Reflection of my first year- Classes
I know everyone else has made these but I’m hoping to hit on things others may have missed.
1) Find an alternate way to your class.
Construction happens, doors get blocked off, big crowds. Have at least one alternate route through the building.
2) Time it.
Whatever mode of transportation you’ll usually be taking, time it and add 5 minutes, because things happen.
3) If you’re taking the bus. Take the one before the one you think you need. (I.e. “There’s a bus that comes around 8:30 and then 8:50. if I take the 8:50 I’ll make it just in time” take the 8:30.)
4) Genuinely think about if going to class is helpful.
I know everyone says to go to class but, for your first year at least, if you genuinely believe going to class isn’t helpful at all, you don’t have to go. There’s no reason to sit in class being 100% confused if the lecture isn’t helping.
5) That said, if that’s the case, you still have to find another way to learn the material.
6) Talk to people in your classes, get numbers or contact info if you can.
It’s saved me so much stress having at least a couple of people that I can study with and get notes from if I’m late or have simple questions.
note: Don’t be that person that never goes to class but always begs for someones else’s notes. A couple of times is fine but know that it’s really annoying to constantly be asked for notes.
Professors 8) They’re really a mixed bag.
During my first year, I had an amazing professor and a not so good one. Both for a maths class, really nice people who you can tell care about their students. However, nice and a good teacher are different things.
9) Find out how to address them, it tells you a lot. Most of my professors just went by their first name but I have met one or two that are sticklers for their title of “Professor” or “Dr.” Just find out what they prefer and stick to it.
10) Remember: Not all professors have Doctorates. If you’re unsure just address them as “Professor”.
11) They aren’t kidding when they say no one goes to office hours. It’s basically one on one help which is amazing if your professor is.
12) Explore other options
If a professor just isn’t doing it for you don’t be afraid to seek out someone (or something) else. The internet is a thing that exists, so is your book. Maybe your prof is just a bad lecturer, maybe their style just isn’t for you. If the classes are big enough, try and see if you can sit in on another class. (Just don’t be a dick)
13) Your AIs (Assistant Instructors) are not the end all be all.
So be okay with asking your professor for further confirmation. My first-semester maths AI would never cover relevant information for tests and I ended up emailing the professor to be sure that none of what the AI covered would be on the test.
14) Thank your professors at the end of the semester.
If you’ve just had an amazing professor that really stood out to you and helped you TELL THEM. I emailed my professors at the end of the semester and the ones that wrote back said they were happy to hear the impact they’ve made.
Feel free to add more! Happy to clarify anything in the post or just have a chat.
All the best,
-E
