Advice to a New Student

I would give several advising points to a student entering the course in which I am currently completing.

First, come with an open attitude. Don't enter this class with strictly the goal to achieve an A. While that may be the case for other classes, it is not for this one. The reality is, you WILL have to compose many creative pieces. And simple enough, without caring, trying, and openness, it is not possible to achieve a good grade, as that wouldn't lead to influential writing pieces. So it is important to come to class with a certain mindset: you must be willing to put some time and effort into what you will turn for grades--there IS no "easy way out" here. You must do the real thing--work.

Second, Don't focus on the details. Geoffrey is a logical professor, and he too is a person. He will understand if you did not have time to read an article and don't contribute to a discussion. He won't call you out for not bring your "Everything is an Argument" book. He won't hold it against you if you are behind on your drafts for your essay. He wants you to learn, and gain experience and knowledge from the course; he doesn't want you to stress out. If you do your part in paying attention and following the most directions you can, it will be reflected in your writing, and he will notice it.

Third, take advantage of what Professor Bateman offers to you. He does not say "I have office hours" for no reason. If you have time during the quarter, and more importantly, if you think it will help you, make sure to set up an appointment to meet with Professor Bateman; whether it is to review an essay, or just to make sure you are on the right track. It shows you care about your progress, and it truly helps you learn. Being at DU, this is a major advantage. In most public schools, you would be setting up an appointment with a grad student, or a TA. Be aware of your opputunities here.