Download - your journey has begun…

Orientation Week 2009

your journey has begun…

…the possibilities are endless

MAKING THE GRADE


o differences between high school

and universityo the importance of first yearo time managemento tools of the trade

presentation outline

your journey has begun … the possibilities are endless


high school vs. university



o preparation before classo during the lectureo after-class review

high school vs. university: lectures



o differenceo attendance o complement lecture

high school vs. university: labs and tutorials



high school vs. university: resources


high school-teacher-guidance counsellor-librarian-parents

university- professor- dons- TA/IA- librarians- learning services - academic advisors- career services- PEERS! PEER MENTORS


o formato weighting o content

high school vs. university: testing



first year counts


first year counts



Saad Aslam: political science, year 4


first year counts: GPA


Letter Grade

Percentage Equivalent Grade Point

A+ 90-100 12

A 85-89 11

A- 80-84 10

B+ 77-79 9

B 73-76 8

B- 70-72 7

C+ 67-69 6

C 63-66 5

C- 60-62 4

D+ 57-59 3

D 53-56 2

D- 50-52 1

F 0 0

o Whether you are allowed to continue in your program or even continue to study at Laurier depends on your GPA


o in-courseo first termo first year

first year counts: GPA continued


www.wlu.ca/gpacalculator


first year counts: GPA example


Midterm(30%)

Major Assignment(30 %)

Final(40%)

Grade Point

30% 82% 75% 5 (C)

82% 82% 75% 10 (A-)


o why GPA matterso academic integrity o “I didn’t know” and “I’m a good student. It’s not going to happen to me”

first year counts: responsibility



time management



o foundationo syllabus

time management: get organized



o term calendars and plannerso to-do listso review!o assignment breakdown

time management: techniques



o extracurricular activitieso academic activitieso social activities

time management: make time for…


it’s all about balance!


mike eby: philosophy, yr. 4




tools of the trade



tools of the trade: the academic calendar

o courses your must take and grades you must earn to graduate

o academic rules and regulationso academic dates: when the term begins, last day to add or drop courses

o courses offered, prerequisiteswww.wlu.ca/calendars


o basicso holdso account infoo “employee” tab

tools of the trade: LORIS


http://telaris.wlu.ca


o course infoo discussion boardso instructor and peer contact

tools of the trade: WebCT


http://webct.wlu.ca


o primary form of communicationo email etiquette

tools of the trade: groupwise email


http://gweb.wlu.ca


o “bird courses”o repeat courseso if the prof posts the slides, you don’t need to attend class

o deferring exams is a good idea

myths



o there are a lot differences between high school and university

o first year counts – keep your options open

o good time management skills are the foundation for success at university

summary
