University of Iowa Top Questions

You can't beat the academics at the University of Iowa! While some might scorn us for being a big school, discussions for lectures are always personal and intriguing, and it is not difficult to find smaller classes. I have never had a teacher who didn't know my name! Studying at the University of Iowa is not difficult to do. It is easy to find students working on their academics at most coffee shops any night of the week. This creates a really great atmosphere where you can concentrate and feel confidant in your academics.

Academics is something that the UI takes seriously. Iowa is home to some of the nation's best programs from its amazing medical school to its successful business school academics at Iowa will not let you down. After some of my political science classes I find myself dicussing politics with people after class. Classrooms are also full of discussion. Discussion is so important at the UI your grade depends on it. This helps make students more competitive. I am part of the UI's history and political science department. Both departments offer a large number of courses and having a large amount of well qualified professors. My favorite class that I have taken at the UI is World War I. The professor did a wonderful job teaching us about a war that is often forgotten, even though it played such a large role in shaping the 20th century. Being able to speak with a professor is quite simple at the UI once you get into your major's courses. For the general education courses it can be difficult, but a large number of Teacher Assistants make up for it. Once you get into your major there is no excuse to not being able to speak with your professor. They are always available after class and hold a large number of office hours.

I would say the amount of hours they tell you that you need to allocate for studying is exagerated. Just study a little ahead of time for exams because those are what get you and bring a grade up or down.

Challenging classes for an honors student. Most professors are not interested or passionate about their subject. Classes are uninspiring.

Since Iowa is a big school, lectures tend to have 200+ students. The professors may not know your name but the T.A.'s definitely do. There are always ups and downs to big classes. I like that the professors and T.A.'s have open door policies and are always willing to talk and help make special arrangements if needed.

Though the professors in your lectures generally wont know your names, the discussion teachers will for sure know who you are and how you're doing in the class. There is a lot of one on one time if you want it, with office hours galore, though no one ever goes to office hours. There was only one class I didn't like, which was an undergrad creative writing workshop. It wasn't geared to the genres that I liked to write in, and the students weren't receptive to differing genres. On top of that, they were awful writers, but that's neither here nor there. I would have liked the class better if I was in a different section, so when picking classes, consider what is actually being taught carefully. The best class I took was the Japanese I class. The teachers were beyond helpful and caring, and really were a pleasure to be taught by. It's the most fun and challenging class I think I'll ever take and highly recommend it. Depending on where you are, studying is not generally a big thing in Iowa. Unless it's near an exam, most people don't study except those who care more about academics than having a big social life. You don't hear "I can't go out tonight, I have a quiz to study for," very often. It is very interesting to go to lecture exams and see that the population of the hall has more than doubled for it. My advice to you, don't skip lectures. Some teachers don't put the note up online and you're very screwed in the class. Even if the note are online, be realistic with yourself. If you skip the class, you aren't going to spend 10-20 minutes that day looking over the notes.You'll wait until a day before the exam to cram all of it in. Going to lectures helps you, despite how boring some may be. Don't skip them.

As a business student i just got done taking my first two years of pre-req classes. they mostly consist of lectures, with only a few smaller classes. the two small classes i had were for the accounting pre-reqs and the TAs knew you by name and i still say hi to them when i see them in the halls. My gen-ed classes were always about 20-25 students and i was surprised how quickly they knew everybodys name and there was usually a friendly atmosphere durring discussions that didnt make you feel uncomfortably to speak your mind. I would highly recommend taking a class that is completely different than what youre majoring in every semester. Ive taken Creative writing because it is offered at many different times and Iowas writing program is awesome. it just helps to have that curveball class in your schedule to break up your day

Depending on how large your class is, the professor may know your name. Most of the time the answer is no. HOWEVER, they all have office hours and WANT students to come in even it they have no questions. In fact, I went to my physics professor for help, and after that he knew my name from then on. Basically, the student should take the initiative to introduce his/herself and the professor (from my experience) will remember that person. Another true story, I forgot my purse in my communications lecture and the professor found out my name and whenever she saw me, she always addressed me by my name. I honestly have enjoyed all my classes; however, several have presented a challenge. My physics class is one example. The professor always performed experiments to illustrate his point, but the exams were challenging. My favorite by far has been Gender, Race, and Class in US. I enjoyed the readings, videos, and guest speakers. Class participation depends on who is in your class and how much the teacher makes the class participate. I have had some where it was low and others where it was high because the teacher had planned activities or randomly called on students. STUDYING-It depends on the student, a lot of people cram during finals, but others do it in advance. I study throuought, so once finals arrive, I'm really doing a review. OUTSIDE OF CLASS-it's common to hear intellectual conversations outside of class when it's right after. From my experience it's more common to hear something involving going out or drinking, so I wear m ipod ;). COMPETITIVE- I'm not sure if students are competitive, I know alot who want to maintain their GPA so I guess this would make them competitive. UNIQUE CLASS- The most unique class I have taken is Interpretation of Literature. The TA was very into interpretation, and I found myself interpreting fairy tales(cinderella, beauty and the beast) and reading novels and actually applying them to life. Several examples were parenting, the actual value of beauty and what it can do to a person, and even about being a wasteful student. Very good class. My TA is actually putting out her own novel series so I thought that was intersting. MAJOR- My major is journamlism. I have take two prereqs and one actual class. All of my Professors have been into the subject material. My last journalism class allowed me to interview city officials and people who run the campus. The classes are insightful and good. Journalism is a department in which students have be involved(writing and publishing outside of class). I have lagged in this area, but I will be picking this up this semester. I feel like I have more to learn and have been told the school does so much, but I will gain the most through an internship. REQUIREMENTS- At first I didn't like the requirements, but I think they are good. I believe students get a broad understanding of differents subjects because they have to take different subjects.

Professors usually don't know your name unless you make it a point for them to know your name. You have to make the effort to get to know your professors....go to them for help, attend their office hours and study sessions! You'll be rewarded for it later! Once you get higher up in your major, your classes get smaller and your professors definitely know your name then! :) I have a couple of smaller classes this semester, and my professors made it a point to learn our names because the classes were smaller. Students are competitive at Iowa, but I usually feel like students are competitive with themselves. You're here to better yourself and get farther along in life....why compete with your peers? Do your absolute best for yourself! Some students study a lot here, and some students don't study a lot. It all depends on the kinds of classes you're taking, as well as, how well you want to do in those classes. I'm a Psychology major, and the classes are pretty interesting. However, I'm hoping to attend graduate school for Social Work which is my real interest! :) I believe that the education at Iowa is geared towards learning for its own sake, and towards getting a job. Some classes make you say, "Really?! I'm never going to need this!!" While others make you say, "Oh! That totally makes sense! I can definitely use this in the real world!!"

Its hard for professors to know all their student's names since a lot of classes have a couple hundred students in their lecture halls, but it is possible to establish a teacher-student relationship by visiting professors in their office hours. I've found that TAs who guide labs and discussion classes will take the time to learn the students names. Class participation is often required in most discussion classes that I've been in.