How to survive university

The first few weeks of classes are an opportunity for you to enjoy the results of all the preparation you have undertaken so far. All that you anticipated is now a reality. It will be exciting and very busy. There are some administrative things you need to know to ensure you get the classes you want, and some strategies for setting you up on a solid platform for the term ahead. We discuss them in this chapter.

1. Full classes
Pleading with the professor to get into a full class because "it fits into your schedule" generally won't get you in. On the other hand, if you have a truly compelling reason for having registered late, need the class as a prerequisite, or are genuinely keen on the course content but did not get in, approach the professor in person and explain your case. While full classes are a problem for students and professors alike, you are much more likely to enlist the professor's support if you have good academic reasons for your request.

Tip #1: Have all the necessary paperwork on hand to make it easy for the professor to approve your request.
• Generally you will need a course add/drop form. Fill out everything on the form that you can before presenting yourself to the professor. Obviously, presenting the professor with a blank form to complete seriously undermines your argument that you are keen to take the course.

Tip #2: If you have trouble getting an appointment to see the professor, attend the first few classes, sit near the front, and participate.
• Show your enthusiasm and commitment in person;
• Your e-mail request won't stand out versus the others the professor is probably receiving;
• If someone drops out, you can offer to take his or her place. Your presence will help support your request.

2. Course outlines
In order to be successful you must understand what is expected of you. In short, course outlines spell this out.

Tip #1: Read the course outline carefully to understand the learning objectives and how marks will be allocated. This gives you important context for all that follows in the course.

Tip #2: Highlight important information and keep the outline in your course binder. Refer to it each week. It is your road map.
• It tells you where you have been, where you are now, and where you are going;
• It tells you what to do, and for key items, when to do them;
• It tells you the allocation of marks to tasks, and in some cases, the principles underlying the awarding of marks;
• Of all the questions asked by students at a professor's door, probably 90 per cent are answered in the course outline. Imagine how bad you look asking your professor for information that is written on the course outline that he or she gave you and that you should have in your binder.

Write an e-mail to your professor if you notice that a test or exam has been scheduled on a religious observance date. If you let him or her know early enough, the date may be changed. Otherwise, an accommodation may be made for you to write on an alternate date. Check your university's website and undergraduate calendar for full information on religious accommodations.

Page 1 of 3

 

---

Excerpted from University Matters by Sharron McIntyre, MBA and Michael McIntryre, PhD, CA. Copyright 2005 by Sharron D. McIntyre and Michael L. McIntyre. Excerpted, with permission by Creative Bound International Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.