Tips for Academic Success

1. Tips for Academic Success

2. University education is not like Secondary education • What is a credit hour? Classroom time • Hours outside class to study/prepare? • Every class hour requires 2 hours outside of class • How many credits do you take each semester? 30 • What is GPA? Grade Point Average • What GPA is required to renew Financial Aid? • Scholarships – 3,2 GPA (merit); 2.7 GPA (need) • What happens if my GPA falls below 2.0? Probation • What is class rank? A percentage • A measure of how a student's performance compares to other students in his or her class

3. Classroom expectations • AUCA student agreement • Code of Conduct • Respect professors and classmates • Come prepared for lectures, Seminars, Labs • Be curious…ask questions…professors will appreciate it • Learn “Active Listening” • Attend class – it is part of your contract • Actively participate in class - it is part of your grade • Your cell phone will not get you an “A” • Plagiarizing earns you an “F” grade • AUCA offers resources to help students complete classroom assignments and projects

4. Classroom expectations • Please remember: you are no longer a high school student • No one will do the work for you • You are expected to take responsibility and learn the material • Professors will not monitor your progress • Focus on your reading and writing skills • You will be reading 2-3 times more than in high school • Get help early – WARC, Advising

5. Plagiarism • AUCA Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct: • 2.1. Plagiarism. This includes handing in an assignment in which substantial portions were not written by the student, regardless of whether the original source(s) is a book or article, a thesis or dissertation (published or unpublished), an Internet article, a paper purchased from a paper mill, a paper written by another student, or any other source. Also, using data, images, charts and graphs without citation is plagiarism. • If you are found to have plagiarized any portion of an assignment, you will fail that assignment. Multiple instances of plagiarism may result in the student failing the course. • Let someone know – professor, tutor, advisor – if you do not know how to cite sources. It may save your grade.

6. Campus Resources • Academic Advisors are on hand from the first week of school until the end of the semester • Visit us in Room 110: Gulnur and Zarina • Free Tutoring on campus: WARC helps students with Writing, Math, Accounting, Programming and Economics • Visit warc.auca.kg to make an appointment • Free Counselor Services at AUCA • Email cs@auca.kg to make an appointment • All discussion are confidential

7. Scholarship Renewal • Do you have your Financial Aid/Scholarship award letter? • The letter will provide the requirements to renew your award • Renewal for donor scholarships vary • Merit-based awards require students to maintain a 3.2 overall GPA • Need-based awards require students to maintain a 2.7 GPA • What happens if you do not meet renewal criteria?

8. GPA Calculation • GPA: # of quality points divided by the total # of GPA credit hours • FYS grade A (4.0 x 6 credits) = 24 Quality Points ICP 100 B (3.0 x 3 credits) = 9 Quality Points COM 102 C (2.0 x 3 credits) = 6 Quality Points Russian B+(3.33 x 3 credits) = 9.99 Quality Points Kyrgyz F (0 x 3 credits) = 0 Quality Points Total Quality Points = 48.99/18 credits = 2.72 GPA Please note: Pass/Not pass courses do not count toward the GPA (Sports and some Arts classes)

9. Grading Scale GradeQuality Points A 4.0 A- 3.67 B+ 3.33 B 3.0 B- 2.67 C+ 2.33 C 2.0 C- 1.67 D+ 1.33 D 1.0 D- 0.67 F 0.00 * “W” (Withdrawal) grade does not impact GPA

10. Grade Forgiveness Policy • If you receive an “F” in any required course at AUCA, you must repeat the course as soon as possible. Elective (non-required) courses cannot be repeated. • If you pass the class the second time, grade forgiveness is applied (the “F” is removed from the GPA calculation). • This policy helps to keep students in good academic standing with Financial Aid renewal. • The “F” grade will stay on your transcript. • If you earn an “F” two times for the identical course, it grounds for dismissal from AUCA.

11. Academic Leave and Withdraw Policy • Academic Leave for up to two semesters is allowed without penalty. • Reasons students take Academic Leave: • Health of student; health of family member • Financial difficulties • Other - see your Professor, Department Office Manager, or advisor • Withdraw Policy: Request must be made before the 10th week of the semester • FALL 2018 the deadline: Friday, November 16, 2018

12. Components of anAUCA college degree • Completion of all requirements in your Major (number of credits vary by department) • Completion of all General Education requirements • Academic Minor (please note: IBL, PSY, SFW majors are not able to complete a minor in 4 years) • Electives

13. Course Evaluations • Course Evaluation is very important tool for AUCA to measure institution success • Your answers are completely anonymous • Course evaluation is issued near the end of each semester • Please make sure to take the time to complete this online evaluation • Transcripts become available only after the evaluation is completed

14. Communicating with Faculty and Advisors • When meeting with a professor or advisor, it is best to address them with respect • Try not to just jump into a chair and start talking; ask if you can sit down • Meet with faculty during regular office hours; emailing a request to meet is okay • Email etiquette to impress: • Show respect (Dear Professor …) • Use proper grammar • Discuss only academic and professional issues • Sign off with your full name • Do not expect to receive an answer immediately • Why develop rapport with professors?

15. The Future • Although you just started at AUCA, it is not too early to think about, and prepare for the future • Your undergraduate academic record will impact your future career and graduate school plans • Think carefully before you make decisions • Ask for help when you have problems, plans, concerns, and any issues

16. Workshops • Time-Management • Stress-Management • Learning Skills - Concentration • Effective Reading Strategies • Note-taking Techniques • Presentation Skills • Working in a Group

17. Career Services Three main objectives of AUCA Career Services: • Career Exploration: empower students to do research and make well informed choices • Pathways: steer AUCA students toward relevant careers – major and course selection, internships, volunteering, leadership • Workplace Competencies: educate students on necessary skills – soft skills/communication, technology, market demand, organizational cultures – to make a smooth transition into the work place

18. Peer Advisors • Peer Advisors (PAs) are students that assist the Academic Advising office, during the Orientation Week and throughout the Academic Year. • PAs provide support related to academic curriculum, course requirements, and major options. • PAs will also assist during the Online-registration period and in implementing the workshops aimed to improve academic performance