Florida State University Top Questions

What are the academics like at your school?

Nardgelen

Academia is kinda serious. Teachers and students both want success. A lot of people are working hard but are happy to work with you. classes can tend to be big but you don't really notice that all that much. I'm am music major and my classes are not big at all and the professors look scary on the outside but are real sweet hearts!

Ivan

Academics vary and will always vary depending on the type of student you are. My school values academics and will do any necessary to make sure you succeed, you just have to want to.

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Matthew

It comes back down to the class sizes. There are some classes that consist of over 300 people! It may be difficult to form a classroom relationship with your professor in classes like that, though all of the professors I've had so far have been more than accommodating in office hours and appointments to help their students.

Kaitlyn

The academics are great. I'm in my second semester and I haven't had one class that I didn't like which is definitely not what I expected. All of the classes are challenging and really get you to think and engage in the material, but it's still fun to learn about. Most of the professors I've had so far do a really good job at making students feel welcome and interested in the topics they teach. This semester my favorite class is Race & Ethnicity in the US with Professor Elizabeth Worley. In high school I hated history, it was my worst subject and just not for me, I dreaded having to take this class. After the first week I was so enthralled with the topics we had learned and would continue to learn. Professor Worley does a great job at engaging a large class to discuss really difficult topics and understand both sides. it was similar last semester in my Intro to Psychology class, that class inspired me to have a minor in Psychology. The classes and Professors are not here to stress students out, but to teach us not just about the topics, but about how we view the world around us and what we want to achieve while at FSU.

Amanda

Academics could be a bit more challenging when it comes to liberal studies classes, but once the 3,000-4,000 level is reached, classes require a lot of extra effort and independent study. Although, there are those classes here and there in liberal studies 2,000 level that are extremely challenging. I think the best advice I could give someone looking into my school, is that it is extremely important to make connections with your professors. You can learn so much and it will definitely be beneficial for the long run when opportunities start knocking.

Elena

The academic scene at FSU is one of the best in the state of Florida. I have consistently had great professors up until now. Granted, some classes are taught by graduate students or teaching assistants, but the university does a good job of ensuring that these teachers are adequately qualified in their field so that education isn't compromised. One thing I normally do each semester is make friends with at least one student in every one of my classes so that I have someone I can sit with during class and study with outside of class. This has really helped me so far. Students are always eager to work together in order to do well.

Catalina

The classes at Florida State definitely differ with majors. Most introductory classes are in large lecture halls where it might be difficult for the professors to personally know their students. However, every professor has office hours that students can attend and therefore get to know them. Professors also try to engage the students in the lectures and increase class participation. As students become juniors and seniors, the class size tremendously decreases and the professors will probably know all the students that attend class regularly. It is common to form study groups with other students in your classes. Though students are competitive, most are willing to help others. I am a Psychology major with a minor is Biology and Chemistry. In this field, the professors are extremely helpful and are willing to spend time with their students outside of class in order to aid them. The faculty are constantly informing students of job and research opportunities in order to help them be more experienced in their field. Most professors are required to do research with the university and will take on undergraduate students to help them. Florida State offers a wonderful opportunity to students call Directive Independent Study (DIS), in which students perform research with professors and graduate students and do this for course credits. This can count as one of your major electives. The education at Florida State is definitely directed toward attending graduate school but there are many opportunities to help students obtaining jobs.

Lauren

At every school, this is going to depend on the department. I can only talk about my experiences, and they are in the college of criminology and the department of computer science. The criminology program at FSU is ranked high and the professors receive tons of money in grants for important research projects. The professors really care about their students and want you to come to their office hours - many will talk all day about their research if you get them on the topic. The classes in the college of criminology are easy. The department of computer science is a whole different story. Professors have very thick accents and are hard to understand. Many seem annoyed when you're in their office hours, and the classes are incredibly difficult and labor intensive. That said, the department has some major perks. There are always several TA's per computer science class and 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time they're incredibly helpful. FSU also has a CS majors lab, with dual boot 27'' monitors. It's a great place to go work on programs, as there will usually be someone in your class in there too.

Rachel

If you are in the honors program its a lot easier to get to know your professors. The classes are smaller so the professors can learn your name. If not, you can still get to know them but it takes a little more effort. You should always go into your professors office hours if not to talk about to a test, then just to talk to them and get to know them. I think I usually study just the week before a test and do fine. I haven't encountered any professors yet that give totally unfair tests. I think the education here is geared towards graduate school. There are some majors that you can get a job right after graduation, but nowadays continued education is common.

Julia

FSU has a very good academic standing. However, I have been in some large classes and classes that I do not like but have to take any ways for liberal studies. Sometimes that can get very frustrating and alot of the times students tend to do bad in those classes becuase they do not care for them. I have meet alot of cool people from being in class together and have communicated with them about the class. The teachers can vary alot here. There are sometimes amazing teachers that will go the extra mile to make sure you understand the material and then there is also very annoying and horrible teachers that you can;t understand nor want to even listen to them. It is a very good school acdemicly though and so far I have learned alot of things from being in class. I am in the business school and that school in a very big one so i have alot of resources to help me and guide me through my business career.

Natalie

Academics are very serious here at Florida State. As a liberal arts school, we have a wide range of subjects to major in. One of the best programs here is the English program which I am majoring in. There are different sections of English such as Literature, Creative Writing, and a new branch called Editing, Writing, and Media which is my distinct program. The staff of professors here is amazingly talented, accomplished, and bright as well as very caring and respectful with their students. They take great pride in being available to their students. They make the classes dynamic and creative, but challenging and practical in a way that prepares students for internships and careers--no busy work. In fact, an internship is a requirement to graduate in my program and a lot of classes have projects such as portfolios that not only embed the knowledge into your brain but can be used as examples of your hard work and experience in resumes and interviews.

Kelsey

Academics are very important to me, and getting to know your professors is very important overall. I always make sure to introduce myself to my professors if the class is larger, and if it is smaller, I participate more. Professors are always willing to meet during office hours, and even beyond that. My favorite class so far has been REL3112, or Religion and Fantasy. It's dubbed "The Harry Potter class!" It's definitely the most unique class I've ever taken. I cannot say that I have a least favorite class, because I have had excellent professors every semester. Students around here study every day depending on their schedule, and during exam weeks, the library is packed! My major is Visual Disabilities, which is in the College of Education. It will give me the ability to teach the visually impaired how to live their everyday lives. In my major, academic requirements are plenty, but it is never overwhelming. It is helpful to have academic maps and guides.

