Dear Students,
Welcome to the start of a new year in the College of Natural Sciences! As most of you know by now, I'm Michael Drew, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in CNS. I think I have the best job at UT because I get to work with students like you across CNS and make sure your time here is the best it can be.Each week, I send emails like this one that highlight skills, opportunities and ideas to expand your horizons. Keeping with tradition, I'll also add a terrible-ly funny science joke because there is nothing better than bad science puns.For returning students, this is the first semester in a while when we are getting to begin classes at UT fully in person. I encourage all of you to start the semester strong by arriving for class each day, ready to learn and with attention to health and safety. Here are a few more tried and true suggestions for success:
- Think of yourself as a professional student. Get to know other people around you by name—like your instructors and fellow students. Be on time. Come prepared. Stay engaged. Taking a professional approach will help you develop skills that will benefit you in any chosen career path.
- Outside of class, make time for your health. As a neuroscientist, I can assure you that when you are sleep-deprived your brain does not function properly. When you stay up all night studying, you convince yourself that you are learning a ton. Instead, you are simply delusional. So, get some sleep because science tells us that it is critical for learning (and that is what you are here to do).
- Ask for help. If you need help with an assignment, ask the professor, ask the teaching assistant, ask a classmate. If you are confused about degree requirements, ask an advisor. If you are struggling with life in general, contact a counselor. There are lots of people around ready to help you. You just need to reach out.
So, whether you are a first-year freshman or a soon-to-be-graduating senior, think of all the amazing things you'll learn and experience this year—and all of the interesting people in our Texas Science community you'll meet. Let's make this year the best yet.
Best,
Dr. Drew
Joke: What do you call a skull without 86 billion neurons? That's a no-brainer.
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