I wish I planned out my courses and thought more about my program.

AND I wish I knew where and what the TANK was...

I think one of the most important things to know is that you shouldn't let the transition get you down. You might not do too well on your first midterms, but don't let it put a damper on your spirits. You're in a completely different environment so it is understandable and lots of people will be going through the same thing. For a lot of classes you'll have two midterms. So learn from the first one and improve for the the second. Don't be afraid to ask people for help, form study groups and go to office hours. One bad mark will not ruin your university career, so don't stress too much, it will only make it all harder than it needs to be.

Originally Posted by nila*

I think one of the most important things to know is that you shouldn't let the transition get you down. You might not do too well on your first midterms, but don't let it put a damper on your spirits. You're in a completely different environment so it is understandable and lots of people will be going through the same thing. For a lot of classes you'll have two midterms. So learn from the first one and improve for the the second. Don't be afraid to ask people for help, form study groups and go to office hours. One bad mark will not ruin your university career, so don't stress too much, it will only make it all harder than it needs to be.

Yeah, this is true for sure. In Physics 1B03, the whole class got slaughtered on the second midterm. The average was somewhere around 45% or so. I got a 53% on that test, but still managed to finish the course with an 11.

Great tips in this post! I have just a couple to add: attend tutorials and participate, even if they are not marked for participation. Often your papers and exams are marked by your TAs and if they know you, they're more likely to understand what you're writing about and how well you know the material. Another, ask for help before you're failing. You know if you aren't doing well, that is the moment to seek help from TAs, the professor or a study group. Don't let your $$ and GPA fly out the window because you were too proud to ask. Finally, make some new friends along the way.

Oops - I thought of another, read the syllabus. Know what the course is about and what the professor expects and what percentage of each component of the class is worth. True story - one of my history tutorials was worth 20%, just in participation. We had people who never showed up, not even once. Students complained. It was right in the syllabus.

Cheers.

i'm not sure if this has been said, but explore hamilton. get outside of campus and go exploring. there's a lot in hamilton to see and do, and a lot of other people will tell you hamilton is sketchy. it really isn't that bad. there are actually quite a few things to do and see!

First year was the hardest for me because of all the course load and time managment skills I DID NOT HAVE!

1) start planning your future NOW. esp if you are in science, if you plan on continuing your education, it's best to look into possible options and start taking those courses. People will tell you you have time, but realistically you don't unless you want to waste a lot of it/with money. Make sure your marks are good, get help, study with others! Ask the prof.

2) I really wished I knew the importance of marks. I wished I had studied harder in my first year. GPA really makes you or breaks you in terms of post graduate education.

3) Join more extracurricular activities with leadership roles. Its a great way to build character as well as get references and form a community base. It gives you something to do besides, school.

4) I wished I got a part time job. I was too stressed thinking I would not have enough time to study but with all the time I spend on youtube, I couldha made a couple bucks.

5) Make some prof connections. Come reference time, this will stress most people out the most! If you have worked with or gone to a lot of office hours, this part won't be so bad.

6)Hang out with friends, make memories! Your time at McMaster is limited and will FLY by! Don't always be so stressed out about marks and forget to have fun!

Originally Posted by sexytuna

I wish I planned out my courses and thought more about my program.

AND I wish I knew where and what the TANK was...

what is TANK?

Just something odd you mentioned....i am pretty sure its not a tank as in the military vehicle...is it?

Originally Posted by JeetDevDesai

what is TANK?

Just something odd you mentioned....i am pretty sure its not a tank as in the military vehicle...is it?

The TANK is a bookstore in the student centre basement (TSH).

The Tank is part of the bookstore but not found anywhere near Titles. The Tank should also not be confused with the T-28, the temporary 3rd location for books during the back-to-school rush.
This will all become clearer, honest promise.

Originally Posted by jackiemac

This will all become clearer, honest promise.

I hope so because you lost me at TANK. lol

its just a place where you might find some of your textbooks, if you ask at Titles the main book store, they will tell you where your books are located. If its at the Tank, just follow the fish paintings on the walls of the student centre basement and they will lead you there (its called the Tank because its walls are painted with a fish tank mural )

Ok... I am no longer lost...btw tank...fish...pretty cool!

Ok... I am no longer lost...btw tank...fish...pretty cool!

Not cool when you have a fish phobia...lol

Originally Posted by nerual

[/color][/color]Not cool when you have a fish phobia...lol

haha lol

i wish i knew academic focus >> girl focus
i wish i knew chem = goatsee
i wish i knew my priorities