College Writing Survival Guide

           Coming into Springfield College as a freshman, I did not know what to expect from the

College Writing class my advisor had signed me up for. The title of the class “College Writing”

already made me think negatively of the class as I am not a huge fan of writing. So, a whole

class dedicated to writing did not seem like my type of class. Going into the first week, I was

pretty skeptical of how the class would go for the first semester. I knew no one in my class and

had little interest in writing essays, but to my surprise, the class was a lot better than I had

expected.  

            If I have to describe my first semester of College Writing, I would describe it as

enjoyable and educational. The course is a fun class in which you can express your creativity

through writing and in-class activities. You learn a lot about effective writing and learn how to

enhance your writing through focusing on new writing styles and focus points within the paper.

My writing over the course of the semester has improved greatly and my papers are now

stronger than they were at the beginning of the year. I found that the workload was about

average compared to my other classes. There are few assignments, but the assignments are

usually longer and take a good amount of time to complete. Luckily, we are given sufficient

time in order to complete the assignment effectively. The class time is used well, if you choose

to use it well. We are given a lot of time in class to get a good start on our assignments and do

useful activities to strengthen our writings, but if you do not participate and use your time

wisely, you are missing out on good opportunities to get better as a writer. Overall, College

Writing is a good class to take and you should be excited to take it and improve as a writer.

            Throughout the course of the semester, you may encounter some challenges. One

challenge that I faced was that at the beginning of the year, I would pick a topic for an essay

and then get stumped and not be able to write a sufficient amount for the essay. I would try to

keep writing on the same topic and would end up trying to write as much as possible, but the

content of my paper was not very strong because of it. As the semester went on, I learned that

it is okay to change topics if I am stumped on one and restart my paper. This way, I can start

fresh and my paper’s content can be stronger. Don’t be afraid to start fresh on a new topic if

you are stumped on your first one. Another challenge that I faced was balancing the classes

work with my other classes work. The key to doing this was to not procrastinate and to get as

much work done as possible as soon as possible. You will regret saving all of your work for the

night before an assignment is due and your paper will not be as good if you do it all at once.

Other than these challenges, the class is not extremely difficult, as long as you participate and

use your time wisely.

            There are a few keys to successfully getting through the first semester of College

Writing. My first piece of advice is to not procrastinate. Procrastination in this class will kill you

and add so much unnecessary stress. If you break the essay or assignment up into pieces and

complete the essay a bit at a time over the time you are given, you will be more successful.

Another piece of advice is to make an outline for your essay before you start writing. I have

found this to be one of the most helpful things for writing essays in not only College Writing,

but other classes as well. By making an outline, you can plan out what you are going to put in

your essay beforehand and make sure that you have sufficient information on your topic before

you commit to writing an essay about it. Another helpful hint is to use the Babson Library online

resource to find academic sources that can relate to your essay and make it stronger by adding

other people’s thoughts. My final piece of advice is participate in class discussions and peer

review sessions. If you participate in class discussions, you are learning from your classmates

and can use things you learn from them for yourself. During peer review sessions, give good

feedback to your classmates so that they will give you good feedback in return. If you hand a

classmate back their paper with little to no feedback and edits on it, you can’t expect helpful

 eedback in return. If you follow the directions and manage your time wisely, College Writing is

a fun and informational class that you will enjoy while becoming a better writer.

Tips to an Incoming Freshman

            College tends to be a very exciting part of people’s lives. It also can be very daunting beginning school as a freshman. At Springfield College, a part of the General Education is College Writing I and II. English 113 is a lot different than the courses in high school. There are no exams like in high school whether it is regarding on reading comprehension, grammar, or spelling. It is important to manage your time in college because a lot of these essays deadlines are a lot closer than you think. Some of the challenges an incoming student faces for College Writing is using different types of writing that people may not be particularly familiar with. They shouldn’t be too nervous but they should be prepared for different styles such as an annotated bibliography. A freshman should not stress out too much and enjoy the experience. I didn’t really know what to expect before taking this course and I was nervous. I didn’t know if I would succeed in this class either. It is important for college students to have a good time but also buckle down on academics. If you follow some of these tips than you will be successful in College 113. There are only two college writing courses so enjoy them while they last and make it count!

