Making Good Grades: Knowing What Your Instructor Expects

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When your classes begin and you are introduced to your instructor, you should make sure you know what the expectations are for the class. The instructor should provide detailed guidelines about the expectations for the class. Usually, these are written and included as a handout, and they may also be posted on a school Web site. If you aren’t provided with written guidelines, be sure to take notes and ask questions if there are assignments or rules you don’t understand. Knowing what’s expected of you helps you set goals for what you want to accomplish. Also, the expectations of the class (and how well you meet them) are what determine your grade in the class. To do well, you need to make sure you meet (and exceed) the requirements and expectations of that class.

In general, your instructor will usually provide you with the following information:

• Assessments: How are grades determined? By tests? Papers? A combination of factors? The grading criteria should be explicitly covered at the beginning of class so that you know exactly what you need to do to get a good grade in that class. Spelling out the grading methods also prevents the instructor from assigning grades arbitrarily.
• Class policies: Your instructor should spell out the attendance policy. If you miss class, does it affect your grade? How should you notify the instructor if you’re going to miss a class? What about late assignments? Is a late assignment penalized? If so, in what way?
• Contact methods: Your instructor should tell you how he or she prefers to be contacted. For example, if you have an e-mail system at your school, can you e-mail your instructor if you’re going to be absent? Can you get assignments you missed via e-mail?
• Class participation: Does the instructor expect you to be actively involved in discussion? Does the course use peer evaluation (for example, in reading and making suggestions on rough drafts of papers)? Does part of your grade consist of class participation? Are you penalized if you don’t participate?
• Questions: Usually, you raise your hand and wait to be called on, but your instructor may have other preferences on how to participate or ask questions.

Instructors have difficult jobs, and they usually teach because they enjoy it. What makes them happy is to see you progress and succeed. No matter what your skill level, they want to see you
trying your hardest. They want to make you feel excited about learning and show this excitement. Knowing what the instructor hopes to achieve overall can help you better understand the instructor’s motives and expectations.

Not Sure How Grades Are Determined?

Your instructor should outline at the very start of a class how grades are determined. In college and high school classes, you usually get a syllabus that outlines the course topics, assignments, deadlines, and other important information. In grade-school classes, the instructor may orally explain the grading procedure. If you aren’t given this information or aren’t sure how grades are determined, ask your instructor. You want to know beforehand rather than after the class has ended how your class performance will be assessed.