Anais

Professors are quick to learn your name, as long as your not in a 300 person class. Students generally want to do well, and some will set up study groups or something similar. Participation is a large part of class, at least for the classes I've taken. I'm an Editing, Writing and Media major (a major fairly new to FSU) in the English department. So, all of my work centers around reading, discussing, and writing. You get the feeling that professors want you to do well, but they aren't going to hold your hand to make sure you're doing everything you need to. I like the way academics work at this school. Professors expect you to be a responsible adult and finish the work you are given.

Amanda

There are so many different ways to feel comfortable in academics that it is nearly impossible to not succeed at Florida State. The academics are amazing and right away, you are assigned an academic advisor that is associated with whatever major you decide on. There are certain classes that are formed in "groups" called "figs" where you can have the same class schedule as several other students in a smaller environment. It also depends on what major you have to know what size classes there are but even in some of my biggest classes, the professors are always available and quick to get to know you. Florida State has that southern hospitality that everyone should have. The library on campus is a hot spot; there are always study groups from your classes that go there and there are certain "smart board" rooms in the library where you can reserve a study room with people. I am an art major so my academics differ from most people. My classes are all relatively small and the teachers are on a more personal basis with you. This has led me to feel confident in my work and know with the help of Florida State's amazing academics and teachers, that I can succeed.

Elisa

Academics, depend on the major. some majors are harder than others. For example, family and child science majors tend to have easier classes because they study for the tests. Biology majors have to apply what they have learned on the tests. In other words, some majors are about memorization, application, or both. All university professors expect students to try their best. Most professors want students to meet them during office hours and talk to them. Almost every major requires students to study if they want to get a great grade.

Stephanie

Academics are a love affair for me, and every other English major I know. I'm not going to speak for any other major, mostly because I could gush about the English department for days. First let me warn you that advisers are not all they are cracked up to be, and I've heard that for lots of other majors as well. Your best bet is to find an older student in your major with similar career plans and keep close to them for tips and guidance. In the English Dept. at FSU, there are a plethora of those kinds of people. It's a very social and cooperative department, where you learn as much from each other as you do from your professors. Competition isn't much of a factor for English students, and I'm glad for that. Competition for other majors, like pre-med or communications, is cutthroat and causes a lot of added stress at FSU. But in the English department, everyone can really focus on themselves and their own goals. My major is amazing, and incredibly unique. I'm in the new Editing, Writing, and Media major which is focused on modern, pragmatic application of rhetoric and composition skills along with integrating new technology into the field. It's a great balance of learning for its own sake and preparation for your field. It's highly customizable for whatever field your career path is headed for, whether it be journalism, film, law, etc. Our professors our passionate and innovative and incredibly enthusiastic about the development of the major. My professors in the English department are phenomenal, engaging intellectuals that are hyper-aware of the world outside of academia. They encourage active participation and relationships inside and outside of the classroom, and I've had an amazing experience with my professors. We have a course in my major that is completely unique, not to be found at any other university called History of Text Technologies. It covers the history of communication and the implications of what text was, is, and may become. Students and professors are in constant conversation about the future of composition careers and where the world is going in terms of text technologies, which gives me comfort as an aspiring journalist. Academics in other departments are equally as exciting as the English department, and anyone can find the perfect place to follow their passion under the guidance of fantastic faculty.

Ashley

Academics at Florida State are very important. I’ve learned more in my past three and a half years here than I ever thought was possible. My favorite and probably most unique class I’ve taken here was Mark Zeigler’s Rhetoric of Didactic Literature. It sounds intimidating in name, but throughout the class we learned of the rhetorical situation of society in the nineteen-sixties. We learned about everything from the Bay of Pigs to LSD’s effect on the body. It was immensely interesting, and I still retain nearly everything from that class a year later. Now that I’m a senior, most all of my classes are small enough that my professors know quite a bit about me. But, during general education requirements of my freshman year, the only time I’d have smaller classes would be if they were the honors section. I don’t experience a high level of competitiveness in the Communication of English departments, when it comes to grades, but I do know that highly selective majors, such as Nursing illicit high levels of competition in learning among the students. I feel that FSU’s educational requirements are very reasonable and certainly attainable, while also challenging students academically. I believe that FSU students, upon the successful completion of their degree, will be prepared to find a job. Not because FSU taught them how to find a job, but because FSU taught them how to think in a new way and become capable of adaption – to become the person a company would want to employ.

Kali

The greatest benefit I've received while attending Florida State was learning to be open-minded and accepting. I was so moved by President Barron's recent email addressing equal opportunity and our non-discrimination policy, wherein he stated "The university's policies are clear: We have zero tolerance for sexual violence, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran's or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected group status." Students should know that not all universities are so outspoken about equality for all people in every capacity, and that is part of why I'm so proud to be a Seminole. Florida State is not too large or too small, from my experience as a Writing Major. The class sizes have always been between 12-30 people, with the exception of one 60+ basic philosophy class. Perhaps those not in Arts and Sciences would disagree, but almost all of my professors have known me by name, been available to meet after class, and I've even had coffee with several of them casually to discuss my work. I have great relations with all my professors, and I know that several have offered to write me letters for graduate school when I depart. I feel that's not something all universities can say, but in our department, professors truly are oriented to the success of their students. I always get wonderful reactions when I tell people I attend Florida State. Even my uncle, who is a hard-core Gator fan, is incredibly proud of me, and has admitted to being impressed by our academia. My parents and siblings are incredibly proud, and this summer when my family vacationed in Spain, we met some fellow Florida Staters (My parents age, not students) and ended up going out for a drink with them. Again, I think this only points out the wonderful diversity and strong networking opportunities that Florida State provides to all students. I spend time on Campus at several places. Our library is a fascinating wealth of resources, from computers and programs to private study rooms to beautiful hard copies of any classic piece of literature or great work you could need. I also spend time at the Pride Student Union, the LGBTQ organization on campus, which is a safe space for people of all gender identification and type, as well as all sexual orientations. The PSU is one of the most active campus unions, and hosts several events, both educational and recreational, every year. I also spend time at The Women's Center and the Center For Participant Education, both of which seek to educate students. The Women's Center speaks to issues of abuse, rape, feminism, and gender equality, and the CPE is an organization that teaches free master classes each semester on anything from Basket Weaving to bringing Dr. Norman Finkelstein to campus last semester. This organization puts education into the hands of the students, and Florida State is very fortunate to have one. There is a college atmosphere present in the city, to be sure. You can feel it slow down when winter break approaches, but that personally has never bothered me. Tallahassee is also a very political place, which offers so many opportunities for students to be involved. I have an internship with Tallahassee Magazine right now, and I've written articles about art galleries, charity organizations, even Tallahassee's Rugby team. If you're willing to branch out of the Florida State network, there is an incredible local scene in Tallahassee. Biking, hiking, art shows, political debates and rallies, coffee shops; Tallahassee is small in ways, but there's always something new going on. Our school's administration has blossomed since Eric Barron became president. I had the privilege of having dinner with him and two other students during the first month of his presidency (After seeing Rigoberta Menchu, the Nobel Peace Prize winner). He took my friends and I out to the Dinner (where Denny's on campus used to be). We had offered to pay for him, because we were so grateful that he would give us an hour of his day without knowing us. We discussed some policies we were concerned with in the University, and he seemed understanding and agreeable about them. He then paid for our meals against our insistence, and within a few months, the policies we discussed were remedied and changed. I believe this shows just how student oriented our university is. One of the biggest controversies on campus recently was between the College Republican group on campus and several more liberal organizations. College Republicans brought an organization called GAP, which is an anti abortion group that came for 3 days and brought posters of aborted fetuses and hung them all around the center of campus. Many students were outraged, either by the anti-abortion stance being marketed, or the grotesque nature of the photos. There was a protest to the display which lasted exactly as long as the actual displays, and the controversy made front page of the FSView. However, even though students became passionately engaged in discussion and debate, there was very little said that was out of line. It was encouraging to see the student body in a completely unmoderated forum, still maintaining control over themselves and respect for their opposition whiles stating their opinion. Florida State has incredible pride for it's academia, as well as it's sports. Tailgating on game day is a wonderful experience. Walking through crowds, alumni and students bond and share food, friendly shouted conversations, and a team pride. Every student has something at FSU to be proud of, whether it's their specific organization, an event they anually partake in (like Dance Marathon or Market Wednesday), or their area of study.

