College History Class Tips

How to Choose the Right Course and Succeed

History is one of those subjects that some students love and others detest. However, since many colleges and universities require at least one history class, you might not be able to avoid it completely. If you're not a fan of history but need to take a course, here are some tips to help you succeed.

Choosing the Right History Professor

In all subjects, a good teacher can make the difference between a great course and a lousy one-- but that's even more true in history. Some history professors can make the material seem like a meaningless sequence of names and dates. But a good history professor can turn the past into a fascinating story, and show you how relevant the course material is to current events.

Therefore, it's very important to find a good history professor. College professor ratings websites can help, but the best thing you can do is to ask a wide range of students for recommendations. And if you have the time, sit in on a few classes to "test drive" the teacher.

When choosing a professor, don't worry too much if the subject doesn't interest you all that much. A fabulous instructor teaching a seemingly dull topic is probably a better choice than a boring professor teaching a fascinating topic. In addition, avoid choosing a professor simply because he or she is prestigious. While this can be a great opportunity, a famous teacher who can't teach isn't the best choice.

Choosing the Right History Class

One secret about history classes: upper level classes often are easier than the intro ones! Why? Well, survey classes in history cover centuries worth of material. These means you'll need to keep lots of material straight. Upper level classes focus on a shorter time span, so while the assignments might be more difficult, the material may be easier to grasp.

Another consideration: Consider taking a history class with contemporary relevance. A class on modern Middle Eastern history, for example, will give you a well-informed perspective on current events.

History Class Readings

Almost all history classes come with a heavy reading load, which will range from fascinating to dry as sawdust. Here are some tips for mastering history readings:

• Do not put off the readings. As much as possible, do the readings on the day they are assigned. Trying to make up hundreds or thousands of pages at the last minute will not work.

• Set aside plenty of time to complete the readings.

• As you read, outline the material. This will make it much easier for you to study for the exams.

• Always keep the main ideas in minds. When reading a chapter, ask yourself what the important points are. This may require you to wade through lots of historical details.

• Always read contextually. Ask yourself how each chapter relates to one another, and to points discussed in class.

Understanding the Big Picture

In high school history classes, you probably had to do lots of memorization. This doesn't go away in college history, but there's much more to it. In college history, you'll be asked to understand the significance of historical events and people, and how these events and people relate to each other and to current events.

For example, in a high school class on Western Civilization, you might need to know the countries that were part of the British empire-- and that's it. But in a college history class, you'll learn about the impact British imperialism had on the regions they controlled-- and how the history of British imperialism continues to impact current events in places such as Pakistan and Israel.

Keep this in mind as you take notes, do the readings, and study for exams. It's important to keep in mind the significance of what you study. When studying an event, don't just memorize dates and names. Be able to explain why this event was important then and remains important today.

Best of luck in your history class! With a little luck and hard work, you might surprise yourself and discover that history is far more interesting than you thought.