Use your time well. The expectation is that you will do about 6 to 8 hours of work a week outside of class for a full credit course. Make time to do the reading well. Plan ahead for papers.
We’re going to be reading some complex work, written for professional historians. Don’t get bogged down in details. Try to take away the main argument, the key ideas, the central examples, etc. Take notes as you read.
Take notes! On what you read and on our discussions. I suggest you keep a class notebook and you start using it now.
Participate! Jump into discussion when you have something to say. And if you are not sure what to say, write a few comments before class. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. Don’t sit back and be an observer.
Get to know your classmates, your professor, and your TA.
Begin your papers early. Read the assignments and paper guidelines carefully. Don’t start writing your papers until you’ve done some thinking, taken some notes, and put together a plan for your paper.
Take advantage of your resources as you need them. Come see the professor and the TA at our office hours. Take your papers to the Writing Center (x2205, Andrews Library). Other resources you should know about: the Gault Reference Desk (x2096, Andrews Library), the Learning Center (x2595, APEX), Counseling Services (x2319, Longbrake Student Wellness Center).
