Here is a laundry list of skills and knowledge that anyone with a bachelor's degree should acquire before he or she graduates.

Expository writing skills. Every college graduate should be able to write a decent essay on a non-fiction topic. The ability to communicate in written form is important not only in post-graduate study but also in almost any non-academic career if you want to rise to a high position. If writing papers is not your forte, make sure to struggle through enough college papers to know that you can (moderately) succeed at high-level writing anyway. --Relevant classes: Many literature and social science classes require papers.

Basic research skills. If you are interested in pursuing an academic or research-based career after you graduate, you need to gain some experience with serious research as an undergraduate. You shouldn't be afraid of classes which ask you to analyze and synthesize complex data, formulate a hypothesis, and write a paper proving or disproving hypothesis. If you have fears about plagiarism, creative thinking, extended critical analysis, or research paper writing, you should take a class that forces you to develope research skills you need to successfully work through these issues. Make your mistakes in undergraduate study where expectations are low, before you mess up in graduate school where expectations are ten times as high. --Relevant classes: Take advanced classes like a senior research seminar, an honors thesis class in your major, or an undergraduate research assistant position. You can also take less advanced classes outside of your field that require intensive research.

by Patrick Jackson © Patrick Jackson - All Rights Reserved 2004 http://www.learningspanishlikecrazy.com ===================================

Spanish Grammar Lesson Reflexive Verbs and Reflexive Pronouns

This Spanish Grammar lesson covers Reflexive Verbs and Reflexive Pronouns. In Spanish, a verb is considered reflexive if subject (the performer of action) and object (the receiver of action) are same.

Here’s an example of a reflexive verb being used in English:

I wash myself.

In above sentence verb “wash” is considered reflexive because subject or one performing action (“I”) and object or one receiving action (“myself”) are same. On other hand, if I said “I wash baby,” verb “wash” is no longer reflexive because subject or one performing action (“I”) and object or one receiving action (“baby”) are not same.

Spanish reflexive verbs consist of a verb and a reflexive pronoun. The following are reflexive pronouns or objects of reflexive verbs.

me myself teyourself (tú form) seyourself (usted form) nosourselves sethemselves, yourselves

When there is just one verb in sentence, reflexive pronoun must come before reflexive verb.

Me baño. I wash myself

However, when there are two verbs in sentence, reflexive pronoun either comes right before first verb or follows second verb.

Quiero bañarme. I want to wash myself.

Me quiero bañar. I want to wash myself.

Here are some examples using reflexive verbs.

Me afeito I shave myself

Te duchas You take a shower

Se llama Juan He calls himself John

Nos dormimos We fall asleep

No nos sentamos We don’t sit down

Se enojan They get mad

Se levantan All of you get up

Te cepillas los dientes You brush your teeth.

Literally, “los dientes” means “the teeth” and not “your teeth.” Since we are using reflexive pronoun “te” it is obvious whose teeth we are talking about. Here some common reflexive verbs in Spanish.