Nicole

I've had many fantastic classes here at FSU. Because this is a research university, all of the professors (and to a certain degree the TA's) are continuously working on projects in their fields, and all of that research feeds into the classes they teach. The best teachers strike a balance between what the world already knows about their subject (i.e. what you'd learn in the same class at any university) and what they and and their contemporaries are working on at the time. As with any school, you'll sometimes get teachers that you hate, those that don't make the subject interesting or who just don't seem to want to be there. This is often true in huge lecture classes, where it's nearly impossible to interact with your TA/professor about the subject, and unfortunately at FSU many of the liberal arts credits that Freshmen take are lecture classes. However (at least in the English and Classics departments which I belong to), the further you go in your major, the more engaging the material becomes and the more enthusiastic your professors are to teach you. And the liberal arts requirements certainly aren't all bad - FSU gives you a lot of freedom to choose classes that qualify. For example, I've taken a Religion in Fantasy Literature course (aka "the Harry Potter class") and a Philosophy through Science Fiction class, both of which were incredibly interesting, and made the usual dreary religion/philosophy theories more relatable by applying them to pop culture. By far the best classes I've had, though, were during my study abroad experience in London, where FSU International Programs has a study center. I could go on and on about this, but if study abroad is something you're interested in (and it really should be!) I'd be more than happy to talk about it in an interview.

Nicole

I've had many fantastic classes here at FSU. Because this is a research university, all of the professors (and to a certain degree the TA's) are continuously working on projects in their fields, and all of that research feeds into the classes they teach. The best teachers strike a balance between what the world already knows about their subject (i.e. what you'd learn in the same class at any university) and what they and and their contemporaries are working on at the time. As with any school, you'll sometimes get teachers that you hate, those that don't make the subject interesting or who just don't seem to want to be there. This is often true in huge lecture classes, where it's nearly impossible to interact with your TA/professor about the subject, and unfortunately at FSU many of the liberal arts credits that Freshmen take are lecture classes. However (at least in the English and Classics departments which I belong to), the further you go in your major, the more engaging the material becomes and the more enthusiastic your professors are to teach you. And the liberal arts requirements certainly aren't all bad - FSU gives you a lot of freedom to choose classes that qualify. For example, I've taken a Religion in Fantasy Literature course (aka "the Harry Potter class") and a Philosophy through Science Fiction class, both of which were incredibly interesting, and made the usual dreary religion/philosophy theories more relatable by applying them to pop culture. By far the best classes I've had, though, were during my study abroad experience in London, where FSU International Programs has a study center. I could go on and on about this, but if study abroad is something you're interested in (and it really should be!) I'd be more than happy to talk about it in an interview.

Nicole

I've had many fantastic classes here at FSU. Because this is a research university, all of the professors (and to a certain degree the TA's) are continuously working on projects in their fields, and all of that research feeds into the classes they teach. The best teachers strike a balance between what the world already knows about their subject (i.e. what you'd learn in the same class at any university) and what they and and their contemporaries are working on at the time. As with any school, you'll sometimes get teachers that you hate, those that don't make the subject interesting or who just don't seem to want to be there. This is often true in huge lecture classes, where it's nearly impossible to interact with your TA/professor about the subject, and unfortunately at FSU many of the liberal arts credits that Freshmen take are lecture classes. However (at least in the English and Classics departments which I belong to), the further you go in your major, the more engaging the material becomes and the more enthusiastic your professors are to teach you. And the liberal arts requirements certainly aren't all bad - FSU gives you a lot of freedom to choose classes that qualify. For example, I've taken a Religion in Fantasy Literature course (aka "the Harry Potter class") and a Philosophy through Science Fiction class, both of which were incredibly interesting, and made the usual dreary religion/philosophy theories more relatable by applying them to pop culture. By far the best classes I've had, though, were during my study abroad experience in London, where FSU International Programs has a study center. I could go on and on about this, but if study abroad is something you're interested in (and it really should be!) I'd be more than happy to talk about it in an interview.

