the professor. Email him. Visit office hours. DON'T OVERTHINK IT. It doesn't need to be as official or formal as you may think it needs to be. I was on the verge of losing my mind while I sent incoherent emails to Professor Kalchik, and he took my concerns very seriously and with care. He is the most responsive, kind-hearted, and insightful professor I have ever had. He cares. He roots for you. I regret my situation and needing to take online classes only, otherwise I would take an in-person class with him in a heartbeat, but the student-professor connection is still authentic even through a screen, and in my case, a couple of hundred miles away.

Yes, this class will challenge you. And yes, it will be so worth it. You'll come out of it with better writing skills, sharper eyes, and with a mind that questions things a little more deeply. You'll stop seeing literature as a list of dead authors and see it more as a conversation you are invited to.

So future student, get excited but don't stop there. Put in the work and stay on track. Reach out when you need help. Let yourself be changed by the material. Make effort and excitement your duo for success, not plain excitement until you burnout. And if you do that? You'll do more than pass this class. You'll grow from it.

YOU GOT THIS!

Sincerely,
Someone who fell behind, stressed, grew grey hairs, and stood back up while actually learning something
Sahar

To whom this may concern:

Welcome to whatever semester/class you’re reading this for! I don’t really know if this is exclusively applicable to English 210, or if your professor will use this text for additional courses, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that at the end of the day, it won’t really matter. I’m not here to lie to you, so I’ll begin frankly; this class is probably going to feel like a rockslide at times, and you’ll flail about under the barrage of assignments and try not to get squished. However, (and this bit is important) it will be worth it.

As we speak, or rather, as I type, I am finishing my final semester of community college before graduating and beginning my literature degree at UCSD. I’ve taken a wide variety of courses, including nearly every English or literature class offered through SDCCD. I guess you could say I’m kind of an expert in this stuff. I might have a few small regrets about taking this course last, but that’s a topic for another conversation. This course has probably been the most work of any of those classes, but it has, without a doubt, also been the most enlightening and truly educational. 

When we began, and went over the grade goals outline, I thought “this will be a piece of cake!” Wrong. So wrong. Shortly after, we began annotating our first large reading, and all the aforementioned rocks began to tumble. Professor Kalchik emphasizes at the beginning of the course just how effective thorough annotations are when seeking to not only read, but explore a text. Begrudgingly, I must admit that he was correct. You see, I was of the “Psh! I can read, Jason. I’ve got this,” mindset. I’ve studied literature for decades (I’m old) so I felt entirely too cool for school, and like I didn’t need to be annotating large portions of text in order to really understand them.

I did.

As much as all of these assignments will test your time management skills, they will also enhance the quality of your experience. I never would have found myself sassy snapping at Abe Lincoln or cackling at Ben Franklin were I not required to really engage with the texts beyond a simple read-through. I would have continued to love Edgar Allen Poe, hate Emily Dickinson, and think Puritan literature was as dry as month-old toast. (Okay, that last one still stands.) Yet, knowing I needed to submit genuinely thoughtful annotations in order to get an A in a required course forced me to do just that: be thoughtful, and truly seek to understand the literature rather than just read well enough to pass a test. 

In our syllabus, Professor Kalchik makes reference to interrogating literature, and that is a perfect definition. Throughout this course, I closely, and at times aggressively, questioned the words, meanings, origins, and effects of a wide variety of classic American texts. I learned not only what the authors intended to say, but why they sought to, and how those intentions and effects connected with my life, and the political and social topography of the landscape of 2025. I created one of the most impactful pieces of political art I have ever made, learned that men I thought were brilliant were actually pompous and insufferable, found myself remarkably drawn to and connected with figures from our nation’s history that I never would have anticipated enjoying, and even found new value in texts I’ve already read a million times before.

Now, you might be thinking, “Wow, Heather. Thanks so much. Now I feel exponentially more concerned about this course. Why on earth would you blab on for multiple pages about how hard it is? This is not encouraging.” And you wouldn’t be wrong. Yes, your concerns are valid, but I want you to know that in spite of all those worries and misgivings about whether or not you can succeed in a difficult class, you can. Even more than that, you should. You’ll take many courses across your educational journey. You’ll enjoy some of them and hate others. Some, you’ll learn a bunch and love every second, and others will be like eating sand. This class is no different, but I want you to know that what you get out of it is entirely up to you. Professor Kalchik is probably the most truly engaged instructor I’ve had. I’m not sure where he finds the time to craft long, in-depth responses and probing questions to every student, for every assignment, but in those responses you’ll find someone who loves literature. You’ll find a teacher who wants you to learn past reciting the Gettysburg Address verbatim, and if you choose to lean into the work, you’ll obtain much more than a passing grade and a step toward your future degree. 

Hopefully, I haven’t scared you off. It really was not my goal. This course will challenge you in the best ways, and teach you skills that won’t just help you in this course, but in all the days to come. Your entire life will be filled with words; whether it be a memo from your boss, a novel you read on vacation, a presidential address you watch while chewing off your fingernails, or your best friend’s speech at your wedding. This course will change the way you consume and digest all of those words, and the newly expanded parts of your brain will help you navigate each of those situations with a deeper and more conscientious mindset. Use your time wisely—pay attention to the estimates provided in the weekly modules. Give yourself the time you need to do the work, and I promise, the work will pay you back in kind. 

You’ve got this,

Heather

Hello, fellow students of the future! I, Ardavan A, your senior (in school time rather than age, probably), am gifting you this letter to share some of my experiences in English 210, and to tell you how you will most likely succeed. While English 210 with Professor Kalchik is not the most complicated or difficult class, sometimes it is, in fact, a lot of work. If you're fresh from high school, be wary, as while the difficulty may not have ramped up with this class, the workload and expectations most certainly have.

What do I mean by this? Coming from high school a couple of years ago, all the classes I had taken up to this point have been rather light but difficult, which was what I expected from my college career up to this point: a more difficult workload rather than a heavier one; still daunting, but easier to build up motivation for, as it's a consistent challenge rather than something which eases up into a consistent chore-like activity. To expand: while there are most definitely assignments in this class that felt difficult to an enjoyable level, going from needing to do very little reading to 16 graded readings was a lot, and something many may not be prepared for.

A key line in the syllabus for you new students to focus on would be this: "To manage your time effectively, start assignments early." And while it is a simple enough concept, actually executing it can cause difficulties due to the big thing called life getting in your way. I was nearly a week ahead on all my assignments before multiple, rapid, stamina-draining events happened nearly back to back and ruined my scheduling for the semester, causing me to be consistently a week behind on most assignments, and I don't want that to happen to anybody else—or myself again later down the line.

I hope this letter serves you well in your academic career, and the little bit of experience I was able to add to this letter helps smooth out your educational journey.

Sincerely,
Ardavan A.

Hello New English 210 Students,

This class can be a lot of work, but it will give you practice in skills that are versatile and valuable. It will get you into the habit of discovering the roots of modern ideas and supporting your beliefs with evidence. After the coursework, I’m more confident in my own interpretation of the world, especially with American politics and literature.

My biggest tip for the large assignments:

Quote the texts! During my second large writing assignment, I restarted the entire thesis, theme, and style three to four times. Sometimes this trial and error may be necessary, but there is something I learned to prevent this. After reading the texts, you'll start naturally piecing together ideas and connections. When the larger writing project comes, you’ll have to interpret the texts in a way that supports an argument of yours. For whatever idea you have, find. quotes. to. support it! I wrote my outlines with my feelings and memory the first three times, and this is what led me down a maze of ideas that I couldn’t track. For my final attempt, I skimmed through all the texts and collected every quote that related to my project. And then it all came together and built upon itself. My original ideas were vague, and collecting references from the text helped me piece together something more grounded.

I have a habit of getting lost in my assumptions, but supporting them with proof feels way more fun (and will guide your project). Then, you can incorporate scholarly articles that further your point. For that process, I just typed keywords related to my thesis and main ideas into the college library (there will be a tutorial for this in the class) and clicked through a couple of articles till I found a paper that agreed with me and helped me further support my conclusions. Finding an article that backed up a personal paper was a first—and encouraging!

My personal tips for succeeding:

1. Annotate in the way your mind thinks.

I think you could fall behind in your coursework if you get stuck up on the amount of reading and analysis. If you overthink it, you’ll hesitate and slog through the texts. I’d suggest not approaching it feeling pressured to perform a thorough and deep analysis. For the annotation assignments, what worked for me was: being messy with my thoughts, being honest, speaking my mind even if I was probably wrong (very important), and connecting what I was reading to my real-world knowledge. Be willing to change your perspective and assumptions. And if a certain author still doesn’t reach you, talk crap and argue with them.

2. Make connections to your own life and interests.

I did not think I was interested in the history of America or American writers before I started this class. But there’s a lot of connections between the writings and myths that make all the works relevant to American lives now. The writers you will read are all talented in a blending of classic and innovative ways, and they speak of real human experiences that reflect where our modern lives have originated from. Have empathy, get inspired, disagree, argue, become a huge fan. Each author and piece of writing will get a different reaction from you—respond with your honest feelings. I have a favorite and a least favorite author from this class, and I allowed myself to write in a way that was natural and instinctive, and allowed my opinions to show. This made the writing easy and fun, and forced me to be creative in a way that made me understand myself better. You can start by reading, interpreting, and writing from a place that’s genuine to get the ball rolling, then refine it into something more precise and professional.

Okay, have fun!
—Heather

Dear Future Students,

First, I would like to commend you for pursuing higher education, and I wish you all success and prosperity in your academic journey. I have full confidence that any of you who put your mind to it can succeed in Professor Kalchik’s class. He is one of the most understanding and empathetic professors I’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering in my academic career. I was a student in his English 210 class during the Spring semester of 2024. Unfortunately, I experienced a series of back-to-back health issues (pun intended; because I had COVID and currently still have a painful back injury). Even though this caused me to miss a lot of in-person class time, he was very accommodating about my circumstances. Professor Kalchik is a rare kind as he truly takes his job seriously and genuinely means it when he says he wants all his students to succeed. One of the things that makes this class so rewarding is his encouragement and his thoughtful feedback on your work, which makes all the effort you put in feel appreciated and ensures that you feel seen and heard as an individual. I guarantee that you can pass this class as long as you communicate openly about your circumstances and do your best.

Some advice I would like to pass on to all of you is to use the reading list he provides to make sure you are coming to class already having read the material so you can contribute to class discussion. That is seriously the most that Professor Kalchik asks of his students. So please, come to class prepared to share your thoughts on the material and be willing to engage in an open discussion. I will admit that at first it may seem really overwhelming with the sheer amount of reading material, but I promise you it gets easier with practice. This hurdle will come as a blessing as it gives you the foundation you need for other writing classes because you’ll have mastered the art of active reading after having taken this course.

One of the great things about this class is that the required textbook isn’t something you necessarily have to purchase because Professor Kalchik makes our reading material available online. This is a great alternative to printing it out if you have software capable of marking up the pages so you can annotate the readings. This class will help you practice active reading, which is a great soft skill to have because you are engaging with the text and not just passively consuming the material. It really helps deepen the understanding of what has been written. I also would like to say that it’s important to read the biography of each of these authors. I understand that it might be tempting to overlook them to save time, but it helps to provide context, and I truly think it makes the readings more enjoyable if you are able to understand where the author is coming from.

Another helpful tip is to check Canvas. I know from experience that Canvas has a tendency to bombard your phone with notifications, which can get annoying pretty quickly, but it is vital for you to be aware of what is going on in class. Plus, Professor Kalchik has all his modules really well-organized so you know what assignments are coming up and when things are due ahead of time.

As an Indigenous person, a lot of the English Literature in this time period can be triggering or make one emotionally exhausted, but Professor Kalchik is a sympathetic individual and if you have any concerns, he addresses them accordingly. It is quite a comfort to know that you can count on Professor Kalchik to be in your corner and validate your experience. One of the things I loved about class discussion is that he never rejects any ideas mentioned by his students, but always affirms. I don't want to forget to mention, he allows all of his students to express their strengths and use them to their advantage. As an artist, I was given permission to use every opportunity available to me to hone my skills and express myself to the fullest extent of my capabilities. I will forever be grateful for the kindness with which my projects have been received and my efforts encouraged. Professor Kalchik’s class has been such a huge benefit to my person as I have more hope and confidence to feel more comfortable when interacting with my future Professors. He sets up the perfect classroom environment to allow you to express your thoughts and feelings in a very organic manner. I trust that you will have the same positive experience and prosper in his class.

Thanks for reading my account and I wish you all the best of luck. Ye’e Hunaktekama enchim aniavu. (This is a saying in my Indigenous tongue, Yoemnoki, meaning May Creator Help You Be Well.)

Tu’i Jiapsimake, (With a Good Heart/Spirit/Soul)

Esmeralda “Emerald”

Dear Future Students,

I believe you will be successful because Professor Kalchik is great at providing guidance and leadership for his students. I know life can be stressful, and reading a lot of literature and writing papers can be overwhelming; however, Professor Kalchik wants you to succeed. This class is a bit different in the way Professor Kalchik has assignments, because he wants you to add your creative skills into the readings. For those of us like myself, that can be a bit challenging. I encourage you to try not to overthink the material, like I did.

In the end, you’ll realize it wasn’t as hard—or at least for myself, I made it more difficult than it had to be. Stay on the course and get lost in literature. Let your mind wander, and you will find yourself understanding what you read because you made your annotations. According to Margaret Fuller, “There is nothing to hinder them from learning what is true and best, no physical tortures will be inflicted on them for expressing it.” Be yourself and be authentically you.

Wish you all the best,
Theresa

Hi everyone reading this! My name is Masha. I was part of English 101 class during the fall semester of 2024. I want to start by saying congratulations on enrolling in this class. I hope you make the best of it. As someone who spent their entire life thinking that English was my least favorite subject, I can confidently say I genuinely enjoyed taking this class. My favorite aspect of this course was definitely Professor Kalchik’s teaching style, he leaves you with a lot of room to think and form opinions while providing a very informative curriculum. I really appreciated how his assignments really make you think and relate to the material. It makes you form a connection  to the coursework and leads to better understanding. I genuinely feel like I learned something this semester and it has definitely been the most interesting English class I've ever taken. 

My biggest piece of advice would be to not let yourself fall behind. Falling behind was by far my biggest regret this semester and I genuinely believe I missed out on so many valuable learning opportunities because of this mistake. If you do find yourself in this situation I really recommend reaching out to Professor Kalchik as soon as you can, he is very understanding and will work with you and try to help get you back on track. But if you can, I would really recommend not falling behind, being on track in this class would have made my semester much less stressful and I could have actually taken the time to really get to know the material, which genuinely is interesting, rather than doing everything in a frenzy. Professor Kalchik has a very interesting curriculum that is well thought out and designed to really make you think about and analyze the world we live in. I think you will be successful in this class because of Professor Kalchik teaching style. It is very apparent that he genuinely cares about the success of his students and wants you to learn something. I really hope you enjoy this class and wish everyone the best in the upcoming semester. 

Hope everything goes well for all of you and you all get everything you want out of this class as well as the rest of your college education and life after that. Good luck everyone!

I have taken two of Professor Kalchik's classes, and I regret neither of them. With the proper dedication, work ethic, and determination, you are bound to succeed under his guidance and structure. I have taken both English 101 and English 210, and out of everything I've learned from his classes, the most important piece of advice I can give is to stay on task.

Professor Kalchik creates an environment for his students that supplies resources and aids needed to pass and learn to the best of their ability. Everything is scheduled and spaced out in a way to maximize efficiency, and the readings provided (especially the optional ones) give you everything you need to succeed. But, with how deep the organization runs, falling behind can be a dangerous habit. His courses are designed for those with success in mind. As long as you keep yourself on track and move forward as you need to, you will pass these courses.

It is with these courses I was able to gain more control over my own scheduling, too. The syllabus of English 210 even explains this with a segment on "The Use of Time and Commitment." On average, as this syllabus said, you should be spending 9 hours a week on this course. This sounds like a lot, but when you start to stretch it across the week of time given, you can see how well you can truly control your work in this class.

At first, it will be imposing and perhaps even scary, but with the right mindset and discipline, you can succeed.

Dear Future Students,

Welcome to Writing 101X! I can imagine you might be feeling a mix of excitement, curiosity, and maybe even a little nervousness right now. I felt all of that too when I started this class. I wondered if I’d be able to keep up with everything or if my writing would measure up. Now, as I look back at the end of the semester, I’m genuinely proud of how far I’ve come—and I’m excited for you to experience the same.

One thing that made this class special for me is how it’s designed to help you grow, no matter where you start. You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to show up, put in the effort, and trust the process. Each assignment builds on the last, and if you stay open to feedback, you’ll surprise yourself with how much you improve.

Here are a few things that helped me succeed:

1. Get organized early: With an online class, it’s so easy to lose track of time. I used a planner to stay on top of deadlines, and it made a huge difference.

2. Engage fully: Jump into discussions and assignments, even if you’re unsure about your ideas. I learned so much from seeing different perspectives and sharing my own.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Professor Kalchik is incredibly supportive and approachable. His feedback really pushed me to think more critically and write more confidently.

I also want to emphasize how much Professor Kalchik’s guidance impacted my experience. Even though this class is online, he creates an interactive and encouraging space. His thoughtful feedback helped me see my writing in new ways and kept me motivated throughout the semester.

Writing 101X isn’t just about essays; it’s about finding your voice, expressing your thoughts, and thinking more deeply about the world. Sure, there were moments when I felt stuck or unsure, but those were the moments I grew the most. Celebrate every small win, and remember that mistakes are just part of learning.

By the time you finish this class, you’ll see just how far you’ve come, not just as a writer but as a thinker. I hope you’ll look back, like I am now, with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Hello to all future students!

I am a testament to the fact that you can be successful in this class. There is no possible way to fail this class. In my experience, I struggled a lot throughout the semester. I was taking four classes while working full-time. Managing my time affected my performance in class. This also impacted my relationships; my social life suffered, and my sleep schedule was nonexistent. I was at an all-time low because of this. However, by communicating with the professor, I was able to catch up. I was fortunate that Professor Kalchik and all of my other professors were very understanding of my situation. I learned that communication and self-discipline are crucial for successfully finishing your semester. I emphasize self-discipline because you need to keep yourself accountable, or you will severely fall behind on your homework. Just because the professor understands your situation doesn't mean you should take advantage of it.

Take this opportunity to expand your knowledge in writing and reading. This class offers many fun activities that will sharpen your skills. Just like what Professor Kalchik said in his syllabus, "Use your talents! And again, your classmates and I will be there to help and support you along the way."

Dear future students,

Before taking Professor Kalchik's class, I was taking a break from reading due to personal reasons. Getting back into it was harder than I expected, even if it wasn't that long of a break. I'm now confidently at a place where I feel comfortable reincorporating literature into my daily life again with open arms.

Professor Kalchik encourages you not only to read the works assigned for this class but also to actively engage and further explore the concepts explained. Some concepts are upfront, and others require a bit more consideration. It's easy to scan through the pages, but to really understand what you're being told takes more effort. My best advice is to interview and review with yourself after you're done reading. Having a few consistent questions for each reading may be helpful, such as "What did you learn?", "What stood out to you?", or "What do you want to understand better or are confused about?" as well as a couple that are specifically tailored to each specific piece.

On the topic of speaking in discussions and participation points, I feel as if the Professor explains it better than I ever could in the syllabus: "It is only when we face our fear of failure that we start to feel comfortable taking risks and exploring challenging and elevating areas of thought and expression." Classes are meant to be something you learn something you didn't know in and to expand upon what you might be already familiar with. There's no shame in vulnerability, and you are welcome to learn from whatever point you're at! At the end of the day, we're all here for the same purpose and are all deserving of being able to freely express what we find important and interesting without judgment.

Good luck! <3 Your Professor believes in you!

Dear future students, 

As an English major, it’s always nerve-racking entering a new English course, especially one that you may feel is particularly difficult. Many students share this sentiment of anxiousness, and it’s okay feeling this way. Oftentimes, we’re too comfortable with being complacent in our thoughts and paranoid with the hypotheticals. Whether it be fear of imposter syndrome or just ordinary feelings of being nervous, Professor Kalchik does his best to make you feel at ease. So with that in mind, please put in your utmost efforts to cooperate with him, and try your best at all the assignments and writing, knowing that you have peace of mind at the end of the day with him as your professor. 

I say this like it’s eazy, but I’m really just acting hypocritical to my own advice. I still act nervous and timid in the class, especially since it’s a zoom class with no way to properly observe and measure the overall ambiance of the classroom. It’s difficult to try and get involved when there’s very little feedback regarding the audience, which is an essential factor when you’re trying to create a dialogue with the classroom. Despite this, I urge you to try and contribute to all class conversations. Whether it be the most insignificant observation from a reading, the act in doing so cultivates a more comfortable environment for your peers and the overall classroom. There’s a performance aspect in teaching, and when that performance is left with zero regards, then the entirety of the classroom begins to partake in rote learning behavior. Participation also goes a long way regarding your grading contract, so keep it up. 

Continuing on the grading contract for Professor Kalchik, my main advice would just honestly do the work, and you’ll be fine. The grading contract is there to act as leeway for you as a student, so do your best to cooperate with him and you’ll pass. Also, go in the classroom with an open mindset. This is a English course with critical analytical reading, so be open to all interpretations and truly try to gain insight from this class and apply it to your work. In Professor Kalchik’s words, “the most successful students are the ones who take a genuine interest in the work and apply themselves toward doing what it takes to improve.” With that in mind, there is also a lot of reading that you may not particularly enjoy, which in that case, I urge you to really just stay resilient and continue forward, the reward and payoff will all be worth it in the end. And if you really can’t be bothered and are just absolutely vexed with one of the readings, refer back to the syllabus, Professor Kalchik gives leeway with the grading contract and opportunities to make these things up. 

With this closing remark, I want to reassure you that you are in a great class with a professor that truly does care about the success of his students, so please cooperate with him. With that in mind, be ambitious and be determined, you’re sure to succeed.

To anyone about to start ENGL 101 with Professor Jason, I want to share my experience to help you get off to a great start. First of all, take a deep breath, you’ll do great!

When I started this class, I was very nervous. I didn’t know what to expect, and I struggled with some assignments. But the professor gave me a second chance. He encouraged me to review my work and improve it. That’s when I realized this class wasn’t just about writing, it was about growing as a person and as a student.

His patience and support motivated me to keep going. His kind messages on every assignment really made a difference. Even though I didn’t reply to all of them, I always read them and they kept me inspired.

At first, the tasks may seem hard but trust me, if you take your time to carefully read the instructions and use the tools he gives you it will all make sense. Be creative and don’t be afraid to ask for help or make mistakes. He is very kind and always ready to help.

Enjoy this class. You’ll learn a lot not just about writing but also about facing challenges and overcoming your limits.

Good luck!

Dear Future English 101X Students,

Welcome to Professor Jason Kalchik's English 101X class! I'm writing to give you a sneak peek into what awaits you and share some advice to help you make the most out of this amazing experience.

First and foremost, you're going to love how schedule-friendly and well-structured this class is. The way Professor Kalchik organizes the coursework will make it easy for you to stay on top of your reading and writing assignments. Plus, there are tons of resources available to you. One of the best things about this class is how accessible Professor Kalchik is. If you have any questions, he replies promptly, making sure you're never stuck or confused.

