Questions about BGSU Academics

	Do incoming students have any adjustment period considerations?
	It sometimes takes students a bit of time to recognize the difference between high school and college with regard to the ‘freedom’ they have here. The amount of discipline they exercise, and the result of that focus, is largely (if not entirely) up to them. http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/firstyear/
	What will be the deciding factor for the success or failure of the BGSU student?
	The degree of focus early in the semester. Recognition that, ‘even if I don’t know at the moment exactly where I’m going, I’m leaning a great deal, I’m enjoying the process, and I will determine where this path leads all in good time.’
	What should my student do if they are uncomfortable seeking academic assistance from a professor?
	There are many sources of academic assistance other than the professor. If the class has TAs, these people are a good place to begin (closer in age to the student, recently devised study strategies for this subject matter, etc.). Upper division undergraduates may be of assistance; frequently undergraduate majors have clubs or societies, one of the public service missions of which is provision of academic assistance. And at the bottom line, the professor may have a core of information that can be reached by a struggling student.
	Will I be notified if my daughter has a low grade?
	In general, only if your daughter notifies you. http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/registrar/
	Can lectures be recorded? Are lecture notes available on the web?
	There are variable answers to this depending on the class/faculty member. I always encourage students to tape my lectures if they wish (as long as they don’t force me to listen to my recorded voice!). With the My BGSU blackboard portal now open to faculty for each course, I suspect that more and more faculty members will use this resource to make class information, including lecture notes, available to students.
	Who is the student’s advisor and when is this assigned? How often should a student meet with their advisors?
	Students have many advisors, and they are assigned one at the beginning with their association with the university. If a student is in a special program of some sort, there will be an advisor associated with the program. Each academic major has a collection of faculty advisors (with the number varying from one to several) with advisees assigned by methods determined by the major. Finally, each college has a number of academic advisors that the student may contact. With regard to frequency of contact, I would suggest that each student meet with at least one advisor at least once per term. If the student is comfortable with less frequent meetings, or would like more meetings, they have the freedom to make those decisions. http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/advising/
	If I am involved in sports and miss classes while representing BGSU, what services are available for me?
	The student should first obtain information about interacting with faculty members from the Office of Student-Athlete Services. They should implement this information (e.g., inform faculty early in the term about any athletics conflicts with class meeting times) early in each term. http://bgsufalcons.ocsn.com/school-bio/bgu-stud-ath-serv.html
	At the freshman level, what percentage of professors teach classes? Do they use TA’s?
	This varies from department to department. In Biological Sciences, all lectures in courses for majors are taught by faculty members. TAs may teach labs at the freshman/sophomore level, but faculty also teaches upper division labs.
	How big are the general education classes?
	Individual lecture sections may range as large as 200 students. Each class will have some component (lab, recitation, and discussion section) that allows the interaction of smaller groups within the larger class.
	How much reading per week is required?
	Again, this varies from class to class, but if a student has reading skills that are not strong, they should work to strengthen them. In general a rule of thumb is to spend twice the time out of class studying as is spent in class (e.g., for a 3 credit class, spend six hours per week studying). For some classes, most of this time could be spent reading. Granted, this is sort of a utopian goal, but it’s not unrealistic.
	How hard is this compared to High School?
	Hardness’ depends on the student’s previous establishment of routine and study habits. If the student waits till the night before each assignment is due or each exam is going to happen to begin studying, it will be very hard. If they study on a regular basis and stay on top of their assignments, it will be less hard.
	How many classes can you miss before it effects your grade?
	Highly variable, but my feeling is that perfect attendance is its own reward. Instructors focus on material that they feel is important in their classes. If you miss class, you can ’read the book,’ but it is quite likely that you will not obtain the same context as will students who have attended class.
	How do I get a tutor?
	Through the department of concern, through the Study Skills Lab, through the college office, from posted announcements, from discussions with the instructor of the class of concern. http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/acen/sslab/
	How will students know what is expected in a specific class?
	Each faculty member supplies a syllabus at the beginning of the term that acts as a sort of contract between the faculty member and the student. This outlines the level of performance anticipated, the items to be mastered at each level, and other information.
	How can my student make special arrangements for their classes to meet the demands of their learning disability?
	By contacting Rob Cunningham in the Office of Disability Services. http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/disability/
	What should we do if our child wants to change majors?
	First, through rational discourse, determine what has precipitated this decision. If the decision appears to be based on superficial reasoning, suggest hanging with the current major a bit longer to determine if this decision is the correct one. If your student has made the decision to change majors and their reasoning appears sound (even if you can’t see a possible positive outcome of the change), be supportive of their decision. It’s their life and they will find a path to follow from this fork in the road.