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Brilliant and fabulous!

Great Teacher

A good professor, but a tough grader.

Great teacher. I made good friends in this class. She's hard, but worth it. And by the way, the person who is very angry with her ? Yeah, well, I checked and she didn't teach a 101 in the fall. Seems like the student who wrote that lacks ethos.

Generally has a sense of humor. Good discussion facilitator. Helpful if you bring her drafts. The books were generally interesting and fun to read. Expect lots of challenging work, but your writing will definetly improve. Too into Nebraska.

Not the easiest professor, but will definitely help your writing. Make sure she gets to know you, and become a Nebraska Cornhuskers football fan.

Don't know what the Lit Major comment is in that other person's comment. Since the class isn't about lit, but writing, hello? And if you don't get that she's kidding about NE, then you were probably one of the kids wasting our time last semester.

She is sooooo great. This is my favorite class.

great class

I really like this class. She has high expectations, but she helps you get there. I wish more AU teachers were this nice and this good. Take this class if you want to work on your writing.

Tough, tho fair. Children's books were good. Learned a lot about issues and a lot about how to write. Discussions good, funny.

ok people this is college. I'm glad she was hard. It really prepared me for the years ahead. So those of you who say she was too difficult, good luck getting through the next 3 years!!!

Great Professor. Easy class, if you have any modicum of intelligence. She is also an amazing teacher, creating a well based environment for in class debate.

Really hard grader, but she's willing to help you out. She just treats the class like everyone is a lit major when really its just a required class.

Very difficult class, but extremely worthwhile. Lots of time and effort required, but you'll learn so much! She's tough and sometimes even mean, but she really knows how to teach a class. I definitely recommend it!

I don't know about mean, but this class is challenging. In a good way -- I'm already getting better grades on papers in other classes. Hard, but worth it. Brings good cookies.

One word: great.

BVD ROCKS. She may be the best prof I've had at AU. Her class is very difficult, and you will work your ass off outside of it -- 50+ hours for major assignments -- but it is completely worth it. You will learn so much and I bet you will have fun doing it.

BVD is the best professor I've had at AU. Her class is tough, but I learned more with her than in any other class. I definitely recommend taking her class. It's well worth all the hard work, and its not impossible to do well, I am so proud of my A-.

i'll admit she is a good teacher, and a great discussion leader.I rnjoyed the class time, and she took us to see Holes at the end of the year:) On the other hand, if oyu're not really interested in english the amoount of work really makes the class a drag

I've never had a teacher write so many comments on a paper. She's really helpful, but a hard grader.

She's tough but she's definitely worth the class if you're into debating and making good arguments and coming up with great papers. She'll make sure you get it down pact so if you really want to learn how to write an intelligent and excellent research paper take her class!

Wimps, beware. I took this class a couple of years ago. It's hard work, but is it worth it! I may not have gotten an A, but every A I've earned since has been because of what I learned from group grading. The people in the class make it great. It is still my favorite class at AU.

Bair Van Dam was one of the best professors I've had, ever. She MAKES you want to do well in her class, and is always available outside of class to help you out. Go to her office hours. THis is a great class, take it.

She is an amazing teacher! She is funny and classes are always interesting. You have to work hard but it is worth it because of everything you learn. Best teacher ever!

Everything you hear about this class is true: hard, depressing, challenging, inspiring, demanding. I've never worked so hard or learned so much. It makes up for 12 years of wasted time. I strongly recommend this class, but only for someone who's serious about writing.

Your college writing experience honestly is not complete unless you take BVD. She really teaches you how to write well. LOTS of work but I got so much out of the class. You will hate peer grading at first but it really does help you become a better writer. I highly recommend her.

Taking college writing with BVD will help you in every other class you take at AU. After finishing her class your writing will be levels above other students on campus. She is very willing to help outside of class too. Peer grading seems scary at first, but the end result of improving your writing so much is worth it!

You will notice a change in your writing before the course ends, and it will help a lot for other classes. Don't expect this class to boost your GPA, but doing the work should at least get you credit for the class. BVD is very helpful and nice in class and makes the 75 mins enjoyable.

