Practical Guidance
3.1 Academic Integrity
University Mission Statement
“We strive to resolve allegations of misconduct under the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Academic Integrity as well as parking ticket appeals in a manner consistent with our core values of fairness, honesty, and integrity. Moreover, we acknowledge the importance of balancing the interests of the individual student and the community at large, as well as protecting the integrity of the institution and its values. As a component of our work, we seek to involve students in the judicial process - recognizing the significant responsibility they maintain in the protection of the university community. To foster future leaders and sound citizens, we promise to invest in their learning and character development.”
Academic Integrity
What is Academic Dishonesty?
We take Academic Integrity VERY SERIOUSLY! Part of the requirements to earn your College Park Scholars citation cite that you model good community citizenship. Academic dishonesty could jeopardize your Scholars Citation, your diploma, and future job options.
Punishment: The Grade of “XF”
If you are found engaged in any of the above activities, your professor/TA will refer you to the Honor Council, who will determine whether you are to be held responsible. If so, you will get an “XF” on your transcript instead of a grade.
Any member of the University community who has witnessed an apparent act of academic dishonesty, or has information that reasonably leads to the conclusion that such an act has occurred or has been attempted, has the responsibility to inform the Honor Council promptly in writing. S/he should give the Honor Council a complete written description of the incident, including all relevant details and information, and send the completed referral to Room 2118 of the Mitchell Building. Click here for more information on Maryland’s Code of Academic Integrity and/or the Student Honor Council.
“We strive to resolve allegations of misconduct under the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Academic Integrity as well as parking ticket appeals in a manner consistent with our core values of fairness, honesty, and integrity. Moreover, we acknowledge the importance of balancing the interests of the individual student and the community at large, as well as protecting the integrity of the institution and its values. As a component of our work, we seek to involve students in the judicial process - recognizing the significant responsibility they maintain in the protection of the university community. To foster future leaders and sound citizens, we promise to invest in their learning and character development.”
Academic Integrity
- The University of Maryland is an academic community whose purpose is the pursuit of knowledge
- The Code of Academic Integrity is designed to ensure that the principle of academic honesty is upheld
What is Academic Dishonesty?
- Cheating: intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study airs in any academic exercise – this includes working with or copying other student’s work unless specifically instructed to do so.
- Fabrication: intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in academic exercise
- Facilitating academic dishonesty: intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of this code
- Plagiarism: intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise; this includes cutting and pasting passages from the internet
We take Academic Integrity VERY SERIOUSLY! Part of the requirements to earn your College Park Scholars citation cite that you model good community citizenship. Academic dishonesty could jeopardize your Scholars Citation, your diploma, and future job options.
Punishment: The Grade of “XF”
If you are found engaged in any of the above activities, your professor/TA will refer you to the Honor Council, who will determine whether you are to be held responsible. If so, you will get an “XF” on your transcript instead of a grade.
- “XF” denotes a failure to accept and exhibit the fundamental value of academic dishonesty
- “XF” stands for “failure due to academic dishonesty”
- An XF is treated the same way as an “F” for the purposes of grade point average, course repeatability, and determination of academic standing.
Any member of the University community who has witnessed an apparent act of academic dishonesty, or has information that reasonably leads to the conclusion that such an act has occurred or has been attempted, has the responsibility to inform the Honor Council promptly in writing. S/he should give the Honor Council a complete written description of the incident, including all relevant details and information, and send the completed referral to Room 2118 of the Mitchell Building. Click here for more information on Maryland’s Code of Academic Integrity and/or the Student Honor Council.
3.2 Attendance & Participation
Legitimate Reasons to Miss Class
In these cases, whenever feasible, students will be given an opportunity to make up academic missed assignments within a reasonable time frame.
Past this one "freebie," it's at the discretion of the individual instructor/class policy whether he or she will allow you to make up missed coursework if you cannot provide a doctor's note (check the syllabus or contact the instructor directly).
If you miss a Major Scheduled Grading Event (identified on the course syllabus), you are ALWAYS required to provide your instructor with written documentation of your illness from either the University Health Center or from your own health care provider. The doctor will need to verify the dates of treatment and indicate the dates you were unable to meet academic responsibilities.
