A wise upperclassman once told me not to worry about taking the intro-level classes, as higher-level courses are much more interesting and engaging.
Clearly, this is very bad advice for people studying certain things — I am pretty sure you need to take Intro to Chemistry before taking orgo or bio chem — but, in many ways, this advice was spot on.
During the first half of college, I took a few smaller classes, but for the most part enrolled in lectures which offered very little interaction with professors. Of course, this could have been remedied by going to office hours — but even if I hadn’t been too intimidated to do that, a few scattered visits does not achieve the same effect as regularly meeting for class.
This semester, I am enrolled in a 12-person writing workshop. The course is led by a professor, which is significant — not because graduate students can’t be good teachers, but it is difficult to maintain a relationship with someone who will likely be graduating soon.
There is no hiding in a class as small as this, and it forces me to really push myself to be prepared and to contribute. Every subject is different, and this one is particularly unique. It is called “Spiritual Writing,” challenging us both in our writing skills and in our ability to think deeply about what is happening in our lives. Sharing these thoughts contributes even more to the intimate setting — and for the first time in college, I feel as though a professor really knows me.
This is good for a number of reasons. First, professors have seen lots of students, and can likely determine where we best thrive after talking with us and reading our work. This allows for great advice on which classes to take, which careers to consider and on other ways to enhance our college experience.
Second, jobs, internships and graduate schools often ask for references or letters of recommendation, and it is extremely valuable to be able to ask professors who can speak to a (hopefully positive) truth about you as a person. When I was recently confronted with this reality, it was crazy to think that in two and a half years, I did not have any really close relationships with professors.
But perhaps most significantly, professors are both knowledgeable and wise — so why not take advantage of this incredible opportunity to get to know them while we can? We are surrounded by people who have amazing talent and desire to share it with us, and I would hate to waste that opportunity.
Beyond forming strong relationships with professors, I also which I'd known not to worry about taking classes to fill the College’s area requirements right away. During my first year, I loaded up my schedule with all of the classes to fulfill my remaining area requirements — and though there are a few I can say I am glad I took, I now know of so many better classes which could have filled those slots.
There are so many interesting classes out there, and the longer I have been here, the more I have discovered new and diverse course offerings. I waited way too long to take a creative writing class — even though creative writing has always piqued my interest — just because it didn’t fulfill any requirement I needed.
You live and you learn, so perhaps this is a normal college journey. I probably needed to make these mistakes to assume the position of the upperclassman who once gave me this advice to me.
Nevertheless, if I could do it all again, I would make sure to take advantage of the best the University has to offer.
Kelly’s column runs biweekly Tuesdays. She can be reached at k.seegers@cavalierdaily.com.
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