Michigan State University Top Questions

The core classes you have to take for the universities requirements are usually very large and therefore makes it hard for the professors to learn your name. However, those classes usually come with a recitation where you have a grad student as a teacher and they always make an effort to learn your name. Being a senior and having taken a lot of classes in my major, which is Elementary Education, you find that you need and want to participate in class in order to get something worth while out of it. The professors of my elementary education classes not only take the time to learn your name, but to get to know you and learn about you, because they genuinely care about you and appreciate that you desire to become a teacher, since that is such a tedious, yet rewarding profession.

My favorite classes here were the Theatre classes. No matter what major you are in I would suggest taking one. The professors are fantastic, laid back and the classes are all fun. WORST classes- chemistry- ask anybody they are the devil.

Very challenging

Most classes at MSU at huge--400-600 people each...the professors won't know your name unless you go to their office hours. The standards are set pretty high--grading scales are strict and tough. But the classes prepar you for a career as well as learning just for its own sake. There are tons of classes offered...just about anything you can think of. Some things suck like, you can;t take a music class unless you're a music major. I'd change that if i could.

Most professors wont know your name until you get into your upper level major classes. A lot of my classes have 600+ people in them. It can be very intimidating. Classes are difficult. I transferred from another university and I think the classes at MSU are much more demanding.

Tough classes my freshmen year, but very do-able. Alot of the undergrad professors are foreign however, and can be difficult to understand. There are a lot of TA's and tutors to help. Int he business school you can sign up for free tutoring on the major subjects, and that helps a lot. At MSU you take a lot of general education classes your first two years, so just a vague idea of your major will get you through for awhile. It is easy to talk to an advisor, and career advising is quick and easy, or as in depth as you want it. MSU is definitely a career driven curriculum. Job fairs are very prevelant. Their goal is to make you sucessful as soon as you graduate.

I only took art and education classes, but they were all pretty good. The professors were great, they really knew each and every student by name. Its a very friendly campus and the faculty is a big reason why. My classes weren't over 30 students ever (I took all upper level here), so they were pretty small. Many students participate in class and occasional discussion occurs outside of class of class material. I did see some of my professors outside of class. I also feel that the education program I was in is very geared towards getting a job. You learn for the sake of learning but in the college of education you are required a lot of field work to , so you also learn for the sake of experience.

I've enjoyed a lot of the classes I've taken. Although the science classes (chemistry) are hard to study for because they dish out so much info with little one-on-one time. The classes are large (which doesn't usually prevent students from asking questions), but that doesn't mean the prof shouldn't require more to be done than just tests and reading.

Classes vary dramatically in size. I've had 350 person lectures to a 20 person class. It all depends. My least fav class would have to be my ISS. So boring, but required. I'm sure i'll have some other bad ones too, it's pretty much inevitable. Um, ask for help if you need it. Make friends in class so you can get notes when you miss. (I skipped a lot second semester and SCREWED myself so don't do it.......well not too much)

There is some class participation. My instructor does know my name.

With a few exceptions, most professors keep their doors open for extra help and are happy to assist students. If you're determined to get a 4.0 in a class, you should be able to.

Class sizes are large, but you will find out how to make it work for you. Professors have office hours, so if you have any questions you can always get them answered outside of class if you didn't get a chance to get them answered in class. The largest class I had was 550 people, but I made sure to sit in the front of the class and take good notes. The nursing program is totally different than prenursing, as the class sizes are much smaller and you have a lot of time in clinical. I have to study all the time for nursing, but I can still go out and have fun once in a while. I feel that this program will allow me to easily get a job after I gradate.

As far as academics go, you create your own world. The more time you're willing to put in, the more you'll get out of your classes. There are students who hardly go to a class all semester, and students who talk to the professor each day that may potentially earn the same grade. In college, the learning is for you, and no one else.

I'm an English major, which means like most other majors, I have to complete a ton of requirements that aren't directly related to English. To my surprise, I ended up REALLY enjoying the required classes. Taking social science classes, history classes, and foreign language were all really great experiences. Because of my requirements, I've finally chosen a minor I'm excited to study - History. One thing I've found true about all MSU professors is the effort they put into helping their students outside the classroom. You can meet with them before or after class and during their office hours. If their office hours aren't possible for you to attend, you can ask them ahead of time for a meeting outside those hours. After completing my Freshman year, I've become close to at least two professors. I was NOT expecting this, considering I've always been the really shy girl who never participates in class. This just goes to show you how hard MSU professors try to push their students above and beyond.

