3. Course changes
Tip #1:If you don't like a professor's style, try to switch sections.
Tip #2: If the course content is different from what you expected, drop the course and register in one you like better.
Tip #3:If you are having trouble deciding which course or section to take, find some classes that aren't full yet and attend a few lectures to see if you like the subject matter and the professor's approach. This makes for a very full schedule in the first few weeks, but it is well worth the extra effort.
Tip #4: Consult an academic adviser before dropping a prerequisite for your program. Prerequisite structures can be complex webs, and missing out on one early on may affect your ability to register for a full load of courses in the future. This is an area where academic advisers often have a lot of expertise, and can be very helpful.
Tip #5: Ensure you follow the correct procedures to withdraw from a course or you may have a failure recorded on your transcript. Once you are registered in a course, the only options are to be awarded a mark or to withdraw. If you don't withdraw you will be given a "fail" on your transcript, even though you never showed up for a single lecture.
Tip #6:Most employers recruiting at the university will ask you to include your transcript with your résumé when applying for a job. You don't want to have to show them one with a failure on it. They have no way of knowing whether you did miserably in the course and failed, or simply forgot to withdraw.
Tip #7:Act early when withdrawing from a course to maximize any available fee refunds.
Tip #8: Withdrawing from a course could change your status from full-time to part-time. This status has nothing to do with how much time you spend on your university studies and is determined only by the number of courses you are taking. There could be implications:
• Various bursaries, scholarships, student loan arrangements, residence eligibility and other such things may require full-time enrollment and may be withdrawn if you do not meet this requirement. For example, in some cases, a student bus pass is available only to full-time students;
• Income tax savings for you or your parents will change, as the education deduction will be reduced from $400 per month to $120 per month. Refer to Chapter 15.6 for more details.
4. Getting to know your classmates
Tip #1:Say hello to classmates. Refer to Chapter 12.1 if you find it difficult to initiate conversation.
Tip #2: Get acquainted with classmates early so you can figure out which individuals you want to work with in study groups or for group assignments. Refer to Chapter 9.1.
Tip #3: Develop a buddy system
• Team up with two classmates, exchange contact information and agree to provide notes to each other if one of you is sick and misses a class.
• Reviewing two sets of notes will clarify the key points, and one classmate might explain some points better than the other.
• Don't abuse this courtesy. Your classmates will quickly become resentful if they perceive they are being used as your note takers.
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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.
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