Tackling Part 2: The Long Turn

"Certainly, one website that has been absolutely indispensable throughout my academic journey is Wikipedia. I'm sure most people are familiar with it, but essentially, it's a massive, free-to-use online encyclopedia that covers virtually every topic imaginable.

I first stumbled upon it during my first year at university. A history professor suggested we use it as a preliminary research tool to get a general overview of topics before diving into more academic journals. Initially, I was a bit skeptical because of its reputation for being editable by anyone, but I quickly realized how valuable it could be when used correctly.

The website helps me in numerous ways. Primarily, it's my go-to starting point whenever I'm assigned a new essay or project. For instance, if I need to write about a complex historical event, Wikipedia provides a concise summary, key dates, and important figures all in one place. This saves me an enormous amount of time. It breaks down complicated subjects into more digestible information, which is incredibly helpful for building a foundational understanding.

Ultimately, the reason I find it so profoundly useful is its efficiency and breadth of information. It acts as a gateway to deeper learning. While I would never cite it directly in a final paper, its reference sections are a goldmine for finding primary sources and academic articles. It's an unparalleled tool for mapping out a topic and I honestly can't imagine how much more difficult my studies would be without it."