So you've joined the GAAP group, you've gotten your schedule, and you've come across a terrifying reality: neither you nor your freshman classmates know what's coming. You don't quite understand the difference between 16 and 19 credits, how bad Friday morning classes really are, and if your dignity is worth as much as your textbooks. (Answer key: A lifetime of sleep, you'll soon learn, and your textbooks are probably more expensive, sorry).
Luckily for you, STEMME surveyed some undergraduate STEM majors, and we've compiled a list answering questions that you haven't asked yet. We were there, we were you, and we have many regrets and victories to share with you.
1. On the value of a college lecture:
Seeing as 90% of you were wondering if the summer reading was mandatory, you're also probably going to be asking yourself the same thing about lectures. They're big, they're sometimes boring, and they don't take attendance. The lawn will look much greener on your walk to Reiss, and Hillary Clinton will most likely be on campus the day your professor's going over questions for your next midterm.
2. On school work:
Yes. This is still a thing for you. Unlike your friends in the humanities who have the occasional paper to write and readings that they "should" do, you will be learning, memorizing, and applying concepts that you'll be tested on every few weeks, so it's imperative that your skills stay sharp. (Side note: Yup. Midterm season is ALL SEMESTER).
3. On coming to your professors:
They're smart, you're clueless, and although 1 hour is the perfect time to fit in two episodes of My Strange Addiction, resist. Or, better yet, get the best of both worlds and open up Netflix while you wait in that long line outside of your professor's door.
4. On looking forward:
It's not fair, we know, but there are some sacrifices as STEM majors that you're going to have to be prepared to make and some extra effort you're going to be ready to put forth.
5. On exploring all that college has to offer:
You're here for four years. There is a nagging molecule in you that wants to take that zero credit yoga class (which is coincidentally taught by the freshman Chemistry professor). Is it worth it? Yes.
Are you a woman in STEM looking for more advice from your elders? Join our listserv by emailing [email protected] to learn more about our year-long mentorship program!
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