Berea College

Student Success and Transition&nbsp;staff are available for personalized, one-on-one academic coaching sessions. We’ve also provided supplemental resources for you to explore independently.

core/paragraph

field_tabs_tabs_title

A syllabus is a contract detailing a professor’s goals and expectations for their course. Not all course syllabi are created equally, so you may find that a syllabus in one course is 20 pages long while another is at most five pages. Some professors will take the time to detail each assignment so that you have reference material when it is time to begin, while others prefer to explain as the semester moves forward. Below is a list of common things you will see in a syllabus:
<h4><strong>Course title, course number, time/meeting place</strong></h4>
This section helps you keep track of which syllabus goes with which course; it also informs you if you are in the right class on the first day.
<h4><strong>Information about your professor</strong></h4>
Office hours, office location, whether you are expected to schedule an appointment or drop in during certain hours, professor/TA email address, the best phone number to reach them at (which is becoming less common now that we have smartphones and the ability to check our emails more frequently).
<h4><strong>Course materials</strong></h4>
<ul>
 	<li>This is the section where you will find the required books/supplies you are required to have and any books/supplies that are not required but highly recommended.</li>
 	<li>The college bookstore and sites such as Amazon, for example, may provide the option to rent textbooks, which need to be returned by a specific date.</li>
 	<li>Always check with others around campus to see where they are getting their books. Some professors will inform students about the cheapest places to get their course materials.</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Learning Objectives</strong></h4>
Objectives are what you will know or be able to do once you have completed the course. For example, “understanding the role of the electoral college in presidential elections,” might be a course objective.
<h4><strong>Grading System</strong></h4>
Each professor will grade their assignments differently from one another. Their specific way of measuring your performance/grade will typically have its own section in the syllabus. Some professors grade on a point value system with a range of points being equivalent to specific grades. Other professors may use some wacky formula that only they understand.

This section will usually explain how the professor will break down your overall grade.

Ex: Participation = 10%, Quizzes = 25%, Homework = 15%, Tests = 50%
<h4><strong>Attendance Policy</strong></h4>
Very important! You will notice that some professors do not have a stringent policy, while other professors will decrease your overall grade after two unexcused absences. <strong>This is a great section to get familiar</strong> <strong>with</strong> so that you are not surprised later on when you find out you have failed a course because of your attendance issues.
<h4><strong>Course Calendar</strong></h4>
This section details each class and what you will cover that day, along with any assignments that are due.
<h4><strong>Academic Integrity Policy</strong></h4>
You will eventually get to know this without needing the reminder, but this section details what to expect if you ever get in trouble for academic dishonesty. Hopefully, none of you will ever need to refer to this section.
<h4><strong>Disability/Accessibility Policy</strong></h4>
Details how to go about getting accommodations you may need to help enable you to participate in the course
<h4><strong>Miscellaneous Items</strong></h4>
<ul>
 	<li>Detailed instructions for assignments</li>
 	<li>Late work policy</li>
 	<li>Classroom conduct</li>
 	<li>TA’s office hours/contact information</li>
 	<li>A statement letting you know that the information in the syllabus is subject to change, and you will be informed right away about any changes that take place.</li>
</ul>
<em>View the original post at The College Study Struggle.</em>

Anatomy of a Syllabus

<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1608152124748">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h4><strong>Advice for a stress-free, equitable team experience.</strong></h4>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h2>Get to know each other</h2>
If you’re working with an unfamiliar group, take some time when you first meet to get to know each other- Where are you from? What’s your major? Not only will this increase your comfort level, it will help you begin to discover each other’s strengths.
<h2>Establish clear expectations</h2>
How often will we meet? What are our deadlines? Which communication channels are we using? Take some time to answer these questions as a group at the outset, to minimize stress and confusion down the road.
<h2>Divide tasks based on strengths</h2>
As a group, be honest about your abilities and weaknesses, then use this information to establish each person’s role in completing the project. Make sure that the workload is divided up evenly. Clearly understanding each person’s role and how it aligns with the overall goals of the project will maximize both efficiency and equity.