Britannia

The academics at Florida State are very competitive and well rounded. Students declare their major and are usually required to full fill their prerequisites before entering their major. Advisors work first hand with students, meeting with them individually whether through an appointment, dropping by unannounced, or via email. Advisors are often assigned to certain years of academics, meaning a different advisor for freshmen then seniors. The classes at FSU are surprisingly personal whether they are large or small. In my case, many of my prerequisites such as math and science were larger but the teacher or TA still knew who I was and my progress. Attendance was still important in these classes with teachers often calling you out if they noticed that you were not attending, since many students believe they can get away with missing class due to the size. Testing for these classes were often in a smaller environment, which helped and allowed for the teacher to answer anyone’s questions. Students are still very competitive in larger classes and it is often an easy place to make new friends since study groups are often established. Larger classes were often a bit of a relief as well since you probably knew someone else taking the course. Once I started focusing in on my English classes, since that is my major, I was surprised to learn of the small size of my classes. Coming from a small private school in South Florida, I found it very comforting to be in classes of on aver 25 people or less. My parents were also glad with this since they were nervous about the learning environment of a school with so many students. With these classes teachers are especially able to give one on one attention to students and monitor their success. I was even more surprised when I would have a teacher again for a different course a semester or so later and they would remember exactly who I was and what course I had taken with them. This is great because it allows the student to create a relationship with a teacher who could one day write the student a recommendation or help them find a job. The English Department is a great facilitator for learning, having some of the most intelligent professors/people I have ever encountered. One of my favorite classes was one that revolved around the works of John Milton and my professor could literally recite pages from Paradise Lost without ever even looking at the book. He had taught the material for over 30 years and still wished he could be half as smart as Milton. This teacher created a great environment for learning since students found inspiration in his passion for the subject. This professor was just one of the many passionate professors I have encountered at FSU. In my experience they have all been fair and understanding, besides a couple that I encountered outside of the English Department, but that still was apart of my growing experience. Another huge part of my experience was that I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence through one of the best programs in the country. Florida State offers the opportunity to study in many different countries on actual FSU campus and with actual FSU faculty. The opportunity was life changing and I had the chance to experience people and places I had never encountered before. I still keep in touch with my professors and friends from overseas and cherish all the memories I made while abroad. One of the most interesting experiences I had in Florence was when a native told my friend and I that he loved FSU and couldn’t wait to visit his friends in Tallahassee that he made while working in the city. An even more interesting fact was that he had learned English from the waves of FSU students who come and go every semester. Overall the academics at FSU are extremely competitive and challenge each student to achieve their highest degree of learning. FSU gives each student the opportunity to be successful while attending the college and helps them set up their future.

Connor

I am an editing, writing, and media student at Florida State University. I love going to my classes and having hour long lectures with my classmates about the usefulness of certain textual elements and the philosophies they express. The one thing that always keep me eager about the next semester though is the faculty. Each semester I have different teachers and I have yet to be disappointed. I am so confident that I will receive a good teacher in the subjects I study that I do not even bother with rate my professor. My teachers always know my name, remain in contact with me, and even go out of their way to read articles or stories that are not even for their class. I have noticed that they really want us to succeed. It is as if our success is a direct representation of their success. Whether it is at out campus in Tallahassee or the one here in London, I have yet to find a professor who is not passionate about their work. They know we are the next generation of intellectuals who will evolve our world and the minds to come thereafter so they pave the way and inspire thought every time they have a chance.

Megan

FSU has a strong academic field, and I have personally enjoyed the majority of courses I have taken over the past four years in both the basic required courses for all students and the courses in my major department, English. Every class I have taken, aside from the 100 plus size lecture classes, have been taught by teachers who make a genuine effort to know each students name and help them both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers make themselves available for one on one time through office hours if you are ever having difficulty with the course. Class participation is a large part of the courses, encouraging students to interact with each other in class and through online class discussion boards. As an Editing Writing and Media major through the school's English department, I have had the opportunity to take classes that are geared not just on earning a good grade in the course but focus on what to expect outside of college. One of the best courses I've taken at the university is the writing workshop classes offered through the English department. Workshops are great for both English students who want a more in depth critique on their writing skills and non-English majors who want to learn how to better their writing over all to help on future papers required for other courses.

Lindsey

Academics are outstanding at Florida State. All of my professors know my name, and are extremely helpful. MY favorite class this semester was my French class. I was taught by a grad student, who was able to make learning foreign language fun and exciting. My least favorite class was my two hour literature class, but only because I'm not a fan of reading lengthy novels. I'd say the average student studies about twenty hours a week. Class participation is very common in all courses. It works well because it acts as a grade booster, but it also allows for more lively classroom sessions. When walking on campus I hear tons of intellectual conversations between students, usually about something they are learning in class. Some courses are competitive, especially the writing courses. The most unique class I have taken so far would have to be my poetic technique class. My teacher was very enthusiastic, and we had unusually interesting exercises to do. I myself am a creative writing major in the English department. The department it's self is very helpful. I constantly get e-mails about internship opportunities, as well as reminders about deadlines. Though I have not spent time with any of my professors outside of class, they are always open to the idea. It can be a little tough to get into Florida state, but they have clear requirements, and once you're in they are more than willing to help you stay on track. The overall education at this school is geared toward learning for it's own sake, but there are plenty of resources which can help a student plan a career path.

Scott

Academics here at FSU focus on a lot of interactions of student thoughts and ideas. The teachers, who really do a great job at not only teaching content, provide excellent support of outside sources that magnify the amount of knowledge being received. One of my favorite aspects of almost every class I have enrolled in is the participation requirement. Most teachers provoke discussion among students, creating a transfer of energy around a classroom that help produce new ideas and philosophies. Not only is the outcome amazing, but the process of discussion is really well stimulated around the class room. Being a Creative Writing Major, I have mostly taken literature and english focused classes, and I can honestly say I have not enjoyed anything else. The English Department is extremely well staffed with teachers and TA's that know the material and teach it in effective ways. Essay writing is very common, but is usually workshopped around the classroom from students and teachers helping to get a strong correction to any questions or concerns about an assignment. The great thing about all the teachers I have come in contact is they are always willing to help and advise outside the classroom. This has really benefitted my learning experience here and has helped me become really focused on learning. The large amount of class options are very beneficial to those focused on that course or for those who just want to learn. The academics here at FSU challenge students in an engaging way that provokes more learning and transfer of knowledge around the school.

Marli

Before I came to FSU, I was afraid that I would get in the larger classes of students. I was very wrong. Yes, there will be classes that you are in (such as lecture halls) that have from 100-300 students, but there are also classes that have 20. One of the classes I took this semester was Intro to PR. Before walking into the class I heard from many students that the class was a bit difficult and occupied about 200 students in the class at once. About halfway through with the semester, I felt that I was having trouble with the material and wanted to meet with the teacher for some help. He answered me within two hours and allowed me to meet with him during his office hours, where he helped me get right back on track and reassured me that I would do just fine in this class. The teachers at Florida State are willing to help you whenever. This is something that they love doing! If you feel that you are lost and struggling, by going to their office hours you can gain back your confidence in the material and the class. Sometimes the the professors will even email students about helping them out (that is if you actually try in the class and attend the classes) because they actually want the student to succeed. Each and everyone of my professors were unique and were so passionate about what they were teaching. This past semester I took Writing Editing and Print Online, and it became my favorite class, and the professor who taught it was also a plus. She was young and gave all of attention when it came to projects and discussions in class. She made the materials and examples relatable to students and made class fun! This class became like a little family within two weeks because the professor made the learning environment comfortable for us, where we helped one another out, and didn't ever want to leave class.

