When I started writing about college life, I was stuck. I didn’t know what to cover! I wanted to talk about something that isn’t a popular topic -- I didn’t want to just dive into how to organize your dorm, balancing your budget…typical. Instead, I decided to reach out and talk to a professor and one that I know very well -- my mom! My mom has her Ph.D. in geography from UNC-Chapel Hill and went on to become a professor in the department. Here are some questions I asked her, and her great answers.
Describe a day in the life of a professor.
Most mornings I arrive at my office well within an hour of my first class. I like to have that hour to look over my lectures for the day, read over the news to see if anything in the headlines pertains to course concepts, drink coffee, and just reflect for a few moments. Since I teach a full load, the remainder of my day is spent in lecture or in office hours visiting with students. When I arrive home, after I’ve taken care of family business, I usually spend about an hour or two reviewing for the next day. Standing at the front of a room full of people (sometimes 150 or more people) is a daunting experience. I give a lot of energy to my students during the day, and because of this, I am usually exhausted in the evening. It can also be a bit intimidating to stand in front of such a large group, knowing that anyone can ask any random question. The pressure to think on my feet, so to speak, is a lot of pressure.
What is your #1 study tip for college students?
I don’t think I have a single piece of advice. Instead, I think it is more of an approach. Be present. College is about many things -- learning to be independent, learning to interact and negotiate in many different social situations – along with study within a major. There isn’t another time in a person’s life quite like the college experience. This can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Therefore, it is important to be present. When in class, be present in class -- take notes, think about what is going on. Last night’s sports reel can wait for 50 minutes, right? When studying, be present in that moment -- learn to determine what you know and don’t know, learn to connect course concepts with what is happening around you. Go to office hours and get clarity about concepts that are challenging. Find the balance so that you can gain the knowledge necessary for success and also enjoy this very exciting time in life.
In your opinion, what is the most unappreciated campus resource?
The research librarian. Hands down, the most underutilized resource on campus. Research librarians help students find the information and data they need to complete assignments. These people know so much about how to find information. Go to them. Learn from them.
Any advice for incoming freshmen?
1. Sleep. I know, I know. But do yourself a favor and make sure you make sleep one of your priorities. Your brain doesn’t function well without it.
2. Eat and eat well. You are asking a lot of your body – treat it well and it will treat you well.
3. Go to office hours. No kidding. Your relationship with your professor will be one of your first professional relationships. These are the people who will write your letters of recommendation for study abroad, for graduate school, for that summer internship… give them something positive to say.
4. Go to class. Be present in class. I know it is tempting to surf or text during class. But if you can’t put aside Snapchat or Twitter for one hour, you might want to rethink your priorities. Snapchat won’t get you a college degree or get you a job. Doing well in college just might.
5. Soak it up. Enjoy every minute. Don’t get so caught up in the small things that you lose sight of the journey you are on. It really isn’t a big deal that you made an A- instead of an A on that paper. Read the feedback, learn from it, and move on. Watch what other successful students do -- and mimic those behaviors. But don’t beat yourself up about it. It is college. It is supposed to be harder than high school, yes?
