Overview
Pretend you could get into a time machine and go back in time to visit yourself at the beginning of the semester. What do you know now that you wish you knew then? Write a letter to deliver to your past self explaining how this semester went for you and how you figured out what it takes to succeed in this class.
Time
15 minutes of writing, 10 minutes sharing
Instructions:
- Write a letter to deliver to your past self explaining how this semester went for you and how you figured out what it takes to succeed in this class.
- Do you feel like a different person from who you were at the beginning of the semester? How? Why?
- Include any tips you have for your past self and anything you wish you had done differently semester this semester. How would you motivate your past self to stay engaged? What do you want your past self to know about where you are now?
- Share your letter with the class via the online class resource. Your letters may be used for future students!
Instructor Notes
- Show some examples of student letters, if available.
- Reassure your students that they will not be judged or graded on the content of letter.
- Encourage your students to consider the things they learned in the class or about themselves over the semester, and any wisdom they can use that will positively shape their ongoing personal and professional growth.
- Clarify in the instructions where the students should post their letters (LMS, class blog post, discussion forum, etc)
Categories
Confidence, curiosity, mentorship
Contributor
Prof. Kate Poirier (adapted from Prof. Jonas Reitz)
Department of Mathematics
City Tech – CUNY
Image Source
“Horizontal illustration of a time machine for (quoted) classroom activity” ChatGPT Image May 23, 2025, 04_21_36 PM
