Current freshman--any questions?

ardenatwhitman
Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:25:47 +0000

Honestly, it depends on the classes. Just one thing I’ve noticed transitioning from high school–I have almost no “busy work” (worksheets, study guides, flashcards) but I have exponentially more reading. Again, that’s because I’m in reading-based classes, but it can still be tough. Grading can be harsh or lenient depending on the subject and the professor. Any student can struggle. Whitman is a very tough school academically, and the professors expect a lot from their students.

That’s the bad news–but here’s the great news. Whitman’s support system for students is incredible. All students have an SA (Student Academic Adviser) as well as an RA in their section to help them plan their schedules, read over their papers, and just give general academic advice. The Academic Resource Center is another great resource, as it sets students up with tutors and helps them evaluate their academic needs. The SAs work for the ARC and are closely associated with it. There is also the Writing Center, which is open every night and has “writing fellows,” older students who will help edit essays as well.

As to grading–every professor I’ve had has been very willing to help their students. I got a mediocre grade on an essay in a class, but when I went to talk to my professor, they were more than willing to let me rewrite it for a better score. Most of the professors I’ve had have been willing to help students out and let them improve scores, so long as the students are willing to put in the effort.