When should I take WI and SI classes?
The short answer is: You should start taking them as early in your college career as you can. There's no one perfect time to take WI and SI classes, but the sooner you can begin building your writing and speaking skills, the better.
When planning your classes, try to schedule one WI class per year and to take your SI classes during your freshman and sophmore years. This ensures that you'll get regular support as you develop as a writer, speaker, and scholar.
According to writing researcher George E. Newell, writing helps students master concepts more effectively than simply taking notes or tests.
By taking writing- and speaking-intensive classes early, you'll be able to develop the skills you need to succeed in a field before you start taking higher-level courses. Since you'll already have the basic skills needed to succeed, you can focus on writing to learn and improving your knowledge.
Whatever you do, don't put off your WI or SI classes to your junior or senior year! WI and SI classes give you the tools you need to succeed in school. Waiting until you're almost done is like jumping in the car without learning how to drive first.
