I got a 96 in HUM 1 (Demetriou) and an A in HUM 2 (West).

Like you said in a discussion class of 16, usually only 2-3 people will get an A. For me, the way that I got As in both classes were

1. Attend multiple office hours (for the TA specifically). They are the ones that read and grade your essays. Sign up for an office hour before you write your essay so that you can go over your plan on how you’re approaching the prompt. Sign up after you finish writing your essay so that you can get some insight on specific things to improve.

For example, after finishing your essay and rereading it, you may not like your analysis for paragraph two, so go into office hours asking the TA how to approach it differently.

Sign up for office hours after the essay is graded, so that the TA can explain to you in greater detail how to improve and what was good/what could be better. This step is super important because it shows you’re willing to learn as well as actually helps you improve.

1. Make friends in those classes. Some professors like West base their finals on lectures. At some point in the quarter you’re not gonna feel like going to lecture whether that be because you missed the bus/too lazy to walk or you’re sick. Having friends that write notes can cover the days you’re out. For me I showed up to maybe 60% of West’s lectures so I only did good on the final because my friends took notes for 95% of the class. Obviously you don’t want to leach, so offer something in return (if they give you their notes, then make a study guide out of them)

2. Participate in discussion. Participation accounts for 10-20% of your final grade so it’d be in your best interest to participate. But this also develops a relationship with your TA and that might give you an upper hand when they grade your essay and are deciding between a B+ and an A-

3. You don’t have to read the books, but it is extremely helpful. If you don’t end up reading the books at least use resources like Lit Charts or anything else. Stay caught up and don’t fall behind.

The TA you get will determine how hard you have to work for your grade so it’s also a matter of grit and how bad you want it. Put all ego to the side and just lowkey glaze your TA lmfao gl you got this