How to Read Your Syllabus, And Why You Should Do So Carefully
Subtle changes to the educational benefits mean military-connected students must pay attention to attendance requirements and deadlines for a new class. Without a doubt, the first thing to do when the course begins or if you have questions is to read your syllabus.
What is a Course Syllabus?
Each professor or instructor will give you a digital or paper document that outlines the course. It will tell you the required reading, test dates, how and when to contact your professor with questions and a grading scale. It outlines the professor's expectations for you and how they will respond.
Chances are, your syllabus will answer most of your questions. Here are some examples:
What will I be learning in this course?
What are the required textbooks?
What happens if I miss an exam?
What is the policy on late work?
Where do I go if I am struggling in my courses?
How will I be graded on my work?
When are the due dates for my assignments?
How can I contact my professor outside of class?
How to Read Your Syllabus
It probably seems long and overwhelming, but you'll be able to find the information you need in various sections. Some of those may be important at the beginning of the course, and some you may reference later.
Instructor Information
This section has your professor's information, how to contact them and when they are available. It should also indicate how they prefer to be contacted (most like emails) and when you can expect them to respond.
Course Information
You may be tempted to skip the course information section since you know what course you've enrolled in, but glance over it anyway. This section includes the official course name, the location of the class, any prerequisites, the course description and how many credit hours you'll receive for it.
Note: This is also where the attendance policy will be, so read this!
Course Materials
Here is where you will learn what textbooks or required reading assignments you'll have for this course. You may need a novel, an atlas, a special calculator or even a particular version of a textbook. Most of the time, these are available from the bookstore or online.
Course Goals
This brief section allows the professor to outline their goals for instruction. This is an excellent section to read closely, so you know what to expect from the professor and what topics you'll likely cover.
Grading & Evaluation
In this section, you'll see how much tests are worth and whether attendance is factored into the grade. This is also where you should find the information on the grading system the professor uses. Read this section thoroughly and ask questions before the first graded assignment is due.
Course Schedule
You'll want to have your calendar nearby when reading this section. The schedule of events for this course will be listed here, and keeping track of these dates and planning around them will help alleviate stress and last-minute work. You can also compare test and project due dates from your other classes and ask your professor about potential conflicts.
You may find additional information regarding attendance policies, disability accommodations and specific resources for citations or assistance with classwork included in your syllabus. This document is provided to help you plan for your courses and to answer basic questions about the class. If you have more questions, reach out to your professor.
Ready to learn more about navigating the higher education system as a veteran? Start here.