Dear College Freshman
Dear College Freshman,
I have dealt with about 2000 of you, more or less, over the years, from the other side of the classroom. I've enjoyed the experience and appreciated each and every one of you. That's why I want to tell you some information that might make your life easier.
Put your name and phone number or e-mail address on everything you carry around with you. Just yesterday, I found a notebook with vital first day instructions in it. No name, no number to call...that student is frantically digging around in a backpack or desk around now. I found a laptop once, and at least a hundred umbrellas. Purses, lunches, hoodies, textbooks, money, cellphones, palm pilots, well, you get the idea....They end up stolen or in lost and found or placed on the blackboard for you to find later. If a name and contact info. was placed on these items, a quick connection would relieve some anxiety.
Read the syllabus I give you. It will help answer many of your questions. If you don't understand something that's on the syllabus, ask as soon as possible.
Take notes. Don't ask me, "should I write this down?" That's your job. Do your homework. Pull your weight in group projects. Read your assignments. Don't ask "will there be a pop quiz tomorrow?" The "pop" part of "pop quiz" means surprise.
Don't be afraid to approach me, either in person or via e-mail. I'm here to help you. I want all my students to succeed.
Understand that I have many students. Help me to remember your name. Don't send me an e-mail that asks what we did in class today. Don't send me an e-mail with your paper attached unless I ask you for it. Don't send me an e-mail asking what the assignment was when it is on the syllabus. Don't send me an e-mail asking for a good lawyer or bail.
Eat breakfast. Sleep eight hours. I know that this can be difficult, but it will help you to learn. When it's raining, take an uncool umbrella or wear a raincoat. When it's cold, wear a coat. When it snows, wear boots and warm socks. Take your hats off in class and put your hoods down. Don't put earphones in your ears anytime during class. Try to pay attention the best you can. Wear enough clothing so that I don't have to see your lime green thong. Thank you.
Keep in touch with your family and friends. You are not alone and they truly want to hear from you. Don't work too many hours if you can help it. Care for your spirituality; go to church or temple or mosque, join an appropriate campus group and spend time with that group. It's good for you. Trust me on that one.
Just because professors went to school a long time doesn't mean they know everything. Don't swallow somebody else's political or moral or social views whole. Analyze. Decide what is right according to how you view the world and how you were raised. There's a very thin line here, so be careful, like you are careful with all media.
Respect the opposite sex. Don't take advantage or abuse anyone. Don't let anyone take advantage or abuse you. Don't leave any drink unattended at any time.
Don't drink or do drugs unless those drugs are prescribed by your doctor. Sure, it's cool and sometimes fun, but most times it's a disaster. Don't come to class drunk or high...certainly don't drive or walk around town, either. Try not to be in a hurry to move out of the dorms. Sometimes that brings a whole set of problems and failures. Find a roommate you can get along with, even if it's only for a semester. Find a dorm floor that allows you to sleep and study. Respect others' sleep and study times.
If you are sick, go to the health center or doctor RIGHT AWAY. Don't come to class if you have a fever or feel as if you will vomit. If you are stressed or nervous, talk to our campus counselors. That's what they are there for...you are in transition if you are a first year freshman. That's not easy.
Try to leave your car at home if possible. Again, it's a whole set of problems. If you don't need to commute or drive to work, leave it at home.
Turn your cell phones off during classes or lectures. Look both ways when you cross the street! I've seen numerous students with near misses on Main Street and am amazed at the number who simply think those white lines in the crosswalk will protect them from a moving vehicle.
Don't give me an attitude because I'm trying to teach you to be a better writer or reader. I'm glad you got all A grades in high school. Good for you, but this paper is a C. Do you want to know how to get it to be an A? Then listen to what I'm telling you, and stop grousing. Get tutors or visit writing centers or math labs for help as soon as you have a problem. Make an appointment to see me during my office hours so that I can help you.
Use black ink and have an extra ink cartridge on hand. Print out your paper the night before. Use Times Roman, not some fancy script I can't read. Use white paper with nothing written on the other side of it. Staple your papers together before class.
I care about your success as a student and a person, but I cannot replace the people who raised you and love you the most. Those are the folks who will hopefully help you with any problem you run into. Trust them. I wish you a good semester.