What's also great about this class is the emphasis on collaboration. Professor Kalchik encourages discussions and group activities, which makes learning more engaging and less stressful. I often partnered with my friend Patrick, and our joint efforts were always met with enthusiasm and support from Professor Kalchik. This collaborative environment will not only help you learn more effectively but also make the class more enjoyable.

To ensure your success in this class, I have a few pieces of advice. Stick to a routine. Start reading the material early, and you'll have plenty of time to complete the assignments. Trust me, you don't want to end up rushing through the work at the last minute. The deadlines are consistent and manageable, and Professor Kalchik is understanding and lenient, but it’s still best to stay ahead of the game.

Let me share a couple of personal experiences to highlight why this class is so fantastic. Once, Patrick and I decided to submit a joint project about introducing a student service at Mesa College. Professor Kalchik was very supportive and provided us with detailed, constructive feedback. His approach to critiquing work is always professional and encouraging. When I wrote an essay about Data Aggregation Risks, in response to Lori Andrews’s work, he offered insightful comments that helped me improve my writing without ever making me feel inadequate for not grasping something initially.

The learning environment Professor Kalchik fosters is consistent with the welcoming vibe he sets at the start of the class. The readings are thought-provoking and enjoyable, especially if you take the time to reflect on them. A passage from the syllabus that really resonated with me is, "Either way, it's vital that you get started on assignments early in order to avoid the stress of not having enough time to rise to the occasion." This couldn’t be truer. Starting early gives you the chance to do your best work and truly engage with the material.

As you embark on this journey, remember that your success in this class is within reach. Embrace the structure, use the resources, and participate in the collaborative opportunities. By doing so, you’ll not only succeed but also enjoy the process.

Best of luck, and enjoy the ride!

To those who will be taking Prof. Kalchik's class,

Congratulations on choosing this professor. Without even knowing any of you, I can confidently say this is the best option for anyone. As someone who was in their first semester of college and came from doing all of my schooling in Mexico, I had no idea how anything in college worked. I was worried about taking an English class and not performing well or being successful. Choosing Prof. Kalchik, however, made my experience 100 times better. The course itself is not that complicated; I was taking English 101 after all. But the way the course is set up made it so much easier. You are allowed to submit your assignments as many times as you need, and they aren't graded in a way that could make you feel insecure. I genuinely learned so much and found the materials given so helpful.

I'm still in no way, shape, or form a perfect writer, but with this class, I was allowed to explore reading and writing and learn a lot. Being a foreign student, I had no idea how to write or begin to write essays, given that I never had to do one. In this class, I had the opportunity to really learn about the process and all the steps to take when writing something.

I wish luck to all of you and have fun reading, writing, and brainstorming!

Hello Future Students!

I remember being in Prof. Kalchik’s class on the first day and already feeling overwhelmed about what was to come. Heck, I remember even enrolling in Prof. Kalchik’s class and feeling scared. Being a student returning to school after 20-something years, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t have my previous education to rely on as I couldn’t really remember it. I didn’t know what tools I was going to have available to me, how my other classmates were going to get along with me, or how I was going to adjust to having homework again. Just the thought of being in a class again made me nervous.

Despite all this, my transition to being a student again couldn’t have gone any smoother—all thanks to the help of Prof. Kalchik. Of course, becoming a student again was really hard. I was having trouble balancing my home life, my work life, and my new student life. I can’t lie; there were a couple of times where I knew I wouldn’t meet the deadline for the latest assignment. Even so, Prof. Kalchik was always super understanding as I always made sure to communicate with him if I had to turn something in late or if I couldn’t make it to class some days. I couldn’t have succeeded in his class the way I did if it weren’t for his understanding and patience with me.

My advice to you as a new student of Prof. Kalchik is to be sure to stay on top of deadlines and definitely let him know if you have any issues meeting them. You should plan ahead and make time for his assignments and reading, so you can come to class as prepared as possible. You should come to class ready to discuss the material, and even more so all the topics relating to what’s happening in the real world along with the material, as I’m sure Prof. Kalchik will want your opinion on that too. Prof. Kalchik’s class encourages open-ended discussions, differing opinions, and freedom of thought, and I always felt welcome to talk about anything in his class. His class went by in the blink of an eye, all thanks to all the fun that I had while I was learning and becoming more comfortable with my writing, as I’m sure you will too.

Dear students, 

Welcome to English 205. How are you feeling? Nervous? A little sick to your stomach? Take a deep breath and relax. All will be fine. You may love English, or you may dread it, but I can promise you that this course will be different from whatever it is you are expecting. You will be reading and you will be writing, but most of all you will be thinking and engaging. If you approach the assignments from a place of interest and fascination, you will do great. 

There are a couple of things I would suggest to help you minimize any stress with this class. When Professor Kalchik posts an assignment, you will usually have a generous amount of time to complete it. Don’t make the mistake of seeing only the due date and then deciding to wait until the last minute. Some of the assignments require you to utilize different online creative software and it will behoove you to take a little time to familiarize yourself with them before you do the actual assignment. That way, you will be able to focus your energy on the topic and not be freaking out over how to use the tools provided. The second (and most important) piece of advice is to really engage with the assigned readings. None of them are long, so don’t worry about that. However, they will require you to Read with a capital R. Professor Kalchik will explain this in detail, but be prepared to highlight and make notes. You will be glad that you did. Active Reading was new for me. I had never really utilized annotation before and learning to do so helped tremendously. 

In the syllabus, Professor Kalchik notes “We will think critically, view the world from different perspectives, and consider more carefully beliefs and assumptions that are often taken for granted as true.” Remember what I said about thinking and engaging? Well, this is all about that. You will learn to read between the lines and see behind the curtain. You will express your opinion and also question it. This will be like learning to flex a new muscle. Dive into the work, enjoy it, and don’t forget to indulge your sense of humor and creativity once in awhile! 

Sincerely, 

Brad

Hello! My name is Lesly. I was part of English 101x during the spring semester of 2024. I moved to San Diego on December 1st, 2024, so this was my first time attending San Diego Mesa College. I was really nervous about what to expect, especially because I was returning to college after a 4-year break from my old community college back where I used to live. But I couldn't have made a better decision, and it could turn out to be one of the best decisions ever made for you too! So, if you are afraid to go back to college, this is your sign to go back! Or, if you feel like it's too late to get started, know it's never too late! Everyone goes at their own pace, and it's okay to take your time. Everyone has their own timing, and it's perfect right where you are. Also, everyone here at Mesa is very welcoming and supportive, and there are so many diversity events which made me feel included in our community, and I'm sure you will too!

I have always been sort of a quiet person who keeps to herself, which causes anxiety when meeting new people and even more so during in-class presentations. Luckily for me, all my professors turned out to be amazing and provided a comfortable environment for each one of their students. Especially Professor Kalchik, who cares deeply for his students, always making sure he can help you in the best ways possible. One thing I would suggest doing during his class is participating in his class discussions. It might be hard to get yourself to do so... I know... but trust me! It is not as bad as you think, I promise! The professor always does his best to make the classroom feel like a safe space to share your thoughts and ideas. I do regret not participating more often. I probably participated about 3 or 4 times during the whole semester, and that was in the final two weeks of the semester. Can you believe that? Overall, know that breaking out of your shell is the key to success!

I wish you the best of luck, and remember to be kind to yourself. Remember you are not alone and every feeling you feel is valid. Remember to enjoy every moment no matter what part of your journey you are on. You will do amazing, I'm sure of it! :)

Hey all, I understand that you guys will be taking ENGL 205 with Professor Jason. I could take the easy route and say that he is a very chill and good professor, which might enter one ear and go out the other for most of you, so let me take another route.

I want to take you on my journey in this class. I got off to a good start with the assignments, then the first essay hit me like a truck. I did not get a point for it but was given a second chance to improve. However, I was demotivated for the rest of the semester. I caught up on some work and then pressed the brakes again. For the second essay, I also did not get a point, which demotivated me even more. But then I talked to the professor on a Zoom meeting. I don't know why or how, but seeing how nice he was and giving me a second chance at doing the tasks made me feel grateful to have him as my professor. He is the most understanding professor I have seen in my life, and trust me, I have seen a lot of professors and teachers, but he was more like a mentor than a professor.

I managed to catch up on all my missing work thanks to his kindness. I have gone through 2 traumatic events this semester, and I talked to him about it. He said to me to take my time but not to fall behind on the work, which is why I say he is very understanding. The assignments might seem a little hard at the start because you see a lot of writing, but if you read carefully with no rush, trust me, it is easier than it looks. The assignments don’t even take that long to finish. In the syllabus, there is a quote that hints at what you will learn in the class, “It’s both possible, and even necessary, to simultaneously enjoy media while also being critical of its problematic or pernicious aspects.” Simply put, I would like to say that there is always a behind-the-scenes reason for what you see. Advertisements have a lot, and I mean A LOT, of hidden messages that you will learn to understand and figure out in this class.

I would finally like to say that this class is not as hard as you might think at the start. Everything in the class is more than enjoyable to do and submit. You just have to be creative, and he will remind you in every assignment to be creative. All the tools are provided and explained how to be used by the professor himself. He really does take a lot of time to make sure things are very clear for us, so do not take that for granted. Good luck!!

Jehad

To Those Coming After,

To those of you just starting ENGL 205, do not be quick to assume this will be just some run-of-the-mill English course. Every week in this class, I have been challenged to think critically and look even deeper into the context of whatever topic I’m analyzing. There have been plenty of articles I have struggled to understand, but after taking the time to go over them slowly, it has made me even more perceptive towards more challenging topics I continued to face afterwards. In the syllabus for the class, Professor Jason Kalchik declares that in this course we’ll “arm ourselves with an arsenal of reading, writing, and reasoning tools that can help us achieve success and shape our world!” (Kalchik 2). This couldn’t be any truer as I’ve already utilized countless techniques and knowledge I’ve gained from this critical thinking course in my other college courses. I’ve been able to better my writing and reading ability, which has helped me cut time on all my assignments, and I’m no longer struggling to develop new content for my papers like I had in the past. I also want to remind you that it’s imperative you take your time and go through the entirety of the course syllabus as its information will only benefit you and your grade.

In this class, you will learn so much that can be used to better yourself, but only if you stay on top of the readings and lessons. The main theme for this class really centers around semiotics, so I recommend getting as comfortable as you can with that topic since it will be the base for so much of what you read and write. The more you understand it, the more information you’ll be able to comprehend in each new reading. Another thing to take note of is the many references you’ll see used by authors in our textbook, Signs of Life in the USA. I really suggest that you take the time to search for the meaning of each individual term you come across that you may not fully understand. It may seem irritating at first, but you’ll discover some important and sometimes rather interesting context that will help you dive even deeper into the reading and allow you to formulate a much more detailed and catered response. Without figuring out the background behind some phrases, I was stuck and unable to fully comprehend the reading and the thoughts of the author.

Additionally, Professor Kalchik likes to incorporate new software for some assignments which is normally used for interacting with other classmates in the course. Some of the new software might be a little confusing at times, so I recommend watching his tutorials as they’re very straightforward and helpful. I struggled with one or two assignments and accidentally posted my answers in a completely hidden area, which led to a short mishap, so don’t be like me and take a closer look at his posted videos. Lastly, please make sure to thoroughly go through each weekly module. The information there will not only help you, but Professor Kalchik also tends to hide many opportunities for extra credit within the different lessons and modules. This class may seem challenging, but if you take it slow, you’ll have no issues. Professor Kalchik is also very available to help and provide insight, and he gives tons of feedback for each assignment, which is a level of interaction I’ve never seen from any other college course of mine.

Hello future students!

First and foremost, congratulations on enrolling in Professor Kalchik's class—you are in great hands. Let me tell you, you have made a wonderful choice as this will be either the easiest or the hardest class you will ever take. Truthfully, Professor Kalchik will do his very best to make sure you pass, but be warned... he will only give you the tools to succeed; it is completely up to you whether you do.

I took English 210: American Literature in Spring 2024, and quite frankly, the material is quite boring. Old English is not fun, in my opinion, but our professor does his very best to make it exciting by incorporating Kahoot activities, group work, and even some meme projects in class, which I enjoyed! The class is centered around many reading assignments, worksheets, and quizzes that accompany them. My best advice is to DO THE READINGS! (Your grade will thank me later). It will make your life in this class so much easier; doing the readings, annotating, and engaging in active reading with the text will gear you to succeed in the class.

When I began taking this class, I was in a very rocky place in my life. This is just personal struggles that came with day-to-day life, so it was hard for me to do the readings and much less show up to class. It is crucial for you to show up to class ready to share something. All Professor Kalchik is looking for is an understanding of the assigned text, even if your opinion differs from others. The easiest way to get participation points is to share in class, at the very least, one comment about the reading. Now, just because I say this does not mean I did it; in fact, I actually hardly participated in class, and my grade showed it. I regret it in a way because I see it would have been easier to just make a comment than stay quiet and lose points. Nonetheless, it had nothing to do with the class itself but more with me as a person. If anything, I felt like I could share, Professor Kalchik makes it a friendly and safe environment to do so. Even through the missed classes and lack of participation, he is very understanding and gave me rework to remake assignments, and he does offer a ton of fairly easy extra credit work. The syllabus shows how the grading process works, and it is pretty easy to keep track of your grade throughout the semester.

Overall, I would say this is a great and enjoyable class filled with lots of information and enjoyable activities. As long as you all practice active reading, participate in class, and ask for help when needed! (Trust me, Professor Kalchik will help you without judgment). You will all pass with flying colors! I wish you all good luck and a great semester!

Hello future students, my name is James. I was worried at first, although English is my primary and only language. I grew up speaking it, but I was afraid because I was not confident in my communication skills, writing, and ability to express myself. This class involves a lot of writing, reading, and comprehension, which I needed help with. Somehow, after continuing to attend the class, it felt challenging yet interesting. My fear diminished, as the class had interactive games that I found fun and enthralling. Our professor engaged us in different writing skills that increased my knowledge and made me feel more confident.

I would recommend this class to those students who, like me, struggle with the process of gaining knowledge to enhance their writing proficiency. I attended class almost every session and submitted the majority of my work as best as I could. Our professor is lenient and considerate when it comes to accommodating the time and struggles of students striving to succeed. Professor Kalchik is awesome, so I highly recommend him as an English professor. You will be glad you took his class.

Hi future scholars! Congratulations! Whether you stumbled upon Professor Kalchik’s class by careful consideration or by accident—you made the right choice! I took ENGL 210: American Literature I, and as my first English class in two years, I felt very comfortable in the class environment. I definitely felt intimidated at first considering this is a literature class, but he does his best to keep us engaged by discussing the text during the class period in a very casual manner. This ensured accountability on my part and tested my reading stamina, strengthening it even more throughout the semester. It also encouraged me to cultivate my own reading strategies along with the tips he suggested for us. I went into this class confused and anxious, but I am leaving this class enriched and fulfilled.

American literature can be difficult to digest considering that the class, as a given, looks into American history through a more personal lens. Taking a glimpse into real-life experiences, the study of American myths and fictional stories ensures a greater understanding of the historical context and mindsets of the individuals who lived through that period. I’ve never enjoyed an English class just as much as I enjoyed this one—at least so far!

As a student who struggled academically, Professor Kalchik did all that he could to ensure our success. He takes great care to encourage you by writing extensive feedback on your work. You can definitely see the passion he has for teaching based on his energy alone. He also seems to gravitate towards the class’s energy, as he is very perceptive and if the class is not feeling well, he’ll take it easy on us. Or not! Sometimes he’ll challenge us, but not in a way that discourages participation. He’s also EXTREMELY organized, which really means a lot to me as someone who has a hard time compartmentalizing my academic material. Having a professor just as genuine and understanding is hard to come by.

Right now, it’s the second to last week of the semester, and we’re about to turn in our final projects. I feel that Kalchik will leave us in a good place. Hurdling through a semester with a positive outlook creates the best form of gratitude to our own academic efforts and leaves us with a new kind of appreciation for our instructors, and the privilege to write to you provided me with that opportunity.

Have a wonderful semester, and I hope you enjoy the class as much as I did :)

Dear future students,

I am writing to you from the present of 2023! You guys are probably in around 2027 or something, by which point I would have already graduated from college. Well, anyway, I am writing to you from my English 205 class! In this class, I learned a lot about looking for deeper meanings in not just ads, but words and really any context. It’s important to look beyond what people want us to see and perhaps understand how they want us to feel or what they truly mean, and this class does exactly that. The class isn’t meant to be difficult or tedious; however, it may start to feel challenging if you don’t keep up with your work and skip the readings. Otherwise, the class mainly focuses on reading and learning. Professor Kalchik is a very encouraging and understanding professor. He truly wants the best for his students and aims to leave them with something new to learn.

To succeed in this class, as I've mentioned before, it's crucial to keep up with the work assigned. It’s so important not to fall behind and to do the work as it gets assigned. Otherwise, the class can feel very overwhelming, which it doesn’t need to be. To manage this, make sure to manage your time well and always check Canvas for the next assignment to ensure you don’t miss anything, especially quizzes or larger writing assignments. In discussions, understand what the directions are asking of you and put in a good amount of effort. Also, have fun in the discussions and read your classmates' responses properly, as you could gain a different understanding of the reading from someone else’s analysis. If you need help with anything, I know Professor Kalchik is always there and will support any student who asks for it. He also gives very constructive feedback on every post and discussion, showing that he cares about each student and their progress in the class.

Make sure to manage your time well, read the articles seriously, always ask questions, and try to relate the readings to your own experiences to make them more entertaining and realistic! Good luck in this class, and good luck with any future classes you might take, from the past.

Dear future student,

It’s the start of a new semester, and you are feeling nervous. It’s okay! I totally get you; I was in the same boat as well. At the start of my semester taking this class, I was very anxious about what awaited me. I was worried about all the types of work and reading we had to do, and whether or not I would like my professor because you never know. Don’t worry though, Professor Kalchik is honestly one of the best professors I have had at Mesa College thus far!

When I came to this class, there was a lot to take in, and it took me a couple of weeks to get the hang of the routine of this class. So, here is some of my advice to help you be much better prepared for this class than I was. The first thing that I found challenging, and I assume you will too, is the readings. For English 210, there will be two readings every week that you will talk about in class. They can be very short or very long. My piece of advice is to figure out when to read these because, since a lot of the writing is in older English, it will be very hard to decipher on the first reading. I found myself needing at least two days to read the readings since the dialect of English was hard for me to decipher. When I found myself spreading out my reading rather than cramming it all in one day, I saw myself improving and being able to understand the text more. So, I advise you to get ahead on the reading, even if you are just reading the first paragraph or two. It is better than leaving it to the last minute.

An example of this working for me was during when we were reading Rebecca Harding Davis’s “Life in the Iron Mills.” Up until this point, I was doing rather poorly in the readings, and it showed in my quiz grades. This time around, I wanted to do things differently. I swore to myself to get better at the readings, and so I started with this one. I first saw how many pages there were, which were 15 in total, and saw how many days I would be able to read them until our next class. Luckily, the reading was on a Tuesday, so that gave me Friday and the whole weekend to read. I spread out the reading so that I would read 5 of the 15 pages a day within these three days, read it once, and then go back and annotate anything that popped out to me. Tuesday came, and we had a quiz on “Life in the Iron Mills,” to which we had to write from the point of view of a character in the story. I knew then I would ace this test since I had read the story in full and made annotations about each character. So, having a reading schedule set for me really helped in this class.

The way that Professor Kalchik organizes his class is not only both engaging and enjoyable but also not too pressuring, especially when getting into his syllabus. One thing I would like to note is his grading system that is unique from other classes, as he divides them into four categories which include: participation, homework, in-class quizzes, and larger writing projects. Don’t worry, he also defines them in the syllabus so that you have a better understanding of the class. It might seem like a lot, but it honestly really helped with my understanding of the class as a whole and helped me see what I needed to improve on. He also has a checklist that you can use to see where your academic standing in the class is, which is helpful. Other than that, if you have questions or problems, Professor Kalchik is very easy to talk to and is always ready to help you to the fullest of his capabilities! With that, I hope my advice will help you have a smoother sailing time in class!

Dear Future Students,

As you embark on this new journey in our class, I want to take you back to the beginning of the semester when I was in your shoes, filled with hopes, expectations, and fears about what the class might bring. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, wondering if I would be able to keep up with the coursework, engage in meaningful discussions, and ultimately succeed in the class. But let me assure you, based on my own experiences, that you have what it takes to thrive in this environment. My number one piece of advice is to participate! It is the most essential thing for the class. We read, talk about the reading, and do small writing assignments that aren’t too bad at all if you read the text 🙂. Please, please read the text. There are some very life-changing texts that will have you critically thinking about why this was written and what the main theme of the story is. Plus, it’s good to voice your thoughts because maybe someone else is thinking the same thing, and it brings out a bigger conversation that makes everyone start communicating with their classmates. I believe everyone was successful in this class. We all engaged and learned more from each other as a class and it made us grow and succeed. I do believe that everyone can be successful in this class because of the supportive and engaging learning environment that our professor fosters. From the very beginning, I found myself to be very shy and nervous to speak, but our class discussions were thought-provoking and inclusive, allowing for diverse perspectives to be shared and respected. The collaborative atmosphere created a sense of community among the students, making it easier to participate and learn from one another.

One practical piece of advice I would give you to ensure your success in this class is to stay organized and manage your time effectively. If you can buy the text, I would highly suggest it. I’m more traditional. I like to read, hold, and highlight it; I honestly feel like I absorb the context more than on a screen. Additionally, don't be afraid to voice your thoughts, ask questions, participate actively in discussions, and engage with the material beyond the surface level.

In closing, I want to leave you with a line from the syllabus that resonated with me throughout the semester: "I think the big mistake in schools is trying to teach children anything, and by using fear as the basic motivation. Fear of getting failing grades, fear of not staying with your class, etc. Interest can produce learning on a scale compared to fear as a nuclear explosion to a firecracker." —Stanley Kubrick. Remember that success is a journey, not a destination, and setbacks are a natural part of the learning process. Embrace challenges, learn from your mistakes, and keep pushing forward with determination and resilience. I have no doubt that you will thrive in this class and emerge as a stronger, more confident student by the end of the semester.

Dear Future ENGL 210 Students,

My name is Kayla. I am taking Professor Kalchik's class in the spring of 2024, and when I switched my major to English, I knew it was going to involve a lot of reading, which I do not like doing. I am definitely more of a "I'll watch the movie" kind of person. However, this class was fun and engaging, making you want to show up to class because of how positive and nonjudgmental the environment was.

In order to become successful in this class, show up and do the work. It’s simple and not hard to do. Professor Kalchik will make you want to come to class. If you're struggling with reading like I do, don't worry. Do the readings and whatever you are confused about, you will spend a lot of class time talking about the readings for that week.

On the first day of class, you will go over the syllabus in great detail, and Professor Kalchik will give you great tips on how to pass this class. I enjoyed Kalchik's grading style. I am one of those people who checks my grades like every hour and stresses about my grade if I miss a point, but his grading style made me stress less.

Future student, I know you will be successful because if I can do it, you can do it too. Professor Kalchik wants you to pass his class. When he says he’ll work with you, he actually works with you, offering many extra credit opportunities and chances to earn "backspaces." Another thing I truly appreciate about his class is that he gives you opportunities to make up missed work or work you didn’t do so well on. Not to mention, he does not give exams! Just fun projects you can work on with your group! Thank you, Professor Kalchik, for a great semester!

Congratulations on starting Professor Kalchik's class. As someone whose first language is not English and who has successfully completed this course, I want to offer some friendly advice to ensure a fulfilling and successful journey for those about to embark on the same academic adventure. 