Preparation
Before you enter the classroom, you should make sure you have completed all assignments and readings. Readings can pile up very quickly and it is important to stay on top of them in order to ensure success in your courses.
What is Good Participation?
Participation in classes is essential to your learning and many professors make it a part of your course grade. Your participation sends a signal to your professor/teaching assistant that you are learning the material. In addition, the best way to learn new information and improve your understanding is through peer discussions.
Here are some tips:
When to participate:
In these cases, whenever feasible, students will be given an opportunity to make up academic missed assignments within a reasonable time frame.
- Family emergency or death in the family
- Approved University of Maryland functions (i.e. marching band, sports, etc. - still your responsibility to contact the instructor in advance!)
- Religious observances **in the case of expected religious observances, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor of any intended absences as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the schedule adjustment (drop/add) period - which is only 2 weeks into the semester!
- An ACTUAL sickness...
Past this one "freebie," it's at the discretion of the individual instructor/class policy whether he or she will allow you to make up missed coursework if you cannot provide a doctor's note (check the syllabus or contact the instructor directly).
If you miss a Major Scheduled Grading Event (identified on the course syllabus), you are ALWAYS required to provide your instructor with written documentation of your illness from either the University Health Center or from your own health care provider. The doctor will need to verify the dates of treatment and indicate the dates you were unable to meet academic responsibilities.
Preparation
Before you enter the classroom, you should make sure you have completed all assignments and readings. Readings can pile up very quickly and it is important to stay on top of them in order to ensure success in your courses.
What is Good Participation?
Participation in classes is essential to your learning and many professors make it a part of your course grade. Your participation sends a signal to your professor/teaching assistant that you are learning the material. In addition, the best way to learn new information and improve your understanding is through peer discussions.
Here are some tips:
- Don't be shy. Participation takes practice and now is the time to start.
- You do not have to agree with the professor to get a good grade. In fact, students who disagree with the professor and have well-developed arguments are likely to get more out of a class than those who agree with the professor without questioning.
- Make sure your comments are thoughtful, concise and relevant.
When to participate:
- When your comment will offer an alternative perspective to the discussion
- When your question will clarify something that you (and most likely your classmates!) did not understand
- When your comment will give an example of something that has been discussed
- When the discussion has made you angry, and your comment is likely to be inflammatory or defensive
- When your comment will take the class off topic
3.3 Using Office Hours
Office hours are a great way to get to know your professor. In a large lecture setting, it is not easy for a professor to learn each student by name. Therefore, going to office hours can not only help clear up questions from class, but can allow you to connect with your professor and for your professor to get to know you! This can also be very important later when
you need references or letters of recommendation for job or grad school
applications!
Why do Professors Hold Office Hours?
Professors hold office hours to serve as a time slot to meet with students. Since college level classes (especially lower level classes) have so many students, office hours serve as a way to assist each and every student. They also enjoy getting to know their students and hearing about their interests.
How to Use Office Hours?
If you are coming to office hours for assistance, make sure you have thought ahead and have prepared specific questions to ask your professor. Each professor has many students and does not have the time to re-explain entire concepts. Therefore, it really is important to be on top of what are you trying to get cleared up.
If you are looking for the explanation behind the grade or a question on an assignment, office hours is the perfect place to find the answer. Or, maybe you are concerned that you are doing poorly in a class and are seeking ways to improve your performance. This is something that can be discussed during office hours. For larger papers, office hours also serve as a great forum to ask your professor for tips and guidelines for completing the paper.
Etiquette for Attending a Professor’s Office Hours
If you have signed up for a specific time slot in a professor’s office hours – BE ON TIME. Try not to exceed your time slot. There are only so many slots and many students who want to meet with the professor.
Since University of Maryland is a large school, do not expect the professor to know you personally without any effort from you. Use office hours as an opportunity to introduce yourself, tell which class you are in, and then what you are hoping to discuss.
Thank your professor when leaving for taking the time to meet with you.
Don’t be Shy!
At the beginning of the semester, take the time to introduce yourself to your professor. Do not feel embarrassed or shy about going to office hours – they exist for your benefit. Professors are the most valuable resource on campus and many students do not take advantage of them.
