Professors give you their cheat code.....

We're halfway there.....

For those of us of a certain age, you may recall the next line in a famous Bon Jovi song being....."Oh...We're living on a prayer!"

So the start of a new semester brings up ALL kinds of feelings for students (and parents). Sure, there is the excitement of getting new notebooks, and pretty color coded planners (more to follow on this soon), some fresh new clothes and maybe even a food plan LOADED with new swipes.

But for some of our students, especially those with learning differences, the new semester might bring some not so great feelings. Maybe they really are "living on a prayer" with their grades.

Well, guess what? There IS a perfect place to start for these students.

It's the professors cheat code that they give you at the start of every semester.

THE SYLLABUS

And many times, that syllabus is discarded or "buried" without too much time spent really trying to decipher what the code is.

But here is what students should be doing with this syllabus:

  • Start with the big picture.
    Skim the entire syllabus once to understand how the class is structured, how you’re graded, and what matters most.

  • Mark important dates immediately.
    Highlight or enter major assignments, exams, and project deadlines into your planner or digital calendar. Seeing them early helps you plan ahead instead of scrambling later. (Don't forget you will be hearing lots more about tracking assignments from me soon!)

  • Pay attention to expectations.
    Look for details about attendance, participation, late work, and communication. These tell you how your instructor expects you to show up and succeed.

  • Find your supports.
    Notice office hours, contact information, tutoring options, and accommodation policies. These are resources — not last resorts. Maybe that support includes coaching sessions with me !

  • Come back to it often.
    When you’re unsure about an assignment, deadline, or class rule, check the syllabus first. It’s designed to answer questions and reduce confusion.

I hope this helps to get the conversation started with you and your child about starting the semester off on the right foot. I am here if you need me too.

Wondering more about Bridgeability College Coaching?

Check out website

Is your child ready for college?

Take my quick readiness quiz and find out what skills they have. AND find out what to build before move-in day.

Take the College Readiness Quiz

Reliable Readiness Insights, Expert Educational Expertise, Updates, Tools, and Valuable Resources.

Stay connected for valuable college readiness tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim ab voluptate id quam harum ducimus cupiditate similique quisquam et deserunt, recusandae.