Her honors class is really intense. REALLY INTENSE. but she's such a great person and is so helpful that it's well worth it. I've gotten my butt kicked by her assignments, but I feel like a better writer. Fair notice though... she's a tough grader.. many people call her Bair van ****. but it's well worth the ass kicking. my writing is bett

Prof. Cindy grades hard, but she is always very helpful if you come to her with questions about writing. The assignments are interesting and test your endurance as a writer throughout the semester. Very good class, she genuinely cares about her students

Cyndi is an awesome teacher. Tough but fair. Her class is never boring. I left that class a better writer and more prepared for writing at the college level. She is very helpful and always considerate.

She is an amazing teacher. The class is very demanding and there is a lot of work outside of the class. There are only 3 main papers, but you work on one for the entire semester. I left her class being a better writing, most in part thanks to her! The class is fun, we read a lot of childrens books so it was very easy reading.

This class was fun (you read childrens books), interesting (the topic was amazing), and you learn a lot. Most of the work is the huge papers but you get lots of time. TAKE THIS CLASS!

Prof. Cindy is AMAZING...she is funny and honest. My fav part about her is the fact that she tells it like it is...if you are being an idiot she calls you on it...if you didnt read she knows lol but treats everyone like an adult. I think she is one of the best at AU if not THE best...freshman consider yourselves lucky!!!...Just do the reading and t

Absolutely one of the best teachers at AU. Her class is extremely demanding but she prepares you for the rest of your classes like no other. If you think you're a decent/good writer her class will make you an amazing writer because she works on orgazination, syntax etc. She is also very personable and her book choices are great. i took her twice.

This teacher is really really great. She's tough but fair and you really feel like she respects you. I find myself wanting to just talk to her after class because she's that interesting. Classes are thought provoking and never boring. Freshman- TAKE HER. It will help you with writing and she's an excellent professor.

Absolutely a great professor! She is so helpful and really gives constructive comments on your writing. I already feel like a better writer and the semester is not even over yet! I would defnitely reccomend her to Fresmen, there is little to no busy work which is awesome, everything conneccts to the assignments. She's a great Professor!!!

Amazing Professor!! Gotta love cbair. If want an easy class, don't take her. Without a doubt, makes you a better writer. Incoming freshman, take her class!!!

Tough but good

Had her for college writing seminar, amazing teacher!!! extremely helpful, u learn SOOOOO much, but shes such a hard grader and the class is A LOT of work. THeres a lot of out of class time assignments. Her class is one of the most difficult, but def worth all the work! shes an amazing professor

college writing seminar. great professor. TOUGH grader. after taking it i am very happy with what i learned, but if you are looking just to fill your writing requirement DONT take her class! at least 7-10 hrs outside of class each week meeting with a few classmates and it will drive you absolutely insane if you dont get along with ur group.

She's tough but sweet if that makes sense. I worked hard and got an okay grade but I'm happy with what I learned. Good books I never would have read on my own.

I adore this woman as a person. She is sweet and very helpful in all aspects of the class. You can be as blunt as you want and she will dish it right back at you. There is a lot of work in CW seminar: many hours per week to gat only decent grades. If you can do the work and put up with a lower grade, she is totally worth it.

She's a tough grader, but she lets you re-write the important projects! Don't sweat it. if you at least put effort and see her during office hours you'll pass, - i repeat PASS- p.s. interested in As? don't kid yourself

I earned an A-. Here's how you do it: you read the books, write the papers, go to office hours, revise the papers. Duh. It's not rocket science. It's just a good class taught by a good professor. I worked hard, learned a lot, and I appreciate how much BVD helped me improve. I know I'm a better writer because of this class.

She has a good sense of humor. The reading is okay and the assignments are somewhat interesting. My favorite class.

Great class. I can't believe I loved All the King's Men, but I did. Discussions were always interesting. She seems a little scary at first, but she has a good sense of humor. Take this class.

awesome. good sense of humor. goes off on tangents sometimes, but they r usually funny. hard grader but wants you to do well.

