Freshmen come and fresh-men go every year at all universities, from the major public institutions to the small private ones. Some manage to make a connection with their professors – maybe not necessarily becoming the best of friends but establishing an in-the-classroom relationship that ultimately benefits their grade. The overwhelming majority of students, though, sit at the back of the lecture hall and disappear before the instructor has a chance to learn their names.

Since this issue of KEY Magazine is devoted to helping you survive your first year of college, our editorial staff decided to get some insights into what a college professor expects from you. We decided to go straight to the source. As a professor of journalism at a major Big 12 division school, Gerry Cain squared off with hundreds of timid college freshmen. Here are his responses to some common questions on the minds of most new college students.

Q. What are some guidelines for writing an e-mail to a professor?
A. Specific and to the point. Profs have little time and a lot of committee meetings to at-tend. However, don’t mistake brevity for informality, which should be kept to a minimum – it is a professional relationship you’re building, after all, not a friend you’re inviting over for pizza and beer!

Q. How do you get to know a professor in a large lecture class?
A. Introduce yourself … often! Stop and talk briefly after class (again, we’re probably on our way to a committee meeting). And re-introduce yourself – first name, at least – with each encounter. We’re bad with names. Repetition helps.

Q. What is the best way to get on a professor’s good side?
A. Come to class prepared to discuss the subject du jour … and engage in discussions. So few do it that we seek out those to converse with just to make class more interesting … if only to our-selves.

Q. How much do I need to interact with a teacher outside of class?
A. Again, lots. If you haven’t had at least three brief encounters and one sit-down in his/her office with each of your profs, there’s little chance we’ll remember you come time for letters of recommendation. And you will want LORs.

Q. How important is class participation?
A. Very, very important. Speak up. Be heard. Often.

Q. How much interaction do you expect from a student in class?
A. Lots. Whether you agree with us or not, we at least would like the chance to have some interaction with you in class. It’s just more fun that way.

Q. What are some ways I could stay involved in a big classroom?
A. Participate in the discussion. If you’re not prepared to talk about the subject, at least come prepared knowing what the subject of discussion will be. Then toss a re-lated question or comment out in class just to let us know you appreciate our time and efforts to educate you.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you could give to a student?
A. Find something in every class and every assignment that broadens, enlightens or excites you. That is what the college experience is (supposed to be) all about.

Ten Questions to Ask Your Guidance Counselor by Grace Fleming:

It is a sad fact of life that high school counselors are often overworked. Often, one beleaguered counselor is responsible for hundreds of students. For this reason, you should plan counselor visits carefully, and know the right questions to ask when the opportunity arises.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform the counselor of his or her career and college goals. Smart students will visit the counselor’s office early and as often as possible.

Why? The more familiar you are to a counselor, the better advice you are likely to receive. It’s not that the counselor will play favorites, it’s just that (s)he is more likely to think of you if your face shows up in the office frequently, and is more likely to call on you when a scholarship offer appears in the mailbox .

This list can help you determine the questions that are relevant to your education goals. Read the rest of this entry »

In the article, ‘Eight Summer Reads for the Career Conscious,’ Kate Lorenz outlines recommendations for career-conscious individuals who are reading for both pleasure and profit. However, as a fan of hot summertime days, I suggest these ’summer’ reads for the bitter cold days of winter. After all, what’s better than curling up under a blanket with a good book? Well, maybe you should include a cup of hot chocolate and glowing fireplace for the ultimate experience.

Check out the recommendations below for the best books for job hunters, best books to enlighten (and impress) and the best books for personal effectiveness. Read the rest of this entry »

According to Liz Pulliam Weston in her article How to find free money for college, Federal and state grants serve as the biggest source of direct student aid. Here’s where to find funds for college and how to get them:

The best money is free money, especially when it comes to paying for a college education. And the biggest sources of free money these days are federal and state grants.

While scholarships make up less than 2% of student aid, grants make up nearly 40%, with loans filling in the rest. Read the rest of this entry »

Article by Stephanie Armour, USA Today

College graduates are experiencing the best job market in four years as a stronger economy leads more employers to ramp up hiring.

Employers expect to hire 17.4% more new college graduates in 2006 and 2007 than in 2005 and 2006, according to a new survey by the Bethlehem, Pa.-based National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Signing bonuses range from $1,000 to $10,000, with the average at $3,568. And employers reported plans to boost their starting salary offers by 4.6% over last year, nearly a full percentage point higher than increases for the classes of 2006 and 2005.

“This is the fourth year in a row that employers have predicted an increase in hiring,” says Andrea Koncz at NACE. “It really is because of the economy and more demand. Companies are growing.” Read the rest of this entry »

As a senior in high school or freshman in college, you may not have even heard of helicopter parents but you have almost certainly felt the wind from their rotating wings. A helicopter parent, as defined recently by the media, is a parent who hovers too closely over a child, mapping out their activities, decisions and lives from birth into adulthood. You probably have a friend whose mother picked out her daughter