I teach a for-credit FYE (first year experience) class. I want my class to be so good that even the students say it ought to be required!
A little historical background: FYE classes developed as the sum of information college administrators thought entering college first year students ("freshmen" is the US; "freshers" in the UK) snowballed to the point of being impractical for regular first week orientation activities. Classes were then formed, which the students promptly didn't take because (1) they were not required and (2) they were not for credit or a grade. Now FYE classes are offered at many American unviersities for graded credit and a few universities even require it to complete degrees.
I'm curious to know if I can get some useful feedback from prior and future FYE class students here...
2006-06-23 07:14:05 · 6 answers · asked by Cheshire Cat 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Wow, these are really good so far! I think I might even read them off on the first day of class! Even the one that might not think her answer deserves reading seems to point out some things that my students might not realize is an issue! Good job all of you! I'm quite pleased so far!
2006-06-23 11:44:15 · update #1
I think one of the biggest shocks to me was the amount of self-discipline I had to have in college. Our professors didn't give us homework every night, give us quizzes and review sheets. It was basically, "Here's the book, read, we'll have 3 tests." I was surprised that I was responsable for so much of the learning myself. The professors usually didn't teach us anything that appeared on the tests. What else? There was a lot more reading than in high school too. Homework usually involved reading chapters in a textbook instead of worksheets or problems.
2006-06-23 07:20:24 · answer #1 · answered by Brandon 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry but a class like that sounds like a dumb idea and a waste of time. Thousands of college students don't have to take one and do just fine. Yes college is different but you get used to it and figure things out soon enough. You can't possibly teach everything a student needs to know just in one class. Each department has things that the student should be aware of so it would be different from major to major. I mean you can inform students about how grades work, how to sign up for classes, how to order football tickets, but I wouldn't enroll in a class just for that. I'd ask someone.
2006-06-23 14:22:47 · answer #2 · answered by naughty_sharky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My college (Duke University) required all first-year students to take a writing course on one of about a dozen topics. I think it was a shock to a lot of students that the crud they turned in for their HS English classes wouldn't cut it at Duke. My teacher confided in me that none of the writing instructors were allowed to give any A's on the first paper (I got a "B++") - the point was "Guess what? You're not better than everyone else here, and you ALWAYS have something to improve." I was lucky in that I had an independent study course in high school where I got to work a lot on my writing skills, but it was a tough transition for a lot of people.
2006-06-23 17:54:50 · answer #3 · answered by theycallmewendy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took a college prep class once, i was dissapointed that it was useless for the most part. but i did learn a lot about what my individual college plan would be and i learned about the path i needed to get there. all i can suggest is that you take each student personally at some point and help counsel them. I would teach the students how to be more excited about college, and tell the the truth. not everything you learn in college is going to be useful to you someday, but the education, in my opinion makes you a better person to society and it definately makes you more interesting.
They also taught us where to go for each problem you may have on campus, what the health office offers, financial problems, etc.
2006-06-23 14:20:26 · answer #4 · answered by sharimonk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the student. I took a "Master Student" class and I thought it was the best thing for me because I was ready to go to school. I received an "A" and I want to be able to allow my children to read it when they go to school, because not only does it apply to school it also applies to real life experiences!
2006-06-23 14:21:51 · answer #5 · answered by proud of it 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't sign up for every credit card that sends a rep to campus. A ton of my friends got into serious trouble that way.
2006-06-23 14:49:26 · answer #6 · answered by lcraesharbor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