Seriously? Were we in the same class? Did she write comments to you that were the opposite of the ones I got? She's a hard grader and maybe some honors students don't want to be challenged, but in my opinion she was brilliant. She really made me see what good writing is. And I'm probably only going to get a B.

She's awesome. A little intimidating though. But really funny, super helpful if you ask for the help. Her section is crime focused and so you read really great books. You even watch The Godfather. She's a hard grader but will give you the help if you need it.

The best professor of my freshman year. She was demanding and I didn't always get the grade I wanted but she challenged me to become a better writer. Her insight was extremely helpful. She is brilliant and a wonderful person too. Do the work, and you will improve AND enjoy the class.

She demands a lot, but you learn a lot. Being forced to grade your peers papers can be difficult, and on top of that you have reading to do. It's very time-consuming. Bottom line, work hard and you'll do well, even if your paper grades don't really reflect it.

Extraordinarily difficult, I can't overstate how hard you'll work on her papers. She's fighting a one-woman crusade against grade inflation. That said, you'll learn a lot about writing and about whatever the theme of the class happens to be. Also, she's hilarious. A qualified recommendation.

Extremely high expectations for students. Introduces herself as one of the harder college writing professors. Main class book was very long and boring. For a school requirement, I would try to avoid her.

BVD is awesome! As with all College Writing professors, she takes her class far too seriously, but she at least makes her subject somewhat bearable. I resented being in her class, but she made me want to try and I actually wound up learning something. If you're in College Writing, TAKE HER.

I have to admit that this class is hard. But I'm learning a lot, especially about what it takes to write a good paper. She's one of the few college profs who holds us to the high standards I expected when I came to college. I can already see my writing improve in my other classes. Worth the pain.

I was the person who flamed her earlier this semester and I have to admit that I was wrong. Hamartia. At the time I was frustrated, but eventually everything clicked. This is an amazing class and she's an even more amazing professor. If you take this class, be patient. It will be worth the stress and hard work.

Phenomenal professor and an excellent class. Fair warning, you have to work hard to do well. But if you do, you'll find the experience rewarding. Oh, and as a side note, go to office hours if you have questions. Her advice is very helpful. I highly recommend you take this class.

One tough cookie. Smoking hott, so it almost makes it okay, but shes still a really hard teacher. If you can stop focusing on how gorgeous she is and focus on class, you'll do fine. Also, don't fall asleep in her class. She doesn't like it.

Amazing teacher. She is a tough woman, and seems intimidating, but fear not because she is always willing to help anyone who needs it. Her class is hard but manageable if you ACTUALLY put real effort into it. but she is a wonderful teacher who sets you up for success for the rest of your classes to come. take her class! shes funny and enjoyable!

Amazing teacher. Helpful, encouraging, intelligent, and funny. Her class is tough and she grades hard, but her only desire is to make you better. But she can only do so much, you also have to be willing to make yourself better and go into the class ready to learn.

Took College Writing-Education focus- difficult class w/ lots of work but I learned so much in this class & it was a result of her pushing us. our class discussions were interesting and the classes normally flew by. If you take her, be ready to work, but know you're gonna benefit in the end.

Best professor I've had at AU... You will become a much better writer if you're willing to put in the work

Willing to work with students, great feedback and really taught how to write well

Difficult and demanding, a little acerbic, but you'll learn to kind of like her by the end of the semester. Certainly improved my righting, and re-read EVERYTHING (including the syllabus) for the midterm

I hated her because she pushed me so much. But in the end she really did make me a better writer and I still received a good grade. I was supposed to be in an honors section, but took her standard section anyways and still found it hard. She asks a lot, but in the end you will get something out of it. Take her class if you want a challenge.

She is one of the best professors I've ever had. She pushes you very hard and is demanding, but in the end, I learned so much. I am very pleased with this class. I definitely recommend her!

Best professor I had all year. She's hard, but in a way that will make you want to live up to her high expectations. She's extremely helpful if you go to her office hours, and she's also generally a friendly and well-meaning person. She might seem like a hardass but she's understanding and forgiving if you take time to meet with her. Really great.

