Lecture Notes: Dr. Melissa Beers' Insights on Education

Introduction

Speaker: Dr. Melissa Beers, Director of the Introduction to Psychology Program, Psychology Department
Context: Reflections on experiences as a student at Ohio State University (OSU)

Seeking Help
- Personal experience of not seeking help during struggles as a student
- Importance of reaching out to instructors for assistance
- Encouragement to students to communicate with professors when facing challenges
Value of General Education Classes
- Initial perception of general education classes as mere requirements
- Long-term benefits in personal, professional, and academic life
- Example: Cultural Anthropology
  - Aid in interdisciplinary teamwork and public relations
- Example: Art History
  - Discovery of passion, leading to a minor in the subject
  - Impact on personal life, enjoyment of art and cultural experiences
Mentorship Opportunities
- Misconception about the student-professor relationship
- Mentoring relationships add value beyond traditional classroom settings
- Personal experience with mentors:
  - Guidance in class selection aligned with career goals
  - Assistance with graduate school applications and preparation
  - Long-term support beyond academic program

Encouragement to students to:
- Seek out and embrace the learning opportunities in every class
- Be open to connections that enrich knowledge and life experiences
- Recognize and utilize the potential mentorship opportunities with faculty