Learning to Think Like a Historian

While looking for opportunities to pursue my aspirations and further my knowledge as a student of history, I discovered the TCR History Camp. The experience profoundly changed my approach to researching and writing as a young historian, as it not only encouraged me to think more critically and argumentatively but also equipped me with the skills to articulate my thinking in an effective and eloquent manner.

A key insight that I gained from my experience at the TCR History Camp was the importance of conducting thorough research. Before coming to the camp, I conducted some preliminary research by compiling a list of topics that intrigued me and gathering some sources for each. Through 1:1 conferences with the instructors, I was able to narrow down on a topic and develop a compelling argument for a subject I was passionate about: the Black Friday gold panic (1869). The instructors, who were very experienced and knowledgeable, gave careful consideration to each student’s areas of interests and research progress, providing us with very personalized feedback.

Another crucial takeaway that I gained from the camp was the significance of seeking out and engaging with the arguments of other historians. The program taught me how to address historiography and incorporate it into my writing, enabling me to construct arguments with greater nuance. Even for topics with limited historiographical sources, such as my own, the instructors supported students throughout the process of navigating historiography and introduced various source-finding strategies. The TCR History Camp program has equipped me with invaluable skills that have greatly transformed my approach to writing and historical analysis.

From Helena Z.

Horace Mann School, NY

(2024 TCR History Camp @ Hotchkiss)