With many schools starting the academic year around this time, the importance of reading course syllabi cannot be stressed enough. The course syllabus tells you several important things, including how and when to contact your instructor, what the course expectations are, your instructor’s policies on attendance and late work, grading scales, and a basic outline of the semester’s assignments. You’ll want to know what your instructor’s office hours are and where and when to meet with them should you need assistance. Course expectations also inform the students of specific learning outcomes and skills they will learn during the course. It’s also in your best interest to read the professor’s policies on attendance and late work because you don’t want to wait until the end of the semester to discover that your absences have ruined your grade.
Not only do course syllabi help you understand what’s required of you to pass a class, but typically institutions require certain information to be included for the benefit of students. You’ll find helpful information on resources available on campus for hardship, be it academic, emotional, or financial. Download a copy to your hard drive and/ or print a copy for easy reference. You’ll be thankful you did!
