Like the majority of freshman, I didn’t do as well as I could have my first semester. It was a new environment, living alone for the first time, new distractions, different classroom and learning settings, and more reasons that contributed to my ultimately average first semester grades. I don’t say this to scare or discourage you, but more of a passing down of caution.
However, there are some ways that you can proactively increase your chances of academic success. Even if you’re someone who thinks they’ll do fine (I did too) and is confident, these tidbits of advice are always useful, so open your textbooks to page one and let’s talk about the endless beauty and magic of utilizing office hours. Here are the top three ways you can make sure your final grades are mom and dad approved.
- Stick out on the roster: Of course, one of the best things about attending office hours is getting to know your professor. Building professional connections is crucial to future success, and showing your professor your academic drive by making time to come in and express interest in the subject is always a good thing.
- Personalized education: Many lectures at UW are massive, and it can be hard to get questions answered and 1-on-1 help if you need it. Talking to the expert face to face can really help a concept stick.
- Advising expertise: If you’re thinking about exploring the field the class is in, many professors will be excited to offer you advice and experiences they’ve had in the field.
Skip an episode on Netflix and head to office hours. Make the most of your resources!