Firstly, embrace the art of time management. Balancing assignments, readings, and personal life can be challenging, but with a well-organized schedule, you will find yourself better equipped to tackle the demands of your studies. Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. I'd like to mention that Professor Kalchik is always available and tries his best to help students.

Secondly, participate and engage actively in class discussions and group activities. Share perspectives, ask questions, and participate in group work in class. Don’t be afraid to voice your thoughts. One of the best parts of his class is that he gives students the grade book, and there is all the information that each student should know. According to the grading book, which artist and architect Maya Lin explained, “You should be having more fun in school, exploring things because you want to explore them and learning because you love learning, not worrying about competition.” Honestly, after taking this class, I realized how his methods could change everything. In his class, just enjoy the supportive topics and tools that he provides. One of the amazing parts of this class is that, from the first day, you can choose the grade you want and manage your time and put effort into that.

Lastly, I learned many different things, and I am grateful for being in this amazing class. Just start strong, be positive, enjoy, and learn in this class.

To All Future Students,

Let me first start off by saying I never thought college was for me. When I graduated from high school back in 2007, I wanted to just jump right into the workforce and try to pick up a skill or climb the corporate ladder by starting at the literal bottom. However, after 9 years of not really going anywhere, I decided to join the military and was fortunate enough to discover my passion for computer networking. After completing my contract and discharging from the service, I was able to land a job with my dream company, Lockheed Martin. It was here I learned that if I wanted to easily achieve my dream position of an Aegis engineer, I would have to attain my bachelor's in electrical engineering. So, I decided to enroll and start my college career 17 years after graduating high school at the ripe old age of 35. On top of that, I would be doing it all while still working my full-time position at Lockheed Martin.

This now takes me to one of the classes of my first semester of college, ENGL 101. I went into this class essentially blind in the beginning, only knowing that it was online and that was pretty much it. I wasn’t sure how the structure was going to be, or how grades were going to be determined. All that initial stress and worry went away the first week of class though. Professor Kalchik in his first week laid everything out in such an organized and neat manner that it immediately put me at ease. The way he structured the course and syllabus from the get-go made it where I was able to easily make it so my ENGL 101 class had a set time in my weekly schedule so that it would not interfere with my work or personal time. I also was never bored or felt that any assignment was tedious or mundane since Professor Kalchik uses different forms of media and techniques for his different assignments. One second you are making a short video introducing yourself to your fellow classmates on Flipgrid, then you’re building a flyer for an on-campus club expanding its footprint, then you're building a collage showcasing your “digital double”. All of these also made it where you are expanding your creativity and writing skills without even realizing it. 

I would say though that the biggest asset for the course, as cliché as it may sound, was Professor Kalchik himself. In his syllabus, he states how the class will be challenging and the work will push you, but he will always be there to support and help you if you need it. This I can attest to personally being true. Having a full-time job that requires me to travel, sometimes at a moment's notice, can throw my whole schedule into chaos. However, Professor Kalchik was always understanding and made my life less stressful which in turn made me able to focus more on the assignment and less on rushing it to get it in by a particular deadline. Also, his constant feedback on quizzes and homework assignments allowed me to have more confidence in my work as well as know what to focus on when I was possibly going about a topic the wrong way.

All in all, the knowledge and experiences learned from this class have built an amazing foundation toward my college career that I know will ultimately lead to my successful accomplishment of achieving my bachelor's. I would highly recommend this course to anyone attending college and say be ready for an amazing adventure. From the student straight out of high school to the veteran looking to expand their knowledge, anyone and everyone can succeed in this class with the right dedication, motivation, and willingness to learn.

Dear future students,

Don't worry. This isn't some Dear John letter, and this isn't something I would have given myself the creative luxury of writing before this class. Don't worry. You're in good hands. I promise. Professor Kalchik will do everything he needs to set you up for success. If you want to pass, you will. If you're feeling nervous, you should be. College is hard, but after finishing my first semester, I can say it's one of the most rewarding things I've done for myself.

Since this was my first semester, I had a lot to learn. Using Canvas was a challenge, but I think the most effective method is to try to stay a week ahead of your work. Towards the end, I got down to a method. Check your modules for the week Mondays so you know pre-work, reading, and a good idea of your assignments, and then after that, I used the To-Do tab to avoid getting overwhelmed and stay up to date on my work.

English, in particular, has never been my strong suit, and I was terrified to take this class. For background, I almost failed high school because I couldn't pass my senior English class. The first assignment was read the syllabus, so I did, and one line set the tone for the semester for me. "The ability to use language is power," wrote Professor Kalchik. Power is something I've never had, and the ability to convey myself in an appropriate and confident way was not helping. I hoped he would follow through with this, and he did. Writing is a superpower that only some master. It is a skill that you will never stop using, and when you know the exact thing to say and how, the confidence begins to flow, and your words become evolutionary.

I joined college because I didn't know what else I was going to do. I'm retired from the military, only 24 years old, and had a plan to stay in for 20 years. I didn't have a plan B, but I did have a GI Bill, so college was it. 12 weeks later, college has changed my perspective on life, the doors, and opportunities I know I have, and the knowledge I gained through this passage of my life has given me the confidence to dream again. Pursue things out of reach and want better for the world. 

One of the most important things outside of what that I took from this class is that society sets a tone for us and gives us a path to follow, but that doesn't mean you have to take it. Take the opportunity to learn and grow through this class, give yourself the freedom to gain perspective and understanding, and you too may come out as a better version of yourself.

If you made it to the end, I appreciate you hearing me out. I wish you luck and hope that you change the world.

Hello future students!

In this course, you might face some challenges, but Mr. Kalchick makes it quite fun and he will always be there for you when you need help. If you take the time to read and write, you won’t have any trouble. Also, take notes so you can understand the lectures. Even if you make mistakes, it’s important to learn from them, and as I mentioned, Professor Jason will be there for you, so don’t be afraid to ask any questions or express your concerns!

I used to procrastinate a lot, especially in the middle of the semester, thinking I would do the work another day. However, that's the number one mistake you shouldn’t make because it will all just pile up until the end. You might think you won’t be able to handle it, so it’s better to start early and analyze what you have to do. Always try your best to turn in those assignments early. Even if the syllabus says you can turn in late work, it's best to get your ideas early so you know what to write.

Anyway, this class is great because it will improve your writing skills, and you will have many chances to do quizzes or smaller writing assignments to improve those skills. This class teaches us how to analyze articles, connotate, interact with other writers while making strong arguments and supporting them with evidence, and also consider both points of view in an argument. Have fun but also be productive in this class. Always maintain the mindset of getting work done and trying your best. I know you guys can do it.

Good luck, future students!

Dear future students and scholars,

I'm Darren, a 20-year-old who took Professor Kalchik’s English 101 course. I want to share my experience, especially as I navigated the semester as a visually impaired student. I used Braille and assistive technology to tackle assignments and readings, although I didn’t receive all my materials in Braille, except for the syllabus.

On a personal note, I’m of Asian Pacific Islander descent, specifically Filipino. My journey has included overcoming hurdles and health challenges to get to where I am today. Now, let's dive into the course.

Professor Kalchik's class is a journey into critical thinking. In our third essay, we explored how beliefs are shaped, connecting readings to real-life scenarios in the 21st century. The narrative essay, our second major assignment, also encouraged critical thinking. Despite a few missed assignments, I genuinely enjoyed the class, especially for those prepared for a substantial amount of writing.

Kalchik is an excellent teacher, and asking questions is crucial if you ever feel stuck. Trust me, this approach is beneficial not just in this English class but throughout your entire college career and even in real-life situations like jobs.

Although I didn’t receive all my materials in Braille, Professor Kalchik was remarkably accommodating, making the documents as accessible as possible. I also encountered some technological troubles along the way, and he adeptly adapted to my needs.

At the beginning of Professor Kalchik's class, I was nervous, just like any college student. It was my first class ever, and this nervousness quickly turned into a positive roller coaster ride. You'll discover a lot about yourself that you might never have known before.

According to the syllabus, you should always “Trust in the struggle.” Don’t worry about making mistakes; it's part of the learning and growth process.

Wishing you the best of luck in all your future endeavors!

Darren

Hello, my name is Ciara Bishop, and I am 27 years old. I took this class while still being active duty in the Navy for over 8 years and working part-time as an EMT, and I loved every minute of it!

When I first signed up for Professor Kalchik's class, I was really nervous about starting my first college English class. In high school, I had never excelled in English. I hadn't heard anything about what this class would be like or what the teacher was like; I just signed up and hoped for the best. On my first day, I chose a seat close to the front to feel more involved. After my first couple of days in this class, I knew it was going to be wonderful. 

In this class, I learned not only reading and writing skills but also gained the confidence to be a writer. This class taught me structure and the understanding that writing is a process. Even though people might encounter "writer's block," it's important to never give up. In the syllabus distributed before the first day of class, Mr. Kalchik provides his contact information for when you have questions or are confused outside of class – use it! He is a very approachable teacher and will never make you feel stupid for asking questions or being confused about anything. That is very important while growing up in the college world: never be afraid to ask for help if you don’t understand something. It's better than missing your assignment or doing it completely wrong. 

There was ample time given for assignments in this class, and many resources provided by the school were discussed, which helped me tremendously both in and out of class. I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my first college English class.

In this class, we went over how to read articles and break them down to understand them better. Honestly, it really helped me in understanding how different writings are put together. He always encourages us to speak out in class and interact with our classmates, which helps create a more comfortable atmosphere.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and attempt things you feel you’re not good at. You never know just how much you might surprise yourself!

Professor Kalchik is an amazing, passionate English teacher who is really enthusiastic about teaching English. He is also a very nice teacher who is extremely helpful in many ways and exhibits calmness, care, and patience with his students. His classes are highly engaging, featuring numerous discussions, often conducted in groups. He endeavors to answer as many questions as possible while encouraging critical thinking. A notable aspect of his teaching is that he allows students to redo assignments until their work meets college-level standards. The best part is that he provides timely, thoughtful, and informative feedback, enabling students to rework their assignments to meet the grading rubric requirements. Professor Kalchik is also very responsive to emails, making communication easy.

There is a significant amount of reading and writing in this class, so my most “sage advice” would be to stay highly organized. Professor Kalchik offers ample support and is very tech-savvy. He utilizes various mediums for disseminating information (printed materials, videos, websites, etc.) and offers different methods for submitting work. Therefore, it's crucial to pay close attention, almost daily, to his posts, as he is actively engaged in the course. I ended up creating a 3-ring binder to organize his handouts, reading, and writing assignments to ensure I didn't miss anything. I highly recommend starting off organized, as you don’t want to fall behind since the assignments build on each other as he guides you through learning the writing process.

Here are some additional tips for success in his class. First, complete your “in-class” work during class to earn participation points and engage in class discussions to secure these points. Participation points are vital as they are a part of the Grade Goals Contract. Another tip is to thoroughly read the syllabus to avoid surprises. His grading system is somewhat unique, so understanding it is crucial. Fortunately, he offers opportunities for extra credit, termed “backspace” points, which can be beneficial. Lastly, sometimes class durations vary, and you may get out early, so if this is your last class of the day, plan your transportation to be flexible.

Hello! My name is Dahmin, and I recently moved to South Korea just a few months ago. Initially, I felt quite scared since I had lived in Korea for a long time, and my language skills weren't very fluent. The fear and concern were overwhelming at first. However, after a few days, my worries started to fade away. We engaged in various games, and the professor taught us many valuable writing skills. Now, I feel proud of my progress.

I highly recommend this class for those who, like me, lack confidence in writing or feel anxious about their writing skills. If you are facing uncertainties in your writing abilities, don't hesitate to join! Attend every class, complete all assignments and projects. Even if you submit late or make mistakes, it's okay. The professor provides feedback on every assignment and offers multiple chances for improvement. So, stay persistent, give it your best effort, and don't give up.

Yo, future students of Professor Kalchik!

As it says in the syllabus, this class is heavily group involved which was one of my favorite aspects of the course. Professor Kalchik creates a great space where we can share, joke around, and express our ideas and opinions on the texts, all while building our analytical skills. Professor Kalchik's class was one of my favorite final classes at Mesa College before transferring. This class greatly prepares you for wherever you are headed with your future goals.

Throughout the 215 course, we have read incredible works from Beowulf to Arthurian Legends to Shakespeare's works, which significantly express English literature's development. The best advice I could give you would be to not fret about donating ideas to class discussions; the class was a very open space to do so. Another piece of advice for any English class would be to take your time reading the works you get to read, make annotations, use those annotations, and dive further into what you made through others' analyses online. Early English literature is fascinating and showcases this development of culture and language. The supplemental material that Professor Kalchik provides for each reading assignment is well worth the read as well. The supplemental material brings a much broader understanding of the cultural beliefs held then. History and Literature go hand in hand, and through this course, that will become evident; Professor Kalchik helped break that down for us during my semester.

I hope this course will also be one of your favorites during your time at Mesa College. Between class discussions, breaking down themes, and cultural & historical influences on Literature, this class brings together a great learning environment that will make you appreciate the works from this era. Beginning this semester, I dreaded studying Early English Literature, especially after studying the latter half of English Literature. However, Professor Kalchik delivered incredible ways to understand and appreciate the works from these eras. All I can say is the best of luck, and I hope you all share a wonderful semester!

Dear Future Students and Readers,

My name is Sofia, I am 18, and I took this course during the first semester of my first year of college. It is a significant step in the academic journey for those entering college. It's a time when subjects become more intricate, pushing us to think critically and analyze things more deeply, while also testing our life skills and how we manage ourselves in this new delicate stage. This year is supposed to open the doorways to different occupations, and we have to start taking classes that can guide us towards our goals.

My worst fear starting this class was not that I would not try at all. I can say that this is not the case. I may have been struggling this semester, with this class in particular, but reflecting on my grade overview, only a few assignments are missing. I aim to give you advice and realistic expectations when you choose to take this class.

To start, I will plainly say that if you did not write many papers and long answer responses, like I did, then this class will seem overwhelming and tedious. I personally started to feel overwhelmed by week 7, and I'm not sure what clicked. When I submitted more and more assignments and saw that my work was not up to par, I may have felt discouraged. I used to be an eloquent and skilled writer when I had simple and infrequent tasks that only asked for my opinion on Point A. I know that sounds sad, but I promise I have advice.

However, one thing to be aware of when taking this class is that all the topics are thought-provoking and require massive brainpower. Writing this letter alone is inducing a headache that can only be caused by the amount of brainpower it takes for me to make a series of coherent statements needed to sufficiently finish this letter.

Alright, I hope you are ready for the advice. I cannot guarantee that it is going to help; I am a bit of a realist. I want you to understand that not all advice can help everyone; it is not universal, but hopefully, it will inspire advice that can help. Cover the main point or make flashcards. If it is that big of a concept, I say it is worth it! I would highly recommend consulting the PowerPoint presentations and any given handouts provided because you can cover the entire concept and not know what to study or use the intentionally made PowerPoint presentations for focused study. If it is getting to the point where there is too much to do and not enough motivation, make lists and break down the big things into smaller tasks, so that all of your small successes will equate to your bigger success. I also advise revisiting your notes over and over again. Lastly, study up and gear up for this last ride.

I have survived this class. Others have survived this class. You can survive this class. Have trust in yourself. Find your work ethic and your rhythm, and strive for more. Do your best and remember to breathe. It is only 16 weeks anyway!

Best of luck and wishes,

Sofia

The English 101X class is great. You will learn how to read essays, watch videos, work on team-building projects, and write essays using the different steps of writing. I've never had a class like this before. It's not like a standard English class where you just write articles. You have the chance to work on projects where you go out and interview people from clubs and organizations on campus and make a movie as a group. We got to know each other and enjoy an end of semester potluck which I believe brought us closer than your average college class. The class is fun, but don't let the fact that it was fun fool you, It does take work and dedication. Don't wait until the last minute to do your homework. Do it on time and as well as you can. And you'll have fun in class and do well, so you'll probably leave with something good.

I had trouble getting some of my tasks done on time, but I liked the classroom as a whole because it was a pleasant place, and my professor was very helpful and understanding about some of the late work. Overall, I enjoyed this class a lot, and I think I've learned how to better manage my time and improve my writing skills for future college classes. One of the things that stood out to me in the syllabus was that there are no required books in this class, and the teacher gives us all the PDFs of the texts we'll read. This, like it stated in the syllabus, makes the class fun and productive, since most of the topics were very interesting. I enjoyed the class overall, and I think you will too, best of luck future students- Coleman

In this class, you will learn a lot of knowledge about writing and critical thinking. You will learn how to give your thoughts and compliment the writing.

When I start this class we started playing games and how was game characters were life journeys. I was thinking about how it is helpful to play games to learn but it is very helpful and will improve your memory. After playing the game you will tell about your game characters to the class. It was fun and helpful.

Also, I want to mention the group project. It was fun for every group to work and showed readers one of the college services. Knowing all kinds of Mesa College services for students was very good.

As well I want to mention Professor Kalchik he is so the nicest professor ever I saw in Mesa College. He is very friendly and you can ask any question in the class or after class or you can write an email. He will answer you.

In this class, you can submit assignments after the due date but do not relax too much, do on time all your assignments. One more suggestion for future 101x class students in this class Professor Kalchik gives extra credit if you go to Mesa College events. It will be helpful at the end of class to get a higher grade. In this event, you will get fun and enjoy yourself. “I have high expectations of my students, but I know that by committing to the learning process, keeping an open mind, and asking me for help whenever you need it, you will succeed” (Kalchik). It feels me more confident because I can ask any questions or confuse assignments and it will not bother the professor.

Finally, I wish all future students good luck I promise you will spend time funny and learning.

Nasiba

Dear Future Student Taking English 205 With Professor Jason Kalchik,

Hello everyone and welcome to the San Diego Community College District, but more specifically welcome to San Diego Mesa College. Hi, my name is Justin Lo and this is the 2nd semester of my 1st year taking college classes here at Mesa. I just took the English 205 course with Professor Jason Kalchik this past spring semester of 2023 for 16 weeks fully online. If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year public college like the CSUs or UCs in the State of California specifically, this class is required and essential to take to work on your reading and writing skills to be ready to transfer to upper-level division courses offered at the universities. This course is

needed if you want to transfer to colleges like UCSD, SDSU, or even private colleges in the San Diego area too. Also, English 205 is a general education requirement here at San Diego Mesa College. Just to let you know, English classes have always been a challenging subject for me to learn personally because since I was young I always had trouble and difficulty with communicating and socializing with others since I still have some communication issues. Plus, writing has not been my strength in past English classes I have taken that involved writing essays.

In this particular class, you get the opportunity and chance to continue to improve and work on your writing skills. The professor gives you as many opportunities and chances as you need to improve your writing skills in essays or any assignments like the quizzes or small writing assignments he assigns especially in this class. Professor Jason allows you to redo and resubmit the essay assignments and homework assignments as many times as you need to get the score or grade you want in his class ultimately at the end of the semester course with of course following your grade goal contract. Also, Professor Jason gives a significant amount of written feedback whenever you write your essays or just submit general homework like small writing assignments

too. I just want to let you know that if you are taking this class fully online meaning you will not be usually meeting with the professor at all unless you need help, have questions for them, or see the professor during their scheduled office hours. If you feel like you are struggling or feeling stressed out in this class, my advice is to reach out and get help from either Professor Jason or just to go to the writing center at Mesa to get help also since in this class specifically, most of your assignments involve you writing something. But go to the writing center if you need additional tutor help with writing since the professor assigns mainly writing assignments and discussion posts for you to do and complete. But mainly, I would personally recommend attending or scheduling a Zoom appointment with Professor Jason to get help if you are confused about any of the assignment prompts in general.

In addition, this English class will help you with your reading skills since you will be reading a variety of articles while at the same time annotating them which most likely leads up to helping you to use these articles as sources of evidence or potential quotes whenever you write your essays, especially your final essay at the end of the semester.

Just to let you know, Professor Jason is so accommodating and caring to everyone. Please contact Professor Jason if you ever need help with any of the assignments or essays. He is always there to try to meet your unique needs. Some really important essential information to know about for people who need help or have accommodations is “Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with their professors during the first two weeks of class” (Kalchik 6). This line from your professor's syllabus means that the Professor is here to help all students succeed in his class, especially those with special needs, disabilities, and those who have some accommodations on file with the DSPS Office at San Diego Mesa College. If you have DSPS accommodations that were authorized by a DSPS Counselor at Mesa College,

please let the professor know as soon as you join the class, so he can try his best to help you succeed in this English class. A fun fact is that the Professor is very understanding and accommodating, meaning please feel comfortable and feel no stress to ask him questions whether that is through email or Zoom. This professor usually responds quickly within a good period mostly, unless he is busy.

A memory I have from this class would be that I remember one time when I was doing my large writing assignment for this class, I was super confused and frustrated about it since I was stuck on what essay prompt to write about. It was so confusing to me to the point that I needed extra time and days to work on it. So, I did email and asked Professor Jason to see if it was possible to get extra time to work on the assignment without it counting as a penalty for late work for your grade contract. Immediately, he replied quickly to my email and his response was very understanding of my situation to the point that he was nice and flexible with me by giving me extra time to work on finishing up the large essay writing assignment without a penalty on my grade contract specifically. I just have to say, I appreciate Professor Jason for not making me have to stress over that one particular large writing assignment to it to affect my grade goal contract for this class.

One more piece of advice I have for you future students is to take advantage whenever he offers backspaces. Backspaces are pretty much like a lifeline for your grade goal contract. This backspace can cover either a missing small writing assignment or a missing quiz so it helps to do the assignments that offer backspaces since it can only benefit your future grade in this class.

Furthermore, you do not need to be afraid of Professor Jason's class, this class is reasonable and he is there to help you throughout your journey in his class if you ever need support. Feel free to reach out to him if you have any questions or concerns since he is nice, understanding, and caring too.

I wish the best of luck to everyone taking this English class this semester and hope you can enjoy and have fun in this class.

Sincerely,

Justin

Dear future students,

If you’re reading this you are probably taking Mr. Kalchik’s English 215 class and thinking, man I hope I can pass it. I’m here to tell you that you got it as long as you put your mind to it. The reading we are assigned can be a little bit overwhelming, a lot of the words are from some ancient dialect you would find in the Lord of the Rings, so let me give you a piece of advice. Footnotes and Google are going to be your best friends throughout this class. I remember when we first got assigned Beowulf and I thought, oh I’ve heard of this it should be easy. Well, let me tell you it is not. All the different terms that mean the same thing are outrageous. As long

as you make the connections thorough, you will be just fine.

Another thing you should know is that just like it says in the syllabus, language is power. As long as you have the ability to understand the language of the time, you will be just fine trust me. Another thing about the syllabus is the grade contract. It is one of the fairest things I have seen since I’ve been in college, because you can keep track of your grades on your own. What you should look out for though is the participation points. If you don’t keep track of those, say if you miss class because you’re sick like I did, or just don’t participate in the discussion, that part of the grade can slip away, so be mindful of that. Besides all that though, you’ll be fine. Just

give yourself time to understand the texts and you’ll pass easily.

Good Luck!

Dear future students,

 Throughout this semester, you'll face challenges; remember, they are good because we learn to grow from them. You can become a better writer if you take the time to read and write. Also, remember it’s ok to make mistakes because you’ll have an awesome professor who will help you throughout this course by advising you on improving your writing skills.   