I think that the requirements at MSU are pretty dumb but I know that we are required to take science classes for good reasons just so that we all can have some type of diverse knowledge. I think classes on the other hand are all pretty good. Teachers always have office hours and/or learning centers after class so that if someone is not understanding the concepts they always have access to getting help. I was an advertising major and there was a lot of group projects and class participation counted a lot in class. At the time, I honestly did not like it, but it really helps out when you get out in the world, as you learn how to voice your own opinion and work as a team.

There's a pretty good diverse academic staff here. And I think it's something they strive for. I've been lucky enough to take classes with professors who I mostly admired. And the journalism program, having its major faults, still has given me quite the exceptional education.

If you balance your time and prioritize you can get it done. The library is always open and people are always willing to do study groups.

People don't expect the classes to be that difficult, but a lot of people underestimate the class work and content. 1/8 of those kids are the party kids, who eventually flunk out, but a good chunk of students didnt expect that much work would be involved.

Reasonably tough and demanding. This is a positive, because the person with this degree is respected in the job market.

This may be true for all four year colleges but a majority of my time felt wasted. When I received a degree in Telecommunication with emphasis in web-design I had exactly 3 classes pertaining to my degree that actually taught me useful information. Given I may have had a few more I could have taken had I decided on a major sooner, it's still sad I received a degree with the amount of REAL schooling I received. My misconception number 1 was that I would leave a college with a degree and be ready to work in the industry my degree pertained.

I had a wonderful Physiology professor for PSL 250. But there were 595 people crammed into that class. Most of my MSU classes had hundreds of students and this means that tests were "bubble" computerized multiple choice tests for ease of grading. Lansing Community College classes have about 40 students per class and use more in-depth testing methods. My LCC professors all know my name and treat me with respect because they can see that I do work for their class.

Academics are really what you make it. If you put in the effort you will get a great reward, but if you just half-ass it you wont receive any benefit.

The English Department is great but once again, the College of Education is the biggest peice of shit school in the world.

It really depends on the teacher/professor in regards to the academics at MSU. I have had some horrible professors and probably received better education at high school and then there's amazing professors who really engaged the students. I really think that MSU is educated towards getting a job and learning, depending on what major you have. The communication department is really focused on preparing students for a job (on the most part). Some classes prepare you for grad school, but expect the majority of com majors to go out into the workforce. I do believe that students have intellectual conversations outside of class, unfortunately, most of the time students don't' have their facts straight so they sound idiotic.

You will definitely study more than you did in High School but you will probably do less homework. The majority of classes are reasonable if you attend class and pay attention and do your reading. I am a part of Lyman Briggs College of Natural Science and I often spend time working with my colleagues and professors. This makes for a great learning environment.

you know... you learn stuff if you want to and dont if you dont want to

Academically, at MSU, I was suprised how much more I had to study compared to High School. I had friends from other colleges telling me that they never had to study and the college was soo easy. MSU is a challenging school. It also depends a lot on the courses your taking, but, for the most part, all freshmen take the same University pre-reqs anyways. Compared to High School, yeah, you'll prob study twice or three times as much. Again, it depends on your classes though. Some classes you don't ever have to study untill exams. A lot of large lecture classes will just post power point slides online and you can just review them. This means that you don't always have to go to class... although you prob should. As far a class participation, it really depends on the class. My Japanese class meets 5 days a week and class participation is part of our grades, so yeah, we have to participate a lot. In large lectures, participation can't really be mandatory, but students still ask questions and get involved. My major is supply chain management (business), and I'm taking my pre-core business and University courses now. Business students don't take real business classes until after their sophmore year when they get accepeted into the bus school. Sometimes I think that the University requirements are kind of stupid because they make you take random courses that don't relate at all to your major. I had to take a course on Water and the Enviornment, but I'm a business major. For my major and most other bus majors, MSU trys hard to help you get a job after graduation. They also have a lot of career fairs which makes it really easy to find summer internships as well. The nice thing about MSU, is that they are big enough and have a good reputation so they draw big companies like Toyota, Dell, UPS, IBM and stuff to come to MSU and hire for full time or for internships.

difficult and challenging, but nothing impossible. a lot of asian teachers for math classes that are impossible to understand which is unfortunate for what we pay to go here.

Professors DO NOT know your name! Depending on your program/major, you may have class sizes anywhere from 100-600 students, unless your in a small program. But in my dance specialization classes there was never more than 25 students, so that was great. But belonging to the largest college at MSU (Social Science) My core classes were huge. No professor ever knew my name. You must go to office hours if you want the professor to know your name. Students' study habits vary. I, like most students tended to study at the last minute. Class participation is not common, in a lecture class, you just take notes. are competitive, depending on the program. Most unique class, DANCE! The university requrements are just a waste of time and a way to make money.

