Plan to work. The general expectation is that you will spend two to three hours outside of class for every hour in class. Some days it will be less, some days more. Don’t fall behind.
Read well, but don’t get bogged down in the details. Read with a pen in your hand. Underline key passages and write notes in the margins. If you don’t want to mark up your books, use sticky notes to mark important passages and take good notes on the reading in your notebook.
Come to class ready to take part in the discussion. Bring your questions and your observations.
Take good notes in class as well, on the discussions as well as on lectures. These will come in handy when you are writing your papers and preparing for exams. But they are good for more than this. The act of taking notes will help you think. Really.
Don’t be afraid to join in the discussion, even if you’re not sure of what you want to say. Don’t be afraid to go out on limb. Don’t be afraid of getting something wrong.
Come see the professor at office hours. Come see the TA at office hours.
Form a study group to prepare for exams.
Begin your papers early. Read the assignments and paper guidelines carefully. Don’t start writing your papers until you’ve done some thinking, taken some notes, and put together a plan for your paper.
Take advantage of your resources as you need them. Come see the professor and the TA at our office hours. Take your papers to the Writing Center (x2205, Andrews Library). Other resources you should know about: the Gault Reference Desk (x2096, Andrews Library), the Learning Center (x2595, APEX), Counseling Services (x2319, Longbrake Student Wellness Center). Ask for help when you need it.
Enjoy the course. You are lucky to have this opportunity. (We all are).
