Jamie Davis Smith I’ve been an adjunct college professor for 15 years, teaching both online and in person. I see students making the same mistakes every year, and I wish they knew when to ask for help. Here are the five things college students should know before the start of classes.
I have taught both online and in person at colleges for more than 15 years and cowrote a book about student success. Being smart helps, but it’s not enough to do well in college and graduate school. Students need to be able to plan their time well and recognize when to ask for help.
To do more than just get by, students should take advantage of the unique networking opportunities and resources available at most universities. That doesn’t mean there isn’t time to have fun and be social. Students can do both with the right approach.
I see some students making the same mistakes repeatedly. Here’s what I wish students knew. Communicating with professors is importantI tell my students that I’m there to help them succeed and I mean it.
But I can only help with problems I know about. If a student can’t submit an assignment on time, they need to reach out as soon as they know there is an issue. Students will approach me the last week of class, or even after class ends, once they realize they are not happy with their grade.
It’s usually too late to help them catch up at that point. I try to reach out to students I see struggling, and I’m shocked that they often don’t respond. I can almost always be flexible and make time to meet with students who need extra support — but only if they let me know they need help and are receptive to solutions.
Use your university’s resourcesMost universities have tremendous resources, including writing centers that can help students become better writers, librarians who can help students become better researchers, and counseling services. These typically don’t cost anything, and I’m always surprised that students don’t use them more. Using these resources will not only result in better grades but can help students develop skills that will help them in the workplace.
Maintain a school-life balanceHigher education is a series of ups and downs. The beginning of the semester tends to have a lighter workload, increasing as the term progresses. There’s plenty of time for work and play if students plan their schedule correctly.
Students should block time on their calendars to do their classwork and stick with it, just as they would regular work hours. Then they can plan fun outings and events for times they know their workload will be lighter. Having something to look forward to can get students through more intense periods of the term.
Networking is important Students are usually in classes with others interested in same field. It’s worth getting to know classmates and maintaining those relationships. Sharing resources and starting to develop professional relationships early can pay off later.
Similarly, students should be active participants in class so that professors really get to know them. Professors really do remember students who work hard and are engaged, and are more likely to give good recommendations or nominate them for academic awards or professional opportunities. Being in school is also a great time to try an internship for networking opportunities outside of school and to gain real-life experience.
Your relationship with professors should be professionalI try to be friendly and open with my students, but I am not their friend. Students should read all announcements, emails, policies, and the syllabus. Do not expect your professor to answer questions they already addressed rather than looking it up yourself.
Do not expect your professor to be on call 24/7 and respond to questions in the middle of the night because you waited until the last minute to work on an assignment. Most professors will not text with students about routine questions. When students treat the professor-student relationship too casually, I worry about how they will act in the workplace.
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From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/college-professor-on-what-she-wishes-students-knew-before-starting-2022-9
