Use Your Syllabi & Track Your Grades

The syllabus you receive in each course is essentially a contract between you and your instructor - you can use it to manage your time, set your priorities and track your grades throughout the semester.

Right now, at the start of the semester, you should:

• Carefully read each syllabus for information about assignments, papers and tests, and make a note of each in your planner/time management system.
• Compare all of your classes!  Will you have many major assignments, papers and projects due on the same day?  Will you be studying for several tests at the same time?  Are you thinking you might need to drop one of your courses so you won't be overwhelmed?  Make an appointment to talk to an Advisor now!  Don't wait until the end of Add/Drop.
• Make sure you understand how your grade will be calculated, and which pieces of evaluation (papers, tests, etc) will have the greatest impact on your final grade.
• Check for specific requirements that could affect your final grade (e.g. how class absences count, whether you can hand in papers or assignments late with no penalty, whether there are 'rewrite' policies that allow you to revise a paper or assignment and resubmit it for a higher grade).

For more information about how to be a savvy student and make use of your syllabi, click here and take note of strategy #4.  While you're there, take a look at the Grade Tracker forms.

Still have questions?  Stop by the Academic Advising Link and one of our Peer Advisors will help!