This semester was a struggle at the end due to a lack of doing my work on time. I only struggled because I procrastinated; hopefully, you don’t because if you do, the assignments will stack up and be overwhelming to get done. Although I struggled, the professor was always there to give me advice on how to improve my writing, especially on my essays. You can be successful in this class by just getting your work done. The good thing about this class is that you can submit late work for up to a week. Isn’t that awesome!! But try to get it done earlier.  

Don’t hesitate to ask questions because Professor Kalchik is always willing to help. Also, communicate with other students if you’re stuck on any assignments; asking other people is always helpful. Please take every opportunity to resubmit any assignments because it will help you pass this class with an easy “A,” Don’t be like me and try to ignore them because every point is worth your grade. Besides that, don’t forget to share your ideas when writing and express yourself—best of luck to you all. 

Sincerely,

Isari 

Dear Future Students,

To say I was nervous going into this class was an understatement. I made the choice to take a little 10 year break after high school, so coming into college for my first year I was very apprehensive about how I would handle my first semester of college. 

I'll start by saying this semester was definitely a whirlwind of emotion. I remember 2 separate occasions, pacing my living room, wondering how I could justify dropping out of school after only a couple months in. I’m big on overthinking everything in my life, but as time progressed, I realized this class wasn’t going to be the awful, tremendous challenge I had convinced myself it was going to be. The way Professor Kalchik teaches his class makes you feel comfortable about the material you’re going over. Other than personal frustrations, there weren’t many times in class I felt as if I was “lost”. Professor Kalchik is always big on asking, “Are there any questions?” Always make a point to ask a question if you have it! Clarification is everything in your success on passing this class. I'll admit one of my challenges for this class was having to complete it on Zoom. I'm self admittedly the oldest, youngest, person I know, so I found myself lost when I come to submitting assignments. The best way to help overcome this challenge was to write up my own calendar with all the dates of my assignments, and hang it on my office. Canvas does have an assignment calendar section, but personally it helped being able to see all the information on a giant white board.

My biggest downfall in the class was completing assignments on time! I was very grateful that Professor Kalchik accepts late work, but based on personal experience, I highly recommend starting your assignments the day you receive them! Even if you only work on a little bit each day, it really helps out in the long run. DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT wait until the last day to work on your assignments, the quality is never as good as it can be, and oftentimes the work ends up being rushed and incomplete. Try to avoid ever skipping a smaller writing assignment! I made the realization all the smaller writing assignments we do set us up to succeed in the larger writing assignments. Make a point to interact with your classmates! My biggest regret was having to take this class online, and with it being so short I didn’t get to fully connect with my classmates as I would have liked. If I had to rate this class experience, I would give it an 11/10. The material was fun to learn, the structure was easy to follow, the classmates were exceptionally amazing, and Professor Kalchick was honestly a great Professor! I'm not sure if our path will meet again while I'm attending Mesa, but I would highly consider taking another class with him. I wish you luck on this journey! Stay consistent, stay positive, and above all, DON’T PROCRASTINATE.

Dear future student,

In this class, you learn a lot about how to properly develop thesis statements for articles you read and essays you create, You learn a lot about real-world issues that are still present and can apply to yourself as well. You also learn about critical thinking and its importance and how all these skills can improve your writing.

This class is not meant to be challenging but don't let that fool you if you don't keep up with your work it's easy to fall behind. These assignments aren't difficult but like any English class it does require time and critical thinking to complete. With that don't get too confident and put off assignments for the last minute that's never a good idea. Keep up with class work and homework. The last thing you want is to fail a class that only needed your effort to complete. 

In the syllabus, you will read includes all types of information and quotes from important people. One that stood out to me was page 2 “ Do the work that matters. Vale la pena” This quote was said by philosopher, Gloria Anzuldia. This stood out to me the most because you can apply it to this class and everything in life. Do the work that matters because, at the end of the day, you're only helping better yourself and the future you.

At the beginning of this class, I had a lot of other issues and stressors outside of school. I was dealing with court issues, family issues, and living issues. I have had my highs and lows of motivation throughout this class but I didn't let that stop me from doing what I needed to do to finish this class strong. I decided to focus on the things I can control and do my best in school and specifically in this class I am 20 years old and I haven't made the smartest choices in the past and they came back to bite me in the ass. But it didn't come back to the irresponsible me it came back to the determined motivated me and I knew I could do better. I not only proved to myself I am stronger than I thought but I achieved my academic goals.

Lastly, I want to say how important it is to communicate with your professor whether it's personal issues non-school related or trouble with an assignment you have it is always going to benefit you. Professor Kalchik is one of the most understanding and welcoming professors I have had. He has been a big support throughout this class and genuinely cares about each of his students, he is very easy to talk to and teaches you useful information you can apply to your everyday life, Don't abuse his kindness and take advantage of a professor who actually wants to help his students.

Sincerely,

Rocky

Dearest incoming English 205 students,

As you begin this course, you are starting exactly where countless students have in an attempt to complete this general education requirement for graduation. Although English may sound easy for its native speakers, this class compels students to utilize analytical and critical thinking within their writing and composition. Don’t be intimidated! It is not as bad as it seems!

Throughout the semester, I struggled to start—let alone complete—assignments because I would put them on a pedestal, and mentally develop a paralyzing sense of fear towards the various assigned tasks. According to the class syllabus, “students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with their professors.” In this case, and in general, I would recommend maintaining an open dialogue with the professor about your individual needs, and ultimately aim to stay on top of homework assignments.

The stress that continued to progressively build over the entire 16 week period, added to the paralytic qualities that compounded depressive emotions and symptoms. However, ironically, my psychiatric care provider has relayed the fact that I create this cycle for myself to replicate a perpetual state of fight or flight because that is what I have become conditioned to perform under. Therefore, if you personally suffer from neurodivergent tendencies, you may also need to focus on establishing personalized assignment approaches and effective time management. In my experience, I had an affinity towards attending and completing almost every extra credit opportunity.

Despite the fact that extra credit assignments cannot completely satisfy the requirement of assigned homework, the extra credit events and their subsequent papers seemed less daunting, and allowed me to still be involved with the class in my own ways.

No matter what, d on’t give up! You can do it! You are more than capable! You just have to remember to believe in yourself, and keep moving forward...You’re almost there!

Hello future students.

If you’re headed into 101x like I was, this is probably your first year and you may be a bit worried about what’s going to happen. The first thing I’d like you to hopefully take away from this is that there should be no worries going into this class. Professor Kalchik, will do everything he can to ensure you learn what you need to succeed in this class, and a professional writing experience is not one of them. Most topics in this class focus around everyday problems that you may face or see. So, looking back on things, let's go ahead and cover the most important parts of this class that I think will help you.

First off, don’t be late, don’t skip class. Obvious advice, right? The big thing here is that participation in class is a huge part of both your grade and the learning experience of this class. You might be able to complete some of the assignments no problem, but you’re really hurting yourself and what you learn for every day you miss in this class. 

Outside of that the only other real big piece of advice I can give you here is to take this time to push yourself. You’ll be asked to write on a few different topics, and I’d highly urge you to step outside of your comfort zone and write about something you aren’t fully familiar with, or comfortable with yourself. Academic research plays a big role in your success, and in my experience, I was much more able to focus on research on a topic that I was going into not already knowing what I’m looking for. Regardless though, go into this class with an open mind and willingness to learn and you’ll be fine. Good luck!

Dear future students,

Hi, my name is Zahra, and I am from Afghanistan, and my native language is Farsi, but I am also fluent in Turkish and English.

I know now you are stressed and thinking about this class. I want to share my experience with you. I know some people are like me and that English is their second or third language.Learning English is not easy, especially grammar and writing articles. However, we can do it, we just need more practice. I started my English class in 2021, after I finished all my ELAC classes. I took English lOlX and I am very happy about that because I know this class will help me learn more

English. 

I always took an online class, but I wanted to join this class. Honestly, I was afraid because I know this class is not easy, however after joining this class I saw how this class was helpful for me and also the professor was very good. 

In this class we learned how we can analyze articles and write about them. We had quizzes, small writing assignments, and activities in a friendly group. You can be successful in this class by always practicing more, and if you have some questions just email the professor Kalchik, he is always an active person to answer your email or office hours. Don't take stress or don't be scared about this class, just believe in yourself and don't skip the future and make a good memory in your mind and just focus on your study. 

I had English classes before, but they are different because in this class you have time to submit your assignment and you don't have stress and think about that. This is the best way to submit homework and you have time to fix it if you have a problem.

Finally, I want to say for all future students, enjoy this class and don't skip your course.You can do it and also I wish good luck to all the students.

Sincerely, Zahra

Suggestions for future ENG 101x students

In this class, you will gain a lot of knowledge when it comes to writing and analytical thinking. When I first started this class I used to skim through articles and writings but I thought I was reading them. But after this semester I know what to look for in a writing. I know how to differentiate between a good and a bad writer. I know how to criticize and compliment the writing. Not only that I know how to put together decent writing for my readers as well.

In this class, the one thing you should avoid is missing a class. Even though I took this class online not missing a class helped me tremendously. Because most of the class is about interaction with your professor and classmates missing one session can affect your whole semester.

I can mention plenty of things from our syllabus, but one thing that stood out to me is “the only way to succeed in this class is to make mistakes” don’t be afraid to express your thoughts. Not a lot of professors make you feel like your voice is heard but Professor Kalchik is one that does. Every opinion matters in this class so you might as well take advantage of that and develop your speaking skills as well. The other thing is to make sure you know the grading system and the requirements well before you start your semester and if you're confused use the office hours that are listed on the syllabus and contact your professor.

Finally, have fun in this class and enjoy the videos, the movies, the articles, and the class discussions. But also take it seriously enough to get good grades and finish off strong and develop your speaking skills as well.

When I was signing up for this class I almost chose a different professor. Not because of any specific reason, I was just enrolling in my spring classes. I thought for a moment before I enrolled however, “let me check the student reviews of the english professors. I am SO glad I did that. Professor Kalchik is such a kind and low pressure teacher. I just read that the coach of the Oklahoma softball team who hits like 5 home runs per game, uses a low pressure mentality on the players and they have responded extremely well. Professor Kalchik takes this same approach to this class and I found it very helpful to not have lots of pressure put on me to do the work, however he inspires us to put the pressure on ourselves to be the best we can be.

This excerpt from the syllabus rings true, “the most successful students are the ones who take a genuine interest in the work and apply themselves toward doing what it takes to improve.” I was challenged in this class to think deeply and critically about what it means to be categorized with a certain gender. My favorite was a text by Peggy Orenstein talking about the toxicity of social media with young girls and I totally agree that we live in a space where comparisons are constantly made so it made me take a step back and think about what is truly influencing me. I also learned a great deal of useful information about how to write and how the pre-writing process can be so helpful and eye-opening. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish this semester as I asked myself the same. I wanted to work hard and learn and apply my new information in my personal life which I have done. Thank you Professor Kalchik for a fun,

Informative semester!

This was one of my favorite classes this semester. Coming into my very first semester of college I was extremely nervous about how my teacher and homework would be. Specifically, English has always been the class I get anxious about. English is my second language and even though when you speak to me you can’t really tell, my biggest insecurity is my writing. Getting out of high school I really did not know how to properly write an essay as I felt there was never any genuine help in trying to improve the students in my high school. I am very thankful for professor Kalchik, he made me feel very comfortable expressing myself. I learned that your opinions can help you develop an idea. He introduces small assignments that develop into bigger ones. 

In the syllabus, the professor writes “I will be there for you throughout this journey” Which is true and very appreciated. You truly go step by step in this class and it would be very hard to have a bad grade if you do not put in the effort. I had his class online and just as much as his help was wonderful, he encouraged all of us to communicate in class, giving me so many ideas for the assignments. A helpful activity we had was annotating each other's essays. Then we would turn in our Large Assignment. He would annotate it and we would get a chance to correct it. It took the pressure off. This class was honestly to improve your writing. You also get to read, write and communicate about interesting topics. 

My favorite was social media taking your information. So be open, do not put too much pressure on yourself, and reflect on your learning. A recommendation I can give for this class is to turn in your assignments and not fall behind. I did this most of the semester and it helped me understand the rest of our assignments as well as keep my grade up. Also, read the syllabus completely!

Toward the end of this class, I had some personal problems. Specifically with my 9-month baby, as a new parent, it is hard to manage school, and take care of the baby and myself. I remember my whole family got sick and if you've ever had a sick baby you would know the struggle, I couldn’t go to class and felt so exhausted. Professor Kalchik is very understanding and easy to communicate with. Which helped me in this situation. This has been the best and most enjoyable class and would recommend it over and over again.

Although personal success is relative, academically it is not. Professor Kalchik, luckily, implements a very different grading scheme than what is most commonly found in western schools. He doesn't give your assignments a grade from 0-100 but rather, if what you submit is lacking in some way he will give you the opportunity to revise and re-submit the assignment for full credit. As for the in-class aspect (on campus in my case) the lessons were very conversational based. Interpersonal interactions were consistently encouraged due to grouping and his larger writing assignments being based on select prompts, giving the incentive to group with people who chose the same prompt. The workload was consistent and was rarely overwhelming but I did find it incredibly useful to complete assignments on time because the pace of the class can be fast.

The material is enjoyable enough and it is interesting to read subject matter that is more current in a classroom setting. “Me and my 622 Best Friends” was a really enjoyable read and led to a lot of good discussions in the class about social media. Professor Kalchik is well-spoken and I never felt like what he was saying was unengaging. Everything he said pertained to what was being discussed in class. Overall I hope you enjoy this semester and this class; stay on top of it and an A is obtainable!

My advice to future students is to be willing to learn. I genuinely enjoyed my time taking English 205 and being taught by Professor Kalchik, simply because he made it possible for me to improve as a writer. There are far too many courses and instances where teachers expect assignments to be done “one way or the highway”, and do not offer you the opportunity to not only be a better writer, but work towards the grade you want in the course. Communication is everything. Don’t be scared to reach out and ask questions, because Professor Kalchik is here to help. Additionally, pace yourself in this course. You are given more than enough time to complete assignments, so honestly if you start them early each week you’ll find yourself pretty successful in this class.

On the other hand, know that you are more than your performance as a student. You are a person, with dreams and aspirations outside of the stepping stone that is school and your education, so please remember to take care of yourself and your mental health while balancing school and whatever other responsibilities and hardships you may have. More often than you think, your teachers will be understanding and will advocate for your success if you communicate. Best of luck!

Dear Future Student,

First of all, Congratulations! You are so lucky to have enrolled with one of the best Professors and think you are really going to enjoy this class. At the beginning of the semester my initial expectations for the class was that it was going to be like any other normal English class that would involve reading a novel and then writing about it or analyzing an article. However, this was a very unconventional English class, and wasn’t expecting for us to be incorporating our own opinions on many modern day topics. My fears for the class were there would be long writing assignments close together that also required a lot of reading along with research. I was hoping the assignments weren’t going to be super lengthy because I can get really overwhelmed if assignments are back-to-back-to-back in a short span of time. Fortunately, a lot of the assignments were not long and some of them were actually really fun, interactive and creative which was nice. There are 4 units and each usually consisted of a small writing assignment, a creative assignment and then the large writing assignment. For example, one assignment was the make your own Digital Double activity; this was a fun and creative activity between the writing assignments but it also helped in a leader assignment.

In this class I found that it was easy for me to fall behind, not because the assignments were hard but because procrastination set in when I had to do multiple revisions and also keep up with the regular assignments at the same time. So, to be successful don’t procrastinate, prepare to be engaged and present, and to participate in thoughtful class discussions.  This may take you out of your comfort zone if you are an introvert like me, but Professor Kalchik truly cares and wants his students to progress and succeed in a nonjudgmental environment. You will learn a lot about your learning style and how to better plan out assignments by mapping out steps. I definitely learned how to plan out my time better for assignments and revisions which was extremely helpful.

My advice to future students would be to plan your time wisely do not wait for the last second to do any of the assignments especially the larger ones. Be sure to read Professor Kalchik’s comments; they’re very helpful and in depth with exactly what he’s looking for in the changes that are need. He gives great feedback and provides compliments as well which is refreshing. Reach out for help if you are feeling overwhelmed or need suggestions, Professor Kalchick is very approachable and takes a genuine interest in getting to know you. Lastly, read the syllabus more than once!  As I mentioned, the class is unconventional but definitely not in a bad way, the syllabus is very helpful and if you take the time to absorb the information there shouldn’t be any surprises.  The excerpt below is from the syllabus and think it will give you a good description of what to expect this semester:

We will read what others say. We will express our opinions. We’ll agree; we’ll disagree. We will decide for ourselves. We’ll showcase our strengths and our interests. We’ll use evidence and examples to strengthen our beliefs. We’ll learn from our classmates. We’ll lead. We’ll collaborate. We’ll do research. We’ll joke around and try to have fun. We’ll show respect for our colleagues. We’ll build upon skills that will allow us to broaden our point of view and arm ourselves with an arsenal of reading, writing, and reasoning tools that can help us achieve success and shape our world!

Sincerely,

Alex

Howdy Kids!

My name is Cam Wildman and my pronouns are he/him/his. I took English 211with professor Kalchik in the spring semester of 2022. This class is easy if you apply yourself. The professor is super accommodating and easy to communicate with. You will excel in this class if you are the kind of person who has no problem speaking out in class to bring up new ideas for discussion. Make sure that you pay close attention to the contract, because I am sitting here doing the extra credit because I was lazy and decided not to show up to class. Great example, I know! If you have the mental capability to go home, do some reading, annotation, and some writing, this class will be a breeze for you!

Going more into detail, the readings that the professor chooses are usually pretty interesting and, if you are lucky, you will have already read some of them for another class! I am not lucky...My personal favorite reading was “A Rose For Emily, by William Faulkner. This piece is not like any of the others that we read because it has a very big twist at the end. On top of having good reads, they are also very virtually diverse. It was super interesting to learn about historical literature from other countries! If you like learning about Native American, or African American literature, this class will be super fun!

The smaller writing assignments are not too bad, especially if you ACTUALLY do the reading. The professor isn't expecting some long drawn out response, but more of something that shows your personal understanding of the reading to make sure that you are getting what you need to be successful in this class. Make sure you do them on time, because late work does not fly in this class, and if you are lucky enough for the professor to give you a chance at turning in late work, you won't remember what the reading is about, which means?? You guessed it! More work for you during finals week!

The midterm and the final are honestly the parts that stressed me out the most and that is only because of the time constraint. I have a fear that I will run out of time, even though I had about 15 minutes left when I took the midterm. If you know the readings, then finding quotes within them won't be too bad. I would definitely recommend opening all of the reading links on your computer in different tabs, then copying the quote into the search bar (command F), so that you don't have to waste precious time finding the quotes. Make sure that when you do the final and midterm, you focus on showing how well you know the context clues around the quote and how the quote folds into its respective story. This will help it all flow nice and smoothly. 

One part of the syllabus that I want to go over is participation. IT IS FREE POINTS IF YOU JUST SHOW UP AND SPEAK!!! 1 point for showing up on time, that's so easy! 2 points for showing up on time and attempting each in class activity, like come on! You might as well, you are already there! 3 points for showing up on time, completing the activity, and speaking up in class. The difference between a 50% and a 75% in participation is you literally opening your mouth and adding something to the discussion! You got this!

ALL 4 points if you show up on time, complete the activity, speak up in class, and make sure that it's substantial! If you are already going to speak up, make it worth everyone’s while to say something memorable! These points add up my friend and once they are missed, they are gone, so take advantage while you can!

I hope that answers any questions, fears, or concerns you may have.

Thanks for coming to my TEDtalk

Cam

Dear future writers,

Welcome to the world of creative writing. Ya’ll are in for a big treat. That is if you are interested in putting all of your most inner thoughts onto paper. :) Professor Kalchik provides all the tools necessary for bringing your ideas, opinions, and emotions to life. Whether you’re in English 101, 205 or an English major, Professor K, gives insight and flare to the world of Semiotics. I find myself analyzing commercials now as to what kind of meaning and reflections are behind them. However, if you are looking to cruise by, you may want to look elsewhere. Overall the workload isn’t too overwhelming but you get what you put into it. Kalchik’s' grading system is somewhat unconventional, which may or may not be a good thing for you. He can be perceived as lenient at times, but don’t let that fool you, as you and you alone are what determines what kind of grade you’ll get at the end of the semester.

Nonetheless, if you read all the required material, do the work, and chime in on discussions, then that A will be easy peasy. I do suggest to do all the work as it comes, otherwise you will just be playing catch-up the entire semester, and that is never fun. Take it from this old and wise 38 year old, ( LOL) it’s better to get it done sooner than later. I was a little apprehensive when it came to the underground world of semiotics, but as soon as I took my deep breaths and made an earnest attempt to consciously analyze what was asked of us, the rest just feel into place. I will leave you with one of my favorite passages Professor K brought to light by Margaret Atwood, “ Reading and writing, like everything else, improve with practice. And, of course, if there are no young readers and writers, there will shortly be no older ones. Literacy will be dead, and democracy - which many believe goes hand in hand with it - will be dead as well.”  

Good luck students and remember to have fun!

Sincerely,

Miri

Dear Future Students,

I know you all wish to be successful in this course, I’m here to hopefully help you better understand how to be.  This course ended up taking turns in directions i wouldn’t’ve expected, be prepared to form opinions and back them up thoroughly (an important part of life that we all could benefit from practicing). I really encourage you to engage in classroom discussion, ask questions, and learn more about your teacher’s and classmates' experiences and how they reflect their views on the many specific topics that will come up throughout the course (you're also graded on participation so maybe that creates a bit more motivation).

Me personally, I really don’t enjoy forming groups and doing group projects, but it’s important to deal with uncomfortable situations, and engaging conversations with new people always have something to offer if you're willing to accept and reciprocate. Professor Kalchik is a reasonable and respectful teacher, he will see your effort and as long as you are doing your own work and your own personal best you will succeed in this course. His syllabus is your guide, and it's very detailed and descriptive, do not simply glance it over. This class involves not only reading, but active interpretation. In his syllabus, Mr Kalchik stresses that you read and re-read and re-read again! You cannot properly absorb a text without really gettin’ into it, forming questions and investigating statements. I hope this letter was helpful to someone 🙂.

Good Luck,

Layla

Personally, English classes haven’t been my favorite because they are usually pretty boring. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this class. However this  class is different, Professor Kalchik is a very knowledgeable individual that is aware of what is going on in the world at the time of the course and makes his content relatable to it. We covered lots of important social and cultural issues that are taking place in real time that should keep your attention. I think it’s super 

important for teachers to include content like this into the curriculum because we are learning the core content of the course while simultaneously analyzing real world circumstances. Not only did I realize I’m capable of producing quality essays, but I learned how to look deeper and find the signs (the truth) behind everyday things. 

You will quickly realize that this is a busy course in terms of workload, however Kalchik is incredibly understanding that we students are human beings too that live normal lives and have other classes. He is very helpful at motivating you to grind out your work while also cutting you some slack (as long as it still gets turned in). That said, expect 1-3 smaller assignments a week, readings included. They are short though, and the occasional larger assignment. There is usually a fair amount of flexibility in terms of the path you want to take in your writing. Even if you aren’t a solid writer you will quickly improve your skills and make new connections in your head. 

Have fun with your essays, it’s always nice sitting back and looking at a well written essay that you just completed. For the reading assignments, make sure you annotate or at least highlight important parts of the reading itself, it will save you time in the long run. There are multiple opportunities to receive extra credit or earn a backspace (free smaller assignment pass), so  I would recommend taking advantage of as many of these as you can because there is a decent amount of assignments, some of these are easy but some you will look at and wish you had a backspace. Heads up you’ll find an easter egg in the syllabus to earn a backspace, couldn’t get any easier. 

