Why You Should Appreciate Academic Writing Resources

By Angelica Ribeiro, Ph.D.

Recently I found myself feeling grateful for a book that has been incredibly helpful for my research study. While it might not seem significant to express gratitude for a book, I learned from Kristen Mosley (2022) that we should appreciate the resources we have. Let me explain.

Mosley’s research has examined the relationship between teachers’ demands and the resources available to them to assess their risk for stress. She discovered that the demands placed on teachers, combined with the resources they have to meet those demands, can significantly affect their stress levels. When teachers face high demands with insufficient resources, they may experience burnout—manifesting as emotional exhaustion and a sense of low accomplishment—along with increased stress and diminished well-being. In contrast, having greater resources can enhance teacher well-being.

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How to Get Unstuck When Facing a Writing Challenge

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Some years ago, while I was checking my emails, I came across a message from my advisor. As soon as I opened it, I wished I hadn’t. The email contained feedback on my dissertation proposal, and she asked me to rewrite the entire document. Since I only had a few weeks to complete it, I felt overwhelmed, stuck, and lost. Many writers have likely gone through a similar experience situation when working on a project. If that resonates with you, read on.

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How to Use Stress as a Helpful Tool

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Last month was especially stressful for me. In addition to my regular teaching and writing commitments, I had to complete two other major writing projects and present at a conference. As if that weren’t enough, I unexpectedly experienced significant pain in one of my legs, which required several medical appointments. Juggling all of this work and managing my physical discomfort made last month particularly stressful. I found myself faced with two choices regarding how to view stress: I could see it as either helpful or harmful.

While many people tend to view stress as harmful, Kelly McGonigal encourages us to see it as helpful. In her book The Upside of Stress, she points out three key ways in which stress can benefit us:

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How to Start Writing (Even When You Don’t Know What You Want to Say!)

By Nathan Pritts

I’ve seen how writing—whether through a short reflection, a shared strategy, or a full article—can become a powerful tool for professional development. It’s about refining ideas, sparking discussions, and contributing to a community of practice.

But after a recent faculty workshop I led, a colleague pulled me aside and said, ‘I’d love to write more, but I have no idea what I’d even say.’ If this sounds familiar, here’s what I want you to know: You already have something worth sharing.

What might seem obvious or routine to you, isn’t to everyone else. I’ve seen this firsthand in my own work when I’ve delivered faculty training and said things as simple as, “Spread your discussion board responses throughout the week” or “Make sure to respond to students who respond to you.” These aren’t groundbreaking ideas, but they’re useful. And when something is useful, it’s worth sharing.

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How to Navigate Difficult Moments in Your Writing

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

The other day, a friend shared she was frustrated with her dissertation progress, feeling stuck in her writing. I responded with empathy, saying, “I completely understand how you feel. What do you think you need to get unstuck?” I could relate to her emotions because I had experienced the same situation while working on my dissertation. However, I realized that I wasn’t as supportive of myself as I was of her. Instead of acknowledging my negative emotions, I forced myself to keep working. Looking back, I wish I had treated myself with the same compassion I offered my friend. Here’s how.

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How to Bring More Joy into Your Writing

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Recently, I found myself feeling good after a writing session. Even though I hadn’t completed a project, I was more focused, productive, and creative during that time, which made the experience more enjoyable. It was great to have a writing session that felt better than previous ones. But what made it better? As I reflected on this, I realized it was likely because I had rearranged my office shortly before I began to write. You might wonder, “How does rearranging my office impact my writing?” Let me explain.

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