Tag Archives: academics

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Lesson 4:  “It’s in the Syllabus!”

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.

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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!
  1. 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!

 

 

 

 

 

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Lesson 3

Two Easy Ideas for Organization

Now that you’ve read, know, and color coded the syllabi according to readings, papers, projects, presentations and exam dates, it’s time to get more organized, but chances are you have no idea where to begin and the semester, or quarter, is in full-speed.

Just take a deep breath and let’s get organized, and the sooner the better.  It might take an hour or so to do this, but in the long run, it’ll be time well spent and you’ll be less overwhelmed.

Organization equals three simple items—a three inch binder, dividers and a calendar.

This lesson follows a conversation I had with a young college co-ed about when my husband returned to school after a twenty-five year hiatus. After coming home from class he started organizing his various pocket folders. As I watched his organization turn into an unorganized disaster while he lost himself in that great web of syllabi and overwhelming expectations, I left the house and returned with a three inch binder, dividers and a calendar. Minutes later he was organized and his calendar was marked according to the syllabi.

The Binder and Dividers

All you need, in my experience, is one three inch binder with inside pockets and dividers that are labeled with the name of your classes in the order you attend them within the week.

For example, divider one might be your Monday/Wednesday/Friday 8:00 a.m. Psychology 101 and your next divider might be your Monday/Wednesday/Friday 11:30 a.m. English 105, the third divider would be the next class of the week, maybe it’s your Tuesday/Thursday 2:00 p.m. Art History 1B while the fourth divider is Wednesday’s 7:00 p.m. Public Speaking class.

In the front of each class section place the syllabus (in a plastic sleeve) for quick reference, protection and so you ALWAYS know where you placed it.  Now comes all the handouts, notes, and extra readings. Your notes and handouts go behind the appropriate dividers by date, most recent first. In the front pocket of the binder place assignments to be turned in, while the back pocket is where returned assignments go.  When you get home, or back to your dorm, put returned items into a corresponding manila folder on your desk for quick reference.

Having one binder solves two issues, the first is always having the correct folder and never worrying about grabbing the wrong one as you dash out the door.  The second issue is that you will always have your notes and assignments with you for studying. (If you use an electronic notebook, make sure it’s synced with your cell phone and tablet for anytime studying. You never know when you’ll have to wait for someone, regardless of situation.)

The Calendar

It doesn’t matter if you prefer an electronic or a paper calendar, what matters is that you use it to your advantage.  Chose a color to block out class times. Some people, like me, use a school color.  For example, if your school colors are blue and yellow, you might want to choose yellow to indicate class and blue for school functions.  (For paper calendars, use highlighters).

Now it’s time to write in tests, readings, papers, projects and presentations. (Try to use the same colors you used to mark your syllabus.) For now let’s use red for tests.  On your electronic calendar enter when tests are due. It will overlap on the yellow which is fine, it’s corresponding with the proper class.  Set your reminders one month prior, 3 weeks prior, 2 weeks prior then countdown each day.  The same rules apply for readings, papers, projects and presentations. You may want to use orange for essays, for instance, while you use green for presentations. Then set your reminders accordingly. Of course, for paper calendars, you’ll use color pens to mark the due dates and work backwards writing in the reminders. (Stickers work well too!)

Chose different colors for studying, work, fitness and family and then stick to your calendar.

Simply put, get into the habit of checking the syllabi and saying to people, “Let me check my calendar.”  You’ll be in control, organized and less stressed.

A few minutes of organization will save hours of time.