Career
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not try to get a professor to know your name on the very first day of class.
Knowing a student's name after day one may make them appear like a pusher.
one person who lived it
Focus on getting As in your studies to attract smart peers for projects in later years.
Smart students in third or fourth year often seek out other smart students to study or work on projects with.
one person who lived it
View university as a tool rather than the ultimate goal.
You gain knowledge, which is all you need.
one person who lived it
Drop by professors' offices at the start of term to say hello and establish rapport.
Genuine connections increase their willingness to assist later; one user noted this made a significant impact.
- Some professors can be temperamental or annoyed by office hours.
- Office hours may be crowded.
4 people, independently
- Visit office hours to chat generally with professors, not just for academic help, to humanize yourself to them.1
Register on 'purge date' to join full classes.
Students who registered for next semester's class but did not pass the prerequisite are dropped from the class on this day.
- Applies to schools with this specific policy.
one person who lived it
professors, students, often, office32
Go to office hours with honest questions and genuine interest rather than trivial queries you could research yourself.
Professors can detect when students are wasting their time with basic questions or trying too hard to please them.
- Asking basic questions may be viewed negatively at master's level or in second/third year.
one person who lived it
Meet with your professor or TA when you are struggling in a course to clarify material.
Things often become clearer one-on-one, and most professors want students to succeed and have likely noticed your struggle.
- There are always exceptions among professors who may not be interested in student success.
one person who lived it
Bring cookies or a small gift to thank campus staff like maintenance workers, security guards, or shuttle drivers.
Building a good rapport with staff pays off throughout your time there.
one person who lived it
Mention to your teacher that you are receiving tutoring if you are struggling.
Appearing to care wins favor with most teachers and can earn bonus points.
one person who lived it
28 more on this
Seek out guidance counselors or advisors to develop a plan if you are struggling with your major or courses.
Help is available for those who ask.
one person who lived it
Meet frequently with your Teaching Assistant to improve your grade.
TAs often know what the test will look like and can identify what is most important to study.
one person who lived it
Visit colleges on non-official 'Visit Our Campus' days to see what campus life is really like without the hype.
Mock classes taught on official visit days are nowhere near what real classes are like.
one person who lived it
Ask relevant questions in class and during office hours rather than just showing up.
Asking relevant questions is what raises your grade.
one person who lived it
Do not skip classes, as you pay significant money to attend and skipping hurts your grades.
Skipping classes hurts yourself and your grades despite the high cost of attendance.
one person who lived it
Ask campus maintenance staff for help with repairs humbly, without acting entitled.
Helping out is often a welcome break from their dull daily routine.
one person who lived it
Connect with professors who teach multiple courses in your curriculum.
It can open doors for research or internships in the future.
one person who lived it
Demonstrate high levels of interest and engagement to professors.
This stirs a desire in them to help you improve.
one person who lived it
Complete readings before class.
It makes lectures much easier to follow and understand.
one person who lived it
Check for class openings shortly after tuition payment deadlines.
It is the second best time to find openings.
one person who lived it
Approach professors with genuine interest and respect rather than viewing them merely as tools to pass classes.
Nurturing the relationship can establish valuable contacts and friendships, rather than just exchanging favors.
one person who lived it
Complete homework and projects to signal to professors that you have the follow-through worthy of a recommendation.
Without putting forth effort on small tasks, there is no evidence of follow-through to praise, regardless of intellectual soundness.
one person who lived it
Continuously learn and improve to avoid becoming obsolete quickly.
It is shocking how fast one can become obsolete.
one person who lived it
If your university offers an honors program, join it to help secure course permission numbers.
At one university, mentioning honors status in emails resulted in receiving permission numbers 10 out of 10 times.
one person who lived it
Ask random students on campus tours for unbiased answers about study locations, clubs, teachers, and facilities.
University tour guides provide a sales pitch that omits negatives.
- Some students may refuse to talk to you.
one person who lived it
Verify your degree requirements yourself rather than relying solely on professors or counselors.
Professors and counselors may not know the requirements accurately, which can lead to significant financial costs if aid coverage is affected.
one person who lived it
Seek advice from multiple sources, including professors who teach core subjects in your degree, rather than relying solely on academic counselors.
Professors teaching main subjects have years of student experience and may know specific tips, such as which classes not to take together.
one person who lived it
Offer professors assistance with tasks such as drafting notes or contributing to blogs once a rapport is established.
These relationships can be valuable to your career trajectory.
one person who lived it
Attend QA sessions scheduled by teachers before tests to hear important questions and earn participation points.
Smart students attend to ask key questions, and teachers often give free answers and participation credit to attendees.
one person who lived it
Avoid attending office hours repeatedly if you are already performing well and do not need help, as this can annoy instructors.
One professor found a smart student who attended every office hour without needing help to be annoying; trying too hard to please can put you on an 'annoying students' list.
one person who lived it
Use office hours to gain insights into potential exam content, as professors may consciously or subconsciously hint at important topics.
Professors may spend significant time discussing certain sections, giving big hints on what will be tested.
one person who lived it
If you have no questions about the material, tell your professor this during office hours and ask to discuss study strategies instead.
One professor reported working out effective study strategies for a student who communicated this clearly.
one person who lived it
Treat professors as human beings rather than products or services to be ignored.
Treating humans like machines is rude and disrespectful.
one person who lived it
Build relationships with peers in specialized fields to gain access to specific knowledge and professional advice.
Specialized knowledge can be accessed through friends in relevant majors, helping with complex issues.
one person who lived it
Find students online with your intended major to get specific experiences, as majors vary greatly within universities.
Some universities focus on certain majors while neglecting others, leading to incredibly different experiences.
one person who lived it
Maintain positive relationships with professors and peers near the end of your college career, as they may provide essential recommendations or professional connections later.
Recommendations from professors can secure jobs in fields like music education, and former students often hold influential positions.
one person who lived it
Participate actively in class discussions.
Participation points can impact grades and save you in difficult courses.
one person who lived it
Reflect on your own behavior if every professor you encounter seems difficult.
one person who lived it
work, career8
Research current and future career options and job prospects for a potential major before committing.
Explore career options that branch out from your chosen major to have backup plans if your dream job doesn't work out.
It is good to have options.
one person who lived it
- Research current and future career options and job prospects for a potential major before committing.4
Study something that provides a tangible skill and makes you employable within four years.
Claims that employers want 'agile minds' from fields like history or political science are dismissed as false by the source.
one person who lived it
Look into technical colleges for skills-based training in trades like welding, HVAC, or electrical work.
Those jobs pay more than low-wage alternatives.
one person who lived it
Finish your degree to get the credential, as workplaces value the paper even if the field is not your passion.
Workplaces value the credential.
one person who lived it
3 more on this
If pursuing trades, also work toward an education to ensure career longevity and avoid being stuck in physically demanding roles.
To avoid being stuck in physical labor when older with worn-out joints.
one person who lived it
Use a BA degree as a springboard into something else, recognizing that it typically isn't a terminal degree.
A BA typically isn't a terminal degree.
one person who lived it
If you are in Canada, aim for the best possible grades in your senior year because universities use high school grades for admission.
Canadian universities use high school grades for university admission.
one person who lived it