With this week being the first full week of classes, it’s good to finally have my schedule go back to normal. I can finally attend every class, and labs can officially begin. I needed to get back into the swing of things to see how the semester will flow week by week. That being said, since we are technically two or three classes already past the first day of classes, we have all had time to get a sense of what the semester is going to be like in regards to classes, work, and teachers.
We all know that that first day of class is instrumental to setting the tone for the whole semester. It gives you a feel for what the class is going to entail, more of less how much work it will involve, and what the teacher is like. First impressions are key on the first day of class, especially for the teacher. The first five minutes can make or break a class for someone, especially when it comes to enjoying it and actually learning something. First impressions are key, and sometimes they don’t go so well.
We’ve all had that teacher that walks in the first day, throws the syllabus at you, tells you when the first test is, and then gives off that vibe that if you so much as look confused you’re in trouble. That sounds like a good start. Then, you might have the teacher that comes in, makes you introduce yourself to everyone and then proceeds to read the syllabus to you word for word. It sounds like that class is going to be an exciting one. Or you just might have the teacher that comes in, hands you the syllabus, doesn’t go over anything, and begins to lecture, assuming that you have been taught and have retained something.
Does any of this sound familiar? We’ve all had them: the bad teachers that make the bad first impression and struggle to rebuild what they lost the first five minutes of class on the first day. So what do you do when you’re in that situation? Well, if you have a teacher that looks unapproachable and the work is really overwhelming you already, don’t be afraid to contact them. If talking to them in person is difficult or if you do not feel comfortable approaching them in person, send them an email asking for help. If it doesn’t seem that they will help you, make a habit of going to the Center for Learning Resources. They have tutors there in a variety of subjects. You could also try pairing up with a classmate for help. Sometimes other students can explain things better a second time.
For those of you with the teacher that reads everything to you, including reading every word off of power points, believe me when I say that I’ve been there. It’s those boring classes that cause students to often meet their downfall. I know it’s hard to pay attention sometimes, but try not to fall into the habit of not taking notes, doodling, and day dreaming. Because even though the teacher is boring, they are still trying to teach you something. Odds are that it’s going to be on some test down the line. So as hard as it is, pay attention!
Lastly, for those of you with the teacher who jumps in without explaining anything, don’t be afraid to speak up. Let the teacher know that you need a better explanation of the breakdown of the class, without needing the teacher to read the entire syllabus to you. If your teacher is jumping into a lecture assuming that the entire class understands the basics behind it, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for a refresher. Sometimes that’s all it takes to remember what is still locked away in your brain somewhere.
Good luck in all of your classes. Hopefully this semester goes really well for all of you, and there aren’t some truly horrible teachers out there to make the process more difficult than it needs to be.
