In college, the first week of classes is syllabus week. While not a page-turner, the syllabus is your roadmap for success. Get out your highlighters and follow this scavenger hunt as we go through the most important information you will need to set yourself up for this semester.
MLA, APA or Chicago? – Highlight it in Yellow
In almost all college classes, the professor will tell you which citation style they expect. This is a crucial piece of information. On the surface, it tells you what your headers should look like and how you should cite your sources. On a deeper level, it informs your writing style.
- MLA is for English, literature, and language courses where analyzing the specific wording is important. Write down page numbers as you take notes in this class.
- APA is for sciences, linguistics, education, and math disciplines. In this kind of writing, use direct, simple language to support claims with data.
- Chicago is a midpoint between these two, used in disciplines like law and theology. In this type of writing, use footnotes to add information and context.
Once you have identified the type of writing and citation style your professor expects, go to your Google drive. Create a folder for the semester (example, Fall 2024), and then create a folder for each class (example, Spanish 101). Create a Google document with a header, title, and page numbers with the specified writing and citation style.
Textbook and Textbook Citation – Highlight it in Pink
Find the textbook or required reading list and make sure you have what you need. Do not wait until after school starts to get your textbooks.
I highly recommend using a citation software that can store and formulate your citations. Check if your school library has an included program. I use RefWorks because my university had this included in my tuition. If not, use Zotero (it’s free). Create a folder for each of your disciplines, for example, “psychology,” “biology,” “anthropology.” Enter your required readings into the correct folder in the system. Usually, the professors have the exact edition cited already in the syllabus so it’s a matter of copying and typing it in. This time is an investment in not looking up how to cite the same book or article repeatedly throughout the semester.
Office Hours and Support Services -Highlight in Green
Know where you can go for support before you start struggling. What are your professor’s office hours? Do they prefer email or Canvas messenger? Do they recommend other resources?
If you are taking a course that you know is going to be a challenge, pre-schedule supports. For example, if you are taking a difficult calculus course, schedule appointments with the math center that correspond with your test schedule. If you are taking a course that has a heavy writing component, schedule appointments at the writing center that correspond with your papers. If you do this ahead of time, you ensure that you get the support you need and put pressure on yourself to start preparing on schedule.
Weights and Percentage Breakdown – Highlight in Orange
Find how your professor calculates grades so that you can target your efforts toward the assignments that are most important. For example, if the weekly assignments are only 5% of your grade, you might want to put more effort into the long-term project that is worth 80% of your grade. Note that in some classes, such as foreign language, participation is often heavily weighted. In these cases, make sure that you attend as many classes as possible.
Schedule of Assignments – Highlight in Blue
Professors usually give you a calendar of assignments and readings. Take time to plug your assignments or assigned reading into your calendar. You may also want to chunk out bigger projects. If you have a final paper, for example, do not just add the due date to your calendar. Plug in the date you want to start brainstorming and then follow it with subsequent benchmarks. Again, library research and writing center appointments can help put pressure on you to stick with this schedule.
Go back to the Google folders we created earlier for each class. Copy the generic assignment that you created earlier with the appropriate header style for each major assignment (not discussion boards). Title each one accordingly and copy and paste the directions for that assignment directly into the document.
Policies on AI, Late Work, and Missing Class – Highlight in Yellow
While DEI and plagiarism policies are generally the same across the whole university, professor-specific policies are important to note. If you know that you must miss a class where participation is heavily weighted, email the professor during syllabus week and let them know which classes you have to miss. This includes if you are on a sports team, marching band, or have religious exemptions.
Some professors have completely banned AI for any purpose in their classroom and violating this policy could lead to expulsion. If you have a study tool that uses AI, you may want to ask your professor for permission (and get their approval in writing). They might not be aware of ways to use AI that are not cheating.
Avoid Syllabus Panic
Take a deep breath and congratulate yourself for taking the time to set yourself up this semester. Sometimes grappling with the totality of work for the semester can be overwhelming. Remember, you have an entire semester to do this work and do not need to panic. Notice your emotions without judgment and let them pass. Schedule opportunities for self-care.
This article has provided a lot of detailed information that you may not be able to absorb all at once. You may want to keep it handy, going back to it when you need guidance throughout the semester. You also might want to keep Bass Educational Services in mind. If you find that you are struggling, we can help with executive functioning and tutoring to get you back on track and stay there!