When my freshman year biology professor asked me to be a teaching assistant for Introductory
Biology for this year, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. The only expectation I had was from
watching the biology TAs from last year. I thought I was nothing like them. They all seemed
superiorly intelligent and as though their lives were completely on track, with every facet in perfect
order. Now, midway through the semester, I can honestly say being a biology TA is nothing like I
expected it to be.
Being a TA is less intense than anticipated. As a teaching assistant, I basically just facilitate lab
and answer any questions students have about the experiment. Because I’ve taken the class so
recently, most of the information is fresh in my mind, and comes back to me fairly easily. Initially, I
was sort of worried I would have to read over the labs extensively before class to ensure I was
knowledgeable enough to be of assistance to students, but luckily, I’ve retained most of the
knowledge from freshman year.
Helping students learn the material is rewarding; watching the class’s expression change from
confusion to an epiphany is a very special feeling. I have the opportunity to come up with and ask
challenging questions concerning the lab, furthering my own knowledge in biology as well as the
students’.
As for sophomore TAs “having their lives in order,” we’re as disorganized and confused about
our futures as freshman are, if not more so. During sophomore year, students in the biology major
track take Organic Chemistry, or as I like to call it, the ninth circle of hell, is the bane of every pre-
med student’s existence.
I’ve learned a lot from being a biology TA. Students really do look up to you. The freshmen
frequently ask me advice on what classes they should take, which chemistry lab to enroll in, and how
to survive freshman year in general.
Additionally, I’ve learned a lot from the graduate TA I work under, Kevin. Kevin is a
graduate student here at TCU, completing a masters program in biology. Still considering going to
med school, Kevin actually applied himself his senior year at TCU. During down time in lab, I get to
ask Kevin all about his research here with anthrax, what I should be doing as an undergrad, and what
the application process for medical/graduate school is.
Basically, being a TA in general has been a learning experience for me this year. I’ve
learned what it means to be a TA, how to teach efficiently, and what life after undergrad should look
life. Overall, I’m really happy with my decision to be a teaching assistant.
Biology for this year, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. The only expectation I had was from
watching the biology TAs from last year. I thought I was nothing like them. They all seemed
superiorly intelligent and as though their lives were completely on track, with every facet in perfect
order. Now, midway through the semester, I can honestly say being a biology TA is nothing like I
expected it to be.
Being a TA is less intense than anticipated. As a teaching assistant, I basically just facilitate lab
and answer any questions students have about the experiment. Because I’ve taken the class so
recently, most of the information is fresh in my mind, and comes back to me fairly easily. Initially, I
was sort of worried I would have to read over the labs extensively before class to ensure I was
knowledgeable enough to be of assistance to students, but luckily, I’ve retained most of the
knowledge from freshman year.
Helping students learn the material is rewarding; watching the class’s expression change from
confusion to an epiphany is a very special feeling. I have the opportunity to come up with and ask
challenging questions concerning the lab, furthering my own knowledge in biology as well as the
students’.
As for sophomore TAs “having their lives in order,” we’re as disorganized and confused about
our futures as freshman are, if not more so. During sophomore year, students in the biology major
track take Organic Chemistry, or as I like to call it, the ninth circle of hell, is the bane of every pre-
med student’s existence.
I’ve learned a lot from being a biology TA. Students really do look up to you. The freshmen
frequently ask me advice on what classes they should take, which chemistry lab to enroll in, and how
to survive freshman year in general.
Additionally, I’ve learned a lot from the graduate TA I work under, Kevin. Kevin is a
graduate student here at TCU, completing a masters program in biology. Still considering going to
med school, Kevin actually applied himself his senior year at TCU. During down time in lab, I get to
ask Kevin all about his research here with anthrax, what I should be doing as an undergrad, and what
the application process for medical/graduate school is.
Basically, being a TA in general has been a learning experience for me this year. I’ve
learned what it means to be a TA, how to teach efficiently, and what life after undergrad should look
life. Overall, I’m really happy with my decision to be a teaching assistant.
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