Interview with Mark Elder

Initially I was told by Mark Elder that I could interview him anytime. So I stroll into my RA's dorm room confidently with pen and paper, and he's doing homework. Now I know for a fact that the freshman in my dorm are all crammed into my neighbor's room playing the Nintendo 64, as they have been constantly since the middle of September (ever so often one or two squeeze out to attend class or attend to bodily necessities). So why is my RA doing homework? Well, my answer came in the form of his final answer; read on!

According to Mark Elder, his determination has been the major factor contributing to his success. "Keep going," he asserts, "no matter what."

Mark has determined that the best course to take when interacting with professors is to get to know them at the beginning so that you become much more than another face in the crowd. He believes that students should never hesitate to utilize the professor's office hours when they need help, have trouble keeping up, or have other class-related problems.

He's also experienced his fair share of exams, and his main tip is the same of virtually every other student and teacher on the face of the planet: don't cram!!! Keep up with the classwork and lectures to prevent any type of crammage.

Mark did NOT find any resources, services, or student organizations useful during his time at college. Perhaps he's just a self-motivated young man.

Mark would change something about his freshman year: he would have relaxed. Apparently he was overly academically-oriented, studying and working to an extreme without enjoying life as much as he should have. His lifestyle promoted unnecessary stress, and he didn't like that at all.

So why was Mark doing homework? Well, according to his "general advice," "Keep up, and never get discouraged!"