The Engine of Matt Todd

We've all seen participation awards and roundly criticized them. In reality, who should be celebrated for participating? But what if they are like appetizers, not quite enough to get you anywhere but just enough to get you hungry?

If you could warn your younger self about life, would the advice be the same thing your future self would warn you about right now?

Prefontaine gave us the best gift. 

How is the fundamental idea of competition for athletic pursuits so lost when it comes to our brains?

The third brother in a family of power houses, Luke is a true student athlete. Going into his junior year at Cal, he's a world class rugby player and scholar, and a former MTU alum. Enjoy!

Did the rollerblading make him popular, or did the rollerblading make him?

You can argue easily for a job in the trades or the value of an engineering degree, but how do you qualify the value of a more nebulous course of action?

Who knew a rotting plant could help calibrate your compass?

My son is worried about his closet door staying open 6" at night, and I can't really blame him. 

Scientist and water engineer, PhD. Erin Mackey zooms in and talks about coming up in STEM and making it in a core field of environmental concern. 

Education is surely wasted on the young, but that's only because you don't have the time to go back. Well, time is here.

Schools everywhere are struggling to honorably grade students on effort and performance, but most are retreating to P/F. As bad as it sounds, it could be worse.

Should I be upset that we aren't losing sleep over the WWE anymore? Only if I'm looking one direction in time.

Worked hard for four years to get into your dream school? Well, what if that dream school is turning into not so dreamy YouTube videos and 40 person Zoom meetings. Is there a way around this?

The hat making you late is the same as the last touchdown being the game winning touchdown. They're both lies.

When the earth starts shaking, do you imagine yourself reaching for a can of ginger beer?

It might seem great to be popular, but for some, popular has always been unappealing. This now has more than just minor implications. 

An internal medicine resident on the ground floor of the Covid-19 epidemic, Dr. Kenny Veiga discuses the issues hospitals are facing, the challenges with treating the novel virus, and why WWE is such great theater. 

What is happening with the SAT and ACT entrance exams? Will they be offered in the summer? Will we get a testing location? How will they even administer them?

UPDATE: 4/17/20 CSUs terminate testing requirement! Are colleges making the SAT/ACT tests optional for admissions this coming year? Is that a good thing for students? Should people take the test, even if it is optional? Is this going to be a forever change??

What are things that can be done right now to help my application? With classes canceled, is there a way I can keep pushing myself academically? Is this timeframe even going to matter for colleges?

With students sitting around, is it a good idea to get on college entrance essays now? What is the common app essay? If I don't know how to get started, what do I do? Is there a basic structure that I can follow? 

Is intentional inspiration invalid inspiration?

Here, second grader, get these packets done and just return them to me when you're finished. I'll be over there in the other room behind a locked door on a conference call. The coffee maker is over there. Good luck!

Be careful how you judge the person serving you a footlong. The whole experience might rot your insides 20 years from now.