You receive a syllabus for each of your classes — but do you know how to read a syllabus so as to understand what you’re expected to learn? And do you have questions about emailing your instructors? This edition of Stalled is here to help you!
HOW TO READ SYLLABI
UNDERSTAND THE COURSE GOALS. Have you seen “learning objectives” on a syllabus before? These are the skills and content knowledge that the professors expect you to achieve by the time the course ends. These are the goals that the class tasks are built to help you reach, so think about how you can showcase those skills and knowledge bases in your assignments and other contributions to class.
Every course syllabus is different, so make sure to read each one carefully, but here are some of the most common elements and why they’re important.
KNOW WHAT YOU’LL DO IN CLASS. Many syllabi include schedules so that you know what will happen during the different class sessions. This can help you prepare for class (and can serve as a starting point for creating study guides for exams).
WHAT TYPE OF COURSE IT IS. The assignment types can help you understand what type of course you’re in: is the course based on completing readings and participating in discussions? If so, you’ll need to stay on top of the reading assignments. Is the course problem-set and exam based? Then you’ll need to ensure that you build the skills necessary to complete problems and also understand the difference between different kinds of problems.
GRADE CALCULATION. What are the graded elements of the course? Are some assignments/elements worth more than others in the calculation of the course grade? If so, that can give you a hint as to what the instructor sees as important. If dates for exams or assignments are provided, put those in your (digital or paper) calendar. In particular, put the dates of all final exams in your calendar as soon as you can. Don’t have a calendar? Use Google Calendar!
FURTHER RESOURCES
University of California, Berkeley. “6 Ways to Use Your Syllabus for Success.”
University of Waterloo Writing and Communication Centre. “Reading Your Syllabus For Success.”
HOW & WHY TO EMAIL PROFESSORS
Email is a key way to communicate with faculty, and professors have expectations for emails. Here’s what you need to know!
NAMES MATTER. In conversation and in written communication, it’s a good idea to address faculty as “Doctor” or “Professor” (respectful titles for a terminal-degree-holder who teaches at the collegiate level). If they want you to call them something different, they’ll let you know.
End with your full name, since several students may share the same or similar first names. If you’re speaking face-to-face, introduce yourself by name the first time you talk (and maybe the next few times, too, since professors have lots of students!).
BE CONCISE. Your professor is an intellectual mentor to you, which places you in the role of mentee. One of the things that that means is that you should be mindful of their time, plan and prepare what you’ll discuss (either via email or in person), and aim to be clear and concise. So: no long-winded sob stories — get straight to the point, and your profs will appreciate that you’ve shown respect for their time.
WHY EMAIL? Speaking to your professor face-to-face is often preferable so that you can have a discussion about issues like how to strengthen your work in a class or how to develop your skills and knowledge in the course subject.
However, when emergencies arise or something happens before you can meet your professor in their office hours, email is the best way to reach them (unless they have specified a different mode of communication). Email professors when you have an illness that will prevent you from attending class, for example.
FURTHER RESOURCES
Columbia University School of Professional Studies. “How to Talk to Faculty.”
Wood, Sarah. “7 Guidelines for College Student-Professor Interactions.” U.S. News and World Report (July 5, 2022).