Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

I love my classes this semester. I changed my major from wildlife science to English. Last semester i hated my classes because i really am not very talented at science, my brain works better along the English line. I am only a freshman, so i haven't really developed a good understanding and opinion about the requirements and the relevancy of the classes. Right now, i am working more towards learning what i can than getting a job and Tech helps me with that. My most favorite class is Greek and Roman Mythology. I love the professor because he is very enthusiastic about the subject and the students can feel his passion for the subject. Unfortunately, at least in my classes, class participation is very minimal. I don't know if it is a fear of being wrong, or looking like a "teacher's pet" or just boredom and inattention, but there isn't much class participation in my classes.

My professors do know my name, if I take the initiative to get them. My favorite class is political theory, it keeps me interested and is not merely memorizing facts. My least favorite is biology, mainly because I don't like science and think it is a very boring subject. Students' study habits range. Some hardly study and make me wonder how they're still allowed to attend VT but some students study a lot and it shows in their grades. Class participation is pretty common. Big lectures usually have recitations so you can participate more but even in the lectures the professors interact with the students. VT students definitely have intellectual conversations outside of class: about politics, the environment, spirituality, etc. Competitiveness varies among students. I'm only a freshman but the most unique class I've taken is nations and nationalities. It was not what i expected at all but I learned a lot from it. Everyone should be able to take it. My major is political science and requires a lot of reading and essay writing and even more reading. I haven't spent time with professors outside of class YET but me and my friends are doing lunch with my comparative government professor soon. VT's academic requirements should be made stricter. I see so many students who get in and then barely maintain the minimum grade requirement. Education at VT is geared at toward getting a job. I get so many e-mails about job fairs and such and professors really push you to think on your own.

One of the benefits of majoring in English is the small classes. So far, I have taken 16 credits of English classes, and none of them have had more than 30 people. The professors know my name and are more than willing to meet with me during office hours to help me. Even professors of large lecture classes tend to be this way. So far, I have had no trouble getting help from professors when I need it.

Class sizes can range anywhere from 600 person lecture halls, down to as little as 10 people. It really all depends on your major and which class you're taking. I've experienced both extremes, and they're both fine in their own respect. As an underclassman, you'll face mostly big lecture classes. In such cases, the professor won't know you unless you put forth the effort to be known. If you're in a very popular major, you may be faced with these huge classes for the majority of your time here. If, however, you choose a less common major (as I did), you will quickly find yourself in very small, intimate classes. These smaller classes are also much more prevalent in upper level courses. Most students spend a fair amount of time studying - we are in college, after all. But I don't think you'll find yourself becoming a reclusive, bookish hermit. Obviously, regular upkeep on readings/assignments is conducive to good grades - but most people only really hunker down and STUDY when test/exam times arrive. One thing I have to say about professors is that they really do care about us. Unlike other schools' professors, who are more concerned with their own research than furthering the education of their students, Tech is very committed to helping us acquire the tools and knowledge we need for successful careers. Of course some are better than others, but on the whole the professors are knowledgeable, down-to-earth and always willing to help. Professors are also extremely beneficial with helping you find and pursue opportunities - whether it be a job, internship or study-abroad program. In fact, I am participating in a study abroad program and am in the tropics of north-eastern Australia right now! Being here would never have been possible if it weren't for the help of a certain professor who has since become my personal academic advisor.

Professors can know your name if you take the time and initiative to talk to them outside of class and through emails and such. I know I have contacted teachers before and they've remembered my history and my name. It's nice. My least favorite class would have to be Pre-Calculus and Calculus. It's horrible! It's an online class and it's held at the Math Emporium. It's hard to find students that actually like traveling to the Math Emporium to take quizzes/tests. I say students study a good amount of the time. I think everyone tries to balance schoolwork with leisure activities and extracurricular activities. Class participation really depends on class size. If a class is more than 100 students, then class participation is limited to almost non-existant. Smaller class sizes almost insist on participation so that the class doesn't die of boredom and inactivity. VT students do have intellectual conversations outside of class. This past year has been filled of political talks.

Since I'm an English major in smaller classes my professors do know my name. Even in large classes, if you take the time to introduce yourself it can be more personal experience. My favorite class was Intro to Creative Writing I took last spring. We wrote short stories and creative nonfiction everyday, read out loud, and workshopped. Students study Sunday through Thursday afternoon--then it's time for fun. We work hard. Very hard. We talk about class outside of class and we know what's important but it doesn't stop us from having fun in college. Students are competitive for GPA, scholarships, internships, study abroad opportunities--you name it and if someone wants it they will work hard to get it. The English department here seems so warm. I've only been in the department for one semester so I'm still feeling my way around, but all my professors genuinely want me to do well and are more than willing to read over my papers and help me with ideas for other classes. One professor even gave our class her cell phone number because she knew that it would take her so long to respond to her emails. I feel like I'm getting an education that is more that just learning for learning's sake. I'm learning to be a better writer, reader, thinker, and I know that it will help me in the future.

Yes professors know my name. Favorite is nations and nationalities ane least favorite is floral design. Students study more than average. Class participatin is very common. At time there are intelectual conversations, students are somewhat competitive. Unique class is arabic. My major is Internatinal studies but it is still a very small department. I do not spend time with professors. Academic requirments are great. No comment on last question

For the most part, if you put in the effort your professors will know your name. My classes are mainly larger (200-300 students), so the professors don't have as much interaction with the students, but in my smaller classes, my professors definitely know my name and everyone else's too! The most unique class I've ever taken was probable Philosophy: Existetialism, War, and Terrorism. It was a good one!

Professors: Few know my name Fav Class: Resourses Geology Least: Math1015 Intellectual Conversations: Yeah outside of class some. Competitive: Depends on what Unique: German Major: International Studies, they are Ok, but the advisor isn't very helpfull. Professors: I used to talk to Herr Bishop for German after class. Requirements: Fair VT Degree: geared toward learning for me.

Professors in my major, and some out of major do know my name. I believe that my favorite class has been International Marketing because we had a lot of food brought in, a lot of video clips, a lot of presentations. Least favorite is probably Cross Cultural Harmony in French because of the amount of work it involves that I believe is frivolous and not characteristic of a typical French class. Students study a bunch. Class participation is definitely more prevalent in smaller classes, or classes with buddy buddy teachers. Yes students have intellectual conversations outside of class, that's what coffee shops are for. Students are extremely competitive. I really believe all of the fashion classes are very unique. How many people make suits and bathing suits in class?? The fashion department (in AHRM) is slowly dying. We have close to zero funding, professors are leaving and are not being replaced, our studios and labs need to be updated to accommodate the amount of people who have joined the major. We are very much forgotten, and it's terrible to see, because there are so many talented and dedicated people trying to make this work. Don't spend time with professors outside of class. Academic requirements are fine. Education is in the middle of getting a job and learning for its own sake.