You are going to receive quality feedback on your assignments, specifically the essays, and listen to what Kalchik has to say. Even though this was an online course with no zoom meetings, it was very easy to follow along in the course because of the detailed and updated Canvas page, this will be your lifeline, check it often and download the app on your phone. You should not be worried about taking this course, as long as you dedicate yourself to completing your assignments (you're paying to take this class you should be) you will be completely fine. 

It’s easy to slack off in a course that is solely on the screen of your computer, so make sure to check in with Kalchik here and there and ask whatever questions you need to. It’s really important to develop your own opinions about the topics covered, there is no judgment and no wrong answers. As stated in the syllabus, “We will read what others say. We will express our opinions. We’ll agree; we’ll disagree. We will decide for ourselves” (2). Be open-minded and consider other people's point of view, you might learn something. Overall, a great course with a great professor, learned a lot, and best of luck to future students!

Hi Future student of Professor Kalchik! This is an awesome class, I genuinely loved investing my time and energy in and felt that I had gained something out of. This class will demand a bit of a lot from you. The workload is steady and consistent and throughout your entire semester you will need to stay up to date on assignments. I would recommend taking this class if you are expecting and prepared to take on some hours of homework and preparation for it. A lot of your class time will be discussion based and typically begin with a review quiz on your last reading assignment (reading assignments are due between almost every class or are replaced by other homework assignments). Being prepared by keeping up with the reading assignments and activities will also always be helpful to you in the end with this class. For example, the readings required for your final essay and extra work assigned during that time, really do prepare you to write your final essay better. From my personal experience, I think it’s easy to see that Jason spends a lot of time planning and organizing his lessons and activities–they will all be a step by step guide in how to succeed throughout the class period and further on in the class. In summary, you get what you put in in this class. If you’re willing to put the effort and time in to keep up with a slightly demanding workload, then there’s a lot to gain in this class. The topics are for the most part very interesting and relatable to most people, the discussions are well lead, informative, open and pretty thought provoking in my opinion. The writing assignments are challenging in a great way and the notes/ comments/ tips provided will help genuinely improve your writing.

Overall, I think this class is a great time for people who are interested in engaging in the content and class overall, while that requires investment of time and energy, and who enjoy being social or find a social environment helpful to learn in.

My advice, stay up to date, value your work and try your best! The class and grading system are designed with understanding and, honestly, sympathy for student life but you just can’t slack off.

One thing you have to look forward to and my favorite part of the class was learning about how we reflect on our society and our society reflects on us. The whole 205 class revolves around this sort of idea; for example, from your first reading assignment, “What we Talk about When We Talk about Batman and Superman,” this theme of reflection is first introduced in a very unsuspecting way. It sets the theme for ✨semiotic analysis ✨and Socratic style seminars for the rest of the semester in a pretty fun way.

Dear Future Student,

I want to let you in on a little secret: ANYONE can get an A in this class. Yes, it's pretty straightforward (Take it from someone who hasn’t been in school in the past 15 years). The best part about it is that Professor Kalchik tells you exactly how. It's all outlined in the syllabus. Have you even read the syllabus? When you DO and you WILL if you want to get an A, you will find that all you need to do is be present and prepared. Simple, isn’t it? It’s almost like competing in a sporting event; you can’t just show up and automatically think you're going to “wing it” and do extraordinary. No, you need to take some time to look over and analyze what you're going to be doing, and then you can go and do it.

There is a crucial sentence in the syllabus “having worked through all assigned reading and completed our writing activities before class begins” . . . the keyword: before. This class is set up so that if you don’t complete the reading assignments before the following class, you will create a snowball effect. For example, if we have a reading assignment and you say, “It's too long to read, I’ll just read it in class,” when the class comes around, you can’t participate in the discussion because you have yet to read the assignment. Therefore you miss out on participation points. Also, the activity for that class will be centered around what you read and your next assignment. So now, you did not read the assignment and lost participation points. You are currently behind on figuring out a strategy for the 5-page (it's more like 5 ½, don’t be fooled) paper; you now have to write about that reading assignment that was too long to read a moment ago.

STAY AHEAD. Stay ahead of the assignments, and write down things that stood out to you. Chances are it will be discussed during class. If you spend an hour after class on the assignments for the week, chances are you’ll be ahead of the game. Before I forget, make sure you submit your assignments. Something is better than nothing, and you get unlimited revisions, but submitting late work counts against you. Most of all, the topics in the class are interesting and engaging.

I was nervous about having to write a 5 (5 ½) page paper. I didn’t think I could develop anything interesting enough to write five pages worth. However, brainstorming all the ideas that came to mind, then narrowing it down to the ones that related to each other, helped me develop things I wanted to cover in the paper; lo and behold, five pages later, I had something that I could turn in. As cliche as it sounds, if you apply yourself and manage your time, you will do great in this class. YOU GOT THIS.

Sincerely,

Victoria

This is a class that you can do very well in as long as you are willing to put in an effort. You don't need to be perfect, you don't need to come in already as an expert, you just have to get to class, participate and do your best in the work.

If there's anything consistent about me, it's how I struggle to sit down to read and write anything, especially without getting distracted by a million and one different things. But in this class, the subjects have been interesting and important all semester long. I've learned things, not only about how to write and format my work, but also about bigger issues that have helped anchor my attention to the assignments for more than long enough to get my work done; add to the fact that, while there's always something to read, write, or research, the work itself is a lot lighter than I would have expected from it, and a lot more engaging than what I'd expect from an English class.

This class, and our professor, are very lenient and understanding. I can't overstate how much I struggled managing my time over the semester what with having a job that due to certain goings on started requiring more time of me as the semester went on. But thanks to that leniency, I've been able to turn it around and find the necessary time to get back on track and get the work in.

If you go through the syllabus, you'll get to a line that say "If class is to be fun and productive, you need to prepare for each session by completing the assigned readings to the best of your ability before class begins.", which is something that I found to be incredibly true. There's a big difference in what you get out of the class depending on whether or not you've followed the instructions. Going in having read what you were supposed to makes it a lot more fun and smooth for you; you can actually participate in an interesting discussion with your classmates; and I know that might come off as somewhat of a tired line, but you gotta trust me on this one. The subjects that we go through in this class, and the way we go about them give you a lot of freedom to express yourself and your opinions. They make you think about stuff that might not have crossed your mind otherwise, both about the subject and about yourself.

If you want or have to take an English 101 class, I really can't imagine it gets a lot better than this one. Definitely one I would recommend if you have any interest or curiosity at all. Just go for it, you won't regret it! 

Dear Future English Students, 

You are all going to love this class! Professor Kalchik isn’t just any boring English teacher, he keeps the assignments interesting and lively. The readings in this class are really captivating and fascinating. Throughout this class, I learned a lot about American culture and learned about things that I had never even thought about before. This class is very engaging with lots of reading and writing assignments as well as class discussions. Personally, my favorite part about this class was learning how to dig deeper into readings. Rather than just reading from a surface level, Professor Kalchik helps in learning how to think outside of the box and instead of looking just at the denotative meaning we also look at the connotative, or implied meanings. 

This class is not hard to be successful at, anyone can do it. As long as you stay motivated and organized with your assignments you will flourish in this class. Mr. Kalchik gives a very clear outline for the class so it is easy to follow along and understand. My advice for you would be to get a planner or calendar and write down your weekly assignments so that you can stay on top of them and not fall behind. There are a few larger writing assignments in this class so I do recommend staying on track and even going a little bit ahead if possible. This class is definitely not one for procrastinating. However, the writing assignments are more fun rather than work because the prompts are really interesting. They allow you to use your creativity and cause you to think critically. 

Professor Kalchik describes his class perfectly in his syllabus by saying, “This semester, we will get a chance to reexamine common assumptions, enter into large cultural conversations, and practice expressing our unique thoughts and opinions in interesting and empowering ways.” This class is just that! It is interesting, empowering, and unique. Mr. Kalchik also says, “The most successful students are the ones who take a genuine interest in the work and apply themselves toward doing what it takes to improve.” This is a very true statement! It doesn’t take a lot to be successful in this class. Just by taking an interest and showing effort will help you to thrive.

So, don't worry! You will enjoy this class more than you think. If you go into it with a positive outlook and mindset you are sure to be successful. Turn on your thinking caps and be ready to think critically and use your imagination! I hope you all the best.

Before taking this class, English classes always intimidated me as it was not my first language, and my grammar skills were not the strongest. I thought this English class would be just like the previous classes I had taken, but this class has proven me wrong. The way Professor Kalchik set up the class was fun and engaging. He made us try new tools such as Perusall, Canva, etc. We were also able to express our ideas creatively, such as creating memes, producing videos, and making posters. I was always excited to attend this class as I was able to share my ideas creatively and have fun while learning.

            In this class, you will learn to improve your reading and writing skills. I know many people, including me, start sweating when they find out they will have to read a lot of articles. Don't worry because Professor Kalchik gives interesting and very timely articles. He also teaches you ways how to read better. The most helpful trick I learned is to annotate, as it makes it easier for you to go back to the ideas in the text. The articles will make you think critically, and they will make you realize things you never thought of before.

The key to acing this class is working “through all assigned reading” and completing all the assigned works as they build up and lead to the themes of writing prompts. If you do all the homework, by the time you do the essay, you will find it easier as you have already done most of the work in the assignments, and now it's time to combine all the ideas. Additionally, make sure to do the assigned work as soon as possible and avoid procrastination. Setting aside time to do the reading will help you in the long run. When I came to the class prepared, I learned that it was easier to ask questions and express my ideas. If you are confused or have any questions, Professor Kalchik will be happy to answer, and he will “be there for you throughout this journey.” He always provides in-depth and good feedback on the works you submitted. He also gives you tips on how you can improve your essay. I also find the breakout rooms helpful as you will be able to gain insights and ideas from your classmates on making your essay better.

Whether you are a pro or new to writing, this class will be fun and engaging. You will be able to craft your ideas in creative ways and voice them to the class. Just show up, do the work, and do your best! Guaranteed, you will be able to succeed in this class. I am not a morning person, but this class made me look forward to attending Professor Kalchik's 8 AM class.

Dear future student,

If you are reading this letter, you have most likely chosen the correct path to success in this course. 

Don't be afraid because your English is poor; as someone who does not speak English well, I can only rely on my parents and friends to communicate with others to assist me. I've been in the United States for four years as of the date of this letter. My reading comprehension has greatly improved as a result of the readings assigned by the professor. I can now read articles and news articles without pausing to think too much to make sense of the sentences. Critical thinking activities have improved my ability to write and think critically. I can now communicate with everyone while taking part in breakout room activities.

The most important secret to success in this course is to plan your time so that you have enough time to complete the assigned assignments. Because all of the assignments are important and interesting, and will help you improve a variety of skills in your future studies and life.

Sincerely,

Gia

Hello Future - Former me:

Do you struggle with organizing your thoughts to deliver a coherent engaging piece of writing? Well, look no further; English 101X is here to help! Under the guidance of Professor Kalchik–who’s pretty cool and actually cares, I’m not just saying this ‘cause he’s reading this–you too can become a good writer.

Disclaimer: That is if you’re willing to put in the work.

This class is only challenging if you allow it to be, and in order to be successful at this, you must put in the time. At the beginning of the course, Professor Kalchik will give you a syllabus with everything you need to know, basically a road map to accomplish any grade you want. No surprises coming out of the left field to throw you off. Cool, right?

Each assignment will build up momentum for the next, and while one would expect things to get more complicated it’s actually quite the opposite. Each assignment will give you the tools to accomplish the next, and little by little everything just starts clicking and before you know it you’ll be writing like a pro. Soon, instead of worrying about how to write, you’ll be focusing on what to write about and by the end of this course, you’ll be eager to put your new skillset to work.

I’ve never been a good writer, in high school, I pretty much got away with getting by with the bare minimum, but life gets harder and learning how to write–which in essence is learning how 

to think clearly, dissect information and pour it out with your own twist–will be a valuable tool that will help you to navigate life challenges with more support on your side.

If I can give you a piece of advice is to not underestimate the value of some of the smaller assignments and do the work on time so you’re not stuck playing catch up (unfortunately what happened to me), a little each day will go a long way. 

Lastly, have fun for Pete's sake, you can joke all you want inside a piece of writing, and let your personality flourish if you’re into satire for example. We all have a unique voice inside and when we share it this world actually becomes a much more interesting experience for all of us. There are so many styles of writing so never underestimate the power of your voice.

So welcome to a fun new chapter of your life, hope you make the best of it and I look forward to reading what you have to say, you never know where this journey can take you.

Cheers,

CC

Dear future students, if you are stressing about Professor Kalchiks’s class for English 101 don’t be. Writing essays and college-level English may seem very difficult, but when you break it down it’s not all that bad. I was not the best writer when it came to topics that didn’t interest me and that was probably my biggest problem, as I felt if I was given a topic I found interesting then I could write nonstop about it. Luckily with the help of Professor Kalchik always got us into the habit of brainstorming and plotting out our paper before we end up wasting time staring at a blank page. 

Trust me I’ve been there done that many times, but after the first 2 writing assignments that was no longer a problem. Some pieces of advice are not to get annoyed and forget about an assignment when Professor Kalchik sends it back to you to revise to earn full credit. Instead, make sure you get it done within a week. That way you will maintain the highest grade possible and not come to the end of the semester where you freak out over the pile of assignments you have to do. I waited until the end of the semester to readjust a larger writing assignment paper that was due months earlier. The worst part is all I had to do was add half a page. This taught me to try my best to no longer procrastinate on turning in assignments especially when 80% of the work had already been done. Just push through and turn it in as quickly as possible. 

Here is a quote from the class syllabus I found that relates to me and is crucial, “The most successful students are the ones who take a genuine interest in the work and apply themselves towards doing what it takes to improve.” For many assignments, you will have to find your research so find what's interesting to you and it will be much easier.

At the start of the year I was a bit nervous about how college-level English would be but after a few assignments, I got in the rhythm and became much more calm and fluid as a writer. Just remember that Professor Kalchik is always there to help so don’t be shy to ask questions or for help, he will gladly help you. Lastly, go into this class with the intention to improve your writing and it will benefit you as a writer and help you in the future with other assignments. I wish the best of luck to all of you and enjoy the class.

Sincerely, Matteo

Dear Future English Lit Student,

Throughout the semester you will be handed challenging pieces of literature. These texts will be dense, abstract, and make you wanna throw your book across the room. I assure you that Professor Kalchik will create a space that is open to exploration to the texts as a group. That was my favorite part of this course. Most days I would come into class after reading the assigned text and once hearing other students talk about it, I felt as though I had read the wrong one. That is simply how literature goes, not to that extent, but everyone has a different perception of the words on the pages, and the overall message the writer may have been trying to convey. So, do your best and really try to engage with the text so that way you have everything you need to be a part of these useful discussions!

I strove to get an “A” this semester and with the Contract Grading Scale, I had a bit of control on whether or not I could realistically make that goal. There are multiple small writing assignments and then a few big ones, but the most important part being participation. I think what will really make you a successful student in this course is to show up ready to engage with the text, and with your fellow classmates’ ideas. Of course, stay on top of those small writing assignments considering they matter in the end. Life happens and things sometimes get in the way of school assignments, which is why the contract feels supportive rather than a set-up for failure. If you miss two small writing assignments you can still land in the “A” category!

So, take a deep breath and be excited about the interesting stories and narratives that you will be exposed to in this American Literature class! Professor Kalchik clearly shows understanding of these authors and is passionate about getting every one of his students to dissect the meanings, and gain a greater understanding of the text every class. Ultimately, I would say the energy you put in is what you will receive in this class, so get yourself ready, but do have fun with it! Have a great semester and goodluck with the entirety of your associates/transfer journey!

Sincerely,

Emily

Hey guys! Welcome to the class!

My name is Ily, and when I first joined this class, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or what to expect. This was my first college writing class, so I was quite nervous as to what challenges I might be facing in this class for the next couple of months. But let me just start off by saying don't stress! Professor Kalchik will be there by your side the whole time, guiding you through the semester step by step. He encourages you to make mistakes, so get outside of your comfort zone, don't be afraid to fail, try new things, and work to the best of your abilities and you'll do fantastic!

At the beginning of the semester, I was hesitant to talk during our classes. I felt nervous that people would disagree with me or think my questions were useless, but I found, over time, that the more I interacted, the more I started to learn. So when you get put into a breakout room with a bunch of awkward college kids who don't want to talk, be the first person to start the conversation. Interact as much as you can, ask questions, reply to other classmates, and don't be afraid to voice your opinion. Professor Kalchik is super understanding and encourages us to agree or disagree and express our own opinions, so speak up! You will not only be making the class more fun and interactive, but you will be more involved mentally as well. It took me a little while to figure this out, so I hope this helps you start off strong. 

"The most successful students are the ones who take a genuine interest in the work and apply themselves toward doing what it takes to improve." Don't just skim over this in the syllabus! It is so true and gave me the mindset I needed to do well in this class. Be determined and pay close attention to everything you are learning. Don't come into this class expecting things to be easy or look at it as just more schoolwork. I definitely had some struggles where I thought my writing skills were strong, so be ready for this class to push you. Come into this semester with a mindset to better your skills as a writer, and to learn beyond what you think you may already know. Your success in this class is based on the mindset you choose to have. So have a driven mindset for determination and improvement, and go get that A!

-Ily A

My name is Cain, and The number one thing that I would tell future students is to never give up. Whether you’re fresh out of high school, or returning to school, it is never too late to better yourself by pursuing a higher education. There will be days when you feel like giving up, and you tell yourself “I’ll do it next time”, or “I don’t feel like doing this right now.” You are only making things harder for yourself.

Also, you have a very enthusiastic and understanding professor, who’s eager to teach, so remember to engage with the class, not only because you’re being graded on it, but because it makes it easier to teach.

When I started the class, I had just gone through a major tragedy in my life and I lost somebody very important to me. I felt like if I just gave up, then I would have a valid excuse to, because I was sad. I then realized that I was just trying to rationalize not doing my work, because I didn’t feel like it. I also paid a lot of money to the school, and I was not going to let them rob me blind.

You should do everything in your power to pull through and finish your semester, because I didn’t think that I would. Now that I have, I haven’t felt this accomplished in a long time.

You’ve got this. It’s easy. If I can do it you can do it. Utilize your resources while you have them. You have a good teacher.

And remember to have fun,

Cain

I still remember how I felt once the course started. I was so overwhelmed and anxious. Coming from a different culture, different background and speaking a different language were thought to be a dilemma. I cannot deny that I struggled to come up with effective and strong synonyms for my poor dictionary. I had to search a lot to make sure that I understood every task and assignment. Many times I was surprised by the findings. For one assignment I was asked to write about a girl who lived in a halfway house. If I did not search what a halfway house meant, I'd have written about a girl living in a house distant from San Diego!!

It is valid if you have a mixture of feelings. Yet, do not worry. This course and Professor Jason welcome diversity, different thoughts, and encourage you to grow and learn. Things went on great for me. The journey was challenging, yet pleasant and fruitful.

Some tips:

1. You will be asked about the meaning of “metacognition” over and over and to apply it. Get ready!

2. For your first larger project, when you see the option “Zine”, RUN! I’m kidding.

3. If you think that the professor will talk while the students enjoy their sleep, think twice!

4. Do not miss smaller projects. They enhance your learning process.

5. Some challenges come by, so never postpone your work till the last moment.

6. Do not hesitate to talk and share your thoughts. No question or concern will be undermined.

7. Keep your goal in mind and work for it.

8. Make sure to attend every class because it gives you something to take with you to think about besides homework.

9. There is a lot of work, which might be exhausting sometimes! But you will end up very proud of yourself.

10. If you are from a different background, like me, don’t fight to fit in. Be yourself.

Hello future students.

I remember the first day I started this class. I was terrified, first of all because English isn't my first language and also because I don't like reading or writing. In my life I have finished maybe 3 books. Also, I was so afraid I had to talk or give my opinion (I don't like participating in class).

You can tell I was so afraid of this class, but I was so wrong, and I'm so glad I didnʼt drop the class.  As I mentioned, I don't like reading, but surprisingly I really enjoy the reading we had. They are really interesting, and update to the moment. Also, we talk about subjects that are engaging and that helps you to look different to the way we are living.  I encourage you to do the best you can, try to get everything done on time, because if you don't, then you would have a lot of work to do, and they take time. Also try to participate in class, don't be afraid like me to speak and tell the class your opinion.

Enjoy the semester, there is nothing to be afraid of, if you keep up with the class, you should be good and get an A , good luck and have fun!

Sincerely Yessell

Dear Future Students Of Professor Kalchik's Class,

        Before enrolling, I remember that I had huge anxiety about taking another English class because I had taken a year off of college and I thought that I would be widely behind my peers in terms of reading and writing. I told myself that I wouldn't be able to write a paper well and that I wasn’t smart enough to do it. It led to me avoiding English classes up until I HAD to do it and now I wish I could’ve done it sooner.

Let me start off by saying, Professor Kalchik is the best English teacher I ever had. He has taught me many ways to improve my reading and writing and gives you GOOD constructive criticism on how to further analyze your assignments and how to approach them. He gives you a generous amount of time to do each assignment, which is extremely helpful because this is one of the classes that I believe is flexible. He accepts late work and I am extremely grateful for it because not many professors do it and it lifts the pressure off your shoulder turning it in on time (You should be able to turn it in on time though because he gives you a good amount of time to finish it.) As a person, he is very easy to reach out to whether you have questions on an assignment or you have problems that conflict with turning in assignments on time. He is very flexible, and as long as he sees that you are putting in the work, he will work around your schedule. One of the best qualities that he has is feedback. He encourages you and he will always compliment what you have done well and be able to tell you what you could have done better. Honestly, I could not ask for someone better to overcome my anxiety with English.

         My advice for the new students is do not overstress. This class is one of the most flexible classes ever. I would not say it’s easy but it's definitely not hard. Please I beg you, if you have any questions regarding any assignments, please ask him. Professor Kalchik is a great professor. He is able to answer any questions you have on the assignment and he breaks it down for you to understand better. He will always be the first to ask if you have any questions, please use that opportunity to truly understand your assignment. Clarity is the success of this class. My second advice is to plan your work ahead of time. Although he accepts late work, do not take it for granted. As I mentioned before, he gives you a generous amount of time to complete it. Do not try to rush it either because he can tell when you rush it. He takes time to read everything you wrote, keep that in mind.

         Whatever you do, do not give up. There are going to be times when you are questioning whether to drop out of the class or not. I am here to tell you to stick through it. As long as you are open minded and are willing to learn, this class will be easy for you. I wish you all the best, Good luck!

Hello! Welcome to Mesa College and welcome to Professor Jason's class, future students.

Let me begin by just introducing myself. This semester, my name is Evie, and I am a student of Professor Jason. And I'm sure you, like me, will believe that when you hear English, it will be a boring and tough, tedious class that you must attend because it is part of your GE, especially ENG 101X. It is also the course required for university transfer. So perhaps everything has changed in my mind due of the way Professor Jason brought me to his class. To be honest, English is the second language I've had to learn after my mother tongue, so it's never been as easy for me as it is for other native speakers. But, on the contrary, I was quite interested in approaching English through this professor's class because I appreciate the readings I've earned this season, and there would be writing tasks related to the readable texts, which has never been easy for me before. 

