Advice to Students

No doubt, you'd like to do well in your classes. Here are a few specific suggestions:

1. Show up to class. Yes, I post most of my lecture notes online, but they are abbreviated versions of what I actually cover in class. Moreover, If you're not there in person, you'll be oblivious to what topics I emphasized (hint: this will be on the exam) and to what was said during class discussions.
2. Keep up. Don't let yourself get behind, thinking that you'll be able to catch up in a rush before the midterm. You won't.
3. Make use of office hours. If you're confused about something, please drop by. I'm always amazed at how few students think to visit me during office hours—and that the students who would benefit most from some help seem the least likely to come. With few exceptions, your instructors and teaching assistants are eager to see you do well and are happy to explain points you don't understand.
4. Take charge of your own learning. The University views you as an independent, adult scholar who is responsible for his or her own learning. I try to treat you as such. I expect you to budget adequate time for studying and completing assignments and projects. I expect you to keep track of and meet important deadlines.
5. Read the syllabus or course outline. The course outline handed out on the first day of class is a contract between student and instructor. It spells out exactly what is expected of you and, in return, what you can expect of me. Pay special attention to the grading scheme: note how each component is weighted and prioritize accordingly. It's all well and good if you study hard and ace the final exam, but getting a decent grade in the course will still be a mathematical impossibility if there are five assignments worth 50% and you neglected to hand in two of them.
6. Work up some enthusiasm. During your time at U of A, you will take many interesting courses. But you will occasional find yourself enrolled in classes where the material—or even the instructor's teaching style— is just not to your taste. (Inevitably, you will have to cope with courses required for your major that you might not otherwise have signed up for.) Nonetheless, try to get excited about the intellectual challenge, and don't let any course become mere drudgery.
7. Collaborate meaningfully with your peers. Get to know other students in your class who are serious about doing well and use them as a resource. At the very least, try to have someone you can get class notes from on occasions when you're sick. Most students benefit from working on assignments in groups, so long as they're doing their own work and not just copying off someone.
8. Do more than the bare minimum. Most instructors want to be impressed before they'll give out an A. Take the initiative. Work at the additional readings and exercises. Make some time to look at the optional materials the instructor has put on reserve in the library. Try the tough bonus question on Assignment 4.
9. Don't cheat. Please be sure that you understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. You may want to refer to the University's Code of Student Behaviour. A breach of these regulations may result in an automatic failing grade.

Best of luck.