FYI, an unrelated resource that is helpful for freshmen to know about is the writing center. Apparently, having them critque your paper before turning it in to your professor can raise your grade by half a letter for some classes (so, in other words, an A- becomes an A). Not sure exactly how it works and for what classes, but hey, there it is…worth investigating and asking if professors offer that incentive for their class. You do have to schedule an appointment though. http://www.english.umd.edu/academics/writingcenter/undergraduate/faqs