Furthermore, the essays on how instructors assign homework are quite useful, and I believe they will support me in my future classes. For example, I'd want to emphasize that if you want to succeed in this class, you must be present to hear all of the professor's lectures. You will also read a lot. As for reading, I never liked it before this course, but I could definitely say that this class changed that for me. This class will emphasize critical thinking and writing. You will need to research and read, potentially re-read, and re-read, until you are satisfied that you are ready to produce a good essay. 

Additionally, if you have any questions about assignments or lectures, the professor will help you. To put it another way, the best thing about instructors is that they grade you and give you the chance to improve your grade, as I am live proof. Professor Jason is without a doubt the best professor I've ever had. He gives a large amount of feedback on assignments and is very in depth with it. Always willing to talk and help you grow as a writer/student. Do yourself a favor and take any of his classes. He really takes the time to learn about each of his students and will do his best to help you succeed.

So, don’t be afraid! His class is so engaging and have fun. I highly recommend attending his zoom class or campus if you want to pass. He made his lectures super clear and his policy on late work and grades is very lenient, and you do learn. Lastly, if you're an English major or like the subject, take this class! 

It's time to finish my first semester of college. Looking back at the beginning of the learning process I can say  with confidence, that the path has not been easy, but very exciting. Starting my studies after a 15 years break in the educational process is not so easy. I was overcome by doubts and worries about whether I would be able to distribute my time correctly in order to cope with my learning, and I also understood my second worry, that English is not my native language. I have been learning it for the last 3 years, but it is still so far from perfection.

I want to say that my worries were unnecessary. It was not easy, but the assignments were so interesting that it was exciting to work on them. It was especially interesting to dig deeper into the problem of the digital environment of modern people. It makes me think about my digital behavior and hygiene.

My main difficulty was that I spent a huge amount of time finding words and forming my thoughts in English. But the more practice, the easier it is to study and the writing process. For myself, I have defined the secret of successful study lies in the word M-E-M-E, each letter of this word corresponds to certain skills and qualities:

• Metacognition. The skill of analyzing the information received and obtaining knowledge based on it, as well as the ability to evaluate one's own work and achievements.

• Efficiency. The ability to competently prioritize, effectively manage your resources (time, effort, emotions).

• Motivation. A clear understanding of the necessary result of a particular work, the appropriateness of certain actions to achieve the goal, the ability to maintain a working pace and attitude.

• Energy. Active participation in the educational process. I am confident that you will have an exciting journey into the world of English. 

And I hope the M-E-M-E principles will help you learn usefully and effectively. 

Hello Future Eng 101X Students,

I’m Alejandro, most people usually call me Alex, and you can refer to me with any pronouns but I do prefer They/Them. I want to start off by telling you a little bit about myself, I’m currently 24 and this is my first semester back in college after not being able to attend for the past 6 years due to financial and location issues. I’m majoring in Engineering and I plan to transfer to a University that offers Biomedical Engineering. I enjoy a multitude of things and some would say I’m “all over the place.” For example, I enjoy playing sports and exercising because I naturally have a lot of energy and my body constantly needs to move. I like to watch anime and listen to music. I enjoy every opportunity I get to race in a motorcycle or sports cars.

 This semester for me has been a rollercoaster of emotions and difficult situations occurring at the same time. I had 2 injuries: one was a pulled muscle when training that made me unable to exercise for 2 months and the other was a motorcycle accident that got my hand in a cast for a little over a month. Enough about me, I want to share a little about the class along with some tips and recommendations, and to start off I want to say that it is very important that you attend class and participate, ask questions and interact with the class.

Professor Kalchik has created a very interactive class that he continues to refine. Do not expect an easy class because this class is not based in a book which is awesome but it is based on building your writing and reading skills and set a very solid foundation of what is to come as you progress through college. Professor Kalchik is a very understanding person that will not hesitate in explaining those things that you don’t understand and giving you more in depth information about the topics in class. He is very resourceful and truly cares for his students.

I want to wrap this up by saying that it is essential that you read and work on your writing skills as the semester progresses. Ask all the questions that you may have and enjoy watching yourself become a better reader and writer. This semester Professor Kalchik added this quote on the class Syllabus and it has been on the back of my head this entire time “Reading and writing, like everything else, improve with practice. And, of course, if there are no young readers and writers, there will shortly be no older ones. Literacy will be dead, and democracy - which many believe goes hand in hand - will be dead as well" (Atwood, Margaret).

Heyyy! Future 205 students,

Okay don’t freak out, I know this is a new semester and there’s a lot of emotions. You’re allowed to feel this way, but guess what?, you’ll be FINE!!. I know English used to be my favorite class but the enthusiasm of teachers diminished and I lost my passion for writing essays. That's until I took this class. Although it wasn't  mentally the easiest semester, seeing the passion and enthusiasm that Professor Kalchik put into this class made me enjoy reading the small articles and sharing my opinion on those articles. 

If you’re anything like me, you know that organization and clarity are so important for your success. Well, the modules are easy to navigate and you’ll never be confused about what's due and when. Professor Kalchik truly wants you to succeed!. I’ll keep this short, but I'll give you a few tips:

1. Get involved–If you want to get the most of this class, then participate in the Perusalls; you’re allowed to freely express your opinions here. Don’t only get involved when it comes to homework but reach out to Professor Kalchik. One of my regrets in this class (Online no set meeting times) was that I didn't get to personally interact with the teacher and other classmates as much as I wanted to.

***DON’T BE SHY, reach out to him, he would love to talk to you and help you in any way... trust me!

2. Read On Time–Get to the readings as soon as possible, there’s quite a bit of readings but they are short ones. If you leave it all to the end the work will pile up, take it day by day. It won't feel like homework if you take your time

3. Have fun but be organized–This class won't be difficult; the teacher is always there to help. So maybe relax a bit... have fun with the writings and opinions you share, truly discuss what’s going on in your mind, it feels good to get your opinions out.

But also stay organized and make a list of what needs to be done so you're not stressed out.

Overall, this will probably be the funnest English class you’ll take. Be easy on professor Kalchik. He's got a kind soul and will be happy to help you out with any of your questions or concerns. 

You’ll be alright at the end!!

Sincerely,

Fatima :)

Welcome to Professor Jason Kalchik’s class! 

You’re going to have fun, but it might be weird. I know you will be successful in this class though, because Professor Kalchik will be right here alongside you on this journey. You may feel slightly overwhelmed or confused at some points, but I promise you it’s all part of the process. Any English class you take is going to be difficult, but in this class you are going to learn skills that you will retain and will be able to apply to both your future work, and to life. Also, his “Grade Goals” are set up so you don’t have to worry at all, just put in the work and you can get any grade you want. 

The best advice I can offer is firstly, even if you feel like you are not understanding an assignment, keep working on it, take a step back if you need to, but turn it in! You might be more on track than you realize. If not, Professor Kalchik will be able to give you a nudge in the right direction. Getting an A in his class is not about perfection, it’s about making mistakes! Mistakes are very welcome, and encouraged. I discovered I have been writing “it’s” instead of “its” throughout all my work for possibly my entire life, we all make mistakes! 

Secondly, use what you’re passionate about! Not every topic is going to be something you’re extremely interested in, so connect it to something you are passionate about. Get creative with your connections. This is a chance to start to look at who you are as a writer, a chance to play. Repeated exposure and practice with the concepts really does pay off. I know this because at the beginning of my semester we covered superheroes and I struggled to understand the concepts but after multiple assignments, I fought through the confusion and got my sea legs. 

Lastly, gather those backspaces! They’re interesting and a great chance to get ahead so you never have to stress. If an assignment just isn’t clicking with you for some reason, you can use them to move on to something that might work better for you. In the syllabus Professor Kalchik says that he expects you to challenge yourself and to submit the best work you can. I encourage you to do that, you have a unique and wonderful opportunity to find your voice. Professor Kalchik can help, but don’t waste this time to really learn by going through the motions, do your best. I wish you a wonderful semester, 

Amanda

Writing has never been one of my strengths and transferring my disorganized thoughts onto paper in an organized way has always been a struggle for me. I've always found it much easier to understand mathematical concepts, and I think that's because I've always seen math as a process that builds from one lesson to the next. If you master the basic skills, then the long equations will not seem so daunting. You just begin to tackle one part at a time, based on the skills and processes that you have learned, and before you know it – you have completed something that was much easier than it initially appeared. 

This class taught me the process of turning my disorganized thoughts into a thoughtful piece of writing, and to do it in a way that might actually make logical sense to a reader. In this English class, professor Kalchik will teach you the basic skills that you need, and the process of pulling all those skills together, to create a full piece of writing that will make you proud.

If you'd like this class to be truly rewarding then let me offer the following formula for success:

SU + S + OT + BE = Success

Let SU = Show up

– Don't miss class and be on time. There is a lot of information that builds upon previous lessons.

Let S = Share

– Speak up and share your opinions. You have unique experiences that your fellow students deserve to learn from. Encourage other students to share so that you can learn from them. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand – we're all here to learn. Besides, other students are probably wondering the same thing, and you'd be doing all of us a favor if you asked.

Let OT = On Time

– Get your assignments turned in on time or even before their due date. Waiting until the last minute (or being late) causes stress that is otherwise preventable, and many of your classroom assignments will be based on that work.

Let BE = Best Effort

– It goes without saying that putting in your best effort is the surest way of producing work that makes you proud. If you're proud of your own work, then that will shine through to others as well.

"The ability to use language is power. You will be proud of what you produce in this class and the skills you will begin to master." Professor Kalchik. English 101 Syllabus 

If you're feeling nervous or anxious as this class begins, please keep in mind that you are very fortunate to have a professor who will go above and beyond the call of duty to help you succeed. But be fair to him, as well as your fellow students, by doing your part and following the formula for success.

This is where I would usually offer you good luck, but you really don't need that – you've got this.

Dear Future Students,

Moving to a brand new state and starting school after taking a 10 year break has probably been one of the best decisions of my life. I came to California from New Jersey. I had everything in NJ, my family, my best friend, my cat, and people who supported me, and a great teacher assistant position I loved to work.

But guess what, when it came to requesting for a new position at a higher grade level I was told no. After working at a school for nine years and having alot of experience under my belt it didn't matter because I could not move up without a college degree. That very moment I decided to stop wasting time and decided to start making my goals come true. I drove cross county to California (first goal) and decided I was going to get my teacher certification (second goal). I enrolled in Mesa College and my first class was English 101x with Professor Kalchik. I was very excited the first day of class to be honest. I was ready to begin this new journey as a college student. I remember sitting in front of my computer 10 minutes before class started and praying. I told God I would do the best of my ability to get an A this semester.

Meeting Prof.Kalchik was a breath of fresh air. Thinking back now I don't know why I was so nervous. I am not sure what I expected my teacher to be like but I am grateful Prof.Kalchik was my first teacher coming back from a very long break. From the beginning he was so relaxed, confident, and by the way he spoke about his class, how he introduced the syllabus, and reassured us we would be fine. This made me see how much he cared about his class and his students' well being.  The first day of class went by so quickly and left me feeling super excited about the semester. I couldn't wait for the next class already and it was only the first day. The class does get challenging, do not get me wrong. The articles we read can be challenging and writing can sometimes feel overwhelming  but you will be fine! You will grow so much on your thinking skills and your writing will become a breeze. Prof. Kalchik always checks in on you, he always asks how we are feeling, how he can help us. He is always an email away. This attribute from Prof.Kalchik was what I really appreciated from him. He is a true example of a teacher who cares for his students and their college goals.

A memory I recall from class that made an impact on me was when I felt so helpless after Prof.Kalchik announced our first research paper. I sat in my living room after class was over and began to cry. I felt so out of my league from my other classmates. I felt so out of place and started thinking I am not going to be able to do this. That is when I reached out to Prof. Kalchik and told him if we could set a meeting. I emailed him and he quickly responded as always. We spoke through Zoom. I told him how I was nervous about our first research paper. He was so encouraging and patient with me. Each time encouraging me that I was doing great. After that meeting I felt so much better, more confident in my writing. At that moment I was grateful to have a teacher like Prof. Kalchik. He reminded me of the kind of teacher I would like to become with my future students. I can tell you now  that I accomplished the goal I set out for myself in the beginning of the semester  which was an A. I have succeeded in my goal. I am very proud of the student I have learned to become.

My advice to you future students is to work hard on the grade you want to accomplish. It all comes down to you. You make your grade. Discipline your time in this class. There is a lot of writing. Do not put off homework, large or small assignments to the last minute. Read your assignments and ask questions. It's not worth the stress or pressure you put on yourself if you leave it for the last minute. If you are disciplined with your timing your work will show for itself.

Prof. Kalchik does give you plenty of time to make up and redo it but do not take that for granted nor really on it. Have an open mind in class. Engage, participate, and be open to share your ideas. Class becomes so much fun and interesting when class discussions start and it's also part of your learning. Do not be afraid of being wrong. One thing I learned from the syllabus is that there are no wrong answers. That is why you go to class to ask questions, to learn, to be guided. Take it to your advantage there aren't many teachers like Prof. Kalchik who care about what his students have to say.

I can go on and on but I won't. I ́ll let you experience your own story. I leave you with this: you will do great, you will achieve greatness in this class, and you will come out feeling accomplished from all your hard work. Remember what I said YOU MAKE THE GRADE. So the real question is what grade do you want to be?

Have a great semester!!!!

Hello New Students!

Welcome to Professor Kalchik’s English 101 class! Going back to school or enrolling in new classes can be intimidating because you don’t know what to expect. Well that’s why you have these letters.  When someone thinks of English classes usually what might come to mind are worksheets, essays, poetry, and vocabulary; but in Kalchik’s class it doesn’t matter if you’re a new college student in their first literature class or maybe you have already taken an English college course, either way this class may be a surprise for you by the differences from what you have experienced or what you are expecting. In a good way! While this English course does encompasses a good number of topics and themes, all of them involve a greater meaning.

The workload is built to help your essays thrive and reach their full potential. So don’t procrastinate on them because they really aren't that bad. There are also so many opportunities for class involvement through discussions, projects, readings, and much more here. So from experience, I would recommend for someone to try (if it doesn’t come naturally) to take interest in the topics discussed in class and be involved, it will make your learning and assignments way easier. Something else I can’t stress enough, from personal experience and what I believe is the most important advice I can give is to communicate and ask for help from the Professor whenever you need it. I’m usually not big on communicating or asking for help but I swear if you are confused about something in class, confused about an assignment, or want to discuss anything else with Professor Kalchik, he is super easy to talk to. It really helped me emailing him  and when I was behind communication became important. He wants to help and see his students succeed.

The first passage you will see in the syllabus is  “Together we will practice and strengthen skills that will help us take a closer look at important issues and ideas about life in the 21st century, enter into large and meaningful conversations, and express our unique thoughts and opinions in interesting and empowering ways.”  This is what the class is based on and relates back to what I said earlier. You will be able to relate to everything because the topics are based on our world now so if you try you can really thrive in this class and actually take something from it and apply it to life.

I wish any future student here the best of luck during your class course. Hopefully like me you too can feel more aware, inspired, and knowledgeable about the world around us after this course.

-Liliana

Dear Future Students of Professor Kalchik,

To start this off going into my first college class after high school I was scared to say the least. In the first class Professor Kalchik was so welcoming and started his first class and I had confidence in myself. Throughout this semester I have procrastinated and am paying the consequences by doing last minute assignments at 6:00 am and rushing through just to do it again to fix my mistakes later in the day. The one thing about this class is that procrastinating is a very bad idea like any other class or assignment in your life. I waited too long and got distracted too many times and would have to play catch up many different times throughout the semester.

As long as you don’t procrastinate on your work, you will pass the class no doubt in my mind. I have full confidence in you that you will pass this class with flying colors and no matter what you think or how scared you are of college in general you will do great things in your academic career.

Professor Kalchik is very accepting of helping you in 1-on-1 conferences and office hours to help you through assignments. In college it is very important to use all the resources that are given to you. Any tutoring or office hours with your professors will always be helpful for clarification and help on specific assignments. I did not use Professor Kalchik’s office hours at all and paid with confusion while doing assignments that could have been very easy. In the syllabus it states, “Prepare yourself to work with your classmates as you explore, analyze, and think critically about the world we share.” Working together with your peers is essential in breakout rooms and helps if the Professor isn’t available, your classmates can help clarify any questions. Throughout life you can’t do everything by yourself and this class isn’t different and you must help each other throughout the semester so you can all succeed.

Dear Future Students of Professor Kalchik,

If you are in the slightest feeling nervous or stressed about this ENG 101x class, I’m here to tell you that there is no need. In the beginning, I was worried I’d have difficulties keeping up with any of the assignments and maintaining a good grade because I wasn’t familiar with Professor Kalchik’s grading system. However, if you look at this syllabus, it explains his system thoroughly. 

Basically if you end the semester with a 90% or higher participation score, no more than 2 missing smaller writing assignments, late assignments, and in-class quizzes, while turning in every large writing assignment, you pass with an A. Same system for a B letter grade but instead of 2 missing assignments, 3. C is 4, and so on.

One of the reasons I enjoyed his class was the interesting topics of the assignments of each unit. My favorite unit was on the subject of gender roles and norms. His assignments are organized very well and by unit so that it is never confusing. I found the unit of gender topics interesting because there are many layers to the subject, and much to discuss about in class. One of the last assignments in the semester was a large writing assignment on any topic of gender of your choosing where you had to incorporate multiple articles from the unit. I chose to write on Gender and its deep rooted form of colonization. It’s always enjoyable to write on a subject you’re passionate about, and Professor Kalchik makes it easy for his students to do so. He gives you room to be creative in order for you as a writer to have fun and flexibility in your writing.

My advice for you as new students of his is to check on canvas every day if Professor Kalchik has posted any new assignments in order to maintain a good letter grade and participation points. If you ever have any difficulties keeping up in class or turning in an assignment on time, have a talk with Professor Kachik and he is most likely to give you an extension. He is very understanding and flexible; however, never take advantage of his kindness.

Jason Kalchik is a great professor who will be there to guide you if you are in any need of help in his class. He is very responsive and quick to reply to his emails, which was one of the things appreciated about him as an educator. I’ve noticed over the course reading his insightful comments under my assignments that he is passionate and has great taste in music. I think music is one of the best ways to bond with someone. If you are a music lover like myself, I’m sure you’ll find yourself taking a liking to Professor Kalchik. Don’t be shy to ask him for music

recommendations! I hope you have a great semester and find yourself and your writing in his class something to be proud of. Write what you are passionate about, there is always room for creativity in writing.

Sincerely, Ariana

Dear future students of Professor Kalchik’s class, 

I would like to first start off saying that before starting the class I was absolutely terrified that I was going to fail this class because English is not my first language. In my past English classes, I often struggled trying to organize my essays and completing my assignments before the day it was due since I often procrastinate. After taking this English class, I have learned a variety of new techniques and methods to help improve my English and I am glad that Professor Kalchik was there to help me every step of the way. Honestly, I have met a tremendous amount of friends in this class and also improved my writing skills which I would be able to utilize in other classes. 

My advice for the new students that are about to take this class, I cannot stress enough how important it is to ask Professor Kalchik for help or any clarification for a written assignment or the meaning behind a reading passage. If you truly do not understand what you are being asked to do, then you should ask the teacher and he breaks down the question for you to easily understand it. Another tip for the new students is please plan everything ahead and organize your schedule in a way that would allow you to complete your assignments on time. Do not and I repeat, do not try to rush and complete your assignments on the last day it is assigned because the results would be rubbish.

In the syllabus it states, “take your work in this class seriously, you will be proud of what you produce and the skills you will continue to master” and I absolutely agree with his statement. You cannot treat this class as if it's insignificant, the content and material that you will learn in this class is important for you to know.

Overall, the writing skills that I have learned in this class have been extremely useful for me and I use some of these skills for not only my English class but also my other classes. After completing this class I can honestly say that this was one of the best classes that I have taken because of the amount of knowledge I have learned with Professor Kalchik and how interesting some of the passages that we have read. Please, remember to attend this class with an open mind so that you’re willing to not only listen and understand other ideas and perspectives.

Attend class with an open mind and good luck! ~Ailing :)

I am going to start off just letting you know the truth that is that this semester was the hardest 5 months of my life.  That being said it was not particularly the classes, but my state of mind and things that I had suffered from and was also trying to heal from. 

I was in the worst state in January right at the beginning of the semester. I was on the border of actually dropping all my classes, but since it was the last two, I needed for transfer to SDSU, I told myself I could not back down now, no matter what I was going through.  I made the choice that this was going to be hard but I couldn’t turn back now.  I wish I was more motivated and in a better place in my head this semester, but I made it through and one thing I wish I would have done differently was not to procrastinate.  I found myself so overthinking assignments that I couldn’t even focus to get simple things done. I actually was so depressed and suffering from anxiety because I suffered a great loss right before Christmas, I took a leave from work for about two months to give myself a much needed break.  During that time I was able to get back on track with school work and not fall too far behind.  Thankfully both of my professors were very understanding and I honestly just let them know that I was struggling and they were very kind and supportive.  

This semester I really learned to just tell people I needed help, that I wasn’t ok and I just needed a little extra time to get myself in the right state of mind to put energy into a project or assignment.  The truth is it was so hard to get focused sometimes I just hit a wall and could not even sit down to do any work I needed to.  Instead I should have just sat down and dedicated myself to my work and let go of other distractions and feelings, but I couldn’t.  I would wait until the last minute for some things when I had plenty of time, but instead my time was focused on how to feel better or just not to feel so down, that you are unable to do the normal things like get out of bed, walk the dog, eat or exercise.  

School work did give me a sense of responsibility but with that also came my anxiety. Now I know the best way to conquer that is to complete whatever task that is giving you this feeling, to feel a huge weight off your shoulders.  In the syllabus Kalchik says “the most successful students are the ones who take a genuine interest in the work and apply them-selves toward doing what it takes to improve.”  I really appreciated the time our professor took to give us really good feedback and encouragement on our assignments.  It really helped me at a time I could really use all the encouragement I could get!  Stay on track and no matter what is going on in your life, do not let it deter your education and completing your goals at task. Nothing should be able to affect you trying to excel yourself and life. I am still working on that myself, but this semester proved to me it is possible.

Dear Professor Kalchik’s future students! 

My name is Andrea, and I took Professor Kalchik’s English 210 class during the Spring 2021 semester. As I am sure you will all be aware, that semester took place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I can truthfully say that Professor Kalchik was an excellent professor during this time. I have been an avid reader my whole life and chose to study English as my major, but that has not meant that English has always been an easy subject. Newsflash, it doesn’t, but you continue to cultivate your skills and rise to the challenges that lie ahead. I believe that you will all be successful in this class, coming in with a positive attitude, not a perfectionist one. We can all get caught up in ourselves and lose sight that there is always room for improvement. You will come to this class with imperfect writing, and hopefully, leave having had much practice on how to structurally convey your thoughts to paper and make your work as straightforward as you want it to be! 

Another reason I guarantee to improve your success in this class is the class discussion you engage with your classmates. On a personal note, I can not recall an English class where I learned so much from the insight of others. I had the privilege of being in a class with great minds who offered different perspectives and allowed me to see things in a way I haven’t thought of before. I understand that participating in class can frighten some students (I considered myself one of those). However, Professor Kalchik creates a safe and welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable and even excited to share your thoughts on the topic at hand. Another significant aspect of this class is how Professor Kalchik crafts the structure to make learning as enjoyable as possible. Taking a class that focused heavily on historical texts can be not as engaging or exciting as you wish for them. However, Professor Kalchik engages in transparent conversations with students and motivates us to understand these texts even if we don’t particularly enjoy them. I can recall a particular story where we were preparing to read Nathaniel Hawthorne and Professor Kalchik showed us a music video of a song. The video was an animated Puritan reenactment; it was very comical and funny, so I was glad Professor Kalchik chose to share that with us. 