</div>
</div>
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1607100648383">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h3><strong>How should we communicate?</strong></h3>
There are a number of different communication platforms designed for team use. <a href="https://slack.com/">Slack</a> and <a href="https://groupme.com/en-US/">GroupMe</a> are two popular options that can be used on both wifi and cellular data. Chat with your group members about what they’ve used and liked in the past. Once you pick a channel, stick with it. Having everything in one place will make miscommunication less likely.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h2>Maintain consistent communication</h2>
Once you’ve decided on a communication channel, utilize it to keep in touch with your group members on a regular basis. Use it to ask questions, check in on deadlines, and respond to each other in a timely manner. Effective and regular communication is key to a successful group project.
<h2>Hold each other accountable</h2>
If a group member hasn’t yet contributed their portion of the work, follow up with them. This interaction doesn’t need to be confrontational; simply check in with them and see if they need assistance. They may be dealing with extenuating circumstances preventing them from doing their share of the work. Be compassionate and communicative with your group members. Your success relies on their success.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Effective Group Projects

<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1605301738640">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h3>Reading efficiently is integral to your success as a Berea College student. Utilize the tips below to find what works best for you, so you can get the most out of your books, articles, and essays.</h3>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h2>Consider your circumstances</h2>
Reading by the light of your phone because it’s 1am and your roommate is sleeping? Probably not the most effective way to tackle that textbook. Instead, try reading during the day. Daylight or a well-lit room promotes concentration.

Plan to read for a shorter period. 30-40 minutes is idea ideal for retention and comprehension.
<h2>Ask Questions</h2>
Ask yourself, <em>what do I need to get out of this reading? </em>Chances are, your professors aren’t looking for you to memorize an academic article word-for-word. Consider the purpose of the assignment and use that to guide your reading.
<h2>Read for understanding, not memorization</h2>
Look for key information that speaks to the purpose of the reading. Ask yourself, “Is this the point I’m looking for?” If you think you’ve found it, make a note of it.

Vary your speed as you read. Notice when you are reading background material that isn’t tied to your purpose and read more quickly. Slow down when you notice that you are coming to a section with keyinformation.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 vc_col-has-fill">
<div class="vc_column-inner vc_custom_1605301410823">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h3>Look for key words signaling important information. Boldface words, bulleted points, and subheadings are all clues that the information they signify is key to understanding the overall text.</h3>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

&nbsp;
<h2>Reflect</h2>
If you’re unsure of what you just read, try explaining it in your own words, either aloud or in writing. Articulating the concepts you’ve just read will help you better understand them yourself.

Get creative by using a mind map, a flow chart, or a diagram to help you understand (and explain!) what you just read. Having a supporting document in your own words will be useful for future class discussions, studying, and research.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Reading for Success

<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

Many of us equate time management with accomplishing everything you have on your schedule. Unfortunately, this leads to underestimating the amount of time it will take to achieve a given task.
<h4><strong>You need to reserve chunks of time in your schedule for things like studying and work. </strong><strong>However, failing to give yourself a realistic task to accomplish during that time will lead to inefficiency.</strong></h4>
Anecdotally, students attribute their lack of task-management to feeling as though there is little time to socialize.
<h4><strong>For our purposes, we define a task a an item/step in our overall process of accomplishing an academic goal.</strong></h4>
How do you organize time by tasks? First, you must have a realistic understanding of how long it will take you to complete the assignment.

Some students find that writing a 10-page paper can be done in five hours if they are diligent, while others need more time to create their masterpiece.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1608069752461">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

<strong>If I’ve allotted myself an hour to complete my research and find that I finish early, I can get a head start on the next task. E</strong><strong>ven better, I could take a 15-minute break before starting my next task!</strong>

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

Separating your tasks will leave you feeling more accomplished than giving yourself a one-hour time frame with no direction. Without clear tasks to accomplish, your time may run out with you only having the first word of your introduction completed.
<h4><strong>Designating the time that you will spend on a task has to be your top priority if you want to stop wasting time by managing it without a purpose.</strong></h4>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

<em><a href="https://collegestudystruggle.wordpress.com/2019/03/09/time-management-part-1/">View the original post at The College Study Struggle</a>; additionally,<a href="https://collegestudystruggle.wordpress.com/2019/03/14/time-management-part-2/"> find a step-by-step guide for creating the “ideal” weekly schedule</a>.</em>

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Task and Time Management

<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h2>Test Preparation</h2>
Preparing for a test begins on the first day of class. Proactivity up front will save you stress down the road.