I have dealt with about 2000 of you, more or less, over the years, from the other side of the classroom. I've enjoyed the experience and appreciated each and every one of you. That's why I want to tell you some information that might make your life easier.
Put your name and phone number or e-mail address on everything you carry around with you. Just yesterday, I found a notebook with vital first day instructions in it. No name, no number to call...that student is frantically digging around in a backpack or desk around now. I found a laptop once, and at least a hundred umbrellas. Purses, lunches, hoodies, textbooks, money, cellphones, palm pilots, well, you get the idea....They end up stolen or in lost and found or placed on the blackboard for you to find later. If a name and contact info. was placed on these items, a quick connection would relieve some anxiety.
Read the syllabus I give you. It will help answer many of your questions. If you don't understand something that's on the syllabus, ask as soon as possible.
Take notes. Don't ask me, "should I write this down?" That's your job. Do your homework. Pull your weight in group projects. Read your assignments. Don't ask "will there be a pop quiz tomorrow?" The "pop" part of "pop quiz" means surprise.
Don't be afraid to approach me, either in person or via e-mail. I'm here to help you. I want all my students to succeed.
Understand that I have many students. Help me to remember your name. Don't send me an e-mail that asks what we did in class today. Don't send me an e-mail with your paper attached unless I ask you for it. Don't send me an e-mail asking what the assignment was when it is on the syllabus. Don't send me an e-mail asking for a good lawyer or bail.
Eat breakfast. Sleep eight hours. I know that this can be difficult, but it will help you to learn. When it's raining, take an uncool umbrella or wear a raincoat. When it's cold, wear a coat. When it snows, wear boots and warm socks. Take your hats off in class and put your hoods down. Don't put earphones in your ears anytime during class. Try to pay attention the best you can. Wear enough clothing so that I don't have to see your lime green thong. Thank you.
Keep in touch with your family and friends. You are not alone and they truly want to hear from you. Don't work too many hours if you can help it. Care for your spirituality; go to church or temple or mosque, join an appropriate campus group and spend time with that group. It's good for you. Trust me on that one.
Just because professors went to school a long time doesn't mean they know everything. Don't swallow somebody else's political or moral or social views whole. Analyze. Decide what is right according to how you view the world and how you were raised. There's a very thin line here, so be careful, like you are careful with all media.
Respect the opposite sex. Don't take advantage or abuse anyone. Don't let anyone take advantage or abuse you. Don't leave any drink unattended at any time.
Don't drink or do drugs unless those drugs are prescribed by your doctor. Sure, it's cool and sometimes fun, but most times it's a disaster. Don't come to class drunk or high...certainly don't drive or walk around town, either. Try not to be in a hurry to move out of the dorms. Sometimes that brings a whole set of problems and failures. Find a roommate you can get along with, even if it's only for a semester. Find a dorm floor that allows you to sleep and study. Respect others' sleep and study times.
If you are sick, go to the health center or doctor RIGHT AWAY. Don't come to class if you have a fever or feel as if you will vomit. If you are stressed or nervous, talk to our campus counselors. That's what they are there for...you are in transition if you are a first year freshman. That's not easy.
Try to leave your car at home if possible. Again, it's a whole set of problems. If you don't need to commute or drive to work, leave it at home.
Turn your cell phones off during classes or lectures. Look both ways when you cross the street! I've seen numerous students with near misses on Main Street and am amazed at the number who simply think those white lines in the crosswalk will protect them from a moving vehicle.
Don't give me an attitude because I'm trying to teach you to be a better writer or reader. I'm glad you got all A grades in high school. Good for you, but this paper is a C. Do you want to know how to get it to be an A? Then listen to what I'm telling you, and stop grousing. Get tutors or visit writing centers or math labs for help as soon as you have a problem. Make an appointment to see me during my office hours so that I can help you.
Use black ink and have an extra ink cartridge on hand. Print out your paper the night before. Use Times Roman, not some fancy script I can't read. Use white paper with nothing written on the other side of it. Staple your papers together before class.
I care about your success as a student and a person, but I cannot replace the people who raised you and love you the most. Those are the folks who will hopefully help you with any problem you run into. Trust them. I wish you a good semester.
posted by Reading Reader | 1:29 PM
2 Comments:
Marie, I wish all people of any age would have a teacher like you.
Joanie
This would make an excellent OpEd piece for your local newspaper. Really. A mutual friend suggested it.
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