The first class of the semester is like opening day at the Ballpark. The fans know who is pitching, who is batting and who is injured for both teams. This information gives the fans a good look at the upcoming game.

During the first class professors let the students in on the game plan for the semester.

1.        A thorough look at the syllabus
2.       Due dates for assignments
3.       Textbooks and other readings
4.       How the grades will be earned
5.       Overall purpose of the class.

No baseball aficionado wants to miss opening day. No serious student wants to miss the first day of class.

I like to meet with my students after the first day of class.  Together we prepare for the upcoming class.

• The student needs to print all power point notes or lecture notes the professor might have posted online. Do this before the next class meeting.
• If the student is eligible for  accommodations, she needs to pick up the accommodation letters from Disabilities Student Services and deliver the letter to each professor.
• The student needs to get his computer set up with Tech services to make sure the student’s laptop can communicate with the University system.
• The student needs to get online and become familiar with the website for each course.

Together, we take a look at the pace of the semester. I ask my students to enter all their assignments on a one-page calendar of the entire semester. Now we have a visual of the upcoming sixteen weeks.