<p>It's going to be part of your life here. I'm surprised not too many people have asked about it. Anyways, you should start asking about it because it is going to be a large part of your academic life here. Anyways, here are my thoughts.</p>
<p>The First seminar was atrocious. the one most people took (Life of the Mind) was populated by professors who really had no idea what they were doing. Most of these guys were asked "firmly" to be the leader of these seminars. The professors who had no business telling students how to write and make persuasive arguments and like were accompanied by hastily hired writing instructors. Mine was lazy and complained about the large number of essays he had to grade. Especially at first, the man provided very little feedback. When he started giving a little more feedback, it was essentially worthless. I did not trully see my essays improve (although I did not say that in my analysis of my improvement as a writer). I saw issues in my writing that I'd seen well before I had ever enrolled in that class and it did nothing to improve them.</p>
<p>We're a few weeks into the University seminars (topical ones that you pick). The really good ones are very competitive to get into. They have a horrible way of registering for classes (Solar), but that's another topic for another day. Anyways, each class is limited to 17 students. Now imagine the really interesting ones being considered by 1150 people. Anyways, I didn't get into my first choice of seminar. I selected another one that I found somewhat interesting as a placeholder in hopes of convincing the professor of the class I wanted to get into to give me an override (didn't happen. The guy didn't respond to me for a month until I e-mailed him again). Anyways, it must have been a lucky turn of events. I'm really enjoying this class. The reading and discussions are interesting. </p>
<p>So the bottom line is this: you get a random draw of which professors you're going to get first semester. They'll either care or they won't. They'll either grade easily and be understanding or they won't. They'll either strictly follow the guidelines Peter Whiting and co. have set or they won't. You're most likely not going to care about the class since it's a general class that every person is in. So the degree of misery is merely the luck of the draw. I unfortunately got such a combination that I knew by the time I had gotten my first grade back that there was no possible way I could get an A in the class. Also, through experience, I have come to learn that you cannot learn how to write in a seminar (at least not one that is clumsily handled). That said I did have a little bit of fun. I learned how the university ran, how professors got their jobs and promotions and a few other bits of information about the university.</p>
<p>The two topical university seminars that you have to take are more interesting. You're provided with a diverse set of choices. Unfortunately, some are very competitive to get into. I think this class will be a much better experience.</p>
<p>I don't want to even think about your major seminars.</p>