University of Maine Top Questions

I am a music major, which inherently does not include very much "studying" in the traditional sense. Most of the students in my department spend our "study" time in practice rooms becoming proficient on our instruments, observing area classrooms to gain educational perspectives, or sitting in, and even directing, choral or band rehearsals. Each department has a different kind of academic environment, and UMaine has a lot of different departments and areas of study, so our academic life is very diverse.

The big controversy going on around campus is the proposed budget cuts, which would potentially cut some academic programs. UMaine is a great place because it offers such a variety of majors and minors. UM specializes in Engineering and Nursing, but every college within the University is good!

Being a biology major, I was given the opportunity to attend "The Schoodic Experience" a few days prior to the beginning of my first semester. This was completely worth my time as I met a few professors I currently have on a personal basis before even being exposed and perhaps intimidated in an academic setting along with hundreds of other students. One of the biggest reasons why I chose to attend UMaine was because of their affiliation with the New England College of Optometry in Boston. They have a 3+4 (year) deal with this college which allows you to finish school an entire year early, saving you time and money.

The class sizes here at UMaine are typically large in your first year because you are fufilling a lot of your general education requirements. However, the further you get into your major, the smaller your class sizes get and the closer you will get to your professors. I have found that the professors are extremely willing to work with you if you have the initiative to contact them first. I am in the Biology department as well as the Social Work Department. Although they are polar opposite majors, the advisors are willing to still make it feasible to graduate in four years. The professors are very engaging in conversation and genuinely passionate about their research and their students.

Academic life at UMaine, like any college campus, is completely what you make of it. If you want to get lost in the crowd of an introductory class, its possible. But that's not how it has to be, or even how it ought to be. Some of my first year professors still waive to me in the hall, and others still know my name, two years later. Classes tend to be larger in your first year, capping out around 350 people. But its hard to stay anonymous as the years go on, as classes get much smaller. This semester I have a class of 3 students, a class of 8, a class of 12, and a lab of 12. College is also about learning outside the classroom, and I've really enjoyed the opportunity to work in a lab doing independent research since my first semester here. And hey, education is about moving to the next step. UMaine has long traditions with lots of graduate schools and medical schools. They helped me to get into Tufts University School of Medicine a year early, so I have no complaints.

Most professors I've had are really friendly and try really hard to get to know their students and learn a majority of the classes names! My favorite class is my Equine classes I get hands on experience with the horses at the whiter farm! my least favorite was statistics cause I am horrible with numbers! the professor was really wonderful though doing his best to help me! In most of my classes people participate in class a lot! There are always students studying in the library so there is a lot of good studying going on! I love my major the professors are amazing the classes are wonderful and the students really participate in class a lot! I have chatted with my professors outside of class a few times in passing.

There is a variation in class sizes at UMaine (and that's good!). You can be in a lecture class of 300 students, but that is mostly for introductory level classes. The class sizes get smaller as you take harder classes. Professors will know your name if you take the initiative to go up to them after class or go to their office hours. Students at UMaine are constantly in the library. Studying is up to the student, and students here are definitely studious! You can often find students discussing classes, homework, and the quality of professors everywhere you go.

I know all my professors. The first year I didn't really know one of my professors, but that was because is was a 100 level class, which a lot of first years take. After that, though, I have many smaller classes where we have a lot of discussions. I'm also in honors where gives me more opportunities to talk to the professors. My major allows me to really pick and choose the classes I want to take, which I like.

I feel very tied in with my classmates and able to communicate one on one with my professors if need be. I in fact have built friendships with professors within my major and minor programs. My favorite class I have ever taken is a class called Characterization for Actors. It is a class that actors and non-actors take and gives a student the opportunity to be more in touch with sense memory. This has a diverse range of applications and works very well for anyone going into any sort of authoritative or administration-type career. It helps you to separate your feelings from your role as well as connect with emotions you might normally be closed off to.

There are a wide variety of class sizes at Umaine. Some are larger, and some are smaller. In all of my classes this semester I have a personal/friendly relation with the professor. My printmaking professor individually works with students, to help us push our work more. My capstone adviser teaches his class as a discussion based class, and individually meets with students to discuss our term topics. I have never had trouble getting extra help from professors either, even in big classes. There are also teaching assistants, who can help if you need more.