EduGuide asked professors at Michigan’s AlbionCollege for the inside scoop on success. When asked the question, “What makes a student successful in your classes?” professors from a range of academic disciplines offered up wise and helpful advice that every college freshman should read—and follow!
Here, Dr. Dean McCurdy shares his thoughts on achieving your dreams of success in college.
Advice from a Biology Professor
On Essential Skills
While specific knowledge about your intended field of study (biology, economics, psychology, etc.) is helpful, it's most important to have well-developed quantitative skills (a math background) and writing skills (e.g., a composition course) coming from high school. Students need to be able to express themselves clearly in writing no matter what field they intend to study.
Quantitative skills are especially important in the sciences and social sciences, but students in any field need to be able to apply logic to solve basic problems. In my introductory biology class, students who haven't covered principles of genetics and ecology in high school can spend a few hours catching up on this information, but students who can't express themselves clearly on lab reports and exams have years of learning to catch up on.
On Study Habits
Students really need to plan to spend more time working on projects and reading course materials than they did in high school. Expectations of professors are often high. Good students in high school are generally good students in college, but it's not possible for top students to coast through college the way it might have been in high school.
Apparently, new college students often report on surveys that they expect to spend fewer than twenty hours per week working on homework. This is a gross underestimate of the actual workload in most weeks. Students should be prepared to spend enough time to get assignments done and study for exams.
On the Importance of Working with Professors
Students should meet with their professors at the start of their courses (do this as soon as possible). This provides students with an opportunity to have their questions answered. Even if a student has no specific questions, it is still helpful since the student can learn more about the objectives of the course and the expectations of the professor.
Students should avoid sucking up, but it's fine to demonstrate an interest in a professor's research area or ask about how the material he or she is learning in other courses might help in the current course.
When a student has a major paper due, he or she should always try to arrange to have the course professor or teaching assistant take a look at it before the due date. Done properly, this demonstrates to the professor that the student is serious about the assignment and genuinely wants to learn. Students almost always benefit from doing this since it's often like getting a second chance to do the assignment.
It also helps students adjust to specific pet peeves and goals a professor might have in mind. When asking for this help, students should be clear that they are doing this because they want to improve their writing skills and be sure they are on topic NOT because they automatically want a better grade.
It is also important that students do as much work as possible on the paper before taking it to a professor. The professor does not want to write your paper for you and can be more helpful if your ideas are developed.
On Getting Started on an Assignment
When you get a major term paper or assignment, go to the library immediately! A major component of a good paper is gathering information to write it. It's easiest to do this when the assignment is fresh in your mind. Gathering information also takes time (e.g., interlibrary loans), so doing this early makes it much easier to write the paper later.
Making early progress on the paper also allows you to develop a good outline and avoid a last-minute sense of panic. Finally, having the information you need in front of you helps guide you in your thoughts (you don't have to make it all up if you can base your paper on what others have done).
On Editing
When writing papers, students should spend at least as much time editing their work as it took to write the first draft. Leaving enough time to write the paper and then pick it up a few days later to reread is especially helpful. It's not a lot of extra work and it will pay off.
On Studying for Exams
The best strategy is to stay on top of the material as you cover it. However, if you're like 99% of the population and procrastinate, try to cram for the exam two nights before (instead of the night before). Then, on the night before the exam, you can reread the material and allow it to sink in. You'll also have time to relax a bit the night before, which is a good strategy for success. This strategy got me through college.
On Writing Exams
When you arrive to take an exam, try to relax! Many students cram right up until the exam paper is handed out. From my experience, by the morning of an exam, it is unlikely you can learn much more.
On the Big Picture
When I was an undergraduate, a professor once told me that college was designed to teach you three things: how to meet deadlines, how to think clearly, and how to learn on your own. This is great advice.
~Dean McCurdy, Ph.D. (CarletonUniversity)
Associate Professor of Biology, Albion College
Michelle Schira Hagerman is Director of Training at EduGuide.