Go to review sessions and pay attention to any hints that the instructor may give about the test. Take notes and ask questions about items you may be confused about.

Go over any material from practice tests, homework, sample problems, review material, the textbook, and class notes, then put the main ideas onto a sheet that can be quickly reviewed many times, this makes it easier to retain the key concepts that will be on the test.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid">
<div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1605902347057">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h3>Practice Self Care</h3>
Eat before a test. Having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus but avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy.

Don’t try to pull an all-nighter. Budget your study time so that you are still able to get a good night’s sleep before the test.

Set your alarm and have a backup alarm set as well, then try to show up at least 5 minutes before the test will start.

</div>
</div>
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h2>Test Taking</h2>
When you first receive your test, do a quick survey of the entire test so that you know how to efficiently budget your time.

Do the easiest problems first. Don’t stay on a problem that you are stuck on especially when time is a factor. If you don’t know an answer, skip it. Go on with the rest of the test and come back to it later. Other parts of the test may have some information that will help you out with that question.

If you have time left when you are finished, look over your test. Make sure that you have answered all the questions, only change an answer if you misread or misinterpreted the question because the first answer that you put is usually the correct one.
<h2>Post-Test</h2>
When you get your test back look it over and make sure that there are no grading mistakes.

Make sure you understand what you got wrong. If the teacher reviews the test in class, be sure to take notes on what the teacher wanted for an answer on the questions/problems that you answered incorrectly.

If permitted, save the test as study material for future cumulative tests.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Test-taking Strategies

<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

As a college student, sending an email will eventually become second nature to you. It’s the official form of communication for many colleges and universities. Unfortunately, many students make common mistakes that cause the recipient of the email to question their professionalism

It’s important first to understand that communicating with staff/faculty/supervisors and communicating with family and friends are different. You may not email your loved ones frequently because of our ability to casually text/message them; however, it is far too easy to slip into conversational text/chat language when emailing someone in a professional setting (e.g., professors, employers).

Your language in an email may be the recipient’s first impression of who you are. Written communication has a powerful influence on how others view us, especially our professionalism.

</div>
</div>
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1607723406727">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<h3>When you’re writing an email, avoid…</h3>
<ul>
 	<li>Inappropriate email addresses</li>
 	<li>Unprofessional fonts and font colors</li>
 	<li>Misspellings and grammatical issues</li>
 	<li>Missing/Inappropriate salutation</li>
 	<li>Missing/Incomplete sender information</li>
 	<li>Excessive use of punctuation</li>
 	<li>Lack of punctuation</li>
 	<li>Emojis, memes, GIFs, and text message abbreviations</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

Almost anyone who attends or works at an institution of higher education will be given an official @schoolname.edu email account. We live in a digital age, where effective communication is critical to ensure operations continue to run smoothly.

Institutions generally provide everyone – faculty, staff, and students – with an @schoolname.edu to ensure that no one misses essential, professional communication. College email addresses allow faculty, staff, and students to ensure that the appropriate person receives their message and that they are not being subjected to phishing attacks.

Remember: instructors will respond to emails sent from your @schoolname.edu address at a higher rate than an email address from another domain (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). You should address them with respect by including a greeting with their title. Unless a professor tells you otherwise, it is best for you to always address them as Dr., Professor, Mr., or Ms. If you are unsure of their title (it’s okay to ask!), it is safe to refer to them as “Professor ___.”

<em>View the original post at The College Study Struggle.</em>

</div>
</div>

Academic Coaching