Posts filed under 'academics'
It’s hard enough choosing a major yourself, and now people are talking to you about a minor or worse-a double major! As if one major isn’t hard enough work!
But do you need a double major-or even a minor-to be competitive? Is it going to affect your future, your career, your chances?
Double Majors
Double majors are a good fit for a select few students, but you are definitely not expected to take on two majors. It will not look “bad” if you only have one major!
Clearly, doubling up on majors means a lot of extra work. My personal feelings on this-knowing people who have both double-majored and who have stuck with just one major-is that you should major in something you are passionate about, and focus your energy there.
You’re going to spend the majority of your college career focused on whatever field you choose to major in, so if you feel equally, deeply passionate about two things, then a double major might be a good fit for you. If not, don’t double major!
Minors
Minors are, again, not really a requirement. Here are my basic rules about when you might logically choose to minor in a field:
- If your minor would strengthen your capability at your major. (i.e. if you’re a physics major, a math minor could really help you to do better in your physics studies)
- If required classes for your minor overlaps solidly with those for your major. (If you already have to do the work, why not add on a few extra classes to get the minor?)
- If you feel passionately interested in another field, but not enough to double-major. (If you’re studying art but really enjoy psychology classes, you may as well work that in as a minor!)
Bottom line? A minor is not required, and most employers won’t care if you do or don’t have one. I minored in psychology simply because (a) I found it interesting and (b) I had already taken some classes that filled part of the requirement-so it wasn’t hard to finish up the minor.
Hope that takes the pressure off-remember, study what you like!
Photo: Sign by alifarid
April 8th, 2008
You can’t copy down an entire lecture, word-for-word. If you did, you probably wouldn’t be able to focus on the content; you’d be much too busy trying to get all the words down. That’s why it’s important to know which information to keep, and which to let go.
Drawings, Diagrams, and Charts.
If you’re a visual learner (like me!) you should try to copy down as many of the graphs & charts your teacher shows as possible. In fact, if something isn’t making sense, it wouldn’t hurt to make up your own diagrams and charts, too. Imagery such as diagrams (like the internal workings of the kidney), as well as flow charts of processes (like how a bill becomes a law) can be easier to visualize during tests.
Charts and graphs are one thing you don’t always need to copy down. Often times they are used simply to underscore a key point. However, if your professor tends to use lecture material heavily in tests, those charts or graphs could pop up again, and you’ll want them to look familiar!
Read the Professor.
One of the best ways to know what information is important is to key in on your professor’s verbalization and attitude (as the NY Times wisely suggests). Your professor will give you hints about what is important, so watch out for topics that cause the following:
- Louder speaking voice
- Increasingly zealous body language (like arm-waving, pointing, etc.)
- Verbal clues (lots of professors will actually say, “This is important!” or “You don’t need to copy this down.”)
- Visual clues (like circling something, drawing on an overhead/laptop, adding a star, etc.)
- Repetition of certain words, phrases, or concepts
- Asking the class to repeat something back
All the above indicators mean he/she is talking about something important, so be sure you write it down and LEARN it!
(Also check out Note-Taking Tips Part 1: Keeping Your Notes Organized)
photo: Paper clips by Fran GC
March 11th, 2008
Note-taking is one of those critical skills most people don’t really learn in high school. Here are a few basic tips that will help you get a handle on the note-taking process–and help you out when its time to cram later!
Class, Date and Time.
You might think writing the class/date/time at the top of your notes is a waste of time, but if your notes get disorganized, it is your best way to figure out which notes belong to which lecture-you can just compare the date to your syllabus.
Lecture Number & Title.
Especially helpful for profs whose lectures spill over into the next time class meets. Track the lecture number and title (especially if your professor changes lectures midway through class) so you can refer to the right sections of the book for backup.
Note to Self.