Why do Professors Hold Office Hours?
Professors hold office hours to serve as a time slot to meet with students. Since college level classes (especially lower level classes) have so many students, office hours serve as a way to assist each and every student. They also enjoy getting to know their students and hearing about their interests.
How to Use Office Hours?
If you are coming to office hours for assistance, make sure you have thought ahead and have prepared specific questions to ask your professor. Each professor has many students and does not have the time to re-explain entire concepts. Therefore, it really is important to be on top of what are you trying to get cleared up.
If you are looking for the explanation behind the grade or a question on an assignment, office hours is the perfect place to find the answer. Or, maybe you are concerned that you are doing poorly in a class and are seeking ways to improve your performance. This is something that can be discussed during office hours. For larger papers, office hours also serve as a great forum to ask your professor for tips and guidelines for completing the paper.
Etiquette for Attending a Professor’s Office Hours
If you have signed up for a specific time slot in a professor’s office hours – BE ON TIME. Try not to exceed your time slot. There are only so many slots and many students who want to meet with the professor.
Since University of Maryland is a large school, do not expect the professor to know you personally without any effort from you. Use office hours as an opportunity to introduce yourself, tell which class you are in, and then what you are hoping to discuss.
Thank your professor when leaving for taking the time to meet with you.
Don’t be Shy!
At the beginning of the semester, take the time to introduce yourself to your professor. Do not feel embarrassed or shy about going to office hours – they exist for your benefit. Professors are the most valuable resource on campus and many students do not take advantage of them.
3.4 Canvas - ELMS
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3.5 Guide to Writing Emails
For many professors on such a large campus, email contact may be the preferred way of communicating with students to deal with conflicts or to set up meeting times but do not hesitate to approach them before or after class or during their office hours. Since introductory level classes are generally rather large, professors do not immediately know who you are. That is why making a positive first impression is important when creating an email to send to a professor or a TA.
Before sending an email to either your professor or TA, make sure your question is not answerable in your syllabus or other course materials.
Professors and TAs receive countless emails from students daily, thus…be clear, concise & polite.
A general rule of thumb when waiting for a response in the professional world is two days – so do not wait until the last minute!
Emails to Professors
Professors and TAs both are responsible for many students. Depending on the size of the class, the amount of emails received can be extremely high. If you have not received a response after two days, you can simply re-send an email showing that you are just making sure they got it. You may also wish to try stopping by during office hours or giving your professor or TA a call.
Assignments and Emails
When looking for assistance from a TA on an assignment, DO NOT expect to receive feedback within less than 24 hours before the assignment is due. In other words, if you send an email to your TA at midnight when your paper is due at 9:00 am the next day, DO NOT expect an answer.
For more details, check out this helpful article from U.S. News & World Report on 18 Etiquette Tips for Emailing Your Professor.
Before sending an email to either your professor or TA, make sure your question is not answerable in your syllabus or other course materials.
Professors and TAs receive countless emails from students daily, thus…be clear, concise & polite.
A general rule of thumb when waiting for a response in the professional world is two days – so do not wait until the last minute!
Emails to Professors
- In the subject line identify the course and your name
- Address the professor by their professional name ex: Dr. Smith
- Always be formal. They are your instructor, not your buddy.
- Use complete sentences and proper punctuation à CHECK SPELLING AND GRAMMAR before sending the email
- Be sure to include all the necessary information to get your question answered (e.g. times you are available to stop by his/her office if you have a conflict with office hours). The better you are at doing this, the faster the response will likely be.
- When signing an email, be polite and include your FULL name (ex: Robert Smith) and your section number (to be more easily identified).
- Be sure to follow-up if need be.
- If you have a very specific issue (e.g. debating whether or not to drop the course)
- Wanting to make an appointment with the professor outside office hours
- Grading inquiry that was not settled by first speaking with a TA
- Remain professional and respectful, follow the same guidelines as when emailing a professor
- Use complete sentences and proper punctuation à CHECK SPELLING AND GRAMMAR before sending the email
- Sign the email with your full name and section number
- Be specific about your question.
