How to stand out and shine in my majors' departments?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Hi there, </p>

<p>I'm a sophomore at an average-sized regional university, and I think it's fine time I start stepping it up with my academic pursuits. I feel that I'm ready to start fully-investing in my areas of study, and I'd like some advice on how to start. </p>

<p>I'm currently (and recently) double-majoring in a foreign language and writing, and I do recognize that these are both risky to pursue. However, I'm passionate about both, and I've been doing very well so far. I've garnered my writing professor's respect and awe with my carefully-crafted papers, and I'm improving immensely with my foreign language; I've won a couple of awards (however trivial they may be), and I think I really have a chance to "make it" and "shine" amongst my classmates. </p>

<p>In fact, I don't have very much competition (there are less than 50 writing majors total and MAYBE 15 other serious language A majors), so I know that working with professors will probably be easier to achieve than with other majors. Nevertheless, I'll still need to work my tail off, and I'm more than willing to do so!! </p>

<p>Moving on, what would be the best way to start? I've had a class with the language department's chair and she seems to really like me, but as a sophomore, I'm still in my language's straight-up grammar stage and far away from doing literature reviews in it. With the writing major, what kind of things do students work on with professors? I know some have done research and reviews with professors, but can a measly little sophomore do that as well? Would it be appalling to implore and find out? Am I too quick to jump aboard? </p>

<p>Essentially, I'm young, sharp, open, zealous, and eager to prove myself. I'm doing well grade-wise (3.95 language GPA, 4.0 writing GPA, and 3.96 overall GPA) and would like to take it all to the next level. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading, </p>

<p>opori2</p>

2

<p>What clubs or activities do those depts have? If none then talk to the dept head about some options to start. The big thing is be involved.</p>

3

<p>

</p>

<p>Not to be mean, but give me a break. Awe? Really?</p>

4

<p>Seconding clubs or activities. In particular, if you can, find clubs where both faculty and students are participating actively. E.g. a literary magazine where students and faculty share the editorial work.</p>

5

<p>Continue to do your best in your classes. Professors notice who does the best. You can get to know your instructors by visiting their office hours (but not to bug them with overly frequent visits) and ask them these questions. Most will be happy to find a student who shares their passion for their field. They can suggest what to do. Read the departmental news and join any activities, attend extras offered. Remember to relax and be yourself, ie don’t try too hard or make a nuisance of yourself. To take it to the next level pay attention to critiques- there is never a paper that could be improved to another level.</p>

6

<p>Does your college have study abroad opportunities in the countries where the languages you are learning is spoken? Immersing yourself among native speakers is a great way to help you learn to speak a language quickly.</p>

7

<p>In addition to all the good advice above, read the catalog and find out what options for thesis, departmental honors etc. exist. Inform yourself of these first and then make an appointment to discuss them when it’s appropriate. It’s probably too early to do so now.</p>

<p>You are approaching this with a promotion mentality, which seems odd, frankly. What are your goals? To go to graduate school? You’re not going to get more if you are “number 1 student” in the department as opposed to “number 2 student.” Professors don’t think that way. Whether the chair likes you or not isn’t significant outside of her role as instructor of a particular class. Most department awards are decided by committee and ratified by department vote. Don’t become a disciple of one faculty member; take a variety. Choose an advisor you like and cultivate a relationship with that person by stopping by office hours a couple of times a semester. Have a question; don’t just come to shoot the breeze.</p>

8

<p>Start looking for your summer job now.</p>

<p>Teaching English in a country where your foreign language is spoken? Working as a research assistant or editor or fact checker for a professor at your U? Being a TA for a summer writing program for HS kids? Getting a job as the graveyard shift news editor or blogger for a local TV station?</p>

<p>Anything to improve your writing (all kinds of writing- long form, short and pithy, fiction, advertising copy) or exposes you to daily spoken language of what you are studying.</p>

9

<p>I second going to your professor’s office hours. Ask them for advice - the same question you posed here. How do you get to the next level?</p>

<p>Don’t bug them - you don’t want them to remember you in a bad way.</p>

10

<p>Does your college have language tables? This is where once a month you reserve a table in the dining hall for language practice and you invite a professor to come have dinner on the house. The table pledges to speak only that language. Anyway if such a thing doesn’t exist you could organize one for the language you are taking. You could also take your prof out to a local restaurant and have the participants help pay for the professor’s meal. (Or perhaps the department would have the funds to kick in for something like this.)</p>

<p>And, please, don’t exaggerate. It’s not a pretty sight. Awe? Really?</p>

11

<p>Thanks for all the advice! I will definitely start looking into all of that. </p>

<p>And yes, “awe” was a horrible word choice. Ouch. I should have left it at respect. I by no means think I’m the next best thing. It’s just that I go to a very mediocre university, so anything semi-good seems to be brilliant and is very well-received by the professors. (and likewise, I know very well that my “brilliance” might not compare to the brilliance of someone at a top school, though that’s also rather subjective) In sum, I’ve just proven that I have a lot of potential. </p>

<p>And yes, I do plan on going to graduate school, so I’d like to start catering towards that goal sooner rather than later. Am I going about this wrong? Am I TOO eager?</p>

12

<p>Do you attend events sponsored by your department, such as lecture series? It’s not too late to start. Before you go to an event, do a bit of research on what you are going to hear so that it is meaningful to you, and so that you can intelligently participate in the conversation following the event.</p>

<p>Your faculty will notice you are there, and it will be a good way to get to know them outside of the classroom. And this also facilitates making connections with the lecturers, etc.</p>

13

<p>Are undergrads allowed to take graduate level courses, with the professor’s approval, at your university? If so, you might find one that you feel would be a good fit and ask if you could attend next semester. Even auditing an advanced class might be possible.</p>

14

<p>Don’t worry about the “awe” comment, OP. it’s clear from your earlier posts that you are a very bright kid and a good writer. I’m glad for you that your professors are impressed, and I’m happy for you that they have shared their enthusiasm for your writing with you. I remember getting over-the-top positive comments from professors about my essays when I was your age; it feels great, and you understandably feel proud of yourself. </p>

<p>What you feel and what you say may diverge as you grow older. Posting here can provide great lessons in self-editing as you learn how the rest of the world reacts to what you choose to share.</p>