Recently, I received a text message from a new high school graduate saying: “I’m at my college freshman orientation and thought of you!” Up popped a cartoon the presenter showed explaining the importance of the college syllabus and where students can find all the answers to basic course questions.
He thought of me because in my high school senior classroom I not only explain the importance of the college syllabus, but I also teach how to read it and where to find course information. I even use my previous article, “Lesson Two: 3 Things to Know about the Syllabus,” to stress the importance of exploring and familiarizing yourself with the syllabus.
What I didn’t realize, however, was the importance of my lesson.
Referencing a college syllabus is an important skill that must be emphasized and mastered. When I was a young undergraduate a professor said, “Master the syllabus, master the class.” Honestly, I don’t know if it’s true, but it made my college and graduate years a lot less stressful.
Therefore, I’m going to provide you with a new mantra when looking for information, because chances are it’s in the syllabus! It’s in the syllabus! It’s in the syllabus!
Here are 5 basic questions that could pop-up and I provide some scenarios.
- How do you get ahold of your professor? It’s in the syllabus! On the top of the first page you’ll see the professor’s name, office location, telephone number and extension, email address and website, if applicable. I like to put a red star near this section. It also might not be a bad idea to put the information in your cellphone contacts.
- What happens if you miss class and how will you know the assignment and get the lecture notes? It’s in the syllabus! You might ask a classmate for the notes. Keep in mind, this entire question is on you, so ask yourself why you missed class and try not to unless you are very ill, it’s an absolute emergency or it’s work related. As a professor, I had this situation when I had emergency service personnel in my classes. In this instance these students talked to me at the beginning of the semester and we came up with a plan. Communicate with your professor immediately, especially if you have an absolute emergency! Life happens.
- When are exams and are they take home, multiple choice or written? It’s in the syllabus! Note: most exams, especially take home, are written.
- When are papers due? It’s in the syllabus. Normally papers are due at the very beginning of class, not when you arrive 20 minutes later. (Last year, another former student emailed me stating that while in her college class a student walked in 12 minutes late and turned in a paper, the professor tossed it in the trash. The student stormed out.) Moral of the story, the beginning of class means the beginning of class, not at the beginning of when you arrive. I would also keep in mind, while some professors like papers given to them in class, others opt to have them placed in their mailbox by a certain date and time, turned in electronically using a server that locks you out at specified time, or emailed as a PDF file, again by a specific time. The date and time is important, be aware of it. All this information is usually in the syllabus!
- What is the professor’s documentation requirement, MLA, APA, or Chicago? It’s in the syllabus! Every professor and discipline is different when it comes to documentation requirements. Read the syllabus. If the answer is not there, check the actual assignment or professor’s website, or simply ask the professor. For a link to these resources, click my Resources tab.
In short, keep in mind the information you seek is usually IN THE SYLLABUS! IT’S IN THE SYLLABUS! IT’S IN THE SYLLABUS!
