Expect to meet many different people in your first few weeks of university, some of whom will be upper-year students. Don’t underestimate how valuable they can be, as friends of course, but also as resources. They’ve just been through everything that you’re starting to struggle through. They’re still processing it as an experience. They’ll want to talk. You should definitely listen.
Here are some questions to consider asking the upper year students that you meet at the beginning of the term.
In order to succeed in university, you should take advantage of all possible resources. Check out Prep101 as another brilliant way to put yourself ahead.
Here are some questions to consider asking the upper year students that you meet at the beginning of the term.
- Find the right upper year students, then ask for advice. Try to find students who have taken your courses, preferably ones who have had your professors, and preferably recently. Many students in your stream will likely be fountains of knowledge; they’ll have heard the gossip about the professors and will likely be very happy to share tips, advice and horror stories.
- Ask which courses you should take, and which sections. Most students pay attention to what’s happening in other sections, and so will be able to tell you which professors are most generous with their time, which ones answer emails the most quickly, which lecturers are most understandable. Try to grill as many upper year students as you can, and switch into the sections they suggest.
- Ask about how much work you should plan to put in, realistically, to do well. The best way to be prepared for a class is to have a real sense of how much work it will be. Hearing about how much work upper year students have put in will help you to plan, and to prepare yourself mentally. (Here’s a spoiler: it’s probably a lot. But it’s best to hear it from someone who just got through it.)
- Ask about lecture styles. Did the professors call on students in class? Did they give information about tests and midterms in the lectures? Did they rely heavily on the textbook? Was textbook information on the tests and midterms? The more information you can get in advance, the more prepared you’ll feel, and the more information you’ll be able to absorb.
- Ask what the tests were like. Second year students have just struggled through the tests and quizzes, and can help you figure out how best to prepare. Should you focus on assignments, past tests and quizzes, or on textbook readings? Some students will even remember the structure of the tests. Most will remember whether the quizzes were multiple choice, short answer, or mixed. They can’t tell you what will be on the tests and exams, of course, but the more you know, the better you’ll be able to prepare; the more you understand the format, the less likely you’ll be to feel surprised and overwhelmed when you write.
- Ask to borrow old tests, exams and study material. The best way to prepare for test, quizzes and exams is to answer questions. The best questions to answer are the ones set by the professors themselves. You can get a sense of what information they find important, and how they format and phrase questions. You’ll feel more prepared when your own tests come.
- Ask about their best coping mechanisms. Second year students have just been through it all. Ask them about their stress reduction strategies. Did they go for walks, listen to music, watch TV? Find out how they kept their state of mind upbeat and their energy level up throughout the semester.
In order to succeed in university, you should take advantage of all possible resources. Check out Prep101 as another brilliant way to put yourself ahead.