- Questions about assignments – what exactly are they looking for, is my outline a good start for this assignment, etc. TAs are often responsible for grading your assignments and tests so questions should be directed to them first.
- Inquiries about grading disputes. If they are not solved with the TA, then you should contact your professor.
- Problems regarding attendance in either discussion or lecture. If the issue or circumstance persists, then they will instruct you to contact the professor.
Professors and TAs both are responsible for many students. Depending on the size of the class, the amount of emails received can be extremely high. If you have not received a response after two days, you can simply re-send an email showing that you are just making sure they got it. You may also wish to try stopping by during office hours or giving your professor or TA a call.
Assignments and Emails
When looking for assistance from a TA on an assignment, DO NOT expect to receive feedback within less than 24 hours before the assignment is due. In other words, if you send an email to your TA at midnight when your paper is due at 9:00 am the next day, DO NOT expect an answer.
For more details, check out this helpful article from U.S. News & World Report on 18 Etiquette Tips for Emailing Your Professor.
3.6 Managing Stress
Stress is part of being a college student! Too much stress, however, can interfere with your academic and social life. If you find yourself unable to deal with your life situation, do not be afraid to seek out help. Ways to manage your stress can be found through the Health Center website.
Ways to Deal with Stress
Ways to Deal with Stress
- Having solid emotional support – Talking to someone about your life is extremely beneficial in relieving stress. Your support system can come from a friend, family member, co-worker, or a professional counselor. Make sure the person(s) you choose to share with is someone you trust and will keep your feelings confidential.
- Regular exercise – Stress causes a buildup of tension is your body and a perfect way to relieve this tension and stress is through exercise. You should choose a form of exercise that is fun for you so you will be able to stick with it! Walking, jogging, swimming, and aerobic classes are all very effective. Aim to exercise 30 minutes a day (or every other day) to help manage stress.
- Sleep – Getting a good night’s sleep is a great way to manage stress. Most people need about 6-9 hours to feel energized. Instead of napping, try going to bed a half hour earlier.
- Relaxation and meditation – Relaxation and meditation is another way to cope with stress. Relaxation comes in various ways. For example, reading a book, listening to music, sitting by a lake, or petting your cat.
- Feeding yourself well – Diet and stress are linked! Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet, low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables. Do not skip breakfast! Plan your meals so you remain on a regular schedule and do not have to rush to fit in food.
- Setting a goal – Set a goal with a specific plan of action and a target completion date!
- Keep a journal or log – Write down what stressed you out during the day and how you were able to deal with it. Writing in a journal can help relieve stress just by getting your feelings down on a piece of paper.
- Rewarding yourself – Do something just for you as you approach your goal.
3.7 Managing your Academic Workload
The most important strategy for Academic Success - plan a REALISTIC amount of study time: aim to study at least 2 hours per credit hour carried, e.g. For a 16-credit load, 32 hours a week (or about 4.5 hours a day). “Study” in this context means: reading, note-taking, library research, tutorial help, group study, writing, self-quizzing, etc. You do not need to do it all at one sitting. You can take “days off” if you put extra hours.
Time Management
Time is a non-renewable resource, and thus, valuing each hour (even each minute!) is vital. Here are some tips on how you should approximately allocate your time:
16 hrs of class a week (if you are taking 16 credits)
+ 32 hrs on homework (2 hours of studying per credit)
+ 56 hrs sleeping (you should get 8 hours of sleep per night)
----------------------------
54 hrs total of extra time – What do we do with this time? (clubs, meetings, work, gym, etc.). However we spend this extra time, it is important to realize that these 56 hours go by quickly!
Every week has 7 days = 158 hours = 10,080 minutes. Find a weekly planner and use it every week!
Procrastination
Procrastination is one of the most common causes of academic failure. It is healthy to have downtimes, when you are not focusing on your academic work. But, it is important to recognize when you are avoiding your school assignments by scheduling other activities.
(Adapted from “Ten Ways to Get A's in College” by Jay Mathews, The Washington Post, Oct 3, 2006 and one very important extra tip.)