I've always enjoyed writing and never struggled with it...before this class. If you want an A, you really have to work for it, but you'll learn and grow so much in your writing. She's also a great person and made a required class one of my favorites so far at AU. I'm proud of the papers I wrote in her class and am so glad I decided to take her.

LOVE her! Her class is difficult but worth it. She taught me so much as a writer and really wants to help. Sometimes the readings are a little much but I think she's required to assign them. Definitely take her class!!

She has high standards, but it's clear that she wants everyone to do well. She also makes extra time for anyone who needs help. She has a sarcastic sense of humor, but doesn't have a mean bone in her body. Don't be fooled by how scary she seems as first. She's tough, but she really cares about her students. Do the work and you'll be fine.

By far one of the best professors I have had at AU. She is incredibly helpful, her door is always open during office hours, and she wants you to succeed. I really learned a lot in her class, and she is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Her class may seem tricky, but she is there for you just an office hours appointment or email away.

CBVD is the best professor I have ever had. She will make you work your butt off, but it will be worth in the end. I learned more in her class than all my previous and future literature classes combined. I would highly recommend taking her class if you have the opportunity. Also go to her office hours!!

She is by far the best professor I have had here at AU. She is extremely helpful, wants you to succeed, and if you go to her office hours you will succeed. She has such a sweet personality and caring heart, and I wish she would teach other classes because I would take them. Through email or in office hours, she is there for you. Take her class!

CBVD is one of the best writing teachers I've ever had. She wants you to succeed and will give you so much help in office hours. Her class is difficult, but not impossible. She'll make you work for a good grade, but you come out SUCH a better writer and thinker.

Things to know: 1) You MUST talk in class. 2) She seems scarier than she actually is - don't be afraid to joke. She especially likes cranky old man humor. 3) Be wary of, but do not fear, the midterm. All in all, CBVD is a really great professor, but she will make you work for an A.

Really cares about her students, always available to just talk through your papers and assignments, and overall a really funny professor. You do need to show up to class though and do the readings. The class is definitely challenging, but I feel that my writing skills improved as a result.

Really wonderful experience. I had her for my writing Gen Ed requirement and WOW, what a difference. I will say this: she is a tough grader. An A in the class is feasible, but not easy. But she makes you want to work and improve your writing skills.

CBVD is one of the best professors I've had at AU. She's very good at making writing something manageable and I improved a lot as a writer bc of her class. She cares a lot, does her best to help students succeed. Understanding of outside circumstances impacting class performance and willing to help. Very friendly, helpful in office hours.

One of the best profs I've had, both as far as being an amazing teacher and caring about her students. She really makes sure you understand what she wants w/her assignments and always gives lots of feedback, so helpful during office hours. If you forget to do a reading here and there its not the end of the world, participation matters

She's a super great prof and helps a lot inside class, and outside of class. There's a LOT of readings, but it's not a big deal if you miss one or two in my opinion. There's only three big assignments and they're all pretty interesting. All in all she's a swell prof, but that midterm is no joke!

CBVD is an amazing human. Yeah you have to work your butt off for her class, but she makes you want to do the work. She assigns a lot of work but she's always willing to help out. Tough but very reasonable. You're missing out if you don't have her as a professor.

I love her she was incredible and helped me improve wrt writing so much

Professor BVD is the most personable, inspiring, and thought-provoking professor I have yet had. Her class structure is incredibly rigorous and if you're not prepared you will suffer, but the material is interesting and her personality makes it an incredible journey. She is personally invested in her student's success and wants you to succeed.

CBVD is probably one of the hardest professors but I love her so much. She is so kind, so caring, and genuinely wants you to succeed. Also, her work load really teaches you the value of time management. Go to her office hours and listen to her feedback. She cares and she's there to help you improve, even if her class is hard.

CVBD is probably the hardest WRTG-106 professor. Be prepared to be challenged in everything you do for her. That being said, she is a great professor and if you put in the work you will be fine. She wants you to succeed as a student and a writer and she will go above and beyond to help you. Her class is challenging but you won't regret taking it.

