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How to Pass Comp II and More

One of the biggest challenges in your freshman year can be understanding all the work that goes into taking a college class. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the new environment, class syllabi, work requirements, and the other responsibilities that pile up fast. But all that work doesn’t mean you can’t thrive, even in the tough classes. Over the break, I interviewed Traci Mayes, a professor that teaches one class almost every student will take at MBU; English Composition 2.

Comp 2 covers the basics of writing and grammar, giving you the tools to write a variety of college papers properly. It’s a necessary class at the beginning your college career. Every student is bound to write a paper or two (or 30) in college, so a basic understanding of how to write a college paper is essential when gearing up for your 4 years.

Here’s her advice.

What is the biggest mistake that students make in your class?

“The biggest mistake students make in English Composition 2 is to procrastinate on the daily work and the steps of the research paper process. Sometimes students skip assignments and dig a big hole they can then not dig out of. One other mistake is coming in to the class without a teachable attitude. Students who come to my class believing they already know everything about writing or about English because of success in high school might struggle.”

One of the biggest portions of this class is writing a research paper – what would you suggest to students when choosing their paper topics?

“Students should choose a topic that interests them. Since we spend several weeks of the semester working with the topic, they might struggle with motivation if they do not find their topic interesting.”

Are there any common misconceptions about your class?

“Sometimes students believe no one gets A’s in the course. I have students earn A’s every semester, so that idea is a misconception.”

Would you say your class is easy or hard to pass?

“I would say Comp 2 is a lot of work, and students need to approach the class with the mindset of doing the work diligently throughout the semester. The points are set up to benefit the student who follows instructions and completes assignments on time. So is that easy or hard to pass?”

Mrs. Mayes’s number one piece of advice to students is to be diligent. Sometimes the best practices for getting good grades doesn’t involve doing all the extra credit or sacrificing entire nights of sleep to study. Doing the little things, such as following directions, asking questions in class, and actually going to class on a regular basis, are the best steps you can take to pass a hard class.

These same principles apply to almost every class. Show up, listen, and work hard. Sometimes freshman year can be confusing, but if you apply yourself and work hard, you can have a successful first year. Be diligent, work hard, and you’ll be successful.