Professor Kalchik has a great personality and is aware of all the pressures and things that can befall a student, which only emphasizes the friendly environment he creates, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice concerns. Having that communication can help you succeed and that’s all Professor Kalchik wants! Some advice I would give is to stay on top of the reading. At times, you’ll read short texts, and other times they will be longer. Either way, it can become overwhelming if you leave it to the last minute. I would reiterate the same about assignments and quizzes. Come to class prepared and ready to engage in the material, and you should do well! 

Additionally, I would add that Professor Kalchik loves the material that he teaches. I’ve had enough Professors in my academic career to know that a teacher who is passionate about the subject they teach genuinely makes all the difference. He asks for your honest feelings and opinions about how the class is structured and appreciates any feedback given to him. I really hope this letter has convinced you that you should take Professor Kalchik’s course or stay in it! I wish you the best in your academic endeavors! 

Sincerely, 

Andrea

My name is Joshua I'm 28 and currently active duty in the Navy. 

Coming into this class I was rather nervous debating if I could juggle this full time college schedule while working full time in the military and also having a family. Thankfully it went amazingly well. Professor Jason has done everything to help me achieve my goals and has even given me multiple chances to revise and resubmit my work. Even though I did not meet the standards on some of the assignments, I was able to go back and learn what I did wrong which I believe is a huge learning curve and I am grateful I partook in this class. The line I chose from the syllabus is "The entertainment we consume as individuals and a society can in many ways shape our lives." not knowing how much this meant before the course I now realize that what we chose to indulge in actually shapes us.

This class has thought me a lot about writing, and that's exactly what I had trouble with at the start of the semester. After a couple of essays that really tested me, I believe I have gotten better at writing college level papers and am excited to use my new found skills in the future classes I must take. My best advice would be to pace yourself and don't get down if your work needs to be revised a couple of times. There is nothing wrong with doing the assignment over to learn where you went wrong. I revised one of my big papers multiple times, but gratefully it taught me what I was missing and overlooking during my writing process. Balancing your free time, job if you have one, and family can be challenging but with the correct mind set anything is possible. My last bit of advice is to take as much from this course as you can and take this opportunity to learn. 

Dear Fresh-Minded  Student

If you feel anything like how I did when I first started this class you are probably a little nervous. Writing is such an old tradition that has shaped our whole world. Just in the last century there have probably been millions of books published, but none of them are the same. Some talk about sociology, science, history, or fantasy. There are so many things to write about and the perfectionist side of me was anxious that whatever I wrote wouldn't be good enough. My fears were that I would have grammatical errors, my topics wouldn't be clear, punctuations wouldn't make sense. My whole childhood I just thought that writing wasn't for me, and that I suck. But on the first day of class I was ready and as prepared as I possibly could be. Pen, paper, and an open mind to the experience because it was going to be a whole semester, I may as well try and have my head in the right place. 

On the first day I could tell that the professor was very calm, understanding and wanting to make this a good experience for everyone. Personally I enjoy topics about society and modern life. One of the first assignments he asked us to do was to write about ourselves. To me this was difficult. I struggled to talk about my interests, likes and dislikes, it's hard for me to talk about myself. After a week or two we started to get into the nitty gritty of the assignments he had planned for us. We talked about social media, and how it is affecting our minds and our children's minds. We wrote about things that were being covered on the news and what was happening right then and there.Topics about how gender affects the society that we live in and the different cultures around us. When it came to these topics I excelled. I felt like I had so much to say, and the words would fly through my fingers onto my laptop. The feeling of euphoria, when my fingers couldn't keep up with my mind. It was a freeing feeling to be able to get my opinions out of my head and say exactly what I wanted to say, how I wanted to say it. The liberating feeling of being able to express yourself in words, and having time to correct your grammar, and fixing it sound exactly how you want it to sound. I found myself with a new way to express myself through language. A language I have known my whole life, but using it to my own advantage. Because of this class I have started journaling, it's a way to release my thoughts from my mind into something more physical, and real. I have noticed how our thoughts are so fleeting and easily forgettable. Having this new ideology on writing has changed my aspect of life and how I can express myself. The Professor was very understanding and just wants you to do the best that you can do. If he thinks you need to work on it, he gives you that time. But it is your thoughts, your opinions, your mind that you get to express through writing. He isn't looking for one answer, he just wants you to explain why you feel the way you do, and use evidence to explain and defend that idea. 

This class was very liberating and has changed my way of thinking towards how writing is meant to be. It is meant for you, and for you to say exactly how you feel. To immortalize those thoughts for your future self.

Dear Future Students,

Welcome to English 210! If you’re an English major and/or interested in learning more about early American literature, this class will be a great fit for you! When I first started taking English courses at Mesa, most of the non-modern English courses were daunting, as the material can be complex and take longer to read. However, this course helped show me that while some literature may be a challenge to read, they are still enjoyable. In the syllabus, Professor Kalchik says, “The most successful students are the ones who take a genuine interest in the work and apply themselves toward doing what it takes to improve.” If you are open to developing a genuine interest in the material and combine this with dedicating ample time to your readings, assignments, and projects, I guarantee you will do well in this class.

My first piece of advice is to plan out your schedule as much as possible. Professor Kalchik often provides an estimated amount of time the readings will take but it is important to take into account how long you typically spend with different pieces of literature. For the average short

story, I would set aside an hour for reading and an extra hour for annotating. For longer pieces, be prepared to spend at least two hours reading and another hour annotating. I found it helpful to experiment with how I read pieces, such as reading aloud or skimming and then reading. I found the breakout room parts of the class to be really helpful for comparing and forming ideas about the texts we read. Your peers will also often have the same questions you have and it’s helpful to try to work through them together. In addition, if you are shy (as I am), it is a bit less intimidating to participate in these groups. Try to get your voice heard in the Zoom main room as well, even by just adding in chat or by adding on to other’s ideas.

For larger projects, like the midterm or final essay, I recommend doing somewhat extensive preparation. The midterm format can be intimidating with the time limit and the deep dive into texts you may have forgotten about from the very start of the semester. For the midterm specifically, I recommend going through each text, reviewing your annotations, and writing down the main themes of each text. This way, you can refer back to the themes easily and do not spend time trying to remember the exact themes of each text. For the final essay, I recommend starting with an outline. Jot down your ideas, create a working thesis, and find some sources you are considering. The writing process can be a difficult one with a lot of procrastination involved but a good outline can make you feel so much more secure.

I also recommend speaking to Professor Kalchik during office hours, especially to talk about larger projects. I have been fortunate to have had Professor Kalchik three semesters for English courses and each semester I have met with him to discuss essay ideas in order to see if I’m headed in the right direction. Each time I have done this, I typically feel a sense of relief and also feel more determined to add and develop my ideas further.

Best of luck with the semester!

You will do amazing!

Sincerely,

Elena

Hello future English 101X students,

My name is Alex, and I was a student in Professor Kalchik’s English 101X course. I went into the class a little nervous, but also determined to prove myself and improve myself. Zoom courses are always intimidating for me, but once I got into the course and started working, it became a class I would look forward to and wanted to keep working on to improve my reading, writing, and analyzing skills. I continued to work, but lost my touch about half way into the course and started to let assignments pile up. This increasing backload made me want the class to just “go away” and not be a constant burden. With that being said, my biggest piece of advice is to really stay focused on keeping up with assignments. Keeping up with the effort allows this class to be infinitely more enjoyable and you get so much more out of the course.

This course and Professor Kalchik is really great for when you need help or are unsure about an assignment or reading. He gives a lot of comments on every assignment and makes sure you succeed not only with the larger assignments and papers, but even with smaller, seemingly inconsequential parts of assignments or “stupid questions”. This course will allow you to grow as a reader and a writer, but also gives you the option for baby steps for areas of English you may struggle with or are unsure about.

I wish you the best of luck during this semester of English 101X and I hope you enjoy the class as much as I did.

Sincerely, Alex

Hi future students !!

I hope everyone is doing well and in case you are feeling a little bit nervous, let me remind you to take a deep breath and calm down because everything will be fine... I still remember when I was in your shoes as a student barely entering this class. I was so nervous at the beginning, I truly thought I was going to fail this class because I had always connected my English classes  to something terrifying and full of long essays. Since English is not my first language, I thought I would have a bit of trouble catching up with the assignments but it wasn’t a problem at all. The content given was really interesting and easy to comprehend plus they have been written in recent years (I am not trying to hate on Shakespeare or anything, but it’s really hard for me to understand “old English”) which made this class so much easier. Also, you will be introduced to ideas that you have never thought of before and can be easily implemented when analyzing daily life media you come across. I am not going to lie and tell you this class is easy-peasy, but if you put in the time and effort I assure you will get an A. I am going to drop below some helpful tips that will hopefully help you succeed in this class...

●    It is going to sound a little bit impossible for all of the procrastinators out there but 

DON’T procrastinate!! Avoid leaving your assignments to the last minute because it will not get you 

anything better than a low grade.

●    Try to organize your days and do your work at least a day before it is due. This will help you 

to minimize your stress and will give you the time to elaborate on new ideas.

●    Put the effort into annotating your texts, it will come in handy when writing your large 

assignments, trust me.

●    Don't be shy and ask for help. Professor Kalchik is always willing to help and explain 

something that you are having trouble with. This will save you from misunderstandings and help you 

get the grade that you are working for

●    Lastly... Good luck!!! I wish you the best :)

What's up future students! If you guys are reading this right now, then congratulations, you guys got lucky getting into this class. I know Professors Kalchik's classes fill up quickly, and I can assure you guys made the right choice. I finished English 205 about three semesters ago. I thought my general eds were done with and I could continue my college career in other academic choices. However, as the semesters went by I started to feel detached from literature. I realized I wanted to get back into it. Some of you may be somewhat rusty when it comes to American literature or literature in general and I feel for you so hard. It can be intimidating getting back into a subject you've been away from for a while. I remember being really overwhelmed in the first week of class. I didn't think I could do it because I truly thought I lost touch with an academic I used to be strong in. Although, I stuck in there and was able to do very well in the class. I sharpened up my writing and reading skills and I feel even more confident going into next semester to take another American literature class. 

I like to consider myself to have a unique writing style when it comes to assignments, narratives, and essays. I make sure to get my point across and address the prompt correctly. Although, I'm still always able to have a ton of fun with each assignment. I take my work seriously but I also make sure that I project my personal and effective tone of writing as well. I try my hardest to steer away from a monotone voice and really try to make my voice loud, facetious, and comical. That is one of the true beauties in this class, which is that Professor Kalchik encourages each student to really push their personal tone and voice within their literary work. Professor K has been familiar with my humorous and witty tone of voice within my work over the semester, therefore he encouraged me to continue this trend on my final essay assignment. I respected this immensely and will never forget this encouragement.

Participation in class is key, it might seem somewhat intimidating at first but I can assure you it's not once you get used to it and simply just do the reading before class. It took me a little longer to realize but they're somewhat free points towards your grade! Professor also prompts his lectures so well, and likely there's going to be other students who chime in to contribute. I promise you will find your time to contribute, even if it's just to ask a question. You never know, there may be another student who has the same question as you. Don't be afraid to create a new conversation, your input really matters to the overall discussion and everyone's learning experience. Good luck y'all, you got this, and most important have fun.

Dear future students,

Coming into this class, especially as someone who has never taken an English course in college, I was scared that my work would be considered amateur or poor. This class never made me feel that way once I got into it. It is a wonderful experience as you get to meet amazing new classmates and improve your skills in writing as well. This class gave me a lot of perspective, and allowed me to look at the bigger picture of things happening in the world today, all while allowing me to express myself through writing. I don’t think there is a better way to learn how to write other than being able to truthfully express yourself.

As for my advice to the new students, time management is very wise. Look forward to some deep thinking and reading, never underestimate yourself and your abilities, and participate in class. I found participation to be a helpful way of learning and engaging with the things that were going on in class. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, If you are struggling and can’t wrap your head around something, professor Kalchik is very responsive and helpful. Time management is very important. Use the time given to complete assignments and don’t wait until the last minute for anything. I found it being difficult to effectively complete tasks if I hadn’t put enough time into them. Be aware of due dates and I think you will succeed in this class. Most importantly, never give up. There may be days when you just don’t want to do anything but put some time and effort in every day and you will be completely fine. Good luck and I hope you guys enjoy this class.

Hi Kalchik students, 

I’m finishing up Professor Kachik’s English 210 course, Early American Literature, as I write this to you. I know you’ll be successful in this class, because you’re reading this! That means you care about your grade, and that’s all it takes to walk away from Professor Kachik’s class with an A. Be sure to understand the grading contract image he creates, with the rows for his four different grading barometers: participation, small writing assignments, quizzes, and late assignments. What tripped me up was that slipping up in any of the categories will put you in the category it says. Even if you have an A in all of the assignments, be aware that you need that 90% in participation to actually earn the A. Professor Kalchik is very forgiving and gives you lots of opportunities to retroactively earn points, so don’t worry! I was always scared to talk in class, but when I finally got up the guts to talk (pretty much in the last week) it was really rewarding and I had a lot of fun, so be brave! After all, we’re here because we love literature and there’s lots of literature to love in Professor Kalchik’s class. Good luck! 

Kaitlyn 

Hello Future Student!

So you have decided to take ENGL 210, otherwise known as American Literature: 1588-1880. Welcome to the class! If not already obvious, you’re in for some really great and interesting reads this semester! Now, you might be feeling some trepidation about joining the class; perhaps you’re worried about the workload, or that you aren’t a strong enough writer. Maybe you’re worried about the exams and feel that there’s no way you can pass this class. To quote a fantastic book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (since this is an English class), DON’T PANIC! You can and will succeed! You just need to believe in yourself and put in the work. I already believe in you 100% and I don’t even know you (so I think you can believe in yourself for at least one semester)! Now, here are some practical tips to help you thrive in ENGL 210.

Tip #1: Stay organized!

Staying organized is key . This class uses a “Grade Goals Contract” to grade your work (a really neat invention that lets you basically pick the grade that you want and actually achieve it), that requires you to keep track of how often you attend class, the assignments and quizzes you’ve completed, and which ones you have left to go! So it really helps to stay on top of these things and track them tangibly. Staying organized is also going to help you find resources to study with, and make sure that no school work slips through the cracks and costs you your grade! Basically, it makes everything a lot easier. In my case, organization came in super handy this semester because I got locked out of our class’ Canvas shell, which meant that I had to get pretty serious about keeping track of my assignments so that I wouldn’t miss anything and could turn them in on time. So buy a planner, download an app, put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror––do whatever it takes to keep track of things. Because even if your memory rocks, there is always going to be at least one time it fails you, especially if you’re stressed out (which College students almost always are).

Tip #2: Communicate (This Actually Might Be The Most Important Tip, Guys)

Talk to Professor Kalchik if you’re struggling in the class, if you need an extension, if you want extra help, if you have a question to ask, if you have a cool observation about the reading that you didn’t get to share in class––basically just communicate your learning needs to him. Your professors, both in this class and generally, want to see you succeed! But they aren’t mind-readers. If you don’t tell them that you missed a homework assignment because you had a family emergency, they aren’t going to magically figure that out. All they’ll see is that you missed that assignment. So let them know what’s going on, and what you need. They will help you find ways to accommodate your academic needs. I, myself had a pretty serious family emergency happen during the latter part of the semester but because I communicated this to Professor Kalchik, I was able to get some vital extensions on my classwork and keep my grade up. Long story short, don’t be afraid to email your professors––it’s worth it!

Tip #3: ACTUALLY GO TO CLASS

Picture this. You’re halfway through the semester and you’re somehow already feeling burnt out. The midterm is coming up and you’re gearing up to study. As the morning passes, you realize that class starts soon. You don’t really really feel like attending because you’re tired, but you rally your energy and go anyway. As you’re sitting in class, you listen to your classmates discuss the readings for this week. Suddenly, one of your classmates brings up a theme present in one of the texts that you never thought about before. It’s a really good point! A week later, your midterm comes, and as you’re analyzing a passage from that work on the exam, you bring up that theme. You get full credit for your response. Now, why did I ask you to imagine this? Because this is a real scenario that happened to me. Besides boosting your participation grade, the classroom is one of the places where we most learn and grow as students. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be brave! Share your thoughts, and ask your questions! Respect your curiosity. Classes are meant to be a safe environment to do these things, and really, you have nothing to lose! You’ll definitely learn something, and be better for it.

I firmly believe that learning is one of the best things we can do throughout our lives, so I’m glad you are taking this class. You are bound to learn from the literature you encounter here. Literature teaches us a lot (I want to be an English teacher, so I believe this doubly––both as a student and future educator). Whether or not we realize it, we glean skills and knowledge from these stories that we carry into our everyday lives; we see the world a bit clearer for knowing how other people see it too. We gain empathy by encountering things from a different person’s perspective, and stories give us experiences we could otherwise never live. Sometimes they’re really painful. Sometimes they’re really scary . But a lot of times, they’re incredible. 

We are not able to change the past, but we can shape the future. We have to take what we learn from literature––from this window into the past––and use it to evoke positive change now. It’s just as the esteemed scholar and former slave, Fredrick Douglass, states, “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and to the future. To all inspiring deeds which can be gained from the past, we are welcome. But now is the time, the important time.” Now is the time in which we must work to better society, and create a better world for both our generation and those of posterity. The changes we make aren’t always going to be monumental ones––like the abolition of slavery––but even just being a kinder and more thoughtful person to those around you, is a start to making the world a bit better (though if you are in a position to evoke immense positive change, by all means). And that is what literature grants us, a keen ability to be better.

So put aside your worries, enjoy the class, and learn something new. You got this.

Hello there,

         Welcome to English 101x, I'm sure you are a bit anxious about the class. It's okay to feel that way because many  of us felt the same at the beginning of the course. This class is more of reading, critical thinking, research, and essay writing. It’s okay if you are not good at any of these activities because that's why you are here to learn. Professor Jason is passionate about his job and  welcoming. He believes in you that you can make it, he’s very helpful in explaining everything about the modules or assignment to your level of understanding. He gets back to emails as fast as he can. 

         My advice to you is try your best to read all the announcements he posts on canvas, especially the grade system. Make sure you read, understand and even memorize the grading system because it helps you know if you are passing the class or not. There might be extra credit in the announcement, reading helps you to keep up with the class, try your very best not to fall behind because it can be hard to catch up. This is because the class is heavily packed with activities. There is always something to do each day, be it a class day or not. Please  attend all classes and be sure to do all assignments, doing your assignments gives a trick to pass the class. Should you miss a day in class just check the module on canvas to see if the day's activity is due before midnight, then you can also participate for some credit. Also watch the videos he posts on canvas. You might answer questions about them in class.

         Also don't be shy, reach out to him, ask questions about every assignment. Participate in class or group discussions and don't get stuck. When you are overwhelmed with the class please let him know and he will help you. Professor Jason’s teaching is structured in a way that makes it easy to understand and improve in your  writing skills.

You are in the right class and you determine your passing grade yourself. Do your best while having fun. It takes determination to be successful. Good luck

I was embarking on my last semester in Mesa ready to transfer into English Literature  BA four years program. The biggest challenge was overcoming the paralysis of achieving perfection. This is more about finishing strong this semester and your new American English Lit Literature class. I went ahead at liberty to craft an Acronym for success in this class.  

  TLDR: below are F.I.N.I.S.H. with tips from a former student like you, now passing the baton to you with #lifehacks 

Find time to do reading and notes with additional easy symbols to easily find in text (physical books are best for me personally, highlight and make marks, more reasons to read assigned readings, but read on!)

Informative! This class would teach you about values and beliefs that had stood through time. We are gaining a deeper look into the shifts throughout society as we know it, even back to the native Americans and both sides of marginalized history are on full display here of American Literature. This also is supplemented with additional readings that give further backgrounds and context and helpful for quizzes or write-in responses for the significance of the assigned text.

Ni! (FORBIDDEN TO SAY!!!!!! -Monty Python reference) But seriously nothing is too crazy to say in class, it may be uncomfortable but the class thrives around discussions... sooooo make sure to do reading beforehand. This class may be discussing racial hierarchy or gender, but that's college and it applies to today’s world, so it's just always helpful to draw connections from text to modern updates. Best talks in class also had chat on fire with new viewpoints; make sure to check chat in ZOOM; you have the choice to contribute virtually or verbally for participation points (it adds up!) Don’t be afraid to ask if the topic jumps from the discussions can be overwhelming for someone with ADHD but use the hand raise button to ensure being called in so you can jump in.

Innovative assignments are in this class, writing as a time traveler to an author and sometimes creating presentations or a visual format to show our understanding of the text, get your creative juices flowing, and learn more with sprinkled-in motivation. 

 Study buddies are AWESOME! We set up a Discord server for the students in the class virtually a space to ask further questions or those who would delegate questions to ask the professor for next class sessions or sharing memes that related to reading (after class…. Or before not in the middle of class please) This builds networking between students who may have same academic goals, I met several who were also transferring out so the feeling of “ugh so close and I’m so done” was mutual so we all encouraged each other in Discord. Helps add-in that “classmates vibing together ”

HALT Senioritis. I took this course during last semester at Mesa and I was already so done with school plus planning for transferring out exciting journeys but don’t forget to keep track of grades for an easier transfer out or wherever you’re going for. I know you’re almost done but this is about the completion, not perfection. Jason Kalchik is very good with suggestions and feedbacks and he gets back promptly which is a neat bonus. He’s always available to email so don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Good luck and finish strong !

 Lily M. (English Lit Major transfer out) 

English students, 

As a college student with a major in English, it can oftentimes be difficult to find a class course that will continue the passion for the arts. For every English class I’ve signed up for, I have been lucky to be in ones where our raw writing is expanded and explored; I’ve been unfortunate for others when it came to courses that have only assigned readings. Yet, this class has changed my mind over the course of 17 weeks. 

When I first signed up for this class, I recall being nervous, for amid the pandemic, it was my first online class that dealt with a lot of reading material. For a shy, introverted person like me, I was worried about having to speak up and use zoom for the first time. However, my fears did not interfere with my expectations for the class. Looking over the syllabus and seeing the authors we were gonna analyze motivated me to see the class through. Professor Kalchik's charisma, positive energy, and interest in the students' well being was also a factor in getting past my dread and goal to pass the class. 

My advice for taking English 210 is to go in with a positive mindset and figuring out a schedule so you may dedicate it to reading the required works. Going in worried and concerned will stop you from really enjoying the class and sessions. Interact with your online peers, take in other people's point of views, don’t be shy to speak your mind, learn new things as you read the passages. In the first half of the class, the work may be a bit slow and difficult; yet it’ll pay off when you realize that a lot of them have recurring themes and ideas. The second half is about authors like Hawthorne, Poe, Dickinson, or Lincoln and Douglass. You will find that many things that authors wrote back then can resonate today, or remain ambiguous; which makes it all the more helpful to learn from your peers and to do the reading. I finish this class with melancholy feelings, even if it was online I grew very fond of my class and learning new literature works. This advice may not seem as much, I just hope it helps in any way or form. To go into this and any class with heart, so you may challenge the old ways and seek enlightenment. 

