Read how to be successful in this course

Dear 374 student,

Welcome again to this course.  We want you to know that while this course is rigorous and challenging, we believe in each and every one of you!  We also are vested in your success in this class. It's more important to us that you learn the best way possible so you can be a valuable contributor to your team and client.

Below we want to share some important advice/tip from past students to ensure you have the right mindset and a proper plan to succeed in this class. If you have questions or want to discuss how to be successful in this class, don't hesitate to drop by during office hours or reach out on Slack! Also, our team of experienced Teaching Assistants is also available as a resource to you as well. 

Sincerely,

-Caryn & Clint


Office Hours & Asking for Help

Before any assignment go to TA and Prof. office hours and fire away questions.  Save time and Boost grade. Utilize the professor office hours for EVERYTHING (GP1, 2, and Client Project). They will give you important feedback which will help you learn and get a better grade. Meet with Conley early and often about your deliverables. Not only is she full of good ideas, it's also difficult to understand what she's looking for on some of the deliverables, so it will help your grade a lot.


Readings

Do the pre-class readings, all of the content is interconnected.Start every assignment as soon as possible. Do not wait until the week it's due to start it because you will not finish. Also, do all of the readings because they will help you in all of the major assignments we do in this class.Keep an updated calendar for assignments. The readings are actually super helpful.

Time Management

Keep working hard to finish assignments ahead of time and with a lot of thought! Even though you're reaching the end of your degree, it's SO easy to let senioritis to hit. You can do it!!! Also those diagrams really do help. ;) Do not wait until the last minute to do the deliverables due before class. Take your time, learn the material, and then apply it in class. - Ask a ton of question (not only in class but also on Slack!)
- Start every assignment early so that you can get feedback and make changes
- OVER communicate with your client

Understand how each class fits together

Always keep in mind how the task/deliverable you are completing fits into the broader process. My advice would be to really understand the differences in all the diagrams in the beginning to better organize your thoughts throughout the semester; DO NOT undermine the importance of that information. Utilize the documentation/written assignment best practices for everything so that you don't make silly formatting mistakes that detract from your product.

Be ready to work hard!

Work is currently graded on completion/perceived effort. But I can't stress enough to dedicate the time into going over the readings and understanding them. I feel like this class is the most important one I've taken here, so give it the time it deserves and ask questions in class! Challenge the material and ask "why?". It'll only help you grow.    Take the time and put in the effort at the beginning of the course, and the rest will come to you a lot easier and be more manageable.

Communication

Communication is KEY!
Decide the best way to communicate early on (Slack, text, etc.) with teammates and your client. Also set up a CONSISTENT meeting time and stick to it! - Ask a ton of question (not only in class but also on Slack!)
- Start every assignment early so that you can get feedback and make changes
- OVER communicate with your client Over-communicate with your project teams and don't miss deadlines. Establish communication guidelines with your groups early on and adhere to them.

 

Reminder: Don't hesitate to utilize your professors and TAs as advisors and resources