Navigation for my Students

Have you ever bought an item that had “some assembly required” on the box? Once you got it home and all the million and one nuts and bolts laying around, did you start by reading the directions? Of course, not! Typically, people begin assembling the desk or bookshelf and then, after they’ve run into some challenges, decide to go back and read the directions. This is the most frustrating way to assemble the item one has purchased; yet we all do it this way.

Most students begin the college semester in a similar way by discarding the  syllabus to get into the course work. Then, when the semester begins to get challenging, they don’t ever even remember the syllabus. Many students will NEVER read, understand or apply the assembling guidelines given to them on the first day of class.

Navigation of the courses you will take this semester will require you to understand what your professor’s expectations are for you.  This is similar to reading the directions before beginning the assembling of a desk. How can you learn this information? Read the syllabus, understand the syllabus, and apply the syllabus. Basically, the syllabus is a contract between you and me and the college. I, as the author, will not add anything to it after you get it. Therefore, read it!

Understand the weighting of the grades and how you can best navigate the course are clearly stated in the syllabus. Putting the most effort into the work with the most weight. sounds obvious, right? It is… if you understand the rules of the game or how to assemble the desk. So in addition to reading the syllabus, understand it as well. Once you have done this, you can apply the expectations outlined by your professor in order to chart your way to success in higher education.


Review the Youtube video link to the left entitled “READ, UNDERSTAND AND APPLY YOUR SYLLABUS” for more specifics on this navigation tip.

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