The Syllabus Says...
What section of the syllabus explains how your final grade will be calculated?
Which platform (Brightspace or YES) shows your official final grade?
YES
If you violate the Honor Code, who decides if you're guilty?
The Honor Council, made up of fellow undergraduate students and faculty advisors.
What time management method breaks work into 25-minute focused intervals followed by short breaks?
Pomodoro Technique
Why is it important to introduce yourself to a professor early in the semester?
Name recognition, relationship building, letters of rec (even in classes with 200+ students!)
Where would you find your professor's office hours?
Top of Syllabus
A professor uploads files to Brightspace but you can’t find them in the “Content tab.” Where else might they be posted?
Activities and Assignments, Library Resources tab, etc
True or False: Working with a friend on homework is always allowed.
False. Every professor has different requirements.
How can identifying your personal peak energy times (morning vs. night) improve your study habits?
If a professor doesn’t reply to an email within the expected time frame, what’s the next appropriate step?
Send a follow-up email, go to office hours, and/or talk to them in-person in class.
Before emailing a professor, why should you check the syllabus?
Some professors want a specific subject line in your email or have a specific name they want you to call them and this is listed in the syllabus!
How do I reorder my courses on the dashboard?
Use the "Pin" feature in the order you'd like them to appear.
T/F: Every professor's Generative AI policy is the same
False
Where could you go if you needed tutoring or academic coaching?
Vanderbilt Free Tutoring Resources, Student Care Network, The Writing Center, etc.
Why do some professors refuse to discuss grades over email but allow it during office hours?
Email is not a secure communication link; FERPA.
If a course syllabus doesn’t explicitly mention attendance, what should you do before assuming it’s optional?
Correct Answer: Email the professor or ask on the first day
Street Answer: Go to class the first day and if the professor doesn't say anything, use your own judgement
Which platform do you use to add/drop courses?
YES
Give one example of how a student might violate academic integrity without realizing it.
Each professor has different policies regarding group work, AI usage, late homework, etc.
Why is sleep considered part of time management, not just health?
Improves memory, increases productivity, etc (you are not napping twice a day)
Why might a professor deliberately ignore an email?
You asked a question that could be answered with the Syllabus.
If a professor disables grade visibility, how should you keep track of your grade?
Go to the grading section of the syllabus, find the percentage breakdown, and do the math (or get ChatGPT to do the math)
How do I see my degree progress (aka my completion towards my Bachelor's)?
Degree Audit on YES
Why is it important to find out if technology use is allowed in class (phones, laptops, recording lectures)?
Some actions, such as recording lectures or taking pictures of class notes without stated permission, can violate the law of "intellectual property."
Who do you contact if you need accomodations on exams, assignments, etc?
Student Access Services Office (SASO)
They want you to come to class, take control of your own learning, and lectures aren't always full substitutes for all material you need to know.