Resources on Campus for Assistance
Develop a study success plan. Include 3-4 review sessions for each course. FREQUENT REVIEWS = BETTER MEMORY
Plan Ahead for Exams
Look up your exam dates. The syllabus generally lists the schedule for the semester and in there you will find all the exam dates. Official examination schedules can be found on the Office of the Registrar Exam Schedule website. Confirm with the instructor that all the information you have gathered is correct.
If you find that you have 3 or more exams on one day, there is NO policy that requires instructors to change one of the exam days/time! However, by planning ahead and speaking to your professor early, they are much more inclined to work with you. Do not expect professors to accommodate your requests at the last minute.
When studying, keep in mind active study methods:
Just not getting it? Do you need help?
Good news; there is no need to panic. UMD offers countless resources right here on campus!
Places to Study
The University of Maryland offers many quiet study areas, along with group study rooms. Places to study on campus include, but are not limited to the 8 libraries on campus.
Is the library too quiet for you?
That’s ok. The University of Maryland offers other places to study. Some of the most popular locations are Stamp Student Union, Van Munching Business School, floor lounges in your dorm building, McKeldin Mall, WAMlab, or anywhere else you can focus and get work done – and scholars have access to the CCC for studying.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE A PERSON. You are not just a brain; you are a person with a body! Get up and be sure to take walks, visit friends, GET OUTSIDE, and RELAX! Lots of shorter study periods are better for your mind and body, too!
Dropping a Class
It may be necessary for you to drop a class, this is not uncommon. It can be a difficult decision, please keep the following in mind & feel free to come and talk with us about your specific situation.
When to Drop a Class
The last day to drop a course without a “W” is the end of the Drop/Add period, usually 2 weeks into the semester. As a general rule, the last day to drop a course with a “W” is early November for fall semester and early April for spring (specific dates vary from year to year). Please review the academic calendar for important deadlines for adding and dropping courses as well as the University’s dropping courses policy.
Acting earlier rather than later can make a HUGE difference in this type of situation.
What if I need to drop more than 4 credits?
If extenuating circumstances are causing difficulty with your academics, please contact your advisor ASAP. There is help available on campus and as well as academic procedures to be followed should you need assistance handling the academic consequences of a personal situation.
How do I know if I “should” drop a course?
Is the coursework in the class so heavy, and/or the likelihood of passing it so slim, that it is taking away from other courses? If the answer is “yes,” then it may be a good idea to drop the course. It is better to drop a course and earn A’s and B’s in 4 classes than one B, 3 C’s and an F in 5 classes.
What if I really don't want to drop the course?
If you want to hang in there with your course, develop a long-term (final 6-8 weeks) study plan and stick to it. Use all available help sources and strategies (see below). If you end up making the “wrong” decision and fail the course, the Repeat Policy sets the following rule: first year students are allowed to repeat at any time a course taken during the first 24 credits. Transfer student can repeat at any time a course taken during their first semester at UM. In these two situations, only the higher grade will “count” in the GPA, however, both grades will remain on the transcript. After these "grace" periods, any failed course AND its subsequent repeat will "count" in the cumulative GPA.
Speak with your TA or professor sooner rather than later to get help. Consider taking the course Pass/Fail if that option is available.
Are “W”s Bad?
If you drop a class after the Drop/Add Period (consult Testudo for exact dates), you will have a “W” on your transcript. Few W’s over the course of an academic career are not “bad.” There will be no indication on your transcript whether you were failing or passing at the time of the drop, and W’s are not calculated into your GPA.
If, on the other hand, you withdraw from a course EVERY SEMESTER, you could lead an employer or graduate admissions committee to think you struggled at setting reasonable goals for yourself.
Time Management
Time is a non-renewable resource, and thus, valuing each hour (even each minute!) is vital. Here are some tips on how you should approximately allocate your time:
16 hrs of class a week (if you are taking 16 credits)
+ 32 hrs on homework (2 hours of studying per credit)
+ 56 hrs sleeping (you should get 8 hours of sleep per night)
----------------------------
54 hrs total of extra time – What do we do with this time? (clubs, meetings, work, gym, etc.). However we spend this extra time, it is important to realize that these 56 hours go by quickly!
Every week has 7 days = 158 hours = 10,080 minutes. Find a weekly planner and use it every week!
