Lab Students by Nicholas

Lab Students by Nicholas - August 2017 Scholarship Essay

If I were a college professor, I would like to teach an entry-level chemistry lab for science majors. Last year was my first year of university, and the chemistry lab I took was an incredible experience. University labs much more rigorous than high school labs; I was very surprised with how much they let us do by ourselves, especially since it was the first time for many kids even being in a lab.
My lab experience was especially unique, for the student I happened to be paired with was actually not a university student, but a local high school student. Since he was younger and falling slightly behind in the class due to inexperience, I got the opportunity to somewhat play the role of a mentor. Because I paid a little more attention to my partner than other groups had to and our TA paid a little more attention to us as a pair, it usually took a little longer than the other students for me and my partner to finish our lab assignments. Though it would’ve been nice to finish up with the labs a little earlier, it was fun answering questions from someone that was taking an obvious initiative in his academic career.
This is why the class I would like to teach would be for science majors. Everyone takes introductory classes outside of their major because they are required to do so, but students typically put a little more effort into classes that are particularly for their intended majors. When a chemistry major walks into a chemistry lab, or any chemistry class for that matter, they pay attention because they want to, not because they have to. I want to teach students that are eager to hear what I am saying and will ask questions that go beyond the scope of the course I am teaching. Nothing is more rewarding than when a student of yours has a lightbulb moment where he or she actually understands the material. I feel like if I taught a chemistry lab for science majors, I would be able to interact with students in a constructive way more so than just ram syllabus material down their throats. My ideal classroom would be where the students want to be there just as much as I did.