Anne Marie Heywood: Looking Back at My Own Four Years
If you are reading this and you are an incoming first-year or current first-year, I have a feeling you are already on your way to a wildly successful four years at SCU. I graduated nearly two months ago at the end of winter quarter. Time away from my usual class routine pushed me to look back at my own four years. Naturally, there are more than a few things I wish I did differently. I hope my advice will help you make the most of your time at SCU. I also hope you don’t stop here. Talk to other seniors and recent graduates you know from the university or any university, really. You will hear a variety of stories and each one will help you maximize your own undergraduate experience.
From me, I encourage you and challenge you to forge relationships with professors you feel particularly connected to in the classroom. Office hours are a great opportunity to connect, but don’t be shy about asking for private one-on-one time. Your first few interactions may feel awkward or forced but give yourself time to become comfortable. Show up to your meetings prepared with why you are there. If it is about class and a particular problem set or essay ideas, be prepared to discuss how you already approached the situation. If you want to explore topics beyond those discussed in class, know what you want to ask. Maybe you learn about your professor’s own college experience and how they ended up at SCU. Continue to meet with your professor after the course ends. A meaningful professor-student relationship can serve you in more ways than you probably see right now. You can gain access to a unique perspective on other courses at the university. You can learn about organizations you may be interested in but not know much about. You may be able to network through the professor and meet other professionals in a range of career fields. You will likely gain someone who can offer support and guidance when you need it most. If you need references in your post-grad job search, the stronger your relationship with professors, the stronger your references.
Be bold, be brave, and be the one who shows up in your professors’ offices each week. You will be glad you did.