I am a big believer in the “note-to-self” aspect of note-taking. Writing notes to your future self saves a lot of time and confusion, and can help you keep from missing out on (or forgetting!) important information. Make sure you mark the following things down for your future self to review:
- “Missed 1st 20 min of Lecture.” Mark down if you doze off mid-lecture, come in late, or leave early so you can borrow a friend’s notes & catch up later. I’ve missed quite a few test questions because of incomplete notes.
- “Not sure what he said here. Sounded like Golgi?” If you didn’t understand something the professor said, let yourself know so you can look it up/check with a classmate later.
- “***This WILL BE ON TEST***” If your prof gives you a heads up that something will be on the test, write it down!!! It’s like a free answer!
- “See Diagram 9B, pg. 618″ Instead of trying to copy down diagrams that are already in your book, just note the page number at the relevant point in your notes. If it’s helpful, copy it down later.
Page Numbers.
So basic, but numbering the corners of your pages is a lifesaver when you’ve been shuffling papers around during hours of studying (or if your roommate turns a fan on during a study session).
Photo: office tools 2 by lusi
March 6th, 2008
A lot of people thought it was a bad move when I declared a Literature/Writing major. Really. Only my parents understood it-it seemed like everybody else responded with a quip about how I “probably wanted to wait tables or serve hamburgers for a living!” No, I didn’t!
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it was a bright idea, either. I considered studying something that would (supposedly) make me more money when I graduated, but either out of intuition or pure dumb luck, I stuck with my passion and pursued writing.
Committing for Money
A lot of students choose their major from a monetary standpoint-they want to do whatever will make them a millionaire the fastest. The problem with that is that a lot of kids end up hating what they study-and later, what they do every day, all day to make a living. That’s the kind of issue that drives a lot of people to go back to school or make big career changes when they hit their 40’s and 50’s.
Committing for Love
So, now that I’ve graduated, I can tell you that my English major actually helped me get a job. Better yet, it helped me get a job I actually LIKE!
I definitely recommend choosing a major in something that you love, rather than in something that you THINK will make you money. Here’s why:
- You’ll do better work, because you’ll enjoy what you’re studying. And better work means better grades. And better grades can mean scholarships in the short term, and a better job in the long term.
- You’ll make connections in the field you love because you’ll be working with professors who teach what you want to DO. A big part of finding a great job after college is networking during college!
- You’ll be attractive to the employers you want to work for because you’ll have an expertise AND a passion for your future job. Good grades are a great start, but if you can go into an interview with enthusiasm, you’re way more likely to get the job.
- You’ll be more likely to be happy with your job 10, 20, or 30 years down the road. Like I said, a lot of people tire of the jobs they’ve chosen because they never liked doing it in the first place. Life is too short to spend 8 hours of every day doing something that bores you to tears.
- You’ll be more likely to advance if you are good at something than if you aren’t. That seems like common sense, but a lot of students still choose a major in a field they just AREN’T NATURALLY GOOD AT because they’re hoping for a bigger paycheck. Guess what? It’s pretty hard to advance to higher paying jobs if you aren’t even good at the lower paying ones!
The bottom line is, you have to work either way. There is no magical major that will guarantee you millions of dollars your first year out of college-you have to work your way up the ladder. So why not choose something you love now, so the years of climbing the corporate ladder are more fun?
photo: in the air …1 by ckgd2
January 7th, 2008
It’s the same thing every year–somehow I always make resolutions that I can’t (or, okay, don’t) follow through with (like the infamous “Go to the gym 5x a week!!!”). I do like having the opportunity to start over, though, especially on the school front, so here are a few college goals that you CAN (and should!) follow through with:
- Go to Class, and REALLY Be There
It’s a big temptation to spend class, doodling, checking your email, reading as many blogs as possible, or researching the lowest price on tickets for the next Ben Lee concert. But if you really make yourself pay attention to the lecture, it will make studying WAY easier! Try to be passionate about what you’re learning-it will probably help you boost your grades! (See also: How to Stay Awake in Class!)
