This is a survey I post near the end of the first week of the semester. By giving students this opportunity to share with me whatever they want me to know about their academic and personal lives, not only does it give me concrete information that can help me better support them, but it also builds affinity and trust, hopefully making the classroom a more welcoming space. After each question, I have included a few student responses. I think they demonstrate the effectiveness of this assignment, as many students end up sharing things that are quite personal. It certainly helps me feel more connected to them, and gives me an opening to suggest resources for support that are available to them.
Question 1
What name would you prefer me to call you? Any tips on pronunciation?
- Jasmina (JAZZ-ME-NUH)
- Pilar Britt instead of Sarah Britt! Thank you
- Rosalyn (Rosa-Lin)
- My name is Griffin, but you are welcome to call me Griff. Close friends and associates call me that, so you are welcome to as well!
- My name is Danna but it’s pronunciation is “Donna”
- Dari. The stress in on the last letter “i” not “a”
Question 2
What is your major? If you haven’t declared a major, what are some of the disciplines that are of interest to you?
- My major is psychology. I chose that major because when I moved back home from my previous school in the middle of the spring 2025 semester, I realized I wanted to change my major, and psychology is a field I have had a huge interest in since elementary school, and so I decided to change my major from journalism to psychology.
- I am getting my associate’s degree in arts with a concentration in Natural Science. My goal is to complete my pre-requisites at College of Marin and apply to a Radiologic Technologist program afterwards. I am interested in healthcare especially in medical imaging.
- I am majoring in Social work with a goal to transfer to Sf state in spring of next year. I enjoy working out 3-4 days a week and enjoy the outdoors, In the outdoors I always find myself being fascinated by everything that lives and survives on it’s ability to adapt to certain environments that seem almost impossible to survive in.
- I’m currently majoring in Psych but I’m thinking of switching to Business….or maybe doing a double major? Is that a thing? ARRRGH WHY IS ADULTING SO COMPLICATED?!
- My major is Bio, something I find so great about my major is that it is so diverse, and there are so many different branches to learn about. Marine biology, evolutionary biology, and especially zoology are three of the many branches of Biology that really interest me.
- My major is nursing. I have a long road ahead of me. I want to be in a medical field where I can help people, and their lives.
- Scientific illustration
- it was biological anthropology. ive always been interested in biological sciences, looking at the world with a “how- does- it- work?” wonder. my family was always very hands off with my hobbies as a kid and id find myself outside looking at bugs, digging for bones, collecting samples of plants, later id find out i was preparing for my future career of field work data collecting. i want to do some sort of data sampling and collecting information for anything involving the outdoors. Animals, plants, fossils, etc are all fascinating to me.
Question 3
What is your past experience with biology? Is this a subject you have enjoyed in the past, or was it a struggle?
- I have taken 3 science classes in high school and in sophomore year was where I got a small introduction in biology which I did find a little difficult as applying concepts is something I found pretty unique and hard to do. I do love animals and plants though so I really enjoyed that part of the class!
- I really enjoy the subject when I understand it, but I am a relatively slow learner, so it’s harder for me to grasp it more quickly than others. When it clicks, I love the subject
- I have had a very positive experience in the past with biology. When i took it in high school i really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun in that class. I also have loved human body science since i was a kid, to the point where i had a plastic skeleton toy that you could take apart. It had rubber organs that you could take out of the ribcage and play with. While biology covers more than just human body science, human body science can be included in biology. I am much more of a english/social sciences smart person, but biology is one of my favorite STEM topic to learn about, next to physiology.
- I have enjoyed it in the past, but I did struggle a bit. I took physiology last year and I loved it. I like the dissection, lab work, and just all the new facts learned. I find it so so interesting and cool.
- I have taken Marine Science, Zoology, and Biology during my middle school period. They are fun, but the vocab is hard for me
- I’ve taken a nutritional biology class here at COM and I have a little bit of prior biology knowledge from high school. I find biology very interesting, but it’s definitely a subject I’ll have to dedicate extra time to studying for.
- Erm not the best very boring reading off straight powerpoints or textbooks but seems like you will make it interesting so I’m excited for it all of a sudden 🙂
- In high school I had a very good bio teacher her way of teaching were mostly with labs and I love labs, I struggle learning if I’m just there sitting down, listening and taking notes. I have a feeling I will do good in this class because I have lectures on Mondays and the lab on the same day too.
- My past experience with biology, was not good. I liked biology but I had trouble understanding the concepts and exams. This is my last chance taking biology this semester and i am going to do everything in my power to do good and pass this class.
Question 4
What are you most interested to learn about this semester? Are there any particular questions about biology that you’d like me to cover in class?
- I am most interested to learn about DNA structure/function, human physiology/organ systems, and infectious diseases. within human body science and psychology, my favorite thing to learn about is the diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with the body and body systems. I am also excited to learn about the chemistry of food, i think that that’s a really cool topic to include.
- Anything in the realm of nuerology. I think the nervous system and the connection between brain and body is super fascinating. I would love to have a unit on disease/illness/disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and various brain and nerve disorders.
- I actually don’t know, I guess I’m looking forward to see if this class connects with anything I’ve learned in the past and if does how does it expand on it. I also find just leaning about how life works and how things come to be really interesting, so I’m just excited to learn.
