10 Things to Know About Your College Classes 725 words At the start of every semester, it's important to have a few basics down: when your classes are, who your professors are, and how you'll get to and from class every day. In addition to these logistics, however, you'll need to know a few other key pieces of information: 10 Things to Know About Your College Classes 1. __________. The syllabus is pretty much your road map for each college class. If it's available online, print out a copy and bookmark it in your browser so that you can always find the information you need when you need it. 2. __________. It can be difficult to catch up once you fall behind on your reading in a college course; consequently, know what books, lab materials, or other items you'll need throughout the semester. And then make sure you secure access to those items as soon as possible. 3. __________. Does your professor prefer email? Phone calls? Meetings in person? You never know what might happen during the semester, whether it's your catching the flu the night before your midterm or your need to let your professor know that your group project is falling apart. Consequently, make sure you know how to reach your professor if and when the need arises. 4. __________. It's positively silly not to utilize office hours in each and every one of your college courses. There are seemingly endless things to talk to your professor about, and knowing when and where to do so is a great way to get the most out of your time in school. 5. __________. You'll need the syllabus for this, but make sure you're aware of and have written down when all major assignments, exams, research papers, etc., are due. Extra trip: write reminders in your time management system a week or two before each due date so that nothing comes as a surprise. 6. __________. If you're naturally a quiet student, you don't want to realize the last week of classes that 20% of your grade depends on class participation. Review the syllabus in detail so that you know how much of your grade comes from which sources. 7. __________. Obviously, you don't want to have to ask for an extension . But life happens sometimes, and if you're forced to choose between possibly turning in an assignment late or not, knowing your professor's attitude about lateness can better inform your decision. 8. __________. Regardless of your class's topic, there are undoubtedly offices and people on campus who can help you if you find you're struggling. Figure out which places can help you the most -- e.g., a writing center if a particular course has a lot of papers or a tutoring center if you have a hard time understanding the class lectures -- before you have a problem. 9. __________. You can usually gauge this pretty quickly, even if you've only had one or two class sessions so far. Who is not paying attention in class? Who mocks the professor? Who appears to have done the reading? Who is taking notes? Who seems nice and helpful? Who treats the class like a joke? Pairing yourself up with the stronger students in the class can help you better understand the material, can help hold you accountable for staying on top of the coursework, and can overall enhance your experience. 10. __________. This, of course, isn't exactly written on the syllabus. But unless your professor is teaching his or her first-ever class on campus, ask around and get the skinny. Does your professor like a lot of quotations in papers, for example? Is he a hard grader? Does she not give partial credit on exams? Does he grade on a curve? Is she always hard on the first paper but easier on the ones after? Knowing details like this can help you better understand the professor's expectations as well as how to process any feedback you get throughout the course. A. What kind of grader your professor is. B. What your professor's policy is on late assignments. C. What materials, books, and other items you'll need for the class. D. Which students have their act together in the class. E. When major assignments and papers are due. F. When and where your professor holds office hours . G. Where to go for supplemental help. H. Where to find the course syllabus . I. How to contact the professor. Does your professor prefer email? J. How much of your grade depends on assignments, exams, lab work, and class participation.