University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

The academics here can be your best friend or worst enemy. It's honestly up to you. The first few years often include some larger lecture classes for introductory subjects and such. However, after finding your focus, classes become small and personal. It's up to you if you want to benefit from the excellent academia offered in Boulder. Each of my professors knows me by name and honestly cares about how I do in their class. This is because I participate in class and often take time to meet with teachers in Office Hours. I am a Philosophy and Communications major. In both majors, I have not found one teacher to be disappointing. My favorite class is Philosophy of Religion. It really opens your eyes to the realm of possibilities that lye beyond this world. Students actively engage during all classes, and our professor really cares about what we think. Students range from book worms to 'C's and skis' at University of Colorado. If you're in it for the 4.0 GPA, be prepared to work hard. This is not an easy school, but with effort, grades with flying colors are achievable.

Professors are very easily accessible. While classes vary in size, professors always make known to students how important it is to approach them at any point questions may arise. Office hours are an easy way to talk to your professor, as well as speaking with your TA. For lectures generally bigger than 60 people, there are TA's that accompany your teacher, which allows for another source of communication. In larger lecture halls that hold anywhere over 100 students, there are recitations, which are smaller classes consisting of 15-20 people. This allows for a more intimate setting with a TA, and one on one explanations if help is needed. My favorite class thus far that I have taken would be Public Speaking, because it has contributed to furthering my communication skills in front of groups of people and boosted my confidence as a speaker. This is a skill I will forever use in job interviews, presentations, and within co-workers at the work place. The most interesting class I have ever taken was called "Art in Contemporary Society". In this class we studied contemporary artists of the New York Whitney Biennial Museum through the new millennial years. The teacher I had, George Rivera was a teacher I will never forget, as he was a man of wisdom, creativity, hope, and passion.

The University of Colorado at Boulder consists of a highly motivated student body. Students are constantly studying in Norlin Library and you can always find a study group or tutor for any of your academic needs. Class participation is common at CU and if you are not comfortable talking in class, you will not get penalized, but can chat about what you learned with a fellow classmate. While students are competitive, most are willing to help you along the way or are there to push you harder. Once you get past your freshman year and into more personalized classes, professors often know your name. If you want them to know your name in lower division courses it would be wise to keep in e-mail contact with your professor or teaching assistant and attend office hours. My current major is Communication and I am minoring in Political Science and Technology and Media. I love my classes because they are all interesting to me and pertain to what I hope to do in the future. My advice to you when picking a major is to focus on what you love and can see yourself studying for the next four years - don't focus on something you thinks sounds prestigious, because if you hate what you're studying you will have no motivation or desire to work hard. The education at this school I would say is more focussed on learning for its own sake than getting a job. The schools job is to teach you. Your job is to learn and take that knowledge to find a job that fits you.

Since CU Boulder is such a large school, there are so many different classes and areas of study to take! I declared my major in Communication at the beginning of this semester. I was very happy with my decision. The communication department here is amazing. The professors are there to assist you in becoming the best you can be. My favorite class in the communication department that I have taken is "group interaction". The professor was easy to understand and was passionate about what he was teaching. As a result, the students in the class gained that passion. I loved learning about different styles of group interaction and how to improve a situation in which an interaction of waste is occuing. My least favorite class so far in my college career was chemistry. One thing about me is that I am horrible at sciences. I wasn't interested at all in theateri. Thankfully, the professor had many office hours every week and she actually referred me to a tutor. I passed chemistry with a B!! CU Boulder has both big and small class sizes. For example, my freshman year, I had a psychology ass with 300 people. An hour later, I went to a writing class with 25 people. The professors all have office hours and love when students come an visit them. I have met all my professors and if I am having trouble on a topic in the class, I don't hesitate to reach out to them. Overall, CU Boulder's academics are challenging yet interesting. If you work hard, participate and try your best, you will get the grades you deserve. I would not say it is a walk in the park but if you devote your time to academics, you will succeed

Boulder has an academically challenging curriculum that will definitely require time and effort. But if you enroll for classes that really spike your interest, you will learn so much invaluable information and really understand what higher education is all about.

The academics here are impressive to a very high standard. Classes can be large but every professor if you take the time to shake their hand will known your name after that day. Class participation is encouraged and even enforced. Students are very competitive but who doesn't love some friendly competition. The education is completely geared to getting a job and learning how to deal with the pressures and stress of the real world. Conversations outside of class can range from the essay for Writing classes due next week to applying to a Graduate problem and studying for exams.

As a Journalism major I have spent the majority of my class time in small and intimate settings in which the teacher and class get to know one another. I usually prefer these scenarios, because I think it makes the class a more tangible place to learn and get your ideas across to your peers. However, I have also taken some introduction classes in large lecture halls and one of my favorite classes so far at CU was a Physical Anthropology class with Professor Van Gerven. I've found that the professor makes the class, for better or worse. Luckily CU is filled with outstanding professors who have a lot of experience and are easy to talk to.

Because CU is a research campus, students are required to take more science classes than other schools. There is a huge opportunity for students to conduct their own research on campus. Although CU has a renowned science department, there are many other areas of study with thriving programs. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) provides small classes to enhance student participation and engagement. My classes have never been more than 20 students which allows for a close-knit atmosphere and room to collaborate on group projects. Teachers also encourage feedback for the class and school. I feel like the students have an impact in the way in which they are taught. The SJMC as well as CU's career services provides many resources and guides for students seeking post-graduate employment. Teachers are also happy to provide recommendations or suggest internship positions. I have held eight internships during my time at CU and I have no doubt that I have the skills to secure a job upon graduating.

Coming from a high school where you knew your professors very well, I was a little worried about being in a 300 person lecture hall. As I began classes I realized that all of the professors want you to succeed and they offer so many ways to help you out. Most large lectures have recitation sections that meet once a week and have about 20 people in them. Here you get to ask questions one on one with a very knowledgable teaching assistant. The professors all offer office hours, study sessions, and even most will give you one on one time if you ask. Students are required to buy a clicker when registering for classes. Basically this is like a who wants to be a millionaire game show. The teachers ask "Clicker Questions", the class clicks in an answer, and a graph is generated. If only 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the class gets it correct it is an easy way to know where students are confused. Also, you get participation points for going to class and getting clicker points which is a great buffer for your grades. A lot of professors also offer opportunities to get internships, research positions, etc... I was in the Honors Program here at CU and I would strongly suggest it to anyone who really wants a good education. In many of the residence halls you also get the opportunity to be in a RAP (residential academic program) which is made of of students who live in your dorm and there are only about 20 people per class. It is a great way to get to a know a professor and your hall mates really well .

CU is large and accommodates diverse fields and backgrounds with quality instruction and challenging course. While lectures may be large and well - lectures, professors are always happy to spend time with students during office hours. The Courses are challenging and present material in an interdisciplinary manner that encourages cooperation and creative thinking. As an upper-level student the course become more difficult and specialized, and direct students towards self guided learning and towards making smart assumptions and decisions. The early material and exercises of freshman and softmore classes serve as building blocks for these courses. Caution! CU might challenge you and inspire you to make a difference!