There are a lot of good teachers, but be warned about TAs. They are part of major classes and teach once a week. There knowledge varies heavily, but there are some who do know their topic well. the recitation (one with a TA) is a class where you should ask questions if you don't understand. To make it less intimidating think of it as asking a friend who happened to take the class before you.
As for the lectures themselves with your professor, I've had a lot of good professors. If you don't manage to get something out of your professor during lecture, there are office hours where you can talk to the teacher, and there's half a dozen centers where graduates and upper classmen can help you.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
The first few quarters I've had ups and downs. My down was mostly because of the course work, but that's what i get for choosing one of the harder colleges (engineering) the campus has to offer. Even in a tough college like Engineering I've had a lot of fun. There are dozens of groups and if there isn't one for your interest you can make one. My friends and I, we made the UC breakdancing club. You can often find us around main street in the glass box below the rec center. And never have we turned down someone who wants to learn.
Other than clubs, there's a lot of chill spots. Sigma sigma, mainstreet cinema, catskeller (restaurant, arcade), during fall and spring The commons at the end of mainstreet has events everywhere. Food, music, and a lot of it is FREE.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I won't say it's cheap, but it's definitely not bad. 10,000 (books ect,). Books are something that you should ask around for. Many upper classmen are trying to get rid of their old books and will sell theirs for absurdly low prices. I've gotten books that were 80 for 10, and 160 for 30. You won't find those prices too often but you'll get at least 50% off if you ask around.
Lastly. Co-op. We founded co-op in the engineering building. If your major has co-ops. I would advise taking the extra year being a student and Co-op. You'll 1) bring your resume up 2) get real world experience for your major 3) make money to pay off loans 4) possibly learn a language and do international co-op. 5) after graduation possibly get hired by a company you co-op'ed with.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Be forward. Make friends join an learning community where you will be placed with other people with the same schedule as you.
Form groups to study with. My grades went up when I studied with other people. Because it means I get to teach them which ends up as practice for me and they can help me if I don't get something or I'm on the wrong track.
If you are on a science based major (engineering for example) take some AP and get them out of the way. the transition from highschool to a tough college will most likely rattle a new student. The first few quarters will be lighter if you take AP.
If you aren't sure where to go, take some classes and find out what you want to do. Even if it seems like junk classes and a waste of 10,000 (with books ect.) you can build your GPA, get Grants, get scholarships, and then get into a College you want to be in for sure. So 10,000 will probably turn into 3,000 if you do well.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Engineers
DAAP (artistic outlooks)
Coop (UC founded it)
Finding a major.
There are a lot of good teachers, but be warned about TAs. They are part of major classes and teach once a week. There knowledge varies heavily, but there are some who do know their topic well. the recitation (one with a TA) is a class where you should ask questions if you don't understand. To make it less intimidating think of it as asking a friend who happened to take the class before you. As for the lectures themselves with your professor, I've had a lot of good professors. If you don't manage to get something out of your professor during lecture, there are office hours where you can talk to the teacher, and there's half a dozen centers where graduates and upper classmen can help you.
The first few quarters I've had ups and downs. My down was mostly because of the course work, but that's what i get for choosing one of the harder colleges (engineering) the campus has to offer. Even in a tough college like Engineering I've had a lot of fun. There are dozens of groups and if there isn't one for your interest you can make one. My friends and I, we made the UC breakdancing club. You can often find us around main street in the glass box below the rec center. And never have we turned down someone who wants to learn. Other than clubs, there's a lot of chill spots. Sigma sigma, mainstreet cinema, catskeller (restaurant, arcade), during fall and spring The commons at the end of mainstreet has events everywhere. Food, music, and a lot of it is FREE.
I won't say it's cheap, but it's definitely not bad. 10,000 (books ect,). Books are something that you should ask around for. Many upper classmen are trying to get rid of their old books and will sell theirs for absurdly low prices. I've gotten books that were 80 for 10, and 160 for 30. You won't find those prices too often but you'll get at least 50% off if you ask around. Lastly. Co-op. We founded co-op in the engineering building. If your major has co-ops. I would advise taking the extra year being a student and Co-op. You'll 1) bring your resume up 2) get real world experience for your major 3) make money to pay off loans 4) possibly learn a language and do international co-op. 5) after graduation possibly get hired by a company you co-op'ed with.
Be forward. Make friends join an learning community where you will be placed with other people with the same schedule as you. Form groups to study with. My grades went up when I studied with other people. Because it means I get to teach them which ends up as practice for me and they can help me if I don't get something or I'm on the wrong track. If you are on a science based major (engineering for example) take some AP and get them out of the way. the transition from highschool to a tough college will most likely rattle a new student. The first few quarters will be lighter if you take AP. If you aren't sure where to go, take some classes and find out what you want to do. Even if it seems like junk classes and a waste of 10,000 (with books ect.) you can build your GPA, get Grants, get scholarships, and then get into a College you want to be in for sure. So 10,000 will probably turn into 3,000 if you do well.
Engineers DAAP (artistic outlooks) Coop (UC founded it) Finding a major.