Wes 101: Drop/Add
Dear 2023,
I hope your first few days of classes at Wes have gone well. This can be a confusing, stressful and exciting time, so just remember to breathe.
–Tips and Tricks for Drop/Add from the Academic Peer Advisors
“Make a plan and be prepared! Have a list of the classes that seem remotely interesting in case you suddenly need a back-up and aren’t stranded looking through Wesmaps. Also, be sure that you’re communicating with the professors.”
“Don’t just go to the first class, go to the second! Sometimes more people drop than the professor is expecting, and if you are sitting in the classroom you will get priority! Generally, be persistent! Use the search feature on Wesmaps if you are desperate for a class to find ones with seats available.”
I would add that drop/add requires a combination of tenacity and flexibility, a rare but necessary combination. Just keep showing up and communicating, while also remembering that lots of courses (particularly introductory courses) will be taught again next term or next year. You will be fine.
–Buying Books
When you’re ready to buy books for your courses, remember that there is a Textbook Exchange every day from 12-5 in the lobby of Olin, a textbook library in the Resource Center, course reserve books are in Olin (this varies by instructor), PDF versions or course packs might be available, and the Wesleyan Bookstore has regular shuttles.
–Apply for a Writing Mentor
A mentor would work with you every week throughout the semester. Please direct any questions to writingworks@wesleyan.edu. If you are paired with a mentor, you will attend a mandatory Mentee Reception on September 19th at 4:30 PM to meet your mentor and set up a regular time to meet. Apply here.
-I’ve put information about new courses on the class blog, including two new First Year Seminars, HIST 118F and FGSS 200.
-I also put together Five Ways to Have a Successful First Term at Wes:
1. Become an active learner: actively read, write and speak in order to apply the knowledge rather than passively absorbing it. Ask questions, be engaged. Relate content whenever possible to issues and problems you care about and think about how you would explain it to someone not in your course. Think of examples in your life that connect to what you’re learning.
2. Be communicative with your instructors and go to their office hours and ask questions in order to better understand the material and get to know them better (and more importantly, allow them to get to know you). Use your resources.
3. Figure out what study skills you need to work on (time management, note-taking, studying for tests, active listening, close reading, etc.) and then reach out to the Academic Peer Advisors for help. Make sure that you have a big calendar (available in the basement of North College) to map everything on your syllabi in one place so you can visually get a sense of what you need to do for the term.
4. Become an even more active learner: Try to predict quiz/test questions, try to summarize the main points of a class meeting or reading, create your own opinions/arguments relating to the material. Ask questions as you read.
5. Practice self-care. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating well enough to avoid scurvy, staying in touch with home and getting away from work in order to relax (whether that means meditation, going to the gym, playing the violin or just hanging out with friends).
–Check out some great photos and a wonderful video from your Arrival Day!
–Meet Dean Mike!
Dean Mike Whaley, vice president for student affairs, thinks that he has the best job at Wesleyan because, in his words, he “…gets to spend his days with 3,000 of the coolest people on the planet!” The opportunity to learn from and interact with Wesleyan students is what keeps the job fresh for him after more than two decades at Wes.
Dean Mike oversees a large portfolio of offices centered on the student experience and works closely with the vice president for academic affairs to enhance student learning beyond the classroom. He supervises the offices of Academic Advancement (including the class deans), Graduate Student Services, Public Safety, the Resource Center and Student Services (including CAPS, Events & Conferences, Health Services, Judicial Programs, Religious & Spiritual Life, Residential Life, SACE, Student Activities, Usdan, and WesWELL). His office is responsible for a wide range of policies and issues affecting students’ academic and co-curricular experiences.
Dean Mike is a native of Upstate/Central New York and was a FGLI student when he began his studies at Cornell University. He holds a BS in microbiology from Cornell University and a MS in counseling and higher education from Central Connecticut State University. Beginning in 1997, he served as Wesleyan’s dean of students, becoming interim dean of the college in 2007. Michael Roth appointed him to his current role in 2008. Throughout his tenure he has been a strong advocate for effective student governance as well as active student participation in institutional decision-making.
Dean Mike lives on campus with his partner and their yellow lab. You’ll see them walking on campus, at the Anderson Fitness Center, and at many campus events. He coordinates events for LGBTQ faculty and staff, and also serves as team mentor to Men’s Soccer and Men’s Lacrosse. He enjoys cooking, skiing, reading, time with friends, and a good IPA! Wellness is important to him and he balances his busy job with spiritual practice and working out.
Please continue to be in touch!
Best,
Dean Wood
Jennifer Wood (she, her, hers)
Dean for the Class of 2023
(860) 685.2758
Wesleyan University
203 North College, 237 High Street
Middletown, CT 06459
Drop-in hours:
M 2-3, T 3-4, W 4-6, Th 11-12, F 2-4
http://classof2019.blogs.wesleyan.edu
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