Academic Success

Time for adjustment
- Give yourself time to adjust to a new way of learning & higher expectations
- This will usually take one semester


What is a course syllabus?
- Basically, a contract between you and your course instructor in terms of what the course will entail and what the instructor will expect from you
- A course syllabus usually contains the following:
· Course information (name and catalogue number) and the instructor’s contact information (office number, e-mail address, office hours)
· Course objectives
· Topics to be covered
· Reading and/or homework assignments and their due dates
· Schedule of exams and/or major papers


Class expectations
- Go to class (it’s wise not to skip your classes)
- Students are expected to be engaged, ask questions, and give their opinions during class in a professional manner
- Points for participation may influence your grade in the course

Communicate with your professors
- Talk with your professors if you have questions about what you are learning, concerns about your performance, or would like further information about the course content. Here are some suggestions of when you can visit with them:
· before or after class
· during office hours or a scheduled appointment
· e-mail


Academic Integrity
- Students are expected to perform by themselves in order to demonstrate what they have learned in class. Unless otherwise instructed by your professors, tests and quizzes should be completed on your own. Assistance with out-of-class work (homework, papers, etc.) is usually OK but you should always confirm this with your instructors.

Examples of Cheating
- Since interpretations of cheating may vary from country to country, here are some examples of cheating in the U.S.:
· Talking during an exam
· Bringing written notes into exams
· Copying from someone else
· Having someone else do your work
· Utilizing unapproved technological resources (computers, calculators, etc.)
· Leaving the room for long or frequent periods of time
- Penalties for cheating can be severe
- Violations of the honor code are grounds for academic suspension, suspension of scholarships, and loss of immigration status

Balance your work load
- Balance your time wisely for all of your courses. Some things to plan for include reading, completing homework assignments, writing major papers, and studying for quizzes or exams
- Make time to exercise, have fun and enjoy college life
- Buy a planner to help you with this


Learning Tips
- Read your assigned chapter(s) that will be discussed in class before class meets, review your class notes shortly after class and make any notes for clarification, and reread the assigned chapter(s) after class
- Use flash cards (index cards) to study for exams by writing questions on one side and the answers on the opposite side


Campus resources for Academic Success
- Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center, or A-LEC (helps with Tutoring, Writing Skills, and workshops in such areas as Test Anxiety, Essay Exams, Multiple Choice Tests, Taking & Using Notes, Learning Styles, and Textbook Study-Reading). The center is located at 202 Loyd Center and can be reached at 214-768-3648. Their web-site is (www.smu.edu/alec).
- Course on reading and studying skills (EDU 1110: ORACLE)
- Learning Enhancement Assistants (LEAs), who live with first-year students in the Residence Halls, provide academic support as well as programming on studying, test-taking skills, etc.
- Math and Economic Help Rooms (drop-in tutoring)
- Professors and their Teaching Assistants