Using your TAs as resources
Teaching Assistants or “TAs” can be a useful resource for term papers, research, and other course projects, especially in the undergraduate level. They work closely with your professor and have taken the course themselves, so they can give you useful firsthand information throughout the class from a different, and sometimes more useful, perspective. While your professor is still the best source for questions, teaching assistants provide a good alternative if your prof proves difficult or hard to approach. Here’s how they can help you write that killer term paper, excel in class, and understand questions—and how you can make the most of their time.
photo credit: Silveira Neto
Understanding term paper questions
Having taken (and usually excelled in) the course themselves, TAs tend to have a very good understanding of the subject matter. They can help you choose what to make of the term paper questions, what questions to ask yourself, and how to take on the general topic and give it a good angle. You can even take cues from their own research and use them to give your own work direction.
You can also benefit from related courses your TA has taken. He or she can suggest readings from other courses which may be of help to your research, or help you see your subject from a broader perspective. And because they’re also students, you’re more or less on the same wavelength, so you don’t have to fear sounding incompetent.
Understanding the professor’s preferred style
So you’ve figured out your topic and have answered all the project questions. All you have to do is write the paper—but you have no idea how your prof likes it. Citation styles are usually given, but the body itself is up to you. Should you go for very academic, no-frills, no-nonsense writing? Or be a bit more casual but still loaded with information? Your teaching assistant can help you here as well. Ask them how they wrote their papers and what style your professor seems to like. They can also help you find papers written by the professor himself, which should tell you how he likes to present his ideas (and how he would like to read yours).
Making the most of your TA’s time
Most TA’s have consultation hours as well as their profs—you don’t stop them at the hallway and go ranting about your project. Others will entertain you as a walk-in, but it’s best to keep it professional and set an appointment. They’ll be able to give you 15 minutes up to an hour to talk, depending on their schedules. Make the most of their time—here’s how.
- Come on time – don’t waste the first few minutes making them wait.
- Plan your questions. Make them useful and intelligent—ask for resources and insights, and don’t bring up deadlines.
- Listen well so you don’t have to make them repeat anything. Use a recorder if necessary.
- Ask for references. It’ll shave some time off your library research and show your TA that you’re serious about doing the paper.
