Selecting Academic Subjects Tied to Your Research Passions
By Kate Weseley-Jones, Humanities Correspondent
As the spring course selection approaches, it's time to start thinking about your academic journey for the upcoming semester. This article will guide you through some strategies to find research-oriented courses that can help you push beyond your comfort zone and support your long-term academic and professional goals.
Firstly, consult with your academic advisors. They can help align your interests with courses that expand your skills and areas of inquiry. For instance, Purdue Polytechnic encourages working with advisors to select courses and research topics that go beyond familiar areas[1].
Next, explore course catalogs and offerings broadly at your institution and other platforms. Look for courses with research components or that emphasize research methods in different disciplines. Platforms like Coursera offer diverse research-focused courses across various fields (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, UX research) that can broaden your perspective even beyond your current expertise[3]. Additionally, consider interdisciplinary or experimental courses designed to engage students in co-creation and curricular design, which can challenge your existing viewpoints and involve practical research activities[2].
Utilize independent study or special reading and research options to tailor a research project in an unfamiliar field, often supervised by faculty, allowing exploratory learning that takes you outside your comfort zone[4]. Also, searching for professional development courses on market or applied research can offer practical skills and perspectives outside your usual academic path[5].
Remember, forming a relationship with favourite professors can open doors to research opportunities[6]. If office hours seem intimidating, emailing professors for advice is an option[7].
Asking yourself what you wished you could have learned more about this semester is a good starting point for course selection[8]. The Course Offerings website has a large selection of classes to choose from[9].
The article is part of the sections "Research-based Courses" and "Student Life"[10]. For more tips on course selection, check out the "Add-Drop Period Survival Guide" and "TigerJunction vs ReCal: How I Plan My Courses for the Next Semester" in the "Student Life" section[11][12].
In summary, engage advisors for tailored recommendations, scan diverse institutional and online offerings for research-heavy courses in new areas, consider interdisciplinary or experimental classes, and explore independent study options to actively push beyond your comfort zone in research learning[1][2][3][4][5].
In your pursuit of academic growth and personal development, consider consulting with your academic advisors for recommendations on research-oriented courses that can help you challenge your existing viewpoints and delve deeper into unfamiliar areas of learning. Additionally, exploring diverse course offerings across different platforms can provide you with new perspectives and practical skills in various research methods, supporting your educational journey and long-term career goals.
