2 answers
Aurora
Student
Frankfort, Kentucky
5
Questions
Updated
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What should college students in history majors remember when completing assignments and opportunities?
When students are struggling in their classes or if there is some advice you wish you'd heard when you were going through studies or jobs.
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2 answers
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
200
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
That is up to each student. as, after all, each person is different. And, it all depends upon the particular course and the individual who is teaching it and their requirements. If a student is serious, one of the first things one must do in a new class is to understand the basic requirements and if now quite sure, most professors have office hours. Start there. Plus talk to other students about any concerns you may have. Different perspectives can be very helpful.
Thank you for the great advice! I'll be sure to keep it in mind.
Aurora
Helena IP
Technical Editor
2
Answers
Westborough, Massachusetts
Updated
Helena’s Answer
1) History is about understanding perspectives on the past, not cramming in facts and dates. Of course, some amount of learning basic details about the past is crucial to forming a perspective. But understanding that history is an ongoing debate about the past is key.
2) Reach out to the professor and make a plan early if you're struggling. Don't let the situation spiral until it's too late to dig out of a hole. Consistently showing up and turning in assignments on time is crucial. Not doing so makes it harder and harder to pass the class as time goes on. Putting in the time and doing the reading so you can understand the material also matters. If you're doing all the right things and still struggling, reach out to the professor. They can help you understand the material, extend deadlines if things are getting out of control, and generally guide you in the right direction. Study groups with other students can be fruitful too.
3) Don't use AI to write assignments! College is a time for you to learn and grow and learn to think critically. Using generative AI to think for you and create an answer short-circuits that process. (It's also unethical.) Assignments are designed not just to measure what you know but allow you to learn how to think and grow.
Finally, 4) Read the syllabus! It can often answer your questions and has more info. than you think.
Big overarching takeaway: History classes increase our understanding of the past, help us understand that knowledge about the past is a debate, and help develop critical thinkers fit for the workplace in myriad careers :)
(Source: history major, history MA and many-semester TA, married to a history professor.)
2) Reach out to the professor and make a plan early if you're struggling. Don't let the situation spiral until it's too late to dig out of a hole. Consistently showing up and turning in assignments on time is crucial. Not doing so makes it harder and harder to pass the class as time goes on. Putting in the time and doing the reading so you can understand the material also matters. If you're doing all the right things and still struggling, reach out to the professor. They can help you understand the material, extend deadlines if things are getting out of control, and generally guide you in the right direction. Study groups with other students can be fruitful too.
3) Don't use AI to write assignments! College is a time for you to learn and grow and learn to think critically. Using generative AI to think for you and create an answer short-circuits that process. (It's also unethical.) Assignments are designed not just to measure what you know but allow you to learn how to think and grow.
Finally, 4) Read the syllabus! It can often answer your questions and has more info. than you think.
Big overarching takeaway: History classes increase our understanding of the past, help us understand that knowledge about the past is a debate, and help develop critical thinkers fit for the workplace in myriad careers :)
(Source: history major, history MA and many-semester TA, married to a history professor.)