Big Steps that Lead to a Lot of Peer Editing

Dear newcomers,

Welcome to that big step everyone gets so excited for. College is different than everything in the past. The people, the classes, the place, and even you, are all new. Classes are not that bad not that bad just need to put effort into them and do not wait until the last minute. Peer editing and in class writing may be the last thing you want to do but it will help get your essay done before the night before your five page essay is due. College Writing isn't scary or strict you just need to put the effort and willingness to work to make this class be okay. You will be okay.

Haymanites Unite

Olivia Longo

Attending college for the very first time is a very nerve-wracking experience for any freshman. Your mind is running, while pondering about who you’ll become friends with, how to get to your classes, and how to deal with the increased workload. To make this transition easier, however, an incoming freshman should know specific things about their classes, and specifically, what to expect in College Writing 113.

One of the first questions an incoming freshman at Springfield College might have, is whether or not they will be quizzed on the summer reading book. However, there is not a legitimate right or wrong answer to this question- depending on your teacher, you might end up talking about it, or you’ll have to re-read the book and get tested on it. Although it might be a lag to read the book in the summer, I would say that it is best to read it (or skim-read it at least) to further understand what the book is about. But, we all know that 85% of the kids probably will not do that. So, in that case, you would probably just have to hope for the best.

As the class actually delves into the course material, you may be curious as to how much work you will have to do. Based on my class, it was not any more difficult than my high school english class. You still are expected to do your work and hand it in on time, but the work assigned is not meant to kill you. It is not meant to distract you from your Anatomy lab practical on all of the muscles in the body, but it is also meant to be considered as a priority.

Throughout this course, you will complete four major essays, as well as a reflective piece for the final. The first essay is about “identity”, which was probably the easiest of the four to write. You definitely should take advantage of being able to write about yourself, and put time and effort into setting the stage for the rest of your essays. This essay will end up being your very first college essay, so you might as well make it good. Additionally, you should try to figure out your professor’s grading style, and learn how to alter your future essays based on the feedback that you received. Also, if you end up being in the same class as I was in, you better get used to peer review. It was a major part of this class, and this is where most of your editing will take place. If you feel that the person who is peer reviewing your paper is not providing you with adequate/effective feedback, then you should talk to your professor and have them give you some more advice on your paper

Although you may not consider College Writing 113 to be your most challenging course this semester, do not put any less effort into the class. Many people may underestimate the class, and may fail to exert any extra energy into the quality of their assignments. For this class, and for all of your other classes, one of the biggest mistakes you could make is underestimating the power it has to affect your GPA. This course still counts towards your GPA, so you should let it affect your average in a positive manner.

This might sound like a lot, but they are only tips to help you succeed. Don’t listen to all the horror stories you hear about the transitions into college- as long as you stay true to your identity while allowing room for some positive change, you will be more than okay. Also, one last thing- don’t forget to enjoy the experience. Besides high school, your college years will be the best and the most memorable years of your life.

For All Future Freshmen

Future freshmen,

Be prepared for a lot of essays. College writing is exactly how it sounds, a lot of writing. As soon as you finish an essay, you start a new one. It’s a never-ending cycle. You are going to get stressed out at times, but that’s okay, everyone does. Your teacher may be lenient when it comes to due dates, like mine, but other teachers won’t, so do not procrastinate. You will have a lot of work in your other classes too, so you really have to stay focused and look at your work week by week instead of day by day. If you see that you have a lot to do on one specific day of the week, then try doing some of that work earlier in the week on a day that you don’t have as much due.  Trust me, you will be happy you did that. The days where I pushed it off because I didn’t feel like doing it earlier was a nightmare. My stress level skyrocketed.

When it comes to in class assignments and homework, make sure you do them when they are supposed to be done. Your teacher won’t always collect or check your homework but you should still complete it. I know you may not have the motivation to do it, but you will be happy later when your teacher tells you that you are handing in that assignment with your portfolio.

