What Students Need to Know About the Differences Between College Courses
Let’s be real — not all classes are created equal. Just because one professor uses the online learning platform flawlessly, delivers engaging lectures, and keeps students on the edge of their seats doesn’t mean the rest will follow suit. College courses vary a lot, and students need to be ready for that. Here are a few things every student should look for when starting a new class — because skipping this stuff can lead to major surprises.
🧑🏫 Who Is the Professor?
Sounds simple, right? But you’d be surprised how many students show up week after week and don’t actually know who’s teaching the class. Whether it’s a professor or a TA, your student needs to know who is standing in front of them — and more importantly, how to contact them. That’s the first point of contact for questions, concerns, or just to clarify something from lecture. Plus, it helps when talking with peers:
“Hey, did you have Professor Wiseman?”
“Oh yeah! Her exams are tough but fair — and she posts review guides on Canvas.”
🪑 Is Attendance Graded?
Should students go to every class? Absolutely. Will they? Realistically… not always. Life happens. Illness, travel, emergencies — or honestly, just burnout. If they do miss a class, they need to know if it affects their grade. Some courses have strict attendance policies. Others? Totally optional.
I’ve even worked with students who calculated how long it would take to watch a lecture recording vs. sitting in class… and chose the more efficient route. Not for everyone — but if attendance isn’t graded, students may choose how they learn best.
💻 Is the Course Actually on Canvas (or Moodle, Sakai…)?
Yes, the university uses an LMS (Learning Management System), but no — not all faculty use it the same way. Some go all-in with announcements, lecture slides, sample exams, and discussion boards. Others barely upload the syllabus.
Encourage your student to spend a few minutes poking around the course shell. I once worked with a professor who uploaded practice exams before every test, but half the class didn’t even know because they never checked the site. Don’t be that student.
📚 What Materials Are Really Required?
Here’s where students get blindsided. Sure, there might not be a required textbook… but then comes the $80 access code for online homework. Or a mandatory app subscription. Or a course packet you can only get at the campus bookstore.
Some classes even require attendance at events, films, or off-campus experiences. Bottom line: tell your student to budget for more than just the books listed during registration.
🧮 How Is the Grade Calculated?
Every syllabus should have a grading breakdown. (Key word: should.) It might look like:
- 10% Attendance
- 25% Exams
- 20% Homework
- 15% Participation
- 30% Final Project
Make sure your student reads this section. Not everything in class is weighted equally — and that discussion post worth 1% isn’t as important as the 20% exam they forgot to study for. Grading can get complex, especially at the end of the semester. Know the math upfront.
🔢 What Does a Letter Grade Mean in This Class?
Here’s a curveball: a D in one class might be 60%, but in another it’s 70%. And if your student needs a C to move on to the next level of a course sequence (think math, science, languages), they’d better know the threshold.
Always check the grade scale in the syllabus — it’s not always what they expect.
📅 Review the Course Schedule
That weekly course calendar? It’s more than decoration. It tells students what’s expected before they walk into class. If it says they’ll be discussing Chapter 2 in Week 3, that means the professor expects it to be read ahead of time. Professors rarely write, “Read Chapter 2” — it’s implied.
Help your student make it a habit to review the schedule weekly. It’ll save them from surprise quizzes or missed deadlines.
📢 How Does the Professor Communicate?
Does the professor email from their university account? Use Canvas messages? Send texts through Remind? Post announcements in the LMS? Students need to figure this out fast.
When class is canceled, moved, or assignments shift, they’ll want to know how they’re going to find out — and how to get in touch if they have questions.
🧠 Final Thought
College isn’t one-size-fits-all — and neither are classes. The sooner your student learns to read the fine print (aka the syllabus) and ask the right questions, the better off they’ll be.
Still Have Questions?
This process can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. Whether you’re a student navigating your first year or a parent trying to support from afar, feel free to reach out with questions.
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