Procrastination
Procrastination is one of the most common causes of academic failure. It is healthy to have downtimes, when you are not focusing on your academic work. But, it is important to recognize when you are avoiding your school assignments by scheduling other activities.
- Some WAYS in which we procrastinate: cleaning, eating, watching TV, Facebook (etc), hanging out with friends, phone calls, other work and/or chores, napping/sleeping, and many more.
- Some WHYS of procrastination: easy, quick, more fun, overwhelmed and discouraged, fear of failure, the work is difficult, upholding expectations to succeed, etc.
- Divide and conquer! Splitting up tasks into smaller ones is less overwhelming.
- 80:20 rule = 80% of the tasks on your to do list take up 20% of the time, whereas 20% of the tasks on your to do list take up 80% of the time
- Setting up a to-do list: sorting your list of tasks by priority is one of many ways of making your list. Covey's priority matrix exemplifies this (given out in orientation packets)
- REWARD YOURSELF! After completing a task on your to-do list, give yourself a snack, watch a show on television. Make sure the rewards you give yourself are equivalent to the tasks you complete.
- Is your time arranged well? If not, make improvements!
- Opportunity cost concept = if you choose to do A, you are not doing B (is this a loss that is conducive to your schedule?)
- Make sure you have time to schedule the following: leisure time, planning time, "contingent" time (if you finish a task early for example)
- In general our bodies need 8 hours of sleep a night (it is believed that the 7th hour of sleep is when your mind transfers short-term memory to long-term memory). Numerous studies have shown that students who plan their time appropriately and get 8 hours of sleep on a regular basis have better grades.
(Adapted from “Ten Ways to Get A's in College” by Jay Mathews, The Washington Post, Oct 3, 2006 and one very important extra tip.)
- Show up the first day and pay attention, and if you don't like a course, drop it fast and pick another one. It would be nice to extend your summer or winter vacation by a day or two, but you have to be there the first day of class, and you need to be particularly attentive to what you are told about how the course will be graded, and what the course is about. Sometimes catalogues or your friends or even your adviser are misinformed. If the professor is incomprehensible or boring or assumes you know a lot of stuff you don't know, you should reconsider if this course is for you.
- Don't load up on easy courses to increase your supply of A's. Of course, it is ideal to balance your workload by taking a combination of difficult and easy course. Be aware that there is a limited supply of easy courses and you might need one down the road, when your major is going to require you to get deeply into something rigorous.
- Don't shy away from courses with lots of papers. Most people don't learn to write until they get to college. It is an important skill for life and should not be avoided. Another practical reason for putting some of these courses on your list is that writing courses will give you the freedom to stagger your workload and avoid test overload.
- Don't give up if they say the course you want is booked up. Attend the course anyway, and try to talk the professor and/or teaching assistant. To get into a closed course, you could explain that you've always wanted to take the course, or you took the prerequisite and enjoyed it, or more simply you just heard great things about it.
- Use office hours intelligently, and often. At most campuses, professors and teaching assistants MUST have office hours during which they are available for questions. They find it a sign of interest -- not incompetence -- if a student shows up. To get a good grade, and to enjoy that often-overlooked byproduct of actually learning something in the course, regular conversations with the people who are teaching it, and grading your work, are very useful.
- Go to lectures and take notes yourself. Do not to worry about what note-taking format you use and about getting down every word, but be legible and focus on the lecture's structure and the technical terms. And don't rely on those lecture notes you can buy in some campus book stores, or get from your roommate in return for doing her laundry for a month. Knowing you'll have to take notes is one of the main things that gets you to go to the lecture in the first place. Taking notes keeps you alert. The professional notes -- and particularly your roommate's notes -- often leave important stuff out.
- Use section meetings for more than identifying attractive classmates. The discussions are very helpful in understanding the course, and getting your grades up. Stay on topic, talk less if you are talking all the time, prepare for sections but apologize and pass if asked a question about which you have no clue. Don't view section discussions as a competitive sport, don't ask questions just for the sake of asking questions and don't announce that you are not prepared.
