Surviving and Thriving Undergrad Life
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Transcript Surviving and Thriving Undergrad Life
Thoughts from Recent UofT Undergrads
Barry Wellman, Professor of Sociology
June 2013
Crowdsourced These Guidelines
I mostly asked smart & wise recent UofT students
Many – like me –worked their way up from the streets
Thanks also to
Mary Chayko (Rutgers prof)
Nancy Baym (Microsoft Research)
Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Ann Sorenson
Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies
Died May 2013 – who always cared about students
Anna Brady, 25, Hotel Exec
“I think if I could tell my grade 12 self anything it would be
to really dive into the University experience”
Mistakes are just as valuable as successes in character
building
Learn the right path by experience rather than by theory
Find a professor who helps you to understand that
Chang Lin, Ph.D. student. 26
Join affinity groups – like Chinese/South Asian
students associations for extra curricular and help
Or dance groups, or science fiction – Network!
Form study groups
Best with someone a little better than you
If allowed, bring a voice recorder
Esther Sok, graduating UofT, 23
Don’t be shy. Make contact with faculty members during office
hours
Sit in the first few rows – no hiding in the back
Get to know your TA (teaching assistant) too
Volunteer to work with a faculty member as an intern
Even in boring jobs, keep your eyes open & ask Qs
Be an active learner
Do the readings before going to class
Ask questions in class and review notes
(Almost) always go to class: Prof emphasizes what’s important
Esther Sok (2)
You will never have enough time IF you do not prepare
and manage it before hand. It is likely that tests and
projects will be due around the same time
Do NOT plead for mercy – just deal with it
Long term memory is not formed by cramming one or
two nights before a test, and especially without sleep
(that’s the worst)
Stress inhibits learning
When you cram and worry, you won't learn anything
Give yourself plenty of time to study
Esther (3)
When studying for tests, don’t just memorize
Being an active learner means getting yourself to
understand the material and be able to link points and give
examples
However, you must know the basics
Never leave an answer blank – when in doubt, say anything
Esther (4)
Have a life outside of the books
It’s not only about getting knowledge and becoming smart
It’s also about developing wholly as a person
It's about creating an identity
Seek your passion and build other skill sets
Go out and volunteer in the community; get a hobby
This will allow you to meet people and release stress
You gain opportunities such as becoming a leader
But, grades outweigh “participation” for acceptance to law
school, etc.
April Domingo, graduating UofT
Establish networks
Join extracurricular clubs to explore interests
Participate actively in class discussions
Make friends in class
Attend talks and other events to learn and meet a variety of individuals
Know academic options and resources
Research academic interests to make confident and informed decisions
about programs and scholarships
Use the university’s workshops on essay writing and research skills
Read academic journals in your areas of interest
Time management
Be adaptive and resilient to any changes and demands in your academic
and non-academic schedules
Work hard to meet due dates and goals
It’s foolish to get substantial late penalties – no excuses!
Jenna Jacobson, Ph.D. student, 26
Go to class, even if there is no attendance taken
There is only so much your textbook can teach you, but class is
where the ideas come to life
Be strategic in the courses you pick
Know your best time to work
Some people love evening classes, but others find it hard to
concentrate late in the evening
Plan
Plans can change, but at least you will have a guideline of the
direction you are taking when you feel lost
Set daily, weekly, and monthly deadlines for yourself
Reward yourself (even in small ways) when you achieve your goals
Jenna Jacobson (2)
You are smarter than you think
Don't be afraid that you don't know everything
Half the fear is just starting
Your peers will keep you sane
Don't be afraid to bounce your ideas off others (colleagues,
other professors, family members)
The power of collaborative learning is amazing
Others may suggest things you never would have thought of
You’ll find they have the same problems and fears as you do
Save, back up, print and email your notes/papers regularly
Have fun with university
Appreciate and soak in the experience because it will be over
before you know it
Me
Be scared at first
As you learn the ropes, you’ll relax into it
Choose by profs. as well as by courses
Your Facebook pix & tweets will live after you
Your first year is important for setting the right tone
If you mess up, you can redeem yourself
Easy to catch cheaters
Never whine over grades, but ask how you could do better
Extensions only for doctor’s notes or death certificates
80/20 rule key to success
You can often do 80% of the work in 20% of your time
Especially when you outline papers & learn to edit and rewrite
Say thank you to profs and TAs. We appreciate it!!
GOOD LUCK