- I am interested in learning about the different kinds of plants, fungi and about the animal kingdom and I am also interested and excited to be using the microscopes this semester!
- Topics that interest me in biology are epigenetics (I want to understand more clearly what this is and especially how it applies to humans), evolutionary biology generally, neurotransmitters and how they work, the gut microbiome (a topic I have heard much about but am unsure what is legitimate), and learning about infectious diseases found in different parts of the world.
- Probably natural selection and survival of the fittest
- Honestly, everything. It’s my first time taking a biology class in English and for now I don’t have any specific questions.
- I’m most interested in learning about human evolution.
Question 5
What can I do to help you reach your goals in this class?
- In high school, I had a learning lab that helped me with my classes, and I found that having some extra time on assignments was very helpful for me. I was wondering if it would be possible to get a similar accommodation in your class.
- I think posting the slideshow on canvas so we can follow along or go back if we missed something on a slide as something I have a hard time keeping up with writing notes if a teacher goes fast.
- Incorporate games such as Kahoot to help us memorize better. This will also help students engage and pay attention and you can scope our knowledge.
- So far I am really enjoying this course. I sense a great amount of passion you have in what you teach, which makes this class even more exiting. I actually look forward to showing up.
- I would really appreciate any personalized feedback or support areas of weakness. That way I can know what I need to improve on and what I am doing well at.
- I think that you are doing great so far. I will come to you for questions about office hours. That is what I’ve found to be most helpful.
- just be you. i will ask questions if i have them 🙂
- If I can meet with you one on one after class, or office hours to better understand the topics covered in class. I also am a SAS student and I know about myself is that I take a little longer to comprehend things l, but I am determined to learn the materials.
- I am going through a difficult time right now as my grandmother recently passed away, which may impact my ability to participate fully.
- I think helping me have a stronger skill in writing and learn more English especially because English for me is not my first language.
- I definitely struggle with the math part and keeping up with the pace of the class, but besides that I’m very excited definitely nervous for the tests
Question 6
Do you have any extracurricular commitments that might impact your ability to participate fully in this class? (Work, sports or music performance, family commitments)? If so, please give me whatever details you are comfortable sharing, so we can best work together to help you manage all the things you need to manage this semester. And remember that I am always happy to meet with you outside of class if there is anything you’d like to discuss.
- I do work however only on days when I dont have classes as well as I am committing to play soccer at COM. I don’t believe this particular class and my soccer schedule ever overlap so it seems pretty smooth so far!
- I have braces which means I need to go to bi-weekly appointments. My main orthodontist is only available on Mondays. So, I wanted to give you a heads up. Although it won’t be a concern as of now, but it might in the future appointments.
- I currently live in Rohnert Park and traffic can be busy. Therefore I am looking to move out here within a couple of months. As in now I am transitioning from one job to another which I haven’t had a chance to get a feel for along with school. With that in mind I am working to two part-time jobs while attending college part-time. I feel a little overwhelmed but will have to come up with a system to maintain on top of my grades and other responsibilities.
- I play for the women’s basketball team if anything interferes with class, I will let you know ahead of time if I have to miss class.
- As of now, I’m working part time at Trader Joe’s, I don’t work too often just three times a week (12 hours a week). Regardless, I don’t think it makes a negative impact on my participation in class nor work, I might join a club but otherwise i’ll make sure to really focus on my time management
- I am currently working part-time and live in a very full household, but this hasn’t really impacted my classes in the past luckily. One thing that might affect my ability to be successful in this class is that my internet at home isn’t very good, but because of this I try to do majority of my schoolwork on campus so I don’t see my internet problems being much of an issue.
- i’m currently training for a boxing match, but i don’t think it should impact my learning. i will let you know if i need extra help, but i will most likely be using the office hours when needed. thank you
- I do have work but I don’t think that will affect me on Mondays or Wednesdays. The things that will affect me will probably be family emergencies because these past few years my family has been struggling to find someone to take care of my grandma and she’s has some illness and we are doing our best to help her and come to visit her. So in the upcoming classes if I leave for a family emergencies it’s because for that reason. For participation, I am not good at talking to my classmates but I will try to do my part. This semester I want to get a good grade, if I could get an B, that will be good. I want to move on to chemistry and other science classes that are based on my major. For any quizzes or exams, I would appreciate if you can slow down and review any questions or review any topics which will be on the exam. Lastly, do I need to make an appointment to see you during office hours.
- I’m a single mother that is on her own. My dad past away. Mom is old, can’t help me much. there might be some days my son can get sick. I cant predict that. Thats the only thing.
- I am technically homeless, i reside in an SRO- single resident occupancy. and it has been very trying to stay in that spot, the toll on my mental health in the building is rapidly getting worse. i have had instability for my home, facing eviction notices and food scarcity. being at school is the only outlet i have from my stressors that are beyond my control. i may have some difficulties being able to turn in assignments at a short notice, but i am prudent on turning in my work when given time. i am in EOPS, SAS, and a student in the rising stars community. im really looking forward to this semester and class. thank you
- I do work two-three days as a dental assistant that I don’t think it might be huge impact. I am the oldest daughter and my mom is due at anytime soon this week and I have to make sure my three younger sisters are good and having them ready and also making back and fourth trips with food, etc to the hospital once my mom gives birth.