Abigail

Academic experiences at Florida State definitely vary from major to major, but I have personally had a great experience, overall, with my teachers and classes. Many of the liberal studies classes that are required when you first begin, are very large and less personal. However, once I started my major (English), my classes shrunk to rarely being over 40 students. My teachers have always encouraged us to come to their office hours and are normally easy to talk to and work with. This is especially true with smaller classes--the larger ones mean the teacher has more people to work with, and, in that case, it can be harder to talk to them. Overall, I have had a good experience as an English major. My concentration is Editing, Writing, and Media, and the only complaint I have about it is that it is new as of a couple of years ago, so there are some kinks still being worked out. For example, many of my classes overlap in information, and I don't feel there is enough practice of applying the material to a professional setting. However, one of my teachers this semester dedicated half of a class to getting our feedback on how the major could be improved, because the faculty will be meeting to discuss the subject at the end of the semester. It meant a lot to me that she valued what we had to say, as students.

Car

FSU is a big state university with around 40,000 students attending. There are many prestigious academic programs to accommodate the large student body. The choice of programs is very diverse and includes the sciences, humanities and arts. There is something for everyone. We have a very good medical school for those hoping to become doctors, an award winning film school that is recognized by the Directors Guild of America and plenty of humanities departments for the student interested in subjects such as history, political science and languages. There is a department for every student, whether he is looking for job training or is interested in learning for its own sake. One of the best things about the diverse course options at FSU is the amount of control students have over their schedules. Each program offers a huge selection of courses and professors. Often a student will be given a list of classes that count toward major requirements and can freely choose which ones interest them. Most classes are offered at different times of the day so a student can choose to take all morning classes or all evening class. There are even online classes for the commuter students who cannot drive to school every single day. Your schedule is completely under your control at FSU. There are many interesting classes at FSU. One of the most unique ones I have taken was Religion and Fantasy. We studied many famous fantasy series such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Harry Potter series. It was a fun way to earn a humanities credit! There are all sorts of classes to satisfy the interests of every student. The only drawback to attending such a large school is that many required classes are very large in number. Classes can have hundreds of people in them and take place in an auditorium. However the teachers who teach these classes are very helpful and always answer emails. They also have office hours to help the students who need more one on one time with the professor. Similarly, there are often tutoring stations in the library on campus, to offer some extra help. This goes for most of the professors at FSU. Every professor has office hours and most of them are extremely helpful. Overall, the academics at FSU are excellent, due to the great number of choices and the willingness of the teachers to help.

Car

FSU is a big state university with around 40,000 students attending. There are many prestigious academic programs to accommodate the large student body. The choice of programs is very diverse and includes the sciences, humanities and arts. There is something for everyone. We have a very good medical school for those hoping to become doctors, an award winning film school that is recognized by the Directors Guild of America and plenty of humanities departments for the student interested in subjects such as history, political science and languages. There is a department for every student, whether he is looking for job training or is interested in learning for its own sake. One of the best things about the diverse course options at FSU is the amount of control students have over their schedules. Each program offers a huge selection of courses and professors. Often a student will be given a list of classes that count toward major requirements and can freely choose which ones interest them. Most classes are offered at different times of the day so a student can choose to take all morning classes or all evening class. There are even online classes for the commuter students who cannot drive to school every single day. Your schedule is completely under your control at FSU. There are many interesting classes at FSU. One of the most unique ones I have taken was Religion and Fantasy. We studied many famous fantasy series such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Harry Potter series. It was a fun way to earn a humanities credit! There are all sorts of classes to satisfy the interests of every student. The only drawback to attending such a large school is that many required classes are very large in number. Classes can have hundreds of people in them and take place in an auditorium. However the teachers who teach these classes are very helpful and always answer emails. They also have office hours to help the students who need more one on one time with the professor. Similarly, there are often tutoring stations in the library on campus, to offer some extra help. This goes for most of the professors at FSU. Every professor has office hours and most of them are extremely helpful. Overall, the academics at FSU are excellent, due to the great number of choices and the willingness of the teachers to help.

Katherine

Typically, your freshman year at FSU will be dominated by large classes in huge lecture halls taught by a professor who doesn't know your name. Once you move on into more specialized classes for your major, class size will get smaller, and you will really get to know your professor. My favorite class has been Greek and Roman Mythology. The class was fascinating, the professor was funny, and I honestly looked forward to class every week. The worst class I have been in is General Biology. I probably just hated it because I am not a science person, but I still struggled the entire semester. The majority of students at FSU are very grade conscious. The main library, nicknamed "Club Stroz," is always packed at any time of day. It is even nicknamed "Club Stroz" because so many students go there. Dirac Science Library is the library you go to if you are serious about getting a lot of work done. FSU students tend to give most classes their all. There are not many slackers. Of course, there are always the kids that never go to class and only show up on test days, but I have found these types of students to be far and few between. FSU also has very reasonable LIberal Arts requirements. The Liberal Arts studies are the basic classes you are required to take before moving on to take classes for your major. They include things like Freshman Composition and College Algebra. However, these classes are easy to exempt out of with your grades from high school, SAT/ACT scores, and AP scores. Most students exempt out of at least a few Liberal Arts classes which speeds up your academic career. I recommend enrolling in the FSU Honors Program if you are invited to join. You are offered small class sizes from the start, and you get priority registration which basically guarantees you will get your desired class schedule every semester. The Honors Program has allowed me to learn from some of the best professors on campus. Plus, discussions in honors classes are always extremely intellectual, and you can learn a ton from simply listening.

Gabriela

Academics at Florida State are fairly rigorous but teachers are very good about offering opportunities to do well. One thing that some high school students don't yet know--I didn't--is the difference between your university and your college. FSU is a big school with I believe around 40,000 students. That sometimes means lecture halls and long walks around campus. However, it also means a tremendous amount of resources available to you and an awesome football team. Your college/major will most likely be rather small. For example, in the Williams building are most of the English Language and Literature classes. While if I walked across campus for a lecture hall I might not know a lot of people, in the Williams building there is a sense of community. After a while, as you work into your major, you start feeling a sense of belonging to your college--where you'll know and have close relationships with a good number of the professors and fellow students. That's most likely where you'll have your mentors, your intellectual debates with peers, and your most stimulating classes, all within the context and privilege of a large, well funded university.

