<p>Hi, I just want to know about how it is for freshman adjusting to college life/courseload. I know the first semester is P/F, but there are places to seek help beyond going to the professor (like a writing center, tutor times, etc), correct?</p>
<p>What resources are available to students who did not come from rigorous high schools, where it was relatively 'easy' to get straight As?</p>
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Yes, absolutely. Both of those things are available, and there are often tutors paid by the department as well as services through the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Planning.</p>
<p>In addition, almost all freshman year courses (and most upperclass courses as well) have graduate student or postdoctoral fellow teaching assistants. In most freshman classes, TAs teach a biweekly recitation section, where they will go through problems similar to those on a problem set or test and will additionally answer questions students have about the material. TAs hold office hours and are usually available to answer questions via email.</p>
<p>Of course, since most MIT freshmen are taking the GIRs and many of your new friends will be in your classes, the first place most people go for help is to fellow students. People mostly do problem sets in groups, so if you’re stuck, you’ll have the resources of the whole group to help you move forward. Upperclassmen can also be a really valuable resource, since they’ve previously taken these classes, and some might even be majoring in the department. </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, you shouldn’t be afraid of going to professors with questions. They hold scheduled office hours, and it’s their job to discuss lecture material with students who come to office hours. They are in their academic positions because they are very good at synthesizing and presenting scientific findings, and although that doesn’t always translate into great teaching skills, it often coincides.</p>
<p>Personally speaking, I came from a mediocre public high school in Ohio, and I had a very weak science background when I came to MIT. I hadn’t taken any science AP classes, for example. First semester freshman year wasn’t easy for me, but I did pass all of my classes not doing anything other than seeking help from fellow students and TAs.</p>
<p>Thank you, a lot!! </p>
<p>I’m just really worried, about college in general, not just MIT. I have friends all over the country who have so many APs available and are always being challenged in school. The biggest challenge I’ve had to face is remembering facts in history/ science (namely chem and bio). </p>
<p>I guess I won’t know what learning really is until I get to college.</p>