I am in the James Madison program, which is a bit of a challenge. many former students of JMC try to intimidate you and tell you things to make you not want to be apart of the program but i say... GO FOR IT!!! life is not meant to be easy a challenge is always needed to make you a stronger person and to challenge your mind. the professors are as willing to teach you as you are willing to learn. one thing about college is that you dont have anyone telling you to go to class, you have to make the choice yourself.

--Classes are good and teachers are good. If you take advantage of allmsu and really try to make it a good schedule than that will make a huge difference. --Some classes are honestly ridiculously hard that you shouldnt even need for your major, and i definitely feel that the requireed classes that every student has to take are so stupid. I know they want you to be well rounded, but that is what was covered in highschool. By the time you go to college, you can decide if you want to be even more well rounded and not have it forced upon you, but lets be serious, they want your money.

Now that I am a senior and have had some of the same professors and have smaller class and have met with some of the profs some of them know be by name but all would recognize me. Students rent really competitive and are always helpful.

I liked most of my professors, even if they were strict of challenging. It feels good to be challenged and do well because I tried really hard. I studied everyday. I chose to though. I know some people who didn't have to study everyday, but I really wanted to do well. I didn't mind it. Class participation depends on the class.

Being at the graduate level and in our particular program, most professors learn who you are very soon, which is good.

Professors at Michigan State are demanding and if you meet those expectations it will show in your end grade. When you enter the upper-level courses then the class sizes become more intimate and professors know you by name. Many times at the 100-level there may be up to 250-500 person lectures and it is impossible for professors to know your name. In addition, some low-level courses are taught by Graduate Assistants, yet they are extremely knowledgeable, just make sure to respect them!

Class sizes are large (a class with 500-600 students is not unheard of) your first two years but once you get into your upper level courses the class sizes are smaller. General courses in your college are generally 100-200 students and major specific courses are usually no larger then 30-40. Even in the larger classes a majority of my professors knew who I was and participation was promoted heavily. In order to excel you have to spend a lot of hours studying but some students just get by to pass the class, so it's up to you. Classes are competitive but students usually try to help each other out rather then be cutt-throat about it.

The professors dont usually know your name unless you make a point of talking with them reguarly about class or out of class things during office hours or appointments. My favorite class was my Vet Med class this last semester. My least favorite was Chem 141 or my ISS 215 class...gag me! Depending on the class load and what you are doing a lot of people study all the time. You learn to multitask so well its great, the only downside is there is usually a lot to study and its not ususally for just one class. Depending on the class participation is welcome. In Chem unless you have a question there ususally arent any conversations going on, but in the smaller classes like IAH or WRA class participation is needed to keep the class going.

I feel as thought there are too many university requirements at MSU. I spent most of my freshman year taking courses outside of my major just because I had to get them out of the way. I also feel if they took away some of the university requirements then you should be able to take classes in your major as a sophomore instead of wait till our a junior to take them making it hard to graduate on time.

If you work hard and ask questions it wont take long for your professors to get to know you. I srongly suggest making a few random friends in the bigger lecture halls for future help in the class. Im a packaging major but i still have classes with a wide variety of people with different majors. Education is geared toward learning and getting a job.

Most MSU faculty are pretty young or really old. It kinda sucks. Not that they don't know what they're doing or don't know how to teach, but it can't get a little dry. Don't worry about it. Try getting interesting profs, like the one I got for my ISS class. I can't recall her name, but she was visiting from New Orleans and always picked great books to read. She gave good lecture as well and I felt like I had actually learned something in the end. Always be open-minded to classes. Sometimes a class you thought was gonna totally be a blow off turns into one you never want to miss. Also, don't skip classes, it's dumb and demeans the whole point of going to a university. You pay a shit load of money not to attend class, but class is where you learn the most even if you don't know it at first glance. Later you'll be talking with friends and start recalling something you heard in class or want to read a book your prof talked about in lecture. However, in the end, MSU is directed to teaching practical skills rather than thought-driven skills. By the way, if you're in Journalism, then it's very important to take your Journalism classes as early as possible. Journalism at MSU is highly competitive, if you want to get those super cool jobs. The State News, I've heard, is pretty political. They also force you to work for only them, if you get a job there. Meaning no freelance on the side. Professional Writing on the other hand is pretty lax. It's definitely a more open-minded atmosphere than the journalism classes. There's more theory in the Professional Writing major than this cold, hard kick-you-out-the-door kind of style for the Journalism major. It also is more technologically driven than journalism, which uses theory for addressing technology . So basically, journalism is ultra-structured writing style; and prof. writing is theory with some structure writing style. You also learn how to manipulate html and how to publish books under my major, which happens to be professional writing.