Professor Bair Van Dam is worth taking writing with. She will make you work hard but the skills she gives you will put you far above your peers. I really cannot stress how much of an advantage this gave me. Busy semester with a few large papers but as long as you're proactive, its worth it!

Professor Bair Van Dam will make you work hard for your grade, but she makes it all worth it. There were times where I felt overwhelmed by the number of readings, but her feedback and genuine care for you as a person and student eclipsed all of it. I grew astronomically in this class. Work hard, and you will have a mentor for life.

Be prepared to write and read A LOT. You will typically have an assignment due every week and a paper due every couple of weeks. She is an extremely tough grader and wants the best for her students. With that being said, she really has improved my writing, cares about the students, and always is willing to help. She is WORTH the extra work.

Although this class was difficult the outcome was rewarding. CBVD is the type of teacher who truly cares about her students. So, if you need help go to office hours. TIPS: #1 interact w/classmates outside of class (make a group chat) #2 do not procrastinate (everything matters) #3 come prepared! (or else you might be quizzed on the readings)

It doesn't get any better than Cindy Bair Van Dam. She'll lift your writing from good to great and give you advice that will stick with you well beyond her class. Be prepared to work hard, but also be prepared for it to pay off. If you get a spot in her WRTG-106 class, you're one of the lucky ones. Trust me: take her class, and thank me later <3

I learned tons! Especially how to write in different styles based on genre. The class is rough at first-thought I was getting a B, but then my writing started to getting better and my grades went up at the end. Warning: BVD cares a lot about class participation and helping your classmates. The midterm is no joke.

CBVD was the best professor I had at AU!! My writing improved a lot because of her class, which made papers easier to write in other classes. She also wrote recommendations for me and keeps in touch, even though I know she's super busy. I wish all professors were like her! Take this class.

I loved this class, and CBVD made it interesting and fun. You could write about anything and the readings were all relevant. I'm a senior in SIS and my grades are high because I learned to write research papers in this class. I'm so grateful.

I took 106 with BVD in 2019 and am now a senior in SIS. The class was undoubtedly hard as other reviews attest to. However, looking back I feel that her class prepared me the most for what was to come. While her class was so challenging and I did get a B+, I feel like w/out her class I wouldn't have made straight A's for the rest of college.

Professor Bair is a natural educator. She is kind, and caring, and wants you to succeed - but expects you to put in the work to get there. She is accessible throughout the entire semester (weekends, too) and taught the class lots. Her class was my favorite this semester.

One of the best professors at AU!!!

CBVD might be one of my favorite professors. As transfer student, I was required to take this fresh. course and was originally pissed, but she worked with me personally; she was kind, caring, and overall amazing. She's tough and gives a lot of work, but if you like/are serious about writing, she'll take you to a whole new level and support you.

CBVD is one of the kindest most wonderful professors I have ever met and I am so glad I decided to take her class. That being said, she is TOUGH and has very high expectations. She is the kind of professor that tests you but you still want to make her proud. Lots of reading, be sure to participate heavily, and beware the midterm!

CBVD is the quintessential writing professor. She's charismatic and funny, and teaches her class with finesse and style. Took her in the fall of 2022, by far my favorite class of the semester, and I hate writing. That being said, her class is unforgiving, which can be a shock for incoming college students. Heed the warning, but enjoy the ride!

I absolutely love CBVD. She is by the kindest and most personable prof I've had at AU. She had high expectations for her students and this class is not easy, but she is always willing to help you succeed. She builds a community, and I always looked forward to her class. My writing has genuinely improved because of her. TAKE THIS CLASS!!

CBVD is one of my favorite professors, and I thoroughly enjoyed her class. She is funny, personable, and kind. While I felt that some of the work was unnecessary at times, she really helped me take my writing to the next level. If you're thinking about taking her class, you should go for it. The work is worth it.

BVD is an awesome professor. I didn't want to take this class (my W-2) but she fostered a really great class community and is always there for you outside class. I ended up really looking forward to her class and always lovd how accessible and fun she is to talk to in office hours!

