{"id":38680,"date":"2019-08-06T11:59:30","date_gmt":"2019-08-06T15:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=38680"},"modified":"2019-09-07T22:40:37","modified_gmt":"2019-09-08T02:40:37","slug":"first-year-seminar-how-it-enhanced-my-university-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2019\/08\/06\/first-year-seminar-how-it-enhanced-my-university-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"First Year Seminar- How it Enhanced my University Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"I thought I had a clear idea of what courses I would take in my first year, but when I began researching, I encountered this thing called breadth requirements <\/em>*shudders*. As a result, I frantically searched for courses that would fulfill the categories that I wasn\u2019t planning to complete yet. This is when I came across the idea of a first-year seminar<\/em>.\r\n\r\nAdmittedly, I didn\u2019t really know much about what these seminar courses are. But I discovered this course called SII 199: Understanding and Debating Environmental Issues; <\/em>the course title was intriguing, and it fulfilled category 3 (a difficult category to complete for life sciences students), so I enrolled in this 0.5 credit course.\r\n\r\nI didn\u2019t really know what to expect from this course: would there be a lot of writing? Are there a lot of assignments? And most importantly, would I be getting something out of taking this course?\r\n\r\nAfter completing the course, I can easily say that I\u2019m definitely glad that I chose to take this course.\r\n\r\nSmaller class size<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe classroom environment resembles that of a high school classroom; the class consisted of less than 20 students, who all became very familiar faces after a couple classes. This was a lot less overwhelming to me\u2026 especially when compared to the class size at Convocation Hall!\r\n\r\n
\"Gif<\/a>
cred: astonlife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nSince the class was smaller, I was able to get to know my classmates more. Interestingly enough, almost all of us came from different programs (since this course is open to all areas of studies). It was nice to learn about their student lives since it can be different from a life sciences student\u2019s (which are the only type of students I meet in my other classes).\r\n\r\nImproved my oral discussion and writing skills <\/strong>\r\n\r\nSince this was a \u2018debate\u2019 class, there was a class discussion every single class. On top of that, there was also an oral presentation. Through these discussions and presentations, I became very comfortable speaking in front of a group in university; a skill that I wasn\u2019t able to work on in any of my classes.\r\n\r\n
\"Gif<\/a>
cred: academy of learning career college<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nThere were two major essays that were due throughout the year. For each, we were required to submit the essay once, get feedback, then re-submit it. The feedback that I received from the professor was really helpful, and it helped me get an idea of what professors expect from me. I know that I\u2019ll continue to take the feedback I got from my professor with me for my future courses.\r\n\r\nI wasn\u2019t expecting to get too <\/em>much out of the first-year seminar class I took, as I didn\u2019t know what to expect from it. In the end, I\u2019m really glad I chose this course because it has made a significant impact on my overall experience here at U of T! \ud83d\ude42","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\nI thought I had a clear idea of what courses I would take in my first year, but when I began researching, I encountered this thing called breadth requirements *shudders*. As a result, I frantically searched for courses that would…\n<\/div>
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