I did not take most of my basics here at MSU, I took them at a community college to save money. So the ones I have been taking have been more pertinent to my degree. They are generally smaller. I have heard horror stories though, mostly about organic chem. Profs do get to know you, and the majority of them are fantastic. You just have to show that you are making an effort. Students don't seem to be too competitive, but you will be pushed academically if you so choose to be. I feel like some of the requirements for my degree were not necessary, and I have heard things about that from people in other majors. It's just like any other college, they want to make the most money out of you that they can. I have been taking classes more for the sake of education than career oriented, but my major is pretty flexible (zoology with a lean toward environmental sciences).

One thing that I would suggest is getting to know your professors. There are some really large classes where that might be a very hard thing to do but there are also some pretty small classes. I would also suggest to study really hard especially in Chemistry. I haven't heard one person say that they liked that class or that it was easy.

not sure

MSU is a very typical BIG university. My smallest class freshman year had two hundred students in it. Having large lecture halls isn't all bad, though: no one cares/remembers who you are, so wearing pajamas and not showering is always an option, and you can get away with skipping a class here or there much easier when it's a large lecture setting. As students get farther into their programs, however, class sizes really shrink and you get to know your professors and fellow students much better. MSU is also academically competetive. We have a good handful of extremely competetive grad schools (veterinary, osteopathic medicine, elementary/secondary education, to name a few), resulting in 4 point-hungry undergraduates fighting for the dean's list. However, students here aren't as "bookwormy" and socially awkward as Ivy schools.

sometimes the library can be so packed i leave, since i dont want to spend another hour looking for somewhere to sit... it is a fair mix of the types of students in each class - you'll have people who work hard and people who don't care. students dont generally seem competitive. i have taken some really awesome classes with some memorable professors, and i have also taken some slack off ones with professors who didn't really cut it.

There are huge classrooms and tiny classrooms. The farther along you are in your classes, the smaller they get. The classes that everyone has to take might have 400 people, but in your junior and senior years, most classes will be 50 or less (sometimes 10!). Take classes seriously, this isn't high school anymore where you can slack off and get 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} on an exam (if if you can, you should find out by doing TOO MUCH first instead of not enough). If you qualify to get in to MSU and you try in class - you will do just fine.

Professors are too involved in their own tiny, academic worlds that they forget or just plain don't know what skills are required to survive in the real world. Too many of them have never been out of academia and don't understand that a bachelor's degree won't get you very far if you don't have it in the right field.

The profs are pretty sweet. It just sucks sometimes when it comes down to grading... say of instance that you were two percent away from a 4.0 in one of your classes, well you wouldnt be getting that 3.8 or that 3.9 that you'd get at the University of Michigan. It's reall competitive here so your grade would end up being a3.5. That's right, we're on a 0.5 scale. So it's really had, which is why you cant get behind. There are still many types of class settings, you can just be a number in a class lecture of 500, or you can stick out like a sore thumb and everyone would know your name in a class of 30. Either way, somebody knows somebody. As long as you talk with your profs, even in an email. They'll know who you are. I had one teacher that would get your pictures from the network, and memorize everybody's name to their face even before the semester started. For the past two years I majored in Human Biology, but there isnt any real jobs in that feild once you graduate, which is importaint if you want to make money. So I just switched my major to Kinesiology. It's more hands on and I think that I'm going to love it. As far as a job goes... the class loads are hard enough, but I'm sure that if I wasnt taking Organic Chemistry together with Physics and Calculus I would have time for a job.

I am a very dedicated student. I always have been and it never changed when I came to state. I take pride in my work and expect my professors to do the same, which is not usually the case. I've never once overheard an intellectual conversation outside of class, unless it has been my own with a fellow student. Most conversations you will come across have to do with weekend parties. The MSU graphic design program is horrible, but the professors as of late are trying really hard to improve it. There has been a lot of one on one interraction. Profs even try to go out of their way and get students into professional studios outside of class. It's getting better.

Every class is different. Most professors are pretty good about making themselves available outside of class. Communication classes at MSU are excellent. Basically, in class if you make yourself known to the professor they remember you. There are plenty of resources for getting internships and jobs.