Ryan

The academic atmosphere of FSU is a good one. There are a decent amount of large lecture classes, however as you progress in your major the classes get smaller and more personal. There are always a couple professors who will learn your name, and every teacher has office hours that are open to all students. Participation in class is common, especially in my major. I'm in Editing, Writing, and Media and my classes are largely based on participation and sharing examples of work. The library offers free tutoring and has very flexible hours. My favorite classes I've taken thus far have been Philosophy classes. We have a great philosophy program and the professors are really interesting and talented teachers. The education is mainly geared towards job placement as you progress however there are always classes available that are there for the sake of learning.

Gian

This is always a very important part of going to any university. Just so you can get an idea of what my academic experiences were like, I'll tell you about some of my best and worse classes and what you can expect your classes to be like if you were to go to FSU. I started out as an Exploratory major and declared my major this semester (Psychology). This really isn't a major, its more of an undecided program to expose students to different fields of study so they can make a confident decision about whatever major they want to eventually be a part of. During this time I have taken math classes (Algebra and Statistics) and english (English I, II, and Science Fiction Short Story). I have also taken a variety of other classes from Intro to Psychology to Oceanography, to music theory. In addition to this, I have participated in three different ensembles from the School of Music ethnomusicology department and been a part of the one of the school bands for Music majors and minors. The class sizes very depending on the subject. Into to Psychology, Social Psychology, Race and Ethnicity, Bio of non-majors, Oceanography, and College Algebra were all taken in large auditoriums. In these classes there were anywhere from 200 to about maybe 400+ students in these lecture halls. These classes were pretty much the same in that you would go to class, take as many notes of the powerpoint slides as possible, and read the book at home. I highly recommend having a partner to take notes with. One person can write down the slides and the other can type everything that the professor is saying. Most classes allow you to bring in your laptop. This is really useful for taking notes...but it is DAMN tempting to go over to youtube to look up funny videos of people falling when the professor begins to ramble on about a subject that one one cares about (this happens a lot on Race and Ethnicity). If you want the professors to spend time with you, you have to make the time to meet with them during their office hours. All of the professors that I have had really wanted their students to visit them during their office hours, of any question or concern, big or small. I really recommend that students do this so that the professor gets to know you. For music majors, the classes are smaller. Classes like Music Theory, Sight-singing etc., have classes with maybe 25 students. And then there is something like sectionals from high school, where all of the students that play, lets say low brass, would meet together once a week. During these meetings (which are required), students perform for each other to get positive criticism and learn about new techniques to perform better.

Catalina

The academics at FSU are pretty considerable. My major prepares me very well and several other programs have a good reputation for being competitive with other schools, such as the education program. There are a wide variety of classroom dynamics here; some classes are lectures in which you can get the one-on-one attention you need through visiting office hours, while other classes are small and discussion-based. Some classes even mix these by employing one class a week as a lecture while the other as a recitation in a lab setting where you practice the skills learned and can gain one-on-one guidance from the instructor. My major is English with a concentration of EWM, which is Editing, Writing, and Media. This is very unique and a new major, which allows for a lot of evolution of the curriculum. In this way, the material we learn is incredibly relevant to today's society and the skills we learn will be applicable to the future of composition.

Megan

Here at Florida State University class size depends on your specific field of study. I have had classes as large as 500 people and as small as 4 people. If you take the time and effort to approach your professors they will most definitely remember your name, however, in large lecture classes it is unlikely for the professor to know your name unless you put forth the effort. My favorite and most unique class would be a sales class I took within the business major this class was very practical and required each student to partake in a 20-minute selling situation. It was very involved. My least favorite class would be college algebra, mostly, due to the fact I am terrible at math. Class participation is common but less common in lecture classes although teachers often require students to purchase PRS controllers that allow the class to instantly answer questions, which are then displayed on the projector screens. It depends what students you talk to but there are most definitely those who participate in intellectual conversations outside of class. Students here at FSU are competitive in both the academic field and the extracurricular. I have two majors and they are Business (Marketing) and English (Editing Writing and Media). Both majors are very different from each other. The business school is more rigid while the English school has a more relaxed atmosphere. Both departments educate students in a manner that is geared toward future employment. I feel the educational requirements for both majors are fruitful. Each required class builds upon another and makes for a more well rounded learning experience.

Elizabeth

If you stand out to a professor, they will remember your name. Many of mine remember me (I'll admit, part of that is because of my nickname) but also because of the quality of my work. My favorite class had to be Harry Potter and Religion. It covered the Narnia series, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and the Golden Compass trilogy. It was fun, imaginative, and still taught us a lot about religion and how, even when it's unintentional, can still make it's way into the media. My least favorite was a class on poetry for my freshman English class that focused on nothing but food poems. At 8 a.m. when I usually didn't get breakfast until afterward. A lot of students have intellectual conversations out of class, but I would say the majority keep those conversations in class and spend their time outside getting the work done. I don't think students are particularly competitive here. My majors are Creative Writing and Classical Civilizations, both of which are some of the best in the country, taught by some of the most knowledgeable professors I've ever met. I love both of my departments because I learn so much in a way that's not just a professor droning on, but actually engaging because they care so much about the material. I personally don't spend a lot of time with my professors out of class, but there are lots of opportunities with lectures and events that almost any department holds. The school's academic requirements are definitely more lax than others, which I'm grateful for, because it gives me the opportunity to focus more on my major work and less on the liberal arts courses you have to get out of the way to graduate. FSU is half and half geared for academia and for a career later on. We have a Career Center, whose purpose is to find jobs and internships for students that will advance them in the field, and there's lots of research assistantships available for extra financial aid and the opportunity to work alongside an expert.

Chelsea

Freshman year, your classes are going to be big. That's because you're taking gen ed. requirements that every other freshman has to take too. However, as you get farther into your major and into more specialized classes, the class size dwindles accordingly. I'm in a class right now of only 12 people! All professors are required to hold office hours outside of class time, so you can get your questions answered. If you take advantage of office hours for your bigger classes, your professor will get to your name and know you really care. Smaller classes, its no problem. I'm personally an Editing, Writing, & Media (EWM) major in the English Department. Becoming an EWM major was the best decision I ever made both because I love to read, write, and edit, and this major (unique to FSU) really focuses on moving the journalism/ publishing industry from print to digital. This is a progressive step for our University to take, a step towards preparing its graduates for the jobs that will be out there in their future. And if your thing is more of delving into the past isntead, Strozier Library, better known as "Club Stroz," has the coolest Special Collections Archives that houses everything from centuries old medieval manuscripts to 1950's yearbooks.

