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Your first impressions of academic life in the United States may be confusing.
International students often comment that U.S. students are competitive
but don’t seem to study very hard, and that beyond the informality
of the classroom the professors are very demanding. Some of these apparent
contradictions can be explained by the values that underpin them. Creativity,
tolerance, and flexibility are, in general, valued above tradition and
respect for authority in the United States. Teaching styles and classroom
attitudes vary widely and are influenced by many different factors. Even
where tradition does dictate professorial or student behavior, the patterns
may not be evident to someone coming from a different tradition.
Who is your teacher?
Lectures & Seminars
Quiz, Test, and Examinations
Homework!
English as a Degree Requirement
Note on Grades
Tips for Academic Success
Who Is Your Teacher? 
Professors are the core of the teaching staff at most institutions in
the United States. Full professors generally teach lecture courses, seminars,
and courses for graduate students and undergraduates. A professor’s
informal style of dress or speech must not be taken to mean that he or
she has a relaxed attitude toward assignments, class attendance, or the
quality of your work. Informal attire and the omission of titles in interpersonal
communication are common in U.S. university teaching; but beneath this
largely informal surface lies a wide variety of individual expectations
and preferences concerning student behavior.
Lectures, Seminars, etc.: A Typology of Classes
Lectures are the primary form of undergraduate instruction in U.S. institutions.
Lecture courses may enroll from 20 to 40 students. Although attendance
may not be recorded, you are nevertheless expected to attend. Material
covered in a lecture class may be closely related to the reading assignments
or may be completely new material. Doing the reading before attending
class is a sure way to improve your understanding of the lecture. You
might wish to record lectures on tape, especially if you are having trouble
following spoken English in your first weeks of school. You must ask the
professor for permission to do so.
A discussion section (also called a recitation, review, or quiz section)
is a class in which material presented in a lecture is reviewed and discussed.
(Very few lecture courses include discussion sections.) Discussion is
considered an important element of U.S. education; indeed, "class
participation" may count for a certain percentage of your grade.
If you do not feel confident about giving your opinion in class, be ready
to answer basic questions about the material. You can also ask questions
of the instructor after class or during office hours.
In so-called independent studies or guided research courses you may study
a topic under the direction of a professor but without any classroom instruction.
Such arrangements are usually reserved for advanced undergraduates and
graduate students. They generally involve a great deal of reading or work
in a laboratory but allow you to focus on a topic of particular interest
to you.
Seminars are often associated with undergraduate honors courses or graduate
study. Seminar courses usually enroll fewer than 20 students. They often
cover specialized topics and involve discussions and presentations by
the students under the supervision of the professor. Some smaller colleges
offer many undergraduate courses in the form of seminars.
Internships are practical work or training experiences that allow students
to apply in a work situation what they have learned in class. Some institutions
offer academic credit for internships; others do not. Please inquire at
International Programs and Services before accepting a paid internship.
Quizzes, Tests, and Examinations
U.S. colleges and universities test students, particularly undergraduates,
frequently.
Quizzes—short tests on assigned material—are used most frequently
in language and mathematics courses. "Pop quizzes"-unannounced
tests—are given by the professor to see if students are keeping up
with their reading assignments or to verify that students understand the
material being presented in the course.
Examinations may call for specific, short replies or for longer responses
in the form of essays. Often examinations are a combination of both forms.
Objective questions have only one right answer. Types include true-or-false,
sentence completion ("fill in the blanks"), multiple choice,
and matching. They cover a broad range of material and demand a particular
type of study. If the class is large, you may be asked to record your
answers on a machine-readable form. In such cases, be sure you understand
how you are to mark your answers on the answer sheet. Students sometimes
fail machine-graded exams simply because they put their answers in the
wrong place. If you have a question, be sure to ask. Many exams include
one or two questions requiring essays of several pages, or several questions
requiring only a paragraph or two. Essay questions generally specify how
you are to approach the material. The questions may be long or short.
Terms often used in essay questions are analyze, compare and contrast,
criticize, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, explain, illustrate, interpret,
justify, outline, prove, review, summarize, and trace. You will become
familiar with these forms soon enough, but if you have trouble, see your
instructor, your academic adviser, or the international student adviser.
Homework!
The typical undergraduate course involves three hours of lectures each
week, reading assignments, quizzes and tests, a mid-term examination,
and a final examination, as well as one or more research papers or projects.
An additional laboratory or discussion time period is sometimes also added
to the lecture time. Keeping up with the work is important.
International students are sometimes dismayed by the amount of reading
assigned for their courses, especially if English is not their native
language. It is important, therefore, to be clear about the role of the
reading assignments in a course. In some courses, the reading is central;
you must read the texts closely and know the material for exams. In other
course, reading may be supplementary or optional. It probably will not
be possible for you to read thoroughly everything that is assigned. You
will have to prioritize: read the most important material first and carefully;
then skim the less important assignments.