- Get to Know at Least One Professor
There are so many good reasons to get to know some of your professors! They can be great contacts for tutoring and TAing positions, they can write you letters of recommendation for scholarships and grad school, and they can help you with coursework. It just takes a little of your time, so why not go to office hours once a week, send some helpful email suggestions about the class, or even just ask some questions about the homework!
- Become More Financially Savvy
Financial experts agree that your teens and early twenties can have a major impact (good or bad!) on your later life. So take a closer look at your finances this year! Find creative ways to save money, learn what a credit score is and how to build it, guard your spending habits, know the difference between private and federal student loans, and maybe even think about how to save a little for later.
- Know Your Deadlines
One of the best things I ever did in college was to make a simple list of all my due dates for the quarter. When I got home on the first day, I took out all my syllabi, found all the due dates, and typed them up in order. Then I tacked it above my computer, and crossed off each item as I finished it. It was SO simple, but it helped me make sure I was never surprised by a paper or test.
- Find Something to be Passionate About
Whether it’s a class, a club, a language, or anything in between, find something on campus to be passionate about. It will give you a goal to strive for, and something to look forward to during long study hours. That’s a pretty easy one, right? 
Happy New Year!!!
photo road trip 1 by markmiller
January 3rd, 2008
I tried to write a detailed post this morning about how to cope with trouble back home while you are away at school, but I struggled to really put into words what it feels like, how much it hurts, and how to cope with it.
Two years ago this week, I was preparing for finals as my dad prepared to go into a surgery that we hoped would remove all traces of cancer from his body. Though I took all my finals and my dad made it safely through surgery, the weeks leading up to those days—and the months of hospitalizations, chemotherapy, and pain that my dad experienced afterward—were some of the hardest of my life.
Though its hard to give good general advice when everyone copes differently, there are a few things you should know if you find yourself in this situation:
- Know Your Limits. You need to decide how much you will struggle in school based on whatever is going on with your family or friend. Decide if you think you can make it through the quarter/semester, or if this is such an extreme situation that you need to drop a class or take a break from school. Talk to a parent or adult that you trust to help you make this decision.
- Tell Your Professors and/or Employer. Don’t feel like it is a cop-out to explain your personal situation to your professors and/or employer. Your professor may be able to offer you additional help, or refer you to someone who can tutor you if you find yourself struggling to keep up in class. Your employer needs to understand your situation because he/she may notice a change in your mood, and because you may need time off to visit home.
- Search Out Support. The best support I got was from a friend who had been through a similar situation—he was able to help me understand that my feelings were normal, and was empathetic. You should also find out what your school has to offer. UCSD’s Student Health Services offered free sessions with a psychologist to all students, and also had student support groups for all different kinds of issues.
- Reach Out to Others. One thing that is almost guaranteed to lift your spirits is to focus on helping other people instead of on your own worries. I made a lot of phone calls to my mom to cheer her up, and they cheered me up, too. Don’t feel that you have to help just one person or that you have to do a lot of big things—small, random acts of kindness to others will help you get outside your own pain, and even a small break from worrying is worth the effort.
- Rest and Nourish. The health of your body affects your emotional state—you are much more likely to feel sad or fearful if you are tired. Worry, fear, and depression all take a lot out of you, so take good care of your body. Pay attention to what you eat, and try to keep eating healthily and on a regular basis. Also, understand that you might need more rest during stressful times—you might need to go to bed earlier or take a nap.
Remember, everyone copes in different ways. My younger brother couldn’t stand to go visit my dad in the hospital—it was just too painful for him. I was on the opposite side of the spectrum, and only felt good when I was sitting by Dad’s bed in the hospital.
If you have been through something like this, I encourage you to leave thoughts, ideas, and experiences in comments for your fellow readers—it really helps to know you’re not alone.
Photo: together by scol22
December 10th, 2007
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