Advice to NEWstudents from UWTacoma students
The following are excerpts from IAS students’ comments
Advice from first-quarter students:
“Some of the things to expect at UWTacoma are…”
Required class participation
If you’re scared of talking, look out! So much of these classes have to do with discussions and conversation. If you don’t speak up, your teachers might never even learn your name. Losing an easy 10% of your grade because you don’t talk is sad. Some tips? Take a public speaking class and try to speak up in your first week of class—it only gets more difficult as time goes by.
More intensive reading
You can’t glide by without doing your readings, which are about 100 pages a week, on average. Also, if you fall behind, it’s hard to catch up on 200, 300 pages of textbook reading! Teachers expect you to understand the readings and come to class with questions if you don’t understand.
Different writing assignments
There’s a big focus here on analysis and getting “in depth.” So, papers may not focus so much on research; they may focus more on getting into an essay, picking out an arguable point and developing it just using the essay. It’s VERY different from “standard” essays. If you can, I’d suggest taking TWRT 211 “Argument and Research in Writing” the first or second quarter. I’ve heard that it is the standard used by many other teachers here.
The amount of writing expected at UWTacoma far surpasses the amount required at the community college level. Since I enrolled in a writing course my first quarter at here, I expected a fair amount of writing. But I was taken aback when my other classes had even more writing assignments.
Be prepared for lots of papers due one after another! Sometimes it seems there is not even time to breathe. Take more writing courses to prepare for the shock of the workload her. I took 4 years off between my Associate’s Degree and UWTacoma, and the workload was overwhelming initially. Once you get into the groove of the quarter and the expectations set upon you, it’s a piece of cake!
Advice from juniors and seniors:
I want to remind you that a lot more will be expected of you in the writing courses at UWTacoma. I also advise that you should build a relationship with your instructor; don’t be afraid of asking for help, because that’s what they’re here for. I mean, you pay so much for tuition, you might as well get your money’s worth.
I am currently a first-year (junior) student at UWTacoma who has returned to college after a long absence from academia. I highly recommend taking theTWRT 211 “Argument and Research in Writing” course as early as possible upon entering. Academic standards here are very high and above-average reading and writing skills are essential to success. The tasks for the courses are complex and require active analysis for sufficient comprehension to pass tests, participate in class discussions, and write papers that earn good grades. Practiced skills in reading and writing will be key to your success here.
I was afraid to attend UWTacoma. I was intimidated and put it off for a long time. Silly me, it has been challenging in an exciting and invigorating way. Just make sure you know how to write, but, never fear, there’s help here, too. There is more reading and longer papers to do, which is the shock in the 1st quarter. But I quickly adapted and am amazed at what I am able to do. The instructors here are really helpful. Here’s the other thing. I am not the oldest student here, nor am I the stupidest! These are two things I feared before coming! I took community college courses for 10 years off and on and part time before I made the leap here. I’m really glad I finally did it.
To future UWTacoma students, I would first and foremost tell you that you should be prepared to read and write more than you have at the community college. UWTacoma provides you with a very well rounded and useful education, yet it comes with your own dedication and hard work…..One more thing is as soon as you get here, enroll in a writing class, for this will better prepare you for the rest of your education.
You better expect that you will have to spend a lot more time on a paper. Levels of expectation here are a lot higher. Come here ready to work.
At first the work seems overwhelming, but…you learn you will make it. There are high expectations, and stress levels raise, but in the end it’s all worth it. Keep a positive attitude and accept or take advantage of one-on-one advice. The more advising the better!
I am an alumnus of TCC. My advice to you, the incoming student:
Come with bag lunches. There is no food court, and food at nearby restaurants is not cheap.
Everything at UWTacoma is based on improvement in writing and analysis skills, so take a writing class your first quarter (or soon after).
Expect more reading every week, and expect you will not pass the classes without doing the readings.
There is no mid-quarter advising day, so be OBSESSIVE about seeing your advisor EVERY quarter. It’s easy to get lost and not know how close to graduation you are.
You will survive (keep repeating this to yourself, when necessary).
Four simple rules to success in IAS:
1. Show up for every class
2. Read the syllabus
3. Ask questions
4. Get the help you need