Preparing for the New Semester: Professors' Tips
Whether you’re an incoming college freshman or a seasoned junior or senior, the process of preparing for the coming semester can be one filled with trepidation. New professors with personalities you’re not used to, new subjects, new requirements. There is a lot to consider. This year, however, we asked several college professors across the US (who have chosen to remain anonymous) what THEY wished you would do to prepare for the new semester. Here’s the inside scoop: “real-talk” advice from professors themselves.
1. Think critically
“What I’m seeing a lot of right now is students who come to college with weak critical thinking skills or none whatsoever. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as asking a question and having a whole room of students–bright students!-- just sit and wait for you to answer the question yourself. I’d love for students to actually engage with the material. Don’t just wait for someone else to give you the answers. Evaluate sources, build strong arguments, think analytically. Don't just take things at face value—dig deeper! Success will be way easier, and your professors will love you.”
Faculty Member, History, Texas A&M University
2. Improve your writing skills
“Lately, a lot of the papers I’ve seen are all over the place—poor grammar, weak structure, and vague arguments. My advice to college students of all levels would be to spend some time honing your writing skills. Write clearly, support your arguments with evidence, and for goodness' sake, proofread your work! If English isn’t your strong suit, go to tutorials! Please! And don’t just copy and paste from ChatGPT You may think we can’t tell, but we can, and if you do it enough, we WILL fail you.”
Faculty Member, English Department, University of Houston
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3. Improve your reading comprehension too
“What I’d like is for students to actually read the materials we cover in class, not just look up summaries online. What are you here for if not to actually try to understand and engage with the material? I don’t mean skim it, either. I want them to take the time to really read and understand the material. Make notes, highlight important points, and please be ready to discuss them in class. That’s how you learn!”
Adjunct Faculty Member, British Literature, Rice University
4. Take initiative and be independent
“I’d love it if students would be a bit more independent and proactive. That’s what college is about! Independence! I love it when students take the initiative to attend office hours, participate in class, or seek out additional resources instead of just coasting through. Don’t wait for help to come to you. Be proactive and take charge of your own learning. You’ll get so much more out of it and you’ll be so much better prepared for a life of achievement instead of mediocrity.”
Faculty Member, Physics, California Institute of Technology
5. Don’t rely too much on technology
“What has made me sort of sad recently is what I see as a growing reliance on technology. I hope this doesn’t sound too ‘old man shakes fist at cloud’ of me, but it seems like we’ve let technology replace essential skills. If you’re going to have a machine do the work, what are you here for? What are you saving yourself from? The work itself? The work is why you’re here! And I’m not some luddite who thinks all computers are bad. But they should be treated as supplementary resources. I’d just like technology balanced out with physical note-taking, handwriting, and face-to-face communication. Sometimes, low-tech is the way to go in order to learn in a way that actually sticks.”
Adjunct Faculty Member, Political Science and Government, Boston University
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6. Build resilience and coping skills
“I just wish a lot of them were better prepared for the inevitable setbacks and failures that come with the college experience. It’s part of the process. I’d love for them to have a level of grit and resilience coming in. Don’t let a bad grade or a tough class get you down. Learn from it, bounce back, and keep pushing forward. You’re going to be okay!”
Faculty Member, Dept. of Writing, Literature and Publishing, Emerson College
College is an amazing time to grow, learn, and challenge yourself, and your professors want to see you succeed, engage, and most of all, learn. Take these tips to heart, and you’ll be well on your way to making the most of the upcoming semester. Remember, professors are there to help you succeed, but it’s up to you to take the first step. Make this year count!
