We asked students who recently completed TAP courses to assess their first year at UVM. We were pleased to hear their reactions to TAP courses.
See their comments below:
"One of my greatest experiences ever. I learned so much about myself, Vermont culture, and different life-styles. I can't say enough about my TAP class. I loved it. Just a great class."
"A different approach to learning. We learned for the sake of learning."
"Promoted objective and critical thinking, something I needed desperately to work on upon my arrival at the university."
"We were not spoon-fed in this course. Critical thinking was required."
"We did so much writing in this class that I found it was helpful to me when writing in other classes."
"The small first-year class made the adjustment from high school to college easier."
"I think our teachers gave such a great perspective because of all the field work they have done. They gave first hand accounts of the environment from places all over the world."
"I learned to express my opinions more effectively and eloquently through writing and speaking. This call promoted self-motivation and initiative."
"As a part of the TAP Program, a true relationship developed between teacher and student, which only improved efforts and work (and attendance)."
"I found my most enjoyable classes to be the TAP seminars. The professors were both extremely accessible and very concerned in my personal performance."
"Throughout the course we did many group presentations and worked outside of class in groups. I think that cooperative work is vital in understanding the material and getting the most out of class."
"My advisor was one of my professors and it was easier to go to her, because I knew her and she knew me. She knows what I can handle and that is good for me."
"This is the one class that I believe is going to be the most beneficial to me later in life and in the career I choose to pursue."
"The best thing about it was that I learned a lot from the other students as well as the professor."
"I was relieved to spend time with kids who were going through the same things I was. We really opened up to each other and I made a lot of close friends."
"The hardest class I took. I learned so much from this course. In the end all of the hard work paid off."
"One thing I learned in this class is how to analyze the readings and really look for arguments and supportive data -- and also to do this with my own writing."
"The small class size was perfect for discussion and projects."
"The critical thinking assignments required me to think and analyze right from the beginning. My TAP course really started me off on a good foot for college."
"The professor promoted the individual talents and interests of the students. We were given incentives to be creative and to take risks."
"TAP was an excellent choice for me. It gave me the option to become more than just a number here; I became a face, a student, and a friend."
"I received invaluable advising from my professor. Since the professor really knew us as a result of the small class size, she had a great idea of what we might want to pursue in our futures at UVM."
"One of the most interesting and intelligent teachers of any kind I have ever had. His humor and knowledge of the material made the class exciting and informative."
"Joining IHP was the best decision of my life."
"At the end of my freshman year in IHP my only hope was that the next three years would be as challenging and productive as the first."
"A very good teacher, and a caring advisor. The fact that he is my advisor and teacher allows him to get to know me as a person, and therefore can do a better job as an advisor."
"I am so proud of my accomplishments. ISSP had a tremendously positive impact on my first-year experience. It has helped to mold me into the student that I want to continue to be for the next four years."
"My favorite class of the semester. In addition to learning a great deal from a very knowledgeable professor, it had a format I really enjoyed. We were treated like intelligent adults."
"It was great to work so closely with both the students and the professors. It made my first semester much more intimate and not as intimidating."
"UVM gives its students a nice balance between giving them space and giving them the support they need."
"I do not know what my major will be. I feel that my diverse schedule was an excellent way to introduce myself to the array of different academic fields this school has to offer."
"I can only hope that I will find next semester's courses as interesting and important to me as I have found them through my first semester."
"UVM makes a good effort in making minorities feel comfortable."
"Outside of academics there is plenty to do. The people here are great and it is beautiful."
"The type of learning here at UVM offers the students an opportunity to discover their interests and goals, and to reach them no matter how high they are."
Last modified September 10 2009 05:24 PM
