First Year Seminars

Comments from Students

First Year Seminar students were asked: What is the best thing about First Year Seminars

Makes a great transition from High School with profs being inspirational and very personal connections made.

Senior professors who are passionate about the subject

Close relationship with professor improved quality of work, because you respect and admire their approval

The personal contact with the profs and the great skills I have developed within the past seminar. The profs are a lot less intimidating than I had originally thought.

Small size – therefore everyone knows each other

Warm and comfortable environment – everyone is free to express their opinion

Improving existing skills such as power point, presentation skills, research, writing skills

The professor is expert in the area and enhances the student's interest and understanding

The open-ended, in depth, flexible style. I learned the most through the discussions and debate held during class. The style of the course opened my eyes to new perspectives and ways of thinking. This course really forced me to think. I learned so much, and for the first time, it wasn't from a textbook.

One on one confrontation from the prof

Get feedback on a more personal level

Motivates and encourages you to do better in such a small class, and its easier to do better

Professor inspired a lot of students

Encouraged to express own ideas and opinions, whereas in other classes, it's not really available

When the prof was unable to make a class, he made up for it by taking us to the Zoo to get a “behind the scenes” look at animal welfare, this would never have happened in any of my other classes

There are so many things: the skills you learned in research, analyzing, communication not only helped immensely in this class, but will continue to help in many other classes and in life for the future. This class was a place where we could feel comfortable to be ourselves and voice our opinions. Also learning to be critical of resources, ideas and thoughts.