- Find some old exams in the course. This does not mean that you should break into the professor's office to steal the actual upcoming exam. Instead, you should recognize that some professors give out their old exams, or they can be found in library, in fraternity, sorority or dorm files, or from friends who have already taken the course. These can be helpful in understanding what concepts in the course you need to improve on.
- Before you start work on your paper, do the analysis in your head. College students have a tendency to think they have to go to the library before they do any thinking on a paper topic, but in reality the best papers will be those that grow from the student's personal thoughts. Reflect on what experiences you have had that relate to the topic. Kick it around with friends at dinner. Explore views you have heard on the topic that make no sense to you. Graders often give A's for original takes on old issues. The only place to find such fresh thinking is in your own head.
- If you challenge a grade, be careful. Most grade disputes are pointless. You are better off using the time with the grader to talk about ways to improve your work. But if you must challenge a grade, use the right reasons. For instance, the grader made a calculation error, or didn't notice a page of your answer, or misread some numbers, or misidentified the question you were answering. These reasons are bad: the test was unfair, the grading scale was too hard, your friend who studied the same amount did better or you need a C to stay on the softball team.
Resources on Campus for Assistance
Develop a study success plan. Include 3-4 review sessions for each course. FREQUENT REVIEWS = BETTER MEMORY
Plan Ahead for Exams
Look up your exam dates. The syllabus generally lists the schedule for the semester and in there you will find all the exam dates. Official examination schedules can be found on the Office of the Registrar Exam Schedule website. Confirm with the instructor that all the information you have gathered is correct.
If you find that you have 3 or more exams on one day, there is NO policy that requires instructors to change one of the exam days/time! However, by planning ahead and speaking to your professor early, they are much more inclined to work with you. Do not expect professors to accommodate your requests at the last minute.
When studying, keep in mind active study methods:
- Organize and review your lecture notes, textbook notes, handouts, previous tests and quizzes, and sample tests from each chapter. Re-write class notes and/or develop a study guide that utilizes all of these sources.
- Draw diagrams or pictures to illustrate how important concepts relate to each other. This process will help you analyze, organize, and synthesize your knowledge – which helps you REMEMBER it, too!
- Predict and make practice test questions – and answer them!
- Use note cards to quiz yourself out loud on concepts, equations, and vocabulary.
- Study with a group that has good study habits. The advantage of studying in a group is that you are more likely to remember something if you have to explain it to someone else. The best test for if you really know something is whether you can explain it to someone else. If you can’t, keep studying!
- Review others’ study strategies to see if you’ve forgotten anything (i.e. this resource on Essay Test Prep or this one on General Test Prep).
- DO YOUR HEAVIEST WORKOUTS EARLY, then pace yourself.
- Relax the night before your exam. “Just-before” time is “walk-through” time, i.e., a light review, and rest. The exam itself should be a rewarding opportunity to show how skilled you are!
Just not getting it? Do you need help?
Good news; there is no need to panic. UMD offers countless resources right here on campus!
Places to Study
The University of Maryland offers many quiet study areas, along with group study rooms. Places to study on campus include, but are not limited to the 8 libraries on campus.
Is the library too quiet for you?
That’s ok. The University of Maryland offers other places to study. Some of the most popular locations are Stamp Student Union, Van Munching Business School, floor lounges in your dorm building, McKeldin Mall, WAMlab, or anywhere else you can focus and get work done – and scholars have access to the CCC for studying.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE A PERSON. You are not just a brain; you are a person with a body! Get up and be sure to take walks, visit friends, GET OUTSIDE, and RELAX! Lots of shorter study periods are better for your mind and body, too!
Dropping a Class
It may be necessary for you to drop a class, this is not uncommon. It can be a difficult decision, please keep the following in mind & feel free to come and talk with us about your specific situation.
When to Drop a Class
The last day to drop a course without a “W” is the end of the Drop/Add period, usually 2 weeks into the semester. As a general rule, the last day to drop a course with a “W” is early November for fall semester and early April for spring (specific dates vary from year to year). Please review the academic calendar for important deadlines for adding and dropping courses as well as the University’s dropping courses policy.
Acting earlier rather than later can make a HUGE difference in this type of situation.
What if I need to drop more than 4 credits?
