Not very, I'll bet. In fact, if you're like a lot of students, you probably gave your syllabuses a quick once over before filing them in your notebook or backpack.
If that's the case, time to dig out those documents and read them from start to finish!
Why? Because a syllabus (aka a course outline) is one of the most important pieces of paper you'll receive this semester in your classes. It's a contract of sorts: an agreement between you and your professor about the course you're beginning together. It's a document that tells you what you can expect over the next fifteen weeks and how you can make the most of the experience.
While not all syllabuses are alike, all contain information you need to know. A syllabus will typically tell you
- who's teaching the course
- what you'll be studying and learning
- what books, manuals, online resources, and other materials you'll need
- what work (assignments, projects, etc.) you'll need to do over the semester
- when tests are scheduled and when assignments are due
- how your final grade will be determined
- what you need to know about attendance and classroom behavior (class do's and don'ts)
- what extra help is available--and where you can find it
- how to reach your professor out of class (phone, email, office hours)
See why it's important to pay careful attention to the syllabus? Besides explaining the course in detail, a syllabus also lays out what's expected of you--info you can't afford to blow off.
Over the years I've had tons of conversations with students who've messed up in their classes. While their situations have varied, almost all of these folks have been basically clueless about what their professors expected of them. Asked about attendance policies, tests and assignments, deadlines, extra help, their professors' names and office hours, most have known nothing. If only they'd looked at their syllabuses . . .
As we all know, college can be crazy sometimes. As the semester goes on, courses become demanding, assignments pile up, and life often grows more intense and stressful. But having a handle on your courses--knowing when exams are scheduled, what chapters must be read, where you can go for extra help, and even where you can cut corners--can take some of the pressure off.
And that's where knowing your course syllabuses comes in handy. Giving your syllabuses a close read won't guarantee straight A's, but it will definitely help you stay on top of your courses, plan your time, and be better organized. It'll also make you feel less pressured.
So before this semester gets too far along, sit down and read--REALLY read--your syllabuses. Highlight the important parts. Note dates (exams, papers, etc.). Pay attention to your professors' office hours. Use the information on these pages to map out your semester.
Do it now. No time to waste. This is your education (and your life) we're talking about.
Over the years I've had tons of conversations with students who've messed up in their classes. While their situations have varied, almost all of these folks have been basically clueless about what their professors expected of them. Asked about attendance policies, tests and assignments, deadlines, extra help, their professors' names and office hours, most have known nothing. If only they'd looked at their syllabuses . . .
As we all know, college can be crazy sometimes. As the semester goes on, courses become demanding, assignments pile up, and life often grows more intense and stressful. But having a handle on your courses--knowing when exams are scheduled, what chapters must be read, where you can go for extra help, and even where you can cut corners--can take some of the pressure off.
And that's where knowing your course syllabuses comes in handy. Giving your syllabuses a close read won't guarantee straight A's, but it will definitely help you stay on top of your courses, plan your time, and be better organized. It'll also make you feel less pressured.
So before this semester gets too far along, sit down and read--REALLY read--your syllabuses. Highlight the important parts. Note dates (exams, papers, etc.). Pay attention to your professors' office hours. Use the information on these pages to map out your semester.
Do it now. No time to waste. This is your education (and your life) we're talking about.
No comments:
Post a Comment