' 29, 967 IE MICHIGAN DAILY Making the University Workable: Tips for the Incoming Freshman U 'Academic Counseling Offei Variet of Specialized Services 41 Below are a number of informal tips to help you, the incom- ing student, make it through your four years at the University. Although you will probably pick them up along the way inde- pendently, The Daily hopes to save you a little time and pos- sibiy a little discomfort. HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT COURSES TO TAKE: Your academic counselor usually will not provide advice on a specific course. However, he is a valuable source of informa- tion in finding out what courses you will be required to take before graduation. He will also not fill you in on just who are the really fine professors currently teaching courses within the reach of fresh- men, You should turn to your fellow students for this type of advice. They May be prejudiced, but they are usually helpful. Always check the name of the professor , who is teaching the courses before asking for advice. The success of a course depends almost entirely on quality of the individual professor. If the name of the professor does not appear in the time sched- ule, go to the departmental office and ask one of the coopera- tive secretaries there. Most courses are usually offered at least once a year and a student can wait to take the subject until the preferred professor is assigned to teach the particular course. Certain courses, listed in the general catalogue, however, are taught only infrequently. If you are interested in a course not listed in the time schedule, for a particular semester, you should once again seek information in the departmental office. Beware of advice from fellow students which emphasizes a professor's personality, rather than his approach to his subject. Comedy and flare in a professor's lectures usually wear thin by the end of the semester HOW TO CHANGE COURSES AFTER YOU HAVE REGISTERED: This procedure is commonly referred to as dropping and adding. It is a time-consuming process, but well worth your while if you are unhappy with a particular course. Drops be- come more difficult as the semester progresses, so effect them as soon as possible. There are only four years to an undergradu- ate education; you should take full advantage of your limited time. All drops must be approved by an academic counselor, not. necessarily the one assigned to you. Go to the counseling offices in Angell Hall and make an appointment. The lines will prob- ably be long, but so is a semester with a disappointing professor. Your counselor will probably ask for an excuse as to why you wish to drop the course. The best policy is to speak with him frankly about your difficulties. He will tell you -the procedure for filling out the proper forms. Before you go to your counselor pick an alternative course and make sure it is not closed. Lists of closed coturses, can be found in the counseling, office or you can contact the professor in charge of the course. WHAT IS A TEACHING FELLOW: To have a teaching fellow as an instructor is a fate far better than death. Most of the University's TF's are highly competent graduate students more than capable of teaching freshman courses. The Rackham School of Graduate Studies has very demanding admissions standards, and takes only the top of the nation's graduating college seniors. Most TF's hope to be professors in a few years, so flatter their ages and tell them they are underpaid. If you have a TF for a recitation section of a course, there may be a difference of opinion between the lecturer, who is usually a professor and the TF. It is suggested that you side with the TF; since he has the responsibility for final grading. Remember, a TF is also a student and thus has two respon- sibilities. He must keep up with his graduate studies while simultaneously teaching a course. Many times his teaching will suffer. HOW TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH A PROFESSOR: Most professors are anxious to meet and talk with their students. It is a vital addition to a college education and should not be missed. Even the most foreboding looking lecturer will probably be happy to discuss his subject with you. Often times professors even turn their conversations to campus affairs and national politics. You can form lasting friendships and gain valuable information by talking freely with your professors. All professors have office hours which are especially set aside for consulting with students. Most instructors are not happy with large classes and yearn for a chance to establish meaningful personal relationships with their students. WHO ARE THE BIG-NAME PROFESSORS: Well, most of the time nobody cares who the "big-name" professors are, so don't worry about it. As you increase your knowledge in a particular field, you will quicklysee who are the leaders in an academic discipline. Most college professors are not famous outside University communities, since their works are either scholarly or scientific, and therefore have no appeal to the mainstream of American thought. The University has a generous snare of "big-name" pro- fessors and ranks highly in almost all academic disciplines. "Big-name" professors are usually famous for their books, research and papers. This does not necessarily mean they are good instructors. So make sure each is a fine "teacher" before you take his course. WHAT IS THE TRIMESTER: The trimester is a new innovation in scheduling. It offers you a jam-packed, tension-ridden eight months of intensive study with few vacations. But it ends in April and gives you a full four months with no exams to worry about. You are also given a jump on students from other colleges and universities in obtaining summer jobs. You can finish your undergraduate education, under the system, in less than three years, if you wish to take courses during the summer months. Under the former system, this would be nearly impossible. The semesters are short, so there is little or no time to let work pile up. Without a vacation break there is also no free time to concentrate on researching term papers. So, watch the calendar and keep up with the pace. F. I- Since 1883 It's VAkl I,1 University L. Best in Books and Supplies-serving Michigan Students Since 1883 Thousands of Michigan Men and Women have found our dependable and courteous service combined with the friendly atmosphere of a "real bookstore" the answer to their book and supply needs. 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