II.  ACADEMIC MATTERS AND SERVICES

 

Teaching Methods

In many ways you will probably find U.S. higher education different from that of your own country.  Differences may exist in the following area:

• Academic requirements
• Traditions
• Standards (class attendance, frequent assignments, quizzes)
• You may find some of the methods and techniques of teaching stimulating, while others seem confusing. 

 It is important to:

• Pay close attention to the academic guidelines of your particular degree program.

• Consult with your academic advisor and professors when you have questions.

• Make your educational goals clear as you design your study program. 

• Get to know your advisor and your professors.  Let them know you.

 Class attendance is imperative:

• If you miss class, the professor will assume you are uninterested.  Most professors count attendance in grading. 
• Do not miss class.
• Class participation (speaking out in class) is often considered in determining your grade. 

 Classroom behaviors and grading:

• Speak up in class and ask questions for clarity. 

• Your questions and comments will not offend anyone; they’re expected.
• Professors will generally wait for students to come to them for help rather than offering assistance. 
• Professors tend to be unsympathetic to the student who complains about her grade at the end of the semester but never asked for help earlier.  So ask early!  The professor will not be offended.  If you have problems, let them know!
• The professor will usually tell you in the first few classes how your final grade will be determined and this should be spelled out as well in the course syllabus.
• Professors differ in the importance given to various academic factors, such as class participation, attendance, tests, and final examinations in determining the final grade. 
• Be sure that you understand how the grade will be determined.  If you do not understand, ask!  Make certain it is clear.  It is generally estimated that students at Meredith need to spend two to three hours studying for each hour spent in class. 
• Students who are still becoming accustomed to reading in English will find more study time necessary.

Students at Meredith enjoy relatively small classes and a faculty-student ratio of approximately 1:17.  An average class size is 21.  Through a cooperative program with other colleges in Raleigh, a student may elect to take courses not offered by Meredith at North Carolina State University, St. Augustine's College, Shaw University, and Peace College.  Other nearby universities are Duke University, N.C. Central University in Durham and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Academic Assistance at Meredith

The Office of Academic Advisement provides support and assists students in achieving their academic goals by offering the following services:

• Study Skills assistance
• Individual consultation regarding academic issues
• Identification and tracking of academically at-risk students
• Faculty advisor assignment and training
• Early Warning System

For more information contact Amy Hitlin 760-8059 or visit the website at http://www.meredith.edu/students/advising/

Other resources include the following:

The Learning Center 760-2388

Supplemental Instructions 760-8521

English as a Second Language

Meredith College does not offer an English as a Second Language Course (ESL), however students are able to take courses in this area at the following local colleges:

• Durham Technical College, Adult Education & Basic Skills Programs

(919) 686-3626 Durham North Carolina English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are open to adults 18 years or older whose native language is not English.  Courses range from beginning to advanced levels of instruction. Advanced students may take conversation courses and other specialized subjects. All ESL courses help students cope with real-life situations requiring the use of English.  Fees may be required for higher-level courses.

• Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC (919) 662-3500

ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL) Wake Tech offers an academic preparation English as a Foreign Language program through its EFL Department.  This program is for students who come to Wake Tech because they want English skills for future academic studies at Wake Tech or another college or university. The EFL program is on the main campus and offers classroom instruction on four to five levels of proficiency in reading, composition, grammar and listening/speaking. The EFL classes meet five days a week for approximately four hours each day (usually 8:00 am to 1:00 pm).