Throughout my high school experience, most of my coursework had a similar structure. Although there was some variation in the day-to-day activities, from taking notes on lectures to working on in-class essays or problem sets to group projects, they all followed the same general routine. This is a routine I had gotten used to over the years, and I expected all of my college coursework to follow a similar routine. This expectation is what caused me to be so surprised when I encountered my first experimental physics course. Although I had participated in labs in my science courses before, I had never taken a course entirely dedicated to experimentation, data collection, analysis, and conclusion. I took PHYS275 (Experimental Physics I: Mechanics and Heat) in my second semester of freshman year, as it is a requirement for me to complete my double major in computer science and physics. I was taken aback by what was a completely different experience during class, in which we spent the entirety of the 2-hour lab sessions collecting data and drawing conclusions based on our theoretical knowledge, experimental results, and the guidance of the lab manual. Although I did find it somewhat restricting to have to follow the manual so closely, I look forward to more advanced physics lab courses, where we will have more freedom to design and analyze experiments using our own intuition. Incoming students who wish to experience lab courses will have a much different style of learning to look forward to if they belong to a major which allows them to take such courses. Those who are not majors in chemistry, physics, or other courses that allow/require lab courses but still wish to explore an experiment-based environment and learning style should look into some of the numerous on-campus research and development labs.
Another significant difference between high school and university is the extent to which students interact with faculty. In general, especially at institutions like the University of Maryland, class sizes are much larger than in high school. As such, lectures are often primarily composed of listening and taking notes, with no deep interpersonal interaction beyond a few clarifying questions. This also limits students’ opportunities to develop meaningful connections with faculty members, as conversations between students and faculty will not happen as naturally as in high school. However, students can take actions to ensure that they can engage in regular conversations with faculty members and start to build a relationship. First and foremost, make sure to actually go to lectures—watching a lecture video from your bed will not help you connect with your professors. While you’re in the lectures, make sure to follow along and actively participate. Professors will notice when someone is asking meaningful questions that demonstrate thought and effort. Sitting in the front, while not required, can also help make it easier to interact with professors during lectures. Lastly, students who go to office hours can make more lasting impressions on faculty members and start bigger conversations from there. It can be daunting to approach a professor or faculty member, especially after high school, but developing connections with faculty members is one of the most beneficial things you can do as a university student.
The transition from high school to undergraduate studies can be a challenging one in many ways beyond purely an academic sense. This change can be especially pronounced for students who elect to live on campus or near campus rather than commuting. In order to cope with the many adjustments that need to be made in this transition, it is important to pursue relationships with peers and fellow students, who can take on any role from friend to advisor to study mate and more. The relationships I have made with my fellow students have helped guide and brighten my college experience so far, and it will continue to do so for the remainder of my undergraduate education. I have found people I can ask for advice on anything from personal struggles to course selections for next year, people who I can call when I need to study, and, perhaps most importantly, people who I can call when I need a break. Although, in some ways, it can be more difficult to make friends in college than in the closed environment that high school provides, it is so important for students to put themselves out there and interact with the people around them. Incoming students can make connections in so many different ways. Joining a club or team can be a great way to meet new people on campus with similar interests. Even just talking to people in the same classes as you Can help you form connections that change your entire college experience.
Academic life, as mentioned, is incredibly different in university than high school. Projects are often more long-term and require a deeper time commitment and level of thinking than the vast majority of high school assignments. Connecting with your instructors can be more difficult, which can make it seem intimidating to ask clarifying questions. This can discourage students from getting the help they need. It can be tempting to skip lectures, even when that is not the best option. On the other end of the spectrum, it can be tempting to lock yourself in your dorm room, and study all the time. I personally was least prepared for the difficulty making connections with faculty members and the temptation to stay in my dorm room and study or relax. However, after a period of time, I was able to both make an effort to interact with my professors more and consistently carve out time for myself to hang out with friends, explore campus in the off-campus area, and take advantage of all the opportunities and resources that the university offers. One thing that is important for prospective students to remember is that so much freedom comes with college that your college experience is almost entirely what you make of it. Remember to stay responsible and be on top of things, but also get out of your comfort zone, explore the new opportunities that come with university, and just make sure to have some fun as well.