If you find yourself falling behind or feeling terribly pressured about
your assignments, discuss your problem with the professor or after a class
or during office hours. Don’t hesitate to get help if you are
having academic problems.
Research papers are another aspect of homework that may seem overwhelming.
Some students are unable to express themselves clearly or eloquently in
written English; others do not know how to use the research tools in the
library; others may not be familiar with U.S. academic writing styles
and conventions. Many U.S. students share these problems, and help is
seldom far away. Most colleges and universities offer workshops on writing
and research skills.
In your writing, you will be expected to know when and how to "paraphrase"
or summarize another writer’s ideas in you own words. If you are
not a native English speaker this may seem difficult and you may be tempted
to quote your sources word for word. Because this practice can lead to
a charge of "plagiarism"(see below), it is essential that you
acquire the skill of paraphrasing. You will find that if you truly understand
the ideas you are dealing with, you will be able to express them clearly.
Find an instructor or U.S. student, perhaps a volunteer tutor or conversation
partner, who will read your papers, point out passages that are unclear,
and help you find phrases that convey your meaning. You may have to sacrifice
the elegance of the original quotation, but your paper will gain coherence
from the effort you put into synthesizing all of the material you use.
Plagiarism is the use of another’s words
or ideas without acknowledgment of their source. Although in some cultures
incorporating the words of revered scholars is an important part of the
style of academic writing, it is not acceptable in the United States;
indeed, it is considered a serious offense. The consequences of proven
or even suspected plagiarism can be severe (for example, a failing grade
or expulsion form class or the university). Borrowed words and ideas must
always be clearly documented. If you expect to experience writing difficulties,
you should get help as soon as possible.
An important distinction exists between group work and individual work.
In general, papers, homework assignments, quizzes, and tests should be
done individually, and evidence (or even suspicion) of collaboration can
result in a failing grade for the work or expulsion from the class or
institution. Studying with others is a good idea, but before you collaborate
with others on homework, papers, or tests, make sure the professor has
specifically authorized such collaboration.
The ability to use computers is essential to success in the U.S. college
or university today. Most professors do not accept handwritten papers
(except exams). U.S. students typically write their papers on computers,
which are usually available for student use in the library or computing
center, and possibly in residence halls or other locations.
English as a Degree Requirement
At most universities and colleges in the United States, undergraduate
students—American and International—must successfully complete
a series of writing or composition courses offered through the institution’s
Department of English. Moreover, at most institutions this requirement
must be completed before a student is permitted to take upper-level courses.
Many schools offer sections of these lower-level composition courses specifically
designed for International students. Because these courses are taught
by instructors who are trained and experienced in teaching English to
International students, they tend to be particularly helpful. Before you
enroll in an English-composition course, check with the Department of
English or your adviser to make sure you are enrolling in the appropriate
section.
Note on Grades
International students sometimes find that their U.S. classmates are
preoccupied with grades. This can be explained partly by the spirit of
individual competition that is fostered and supported by society in the
U.S. It is also a pragmatic matter, since grades are an important factor
in gaining admission to graduate school or getting a job after graduation.
The basis for grading in each course will be determined by the professor.
The weight given to exams, papers, class participation, and other factors
will be clearly specified at the beginning of the term.
TIPS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
- U.S. professors want students to respect their knowledge
and opinions, but they generally prefer discussion and debate to respectful
silence.
- Although most faculty members encourage critical thinking
from students, the manner in which criticism is expressed is important.
Show respect by acknowledging your professor's point of view and then
offering your own opinion for consideration.
- Regular attendance at all classes and good note-taking
skills will help you be a successful student.
- Ask your instructor for clarification if you do not
understand. Within reason, ask that important points be repeated if
they are presented too fast for you to comprehend or to write down.
- Pay close attention to instructions given at the
beginning of the course about how the class will be conducted and how
grades will be determined.
- Expect to receive a "syllabus" (called
a "green sheet" at SJSU) for each course. The syllabus outlines the
course's objectives and the material to be covered and lists due dates
for assignments, examination dates, texts to be purchased or obtained
form the library, and the professor's name, office location and office
hours. Keep the course syllabus for the duration of the course.
- A class or workshop on academic writing can help
you produce written assignments that meet accepted standards.
- Some U.S. students may seem very uninterested in their
education or appear to do very little studying. They may be very casual
about attending class or keeping up with their studies. Do not be deceived
into thinking that this will lead to academic success. In the United
States, students who do not perform as expected are asked to leave the
institution.
Adapted from NAFSA's International Student
Handbook: A Guide to University Study in the USA
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