By Kieron Schmitt
Science and Global Change Scholar | Mathematics Major
Email: kschmitt@terpmail.umd.edu
Freshman Time Capsule: The courses that came as the greatest revelation or surprise to me were Linear Algebra (MATH240) and Introduction to Math with Proofs (MATH310). I am a math major, but these two courses have completely changed how I view math. Before, I would memorise formulas and relations with no grasp as to why. I simply understood that I enjoyed it. Linear Algebra has many real-world connections, like machine learning, which is encouraging to see as a math major. Math with Proofs strengthened my understanding of many math topics I originally took as simple truths. There is a lot more that goes into math than just adding and subtracting. Every theorem, symbol, and idea is relentlessly proved and backed up with relations connecting to every mathematical idea. This was mind-opening since I began to see a connection between all of the math topics I have learned. These classes were already required for my major anyway, which is why I picked them. I did take my MATH310 course before my MATH246 course, so I would let incoming freshmen know that there is no right or wrong way to take your classes as long as it is allowed by the major and reccomended by your advisors.
The best way I found to connect with teachers is by going to office hours. These are planned hours where teachers can work with students in a more isolated setting. Compared to crazy large lecture halls with hundreds of students, office hours may only have a few students at a time. Here you can introduce yourself to the faculty and ask questions for further clarification of class material. This is when teachers can see you and associate a name with your face. Apart from office hours, I also recommend emailing your teachers as much as possible. Any questions, problems, or concerns should be communicated with your teacher. If they cannot read it, try the TAs. Teachers love communication, and many are willing to hear you out if you are often communicating. Relationships with fellow students are one of the most important factors for college living. It is very important to have a group of people you can rely on or even just to talk to. I have made friends with many people on my floor and in my classes. Apart from just having more fun, friends can help hold you accountable during study groups. I cannot even count the number of times my friends and I have kept each other on track during a study session. Be careful, though, as it is easy to get distracted by your friends and underestimate your workload. I recommend studying in part alone and in part with a group to switch things up and stay fresh. It is also harder to find times to hang out since everyone has different class times, breaks, and study hours. Next year’s freshmen can make the best use of their connections with their peers by establishing study groups and a routine. I always eat lunch with my one friend a few times a week at 1:00. This keeps me from skipping a meal to nap, and it also keeps me energized to finish my work when I get to my dorm. I was least prepared time management-wise. In highschool, classes run early and end around 3. This leaves time for a few hours of break and then homework around 7. In college, classes may start early, late, or even in the middle of the day. I have learned that to combat this, you must do homework in pieces throughout the day. There is much more homework in college, so doing an hour a few times a day leaves the homework at the end of the day to just be clean-up.