Tips on tackling university by Adil Boughlala
How to handle all the courses
Every course you’ll get is different from the other, and that makes the studies very interesting. However, this also requires different ways of preparing for tests and/ or essays. For the first semester, I will give you some tips on how to tackle your first four courses.
History of the Western Arts 1
• The first part of a 4-part course, HotWA1 will introduce you to the classic art history and follows it. • For all of the HotWA exams, I found it very useful to take notes during the lectures, and at the end of the period, turn those notes into a chronological summary, divided by each discipline. That way, you can see the development of, let’s say, monophonic to polyphonic music in just one glance. • Don’t be discouraged if you can’t do all the reading, or if you feel like it takes you longer than what is expected of you! The base of the course is mostly discussed in the lectures and the literature helps you prepare for the lectures and understand them better. In a sense, this applies to most courses, but definitely not all! • Prepare for the seminars! Even if it’s just looking at the assignments and thinking about it. There is nothing more timewasting than attending a seminar of which you have no idea what it is about. Seminars are most effective when everyone tries to contribute something.
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European Culture
• What I remember most about European Culture is that whatever I knew about Europe in advance, I should not take for granted. I challenge you to have an open, yet critical mindset during this course (actually, all courses)! • At first glance, the course might seem intimidating because it’s a two period course. But it’s still a 5EC course, just like HotWA. So in the end, you’ll probably put as much energy in this course as a single HotWA course, but you’ll have more time to do so. • Pay close attention to the lectures, because your exam will most likely feature points that were discussed in class. But that obviously doesn’t mean you get to disregard the literature.
Academic Skills
• In my opinion, one of the most important foundational courses in the first year! Everything you learn during this course, you will need for the rest of your academic career. From writing essays and citing sources to presenting in front of a crowd. • AcSki is probably the most practical and least theoretical course in your first year, so make sure to keep up with assignments that you are given! Practice makes perfect, especially since the feedback you’ll recieve is key to passing this course.