Sincerely, 

Kevin Anthony Sandoval 

Dear future students,

You don’t have to worry about this class at all! If you do what is required of you to do and cooperate with Prof. Jason, you’ll be more than fine. At the beginning of the semester, we started off by covering the syllabus which in my opinion was the most important part of the entire semester because it has helped me keep track of where I am and what I am expecting next. The syllabus is even fun to read. It was filled with pictures, different formats, colors, quotes, and so much more! I’ve never seen a syllabus so interesting in my entire 17 years of learning. Make sure you read the syllabus well before heading into the semester. It literally tells you ALL that you need to know. Everything that is included is exactly applied in class.

Regarding assignments and classwork, nothing that was given was out of the ordinary. Before we were assigned anything professor Jason would introduce the topic and explain the instructions thoroughly! He was very lenient with us, but don’t take that to your advantage because if your efforts don’t meet the requirements in the gradebook, you won’t be getting the grade you like.

In every class, he would give a short lecture and give us the opportunity to participate. What made the class so interesting was that it wasn’t just him talking and talking. Instead, all of us got the chance to give in our input in EVERY class which made the learning a two way process. Classes were so much fun.  Besides the chance to participate, we were often put in breakout rooms with different groups each time where we got to meet our classmates and work with them to complete fun activities. Although our classes were virtual, it felt like there was so much interaction and connection among the students and the professor. The pace of the class was perfect.

You won’t find difficulty in catching up if you missed anything or got a little confused because the professor is constantly there for help and support. He grades all the assignments in a short time span and gives you feedback on what to improve for next time on every single submission. To be honest, I don’t know how he is always on top of all the work (maybe magic?). He also usually answers all your emails in a short time, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask because he is literally willing to help you with anything and everything just as he stated in the syllabus “I will be there for you throughout this journey” (1). However, do try to stay on top of your work because it is not his responsibility to drag you through the semester. He is very helpful and understanding, but you do have to put in the effort and do the work properly.

I’m so glad I took this class with professor Jason Kalchik! He was not only our teacher, but also our friend. He made the topics we covered ten times more interesting than they actually were. I was worried that I’d start slacking off by the end, but he did not allow that. Last but definitely not least, I’m glad that I have met BB-8 and Wicket - Professor Jason’s cats. They are the reasons I kept showing up to class (just kidding :p… or am i?). I hoped to see them every time I joined the zoom meeting. I hope you get to meet them too! I remember BB would randomly start walking around in the background on all the furniture in all the corners of the room :) then suddenly appear on Professor Jason’s lap as he is minding his own business, doing his job and giving us the lecture.

You will definitely have no problem succeeding and learning from English 101x with Professor Jason Kalchik. You get what you work for. I’m so excited for you, and I know you can do it.

Get ready. Set. GO! Have a good semester :)

Hello future English students!

I’m sure, if you’re anything like me, you’re a combination of nervous, scared, and a little bit excited to be taking this class. Let me tell you that even with the class being online and over Zoom, Professor Kalchik makes it incredibly intriguing and a really inviting place to be able to share your thoughts and feelings about whatever reading or assignment you’re doing. The assignments are complex and require thought and creativity but they all help you gain a much deeper understanding of the material. Unlike other classes, this one is extremely straightforward as far as grading goes and you really are in complete control over what grade is given to you at the end of the semester. With that being said, if you’re a hard worker and you really want an A you will have no problem being able to achieve that. Also, don’t be afraid to participate in class, breakout groups, discussion boards, whatever it is!!! It can be so intimidating trying to talk over zoom when you're trying not to interrupt people or say the wrong thing but in this class, participating as much as you can will help you immensely. (not to mention your participation grade) However, if you are extremely shy like I was and am, you can always get extra credit to make up the points but I will say, from experience,  it’s so much more fun to participate in class! Professor Kalchik is also extremely understanding about late work or missed tests so try to keep up but don’t freak out if you missed it because you can always email him for help with that.

In order to be successful in this class, the number one thing that I would recommend is having good organization and time management skills. The readings will take you a good two or three hours to properly read and digest, depending on the content and length, so make sure you are planning time ahead to really delve into your assigned readings! The readings I was assigned were definitely not something I could get through in any less than two hours so make sure you really take your time to grasp and understand the information. This class taught me so much about active reading and note taking and it's a skill I will definitely be taking with me throughout the rest of my education. Also, take notes! Take so many notes that it seems a little ridiculous because you are going to need them and it will help you so much on tests. My last and dare I say most important piece of advice to you would be not to let your assignments and readings pile up. Seriously. No like, seriously. Doing your readings and completing assignments on time will not only allow you to participate and be more present in class discussions, it will allow you to get more out of the class and gain a further understanding of the readings because they can get pretty complex. Late assignments are allowed but you should avoid doing that at all costs in my opinion. I did a lot of the readings and assignments late and I wish I hadn't, all it did was stress me out and confuse me further because I couldn't ask the questions I had in class because we had already moved on. Learn from my mistakes!

In the syllabus, Professor Kalchik says “It is only when we face our fear of failure that we start to feel comfortable taking risks and exploring challenging and elevating areas of thought and expression. As innovators throughout history have always known, this is when break-throughs occur. Take a shot! You will surprise yourself!” and it is absolutely true not only for this class but life in general. A lot of the assignments the professor gives you are extremely broad so don’t be afraid to get creative and really lean into the assignment. Don’t let the fear of failing or accidentally saying the wrong thing keep you from getting an A on your assignment or in the class! That’s all I have for you as far as advice. However, I will say that this class is unlike any other I’ve taken before and I truly enjoyed it. Professor Kalchik cares so much about what he teaches and will always challenge you to dig deeper and push yourself when it’s necessary. You’re going to learn so much about yourself and American Literature in this class! Good luck!

Dear future student,

I remember that the first time I got into English 47A class I was still naive and I was so afraid and nervous because my english skill was so terrible at that time. But don’t worry, you guys got this. 

The reason that I love this class and also made me so interested in the class is Mr.Kalchik who really put his spirit in his work and made his class so easy to understand. The way he planned the assignment, how he explained work, how the class and grading system was running, all of these were really helpful to me, so I could plan to submit my assignment without rush. The professor was really patient with his students, which made other classmates love him.

The other thing that increased my writing and thinking skills is the reading assignment and the essay after it. This class also practices you guys with teamwork projects. Some assignments may advance you to practice your skill but if you follow his syllabus, you’ll be fine. In his syllabus, I really liked the line “Identify an author's point of view and main arguments.” I think I practice this skill a lot in this class, and believe me, if you take this english class for the first semester of college, you’re on the right path. 

Peace!

Hi!

I’ve always liked in person classes, because interaction is part of human behavior, and since we’re so into technology having your classmates, friends and professors around is like taking a break from social media and a plastic world. Nowadays that idea seems so far from us, so we have to adapt, and my advice for the ones who are like me, and rather prefer being in the classroom instead of being behind a computer screen, is to have patience and enjoy the opportunity of having access to education during this weird time. Be kind with yourself and do not judge your thinking that you are not doing anything productive, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone but you. It might sound a little apocalyptical, but you are surviving a pandemic, which is a lot. Do not put yourself under unnecessary pressure, that only causes frustration if the results that you expected are different. Sometimes accidents drive us to better results, just do your thing and give your best, but do not procrastinate, that is one of the keys to success. 

This class is very helpful to develop your communication and reading/writing skills. English is my second language, and this class was perfect for me to enhance what I’ve learned so far. Please do not stop practicing, enjoy the assignments and all the reading material. Professor Kalchik really gives everything for the class to make it fun and easy. You are with a good instructor that would not make you feel bad about your questions and thoughts. Be respectful and prepared to think critically. “It is important that we prepare ourselves to be active participants...” In this class you’ll have the opportunity to practice this fundamental aspect of sharing your opinion, so put that shyness aside! Take this semester as a chance to change those things that obstruct your journey. Good luck to everyone and stay safe!

Hello future ENGL 205 students!

This semester has been a very strange time. It was the first full semester under quarantine. I was very worried about how I would perform in this setting but let me tell you, with Prof. Kalchik on your side you can’t go wrong. For those of you who are worried next semester (or for however long these strange times persist) that you won't do well in class because of this online setting, let me tell you that Professor Kalchik is one of the most welcoming Professors I’ve had in my academic career. All you have to do is look at his grade goals contract to see that he is flexible and very understanding. He can also help you form and support your writing ideas with office hours that you can schedule with him. I believe anyone can succeed in his class as long as they use the resources he offers throughout the semester. Writing is a long process and can be hard to start for a lot of us, but his assignments will help you gradually understand concepts until you’re ready to implement them in your own larger writing assignments, and he is always ready to give you feedback to help you hit the mark.

So with that being said I want to share some advice I have that stems from lessons I’ve learned in his class:

• First thing first, keep up with the readings, and read them early. You’ll be asked about the content so it’s important to read early so you can mull it over in your head before you synthesize any information. Try to think of it like eating a steak, you’re not just going to swallow the whole piece, you need to take a bite and chew on it first. Trust me, this will help with the writing process the most, which is the point of this class.

• In the same vein with keeping up with the readings, try and do things on time! And don’t skip assignments just because you’re allowed to miss some! You never know what could happen a month from that decision where you might end up really needing that pass that you already used. This comes from personal experience, in the end putting off assignments just compounded the stress.

• Ask, ask, ask! Professor Kalchik is the best resource you could hope for in this class, if you’re stuck on an essay prompt or having difficulty fleshing out an idea ask him! Not only is he the professor who’s going to grade your paper, he’s extremely knowledgeable in the material. He can help you formulate new ideas and get you through some of the blocks you might have. 

In the Fall semester of 2020, I took English 216. Online learning has been much more difficult than traditional learning, but by Fall semester, lots of time had passed and the teaching methods improved as instructors adapted more to the online format. This class was overall very well-paced flexible, and made the best of an inconvenient situation. There are some aspects of English 216 are very challenging, but it never feels overwhelming. Usually, I found that the class only reads two works from the book each week, with plenty of leftover time to reflect and analyze these texts. There are usually quizzes at the beginning of class, but they tend to be open-ended short essay questions that can be answered in a variety of ways, making it more accommodating than a multiple-choice quiz. The professor was also flexible any time there were problems encountered in the course. For example, on a few occasions, the professor made certain assignments or tests optional because the class couldn’t be completed that day.

In order to be successful in this class, you need to keep up with the readings, as there are going to be a lot of them. Usually, the textbook will give you some historical context which is helpful to understanding it, but it is also helpful to do some research on your own, since that will help with your comprehension of the text and motivate you to appreciate its importance more. During the section on Mary Wollstonecraft, I found the essay about her life helpful to understanding her text “A Vindication on the Rights of Women”, but I also found that doing a small amount of background research was helpful as well.

If you have trouble understanding some of the texts, listening to audio recordings while reading might help you, especially if the narrator is good at capturing the emotions in it. This strategy especially helped me during the poetry section, as poetry is traditionally a spoken art, and its meaning becomes clearer with the narration. The professor also chose to include some audio for this purpose during some of our class sessions.

There will also usually be group discussions and private discussions in breakout groups on the works you’re assigned. If you’re having trouble understanding or analyzing certain parts of the text, participating in the discussions helps you notice aspects of the text and meaning that you might not have been able to figure out on your own. If you’re really struggling, try focusing more on pure reading comprehension and wait to do more analysis later, as these discussions leave plenty of room for that. 

In the syllabus, Professor Kalchik says: “The printed word transports stories all around the world and gives us the opportunity to not only recognize the uniqueness of each individual’s experience, but it can also help us discover the universality of what it means to be human beings.” It is true that you will encounter many texts that deal with universal experiences and may be helpful to contextualizing your own or understanding others that you struggled to  comprehend before. Making these connections in the world is important to find fulfillment in an English class, as well as to create pathways that enable you to remember aspects of these stories more easily.

Hello there!

You may have seen my previous advice for the 215 class, and now I am presenting you a bit of advice for the 216 class. I am an English major, which means those classes are some of the classes that I am required to take to transfer to a university.  I am graduating this Spring 2021.  I am hoping this piece of advice would help you. As you see, I questioned my sanity in taking the 215 class-that hasn’t stopped for the 216 class.  Especially how it is during this odd time in our lifetime, the COVID19 pandemic where we are required to take classes virtually. However, taking Jason’s 215 class has helped me to be more aware of the expectations of the 216 class.

I truly feel that the pandemic has affected me tremendously because I am the type of person who prefers to take classes on campus and I am a visual learner and I feel like I would’ve learned better in classes, especially with my classmates. However, I am sure that I am not alone in this. I realized that I get burnt out rather quickly, especially with Zoom.  I was burnt out by week 9, which wasn’t good because there were 7 more weeks that needed to be done. I am a single mother of two, which meant I had to take care of my children, making sure they are in their virtual classes while trying to take online classes myself at home simultaneously. However, I pushed through.  I’m exhausted, it feels like I’m crawling to the finish line after running a marathon. I will remember this moment as a challenge that I had to overcome during this unprecedented time.  I highly recommend to do a lot of self-care and take mini breaks from studying and in-between zoom classes or if they provide breaks during classes. Hopefully, we will return to the campus sooner than later. 

There will also usually be group discussions and private discussions in breakout groups on the works you’re assigned. If you’re having trouble understanding or analyzing certain parts of the text, participating in the discussions helps you notice aspects of the text and meaning that you might not have been able to figure out on your own. If you’re really struggling, try focusing more on pure reading comprehension and wait to do more analysis later, as these discussions leave plenty of room for that. 

In the syllabus, Professor Kalchik says: “The printed word transports stories all around the world and gives us the opportunity to not only recognize the uniqueness of each individual’s experience, but it can also help us discover the universality of what it means to be human beings.” It is true that you will encounter many texts that deal with universal experiences and may be helpful to contextualizing your own or understanding others that you struggled to  comprehend before. Making these connections in the world is important to find fulfillment in an English class, as well as to create pathways that enable you to remember aspects of these stories more easily.

Hello, dear future or new students be prepared for your class. With professor Kalchik you will experience one of the best classes in your education journey because professor Kalchik is very caring, helpful and kind. You will learn enough and really enjoy the class. 

This class was part of my education plan and also my favorite class because I like to learn academic writings so I wanted to gain more writing skills out of this class. At first, when I wanted to enroll, I was afraid that I might not be able to do well because English is my second language, and academic writings were part of this class, in which I needed improvement. 

At first I thought that the class would be very hard for me, but I was very happy after I realized that the professor's teaching method was excellent and he was very helpful especially for the students like me with the English as a second language. For example. He was putting us in group discussions to talk about something he gave us. in group discussions we were able to share ideas between our groupmates which had a great impact on learning. I learned a lot in group discussions, and at the same time, the professor kept visiting the group to find out what was going on in the group. If we had any questions, he would help us, so the professor's presence in the group was very effective. The professor used every kind of solution to make the students learn better. He gave the class lots  of  opportunity  to  make  up  assignments  to  get  a  good  point.  He  was  very  responsive  to  any questions I had about the class. I had many chances to pass the class. The professor helped me improve my writing capabilities by being critical of my ideas. He let me correct and elaborate my assignments for better performance, learning and points. He gave many different and interesting topics to read and to discuss it in the  class.  At  the  end  of  the  class,  he  was  always  available  to  help  the  class  with  questions.  During  the semester  we  played  Kahoot  in  the  class,  played  games  and  watched  some  videos  relating  to  our  course materials. 

Finally, I would say that I really enjoyed the class. This class was one of my best experiences in my education journey. I could have lots of good memories from this class that is all because of the professor who is very caring and helpful and really wants his students to learn enough from the class. I would recommend his classes to all future students who like to take English classes in San Diego Mesa College.

H E L L O Y O U A L L ! 

Are you thinkin about taking this course and you are not sure if it's for you? Well, let me tell you a little bit of my experience in it. To be honest, I wasn't a fan of English classes, they kinda bored me with all the reading, writing, and not only writing about something but actually analyzing and giving your own opinion. But after my first semester I immediately looked forward to taking the next english class. English 205. 

It is very easy to be successful in this class, you only need to read, write, participate and basically take risks. Why risks? Well, because sometimes the assignments will be about something that we don't know, or don't like, or even don't agree, but if you take the risk of evaluating the assignment and do your best work, you'll be successful. I advise you to write your ideas, use your voice and most importantly write everything with confidence. 

"I enjoy answering questions! Super successful students make a habit of visiting their instructor during office hours. My top priority if to offer you whatever assistance you need to help empower yourself toward success." When professors say something like that they really mean it. 

If you are having problems with the class I recommend you to talk with your professor, if you don't wanna talk in person you can email him and I'm sure that he will help you! 

Last but not least, I really hope you take this course because it helps you to improve your writing and understand better what you are reading about. 

I hope you make the right decision and enjoy it! 

A L L T H E B E S T , 

C I N T H Y A

Welcome to English class! Let me tell you my honest opinion about this class.

​

My name is Evgeny and I’m a fourth year San Diego Mesa College student. I was focused most on my math and programming classes. English is my second language, so for me English classes are more challenging and I get more nervous than for other students. I took English 047A and chose Jason Kalchik as the professor. If your English is a second language and you are worried about it, professor Jason Kalchik it is a great choice for you! I can tell he is one of the best professors who I took in my college journey! He really cares about his students and helps you, if you need extra help or time. All assignments will help you and improve your writing skills. This class has good structure and everything you do will improve your skills in different ways in English and especially writing and creativity. Don’t be afraid. You got this! 

Let’s talk about the grade system in this class. I really don’t recommend procrastinating in this class. You will have a lot of assignments and work to do. You have a choice and don’t drop class if you miss a lot of assignments! Jason Kalchik has a different grade system and you can close all your assignments and get an A, but it will be so hard if you miss them all and fall too far behind, let me tell you. ​ Not every professor will allow you to do it and fix your grade. I know my friends who work full-time and study part-time, it can be difficult to always submit homework at the right time. Jason Kalchik first cares about you learning something new and improving yourself and only after that care about the grade. 

Moreover, Jason Kalchik is a polite and nice professor with a lot of passion for what he is doing! I really recommend this class with that professor! You will have a lot of fun and know more new useful techniques and tools for making your college journey more interesting and easier! Don’t be afraid to ask help when you need it and good luck in your class! 

Best regards,

Evgeny

Hello future students, 

It was a very odd transition from having all classes in person to online only. It was probably one of the hardest semesters I’ve taken. Not only because I get distracted easily but because I was inside the house 24/7, sometimes with no sunlight for 2 weeks at the longest, which can affect your mental stability, which can then affect your school work. One thing I would like to say off the bat is Professor Kalchick is flexible and will also encourage students to do better, and I believe that is very important nowadays because of the difficult circumstances we are all going through out in the real world. Professor Kalchick's way of teaching is simple because he breaks down the novel/poems with you and also students can still engage in critical thinking.    

I was having a difficult time at the beginning of the year because of personal issues and I mentally was not okay but I could tell professor Kalchick had hope in me finishing the semester with a good grade. By doing so I made a study technique to read stories twice and write down the main points to review with the class the next class-day. 

The syllabus states that if you “take your work in this class seriously, you will be proud of what you produce and the skills you will continue to master,” a statement with which I highly agree. In this class there will be lots of reading but that does not mean you will be alone if you have a difficult time analyzing a novel/poem. Always make sure to read. Not only will you pass the class but you will learn a lot from Professor Kalchick’s lessons. One other thing, be prepared for the quizzes and did I mention...always make sure to read the assigned pages, like I can’t begin to explain how important that is.

Do not be afraid to ask questions, good luck!

To the next generation of Prof. Kalchik’s classes,

Welcome, newbie, to the classroom of Professor Jason Kalchik at Mesa College! My name is Vincent, and I took Prof. Kalchik’s ENG 101X class during the Fall 2020 semester. The interesting thing about ENG 101X is that it’s actually two different classes lumped together as one: ENG 101, which is a normal English class, and ENG 31, an added support that’s there just in case. Prof. Kalchik did a really amazing job this semester, considering that CoVid threw the entire world’s education into chaos by bringing it to the Internet, as he seemed to know how to teach an English class virtually before this situation even happened! If you’re lucky, his cats might decide to take over the class for all of two minutes, only to leave out of boredom afterwards. In order to give you a better idea of how I felt while I took his class, here’s a bit of background for you to digest. 

I am a freshman this year, as I just graduated from high school this June. Making use of the San Diego PROMISE Program definitely gave me a boost as to which classes I could choose to take for the next two years of college; I decided to knock out my UC and general graduation requirements by taking English, as well as taking classes to pursue my major and degrees. My major is multimedia, specifically video game design, and I am also minoring in Japanese (being half-Japanese helps lol); multimedia requires English proficiency. (Boom, piece of tart. Or was it cake?) Anyways, I will admit that I was a little nervous of this class at first, as I am not that good at writing research papers (I’m more of a creative writer, in pursuit of becoming an author/screenwriter in the future). 

Yeah, that’s practically everyone in the first few days of a new class or a new school year: nervous of the teacher, the students, the workload, the assignment topics, etc. By the way, if you’re not sure how to address the professor, he doesn’t care how you address him (ie. Prof. Kalchik, Jason, Prof. Jason). Professor Kalchik reassured me that there would be points where my skills would be able to shine while in his class. Week four, we had this essay that asked the class about our dreams, our college goals, and our ambitions; nailed it right on the head, as it was mostly narrative. We would always have time to look over our peers’ papers before the essays’ deadlines, and trust me, the peer feedback is outstanding and very supportive. He offers honors credit (I have no idea what that is), so all you need to do if you’re interested is to ask him about it. Don’t worry, he is friendly; he will give you about three paragraphs of comments on your rough draft submissions, all of which helped me during this class (goodness, the essays can kill sometimes. Not going to lie about that one! 😅). All you have to do to pass this class is: follow the grade goals contract that he will quiz you on during week one, write hard, research well, and have fun while doing it all!

You may be asking, “What is the grade goals contract?” This is found on the syllabus, and this makes this class sound a bit like a Pass/Fail class rather than a traditional graded class as the grades are based on whether or not you turn the assignments in rather than how good the assignment is. The grade goals contract is where you practically choose what grade you will get in this class; you will have to complete and turn in the “larger writing assignments”, or the big essays in order to pass at all. According to the syllabus, some of the ways to be successful in this class are as follows: “Read; write; take risks; ask your classmates and me for help; etc.” (Prof. Kalchik, Syllabus for Class) Hey, if you are shy, send him a message through Canvas or an email; he’ll answer within 48 hours. Finally, some words of encouragement and stuff... I have no idea what to say because I wouldn’t be a proper senpai​ (upperclassman in Japanese) until next year’s Fall semester. Actually, I might have a few words (anime fans will be like “Bruh moment here”): “GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

Howdy Awesome English Students!

In the uncertainty of our world right now, it may seem hard to focus on your classwork/academic progression. Trust me, I felt the same way. However, diving into classwork is a great distraction from what may be happening in the outside world... and I know you’ve already rewatched the same 3 shows on Netflix, so it’s time for something new.

As Professor Kalchik states in the syllabus, literature “gives us the opportunity to not only recognize the uniqueness of each individual’s experience, but it can also help us discover the universality of what it means to be human beings.” English classes are great because they allow you to actively learn new material while also learning more about yourself. Throughout this past semester, I have built upon my strengths as an English student. Majority of this growth came through trial and error. Here is my (not so) expert advice that I have to offer you:

• Don’t be afraid of failure (cliche, I know). But seriously, don’t let one bad grade ruin your academic progress.  The art of being a student is learning what works FOR YOU. We all have different methods of learning, and  finding what works best for you is the most important thing.