College

Although I've struggled a bit with really loving college, I have to say that, for the most part, it is enjoyable. It's much more fun than high school because the classes are more interesting and I get to pick them. Although I'm still undecided about my major, I am starting to have a few ideas.

I was thrown off at first because I went in assuming I'd be interested in Computer Science, but I am not cut out for it. I am not as mathematically-oriented as it requires, and although I enjoy some of the logic behind programming, it is not my true affinity (and the upper aspects of the Computer Science major, which seem to revolve around animation and polygon math, are not that interesting to me). Recently I've considered many things: everything from philosophy to business to design. I am still fairly directionless but I feel like I've made progress since I started.

I've basically been taking random classes - ones that look interesting or ones where I read the description and go "Wow, that sounds really obvious. What on earth could they spend an entire quarter talking about?" I've noticed that I really end up having fun in these classes because there is so much more to them than I ever would have imagined. It seems like so much of college is taking what you think you already know and turning it into a clearly outlined and much clearer idea.

I'm taking an Intro to Law class right now that I am really, really enjoying. It is rapidly becoming my favorite class so far in college (although still battling an Intro to Logic class that I took last year). It is a perfect example of what college stands for to me, I think. Sure everyone knows about the Supreme Court and the judicial system and the US Constitution. I knew about all of those things when I started the class. But still shy of two months later, I'm already realizing that perhaps I didn't know as much as I thought. It goes back to the "The longer you spend on something, the less you realize you know" factor I mentioned here before. But while I certainly have more questions now about the Supreme Court than I had before, I also have a lot better understanding of its benefits. The class has been really enlightening to me and it revealed a lot of details in an area that I had only extremely minimal knowledge of before. (We just got our midterms back. Here's mine. Quite to my surprise, I fell only 0.1 short, on a 4.0 scale, of the highest grade in the class.)

And I've realized that the more fun I have in a class, the better I'll do - which has lead me to think about what I've done well or done poorly and how it's affected the end result in my classes. I think I've come up with the basic list of what's important in college, based on my experience so far:

1. Go to class. Woody Allen wasn't kidding around. If you do just one thing in college, make it going to the classes. Skipping out on either lectures or sections is bad news and a sure route to disaster. While it's true that no one is there to take attendance or watch your back, you are only hurting yourself when you miss class. Plus, skipping could easily be contagious. The more you do it, the more you will find yourself doing it. This year I have not missed a single class and it has been really nice. If you're having trouble with this one, think about how much it costs you to miss class. At UW, in-state tuition is close to $1900 a quarter. At a full load of 3 classes a quarter, that's about $633 a class. Classes are 10 weeks long ($63 a week) and my classes this quarter meet three times a week. So every class I might miss is basically the same as leaving a $20 bill on the street. (And missing a day might cost you $60!)


2. Participate. The best way to learn is to repeat back what you are hearing. Anyone can sit in class and tune-out, but it takes a stronger character and a better learner to speak up. Almost every class deals with gray area and very little that you learn is cut-and-dry. Don't be afraid to take a stance on an issue and voice your educated opinion. You may be surprised not only how much this will help your participation score, but also your knowledge.


3. Have fun. You might think this one's out of place, but it's not. Just like a career, if you aren't having fun, your life will be miserable. Taking classes that you'll enjoy is one of the best things you can do for yourself in college, I think. Sure there will be assignments here and there that are a pain and you may even have a few bad classes, but try to get in as much stuff that you love as possible. If you enjoy it, there's a way better chance that that knowledge will come up again in the future and you'll be glad you took that class.


4. Ask questions. There is a common perception that asking questions makes people think you're dumb and (except in extreme cases), it's just not true. If you don't understand, seek clarification. I think you really should go to every professor and every TA's office hours at least once every quarter. And the day before the exam does not count. Most days I've noticed that it seems the teachers sit alone in their office and do their own work. This is a time for you that almost no one takes advantage of. Go in with questions. Not only will you leave with a lot more resolved in your head, but it can't possibly hurt that they'll remember your name. You don't have to go every week, but if you have unanswered questions, there is no reason not to.


5. Don't take notes. Actually, that's not true, but I wrote it to make a point. Do take notes, but not the kind of notes that you think of when you think of "taking notes." In a big lecture with a presentation, watch how many people around the hall write down the presentation bullets. It is sort of sickening. None of these people realize that the presentation bullets are not the point and will not help them. The professors stand up and talk for a reason. If they wanted to give us bullets, they would give us the presentation file and not have us go to class. I've found that most often, the really important information is in what the teachers describe BETWEEN bullets. THESE are the keys you should be writing down. Never write down something that you do not understand (except to make a list of things to ask about in office hours!). You will only find yourself looking at it later without understanding. It does not make any sense to take notes that will not help YOU. Also, when you take notes, do not tune out the teacher. Keep your ears open while your pen is working and be ready to jump into your next note. If you find yourself looking up at the screen for the next thing to write, your process is broken.


6. Try not to procrastinate. This is hard for me to say because I am not particularly good at this myself. But I can say one thing for sure: assignments I have done early have been a lot less stressful and ultimately a lot better. I tend to put off working on things that I don't like, which leaves me with a short time-span for a project that is exacerbated by the fact that... well, I don't like it in the first place! One thing I've taken to doing recently is setting a fake deadline for myself. As stupid as that seems, it totally works for me. Obviously I'm not really fooled, but I am motivated enough to really work towards getting something finished. And then when something lacks polish or totally fell apart, I have a second chance. This is a place where I can still spend a lot of time improving on myself (and I have a feeling I'm not alone at all).


7. If you can, read the material. I know that sounds horrible. I think the reading is important - there is a reason that the teacher assigned it. But I have to say of all the things you should absolutely make sure to do, it is among the least important in my mind. That is not to say you shouldn't read the material (and in some classes it is essential), but as a general rule of thumb, I have found that it is not always the key to doing well - especially when contrasted with attending class. That is not to say however, that it will hinder your learning and I think that almost unfailingly keeping ahead and reading before attending classes will no doubt enhance your understanding and memory. And while I'm not one to endorse corner-cutting, if you were to live by that philosophy, your books would most certainly remain shrink-wrapped.

I've completed three and a half quarters of college so far and I am eagerly awaiting my next eight and a half. And I'm sure I still have not only a lot to learn, but also a good deal to learn about learning. :)

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