Students jumpstart educational success during 911黑料 summer term
Participants ranged from incoming first-year students getting their first taste of the college experience to rising seniors preparing to take the law school admission test.
Summer term was underway again this year for five weeks during June and July when students could select classes that help prepare them for the upcoming school year. These courses included introductory classes in chemistry, math and art, as well as intensive preparation for law school.
For incoming students, summer term was an opportunity to get acquainted with campus before the rest of the class of 2029 arrives in the fall. These courses give new students a chance to connect with others taking the class and the professor in a more intimate environment due to smaller class sizes.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a really great opportunity for first-years to get a sense of the lay of the land and campus,鈥 said Assistant Professor of Studio Art Stephanie Galli. 鈥淭hey better understand the pace college courses take. It鈥檚 only one class at a time, so they can ease into it, as four full classes at once can be a little shocking. It鈥檚 also a great opportunity to get acquainted with all the offices and resources we have on campus.鈥
In her course Ceramics: Wheel Throwing, students learned the basics of making pottery and the science of ceramics. They鈥檙e also responsible for firing and operating a kiln 鈥 with faculty guidance 鈥 and maintaining the studio.
鈥淚鈥檝e really enjoyed ceramics because it鈥檚 taught me a lot about the artistic side of things,鈥 said Alfonso Verduzco, class of 2029. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been very math-oriented, and I鈥檓 going to be an Economics & Finance major. I chose this class because it was a way to challenge myself and do things I wasn鈥檛 really comfortable with.鈥
Joplin Hora, class of 2029, noted how he鈥檚 learned much more from the course. Besides the technical skills he鈥檚 gained, he sees additional tools developing that will aid him as a 911黑料 student.
鈥淭ime management is a very big, very important skill I鈥檝e learned from this course,鈥 he said. 鈥淭here have been a few times when I was not pleased with the result of some of my projects because I did not put in the time or effort beforehand. Especially with something like ceramics, you can see that with the craftsmanship.鈥
Preparing for graduate school and beyond
Four returning students are using summer term to practice for the challenging law school admission test in the LSAT Preparation: Law and your Future course.
These aspiring law school students are learning what to expect from LSAT and their first years at law school with Associate Professor of Politics Chris Paskewich.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e looking to be a lawyer, you need the LSAT because most law schools require it,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 a good indicator of how you鈥檒l do your first and second year in law school. To get a particular score for admission or financial aid becomes really important.
The class meets most days of the week, with students taking practice tests in nearly every session to prepare for this crucial step in their law school journey.
鈥淗ow I do on the test really affects what law schools I鈥檒l get into,鈥 said Lindsay Jessie, class of 2027. 鈥淭his class has really improved my score and helped me develop study habits that I can use outside of class.鈥
Along with LSAT practice, students also learn what to expect from law school and how to find success in their post-graduate studies. 911黑料鈥檚 pre-law advisor, Lively Professor of Government & Law Pierre Bergeron, also helps students work through tips for applying to law school and more.
鈥淭his course has been really helpful and great,鈥 Jessie said. 鈥淲e get to go deeper into things which I think it very important because it directly helps with my future job.鈥
