College Freshman 101

Academically: go to class and read all assignments. If you want to be a high achiever, take decent notes, read assignments before you go to class, and review your notes weekly. Socially: meet as many people as you can in the first month of school. Overachieve by making friends with at least two people per class, people who you can contact if you have questions or need notes. Attend social events on campus, not just parties. Overall: eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and don’t overindulge in drink or drugs. College success is more about consistency than anything else.

Your choice of college will determine how many TAs you have. I attended George Washington University then transferred to Rice University my junior year. I NEVER had a TA teach a class. I did have graduate student TAs lead discussion sections for freshman English, political science, and science labs, but professors taught the courses. As you visit college campuses ask students and staff about the role of TAs at that school.

Even at the largest schools this is unlikely. It is possible that smaller discussion sections will be lead by TAs while larger lectures are often given by Professors. It is generally true however that at large research universities undergraduates have less opportunity to interact with professors than at smaller schools.

Colleges vary in the amount of core or required courses. At some colleges, the curriculum is very standardized, but most often there will be distribution requirements that allow students to choose between many courses that can fulfill a particular requirement. Some majors also have more required courses than others and therefore offer less opportunity for electives.

Various schools have different ways of making classes available to students. When you are doing your research, that is one of the things you will want to investigate about the schools at which you are looking. Some schools may have absolutely open scheduling options, but those schools would be in the minority. Most have some sort of framework of scheduling which will lead their students to a well-rounded education. There is a wide spectrum of class scheduling possibilities. Some institutions have a special program of studies that students are required to complete. This program may be centered around Great Books, World Philosophies, etc. These programs are sometimes, but not always, focused on first-year students. Many schools require first-year students to complete or exempt basic classes in Mathematics, English, or Writing. Other schools have something which they call "distribution requirements" (the name will vary from one institution to another). In this case, students are required to take courses in a set variety of disciplines, with a wide range of actual class choices being offered within each discipline. For example, one highly-regarded university has the following basic requirements of students working toward Bachelor's degrees: Writing Seminar--one course Foreign Language--one to four terms to complete, depending on the language students study and the level at which they start Epistemology and Cognition (EC)--one course Ethical Thought and Moral Values (EM)--one course Historical Analysis (HA)--one course Literature and the Arts (LA)--two courses Quantitative Reasoning (QR)--one course Science and Technology (STL/STN)--two courses. At least one course must be a science and technology course with laboratory (STL). Students may elect a second laboratory science course, or a non-laboratory science course (STN). Social Analysis (SA)--two courses Within those broad areas, a wide range of class options are offered, assuming that students have met any prerequisite requirements. In addition to the courses within the distribution requirements, the student will ultimately focus more specifically on classes which fall within his/her chosen major. Some of the distribution requirement courses will quite possibly apply to a student's major or minor, as well. By being required to investigate a variety of disciplines, students often discover a dormant interest - something that they had not previously considered, which will lead them to pursue another direction of study. Keep in mind that requirements will differ from one school to another. The above distribution requirement description is merely an example and relates to a specific institution. Therefore, an important part of your university research will be in determining course requirements, how classes are scheduled, and how course material is delivered - large lectures, small classes, large lectures followed by small-group seminars, etc. Consider how you would learn best.

Ten of the tips below were entered, as well, in answer to the question about how to have a successful first semester. The same habits are going to help you get ahead throughout your college career. Several others have been added that should work to your advantage as you go through your college years. Tips for Getting Ahead in College 1. Go to all of your classes. 2. Participate in all seminars which are offered in conjunction with your scheduled classes. 3. Prepare all of your assignments. 4. Prepare effectively for all tests and examinations. Joining a study group could help you to process the material that has been presented in your classes. 5. Participate actively in small-group or class discussions. 6. Be on time for all classes, seminars, and test sessions, as well as in turning in assignments. 7. Develop good relationships with your professors and other instructors. 8. Take advantage of Study Abroad opportunities. 9. If appropriate, arrange to do research with a professor in an area that interests you. 10. Participate in the internship program offered through your college. Look into internships early enough each year to enable you to get the kind of internships that will interest you and will move you toward your goals. 11. Seek academic help if you find that you need it. Most institutions will offer tutoring in subjects in which students are having difficulty. Make an appointment to see your professor if you need additional clarification. 12. Seek emotional support if you find yourself hitting a "low point". Most institutions offer such help through their student services offices. 13. Find your "niche" (something that you enjoy doing and which you can commit to). This will help you broaden your circle of friends and acquaintances. 14. Become involved - academically, extracurricularly, and socially. 15. Assume leadership or supportive roles in the extracurricular activities to which you have committed. 16. Have fun, but stay focused on why you're in college in the first place. If you keep these tips in mind, you should be able to have a wonderfully productive and fun college career!

There is not a definitive answer to this question. It is an aspect, however, that you should investigate when you do your college research. In some schools, teaching assistants (TA's) do teach some classes - or many classes, depending on the school. Other schools very specifically state that all classes will be taught by professors. In some schools, a professor will deliver the main lectures of a course, and TA's will lead accompanying small group seminars. In other words, there is a great deal of variety in how classes are taught. Some teaching assistants may do a very good job of presenting and processing class material, so the idea of TA's should not be rejected out of hand. It IS important, however, to have realistic expectations of the prevalence of teaching assistants as teachers of classes in the schools to which you apply.

10 Tips for First-Semester Success 1. Go to all of your classes. 2. Participate in all seminars which are offered in conjunction with your scheduled classes. 3. Prepare all of your assignments. 4. Prepare effectively for all tests and examinations. Joining a study group could help you to process the material that has been presented in your classes. 5. Participate actively in small-group or class discussions. 6. Be on time for all classes, seminars, and test sessions, as well as in turning in assignments. 7. Seek academic help if you find that you need it. Most institutions will offer tutoring in subjects in which students are having difficulty. Make an appointment to see your professor if you need additional clarification. 8. Seek emotional support if you find yourself hitting a "low point". Most institutions offer such help through their student services offices. 9. Find your "niche" (something that you enjoy doing and which you can commit to). This will help you broaden your circle of friends and acquaintances. 10. Become involved - academically, extracurricularly, and socially. Have fun, but stay focused on why you're there in the first place. If you keep these ten tips in mind, your first semester should be an unqualified success!

It is never too early to start thinking about the next step. Contact the career services office and let them know your thoughts. Put out feelers at places you'd be interested in working/interning. "The early bird gets the worm" can certainly hold true here. If you have l long break between semesters, take advantage of the opportunity to get your foot in the door. By volunteering initially, they see your skill set and just may offer you something more permanent for the summer.

In this day and age of anti-bullying policies, I hope freshmen don't get picked on. Depending on the culture of the school, there may be "traditions"; but they should certainly be good natured and nothing negative. Often freshman are housed together, tend to stick together, so there really is no opportunity for being picked on.