Do you think it is important to organize your time so that you can do all of your work?
In my first year, time management wasn't an important aspect of my life, because at the time I knew all the material, in math before coming to Waterloo. But as I progressed, I learned that time management is very important, if students wish to have a life at UW. Due to my careful planning, my assignments are always at least 90% complete at least 3 days before its due date. This allowed me to hang out more with my friends, without worrying about my school work, and also allowed me to strengthen my knowledge in the class material as I was able to help my friends in the understanding of the material, when they started their assignments last minute.
Do you find that your instructors are approachable when you have a question about an assignment?
So far, I haven't met an instructor at UW that I wasn't able to ask for help, if and when I needed it. What helps though, is that you go to them with some understanding of the material, because they can only help if your willing to help yourself.
How do you feel when you find out that some students cheated on an exam?
Well, I haven't heard of anyone cheating on exams as yet. So I wouldn't know what to feel. But I guess it wouldn't affect me much, because to me the marks aren't as important as to the knowledge acquired in the course. Marks are only one aspect of courses at UW, and what students need to realise is that even though marks may help you get good jobs, if you cheated your way through, then you would end-up flunking out on your future jobs.
What coping strategies do you have that help you meet the demands of a busy schedule?
I have two simple strategies that I use to survive here in the competitive environment of Waterloo.
1. Planning - having a plan gives you an idea of how much work you have to do. Knowing this you would be able to make the necessary decisions to get your work done. (In your first year you might want to try alot of new things, with friends you will make, it's inevitable, but sometimes you might have to sacrifice some of these new experiences to accomplish your school work. Having a plan will allow you to decide which sacrifices could be made to ensure you enjoy more of your time in UW.)
2. Adjusting your attitude - Sooner or later you will learn that complaining about a busy schedule only wastes more time or raises your blood pressure. I've adopted a simple attitude to my busy schedule. "Just Do It". I know it's the Nike catch-phrase but its simplicity is what makes it so effective. I have seen people complain and stress about how busy their schedules are. But when they just forget about the complaining and do it, they see how much time they waste actually complaining about it.
Having a plan and adopting a just do it attitude has ensured that I'm never swamped with work, unless I stray from my plan. When I stick with it, I always have time to hang out, go clubbing, play sports, etc. Basically I enjoy Waterloo for all it's worth.
Where do you go for help when you have a question about when or how to cite sources?
Hmm, I'm not really sure, I've never had to cite sources since I'm in math, but I would probably go to the library and ask their help desk.
I feel that 1st year students should be told how important their first semester is. The majority of them come here in hopes of a fresh start, and having lots of fun. I'm not saying that they shouldn't enjoy themselves, but that it should be done in moderation. The first semester is where you set your average. If you don't make a high average then it becomes increasingly harder to raise it, as the terms go by. One bad grade in first semester is enough to screw you over for a couple terms. So i'm not telling you become a book worm, just advising you to take it easy with the partying and stuff in first semester. You will be here for a while, enough time to enjoy yourself."
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