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Read the AUC catalog
AUC rules are clearly stated in the AUC catalog and all departments, majors and degrees are explained. Your catalog should be considered your concise guide throughout your time at AUC.
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Get advice
Use your advisors wisely to get advice on choice of the courses you take for your major and when they are offered. Work with your advisor to get the most appropriate schedule of classes for every semester. |
Show up on the first day
It is essential that students
attend the first day of AUC professors distribute the course outline the first day of classes the work that you will
required to submit will discussed that day. |
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Choose a major
Choosing a major can be difficult for many students. You may find it difficult to narrow down your options, to take into consideration your parents’ suggestions, or to identify where your interests lie. The AUC Student Mentoring Unit is designed to help you with this decision. The catalog is also another valuable resource to explore since it has the listings of the university’s majors and classes required.
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Course syllabus
The syllabus (course outline) is distributed on the first day of classes. The syllabus contains valuable information about the course objectives, the course materials, assignments and exam dates. An explanation of the grading system may also be provided. It is important to familiarize yourself with the course syllabus and refer to it throughout the semester. |
Know your course load
Know your capabilities and
be realistic about the number
of credits you decide to take
each semester. Be sure to
take into consideration other
responsibilities you may have
such as work commitments
or social obligations. Students
often believe that they will
graduate earlier if they
take additional classes; however, in many cases, overloads lead to withdrawals or failures, resulting in a delay in graduation. |
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Learn about the core
curriculum?
All students are required to take a number of general education courses from a number of departments, regardless of your major, to fulfill the core curriculum requirement. Refer to the catalog and plan to take these classes as you progress through your time at AUC.
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Plan your prerequisites
A prerequisite is a course that you need to take and pass before proceeding to the next level. It is important that you plan your schedule so that prerequisites are taken in time to move on to the next level.
In addition, you may find a course more difficult if you have not taken the prerequisite. |
Stay focused
Find the spot in the classroom
where it is easiest for you to
concentrate and listen actively.
Wherever that is, once you
find it, keep it. Likewise, if
change recharges your mental
energies to stay focused, then
pick a different place every day. |
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Know your classmates
Take a minute to get to know the people who sit next to you in class. They may be able to help when you’re absent one day and need to copy lecture notes,
or be updated on what you
missed. You can also form a
study group to help each other with difficult material.
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Get your course materials
As soon as possible, buy your
and other material that you
throughout the semester. Starting helps you stay on track; preventing from falling behind. |
Be on time
Many professors do not allow students to enter the classroom after class has
started. If you are late it is essential that you walk in quietly and quickly find a place to sit. After class, it would be wise to approach your instructor and explain the reason why you were late. |
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Make use of office hours
This is valuable time provided
by your instructor, specifically
for you to have one-to-one
assistance from the professor.
Any individual concerns may
also be addressed during this
time, rather than bringing
them up in class.
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Ask questions
Take an active role. Participate in class discussions. If you are shy about asking a question, just remember that the same question is probably on the mind of your classmates as well. The question you want to ask may also be relevant to an upcoming exam. |
Get involved in extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities provide
you with a chance to meet
people with similar interests,
building your social network.
It’s also a great opportunity for
you to expand your education
beyond your required courses. |
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Grade Point Average
Your GPA is your grade point average, which is the average of the grades you’ve received in all of your courses. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 (equivalent to the grade of C). If a student’s GPA falls below the 2.0, s/he is placed on probation for one semester. Students on probation are restricted from participating in any extracurricular activities, including sports and conferences. Students on
probation also lose their eligibility for financial aid and scholarships. Failure to raise your GPA within that semester
results in a dismissal from AUC.
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Course withdrawal
Throughout the semester, you
may decide that you want to drop a course that you may be struggling with. Once you make that decision, it is important to officially withdraw by going to the registrar, obtaining a drop form to be signed by the class instructor and then submitting it to the registrar. However, before you drop, make an appointment to discuss your
decision with your professor who may have some suggestions on how you could continue in the class. Do not stop attending the class without formally dropping the course. Your name will remain on the class list and at the end of the
semester your instructor will have to assign you a grade of F. |
Calculate your GPA
You can calculate your own
by doing the following:
Multiply the number value corresponding to the grade you received in a class by the number of (Refer to your catalogue number value corresponding letter grade.)
For example: B (3.0) in Sociology 201 (3 credits) = 3 x 3 = 9. Repeat the above process the classes you’ve taken and calculate the total. Divide the above total by total number of credits. |
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Keep binders for classes
Keep material for each class in a separate binder. This prevents confusion regarding loose papers or the possibility of losing all your work if you keep the information for all your classes in the same notebook.
You can maintain all your
important documents, syllabi,
assignments, exams, papers and notes in each binder.
Use these binders to keep yourself organized and efficient, adding material that your professor returns to you in the appropriate places and
removing notes to help your friends if necessary. Make a separate binder for other important documents, such as your signed drop forms, notes excusing your absences, transcripts and grade reports.
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Things NOT to do
Do not start packing your
things at the end of class if the
professor is still talking. It’s
very disruptive and you’re
missing valuable information.
Do not allow your mobile
to ring in class. Do not talk to your classmates during the lecture. Do not ask the professor, “Did I miss anything?” after being absent. Instead, ask your professor how can you catch up or obtain the information you missed. |
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