Interpreting a Syllabus

A course syllabus is a document created by professors for each course. This document can tell you nearly everything you need to know about how a course will run and what will be expected of you. 

Things a syllabus can tell you: 

• Course organization and structure
• Course learning objectives
• Course requirements and deadlines
• Workload and type of work expected
• How grades are calculated
• Policies/expectations for submitting work, attendance, and participation

What to do with a syllabus on the first day of class: 

• Highlight all deadlines (color code/add to calendar due dates or important class dates such as presentations and discussions)
  • Consider using a Semester Calendar to note major due dates and assignments. You can get a printed Semester Calendar from the Academic Resource Center!
• Note professors’ late work policies, absence policies, and AI policies
• Secure at least one classmate’s contact information to be your designated accountability partner!

Tips for reviewing syllabi:

• College syllabi generally list the preparation you need to do BEFORE the day’s class, not after.
• Titles for each class often identify the main theme of that class and may help you focus your preparation for class and exams.
• Look across the syllabi for your different classes to see if you are committing yourself to 4 midterms in the same week, or 2 problem sets the same day every week. (reconsider, if you are!)
• Trinity policy and Pratt policy allow students to submit a request to reschedule one final exam if you have two finals scheduled at the same time, OR three final exams that begin and end within a 24-hour period.
• All professors write and use syllabi differently.
• Syllabi are always subject to change.
• Students can meet with a learning consultant to review their syllabus if they want.
• If an instructor does not provide a syllabus, students should politely approach the instructor to provide one.