Advising Center - Transitioning to College

In general, professors will expect you to review the course syllabus, complete the assigned homework, and come to class prepared.  Preparation will look differently depending on the course, professor, and platform, but in general, preparation means: organizing notes and materials, being refreshed on the information, bringing your textbook and notebook, and having some questions or responses to the day's information. 

Here are some Keys to Success to help you prepare: 

Most of your classes are worth 3 credits. This generally means that you meet and work with a professor for a total of 4 hours per week (due to our accelerated 11-week terms) and that you spend at least 8 hours working independently outside of class. In other words, the credit system operates on a 2-to-1 ratio: two hours of homework or study performed for every one hour your class meets.

Of course, it's helpful to remember that some times of the term will be busier than others. For instance, during midterms, you may spend ten or twelve hours studying and working on final projects as opposed to the first week of the term when you may only work for four or five hours outside of class. It's important to look over your course syllabi and make a schedule based on the due dates and assignments.  That way, you can effectively manage your time.  

As you read and prepare for class, you should take careful notes.  Professors will expect you to be conversant with the information, and these notes can be used for the ensuing class discussion (whether in-person or online).  Write down questions you have of the materials and make comments on areas that you might wish to investigate further with the professor and classmates.