Professor BVD pushed me to become a better writer and find my passion within my degree. She has high expectations, but it does push you to do your best work. You have to participate every class and be engaged with your peers to succeed. She is super accessible, and will give edits before the final version is due. If you need a W2 take this class!

AMAZING professor. Genuinely cares about each one of her students and wants them to succeed. Midterm is entirely memorization based, extremely long, and most students fail. Study long in advance to make sure you don't. Papers are not too difficult but will challenge you. If you want your writing to improve take this class!!! You won't regret it.

Love her, but be ready to work in her class. Gives exams on the content of readings in addition to papers.

Prof CBVD is a very experienced educator. She wants all of her students to gain the skills to write well. It is reading heavy but you learn how to do it efficiently. Because it is a one semester class it goes by super fast. The end of the semester is a crunch. Start early and ask many questions. She cares but you need to advocate for yourself.

Take this class if you're ready to read A LOT. readings every week with exercises. 3 big projects (feature essay, lit review, big paper) + a midterm and written final exam. I questioned why I was doing a lot of the readings for an intro writing class but it probably made me a better writer in the long run. not an easy class but maybe worth it

Fun class! It was about pop culture, so we could write about things we cared about. On the first day she promised us we'd be proud of our final paper, and she was right. I showed it to my mom and she couldn't believe I'd written it. I learned so much!!

CBVD is a tough yet caring professor. Her class is reading-heavy but worth it - I used Unstuck AI alongside the textbook to stay on top of the workload. Prepare for the midterm, but you'll improve your writing skills.

Prof Bair Van Dam loves writing and her students. The class consists of a midterm broken into 3 parts like tests solely on the readings. There are also 3 writing projects, 2 of which require lots of time, effort, and research. While it is an extremely time consuming class, I feel like I became a much better writer. Be prepared to do lots of work.

Professor CBVD's class is definitely very reading and writing intense. If you're looking for a writing course that isn't a lot of work, I wouldn't pick this one. However, she gives a lot of great feedback that definitely helps you as a writer. Just definitely make sure to study for the midterm!!!

Incredibly charismatic and fun teacher. Lots of homework and projects but you don't really have to do the readings and tests are pretty easy. Easily the most enjoyable class I've taken so far

Really hard midterm, DO THE READINGS, but she is super cool and very helpful as a professor, a great first prof to have at AU she sets your writing skills up so well for college.

She is a truly lovely person and professor in class, the issue is there was roughly 60-80 pages of reading and 1000 words of writing inbetween each class. This class certainly made me a stronger writer but it also made my semester hell. Go to office hours, she is very nice but assigned an absurd amount of work.

Professor BVD is amazing. Genuinely one of those professors that is interested in improving your academic capabilities. The readings are important, you can definitely skate by well without doing them but you will be missing out. I can't recommend using this class to your own advantage enough, she certainly sets you up for success.

She's very fair with grades, and feedback is very helpful. She cares a lot about her students and will give extensions if needed. She assigns a LOT of reading, but if you manage your time well, it's really not that bad. Not any quizzes, and the "midterm" is split into 3 exams throughout the semester. Overall, loved her. She's super sweet.

CBVD is very kind and understanding. The class is reading-heavy, and the midterm is based on the reading and is pretty difficult. The main assignments are not particularly difficult if you pay attention and stay on top of your work. She rarely cancels classes, and attendance is mandatory. Its a tough class, but I learnt a lot, it was a good intro.

This class was so insanely difficult, and, at times, I wondered why I even took this class. The amount of reading and work is insane. HOWEVER, that being said, her readings are incredibly helpful, and do help your writing. CBVD is so sweet and understanding, and you will genuinely become a better writer after this class!

CBVD is pretty tough and assigns a lotttt of reading, but I think the readings, and her classes, really improved my writing. She is really nice and helps you when you need help, but I wish she gave me more feedback on my previous essays before I turned in my final essay so I knew what I would have to improve on. Overall, I would take her again!