So far, my time at UMD has brought me a wealth of new experiences, friends, and enriching opportunities to branch out and grow as a person and student. In many ways, university courses have aligned with my expectations between the workload and class difficulty, however the class structure and delivery of content have been fairly different than my initial impressions. Many courses follow a lecture-based format, with fast-paced guided learning sessions covering lots of material. Because of this course layout, I learned the value of pre-reading in preparation for your classes. It is incredibly advantageous to read ahead and come to class with an understanding of the content that will be covered that day. Pre-reading helps significantly when it comes to interpreting the valuable material covered, as well as keeping up with the instructors and being an active participant during lecture. Following lectures, student’s are then responsible for processing lecture information through discussion sessions or homework and practice on their own time. While I did expect lectures to be the go-to dynamic at college, I was surprised by the extent to which the work is independent study. The majority of learning is up to you in university, so mastering the material is largely up to the time and effort dedicated outside of class. Additionally, this semester, I learned the importance of informing yourself with the different policies of your classes. Each professor has their own preferences for assigning work, setting deadlines, submission guidelines, grading and attendance polices, so the ability to interpret syllabi is a necessary skill to have at college. Outside of the classroom, I spent my time building new connections, hyping up our Big Ten teams, and studying or working projects with friends.
As for the SGC coursework itself, I feel as if the majority of content we discussed was well associated to the program’s objective. Leading the Scholars Science and Global Change, Holtz and Merck discussed the history and development of climate change, and how it plays a role in modern society. However, I was surprised by the content covered in our readings of Kida’s Don’t Believe Everything You Think, and Kolbert’s 6th Extinction. In these texts, we looked into human psychology and pseudoscience in society’s relation to aspects of climate change like global warming, as well as the “Anthropocene era,” in which humans have greatly impacted nature. I also appreciated how the SGC leaders incorporated content from their personal fields of interest into our learning through a geologic lens.
Starting your college career can often feel daunting. A new style of life on your own, classes have changed, friends have moved around, and your support system feels distant, so it is natural to feel a little isolated and overwhelmed. While these are struggles faced by many new students, there are plenty of strategies to ease into college making the transition to a new lifestyle much more manageable. One of the most important steps is to prioritize connections. Entering university does mean you’ll be surrounded by thousands of unfamiliar faces, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. The majority of students are in the exact same position as you, so it isn’t hard to find something in common with new people. Join clubs and attend campus events that interest you to get integrated into the school’s community. Over time, these friendships become people you will study, eat, exercise, and share new experiences with. This advice also extends to your professors and teaching assistants. A simple introduction at the start of the semester can make a lasting impression, showing your interest in the class and dedication to academic success. Professors and TAs are valuable resources for school and professional guidance, so building connections with them not only improves your learning experience but also helps establish a supportive network. College courses operate on a semester-based time-line, not a lot of time to cover a lot of content. It might be a bit of a wake-ip call getting used to the effort it takes to keep up with all of the assignments and periodic tests or quizzes. Establish a schedule for yourself that allows time to keep up in classes while factoring in activities you enjoy to keep you mentally and physically. Planners and calendars are useful tools to keep track of everything going on, including assignment deadlines, test dates, and club meetings. Staying organized gives you stability and prevents last-minute stresses from affecting your academic standing and mental health. Also, the pace and complexity of some of the classes demand persistence and resilience, and there will most-likely be moments when you are challenged or struggled by school. A pivotal resource for overcoming these challenges is office hours. During these times, Professors and TAs offer personalized advice, which is great for clarifying difficult topics.