Monica

Students are extremely competitive when it comes to academics at Florida State. For most majors, a certain grade point average is expected in order to get accepted into it, with only a certain number of spots open per year. Studying is a hugely common occurrence here; so much to the point where the library, called Strozier library, has been jokingly nicknamed "club Stroz" due to the large amounts of students there on a daily basis. Generally speaking, most professors make an effort to get to know each individual student. The only exception I can really think of are the professors who teach 100+ student lectures in large lecture halls. Class participation is common for most classes, but it depends on the major you are in and the amount of students in your class. Meeting with professors outside of class or getting in touch with the via email is a pretty simple task; all that I have encountered are more than willing, and actually excited, to help students outside of the classroom.

Jena

The academic life at FSU is typical to most instate universities. Depending on the major or class you are taking the average size of a class ranges from 15 to 230. When taking lecture classes students need less focus causing classrooms of around 200. Classes where more individual attention is needed such as writing classes or performing arts the amount of students allowed to enroll decrease to around 20 or 30. Professors are clear as to what they expect from you from the first day of class so there are no surprises. As far as studying habits go you can always find people studying in the library Strozier which has an immense amount of services offered to help you at any given time.

Samantha

Classes rang in size to small 15 person work shops to huge 500 person lectures. But professors are always there to help you outside of class when you need it. My favorite class was all about media studies. So, we watched movies and reality tv and talked about twitter and websites in my class. Why they were popular or not popular. My least favorite class was Geology (rocks are hard and so is this class!). I took it to satisfy my last science requirement but ended up getting more than a bargained for. It is still the most difficult class I have taken during college. Class participation is important and encouraged. Many times professors work participation points into your final grade. The most unique class I took was a newsletter class in which students came up with an article to write then created an entire layout for the newsletter in Indesign. We also learned about Photoshop and how to market our newsletter through social media. It was a very hands on class and I learned a lot. My major is relatively new in the English Department. It is Editing, Writing, and Media and it is geared towards publishing. We learn about how to write and edit but also how to design layouts and market via the internet. It is very exciting to be in such a new major and professors are often changing coursework as the semester goes on to tailor it to the needs of the students. I think whether or not the education is geared more towards getting a job or just learning depends on the major. A lot of majors now require students to complete a 1 semester internship before graduating in order to better prepare them for the real world. My major is very focused on future jobs and careers and professors often encourage us to think about how what we are learning could be used in the future.

Bret

I graduated high school with a full academic scholarship and chose FSU out of five other out-of-state institutions that I was accepted into. One of my primary concerns was that the classroom dynamics would be impersonal and that the cirriculum would not challenge me to think. Coming in as a freshman, I had no concrete idea of what I wanted to major in, but I was interested in everything - film, literature, philosophy, religion, writing, environmental studies, ethics, language, international affairs, etc. One of the clearest indicators of Florida State's academic excellence is that during my time here I got to explore all these areas and more before settling into a niche that suits my ambitions perfectly. I will graduate next semester with a degree in Editing, Writing, and Media (the newest program in the English Department, established in 2009) with a double minor in Religion and Film Studies. The EWM Program has been a great experience for me, and exemplifies the nature of FSU's academic attitude - they are evolving with the times, making changes to their programs that will help students grow into employable, articulate, and confident thinkers. Simply put, you can get as much or as little out of the academic experience as you want - I know students whose priorities lie outside the classroom (totally reasonable, since not all learning comes from books and teachers, and not every mind learns in the same way) and who are no less successful in the system than I have been. But if your preference is to combine enriching life experiences with engaging classroom discussion (which has been my goal as a student at FSU) then the academic program will not disappoint you.

.

Once one makes a break from more of the larger lecture-based courses, classes decrease in size to a manageable 25-30 kids very reminiscent of a high school room. Of course there will always be classes that range from 60-100 kids, too, but FSU seems to have a good mix. My favorite class has been Fiction Technique because of how much I've grown in my story writing, especially being that we were required to participate in a workshop at the end of the class. My least favorite class has been College Algebra simply because of how large the class was and that quizzes and tests were given in a separate lab and online (which doesn't make getting good grades the easiest). The more intellectually driven students study for at least 5 hours a day, I would say, but it depends on the difficulty of the classes being taken. Class participation is common in more upper-level courses. Students have intellectual conversations outside of class, but this can be hard to come by at times. As a sophomore I haven't had as many intellectual conversations as I would like, but I still am not completely within my major's classes. Students don't seem to be competitive, at least in Liberal Arts college, but rather helpful or simply consistently independent. The most unique class I've taken so far has been Intro to Linguistics. I never knew anything about the scientific study of human language and am surprised at how vast a field it is. My major is Creative Writing, and the English Department at FSU is arguably one of the top five in the whole nation. The professors here are extremely helpful and most have at least a few books to their names. I've spent time with a few professors outside of class just talking to them about some research ideas i was interested in. So far most of my teachers have been open to talking with students after the semester is over, and even open to aiding the student in reading over their poetry or stories. I feel good about this school's academic requirements- it's very possible to do well and to even go above and beyond (for example, there is the option of making a course an Honors one even if the rest of the class is taking the Regular course). Truthfully there seems to be a bit of a split in FSU when it comes to the academic focus. There's the more intellectually-driven students who take the classes that interest them (yet some classes geared to this are being cut), and then there's the students who are focused on getting a job. At times walking around campus it seems the latter can be more abundant.

Yanelis

So far, the few classes I have taken at Florida State have been satisfying and I have taken a lot from the lectures and class discussions we have had. All of my professors have very flexible office hours and every time I have approached any of my professors, they have invited me into their office with the arms and ears wide open. They help tremendously in and out of the classroom setting. All my classes have set up study groups at the library for exams, and we all appreciate what we have learned throughout the semester. I spend 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my week studying, reading, and doing homework to keep up with all my classes. The graduation requirements allow students to expand their horizons and learn more about things that aren't specific to their major. It allows us to develop other skills such as writing and being knowledgable on history from ancient dance to medicine. At this school, it is not just about finding you a job, it is about enriching you with knowledge and wisdom.

Gregory

The professors in non lecture classes make an effort to remember all or their students by the second week. Even the non-lecture professors will get to know you if you speak often or go to their office hours. The best thing about classes are the intelligent conversations both in and out of them. I often talk to some of my classmates even if I barely know them and often I make friends through those conversations. Much of the education is both applicable to the real world and for the sake of learning. For myself, I use many of the lessons from my psychology, history, and science classes in my writing. The academic requirements at FSU are structured but flexible for some majors but rigid for others. As an English- Creative Writing Major, I'm free to choose much of my Major classes. My friend is a Biology Major whose Major courses are chosen for her.