Also, DO NOT SKIP CLASS. Whether you are paying for school or you are fortunate enough to have a family member paying for school for you, it’s a lot of money. Even if you feel like you don’t do anything in a specific class, it still costs money, so just suck it up and go to class.  

I also want to address parties. Yes there are parties at every school, and yes it’s always a good time when you get to take a break from schoolwork and go out with your friends on the weekend. However, remember why you are at school. You are here for an education. I have seen plenty of kids throw that down the drain because they were too caught up with alcohol or drugs. Don’t feel peer pressured to do anything you don’t want to. You will find a group of friends that are similar to yourself. It’s okay to stay in a weekend, or go out but not drink. There are so many alternatives to drinking that are still enjoyable. If you do drink, be smart and know your limits.

The last point I want to address is friends. Please don’t be afraid to be yourself. You are coming to a new school where little to no people know who you are. If you want to change who you are, or if you are not proud of the person you were in high school, this is your opportunity to change that. You will find friends that are just like you that make your college experience even more enjoyable. This is about to be the best four years of your life, so value the time that you get here because it goes by fast.  

Scared Little Freshman

Dear Incoming Scared Freshman,

When I first got here at SC, I was scared just like everyone else. The adjustment is weird, being away from home and sharing a room for the first time but you will be okay. The food is also an adjustment to make because sometimes there just won’t be any food and you think you are going to starve, then you remember you have dining dollars to go to subway. But don’t be tricked by those because 300 dollars goes by very fast, especially if you drink coffee. One more tip, I advise not taking an 8am. Everyone thinks they won’t be that bad because for high school you’d wake up at like 6 in the morning, but realistically, you went to bed a little earlier. Here, you won’t be going to bed until like midnight or one in the morning so don’t trick yourself into thinking you will be fine to wake up for an 8am.

Coming into college is a scary thing but no need to worry when you have Casey Hayman as your college writing professor. You will learn so much throughout this course and there is nothing to be afraid of. There are so many changes coming into college but everyone is going through the same thing and whether or not others show they are scared, everyone is in the same boat. In the beginning you will still be used to high school and the workload you are given then, but don’t be too naive. You will have a ton of work and do not procrastinate, it will hurt you  in the end. Just sit down and get your work done. Freshman year is the best time you will ever have and it will fly by. Make the most of every memory you have and try new things that you normally wouldn’t try. All the adjustments are crazy but you will live, and don’t forget to call your parents, they will want to hear everything you are doing.  

HOW TO LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS!!!

The title is irrelevant but I had to think of something that would make you read this. To all of you out there who are going to be freshman next year at good ole Springfield College I have one word of advice for you… RELAX! There is no need to stress out, yes college is a new thing for you but stressing out never helps the situation. All stress ever does is upset your stomach and make you use the bathroom. The food here is going to make you do that anyway so no need for more stress. The first week you are going to be nervous which is normal. After a week or two of being in classes you’ll adjust to your schedule. For those who are not the best writers, like me, don’t worry. The College Writing course you are going to take first semester helps you a lot if your writing skills are a little rusty. You get the opportunity to write a range of different styles of writing ranging from a memoir to a research paper. You also go through a process of peer-review before handing in your paper each time which helps you obtain advice from your classmates that you might not have thought about yourself. For the rhetorical analysis and research papers you learn how to use the library services on the school website which is a big help! You can find many articles all relating to whatever topic you are looking for. The library services are also a great way to find scholarly articles which are very reliable sources to use in your research papers. You will face challenges not only in College Writing, but in your other classes. Simply the workload will be challenging. That is why you shouldn’t procrastinate. Soon after getting the assignment you should start working on it. There is nothing more annoying in college then having to stay up all night working on homework assignments/ projects that are due the next day. Take advantage of the time you have and use it wisely. Other than that, you are going to enjoy college a lot. You have a lot of freedom and time to do what you want when you aren’t in class. Plus, no more having to ask the teacher to use the bathroom!

Good Luck,

Ryan Lynch