General Student Etiquette: Home

1. Attend Classes

• Attend every class.
• Assume that everything said in the class (by both the instructor and other students) is important.  Do not ask, “Will this be on the test?”

 

2. Be Present in Class

• Do not work on other assignments, read the newspaper, or write letters.
• Avoid individual conversations with other students.  Talking disturbs the instructor and other students in the class.
• Turn off telecommunication device(s), and put your telecommunication device(s) away out of sight (unless, with the permission of the instructor, you are specifically using them for class work). 

 

3. Arrive Punctually

• Arriving late interrupts the flow of the class and disturbs other students in the class.
• Stay until the end of the class – stay both physically and mentally present until the professor dismisses the class.
• If, however, the instructor is late for class, wait for him/her.  You can read your text or prepare for other classes while you wait. 

 

4. Prepare for Class

• Come ready to discuss the topic identified in the syllabus or in the previous class.
• Come with questions about the reading or other preparatory experiences.
• Demonstrate your interest in the topic.

 

5. Learn your Instructor’s Name

• If you do not know his/her name, address the instructor as “Mr.” or “Ms.”
• The instructor will tell you if he/she prefers a different form of address.

 

6. Read the Syllabus

• The course syllabus answers many questions about the course. 
• Read it carefully and ask for any clarification about the syllabus, particularly about deadlines or the description of assignments.

 

7. Be Aware of the Responsibilities of a Given Course

• While some instructors prefer to receive drafts of a paper before you submit the final version, others only want the finished product.  Do not assume that all instructors wish to read your drafts.
• If you need additional assistance with writing or you would benefit from tutoring, visit the Student Success Center or the Writing Center for assistance.

 

8. Take Responsibility for Absences

• If you must be absent, take responsibility for making up the work.
• Ask another student to take notes for you.
• NEVER ask the instructor, “Did I miss anything in the class?”
• If needed, make an appointment with the instructor to go over missed work.  But, remember that this is a privilege, not a right.  The instructor already covered the work in the class which you missed. 

 

9. Meet Deadlines

• Discuss your concerns about not meeting a deadline BEFORE the assignment is due. 
• If, for a good reason (not just because you procrastinated), you will not be able to meet a deadline, make an appointment with your instructor to discuss the possibility of submitting your assignment late. 
• Recognize that if you cannot meet a deadline for whatever reason, this may well be reflected in your grade for that assignment. 

 

10. Eat Outside of Class Time

• Unless you have back-to-back classes, eat before or after class or on break.
• If you have no other time but to eat during class, ask the instructor if that is acceptable.
• If it is acceptable to eat during class, choose foods that are packaged in such a way that it will not disturb other students around you when you open them. 

1. Take Responsibility - Instructors expect you to take responsibility for your own learning.

• They will lead the class, but you have to make the effort to learn.
• You must take it upon yourself to do whatever it takes (required or not) to learn the material.
• You must realize the work you do OR not do will result in the grade you get.

 

2. Make an Effort - Instructors expect students to study regularly and to keep up with assigned readings.

• Study for 1.5 to 2 hours for every hour you spend in class.
• Approximately thirty hours each week should be devoted to studying.

 

3. High-Quality Work

• Is well-thought out and well-written (proofread and edited).
• Is your work.
• Demonstrates interest and care of assignment or of course.
• Contains thorough answers that connect materials and demonstrate critical thinking about the subject/assignment.

 

4. Respect

• Be polite.
• Respect time.
• Be mature.
• Refrain from rolling eyes, sighing, and other inappropriate nonverbal gestures.

 

5. Read the syllabus

1. Determine Why You Wish to Meet with the Instructor

• Be clear about the purpose of your meeting.  Are you meeting to clarify something talked about in class, to discuss a grade, or to ask for a letter of recommendation? 

 

2.  Make an Appointment

• Do not rush up to an instructor after class and assume he/she has time to meet with you on the spot.
• Make an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
• When asking for a meeting with an instructor, be as clear as you can about the purpose of the meeting. 
• You may visit the instructor during his or her office hours, but the instructor may not have a long time to meet with you if other students are waiting.  In that case, you may need to make another appointment.

 

3.  Prepare for the Meeting

• Everyone’s time is important, so be prepared to state the purpose for your meeting as concisely as possible.
• Have all the materials you will need, for example, your textbook if you need clarification or the paper that you wish to discuss.

 

4.  Arrive on Time for your Meeting

• Locate the instructor’s office before the meeting or leave plenty of time to arrive if you are not sure of the location.
• If you will be unavoidably delayed, call to say when you will arrive or to reschedule the meeting.

 

5. At the Meeting

• Introduce yourself.  Unless the instructor calls you by name, do not assume that the instructor knows who you are. 
• State your purpose for the meeting.
• Be sure to thank the instructor for his/her time when you leave.