First of all, the syllabus is the most important document of a course.
In the first class of each semester, apart from teachers and students getting to know each other, the rest of the time is to learn and be familiar with the curriculum outline prepared by teachers. Including the purpose of this course, textbooks and reference books used, course content, time schedule, homework requirements and payment time, examination date, grade structure, grading standards, discipline policies (including attendance, late submission of homework, etc.). ) and academic policies (policies to deal with cheating and plagiarism, etc. The syllabus should also include the contact information of the teaching teacher and the teaching assistant, as well as the time and place for answering questions.
It is not only a description of the "product" of "curriculum", but also a "contract" between teachers and students. As long as students follow the requirements of the syllabus, there is no big problem in passing this course. For teachers, the syllabus is both a guide and a constraint. Teachers are generally not allowed to change the teaching content and progress listed in the syllabus at will, and the exam can only test the content. So we must keep and thoroughly understand the syllabus of each course.
Second, understand the course grading method
In addition to the traditional exam evaluation, American courses often adopt the scoring system of cumulative weighted assignments, quizzes and exams, aiming at not relying on one-time transactions. Many American teachers will get rid of a lowest grade when giving final weighting, but they won't get rid of a zero grade if they don't hand in their homework, so attitude is very important.
Third, the focus of American university curriculum is not "attending classes" but "learning".
In class, the professor will give a course outline, and the progress will be very fast. At the same time, you will arrange a lot of reading materials after class, and then you will study what you should master. No one cares whether you study or not, and no one chases you for your homework, so the spirit of self-management and active learning is very important.
4. Courses with learning difficulties can be selected in summer semester.
Most universities in the United States have summer semesters, usually in May and June, which are divided into two four-week semesters. Important basic courses are offered in the summer semester. You can choose to concentrate on completing a course in four weeks. There are few people attending classes in summer, the class size is small, and there will be trade-offs in time limit, so it is relatively easy to get good grades.
Team spirit is very important.
Many experimental classes in the United States need to be completed by two or more people in groups, and so do subsequent reports. So teamwork spirit is very important. Some international students from China had to quit the league because of falling out with their experimental partners. Others thought that if they paid more, they could do experiments without their partners. Remember, American university rules are for observance, not for detours.