The "Hidden" Curriculum
This term refers to the "unspoken" social and cultural rules of college that aren't explicitly taught in a textbook but are expected by faculty.
What is the Hidden Curriculum?
Professors expect you to review this thoroughly before asking, "Why did I get this grade?"
What is the grading rubric?
This is the act of using someone else's ideas without proper credit, which can lead to failing the course or expulsion.
What is plagiarism?
Professors are often the gatekeepers to these "real-world" work experiences that they can help you find.
What are internships?
If you disagree with a professor's viewpoint, they expect you to do this in a way that is respectful and evidence-based.
What is engage in civil discourse?
When a professor mentions a "peer-reviewed" source, they expect you to find articles from this specific type of publication.
What is an academic or scholarly journal?
Instead of asking "How can I get an A?", professors prefer you ask this question about your work.
What is "How can I improve my understanding/performance?"
Professors expect you to use these "styles" (like APA, MLA, or Chicago) consistently throughout your papers as outlined in the syllabus.
What are citation styles?
When asking for a recommendation letter, professors expect you to give them at least this much notice.
What is 2 to 4 weeks?
If a personal emergency arises, professors expect this from you as soon as possible, not after the deadline has passed.
What is proactive communication?
To truly succeed, professors expect you to use this "rule of thumb" for studying: for every 1 hour in class, you should spend this many hours studying outside.
What is 2 to 3 hours?
This is the term for the "bump" in a grade a professor might give a student who has shown consistent effort and participation.
What is a discretionary or participation bump?
Using your own paper from a previous class for a new assignment is known by this surprising term.
What is self-plagiarism?
If you want to assist a professor with their work, you should ask about this type of opportunity during office hours.
What is undergraduate research?
This "chain of command" describes who you should talk to if you have an issue with a Teaching Assistant (TA).
What is the TA first, then the Professor?
This is the expectation that you will look up words or concepts you don't understand during a lecture rather than ignoring them.
What is intellectual curiosity?
If you receive a low grade, the expected first step is to do this rather than complaining to a department head.
What is schedule a meeting with the professor?
This type of source (like Wikipedia) is often okay for background info but is usually "banned" as a cited source in final papers.
What is a tertiary source?
Professors expect you to treat them like this, preparing you for future workplace relationships.
What is a supervisor or mentor?
This is the term for a formal request to change a final grade if you believe there was a clerical or grading error.
What is a grade appeal?
If a professor provides "optional" reading, they often still expect you to do this with it to excel in class discussions.
What is skim or review it for context?
"Grade grubbing" is a term professors use (negatively) for this behavior at the end of a semester.
What is pleading for extra points or a higher grade without merit?
This "A" word describes the moral code of the campus that professors expect all students to uphold.
What is Academic Integrity?
This platform is the "professional" version of social media where professors expect you to connect with them after the course ends.
What is LinkedIn?
Instead of bringing a parent into a conflict, professors expect you to do this, demonstrating your transition to adulthood.
What is advocate for yourself?