I passed out cards several minutes before the start of the last class meeting (which was used for the final exam) and said "We've been together in this course for almost forty-five hours. So please write me a note about anything you want: about the course or about yourself, or about anything else you want to tell me." In order to start the exam on time, the few students who arrived after the cards were passed out (there were not more than three such students) were not given cards.

The complete set of comments thus obtained is reproduced below, maintaining the spelling, capitalization and punctuation of the originals.

To allow the reader to understand some of the comments below I must provide some information about the first day of the course: I start each Psychology 101 class by telling the students that because so many students in past semesters have not done the assignments in the course (and as a result have not passed the course) I feel ethically obligated to begin by telling them that a three- credit course is supposed to require six or seven hours of work outside of class each week, and that this course does. I guarantee them that doing the assignments will result in a final grade of C or better, and I try to get them to believe that not doing that work on a regular basis will almost certainly result in not passing the course (a true statement, but one which they have heard before in classes where it turned out not to be true.)

This semester, at this point in my introduction, just fifteen minutes into the course, our class was interrupted by an influx of ten to fifteen students from another instructor's class. As a result of two different rooms being shown as assigned to the same course (one on WebAdviser, the other in the course catalogue) both my classroom and hers contained students from both of our sections. Rather than waste more class time waiting for students to determine which section they had enrolled in, she and I agreed to let each student choose whether to remain in the class where he was already seated or to move across the hall to the other section, and to fill out the paperwork later for whichever section-changes the result necessitated.. These facts are the basis for a number of the comments below about students' thoughts and feelings on the first day of class.

Although I started off on the wrong foot, I feel your class helped me with a lot of personal problems that needed attention.

I enjoyed the class. At times I could have did better if I was focused enough, but the course wasn't half bad. Have a good Holiday.

I really enjoyed the class. I realized that some of the things about us are really different than we were taught. I hope I will take another classes with you.

As I think back to the beginning of the semester when we were able to choose who we wanted to teach us about psychology, I am glad that I stayed in this classroom. I enjoyed this class and the way in which it was taught. The only lesson that was not interesting to me was lesson 9. But it was just the material. I admit I was a little scared about your class at first but I'm glad that I put myself up to the challenge and stuck with it. I wouldn't have learned as much if I would have left.

Well, of the 4 classes I had this semester, yours was the most interesting, entertaining and well-taught. You teach with such a casual style that it makes you easy to listen to and your teaching the lesson helps all the pieces to come together perfectly. Thanks so much for allowing me to enter the class late. Take care. I imagine I'll see you around.

Even though pass or no pass I still had fun in this class. It was the most interesting and informative class that I took. I might not have participated or looked up a lot but I did learn a great deal from you.

I really enjoyed this class. Personally, I didn't really think it'd take 6 hrs. a week but I humored the idea. I'm glad I did. I got a lot out of your lectures. God bless you and have a great holiday. PS: I think the workbook was very beneficial. Thank you!

This class was definitely interesting. You were a little intimidating at first but after a few weeks I was more comfortable. Your lessons were more understandable when interacting with each other. You're a great professor.

Thank you! I came into this class with negative thoughts and I'm leaving with positive ones. I have found that your style of teaching has been the most effective I have encountered in 18 years. I have learned a lot.

I enjoyed the course very much. I saw many ideas and principles you talked about in daily life (I always told my sister these thoughts, sometimes she would be interested, but other times she would say Is this another psych thing?") I really liked how structured and prepared your lessons were.

This is my second time taking Psychology and it was a much better class because at the end of every lesson there was a quiz which kept me focused on the intire course. It also kept the class more interesting and understandable.

I thought this course was very interesting. I learned a lot of new things that were very exciting. Although I thought there was a lot of work it was all worth it. I did my best to keep up with the work to earn a good grade.

This class has made a lot of sense to me. In the beginning of the semester I thought it would be difficult to finish the lessons every week, but as the semester dragged on, it became easier and less time consuming. I don't think more information was crammed in my head in senior year of H.S. than in this class.

Even though I failed your course I really enjoyed your class. It was a learning experience I will never forget. I am sure we will meet again.

The course was good, but I think it requires lots of work. I think if the number of quizzes are reduced it might make it more interesting.

I think this class was amazing! A first I was scared to be in here, but as time went on my fear went away. I understand so much more now and there is so much that I realize now that was never relevant before. You were an AWESOME teacher Dr. Cohen. Thank you so much for everything. YOU AMAZED ME!

I can say that this course really open my vision about this world. The way you explained us the lesson was really enough for me to have a correct understanding.

This was the toughest course I've ever taken. This class was nuts.

I really enjoyed this class. I had to work my ass off to do well, but it was all worth it. Some people don't get it. they'll never get it and that's a shame. For some it isn't their fault, for others it is. Thank you for teaching me valuable lessons about life. there's more to see than meets the eye.

I never shut up about this class to my family and girlfriend. Even if my grades don't show it, I remember more from this class then any other college class.

I know I was not the greatest student in this course, but thoroughly enjoyed the course. I believe I have learned more from this course than any other this semester. I have already recommended this course to not only my friend but my family as well. Thank you for the knowlege you have instilled in me, it is truly priceless.

First class was intimidating, but I learned a lot and really enjoyed learning things I didn't know before. I'm glad I chose to keep your class. Thank-you.

The most unique course I've ever taken. I enjoyed the course. A very helpful course for understanding my personality. Thank you.

Dr. Cohen,
I thought this class was awesome. I took a psych class in high school which somewhat discouraged me from taking it in college. But I am glad I took this psych class. I learned about things & achieved an understanding of things which was much more than a textbook definition. I had fun. Thanks.

You definately are one of a kind! Thanks for such an interesting semester.

The course was tough. I enjoyed the demonstrations the most (as probably expected). My effort slipped a bit after chapter 5, as my brain got tired of the fill-ins. It was definitely tough. Rock on, Z.Z.

Dr. Cohen, I really enjoyed your course a lot. I feel as though you're a great teacher and you have a unique way of teaching. I actually learned something.

I feel that this was a good class. I enjoyed it very much and I learned things that I didn't know and I really got a new look on what people do and how my body works. Overall it was very interesting.

Although this course has been a lot of hard work, and a lot of hours spent doing the work I found it very fun and interesting. Overall I really enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed your course and learned much more than I thought at beginning of the year. I especially liked how you tied in the music (George Harrison, Beatles)

This course was helpful on letting me understand how people work and why they do what they do. I had a lot of fun especially with reading the abnormal behavior section.

I liked the course. There were some things that I didn't understand and were tough like learning the big words for the lesson. I can use the lessons for myself. I think you are a great professor. At first I was scared and intimidated on the first day. But you are a great guy! [the dot at the bottom of the exclamation point is a heart]

I would like to say that I enjoyed this course and I wish you taught Developmental Pshycology. I learned a lot from this class and it has benefited me during and hopefully will continue to down the road. I listen to people more now than what I did before.

Dr. Cohen, I feel that this was a very interesting course. It was very hard for me, but I found that I worked harder because you worked hard for us.

I already wanted to be a doctor but now I don't know why the hell I am thinking about getting into psychology so much ... Great insight, great class. I wish I knew what you know.