Students need to have a clear idea of what is expected in a course, and how they are meeting that expectation. You will not be able to tell students exactly what grades they are likely to receive in a course, nor are you expected to do so. However, by the eighth week of the semester, you should be able to identify those students who are having significant difficulties and urge them to seek additional help. Freshmen and sophomores, regardless of their high school preparation, generally report that they are surprised at the amount of work required to succeed. As a teaching assistant, you will need to give thought not only to the material you teach, but how to present such material so that the students will learn.
Some teaching assistants teach subjects which are largely unfamiliar to their students.
In other instances, you may find that your students, although they have had exposure to the subject area, approach it with fear and trepidation. This is especially true of students who may be apprehensive about their math and writing skills. Transition to a large university environment can be both exciting and confusing at the academic as well as personal and social levels. For many students, you will be one of the first personal contacts they make within what can be a very intimidating environment. Some students will feel more comfortable talking with their teaching assistants than with their professors or other university staff.