Tips for the next class
I asked last semester's students if they had any tips for you:
What advice would you give to someone taking this class next semester who was interested in getting a good grade and learning as much as possible?
- Interact with one another so you can learn from each other.
- Read all of the assigned material and seek even further knowledge.
- Don't study for the exam like it’s a multiple choice test.
- Take notes in class and read everything.
- Choose a project you are interested in because your project will be with you ALLL semester.
- Do not stop at the notes, but explore and browse on your own.
- Participate in discussions and ask many questions to get clarification.
- Make friends with your fellow classmates to get help on assignments.
- Practice, practice, practice.
- Choose a project that will expose you to something new and that you would enjoy being part of.
- Not only understand the concepts, but know how to explain them.
- Go back home and practice what was explained on the daily lecture.
- Do all the homework assignments.
- Listen up in class, really try to learn from the exercises and read the notes.
- Work at a slow pace and as soon as possible to guarantee the project will be done on time, with a high standard of quality.
- Show up to class every day and pay attention while the instructor is lecturing.
- Do your own work.
- Don't copy or share your work -- you will be sorry eventually.
- See how everything fits into the big picture, not just segments of stand-alone facts.
- Learn independently of class and access resources outside the classroom such as professional publications, newsletters, and Internet resources.
- Ask questions and try to get to know everyone in the class.
- Make sure you understand the notes and ask questions if you do not.
I also asked:
Why have you been reluctant to speak in class?
- I have been reluctant to speak because I'm scared to be wrong.
- I don't want to say the wrong answer.
- Sometimes I did not want to seem like a "know it all."
- I didn't want to look stupid.
- I felt intimidated by the other classmates.