Learning how to manage your time and money is one of the most confusing things about being in a University, but if you search around there is a lot of helpful resources to accomplish what needs to be done!
For me, the most confusing things about the university are interacting with the faculty and navigating the campus. As the first semester goes on, you definitely get a better sense of where everything is and start to develop preferences for studying, eating, hanging out etc. I'm from Northern California and I had never been on campus until orientation, when I returned to the University to start classes I had no clue where any of the buildings I had previously visited, were in relation to where my classes were. But this is definitely normal and if you ever find yourself lost its perfectly okay to wander around mindlessly until you find your way because this is college, and everyone is too busy to notice other people.
The other thing I struggled with at the beginning was interacting with faculty. I wasnt sure what was disrespectful and what was too casual. At the UA Clicks before classes however, our speaker covered most of this etiquette so I highly recommend attending things like this, that are designed to help freshman! Also as you get to know your professors more you'll be able to figure out which professors are more casual and which are more professional. Also, I was told that it's important to introduce yourself to your professors on the first day, but I don't think this is actually that helpful. What is helpful if you want to establish a good relationship with professors, is office hours! Sometimes nobody will show up to a professors office hours and they will just sit there doing nothing, so office hours area great way to get to know your instructors better! On the first day I introduced myself to my first professor, but I was the tenth of about 25 students to do so and I'm sure he forgot all about me. I would stress less about introductions on the first day, and focus more on utilizing office hours.
Jesus, there are man confusing things that come with attending the U of A. There are lots of buildings and people and it all happens at a quick pace as you try to keep up. If I could only make one recommendation to help reduce the confusion, I would recommend living on campus as a freshman. There are so many helpful resources on campus to help you with any confusion you might have and living on campus makes them that much more accessible. Hopefully, I was able to answer your question.
Learning how to manage your time and money is one of the most confusing things about being in a University, but if you search around there is a lot of helpful resources to accomplish what needs to be done!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the most confusing things about the university are interacting with the faculty and navigating the campus. As the first semester goes on, you definitely get a better sense of where everything is and start to develop preferences for studying, eating, hanging out etc. I'm from Northern California and I had never been on campus until orientation, when I returned to the University to start classes I had no clue where any of the buildings I had previously visited, were in relation to where my classes were. But this is definitely normal and if you ever find yourself lost its perfectly okay to wander around mindlessly until you find your way because this is college, and everyone is too busy to notice other people.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I struggled with at the beginning was interacting with faculty. I wasnt sure what was disrespectful and what was too casual. At the UA Clicks before classes however, our speaker covered most of this etiquette so I highly recommend attending things like this, that are designed to help freshman! Also as you get to know your professors more you'll be able to figure out which professors are more casual and which are more professional. Also, I was told that it's important to introduce yourself to your professors on the first day, but I don't think this is actually that helpful. What is helpful if you want to establish a good relationship with professors, is office hours! Sometimes nobody will show up to a professors office hours and they will just sit there doing nothing, so office hours area great way to get to know your instructors better! On the first day I introduced myself to my first professor, but I was the tenth of about 25 students to do so and I'm sure he forgot all about me. I would stress less about introductions on the first day, and focus more on utilizing office hours.
Jesus, there are man confusing things that come with attending the U of A. There are lots of buildings and people and it all happens at a quick pace as you try to keep up. If I could only make one recommendation to help reduce the confusion, I would recommend living on campus as a freshman. There are so many helpful resources on campus to help you with any confusion you might have and living on campus makes them that much more accessible. Hopefully, I was able to answer your question.
ReplyDelete