Campus Is Go!: Getting The Most Out of Your Syllabuses
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR COURSE SYLLABUS
As the fall semester starts up, most of you are busy this week trying to figure out how you're going to manage your new course load. One of the resources that will actually help you with your planning, time management, and overall academic success are course syllabuses. Your course syllabus is an important tool for you to use for a successful semester. Here are some tips for how to use the information provided on the syllabus:
1. Instructor contact information and office hours
- make note of these and any changes the instructor makes to these
- additional TA or instructor information and office hours that may not be listed already
- review the list and make sure you have purchased all required readings for the course so that you will be prepared when you have an assignment from one of them
3. Grading
- note what your grade is comprised of for the course and how it is broken down for each assignment
- keep track of your grades throughout the semester, on this part of the syllabus, so that you have an accurate idea of how you are doing in the course
If you have any questions or concerns about your grades, or are unsure of your grade in the class, check with your instructor – (do NOT wait until it is too late!)
4. Assignments and due dates
- highlight the days that you have exams or major assignments due for the course
- use your Gopher Guide or other calendar, and write in the day for each assignment or exam that is due. You may want to write your assignments in a bright color or highlight them in the calendar so that they stick out from other obligations you have that day
- plan ahead several days and make a note in your calendar about when to start studying for the exam or preparing your assignment
For long term planning…
- after you write your assignment and exam dates into your Gopher Guide or calendar for each class, note which weeks will be your busiest during the semester
- adjust your work or extracurricular obligations NOW in order to be prepared for the busy times
- if something is not clear or you have questions about assignments, contact your instructor early on so that you have plenty of time to get your questions answered before the assignment is due!
5. Make up and Absent policies
Note how many excused absences you have for the class and the instructors make up policy should you be ill or miss an assignment or exam.
BE SURE to keep your syllabus with you in your course notebook or folder for easy access to instructor contact information, and to keep track of your grades and homework assignments.
A SYLLABUS FOR SUCCESS
In addition to examining your course syllabuses, below is week by week list of things you might consider doing as you progress through the semester in order to make your academic experience more successful.
Week 1 – September 4 – 10
- Keep in mind that you can add and/or drop courses this week without needing instructor or college permission.
- Review syllabi and determine what will be expected of you in each of your courses throughout the term.
- Buy your books.
- If you are working, establish you work schedule and request that it stay regular throughout the semester. Talk with your employer early regarding schedule adjustments based on busy times in your semester.
- Use your Gopher Guide or planner to write down when each assignment is due throughout the semester.
Week 2 – September 11 – 17
- Keep in mind that you can drop courses this week without needing instructor or college permission. You can also still change your grade base without needing permission.
- You need instructor permission to add a class. Carefully consider the consequences of adding any courses at this point. It may be too late to make up the missing work. Ask yourself: Is the course you wish to add a better choice than the one you want to drop?
Week 3-5 – September 18 – October 8
- Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
- Utilize any necessary resources such as the writing center, tutors, University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS), your academic advisor, instructors' office hours and help from your peers in the classes.
- Consider attending Fresh Start study skills/time managements sessions, offered by your CLA Student Community.
- Visit the Learning and Academic Skills Center through UCCS.
Week 6-7 – October 9 – 22
- Phone the Psychological Sciences Student Community – 612-626-7707 to schedule an appointment to meet with an adviser in the next couple of weeks. You must meet with an advisor to have your probation hold moved forward to register for the next term.
- Prepare for the appointment with your academic adviser. Things you may want to bring with you:
- Questions or concerns regarding your current registration.
- A general idea of how you are doing in each of your classes. It would be a good idea to check with each of your instructors about your grade thus far. Be accurate and realistic – is it time to consider withdrawing from a course?
- Ideas of courses to take next semester.
- Create a study schedule for your midterms.
Week 8 – October 23 – 29
- Last week to drop a semester-long class or classes without college permission. After the 8th week you will need to use your one-time-only withdrawal from one course OR petition due to verifiable, extenuating circumstances. The last day to drop a class without permission is December 29, 2007.
Week 9-10 – October 30 – November 12
- Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
- If you have not done well on papers or exams thus far, or if you wish to do better, discuss this with your instructor or TA. Find out if they can help you with suggestions regarding study practices that may be helpful.
- Go over assignments or exams with the instructor or TA.
- Utilize any necessary resources such as the writing center, tutors, UCCS, your academic advisor, instructors' office hours and help from your peers in the classes.
Week 11 – November 13 – 19
- You should have met with your adviser by this time in the semester and your probation hold will be moved forward so that you are able to register for spring.
- Look at the spring 2006 class schedule and think about ideas for registration.
- Check your account on-line to see if you have other holds that would prevent registration for next term and attend to getting those cleared.
- If you have not yet met with an adviser and can not get an appointment, you may consider attending a Probation Session to have your hold moved forward. Phone the Psychological Sciences Student Community for dates, times, and locations of the sessions.
Week 12-13 – November 20 – 30
- Registration begins about now.
- Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
- Utilize any necessary resources such as the writing center, tutors, University Counseling and Consulting Services, your academic advisor, instructors' office hours and help from your peers in the classes.
- Register for fall 2007 classes, if you have not yet done so.
- Look at final exam schedule.
- Adjust your work schedule if necessary to accommodate for your final exams.
Week 14 – December 3 – 7
- Create a study schedule and organize all of your materials for final exams.
- Begin review for final exams.
Week 15 – December 10 – 12
- Drop classes using your one-time-only withdrawal or a complete exit, if necessary – you have until the last day of instruction (December 12) to do this, but it must be completed before the end o f the business day in room 30 Johnston Hall.
- Create a review schedule for final exams.
Finals week – December 13 – 19
- Adhere to your study schedule.
- Integrate short (15 minute) breaks after every two-hour study block.
- Vary your study style. Re-read materials for an hour; take notes or review flashcards for the next hour.
- Plan one or two study sessions with students in class.
- Outline topics in writing.
- Get enough rest.
- Eat proper meals.
|
|
|