Charneisha

I am currently an English major with a concentration in editing, writing, and media. When it comes to English, the classroom setting is more intimate. At the most, your classes will have 25 students. This gives you more opportunity to work one-on-one with your professor about your work and to grasp everything better. I do know my professors by their name, just as they know my name. General study classes like sciences and math classes that are not needed for your major tend to be larger classroom settings. A lot of times when you have these classes professors know those students who interact or go to their office hours. As stated above, once you are into your major the classroom sizes begin to get smaller. I like both classroom settings. In the larger lecture class I feel it challenges you more. Here you have to interact and give feedback, and not just sit in the back of the classroom being timid. Also, the smaller classroom settings help those who are not as out going as I am. Students at my university are very competitive. I feel that this benefits the individual the most. Being that someone in your class is competitive it pushes you harder, and makes one want to strive to be the best. I feel that education here is geared toward getting a job. Many majors require internships in order to graduate. This makes students go out and get the experience needed to build their resume. Also, we have a career center. The career center is geared to helping you compose resumes, cover letters, doing mock interviews and even hosting job fairs to help students. I feel that my university go over and beyond to help individuals prepare for a better future.

Charneisha

I am currently a English major with a concentration in editing, writing, and media. When it comes to English, the classroom setting is more intimate. At the most, your classes will have 25 students. This gives you more opportunity to work one-on-one with your professor about your work and to grasp everything better. I do know my professors by their name, just as they know my name. General study classes like sciences and math classes that are not needed for your major tend to be larger classroom settings. A lot of times when you have these classes professors know those students who interact or go to their office hours. As stated above, once you are into your major the classroom sizes begin to get smaller. I like both classroom settings. In the larger lecture class I feel it challenges you more. Here you have to interact and give feedback, and not just sit in the back of the classroom being timid. Also, the smaller classroom settings help those who are not as out going as I am. Students at my university are very competitive. I feel that this benefits the individual the most. Being that someone in your class is competitive it pushes you harder, and makes one want to strive to be the best. I feel that education here is geared toward getting a job. Many majors require internships in order to graduate. This makes students go out and get the experience needed to build their resume. Also, we have a career center. The career center is geared to helping you compose resumes, cover letters, doing mock interviews and even hosting job fairs to help students. I feel that my university go over and beyond to help individuals prepare for a better future.

Charneisha

I am currently a English major with a concentration in editing, writing, and media. When it comes to English, the classroom setting is more intimate. At the most, your classes will have 25 students. This gives you more opportunity to work one-on-one with your professor about your work and to grasp everything better. I do know my professors by their name, just as they know my name. General study classes like sciences and math classes that are not needed for your major tend to be larger classroom settings. A lot of times when you have these classes professors know those students who interact or go to their office hours. As stated above, once you are into your major the classroom sizes begin to get smaller. I like both classroom settings. In the larger lecture class I feel it challenges you more. Here you have to interact and give feedback, and not just sit in the back of the classroom being timid. Also, the smaller classroom settings help those who are not as out going as I am. Students at my university are very competitive. I feel that this benefits the individual the most. Being that someone in your class is competitive it pushes you harder, and makes one want to strive to be the best. I feel that education here is geared toward getting a job. Many majors require internships in order to graduate. This makes students go out and get the experience needed to build their resume. Also, we have a career center. The career center is geared to helping you compose resumes, cover letters, doing mock interviews and even hosting job fairs to help students. I feel that my university go over and beyond to help individuals prepare for a better future.

Layni

I'm impressed by the academics at Florida State. I've always been an exceptional student: in the gifted program since the fourth grade, involved in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program throughout my entire high school career, graduating Magna Cum Laude (I did slack off a little my senior year unfortunately). However, none of that seemed to matter when I came to Florida State. I had never once studied for a test in my entire life, and here I found myself scrambling to make a passing grade on my tests. Obviously I changed my ways and learned a studying technique that works for me, but I must say, the frustration of not doing as well in school as I always had done turned into admiration for the academics here. I slacked off big time my senior year: bored with all of my classes because they just weren't challenging enough for me, I would frequently neglect my homework, knowing that I could still make a good grade in my classes from doing well on my tests. Here at Florida State, school started to kick my butt until I took control of it and became more proactive. I am everyday thankful for the change it produced in me because I don't want to go through life, forever bored with everything around me. The challenge provided by my courses has brought back my lusty zeal for not only life, but education as well. The professors are so accommodating here, yet they don't hold your hand for you so it allows for personal independence, and teaches you about the virtue of responsibility which extends from the classroom into your working life, home life, etc. You can always go to a teacher for help, they're so eager to help you in whatever way possible. Half of the time, they express sadness in the lack of students that come to them, especially when they see that there are those struggling in their course, but they have never had a one-on-one with these particular students (it is the students responsibility to see them if they are struggling-one of the ways that the courses teach responsibility). Sometimes, class participation isn't always the best early on because everyone is afraid to speak up because they're afraid of being judged by what they say (an innate fear that everyone has), however, my advice to remedy the situation: suck it up and speak in class. Start the discussions yourself. Teachers appreciate it greatly when you participate, and it shows. Participation grades tend to be a part of almost every course, and sometimes, it can make the difference between a B and an A. It also helps the teacher get to know you better. For the most part, teachers know all of their students, but creating a good relationship with a teacher by participating in class only benefits you in the end. Basic, preliminary courses (such as ENC1101, the courses all students must take before getting into their major) tend to be large classes, so it makes it doubly important to talk to your teacher as they have so many students, they can't possibly get to know them all through their own initiative. Good news though, once you are in your core classes for your major, class size decreases greatly, (currently, my core classes range from about 20 students to maybe 40) making it easier to have that student-teacher relationship. I have to say that my favorite class that I've ever taken (ever, out of all of my schooling kindergarten through now) was my Social Psychology class. The teacher was the best teacher I've ever had. He was so interactive! He would act out scenarios to demonstrate a concept (one time, he was lying face down on the floor when everyone came in, though no one checked on him to see if he was okay-in our defense we were used to these type of demonstrations by him, so we were waiting to see what the demonstration was this time. Once everyone was inside, he got up and started talking about how no one came to help him. The reason for this demonstration? To show us the bystander effect). His classes were always entertaining, I actually wanted to study for his class. I would often times procrastinate on projects and homework for other classes by studying for his class. Needless to say, there are many more teachers at Florida State that are just as involved in their teaching process. I have yet to have one negative experience with any of my teachers, let alone dislike any of my teachers. Maybe it's just because education is such an important thing to me, and I actually like to learn, but I find that the courses I take at FSU make learning fun for me.