If extenuating circumstances are causing difficulty with your academics, please contact your advisor ASAP. There is help available on campus and as well as academic procedures to be followed should you need assistance handling the academic consequences of a personal situation.
How do I know if I “should” drop a course?
Is the coursework in the class so heavy, and/or the likelihood of passing it so slim, that it is taking away from other courses? If the answer is “yes,” then it may be a good idea to drop the course. It is better to drop a course and earn A’s and B’s in 4 classes than one B, 3 C’s and an F in 5 classes.
- Be honest with yourself. Refer to your course syllabus to get a realistic idea regarding what percentage of your grade is already determined and how much improvement is mathematically possible.
- Remember that what is “mathematically” possible may not be “realistically” possible.
- Speak to your instructor to get his/her opinion.
- Last, if you are worried about “getting behind” in your credits, remember that you could take a Winter Term or summer school class at a local community college to catch up.
What if I really don't want to drop the course?
If you want to hang in there with your course, develop a long-term (final 6-8 weeks) study plan and stick to it. Use all available help sources and strategies (see below). If you end up making the “wrong” decision and fail the course, the Repeat Policy sets the following rule: first year students are allowed to repeat at any time a course taken during the first 24 credits. Transfer student can repeat at any time a course taken during their first semester at UM. In these two situations, only the higher grade will “count” in the GPA, however, both grades will remain on the transcript. After these "grace" periods, any failed course AND its subsequent repeat will "count" in the cumulative GPA.
Speak with your TA or professor sooner rather than later to get help. Consider taking the course Pass/Fail if that option is available.
Are “W”s Bad?
If you drop a class after the Drop/Add Period (consult Testudo for exact dates), you will have a “W” on your transcript. Few W’s over the course of an academic career are not “bad.” There will be no indication on your transcript whether you were failing or passing at the time of the drop, and W’s are not calculated into your GPA.
If, on the other hand, you withdraw from a course EVERY SEMESTER, you could lead an employer or graduate admissions committee to think you struggled at setting reasonable goals for yourself.
3.8 Travel Study Tips
Want to get away? STUDY ABROAD!! The UMD Education Abroad office is located in 3122 Susquehanna Hall.
How to Get Started with Education Abroad:
Most programs require a personal statement (explaining your interests and why you should be chosen), a letter of recommendation from a University of Maryland faculty, and a completed online application.
Make sure you meet with your advisor to help determine how study abroad can fit into your four year plan - most study abroad programs are done during your junior year, however, that is not possible with all majors. Some must happen sophomore year, so make sure to check with your advisor if you think you might be interested.
Are you considering Studying Abroad – GREAT!! Here are the things you should do:
Programs Sponsored by Maryland’s Academic Departments
University of Maryland students enjoy a diverse and exciting array of options for study abroad, with programs to choose from on virtually every continent. Click here for information on available programs.
How to Get Started with Education Abroad:
Most programs require a personal statement (explaining your interests and why you should be chosen), a letter of recommendation from a University of Maryland faculty, and a completed online application.
Make sure you meet with your advisor to help determine how study abroad can fit into your four year plan - most study abroad programs are done during your junior year, however, that is not possible with all majors. Some must happen sophomore year, so make sure to check with your advisor if you think you might be interested.
Are you considering Studying Abroad – GREAT!! Here are the things you should do:
- Apply for a passport!!
- Are you interested in a University of Maryland program? If so, you can apply directly to your program of choice!
- Still considering a number of options? Then, attend a General Advising Session.
- Check in with your Academic Department to find out what classes you can take abroad.
- Research Possible Program Options. Contact an Education Abroad Peer Mentor for help finding the best program for you. Peer Mentors are students who have been abroad and want to share their insights, experience, and enthusiasm with you.
- Meet with an Education Abroad Advisor to determine if program is approved for academic credit, then apply to your program of choice.
- Once you have been accepted, complete your Permission to Study Abroad Paperwork.
- Attend a Pre-Departure Orientation.
Programs Sponsored by Maryland’s Academic Departments
University of Maryland students enjoy a diverse and exciting array of options for study abroad, with programs to choose from on virtually every continent. Click here for information on available programs.